Beans: Four Principles for Running a Business in Good Times or Bad - Hardcover

Yerkes, Leslie; Decker, Charles; Nelson, Bob

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787967645 ISBN 13: 9780787967642

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2003

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Leslie A. Yerkes is president and founder of Catalyst Consulting Group in Cleveland, Ohio. She is coauthor of 301 Ways to Have Fun at Work and author of Fun Works: Creating Places Where People Love to Work.

Charles Decker is Vice President for Client and Partner Relations for Acumentum, Inc., an electronic publishing company. He was formerly a senior executive at Amazon.com as well as a past director of the Executive Program book club in New York.

From the Back Cover

"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

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.

"As you read Beans, you will experience a business where everyone wants to be a regular, where the customer is known and respected, and there is an honest blur between serving people and running a business. Learn the lessons of Beans and this can be your business, too." — from the Foreword by Bob Nelson, author of 1001 Ways to Reward Employees

Reviews

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.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787967645
• ISBN 13: 9780787967642
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 176