Why did mid-century conglomerate CEOs believe they could run
Chapter 1

The birth of the boss

Chapter 2

The organizational machine

Chapter 3

Global styles of leadership

Chapter 4

The era of the superstar

YOUR GOAL

Master of The secret history of the corner office

Ch 2 · The organizational machine
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marcus The Organizational Machine

Before we built the pyramid, we drew the corporate machine like a tree

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Order is maintained not by absolute control but by coordinated independence.

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The business school and the scientific MBA

marcus Following World War II, this standardized degree trained future executives to run companies using data, balance sheets, and

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The corporate ladder of the organization man

marcus An illustration depicts the steps of a corporate ladder for the organization man.

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Fun Fact

Sloan's car colors: Alfred Sloan pioneered offering cars in multiple colors and models, successfully overtaking Henry Ford's famous single-color Model T strategy.

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Gossip

Would you wear a strict corporate suit to work every day?

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Quiz

Which massive 1960s conglomerate owned both Sheraton Hotels and Avis Rent a Car at the same time?

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Quiz

What type of corporate structure involves a single company buying completely unrelated businesses to diversify?

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Quiz

What was Alfred Sloan's famous management formula for balancing independence and central authority at General Motors?

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Quiz

What post-WWII US legislation caused a massive explosion in MBA enrollments?

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Quiz

Who pioneered the concept of decentralized management at General Motors in the 1920s?

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Quiz

Which university introduced the world's first Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in 1908?

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Quiz

Why did mid-century conglomerate CEOs believe they could run completely unrelated businesses successfully?

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Quiz

What sociological term described the loyal, conformist 1950s corporate worker climbing the corporate ladder?

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