By Rolf Crocker

Some of my early interest in ‘business’ reading was generated by Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric.  People have very different opinions about Welch.  However, 20-years of double-digit growth, coupled with the number of former GE leadership talent that are now CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies is hard to argue with.  Jack – Straight From The Gut is Welch’s autobiography, completed shortly after his retirement from GE.  This review is on the Hardback edition – the paperback was released last year and has been updated through 2003.  The second book, Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done is co-written by former GE VP, and former AlliedSignal/Honeywell CEO Larry Bossidy (along with business guru Ram Charan).

Jack – Straight From The Gut by Jack Welch with John A. Byrne (©2001 Warner Business Books) While somewhat self-serving (what autobiography isn’t!), this book is a well-written and exciting read about the man who took a 100 year old company to the next level and beyond.  Few could see the future like Jack Welch, who began positioning GE for growth at a time when GE was already considered ‘best in class’.  From coming up through the ranks of GE, through the competition that made him CEO, to the competition that lead to his replacement, it’s all there.  A thorough outline of Welch’s ‘Rewards & Consequences’ policy is included, along with key letters to staff, excerpts from GE’s training doctrine and excerpts from GE Public Reports.   Like most things – pick the meat off the bones, but there is a lot of meat inside.    5 Stars!

Execution – The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan (©2002 Crown Business). We have all made plans, set personal goals, and some have even gone through the arduous process of creating a SBA-ready Business Plan.  The difference between success and failure is - Execution.  However, typically do not consider Execution a ‘discipline’, in the way we do other disciplines, such as time management, diet or exercise. Bossidy and Charan take real-world examples of Fortune 500 companies, highlighting areas in which those companies have executed well and executed poorly.  They then break down the ideas and concepts into practical applications for the reader.  The ending is a little weak, in that I hoped for things to be ‘tied up’ a little better.  Nonetheless, I highly recommend it!   4 Stars!