David Packard

David Packard (1912-1996) was an American engineer, businessman and co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), one of the world's most successful technology companies. His influence extended beyond technology into management theory, with his leadership style and business philosophies helping establish Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial culture. As an author, Packard is primarily known for his 1995 book "The HP Way: How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company," which details HP's founding principles and management approach. The book presents firsthand insights into HP's corporate culture, including its decentralized organizational structure and the practice of "management by walking around." Beyond his business writing, Packard served as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1969-1971 and was a significant philanthropist through the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. He emphasized ethical business practices and employee-focused management, concepts that became central themes in his writing and speeches. His work continues to influence modern business literature, particularly in areas of corporate culture, technology entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. The management principles outlined in "The HP Way" remain relevant to contemporary discussions of Silicon Valley's business practices and startup culture.

Readers appreciate Packard's firsthand account of building HP from a garage startup to a global corporation. The book's straightforward writing style and practical management insights make complex business concepts accessible. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of HP's management philosophy - Personal anecdotes about early Silicon Valley - Focus on ethical business practices and employee respect - Concrete examples of successful leadership principles What readers disliked: - Limited depth on modern business applications - Some sections read like corporate propaganda - Minimal discussion of personal life and relationships - Brief coverage of later HP years Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) - Amazon: 4.5/5 (280+ reviews) One reader noted: "Unlike many business books that theorize, Packard shows exactly how HP's principles worked in practice." Another commented: "The section on employee trust and autonomy changed how I manage my team." Common criticism includes: "Too much focus on the good times, glosses over difficulties" and "Feels dated for today's tech industry challenges."

The HP Way: How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company (1995) A first-hand account of the founding and growth of Hewlett-Packard, covering the company's history from its garage startup days through its evolution into a global technology corporation.

Challenge to America: Keeping Pace in the World Economy (1987) An analysis of U.S. economic competitiveness in the global market, examining productivity, education, and management practices based on Packard's experience as Deputy Secretary of Defense and business leader.

Andy Grove wrote management books based on his experience running Intel Corporation and focused on business execution. Like Packard, he emphasized measured growth and operational discipline over rapid scaling.

Alfred Sloan documented GM's rise through organizational structure and professional management techniques. His focus on decentralized operations and management systems shares common ground with Packard's philosophy.

James Collins researches what makes companies endure and succeed over long periods. His analysis of HP under Packard's leadership influenced his work on building lasting enterprises.

Robert Noyce co-founded Intel and wrote about Silicon Valley's early semiconductor industry development. His writings cover the same era as Packard and provide parallel insights about building technology companies.

Peter Drucker wrote extensively about management as a professional discipline and studied HP as a model organization. His concepts about decentralization and management by objectives align with practices Packard implemented at HP.