More uncommon common sense from the bestselling author of The Art of the Start.
In Silicon Valley slang, a bozo explosion i... read full description
In Silicon Valley slang, a bozo explosion i... read full description
reviews
Mar 11, 2009
Noah
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I was skeptical of this book because the author, Guy Kawasaki, is a member of the Silicon Valley pundit class of which I am always skeptical. He also seems to be a member of the subspecies that has coasted for the last 20 years based on one gig at one high-profile company; the Bay Area tech community is overflowing with people who answered phones for a few years at Microsoft, Sun, etc. and have since parlayed that into a vague executive bio and a string of 80 failed startups. I actually enjoyed
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Oct 09, 2011
Chad
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Another of Guy Kawasaki’s excellent handbooks for startups. He dispels many myths and provides practical steps to starting and growing a business. The chapters are short but thought-provoking, and will enhance your “entrepreneurial quotient” whether you sell products or services.
Kawasaki expands on the lessons of The Art of the Start, which I found very worthwhile (read my review). In addition to his ample firsthand experience, Kawasaki includes interviews with experts, research from More...
Kawasaki expands on the lessons of The Art of the Start, which I found very worthwhile (read my review). In addition to his ample firsthand experience, Kawasaki includes interviews with experts, research from More...
Apr 22, 2011
Ryan
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Guy Kawasaki is an entertaining writer, a curious mind, and most important, a straight shooter.
So much of business, especially the business press, is filled with abstract hype. Cheerleading for a specific style of doing things, or reverse engineering the possible causes of some outcome --- but without including all of the information about people who took the same steps, but did not come up with the outcome described. Basically, much of the business press --- especially the popular stuff, i More...
So much of business, especially the business press, is filled with abstract hype. Cheerleading for a specific style of doing things, or reverse engineering the possible causes of some outcome --- but without including all of the information about people who took the same steps, but did not come up with the outcome described. Basically, much of the business press --- especially the popular stuff, i More...
Dec 10, 2008
Robert
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Readers will welcome the use of bold face to highlight key points. This device will facilitate, indeed expedite frequent review of those key points later. I especially appreciate the inclusion of several interviews throughout the lively narrative. They include those of Fred Greguras on key legal issues in raising funds (Pages 51-59), Chip and Dan Heath on why only a few innovations "stick" and most don't (Pages 130-138), Kathleen Gasperini on marketing to young people (Pages 168-175),
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Dec 31, 2008
Sankarshan
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If you have read other books from Guy or, follow him on Twitter or, read his blog, you will probably think that there isn't any new content. That isn't completely true. However, those who take this book to get introduced to Guy will have mind blowing content. Even in these troubled times, the snippets around startups, VC funding, presentation, business plans and communication are well rounded even if fairly radical.
Words aren't minced. Bushes aren't beaten around in this. Typical in- More...
Words aren't minced. Bushes aren't beaten around in this. Typical in- More...
Sep 05, 2011
Adi
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Brilliant. In simple - even amusing - way Guy show us practical insight in various business aspects in which most of us struggling to get a grip. Good thing to know is that Guy is not a theorists ... he is not an academician himself. Everything he was saying in Reality Check are based on hands on experience. Therefore those checklist items are absolutely makes sense ... we are encountering them each and every day ... and Guy showing us what to pay attention to as well as the right way to cope wi
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Sep 06, 2011
Terry
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This book is one of the best business books I have read in a long time. Kawasaki is funny, irreverant about conventional business wisdom and even has cute little shots at Steve Jobs. For anyone who aspires to be an entrepreneur, or who plans to raise money for a venture, you must read this book. Even the not for profit entrepreneur should read it. There are great lists and terrific insights. Kawasaki is a master marketer and his clarity about how to set strategy is fabulous. Read this book
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Jul 30, 2011
I've taken a number of graduate-level business classes, and I can easily say that Kawasaki's book trumps the stuff I was forced to buy. While it's tailored to a Silicon Valley start-up, the advice here works for any entrepreneur, manager or maverick employee.
Kawasaki features short chapters (94 in 435 pages) and a cut-the-shiitake writing style that lends credibility to his interviews and observations. His personality shines through, but his advice is universal and easily applied in a number o More...
Kawasaki features short chapters (94 in 435 pages) and a cut-the-shiitake writing style that lends credibility to his interviews and observations. His personality shines through, but his advice is universal and easily applied in a number o More...
Nov 24, 2009
MsSmartiePants
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FANTASTIC! Really irreverent, but soooooo true! In my experience starting companies, selling companies, living through a poor acquisition and subsequent failure of a company, turning around a suddenly failing company, as an employee, sales person, cash manager for a newly public company, marketing publication author, being personal friends with big VC guys, as well as what I now term "angel investor" (thanks Guy!)and consulting for other small businesses, I am laughing and agreeing w
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Aug 12, 2009
JD
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I've long followed the writings of Guy Kawasaki, the heralded Apple evangelist-emeritus-for-life. When we finally met at the recent Web 2.0 Summit, he surprised me by handing me a copy of his fresh-off-the-presses book, Reality Check: The irreverent guide to outsmarting, outmanaging and outmarketing your competition. So disclosure: I have a soft spot for authors who know how to leverage the blogosphere.
A reality check is exactly what the tech industry needs at this time of economic t More...
A reality check is exactly what the tech industry needs at this time of economic t More...
May 16, 2009
Kathleen
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Most of this book can be found in other places like Guy's blog and his earlier books. Nevertheless he is a really good writer and this is a must-read for anyone involved in or thinking about a start-up. I agree with his ideas about mantras and the lies that venture capitalists, lawyers, and entrepreneurs will tell you. The chapters on planning, marketing, and selling are also top rate. While Guy is not necessarily original, he packages and presents ideas about business better than almost any
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Mar 11, 2011
Richard
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This is the 1st real Guy book I've had the pleasure of reading (listening in this case) and overall I have to say... I have a LOT to learn... though I...moreThis is the 1st real Guy book I've had the pleasure of reading (listening in this case) and overall I have to say... I have a LOT to learn... though I did get a 19/22 on his entrepreneurial quiz. :) I need ideas! Good stuff and though I did not come away with pages of take-aways, I did come out with a changed spirit and some wonderful insigh
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Jan 04, 2009
Nick
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If you only ever read one business book about how to succeed in the wild, wacky world of corporate life, read this one. It's consistently brilliant, funny, and insightful. Guy Kawasaki has penned a treasure here, and his readers are the winners. There is good advice on every page.
Jan 23, 2009
Mako78gma
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Kawasaki cuts to the chase to outsmarting your business competition. He was the evangelistic force behind the breakout of the Mac over the obvious superiority of the Windows platform and is now the "evangelista" of business start ups, especially tech start ups.
Jan 22, 2009
Tim
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This would probably be an excellent book for the right audience, but I'm not the right audience. Even at that, I gained several useful tidbits from having read it. Worth reading, although for me, it was not great.
Oct 02, 2011
Kevin
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Classic Guy Kawasaki. If I had even the slightest entrepreneurial spirit, this book would be a real motivator, and every bit of information seems to be based on reality.
Aug 08, 2011
Highly recommended. Full of interesting pieces of advice you can use every day, as well as deeper thoughts on entrepreneurship and leadership.
Mar 18, 2010
Allisonperkel
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An irreverent look at start-ups and the people who work in them and the people who fund them. I didn't know how crazy I was till I read this book.
Sep 26, 2011
Youssef
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If entrepreneurs elected a reference manual, it would certainly be this one. I consider it required reading for any aspiring entrepreneur.
Nov 17, 2011
Norbert
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I received it as a promotional gift for buy Enchantment from Guy Kawasaki
Useful manual for entrepreneurs. There is a part of the book very focused on start-ups. How to raise venture capital, who do you need to have in your team, etc...breaking all the myths and all the classical errors that start-ups do.
Rest of the book is useful for anyone who is involved in a business environment.
Although content is really helpful, I found the book not that much engaging as others More...
Useful manual for entrepreneurs. There is a part of the book very focused on start-ups. How to raise venture capital, who do you need to have in your team, etc...breaking all the myths and all the classical errors that start-ups do.
Rest of the book is useful for anyone who is involved in a business environment.
Although content is really helpful, I found the book not that much engaging as others More...
Mar 13, 2010
Sean
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A well written book on doing business in the 21st century written by a serial entrepeneur with an amazing track record of success.
Jan 11, 2010
Deb
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Read like the blog material it is. That said, I like bullet points, makes it easier to get to the idea highlighted.
Sep 05, 2009
Great insight even if you are not trying to seek out venture capital for a start-up technology company.
Nov 26, 2008
Steven
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Reality Check is a good how-to book for various aspects of starting a company. However, the book scratches the surface on several key issues. I would have liked the book to dive a bit deeper at times into problems that startups face.
Mar 14, 2009
Rachael
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Great book if you're trying to start an web company and have never done it before.
Jun 19, 2010
Joseph
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Liked it and met the author by chance in a store in Honolulu. Guy Kawasaki rocks.
Jul 25, 2009
Todd
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Most of this I've read before from Guy or others, but some good coverage of the basics.
