Copy This!

Lessons from a Hyperactive Dyslexic Who Turned a Bright Idea Into One of America's Best Companies

By: Paul Orfalea, Ann Marsh

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

A charismatic, heart-warming business memoir that's filled with life lessons on overcoming obstacles, Copy This! is a book for every business owner looking to grow a company, every manager helping his team perform, every visionary trying to launch a new idea, and for every mother and father of a child suffering from dyslexia or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Because Copy This! is the story of how Paul Orfalea opened a small copy shop called Kinko's in 1970 and turned it into a $1.5 billion-a-year company, while barely being able to read, write, or sit still through a business meeting.

Here is the story of a dyslexic, hyperactive boy who flunked two grades, yet succeeded in using his learning differences as opportunities, molding the compassionate, unconventional, partner-driven culture that allowed Kinko's to thrive, and made it, according to Fortune, Forbes, and Mother Jones, one of the best places in America to work. In fourteen chapters narrated with the engaging voice of a born storyteller, Orfalea takes as much pleasure in discussing his shortcomings as he does his successes, and imparts the valuable lessons he's learned along the way: Manage the environment, not the people. Fail forward. Be "on" your business, not "in" your business. Let your soul catch up with your body. Keep a poker face, and a poker mind. And know when, and how, to walk away. Which Orfalea did in 2000, having made millionaires out of dozens of his friends and partners, after an extraordinary 30-year run.

©2005 Paul Orfalea and Ann Marsh (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Insightful and motivational

This is a great motivational listen about how a man overcame a personal handicap and used the power of other people to build the Kinko's empire. There is a lot of common sense wisdom on building a business, investing money and dealing with people that young and old will find valuable. I thought the book was well read and held my interest throughout.

great

great story. every min is shot of knowledge. related to real life. deductible is the word I heard growing up

Great for Entrepreneurs

Excellent book. Learn how one individual used common sense and hard work to build an empire. Very good role model for small business owners. Highly recommended.

Good read

This was a book worth listening to. Paul's management philosophy is almost opposite to all other business leaders and he has been very sucessful. This really shows that there is no one formula for sucess and we all need to find what works for us best. Two key items I learned is the manage the work enviornment not the employee and how investing in employee's can pay huge dividents.

Unique business leader

By and large I loved this book. Great firsthand stories of his experience building Kinko’s in an unorthodox way. I thought he spent a little too much time talking about some of his shortcomings, otherwise it would be 5 stars. It felt at times like he was trying to atone for things in the book. Other than that, I think this book deserves a place in any entrepreneur or business leaders well-rounded library.

Read This!

Very good book. Entertaining but with great insights. While at times his company seemed dysfunctional, Paul's used his strengths and his weakness to build a successful company and a successful life. He shares it all in his book.

Copy On!

Every once in a while you meet someone whom you really can relate too. Paul Orfalea for me is one of those people. Although I've never met him in person, I believe he opens himself for all to see in his book "Copy This!" Paul shows succeeding in business is possible for those of us who grew up outside of mainstream educational expectations. He does get on his soap box from time to time, but hey, it’s his book! Get it, listen to it, and become a Kinko disciple…or should I say Partner?

Honest, humorous and insightful

Great book. Paul Orfalea is an interesting guy who doesn't hesitate to point out both his strengths and weaknesses while giving advice on business and life along the way. I really enjoyed listening to the book-the narrator is excellent and the story engaging.

Its ok...

Its ok...it does not really give insights why he succeeded and other did not

Must read for anyone that has reading issues.

This is a great success story for all dyslexic children and adults. You are only bound by your self imposed limitations. Always have a goal ... A dream.