Business Archives

The Importance of Innovation in Business

What role does technological progress play in society? Will technology ever eliminate the need for human labor? In Zero to One, entrepreneur Peter Thiel discusses the importance of innovation in business, arguing that technological progress is the way forward—not just for business but for society in general. He also asserts that monopoly—not competition—is healthy for business, and he talks about whether humans and technology are competing with each other. Read more for Thiel’s insights on innovation.

How to Scale a Business: 7 Parts of the Growth Process

Once your business is up and running, what should you do to keep it growing? How do you balance steady growth with aggressive growth? How can you stay alert to challenges? In his book Your Next Five Moves, Patrick Bet-David discusses seven steps in the business growth process. He explains how you should raise funds, find ways to grow both steadily and aggressively, press employees to grow along with the company, build and maintain momentum, track your growth using metrics, put your knowledge down on paper for posterity, and stay alert as you grow. Read more to learn how to

What Motivates Consumer Buying Decisions?

How do people make buying decisions? What are the key drivers that underpin a consumer’s decision to part with their hard-earned money to acquire a certain product? The consumer decision-making process may seem complex, but ultimately it is underpinned by five basic needs. These include 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of consumer buying decisions.

Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Why It Matters

How would you describe your company’s culture? How well do employees know—and embrace—the company’s values? Once you’ve hired the right people and incentivized them to stay, building a positive workplace culture is your next step. This is the view of Patrick Bet-David, who argues that culture is critical because employees must identify with the company and its values if they’re going to put in their best effort. Read more to learn about the importance of shaping your company’s culture.

Understanding Customer Needs and Wants

Why do people buy things? What needs do customers seek to fulfill by buying products and services? People’s purchasing decisions are underpinned by a wide range of factors. However, they all ultimately boil down to basic, fundamental customer needs and wants: 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the five basic customer needs.

Starting a Tech Company That Makes a Difference

What is the key to tech startup success? What are the key elements a tech startup needs to make a difference? Peter Thiel believes that startups are the way to the future. It’s these new companies that will unleash new technologies we need to progress as a society. In his book Zero to One, Thiel shares five elements that a startup business must have if it wants to make this kind of impact: revolutionary technology, strategic timing, a great team, effective distribution, and enduring value. Continue reading for Thiel’s insights on starting a tech company that makes a difference.

How to Improve Business Efficiency: Do More With Less

Do you want to make your business run more efficiently? What are some things you can do to increase the efficiency of your operations without compromising quality? In his book Profit First, Mike Michalowicz says that business owners should try to increase efficiency everywhere they can. Michalowicz recommends three mindsets to accomplish this: 1) don’t just think small, 2) solve a unique problem well, and 3) push sales after you adopt an innovation. Here’s how to improve business efficiency, according to Michalowicz.

How Tesla Became Successful: The 2010 Turning Point

Do you want to know how Tesla became successful? Is Tesla’s success attributed to Elon Musk, the Tesla employees, the government, or the public? The story of how Tesla became successful is told in many small chapters. Tesla suffered severe financial and manufacturing issues early on and struggled to stay in business. It wasn’t until 2010 that the rest of the world started to believe in Musk’s vision. Keep reading to learn how Tesla became successful and who contributed to its success.

The Principles of Management Accounting Are Outdated

What is management accounting? What are the three principles of management accounting? According to Mike Michalowicz, the author of Profit First, traditional management accounting has three basic principles. These principles have been used for years, and Michalowicz believes they are outdated. Here’s an overview of traditional management accounting principles, according to Michalowicz.

How to Hire the Right People—and Keep Them

How do you get the right employees on board? How do you keep them around for the long haul? Part of long-term business success is assembling a winning team. In his discussion of how to hire the right people and keep them, Patrick Bet-David argues that you shouldn’t rely on your gut feelings and that you must provide attractive offers with follow-through. Keep reading for more on Bet-David’s hiring and retention strategies.