Book Review 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Book Review 2 - Essay Example Other factors that led to its growth were the visionary leadership of Jerry Heffernan. The text locates the mentor of Heffernan, Frank Howard and how his effect was carried onto Howard’s son! Led by Forward, the empire started to expand after completing a couple of years from operating on a profitable basis. This phase saw the group acquire a second electric furnace along with a new rolling mill capable of rolling mid-sized structural up to 18 inches. The text then records how the company overcame a short time cash crisis and began generating cash flow from 1984. During the entire 80’s the company followed a period of continuos growth. In 1984, it was recognised as one of the best-managed plants in the United States. Throughout the period experiments and improvements were carried on and a lot of things were attained like the concept of casting beam blanks as opposed to billets. Interestingly, the text records that the improvements were not made on massive investments and capital but by innovative planning and implementation of those novel ideas. The text makes it clear that although Chapperal’s gloats over its technological prowess, the underlying human resources practices and resulting culture are the main reasons for its success. It illustrates upon the credo of pushing decision making policy of the management and the policy of ensuring self empowerment of the different sections of the company and how it has worked wonders for them. The blend of trust, responsibility, knowledge, expertise, competence and authority has been pointed out as the main factors for the astounding success of the company. The text also points out the challenges that lie ahead for the company, especially its dream of recycling 100% of automobiles. The text shows that the important lesson that is to be learnt from the Chaparral Company is the manner in which it has been able to convert its potential to