Worthless, impossible, and stupid: how contrarian entrepreneurs create and capture extraordinary value

Global entrepreneurship expert Daniel Isenberg shows the new rules of starting and growing a business with vivid stories of successes, and failures, from around the world. Are you a member of the new class of global entrepreneurs? If not, beware - this book may inspire you to become one. It's a rallying call for those whose ideas were ever called worthless, impossible, or even stupid. In this fascinating read, global entrepreneurship expert Daniel Isenberg illustrates through stories of real business builders the new rules of starting and growing a business. No longer bound by a western "Silicon Valley" approach to entrepreneurship, a new group of enterprising doers has created a global and diverse mix of organizations that could be tomorrow's leading firms. Stirred by what he saw while crossing the globe to speak with business leaders young and old, Isenberg began connecting the dots. What he found was a wealth of counter-intuitive lessons that speak to the new way of creating a business. From Albuquerque to Islamabad, you'll travel with the author and pick up unusual yet practical insights that you can use. You'll also be moved by businesses fueled by adversity and even necessity. Great stories, successes, failures - it's all in here. What can the West learn from them? What can you learn - and what will you be inspired to do? Let Worthless, Impossible and Stupid: How Contrarian Entrepreneurs Create and Capture Extraordinary Value be your new manual for making change.

Preface : Why you are reading this book -- Introduction : Surprise -- pt. 1. Who is an entrepreneur? Three myths -- Myth #1 : entrepreneurs must be innovators -- Myth #2 : entrepreneurs must be experts -- Myth #3 : entrepreneurs must be young -- pt. 2. Running away from the crowd -- Why the best entrepreneurs seem crazy -- Why the best ventures seem worthless (or impossible, or stupid) -- pt. 3. When adversity meets reward -- If you can't stand the heat : why every entrepreneur faces adversity -- Some kitchens are hotter than others : succeeding when the environment is the enemy -- Solving burning problems : when adversity is the opportunity -- Personal gain : how the chimpanzee got his bananas back from the gorillas -- pt. 4. Making sense of it all -- Perceiving extraordinary value -- Creating extraordinary value -- Capturing extraordinary value -- Conclusion : "A crack, jerk, and a leap" : implications for leaders, entrepreneurs, and the rest of us.