Product Description

1921. A story that tells you how to be one. This book tells the tale of a man who made up his mind what he wanted and how he went about getting that which he desired. It is an intriguing story, well-written and hard to put down.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #101811 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 48 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Although Kyne's tale of business smarts has been around for some time (it was first published by William Randolph Hearst in 1921), it doesn't feel dated. Indeed, lumber wholesaler Cappy Ricks's situation (he "had more troubles than a hen with ducklings") mirrors that of many business leaders today. It's a straightforward parable about a young war veteran who's handed an opportunity that will either make or break his career. If he accepts the job and pulls it off, he's a go-getter; if he fails, it's curtains. The kid's motto-"It shall be done"-sums up Kyne's point: even if you're unsure, say you can do it. Then figure out how to do it and make sure you succeed. Go above and beyond. The 82-year-old story gets some slight spiffing up by business book writer Axelrod (Everything I Know About Business I Learned from Monopoly), and the afterword is especially helpful in pinpointing Kyne's main ideas.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
A native of San Francisco, Peter B. Kyne was a prolific screenwriter and the author of the 1920 bestseller Kindred of the Dust. His stories of Cappy Ricks and the Rick's Logging & Lumbering Company were serialized in The Saturday Evening
Post and William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan magazine. He died in 1957. Historian Alan Axelrod is the author of the business bestsellers Patton on Leadership and Elizabeth I, CEO. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From The Go-Getter: "Well," Cappy said, "I suppose I'll have to cast about for his successor. I think Bill Peck has some of the earmarks of a good manager for our Shanghai office, but I'll have to test him a little further." He looked up humorously at Mr. Skinner. "Skinner, my dear boy," he continued, "I'm going to have him deliver a blue vase."

Mr. Skinner's cold features actually glowed. "Well, tip the chief of police and the proprietor of the store off this time and save yourself some money," he warned Cappy. "I don't envy Mr. Peck, and I have every hope that he'll give you less of a tangle than Matt Peasley and I did." He walked to the window and looked down into California Street. He continued to smile.

"Yes," Cappy continued dreamily, "You'll agree with me, Skinner, that if he delivers the blue vase he'll have proven himself ready to take over all our business in Asia?"

"I'll say he will."

Promptly at one'clock the following day, Bill Peck reported at the general manager's house.

Customer Reviews

A Timeless Classic, Quick Read, Great Business Short Story
This one needs to be added to every young business person's essential reading list. Though written in the 1920's, it does not feel dated, and its lessons and examples are still applicable today.

The young character in the book, Bill Peck, has just returned from the war and is determined to get a job with the leading lumber company. He displays confidence, and that's the first lesson in the book. He refuses to take no for an answer when rejected by two of the top executives of the company. He takes his case directly to the founder of the company, who is impressed by his determination. Bill's confidence is demonstrated by the fact that he had his business cards printed before he had even spoken to the company.

The second lesson is execution. Bill doesn't just throw out empty promises, but promptly delivers when turned loose in the field. It does not matter that he has been given an inferior, difficult to sell product. He finds a way to make it irresitible to his customers.

Finally, the company's founder decides to give Bill the final test, asking him to "deliver the blue vase." Bill shows his resourcefulness and refusal to quit in fulfilling this quest.

Though you can knock this book out in just one sitting, its lessons will stay with you throughout your career.

are you a go-getter?
The Blue Star Navigation Company has a problem. It hasn't been able to find a manager who will stick to his mandate once he is sent overseas and away from immediate supervision. The company needs a "go-getter", but how will it find one?

Along comes Bill Peck, a war veteran who will not take "no" for an answer. He asks for a job, any job. The company relents and gives him a sales job, selling lumber that nobody in their right mind would want. He proves himself worthy by excelling in his sales position despite the odds. He is now ready for the ultimate test.

From this point on, he encounters obstacle upon obstacle. As you read this story, consider at which stage you would give up. The Go-Getter displays just how much one person may accomplish if they decide to go beyond their usual point of giving up.

Do you ever catch yourself saying, "I tried but...", "If only I had more time/money/resources...", "I'm just not good at..."? Read this little treasure and you will discover that in all likelihood you are selling yourself short. You'd be amazed at what you can do, by simply deciding it shall be done.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

Old is Gold
Reading a book on leadership written about 80 years ago is an experience. While we all know that new advancements will lead to a need for new skills. This was true for all periods. The best part of The Go-Getter is its relevance for all ages.

When I was reading the book for the first time without even referring to the period when it was written I felt that the author has used the lumber industry to indicate a generic pattern across industries. I felt its clear relevance in the software industry which is still in its adolescence globally.

Go getter attitude will take us to reach any of our goals. This requires three important aspects - the ownership of the activity or problem, courage to handle it even without having the complete knowledge of the activity or the problem but have only broad guidelines and perseverance to withstand the hurdles come on the way in completing the tougher task on hand. The Go-Getter demonstrates the same very well. The blue vase test has opened some powerful insights in me and I should agree my thinking and attitude towards any activity I am looking at had been changed dramatically after reading this book.

This book gives us great insights about making our own fortunes. There is a saying that the normal worker waits for the job description and the Go getter writes one and exceeds the same. This book offers motivation to look at opening doors(opportunities), finding ways to make way, take ownership, show perseverance, think laterally to find maximum alternatives on hand, respecting the designer/assigner of the job and his instincts and finally the strongest of the messages - It will be done attitude.

A must read for the younger generation to learn how to find their way in the new executive jungle. Considering the economic growth majority of the economies are experiencing the managers are always flooded with priorities between managing growth vs creating supporting structures for planning further growth. The amount of time new age managers/leaders are spending on grooming and counseling the subjects has drastically come down and it is important that the subjects learn some life skills to sail through the tough waters. The Go Getter definitely offers the required life skill - being a Go Getter.