The Science Success: How Market-Based Management Built the World's Largest Private Company

Charles G. Koch

Aug 2011 · Ascent Audio · Narrated by Erik Synnestvedt

About this audiobook

Charles Koch may well be the most successful businessman people have never heard of. Under his leadership, Koch Industries has become a dynamic and diverse enterprise that Forbes has called "the world's largest private company". This groundbreaking audiobook includes the same material used by leaders and employees of Koch companies to apply Marker-Based Management (MBM) to get results. Koch outlines this unique management methodology, developed and implemented by Koch Industries, which has experienced 2,000-fold growth since 1967. Today, Koch Industries has 80,000 employees in 60 countries; it had $90 billion in revenues in 2006. MBM is a scientific approach to management that integrates theory and practice while providing a framework for dealing with the ongoing challenges of growth and change. There really is a science behind success, and it can be applied to any organization. MBM is rooted in the Science of Human Action, and is defined by five dimensions: Vision: Determining where and how the organization can create the greatest long-term value Virtue and Talents: Helping ensure that people with the right values, skills, and capabilities are hired, retained, and developed Knowledge Processes: Creating, acquiring, sharing, and applying relevant knowledge, and measuring and tracking profitability Decision Rights: Ensuring the right people are in the right roles with the right authority to make decisions and are held accountable Incentives: Rewarding people according to the value they create for the organization When these dimensions are applied in an integrated, mutually reinforcing manner, they create continuous transformation and positive growth. Any organization - corporation, small business, nonprofit, or government agency - can apply these proven principles.

About the author

Charles G. Koch was born in Wichita, Kansas on November 1, 1935. His alma mater is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were received his B.S.in engineering and M.S. in mechanical engineering. He is co-owner, the chairman of the board and CEO of Koch Industries, Inc. (since 1967), based in Kansas. He joined his father's company in 1961. Today, his company is the second-largest private company in the United States. Forbes named him the fourth wealthiest man in America. He employs over 100,000 people worldwide. Koch has won numerous awards for safety, environmental excellence, community stewardship, innovation, and customer service. Koch supports libertarian and free-enterprise policy and advocacy organizations. The Koch Cultural Trust supports young artists in a variety of fields.