The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business

By: Josh Kaufman

Narrated by: Josh Kaufman

Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Business and Educational, 2013

Getting an MBA is an expensive choice - one almost impossible to justify regardless of the state of the economy. Even the elite schools like Harvard and Wharton offer outdated, assembly-line programs that teach you more about PowerPoint presentations and unnecessary financial models than what it takes to run a real business. You can get better results (and save hundreds of thousands of dollars) by skipping business school altogether....

Josh Kaufman founded PersonalMBA.com as an alternative to the business school boondoggle. His blog has introduced hundreds of thousands of readers to the best business books and most powerful business concepts of all time. Now, he shares the essentials of entrepreneurship, marketing, sales, negotiation, operations, productivity, systems design, and much more, in one comprehensive volume.

The Personal MBA distills the most valuable business lessons into simple, memorable mental models that can be applied to real-world challenges.

True leaders aren't made by business schools - they make themselves, seeking out the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to succeed. Read this book and you will learn the principles it takes most business professionals a lifetime of trial and error to master.

©2010, 2012 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC (P)2012 Worldly Wisdom Ventures LLC

Great book for anyone starting a business or thinking about getting an MBA

this book is a great overview of business components, and has a ton of great references.

An Essential Guide for Entrepreneurs

This book is awesome! I highly recommend it but don't judge it solely by the part where Josh explains why an MBA may not be necessary. Once you move past that, the book is truly exceptional.

The Personal MBA provides a comprehensive overview of essential business principles, laws, and fallacies that will open your eyes and help you understand what is happening around you as an entrepreneur. Kaufman covers a wide range of topics, offering valuable insights that are both practical and enlightening.

The book is structured to give you a clear understanding of core business concepts without the need for formal business school education. It's packed with actionable advice and real-world examples that make complex ideas accessible and relatable.

If you want to start a business, you need to listen to this book first. It will save you a lot of time by helping you learn from Kaufman's insights rather than through trial and error. Understanding the principles and laws around you will keep you focused and on the right track from the beginning.

I believe this book is a must-listen every year to keep yourself reminded of what you should think about and how to approach business challenges. Kaufman's insights will keep you grounded and focused on what truly matters in your entrepreneurial journey.

The Personal MBA is an invaluable resource that every entrepreneur should have in their toolkit. It's a treasure trove of knowledge that will empower you to master the art of business.

÷Excellent all around

Excellent for both personal and professional growth. Learned alot, and will definitely require a re-read.

Good but grating...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book for it's functional information.

Would you be willing to try another book from Josh Kaufman? Why or why not?

I would hesitate to try another book by Josh Kaufman, unless it had a different narrator.

Would you be willing to try another one of Josh Kaufman’s performances?

Unfortunately, his clipped voice and unusual pronunciation made it difficult to concentrate on the otherwise interesting subject matter.

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

Listening to this book is a personal battle between loving the content and trying to tune out the talker.

Any additional comments?

I probably should have gone old-school and bought the printed version, or at least the ebook.

Good read on business.

A well rounded reference book on basic business concepts and the many decisions that one can face as a business owner.

Nice book

Nice book. It is clearly organized and used a lot of good examples. . .

phenomenal starting point

This book is essential for anyone who wants a simple introduction to the core concepts of business. however, it is a bit of a slog, and I would recommend a hard copy to follow along with and highlight the things that mean the most to you.

A business must read.

This book survey's the work of many others and puts it all together in a very methodical, easy to understand format. It is full of nuggets of wisdom and several recommendations to dig deeper.

Here's what I wrote to Josh immediately after finishing The Personal MBA

Hi Josh,
I just finished listening to the book. Thank you.

I will be sharing this for years to come, and I look forward to returning to it again and again.

I am amazed at how well you've structured the book, and especially with your ability to break down complex patterns into cohesive, easily understandable, and universally applicable units of knowledge. Kudos.

I haven't been this animated by a book like this since I read Seth Godin's Linchpin, which, coincidentally, was the last time I felt immediately compelled to write a personal note of appreciation :)

So, thank you. I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Broad yet deep

It serves as a wonderful jumping off point for one who is just starting out, or looking to improve, their knowledge of business.