The World's Best Book Summaries
Why is small talk so important? Are there benefits to mastering small talk? The need for small talk comes up more than many of us would like—at work, with neighbors, on dates, and even with family members. So, whether you like it or not, you should learn to get better at the art of small talk. In this article, we’ll explore the purpose of small talk generally and in business relationships.
What is the “late majority” in the context of technology adoption? How does the late majority market adopt new technology? The late majority is the group of customers who favor stability and familiarity over progress and novelty. They are not interested in new technology or the advantages it affords, but as it becomes standard and the technology that it replaces becomes obsolete, they will eventually upgrade to mitigate risk. Learn about the characteristics of the late majority market.
What is a product positioning statement? What is the purpose of writing a product positioning statement for your business? A product positioning statement is a description of your target customers and the value you provide to them. Marketing and sales teams use the product positioning statement to inform customer messaging and ensure all communication is consistent. Here are some tips on how to write an effective product positioning statement for your business.
Why do people buy technology products? What are the different types of tech buyers? If you are in the business of selling technology, you’d know there is a huge adoption gap between tech users. Some are in the line for the latest model the first day it drops while others only give in when the old tech is either broken beyond repair or obsolete. In this article, we’ll take a look at the four critical factors that drive the purchasing decisions of tech customers.
What is the difference between consensus and individual decision-making? Why do people from different cultures tend to make decisions based on different factors? According to Erin Meyer, the author of The Culture Map, every culture has a prevalent approach to decision-making. She defines two primary types of decision-making styles: consensus (where people decide by unanimous agreement) and individual (where all opinions are considered but the final decision is made by the chief decision-maker). In this article, we’ll explore how a culture’s decision-making style interacts with its leadership style.
How can partnering with other tech companies benefit your business? What are the different types of technology partnerships? Technology partnerships are mutually beneficial on two fronts: supplying your product and boosting your reputation by association. According to Geoffrey Moore, there are two types of technology partnerships: “strategic” and “tactical” alliances. We’ll look at both of these concepts below.
What exactly is a distribution channel? What are some things you should consider when choosing a distribution channel strategy for your business? A “distribution channel” is what you use to distribute products to your customers. Different distribution channels are better able to reach different types of customers. In this article, we will discuss how to choose the most effective distribution channels for reaching your target customers.
What is The Culture Map about? What are Erin Meyer’s eight axes for measuring cultural differences? In her book The Culture Map, cultural communication expert Erin Meyer presents a framework you can use to analyze how cultures differ from yours as well as practical strategies to mitigate any cultural misunderstandings. She also explains why these cultural differences developed in the first place. Below is a brief overview of her key points.
Do you find it awkward to talk to people you don’t know? How do you start up conversations with coworkers or with a date? Not all of us are blessed with the natural ability to start up a conversation with somebody we barely know. If you’ve ever been to a business meeting, a party, or even on a date with someone new, you know the feeling. But luckily, you don’t have to be a natural extrovert to be good at conversations, you just need to know how to break the ice. Keep reading for advice on how to break the
What is individual decision-making? What are the main benefits of the individual decision-making style? What are its key disadvantages? Individual decision-making is where the chief decision-maker may consider others’ opinions, but ultimately, the individual (usually the boss) makes the final decision. The individual decision-making style is the key feature of hierarchical cultures where there is a clear delineation of ranks amongst members. In this article, we’ll explore the key advantages and disadvantages of individual decision-making, and present some strategies for working in cultures that decide individually.