"The Geek Way" Andy McAffee, a book review

How would you define what a ‘geek’ is? Is being a geek today a pejorative term or a source of pride?

Andy McAfee has written a masterpiece book, The Geek Way, on how geeks are not only changing technology, but also how they are changing business today. Or perhaps it is better to say- how they are changing the culture of work.

But okay, first in keeping with the spirit of the times, I decided to ask Perplexity and ChatGPT, who is a geek?

Perplexity:

?A?geek?is generally defined as a person with a deep passion and expertise in a specific subject, often related to technology, science, or pop culture. This term has evolved over time, shifting from a derogatory label for eccentric individuals to a badge of pride among enthusiasts.”:

ChatGPT:

?A geek is often someone who has a deep passion or enthusiasm for a particular subject, typically in areas like technology, science fiction, gaming, or other niche interests. This term has evolved over time; while it used to have a more negative connotation, it’s now often embraced as a badge of honor, celebrating knowledge and expertise in specialized fields. Geeks are usually characterized by their curiosity, enthusiasm for learning, and dedication to their interests.”

That is, geek is today's badge of honour. McAfee argues that geek people transformed not only the technology business but business as such. Or the business culture. Or human work.

Culture is an old greek word. κουλτο?ρα.And again I asked myself about the meaning of Perplexity:

?Culture is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the beliefs, practices, arts, institutions, and social behaviors of a particular group of people. It is often described as the "way of life" for a society, incorporating elements such as language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music, and arts.”

o what kind of culture are geeks creating?

McAffee, after a robust study of the management cultures of successful technology companies over the past 25 years, identifies 4 pillars of ‘geek culture’ behind their success. These are:

1.Science

2.Ownership

3.Speed?

4.Openness

Re.1

Geeks want to understand the problem ‘through and through’. They use the scientific method and rely strictly on data. Empiria, empiria and more empiria. And data. Using data to make decisions.

Re.2

No more micromanagement. People need to get their area to act. And be accountable for it.

Re.3

Speed in ‘geek companies’ is not speed in building and implementing a product, but speed in creating successive iterations. So that iteration, after iteration, we get to a product that sells itself as quickly as possible.

Re.4

Probably the most important lesson. There must be discussion, discussion and more discussion in the company. If we impose a framework of conversation on everyone, we are an old-style company and sooner or later we will get crushed.

he best example of geek culture is shown by the story of two companies Quibi and Netflix.

Quibi, short for "Quick Bites," was a streaming platform founded in 2018 by industry veterans Jeffrey Katzenberg (Hollywood legend) and Meg Whitman (super vetrean CEO). The venture aimed to revolutionize mobile entertainment by offering high-quality, short-form content designed specifically for on-the-go viewing. With a staggering $1.75 billion raised from major investors like Disney and Alibaba, Quibi appeared poised for success, boasting a lineup of A-list celebrities and innovative technology.

Quibi officially launched on April 6, 2020, during the global COVID-19 pandemic. This timing proved disastrous for a platform that targeted commuters and mobile users, as lockdowns kept people at home and diminished the demand for quick, mobile-only content.?Despite initial excitement—reportedly achieving 300,000 downloads on its first day—the platform struggled to maintain momentum. By October 2020, just six months after its launch, Quibi announced it would shut down due to insufficient subscriber numbers, which hovered around 500,000, far below expectations.

But was it’s fate only due to COVID?

Quibi's failure serves as a cautionary tale for startups about the importance of understanding market dynamics and consumer needs. Despite having experienced leadership and significant funding, the venture's downfall underscores that even well-resourced projects can fail if they do not align with market demands or adapt quickly to changing circumstances

But what was Quibi in terms of CULTURE? It was a micromanaged by two excessive leaders, on of whom was sincerely concerned he is? a master of content production (Katzenberg, an yes he had a lot successes in the past) and mater of operations (Whitman). Yet, as McAffee argues, they did not talk with ther people. They were certain that they are right. Yet, they were, to great extent, not.

he opposite story to Quibi is the story of Netflix.

Netflix began in 1997 as a DVD rental service founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California. The innovative concept allowed customers to rent DVDs online and have them mailed to their homes, eliminating late fees associated with traditional rental stores. By 2002, Netflix had gone public, attracting significant attention.

In 2007, the company revolutionized the entertainment industry by launching streaming services, allowing subscribers to instantly watch movies and TV shows on their devices. This shift marked a pivotal moment, as Netflix began producing original content, starting with "House of Cards" in 2013. The success of original series led to a broader push into film and television, culminating in critically acclaimed productions like "Stranger Things" and "The Crown."

As streaming gained popularity, Netflix expanded globally, reaching millions of subscribers in various countries. By 2020, it became a leading player in the entertainment landscape, competing with emerging streaming services. Despite challenges, including increasing competition and rising production costs, Netflix continued to innovate, exploring interactive content and further enhancing user experience, solidifying its status as a cultural phenomenon in the digital age.

What is the philosophy of Netflix?

Iteration, iteration and yet again iteration.

And debate.

Reed Hastings introduced the culture of confrontation among executives. If someone’s to introduce a new idea, she/he is to confront the idea to her/his peers reports and confront. And then report.

Last, but not least, there are some fantastic graphs how the gravity of US business has moved in the last 20 years from East Coast to West Coast.?

Follow me in the next days for more about ?geekness” and how it changes the world.

Meanwhile, a great talk between Krzysztof J?drzejewski and Michal Domanski

https://www.youtube.com/@pastpresentfuture24