Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

20 Tim Ferriss Book Recommendations

Tim Ferriss is a famous American entrepreneur, author, podcaster, investor, and lifestyle guru. He is probably most famous for his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, which is one of the top Apple Podcasts in business, and for his 4-Hour book series. Since Ferriss’s advice is held in high regard, we put together a list of Tim Ferriss’s book recommendations and mentions. Some of these books were directly recommended by Ferriss—whether on his website or his podcast—and others were ones he’s discussed or mentioned. Our list starts with Tim Ferriss’s number one book recommendation, The Magic of Thinking Big. Ferriss said

No Rules Rules: Review, Background, and Reception

Are you thinking of reading No Rules Rules? How well was the book received by critics? In No Rules Rules, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and business professor and author Erin Meyer detail how the company achieved this level of success by implementing unconventional management practices that empower employees and promote innovation. Here is our No Rules Rules review.

How to Change Bad Habits in 4 Simple Steps

Do you want to know how to change bad habits? What experiments can help you weed out your bad behaviors and replace them with better ones? Bad habits are difficult to kick because they are literally encoded in your brain. According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, all successful habit changes begin with a process of experimentation to uncover the specific cues and rewards that drive your habits. He suggests that you follow a four-step process that relies on identifying your routine and experimenting with different rewards so that you can effectively isolate your cue and

3 Best Practices to Prevent Employee Poaching

Are you worried that another company will poach your best employees? How can you convince employees to stay with your company? Netflix CEO Reed Hastings wrote in his book No Rules Rules that there are three ways to prevent employee poaching: paying top-of-market salaries, eliminating performance-based bonuses, and giving raises that reflect market value. Some of these methods may be difficult but it’s important to remember that good employees are investments, not tools. Here’s an overview of each of the three methods.

What Makes a Habit?—Cue, Routine, & Reward

Why does smoking cigarettes turn into a habit but changing a tire doesn’t? What makes a habit form in the brain? According to Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, habits need three elements to form: a cue, a routine, and a reward. Once these three elements are in place, a habit is reinforced by craving—the anticipation of the reward when you perceive the cue. Continue reading to learn what makes a habit.

Netflix’s Management Strategy Explained

What is Netflix’s management strategy? How can such a huge company remain successful with so few policies? Netflix’s CEO Reed Hastings believes that employees should have as much autonomy as possible. That’s why he aims to eliminate controls so employees have the power to act in the company’s best interest without a long and complicated approval process. Here are the three benefits of Netflix’s lenient management strategy.

How Are Habits Formed in the Brain?

What exactly are habits? How are habits formed and why are they so difficult to break? In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg explains why and how the brain creates habits in order to save mental energy. He details every step of habit formation, from the first time you consciously choose to take any action to how to rewire your brain to replace bad habits. Keep reading to learn how habits are formed in the brain and why they are so difficult to break.

4 Rules for a Decentralized Organizational Structure

The 3 Common Characteristics of a Good Business

Do you think your company would do well with a decentralized organizational structure? What conditions must your company meet for this structure to be successful? A decentralized organizational structure removes most rules and controls and gives employees the autonomy to act without approval. In the wrong hands, this system is risky and possibly costly. But, under the right conditions, this system can promote accountability and innovation. Here’s how to successfully decentralize power, using Netflix as an example.

How to Create a New Habit and Make It Stick

Do you want to know how to create a new habit? Why are rewards so crucial in making new habits stick? In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg says that the key to creating new habits is to put a reward system in place. You need your brain to crave that reward, otherwise, the habit won’t stick. Here’s how to create new habits, according to Charles Duhigg.

Corrective Feedback: What It Is and How to Use It

What is corrective feedback? Why does the Netflix CEO so strongly believe in corrective feedback? Corrective feedback is a type of ongoing feedback aimed at improving an employee’s performance over time. When done incorrectly, corrective feedback can cause frustration and awkwardness. But, when done properly, it can raise employee performance. Here are Netflix’s guidelines for implementing corrective feedback in the workplace.