My best known book is The Beermat Entrepreneur, which I co-authored in 2002. It broke the mould of books on entrepreneurship, which up to that point had been rather formal.
People enjoyed Beermat’s humour and its sense of what it’s really like in a start-up company. They also liked the models that Mike Southon and I created: I still get a buzz from hearing people talk about ‘cornerstones’ or ‘seedlings’. Successful start-ups make great stories, with interesting twists and turns in the narrative and a genuinely upbeat message at the end (the world needs ‘upbeat’).
I have also, since then, worked on books about the development of larger entities. My most recent project is about reinvigorating organisations in a way that is both ethical and profitable. I feel that this is a crucial topic for the future. Where are the ‘sweet spots’ where companies can pursue both aims?
My other specialism is psychology. I have studied counselling and have done some business and personal coaching, and I enjoy writing on these topics.
I’ve been a published writer since 1991, and have written travel, crime, humour and (my current passion) history under my own name. I have also worked in marketing and PR, though I now write full-time.
I am based in North Hertfordshire.
Please visit my website, www.chriswest.info, and if you think I can help you with a project, please contact me: chris@chriswest.info