The ecological study of firms has often been restricted by the approaches commonly used in organizational ecology. Uniquely, Colin Jones and Gimme Walter use autecology to explain the selective survival of all manner of firms that researchers, customers and resource providers encounter daily. It is the first work to unite views on the topic previously considered 'alternative', while remaining compatible with most theories of the firm. Autecology encourages researchers to contextualize ecological processes of firms, namely, their adaptive behaviors, the structure and dynamics of the environment, and their environmental interactions. This book emancipates the firm and its actors from a host of environmental assumptions that they are thought to share with others. In doing so, the authors explain how and why firms can and should be investigated on an ecological level. Drawing upon the historical and contemporary renaissance of autecological thought, this book elevates the ecological independence of the firm and its actors' agency to solve problems in its environment. This study provides the means to consolidate the ecological study of firms and, more broadly, other forms of ecological study beyond the domain of social studies. This book will appeal to organizational and managerial researchers, sociologists, and anthropologists, given the manner in which human agency is promoted in an ecological context. Researchers interested in critical realism will also find this an engaging work.

If you want to own or manage a breakout company, R. Neil Thiessen can make it happen-and he'll save you frustration, time, and money, to boot.

Proven in myriad industries, Thiessen's Diamond Solution is a powerful tool for gaining insight into your business and uncovering opportunities that you never knew existed. With this guide, you will learn to develop critical elements for business success, including clarity, focus, adaptability, flexibility, and efficiency, as well as how to:

Decide whether growth is the right option right now for your business Take stock of existing company assets and human resources Determine what's currently working and what is not Build a trustworthy staff that is engaged and involved and will deliver results Foster a culture of accountability and action Implement "Leaderment," an ideal combination of leadership and management Use Opportunity Assessment to prioritize your precious resources

With the expert tips and strategies, case studies and examples, and practical exercises in this motivating and empowering book, you will avoid pitfalls, minimize risks, and achieve extraordinary results as your business grows with limited resources and limitless imaginations.

Tattoo is about how customer zealots are inspired. The book makes a compelling business case for companies of all sizes to create customer advocates (customers who go out and bring business to you).
Using examples and interviews from Harley Davidson, Ritz Carlton, Starbucks, as well as several small businesses, Tattoo shows that fans are born from customer-focused, consistent actions by companies.
It offers a blueprint for businesses to follow and shows that "customer advocacy" does not have to be expensive or complicated to be effective.
The book gets its title from the surprising behavior of Harley Davidson motorcycle fans that tattoo their bodies with the Harley logo. Step-by-step, Tattoo explores how the company inspires its customers and employees with passion to create an experience that is so remarkable that they feel compelled to tell a story about their passion for the product.
Tattoo makes the point that feeling special is a human experience--one that companies create. From the small business dry cleaners that sew a button on your clothes to the Ritz Carlton "experience," this book provides a wealth of examples and inspiration for the business owner or executive charged with growing the company.