The Startup of You (Revised and Updated): Adapt, Take Risks, Grow Your Network, and Transform Your Career (2022)

This is my first book review although I am reading quite many books. I have heard about this book in an interview in one of my favorite startup shows "TWIST" made by Jason Calacanis - I highly recommend this to any curious entrepreneur btw. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is underestimating the importance of her /his network, and to people who liked book How to get friends ... from Dale Carnegie. The book is a quick read, full of interesting stories that make for great analogies of discussed advices. The book is also highly skewed toward one skill - building your network. When you think about it though, who else we should be listening to than a person who has founded LinkedIn, one of the greatest inventions of current days who's founder is one of the most popular persons in the Valley, while at the same time has access to the greatest and richest information ever recorded on this topic. Although this is mainly about psychology, its also about statistics. Who else knows better what works and what doesn't?

Another great book on the power of networking. It is co-authored by the creator of Linkedin, which has surprisingly to many, been around for a lot longer that new comers like Facebook. The book is primarily aimed at those people on the career treadmill looking to make a change, however the information provided is certainly applicable to anyone. This book addresses 'networking' as something you give before you receive. It demonstrates how cultivating a wide and diverse network is what will not only support you through all phases of your career but also provide you that elusive opportunity that you never though would be attainable. The books shows you how to go about building and utilizing a network in an intelligent manner rather than merely collecting 'friends'. Most importantly, it demonstrates that you need to not only nurture and build this network but you also need to contribute back to it if you plan to benefit. Too many people and businesses scoff at the concept of 'effective' networking. They view it the old world thinking of 'schmoozing'. Nothing could be further from the truth in today's terms. Tools such as Linkedin and Facebook make the whole networking process so much easier but to be effective you still need to create a system to gain the most advantage. That is what this book will show you. The book is easy to read and very enjoyable. It provides practical examples of effective networking as well as action point for you to take away and implement. There is little doubt that if you take this book to heart and implement even some of the suggestions it contains your chances or networking success are far greater. Take a leaf from the book of these authors who really know their subject and start implementing one of the most powerful success opportunities you have available today - business networking.

This book was truly motivating. Mr. Hoffman did an amazing job in motivating fellow entrepreneurs and ambitious people. What was great was that he broke up the book into different segments and really focused in on the point he was driving home in each segment. Needless to say, I felt his biggest push was on networking. He emphasized this greatly throughout the book but especially in the chapters that discussed networking. He didn't fail to stress the importance of networking and speaking with other people constantly to bounce ideas and information. I have to say that after I read the book I started to utilize LinkedIn (his baby) a lot more than I have done in the past. I am very happy that I have done so. Of course, another central role in the book was to take charge of your career and to CREATE opportunities. The author keeps us into it with different examples of different success stories that have followed these leads and principals. It definitely helped me and I'm sure others, to open their eyes and work harder and seize more in my career. In addition, he taught me how to focus sharply while still being flexible for necessary change. He brings examples at how today's business environment is very different that the previous generations and how we need to be ready for it more than ever. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to achieve greater heights in business or any other personal project. It is a very easy and enjoyable read and I think that everybody would be able to gain something valuable from it.

This book is amazing for anyone who is trying to engineer their career especially in this rapidly changing world.

The book would be useful of there was some advice more. What I didn't need is telling me how by going to Harvard you already are sure you will have a job. According to the writer to have a job it's essential to have studied with other people who have contacts that will offer you a job. But in this case do I need to read a book called the start-up of you? People who have studied in Harvard probably don't need to read this book. They landed a job already by attending this school having pals who are wealthy enough to offer them this opportunity. My question at this point is if these people are really successfull or just well connected and therefore lucky?

el libro llegó en muy buen estado, es pasta dura con la hojita que lo cubre y todo muy bien. El libro lo estoy leyendo por la escuela, y hasta el momento creo que va más como para el desarrollo profesional que personal (aunque diga que no es precisamente así), aunque no lo he acabado, no sé si en otros capitulos cambie esta opinión. Tiene buenos consejos y conceptos que se me hacen muy importantes, es lectura ligera y con buenos ejemplos, pero (yo) recomendaría tomarlos "with a pinch of salt" osea cuestionarlos un poco hasta donde aplicarlos porque de repente creo que sus consejos caen en esta motivación que nos hace workaholic y termina en burn-out. Es decir, me agrada, pienso aplicar sus consejos, pero hasta cierto nivel y siempre teniendo en cuenta que mi carrera profesional no es el centro ni define toda mi vida.

Plus que les conseils concrets, c'est l'état d'esprit général que j'ai apprécié. L'emploi a vie, c'est termine. Et il faut avoir un esprit start up et cultiver ses réseaux.

Reid Hoffman is a smart guy and he shares valuable, genuine information. The book is not complicated: simple and straight to the point. Even if you are the beginning of your journey or you have an already established business, you will have things to learn from it. Good investment.