Customer Reviews

Resisting Hostile Takeovers: The Case of Gillette

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I believe Resisting Hostile Takeovers is worth reading though I don't completely agree with Ms.Ricardo-Campbell's writing style. This book discusses two events Gillette had experiened through 1986 and 1988: hostile hakeover attempt and proxy battle. The author, as economist, very concisely details the major issues arising in the takeover battle such as business decision rule, antigreenmail, proxy battle, anti-takeover legislation etc. Caution is required, however, since this book is written from a board member's viewpoint and there are relatively not much about how managements and other legal and financial advisors reacted to the threats.

This excellent thesis has great credibility because it was written by someone who was actually in the game and not on the sidelines looking in. The detail is such that it could also serve as a text on the subject of takeovers. This book serves as a testament that even the some of the best managers(Gillette) should and will be constantly challenged ( if need be by outsiders like Perelman, etc) to increase shareholder value.

Well, perhaps not many students find takeover sories interesting. Perhaps,... But for an insight into real business problems, the Gillettte story is one of the very best. It shows that women may be better managers (even in a razor company), provides a fresh written perspective, and should be considered as a wounderful learing example for further geneations.