This is an interesting pick. Marketing “expert” Al Ries believes that focus is the answer to continued growth and prosperity. You know, the common sense approach that Apple and almost no one else seems to follow these days: focus on core products and avoid the siren song of everything else. Of course this isn’t the only way to success and lots of companies that focus fail while lots of companies that diversify succeed. Notwithstanding that, focus is the key to mindfulness.

Ref: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2014/03/ben-horowitz-5-books/

This is a powerful history of the Haitian Revolution of 1794-1803, which became the model for Third World liberation movements. A barely literate slave, Toussaint L’Ouverture, led the people of San Domingo against successive invasions by French, Spanish, and English forces. Oh yea, and in the process he helped form the first independent nation in the Caribbean.

Ref: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2014/03/ben-horowitz-5-books/

Interestingly this is the only business book that Steve Jobs liked. In his biography of Jobs, Walter Isaacson wrote that it “deeply influenced” Jobs. Fittingly the book shows why and how most companies miss out on new waves of innovation — they do exactly what they are taught to do in business school.

Ref: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2014/03/ben-horowitz-5-books/

This is a book that everyone talks about but few people have read. Bill Gates, who did read it, called it the best business book ever written. Peter Drucker said the same thing. A great story about how to lead, organize, and communicate things at a large organization.

Ref: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2014/03/ben-horowitz-5-books/

It has been an honor for me to learn from Andy Grove through the years and I am excited for everyone who is new to High Output Management to join me in this experience. I know that you will enjoy this marvelous book written by the best teacher that I have ever known.

Ref: http://a16z.com/2015/11/13/high-output-management/

I read this book as part of my MBA program. It’s full of common sense, which, while I didn’t know it at the time, isn’t so common.

Ref: https://www.farnamstreetblog.com/2014/03/ben-horowitz-5-books/

This post by @FeliciaHorowitz is really good and the video of her singing is everything:

My thoughts on @okta @toddmckinnon and @fkerrest

Great essay from @cdixon