Review of Bootstrapping 101

[LinaMueller]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Bootstrapping 101" by Bob Reiss.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Bootstrapping 101 by Bob Reiss is a very innovative self-help book for entrepreneurs. But what is bootstrapping after all? Early in the book, Bob makes an essential distinction of the concept: the difference between what is in the dictionary and what he means by bootstrapping. The dictionary gives this definition: "to cause oneself to succeed without the help of others." However, the author has a broader concept that he considers bootstrapping "to pursue success with limited resources and with the help of others."

Bob Reiss studied at both Columbia University and Harvard Business School. In addition to studying at two of the most prestigious business schools globally, he has also been involved in dozens of startups and founded several successful companies such as Reiss Games. The book, therefore, presents not only reports of his successful experiences but also tips on how to sell ideas, how to cut costs and even the importance of familiar tools in the business world such as cash flow analysis. Also, there is a case study, tips for getting appointments, and much more in the appendices.

Any reader will be impressed by the pragmatism and clarity of the ideas presented. In many parts of the book, you will ask yourself, "how come I never thought of this before"? In others, you'll be impressed by how Bob managed to do business and develop startups in such a diverse context. In many parts of the book, I felt like Dwayne in The Wolf of Wall Street watching Jordan Belfort selling Aerotyne penny stocks on the phone. That's what I liked the most about the book.

The book is well done and features complete content written by a successful professional in academic and practical life. Therefore, it is difficult to point out any faults. Still, I was not too fond of the quality of the Harvard case study images in appendix 1. The author might have had to use those printed sheets because Harvard only permitted if he used the entire document without modification. Even that being the case, it's tough to read those small, low-quality prints.

All in all, I rate Bootstrapping 101 by Bob Reiss four out of four stars. It is a powerful, thought-provoking, and handy book. There are only three grammatical errors in this professionally edited work. The advice given is pure gold, and the analysis of lived experiences, if properly applied, can mean the difference between life and death (or rather profit or bankruptcy) in an enterprise. That's why I recommend this book to all beginning or experienced entrepreneurs who have limited resources and want to know the shortcuts to win in an increasingly competitive market. It should be clear to all readers that the qualities far outweigh the only negative point presented in the paragraph above, and that is why I could not deduct any stars from the final score.

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Bootstrapping 101
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[Lucy Vera]

Seems like an educative and enlightening read. I would love to read more on the author's ideas and tips.

[Chijindu Ifedigbo]

The novel is great and features complete content written by a successful professional in academic and practical life. Thanks for sharing this awesome review