Lessons from the Titans

What Companies in the New Economy Can Learn from the Great Industrial Giants to Drive Sustainable Success

By: Scott Davis, Carter Copeland, Rob Wertheimer

Narrated by: Jim Denison

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Before Silicon Valley disrupted the world with new technologies and business models, America's industrial giants paved the way. Companies like General Electric, United Technologies, and Caterpillar were the Google and Amazon of their day, setting gold standards in innovation, growth, and profitability. Today's leaders can learn a great deal from their successes, as well as their missteps. In this essential guide, three veteran Wall Street analysts reveal timeless lessons from the titans of industry - and offer battle-tested survival tactics for an ever-changing world. You'll learn: how GE became the largest company on earth - only for a culture of arrogance to set in motion the largest collapse in history; how Boeing reassessed risks, raised profits - and tragically lost its balance; how Danaher avoided the pitfalls of tremendous success - by continually reinventing itself; how Honeywell experienced a near-fatal cultural breakdown - and executed a flawless turnaround; and how Caterpillar relied too much on forecasting, lost billions - and rallied by recommitting to the basics.

Filled with illuminating case studies and brilliant in-depth analysis, this invaluable book provides a multitude of insights that will help you weather market upheavals, adapt to disruptions, and optimize your resources to your best advantage.

©2020 Melius Research LLC (P)2021 McGraw Hill

MUST READ for Business owners/leaders!!

This book is definitely worth its weight in gold! learned so much and was hooked from the get go. If you can really take in what this boom is about, you can build a world class company just like the winners in this book.

I ordered hard copies and shared with colleagues who can benefit from this incredible read. A++++ HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Very informative

This book is pretty technical. Still very informative. it might not be for everyone but for everyone with an interest in these companies it was very well done.

Amazing and quick "read"

Great overview of some highly successful and not successful companies and their leaders and strategy. I honestly wasn't familiar with some of the companies profiled. It gives some great insights as to how Wall Street analyst also approach the companies they report on. It's a quick "read" and something you can listen to casually over two days.

One of the best books I read in 2023

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it went into complicated detail of decisions businesses made and the consequences of those decisions. I may even listen a second time.

Interesting profiles

Very interesting profiles of major industrial businesses covering the last 20+ years, written by investment analysts with deep knowledge and history with the companies. Lots of useful lessons from the various cases studies for present day investors and managers.

I did find some of the “new economy” commentary a bit superficial, this part might have been better left out (despite the title, it’s only a small fraction of the material). But overall a very informative book.

The best business book I’ve ever read!

Undoubtedly the best business book I’ve ever read/listened to. Extremely insightful and informative. I gained a lot appreciation for the companies and the CEO’s.

My only criticism is that there is no PDF included which is unfortunate since charts and graphs are referred to throughout.

Must listen for those in business!

Well researched. Great info. Really highlights what makes good leaders and gives examples of good and bad business decisions.

Excellent read and meaningful

A great look into the corporate world and culture, few understand the importance of lean manufacturing and having a great culture and team.