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HomeShop at BookSurgeBusiness & EconomicsCorporate & Business HistoryE Pluribus Kinko's: A Story of Business, Democracy, and Freaky Smart People |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 13 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Unintended Business Lessons. Apr 10, 2010
By Jim Estill
What is interesting about the book is Dean is not the founder or president or even an owner of one of the stores. He was an employee in one of the stores who eventually worked his way into 2% ownership.
Kinko's is an amazing success story. They grew to almost a billion dollar business selling 10 cent items. And then they sold out to FedEx.
The book has many business "lessons". Like being open 24 hours dramatically increased business during the day. I know I may have even become a customer that way. I joined a health club that is open 24 hours although I have never been there after midnight or before 5. I just like the idea of it being accessible.
Kinko's hired Dean for "attitude and creativity" because skills can be taught. I agree with this (and would possibly add "intelligence" to the list).
There is a great chapter on Theory X vs Theory Why that should be required reading for leaders and HR people. Bottom line - self motivated people excel more than over controlled autocratically lead people.
There is a section on Kinko's philosophy statement and debate around it. At Kinko's it really did seem to make a difference. "Culture is built on stories".
Kinko's sounded like a lot of fun in the days Dean was there. It helps me realize that fun is one of the primary motivators for people. Keep a workplace fun and keep people and increase productivity, quality and even get more customers. The fun translated to a bit of humor in the book (like the woman who insisted the copier changed her paper and added spelling mistakes).
He told of people who cared about their customers. No wonder it was a success.
One concept raise was "Triorities" - the 3 things you need to do first. Sounds funny or crazy but I think it might be a great concept. The problem with priorities is they can overwhelm.
Dean is honest which adds to the poignancy of the book. He mentioned kicking a drug habit while working at Kinko's. And admitted to complaining daily about Kinko's while working there (absence does tend to make us nostalgic - we need to appreciate more the "good" we have today)
Dean is a writer so the book is well written (unlike some business books that are written by good business people who are do not write quite as well)
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Can the New Corporate America learn from past success? Jan 05, 2010
By Shane Adair Roginski
I'd like to think so. And this book is an outstanding example of how, contrary to conventional wisdom, a democracy can be successful in a business culture. Because I started my career as a kinkoid at an early age and remained there for 3/4 of my working life, I never realized that the business world operated in any other manner. Dean's book not only brought back fond memories for me, it made me realize that not everyone has had an opportunity to work in such a culture. And that is unfortunate. As I read the book I laughed, I cried. . . because it was a part of me, and it gave me a new appreciation for the opportunities I was given. I know I am emotionally tied to this company and mourn its passing. But I am also hopeful enough to think that a young entrepreneur will read this book and give the concept a try. It works. Thanks, Dean, for the memories. And for opening the vault to our corporate "secret."
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
"Why Kinko's Worked" explained at last Dec 24, 2009
By Daniel Thies
For every startup out there, trying to figure out where to go and how to grow, there are answers in this book. This is the story of how to build a business that learns, grows, innovates, profits, and flat out rocks... and a cautionary tale of how easily that can be destroyed.
For more than a decade, I've been waiting for someone to explain how Kinko's became such a success... and how the "corporate culture" that was transplanted in the late '90s and onward killed it.
For everyone who worked there when Kinko's really worked... for anyone who saw the destruction of the culture as the primary driver in the death of the brand, Dean Zatkowsky gets the story right, or at least "right enough," to make sense of it all.
Every organization could use at least a little more democracy, most could use a lot more, and this book explains how to get there.
This book should be mandatory as therapy for everyone who gave a part of their life to Kinko's. Required reading for anyone who would build a business or any other type of organization. This stuff works.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Truly a great read Dec 16, 2009
By Carl Moyer
This is an outstanding book - it's funny and insightful. All business books should be so well written. It's an interesting slice of business history. I'd recommend this book as entertaining reading for anyone, and a must read for everyone that manages people. Most business books are pretty heavy handed, this one leaves the reader to take away what fits. And there are plenty of great take-aways.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Smart, funny and informative book Dec 08, 2009
By Stephen C. Mikkelson
An intelligent and compelling story from start to finish. Both the business and non-business minded can learn much from the thoughtful lessons of one man's journey inside a truly unique and hugely successful company's rise and unfortunate end. The Kinko's Philosophy will live on through every reader.
See all 13 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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