Everything I Know about Business I Learned from the Grateful Dead - by Barry Barnes (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

The Grateful Dead is one of the most popular bands of all time and they have enjoyed incredible relevance to this day. But let's admit it, they were not exactly poster boys for corporate America. In Everything I Know About Business I Learned From the Grateful Dead, Deadhead and business scholar Barry Barnes proves that the Dead's influence on the business world will turn out to be a significant part of their legacy. Without intending to, the band pioneered ideas and practices that were subsequently embraced by American corporations. And in this book Barnes shares the ten most innovative business lessons from the Dead's illustrious career, including:

Creating and delivering superior customer value
Incorporating and establishing a board of directors early on
Founding a merchandising division
Giving away your product for free to increase demand
Above all, Barnes explains how the Dead were masters of what he calls "strategic improvisation"-the ability to adapt to changing times and circumstances -- and that their success lay precisely in their commitment to constant change and relentless variation.
For an extraordinary thirty years, the Dead improvised a business plan and realized their vision -- all while making huge profits. Everything I Know About Business I Learned From the Greatful Dead will show you how they did it -- and what your business can learn from their long, strange trip.

Review Quotes

"Barry Barnes deftly shows how the magic and authenticity of the Grateful Dead transcends its musical prowess, providing invaluable insights into how successful organizations thrive."--William D. Cohan, New York Times bestelling author of MONEY AND POWER and HOUSE OF CARDS

"Brisk and compelling, this overview of the Deadhead nation reads like a candid rock biography as well as an insightful business manual...Important lessons learned from a unique band of musical pioneers."--Kirkus

"In Everything I Know About Business I Learned From The Grateful Dead, Barry Barnes deconstructs one of the most fascinating rock bands of our time and uncovers some very powerful and unexpected lessons in innovation, marketing and entrepreneurship. If you want your business to go on a long, strange trip - in the best possible way - this is the book for you."--Mitch Joel, President of Twist Image and author of Six Pixels of Separation

"It is Barry Barnes' not-too-outrageous conceit that the Grateful Dead, a prototypical band from the era of Vietnam and shoulder-length hair, have something to say about running a business. Jerry Garcia was no mogul (a fact for which his fans will rejoice). Yet perhaps in these life's lessons the executive will learn to loosen his tie, widen his gaze, and rescue his bottom line by not, for a change, obsessing over it. I have read many business manuals. This is one of the few I will remember."--Roger Lowenstein, New York Times bestselling author of THE END OF WALL STREET

About the Author

Barry Barnes is a professor at Nova Southeastern University in Florida.