The World's Best Book Summaries
What were Amazon’s earliest innovations? Which innovations failed and which went on to be huge successes? 2002 marked the year that Amazon would start focusing on innovation. They launched a web service, revamped their website, created a search engine, rolled out the predecessor to Prime, and released the first Kindle all within two years. Here’s how Amazon’s innovations began.
How did Amazon grow so quickly after it’s conception in 1994? What happened in Amazon’s early days? From 1996 to 1999, Amazon grew rapidly. Amazon went from strictly selling books to selling DVDs, music, and toys. But they weren’t the only large, online store—eBay entered the scene. Continue on to learn about Amazon’s growth from a bookstore to an everything store.
How was Amazon started? How did the online bookstore that started in a basement grow to need a warehouse in just two years? Jeff Bezos had the idea for an online bookstore in 1994 and launched it in 1995. At first, they pulling all-nighters and packing boxes on their basement floor. By 1996, the revenue was growing 30%-40% every month and Bezos was forced to buy a warehouse. Continue on to learn how Amazon was started and how it grew so rapidly.
How was Amazon created? What is Jeff Bezos’ story? In the book The Everything Store, Amazon’s history is recounted from the beginning. Learn how Jeff Bezos began the internet superstore, the timeline of events that lead to its growth, and what Amazon’s core company values are. Below is a bulleted overview of The Everything Store by Brad Stone.
Do you want to know how to be original? What makes someone original? Is originality more of an inherent trait or a skill that can be improved through practice? Originality is not locked on genetics—it can be cultivated through practice. According to Adam Grant, the author of Originals, the key to being more original is two-fold: 1) go against the status quo and 2) brainstorm lots of ideas. Here is how to be more original, according to organizational psychologist Adam Grant.
What are your main business objectives? Do you think your objectives align with the purpose of your business? Every organization has different goals. For example, a retail store may focus on customer satisfaction whereas a medical organization— on patient safety. While these goals aren’t mutually exclusive, these organizations have different priorities because they have different purposes. When defining business objectives for your organization, ask yourself the following three questions.
What’s more profitable— to open a physical store or grow an online business venture? What are the most common features of successful online businesses? According to Reid Hoffman, the author of Blitzscaling, it’s much more profitable to grow an online business than to run a physical store. There are many reasons for this but the biggest is that there are virtually no overhead or advertisement costs when you’re selling software. Keep reading for more reasons on why you should grow an online business rather than a physical one.
What role does luck play in business success? What do you think is more important when it comes to becoming massively successful in business—luck or strategy? Some people see luck as the only explanation for massive business success; others see luck as a non-factor. But the research found that neither extreme holds true. While luck has a place in business success, whatever luck you get requires action on your part to determine the outcome. Here is what science has to say on the role of luck in business success.
Are you looking for Originals quotes by Adam Grant? What are some of the most noteworthy passages that highlight the author’s key ideas about originality and innovation? In his book Originals, Adam Grant describes the habits and practices of innovators so you too can innovate. The following Originals quotes by Adam Grant highlight some of his key ideas about innovation and originality. Keep reading for Originals quotes by Adam Grant.
What are the four growth factors that are incorporated into most great business models? What business models are more suitable for scaling a company? The four growth factors that affect scaling a company are market size, distribution, high gross margins, and network effects. There isn’t one business model that will work for every company but incorporating these growth factors will help you scale. Continue reading for more information on scaling a company.