Customer Reviews

Where's Your WOW?: 16 Ways to Make Your Competitors Wish They Were You!

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was a little better than OK. I am always suspect of books that freely use words like best, most, greatest, etc. You know, the "est" words. I was a little confused after reading the book if it was a personal success book or a small business success book. Thus this book didn't really win me over as anything special. It is broken into three parts as follows:

I. What makes you special? (Chapters 1-5)
II. Outstanding, outrageous, and out of the box (Chapters 6-10)
III. Wire yourself for success (Chapters 11-16)

I found the following following ten chapters to be ways to achieve business success:

3. Find your unique edge - and sharpen it
4. Think benefit
5. Know your customer
16. Put people first
8. Create alliances
13. Spread the word
11. Build one layer at a time
12. Remember, timing is everything
14. Measure your results
6. Keep it simple

I found the following four chapters to be ways to achieve personal success:

1. Envision your success
2. You gotta have a "Brand Slam!"
7. Apply to the present what you learn from the past
15. Stay hungry

And I found the following two chapters as unnecessary for inclusion in this small and short book:

9. Hire people smarter than you
10. Customize customer service

I would have liked the book much more if it had presented something new: a new perspective or a new idea. Unfortunately this book didn't offer me anything new that I haven't read in print before. The main thrust of the book seemed to be how to achieve business success. I think the authors could have done a wonderful job building their book around the first ten chapters I cite above in this review. But in order to make me happy the EST words would have to be dropped and each of the chapters would have to be further developed. And, of course, a chapter or two on business planning and business plans would have to be added. Failure to plan is a recipe for failure. And the authors don't really make this point clearly in the book. 3.5 stars!

I eagerly anticipated the arrival of this book, expecting it would guide me toward the "Wow" in my own business. I was disappointed.

Here's why:

1. One of the basic principles of reading material is that san-serif fonts are good for titles but hard to read as text. Throughout this book, you'll find the text in san-serif fonts. And if I needed a good example of why text should be set with serif fonts, this is it. It is more difficult to read "Where's Your WOW?" than it should be.

2. Stories of businesses that have successfully identified their "WOW" are helpful to illustrate principles, but they are not the principles themselves. I felt that I should intuit from their stories how to create a "WOW" for myself.

As a photographer, I am keenly aware that photos that pop, that grab the attention and hold it, are firmly grounded in the basics - lighting, focus, clarity. Then there's that something more - an unusual way of presenting a subject that makes the viewer stop and say WOW!

3. Where's Your Wow is a good business book that presents the basics clearly - but fails to make the leap from good business practices to WOW.

Three stars.

I absolutely LOVE this book - I am digging the great ideas - one that really resonated with me was the "KYC" - the one about knowing your customers by simply asking them what it is that they want and need. This idea sparked a WOW moment in me as I am thinking about my next book, and that alone was worth 1000 times the investment! Anyone who is serious about taking their business to levels of greatness MUST have a copy of this incredible, ground-breaking new offering.

They include many highly-relatable and personal stories of people just like me, showing us how anyone can use this information to create and brand their business with simple, but forceful strategies. With just a little bit of patience, attention and training, you can turn a business blunder into a business wonder with Where's Your Wow! Having passion is at the forefront of Rick and Robyn's philosophy, and if you've written a book, you probably already have that going for you, which is a HUGE piece of the puzzle. Don't re-invent the wheel, they say, just make the wheel bigger and better! Align yourself with the right people (something that we all have to be really careful about) and make sure to learn from the past.

These techniques are all winning ones, and when put to use when you read this manuscript will have you and your business soaring to success! I plan on utilizing every single one of these 16 wonderful ways to make my competitors wish they were me, and heck, I'm wishing I were Robyn right now!!! Thank you, Robyn and Rick, for another gem from two beacons of light and love!

Where's Your Wow significantly changed my thinking about the launch of my new business, and no other book in the market had that effect!! I took Robyn's information to heart and really began to focus on my unique proposition from the vantage point of language, target market, and product.
The most fundamental piece of advice, to simplify the message, was pivotal. Then, the idea of learning to think big took over and directed my activity. Robyn really knows how to make you sit up and pay attention! I think there is wisdom on every page!!

Where's Your WOW? is one of the most exceptional business advice books out there. It's one part inspiration and one part instruction: the perfect combination for anyone who is a little unsure of how to market themselves in the business world. I chose to read this book because, as a recent college graduate in today's slow job market, I wanted to know how to really stand out to and make a lasting impression on future employers. After reading the book, I feel much more confident in interviews and at networking events- and I'm getting a lot of positive feedback! Where's Your WOW? offers priceless advice, and I know I have a lot more to offer future employers after reading this book. Authors Robyn Spizman and Rick Frishman cut to the chase- something other business/personal success books fail to do. They tell you how to recognize and advertise the skill/talent that makes you stand out in the business world. Also, business success and personal success are connected, and Where's Your WOW? is one of the first books I've read that addresses this.

I say Where's Your WOW? is a fantastic read for everyone- whether you are a veteran business person or- like me- just entering the workforce.

I am thrilled to have discovered Where's Your Wow? Thanks to this easy-to-read, information-packed little book, I feel confident that I'll be able to take my business to the next level. Where's Your Wow? is the secret weapon to success that I've been waiting for! Robyn's and Rick's message, "Give to your customers, to your audience, to your allies, to your employees," resonates deeply with me. Be prepared to see and hear "Aging Backwards" everywhere - this book taught me what I need to know to soar.

I find this book to be an easy read. In my business, which is service oriented, the information really applies and reaffirms my business model and philosophy.

I would recommend for any small business, retail or service.

There are plenty of books that focus on branding and niche marketing... Where's Your WOW is a bit different. It offers unique ways to stand above the crowd--from being outstanding and outrageous to keeping the wheels spinning with your success. It's a fast read, filled with plenty of nuggets.

Judith Briles, author of
Money Smarts and
The Confidence Factor

No book is perfect, but there sure are a lot of things I like about this book and I'd like to thank Robyn Spizman and Rick Frishman for writing it.

First of all, I believe like the authors do, that whoever you are, and whatever your business, you have the potential for having a unique Wow factor (some special thing) that only you can deliver.

The authors say that 'Wow happens' when your business ideas and abilities stand out in that very small zone called distinctive. You do something or handle yourself in a way that's so fresh, innovative, and impressive that you are memorable.

Although it might be a lot of extra work, truly Wow people make it look effortless... as if it were routine to them.


** I Want You to Find Your Wow **

We've all met Wow people. Everyone wants to be around them. They attract customers, supporters, readers, and purchasers, and they can help spread the word. They knock us off our feet with their energy and charisma, their confidence, and their style.

We all love people like this.

I want you to find your Wow, because I want as many people as possible to be like that all the time. It would change the world.

** There Are Many Benefits to Finding Your Wow **

One of the other things I really like about the way Robyn and Rick put this book together is that it tells the story of so many other Wow people.

Some people's stories, like the one about Jack Canfield, is given as a great example of the benefits you'll be able to enjoy when Wow becomes your lifestyle.

Other stories are used to give us a particular strategies, like the one about Alex Carroll, shows us how to use our Wow to get some great publicity for our businesses.

Still other peoples' stories are used for motivation and inspiration, like Mark Victor Hansen and Ken Blanchard, who have made a difference in the lives of thousands through their books and events.


** What If You Don't Know Where To Start? **

"Where's Your Wow?" is organized into a step-by-step guide that will help you to recognizing what makes you unique-your signature style-and learn how to systematically build your brand. You needn't be a marketing expert to apply the laws of Wow.

Trying to stand out without knowing what your personal Wow is may be pointless. Not to mention frustrating and demeaning...

Robyn and Rick point out that to be extraordinary, you must add "extra" to "ordinary."

** The Subtitle Says It All **

To me, "16 Ways to Make Your Competition Wish They Were You," are the strategies that every person who wants the best for themselves and their business needs to know.

I gave this book a 5 because it is the best I've found so far on how to think creatively (and proactively) to do what's necessary to rise to the top and stand out from the crowd.

I've read numerous books by Spizman, and she always has the interpersonal dynamics perfectly pegged. I recommend reading her books for any type of inspirational advice - home, personal or work relationships.