The World's Best Book Summaries
Who is Jim Mellor, and how did he contribute to the success of General Dynamics? Jim Mellor became the CEO after Bill Anders stepped down from the position in 1994. Mellor had worked closely with Anders as his COO, and continued the practices and strategies they’d put in place.
How do you take a grow a movie theater company? Dick Smith, CEO of General Cinema, found a way: by expanding into other business associated with movie theaters. General Cinema Theatres was a movie theater company founded in 1922 by Phillip Smith, who expanded drive-in theaters throughout New England and the Midwest. When he died in 1962, his son Dick Smith took over as CEO. Dick Smith further expanded the company’s theater locations, then diversified into unrelated businesses such as beverage bottling and retail.
Can a business get too big and lose focus? Can that negatively affect profits and share value? Bill Stiritz thought so, and moved swiftly to redefine the focus of Ralston Purina. Ralston Purina was a consumer packaged goods company producing commercial animal feed, consumer pet food, and human foods. With Bill Stiritz, Ralston Purina CEO, the company defined its focus, and worked on acquisitions that fit their profile. In 2001, Ralston merged with Nestle in a transaction worth $10.4 billion. Read on to find out how Bill Stiritz redefined the company and increased its value.
Why was William Anders’ (Bill Anders) work as CEO of General Dynamics Corporation so impactful? What strategies did he employ to make growth possible? William Anders is a former fighter pilot and astronaut. Anders joined General Dynamics to offer a new perspective on the defense company’s tactics following the end of the Cold War. Anders immediately worked to scale back operations, and find ways to grow the company’s value. Learn Bill Anders’ key business strategies at General Dynamics.
How did an inexperienced executive like Katharine Graham take the Washington Post from a local newspaper to a nationally-renowned publication and high-value company? Katharine Graham, Washington Post CEO from 1963-1993, took over management when her husband committed suicide. She first spent several years learning the ropes. She became a powerful CEO and smart decision-maker, and she made sure she had the best staff and advisers to make the company the powerhouse it is today.
TCI sold to AT&T for $43.5 billion in stock in 1999. So how did John Malone, TCI CEO, build such a high value, high return rate company during his time there? John Malone was the CEO of Tele-Communications Inc. from 1972-1991. During his time as CEO, Malone focused on growth, and the company. Learn about the management style and practices that made this growth possible.
Who is Tom Murphy, Capital Cities CEO, who facilitated the sale of Capital Cities Broadcasting to Disney in 1996? How did Murphy create such a valuable company? Tom Murphy was the CEO of Capital Cities Broadcasting, a media company owning television stations, radio stations, and print publications, from 1966 to 1996. Murphy implemented management strategies that dramatically increased the annual return rate, making him one of the most successful CEOs of a media company during that period. Read about how Tom Murphy grew the company leading up to the famous Disney deal.
What can your mentors teach you? Can those lessons apply to greater questions of life, death, and the mysteries of the universe? Paul Kalanithi believed so, and relied on educators like Shep Nuland to help him form his core values. Shep Nuland was an influential mentor for Paul Kalanithi. Shep Nuland was an American surgeon, educator, and writer who worked with Paul Kalanithi while Kalanithi studied at Yale Medical School. Shep Nuland helped guide Paul in his education and form his philosophy about treating patients and life and death.
How did Henry Singleton take Teledyne from a new company to one of the biggest conglomerates of the twentieth century? What strategies did he use? Henry Singleton was the co-founder of Teledyne. He founded the industrial conglomerate with a colleague at the age of 43, after working for other similar companies. Teledyne is currently involved in businesses ranging from aerospace electronics to digital imaging. Find out how Henry Singleton built this company using aggressive growth strategies.
Cady Kalanithi is Paul Kalanithi’s daughter with Lucy Kalanithi. She is featured in her father Paul’s memoir When Breath Becomes Air. Though Paul’s diagnosis was a shock to him and his family, they wanted to continue to help Paul live a full and enriching life. Paul and Lucy made the decision to have a baby. Of course, this was not an easy decision. Read more to find out how Paul and Lucy made this decision, and what Cady Kalanithi’s birth meant to Paul as he dealt with cancer.