Shortform Books

Business Meeting Schedule: When to Set Company Priorities

Meetings are a core part of any business’s agenda. But what exactly are you supposed to talk about during the meetings? And when is the best time to schedule them? According to Gino Wickman, the author of Traction, you only really need to schedule two types of meetings throughout the year. These meetings are essential to ensure your business is on track and maintaining your company’s vision. Here is how to set an optimal business meeting schedule where you can communicate your priorities to employees, according to Wickman.

Manipulative Advertising: 6 Dirty Tricks and Examples

All businesses need to motivate customers to do something, whether that’s buying a product or a service. Does manipulative advertising work? What are the most common strategies of manipulative advertising? If you’re a buyer, how do you spot them? If you’re a seller, should you use them? We’ll cover the six most common manipulative advertising tactics. We’ll look at their pros and cons and discuss whether they actually work, or if there’s a more effective way to advertise.

Simon Sinek on Motivation: How to Inspire Your Team

A motivated team of employees standing next to each other

Motivation is a well-acknowledged aspect of good management. What are Simon Sinek’s views on motivation? Does he have any thoughts on how to increase motivation in employees and inspire a team? We’ll cover Simon Sinek’s thoughts on motivation from his book Start with Why. Then we’ll look at how success can actually be detrimental to an organization’s motivation, and how to keep motivation alive and your company on track.

Golden Circle Marketing—The Key to Apple’s Success

A dart board representing Golden Circle marketing

Golden Circle marketing is a marketing strategy promoted by Simon Sinek in his book Start with Why. Golden Circle marketing depends on your WHY, your central belief. It’s the concept that motivates you to get out of bed in the morning. In terms of an organization, Golden Circle marketing is the reason you’re in business. We’ll cover examples of Golden Circle marketing and look at how to use Golden Circle Marketing to maintain a successful business.

This Is Why You Dream: Book Overview (Rahul Jandial)

Why do we spend a third of our lives dreaming? In his book This Is Why You Dream, neurosurgeon Rahul Jandial argues that dreams aren’t random mental noise—they’re essential neurological processes that keep your thinking flexible, process difficult emotions, spark creative breakthroughs, and help form your identity. Through firsthand observations and cutting-edge research, Jandial explains how dreams work, what they reveal about your inner life, and how you can actively shape them. In our overview of This Is Why You Dream, you’ll also learn how to interpret your dreams using a two-step method based on brain science, manage recurring nightmares,

Celery Test: The Simple Tool for Making Better Decisions

An image of celery representing the "celery test" from Start With Why.

What is the Celery Test? How can it help you make better decisions, in life and in business? The Celery Test is a tool to help you make better decisions by understanding the purpose behind the decision. The Celery Test was made popular by Simon Sinek in his book Start with Why. We’ll cover the Celery Test analogy and how to use it to make good decisions. Then we’ll look at an example of how the Celery Test is used in making business decisions.

Emotions in Negotiation: How to Balance Relationships & Results

People feeling tense while sitting at the negotiating table illustrates emotions in negotiation

The most successful agreements are rarely won on facts and figures alone. Mastering emotions in negotiation is the “secret weapon” of high-stakes communicators, as it allows you to separate the human ego from the technical problem at hand. By understanding the psychological drivers behind every demand, you can turn potential conflict into a collaborative win-win scenario. This guide explores the core principles from the book Getting to Yes, offering actionable strategies to handle high-pressure situations with emotional intelligence. Whether you’re navigating a complex corporate deal or a personal dispute, learning to manage your emotions during negotiations will ensure you protect

The Pitfalls of Positional Bargaining & What to Do Instead

A woman speaking to a group at an art gallery illustrates positional bargaining

When we approach a conflict, most of us instinctively default to positional bargaining, a “dig in your heels” tactic where each side fights for a rigid demand. While common in everything from used car sales to international diplomacy, this tug-of-war approach often leads to stalled agreements and damaged relationships. According to negotiation theorists Roger Fisher and William Ury, the key to a successful outcome isn’t playing “hard” or “soft,” but shifting toward a strategy that prioritizes mutual gain and objective fairness. This article explores why positional bargaining fails to meet the three criteria of a wise negotiation: efficiency, efficacy, and

It Doesn’t Have to Hurt by Sanjay Gupta—Book Overview

A woman holding the back of her neck because she's suffering from chronic pain

Chronic pain doesn’t have to control your life. In It Doesn’t Have to Hurt, Sanjay Gupta explains how chronic pain develops when multiple body systems malfunction together, and why standard medical treatments often fall short. He argues that effective pain management requires a holistic, personalized approach combining physical and mind-body treatments. Gupta draws on his experience treating complex pain conditions to offer practical strategies you can implement immediately. This guide explores his key recommendations—from pharmaceuticals and movement to optimism and social connection.

What Is a BATNA? Your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement

Two men shaking hands (only their arms are visible) illustrate a best alternative to negotiated agreement (BATNA)

When entering a high-stakes negotiation, many people default to positional bargaining, where each side stakes out a rigid stance and haggles toward a middle ground. This approach often leads to inefficient compromises or stalled talks, leaving you vulnerable if the other party has more resources or influence. To break this cycle and secure a truly advantageous deal, you must look beyond your starting price and identify your Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA). Strategic preparation involves more than just setting a “bottom line” that could limit your creativity. By establishing a clear fallback option, you gain the leverage necessary