Joe Wilson is the unsung leader of the technological innovations that swept U.S. business in the mid 20th century and that continue to be such a central part of the U.S. economy. Without Joe Wilson, Chet Carlson's invention of the copy machine that changed the world would likely have languished. Long before HP, the visionary of American business was Wilson -- always looking forward but with discipline, organizational skills, and enthusiasm. Wilson was also a compassionate manager who embraced collective bargaining, started retirement plans for workers during a contentious decade, promoted hiring diversity programs, established employee retraining efforts, and worked tirelessly on behalf of the greater community. Wilson took a bold risk and literally leveraged the company's future and personally mortgaged everything he owned to perfect and produce the 914 copier that vaulted Xerox to fame and fortune. Wilson continues to be emulated and referenced in business school lessons at universities from Yale to Berkeley to the University of Rochester (whose endowment he helped grow under bold leadership). Considered the spiritual father of corporate social responsibility efforts, the values he inculcated in Xerox in the 1950s and 1960s continue to drive their programs today - and are the cornerstones of other company programs. Wilson and Xerox's achievements were intertwined with their roles as corporate citizens. The New York Times noted that Wilson "helped expand the concept of a corporate balance sheet to include social costs and civic responsibilities." Charles Ellis, an esteemed business insider with a keen analyst eye, is the perfect author for this long overdue work. He is ableto gain the trust of important sources to tell this important, yet untold story in a way that will have meaning and relevance for today's business professionals. The story of Joe Wilson offers hearty lessons for today's business leaders struggling under fierce competition in a world where business integrity has come to be in question. Charles Ellis reveals the challenges that Wilson faced, his strategy and solution to a failing business, and his actions upon becoming successful. His story is a meal for a lifetime for every business person.
