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Why Did Rockefeller Keep a Fortress of Cash? · Founders

Founders

#405 How Rockefeller Worked

This episode covers the insanely valuable company-building principles of John D. Rockefeller—and nothing else. I spent over 40 hours reading (and rereading) this obscure biography of Rockefeller that costs $1,000 I then spent several days editing down 25 pages of notes from the book. I deleted everything that was not How Rockefeller Works Episode sponsors…

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Notes

  1. What Did Rockefeller Learn as a Teenager? at 9:05

    David Senra says Rockefeller learned as a teenager that all is not how it seems on the outside, and he carried that belief through his entire career. Full answer

  2. Why Did It Cost More to Ship Oil Than to Refine It? at 11:51

    David Senra says it cost more to ship a barrel of oil than to refine it. Full answer

  3. Was Rockefeller's Calm Face a Mask? at 16:09

    David Senra says the calm face Rockefeller showed the world was a mask. Full answer

  4. How Did Rockefeller Buy Crude at the Bottom? at 20:42

    David Senra says Rockefeller bought crude in large lots as the price was bottoming out, and he treated that timing as a central part of how the refinery made… Full answer

  5. Why Did Rockefeller Keep a Fortress of Cash? at 25:43

    David Senra says Rockefeller led the strategy as the business organized into an actual corporation so it could issue stock. Full answer

  6. How Did Rockefeller Turn Competitors Into Partners? at 40:24

    David Senra says Rockefeller turned competitors into partners by aligning interests, because men have not made a success of a concern they were forced or… Full answer

  7. What Did Rockefeller Want as His Power Grew? at 45:32

    David Senra says as Rockefeller's power grows, he is no longer aiming for order. He wants a monopoly. Full answer

  8. Why Did Rockefeller Start Paying the Railroads? at 51:53

    David Senra says Rockefeller was willing to change his mind when the facts changed and started paying the railroads. Full answer

  9. Why Did Rockefeller Buy Leases With His Own Money? at 53:58

    David Senra says Rockefeller bought the oil leases with his own money so he would take the loss personally if it went wrong, and the company could repay him… Full answer

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