The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

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4.27 of 5 stars 4.27  ·  rating details  ·  1,552 ratings  ·  264 reviews
An engaging book that brings new relevance to the old proverb “Give and you shall receive”

The Go-Giver tells the story of an ambitious young man named Joe who yearns for success. Joe is a true go-getter, though sometimes he feels as if the harder and faster he works, the further away his goals seem to be. And so one day, desperate to land a key sale at the end of a bad qua...more
Hardcover, 133 pages
Published December 27th 2007 by Portfolio Hardcover
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The New Power Base Selling by Jim HoldenInfluence by Robert B. CialdiniThe Go-Giver by Bob BurgTargeting Success, Develop the Right Business Attitude to be ... by Lorii MyersGo-Givers Sell More by Bob Burg
Best Sales & Marketing Books
3rd out of 58 books — 34 voters
The Go-Giver by Bob BurgThe 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. MaxwellSee You at the Top by Zig ZiglarEntreLeadership by Dave RamseyJesus, CEO by Laurie Beth Jones
Top Christian Business Books
1st out of 14 books — 4 voters


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Community Reviews

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Shawn Camp
The audiobook version of this small but amazing book is a wonderful addition to having the book as well. Reading or listening to this story more than once will provide you the inspiration to not only be better at what you do, but yo help improve your personal life as well. When I first read this book I immediately bought 4 copies and gave them as gifts to everyone in my office. Knowing, understanding, and living the ideas brought forth by this little amazing book will help anyone live a more ama...more
Linda
just finished reading what is now one of my all-time favorite books.

The title of the book is The Go-Giver, written by Bob Burg and John David Mann. This parable about a salesman named Joe, who wants to succeed in a big way, realizes that he is not doing as well as he wishes. In a moment of desperation, he asks a colleague for the name of a man who he thinks may help him.

When Joe meets with the man, nicknamed The Chairman, he is in for a big surprise. Over the course of a week, he learns a diffe...more
Rommel
The world is full of people who want to be "go-getters." They go out there and get that big deal, do a big thing, and many more. It seems logical because if you don't go out there and be a go-getter, you won't likely become somebody important. Interestingly, this book goes against that common sense. Instead of being a go-getter, the book tells a story of how being a go-giver instead can help a person succeed in various areas in his or her life.

It was written as a story, so it's very easy to rea...more
Egypt Scholars Scholars
يلخص كتابنا "The Go-Giver: A little story about a powerful business idea" خمس قوانين لتحقيق النجاح الباهر في الحياة, و تتمحور كل هذه القوانين حول فكرة العطاء. أما عن أسماء هذه القوانين فهي: قانون القيمة, قانون التعويض, قانون التأثير, قانون الأصالة (أو الجدعنة بالمصري), و قانون الاستقبال.

و تتضح أهمية هذه القوانين من خلال قصة شاب يطمح في النجاح و يحارب من أجله....هذا الشاب (يدعى جو) يتبنى فكرة الأخذ فقط, و لذلك كلما عمل أكثر و أسرع كلما هيئ له أن تحقيق أهدافه يزداد بعدا......و في يوم من الأيام تعس...more
Dr T.Ayodele Ajayi
I consider myself an avid reader in the personal development & Christian spiritual genre.I've however never been a fan of fictional books or story-telling.It was my friend Michelle Colon-Johnson(@michelle2dream) who recommended The Go-Giver, and kindly sent me a copy.
There was no time to be skeptical as I could tell from the very first page that this was not a novel.It was a business parable written with a gripping captivation.I was hooked and hanging on, like you do when watching an unfoldi...more
Dena Lake
A quick read--done in an hour--with some great points.

The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success

1. The Law of Value
a. Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than take in payment
2. The Law of Compensation
a. Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them
3. The Law of Influence
a. Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first
4. The Law of Authenticity
a. The most valuable gift you have to offer is you...more
Jen
Never in a million years could I picture myself reading AND enjoying a self-help business-related book that my Australian co-worker would call "how very typically American." But I did. I read The Go-Giver. And I liked it.

It seems I have always had a semi-jaded mindset when it came to business and for-profits; at least, for the duration of my working career so far. How can I not when I've seen my share of businesspeople who only care about what they can get from you and how they'll benefit? Would...more
Monica Willyard
If I had the money, I'd buy a copy of this book and send it to every person I know, wrapped in gold foil paper. This isn't just a business book. It applies whether you're a volunteer, in a romantic relationship, or with your coworkers.

I just used one idea in the book that helped me work through a conflict that has been around for three years and that I thought couldn't be resolved. I tried the idea as almost a last ditch effort and with little hope that it would work. I am surprised and very ha...more
Chuck Engelhardt
This book won a 5 star rating from me. It's a quick read and certainly worth the time. The author, Bob Burg, tells a good story that, although a bit utopian, displays his Five Laws of Stratospheric Success in a memorable manner. The book reminded me of a series of books by author Og Mandino which began with The Greatest Salesman in the World. I don't want to go too much into description of what made the book or why I think it should be on your reading list, because it's short and I fear I would...more
Mindy
This was such a fabulous book and is an amazing story that is perfect for the business world, as well as day to day life in your family and marriage. The story is told in a simple parable format that delivers a profound impact and is highly uplifting. This is a book that can cause a huge paradigm shift in your life if you allow it. It is an easy read and you will be blown away by what you learn...

Five Laws of Stratospheric Success
1) The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much mo...more
Judith Symonds
I loved the Go-Giver. It is a really short and simple book and there is an interesting story line. For me the main thing that came up for me when I read this book was that the value that is added is me. I am slowly beginning to recognise all the little things about me that I have hid for so long are the things that I have to share. I also liked the way that the authors challenge the reader to try to apply each of the laws that very same day and so I read this book over 1 week and I saved the new...more
James Marsh
This book presented a business parable which provided a nice framing device for the principles on how to be a “Go-giver” instead of a “Go-Getter.” The story is a vehicle to share the Author’s 5 “Laws of Stratospheric Success” which involve expressing gratitude, and being generous to others.

The lessons were a good reminder that getting ahead in business (or anything else worthwhile) does not have to come at the expense of others and the value of networking.

If did feel that the narrative got a lit...more
Jason
A book with great principles, not just about about business, but about life. Unfortunately, those principles are presented through some really bad dialogue. The book would have been more powerful had the authors researched real life stories of people who had applied these principles.
Carrie
How can a book that shares the "Five Laws of STRATOSPHERIC SUCCESS", not be good?!

I think the subtitle of this book is misleading. I found this book to be just as pertinent to life pratices, as I did business endeavors. This is a very enjoyable read with great characters.
Jim
A quick-read "parable" that offers "five rules for stratospheric success." In a nutshell, the way to win is not by focusing on what YOU want, but by putting the needs of others (customers, colleagues, loved ones) ahead of your own. Make it your goal to serve others and, in proportion to the amount of service you deliver, and the number of people you manage to serve through your efforts, you will be rewarded -- financially, emotionally & spiritually. While the Law of Attraction that underpins...more
Kat Kiddles
Nov 16, 2010 Kat Kiddles rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kat by: My mom
"My inboxes are bulging at the seams (yes, that’s ‘inboxes’ – plural). I suppose that I should be used to dealing with information overload by now, but for some reason, the sound of another new email arriving still manages to make me cringe. But this newest arrival came from my mom, and what better reason to take a break from what you’re doing then to read a message from mom?

She sent me an email with a free book chapter attached to it. The email talked about how this book could help anyone build...more
Dani
"Most people just laugh when they hear that the secret to success is giving... Then again, most people are nowhere near as successful as they wish they were." This is a little book I was asked to read for work. I'm not so much on reading for work because it cuts into my reading for pleasure time... but this was a quick read and a nice little reminder of principles we should all already know... but usually need to be reminded of... constantly. Nothing new you haven't heard before... no outstandin...more
Tracie
I suppose there are those who will feel this book is trite, easy or "feel-good". And it is a couple of those things. It is an easy book to read--a nice and fairly short story. And it is somewhat feel good, although I'm sure many readers felt a few pangs here and there as they recognized themselves on the page.

However, as with most books that are about who we are, individually and fundamentally, the challenge is the practice.

My recommendation is read the book and decide if it has value for you....more
Jennifer
This is an interesting but pretty typical little business book written as a parable. It breaks down how to be successful into five little rules. It aligns pretty well with how I see the world and does a good job of summarizing things in simple terms. At only ~130 pages it is worth a quick read.

It would probably be a good thing for something like a business offsite to help certain types of individuals understand the value of giving. If I ran a company and had a lot of headstrong, arrogant, ladde...more
Annie
The Go-Giver is a fantastic book! It's a short business parable; very insightful, very easy and entertaining read. It's all about switching from a "go-getter" attitude to a "go-giver" attitude and why in business the latter is so much more beneficial. I completely agreed with the philosophy the book espouses and enjoyed the way it was revealed. It's also very simple - the philosophy of the book comes down to 6 straight forward and simple "laws of success".

I would recommend this book not only to...more
Kenny Tang
Short, enjoyable, with warm fuzzies. You can finish this book in one sitting. Similarly short in length as "Who Moved My Cheese?", it's a fable tale with and upbeat and positive message of "giving". You follow a character Joe through a week of lunch dates with a mentor that shows him the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success. The book deploys an interesting set characters, fun success stories, a constant set of mysteries to solve that keep your attention, and wraps up nicely as a success story of it's...more
Brad
Feb 02, 2013 Brad rated it 3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Brad by: Dr. Dave Applegate
Shelves: 2013
Quick read--only a couple of hours, but it focuses on the idea of *giving* more rather than focusing on what you *get*. It's written specifically about business, but applies probably to all relationships. It was given to me by my family medicine preceptor and has some good food for thought. I've got a copy if anyone wants to read it.

I may re-read this sometime soon and add more specific thoughts / things I want to remember to this review.

Rating: PG? Maybe some mild language, but I don't really r...more
Cj Sime
I love reading books like this that get every cell in my body excited. This seemingly simple allegory is full of lessons about the law of attraction. Eventually I will need to buy this book and add it to my read every year pile along with Jack Rabbit Factor and The Alchemist.

1. The Law of Value
a. Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than take in payment
2. The Law of Compensation
a. Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them
3. The...more
Omar Halabieh
The Go-Giver as the authors tell, revolves around the story of a young professional (Joe) who is striving for success. Joe is ambitious, however lately it seems like his hard work and efforts are not paying off in terms of results. Following a disappointing quarter - in terms of sales results - he inadvertently seeks the mentorship of "The Chairman".

Joe then embarks on a learning journey by meeting "Go-Givers" - friends of "The Chairman". Through these interactions he learns of the "Five Laws of...more
Jennifer
This book presented some solid and thought provoking principles of obtaining success in life. The authors used a story format that had you follow a man struggling to meet a quota which was honestly a little cheesy and a bit of a turn off but it was actually fairly well written despite some of it's predictability. You could read this book in its entirety in an afternoon but I think it's better to do a couple of chapters a day to give you time to think about what is being taught.

So basically, you...more
Christy
* Appearances can be deceiving
* It never hurts to be kind to people
1) The Law of Value
*Everyone likes to be appreciated
* Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
2) The Law of Compensation
* Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them
*Your income is directly proportional to how many lives you touch
*Sometimes you look foolish, even feel foolish, but you do the thing anyways.
*RELAX - who ever said bein...more
Joseph
Obviously this wasn't a book for entertainment but for education. The points made were good and in the realm of common sense. The people involved have a habit of believing that the world has the wrong idea about everything and these people have all the answers. The events that lead to success were all to fanciful. I feel it caters to the naive, someone who feels that they have been lied to and now found the way. It gives a light of hope to whomever wishes to believe that they have the wrong idea...more
Robert
A book very much in the vein of the E-Myth by Michael Gerber. An easy to read and short book that takes a narrative approach to getting its message across. This would certainly broaden its appeal but may leave some people wanting more 'meat', however in many cases the simplest solution is generally the best.

It provides five basic tenants that should become part of ones life whether in business or personal the same rules can be applied. It won't take you long to read this book and perhaps the way...more
Tami
If you want to succeed in life, you have to understand the true definition of success. Money is great. Power is wonderful. However, chasing these things assures that you will always be doing so. There will always be someone richer, smarter, and more successful that you have to keep up with. True happiness and real success requires thinking a little differently.

The Go-Giver is the story of an average Joe who’s a real go-getter. He’s always out to prove himself, always chasing down the next lead....more
Andy Mcilwain
At a young age, my mother taught me the value of "paying it forward". Everything always comes full circle, but that's not why we do good things for others. We do good things for others because it's a rewarding experience.

The Go-Giver takes this mentality of positive karma and applies it to the world of business. It's a brilliantly written narrative that should be standard reading for business students and professionals alike. It's a short book, too, so it's worth re-reading time and again.
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Natalie Hodson Sc...: The Law of Influence 1 4 Jan 19, 2013 05:44pm  
Natalie Hodson Sc...: Networks 1 3 Jan 19, 2013 05:40pm  
Natalie Hodson Sc...: The Law of Compensation 1 3 Jan 19, 2013 05:36pm  
Natalie Hodson Sc...: The Golden Rule of Business 1 3 Jan 19, 2013 03:36pm  
Natalie Hodson Sc...: The Law of Value 2 3 Jan 19, 2013 03:30pm  
Go Giver
The Go Giver: A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea (Kindle Edition)
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea (Paperback)
Go-Giver (Kindle Edition)

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Bob Burg shares information on topics vital to the success of today’s businessperson. He speaks for corporations and associations internationally, including fortune 500 companies, franchises, and numerous direct sales organizations.

Bob is an advocate, supporter and defender of the Free Enterprise system, believing that the amount of money one makes is directly proportional to how many people they...more
More about Bob Burg...
Go-Givers Sell More It's Not About You: A Little Story About What Matters Most in Business Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts into Sales The Art of Persuasion: Winning Without Intimidation Winning Without Intimidation

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“As long as you’re trying to be someone else, or putting on some act or behavior someone else taught you, you have no possibility of truly reaching people. The most valuable thing you have to give people is yourself. No matter what you think you’re selling, what you’re really offering is you.” (p.92)” 2 people liked it
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