New Ideas from Dead CEOs unveils the secrets of successful CEOs through an intimate exploration of their professional and personal lives. It examines why Ray Kroc's McDonald's plan succeeded while many burger joints failed, and how Krispy Kreme overlooked Kroc's hard-earned lessons. The book highlights Walt Disney's pivotal moment as a young cartoonist that transformed his career and Estée Lauder's vision in a time when the average American spent just $8 annually on toiletries. It delves into Thomas Watson Jr.'s bold decision to invest IBM's future in computing against his father's skepticism. Readers gain insight into these leaders' greatest challenges and failures, showcasing how they navigated demographic and technological shifts. The narrative extends beyond these historical figures, illustrating how their ideas can be applied to contemporary companies like Sony, Dell, and Costco as they strive to maintain or regain their market positions. The featured CEOs were not saints; they were deeply committed to their businesses rather than their personal fortunes. Todd G. Buchholz's work is a fresh, thoughtful, and engaging examination of the lessons we can still learn from these influential figures.
