Book Review: Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World

A little while ago we brought you our early recommendations for the best reads to watch out for in 2015. One of the titles which really caught our eye was ‘Bold: How to Go Big, Create Wealth and Impact the World‘. It’s a title which sets big expectations for itself so  now that it’s been published for a month or two we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to get back to you with our thoughts on it.

This new book from NYT bestselling authors Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler works on the foundational assumption that we are living through a time of genuine historical turbulence. They liken this turbulence to the asteroid which wiped out the dinosaur population. This vivid image serves to introduce us to and prepare us for the magnitude of what they have to say.

The upheaval this time around is not extraterrestrial — it’s coming from the technological advances the human species itself is making. Diamandis and Kotler both have previous form when it comes to getting the discussion going on how technological change will alter the way we lead our lives and run our businesses. In their previous book, ‘Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think‘ the authors struck an optimistic tone, arguing that tech progress would allow humanity to solve some of its oldest and most intractable problems such as world hunger, energy shortages and rampant disease.

In their latest offering Kotler and Diamandis discuss the implications of these changes for businesses and entrepreneurs. Perhaps the most cogent insights come in the recommendations for how to stay ahead of the rest in an age of unparalleled, rapid change. They key to success in this new world is being lean, mean and agile, as well as having a solid intuitive understanding for what the authors call ‘the Six Ds of Exponentials’:

Digitalization

When something becomes digitized it becomes very quick and free to share online. The flow of information is faster than ever before.

Disruption

The possibilities of the web and digitization present the possibility of creative destruction in many established sectors. In countries around the world taxi drivers live in fear of the virile young competitor, Uber.

Deception

In this rapidly changing world of disruption and digitization, the need for guile and tactical agility become extra important.

Demonetization

Technology makes many thing virtually free, perhaps to print in 3D or through the sharing economy or through new technologies.

Dematerialization

Technological progress is rendering many old technologies and possessions more or less redundant. Smartphones now do the jobs of many other gadgets.

Democratization

Perhaps the most significant factor of all is that all of these benefits will become available to nearly everyone over the course of the century. Billions more will come online and access apps on their smartphones. These technologies have become rapidly affordable for almost everyone.

For Kotler and Diamandis, understanding these characteristics of our new age will be key to the success of your business, and to take advantage of them you will need to be nimble and tactically aware.

How do you see these developments shaping your industry over the coming decades Let us know what you think at Eloquens Blog Twitter