Review: Driven by Robert Herjavec How to Succeed in Business and in Life

Driven
How to Succeed in Business and in Life
Author:  Robert Herjavec (co-star of CBC's Dragons' Den)
Publisher:  Harper Collins Publisher
Published: 2010
Category:  Business
Format:  Trade Paperback
Pages: 295
ISBN 9781554687091

"Robert Herjavec has lived the "rags to riches" story, from having $20 in his pocket to starting up technology companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  The co-star of television's Dragon's Den (Canada) and Shark Tank (US), this son of Croatian immigrants earned his incredible wealth by overcoming the odds with hard work and determination.  On television, Herjavec bankrolls the best inventions and shoots down the best of intentions.  Now, he shares his hard won wisdom in one of the most inspirational business books of recent times.

In Driven, Herjavec reveals the secrets that took him from waiting tables to growing his nascent technology company into a world class conglomerate.  The Herjavec Group, Herjavec's principles are as valuable in the living room as they are in the boardroom.  Anyone can succeed, on their own terms, by following his sage but simple advice -- if they're willing to take chances, take control of their own future and stay true to their vision."  (taken from the back cover; words in parentheses added by myself)

My Review:

This is my first post in what was supposed to be a month of dragons.  Well, it looks like it will be more like a couple months of dragons.... or a season of dragons.  At any rate, Driven is a terrific lead-in for the theme and for the aspiring entrepreneur.

Herjavec covers virtually every aspect of what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur in fifty chapters.  Written in terms that the average laymen can understand, Driven is full of advice beginning with how to "know a good deal when you see it" to knowing what to expect from finding financing to understanding the sacrifices necessary to succeed.  

With personal knowledge of what it takes to be a successful business person and owner, Herjavec speaks of the long days away from the family and how important it is to have that support at home while you build your company.   Being an entrepreneur is an investment of time, energy, willpower, sacrifice and money.

Also discussed in Driven are the statistics of success for new business.  The potential of failure, the dangers and trials and the struggles of starting and operating your own business can be daunting, and Herjavec warns the reader of just that but, not wanting to discourage you from trying, he does so to inform and forewarn of the inherit trials ahead while maintaining it can all be worth it but one must be realistic in expectations. 

Several references are made to the shows Dragon's Den and Shark's Tank and to some examples of what people did that worked and what some did that didn't work.  Each idea and advice on how to succeed in business and in life is backed up with examples.

Do you have a passion?  If you are interested in starting your own business, I definitely recommend Driven as essential reading.  It's a first step to preparation that I would consider necessary for success.  Driven is not limited to reading only for the entrepreneur, though.  Managers and parents, anyone in a leadership position, for that matter, can take away valuable insight that may help them to become and do what they desire most in life.  If you have a passion, pursue it, is his advice.

Robert Herjavec just released another business book titled "The Will to Win" now in stores near you.

Meet the Author:

Robert Herjavec launched on of the first companies dedicated to providing corporations with internet security systems, selling the company to AT&T for more than $100 million.  From there he moved on to other ventures, including the sale of a Silicon Valley-based technology company to Nokia for $225 million.  Three years later he established The Herjavec Group to provide highly sophisticated Internet security services to businesses.  The co-star of CBC TV's Dragon's Den and ABC TV's Shark Tank, Herjavec supports several charities dedicated to funding cancer research and divides his time between Toronto and Miami.  Visit him online at www.robertherjavec.com.