I happen to know that Small Giants author Bo Burlingham has a Google Alert on "Small Giants," so let me just say, "hey, Bo! Thanks for speaking for MEBSR last night!"

Bo came in and spoke for about 90 minutes on the characteristics of businesses that choose to be great instead of big. I remembered why I enjoyed his book so much: it’s invigorating. It’s full of great stories that made me want to run back into the office and get back to doing what I love.

I wish I had taken better notes so I could have shared the 5 characteristics of small giants, but I was the guy running the projector, so my hands were full. (Plus, there was a cash bar. ‘Nuff said.)

One thing that was clear about all of the small giants profiled in the book was that they all had "mojo." People wanted to work there. People wanted to buy their products and support them in any way possible. People wanted to wear t-shirts and hats w/their logo. There was a purpose behind the business that went way beyond making a profit. But these companies were (and are) profitable.

I’ve also read Gary Erickson’s book, Raising the Bar, who was profiled in small giants as the owner of Clif Bar. He also talks about the importance of mojo, how Clif lost it’s mojo for a while and how long it took to get it back.

So what is it that makes a company great at the start of the 21st century? Is it mojo? Is it an atmosphere of transparency? Is it a belief in innovation? The ability to be nimble? A sustainable business model? Is it about treating your customers, employees and vendors fairly?

I think most of all, becoming a great business is a journey, not a destination. I feel that we’re (flyte’s) doing a much better job than we were doing just a few years ago, but we have a long way to go. We haven’t done enough to reduce our environmental footprint. We aren’t as involved in our community as I think we should be. There are still too many rough edges in our processes. We’re not as profitable as I’d like to be. (Profit is an essential part of the triple-bottom line.)

However, I don’t see these as shortcomings, but rather opportunities. We’re self-aware enough to know where we need to improve (in most cases,) and get together once a week at staff meetings to discuss how we can be doing a better job. It’s this striving that makes my work so enjoyable and so rewarding.

Whatever your business is, I hope you’re enjoying the journey.

Rich Brooks
Web Design and Internet Marketing Mojo Artist