Of course Tom Peters doesn’t need an introduction. He wrote In Search of Excellence with Bob Waterman, a monumental book from 1982 reporting on the key characteristics of successful companies. I would summarize it as: well-run businesses don’t bullshit around.
In 2010, Tom Peters gathered his thoughts in 163 categorized topics in The Little BIG Things. I recently reread all the Things. It has been a fun read again, and here’s a list of the things I like so much about this book.
- It could be a set of laws. If you abide by these laws, you will become a good and happy citizen (I am avoiding the word successful here).
- The typography in the book is lovely and innovative.
- The book is a set of lists. Items are pretty elaborated, but a list. Love it.
- Humor is all over the place.
- Great stories to the topics.
- Self-mockery.
- Funny exclamations and subordinate sentences. (Yes, damn it, subordinate clauses!)
- Interesting twists and great ways of putting things
Talk with your matey about the ….. Commercial Effectiveness of Strategic Apology.
- Reading ahead or jumping through the book is allowed and recommended. Still a great read.
The book is completely quotable. You can take 10 notes on every page. Peters quotes others as well, so I will only close with Peters’ advice on reading.
Read!
Read Wide!
Surprise Yourself With Your Reading Picks!
Read Deep!
Read Often!
Out-READ the “Competition”!!!!!
Take Notes!
Summarize!
Share with Others What You Read!
(Not to impress them, but selfishly, because there’s no other way to embed what you’ve learned.)
Create/Join a Reading Salon!
Read!
Read!
Read!
(FYI. I am not a fast reader-a surprise to many.)
