Come Together: The Business Wisdom of the Beatles

by Richard Courtney, George Cassidy

Overview

As the greatest rock and roll band of all time, the Beatles rocketed to worldwide fame soon after their 1964 arrival in the United States. Much of their achievement can be attributed to the unique Beatle sound, but it was more than just the music that catapulted them to the summit of success, and kept them there even after the band ceased touring and broke apart. How the Beatles both failed and triumphed as businessmen and the lessons today’s entrepreneurs and business leaders can draw from this unique journey is the subject of Come Together: The Business Wisdom of the Beatles. Authors Richard Courtney and George Cassidy recount the band’s many exploits, from its early struggles in Hamburg to the success of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and beyond, revealing from a business perspective what worked and what didn’t. More than the music, this book explores what it took to pass the audition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781684424337
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	03/21/2011
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Richard Courtney, a dedicated Beatles collector with an encyclopedic knowledge of Beatles history, is the founder of the Fab Four Festival, which attracts top Beatles speakers and fans from across the globe. An alumnus of the University of the South, Courtney is a columnist, author, and real estate broker who lives and works in Nashville. George Cassidy is a working songwriter, using vintage recording equipment that gives him firsthand insight into the Beatles’ creative process in the studio. A business writer and analyst who has worked with blue-chip companies like Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, his work has been translated into six languages and has twice won the highest possible honor from the Society for Technical Communication. A graduate of Harvard University, he lives with his wife and two sons in Nashville.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

1 You 3

2 The Concept 7

3 A Little Help from Your Friends 10

4 Leadership 13

5 Working like a Dog 15

6 "Direct from Hamburg" 18

7 Image and Branding 20

8 Thinning the Ranks 22

9 Setting Up Shop 25

10 Fire Yourself and Hire a Manager 27

11 Capitalization 30

12 Failure 33

13 The Accidental Mentor 36

14 Being Bested 39

15 Customer Service 43

16 Communication 46

17 Success 49

18 Being Overlooked 52

19 Humor 55

20 Paying the Price of Fame 58

21 Record Every Thought 61

22 Two of Us 63

23 Revenue Streams 66

24 Financial Planning 70

25 Taxman 74

26 Enjoying the Ride 77

27 Off the Record 80

28 The Mysterious B7 82

29 No Pain, No Gain 86

30 Rest and Recovery 90

31 Swimming with the Sharks 93

32 Lifelong Learning 96

33 The Corporate Connection 99

34 The Media 103

35 Public Relations 107

36 Paradigms, Boxes, Fences, and the Like 109

37 Inspiration 112

38 Fans 114

39 Nowhere People 116

40 Bad Influences 118

41 Drugs 121

42 Expansion 125

43 Accessibility 128

44 Is It Over? 131

45 Advice 133

46 Positive Attitude 136

47 Second Wind 138

48 Continuing Commitment 140

49 Delegate, Delegate, Delegate 143

50 The Masterpiece 146

51 Meeting Your Heroes 149

52 The Frustrated Partner Syndrome 152

53 Riding the Downturn 157

54 Confidentiality 160

55 Christmas and Religion 163

56 Fun 167

57 Meditation 170

58 Death 174

59 Emotions 178

60 Laying an Egg 182

61 If You've Got Trouble 186

62 Stay Focused on Your Strengths 189

63 Losing Sight of the Goal 192

64 It Doesn't Get Any Easier 195

65 Mutual Respect and Appreciation 199

66 Spouses and Significant Others 201

67 Company Retreats 205

68 When Leaders Lose It-Adolescent Behavior 207

69 Disagreements and Conflict Resolution 210

70 Becoming a Burden 213

71 Gangster Management 216

72 Bailing Out on Bad Financial Investments 220

73 Politics 222

74 Me Against Them 225

75 Taking Control 228

76 Recruiting 231

77 Diversity 234

78 Depression 237

79 Self-evaluation 240

80 Be What You Are (Were) 242

81 Gimmickry and Fools 245

82 Game Face 248

83 Greed 250

84 Limbo 253

85 Reincarnation 255

86 Deconstruction, not Destruction 257

87 Partners at War 259

88 Philanthropy 261

89 Establishing Your Legacy 264

90 Old Friends, New Deals 267

91 Sex 269

92 Children 271

93 Take Inventory 274

94 Life at the Top 276

95 Perspective 278

96 The Unconditionally Loyal 280

97 Passing the Torch 283

98 Rest 285

99 Retirement 287

100 The End 289

Index 293

Editorial Reviews

[A] Rosetta Stone not just for aspiring rock stars, but also for businesspeople everywhere.” —The New York Times

“The insight and wisdom Courtney and Cassidy have drawn from the Beatles Brand . . . and pulled into Come Together will surely give savvy and season to aid those who look to be legendary in their chosen field.” —LOUISE HARRISON, sister to George Harrison

“Richard and George's book is a great way to follow a Fab formula for success.” —JOE JOHNSON, host of the nationally syndicated Beatle Brunch Radio Show

“An entertaining and compelling case for the Beatles as business models.” —KEN PAULSON, columnist and host of TV’s Speaking Freely

“Perhaps one of the most useful business books written in ages, Come Together is the perfect balance between an enjoyable read and a valuable resource.” —WILLIAM S. DECKER, Founder and Managing Member of Decker Wealth Management, LLC

“Beatles scholar Richard Courtney and business writer George Cassidy illustrate in this insightful how-to guide how the Beatles seized control of their careers—and how you can, too.” —MICHAEL MCCALL, veteran music journalist and editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

“I never thought anyone could come up with a new view of the Beatles’ story, but Richard and George have and give fresh insight to Beatles business.” —TONY BRAMWELL, author of Magical Mystery Tour and former CEO of Apple Records and Apple Films

"One of the most innovative books ever on the Beatles." —Larry Kane, author of Ticket To Ride and Lennon Revealed

From the Publisher