What Modern Business Can Learn from the Amish
Consider the chance of success for people who never went beyond the eighth grade, never drove a car or had electricity.
That describes the simple lifestyle of the Amish people. But it turns out that they have a greater chance of success in a new business than the non-Amish. U.S. Department of Labor figures show their five-year failure rate is less than 5 percent, compared to 44 percent of small businesses in the United States over a four-year period.
In his new book, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive
The simplicity of their lifestyle carries over to an employer’s relationship with his employees. Owners say, “I would never ask an employee to do something I would be unwilling to do myself.” Sometimes they will work right beside their workers and may do part of the dirtiest work themselves. One boss says this aligns their interests with his.
Another Amish construction boss occasionally takes all of his workers out to breakfast, and they are paid for the time. While turnover is high in the construction industry, most of his workers have been with him for nine years or more.
A rigorous work ethic is the norm. Sometimes bosses and workers rise in the wee hours of a morning to be on a construction job on time.
The book shows the importance of cultivating strong relationships with employees, customers and other business owners. It illustrates the creation of long-term goals, taking the welfare of others into account, and maintaining personal integrity.
Wesner gives take-away ideas in a 10-point summary at the end of each chapter.
Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive
Category: Business Tips & Resources
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
