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strickvl's review
4.0
I enjoyed this a LOT more the second-time round. Lots of core values and advice here that are really useful.
brianswanick's review
5.0
30 second review:
I've applied lots of ideas from David and Jason over the years, having read both Remote and Rework. This is an extension of those ideas and one that I read at the perfect time. I constantly reconsider how I work and you'll find lots to think about if you do the same.
Quick and easy read, I finished it over a couple days without much effort. It's perfect for business owners or managers who don't want to do "business as usual" and are working toward a better work environment for everyone. Bureaucracy, meetings, and "that's the way we've always done it is not the answer. Sometimes the answer is to do nothing, to reduce workloads, to say not to things, and to be calm.
I've applied lots of ideas from David and Jason over the years, having read both Remote and Rework. This is an extension of those ideas and one that I read at the perfect time. I constantly reconsider how I work and you'll find lots to think about if you do the same.
Quick and easy read, I finished it over a couple days without much effort. It's perfect for business owners or managers who don't want to do "business as usual" and are working toward a better work environment for everyone. Bureaucracy, meetings, and "that's the way we've always done it is not the answer. Sometimes the answer is to do nothing, to reduce workloads, to say not to things, and to be calm.
pivic's review
3.0
This book is written by the two founders of Basecamp. I’ve read their previous “Remote”, which I enjoyed. The first two indications that I would like this relatively short book were:
a. these sentences:
b. the fact that they’ve broken up the book into shorter paragraphs, which—considering the format—actually works
There are a lot of zen-y things in here, and it’s good:
Well, yes. Do let them jump.
There are a lot of simple things detailed in this book, things that made me think “Yeah, this is sane. That, too. Oh, I’ve felt this many a time.”
However, the one, big gripe that I have with this book, is it’s a hagiography over Basecamp. Naturally, one would write a book about one’s own company, but the levels of self-love should have been hoisted in by a good editor.
Still, the little things in the book are plentiful and really lovely. Such as these:
a. these sentences:
If it’s constantly crazy at work, we have two words for you: Fuck that. And two more: Enough already.
b. the fact that they’ve broken up the book into shorter paragraphs, which—considering the format—actually works
There are a lot of zen-y things in here, and it’s good:
The modern workplace is sick. Chaos should not be the natural state at work. Anxiety isn’t a prerequisite for progress. Sitting in meetings all day isn’t required for success. These are all perversions of work —side effects of broken models and follow-the-lemming-off-the-cliff worst practices. Step aside and let the suckers jump.
Well, yes. Do let them jump.
There are a lot of simple things detailed in this book, things that made me think “Yeah, this is sane. That, too. Oh, I’ve felt this many a time.”
However, the one, big gripe that I have with this book, is it’s a hagiography over Basecamp. Naturally, one would write a book about one’s own company, but the levels of self-love should have been hoisted in by a good editor.
Still, the little things in the book are plentiful and really lovely. Such as these:
Most of the day-to-day work inside a company’s walls is mundane. And that’s a beautiful thing. It’s work, it’s not news. We must all stop treating every little fucking thing that happens at work like it’s on a breaking-news ticker.
Take those trite stories about the CEO who only sleeps four hours each night, is the first in the parking lot, has three meetings before breakfast, and turns out the light after midnight. What a hero! Truly someone who lives and breathes the company before themselves! No, not a hero. If the only way you can inspire the troops is by a regimen of exhaustion, it’s time to look for some deeper substance. Because what trickles down is less likely to be admiration but dread and fear instead. A leader who sets an example of self-sacrifice can’t help but ask self-sacrifice of others.
When the boss says “My door is always open,” it’s a cop-out, not an invitation. One that puts the onus of speaking up entirely on the employees.
It’s pretty basic. If you work Monday to Friday, weekends should be off-limits for work. The same thing is true with weekday nights. If work can claim hours after 5:00 p.m., then life should be able to claim hours before 5:00 p.m. Balance, remember. Give and take.
Open-plan offices suck at providing an environment for calm, creative work done by professionals who need peace, quiet, privacy, and space to think and do their best.
While the act of letting someone go is unpleasant for all involved, it’s a moment in time. It passes. What remains after the dismissal are all the great folks who still work at the company. People who will be curious about what happened to their coworker. Why aren’t they here anymore? Who’s next? If I don’t know, could it be me? At many companies, when someone’s let go, all you get are vague euphemisms. “Hey, what happened to Bob?” “Oh, Bob? We don’t talk about Bob anymore. It was simply time for him to move on.” Fuck that. If you don’t clearly communicate to everyone else why someone was let go, the people who remain at the company will come up with their own story to explain it. Those stories will almost certainly be worse than the real reason.
The only way to get more done is to have less to do. Saying no is the only way to claw back time.
scarerkite's review
4.0
3.5 stars - I enjoyed this book and had a few ‘aha’ moments. However, I would have liked a bit more substance. I whizzed through this in a couple of days and it feels like a series of sound bites rather than a book. Some of it came across as a little bit patronising and I would have liked more on how people who don’t actually own the company can achieve this.
However, overall, there were some great nuggets of info, and Basecamp sounds like a great place to work! A lot of companies would do well to take some of the advice on board.
However, overall, there were some great nuggets of info, and Basecamp sounds like a great place to work! A lot of companies would do well to take some of the advice on board.
charlotteann's review
2.0
2.5 - good message but I think it needed more detail. It all felt very self-congratulatory, which was a bit off putting.
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