8 May 2007
0 Comments[Book Review]: Infotopia: How Many Minds Produce Knowledge
Infotopia by Cass R. Sunstein
Published by Oxford University Press
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Cass Sunstein is an incredibly original and clear thinker on the whole topic of human organization. At the cutting edge of how new digital technologies are allowing us to harness the “wisdom of the many”, this book is a must read to provide a 21st century take on human organization. It provides examples of the power of the group, but also ways in which group organization can go wrong. Managers of all business, technology-driven or otherwise, would do well to read this book.
Thanks to Alec Saunders for recommending this book.
9 May 2007
0 Comments[Book Review]: Founders at Work: Stories of Startups’ Early Days
Founders at Work by Jessica Livingston
Published by Apress
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The power of this book comes from the breadth of founders (more than 30) interviewed by Jessica Livingston whose startup success ranges from hardware, software and the web with examples from the 1980′s right up to this decade. Although, by celebrating primarily technical founders, it perhaps downplays some of the financial aspects of business growth, it is a powerful read. And, to be honest, the role of the technology based founder, which is the backbone of the Silicon Valley model needs to be better understood and celebrated. Most of the founders are forthright, with just a few exceptions, about the U turns and even failures that led to their ultimate success. All in all, a must read for any budding startup entrepreneurs.