A Good Hard Kick in the Ass: Basic Training for Entrepreneurs

by Rob Adams

Every day, Rob Adams helps entrepreneurs find true markets for their products, design solid business models, and hire great teams—because that’s what it takes to build a successful company. While this sounds self-evident, far too many entrepreneurs have forgotten these fundamentals. They’ve been influenced by what Adams calls “business porn,” myths lingering like a bad hangover from the easy success days of the late ’90s. These entrepreneurs believe a unique idea is the key to igniting a great business. They think their industry experience already makes them experts on customer needs. They have simplistic, self-defeating illusions about sales, marketing, financing, and more.

They say things like “I have a million-dollar business idea for a new product.” Wake up, says Good ideas are not scarce—they’re a dime a dozen. Businesses are successful not because of a unique idea but because of extraordinary execution. They offer a better, faster, or cheaper product or service, or they change the way the world solves a problem.

In short, these entrepreneurs need just what Adams doses out in the pages of this a good hard kick in the ass. Adams debunks the myths and smashes the illusions—and he knows what he’s talking about, because he stands at the hub of many new startups. His firm, AV Labs, provides entrepreneurs with early financing as well as the management expertise they need to get off the ground.

A Good Hard Kick in the Ass offers detailed, hard-hitting guidance for smart, sophisticated entrepreneurs and established businesspeople alike—along with vivid, in-depth examples of companies that are walking the walk right now. Adams’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach is just what’s needed in the post-bubble economy.

Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 2002

Reviews

[John Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rob Adams doesn't pull any punches in this book for entrepreneurs. A seasoned venture capitalist, Adams is brutally honest and direct about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur. To the extent that you are delusional about how hard it is to build a successful start-up, Adams will quickly set you straight and provide much practical advice.

This book also provides invaluable insights into how venture capitalists think about investing in start-ups. It is one of my favorite books about how to build a start-up.

Adams was one of my role models in writing Great from the Start. I admire the authenticity, candor and clarity of his author's voice.

[Active Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite start up book! Rob Adams is a rock star!

If there is one thing and one thing only you remember or learn from this book, it is this - ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS FOCUS ON THE CUSTOMER! And never EVER make assumptions that you know them...no matter how much you may think you know your customer, there is so much more you don't.

So many companies, including established ones, have grossly miscalculated, underestimated or made assumptions about their customers and it's backfired on them - most recently, Anheuser Busch.

Focus on your customer no matter who you are and you will succeed!

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

A required reading for my master's degree program. So far, Adams' writing style is straight forward and enthusiastic, very drill instructor like but not stern. If he can maintain this throughout the book then I'll probably end up being a convert!

--Update--
I stopped reading this when the course I took with Rob finished. Guess I wasn't that into it.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book touts itself as a guide to entrepreneurs, but is really a narrow guide to venture-backed software company start-ups. It's a good read if you're a code-writer and you've got the next great dot com idea, but look elsewhere if you're looking for entrepreneurial advice outside of this niche.

[Nicolas Pujol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended by a former professor and good friend, a venture capitalist view on startups. Formative if you're just out of school and you want to work in startup environment.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book saved me months of wasted time getting my start-up off the ground.

This is a MUST READ for anyone thinking of starting a company.

[Geoff Bartakovics · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book that I tell every would-be entrepreneur to read before they quick their day job.