BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World Hardback - 2007 - 1st Edition

by Robert W. MacDonald

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

From the publisher

Smart guidelines for building flexible, innovative companies

Beat the System is a follow-up to Robert MacDonald's controversial but successful first book, Cheat to Win. Packed with proven, real-life advice, Beat the System shows readers how to deal with the bureaucracy that can smother the creativity and entrepreneurship essential to long-range business success. Beat the System teaches readers how to beat the bureaucratic system by building entrepreneurial cultures in their businesses, their departments, or even their individual jobs. MacDonald skillfully describes how business cultures develop, how bureaucratic procedures and processes seep into them, and how to build an entrepreneurial culture even as we live in a bureaucratic world. At the heart of his system are practical steps that create a sense of ownership among employees, invites their participation, creates a common mission, fosters an entrepreneurial atmosphere, and shares the rewards with all.

Robert W. MacDonald (Wayzata, MN) is a true visionary in the financial services industry who rose from a door-to-door insurance salesman to the CEO of Allianz Life of North America. He was also the founder, CEO, and chairman of LifeUSA.

From the jacket flap

Does bureaucratic inertia have your business locked in a losing status quo? Are you being held back by gray suits who won't allow innovation and creativity at work? Do you want to build a business that isn't slowed down by the concrete shoes of bureaucratic indecision or stifled by unimaginative groupthink? If so, maybe it's time to beat the system!

In this insurgent guide to business success, Robert MacDonald shows professionals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs how to smash the bureaucracy that smothers the innovative, entrepreneurial spirit essential to long-term business success. Whether you own a small business, run a large corporation, or work for someone else, Beat the System provides proven, real-world advice for building an entrepreneurial culture in your entire organization, your department, or even in your individual position.

When MacDonald founded LifeUSA, people thought he was a madman for trying to compete against giant, entrenched competition in the stagnant life insurance industry. But with a willingness to challenge the status quo and question the rules of the system, he grew LifeUSA into a hugely successful player in an industry that was actually shrinking at the time. Now, he shares the eleven entrepreneurial secrets he used to defeat bigger and stronger competitors.

We live in a bureaucratic world, but fighting the status quo is a business strategy that works. Beat the System outlines a proven plan for creating a business culture that creates, innovates, and moves fast enough to overtake even the most entrenched competition. Whether you're starting a new business or simply trying to advance your career, you really can succeed wildly if you have the right weapons to storm the battlements of bureaucracy.

Nobody said it would be easy; fighting the forces of darkness never is. But with these smart, entrepreneurial strategies, total unconditional victory will be yours--but only if you play by your own rules. Beat the System is a practical, worldly guide to developing your own entrepreneurial, revolutionary spirit and building that spirit into every brick of your organization.

It's time to take a stand and call out the agents of oppression: "Mr. Bureaucrat, tear down this wall!"

Details

  • Title Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
  • Author Robert W. MacDonald
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey
  • Publication date October 19, 2007
  • Features Dust Cover, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780470175491 / 0470175494
  • Weight 0.84 lbs (0.38 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.5 x 5.84 x 0.98 in (21.59 x 14.83 x 2.49 cm)
  • Category Small Business/Entrepreneurship
  • Library of Congress subjects Entrepreneurship - United States, Bureaucracy - United States
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2007016898
  • Dewey Decimal Code 658.421

About the author

Robert W. MacDonald is a true visionary and business contrarian who rose from a door-to-door insurance salesman to the very pinnacle of the corporate world. He was the founder, CEO, and chairman of LifeUSA, a life insurance company which was formed in 1987 and sold to Allianz SE for $500 million. He retired as chairman and CEO of Allianz North America. He is also the author of Cheat to Win: The Honest Way to Break All the Dishonest Rules in Business.

For more information, please visit www.cheattowin.net.

More Copies for Sale

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by MacDonald, Robert W.

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$8.57
A$5.87 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Wiley. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$8.57
A$5.87 Delivery to USA
Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by MacDonald, Robert W

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$13.94
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Wiley, 2007-10-19. 1. hardcover. Used: Good. 5.80x0.90x8.85. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$13.94
Free Delivery to USA
Beat the System
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat the System

by MacDonald, Robert W,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$22.06
A$5.87 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$22.06
A$5.87 Delivery to USA
Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat the System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by MacDonald, Robert W.

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$33.67
A$29.16 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2007. Hardcover. New. 1st edition. 256 pages. 8.75x5.75x1.00 inches.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$33.67
A$29.16 Delivery to USA
Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by Robert W. MacDonald

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$35.23
A$19.34 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Hardback. New. Smart guidelines for building flexible, innovative companies Beat the System is a follow-up to Robert MacDonald's controversial but successful first book, Cheat to Win.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$35.23
A$19.34 Delivery to USA
Beat the System
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat the System

by MacDonald, Robert W,

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$32.44
A$5.87 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$32.44
A$5.87 Delivery to USA
Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by MacDonald, Robert W

  • New
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
New
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$38.32
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Wiley, 2007-10-19. 1. hardcover. New. 5.80x0.90x8.85. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$38.32
Free Delivery to USA
Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by MacDonald, Robert W.

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$44.96
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items. May be an ex-library book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$44.96
Free Delivery to USA
Beat the System
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat the System

by Robert W. MacDonald

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
3
Seller
Item price
A$53.52
A$5.87 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
John Wiley & Sons , pp. xxv + 228 . Papeback. New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$53.52
A$5.87 Delivery to USA
Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World
Stock photo: cover may vary

Beat The System: 11 Secrets to Building an Entrepreneurial Culture in a Bureaucratic World

by John Wiley & Sons

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780470175491 / 0470175494
Quantity available
100
Seller
Item price
A$70.48
A$4.41 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$70.48
A$4.41 Delivery to USA