Does Andrew Smith's Handwritten book pass the test?
In true Yuppiechef style, this book goes way beyond the value served up most business books, giving the reader so much more value than expected.
Some business books are read because they offer a kernel of insight into what it is, or was, that made a well-known business, or person, a fabulous 'success'.
Other business-related books promise a procedural short-cut, an empirically-demonstrable framework, that either supposedly dismantles some of the risks related to the complexities of building a great business, or offers suggestions of unconventional ways of working that somehow produce outsized performance from the same index of productivity.
Handwritten. The founding story of Yuppiechef written by Andrew Smith...offers neither of these things.
Instead it presents readers a revealing personal account of multiple, simultaneous journeys walked by a South African entrepreneur on four different paths.
There is the account of Yuppiechef's pioneering journey on an economic path. A tale of stubborn innovators using hand-built technology to disrupt old industry paradigms and build new economic value through the creation of a new category.
The treacherous journey on a business path. A nerve-racking story involving layers of unfolding uncertainty related to the selection of business model, strategy, category, funding, operational systems, seasonal fluctuations, cash flow challenges and management structures.
Then there is a reflection of the cultural path. The purposeful knitting together of an ever-evolving team; its values, individual strengths, purpose. development, triumphs and failures.
And finally there is an, at times, unnerving, brutally-honest account of the psychological path of entrepreneurship and leadership. The need for validation and acceptance, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, anxiety, depression and motivation.
Does Andrew Smith's Handwritten book pass the business book test? Is it a success?
In true Yuppiechef style, this book goes way beyond the value served up by most business books, giving the reader so much more than expected.
And that value comes thanks to Andrew's valiant attempt to holistically synthesise a personal reflection of these journey paths into a coherent narrative spanning a 16-year time horizon.
The result is an honest and humble personal perspective on the lived-experience of building a much-loved asset of value in the context of South Africa.
It's a glimpse past the quirkiness of the popular brand into the dark, murky places from which excellence often originates.
For some, the story will be shocking; for most, Handwritten will be refreshingly powerful evidence of what it takes (and gives) from the self, to attempt to change the world.
It's a great read, an insightful book...and hopefully also a catalyst for the start of a deeper business conversation; one in which we are more open and honest about motivation, personal well-being and people development, our limitations as human beings and the loneliness of leadership.
You can order your copy of Handwritten. The founding story of Yuppiechef (online obviously)...here.
Andrew Smith