Why you Don’t Have to Grow

While I was at ITEXPO the founder of a much larger firm made an offer to me.  He said he was interested in his firm buying 50% of ATL and then plowing a lot of money into marketing and advertising and growing ATL at a much faster rate than I have ever achieved. 

For seventeen years I have had offers to buy into ATL or buy it outright.  I never considered and couldn’t really put into words why.The timing must have been preordained because I am currently reading, Small Giants, a book by Bo Burlington.  The book talks about fourteen companies that stays small by choice, even under the pressure that operating a closely held corporation naturally produces.  In the book Burlington says, “The notion that bigger – and more – is better has so pervaded our culture that most people assume all entrepreneurs want to capitalize on every business opportunity, grow their companies as far and as fast as they can, and build another Microsoft or Citicorp. 

Well I don’t.  I want to make sure that our customers have the best customer service in our industry ( or any industry) that we serve our community, that integrity comes ahead of every decision, and that ATL is a great place to work.  So as Robert Catlin of Signature Mortgage says, “Hey, I’m doing just fine.  I have control.  I have freedom.  I have family time and travel time.  What more could I ask for?” 

So when I get off the plane and have internet access, I better tell the soon to be disappointed interested CEO. 

(I could say a lot about this book.  Let me know if I should