This is the sort of business book I might have written myself, had I thought of it. Although I run a legal business and not a software company, a lot of the book resonated with me.
For a long time I have shut my eyes and done things my way, ignoring what you are ‘supposed’ to be doing, and what everyone else does. Now it seems that the boys at 37signals have been doing the same.
For example, here are some of the chapter headings (the chapters are very short):
Planning is guessing. How true! When I set up my business (back in 1994) I did write a business plan, but the business I eventually ended up with turned out to be nothing like what I had naively envisaged.
Doing the plan was not a complete waste of time. I got the bank loan, and typing it up helped me learn how to use my new computer (and also incidentally discover the internet and my future ..). However had I stuck to my ‘plan’ I probably would have gone bust. You have to feel your way towards what works and what is right for you. I’m still getting there.
As they say in the book ‘unless you are a fortune teller, long term business planning is a fantasy’. And in a fast changing world, how can you plan properly based on the past?
Why grow? Indeed. Initially it was me and the cat. Now I work with my husband. We did discuss taking on staff and growing, but I never really wanted to. I don’t want to manage people. I prefer to write and develop new ideas. Having a lot of staff would get in the way of that. I may take on a few staff eventually, but I now outsource things, such as telephone calls (I use Moneypenny) and web design rather than have employees. Much better.
As they say in the book ‘What’s the attraction of big besides ego?’ … ‘Small is not just a stepping stone. Small is a great destination in itself.’
Put yourself into your product. To quote from the book: ‘If you’re successful, people will try to copy what you do. Its just a fact of life. But there is a great way to protect yourself from copycats. Make you part of your product or service. Make it something no-one else can offer.’ Yup! Done that too.
Outside money is plan Z. Maybe with the new regulation rules for solicitors I might be able to get outside funding, but do I want some investor telling me what to do? Do I hell!
You get the picture. Go with what you think is right and what feels right, rather than what tradition and other people tell you is the thing to do.
If you are running a business, read this book. It will help you see clearly.
You can buy the book ReWork: Change the Way You Work Forever
