Shortform Books

Preparing to Negotiate: 4 Things to Check Off Your List

What are the best ways to prepare to negotiate? What factors should you consider before entering a negotiation? Experts agree that preparing to negotiate is essential. We’ll cover the main ways to prepare for a successful negotiation—by preparing for the worst, planning your moves and countermoves in advance, determining your boundaries for the negotiation, and understanding what kind of negotiator you’re going up against. Take your negotiation preparation tactics to the next level below.

Why Did Malcolm X Change His Name—Twice?

Why did Malcolm X change his name? What do his name changes tell us about his life? You might know him only as Malcolm X. But, that wasn’t his original name, nor was it his name at the time of his death. The fact is that Malcolm X changed his name twice in his lifetime, and the reasons reflect his evolving beliefs and experiences. Read more to learn why Malcolm X changed his name, as presented in his autobiography.

Covid Is on the Rise Again—Precautions & What to Expect

Is Covid on the rise again? How bad was the summer wave? What precautions should you take for the colder seasons? Many Americans have become accustomed to treating Covid-19 as a thing of the past—but cases are rising again. Many people have stopped taking precautions, leaving them unprepared for the current wave. But experts say the current uptick in cases is unsurprising. We’ll explore what the Covid-19 wave means, whether it’s time to get a booster or start masking again, and how experts say people should handle this next phase of Covid-19.

Why Ordering Samples From Alibaba Is Superior to Prototypes

Where can you find suppliers to manufacture your product? Why is ordering samples from Alibaba better than making a prototype? Once you have a good idea of what you want to sell for your new business, you need to actually create it. According to 12 Months to $1 Million by Ryan Moran, the most efficient way to test out your product is to have a manufacturer send you several ready-made samples rather than a prototype. Keep reading to learn why ordering samples moves your company forward in the product development process.

The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks: Book Overview

What’s the cornerstone of successful investing? How can you exploit market cycles for your own gain? Is there a way to mitigate investment risks? To the outsider, the world of investing can seem daunting to enter. But in The Most Important Thing, Howard Marks proclaims that anyone can learn the basics needed to invest successfully, as long as they implement the lessons he’s learned from a lifetime of investing. Read below for an overview of the book The Most Important Thing.

All About Love: Book Overview (bell hooks)

Does self-love guarantee a healthy relationship? Can a commitment to love reshape our society for the better? What is a love ethic? In All About Love, bell hooks explores the power of love from a feminist perspective using personal stories and cultural analysis to develop her argument. hooks argues that love will transform your relationship with yourself, friends, family, and the world around you. Read below for a brief All About Love book overview.

Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam: The Rise & Fall of an Alliance

What’s the Nation of Islam? Why did Malcolm X join it, and how did it impact his life? When he was in prison, Malcolm X embraced the Nation of Islam. It changed his life for the better in many ways, culminating in the beginning of his civil rights career. But, the partnership didn’t last, and Malcolm X eventually went his own way. Continue reading to learn the history of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam.

Paul Jarvis’s Company of One: Book Overview & Takeaways

Do you have a great business idea? Are you overwhelmed or even intimidated by the thought of growing a large business? Fear not. According to Paul Jarvis’s Company of One, you can start a business by yourself and keep it that way—a company of one. In his book, Jarvis explores the pitfalls of companies that grow fast and large, presents the benefits of single-person companies, and outlines how to start one. Continue reading for an overview of this book that just might be the entrepreneurial green light you’ve been looking for.

Effective Feedback Discussions: 4 Ways to Avoid Defensiveness

Does feedback tend to bounce off your walls of defense? Do you shy away from giving feedback to others because of how they might react? Feedback can be gold. But, regardless of its value, it’s an inescapable part of life. So, it’s wise to learn how to give it, receive it, and respond to it well. In Communication Skills Training, James Williams shares advice on how to make the most of conversations that entail feedback. Read more to get four recommendations for breaking through defensiveness in order to have a constructive feedback discussion with anyone.

The True Definition of Love (and What Love Isn’t)

What’s the true definition of love? How does bell hooks define love? According to bell hooks in her book All About Love, we struggle to talk about love because we lack a shared definition of what love is. She insists that having a shared meaning is a critical starting point for creating a culture that’s more rooted in love. Keep reading to learn what the true definition of love is, and what love isn’t.