The World's Best Book Summaries
Is freebie marketing a smart approach? If so, how and when should it be done? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin recommends opening a line of communication with consumers by offering them valuable freebies in exchange for their contact information. This is the first step in his three-part permission marketing strategy. Continue reading to learn how to break the ice with prospective customers by giving out freebies.
Is the US in a bull or bear market right now? Why can’t the experts agree? Depending on which financial analyst or media outlet you listen to, right now the US stock market is either a bull, a bear, or a bull within a bear. To avoid risky bets on stocks, ignore current, frenzied bull and bear forecasts and look to experts who take a retrospective approach to assessing the market’s health. Continue reading for a breakdown of each side’s opinion on the matter, and how to create your investment strategy.
How detailed should you be when you plan the ending of your speech? Is it ever a good idea to close with a quote? In his classic book Public Speaking for Success, Dale Carnegie shares his essential teachings about crafting and delivering a memorable speech. He includes some guidelines on closing your speech effectively. Read more to learn how to close your speech in a way that leaves your audience wanting more.
What did Warren Buffett learn from Benjamin Graham? How did the 1929 stock market crash impact their investment mindset? In The Warren Buffett Way, Robert G. Hagstrom discusses the ways Buffett was influenced by his teacher Benjamin Graham. Warren Buffett learned about value investing from Graham, and Buffett embraced his teacher’s numbers-driven approach to evaluating companies. Read more to understand what Buffett picked up from Graham.
What’s more important in American politics—issues or identities? What’s fueling the increasing political polarization in the country? It seems that, more and more, America has an “us vs. them” mentality when it comes to politics. People used to discuss the issues; now, they talk about other people. Ezra Klein argues that this results in growing divisions among Americans. Read more to learn about this troubling function of identity politics in America.
Are you wasting time that you could be spending earning income? How can you maximize your time and energy? To build your wealth, you must also make decisions that free up your time and energy, things women tend to give away too easily. In We Should All Be Millionaires, Rachel Rodgers gives advice on how to reclaim your time and energy. Keep reading to learn how to maximize your time efficiently, as a woman in business.
What do you care about most? How much time do you give to what’s most important in your life? In Tribe of Mentors, Tim Ferriss shares advice from a variety of people on how you should spend your time. Many agree that, to make choices about your time investments, it’s necessary to identify what matters most to you and prioritize meaningful causes over other ways you could use your time. Continue reading to discover how to pinpoint and prioritize what you care about most in life.
What’s the key to being a good business leader? Why is sticking to your core purpose and values essential for leadership? Identifying your core purpose (what Bill George calls your “True North”) and ethical principles is essential for becoming an effective leader. These two factors will help you stay grounded and humble during your time as a leader. Keep reading to learn how to be a good leader in business, according to Discover Your True North.
How did Jennette McCurdy recover from bulimia? What led her to bulimia in the first place? Like child star Jennette McCurdy, many people around the world suffer from bulimia. For McCurdy, hers began as a result of her mother restricting her calories when she was a child, but McCurdy had a hard time believing her mother was harming her. Discover the tremendous story of Jennette McCurdy’s bulimia recovery, as described in her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died.
How did Alexander Hamilton influence the US Constitution? What part did he play in the Revolutionary War? Hamilton was one of George Washington’s most trusted allies in the Revolutionary War. As noted in Ron Chernow’s biography of him, this led to Hamilton becoming an admired delegate at the Constitutional Convention. Continuing reading to learn about the relationship between George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, the Constitution’s beginnings, and post-war reconstruction.