Jon Culverhouse, managing director at firework company Fantastic Fireworks
What do you get from reading business books?
There are always useful insights. I was interested to read Joseph Michelli’s The Starbucks Business Model, as the former president of Starbucks, Jim Alling, described entrepreneurs as ‘litter-picker-uppers’. I identified with that: I hate to see an untidy working environment as you can’t work effectively. It gives an interesting insight into how people respond to situations.
Can you give us an example of something that you’ve applied to your own business after reading a book?
I hopefully set a good example by keeping a well-organised workplace. We have improved on this as it helps how we manage our daily lives and I feel these minor details are important. I have also applied a consistent customer experience as described in The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber.
What have you been reading most recently?
Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams’ book Wikinomics, which opened my eyes to the way social media works in business. We are building up a network using social media and can see the benefits.
What’s it about?
How the internet is changing our lives, especially in business. Wikinomics is telling us that there is a giant pool of resources and teaches us how to find solutions.
Why should we read it?
Because it should inspire any entrepreneur to see the global business opportunities offered by the internet.