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rmichno's review against another edition
2.0
Seems meant for Silicon Valley entrepreneurs instead of a regular person starting a small business.
illymally's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lot of new language for me, and it was a helpful primer on startups, even though I'm not in silicon valley (and it is definitely geared toward tech)
knicassio's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
coffeechug's review against another edition
4.0
Who doesn't love Guy Kawasaki? I read this book with the idea of taking the business ideas and applying to the education world. This was not as easy as I had hoped. A lot of great content with many exercises and questions to process. I took away some key ideas that apply to anyone, anywhere. Mostly, have a plan, but don't wait for a perfect plan to get started. You don't have to wait until you are big and massive to get organized. Do this right away. Find the right people. Get Started. Most importantly, be clear and concise and eliminate all fluff and things not needed. Stay on track, chart your progress and make changes as you see fit to reach your goals.
hanelisil's review against another edition
3.0
The author's approach was intolerable to me. I am so thankful I read Proposals for the Feminine Economy first, so I had a fresh contrast in mind. The tone of this book is combative and that's not how I want to approach business. Stories and advice are peppered with "DUH"s and "don't be an idiot"s. The author says things like "if you have to ask if you're funny, you're not funny" then turns around and makes a dumb joke. The first chapter had a few key points for new businesses, but the rest was garbage about how to make it in Silicon Valley, IF you want to subscribe to the dog-eat-dog attitude the author presents.
juliannealkire's review against another edition
3.0
DISCLAIMER: Although the following review might lead you to believe otherwise, I'm not obsessed with Apple products or Steve Jobs. It's just that for the past couple of weeks, I've been listening to this book, which has multiple sections that go something like this:
...when MacIntosh...Steve Jobs...Apple...Steve Jobs...Steve Jobs...Mac...Steve...
Now, the review. You know it's got to be good when I haven't even started and I'm already trying to defend myself. :p
Despite the fact that he claims in the subtitle that this is a guide for "anyone starting anything," he focuses quite a bit on tech start-ups. (You might have guessed this from my disclaimer.) There's good advice here, but if your goal in life isn't to be the next Steve Jobs, be prepared to do an awful lot of translating in order to apply these examples/principles to your org. This is an unfortunate trend I've been noticing as I peruse entrepreneurship material, and it has deepened my appreciation for The Boss of You by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears even more.
That being said, if you do want to be the next Steve Jobs, this is exactly what you're looking for! Be prepared to wade through some swear words and reminders that you are not, in fact, Steve Jobs. You know, just in case you'd forgotten.
*pauses typing, re-reads last paragraph*
*thinks: I wonder how many times I can say Steve Jobs in this review?*
*resumes typing*
Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs Steve Jobs Steve Jobs.
Sorry! I think this author is wearing off on me! I'd better watch out that I don't start making creative swear words out of the names of Asian mushrooms!
Anyway, other than the problems above, which I'm sure Steve Jobs would tell you are a small price to pay for all this wonderful advice, this book is pretty good. Like I said earlier: there's good advice here, and this is a long book, so there's a lot of it. I also appreciated the layout: he covers the larger concept at the beginning of each chapter, then breaks it down into do-able chunks. This makes for a very practical, learn-and-do-as-you-go kind of book, which fits entrepreneurship perfectly.
...when MacIntosh...Steve Jobs...Apple...Steve Jobs...Steve Jobs...Mac...Steve...
Now, the review. You know it's got to be good when I haven't even started and I'm already trying to defend myself. :p
Despite the fact that he claims in the subtitle that this is a guide for "anyone starting anything," he focuses quite a bit on tech start-ups. (You might have guessed this from my disclaimer.) There's good advice here, but if your goal in life isn't to be the next Steve Jobs, be prepared to do an awful lot of translating in order to apply these examples/principles to your org. This is an unfortunate trend I've been noticing as I peruse entrepreneurship material, and it has deepened my appreciation for The Boss of You by Lauren Bacon and Emira Mears even more.
That being said, if you do want to be the next Steve Jobs, this is exactly what you're looking for! Be prepared to wade through some swear words and reminders that you are not, in fact, Steve Jobs. You know, just in case you'd forgotten.
*pauses typing, re-reads last paragraph*
*thinks: I wonder how many times I can say Steve Jobs in this review?*
*resumes typing*
Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs Steve Jobs Steve Jobs.
Sorry! I think this author is wearing off on me! I'd better watch out that I don't start making creative swear words out of the names of Asian mushrooms!
Anyway, other than the problems above, which I'm sure Steve Jobs would tell you are a small price to pay for all this wonderful advice, this book is pretty good. Like I said earlier: there's good advice here, and this is a long book, so there's a lot of it. I also appreciated the layout: he covers the larger concept at the beginning of each chapter, then breaks it down into do-able chunks. This makes for a very practical, learn-and-do-as-you-go kind of book, which fits entrepreneurship perfectly.
brandonallen's review against another edition
4.0
This is a must read for new entrepreneurs. Guy has a great message that centers around creating meaning around your business so it that it creates maximum value in the marketplace. If you are looking to raise capital for your business, there is a lot of great information on how to go about this process the right way. Guy also talks about how to use these methods if you work for someone else as well. The final chapter on "The art of being a mensch" is a great message to close the book with.
emiged's review against another edition
4.0
Fun, informative read from someone who knows what he's talking about. He includes interesting and memorable stories to illustrate his points. He also provides enough examples and details that you feel that you have a chance of actually implementing what he suggests without belaboring it or overgeneralizing to the point of uselessness.
Particularly liked the chapters on "being a mensch" and rainmaking. He advocates a boot-strapping, "get it done" business mentality with a solid core of integrity.
Certainly a different approach than I got in most of my B-school classes. :)
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
Particularly liked the chapters on "being a mensch" and rainmaking. He advocates a boot-strapping, "get it done" business mentality with a solid core of integrity.
Certainly a different approach than I got in most of my B-school classes. :)
For more book reviews, visit my blog, Build Enough Bookshelves.
peruzka's review against another edition
1.0
A book that’s mostly based on real physical products and doesn’t have ideas on services.