Andy Law's breakthrough company The Law Firm is a real world testament of his steadfast commitment to innovating business
|
In the rather mundane realm of business strategy Andy Law has arisen to be a guiding beacon of innovation. After reading this book I was inspired to learn more about the author and his current endeavors. I was not surprised to find out that his new enterprise "The Law Firm" has once again refreshed the classical ideas of what a "business model" should be. The world of business is inevitably going lean because of the innovations currently possible through technology, bricks and mortar are no longer necessary for success; however, strong human capital is. Law has caught onto the transformation and designed a firm whose structure is complimentary of this revolution. He has proven that a company can be truly international without suffocating on the once deemed necessary expense of glorified office space and multi-layer exec branches.
A truly inspirational guy, please write another book!
|
|
An insiders look into the most innovative ad agency ever
|
|
Part love affair and part thesis on what work means in our society, Andy Law's book about the company he's created is both inspirational and informative. In the mid '90s Andy was running London's office of Chiat Day when the big brass in New York decided it would be a good idea to merge with TBWA. Somehow this didn't fit with the ideals and culture of the team in London, so they ceceeded. They broke free from TBWA/Chiat and created their own agency. In the process, they created a new way of working. At St. Lukes, every person employed by the company is an owner, an EQUAL owner. Ownership carries with it immense responsibility, to co-owners, the work and clients. The agency is organized around clients. In fact, there are no set cubes or offices outside of those areas designated specifically for clients. Teams move fluidly into the spaces where they can work together on behalf of a client. In principle, I agree with the philosophy and ideas set forth by Mr. Law. A client centric, creatively inspired workforce is a dream come true for the advertiser and the agency. But pragmatically speaking, I am not sure I have the courage to run my agency this way. The people of St. Lukes have lives that are intrinsically intertwined. Work seems to overlap with life to such an extent that the notion of family actually becomes blurred. The chaos of not anchoring one's self to a space within a work environment also seems odd to me - but perhaps 16 years of coming to work and sitting at my desk has created a bias in me that is too strong to overcome. I enjoyed this book because I admire the courage and determination not only of Mr. Law but of his colleagues. They have mapped out a dream and fight for it. And in the process, they have created some of the finest advertising made in the last decade.
|
|
|
OPENS YOUR MIND TO A NEW WORLD
|
|
This is a fantastic book - full of inspiration and ideas that all company leaders could benefit from. If like me you are one of those typical employees, working in a standard environment, where managers are managers, and employees are employees, this book about St Luke's will open your minds to a new world. If only all companies were like this!
|
|
|
...it must be a must - because beacon branding works...
|
|
First time I read about St. Luke's was in John Grant's New Marketing Manifesto and it was completely by accident, I just picked it up in a bookshop. Few months later walking down the street I saw a guy reading Open Minds I stopped and checked who the author was. I bought it as soon as I could. I knew that this is a book I must read, and I was fascinated. An excellent book, on exceptional people, with exceptional ideas. St Luke's is 'required reading' on some business courses in America. Every now and again somebody pushes the line, crosses a new boundary, St Luke's do that everyday. They walk the talk. This goes beyond the story of a company it is a testimony to creativity and people. This is not 'required reading' this is a must to find out that; yes it is possible to be truly exceptional in a staid business world that looks the same and that the human factor can make all the difference. Don't expect a magic formula from this book but be open enough to challenge a lot of accepted wisdom.
|
|
|
Ready to feel restless...?
|
|
I literally could not put this book down & once I'd read it I couldn't stop thinking about it! Written in a fast, witty tone, "Open Minds" is an exciting account of how great fairness & a brave vision have resulted in a truly outstanding business model. Andy Law has written a fairytale of a reference book. I was actually moved to tears a couple of times at what has been achieved at St Lukes. I have been making everyone I can read "Open Minds" & have been sending copies to friends as I don't want them to miss out on such enlightened thoughts. I feel like I have personally become a complete St Lukes Evangelist! "Open Minds" says it all. Thought-provoking, challenging & dismissive of all typical corporate behaviour, it is an example of how to bring-about self-transformation & how to create a wonderful, democratic working environment in which everyone thrives. I can't believe anyone could read this book & not have their whole way of thinking turned upside-down. Can't rate it highly enough. Read it, get restless & grow!
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada