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Clarke Ching, regularly blogging at Clarke Ching — More Chili Please, just published his second book titled, Rocks into Gold. He wrote the book in response to the sorry state of the worldwide economy, particularly for those working on projects in the software industry. He tells a story of optimism in the face of our everyday pessimism. It's a book about ingenuity, frank reality and a touch of cynicism for it to ring true.
He tells a story of optimism in the face of our everyday pessimism.
The story opens with a software development firm losing a contract with one of its biggest clients. The loss will likely lead to significant layoffs. People are devastated. One person, it could be anyone of us, finds a path forward.
Clarke is a good story-teller. He's a programmer…I hear a pretty good programmer…and a pragmatist. His writing is engaging and believable. Not bad for someone who makes his living writing code as a TOC consultant specializing in software development. I particularly like the lessons he offers from theory of constraints and lean perspectives. Many people will miss it. That's ok. It's a story not a lecture. They won't miss that there is a way they can bring more value to their clients while increasing the cash flow for their firm. Nice job Clarke.
Bring more value to your clients while increasing the cash flow for your firm
The book is available as a paperback, downloadable PDF or you can read it online for free. Clarke's aim is to wake us up to what many of us already know how to do, but aren't doing. Get over to Rocks into Gold for your own awakening.
? Guy Kawasaki wrote, "Less is the new more." Easy to learn: symmetry, seduction, subtraction, and sustainability. Very valuable to do. Step 1: Read Matt's book!! just 140 keystrokes.
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Loved reading this little book, Hal. Thanks for telling.
Very nice intro to the benefits of timeboxing among other things.
I found Ching’s book also to be a lesson in what Haifetz and Laurie (in their 2001 HBR article) call “adaptive change” – the idea of engaging everyone in the organization’s challenges rather than just in the passed down solutions and plans.
That was an excellent read! Hopefully people do not miss the lessons there regarding critical chain and lean. Although the project manager had a small role, I’m glad she was portrayed like she was…sincere, helpful, smart, and a good manager who cares about people and relationships.
Josh Nankivel
http://pmStudent.com/author/JoshNankivel