If you aren't familiar yet with 37signals, and its founder, Jason Fried, do yourself a favor and check out this video from Crain's Chicago Business. Founded in 1999, the company designs web-based software for individuals and businesses. 37signals estimates that more than 1 million people use its products. To date, Jeff Bezos of Amazon is its only outside investor. Their products are simple and affordable, and as their Web site says, "they do everything you need and nothing you don't." Here are a few outtakes from the Crain's video, Talking Management: Leadership Lessons from Jason Fried. He offers an interesting perspective as the leader of a high-growth technology company that has become a media darling, and is sought after by investors:

• "We're not big into increasing our headcount. We're big on increasing our influence."
• "Interruption is the biggest enemy of productivity that there is."
• "We have free versions of all of our products. And that's actually the best way to get someone to pay for something."
• "We're focused on building things that provide way more value than they cost."
• "People are always willing to pay for something they find valuable."
• "I love the idea of building simple tools that work really well."
• "I don't think you need to be a big company anymore to do big things."

PR 20/20 started out in February 2004 as a vision to evolve the PR industry. That vision, which 21 months later manifested into an upstart PR and marketing firm, was fueled by remarkable books that told inspirational stories of vision, passion and innovation. “What I Learned” is a series of blog postings about the books and experiences that continue to shape our agency, and our vision. My hope is that these insights will inspire others to pursue their dreams.
Pour Your Heart Into It by Starbuck’s Chairman Howard Schultz For this installment of What I Learned, I’ve included a selection of my favorite quotes from Pour Your Heart Into It. It’s a classic story about an entrepreneur with a vision, and the passion to make it a reality:

• “A company can grow big without losing the passion and personality that built it, but only if it’s driven not by profits but by values and people.”

• “If it captures your imagination, it will captivate others.”

• “Vision is what they call it when others can’t see what you see.”

• “Naysayers never built a great enterprise.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

• “When you see the opportunity of a lifetime, move quickly.”

• “Don’t be threatened by people smarter than you.”

• “Everything matters.”

• “Strong brands create a powerful, personal connection.”