Wandering around a used book store a few years ago, I found a dog-eared copy of the very first business books I bought many years ago—Robert Townsend’s Up The Organization.
I lost that original copy in the Calgary flood of 2013 and was delighted to find a replacement. Never have I been so happy to part with two dollars. Even though the first edition is now over fifty years old, anyone running a business, big or small, would benefit from reading this book. Most of the material is as relevant today as it was when first written.
The advice offered on page 54 under the heading, “EXCELLENCE: OR WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?” sums up the book as well as providing the sub-title for the cover: “If you can’t do it excellently, don’t do it at all. Because if it’s not excellent it won’t be profitable or fun, and if you’re not in business for fun or profit, what the hell are you doing here?” Robert Townsend was a business executive and author who is noted for transforming Avis into a rental car giant. He passed away in 1998 but his insight and wisdom live on.
Do yourself a favour, find a copy and read it. It’s now available as a reprint.