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Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends by Gene Stone, Tim Sanders
robivy's review against another edition
4.0
Great premise and full of sound business advice. I love the fact that the author is speaking from experience, not just theory. Recommended for all business leaders. Now I'm off to "Be the voice of the Love Cat"!
aktova's review against another edition
3.0
Good book recommendations and advice on how to develop relationships. Easy and quick read.
hugebear's review against another edition
3.0
I have found that there are other, perfectly valid reasons for finding value in a book than learning brand new (to you) concepts. For me sometimes the primary value is in bringing your focus to something that maybe has slipped in its priority and awareness, and for me that was how I mostly feel about this book.
One of the business concepts that was taught to me early in my professional life is “help enough other people get what they want and you’re bound to get what you want too”. That’s not a bad summation of the book’s “Big Idea”. Nothing new there, but a good reminder, with a number of ideas, and things I’m not doing enough of, to make it well worthwhile.
For example, I already sent a prospective client a recommendation for a book that I thought would resonate with what his company is trying to do. We always counsel people to make sure they are “bringing value” to their networks, but it’s hard sometimes to find ways to do that, so a good reminder and some good ideas for how to do that.
Having said all that I did feel like this book could have been a lot shorter than it is, and it’s not a long book to begin with. I ended up skimming a lot of it because it was either so basic or redundant. I would also echo another review who said that an updated version would be valuable to include these concepts in today’s realities of social media and heavily electronic communication.
All in all I recommend it and think it’s a worthwhile investment in time, just the (numerous) book recommendations make it a good use of time, and think it would especially be valuable for someone just starting a career in sales in particular, or generally in business.
One of the business concepts that was taught to me early in my professional life is “help enough other people get what they want and you’re bound to get what you want too”. That’s not a bad summation of the book’s “Big Idea”. Nothing new there, but a good reminder, with a number of ideas, and things I’m not doing enough of, to make it well worthwhile.
For example, I already sent a prospective client a recommendation for a book that I thought would resonate with what his company is trying to do. We always counsel people to make sure they are “bringing value” to their networks, but it’s hard sometimes to find ways to do that, so a good reminder and some good ideas for how to do that.
Having said all that I did feel like this book could have been a lot shorter than it is, and it’s not a long book to begin with. I ended up skimming a lot of it because it was either so basic or redundant. I would also echo another review who said that an updated version would be valuable to include these concepts in today’s realities of social media and heavily electronic communication.
All in all I recommend it and think it’s a worthwhile investment in time, just the (numerous) book recommendations make it a good use of time, and think it would especially be valuable for someone just starting a career in sales in particular, or generally in business.
omad's review against another edition
3.0
A little bit hard to read, since the invented jargon kept distracting me with it's overemphasis on love.
Also assumes that work is the most important (or only) thing in your life. The examples all tend to be from high level sales and marketing, which doesn't relate particularly well to my or many other jobs.
However, there is plenty of good advice on personal relationships, learning and mental well being. A good summary, but mostly not particularly new.
Also assumes that work is the most important (or only) thing in your life. The examples all tend to be from high level sales and marketing, which doesn't relate particularly well to my or many other jobs.
However, there is plenty of good advice on personal relationships, learning and mental well being. A good summary, but mostly not particularly new.
cassandrat's review against another edition
3.0
Tim Sanders is a bit cheesy in his language, but I found it entertaining. The book has more words than it needs to explain the primary points: pay it forward by supporting people, sharing ideas and connections; always have new ideas to share by staying up to date on the latest by reading.
cathy5boys's review against another edition
4.0
A bit dated, but the premises are good. Get knowledge, share it. Meet people and make connections. Lead with compassion. All still great messages for today.
mayalaurent's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book to use in various forms of business. Sanders talks about how to become a bizlovecat and treat others with a love that is not normally found in the business world. It contained lots of information I can use in my business and help others in their businesses too hopefully.
awelfle's review
3.0
This weekend, I finished "Love is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends" by Tim Sanders. I don’t usually go for motivational, inspirational books, much less books that motivate and inspire my professional life, but I’ve heard several friends and trusted influencers rave about it.
One reason I don’t read those books is in order for the authors to distinguish themselves from others, and because it makes lectures and speaking engagements easier, they speak in buzzwords and simplified “five step” processes, for example.
This book was no different. Sanders threw around words like “bizlove” (referring to gestures of professional affection), “bizmates” (referring to coworkers or colleagues), or dotcommunists (referring to… I don’t even know). He constantly referred to being a “lovecat,” or someone who shared his knowledge, attention, and advocacy for others freely.
But beneath the breezy pacing and the casual buzzwording, there were some good, useful things to glean from this book.
READ BOOKS -- LOTS OF BOOKS
Sanders compared reading books to eating and digesting food. Books are a full meal. Magazine articles are an appetizer, and newspaper articles are a snack.
(Of course, Sanders didn’t even count blogs, because in 2002 when he wrote this book, the blogosphere wasn’t a fraction as information-rich as it is today.)
He suggests reading as many books in your subject of interest as you can, take notes and annotate the heck out of it in order to mentally digest its contents, and lend freely to friends and “bizmates” as the topic comes up. Heck, he says, if the situation calls for it, just gift them a copy.
As an avid reader, there’s nothing I like more than to give away books I love. I’ve gifted two or three people with "The Cluetrain Manifesto", an 11 year-old book with the simple but revolutionary message, “businesses need to speak to humans like they’re people, not markets”. Whether or not they’ve read it, I’m not sure, but Sanders’s book helped me figure out how to tie the book’s thesis into my conversations, and how to better follow up.
BECOME A RESOURCE AND A CONNECTOR
Although a friend and mentor told me this a long time ago, it is worth reinforcing, especially in this book. Give your advice freely and without expectation of compensation. Bone up on whatever subject you want to be a resource for, and stay top-of-mind in your network. Sometimes the rewards aren’t monetary, but sometimes they are (Sanders recounts that one of his friends, the founder of mp3.com, gifted him stock options in the fledgling music format’s IPO, and Sanders made a small fortune when it took off and quadrupled in worth). In any case, you’ll build trust, goodwill and relevance.
While I don’t do these things quite as deliberately as Sanders (he reads books and immediately starts thinking about who he can share it with), I feel like he was helpful in keeping others in mind when reading, learning, and sharing.
And while “lovecat” is a silly word, it has a great meaning: to love and support your colleagues. Express to them your commitment to their growth and success. Bring a nurturing and supportive face into the workplace, where stoicism and an every-man-for-himself attitude usually resides. It’s kind of the professional version of the “love thy neighbor” bit.
Because the book was written in 2002, there wasn’t a lot of talk (or really, any) talk about social media and how it fits into this. Anyone can tell you that social media shouldn’t replace the real-life interactions that likely make one a lovecat, but they sure can supplement it. You can connect your network, share ideas, encourage, inform, and all sorts of things. I’d love to see a follow-up to this book updated to allow for social media interactions.
Sanders has a new book, "Today We Are Rich", which is being marketed as the prequel to Love is the Killer App. I haven’t read it yet, and I’m not sure yet if I’m going to, but I’ll be keeping it on my radar.
Meanwhile, get out there. Be a lovecat. Share some bizlove with your bizmates. But don’t tell anyone, unless you want to get into a 20-minute discussion about what those words mean.
But perhaps you should. After all, isn’t that the point?
One reason I don’t read those books is in order for the authors to distinguish themselves from others, and because it makes lectures and speaking engagements easier, they speak in buzzwords and simplified “five step” processes, for example.
This book was no different. Sanders threw around words like “bizlove” (referring to gestures of professional affection), “bizmates” (referring to coworkers or colleagues), or dotcommunists (referring to… I don’t even know). He constantly referred to being a “lovecat,” or someone who shared his knowledge, attention, and advocacy for others freely.
But beneath the breezy pacing and the casual buzzwording, there were some good, useful things to glean from this book.
READ BOOKS -- LOTS OF BOOKS
Sanders compared reading books to eating and digesting food. Books are a full meal. Magazine articles are an appetizer, and newspaper articles are a snack.
(Of course, Sanders didn’t even count blogs, because in 2002 when he wrote this book, the blogosphere wasn’t a fraction as information-rich as it is today.)
He suggests reading as many books in your subject of interest as you can, take notes and annotate the heck out of it in order to mentally digest its contents, and lend freely to friends and “bizmates” as the topic comes up. Heck, he says, if the situation calls for it, just gift them a copy.
As an avid reader, there’s nothing I like more than to give away books I love. I’ve gifted two or three people with "The Cluetrain Manifesto", an 11 year-old book with the simple but revolutionary message, “businesses need to speak to humans like they’re people, not markets”. Whether or not they’ve read it, I’m not sure, but Sanders’s book helped me figure out how to tie the book’s thesis into my conversations, and how to better follow up.
BECOME A RESOURCE AND A CONNECTOR
Although a friend and mentor told me this a long time ago, it is worth reinforcing, especially in this book. Give your advice freely and without expectation of compensation. Bone up on whatever subject you want to be a resource for, and stay top-of-mind in your network. Sometimes the rewards aren’t monetary, but sometimes they are (Sanders recounts that one of his friends, the founder of mp3.com, gifted him stock options in the fledgling music format’s IPO, and Sanders made a small fortune when it took off and quadrupled in worth). In any case, you’ll build trust, goodwill and relevance.
While I don’t do these things quite as deliberately as Sanders (he reads books and immediately starts thinking about who he can share it with), I feel like he was helpful in keeping others in mind when reading, learning, and sharing.
And while “lovecat” is a silly word, it has a great meaning: to love and support your colleagues. Express to them your commitment to their growth and success. Bring a nurturing and supportive face into the workplace, where stoicism and an every-man-for-himself attitude usually resides. It’s kind of the professional version of the “love thy neighbor” bit.
Because the book was written in 2002, there wasn’t a lot of talk (or really, any) talk about social media and how it fits into this. Anyone can tell you that social media shouldn’t replace the real-life interactions that likely make one a lovecat, but they sure can supplement it. You can connect your network, share ideas, encourage, inform, and all sorts of things. I’d love to see a follow-up to this book updated to allow for social media interactions.
Sanders has a new book, "Today We Are Rich", which is being marketed as the prequel to Love is the Killer App. I haven’t read it yet, and I’m not sure yet if I’m going to, but I’ll be keeping it on my radar.
Meanwhile, get out there. Be a lovecat. Share some bizlove with your bizmates. But don’t tell anyone, unless you want to get into a 20-minute discussion about what those words mean.
But perhaps you should. After all, isn’t that the point?
jooshanoosh's review against another edition
3.0
I'm trying to make my way (slowly) through a stack of business books I have on my shelf at work and this was the first one I tackled. I am also trying to be more realistic with my star-rating system. I had become a bit of a 4-star/ 5-star whore. Basically everything was getting 4 or 5, so I am going to stick to the guides better and this is the first one. 3 stars - I liked it.
I think if you are new to business books, this is a good place to start. It gives a lot of basic advice on how to learn about business, build a network, etc. And I truly believe the central tenant of this book: that you build a network by truly and genuinely caring about people and being invested in their success.
The book is a little cheesy (people who use love in their business life are called Lovecats) and some of the references are a bit dated, but I think the ideas and messages are solid.
I think if you are new to business books, this is a good place to start. It gives a lot of basic advice on how to learn about business, build a network, etc. And I truly believe the central tenant of this book: that you build a network by truly and genuinely caring about people and being invested in their success.
The book is a little cheesy (people who use love in their business life are called Lovecats) and some of the references are a bit dated, but I think the ideas and messages are solid.
relytolley's review
3.0
Great information but basically common sense with a fantastic emphasis on reading lots of books and using that information/wisdom you've gained to leverage your connections &networking with others.
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