Copy This!
BY PAUL ORFALEA AND ANN MARSH
(Workman Publishing Company, Inc.,ISBN 13: 978–0–7611–3777–1, $23.95)
Those seeking inspiration from a business book genuine, human inspiration rather than one driven solely by profit would do well to read this book. To achieve success, Kinko's founder Orfalea overcame learning disabilities which only added to an already daunting corporate landscape. Diagnosed with childhood Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder, he further combated the stigma of being labeled mentally retarded as a youth.
His memoir's subtitle says it all: "Lessons from a hyperactive dyslexic who turned a bright idea into one of America's best companies." He eventually turned his company from a 100–squarefoot copy shop into a $1.5 billion enterprise.
His success story serves as a type of business guide, with insights into the corporate culture of one of America's most fabled firms. Orfalea espouses a laid–back management, but with everpresent focus on customer service: "The difference between the culture at Kinko's and those of other companies was most obvious in our respect, in our insistence on abandoning all sense of propriety on a regular basis and having fun," Orfalea writes.
Keeping his employees happy, including building a private daycare center here, offering a bigger franchise profit take there, also is detailed as a foundation to success. But the true inspiration, and what gives this book its readability, is drawn from Orfalea's personal experiences. His candid assessment of personal failures and foibles give the book further value to those hoping to emulate his success.
His post–Kinko's life continues to inspire. Dyslexia didn't keep him from teaching economics at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Instead of a roster for roll call, Orfalea relies on Polaroid pictures of each student to record attendance. He focuses now on educational initiatives through his Orfalea Family Foundation, with proceeds of the memoir itself benefiting children with learning challenges.
