I just finished reading Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. It was a quick read — I read the book from cover to cover while on a flight to Dallas and back.
For the most part, I embraced and celebrated what the authors had to say. Following are the top 10 things I learned from Rework, and why I relate:
1. Workaholism — working doesn’t mean you care more or get more done. It just means you work more. My generation was taught that the more you work, the better. It was refreshing to learn a faster way to get things done and get home earlier. We should all be celebrating this. Sometimes we just need permission not to be workaholics, and Rework grants this permission.
2. Start at the epicenter — the part of your equation that can’t be removed. For Envoy, our epicenter is our clients. We cannot exist without our clients. Our billing system, trafficking and technology are all interchangeable. Our clients are not, so we must continuously focus on them.
3. Interruption is the enemy of productivity — find your alone zone and let go of “communication addiction.” I’m guilty of shouting across the room when I have a question, not really thinking about the other people in loft area whom I’ve disrupted. Note to self: Just stop it!
4. Meetings are toxic — the worst interruptions of all. Enough said.
5. Who cares what they’re doing? The authors point out that if you focus on competitors too much, you wind up diluting your own vision. You become reactionary rather than visionary. See No. 2.
6. Say “no” by default. Use the power of “no” to set your priorities straight. OK, I’m a salesperson — so why in the world would I like this chapter? Because there are times when “no” is more appropriate than straying from our core competencies. As the author says, “your goal is to make sure your product stays right for you.” And there are times when a request isn’t right for our firm.
7. Marketing is not a department. We tell our clients that every customer touch point is a marketing opportunity. So, if your home delivery van is speeding through my neighborhood, running stop signs and hitting the curb, and the driver is texting all the while, this does not reflect well on your business. Everything you do is marketing. Don’t forget it.
8. Speed changes everything. The authors point out that responding to people quickly is the most important thing you can do when it comes to customer service. I couldn’t agree more. As a customer, the companies I value most are those that respond to me quickly.
9. You don’t create a culture. It happens on its own. Culture is the byproduct of consistent behavior.
10. Inspiration is perishable. If you want to do something, you’ve got to do it now. Far too much time goes by after an idea is developed and tweaked and tweaked and tweaked and then watered down. The inspiration is gone, and the idea isn’t so novel any more. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed this far too many times. This was a good reminder that you’ve got to strike while the inspiration iron is hot.
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