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Copy This! The Story of Kinko's



cover_big.jpgCopy This! Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic Who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America's Best Companies
by Paul Orfalea, Ann Marsh
Workman Publishing Company 2005
0761137777


This weekend I've been reading the autobiography of Kinko's founder Paul Orfalea. Probably because of my background in printing and my work with Kinko's as a customer, vendor, and consultant over the years my expectations for the book are different from the casual reader, but even so I've been pleasantly surprised. Orfalea offers a practical, pragmatic approach to business, backed by the frenetic and entertaining story of his life. It's refreshing to see such a down-to-earth blend of customer focus, respect for employees, and sharing the wealth. Throughout the book, Orfalea's focus is people, people, people - how to support them and how to give them power over their destiny. His theme is really "You can do this. It's just not that hard."

Orfalea, who has both dyslexia and ADHD, built a multi-billion dollar company using voice mail as his primary form of communication because he never learned to read effectively. (Tip for Skype Journal: Want to talk about a Skype Strategy? Pick up a copy and read Chapter 5 where he describes his innovative use of voice messaging to stay in touch, spread ideas, and even introduce co-workers to each other.)

Among other interesting tidbits I realized while reading (these are not explicit in the text):
  • Kinko's was the first major volley in the personal publishing revolution - in the 1970s they were the first significant business to open the printing press, via the photocopier, to the masses.
  • Kinko's was the first major casualty of the copyright wars - their loss, to eight textbook publishers, in a $3.5 million lawsuit in the early '90s set the tone for numerous limitations on fair use that were to follow.
I haven't finished the book yet, but it's definitely one I will give to some struggling young people I know. Orfalea's message - that while traditional education is good and valuable, if it doesn't work for you there are other ways to success - is powerful and needed by those who are increasingly left behind by our failing education system.