The Business Of The 21st Century book cover

The Business Of The 21st Century by Robert T. Kiyosaki Summary

The Business Of The 21st Century
Robert T. Kiyosaki
Entrepreneurship
Business
Finance
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of The Business Of The 21st Century

In "The Business of the 21st Century," controversial financial guru Robert Kiyosaki reveals why network marketing could be your escape from traditional employment. Despite his own billion-dollar debt, his passive income philosophy has sparked both devoted followers and class-action lawsuits. Ready to rethink everything about wealth?

Key Takeaways from The Business Of The 21st Century

  1. Transition from Employee/Self-Employed quadrants to Business Owner/Investor roles for 21st-century success.
  2. Build eight wealth-creating assets including network power and leadership skills for financial independence.
  3. Network marketing offers scalable income through duplication and team leverage in the digital age.
  4. Replace "I can't afford it" thinking with "How can I afford it?" strategies.
  5. Financial freedom requires asset-building over traditional income reliance according to Kiyosaki's ESBI Quadrant.
  6. Develop leadership abilities by mentoring others in your network marketing organization.
  7. Reinvest business profits into real estate and income-generating assets before spending.
  8. Combine personal growth with business development to achieve exponential wealth creation.
  9. Leverage social media and technology to build global network marketing enterprises.
  10. Traditional job security is obsolete – create self-owned business systems instead.
  11. The four-step path: build business → reinvest → buy assets → let assets fund luxuries.
  12. Financial education trumps formal schooling for building sustainable 21st-century wealth streams.

Overview of its author - Robert T. Kiyosaki

Robert T. Kiyosaki, bestselling author of The Business of the 21st Century and renowned financial educator, revolutionized personal finance literacy through his iconic Rich Dad Poor Dad series.

A former Marine Corps pilot and motivational speaker, Kiyosaki built his expertise in entrepreneurship and wealth-building via seminars like "Money and You" and his Cashflow board game platform.

His works, including Why the Rich Are Getting Richer and More Important Than Money, blend practical investment strategies with critiques of traditional education systems, reflecting his advocacy for financial independence through real estate, precious metals, and cryptocurrency.

Founder of Cashflow Technologies, Inc., Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad brand spans books, coaching workshops, and digital tools trusted by millions worldwide. The Rich Dad series has sold over 26 million copies, establishing Kiyosaki as one of history’s most influential finance authors.

Common FAQs of The Business Of The 21st Century

What is The Business of the 21st Century by Robert T. Kiyosaki about?

The Business of the 21st Century advocates network marketing as a modern path to financial freedom, challenging traditional employment models. Kiyosaki argues that multilevel marketing (MLM) teaches essential entrepreneurial skills like sales and team-building while leveraging scalable income streams. The book emphasizes asset-building over job security, framing MLM as a solution to economic instability post-2008.

Who should read The Business of the 21st Century?

This book targets employees and small business owners stuck in outdated 20th-century mindsets. It’s ideal for those seeking passive income through network marketing or interested in Kiyosaki’s cashflow quadrant theory. Investors and established entrepreneurs may find it redundant, as it primarily addresses entry-level wealth-building strategies.

Is The Business of the 21st Century worth reading?

Yes, for readers open to unconventional wealth strategies. The book provides actionable frameworks like the B-I Triangle (Team, Leadership, Mission) and critiques outdated financial advice. However, skeptics note its heavy promotion of MLM, which some associate with pyramid schemes.

What are the main concepts in The Business of the 21st Century?

Key ideas include:

  • Cashflow Quadrants: Transitioning from Employee/Self-Employed to Business Owner/Investor
  • B-I Triangle: Five pillars (Team, Leadership, Mission, Cashflow, Communication) for business success
  • Network Marketing: Positioned as a low-risk entrepreneurial training ground
How does The Business of the 21st Century differ from Rich Dad Poor Dad?

While both books promote financial literacy, this title specifically champions network marketing as a 21st-century business model. Unlike Rich Dad Poor Dad’s broader investment focus, it provides a step-by-step blueprint for MLM success, reflecting Kiyosaki’s post-2008 economic analysis.

What quotes from The Business of the 21st Century are impactful?
  • “Your network is your net worth”: Highlights relationship-building’s role in wealth.
  • “Job security is dead”: Urges readers to prioritize asset creation over traditional employment.

These quotes reinforce Kiyosaki’s anti-establishment financial philosophy.

How does Robert Kiyosaki justify network marketing in the book?

He argues MLM teaches critical sales and leadership skills with minimal upfront investment. Unlike franchises or startups, it offers mentorship and scalable systems, making it ideal for economic downturns. Kiyosaki contrasts this with “broken” corporate ladder models.

What criticisms exist about The Business of the 21st Century?

Critics accuse Kiyosaki of oversimplifying MLM challenges and ignoring high failure rates in the industry. Some note conflicts of interest, as he profits from related seminars and partnerships.

How can The Business of the 21st Century help during economic crises?

The book advises building decentralized income streams through network marketing teams. Kiyosaki claims this model thrives in recessions by leveraging low-cost digital tools and community-driven sales.

Why is The Business of the 21st Century relevant in 2025?

With AI disrupting traditional jobs, its emphasis on entrepreneurial resilience and passive income aligns with gig economy trends. Updated editions address remote team management and social media marketing tactics.

How does the book define “new capitalism”?

Kiyosaki describes it as democratized wealth-building through collaborative networks rather than corporate hierarchies. He contrasts this with “old capitalism,” which he associates with stagnant wages and institutional distrust.

What are alternatives to network marketing suggested in the book?

While MLM is the primary focus, Kiyosaki briefly endorses franchising and intellectual property creation (books, courses) as complementary wealth-building strategies.

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"I felt too tired to read, but too guilty to scroll. BeFreed's fun podcast pulled me back."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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comments12
likes117

"Gonna use this app to clear my tbr list! The podcast mode make it effortless!"

@Moemenn
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it's just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, NYC
Investment Banking Associate
platform
comments17
thumbsUp254

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The flashcards help me actually remember what I read."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483

"I felt too tired to read, but too guilty to scroll. BeFreed's fun podcast pulled me back."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments12
likes117

"Gonna use this app to clear my tbr list! The podcast mode make it effortless!"

@Moemenn
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it's just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, NYC
Investment Banking Associate
platform
comments17
thumbsUp254

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
starstarstarstarstar

"The flashcards help me actually remember what I read."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments37
likes483
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