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tytythereadingguy's review
The info of this book could probably be a series of slightly shorter blog posts.
The #1 thing I've learned so far is that if I have an eBook on my phone, it is the most likely eBook I will read
The #1 thing I've learned so far is that if I have an eBook on my phone, it is the most likely eBook I will read
rmichno's review
2.0
Had a hard time relating to the author or his advice. Seemed like it was geared towards people who sell themselves as their “brand” - like Tim Ferriss, Gary Vaynerchuk, etc. vs. “normal” small business owners.
The practical advice could have been trimmed down to a short blog post.
The practical advice could have been trimmed down to a short blog post.
ronanmcd's review
informative
medium-paced
2.5
Unconvincing.
For a book called company of one, most of the examples seem to be of companies of more than one. Plus, most are extremely online businesses. That's fine in itself, but it means most cases here are; build the concept, get subscribers, watch the money roll in.
The first section offers little you couldn't work out yourself but maybe it's helpful to see sunshine else state it clearly. For example, small businesses are resilient as they can pivot quickly from poor markets without having to change a whole workforce.
He differentiates between contractors, freelancers and companies of one but with little clarity. It seems that companies of one are to the writers mind those that have a digital product, and employees. His examples, bear in mind the book title is company of one, include Southwest Airlines, Virgin, Groupon, Apple and loads of others. There are micro companies, but they are not in the majority even it comes to examples.
That said, it's refreshing to read a book which is positive about keeping businesses at a (small) manageable size and setting targets other than constant growth. Read it for that reason if you want.
For a book called company of one, most of the examples seem to be of companies of more than one. Plus, most are extremely online businesses. That's fine in itself, but it means most cases here are; build the concept, get subscribers, watch the money roll in.
The first section offers little you couldn't work out yourself but maybe it's helpful to see sunshine else state it clearly. For example, small businesses are resilient as they can pivot quickly from poor markets without having to change a whole workforce.
He differentiates between contractors, freelancers and companies of one but with little clarity. It seems that companies of one are to the writers mind those that have a digital product, and employees. His examples, bear in mind the book title is company of one, include Southwest Airlines, Virgin, Groupon, Apple and loads of others. There are micro companies, but they are not in the majority even it comes to examples.
That said, it's refreshing to read a book which is positive about keeping businesses at a (small) manageable size and setting targets other than constant growth. Read it for that reason if you want.
servemethesky's review
4.0
I'm typically not a huge fan of business books. They can be stuffy, self-important, and dull. I was optimistic about this one because I've followed Paul Jarvis's work for awhile now, listening to his Creative Class podcast and even taking the Creative Class online last fall.
Company of One does not disappoint. It presents the radical idea that companies don't need to grow obsessively and endlessly in order to be successful. Instead, it's about working better and creating the lifestyle you want for yourself. It's about optimizing the whole rather than just blindly seeking more and more profit.
There are lots of great little nuggets in here and many insights to think about and applying to your own business growth. Paul did a ton of interviews with fascinating folks and you can learn a lot from it. After awhile, some aspects did start to feel repetitive. The final chapter will also feel redundant if you've taken The Creative Class, because it aligns with many of the topics taught there.
All in all, the "company of one" movement is a great one to consider. Say goodbye to growth hacking and hello to "enough."
Company of One does not disappoint. It presents the radical idea that companies don't need to grow obsessively and endlessly in order to be successful. Instead, it's about working better and creating the lifestyle you want for yourself. It's about optimizing the whole rather than just blindly seeking more and more profit.
There are lots of great little nuggets in here and many insights to think about and applying to your own business growth. Paul did a ton of interviews with fascinating folks and you can learn a lot from it. After awhile, some aspects did start to feel repetitive. The final chapter will also feel redundant if you've taken The Creative Class, because it aligns with many of the topics taught there.
All in all, the "company of one" movement is a great one to consider. Say goodbye to growth hacking and hello to "enough."
greenblue22's review
2.0
Sorely needs more editing. The author states and restates and restates ideas. The book could have easily been 100 pages shorter and sacrificed nothing. I gave up after two chapters. I had the gist.
gabehagstrom's review
4.0
Helpful. It's like Paul just blew a whistle in an out of control crossfit class and asked "wait a sec, maybe more is not merrier" and proceeded to lay out a plan that is a good marriage of his preferred now, with work that supports that life. Do better work, not more work.
jessgrieser's review
3.0
I read this to think about academia from a business perspective. Academics are in many ways the quintessential companies of one: everything rests on our own personal planning. Although this was geared more toward people who have to think about profit and loss, the ideas of being circumspect about productivity and growing sustainably apply just as well to academe as they do to the business world. Academics tend to take on too much too fast, especially at the career stage I am at, and this is a good reminder to keep growth in check with respect to larger goals—autonomy, freedom, eventual plans for retirement.
This would be a good book to pair with other work on career capital like [b:So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love|13525945|So Good They Can't Ignore You Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love|Cal Newport|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360564614l/13525945._SY75_.jpg|19086651] or for academics specifically something like [b:Slow Professor: Challenging the Culture of Speed in the Academy|26367751|Slow Professor Challenging the Culture of Speed in the Academy|Maggie Berg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464180701l/26367751._SY75_.jpg|46370258].
This would be a good book to pair with other work on career capital like [b:So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love|13525945|So Good They Can't Ignore You Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love|Cal Newport|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1360564614l/13525945._SY75_.jpg|19086651] or for academics specifically something like [b:Slow Professor: Challenging the Culture of Speed in the Academy|26367751|Slow Professor Challenging the Culture of Speed in the Academy|Maggie Berg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464180701l/26367751._SY75_.jpg|46370258].
za_'s review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
It was interesting to read this book so close to Good to Great. Company of one is about building a sustainable business about profit, not growth. Building a business around the lifestyle you want and knowing when enough is enough.
It tries to appeal to both office works and solopreneurs. I wish it picked just one audience, but understand the wider audience gave the book more marketability.
(I’m also interested to see how these types of business books evolve with the creation of AI writing - as I don’t feel like this book had a ton of new info, but just regurgitated items)
I think the main reason I have the book three stars is because it’s more aligned with my thought process of running a business. Not 100%, but much closer than the idea of growth at all costs just business models / books
It tries to appeal to both office works and solopreneurs. I wish it picked just one audience, but understand the wider audience gave the book more marketability.
(I’m also interested to see how these types of business books evolve with the creation of AI writing - as I don’t feel like this book had a ton of new info, but just regurgitated items)
I think the main reason I have the book three stars is because it’s more aligned with my thought process of running a business. Not 100%, but much closer than the idea of growth at all costs just business models / books