by Paul Simister
on June 3, 2015
The full title of this often overlooked strategy book by Shiv Mathur and Alfred Kenyon is
“Creating Value: Shaping Tomorrow’s Business“.
In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I rated this book as worthy of Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended to appropriate readers.
Here is my book review.
A highly original look at how to differentiate products
This book could be the best strategy book you’ve never heard of.
It’s a fiercely original intellectual work which will challenge many of the traditional ways of thinking about business strategy. Unfortunately both authors have died so it can’t be updated beyond the second edition but Creating Value has lots of insight for any business strategist and especially anyone who is interested in differentiation.
It’s not the easiest of reads because it is so challenging to the mind. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 25, 2015
I gave the original version of Blue Ocean Strategy a five star review.
Blue Ocean Strategy Expanded Edition by W Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne
I’m happy to again give Five Stars to this updated version in my review posted on Amazon.co.uk. This means I think it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Yet I was left feeling disappointed. Read my review to find out why.
Even better and more comprehensive. A great guide to differentiation and finding new markets
I’ve been following the Blue Ocean approach since the authors started publishing articles in the Harvard Business Review in the late 1990s. Even though I had been introduced to some of the techniques before (and seen other versions of the strategy canvas elsewhere in the customer value literature), I loved the original book.
For me, the big question is whether this new version is worth buying if you already have the original? [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 23, 2015
I’ve been fascinated by the topic of differentiating a business or product/service for more than 20 years and I even have a separate blog called Differentiate Your Business.
Who Should Read This Book ?
- Business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Senior executives in big businesses.
- Product managers and marketing managers in big businesses.
- Business consultants, coaches and advisors.
Review Of Blue Ocean Strategy by W Chan Kim and Renee A Mauborgne
[continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on May 16, 2015
The full title of this book by Don Reynolds is
“Crackerjack Positioning: Niche Marketing Strategy for the Entrepreneur“.
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Five Stars. This means I think it is Excellent and it is Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
This is inspiring, even if it doesn’t tell you how to do it
I thought this was a super book when I read the hardback version and wrote my review on my Differentiate Your Business Blog on May 3, 2011.
Since then, I saw it was going cheap as a Kindle and I bought it again although I can’t yet comment on the quality of formatting for Kindle.
This book is a very enjoyable, interesting and thought-provoking read for any small business owner who wants to build a unique position in a niche market. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on February 12, 2014
When I read
“The Secret Of Selling Anything” by Harry Browne
I was so impressed, I gave the book Five Stars in my review posted on Amazon.co.uk. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
This is probably how you’d like to be treated as a customer
This is a short quote from the book to give you a flavour:
“Selling is easy. It’s always easy if you think of the prospect as someone you’re trying to help. It becomes difficult when you think of your prospect as an adversary who must be out-maneuvered.” [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 28, 2013
The full title of this book by Thierry Malleret is
“Disequilibrium: A World Out Of Kilter“.
In my review posted on Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
Fascinating pulling together of thoughts
If you have lots of seemingly unconnected thoughts about the future (your own, your country’s or the world’s) and most of them have more downside than upside, this is an excellent short book to read.
It takes a good look at complexity theory in a world full of uncertainty from a high level approach. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 23, 2013
The full title of this book by Richard Heinberg is
“The End Of Growth: Adapting To Our New Economic Realities“.
In my review posted to Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Five Stars. This means it is Excellent and Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
Essential reading
This book is a real eye-opener and shows that the common assumption that we can continue to grow the economy at 2% to 3% per year is invalid.
In fact it is complete nonsense. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on November 11, 2013
The full title of this book by Craig Rowland and JM Lawson is
“The Permanent Portfolio: Harry Browne’s Long-Term Investment Strategy“.
In my review at Amazon.co.uk, I gave the book Five Stars. This means I think it is Excellent and is Very Highly Recommended.
Here is my book review.
Excellent lesson on effective diversification because of economic uncertainties
I was introduced to the idea of the Permanent Portfolio by a magazine article and I wanted to know more so I bought the book.
It sounds strange but I found it hard to put down as I finally had the nagging doubts I had about diversification erased from my brain. [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on June 10, 2013
Jump Start Your Business Brain: The Scientific Way To Make More Money by Doug Hall
Book Review Rating – 5 Stars
I wish I had read this book many years ago.
It gives logical, statistical, scientific support for some of my marketing ideas and theories and it’s opened my eyes to many issues about creative thinking and innovation.
The Three Laws Of Marketing Physics
The book stresses that there are three laws of marketing which together create success: [continue reading…]
by Paul Simister
on June 5, 2013
Profits Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing: No-Nonsense Rules from the Ultimate Contrarian and Small Business Guru by George Cloutier
Business Book Review Rating – 5 Stars
There is nothing in this book that makes me think that author George Cloutier is a nice, warm, cuddly sort of man who I’d want to have a few drinks with one night for light-hearted, amusing company.
To be blunt, he’ comes across as a hard-nosed, business b*stard with ideas from 100 years ago.
He also might just be one of the few people who could rescue and restore your business to profitability if your life depended on it.
I loved the book, even if I didn’t agree with everything. It grabs you by the shoulders and gives you a good hard shake.
His views are so strident that they force you to think about why you are right and he is wrong. In doing so, you might discover that he is right and you are wrong.
I consider it as essential reading for all small business owners and entrepreneurs who are finding business success a struggle to achieve.
The Basic Message Of Profits Aren’t Everything [continue reading…]
