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My Life and Work

by: Henry Ford, Samuel Crowther,
en

1596052910  9781596052918 

 


By Henry Ford, Samuel Crowther,

 


Book Description:

Ideas are of themselves extraordinarily valuable, but an idea is just an idea. Almost any one can think up an idea. The thing that counts is developing it into a practical product. - from the Introduction The lessons of Henry Ford, one of America's greatest business innovators, are as fresh and vital today as they were in 1922, when this extraordinary book was first published. Though the title suggests the autobiographical, this is in fact a bible of business philosophy from the man many considered "insane" for the very innovations we hail as visionary today: the assembly line, reduced working hours, a minimum wage, the five-day work week. Ford explains: . how his experiences as an employee influenced his philosophies as an employer . why saving money isn't always a good thing . the absolute worst time to approach a bank for a loan . why lowering prices below production costs can be a smart move . and much more. It's easy to see that much of Ford's wisdom has been forgotten today-and that individual entrepreneurs and global corporations alike would do well to take another look. American entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist HENRY FORD (1863-1947) was born in Michigan and trained as a machinist and engineer before founding, in 1903, the Ford Motor Company.



Download Description:

Unduly high prices are always a sign of unsound business, because they are always due to some abnormal condition. A healthy patient has a normal temperature; a healthy market has normal prices. High prices come about commonly by reason of speculation following the report of a shortage. Although there is never a shortage in everything, a shortage in just a few important commodities, or even in one, serves to start speculation. Or again, goods may not be short at all. An inflation of currency or credit will cause a quick bulge in apparent buying power and the consequent opportunity to speculate. There may be a combination of actual shortages and a currency inflation--as frequently happens during war. But in any condition of unduly high prices, no matter what the real cause, the people pay the high prices because they think there is going to be a shortage.

 


Date: 2007-05-12   Rating: 5
Review:

A Surprise from the Past

I read about this book while doing some research into Lean management. Taiichi Ohno, "father" of the Toyota Production System noted that he learned many lean principles from Henry Ford. After finishing this book, I would recommend that EVERY CEO in this country be REQUIRED to read it. It is a wonderfully clear description of management and leadership principles that all companies should embrace. Mr. Ford is clear on the purpose of a company - to build products and pre services that meet the needs of its customers. If we do this, as he notes, the money will follow. We get it backwards so often these days - we think the purpose of a company is to make money or increase its share price.

As opposed to most business books where one idea is promoted and beaten to death, Mr. Ford's book is full of good ideas on all aspects of managing a business. It's a delightfully refreshing read!



Date: 2007-01-30   Rating: 5
Review:

My Life and Work

This is a book every business executive should read at least twice.
The wisdom of one the greatest entrepreneurs and practical thinkers of our time is lasting.
Exellent book. Fords thinking is focused and joyful reading



Date: 2006-11-10   Rating: 5
Review:

Ford led the way

It is little wonder why the leaders at Toyota give Henry Ford the credit for leading them to the promised land of LEAN and TPS. He was way ahead of his time and in some respects his vision is still way ahead of our time. What an amazing personality, mind, and story.



Date: 2006-09-02   Rating: 5
Review:

The Mind of Ford

First I want to tell you what this book is not. It is not a biography. It really isn't a biography of the Ford motor company either. What it is is the mind of Ford on paper. Henry Ford was a pure genius! This book is about how Henry ran his company and about his thoughts and ideals on business. You will really get to know the man behind the company in this book. A few of the chapter titles are "What I Learned about Business", "The Secret of Manufacturing and Serving", "Wages", "Why Not Always have Good Business" and "Money - Master or Servant". This is one of the top business books ever written. I think it was written very well and it just grabs your attention from the begining. If you are looking for a great business book or just a great book about the real Henry Ford then you need not look any further. He certainly was one of the best business men to ever live.



Date: 2005-08-31   Rating: 5
Review:

Fascinating!

A wonderfully candid look into the life of an incredibly successful and iant businessman. Henry Ford was a genius but never lost touch with the common man. He did a great deal to raise the standard of living for his workers. It was very interesting to take a peek into the mind of this great industrialist.