Shortform Books

Reasons Why New Products Fail (and How to Succeed)

What are the main reasons why new products fail? Does it mean that it’s a bad product? What could the creators have done differently? In his book Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love, Marty Cagan says that many new products tend to fail when they’re introduced in the market. However, this is often due to the product development process and not because of the product itself. Here are the top reasons why new products fail and how to avoid the common pitfalls.

6 Steps to Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace

Do you often solve problems as part of your job? Why is it important for a company to have a standard problem-solving roadmap for employees to follow? Problem-solving is a part of everyone’s job, no matter the role. Hence, it’s important to come up with a problem-solving process and ensure every employee knows it like the back of their hand. Here are six steps to effective problem solving in the workplace.

Funding a Social Cause: Nonprofit Business Models

Do nonprofits need a business model? What revenue models are most common amongst nonprofit and social cause organizations? Although nonprofit and social causes organizations do not seek to make profits in the conventional sense, they still need to have a business model to plan how they will meet their objectives and cover their expenses. According to business experts Osterwalder and Pigneur, there are two main nonprofit business models: 1) donor-supported organizations, and 2) organizations that balance profit with social and environmental impact. We’ll discuss both of these concepts below.

The 3 Steps to Building Trust in the Workplace

Why is it important to foster a culture of trust in the workplace? What is the relationship between team trust and company performance? Trust is integral to human relationships and to leadership. Higher levels of trust in the workplace strongly predict higher organizational performance across a range of markers, including customer loyalty, market share, ethical behavior, and profit growth. In this article, we’ll take a look at what building trust in the workplace entails in practice.

How to Optimize Sales Time Management

What role does time management play in sales? What are some things you can do to cut back on unnecessary activities that distract you from what matters most—driving sales? The first step to building a high-performing sales operation is effective time management. Implementing a time management system in your sales activities will enable you to extract the most productivity and value from your days. Here are some tips on cut back on unnecessary activities so you could spend that time driving your business’s sales.

The 4-Step Plan for Clearing Your Debt

Are you struggling to pay off your debt? How do your debt contributions prevent you from spending your money the way you’d like? Prioritizing clearing debt seems like a no-brainer—many of us dream of having a debt-free existence. When you have no more debt, you can enjoy a better lifestyle and start putting money aside (through investments or savings) to ensure you also get to live comfortably in the future. In this article, you’ll learn how to make a plan for clearing your debt so you can start directing your money towards more worthwhile pursuits.

Building a Product Development Team: The 3 Roles

Who are the most important players on a product development team? What are each person’s roles and responsibilities? Product development teams are made up of three key positions: the product manager, the UX designer, and the engineers. Without these three key roles, a product is doomed to fail no matter how good the concept is. Continue reading to learn about each key role, plus the five additional roles.

Feeling Insecure at Work? Handle Your First Bad Drafts

What makes people feel insecure at work? How can you stop feeling unconfident? People start to feel insecure at work during times of uncertainty. They develop stories—bad first drafts—largely built around their biases rather than facts. You deal with your insecurities by questioning the story you are telling yourself, and revealing the biases in those stories. Read more about how to get over the feeling of being insecure at work.

Men: How to Be a Supportive Partner to a Woman

Do you want to know how you can better support your girlfriend or wife? How should you go about handling her unpredictable energy and flow? Many people seek a supportive partner in a relationship, but not enough people put in the effort to learn how to be a supportive partner. In The Way of the Superior Man, David Deida teaches men how to support their woman’s feminine energy so she can become her best self. Keep reading for advice on how to support your partners’s dreams.

Market Positioning: Strategies for Market Leaders

Does your business have a market positioning strategy? What path should you take to beat out the competition? In their book Positioning, Al Ries and Jack Trout discuss market positioning strategies for established market leaders, aspiring market leaders, and established leaders entering a new market. Regardless of your position now, there’s a strategy that fits your business. Keep reading to learn about these market positioning strategies.