John H. Patterson

Strategic Concepts & Mechanics

Signature MoveIverson: Four Layers Max, Then Stop Building Hierarchy

Cornerstone MoveIncentives as Architecture, Not Decoration

Strategic PatternStay Half a Step Ahead, Not a Mile

Capital StrategyCash Reinvested for Domination Not Dividends

Cornerstone MoveDominate One Small Thing Before Growing

Signature MoveSchwab: Split Half the Profit and Watch It Multiply

Risk DoctrineTen-Million-Dollar Education, Not Termination

Signature MoveLemann's 3G: Buy the Brewer, Install the Meritocracy

Signature MovePatterson: Educate the Customer Into Needing You

Cornerstone MoveDecentralize Everything Except Culture

Signature MovePrice: Lowest Price as Moral Crusade, Not Marketing Tactic

Risk DoctrineCalculated Bullets Before Cannonballs

Competitive AdvantageCulture as the Only Uncopiable Moat

Signature MoveKelleher: Distill Strategy to Doing, Not Planning

Cornerstone MovePromote From the Ranks, Never Import Generals

Identity & CulturePermanent Dissatisfaction as Fuel

Primary Evidence

"Ken Iverson’s view of risk was similar to a story Herb Kelleher told about Thomas Watson, the disciple of John H. Patterson."

Source:Intelligent Fanatics Project

"John H. Patterson —National Cash Register Simon Marks —Marks & Spencer Sol Price —FedMart & Price Club Les Schwab —Les Schwab Tire Centers Herb Kelleher —Southwest Airlines Chester Cadieux —QuikTrip F. Kenneth Iverson—Nucor 3G partners —Garantia, Lojas Americanas, and Anheuser-Busch InBev"

Source:Intelligent Fanatics Project

"Intelligent Fanatic CEO Characteristics CEO Industry Experience Long-Term View Superpower of Incentives Ownership Mind-Set Productive Paranoia Experimentation Decentralized John H. Patterson None ✔ High High High ✔ Yes Simon Marks Minimal ✔ Medium High High ✔ Yes Sol Price None ✔ Medium High High ✔ Yes Les Schwab None ✔ High High High ✔ Yes Herb Kelleher None ✔ High High High ✔ Yes Chester Cadieux None ✔ High High High ✔ Yes Ken Iverson None ✔ High High High ✔ Yes 3G partners None ✔ High High High ✔"

Source:Intelligent Fanatics Project

"Samuel Crowther, John H. Patterson: Pioneer in Industrial Welfare (New York: Doubleday, Page & Co., 1923)."

Source:Intelligent Fanatics Project

Appears In Volumes

Intelligent Fanatics Project