“Free: The future of a radical price” by Chris Anderson

As it was with “The Long Tail” Chris Anderson offers a well researched, full of examples and eloquently delivered analysis of an already established fact – there is money in Free. People tend to argue, but if you pick up, this book will be left with tons of material to ponder.

Actually, going through the book, I was reminded of a discussion I often have with my favourite bartender/bar owner. He is appalled by the fact that coffee machines offering the morning juice at ridiculous prices are installed all over the city (and one of them is right next to his establishment). He argues that he can hardly compete with it and most of the people will go to the machine instead of having their coffee in his local. What he fails (so far) to recognize is that he offers additional value to the robusta drinker that the machine at the corner cannot – free Wi-Fi, cosy environment, a newspaper to go through and a TV to watch among other things.  All these things offered for free to the customer will continue to keep him in business. Yes, he will continue to complain, cause he cannot get those that prefer the quick and dirty coffee machine way. But he will be!

I sure hope that Chris Anderson will continue to write and publish, cause I really enjoy his sound logic and simple and straight language.

Special thanks to Leonardo Bittan (@leonardobittan) for presenting me with this book as a Christmas 2010 gift!

Get your copy at Amazon.com!

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Copyright © 2010 Borislav Kiprin. All Rights Reserved.