From the inner sanctum of Silicon Valley and short-term capitalism comes the story of a VC who lived it, then left it and found a better way to build great companies.
Dave Whorton was John Doerr's associate partner at high-flying Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers during Silicon Valley's big shift, when he witnessed the VC industry pivot from a proven forty-year playbook of managing risk to something much more aggressive: "get-big-fast." Don't worry about profitability. Cash out and find another venture.
For a while, Whorton took part in this whirlwind as he pursued his dream of becoming the next Hewlett or Packard, starting two companies himself. But soon it all got to be too much. Whorton recognized that if get-big-fast was the formula for building a great technology company in the twenty-first century, that just wasn't for him.
That could have been the end of the story, but instead it turned out to be the beginning of another, deeply inspiring one. Whorton went on a journey to find a better way to build companies, a way focused on long-term stability and steady growth, funded through profitability; a way in which leaders were committed to a purpose beyond personal wealth generation, to putting their people first, and to setting up their companies to endure. He calls these companies "Evergreen." Another Way combines Whorton's inspiring story with his Evergreen 7Ps framework, designed to guide more entrepreneurs and business leaders to follow his path.
Full of revelations, practical advice, and real-world examples of companies going Evergreen, Another Way is as instructive as it is inspiring at showing capitalism at its best.
Dave Whorton was John Doerr's associate partner at high-flying Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers during Silicon Valley's big shift, when he witnessed the VC industry pivot from a proven forty-year playbook of managing risk to something much more aggressive: "get-big-fast." Don't worry about profitability. Cash out and find another venture.
For a while, Whorton took part in this whirlwind as he pursued his dream of becoming the next Hewlett or Packard, starting two companies himself. But soon it all got to be too much. Whorton recognized that if get-big-fast was the formula for building a great technology company in the twenty-first century, that just wasn't for him.
That could have been the end of the story, but instead it turned out to be the beginning of another, deeply inspiring one. Whorton went on a journey to find a better way to build companies, a way focused on long-term stability and steady growth, funded through profitability; a way in which leaders were committed to a purpose beyond personal wealth generation, to putting their people first, and to setting up their companies to endure. He calls these companies "Evergreen." Another Way combines Whorton's inspiring story with his Evergreen 7Ps framework, designed to guide more entrepreneurs and business leaders to follow his path.
Full of revelations, practical advice, and real-world examples of companies going Evergreen, Another Way is as instructive as it is inspiring at showing capitalism at its best.
Advance Praise for Another Way:
"Another Way is a revelatory look at how some of America's most successful companies have stayed private, profitable, and true to their values for generations. Whorton's analysis offers a refreshing counterpoint to today's obsession with quick exits and fast fortunes. And his stories of these Evergreen companies will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs." - Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author, Drive, To Sell Is Human, and When
"Dave Whorton's years immersed in the get-big-fast circles of investor financing led him to unearth seven Evergreen principles, each offering invaluable inspiration and guidance to those wanting to build an enduring enterprise. Another Way truly offers a better way!" - James H. Gilmore, coauthor, The Experience Economy
"Another Way is a transformative guide for entrepreneurs seeking purpose beyond profit. A must-read for those wanting to build meaningful, sustainable businesses." - Howard Behar, former President, Starbucks
"Dave Whorton is a visionary whose story is nothing short of remarkable. This superb book captures his inspiring journey and shows us the principles and keys to building a company-and a legacy-that endures." - Stephen M. R. Covey, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire
"This book provides the antithesis to the American get-big-fast mantra and points the way to an economy where millions of small and midsized companies win, not just a few superstars-a correction America desperately needs." - Hermann Simon, cofounder and honorary Chairman, Simon-Kucher
"The writing, candor, and concreteness make this a unique and practical book that will advance the message that there is 'another way' to do business-one that creates real, lasting value." - Dennis Jaffe, Senior Research Fellow, BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors
"Another Way is a revelatory look at how some of America's most successful companies have stayed private, profitable, and true to their values for generations. Whorton's analysis offers a refreshing counterpoint to today's obsession with quick exits and fast fortunes. And his stories of these Evergreen companies will inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs." - Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author, Drive, To Sell Is Human, and When
"Dave Whorton's years immersed in the get-big-fast circles of investor financing led him to unearth seven Evergreen principles, each offering invaluable inspiration and guidance to those wanting to build an enduring enterprise. Another Way truly offers a better way!" - James H. Gilmore, coauthor, The Experience Economy
"Another Way is a transformative guide for entrepreneurs seeking purpose beyond profit. A must-read for those wanting to build meaningful, sustainable businesses." - Howard Behar, former President, Starbucks
"Dave Whorton is a visionary whose story is nothing short of remarkable. This superb book captures his inspiring journey and shows us the principles and keys to building a company-and a legacy-that endures." - Stephen M. R. Covey, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire
"This book provides the antithesis to the American get-big-fast mantra and points the way to an economy where millions of small and midsized companies win, not just a few superstars-a correction America desperately needs." - Hermann Simon, cofounder and honorary Chairman, Simon-Kucher
"The writing, candor, and concreteness make this a unique and practical book that will advance the message that there is 'another way' to do business-one that creates real, lasting value." - Dennis Jaffe, Senior Research Fellow, BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors