Came here with lots of expectations, but sadly, interesting pieces are lost in plethora of platitudes. The book lacks that one concept that it vehemenCame here with lots of expectations, but sadly, interesting pieces are lost in plethora of platitudes. The book lacks that one concept that it vehemently advocates for McKinsey - MECE - Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive.
Do McKinsey employees have life outside of work? 70-80 hours a week? Seriously?...more
1. Marketing for this book has been very good. a. This book comes with high recommendation from Bill Gates and other high-profile people b. When y1. Marketing for this book has been very good. a. This book comes with high recommendation from Bill Gates and other high-profile people b. When you see this book in the best-seller list for a long time, how long can you resist? c. The publishers must have made a lot of money. d. The author probably doesn't need the money as he is already super rich. But, now he has become uber famous in readers' circle.
2. The principles are good, simplistic, but not eye-opening or myth-breaking . a. Some nice stuff. Quotable. Especially at job interviews :) b. Mostly common-sensical. c. Repetitive.
3. The editor was biased, scared or incompetent. a. This book should have been heavily edited. b. No one likes to read the same thing again and again. c. Graphics don't make sense much.
4. I paid too much money for this book. a. Should have bought 3 other books with the same price.
Principle : Choose the books you read wisely.
1. Somewhere I read an average reader reads 1500-2000 books in a lifetime. So, choosing those 2000 out of the millions of books out there becomes very important, isn't it? a. Just because you started a book, doesn't necessarily mean that you need to finish it. Remember sunk-cost fallacy. b. You need not read each and every sentence of the book. Skip. Skim.
2. Read because you like it, not necessarily everyone else likes it. a. Go by recommendation especially from people who resonate your thought process, but don't be afraid to admit that all books don't work for everyone. b. Avoid marketing traps....more
Corporate anecdotes finding parallels in Hindu mythology. Brilliant. Some of Devdutt's witty and playful comparisons are quite fascinating. Corporate anecdotes finding parallels in Hindu mythology. Brilliant. Some of Devdutt's witty and playful comparisons are quite fascinating. ...more
Those who work in the domain of Supply Chain, Manufacturing or Logistics, definitely have heard about Goldratt. You haven't? Dude… Seriously? GoldrattThose who work in the domain of Supply Chain, Manufacturing or Logistics, definitely have heard about Goldratt. You haven't? Dude… Seriously? Goldratt's Theory of Constraint is a well-established concept, popularized by his famous books "The Goal", and adopted by many industries. Goldratt not only has influenced immensely the supply chain and manufacturing community, but also has mastered the art of story-telling. Tell me, how many books have you read on Supply Chain and Logistics and not got bored?
In this book, Goldratt extends his TOC to Project Management and proposes how to handle projects that always tend to miss deadlines, by drawing parallels to manufacturing. As usual, his story-telling is top-notch and very impressive. But, how effective is his concept of 'Critical Chain' in Project Management, that I am not sure. After all, unlike manufacturing where you deal with machines, in project management you deal with people…and you see, people are not machines. Worth a read!!
P.S. I am on a roll as far as Audio Books are concerned. Almost 8 books in 30 days. The audible version of this book, is pretty good....more
Subroto Bagchi's "The High Performance Entrepreneur" should be mandatory read for every wannabe tech-entrepreneur in India. In this book, Bagchi outliSubroto Bagchi's "The High Performance Entrepreneur" should be mandatory read for every wannabe tech-entrepreneur in India. In this book, Bagchi outlines the steps, best practices, dos and don'ts from idea to IPO for a tech start-up. Since, the book was published 17 years ago, the examples could be dated, but the advice still relevant. In the closing lines, Bagchi writes that it is not necessary to read romantic novels to fall in love, but it helps. In similar lines, he expects his book to provide the guiding inspiration to new age entrepreneurs, who want to quit their jobs to start a venture of their own. You bet, it does. Many reviewers have written how they got annoyed by repeated use of MindTree instances to provide ammunitions to author's points. On the contrary I found that as a big positive. I would rather listen to one person's own trials and tribulations in the journey to success, than borrowed examples from internet. Bagchi and team started their venture few years before the catastrophic tech down-turn of early 2000s, withered the storm and marched ahead to become one of the successful tech companies of India. Treat this book as learning from their experiences. ...more
Had I checked the sub-title of the book, instead of just the intriguing Title, probably, I would have never bought the book. Network Marketing!! Are yoHad I checked the sub-title of the book, instead of just the intriguing Title, probably, I would have never bought the book. Network Marketing!! Are you kidding me? But, nevertheless, it was a quick read. You can find some useful tips, if you are a sales newbie. ...more
Quintessential read for start-ups as recommended by many. Deservedly so as I find many important and pertinent observations regarding growth and susteQuintessential read for start-ups as recommended by many. Deservedly so as I find many important and pertinent observations regarding growth and sustenance of new ideas. Not sure if I agree with all of his suggestions though. But, what do I know? After all, he is billionaire founder. So, when he speaks, we need to shut-up and listen, and keep aside our accusations of 'selection bias' or 'anecdotal evidence' . ...more
I am a fan of Vivek Kaul. My understandings of many economic events of India of the recent past have come from his writings, podcasts and interviews, I am a fan of Vivek Kaul. My understandings of many economic events of India of the recent past have come from his writings, podcasts and interviews, and I admit that many of my economic biases are aligned with that of his. So, when I found that there is a 3-volume series authored by him on the evolution of money and history of the global financial world, I didn't hesitate to bring home the books, as soon as I saw them available at a discount on Amazon. :) Needless to say, like Kaul's other writings, the chronicles of evolution of money in the book is quite well-researched and detailed out. However, I think somehow Kaul's witticism and snarky remarks that I am fan of are missing in this historical treatise, if you will. Also, I think describing the first 2000 years of history, Kaul took more than two third of this book(first one in the series), and the most important last 200 years he rushed through. Probably, those would be further expanded in the remaining 2 books in the series. Would come back to this book again for reference for sure. Some of the stories very well-told. ...more
Had I not watched the eponymous movie, which happens to be one of my favourite movies of all time, I probably, would have found difficulty in understaHad I not watched the eponymous movie, which happens to be one of my favourite movies of all time, I probably, would have found difficulty in understanding the nuances of this book. A little knowledge about the stock and bond market helped. And, yes!! What amazingly fraudulent stupid complex interrelated system we are living in!! ...more
After a rather disappointing introduction to economics in class 9, when students would come to class 10, with this text, hopefully some sanity would pAfter a rather disappointing introduction to economics in class 9, when students would come to class 10, with this text, hopefully some sanity would prevail and may be some of them could be attracted towards the royal subject of Economics. The book introduces some of the basic concepts of Economics in Indian context and help students to appreciate how the concepts of economics impact our day to day life. But for the obvious left bias, the book is a good primer for students who would pursue a career in the subject. At times, the book reads like a Government of India's awareness campaign for students in remote parts of India to educate their parents of their rights and prevent them falling into ditches of economic ruin. ...more
I couldn't imagine that I was going to say this for an NCERT book, of which I have been a huge fan so far. This text book for Class 9 Economics is hugeI couldn't imagine that I was going to say this for an NCERT book, of which I have been a huge fan so far. This text book for Class 9 Economics is huge disappointment. Mostly, reads like Government of India's reportage for steps for poverty alleviation in India. I can only imagine with horror what a social science teacher in some remote part of India, who most likely relies on rote learning of the students, would be treating this. It would be a miracle, if any class 9 student, who would go through this would be attracted towards 'Economics' as a subject. Of all the social science text books I have read from NCERT, this one needs complete overhaul....more
Had Yanis Varoufakis decided to name his book 'Ranting against capitalism in front of a robot' or 'Brainwashing your daughter against capitalism' instHad Yanis Varoufakis decided to name his book 'Ranting against capitalism in front of a robot' or 'Brainwashing your daughter against capitalism' instead, he wouldn't have to change a single line in the content.
Now, you might ask, then why did I award it with such high rating. Reason - I find myself attracted to some of the ideas, My thought processes are slightly left bent, I am going to use many of his examples and theories in my arguments with friends on WhatsApp. Especially loved the way he finds similes and metaphors for economic concepts in ancient Greek myths or movie sequences or artists' tales. Brilliant.
And, loved the last verse - We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.
Statutory warning : don't consider this book as an idiot's guide to economy. ...more
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