Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Ian Whitworth, Penguin Life, $34.99.
Take charge of your life on your own terms. That’s the call from Ian Whitworth, described as Australia’s most entertaining business blogger. Being forthright, he gives timeless business truths for thriving in a world of non-stop change.
“Business is more fun than monkey butlers. If you choose to make it so. Owning a business, that is. Sure, it’s a ton of work, but it’s also the complete design-your-own-reality experience.”
According to Whitworth, success is simpler than your crusty CEO wants you to think. “So many talented people want to give it a shot, yet they’re held back by the big business myths.” Ian built his businesses on simple rules, Year 6 maths, basic decency, no jargon and it generated profits.
Whitmore explains how to succeed on your own terms in today’s relentless work world. He has built national companies from nothing. Coronavirus hammered some of them flat. Yet he’s fine with that. ‘Because when the chaos is swirling and shit is getting real, there’s opportunity. Now is the time to put yourself in control – where no boss or virus can take you down.’
There are 60 short and often surprising chapters in the trademark style of his popular ‘Motivation for Sceptics’ blog, from ‘Your Success Goals Are Built on Lies’ to ‘Business Whack-A-Mole Skills’ and ‘Remote Work Sucks Unless You’re Old’.
Ian takes you step-by-step through the whole businessperson experience, from the day you open the doors through to when you pay others to run the place for you. His advice on living a better life is decipherable.
As the entrepreneur says: “Business is an endless stream of multifaceted amusement, along with the odd burst of searing pain.” That’s what’s part of the fun.
