Rogue Waves Book Summary - Rogue Waves Book explained in key points
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Rogue Waves summary

Jonathan Brill

Future-Proof Your Business to Survive and Profit from Radical Change

4.1 (42 ratings)
21 mins

Brief summary

Rogue Waves by Jonathan Brill is a business book that explores the potential for unexpected events to either create or destroy value in the world. It looks at how companies can prepare for and navigate these "rogue waves" to thrive and succeed.

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    Rogue Waves
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    Rogue waves can sink any business that fails to build resilience.

    Picture yourself on a boat in the middle of the open ocean. The sun is shining, the sky a brilliant blue. The sea is calm. And then, out of nowhere, a hundred-foot wave appears on the horizon.

    Yes, you heard right: A hundred-foot wave. And no, this isn’t a scene from The Perfect Storm. While rogue waves may seem like a sensational Hollywood invention, they’re actually a frighteningly real feature of the deep sea. In the North Sea alone, rogue waves are estimated to occur every ten hours, wreaking havoc on unsuspecting sailors and leaving serious wreckage in their wake. When you see a rogue wave in person, one thing is clear: there’s going to be a tremendous impact.

    But this scenario doesn’t only occur in sailing; rogue waves also happen in business. Over the course of history, unexpected events have caused the demise of countless companies across industries and around the world.

    The key message here is: Rogue waves can sink any business that fails to build resilience.

    In a business landscape rife with major economic, sociopolitical, and technological shifts, rogue waves are rising quicker than ever. One day, you’re doing just swimmingly. Then, a rogue wave strikes: a cryptocurrency crash that renders shares worthless overnight, for example, or artificial intelligence that threatens traditional ways of working. Or maybe a pandemic that shutters millions of brick and mortar businesses in one fell swoop.

    Now, businesspeople don’t sign up to be deep-sea fishers. But facing rogue waves is part of their job description all the same, and without the right strategies in place, the organizations they represent are bound for the bottom of the ocean. You see, far too many modern enterprises rely on outdated processes that were built for a different, calmer era. These processes assume that the best way to deliver reliable year-after-year growth is by reducing risk. But a rise in rogue waves demands a different kind of thinking. 

    Troubled seas are inevitable in this day and age. To survive and thrive in the modern ocean, businesses must embrace risk with an eye for building resilience – proactively future-proofing against unknown threats through constant innovation. By doing so, they can brave the stormiest of seas and even profit from the chaos. 

    Ready to ride some rogue waves? Let’s dive in.

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    What is Rogue Waves about?

    Rogue Waves (2021) is a playbook for steering your company through stormy seas. Drawing from real-world business cases, it shares actionable tips for staying afloat amid drastic change.

    Rogue Waves Review

    Rogue Waves (2022) by Jonathan Brill explores the phenomenon of unexpected events that disrupt our lives and how we can navigate through them. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It sheds light on unforeseen challenges and offers practical strategies to overcome them, helping us become more resilient and adaptable.
    • Through fascinating case studies and expert analysis, the book delves into the science behind rogue waves, making it both informative and captivating.
    • Its thought-provoking insights about uncertainty and our ability to thrive in unpredictable circumstances ensure that reading this book is anything but boring.

    Who should read Rogue Waves?

    • Business leaders who don’t want to leave their future up to chance
    • Executives looking to instill a culture of innovation
    • Anyone seeking to understand the undercurrents of modern civilization

    About the Author

    Jonathan Brill draws from decades of experience as an entrepreneur, Fortune 50 tech executive, and managing partner of innovation consultancies that developed over 350 products for clients including Samsung, Microsoft, and Verizon. Today, he is the managing director of Resilient Growth Partners and a contributor to leading publications including Forbes and Harvard Business Review.

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    Rogue Waves FAQs 

    What is the main message of Rogue Waves?

    The main message of Rogue Waves is a fascinating exploration of the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the devastating impacts of rogue waves.

    How long does it take to read Rogue Waves?

    The reading time for Rogue Waves varies depending on the individual, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Rogue Waves a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Rogue Waves is a captivating read for anyone interested in the power and mystery of the ocean. It offers valuable insights and engaging storytelling.

    Who is the author of Rogue Waves?

    The author of Rogue Waves is Jonathan Brill.

    What to read after Rogue Waves?

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