Slice of Life Stories of Thomas J. Watson Sr.
Date Published: January 1, 2024
Slice-of-Life Stories About Thomas J. Watson Sr.
Cy Sulzberger, the head of the N.Y. Times' foreign bureau, started his newspaper career in Pittsburgh in 1934. At a Carnegie art show he saw a painting by a rising artist named Salvador Dali. He bought it. In 1938 Sulzberger went abroad as a correspondent. He went broke In Bulgaria and wired the New York art dealer to sell it and cable the proceeds to him. 
An Appreciation for Art and Honesty
The sale was made to: Tom Watson Sr. Now for the rest of the story!​
This website provides Peter F. Drucker's insights into management. It then aligns his thoughts with Thomas J. Watson Sr.'s business and management actions and practices.

​As reflected in his article in Esquire in December 1983, Peter F. Drucker had great respect for and knew Tom Watson well.
Peter F. Ducker and Thomas J. Watson Sr.
This sight positions a "concept" put forward by the great management philosopher of his day and matches it with the "words and practices" of one of America's greatest industrialists: Tom Watson Sr.

If there was any industrialist who was the epitome of Drucker's philosophy of MBWA—management by walking around, it was Tom Watson.
George Eastman’s biography, published in March 1930, reflects this humble man’s aversion—not to public speaking—but to public recognition of his business success and philanthropic activities. He had declined being recognized for his many philanthropic activities several times.
Instead of "Thank You" it was "Goodbye"
In April 1930, Tom Watson took over as president of the Genesee Society and "The World's Greatest Salesman" went to work. He wanted this great industrialist to receive the public recognition of his peers that he so richly deserved. ​Little did everyone know that they were really saying "goodbye."​
“Mind your own business” is a phrase we occasionally hear used in an unhappy sense. My good friend Tom Watson, however, really “minded” his business in a happy and profitable way such as few men have done.
The Very Best Description of Tom Watson
"It is wise to remember, however, that his life’s business went far beyond the limits of the International Business Machines Company."
Tom Watson spoke at an IBM family event. He said, “With every privilege there is an obligation. The obligation for the individual and for the corporations which have had an opportunity in this country to make a lot of money is to repay for that privilege, by paying taxes without complaining."
The U.S. Tax Man Cometh?
The comment made national news! ​Of course, what could possibly make better national news than catching a wealthy, internationally famous business figure—someone not of the “normal” class—in an “apparently” hypocritical statement?

​This is the whole story that took some significant research.
​​In January of 1950, America’s press lit up with indignation over a Lafayette College benefactor’s last will and testament. His dying wish was to provide for his alma mater—as long as his benefaction did not provide scholarship money for a Catholic, a Jew, or any first-generation American.
Taking a Stand Against Anti-Semitism
​Tom Watson was vice-chairman of the university’s board of trustees and presided over a meeting at the University Club in New York to discuss the matter with Dr. Ralph Cooper Hutchison.
On the lighter side of life, this slice-of-life story is about bringing women into the IBM workspace and some of the "obstacles" that had to be overcome—like how to to host an impromptu pajama party! Ruth Leach Amonette shares this story in her book: Among Equals.
An IBM Homestead Pajama Party
It is a touching story about Watson's generosity and the corporation's employees' spontaneity in saying "thank you" to him.
© 2024 Peter E. Greulich. All Rights Reserved
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