Harvey Mackay

Harvey Mackay is an American businessman, syndicated columnist, and author of seven New York Times bestselling books on business and self-help topics. His most well-known work is "Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive" (1988), which remained on the New York Times bestseller list for 54 weeks and has been translated into multiple languages. As founder and chairman of MackayMitchell Envelope Company, Mackay combines his business experience with motivational writing, focusing on networking, sales strategy, and relationship-building in the corporate world. His weekly syndicated column appears in newspapers across the United States, reaching an estimated readership of over 35 million people. Beyond his writing career, Mackay has served on multiple corporate boards and received numerous awards for his entrepreneurial achievements, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota and the Council of Growing Companies' Entrepreneur of the Year award. His other notable books include "Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt" and "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty." The core themes in Mackay's work revolve around practical business wisdom, networking strategies, and professional development, drawing from his decades of experience in building and running successful enterprises. His writing style combines personal anecdotes with actionable advice aimed at business professionals and entrepreneurs.

Readers appreciate Mackay's practical business advice and memorable anecdotes, particularly in "Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive." They highlight his networking tips and negotiation strategies as immediately applicable to their work. Positive reviews focus on his conversational writing style and bite-sized lessons that can be referenced quickly. Many readers cite specific examples they've used, like his "Mackay 66" customer profile system and cold-calling techniques. Common criticisms include repetitive content across his books and dated references from the 1980s-90s. Some readers find his tone self-promotional and note that several examples focus too heavily on his envelope company experiences. Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "Swim With The Sharks" - 4.0/5 (8,900+ ratings) - Amazon: "Swim With The Sharks" - 4.5/5 (500+ reviews) - "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty" - 4.3/5 (200+ reviews) - "Get More Referrals Now" - 4.2/5 (150+ reviews)

Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive (1988) Business advice focusing on negotiation tactics and relationship building in professional settings.

Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt (1990) Guidelines for career advancement and workplace success based on personal experiences and observations.

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty (1997) Detailed strategies for building and maintaining professional networks before they are needed.

Pushing the Envelope: All the Way to the Top (1999) Methods for achieving business goals through persistence and strategic relationship management.

We Got Fired!...And It's the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us (2004) Collection of stories about successful people who turned career setbacks into opportunities.

Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door (2010) Job search strategies and interview techniques for finding employment in challenging markets.

The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World (2011) Sales techniques and business principles drawn from real-world experiences and case studies.

Getting a Job is a Job (2021) Practical guidance for job seekers including resume writing, networking, and interview preparation.