The Wisdom Of Ginsu: Carve Yourself A Piece Of The American Dream

Barry Becher, Edward Valenti

Description

This is the 40th Anniversary edition of the Wisdom of Ginsu. While this book was written nearly 14 years ago, the lessons contained are even more relevant today than they were back then. With a country so divided, political correctness at a crazy level and an all out attack on capitalism in favor of socialism, this a must read for everyone that would like to break away from the crowd, gain an edge, and grow rich and happy. In each chapter the authors spell out in exact terms what they did right and more importantly what they did wrong...Ginsu-ism's. Millennial's will clearly see what is possible in America with some enthusiasm and ingenuity. "Only in America " can this kind of success happen. As the authors are fond of saying " "There's no way you can sit on your ass and slide uphill"

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Développement personnel
• Marketing
• Business
• Economics
• Marketing et communication

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 11 août 2018
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456631987
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 11 Mo

Extrait


 
The Wisdom of Ginsu ®
Carve Yourself a Piece of the American Dream
 
 
This 40 th year Anniversary Edition is dedicated to the memory of Barry Becher. My partner and beloved friend. May you Rest in Peace
The Wisdom of Ginsu ®
Carve Yourself a Piece of the American Dream
By
Barry Becher and Edward Valenti
The Ginsu Guys TM
Foreword by
James Cooney
Copyright© 2018 by Edward Valenti ,
All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission.
 
T he W isdom of G insu
E dited and T ypeset by K risten P arkes
Ginsu is a registered trademark of the Douglas Quikut
division of the Scott Fetzer Company
Commercial photos courtesy of Longstreet Photo Reports
 
Published in eBook format by eBookIt.com
http://www.eBookIt.com
 
ISBN-13: 978-1-4566-3198-7
 
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Available upon request .
Acknowledgments
Over the last 30 years, one of the most important lessons we have learned is that there are always two ways to look at things...and the truth is most often found somewhere in the middle.
This certainly is the case when it comes to the common characteristics of successful entrepreneurs: On one hand, we’re often described as competitive, self-motivated, open to risk, independent, self-confident, creative, multi-taskers who love a challenge and who, in pursuit of predetermined dreams and goals, work long hours, possess a strong sense of self-worth, have lots of energy, enjoy a challenge, and appreciate the value of a dollar. On the other, far less charitable hand, we entrepreneurs are called ruthless, self-centered, relentlessly driven risk-takers who are egotistical, rule-breaking, dreamers and workaholics, headed off in a million different directions at once, intentionally seeking out obstacles and creating new ones, all in order to achieve obscene levels of financial wealth.
No matter where our entrepreneurial characteristics fall between those two extremes, on a personal level we are very fortunate to share our lives with some very special individuals who know that, first and foremost, we are good people with good hearts who just happen to also be very good at business.
These people always see the best in us and love us for the type of people we are (not the type of businesspersons we are labeled as).
They have seen us at our best and at our worst as entrepreneurs and human beings, and have chosen firmly to support us, love us, follow us, and believe in us over many, many years; our lives and careers would be meaningless without them. We, of course, are talking about our accountants...um, we mean our lovely wives, Leslie Becher and Brenda Valenti.
Heartfelt thanks and sincere appreciation, Leslie and Brenda, for all that you have done to love us and support us, for keeping the home fires burning, and for choosing to see the best in us, each and every day. Know that we love you always and appreciate the many ways you make our lives worth living. Thank you especially for your support during the writing of this book.
We’d also like to thank our daughters, Erica and Erin (Valenti), Lisa and Kim (Becher); stepdaughters (Jodi and Stacy); grandkids; as well as all of our sons-in-law (Joe, Ken, Craig, Mike, and Kurt), for all the joy they’ve brought into our lives, for the love they have for us and our grandchildren, and for giving us a reason to get up and go to work every day and an even better reason to stay home and play hooky once in a while! You have all helped us in different ways, along the way, and we love you all dearly.
Now to our thanks specifically in the writing of this book: First on the list is James J. Cooney Jr.
Jimmy, in many ways, is responsible for this book. He not only helped organize our thoughts but helped us to clarify, list, and name our “Ginsuisms” (personal and professional lessons and pearls of wisdom) and put them into words. He also was the keeper of the Ginsu archives (photos, articles, etc.) before we even knew that we were going to need archives for this and other projects. Jim was the first to dub us “The Ginsu Guys™” (and to tell us to make sure we trademarked the name). He invested many hours of advice, inspiration, creative direction, editing, and faith in this project...and in us. Perhaps an even larger part of Jim’s contribution has been his dedication to us as this story was unfolding over the last 25 years. In short, Jim was, and is, the glue that holds us together. Whenever Barry and I had a dispute, over the years or during the writing of this book, he would chuckle, shake his head, and mutter, “Looks like Godzilla and Rodan are going at it again!” At some of our toughest moments he would find a way to make us laugh at our problems and ourselves. The man has the patience of JOB! Thanks, Jim.
Second is Shelley Roth, our agent. Or, as we like to call her, the “Terminator” agent, because no matter what happens, she never quits and always comes “back.” Thanks, Shelley, for sticking with us, believing in this story, and making this book deal happen. Thanks also for your patience with two entrepreneurs with hundreds of questions, even more suggestions, and all of the “interesting” qualities and characteristics mentioned at the beginning of these acknowledgments. As we often say, “Just think, instead of only working with us, you could have to live with us!” Feel better? Thought so.
Third is Cemal Ekin, our dear friend for many years. From the time we first met him, he’s always been there for us on a number of different levels. His technical wizardry is unequaled. He is the guru of gurus. His input definitely helped, and his output in formatting this document was invaluable. And special thanks to Ed’s daughter Erica for coming up with the subtitle “Carve Yourself a Piece of the American Dream.”
And finally, we would like to thank our customers. First, all the people who bought our Ginsu knives and our other TV direct marketing products. Without you, we’d be broke, we certainly wouldn’t have the chance to write this book, and marketing history would be a lot less fun and not nearly as interesting!
And second, all the people who bought this book and are reading it now. We hope you enjoy the business, personal, and life lessons we have picked up along the way and that you somehow find a way to use them to write the next chapter in your own personal and professional success story! Nothing would make us happier at this stage of our lives than passing along the torch of entrepreneurial success!
Contents
Foreword
Screen-Test Everyone…
If They. Say It Can’t Be Done, You’ll Just Have to Do It Yourself!
People Believe What They See and See What They Believe
Zig When Other People Zag
Always Ask
If Your Partner Starts to Sink
Keep Your Secrets of Success to Yourself
No Problemos
Get Back to Them, or They’ll Get Someone Else
When in Doubt, Blow It Out
Never Settle for What People Tell You
There’s No Red Cross Flag Flying Over This Building
Not Making a Mistake Is a Big Mistake
When You Ask Someone a Question, Wait for the Answer!
Sometimes Smart People Do Stupid Things!
When You Help Other People, you help Yourself
Hide Behind Rocks and Bushes
Check Your Check
You Never Know From Where the Cash Is Gonna Flow
Start at the Top
Know What Buttons to Push…and Push Them
Keep the “Chainge”
Know a Little About as Many Things as Possible
**Bonus Ginsuism**
Index
About the Authors
 
Foreword

Right about now you’re probably saying to yourself, “Okay, so they sold a gazillion Ginsu knives, but how does that qualify them to tell me how to run a more successful business or lead a better life?” Well first of all, they aren’t going to “tell” you how to do anything. They are only going to tell you how they did a lot of successful and not so successful things—what they learned from it and what you can learn from it. What you do with that information is really up to you. Ed and Barry asked me to write this Introduction because I’ve been working for, and with, them for more than 25 years, right out of college. Although they’ve worked with literally thousands of people over the years, nobody on the planet has worked with them longer, learned more, or seen more. So, I guess I’m what you’d call a living, breathing, customer testimonial. As their primary pupil over the last quarter century, I was the logical choice to help Ed and Barry encapsulate some of the most valuable pieces of information and lessons that I learned from them into the 24 Ginsuisms discussed in this book. So, before you decide what qualifies the “Ginsu Guys” to offer this type of information, please read the rest of this Introduction. Once you do, I think you’ll understand completely. I know I wouldn’t trade the personal and professional education they’ve given me over the last 25 years for a free ride to Harvard Business School. In case you’re thinking that they probably paid me to say that, let me tell you, they didn’t. However, learning how they got me to say that, without paying me a penny, is worth more than the price of this entire book! If I were to attend Harvard Business School, I’m sure that one of the first things they would teach me is to find a mentor, someone who can guide you along the way, teach you the ins and outs of being successful, and help lead you through the obstacle course of business and life. The only problem is, how do you find the right mentor, someone who can teach you everything you need to know to be successful in your personal and professional lives? Well, if you read this book, you won’t have to look any further because you’ll have found two of the greatest mentors around...so,