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Harold Geneen
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Full Name and Common Aliases


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Harold Stanley Geneen was a British-American businessman and entrepreneur who is best known for his leadership of the conglomerate ITT Corporation.

Birth and Death Dates


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Born: April 10, 1910, in London, England
Died: March 28, 1997, in New York City, USA

Nationality and Profession(s)


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Geneen was a British-American national and held dual citizenship. He is best known for his work as an entrepreneur, businessman, and corporate executive.

Early Life and Background


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Harold Geneen was born on April 10, 1910, in London, England, to a family of modest means. His early life was marked by hardship and struggle, with Geneen having to drop out of school at the age of 13 to support his family. Despite these challenges, he was determined to succeed and went on to work as an office boy for a British firm.

Geneen's entrepreneurial spirit and drive led him to migrate to the United States in the early 1930s. He settled in New York City and began working for various companies, eventually rising through the ranks to become a successful executive.

Major Accomplishments


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During his illustrious career, Geneen achieved numerous notable accomplishments. In 1926, he joined International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) as an office boy. Over the next several decades, he worked tirelessly to build the company into one of the largest conglomerates in the world.

Geneen's leadership at ITT was marked by a series of strategic acquisitions and mergers that expanded the company's reach and influence. He played a key role in shaping the modern corporate landscape and was known for his innovative approach to business.

Notable Works or Actions


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Some of Geneen's most notable works include:

Building ITT into a global conglomerate with operations spanning across various industries, including telecommunications, manufacturing, and services.
Developing and implementing successful strategies that drove growth and expansion through strategic acquisitions and mergers.
* Playing a key role in shaping the modern corporate landscape and influencing business practices worldwide.

Impact and Legacy


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Harold Geneen's impact on the business world is immeasurable. He left behind a legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership that continues to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and executives.

Geneen's commitment to building a global conglomerate through strategic acquisitions and mergers raised important questions about corporate power, accountability, and governance. His approach has been both praised for its innovative spirit and criticized for its potential consequences on society.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


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Harold Geneen is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful comments on business and leadership. He was known for his wit, humor, and candor in sharing his experiences and perspectives on the corporate world.

Geneen's quotes have been extensively cited by business leaders, entrepreneurs, and media outlets worldwide. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and effective leadership in driving growth and success.

As a testament to his enduring impact, Geneen's story continues to be studied and referenced by students of business, leadership, and management.

Quotes by Harold Geneen

Harold Geneen's insights on:

The highest art of professional management requires the literal ability to ‘smell’ a ‘real fact’ from all others.
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The highest art of professional management requires the literal ability to ‘smell’ a ‘real fact’ from all others.
If you keep working you’ll last longer. I’d hate to spend the rest of my life trying to outwit an 18-inch fish.
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If you keep working you’ll last longer. I’d hate to spend the rest of my life trying to outwit an 18-inch fish.
It’s better to take over and build upon an existing business than to start a new one.
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It’s better to take over and build upon an existing business than to start a new one.
The professional’s grasp of the numbers is a measure of the control he has over the events that the figures represent.
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The professional’s grasp of the numbers is a measure of the control he has over the events that the figures represent.
What you manage in business is people.
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What you manage in business is people.
Do you want my one-word secret of happiness? It’s growth – – mental, financial you name it.
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Do you want my one-word secret of happiness? It’s growth – – mental, financial you name it.
I don’t believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them.
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I don’t believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them.
You can’t run a business or anything else on a theory.
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You can’t run a business or anything else on a theory.
We must not be hampered by yesterday’s myths in concentrating on today’s needs.
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We must not be hampered by yesterday’s myths in concentrating on today’s needs.
If your desk isn’t cluttered, you probably aren’t doing your job.
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If your desk isn’t cluttered, you probably aren’t doing your job.
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