Elizabeth Shaw

Elizabeth graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in English Literature. Growing up, she enjoyed reading fairy tales, Beatrix Potter stories, and The Wind in the Willows. As of today, her all-time favorite book is Wuthering Heights, with Jane Eyre as a close second. Elizabeth has branched out to non-fiction since graduating and particularly enjoys books relating to mindfulness, self-improvement, history, and philosophy.

STEPPS Marketing: Jonah Berger’s Powerful Strategy

What is Jonah Berger’s STEPPS marketing strategy? How can understanding this help you create contagious products or ideas? In his book Contagious, Jonah Berger shares his best marketing secrets, including his STEPPS marketing strategy. This involves six powerful steps for creating contagious products and services. Understanding this strategy will help you make your product or idea compelling enough to become contagious. Keep reading to find out the six key principles of Berger’s STEPPS marketing strategy.

Speculative Bubbles: Why They Inevitably Burst

What is a speculative bubble? How has irrational optimism caused some of the biggest stock market crashes in history? A speculative bubble is a sudden rise in stock price fuelled by public speculation and unfounded optimism. From the tulipmania of 17th Century Holland to the more recent “dot-com” crash, speculative bubbles have led to some of history’s biggest financial disasters. When it comes to speculative bubbles, some get lucky but most are left holding the bag. Learn about speculative bubbles below.

The Efficient Market Hypothesis: Beating the Market

What is the Efficient Market Hypothesis? Is it possible to beat the market? What are the three forms of the Efficient Market Hypothesis? According to the Efficient Market Hypothesis, all share prices reflect all available information. As a result, it’s not possible for anyone (without inside information) to determine whether a stock is valued correctly. There are three forms of the Efficient Market Hypothesis, with each coming to a different conclusion about the efficiency of the market. Learn more about this hypothesis below.

Types of Bonds in Finance: 6 You Should Know About

What are the six different types of bonds in finance? What tips can help you buy the right ones? According to economist Burton Malkiel, bonds are worth including as part of a well-diversified portfolio. There are six main types of bonds in finance you should be aware of, and understanding the difference will help you to buy the right ones for you. Keep reading for an overview of the different types of bonds in finance.

The Benefits of Diversification: Optimize Your Portfolio

What are the benefits of diversification in a portfolio? Why does this minimize your risk? A diversified portfolio is one that features holdings in a variety of industries, countries, and asset classes. The idea is that when your holdings in one industry, country, or asset suffer, your holdings in other industries, countries, and assets will offset your losses. Find out the main benefits of diversification and how you can create a diversified portfolio below.

Discount Marketing: The Ultimate Strategy

What is discount marketing? How can you create effective discounts that make customers spend more? People love to save money, so creating an attention-grabbing discount is an effective marketing strategy. This discount can’t just be an “okay” saving that doesn’t really stand out. If it is, people will take advantage of the deal themselves, but probably won’t tell others about it. For a discount to be worthy of sharing, it needs to be truly amazing. Find our guide to effective discount marketing below.

The Dot-Com Bubble: What Went Wrong?

What was the dot-com bubble? Why did this economic bubble burst? The dot-com bubble was an economic bubble beginning in the late 1990s, caused by speculation and optimism about the rise of the internet. Although many “dot-com” companies had no earnings, shares prices were excessively high. Eventually, the “dot-com” bubble burst, with disastrous consequences for many companies. Learn about the dot-com bubble below.

How to Find the Rate of Return on Investments

Do you want to know how to find the rate of return on investments? What effective formula can help you predict the rate of return efficiently? Market projections in the short run—a month, or even a year, from the present—are generally a fool’s errand, but, by knowing which variables to examine, it is possible to make relatively accurate projections of long-term return on investment. Understanding how to find the rate of return will help you to make wiser choices when investing. Keep reading to find out how to find the rate of return on investments.

Markowitz’s Theory Explained (Modern Portfolio Theory)

What is Markowitz’s theory about investment portfolios? How can diversification of stocks reduce risk? Harry Markowitz’s theory (Modern Portfolio Theory) suggests that the diversification of a stock portfolio can reduce risk. It asserts that a diversified portfolio—one that features holdings in a variety of industries and countries—is more likely to be profitable than a homogenous one. Find out more about Markowitz’s theory below.

Story Marketing: The Selling Power of Storytelling

What is story marketing? How can telling a good story make your marketing strategy more effective? Story marketing uses good storytelling to make a marketing strategy more compelling. Information about the product or idea is subtly woven into a gripping narrative that grabs people’s attention. If your story is interesting or exciting enough, people will retell it to their friends and family—and they’ll pass on information about your product or idea in the process. Find out how to create an effective story marketing strategy below.