Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success
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Product Description Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success |
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Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success
By
Product Description Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success |
5 Comments
This review pertains to the Audible.com version of the book. Initially, I enjoyed hearing the tale of a novice company builder and his patron, a wise old business man. The narrative style reminds me of sections in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” A number of pithy maxims are shared with us through the eyes of the pupil, but towards the end of the book we start getting sermons.
There are long spiels on how science has only realized what many deep thinkers (e.g. Buddhists) have known all along. One silly example was his point that the Buddhists say “we are empty”, and the author goes aha — see they knew that before the physicists discovered atoms are mostly space. Maybe I’m overdramatizing here, but the author’s naivete and aggrandizing statements remind me of the spin Nostradamus lovers present to the rest of the world. Other sermonizing statements include (paraphrasing) “if you don’t know what to do with a company problem, put it in God’s hands and do his will.” Of course, the author must be unbiased, so he always says “God as you see him or her.” Sounds reasonable, but then he goes into this section where even atheists *must* know there is some kind of God, and if they don’t, can they create universes? Some great reasoning and open minded thinking there.
There were lots of other statements where I just shook my head thinking the author should stay grounded on earth, or at least, stay focused on the supposed topic. If you get this book, I suggest you avoid the final sections where he becomes heavily spiritual.
Rating: 2 / 5
First let me say that I’m not without a few years of business experience myself. I picked up this book at the airport because I liked the title and I thought it might be an interesting read during my flight. The first few chapters had some value on the basics of planning and goal setting, but then the book turned into a bad Sunday-school sermon. Chapter after chapter I found myself rolling my eyes as the author proceeded to lecture me (through his fictional guru) on how I should live my life. I kept waiting for him to say SOMETHING about how all of this related to taking care of my customers, but that subject never came up. There was plenty here on how I should meditate on my life and discover my “higher purpose”, how I should be concerned about the environment and all of mankind, and how I should be “charitable” with company profits. But there was surprisingly little – I mean ALMOST NOTHING – about how to take care of your customers and clients. I can’t recall the word “customer” or “client” even being mentioned in the first 8 chapters! Allow me to pass on this one piece of wisdom – If you don’t spend most of your time thinking about your customers, you will not have to worry about being charitable with your profits – because you won’t have any profits! Just consider this – if Mr. Allen is really such a business guru, how come I’m so disappointed in his product? For personal growth, read Covey’s 7 Habits; for entrepreneural inspiration, read Napolean Hill.
Rating: 1 / 5
Approximately thirteen years ago I purchased a book that presented the possibilities of my being able to take a wonderful journey. That book was Visionary Business, by Marc Allen. I have absolutely no idea how many people I’ve gifted this book or passed the audio version of it on to since, though I know that most every person who has received a copy of Visionary Business from me lets me know that they are grateful for the lessons it offers. If I were told I could only take five books with me to my next destination, I would make “Visionary Business” one of the five. I’ve said this many times over the years and mean it as much today as I did when I first read it.
I am so enjoying the journey it’s helped me create.
Namaste,
Rita Deo Barber
Rating: 5 / 5
Reading Marc Allen’s amazing book, “Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success”, helped me to understand how important it is to have vision, a business plan, a mission statement, discovering my higher purpose, picturing success in the midst of challenges and adversity, giving generously, identifying core beliefs that hold me back and releasing them, the power of affirmations, and following my passion by doing what I truly love to do. I was especially intrigued with the chapter on the three stages of business: infancy, adolescence and adulthood. That helped me to not only understand how businesses evolve through these stages, but also how personal relationships evolve the same way.
What I found to be personally valuable for me in Marc’s book is the importance of the spiritual and mystical side of business. I believe that it is the spirit within that guides any enterprise, whether it is business or personal relationships. Without vision, the people perish. Without inner guidance from our own spirit, the way will be difficult. As Marc says, quoting James Allen, “You will become as great as your dominant aspiration. If you cherish a vision, a lofty ideal in your heart, you will realize it.”
I am very happy that Marc included the Epilogue. It clearly shows his genius as a visionary and as a humanitarian. His vision for a better world, summed up in a Utopian dream about an organization called FOCI (Foundation Of Creative Individuals), is highly remarkable. I hope that Marc will write a visionary novel about FOCI. It will be a great novel describing an idea whose time has come and will inspire others to dream and create a better world for everyone. I see a world that works for everyone and I join with Marc in that vision.
Marc sums up the ultimate message in his book for those of us who are entrepreneurs and aspire to create a visionary business: “The ultimate purpose of visionary business is not to make money; it is to transform the world, by doing what we love to do and what we need to do to bring about a new era of peace and prosperity for all.”
In an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way…so be it, so it is!
Rating: 5 / 5
Visionary Business is written in story form. The book begins with the author and a great idea (to create a new publishing company that we now know as New World Library). Unfortunately, despite his best intentions, the company didn’t take off immediately. In fact, things could very well have gone from bad to worse very quickly.
This could have been where the story ended but fortunately an investor named Bernie came on the scene. This man gave the author advice and means to make the dream into reality. His mentorship made all the difference.
Visionary Business is part business book and part personal self help. You can’t expect a business to be successful without a business plan and a direction. Just the same, if you are in business for the wrong reasons or you hate what you do, success will always be just out of your reach. Clarity is important and sometimes you have to dig deep to find the answers.
Rating: 5 / 5
5 Comments
March 18th, 2010 at 11:41 am
This review pertains to the Audible.com version of the book. Initially, I enjoyed hearing the tale of a novice company builder and his patron, a wise old business man. The narrative style reminds me of sections in “Rich Dad, Poor Dad.” A number of pithy maxims are shared with us through the eyes of the pupil, but towards the end of the book we start getting sermons.
There are long spiels on how science has only realized what many deep thinkers (e.g. Buddhists) have known all along. One silly example was his point that the Buddhists say “we are empty”, and the author goes aha — see they knew that before the physicists discovered atoms are mostly space. Maybe I’m overdramatizing here, but the author’s naivete and aggrandizing statements remind me of the spin Nostradamus lovers present to the rest of the world. Other sermonizing statements include (paraphrasing) “if you don’t know what to do with a company problem, put it in God’s hands and do his will.” Of course, the author must be unbiased, so he always says “God as you see him or her.” Sounds reasonable, but then he goes into this section where even atheists *must* know there is some kind of God, and if they don’t, can they create universes? Some great reasoning and open minded thinking there.
There were lots of other statements where I just shook my head thinking the author should stay grounded on earth, or at least, stay focused on the supposed topic. If you get this book, I suggest you avoid the final sections where he becomes heavily spiritual.
Rating: 2 / 5
March 18th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
First let me say that I’m not without a few years of business experience myself. I picked up this book at the airport because I liked the title and I thought it might be an interesting read during my flight. The first few chapters had some value on the basics of planning and goal setting, but then the book turned into a bad Sunday-school sermon. Chapter after chapter I found myself rolling my eyes as the author proceeded to lecture me (through his fictional guru) on how I should live my life. I kept waiting for him to say SOMETHING about how all of this related to taking care of my customers, but that subject never came up. There was plenty here on how I should meditate on my life and discover my “higher purpose”, how I should be concerned about the environment and all of mankind, and how I should be “charitable” with company profits. But there was surprisingly little – I mean ALMOST NOTHING – about how to take care of your customers and clients. I can’t recall the word “customer” or “client” even being mentioned in the first 8 chapters! Allow me to pass on this one piece of wisdom – If you don’t spend most of your time thinking about your customers, you will not have to worry about being charitable with your profits – because you won’t have any profits! Just consider this – if Mr. Allen is really such a business guru, how come I’m so disappointed in his product? For personal growth, read Covey’s 7 Habits; for entrepreneural inspiration, read Napolean Hill.
Rating: 1 / 5
March 18th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Approximately thirteen years ago I purchased a book that presented the possibilities of my being able to take a wonderful journey. That book was Visionary Business, by Marc Allen. I have absolutely no idea how many people I’ve gifted this book or passed the audio version of it on to since, though I know that most every person who has received a copy of Visionary Business from me lets me know that they are grateful for the lessons it offers. If I were told I could only take five books with me to my next destination, I would make “Visionary Business” one of the five. I’ve said this many times over the years and mean it as much today as I did when I first read it.
I am so enjoying the journey it’s helped me create.
Namaste,
Rita Deo Barber
Rating: 5 / 5
March 18th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Reading Marc Allen’s amazing book, “Visionary Business: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Success”, helped me to understand how important it is to have vision, a business plan, a mission statement, discovering my higher purpose, picturing success in the midst of challenges and adversity, giving generously, identifying core beliefs that hold me back and releasing them, the power of affirmations, and following my passion by doing what I truly love to do. I was especially intrigued with the chapter on the three stages of business: infancy, adolescence and adulthood. That helped me to not only understand how businesses evolve through these stages, but also how personal relationships evolve the same way.
What I found to be personally valuable for me in Marc’s book is the importance of the spiritual and mystical side of business. I believe that it is the spirit within that guides any enterprise, whether it is business or personal relationships. Without vision, the people perish. Without inner guidance from our own spirit, the way will be difficult. As Marc says, quoting James Allen, “You will become as great as your dominant aspiration. If you cherish a vision, a lofty ideal in your heart, you will realize it.”
I am very happy that Marc included the Epilogue. It clearly shows his genius as a visionary and as a humanitarian. His vision for a better world, summed up in a Utopian dream about an organization called FOCI (Foundation Of Creative Individuals), is highly remarkable. I hope that Marc will write a visionary novel about FOCI. It will be a great novel describing an idea whose time has come and will inspire others to dream and create a better world for everyone. I see a world that works for everyone and I join with Marc in that vision.
Marc sums up the ultimate message in his book for those of us who are entrepreneurs and aspire to create a visionary business: “The ultimate purpose of visionary business is not to make money; it is to transform the world, by doing what we love to do and what we need to do to bring about a new era of peace and prosperity for all.”
In an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way…so be it, so it is!
Rating: 5 / 5
March 18th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Visionary Business is written in story form. The book begins with the author and a great idea (to create a new publishing company that we now know as New World Library). Unfortunately, despite his best intentions, the company didn’t take off immediately. In fact, things could very well have gone from bad to worse very quickly.
This could have been where the story ended but fortunately an investor named Bernie came on the scene. This man gave the author advice and means to make the dream into reality. His mentorship made all the difference.
Visionary Business is part business book and part personal self help. You can’t expect a business to be successful without a business plan and a direction. Just the same, if you are in business for the wrong reasons or you hate what you do, success will always be just out of your reach. Clarity is important and sometimes you have to dig deep to find the answers.
Rating: 5 / 5