Business and leadership is a topic that has been fascinating me for awhile now. I find the parallels between entrepreneurship and being a musician interesting. Most of my reading besides music has been a mix of business, marketing and copywriting books. This new book by Christopher Catranis arrived in my mail recently and I’ve been digging it.
The main attraction of the text is that it reads more like a novel than a typical business book. The storytelling element is at the base of the text providing anecdotal examples to support 8 lessons (‘secrets’) that Chris shares.
Chris seems to be quite the adventurer – from his early life selling encyclopedias door to door (while not really knowing how to sell effectively) to his journey trying to enable Africans (in Nigeria specifically) to have access to clean water. It’s a little bit like a crazy Indiana Jones adventure that is almost far fetched but does drive in the lessons he wants to share.
I think the craziest lesson he shares includes an experience he had while he was in the Lebanese prison system. A particular memorable moment includes him singing ‘The Boxer’ by Simon and Garfunkel with fellow prisoners.
He seems to go from one challenging (high risk, potentially high return) business venture to the other, often at war-torn locations like Iraq. The stories are compelling and shocking. I felt very drawn to Chris’s experiences which do bring weight to the lessons he wants to share. I find it very fascinating to see how the book is strategically positioned as a business book while the writing moves in a more narrative (albeit non-chronological) manner.
In conclusion, this book is probably one of the most eccentric business books I’ve read. The thought that’s been put in the book comes together in the final chapter as even the book’s cover concept is explained. It’s quite a wild ride and even with the pitch that Chris drives (he is looking for partners in his next business venture), the book by itself is a compelling read.
Pros: Chris’s life story drives the lessons that he wants to share in this book. A great read.
Cons: None.
TLDR: If you want to learn about leadership from an interesting man who’s lived through colourful experiences, get this book.
I received a review copy of this book from Leaders Press. Thank you Alinka!
You can get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QJWBYP4
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