Upside Down Management

There's a lot of hot air in the world of business. Wouldn't it be nice just to hear some common sense?

That's exactly what John Timpson has got. After four decades running his family business and turning it into one of the high street's biggest success stories, he really knows what works and what doesn't. Upside Down Management shares with you all the wisdom he's accumulated in that time.

From being the CEO to his trademark 'upside down management', and from breaking the rules to following your conscience, this book tells it like it is.

Upside Down Management is a fantastic insider's view of what really makes a family business tick.

About the Author ii

Acknowledgements vii

Preface ix

Chapter 1: The Timpson Experience 1

Chapter 2: Upside Down Management 49

Chapter 3: Be the CEO 73

Chapter 4: Do the Deals 107

Chapter 5: Make Mistakes 155

Chapter 6: Challenge the Rules 183

Chapter 7: Survive the Stress 219

Chapter 8: Let Your Conscience be Your Guide 241

Chapter 9: Ideas that Work 281

Conclusion 299

Index 305

Final Thought 315

"Readers could learn a lot from this book." (Professional Manager, September 2010)

"A stimulating read deserving a wide audience and much discussion. Never before have shoes been so interesting." (Supply Management, August 2010)

"A practical and inspirational manual for anyone who runs a business.... His philosophies... about how to manage a business are refreshing." (Financial Times, July 2010)

"Forget management models and best-practice guidelines; here are genuine pearls of wisdom." (FreshBusinessThinking.com, April 2010)

John Timpson is Chairman of Timpson Ltd, his family business. "A refreshing, no-nonsense business book – a must read"
—Charles Dunstone, CEO, Carphone Warehouse

There's a lot of hot air in the world of business. Wouldn't it be nice just to hear some common sense?

That's exactly what John Timpson has got. After four decades running his family business and turning it into one of the high street's biggest success stories, he really knows what works and what doesn't. Upside Down Management shares with you how he has turned the way the business is run on its head, and the lessons he has learned in the process.

From being the CEO to dealing with stress, and from breaking the rules to following your conscience, this book tells it like it is.

Forget management models and best-practice guidelines; here are genuine pearls of wisdom.