Book Review: Rework by Fried and Hansson of 37Signals

May 18, 2011 By Jonathan Ping 6 Comments
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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.

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Entrepreneurial
Last updated: April 25, 2019
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Comments

  1. Reading Has Purpose says
    May 18, 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

    Reply
  2. Tom Harney says
    May 18, 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

    Reply
  3. Fabio Marciano says
    May 19, 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!

    Reply
  4. Jenna, Adaptu Community Manager says
    May 19, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for sharing! Definitely want to check this book out now.

    Reply
  5. Maury says
    May 19, 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.

    Reply
  6. Michael A. Robson says
    August 17, 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.

    Reply

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