The World's Best Book Summaries
What was the AOL Time Warner merger? Was it successful and how did it affect stocks and investments? The AOL Time Warner merger is an example of a small company absorbing a large company, and why this method fails. The merger caused major financial losses and stock price drops. Read more about the AOL Time Warner merger and the lessons we can learn about investing.
What is dividend theory? Why do businesses have different dividend policies and what do they mean? Dividend theory is how businesses divide their profits among investors. Many businesses have set dividend policies. Additionally, the standard dividend policy meaning has changed over time. Read more about dividend theory and how it’s changed over time.
What are mental models for creative teams? Why do creative teams need these models? Creative teams can be challenging to manage because creativity isn’t a linear process. Using mental models for your creative teams can help, especially where there is anxiety in the face of uncertainty. Read more about the mental models for creative teams and how they can help secure results.
What does an aggressive investment portfolio look like? How should aggressive investors choose stocks? An aggressive investment portfolio follows strategies of aggressive investors, who spend a lot of time doing meticulous research on their stocks. In The Intelligent Investor, Benjamin Graham provides criteria for building an aggressive investment portfolio. Read more about aggressive investing and building an aggressive investment portfolio?
What was AAA Enterprises? How did the company fall and what business lessons can we learn from it about investing? AAA Enterprises was a business that sold mobile homes. They entered the stock market and grew rapidly, before filing for bankruptcy in 1971. Read more about AAA Enterprises and its stock history.
What are creative organizations? How do creative organizations sometimes face unique challenges? Creative organizations have to find a way to fit into the rigor of a business environment. Your organization can’t stick around if it isn’t making money, but you also want creatives to thrive. Here are four tools for creative organizations from Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull.
What is the Creativity, Inc. book about? What lessons does Ed Catmull share from his experience leading Pixar? The Creativity, Inc. book is the story of Pixar’s journey as a part of Lucasfilm to its growth as an independent company, and culminating with it becoming part of Disney. The book also shares the model for Pixar’s success as a creative workplace. Read more about the Creativity, Inc. book and the lessons it offers for businesses built on creativity.
Are you looking for Creativity, Inc. book club questions? How do you apply the lessons of the book to your own creative aspirations or creative workplace? These 23 Creativity, Inc. book club questions explore key management strategies. They are especially helpful in the context of managing creative work and creative teams. Read on for a list of Creativity, Inc. book club questions separated by topic area.
What does the “Story is King” motto mean? Why did Pixar adapt and then abandon this motto? Pixar used to believe that the principle of “Story is King” would help bring success. Unfortunately, a good idea isn’t enough if you don’t have a great team to execute it in the right way. Pixar learned that the hard way when Toy Story 2 production didn’t go as planned. Read more about the “Story is King” principle and what Pixar’s revised principles are.
What is radical trust? Why is radical trust important if you’re trying to build a culture of radical candor? Radical trust is the foundation of a community that allows for radical candor. You can’t build these kinds of relationships overnight, but they are critical for open communication. Read more about how to build radical trust.