Clive Birch MBE’s new book is a must-read for transport aficionados and business people alike, and CBW readers can benefit from 20% off the cover price
Some of us are in business, maybe leading a large and diverse organisation, and all too often we think we are the first to hold these roles competently. Nothing existed before we arrived – and anyway it’s about where we are heading not where we have been, isn’t it? But I like to put things in context sometimes – and those who know me will have heard me say “…to take your business forward, firstly take a good look backwards. Almost everything has been done before – and knowing the outcomes last time is invaluable…”
Of course there have been millions of businesses throughout history, but almost none of those have stood the test of time and are still here today. I always think that odd, as we all feel our business legacy will last forever and greatness will continue indefinitely. We never consider what we are doing is ultimately doomed, but history shows us, big or small, it almost certainly is – it’s just a matter of when the end comes! What better then than to find a book that is so unique that you can take a business journey covering over 200 years, written by a participant who saw with his own eyes the end and has studied with an academic approach the journey before that.
‘A World of Wheels’ was sent to me by author Clive Birch MBE, and was written primarily, I suspect, for the history or transport buff – with of course a bit of family nostalgia. I expected this to be another transport reference book in my bookcase and it works very well in that way.
But that’s not at all reflecting its real value to the broad audience in my opinion, so now let me tell you why everyone in business should read this book…
This story has it all. It’s the biography of a business over a long period leading to the very end, with all the twists and turns along the way. It covers a very long period in history so gives you that unique perspective from its longevity, but the core issues are as true today as they were then. Forget the clothes, hats and horses – that’s just scene setting and a slight distraction. What’s special here is the business modelling, the details and the skill of the players. It’s finding an opportunity and working hard to make something lucrative of it. It’s growing and developing the business against good competition and succeeding in that. It’s changing and adapting with the core market and also more broadly to maintain your relevance. It’s diversifying and derisking by building a portfolio, then linking these, and creating a brand that is widely recognised. But most importantly ultimately knowing when the time is right for you and your shareholders to get out – and how to do that in the best way for all the stakeholders without hopelessly clinging on to the emotions of the past and those who came before us. Not quite starting with the end in mind – more maintaining an awareness that it’s out there and waiting for you. The question really is who goes looking for who…
The book opens with a foreword from former London Transport Museum Director, Sam Mullins OBE – so there’s its credibility established – and takes you through the step-by-step evolution and growth that put Birch Bros at the top of its game. It’s an enjoyable and relatable read, sprinkled with some historical images and documents, but importantly you see how the business was built from scratch. This is valuable to the businessperson and entrepreneur as, whilst there may not be much about e-commerce, there is a lot about the nature of people – who, regardless of mechanism to access, are still the buyers of your goods and services. And this should not ever be overlooked.
With a cover price of £25.00 and a special offer of £20.00 for CBW readers this is a very sound investment. Get a copy, take in the story, and reflect on what you learned or have just had reminded and clarified. I suspect you won’t regret doing so…
Reviewed by Paul Sainthouse
To receive your CBW-discounted copy, saving £5 over the regular price, email your order direct to Clive Birch on [email protected] and he will provide you with payment and despatch details. Remember to mention ‘CBW reader offer’ when emailing.
