Shortform Books

Get It Right: The Importance of Accurate Data in Market Research

Are you skilled at knowing when data is misleading? Can you recognize false positives? When you test your ideas in various markets, you get data that can be invaluable. But, inaccurate data will send you off in the wrong direction. In the context of market research, economist John A. List discusses the importance of accurate data and shares strategies on how to recognize false positives. Read more to learn how to get more accurate data in market research.

Seth Godin: A Marketing Strategy Based on Permission

What’s the best way to approach prospective customers? What’s the most profitable level of permission you can get from customers? In Permission Marketing, Seth Godin establishes the broad basics of his approach: Make long-term investments in your customers, and personalize offers for each individual. Then, he gets more specific and outlines the steps you can take to set up and profit from a permission marketing campaign. Keep reading to learn the basics of Seth Godin’s marketing strategy as presented in Permission Marketing.

The Unexpected Side Effects of Global Warming

How will global warming affect coffee and wine production? How does hot weather affect your libido and mental health? Aside from causing extreme weather events and the loss of polar bear habitats, there are other side effects of global warming that directly impact your day-to-day life. Hotter tempers, lower productivity, and even mornings without coffee may be in our future. Here, we discuss the impact that rising temperatures have on mental and physical health, leisure activities, and our daily routines.

Work Hard to Achieve Your Goals—and Know When to Rest

Do you have defined professional and personal goals? How much work are you willing to put in to reach them? How much effort are they worth? Tim Ferriss collected advice from experts in various fields, and many of them spoke about the importance of hard work, especially in the pursuit of worthy goals. Some also highlighted the importance of working smart and not overdoing it. Read more to get inspired to work hard to achieve your goals and to find wisdom about where to draw the line.

Why a Core Purpose Is the Foundation of Your Career

Do you want to take your career to the next level? Do you have a core purpose? Your core purpose is your overarching goal for your career and the “why” behind everything you do in your leadership journey. In Discover Your True North, Bill George examines why a core purpose is important for those looking for a management position in their career. Continue reading to learn how to identify your purpose and set your career on the right path.

The Origins of Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Papers

What are the contents of Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Papers? Why did he write the Federalist Papers? The Federalist Papers are known as Hamilton’s best-known piece of work. They consist of 85 essays that describe, in detail, what each clause of the Constitution states so that it wouldn’t be misinterpreted. Let’s look at why Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers and the impact they had on America at the time.

Jennette McCurdy and Her Mom’s Toxic Relationship

How did Debra McCurdy help her daughter Jennette become a star? What was Jennette McCurdy’s relationship like with her mom? Jennette McCurdy’s book I’m Glad My Mom Died describes the relationship between her and her mother as toxic. Her mother did everything possible to ensure Jennette would be a successful actor but sacrificed crucial parental qualities in the process. Keep reading to learn more about the difficult relationship between Jennette McCurdy and mom Debra.

How Asking People for Help Can Lead You to Career Success

Are you hesitant to ask people for help at work? What about reaching out to people who are working in a company or a field that you aspire to? In the process of writing his book The Third Door, Alex Banayan discovered something over and over: To become successful, you need to reach out to others for help. He shares what he learned about this from entrepreneur Elliott Bisnow and director Steven Spielberg. Read on to learn why it’s important to tap into the expertise and connections of others.

Technology Is a Distraction: The Reasons and Effects

Why is technology a distraction? Why are people so vulnerable to technological interference? The Distracted Mind by Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. Rosen argue that the Information Age increased our susceptibility to interference. They also explain this increase and warn about the harmful effects of this uptick in interference. Keep reading to learn how and why technology is a distraction, and why anyone can fall for interference.

How to Enjoy the Health Benefits of Aquatic Activities

Why are activities in and around water so satisfying? What are the health benefits of aquatic activities, and how can you take advantage of them? In Blue Mind, Wallace J. Nichols argues that water has a profound impact on our well-being and health because it induces a calming, meditative state, which he calls the Blue Mind state. He explains how people can benefit from swimming, surfing, diving, fishing, and boating. Continue reading to learn about several ways you can enjoy aquatic activities and reap their benefits.