Recently I finished Guy Kawasaki’s newest updated The Art of the Start. This new updated version is a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurship based on experience and not theory. It contains so much information it is like turning on the fire hose. After reading on my Kindle I also purchased the audio version to listen to while driving, it helped to absorb the massive volume of information. He gives actionable advice with exercises throughout the book.
I don’t believe this is simply a book for startups but for every entrepreneur as a refresher and I found it could help identify roadblocks that I was in denial of.
[tweet_box]Take responsibility for your shortcomings. via @GuyKawasaki The Art of the Start 2.0[/tweet_box]
Guy covers ever aspect of business from raising funds to bootstrapping and pitching your business. I personally have not experienced raising funds but I watched my son go through the process of pitching and fund raising and recognized a lot of what Guy explains.
How to effectively build a team and partnerships. I specifically appreciated the section on evangelizing and socializing.
I can tell you if you are looking for the easy answer for launching and growing a new business this book is not it. Guy is quite honest about the work involved in starting a business. He takes you from launching to developing your business into a fully functioning company with a strong foundation.
I believe the most important chapter was the last “The Art of Being a Mensch”. Guy suggests that we should aspire to more than just making money, I agree. I have always believed what we give away comes back to us. Being a good person, doing what’s right and helping others…great take away.
[tweet_box]”The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” Samuel Johnson via @GuyKawasaki The Art of the Start 2.0
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