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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
A collection of short (very short) aphorisms/essays on the culture behind Basecamp, the collaboration software company. It's a unique company, small (50-ish people), private (never taken VC funding, though Bezos is an investor) and has a remarkable focus on work/life balance. It's an easy to read and thought-provoking books, pushing against the #HUSTLE mentality of the tech work world. Reading this book might just inspire you to focus on quality over quantity, leave work on time and not stress so much about "big" decisions (are they really big anyway?).
This was our work book club fall read. (Yes, I started a book club at work because I took a DNA test and turns out, I’m 100% that nerd). It’s a small group and it’s a new venture, but we get together once per quarter and read a book about work life balance, work efficiency or leadership. I’m hoping that it can spur conversation on organizational culture changes and encourage better practices. This book is written by one of Basecamp’s founders, Jason Fried, and highlights in an easy to read format the beliefs at the core of their organization. It basically knocks the “hustle and grind” mentality to the ground and applauds organizations (like Basecamp) that are intentional in creating a culture of ‘calm’. Their organization advocates for fewer distractions (like not leaving email or chat open at all times), encouraging people to say no, giving generous amounts of time off, endorsing employee health and wellbeing by paying for CSA shares and not having pointless meetings or ever having meetings in groups larger than three people. Many of the points of this book would be difficult to apply to working in the public sector, but it was refreshing to see that segments of the private sector are prioritizing their employees’ mental health and wellbeing.
this is a "look at how great we are" and "we're not like other tech companies" book.
informative
reflective
fast-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
It's a valuable book that has some very good ideas, but seemed too superficial to me.
Some of its concepts ask for more theoretical development — like how venture capital and IPOs drive the culture to "craziness" and how can it be tackled at source.
In other places I missed more detailed examples of how these approaches are applied to messy real-life situations (there were some, but very few).
Still, it's a good book and it's coming from a very good place. Highly recommended to anyone who's into "business literature" or runs companies and teams!
Some of its concepts ask for more theoretical development — like how venture capital and IPOs drive the culture to "craziness" and how can it be tackled at source.
In other places I missed more detailed examples of how these approaches are applied to messy real-life situations (there were some, but very few).
Still, it's a good book and it's coming from a very good place. Highly recommended to anyone who's into "business literature" or runs companies and teams!
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
I really like how committed the authors are to their ethical code. It's really awesome to see.
That being said, this feels really hype-based. I'd love to see more from their employees, especially ones who have left the company.
I also don't agree with all their standpoints, in fact their low-level of communication would leave me feeling isolated and unhappy most likely as an extrovert.
I love how they feature their values and care so much about their employees, but I wish the book went deeper into who their company doesn't work for, because I imagine that's a lot of people.
That being said, this feels really hype-based. I'd love to see more from their employees, especially ones who have left the company.
I also don't agree with all their standpoints, in fact their low-level of communication would leave me feeling isolated and unhappy most likely as an extrovert.
I love how they feature their values and care so much about their employees, but I wish the book went deeper into who their company doesn't work for, because I imagine that's a lot of people.
Refreshing read in the space of business books that offer "secrets" to success that really aren't secret and aren't successful. Instead of that, you get a dose of what seems like common sense, respect for people, things you WANT to do, and advocating for the calm. What's not to love?
You need to read this book. Actually, scratch that, your manager needs to read this book, and his or her manager as well. All the way up the ladder. This is more than just a book, it's a manifesto for sanity and calmness at the office.
Nearly every (two-page) section is gold. It reads quick, it's well-written, there's no extra fluff or padding. Just straightforward advice for how to run your company and culture to maximize happiness at the office, written by people who have been successful. This book puts into succinct words exactly what I've been saying to various people for years, it's so validating to see the co-founders of a successful business reiterate what I keep telling people, as well as giving me new annoying things to tell people who won't listen.
This book is a must-read, I recommend it to absolutely everyone. Even if you don't think it's "crazy" where you work, it's probably crazier than it needs to be. It's going to be a sad day 15 years down the road or whenever that Basecamp goes out of business and this book will just seem like a graveyard of great ideas. Please read it now while it still seems like good advice so that your organization can add to the voice it represents.
Nearly every (two-page) section is gold. It reads quick, it's well-written, there's no extra fluff or padding. Just straightforward advice for how to run your company and culture to maximize happiness at the office, written by people who have been successful. This book puts into succinct words exactly what I've been saying to various people for years, it's so validating to see the co-founders of a successful business reiterate what I keep telling people, as well as giving me new annoying things to tell people who won't listen.
This book is a must-read, I recommend it to absolutely everyone. Even if you don't think it's "crazy" where you work, it's probably crazier than it needs to be. It's going to be a sad day 15 years down the road or whenever that Basecamp goes out of business and this book will just seem like a graveyard of great ideas. Please read it now while it still seems like good advice so that your organization can add to the voice it represents.