Rating: 
Summary: Love Overcomes
Review: Finally a breath of fresh air for the business minded individual. It is refreshing to see the foward thinking attitudes that abound in this book. And to top it off, the book has wonderful resources to draw upon as the author lists his own reading material, which as I move on and read them, it becomes clear as to how the author formulates his philosophie. For any open minded business person, this book provides a twenty first century insight as to how to succeed in an ever changing business enviroment we live in today. Love is the way!
Rating:
Summary: Don't Be Deterred by the Title
Review: Frankly, I did not know quite what to expect as I began to read this book. Months ago, I had read and then reviewed Downes and Mui's Unleashing the Killer App in which they define a "killer application" as "a new good or service that establishes an entirely new category and, by being first, dominates it, returning several hundred percent on the initial investment." The primary forces at work in spawning today's "killer apps" are both technological and economic in nature. "The technology we are concerned with is the transformation of information into digital form, where it can be manipulated by computers and transmitted by networks." Digital strategies are needed to achieve market dominance. What Sanders has in mind combines some of these core concepts with what Rosen explains so brilliantly in The Anatomy of Buzz. In the Foreword to that book, Everett M. Rogers observes, "New products and services spread among the consumer public through interpersonal communication networks. These networks are for the most part invisible. They often operate in mysterious ways. Thus we are largely blind to this very powerful marketing process. No wonder that we fail so often in our efforts to diffuse innovations." As I understand what Sanders is about, he wants to convince as many people as possible that love (like a new good or service) can be a decisive, indeed dominant force in human relationships. Moreover, within a business context, it can return "several hundred percent on the initial investment." Agreeing with Rosen, Sanders also asserts that after people become what he calls a "lovecat" by completing a three-step process, they can then involve others through "interpersonal communication networks.[that] are for the most part invisible. They often operate in mysterious ways. Thus we are largely blind to this very powerful marketing process. No wonder that we fail so often in our efforts to diffuse innovations." Do not conclude (incorrectly) that Sanders is hopelessly naive, romantic, idealistic, etc. When explaining the three-step process to become a "lovecat", he reveals a rock-solid grasp of what are generally referred as the "harsh realities" of a ferociously competitive business world, one in which change is the only constant, where it's dog eat dog, blah blah blah. Sanders understands all that. Indeed, such descriptives help to suggest precisely why love can have so much "potency" when shared strategically but (key point) unconditionally. Consider this brief excerpt from the Afterword: "Being a lovecat is not about being nice. There's no point in playing by these rules if you're not smart, too. Because if you're not, it won't scale, and all you'll have to show for it is good intentions rather than good business relationships. To quote the movie This Is Spinal Tap, 'There's a fine line between stupid and clever'" Sanders then recalls a sign he once saw hanging on a wall which said "Business education without execution is just entertainment." This really is a book about business. More specifically, it is about prospering in business. Even more specifically, it is about prospering in business by doing everything humanly possible to help others (yes, including competitors) to prosper. Sanders' observations are anchored in a wealth of real-world experience. His explanation of the three-step process to lovecathood is crystal clear. His recommendations are sensible, indeed eminently practical. His faith in the power of love is contagious. My guess is that, after reading these brief remarks, those who are least interested in experiencing (not just reading) this book are the same people who are in greatest need of what it shares. You know who you are. Why not discover who you can become and also how you can help others to fulfill their own potential for compassion? Sanders is eager to help you to complete that exciting journey.
Rating: 
Summary: worth the time
Review: Sanders says this at the start:times are changing and professionals need to find a way to maintain their value.So,how do you do it?Sanders tells you that you network,network,network and cues you into a secret:you don't need to be a backslapper to do it, or a schmoozer, or a a sham.Just yourself.The book is only a little over 200 pages,and you can get through it in a weekend.While the Austin Powers lingo can distract ,the book is useful for all professionals trying to keep and expand their value.
Rating: 
Summary: there should be negative stars
Review: i've taken the time to read these reviews (in addition to having read the book). i find it shocking that some reviewers rated this anything above two stars. tim sanders presents zero material that is original or truly helpful. i got to believe that positive reviews are coming from people who are personal friends of sanders, cultish fools easily bedazzled by snake oil salesmen, or dimwits who read people magazine as literary art.
Rating:
Summary: Authentic and Inspiring
Review: Tim Sanders is one of the most genuine people I have ever met, and it resonates in his book. As a point of reference, I just recently met Tim in Chicago, and had the pleasure of hanging out with him for about five hours. Two car rides, a quick dinner, and a speaking gig were all part of my evening with Tim. Whether chatting with him one-on-one, enjoying his presentation, or watching him interact with his new fans, it's obvious Tim is authentic and sincere about his work, and his passion resonates throughout his book. "Nice Smart People Succeed" (NSPS) is his mantra. You can be nice or you can be mean and still be successful. The good news is that it's your choice. The "Art of War" mentality is dead. Gordon Gecko's "Greed is Good" overture can be laid to rest. Tim believes people live their lives from one of two perspectives. We live in a world of scarcity, or we live in a world of abundance. Work for/with people who believe in the latter, and you will be much happier. This is NOT touchy-feely, saccharine-laden, limited-shelf-life stuff. Trust me, that does not go over well with me. It's good career advice and is chock full o' business sense. The business people Tim features are major players. Icons of industry. It's not blue-sky theory. It really works. Treat yourself to a copy of the book, and buy one for a friend.
Rating:
Summary: YOU TOO, CAN BE A LOVECAT!
Review: when reading tim's book, i felt like i could have written this...he is crystal clear on, really, the essence of building long term mutually beneficial relationships...the book actually reminded me of NETWORLDING by melissa giovagnali, which i also loved...tim is just a hip guy witha groovy message and has a great way of saying 'NICE SMART PEOPLE SUCCEED' he certainly has here! let's have a beer when you are in chicago again! CHEERS!
Rating:
Summary: You'll find the love here...
Review: Tim Sanders told a crowd in Chicago the other day that what he says in his book is not new. It's Dale Carnegie meeting Stephen Covey. With a key message that "nice, smart people succeed by sharing their knowledge, networks and compassion," it's worth repeating in this era of Enron, Global Crossing, Montgomery Ward and a thousand other companies who've failed because of arrogance, secrecy and greed. Sanders has packaged the concepts in this book like a well-crafted ideavirus or meme. Chances are you'll find yourself telling other people about "nice, smart people," and spreading the word about "bizlove."
Rating:
Summary: breezy read--left me with a new perspective
Review: ok-- i must admit, i read the brainy Harvard Business Press work as well as other such 'research' type books. Tim's book is not one of those, it is a conversation. An honest and confident conversation. I read it in three hours and much like a Ocean's 11, I can't stop thinking about various scenes. I'll be more positive, well read and generous with my network now, and that is all I could expect from a book. I loved it. However, Tim's tone is passive aggressive to the 'holders of the status quo' and I'm not surprised to see the polar scores (mine = 5 stars) and others = 1. He forces you to decide, which most authors wimp out on and resort to balanced research, etc. I'll take the high road.
Rating:
Summary: Love 2.0-- Turning Jackasses into Lovecats
Review: This book is important. VERY IMPORTANT. And here is why: This book helps you to connect with the people you spend most of your day with -- the people you work with. Sorry, but it's true. You will spend more time with your coworkers and boss than you will your own family. So why make it a hateful experience? Imagine if Tim's memes spread and everybody did become a lovecat at work. Imagine what that kind of cooperation could do for a company. What that kind of passion could do for innovation. FOR THE ECONOMY! I happen to be lucky enough to work for a company (DDB) were it's part of our culture to show the love. But I have worked for companies where it 's more acceptable to show your fangs. And I can say, Tim is right, when you share your network and your knowledge, life changes. Your life's work emerges as something fun and beneficial to all when you stop being a crusty old grinch. Besides life's way too short to work for/or with jackasses. Lovecatting is the only way to go.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I really enjoy reading business leadership and management books. This one, though, left me unsatisfied. It reads like a Cliff's Notes on what other authors and experts one should read for advice. I also found the self-congratulatory tone bothersome (any firt-time, no-name guy putting a picture of himself on his front cover needs a modesty wake-up call). This is, I suppose, a good first at-bat, but Sanders ultimately strikes out. I truly hope Mr. Sanders attempts to be more original in his next effort.
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