The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything | Guy Kawasaki | Absolutely the most useful book I've ever read

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The Art of the Sta...

	The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything Guy Kawasaki Portfolio Hardcover, 2004 - 226 pages average customer review:based on 185 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Kawasaki delivers in "The Art of the Start."

As a student trying to learn how to build, manage, and promote a band successfully, I surprisingly found a lot of useful information in this book. The subtitle "The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything" speaks volumes of truth about what the reader will get. This book was recommended to me by the head of the business department at my college, so I trusted his word and gave it a shot...I was not disappointed.

Each chapter starts with a "gist," which is a summary as well as "Great Ideas for Starting Things." It gives a quick synopsis of what's going to be covered in the chapter and what you should be looking forward to. Every chapter's title starts with "The Art of..." which tells the reader that each chapter has tips and tricks on how to become more knowledgeable and proficient at that specific art.

Several of Kawasaki's strategies have been implemented in the writing of the book, and they helped immensely. By using stories and explaining the topics in laymen's terms, the book is a fast and easy read that teaches topics that benefit everyone from the beginning entrepreneur to the seasoned businessman.

In regards to the application of this book to my studies, I've been able to utilize several of the strategies. From knowing when to use guerilla tactics to how to properly pitch a plan to future investors to implementing differentiation, this book does a great job of sharing knowledge that could usually only be obtained by experience. My favorite part of the book came at the end, "The Art of Being a Mensch." Reading this section says a lot about the author's integrity and what it really takes to be successful in the world of business, as opposed to just getting by.

The Art of Starting (Chapter 1) gave many great insights to why you should be doing what you're doing. The main reason you should be doing what you're doing is to make a difference or to make meaning. If you're doing something for the money or for the fame and glory, quit now. The other main thing I got out of this chapter is that you should set your sights high because anything is possible.

The Art of Positioning (Chapter 2) taught me that in order to succeed, I need to find a niche to fit into where people actually need the product I'm selling. I need to differentiate myself away from the norm so that people realize that the product I'm selling is a necessity.

The Art of Pitching (Chapter 3) showed me that you need to know your product front to back and be able to talk about it with passion and excitement. If you don't know how to pitch your product, no one is going to know about it.

The Art of Writing a Business Plan (Chapter 4) told me that in order to get where I'm going, I have to have a plan to do so. As well, I need to have backup plans in case certain things fall through.

The Art of Bootstrapping (Chapter 5) taught me that I need to focus on function not form, in other words, that as long as I can get by, it doesn't need to be pretty. If I can save money by doing a little bit more work, I need to do so. I need to have the right people in the right places, which lead into the next chapter.

The Art of Recruiting (Chapter 6) showed me that I need to learn to delegate. By getting other people who are just as passionate as I am, I'm building a team that will succeed. As long as I'm still trying to make meaning, it doesn't matter if I'm in charge or if I'm the guy on the bottom.

The Art of Raising Capital (Chapter 7) taught me that I need to tell the truth to my investors and to myself if I want to succeed. If there is a problem or something is wrong, I need to be sure to put it out in front of everyone so we can work as a team to fix it.

The Art of Partnering (Chapter 8) told me that I need to form alliances with people who can help me. By networking, I will make it much easier to succeed by getting people around me who want to make meaning. As well, I need to do things just for the sake of being a good person, for the "karmic scoreboard."

The Art of Branding (Chapter 9) showed me that I really need to differentiate my product so people need it. As well, I need to be finding evangelists, people who realize the greatness of my product and who are willing to spread the word about it. In my case, it would be creating a street team to support and "evangelize" our music.

The Art of Rainmaking (Chapter 10) taught me that I need to let people try my product first before they buy it. I should have tracks on my website that allow people to listen to the music or even download a track before they buy it. As well, it taught me that I need to learn from rejection. You can't always get it perfect, so learn from your mistakes and become better at what you're doing.

The Art of Being a Mensch (Chapter 11) showed me that no matter what happens, it is most important to be a good person and to work to better the world. I should be trying to help people through my music, which I believe I am doing.

All in all, I was very pleased with "The Art of the Start" and would recommend it to "anyone starting anything." From cover to cover, it's real and provides the essentials that are necessary to succeed. Two thumbs up...

---Justin Manion
www.myspace.com/glorybluemusic

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Absolutely the most useful book I've ever read

This is the most practical and inspirational business book I've ever read. It engages the reader with intuitively appealing and effective ways to create a meaningful and profitable venture. It's like having the world's best business coach on your team. Transforms the business planning process into an enjoyable and effective process.

The Art of the Start

Short and readable book that discusses some of the things you need to think about when doing a start-up. There is a lot of stuff on how to pitch your project to venture capitalists -- including what font sizes to use :-) I can't really judge the value of most of this (yet), but I'd still recommend this book to anyone who is considering doing a start-up (before going into more detailed books).

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Good, basic

This book covers the process of starting a business and raising money. Good basic tips and lots of the boostrapper philosophy. I love Guy's work.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

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