Lean Books: Learning to be Lean

July 27, 2011

The Importance of Books

• Innovation is built on the shoulders of others.

• Books give a deep perspective of other people’s ideas.

No User Manual for Entrepreneurs

• People with ‘real’ jobs have support systems and defined roles.

• Entrepreneurs are different – when we start out we’re in essence searching for what to do.

Shallow Knowledge

• Information is becoming increasingly shallow.

• Blogs/Videos/News sites are all great innovations, but don’t replace the deep knowledge found in books.

Beware of How-To-Itis

• Non-fiction books are amazing, and I highly recommend them.

• Fiction and classics are great ways to develop the habit of reading.

Audiobooks are Awesome

• Do you spend 30+ minutes per day in transit?

• Audiobooks are amazing ways to make effective use of the time.

Recommended Books

Nassim Nicholas Taleb: The Black Swan

• Key Lesson: If you want to be rich, be a dentist.

• Improbable events rule the world.

• Lean Correlation: The Pivot – be ready to change when you need to.

37 Signals: Getting Real

• Key Lesson: Do less! Build a few great features instead of a lot of crappy ones.

• Applies to non-tech people. Fast, easy read.

• Lean Correlation: MVP/iteration – Build small and iterate.

Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged

• Key Lesson: Creativity + Productivity Make the World Go Around

• The entrepreneur is the good guy.

• Lean Correlation: This shit ain’t easy – be willing to fight through the hard times.

Walter Isaacson: Benjamin Frankin

• Key Lesson: Be a renaissance man/woman. Do a lot of things.

• Franklin did the following (among others):– First US Postmaster– Founded the University of Pennsylvania– ‘Discovered’ electricity– Helped write the Declaration of

Independence– Served as ambassador to France

• Lean Correlation: Listen to your customers. Franklin was known as a master communicator/organizer.

Lightning Round: Non-Fiction Mayhem!!!!

• Steve Blank: 4 Steps to the Epiphany• Eric Reis: The Lean Startup (Sept 13)• Michael Masterson: Ready, Fire, Aim• Tim Ferriss: The Four-Hour Workweek• David Meerman Scott: The New Rules of Marketing and

PR• Richard Branson: Losing my Virginity• Jim Collins: Good to Great• 37signals: Rework• Edward Tufte: Envisioning Information