Horse Sense: How to Pull Ahead on the Business Track (Plume) [Paperback]

Al Ries (Author), Jack Trout (Author)

Book Description

Series: Plume | Publication Date: March 1, 1992

America's top marketing strategists--and bestselling authors of Marketing Warfare--share the secret of how to market yourself. Full of real-life examples, shrewd analyses, and savvy advice, this fresh innovative book is for anyone who's ready to break out of the corporate pack and race down the homestretch for the winner's circle.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Plume (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452267641
• ISBN-13: 978-0452267640
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,330,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Identifies the paths to success - in plain English., October 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Horse Sense: How to Pull Ahead on the Business Track (Plume) (Paperback)

One of the most practical books I've ever read. Clearly describes various paths to success - those that are obvious and several that are not so obvious. I immediately identified three of the "horses" I've ridden in my career. Also, found new ideas that can be easily and practically applied. (After reading this, you may find yourself identifying the "horses" others are riding.) Written in an easy to understand style that is tongue-in-cheek, but very serious about the subject.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ries & Trout help me to see things differently, September 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Horse Sense: How to Pull Ahead on the Business Track (Plume) (Paperback)

I have been a great fan of Books witten by Ries & Trout, since my year as an undergraduate Business student at USC in the 80's. What they teaches through their books is very 3D's-- Daring, Direct, and Distinctive! They're brave enough to attack conventional thinking on Marketing Beliefs & Philosophy. In Horse Sense, again Ries & Trout attacked traditional American thinking of Positive Thinking. Rather than relying only on one source - yourself, these 2 gurus teach you to also look for Existing, Available "Horses" to achieve your goals. Highly recommended!Too bad it's out of prints......

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decidely Different Approach to Career Management, August 23, 2004

By 

James Sadler (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horse Sense: The Key to Success Is Finding a Horse to Ride (Hardcover)

Ever become angry because you worked late every day, spent weekends at the office and generally did everything you could to prove you were top dog at doing your job, only to see a promotion slip away to someone who never worked late, left early many days, and was definitely less deserving? Read this book and develop a better understanding of why.

Ries and Trout are two of the top, if not the top, marketing strategists in America and have been recognized as such since they first published their seminal work, "Positioning." In "Horse Sense," they turn their attention away from the world of corporate markeitng and advertising and focus on how people really get ahead in life. Hint: working your tail off ain't gonna get you there.

Essentially, you have to get a horse to ride. That horse could be another individual, an idea, a relative, any number of things. The central idea is that hard work is not what leads to success, rather in most cases it is what so many of us suspect: its not what you know but who you know.

THe authors offer example after example, sometimes to the point of redundacy, to demonstrate that few people are successful simply because they put their nose to the grindstone. In a world where everyone works harder and later, hard work will not get you noticed.

While the authors sometimes stretch their Horse analogy a bit too far, this book is a definite eye-opener and may well change you attitude on how to truly get ahead. I think you'll agree with them on most of their observations and suggestions. Read it and find out for yourself.