Company of One
Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business
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Narrated by:
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Paul Jarvis
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Written by:
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Paul Jarvis
About this listen
What if the real key to a richer and more fulfilling career was not to create and scale a new start-up, but rather, to be able to work for yourself, determine your own hours, and become a (highly profitable) and sustainable company of one? Suppose the better - and smarter - solution is simply to remain small? This book explains how to do just that.
Company of One is a refreshingly new approach centered on staying small and avoiding growth, for any size business. Not as a freelancer who only gets paid on a per piece basis, and not as an entrepreneurial start-up that wants to scale as soon as possible, but as a small business that is deliberately committed to staying that way. By staying small, one can have freedom to pursue more meaningful pleasures in life and avoid the headaches that result from dealing with employees, long meetings, or worrying about expansion. Company of One introduces this unique business strategy and explains how to make it work for you, including how to generate cash flow on an ongoing basis.
Paul Jarvis left the corporate world when he realized that working in a high-pressure, high profile world was not his idea of success. Instead, he now works for himself out of his home on a small, lush island off of Vancouver, and lives a much more rewarding and productive life. He no longer has to contend with an environment that constantly demands more productivity, more output, and more growth.
In Company of One, Jarvis explains how you can find the right pathway to do the same, including planning how to set up your shop, determining your desired revenues, dealing with unexpected crises, keeping your key clients happy, and of course, doing all of this on your own.
©2019 Paul Jarvis (P)2018 Audible, Inc.You may also enjoy...
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 9
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5 out of 5 stars
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Even-handed Treatment of the History of Philosophy
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I enjoyed the book, its great for newbies
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sustainability vs nonstop growth argument.
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I have just two gripes.
1) This is a work of market socialist economic theory, and the author undermines his own authority by repeatedly denying this. I think that comes from the poisoned well of anti-communism that Paul, himself, has stopped drinking from. He repeatedly makes the comment that "this isn't just for altruistic/anticapitalist hippies", which is wrong. Its more accurate to say that altruistic anticapitalism isn't *just* for hippies. It seems that Paul is subconsciously dodging a fear of redbaiting that comes from a VC background. We are coming to a quiet consensus that market socialism, mutualism, or the circular economy (whatever anticommunist euphemism you prefer) are the model that the free market want to pursue.
2) its pettier, but the term "company of one" is not brilliant enough to use it as much as the author does in the book. We understand his philosophy by the first few chapters. Pronouns will suffice by that point in the book.
Mandatory Reading for all Businesspeople
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A worthy read
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Otherwise, the content and stories within are exemplary and useful for businesses of all sizes. Another format is perhaps the best way to consume this book.
Delivery is a bit stiff but the content is top notch
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Perfect for freelancers and consultants
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A book for self-employed people
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I’m glad to hear someone else say the measure of success isn’t size of your company/revenue but the happiness of yourself and staff.
4 stars for performance only because it felt a little stammering at times. I’m guessing it was the first time narrating.
Excellent
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Great book
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Excellent perspective that is too rarely shared
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