THAT WILL NEVER WORK: THE BIRTH OF NETFLIX BY THE FIRST CEO AND CO-FOUNDER MARC RANDOLPH

“You see, a startup is a lonely place. You are working on something that no one believes in, that you’ve been told time and time again will never work. It’s you against the world. But the reality is that you can’t really do it on your own.” ― Marc Randolph, That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea Co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, Marc Randolph takes you through the initial days of building our favourite binge-worthy OTT platform-NETFLIX. When he came up with the idea of Netflix, people said, “That will never work”. But he never stopped believing in his idea because he knew that he had the potential to make this idea a success. So back in 1997, in times when the internet was new, in times when people rented or bought movies from physical stores, Marc and his co-founder Reed Hastings came up with the idea of ‘DVD by mail’. The book takes you along their journey from starting with DVD rentals to securing an IPO. The book also highlights the days when ‘Amazon’ and ‘Blockbuster’ (chain of DVD rental stores) proposed to acquire Netflix, but Netflix didn’t give in as they were still at a very nascent stage. It also gives you a peek into the struggles of being an entrepreneur, of fighting against the odds. Marc also talks about his incredible partnership with co-founder Reed Hastings, about the culture at Netflix offices, about how he maintained a work-life balance by giving enough time to his family as well. The book is an inspiring yet very entertaining read. Just like Netflix, this book is a binge-worthy read. You win with their wins; their hits and misses feel personal too! This book is my next favourite in line after reading ‘Shoe Dog’. Highly recommended for budding entrepreneurs, startup founders and for anyone who wants to venture into the business world. After reading this one, I am excited to read ‘No Rules, Rules’ by Reed Hastings! Rating: 5/5

The book is compelling enough - the author gets the credit for not venturing too much into mundane aspects that are very real but might not make a real page-turner. Light read and not something that will chew into your brain. The book does have a strong bias towards the author and would very like to see the interpretation of the development of how Reed Hastings saw it. The author does a great job of bringing very real and uncomfortable issues that arise out of startup - practical and pertinent ones. This book does a great job in highlighting the work that Marc Randolph brought in as a founder - a view that is seemingly missing if you google it or discuss in forums.

Way better that wasted noise on LinkedIn with a real time experience. Both of his books are a must read. Just finished them up. Inspiring and filled with learnings.

Marc is down to earth, clear and erudite in his expression. His writing is lucid, and simply outstanding. More than the book one begins to like him as we become involved in his personal and poignant journey of creating this iconic organization.

The story and narration is so amazing in this book that everyone wants to read this book among my friends.

It's an interesting read. Marc Randolph's writing style is unique. It's like he is teaching the reader what to do start a company like a startup coach. He speaks about his successes and failures. He has given a lot of details starting from the origin of the Netflix idea. Also, there is a cameo from Jeff Bezos and Amazon in this book. Overall good read and this book wouldn't dissapoint if you are planning to start your own company.

This book is really a must read for anyone in business or starting off a new business. Marc Randolph writes in detail about the initial days of founding Netflix right from coming up with the idea to listing the company on the stock market. The book covers a lot of material and is filled with anecdotes and business learnings from the initial days at Netflix. Of the many books ive read on business founding i would easily put this in my top 3.

This book is for anybody with a dream. The lessons and tips shared by Marc Randolph from Netflix’s early days are terrific. Multiple moments to give you goosebumps. Amazingly inspirational. Highly recommended 👍

Love it, very well written. Keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Netflixの創業者、Marc Randolph氏が同社の創業期を描いた作品です。Marcが、仕事仲間のReed Hastings氏と共に、オンラインでDVDをレンタルする会社（Netflix社）を1998年に創業し、dot-com bubbleなどの幾多の困難を乗り越えて2002年に上場を果たし、翌年にMarcが同社を離れるまでが描かれています。ちなみにReed Hastings氏は、現在もNetflixのCEOを務めております。 Netflixは、動画配信の会社として創業されたと思っていたのですが、本書を読んで初めて、元々はオンラインのDVDレンタル会社であったことを知りました。そして、当時すでにsubscription serviceを取り入れていたことにも驚きました。同社は、現在、コロナ禍の巣ごもり需要で会員が急増している注目企業ですので、タイムリーな読書になりました。 Marcの視点から描かれているので、少し都合よく書かれているとは思いますが、創業時の雑然とした、活気のある雰囲気や、会社が大きくなるにつれて次第に統制の取れた組織に変わっていく様子が、活き活きとユーモアを交えて描かれていて、最初から最後まで楽しく読むことができました。また、Marcが仕事だけでなく家族との時間も大切にする様子、仕事仲間を家族のように大事にする様子、自分の得意分野（と得意でない分野）を自覚して潔くNetflixを去っていく様子に、とても好感が持てました。 本書を読み終わったあとに、今度はReed Hastings氏に、Marcが去ったあとのNetflixについて（どのように試行錯誤して動画配信サービスへ移行していったかについて、等々）書いて欲しいと思いました。 読みやすさとしては、時々、難しい単語や、知らない映画等の話題が出てきますが、文章自体は読みやすかったです。創業時のメンバー、初期の頃のメンバーが、個性的に活き活きと描かれているので、読んでいて面白かったです。お勧めです！

Ras the book ends there are tons of tips and you could really feel what Marc Randolph has been writing especially if you already have tried once. the 8 rules of his father are really a precious advice from my stand point

I really enjoyed the book and it gave me some new ideas.

Si vous avez aimé Shoe Dog, ce livre est fait pour vous. On y apprend toutes les coulisses de Netflix avec un certain humour. Ce livre se dévore tant c’est intéressant !