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dbeaver77's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.25
I feel like a lot of the ideas presented in this book are worth thinking about at the very least, with some being more applicable than others in my opinion. Additionally, sometimes the authors’ tone is irreverent to “normal business” in a positive way but sometimes is that way just for the sake of it.
spav's review against another edition
3.0
37signal guys repeated formula for this book (after Getting Real).
Some parts are a mash-up of Getting Real, perhaps more high level view of the formula that worked for them and less focused on their success with Basecamp.
Some parts are a mash-up of Getting Real, perhaps more high level view of the formula that worked for them and less focused on their success with Basecamp.
jsorense's review against another edition
3.0
A sensible book about how to run a business, but I don't think I walked away from it with a much better understanding of good business practices.
Makes a lot of points that contradict the way things tend to work in business today (author speaks out strongly against bureaucracy and long term planning, for example) and many strongly resonate. However, I felt like for most of them the key is knowing how to navigate the gray area, not just reading an author who tells you why bureaucracy is bad. Structure and policies are created for a reason - rather than telling us all the ways they slow us down, help us tease apart when they help and when they hurt. Yes, PR firms are expensive, but they also often have connections to those on the press side of your industry and can get stories written about you. Yes, communication methods like e-mail that don't require an instant reply are nice because they don't interrupt the recipient, but anyone who has worked on a team can think of times their productivity tanked because they were waiting on information / responses from coworkers.
A few ideas from the book that I really liked:
* press releases are generic and easily missed, which makes them pointless - target individual people for a specific reason and target niche media outlets
* it's hard to maintain momentum and motivation on long term projects. author recommends avoiding them, but at least concedes that if you must have them, you should set aside one day a week for small victories to boost morale and maintain energy
* interviews and resumes are lousy ways to know if someone will work well as an employee - instead, hire them short term for a short project. If it's a good fit, make a full time offer after the project ends.
Makes a lot of points that contradict the way things tend to work in business today (author speaks out strongly against bureaucracy and long term planning, for example) and many strongly resonate. However, I felt like for most of them the key is knowing how to navigate the gray area, not just reading an author who tells you why bureaucracy is bad. Structure and policies are created for a reason - rather than telling us all the ways they slow us down, help us tease apart when they help and when they hurt. Yes, PR firms are expensive, but they also often have connections to those on the press side of your industry and can get stories written about you. Yes, communication methods like e-mail that don't require an instant reply are nice because they don't interrupt the recipient, but anyone who has worked on a team can think of times their productivity tanked because they were waiting on information / responses from coworkers.
A few ideas from the book that I really liked:
* press releases are generic and easily missed, which makes them pointless - target individual people for a specific reason and target niche media outlets
* it's hard to maintain momentum and motivation on long term projects. author recommends avoiding them, but at least concedes that if you must have them, you should set aside one day a week for small victories to boost morale and maintain energy
* interviews and resumes are lousy ways to know if someone will work well as an employee - instead, hire them short term for a short project. If it's a good fit, make a full time offer after the project ends.
durva_1401's review against another edition
5.0
“Until you actually start making something, your brilliant idea is just that, an idea.”
― Jason Fried, Rework
REWORK is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own. Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs they hate, victims of "downsizing," and artists who don’t want to starve anymore will all find valuable guidance in these pages.
The book applies a unique approach as compared to other business-related books out there. It throws light on all the things that are wrong with stereotypical business practices that people follow and offers alternatives to these practices. It gives you a bird’s eye view of why businesses fail and what you should be doing to make it survive. The book was published way back in 2010, but the concepts and the ideas shared in this book are still so relevant, and I think that is a sign of a well-written book. The sarcastic writing style and descriptive graphic designs enhanced the content of the book.
Anyone could easily relate to this book, be it a working professional or student or an entrepreneur or an artist, as there is something for everyone in there. It is the kind of book that even a non-reader could easily read. The book contains bite-sized chapters which anyone can easily flip through. The content in each chapter is pretty concise and straightforward.
This book was personally a great source of inspiration for me as a working professional. I would 100% recommend this book to everyone to read atleast once as the book is sort of an eye-opener. I might re-read this book, because it is that good!
― Jason Fried, Rework
REWORK is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamed of doing it on their own. Hardcore entrepreneurs, small-business owners, people stuck in day jobs they hate, victims of "downsizing," and artists who don’t want to starve anymore will all find valuable guidance in these pages.
The book applies a unique approach as compared to other business-related books out there. It throws light on all the things that are wrong with stereotypical business practices that people follow and offers alternatives to these practices. It gives you a bird’s eye view of why businesses fail and what you should be doing to make it survive. The book was published way back in 2010, but the concepts and the ideas shared in this book are still so relevant, and I think that is a sign of a well-written book. The sarcastic writing style and descriptive graphic designs enhanced the content of the book.
Anyone could easily relate to this book, be it a working professional or student or an entrepreneur or an artist, as there is something for everyone in there. It is the kind of book that even a non-reader could easily read. The book contains bite-sized chapters which anyone can easily flip through. The content in each chapter is pretty concise and straightforward.
This book was personally a great source of inspiration for me as a working professional. I would 100% recommend this book to everyone to read atleast once as the book is sort of an eye-opener. I might re-read this book, because it is that good!
michelleloretta's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a firm believer that "less is more" in business and in life... So I enjoyed this book for the most part. I was annoyed in the beginning by the arrogance of the authors. "We've been in business for 10 years!" Please. But I did grow to like their "so much of what we do in biz is BS" mantra. (I do wholeheartedly disagree with their take on business planning tho. Agreed that plans change. Plans don't solve everything. But plans do give businesses a basic focus and goals for which to aim.) I give this 3 stars because I was bored and didn't learn much new. (Side note: As a 37signals user, I do think the authors have created great products and are satisfying very specific needs for small biz owners. Kudos!)
artex's review against another edition
5.0
The book is short (but broad), useful and relevant. Some things are not so new, but anyway it's a good compilation of thinking and doing approaches in business.
Especially I like the style of this book. It's very terse.
Definitely read it when you at the beginning of your way. Take a look if you at the middle, you'll find something new for yourself. Write your own manifesto if you are reaching heights (it's how this book was created).
You can also take a look at blog of David Heinemeier Hansson (co-author of the book and creator of Ruby on Rails) to get a taste of modest approach in doing business. It's rare but valuable nowadays.
My scores of the book:
Level: 9
Transformational: 6
Actionable: 8
Density: 10
Especially I like the style of this book. It's very terse.
Definitely read it when you at the beginning of your way. Take a look if you at the middle, you'll find something new for yourself. Write your own manifesto if you are reaching heights (it's how this book was created).
You can also take a look at blog of David Heinemeier Hansson (co-author of the book and creator of Ruby on Rails) to get a taste of modest approach in doing business. It's rare but valuable nowadays.
My scores of the book:
Level: 9
Transformational: 6
Actionable: 8
Density: 10