There are lessons in failure and Rick (Merrill) Chapman thinks that by sharing his experience in his latest book, "In Search of Stupidity: Over 20 Years of High-Tech Marketing Disasters" mistakes can be avoided. I am not so sure. Make no mistake about it, I love the book. I will read the book over and over and recommend it to friends, colleagues, AIPMM vistors and association members. The problem is, I've been to the puppet show. I have seen the strings. I know that I can replace every person in each chapter of the book with the current list of "who's-who" and smililar mistakes will happen. It's the nature of the beast. Success breeds know-it-alls. Fast growth covers up weak foundations.

Co-misery loves company

Ok. Call me cynical. Reading this book is a great release of frustration. Especially if you are currently working in an environment where you have a high-profile leader (ala Phillipe Khan) or low energy leader (ala Ed Esber). This book will make you laugh and think, both at the same time. You will experience moments of "ah-ha, that's what happened". But at the end of the day, Jim Manzi, Ed Esber and Ray Norda all parachuted out with more money than some countries in developing nations.

High-Tech Trainwreck

Rick describes several high-tech marketing trainwrecks, however the lessons that can be derived from this book are not limited to this industry. This is an important book to share in any industry. Share it with your sales team, development (however, they will use it as validation--that it is all marketing's fault), marketing, and your local schools. And more importantly, share it with your family. Now you can say, "see, I really did have a bad day."

Book Description

"In Search of Stupidity" is National Lampoon meets Peter Drucker. In Search of Stupidity is a funny and well written business book that takes a look at some of the most influential marketing and business philosophies of the alst twenty years and, through the dark glass of hindsight, provides a educational and vastly entertaining examination of why they didn't work. And make no mistake, most of them did not work.