Customer Reviews

Barack, Inc.: Winning Business Lessons of the Obama Campaign

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The book is a very quick read which usually translates to very little substance. This book is no exception to the rule. The authors, Barry Libert & Rick Faulk, seem to have an agenda to push social networking in the marketing space which their company specializes in. The world would be better off if they had not published this book -- there would be more trees in the world.

There is very little in the book regarding business related topics and leadership. The elements that are in the book are very simplistic and nothing new. The description of the Obama campaign makes it sound like Obama did nearly absolutely everything perfect which we know is not possible for an effort over two years long. So, the authors seem to have rose colored glasses on which gets a bit annoying as you read the book.

The book also does not mention that his opponents did not do a good job of using technology, thus making his effort seem that much more impressive. Obama's campaign did a good job of using the latest technology and using their volunteers well. The book would have been much more useful to go into greater detail on how the logistics of the campaign were conceived and executed so well. Also, the book does not try to quantify what types of business would benefit from the social network approach to marketing.

I gave the book two stars as the writing was not bad but lacks anything useful or substative. Do not waste your money on this book!

The keypoints from the book are:

Chapter 2 (Be cool):
* Ignore the sideshows - keep your eye on the center ring.
* Fix the problem; forget the blame.
* Play hardball when necessary.
* Vent outside the tent.
* Adjust to the moment.
* Lead with humility

Chapter 3 (Be Social):
* Cultivate the new grassroots, the netroots.
* Create a seamless community.
* Nurture your lists.
* Let your netroots grow into every crevice.
* Arm yourself against, and don't take cheap shots.
* Turn CRM into CMR.
* Make your marketing mobile.

Chapter 4 (Be the Change):
* Confront reality and put problems in context.
* When you're on solid ground, don't back off.
* Share your vision of the future.
* Forget the squabbles, strengthen the team.
* Never forget the power of the personal touch.
* Get unfiltered information.
* See yourself clearly.

Now that you have read them -- now you can forget about this book.

In the lead-up to the January 20, 2009, presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, there were around one dozen books landing in stores and looking for a little elbow room on the major display shelves.

There are big winners and major losers with so much product hitting the marketplace. In this one, business partners and authors Barry Libert and Rick Faulk fail miserably in their attempt to cover the Obama campaign from the technological angle through this skimpy "analysis" that utilizes four chapters that total less than 140 pages. Simply, if one feels that the statement, "Business - Like Politics - Is Extremely Personal," (which is found in the book) is revolutionary, then this will be an incredibly solid read.

The authors essentially take tidbits of research that could have been pulled from any number of media sources during a campaign that was launched in February 2007, but had a foundation set much earlier, and weave it into a ridiculously simplistic "Business 101" outlook. The material in the chapters - Success You Can Believe In - And Emulate, Be Cool, Be Social, Be the Change - would not be new to any person who has had an introductory business course within an educational setting or is chasing a slice of the "American Dream."

The text ultimately morphs into a commercial for Libert and Faulk's framework for social software and networking, with Obama - like the reader - along for the ride. It is best to search for a real analysis of the technological approach from the campaign that is worthy of studying for the historical value and possible application to the daily grind of staying a few strides ahead of the competition, professionally and personally.

Big white margins, large print, less than 150 pages of actual content, a hard cover... where was the environmental lobby when this thing got printed? Anyway, I ordered this book because of the unlikely success of the Obama campaign, hoping to glean some lessons for my business. I didn't really get it. What I got was a bunch of key points with very little explanation as to how to go about it. I signed up for social networking sites the day I incorporated my business, as the book strongly suggests, but after over a year all I've gotten are people from high school wanting to relive the good old days, not business contacts or referrals. With the authors being in the online social networking business, this was the primary advice I wanted out of the book and didn't get.

One problem as mentioned in other reviews is that while the authors at least point you to the various technology-based portions of the Obama campaign, they fail to mention how the McCain campaign failed so miserably in this respect. As a lifetime resident of Indiana, a swing state for the first time I can remember, I was pummeled with Obama advertising. Everything from ads on local conservative radio stations to pressing "select" on my Dish Network remote gave me opportunities to learn about Obama, where the McCain campaign did absolutely nothing. Not only was I not told how they did what they did, I was not taught how not to fail by learning the mistakes of Obama's opponent.

There is very little here on general leadership or business tips, new or old. The book mostly a big praise-fest of the Obama campaign without getting into the nuts and bolts of the execution. I need the details, guys. If you love Obama obviously you'll love this book. If you're looking for helpful business advice, particularly in the area of social networking & general technology, and wanting to know if it's the right thing for the business you're in, you won't find it here. I hate posting negative reviews like this because I really like the campaign slogan "Yes we CAN!" and was hoping to find out how I could too. Someone needs to sit the authors down and tell them "No you CAN'T!"-- at least, not without the details.

If you are a Obama supporter, enjoying this book is a no-brianer -- but even if you are not, you can't deny the sober-minded logic and plain sense that it espouses.

This compact, easily digestible tome follows the last Presidential campaign and examines the Obama organiaation's responses and actions, as well as how the man himself reacted and proceeded. It's a helpful reminder of, more than anything else, grace under pressure. It's the sort of book to keep handy when you need a dose of sanity in the insance life we all lead.

The fact is more young people, under 35 yrs old voted for Barack Obama than did those over 65. Considered the 1st true internet Prez, Obama knew & more importantly was surrounded by those who knew the way to stay connected with his young core audience. As noted in Barack, Inc., he embraced change...made it his platform. Afterall, that's what the people wanted. He made folks feel included noting his slogan "Yes WE can". Social Media is here to stay and businesses most learn how to use it and not ignore it. This book is good for businesses to take note on how to best use social media to their advantage. We all see the results of embracing these winning lessons. Former candidate Barack Obama is now President Obama. This man even fought hard to hold on to his Blackberry. Love it!!

This is a book for anyone who is researching winning business strategies and sound advice for a successful career in any venue, not necessarily just politics. No matter what side of the political street you're on, I truly believe anyone can glean some great winning strategies in this insightful, well researched book.

Chrissy K. McVay

When one thinks of something to model their business after, political campaigns don't typically make the list. "Barack, Inc.: Winning Business Lessons of the Obama Campaign" uses the success of Obama's campaign in 2008 and the business lessons that can be learned from it. Obama was one of the first presidents to fully embrace the internet, including websites such as Facebook and MySpace. Using many of Obama's actions as models of the successful modern business, one can the value of drawing lessons from a presidential campaign that can apply to one's business after. "Barack, Inc." is a unique approach to the business manual, highly recommended.

Like most other reviews stated, this book examines the use of modern Social Networking tools (like Facebook, custom websites for grassroots purposes, text messaging, etc.) in President Obama's successful 2008 campaign. The book then applies those uses to modern day business, trying to convince the reader how a business could succeed if it were to follow the Obama campaign's model.

Overall, I felt it was an ok and quick read. I felt, however, that it already states the obvious for any business person who wishes to implement the use of social networking in their business.

Barack Obama's election is historic for many reasons and one reason that may not seem as obvious is Obama's successful use of technology and the modifications of his personal skills to help him win the Democratic nomination and later, the U.S. presidency. Not many political insiders gave Obama much of a chance when he announced his candidacy, but with some great organizing and excellent business strategy, Obama silenced his critics and won election as America's forty- fourth chief executive.

Many different factors helped Obama seal his victory and his strategy and personal conduct are the focus of this book. The book's two authors feel there is much to learn from the Obama campaign and the lessons go far beyond success at the ballot box. Obama's campaign strategies make a great blueprint for success in business and this book concentrates its efforts on the different ways that Obama utilized technology and mastered his own personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses to deliver a winning ticket.

This book demonstrates the many tools that Obama used to win and then relates them to the business world in a way that is sensible and understandable. Many of the lessons taught by the Obama campaign are obvious and many who read the book will recognize these different methodologies immediately because they are likely using them right now. Other lessons, however, are a little less obvious and can be applied as part of a winning business strategy. For example, many people know that Obama frequently mentioned the importance of change when he was on the campaign trail. But unlike others, Obama didn't just say this was a good idea- he practiced what he preached and became the change he espoused. Likewise, business leaders will get nowhere if they constantly talk about a certain virtue while acting in a contrary way. Talk is cheap- it needs to be backed up with specific actions to make it effective.

One fact that surprised me a little bit with this book is that is avoids talking about politics. It doesn't debate the merits of Obama's stands on the issues or take any sides. It is strictly a book about the business strategies used by Obama to win the White House and how business people can learn from his strategies. It is obvious that these two authors like Obama very much and admire his rise to prominence. But they do not talk about Obama's political agenda, stands on the issues, or anything like that. They wanted this to be a business book, and business remains the core component of the book's content.

The presidential campaign of 2008 will go down in history as one of the most interesting and historically significant for several reasons. Among them, the business strategies used by Obama and his team present many important lessons from which all people can benefit. From Obama's use of technology to his calm demeanor and management style, his campaign certainly benefited from his approach. The book's business edge could be somewhat of a turnoff to some, particularly those who are not business leaders. But whether you are a business leader or not, there is much to be learned and applied from studying the Obama campaign and this book is a useful guide to all of the useful strategies and winning formulas that helped Obama achieve victory in the Democratic primaries and ultimately the U.S. Presidential election.

Including a number of blank pages, this book is short of 150 pages of text, with lots of white space on the page. A good book certainly doesn't need to be long, but this is something you would be challenged to spend more than a 1/2 hour with. There just is not a whole lot here beyond what might have been conveyed in a 5-10 page article in a weekly news magazine on "How Obama Won the Election." Yes, it is good to know that Obama kept his cool, had a social network, and stayed on message, but there really is no depth to this book at all. You can get the substance of the book simply by reading chapter headings and subheadings.

I think there are lessons to be learned from campaigns (including this one where on-the-ground organization was a key), but there really is little here that anyone might have gotten from following any general account of the 2008 election. Sure, maybe we can learn from Obama's winning campaign, but this book really doesn't get beyond the obvious.

A disappoinment.