13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Actually, Several, January 30, 2000
Sherwin's expressed purpose is to share what he calls "the secret of America's fastest growing companies." At least that is the book's subtitle. My own experience suggests that the fastest growing companies usually have several "secrets" which are soon revealed (or discovered) and thus lose much of their "mystique." Moreover, this same experience suggests that whatever secrets the fastest growing companies may share in common (speed, focus, innovation, tenacity, etc.) have already been well-documented. These are some of the reasons why I did not rate this book higher. However, for certain readers, I think it offers several substantial benefits.
Here is how the book is organized. First, in Chapter 1, Sherwin explains "The Back of the Napkin Analysis" and "The 45-Second Business Plan" to sharpen the reader's focus. Next, he asks a number of basic but essential questions (a total of 44) which "you will need to answer if you are to successfully compete in a high-tech world. In a few hours, you will get help organizing your thoughts and planning your business." Finally, Sherwin includes 12 (count `em, 12) Appendices in which he discusses a wide range of subjects, beginning with "The 10-Second Proposal" and concluding with "Additional Reading." He also includes Notes and a Glossary.
One benefit is derived from the process of thinking about and then answering the 44 questions, especially for those preparing to launch a new organization or for those associated with one now proceeding through its launch phase. Sherwin suggests that "to win in the twenty-first century", an organization must:
* Select the right markets * Know its customers
* Design exceptional products
* Market products creatively
* Distribute products efficiently
Answering the 44 questions will help any organization to meet these imperatives. Another benefit is derived from the Appendices which I encourage the reader to approach as if they were different departments within Sherwin's General Store. Struggling to put together a business strategy presentation? Check out aisle three. Need a marketing, sales, and distribution "scorecard"? You'll find one over on aisle seven. You get the idea. In fact you'll get lots of ideas from this book.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Insider's View of the Investment Process, September 22, 1998
...so I was walking into my local bookstore and saw the sign: "See Venture Capitalist Elton Sherwin speak on his new book" and I thought "this guy must not be able to make a living venturing in capital." After listening to him and questioning him for an hour, I realized that Mr Sherwin is a very, very smart man and is very good at what he does (and he HAS done well in the venture business). I bought the book, read it in a day, and gutted my business plan based on his advice. I highly recommend it to any entrepeneur that wants to know what the investors are thinking when they're looking at you from across the table.
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