Current event business books always interest me, but I am rarely fast enough with my reading to give me a chance to read them as they come out. (Better late than never though, right?)
That said, The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk, puts the business world on notice: Get moving or get dying. I of course, simplified his message a bit, but that is the general gist of the book.
Vaynerchuk, made famous by his Wine Library TV uses examples to start the book of people saying that radio and television would not work and connects that with the current group of people saying there is no value to Facebook. And saying that there is no value to Twitter. And there is no value to Foursquare, GEO-location services or even simple, honest customer service.
But then he goes though, piece by piece and shows with quality case studies how the prognosticators are quite wrong on this medium as well. Not only is Vaynerchuk using great case studies, but he is also shows how he used each and every tactic in his own business and in building his personal brand.
There are moments however that the book drags on a bit, and maybe it feels like that because I have read enough about social media in the last year. but also, Vaynerchuk seems to be saying the same thing over and over again, which for some, might be what they need.
The other thing that I didn’t quite agree with had nothing to do with social media, but his argument that you have to work long, hard-hours, “working his staff to the bone” as he says, is not the only way to be successful in this medium. I do believe that to be a successful entrepreneur you have to do that, but I think there is such a thing as a life/work balance and they don’t have to become one-and-the-same. Vaynerchuk has said it himself in recent interviews that he wants t spend more time with his family.
But all told, the lessons from this book should be read by each and every CMO, Marketing Director, employee and, well, basically anyone who wants to be better at their business. It is time and money well spent.
Why You Should Read It:
- The world is changing, and not just in marketing. In all communications and Vaynerchuk gets it.
- This book will show you that customer service is not its own department anyway. Every person in an organization is part of the customer service team.
- Vaynerchuk is not the first and he will not be the last to say it, but if you are not talking about your business, someone else is.
What You Can Expect to Walk Away With:
- A much clearer understanding, with great case studies as to how you can take the Thank You Economy ideas and implement them in your organization.
- An understanding of the real ROI of social media.
- If you haven’t yet, this book will clear up for you what social media is NOT!
I have previously written about business and customer service in Jamrock, Six Books You Need on Your Shelf and Orbiting the Giant Hairball.
