Frank Bennack: "Leave Something On The Table"

Over the years I’ve written a number of posts with a common theme revolving around various Analytics-related subjects. This article will be a great departure from my precedent, in that it would focus on the subject of Leadership, but also is based on a book. In fact, this is simply a collection of my notes after reading my first book so far this year: “Leave Something On the Table” by former Hearst Media CEO, Frank Bennack. In this book Mr. Bennack shares his advice on building success in one’s career and in personal life. Frank Bennack knows what he’s talking about: during his two stints as company’s CEO from 1979 to 2002 and 2008 to 2013, company’s revenue grew 14 times, while earnings rose 30 times. This growth is attributed to business expansion from a primarily newspaper publishing enterprise to a diversified media portfolio of magazines (Cosmopolitan, Esquire, O the Oprah Magazine, Car and Driver, etc), cable TV networks (50% stake in A&E; 20% stake in ESPN), 30+ local TV stations, financial services leader Fitch Group, a group of data, information, services and SAAS providers, and digital advertising companies. Still not convinced? Endorsements from other successful business people, including Michael Bloomberg, Ralph Lauren, and Robert Iger could help establish Mr. Benack’s credibility.

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