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Competing with Unicorns: How the World’s Best Companies Ship Software and Work Differently
Today’s tech unicorns develop software differently. They’ve developed a way of working that lets them scale like an enterprise while working like a startup. These techniques can be learned. This book takes you behind the scenes and shows you how companies like Google, Facebook, and Spotify do it. Leverage their insights, so your teams can work better together, ship higher-quality product faster, innovate more quickly, and compete with the unicorns.
150 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2020
4 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 11, 2020
I wanted to like this book quite a bit, but it is unfocused, as if it can't decide who its reader is supposed to be. Additionally, the author's lack of experience with corporate structures or enterprise software outside of his time at Spotify hobbles his ability to understand how to frame the message he's trying to deliver. Disappointing all around; a stronger editor would've caught these issues and course corrected.
September 13, 2021
If you ever wanted to know how Spotify runs its product organization, maybe this book is for you. Otherwise, I'm not really sure who would benefit from reading this book.
Ostensibly, the book is targeted at teams who are in "traditional" companies, but who are competing with tech companies like Spotify or FAANG. However, unless this imaginary reader is in a high level leadership position, much of the advice would be challenging to implement. If you are at a tech company, this book probably describes your day to day.
Ostensibly, the book is targeted at teams who are in "traditional" companies, but who are competing with tech companies like Spotify or FAANG. However, unless this imaginary reader is in a high level leadership position, much of the advice would be challenging to implement. If you are at a tech company, this book probably describes your day to day.
August 13, 2020
Clearly I would have put 4 stars if the title would be more something like "How Spotify ship software and work differently"
It's a short book about the "how" Spotify works (like Tribes, Squad, Chapters ... aka the spotify model) and the culture in the company (even comparing the Swedish vs USA culture at the end).
Like most modern software mananagement book, it overstates the need of a product vision against a project control (like most traditional companies).
It takes some few examples from other big tech companies but clearly it's centered around Spotify and sadly it doesn't go deep inside the concepts, nor explains the drawbacks or difficulties (sadly no management culture / practices are perfect).
However it's short (like a few hours to read it :) ) and pleasant to read and can be an eye opener to change the way you see software development.
It's a short book about the "how" Spotify works (like Tribes, Squad, Chapters ... aka the spotify model) and the culture in the company (even comparing the Swedish vs USA culture at the end).
Like most modern software mananagement book, it overstates the need of a product vision against a project control (like most traditional companies).
It takes some few examples from other big tech companies but clearly it's centered around Spotify and sadly it doesn't go deep inside the concepts, nor explains the drawbacks or difficulties (sadly no management culture / practices are perfect).
However it's short (like a few hours to read it :) ) and pleasant to read and can be an eye opener to change the way you see software development.
November 23, 2020
Some good ideas, nothing new
January 18, 2020
This book is good, but is it useful for a reader or not? In my opinion, if you are working with Spotify or any other company, who is following the same practices as teams are working as a tribe, squad, then maybe this book is not helpful for you. In case you are facing some terminology issues or confusion, then you can consult from this book.
If you are working in a corporate and you have a plan to move to startup culture, or maybe you are interested in how these big companies still growing as startups, then this book is 100% recommended for you.
If you are working with small startups, then again, I will recommend this book. So hopefully, when you are at a level where you start feeling business is growing is fast. At that time, maybe you will face some issues with resources or team management. In that case, no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, you can get some well-proven practices from this book.
All the practices which the author shared in this book are not easy to implement in any organization. Still, we can see some companies already implemented successfully in their culture.
Thank you, author, for sharing with us all these practices in detail.
If you are working in a corporate and you have a plan to move to startup culture, or maybe you are interested in how these big companies still growing as startups, then this book is 100% recommended for you.
If you are working with small startups, then again, I will recommend this book. So hopefully, when you are at a level where you start feeling business is growing is fast. At that time, maybe you will face some issues with resources or team management. In that case, no need to reinvent the wheel; instead, you can get some well-proven practices from this book.
All the practices which the author shared in this book are not easy to implement in any organization. Still, we can see some companies already implemented successfully in their culture.
Thank you, author, for sharing with us all these practices in detail.
May 30, 2021
As described in the title, the book comes in a nutshell explaining how unicorn companies work and what makes them a unicorn. The book explains this by giving real instances from different types of companies like enterprises, unicorns, and startups and defined their differences and reaction to real-life circumstances.
The author Jonathan Rasmusson is an employee of Spotify and he shares many tips about Spotify’s culture that lead them a productive and successful place.
That was enjoyable to read and was a great glance for software shipment and technology companies working style.
The author Jonathan Rasmusson is an employee of Spotify and he shares many tips about Spotify’s culture that lead them a productive and successful place.
That was enjoyable to read and was a great glance for software shipment and technology companies working style.
May 6, 2020
The book is a good summary of creating a tech culture and explains quite well why it's important. On the other hand, the writing style is simplistic, not consistent and sometimes repetitive (boring for me). In other words, a software engineer language :)
I still liked the book, it's short, makes a point and easy to follow. Some examples from Spotify culture and history is pretty good. I just wish the writing style was a bit stronger.
I still liked the book, it's short, makes a point and easy to follow. Some examples from Spotify culture and history is pretty good. I just wish the writing style was a bit stronger.
December 28, 2020
A short crisp version of how to build teams as a leader and as an individual contributor. Identify what to focus on and how to get started. The book is filled with great short, thought provoking exercises.
January 5, 2020
Amazing book of the type I like. Simple, informative and very practical.
January 16, 2021
Although very simplistic it gives a newer perspective for those who are coming from traditional enterprise companies. Worthy reading.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews