Shortform Books

Top 5 Books to Launch Your Career Into the Stratosphere

Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Warren Buffett have all talked about how important reading is to their work and lives. Even if you don’t plan on becoming a billionaire, top managers and leaders still espouse the benefits of constant learning. One good book can fundamentally improve your career, changing your trajectory from a car to a rocket ship. But what if you’re too busy with work and life to make time for reading? Enter Shortform, home of the world’s best book guides. Our expert team of writers extracts key ideas, arguments, and analyses from dense books, providing you

Startup Sales Strategies From Peter Thiel

If your product sells itself, do you really need to market it? How do you know which sales method is right for your business? Peter Thiel argues that, as you develop a product, you must also develop a plan to get that product to customers. You could have the best product in the world, but your company will fail if you don’t have the right sales and distribution strategy. He discusses four sales methods and helps you know which one is the best fit for you. Keep reading for Thiel’s advice on startup sales strategies.

How to Scale a Business: 7 Parts of the Growth Process

Once your business is up and running, what should you do to keep it growing? How do you balance steady growth with aggressive growth? How can you stay alert to challenges? In his book Your Next Five Moves, Patrick Bet-David discusses seven steps in the business growth process. He explains how you should raise funds, find ways to grow both steadily and aggressively, press employees to grow along with the company, build and maintain momentum, track your growth using metrics, put your knowledge down on paper for posterity, and stay alert as you grow. Read more to learn how to

Does Foreign Aid Work? An Economist’s View

Does foreign aid work, or does it make situations worse? How can foreign aid be tailored to each country’s unique situation? British economist Paul Collier, the author of The Bottom Billion, argues that foreign aid can be helpful if it’s tailored to each country rather than applied in a one-size-fits-all manner. Here’s how countries can change their approach and make foreign aid work.

Latency Times: 3 Factors That Affect Electronic Delays

What are latency times? What are the three factors that contribute to network latency? According to Michael Lewis in his book Flash Boys, “latency time” refers to the amount of time it takes to electronically send data from one destination to another. Latency can be used by high-frequency traders to receive stock order prices faster than everyone else, which gives them an unfair advantage. Let’s learn how HF traders lower their latency times in three ways: using co-location, creating better code, and using fiber-optic cables.

Elon Musk’s Attitude: The Importance of a DIY Mentality

What kind of attitude does Elon Musk have? How do you apply Elon Musk’s attitude to your own work? Elon Musk’s attitude all starts with a do-it-yourself mentality. The ability to take on multiple roles in his companies makes Musk an exceptional CEO, although once in a while it comes back to bite him. Keep reading to discover how Elon Musk’s attitude impacts his work and management style.

Shortform Reads: Reading Habits of a Former Reporter

What book has stuck with Andrea over the years? Which Pulitzer Prize-winning poet did she interview? Based in Pennsylvania, Andrea is a peer editor on Shortform’s writing team. We talked with her recently to learn a bit about her relationship with books.

What Motivates Consumer Buying Decisions?

How do people make buying decisions? What are the key drivers that underpin a consumer’s decision to part with their hard-earned money to acquire a certain product? The consumer decision-making process may seem complex, but ultimately it is underpinned by five basic needs. These include 1) to feel good about themselves, 2) to connect with others, 3) to grow and learn, 4) to feel safe, and 5) to avoid effort. Keep reading to learn about the psychology of consumer buying decisions.

Battling Cancer: The Social Aspects to Consider

Can cancer be a social issue? What are the social implications of treating cancer? According to Siddhartha Mukherjee, the author of The Emperor of All Maladies, battling cancer isn’t just an interesting puzzle to solve—it is about helping people. We mustn’t focus so much on the disease that we lose sight of the people. Read about the social aspects of fighting cancer.

Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Why It Matters

How would you describe your company’s culture? How well do employees know—and embrace—the company’s values? Once you’ve hired the right people and incentivized them to stay, building a positive workplace culture is your next step. This is the view of Patrick Bet-David, who argues that culture is critical because employees must identify with the company and its values if they’re going to put in their best effort. Read more to learn about the importance of shaping your company’s culture.