Product Description

Beans is the story of The El Espresso, a legend in its own time in Seattle and a coffee company that has prospered by intentionally staying small, inspiring fanatical customer loyalty in the process. Told over the span of a single day, it follows The El′s founder, Jack Hartman, through a business crisis that will challenge him and make him clear on why he does what he does. Unsure of whether he has lost the passion needed to sustain his business, Jack hires a consultant who flies to Seattle to "help" him but in reality bears witness to the secrets of good business, whether it′s a company of 20 employees or 20,000. In the process, Jack learns about "the Four Ps" and how applying these universal principles can reenergize his employees, his customers, and even himself.

Though fictionalized, this is a true story in the best sense of the word. It arrives at a time when people are yearning to return to honest ways of doing business—before corporate dominance, inflated executive salaries, accounting trickery, and outright greed became so much a part of our everyday business headlines. It is the story of how a pushcart David up against the corporate Goliaths succeeded by focusing on what is core to good business and a good life: honoring customers, trusting employees, building passion around a product, and turning an honest profit.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #291243 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 154 pages

Review
"...this is a business fable of a true story...of the cut throat coffee business..." (Business Plus, September 2003)

"...this book severs to demonstrate all five aspects very nicely..." (Real Coffee, October 2003)

"...Like all good allegories, its lessons are to do with honesty, trust, dedication and the triumph of the little guy..." (Gulf Business, January 2004)

Review
"...this is a business fable of a true story...of the cut throat coffee business..." (Business Plus, September 2003)

"...this book severs to demonstrate all five aspects very nicely..." (Real Coffee, October 2003)

"...Like all good allegories, its lessons are to do with honesty, trust, dedication and the triumph of the little guy..." (Gulf Business, January 2004)

Gulf Business, January 2004
"...Like all good allegories, its lessons are to do with honesty, trust, dedication and the triumph of the little guy..."

Customer Reviews

Really valuable advice
I know there are some who feel these fable/parable books are stupid, and I must say I used to agree. Nevertheless, the cover of this one appealed to me, so I bought it at Heathrow prior to a trip to Nice. It totally captivated me, and I intend to get copies for everyone in the company. Sometimes things are so plainly evident that we don't see them, and that's one of the main points in this book.

The central character, Jack Hartmann, is truly inspirational. I love his passion, and how he has been able not only to maintain it but also to transfer it to his staff over the years. Most fable books seem fleetingly helpful, but the discussion questions and the pages from the consultant's notebook are useful in ways that I have never seen before. I think this book has the power, in a very subtle way, to transform the workplace.

Good advice
This is a charming story that I think a lot of people will identify with. It has great lessons for all kinds of businesses, but I predict anyone reading it is going to want to have a big cup of coffee!

Excellent
This is a charming story that I think a lot of people will identify with. It has great lessons for all kinds of businesses, but I predict anyone reading it is going to want to have a big cup of coffee! I highly recommend this book along with another book "HE NEVER CALLED AGAIN."