Shortform Books

What Are NFA Firearms? Decoding the National Firearms Act

What are NFA firearms? Why does the U.S. restrict purchases of NFA items? How are they purchased? Gun laws in the United States are a subject of ongoing political debate and under federal law, certain types of firearms and certain activities related to firearms are subject to additional restrictions. Understanding the current laws is important, especially concerning the National Firearms Act (NFA). Read on to learn what NFA firearms are, including each type of firearm and the rules for buying one.

The 5 Levels of Customer Awareness in Marketing

What are the five levels of customer awareness? Why are these levels important to consider when selling a product? Once you’ve chosen the specific customer need your headline will target, you need to find out how much they already know about your product. According to Eugene M. Schwartz in Breakthrough Advertising, this will help you determine what type of information you should put in your headline. Let’s look at the different levels of customer awareness and how to create headlines for each.

How to Decide Between Formal and Informal Meetings

Do you prefer formal or informal meetings? What are the benefits and downsides of both? When meeting with potential clients, Rob Fitzpatrick in The Mom Test suggests starting out with informal meetings to get to know the client. If that doesn’t work, he says you should resort to a more formal setting. Check out the benefits of both formal and informal meetings to see what’s right for you.

The 4-Day Workweek: A Historical & Social Analysis

What is the history of the 4-day workweek? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to the community? An increasing number of global organizations are trying out the 4-day workweek, but the benefits of a reduced working schedule can come at a cost to others. As a result, it’s not yet clear if this kind of reduced schedule is viable on a large scale. Read on to learn about the history of the 4-day workweek and how it can help or harm the community.

3 Email Management Strategies to Stay Focused on Work

Are you distracted by emails at every moment? What are some email management strategies that can help you stay focused? Cal Newport’s book A World Without Email suggests emails are a major distraction at work. If you don’t have a proper email management system in place, you’re likely to develop what Newport calls a hyperactive hive mind workflow (HHMW). Here are three email management strategies for HHMW, all of which are predicted on his principle of attention capital.

Leadership Lessons From Abraham Lincoln

What made Abraham Lincoln such an extraordinary leader? What lessons can modern-day leaders draw from Lincoln’s leadership? From the moment he stepped into the president’s role, Lincoln was guided by his values, which informed all his actions and decisions. Although Lincoln did consult with his cabinet, he always reserved the final decision for himself. Here are two leadership lessons from Abraham Lincoln.

Here Is Why Professional Investment Advisors Are Overrated

Have you always wanted to invest but felt like you don’t have enough expertise or acumen? Are you considering the services of a professional investment advisor? Many people who aren’t well-versed in finance believe they need professional advice to invest profitably. However, professional investment advisors don’t possess any secret knowledge about the market. In fact, they tend to err on the side of caution when giving investment advice, and cautious advice means moderate gains. Here’s why professional investing advice is overrated, according to Peter Lynch.

How to Overcome Obstacles to Self-Discipline

Do you know how to overcome obstacles in life? What obstacles are getting in your way? Even if you think you’re the most disciplined person alive, there will still be moments that will break you. In Discipline Without Freedom, Jocko Willink advises on overcoming obstacles that risk knocking you down. Here are the different ways you can overcome difficult obstacles in life.

Know Your Product & Your Customer: Tips From Dan Kennedy

How much have you personally used the product you sell? Which is better—mass marketing or a narrow focus? In The Ultimate Sales Letter, Dan Kennedy shares strategies to craft powerful sales letters that will capture customers’ attention and make them want to buy what you’re selling. Kennedy says you must start with getting to know your product inside and out and identifying and understanding your target customer. Keep reading for tips on how to know your product and your customer.

Is the World More Peaceful Today? Steven Pinker Says Yes

Is the world more peaceful today than in years past? What do the statistics tell us? In his book Enlightenment Now, Steven Pinker defends the assertions in his previous book that world violence has declined. He updates the data to show that he was right in 2011 and that he’s still right, as of 2018 when his more recent book was published. Continue reading to learn why Pinker believes that we’re in an unprecedented time of peace.