Welch: An American Icon

Financial writer Janet Lowe is the author of numerous business biographies, including Jack Welch Speaks, which analyzes what the legendary chairman of General Electric has had to say about himself and his career. In her new book, Welch: An American Icon, Lowe defines the legacy he will leave behind, when he retires sometime after the end of 2001, by examining how Welch "made himself into a global icon representing American business in its most powerful, most impressive, most efficient, and most admired incarnation." Her opening section looks at the man--who he is, where he came from, what he believes--along with the inimitable personal style that earned him Fortune magazine's Manager of the Century designation. Part Two details the changes Welch imposed on GE during his 20 years at the helm, from restructuring the management and employee ranks to revamping the business lineup, implementing the Six Sigma quality initiative, and committing to both globalization and the Internet. It also discusses the hundreds of firms he jettisoned or acquired, and the way he used the company's 67,588 patents to build from within. The final part speculates on the future: GE after Welch (including challenges facing his successor, like rebuilding the management team and managing the public's perception of it) and Welch after GE (with activities ranging from a bigtime book tour and golf to charity work and a possible foray into e-commerce). Prior to the release of Welch's own book after he steps down, this offers probably the most up-to-date look available at this highly competitive strategist whose shoes will indeed be difficult to fill. --Howard Rothman