I thought this book would be enjoyable on my professional journey in product development/marketing. It was a great read that any product manager, marketer, or business executive can find enjoyable.

I tried really hard to get into this book but I had a difficult time with it. I think it may be because I am not particularly familiar with Illy products and services. I'm sure those who are familiar with Illy will enjoy much more!

Illy writes beautifully—the first few pages read like no other business book I’ve ever read. But his argument that high product quality is uniquely Italian, or that Italians are genetically or culturally more prone to create quality products, lacks support and reduces the validity of his argument overall. While I have no doubt that Italians make high quality products, they are not unique to excellence. Many of the examples in the text are not directly relevant to other businesses—specifically new entrepreneurs who do not have a ton of cash at hand or other capital. The text also speaks in absolutes when markets vary widely—one swipe at Starbucks for it’s willingness to serve burned coffee does not explain away the fact that Starbucks is an international force in the coffee market. Somebody, somewhere, must like it, even if it doesn’t fit into his version of “perfection.” But Illy’s concepts, as well as his prose, are pleasing and aspirational, if not completely practical.

Informative, but a bit of a slow read. I can see how this will appeal to a certain demographic, but not necessarily something I would keep as reference or rush to pick up again.

The Art of Excellent Products makes me fall in love with the integrity of the four pillars of the Incanto framework which Riccardo Illy explains will make you appreciate Illy and their products even more. The benefits a company can obtain by reading this book is endless, even though the case studies mentioned have a long line of familial connections and history, Riccardo Illy helps you enhance your knowledge on how it is possible to adopt this resilient mindset to propel you and your product into an excellent product, even if you started your business yesterday. You also learn a lot from Illy, their mission of sustainability, how oriented they are with their employees and the families of their employees, the early history of Illy, and much more.

American business owners should keep an open mind when learning about the superiority of Italian design and business. This book is full of superlatives for all things Italy and when one walks into that framework to learn, then and only then can one glean the wisdom from Illy’s story.

Much of the book bears common sense principles for those who are indeed serious to learn about international standards in profitable businesses. But the case studies are exemplified with an Italian lens that does not bear niceties toward American businesses.

This book covers an interesting concept called Incanto. This is the framework Italian businesses use to make their brands stand out. There are four pillars of incanto which are the perception of perfection, unique supply chain, quality materials, and attention to social, environmental, and economic sustainability. The book dives deeper into each of these pillars and provides real-world examples of Italian businesses that use them. Overall this is book can teach some good lessons to individuals looking to build a lasting brand.

I consider Illy caffè amongst the best in the world and was always fascinated by Riccardo Illy, a complex and clever businessman.
This book is about customers and customer satisfaction: I appreciated what Illy wrote and I think there's a lot of food for thought.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This a cost book about Italian family businesses, and brands, and understanding of quality. I have enjoyed reading about different types of business ventures and how they succeed through time. This is an approach to loving your customers and augmenting quality, bring able to surprise them and exceed expectations. I have learned a lot about Italian way of doing business and exceeding customers ' expectations. How to delight and impress with business quality through generations of family business is the main outcome from this book for me.