Shortform Books

What Is The Gulag Archipelago? Speaking Truth to Power

What is The Gulag Archipelago? What was the book’s purpose, and what difference did it make? In the Soviet Union, prisoners such as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn were arrested on minor or fabricated charges, abused by officials, and held in camps for decades. Many were worked to death. Solzhenitsyn’s landmark exposé was banned, and he was persecuted by his own government for publishing it. Keep reading to learn about the significance of The Gulag Archipelago.

The 4 Loyal Customer Benefits for Your Business

What are the benefits of loyal customers? What do loyal customers contribute to your success? Patt Flynn calls the most loyal customers “superfans” and says they’re people so passionately devoted to a brand that they have made it part of their identity. In his book Superfans, he reveals the four benefits of having these loyal customers. Continue reading to learn more about loyal customer benefits.

How to Promote Core Values in the Workplace: Full Guide

Want to know how to promote core values in the workplace? How can you build and communicate a system of values in your organization? Considering the benefits of well-defined core values, it can be tempting to simply dictate values to your staff, says Patrick Lencioni. However, employees struggle to embrace assigned values. Lencioni advises you to instead identify the values that employees already strive for and turn them into official policy. Keep reading to learn how to promote core values in the workplace, according to Lencioni’s advice.

How to Develop a Business Plan That’s Simple Yet Useful

Want to know how to develop a business plan that’s simple yet actionable? What do business experts recommend? Anything You Want author Derek Sivers takes a non-traditional approach to business ownership by centering on honesty, creativity, and humanity. By following his concept of developing a business plan, you can learn how to take small steps toward turning your business dream into a reality. Read on to learn how to develop a business plan, according to Derek Sivers’s advice.

Consistency in the Workplace: Creating Mental Comfort Zones

Can water cooler conversations be productive? How important are routines at work? Are flexible schedules good for productivity? When employees don’t know what to expect, they expend valuable brain energy that could be used for productivity instead. Whether you’re a manager or not, you can contribute to creating mental comfort zones at work. Read more to learn four ways to get and keep consistency in the workplace.

Change vs. Transition: What’s the Difference?

In business, why is there a distinct difference between change vs. transition? Which is worse to manage: change or transition? In Managing Transitions, Susan and William Bridges explain that to effectively manage transitions, you must first understand the difference between a change and a transition. Understanding the difference serves both the organization and the manager. Continue reading to understand how the authors differentiate between the two concepts.

Aristotle’s Telos Doctrine—Explained

What is the meaning of the Aristotelian concept of “telos”? What is the basic idea behind the teleological argument? Aristotle had a “teleological” view of the world. He believed that everything had an end goal or purpose (a “telos” in ancient Greek). According to Michael Sandel, the author of Justice, Aristotle used this view to explain politics as a whole as well as the relationship between politics and individuals. Keep reading to learn about Aristotle’s telos doctrine and how it applies to justice and society.

Why Are Dogs So Expensive Right Now? Blame COVID

Have you thought about getting a dog in the past couple of years? Why are dogs so expensive at the moment? If you thought the pandemic was the best time to buy a puppy, you’re not alone. During the past few years, dog sales spiked dramatically. As the law of supply and demand tells us, when something is in-demand, prices go up. This affected every part of the dog-owning industry, from food to vet care to the dogs themselves. Here’s what you need to consider before buying a puppy in 2022.

The Importance of Having an Organizational Mission

Does your organization have a common mission? How can you help your organization to be true to its mission? Your organizational mission is your company’s end goal. Without a clear and ambitious end goal, your organization won’t reach its true potential. According to Peter Senge, commitment to the common mission forms when people orient their personal objectives toward the overarching goal of the organization. Here’s how your organization’s common mission drives performance.

Is Dating Someone Just Like You a Good Idea?

Do people with similar personalities get along? Why is it a bad idea to date someone similar to you in every way? Dating someone just like you may seem like a good idea, but it’s not. A relationship between similar personalities has no room for growth. Instead, you should look for someone who has a complementary personality—similar enough to get along yet different enough to challenge you. Here’s why dating your like is a bad idea.