The Peaceable Kingdom

"Fresh, provocative, and powerful. Had I read this book before Istarted building a company of my own, it would have saved me agreat deal of time and pain."-Sam Hill, President, HeliosConsulting, Coauthor, Radical Marketing and The InfiniteAsset

"In this insane world of ephemeral company loyalty and revolvingdoors to top positions, Stan Richards has clearly outlinedexceedingly sane ways for any company to retain star performers bycreating an environment that fundamentally rejects officepolitics."-Dick Hammill, Senior Vice President, Marketing andAdvertising, The Home Depot

"For the three decades during which I was building Mullen, my herowasn't in New York-he was in Dallas. Stan Richards built aquintessentially creative agency from the uncommon clay of courage,generosity, common sense, loyalty, and integrity. If you'd like tobe famous, respected, loved, and rich, here's the manual."-JimMullen, Founder, Mullen Advertising

"Keeping the creative spirit alive with every member of your teamas your company grows should be your highest priority. ThePeaceable Kingdom clearly describes how to keep the spirit aliveand how to encourage every member of the team to constantly focuson improving the company and its services every day."-H. RossPerot

The Peaceable Kingdom is a story like no other-one that reveals howa company that admittedly refers to itself as strange and oddnevertheless became one of the most closely watched, respected, andprofitable businesses in the advertising industry. This eye-openingbook takes you inside the doors of The Richards Group, whichmanaged to survive and prosper in this cutthroat business bydefying many truisms not only for ad agencies but for businesses ingeneral. Company founder Stan Richards, along with David Culp,unveils how unconventional methods and a willingness to break downbarriers earned them an A client list including Nokia, Home Depot,Motel 6, Fruit of the Loom, Corona, and Chick-fil-A.

Read The Peaceable Kingdom and see how your company-no matter theindustry-can follow in their footsteps and build a more harmonious,productive, and prosperous business. Introduction: Tearing Down the Walls.

Tribalism Is Alive and Well -
Let's Kill It.

Barely Managing.

Learning to Function without Dysfunction.

Who Is Stan Richards, and Where Did He Get This Stuff?

Putting More Force in Your Workforce.

Fearless Collaboration, Free Communication, and Other UnnaturalActs.

The Gentleperson's Guide to Making a Killing.

Bizarre Practices of the Financial Kind.

Branding: The Secret to a Business without Barriers.

Turning the Barge.

Acknowledgments.

Index. STAN RICHARDS is the founder of The Richards Group, a Dallas-basedad agency that was named Adweek's "Southwest" Agency of the Year in1984, 1988, 1990, and 1994. In addition, the company has won elevenClio Awards since its founding in 1976.
DAVID CULP worked for eight years as a writer and creative grouphead for The Richards Group before becoming a freelance writer. Hecontinues to handle writing assignments for the agency. There‘s much more to The Richards Group than meets the eye. On the surface, this well-known, highly respected advertising agency fits the mold of a typical business at the top of its game, with a good reputation, an impressive client list, and numerous industry awards. But if you take a closer look, you‘ll find their secrets to success are anything but by-the-book–with an unconventional company culture at the center of a workplace that has made The Richards Group the rarest of creatures: the flat, unpolitical ad agency.

The Peaceable Kingdom is the story of how the largest independent advertising agency in America is breaking down conventional hierarchies in its organization–and making millions in the process. Stan Richards, the founder of The Richards Group, and former creative group head David Culp reveal how their company created an environment that inspires creativity and productivity–with no dress code, no manager caste, no officer titles, and a distaste for written policies. They even dispel some wild myths that have fueled intense interest in the behind-the-scenes details of this path-breaking organization.

This personable yet practical book explores the company‘s evolution, highlighting its uncommon yet highly effective business practices. Richards and Culp outline how problems are handled at The Richards Group and provide guidance on how other companies can accomplish the same levels of achievement. You’ll see how to put together a solid business in a high-strung industry with very little tribalism or fear, while holding to the mission to consistently create and present great work.

As you begin "tearing down the walls" you‘ll learn ways to:

• Blend rather than homogenize your workforce
• Operate successfully without G.U.M. (Gratuitous Use of Management)
• Break down barriers within your company–both visible and invisible
• Become profitable without losing your creative standards

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to work without factionalism, fiefdoms, and all the other toxic staples of modern business. Step into The Peaceable Kingdom and discover a new world that will revolutionize the way your company operates–regardless of your industry.

"Fresh, provocative, and powerful. Had I read this book before I started building a company of my own, it would have saved me a great deal of time and pain."–Sam Hill, President, Helios Consulting, Coauthor, Radical Marketing and The Infinite Asset

"In this insane world of ephemeral company loyalty and revolving doors to top positions, Stan Richards has clearly outlined exceedingly sane ways for any company to retain star performers by creating an environment that fundamentally rejects office politics."–Dick Hammill, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Advertising, The Home Depot

"For the three decades during which I was building Mullen, my hero wasn’t in New York–he was in Dallas. Stan Richards built a quintessentially creative agency from the uncommon clay of courage, generosity, common sense, loyalty, and integrity. If you’d like to be famous, respected, loved, and rich, here’s the manual."–Jim Mullen, Founder, Mullen Advertising

"Keeping the creative spirit alive with every member of your team as your company grows should be your highest priority. The Peaceable Kingdom clearly describes how to keep the spirit alive and how to encourage every member of the team to constantly focus on improving the company and its services every day."–H. Ross Perot

The Peaceable Kingdom is a story like no other–one that reveals how a company that admittedly refers to itself as strange and odd nevertheless became one of the most closely watched, respected, and profitable businesses in the advertising industry. This eye-opening book takes you inside the doors of The Richards Group, which managed to survive and prosper in this cutthroat business by defying many truisms not only for ad agencies but for businesses in general. Company founder Stan Richards, along with David Culp, unveils how unconventional methods and a willingness to break down barriers earned them an A client list including Nokia, Home Depot, Motel 6, Fruit of the Loom, Corona, and Chick-fil-A.

Read The Peaceable Kingdom and see how your company–no matter the industry–can follow in their footsteps and build a more harmonious, productive, and prosperous business.