Shortform Books

Pre-Launch Marketing Strategy: 3 Steps Before You Open for Sales

How do you get people to subscribe to your email list? Should you let feedback influence your product? How can you build anticipation around your product launch? Entrepreneur and digital marketing expert Jeff Walker suggests you treat your product launch like a major event to stir up anticipation and build desire. He recommends you do three things before you open for sales: create an email list, gauge the interest of prospective customers, and build anticipation. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of Walker’s pre-launch marketing strategy.

The Growing Threat of China: General McMaster’s Assessment

What’s China’s vision for the world? How is China’s economic warfare being played out? What’s the risk to the rest of the world? In Battlegrounds, General H. R. McMaster identifies five “hot spots”—points of conflict between the U.S. and other parts of the world. These are China, Russia, Afghanistan, the Middle East, and North Korea. Keep reading for McMaster’s assessment of the growing threat of China, including China’s economic warfare.

How to Think Before You Speak & Say What You Mean

Why should you think before you speak? What steps should you take to get your thoughts organized? Thinking before you speak allows you to sort out how you’re feeling. Bento C. Leal’s book 4 Effective Keys to Effective Communication says this is crucial because you don’t want strong emotions controlling the conversation. Read on to learn how to think before you speak.

How to Set Business Goals That Motivate Your Employees

Do you have an idea of where you want your company to be? How do you set business goals? Setting goals is one of the essential rules of building a business—and for good reason. According to Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham’s book The Great Game of Business, setting company-wide goals encourages employees to stay active and interested in your company’s purpose. Keep reading to learn how to set business goals that will motivate your employees.

How to Solve Poverty: 3 Approaches That Need More Attention

Can poverty be solved? What can be done to bridge the global divide between the rich and the poor? Poverty is a global problem—it plagues all countries to some extent. A small minority of the world’s population has amassed vast fortunes, while billions of people remain mired in extreme poverty. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes and consequences of poverty and how to solve poverty on a global scale.

Louise Hay: Positive Thinking Is a Panacea for All Life’s Problems

How to Develop a Positive Sales Attitude

Do you believe in the power of positive thinking? How can you train your mind to think more positively? According to self-help guru Louise Hay, positive thinking can help you solve any problem you encounter in your life, including problems involving relationships, money, work, and even illness. Hay says that you can imprint positive thoughts on your subconscious mind using positive affirmations. Here’s how positive thoughts can help you solve all your problems.

Why Proactive Employees Are Important for Companies

What are the characteristics of proactive employees? Why are they important to a company? According to business experts Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini, proactive employees take more initiative, which ultimately leads to solving more problems and greater success in a company. However, along with proactiveness comes the possibility of risks. Read on to learn why Hamel and Zanini say proactive employees take companies from good to great.

What Is the Original Position? John Rawls’s Theory, Explained

What is the original position? How does the original position inform John Rawls’s theory of justice? “The original position” is the foundation of John Rawls’s theory of justice. The original position aims to determine the ideal theory of justice—one that a group of equals could rationally agree is best, regardless of their own personal backgrounds or circumstances. Keep reading to learn about the original position.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: Quotes by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Are you looking for Set Boundaries, Find Peace quotes by Nedra Glover Tawwab? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting? In Set Boundaries, Find Peace, Nedra Glover Tawwab argues that in order to maintain healthy relationships, you need to understand, set, and reinforce healthy boundaries in your relationships. Tawwab provides examples of healthy and unhealthy boundaries and offers insight into common boundary issues. Keep reading for Set Boundaries, Find Peace quotes by Nedra Glover Tawwab.

John Gottman: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Explained

What are John Gottman’s “four horsemen of the apocalypse” in the context of a marriage? What are the major signs that your marriage is on the brink of divorce? The “four horsemen of the apocalypse” is Gottman’s metaphor for describing communication habits indicating that a marriage is headed for divorce: criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling. While people may resort to these from time to time in their relationship, the problem begins when they become a pattern. Here’s how to spot if your marriage is headed for divorce, according to Gottman.