Free Agent Nation Book Review

>for self-employedprofessionals -- independence.
Have you ever written a personal note to aHere're some Pinkisms, emphasized in chapter-end
respected andsuccessful author? Not that I wish"boxes":
that fate on those preciousfew who top the best"Nanocorp. A microbusiness that remains
seller lists, but I just wrote to Dan Pink."ruthlessly small" --as both a personal preference
Dan,and a competitive strategy."
Wonderful book! I'm doing a review and will"Digital Marxism. With inexpensive computers,
distributeit as widely as my role allows. I'mwireless handhelddevices, and ubiquitous low-cost
curiousthough, why do you quote the reviewsconnections to the internet,workers can now own
from the NY Times,the means of production."
CNN, the "Global Executive Section" of The"Corporate Yenta. An entity that matches
Economist andindependent workerswith firms or projects that
when the book is about you and I?need their short term help."
Maybe those reviewers saw themselves in aThe first few pages introduce the thesis that
fantasy paintedwe're becominga Free Agent Nation where the old
Pink? Those folks still work for the big dogs ofidea of the "Organization Man"is giving way to the
businessand I doubt very much that those in theconcept of "e-lancers" holding meetingsat
board rooms ofglobal corporations are quite asStarbucks coffee houses and home schooling their
cheered by your ideasas the reviewers who workkids.
for them.He sweeps up the dust of our tired old ideas as
I am impressed and cheered though, by yourhe continuesto show us how the "industrial
work and wishyou continued success. Witheconomy separated work andfamily." While ... "The
regrets that it profits Warnerfree agent economy is rejoining them."
Books more than Pink, Inc.He illustrates change by reporting that "My size
Mike Banks Valentinefits me" hasnow replaced "One size fits all" of not
It's my personal belief that Free Agent Nationonly work but educationas well.
should be ownedby Pink, Inc. I also believe that ifPink is well known for his prognostications on the
Daniel H. Pink were toinclude a review by Mikefuture for
Banks Valentine of WebSite101 on hisweb site ,Fast Company Magazine and leaps right out there
that it would do littlefor his credibility or his bookwith a fewshocking ideas indicating massive
sales.changes in the economy bysuggesting
I toot a big horn on the front page of my webentrepreneurs will sell shares in themselves to
site too becausewhen visitors see a quote fromputthe "I" back in IPO's with F.A.N. (Free Agent
Entrepreneur Magazine on my homepage, theyNation) bonds.
may take a little longer to click away from myFinancial instruments that emphasize talent and
site.creativity overthe more common mass of
Once I've got them though, I rely on thecorporate safety and financial bulk.
testimonials from smallezine owners to promptHe wraps up by suggesting that women will
subscriptions to my newsletter, furtherdown thereplace the "Old Boy
page. And small is what Pink thinks the futureNetwork" and rule the landscape of a new
holdsfor the new workplace.economy because theyare better suited to
This book is about independent freelancers merrilycommunity and sharing rather than the oldmale
toiling awayin their underwear in a home"conquer and topple" model of business success.
workspace, as Pink states, in HOHO,or "His OfficeMaybe it'sthe only way men can be seen as
Her Office". He seems to delight in creatingequals, when we have to out-think women rather
newterms to define what is increasingly commonthan bully and threaten them.