The Method Method: Seven Obsessions That Helped Our Scrappy Start-up Turn an Industry Upside Down [Hardcover]

Eric Ryan (Author), Adam Lowry (Author), Lucas Conley (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 15, 2011

An inspiring case study for the next generation of start-ups by the unconventional founders of Method.

Founded ten years ago by childhood pals Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, Method has been making headlines and profits with a revolutionary blend of culture and commerce, style and substance. Today, Method's ecofriendly soaps, detergents, and cleaners are ubiquitous in stores, capturing valuable shelf space long dominated by the tired old products of giants P&G and Unilever.

Ryan and Lowry obsess over seven principles at the heart of Method's business philosophy, including:

* Kick Ass at Fast: Use small size to your advantage; by bringing innovations to market faster, you can stay out in front of larger rivals.
* Inspire Advocates: Rather than getting caught up in costly battles for market share, foster deeper relationships with fewer customers in pursuit of greater wallet share.
* Win on Product Experience: Beyond satisfying your customers' rational needs, design experiences for them.

The Method Method is an irreverent, candid, firsthand case study. Readers will learn how today's consumers behave, how today's companies compete, and how both groups are acting together to drive profound global change.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover (September 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591843995
• ISBN-13: 978-1591843993
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #716,470 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars You won't want to miss this September 23, 2011

By guitar fritz

Format:Hardcover

This was a "can't put down" read for me. The engaging and upbeat tone accelerates the reading pace. If you read into it very far, you won't confuse the upbeat tone with a lack of having a critical eye on the business. I found the book refreshingly honest with particular high marks for:

- all the insight on the social dynamics that apply to their design driven company. This is a book about people, and managing good talent.

- sharing the pains and gains from failures in the occasional snippets, "error autopsy".

There is plenty here that will inspire and educate, a reference manual for entrepeneurs and other positive thinkers. Recommended. I'll be getting another copy for the Kindle.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Howdidtheydoit? September 24, 2011

By kahuna

Format:Hardcover

An amazing book with great insights into the Ups and Downs of starting your own company while taking on the market giants. An inspiration for anyone who cares about planet earth and wants to do their part in making the world a better place one person at a time! Guts, tenacity and a willingness to look at the status quo and say - there's a better way. A "Must Read" for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Method Method September 24, 2011

By nanapj

Format:Hardcover

I loved the book! Spunky and a must read for anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit. It takes true grit to do what these guys have done! They have provided inspired innovation in a dead category and the rest of the industry has taken notice! An engaging and very interesting story!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Obessions November 4, 2011

By Dr Adam Weiss VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Truly and great read for those who always wanted to or are starting their own company. Sure the environmental aspect of the product is great, but they took it to another level by making their products visible appealing to the user. The key, no longer do you need to hide away your cleaning products. The Method founders have elevated the playing field for future consumer products. Going green has never been cooler and yes the products work great.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story of a start-up September 26, 2011

By Eric Sewell

Format:Hardcover

This book tells a good story of the ups/downs of a start-up company. What makes it an exceptional read is that they admit their mistakes and tells you what went right, what went wrong and what they got lucky on. They had an idea of producing sustainable, effective cleaning products and made it happen. What is not typical is they have stayed with the company over the past 10 years and the company has prospered, it was not a flash in the pan. They have created a unique business culture which still lives today. It is a great success story where everyone can take something away from the book for use in their own business or lives.

A good read, I would buy it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent easy read message June 9, 2013

By Andrew Bassingthwaighte

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Fantastic read full of 'take home' messages/strategies. Easy style of writing makes it hard to put down. It was my first digital read - great to highlight

5.0 out of 5 stars MM January 9, 2013

By K Wri

Format:Hardcover

Great for any consumer goods startup. Superb insights into product disruption and the proper way to think about design and branding.

5.0 out of 5 stars METHOD rocks May 16, 2012

By John Heppell

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Innovation in consumer product goods is difficult and unusual because most of the shelf space is controlled by a small group of risk-averse large companies. METHOD is an exception bringing innovation and safer products to all of us. Read this book to learn how they operate!