Thinking outside the box[ing]

Knockout Entrepreneur, by two-time Heavyweight Champion of the World and promoter of the Foreman’s Lean, Mean, Fat-Reducing Grilling Machine, George Foreman with writer, Ken Abraham, is a motivational, how-to book about succeeding at starting a business (or revitalizing an existing business or career). In 14 easy-to-read chapters, Foreman communicates his secrets of success at boxing, which he develops into principles of entrepreneurial strategies. Weaving in and out of chapters with such titles as “Never Listen to the Crowd,” Know Your Foe,” and “Keep Answering the Bell,” I learned not just how to be a successful entrepreneur, but I also learned a lot about boxing, about George Foreman’s biography, and about the grilling machine that made Foreman an entrepreneurial success.
George’s advice is very comprehensive from how and when to delegate to following your gut instinct and taking risks. Because Foreman shares from his own experience as well as from others, he is believable and inspiring. This book is categorized as Business/Economics with the subcategory entrepreneurship but I think anyone can read this and find ideas to help in any area of their life. I am a volunteer in a small church library and this book gave me ideas about how to relate to those who help out in the library.
Of course, success begets success and George had an advantage that most of us do not have – a famous name. But still, his principles ring true for me.
I must make a comment on the structure of the book itself. My copy of Knockout Entrepreneur, published by Thomas Nelson, (2009, jacketed hardcover, $22.99 U.S.), is what the publishers call NELSONfree. Inside the front cover this is clearly explained, “. . . with Nelsonfree you buy one format and your get two more for free – an eBook and an audio version.” I really love having a book in my hand, but my husband likes to listen to books and podcasts and I have a friend who likes to download books and read them on his PDA. Nelsonfree allows all three! I tried downloading the PDF version and it looks great. I give Nelson kudos for this entrepreneurial idea, and I think George would also like it. Who knows, maybe it was his idea!