Reviews

A New Paradigm on Marriage: The Marriage Cage

by Hoo · Jan 21, 2013

The original article can be found here on Radical Mentoring the Marriage C age.

I never thought of it this way before. The idea that marriage is a cage and its here to protect whoever is in the cage.

God in his infinite wisdom has designed a system (nature, science, and processes). The institution of marriage is no different.

I especially agree with the following quotes:

Love initiates marriage. But marriage sustains love.

We’re in a culture where parents do everything to give their kids an advantage, but forget the most valuable thing we can bestow upon our children is a happy, healthy marriage between Mom and Dad.

To think longer term, to stay committed even when they don’t feel like it, and to trust God for the love and protection He provides through marriage.

My theme scripture this year is Proverbs 3:5-6.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

I hope to chronicle what I learn and can share the insights and the wisdom I get from the Bible and my experiences.

This World Needs Better Dads

by Hoo · Dec 31, 2012

I just finished watching Courageous.

I’m embarrassed to admit, that it had me crying several times.

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the basic premise is that the world needs better fathers.

I want to become one of these better fathers.

My Recommendation: Watch It – It’s worth 2 Hours and 40 minutes.

Actions Steps for me: Do a deeper Bible study on fatherhood and go buy the accompanying books to study this year.

Official Courageous Website

Official Courageous Resources

Review: Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh

by Hoo · Jun 11, 2010

I was lucky to be chosen to receive an advanced copy of Tony Hsieh’s book, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. I heard about the book from Tim Ferriss and Kevin Rose on their Random Show.

Simply put this is a mini autobiography of Tony Hsieh’s adventure with business, more specifically, Zappos. Tony goes through a lot of ups and downs and provides honest insights and gold nuggets throughout the book. It was nice to read about another immigrant Asian entrepreneur, because there were a lot of similarities on how we were raised in America.

The biggest thing I got out of the book is how important people are and how to treat them. I appreciate the out-of-the-box thinking that he provided and how to create a culture. Any company can be cloned in a matter of months and the ultimate competitive advantage is the people, both customers and employees.

Another major point that I appreciated was in the last couple of chapters where he discusses the “science” behind happiness. I think that’s all that life is all about.

After reading the book I ordered a copy of the well-known culture book and look forward to reading that as well. I only hope that I will be able to create companies that have such passionate and loyal people.

I highly recommend the book. It was a very quick read and was difficult to put down after I started reading. You can buy the book on Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. If you know me and are close to me in Irvine, CA. I can give you my copy to read.

We need more amazing companies that truly make a positive difference in peoples lives and bring the overall happiness level up around the world. When I get the chance I plan on attending one of the free tours at Zappos’ Head Quarters in Las Vegas.

Disclaimer: Per FTC guidelines. I received an advanced review copy of the book and promise to provide an honest review.

Review of The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann

by Hoo · Feb 23, 2010

I’ve finished reading The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann.

It’s a parable about how giving will give you a higher quality of life.

Here’s Amazon’s description:

This modern-day business parable, a quick read in the spirit of The Greatest Salesman in the World and The One Minute Manager, should do well with eager corporate-ladder climbers, who may at first be confused by its focus: on putting the other guy first-be it a colleague, competitor, customer, friend or family member. Told through the fictitious story of an ambitious young salesman named Joe, Burg and Mann communicate their points through the advice of an enigmatic (and highly likeable) mentor character known as Pindar. Rather than help Joe snag a fast sale, the consultant introduces him to series of “go-givers” who personify the “Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.” Over the course of five days, a restaurateur, a CEO, a financial advisor, a real-estate broker and the mysterious “Connector” teach Joe about the laws of value, compensation, influence, authenticity and receptivity-concepts that make more immediate sense in this fictional context than they would in a formal business book. Burg (Endless Referrals: Network Your Everyday Contacts Into Sales) and Mann (You Call the Shots) write with a simple, informal style that offers a working-person’s interpretation of the old adage “give, and you shall receive.”
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Here are the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success (which are restated at the back of the book):

1) The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
2) The Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
3) The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.
4) The Law of Authenticity: The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
5) The Law of Receptivity: The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

Overall it was a quick read and a good book. Hard to actually apply the lessons in your life. I recommend this book for anyone interested in adding more value to the world and wanting to live a life that makes a difference. The businesses lessons overlap into your personal life. In fact, there shouldn’t be a line dividing the two.

I plan on borrowing/reading the second book, Go-Givers Sell More, which is filled with case studies.