Crazy is a compliment. Avere successo andando controcorrente

by Linda Rottenberg, Giulia Poerio (Translator)

Leader visionari che dirigono aziende rivoluzionarie; individui carismatici che costruiscono imprese dalla fisionomia inconfondibile; innovatori che trasformano radicalmente il proprio settore: ci sono tanti tipi di imprenditori geniali. Ma hanno un tratto in comune: se li chiamate folli lo considerano un complimento.

Tutti noi dobbiamo pensare e agire come questi imprenditori quando sviluppiamo i nostri progetti. Dobbiamo essere flessibili, audaci, anzi un po’ sconsiderati, per non restare indietro, per produrre il cambiamento. Dobbiamo avere il coraggio di pensare in grande e andare controcorrente.

Ma come si fa? Ce lo insegna Linda Rottenberg, fondatrice di un incubatore di start up ed esperta nella promozione della creatività su scala mondiale. Rottenberg ci spiega quale road map seguire per realizzare le nostre aspirazioni, dominare la paura connaturata all’avvio di una nuova impresa, gestire i problemi che inevitabilmente sorgono e sfruttare il caos come fattore propulsivo. Coniugando ricerca sul campo, consigli pratici e il racconto di storie e casi paradigmatici – da Walt Disney a Estée Lauder, da Burberry a Leila Velez, che ha dato vita a un impero da ottanta milioni di dollari partendo dalla cucina di casa sua –, Linda Rottenberg ci fornisce le istruzioni per l’uso della nostra capacità creativa.

Crazy is a compliment è il manuale perfetto per trasformare il nostro talento in successo. Perché l’unico modo per fare la differenza è una sana combinazione di follia e razionalità. Perché bisogna essere un po’ pazzi per immaginare quello che gli altri non vedono, escogitare un’idea insolita e portarla avanti. Perché il mondo ha bisogno di qualcuno che abbia sogni impossibili. Perché chi ha rotto gli schemi e ce l’ha fatta ci dimostra che dobbiamo provarci anche noi

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Entrepreneurship, Self Help, Personal Development, Technology, Audiobook

362 pages, Paperback

First published October 2, 2014

Reviews

[Katheriin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda gives great insight into the world of entrepreneurs - a lot of interesting stories, advice and insight from her own experience as well as others. A well written, encouraging but realistic, and most of all, enlightening book that brings together and builds upon many many books and publications written on entrepreneurship prior to Crazy Is a Compliment.

[Karen Chung · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent guide to things you should be aware of and follow through on if you're planning on starting a business, or already have one.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book if you are starting your own business or if you are looking for inspiration to run a business.

The fact that it took me over eight months to read, has convinced me that running a business is NOT where my passion lies. (Sigh)

[MissUnderstoodGenius · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't a usual business book but more like an inspirational book for would-be entrepreneurs. It talks about real life stories of entrepreneurs and how they became successful in their endeavours as well as potential pitfalls that one needs to be aware of - made this a truly enjoyable read. For eg: 3M employee who invented Post-It Notes, which eventually went on to become one of 3M’s biggest selling products. Great tips on forming an entrepreneurial culture in an organization.

Its a good reminder for would-be entrepreneurs who might lack connections to elite networks and don’t have trust funds as a safety net but what you should possess is chutzpah!!


Would I recommend it?
An upbeat and optimistic book for someone who has lived the entrepreneurial adventures or any entrepreneur who’s currently struggling or hitting a snag in starting a business.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The spoiler would be - don't read this if you don't want to think about changing you life.

Interesting take on the world, work, careers, jobs and success and failure

[Larry Oksten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good look at taking risks and looking at the world not like it is but as it could be.

[Maria Ramos Raad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto! La forma de compartir su conocimiento a travez de hechos reales es sorprendente! Consejos, experiencias propias y de emprendedores que me hicieron reflexionar y soñar! Lo ame

[Bryan Doughty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio Book read:

I liked it so much that I listened again!

Linda does a great job of getting inside the heads of those that are looking towards the future and gives examples that are fresh and not the same old same old that one reads in many similar books. In addition, she does put herself on a pedestal to stroke her ego. She appears to be writing this book to simply share what she has learned over the years. It really is an excellent book and if one has hopes and dreams of building a company or changing how the world work I would highly recommend this book.

The only part I wished was discussed more was how the "crazy" deal with describing to others what they see in their heads. The "crazy" see many things differently, but convincing others to follow their path is quite difficult. Mainly because change is difficult or people simply cannot understand what the "crazy" people are trying to create.

Bravo to Linda for this one.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend this quick and easy read to anyone who is involved with a for profit or non-profit startup or someone who wants to think and act like a startup in their established corporation. I laughed, learned and most importantly was motivated during and after reading this book to act. Yes, the author gets a bit redundant and some examples and anecdotes are those you've heard before (hence the 4 stars instead of 5) but she is a good storyteller and you learn about so many interesting entrepreneurs across the globe. Prior to listening to a podcast by the author I was unfamiliar with Endeavor, the non-profit she started and leads today. Their focus is entrepreneurs around the world and helping them to achieve their dreams to and to stimulate economies via startup ventures. She shares solid insights on ways to minimize your risk and achieve your goals. Enjoy it!

[Rami Adwan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is one in a genre that aims to instill passion in persons encouraging them to follow their hearts and seek the path of entrepreneurship.
The Author is a co founder of Endeavor , a global organization, that aims to promote business growth by working with businesses that are at a juncture of growth with the right resources. The book talks to these businesses and earlier stage business startups or persons contemplating starting their own businesses.
The book outlines the importance of heeding dreams, having passion, managing risk, and facing critics.

In my view, and as with every other book, these books, hold a different value to different readers all depending on how far they are in their life and experience. For the early startup, the insights can be invaluable. For others, it is more of the generic talk in books of guidance, self help, theory, and motivation.

[shehzad irani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of many books. linda brings in a whole sh*t load of experiences and stories that would take someone forever to compress, but not for the superwoman who just keeps loading one huge anecdote after another, of successes, failures, disappointments and inspirations. She talks passionately about how the world-scene of entrepreneurship and intrepreneurship is changing continually, and what it means for everyone, be it a startup, a NGO, an employee, someone unemployed ... everything.
It does seem to wrap around a saleable course type of format, with keywords and sections like a coursebook, but that may be the intention of such an author.

A much recommended read for those who are looking for inspiration and a boost. especially for people looking to work with endeavor.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on her experience with working with rising entrepreneurs, Rottenberg demystifies entrepreneurship. It does not just encompass "gazelle" types, such as those with big ideas in technology. The spirit of entrepreneurship can also be seen in founders of nonprofits and small businesses and in creative employees in companies. I enjoyed reading the stories of a wide variety of entrepreneurs and her useful advice, especially about the importance of starting, even if one's plans are not fully developed. I think this book will be helpful to me as I contemplate becoming my own boss.

[Chris Brimmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a too little on the cheerleader side of things from my perspective, she makes it all seem way too easy. On the other hand if you need that push to start that business or NGO or make an initiative in an organization that you're currently a part of you could worse than this book. Think of it as entrepreneurism for beginners. A major problem I had with the compositional presentation is that I could actually hear the TED Talk while I read. So I am juggling here, on the one hand there is really nothing for the experienced but on the other its not at all a bad starter for the novice.

[Danella Yaptinchay · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable book through and through! I love how Linda Rottenberg read it, enjoyed all the anecdotes she cited and appreciated all the the insights she shared. What a wonderfully comprehensive gift to entrepreneurs (and all readers). I will definitely come back to it again and again, and share her words of wisdom.

I have a newfound respect for Endeavor and hope to be an Endeavor entrepreneur one day. My kind of community development.

[Agus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro bastante cliché. Como menciona a lo último es como un gran resumen de muchos otros libros de emprendedores. Está bueno en cierto punto porque cuenta muchas historias no tan conocidas de emprendedores pero el su gran mayoría no es nada nuevo. No deja de mencionar el hecho de que la cultura es más importante que el salario, cosa que creo que está haciendo mucho mal en el ecosistema emprendedor.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not a lot new to me in this book, but it's very well written (and I read a lot anyway, so for many it wouldn't be redundant at all). It's for people who are considering breaking out of the rut into entrepreneurship and for people who have taken the leap and are trying to stabilize. It's got both practical methods and some great personal self-management. A great read if you want to build a different life for yourself.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently finished my MBA and having been an entrepreneur myself with a restaurant and national supply business for a franchise, I found many insights to things I wish I had tried. There was a great chapter of mentoring and how just seeking 1 is not enough. I also liked the thought of seeking many at all levels up down and around and that the mentors change change as you change and grow. Very insightful and something that even in my corporate role today I should be doing more of.

[Nooshin Navidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for independent thinkers who tend to march to their own drummer rather than being easily swayed by conventional thinking, public opinion, current trends and pop culture. People throw the term "crazy" around with increasing frequency about anyone who is different from what they're used to, or has a different outlook/response. Applies to both career and personal life. Recommend.

[Fadilah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on my friend's reading recommendation, I tried this book. And yeah I love it. Linda shows the reader all the important steps in the process of entrepreneurship. Her company, Endeavour has helped many entrepreneurs and their stories are such an inspiration. No matter big or small, the 'entrepreneurship' skills are important.

[Alex I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book. While I am not in business or an aspiring entrepreneur I found the things discussed in this book to be molded to fit into my everyday life and where I see my career going. Definitely a must read for anyone in the workforce.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a 4-5 star for someone new to the topic of entrepreneurship, but only a 2-3 if you're well read on the subject. This is a well-written book, but I didn't get much out of it because I had read so many of the sources that the author used to populate this book.

[Kusi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this more than I thought I would. Thought it would simply rephrase a lot of ideas I already knew about entrepreneurship and Endeavor but really it is much more. The book is loaded with great anecdotes and storytelling making it easy to read and insightful. Thanks Linda.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler alert, the last chapter is a beautiful love letter to her twin daughters. Linda Rottenberg has crafted a wonderful guide with practical no-nonsense tips for idealists, dreamers, and creative thinkers. A quick and engaging read that I have recommended to others.

[Js · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable business book with lots of real life cases and examples.

[SUDHIR REDDY R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book. I could relate to 80% of the book.

[BLACK CAT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Business and Family advise from Endeavor CEO + bit of auto-biography.
How to go big, how to go home, how to get a life, challenges and possible solutions that entrepreneurs face...

[Artem.linco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very motivational for an entrepreneur. Nice set of stories.

[Cynthia K Wade]

Excellent book for would be entrepreneurs of any type. Thoughtful and packed with practical advise.

[Cydnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories, easy read. Linda has had a hell of a professional life.

[Gennai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both interesting and inspirational. I’m sure I will read it again in the future