Shortform Books

The Top 3 Benefits of International Trade

What are the benefits of international trade? How does foreign trade affect the internal job sector? International trade allows scarce global resources to go towards their most valuable uses. This may mean a loss of jobs in one sector with the creation of jobs in another, but the economy is overall more efficient and the population at large benefits. In this article, we’ll look at the three primary benefits of international trade: absolute advantage, comparative advantage, and economies of scale.

The Ideal Team Player: Book Overview

What is The Ideal Team Player about? What are the key qualities of an effective team player, according to its author Patrick Lencioni? In his book The Ideal Team Player, author and business consultant Patrick Lencioni explains how to spot, hire, and coach a model team player. Building on his previous book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, which focused on group dynamics, he defines three essential personal qualities or “virtues” the ideal team player embodies—humility, hunger or drive, and people skills. Below is a brief overview of the key concepts and takeaways.

What Are the Gifts of Imperfection? The Three Cs

What are the gifts of imperfection from Brené Brown’s book? How can the three gifts help you cultivate worthiness? The three gifts of imperfection, according to Brené Brown, are courage, compassion, and connection. Together, these three gifts will help you live a Wholehearted life filled with happiness and self-acceptance. Continue reading to learn about the three gifts of imperfection.

Story Marketing: The Selling Power of Storytelling

What is story marketing? How can telling a good story make your marketing strategy more effective? Story marketing uses good storytelling to make a marketing strategy more compelling. Information about the product or idea is subtly woven into a gripping narrative that grabs people’s attention. If your story is interesting or exciting enough, people will retell it to their friends and family—and they’ll pass on information about your product or idea in the process. Find out how to create an effective story marketing strategy below.

Solution-Based Therapy: A Tool to Facilitate Change

What is solution-based therapy? How does it differ from other forms of psychotherapy? Unlike many forms of therapy, solution-based therapy doesn’t look into the past. Instead, it focuses on the problem at hand. It helps you identify solutions by answering specific questions. Read more to learn about solution-based therapy.

The Power of Positive Thoughts: Believe and Succeed

Do you believe that you can manifest reality with your thoughts? How do thoughts influence one’s personality and life experiences? Your thoughts are powerful—they dictate the type of life you lead, the kind of person you are, and the experiences you have. Your thoughts can create or change the conditions around you. You can think yourself into or out of a situation. Here is how you can embrace the power of positive thoughts to change yourself and your life for the better.

Improve Your Learning Retention: Retrieval Practice

What’s the best way to practice memory retention? How do you improve the accuracy and the speed with which you recall information? The most effective way to improve learning retention is through retrieval practice. Retrieval is any exercise that requires you to recall the information or skill you’ve learned. Retrieval practice can take the form of a classroom quiz, self-testing with flashcards, and making up your own questions about key concepts to test yourself later. Learn more about how to improve learning retention using retrieval practice.

Mark Manson: To Be Happy, Learn Responsibility

Do you feel helpless or victimized when you’re faced with problems that are out of your control? How can learning to take responsibility for any situation change your mindset? In The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson says that you need to learn responsibility in order to be happy. Only when you accept your ability to make choices, even in the worst situations, will you be happier and feel more in control. Keep reading to learn what Mark Manson has to say about learning responsibility.

Does Technical Analysis Work? Here’s Why It Doesn’t

What is the best method for predicting the movement of stock prices? Does technical analysis work? Technical analysis uses the past movements of stock prices to predict future prices. For example, if a stock has risen over the course of a day or several days, a technical analysis will show confidence in the stock. Technical analysts argue that stock prices tend to follow trends, meaning they can sometimes be susceptible to the irrational optimism of other investors. Does technical analysis work? Find out below.

Questions in Sales: What to Ask Your Sales Prospects

What questions should you ask in sales? What is the point of asking questions in sales? There are two goals when questioning your prospects: determining their interest in your products, and learning about their problems and concerns. Each goal requires asking different questions. Keep reading for Jordan Belfort’s advice on what questions you should ask a prospect and why.