Product Description

A guidebook for those wishing to leave a corporate job and start their own business. It contains advice on tax and benefits that has been customised for the UK.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #487797 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Like legions of corporate foot soldiers who have grown dissatisfied with their safe but stifling careers, publishing executive Harriet Rubin decided to flee the massive organisation in which she had become enmeshed and start over on her own. The life of a "soloist", as she came to describe this new professional direction, turned out to be both challenging and exhilarating--and one, Rubin immediately realised, that she would never trade for a return to big business. Soloing is a thought-provoking account of Rubin's career transition with helpful information for others who similarly hope to break free.

Drawing upon the wisdom of disparate authorities ranging from Peter Drucker and Tom Peters to Joseph Campbell and John Steinbeck, Rubin explores the various attractions, distractions, commitments, and opportunities that face those who drop out of the corporate ranks to go solo. She explains how to know when you're really ready (dreams were a major indicator for her and others, including Nickelodeon founder Geraldine Laybourne), how to handle the inevitable fears (in her case, by working harder than ever while savouring her new-found freedom), and how to get this new career up and running (including suggestions for building a personal "brand", maintaining visibility among clients, and creating effective proposals). The result is a truly unique look at a growing workforce segment that will prove inspiring to anyone contemplating going it alone. --Howard Rothman, Amazon.com

From the Publisher
Walk out the door of a big company, and what are you - stripped of that mighty identity? You’re free. You’re brave. And potentially you’re rich, if you take full advantage of the opportunities that awaits. Going solo is not like changing jobs, it’s changing your life.

About the Author
In 1997, Harriet Rubin quit her job as head of Doubleday’s Currency imprint, which she had created. She was one of the most successful business-book publishers in the United States, but had always worked for a salary. Now, like more and more onetime managers, she has gone solo.

Customer Reviews

Autobiography of an Editor Changing Careers
Be sure you know what kind of book Soloing is before you read it. If you are looking for a business book with lots of how-to advice on how to go from being an employee to having your own one-person organization, you will probably be disappointed in this book. On the other hand, if you are interested in what life is like for the most successful business editor of all time as she strikes out on her own as an author, personality and consultant, you are in for a wonderful treat. Harriet Rubin has an effective, spare writing style that makes for easy reading, making the pleasure even greater. The best part of this book is when she describes the many psychological stalls that kept her from making this move sooner, and delay her progress after she makes the move. If you enjoy learning more about a person's psychology in making a change than practical advice on what you should do, this is a superb book and one you will enjoy. If you dislike psychological perspective, avoid this book at any cost. Ms. Rubin's advice is quite good on several fronts. She clearly understands the techniques of networking at a high level, and if you will be doing the same, you will find her advice to be excellent. In fact, if you are about to follow her exact career path, leaving publishing for a writing, etc. career, the book is probably a good best practice study for you. Having established my own consulting firm 22 years ago after having been a corporate executive, I was attracted to the book because Peter Drucker had recommended Ms. Rubin to me as a good thinker. I also read her book, The Princessa, and found her perspective be somewhat unusual and interesting in both cases. As her experience expands as a problem-solver and her skills grow for analysis, her future books will become even more valuable. I look forward to reading them as they are published. Finally, if you just like an entertaining story of how we can all be more than we are and achieving that can bring meaning and joy, I recommend this book as well.

Inspiration for would be entrepreneurs
This was a major source of inspiration for me when starting my own consultancy business, the brandgym. Harriet makes you feel like soloing is the sexiest, most exciting thing in the world. She helps you create a branded, differentiated business, and avoid the trap of being a freelancer chasing poor paying projects.

An overview from a training manager
I am what must be one of countless people who are stood on the brink of going freelance. I found this book to be a breath of fresh air amongst the muggy "How to" books (of which there are plenty)I found it more of an inspiration and maybe just the sort of thing to convince me it is time to take that step. Books like this are in short supply and I look forward to reading more of her work.