The Pursuit of Wow!: Every Person's Guide to Topsy-Turvy Times

by Tom Peters

Organized into more than 200 thought- and action-provoking elements—from the importance of clean trucks and bathrooms to conversations with entrepreneurs creating new markets—Tom Peters, bestselling management guru offers a practical guide to impractical times.   In The Pursuit of Wow!, Tom Peters offers readers the words, the tools, to survive in tumultuous business environments.  In his groundbreaking book, In Search of Excellence changed the way business does business. Now it’s time to take the next leap into the cyberstage era.  Getting to a place called excellence is no longer the idea.  You’ve got to take that leap, then leap again—catapult their imaginations, blow their mindsets—in a word, wow! them.   Once more the unconventional Peters stimulates corporate thought processes. Along with the best of his columns, Peters includes questions and rebuttals that come from readers and listeners, as well as his own candid responses. A must-read for every business person.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Self Help, Management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1994

Reviews

[Larry Hostetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really appreciated the format of this book. Covering a couple hundred points, Peters shares everything from one short quote to a couple of group discussions (for which the content is the transcript or key points presented as such).

There were a number of points that, while made years ago (the book was written in 1994) are still applicable. Certainly his iconoclastic perspective is refreshing, even now. I found a number of useful ideas. He makes good use of references to various other authors, and even includes a list of recommended reading in several categories.

After copying some of the points for me, my wife even suggested the book to our son. As I dogeared the pages I thought would be useful to me I also noticed that the last 1/3 of the book was much less dogeared than the first half. Rather than getting increasingly better, the content seemed to wane.

But it was still a good read.

[Charmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

HIGHLIGHTS:
1. RESULTS:
- Tell people to buzz off from time to time, including your boss---process IS important, but you also gain power from results, which come from narrowly focusing on the outcome.

2. WRITE THANK YOU NOTES:
- Sentence or two, hand-written.

3. RECOGNITION:
—appreciation, applause, approval, respect.
- Badges, prizes, pic in newsletter, balloons, “you made my day” post-it notes/cards.
- Thoughtful gifts.

4. Give everyone credit.

5. SHOW UP!
- 3,000 miles to “do lunch”.

6. Passion is contagious!*

7. FOCUS & REJECT:
- switch off phone, email; problems to be available, to focus;
- Take a nap.
- Pause mindless interruptions
- don’t over-plan day.

8. Challenge is basis for growth.*

9. LEADERSHIP SKILL #1:
- the ability to develop others.

10. RANK ORDER:
- Employees are number one.
- Customers are #2.

[Jordan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because Seth Godin recommended it so strongly, and I can see why. It seems to have inspired his own writing style.

But like I feel about some of Godin’s writing it’s either downright fantastic or a bit all over the place.

Still, this is a book worth reading. Although most of the examples are now dated, it will inspire dreamers to keep dreaming and innovating.

[Billy Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have a struggling small business and seek to have it stand out among others, this is a beneficial read. Author straight forward and unpretentious let's you know why you LOOK bad and how to improve your looks!

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and somewhat interesting book. The author, Tom peters, touched on multiple points however there is no clear thread that brings the book together into one theme. At times it feels like he had a writing deadline and just had to pound this book out for his publisher, since one case he spends an entire chapter summarizing another book contents. Thankfully the book is short so not a big waste of time if you do not find it enthralling. Also the book, originally published in 1994, uses many out dated examples -- one example being Motorola as an example of a company to emulate (sadly not true today as Motorola is now being sold off a piece at a time).

[Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peters gives over 200 tactics and strategies to help businesses succeed. He stresses that individuals and organizations must stand out from the crowd of average look-alikes. He says, "Being average has never had much appeal. Better fail with flair in pursuit of something neat." I have no desire or ambition to be in the business field, but I do enjoy reading about companies and the people that run them. I think a lot can be learned about leadership and time management by following their examples.

[Rahi · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very disheveled book, with random thoughts and ideas jotted down here and there. This book needs a central idea.

[PJ Wenzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit bizarre, but a few golden nuggets in there. I guess the main thing is this: Continuous renewal and reinvention. That means cultivating the fringe, getting new ideas injected from the outside or inside of your business, and being humble enough to scrap everything and start over on new ideas or things you need to do to make sure your business keeps going successfully. Some simple stuff, but very dangerous - not something that most people are willing to do. But he's not wrong. And, he makes the point that its actually harder for small businesses to do this than for larger ones who have more margin for error.

[Gladys Lopez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in 1994 has excellent classic advises that will never we outdated. Some others were kind of logic for me; however my rating is based on culture across cultures advises. Really good, but sometimes not culturally sensitive presented. I could deal with it, but it makes me think that I’m happy to live in an era where doesn’t sound good/correct anymore.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some anecdotes are dated, but the essential tips and tricks are still applicable and focus on a win-win environment at the workplace where customers are honored and dazzled, employees are empowered and able to be creative, and managers reap be benefits of customer and employee satisfaction.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of ideas and notions, conversations and quotes. It got me thinking about innovation and efficiency and diversity and how I'd run a company.

The structure made this an occasional read, rather than a binge read. In either case, it was a mostly good and often inspiring read.

[Alina Malina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic book, I expected more from Tom Peters. Not bad, just nothing new for me

[Cheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way outdated and most was not relevant for my one-person business.

[Rani St.Pucchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The times they are a-changing for sure! I liked the case studies, examples and illustrations. Easy to follow and quite interesting.

[Paul Chingava]

great book

[Brian Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one blew my mind when I read it. Thank you for writing this!

[Keven Wang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t get it

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom Peters is a guru (even though he would hate that word) of American business thinking. This book is a compendium of articles, essays and speeches he has given, along with two chapters of panel discussions. An easy read, the book provides practical, bite-size pieces of advice that allow you to improve your business performance while it entertains you with Peters' trademark bluntness.

Of particular note is Chapter 2, "Getting Things Done." I re-read Chapter 2 about once per year. Each piece of advice is a brief, 1-2 paragraph nugget of business action. Implementing half of them would put you in the upper echelon of business managers (or personal managers, too).

[Joseph Anim Darko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another incredible books I have come across by Tom Peters. He basically explained most of the ways companies can achieve and create exceptional values and "wow" their customers. Easy to understand and awesome in practice.

[Dhruv · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creative book, designed to get you thinking unconventionally. I enjoyed reading it and got a few great ideas out. But not deep enough to rate 5 stars.

Edit: Revising my rating up to 5 stars as somehow ideas from this book keep drifting back into my head, months after reading it and help solve problems.

Think of this book not as a deep philosophical treatise but as training for the mind. Once you learn how to see things this way, it subtly changes your approach for the better. Great book!

[Yaaresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was handed out as one of those "management book of the month club" fads, the kind of thing overpriced consultants convinced companies they need to do to "foster teamwork" and "establish rapport among individual contributors." It's a little ironic because it's the kind of empty gesture Peters warns against. Still, not a bad book. Dated, but he had some good thoughts. Too bad management never followed any of them.

[Paul]

Recommended by Seth Godin - "visionary book that described why the only products with a future were those created by passionate people. Too often big companies are scared companies, and they work to minimize any variation--including the good stuff that happens when people who care create something special."

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why, if I was a corporate mogul this would be just the ticket. It's pretty good reading for anybody, actually. The main themes are valuing people, taking risks, taking the road less traveled, doing something crazy, but do what you have a passion for. Now if I could just find work to be passionate about....

[DANILO ALBA · Rating 1 out of 5]

i find it unethical to make a paid book out of this trivial 'copy and paste' of personal notes.
Fake and forced unsuccessful pseudo-humour.
Too easy to say 'go cheap' without considering who should pay for it.
It is nothing more than a big collection of blog post(s) that you read because the author is famous and not because it is valuable.
a complete waste of time.

[Joe Valentine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like what Tom has to say and this was very insightful. Admittedly, his ideas can be a little over the top sometimes, but he makes wonderful points and he is truly gifted in his descriptive abilities. His enthusiasm and conviction are contagious.

[Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book a couple of years ago. It's a quick read due to it being organized as bunch of short stories about companies, people and ideas that equate to "WOW" stuff.

[Richard Hoffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few great chapters but the majority of the book is simply OK. The concept of "WOW" is good. Not the easiest read.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read DEC 2002

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

While there is solid advice about how to engage in business practices and manage people, the structure of the book is so poor that it hinders the message Peters is trying to deliver.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great ideas. a little dated (came out in 94) but some great ideas nonetheless.