Searching for the Spirit of Enterprise: Dismantling the Twentieth-Century Corporation Lessons from Asian, European, [Paperback]

Larry C. Farrell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1994

Farrell's persuasive and inspiring book, based on ten years of hands-on experience with Asian, European, and American entrepreneurs, totally debunks the 20th-century myth of the giant, traditional corporation as the engine of prosperity. The facts show that most real growth in all economies comes from younger, smaller, more entrepreneurial companies. "Right on target".--Harvey McKay.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Bigger is not always better, according to Farrell, head of his own business consulting firm in Virginia, in this irreverent examination of what he considers the decline of U.S. corporate giants led by M.B.A.-toting managers. The disintegration of mega-corporations, he contends, is irreversible; he recommends dismantling them and replacing them with "zero-based enterprises" to emulate the success of the international counterparts Farrell visited in 30 countries. Although their size, style and founders' backgrounds vary, they "fundamentally focus on the same things," especially products and customers. Unhampered by bureaucracies and "experts," they combine vision, a sense of mission, the ability to inspire employees and a talent for highspeed innovation. While some large corporations--Caterpillar, General Electric and Xerox--are attempting to revive the entrepreneurial spirit, the author argues that starting over is the most effective option.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Farrell, a former president of a consulting firm with experience as a vice president at Xerox, recommends a revival of the spirit of enterprise characteristic of new and small businesses. Big business, he asserts, has lost its sense of "mission" and needs to reestablish its vision by incorporating concern for both its product and customers. Farrell feels leaders and managers of firms need to foster and exhibit inspired behavior whether their enterprise is large or small. After bashing business organization in particular, he offers suggestions for changing practices in large businesses to make them more effective and enterprising. The message of this book, reminicent of Kepner and Tregoe's Vision in Action ( LJ 6/15/89), is enhanced by examples from firms both domestic and international with which the author has worked. Recommended for large public and academic library collections and, in particular, for executives in profit and nonprofit situations.
- Donald W. Maxwell, Stone Hills Lib. Network, Bloomington, Ind.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Plume (August 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452272270
• ISBN-13: 978-0452272279
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,659,531 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful thoughts on deconstructing companies into cells, April 8, 2000

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Robert D. Steele (Oakton, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Searching for the Spirit of Enterprise: Dismantling the Twentieth-Century Corporation Lessons from Asian, European, (Paperback)

Excellent airplane book. Articulates concerns about business schools that disdain real business, for managers that count money instead of making it, and for governments that are complacent about the lack of an entrepreneurial culture within their business ranks. His general approach is to deconstruct companies into smaller units where the management can be close to the actual value-creation, there are simpler more honest relationships, and there is a combined sense of pride and urgency that increases the momentum and productivity of the group.