Age of Speed: Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World Book

Though the book has been written 10+years ago, it is still relevant just like any other book that teaches how to build a habit. Though some examples given could be less applicable to an individual (as compare to corporate leaders) , but you will still learn one thing or another through the lens of the author.

"Every time we speed up the time it takes to complete an unimportant task, we create the possibility of more time to spend doing what we feel is significant - whether it's building a business or watching the sunset."

-Appreciating speed doesn't automatically mean multitasking. Multitasking divides your attention, so use it appropriately, in targeted doses.

-Use speed to become agile, and respond quickly to threats and opportunities. Let speed make you aerodynamic and free of "drag."

-Develop filters to weed out useless information and options.

-Eliminate everything that doesn't add to speed or quality of life.

-Slow is not always a bad thing.Sometimes waiting builds anticipation and intensifies your pleasure. [such as limited edition item/ticket sales]


You have to be:
1.Agile. Focus on key quality. (eg. P&G in 2000 by sourcing new product idea from the consumer to improve the usefulness of the product)
2.Flexible. Stay committed to your goal but alter method of approach in response to external challenges.
3.Reduce "Drag". Rework to streamline your life until it is moving through as smoothly as possible. Learn to "Block" your time to focus on the current to do and to prevent distraction.
4. Alignment. Not to derail from your vision. (eg. Nintendo target general audience, as such , it is more interested in providing an entertaining experience for everyone as compare to Microsoft Xbox which focus on state-of -the-art technology and graphics for hardcore gamer)

Company Organizations normally fall into one of four categories:
Zeppelins - These companies see speed as undesirable and threatening. Because they're fighting the fast-changing world(eg. Kodak stop reinventing and fail to take advantage of its early advantage and brand recolonization results in tens of millions of dollars.)

Balloons - They resist speed, but find ways to succeed especially in "niche markets,"

Bottle Rockets - They embrace speed and race through life, but try to do too much and fail, often hurting themselves and those around them. (eg. Dell computing, focus on speed in terms of efficiency by cutting down the channel of distribution, however, failed to innovate to respons eto market changes results in profit plummet by more than 50% in 2006)

Jets - Speed lover, experience in maneuvering in speed by eliminate "drag" and focus on its core values (eg. Google, when Youtube outpaced its Google video, Google ditch its own and purchase Youtube instead to adapt to market changes.)