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Oklahoma businesses make for a good read despite harsh times in the U.S. corporate world.
The U.S. corporate culture has a nasty, negative image these days. Here are two literary bright spots in the Oklahoma landscape: Paula Marshall, CEO of The Bama Cos. Inc., has written her second book, “Finding the Soul of Big Business” (Yorkshire Publishing, $11.99) and Ken and Tammy Brown have written the novel “Falling Apart” (Llumina Press, $14.95).
The subtitle to Marshall’s tiny book is “One Company’s Ego Elimination Strategy.” This is an unlikely description from a woman who inherited the throne 25 years ago. Most Tulsans have heard or read in the press only good things about “Bama Pies,” still a family-owned food business, and its practices. Marshall has worked at learning management techniques that encourage her employees. Beyond her Ph.D. from Oklahoma City University in commercial science, she studies current gurus and has a laboratory to test their theories. If you want to benefit from her experience, read her book.
“Falling Apart” is a story about Tyler Holte, a successful businessman who gets caught in the middle of a worldwide financial collapse. And they call it fiction. You’ll recognize much of his downfall in this tale of corporate espionage from the real front pages. His family’s downfall parallels the same spiral. With an upbeat conclusion (which we can only wish were true in reality), this fiction has as many lessons as Marshall’s book.
The Browns live in Oklahoma City with their three daughters and one son. Tammy Brown substitute teaches in middle and high schools. Ken Brown co-invented a vent cap for PVC pipes and runs a retail service company for its distribution. The Browns have invented an interactive Web site based on their book.
Both books are self-published and available on Amazon.com.
