The Little Big Things

163 Ways to Pursue EXCELLENCE

By: Tom Peters

Narrated by: Tom Peters

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"Years ago, I wrote about a retail store in the Palo Alto environs—a good one, which had a box of two-cent candies at the checkout. I subsequently remember that 'little' parting gesture of the two-cent candy as a symbol of all that is Excellent at that store. Dozens of people who have attended seminars of mine—from retailers to bankers to plumbing-supply-house owners—have come up to remind me, sometimes 15 or 20 years later, of 'the two-cent candy story', and to tell me how it had a sizable impact on how they did business, metaphorically and in fact.

"Well, the Two-Cent Candy Phenomenon has struck again—with oomph and in the most unlikely of places.

"For years, Singapore's 'brand" has more or less been Southeast Asia's 'place that works'....But as 'the rest' in the geographic neighborhood closed the efficiency gap, and China continued to rise-race-soar, Singapore decided a couple of years ago to 'rebrand' itself as not only a place that works but also as an exciting, 'with it' city.

"Singapore's fabled operating efficiency starts, as indeed it should, at ports of entry—the airport being a prime example. From immigration to baggage claim to transportation downtown, the services are unmatched anywhere in the world for speed and efficiency:

• The entry form was a marvel of simplicity.
• The lines were short, very short, with more than adequate staffing.
• The process was simple and unobtrusive.
• The immigration officer could have easily gotten work at Starbucks; she was all smiles and courtesy.
• And Yes! Yes There was a little candy jar at each Immigration portal!

"Ask yourself now: What is my (personal, department, project, restaurant, law firm) 'Two-Cent Candy'? Does every part of the process of working with us/me include two-cent candies? Do we, as a group, 'think two-cent candies'?

"Operationalizing: Make 'two-centing it' part and parcel of 'the way we do business around here'."
--Tom Peters

©2010 Thomas J. Peters (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Do The Little Things That Make A Big Difference

I purchased this book looking for tips on improving attention to detail. What I got was more than 100 essays on putting forward the best of me on a daily basis (including what it takes to win that details battle).
A wonderful read for winning each and every day. It's fIlled with original perspective and solid recommendations.

Amazing.

Practical. Smart. Worth every penny. LOVED IT. I can't imagine a business person who would not find this book to be fantastically useful.

Really hard to listen

Personally, I found this book very hard to listen. It seems that author is too much in love with the ideas he is trying to convey, and for this reason "eats the microphone", repeating the same point three of four times. Moreover, some of the "insights" are given without any explanation, keeping the listener wondering what are they all about. Material doesn't seem to have any structure - all in all, the book looks like a collection of blog posts, a big blob of spontaneous insights.
Finally, I am really skeptic about an author who has to publish 163 (!) tips to make his point that small things matter. Could not the same message be packed in a more concise format?

Good advice but too literal reading style

I could not finish this audiobook due to the times Tom Peters needs to repeat quote-unquote. It may seem petty at first, but when he is listing different ideas from different sources and goes on "quote something unquote, quote something else unquote, quote another thing unquote" it starts to get rough on your nerves. And he quotes a lot.
Even a phrase like: my little "secret".
Instead of using the tone of his voice to stress the non-literal sense in which secret should be understood, he reads his own book with a feeling of "oh let's get this over with, hand me the script" instead of giving you the feeling of "I am telling you these things personally from my heart". So the end result is a very robotic and cold read.

Boring Book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I found the book very boring. He had list after list of things to do. His list went on and on and on for about 160 chapters. In past books, the author told stories about successful businesses. This book had very few stories and list after list after list after list of things to do.

Has The Little Big Things turned you off from other books in this genre?

This is probably the last Tom Peters book I will read.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tom Peters?

He is a fine narrator. The problem with the book has nothing to do with the narrator.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I really didn't find any redeeming qualities. I have found Mr. Peters past books to be very fine.

Any additional comments?

Save your money--don't buy this book.

Should have hired a Voice

Sorry to say, I just wasn't drawn in by the voice of the reader. I'm sure the content is probably decent, but I couldn't get past the delivery. Professional voice talent gives the feel of someone telling you a story... this felt like I was sitting in a locker room listening to some guy read the paper out loud.

A mix

He has a lot of good things to teach us, but he's also a (sorry!) d bag who keeps saying "real world" and talking very firm like hes mad and wants to shout at the new employee for making a small mistake. His aggressive tones arent appealing to me. I think truth is truth whether you shout it or whisper it. Maybe his aggressive tones are to cover up for some unaddressed hurts. Really a good example of what happens when men are forced to hide their emotions and be a cliche. OMG he wont stop saying real world!

He did say one thing that has helped me numerous times. There is a lot of good in him, but the book will be less provacative as the narrator won't remind you of the person who degrades you for how you park your car at the grocery store.
I really wana like this guy so let me find something nice to say.
He's smart and talented, he has a passion that the slackers need. Sadly, the slackers are not chasing after books like this. He has something to teach as we all do.

Read the book! or you might pick up some nasty vibes.

Couldn't Wait For It To be Over

What would have made The Little Big Things better?

Needed to be Narrated by someone else. #1 problem with this audiobook. Also the bad language was un-needed.

Would you ever listen to anything by Tom Peters again?

NO

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Tom Peters?

I don't know but someone that has life in his voice.

Corny as can be. So much fluff.

I tried to think of a way to convey just how bad I think this book was. It's hard to do,I would listen and think there was no way that Tom could possibly believe most of what he writes. I think that his belief is that repeating demands over and over in a brash, cocky, "in your face" tone is somehow good business motivating and direction. I made it through about half and then got so pissed at the repetitive nonsense that I had to just stop.

the little big things

excellent