Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
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Change can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective. The message of Who Moved My Cheese? is that all can come to see it as a blessing, if they understand the nature of cheese and the role it plays in their lives. Who Moved My Cheese? is a parable that takes place in a maze. Four beings live in that maze: Sniff and Scurry are mice--nonanalytical and nonjudgmental, they just want cheese and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. Hem and Haw are "littlepeople," mouse-size humans who have an entirely different relationship with cheese. It's not just sustenance to them; it's their self-image. Their lives and belief systems are built around the cheese they've found. Most of us reading the story will see the cheese as something related to our livelihoods--our jobs, our career paths, the industries we work in--although it can stand for anything, from health to relationships. The point of the story is that we have to be alert to changes in the cheese, and be prepared to go running off in search of new sources of cheese when the cheese we have runs out.
Dr. Johnson, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and many other books, presents this parable to business, church groups, schools, military organizations--anyplace where you find people who may fear or resist change. And although more analytical and skeptical readers may find the tale a little too simplistic, its beauty is that it sums up all natural history in just 94 pages: Things change. They always have changed and always will change. And while there's no single way to deal with change, the consequence of pretending change won't happen is always the same: The cheese runs out. --Lou Schuler
From one of the world's most recognized experts on management comes a charming parable filled with insights designed to help readers manage change quickly and prevail in changing times.
Customer Reviews:
Who Moved My Cheese? I truly enjoyed this very easy and quick read. For anyone starting their personal development I suggest they start with this book before reading anything else. This book prepares you to accept change as something that will always be in your life and is necessary for growth. ...more info
Rumor has it... ...that the reason this book is a best-seller is that companies about to lay off lots of people are buying it in bulk to distribute to those on the way out, in the hope that it'll brainwash them to the extent that they won't go postal and return to their erstwhile workplace with AK-47s.
Who Moved My Cheese? This book was a little redundant going over and over and over the same scenario. The point was made, but it could have been made in 3 pages instead of 50....more info
Ridiculous I'd like to work with all the people who gave this a positive review, because they are truly behind the curve if this book actually did anything for them. I really was looking forward to this book, I had some coworkers who raved about it. I found everything in the book to be painfully obvious. I say again, "Ridiculous." ...more info
single gal on the go insightful and gave me that eureka moment the first time i read it. this is a great book for all ages and is more than just a one time read. ...more info
This book is not very helpful! Not only am I in no ways closer to finding out who keeps moving my cheese, but this dang book doesn't give me any good ideas as to how to find out or what to do to detour people from taking my cheese! Not a very helpful book. It does not deliver what it sets out to do. ...more info
Great message that isn't long and boring! While this book was a required reading for a class, I found that it is one of the most helpful books I have ever read about leadership, motivation, and these qualities in others. Working in public schools, levels of motivation and personalities are vast so a book that helps put a clear perspective on the topic was really refreshing. An easy must read for anyone who works with others!...more info
Hit & Miss First off, that this book sold for $20 is appalling.
Secondly, I can go either way here, which is why three stars is a compromise.
In this cliche, shallow society where a celebrity like Barack Obama can become president by saying "change" over & over, why shouldn't Johnson's book be read?
It offers some valid points and may be "inspirational" to some depending upon their situation, but it can also come off, as others noted, as patronizing, condescending and dull -- even insulting.
I'm not sure why the book preaches and teaches that you must accept change without regard to whether it is appropriate or not; this is not the way America was built. Further, why must you simply accept whenever it (change) happens to you and "move on"?
So, I was put off by much of the text, but again, if you are the right person to read this book, it can be beneficial. To others, not so much. This book should not be a "must read for all" like the NY Times and USA Today seems to feel though. It would have been dumped in the garbage or never published n 1957 or 1907 for good reason.
I applaud Johnson for his effort and success. He knows what people want, rightly or wrongly....more info
great lessons in life This is a superb little book, written in an easy to read, easy to absorb manner, on a life changing subject - change. Change always happens and it is always a shock when it does; that is, until you read this delightful book. It is a preparation for accepting change, and a guide, not only on what to do when it happens, but how to prepare ahead of time. A must for people of all ages....more info
Simple and Insightful Simple to read yet provides a very good general overview of things in real life, both at work and off it....more info
Good cheese story!! Good parable. I enjoyed the story. It is fun and motivating! I also enjoyed reading negative reviews of this book; some of them were very funny! I'm not a manager (not yet), although this book was recommended by a manager at our company (I'm not reporting to him). Nevertheless, I think this book has a point. Yes, it is oversimplified, but has an excellent lesson. I would agree with the critics that change is not always good and sometimes change can be abused by those who have the power to do so. But that's their problem; some things are beyond our control, and what this book teaches us, is to deal with what is under our control, and when things in life change to look for new and better cheese. =)...more info
happiness is for everyone, and change is always difficult to deal with Written for the company development plan, this book has helped to save many an individual that I know, including myself from falling under the heavy weight of change.
Using cheese as a metaphor for happiness, it makes sense that if we were mice it would be difficult not to be affected by the loss of our beloved food.
Life is fluid and most people find this inconsistency unsettling. I found this book most helpful in the approach it takes to changes in our lives and would want to share that with as many people as I could....more info
Half Way Done and Loving It This book was recommended to my from my Real Estate Office. Being in a business that see's change frequently this book really provides a birds eye view of the thought process in dealing with change. It does not tell you how to do things or specify in any fields but rather sparks the notes neccessary on how to relate this to your own life! I hope my wife reads this too!...more info
Who Moved My Cheese This is a great book. The seller was very quick to mail my order and the service was excellent. A+++++++...more info
My wify's little boook review "Who moved My Cheese." This is a very interesting book which touch base on the basic human ways of dealing, reacting and processing life's changes.
The book introduce to us simple character that act as a form reaction so to say. In life we will run into complication. In life we will encounter unexpected change if we don't already know that there are molds growing. In life we will allow fear to inhibit our senses of the need to let go of our comfort zone and venture.
To venture out and seek something new, better can be very uncomfortable to somebody who feel as if everything is a okay or is working for them. We don't want to have to struggle to an unexpected zone because fear tells us maybe there is nothing out there better than what we already have.
Fear becomes the dominate self criticizers.
We have been program to go through steps in our lives. From not knowing as infant...the ability to crawl, walk then run; to going through a programmed chapter in our lives from elementary, high school, college, grad school and then getting the big job. What else should we do. Have we not found the "big cheese?" Yet it is perhaps this way of comformity is what traps us in the many form of unhappiness we face.
We try to be content with our jobs, our relationship, our life but in doing so we have harness this comformity along with fear of decomforming. We want to look for "new cheese," becuase the "cheese" we have now is either molding or just not being the "cheese," we thought it would be.
It is not the idea that if something is great we should disregard it and look for something better. It is the idea that we should open our minds and think outside of the box. Maybe the journey may be long, maybe we will only finds crumbs, and maybe we will find a whole new batch of cheese that is better tasting than the ones we have. The idea is our life does not just end at one station of cheese. Living is believing in yourself. Finding that letting go of your fear and learning that worries and trouble thoughts we have can confine us and stop us. The matter can easily be dealt with a simple laugh and a strong mindset that there are better things out there. Life does not end at one place.
The book taught me the easiness of life. We should not hold too much value in any aspect of our life because life is unpredictable, things change. What we should do is be the best and the happiess in our moment of comfort but fear not for changes or sell ourself short by stopping. "Never give up" life is about happiness and where can we find happiness? It's not in finding "New cheese." It in the process of regaining ourselves in every aspect; from confidence to freedom.
"Who Moved My Cheese?" Does that question really need to be asked? Maybe the cheese need to be moved.
Exceptional Book - if you pay attention From Loren Keim, author of How to Sell Your Home in Any Market:
I have lectured in many parts of the country, and I bring out my battered copy of this exceptional book on a regular basis. I am continually amazed by some of the venomous remarks of those who have given this book poor reviews.
Perhaps they don't understand the power of a parable or of a short story to emphasize a behavior.
For most of my career, I've trained salespeople (particularly those of the real estate variety). There are two types of salespeople - those who believe they can't possibly sell right now because the economy is poor, and the home sellers are nuts and want too much money and buyers won't make any offers and no one can get a mortgage.
The second kind is making hundreds of thousands of dollars each year despite the market.
The world is a shifting target. Stuff changes. People make excuses and wait for the next great thing to come along. This book is a simple story to help us understand ourselves on several levels. There are always people making great livings and finding great opportunities... but they have to focus on what they want and need, not be so overpowered by external forces that they can't move.
We've become a society of "wait for help". Go make your own career, your own life, your own fortune.
This is simply a great book. I cannot recommend it enough!
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Who Moved My Cheese? Quick read and definitely worth the time! Applicable to everyone in any situation. A real motivator to keep moving forward no matter your situation. Also helpful in understanding other people in your workplace and surroundings....more info
Change - a blessing in disguise As many Americans are facing uncertainty and change in a challenging environment, I think this book is a must-read for all.
"Who Moved My Cheese" was first recommended to me during my graduation ceremony by the president of my university. Unfortunately, I never got around to reading it; however, it did come to mind when I faced some pretty major changes in my life in 2008.
This book will challenge its readers to discovery how they really respond to change and what improvements they can make in their attitudes toward change. For many of us, change is a scary thing, but what you will hopefully come to realize after reading this short and enlightening metaphor of mice in a maze searching for the fulfillment of cheese is that change can be wonderful and is often a blessing in disguise. ...more info
Moving Moving...My review will be short, just like the book. I feel this book has a good moral to it....CHANGE IS GOOD. I think people are over analyzing it and are also pissed off because managers find this to be a good book to read. Universities are also making their students read this, which is the other half of the reviews for it. Just read it. Dont read anymore reviews. Do yourself the favor and read it. If you like it then give it to someone that might benefit from the read; if not then sell it to a used book store. Cant sell it, burn it for warmth, level out a table that tilts, use as a paper weight, or countless other uses. I liked the moral of the story as well a good really short read even if i dont use it in my day to day work. I found my cheese in life; have you?...more info
Great training material for adapting to change As the owner of Integrity Management Solutions Group http://intmsg.com I am the tool for much change. Many people struggle with change and how to adapt. This book is a very useful tool when your clients or their staff is struggling with the idea of change. It is and easy read and I recommend this book to anyone struggling with change....more info
A good opener for closed minds A short story about 2 mice and 2 'little people' in a maze looking for cheese.
Of course 'cheese' is just a metaphor for what you want in life (such as money, the ideal job), and the 'maze' represents where you are looking for what you want (such as your family, an organization). As the story goes, one of the characters (Haw) learns to deal with change successfully and writes what he has learned on the maze wall. In this way, the reader gets the main points in the book and can learn too how to deal with life's changes.
A little book that is big on wisdom, many should find it entertaining and useful. Also recommended The Sixty-Second Motivator -another short story that is to the point and practical.
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A story for all ages If you feel stuck and find your life is not all you want, this book is for you. A quick and easy read that helps you to create change in your life. This book helped me get through a very difficult time in my life. ...more info
Who moved my cheese? Great thought provoking team building and accountablity. I recommend the book to those who need to build positive team work....more info
Quick, affordable, and great book! The price of the book was a great deal and it was in great condition. I received the book in a timely manner and it was a great read!...more info
Good for something... It has been well documented that the people in this book are appalling stereotypes of average-Joe workers. Whose instinct is to moan about things that are out with their control rather than do something about it. I won't add to this by pointing out how offensive this is again.
Sod it, yes I will!!
I was one of those people who came across this book when the company I worked for bought thousands of copies and gave them out to people during an endless run of re-orgs. No doubt expecting us all to think "Ahh-now I get it, we have no rights. We should be like brainless animals and follow the commands of our betters". At the time the company weren't so much 'Moving The Cheese' as having "The Cheese" continuously flown around the world, attached by a long string to the back of a blind Stork. Occasionally, you would see "The Cheese" fly by the window on the 19th Floor.
Incidentally the HR Director who thought this was a great idea also thought that "Big Brother" (before the reality shows began) was a good thing. Unveiling a new coaching initiative with the slogan "Big Brother is back". When I challenged her on this (pointing out that Big Brother was a symbol of a totalitarian regime who tortured and killed anyone who even thought of standing up to them) her response was "But they (meaning the staff) won't know that". So her credibility was already gone by the time of "The Cheese" fiasco.
I'd like to say that the workers rebelled against the ideas that this book put forward and stood as one against the lacklustre management of the company while simultaneously burning the HR Director on a stack of Who Moved My Cheeses.
Or that the workforce upped and left (inspired by the book) and the company was forced to hire Mice, who were completely unable to operate even the simplest telephone system or grasp the concept of video-conferencing (but were cheap and had surprisingly good timekeeping and attendance). Thus sending the company share price plummeting and forcing the Management team into hiding in Rangoon.
Unfortunately, as you've probably guessed, everyone just shrugged their shoulders and started looking for Jobs on Monster.com. As is common in these cases, the really talented people got jobs elsewhere no problem and the company was left with the poor few who couldn't.
I was one of the lucky ones who got out. And now just a few years later this well-established Company is gone.
And the moral is - if your employers ever give you a copy of this book shove it up their a** and get the hell out of there!!
So as an indicator that you work for idiots.....it is good for something.
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Excellent Lessons to Learn This is simply the most powerful little book you'll ever read. It's simple to read and understand, and its messages are helpful to people of all ages.
Anyone who doesn't like this book probably prefers being a victim that is stuck in life, anyway....more info
An Amazing Little Story Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life by Spencer Johnson is a book about a parable and it takes place in a maze. There are four basic characters. Two are mice who are nonjudgmental and just want cheese and two are little humans whose whole self-image is based on the cheese. One day they have to face change and adjusting their attitudes toward the change. How they let go of the old and face the change unafraid makes for an interesting journey.
If you are facing change and want Spiritual Enlightenment in a seemingly hopeless world, May I suggest you read My book as well. (See Profile Above)
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I'm Surprised! I am surprised that more people are not raving about this simple book that uses simple concepts that can be so amazingly powerful. Recognizing how we deal with change, and really understanding what that means in our lives, can be one of the most powerfully moving experiences, and life altering events.
I was so impressed with it at work, I made my whole extended family (even those in Iran) read it. They all enjoyed it, and some even made significant changes in how they look at their lives as a result.
How do you handle change, and what can that mean for you? Read the book and find out - and share it with friends and family!...more info
Good for Self Improvement Good Motivational book. Yes, very simple and straight forward, but one can learn lessons and a bit about mindset reading through this very quick read....more info
The Mystery of Change As a corporate director of human resources, it is a good day when I find a book that can actually be put to good use in our managerial training. This is one of those books. In fact, it is one of the rare books that weeks and months after using, I still find that managers refer to "cheese" when dealing with change management problems and solutions.
While change certainly means different things to different people, the basic underlying theme is the same. The world as we know it will cease to exist and how will you respond.
I find that the really good management books will usually use a story or parable in getting the point across. This is far superior to dry, straight away lecture. The stories make visual connections and these stick with adults. I highly recommend this book for anyone in management. Whether first line supervisor or CEO.
Michael L. Gooch, SPHR, Author of Wingtips with Spurs ...more info
STUPID BOOK MY BOSS GAVE ME An old boss of mine gave me this book to borrow for the night. It could easily be read in about one hour. It is the most boring book I have ever read in my life. Maybe if you were reading it to a 10 year, this would be fine. I just dont see the point of using these concepts to explain common sense everyday life that we through. Get a life! and grab another book....more info
Not what I had hoped While valid, all of the points made were easily anticipated and had it been printed on 8.5 x 11 paper in 12 point type, would have fit easily on two pages.
I could have written a better book. Luckily, I got it for next to nothing so I didn't overpay by much....more info
Top 10 books I recommend to all Very basic and simple but true!
All my kids have read this and I recommend this book to all my clients.
Life is forever changing so we must learn to adapt to change, this book was written so that anyone can understand that.
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Awesome book This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. At first one will think this is a childs book. However after completing this book you will began searching your deepest, enter thoughts as to who you are and where you are going in life. Great Book for the people who are simply living life as handed to you....more info
It Smells Good To Me Who Moved My Cheese was an entertaining book. This book can help anyone in any aspect of their life. It is about four characters that go into a maze looking for their cheese. Two are mice: Sniff and Scruffy, Two are Littlepeople: Hem and Haw. The mice are smart and look for cheese no matter what. They do not overanalyze like the Littlepeople. When the four find cheese in the maze all are happy and content. However the Littlepeople got fat and lazy and when the cheese was gone they were dumbfounded and angry. But this is life. Things constantly change. As the book shows you, you have to change too. We are all afraid but we are all strong. Now with our economy in a shambles, reading this book will help you to see things differently. Everyone should read it. You will learn a valuable lesson about life. ...more info
Worse than religion I can't believe my mother in law thought this piece of tripe was a good book. I guess if you are mentally retarded and like simple ideas with blatant attemps to sell itself, then this book is for you. This book has one simple idea that can be said in one sentence. Here it is for free: Things change; deal with it!
Plus the book goes on and on about how you should buy copies and give it to other people. It is worse than religion. ...more info
Common sense wrapped up in a children's story...for professional adults. I share most of the sentiments other negative reviewers have expressed about the book. It's insulting to every employee's intelligence (if they have any), although it was a nice way to waste several hours (it took me about 15 minutes to read the book, but we spent hours having meetings and group talks about it led by management). Just thinking about it now makes me glad to be out of the corporate realm and in a small private office.
Everything in this book should come as common sense to any employee worth their paycheck. And it's not necessarily the right way of going about things, although having a positive attitude always helps you out regardless of what situation you're in. But blindly following change does not always make you a good employee, and that's where this book steers its readers wrong. Having respect for your supervisors is important, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't question their ideas & motivations, or provide feedback on the changes they've chosen to implement. Believe it or not, this can be done respectfully and intelligently - this book makes it seem as if any protests you make or concerns you express just translate to 'heming and hawing', so quit your whining and get back to work. This kind of black and white outlook damages professional credibility and relationships and really just makes the environment an unpleasant one to work in.
That said, I would love to see what the writers from The Office could do with this material....more info
Littlepeople and Mice I am somewhat interested by the characters in this book. A quick read that tells a story about human reluctance to change. ...more info
Who moved my cheese I received the book very quickly, I needed it for school and got it in time. It was like new if not new. ...more info
GREAT eye openner The book opens up awareness of possible change(s) that are needed in ANY organization. GREAT eye openner ...more info
A good thought provoker An excellent book that makes us think the way we are now and helps us move forward. After reading, I was laughing at my self and was comparing myself with the 4 characters in the book. A book worth kept for any time reading....more info
Great Team Read I used this book for my team at work. We are currently going through a lot of changes, new duties, new people, different customers both internal and external. This book took change and used humor to help us find ways of dealing with it all. It was quick and easy to read and fun! I recommend this book to any team or organization going through change management exercises....more info
Maybe simiplistic or trite, but helpful I read this book years ago and enjoyed the metaphor. It is a good read for people who are going through change and need a way to deal with it. It may even help you make a few changes to come out ahead in the end.
Some people may find it over-simplified or even cheesy (sorry for the pun, but it fits). However, I've found that the right message shows up when you are ready to hear it and in a form you can understand it. This form worked for me and apparently for many others....more info
Beating the cheese out of a simple idea Here's the book in a nutshell (or a Swiss Cheese hole, as it were): some people like change and seek it out while some people don't and resist it. There you go -- just saved you 20 bucks.
The center of "Who Moved My Cheese" involves a parable about two mice (Scurry and Sniff) and two "Littlepeople" (what?) called Hem and Haw, who live in a maze. Their lives center around a bit of cheese in the maze. But when one day, the cheese moves. The mice scurry (!) off to sniff (!) out its new location while the littlepeople hem and haw (!) and try to make sense of their newly cheeseless world. Will Hem and Haw ever get off the dime and look for the new cheese? Or will they eventually wither and die from lack of gumption?
The book offers a simplistic analysis of an obviously difficult human dilemma. Clearly, some people dislike change and will do anything to cleave to the status quo, even when the status quo is unproductive or even life-threatening. Clearly (as anyone who has suffered through a corporate reorganization has experienced) others love change and will seek it or create it -- even when the change creates chaos and makes things demonstrably worse. But "Who Moved My Cheese" simplifies the complexity of dealing with change by assuming that all change is good, that those who follow the change are smart and that those resisting it are dull and stupid.
Fine. When change happens, it is not a brilliant strategy to pretend it's not. But is blindly "following the cheese" a smarter strategy? Wouldn't it be smart to find out who is moving the cheese and why? And what if the folks moving the cheese don't let you follow it? Hideous examples from history abound -- don't make me quote them. But these lessons are not forthcoming from this book.
"Who Moved My Cheese" is one in a long line of fad books about business that don't solve any problems. It has undoubtedly sold millions of copies and spawned a fun catch-phrase. But millions of us will continue to be caught in the business change cycle imposed by (mostly) well-meaning nitwits, in which good nutritious cheese is deemed moldy by those who have no agenda but to sell their own brand of cheese. Sometimes, waiting for the cheese to return (in the form of sensible management and proven business strategies) is smarter and more ethical....more info
Cheese and Change This audio book begins with an engaging introduction by Johnson with Ken Blanchard, who has written the foreword to Johnson's book. The subtitle focuses the book's intention: "An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life."
This audio version is a full text of the creative allegory of the challenge of dealing with change in the workplace. Blanchard (PhD) and Johnson (MD) are co-authors of The One Minute Manager, which has become "the world's most popular management method."
The pleasant and expressive voice of Tony Roberts reads the active text of the book to us, telling the story of two little mice named Hem and Haw and their friends, Sniff and Scurry. The allegory develops as Hem and Haw become settled in their comfortable home in a wealthy home.
Hem and Haw planned and used their great intelligence to find cheese in the maze in which they all lived. Sniff and Scurry found cheese more by trial and error, remembering the productive lanes and nooks hiding the cheese. Hem and Haw find a plenteous and regular supply of cheese at "Cheese Station C." Hem and Haw became accustomed to the easy life with the supply of plenty of cheese and were able to organize their life comfortably.
As Hem and Haw become more affluent and comfortable, they begin to look down on their hard-working neighbors Sniff and Scurry. But the smart mice Hem and Haw mapped out the places they had found cheese, so they had to work less and less to get food every day. They became complacent, until one day they went on a trip, then came one day to find no cheese at their "Cheese Station C."
Sniff and Scurry had also been gathering some cheese from Cheese Station C, but they had noticed that the cheese supply there had been diminishing. Now that there was no more cheese, it was nothing to them. They shifted their strategy and returned to their industrious pattern of looking in various places.
But Hem and Haw were not that flexible. They had not developed foraging techniques, so were at a loss. They continued going to look for cheese at the same cheese station, but finally it was clear cheese was no longer to be found at Cheese Station C. The way they finally work out a solution spins out the possibilities of learning how to deal with the traumatic change in their situation.
The body of the story is this parable of the cheese, which is then discussed in a dialogue by business colleagues to evaluate their various businesses. Cheese is the focus then for whatever they as individuals or the company wants. This works on a personal or a corporate level. The Maze that was home to Hem and Haw represents the places you looks for what you want. This could be an organization, the family, the community or the market.
This is an enjoyable little story and the debriefing dialogue of the human characters is realistic. It is a pleasant experience and provides insights or at least an interesting review of the approaches to change. The story provides an opportunity for self-evaluation on how one meets change.
The audio version is excellent for this story allegory. The superb reading style stimulates active mental visuals of the action and the meaning!...more info
Who Moved My Cheese This book does an excellent job of explaining in very elementary terms (with a sophisticated message) how to deal with change that can be applied in many aspects of life ... personal, professional, spiritual, etc. It is a quick read ... about 1 to 1 1/2 hour.
The book also arrived very expeditiously from the seller and was in excellent condition.
Overall, I was extremely satisfied with the content of the material in book and the seller....more info
Who moved my cheese: review by Jon Gillespie-Brown, Author "So you want to be an entrepreneur" It's been 10 years since this little was published but is it still as relevant today as it was then...what lessons can we learn in 2009 when we are in a deep recession and change is everywhere?
I have to say, having written about "The one minute entrepreneur" and how disappointed I was with that I am a little more impressed with this little book and perhaps the collaboration of Spencer Johnson (Author), Kenneth Blanchard back then 10 years ago at the height of their fame was the time to listen to their wisdom? The one minute manager was useful to me then and the parable worked as a means to impart the basic ideas of management so what of this book...
Looking at the Amazon reviews (as us authors tend to do) it's still incredibly popular as a book and it's an either love it or hate it type book. The more intellectual and thoughtful hate it and those looking for a simple parable love it - 60+% of the reviews are 1 or 5!
I will look at the book in a different light to the many reviewers to date, I want to know how can it help the "entrepreneur" who's life is one of constant change, not the girl working for a big corporation.
What can a small business owner or startup take away from this book? These people are used to change and they have to learn to adapt and do things differently very fast in order to survive.
At 80 pages and an hours read this book feels very expensive for the simple lesson it imparts, however for many people simple and fast are the keys to learning so for them this could be helpful - I came to the end of the book feeling in two minds about it.
For the corporate guy who is facing a layoff right and feels stuck in their job but also fears the future this simple book could be the "medicine" they need to take some action but I find it hard to believe a million people are so in need of a simple message that they would buy this book to learn to obvious...but then I am an entrepreneur and I am used to constant change so it is clearly possible!
The basic lessons are:
Change happens
Anticipate change
Monitor change
Adapt to change quickly
Change
Enjoy change
Keep changing!
So what of you are in a smaller business? well frankly this book will be wasted on you unless you are really stuck in rut and about to go out of business...
In all other cases you will probably still be in business as you live the above naturally, as small businesses have to as part of the real world of natural selection. Big businesses however have "fat" that allows them to support dead wood and to change very slowly...often to their ultimate downfall.
This book reminds me of another one when I read it, Charles Handy "The Age of Unreason" in a tangential way.
The story goes as follows. A tribe of South American Indians had learned how to boil their frogs, of which they had an abundant supply. The Indian chef (no pun intended) would pop a king-sized Frog into a pot of water, which was then heated up on the traditional tribal barbecue. For reasons to do with a frog's physiology, the frog just got more and more comfortable as the water warmed up. Eventually the frog boiled.
Now suppose you took another frog and dropped it into a cooking pot, this time of boiling water. What happened next? THE FROG JUMPED OUT! The moral of the story is that you can become too comfortable if your environment is gradually changing. Eventually you will be eaten by the members of an unnamed South American tribe. But a sharp jolt, however pleasant, may be what's good for you, and you may hop away, a bit overheated, but surviving into the future.
So in this case, the two mice in the story quickly adapted (like the entrepreneurs that I imagine them to be!) and the little "intelligent" people split, one eventually changed and followed the mice to success and happiness and the other stuck with what they knew and starved! (or boiled)
In short, this book is simple and frankly almost laughable but for some people it may the the "jolt" they need to make some changes in today's uncertain times to move on from their job (or whatever rut they are stuck in) and maybe even choose to become a entrepreneur (or a mouse as the book would have it). If they do they should read my book to save them from further indecision: So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur: How to decide if starting a business is really for you
For my friends that are already in a small business or are started on the path to entrepreneurship I feel they will be very disappointed with this book and would be better off investing their hard earned cash elsewhere.
The book is subtle and simple, it has a few simple messages - it has obviously helped many people and for that I am grateful, would I spend the $[...] again - no way!
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Who Moved His Common Sense? This book is about 100 pages of common sense mixed with a story on the reading level of a 3rd grader, perhaps lower. I'll now save you the time and money this book demands from you, be ready for change. There you go. The writing is simplistic, the points are all common sense wrapped around cheese analogies, and the author spends 20% of the book shilling his own story, which you just read. Avoid this book at all costs. It is yet another example of "literature" that corporations look to for a quick fix to their problems. ...more info
Elementary Book - and not profound I read this book in 15 minutes. Complete waste of money. It is a paper not a book. The message wasn't even that moving or revolutionary, save your money....more info
not good! This was one of the worst books I've ever read, it points out the obvious and will bore you to death! ...more info
