FOREWORD
by Geoff Bellman
This book is about people and organizations who are Positively Making A Difference. But before we get into their stories, I want to tell you a little about the extraordinary publisher who makes this book possible—and his publishing house whose self-defined purpose is "to create a world that works for all." Any business book about people making a difference should clearly begin with Berrett-Koehler.
In the late ‘80s, Steve Piersanti, Berrett-Koehler's founder, and I began talking. He was then president and CEO of Jossey-Bass Publishers. We were doing a book together (The Consultant's Calling) and I was lucky enough to have him as my editor, since most publishing house presidents do not edit books themselves. Steve's guidance through the editorial process gave me a lasting appreciation for the man who would create Berrett-Koehler Publishers a few years later.
In 1991, Steve received a career "nudge" from the Robert Maxwell publishing empire, the owners of Jossey-Bass: he was fired. Steve refused to lay off Jossey-Bass staff in order to meet Maxwell's demands to carry out a ten percent workforce reduction that Steve believed to be unwarranted and unjustified. Jossey-Bass was surpassing its sales and profitability goals—they needed more people, not fewer. Steve spoke truth to power and was terminated for sticking by his staff and his principles. I was among the many people who called Steve, commiserated, and asked what I could do to help. We agreed I would publish my next book with him. Then I called Peter Block and Marvin Weisbord and told them what had happened to Steve. They too moved to Berrett-Koehler and—along with Meg Wheatley—the four of us wrote early B-K best sellers, giving the company financial footing and a positive reputation in the marketplace. That's how this little company was founded—rooted in Steve's integrity and vision. I am proud to have participated in its creation.
More than thirteen years later, B-K continues to be a remarkable independent publisher. Steve and his people have been recognized with articles and awards, acknowledging their vision of contributing to the world, making it an enlightened place in which to live and work. B-K was started with Steve's non-corporate stance toward the world and the company lives that way today.
Three examples of how B-K does this…
First, by engaging its stakeholders—not just its stockholders: A few years ago, B-K held a Future Search conference. Authors, literary agents, publicists, consultants, business book readers, B-K book printers, copy editors, designers and artists, video producers, and staff were all invited to assist in creating the future of the company. Sixty-three people invested two days in imagining and planning what this innovative little publisher might become. How often do you see that happening in the corporate world?
Second, by getting to know B-K authors and their new books: Every book has an Author Day. The B-K staff gets to know the author, deepens their knowledge of the author as a person, while learning more about their new book. Together, staff and authors work out their roles in moving this book toward success. I've worked with four publishers; I've never been treated so well, personally and professionally, as I've been treated by Berrett-Koehler. Fellow B-K author David Korten says, "Berrett-Koehler [sets] a standard for integrity, professionalism, and author support without equal in the industry. Few experiences in my life have equaled the joy and sense of accomplishment that have come from the experience of working with the total support of such an exceptionally dedicated and talented editorial, design, and marketing team." You can hear the loyalty in David's words. Do you know how valuable that is?
And, you are already experiencing my third example: This POSITIVELY M.A.D. book flows from the B-K Authors Council, a gathering of authors that meets yearly, talks about books, and exchanges ideas about writing, publishing and marketing—and they pay their own way to do this! Since 1999, this Authors Council has become a committed community. This year, they decided to contribute to the world by writing this book and offering the "POSITIVELY M.A.D." conference held November 6, 2004. Do you know of many organizations that inspire this kind of willing contribution from stakeholders?
On my desk I have a quote attributed to Gandhi. "Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it." Berrett-Koehler is engaged in the hard work of publishing humane ideas for a corporate world that only occasionally seems to care. In staff meetings, planning retreats, and Author Days, B-K people remind themselves of their high values. They hold themselves to their self-defined standards. And, sometimes they wonder whether they are making a significant difference. They aspire to results which will not be realized in their own lifetimes—and perhaps not in the lifetime of this wonderful little company. And through it all, they know that whatever they are doing, it is most important that they do it.
Geoff Bellman is the author of three Berrett-Koehler books: Getting Things Done When You Are Not in Charge (1992, 2001), Your Signature Path (1996), and The Beauty of the Beast (2000).