Reviewed By KATIE WALKER
By chainsawing his reception desk in half, deleting his dental listing from the telephone directory and serving tea to his clients in bone china cups, Australian dentist Paddi Lund transformed his business.
From stress, hardship and near suicide, his low-profit dental practice has been transformed into a highly
profitable, happy and stress-free business.
Originally published in 1994, this reprinted edition is a cross between autobiography and self-help guide.
The first half sets the scene. Using anecdotes and verbatim conversations, Lund tells us about his previous poor business methods, his life-changing "sojourn with insanity" and his views on human emotions and business practices.
Further brief chapters on customer service, how to measure happiness and the relationship between profit and happiness prepare us for the rest of the book.
The shorter second half reveals all. The basic secret to achieving a happiness-centred business is that everyone is considerate, kind and polite to everyone else. Not rocket science. No magic formula or complicated ideas. Just eight acts of consideration that make all the difference.
They are all childishly obvious: be polite, say please and thank you, tell the truth, apologise, don't talk behind someone's back and so on.
But we don't do it regularly, with sincerity, nor at every level within our workplace, says Lund.
Using plenty of simple and creative examples (hence the chain saw and china), he shows how he and his team implemented this "courtesy system" within his dental practice.
It all makes common sense, and the message is clear - ensure you and your team are happy first, follow this up with exceptional customer care and your business will blossom.
Do not expect to find Building the Happiness-Centred Business among analytical, well-researched tomes in the business section of your favourite bookshop. In fact, it is only available direct from Lund's website or speciality outlets.
The book is light and conversational; the chapters are short and cartoons, floral logos and ' inspirational phrases are dotted throughout.* Reviewed by Katie Walker of Straightforwardlife and business coaching, Wellington.
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* Solutions Press
