"There’s an underground army of benevolent hackers out there who are saving business from itself, one bad act at a time. This is their story." - Excerpt from Hacking Work by Bill Jensen and Josh Klein

And with that statement to begin my literary journey...I was hooked.  No, seriously...I read the book in one sitting.  It isn't often that a book is so well written, speaks directly to my passion and makes such profound common sense that I simply cannot put it down until I have consumed the whole thing.  This is one of those very special exceptions!

Enough with the gushing...let's get to the heart of book's concept.  Here's the premise as it was shared with me in an email by co-author Bill Jensen:  Business is broken.  Nobody’s gonna fix it except you. (Each of us.)  And to fix it, we’re gonna have to break some very stupid rules. 

Breaking these stupid rules is akin to "hacking" in the IT vernacular.  In other words, fixing a broken system without any real permission because it is apparent no one else is willing or able to do so.  Thus the name, Hacking Work.

Look, there are examples ad nauseum in the business world of bureaucratic rules, systems, policies and procedures that no longer serve any legitimate business purpose, if they ever really did at all.  But they linger on...festering...killing efficiency...protected by corporate anti-bodies looking to maintain the status quo...getting in your way of getting the work done.

But the fix is simple.  Change the process.  Work around the procedure.  Ignore the rule.  In essence...hack work.

This book is filled with example after example of broken work systems "fixed" by brave employees who were willing to stand up to the status quo and change what needed to be changed.  Yes, this concept of hacking requires bravery and a little bit of insanity.  You could get fired.  But what happens more often, these brave hackers are recognized for their initiative to patch a hole, right a wrong or simply just make everyone's workday a bit easier and simpler.

If you've followed this blog long enough, you'll know my stance on this.  Apply just enough process to get the work done.  Look for ways to make your job (your life) simple.  Kill bureaucracy everywhere you see it.  Process for process sake is evil! 

Hacking Work is a book written after my own passion.  When faced with a process that doesn't work...fix it or ignore it.  Don't be a lemming!

Please pick up a copy of this book and apply it to your work and personal life.  If enough of us become courageous hackers, changing broken systems and processes for the better, the world will be a better place to live and work!

Hacking Work is available from the book's website, Amazon, Barnes & Noble , Borders and 800-CEO-READ