The business improvement resource. Let us reduce your business taxes and improve profits by helping you plan ahead.

Life Is a Contact Sport

By Ken Kragen

*A Book Review*

by Michael C. Gray

© 2010 by Michael C. Gray

Ken Kragen is personal manager to celebrities. At the time he wrote this book, his clients were Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt, and Trisha Yearwood. In the past, he handled people like the Smothers Brothers, Burt Reynolds, Olivia Newton-John, Pat Paulsen and others. He is well known for organizing big campaigns like "We Are The World" and "Hands Across America."

For many years he has taught a course called The Stardom Strategy at UCLA. In the course, he teaches how ten principles can be used to advance any kind of career. Mr. Kragen reveals the ten principles with show business examples in this book.

There are two principles that I find particularly striking.

The first principle or strategy is Kragen's first, The Event Strategy. In order to make a leap forward to the next level, you have to create an event that gets the interest of others. The event has to be significant and require a massive promotional effort. Achieving promotional effectiveness involves using the "rule of three." At least three major focal points are generally required to support the event. Examples would include making an appearance on a major talk show, such as The Tonight Show, Oprah or The David Letterman Show. An appearance by a celebrity on a commercial series can also be a supportive focal point.

Most of your efforts will probably be steady, maintenance-type efforts, but occasionally you should plan a big event for a major move forward.

The second principle or strategy is Kragen's tenth, The Power Of Giving. It's interesting that so many "success guides" emphasize the importance of giving of yourself and your resources, even when it seems you can't afford it. Kragen says, "I use charity heavily in what I do, because I believe you can enhance lives and careers (including your own) by giving to others. I can say personally that I've gotten more satisfaction from what I've done for people out of true generosity than anything else I've been involved with."

Giving seems to involve a Universal Principle. Giving creates abundance. Giving inspires more giving! Pay it forward!

Since May and June are graduation months, here is an excellent graduation gift. Graduates need guidance about how to achieve more in the "real world." That's what Life Is A Contact Sport is all about!

Buy it on Amazon: Life Is a Contact Sport: Ten Great Career Strategies That Work.

For our new reviews of business and self-improvement books, subscribe to our newsletter, Michael Gray, CPA's Tax & Business Insight!


Home   Business Building Blog   Introduction   Seven Habits   Business Improvement   Book Reviews   Need Help?   Links


Michael Gray, CPA
2482 Wooding Ct.
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 918-3162
FAX: (408) 938-0610

Subscribe to Michael Gray, CPA's
Tax & Business Insight


We respect your email privacy