Customer Reviews

Knockout Entrepreneur (Nelsonfree)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

George Foreman defines a "Knockout Entrepreneur" as someone who truly wants to succeed in life and is willing to do the hard work necessary to make it happen.

I think we've all known someone who defines this...a person who defies all odds of what should "knock them down" and goes on to win and achieve greatness in their career by focus and hard work. Yet sometimes what seems like "luck" can actually be great inspiration, will, and principles. I think if you need that fire lit beneath you, the book is an excellent match ready to strike.

The chapters provide inspiration for anyone in any career in my opinion...with titles comprised of such thoughts as "When One Dream Ends, Dream Another". (Sometimes we stare so long at a door that was closed that we don't realize, for example, a better one has opened right in front of us.) or "Find a Need and Fill It" and why "Money Matters, But Not Much" in success, or why you "Must See it Before You Can Be It" etc. Such principles may sound common sense, but the examples given are not and the motivation garnered behind each chapter is where the real "punches" land.

Foreman provides ideas to stimulate your success which are easily read, interesting, and make up the true "meat" of the book...and yes, he also has many analogies that relate to boxing.

While I am not a boxing fan at all, I did enjoy the book and feel strongly that it can provide motivation to many. There are times, I'll be honest, when I skimmed ahead during boxing analogies but whether boxing fan or foe, the book is about success, business, and how to achieve both.

And, in that regard, it's a winner and a "knockout".

In his book, "The Knockout Entrepreneur," George Foreman, perhaps known best for his boxing career and self-named grill, focuses on successful tactics for enhancing one's career, mixing practical advice with anecdotes from his own life and that of other famous people. At the end of each chapter, there's a questionnaire for applying the strategies discussed. Some of the tips included seeing what a product can be rather than what it is, avoiding listening to the crowd, maintaining close relationships with partners or associates, and be willing to break deals if they take away from the bigger picture. A lot of the advice included was broad, and George Foreman's opportunities certainly are nowhere near that of the average person, but nevertheless the read was entertaining and inspirational, occasionally coming across as Donald Trump-esq. Nevertheless, George is a sympathetic character and certainly wasn't born with the connections he now enjoys. Perhaps his most valuable advice is to stay open to whatever opportunities come your way--the more established you become, the more opportunities. After posing for various food related commercials, a company offered George to put his name on their grill and to split the profits. Although George was hesitant, he agreed if for no other reason than a free grill. It was his wife who noticed it's cooking potential. That's how the successful George Foreman grill franchise came about, and just one of his many entrepreneur experiences mentioned in the book. Overall, an interesting read with a good message.

Okay, I'll admit it. I wasn't expecting this book to be that great. I always wonder about books that are written by celebrities, (with a ghostwriter no less), and this book was no exception.

But I was really surprised. This book is UPLIFTING, and it has heart. I don't know how else to put it. I smiled through most of the book. George is often self-disparaging, and gives his family and friend a great deal of credit for his success. He credits his wife with the blockbuster success of the "George Foreman Grill" because she is the one who tried the grill and convinced him that it was good. Foreman was actually going to "take a pass" on the product that made him a mega-millionaire!

Foreman talks about his last fight, where he went against Shannon Briggs, a much younger man in better shape. Foreman lost-- but barely; the crowd actually booed the judges decision. After the fight, Foreman wasn't upset. He was thankful-- and he plugged his new grilling machine. And people remember that plug at the end of the fight-- they don't remember that he lost. Foreman had finished his boxing career, but the Universe had opened another door for him to support himself and his family, even better than before.

I think that the main point of this book is that there are opportunities at every turn, if you just have the heart to recognize that they are there. I recently had a death in my family, and I was really pretty upset when this book showed up in my mailbox. This book made me feel good, which I think everyone needs sometimes. That's why I'm giving it five stars.

For someone just coming into their own, and trying their best to make it in the world, 'Knockout Entrepreneur' is a fantastic read.

Mr. Foreman uses entertaining anecdotes from his boxing career(s), amongst stories of other incredible experiences to get his various points across to the reader. He gives snippets of advice that one may have already heard, but in a manner more understandable to someone who has not yet entered the business world as an entrepreneur.

Throughout the chapters, George was friendly and had a layman's tone, making it a quick and pretty easy read, which was a breath of fresh air. In no way did this book spell out what a new entrepreneur *must* do, only guided him in the right direction by stating what worked for *him.*

In the book, George Foreman makes it very clear that years ago, he "found the Lord" and became a preacher. However, his love of God and his beliefs were not 'preachy' in his writing. His attitude is one of a good person with a great attitude, and it was catchy and made a lot of sense without being pretentious or snarky in any way.

I enjoyed the "Knockout Ideas to Stimulate your Success" that were found at the end of every chapter, as well. The questions he asks are there to make you think about where you are now (clawing your eyes out at the thought of working in a cubicle for the rest of your life), and where you would like to be (content and making wise decisions with your career as well as your family).

I was not a fan of boxing before reading Knockout Entrepreneur, but I have a new found understanding of what he has gone through during his life, and how he has related it to his business ventures.

This is the first book I have read by Mr. George Foreman, and it is packed with information and motivation. I know that a lot sunk in, but I'm sure there is more I can get out of the book. I definitly intend to read it again.

The Knockout Entrepreneur is told through a series of analogies from George Foreman's business and boxing experience. You can skip all of the stories, though, and read just the "Knockout Ideas to Stimulate Your Success" at the end of each chapter to get the gist of the book.

While the analogies are often entertaining, they aren't often incredibly relevant or inspiring. There is little organization or flow to the order of the stories, and many seem like they have been included in the wrong chapter. Some of the analogies- such as his statement that your accountant is akin to a technician in the boxing ring (the man who scouts the competition for you and helps you strategically fight) are downright wrong. Yes, an accountant can help you make strategic decisions, but I've yet to meet one who is a scout.

George does to an excellent job encouraging integrity and honesty in all business an personal situations. However, it appears that George has built his business entirely on the success of endorsement deals and he has never been involved in the inception of development of a product or idea. This begs the question: What makes him an expert I should listen to? There are better business books on the market which follow the same ethical standards.

George Foreman known for a great boxing career amazingly relate to business endeavor and explaining the basic rules of entrepreneurship in such a simple language. The association with knocking down is also very intriguing. The book may not seem to sound as great book, but simpler lessons of life are worth reading. The book is not just meant for start-ups but can be applicable to any career. The association of opportunity like opening of door is fundamental concept George is pressing to inspire the generation not to get knocked down in any circumstances. Foreman provides ideas to stimulate your success which are easily read, interesting, and make up the true content of the book. Most of the book is based on his analogies at various places in the book. George focused on successful tactics for enhancing one's career, mixing practical advice with anecdotes from his own life and that of other famous people. The book is entertaining and inspirational. His advices to stay open to whatever opportunities come your way are punch line of the book.

The truth is I don't like non-fiction all that much. For me to like non-fiction, particularly the self-help/how to style books, it's got to be really well written and really different. Reading things that are blatantly common sense or cliche feels like a waste of time to me, no matter how good the advice within may be. The only reason I read Knockout Entrepreneur because the book was free (courtesy of the Book Review Bloggers at Thomas Nelson) and I have been trying to expand on what genres I read. In regards to this book, sometimes it met those requirements and other times it didn't.

George Foreman clearly knows what he's doing in the business world and on top of that, he seems like a genuinely nice guy. (Though he is most well-known for the George Foreman grill, he has had many other successes in the business arena.) He uses his own boxing and business experiences to exemplify each of his points as well as includes interesting bits about other large chains and corporations (Walgreens, Walmart, LearJet, FedEx...). The book is well organized and clear, each chapter separated into subtopics and ended with questions to think about.

The parts about his boxing in particular was really interesting but at points it felt preachy (or like a sales pitch) and the book itself felt a little too much like every other book about succeeding. At points it felt redundant, the same few points being hammered in repeatedly throughout the course of the book.

While I won't be running out to read another of Foreman's (ten) books I don't regret having read this one.

I received this book free of charge from the Thomas Nelson book review program. I've always followed the career of George Foreman with fascination, as he has done well in the boxing ring and in business, in particular with his grill. I was anxious to read his thoughts on being an entrepreneur and I found that this book did not disappoint. Well crafted by veteran co-writer Ken Abraham, Foreman spins stories about his life interlaced with principles of business, entrepreneurism and his faith.

George Foreman has not lived life timidly, and that is apparent throughout this book. He encourages the reader to not just stand by and let life pass them by, but to be willing to take risks that are based on sound principles.

I also like his emphasis on giving back, which he writes about extensively. However, he has not only written about, but he has also practiced it in life.

And that leads to another point. This is not an ivory tower, pie in the sky type of book, but it is a practical book where Foreman shares what has worked for him and yes, even where he has failed.

This is a very readable book, with a good number takeaway points for those who are seeking to be Christians and entrepreneurs. I highly recommend it!

I am not impressed by this book. I am a literary person and if a book is not well written or fun to read, it better have amazing, new principles inside to make up for it, and this did not.

However, I will say that for someone wanting a quick read (or who just does not have time to read something in depth) then The Knockout Entrepreneur can be inspirational and provide motivation.

This book lost me in the beginning. I always say if I book cannot keep my attention in the first 3 chapters, I put it down and walk away. (I am really hard to please, I know!) The first few chapters were about how George heard about this new grill product and they wanted to put his name on it. He was trying to inspire people to say not to quiet the small voice in their gut and take chances that come their way. But how many of us have a huge name like George Foreman with great opps like the grill fall in our lap? With my inability to relate to his story, I put the book down.

I did browse the rest of the book, hoping to read something that would motivate me or my husband with his business, but it was all "I have read this before." If this is your first self-help book for being and entrepreneur then I think you will enjoy it greatly! (Josh and I have read a small library of self-help books). He writes like he talks which will be very easy to relate to for most people and gives examples from his own life.

Overall, I give this book 3 out of 5 stars because I know it will help a lot of people, but I did not enjoy it.

"Great book on entrepreneurial spirit by George Foreman!" George has a lot of tips on how to be successful. He shares what worked for him. Turing points and what made the difference. When he kept going and how he learned not to "listen to the crowd." Loved the book and his "How to" and "you can do it" attitude. Also, has helpful tips at the end of each chapter that can be implemented solo or with a book club.