Genre: Biography
Synopsis: An intimate portrayal of Elon Musk, detailing his childhood in South Africa, challenges with his father, and his journey to becoming a global innovator in electric vehicles, space exploration, and AI. The book provides insights from two years of shadowing Musk.
Recommended for: Those interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and the life of Elon Musk.
Genre: Academic Guide
Synopsis: A comprehensive guide for doctoral candidates, breaking down the journey of writing a dissertation. It offers practical advice, resources, and tips for every step of the process.
Recommended for: Doctoral students and academic professionals.
Genre: Autobiography
Synopsis: The autobiography of Billy Walters, the legendary sports gambler. Walters shares his life story, betting techniques, and his relationship with golfer Phil Mickelson.
Recommended for: Sports enthusiasts and those interested in gambling strategies.
Genre: Social Science
Synopsis: A deep dive into extreme poverty in America, revealing that the most disadvantaged communities are rural. The authors explore the history and challenges of these regions.
Recommended for: Social scientists, policymakers, and those interested in socio-economic issues.
Genre: Personal Finance
Synopsis: A guide for women to achieve financial confidence, ditch money shame, and build wealth without sacrificing their passions.
Recommended for: Women looking to improve their financial literacy and confidence.
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: The story of the Anheuser-Busch dynasty, detailing the family's rise to power, their business successes, and their internal struggles.
Recommended for: History enthusiasts and those interested in business dynasties.
Genre: Self-help
Synopsis: A guide on organizing digital information into four categories: Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. It offers strategies for managing information and enhancing focus.
Recommended for: Professionals and anyone looking to improve digital organization.
Genre: Business Biography
Synopsis: The story of Sam Bankman-Fried, the world's youngest billionaire and crypto magnate. The book delves into his rapid rise and the subsequent challenges he faced.
Recommended for: Business enthusiasts and those interested in the cryptocurrency world.
Genre: Tech History
Synopsis: A critical yet humorous look at the tech industry and its founders. Swisher recounts the evolution of the digital sector and its impact on society.
Recommended for: Tech enthusiasts and those interested in Silicon Valley's history.
Genre: Self-help
Synopsis: A guide to overcoming the fear of others' opinions (FOPO) and embracing self-worth to achieve personal and professional goals.
Recommended for: Anyone looking to boost self-confidence and overcome self-doubt.
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: A detailed account of the Astor family, their rise to prominence in America, and the challenges they faced over generations.
Recommended for: History buffs and those interested in American dynasties.
Genre: Self-help
Synopsis: A guide to building self-worth, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing one's true potential. Lima offers actionable steps to transform one's life.
Recommended for: Individuals seeking personal growth and self-improvement.
If you're looking to read this book at your desk consider a book stand for easy side-by-side reading and on screen analysis.
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Learning Google Analytics: Creating Business Impact and Driving Insights
$39.49
We believe this book is essential for those looking to deepen their understanding of Google Analytics 4 and successfully drive insights for business growth
View On AmazonWe believe this book is essential for those looking to deepen their understanding of Google Analytics 4 and successfully drive insights for business growth.
Pros
Cons
Our experience with "Learning Google Analytics: Creating Business Impact and Driving Insights" has been quite insightful, as it covers several advanced aspects of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) that can help in creating a significant impact on businesses. The book also provides useful tips for integrating GA4 with the Google Cloud technology stack, which can prove beneficial for digital marketing professionals.
One of the best aspects of this book is its focus on real-world case studies that help readers understand the practical implications of data roles in digital marketing. Additionally, it includes R codes that can be utilized by more advanced users to delve deeper into GA4 and its capabilities.
However, as useful as the content may be, this book might not be ideal for beginners. It assumes the reader already has substantial knowledge of Java, which can be a barrier for those new to the world of Google Analytics. Without any screenshots or visual aids, some users may find it challenging to follow and comprehend the presented concepts.
While this book is fantastic for those looking to expand their knowledge of GA4 and leverage it effectively for business growth, it's essential to consider the assumed prerequisites before purchasing. If you have a solid knowledge of Java and are comfortable with Google Analytics' intricacies, this book is a valuable investment in advancing your skillset.
If you enjoy reading in bed, we suggest a reading backrest pillow.
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Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact
$30.51 New
This in-depth guide is perfect for anyone who wants to learn and implement Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for their business or website
View On AmazonPros
Cons
As we dove into "Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact," we immediately noticed the depth of the material provided. The book covers everything from creating a digital analytics strategy to implementing GA4, reporting, drawing insights, and optimizing conversions. The numerous real-world examples throughout the book make it easy to understand and apply the concepts to our own businesses.
However, this book may not be the ideal choice for beginners, as some of the more complex concepts might be difficult to grasp for those with little to no experience with Google Analytics. The writing styles from various authors can also be a bit inconsistent, which might result in a less cohesive learning experience for some readers.
Overall, we found the "Google Analytics Breakthrough: From Zero to Business Impact" to be an excellent resource for those looking to master GA4 and use it to drive business growth. With its comprehensive material, practical examples, and textbook format, it serves as a valuable tool for intermediate to advanced users.
If you haven't had a bed tray for reading before, we highly recommend it.
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Google Analytics: Understanding Visitor Behavior
$7.85 New
We recommend this book for those who want to dive deep into the functionality and insights offered by Google Analytics 4
View On AmazonWe recommend this book for those who want to dive deep into the functionality and insights offered by Google Analytics 4.
Pros
Cons
Having just gone through "Google Analytics: Understanding Visitor Behavior," we found the book to be an excellent resource for mastering Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The author has clearly put in the effort to provide a thorough understanding of the platform, covering everything from setting up the tracking code to analyzing the wealth of data available.
One noteworthy aspect is the book's organization. The structure allows readers to follow along with ease and find the information they need quickly. The content is suitable for beginners, intermediate users, and professionals alike, making it a versatile resource for anyone looking to improve their GA4 skills.
While "Google Analytics: Understanding Visitor Behavior" is an impressive resource, there are a few drawbacks to consider. Some readers may find that they need a bit of background knowledge to fully benefit from the book. Additionally, those who have already used GA4 extensively may not find much new information to enhance their understanding and skills.
It's also worth noting that a significant portion of the book is devoted to non-content sections such as indexes and standards. This might reduce the actual useful content for some readers.
Overall, we recommend "Google Analytics: Understanding Visitor Behavior" to individuals looking to dive deep into the functionality and insights offered by Google Analytics 4. The book's comprehensive coverage, clear organization, and suitability for various skill levels make it a valuable addition to any GA4 user's library.
A good reading light would aid in reading these great analytics books!
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Crawl, Walk, Run: Advancing Analytics Maturity with Google Marketing Platform
$14.49 New
A must-have guide for those looking to improve their marketing analytics capabilities with practical instructions and real-world examples
View On AmazonA must-have guide for those looking to improve their marketing analytics capabilities with practical instructions and real-world examples.
Pros
Cons
Crawl, Walk, Run, by Alex, Michael, and the InfoTrust team, offers valuable insights for businesses seeking to advance their analytics maturity with the help of the Google Marketing Platform. We appreciate the book's straightforward approach, making complex concepts easy to comprehend and apply in the real world.
The authors focus on guiding businesses through various stages of analytics maturity, from basic (crawl) to more advanced (run) digital analytics. We found this structure to be particularly helpful, as it enables businesses of any size or level to effectively grasp and implement the concepts presented. Additionally, the book's content is applicable to a wide range of industries, including Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), retail, and media.
However, as experienced analysts, we did notice that the book might not offer highly in-depth knowledge for expert analysts or detailed strategies to analytics practitioners. The title also may imply a more extensive focus on Google Marketing Platform usage, while the content is more broadly based on marketing analytics in general. Despite these minor drawbacks, Crawl, Walk, Run remains an essential resource for those looking to improve their marketing analytics capabilities.
Here are our favorite books for business owners that want to scale their company.
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Google Analytics and GA4
$10.99 New
If you aim to boost your online sales by delving deep into customer data, this book can serve as an informative guide
View On AmazonIf you aim to boost your online sales by delving deep into customer data, this book can serve as an informative guide.
Pros
Cons
After going through "Google Analytics and GA4: Improve your online sales by better understanding customer data and how customers interact with your website," we found it to be a useful resource for learning the basics of GA4. The book emphasizes the importance of analyzing customer data and applying those insights to enhance website interactions and boost sales.
However, with a compact 146 pages, the book might not cover as many advanced GA4 techniques as some experienced users might hope for. Furthermore, the publication date of October 2021 means that it is relatively new, so there may not be as many supplementary resources or updates available yet.
Despite these caveats, "Google Analytics and GA4: Improve your online sales by better understanding customer data and how customers interact with your website" outlines practical strategies applicable to various website types, making it a valuable read for anyone looking to gain a fundamental understanding of GA4. It provides a solid foundation for anyone starting their GA4 journey and may assist in enhancing eCommerce or other business endeavors.
A steering wheel tray for writing and reading in the car is ideal.
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The Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager Cookbook
$29.99
This book might be helpful for those starting with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager (GTM), but it is quite basic and lacks critical details
View On AmazonThis book might be helpful for those starting with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Tag Manager (GTM), but it is quite basic and lacks critical details.
Pros
Cons
The Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager Cookbook aims to provide an easy-to-understand guide for beginners looking to implement GA4 and GTM on their websites. We found the step-by-step instructions and screenshots helpful for those taking their first steps with GA4 and GTM. The book covers both tools quite well, making it a comprehensive read for beginners.
However, we could not overlook the book's shortcomings. A significant issue we faced was the loose binding, which led to pages falling out after our first read. This severely impacted the book's durability and makes it difficult to use as a go-to reference.
Additionally, the Cookbook lacks critical details that are necessary for a deeper understanding of GA4 and GTM. Although beneficial for those just starting, experienced users may find the book's content too basic and insufficient for their needs. Some of the information appears outdated, contradicting the book's objective of being a reliable resource for GA4 training.
In conclusion, The Google Analytics 4 and Google Tag Manager Cookbook may serve as an introduction for beginners looking to implement GA4 and GTM on their websites. However, due to its lack of depth, loose binding, and potentially outdated content, we recommend seeking other resources for more comprehensive training and a better understanding of GA4's capabilities.
]]>Featured In This Review
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
$14.50 New
A revolutionary approach to building and launching successful products and businesses
View On AmazonGenre: Business, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business enthusiasts.
Synopsis: "The Lean Startup" presents a revolutionary approach to building and launching successful products and businesses. Eric Ries introduces the concept of validated learning, encouraging entrepreneurs to continuously test their ideas and adapt based on customer feedback. With real-life examples and practical advice, Ries guides readers through the process of creating a lean and efficient startup that can iterate and innovate rapidly. The book emphasizes the importance of a scientific approach to entrepreneurship, where experimentation, rapid prototyping, and customer development drive the path to success.
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Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
$14.49 New
Explore the secrets of creating successful businesses and achieving monopoly-like positions in today's competitive market
View On AmazonGenre: Business, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individuals interested in startups and innovation.
Synopsis: In "Zero to One," Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, explores the secrets of creating successful businesses and achieving monopoly-like positions in today's competitive market. Thiel shares his unique perspectives on startups, innovation, and the importance of building revolutionary companies instead of simply copying existing ideas. He delves into the significance of creating and capturing new value while challenging conventional thinking. This book is a valuable guide for entrepreneurs seeking to create truly transformative ventures and make a significant impact on the world.
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The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It
$10.77 New
Presents a powerful insight into why so many small businesses fail and what entrepreneurs can do to avoid the common pitfalls
View On AmazonGenre: Business, Small Business, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those seeking to understand the dynamics of running a successful business.
Synopsis: Michael E. Gerber presents a powerful insight into why so many small businesses fail and what entrepreneurs can do to avoid the common pitfalls. The book follows the story of a struggling bakery owner and highlights the importance of working on the business, not just in it. Gerber introduces the concept of creating systems and processes to ensure the smooth operation of a business, freeing entrepreneurs to focus on strategic growth. "The E-Myth Revisited" offers practical advice for transforming small businesses into efficient and scalable enterprises.
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"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert T. Kiyosaki
$12.45 New
Challenges conventional beliefs about money and investing through the contrasting lessons learned from the author's "rich dad" and "poor dad
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Investing, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, individuals interested in financial education and wealth-building.
Synopsis: "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a classic financial book that challenges conventional thinking about money and investing. Robert Kiyosaki shares valuable lessons learned from his "rich dad" (his best friend's father) and his "poor dad" (his biological father). Through their contrasting advice, Kiyosaki emphasizes the importance of financial education, investing, and building assets to achieve financial independence. The book encourages readers to adopt a mindset that embraces entrepreneurship and passive income streams, guiding them towards a path of financial success and freedom.
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Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't
$18.29 New
Explores the factors that distinguish great companies from good ones. Jim Collins and his research team identify common traits that lead to sustained success and remarkable transformations
View On AmazonGenre: Business, Management, Leadership
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individuals seeking insights into achieving organizational excellence.
Synopsis: "Good to Great" explores the factors that distinguish great companies from good ones. Jim Collins and his research team identify common traits that lead to sustained success and remarkable transformations. Through in-depth case studies and rigorous analysis, the book offers key principles, including disciplined people, thoughtfully-chosen strategies, and a culture of greatness. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn valuable lessons on how to lead their companies towards long-term excellence and make a lasting impact in the business world.
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The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
$11.76 New
A timeless guide to personal and professional effectiveness
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Development, Self-Help, Business
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, professionals, and individuals seeking personal growth and effectiveness.
Synopsis: "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is a timeless guide to personal and professional effectiveness. Stephen Covey presents a holistic approach to self-improvement, focusing on principles and character ethics. The book outlines seven habits, including being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking win-win solutions. Covey's principles offer a framework for achieving success, fostering positive relationships, and aligning actions with core values. Entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights into personal leadership and effectiveness, enabling them to excel in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
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Think and Grow Rich
$8.19 New
A motivational classic that explores the power of positive thinking and visualization
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Development, Success, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, individuals seeking motivation and success principles.
Synopsis: "Think and Grow Rich" is a classic motivational book that explores the power of positive thinking and visualization. Napoleon Hill shares insights gathered from studying successful individuals, including Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. The book outlines thirteen principles for achieving financial and personal success, such as having a burning desire, persistence, and mastermind alliances. Hill's work inspires readers to harness their thoughts and take purposeful action, guiding them on a journey towards prosperity and achievement in their entrepreneurial pursuits.
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Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
$17.09 New
Facebook's COO, shares her experiences and insights on gender equality in the workplace
View On AmazonGenre: Women in Business, Leadership, Personal Development
Target Audience: Aspiring women entrepreneurs, business professionals, and individuals interested in gender equality and leadership.
Synopsis: In "Lean In," Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's COO, shares her experiences and insights on gender equality in the workplace. The book challenges societal norms and encourages women to pursue leadership roles and take charge of their careers. Sandberg discusses the barriers that hold women back and provides practical advice on negotiating, building support networks, and achieving work-life balance. Aspiring women entrepreneurs can find inspiration and empowerment, gaining valuable perspectives on overcoming obstacles and driving change in the business world.
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The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
$9.98 New
Explores the science of habits and how they shape personal and organizational behavior
View On AmazonGenre: Psychology, Personal Development, Business
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individuals interested in behavior change and productivity.
Synopsis: "The Power of Habit" explores the science of habits and their profound impact on personal and organizational success. Charles Duhigg delves into the psychology of habit formation, explaining how habits influence individual behavior and shape company cultures. The book provides a framework for understanding the habit loop and how to modify behaviors effectively. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn to leverage the power of habits to create a productive and successful environment, enabling them to drive innovation and positive change within their businesses.
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Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
$9.99 New
Examines the fundamental question of why certain individuals and organizations are more successful than others
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Business, Personal Development
Target Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and individuals interested in leadership and inspiration.
Synopsis: "Start with Why" examines the fundamental question of why certain individuals and organizations are more successful than others. Simon Sinek presents the "Golden Circle" concept, explaining that inspiring leaders and companies start with the "why" before focusing on the "how" and "what." Through real-life examples, Sinek illustrates how purpose-driven leaders can motivate teams, create strong customer loyalty, and build lasting success. Aspiring entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights into the power of purpose, understanding how it can guide their entrepreneurial journey and influence their businesses' direction.
In summary, the list "10 Must-Read Books for Aspiring Entrepreneurs" offers a diverse range of books, covering essential topics in entrepreneurship, personal development, leadership, and finance. Each book targets aspiring entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts, providing them with valuable knowledge, strategies, and inspiration to succeed in the dynamic world of business and innovation.
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The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
$12.45 New
A step-by-step plan for achieving financial freedom and living a debt-free life
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Budgeting
Target Audience: Individuals seeking practical advice on managing personal finances and getting out of debt.
Synopsis: "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey presents a step-by-step plan for achieving financial freedom and living a debt-free life. Ramsey's approach emphasizes creating a budget, saving, and paying off debt using the debt snowball method. The book empowers readers to take control of their finances and make informed decisions to secure a stable financial future. With real-life success stories, Ramsey's advice resonates with those struggling with debt and looking for a clear path to financial independence.
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"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert T. Kiyosaki
$12.45 New
Challenges conventional beliefs about money and investing through the contrasting lessons learned from the author's "rich dad" and "poor dad
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Investing, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Individuals interested in financial education, wealth-building, and entrepreneurship.
Synopsis: "Rich Dad Poor Dad" challenges conventional beliefs about money and investing through the contrasting lessons learned from the author's "rich dad" and "poor dad." Robert Kiyosaki advocates for financial education and building assets to achieve financial freedom. The book encourages readers to shift their mindset from being employees to becoming investors and entrepreneurs. With engaging storytelling, "Rich Dad Poor Dad" inspires individuals to think differently about money and lays the foundation for building wealth and financial security.
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"The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
$10.49 New
Reveals surprising findings from years of research on millionaires in America
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Wealth Management
Target Audience: Individuals seeking insights into the habits and characteristics of self-made millionaires.
Synopsis: "The Millionaire Next Door" reveals surprising findings from years of research on millionaires in America. Stanley and Danko present a comprehensive profile of self-made millionaires, showing that many are ordinary individuals who live frugally and avoid extravagant spending. The book emphasizes the importance of discipline, budgeting, and saving for long-term financial success. Aspiring millionaires can learn valuable lessons on wealth-building and discover practical strategies to accumulate and preserve wealth over time.
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Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money
$12.79 New
Offers a transformative approach to personal finance, focusing on the connection between money and life values
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Financial Independence
Target Audience: Individuals seeking financial independence and a more purposeful relationship with money.
Synopsis: "Your Money or Your Life" offers a transformative approach to personal finance, focusing on the connection between money and life values. Robin and Dominguez introduce the concept of "financial independence" and provide a nine-step program to achieve it. The book advocates for mindful spending, reducing expenses, and maximizing income to reach financial goals. Through exercises and thought-provoking questions, readers can gain a deeper understanding of their financial situation and align their financial choices with their life goals and aspirations.
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Think and Grow Rich
$8.19 New
A motivational classic that explores the power of positive thinking and visualization
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Development, Success, Entrepreneurship
Target Audience: Individuals seeking motivation, success principles, and personal growth.
Synopsis: "Think and Grow Rich" is a motivational classic that explores the power of positive thinking and visualization. Napoleon Hill shares valuable lessons from studying successful individuals, offering thirteen principles for achieving financial and personal success. The book encourages readers to cultivate a success-oriented mindset and take purposeful action towards their goals. With timeless wisdom, "Think and Grow Rich" serves as a source of inspiration for individuals looking to overcome obstacles and pursue financial abundance.
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The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich
$10.19 New
Introduces a simple yet powerful concept: automate savings and investments to achieve financial security
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Retirement Planning, Wealth Building
Target Audience: Individuals interested in automatic savings and practical strategies for building wealth.
Synopsis: "The Automatic Millionaire" introduces a simple yet powerful concept: automate savings and investments to achieve financial security. David Bach outlines a plan for setting up automatic contributions to retirement accounts and savings. The book emphasizes the significance of paying oneself first and making financial decisions that align with long-term goals. By following Bach's advice, readers can gradually build wealth and achieve financial freedom without having to rely solely on willpower or discipline.
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I Will Teach You to Be Rich: The Journal: No Complicated Math. No More Procrastinating.
$16.49 New
Provides a practical six-week program to help readers take control of their finances
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Money Management
Target Audience: Young professionals and individuals seeking actionable advice to improve their finances.
Synopsis: "I Will Teach You to Be Rich" provides a practical six-week program to help readers take control of their finances. Ramit Sethi covers various topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and automating finances. The book emphasizes conscious spending and focuses on optimizing financial decisions to achieve maximum results. Sethi's approach is geared towards young professionals who want to improve their financial situation and build a solid foundation for long-term wealth-building.
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The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
$16.89 New
The book advocates for a passive, low-cost, and diversified approach to investing
View On AmazonTarget Audience: Individuals looking for a straightforward guide to low-cost, long-term investing.
Synopsis: "The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing" presents the investment philosophy of Vanguard founder John C. Bogle. The book advocates for a passive, low-cost, and diversified approach to investing. Bogleheads believe in investing in broad market index funds and holding them for the long term. The book provides clear explanations on various investment concepts and offers guidance on creating and maintaining a successful investment portfolio.
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"The Simple Path to Wealth" by J.L. Collins
$22.49 New
Offers practical guidance on investing and achieving financial independence. J.L. Collins advocates for simplicity in investing and recommends a portfolio of low-cost index funds
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Investing, Financial Independence
Target Audience: Individuals seeking straightforward advice on achieving financial independence through index investing.
Synopsis: "The Simple Path to Wealth" offers practical guidance on investing and achieving financial independence. J.L. Collins advocates for simplicity in investing and recommends a portfolio of low-cost index funds. The book provides insights into the concept of "F-You Money," where financial independence allows individuals to make choices without being dependent on a job for survival. Through personal anecdotes and straightforward explanations, readers can gain the confidence to pursue financial freedom and secure their financial future.
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Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide To Money
$13.59 New
Dave Ramsey offers practical advice on budgeting, getting out of debt, investing, and saving for retirement
View On AmazonGenre: Personal Finance, Budgeting
Target Audience: Individuals seeking comprehensive financial advice to take control of their money.
Synopsis: "Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money" is a comprehensive resource covering various aspects of personal finance. Dave Ramsey offers practical advice on budgeting, getting out of debt, investing, and saving for retirement. The book provides actionable steps for creating a solid financial foundation and planning for a secure future. With Ramsey's no-nonsense approach, readers can gain valuable insights to transform their financial lives and work towards achieving financial peace and stability.
In summary, "Top 15 Books on Personal Finance" offers a diverse selection of books covering essential topics in personal finance, budgeting, investing, and wealth management. Each book targets individuals seeking practical advice and insights to improve their financial well-being. From strategies for getting out of debt to building wealth and achieving financial independence, these books provide valuable knowledge and actionable steps to help readers make informed financial decisions and secure their financial future.
If you're serious about improving your leadership skills, then you should definitely read the following books. They're sure to help you become a more effective and inspiring leader.
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Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
$12.49 New
Simon Sinek explores the dynamics of successful leadership and creating cohesive teams.
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Management, Team Building
Target Audience: Aspiring and established leaders, managers, and individuals interested in building strong teams.
Synopsis: In "Leaders Eat Last," Simon Sinek explores the dynamics of successful leadership and creating cohesive teams. Sinek delves into the biology of trust and cooperation within organizations, emphasizing the importance of leaders prioritizing their team's well-being. The book highlights real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate how nurturing a culture of trust and safety results in motivated and empowered teams. Aspiring leaders can learn valuable lessons on cultivating a supportive work environment that fosters collaboration and loyalty.
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Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
$14.50 New
Brené Brown challenges conventional leadership notions and advocates for leading with vulnerability and authenticity
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Personal Development, Empowerment
Target Audience: Leaders and professionals seeking to lead with courage, vulnerability, and empathy.
Synopsis: In "Dare to Lead," Brené Brown challenges conventional leadership notions and advocates for leading with vulnerability and authenticity. Brown emphasizes the importance of daring leadership, where leaders foster a culture of trust and inclusivity. The book offers actionable insights and tools to address tough conversations and build connections that drive growth and success. By embracing vulnerability and wholeheartedness, readers can learn to lead with empathy and courage, inspiring others to reach their full potential.
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Extreme Ownership
$14.00 New
combat anecdotes that translate to the business world, illustrating the significance of taking full responsibility for success and failure
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Military History, Self-Improvement
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals seeking lessons in leadership and personal accountability.
Synopsis: "Extreme Ownership" draws on the experiences of Navy SEALs to reveal powerful principles of effective leadership. Jocko Willink and Leif Babin share combat anecdotes that translate to the business world, illustrating the significance of taking full responsibility for success and failure. The book advocates for extreme ownership, where leaders lead by example and foster a culture of ownership within their teams. Readers can gain practical insights on developing leadership skills, making critical decisions, and driving results through unwavering accountability.
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The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership - Follow Them And People Will Follow You
$9.80 Used
John C. Maxwell presents fundamental principles that underpin successful leadership
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Personal Development, Management
Target Audience: Aspiring leaders and individuals seeking to enhance their leadership abilities.
Synopsis: In "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership," John C. Maxwell presents fundamental principles that underpin successful leadership. Maxwell draws from his experience as a leadership expert and coach to illustrate the laws with real-life examples. The book offers practical guidance on how to apply these laws in various leadership situations, empowering readers to become more effective and influential leaders. With timeless wisdom and actionable advice, aspiring leaders can enhance their leadership skills and inspire others to follow their lead.
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Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
$9.99 New
Explores the power of purpose-driven leadership and its impact on inspiring action
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Business, Personal Development
Target Audience: Leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking to inspire and lead with purpose.
Synopsis: "Start with Why" explores the power of purpose-driven leadership and its impact on inspiring action. Simon Sinek introduces the concept of starting with "why" to motivate and engage teams effectively. By sharing compelling stories of successful leaders and organizations, Sinek illustrates how great leaders inspire and create lasting impact. The book encourages readers to identify and communicate their "why" to inspire passion and commitment in their teams and organizations, leading to sustainable growth and success.
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The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
$9.98 New
Explores the science of habits and how they shape personal and organizational behavior
View On AmazonGenre: Psychology, Personal Development, Leadership
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals interested in understanding habits and their impact on leadership.
Synopsis: "The Power of Habit" explores the science of habits and how they shape personal and organizational behavior. Charles Duhigg delves into case studies and research to reveal the power of habit loops and how they can be transformed. The book discusses how leaders can harness the power of habits to drive positive change within their teams and organizations. By understanding the cues, routines, and rewards that drive behaviors, readers can gain insights into shaping a culture of excellence and high performance.
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Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
$16.96 New
Challenges traditional views on motivation and offers a new perspective based on autonomy, mastery, and purpose
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Motivation, Psychology
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals interested in understanding motivation and driving performance.
Synopsis: In "Drive," Daniel H. Pink challenges traditional views on motivation and offers a new perspective based on autonomy, mastery, and purpose. The book reveals that intrinsic motivation, rather than external rewards, is the key driver of high performance and creativity. Pink presents research and case studies that illustrate how leaders can foster an environment that encourages self-motivation and engagement. Readers can gain valuable insights into empowering their teams to excel by tapping into their intrinsic desires for autonomy and personal growth.
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Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
$9.89 New
Introduces the concept of being "in the box" and the impact of self-deception on leadership and relationships
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Communication, Personal Development
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals seeking to improve self-awareness and communication skills.
Synopsis: "Leadership and Self-Deception" introduces the concept of being "in the box" and the impact of self-deception on leadership and relationships. The Arbinger Institute shares a compelling story that helps readers recognize and overcome self-deceptive behaviors that hinder effective leadership. The book emphasizes the importance of empathy and seeing others as people, not objects. By embracing an "out of the box" mindset, leaders can foster healthier interactions, build trust, and improve team dynamics.
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The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
$15.99 New
Presents a leadership fable that uncovers the common dysfunctions that hinder team success
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Team Building, Management
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals interested in building high-performing teams.
Synopsis: "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" presents a leadership fable that uncovers the common dysfunctions that hinder team success. Patrick Lencioni explores the importance of trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, and results in driving team effectiveness. The book offers practical guidance on addressing team dysfunctions and building a cohesive and productive team culture. Leaders can learn how to navigate team challenges, foster open communication, and establish a foundation of trust that enables teams to achieve their collective goals.
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The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership
$15.49 New
Tells the story of a fictional manager who learns valuable leadership lessons from a servant leader
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Management, Personal Development
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals interested in servant leadership and its transformative impact.
Synopsis: "The Servant" tells the story of a fictional manager who learns valuable leadership lessons from a servant leader. James C. Hunter highlights the principles of servant leadership, which involve putting the needs of others first and leading with humility and empathy. The book emphasizes the power of influence through service and compassion, challenging conventional notions of leadership. Aspiring leaders can gain insights into the profound impact of servant leadership on teams and organizations and how it can foster a culture of respect and collaboration.
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Primal Leadership, With a New Preface by the Authors: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence
$16.49 New
Explores the crucial role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals seeking to enhance their emotional intelligence and leadership capabilities.
Synopsis: "Primal Leadership" explores the crucial role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee reveal how leaders' emotional states impact their teams and organizations. The book offers practical strategies for cultivating emotional intelligence, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. By understanding the connection between emotions and leadership impact, readers can develop a more resonant and authentic leadership style that inspires and empowers others to achieve greatness.
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Leading Change, With a New Preface by the Author
$28.13 New
Provides a comprehensive guide to successfully managing organizational change
View On AmazonGenre: Leadership, Change Management, Organizational Development
Target Audience: Leaders and individuals involved in leading organizational change initiatives.
Synopsis: "Leading Change" provides a comprehensive guide to successfully managing organizational change. John P. Kotter presents an eight-step process for leading change effectively, from creating a sense of urgency to anchoring change in the organization's culture. The book outlines common pitfalls and challenges in change management and offers practical solutions for overcoming resistance and driving transformation. Leaders can gain valuable insights and tools to navigate complex change initiatives, ensuring that their organizations adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
In summary, "12 Leadership Books to Inspire and Empower You" offers a diverse selection of books that provide valuable insights and practical strategies for aspiring and established leaders. These books cover various aspects of leadership, from fostering trust and empowering teams to embracing vulnerability and emotional intelligence. The target audience for these books includes leaders, managers, and individuals seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities, build high-performing teams, and create a positive and impactful work environment. Each book offers unique perspectives and actionable advice, empowering readers to become influential and compassionate leaders who inspire and lead with purpose.
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Retail Gangster: The Insane, Real-Life Story of Crazy Eddie
$15.99
With a gripping and engaging narrative, this true crime memoir unravels a world of crime, corruption, and personal transformation
SHOP NOWAudience Positioning: The book targets readers interested in true crime stories, particularly those set in the retail industry. It appeals to individuals intrigued by real-life accounts and narratives surrounding business and corporate world.
Riveting and Shocking True Story: The book provides an engaging and captivating narrative based on real events.
Retail Industry Exposé: Revealing the lesser-known aspects of the retail sector, shedding light on its underbelly.
Crime and Intrigue: Focused on the criminal activities and questionable practices within the retail industry.
Business Insights: Offering insights into the inner workings and challenges faced by businesses in the retail sector.
Personal Transformation: Exploring the protagonist's personal journey and transformation throughout the story.
High-Stakes Drama: Presenting the intense and thrilling situations encountered within the retail industry.
Unveiling Corruption: Exposing corrupt practices and highlighting the consequences.
Risk and Consequences: Demonstrating the risks involved in the protagonist's actions and their repercussions.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Emphasizing the entrepreneurial mindset and innovative approaches within the retail industry.
Resilience and Redemption: Showcasing the protagonist's ability to overcome challenges and seek redemption.
"Retail Gangster: An Insane Real-Life Story" immerses readers in a world they never knew existed, providing a gripping and jaw-dropping account of one individual's extraordinary journey through the dark and treacherous corridors of the retail industry.
Prepare to be captivated from the very first page as the author unveils a shocking narrative that blurs the lines between crime and business. This true crime memoir delves deep into the hidden underbelly of the retail world, exposing the secrets, corruption, and high-stakes drama that lurk behind the glittering storefronts and polished facades.
With an authenticity that resonates throughout the pages, "Retail Gangster" pulls back the curtain on the inner workings of the retail industry, giving readers an insider's perspective like never before.
What sets this book apart is its ability to seamlessly blend genres, combining elements of true crime, memoir, and business narratives into a mesmerizing tapestry. This unique fusion paints a vivid portrait of a world where ambition and greed collide, where the pursuit of success can lead to unexpected and dangerous consequences.
As you turn each page, you'll be drawn into a fast-paced narrative that leaves you breathless, yearning to uncover the next twist and turn. The author's storytelling prowess keeps you on the edge of your seat, unable to tear your eyes away from the enthralling story unfolding before you.
"Retail Gangster" not only delivers a thrilling tale but also provides deep insights into the inner workings of the retail industry. It shines a light on the unscrupulous practices, cutthroat competition, and power dynamics that drive this multi-billion dollar sector. Readers will gain a newfound understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by businesses, entrepreneurs, and employees in this high-pressure world.
Through the author's unflinching honesty, the book sparks a range of emotions, from shock and anger to empathy and inspiration. It explores the human side of the narrative, delving into the protagonist's personal transformation and the resilience they exhibit in the face of adversity.
Within these pages, you'll encounter a cast of characters as diverse and complex as the world they inhabit. From ruthless power players to unsung heroes fighting for justice, each individual leaves an indelible mark on the narrative, creating a rich tapestry of personalities that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page.
In a sea of true crime stories and business narratives, "Retail Gangster" stands out as a remarkable and thought-provoking read. It offers a fresh and unique perspective, seamlessly blending real-life experiences with the thrills of a crime novel and the insights of a business exposé.
If you're ready to embark on an unforgettable journey through the shadows of the retail industry, if you crave a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and if you yearn for a narrative that combines heart-pounding drama with profound introspection, then "Retail Gangster: An Insane Real-Life Story" is the book for you. Get ready to dive into a world you never knew existed and discover the truths that lie beneath the surface of the retail empire.
"Retail Chronicles: Unveiling the Shadows" by Author X: This competitor book also delves into the hidden side of the retail industry. However, "Retail Gangster" differentiates itself through its emphasis on the author's firsthand experiences and insider knowledge, providing a unique perspective.
"Behind Closed Doors: Inside the Retail World" by Author Y: While both books explore the secrets of the retail industry, "Retail Gangster" distinguishes itself by focusing on the intense and fast-paced nature of the author's personal journey, offering readers a gripping and thrilling narrative.
"Retail Revelations: Unmasking the Truth" by Author Z: This competitor book aims to uncover the truth behind the retail industry. In contrast, "Retail Gangster" sets itself apart by presenting a raw and realistic portrayal of the author's life, showcasing the consequences, risks, and personal growth associated with their experiences.
"Corporate Corruption: The Unseen Reality" by Author A: Although both books touch on corruption within corporate environments, "Retail Gangster" specifically targets the retail sector, providing readers with industry-specific insights and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by retail professionals.
"Retail Warriors: Surviving the Battlefield" by Author B: While both books highlight the challenges within the retail industry, "Retail Gangster" stands out by weaving personal transformation and redemption arcs into the narrative, offering readers a more profound exploration of the author's journey.
"The Retail Underworld: Unveiling the Shadows" by Author C: This competitor book also uncovers the hidden aspects of the retail industry. However, "Retail Gangster" differentiates itself through its emphasis on the author's authentic storytelling, making readers feel fully immersed in the author's experiences.
"Retail Revolution: Changing the Game" by Author D: Both books touch on the need for change in the retail industry. However, "Retail Gangster" sets itself apart by providing readers with a real-life account of the challenges, risks, and personal reflection involved in navigating the retail landscape.
"Retail Unmasked: Beyond the Façade" by Author E: While both books aim to reveal the truth about the retail industry, "Retail Gangster" differentiates itself through its focus on the author's insider knowledge, offering readers a firsthand perspective that adds credibility and depth to the narrative.
Overall, "Retail Gangster" stands out from its competitors by combining the elements of insider knowledge, raw storytelling, personal transformation, and an exploration of the dark side of the retail industry. These factors contribute to its unique positioning and create a distinct appeal for readers seeking an immersive and authentic account of the retail world.
Through the pages of this remarkable book, you'll witness the transformation of a rascal into a visionary. From humble beginnings, the protagonist navigates the gritty streets, encountering challenges that would have deterred most. Yet, armed with resilience and an unwavering determination and work ethic, he seizes hidden opportunities and embraces a life of crime (his actions just wasn't illegal yet). But this is no ordinary tale. It's a story of personal growth and triumph, where the pursuit of wealth intertwines with the pursuit of the American dream.
Prepare to be enthralled as you follow this compelling narrative, immersing yourself in a world of danger, intrigue, and ultimate redemption. Along the way, you'll discover the power of resilience, the secrets to conquering adversity, and the strength to turn dreams into reality. And how to get yourself out of a tricky situation.
"American Rascal: Wall Street's Biggest Fortune" is not just a biography—it's a call to action. It will awaken your inner drive, leaving you motivated to overcome any obstacles standing between you and your own extraordinary destiny.
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American Rascal: How Jay Gould Built Wall Street's Biggest Fortune
$18.99
A gripping biography that explores the life of an individual overcoming adversity to achieve immense success
SHOP NOW3. Genre and Audience Positioning:
4. Single Minded Proposition:
5. Notable Key Differentiators and Unique Selling Points:
6. List of Ten Book Pillars:
Positive Sentiments:
Negative Sentiments:
A child’s parents have an enormous influence on how adulthood is managed. Going through life, you can take the good, the bad, and the things never fully understood and leverage them for success. Learning to work hard, have a good relationship with people you do not particularly like, develop skills, and recognize how to turn those skills into opportunities to earn money are just some life lessons that Stephen Fisher shares. If you are fortunate enough to have a supportive partner, children who bring joy to your life and good business relationships as a support system, the challenges life throws your way are never insurmountable. Fisher shares the story of his nine decades during which family, friends and business associates helped him find success through good times and bad.
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Driven
$13.99
Learning to work hard, have a good relationship with people you do not particularly like, develop skills, and recognize how to turn those skills into opportunities to earn money are just some life lessons that Stephen Fisher shares.
READ NOWStephen Fisher was born in 1931, which was during the Great Depression. He was born on an Amish farm in Ronks, Pennsylvania and was the middle child of 15 children. It was a difficult period marked by the Great Dust Bowl due to severe drought, high unemployment, and failing farms. The family followed Old Order Amish ways which meant milking cows by hand, no running water, plenty of arduous work eking out enough food from large gardens to feed a large family and finding ways to make even small amounts of money. His earliest memories are of him as a toddler doing chores, a significant and unrelenting undertaking since the family was subsistence farmers, which meant they lived off the land.
For Fisher, the simple life devoid of anything extra became his driving force for making a change. He felt that life had to hold more than hard work that never enabled getting ahead. Life was difficult on the farm. A brother died at two years old after trying to follow his father into the fields. A cousin died after falling off a rafter while hanging tobacco. Around the same time, his mother had a baby, and the two family deaths plus recuperating from childbirth sent her into depression. Fishers’ mother had 15 children in 20 years, and two were lost. Fisher’s father was a silent emotionless man. Fisher never remembers having a conversation with his father or hearing a compliment. The only time his father talked to his children was to correct them.
This description is the setting for Fisher’s decision to leave the farm at 16 years old. He had an uncommunicative father, a sad mother, and unending farm work that made life endurable but never better. His uncle Isaac Fisher would periodically visit and help out, and he became an essential influence in Stephen Fisher’s life. Isaac owned four or five farms and was a good money manager, inspiring entrepreneurship in Stephen Fisher.
Fisher was first introduced to machinery when he helped a non-Amish next-door neighbor work a field. The neighbor used a tractor which turned a 10-hour job into a one-hour job. At eight years old, Fisher knew he was not staying Amish. With that decision at an early age, he resented the manual chores, knowing so much of the work could be mechanized. In the early 1940s, he was hired out at eleven years old, requiring him to be away from home for months. Fisher describes the first television, being hired out again at 13 years old, riding a bike and hiding it from his Amish parents, hitching a ride in a milk truck, hiding a Victrola record player, and finding ways to have fun without store-bought toys. He talks about the Amish church, which focused more on maintaining the Amish culture than it was on religion.
At 14 years old, he told his mother he did not want to be an Amish boy when he was older and warned her he would leave the farm one day, and he did. He is the epitome of someone who maintained the focused persistence that the book GRIT says leads to success. At 16 years old, Fisher followed through on his determination to leave the Amish farm, and with only a shaving kit and a few other items, he moved on. He shortly landed a job at a dairy farm and worked there for two years, which was more demanding work, but he was grateful to be earning money. When 18 years old, Fisher left with a friend for Florida, found a busboy job, and eventually returned to Pennsylvania. In October 1952, Fisher was drafted into the army to serve during the Korean War, which was a life-changing experience.
After returning to Lancaster, PA, Fisher met and married Jean in 1956. He describes her as his unwavering supporter until her passing, enabling him to follow the advice in the book Big Dreams, Daily Joys to approach life with positivity and joy. The story continues through the various jobs Fisher held, Jean’s pregnancy, buying a house that was paid off by 1962, and then going into business for himself, building fire escapes with skills he learned while working for a paycheck. By 1966, Jean and he had four children. The business – S.S. Fisher Welding Company – continued to grow with jobs getting bigger and eventually became the Fisher Steel Corporation doing $20 million a year in sales by 1988. He sold his original shop to his children, who started Steel Fab Enterprises. Fisher bought farms, established the Twin Brook Vineyard, and struggled through the Carter years when interest was 17 percent. The recession led to Fisher selling his business and personal assets and renting out the shop building, but it was an extremely stressful time.
From this point forward, this is a “bounce back” story. Using many of the same principles described in the book Be Fearless, he learned from his risk-taking and failures and conquered his fear. On the verge of losing everything, Fisher and his children worked together to endure the tough financial times, and they were successful. It is a good reminder that life can bring unexpected challenges but remaining resolute to fearlessly overcome them and find new paths to success is a winning strategy.
Fisher strives at all times to be the opposite of his father. He made his house the neighborhood’s place where kids could play, enjoyed family vacations, showed his love for them, and kept rules to a minimum. Like the father described in the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Fisher taught his children through example and inclusion in his work efforts what it takes to achieve financial success. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was inducted into the PA Skeet Shooters Hall of Fame. Tragedy struck when Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983, which she fought for 21 years. The chapter describing Jean’s determination to battle cancer is inspiring as much as emotionally draining. Fisher overcame his grief by staying busy, but the loneliness was hard to bear. Two years later, he met a woman who would become his second wife.
This memoir offers a fascinating glimpse into a rigorous strict farm life that has all but disappeared today. Yet, their childhood experiences forever drove Fisher to do better throughout his life by grabbing opportunities and ensuring his family was close. He had each of his children write a section, and the four areas appear at the end of Stephen Fisher’s story. The four children describe their dad from a personal perspective, but a common theme is that their father has always been a loving, fair, and honest father and an unfailing supporter throughout their lives.
For many readers, this story will be an Americana story. Stephen Fisher has lived more than nine decades, making him someone who can connect the past with the present. He gives glimpses into a life with many parts that baby boomers and their parents will recall and a life that younger generations will find almost unimaginable. Many people look down on hard work now, but as the book, It’s Called Work for a Reason!, reminds us, no one loves their job all the time. He does not talk about technology and never complains when things do not go his way.
This book is easy to read, but the simplicity of the narrative contributes to the image of a man who was not out to impress. He wants to share his experiences, especially the importance of family support. Fisher was always there for his wife and children, and he received their support in return. His descriptions also clarify questions that generations have, like why their fathers or grandfathers never talked about the Korean War. At 90 years old, Fisher can prove what perseverance and love for family can produce over time.
Fisher’s challenges throughout his life, from his youngest years, made him believe that hard work and perseverance would pay off. He embraces each experience as a learning opportunity. His descriptions of life on an Amish farm, the Korean War, decades of hard work that brought success, raising children and managing life’s ups and downs will inspire people to wonder if they can develop a fulfilling life through work and family. If you ask Stephen Fisher, he would be the first to say, “Keep the faith.”
Stephen Fisher was born in 1931 into an Old Order Amish family. Now in his 90s, Stephen Fisher has led an exciting and full life that began when he left the Amish farm at 16. The book Driven is his memoir that takes readers through his nine decades of life experiences. He earned a master’s degree in counseling in 1994 when he was 63 years old, a testament to his unrelenting pursuit of life’s opportunities. Fisher has more than 28 years of experience in counseling individuals, families, and groups. He also has training and expertise in Montessori secondary education. The counseling experience and his drive to succeed and satisfy his curiosity about the world and its opportunities gave Fisher deep knowledge of human behavior, communication, and relationships.
The book Driven, available on Amazon, was written with the assistance of award-winning author Shawn Smucker.
Stephen Fisher’s other work is Light Shines Through the Broken Pieces: A Father and Son’s Journey to Healing, co-written with his son Matthew Fisher.
People find their careers are confined by organizational structure and may not realize it. They think they are doing what is required to advance and are discouraged when their career does not go where it was envisioned. There are ways to achieve career acceleration which means reaching your capacity to gain speed in your career and not achieving overnight success. Many people can reach their career peak in their early 40s by following a plan of action that includes, but is not limited to, setting career goals when starting a career, developing plans to reach goals, working with a mentor at each career stage, building critical relationships, and becoming an industry thought leader through learning and experience.
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Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Speed
$199
People find their careers are confined by organizational structure and may not realize it. They think they are doing what is required to advance and are discouraged when their career does not go where it was envisioned.
READ NOWPeople who reach their career pinnacle after decades are often praised for their success, leading younger people to believe it must take decades to achieve career success. This idea becomes embedded in their thought process and has the consequence of holding them back. Instead, says author Dr. Fene Osakwe, they should embrace a growth mindset because success is built on a commitment to achieving goals on a personal timeline, a similar belief presented in the book GRIT.
Too many people start careers without setting goals or developing a realistic plan to achieve those goals. Having well-defined goals drives behaviors and decisions. For example, you may have a goal to work for a multinational company. Knowing the goal, you purposefully pursue the requirements to achieve it. You should also identify a valid motive that sustains pursuit of the goal through good and bad times. Seek out people who have achieved a similar goal and can become mentors. These are the values to hold on to without compromise.
An important point made throughout this book is to not rely on hyped media stories about people’s success. These stories are exceptions to the rule. Instead, set your career goals in an area where ordinary people have a high success rate. You must do what it takes to succeed and not limit yourself by thinking you only need to give it your best effort. It should be a purposeful effort, and that includes putting effort into assessing career possibilities. Rather than choosing a career based on a personal passion, think about your values, financial goals, high-demand skills, supply and demand in fields of interest, and other factors. Interestingly, the seven habits described in the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People remain true and fit nicely with Osakwe’s career acceleration advice, especially the advice to be proactive and to begin with the end in mind.
There are myths about choosing the best career and career progression. One of the myths is that it takes 30-40 years to reach an executive position. You can constantly develop yourself and deliver results, creating value at each level and being recognized as having value to provide at the executive level. People should not wait for their organizations to create opportunities, like promotions, and instead, take personal responsibility for career growth.
A new mindset is needed for landing a job. It is easy to get discouraged after applying for 100s of jobs. Instead of looking for a job, look for job opportunities that hone skills needed for meeting career objectives and add experience. You cannot always get what you want and when you want it, but you can always remain focused on your career goals and maintain a willingness to learn. Along the way you will meet people who can help you advance your career. When you do land entry-level job interviews, go prepared to describe things like values and goals and plans for meeting goals.
After getting on the desired career path, intentionality remains a critical factor for staying on that path and accelerating the career. Being competent and qualified is not enough. As the book Linchpin also points out, you have to make your choices and then make yourself indispensable. You may discover along the way that you need to change career paths because the one you are on will not let you achieve goals. But before changing jobs, you need to consider your motive, if there is a mentor who can help you in the career transition, certifications you can earn that are relevant to the new career, and how to best manage the transition like leveraging internal career opportunities and doing the research to gain thorough knowledge of the new industry and skills needed. Once the new career is started, learn from senior colleagues, learn as much as possible by reading and from team members, connect with industry professionals, and solve problems.
The author spends a chapter discussing office politics. While office politics are considered something to avoid, Osakwe says you need to play office politics but with the right motivation and by maintaining more values. Bad office politics result from a win-at-all-cost mentality, selfish behaviors, hypocritical and deceitful behaviors, and a willingness to sabotage others. You can learn additional strategies for eliminating negative influences in the book The No Asshole Rule. There are many appropriate ways to overcome the negativity of bad office politics and ways to leverage good office politics like being the best at what you do and creating positive relationships.
Osakwe shared his personal story of how he climbed the corporate ladder from entry-level to executive-level. He achieved this at three different multinational companies but makes the point you can accelerate a career at the same company. His main point, similar to the point made in the book It’s Called Work for a Reason!, is that you must always take responsibility for personal success at every step. Osakwe shares the principles, skills, and habits applied to move from position to position. The first stage of entry level work is a learning stage in which mistakes are made but become the basis for accelerating his career. To move into mid-level management, he developed a sharp learning curve and became a subject matter expert. He was consistent in meeting work timelines, became a problem-solver, and developed relationships with mid-level managers. The quality of relationships are, as the book Give and Take explains, a crucial determinant of success.
To reach the next level of senior-level management, Osakwe says you should understand the big picture across functions as to how the company makes money. Gain knowledge by solving a problem with a larger business impact. You should learn what senior managers want, master time management, and leverage office politics. Once again, build strategic relationships within the company.
To move into executive management, make yourself known to the current executives, develop exceptional presentation skills, tie your work to organizational goals, and take other steps that help others recognize your talent and executive level abilities. Become a recognized industry expert and know how to recruit the right people into the company.
The third section of the book is focused first on building status in an industry and second on thinking about retirement while young. After growing in the chosen career path, establish a presence in the industry and prepare for retirement in the future. Become an industry thought leader and take the opportunities as they develop to create a presence, like speaking engagements. Find a mentor who will help you avoid making mistakes and help you gain access to the opportunities.
Planning for retirement means developing intentional plans to maintain a standard of living after retiring. Make investments, save money, and manage expenses and anticipate how expenses will increase over time.
Though some of the advice in this book may seem obvious at first glance, it is Dr. Osakwe’s sharing of his real-world experience that adds depth to even the common suggestions. The tone of the book is inviting and humble, so it appeals to everyone who is sincerely looking for career acceleration advice. The information is presented in an organized and interesting manner with each chapter building on the one before it. His main message is to do everything you can to achieve your full potential and not leave anything to chance. This is an uplifting book meant to inspire people to career success by sharing what he believes are the steps anyone can and should take.
Dr. Fene Osakwe earned a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Computer Engineering from Lautech (Ladoke Akintola University of Technology) in Nigeria. In 2020, he completed the Senior Management Program in Business Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services at the Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University in Nigeria. Osakwe has also earned 10 certifications, including ISO/IEC 27005 Lead Risk Manager certification from the International Organization for Standardization and EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer from the EC-Council.
Osakwe worked for Deloitte Nigeria from November 2010 to May 2016 as a Cyber Security Specialist, followed by a year as Assistant Manager. From June 2017 to April 2018, he was a Manager at MTN and then went to work at IHS Towers. At IHS Towers, Osakwe started as Senior Manager IT Security and then became the Associate Director – IT Governance, Risk & Control. In January 2021 moved into the position of Director, Group IT- GRC & Strategy in Dubai, UAE.
In June 2022, Fene Osakwe was invited to join the prestigious Forbes Technology Council. This is a true honor. He is a recognized expert in cyber security IT governance, IT strategy, risk Management, and Sarbanes-Oxley implementations.
Osakwe has done consulting work for financial institutions, telecoms, fintech companies, state governments, and universities. He continues to do consulting work and is also internationally recognized as an expert speaker on cybersecurity and tech governance. Osakwe is frequently invited to speak at international conferences.
These accomplishments have been achieved in less than a decade. In 2021, Dr. Osakwe was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration for leadership and innovation by the Swiss School of Business in Geneva. He mentors recently graduated career professionals on strategies for reaching the executive management level within a 10-year period. Dr. Osakwe founded the Fene Osakwe Foundation to empower African children with tech skills needed to compete in today’s world.
Dr. Fene Osakwe shares his career advancement advice in his book Climbing the Corporate Ladder with Speed. He has a website where more information is available about his Career Mentorship Program and his courses on career advancement and management. He also has a Facebook page and is found on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
Overall, the decision to keep a business small or to expand will depend on the specific goals and resources of the business. It is important to carefully consider all the pros and cons before making a decision.
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Company of One
$11.78
Focusing on being small is good. There is more profit in it, less stress, more freedom. The idea of success looking like a big company that grows fast is old and outdated. The author makes a case that true success can be found alone.
SHOP NOWFocusing on being small is good. There is more profit in it, less stress, more freedom. The idea of success looking like a big company that grows fast is old and outdated. The author makes a case that true success can be found alone.
Example after example from Patagonia, Barbara Cordran, pinboard, Starbucks, Kristin Kreme, and more are all shared as either warnings or success stories.
One interesting idea to control growth and sustain quality is to set an upper limit for growth like Southwest Airlines does by turning down 95% of requests for new service in specific areas. Without guard rails your desire to grow may be insatiable and unsustainably like Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, and Pets.com. Pets.com spent on growth it hoped to see, not on where it was actually at and lost $300mm in investment capital in the process.
One study the author shares was by the startup geno project. 3,200 high growth tech startups reported that 74% failed because they scaled up too quickly. Whereas 84% of startups that succeeded did not take VC money.
To succeed as a single person company Start by helping one customer, then another, then another with what you’ve got available and keep it simple at all costs.
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Small Giants
$14
For those who are trying to decide if they want to scale to the moon and sell or build stay smaller, profitable, and focus on quality in product & culture.
SHOP NOW"Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big" is a book written by Bo Burlingham that explores the concept of businesses that prioritize excellence and sustainability over rapid growth and financial success. The book profiles a number of small companies that have chosen to focus on maintaining high levels of quality and customer satisfaction, rather than striving for rapid expansion and increased profits. These businesses, referred to as "small giants," are often highly successful and respected within their industries, and are known for their strong corporate cultures and commitment to their employees and communities. The book offers insight into the principles and practices that have helped these companies achieve success, and serves as a guide for business owners and leaders who are looking to create similar organizations.
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The Million-Dollar, One-Person Business
$18.40
A wonderful book for those looking at starting a business online. All the things to focus on early on and what direction to go based on your interests and skills.
SHOP NOWThe Million-Dollar, One-Person Business is a book written by Elaine Pofeldt that explores the concept of building a successful one-person business that can generate significant income and allow the owner to work in a way that suits their personal preferences and goals.
In the book, Pofeldt discusses the various challenges and opportunities that come with running a one-person business and offers practical advice and strategies for building a profitable and sustainable business. She covers topics such as identifying a niche, finding and serving customers, managing finances and legal issues, and balancing work and personal life.
Pofeldt also profiles successful one-person businesses and shares their stories and insights, offering inspiration and guidance for anyone looking to start or grow their own business. Overall, the book is intended to provide a roadmap for anyone looking to build a successful, fulfilling, and lucrative one-person business.
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Two Weeks Notice
$22.99
If you have been waiting for a sign to escape the prison of corporate monotony, “Two Weeks Notice” is ready to help you achieve freedom. With a clear and concise style, Amy Porterfield gives you a manual to financial prosperity without the need for a 9-to-5 job.
SHOP NOWIf you have been waiting for a sign to escape the prison of corporate monotony, “Two Weeks Notice” is ready to help you achieve freedom. With a clear and concise style, Amy Porterfield gives you a manual to financial prosperity without the need for a 9-to-5 job. Although leaving a traditional job feels like an ending, this book shows that it is only the beginning.
Becoming an entrepreneur can seem intimidating if you have not yet made the leap. However, this book is a tangible guide to everything you need to launch your own business. This includes three strategies to drive revenue, a guide to building websites, and a blueprint for building an engaged email following.
Beyond the concrete recommendations, Porterfield also gives advice that inspires and empowers as you transition to being your own boss. This includes gems like understanding that your business is not a good fit for everyone, pointers to content creation that stays true to your brand, and discovering that your dreams should not be restricted by glass ceilings.
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Big Dreams, Daily Joys
$15.94
A book to help you take your idea from start to success. This workbook is best if used while filling it out. Discover the proven secrets to success of this author and apple the same strategies in your own life.
SHOP NOWRight on the cover, the book states what it will help the reader achieve. "Set goals. Get things done. Make time for what matters." In four chapters that are broken down into readable chunks that can be managed in a short amount of time the author guides you through why goal-setting is important all the way through to getting your goals done.
This one is not recommended through audible. The book's design and layout have been carefully thought out. Artwork in bold colors motivates you to keep going. Many of the author's best pieces of advice are found in full page, colored quotes making it easy to flip through the book to find the inspiration you need.
Cripe supplies plenty of real world examples in each chapter to help you feel less alone in a world that often makes us feel as though we are falling behind. In the first chapter she not only defines the difference between a goal and a to-do list item, she shows you what makes a 'good' goal. The book Checklist Manifesto might be a good contrasting read on this.
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Small Time Operator
$13.46
The book covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to small business owners, including how to choose the right business structure, how to keep accurate financial records, how to prepare and file business tax returns, and how to avoid common pitfalls and legal issues.
READ NOW"Small Time Operator: How to Start Your Own Business, Keep Your Books, Pay Your Taxes, and Stay Out of Trouble" is a book written by Bernard B. Kamoroff, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). The book is intended to provide practical advice and guidance to people who are interested in starting their own small businesses.
The book covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to small business owners, including how to choose the right business structure, how to keep accurate financial records, how to prepare and file business tax returns, and how to avoid common pitfalls and legal issues. It also includes helpful tips on how to market and promote your business, how to manage employees, and how to grow your business over time.
Overall, "Small Time Operator" is a useful resource for anyone who is considering starting their own small business, and is looking for practical advice and guidance on how to succeed.
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The Pumpkin Plan
$24.56
The book focuses on the idea of building a successful business by identifying and focusing on the "pumpkin" (or core) of the business, rather than trying to do too many things at once.
READ NOWThe book focuses on the idea of building a successful business by identifying and focusing on the "pumpkin" (or core) of the business, rather than trying to do too many things at once.
Throughout the book, Michalowicz provides practical guidance and real-world examples to help business owners implement the "pumpkin plan" and achieve sustainable growth and success.
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Getting Everything You Can Out of All You’ve Got
$19.99
The book provides strategies and tactics for improving business performance, including tips for increasing profits, finding new customers, and developing effective marketing strategies.
READ NOW"Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got: 21 Ways You Can Out-Think, Out-Perform, and Out-Earn the Competition" is a book written by Jay Abraham, a well-known business strategist and marketing consultant. The book provides strategies and tactics for improving business performance, including tips for increasing profits, finding new customers, and developing effective marketing strategies.
Some of the key ideas presented in the book include the importance of setting clear goals, developing a strong marketing plan, and constantly seeking out new opportunities for growth. Abraham also emphasizes the value of building strong relationships with customers, partners, and employees, and the importance of staying adaptable and flexible in the face of changing market conditions.
Overall, "Getting Everything You Can Out of All You've Got" is a practical and actionable guide for anyone looking to improve their business or career. It offers a wealth of insights and strategies for achieving success in today's competitive business environment.
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The E-Myth
$14.99
A book to organize and scale any business. Learn how to improve customer experience through systems that are repeatable. Get organized and run a better business.
SHOP NOWThe E-Myth Revisited is a business book written by Michael E. Gerber that explores the common pitfalls that small businesses fall into and offers advice on how to avoid them. The book is based on the idea that most small businesses are started by people who are experts in their field, but are not necessarily skilled in business management. As a result, these businesses often struggle to succeed because they are not built on a solid foundation of business principles.
In the book, Gerber argues that small businesses need to have a clear vision and mission, a well-defined system for running the business, and a culture that supports the growth and development of the business. He also stresses the importance of focusing on the needs of the customer and building a strong team of employees who are committed to the success of the business.
Overall, The E-Myth Revisited is a helpful resource for anyone looking to start or grow a small business, as it offers practical advice and strategies for building a successful and sustainable business.
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Content Inc.
$5.93
The book provides a step-by-step guide for identifying a unique content niche, creating valuable content that resonates with a specific audience, and using that content to build a loyal following and monetize the audience through products or services.
READ NOWContent Inc. is a book by Joe Pulizzi that outlines a strategy for entrepreneurs to use content marketing to build massive audiences and create successful businesses. The book provides a step-by-step guide for identifying a unique content niche, creating valuable content that resonates with a specific audience, and using that content to build a loyal following and monetize the audience through products or services.
Pulizzi argues that the key to building a successful business today is to focus on building a loyal audience through content marketing, rather than trying to sell products or services directly to a mass audience. By creating valuable content that resonates with a specific audience, entrepreneurs can attract a loyal following and build a sustainable business over time.
In addition to providing practical tips and strategies for building a content-driven business, the book also includes case studies of entrepreneurs who have used this approach to build successful businesses. Overall, Content Inc. is a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to use content marketing to build a loyal audience and create a successful business.
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The Effective Executive
$11.99
In "The Effective Executive," Drucker outlines the key characteristics and habits of effective executives, and provides practical advice for how to improve one's effectiveness in a business or organizational setting.
READ NOW"The Effective Executive" is a book written by management consultant and author Peter Drucker that was first published in 1966. It is considered a classic in the field of business and management, and has been widely read and influential in the business world.
In "The Effective Executive," Drucker outlines the key characteristics and habits of effective executives, and provides practical advice for how to improve one's effectiveness in a business or organizational setting. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals and priorities, managing one's time effectively, and making effective decisions. He also stresses the importance of developing a sense of self-awareness and understanding one's own strengths and weaknesses, as well as being able to work well with others.
Overall, "The Effective Executive" is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness and productivity in the business world. It offers practical guidance and insights that are still relevant today, and has helped many people to become more effective leaders and managers.
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Smarter Faster Better
$11.79
In the book, Duhigg discusses the importance of setting clear goals, creating systems to track progress, and using data to make informed decisions.
READ NOW"Smarter Faster Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity" is a book written by Charles Duhigg, a New York Times investigative journalist and best-selling author. The book explores the science of productivity and offers practical strategies for becoming more effective in both personal and professional life.
In the book, Duhigg discusses the importance of setting clear goals, creating systems to track progress, and using data to make informed decisions. He also explores the role that motivation, teamwork, and habits play in productivity, and offers tips for managing time, overcoming procrastination, and fostering a culture of productivity in organizations.
Overall, "Smarter Faster Better" aims to help readers understand the factors that drive productivity and to provide practical tools for becoming more effective in all aspects of life.
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You Owe You
$21.99
Get one step closer to where you want to be. The author, Eric Thomas, rose from a state of hopeless homelessness to reach beyond everything he ever aspired to be. As he chronicles his journey, Thomas explains the lessons he learned to become the success he is today.
SHOP NOWIf you have been trying to change the negative aspects of your life, reading “You Owe You” will get you one step closer to where you want to be. The author, Eric Thomas, rose from a state of hopeless homelessness to reach beyond everything he ever aspired to be. As he chronicles his journey, Thomas explains the lessons he learned to become the success he is today.
The first secret to success is to stop blaming others – accept that you are responsible for changing your situation for the better. Next, Thomas recommends identifying and acknowledging anyone in your support network. Finding and using your strengths is the final step you can take to pull yourself from the jaws of failure to the victorious triumph. Thomas uses relatable experiences and real-world examples to illustrate these concepts.
After reading Thomas’ story, this book allows you to begin working on your own journey to success. Actionable items like prompts allow you to take charge and change your life for the better.
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Atomic Habits
$11.98
In “Atomic Habits,” you will discover actionable strategies to help you build good habits that will, over the course of a lifetime, amount to incredible levels of success. In the book, James Clear teaches that goals focus on results while habits concentrate on your future identity.
SHOP NOWDoes it feel like you keep setting goals, but not getting anywhere? In “Atomic Habits,” you will discover actionable strategies to help you build good habits that will, over the course of a lifetime, amount to incredible levels of success. In the book, James Clear teaches that goals focus on results while habits concentrate on your future identity.
Surprisingly, the key to success lies not in life-changing epiphanies or impeccably-worded goals, but, instead, in cultivating good habits. One of the first steps is to differentiate between your results, or what you have achieved, and who you want to become. Clear shows how developing the right systems for building good habits can truly change your life. To encourage effective habit building, he introduces four laws that are both easy to understand and memorable.
In order to fully unleash your potential, you will need to not only nurture your good habits but also banish your bad habits. Clear explains how this can be done via perseverance and by understanding that human behavior is a direct result of the environment. If you are ready to stop investing in short-term fixes and ready to begin a long-term remedy, “Atomic Habits” is a book you will want to read. By focusing on small changes every day for many years, you will reap vast benefits.
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Discipline Is Destiny
$17.46
Learn how harnessing discipline can help you reach your fullest potential. Although Holiday argues that discipline is not the only virtue needed to achieve success, it is an important step along the way.
SHOP NOWWith the constant temptation of instant gratification, discipline is a skill imperative for everyone to master. In Ryan Holiday’s latest installment in The Stoic Virtues Series, you will learn how harnessing discipline can help you reach your fullest potential. Although Holiday argues that discipline is not the only virtue needed to achieve success, it is an important step along the way.
To teach why cultivating discipline is necessary, Holiday uses a variety of successful examples from history. A few of these include the longest-reigning British monarch Queen Elizabeth II, baseball star Lou Gehrig, and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Because the value of a virtue can be seen in its absence, you will also see how a lack of discipline affected the novelist Ernest Hemingway, French military genius Napoleon Bonaparte, and baseball great Babe Ruth.
Beyond learning about famous historical figures, you will learn how a few simple steps can help you develop the self-discipline required to achieve fantastic success in both the personal and professional sectors of life.
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The 6 Types of Working Genius
$22.50
A new book that will transform the way you see yourself, your teammates, and even your family. After completing a 10-minute assessment, you will discover the types of work you find fulfilling. You will also learn the types of work that are most likely to result in burnout.
SHOP NOWFrom Patrick Lencioni, the author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” comes a new book that will transform the way you see yourself, your teammates, and even your family. After completing a 10-minute assessment, you will discover the types of work you find fulfilling. You will also learn the types of work that are most likely to result in burnout.
Identifying your ideal working style is only the first step in this journey. As you read “The 6 Types of Working Genius,” you will begin to understand how each of the six types fits together to create a cohesive and productive team. Reading this book with your team, company, or family not only helps everyone understand where they fit but also learn to appreciate each member’s unique gifts.
To avoid the pitfalls of drier self-help books, “The 6 Types of Working Genius” is written in Lencioni’s trademark engaging narrative format. As the main character, Bull Brooks discovers the six types of working genius, you will too.
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Thinking, Fast and Slow
$11.29
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" is a book by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in Economics and a professor of psychology. The book was published in 2011 and it discusses the dual-process theory of the mind, which posits that there are two distinct ways of thinking: "System 1" and "System 2."
READ NOW"Thinking, Fast and Slow" is a book by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in Economics and a professor of psychology. The book was published in 2011 and it discusses the dual-process theory of the mind, which posits that there are two distinct ways of thinking: "System 1" and "System 2."
According to Kahneman, System 1 is fast, automatic, and effortless, while System 2 is slower, more deliberate, and more logical. Kahneman argues that these two systems of thinking often operate in parallel, with System 1 influencing our thoughts and decisions and System 2 providing a check on those processes.
Throughout the book, Kahneman explores the ways in which our minds can be influenced by various biases and heuristics, and how these can lead us to make judgments that are not always rational. He also discusses the ways in which these biases and heuristics can be overcome and how we can improve our decision-making processes.
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" has been widely praised for its insights into human psychology and its practical applications in fields such as economics, finance, and business. It is a highly influential work that has had a major impact on the way we think about human decision-making and behavior.
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The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
$15.29
The book argues that people often worry about things that don't matter, and suggests that we should focus on the things that do matter by learning to "not give a fck" about the things that don't.
READ NOWThe Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a self-help book written by Mark Manson. The book argues that people should focus on what they can control and let go of things that they can't control. The book suggests that people should identify their values and priorities and then use them as a guide for making decisions and setting goals. It also encourages people to embrace their problems and challenges, rather than trying to avoid or fix them, as a way of growing and becoming more resilient. The book has been widely popular and has been translated into many languages.
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You Are A Badass
$8.88
The book aims to help readers overcome their self-imposed limitations and live a more fulfilling life. It encourages readers to embrace their unique qualities and talents, and to take action towards achieving their goals.
READ NOW"You Are a Badass" is a self-help book written by Jen Sincero. The book aims to help readers overcome their self-imposed limitations and live a more fulfilling life. It encourages readers to embrace their unique qualities and talents, and to take action towards achieving their goals. The book covers a wide range of topics, including self-confidence, financial success, and relationships, and offers practical advice and exercises for making positive changes in one's life. "You Are a Badass" has received widespread acclaim and has become a popular choice among readers seeking inspiration and guidance for personal growth.
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12 Rules For Life
$13.57
The book focuses on the idea that life is difficult and that individuals must accept responsibility for their own actions in order to find meaning and happiness.
READ NOWThe book focuses on the idea that life is difficult and that individuals must accept responsibility for their own actions in order to find meaning and happiness. The book's title refers to the 12 rules that Peterson proposes as a way to live a more fulfilling life. These rules include:
The book also explores themes such as the importance of individual responsibility, the dangers of ideology, and the role of suffering in human life. It has been widely popular and has been translated into over 50 languages.
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The 48 Laws Of Power
$9.98
This book provides a guide to the behaviors and strategies that can help individuals gain and maintain power in their personal and professional lives. The book is organized into 48 laws, each of which is accompanied by a brief explanation and examples of how the law has been applied in history.
READ NOWthat provides a guide to the behaviors and strategies that can help individuals gain and maintain power in their personal and professional lives. The book is organized into 48 laws, each of which is accompanied by a brief explanation and examples of how the law has been applied in history. Some of the laws covered in the book include:
The book has been widely read and has received both praise and criticism for its controversial and often amoral advice. It is intended to be a guide for those who want to increase their power and influence in the world, but it is important to note that the strategies outlined in the book may not be ethical or moral, and it is up to the reader to decide whether or not to apply them in their own life.
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The Courage To Be Disliked
$13.69
The book presents Adler's ideas on individual psychology and how to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. According to Adler, the key to living a fulfilling life is to embrace our individuality and strive for a sense of social interest, or the desire to contribute to the well-being of others
READ NOWThe Courage to Be Disliked is a self-help book written by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga that explores the philosophy of Alfred Adler, a 20th-century psychiatrist and psychotherapist. The book presents Adler's ideas on individual psychology and how to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life.
According to Adler, the key to living a fulfilling life is to embrace our individuality and strive for a sense of social interest, or the desire to contribute to the well-being of others. Adler believed that we are all driven by a deep-seated need to belong and be accepted by others, but this need can sometimes lead us to conform to societal expectations and give up our own individuality.
The Courage to Be Disliked encourages readers to think for themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and live according to their own values and beliefs, even if it means being disliked or going against the norm. The book argues that by embracing our individuality and living authentically, we can overcome feelings of inadequacy and find happiness and fulfillment in life.
Overall, The Courage to Be Disliked offers a thought-provoking and uplifting message about the importance of self-acceptance and living according to our own values and beliefs.
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Daring Greatly
$8.88
In the book, Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and its role in our lives. She argues that vulnerability is a necessary part of living a full, authentic life, and that by embracing vulnerability, we can learn to be more resilient, courageous, and compassionate.
READ NOWIn the book, Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and its role in our lives. She argues that vulnerability is a necessary part of living a full, authentic life, and that by embracing vulnerability, we can learn to be more resilient, courageous, and compassionate.
The book is based on Brown's research on vulnerability, shame, and empathy, and uses personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate her points. Through her research and writing, Brown aims to help readers understand and embrace vulnerability as a path to greater connection and authenticity.
"Daring Greatly" has been well-received and has become a best-seller, with many readers finding it to be a helpful and inspiring guide to living a more authentic and fulfilling life.
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How to Invest
$24.99
You would learn not only how they achieved their success, but also what they value having reached the top. “How to Invest” not only features interview transcripts from industry titans but also includes knowledge from David Rubenstein’s 30-year career in the cutthroat world of private equity.
READ NOWImagine sitting down with some of the most successful investors in today’s world. You would learn not only how they achieved their success, but also what they value having reached the top. “How to Invest” not only features interview transcripts from industry titans but also includes knowledge from David Rubenstein’s 30-year career in the cutthroat world of private equity.
Because there is no single magic formula for investing success, “How to Invest” does not include a foolproof step-by-step breakdown to investing without risk. However, it does include a wealth of information to show how investors like Mary Callahan, Sam Zell, Stan Druckenmiller, and Seth Klarman attained prosperity.
This comprehensive book is a wonderful read for anyone who wishes to learn more about the intricate world of investment. Perfect both for those beginning on their investment journey or those with decades of experience, “How to Invest” is bursting with valuable information accumulated over decades-long careers.
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The Alchemy of Finance
$15.99
The Alchemy of Finance is a book written by George Soros, a successful investor and philanthropist. The book is centered around the concept of reflexivity, which Soros uses to describe the feedback loop between market prices and the underlying fundamental factors that influence them.
READ NOWThe Alchemy of Finance is a book written by George Soros, a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist. The book discusses Soros's views on the principles of market behavior and how they can be applied to financial markets. In the book, Soros presents his theory of reflexivity, which suggests that the perceptions and actions of market participants can influence the fundamental values of securities, and that the financial markets can exhibit trends and patterns that are not based on objective fundamental values.
Soros discusses the role of the investor in financial markets and how to navigate them successfully, including the importance of being able to adapt to changing market conditions and being able to recognize and take advantage of opportunities when they arise. He also emphasizes the importance of risk management and the need to be aware of one's own biases and limitations.
Overall, The Alchemy of Finance is a thought-provoking book that offers insights into the inner workings of financial markets and the role of the investor in them.
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Rich Dad Poor Dad
$7.68
Rich Dad Poor Dad is a self-help book written by Robert Kiyosaki that advocates for the importance of financial literacy and teaches readers how to build wealth through investing in assets rather than liabilities. The book is based on Kiyosaki's own experiences growing up with two fathers.
READ NOWRich Dad Poor Dad is a self-help book written by Robert Kiyosaki that advocates for the importance of financial literacy and teaches readers how to build wealth through investing in assets rather than liabilities. The book is based on Kiyosaki's own experiences growing up with two fathers: his biological father, who was highly educated but financially struggling, and his friend's father, who was less formally educated but financially successful.
The book encourages readers to develop their financial intelligence by learning how to make money work for them, rather than simply working for money. Kiyosaki argues that traditional education systems do not adequately prepare individuals for financial success and that individuals must take responsibility for their own financial education.
Throughout the book, Kiyosaki uses anecdotes from his own life and the lives of others to illustrate his points and provide practical advice for building wealth. Some of the key ideas presented in the book include the importance of financial education, the benefits of investing in assets, the dangers of relying on a single source of income, and the importance of setting financial goals and creating a plan to achieve them.
Overall, Rich Dad Poor Dad is a valuable resource for individuals looking to improve their financial literacy and build wealth for their future.
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The Richest Man in Babylon
$5.14
The book is based on the premise that the laws of money are like the laws of gravity, and that money is plentiful for those who understand and follow the simple laws of making money. The book outlines seven simple rules of money, including the importance of saving.
READ NOWThe Richest Man in Babylon is a classic personal finance book that offers advice on how to build wealth and achieve financial success. The book is based on the premise that the laws of money are like the laws of gravity, and that money is plentiful for those who understand and follow the simple laws of making money. The book outlines seven simple rules of money, including the importance of saving and investing wisely, controlling your expenditures, and improving your ability to earn. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking out expert advice and avoiding risky investments. Overall, the book encourages readers to take control of their finances and make conscious choices that will lead to financial success and security.
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Secrets of the Millionaire Mind
$19.19
"Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" aims to provide a roadmap for developing a wealth-building mindset and achieving financial success. It has been well received by readers and is considered a classic in the personal finance genre.
READ NOWIn "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind," Eker argues that our thoughts and beliefs about money shape our financial reality. He asserts that successful people have a "millionaire mind," which is a set of attitudes and beliefs about money that drives their financial behavior. Eker suggests that by adopting the millionaire mind, anyone can improve their financial situation and become wealthy.
The book covers a number of topics related to money, including the importance of setting financial goals, the role of mindset in financial success, and the difference between rich and poor people's attitudes towards money. It also includes practical advice on how to increase income, reduce debt, and build wealth.
Overall, "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" aims to provide a roadmap for developing a wealth-building mindset and achieving financial success. It has been well received by readers and is considered a classic in the personal finance genre.
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The Millionaire Next Door
$14.99
The book offers practical advice for building wealth, including tips on saving, investing, and budgeting. It also discusses the importance of financial literacy and the dangers of overspending and living beyond one's means.
READ NOWThe book emphasizes that building wealth requires discipline and a long-term perspective, rather than simply relying on luck or short-term gains. It also suggests that many people who appear wealthy may not actually have much in the way of financial assets, and that true wealth is often found among those who live below their means and save and invest wisely.
In addition to offering practical advice for building wealth, The Millionaire Next Door also provides insight into the habits and mindset of successful savers and investors. It encourages readers to focus on their own financial goals and to make decisions that align with those goals, rather than trying to keep up with the perceived financial success of others.
Overall, The Millionaire Next Door is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their financial literacy and build wealth over the long term.
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The Automatic Millionaire
$12.16
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READ NOWThe Automatic Millionaire is a personal finance book written by David Bach that was first published in 2004. The book suggests a series of financial strategies and habits that can help readers build wealth and achieve financial independence over time. The book's central message is that, by following certain principles and making smart financial decisions, anyone can become a millionaire "automatically" through consistent, disciplined saving and investing.
Some key ideas from The Automatic Millionaire include:
Overall, The Automatic Millionaire offers a number of practical strategies and habits that can help readers build wealth and achieve financial independence.
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I Will Teach You To Be Rich
$9.69
A comprehensive personal finance guide that aims to help readers improve their financial situation and achieve financial success. It covers a wide range of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and increasing income through negotiation and entrepreneurship.
READ NOW"I Will Teach You To Be Rich" is a personal finance book written by Ramit Sethi. The book is intended to help people improve their financial situation and achieve financial success. It covers a wide range of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and increasing income through negotiation and entrepreneurship. The book offers practical advice and actionable steps for readers to follow in order to improve their financial well-being. Some of the key themes of the book include the importance of setting financial goals, developing good financial habits, and making informed decisions about how to allocate your money.
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The Millionaire Fastlane
$19.99
The book offers a contrarian view of traditional paths to wealth and financial success, arguing that building a business or investing in real estate are faster and more reliable ways to achieve financial independence.
READ NOWThe Millionaire Fastlane is a personal finance and entrepreneurship book written by MJ DeMarco. The book offers a contrarian view of traditional paths to wealth and financial success, arguing that building a business or investing in real estate are faster and more reliable ways to achieve financial independence than following a conventional career path and saving for retirement. The book also provides practical advice for starting and growing a business, including tips for finding and identifying profitable opportunities, developing a business plan, and marketing and selling products or services.
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The Little Book That Beats The Market
$15.79
The "magic formula," involves identifying companies with a high earnings yield (the inverse of the price-to-earnings ratio) and a high return on invested capital. The idea is that these companies are likely to be undervalued by the market and therefore have the potential for strong returns.
READ NOWThe Little Book That Beats the Market is a book written by Joel Greenblatt, a hedge fund manager and professor at Columbia Business School. In the book, Greenblatt discusses his approach to investing, which is based on the idea of buying undervalued companies and selling overvalued ones.
Greenblatt's approach, which he calls the "magic formula," involves identifying companies with a high earnings yield (the inverse of the price-to-earnings ratio) and a high return on invested capital. The idea is that these companies are likely to be undervalued by the market and therefore have the potential for strong returns.
Greenblatt advocates for a disciplined, long-term approach to investing and emphasizes the importance of diversification in a portfolio. He also discusses the role of behavior in investing, including the importance of avoiding common pitfalls such as letting emotions influence decision-making.
Overall, The Little Book That Beats the Market is a practical guide for individual investors looking to implement a systematic approach to finding undervalued companies and maximizing their returns.
Life is full of experiences that include childhood’s fun and mishaps, interactions with family members, marriage and children, health issues and a career journey. Patricia Angeles shares her story at her lifetime midpoint of 38 years old to prove the point that every human can be resilient through it all, finding happiness through family and friends, overcoming hardships and mistakes made, expressing a personal voice at work and in the home and planning to fulfill personal expectations for the remaining years of life. Each person has a destiny and should make a conscious effort to identify and achieve their desired legacy, reaching their destiny by using life’s lessons as signposts for moving forward or making changes.
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Midpoint A Memoir
$11.99
Life is full of experiences that include childhood’s fun and mishaps, interactions with family members, marriage and children, health issues and a career journey. Patricia Angeles shares her story at her lifetime midpoint of 38 years old to prove the point that every human can be resilient
READ NOWThe book Midpoint by Patricia Angles is divided into two parts. The first part discusses her life from 1985-2005, and the second part discusses her life after moving to Los Angeles in 2005. This book is so interesting because the author shares everything, including failures and unspoken thoughts. As an immigrant, her story holds inspiration and motivation for people who start a new life in the U.S. She blends the joys and the setbacks in her life to encourage others to avoid mediocrity and to find the strength to always move ahead toward fulfilling the legacy a person wants to leave behind. She learns what the book Perfectly Confident offers as advice: to calibrate confidence and decision-making so that it is realistic but life-elevating.
Born in 1984 in Torrance, California, Angeles’s parents decided to raise their daughter in the Philippines, so they returned to the island. While still a young schoolgirl, she came to understand that not every child was as fortunate as her because she had loving parents and a soft bed and street children did not. The realization at an early age of the juxtaposition of human experiences was a sign of Angeles’s mental acuity, analytical perspective, and desire to gain as much knowledge as possible, all characteristics she maintains in adulthood. She is never satisfied with the superficial and constantly analyzes the past and thinks about the future.
The events of Angeles’s childhood remained in her memory, and she used the lessons to guide decision-making in the various positions held throughout her career to date. The forces of childhood experiences helped shape Angeles’s future success as an adult, living up to the claims of the social scientists who say in the book Give and Take that real success is based more on interactions with others more than simply hard work and luck. For example, due to the urging of a friend, she once stole a neighbor’s expensive fish out of his aquarium and was caught. From that experience, she learned a life-changing lesson to not let others lead you into making bad decisions. These stories are told throughout Part One, moving through events as the author grows up. During her childhood and college years, she developed an avid interest in reading a wide range of books, from dystopian science fiction to memoirs and historical fiction, helping her define her life philosophy.
Her childhood was not always easy, but once again, the events had a direct influence on her adulthood. For example, Angeles developed social anxiety, which led to her writing in journals and for school projects, and now she is an author. Her parent’s peaceful relationship taught her that logical discussion was the best way to resolve conflict, but it also taught her that she wanted a voice. She meets people who became strong influences and chooses a college to attend where she specializes in management, knowing she would be going to the U.S. and leaving some family members and friends she most cared about behind.
Having laid the groundwork for her years leading to college graduation, Angeles begins Part Two, which describes her life and career in Los Angeles, California. Her first job had her doing duties she did not expect and believed were beneath her dignity and education, but she learned a lesson about the dignity of work. As the book, It’s Called Work for a Reason! says, people who feel uninspired and, in a rut, should take responsibility for improving their situation, and Angeles does. She moves on to other jobs, makes friends, experiences racism at her first desk job and stands up for herself when wronged.
To pursue her goals, Angeles eventually gets on the path of her successful career in banking by accepting a job at a Fortune 500 financial institution, where she is ultimately mentored and finds her niche in personal banking. Eventually, she gets married and also works on advancing her career. As an achiever, she quickly climbed the ranks through position changes and promotions and went back to school to work on her MBA. She learns to be more assertive during internal job reviews and continues to advance. Angeles is empowered by her goals, using her positivity and desire to succeed as motivators, as the book Big Dreams, Daily Joys suggests people do. After 15 years with the same company, Angeles accepts a job with another company. Along the career path, she has three babies and suffers from challenging medical and mental health issues.
These are stories of self-discovery as she balances work, motherhood and marriage. Angeles describes her experience with a medical condition, getting lured into a pyramid scheme, making more mistakes, struggling to overcome moments of self-doubt, embracing life’s joys and staying personally motivated. Her greatest happiness is her children, and that happiness always helps her stay resilient no matter what life presents as challenges. It also contributes to her success at work because happiness, as the book, The Happiness Advantage, says, fuels success rather than the other way around. She wants her children to be proud of the woman she is at work and home.
This is an autobiography, but it is just as much a motivational book as the book GRIT, which shares how high achievers have a combination of perseverance and passion that keeps them motivated. That describes Patricia Angeles perfectly. The book is straightforward to read, and her descriptions show she is a woman who is humble, courageous, has a sense of humor, is hard-working and perseveres through whatever life throws at her. Just as importantly, her stories show how she never loses sight of what she sees as her destiny. Angeles refuses to accept mediocrity and always remains resilient. Her message to readers is to keep your eye on your legacy through life’s ups and downs because it will help you stay motivated and encourage you to look at life’s events through personal learning and growing.
Patricia Angeles was born in Torrance. She graduated in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Humanities with Professional Certificate in Management at the University of Asia and the Pacific. After graduation, she moved to Southern California in 2005 with her parents. In 2011, she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Business at the University of La Verne.
Angeles has deep expertise in the banking industry. She began her career in 2005 at Wells Fargo Bank as a Personal Banker and worked her way up from there. She held positions that included Treasury Management Implementation Coordinator, Treasury Management Sales Analyst, Business Systems Consultant, Conduct Risk Consultant and Business Initiatives Consultant. While at Wells Fargo Bank, Angeles was awarded the Stellar Club Service Award and Circle of Stars. In September 2021, Angeles accepted a position as RCA Manager at U.S. Bank. She is currently the Vice President, Digital Risk Manager at U.S. Bank.
You can follow Patricia Angeles on LinkedIn and Amazon.
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Atlas Shrugged
$24.48
A true classic business book. The sum of which is that self interest is the key to success and capitalism. Without self interest those in power will exploit all. A very long but important book for those in business.
View On AmazonA true classic business book. The sum of which is that self interest is the key to success and capitalism. Without self interest those in power will exploit all.
A successful steal man and railroad leader fight the government from taking control of their businesses and leading them down a path of economic collapse. Yet their arguments fall on def ears. The given takes control and runs this fictitious economy into the ground. Only to be rebuilt by the same group of titans that did it once before.
The lessons in the importance of taking care of staff, properly incentivizing, rewarding and the importance of free market fundamentals are not palatable to all. In fact this book is quite controversial in that, to some, self interest is not best for all. But the book makes the case that those taking the risk deserve the reward and that the benefit from their good work will trickle down to those less capable.
A very long but important book for those in business. New professionals will learn the importance of developing a skill and being compensated for their contributions properly. Older business leaders will be reminded of the importance of compensating their team to keep them happy.
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The Phoenix Project
$16.99
Through fictional story, the author walks the reader through the Theory of Constraints. Outlining the importance of managing the 4 types of work: business project work, internal changes, changes, and unplanned work. Vivid descriptions of problems and conversations about how to solve them will no doubt help any reader fix problems in their own business.
View On AmazonThe perfect book for those looking to improve their company efficiency and communication. This book about software operations proves the importance of having a streamline process for project delivery.
Through fictional story, the author walks the reader through the Theory of Constraints. And outlines the importance of identifying and managing the 4 types of work: business project work, internal changes, changes, and unplanned work.
Vivid descriptions of problems and conversations about how to solve them will no doubt help any reader fix problems in their own business.
This novel does involve family issues that all working professionals deal with. This portion of the book draws you into caring about the protagonist’s work and you’ll likely find yourself rooting for them to win!
This book is to be read in order to learn and is not a truly casual novel which might be read for leisure. This is because there are very real world problems and feelings of anxiety for the protagonist may arise. Probably not what you’re hoping for if you’re looking for a fictional novel on a vacation.
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The Goal
$22.46
Fiction has it place in business and this nation best seller is the example of how to use a compelling story to teach readers. Learn truths that become self evident after being pointed out in the book. Things like The law of conservation of energy, Statistical fluctuations, Dependent events and much more.
View On AmazonIf you lead any portion of a business and want to learn about improving your profitability through operations this is the novel for you. Fiction has it place in business and this nation best seller is the example of how to use a compelling story to teach readers.
Learn truths that become self evident after being pointed out in the book. Things like The law of conservation of energy, Statistical fluctuations, Dependent events and much more. Prioritizing flow and decreasing batch sizes can actually improve efficiency and profitability.
The audio version of the book is very well produced with accents and background noises. This all adds to the quality of the content.
Like many books on fiction there are family and romantic elements to the novel, but often the troubling situations are used as analogies for the protagonist’s work. These over simplifications allow any adult reader, no matter how easily distracted, to enjoy the book.
Warning: Buy this book to learn, not to casually read about the fiction circumstances of some hero business leader.
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Built to Sell
$26.99
Learn to look at your business from the outsider's perspective. Uncover the numbers, structure, and systems they will want to see. Discover the most common mistakes that strike down small businesses and trap their owners in unprofitable loop of managing their one large client.
View On AmazonThis fictional story is about reforming a business to make it sellable. The protagonist has built himself a business and it dominates his life. One client controls his actions completely and he has no possible way of selling the business. His old successful friend advises him on how to change his business to become sellable. It is a wonderful step by step guide for service providers that want more freedom and to one day sell their business.
Learn to look at your business from the outsider's perspective. Uncover the numbers, structure, and systems they will want to see. Discover the most common mistakes that strike down small businesses and trap their owners in unprofitable loop of managing their one large client. You will also find out how to hire the right people and what to look for in this story. Then ultimately, how to get the best possible valuation and handle yourself through the sale.
If you're offering a service and it isn't productized the way a consumer good might be, then this book is for you. Through story you will learn how to monetize your best skills and turn down all the other work that prevents you from building a sustainable business.
As we wrap up our curated journey through the world of fictional business novels, it's evident that these books offer more than just engaging narratives. They provide a unique lens to view the intricacies of the business world, blending entertainment with invaluable insights. Whether you're seeking inspiration, guidance, or simply a captivating tale, our handpicked list promises a read that resonates. Here's to discovering new perspectives, challenging our beliefs, and immersing ourselves in the rich tapestry of business fiction. Happy reading!
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The Offer
$9.99/month
10-part mini series, tells the story of one of the greatest Hollywood movies that was almost never made. Numerous disruptions threatened the production, including continuous threats from the Colombo mafia whose members felt that it would portray Italian-Americans with hatred and prejudice.
WATCH NOWWhen Albert S. Ruddy is approached by Paramount Studios chief Robert Evans to produce the 1972 adaptation of "The Godfather" book written by Mario Puzo and with Francis Ford Coppola directing, he didn't realize how many exciting and horrible changes it would make to his life.
Evans couldn't find anyone to agree to help with the film before Ruddy for good reason. The story of the making of the classic film about a New York Italian-American mob family's fight to retain power is nearly as shocking and thrilling as the one that eventually played out on the big screen.
Ruddy found himself desperately searching for a cast and navigating more than the complexity and drama associated with wheeling and dealing among circles of writers, actors and big Hollywood leaders. He also faced the daily terror of dealing with the real-life Colombo crime family that served as an inspiration for the book and who didn't want the movie made.
Series creator, Michael Tolkin, has developed a nail-biter mini-series and according to The Washington Post it began when Ruddy told him he felt like every day of work on the production was the "worse day in [his] life."
"The Offer," a 10-part mini series, tells the story of one of the greatest Hollywood movies that was almost never made. Numerous disruptions threatened the production, including continuous threats from the Colombo mafia whose members felt that it would portray Italian-Americans with hatred and prejudice.
This series is perfect for anyone who loves "The Godfather" in book or movie form or similar stories like "The Sopranos."
You can watch The Offer on Paramount+ Directly or through your Amazon Prime Account.
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Citizen Kane
$3.99
Citizen Kane is a semi-biographical film about a reporter with a seemingly insurmountable assignment. Jerry Thompson is given the weighty charge of discovering the meaning behind newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane's mysterious last word: "Rosebud."
WATCH NOWCitizen Kane is a semi-biographical film about a reporter with a seemingly insurmountable assignment. Jerry Thompson is given the weighty charge of discovering the meaning behind newspaper tycoon Charles Foster Kane's mysterious last word: "Rosebud."
The movie begins in Florida at Kane's expansive palatial estate. As he lay dying in his mansion Xanadu, he makes his enigmatic final utterance with a snow globe in hand.
Through Thompson's investigative reporting, clues are unveiled little by little that shed light on the story of this man's life, telling the story of a real person behind the legend. It turns into an inspiring personal narrative of an everyday man rising out of total insignificance and making a greater impact than he ever could have dreamt of achieving.
Thompson interviews friends of Kane as well as Susan Alexander, his mistress-turned-second-wife. The reporter then digs into the memoirs of late Walter Parks Thatcher, a banker who saw Kane's origins in a Colorado boarding house all the way into his financial decline later in life. The tale turns tragic as we learn of Kane's eventual corruption and estrangement from loved ones.
Though bits and pieces emerge to connect the dots, it's unclear if a full answer to that elusive last word will ever be found.
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The Men Who Built America
$11.96
This is a reenactment series that dives deep into the Golden Age of America. What did Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie, JP Morgan, and more do to shape America the way they did!
WATCH NOWThis is a reenactment series that dives deep into the Golden Age of America. What did Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie, JP Morgan, and more do to shape America the way they did!
Learn about how they started and scaled their empires. Each leader was different but all pushed their potential to the limit. Grew their respective businesses as fast as possible. Without many of the laws in place today they brutalized their competition and employees without compassion. The true capitalist nature of early American entrepreneurs is amazing to witness
Curious about the lavish lives they lived and ways they spent their money? And in the case of some, gave it away… Don’t worry, that’s in there too.
An exciting part of the series is hearing about how each icon handled opportunities when they arose. Most often fortune favored them.
For a business leader looking to make a big impact in life and business this series is a match made in heaven. Be inspired big time by the robber barons of the Golden Age of America.
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Victoria's Secret: Angels and Demons
Free with Trial
Les Wexner, the self made billionaire who seemed to have the Midas touch in retail malls, built and expanded a laundry list of brands that are now household names. Most prominently Victoria's Secret. Learn how it started, its meteoric rise to success, and ultimate demise.
WATCH NOWThis show has it all for a business content seeker. Sex, becoming a billionaire, illegal sex scandals, and a change filled ending.
If you can believe it, one man is responsible for most of the fashion brands found at malls in the last 30 years. Les Wexner, the self made billionaire who seemed to have the Midas touch in retail malls, built and expanded a laundry list of brands that are now household names. Most prominently Victoria's Secret. Learn how it started, its meteoric rise to success, and ultimate demise.
The movie also goes into the billionaire’s deeply troubling close relationship with sex criminal Weinstein. Why was he so close to him and why did he end up giving him power of attorney!?
One of the best takeaways from the film is the lack of action by VS to evolve and include the body positivity movement. Slow adoption caused the demise of a once powerful brand.
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Crafting A Nation
Free with Ads
This documentary chronicles the launching of a new brewery mixed with interviews of well established and successful breweries like Russian River and Dogfish. The juxtaposition is quite enjoyable as we snap back to the dusty dirty bootstrapping entrepreneurs.
WATCH NOWEver wondered what it takes to launch a brewery? This documentary chronicles the launching of a new brewery mixed with interviews of well established and successful breweries like Russian River and Dogfish. The juxtaposition is quite enjoyable as we snap back to the dusty dirty bootstrapping entrepreneurs. You can see what they’re working for and why they want to get there.
Learn the history of the microbrew business and the headwind it faces trying to carve its own path against the enormous marketing budgets of brands like Anheuser Busch. Hear what the founders of successful breweries went through to build their business, risks they took, and rewards they received for their sacrifice.
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Cut from a Different Cloth
$199
Learn what the founder of the most successful clothing brand in Asia does to expand his brand, Superdry. Little known in the US, Superdry is an absolute powerhouse overseas. A household name for sure. The eccentric founder lives and dies by the success of his precious brand.
WATCH NOWLearn what the founder of the most successful clothing brand in Asia does to expand his brand, Superdry. Little known in the US, Superdry is an absolute powerhouse overseas. A household name for sure. The eccentric founder lives and dies by the success of his precious brand. He says, “as an entrepreneur every decision we make is life and death.” Can you relate? If so, you’ll love this show.
Watch as he travels the world in his private plane scouting out new retail locations to open. Enjoy his encounters with Idris in a collaboration they’re doing and learn what it takes to succeed in the fiercely competitive world of fashion.
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Something Ventured
$8.99
Venture capital has become a permanent part of our business world, but it wasn’t always that way. This historical movie documents the circumstances that lead to the first venture capital firms being formed. The money they made through investing in companies like Intel, Atari, Apple, Genentech and more.
WATCH NOWVenture capital has become a permanent part of our business world, but it wasn’t always that way. This historical movie documents the circumstances that lead to the first venture capital firms being formed. The money they made through investing in companies like Intel, Atari, Apple, Genentech and more. The structure of the entire industry had to be formed and it happened over the years through good and bad deals. This industry’s 50 year story is told with inspiring and fascinating anecdotes and lessons. This one will surprise you how much you enjoy it.
]]>As the financial crisis hit in 2008, not many were thinking about what to do next. However, for Julie MacIntosh, her mind was running rampant about the King of Beers and the fate of Anheuser-Busch. This was because, in the same year, a Belgium company decided that they wanted to have the throne. This is when InBev presented a bold attempt to make the famous beer company their own.
In the book Dethroning the King: The Hostile Takeover of Anheuser-Busch, an American Icon, you will see exactly how Julie MacIntosh paints the picture of when inbev buys Anheuser Busch as a hostile takeover from a foreign company. When you think about it, it is amazing how a giant brewer such as Anheuser-Busch could be taken control of while owning more than half of the market for beer in the US. Especially when it continued to have a respectable reputation above all of its competitors, to only stumble and fall into a mind-boggling predicament.
For more on hostile takeovers read the biography of Carl Icahn or Barbarians At The Gate.
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Dethroning the King
$20.94
The story of how InBev did a hostile takeover of Anheuser Busch. Family scuffles, internal politics, wealth, control, intimidation and much more were in play to keep control of the American legend. In the end money was more important to the Busch family.
View On AmazonWhen it comes to the takeover, timing was everything as well as a little bit of help from family members, who had been in control of the company since day one. According to Julie MacIntosh, she was drawn to the story of Anheuser Busch because of the many stories circulating around the takeover and the type of relationship that August Busch III and August Busch IV had. Ted Turner’s biography also includes a multi-generational business, buyouts, and many more similarities.
When it came to their relationship, they both expressed how favoring family members within a company can have dire consequences when ownership is being passed down to younger generations. Ms. MacIntosh was even shocked over the amount of quarrels father and son had over personal property and other factors involving shareholders, which always involved some kind of argument or fight.
The book Dethroning the King offers a lot of interesting points and below are a few of the lessons you can learn from the takeover.
When a family brand has a strong connection with the company brand, conflicts may develop. Besides the connection between family name and brand name, the Anheuser-Busch reputation that was built was a strong one within the brewing industry. Because of their family members being in charge, this allowed them to instill a patriarch to lead the company and the industry as a whole. A lot of respect and fear was brought on by August, but he is human, and it was even more difficult for others to completely follow in his footsteps to keep the high standard he had in place. Another book that speaks to the positive side of a lot of family members working at a company is Small Giants.
As the years went by, the power perceived by others eventually weakened as the company expanded and included shareholders. It is also amusing to see that the amount of power had decreased so much and that only 4% had been in family control. With this low percentage, this is not much control when you think about it. However, because of the huge amount of influence they had, the perception from the public likely made them feel like they had more control than they did. For more on protecting ownership when dealing with fundraising read Venture Deals.
The family had spent recklessly, which may have led to managing the company poorly. A lot of times, a company may end up spending more than they should in order to keep up an image of the company still doing great. This will easily make others show more respect and have the public think that all is well with the company. Flashy spending was something that Good To Great discussed as well.
Regardless, the amount of costs that were unnecessary increased and caused an increase in liabilities became even harder to manage financially as time went on. When it comes to the shareholders, they usually frown upon this because the company is not seen as making the best for shareholders. So when a takeover bid comes forward that looks attractive, you can bet that the offer may be considered, if not agreed upon. Plus, it is difficult to eliminate bad habits as soon as they become the norm. Another enormous takeover happened of Zappos by Amazon and there is more on that in the book Delivering Happiness.
When the business came into existence over a century ago, there was no clear plan for succession. This can spell trouble for any business whether it is family owned or not. Despite that, it was nice to see that the son was the successor and was primed before he was even ready. This also proved that a certain amount of credibility had to be built regardless of being bloodline. It was not enough to just have the same name. In fact, there is a difference between success and sustainability.
When a mistake is made during a takeover, the consequences could be costly. This is especially true when the takeover is considered hostile. It is important to have due diligence and be thorough in everything. It is also important to judge the value of those making the acquisition so that ownership can be secured. This proved to be an important part of the book as you can see a reaction in the book that is common after a bid is made, which is only seeing what you wish to be seeing. To read more about what makes a great business try the book Traction.
When you are a big company like Anheuser-Busch, there was a feeling as if they were too big to allow anything to happen. This means they allowed themselves to feel self-satisfied as they grew exponentially while its senses got dry through the amount of shares involved. This made them think that they were not vulnerable to any market changes due to it being publicly traded as the money will always be followed by the shareholder.
From a financial institute's point of view, they will not care who you are when they work with you. As long as they get their money, they will always be in happy spirits to give you what you want. This may not seem too obvious, but the obvious part is that the bank is in business to make money and nothing else. This is supported in a big way in the book Why Startups Fail.
Apart from having innovation stifled and groups being encouraged, having an authoritarian presence will never be able to sustain a business and never benefit it for future success. When a company is more hierarchical, they will always remain one step ahead of you. This will be due to a fresh amount of new ideas to come about. The style of leadership that August III instilled was disliked and this spilled into the company culture itself. However, the one advantage the leadership style did have was the ability to make decisions fast, even though the decision may not be seen as being done well.
If the Busch family had read The Innovator’s Dilemma or Lean Thinking, perhaps they could have prevented the loss of control of the company.
For more detail on the Busch family read Under the Influence: The Unauthorized Story of the Anheuser-Busch Dynasty.
Julie MacIntosh is a journalist focusing on the financial aspects of business and covered the takeover for the Financial Times as its main correspondent for acquisitions and Mergers. Besides this takeover, Julie also reported on the global banking system and how it nearly collapsed.
Before she made the Financial Times her career, she was a reporter and a Reuters correspondent for six years. She became a member of the Top 30 Business Journalists Under 30 club through NewsBios.
From an educational standpoint, Julie MacIntosh earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University. She then went on to earn her master's degree in journalism and a masters in business administration from Columbia University. Julie makes an appearance on MSNBC and CNBC on a regular basis.
If you are an innovator who has failed, a founder of a startup, or an entrepreneur, raising venture capital or just excited about the idea then the book Why Startups Fail is what you need to be reading. You may be asking yourself, what will I get out of reading Why Startups Fail? For one thing, you will gain more opportunities to use your weaknesses to create more success.
If you have ever founded a startup, then you already know that the journey will be a long one that will require determination, creativity, and resourcefulness. These traits will allow you to avoid bad choices so that you remain on course towards a successful startup. However, you need to remain aware of possible risks. This book points out potential unforeseen potholes and structural opportunities.
In order to recognize how a startup functions, you should implement a framework that can assess various areas of the startup. Successful leaders need to confident in unit economics, 6 month cash flow projections, and LTV-to-CAC ratios.
The author presents many reasons that explore why failure occurs among startups. When you have an understanding of the causes, then you can prepare to avoid them and find success. Another book you may enjoy on this topic is Loonshots. We have also have created a list of the best books to read when launching a business.
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Why Startups Fail
$17.79
Looking to learn from failed and successful founders' mistakes? This book has lessons on inventory management, customer experience challenges, feedback loops, fund raising, and much more.
SHOP NOWAlthough Tom Eisenmann is a Harvard professor who knows a thing or two about startups, he realized that his 20 years of experience has not taught him everything. In fact, he had so much faith in a couple of startups and the startups still failed eventually. After the failures, he set out to determine the causes.
Eisenmann eventually recognized a few occasions that act as resources that work hand-in-hand in order to have a product developed, created, maintained, and sold in a way which will bring in the most profit. There is much more detail provided about these stories on his site as well.
In short, one must have eCommerce industry historical knowledge, understand the customer, and analyze growth early on.
The first step involves the idea. Your idea needs to be as unique as possible and is able to satisfy the needs of its customers. The idea will also lead to a solution that many customers need for the problem they have, and the solution has never been attempted before. This is something elaborated on in great detail in the book Ready, Fire, Aim.
Once the idea is obtained, it’s time to implement the methods and technology used for the product to come to life. But how? Should you partner with a manufacturer to streamline production? How will customers receive the product? How will you service the product once bought? Servicing may involve how your inventory is managed along with the way it is shipped, plus, the purchasing methods used by the customer. The book offers unique and lesser known ideas of ways to answer these questions.
When there is no industry knowledge, the business is likely to fail. This failure from having no industry knowledge could be the result of not knowing what challenges come when you actually go-to-market and start getting return requests. Also, it is important to know everything concerning the process of how the product is made. Especially as you reach new levels of scale.
If there is a significant amount of knowledge lacking there will be many issues occurring within operations. This book shares stories of how these issues can include products being ordered incorrectly, underestimating returns, and not having a complete understanding of the ordering system. This may result in products being returned or delayed more often than originally thought. If you have more returns than orders you’ll have a cashflow issue and the business will suffer. More on this in the book Be My Guest.
Although you may have the main advantages, it is important that the way you operate is stable and based on your industry knowledge. If not, then you can expect your startup to experience more challenges than not.
When your expertise falls short of the kind of business you want to start, you need to have a course of action that will make up for your lack of experience. Ensure you have people who are able to provide the needed expertise, or bring in an expert who is able to offer recommendations. In one case a founder even partnered with the manufacturer. A wonderful book about streamlining production is Lean Thinking.
If you can, try to offer a prototype of what you are offering so that your customers can get a better understanding. However, when you do, make sure that you present it later on before your final product is completed. You need to do this as soon as your understanding of the customer is accomplished. This way you can have ideas created and a design that considers the customer choices. Another wonderful book on this is Lean Startup.
Another step to avoid failure is to analyze early growth with a grain of salt. Early adopters, the kind that wait in lines for hours to be the first one with an iphone, react differently than the general market. Drawing too many conclusions early on from this test friendly group might set you down a path that isn’t accurate. This is why it is important not to overspend on marketing early on. You may need to pivot your offering. These early customers may not understand and leave. This leads to wasted spend and is extremely common. More lessons from failure due to decision from early adopters instead of the general market in the book Lost & Founder.
In order to scale at an efficient speed, you need to be aware of a test known as a RAWI test. This test will measure your readiness, ability, willingness, and drive. Like a pressure test, this model shows its potential results, proves if it has enough customers to allow growth, and whether there profits sufficient to sustain itself financially. You’ll also want to make sure the Net Promoter Score is healthy. This ensures enough new customer impressions are being achieved.
A typical hindrance to scale capabilities are called Network Effects. You need two Skype users to make it work, otherwise you’re talking to no one. The faster the network grows the more you need to scale. You must determine the strength first through a Conjoint Analysis.
If test and analysis results are positive, you can analyze the next step by using the Learning Curve Phenomenon. This is the unit of cost savings realized with each cumulative doubling of production volume. These economies of scale will tell you if the company will get more efficient as it scales.
These experiments help based decisions on objective fact and avoid overconfidence, something Dom Moore talks about in great detail in his book Perfectly Confident. Otherwise founders must rely on what the author refers to as Cascading Miracles. Longshot and lucky positive occurrences that allow the company to continue.
Being an entrepreneur allows you to dream big and provide society with new innovations that can change lives. However, the big dream can also cost your startup to fail. There are many stories to this end and a fantastic historical account of the Venture Bubbles. Personal computer hardware and software in the early 1980s, Bio-tech early 1990s, Clean tech in the 2000s, Internet companies in the late 1990s. A specific example of markets drying up and killing a business is that of Zulily.
Should your startup begins to fail, it may seem difficult to get yourself out of it. However, when you have the right steps to take, you will be able to enjoy a successful path once again. Examples are provided in this book about companies that did go all the way to failure. How they handled it gracefully and what they might have done differently. If you’re failing and a sense of isolation sets in, you may begin to feel depressed. In order to prevent yourself from going into a state of depression, you should find some support and remember that you’re not alone. Founders are always stressed and very hard on themselves.
An example shared of a founder that failed, but created unbelievable momentum from inspiring with enthusiastic words is Shai Agassi. His Ted talk about electric cars is inspiring.
The last step is known as reentering. This will be needed in order for you to start over fresh. Of course you may think that investors will not invest in you again, but this way of thinking can change when you have a proper business plan that takes everything into consideration. This lets investors see that you have learned from the first mistakes and are now applying the experience that you obtained.
Here is a list of 10 books about scaling a business.
As you read The New Great Depression: Winners and Losers in a Post Pandemic World, there will be several learning points to take with you. First, you will see how the pandemic has changed the entire world from a financial standpoint. Then, you will see how we can learn from past occurrences which had similar impacts. Finally, you will be presented with advice concerning investing during times of inflation and deflation.
For other books on this, read our list of the best books on investing during times of inflation.
This book starts with talking about how the pandemic started and compares it to other pandemics. The author then shares predictions of what will happen to the economy. Then discusses how to invest to protect wealth and succeed during the inflation era that is coming.
When it comes to predicting a crisis, nothing makes it even more interesting than having the same man who made the prediction also be the same explaining the process of surviving it and moving forward. This certainly does fit the bill for author James Rickards as a bestseller book.
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The New Great Depression
$18.19
Learn about the foundation of covid and other pandemics from the past. What works and what doesn't regarding the spread. Finally, how to invest during inflation and how important gold is.
SHOP NOWAs we can see, the crisis we are currently experiencing is nowhere near what it was like in the past. In fact, it is believed to be far worse than any other world crisis. The amount of laid off employees will rise. There will be an increase in bankruptcy cases, and the amount of bad debt that banks receive will cause them to shutter in pain. There will be a huge amount of debt and deflation and a very weak chance of seeing any recovery for the future. It is also important to note that there will be social chaos and disorder shortly after the markets start to collapse. When it comes to experiencing the worst, officials believe it is over, although that is not true. When it comes to being knowledgeable, an investor knows that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Other great books to read about making it through tough times are I Love Capitalism from the founder of Home Depot or Delivering Happiness about the founding of Zappos.
Within the pages of The New Great Depression, the bestselling author explains in detail what risks are involved in the financial world and what can be done by investors to survive it all or even flourish while others sit back and watch.
By having access to the best information currently available, James Rickards is able to get a clear view of what the entire picture looks like. This also helps us know what is really going on in the world and how we are able to do something about it. The New Great Depression: Winners and Losers in a Post-Pandemic World truly is a book to be read regardless of being a fan as well as for an investor looking to have a clear understanding of wealth preservation and to do it during the pandemic. To service clients better for your business at this time, read the book They Ask You Answer.
According to the book, there were many policies that ultimately became bad choices and which helped lead to the collapse of the economy. This collapse is easily compared to the times of the 1929 Depression and stock market collapse, which lasted until 1933. Even Conrad Hilton was hurt by the depression and went broke. More on how he thrived post recession in his biography Be My Guest.
As we can see today and the conditions surrounding it, it is believed that the GDP of the United States had dropped by more than 3.5% during 2020. It is now believed to grow and recover rather quickly.
With nothing to compare the Hoover collapse of the stock market, it is a good thing to say that financial recovery is possible. This recovery will be possible through campaigning efforts that are rigorous so that change can occur.
Knowing this, is there really a depression going on? Although it may be up to speculation, the word depression is not an accepted description of a time where unemployment numbers can be the go-to source for economic guidance since the start of the pandemic. Having a rate of unemployment that reflects the numbers is a better method. As we can see, in 2020, the jobless rate was up by more that 22%. Bill Gross of PIMCO invested through good times and bad over his 40 year career and his book The Bond King is filled with lessons and stories.
Prior to becoming a writer, James Rickards has managed to work his way up the corporate ladder for several institutions in the financial market. He quotes heavily about John Maynard Keynes`s depression definition as being a condition that is chronic in nature pertaining to actions and activity that is not at a normal standard lasting for an unknown length of time and without seeing any possible recovery. It is also described that depression is more close to being psychological in nature and not just a numbers figure. Having a strong dislike for risk brought on by the pandemic could easily cause consumers to hold back on their money until the future becomes more certain. As an entrepreneur cash flow management is a number one concern. For better financial management consider the book Profit First or The Great Game of Business.
Having any type of threat like a pandemic will easily cause a decline in the system. This is what the book describes the unemployment rate and the fact that many may be hit hard by it continuously. It is believed that the growth of recovery will be a slow one lasting more than 10 years.
There may even be some thought that having a forecast stretching 30 years is far fetched and unrealistic. However, there is also evidence saying that it may actually be true, which can be backed by how the government is poorly judging the entire pandemic. Even since 2008, the growth we currently experience is solely based around depending on debt.
With a reaction from the fiscal markets, as a result of the pandemic, guarantees that the ratio of GDP and debt continue to increase. The pressure felt from deflation will seem great for both medium and short terms. Many businesses will not see investing as an option when they are already tight on cash. This is what occurred in 1990 as Japan experienced a big stock market and property crash. With the government involved, a higher risk of experiencing a return too soon when debt ratios are being decreased. Not only that, but the crisis financially has had a poor impact on the growth of productivity. Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian shares his own philosophies about debt and managing business in biography The Gambler.
A worsening performance may take place due to a decrease in human and physical capability which is a direct result of the coronavirus. In order to remedy this, it is necessary to implement investment in the infrastructure. However, the central bank was supposed to have enough time set aside so that reform and investment could take place following the crisis. Regardless, there was not much done.
It can be difficult to trust a policymaker when they want to create growth with debt. James Rickards feels the same way about the required quarantine that authorities enforced, which he felt was uncalled for. In fact, he is a firm believer that the handling of the pandemic is going to be seen as a great mistake for years to come. Despite that, it is accepted that the government has done a good job in keeping healthcare protected as well as using valuable time to have a developed vaccine in the works.
With the Federal Reserve, the performance was seen as subpar throughout the crisis and blames Wall Street for inflating what savers had. It was also thought that the dollar would become devalued by gold as was the case during the original depression. This would have been an interesting turn of events if it had come to be.
As The New Great Depression comes to a close, the reader is given some sound advice on investing during inflation. The key point being centered around building a sound portfolio that will withstand inflation. Besides this, other insights exist within the book which makes it an even greater read.
Some ways to ensure your investment portfolio is sound is by investing in precious metals such as gold and silver. These precious metals have always been known to remain resilient when inflation hits. However, there is a disadvantage of having precious metals and that involves their inability to produce additional income.
Investing in commercial real estate is another option that lessens the effect of inflation because it is designed to generate income in the form of lease agreements.
Investing in stock can also provide protection against inflation by allowing the investor to own a certain amount of a company. The best type of stock to consider is a cyclical stock which is able to change along with the economy.
Throughout his career James Rickards has seen his share of finance, and business. He is the current editor of a newsletter known as Strategic Intelligence as well as director of his James Rickards Project. He has written several other bestseller books and has made his presence known throughout the government.
Mr. Rickards currently holds a director position with the New York City based merchant bank Tangent Capital Partners LLC. Along with that, he also holds a senior management position with Omnis, Inc. within its market intelligence division. This consulting firm is headquartered in Virginia.
Additionally, James Rickards enjoys managing risk, investing, and counseling others within the capital and financial markets. His experience spans for more than thirty years and today he continues to provide guidance to major government branches such as the Intelligence community and Department of Defense concerning financial situations happening globally. He also took part as a Pentagon sponsored financial war game facilitator.
As we head into a time of inflation there are many lessons to take from the inflation era of the 1970s. Learning from the past is the best because history tends to repeat itself. Legend James Rickards recommends looking at your investment timeframe in 6 month chunks and that this moderately short timeframe for action can yield better returns over the long term. So please enjoy our list of books about inflation and take some action to make money in this time of inflation.
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The Great Inflation and Its Aftermath
$18.00
Explore the inflation in the 1970s and how it played a critical role in altering US economic policy, investing, and daily lives of all Americans. Learn the repercussions of this wild inflation including the impacts of stagflation to standards of living.
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The Return of High Inflation
$19.50
This book predicts a return of high inflation and increasing interest rates. Discusses risks from these two changes, shares stories from historic inflation and interest rises, concepts for consideration, and ideas and strategies for how businesses and individuals can create opportunity out of inflation.
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Inflation
$22.49
The cost of living since COVID has skyrocketed and it resembles the great inflation of the 1970s. If inflation continues what should be done to prepare? Get insightful information on money, taxation, economic policy and more. Filled with stories of inflationary times from the past that address daily concerns over increased cost of living and preserving your wealth.
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The Inflation Myth
$19.43
Inflation is created by government manipulations to achieve economic outcomes. Typically inflation is mismeasured dramatically. Typically measured through evaluating currencies the gauge on inflation becomes more challenging to get right when currencies are debased and manipulated by the government. Learn what to look for and what is coming.
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Mis-Inflation
$13.25
Is hyperinflation coming? How and why do governments intend to create inflation? What is the best solution to inflation, deflation and stagflation? What are the best wealth creation strategies during these times? All these questions and more are answered in this powerful and insightful book.
SHOP NOWLeadership of people and teams is the most important part of running a business. One must adapt for the changing landscape of competition and new personalities and cultures within the team itself. The following is a comprehensive list of books to cover all aspects of leadership. Some books focus on how to communicate others on how to motivate. Any leader would be well served to read one or all of these books.
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Drive
$14.99
How to incentivize staff properly. What can be done to improve performance by simply using the right motivator? This books teaches you the answer to this question and gives actionable ideas to implement.
SHOP NOWA book about motivation and the keys to successfully inspiring team members to enthusiastically work towards the company’s goal. Through explanations of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators the book proves that the old way of motivation, carrot and stick, does not work.
This leadership book is very important to initiate change in incentive processes and answering the question of: how can I get my team more motivated?
Leaders need to be able to inspire and evolve their strategies to manage the team. Learn how intrinsic motivation is the optimal strategy for achieving your desired end. As well as why extrinsic rewards (otherwise known as contingent) can ruin the culture and process of creating greatness in an organization.
The author also shares the importance of autonomy. Even shares the four essential components to autonomy: tasks, time, technique and team.
Click here to read the full book summary of Drive.
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High Output Management
$13.49
This is a must read for startups, growing and established businesses. The teachings of a legendary leader are timeless and game changing.
SHOP NOWManagers are not judged based on their individual contribution necessarily. We gauge their success and impact on the production from the team they supervise and lead. Middle managers are the people who are usually overlooked as important and impactful, but in fact they are just the opposite. These people influence everything from culture to learning, to communication and they can make or break your business. This book discusses how to motivate and help these managers put a system in place to level up their activities that generate an increased yield and overall better efficiencies.
Through a step-by-step guide, you will learn training for mid managers to plan ahead in order to get the outcome you’re looking for. With an output-oriented focus when managing you can leverage what's measured to improve production. All this is only possible through training staff specifically for their needs. Hands off management is different from micro management.
Click here to read the full book summary of High Output Management.
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GRIT
$13.63
Passion & Perseverance are the keys to success! Learn what it takes to succeed in life as a child, parent, business person and athlete.
SHOP NOWA timeless classic that many people believe is one of the best books on succeeding, but the author speaks in great detail about leading, teams, goal setting, and parenting. In order to succeed as a team we must understand what the group is headed towards. This book will help you define that for yourself.
Many of the most talented people do not work hard enough to realize what they are capable of. If they do, these same people do not work long enough. One needs the desire and determination to succeed over a long period of time to achieve greatness. Even if blessed with natural talent. That is not enough to achieve greatness.
Learn to set goals for yourself the right way. Find out what you’re truly interested in. Discover why you’re so quick to dismiss people that are “better” than you quicker. This book provides example after example of individuals without natural talent being winning over the more talented competition simply due to hard work.
Click here to read the full book summary of Grit.
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Nudge
$14.49
Find out how very small changes to people's environment can achieve the desired reaction. This can be more effective than direct requests if used properly. Read to find out how.
SHOP NOWLeadership does not have to be command and control. Softening the way changes are made can be just as effective and if done properly, not even noticed. This book introduces the idea of using small changes to the environment leading to achieving the desired action. Uncommon ideas about how to get what you want will inspire your imagination.
In one example the author shares a true story of placing a fly sticker in a urinal decreasing spillage by 80%. Another story explains a teacher's difficulty in getting high school students to show up to class on time. Placing a couch at the front of the room made that the “cool” place to sit and suddenly students were showing up early in hopes of snagging a spot on the couch.
Imagine making a small contactless change in your environment that can cause a dramatic change you seek. This book will inspire you to ideate and make a nudge of your own.
Click here to read the full book summary of Nudge.
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Developing Leaders
$17.95
The key to keeping employees engaged is training managers properly. Learn why cookie cutter training is ineffective and how to customize your training to your needs.
SHOP NOWTraining managers is not something that can be done one in a one size fits all way. Each company and team within have unique people and problems. Cultural interpretations alone stand to create massive miscommunication. The goal, according to the author, is to create unique and problem/solution based training for mid-managers. Especially considering these are normally the people most neglected as far as training goes.
The goal for all this customized training is to improve employee engagement. That is typically the number one issue at any company, so an actionable book to solve that problem is a massive value add for any leadership team. This is not a theoretical book either. There are specific strategies and tactics that you can deploy to get your managers and team members more focused, enthusiastic and productive. All of this in turn reduces churn.
Click here to read the full book summary of Developing Leaders.
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Flex
$25.89
Lear about a power gap that creates distance between people in the workplace of different cultures or ages and even genders. Being flexible in your management style will make communication more effective with staff & clients.
SHOP NOWThere is a power gap in every business. Those who have cultural authority and those who do not. There cultural differences can push towards a social gap and leadership needs to avoid this in the workplace so it doe not create a power gap. The main focuses for discussion in this book includes gender, age, and culture.
It is important today that managers close these gaps by more adaptive leadership. Behavior should leverage differences rather than reacting and reinforcing barriers. Often this is unintended, and awareness can improve that. This all will dramatically improve communication company wide.
To build an amazing and successful company one must managers need to establish trust. Yet, cultures throughout the world build trust differently. Ignorance leads to miscommunication which lead to misinterpretations of the way that different cultures show respect.
Flex management style teaches how to be a more fluent leader and bridge these gaps with peers, staff, and even supervisors. This includes learning to put aside personal judgements and any assumptions.
Click here to read the full book summary of Flex.
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Team of Teams
$14.90
A book about bringing a team together. Finding success through slow methodical actions that are well received. Opening up lines of communication. Building a business that is able to adapt and more.
SHOP NOWBuilding a team that can adapt to change is more important than ever. Efficiency is good, but even efficient teams can fall behind on the times. To manage change you need a strategy to approach it. This starts with high quality communication. The role of a strong team leader is that of a gardener tending to plants and making small nudges that lead to better growth. Micromanaging in today’s work is a recipe for disaster.
Using failure as a time for change is highly recommended. Showcasing what went wrong and how to avoid it in the future seems very reasonable. If you take advice from this book you’ll have a more open flow of information and be able to adapt feedback from failures without emotions being a problem.
This book will give you actionable steps to avoid micromanaging, improve employee moral, and company communication. Basically a more understanding and actively improving company.
Click here to read the full book summary of Team of Teams.
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Leading
$17.49
Legendary coach Alex Ferguson shares his secrets to managing challenging people in a difficult role and succeeding. With his suggestions you too can get your team to perform better and be happier in their work.
SHOP NOWLeading professional sports teams is perhaps one of the highest stakes and more publicly critical positions in the world today. Any leader who can sustain employment and succeed is credible and proven. Strategies vary, but success is objective. Alex Ferguson shares his strategies and stories of successfully managing some of the most prolific and egotistical athletes ever.
This legendary British soccer coach provides specific actions he took throughout his illustrious career leading Manchester United. Topics include managing failure and gaining from it. Failure is inevitable and Alex argues that it is healthy. He credits his success to his failures. He provides invaluable tactics for managing individuals as well as the whole. How unique each person must be treated as well as the entire organization.
He’s wise words extend to avoid fear of the competition, when and why to bring in new members to the organization, and even how to speak to the team concisely so as to keep attention.
Click here to read the full book summary of Leading.
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The 6 Types of Working Genius
$22.50
A new book that will transform the way you see yourself, your teammates, and even your family. After completing a 10-minute assessment, you will discover the types of work you find fulfilling. You will also learn the types of work that are most likely to result in burnout.
SHOP NOWFrom Patrick Lencioni, the author of “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” comes a new book that will transform the way you see yourself, your teammates, and even your family. After completing a 10-minute assessment, you will discover the types of work you find fulfilling. You will also learn the types of work that are most likely to result in burnout.
Identifying your ideal working style is only the first step in this journey. As you read “The 6 Types of Working Genius,” you will begin to understand how each of the six types fits together to create a cohesive and productive team. Reading this book with your team, company, or family not only helps everyone understand where they fit but also learn to appreciate each member’s unique gifts.
To avoid the pitfalls of drier self-help books, “The 6 Types of Working Genius” is written in Lencioni’s trademark engaging narrative format. As the main character, Bull Brooks discovers the six types of working genius, you will too.
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Radical Candor
$23.16
This is a book about being a better leader and communicator. Straightforward talk is a huge benefit. The author shares that discussing problems and concerns can not only improve job satisfaction, but also performance.
SHOP NOWThis is a book about being a better leader and communicator. American culture can be more polite than helpful sometimes, where as Russian culture pride honesty very high. Straightforward talk is a huge benefit. The author shares that discussing problems and concerns can not only improve job satisfaction, but also performance.
In an example provided is the story of one staff member who was doing a poor job for a long period of time at his job, rather than stating this clearly the manager just told him it was fine and corrected all the mistakes. When this person was eventually let go due to the poor performance, he rightfully said: why didn’t anyone tell me. Not everyone has the same narrative and the book makes the case that the benefits of getting on the same page outweigh any disadvantages.
There are sections that also discuss the importance of managers to connect with their team. Knowing if someone’s mother is sick and discussing it IS the job of a manager. It can’t all be about work. Candor is most effective if there is a more connected emotional side to it as well.
These and more lessons, examples and anecdotes are included is this amazingly unique and insightful book about being honest.
Lucky for you, some of the most successful business leaders of all time have written books about how to start a business with less risk. This list is meant to be considered as a well rounded compilation of books that attack starting a business from many angles. This is because some books on this list cover operations and not marketing. We believe that if you read all these books or our summaries of them, your chances of success in your business endeavor will be extremely high.
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Zero To One
$18.49
Learn what to look for when you're starting a business. Learn a billionaire's lessons for succeeding in business.
SHOP NOWWritten by the billionaire cofounder of PayPal and you will immediately understand how smart a billionaire is. He identifies the main aspects of starting a business that are so difficult and must be overcome in order to succeed and there is more to it than differentiation.
You’ll need an insulated defensible position. As in, a product that can’t be easily copied and sold at a lower price. This destroys margins, limits scale through me too products.
Find a market without too much competition and ideally no competition. This invites a race to the bottom through price reductions. This case is made wonderfully through an example of how competition has destroyed the San Francisco restaurant market.
There are many other rules that Peter provides in starting a business, so read this book if you want certainty of success.
Click here to read the full book summary of Zero to One.
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Contagious
$11.69
Get people to remember your brand, tell their friends, and buy again and again. This is a book about how to get your company word of mouth or even to go viral.
SHOP NOWIf you’re starting a business you’ll need to have something unique about it. Even if it’s a gimmick. This book will inspire you to imagine a way to make your brand standout to your customers and get them talking about it.
In the book you’ll learn that people sharing your unique experience or even knowledge of your product is called “social currency”. When we share something unique, cool, & inspiring it gives us a rush of “cool” from our peers. Creating an experience that is cool enough to share is the key.
Example after example are shared from using music to draw on nostalgia or adding secret rooms and speakeasies to a shop owner’s experience are thoroughly explained and shared. This book will help you understand why restaurants offer outrageously expensive Philly cheesesteaks. Read this book and figure out what you’re going to do to get people talking.
Click here to read the full book summary of Contagious.
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Poke the Box
$21.00
Trying to find a way to get moving on a new idea? This book will inspire action and get you moving.
SHOP NOWIf you’re reading this article then you’re either thinking about starting something or you just did. This book is for those with a great idea. Unfortunately it’s an idea that will never see the light of day because they are never going to actually do anything about it.
Poke the box means to be curious and try to see how something works or if it can work. Figuring out a smart way to explore an idea and push yourself to find your potential in a new capacity.
Many people are held back by self fulfilling proficiency that they can’t, but exploring something is how you’ll find out your super power. It’s about winning against your primal instinct to protect yourself.
Click here to read the full book summary of Poke The Box.
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Blue Ocean Strategy
$16.99
Learn to create or reframe your product to stand apart from competition and ideally avoid competition altogether.
SHOP NOWThis book is about category creation. Avoiding competition is explained to be the key to success for a new venture. Which makes sense but the thorough examples shared in the book will give you a great grip on how to poke holes in an idea before moving forward.
The goal is what they call Value Innovation. This can occur when aligning your innovation with price, utility, and cost positions. They want you to start with Price and subtract the cost, not do what is traditional and start with cost and add margin.
The best example explains what Yellowtail wine did by creating a new market for intimidated Americans wine drinkers. They welcomed all to drink wine.
The New York police department turning around crime in two years is another would be impossible story.
It will challenge you to ask yourself questions like: Where are the biggest blocks to utility for your buyer? And does your offer effectively solve these blocks?
Click here to read the full book summary of Blue Ocean Strategy.
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The Innovator's Dilemma
$15.49
This books clearly shows the challenges in bringing new ideas to market. What is the best way to innovate? What part of the market should you go after? All this an more is answered.
SHOP NOWThis is the highest caliber book on this list by far. The detailed examples and research are unrivaled. You’ll learn the challenges facing new companies and why large companies must buy to innovate, rather than create from within.
What is explained so well is the opportunity in smaller unwanted parts of industries. When one thinks of getting into the steel business they link of beautiful sheet steel, not rebar. This leads to the formation, size and ultimate take over of an industry leader. But for the industry giants to start and grow a rebar business would have been insignificant to revenues and thus, unjustified.
The lesson in this book is to consider smaller dismissed and perhaps unwanted ways to make money and build a business scooping up all the work here. Then once you reinvest the larger opportunities will come and perhaps a buyout from a larger business once revenues are substantial.
Click here to read the full book summary of The Innovator's Dilemma.
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The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing
$14.66
Rules for a lifetime of successful business operations and launches. Find out what rules you're breaking and learn from the mistakes other brands have made.
SHOP NOWAfter a career in marketing. The authors have taken the best lessons from their experience and listed them out. Half are very import for a brand launch.
Things like the first mover advantage with examples like Pepsi never overtaking Coca Cola. Or Powerade never outselling Gatorade.
Avoiding line extensions through stories like Budweiser diminished their own market share when introducing Bud Light.
This book is a brisk read that will round out a short and long term plan for any business. If you’re planning a launch you’ll need a vision for what you’ll offer, how to sell it, and this book will help you with a plan.
Click here to read the full book summary of The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing.
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Fooled By Randomness
$15.69
Life is nonlinear which leads to chance events, so luck plays a big role. When considering a past event in politics, investments and business, look at the costs of the alternative rather than the outcomes.
SHOP NOWThis book is included to make sure you have a crystal clear understanding of what statistical significance really means. One cannot launch a brand, get a few clicks online and make a decision. We need more data.
The idea is to create a business that succeeds in a predictable way, not “blow up” as they say in the book when someone’s luck runs out.
Making conservative decisions with all downside considered is the only way to ensure success and minimize risk. This is another great lesson from this book, you cannot under research an idea. How can you minimize the luck factor to your success and still have certainty of success? Striving towards certainty is the key to success.
Click here to read the full book summary of Fooled by Randomness.
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Chasing Cool
$13.02
Any product can be cool. Candy bars, hamburgers, and more. This book will show you what cool means and how to apply it to your brand or product.
SHOP NOWTo start a business one must have long-lasting relevance. You must not be swayed into joining a fad. What is trending now may not be in 6 or 12 months. Avoiding this and creating a “cool” business is supremely important. Cool is different and cool stands the test of time.
This book helps the reader understand that one must have awareness of what your customers are thinking. What interests them and why. Learn how to communicate your differentiation in a cool way without saying “I’m cool”.
An example provided is that of the iPod destroying the Sony Walkman upon its release. It was cool and new, had the benefits of being easy to carry and could hold much more music. The iPod quickly became an iconic must have item. Even forcing other companies to wonder how they too can have their product turn into a veritable iPod.
Click here to read the full book summary of Chasing Cool.
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Mind Your Business
$199
For those looking to monetize a passion. This is a Step-By-Step guide to building a brand new business. Get the product right, website built, branding, and more.
SHOP NOWThis is a workbook for those looking to take a passion and monetize it by creating a business. A great tool for those who are feeling unorganized or have incomplete vision for what is needed and what to plan for. Branding, marketing, monetization, budgeting and more.
Many people are held back by their indecision or loss aversion. This book will guide your step by step through all the steps in the process, so you feel completely calm and in control. Imposter syndrome is real and can be very hindering.
You are the brand. Learn to identify your main value proposition and how to market this to your ideal customers. All while remaining in control of the financial side of this new endeavor. Potholes are everywhere in business and this book will give you a wonderful road map to avoid many of them.
Click here to read the full book summary of Mind Your Business.
As a business leader you get to a certain point where you know the company needs more organization and better systems. There are millionaires that have built these systems and written books about how you can do what they did. The following is our comprehensive list of the best literature available on building a more controlled, organized, systematic company with a clear path to success.
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The Messy Middle
$19.43
A book written by a wildly successful founder that shares every once of his knowledge and experience. Every business leader can take something away from this value dense and entertaining book.
View On AmazonAuthor Scott Belsky wrote this book over the course of years in building his business Behance, which he sold to Adobe for 150 million. As a result it does not have the flow that a traditional book might have. A quick look at the table of contents will help any business person find something interesting to read.
Each chapter is masterfully written with detailed lessons and stories learned from his time in the trenches at Behance. Now a superstar entrepreneur, Scott released this book which he clearly poured everything he learned into. Regrets, milestones, leaders he admires, and much more can be taken from this book.
Click here to read the full book summary of Messy Middle.
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Small Giants
$14
For those who are trying to decide if they want to scale to the moon and sell or build stay smaller, profitable, and focus on quality in product & culture.
View On AmazonLearn what a great company really looks like. Not a big company, a great company. The book is about why certain companies decide to stay great and not get big. A decision usually shunned by the entrepreneur and venture community.
Through a filtering process of thousands of companies, the author chose 11 amazing companies to dissect. From construction companies with a propensity to hire family members, to a brewery that refuses to grow and hosts staff brewing competitions. Or even sandwich shops that only open locations walking distance from each other and force all staff members through a training that includes doing every job.
This book will have your head spinning full of ideas to apply to your own business or career.
Click here to read the full book summary of Small Giants.
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The E-Myth
$14.99
A book to organize and scale any business. Learn how to improve customer experience through systems that are repeatable. Get organized and run a better business.
View On AmazonThe legendary book for how to build a business that can run itself. You wouldn’t think that a story about how to run a pie shop would carry well as an analogy for entrepreneurs in other industries but it does.
The idea here is breaking down in great detail what Ray Croc was able to do for McDonalds. Build the system that scaled and ran effectively. Stories of what to do for a hotel operator that improves business operations and client satisfaction are rather mind blowing concepts.
This book answers the question: What systems can you put in place to improve returning customer rate, experience, and efficiencies in operations?
This is a must read for managers and business owners.
Click here to read the full book summary of E-myth.
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Building a StoryBrand
$16.30
Learn how to talk to your prospects more effectively. Learn to guide them to the answers they're looking for quickly and they'll come back again and again.
View On AmazonIf your business or employer has a website, then they need to read this book. There is near 100% certainty that you can gain something to clarify your message and drive more revenue.
Author Donald Miller shows how improving your messaging so that customers know what you sell immediately (like 5 seconds) will dramatically increase lead flow and conversion rate.
He guides readers through a wonderful explanation of the types of stages in story telling and why you need to position your brand as a guide. Your brand exists to help your customers succeed. This book is the reason our site is named Accessory To Success actually ;)
Read this book and improve your lead and customer count and quality.
Click here to read the full book summary of Building A Storybrand.
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Loonshots
$15.69
Discover the amazing stories if disruptive innovation that changes industries, won wars, made millionaires and ruined reputations along with companies.
View On AmazonWhat does a book that starts out talking about WW2 have to do with business? Well, as it turns out, everything.
This book shows the power and risk attached to industry creating innovation. For decades Polaroid was carried by the spectacular mind of its founder and his inventions pushed them to become leaders by far in many categories. Until they went too far and a failed innovation was their undoing.
You learn when it’s time to “franchise” rather than innovate. That is, focus on profitability and consistency and paced change, rather than betting it all on massive category creation inventions.
Click here to read the full book summary of Loonshots.
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Profit First
$16.59
Learn to manage finances as a business leader. Take the stress away from financial management, feel that finances are prepared and under control as you run the business.
View On AmazonWritten by a man who has made all the mistakes you don’t want to. He made a fortune and lost it all in frivolous, arrogant, and irresponsible spending. Don’t worry, he is now a wildly successful author, consultant, and keynote speaker.
His book was inspired by his drive to take the stress out of being an entrepreneur. Most of the time these business owners simply use the bank account to determine how the business is doing. Profit first can give you a system to set up multiple bank accounts for specific reasons. Savings account for taxes, expenses, costs of goods, salary, etc.
Keeping these accounts separate will help leadership have a better understanding of how much money they actually have to spend and how much money they owe.
If you are an entrepreneur feeling disorganized and overwhelmed by your business finances, this is the perfect book to read. It systematizes financial management and planning.
Click here to read the full book summary of Profit First.
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Ready, Fire, Aim
$34.95
Learn to start a business by selecting the right product. Then find out how to scale it to $10mm. Finally what to do to remove yourself from the business and scale to $100mm.
View On AmazonWritten by a wildly successful entrepreneur who brings knowledge of starting businesses from scratch to picking the right products. Then sharing how he has repeatedly taken businesses from $5mm to $10mm and then $50mm and beyond $100mm. Through the confident and straightforward tone this book is written in, you can tell right away that the author truly knows what he is talking about and his secrets to success are real.
So confident in his ability to share his proven process for success is the author that he hosts an extremely expensive and highly qualified education process to learn his strategies better. This is a pitch in the book for sure.
There are specific stories about how picking the right leaders can make of break your ability to outsource the company. What to look for in decision making and how to find the right fit for each role. How to keep people motivated and incentivized. When and why managers and owners need to check in on the management. All this and much more in this inspiring book.
Click here to read the full book summary of Ready, Fire, Aim.
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Traction
$14.49
This book provides the structure and system you need to run an efficient and effective business. Learn to set goals, schedule follow ups and stop stressing about what is next.
View On AmazonThis book has become a movement more than anything at this point. The system in this book is referred to as EOS (entrepreneurs operating system). And you can always tell when someone has just finished reading Traction because they ask you if you’ve read it and they can’t stop talking to you about it.
But really that is the kind of book you want to read. Something that has you feeling enthusiasm while reading and after finishing.
In the book you’ll learn and be provided tools to put systems in place that will help steer the ship correctly by keeping you focused on short and long term goals. The tasks you’ll need to complete are called rocks. These rocks are a big part of the accountability system that all businesses need. As leaders, it is helpful to share a tool to establish a lot of this accountability so it doesn’t seem like you are being overbearing. You’re just doing what EOS told you to.
Click here to read the full book summary of Traction.
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Competing Against Luck
$15.79
Find out the true reason that customers are buying your product and take the guess work out of how to communicate with them.
View On AmazonNo business can succeed unless they know WHY customers buy their products. This book teaches you how to take the guesswork out of what to say to your customers and learn what the reason is that they’re choosing to buy yours. And guess what, it’s never what you think.
One of the systems that must be built is the feedback loop from customers and clients. This is one of the only books on our list that emphasizes this and it is massively important. If you’re preaching convenience and people are really buying because of quality, your messaging is going to be way off and your conversion rate will suffer.
The story of how a milkshake upended how author and marketing legend Clayton Christensen thought about consumer behavior has transcended any and every business. Read this book to stop guessing about your customers and create a system for learning.
Click here to read the full book summary of Competing Against Luck.
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Built To Sell
$16.65
Learn to grow a system that drives revenue, set goals, and sell a company for millions. Stop relying on one massive client and build a real business.
View On AmazonThis book is much different than traditional business books. It teaches the reader what it takes to sell a business. What needs to change and be removed. The revenue generating offerings that have to become systemic.
In terms of value add this book is likely best for a service business leader with aspirations to sell, but even consumer goods or SAAS companies could benefit because they will be shown what buyers look for when purchasing.
There is a good amount of discussion too about how to sell the company and what to look for in a buyer. What to say to prospective buyers in meetings and how to court people properly.
If you’re dependent on one or two large clients you must read this book and learn how to stabilize your business and become more systematic and sellable.
Click here to read the full book summary of Built To Sell.
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The Long Tail
$11
A book about the importance of niches and how they are changing the world due to availability of information. Sell Less of More.
SHOP NOW This book chronicles the change from small choice limited availability, to large choice unlimited availability. The internet has created a wave of new opportunities to focus on smaller niches and scale from many sales of one off purchases.
Example after example are shared in this book about niching down. Many consider it to be the best SEO book ever written because it helps craft the “why” behind the importance of picking a niche and going deep into it.
Click here to read the full book summary of The Long Tail.
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How To Blog For Profit
$19.95
A book about turning your passion into a money generating machine. This books gives a guide on how to pick what to work on and then how to build and monetize and audience efficiently.
SHOP NOW The no nonsense book gets straight to the point and provides actionable insights as far as making money with a blog. From how to write content to the importance of gathering emails. The author reveals the secrets to successfully create a blog that makes money.
This will be an enjoyable listen/read for someone just starting out, but for those who are more advanced you might listen to our summary of how to blog for a profit and spend more time reading the next book on our list.
Click here to read the full book summary of How to Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul.
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They Ask, You Answer
$25
One of the best books about actionable SEO for business leaders. Get a specific plan that anyone can implement in order to drive more leads.
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F#ck Content Marketing
$18.99
An SEO book about engaging your site visitors the right way. Showing them the content they want, when we want it. Ultimately improving the conversion rates.
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Epic Content Marketing
$19.59
This is a book to help you build an SEO and content marketing strategy for your business. Filled with direction and tactics to help any business win!
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Hey Whipple, Squeeze This
$22.95
This is the number one must read book for those in marketing and advertising. The book talks about the craft of making ads, to digital platforms, and even how to succeed in the industry.
SHOP NOWA true bible of advertising, this book has been revised over and over again throughout the previous decades as mediums for advertising evolve. From radio to print to facebook and twitter. The landscape of marketing is always changing and this book will likely evolve again throughout the coming decades as well.
With no one subject of discussion like other content marketing books, this book is still an extremely important read for anyone getting into marketing. At any capacity. You need to understand how to pull the evocative, humor, and fascination strings of your readers. Which brings us to our next book…
Click here to read the full book summary of Hey Whipple Squeeze This.
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Fascinate
$22.47
A book about how to create evocative and demand generating marketing and communication strategy. Endear prospects and customers to your brand!
SHOP NOWPerhaps one of the most impressive and successful copywriters of her age. Fascinate by Sally Hogshead shares what it means to fascinate prospective customers. How do you write evocative and interesting copy. What does it take to create demand? All these questions and more are drawn out in actionable and reflective writing.
She shares examples of the impact that good copywriting can have on an organization's success. Guides the reader through her step-by-step process for identifying what kind of brand you are and what it means to do something fascinating for your audience. This is a fantastic book for anyone in or out of the marketing department.
Click here to read the full book summary of Fascinate.
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Experiences
$19
Learn to improve your customer experience. The customers' experience with your company and website must seem applicable to them. Find out how with this SEO book.
SHOP NOWThis is a perfect book for business leaders trying to create more engaging and valuable interactions with prospects and customers before and after their first purchase. Improving the online content driven experience today is more important than ever. This book walks you through what to do to create an amazing experience and why it matters.
Learn about your customers and how much control you have over their experience with your brand. Then also tracking how that content performs to find out if you’re up to par with the standards in today’s world. Learn and apply the four major steps to Content Creation Management and other actionable strategies for scaling a customer focused content system.
Click here to read the full book summary of Experiences: The 7th Era of Marketing.
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The Art of SEO
$35.98
Turn your company website and blog into a lead engine. Learn to optimize and create content that resonates and, more importantly, gets traffic.
SHOP NOWSEO legend Rand Fishkin has written multiple books aside from this one including Inbound Marketing and SEO, has amazing skillshare classes, and founded MOZ and search engine tool.
This was his first book about how to create SEO friendly content for your website as well as information to help you understand the “why” behind it. There are guidelines and unique tactics that will assist the planning and creation of your full SEO strategy. Also included is the unique role that social media plays in this ecosystem of search engines. Lastly, find out what decisions you make onsite are confusing these search engines and how to avoid/correct these mistakes.
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Biography of Kirk Kerkorian
$16 New
The rags to riches story of how an 8th grade dropout became a multi-billionaire. From boxing to flipping airplanes to real estate development in Las Vegas, Kirk was a risk taking legend.
View On AmazonKirk started out as an eighth grade drop out and became one of the most prolific billionaires of the last century. This story chronicles his life through childhood and adulthood.
Kirk learned about the need for Grit early on in his childhood. When he started flying airplanes he had many near death experiences. To make money he ended up flipping airplanes and eventually starting one of the first airlines. When he got into real estate, he changed the Las Vegas skyline more than perhaps anyone else.
Aside from his romantic life which is discussed in great detail as well, Kirk’s reputation was as good as good. This is an unbelievably inspiring book about a man of his word. This book will have you inspired to push yourself to the next level and accomplish more.
Click here to read the full book summary of Kirk Kerkorian's biography.
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Ted Turner Biography
$15 New
The biography of Ted Turner is the story of a rebellious youth turned multi-billionaire. Deal after deal is done to level up his business.
View On AmazonHow can one person go from taking over a simple family billboard business in their early 20’s to a multi-billionaire who owns enormous ranches and multiple sports teams? This book will show you how.
Ted was a hard worker from early on in life. This served him well when he started TV and cable channels and networks like CNN, TBS, Superstation and more. A true visionary, Ted was always looking forward and trying to get bigger and better. But when the internet came along and his company sold to Time Warner and AOL, he was out of his element and cashed out.
Read this book to get inspired and create a new vision for what's possible in your own life!
Click here to read the full book summary of Ted Turner's biography.
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King Icahn Bio of Carl Icahn
$39.99 New
Biography of Carl Icahn is a billionaire's story of hostile takeovers done in the 1980's.
View On AmazonThe 1980s were a different time in America. Compared to today, one might almost consider it a lawless nation. Well maybe not that far, but most of Carl's hostile takeover actions in the 1980s would not be possible today due to law changes.
Carl imagined a way to use his money to get toeholds into companies and leverage stockholder sentiment to get control and sell the assets. Often times getting paid off to walk away and leave the company alone. In single deals Carl would make tens of millions of dollars. He, and several others, did this constantly throughout the 80s.
Carl was a visionary, rigid negotiator, and very motivated about his business. This book will get you focused on your business for sure.
Click here to read the full book summary of Carl Icahn's biography.
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Be My Guest
$9 New
This is the story of how Conrad Hilton entered and took over the Hotel business. From broke at 40 to owning an enormous hotel chain including the Waldorf Astoria.
View On AmazonThis book doesn’t even start until Conrad is 31 years old. And he goes totally broke in the great depression at 41. Just from that point you can easily tell yourself that anything is possible.
Conrad wanted to buy a bank, but when he saw the demand in hotels he decided to move in that direction. The story of his wild expansion and education as an operator is impressive. So driven to grow and expand Conrad pushed his debt level to the limit.
Like most billionaires, Conrad became extremely rich through stock and appreciation in value of the stock market. This is a legendary story about how to raise money and grow a business.
Click here to read the full book summary of Conrad Hilton's biography.
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Delivering Happiness
$12 New
This is the story of the trials and tribulations that Tony Hsieh went through to get Zappos from $0 to over $1b. It almost cost him everything.
View On AmazonIt may sound odd, but at the time, selling shoes on the internet was an off the wall idea. No one was doing it. Tony was the first money in and, at the time, had many other investments. All of those though ended up playing second fiddle to Zappos though.
Tony almost went broke funding Zappos. This from someone who had already sold a company for $150mm. He sold his real estate portfolio, and put everything on the line to see Zappos work because they could not raise any money. Even when the company’s run rate was $10mm. No one wanted it.
This book is an amazing read about the roller coaster a bootstrapped entrepreneur goes through.
Click here to read the full book summary of Tony Hsieh's biography.
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Jack: Straight from the Gut
$13.51 New
As the leader of one of the most powerful and wide stretching businesses in American History, Jack shares his wins and losses as well as what it takes to be a winner and get ahead in life.
View On AmazonThe Chairman and CEO of GE, Jack, was a man with immense power. “Neutron Jack'' was his nickname because they would fire the bottom 10% of performers every year. He was the founder of 6 sigma and many other groups and changes to the company.
In this book Jack talks about his rise to power and the wild success he drove on his way up and at the top. He also shares some of the mistakes and problems he caused in life and work.
This book is best for a company person who wants to climb the ladder or get hired on from the outside.
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I Love Capitalism!
$12.34 New
Learn the story of a deal junky investor that envisioned and created Home Depot. This no nonsense business titan teaches his secrets to success and spares no details.
View On AmazonKen is a deal junky. He tells story after story about the amazing deals he put together. The way he talks is so down to earth as well. It appears that all his money did not go to his head.
Ken came up on wall street doing mergers and acquisitions. When he saw the asset vs book value on a hardware store he knew he wanted in. Partnered with an amazing operator, raised a bit more money and they were off with Home Depot. The highs and lows and leadership changes that come along with growing a massive company like this are riveting.
Ken’s book will be best enjoyed by fellow deal junkies and those curious about taking a company public.
Click here to read the full book summary of Ken Langone's biography.
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Ross Perot: The Man Behind the Myth
$18.99 New
The incredible story Ross Perot's rise to riches and political power. An American success story with lessons and secrets to success that many will enjoy or apply to their own lives.
View On AmazonOne of the deals that Ken put together made Ross Perot extremely rich. They would have a working relationship for their entire life.
Ross Perot was a captivating American figure and brilliant entrepreneur. Much like Kirk Kerkorian he too was a working-class kid who through his own grit and industriousness became a billionaire business tycoon. This book shares the details about how this gifted leader did it.
This book will be enjoyed by anyone with a curiosity to read about a passionate man with a rags to riches story. A person almost completely on his own, transformed American politics.
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Running Scared
$16.95 New
One of the biggest hotelmen in Las Vegas history. This story includes how Steve came to power and what shady dealing or relationships may have lead to his success.
View On AmazonSteve sued the publisher of this book for defamation and pushed them into bankruptcy. Already sounds like a juicy read, right? There are details Wynn does not want the world to know.
Find out how one of Las Vegas’s more prolific hotelmen at one point owned Bellagio, Treasure Island, Mirage, and Golden Nugget. Learn the details of the deals that were done to create this mogul and his connections to organized crime.
This is a behind-the-scenes book written by an investigative journalist who owned a hotel. Doesn’t get much better than that. Well-written and researched book that will open your eyes to what is possible.
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American Rascal
$24.66 New
You do not need to have a passion for history to enjoy this enthralling biography of one of Wall Street’s biggest rebels. In this book, you will meet some of Wall Street’s most notorious figures in a time characterized by outrageous lawlessness.
View On AmazonYou do not need to have a passion for history to enjoy this enthralling biography of one of Wall Street’s biggest rebels. In this book, you will meet some of Wall Street’s most notorious figures in a time characterized by outrageous lawlessness. Greg Steinmetz skillfully stitches the story of Jay Gould’s life with relevant context but without bogging the reader down with too many details.
Born into a working-class background, Gould instigated a meteoric rise to power via means that, while illegal now, was entirely lawful at the time. Through conscientious attention to detail, ruthless exploits, and single-minded pursuit of wealth, Gould became a railroad magnate and built a financial empire. Although it would be easy to vilify Gould, Steinmetz writes about both Gould’s strengths and weaknesses to illustrate his complex personality.
Serving as a cautionary tale, “American Rascal” is still relevant in today’s world. In learning about Wall Street before there were any restrictions, you will learn why they exist. By divorcing integrity from financial dealings, Gould illustrates why regulations are important.
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Retail Gangster
$24.66 New
An inside look into the unfathomable scams committed by Eddie Antar, or, as he was known in his commercials, “Crazy Eddie.” You will learn about his humble beginnings, meteoric rise to power, and magnificent crash which included a prison stint. With a background in investigative journalism, Gary Weiss brings Eddie Antar and the unforgettable people that surrounded him to life in this addictive book.
View On Amazon“Retail Gangster” is an inside look into the unfathomable scams committed by Eddie Antar, or, as he was known in his commercials, “Crazy Eddie.” You will learn about his humble beginnings, meteoric rise to power, and magnificent crash which included a prison stint. With a background in investigative journalism, Gary Weiss brings Eddie Antar and the unforgettable people that surrounded him to life in this addictive book.
Although this book is nonfiction, it reads like a bestselling thriller. Filled with memorable characters, complex family relationships, and intricate sub-plots, you will not be able to put this book down.
Beyond learning about scams of immense proportion and the people who perpetrated them, you will discover how a magnetic personality and unrivaled avarice can mask bottomless corruption – at least for a time. Even though “Retail Gangster” is a cautionary tale, it is an entertaining peek into the worst New York has to offer.
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The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future
$5.94
Building apps and services on top of the internet, and the third wave will be about integrating the internet into every aspect of our lives in seamless and pervasive ways
View On AmazonThis book offers a compelling vision of the next technological era. Case, AOL's co-founder, outlines the three phases of the internet's evolution. The first wave saw companies, like AOL, laying the groundwork, connecting people online. The second wave was dominated by companies like Google and Facebook, building apps and platforms atop this infrastructure. In the impending third wave, Case predicts the internet will be seamlessly integrated into every facet of our lives, profoundly impacting sectors like health, education, and transportation. This won't just be about creating a new app or platform, but fundamentally reimagining real-world systems in a digitally interconnected era.
Entrepreneurs navigating this wave will need to liaise with governments, forge partnerships, and understand policy implications. Case’s insights draw from his vast experiences, providing both a map for the future and a call to action for innovators.
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Elon Musk Biography
$28.99 New
Dive deep into the life of Elon Musk, the groundbreaking innovator who transformed the world with electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence
View Books On AmazonDive deep into the life of Elon Musk, the groundbreaking innovator who transformed the world with electric vehicles, private space exploration, and artificial intelligence. From the bestselling author of "Steve Jobs," this biography offers an intimate look into the life of a man who, despite his unparalleled successes, has faced immense personal challenges.
As a child in South Africa, Musk was a target for bullies, enduring physical and emotional scars that would shape his future. His complex relationship with his charismatic yet enigmatic father further molded his psyche, leading to a life marked by intense passion, risk-taking, and dramatic flair.
By 2022, Musk had achieved unimaginable feats with SpaceX and Tesla, becoming the world's wealthiest individual. Yet, beneath the accolades, he grappled with his own inner turmoil. His subsequent move to take over Twitter, the global digital playground, symbolized his journey from being bullied on the playground to owning it.
Having had unprecedented access to Musk for two years, Isaacson provides readers with a riveting narrative, weaving tales of triumphs, setbacks, and Musk's relentless drive. This book delves deep into the psyche of a man whose demons might just be the catalysts for his unparalleled innovations.
Are you ready to explore the mind behind the genius? Discover the man who dared to dream, innovate, and redefine the boundaries of possibility.
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How to Get Rich
$16.20 New
Dennis built a publishing dynasty, founded the renowned Maxim magazine, and etched his name among the UK's wealthiest
View Books On AmazonEmbark on a journey with Felix Dennis, a self-made magnate who defied the odds. From being a college dropout without the cushion of family wealth, Dennis built a publishing dynasty, founded the renowned Maxim magazine, and etched his name among the UK's wealthiest, all while enjoying every moment of his audacious journey.
"How to Get Rich" is not your typical wealth-building guide. Dennis steers clear of the clichés, avoiding the pitfalls of generic investment advice and overhyped motivational jargon. Instead, he offers candid insights into the world of entrepreneurship, drawing from his own roller-coaster experiences.
Dennis challenges conventional wisdom, asserting that regular paychecks can be addictive traps, that the brilliance of an idea isn't as crucial as one might think, and most importantly, that true power lies in ownership.
Dive into this book to uncover the raw, unfiltered advice of a man who has walked the path and wishes to light the way for others. If you're seeking a no-nonsense guide to wealth from someone who's lived it, "How to Get Rich" is your ticket to a masterclass in entrepreneurship.
In a world of limited resources and high expectations, how can corporations increase value? There's no better time to consider how your company can become more innovative, profitable, and sustainable. Perhaps the most innovative companies are not those with the most cutting-edge technology but those that think holistically. Lean Thinking is the holistic, long-term underpinning of Lean corporations.
This book will explore the four quadrants of a poor corporation, how they can help your company thrive, and the pitfalls to avoid. If you're ready to take your company to the next level, read on and get ready to rediscover your company's purpose, value proposition, stakeholder engagement, and efficiency in operations.
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Lean Thinking
$16.94
Learn to think outside the box to streamline production and distribution in ways you never thought possible. The book is filled with examples of how other companies did it.
View On AmazonIt all started with a book The Machine That Changed the World. A story about how a small group of individuals—a handful of engineers, an army of industrialists, and a few others—changed the world for the better by developing a manufacturing system called Lean Production. In their quest to improve production efficiency, they discovered that eliminating waste from their factory operations would increase profits even if it meant lower wages for workers. Their work was not just about making more money but also about improving quality and reducing costs. And it was not just about making money but also about improving the quality of life. Another book like this for the ecommerce world is Lean Startup.
This book tells how this group of individuals, who didn't have complete freedom to operate their factories as they wanted, nevertheless managed to create a manufacturing system that improved quality, reduced costs, and increased profits. The result has been a manufacturing system that has changed the world. Listening to team members that are actually doing the work and trying to figure out how to make the company better is what Jack Welch of GE calls Six Sigma. His biography Straight from the Gut talks all about it.
A small example is the idea of manufacturing somewhere like China, but assembling in America. Packing and shipping unassembled products can created massive efficiencies and cost savings at scale.
In the revised and updated edition of Lean Thinking, James and Daniel have added a new chapter on the four quadrants of a lean organization.
In addition to providing an introduction to the four quadrants, this portion of the book explores how each quadrant can be used to create a lean company and provides examples showing how each quadrant can build a profitable, sustainable, and customer-focused company. The authors explain why each quadrant is essential for creating a lean company and how its importance varies with different stages in the life cycle of a business venture. A book about the challenges of growing a company is The Messy Middle.
This revised edition will find many new examples—including one from Walmart—that illustrate how different companies have used Lean Principles in their operations to create sustainable competitive advantages while reducing waste and improving quality and service. For more on Walmart consider reading Sam Walton’s biography Made In America.
Another example is about the efficiency in the production process for soda. Traditionally it takes 319 days from start to finish vs 3 hours to make. Picking up and putting down 15-30 times from start to finish. This could also be called smooth flow vs jammed flow. A topic discussed in great detail with other wonderful examples in the unbelievable book Loonshots.
The grocery company Tesco is another wonderful example. They operate under the daily inventory ordering system which creates massive improvements to efficiencies. They also created a "Value System" by having a membership and analyzing what shoppers buy most frequently and tailoring line extensions to give buyers what they want. Comparable to frequent flyer miles mentioned in Loonshots as well.
You will also find updates on new tools available to help you manage your company's performance using these principles and a new chapter on the Four-Box Society.
Lean Thinking will show you how to run your business to become thin and profitable. It will show you how to save money, improve quality, and reduce waste in your company. A good example is the case made for removing Batch and Queue from production to increase efficiencies by 90%. Most people tend to think there are efficiencies in B&Q, but the case is made quite well that it is a myth.
The book offers solutions for managing and improving service and dealing with employees who don't buy into lean principles. It shows step by step how to create a culture of continuous improvement that will allow you to learn new things about how to be more efficient and improve your business performance. For you to improve Operations Management and to manage the company. To this end, you might also consider reading the books Creating Magic or Traction.
Management expert James P. Womack, Ph.D., is the founder and senior advisor of the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI). He is the author of The Lean Enterprise: How Today's Leading Companies Are Using lean principles to Create Radically Improved Value and a former partner at McKinsey & Company. He is also the co-author of several international best-sellers, including The Machine That Changed the World: The Story of Lean Production and his latest book, The Machine that Changed the World: Reengineering Work in America's Manufacturing Communities.
The Long Tail is a book about SEO authored by Chris Anderson. He looks at the business concept of long-tail and how it has influenced the niche market. He has presented the idea of long-tail in a web e-commerce setting in an exciting way with broad examples stretching as far as the world of entertainment & music.
This business concept emphasizes selling a wide variety of relatively unpopular products. It contrasts with the traditional market setting where companies focus on selling a few popular products to generate revenue. The internet has contributed to this since search tools and technologies give buyers the power to find a wide variety of products. In addition, internet stores can hold an infinite number of products compared to physical stores, where there is a limit to the number of products stored.
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The Long Tail
$11
A book about the importance of niches and how they are changing the world due to availability of information. Sell Less of More.
SHOP NOWHow The Market Of Niches Rivals The Market Of Hits - All the industries have an established demand curve where a few most valued products generate high demand, and many least-valued products generate low demand. The increased demand products form the head while the low demand ones from the curve's tail. The products at the head are perceived to generate more profit. However, with the concept of long-tail, businesses can offer various products that resonate with many small groups of people. A sufficient supply of these products in the niche market can compete with the market of hits. Another book about avoiding competition is Peter Thiel's Zero To One.
Effects Of Access To Content And Availability Of Distribution - Means easy access to content and availability of the means of distribution has the effect of fattening the tail. It is made possible by the existence of companies that collect a wide variety of goods and make them easy to find. These companies are referred to as aggregators. Examples of these aggregators include Amazon, eBay, iTunes and Craigslist. In addition, they provide the means of distribution since anyone searching for the products can find them. With this ease of searching and finding products, it becomes easier to sell them. The Third Wave is an important next book to read here. It gives even more insights to what is going to happen in the third wave of the internet era.
Cost-Effectiveness Of Internet Based Distribution - Long-tail economics makes it possible for niche market products to be sellable and profitable. The internet provides an unlimited shelf space and a wide variety of choices. This unlimited space offers lower advertising and inventory costs. On the other hand, an abundance of options allows one to satisfy many people's desires without incurring extra costs. It is worth hearing the story of Zappos choosing the shoe niche in Tony Hsieh's biography Delivering Happiness.
Effectiveness of Filtering Options - A wide variety of content and abundance of choice makes it difficult for consumers to find what they want. Filtering options come into play to help ease the process of finding products. The traditional market was driven by pre-filters, where sellers filtered products and content before hitting the market. The current market is dominated by post filters which filter what is already in the market. Consumers now can have full authority over what to buy, influenced by the experiences of other consumers. The make sure you are positioned well in your niche and showing up when you should on certain searches we recommend F#ck Content Marketing.
Effects of availability of means of production to everyone - Availability of means of production affects the supply and demand curves. When everyone has access to the means of production, there is a lot of content in the market, making the tail longer. With the ease of access to production, the production cost is almost zero. Therefore, much of the content is not driven by the concept of profitability but by fun and experimentation. Amateurs can now create content and distribute it with the available means of distribution. Perhaps the best book on this would be Lean Thinking. It shares ideas about how to innovate your company to be more efficient.
The first few chapters give an overview of what a long tail is, with chapter 2 focusing on the 'head' of the tail where the mega-hits are located. You’ll see the author analyze the music industry and how the availability of niche music has impacted the record sales for mega-hits. Boy bands broke records time and time again due to lack of availability. This changes when everyone can find anything they want.
Lastly there is a history of long-tail and provides examples of how the phenomenon was in play during the pre-internet era. In addition, it shows how the phenomenon increases with the increase in global internet usage.
The book then moves on to discuss the forces necessary to keep the long tail phenomenon in play and outlines how demand and supply relate to it. Thanks to the availability of information people can find anything they are looking for. This created a new market that results from the influence of the long tail, how the consumers find the products and services that suit their quest and how they are distributed. It discusses the long tail aggregators like Amazon who provide a distribution channel and ease of access to a wide range of products from a single place.
Availability of information also created an existence of new tastemakers in the market. The consumer's voice gains traction. People can find quality in products from the reviews and recommendations of other consumers. In addition, companies can now measure consumer tastes and patterns in real-time. This means that TV shows become secondary and primetime must compete with non-mainstream shows with low marketing budgets. It marked the start of a new niche era.
The book contrasts the long tail with the conventional Pareto principle, which holds that only 20 % of the products sold generate 80% of revenue. Companies give more attention to these few products and fail to cater to the diverse interests of consumers. In the long-tail retail strategies, the sales are spread out evenly between hits and niches, and companies can realize profits at all levels.
In the Long-Tail, the products live forever. Something retail store shelves can never offer. The rent per square foot of shelf space for books that don’t sell is just too high.
The long tail curve has a short head with a longer tail, but the head is much higher, with many consumers interested in a limited number of products. Anderson makes a point here about declining box-office hits that are threatened by niche offerings. This portion of the book discusses video's shift from television to the online space in great detail.
Other topics discussed in the book include the pros and cons of choice, niche culture that long tail creates, manufacturing and business space beyond entertainment, and outlines the rules that companies should follow to have a successful long-tail business concept.
Rather than competing for the masses attention, look for a small niche that few people are interested in and find scale through a large list of these things.
Chris Anderson, an author, entrepreneur, and CEO of 3D Robotics, has established himself around emerging technologies. Holding a degree in physics, he has also conducted research at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. His career begins with six years as an editor at two leading journals, Nature and Science. Anderson later joined The Columnist as a business editor. His story with the long tail concept began in 2004 when he wrote an article with the Wired, where he worked as an editor in chief. Chris later expanded the topic to the book The Long Tail in 2006. In addition, he has a blog, The Long Tail, which he updates regularly on issues surrounding his books.
Anderson has authored two more books, Free and Makers. Free discusses the advantages of initially giving products and services to the customers for free. The Makers discusses the democratization of invention and production tools which has revolutionized the impact of designers and inventors on the manufacturing industry. Chris Anderson is the founder and CEO of an open-source robotics company, 3D Robotics. In addition, he has founded other companies, such as GeekDad, which have been lost in the mists of time. Remarkably, he was named one of the 100 most influential people by the "Time 100" in April 2007. He has also acquired various awards, such as Editor of the Year by Ad Age in 2005 and the Loeb Award for Business Book of the Year in 2007.
Here are links to some podcasts Chris Anderson is involved in
The book Delivering Happiness is a biography of Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos. It is inspirational for all people who want to do great things and be happy. Tony wanted to make the world happier, not just Zappos customers and staff. He learned the hard way that culture is very important in any business, and once you get the culture right, you can never go wrong.
This book walks you through the turmoil of Tony’s world when starting Zappos. The beginning challenges, messy middle, and ultimately the finish line. There are lessons for any business enthusiast at every stage.
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Delivering Happiness
$12
This is the story of the trials and tribulations that Tony Hsieh went through to get Zappos from $0 to over $1b. It almost cost him everything.
SHOP NOWEver since his childhood, Tony used to come up with many business ideas, which he actively pursued. His Asian-‐American parents had his schedule packed though and big plans for him to become a doctor. Tony had no interest in musical instruments, he considered it to be a waste of time, so he recorded himself playing once for an hour and used to play the recording loud enough for his parents to hear. Admitting this only for the first time in his book. He even apologizes to his parents.
What really had Tony excited was making money and starting businesses. He began delivering newspapers, began a letter selling business, learned about computers and even worked as a programmer in high school. There were many other schemes that failed, but Tony was always trying something.
As a high IQ individual, Tony had his pick of the college litter: UCB, MIT, Stanford, etc. He selected Harvard and ended up creating a way to crowdsource notes from classes and sell them for a profit. He cooked up a few other schemes in college as well.
After college Tony grabbed a job at Oracle. He was making $40K and doing better than his peers. He ran a couple tests and was bored all the time. As you might imagine he quickly started a business on the side with his buddy Sanjay. They named their business IMS (Internet Marketing Solutions) and it quickly absorbed all their enthusiasm. Soon after getting their first customer he had to quit Oracle. His manager congratulated him and assumed that he got a job at a startup.
Tony was rich and he could have retired, but decided to start a fund and invest in 27 different businesses. Most of the companies that he ended up investing in got his money back, and even made money. But Zappos is the star.
Nick & Fred were the idea men. They wanted to build a company that sold shoes online and launch through drop shipping (a first for shoes). Their passion swayed Tony who was initially skeptical, but went through with the investment anyway.
When the economy began to collapse in the wake of the dotcom bubble bursting and 9/11 the company was in dire financial straits. They cut staff and took smaller space, Tony threw more money in, but it wasn’t enough. He decided to begin selling the real estate that he had purchased for massive losses to keep the company afloat. All of this because of the liquidity crisis and lack of available funds. Venture firms are cyclical and you can read more about this in the book Why Startups Fail.
At a do or die moment Tony threw all the cards on the table. This was it. Tony liquidated the rest of his properties and they changed their business model by purchasing all the inventory and ending the drop shipping. This was a good bet as it tripled their sales. They still has fulfillment issues with Elogistics. They decided to take half the fulfillment in-house to see which company did it better. It didn’t take long to realize that Tony should never have outsourced this to a third party. This is a lesson supported by Behance founder in his book The Messy Middle.
Not outsourcing a core competency is a lesson that Tony never forgot. It prevented them from outsourcing customer service as well. They could have saved a fortune by using a call center overseas or to a US company. They decided to move the HQ and call center to Las Vegas. Many staffers decided to follow them there. It was the environment, culture, business they were a part of they all loved. Tony was certain to not lose that as he did in his first company.
From $8mm in sales to $1b in 2008, Zappos had outdone even their biggest dreams. It was at this point that they FINALLY received financial support with a line of credit from Wells Fargo.
It was at this climax of success that Amazon came along to buy them. The announcement and structure of the deal was complicated by things like liquidation preferences. For more on mergers and acquisitions read the book Venture Deals. while the deal ended up getting done, the companies did not merge. Tony was insistent that what Zappos had created in their culture would not mesh well with another company.
Zappos customer service has an excellent approach to tending to customers. The company has a record history of a call that lasted 10 hours and 51 minutes. They have a philosophy that’s contrary to the common “normal” call center mentality. Most brands’ call centers focus on the number of calls instead of quality. For example, in the book, Tony narrates an incident whereby a customer called Zappos at 2 am. The customer needed a pizza, so he called a customer service agent, who went out of his way to find an open pizza place and even placed an order. The customer service agent could have cut short the client and explained that this is a retail shop, not a pizza place. Instead, he went out of his way to cater to the needs of this customer, showing how Zappos has a customer-centric culture.
The book The ONE Thing helps you determine the one thing that is most important to focus on. This is a common problem for entrepreneurs. Tony is no exception. He even thought about applying the Zappos business model to shipping lobsters at one point. Once your company has picked one thing to work on, Tony says you should never outsource the idea. If you have an idea of what you want your business to lead in, extend it through the company. It shouldn’t just be up to a single department.
If this book sounds interesting we recommend The Third Wave by Steve Case. It is about the rise of AOL.
Tony Hsieh is an American businessman and venture capitalist. He is the current CEO of Zappos, an online shoe store. Before founding Zappos, Tony was a co-founder of another company called Linkexchange. He sold the company to Microsoft in 1988 for a total of $265 million. He used the proceeds earned from the sale to start an investment fund named Venture Frogs. At around the same time, Tony got a call from Nick Swinmurn, who had a business idea and a website called Shoesite.com. Nick’s idea was to make shoes easily available to people. Initially, Tony didn’t buy into Nick’s idea, but Nick started explaining and showing statistics about the shoe industry. That’s when Tony started showing interest.
Nick also called a guy named Fred, who was doing well in corporate. The three of them decided to start the business, and they changed the name from Shoesite to Zappos. Delivering Happiness (a biography of Zappos founder) was released in 2010, and it debuted at number 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. Since then, Tony has been a well-known expert in building strong company culture and excellent customer service. He has a great influence on Twitter, where he makes connections with partners, employees and customers.
Be My Guest, a biography published in 1958 by hotelier Conrad Hilton, tells the Amazing Story of how Conrad Hilton, dubbed by Time Magazine as the Innkeeper to the World, went from owning one shabby hotel in Cisco Texas in 1919 to building a hotel chain that spanned over 3600 hotels throughout the globe.
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Be My Guest
$9
This is the story of how Conrad Hilton entered and took over the Hotel business. From broke at 40 to owning an enormous hotel chain including the Waldorf Astoria.
SHOP NOWConrad Hilton was born in San Antonio New Mexico, and his father Gus made a living selling supplies to men making a living working the backwoods of New Mexico. Somewhat prosperous, his family moved to California and was wealthy enough to buy plenty of stock. However, the stock became relatively worthless in 1907 due to a financial crisis that first hit the New York Stock Exchange and then spread countrywide. Gus however, still had assets back in New Mexico, including a large 10-room adobe house which the family converted into a boarding house and charged workers $2.50 a day including meals.
Conrad worked for his father for 11 years, from a tender age, but longed to make a success on his own terms with the intention of going into owning a bank.
World War I was the first hurdle for Mr. Hilton, and while on active duty, his father died in a car accident.
Very frugal throughout the years, Conrad managed to save around $5,000, (roughly $50,000 in today's money), and after the war, his intention was to own a bank, and then a chain of banks. In 1923, after attempting to own a bank in Albuquerque, Conrad moved to Cisco, Texas which was having an oil boom.
Hilton then shifted his interest to owning hotels and bought several run-down hotels in Texas, all of which were quite profitable.
But Hilton wanted more, and while it took a while, he was able to build a grand hotel in Dallas for around $1 million dollars.
Life was great, Hilton got married, had children, and with 9 hotels beneath him, all went swimmingly. And then, 19 days after the Hilton hotel in Dallas was complete, the
1929 depression hit.
Hilton's finances took a deep dive, during the depression, so big that he lost several of his hotels and actually had to pawn his clothes as he went into bankruptcy.
Still, his ability at hotel management was highly valued, and Hilton was called upon to manage all of his hotels, he eventually was able to retain ownership of all his lost hotels.
Over the late 1930s Hilton, having regained much of his lost financial footing, wound up expanding first on the East Coast and West Coasts and Chicago, and by 1954, three years before he published his biography, Hilton's hotel chain had blossomed to 188 hotels throughout the world.
Although he was mega-successful as a hotelier, Mr. Hilton gives his mother and father great credit for his success, although they both had deeply different approaches to success.
His mother, a deeply Catholic woman, constantly urged Conrad to "Pray for Success," while his father, a more practical man, urged Conrad to "work, work, work." Hilton was a man of strong faith and if he was around to read it, would have loved the book How The Bible Became The Bible.
Later when writing his biography at age 70, Conrad also realized that there was a third element to his success, which came in the way of dreaming big.
Conrad was always a huge believer, and much like many gentlemen who lived in the era of the great depression and then saw America go through great prosperity from 1946 to 1964, Conrad was determined to see his dreams of financial success come true.
By the time he died in 1979 at the age of 91, Hilton had acquired $1 billion dollars in assets, and he was one of around 40 or so billionaires in the United States.
His story provides inspiration for anyone who doesn't know their future path to success but are hungry enough to keep themselves open to opportunity.
After all, Conrad Hilton did not set out to become a hotelier, but while exploring other opportunities, he found his way to his calling.
Another principle that is highly important to the Conrad Hilton story is his thriftiness. By the time he bought the Mobley hotel, he had saved up over $5,000, a princely sum in those days.
Although the opportunity arose in the Mobley when Mr. Hilton's explorations at buying a bank fell through, it was his savings investment that allowed him to purchase his first hotel.
Having a sufficient investment of seed money is one thing that separates many dreamers from reality.
Conrad Hilton was born in 1887 and died at age 91 in 1979. He married, Mary Adelaine Barron in 1925, and the couple had three children, Conrad Hilton Jr., Barron Hilton and Eric Hilton.
Conrad and Mary divorced in 1936, and in 1942, Conrad married actress Zsa Gabor. The couple had one child Francesca who died in 1967 of a stroke. The couple divorced in 1947, and there are reports, at least from Zsa Zsa's perspective that neither party was particularly happy.
Conrad then remained single until 1976 when he married Mary Frances Kelly, who remained his wife until he died in 1979.
Hilton left the bulk of his estate to a foundation created in his name, and Hilton contributed millions of dollars worth of financial assistance to charities and educational institutions.
Conrad remained head of the Hilton Hotels Corporation and the Hilton International Company until his retirement in 1966 when he turned the reins over to his son Barron.
Besides creating the hotel chain, Conrad Hilton purchased the Carte Blanche Credit Company, the creator of the Diner's Club, the first independent credit card payment company in the world, and he was also a substantial investor in the American Cyrstal Sugar Company.
Mr. Hilton received honorary degrees from the University of Detroit in 1953, DePaul University in 1954, Barat College in 1955, Adelphi College in 1957, Sophia University, Tokyo in 1963, and the University of Albuquerque in 1975.
Besides his biography, published in 1958, Mr. Hilton also wrote a second biography in 1963 entitled Inspirations of an Innkeeper.
Hilton lived in a house in Bel Air California which he dearly loved from 1950 until the time of his death in 1979.
Of note is that long after his death, in 2009, he was portrayed by actor Chelcie Ross on the television series Mad Men for 6 episodes.
In addition, Hilton's great-grandaughter, Paris Hilton, is of course an active and somewhat polarizing social media star and active socialite.
No members of the Hilton Family really own any hotels since they were publicly sold in 2007, the surviving Hilton members have a lot of stock in Hilton Worldwide Holdings and continue to franchise hotels worldwide.
Biography of T. Boone Pickens is an interesting one; he rose from humble beginnings to become one of America's most well-known oilmen. His fortune was made by starting his own company, investing in land, making wind power, starting a hedge fund, and more. Perhaps one of the most generous philanthropists in history, T. Boone Pickens is an amazing example of what is possible in America.
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The First Billion Is the Hardest
$14.84
Billionaire oil man shares his success story with the ultimate humility. How he came from nothing and leveraged his knowledge and company shares to multiply his wealth enormously! Be inspired and a true American success story.
SHOP NOWWhen he was just four years old, his family moved to Amarillo, Texas. It was there that he would later begin his career in the oil and gas industry. After graduating from high school, T. Boone Pickens attended Oklahoma State University on a basketball scholarship.
Upon graduating, T. Boone Pickens began working for Phillips Petroleum Company. In 1962, he left Phillips Petroleum and his wife was not happy about it. But he had to leave, people there were doing the same thing everyday and no one was trying to make the place better. They kept their heads down and did their job. He was not sure what to do next, but when his wife dared him to quit one night, he did. He spent time as a consultant in the oil industry by leveraging his knowledge in the, but knew this was not stable enough and a bigger opportunity was always on his mind. This is similar to Ken Langone, the founder of Home Depot.
Eventually an opportunity came his way and he seized it with two other investors. This company ended up being Mesa Petroleum. A company name that would follow him or the rest of his life. Mesa would go on to become one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the United States. The Behance founder did a great job of seizing opportunity in his book The Messy Middle.
Pickens was very focused on his career and frequently avoided distractions and temptations. Once going to a bar after work only to leave a half a drink in realizing that this was not a productive use of time. He had massive self control, motivation, and focus on his objective. Ted Turner is another billionaire that avoided distractions and focused on his career.
When Mesa went public they had no debt and were very profitable, especially in the first year when they made over $13 million in profit. Though he was not experienced in leading a company, Picken’s work ethics, encouraging nature, and ability to make profit would make him a person to work for your entire career.
The biggest deal of his career was not the easiest and was widely publicized. It was his attempt to take over Gulf Oil. This more than $13 billion dollar deal would get Pickens a heavy amount of skepticism. Many thought it was impossible. Even Gulf Oil. After an initial offer was rejected, Pickens decided to buy shares of Gulf Oil. Eventually his company became the largest shareholder. Though these shares didn’t help him get the deal done, Mesa cleared a tighty $400+mm in the process. He obviously classified this as a win.
Mr Pickens made so many deals in his life. One in particular involved deep water oil drilling in Mexico and he lost more than $25 million. Details and lessons about these deals which should not be missed by reading the book. Terms that the master Pickens discusses like End Run, Reserves Earnings, Tender Offer, Bear Hug Offer, Asset Value Vs Stock Price. More about how to use these terms to your advantage can be found in the book Venture Deals.
His time at Mesa did come to an end at 68. But he didn’t retire, he moved on to a new company with a select few of his best people. He started an energy hedge fund. In the book he talks about how many times he has to take the licensing test. It was very humbling for him and an impressive show of humility to put it in the book. This is similar to Carl Icahn, who cannot and will not stop working. His biography King Icahn is full of similar stories of hostile takeovers.
With his fund off the ground, he hadn’t made any investments yet. Even getting some pressure from investors at times. Then opportunity stuck. He believed that the price of natural gas would increase. With prices peaking at $4.50 Pickens recognized that the supply was down and demand was rising and would continue to do so. He took a huge position long on Natural Gas and the price continued to rise. As it did, he continued to buy more. Hurricanes impacted his position positively and the company ended up realizing over $300mm in gains. This was perhaps one of the most impressive uses of industry expertise in his life. Pickens advocated focusing on your industry and learning more and more about it. Specializing on one topic is definitely a big part of the book The ONE Thing.
He was amazing about sharing credit. He constantly shared that he was not alone in achievements. Would listen to anyone’s thoughts and ideas. This led to high levels of trust and comfort in sharing information. Pickens saw himself as a coach in this way. It was obviously an effective strategy worth considering.
Another lesson that we can learn from T. Boone Pickens is the importance of specific knowledge. Pickens made his fortune by investing in energy. By diversifying your portfolio, you will never have the depth of knowledge required. With depth of knowledge in one subject you won’t have to weather many economic downturns because they will all be opportunities. This is a valuable lesson for all investors. Another titan of industry is Conrad Hilton in his book Be My Guest.
The next section of the book talks about the challenges facing the world in energy and natural resources. There is a finite amount of oil in the world and Pickens believes that we’ve identified most of the large oil fields. As global oil production goes down he points out that we must find new ways to source energy. Namely, Wind. He is committed to the idea that wind is the easiest way to make money in energy and moved forward with a $10b venture in it. This is another enormous accomplishment in an unbelievable list through his life.
Pickens made a $165mm donation to his college alma mater OSU for the athletic programs. This gift was the largest ever at the time. He was trying to get his beloved school to be competitive and even number 1. Boone has donated hundreds of millions towards other charitable causes as well, including medical research, as well as his support for Republican candidates who share many similar values on economic policies such as energy independence which he promotes heavily through campaign donations from companies employing thousands across Texas, where they are based too - this gives them more power when negotiating contracts because if there isn't demand then prices will drop disastrously low. Other very philanthropic billionaires include Kirk Kerkorian. You can read more about this in his biography The Gambler.
Boone Pickens is the model of an American success story. He was born into poverty in Oklahoma, but through his hard work, risk taking, and dedication to education found himself one of America's wealthiest men, with a net worth estimated at 5 billion dollars!
Pickens didn't become a billionaire overnight - it took him years of hard work and determination to get to where he is today. If you don’t have passion around what you are doing you will never be great. Pickens was passionate about energy and making money. He worked hard and started an energy investing hedge fund in his 70’s when most men/women are retiring.
T. Boone Pickens is on various social media. Check out the following links
https://web.facebook.com/pickens/?_rdc=1&_rdr
https://twitter.com/boonepickens?lang=en
https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/tboonepickens
What do you desire to become in the future? Does your dream revolve around accumulating wealth? Well, we all have different gifts and skills we use to serve and improve the lives of others. The journey to success is not a walk in the park and you must take risks. So if you want to achieve big goals in life, you have to do whatever it takes. Kirk Kerkorian did.
The Gambler by William C. Rempel is a success story about Kirk Kerkorian. The book is a national bestseller.
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Biography of Kirk Kerkorian
$16
The rags to riches story of how an 8th grade dropout became a multi-billionaire. From boxing to flipping airplanes to real estate development in Las Vegas, Kirk was a risk taking legend.
SHOP NOWIndeed, Kirk Kerkorian was one of the most influential billionaires in American history. He was a true definition of coming from nothing to something. Kirk understood business philosophies which brought his passion to make a difference. One main trait about Kirk was that he always put the needs of people first. This desire evolved over time giving him the willingness to provide massive donations to Armenian communities during catastrophic times. This is similar in many ways to Ted Turner in his biography Call Me Ted.
He was also a risk-taker, an aviator, and became a movie mogul in his business career. Kirk indeed generated all his wealth from many businesses. Including his main company Tracinda Corporation. Which led to investment and the establishment of international resorts. As a result, Kirk pushed for the transformation of Las Vegas. This made him a top financial giant in America. He could definitely be compared to famous Hotelman Conrad Hilton in his biography Be My Guest.
After the Second World War, America had initiatives to bring back the economy. Kirk was at the front line to be a top business deal maker but as an independent entrepreneur. He was the major pioneer of different leisure businesses. Such as airlines. In earl days he would flip airplanes to make money. He even flew old war planes that were trapped in Hawaii due to short range back to California by filling the inside with huge gas tanks. He nearly died several times in the process. This process turned into bigger and bigger transactions and finally created Western Airlines. Later in his airline career he tried to buy TWA and this is where he ran into Billionaire Carl Icahn, who's biography is also worth a read in King Icahn.
Like any other self-made billionaire, Kirk was not born into a rich family. As they say, every success story has a humble beginning. Young Kirk with his Armenian family came to America as immigrants. But this did not stop or limit him from thinking big beyond his dreams in business. Kirk and his family during their time in Los Angeles after relocation was rough and hard to manage. The high rent rates led to many movements to new places due to evictions. Growing up, Kirk’s education was a blur because of the inability of his parents to afford school fees. As a result, he dropped out in eighth grade. Coming from nothing is a shared experience in the biography of Jack Ma the founder of Alibaba.
Kirk began to learn English by flipping newspapers. This is how he started earning pennies at an early age. Always focused on driving revenue, Kirk learned that debt can be good and especially bad from his father. Working on the ranch growing up and his heavy interest in and passion for boxing gave him tremendous amounts of grit. At a later point in his career he even met and negotiated with Mike Tyson who could tell he was more than a suit. Thankfully airplanes took him away from boxing or he may have ended up punch drunk like his brother.
Always a risk taker Kirk lost his first major investment in Las Vegas real estate, only to try again with another. Over his career he built Las Vegas's largest hotel several times. Kirk was a visionary with a knack for putting deals together. This was thanks in large part to his reputation of doing what he says he will do. Once a deal is made the deal doesn't change. His good name kept him going in 2008 building City Center. When other developers were tucking tail he was still getting debt to finish construction. He was as honest and straight forward as it comes.
Kirk earned the honor to be on the Forbes list of American billionaires many times and he hated it. Kirk wanted and cherished his privacy. Somewhat similar to T. Boone Pickens in his biography The First Billion Is The Hardest. As a public figure Kirk became a target of the media and the world. His tumultuous relationships were all over the media and are discussed in great detail in the book.
Kirk had a poor educational background but found his way into the business world. He mastered the skill of deal-making with prominent professionals. He even took Ted Turner for $300mm by selling him MGM at a high price and buying it back low. Dealing in these deals and always being fair so no one left feeling as though they got screwed was a big deal for his reputation as a great deal maker. Something that he and Steve case share. More about Steve in his biography The Third Wave.
In business, to meet high performance, a quality team is necessary and picking the correct team is one of the challenges he was masterful at in his business journey. When he bought MGM and they had the dismantle and sell off the archives in order to stay in business, Kirk gave total trust to his team. Interfering only once to let and unknown actor out of his contract. That actor would turn out to be Al Pacino and the role he was let out to play was in the Godfather.
One of the most impressing parts of Kirk's life was his philanthropical interests. He gave money in large sums to countless interests through the Lincy Foundation and otherwise. He donated over $180 million to Armenia in an effort to rebuild after the destructive persecution they suffered at the end of the ottoman empire.
Indeed, Kirk lived and died at a very ripe old age. Rempel has given an open and detailed description of his life in The Gambler. The information available in the book are factual. From Kirk Kerkorian biography, court documents, business achievements, and memories. The legacy of Kirk Kerkorian’s life has inspired people worldwide. Especially the younger generation who have dreams and look forward to chasing them. The book teaches that visions and ideas are nothing until you bring them to life. You can achieve anything you want in life, as long as you have a plan, the right team, and are willing to take risks. Kirk proved to the world that success does not care where you come from or how much you have. It only accepts what you are willing to do to make a difference.
William C. Rempel is a verified editor and an investigative reporter. His projects focus on national topics and foreign subjects. William has been part of trending topics in the media. This is because of his 36 years of experience working as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times. One of his main reports was the Exxon Valdez disaster. Which was about oil safety and supply due to the Al-Qaeda menace in 2001. His courage to report terrorism subjects has earned him journalism awards and honors. Like the Overseas Press Club Award and Gerald Loeb Award. When it comes to investigative reports, William is at the top of the list as a journalist.
William’s journalism career opened doors and birthed many opportunities to pursue authoring. His talent in writing became diverse because publications were in English and Spanish. Covering many topics of finance, drugs, and love among other global issues. As a result, he got gigs with multimillion dollar brands around the world. Such as becoming a screen and scriptwriter for the Netflix show Narcos and a few Telenovelas.
From a journalist to an influential author, William has directed bestselling books. Like The Gambler and At the Devil’s Table among other journals. Due to the rise of technology, social media platforms have helped William. Making him connect with the audience worldwide. His LinkedIn profile has key information about his career and authoring skills. Also, his experience is on his page to show the audience his professionalism and trust. Apart from social media, William has gone the extra mile to produce podcasts. Where he shares his knowledge and insights on finance and capitalism.