Tom Chappell

When the owner of a business writes about their own business - one that they started, they wholly own, and they are currently managing during the writing of the book - there is no distance between the writer and the subject matter. It colors the entire book.

Additionally, the themes are repetitive.

I did think it was funny when he talked about 'ethnics' as part of his diversity strategy (page 143). One of the really believable through lines in the book is that the author really is trying to show more learn and grow and I don't fault him for that being a process, it's just funny to think of a serious conversation about diversity centered on hiring 'ethnics'.

Anyways, he made a ton of money and then sold out to the kind of conglomerate he opposed. Hard to take the book seriously knowing that. I looked around the internet, couldn't find any writing that addressed that conflict. show less

Tom Chappell made the decision not to make an obscene amount of money from a sale of his business to a major corporation. Judging that several cars, a million-dollar house, and all the spending money he could imagine wanting was enough, he couldn't see the point in obscene wealth. He worked at having a highly profitable business that reflected his personal values. I've given away several copies of this book. I find it inspiring. [Update: Chappell did eventually sell to a major corporation, show more once he reached an age where he no longer wanted to run a business. While the conditions of the sale, I have heard, protected employees and certain ways of doing business, formulas for some of the products may have changed. Among the "natural" ingredients are petroleum products. But then, it's natural, isn't it?] show less

Well this books was less about management for me and more about Tom's of Maine as the company. It was neat to learn about some of the approaches they take as a company.

Well this books was less about management for me and more about Tom's of Maine as the company. It was neat to learn about some of the approaches they take as a company.