THE FOUNDER OF IBM.

IBM is well-known by us, but not its founder, Thomas J. Watson Senior. He began his business career as a sewing machine salesman and later, when he became President of IBM, he used his sales techniques to promote the company’s name. There were IBM anthems, IBM songbooks, IBM regulation clothes, and the company motto, “Think”, appeared on every wall in the organization.

When Watson joined IBM in 1914, the company was almost broke. Under his leadership, it grew beyond all expectations, and adopted a leading position in the information-processing industry.

So how did he do it?

Watson believed that the way to win a man’s loyalty is to build up his self-respect. So under his management, IBM employees earned above-average salaries and good pensions. In return, he demanded loyalty and enthusiasm. Everyone worked long hours.

Until 1950, IBM never sold machines. They just rented them customers. Watson insisted on this policy, and it helped the company to survive the Depression of the 1930s. He had a strong personality and made all the major decisions himself. As many as forty top people reported to him personally. Watson thought that a manager should be an assistant to his men, and IBM ran no management training schools in his day. The only advice he gave was: “You’re promoted to Assistant Manager. Be careful with people, don’t swear, and wear a white shirt”.



Interesting or boring..., that´s -ing.