Tag Archives: Guy Kawasaki

Books

The Macintosh Way

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The Macintosh Way is Guy Kawasaki’s vision of “doing the right thing and doing things right”. This book is a nostalgic reference to one of the greatest eras in modern computing – the 80s. Essentially, it is an insider’s look at the Art of Guerrilla Management and is a very effective game plan to building a lasting organization. Apple is one of the elite technology companies in the world and has been that way since its inception.

1984 was the introduction of the Macintosh which ushered in a whole new era of computing. As the chief evangelist for Apple, Guy leads you into the trenches of doing battle at Apple and creating game changing products. If you have read some of Guy’s other books, such as The Art of The Start, then you may recognize his fun, breezy writing style. The book is engaging and sprinkled with wit and humor throughout the pages which makes the story of Apple seem even more epic. 

Doing The Right Thing

When it comes to establishing a Macintosh Way environment, the top guy is the most important factor. They reflect the personality of the organization. If the top guy changes perspective so goes the organization. If the top guy is “the man” and has unstifled creative control over the company then the organization will be unstoppable.

5 Special Characteristics Of The Top Guy (for all the entrepreneurs reading)

  1. Passion for products
  2. Strong sense of security
  3. Willingness to give employees rope
  4. Ability to live vicariously
  5. Chutzpah 

Secondly, hiring the right people and instilling the correct values is critical to running an effective Macintosh Way organization. 

A players hire A players, while B players hire C players

The Macintosh Way book coverBeing a Macintosh Way company means making your best effort, putting everything on the line and swinging for the fences. Even when Macintosh Way companies fail, they do it with style and the knowledge that they gave it their best shot. Every experience is something to gain.

Product development is an art, not an assembly line process. It is very much both an intellectual and artistic endeavor that is almost impossible to master. A Macintosh Way company knows this and puts it into action. There are four characteristics of a great product: Deep, Indulgent, Complete and Elegant (DICE).

Great service is the third essential ingredient of the Macintosh Way. Support should be ingrained into every company regardless of cost. Instead of viewing support as an extra cost, make it the utmost priority. Service is the first line of defense for your customers problems, and understanding your customer is essential to making great products. The Macintosh Way companies do things right for the sake of doing things right. 

How great support works

  1. Put the customer in control 
  2. Take responsibility for your shortcomings
  3. Don’t point the finger
  4. Under promise and overdeliver

How to integrate great support

  1. Hire the right people
  2. Empower employees to empower customers
  3. Integrate support into the mainstream
  4. Provide the support staff with diversions
  5. Thank your customers 

Marketing is the fourth essential ingredient of The Macintosh Way. Rather than focusing on the technology used for marketing, The Macintosh Way advises to focus rather on the marketing of the technology. Substance over form. Grab the hearts and minds of your customer and you will have their attention.

Doing Things Right

In terms of doing the right thing user groups, communities, key influencers and cults are vital to getting to the heart of your customers. Members of the user group support one another on the overall vision and, in essence, will vouch for the company as evangelists. 

Cult Of MacEvangelism is selling a dream. It is getting other people to believe in your product because they love it. There is no “convincing” people that your product is better. The outstanding product, customer service and brand should speak for itself. 

At its core your company should have the right environment, products, customer support and informative marketing. And the positioning must be clear. 

This book is a gem. Good luck finding a copy.

Knowing how Apple exists at its core can reap great dividends in the future when it comes to launching your own particular software on an Apple platform. In an era where Apple dominates mobile computing and the app marketplace, it would behoove fans to learn more about its history, philosophy and culture.

The Macintosh Way

The Macintosh Way

Author:
Tag: Recommended Books
Publisher: Scott Foresman Trade
Publication Year: 1989
ASIN: 0673461750
ISBN: 0673461750

The Macintosh Way is a "take-no-prisoners guide to marketing warfare" says Jean Louis Gasse, founder and president of Be, Inc. Must reading for anyone in the high-tech industry, it is valuable, insightful guide to innovation management and marketing for any industry.

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About the Book

The Macintosh Way is a “take-no-prisoners guide to marketing warfare” says Jean Louis Gasse, founder and president of Be, Inc. Must reading for anyone in the high-tech industry, it is valuable, insightful guide to innovation management and marketing for any industry.

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The Macintosh Way by Guy Kawasaki

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Books

The Art Of The Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

The Art Of The Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide For Anyone Starting Anything Header

For entrepreneurs, young and old, who have dreams of becoming the next venture capital funded billionaire dollar unicorn startup, The Art Of The Start 2.0 by Guy Kawasaki is an instant classic. The book is a starter’s manual for entrepreneurs with a big idea who wish to take it to the next level. If you are working on the next Apple, or the next Facebook, or the next Uber then it serves you right to know the fundamentals of building a startup straight from the man who helped to evangelize Apple to glory next to Steve Jobs. Having worked in various roles for numerous start ups Guy Kawasaki shares his unique behind the scenes perspective of what it’s like to lead and pioneer successful start ups.The Art Of The Start 2.0 Physical Book Cover

Whether you are forming a team or raising capital, the frameworks and guidelines are stripped bare for everyone to relish. Guy makes starting a start up sound so incredibly simple (even though himself Guy admits that the steps will not be followed in order because there will be hirings, improvements and funding rounds). Successfully forming and leading a startup does not have to be convoluted.

Confusion and complication could be further from the truth of great businesses. In fact, in your journey the most difficult duty will be finding the most important task to focus on that will bring your further in your business. Usually this is just working on your simplest greatest value adding activity or experimenting to make it better. Preparation through mentors and books such as this one will help you take advantage of opportunities as they come. Having the right team in place will accelerate the current advantages of the business.

“Entrepreneurship is at its best when it alters the future, and it alters the future when it jumps curves.”

Building a startup comes with a purpose. One that is blended with expertise, passion and opportunity. It takes an awesome idea combined with a hardworking team and unbounded confidence in the ability to accomplish the task at hand. Don’t be afraid to “Think Different” and craft a unique positioning for your product.

No matter the current stage of your start up i.e:

  • launching your MVP
  • leading your co-founders
  • bootstrapping your product launch
  • pitching and fundraising for growth
  • evangelizing for legacy

Guy shares his valuable $0.02 on the subject. The book is packed with insightful tips and is a quick read. This time tested, battle hardened guide for anyone starting anything is a catalyzing perspective on the art of the start up.

The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

Author:
Tag: Recommended Books
Publisher: Portfolio
Publication Year: 2015
ASIN: B00MNNAOX0
ISBN: 1591847842

Fully revised and expanded for the first time in a decade, this is Guy Kawasaki's classic, bestselling guide to launching and making your new product, service, or idea a success.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, small-business owner, intrapreneur, or not-for-profit leader, there's no shortage...

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About the Book

Fully revised and expanded for the first time in a decade, this is Guy Kawasaki’s classic, bestselling guide to launching and making your new product, service, or idea a success.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, small-business owner, intrapreneur, or not-for-profit leader, there’s no shortage of advice on topics such as innovating, recruiting, fund raising, and branding. In fact, there are so many books, articles, websites, blogs, webinars, and conferences that many startups get paralyzed, or they focus on the wrong priorities and go broke before they succeed.
The Art of the Start 2.0 solves that problem by distilling Guy Kawasaki’s decades of experience as one of the most hardworking and irreverent strategists in the business world. Guy has totally overhauled this iconic, essential guide for anyone starting anything.  It’s 64 percent longer than version 1.0 and features his latest insights and practical advice about social media, crowdfunding, cloud computing, and many other topics.

Guy understands the seismic changes in business over the last decade: Once-invulnerable market leaders are struggling. Many of the basics of getting established have become easier, cheaper, and more democratic. Business plans are no longer necessary. Social media has replaced PR and advertising as the key method of promotion. Crowdfunding is now a viable alternative to investors. The cloud makes basic infrastructure affordable for almost any new venture.

The Art of the Start 2.0 will show you how to effectively deploy all these new tools.  And it will help you master the fundamental challenges that have not changed: building a strong team, creating an awesome product or service, and facing down your competition.

As Guy likes to say, “Entrepreneur is a state of mind, not a job title.” His book will help you make your crazy ideas stick, through an adventure that’s more art than science – the art of the start.

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The Art Of The Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything

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