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The Black Sheep of the Family: Thomas Watson Jr.’s Early Years
When Thomas Watson Jr. stepped into his father’s shoes as president of IBM in 1952, he knew they would be hard ones to fill. Until not long before, Watson Jr.’s life had consisted in large part of drinking and partying. IBM had always been a part of his life, but only in the context of his father’s job. Was he ready to take the reins of this multinational company? Could he break out from his father’s shadow and create his own legacy?

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The Savory Taste of Success Thomas Rise to the Top
Thomas’ father once told him, “You’ll never keep a job! I’ll be supporting you for the rest of your life.” From being an anonymous baby who was unwanted by his birth parents to becoming a multi-million dollar CEO, Thomas made the vision he outlined as a 15 year old come true. Through a combination of hard work, desire and his unique personality, Thomas rose to the top of the food chain. What were his success factors?
Computer Titan: The Early Years of Thomas Watson
In his youth, Tom Watson was anything but the picture of success he would later come to be. He was asthmatic, shy and had few friends. But, this loner would soon become one of the greatest and richest salesmen in the world. As one of the most successful self-made industrialists of his time, Watson would turn the winds of fate, transforming his humble beginnings into a career whose legacy continues to this day.

The Computer Revolution: IBM Grows Up
Watson now knew that not only did he want to run his own business, but that he could. As a result, he turned down several job offers, choosing instead to approach financier Charles Flint, who had recently joined three companies to create the Computing, Tabulating, and Recording Company. Flint made Watson CTR’s new president.

Lesson #2: Always Choose Action Over Inaction
“Lying dead in the water and doing nothing is a comfortable alternative because it is without risk, but it is an absolutely fatal way to manage a business,” said Watson. By the time he had given up control, Watson had created one of the largest and most powerful companies in the entire country; and it wasn’t by sitting still and letting opportunities pass him by that he was able to do so.

From Peddling to Profits: How Thomas Watson Achieved Success
When Watson decided to change the name of his company to International Business Machines, he knew that it was a big name for a small company. But, over the next few decades, Watson would build the company to live up to its name. From a traveling door-to-door salesman to CEO of one of the largest expanding companies in the U.S., Watson’s name has since become synonymous with not only the beginnings of the computer industry but with what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. How did he do it?
Thomas Watson Quotes
Thomas Watson Quotes
The Black Sheep of the Family: Thomas Watson Jr.’s Early Years
When Thomas Watson Jr. stepped into his father’s shoes as president of IBM in 1952, he knew they would be hard ones to fill. Until not long before, Watson Jr.’s life had consisted in large part of drinking and partying. IBM had always been a part of his life, but only in the context of his father’s job. Was he ready to take the reins of this multinational company? Could he break out from his father’s shadow and create his own legacy?
In His Father’s Shoes: Watson Jr. Takes Over IBM
When Watson Jr. took on the top position at his father’s company, he did so at a time when it was devoted to electromechanical punch card systems. Watson Sr. had always rejected electronic computers believing they were expensive and unreliable. Watson Jr. wanted to change all of that.

Lesson #4: Never Stop Running Scared
“The secret I learned early on from my father was to run scared and never think I had it made,” said Watson Jr. “I never felt I was completely adequate to the job and always ran scared…The fundamental for our success was running scared. I've seen us go by companies whose chief executives used to make me shake in awe." One of the biggest keys to IBM’s success was Watson Jr.’s inability to sit still, to accept his success and ride it out. Instead, Watson Jr. always kept his eye on the future, always looked for improvement, for the next big opportunity and he refused to settle.

Thomas Watson Jr. Quotes
Thomas Watson Jr. Quotes
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