The Fixer Book Summary

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Key Insights

Politicians don’t care about innovation or your start-up, they care about votes.

If you try to change the status quo, the regulators and politicians would come after you. You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you.

Tusk shares strategies and tools to win political battles.

Technology and innovation can disrupt elections and transform politics.

Political strategist, a consultant, a venture capitalist- Bradley Tusk illustrates his years of experience in helping startups navigate through political and legislative processes. The book discusses the ‘psyche of politicians’, their actions, and how startups can challenge the status quo. He explains how campaigns such as Uber’s, backed by loyal customers, can sway the decision-makers, change existing regulations, and win. If you are a tech start-up, this book will prepare you like no other. You’d know what to expect when dealing with regulators- they become defensive, and would do everything in their power if your ‘disruptive’ start-up does not benefit their entrenched interests. The book provides you with an implementable framework to tackle political or regulatory hurdles.

Do not ignore the political risks.

If you are disrupting, then be ready to be attacked by groups that benefit from not changing. These are the rich and influential people who are in power through a carefully established network of politicians. These politicians are the ones who appoint regulators, and the regulators follow the instructions of the elected officials. Most of them do not care if you are bringing better ideas to the market. All they care about is maintaining the status quo, and therefore, would stand in your way. However, do remember that most politicians are insecure and all they care about is being elected (and re-elected). They are concerned about their image in the media because it influences voters. If you are able to generate negative media, that in turn hurts their poll ratings, then you may have their attention. If you have a strong narrative that the media can buy, you can get the politicians and the regulators to clear your way.

Know your opponent before engaging. Ask yourself the following questions:

What is their narrative? Who is in charge? Who is making the donations? Who are they reporting to? Do they have powerful allies? Will you ask for permission or would you beg for forgiveness later?

Once you understand their story, it will prepare you to carve out YOUR plan of action to deal with their onslaught.

Your customers are your greatest advocates, even politically.

Uber is a simple (and a game-changing) app that connects drivers and riders. It isn’t a taxi company but competes directly with taxis. It disrupted the taxi industry, and the governing bodies were not happy. When the New York Mayor- Bill de Blasio proposed to cap Uber’s growth at 1% a year, Uber fought from an unexpected angle and won. Firstly, Tusk aligned the ad campaigns to feature people of color, immigrants, and other New Yorkers who benefitted from Uber. De Blasio, whose entire narrative was built on working for the vulnerable, found himself on...

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