The Tipping Point - Book Review

Gladwell, Malcolm. The Tipping Point.

2002. Back Bay Books/ Little, Brown and Company.  A Hachette Book Group. New York, New York. 

ISBN: 978/0-316-34662-7. 

In The Tipping Point, Gladwell examines the power one or two people can have in exacting big change in the world around them - if they are the right person. 

There are 3 types of people who can exact change in the world around them:  Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen. 

Connectors are people who easily travel between different spheres of the world around them. They travel between groups easily, and connect people from one group to another with ease.  

Mavens are those people who are always on the edge of a trend or a deal. They do thorough research on their topic of interest and will tell anyone willing to listen of the great and marvelous deals or new products that are available. 

Salesmen naturally and easily sell their products to the world around them. 

Keeping the 3 personality types in mind, Gladwell explores business models that successfully use this knowledge to push a fashion trend, the popularity of a new product, or a drop in the crime rate. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. The in depth look at how the crime problem in New York City during the 80's was brought under control was fascinating. The unique business model of Gore Associates is worth taking the time to look through.

With case study after case study, Gladwell makes a compelling argument about "the tipping point", and the magic number - 150 - that tips events and ideas.