Grow the Pie by Alex Edmans Summary
Overview of Grow the Pie
In "Grow the Pie," finance professor Alex Edmans challenges conventional business thinking, proving companies can deliver both purpose and profit. Endorsed as "the most significant book on business purpose yet written," it's sparked debates from Wall Street to the BBC about what truly drives long-term value.
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Key takeaways
Beyond the Zero-Sum Game: A New Vision for Business
Imagine a world where businesses don't have to choose between profits and social good. Where creating value for employees, customers, communities, and the environment actually leads to superior returns for investors. This isn't just wishful thinking - it's the evidence-based reality that finance professor Alex Edmans reveals in "Grow the Pie." The fundamental problem with how we view business today stems from a "pie-splitting" mentality - the assumption that the economic pie is fixed, so any gain for stakeholders must come at shareholders' expense. But what if the pie isn't fixed? What if companies could grow the total value created, allowing both shareholders and stakeholders to benefit? Consider Merck's development of Mectizan, a drug that cures river blindness. When CEO Roy Vagelos discovered it could help millions but wouldn't be profitable, he distributed it for free. Traditional thinking would consider this a shareholder loss. Yet by 2019, Merck's stock had outperformed peers by 54%, partly because this decision attracted talented scientists passionate about solving important problems, enhanced the company's reputation with regulators, and built trust with communities. This isn't charity - it's excellence in action.
The Evidence: Stakeholder Value Creates Financial Returns
Aligning Leadership: Executive Compensation and Engaged Investors
Capital Allocation: The Truth About Buybacks
Purpose-Driven Business: From Words to Action
Our Collective Role in Growing the Pie
A Capitalism That Works for Everyone
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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