Memos to the President: Management Advice from the Nation's Chief Executive Officers

by PricewaterhouseCoopers (Editor)

Eavesdrop in the corridors of power . . . The nation's top CEOs share their valuable insights, experiences, and techniques running large, powerful organizations with the President of the United States. James J. Schiro, CEO of leading consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, has compiled important advice that reveals the crucial factors that determine the success of the country's top companies. In Memos to the President , chief executive officers from leading U.S. corporations apply their knowledge of managing complex organizations to the monumental challenges facing the federal government. In memos addressed directly to the president, they discuss major management issues and offer valuable insights and strategies that will help the president leverage technology to improve performance; create new programs for developing future leaders; improve internal communications; manage large-scale organizational change; and promote ethical behavior. This invaluable advice comes from major business figures,

237 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2004

Reviews

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting compilation of hypothetical advice memos from corporate executives to a potential President of the United States. The premise of the book proved really thought-provoking and provided for an enjoyable read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize 'til way late that this audio version came out in 2001 and the hardcover was copyrighted in 2000. Interestingly, the advice given in the memos is timeless enough that it seemed not to matter to whom the letters were addressed.

[Tommy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few factors I think that contribute to my lack of enthusiasm for this book and the concepts talked about by most of the CEOs:

1. It was written in 2001 as memos to the president and a lot of the tech suggestions are outdated. That is to be expected and certainly not the book's fault.

2. Working at a business school, a lot of these ideas seem old hat.

3. Being young, and probably more internet/tech oriented than a CEO, I cringe when business executives talk about being at the cutting edge of technology when most exemplary organizations are at the cutting edge of technology...for big businesses. Major corporations aren't lead users of most technology. They just jump on board when the lead users have already established a critical mass. Granted they are giving this advice to the government, which is usually light years behind business in technology, but this isn't something they should be bragging about.

That being said, all of the advice is pretty good but not revolutionary.

I also don't entirely approve of the implied premise: business does things well so they should tell government how to improve.

How about non-profits teaching business something? How about government teaching business something?

Global warming, worker's rights, income inequality...where are the business leaders in all of these?

[Manu · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty interesting read - collection of Memos to a President-elect of US from the CEO of various companies. The book revolves around these CEOs trying to educate the President on some core issues that they think would help him to pick and choose his cabinet members and have them focus on these core issues. It is interesting to read so many memos at one place. These memos though come from different CEOs of organizations in different industries, all these memos have common underlying themes around - leadership, vision, communication, employees, strategy and technology. All the memos have the CEOs talking about how they leveraged these themes to turn around and further grow their business after learning lessons which they would like the President to make a note of while he formulates the plans for running the Federal administration.

It was an interesting read and felt like reading a novel. Very well compiled!

[Gil Bradshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super-short book but it was great. I'm completely amazed by the caliber of executives which were contributors. Also, I'm amazed at how well-written the Memos were.

As far as content, I think that even though every executive thoughtfully considered what was wrong with the government today, they sort of hit on the same few things. They all acted with humility, but it was clear while reading this book that each of these CEOs were WAY better at leadership than our President's are. They've had harder roads to get where they are at as well. It's much easier to become a successful politician without leadership skills than to become a CEO of a mega-firm like these guys.

Definitely worth a read if you are into business management books.