What Is The Lincoln Electric Company By Arthur D. Sharplin And James F. Lincoln?
This is my analysis of a Harvard Case Study prepared in 1981 of Lincoln Electric Company by Arthur Sharplin. While there are many citations throughout this essay, it is important to note that the ideas presented herein are that of Arthur D. Sharplin and James F. Lincoln.
Lincoln Electric Company presents a unique, prime example of a wildly successful American manufacturing company. Starting with a basic philosophy of an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, treating employees as the Lincolns would want to be treated, John and James Lincoln built not just a company, but an impenetrable, competitive manufacturing empire where every customer, stockholder and employee are highly valued.
John C. Lincoln, after a series of successes and …show more content…
Treating others as one would want to be treated permeated the culture of the company. Many never knew of James’ devotion to the teachings of Jesus, as he took it upon himself to walk the walk rather than proselytize, a quality from which many in America could learn today. “The company motto, ‘The actual is limited, the possible is immense,’ is prominently displayed but there is no display of religious slogans and there is no company chapel” (Sharplin, 1981).
Fairness and equality are easily apparent qualities James exhibited, illustrated by the spartanly appearance of the management offices, and the incentive management plan reflects these qualities. Sharplin states:
“As to executive perquisites, there are none – crowded, austere offices, no executive washrooms or lunchrooms and no reserved parking spaces. Even the company president pays for his own meals and eats in the cafeteria.”
James F. Lincoln believed that the customer was the reason for the company’s ability to exist and that the customer should be rewarded with pricing that was indicative of reduced costs, not simply adding to the bottom line. “James Lincoln said, ‘that the customer's interests should be the first goal of industry.’”(Sharplin,
Lincoln Electric Company presents a unique, prime example of a wildly successful American manufacturing company. Starting with a basic philosophy of an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work, treating employees as the Lincolns would want to be treated, John and James Lincoln built not just a company, but an impenetrable, competitive manufacturing empire where every customer, stockholder and employee are highly valued.
John C. Lincoln, after a series of successes and …show more content…
Treating others as one would want to be treated permeated the culture of the company. Many never knew of James’ devotion to the teachings of Jesus, as he took it upon himself to walk the walk rather than proselytize, a quality from which many in America could learn today. “The company motto, ‘The actual is limited, the possible is immense,’ is prominently displayed but there is no display of religious slogans and there is no company chapel” (Sharplin, 1981).
Fairness and equality are easily apparent qualities James exhibited, illustrated by the spartanly appearance of the management offices, and the incentive management plan reflects these qualities. Sharplin states:
“As to executive perquisites, there are none – crowded, austere offices, no executive washrooms or lunchrooms and no reserved parking spaces. Even the company president pays for his own meals and eats in the cafeteria.”
James F. Lincoln believed that the customer was the reason for the company’s ability to exist and that the customer should be rewarded with pricing that was indicative of reduced costs, not simply adding to the bottom line. “James Lincoln said, ‘that the customer's interests should be the first goal of industry.’”(Sharplin,