The Intelligent Entrepreneur

By: Bill Murphy Jr.

Narrated by: Fred Berman, L. J. Ganser

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Written with the cooperation of Harvard Business School, here is an instructive and inspiring book for anyone who dreams of starting a highly profitable business.

In 1998, three Harvard Business School graduates - two men and one woman - turned down six-figure salaries at big corporations, bet on themselves, and launched their own new companies. By their 10-year reunion, their audacity had paid huge dividends. They'd made many millions of dollars, created hundreds of jobs, and left their mark on the world.

The three entrepreneurs: Marc Cenedella (TheLadders.com), Marla Malcom Beck (Bluemercury.com), and Chris Michel (Military.com, Affinity Labs).

Based on dozens of interviews with highly successful entrepreneurs, Harvard Business School professors, and HBS alumni, The Intelligent Entrepreneur tells the compelling and instructive story of how these three young founders developed ideas, assembled teams, built ventures, and achieved their dreams. Along the way, they learned that starting great companies requires much more than a ferocious work ethic or good timing. Their hard-won insights distilled into 10 key rules that will help anyone become a successful entrepreneur. What they teach you at Harvard Business School is that intelligent entrepreneurship can be learned. In that spirit, Bill Murphy Jr. uses a unique combination of vivid storytelling and lucid instruction to tell would-be entrepreneurs how to improve their odds of creating dynamic, lasting businesses.

This audiobook includes an exclusive roundtable discussion with Marc Cenedella, Marla Malcom Beck, and Chris Michel.

©2010 Bill Murphy (P)2010 Audible, Inc

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner - Best Business/Educational Audiobook, 2011

"This is an excellent, thought-provoking overview of entrepreneurship... that uses actual cases to describe the challenges of starting a business and realizing success." ( Booklist)

"Narrators Fred Berman and L.J. Ganser split the narration, chapter by chapter, with one delivering the true-life accounts of three entrepreneurs who attended HBS while the other delivers the theoretical lessons to be learned from attending HBS." ( AudioFile)

Very good

Where does The Intelligent Entrepreneur rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Found this to be very good particularly as I recently started my own business and you get a lot of different ideas, motivation from the stories the author has used in the book. Its one of the books that I would like to come back to once a year to recap and refresh.

As an Entrepreneur, this book is very Insightful

I am an entrepreneur. I have started over 10 separate businesses. You would think I would not need to read this book. But I am always looking for a better way. And this book is as good as any in helping a person organize the process of starting and running a business. The section on who to hiring the right people is very important.

The book is written around the story of 3 main people and their efforts to start and run a business. The book is very informative and interesting because of the method in which it's written.

Really enjoyed reading, learned some new things

Where does The Intelligent Entrepreneur rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is better than many out there and has 3 different stories in one so there are many of opportunities to like the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Mark Cenedella and it was because he was cautious but a great observer and in the end I read his stuff now every week.

For the hardcore Entrepreneur

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Well, I have to say, that whiles I thought that I am sort of an entrepreneur, because I run my own little business, I learned that I am in no way in the league of this book. It was way over my head. So it was a waste of my time now, but it may be useful later.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure yet

What three words best describe Fred Berman and L. J. Ganser ’s voice?

wonderful , clear and articulate

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

If it is a movie, rather that a documentary , then yes.

Good, although with some criticism

The author gives several interesting examples of successful entrepreneurs and their stories. It is somewhat unbelievable, however, what is claimed they achieved. I think they may have had some limited success in their first five years, although not the radical achievement of "selling a cosmetics business for $100 Million." I suspect these people may actually be HBS professors or affiliated with the faculty in some way.

Great listen

What made the experience of listening to The Intelligent Entrepreneur the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed how the book transitions from storytelling to narrative and uses two distinct voices for each. It really breaks up things nicely and makes for an engaging listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Intelligent Entrepreneur?

The case studies of the entrepreneurs is inspiring, engaging and well-told.

Which scene was your favorite?

The addition of the round-table discussion between the authors and entrepreneurs (an exclusive to the audible book) is a great way to get an even deeper erpsective on the entire book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too long to listen at once, plus it needs some digesting in between chapters.

Must read for entrepreneurs

Would you listen to The Intelligent Entrepreneur again? Why?

Yes, in fact I read it twice. This is not particularly good for audio book, because I cannot flip back and forth for the info that I need.

Any additional comments?

As the name suggested, this book is about how to become an entrepreneur. But, more importantly, it is about how to become one intelligently. It starts off with why a lot of entrepreneurs fail. Then it presents 10 rules that will help you to become a successful entrepreneur. If you are planning on becoming an entrepreneur, you should really read this book. If you are not, you might as well read this book because it is quite intesting. It’s fun to read and along the way, who knows, you might change your mind and want to become an entrepreneur.
The author, Bill Murphy Jr., interviewed three Harvard Business School graduates --Christopher Michel, Mark Cenedella, and Marla Malcolm Beck--who had then successfully founded start-up companies. He then drew 10 rules to become a successful entrepreneur. It is what you should keep in mind if you’d like to become an entrepreneur.
The writing style is quite interesting. Murphy wrote the stories of those three HBS graduates in odd chapter, and explained the 10 rules in even chapters. This writing style makes the content a lot more juicy. Each chapter also has a quote from famous people, which I found quite interesting. Overall, I learned a lot from this book while enjoying the interesting stories of Michel, Cenedella, and Beck. I really like this book and I wouldn’t hesistate to recommend this book.
The audiobook version of this book is narrated by Fred Berman and L. J. Ganser. I like his narration. His voice is strong and tonal. It keeps me engaged throughout all the listening. At the end of the audiobook, there is a special roundtable discussion featuring Bill Murphy Jr., hristopher Michel, Mark Cenedella, and Marla Malcolm Beck. It’s interesting to know that these people really exist, and to hear things from their own words.

Really liked this book

Would you listen to The Intelligent Entrepreneur again? Why?

The author did a great job of showcasing some interesting stories. I learned a lot and was inspired.

Worth the listen

If you could sum up The Intelligent Entrepreneur in three words, what would they be?

Follow the stories of three Harvard Business School graduates from 1998 class as they launch their startup ventures. The story takes you from their entry into HBS through eventual success, and drives home 10 key lessons critical to all entrepreneurial success.

It is a little bit of an HBS puff piece at times (I mean really, how many times can you use the phrase "elite business school" in a sentence with Harvard) - but is really quite well written with valuable content.

I would recommend to other readers.

Awesome story

What did you love best about The Intelligent Entrepreneur?

The book highlights real practical issues that entrepreneurs face.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The stories for all three characters was enjoyable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Real insight to real practical problems.