Product Description An outspoken entrepreneurial dynamo reveals the secrets behind his self-made fortune
Starting as a college dropout with no family money, Felix Dennis made himself the sixty-fifth richest individual in the U.K. And had a blast in the process.
How to Get Rich, his #1 British bestseller, is different from any other book on the subject because Dennis isnt selling snake oil, investment tips, or motivational claptrap. Having already made his fortune, he merely wants to help readers embrace entrepreneurshipand learn from his successes and failures.
Dennis reveals, for example, why a regular paycheck is like crack cocaine; why being young, penniless, and inexperienced is a fine combination; why great ideas are vastly overrated; and why ownership isnt the important thing, its the only thing.
Part naked memoir, part contrarian manual, this book is invaluable for anyone willing to stare down failure and take a chance on not just getting rich, but very rich indeed!
The Dark Side of Getting RichNovember 13, 2008 This book is brutally honest. If you are looking for happiness or friends in money, you're looking in the wrong direction. Any intelligent person can become rich, argues Dennis, but they must be willing to work extremely hard, focus solely on obtaining money and may alienate friends and become paranoid along the way. Dennis uses this book to describe the pros and cons of getting rich as well as point out various tips on running a business (and selling one as well). Ownership of a business or property is key, he stresses throughout the book not surprisingly, and he maintains that no one will get rich working for someone else. Hire and retain people smarter than you, pay them well, enjoy the money you have without obsessing over it like so many wealthy people, and in the end, enjoy giving it away. These few things will save you years of headaches. This is an entertaining book written by a straight shooter than has been in the trenches through think and thin. In fact this book may be enough to make some reconsider any desire they may have had to get rich.
ExcellentOctober 2, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Felix Dennis is unique in that he does not necessarily fit the any stereotypical mold for a borderline billionaire. He is obviously a great writer in addition to owning a grip of publications. I enjoyed how he related his desires to sing as a musician when he was younger(his story about John Lennon telling him he had no original voice)... etc.
He makes an effort to show an objective unbiased picture of what it takes to get rich, why to get rich, and his own character.
If I had one entrepreneurial/motivational/informative book to read it would probably be this one. It is the first book of its kind to really keep me interested in the material. He almost reminds me of a rich Hunter S. Thompson- who was a rare enough individual in his own right.
No BS, just execellent advices on running and growing a business.September 29, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There are no 12 step programs or sure-fire systems to guide you here. This is a pure and simple stream of consciousness and recollections from a great Entrepreneur in the business world. If you dislike business books or other great "Get Rich Now" books then this should be the book to read. It presents the simple facts and the difficulties involved in launching any enterprise and even a few tidbits on the legal structures involved. A great read for the week.
How to Get Rich: review by Jon Gillespie-Brown, Author "So you want to be an entrepreneur"September 27, 2008 1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have just finished a very interesting book by Felix Dennis, called "How to get rich". He calls it, and I agree with him, an anti-self help book. It's a book about what its really like to get rich and how to do it.
I don't agree with everything Felix says, especially in my field of work in IT, about how to grow and build a business to make real wealth - mainly the part where he insists you own 100% of your business. In my case this is a practical impossibility unless you are very rich to start out, as you need large amounts of money to build a world class IT business. In order to raise money you usually need to trade equity for capital.
However, in most of the rest of his assertions which are pretty focused on his area of expertise in publishing and mail order I would agree with him.
The core things I learned from this (or he reminded me what I already knew) where that to succeed in any endeavour to an extreme (i.e. to get really rich) you need to be an extremist. You need an internal drive that will never be diminished. Desire is not an option.
In order to actually make it past the point of good or great, to insanely successful you must have the patience and perseverance well beyond a normal person. In being extraordinary you need to insulate yourself from negative people that will try and slow you down. Remember - who you spend time with is who you become!
Great ideas are `ten a penny' - In order to make any money of an idea you need world class execution from a team of talented and focused people.
Keep bringing yourself back to your core goals (yes write them down and visualise them) and remember why you do what you do. If that's making money then kill the dead projects, invest in those that are likely to win big.
Get the best team, motivate them and fire them with your passion then give them the power. When they succeed reward them very well indeed from the profits.
Own as much of the equity, preferably all of it, that you can of your business. I agree to a degree with this if you can build a massive business without giving away equity. If you can't I believe you should use equity and not debt to build your business in the early stages.
Maximise the value of your company by selling near the top, but leaving room for the new owner to grow and build the business further.
Remember we are all `people' in the end, no-one is better than you and nor are you better than anyone else. In the end we are all souls that will die and we cant take any of the wealth or power with us, so fear no one and get rich!
When you are rich, spread it around as you see fit and try not to spend the rest of your life in fear you will lose it.
In summary his 8 secrets are:
*Analyse your need. Desire is insufficient. Compulsion is mandatory. *Cut loose from negative influences. Never give in. Stay the course. *Ignore `great ideas'. Concentrate on great execution. *Focus. Keep your eye on the ball marked `the money is here' *Hire talent smarter than you. Delegate. Share the annual pie. *Ownership is the real secret. Hold on to every % point you can. *Sell before you need too, or when bored. Empty your mind when negotiating. *Fear nothing and no-one. Get rich. Remember to give it all away.
Go buy and read his book it's a fun and interesting read not just about his ideas but his life too.
A great read! Fun, witty, and it just might make you rich!September 18, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Really enjoyed this book from start to finish! You get the real deal from Felix, good and bad, about the pursuit of wealth. He really makes you think about what you want, and what you're willing to sacrifice to get it. Not a rah-rah self-help book, or a get rich quick book; rather a series of fireside chats from a wise uncle. I really, REALLY wish I had read this book 20 years ago! But it's not too late for any of us! Buy it! You won't be disappointed.
