Velocity: The Seven New Laws for a World Gone Digital

by Ajaz Ahmed, Stefan Olander

A highly perceptive manifesto for entrepreneurs, leaders, and managers from the vice president of digital sport at Nike and the founder of legendary innovation agency AKQA. With an exclusive introduction by Sir Richard Branson How can you win when the only certainty is change? Highly accessible, lively, and inspiring, Velocity draws upon the authors' unique perspectives and experiences to present seven timeless new laws for businesses and individuals in a world that is dominated by rapid change and digital technology. Written as a fascinating and enjoyable conversation between the authors—Stefan Olander, vice president of digital sport at Nike and Ajaz Ahmed, founder and chairman at AKQA— Velocity 's up-to-date examples illustrate key lessons, together with insights, ideas, and inspiration that individuals and businesses should adopt to thrive. Velocity shares the vision and values required to succeed with the untold backstories to influential and iconic innovation. Fast paced, useful, provocative, and highly motivating, Velocity will arm you with actionable ideas to define your future. —4 Velocity Speed, Direction, Acceleration, and Discipline —7 Laws, including "A Smith & Wesson beats four aces," "It's easier done than said," "Convenient is the enemy of right," and "No good joke survives a committee of six."

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Technology, Leadership

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2012

About the author

Ajaz Ahmed is the CEO of AKQA, the ideas and innovation company he founded aged 21. AKQA today employs over 1,500 people in 15 offices around the world. In 2014 AKQA won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation. Ajaz co-authored Velocity: The Seven New Laws for a World Gone Digital.

Reviews

[Karen López · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a book worth reading, easy to digest... but it is missing more insight. That is due probably because of the way it is written ( as a conversation) which makes it easy to follow, although hard to get use to in the beginning.

[Alex Farley-Wood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Two rich men sit in a room, throw cheesy metaphors to “think differently” at each other and talk about how amazing their companies are. Completely missing any original thought and obnoxious enough to simply print a conversation. Skip it.

[Magdalene Lim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the nice, big font and white space that made it easy on the eye. An easy read, chock-full of interesting quotes and anecdotes. The content in this book reminded me of an Urban Genius talk conducted by Iris Worldwide. While very current and relevant now, I fear this will not be an enduring book. Read it quick so you get the most out of it now!

[Christopher · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read my review here: http://cphowe.wordpress.com/2012/07/1...

[VaultOfBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

By Ahmed Ajaz and Stefan Olander. Grade: A
The world as we know it is changing. The authors give an excellent example: gone are the days when we enter a city clueless whether our taxi driver is taking you for a ride or giving you the best journey to your location. You have the optimum, recommended information that’s updated as you move, in the palm of your hand. Previously you would have been a stranger in the new city with an outdated tourist guide. Now you can have the exchange rate, the language, the live translation of street signs, the best route and the expertise of thousands in your hands. This is because technology is running ahead of us at a breathtaking speed, making and breaking companies. While some are trying to make full use of this opportunity, there are many who are clueless as to how to face this change. This book is a must for them.
Whatever you do and wherever you are, Velocity is coming to get you. Don’t hesitate and get taken by surprise. Evolve now, rise to the challenge and create a better, smarter and more inspiring future.
Digital technology is changing the way we do business in every way imaginable and if there is anything worth knowing about how to use it to innovate and grow, Stefan Olander and Ajaz Ahmed know it. Stefan Olander is the vice-president of Digital Sport at Nike and Ajaz Ahmed is the founder of legendary independent innovation agency AKQA. Between them they have invented some of the most influential and iconic work for many of the world’s leading brands. Written as a conversation between Olander and Ahmed, Velocity is a highly perceptive manifesto for a world gone digital.
Velocity shares the vision and values required to succeed with the untold backstories to influential and iconic innovation. Fast paced, useful, provocative and highly motivating, Velocity will arm you with actionable ideas to define your future.
There are few people out there who haven’t heard of Nike. Stefan Olander, one of the authors, is the vice-president of digital sport at Nike and one of the world’s leading digital innovators. Ajaz Ahmed, on the other hand, is the founder of AQKA, the world’s largest independent innovation agency. AQKA has a legendary reputation for innovation. The two are at the top of their respective fields and that is what first grabs the reader: you know what they are going to say matters.

The work on this book was started as a side project by the authors about two years ago, by recording some of their conversations. They say they chose this format because a conversation is the truest way to reflect how they work, think and solve problems. It also means that a reader can dip in and dip out of chapters at will. This works effectively to give the readers a highly engaging book. The main attraction for me were the four velocity principles (Speed, Direction, Acceleration, Discipline) and the seven laws (‘A Smith & Wesson beats four aces’, ‘It’s easier done than said’, ‘Convenient is the enemy of right’ and ‘No good joke survives a committee of six’ et al.)
As a student of management for the past two years, this book came to me as a personal gift from God. It is impossible to read it without a pen and notepad nearby – believe me, I tried and I do not even manage a company. It presents some highly thought-provoking and radical ideas which will ‘turn your perceptions about digital on their head, and arm you with the knowledge to define your future and leave your competitors behind’.
The cover’s gorgeous too. Simple, understated and aesthetic, it perfectly captures the essence of the book.
The best thing about it was how the authors backed up their impressive content and ideas with recent examples of organizations and companies that went wrong – and where they went wrong. The summarized, illustrated key lessons were cherry on top.
Velocity is about optimism – a positive force that gives you the mindset and tools to create a better future. Today, good things don’t come to those who wait. But to those who move.
This is Velocity. Enjoy the ride.


Originally reviewed at www.vaultofbooks.com

[J.F. Penn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent business book, about the speed of business. Get going, then get better. Evolve immediately. Seize the momentum of a beta world always in motion.

[Mirza Orkun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those Who Resist Time
I saw the book while browsing the shelves of Bkm and when I looked at the content, I saw an expression that I liked and I'm glad I bought it.
Those who resist time, have perspectives and visions, value people, and try to improve humanity and their employees before their company's accounting department. The story of the people who are open to research and development rather than the company approach, the giant companies growing today and their employees
Dissemination with names like Henry Ford, Margaret Rudkin and Bill Gates.
Making Revolution with Thomas Edison, Akio Morita and Stev Jobs.
Simplification with stories from Shokunin, Lego and Chanel companies.
Editing with stories from Disney,Pixar, Netflix,Nike and Samsung.
Ralph Lauren, Jeff Bezos, Joss Whodon, J.J. You will read about characters, companies, idealists, dreamers, and time-rebels who excel in Abrams adventures and Writing.
The book consists of 182 pages. To start somewhere, to get inspired. It is an inspiring and enjoyable book for those who wonder how successful people in life realize their dreams and ideals.

[Radoslava Koleva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty mediocre book that tries to define "7 new laws for a world gone digital" and fails. While there is some truth to the concepts presented, the authors are going over and over explaining very simple and mostly obvious observations about how technology is changing marketing.

I'm no huge fan of the dialogue form of the book either, and even the formatting of the copy I have is ridiculous - whole pages filled with massive size highlights (sentences that are already in the smaller font text anyway).

And to top it all off the book is crammed with Nike examples of "success" even when the products mentioned are either completely unknown or have failed since the book was published. For the protocol I'm a Nike fan and buy all my trainers from them :)

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This (and 'Don't Make Me Think' by Steve Krug) is the best work-related book I have read. Easy to read and understand, the conversational format makes it accessible and practical. Based on the vast working experience of Ajaz Ahmed (founder of AKQA) and Stefan Olander (VP of Digital for Nike), this book will not throw theory at you but instead sets a bunch of cultural principles to be applied in your day-to-day working in digital. The book encourages you to be bold, make mistakes and learn from them, move fast and do what is uncomfortable. A gem for anyone working in digital, especially in product and for senior management with an opportunity to change the working culture of their teams.

[Mark Wilson Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written as if the two authors were in conversation, Velocity starts with an interesting idea but fails to consolidate it in the writing.

There are useful summary pages at the end of each of the seven laws. These are the best bits and often I found myself lost in where the writing was heading. An interesting style but often didn't get to the point. The actual idea I think the authors could improve upon and make super valuable.

If you've got a couple of hours to spare then this may make more of an impression on you.

[Kasturi Dadhe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was as amusing experience because the book speaks of being imaginative and 'smart' when humanity was on the brink of a digital revolution. Wonderfully engaging, the book felt like reading history when it was written. The pandemic only reiterated that the written words and ideas were indeed disruptive and prophetic.

[Tania Freitas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Since this is like a conversation, the reading is fluid and they give a lot of concrete examples during all the chapters. I liked it very much, I think that this a good book to get started in some notion of marketing, business, etc.

[Jake Wake Up! · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful. I had to read this for a marketing class. The authors are constantly contradicting themselves, nor do they make any strong arguments for anything. Big podcast bro vibes.

I recommend “Users not Customers,” for something similar and useful.

[Carlos Bustamante Restrepo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written.

[Adelyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but a case of too much unfulfilled promise I felt. This book had so much potential, but I felt that in the conversational format between Ajez and Stefan wasn’t used well to the point that it got distracting, and the ideas that they were trying to portray didn’t flow well. Examples were rather static – the same three instances were being repeated throughout the book – which made it seem like there weren’t really “seven new laws” that they were trying to introduce but rather “hey look, we did these three things well”. No doubt both are incredibly successful in each of their businesses, and from the narrative they sound like pleasant people who would be nice to work with/for, but the book didn’t quite live up to the subtitle which I felt was disappointing.

Also I’m not sure if this is in every edition, or just the one I happened to have, but there were bits of large text (quotes from the book) being scattered about – these I have no problems with but sometimes they preceded where the quote was being mentioned in the narrative. My eye was drawn to the large text regardless, and I thought it was very distracting as sometimes we were still on the previous chapter in terms of the narrative. Towards the end of the chapter though, there was a collection of quotes written in large font, this bit I did like. 3 stars.

[The-vault · Rating 3 out of 5]

By Ahmed Ajaz and Stefan Olander. Grade: A
The world as we know it is changing. The authors give an excellent example: gone are the days when we enter a city clueless whether our taxi driver is taking you for a ride or giving you the best journey to your location. You have the optimum, recommended information that’s updated as you move, in the palm of your hand. Previously you would have been a stranger in the new city with an outdated tourist guide. Now you can have the exchange rate, the language, the live translation of street signs, the best route and the expertise of thousands in your hands. This is because technology is running ahead of us at a breathtaking speed, making and breaking companies. While some are trying to make full use of this opportunity, there are many who are clueless as to how to face this change. This book is a must for them.
Whatever you do and wherever you are, Velocity is coming to get you. Don’t hesitate and get taken by surprise. Evolve now, rise to the challenge and create a better, smarter and more inspiring future.
Digital technology is changing the way we do business in every way imaginable and if there is anything worth knowing about how to use it to innovate and grow, Stefan Olander and Ajaz Ahmed know it. Stefan Olander is the vice-president of Digital Sport at Nike and Ajaz Ahmed is the founder of legendary independent innovation agency AKQA. Between them they have invented some of the most influential and iconic work for many of the world’s leading brands. Written as a conversation between Olander and Ahmed, Velocity is a highly perceptive manifesto for a world gone digital.
Velocity shares the vision and values required to succeed with the untold backstories to influential and iconic innovation. Fast paced, useful, provocative and highly motivating, Velocity will arm you with actionable ideas to define your future.
There are few people out there who haven’t heard of Nike. Stefan Olander, one of the authors, is the vice-president of digital sport at Nike and one of the world’s leading digital innovators. Ajaz Ahmed, on the other hand, is the founder of AQKA, the world’s largest independent innovation agency. AQKA has a legendary reputation for innovation. The two are at the top of their respective fields and that is what first grabs the reader: you know what they are going to say matters.

The work on this book was started as a side project by the authors about two years ago, by recording some of their conversations. They say they chose this format because a conversation is the truest way to reflect how they work, think and solve problems. It also means that a reader can dip in and dip out of chapters at will. This works effectively to give the readers a highly engaging book. The main attraction for me were the four velocity principles (Speed, Direction, Acceleration, Discipline) and the seven laws (‘A Smith & Wesson beats four aces’, ‘It’s easier done than said’, ‘Convenient is the enemy of right’ and ‘No good joke survives a committee of six’ et al.)
As a student of management for the past two years, this book came to me as a personal gift from God. It is impossible to read it without a pen and notepad nearby – believe me, I tried and I do not even manage a company. It presents some highly thought-provoking and radical ideas which will ‘turn your perceptions about digital on their head, and arm you with the knowledge to define your future and leave your competitors behind’.
The cover’s gorgeous too. Simple, understated and aesthetic, it perfectly captures the essence of the book.
The best thing about it was how the authors backed up their impressive content and ideas with recent examples of organizations and companies that went wrong – and where they went wrong. The summarized, illustrated key lessons were cherry on top.
Velocity is about optimism – a positive force that gives you the mindset and tools to create a better future. Today, good things don’t come to those who wait. But to those who move.
This is Velocity. Enjoy the ride.

POsted by: www.the-vault.co.cc

[Martin Kearns · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an okay read, some of the stories showed a new world attitude towards how a Digital mind thinks. I feel the book was a little lazy, someone scribes a few conversations between people and calls it a book.

I bought the book in a bargin basement so it was worth what i pain. Mainly for the principle pages.

The authors know alot more than whats in this book, which leaves me disappointed.

[Goutam Hebbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: Read as a summary.

[Jacob Munk-Stander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read on how businesses should embrace digital as part of their organization, processes, products and marketing.

The results of the work between AKQA (Ajaz Ahmed) and Nike (Stefan Olander) is a living proof of how an insightful and trusting relationship between client and agency can lead to new and valuable business opportunities (as well as campaigns).

The format of the book is a "dialogue" between agency and client which is confusing at times. They are both insightful and opinionated on how to use digital, but as they tend to agree you don't get real discussions between them and unfortunately the conclusions and recommendations end up getting a bit diluted.

Either way it is an insightful and enjoyable read.

Favorite quote (about being the market leader and wanting to be ahead): "It's the idea of training like you're number two to remain number one"

[Cenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

The format is written literally as a conversation between the two authors, Ajaz Ahmed & Stefan Olander, two of our generation's most creative and passionate businessmen who are the Chairman and Co-Founder of AKQA and Vice President, Digital Sport, Nike Inc. Boom. The Velocity formula and the laws around is a clever way of explaining how businesses need to be conducted to be successful in today’s very competitive digital economy. I really like the following laws (chapters) in this book:
• “A Smith & Wesson beats four aces”
• “The best advertising isn’t advertising”
Two reasons I gave only three stars for this book. (1) I didn’t like the conversational style of writing because it was hard to follow time to time. (2) the book had too many examples from the successes of Nike in the digital space.

[Olivier Van D'huynslager · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most powerful force in the universe isn't technology. It's imagination.

Everything suddenly got so much faster, and that changed everything else in ways nobody would have imagined. Those who dared won. Those who dare shall win. It's all about designing the beautiful and building the impossible.

The trick is channeling the endless curiosity of your inner child with the clear sense of purpose, outer direction and responsibility you have as an adult. Editing down all that amazement at the world into something you can ACT on, instead of just react to.

Velocity is about optimism - a positive force that gives you the mindset to create a better future.
Today, good things don't come to those who wait.
But to those who move.

[Bjorn Hardarson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not know was an ok book, just my obsession on buying at least one book at the airport, should though have taken Collins or Kanheman. As even though they have something to say I was excpecting something like rework and how it is setup as a converstation between two talented people it did not give much to me to think about

[Hanna KG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very apt and current book about marketing and today's digital climate. An interesting read, particularly for anyone within the digital, advertising or marketing industries. It's easy to tell from reading this book, that the authors are experienced and knowledgable in this field. It's very much written from an expert, yet humble POV.

[Livingston Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books that I've read in recent times.

In this book, Ajaz Ahmed (AKQA) and Stefan Olander (Nike), provide great insight about doing the right thing in this digital age, from the perspective of an agency and the client.

A must read for anyone, involved in the digital industry — innovators, developers, designer, analysts, marketers, advertisers.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is written as a conversation which makes it feel like a podcast. The conversation meanders, there are some nice one-liners, and the summaries don't really summarise but add new points. Sometimes it feels like an ad for Nike. If you don't know what they're talking about then it will make no sense. It doesn't go into a lot of depth. Fun to read if you're interested but not essential.

[Jordan Willing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a bit repetitive with many of the leadership books of it's era the book still contains some great nuggets you can pull from. The chapter , "a smith & Wesson beats four aces" is a really good primer for anyone struggling with change. Similar to the work of Godin, this is written conversationally which makes it easy to digest and get thru quickly. Definitely one I would recommend.

[Regan Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in the advertising business and this book is genius. Cuts through all the industry bullshit and breaks it down. Working for either of these gentleman would be awe inspiring. I can only hope to use this new knowledge/philosophy every single day. Highly recommend.

[Rick Yvanovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective on a world gone digital or rather that's just an example of another trend or spike that impacts and shapes biz. I graed Grow just befor this and Wes a lot of resonance between e two, different styles, but some similar important messaging

[Daryl Muranaka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas. I like the conversation format, but found some of the ideas a bit too off-the-cuff and a little superficial. I think the seven "laws" are actually very good rules of thumb and applicable to life in general. A more detailed and deeper sequel might be in order.

[Firdaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given from a good friend of mine (thanks Sarah!). It was a series of interview of the authors upon their experiences in industries. The book talking about optimism and shards on the four principle - speed, direction, acceleration and discipline.