Ctrl Alt Delete

Publisher's Summary

The DNA of business has changed. Forever. You can blame technology, smartphones, social media, online shopping and everything else, but nothing changes this reality: we are in a moment of business purgatory. So, what are you going to do about it?

Mitch Joel, one of the world's leading experts in new media, warns that the time has come to CTRL ALT DELETE. To reboot and to start re-building your business model. If you don't, Joel warns, not only will your company begin to slide backwards, but you may find yourself unemployable within five years.

That's a very strong warning, but in his new audiobook, CTRL ALT DELETE, Joel explains the convergence of five key movements that have changed business forever. The movements have already taken place, but few businesses have acted on them. He outlines what you need to know to adapt right now. He also points to the seven triggers that will help you take advantage of these game-changing factors to keep you employable as this new world of business unfolds.

Along the way, Joel introduces his novel concept of "squiggle" which explains how you can learn to adapt your personal approach to your career, as new technology becomes the norm. In short, this is not an audiobook about "change management" but rather an audiobook about "changing both you AND your business model."

©2013 Mitch Joel (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Great idea - but big disappointment

Any additional comments?

This book addresses an important question. My wife and I are both in industries that are being disrupted, so we listened to it together on a road trip and had hoped to get some ideas of how we might address the disruptions. However, we found the book very shallow. The book seemed like a stream of cliches (like pealing the onion, leaning into it, etc.) and extremely poor metaphors (like purgatory and having sex with your data). Take away these weak literary devices and you are left with a bunch of shallow statements - nothing novel.
The author spends a lot of time talking about being connected. My recommendation would be that he disconnect for a while and think deeply about the content. It sounds like he has access to a lot of insightful people, but he needs to synthesize some novel thoughts of his own.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Cemented my opinion about tech

I've always agreed that the future is a connected one, and this guy has convinced me even more. He's given me even more reason to continue down the path I'm on in terms of online marketing.

He needs a bit of coaching on the narration. He has a habit of going down in pitch consistently on the end of sentences, even though it might not be appropriate for the thought. I usually love when books are narrated by the author because I can catch the author's excitement for the subject. On this one, however, I think he's trying too hard to be good on the narration by leaving out his speaking style. I wouldn't mind a little bit more of speaking and less reading.

That said, I think it's a great book, especially for anyone who doubts even a little bit that the internet is here to stay. Great for company owners and managers who are resisting getting more involved in new media.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Extremely 101

Any additional comments?

This is a great book for a business leader who has somehow gone until now without knowing the first thing about the digital age or the social web - and I do know that, amazingly enough, there are still quite a lot of those out there, so this book certainly has it's place.

If however you've ever used social media or read a blog, you already know more than this book is telling you.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

I could not agree more

What did you love best about Ctrl Alt Delete?

This was very informative and enjoyable, as a small business owner I have found the necessity to adopt many of the things the author talks about.

Any additional comments?

If you are in business I think it is very important that you listen to the ideas of this book.
There is no going back either we adapt to the new computer age or we will go out of business and someone else will take our place.

Absolutely superb ideas

Where does Ctrl Alt Delete rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

From a business books point-of-view -- in the top 10

What about Mitch Joel’s performance did you like?

He did a great job.

Any additional comments?

This is a MUST listen to book on the topic of social media / technology and how it will impact your business. I found it VERY helpful.

This book will change how you look at business

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

Yes. Business has already changed and everyone needs to understand how and why that happened. The future looks bleak for the companies that can't become 'digital first', just as it does for the employees. This book walks you through what has changed, how it changed, how we are all part of it, and what the future looks like.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

What about Mitch Joel’s performance did you like?

Mitch has some wonderfully entertaining stories and some fantastic ideas.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the idea was put forward we are on the brink of a change like that of the industrial revolution.

Any additional comments?

I think this book is a must read, not just for people in business but for everyone.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Every marketeer should be challenged

Thought provoking content delivered in an engaging way. Packed with ideas and perspectives. Mitch's narration is a little fast as there is a lot to unpack and I had to pause and rewind frequently to get everything out of the audio. I'll be listening to the book again!