#373 Breakfast with Brad Jacobs + How To Make A Few Billion Dollars

2425 snips

Dec 6, 2024

Dive into the entrepreneurial wisdom of Brad Jacobs, who shares insights from his remarkable journey of founding multiple billion-dollar companies. Learn about the crucial role of recruiting top talent and the power of clear communication in leadership. Discover effective strategies for industry analysis and the mindset shifts necessary to embrace challenges. With anecdotes from a life dedicated to business, this discussion highlights the importance of resilience and community in achieving monumental success.

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ADVICE

Prioritize A-Players

Prioritize working with the smartest, most talented people you can find.
A small team of A-players outperforms a large team of B and C players.

ADVICE

Lifelong Learning

Continuously learn from everyone around you, regardless of their background or status.
Be a sponge and absorb knowledge from every interaction.

ADVICE

Clarity of Thought

Cultivate clear thinking and communicate your ideas concisely.
Make yourself easy to understand and work with.

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Insanely simple

The Obsession That Drives Apple's Success

Ken Segall

In 'Insanely Simple,' Ken Segall delves into the culture and strategies that made Apple a leader in innovation. The book highlights Steve Jobs' relentless pursuit of simplicity, which was a key factor in Apple's success. Segall shares personal anecdotes and stories from his time working with Jobs, contrasting Apple's approach with that of other companies like Dell and Intel. He emphasizes the importance of small groups of smart people, minimal bureaucracy, and the power of simplicity in achieving clarity and efficiency. The book provides valuable insights into how simplicity can be a driving force for success in any organization.

Setting the Table

Danny Meyer

In this landmark book, Danny Meyer recounts his experiences and the lessons he learned in developing his philosophy of Enlightened Hospitality. Meyer started Union Square Cafe at the age of 27 and has since built a restaurant empire. His philosophy, which emphasizes strong in-house relationships and customer satisfaction, is applicable to any business. The book covers various aspects of running a restaurant, including selecting real estate, hiring, training, and providing exceptional service. Meyer's approach to hospitality extends to guests, the community, suppliers, and investors, and he provides practical advice on how to maintain long-term success through these relationships.

Zero to One

Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

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In 'Zero to One,' Peter Thiel argues that true innovation comes from creating something entirely new, going from 'zero to one,' rather than incrementally improving existing ideas. He emphasizes the importance of vertical progress through technology and the benefits of monopoly in driving innovation. Thiel also discusses the need for long-term planning, the importance of finding the right co-founders, and the power law in startup success. The book challenges conventional wisdom and encourages readers to think critically and aim big to build the future[2][3][5].

The fish that ate the whale

The Life and Times of America's Banana King

Rich Cohen

This book tells the fascinating story of Samuel Zemurray, who started as a roadside banana peddler and eventually built a sprawling empire involving banana cowboys, mercenary soldiers, Honduran peasants, CIA agents, and American statesmen. Rich Cohen's narrative explores Zemurray's rise to power, his involvement in overthrowing Central American governments, and his complex role in American history. The book delves into Zemurray's personal life, his business exploits, and the moral implications of his actions, painting a nuanced portrait of a man driven by an indomitable will to succeed.

The Everything Store

Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon

Brad Stone

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Bill Walsh

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How to Make a Few Billion Dollars

Brad Jacobs

In *How to Make a Few Billion Dollars*, Brad Jacobs shares his mindset and strategies that have driven his remarkable success in corporate America. With over four decades of experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur, Jacobs distills his business brilliance into a tactical road map. The book covers topics such as rearranging your mindset to achieve enormous goals, turning a healthy fear of failure to your advantage, achieving high-quality M&A without imploding, building an outrageously talented team, catalyzing electric meetings, and transforming a company into a superorganism that outcompetes others. Jacobs emphasizes the importance of humility, compassion, and accountability while pursuing the American Dream.

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Jeff Bezos

Walter Isaacson

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Can't Hurt Me

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David Goggins

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The King of Madison Avenue

David Ogilvy and the Making of Modern Advertising

Ken Auletta

In this book, Ken Auletta explores the life and career of David Ogilvy, often referred to as the 'King of Madison Avenue.' Ogilvy was a pioneering figure in advertising who founded Ogilvy & Mather and is credited with revolutionizing the industry through his innovative approaches and emphasis on research-based advertising. The book delves into Ogilvy's early life, his rise to prominence, and his significant contributions to the field of advertising, providing a detailed and insightful look at the man and his impact on modern advertising.

Andrew Carnegie

David Nasaw

David Nasaw's biography of Andrew Carnegie is a meticulously researched and engaging account of Carnegie's life. The book delves into Carnegie's early fortune, his involvement in the steel industry, and his later philanthropic efforts, including his campaigns against American involvement in the Spanish-American War and for international peace. Nasaw uses a trove of new material, including unpublished chapters of Carnegie's Autobiography, personal letters, and extensive correspondence with notable figures, to paint a balanced and robust portrait of Carnegie. The biography places Carnegie's life in cultural and political context, highlighting his contradictions as a ruthless businessman and a generous philanthropist[2][3][4].