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The Personal MBA 10th Anniversary Edition Paperback – September 1, 2020

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The 10th anniversary edition of the bestselling foundational business training manual for ambitious readers, featuring new concepts and mental models: updated, expanded, and revised.


Many people assume they need to attend business school to learn how to build a successful business or advance in their career. That's not true. The vast majority of modern business practice requires little more than common sense, simple arithmetic, and knowledge of a few very important ideas and principles.

The Personal MBA 10th Anniversary Edition provides a clear overview of the essentials of every major business topic: entrepreneurship, product development, marketing, sales, negotiation, accounting, finance, productivity, communication, psychology, leadership, systems design, analysis, and operations management...all in one comprehensive volume.

Inside you'll learn concepts such as:

The 5 Parts of Every Business
: You can understand and improve any business, large or small, by focusing on five fundamental topics.

The 12 Forms of Value
: Products and services are only two of the twelve ways you can create value for your customers.

4 Methods to Increase Revenue
: There are only four ways for a business to bring in more money. Do you know what they are?

Business degrees are often a poor investment, but business skills are always useful, no matter how you acquire them.

The Personal MBA will help you do great work, make good decisions, and take full advantage of your skills, abilities, and available opportunities--no matter what you do (or would like to do) for a living.
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From the Publisher

Josh Kaufman, The Personal MBA 10th Anniversary

Josh Kaufman, The Personal MBA 10th Anniversary

Josh Kaufman, The Personal MBA 10th Anniversary

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A goldmine of useful ideas and helpful explanations. Every entrepreneur should own a copy.”
—James Clear, bestselling author, 
Atomic Habits

“Josh has done more for my business education than my MBA. The Personal MBA walks you through the mental models you need to excel in business. A lifetime of business knowledge in one volume.”
—Shane Parrish, founder of Farnam Street (fs.blog) and host of T
he Knowledge Project podcast

The Personal MBA is the single best business book I've read. Most books focus on a single part of business in isolation, but The Personal MBA walks you through every moving part, and gives you the tools to understand how those parts work together to create a complete system.”
—Amy Hoy, founder of Noko and Stacking the Bricks 

“The only business book I recommend. Josh somehow condenses an entire library of crucial knowledge into a short book that's eminently readable, so you can spend less time reading and more time building your business. It's perfect for both providing an overview and serving as a reference. I revisit
The Personal MBA more than any other book on my shelf.”
—Courtland Allen, co-founder of Indiehackers.com

“I read
The Personal MBA cover to cover when it was first released and it had a major impact on how I view business. It’s incredible how Josh was able to distill hundreds of books and hundreds of years of business knowledge into this succinct and elegant tome."
—Rob Walling, co-founder of MicroConf and bestselling author, 
Start Small, Stay Small

“10 years ago, I got an MBA education courtesy of Kaufman's book. His practical business insights and mindset techniques haven't let me down since.
The Personal MBA is the most distilled, most accelerated MBA on the planet: all of the insights, none of the ego.”
—Joanna Wiebe, founder of Copyhackers

“My well-worn copy of
The Personal MBA has been sitting within arm’s reach by my desk for the better part of the past decade. Since starting and growing my own business, this book has been my go-to manual for insights, clarity, and wisdom that I never learned in school.”
—Shawn Blanc, founder of The Sweet Setup and The Focus Course 

“Ten years after reading 
The Personal MBA, I still refer to it often and use it to make better decisions. Whether it’s building a business plan to launch my writing studio, planning my day, or taking a systematic approach to identify and solve problems, I can’t think of any other book that’s had such a positive impact on my overall productivity and enjoyment of life.”
—Daniel Joshua Rubin, playwright and author, 
27 Essential Principles of Story

The Personal MBA should be required reading for anyone in business. This book exposed me to ideas, systems, and best practices that I had never been taught anywhere else. Even after ten years, I still reference it on a regular basis. Buy it, read it, then keep it close. It’ll be your constant business companion for years to come.”
—Tim Grahl, author, 
Running Down a Dream and founder of BookLaunch

"A masterpiece. This is the 'START HERE' book I recommend to everyone interested in business. An amazing overview of everything you need to know. Covers all of the basics, minus buzz-words and fluff. One of the most inspiring things I've read in years." 
—Derek Sivers, bestselling author, 
Anything You Want

"No matter what they tell you, an MBA is not essential. If you combine reading this book with actually trying stuff, you'll be far ahead in the business game."
—Kevin Kelly, founding executive editor of Wired and bestselling author, 
The Inevitable

"File this book under NO EXCUSES. After you've read it, you won't be open to people telling you that you're not smart enough, not insightful enough, or not learned enough to do work that matters. Josh takes you on a worthwhile tour of the key ideas in business."
—Seth Godin, bestselling author, 
This Is Marketing

"I've run across few people who conceptually 'grok' how to get things done better than Josh Kaufman."
—David Allen, bestselling author, 
Getting Things Done

“I graduated with an MBA in 2005 before I encountered
The Personal MBA, but I still felt like I didn’t know anything about business. In retrospect, I wish I had read this book before enrolling in an MBA program—it would’ve helped me be more mindful while completing my degree. Who knows . . . I might have skipped the MBA completely. This is easily the best foundational business book available.”
—Roger Hui, Technical Account Manager, RedHat, Inc.

“I used the mental models in this book to create a profitable business in less than four weeks. Josh quickly dispels many mistaken beliefs about entrepreneurship, and his guidance has made me vastly more productive and successful, and my life more fulfilling.”                                             
—Evan Deaubl, President and CEO, Tic Tac Code, LLC

From the Author

Many people assume that they need to attend business school to learn how to build a successful business or advance in their career. That's not true. The vast majority of modern business practice requires little more than common sense, simple arithmetic, and knowledge of a few very important ideas and principles.

The Personal MBA is a foundational business book that focuses on the fundamentals. Its purpose is to give you a clear, comprehensive overview of the most important business concepts in as little time as possible.

Each idea in this book is presented in plain language. Connections between these ideas are highlighted for easy reference. Once you know the essentials, you're free to focus on building your career, secure in the knowledge that you're considering the most important matters first.

Most "MBA alternative" books try to replicate the curricula of top-tier business school programs. That's not the focus of
The Personal MBA. My aim is to help you build a solid understanding of general business practice from scratch, regardless of your current level of education or business experience.

Your time is valuable. I've made every effort to condense a large and diverse topic into an approachable volume you can read in a few hours. If additional research into specific topics is prudent in your situation, you'll know what to look for and where to begin.

Knowing where to start in common business situations is valuable, whether you're an early-career professional, an entrepreneur, a skilled tradesperson, or an executive with decades of experience. Having a common language to think about what you observe opens the door to major improvements, no matter what you do for a living.

This revised and updated edition of
The Personal MBA features many new concepts that make the book's coverage of fundamental ideas even more comprehensive. In addition, small edits have been made to improve the clarity of the concepts included in the first edition, and additional index features have been added to enhance the book's value as a long-term reference.

If you combine reading this book with real-world experience, you'll reap the rewards for the rest of your life. I hope this book helps you make more money, get more done, and have more fun in the process.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio; Anniversary edition (September 1, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 496 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525543023
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525543022
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.05 x 8.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 4,873 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Josh Kaufman
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Josh Kaufman is the author of three bestselling books: "The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business", "The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!", and "How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be."

Josh's research focuses on business, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, productivity, creativity, applied psychology, and practical wisdom.

Josh has been featured as the #1 bestselling author in Business & Money, as ranked by Amazon.com.

"The Personal MBA" has been featured as the #1 bestseller in Business Training and Business Management on Amazon.com. The widely-acclaimed Personal MBA manifesto and business reading list has been downloaded over 3 million times by readers around the world.

"The First 20 Hours" has been featured as the #1 bestseller in Business Self-Improvement, Educational Psychology, and Personal Transformation on Amazon.com. His TEDx talk on "The First 20 Hours" has been viewed over 16 million times worldwide, putting it in the top 10 most-viewed TEDx videos and top 100 most-viewed TED talks published to date.

"How to Fight a Hydra" has been featured as the #1 bestseller in Modern Philosophy on Amazon.com.

Josh's research has been featured by The New York Times, The BBC, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Fortune, Forbes, Time, BusinessWeek, Wired, Fast Company, Financial Times, HarvardBusiness.org, The World Economic Forum, Inside Higher Ed, Lifehacker, MarketWatch, The Independent, Bloomberg TV, PBS Next Avenue, CCTV, and CNN's Sanjay Gupta MD.

Josh has been a featured speaker at The Aspen Ideas Festival, Stanford University, World Domination Summit, Pioneer Nation, Microconf, BaconBiz, Google, and IBM.

JoshKaufman.net was named one of the "Top 100 Websites for Entrepreneurs" by Forbes in 2013.

You can find his current research and writing at joshkaufman.net.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4,873 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They find the concepts pertinent and boiled down to the most important ones. The content is relevant and understandable, making it an excellent overview of everything in business. Many readers describe it as engaging and interesting. The book covers a wide range of areas at just the right level. It's effective and productive, covering topics like finance, operations, and personal productivity. Readers mention that the information is presented in digestible chunks.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

478 customers mention "Readability"454 positive24 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and useful for starting or running a business. They say it provides a good overview of key concepts and definitions, helping them understand business better. The book is well-written with clear explanations and documentation.

"In depth, yet still succinct...." Read more

"Awesome book. Tons of great information in a very consumable way. Will buy the physical copy to re-read and take notes." Read more

"...Fortunately, Kaufman points the reader in the right direction, and presents in an entertaining manner, and so this book is recommended to anyone new..." Read more

"...The tone of this book is informative and encouraging, yet realistic to the core...." Read more

359 customers mention "Information quality"326 positive33 negative

Customers find the book's information pertinent and useful. They say it provides an overview of business concepts in a concise manner. The topics are understandable and applicable, making it a valuable reference book. Readers appreciate the author's insights and consider it a good alternative to traditional MBA courses.

"In depth, yet still succinct. Great great overview of the fundamental systems involved in business and how to best understand and excel in these..." Read more

"Awesome book. Tons of great information in a very consumable way. Will buy the physical copy to re-read and take notes." Read more

"...this text "a self-directed crash course in business", and provides an extensive discourse as to why the traditional MBA does not provide significant..." Read more

"...This book is the Master Plan Blueprint to success but ONLY if you follow the steps. Deviate at your own risk." Read more

16 customers mention "Coverage"13 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's coverage. They find it covers an excellent range of areas at just the right level, with a broad scope and extensive content. The book provides high-level coverage without going into detail.

"In depth, yet still succinct...." Read more

"...Well written and easy to read and understand, but covers a lot!" Read more

"...It is broad in scope and does not cover any specific topic in depth..." Read more

"...you can only put so much in one book - but Kaufman also provides an extensive and carefully curated reading list, organized by topic, to help you go..." Read more

16 customers mention "Enjoyment"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and educational. They say it covers a wide range of topics and makes business interesting. The writing style is simple, funny, and right to the point.

"...Kaufman points the reader in the right direction, and presents in an entertaining manner, and so this book is recommended to anyone new to..." Read more

"...same price you can get over 350 pages of clearly explained, entertainingly presented, essential business concepts that will directly and..." Read more

"...of practical business knowledge that's presented in a clear and engaging manner...." Read more

"...that flow to a great piece of work by the author, makes reading this book very enjoyable." Read more

14 customers mention "Effectiveness"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's mental models effective and powerful. They say it covers topics like finance, operations, and personal productivity. However, some felt the material was too basic for beginners.

"...a wide range of topics, including marketing, sales, negotiation, productivity, and more...." Read more

"...analyse and implement business practices that are high yielding and effective...." Read more

"...how to work and live that have improved my effectiveness, vision, and success...." Read more

"...And these "mental models" actually work!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Digestibility"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to digest, with short segments that flow together. They say it's structured well and contains great information.

"...The book is well structured in easy to consume short segments or snippets to flow together for an overall strong commentary on each topic..." Read more

"...big-picture principles of business and breaks them up into tiny, digestible pieces...." Read more

"Josh has broken down the material into easily digestible chunks...." Read more

"...takes complex concepts/mental models and places them in brief, easy-to-digest chunks...." Read more

24 customers mention "Fluffect"14 positive10 negative

Customers have different views on the book's content. Some find it clear and concise, with no wasted words. Others feel the material is elementary and lacking in hard core topics like accounting and finance.

"...so that the topics are both understandable and applicable - I.e. no fluff!..." Read more

"...of business, then a certain chapter will clearly seem sparse and very basic...." Read more

"...To me, short subject matter, and quick tips keep my attention more, and help better when using this as a reference...." Read more

"The meat's in the first five chapters, the rest is mostly fluff...." Read more

10 customers mention "Value creation"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's value. Some find it useful for value creation, marketing, sales, financing, negotiating, and operations. They mention it covers value delivery, market research, advertising, and working effectively in teams. However, others feel the book is disjointed and minimal in value, with no useful content in the chapters on value delivery or the human mind.

"...The potential reward is you create a business you love, earn massive profits, increase your opportunities, avoid disaster and contribute something..." Read more

"...There was nothing useful in the chapters of value delivery or the human mind. The last 5 chapters just went downhill...." Read more

"...in the book for that area were great, in particular the Four Methods to Increase Revenue...." Read more

"...inspired it, all sections of the book are disjointed, and overall value was minimal. Would not recommend...." Read more

Amazing book, subpar delivery.
4 out of 5 stars
Amazing book, subpar delivery.
The book needs little review as it’s, by the point, common knowledge that it’s GREAT. Highly recommend buying this book if you’re here reading the reviews. The only disappointment was that my book’s back side was bent in half. Kinda wish I would’ve went to the book store and paid the extra 8 bucks for a book in good condition.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
    In depth, yet still succinct. Great great overview of the fundamental systems involved in business and how to best understand and excel in these interdependent areas.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2024
    Awesome book. Tons of great information in a very consumable way. Will buy the physical copy to re-read and take notes.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2011
    Of the many reviews I have written here, writing a review for this text was among the most difficult because "The Personal MBA" has a large target market consisting of a wide variety of potential readers, and the vast majority of reviews here are very positive. Because of this situation, I fall back on my review philosophy, which is to write as objectively as possible, taking into account the claims of the author in terms of their goals, as well as comparing to other materials in the marketplace. What is not necessarily fair is to write solely based on my knowledge or experience, which often times does not match the backgrounds of the target audience.

    Admittedly, this text is very well written. The writing style and organization of Kaufman contributes greatly to readability, and I enjoyed this aspect of this book. Many business works have a lot of fluff, and in general most of this text provides substance that will be appreciated by many readers. In addition, the history behind this book is interesting in that it came about as a natural step after the author created a heavily visited blog listing books and resources he had found valuable in his studies, so readers can be assured that this text was not written from an ivory tower perspective but resulted directly from reader interest.

    The author writes at length in his first chapter as to why this book should be read. It is not easy summarizing this chapter in a few short sentences, but Kaufman mentions that what he provides here is "a set of foundational business concepts that you can use to get things done. Reading this book will give you a firm foundation of business knowledge you can use to make things happen. Once you master the fundamentals, you can accomplish even the most challenging business goals with surprising ease." Later, the author calls this text "a self-directed crash course in business", and provides an extensive discourse as to why the traditional MBA does not provide significant value.

    Neither the author nor myself has an MBA, although we have both gone to business school (and I also have a graduate degree). While I cannot speak for the author, in my opinion there is substantial material in this text to provide to the business neophyte. However, I was unfortunately not overly impressed with the material Kaufman provides after chapter 6, which is midway through the book. The author makes up on this aspect to some extent by providing an appendix entitled "How to Continue Your Business Studies" that lists dozens of texts in a variety of business topics, although this list serves as a reminder that, as communicated in the introduction, what the author provides here is an introductory text.

    If you do not have time to read this whole text, I recommend reading chapter 2, entitled "Value Creation" on creating value for customers. The summary that the author provides on the "Twelve Standard Forms of Value" (product, service, shared resource, subscription, resale, lease, agency, audience aggregation, loan, option, insurance, capital), for example, is very well done. The "Ten Ways to Evaluate a Market" is also especially well done. The author obviously summarizes and synthesizes material from disparate sources very well, but the reader needs to be aware that much of the content provided is just that, a CliffsNotes-styled survey of what the author has determined is fundamental to studying business.

    From the perspective of a consultant, be aware however that this material is sometimes overly summarized and synthesized. For example, in his 3-chapter presentation on understanding systems, analyzing systems, and improving systems, many important topics are glossed over, and unless the reader understands the substance that is waiting for them within the reading lists the author provides, they may minimize the importance or complexity of the topics. For example, the definition that the author provides for "Return on Investment (ROI)" is limited to "simply dividing the amount of money you collect by the amount of money you spent, then subtracting by 1.00."

    However, there would be no need for texts such as "The Consultant's Scorecard: Tracking Results and Bottom-Line Impact of Consulting Projects", by Jack Phillips (see my review), where several ROI calculations are detailed at length, if this calculation were so simple. Fortunately, Kaufman points the reader in the right direction, and presents in an entertaining manner, and so this book is recommended to anyone new to business topics, especially aspiring entrepreneurs. One of the best features of this text are the many quotes from other sources that introduce each of the subtopics in the 12 chapters provided here, and for this reason alone this book is worth a read.
    89 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2024
    I’ve had this book for 4 days and I can already tell I will need to use two highlighters throughout the duration of my reading. I cannot overstate how VITAL this book is if you are an entrepreneur and want to find out the steps to launch your business for success. The tone of this book is informative and encouraging, yet realistic to the core. It will tell you how to fail and how to succeed, so choose your hard. I have never read so much value in a condensed amount of time for only $15. But this book if you’re ready to change your life and are ready to propel yourself into entrepreneurship. This book is the Master Plan Blueprint to success but ONLY if you follow the steps. Deviate at your own risk.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2024
    Great insights.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2011
    When you consider what else you can do with the $15 or so it costs to buy this book, the value proposition feels downright ridiculous. For $15 you can buy 3/5ths of a baseball cap, order a round of watered-down drinks or pick up a 1/3rd of a video game. Or, for the same price you can get over 350 pages of clearly explained, entertainingly presented, essential business concepts that will directly and meaningfully enhance your knowledge of business. If you're new to business, it will take the stark raving terror out of the process. If you're a veteran it will help you focus and enhance any venture you're working on and likely inspire more profitable ideas.

    One of the many stories Josh tells in the book is of a hospital that incorporates simple checklists to prevent infections from developing in patients. These checklists include basic things like reminding doctors to wash their hands. Though almost laughably simple and obvious, the mere act of incorporating the checklists lead to the complete elimination of infections at this particular hospital. The Personal MBA book is the ultimate checklist for all business decisions - as an entrepreneur, investor or even as someone running your own career and household financial system. Anyone who reads this book will have a practical guide to avoiding financial catastrophe and identifying the most promising opportunities. If I had this book a decade ago I would have saved myself from a very unfortunate business experience that cost me over $50,000 in losses and limitless wasted energy.

    Josh, who is stunningly still under 30 years-old, has a wisdom far beyond his years. He is fiercely intelligent and despite a very pleasant demeanor as a writer, he is a rebel in the best sense of the word. His tone is always moderate, respectful and his arguments are always meticulously researched, expertly and passionately presented. He talks softly but he carries a big intellectual stick. Make no mistake about it. The title of this book is not a gimmick. He thinks business school is a terrible investment and clearly has walked the talk, building a successful career without it. He has a gift for simply articulating complex concepts and has a deep-seated passion for analyzing systems, particularly the workings of the human brain. His tone is never cloying, condescending, egotistical or obnoxious - as so many heinous business and management book titles are. He presents his views with an inspiring confidence that will fuel your business or business-to-be. While reading it I constantly had to put the book down to jot down new ideas.

    Think of it this way. After absorbing what Josh calls the "mental models" in this book you will find the world of business presenting you with opportunities everywhere you go. It is a lot like buying a car and then seeing that model everywhere. As you adopt the mental models into your own thinking you will feel a shot of inspiration and be empowered to act thoughtfully, and confidently. I recently interviewed for a job and couldn't help but notice interactions that were playing out exactly as described in the book. You know that scene in The Terminator, where Arnold Schwarzenegger sees a menu of options scroll down before his eyes? And he chooses his response from that list? This book is like having a long list of useful ideas to pull from as you make decisions.

    The concepts articulated in The Personal MBA helped me make progress as an entrepreneur (launched a Website that made a modest profit last year), landed a job in a completely different field that I enjoy and moved to a city better suited to what I really want. I highly recommend making the Personal MBA (both the site and the book) a major part of your studies. The risk is you spend $15 and sell it for say, $8, and lose seven bucks. The potential reward is you create a business you love, earn massive profits, increase your opportunities, avoid disaster and contribute something meaningful to the world through your business. If there's a better risk/reward profile for a $15 investment, I'd love to see it. The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business
    49 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2024
    It’s is a great book and came within good condition. I am still reading it and using it . It is filled with some many resources and knowledge to help anyone at any place when it comes to understanding the concept of business and business education. I definitely recommend for entrepreneurs!

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Alejandro
    5.0 out of 5 stars Me encantó!
    Reviewed in Mexico on February 22, 2024
    En simples palabras este libro sería como una recopilación de los fundamentos que todo emprendedor y dueño/a de negocio debería de saber. Yo lo he leído dos veces seguidas y me encanta! Sin duda alguna, una guía para iniciar en este mundo del emprendimiento!
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book ever
    Reviewed in Germany on December 20, 2024
    Easy to read. Well structured. Everything you need to know about companies.
  • "andrewwoods_uk"
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024
    Mostly about business but also about so much more. Insightful and clear breakdowns of how businesses operate, make money (or not) and a wise analysis on company culture self development and managing complex systems. Thoroughly enjoyable - I can see myself reading it again.
  • Dom
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
    Reviewed in Australia on October 12, 2023
    This book is easy to understand. It offers a decent amount of basic knowledge when it comes to starting a business. I love how it not only covers the author’s experience and his advice but also other aspects (team working, mental health) that contributes to creating a great business. Would recommend to anyone who are interested in starting their own business but don’t know where to start. This book is good for people that are not interesting in starting business at the same time imo as it covers ideas that are beneficial to personal development
  • G.M.SELVA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Marketing
    Reviewed in Singapore on September 26, 2020
    Very nice