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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I love the idea. I love the company. First half of the book was a blast and I knew I was doing things right, because just nodded my head while reading. Then I noticed there really isn't that much actual tips for me as an entrepreneur. Perhaps, because I'm used to be "anarchist" when it comes to running a company. We do many things exactly like Basecamp despite being only 5-year-old company.
I agree most of the things with Jason Fried and co., but disagree the most core thing: the company doesn't need to be thought as a "product" per se, actually it's not even possible. In my opinion it may be even harmful to think that way, because it's livelihood for many people. It's also hard for take the tips that are based on a real product-based start-up (or should I say "stay-up" as presented in the book) when you have a service based business model where every case is different and not just bunch of features and ideas you build from within the company. What about plumming companies? what about creative agencies? I think the tips presented in this book do not apply for everyone.
The book is overally really good and I like it. But for some reason was left a bit disappointed, because realized the second half is all about "This is how we do things here at Basecamp". It's inspiring, motivating and even a bit captivating, but that's all it is. I recommend this book for everyone who has a traditional company, not modern and cultivated like mine and Basecamp's. Not that I'm any entreprenial Jesus or anything, I just agree with the book too much and it made it even boring.
Listened as audiobook via BookBeat.
I agree most of the things with Jason Fried and co., but disagree the most core thing: the company doesn't need to be thought as a "product" per se, actually it's not even possible. In my opinion it may be even harmful to think that way, because it's livelihood for many people. It's also hard for take the tips that are based on a real product-based start-up (or should I say "stay-up" as presented in the book) when you have a service based business model where every case is different and not just bunch of features and ideas you build from within the company. What about plumming companies? what about creative agencies? I think the tips presented in this book do not apply for everyone.
The book is overally really good and I like it. But for some reason was left a bit disappointed, because realized the second half is all about "This is how we do things here at Basecamp". It's inspiring, motivating and even a bit captivating, but that's all it is. I recommend this book for everyone who has a traditional company, not modern and cultivated like mine and Basecamp's. Not that I'm any entreprenial Jesus or anything, I just agree with the book too much and it made it even boring.
Listened as audiobook via BookBeat.
Nice to read, good ideas how to run a small to medium *calm* business, as the authors point out pure anecdotes.
I agree with the principles and most of the sentiments expressed in this book. Note that this book isn't about how to run a successful, calm company; if you're looking for some sort of how-to manual, you're not gonna find it here.
This book is more about inspiring entrepreneurs not to keep up with the Joneses. It's a description of one example of a company that didn't get caught up in the silicon valley rat race. The authors explain some of the things they do at Basecamp to demonstrate their values (i.e., work to live; not live to work) and drive home their point ("see? it's not impossible to run a profitable software company AND work < 40 hour/week").
Basically, they use 200+ pages to tell the reader that when you build a company, you'll be faced with a mole of choices and that it's possible to choose a less stressful route AND make cash money bling bling.
3 stars instead of 4 because the bro-chill-out conversational tone annoyed me and felt unnecessarily condescending and naive at times.
This book is more about inspiring entrepreneurs not to keep up with the Joneses. It's a description of one example of a company that didn't get caught up in the silicon valley rat race. The authors explain some of the things they do at Basecamp to demonstrate their values (i.e., work to live; not live to work) and drive home their point ("see? it's not impossible to run a profitable software company AND work < 40 hour/week").
Basically, they use 200+ pages to tell the reader that when you build a company, you'll be faced with a mole of choices and that it's possible to choose a less stressful route AND make cash money bling bling.
3 stars instead of 4 because the bro-chill-out conversational tone annoyed me and felt unnecessarily condescending and naive at times.
Actual rating: 2.5/5
It was ok but I don't really know if I took away much from it. I guess it's like this book is a list of all the reasons WHY work shouldn't be crazy but not really much on HOW we can make it less crazy (to be fair, I guess it would be more relevant to CEOs and managers who have the power to change the workplace as compared to like me, who's just a simple employee).
It was ok but I don't really know if I took away much from it. I guess it's like this book is a list of all the reasons WHY work shouldn't be crazy but not really much on HOW we can make it less crazy (to be fair, I guess it would be more relevant to CEOs and managers who have the power to change the workplace as compared to like me, who's just a simple employee).
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Similar to previous Basecamp books — interesting, and with some very inspirational and thought-provoking ideas, but also mixed with some advice that's more dubious (sweeping generalizations for something that may be either not repeatable or not broadly applicable).
Still, Fried and DHH seem to be some of the few corporate leaders in the world who are trying to build a company that aims to be efficient and sustainable. Most others seem to be chasing much more questionable values like maintaining an illusion of work that's really just frantic busy-ness, or hyper-growth-at-all-costs which leads to a top-heavy pyramid that's 95% communication and 5% productive progress. I, for one, appreciate that.
Still, Fried and DHH seem to be some of the few corporate leaders in the world who are trying to build a company that aims to be efficient and sustainable. Most others seem to be chasing much more questionable values like maintaining an illusion of work that's really just frantic busy-ness, or hyper-growth-at-all-costs which leads to a top-heavy pyramid that's 95% communication and 5% productive progress. I, for one, appreciate that.
I liked it, and it was quite insightful. But there were just a few parts that I wished they dived deeper into. Overall, it was a great read and I definitely wish calm at work.
Good read and offers many interesting perspectives. I felt Remote was more powerful - but that's just my own opinion. An important read for anyone in any situation. Question what's happening.
This book has become one of my recent favorites. From the employee's perspective, I've always thought it's really hard for the people in the leadership team to choose between the company or the employees. Leading me to think that it's not bad, if we are in the position to work past our business hours or compromise our vacation days. But the authors have beautifully explained that it's the choice not a mandate to choose company over the employees.
"Whatever it doesn't take", "Know No" and "Startups are easy, stayups are hard" chapters are so impressive and deep. Staying calm is a choice. Like the book suggests, any company should try to incorporate atleast not all of the methodologies that basecamp follows but a few of them to ensure the employee's benefit.
I've felt burnt out most of the time at my work. The work I'm currently doing is the one I chose out of passion, but the company has the influence of even turning the passion to hatred. This book should be distributed to all the employees and the people in the leadership and the management team of a Company.
I cannot stress on how impactful this book can be when these methods are inculcated in our daily work life, I am pretty much sure, it can bring wonders.
"Whatever it doesn't take", "Know No" and "Startups are easy, stayups are hard" chapters are so impressive and deep. Staying calm is a choice. Like the book suggests, any company should try to incorporate atleast not all of the methodologies that basecamp follows but a few of them to ensure the employee's benefit.
I've felt burnt out most of the time at my work. The work I'm currently doing is the one I chose out of passion, but the company has the influence of even turning the passion to hatred. This book should be distributed to all the employees and the people in the leadership and the management team of a Company.
I cannot stress on how impactful this book can be when these methods are inculcated in our daily work life, I am pretty much sure, it can bring wonders.