20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sometimes the good guy gets eaten, September 6, 2008
This review is from: The 12 Factors of Business Success: Discover, Develop and Leverage Your Strengths (Hardcover)
Before I begin, please know that Dave Lakhani and Kevin Hogan, two of this book's authors, are my friends. Does this make me biased? Perhaps. But there's no doubt in my mind that I would write as strong a review for this book if complete strangers had written it. It's that good. Here's why...
Many of today's books on business and success are almost indistinguishable from fairy tales. They come across as slaphappy, you-can-do-it pabulum that promise magical solutions to almost any imaginable problem.
Law of attraction. Manifestation secrets. Magic beans. Flying carpets.
In the end, something magical is promised that makes all the scary stuff go away and everyone lives happily ever after.
Not so in business. Especially not in today's business climate. And nobody understands this better than Kevin Hogan, Dave Lakhani and Mollie Marti.
If you're looking for touchy-feely, warm-and-fuzzy guaranteed ways to success, turn back now. The 12 Factors of Business Success is filled with the kind of reality-based strategies and tactics that give New Agers nightmares.
Now, if I haven't scared you off yet, there's a very good chance you are exactly the kind of person who will get the most out this book.
Is the material new and revolutionary? No. It's better. It's been battle-tested and proven effective in virtually every area of human endeavor. Ideas such as self-discipline, directed action, mastering criticism, self-control, resilience and more.
Have you heard these topics discussed before? You bet. But the way that Hogan, Lakhani and Marti treat them is anything but common - and that's what makes this a must-read for anyone hoping to get the most out of life.
Here are three things that make their treatment of these topics different:
First, they recognize that risk is an inherent part of life, that there are simply no guarantees of anything. And unlike so many "success gurus", they do not insult their readers' intelligence by pretending to have found some "magic path" to riches. Thus the title of this review: sometimes the good guy gets eaten. Sad, but true.
Second, the ideas they share are based on real-world research and experience, not airy-fairy, pseudo-science or metaphysical mumbo-jumbo that is stinking up so many bookshelves these days. Again, if you want magic beans, run. But if you want real tools you can swing with both hands, this book is full of them.
And third, the authors are masters at delivering compassionate kicks in the rear to help get their material off the page and into your life. They have all "been there, done that" when it comes to adversity and challenge and have an almost uncanny way of getting under your skin and motivating you to take action.
And if you think I'm just blowing smoke, consider this:
Out of the thousands of books I own, there are about 12 that I have set aside for my kids. These are books I'm convinced will prove to be invaluable to them in their lives. Books that could make the difference between them realizing their dreams and regretting their lives. And now, The 12 Factors of Business Success is a part of this group.
I don't plan to waste my kids' time and I won't waste yours. This book rocks. Read it, and you will too.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not so much about business, but some intriguing and valuable strategies., August 27, 2008
This review is from: The 12 Factors of Business Success: Discover, Develop and Leverage Your Strengths (Hardcover)
The subtitle of this book describes its content more accurately than its title. You won't find very much about the mechanics of growing a business in this book. None of the usual `cash-flow-is-king', staff empowerment, company culture, raising capital or marketing tactics you get in most business books.
The focus of the book is on you as an entrepreneur or manager. It details strategies on how to overcome the habits that may be slowing you down, and how to develop those that will help your business growth.
I found the approach quite insightful and got some very useful and practical ideas on how to deal with criticism, overcome my tendencies to procrastinate, and improve my planning and decision making. Probably worth reading a couple of times.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quit whining and DO something!, September 9, 2008
This review is from: The 12 Factors of Business Success: Discover, Develop and Leverage Your Strengths (Hardcover)
What a relief!
Finally, someone is willing to tell you to get up and actually take action! When other books talk incessantly about planning, research, data mining, and strategy, this book advocates action. Rest assured, the authors do stress the importance the other steps play in the process (i.e. get a game plan) but they correctly point out that they are completely worthless without following up with action.
The fundamentals touted in the book like directed action, passion, confidence, self-control, and decision making(among many others)are self-evident truths in business. You cannot argue with them. They are truly the bedrock upon which the great wonders of successful businesses are built. One of the book's strengths is that there isn't anything strikingly new. It is powerful because it lays out what we SHOULD do to succeed. However, most writers and business people are terrified to put it into print because then commitment and action must follow!
The authors handle each of the 12 factors in a relaxed and conversational tone yet they are very direct and engaging. They don't sugar coat nor side step. They leave no wiggle room for you to get around their arguments or continue on the path that got you to where you are now. If you actually read the book you MUST change for the better.
The question & answer format followed by action steps is refreshing because it always gives you something that will guarantee you can move toward success immediately as opposed to just getting information that rots in your brain and never affects your life.
Actions are key and this book is packed with actions!
If you aren't afraid to be punched in the face with the truth...and be much more successful EVERY DAY because of it...buy this book.
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