What do you think?
Rate this book
Mavericks at Work
In the 21st century, it won't be business as usual...
In the last decade the business world has been dogged by bad leadership, CEO greed and the excesses of the dotcom craze. Now, as the authors of this lively new book suggest, companies and corporations are moving away from traditional methods of how to lead, manage and compete, towards a more 'maverick' management style that has proved highly successful. Mavericks at Work is the first book to document this change - and to give readers a glimpse into the ideas and techniques behind fast-growing but unconventional companies such as Google, HBO, Lendlease and Southwest Airlines. It profiles some of the most exciting - and often eccentric - CEOs in the US, and details their strategies for success. With its accessible tone, Mavericks at Work is both serious and fun; business 'edutainment' for a smart, ambitious readership.
In the last decade the business world has been dogged by bad leadership, CEO greed and the excesses of the dotcom craze. Now, as the authors of this lively new book suggest, companies and corporations are moving away from traditional methods of how to lead, manage and compete, towards a more 'maverick' management style that has proved highly successful. Mavericks at Work is the first book to document this change - and to give readers a glimpse into the ideas and techniques behind fast-growing but unconventional companies such as Google, HBO, Lendlease and Southwest Airlines. It profiles some of the most exciting - and often eccentric - CEOs in the US, and details their strategies for success. With its accessible tone, Mavericks at Work is both serious and fun; business 'edutainment' for a smart, ambitious readership.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2006
58 people are currently reading
849 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 27, 2016
This was one of the most valuable business books I've ever read. It is all about the most innovative, successful business leaders in the world today and the cutting edge consciousness that brought them to where they are. This book chronicles the true awakening occurring in the best of Corporate America. While reading this book I simply got it...the next step for me in my leadership of my company.
March 28, 2012
What I took away is that if I am the CEO of a company, I should put "Grand Poo-bah" instead of my title on the card to show I'm a true Maverick and like to have fun while being serious.
January 2, 2016
Starbucks, Apple, Google, Disney Pixar, Microsoft, Ford, Top Coder, Procter & Gamble, Jones Soda, IBM, HBO, Goldcorp, DPR Construction, Cranium, Anthropologie and even the famous live entertainment performer Cirque du Soleil, these are just few companies discussed on this book that took that leap out from the crowd, adapt that eccentric idea, standout, outperformed their rivals and harvested from the crops they sown, that is what authors William Taylor and Polly Labarre reveals in Mavericks at Work.
The commitment of this book is to create an innovative leader with astounding craftsmanship of ideas and talent to everyone. For most cases, the convincing was so strong that I was thinking to quit graduate school and turn myself into a marketer, entrepreneur or a strategist but then it also hoisted my comprehension to the inventive cutting-edge power of human resource in this digital world of 21st century.
The astonishing strength of Mavericks At Work is the way it deliberately compel it’s readers to the fact that it would like to construct, by incorporating scenarios, theories and achievements of these successful businesses that is hard to brush up and utterly convincing.
The book is written logically constructed with four explicitly bold parts of insights in competition, innovation, customers and work. We all know that focusing on these four would lead to success but doing it contrarily is more fascinating and proven a winning unique idea to be at the top, that is what the authors would like to uncover not only to the leader of the company, but also to every worker, to the students and every individual - what it means to be a rebel of idea and put it into your style of action.
Rethinking competition in this book is skillfully justified thru strategy. One example is ING Direct USA, Arkadi Kuhlmann the CEO, launched the Internet-based savings bank in 2000, almost every banker hates him for the reason that ING Direct USA is a direct to the customer operation that don’t charge customer fees, no arbitrary works and no minimum deposits because all operations is thru internet and phone and the company doesn’t need to construct branches, ATM machines, doesn’t require vastly compensated viable bankers or financial gurus. But the company provides a high transparency to the customer that is in exchange of their trust and confidence.
An interesting strategy but the other way to put this is that they develop strategy simply by adapting technology and when they did this they are thoroughly out of competition instead they invented a new one in the same industry- redefining competition.
Reinventing innovation will tackle on how sharing of information and paradigms leads to openness and active sense of creativity. The trend nowadays is partaking knowledge, and challenge is becoming an asset and that is where the brilliant people are attracted. There could be no more agreeable example than the case of Goldcorp Mining Inc. and Top Coder presented in this book. This argument intensely proves that, it’s not money that makes the world go round instead open information, thirst of knowledge and power – a way where someone can gain more respect across recognition to one’s ability to create solutions thru talent and genius.
Reconnecting with customers simplify the value of the company’s existence. Long been acknowledged that prioritizing customers is the best policy for a company but how could such a company really know what a customer wants aside from good deals, cool products and low prices. Rediscovering the art of touching lives thru a heartfelt service – means not delivering a fake service and exceedingly performing beyond customer expectations.
The famous American “Jones Soda” would target its customer thru the theme “It’s all about self-expression” and let their customers send out articles, photos or tagline that they printout and put it into the bottles label. There are tons of illustrations specified with the same flow but the nourishing idea is that these companies is not just branding themselves, but they are branding their customers. Focusing on the target customers that you want to be happy because you can’t please everybody in the market.
Reconnecting to customers suggests that make that customer a part of decision-making process, such as Netflix who allows their customer to judge the movies they wanted to rent. Giving customers the power to initiate ideas is the innovative strategy a company could construct. That part I think would be more appropriately tagged as rebuilding customers.
Redesigning work is looking for that talent that best defines the goals of your company. Talent is everywhere but very distinctive, the combination of wanted attitude and changeable behavior is not to be forecasted only to the best academic people but those with “humbition” a delicate fusion of humility and ambition. A leader must be ambitious but they should not demean other people in their quest of ambition. The newly ideas of hiring people in this book would be very helpful to future leaders of the company, specially human resource, selecting candidate must be far more than papers and numbers.
The last part of this book evidently states that the best people are yet to be found and the smartest people pick their boss wisely and most of the time they are not looking for jobs – that’s the challenge.
The authors did well on explaining their perspectives on showing another side of the story or another direction that would meet the connection among these maverick companies. The clear evaluations gave a strong judgment to the significance of this book. While on some cases presented some unsolicited information is overwhelming.
The superb multi billion western companies strategies where good view points but somehow it doesn’t say much about an Asian company or context nor an Asian brand or a culture that it adopts. The argument would be the flexibility of having a maverick approach is only inflicted to the western culture on where the market is fragmented and that most characters are individualist rather in comparison in Asia that is composed merely of collectivist behaviors and culture. There is somehow a bias on the presentation of the materials and reasoning.
Although, the authors are seem pretty clear of their idea to deliver a book and explain why the most original minds in business win by studying the structure and management of different companies and the success they achieved, it would be more downright substantial if they tackle or perhaps a glimpse as well about the failures of those companies that did not adapt the maverick concept. With this differentiation, it would create an impact of validity to the view of the readers. This would enhance the argument of why these non- conformist had to be deviated from the norm, what is the norm doing wrong?
The scope is focused but I wish there is more of the why and how, so as what exactly happen. This carried me to the comparison of the book “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” in 1994 and “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t in 2001 by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. Presenting their Big Hairy Audacious Goals theories and laid the insights of the failures of most and success of some companies. This book is more comprehensive to its idealistic company and comparisons withthe rivals but then Mavericks at Work combined these two books and offered into somewhat climax to all the results of those businesses because of innovative ideas, which is a good angle for authors Taylor and Labarre. But we should also be noted that repetitive climax is outlandish without juxtaposition.
Mavericks at work is a book for everyone who can deviate from the norms, who can accept exotic ideas and risky results, someone that is bold enough to stand and be firmly creative for what they believe in. To everyone, this book will also stimulate your thought and widen up your business vocabulary to the operations of the top business firms of the century. This serves as a guide that gives an insight that there is no excuse for you not to start rethinking competition, reinventing innovation, reconnecting to customers and redesigning work to achieve victory.
The commitment of this book is to create an innovative leader with astounding craftsmanship of ideas and talent to everyone. For most cases, the convincing was so strong that I was thinking to quit graduate school and turn myself into a marketer, entrepreneur or a strategist but then it also hoisted my comprehension to the inventive cutting-edge power of human resource in this digital world of 21st century.
The astonishing strength of Mavericks At Work is the way it deliberately compel it’s readers to the fact that it would like to construct, by incorporating scenarios, theories and achievements of these successful businesses that is hard to brush up and utterly convincing.
The book is written logically constructed with four explicitly bold parts of insights in competition, innovation, customers and work. We all know that focusing on these four would lead to success but doing it contrarily is more fascinating and proven a winning unique idea to be at the top, that is what the authors would like to uncover not only to the leader of the company, but also to every worker, to the students and every individual - what it means to be a rebel of idea and put it into your style of action.
Rethinking competition in this book is skillfully justified thru strategy. One example is ING Direct USA, Arkadi Kuhlmann the CEO, launched the Internet-based savings bank in 2000, almost every banker hates him for the reason that ING Direct USA is a direct to the customer operation that don’t charge customer fees, no arbitrary works and no minimum deposits because all operations is thru internet and phone and the company doesn’t need to construct branches, ATM machines, doesn’t require vastly compensated viable bankers or financial gurus. But the company provides a high transparency to the customer that is in exchange of their trust and confidence.
An interesting strategy but the other way to put this is that they develop strategy simply by adapting technology and when they did this they are thoroughly out of competition instead they invented a new one in the same industry- redefining competition.
Reinventing innovation will tackle on how sharing of information and paradigms leads to openness and active sense of creativity. The trend nowadays is partaking knowledge, and challenge is becoming an asset and that is where the brilliant people are attracted. There could be no more agreeable example than the case of Goldcorp Mining Inc. and Top Coder presented in this book. This argument intensely proves that, it’s not money that makes the world go round instead open information, thirst of knowledge and power – a way where someone can gain more respect across recognition to one’s ability to create solutions thru talent and genius.
Reconnecting with customers simplify the value of the company’s existence. Long been acknowledged that prioritizing customers is the best policy for a company but how could such a company really know what a customer wants aside from good deals, cool products and low prices. Rediscovering the art of touching lives thru a heartfelt service – means not delivering a fake service and exceedingly performing beyond customer expectations.
The famous American “Jones Soda” would target its customer thru the theme “It’s all about self-expression” and let their customers send out articles, photos or tagline that they printout and put it into the bottles label. There are tons of illustrations specified with the same flow but the nourishing idea is that these companies is not just branding themselves, but they are branding their customers. Focusing on the target customers that you want to be happy because you can’t please everybody in the market.
Reconnecting to customers suggests that make that customer a part of decision-making process, such as Netflix who allows their customer to judge the movies they wanted to rent. Giving customers the power to initiate ideas is the innovative strategy a company could construct. That part I think would be more appropriately tagged as rebuilding customers.
Redesigning work is looking for that talent that best defines the goals of your company. Talent is everywhere but very distinctive, the combination of wanted attitude and changeable behavior is not to be forecasted only to the best academic people but those with “humbition” a delicate fusion of humility and ambition. A leader must be ambitious but they should not demean other people in their quest of ambition. The newly ideas of hiring people in this book would be very helpful to future leaders of the company, specially human resource, selecting candidate must be far more than papers and numbers.
The last part of this book evidently states that the best people are yet to be found and the smartest people pick their boss wisely and most of the time they are not looking for jobs – that’s the challenge.
The authors did well on explaining their perspectives on showing another side of the story or another direction that would meet the connection among these maverick companies. The clear evaluations gave a strong judgment to the significance of this book. While on some cases presented some unsolicited information is overwhelming.
The superb multi billion western companies strategies where good view points but somehow it doesn’t say much about an Asian company or context nor an Asian brand or a culture that it adopts. The argument would be the flexibility of having a maverick approach is only inflicted to the western culture on where the market is fragmented and that most characters are individualist rather in comparison in Asia that is composed merely of collectivist behaviors and culture. There is somehow a bias on the presentation of the materials and reasoning.
Although, the authors are seem pretty clear of their idea to deliver a book and explain why the most original minds in business win by studying the structure and management of different companies and the success they achieved, it would be more downright substantial if they tackle or perhaps a glimpse as well about the failures of those companies that did not adapt the maverick concept. With this differentiation, it would create an impact of validity to the view of the readers. This would enhance the argument of why these non- conformist had to be deviated from the norm, what is the norm doing wrong?
The scope is focused but I wish there is more of the why and how, so as what exactly happen. This carried me to the comparison of the book “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” in 1994 and “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t in 2001 by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. Presenting their Big Hairy Audacious Goals theories and laid the insights of the failures of most and success of some companies. This book is more comprehensive to its idealistic company and comparisons withthe rivals but then Mavericks at Work combined these two books and offered into somewhat climax to all the results of those businesses because of innovative ideas, which is a good angle for authors Taylor and Labarre. But we should also be noted that repetitive climax is outlandish without juxtaposition.
Mavericks at work is a book for everyone who can deviate from the norms, who can accept exotic ideas and risky results, someone that is bold enough to stand and be firmly creative for what they believe in. To everyone, this book will also stimulate your thought and widen up your business vocabulary to the operations of the top business firms of the century. This serves as a guide that gives an insight that there is no excuse for you not to start rethinking competition, reinventing innovation, reconnecting to customers and redesigning work to achieve victory.
December 13, 2018
This is one of the best books I've read all year! Definitely one of my favourite business books - though I've only read a few- and I know I'll be revisiting it at some point in the future.
The title should be enough to hint that it's not written for everyone. Definitely not suitable for anyone who wants to follow the status quo. But for the dreamers and the 'weird' people with 'crazy' ideas, this is the book for you! Every chapter contained tons of wisdom, some more applicable to me than others. I'm very glad I read this book at the start of my professional journey because it's really shaped my mindset. I'd give 10 stars if I could!
The title should be enough to hint that it's not written for everyone. Definitely not suitable for anyone who wants to follow the status quo. But for the dreamers and the 'weird' people with 'crazy' ideas, this is the book for you! Every chapter contained tons of wisdom, some more applicable to me than others. I'm very glad I read this book at the start of my professional journey because it's really shaped my mindset. I'd give 10 stars if I could!
January 2, 2008
In this book, the authors highlight the traits that distinguish great companies from the merely good ones. The authors first explain how every company needs to figure out its higher calling, or its purpose, before it can embark on any form of strategic planning. The authors give examples of companies such as Southwest 'to democratize the skies' and HBO 'It's not TV. It's HBO' who have found the higher calling of their business. The authors then move on to make the case that the best way to beat the competition is to have a disruptive idea and to revel in it. In the process, companies learn to focus on their customers and to create a unique set of vocabulary that shapes their identity.
In the second part of the book, we learn how collaboration helps organizations tap the best minds in the world and make them as competitive as possible. The three chapters that make up Part II of the book expound on the idea of open source and are slightly repetitive. Readers who have read 'Wikinomics' by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams might be tempted to skip some bits of Part II.
In Part III, the authors suggest that consumers are today overloaded with advertisements and other marketing messages. Consequently, companies that manage to stand out from the crowd are those that are most able to communicate a unique brand identity to their customers. Again, this part of the book is littered with examples of maverick companies such as Commerce Bank, Starbucks and Potbelly whose colourful culture and unique way of doing things has allowed them to achieve cult status amongst their customers.
The final three chapters of the book focus on people and organizations' need for human talent. Taylor and LaBarre introduce the interesting tenet that the best people in the world already have jobs. It therefore logically follows that instead of waiting for people to find them, maverick organizations go out of their way to seek the best talent.
'Mavericks at Work' is helpfully organized along the four key themes of purpose, collaboration, identity and people, with a summary chapter at the end of each section driving home the key messages of these four themes. It is a well researched and eloquently written book that encouraages organizations to think differently in order to be heard from all the 'noise' in the market. I highly recommend this book to all entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. I, for one, have been greatly inspired to try to reshape the future through original thinking.
In the second part of the book, we learn how collaboration helps organizations tap the best minds in the world and make them as competitive as possible. The three chapters that make up Part II of the book expound on the idea of open source and are slightly repetitive. Readers who have read 'Wikinomics' by Don Tapscott and Anthony Williams might be tempted to skip some bits of Part II.
In Part III, the authors suggest that consumers are today overloaded with advertisements and other marketing messages. Consequently, companies that manage to stand out from the crowd are those that are most able to communicate a unique brand identity to their customers. Again, this part of the book is littered with examples of maverick companies such as Commerce Bank, Starbucks and Potbelly whose colourful culture and unique way of doing things has allowed them to achieve cult status amongst their customers.
The final three chapters of the book focus on people and organizations' need for human talent. Taylor and LaBarre introduce the interesting tenet that the best people in the world already have jobs. It therefore logically follows that instead of waiting for people to find them, maverick organizations go out of their way to seek the best talent.
'Mavericks at Work' is helpfully organized along the four key themes of purpose, collaboration, identity and people, with a summary chapter at the end of each section driving home the key messages of these four themes. It is a well researched and eloquently written book that encouraages organizations to think differently in order to be heard from all the 'noise' in the market. I highly recommend this book to all entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs. I, for one, have been greatly inspired to try to reshape the future through original thinking.
January 25, 2020
I had a strange explainable feeling when reading this book, it felt "misplaced". Only once I started to write the review did I discover that the book was actually written in 2007 which is long time ago for a book that claims to be "first to cover maverics management style". In a way it fell a victim of it's own success because these topics are covered in so many books in 2019 and are considered pretty much mainstream.
ING Bank, Starbucks, Apple, Google, Disney Pixar, Microsoft, Ford, Top Coder, Procter & Gamble, Jones Soda, IBM, HBO, Goldcorp, DPR Construction, Cranium, Anthropologie and Cirque du Soleil are covered in the book. Two key issues I had with this book was that most of the ideas did not feel "brave" enough and at times they could even be considered naive (one does not completely ignore competition and market forces). The book was floating somewhere between Blue Ocean Strategy and Start with WHY (mixed with some Good to Great/Built to Last from Collins).
ING Bank, Starbucks, Apple, Google, Disney Pixar, Microsoft, Ford, Top Coder, Procter & Gamble, Jones Soda, IBM, HBO, Goldcorp, DPR Construction, Cranium, Anthropologie and Cirque du Soleil are covered in the book. Two key issues I had with this book was that most of the ideas did not feel "brave" enough and at times they could even be considered naive (one does not completely ignore competition and market forces). The book was floating somewhere between Blue Ocean Strategy and Start with WHY (mixed with some Good to Great/Built to Last from Collins).
May 9, 2009
I heard one of the authors (Polly LaBarre) speak at a conference recently. She was a good speaker so I purchased her book (and she signed it, too).
Lots of good examples, but it would be interesting to read about mavericks who had failed.
Lots of good examples, but it would be interesting to read about mavericks who had failed.
April 24, 2009
Not much in terms of fresh ideas or, insights. The sample base is also selected to match the hypothesis of the book. However, good read to go through.
January 26, 2020
Outdated & boring
This is out of date. One of the companies used as a great example of how to do business no longer exists.
This is out of date. One of the companies used as a great example of how to do business no longer exists.
September 29, 2018
Mavericks at Work- Why the most original minds in Business win- William C Taylor and Polly LaBarre- This Book is about practically performing business. The Book is divided in four parts- Part one - Rethinking competition, Part two- Reinventing innovations, Part three- Reconnecting with customers, Part four- Redesigning work. In Part one- Not just a company, a cause- strategy and advocacy, Competition and its consequences- Disruptors, diplomats and a new way to talk about business, In between Maverick messages related to business are discussed. In Part II, Ideas unlimited- why nobody is smart as anybody, Innovation, Open minding ur business. In part III, From selling values to selling values, Overcoming the age of overload, Small gestures- big signals - outstanding strategies to stand out of the crowd, building ur bond with customers, Part IV- The company u keep- business as if people mattered, People and performance- star systems - the work places that work, practicing ur people skills. The book is helpful for thinking and performing business in the world of extreme competition.
April 5, 2020
Highly intriguing, this book presents a lot of insights into maverick organizations; as well as into some more rigid companies when showing maverick behavior (the likes of IBM, Booz & Co, P&G... multinationals that have long been perceived as rather conservative in their approaches).
It is, nonetheless, arguable whether these original minds are indeed the reason behind why those businesses "win".
It is, nonetheless, arguable whether these original minds are indeed the reason behind why those businesses "win".
September 17, 2022
Relies too much on anecdotal evidence to be persuasive
I liked the core thesis of the book that businesses need to change how they do business, innovate constantly and focus on people. However, the excessive reliance on anecdotes rather than fundamental principles was off putting to me. Ended up skimming the book and picking up a couple of good Ideas. Might be better rated for you if you are new to this idea. But I prefer Tom Peter's work more.
I liked the core thesis of the book that businesses need to change how they do business, innovate constantly and focus on people. However, the excessive reliance on anecdotes rather than fundamental principles was off putting to me. Ended up skimming the book and picking up a couple of good Ideas. Might be better rated for you if you are new to this idea. But I prefer Tom Peter's work more.
November 24, 2022
I read /Mavericks at Work/, by William C. Taylor and Polly Labarre:
https://williamctaylor.com/mavericks-...
Some of the book is repurposed from Fast Company articles and other writings, but still, a book with a few original concepts that the authors weave together.
The authors use HBO, ING Direct, Netflix, Netscape, Tellme Networks, Cranium, Goldcorp, Craigslist, and Linux, among other examples of Maverick companies and their founders and officers.
https://williamctaylor.com/mavericks-...
Some of the book is repurposed from Fast Company articles and other writings, but still, a book with a few original concepts that the authors weave together.
The authors use HBO, ING Direct, Netflix, Netscape, Tellme Networks, Cranium, Goldcorp, Craigslist, and Linux, among other examples of Maverick companies and their founders and officers.
February 28, 2017
This book provides a unique perspective on approaching a job or a career for that matter. It talks about the outliers who bring something new and fresh to the workplace. It is a bit dated but the examples cited are dealing with timeless issues of business development and business processes. This book would benefit anyone who wants to change the way they work and change their surroundings.
February 26, 2017
I really liked this book. It was insightful and prescriptive but interesting and didn't have the "self-help" business book feel.
July 29, 2018
More of a book on how to create a good culture within organisations. HR people should read it. It provide insights in too creative and corporate companies cultures.
July 2, 2021
Interesting points and also too the point. Especially good for those just looking into the topic of thinking differently.
June 10, 2023
Lots of examples but very little to chew at. Disappointing.
February 21, 2017
Overall a good book. Builds on several great books, though. 3 stars makes it a worthy read if you're short on time and want to get most a condensed version of the wonderful concepts that Taylor covers from other great authors.
P. 54 “… the only sustainable form of market leadership is thought leadership.” (Also in the innovator’s dilemma)
5 tenants of innovative companies:
1) Distinctive and disruptive sense of purse that sets you apart from your rivals
2) A vocabulary of competition that is unique in your industry and compelling to your customers and employees
3) Reject short term distracting opportunities to focus on the long term mission
4) Can you be provocative without provoking backlash
5) If you went out of business, who would miss you
The problem with competing on being a good deal is that someone will always come along and give a better deal. It has to be more than that to last.
Books in the back:
Competing on ideas
Karaoke Capitalism: Daring to be different in a copycat world – ridderstal and Nordstrom
Blue Ocean Strategy: how to ceate an uncontested marketspace and make competition irrelevant – kim and mauborgne
The New piorneers; the men and women who are transforming the workplace and marketplace – Petzinger Jr.
www.jimcollins.com
Leading the revolution – Hamel
Googel’s Letter from the founders Aug 18 2004 – investor.google.com
Is Grameen Bank different? – Yunus
Why Craigslist works – Newmark
www.gsdm.com
Open Innovation: the new imperative or creating and profiting from technology – chesbrough
The Source of open source – weber
Harnessing the Hive – How online games drive networked innovation – herz
Everything Tim: Tim O’reilly’s archive
The wisdom of the crowds: why the many are smarter than the few and how collective wisdom shapes business – Surowiecki 2004
Democratizing Innovation – Eric von Hippel
www.topcoder.com
Purple cow: Transform your business by being remarkable – Godin
The experience economy: work is theater and every business is sa stage – Pine and Gilmore
A New Brand World: 8 principles for achieving brand leadership in the 21st century – bedbury & fenichell
Bobos in paradise: The new upper class and how they got their – brooks
Low cost, high touch – Jet blue’s reservation agents
Convenience by design – the starbucks card
Express yourself – canada’s picture postage
You are what you sell – adfarm’s working farms
Why I never hire brilliant men – American magazine
How to be a star at work: 9 strategies you need to succeed – Kelley
Weird ideas that work: 11 ½ practices for promoting managing and sustaining innovation – Sutton
A manager’s orientation toolkit: tools that get new employees and transfers productive faster – Dr.Sullivan
P. 54 “… the only sustainable form of market leadership is thought leadership.” (Also in the innovator’s dilemma)
5 tenants of innovative companies:
1) Distinctive and disruptive sense of purse that sets you apart from your rivals
2) A vocabulary of competition that is unique in your industry and compelling to your customers and employees
3) Reject short term distracting opportunities to focus on the long term mission
4) Can you be provocative without provoking backlash
5) If you went out of business, who would miss you
The problem with competing on being a good deal is that someone will always come along and give a better deal. It has to be more than that to last.
Books in the back:
Competing on ideas
Karaoke Capitalism: Daring to be different in a copycat world – ridderstal and Nordstrom
Blue Ocean Strategy: how to ceate an uncontested marketspace and make competition irrelevant – kim and mauborgne
The New piorneers; the men and women who are transforming the workplace and marketplace – Petzinger Jr.
www.jimcollins.com
Leading the revolution – Hamel
Googel’s Letter from the founders Aug 18 2004 – investor.google.com
Is Grameen Bank different? – Yunus
Why Craigslist works – Newmark
www.gsdm.com
Open Innovation: the new imperative or creating and profiting from technology – chesbrough
The Source of open source – weber
Harnessing the Hive – How online games drive networked innovation – herz
Everything Tim: Tim O’reilly’s archive
The wisdom of the crowds: why the many are smarter than the few and how collective wisdom shapes business – Surowiecki 2004
Democratizing Innovation – Eric von Hippel
www.topcoder.com
Purple cow: Transform your business by being remarkable – Godin
The experience economy: work is theater and every business is sa stage – Pine and Gilmore
A New Brand World: 8 principles for achieving brand leadership in the 21st century – bedbury & fenichell
Bobos in paradise: The new upper class and how they got their – brooks
Low cost, high touch – Jet blue’s reservation agents
Convenience by design – the starbucks card
Express yourself – canada’s picture postage
You are what you sell – adfarm’s working farms
Why I never hire brilliant men – American magazine
How to be a star at work: 9 strategies you need to succeed – Kelley
Weird ideas that work: 11 ½ practices for promoting managing and sustaining innovation – Sutton
A manager’s orientation toolkit: tools that get new employees and transfers productive faster – Dr.Sullivan
August 6, 2017
Exceptional read. One of the best business books I've read on disruption in your industry. Gave me lots to think about as it relates to how we can stop talking about being different and actually be different than our competitors.
March 29, 2010
Like a host of the new "psychosocial" business books, Mavericks at Work describes what it takes to have a breakthrough corporate success in the new millennium. The focus is not so much on the business styles of the 50's and 60's, as illustrated by the work of, say Peter Drucker, but rather it focuses on the new gestalt of branding through an intense devotion to customer service. By examining companies from the large scale of Proctor & Gamble and the World Bank, as well as new upstarts like Craigslist and ING Direct to open source communities like Wikipedia and TopCoder, authors William Taylor and Polly LaBarre take a new approach to finding out what the basis of the new energy and focus of companies who's products or services allow them to differentiate themselves and pull away from the pack. As veterans of the cutting edge business magazine Fast Company, the authors are well suited to have the inroads and knowledge in witnessing what works (and what doesn't) for the new breed of entrepreneurs or those within established enterprises trying to re-write the rules of business in the new world order. In addition, the pair operate one of the best follow-on websites we've seen featuring outtakes from the book, a blog, podcasts, interviews and information about their 'Mavericks Live' special events around the country [...:]. A must for anyone thinking about Business 2.0. - Tim Devine
July 30, 2011
This is definitely one of the best book that I've ever read, for books of this genre. There are tonnes of ideas that are explored, some simply of the sort that one would think. "Why didn't I think of that earlier?" Chapter 4 is a good classic example, where at times, the atypical method to seeking solutions is to find them within your own flock, but this chapter prove that at times, you just need to go beyond your sheltered environment and seek them elsewhere, notwithstanding the fact that the place where you are seeking them have totally no relation or bearing to what you are doing! Of course this is crazy, but then again, this book is also about being gutsy, and perhaps having the 'balls' to really change your typical idea and mindset about how things are supposed to be, and perhaps changing the norms and working around these casted and moulded mindsets.
Another idea and example, out of the many mentioned, is perhaps also applicable to those who are seeking good or excellent talent, because really, if you are really looking for them, they should be working at your usual excellent companies, and not be lounging about at your usual career fairs! Controversial..yes...but it does make perfect sense!
Another idea and example, out of the many mentioned, is perhaps also applicable to those who are seeking good or excellent talent, because really, if you are really looking for them, they should be working at your usual excellent companies, and not be lounging about at your usual career fairs! Controversial..yes...but it does make perfect sense!
October 20, 2016
I most often rate business books by how many notes I take. On that note this book may have been a 4; it's readability edged it up to the 5 stars. I struggle to get past the halfway point in many business books. By around 50% I'm thinking "I get it already and often the remainder of the book is very repetitive. That was not the case with Mavericks at Work. The amount of repetition or summary material was perfect for retention.
In a nutshell I think this book is about companies that dare, truly dare to actually put people and culture first. There are excellent examples across numerous industries. I haven't had the time to check yet but I am curious how all of these companies are doing today, ten years post the publication of this book.
If you run a company or are in any type of leadership role, I highly recommend this fast, enjoyable and memorable read. It will stimulate your thoughts about why employees would want to work at your company and why customers would want to buy from you vs. your competitor.
In a nutshell I think this book is about companies that dare, truly dare to actually put people and culture first. There are excellent examples across numerous industries. I haven't had the time to check yet but I am curious how all of these companies are doing today, ten years post the publication of this book.
If you run a company or are in any type of leadership role, I highly recommend this fast, enjoyable and memorable read. It will stimulate your thoughts about why employees would want to work at your company and why customers would want to buy from you vs. your competitor.
November 21, 2013
I read this book as part of a project at work in which we collectively read a business book and write comments on it. This book deals with numerous companies who have set themselves apart from the norm through a wide variety of innovative and down right off beat ways of operating in the business world.
It primarily focuses on how these companies chose to be different to set a new approach on how they interact with their customers. Being truly different leaves a distinct impression in the market and in most cases gave them an edge that led to success over their peers.
There is so much packed into the book that it is one of those where you really have to pause and think about the message. The ideas and approaches laid out are certainly worthwhile to explore and ponder in thinking about our own business environs and how they too can be changed for the better.
It primarily focuses on how these companies chose to be different to set a new approach on how they interact with their customers. Being truly different leaves a distinct impression in the market and in most cases gave them an edge that led to success over their peers.
There is so much packed into the book that it is one of those where you really have to pause and think about the message. The ideas and approaches laid out are certainly worthwhile to explore and ponder in thinking about our own business environs and how they too can be changed for the better.
August 26, 2008
Another "business trendy" book about people in business who change the rules and succeed. Yet, as I was reading it, I kept remembering all of the media praise and adulation given to former business gods, like Jack Welsh, Jeff Skilling, Ken Lay, and Dennis Kozlowski during their heydays.
Having worked in Corporate America for over a decade, I can say that CEO's and people with MBA's think they are rock stars, and this book, and books like it, play into those delusions. A closer examination of US business practices would suggest that maybe those people need to step off the concert stages of their minds and address the ego driven decisions that books like this seem to celebrate. We'd have a stronger economy if they did.
Having worked in Corporate America for over a decade, I can say that CEO's and people with MBA's think they are rock stars, and this book, and books like it, play into those delusions. A closer examination of US business practices would suggest that maybe those people need to step off the concert stages of their minds and address the ego driven decisions that books like this seem to celebrate. We'd have a stronger economy if they did.
January 1, 2011
The book highlights the craziness of thinking in terms of the intended value to be offered to the customer, in pursuit of doing a business. It lays emphasis on the purpose with which one wants to serve the customers rather than focusing on how to create a billion dollar company. Once one gets the purpose right, the value creation is incidental, so believes the author. The examples of HBO, ING Direct USA or Sourth West Airlines are really thought-provoking.
Interesting book to read for entrepreneurs/budding entrepreneurs."
Interesting book to read for entrepreneurs/budding entrepreneurs."
May 21, 2007
I'm a huge fan of Fast Company, but this book felt a little too ADD to me. Which sucks, because I'm totally buying what they are selling. I feel like the first three or four paragraphs of each chapter (with a couple sprinkled through out) were right on and I could've tossed the rest. Perhaps a better featured article (or several featured articles). Still, a lot of information in this one, so if you are feeling patient -- pick up a copy. On sale.
June 14, 2009
This book is great. Many stories shared that demonstrate the power of original thinking and the characteristics needed to succeed today. Some of the things needed to win today...openness, sharing values, connecting vs. advertising, focused innovation, ideas from everywhere..etc. Recommended for marketers or for anyone in business who is tired of the same old, same old and wants to thrive by working differently.
July 4, 2013
A fantastic book that was well researched in every sense. If this one doesn't get you fired up about your business, or make you want to start a new one you must be already at one of the companies featured in the book. From focusing on and connecting to customers, to looking for great ideas no matter where they originate or who they come from, this book covers it.
One of the best business books since the One Minute Manager and In Search of Excellence.
One of the best business books since the One Minute Manager and In Search of Excellence.
February 3, 2008
Another book filled with company profiles and antidotes. I didn't find it that usefully after reading other similar books beforehand such as "It's Not the Big That Eat the Small...It's the Fast That Eat the Slow" or "Blue Ocean Strategies" or "Creating Customer Evangelists" which are also filled with company profiles and their unique strategies that help them succeed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews