Thinking Inside the Box: The 12 Timeless Rules for Managing a Successful Business

As of this date I still have not finished the book, but this has been a book that has tought me how to avoid the pitfalls of running your business. It is for this wisdom that the book is a treasure, no romaticism, fire-soul inspiration, just nononsense advice on how the real world operates, given samples on how some have flopped by disobeying the principles.

I admit I bought this book because of the title. I am so annoyed with repeaters constantly spouting off about "thinking outside the box" and other "clever" little catch phrases they pick up in magazine articles, books, and management seminars, that I just had to get this book once I saw the title. Despite the humorous title, this book is actually a solid business book. The only humor here is in the utter stupidity and arrogance of management in some of the case studies. The book starts out by making the case that there is rarely anything "new" in business (something I've believed for a long time). It then goes on to essentially discuss the basics of business. The subtitle, The 12 Timeless Rules for Managing a Successful Business probably more effectively describes the content (but I doubt I would have bought it with that title). What I really liked about the book is the way it quickly covered the topics with a rapid-fire series of organized case studies. The diversity of case studies ranging from Enron, Microsoft, AOL and Webvan, to McDonnel Douglas, Fed Ex, American Express, and GE made for some very interesting and thought provoking reading. Granted, the "12 timeless rules" are things you probably already knew, but that's not the point. Just because you know something doesn't mean you are using that knowledge in your decision-making. This book makes you think, and I believe that is its greatest value. Anyone about to make important business decisions should read this book first

Sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious. The 12 Principles are based on simple truths of business. Kirk's writing style is straightforward and provides intimate examples of how sometimes blindly following "Guru speak" doesn't always make sense.A great model for start-up and new business.Will be passing along to clients as gifts.

This book should be given free to the corporate thieves and felons as they either enter or leave prison. It should also be required reading for all the unemployed .com ceo's and future MBA's. It's a refresher course in business and Cheyfitz is a refreshing writer who makes his points while giving us a good read.It doesn't matter if you are running a dry cleaners or a Fortune 500 company, this book supplies you with the tools to make it work.