BOOK REVIEW: 'Rework'

If you ever wanted to know how to think like a drug dealer (or have wondered why someone would even want to), then 'Rework' is for you.

According to this book, maybe that's just the perspective you need.

Written by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier - the gurus behind open-source software company 37signals - 'Rework' is chock full of suggestions, ideas, and advice that aren't what you'll find in your traditional business self-help book.

For starters, none of those other stuffy tomes put you into the mind of a guy peddling drugs.

I'm sure you're wondering how the drug-dealer angle fits into all of this. Well, according to the authors, drug dealers are "astute businessmen" who know how to sell a product in a way that makes their customers keep coming back for more. (And no, that's not just because cocaine is really, really addictive.)

The authors also recommend gems like the thought that saying no is just as important - and even more important at times - than saying yes. Getting into a habit of saying yes is detrimental because you overwhelm yourself easily. Saying no saves you from grief and disciplines yourself so that you get your priorities into line.

If you like intriguing and pragmatic books on business that aren't preachy or dry and are written in a fun, conversational manner, then 'Rework' is for you.

Just don't use it to, you know, actually sell drugs.