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Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition
by
Guy Kawasaki (Goodreads Author)
More uncommon common sense from the bestselling author of The Art of the Start.
In Silicon Valley slang, a “bozo explosion” is what causes a lean, mean, fighting machine of a company to slide into mediocrity. As Guy Kawasaki puts it, “If the two most popular words in your company are partner and strategic, and partner has become a verb, and strategic is used to describe de...more
In Silicon Valley slang, a “bozo explosion” is what causes a lean, mean, fighting machine of a company to slide into mediocrity. As Guy Kawasaki puts it, “If the two most popular words in your company are partner and strategic, and partner has become a verb, and strategic is used to describe de...more
Hardcover, 496 pages
Published
October 30th 2008
by Portfolio Hardcover
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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 recent stud...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 recent stud...more
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, is nic...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, is nic...more
3 likes · like · see review
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...more
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), Garr Reyno...more
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-your-face st...more
Words aren't minced. Bushes aren't beaten around in this. Typical in-your-face st...more
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...more
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. You'...more
Jul 30, 2011
James (JD) Dittes
added it
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 of...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 of...more
They say mentors are a critical entrepreneurial element. Why? Because old people know lots of tricks and shortcuts. They've solved lots of the same problems before. They have keys to more doors. They are well-equipped to sniff out stupidity. Their knowledge can clear the fog of war. So why doesn't every aspiring entrepreneur just go find one? In short, typically a lack of connections, social capital and/or mutual financial interest.
Kawasaki is a coveted mentor in the Valley, so it's pure gold to...more
Kawasaki is a coveted mentor in the Valley, so it's pure gold to...more
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 with Guy on e...more
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 turmoil, and...more
A reality check is exactly what the tech industry needs at this time of economic turmoil, and...more
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 anybody...more
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...more
Jul 23, 2012
Amblingbooks.com
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
business-economics
Venture capitalist and entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki, the author of the bestselling The Art of the Start, has compiled his best wit, wisdom, and contrarian opinions to show listeners how to ignore fads and foolishness while sticking to commonsense practices.
Listen to Reality Check on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Listen to Reality Check on your smartphone, notebook or desktop computer.
Kawasaki, Guy (2008) Reality Check, Portfolio, The Penguin Group, New York, NY. This book is a bible for Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs. Read it, enjoy it, and put its advice into practice in your startup. Guy Kawasaki tells it like it is and is a great source of insight into what goes on behind the scenes in Silicon Valley.
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.
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.
This book is like a bible for entrepreneurs. The first and only read is never sufficient as the book has too many takeaways. When relevant situation permits, you will flip through this book again and again just to grasp your reality.
Straight to the point and plenty of tough needed love. 5 stars for the comprehensive information.
Straight to the point and plenty of tough needed love. 5 stars for the comprehensive information.
A lot of this material is a rehash of his other books and common sense. The latter is valuable occasionally in order to re-focus, but I didn't need that at this time.
The format is very readable with clear signposting and breezy anecdotes.
The format is very readable with clear signposting and breezy anecdotes.
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.
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
Jakub.lipinski
added it
Highly recommended. Full of interesting pieces of advice you can use every day, as well as deeper thoughts on entrepreneurship and leadership.
Really enjoying this book my brother bought for me on his last visit to Houston. As a Realtor there are many similarities to start ups . . .
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.
Great read. Currently re-reading it just because... The examples might be out of touch in Indonesia, but the adage and wisdom still stands.
If entrepreneurs elected a reference manual, it would certainly be this one. I consider it required reading for any aspiring entrepreneur.
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. Maybe a lack of flow between...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. Maybe a lack of flow between...more
A well written book on doing business in the 21st century written by a serial entrepeneur with an amazing track record of success.
So many good little tidbits for those just starting out. Straight to the point, honest and relevant to today.
Read like the blog material it is. That said, I like bullet points, makes it easier to get to the idea highlighted.
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I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1954. My family lived in a tough part of Honolulu called Kalihi Valley. We weren’t rich, but I never felt poor-because my mother and father made many sacrifices for my sister and me. My mother was a housewife, and my father was a fireman, real estate broker, state senator, and government official during his long, distinguished career.
I attended Iolani School where...more
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I attended Iolani School where...more
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12 de Feb 08:01