The 80/20 Principle

The Secret of Achieving More with Less

By: Richard Koch

Narrated by: Richard Aspel

Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Learn how you can tap the hidden potential of the 80/20 principle in your life. Richard Koch is a highly successful entrepreneur and investor.

The 80/20 Principle - that 80 per cent of results flow from just 20 per cent of the causes - is the one true principle of highly effective people and organisations. In one of the decade's most original, provocative and powerful books, The 80/20 Principle shows how you can achieve much more with much less effort, time and resources, simply by concentrating on the all-important 20 per cent.

Astonishingly, though the 80/20 Principle has greatly influenced today's world, this is the first book which shows you how to use it in a systematic and practical way.

©1997 Richard Koch (P)2007 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"Congratulations! The 80/20 Principle is terrific." (Al Ries)

"Through multiple examples, and a punchy down-to-earth commentary, Koch offers the first really useful advice we've seen in a management book for years." (The Age)

"Richard Aspel does an excellent job of enlivening to this interesting discussion of the 80/20 rule-the Pareto Principle-which states that we get 80 percent of our results from 20 percent of our activity. Koch provides background information and examples in addition to getting down to practical advice on how to put energy where it will get the greatest results. As narrator, Aspel's sensitivity is so fine-tuned and palpable that it's arresting. His approach serves to relax and soothe listeners while they blissfully absorb the wisdom offered. This is a fascinating and highly enjoyable audio that a broad range of listeners will enjoy." (AudioFile Magazine)

"The Pareto Principle--in Koch's words, "a minority of causes, inputs, or effort usually lead [s] to a majority of the results, outputs, or rewards" --is hardly new; Vilfredo Pareto discovered it in 1897. But London-based investor, entrepreneur, and author Koch traces Pareto's insight through the past century (George K. Zipf, Joseph M. Juran, IBM and other computer firms) and adds a bit of chaos theory to make the 80/20 principle a way of life. He spells out essential characteristics of "80/20 analysis" and "80/20 thinking," then explores application of this "Vital Few" approach, first in business, then in achieving personal success and happiness. Koch closes with a chapter on the social implications of the Pareto Principle, urging that this predictable imbalance between inputs and outputs is "not inherently right wing," and that steps such as spreading best practices in education to all students and giving those currently excluded from the market economy a stake in the game would generate less inequality as well as greater productivity." (Booklist)

Long, but it worth the time

The idea of the book is worthy, but much too long explained and with a lot of hours without anything to do with Pareto principle. The narrator is quite to listen. Anyway, I think it deserves the time and money.

long, very long

I wish the book was shorter, 20/80 rule would should be applied in book-writing as well.

great book

i t h i n k t h i s b o o k i s l i f e changing

Great book, questionable narration

Richard Koch's 80/20 Principle inspires the listener to cut out the meaningless waste of time, energy and activity in their life.

The narration, however, suffers from a rather irritating little problem. Narrator Richard Aspel's rendering of straight text is quite good. Unfortunately, Aspel makes caricatures of the numerous quotations that pepper the book, to the point of distraction, especially after the first listen, when one endeavors to study the material in depth.

Interesting

Only read if you are willing to think deeply and have lots of time/opportunity to invest in deep thought regarding the ideas that are discussed in this book.

While reading, I did feel as though the author had an agenda of explaning efficiency as god, then later, happiness as god.

In the books entirety though, I think the author while in deep thought, landed on something that allowed/freed him from a regular humdrum or day to day life. I like that he keeps the 80/20 thought open ended and invites the reader to apply this personal epiphany anyway they choose.

Enjoy or don't ;)

Brilliant Book and NOT Repetitive

If you could sum up The 80/20 Principle in three words, what would they be?

"Do not miss!" This audio book has opened my eyes to the vast and massive possibilities in my business by simply applying the 80/20 principle, from everything to advertising to people to products. I STRONGLY disagree with other reviewers who say the book was repetitive. Rather, the author does an outstanding job of giving endless and very varied examples of how the 80/20 principle has worked, which all sprouted more and more ways I could apply it myself.

What about Richard Aspel’s performance did you like?

I have to say I enjoyed how the English (as in UK) narrator would attempt to mimic the local accent of people quoted in the book - hearing his attempt at a Southern US accent was worth the price of admission!

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Simply that 80% of just about every aspect of my business - and my time - are waste. Sure, they generate a return on investment, but it's minuscule versus the 20% that produces a massive ROI and the waste needs to go.

Any additional comments?

I'm also buying the Kindle book to read it as well. This will go into my collection as one of those half-dozen or so books that I re-read at least once a year.

Great book

It was a great book with significant insight into waste of thought, effort, and effectiveness.

Amidou

Great! This book is fine art combined with efficiency. One of the bests in its kind👍.

My life has been on hold...until now.

I just finish reading the book 8020 and wow what a book! I have finally gotten permission to live the life that I am thank you Richard Koch.

An essential read if you want to be successful

Would you listen to The 80/20 Principle again? Why?

I have listen to this book already two times. And I get a full load of information every time.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from The 80/20 Principle?

I love the business mentality that the 80/20 Principle suggest. Lazy but smart is definitely in.

Any additional comments?

It is a must have book or audio book if you are in business.