Worst Company in History? (capital, house, package, claim) - Business -incorporation, advertising, financing, small business... - City-Data Forum

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 07:48 PM

In 1970 Xerox was in position to become Microsoft, Google, and Apple, all rolled in to one. They were in the perfect position, a company worth $85,000,000,000 and at the mecca of technology at PARC. What happened? Why did this mega-power worth 85bil in 1970 become a flat-liner worth 15bil today? Yes, it's not often a company can claim the title of "Under-preformer" of ALL time. I don't know, maybe they didn't really think getting the numbers right was important. I know this isn't really a LV issue, but maybe someone here can help me understand.

olecapt · 09-01-2007, 08:07 PM

You had to be there Greg...one of the wild rides of the second half of the twentieth century. Second only to the semiconductor biz.

But you really had to be there with a reasonable degree and talent. Was not your scene Greg.

They might have let you fix the machines in the 70s though. They got quite hard up for people and hired almost anyone for a few years then.

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 08:09 PM

Quite a businesss model---85bil in 1970---15 bil in 2007.

olecapt · 09-01-2007, 08:15 PM

I joined in 1963 and retired in 1995..Dig those numbers up would you?

Too bad you had no capabilities. It was a fun ride. And you were about the right age were you not? Too bad... I always regretted not jumping to the semiconductor industry in the mid 70s. But it was a singularly nice tour.

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olecapt

I joined in 1963 and retired in 1995..Dig those numbers up would you?

Too bad you had no capabilities. It was a fun ride. And you were about the right age were you not? Too bad... I always regretted not jumping to the semiconductor industry in the mid 70s. But it was a singularly nice tour.

So, did Xerox provide you with a retirement package?

olecapt · 09-01-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheriff

So, did Xerox provide you with a retirement package?

MYOB .........

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 08:25 PM

I just find it to be one of the most incredible business stories of all time how such a powerhouse company in the right place at the right time with huge capitalization could shrink to a "has been" over thirty-five years, or so. Boggles the mind.

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olecapt

I joined in 1963 and retired in 1995..Dig those numbers up would you?

Too bad you had no capabilities. It was a fun ride. And you were about the right age were you not? Too bad... I always regretted not jumping to the semiconductor industry in the mid 70s. But it was a singularly nice tour.

32 years with Xerox. Wow. Now I'm really curious to why Xerox is perhaps the worst company modern history.

olecapt · 09-01-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheriff

32 years with Xerox. Wow. Now I'm really curious to why Xerox is perhaps the worst company modern history.

No you are not. You are simply a mean old man who looks back and realizes that you missed all the good stuff. Hurts doesn't it.

You really do need counseling Greg. This jealousy is just eating at you.

sheriff · 09-01-2007, 08:43 PM

In 1970, Hp, Apple and Microsoft were "pipe" dreams. Xerox was clearly the leader in digital tech, with a huge worth. For some reason, Xerox must have decided that copy machines were more important than future digital options, in both hardware and software. Xerox is truly an icon, a sample of close-minded R&D, and stubborn management that has resulted in the WORST COMPANY of ALL TIME. How strange, that you, a @realtor that can't get an address correct was there for the fall of a once great company.