The Rules of Business By Fast Company's Editors & Writers

55 Essential Ideas to Help Smart People (and Organizations) Perform at Their Best
By Fast Company's Editors & Writers
Doubleday (A Division of Random House, Inc.)
$19.95; hardcover; 246 pages; (2005).



This slim volume is filled with business ideas that you probably already know – but it never hurts to be reminded of them. Most rules are accompanied by a short explanation and quotes from business leaders.

Take #1 Rule, for instance: The first rule of business is the same as the first rule of life: Adapt or die.

Nothing surprising here – but just think how often most people strive to resist change. When we find something that works, we want to do it again and again – often oblivious to the fact that our original way of solving a problem or dealing with an issue is no longer effective.

Rule #2 reads: Innovation is difficult and often painful. But there is no alternative. (See Rule 1.)

"The minute you get good at something, you get comfortable. And that leads to stagnation. People on my team have learned to embrace change."
- Tamar Elkeles, Vice Preside of Learning,
Qualcomm

The book lists rules to follow in over 20 different areas of business, including: communication, customer service, technology, marketing, leadership, risk, speed, and the future.

My favorite? Rule #55: If you haven't had one spectacular failure in your life, you haven't tried hard enough. My favorite quote:

"If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room."
Dame Anita Roddick, founder,
The Body Shop


If you enjoy pithy reminders of everyday business principles, this book's for you.