Builder vs. climber. Near time horizon vs. far time horizon. Inside-out vs. outside-in. Entrepreneur vs. intrapreneur. These terms may sound like inane corporate speak, but in the hands of Dan Adams, founder of the B2B consulting firm AIM Institute and author of BUSINESS BUILDERS (How to Become an Admired and Trusted Corporate Leader), they are signposts on the route to enlightenment. Adams, as his title implies, thinks builders make the best business leaders. Who are builders? They are individuals who “drive profitable, sustainable growth by delivering differentiated value to customers.” Their focus is not on fads and short-term goals but on becoming unstoppable in the long run, growing the business “in size, profitability, and stature.” In short, builders are visionaries. Every company, according to Adams, is started by a builder. When that builder steps aside, ideally another one would fill the void, but this is not always what happens. Instead, the next leader is sometimes a remodeler (“forever fixing the place up”), a decorator (“always trying to boost ‘curb appeal’”), or a realtor (“rewarded when the hard work of others’ hands is transferred into their hands”). These types of leaders aren’t bad, but Adams clearly believes they play second fiddle to a builder.
How can companies attract builders? How can an employee toiling away on a production line right now transform themselves into a builder? These answers form the centerpiece of BUSINESS BUILDERS. Adams writes in an easygoing, colorful style that is a welcome departure from the vapidity of common business texts. Visually, the book is a marvel, with excellent graphics and a slick design that make it look more like a Macy’s catalog. Epigraphs at the start of chapters have been done to death, especially in management books, but these actually add something. Perhaps this is because they are thought-provoking (Arthur Schopenhauer: “Talent is hitting the target nobody else can hit, while genius is hitting the target nobody else can see” ) or cheeky (Jim Barksdale: “If we have data, let’s use it. If we have opinions, let’s use mine”). Readers looking for insight that does not depend on historical gimmicks (Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun) or religious caricature (Jesus, CEO) will enjoy BUSINESS BUILDERS.
Direct yet provocative, BUSINESS BUILDERS (How to Become an Admired and Trusted Corporate Leader) by Dan Adams explains how the right match of leader and company can unlock real value.
~Anthony Aycock for IndieReader