Most companies do not survive the upheavals of change and competition over the long haul. But there are a few remarkable firms that have withstood the test of several centuries. What hidden lessons do they hold for the rest of us? Arie de Geus, the man who introduced the revolutionary concept of the learning organization, reveals the key to managing for a long and prosperous organizational life. "The Living Company" speaks not just to aspiring leaders, but to anyone trying to adapt to a turbulent business environment. Only those steeped in the habits of a living company will survive. 'This profound and uplifting book is for the leaders in all of us. Arie de Geus challenges most of the conventional wisdom in management thinking today' - Dr. James F. Moore, author of "The Death of Competition".'Arie de Geus gives leaders of the future an indispensable guidebook in which commitment to values, people, learning, and innovation defines the living company. It's in my book bag' - Frances Hesselbein, President and CEO, The Drucker Foundation. Author Bio: Arie de Geus worked for Royal Dutch/Shell for thirty-eight years and is widely credited with originating the concept of the learning organization. Since his retirement, he has advised many government and private institutions and has lectured throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword, Peter M. Senge Acknowledgements Prologue: The Lifespan of a Company Section I: Learning 1. The Shift from Capitalism to a Knowledge Society 2. The Memory of the Future 3. Tools for Foresight 4. Decision Making as a Learning Activity Persona (Identity) 5. Only Living Beings Learn 6. Managing for Profit or for Longevity: Is there a Choice? Section II: Ecology 7. Flocking 8. The Tolerant Company 9. The Corporate Immune System Section III: Evolution 10. Conservation in Financing 11. Power: Nobody Should Have Too Much Epilogue: The Company of the Future

About the Author

Arie de Geus worked for Royal Dutch/Shell for thirty-eight years and is widely credited with originating the concept of the learning organization. Since his retirement, he has advised many government and private institutions and has lectured throughout the world.