The Method Method

My first book read of the year was The Method Method, written by the founders of Method (the cool and green soap brand) Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry.  I’d certainly recommend this book if you’re interested in learning how a company began and grew above small company hurdles to grappling with the bigger company environment after ten great years in the business.

Method says that if you think about trying only ONE product, you should go with their laundry detergent.

I really loved how this book, and the Method founders, place such a high importance on company culture and how that helps their company succeed. They have found that the business decisions which flop horribly for them are the ones that stray most from what Method knows and does best.

I don’t want to spoil the book for you, but a few quotes worth thinking about:

It’s no longer enough to sell a product. You must connect that product to some part of that person’s life.

The book gives its own example, Method’s “People against dirty, as well as  TOMS ability to “Make Life More Comfortable” and Zappos’ desire to “Deliver Happiness.” All of these examples don’t just say what they sell, but actually what they DO. This is vital in the future as more options arise for consumers, and as the giants are competing on price, you have to differentiate your brand to make it part of the consumer’s lifestyle or brand. With this, focus more on “Aim small and overserve” than to aim big and not make many people truly happy or connect with them on a personal level.

“We founded method on the idea that business, as the largest and most powerful institution on the planet, has the greatest opportunity to create solutions to our environmental and health crises.”

I hope to see, and one day be a part of, a business who works for profit but works hard to improve the community or the world. In my opinion, there is nothing else I’d rather do or a better way to sustainably change the for the better.