1. Where can I buy the book?
Bookstores everywhere.
Yes, I know the distribution has been a bit slow but I'm told you will get 'Connect the Dots' in Crossword and other major chain stores by the end of this week. Do let me know if that's not the case!
2. Can I buy 'Connect the Dots online?
At the following websites:
a) Infibeam: click here
Infibeam will ship the books to locations in India and selected countries including
USA, Canada, Australia and Singapore.
b) Flipkart: click here
c) Indiaplaza: click here
By the way all three websites are selling author-signed copies. Yup, I sat and signed a mountain of books to make that happen...
And that's just the first 500!
3. Yet another title inspired by Steve Jobs?
Yes, the title 'Connect the Dots' is inspired by the same speech at Stanford where Steve Jobs exhorted graduates to 'Stay Hungry Stay Foolish'. And I have acknowledged that right at the beginning of the book.
Why am I obsessed with Steve Jobs? Well, I just am (and now that I own an iPhone that might get worse :) But seriously, I was inspired by Steve Jobs a long time ago, when I read the book Odyssey: from Pepsi to Apple.
Steve Jobs persuaded John Sculley, the President of Pepsi, to join Apple with these immortal words:"Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?"
That line remained in my mind, and served as a guidepost, when I stood at the crossroads in my career.
That said, I can promise you the title of my third book is not inspired by Steve Jobs :)
4) Is 'Connect the Dots' a sequel to 'Stay Hungry Stay Foolish'?
Yes, and no.
Yes, because so many of you asked why does 'Stay Hungry' only feature stories of MBAs - that too from IIMA - I felt compelled to look at the completely opposite kind of profile.
My contention with Stay Hungry was that MBAs can be entrepreneurs and it was the objective (set by CIIE, IIM Ahmedabad) that the book should inspire young bschool graduates to consider such a career option.
Many of the readers however concluded that an MBA is what they should aim for, if they wanted to be successful entrepreneurs.
Anyhow, I thank them for their plaintive emails to me asking "what about us, 'ordinary' graduates". That question set the stage for 'Connect the Dots' and I am happy to say that in terms of sheer variety of people I met, this book was a more interesting experience!
5. So, is 'Connect the Dots' as good as the first book?
Well, I certainly cannot comment on that. In fact I have no idea if the first book was 'good' either :)
But here are some reviews from early readers of 'Connect the Dots':
Have read 5 stories so far, and each one stays, cos it's written so well, and the stories of each of the entrepreneurs are so inspiring. I also like that there's no melodrama and all the interviewees seem to accept things for what they are (for example, Ranjiv Ramchandani when asked if he decided not to cut corners wrt the quality of his t-shirts says, nah it's just that i was ignorant about the quality! Great read...
- Amrithaa on Flipkart
More reviews at Flipkart
Rashmi Bansal’s new book - ‘Connect The Dots‘ is a follow-up to her hugely successful book ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’. The earlier book mentioned the inspiring stories of IIMA graduates. Connect The Dots is about successful entrepreneurs without the typical MBA degree.
The book has classified entrepreneurs in three categories:
1. Jugaad - Ones who have no formal business training and learnt by observation, experimentation and application of mind.
2. Junoon - Ones who are driven by passion and ideas which are ahead of its time.
3. Zubaan - Ones who are creative people with unique talent
The book has a biographical account of the entrepreneur and advice to other entrepreneurs - same style as Stay Hungry Stay Foolish. The selection of the entrepreneurs is interesting indeed which adds diversity to the book and the subject of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs behind success stories like Reva, Dosa Plaza, Su-Kam, Crossword, Tantra T-Shrits, Veta, Fem Care are featured as well as Film Director Paresh Mokashi and Wildlife Photographer Kalyan Verma. Though there are no formulas to success, it is interesting to know the journey of the fellow entrepreneurs.
Rashmi Bansal’s style and language is amazing as always ! She has got another bestseller! Read it !
- Ashok Karania
Reviews on Infibeam
Twitter feedback:
@YouthPad I like the narrative of Connect the Dots.. :)
@ravisagar Read first 3 stories this morning. Truly inspirational stories. Almost finished the book. Why don't you write part 3???
6. When are you having a book launch in Mumbai, Delhi, etc etc?
There will be 'Connect the Dots' launch events in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai in the month of May. Would love to see you there, will keep you posted!
