Review: Straightforward, Sensible Advice that Applies to Business or Life
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 2, 2014
Author Tim Fargo created a successful insurance fraud investigation company and sold it for big bucks. But this happy ending didn't happen without some failure along the way. Fargo mines the good and the bad and presents (via a riff on the alphabet) an uncomplicated outline for building a business that works. A lot of his advice is also applicable to people outside the business world.I like that Fargo acknowledges from the beginning that he's always wanted to be rich. It made me say to myself "Well, whatever I may think of his book, at least he's honest." What sets Fargo apart from other "How to Succeed in Business" coaches is that he clearly differentiates fancy toys (say a Ferrari) as a motivator or symbol that spurs one towards a goal and the goal itself. The distinction is subtle, but it makes the difference between a life filled with money and cool stuff and one built on accomplishment that (as a by-product) allows one to enjoy money and stuff.I like the way Fargo balances up-to-the-minute technology (e.g. computer programs that track the handling of customer complaints) and old-fashioned good customer service (sending a client a real birthday card rather than an email or e-card).  He's a man who knows that tracking and quantifying the value of a given account is important, but so is maintaining meaningful contact with the individuals behind the account.In the end, I think that's what sets ALPHABET SUCCESS apart from so many books in its category--it never forgets that a business is at its foundation a human interacting with other humans. So, there's room for mistakes as well as growth. Mistakes MAKE for growth.And if this isn't enough to get you to give this book a try, all of the proceeds of the book generated in 2014 will go to support children in Africa via Save The Children. How's that for putting a human face on success?