Velocity: The Seven New Laws for a World Gone Digital

If you are smartly playing in digital creation, you see many decks and presentations about "what is happening." They always include wonderfully articulated quotes from successful, wise people. And you wonder, "Where did they get that quote?" Well, Velocity quotes are going to be all over decks for the next several months, FYI.The format is written literally as a conversation between the two authors, Ajaz Ahmed & Stefan Olander. You are most likely grabbing this book because of the titles these people have: Chairman and Co-Founder of AKQA and Vice President, Digital Sport, Nike Inc. Boom. Instant credibility. There is absolutely no need for them to establish their credibility, the web drips with accolades on their digital smarts, creative performance and successes.The bullet hole cover is fitting, as the book reads like bursts of shots. A smart idea. A great quotable line to sum it up. An anecdote. A quote from another source. Another smart idea, and so on. Each "chapter" closes with a summary, but ironically the book closes with none - it just ends. Well, there is a url and I guess that is the point, conversations keep going online.As someone who teaches university students in this arena, I found this book has already proven to be quite valuable. As mentioned, the quotes have found their way into my lectures. But more importantly, I have an arsenal of anecdotes from Nike and other cool brands for student questions. The students definitely connect with the stories and the credibility of the authors. It allows me to reinforce my own ideas. The thinking is mostly agreeable, as you'd expect with two people with such a proven track records.What kept me from giving it 5-stars:+ I really liked when they included conversations with other people, but there were too few in my opinion. These two are going to have an extensive network, so I'd love to have other perspectives filling out the book's stories and points.+ It is strange to read an edited conversation. You don't feel like you are over-hearing a conversation (a la Joseph Campbell & Bill Moyers.) You also don't get the normal flow of an industry book. It is an experiment, and it feels that way, both good and bad. I didn't actually "connect" with the material at times; it felt distant and conflicting. But I also enjoyed this, as it made me think and engage with the content, rather than just be led down an author's path.Overall, good read - and something to read NOW, not later.

I just finished reading "Velocity" by Ahmed/Olander. Amid the clutter and noise of today, this one really stands out.It's such an inspiring, compelling, relevant narrative for anyone living / working in the digital age of today (aren't we all?). I loved the approach the authors took; it's like a stream of considered consciousness structured in a simple format. The back & forth dialogue, with the conversational tone, provides a unique insight into the minds of two of the industry's definitive thought leaders.The "Seven Laws", structured as chapters, are sure to become part of the new vernacular, with the closing summaries being something I'll be referring back to quite frequently.I buy/read dozens of books from Amazon every quarter...it's rare for me to finish the entire piece, let alone take the time to write a review. Bottom line: I'm re-reading this one!!!

This book attempts to set out 7 laws of velocity that the authors feel describe the new ways we should work today. Grounded very much in the commercial world, there is much to reflect on in what they say. Some, if not much, may strike the reader as common sense, but it is often expressed in an easy going conversational style which perhaps facilitates its reception. Each chapter is presented as a conversation between the authors - this was refreshing in the beginning but for me, the novelty wore off towards the end.

Based on the business pedigree of the authors, I, like many other readers must have, had high expectations of this book. And it didn't disappoint.The majority of the points made and positions taken are stated so plainly, it feels as though they should already be conventionally held wisdom. But this really isn't the case. The book is rooted in the notions customer empathy, boundary pushing and learning how to learn. These beliefs are applicable well beyond "a world gone digital" and are laws for any type of business, marketing driven or not, online or offline, in our current cultural climate.The conversational style and mostly jargon free insights make this a remarkably refreshing and smart read.Highly recommended.

While the book might seem very self serving, the authors are merely trying to talk about their own experiences and their own observations. I see nothing wrong with that. What one takes away from the book is completely up to the readers. Give it a try. I like the dialogue/conversation format that they have used.

Having worked in product development and ensuring my clients successes over the past 17 years it is important to still remember 'what can we do differently' or 'why is it important to change?' or 'how are we going to apply technology in a different manner'? Still many older industry are not truly effected by technology. But it is fascinating to hear about evolution in footwear or with athletes and it serves a good reminder to never give up. I really enjoyed the book.

Fun book, quick read, well written.Like any book on digital marketing it is filled with vague outlines of marketing concepts that have worked in a specific area of business in the past but do not directly translate into anything meaningful in terms of guidelines for future business. It's like a self-help book for people that lack the ability to think about things objectively on their own.

I had high hopes. This book contains about 6 pages of retreaded encouragement that would make a Nike sneaker blush.That leaves 242 pages for the two authors to quote all the athletes that have been quoted in other self-help books and pat each other on the back time after time. It gets boring after a bit. Don't think that your garage based idea is going to get a start from anything in this book, because they are only talking about mega organisations that they have been affiliated with and sadly there is no room for your ego with theirs in the room.Just because you have made it does not mean that you can write a book that others should read.

I just couldn't get to the like this book. I tried to read it a few times but there was no connection.

Worth the read. The summary sections provide enough info but for a more in depth analysis read the book. R

This is a great read, I would highly recommend it. It's an interesting read that doesn't bore (like many business books). As one of the other reviewers wrote "I defy you to read it without a highlighter pen in your hand", I couldn't put my Kindle highlighter down! I have also just discovered that all proceeds of the sale of Velocity go to charities for youth homelessness and global healthcare.

After hearing Ajaz Ahmed speak live and being very enthused by the content of his presentation; I took up the book plug and downloaded a copy for my Kindle.The conversational style of the book made it very easy to read while commuting and a pleasure to come back to. Nike examples are numerous due to co-author Stefan Olander but every reference is valid. Nike are digital ambassadors of the highest order and insight into their digital journey was fascinating.I usually try to take 3-4 anecdotes from this type of book and Velocity delivered well beyond this. Polished off in a couple of days and thoroughly enjoyed.

....and not much else.Granted they pose their seven new laws for a world gone digital, which are interesting. Here they are:1. A smith & Wesson beats four acesEvolve immediately, entitlement kills2. Its easier done than said.Get going, then get better.3 The best advertising isn't advertisingMake meaningful connections.(Instead of interrupting people, try and serve them and make them feel something)4. Convenient is the enemy of rightNever have anything to apologise for. Obsess over important details, and edit ferociously.5. Respect human nature.Make yourself proud by making peoples lives easier, richer and more fun. Don't just give people choice, help them choose.6. No good joke survives a committee of sixHave the balls to make the calls7. Have a purpose larger than yourselfDo the right thing: always play from the heart. Let your imagination and curiosity power progress.There you go, you no longer need buy the book, because the other 246pp are mostly anecdote and "I told you so's".Such a disappointment. These two guys must be on the top of their game, you don't own one of the worlds most successful digital agencies and a VP at Nike without understanding business, but they don;t really share any of it with us here.You could argue this is more of an inspirational tome, perhaps i'll give it that, but 21 people so far on Amazon give it 5 stars. They must all be employees at Nike or AKQA. Or perhaps haven't read any Gladwell?Sorry this book did nothing for me except frustrate at its lack of REAL content. I bought it to learn, instead I felt like I was simply sat next to them in a bar listening to them congratulate each other.