• Home
• Tom Peters Company
  • - Consulting Services
• Tom's World
  • - Book Tom
  • - Calendar
  • - Tom's Bio and PR
  • - Photo Gallery
  • - Tom's Books
  • - Tom's Videos, etc.
  • - News Column Archives
  • - Media Sightings
• Cool Friends
  • - Current Interview
  • - Archives
• Resources
  • - Free Stuff (PDFs, etc.)
  • - Event Slides
  • - Master & Special Slides
  • - Blog Archives
  • - Banner Archives
• Contact Us

Comments

When In Search Of Excellence came out, I got new ideas and new names to all ideas. It was -- and still is -- an extraordinary textbook. I keep my mine in a safe place and plan to re-dead it many times.

It is good to know that Mr. Waterman is in communication with Tom.

Posted by Andres Agostini (Andy) at November 17, 2009 10:29 PM

One reviewer of In Search said that the authors demonstrated the "wonderful news that the right thing to do [for people] is also the profitable thing to do," or words to that effect. Bob Waterman is a wonderful human being, who cares about that steamfitter at least as much as the CEO--probably more. His humanity shines through every page on In Search; I think that's a lot of the reason the book has had staying power. Working with Bob is unequivocally the most extraordinary professional experience I have ever had or ever will have. The personal side of the relationship is as good as the professional. The Waterman family is as good as it gets.

Posted by tom peters at November 18, 2009 7:22 AM

Its clear from their mutual affection that Peters and Waterman were/are a great team.

I recall buying my copy of ISOE in 1984 here in the UK and from that moment to this Bob Waterman has been a bit of a mystery whilst Tom wears his heart on his sleeve and what you see is what you get - or pretty damn close to it.

Thank you Mr Waterman for sharing something of you, the person. It's both enlightening and educational. I love your pragmatism and common sense view of life - dare I say 'simplicity' and not in a patronising way.

I enjoyed this more than any other cool friend interview. A thought crossed my mind - I wonder how you two guys would have been remembered had you not collaborated on that 'excellence' project. Would I have known of either of you?

I wish you both long, happy and healthy lives - you still have much to do - please keep rattling cages in your very different but equally effective and valuable ways.

Best wishes.

Trevor

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 18, 2009 2:31 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtGF2m102Wg

Posted by TrueLove at November 18, 2009 7:58 PM

I recall reading and using many of the concepts and examples
of "The Renewal Factor" into a lot of the performance management courses I taught in the early 90's. Trust and teamwork, using frontliners as a source of ideas and innovation works just as great today as it did back in the day. "The right thing to do for people is also the profitable thing to do"...absolutely. Which raises the question...why can't most folks who call themselves leaders see that B.F.O.??????? Can one's ego actually eclipse their common sense?

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 18, 2009 10:49 PM

Good point, Tom. In being useful to society, it is indispensable to be profitable.

Without the earnings one cannot undertake business initiatives and become engaged, say, with social programs.

Posted by Andres Agostini (Andy) at November 19, 2009 5:29 AM

Wow! What a wonderful interview. Thank you. I'm really looking forward to reading What America Does Right. Love the AES story and the heart throughout the interview. It's also cool that he's on the board of the San Francisco Symphony. Thanks again Mr. Waterman and Erik!

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2009 11:10 PM

Oh, and, awesome picture too!

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 21, 2009 11:11 PM

I actually thought "Restless Leg Syndrome" was a put-on until I read the interview. Ya' learn something everyday. I just ordered one of his books.

Posted by John O'Leary at November 22, 2009 12:56 PM