Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends

A great book full of practical wisdom, and a strange title. So, what is a "killer app" anyway? According to Tim, it is defined as "an excellent new idea that either supersedes an existing idea or establishes a new category in its field". (Page 11). This is an important definition, because taken in the context above, Tim is saying that "love" applied in a business setting can essentially transform your work, your success, and most importantly you, and in that way supersedes the current ego-centric world of business. Tim uses countless examples to show that tomorrow's value in the business world will be about "fuzzy intangibles" that add value to your customers and company. In fact, when reading this book there are so many examples about "how to" do things that will increase your success, it would be easy to think it's just another self help book. For example, he discusses the importance of Knowledge, Network, and Compassion in our relationships, as his main themes. As good these ideas are, they miss the point if taken as self help guidelines. The main point here is that love is not selfish. The thread he weaves throughout the book is a message about caring for others, not with the expectation of getting something in return, but because it is the right thing to do and will make a difference to them. It is the "pay it forward" philosophy in action. Now, there is no doubt that often the impact comes back in a positive way through a network contact or returned favor, and he cites many examples of how his own success was based on these. But even when there is nothing in it for you, care for others anyway. When others are in no position to do anything for you, care for them and give to them anyway. That is how radical this book is. It flies against the corporate gravity which pulls us into a place of self focus and measuring everything in terms of its personal ROI. In that way, love is truly a killer app. I recommend this book. Read it, and then go make a difference for someone.

I have grown wary of any new hip biz term that every new business book seems to want to pump at us as if it should become part of our daily lives. That said, yes this book does have a set of it's own hip biz words that it uses with 'Lovecats' leading the pack. The book is a fast read, took me 4-5 hours, and is filled with a solid set of content revolving around being a lovecat. The "Big Idea" of the book is to succeed in business you have to be a lovecat. A lovecat is someone who fosters the human connection more than the cold facts of business. And to be a lovecat you must give three things: 1) Your knowledge 2) Your network 3) Your Compassion I like the book and gained a lot of new thoughts from it and will recommend it to others. It is also filled with lots of practical, use it now, kind of stuff. To be that is always an added bonus. To add to the philosophy of it all; I feel it is a difference between being successful in the short term verses the long term. In the ST you can get by not connecting with people and being ruthless about the numbers, but to be successful in the LT you have to show compassion and as Tim Sanders says, "Be a lovecat"

Yahoo's Tim Sanders describes in Love is the Killer App how he stumbled on a very successful philosophy. Sanders advocates taking a true interest in someone's career or business and trying to help them through introductions and advice with no specific expectation of remuneration. He says that first, you will be perceived as an expert of sorts (for knowing what or who you know) and second that the person will feel somewhat endeared to you for thinking of them. The benefits, he suggests, in the long run will reward you.Sanders also suggests that you read as much as possible, so that you have a little bit of knowledge about any subject that could come up. He stresses that books are far more useful than newspapers/magazines/etc. as they extrapolate on their subject and are able to provide an abundant source of additional information should the need arise (though he does point out that magazines do have particular value in some instances).All-in-all the book does have some valuable suggestions and is definitely worth reading. Some of his suggestions are very specific to sales people for service industries and may be difficult to implement if you work for a product-centric company or are not in sales. Most suggestions, though, are universal. If you want a way to be happier, have more professional acquaintances, and go further in life, this book should be a definite addition to your reading list.

Like the author, I feel that having meaningful relationships built on trust and respect are critical to business today. But I've found that widening my circle at work was difficult. I picked this book up on a business trip, and finished it in one sitting. Immediately, I had a strategy for a new approach to building my own skills, and using those new skills to build my influence at work. This book changed how I look at gathering knowledge, and more importantly, sharing it. Since purchasing the book several months ago, I've bought 15 copies of the book and given it to family, friends, and co-workers. And for a few of them, it's had the same impact. Shortly stated, Sanders explains a strategy of becoming a "lovecat" thorough studying books like you're still in college, finding ways to share what you know with co-workers and partners, and expanding your networks by being open and sharing your contacts with those that could benefit. While the title attracted me to the book, it doesn't do it justice. It's not a touchy-feely book, extoling the virtues of open communication or emotional attachment. Instead, it gives a solid strategy for "how" to get started, and goes from there. Highly recommended. If you read one business book on how to build your personal networks, this is the one!