This book really got my attention after a pastor at my home church in Singapore devoted an article on this book in the church magazine.
The version I read is the 2nd (expanded) version and the first 200 pages really blew me away and had me thinking to myself ”yes, this is what is happening right now in our world, what should I be doing now to ensure that I am well prepared?”
Thomas Friedman, the New York Times columnist and acclaimed writer of a few books such as From Beirut to Jerusalem and The Lexus and the Olive Tree (check out his site here) wrote about how the world is flat i.e. connected. He discussed 10 forces that had flattened the world, from the fall of the Berlin wall to internet and the one that stays on my mind is how UPS becomes part of the supply chain of so many companies, not just delivery but even repair & maintenance!
However, it got a little less interesting for me as the book went on to talk about how America is (not) prepared for the flat world and how different developing countries run along with it or resist it. Another point though is that in various examples, it’s mentioned that freelancers (think graphic designers!) actually become competition in our connected world.
I got a greater sense of urgency and awareness of the need to prepare, embrace, run along and run ahead in this connected world but not so much on how to prepare for it.. Not sure if the 3.0 version has the answers but I guess nothing beats keeping my eyes and ears open!