dispatches from the new world of work

Enough?

Short, to-the-point management books have their place. Biz folks are busy. Ponderous writing is a drag, no matter how brilliant the underlying research. Focusing on one or two powerful ideas is sensible. Stories (parables) are a superb way to absorb an important idea.

Still ...

Transiting Heathrow on the way to the UAE. Pause at the bizbook section at a W.H. Smith. Here, in part, the bestsellers lineup: #1. Animals Inc.: A Business Parable for the Twenty-first Century. #2. Eat That Frog. #3. Who Moved My Cheese? ... #14. The Way of the Rat.

I live on a Farm.
I am an animal lover.
But, ye gads ...
Maybe we're reaching saturation?

On the other hand, I did learn a lot from the termites on a safari trip with family to Zimbabwe a couple of years ago. Hmmm. Maybe I'll ring up my British publisher when I fly back through on Wednesday ...

The Way of the Termite?
Who Moved My Grain of Sand?
Eat That Elephant Dung: A Termite's View of Sears & Kmart?

Tom Peters posted this on 11/29/04.

Comments

Remember the scene in the movie Elf? They try to find ideas for kids books and it is all about farms and animals. But let's see... termites in Zimbabwe? Had to make a comment since I have been fascinated with them as well. Included an example involving termites in my recent book The Medici Effect. What happens if you combine termite ecology with the field of architecture? Here's the story: http://themedicieffect.com/intro2.html.

Posted by Frans at November 29, 2004 12:41 PM

Frans ... Good God! I'm sitting here in my hotel room in Dubai, working propped by 4 pillows on my bed ... staring at The Medici Effect, 18 inches away, which I purchased at Logan before I came over here. (Dozens, literally, had said we're kindred spirits.) I'll look at yours if you'll look at mine: My termite ecology story, also involving architecture (or at least civil engineering, is on Page 152 of Re-imagine. Cheers!

Posted by tom peters at November 29, 2004 2:59 PM

Robert Ardrey, did a book (1961) dedication to Eugene Marais. This points to "Soul of the Ape" by Marais. Then find "The Soul of the White Ant" (Termite), published posthumously. Inspiration from A-rchitect to Z-oologist.

Posted by breezly at November 30, 2004 12:03 AM

Tom... that is just too weird! Certainly glad youâ€™ve heard good stuff about the book and real curious to hear what you think of it. I am on the road also - now heading to Copenhagen, then Stockholm, for speaking engagements. Will check out your book as soon as I get back home over the weekend. But if your example has anything to do with the biggest real estate complex in Harare and it being built without air conditioning (the Eastgate complex) .... letâ€™s just say I think youâ€™ll find the rest of The Medici Effect interesting as well! Safe travels in Dubai.

Posted by Frans at November 30, 2004 4:29 AM

Fran: The book is awwsssssssome !! The intersectional concept of many thoughts, cultures and people bring about jsut that sweet spot for creating the MediciEffect. In fact, somehwere on this blog, your'll see a comment where TP tell's me not to look for just that sweet spot but rather to keep lookin for many sweet spots.
Good to see you active on a blog but I see that your blog is kinda outdated. You should blog more often !!!!

Posted by /pd at November 30, 2004 8:19 AM

WAIT! Not cows. Say it ain't so about cows.

Cows are okay, right?

Posted by seth godin at December 1, 2004 9:02 PM