THE TIPPING POINT by Malcolm Gladwell

THE GIST:

Gladwell explores the moment when minor trends (of various types) tip over the edge and become major fads.

THE VERDICT:

This book may be old news by now, but it is thoroughly interesting nonetheless. Gladwell uses fascinating examples and what appears to be careful research to explore his theme. He covers different types of trends from fashion to crime to politics as he talks about the group dynamics and essential moments that contribute to dramatic success stories.

This is a particularly useful read for anyone who is interested in (but not necessarily knowledgeable about) marketing. The writing style is targeted for regular readers, and Gladwell explains his points in clear terms. Gladwell’s emphasis is on understanding how the world works, rather than telling people how to run their businesses, but there are plenty of practical gems.

The way trends grow is a complex topic, and this book provides plenty of food for thought. It is engaging enough that I did not want to put it down, which is a great characteristic for a non-fiction book. If nothing else, it will get you thinking about that moment when you caught on to something that became huge.

THE LINK:

The author’s website: http://www.gladwell.com/

THE COST:

$9.99 from the Kindle store

THE QUESTION:

What do you think is the biggest factor that drives people to follow trends?