Book Review: Rework by Fried and Hansson of 37Signals
Rework is a book written by the founders of 37Signals, a company that makes online collaboration software like BaseCamp. They also write about running small businesses on their blog Signal vs. Noise. It is readily admitted that this book is a condensed and tightly edited version of topics from their blog. I don’t read their blog regularly, but had heard of it when I came across this book while browsing inside Barnes & Noble.
This is a short book with a casual writing style, complete with about 60 “chapters” that read just like blog posts. Many of the posts chapters make it a point to contradict common “rules” within the entrepreneurial and/or MBA-driven world. Here are few overall ideas that I noted, which the authors support with their own experiences.
- Don’t learn from your mistakes. Learn from your successes.
- Don’t make your business big. Small is okay.
- Don’t do surveys or market research. Make something you would want to use.
- Don’t wait for perfect to launch. Just make a decision and correct course as needed.
- Don’t make your product do everything, especially if it means you’ll have to do it half-ass. Make it do important things, well.
- Don’t hire based on GPAs or degrees. 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs did not come from an Ivy League for undergrad. The most common undergraduate school among them? University of Wisconsin.
I don’t use any of the 37Signals products, but they have their own niche, and they make what seems like good money at it. I believe their target sweet spot is for people who are self-employed or wish to work in a small but passionate small business that has no intentions of hiring 500+ employees or filing for IPO. This book is not for those with Facebook or Twitter-like aspirations, but if you’re trying for something smaller, I would recommend reading this book.
By Jonathan Ping | Book Reviews, Entrepreneurial | 5/18/11, 12:00pm
May 18th, 2011 at 4:36 am
I’m going to check this out. I’m drawn to anything that encourages challenging the norm. This sounds like my kind of book.
I’ve been following your blog for over a year now. I’ve been able to get a few free books from some of your posts! I figured I’d finally make myself known.
Thanks for all of the great information you provide here.
-Shannon
May 18th, 2011 at 5:24 pm
IMHO, the best (current) entrepreneurial thinking is by a researcher from the University of Virginia named Saras Sarasvathy.
Her theory of effectuation or effectual logic is right on the mark.
Two videos of Saras Sarasvathy:
BigThink Interview: http://goo.gl/5MKdp
TEDx Mid-Atlantic Talk: http://goo.gl/NKUvo
May 19th, 2011 at 4:51 am
I absolutely love REWORK. Even if you’re not running a small business, the advice the authors give you can work at your current job. I also love the short chapters and “sound bites” of information. They’re like tiny shots in the arm to get you motivated to do GREAT WORK!
May 19th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for sharing! Definitely want to check this book out now.
May 19th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
I was recommended this book by a start-up millionaire a bit ago… Have it sitting here but haven’t had a chance to check it out yet.
August 17th, 2011 at 1:47 am
This is a quick one, but actually pretty ingenious. This is the go-to guide to authenticity and agility with your startup. The traditional ‘get rick quick’ scheme is a boring pretensious scam. Rework is the path to real success.