Review by alyssajanel13 -- Underdog Thinking by Atul Vir
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Review by alyssajanel13 -- Underdog Thinking by Atul Vir
[Following is a volunteer review of "Underdog Thinking" by Atul Vir.]
It’s always a treat to find something in a book that you weren’t expecting. I found just that in Underdog Thinking by Atul Vir. I am personally not a business owner and have no aspirations of entrepreneurship. But the ideas and tenants suggested by Mr. Vir are highly useable and moldable for facets of many lives, not just those in corporate surroundings.
In this book, Vir tells the story of his circuitous route to success in, of all things, an off chute of the laundry business. This is a bit of a different tale. Atul is not a poor, orphaned kid who made good. Instead, he starts off comfortably with a notable education and training, which allows him immediate access to upper ranks of business. This head starts sees him beginning his career in Africa, with a slick path ahead for success. But, life always sends us challenges in the forms of environment, and sometimes, the most painful, personal betrayals. Vir picks himself and takes him business from Africa to England, and then to America, with a detour for a wily Italian manufacturer.
For me, the inspiration for Vir’s corporation was as heart-warming as they come. He simply wanted his wife spend less time at laundry and more time at the beach with the family. Thus, the combo washer-dryer laundry machine. I, for one. had no idea such a thing existed. Where have American’s been on this idea all this time? I’d we willing to take out my check book for sure. The courage to stake life and limb on such a plan seems outrageous. But that’s what business takes if one wants to make a go of it. And sometimes, one misses the mark. Atul also very candid about the toll business failure takes on the proprietor, and every more so, his family. The portions that touch on the real risk of not only financial distress, but the real risk of mental health lapses and depression that accompany a loss in business was very real and touching.
There is much to enjoy in Mr. Vir’s work. I have read and tossed aside many “self-help” or “business strategy” books because I don’t enjoy condescension. Reading a book with a spirit of curiosity should not be met with flagrant narcissism. Atul steers clear of this entirely. The voice of the book is cordial and friendly. It feels like the author is sharing stories with the reader over a beer which is such a bonus.
From a textual standpoint, the book is well-written. The sections are neatly divided and accessible for quick reading, int short bursts as needed. (I suspect the writer knows something about juggling business and family.) The inclusion of charts for clarification was an unexpected help. The book was carefully edited and well-paced for a quick and engaging read.
The only drawback is that the author keeps the story fairly superficial. No great revelations or telling of secrets. See problems as opportunities and act quickly when you see trouble are the take home messages. The book functions as a charming memoir and that’s more than enough.
Because of the warm tone of the writing and the open telling of the story, I give this book a strong 3 out of 4 stars. It’s a neatly-packaged read and a great story of an immigrant who makes an unexpected success.
******
Underdog Thinking
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
It’s always a treat to find something in a book that you weren’t expecting. I found just that in Underdog Thinking by Atul Vir. I am personally not a business owner and have no aspirations of entrepreneurship. But the ideas and tenants suggested by Mr. Vir are highly useable and moldable for facets of many lives, not just those in corporate surroundings.
In this book, Vir tells the story of his circuitous route to success in, of all things, an off chute of the laundry business. This is a bit of a different tale. Atul is not a poor, orphaned kid who made good. Instead, he starts off comfortably with a notable education and training, which allows him immediate access to upper ranks of business. This head starts sees him beginning his career in Africa, with a slick path ahead for success. But, life always sends us challenges in the forms of environment, and sometimes, the most painful, personal betrayals. Vir picks himself and takes him business from Africa to England, and then to America, with a detour for a wily Italian manufacturer.
For me, the inspiration for Vir’s corporation was as heart-warming as they come. He simply wanted his wife spend less time at laundry and more time at the beach with the family. Thus, the combo washer-dryer laundry machine. I, for one. had no idea such a thing existed. Where have American’s been on this idea all this time? I’d we willing to take out my check book for sure. The courage to stake life and limb on such a plan seems outrageous. But that’s what business takes if one wants to make a go of it. And sometimes, one misses the mark. Atul also very candid about the toll business failure takes on the proprietor, and every more so, his family. The portions that touch on the real risk of not only financial distress, but the real risk of mental health lapses and depression that accompany a loss in business was very real and touching.
There is much to enjoy in Mr. Vir’s work. I have read and tossed aside many “self-help” or “business strategy” books because I don’t enjoy condescension. Reading a book with a spirit of curiosity should not be met with flagrant narcissism. Atul steers clear of this entirely. The voice of the book is cordial and friendly. It feels like the author is sharing stories with the reader over a beer which is such a bonus.
From a textual standpoint, the book is well-written. The sections are neatly divided and accessible for quick reading, int short bursts as needed. (I suspect the writer knows something about juggling business and family.) The inclusion of charts for clarification was an unexpected help. The book was carefully edited and well-paced for a quick and engaging read.
The only drawback is that the author keeps the story fairly superficial. No great revelations or telling of secrets. See problems as opportunities and act quickly when you see trouble are the take home messages. The book functions as a charming memoir and that’s more than enough.
Because of the warm tone of the writing and the open telling of the story, I give this book a strong 3 out of 4 stars. It’s a neatly-packaged read and a great story of an immigrant who makes an unexpected success.
******
Underdog Thinking
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas
