Shortform Books

The 6 Kinds of Customers and How to Sell to Them

What are the six kinds of customers? What are their key characteristics? According to Brian Tracy, the author of The Psychology of Selling, there are six types of customers every salesperson should know about: 1) the reluctant customer, 2) the certain customer, 3) the analytical customer, 4) the relationship customer, 5) the directive customer, and 6) the social customer. To consistently close sales, you have to know how to tailor your sales pitch to each of these six types. In this article, we’ll take a look at the characteristics of each of the six types of customer and how can

The 6 Reasons to Fulfill God’s Purpose for Your Life

Do you strive to fulfill God’s purpose for your life? Why should you? You were created to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. Pastor and author Rick Warren outlines six reasons why you should embrace your reason for being. Keep reading to learn why you should seek to fulfill God’s purpose for your life.

Church Involvement Is Far More Than Just Attendance

Are you committed to full church involvement? What are the benefits of such a commitment? The church is God’s family. Church involvement means engagement with your family—beyond just attending a weekly service. Pastor Rick Warren shares four reasons why you should commit to full engagement, and he describes four vital experiences that you’ll enjoy as a result. Continue reading to learn why you should commit to full church involvement.

The Key to Success? Your Company Philosophy

Does your business have a company philosophy? What difference does it make? Visionary companies are guided by their company philosophy. More than mere words, this blend of their core values and their purpose keeps them focused as it drives them forward. If you want to build a business that lasts, your business needs a core philosophy. Read more to learn the importance of a company philosophy and how to establish one for your business.

How to Get Rid of Debt: Scale Back Your Lifestyle

Are you struggling to dig your way out of debt? What’s stopping you from clearing it? Paying off your debts is simple in concept but difficult in practice. In his book The Simple Path to Wealth, blogger and financial expert J. L. Collins gives simple yet sensible advice on how to get rid of debt: scale back your lifestyle and spending to free up money and discipline yourself to stay the course for months or years until the debt is gone. Keep reading to learn how to pay off your debts in four simple (but not easy) steps, according to

Investing Basics: Understanding Asset Diversification

What is asset diversification? What is the purpose of diversifying your investment portfolio? Asset diversification refers to the diversity of your investments within each asset class in invest in (e.g. stocks, bonds, etc). Diversification protects your investments in case one type of stock or bond doesn’t perform well in a given time period. So, for example, if you’re in your twenties and have 90% of your money invested in stocks and the other 10% invested in bonds, you have a solid asset allocation—but if all that money is invested in just large-cap stocks and government bonds, your portfolio isn’t diversified.

How to End Poverty on a Global Scale

How do we figure out how to end poverty? What are the myths about poverty? The society will only learn how to end poverty when it starts encouraging people to follow the path to success instead of demonizing wealth. It is wrong to believe that poverty is moral or that the only way to eradicate poverty is to overhaul social systems. Improving yourself and following the path to success will give you access to God’s limitless resources. Read on to learn more about how to end poverty on a global scale.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Accomplishments & Sacrifices

In what ways did Eisenhower repress himself to please others? How did Eisenhower’s self-sacrificing nature eventually win him a seat as President? In his book The Road to Character, David Brooks highlights some historical figures who put “we” before “me” and made sacrifices for the sake of humanity. One of the figures he discusses is Dwight D. Eisenhower. Continue reading to learn about Dwight D. Eisenhower’s accomplishments and life story.

6 Tips for Influencing Customer Perceptions

What role does first impression play in sales success? What is the key to imparting a good first impression when dealing with customers? You can greatly increase the likelihood of a sale if you make a good first impression. To this end, appeal to your customer’s subconscious mind with cues that lead her to think you’re professional, in control, and an expert in your field. You can do this by harnessing the power of suggestion, which plants ideas and beliefs in a person’s subconscious mind with subtle social cues. In this article, we’ll look at some tips on how to

Created to Worship: How to Live Out Your First Purpose

What does it mean to be created to worship? How can you please the Creator in everyday ways? You were created to worship. As a created being, you naturally respond to your Creator. To live out this purpose, it’s helpful to understand what true worship is and how to worship God in practical ways. Read more to learn what it means to be created to worship.