Jump First, Think Fast

An Unconventional Approach to High Performance

By: Frank O'Connell

Narrated by: Tom Parks

Frank J. O’Connell is the original millennial, and in his audiobook Jump First, Think Fast, he shares how he blazed a trail of innovation for some of the biggest brands in American business.

Frank O’Connell grew up as a farm boy in a small town of 2,000 in Ovid, New York, where he drove tractors, sold eggs, and won prizes at 4H fairs. He learned the value of hard work from his mother, who told him that he could surpass everyone by outworking them. Because of the values instilled in him, Frank went on to live an outsized life as a corporate chieftain.

For more than 50 years, Frank has helmed such companies as Reebok, Fox Video Games, HBO Video, SkyBox, Gibson Greetings, and Indian Motorcycles. Frank has led major consumer product revolutions, including innovative food products, video games, video tapes, the Reebok Pump, collectibles, toys, greeting cards, action figures, and the iconic Indian Motorcycle. A student of hard work and business who learned his craft on the front lines of sales and marketing, Frank knew that the right thing to do was to jump first and then think fast.

In his audiobook, he shares his personal stories, business strategies, passion for mentoring, and proven methods for management. Jump First, Think Fast details Frank’s many business successes--as well as some failures--in an honest and forthright way.

Jump First, Think Fast is for those who want to think differently about business and learn how to find their place, trust their instincts, and enjoy the ride from a successful CEO’s stories, lessons, and life moments.

©2022 Frank OConnell (P)2022 Frank OConnell

An honest and personal account of an amazing career

I grew up hearing stories about my dad’s cousin Frank who was the CEO of all these big companies. I’ve spent more time with Frank and Barbara in the last 10 years and I’ve enjoyed hearing Frank tell stories from his career - about the people he has met, and the lessons he learned. And while Frank, a great story teller, did not record the audiobook, I can hear his voice.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the book and have a better understanding of his career from his honest account, moving across multiple industries. He used his networking skills to move from baked goods to greeting cards to motorcycles to toys, and I’m sure I missing a few.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear how networking and risk taking is critical to a dynamic career.

Highly Recommend!

This is a fantastic book, filled with lots of interesting stories about business and risk-taking. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to stretch themselves and make new goals.

Biography that reads like a white paper

Enjoyed the format of just telling the story from his eyes. A breath of fresh air from most business related books that try to coach without any real world applications given.