Product Description

In 1998 John Wood was a rising executive at Microsoft . Then a trip to Nepal inspired him to set up schools and libraries in the developing world. Fuelled by the same drive that made him a top executive, Wood took his business acumen into the charity sector and created Room to Read, a stunningly effective organisation that has created a network of more than 2,000 schools and libraries throughout Asia and Africa in only six years. Leaving Microsoft to Change the World chronicles John Wood's incredible journey, his first years at Microsoft, his life-changing decision to leave, and the adventure that followed. Wood shares the methods he uses to manage Room to Read, taken from the boardroom of one of the world's most influential companies and applied successfully in a very different setting. His story is an inspirational example of how to create success on your own terms and change your world. After earning an MBA at the Kellogg School of Management, John Wood joined Microsoft in 1991. He quickly ascended to become Microsoft's director of business development in China and the surrounding regions.In 1999, he founded Room to Read, a charity that promotes literacy throughout the developing world. He lives in San Francisco.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #119076 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

Review
"Wood is obsessed with putting to work the business practices he learnt at Microsoft... melding 'the compassion of Mother Teresa' with 'the focus and tenacity of a blue-chip company'." Financial Times "John's story is a spellbinding tale of transformation! one-third business saga, one-third world travelogue, and one-third human drama -- a 100% great book by a 100% great guy.' Marc Andreessen, Cofounder, Netscape Communications "It's a rare business book that not only provides savvy insights for better business practices but transcends the category altogether, to rank as an infectiously inspiring read." Publishers Weekly "!inspirational, this book is guaranteed to prompt many readers to open their hearts, if not their wallets. " Barbara Jacobs, Booklist

About the Author
John spent most of his career running significant parts of Microsoft's international business. At age 35, he chose to leave Microsoft in the middle of his career to focus on bringing educational opportunities to poor communities. His passion is to combine the lessons he learned in business with the compassion and service ethic found in the non-profit arena. John holds a B.S. from the University of Colorado and a MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management.

Customer Reviews

Inspirational
Life changing.. No really! As a direct result of reading this book I am flying to China to offer what little support I can to my foster sister in her care and dedication towards severly disabled and abandoned children. This is only the beginging I promise.

Rachel Wood

Fantastic!
This book is amazing, really inspiring with the added bonus that profits from the book go to the charity! This should be read by anyone who is bored with work and wants to get out there and make a difference - one man can make a difference as is proved here. The book also fills you with hope for humanity, showing that even with all the suffering in the world, there are still great things happening.

Invigorating
What a pleasant romp through one persons ideas to help the world, one book at a time. I found this an inspiring and invigorating read. It really makes you want to 'do something'. It shows how he set up the organisation and doesn't hold back in saying how he did it - and he did it with huge support from people he knows and acknowledges this at every turn. From a strong position in life John Wood gave it all in to give his all to help others. Inspiring. Made me want to go back to Nepal.