Up the Organization

In this summary you will learn

• How to tame your organization
• Which departments you should eliminate
• Why upper managers should set their own schedules
• Why a small growing company should not emulate the methods of a big successful company

getAbstract rating

Why you should read Up the Organization

This is a reprint of a classic best-selling book on business that has been widely copied but never duplicated. Yes, other successful collections of short, clever aphorisms have appeared and faded, but Robert Townsend had the ability to pierce the heart of the matter with stiletto sharpness. Just gloss over the small out-of-date references (like salary levels) and enjoy his ABCs of management. While some of Townsend’s recommendations still seem radical, he lived by these principles, and was a very successful, popular executive with Avis and American Express. getAbstract cautions that this is a book of epigrams, not a narrative, so it might be a little choppy. Still, Townsend manages to balance a savvy, fun attitude with serious, strategic advice.

About the Author

Robert Townsend worked at a global financial-services company as a banker and revitalized a major car rental company as president and chairman. He served as an executive at several other companies, and was a popular lecturer and TV talk show guest. He died in 1998.