Customer Reviews

The Provocateur: How a New Generation of Leaders are Building Communities, Not Just Companies

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

 

 

Larry may have just emerged from a worm hole connected to 1996. The only interesting thing about this book must be the story as to how it got published. The ideas are old and therefore boring. It is an accurate history of changes that have occured and should be not be marketed as "a hard jolt for aspiring 21st-century leaders."

This is a book for CEO's who want to win in their industry; most books that try to give insight to winning positional techniques get lost in mundane detail. This author concentrated on the essence of what is important.

Read this first then read: Blue Ocean Strategy by Kim & Mauborgne

Since the movie title of "Shallow Hal," has been taken, they could instead call this "Shallow Larry" if they decided to make a movie out of it. Goes to prove the adage that anybody can write a book (although not everyone can get it published unless you happen to run a mega-marketing firm). I read the book in search of at least one new leadership thought, but I realized I had set my expectations too high. This would have been a very good book in 1992. Can't wait for the sequel when Larry writes about the one-minute manager.

This book is filled with buzzwords and babble (to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds) that is reminiscent of much of the over-hype of the dot.com boom. It offers little in the way of original thought and instead challenges the depth of Mr. Weber's own leadership skills. What is interesting is when you look at Mr. Weber's firm that he founded, virtually nothing remains of that business (Weber Group). The current Weber Shandwick is managed by people who have successfully built and grown other public relations firms that were put together by the parent company. Much of their time is spent fixing the mess left by Mr. Weber (who spends none of his time in the firm that bears his name). It seems that the author had an idea for a book and then engaged a team of people to write it. Mr. Weber a visonary? What sort of visonary do you need to be to start a technology company in a bull market? Seems as if a true visionary would have also been able to see the fall-off and have done something about it. The whole premise of this book -- that command and control leaders are out of style was understood in the 80's. Even more interesting is that the endorsements carried on the book jacket do not contain one business CEO -- they are either journalists or people in the employ of Mr. Weber's firm. That alone should give the reader a good indication of the book's relative business value.

Is evident from reading this book that woprking in Mr. Weber's firm must be like working in one of the rings of Hell. This "book" is marked by self-indulgence, triviality, and a decadent smugness that speaks volumes. When he isn't rehashing Peteresque "turn leadership on it's head" foolishness, he's condescending to all of the "younger generation" folks. Save your money for the next Patty Seybold book. At least she has a novel idea once every 20 years.

I seriously question the intelligence of the reviewers who trashed this book. With the exception of the first several chapters which are somewhat choppy, it's a great book. Weber's approach to business in a service driven economy is hard to argue with -- let alone disagree with. I found his thoughts about relationship building on an institutional level very helpful and would recommend this book to anyone in a managerial position.

Weber is just touching upon what he has to share about leading, managing and marketing. Many tech companies and the customers they serve (you), have benefited from his insight, counsel and leadership. I learned something. There are plenty who would teach leadership, I would rather learn from somebody who knows and lives leadership.

I am an avid reader of business and management books and I found this one very "provocative!" |Weber delivers a contemporary view of management that is very applicable in today's chaotic business world. The profiles he presents are both entertaining and insightful. I think any executive that reads this book will discover principles that he can leverage in the work place.

Weber's book may be repeating what we know works in business, but that doesn't mean everyone is doing it. For those who are, it is refreshing to be reminded you are on track. For those who are wondering how to improve or keep their company dynamic, this book offers insights and perspectives that often get lost in the day-to-day challenges. I've been recruited to turn around major divisions of Fortune 500 companies and have been consistently successful by doing the very things outlined in Weber's book. Not only do they work, they are still needed.

Anyone who doesn't believe that marketing and emotional connections aren't the basis of modern business, probally still believes that Britney Spears has talent. It isn't about what you got anymore, it's about who you can inspire to believe you got something. And, if you want to call this shallow, be a cynic and dismiss the hype, go Vote for Ike. Times have changed, and while Larry isn't saying anything we haven't heard before, obviously the bellows of corporate spirituals still haven't hit the right notes (E-N-R-O-N). Our livespan has grown into one endless strip mall, and at the end is the only time when we turn around as see open plains. Until then, Larry is speaking truth and one cannot dismiss it and attempt to be successful, without understanding the importance of helping people believe that they have a welcoming place in this world, amist its mighty size and scope.