May 17, 2009 19 Comments

Rules of Thumb – Video Book Review

Rarely do I get so into a book that I have to write all over it. Rules of Thumb by Alan Webber is one of those books. I started it on the plane, and ended up getting it consumed in only a few hours. I read it again taking feverish notes (you’ll see some in the video). It’s not that the book is utterly brilliant, but rather that it makes you think about how you’re doing business. I challenge you to read Rules of Thumb without finding yourself taking notes and thinking about things.

Alan Webber is also the cofounder of FastCompany, and before that, he ran the Harvard Business Review. This makes his very good at saying what’s on his mind, and the book reads well. I’m a fan .

Related posts:

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  • Jason Keath

    Reminds me of an essay from college that I have always taken to heart on “the way to mark a book”. Definitely the best way to retain info while reading.

  • http://bestpartyever.com/ Sally Strebel

    Thanks for the recommendation Chris. I'll be sure to read the book. I love books that inspire greatness. Hope you're doing well. ;-)

  • http://www.therisetothetop.com/ David Siteman Garland

    Chris-

    Just stopping by to say hi and I enjoyed discovering you a few months ago and have been paying attention intently. Love what you are up to and keep up the fantastic work and great book review.

    -David

  • http://deejayhart.com DeeJay_NYC

    Thanks for the review, Chris. I'm putting this one on my must-read business books list. BTW, tI love the finesse you displayed by keeping the sound evidence of your son's presence in the vid. It shows two things: 1.) Your son's growing up watching his father “Do business” — a GREAT role model demonsatration 2.) You're one who embraces life as it is. Both great recommendations for you as person. Kudos to you.

    Peace and Love
    DeeJay

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    I appreciate your thoughts on this. I love having my kids threaded into my life where I can. That's why I had my daughter review the Saddleback bag with me. It shows that we don't have to be sterile. Doesn't always work in my favor, but I try.

  • http://www.macs-wax.com/ Keith

    Thanks, Chris! I'll definitely check it out.

  • http://deejayhart.com DeeJay_NYC

    That's the WHOLE idea, Chris: In that trying, we are ALL better served; better off. It's one more way the world-at-large is made a better place, and I'm 1000% ALL for that. You might be interested in checking out a new BlogTalkRadio show I'll be co-hosting on Monday nights, 11PM EST: http:www.blogtalkradio.com/deejayharryphil. The show is centered on Nothing BUT Good News. I'm a STRONG believer in putting that Positive Force forward. (I hope you will consider this more of a Welcome Invitation as opposed to an opportunistic or shameless plug. It's just that I REALLY do want to do everything I can to spread, spread, and spread some more all instances of Good News. Ergo, my participation in the show.)

    Thanks for responding. Positive Interactivity is, in itself, ALWAYS Good News and well, like I said, to me, that's what it's all about.

    Peace and Love to You and Your Family,
    DeeJay

  • http://ChrisBaskind.com chrisbaskind

    You sold the book well. But the tossed train at the end was punctuation you just can't buy. :-)

  • http://totallyincorrect.com/ David

    Trouble with this Kindle stuff is it is so fast. KerChing!! Brogan has cost me 10 buckeroonies.

    Thanks for the review, I'm looking forward to reading.

  • sarahmerion

    Best word of this video book review: visceral. I'll look into picking that book up just because you used that word to describe it.

  • Dave Kawalec

    Thanks for the review, Chris. I'll check it out. Please add an affiliate link to the Kindle version.

  • http://www.collaborativejourneys.com/ Ben Ziegler

    Chris, Thanks for the review. I’ve put the book on my reading “to do” list.

    Another recent book (I read) on the same subject that might interest your readers is “Gut Feelings – The Intelligence of the Unconscious” by Gerd Gigerenzer, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. Brilliant insight into why are gut feelings (based on rules of thumb) are usually right, and not only that but that we should be respecting and relying on them more than we do. Surprisingly, I found this book quite practical (e.g., can be applied in business).” Gigerenzer also works in the US, and is considered a “superstar” in the psychology of decision making.

  • http://www.ThingsILove.ca/ GlendaM

    Agreed! I have really been enjoying it as well. I have been reading one every few days and bringing it to the office with me – considering how I or my company can do things differently. It's been a good – Make you Think book.

  • http://www.squidoo.com/freerealcareeradvice Angela Lussier

    I'm reading this book right now and selected it as the “book of the week” for a free seminar series I'm doing. I presented the book last week and one person in the audience said, “Who carries around 3×5 cards all day? Does this guy have friends? That's ridiculous!!”…maybe it is, but then again…he has some great content with real life stories and lessons that can translate to almost anyone in business….so is it really that ridiculous? So ask yourself this: “Is that a stack of 3×5 cards in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me??!”

  • http://movementstrategy.com/ Jason Mitchell

    I appreciate you reviewing books, that is my favorite way to purchase…upon recommendation. However, recently I have been questioning recommendations because they are often tied to affiliate links. I completely understand that you should get paid for your knowledge, but I am often troubled by the competing interests here. Can you help me get over this?

  • http://masterresalerightsdirectory.com/looking-for-a-cheap-resale-membership-site/2009/ Cheap Charlie

    Thanks for the book review. I always enjoy hearing about books to help change/improve business ideas. I liked the energy you had for The Rules of Thumb, I think if I could derive half as much from reading the book I would be set. I like the idea of incorporating one strategy per week into your business.

    Regarding your boys throwing trains — yeah, that sounds like my son too, he throws most things he gets is little hands on.

    Regards

  • http://masterresalerightsdirectory.com/looking-for-a-cheap-resale-membership-site/2009/ Cheap Charlie

    Thanks for the book review. I always enjoy hearing about books to help change/improve business ideas. I liked the energy you had for The Rules of Thumb, I think if I could derive half as much from reading the book I would be set. I like the idea of incorporating one strategy per week into your business.

    Regarding your boys throwing trains — yeah, that sounds like my son too, he throws most things he gets is little hands on.

    Regards

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  • http://www.zoombits.fr/batterie/batteries-telephones-portable/batterie-de-portable-compatible-avec-nokia-bl5k/12610 batterie nokia

    I've taken this book in one-chapter-per-week chunks by reading each short chapter as the first thing each workday morning. The repeat readings during the week brought new insights. Each rule is so right-on, and I found myself saying that if I remembered solely the rule I was reading it would have been worthwhile. The nice thing is that by re-reading it as I go along I end up with all of it. Each rule is soundly based in acknowledging the three-dimentional reality of situations – the me, the you, and the resources… rather than being pie-in-the-sky thinking. I highly recommend this book.