The Start-Up of You , is an inspirational book, with detailed action plan, for those who aiming to change their career, move to another job or to start their wn business- to sparkle in today's economy. Highlighting the importance of professional networking, coming from the co- founder of LINKEDIN Reid Hoffman

2. Background
Author: Reid Hoffman & Ben Casnocha
Reid Hoffman is the co-founder of LINKEDIN
Pages : 163
Chapters : 7
Released : year 2011.
Website of the book : www.startupofyou.com

3. Index
Why Reading : The Start-Up of You.
Objectives of the book.
Book Summary
Quotes from the book.
Order the book

4. Why Reading : The Start-Up Of You
It is a great Motivational & Inspirational source for starting
immediately your career whether in job hunting or as an
entrepreneur.
It provides Manual for the best use and getting the hidden benefits
of Linkedin from the Co-Founder.
It is Rich with career development tips, that are essential in the
modern time.
It contains, Treasure of book names that the authors recommend /
or used as references- that would be another source of upgrading.
It provides an achievable Action Plan for a step- by- step: Creating
and maintaining professional network.
Provides real inspiration with listing the stories of entrepreneurs .
Its techniques for the career growth and job hunting can be easily
adopted to personal life.

5. Objectives of the book
Explaining “Entrepreneur” meaning- A SPIRIT
that to be injected in any aspect of one’s life not
only work.
Strategies for developing a better you, and better
society around you.
Emphasizing the opportunities for growing, no
matter what are the market conditions are.
Showing the importance of networking.
Stressing on investments in oneself, education
and career.

6. The Start-Up Of You
Book Summary

7. Chapter 1
All Humans are Entrepreneurs
This Chapter is motivational, and inspirational;
it gives the reader a hint about the book
contents, stating some of the success stories
of entrepreneurs with big names now, who
started from scratch.
Preparing the reader to be in the track of
entrepreneurship.

8. Chapter 2
Develop a Competitive Advantage
Be able to know where you are now, and
where you want to go- the objective.
Frame your values and aspirations
Study the market- actual, needs and gaps.
Know your competition.
adapt your assets, to meet the objective.
Develop more than one plan ( A, B) and also Z
which is totally different in path.

9. Chapter 3
Plan To adapt
Learn & work with what you learn; learn from what you
do ( invest in learning and gaining skills).
Execute the assigned responsibilities and add your touch
from time to time.
Build your own identity & separate from your employer.
Evaluate what you are doing now and how it serves your
objectives regularly.
Modify or take another path if needed.
Keep an open-eye : Always grasp opportunities that will
serve your objective.

10. Chapter 4
It Takes a Network (1/2)
The importance of networking.
Building professional network- How To
Connecting with : the weak acquaintance , the
2nd & the 3rd degree circle.
The best professional network: diversified
(different specialization)& cohesive ( easy
communication with each other)
How to strengthen & maintain your network.

11. Chapter 4
It Takes a Network (2/2)
Keep in touch from time to time, it helps when you need
something from someone in your network in future:
Offer & try to add value
Ask for informal gatherings- one to one or group – coffee.
Invest in connecting and meeting – creating “interesting people
fund”
Start the reconnection- if a relation is dropped for sometime.
Every one is equal, every one is important and different.
When to let go of a relationship
It is important to connect others. ( being a bridge)
When to let go of a relation.

12. Chapter 5
Pursue Breakout Opportunities (1/2)
Most important : Be focused on your objective.
Entrepreneurs see opportunities where others
see problems.
How to generate opportunities:
Be curious and ask why- be initiative
Connect with human networks: groups & associations
of people
Create your own resources if you didn’t find any.

13. Chapter 5
Pursue Breakout Opportunities (2/2)
How to generate opportunities (Continued):
With the most hardest situations, entrepreneurs create
opportunities out of them, they do their best and more than
expected.
Follow the trend magazines and journals including technology
like : Wired, &MIT; they will give you inspirations .
Attend events , in your industry & related ones
Look for star people on your network, who have impact and
identify their characteristics, they have opportunities.
From time to time, read a book that is different from your
background, it gives you anther scope.

14. Chapter 6
Take Intelligent Risks (1/2)
As an Entrepreneur , you lead your life taking risks, which
are Opportunities.
Assessing & managing risks :
Ask : is the risk overrated?
Identify the worst case scenario & how to cope with.
After taking the risk, will you be able to change in midway?
Opportunities are associated with uncertainties, don’t avoid it
all together.
Age & stage of life : younger are able to take many risks as they
would have plenty of time to correct. Having children would
limit some of the risks to be taken. When is the right time to
take the risk, or not to consider!
Consult the key persons in your network-have another opinion.

15. Chapter 6
Take Intelligent Risks (2/2)
When most of your peers avoid doing
something, check for it; it could have the
biggest opportunities.
Examples of Risks in the career path:
Move to a less paying job with promising career growth/
move to a position to add to the learning experience.
Move to a country (in a war zone)where you will have a big
title that no way to have it at home soon.

16. Chapter 7
Who You Know Is What You Know
Networking intelligence - the gathering of
information:
Asking questions in your group- ask meaningful.
Asking questions to the key person directly
Turning the information you gathered into resources
for your actions: start a blog, write an article.

17. Quotes from the book
“All human beings are entrepreneurs.”
Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner and microfinance pioneer
“Relationships are living, breathing things. Feed,
nurture, and care about them: they grow. Neglect
them: they die.”
“if the best way to strengthen a relationship is to
help the other person, the second best way is to let
yourself be helped.”

18. Order the book