I consider myself an entrepreneur.
Though I maintain a day job, I also have three businesses of my own that monopolize my nights and weekends.
So when I received an advance copy of Michael Feuer's book, The Benevolent Dictator
Plus, the book concisely sells its teaching power on the cover -- "empower your employees, build your business, and outwit the competition."
Who doesn't want that?
Want to know about the author?
Michael Feuer co-founded retail giant, OfficeMax, in 1988 with just one store. As the company's CEO, he grew the business to more than one thousand stores worldwide, with annual sales exceeding $5 billion.So it's fair to say, the man knows a thing or two about launching and sustaining a new business. After recently opening Kreativ's doors, I'm in awe of taking a business from a thought to several locations. I aspire to it.
And considering Feuer is now also CEO of Max-Ventures, a retail consulting firm with test stores in Florida and Ohio, it goes without saying that entrepreneurs should heed his wisdom.
What is the benevolent dictator?
There are times -- especially when a business is first launching -- where an iron fist rules all. But without knowing how and when to use that fist, you're not an effective leader.I'd be lying if I said the four founders of Kreativ haven't gotten at each other in the six months since the idea was first discussed.
We're all entrepreneurs in our own way, and we all bring our own talents to the table. And with that, we all approach problems and success differently.
The secret is knowing how to empower each team member and employee to use their talents most effectively.
But then I remember that Feuer grew OfficeMax to 1,000 stores over the course of 15 years. So our smaller scale and short time frame are nothing when considering the sustainability of Kreativ.
But understanding each of our respective roles and that of the benevolent dictator is a huge step in the right direction.
Why you need this book
Feuer is full of anecdotes. And to me, sometimes I learn best when hearing a story or similar to mine. So Feuer's business stories across the last 15 years are gold.I recently read Do the Work
by Steven Pressfield; it was without a doubt, one of the most inspirational and kick-in-the-pants book I've read as a businessman.And while not necessarily as inspirational as Do the Work, The Benevolent Dictator
is full of those nuggets that make you strive to be a better leader with real, actionable lessons.If you're running a corporate department, if you're running a business -- or plan on running one -- you need to read The Benevolent Dictator.
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