Hyper-Growth Startups: Outpacing Competitors

Hyper-Growth Startups: Outpacing Competitors

What’s a hyper-growth startup? What makes them grow so fast? How are they funded? In their book, The Unfair Advantage, Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain what hyper-growth startups are. They discuss how these businesses get started, how they’re funded, and what type of product or service they typically involve. They also provide some insight into the chances of success and what it’s like to be part of one of these businesses. Keep reading to learn the basics of hyper-growth startups.

Why Do We Lie? How We Hide Our Motives

Why Do We Lie? How We Hide Our Motives

Why do we lie about our motives? Why do we seek to deceive others and ourselves about the reasons for our behaviors? At first glance, the idea of hidden motives may seem convoluted. The answer, according to Kevin Simler and Robin Hanson, is that, as a cooperative social species, we evolved to advance our own interests while appearing as selfless as possible—and it’s easier to deceive others if we’ve already deceived ourselves. Let’s explore this theory about why we tell lies about our reasons for doing what we do.

Lifestyle Startups: An Intro to the Basics

Lifestyle Startups: An Intro to the Basics

What’s a lifestyle startup? Is it the right kind of business for you? Entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain what lifestyle startups are and why they’re usually self-funded. They offer a bit of insight into what it takes to make this type of business profitable. We include some pros and cons of small business ownership to help you know what kind of business is right for you. Continue reading to learn the basics of lifestyle startups.

Machiavelli: Borgia Should Have Been More Prepared

Machiavelli: Borgia Should Have Been More Prepared

Might Cesare Borgia have conquered all of Italy? Where did he go wrong? During the Italian Renaissance, Cesare Borgia found huge success and was poised for more. But, it all came crashing down around him. According to Machiavelli, Borgia might have stayed in power if he had been more prepared for life’s inevitabilities. Keep reading to learn how fortuna can destroy a prince.

Human Limitations: How We’re Between Animals and Gods

Human Limitations: How We’re Between Animals and Gods

How are we limited in our pursuit of happiness? Can we still be happy? We can reason, so we’re above the animals. But, we can’t eternally contemplate, so we’re below the gods. In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle addresses human limitations and discusses how we still can strive for happiness, even within constraints. Keep reading for Aristotle’s views on human limitations.

Why Reputation Is Important: Leveraging Trust

Why Reputation Is Important: Leveraging Trust

Do you have a good reputation in your field? Are you making the most of the trust you’ve earned from others? In The Unfair Advantage, entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba explain how your reputation can give you a leg up over the competition. Other businesses and professionals do what you do, but they don’t have the same status and connections you have. You can leverage your reputation and relationships to find success. Read more to learn why reputation is important and how to use it to your advantage.

Human Motives: Why We Hide Our True Reasons

Human Motives: Why We Hide Our True Reasons

What are your true reasons for doing what you do? What do you want people to think your reasons are? In The Elephant in the Brain, software engineer Kevin Simler and economics professor Robin Hanson controversially argue that human behavior is driven by selfish motives—and that your own brain is hiding them from you. They contend that humans evolved to appear selfless even as they put themselves before others. Read more for this intriguing discussion about human motives.

The Importance of Interpersonal Skills in Business

The Importance of Interpersonal Skills in Business

Are you winsome at work? Are people drawn to you and your ideas? Do you have presence and influence? Startup success hinges on your ability to win over others. That’s the view of entrepreneurs Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba, authors of The Unfair Advantage. They discuss how you can determine whether interpersonal skills are your unfair advantage, and they provide tips on how to improve these skills. Continue reading to learn about the importance of interpersonal skills in business.

What Is the Greatest Virtue? Here’s Aristotle’s Answer

What Is the Greatest Virtue? Here’s Aristotle’s Answer

What is the greatest virtue? What makes it so great? Does Aristotle’s theory hold water? In his Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle discusses virtues, both moral and intellectual. He argues that one virtue rises above all the others: wisdom. Unlike other virtues, it’s an end in itself and, thus, the best way to achieve happiness—the goal of life. Read more to understand Aristotle’s opinion about the greatest virtue.