Memos from the Chairman
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Book Overview
"Ace Greenberg did almost everything better than I do--bridge, magic tricks, dog training, and arbitrage--all the important things in life." --WARREN BUFFETT Alan C. Greenberg, the former chairman of Bear, Stearns, and a celebrated philanthropist, was known throughout the financial world for his biting, quirky but invaluable and wise memos. Read by everyone from Warren Buffett to Jeff Bezos to Tom Peters ("I love this book," the coauthor of In Search of Excellence said), Greenberg's MEMOS FROM THE CHAIRMAN comprise a unique--and uniquely simple--management philosophy. Make decisions based on common sense. Avoid the herd mentality. Control expenses with unrelenting vigil. Run your business at the highest level of morality. Free your motivated, intelligent people from the chain of command. Always return phone calls promptly and courteously. Never believe your own body odor is perfume. And stay humble, humble, humble.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:0761103465
ISBN13:9780761103462
Release Date:March 1996
Publisher:Workman Publishing
Length:160 Pages
Weight:0.94 lbs.
Dimensions:0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Critical Insights & Common Sense
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
To begin with, an author, particularly of a business-related book could not receive a better endorsement than from Warren Buffett. For the informed reader, that could suffice for a review. For those unfamiliar with Buffett, this book is a must read. Ace Greenberg is witty, humorous and on the money with each subject. Peter Drucker suggested that the most effective form of communication is the 1-page memo and Ace Greenberg shows uncanny mastery of that form of communication. Whether you work in a small or large organization, but particularly a large one, this book is must reading. Enjoy.
Haimchinkel Malintz Anaynikal speaks!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 17 years ago
Alan "Ace" Greenberg's pithy sayings apparently created a spirit of comradery which brought Bear Stearns through the tumultuous 1970s and 80s, to be the powerhouse it is today. In addition to his many talents with arbitrage, yoyo, and playing bridge, the Chairman is a funny guy. It's heartwarming to know he still has his finger in the game, and that his successor is cut of the same cloth. Save your paperclips and fix those rubber bands, people! BTW, if you've ever been to Bear Stearns HQ on Madison avenue; the place still sizzles with elan and zeal. He's certainly built a corporate culture which has lasted. No slouchy people in jeans at the Bear; people there never got sloppy like the rest of america did. Of course, I'm an outsider looking in, but what I saw looks pretty impressive. Who would you trust with your money? The slob slouching around throwing paper clips in the trash, or the guys who are neat as pins who waste nothing? Check out their returns for the answer to that. Edit Add: OK, maybe ties were not all that was needed. It's still a great book, even if the coda to the Bear story is a sad one.
Ahhhh...Corporate America!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
As I was sifting through dust-ridden literature in my library, I came across this legendary book. I too am a former employee of Bear Stearns and remember meeting Mr. Greenberg during my frequent visits to the trading floor. I enjoyed 'Memos from the Chairman' because it's from the real Alan Greenberg, the legend.... Five stars!!!
Good Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Good book, quick read. I finished it in about two days and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it's a little repetetive on cutting costs, Greenberg, HAC, and Nookie make some very good points. At times they do seem quite greedy and money-centric but Greenberg says, "I hate throwing money out the door." The lesson I took away was to not waste rather than to be greedy.P.S.: Keeping with the spirit of the book, save some money and buy it used although I have no plans of selling my copy anytime soon.
Brilliant - a must read for future bankers
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
A truly inspirational insight into the creation of the corporate culture of Bear Sterns, one of the most successful US investment banks. Put simply, the book is a collection of memos passed around the office, written by the ubiquitous Ace Greenberg. His fascination with saving on paper clips and lighting expenses should be a lesson to us all. At the time I read the book, I was so impressed with the content that I wrote to Mr Greenberg personally, and asked him for a job - need I say any more!!
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