Book2use - Getting To Scale

Getting To Scale


Chapters:

• Chapter 1 - There IS Another Way
• Chapter 2 - Mission Comes First
• Chapter 3 - Any Business Can Do it
• Chapter 4 - Organic is the Way to Grow
• Chapter 5 - Build Your Values into the Brand
• Chapter 6 - Match Manufacturing to Mission
• Chapter 7 - Morph Early and Often
• Chapter 8 - Form Follow Function
• Chapter 9 - The Soft Stuff IS the Hardest
• Chapter 10 - Getting to Scale: Is It Right for You?

Some of the highlight of the chapters.
Chapter 3- Organic is the way to grow.
Advantages:

1. advantage for mission-driven firms
2. do not reply on outside investors and thus maintain the commitment to mission
3. allow people to grow into their jobs and pursue vision over time
4. allow employees to maintain their health and well-being
5. allow company to maintain their corporate culture

How to make organic growth possible:

1. let other do the manufacturing
2. follow market demand
3. develop unique value proposition to keep competitors at bay long enough

Disadvantages:
1. "When a market is growing rapidly and attracting significant competition (in terms of either numbers or clout), organic growth may not be fast enough to maintain a presence in the emerging market. You need to either meet the challenge by expanding more rapidly, or plan to settle into a niche or a series of niches."
"Organic growth is also problematic in situations involving classic economies of scale, where you are required to make significant investments - in either marketing or manufracturing - ahead of demand."

Chapter 4 Finance your independencecase study - Ben & Jerry.

• Selling shares of stock to public ended buying out by Unilever.

How do you raise enough capital to grow your business without losing control. We have an answer; using OTC capital.

Book2use - Almost Green by James Glave

 

Picked up this book for a light reading on how to be green. James gave his full account of his pursuit of being green. His encounter, his problem and his success of being himself and his dream. I admire his endearing effort on being Green.

From his book,
quote:
"Hey, Dad," asked Sabrina, " remember how you said our new car was much nicer to the planet?"
"Yeah?"
"That's sounds pretty good to me."
"It does, doesn't it? I feel much better about our car. Don't you?"
"I guess so."
Then, a beat.
"But what about all the other cars?"
unquote

There is nothing wrong with other cars but it is the mindset of people that makes the difference.

Book2Use - Courage & Craft - Writing our life into Story

This book, Courage & Craft - Writing our life into Story, is by Barbara Abercrombie.

One of the best writing book that I come across. She has given many tips on how to start writing.

I read and applied one of her methods on writing that is: Write non-stop for 5 minute, 10 minutes (you decide)  anything that comes to your mind, without stopping, without punctuation and do it as fast as possible. Do this everyday to make it a habit. You can prepare a list for this writing exercise. The more you practice, the easier it will get.

There are lots more practices or "To Do" in her book. It is a good "How to" book that helps you with writing.

So, Just Write!