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Smartcuts
Book

Smartcuts

How Hackers, Innovators, and Icons Accelerate Success

Shane Snow
HarperBusiness, 2014

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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Applicable

Recommendation

The Horatio Alger myth is so embedded in the American psyche that people tend to ignore the fact that it’s now obsolete. A laborious rung-by-rung climb up the career ladder, fueled by hard work and belief in convention, is an outdated model that runs counter to innovation and entrepreneurship. Journalist Shane Snow says you can make the most of the technological advances that enable innovative people to accomplish great things faster than ever by using what he calls “smartcuts.” The stories he tells to explain his smartcuts tactics are engaging, though his main points sometimes take a backseat to his examples. getAbstract recommends this intelligent, rebellious manifesto – which doesn’t advocate thinking-outside-the-box, but calls for throwing away the box altogether – to business students, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and anyone feeling stuck in his or her career and wanting to make a great leap forward.

Take-Aways

  • Defy convention and accelerate your career progress by taking “smartcuts, shortcuts with integrity.” Use the nine “smartcut principles”:
  • First, “hack” the career ladder with sideways moves that skip rungs. Use “lateral thinking” – approaching problems from a different angle – to find solutions.
  • Second, “train with a master.” A mentor can guide you past obstacles.

About the Author

Shane Snow is a technology journalist whose writing credits include Wired, Fast Company and the Washington Post. He is the co-founder and COO of Contently Inc.

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    R. S. 9 years ago
    Great book !
    Must read for all aspiring to grow fast.
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    S. L. 10 years ago
    I loved the summary and it has driven me to consider this book as a "must read."