Book Review: Principled Profit – Marketing that puts people first
Book Review: Principled Profit -– Marketing that puts people first, Shel Horowitz
I not only like what Shel has to write, but also how he writes as well, and can recommend this book wholeheartedly. Judging from the testimonials - including many well known people, everyone likes this book. As Shel writes, "This is an opinionated and personal book," but it's backed by Shel's over 25 years of experience and extensive 3rd party research.
Unlike Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World which I'd describe as an easy to read yet comprehensive marketing textbook (note to self: stick on nightstand for review when I get home), this is a fairly quick read. The basic premise is that you can not only succeed, but flourish, by being nice. Nice guys don't finish last, they finish well in the pack, and do so much more happily than cut throat scumbags. Of course Shel doesn't use the term scumbags -– he's probably too nice to, but I'm not!
The one thing I'd add, is that with the wide spread of blogging and other "Web 2.0" technologies, if you're a scumbag, word gets out quickly – and that won't help your bottom line.
This is more than a "be nice" or "feel good" book, although it did make me feel good about being nice. It contains practical business advice. Since I read it in a somewhat disjointed fashion while traveling internationally with children, it's on my list to look at again SOON – I underlined advice I can put to use in my business soon.
The only part some people may find odd is the last chapter, as Shel notes. It's on a sustainable future, and to Shel it's the most important chapter.
Here is a quick recap of some of the principles and messages of the book:
The kids and wife are gone and it's quiet – I think I'’ll pick up the book again now!
You can also find Shel's related Good Business Blog here.
Shel has also started a campaign called the Business Ethics Pledge to actually change business culture to be aligned with the ethical, cooperative orientation to success. He's hoping to create a "tipping point" that would make business ethics scandals as unthinkable as slavery is today.
I not only like what Shel has to write, but also how he writes as well, and can recommend this book wholeheartedly. Judging from the testimonials - including many well known people, everyone likes this book. As Shel writes, "This is an opinionated and personal book," but it's backed by Shel's over 25 years of experience and extensive 3rd party research.
Unlike Grassroots Marketing: Getting Noticed in a Noisy World which I'd describe as an easy to read yet comprehensive marketing textbook (note to self: stick on nightstand for review when I get home), this is a fairly quick read. The basic premise is that you can not only succeed, but flourish, by being nice. Nice guys don't finish last, they finish well in the pack, and do so much more happily than cut throat scumbags. Of course Shel doesn't use the term scumbags -– he's probably too nice to, but I'm not!
The one thing I'd add, is that with the wide spread of blogging and other "Web 2.0" technologies, if you're a scumbag, word gets out quickly – and that won't help your bottom line.
This is more than a "be nice" or "feel good" book, although it did make me feel good about being nice. It contains practical business advice. Since I read it in a somewhat disjointed fashion while traveling internationally with children, it's on my list to look at again SOON – I underlined advice I can put to use in my business soon.
The only part some people may find odd is the last chapter, as Shel notes. It's on a sustainable future, and to Shel it's the most important chapter.
Here is a quick recap of some of the principles and messages of the book:
- Ethical marketing works better
- Cooperation is an effective business strategy
- Gaining “market share” is usually a silly strategy
The kids and wife are gone and it's quiet – I think I'’ll pick up the book again now!
You can also find Shel's related Good Business Blog here.
Shel has also started a campaign called the Business Ethics Pledge to actually change business culture to be aligned with the ethical, cooperative orientation to success. He's hoping to create a "tipping point" that would make business ethics scandals as unthinkable as slavery is today.
posted by Ted Demopoulos at 5:44 AM
Comments on "Book Review: Principled Profit – Marketing that puts people first"
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Shel Horowitz, author, Principled Profit said ... (Monday, February 27, 2006 4:31:00 PM) :
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Ted Demopoulos said ... (Wednesday, March 01, 2006 8:38:00 PM) :
post a commentThank you, Ted, and glad (but not surprised) that you liked the book.
One thing worth mentioning is that I've taken the principles outlined in the book and started a campaign to actually change the culture to be aligned with the ethical, cooperative orientation to success. I'm hoping to create a "tipping point" that would make business ethics scandals as unthinkable down the road as slavery is today.
Shel,
I should have mentioned the Business Ethics Pledge! I've modified my post to include it