Paul Arden (1940–2008)

I read this right on the heels of finishing George Lois' Damn Good Advice so I'm not sure what I was expecting. Possibly something more than another book on creativity and design that's men talking to men about men. Or even something more than people who have everything to gain --in direct opposition to everything to lose-- from risk telling you to take huge risks in their life and careers for the sake of design and creativity. I hunger for something more, something I did not find in these show more pages. show less

It's Not How GOOD You are… is a concise guide to making the most of yourself -- a pocket ""bible"" for the talented and timid to make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible.
After decades at the top of one of the world's most competitive industries, Paul Arden offers insights into such diverse subjects as the value of being fired and why it's often better to be wrong than to be right.
He gives original and logical answers to everyday questions. Much of it appears obvious when show more you read it, but aren't all questions easy when you know the answers?
Whether you are a school-leaver, self-employed or a managing director, this book is invaluable for everyone who aspires to succeed.
Just as Sun Tzu's Art Of War is read as a lesson in business strategy rather than fighting in a military sense, or Machiavelli's The Prince is written about government but used as a guide to management, so this book uses the creative processes of good advertising as a metaphor for business practice. show less

Cute, quick read. Written for the advertising industry, so some terms are not defined - what's a brief in this context? But you can get some inspiring slogans out of it. The book was obviously written in a different time - by and for OWG (old white guys). Things like race and gender are not even considered and there are some mildly offensive bits because it is the advertising industry after all!

This is supposed to be a book for everyone, regardless of profession or background, but there’s a big focus on advertising and how to surpass demands in that field. I suppose if you’re just starting out on the job market, there’s plenty of good advice. Paul Arden is considered to be an advertising guru, so if you’re thinking of working in that field, you should make that little book your bible. Arden compares it to no less than Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. I’ll leave it up to you to show more decide whether the comparison is justified or not, but will say that having worked in that field for many years, I know from experience that advertisers are prone to exaggerating... just a tad. show less