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Better Together
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Seattle, the corporate coffeehouse capitol of the world, is the setting for Beans, a smart fable about a real ten foot coffee counter with long lines in rain or shine. Using the plot device of a business crisis at the "El Espresso," Authors Yerkes and Decker spend time with owner Jack Hartman. They help him define success in terms of "the eye of intention."
Being successful in bad times means remembering how you got the business the first time. As the very insightful Jack reflects, the authors organize his approach with four P’s: Passion (experience and sustain passion about work), People (create enduring staff relationships), Personal (building a community of regulars), and Product (sustaining product excellence). These "Ps" are prosaic in name only. They are used to illustrate nuanced connections. For example, the link between employee loyalty and customer loyalty and the synergy between an employee’s pride in their product and their devotion to it.
While some readers may find the storyline contrived, the success and the charm of the El and its owner--both renamed to protect the regulars--provide engaging and stimulating ideas about how to nourish a business. --Barbara Mackoff
From Publishers Weekly
Yerkes, a consultant and author (Fun Work) and Decker, a former Amazon.com executive, call this little book a "business fable." Drawing on the true story of a tiny Seattle coffee bar (think Cheers without the beer and the endless banter) that managed to flourish in the shadow of the giant chains, the authors attempt to distill universal truths that "cover all the essential ingredients for success": be passionate about what you do; surround yourself with good people and treat them well; view both customers and employees as friends; and maintain a consistent, quality product. Labeled the "Four P's" (passion, people, personal and product), these simple rules apply to everyone, owners and employees alike. The authors also stress the importance of intention in striving for and achieving success: whatever your goal, you have succeeded "when your results match your intentions." Reminiscent of a convention skit (each chapter is divided into "scenes" and is largely dialogue), this is a quick, easy read with solid business-and life-messages. The book also contains discussion questions and exercises, as well as factoids about coffee.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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