Bob Pritchett

This is a book by Bob Pritchett, founder of Logos Bible Software, a company which I have yet to convince to hire me. So why would I want to work for a guy that is so keen on firing people? The answer would be is that it is the best bible software/theological research system available, and their mission to aid people in their study of the Bible and resource pastors is something I can get behind.

Actually, I think the title is more to be catchy than anything. Pritchett's first chapter is basically making the same point as Jim Collin's axiom, 'Get the wrong people off the bus.' His main point is to help small business leaders lead well, and manage their organization well. He offers some helpful advice along the way. It is practical and finds its basis in the steps and misteps Pritchett has taken in leading his organization.… (meer)

"[Entrepreneurship] is often a hard, lonely, and frightening responsibility". It's great to read something from a real do-er, a CEO who's done it. From the start you get the idea that this is not a high-flying venture capital stooge with aspirations to be a motivational speaker, but a regular Joe who wants to be profitable, even if that means some might call it a 'lifestyle' (read: unprofitable growth business) business. Within paragraphs the author gets to the nitty gritty, outlining the six kinds of poor performers, how to identify them, and moves on to getting rid of them. This general philosophy is in keeping with Jack Welch's practice of getting rid of the bottom 10% of staff each year or so. His other-as the title states-surprising techniques are out of the ordinary--you'll hear them from CEOs in lunchtime talk, but not in business books. They all have to do with the bad news of business: that your staff's desires can be fundamentally at odds with yours, and you have to maintain a focus on you, that 'there can only be one': that partners leave the business eventually (or you do). As a CEO, I can't say enough about this book. It lists all the mistakes a founder-CEO makes, or many of the most common ones. The author keeps it focused with little rambling, and some inspiration.… (meer)