Laws of Simplicity

The Tao of Warren Buffet

I'm not a Buffettologist but this book might have become my first step towards that path. I particularly enjoyed No. 47:

In looking for someone to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. But the most important is integrity, because if they don't have that, the other two qualities, intelligence and energy, are going to kill you.

Feels very law10();?>-ish to me.

Posted by John Maeda

I'm not a heavy Starbucks drinker, but I think practically everyone I know is. There seem to be a lot of books about Starbucks, but this particular one hit the spot for me and scored as a Venti. I enjoyed Howard Behar's wisdom, and particularly this quote he had collected and placed on his wall, "If there was no praise or criticism in the world, then who would you be?" It felt very much like the one thing to remember for me.

Posted by John Maeda

Good to Great

Although the title isn't great, it's still a great book. One of Jim Collins' points of philosophy is his "Hedgehog Concept." According to Jim, hedgehogs understand that the essence of profound insight is simplicity. He elaborates further on these animals that -- "They see what is essential, and ignore the rest." -- which sounds an awfully lot like the tenth Law law10();?>. I sincerely hope I haven't inadvertently upset these little fellas.

Posted by John Maeda