How To Fix A 'Broken' Business, Local Author

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Bestselling author Michael Levine, a renowned local branding and media expert, was inspired to write "Broken Windows, Broken Business" by UCLA Professor James Q. Wilson's 1982 broken windows theory. The theory states that visible signs of crime, anti-social behavior, and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, according to Wikipedia.

"For example, if you see a broken window that is not repaired right away, it signals to the viewer that the bad guys are in charge," Levine told Patch. "In 2006, I took that same theory and dragged it into the business world."

Updated to include challenges business owners face in 2021, the book delves into evidence that problems in business, large and small, typically stem from inattention to tiny details.

Amazon describes the book as follows:

"Drawing on real-world corporate examples, from JetBlue's decision to give fliers what they really want—leather seats, personal televisions, online ticketing — to Google's customer-based strategy for breaking out of the pack of Internet search engines, to business-to-business firms' successes and failures, Levine proves again and again how constant vigilance and an obsession with detail can make or break a business or a brand."

Levine — who has authored 19 books, including five bestsellers — has been a member of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce for the past year and credits the organization's president, Kelly Stroman, for her strong leadership in the community.

"I've been a member of five chambers in my life and I've never been impressed until I joined Manhattan Beach," Levine said. "Kelly Stroman runs a great program. She's smart, focused, and gets things done."

The chamber's continued mission is to advocate and share business resources through events and additional platforms. "Michael Levine is a chamber member and, with his newly revised book recently published, we connected him with Pages: a bookstore to do an author event," Carolina Dorado, communications coordinator, Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, told Patch. "This event is the perfect way to invite business leaders and entrepreneurs to a conversation with Michael while supporting local businesses."

Levine, who also represents the Manhattan Beach restaurants Slay Italian Kitchen and Slay Steak + Fish House, is looking forward to celebrating the book's 15th anniversary with the community.

"I love talking with business owners and hearing their stories," he said. "I hope people turn out and ask lots of great questions."

The Author Event takes place on June 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pages: a book store, 904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach. The program is free and open to the public.

For updates, residents can subscribe to the Chamber Newsletter, visit the website, or call the office at 310-545-5313.