Escape from Cubicle Nation

This is a case of a book emerging from a successful blog, and a topic that has interested me intensely for a number of years - ever since Dan Pink published Free Agent Nation.

I bought Escape from Cubicle Nation after meeting Pam Slim virtually on Twitter and getting to know her through her blog, as well as through a personal introduction from a friend.

While many entrepreneurs I met seem to be born that way, Slim helps make the case for the rest of us who can evolve to that point. The book addresses how to get started head on. It's filled with ideas and resources and well researched.

In his book, Pink explained how people get connected - with work opportunities and with each other - and why free agency has become such a large phenomenon. Slim continues the conversation by drilling down into more ways to transition to having a business, as well as expanding the definition of being self-employed: "You are always self-employed, no matter your tax designation."

Along the lines of that premise, I see opportunity to run a business even inside organizations, if one is willing to operate their function as if they had P&L accountability. What activities are tied to growth, expansion, developing assets and the positive side of the balance sheet? Are your success metrics quantifiable and do they respond to the business? Can you partner with a business mentor from another unit by volunteering to support their efforts in exchange for learning?

Very often, one of the most common responses I receive in a corporate setting is - this is not in my goals. While I get the limited time and resources available to do what is on the regular plate, learning to be entrepreneurial begins with being enterprising. Finding a better job can begin with reshaping the job you're in right now by helping solve bigger problems, for example.

This would take care of finding a mentor, which as Dr. Cathy Goodwin writes in her Amazon review may be hard without some form of compensation, and learning about P&L first hand, gaining experience and credibility in a new line of business while at the same helping the company where you work.

Pink's book was a few years back, and we still haven't figured out the insurance, benefits (especially health costs), and the issues that arise from laws and taxes, and support networks are still gestating in many fields. Nevertheless, Slim provides solid and practical advice on finances - both on the physical side of things as in savings and logistics, and the mental side or how you need to prepare to think about finances.

Whether you're planning to make the leap to owning a business, or owning your job wherever that is, this book will help you frame some fundamental questions you need to find answers for. You answers will depend on the amount of work you'll be willing to put into your own career path.

The most helpful parts of the book to me were:

• the money game - loved the examples of how to plan goals by calculating services/costs ratios
• financial matters overall - this cannot be underestimated, preparation will go a long way
• organization and planning - both the practical and the philosophical parts

The book is a great reminder that it's a good idea not to delegate our careers to others. If you read the book, I'd love to hear your thoughts on how it has helped you, or questions you have that you'd like to see developed further. 

_________

I occasionally write book reviews - more often than not, I incorporate what I learn in a post.

________

Writing a book is hard work, and quite the accomplishment. John is waiting for fresh copies of his new book - Awesomely Simple: Essential Business Strategies for Turning Ideas into Action - to arrive. He agreed to let the most passionate about the topic among you have my copy. This further demonstrates he's a true member of the community. Who wants to go first?

Comments

[Mike Lally]

I do. I do. I want to go first!

[Mike Lally]

I've been a fan/follower of John's since his manifesto was published on ChangeThis. I like the stripped down/most common denominator approach he takes. It is refreshing to focus on the basics. (I almost said "simple" but I don't think that is fair.) There is and has been just so much noise generated which dilutes what aspiring managers - GOOD managers - give attention. John brings it all back home so to speak.

[Jbaer]

Oh but I want it more! :) Like Mike Lally; I am a huge fan of John Spence, he is inspiring, motivating, and compelling! I’ve had the pleasure to attend his speaking engagements, and witness the “power of inspiration” ...as business owners and managers; we can all be successful – but we need to take the proper direction. John reminds us of something so forgotten now days; poor management will bring you down!

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Mike - thank you so much for coming back to share more of the context around your enthusiastic first comment. I've heard often the saying "if we can get out of our own way" inside organizations. I think that's what it means, as managers have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference for the people inside the organization and thus the company itself.

@Jim - this is great, I love competitions. And it's awesome that John has built such trust with business contacts. I concur with your assessment on poor management.

[Jeannette Baer]

@Mike, @Valeria, I hate to confuse all of you, but I wanted to make sure you knew this is Jeannette, I posted the comment - I would hate for the book to go to Jim and not me!...However, we are both big fans of John! and I promese to share the book!

[John Spence]

Both Jeannette and Mike will get a copy!!! Thanks for the kind words -- and especially THANK YOU Valeria for your support. I am expecting a shipment of books in the next few weeks -- I'll send them to you two as soon as I get them.

[Jeannette Baer]

Yeahhh!! I’m so excited! -Thank you John! -With the business challenges we are all experiencing now, I look forward to having your book and reaping from your wisdom and amazing business strategies!

[edward boches]

There are no barriers to entry anymore. WP, Posterous, Twitter, FB, YouTube, et. al. are all free. Learning to build community and followers creates evangelists. You don't need money, or space, or equipment. Just determination and imagination. It's a great time to be alive and have an internet connection.