The Idea Blog

“Hire the people you trust, people who are passionate about their job, passionate about what they’re doing. Just leave them alone, and they’ll get the job done.”

So says Patagonia chief exec Yvon Chouinard, quoted in a book excerpt in today’s NYTimes.

The book, “The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker,” is by Times reporter Steven Greenhouse, and it examines difficulties and successes at companies such as FedEx and Patagonia.

It’s fascinating to read the positive and negative stories, both enlightening.

I write often about the power of the consumer to make or break your brand. But let’s not forget the power of your workers. In many ways it’s even greater.