Cumulative Advantage: How to Build Momentum for Your Ideas, Business and Life Against All Odds, reviewed

We look at the latest book by Mark Schaefer, keynote speaker, marketing strategist, podcaster, author of 7 books including Marketing Rebellion, COO of B Squared Media. See more about the book here.

Cumulative Advantage: How to Build Momentum for Your Ideas, Business and Life Against All Odds, reviewed

We liked this book. Whether intentionally or not, it reminded us of the open and expressive style of Seth Godin. Schaefer is upfront, honest, and takes you on a slightly brutally honest ride, examine why he did not become Tim Ferris (author of The 4 hour week, etc…) or get to appear on Oprah. Naturally the ultimate reveal shows he is happy with how things panned out. Along the way he manages to explain well and articulately why he made the choices that he did, and how things still worked out pretty well for him.

We enjoyed the narrative style, and there are definitely actionable takeaways from the book too, to ensure that there is value for the reader. By taking this journey with him, in this book, you also get a good understanding into his insights, and the strong message that, while few of us will go viral and become overnight sensations. It is still possible to do a lot of things right, and end up in a better place as a consequence. His tag line for this book is ‘cumulative advantage’ and he does dissect why some people have managed to get above and ahead of the pack, and then managed to stay there, as they reap the benefits of this positioning.

Schaefer is not promising rags to riches overnight, but rather that with hardworking, allied with heads up intelligence and strategic actions, there is a clear path to reaching a better place for you and your business. We enjoyed reading it, and look forward to having him on our podcast very soon.

More about the book ->

At its essence, marketing today is about answering one question: “How can we be heard?” How can we rise above the din of infinite options to create sustainable meaning with an audience or group of customers?Following the old rules of digital engagement is not enough … not nearly enough. Even being “great” is insufficient in the face of overwhelming competition redefining the limits of excellence every day.

From the best-selling author of KNOWN and Marketing Rebellion comes a practical guidebook built for the modern world. Cumulative Advantage demonstrates how the world is stacked against us in big ways and small and provides new ideas to help us build the unstoppable momentum needed to rise above competitive barricades in business, in our careers, and in our lives.

Filled with motivating ideas and fascinating case studies, Cumulative Advantage is an indispensable and practical source of inspiration for every person with a dream that’s ready to take flight.You will learn:•How the initial advantage that drives momentum comes from everyday ideas.•The inside secrets of creating vast awareness for your projects.•How to nurture powerful connections that lead to break-through opportunities.•Why momentum is driven by the speed, time, and space of a “seam.”•How the “certainty of business uncertainty” can be used to your advantage.

Mark Schaefer weaves decades of research and revealing expert views into an entertaining guide to building momentous success in the real-world. You’ll never view the world the same way again after learning how initial advantages, seams of opportunity, sonic booms, and the lift from mentors can impact your world in powerful and permanent ways. Get ready to make Cumulative Advantage work for you and your ideas right now!

More about his podcast

With a spicy blend of good fun and powerful insight, The Marketing Companion has been the world’s most entertaining business podcast for more than six years.

Mark Schaefer is a globally-recognized marketing author, consultant, and keynote speaker. Brooke Sellas is a marketing agency owner and industry pundit. Put them together and you’ve created one of the most acclaimed and beloved on-demand radio shows on the planet.

The Marketing Companion is always fun, always interesting, and always on-target with insights and ideas that will turn up your marketing intellect to an “11.” Find a topic in the guide below or push one of the subscribe buttons to get episodes delivered free to your email account every other week.

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