Shortform Books

Donald Trump: Foreign Policy and “America First”

What was Donald Trump’s approach to foreign policy? What did his “America First” policy really entail? According to the anonymous author of A Warning, a book on the behind-of-scenes of Trump’s presidency, there were several problems with Donald Trump’s foreign policy. No one even knew what “America First” really meant. He didn’t listen to foreign policy experts and changed important policy positions at a whim. Let’s take a closer look at Trump’s foreign policy problems and their implications.

The History of Sales: Three Sales Shifts & Their Origins

What is the history of sales? Why does Daniel Pink say that we are all salespeople? In his book To Sell Is Human, Daniel Pink says that all humans are salespeople, whether we like it or not. Pink discusses the transition from traditional sales (or selling sales) to modern sales (or non-selling sales). Pink says that sales aren’t always about making money, it’s often about “moving” others—this can even be in the form of trying to get likes on social media. Keep reading to learn about the history of sales and how sales has changed over the years.

How to Create a Personnel Plan for Your Business

Do you have a personnel plan for your business? Do your employees find satisfaction and success in the work they do for your organization? In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael E. Gerber explains what an effective personnel plan looks like. He shows how to see your work environment and rules as a game, which helps set people up for success and satisfaction in their work. He also provides tips for an effective hiring process. Read more to discover what comprises an effective personnel plan.

The 4 Parts of a Good Sales Pitch Structure

How should you structure a sales pitch? At what point in your sales pitch should you offer the deal? According to Oren Klaff, the author of Pitch Anything, your sales pitch should consist of four phases. In the first phase, you introduce your pitch, yourself, and your idea. In the second phase, you talk about the numbers, the competition, etc. Once the specifics are clear, you offer the deal in phase three. Finally, in phase four, you create what he calls “hot cognitions.” We’ll cover the four phases of Oren Klaff’s sales pitch structure, how long each part should last,

The Importance of Family Culture: Examples and More

What is the importance of family culture? How can you create one in your own home? A family culture is made up of the priorities, values, and attitudes that help a child know how to behave. In this article, you’ll find out about the importance of family culture, how you can create one, and examples of family cultures. Learn about the importance of family culture below.

Witty Ticcy Ray: Oliver Sacks’ Tourette’s Patient

Who was Witty Ticcy Ray? Why do many patients who suffer from superabundance illnesses dislike the idea of treatment? How did Oliver Sacks compromise with Ray? In his book The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, psychologist Oliver Sacks discusses brain illnesses that cause superabundance. One of his patients was Witty Ticcy Ray, a patient with Tourette’s Syndrome who allowed his Tourette’s to become a major part of his personality. Here is Oliver Sack’s research on superabundance and his experience with Witty Ticcy Ray.

Always Be Kind to Others: It Helps You, Too

How to be Considerate of Others in Your Actions

Why should you be kind to others? What are the ways to be kind to others and how can it help you live a better life? You should be kind to others because it brings you happiness and attracts kindness to you. Kindness comes from showing love to others, celebrating their success, and avoiding harmful actions like gossip. Read on to understand why you should always be kind to others.

Why There Is No Such Thing as a Universal Game

Is there such a thing as a game that would satisfy every player? Do different genders prefer different game types? According to Raph Koster in A Theory of Fun for Game Design, there is no such thing as a universal game. This is because everybody enjoys games differently based on factors such as intelligence type, personality, and gender. Here is why you shouldn’t try to make a universal game.

Sales Pitch Tips to Get More Buy-Ins

What makes a great sales pitch? How do you introduce your idea in a way that grabs your target’s attention and sustains it all the way from start to finish? According to Oren Klaff, the author of Pitch Anything, there are two elements to holding the attention of your target audience while making a sales pitch: desire and tension. Desire is triggered when there is a prospect of the product or service improving their life in a significant way. As for tension, it comes from conflict: when the target feels rejected and accepted at the same time. In this article,

Evaluating Science: How to Fight Doubt-Mongering

Are you skilled in evaluating science? How do you know what’s true and what’s false? In the book Merchants of Doubt, Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway take on people and organizations who create the impression that scientific findings that threaten their agenda or ideology are unsettled—or flat-out wrong. The authors look at some of the issues that merchants of doubt are tackling today and share keys to evaluating science so that you can protect yourself from being taken in. Read on to start developing the skill of evaluating science.