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Prophets in the Dark: How Xerox Reinvented Itself and Beat Back the Japanese
When Kearns became CEO of Xerox in 1982, he learned that the seemingly solid company was in danger of going under if it didn't react to increasing Japanese competition. Now he tells how his "prophets in the dark" slashed costs, doubled production, and cut the product development cycle by a full year to get Xerox back on top. Photos.
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2015
I know book reviews are very subjective and based on a reviewers own interests, likes, and dislikes. That said, I REALLY liked this book! :) I bought it years ago at a used-book place and wish I'd read it earlier!
The first section of the book (which makes up three-quarters of the total) is in the form of a story relating the beginnings of Xerox, its growth as a company, how David Kearns (one of the authors of the book) ended up as its CEO, and the tremendous and ultimately successful endeavor they undertook to change the way they did things in order to produce superior quality products and gain back the market share they had lost to the Japanese to the point that they were threatened with extinction. Along the way, Kearns talks frankly about failures, weaknesses, challenges, and lessons learned the hard way. All in all, it makes for very interesting reading for those interested in leadership, business, entrepreneurship, etc.
The last section of the book is more advisory in nature and contains some good lessons for leaders and aspiring leaders.
The first section of the book (which makes up three-quarters of the total) is in the form of a story relating the beginnings of Xerox, its growth as a company, how David Kearns (one of the authors of the book) ended up as its CEO, and the tremendous and ultimately successful endeavor they undertook to change the way they did things in order to produce superior quality products and gain back the market share they had lost to the Japanese to the point that they were threatened with extinction. Along the way, Kearns talks frankly about failures, weaknesses, challenges, and lessons learned the hard way. All in all, it makes for very interesting reading for those interested in leadership, business, entrepreneurship, etc.
The last section of the book is more advisory in nature and contains some good lessons for leaders and aspiring leaders.
December 12, 2015
One of the best books on how large companies decay while everyone believes they thrive. And how typical reorganizations and high level corporate initiatives kill organizations. The book describes another way. How to reverse the degradation by rebuilding the organization to focused on user needs.
Xerox was Microsfot, Google and Facebook of 1970's. The product changed, organizational problems are the same.
Xerox was Microsfot, Google and Facebook of 1970's. The product changed, organizational problems are the same.
September 8, 2014
Pioneros en implantar la calidad para vencer la competencia japonesa. Ejemplarizante.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews