Against this backdrop, I heartily recommend Terri Griffith’s The Plugged-In Manager: Get in Tune with Your People, Technology, and Organization to Thrive (affiliate link). Rather than suggesting that you do “these five things” irrespective of situation, Dr. Griffith forces the reader to first examine the situation. I can think of no better advice these days than to stop and think before acting (although thinking too long is also fraught with peril).

Case studies illustrate Griffith’s points throughout the book. The one on SouthWest Airlines is particularly instructive, as it illustrates the importance of marrying the right technology to the right process with the right people. As I’ve seen way too often in my career, focusing on technology at the expense of other key elements is a recipe for diaster.

Even as a soloprenuer, I will benefit from the advice dispensed in the book. Double that for organizations. Get this book for employees trying to make sense out of an increasingly ambiguous world.

I’m still a physical book guy, but I can’t deny that this is a cool innovation. Note how Amazon connects the read directly to the author, disintermediating publishers, agents, and other sources of friction in the process.

To have me “sign” one of your Kindle books, click here.

After a great deal of back-and-forth, the Kindle version of The Age of the Platform is now live. This was the last domino to fall. The usual suspects beat Amazon.com to the punch and, yesterday, I agreed to let 800CEORead handle many of my bulk sales.

So, here’s where we stand:

Back to the grind, as they say. Let’s see where this book takes me. Something tells me that I’m off on an interesting and rewarding journey.

Isaacson’s no-holds-barred approach (affiliate link) is bound to turn some people off, as many Amazon.com reviews indicate. Don’t count me as one of them. Jobs was an inherently polarizing figure, both inside and outside of Apple. How does one write a book about him that pleases everyone? It’s not possible.

Pay the naysayers no heed. This is an excellent account of one of the most complex, infuriating, brilliant, and important business leaders of his time. This doesn’t completely surprise me, as Isaacson had unprecedented access to Jobs and his inner sanctum. The result: A fascinating book of Jobs the man and his body of work. The latter is beyond impressive. The book helped me understand many of the details behind the iPad, iPod, iPhone, and other great innovations that had escaped me.

On Platforms

I read this book with a new perspective on the power of the platforms and was relieved to know that many of my suppositions on Apple and Jobs in my own new book were correct. Particularly intriguing is the Gates-Jobs debate over how to best build a platform: Should it a system be open or closed? There’s no one right answer and clearly you can do it both ways.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. It’s one of the best biographies I’ve ever read.

I am very pleased to announce the publication of my fourth book, The Age of the Platform: How Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google Have Redefined Business. It’s now up on Amazon. A few months ago, I launched a site specific to the book.

This is the third release from Motion Publishing.

Stay tuned for more updates soon on when the book is available in all electronic formats. That is in progress as we speak.

The Age of the Platform: Sample

Or, click here to read them.

One of my favorite bands, Dream Theater, recently saw its drummer of 25 years unexpectedly depart. Throughout the ensuing chaos, the band persevered, releasing last month A Dramatic Turn of Events, the band’s strongest album in years. The other four members found a new drummer (not an easy task with such technically challenging music), changed their recording and writing processes, and refused to let anything or anyone get in their way. Just getting an album was a victory–much less such a strong one.

I’ve had my own dramatic turn of events within the last month. That is, much like Dream Theater, I find myself in a similar situation as I try to finish my new book, The Age of the Platform. People on whom I counted flat-out failed me. I’ve had to replace key people, rework previously correct sections, question every page and paragraph, and overcome other obstacles.

It’s been an unexpectedly messy process.

But stubborn, determined, and creative types will always find a way to prevail. I have found new people, reworked those botched sections, and now see a light at the end of this unexpectedly long tunnel.

Failure is not an option.

Now, Gilligan isn’t against collaboration per se. On the contrary, he works quite well with his team of writers and producers. He seeks the advice of those who wish to extend–not compromise–his vision of his show and its characters. The folks at AMC are smart enough to let Vince and his team do their thing. Give them credit for getting out of the way.

The result of this non-collaboration: One of the best, most innovative shows you’ll ever see. And I’m hardly the only one who feels this way.

Record companies long ago gave up on trying to change or commercialize the music of two of my very favorite bands: Rush and Dream Theater. These bands know what they’re doing and don’t take too kindly to outsiders insisting upon a specific type of song or music.

The results in each case: millions of records sold.

Of course, there are those who stand their ground and don’t have anywhere near the levels of success of Vince Gilligan, Rush, Dream Theater, and countless others. While not “successful”, at least they know that they are true to their artistic and creative visions.

Compromising does not necessarily mean that you’ll have more success. However, fighting for the essence of your product, movie, book, or other creative endeavor means that, if you have any success, it will be on your terms.

Can you think of anything more satisfying?

Mike McDonald at Ember Studio set the bar high with the trailer for the last book and I think that he exceeded it this time.