Business Romantic

In this smart, playful, and provocative book, one of today's most original business thinkers argues that we underestimate the importance of romance in our lives and that we can find it in and through business - by designing products, services, and experiences that connect us with something greater than ourselves. How can work be delightful - perhaps even magical? The Business Romantic offers a radically different view of the successful enterprise and inspires you to find more meaning in business. Business is an indispensable part of our lives, from the long hours we work to the products and services we buy - and yet, for many of us, something is missing, something both essential and immeasurable that lets us see the world with fresh eyes every day: romance. In this smart, playful, and provocative book, Tim Leberecht reveals the power of business to transcend mere rationality and self-interest and move toward deep, passionate exchanges that honour our most complete selves. From corporate strategy to the workplace, from product innovation to branding, customer relationships, and sales, Leberecht presents ten 'Rules of Enchantment' that illustrate the value of choosing intimacy over transparency, mystery over clarity, devotion over data, vulnerability over control, delight over satisfaction, and love over liking. Whether you are a consumer or producer, employee or entrepreneur, The Business Romantic urges you to start the most sublime of revolutions: Expect more. Give more of yourself. Fall back in love with business and with your life. 'If more people and workplaces followed [Lebrecht's] rules, our jobs would be more fulfilling' ADAM GRANT, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take 'Engaging, even lyrical stories in the spirit of the best of classic Fast Company. Work is personal' Seth Godin, author of The Icarus Deception Top 10 Motivational Books of 2015 - Inc.com Top 10 Creative Leadership Books of 2015 - Forbes Against the backdrop of eroding trust in capitalism, pervasive technology, big data, and the desire to quantify all of our behaviours, The Business Romantic makes a compelling case that we must meld the pursuit of success and achievement with romance if we want to create an economy that serves our entire selves. A rising star in data analytics who is in love with the intrinsic beauty of spreadsheets; the mastermind behind a brand built on absence; an Argentinian couple who revolutionize shoelaces; the founder of a foodie-oriented start-up that creates intimate conversation spaces; a performance artist who offers fake corporate seminars for real professionals - these are some of the innovators readers will meet in this witty, deeply personal, and rousing journey through the world of Business Romanticism. The Business Romantic not only provides surprising insights into the emotional and social aspects of business but also presents 'Rules of Enchantment' that will help both individuals and organisations construct more meaningful experiences for themselves and others. The Business Romantic offers a radically different view of the good life and outlines how to better meet one's own desires as well as those of customers, employees, and society. It encourages readers to expect more from companies, to give more of themselves, and to fall back in love with their work and their lives.