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Better and Faster: The Proven Path to Unstoppable Ideas
** New York Times Bestseller ** Out-innovate, outsmart and outmaneuver your competitors with tactics from the CEO of TrendHunter.com, Jeremy Gutsche.
In our world of chaos and change, what are you overlooking? If you knew the answer, you'd be a better innovator, better manager, and better investor.
This book will make you better by teaching you how to overcome neurological traps that block successful people, like you, from realizing your full potential. Then, it will make you faster by teaching you 6 patterns of Convergence, Divergence, Cyclicality, Redirection, Reduction and Acceleration. Each pattern you'll learn is a repeatable shortcut that has created fortunes for ex-criminals, reclusive billionaires, disruptive CEOs and ordinary people who unexpectedly made it big.
In an unparalleled study of 250,000 ideas, Jeremy and his TrendHunter.com team have leveraged their 100,000,000 person audience to study what actually causes data-driven research that was never before possible. The result is a series of frameworks battle-tested with several hundred brands, and top executives at some of the most successful companies in the world who rely on Jeremy to accelerate their hunt for ideas.
Better and Faster will help you learn to see patterns and clues wherever you look that will put you on the smarter, easier path to finding those breakthrough ideas, faster.
In our world of chaos and change, what are you overlooking? If you knew the answer, you'd be a better innovator, better manager, and better investor.
This book will make you better by teaching you how to overcome neurological traps that block successful people, like you, from realizing your full potential. Then, it will make you faster by teaching you 6 patterns of Convergence, Divergence, Cyclicality, Redirection, Reduction and Acceleration. Each pattern you'll learn is a repeatable shortcut that has created fortunes for ex-criminals, reclusive billionaires, disruptive CEOs and ordinary people who unexpectedly made it big.
In an unparalleled study of 250,000 ideas, Jeremy and his TrendHunter.com team have leveraged their 100,000,000 person audience to study what actually causes data-driven research that was never before possible. The result is a series of frameworks battle-tested with several hundred brands, and top executives at some of the most successful companies in the world who rely on Jeremy to accelerate their hunt for ideas.
Better and Faster will help you learn to see patterns and clues wherever you look that will put you on the smarter, easier path to finding those breakthrough ideas, faster.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 17, 2015
92 people are currently reading
854 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 28, 2015
My overall reaction after finishing “Better and Faster” by Jeremy Gutsche is wow. Simply wow.
While I have read business books in the past, I have not read entrepreneurial books. I don’t really have anything to compare this book with, but really, I can’t believe other books of the genre could be any better than this one.
Gutsche’s purpose was to map a “way to overcome the psychological and cultural traps that causes smart people to overlook opportunity.” He does that by providing six patterns to shortcut the way to opportunity. The results are a well written, easily read, and wonderfully structured book that informs and inspires.
Rapid change creates new problems, but it also creates new opportunities. “Better and Faster” is about finding patterns within the rapid change. Gutsche does a stellar job of illustrating six patterns of opportunities, providing evidence through accounts of entrepreneurs success. Gutsche does more as well. He also provides evidence of how companies operated in the past, how they operate now, and how they will have to operate in a culture of change.
I love the way the book was organized. Part one uses the analogy of a farmer and hunter to distinguish between ways companies address change and opportunity. Gutsche points out that the farmer methodology is it isn’t effective in a culture of rapid change. Instead, companies and entrepreneurs need to become hunters, hunting for opportunity by noticing the six patterns.
Part two outlines the six patterns of opportunity, along with their sub-patterns. Gutsche does a good job of using appropriate anecdotes to illustrate each pattern. I’ve grown accustomed to such anecdotes in business books and, from time to time, may even pass over them. Gutsche’s feel a bit different since he seemed to take time to interview the individuals to garner their insights.
Part Three give a framework for using the patterns to find opportunities. The appendix gives two case studies that further illustrate how such a framework works.
After each section Gutsche gives summaries, takeaways and takeways. the last few pages give a full summary using bullet points and diagrams virtually compressing all the key points and concepts.
Gutsce is more than qualified to writing such a book. His work with TrendHunger, I’m sure, helped him to notice these patterns. He writes that his main message is “the only real certainty in life is change.” He has given a road map on how to find opportunity as we travel the changing landscape.
I received this book free from BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.
While I have read business books in the past, I have not read entrepreneurial books. I don’t really have anything to compare this book with, but really, I can’t believe other books of the genre could be any better than this one.
Gutsche’s purpose was to map a “way to overcome the psychological and cultural traps that causes smart people to overlook opportunity.” He does that by providing six patterns to shortcut the way to opportunity. The results are a well written, easily read, and wonderfully structured book that informs and inspires.
Rapid change creates new problems, but it also creates new opportunities. “Better and Faster” is about finding patterns within the rapid change. Gutsche does a stellar job of illustrating six patterns of opportunities, providing evidence through accounts of entrepreneurs success. Gutsche does more as well. He also provides evidence of how companies operated in the past, how they operate now, and how they will have to operate in a culture of change.
I love the way the book was organized. Part one uses the analogy of a farmer and hunter to distinguish between ways companies address change and opportunity. Gutsche points out that the farmer methodology is it isn’t effective in a culture of rapid change. Instead, companies and entrepreneurs need to become hunters, hunting for opportunity by noticing the six patterns.
Part two outlines the six patterns of opportunity, along with their sub-patterns. Gutsche does a good job of using appropriate anecdotes to illustrate each pattern. I’ve grown accustomed to such anecdotes in business books and, from time to time, may even pass over them. Gutsche’s feel a bit different since he seemed to take time to interview the individuals to garner their insights.
Part Three give a framework for using the patterns to find opportunities. The appendix gives two case studies that further illustrate how such a framework works.
After each section Gutsche gives summaries, takeaways and takeways. the last few pages give a full summary using bullet points and diagrams virtually compressing all the key points and concepts.
Gutsce is more than qualified to writing such a book. His work with TrendHunger, I’m sure, helped him to notice these patterns. He writes that his main message is “the only real certainty in life is change.” He has given a road map on how to find opportunity as we travel the changing landscape.
I received this book free from BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2015
I received an early release copy of this book through Goodreads.
Jeremy Gutsche provides an interesting book about describing patterns that lead to success. I was initially skeptical that this would be a long, drawn out instruction guide, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, this book did provide instruction on how to achieve success, but Gutsche gives these instructions by giving examples of what has worked and did not work for other entrepreneurs. Not only did I enjoy learning about how to achieve business goals, but I learned a lot about the success stories of some of the smartest innovators in the world. Gutsche shows that the path to success does not have to be terrifying and can actually be very acheivable by following the patterns we see and avoiding the traps that are too easy to fall into. Overall, I was pleases with this book and found the writing enjoyable and informative. Gutsche does not write especially long drawn out sections, but rather provides shorter sections of advice followed with a summary at the end of each chapter.
I would definitely recommend this book to aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to achieve success in the business world. Gutsche is extremely successful in helping companies achieve their goals and provides excellent advice for those willing to listen.
If I had one complaint it seems that, at times, Better and Faster can try too hard to advertise Gutsche's site Trendhunter.com though this site can be very helpful for those interested. This amounts to a very minor part and is no where near as bad (not even in the same realm) as a used car salesman.
All told, I would highly recommend reading this if you feel you have a great idea that could be a thriving business, or if you are interested in learning of the traits of highly successful entrepreneurs.
Jeremy Gutsche provides an interesting book about describing patterns that lead to success. I was initially skeptical that this would be a long, drawn out instruction guide, but I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, this book did provide instruction on how to achieve success, but Gutsche gives these instructions by giving examples of what has worked and did not work for other entrepreneurs. Not only did I enjoy learning about how to achieve business goals, but I learned a lot about the success stories of some of the smartest innovators in the world. Gutsche shows that the path to success does not have to be terrifying and can actually be very acheivable by following the patterns we see and avoiding the traps that are too easy to fall into. Overall, I was pleases with this book and found the writing enjoyable and informative. Gutsche does not write especially long drawn out sections, but rather provides shorter sections of advice followed with a summary at the end of each chapter.
I would definitely recommend this book to aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to achieve success in the business world. Gutsche is extremely successful in helping companies achieve their goals and provides excellent advice for those willing to listen.
If I had one complaint it seems that, at times, Better and Faster can try too hard to advertise Gutsche's site Trendhunter.com though this site can be very helpful for those interested. This amounts to a very minor part and is no where near as bad (not even in the same realm) as a used car salesman.
All told, I would highly recommend reading this if you feel you have a great idea that could be a thriving business, or if you are interested in learning of the traits of highly successful entrepreneurs.
March 15, 2015
3.5 stars
I am reviewing this book in the July/August issue of Global Business and Organizational Excellence.
I am reviewing this book in the July/August issue of Global Business and Organizational Excellence.
September 10, 2023
A typical business book: lots of stories and some interesting nuggets about successful business approaches.
• For one chef, if customers want his “specialty” he tells them it’s out of stock. For him, a signature dish means your success was in the past. Moral: be insatiable, stay curious, be willing to destroy.
• A divergent idea. Beautiful people.com reject 4 out of 5 people and trumpets that for “exclusivity”.
• Lots of ideas are about refocus/spin/image issue, useful when you already have a business.
• Also lots of specialty firms stories that could inspire you.
• For one chef, if customers want his “specialty” he tells them it’s out of stock. For him, a signature dish means your success was in the past. Moral: be insatiable, stay curious, be willing to destroy.
• A divergent idea. Beautiful people.com reject 4 out of 5 people and trumpets that for “exclusivity”.
• Lots of ideas are about refocus/spin/image issue, useful when you already have a business.
• Also lots of specialty firms stories that could inspire you.
December 16, 2018
Innostavaa luettavaa, varsinkin lukuisat esimerkit todellisista menestystarinoista. Avitti ainakin omaa suhtautumista siihen, miten ympäristöään havainnoi uusien ideoiden löytämiseksi.
April 8, 2015
Do you ever feel like your next good idea is out there, just out of your grasp? I do. I feel like that most of the time.
This book is for people with the entrepreneurial bug that are looking for their next big idea but don't know where to find it. The author teaches his readers how to look at history, trends, cycles, and other variables to work through ideas and come up with something successful. The heavy use of stories helped me see how the principles he teaches can be applied in real life.
I really, really liked this book. It helped me to see patterns in successful businesses and think of ways to apply those same ideas to my own ventures. The only downside is that the vast majority of the examples given were about big brands and corporations. I had hoped for more small business examples (there were a few), but I really enjoyed it, regardless. The author has some wonderful advice to offer the reader. Anyone interested in starting their own venture would benefit from reading this book. I would also suggest taking advantage of the author's website (www.trendhunter.com). It's a fantastic resource for finding ideas are popular now and learning where the market is going.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
This book is for people with the entrepreneurial bug that are looking for their next big idea but don't know where to find it. The author teaches his readers how to look at history, trends, cycles, and other variables to work through ideas and come up with something successful. The heavy use of stories helped me see how the principles he teaches can be applied in real life.
I really, really liked this book. It helped me to see patterns in successful businesses and think of ways to apply those same ideas to my own ventures. The only downside is that the vast majority of the examples given were about big brands and corporations. I had hoped for more small business examples (there were a few), but I really enjoyed it, regardless. The author has some wonderful advice to offer the reader. Anyone interested in starting their own venture would benefit from reading this book. I would also suggest taking advantage of the author's website (www.trendhunter.com). It's a fantastic resource for finding ideas are popular now and learning where the market is going.
Source: I received a copy of this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
April 14, 2015
There's a great balance in the way this book is written.Clearly the author's done his research on Fortune 500 cases that support his thesis, but he also draws on case studies from his own life, which I didn't expect.
The bit about his Dad's journey brought up a human interest element to this book about business and made it a lot more interesting for me at least.
The other part about this book I enjoyed was the tone. At times, there's almost a humorous tone to a lot of the stories, which is unusual in a business book.
The bit about his Dad's journey brought up a human interest element to this book about business and made it a lot more interesting for me at least.
The other part about this book I enjoyed was the tone. At times, there's almost a humorous tone to a lot of the stories, which is unusual in a business book.
May 27, 2015
Six patterns of opportunity:
Convergence - example - all-in-one services/products - swiss army knife.
Divergence - example - go to the other extreme of popularity.
Cycles: example - back to vintage.
Redirection: reframing.
Reduction - simplicity.
Acceleration - laser beam focus on one product/service.
Convergence - example - all-in-one services/products - swiss army knife.
Divergence - example - go to the other extreme of popularity.
Cycles: example - back to vintage.
Redirection: reframing.
Reduction - simplicity.
Acceleration - laser beam focus on one product/service.
January 5, 2017
I received an early copy of Jeremy's book and keep going back to it for reference. I really like his Hunter/ Farmer approach and how he clusters opportunities into six different patterns. These patterns are definitely good idea starters for marketing, product and service innovation. A must read and must have book for corporate innovators.
February 7, 2017
When I heard that Jeremy Gutsche is releasing the second book I was eager to read it, as “Exploting Chaos” (Jeremy’s first book) is one my favourite books covering the topic of Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. And I’m not disappointed, “Better and Faster” is continuing on the shoulders of its predecessor. The book is a quick guide how to be successful in today’s world marking the benefits of newest technology and the need of trend spotting.
It has three parts: Awaken, Hunt and Capture. After awaking the Hunter, author is leading us through the hunt, and to the end – Capture. Of course this is truly an idea process for every individual, or better to say every entrepreneur-to-be.
As author stated in “Conclusion”:
“…the only real certainty in life is change. Only by awakening your inner hunter and looking for patterns will you be better equipped to adapt and thrive in the face of this change.”
Like in “Exploiting Chaos”, the book is full of successful stories and inspirational achievements that will encourage readers in the quest for new ideas/innovations.
Let’s wait for book #3
It has three parts: Awaken, Hunt and Capture. After awaking the Hunter, author is leading us through the hunt, and to the end – Capture. Of course this is truly an idea process for every individual, or better to say every entrepreneur-to-be.
As author stated in “Conclusion”:
“…the only real certainty in life is change. Only by awakening your inner hunter and looking for patterns will you be better equipped to adapt and thrive in the face of this change.”
Like in “Exploiting Chaos”, the book is full of successful stories and inspirational achievements that will encourage readers in the quest for new ideas/innovations.
Let’s wait for book #3
November 19, 2019
I wanted to read this book since september 2018 when I first met Trend Hunter. I received it in my mailbox, sent directly from TrendHunter offices in Toronto, it was a perfect gift.
I found this book very useful, not only to find business ideas, but to improve life in general. There are several stories as examples that teach how not to settle and start building something.
I really loved it, and I hope I can read more of Jeremy's books soon.
I found this book very useful, not only to find business ideas, but to improve life in general. There are several stories as examples that teach how not to settle and start building something.
I really loved it, and I hope I can read more of Jeremy's books soon.
August 15, 2017
This is a great book to get you in idea generating mode. There are so many opportunities around us and Gutsche helps us connect those dots and see the big picture. I'll actually be reading a second time to make sure I didn't miss anything and to connect those dots.
December 26, 2017
Wonderful insights of some of our today's biggest and most successful companies and brands. A great inspiration for pouring new business ideas and position yourself above the concurrence thanks to the 6 patterns of opportunity.
February 4, 2019
This is a good book to get thinking about building a business and things that hold us back in the process. Jeremy unpacks some good case studies of businesses over time.
Some of the concepts and ideas feel a bit dated, probably because they are.
Some of the concepts and ideas feel a bit dated, probably because they are.
July 27, 2017
Extraordinary way to put together all those experiencies in one book. I highly recommend the book to entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs
July 31, 2020
Great book, practical and with awesome ideas.
December 26, 2020
Marketing and product7market development.
March 20, 2022
9/10
I really enjoyed this book. The contents, the way it was written…I loved it all!!
December 12, 2024
Some interesting (and hilarious) stories about the beginnings of business ventures. Good reminders and new thoughts to broaden ones business scope.
July 26, 2019
I really liked it and recommend it for writers at all levels.
October 6, 2020
A book to know about the
'Farmer Traps'
Complacency - Smith Corona
Refuse to change - Blockbuster
State of protectiveness - Kodak
Hunter Instincts
Insatiability - Capital One
Replace Repetition with Curiosity - Entrepreneur Ron Finley
Being Brutal - Chef Eric Ripert
Also, mentioned how to put them to practice through the six patterns of Opportunities:
Convergence - "Zombies, Run!" app
Divergence - Red Bull
Cyclicality - Instagram
Redirection - Volvo
Reduction - GoPro
Acceleration - Dyson
'Farmer Traps'
Complacency - Smith Corona
Refuse to change - Blockbuster
State of protectiveness - Kodak
Hunter Instincts
Insatiability - Capital One
Replace Repetition with Curiosity - Entrepreneur Ron Finley
Being Brutal - Chef Eric Ripert
Also, mentioned how to put them to practice through the six patterns of Opportunities:
Convergence - "Zombies, Run!" app
Divergence - Red Bull
Cyclicality - Instagram
Redirection - Volvo
Reduction - GoPro
Acceleration - Dyson
February 5, 2017
This is a fairly quick read. There are some really good examples of looking for various patterns in your market or area of interest. There were two things that really came through for me in this book. Don't be complacent and satisfied with your recent success if you are a market leader, and be cognizant of small ideas if you are an entrepreneur. Small ideas have frequently grown into larger ideas after they have been successfully nurtured properly.
The author gives a couple of good examples of people who took negative situations and found value in a small idea. I think this book is really good for entrepreneurs seeking a new business venture. However, I also think this book has some good concepts for people in an established firm and a known market. I really appreciated his explanation of his concept of the hunter versus the farmer. I think my organization tends to lean toward the farmer approach, and we could definitely improve by incorporating some of Gutsche's hunter characteristics.
I would recommend this book to aspiring entrepreneurs, and established leaders and managers looking to get their teams or organizations out of a rut.
The author gives a couple of good examples of people who took negative situations and found value in a small idea. I think this book is really good for entrepreneurs seeking a new business venture. However, I also think this book has some good concepts for people in an established firm and a known market. I really appreciated his explanation of his concept of the hunter versus the farmer. I think my organization tends to lean toward the farmer approach, and we could definitely improve by incorporating some of Gutsche's hunter characteristics.
I would recommend this book to aspiring entrepreneurs, and established leaders and managers looking to get their teams or organizations out of a rut.
January 15, 2016
What was nice about this book was the personal touch that Gutsche brings to his narrative. It didn't feel like reading a book, but more like reading a letter from a close friend.
The tips Gutsche gives in the book are also relevant and helpful coupled with a myriad of examples from various walks of life and industries that help understand what needs to be done next.
However, after a point, it just seemed like the book was repeating itself with no really new insights brought forward. Somehow I felt that Jeremy was compelled to make the book a little fatter and went overboard with saying similar things (with new examples of course) again.
Having said that, if you want to be jostled out of your apathy and get your next big idea, this is a book to read as the stories and examples are inspiring. The tips are easy to follow and even implement giving you the right jumpboard that you might need.
The tips Gutsche gives in the book are also relevant and helpful coupled with a myriad of examples from various walks of life and industries that help understand what needs to be done next.
However, after a point, it just seemed like the book was repeating itself with no really new insights brought forward. Somehow I felt that Jeremy was compelled to make the book a little fatter and went overboard with saying similar things (with new examples of course) again.
Having said that, if you want to be jostled out of your apathy and get your next big idea, this is a book to read as the stories and examples are inspiring. The tips are easy to follow and even implement giving you the right jumpboard that you might need.
August 27, 2016
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. I thought it might be a possibly glib business book to keep me mildly entertained. But it had a few stories I hadn't heard before (so many popular business books recycle the same stories (like Apple and innovation...rolls eyes). The author writes in a fast-paced easy-to-digest way so even if you did find it lacking depth at least it's a breeze to get through. I imagine if I met the author in person he would have an excitable tone of voice and burst into "here's a fun story" and attempt to connect it to other things around us.
Robert Lang's origami is fascinating (worth googling if you don't already know it). The story about the author's sister was terrific; he related how she learned about tattoo skills beyond just the usual places, seeking out to places like techniques used in prison and Titian's art techniques. Hearing stories like that really stimulated my mind and made it eager to look broader for ways to improve my cooking course.
Robert Lang's origami is fascinating (worth googling if you don't already know it). The story about the author's sister was terrific; he related how she learned about tattoo skills beyond just the usual places, seeking out to places like techniques used in prison and Titian's art techniques. Hearing stories like that really stimulated my mind and made it eager to look broader for ways to improve my cooking course.
July 6, 2015
The main premise of this book is simple: to foster innovation and change, you need to look for patterns in your industry and beyond it. Mr. Gutsche presented many different stories that served as case studies to bolster his arguments and the 6 patterns of opportunity that he laid out in the book.
The author sounded a little too promotional and humblebragging at times. I get it that he draws upon his own experiences, too, but some parts of it felt overdone. Also, the 6 patterns tended to run into each other, and the examples he cited could also be fit into more than one Pattern of Opportunity. It would have been great, too, to read about how the Patterns of Opportunity play with each other to generate even better ideas.
Nonetheless, I came away with lots of ideas from this book, and for me, that is the best thing that I could ever get from a book I read.
The author sounded a little too promotional and humblebragging at times. I get it that he draws upon his own experiences, too, but some parts of it felt overdone. Also, the 6 patterns tended to run into each other, and the examples he cited could also be fit into more than one Pattern of Opportunity. It would have been great, too, to read about how the Patterns of Opportunity play with each other to generate even better ideas.
Nonetheless, I came away with lots of ideas from this book, and for me, that is the best thing that I could ever get from a book I read.
June 9, 2016
I've been trying to come up with business and product ideas for the longest time, but never really knew how to go about it. How to you come up with an idea. Where do you look for problems to solve? This book was a good source for this.
The author writes very well and gets to the point quickly in short yet entertaining stories. He presents a number of ways to generate new ideas. And the whole book reads really well. Including the end where a lot of authors seem to rant on, this one doesn't.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a formula for ideas. This is not the end all be all of books but is a good starting point to get your brain thinking.
The author writes very well and gets to the point quickly in short yet entertaining stories. He presents a number of ways to generate new ideas. And the whole book reads really well. Including the end where a lot of authors seem to rant on, this one doesn't.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a formula for ideas. This is not the end all be all of books but is a good starting point to get your brain thinking.
June 5, 2015
Better & Faster was an incredibly quick read––I came to the end of it before I knew it. The reason I felt like I sped through it so quickly was because of Jeremy's witty and entertaining style of writing and the nature of his fascinating stories and case studies. What's crucial to note, however, is that despite how I felt like I flew through this book, it was clear just how much insight was packed into it. Clever lessons in invention, business and marketing were easily learned along the way in digestible chapters and sections. Better & Faster is a succinct guide to quick success.
April 12, 2015
I'm not the biggest fan of business books, but this one really sets itself apart. Gutsche gives his reader the benefit of the doubt by skipping the generic business advice (aka What Would Steve Jobs Do), and instead taking a straight-to-the-point, easy-to-apply route with things like the Traps of the Farmer, or the Patterns of Opportunity. These items, in combination with personal humor and fun anecdotes, make Better and Faster a must-read.
August 27, 2015
Better & Faster is a one-stop-shop to help ignite innovation in the workplace no matter where you work or what you do. The author Jeremy Gutsche is one of North America's most requested keynote speakers and this book is just as inspiring and entertaining as he is in real live. The 6 patterns of opportunity are the real gems of this book, providing an actionable toolkit to help set you on the path to success.
May 26, 2015
The business stories and trends included throughout the conversation are very enlightening. Also the models for innovation and strategic thinking are insightful and useful. If you are going through wanting to launch a new business or undertake a new strategic plan, this book will help you look at the market and the possibilities in a different, valuable way. An fun, easy read but it has many important considerations to think through and use.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews