Thriving in the New Economy: Lessons from Today's Top Business Minds

Thriving in the New Economy

Lessons from America’s Top Business Minds

By Lori Ann LaRocco

CNBC’s Senior Talent Producer

Foreword by H. Wayne Huizenga

Afterword by Rudy Giuliani

"Thriving in the New Economy is a must-read for anyone who wants to think big. Leaders are people who can look at a crisis and act accordingly. This book has strategies from business leaders who do just that. Lori Ann LaRocco sits down with some of the biggest and brightest minds on Wall Street and has them open up and tell their stories in a compelling, page-turning book."  —DONALD TRUMP, Chairman and President, The Trump Organization

Leaders are either made or broken during defining moments in history.  As we slowly recuperate from the worst financial crisis in decades, a new economy has emerged and many companies are struggling.   Some companies have failed.  Others are fighting to survive.  Rising to the top are the captains of industry who are leading their companies through these unprecedented times and thriving.  Their ability to lead and innovate in times of crises set them apart from the rest.

THRIVING IN THE NEW ECONOMY:  LESSONS FROM TODAY’S TOP BUSINESS MINDS (Wiley; January 2010; $24.95; Hardcover), by CNBC producer Lori Ann LaRocco, offers readers the opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in business today.  The book is a series of personal accounts from an outstanding group of leaders whose stories are inspirational – even legendary.  In the book, they offer advice and actionable strategies readers can follow in order to avoid financial disaster, recognize opportunities, and thrive in the “New Economy.”

The book is divided in sectors:  the economy, banking, real estate, autos, and retail.  For each one, author Lori Ann LaRocco opened her “trillion dollar” Rolodex – because it contains a trillion-dollar money manager, a several billionaires and numerous millionaires – and asked the top leaders to contribute their thoughts, advice and expertise .   These leaders are many of LaRocco’s “go-to” newsmakers in her role as Senior Talent Producer at CNBC.  Some of them include:

Wall Street Legends:

• Steve Forbes, Chairman, President and CEO of Forbes
• Peter Cohen, Founder of Ramius
• Wilbur Ross, WL Ross & Co
• Ken Langone, Home Depot Founder and Invemed Associates Chairman & President
• Jack Bogle, The Vanguard Group Founder and Former CEO
• Abby Joseph Cohen, Goldman Sachs

Economists:

• Larry Lindsey, The Lindsey Group CEO and the Assistant to the President on economic policy
• David Malpass, Encima Global

From the banking industry:

• Donald Powell, Former FDIC Chair
• Don Marron, Former UBS CEO and Chairman and CEO of Lightyear Capital
• Peter Cohen, Former Shearson Lehman CEO and CEO of Ramius
• Kelly King, BB&T CEO

The Auto Industry:

• Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation
• Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales USA

From the real estate industry:

•      Don Peebles, The Peebles Corporation

•      Richard LeFrak, President of The LeFrak Organization

•      Ron Peltier, HomeServices of America CEO

From the retail industry:

•      Steve Sadove, Saks CEO

“What makes these leaders unique,” writes LaRocco, “are the strategies they employ.  They are the ultimate chess players in the economy game.”  In THRIVING IN THE NEW ECONOMY they share their moves with all of us.

Notable Quotes from Thriving in the New Economy

“To thrive in this new economy, you have to do two things at once– tighten the belt in the short term, reducing expenses, and reorganizing operations to meet the immediate short-term conditions; at the same time gong ahead with initiatives and making investments in areas and projects that you think will build you future.” --Steve Forbes, Chairman, President and CEO of Forbes. 

“You can’t save your way to profitability.” – Jim Lentz, President of Toyota Motor Sales USA

“...the best role Government should play is a partner to enterprise, helping promote an environment of rewards of innovation, diligence and creativity.” “Organically successful companies- that is companies that generate their own success by interacting favorably with the market will prove themselves to be today’s truest winners.” --Wayne Huizenga, Founder of Blockbuster and AutoNation and owner of the Miami Dolphins

“If you are a leader, it is so much easier to slow down 10 stallions you have than it is to get 10 mules to keep going.” Gerald Greenwald, Founder of Greenbriar Equity Group, former CEO of UAL Corporation, parent of United Airlines, and former Chairman of Chrysler Motors

“Today’s investors need to imagine what the American economy can and will look like, rather than reacting solely to today’s reality.” Rudy Giuliani, Chairman and CEO of Giuliani Partners and former Mayor of New York City

“A business disaster strategy is a lot like flood insurance:  you can try and do without it, but when the water starts topping the levee, you sure wish you had it.”  -- Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO of AutoNation

THRIVING IN THE NEW ECONOMY

Lessons from Today’s Top Business Minds

By Lori Ann LaRocco

Wiley; January 2010; $24.95; Hardcover

ISBN:  9780470557310