80/20 Sales and Marketing: The Definitive Guide to Working Less and Making More Paperback – Illustrated, August 13, 2013

I don't think I could gush over this book any more than the previous 60+ reviewers have done. Suffice to say I agree with all of them.So, I'll focus more on pointers for getting the most out of this book, especially for fellow "math-has-always-sucked-for-me" people...First, you must read this book. Period. It is an easy read...very accessible, short chapters, and actually quite entertaining. Most importantly, it will revolutionize your thinking about everything; it will especially open your eyes to the personal power *you* have to make your work infinitely more effective.Second, apply 80/20 to the content of the book; focus on one suggestion that stood out to you the most. Maybe it's simply a tip that seemed most easy to implement. Maybe it's something that generated a gut-level, visceral reaction as you read it. Maybe it's the only thing you remembered after your read the book. Just do *something.*After you've implemented one strategy from the book, apply a second.Then, go back and reread this book. The implications of every chapter are so deep, you are guaranteed to peel back different layers every time you read it.Finally, if number analysis is not your strong suit, I suggest you find and/or appoint a "Data Friend." Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to learn, even if data analysis makes you go cross-eyed. However, you will seriously amplify your results if you have a Data Friend with whom you can discuss and collaborate.I have been a client of the author's for several years and I take my hat off to him for helping me, a life-long hater of math, understand and apply 80/20 to my life and business. It is his insight and coaching that is directly responsible for the rapid growth of my business! Of course, there's always more that can be learned and done, which is why I'm thrilled to have this "pocket-sized" version of his 80/20 teachings and insights. This is truly a one-of-a-kind resource for anyone in sales and marketing. Even if you only read one chapter, you can't go wrong!

The title of this book grabbed my attention as soon as I saw it. The reason is that I read Richard Koch's book 'The 80/20 Principle' back in the late '90s when it was first published. Although the book by Mr. Koch intrigued me, I didn't figure out how to take its theories and put them into practical and profitable use.After reading Perry Marshall's book, I realize what the problem was. I'm a person who needs to see "the forest before the trees"; to get a clear view of the big picture before seeing how to chunk down into details. This is especially true within the confusing and cluttered worlds of sales and marketing. That's what this book by Perry Marshall can do for you. It can give you that "aha moment" - the one in which you realize someone's given you a clear path to grow any enterprise and the only thing that could stand in your way is your own possible unwillingness to use discipline in staying on that path.There's a diagram on page 86 that clarifies everything so much for me - gives me that view of the forest - that I just want to refer to it whenever I might feel overwhelmed by sales and marketing information. On that note, the whole book is written and formatted in a very readable manner. The chapters are short, concise, and to-the-point. And even though the book is an obvious marketing piece for Mr. Marshall's bigger products and services (as most non-fiction is), you'll be happy with its stand-alone value. You'll likely feel as I do - that you have a clear choice to go on learning more from the author or you can take the terrific info he's provided here and on his website to figure the rest out for yourself. That's refreshing.Obviously, I'm really happy I've read this book. It's marked up with highlighter at this point. I'm sure I'll refer to it again and again. It'll likely be marked further with underlines and margin notes. Perry Marshall's taken the mystery and hard work out of deciphering the practicality of Richard Koch's work. I highly recommend it - unless you happen to be one of my direct competitors ("Haha").