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Beans: Four Principles for Running a Business in Good Times or Bad: A Business Fable Taken from Real Life
Contributor(s): Yerkes, Leslie (Author), Decker, Charles (Author), Nelson, Bob (Author)
ISBN: 0787967645     ISBN-13: 9780787967642
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
OUR PRICE:   $21.21  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: June 2003
* Not available - Not in print at this time *Annotation: "As we showed in our book "Fish," the best businesses go back to the basics when they are experiencing difficulties. In this delightful and deceptively simple tale of another Seattle-based business, managers and employees in companies of any size can find truth, values, and an inspiring blueprint for better business." -- Harry Paul, coauthor, "Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results"

"This book is like a cup of good coffee: it doesn't take long, it has been carefully pulled using the best ingredients, shared with love and laughter, and meant to promote a conversation, create a jolt, and a burst of energy." -- Beverly Kaye, founder and CEO, Career Systems International, and coauthor, "Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay"

"Every once in a while a short book comes along that conveys an important message in a simple yet elegant way. "Beans" is such a book. It brings us back to business basics which seem so obvious, yet often get neglected in the frenetic whirl of day-to-day competition, business hassles, a nd endless change. I love "Beans." It reminds me to keep it simple, and to stay focused on what really matters: quality product, personal service, and attention to detail. Thanks for the refreshing reminder; we all need it!" -- B. J. Gallagher Hateley, coauthor, "A Peacock in the Land of Penguins" and "What Would Buddha Do At Work?"

"Quite simply, this a terrific business story with lessons for people in any kind of company, in any industry. Jack Hartman is the kind of hero readers are going to be cheering for through the last page." -- Bob Rosner, syndicated columnist, "Working Wounded," and coauthor, "The Boss's Survival Guide"

Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Business & Economics | Small Business - General
- Business & Economics | Management - General
- Fiction
Dewey: 658.022
LCCN: 2003006449
Physical Information: 0.44" H x 6.09" W x 9.05" (0.58 lbs) 176 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
Beans is the story of The El Espresso, a legend in its own time in Seattle and a coffee company that has prospered by intentionally staying small, inspiring fanatical customer loyalty in the process. Told over the span of a single day, it follows The El's founder, Jack Hartman, through a business crisis that will challenge him and make him clear on why he does what he does. Unsure of whether he has lost the passion needed to sustain his business, Jack hires a consultant who flies to Seattle to "help" him but in reality bears witness to the secrets of good business, whether it's a company of 20 employees or 20,000. In the process, Jack learns about "the Four Ps" and how applying these universal principles can reenergize his employees, his customers, and even himself.

Though fictionalized, this is a true story in the best sense of the word. It arrives at a time when people are yearning to return to honest ways of doing business--before corporate dominance, inflated executive salaries, accounting trickery, and outright greed became so much a part of our everyday business headlines. It is the story of how a pushcart David up against the corporate Goliaths succeeded by focusing on what is core to good business and a good life: honoring customers, trusting employees, building passion around a product, and turning an honest profit.