Summary

Tom Handy, a retired Army officer and writer, reviews Daymond John's book "Powershift," emphasizing its relevance for entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of the coronavirus crisis, and shares his personal experience as an ambassador for the book, along with its potential impact on businesses during these unprecedented times.

Abstract

In his review, Tom Handy discusses the timely release of Daymond John's "Powershift" amidst the coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the book's potential to guide entrepreneurs through crisis management and innovation. Handy, who was selected as an ambassador for the book, shares his promotional efforts and the insights gained from John's mentorship. The book features stories from successful individuals like Mark Cuban and Kris Jenner, illustrating how they overcame adversity. Handy reflects on his own entrepreneurial journey, including adapting to changes in revenue models on platforms like Quora and Medium, and teases an unnamed project in development. He suggests that the lessons from "Powershift" could be instrumental for business owners facing the economic fallout of the pandemic, and he points out the historical significance of the government's response to the crisis. Handy's review serves as both a recommendation for the book and a call to action for entrepreneurs to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.

Opinions

Tom Handy believes "Powershift" is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs during the coronavirus crisis, offering strategies to pivot and succeed.
He praises Daymond John's approach to brand building and networking, as demonstrated by John's success with FUBU and his connections with high-profile individuals.
Handy is optimistic about the power of creativity and resourcefulness in overcoming economic challenges, as evidenced by his own experience and the stories in "Powershift."
He acknowledges the significant impact of the pandemic on employment and small businesses, suggesting that the book could provide valuable guidance for those affected.
Handy is critical of the government's stimulus distribution, noting that many small businesses missed out on crucial funding.
He anticipates future challenges from emerging viruses and believes that the current crisis sets a precedent for societal changes, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions.
Handy is personally invested in finding new income streams and encourages others to do the same, viewing the crisis as an opportunity for growth and transformation.

Powershift Your Way Through the Corona Virus Crisis

My book review on Daymond John’s Powershift as told by one of his Ambassadors

Last year, Shark Tank’s Daymond John sent out a call for representatives to help promote his next book, PowerShift, Transform Any Situation, Close Any Deal, and Achieve Any Outcome.

When I received his email notification about the Powershift Ambassador program, I quickly responded and was picked as one of his Ambassadors for a second time. You know I was excited and didn’t want to waste this opportunity.

The Cambridge English dictionary says an Ambassador is “a person, who represents, speaks for, or advertises a particular organization, group of people, activity, or brand (= type of product).”

I marketed Powershift as best as I knew on social media. I shared the book, my Amazon link for the book, and different clips Daymond shared of some representatives that were in his book. Some of these people were Mark Cuban, Pitbull, Kris Jenner, Bethany Frankel, Lindsey Vohn, Billy Gene Shaw, Crystal Volinchak, Billie Jean King, Charlynda Scales, Dave Hearth, Randy Goldberg, and Steph Korey. Each person shared their story that represented a powershift in their life that helped propel them forward.

During this process, Daymond had video sessions with his ambassadors sharing some more insight into his intent for releasing this book.

PowerShift was released March 10 just as the coronavirus epidemic started to take shape in the US.

Now a little over a month later, many businesses are closed or operating at half staff. Other businesses may not recover as the US stimulus plan didn’t reach all of their intended targets as the banks ran out of this funding.

Powershift maybe the book to help these entrepreneurs go to the next level during these hectics times.

Daymond’s Powershift

If you are not too familiar with this Shark Tank star, Daymond John started his clothing brand, FUBU, For Us By Us, in New York City. He hustled his way from the streets of New York to turn his clothing brand into a worldwide phenomenon. Now he sits alongside other Sharks, Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Marc Herjavec, Lori Greiner, and other guests.

Daymond’s book gives inspiration to any business owner today as they handle this challenging crisis.

Daymond used some high profile connections to get his brand out to the general public.

As a relatively unknown clothing brand, Daymond was able to get his clothes into the hands of people everyone sees — bouncers and bodyguards at clubs.

This was an ingenious way as hundreds of people see his gear at clubs. Daymond was building his brand and spreading his FUBU message and the cost was very little if any.

Sometimes you have to be creative to get your message out and use available resources. The cost is getting out of your comfort zone and showing a little creativity and then the returns are endless.

An Entrepreneur’s Powershift

Entrepreneurs don’t have a blueprint they can use as many other jobs in life have such as doctors or lawyers.

Many times an entrepreneur has to create their own blueprint as well as find resources to get started.

When the economy changes, entrepreneurs need to change as well and get creative.

After reading Powershift, you hear about many different stories. These stories you will relate to and use some of these ideas to expand your own business.

My Powershift

While part of the Powershift Ambassador program and reading this book, I started two new projects.

I am still part of the online site Quora as a partner writing for them but their incentive to reward their partners changed. I started to see less income coming in even though my viewers were growing to some of the highest points since I had started. So I was getting disappointed and was looking for other streams of income to replace this.

Slowly I was spending more time on Medium, and understanding how their incentives worked.

As you know, there is no one way to make income from the site and I continue to learn and understand what works best. If you don’t know, I like challenges and this is a very good challenge for me to explore and work on improving my skills.

Then I am working on a second income-producing project that is currently in the works.

I won’t share too much about it at this time but will in the future.

As with any new project it takes time and commitment to get these projects off the ground and running.

Impacts of Corona Virus

With the corona virus, it has impacted a lot of people changing their habits and routines.

Some stores were hit hard as they closed and had to reduce their operating hours and staff.

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash

Other people lost their job and their main source of income. I mentioned some possible resources available for people to explore in this article.

Approximately 22 million people have filed for unemployment according to USA Today. This is more than the population of the state of Florida.

In response, the US government has issued stimulus checks to individuals as well as provide some relief to small businesses through grants and loans. Unfortunately, these funds ran out as many small businesses missed the funding when it was available.

There is a discussion about another stimulus package coming.

Who knows who long that will take before it gets through Congress because many of these businesses cannot wait much longer.

I think this is the perfect time for entrepreneurs to get a hold of Powershift.

This book may just spark an idea that you can use which will have you feeling better off than when this crisis starting impacting their lives.

The various stories in Powershift can spark an idea for a business owner to take and implement in a matter of hours or days.

For the long term, I honestly think this will not be the last “corona virus” we see as other viruses will emerge and impact our lives.

Past viruses didn’t have such a big impact as this one has as many of our lives have changed.

Not to take the stance of the government, but they have set a precedent with shutting down schools, businesses, and changed our daily habits. This was truly the first time this has happened in our history.

This would be a great opportunity if you can find a way to emerge from this epidemic and powershift your way with a new or revamped idea.

Resources — USA Today, April 16, 2020 https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/04/16/coronavirus-more-workers-filed-jobless-claims-layoffs/5136911002/

Tom Handy is a writer, investor, and father of two kids. He retired from the Army and sits on several non-profit boards. Tom is the top Yelper in his community and a top Google Guide. He’s on several social media channels and can be found on Twitter @tomhandy1 and Instagram @tomhandy1.