Rating: 
Summary: Required reading for CEO's!
Review: "Differentiate or Die" is a timely masterpiece. Jack Trout gives a comprehensive explanation of what differentiation is, why today's companies must differentiate, and what to consider when developing, implementing and maintaining their differentiating idea. This book reconfirms my assertion that Jack Trout should be required reading for all CEO's and their shareholders.
Rating:
Summary: I bought a PILE of copies, and sent one to every client.
Review: Anyone marketing anything got a whack on the side of the head when Jack and Al Reis gave us "Positioning: The Battle For Your Mind." Some 20 years later, this new Trout book acknowledges how customers are even MORE overwhelmed...and it underlines the fundamental necessity that whatever you're trying to tell customers must INSTANTLY MATTER to them.
Rating:
Summary: Still true in 21st century
Review: As a 23 college grad, I was interested in learning something I didn't already new. While this book was interesting and a good read, everything it reveals is common sense. Not necessarily what most companies practice, but what they should. The best part of the book is the use of real-world examples. Great to borrow from a library, but I wouldn't necessarily go out and buy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good read - but doesn't reveal anything new
Review: As a 23 college grad, I was interested in learning something I didn't already new. While this book was interesting and a good read, everything it reveals is common sense. Not necessarily what most companies practice, but what they should. The best part of the book is the use of real-world examples. Great to borrow from a library, but I wouldn't necessarily go out and buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Appropriate Simplicity.
Review: BAG IT JIM. IT'S A KEEPER. Trout strikes again, this time without his sidekick: "Ries". The final few pages where he comments on the CEO's is worth a good chunk of the price of the book. The book's main attraction: is the "common sense". Spoken like a true professional. Easy to understand sentences. (even a junior high kid could read it) Trout also gets into the U.S.P concept, resurrecting the ghost of Reeves. Year 2000. Whole new Ball Game. Glad to see Trout WITH it. It's a worthwhile read. Checking it at the library might be a better choice. It's a simple read, won't have to re-read it more than 2-3 times. To crystallize the points. MB.
Rating: 
Summary: Only 4 stars cause I'd heard the majority of it before....
Review: Differentiate or Die is a great book providing that you haven't read prior books written by Jack Trout - Marketing Warfare, Positioning, and The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing to name just a few. I really loved the book, because I really to enjoy reading Trout's work, but I must admit - it was a little repititive. It is worth the read - do yourself a favor if you don't think you are up-to-date with the term differentiation and are not aware of the outcomes of companies which do and don't have it (you could probably have a pretty good guess by the title though!). What stood the hair on the back of my neck up was when Trout and Rivkin put down the 'you must differentiate' professor of all time - Michael Porter - in the 2nd page of the Preface. Allow me to quote - "Harvard's Michael Porter, for example, does talk about the need for a unique position, but he never offers much help on how to be unique. Instead, he talks about strategic continuity, deepening strategic position, and minimizing trade-offs. And he talks to any competitor who will pay his fee. Nothing different." This got me going. This really got my veins pumping in unison with my heart which suddenly seemed to be beating faster than ever. And yes, it was only the second page.... So, despite the fact that it was kind of similar to previous written books, and used basically the same examples - I read on. I learned about the concept of the USP, and how the choice we have now is different from the choice we would have had many years ago. I learned about many things that aren't really a differentiating idea - for example - creativity, price, bredth of line. Following that Trout explains things that are differentiating steps - attribute ownership, leadership, heritage, hotness - etc. Thats the basic outline of the book. All in all though, an interesting book to read - that really has woken me up to realize the fact that we must be different in this day and age. Ohhh, and also - another thing that I did like was some of the stats that they used. I wish they'd say according to who - or state a source. But anyway - I really think it's interesting. Have a read - you'll know what I mean. Cheers, Vaughan
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read For Anyone In The Business
Review: Differentiate or Die is a must read for anyone in the business of selling anything. After all, would you buy a car because there was nothing special about it? Or marry someone because you found them as common as a blade of grass? This book can keep you from falling into the trap of believing your customers are less discriminating than you. There's a reason for every choice we make, large and small. And no one makes those reasons easier to understand and make work for you than Jack Trout. In today's glut of products and services, and ad agencies that sell them, reading Differentiate or Die is truly a matter of survival.
Rating:
Summary: A great lesson to learn
Review: Even though I no longer work for Advertising agency, this book inspires me to rethink a great deal of matters, about work, strategy and life. With great insights and useful examples, I recommend this book for everyone who want to win the marketing warfare!
Rating:
Summary: too obvous examples
Review: Even though Jack Trout has tried to illustrate his theory by many diverse examples, moslty those examples have been obvious. However, troughout the book he clearly makes a point: do things in 'unique' way, otherwise other competitors will take the market share.
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Summary: Once Again, Trout Produces A Wrap Too Good For Your Fish
Review: Few "How To" books live up to their expectation, this one exceeds pre-published accolades. It's done by logically and clearly stating the essential case for service and product differentiating. An established national organization was able to follow the formulas to reborn thinking processes and practical action steps. Any company can benefit from it's wisdom. Is the book perfect? No. But your strategies for your products and services better be headed that way, and Jack Trout's thought process can help. Whether you're trying to hold onto your existing customer base or attempting to take customers away from your competitors, this book can help. Trying to understand all the noise about establishing "brand" with your products and services? This book can help. Have you taken the time to establish what makes your products or services unique? This book can help. If you're the leader in a category or an "also ran", this book can help. Got it? I recommend you get it.
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