Shortform Books

How Cultural Differences Affect International Business

Wondering how cultural differences affect international business? What are some examples of cultural differences in international business? Jodie Fox wrote Reboot in part to provide advice on dealing with many of the situations you’ll encounter should you build a global business. In the book, she explains how cultural differences affect international business by providing examples of running her own global business—Shoes of Prey. Read on to learn about how cultural differences affect international business, based on Fox’s examples.

The Importance of Salt in History: A Brief Rundown

What is the importance of salt in history? What role did salt play in economics and politics? In Salt, Mark Kurlansky argues that salt industries have shaped economies and politics for millennia. This is because of the salt trade, empires’ control over salt, and wars over salt. Let’s check out the importance of salt in history’s defining events.

What Is Conversational Intelligence & Why Is It Important?

What is conversational intelligence? Why are conversations crucial for human connection? In Conversational Intelligence, Judith Glaser explains what conversational intelligence is and the qualities that define a good conversation. Conversations are especially important at work for better trust and team-building. Read below to learn more about conversational intelligence.

Goal Setting as a Life Coach: Marcia Reynolds’s Tips

How do you accomplish goal setting as a life coach? How do you identify and set successful goals in a coaching session? According to transformational coach Marcia Reynolds, a life coach’s job is not to judge clients from on high, but to partner with and help them leverage their strengths to achieve their goals. In Coach the Person, Not the Problem, she gives advice on how to successfully set goals in a coaching session. Keep reading to learn more about goal setting as a life coach, according to Reynolds’s advice.

Jordan Peterson: Stories Help Us Decipher Our Big World

How do we create our very first stories? Are we born as blank slates, or is there a “collective unconscious” as psychologist Carl Jung suggested? Jordan Peterson’s answer to these questions is “yes and no.” We’re born with the mental problem-solving process as part of how our brains biologically function, but we learn our first stories by watching our parents. According to Jordan Peterson, stories help us figure out the world. Keep reading to learn how.

13 Books About Procrastination to Increase Productivity

Do you have a bad habit of procrastinating? What are some books about procrastination to help you get to work? Procrastination is a hard habit to overcome and can interfere with your personal and professional life. If you want to get more work done without getting distracted, you should check out these 13 books on procrastination. Below we’ve compiled a list of the best productivity books that you shouldn’t put off reading.

Americans Are Lonely, Lonelier Than Ever: Why?

Why are Americans lonelier now more than ever before? What factors contribute to loneliness? How can you combat loneliness or find positives in solitude? Americans are spending less time with friends, and they report being lonelier than ever—these feelings of loneliness can be particularly acute during the holidays. However, simply going out more may not be the answer. Read on to learn more about why Americans are so lonely and tips for coping with loneliness.

Think First Before You Act: Meeting Challenges Like a Stoic

Do you think first before you act, or do you react in emotion? How might you think more objectively about something that’s happening to you? Stoicism emphasizes calm dignity and inner strength—that you don’t let anything upset or excite you so you can bring reason to bear in every situation. Epictetus teaches how to meet challenges with quiet rationality—to think first before you act. Read more to learn how to adopt this Stoic practice of rational action.

Preparing for Publication: The Final Steps Before Letting Go

What are the final stages of the writing process? How do you know when your piece is ready for publication? In Everybody Writes, Ann Handley offers a comprehensive guide to writing everything you need to write in today’s business world. The book’s main focus is on writing for marketing purposes, but many of the principles can be applied to other types of writing as well. Keep reading for Handley’s advice on your third and fourth drafts and your final edits as you prepare for publication.

Get Rich Fast: Is There a Shortcut to Wealth?

Is there a shortcut to wealth? What’s the secret to getting really rich really fast? According to entrepreneur and investor MJ DeMarco, there’s no shortcut to wealth. In order to build massive wealth, you must create massive value, which takes a lot of time, creativity, and other resources. Here’s why trying to get rich fast by pursuing get-rich-quick schemes won’t get you closer to acquiring wealth, according to DeMarco.