In the book: in the service of the republic, the author talks about market failures. Externalities Where an external situation defines/effects a group in positive or negative ways. A university resulting in making city hotbed of innovation falls in externality. A factory emitting noise and smoke making neighborhood sick becomes a negative externality. Asymmetric Information …
Category Archives: Book Reading Notes
legitimacy
In the book David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the principle of legitimacy. The principle of legitimacy is based on three things. First, is the mass voice being heard by the masters. Second, the law has to be predictable. Third, the authority has to be fair. I found it worth sharing, a lesson for …
pond
In David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell talks about the analogy: big fish in a small pond or small fish in a big pond. I liked the way he explained along with a few examples and data. How impressionist started own art event instead of participating in grandeur event where no one gave respect and appreciation. …
Communicate
In the book what you do is who you are, Ben Horowitz talks about keeping open communication with organization heads with the team. These are his advice: State the facts clearly Openness to bad news Encourage the bad news This kind of reminds me of Ray Dalio’s Principle of Radical Transparency. This ensures everyone in …
When smart people are bad employees
Ben Horowitz in his book: Hard Things about Hard Things, talks about smart employees who also happen to be responsible for breaking company culture. The Heretic These are the employees who find faults to take the case of management or co-workers. They can go to an extent claiming the company is run by morons and …
decision
In the book what you do is who you are, Ben Horowitz talks about how a team takes a decision. He talks about 3 primary modes. My way or the highway: As a CEO I know what is right and I will make the decision. Everyone has a say: Before going out with a feature …
messed up
Ben Horowitz in his book: “What you do is who you are” talks about the sign of organizations messed up culture. These are the 3 signs according to Ben: Wrong people are quitting too often. You are failing at your top priorities. An employee does something that truly shocks you. I found it worth sharing.
checklist
In the book “What you do is who you” are Ben Horowitz has a shared cultural checklist for founders building companies. Cultural Design: Culture should be the same who you are in real life or professional. Cultural Orientation: Monkey see, monkey do. Ensure the newer employees are mentored well to join your bandwagon. Shocking Rules. …
culture
Ben Horowitz in his book “What you do who you are” about Slack’s culture. Smart Humble Hardworking Collaborative Slack’s founder says every Slack employee should have these virtues. It got me thinking about how most startups are paying 100X salary and taking bullshit from A performers. The toxic culture at many big billion companies is …
C for sales
While reading “What you do is who you are”, the author shares an incident. He talks about the sales philosophy of Mark Cranny at his Loudcloud days. Cranny also talks about the four C’s. Competence: your salesperson should know in and out of the product. Confidence: your salesperson should pitch with it. Courage: your salesperson …