Book Review: The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything is not the latest business 
book to hit the market (the copyright is 2004). It's not even the author's (successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki) latest publishing. However, many believe it is without a doubt one of the greatest books for entrepreneurs to date which is why it is being showcased on this site. The high praise it has received from many of today's prominent business icons is justly deserved.
Some highlights:
On "starting the business"
Make Mantra – Instead of a mission statement and all the baggage that comes with it, craft a mantra for your organization. Mantras are short and sweet but evoke power and emotion simultaneously.
Use Prototypes as Market Research – The wisest course of action is to take your best shot with a prototype, immediately get it to market, and iterate quickly.
On "pitching the business"
Explain Yourself in the First Minute – Once the audience has learned what you do, they can listen to everything else with more focused perspective and cut you the slack to indulge in a few digressions.
Observe the 10/20/30 Rule – a good guideline for content, length, and font of a pitch: ten slides, twenty minutes, thirty point font
On "writing a business plan"
Pitch, Then Plan – A good biz plan is a detailed version of a pitch – as opposed to a pitch being a distilled version of a business plan.
How to Make the Plan Stand Out – 4 ways:
On "bootstrapping"
Manage for Cash Flow not Profitability – On paper, your organization will appear to be less profitable; however, paper profits are a secondary consideration for a bootstrapper.
Build a Board – Good guidance is always valuable.
On "being a Mensch"
Mensch is a Yiddish term for a person who is ethical, decent, and admirable. According to Guy, "the three foundations of menschhood are helping lots of people, doing what's right, and paying back society.
book to hit the market (the copyright is 2004). It's not even the author's (successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki) latest publishing. However, many believe it is without a doubt one of the greatest books for entrepreneurs to date which is why it is being showcased on this site. The high praise it has received from many of today's prominent business icons is justly deserved.Some highlights:
On "starting the business"
Make Mantra – Instead of a mission statement and all the baggage that comes with it, craft a mantra for your organization. Mantras are short and sweet but evoke power and emotion simultaneously.
Use Prototypes as Market Research – The wisest course of action is to take your best shot with a prototype, immediately get it to market, and iterate quickly.
On "pitching the business"
Explain Yourself in the First Minute – Once the audience has learned what you do, they can listen to everything else with more focused perspective and cut you the slack to indulge in a few digressions.
Observe the 10/20/30 Rule – a good guideline for content, length, and font of a pitch: ten slides, twenty minutes, thirty point font
On "writing a business plan"
Pitch, Then Plan – A good biz plan is a detailed version of a pitch – as opposed to a pitch being a distilled version of a business plan.
How to Make the Plan Stand Out – 4 ways:
- Have a credible referral source bring it to the attention of the reader.
- Provide a list of customers the reader can call to discuss how much they need your product or service.
- Ensure the plan is infused with real world knowledge.
- Include diagrams and graphics to explain complex points.
On "bootstrapping"
Manage for Cash Flow not Profitability – On paper, your organization will appear to be less profitable; however, paper profits are a secondary consideration for a bootstrapper.
Build a Board – Good guidance is always valuable.
On "being a Mensch"
Mensch is a Yiddish term for a person who is ethical, decent, and admirable. According to Guy, "the three foundations of menschhood are helping lots of people, doing what's right, and paying back society.
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