How many times have you heard someone say, "It’s not personal; it’s just business"?
That attitude reflects a belief that business needs to be cut-throat, that it’s a dog-eat-dog world, that the pursuit of profit is the only thing that matters, and that the only way to succeed is to beat the competition. But none of this is true: business doesn’t have to be that way.
The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship is a prescription for living the American Dream and for finding the fulfilment that comes from helping employees and customers improve their lives. In his 30-year career in international business strategy, economic development, and entrepreneurship, author Andreas Widmer has seen firsthand numerous companies both succeed financially and also build a people-centered venture in the process.
He shares his favorite success stories and details five key principles for conducting business in ways that combine personal virtue, the latest entrepreneurial tools, and long-term perspective in order to make business a win-win proposition for everyone. At a time when the number of new business startups is at its lowest point in 50 years and more than half the workforce at existing businesses struggles with motivation, finding a better way to do business is more urgent than ever.
For any entrepreneur, manager, employee, or business student seeking to build people-centered businesses and teams, The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship is an insightful, practical guide to how businesses can be run to be both virtuous and profitable.
Industry Reviews
"""In The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship, Andreas Widmer shows how business creators benefit society . . . Widmer's book can inspire, motivate, and educate future entrepreneurs. And it will help veteran business creators recall why they chose their journey in the first place.""
—Armando Christian Pérez (Pitbull)'
""Many people today argue that in business, we have to choose: creative expression, good values, or strong profits. This is a false choice, as Andreas Widmer shows masterfully in The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship. We can and should aspire to all three. This is the most encouraging business book I have read in years.""
—Arthur C. Brooks, Professor, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, and New York Times Bestselling Author
""Through inspiring stories and actionable advice, Widmer shows how the principles of human progress provide a compass for business leaders looking to build a company that succeeds by helping people improve their lives.""
—Charles Koch, Chairman and CEO, Koch Industries
""[This book is] about creating a movement, having a positive impact on people's lives, and creating long-term value for customers. If you want to create a great company and a great team, then The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship is your recipe book.""
—Dina Dwyer-Owens, Franchise Business Leader, Author, and Motivational Speaker"
