The Purple Cow, by Seth Godin
Book Title: The Purple Cow
Author: Seth Godin
ISBN-13: 978-0141016405
Available on Amazon?: Yes, click here
Available on Kindle?: Yes, click here
Available on Audible?: Yes, click here
Short Summary
You're either a Purple Cow or you're not. You're either remarkable or invisible. Make your choice.What do Apple, Starbucks, Dyson and Pret a Manger have in common? How do they achieve spectacular growth, leaving behind former tried-and-true brands to gasp their last? The old checklist of P's used by marketers - Pricing, Promotion, Publicity - aren't working anymore. The golden age of advertising is over. It's time to add a new P - the Purple Cow.
Purple Cow describes something phenomenal, something counterintuitive and exciting and flat-out unbelievable. In his new bestseller, Seth Godin urges you to put a Purple Cow into everything you build, and everything you do, to create something truly noticeable. It's a manifesto for anyone who wants to help create products and services that are worth marketing in the first place.
Reason for Nominating
I nominated this book because its a great collection of stories about businesses and organisations who dared to be different.See all Business Bookworms books HERE Posted by islawils | 13 comments
Much like Bo Burlingham's 'Small Giants', this book is designed to make you think about how you can excel in your sector, and compete on your own terms, not on your competitor's.
Drawing examples from companies large and small across the world, Seth expertly weaves extraordinary (and refreshing) business advice into wonderfully engaging stories, leaving you with the absolute certainty that if you 'bovine up' your business, you can be the next Apple in your industry,
Its a small book (160 pages), and an easy read so can be comfortably read in an hour or two, regardless of your reading style. In fact, my recommendation (actually, my plea to you) is to seek a snowy afternoon, find a corner of a cosy pub with a roaring log fire and enjoy an intimate threesome with this book and a good bottle of Australian Shiraz.Al Elliott
RubyStar
Right, I’ve ordered it – its winging its way to my Kindle as we speak. This is one of those books which I’ve heard so much about but never actually read- I am intrigued to see if it lives up to the hype.
GaryC
OK – I’ve downloaded it too – let’s see if I can cope with the unbounded-and-oh-so-sincere-enthusiasm these books often exhibit
RubyStar
It would be no fun if everyone loved the book Gary!
RubyStar
Oh dear- am halfway through and I really wanted to like this book, I did, honestly Al, but its not looking good so far. On the upside its very readable, and full of common sense and even some uncommon sense……….. but I desperately want more “how” to go with the “what”. And, even though the author keeps explaining why he can’t give “how”, I can’t help wondering what the use of the book is without it. Anyone else struggling?………… Will persevere!
RubyStar
OK, I’ve finished the book, and, for me it definitely improved- the second part of the book had far more real world examples and helped me to put the ideas in some context. There is nothing I would disagree with particularly in the book – and it is a useful reminder to retain a focus on bravery and distinctiveness. For me the central message, whilst completely true, is a bit frustrating- there just isn’t a good way to know if the latest idea is a purple cow or a dead dog.
Priscilla
I’ve started reading it today, first thing I like is the notion of returning to word of mouth advertising but at super speed! Out with the new and return of the old, but in a new innovative way!
LouiseB
re selecting accessible books good to report I was able to reserve mine via the central library and collected it from my local library branch
Looks like an easy read so will post feedback soon
RubyStar
LouiseB – good to hear- love a library i do!!
LouiseB
Easy and interesting reading but I’m at the point as you were Isla. I’d like more how to go with the what and the why. I’ll see how it concludes
RubyStar
Isla? I see you have seen through my elaborate disguise LouiseB! Think you’ll like the remainder of the book better!
Catherine Sandland
Struggling a bit with this one. Not because it is difficult to read but I feel it is quite repetitive. Ok ok. I get the central point and I like the illustrative stories but please- there must be more. Having read Isla’s comments I guess there is more later but at the moment I keep falling asleep over the book! What I really like are the parallels between what marketing and relationship building and how you present yourself to the world. Andiwill be using this in what I do. Maybe I will give it another go.
Amandatigerfish
Yup, I get the idea. To really excel, you need to stand out. A purple cow will be noticed amongst other cows. And who can fail to agree that that?
But I understood that concept the first time, thank you Mr Godin. By example 100 or so, my enthusiasm had waned somewhat.
Maybe one to dip into, rather than reading all in one go.
RubyStar
Ha ha ha, well said Amanda- there seems to be quite a bit of consensus on this one – sorry Al. I do wonder if this book is a bit of a victim of its own hype?