Jul 17, 2009

Rubies in the Orchard by Lynda Resnick

"Take a hike with me. Follow your dreams." (Page XX)

Lynda Resnick's Rubies in the Orchard is one part marketing strategy, one part personal story, and one part how-to formula. Resnick is a woman of direct experience in the rough-and-tumble world of advertising and marketing, and her chops shine through in this nonfiction book. She and her husband have successfully resurrected Fiji Water, Teleflora, and The Franklin Mint, but one of their best successes---POM--blossomed from a group of pomegranate orchards her husband bought years before.

Rubies in the orchard are the intrinsic value of products, and these are the values that must be communicated to customers, says Resnick. Following each marketing anecdote--from her days as a small business owner amidst scandal to her very profitable empire of companies--Resnick offers sage marketing advice that can be used not only in the boardroom and executive offices, but at home too. For example, she says, "You get a lot further in life by showing what you don't know and asking for help than you do pretending you know it all" (Page 24).

Throughout this delightful book, Resnick boxes out the main points she is trying to hit home with readers, and these little reminders keep her examples fresh in mind. Readers will be particularly astonished about how a set of fake pearls worth $34 at the time of purchase ended up being auctioned off for more than $200,000, and how those pearls became integral to Resnick's success at The Franklin Mint.

Marketing and advertising could be viewed as boring by some readers, but Resnick's wit shines through in this success story.

"He had a habit of making the financials look rosier than they actually were. . . . but the poor chap was so accustomed to manufacturing crooked numbers each quarter. . . If he had exhibited a drinking or substance abuse problem, we could have sent him to rehab, but where do you send a recidivist hooked on funny financials?" (Page 76)

While some aspects of Rubies in the Orchard may come off as preachy, particularly for conservatives not sold on the reality of global warming, she does make a viable points about why businesses should go green. Readers who are interested in an autobiography or learning more about the marketing world would be pleased with this fast read.

If you are interested in this book, I'm giving away my copy to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below.

Deadline is July 24, 2009

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

I dont read a lot of non-fiction, except memoirs. But your review made it sounds good. Interesting cover too.

Dont enter me, just commenting.

Anna said...

I know this one isn't my cup of tea, but I loved the quote about the crooked accountant! No need to enter me, but I'll post it in my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Care said...

I could go for this book. It would be different from what I usually read and I think I would enjoy it. Do you think it would be appropriate for the World Citizen challenge? Sure, I'll enter this contest. :)

Sandy Nawrot said...

I remember reading a review of this within the last six months. I like a non-fiction now and again where you learn something! Whoever reviewed it (I can't ever remember) thought the author came across as pompous or a bit over-confident. Did you get that?

Sheila DeChantal said...

Great review and I love your blog!

Serena said...

I just love the cover of this book, Violet.

Anna thanks for posting the give.

Care, I really enjoyed her wit and the stories she told. They made the pages flip by. What is the World Citizen challenge?

Sandy: she can be a bit overconfident at times, but I let that go given her success. I think she might deserve to sound like an authority. :)

Sheila: thanks for reading the blog.

bermudaonion said...

I enjoyed the quote and I agree companies should go green, but I don't think this one's for me, so I'm not entering.

Unknown said...

I've always been fascinated with how companies come up with marketing campaigns. Sounds like the author gives a really good glimpse into the process.

Jenners said...

This sounds kind of interesting but I don't know if this is totally my cup of tea right now ... but I like the cover!

Serena said...

Bermudaonion: This book isn't for everyone. I really just liked her humor.

Janel: Its interesting how she devises her marketing campaigns.

Jenners: the cover is lovely.

The Bookworm said...

great review, I have heard of this one before. I drink Pom :)
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Bridget said...

Interesting concept. No need to enter me; just posted on Win A Book.

Mozi Esme said...

Sounds like an interesting book, even for a conservative like me!

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

mindy said...

sounds different thanks for the giveaway

Esme said...

This is a different read-sign me up please

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Strangelove said...

I would really like to enter.
Thanks!

carlos_durao [at] hotmail [dot] com

Nickolay said...

This sounds like a good change of pace from what i normally read. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

DCMetroreader said...

This sounds really interesting. I'd like to read about how the fake pearls ended up being worth so much.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Kimspam66(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sarah Z said...

I need to start reading more "business" type books so this would be great!
Thanks
Sarah
believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I would love a chance to win this book. I love reading non-fiction (especially business books). Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Eduardo Antunes said...

Good choice of reference for the cover.
That is a great painting!
Count me in, please!

Jafa said...

I am fascinated!
I would appreciate the chance to be entered!

o_rei_de_havana@(no spam)hotmail.com

MariaD said...

I would like to read it, so thank you for the opportunity!

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane [at] gmail [dot] com

Catarina said...

I would like to try my luck!

catarina.magoito[at]gmail[dot]com

Susana Ricardo said...

Do count me in.
;)

39.5susy AT gmail DOT com

Gonçalo Mil-Homens said...

goncalo.mil[at]gmail[dot]com

;)

Lisa said...

I"m reviewing this one tomorrow. I was not impressed.