Always Eat Left Handed: 15 Surprisingly Simple Secrets Of Success by Rohit Bhargava
I must confess the title of this book drew me in! (so gulliable, so easy to market to).
Obviously its more about simple steps to success than about eating – as I soon discovered.
Here’s my three-things-to-go-and-do-now
1. Write it on the back of napkin
One idea I’m absolutely going to test out is writing the idea/concept/campaign on the back of a napkin (though a beer mat might be more fun?). The direct quote is:
“Back of the Napkin is required reading for all my students…. In it, he proposes that the toughest challenges you will face can be simplified and overcome if you just learn how to draw them onto paper (or a white board!).”
Obviously the key here is something small so that you have to really focus. He also mentions using a Sharpie (thick writing) for even tougher constraints!
2. Tell stories
This is one tip that I never tire of hearing (and hopefully it has sunk in somewhat since it’s in almost every book I read). Rohit advises making it personal. “Stories need real characters, and one of the biggest mistakes that people often make is working hard to remove all traces of humanity from what they produce.” I completely agree with this, cut out the people and you end up with a load of corporate dribble about products/features/compatibility and a load of jargon words.
3. Rewrite your job description
Being a massive fan of any sort of career advice I dug into this section (if you’re the same then go and read Lean In, I dare you). Rohit offers some sound advice which is…rewrite your job description – obviously more ‘in your mind’ that actually editing that corporate document that your boss signed off on – unless you have her approval of course. And here’s the quote that I think perfectly sums up this section – follow this advice and you will go well:
“A job description isn’t a finish line – it’s a starting line.”
Any staff member that takes initiative and goes beyond their job description is a keeper in my book (unless of course going beyond the job description entitles ‘research’ on Facebook for eight hours a day).
The above three not enough? Then you can read it yourself? Here it is.
Happy reading,
C x
The Marketer's Bookshelf 