Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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......

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.

Ries and Trout pull no punches in telling you how most people really get ahead. Hint: postive thinking and affirmations have very little to do with it. It's all about how to use the outside world (read: connections) to get ahead, rather than trying to do everything yourself. A real eye-opener.

This is a great book and worth tracking down. And if you like it, check out Ries and Trout's other books, like "Marketing Warfare." Great stuff.

explain in simply words how to succed in life and ecourage you to go for the things you trust must

I found this book to be an excellent treatise on the keys to success in any endeavor, from the arts to corporate raiding. Its hardnosed, practical, and contains a lot that isn't intuitive to a 20 year old and is painfully obvious to any 60 year old, looking back. Read it yourself. Give it to every college graduate you know. Give it to people who still have dreams, but have been stuck in that dead end career path for too long.

Explodes common myths about prerequistes to success. Illustrates other criteria mainly external focus for doing well. Success has been equated directly with wealth, one aggrandizes, this in my opinion needs to be viewed with a pinch of salt, at the same time not underestimating the liberating effect wealth can have on the way we live our lives. All in all an easy read, however number of examples cited by authors could have been curtailed.

This is an important book on the PSYCOLOGY of RIDING your 'HORSES', and your chances of success. I think this is an important point that often goes unnoticed by the lovers of AL RIES and JACK TROUT materials. Reading this should make u pay more attention on RIDING THE 'HORSES' and beneficial to you. HORSES=your BOSS,FRIENDS,SPOUSE,FAMILY,etc...