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The Pursuit of Wow!: Every Person's Guide to Topsy-Turvy Times
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Organized into more than 200 thought- and action-provoking elements—from the importance of clean trucks and bathrooms to conversations with entrepreneurs creating new markets—Tom Peters, bestselling management guru offers a practical guide to impractical times.
In The Pursuit of Wow!, Tom Peters offers readers the words, the tools, to survive in tumultuous business environ ...more
In The Pursuit of Wow!, Tom Peters offers readers the words, the tools, to survive in tumultuous business environ ...more
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Paperback, 352 pages
Published
November 22nd 1994
by Vintage
(first published November 1st 1994)
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Start your review of The Pursuit of Wow!: Every Person's Guide to Topsy-Turvy Times
I really appreciated the format of this book. Covering a couple hundred points, Peters shares everything from one short quote to a couple of group discussions (for which the content is the transcript or key points presented as such).
There were a number of points that, while made years ago (the book was written in 1994) are still applicable. Certainly his iconoclastic perspective is refreshing, even now. I found a number of useful ideas. He makes good use of references to various other authors, ...more
There were a number of points that, while made years ago (the book was written in 1994) are still applicable. Certainly his iconoclastic perspective is refreshing, even now. I found a number of useful ideas. He makes good use of references to various other authors, ...more
Short and somewhat interesting book. The author, Tom peters, touched on multiple points however there is no clear thread that brings the book together into one theme. At times it feels like he had a writing deadline and just had to pound this book out for his publisher, since one case he spends an entire chapter summarizing another book contents. Thankfully the book is short so not a big waste of time if you do not find it enthralling. Also the book, originally published in 1994, uses many out d
...more
Peters gives over 200 tactics and strategies to help businesses succeed. He stresses that individuals and organizations must stand out from the crowd of average look-alikes. He says, "Being average has never had much appeal. Better fail with flair in pursuit of something neat." I have no desire or ambition to be in the business field, but I do enjoy reading about companies and the people that run them. I think a lot can be learned about leadership and time management by following their examples.
A bit bizarre, but a few golden nuggets in there. I guess the main thing is this: Continuous renewal and reinvention. That means cultivating the fringe, getting new ideas injected from the outside or inside of your business, and being humble enough to scrap everything and start over on new ideas or things you need to do to make sure your business keeps going successfully. Some simple stuff, but very dangerous - not something that most people are willing to do. But he's not wrong. And, he makes t
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i find even unetical to make a paid book out of this banal and simplicistic 'copy and paste' of personal notes. Fake and forced unseccessful pseuo-humour.
too easy to say 'goo cheap' without considering who should pay for it.
it is nothing more than a big plog post(s) that you would read because the author is famous and not because it is valuable.
a complete waste of time
too easy to say 'goo cheap' without considering who should pay for it.
it is nothing more than a big plog post(s) that you would read because the author is famous and not because it is valuable.
a complete waste of time
Some anecdotes are dated, but the essential tips and tricks are still applicable and focus on a win-win environment at the workplace where customers are honored and dazzled, employees are empowered and able to be creative, and managers reap be benefits of customer and employee satisfaction.
The times they are a-changing for sure! I liked the case studies, examples and illustrations. Easy to follow and quite interesting.
Way outdated and most was not relevant for my one-person business.
Jul 29, 2020
Paul Chingava
added it
great book
Very basic book, I expected more from Tom Peters. Not bad, just nothing new for me
Tom Peters is a guru (even though he would hate that word) of American business thinking. This book is a compendium of articles, essays and speeches he has given, along with two chapters of panel discussions. An easy read, the book provides practical, bite-size pieces of advice that allow you to improve your business performance while it entertains you with Peters' trademark bluntness.
Of particular note is Chapter 2, "Getting Things Done." I re-read Chapter 2 about once per year. Each piece of a ...more
Of particular note is Chapter 2, "Getting Things Done." I re-read Chapter 2 about once per year. Each piece of a ...more
Highlights:
1. Tell people to buzz off from time to time, including your boss---process IS important, but you also gain power from results, which come from narrowly focusing on the outcome.
2. Thank you notes. Sentence or two, hand-written.
3. Recognition—appreciation, applause, approval, respect. Badges, prizes, pic in newsletter, balloons, “you made my day” post-it notes/cards. Thoughtful gifts.
4. Give everyone credit.
5. Show up! 3,000 miles to “do lunch”
6. Passion is contagious!*
7. Focus & Reje ...more
1. Tell people to buzz off from time to time, including your boss---process IS important, but you also gain power from results, which come from narrowly focusing on the outcome.
2. Thank you notes. Sentence or two, hand-written.
3. Recognition—appreciation, applause, approval, respect. Badges, prizes, pic in newsletter, balloons, “you made my day” post-it notes/cards. Thoughtful gifts.
4. Give everyone credit.
5. Show up! 3,000 miles to “do lunch”
6. Passion is contagious!*
7. Focus & Reje ...more
I really enjoyed most of this book-fantastic ideas and brilliant philosophies about business, well life really. It was released in 1994, so a lot of the material is dated and made it hard to follow at times. The format of the writing was also a little on the random side-jumping from idea to idea. AND...I loved the flow of consciousness and free form thought process that it presented, another layer to the brilliance of this book and this author.
This was handed out as one of those "management book of the month club" fads, the kind of thing overpriced consultants convinced companies they need to do to "foster teamwork" and "establish rapport among individual contributors." It's a little ironic because it's the kind of empty gesture Peters warns against. Still, not a bad book. Dated, but he had some good thoughts. Too bad management never followed any of them.
Recommended by Seth Godin - "visionary book that described why the only products with a future were those created by passionate people. Too often big companies are scared companies, and they work to minimize any variation--including the good stuff that happens when people who care create something special."
Why, if I was a corporate mogul this would be just the ticket. It's pretty good reading for anybody, actually. The main themes are valuing people, taking risks, taking the road less traveled, doing something crazy, but do what you have a passion for. Now if I could just find work to be passionate about....
I always like what Tom has to say and this was very insightful. Admittedly, his ideas can be a little over the top sometimes, but he makes wonderful points and he is truly gifted in his descriptive abilities. His enthusiasm and conviction are contagious.
I learned lots of good advice from the first few chapters of this book. But the second half becomes very random and I didn't enjoy it.
There is so much to read and absorb in a Tom Peter's book. This one is no exception.
Read DEC 2002
Read this book a couple of years ago. It's a quick read due to it being organized as bunch of short stories about companies, people and ideas that equate to "WOW" stuff.
While there is solid advice about how to engage in business practices and manage people, the structure of the book is so poor that it hinders the message Peters is trying to deliver.
DNF: The book he wrote, because he needn't the money?
An optional-read book on organizational behavior and design for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.
A few great chapters but the majority of the book is simply OK. The concept of "WOW" is good. Not the easiest read.
"The brand of u" another of Tom Peter's unique insights...... and a whole lot more
great ideas. a little dated (came out in 94) but some great ideas nonetheless.
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Born in Baltimore in 1942 "with a lacrosse stick in one hand and oars over my shoulder," Peters resided in California, mainly Silicon Valley (where he was on a list of "100 most powerful people in Silicon Valley"), from 1965–2000. Today, Peters and his wife Susan Sargent live on a 1,600-acre working farm, "always under construction," in Vermont. His two stepsons, Max and Ben Cooper, are "busy chan
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