Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Job Elimination in Big Tech (Amazon, Facebook, & Google)

What effect do Amazon’s automated processes have on jobs? How are Facebook and Google eliminating jobs? The products and services from Amazon, Facebook, and Google fulfill some of our deepest human needs. However, they’re taking away our livelihoods, says Scott Galloway. He argues that these companies destroy more jobs than they create. Keep reading to learn how job elimination in their own and their competitors’ workplaces is caused by Amazon’s emphasis on automation and Facebook and Google’s massive advertising capabilities.

Big Tech Monopolies: The Four’s Efforts to Eliminate Competition

Is it possible to compete with Facebook, Google, Amazon, or Apple? How fair is the market’s environment? In his book, Scott Galloway harshly criticizes the Four’s efforts to eliminate their competition, creating a landscape of big tech monopolies. While large, powerful companies always have a competitive edge, he argues that the Four wield their size and power unfairly to purposefully eliminate competitors from the market. Read more to learn how the Four purchase competitors, force competitors out of business, and engage in other questionable tactics.

Visionary Management Style: Serving as a Role Model

How are CEOs in visionary companies different from other CEOs? How should board members and investors be selected? In Reinventing Organizations, Frédéric Laloux discusses how upper management functions in visionary companies. He explains that the role of a CEO in a visionary company is different than it is in traditional organizations. He also discusses board members and principal investors. Keep reading to learn about Laloux’s assessment of a visionary management style.

The Big Four Tech Companies: The Secrets to Their Success

Just how big are the big four tech companies? What are the four deep human desires that these companies appeal to? The Four—Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google—are among the largest companies in the U.S., and their products and services infiltrate every aspect of American life. In The Four, Scott Galloway takes a hard look at these technology companies that dominate the modern marketplace. Keep reading for an explanation of just how pervasive these companies are and the two factors that are major contributors to their continuing success.

Create a Teal Company (or Transform Your Business Into One)

Would you like your company to put purpose above profit? Are you eager to lead self-directed employees? In Reinventing Organizations, Frédéric Laloux identifies an emerging breed of company that operates from a new set of rules. These visionary organizations (“Teal companies”) embody principles of self-direction and individual authenticity while following a collective higher purpose. Keep reading to learn how to create a Teal company of your own.

Organizational Trust and Transparency: Treat Employees as Adults

Does your company operate on a “need to know” basis? Does management wield all of the power? Visionary companies eliminate the compartmentalization of information, and they distribute power. This transparency leads to trust. Employees feel respected, and performance increases. Read on to learn more about organizational trust and transparency.

Authenticity at Work: You’re Not a Cog in a Machine

Does your organization treat employees as adults or children? Do people feel as though they can be themselves at work? In Reinventing Organizations, business consultant Frédéric Laloux identifies many commonalities among the companies included in his research. These include encouraging all employees to be their authentic selves at work. Continue reading to learn the difference that authenticity at work can make.

Shortform Reads: How Speculative Fiction Opens Your Eyes

What author’s predictions for humanity are shockingly accurate? What’s wrong with John Green’s romance novels? Why should everyone read the controversial book, Lolita? Blair could tell you. She’s a book guide writer at Shortform, and we interviewed her recently to learn what she reads and what she loves (or doesn’t love) about these books.

3 Elements of Organizational Culture That Set Companies Apart

Do organizations have callings just as individuals do? Does your company allow you to be yourself? In Reinventing Organizations, Frédéric Laloux discusses three common elements of organizational culture within visionary companies: purpose, authenticity, and trust. Only this kind of organizational culture can foster the practices that set these exceptional companies apart from the rest. Keep reading to learn about three elements of organizational culture that are present in visionary companies.

Organizational Performance Measures: Put the Focus on Teams

What if your organization focused on team performance rather than individual performance? How would that impact feedback, conflicts, and compensation? When everyone is free to act as a self-regulated agent in an organization, it might be hard to imagine how individual performance is measured. For the most part, it isn’t. Business consultant Frédéric Laloux explains this in his book Reinventing Organizations. Keep reading to learn how organizational performance measures work in visionary companies.