An intelligent exploration of the psychology of the entrepreneur and the toxic effects of authoritarianism.
A financial book offers a distillation of the entrepreneurial mindset and a discussion of the ways in which it can be inspired in post-Soviet nations.
When Diehl moved to Armenia, he was struck by the lack of a robust entrepreneurial culture. Despite the freedom gained by the demise of the Soviet Union, the country had not yet established a general mindset that exploited it. In fact, the author avers, this was common among the post-Soviet nations—generations were brainwashed to believe not only that capitalistic pursuit was inherently evil, but also that their lots in life were beyond their control, and when in need, they should look reflexively to the government for assistance. Diehl refers to this as the “bureaucratic mentality” or “Post-Soviet Self-Defeatism”—the “pathological fear of stepping off the beaten and culturally condoned path in both the setting of goals and the devising of strategies to achieve them.” To this abdication of rational self-sufficiency, the author proposes the entrepreneurial worldview, which posits goals and then creatively and independently pursues them. Diehl explains the stultifying legacy of authoritarianism, the path out of it, and the worldview of the entrepreneur with admirable clarity and concision. Rather than a book about practical strategy—the author rightfully decries get-rich-quick schemes—this is a careful articulation of the mentality of the entrepreneur, both generally and as it applies to capital goods, commodities, money, marketing, and many of the technical elements of wealth creation. Diehl’s work is refreshingly hopeful without being unabashedly sanguine—he soberly realizes that tectonic cultural shifts only happen in generational time. Readers will wish that he had more to say about what precisely could be done to expedite the process—his recommendations are vague, calling for “unlocking the belief that it is within their power to take control of their own lives.” Still, this is an impressively perspicacious book, and one that should be invaluable for aspiring entrepreneurs from wherever they hail.
An intelligent exploration of the psychology of the entrepreneur and the toxic effects of authoritarianism.Pub Date: March 12, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-945884-68-9
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Identity Publications
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Perhaps not magic but appealing nonetheless.
Want to get ahead in business? Consult a dictionary.
By Wharton School professor Berger’s account, much of the art of persuasion lies in the art of choosing the right word. Want to jump ahead of others waiting in line to use a photocopy machine, even if they’re grizzled New Yorkers? Throw a because into the equation (“Excuse me, I have five pages. May I use the Xerox machine, because I’m in a rush?”), and you’re likely to get your way. Want someone to do your copying for you? Then change your verbs to nouns: not “Can you help me?” but “Can you be a helper?” As Berger notes, there’s a subtle psychological shift at play when a person becomes not a mere instrument in helping but instead acquires an identity as a helper. It’s the little things, one supposes, and the author offers some interesting strategies that eager readers will want to try out. Instead of alienating a listener with the omniscient should, as in “You should do this,” try could instead: “Well, you could…” induces all concerned “to recognize that there might be other possibilities.” Berger’s counsel that one should use abstractions contradicts his admonition to use concrete language, and it doesn’t help matters to say that each is appropriate to a particular situation, while grammarians will wince at his suggestion that a nerve-calming exercise to “try talking to yourself in the third person (‘You can do it!’)” in fact invokes the second person. Still, there are plenty of useful insights, particularly for students of advertising and public speaking. It’s intriguing to note that appeals to God are less effective in securing a loan than a simple affirmative such as “I pay all bills…on time”), and it’s helpful to keep in mind that “the right words used at the right time can have immense power.”
Perhaps not magic but appealing nonetheless.Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9780063204935
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Harper Business
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
Career and business advice for the hashtag generation. For all its self-absorption, this book doesn’t offer much reflection...
A Dumpster diver–turned-CEO details her rise to success and her business philosophy.
In this memoir/business book, Amoruso, CEO of the Internet clothing store Nasty Gal, offers advice to young women entrepreneurs who seek an alternative path to fame and fortune. Beginning with a lengthy discussion of her suburban childhood and rebellious teen years, the author describes her experiences living hand to mouth, hitchhiking, shoplifting and dropping out of school. Her life turned around when, bored at work one night, she decided to sell a few pieces of vintage clothing on eBay. Fast-forward seven years, and Amoruso was running a $100 million company with 350 employees. While her success is admirable, most of her advice is based on her own limited experiences and includes such hackneyed lines as, “When you accept yourself, it’s surprising how much other people will accept you, too.” At more than 200 pages, the book is overlong, and much of what the author discusses could be summarized in a few tweets. In fact, much of it probably has been: One of the most interesting sections in the book is her description of how she uses social media. Amoruso has a spiritual side, as well, and she describes her belief in “chaos magic” and “sigils,” a kind of wishful-thinking exercise involving abstract words. The book also includes sidebars featuring guest “girlbosses” (bloggers, Internet entrepreneurs) who share equally clichéd suggestions for business success. Some of the guidance Amoruso offers for interviews (don’t dress like you’re going to a nightclub), getting fired (don’t call anyone names) and finding your fashion style (be careful which trends you follow) will be helpful to her readers, including the sage advice, “You’re not special.”
Career and business advice for the hashtag generation. For all its self-absorption, this book doesn’t offer much reflection or insight.Pub Date: May 6, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16927-4
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Portfolio
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2014
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