The Amish are a group of traditionalists that avoid modern technology, and end their formal education after the eighth grade. They’re also business geniuses, writes Tim Stuhldreher:

• More than 65% of American businesses fail, but less than 10% of Amish ones do.
• Contrary to their reputation as an insular community, these businesses cater to mainstream consumers and have wide appeal.
• The lack of formal education seems to help. The brightest students don’t go on to study to be lawyers, doctors, or accountants. Instead they can really only either farm or start a small business – and many opt for the latter.
• Given that the Amish are disdainful of technology like air conditioning or decadent offices, their companies have low operating costs.
• In fact avoiding technology in general forces the community to be inventive and creative in everyday living.
• It is also easier to build a shared vision. Businesses know that their employees will share values and cultures, allowing for lower friction work environments.

Read some of the other factors that lead to their success over here.

Source: Lancaster Online

Via: Marginal Revolution