Uncontainable

August 25, 2014
In this mash-up of memoir and business how-to, Container Store CEO Tindell tells the story of his company since its launch 30 years ago, presenting it as the kind of company customers love—and employees love just as much. (The turnover rate is extremely low, and only 3% of applicants are hired.) While the company faced the same difficulties as every business after the 2008 financial meltdown, Tindell was determined, he says, not to lay off people—and using his mantra of “Conscious Capitalism” (“not making profit your number one priority actually makes you a lot more profitable”), he met this goal. Tindell briefly covers his personal story: “a real Leave it to Beaver childhood”; his first job at a local Sherwin-Williams paint store; and founding the business and eventually achieving great success and growth. The meat of the book explores Tindell’s seven “Foundation Principles,” which prove to be widely applicable to most businesses (they include “hire the best”; “maintain great vendor relationships”; “perpetuate an air of excitement”). The book stands out in its infectious good cheer; the ideas are genre standards, but Tindell’s unflaggingly enthusiastic tone could sell even Ebenezer Scrooge on an “air of excitement” as a foundation business principle.