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Summary: The proper way to manage a company
Review: All major computing companies have a set of myths, legends and facts that collectively form a unique mystique, but that of Hewlitt-Packard(HP) is truly different from the rest. Some of the unusual aspects of that mystique came to the forefront when the merger between HP and Compaq was reaching the final stages. One of the children of a founder launched a lawsuit against the merger because, among other things, it would lead to large number of layoffs, and that was "not the HP way." Good corporate citizenship and care for the workers are fundamental principles laid down and practiced by Bill Hewlitt and David Packard as they grew from a garage to a multi-billion dollar company.
This book is the story of that growth in the words of one of the founders. It is a tale of challenges, management strategies that were and still are unusual, corporate honesty (imagine that as a management strategy), opportunities seen and tenaciously pursued, occasional mistakes, but always remaining focused on success. The strategy of management by walking around is still one of the most successful tactics that can be used to manage people. Even a few minutes spent observing and conversing with an employee can show you more than any above the fray approach could possibly do and is an incredible morale booster for the entire staff.
Over the years, I have heard many of the stories associated with HP, and after a time, began relegating some of them into the area of company "myth." However, after reading this book, I came away even more impressed with Bill Hewlitt and David Packard. Books on how to manage companies are far too numerous to mention and many are thick enough to be of use to a bodybuilder. Small enough to be lifted by a toddler, this book contains more practical knowledge about how to start and manage a company than the majority of the heavyweights.
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Summary: American Dream In Action
Review: Bill Hewlett and David Packard created one of the worlds most admired companies in the world. Today Hewlett-Packard is also well known company in Russia. More than twelve years ago I wrote my first books on the HP Vectra PC/AT compatible machine.This book is a good overview. Its interesting to read how Hewlett Packard has grown from the little garage workshop (like Apple Computer was created a little later) to the large corporation it is today. This book is a simple, yet profound, guide to cultivating a healthy corporate culture. Extraordinary story.
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Summary: It's Very Simple: The HP Way
Review: Considering that an electrial engineer like David Packard could have written a, boring, detailed account of how he and Bill Hewlett pieced together their very first piece of equipment in the now famous Pal Alto, California garage. This book surprises you with its simple down to earth account of how it all began and how they built this tiny garage shop into the multi billion dollar company that it is today. They did it not only with a strong belief in new and innovative products, but in the people that helped build the company. This simple belief built the foundation into the HP way of corporate greatness. The book was simply written, but it is this style that allowed me to understand the friendship between David Packard and Bill Hewlett and the corporate culture that they developed at HP. I would recommend this book to anyone that is a manager or executive to benchmark the corporate culture that HP established or applaud yourself if you have already embraced the HP Way. I trully believe, as David Packard and Bill Hewlett did, that you need a strong belief in people to make a company succeed.
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Summary: A very frank portrait
Review: David Packard writes a very candid portrait of how he and his partner Bill Hewlett built HP out of a garage, a little like Apple was created a generation later. Wonderful history.
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Summary: HP Way... how to build an innovating company!
Review: Exciting and callenging... as I define Bill and David lives. A fantastic example of a process centered organization. Customer oriented, flexible, innovating and above all with a great confidence in its people, this is HP. This handbook could be very useful for who wants to build a company using the most innovating way and vision. No more words... enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: HP Way... how to build an innovating company!
Review: Exciting and callenging... as I define Bill and David lives. A fantastic example of a process centered organization. Customer oriented, flexible, innovating and above all with a great confidence in its people, this is HP. This handbook could be very useful for who wants to build a company using the most innovating way and vision. No more words... enjoy it!
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Summary: An excellent book (dry & factual) from an HP staff
Review: I have worked for Hewlett-Packard for six years. I find the stories explaining why the HP culture is in the existing way. In HP, we can use those stories as role model for how HP works. Therefore, I highly recommend HP staff to read this. In case that you are non-HP, you may need to read it several times before appreciating the HP culture.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: I really enjoyed this book. Learned a bit of how HP operates. Of course, HP is no longer the HP described in this book.
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Summary: Venture spirit reminder
Review: I've read this book to find out what motivated the people and companies in Silicon Valley which many other contries want to have one in their territory. It gave me lesson that the venture needs to be based on the acknowledgement of the understanding that the world is complex. Once take this granted,you can understand Hewlett and Packard did a great job and put a milestone to those who still can't understand the complexity of the society
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Summary: Bill and Davids Excellent Adventure
Review: If you thought that companies become admired by magic then think again - or better still, read the book. Bill Hewlett and David Packard created one of the worlds most admired companies and it has never stopped going from strength to strength, now with the likes of Carly Fiorina who has taken HP forward into the new millenium by going back to HPs roots. This book describes the start-up HP company and some of the aspects of its rapid growth and global expansion. There's not too much detail in this book but it does make for interesting reading - although the style is rather dry - for someone who holds up HP as a benchmark against which other companies can and should be measured. If you like me, like HP, then buy the book. Carly Fiorina has been quoted as saying "in this new world we must always remember that technology is only as valuable as the use to which it is put. In the end, technology is ultimately about people." - that, in a nutshell, is the HP Way. Regards, martyn_jones@iniciativas.com
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