Sahar Hashemi

Get Switched On - for that Light Bulb Moment

Sahar Hashemi shares her insights and knowledge on how to use the entrepreneur mindset within a company as an employee. She uses her own entrepreneurial business success the "Coffee Republic" as examples of her experience, alongside the views of other former, successful entrepreneurs. Hashemi's 8 habits of a "Switched On" mindset (the habits of an entrepreneur) are about behavioural change and adopting new habits to inspire the reader to get motivated, creative and above all persist by taking action. The key word here, as always in success, is "action". She looks at how being "Switched On" within a large organisation can help step away from the usual barriers, and avoid the "how we always done
it" mentality to achieve success. Yet is is done in a way that where one will still be seen as a team player while dumping he bureaucratic baggage of large compartmentalised corporations. True light bulb moments.

I loved this book in that the advice given can be "switched on" and is eminently actionable, by anyone, in any organisation at any level. And there is nothing to prevent the lone entrepreneur getting some great tips from this book either. Of course there is a level of engagement and emotional involvement required to not just read the book but act upon what is read.

I must add that Hashemi's 8 habits are like a British version of Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, of which there is now an 8th habit, but with less of the unnecessary spiritual guff. Everything learned can be used within a large organisation and by going that extra mile in a new, fun way which reignites one's enthusiasm for the job, can't be bad.

Overa
ll: This is one of those books which excited me, hence the 5 star review. So, if like me entrepreneur books switch you on, I highly recommend you getting "Switched On" by this. Unless of course, all the lights are on, but nobody's home.… (más)

I bought this book because I really wanted to see through the eyes of entrepreneurs of how they built their ideas into a full business. The business was in the retail setor so it really appealed as I have not come across many books on this subject. I thought the book was good read, showing how to take an idea forward and that key to success is looking for the right locations, bootstrapping and constantly refining to get the right formulae. However there were parts that were patronising like finding funding, where the authors tell us that they started of because of contacts as apposed to running around finding funding, Overall a good read but do not expect tips on how to do it.… (más)

I bought this book because I was interested in the story of Coffee Republic, not because I wanted to be instructed on how to be an entrepeneur. To be honest their advice came across as really patronising; yes they've got a hugely successful company started, but it's only one, why does that make them experts? All that proves so far is that they're very lucky. If I was looking for advice on starting a business their advice is all pretty obvious and I'd look for someone with more experience for a better sampling. Anyways, the bits about their personal story are a lot more interesting and enjoyable. I wish they'd just focussed on that aspect a bit lot more and made it a straightforward biography.… (más)