Dear James: Secrets of Success from a Management Maverick

by John Timpson

Few entrepreneurs have had as rich and varied a business career as John Timpson, the chairman and chief executive of Timpson Ltd. He has witnessed his father being forced out of what was the family business. He has negotiated a management buy-out from Hanson. He has twice mortgaged his house to finance career-changing deals. Today, the business that bears his name is a flourishing and profitable nationwide chain of over 320 outlets. John Timpson was the king of niche retailing before the term was even invented. This book was conceived as a set of notes and ideas for John's son, James, to prepare him for taking over the company. "They constitute the best advice I can give you," father tells son, "25 years of experience." Gritty, frank and above all highly practical, Dear James will provide all managers with an abundance of tips on how to run a business better. But Dear James is far more than that. Warm, funny and highly personal, it's a true a business book that comes from the heart.

Genres: Nonfiction, Management, Business

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Sergey Kochergan]

good source of ideas on how to run small business

[Philip · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love most books on business (any business) particularly where the story of the business is told and the people who built it. The cover has a picture of Mr Timpson on it, don;t be put off by the fact that he looks like Leslie Nielson of Naked Gun fame!

Good book, nice read with some practical and good common sense business tips. No earth shattering revelations but always nice to read of successes.