The Monocle Guide to Good Business

by Monocle

The Monocle Guide to Good Business follows up on the success of The Monocle Guide to Better Living. The book offers multifaceted perspectives on the world of work today and in the future―from compelling business ideas to inspiring company cultures. Ever since the launch of Monocle in 2007 this highly successful global magazine and media brand has championed a clear and new take on the world of work It has encouraged its readers to start their own businesses, do the thing that makes them feel fulfilled (even if it means ditching a comfortable corporate salary), and find places to build their HQ that deliver a good quality of life too. The magazine’s belief in making things (and making them well), using your hands, doing an apprenticeship, and keeping things small and tight has linked perfectly with a community of entrepreneurs who are determined to find their own way in the world ―and know that this will allow them to run their lives in new and fresh ways. These developments are also expressed in the maker movement, new shared spaces, and unusual business schools. So it was a natural step for the magazine’s team to create The Monocle Guide to Good Business. This guide is not your traditional business book, but it does give advice on how to go from clever fledgling idea to success story and introduces people with inspiring stories. The Monocle Guide to Good Business is also a picture-rich journey for anyone who runs a company, wants to run a company, or wishes their boss had some new ideas It will even tell you why you need an office dog. From the best business neighborhoods to the sturdiest desks, this book will have you planning a new career ―or at least fixing your office. It’s a book that should be thumbed and used. It’s a manual and a manifesto, a guide and a good read.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Design, Coffee Table Books, Buisness

304 pages, Hardcover

First published August 25, 2014

Reviews

[Manik Sukoco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read on a variety of global businesses, with excellent photography.
This is recommended for anybody working or looking to work in the consumer discretionary industry (tourism, retail, luxury goods, etc) or in design. You might feel disappointed if your focus is in technology, healthcare, energy or finance since there is little to no mention of these industries. Much of the book is focuses on small, artesanal companies and offers insight on how they are managed.
And as can be expected from Monocle, there is quite an obsession with coffee and with anything to do with Japan. So expect a lot of references to cafes and Japanese family businesses.

[Grace]

I showed this book to a private equity guy. he looked through it carefully and said it looks like a business book for hipsters

[Joy Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

The average business/entrepreneurship book generally makes me think that it is a soul-crushing affair. If you are like me, you should read this book, which provides a lot of inspiration for what meaningful, long-lasting, craft/expertise-based businesses look like.

[Cinantya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My ever-awesome law school friends gave me this book as a birthday present (umm talking about coolest birthday present from uni friends). I love all the business profiles in this book; from a humble cafe to a farm, from a surfing magazine to a type-maker company (yeap, I know). This book is such a page-turner!Everything is presented lightly but also filled with meanings & real people and information. Love it!

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to dip in and out of, more like an expanded issue of their magazine. Lost some credibility for me when a Sydney company they profiled turned out to be a place I'd done regular business with over the years and who, in the end, were quite untrustworthy, despite their arty and progressive facade.

[Jose · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a book. I wasn't expecting a business book, quite de opposite that's why I was excited to get my hands on this book. However, it's useless. It doesn't inspire, it's not coherent. It reads like a magazine. There are pages and pages of pictures. Notes on where to eat and how to dress (wtf?). And very few advises or even inspiration of some sort. Also, most of its recommendations only work if you're a VC looking to retire in some small city. Nice decoration for our coffee table, nothing more. Not buying any other books in the series.

[Wenny H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a Vogue for Business. Heavily focused on craftsmanship and the finer, highbrow outlook, as if it's looking at businesses through a rosey lens. Less operationals, more on the ideals. Very well formatted.

[Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coffee table book

[Fab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome coffee table book but also a great read for entrepreneurial types. A great book to pick up when you need ideas on your next venture, are starting to build a business or what to know what to consider when creating a workplace for yourself and others. There are examples of business directions I would never have considered and thoughts from experts I wouldn't otherwise have read. Great pictures and lovely typography makes this great to even just flick through from time to time.

[Chase Quarterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully designed and informative.

[Stef Hamerlinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, with nice insights to companies and company culture all around the world