Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
 Can't Put It Down October 27, 2009
John Gates
Pick up "ESPN: The Company" and just begin reading it. If you are at all like me, you will find that you can't put it down. This book has all the ingredients of a truly great business book: A hugely successful company, a world-famous brand, a hyper-competitive landscape, a wild ride through the four stages of ESPN's development described by the author, and fascinating and amazingly diverse leaders. And, of course, the "insider/outsider" perspective that author Tony Smith brings to the story. As the primary management consultant to ESPN for 20 years, Tony is in the unique position of being able to reflect in a very compelling way not only the history of the organization, but also the culture -- the stories, the values, the very sense of the place. At the same time, the author does a good job of keeping his obvious admiration for the story's key players in check. We learn, for example, not only about CEO George Bodenheimer's "calm, reassuring, purposeful" leadership style, but also his conflict averse nature; about former CEO Steve Bornstein's extraordinary intelligence and strategic acumen, but also his tendency to "strip people down in a New York minute." As with his first book, "The Taboos of Leadership," Tony seeks at all times to "keep it real." If you are a business-person wondering what to read on that next long flight, you will find that this book resonates, educates, and even entertains.
Inside scoop on the growth of a great Sports Network - ESPN October 18, 2009
Bob Salt (Leucadia, CA)
As a big sports enthusiast and a businessman, I thoroughly enjoyed ESPN The Company! I found the passion of ESPN's founders, as well as their employees and all future leaders to be inspirational. For a growing company to maintain, and improve on, the original commitment to the sports fan is truly impressive. What dedicated adherence to the key core value! As business leaders all know, it is very difficult to stay focused and maintain strategies and corporate cultures over time. To do so over 30 years, with multiple CEO's across an ever-evolving cable environment and sports markets is the true lesson in this book. Each CEO brought his own skill sets and strengths that were perfect for the stage of growth the company was gong through at the time.
As a sports fan it is interesting to learn about the story of how the network expanded their offerings - and the actions that transpired at all levels to make this commitment work. The business lessons Anthony Smith shares throughout this book offer powerful insights business leaders can tap into for instilling or enhancing their own commitment to their employees, customers and markets.
Sports fans and business leaders will both enjoy and benefit from the story and strategies in this excellent book!
Has it all October 16, 2009
Stuart Grauer (Encinitas, North Coast San Diego)
Tony Smith is a treasure trove of expertise on leadership. Getting his sage observations bundled as a part of sports history is defintely a two-fer. This book is a lot more than just a great lesson for growing businesses--its a great story.
Another Hit October 15, 2009
Howard J. Morgan (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)
I enjoyed Taboos and while this book deals with a totally different subject, Tony Smith has brought his usual unique style to the story of ESPN. While ESPN helped reinvent the way sports is reported, the background and strategy behind the story makes for great reading.
ESPN the Company October 14, 2009
Carolyn Howard (Del Mar, CA)
Tony Smith has written a fresh and engaging book, with lots of "insider" glimpses of this iconic company. It was filled with thought-provoking ideas and actionable principles. Highly recommended for sports fans as well as leaders-
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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