How To Grow To 100 Units: Recommended Reading
A library for executives of small but growing chains.
By Staff -- Chain Leader, 5/1/2007
A reader asked for recommendations for books that would help him grow his brand into a national player. Chain Leader solicited ideas from industry leaders and found some gems in other places as well. If you have a question related to expansion, send it to chainleader@reedbusiness.com, and we’ll find the experts to answer it.
Stephen M. LaMastra, president and chief operating officer, Raving Brands, Atlanta
“Trust or Consequences: Build Trust Today or Lose Your Market Tomorrow [by Al Golin (AMACOM/American Management Association, 2003)] discusses the intangibles that make a successful business. In the public eye, it is not what you do, it is how you do it that leaves a lasting impression. In order for a company to enjoy long-term success, it must do more than simply make money—it must have an open and honest relationship with the public and its stakeholders so people believe in your company. Through examples from some of the world’s leading brands, Golin explains how to attain that trust and make it last.”
Bernard Martinage, certified hospitality grand master, certified hospitality educator and founding president, The Federation of Dining Room Professionals, Fernandina Beach, Fla.
“Monday Morning Leadership by David Cottrell [CornerStone Leadership Institute, 2002]. Quick to read, hard to put down once you start, great fundamentals and humbling reading. And if I can offer a second suggestion: The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews [Thomas Nelson, 2002]. Both are books you want your entire company to read because of how realistic the applications are.”
Michael T. Busse, chef and owner, Garlic Mike’s Italian Cuisine, Gunnison, Colo.
“The E-Myth [Michael E. Gerber (Ballinger Publishing Co., 1985)]. The book tells of the idea of ‘working on your business and not in your business.’ Granted, many small business owners cannot afford to step away from their tasks of being a ‘technican’ within their business. I am a chef-restaurant owner. I cannot afford to have someone do my job all the time, but I can hire out the prep portion of my day and jump in when I need to. Plus, I really enjoy the cooking aspect. This gives me the time to work on my business, creating systems, proving systems that will benefit my future growth. Cooking is the fun part of my job. It is a release from the stressful business side of having to be the boss, the cheerleader. Hopefully, having this balance will keep me motivated for a long time.”
Al Baldocchi, member of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Noodles & Co.’s board of directors, Boulder, Colo.
“My buddy, David Minter [with Michael Reid], has written a great thought-provoker: Lightning in a Bottle: The Proven System to Create New Ideas and Products that Work [Sourcebooks Inc., 2006]. I highly recommend it. Minter and Reid take a rational look at huge ideas (such as Blockbuster) and big ideas gone bad (such as Einstein’s), drawing from each simple yet fundamentally important lessons. Theirs is a common-sense approach to developing business strategy, taking the mystery out of market research and distilling idea generation down to a few all-important guidelines. Anyone developing a new business or a new idea within the context of an existing business should benefit from their insights.”
Publishers Weekly , Best Books of the Year issue, Nov. 6, 2006
Small Is the New Big and 193 Other Riffs, Rants, and Remarkable Business Ideas, Seth Godin (Portfolio, 2006). “This compilation from the marketing guru’s popular blog showcases the spontaneous energy that makes his voice stand out so boldly.”
Library Journal , The Balanced Books, Best Business Books 2006, March 15, 2007 issue
The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary, Joseph A. Michelli (McGraw-Hill, 2006). “What are the secrets of Starbucks’ success? Michelli analyzes its management and customer service techniques, interviewing actual managers, among others, to come up with five principles for business success.”
BusinessWeek , Best Business Books of 2006, Dec. 18, 2006 issue
“[A] surprising volume is Why Most Things Fail : Evolution, Extinction & Economics (Pantheon, 2006) by economist Paul Ormerod. Failure, says the author, is endemic: The world is simply too complex for anyone to make predictions about anything but the near future. What you can’t predict, you can’t avoid. As a consequence, mass extinction—whether of species or businesses—is more common than we might imagine. What can be done? Ormerod provides a few suggestions.”
Mary Boltz Chapman, editor-in-chief, Chain Leader
“Franchising for Dummies ( IDG Books Worldwide, 2000) by Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, and Michael Seid, the prominent franchise consultant. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve referred to this book for story research or background information. It’s very readable, and the personalities of Thomas and Seid show through the pages. It’s simple enough for someone new to the industry, but offers tips and reminders to veterans. And it’s applicable to leaders, especially entrepreneurs, on both sides of the equation: franchisees and franchisors.”
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