Ninja Future: Secrets to Success in the New World of Innovation – A National Bestseller on Remaining Competitive in a Rapidly Evolving Tech Economy

by Gary Shapiro

Building on the message of his 'New York Times' bestselling 'Ninja Innovation', Gary Shapiro, the CEO of the Consumer Technology Association, casts his eye toward the future, charting how the innovative technologies of today will transform not only the way business is done, but society itself - and how we can use them to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving world. In 'Ninja Future', Gary Shapiro explains the evolving technological landscape, breakthroughs underway now and those we can only envision. New innovations such as self-driving vehicles, blockchain, 5G, the Internet of things and countless others will forever change our current understanding of the economy. They will be eclipsed by a diversity of “new” products consumers will find more alluring and interesting.

Shapiro uses case studies to identify companies and countries that are addressing today’s challenges particularly well - and creates lessons from those who have stumbled. Drawing on insights he has gleaned as a martial arts black belt, he shows how businesses can only thrive in today’s turbulent environment by adopting the mindset of “ninjas” and adapting to technological change with greater ease -
allowing for the capitalization on opportunities at rapid fire speed.

©2018 Gary Shapiro (P)2018 Harper Collins Publishers

Genres: Business, Productivity

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2018

Reviews

[Robert Yokoyama · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ninja is a person with an awareness and a sense of stealth to do things. I want to be more ninja like and be aware of everything in innovation. I embrace any innovation that will make my life easier and more enjoyable. Gary Shapiro is president of a consumer trade association. He has travelled all over the United States and the world learning about new consumer developments.

I learned that there is an artificially intelligent mattress that can adjust to my sleeping position and help me sleep better. I have spastic arms and legs because I have cerebral palsy. This mattress could help me get a better night sleep. I learned of clothes equipped with sensors that tell me how well I have slept. This is helpful to me because I can make changes in my sleeping habits to help me.

I need help with daily living activities like cooking and doing laundry. I even struggle with putting on my shoes, so I would use the assistance of robots to help me with this. There are robots that cook meals in restaurants, so I know that a robot can be programmed to make my life easier. I am encouraged there are high school students across the United States who are being challenged and trained to make such robots. I just hope I can afford one when I need it.

I am also in favor of anything that will make me more independent. I am glad to read about all the things that drones can do like deliver my medications and groceries faster. Drones can even transport me from place to place, so I would use a drone to make my life easier. I have heard of a driverless car. I don't know how a physically disabled person would use it, but I would be willing to try it if it would get me quicker and safer. I would love to go more cruises. I learned of a device called an ocean medallion that tracks my likes and dislikes and saves my preferences. This would make my next cruise experience more enjoyable and wheelchair accessible. Many of the cruises I have been on have not been wheelchair accessible, so this ocean medallion would come in handy.

I also learned that ear lobe recognition is the latest bio metric innovation that will be used to identify people. I would like to see how this works. I would love to communicate with my elected officials to ask them questions and voice my concerns. I learned that is a mobile app that will help me do that. I am also in favor of any innovation that help me get my medical results faster and communicate with my doctor easier by using my smart phone. I am excited for the future because of this book.

[Inka Partanen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book promised to give insight how to build business that can adapt to rapid changes and the challenges of the future. Instead it was a long list of well known examples of disruptive innovations with nothing new to say about the topic.

Moreover, the author had so strong opinions that the book soon started to sound like a lengthy pamflet declaring the United States as the leader of most good things in life, so instead of business book, the book was more of a political one. Sadly this view was based on very weak (or no) evidence or even knowledge, especially when arguing about Europe. I laughed out loud when Finland was declared the most innovative country in the listing widely cited here - as Finland is one of the most regulated countries in Europe and the regulation was seen as the poison for innovation by this writer.

The term ”ninja” also had no real definition or was not based on the author’s deeper thinking - it just meant ”disruptive innovations” in very wide and varying sense.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shapiro is the CEO of Consumer Technology Association (CTA) which represents 2200 technology companies in America. He helped bring the HDTV standard to consumers, had testified many times in congress, writes best-selling books, and lobbies for skilled immigration, lower deficit and free trade.

Ninjas are flexible and able to fight even when in a disadvantaged position.

In this book he outlined the skills needed for successful innovation. He outlined that major trends such as AI, Internet of Things, 5G, self driving cars etc in this book. He thinks that America is at a strong position to innovate thanks to her open immigration policy and culture allowing failures and come-backs. Asia does not allow failure and Europe is too regulated. He is a technological optimist and thinks that we should not push for too much privacy so that new innovative Ninja companies can create new businesses... Having just read Zucked, I cannot help but have my reservation about technological optimism. By then Shapiro does represent those companies, so well. Thus the 4 stars.

[Ed Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disjointed

In looking at the Ninja future, Shapiro brings a lot of examples, facts, figures and experiences to the table. The problem is it seems like more of a buffet at one of those neighborhood places than a well organized three course meal. The book is tough to follow, and I felt like I never fully grasped the thread(s) he was weaving. It’s unfortunate because the info is good, but the reading isn’t.

[Heidi C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bring in retail myself thought this would bring some insights and real cases of innovations author has involved. Unfortunately besides a few elements of new references, it is very much like a super dry history book about the retail innovation journey even though the fundamental elements of retailatment is about story telling.............

[Charles Chettiar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives thought-provoking ideas as well as information about how to survive in an ever-changing world. It is a great book in a very easy to read format. It lists down everything related to present as well as future impactful technology, and how to navigate the future. It even suggests the qualities we should inculcate in order to thrive in the future ninja society. Overall a great and enjoyable read!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really enjoyable reading this with the hindsight of 2020. It is incredibly informative and equally engaging. It never drags on, and delivers easily digestible insights at a great pace. I would have loved to read something like this in school instead of the giver, or huckleberry Finn. Definitely give Gary the chance to convince you why his stance on innovation is an excellent one for us to adopt.

[Brian Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very Broad perspective of the future of work and where the opportunities lie. Well thought out and researched.
This is knowledge from the inside.
All youth and all who hope to stay current into the forseeable future ought to take time to read or listen to this book.
Ignore at your own peril.

[Scott Billups · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having met Gary several times at various industry functions, I've always found him interesting to talk with and have a tendency to migrate to whichever group he's in the middle of. This book, perhaps unsurprisingly, is like a conversation with him. He is a most interesting guy. I give it a well-deserved five stars.

[Nicholas G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This can be skimmed, but was interesting for stock picks! Basically, we need to think in terms of innovation and factor in exponential innovation in order to survive and thrive in the new world economy. Companies and investors need to be nimble to stay in the right thematic sectors.

[Raunak Sukhadeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same wine in a different cup !

[Karen Calhoun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick interesting read.

[Malachi Antal · Rating 3 out of 5]

good business 👩‍💼 read

[Matt Seltzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about entrepreneurship, marketing, innovation and the future, written by one of the foremost thinkers on the topic.