Customer Reviews

Rules For Revolutionaries

5 star:		(69)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Guy has always done an excellent job of collecting information and dispersing it in an entertaining and educational way. His latest book is no exception. What makes Guy's books useful is that they are not filled with extra stuff. In other words, he presents just the facts, in as few words as possible. You don't have to read two pages to figure out the point he's trying to get across. Reader's of his other works will recognize some familiar themes such as how to treat the customer. As an added bonus, Guy presents "required" reading at the end of each chapter -- a wonderful collection of other works that are relevant to the topics discussed. And while the book uses the software industry as frequent examples, it is really for every business, high tech, low tech, no tech. Highly recommended reading.

It doesn't matter if you're already on the barricades or just a Walter Mitty dreaming of turning your garage into a factory, you'll want to read this book. Actually, you'll need to read this book. It tells you how "create like a god, command like a king, and work like a slave" (no, Kawasaki didn't write that himself but he was smart enough to quote one of the best: Brancusi). Better than telling you though, Kawasaki shows you with plenty of examples for each stage of this process. And unlike a lot of the business books I read, this is not just a book about marketing, product development, etc., etc. Kawasaki relates each stage of this 3-step process to a broad audience and always shows the important principles behind each. For once, I can honestly say that the subtitle of a business book is truthful (a manifesto for creating and marketing new products and services). In fact, it may even be a bit limited. I've gleaned information from here that I've found very useful just for the everday business of living.

This is definitely on the top shelf of my library.

If you are interested in the entrepreneurial world, you might find this book an entertaining read. However, if you are an entrepreneur or want to be one, this book is most likely not going to help you.

I have read so many business books (including books on start-ups) and invariably with the exception of a couple of books, those for start-ups are of low value and do not provide sufficient information desperately needed by entrepreneurs.

With so many fluff books on start-up companies and entrepreneurs, there is a great need for more in-depth how-to books. This one certainly has not bucked the trend. It seems that so many of the reviewers are just so proud and honored to speak of Mr. Kawasaki's previous stent with Apple or his garage.com firm (which I still do not think he is sure what their mission is) that they have not given the book a truly subjective and unbiased review.

When reviewing a book for entrepreneurs you should ask yourself the foillowing question:

Does the book really show you how to be successful? Is the information so valuable that you will study it and take notes or refer back to it for future use?

There are very few sources of valuable education for entrepreneurs anywhere. Therefore it is important that the authors of these books provide what is left out in business schools. Traditional business topics are covered well in business schools so there is more room for business fluff books. Despite this fact, there are still many books on traditional business topics.

In contrast, for entrepreneurs, the only source of education is the book market so you should stay away from fluff books or motivational type books, all of which teach you nothing.

Revolutionary products and companies outperform their competitors by completely changing the way things are done -- not by doing the same thing better. Perhaps the best book on this subject is Rules for Revolutionaries by Guy Kawasaki.

The book is based on 3 principles:

1) Create like a god
"Develop revolutionary products and services by analyzing how to solve current problems."

First, Guy walks you through the 3-step revolutionary thought process that leads to breakthrough product creation. It's very practical, and if followed, will generate amazing ideas for your business.

Next, Guy introduces you to a concept he calls, "Don't Worry, Be Crappy." Simply put, don't worry about perfecting a product before sending it to market. Focus on getting your product quickly to the market, but be ready to make constant improvements based on user feedback. He says effective companies have a circular built-in system for continuous product perfection, rather than viewing the product life cycle as linear. It's not how good you can make your product the first time, but rather how quickly you can respond to feedback after it launches.

Finally, Guy explains DICEE -- a formula for creating great products. If you've ever wondered what makes Apple products so attractive, it would be beneficial for you to examine this formula and evaluate how it can be added to your own products.

2) Command like a king
"Take charge with strategic decisions that break down barriers of product adoption."

For any revolutionary product, there will be barriers to overcome. Here, Guy gives us 5 common ones: Ignorance, Inertia, Complexity, Channel, and Price. The revolutionary entrepreneur anticipates this, and uses one or more of the book's 6 "barrier busters."

Interestingly, after removing barriers to adoption it then becomes necessary to form new barriers to retain users. These "positive" barriers, if developed correctly, can also promote the creation of "customer evangelists" -- people that love your product so much they act as an unpaid sales force for you.

3) Work like a slave
"Relentlessly absorb information from your environment, then spread the knowledge you've gained."

The revolutionary keeps up to date by viewing the situation from different viewpoints, spending time with typical users, and then gaining information from those encounters. Businesspeople that stay (physically) close to their target customers are more likely to produce successful products.

Guy also reminds his readers that if a new concept will be an inevitable long-term success, the best strategy is to focus on gaining market share rather than reaping big profits initially. While obvious in concept, startup cashflow reality often makes companies do the opposite. He uses the example of Apple and Microsoft in the 80's -- Apple unwisely choose a fat profit margin at the expense of long-term market share.

For any entrepreneur wanting to make a difference, I would highly recommend Rules for Revolutionaries. The book is highly readable, and Guy Kawasaki's entrepreneurial experience at Apple Computer and later as CEO of seed capital firm garage.com is evident throughout.

Kawasaki, formerly with Apple Computer and now founder of Garage.com, a Silicon Valley-based firm that helps start-ups find seed money, is a legend in his own time. Unorthodox to say the least, Rules For Revolutionaries is a sure fire shot of adrenaline for serious entrepreneurs wanting to "rock the world."

Nearly everyone in business wants to say they're an entrepreneur, when in fact their certainly walking a well worn path - they are the status quo.

The book is divided into three sections, whose titles alone spring to life. First, Create Like a God discusses the way that radical new products and services must really be developed. Second, Command Like a King explains why take-charge leaders are truly necessary for such developments to succeed. And third, Work Like a Slave focuses on the commitment required to beat the odds and change the world.

Divided into 10 chapters, Rules For Revolutionaries will energize you and make you feel ready to take on the world:

May this be one of the first books you read in 2005. If you've already read it, read it again (it's already on my to-do list). Finally, if you really are a fellow revolutionary, I'd love to hear from you - just send me an email.

Michael Davis, Byvation

---> To swing for the fence, entrepreneurs must avoid the shark-infested red water and sail into the deep blue sea.

Excellent book! Very simply written and easy to read, yet brilliantly points out the seemingly simple, but important business rules of marketing a product or a service. Looking forward to read more from this "revolutionary" enterpreneur.

Rules for Revolutionaries does a good job of presenting many good suggestions for succeeding with a new product and/or company. It also presents interesting reasoning why numerous companies repeat the same mistakes (called death magnets in the book). The book is well written, with considerable humor and history thown in to make it more enjoyable.

I was introduced to Kawasaki by a friend as the person that made Apple what it was (and Jobs) and how his concept of 'evangelist marketing' has inspired many people.

So... I brought the book looking forward to learn something amazing... but as a marketing grad, I have to say what a disappointment the book is! The reason is that there are nothing new in Kawasaki's views... its technically word-of-mouth marketing through various different channels.

However, the book is a great refresher for business people to rethink their current practice. The ideas by Kawasaki is nothing new but considering so, a lot of major businesses are not practicing these simple ideas.

The book is smooth and easy to read... and did not consume much of my time. Overall, the book was good and the views and opinions offered by Kawasaki are good... but the fact that my friend overhyped Kawasaki left me rather disappointed...

I was in a big company for a long time and had little or no luck changing the culture. If I had been able to read this book back then, I might have gotten more done. Now, in retirement, I have an opportunity to start a revolution in a different context. The ideas in this book will make a difference.
If you like this book, read Malcolm Gladwell's new book "Outliers". You might also get ideas from Rolf Smith's "7 Levels of Change".

Those who can, do. Those who can't, write bad reviews on Amazon.com.

In this age of brand mis-management and Borg-like consultancy books, Guy gives us an accurate viewpoint of someone who has taken part in one of the most important revolutions of this past century...namely the introduction of the Macintosh computer.

While other business authors get philosophical on the "double helixes" of corporate life-spans, or focus on online entities which no longer exist, Guy gives us current and real-life examples of marketing ideas taking place NOW! I couldn't put the book down; a must read for any passionate small business owner in this increasingly competitive and often confused marketplace.