Career & Business, page 3
Jobs, leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, companies. 216 links, newest first. Page 3 of 5.
Links 101 to 150
Four leadership lessons from Marcus Aurelius
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #144
Marcus studied under his stepfather Antoninus for almost twenty years
Summary
The speaker draws four leadership lessons from Marcus Aurelius: find a mentor, never complain, guard against power, stay a student.
The speaker draws four leadership lessons from Marcus Aurelius. He studied for about 20 years under the emperor Antoninus and treated it as an apprenticeship, so the speaker urges finding a mentor. Aurelius did not complain, even privately. He guarded against being changed by power, and he remained a student of leadership and life.
Key points- Marcus studied under his stepfather Antoninus for almost twenty years
- Leadership comes with perks and responsibilities, so do not complain
- Guard against being changed by position, like being dyed purple
The Dip is the hard stretch before rewards
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #144
Every new venture starts with excitement, then a slog before results show up
Summary
The Dip, from Seth Godin's book, is the hard stretch that makes rewards meaningful, and quitters give up inside it.
The speaker recalls Seth Godin's book The Dip: starting something new brings excitement, then a slump where effort does not yet show results. The speaker argues the dip filters out people who will not do the work and gives the reward its meaning. The speaker says they kept making YouTube videos through two years without results and did not quit.
Key points- Every new venture starts with excitement, then a slog before results show up
- The speaker spent two years making YouTube videos with no visible results
- The dip separates people willing to do the work from those who quit
Selling Without Being Salesy: The Kind Way to Sell
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #143
Chris Do of The Futur argues that selling is not about pushing but about understanding, empathizing and providing value.
Summary
Chris Do of The Futur argues that selling is not about pushing but about understanding, empathizing and providing value. Based on a talk at the RGD Conference in Toronto, the video covers how competition changes on projects above about $200,000, his account of doubling business revenue in one year, and sales for introverted designers. It also covers conversational selling and identifying client pain points.
Set rejection goals, like 100 asks a week
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #143
Quotes Noah's dad: collect rejections like treasure to find a few yeses
Summary
Set rejection goals, such as 100 asks a week, since you will never sell anything without asking for what you want.
Summarizing the book Million Dollar Weekend, the speaker says most people wish for what they want instead of asking for it. The book suggests setting a rejection goal, such as 100 rejections a week, because some yeses will follow. After a no, it recommends asking why not, who else would like this, what would make it a no-brainer, and what the person would pay.
Key points- Quotes Noah's dad: collect rejections like treasure to find a few yeses
- Most people wish for what they want and drop hints instead of asking
- Reframe rejection as an exciting thing to collect, not a failure
Gleevery
Tool · gleevery.com · Issue #142
Gleevery is a Polish service for renting electronics, small appliances, sports gear and office equipment instead of buying.
Summary
Gleevery is a Polish service for renting electronics, small appliances, sports gear and office equipment instead of buying. Rentals run 3 to 14 days or 1 to 24 months for a monthly fee, and some items need no deposit. Its GleeverySafe program covers 80% of repair costs in Poland, excluding intentional damage, loss and liquid damage other than water.
My 5 Favorite Email Tactics
Read · chrisbailey.com · 2 min · Issue #142
Productivity author Chris Bailey argues that email is useful but can drain productivity, so its benefits can be kept while its costs are limited.
Summary
Productivity author Chris Bailey argues that email is useful but can drain productivity, so its benefits can be kept while its costs are limited. His tactics: work through email in timed 15 to 20 minute sprints, use an out-of-office reply that points urgent matters elsewhere, keep messages to five sentences, delete email apps when off call, and handle email in low-energy hours.
Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want
Read · hbr.org · Issue #141
BCG's Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs and Allison Bailey argue that corporate strategy methods can help individuals plan their lives.
Summary
BCG's Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs and Allison Bailey argue that corporate strategy methods can help individuals plan their lives. The approach starts by defining what makes a great life, reviews how time and energy are spent, and sets objectives and key results for areas that need change. The Strategize Your Life program has been tested with over 500 people and produces a one-page life strategy in a few hours.
Ask what is behind missed goals in feedback
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #139
Avoid a praise sandwich that hides the real problem
Summary
Open feedback by asking what is behind missed goals, rather than burying the issue in praise.
A speaker criticizes the sandwich method of praise, criticism, then praise, since people miss the point. Instead, open with a question about why goals are delayed and let the person diagnose the cause, such as poor time management. If someone reacts defensively, the speaker suggests naming the reaction, giving time to think or asking for a written response, and treating feedback as a mirror.
Key points- Avoid a praise sandwich that hides the real problem
- Open with a worry about delayed deadlines and ask what is going on
- Asking for reasons avoids blame and gives people a chance to explain
The CYA email problem
Short · instagram.com · Issue #139
A short item on the so-called CYA email problem, which refers to emails written to cover oneself .
Summary
A short item on the so-called CYA email problem, which refers to emails written to cover oneself .
PowerPoint hides sloppy thinking, memos expose it
Short · youtube.com · Issue #138
A good six-page memo can take two weeks to write, which is hard for the author
Summary
PowerPoint persuades and hides sloppy thinking behind bullets, while a six-page memo forces clear, complete reasoning.
The speaker argues PowerPoint is built to persuade, which is a poor fit for finding the truth inside organizations. It is easy for the author and hard for the audience. A six-page memo takes weeks to write, but readers can raise questions in the margins and get answers as they read. Bullet points can hide sloppy thinking, while full sentences with narrative structure make it hard to hide.
Key points- A good six-page memo can take two weeks to write, which is hard for the author
- Executives interrupt slides with questions that a later slide would answer
- Bullet points hide sloppy thinking, while complete sentences expose it
Resume Worded: AI Resume and LinkedIn Feedback
Tool · resumeworded.com · Issue #138
Resume Worded is an AI-powered platform that gives feedback on resumes and LinkedIn profiles.
Summary
Resume Worded is an AI-powered platform that gives feedback on resumes and LinkedIn profiles. Its tools include a resume score out of 100, AutoFix rewrites of weak lines that the user approves, Smart Target keyword matching against a job description, a cover letter generator and LinkedIn review. It is free to start, with a paid Pro tier.
Build a personal brand around one premium offer
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #137
Creators stay broke when they sell cheap products or chase views
Summary
Build a personal brand around one premium offer for a small audience, rather than chasing viral views.
The speaker, who says they spent 10 years in online marketing, lays out a plan built on a premium offer that delivers a specific outcome with less effort, confusion and doubt. Weekly pillar content is repurposed into daily posts that feed a sales funnel and then a signature offer. The speaker argues business comes down to offer and traffic, with content building trust.
Key points- Creators stay broke when they sell cheap products or chase views
- Engineer an irresistible offer by targeting one outcome and reducing effort and doubt
- You do not need to go viral, just a small audience you can serve well
A tip for job interviews
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #136
A short tip about an interview .
Summary
A short tip about an interview .
Bento: Link-in-Bio Page for Creatives
Tool · bento.me · Issue #135
Bento is a personal link-in-bio page that lets creatives show videos, podcasts, newsletters, photos, paid products, streams and calendars on one page instead of behind separate links.
Summary
Bento is a personal link-in-bio page that lets creatives show videos, podcasts, newsletters, photos, paid products, streams and calendars on one page instead of behind separate links. It is pitched as a link in bio that is rich and beautiful, and is free. Linktree acquired Bento.
Map desires, fears and objections to grow online
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #133
Value engineering maps desires, fears, objections, failing methods and identity
Summary
Grow an online brand by mapping desires, fears and objections, then splintering one idea into many pieces of content.
The speaker outlines a plan built on weekly content and one or two monthly projects. Content starts with the audience's desires, fears, objections, beliefs and identity, then splits one core idea into many pieces. Each person should pick a primary and a secondary channel, build a community, and send at least one email a week. Daily short posts reach the top of the funnel, and weekly long-form content builds trust.
Key points- Value engineering maps desires, fears, objections, failing methods and identity
- Splintering takes one core idea and splits it into multiple content pieces
- Pick one primary and one secondary social channel, with weekly content and monthly projects
A manager's rules on rest and family time
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #133
Says not to open laptops when sick or after 5:30 pm, since health matters more
Summary
A manager tells staff to rest when sick or after 5:30, and to take family time without losing personal time.
A comedy sketch of a manager holding a check-in with an employee. The manager says not to work while sick or after 5:30, that picking up a child from daycare does not need personal time, and checks that the employee's workload on one account is manageable. When a colleague is said to require requests to go through a portal, the manager says that the team follows his pecking order instead.
Key points- Says not to open laptops when sick or after 5:30 pm, since health matters more
- Says picking up a child from daycare should not cost personal time
- Asks staff to confirm the workload is manageable and on track
Consigning samples got two brands into stores
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #133
They left shirts on consignment, then asked friends to buy them at the store
Summary
Two streetwear founders got into stores by consigning samples, then used the first shop's sales to pitch the next one.
Two founders of the streetwear brand The Hundreds recount how a Los Angeles store took their shirts on consignment without samples. Friends bought the shirts, the shop asked for more, and the founders used that result to pitch other stores. Within a week they were in five of the best shops in LA. They say they started without knowing what they were doing.
Key points- They left shirts on consignment, then asked friends to buy them at the store
- After the first shop sold out, they told the next buyer to call the first store
- Within a week they were stocked in five of the best stores in LA
Forget Monk Mode. Here's How to Actually Beat 99% of People.
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #132
Mark Manson's March 2023 video analyzes what sets apart the successful 1% of people, promising one trick that could make viewers more successful than 99% of people.
Summary
Mark Manson's March 2023 video analyzes what sets apart the successful 1% of people, promising one trick that could make viewers more successful than 99% of people. It is billed as 'not what you think' and as something that 'won't necessarily make you happy.' The video is watchable on YouTube.
Ask who can do a task, not how
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #132
Branson calls himself a dyslexic thinker and was unsure what net profit meant at 50
Summary
Ask who can do a task instead of how, as Richard Branson does, since small businesses waste time on things they should delegate.
The speaker recounts interviewing Richard Branson, who calls himself a dyslexic thinker. At 50, during a board meeting, Branson did not understand net profit until his CFO explained it with a drawing of fish in a net. Branson asks who can solve a challenge, not how. The speaker argues small businesses waste time on tasks they should hand to others.
Key points- Branson calls himself a dyslexic thinker and was unsure what net profit meant at 50
- His finance chief explained net profit by drawing a net with fish in it
- The speaker says small firms lose time on tasks they should not be doing
Podcasts fade when hosts copy interviewers
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #132
Most podcasts stop after seven episodes because hosts only mimic big interviewers
Summary
Podcasts fade when hosts copy interviewers, and the speaker says real uniqueness comes from building things and living stories.
The speaker argues many people are missing original experiences, which explains pushback against social media gurus and why most podcasts only last seven episodes. Interesting guests are interesting because of their own mix of experiences, so creators should build things and tell their own stories rather than mimic interviewers.
Key points- Most podcasts stop after seven episodes because hosts only mimic big interviewers
- Says unusual personal material, like reality TV and business grind, makes guests interesting
- Packaging your own life together makes you unique as a host
Skip the first 37 percent of candidates
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #128
Imagine choosing a secretary from 100 candidates, with no going back
Summary
Interview the first 37% of candidates without hiring, then pick the next one who beats the best of them.
A TikTok explains the secretary problem from optimal stopping theory. With 100 candidates interviewed one at a time, where each must be accepted or rejected immediately, the speaker says the best strategy is to reject the first 37 percent, note the best of them as a benchmark, then hire the first candidate who beats it.
Key points- Imagine choosing a secretary from 100 candidates, with no going back
- Optimal stop theory says to review the first 37 people without hiring
- Use the best of that group as a benchmark for the next hire
Five questions test real fulfilment in a relationship
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #127
Would being told you are like your partner feel like a compliment?
Summary
Five self-check questions can reveal whether you are truly fulfilled in a relationship or just less lonely.
A short comedic TikTok lecture in English on corporate math. The speaker jokes that a 30-minute meeting that ends after 25 minutes still wastes 30 minutes, and that a project manager who delivers 10 projects on time and under budget ends up with 20 projects. The bit presents this as corporate's first law of motion: good work equals more work.
Key points- Would being told you are like your partner feel like a compliment?
- Can you be unapologetically yourself, or do you show up differently to please them?
- Do you love who your partner is now, or their potential and the idea of them?
Same interview questions for every candidate
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #126
Ask how they got each job and whether a previous manager recommended them
Summary
Use the same interview questions for every candidate, asking about past jobs, achievements and lowest points to spot red flags.
A recruiter describes the playbook used for every interview. The questions ask how each past job was found, the candidate's biggest achievement (answers with concrete data are a good sign), their lowest point, their manager and what that manager would say in a reference check, and why they left. Patterns across five or six jobs reveal red flags, and the questions take about 20 to 25 minutes.
Key points- Ask how they got each job and whether a previous manager recommended them
- Ask for their biggest personal achievement and look for data, not team bonding
- Ask who their manager was and what that person would say in a reference check
Saved time just brings more work
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #126
Booking 30 minutes, using 25, and giving back five still wastes the full 30
Summary
A satirical corporate math lecture argues that saved time is lost and good work simply brings more work.
A short comedic TikTok lecture in English on corporate math. The speaker jokes that a 30-minute meeting that ends after 25 minutes still wastes 30 minutes, and that a project manager who delivers 10 projects on time and under budget ends up with 20 projects. The bit presents this as corporate's first law of motion: good work equals more work.
Key points- Booking 30 minutes, using 25, and giving back five still wastes the full 30
- Delivering ten projects on time and under budget leaves you with twenty
- Calls this corporate's first law of motion: good work equals more work
Small owner took a rival's board via proxies
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #124
Took 15% of shares when the larger company bought him out in shares, not cash
Summary
A smaller company owner gained control of a larger rival's board by buying shares and gathering proxy votes.
The speaker tells the story of a mid-size brewery owner in a pricing fight with a much larger competitor. He asks to be bought out in shares rather than cash, then gathers proxy votes from other shareholders until he can elect board members, and eventually a majority. He then removes the president and begins share repurchases and management changes.
Key points- Took 15% of shares when the larger company bought him out in shares, not cash
- Gathered 10% more votes from other shareholders and elected two of seven directors
- At about 35% of votes he elected four directors and took control of the board
This Is How They Program Your Brain
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #123
A YouTube episode from Iman Gadzhi, premiered October 2023, titled THIS is how they are programming YOUR brain.
Summary
A YouTube episode from Iman Gadzhi, premiered October 2023, titled THIS is how they are programming YOUR brain. The page presents it as episode 2 of an ongoing series. The description links to a sign-up for a WhatsApp group holding the assets mentioned in the episode.
Jocko on Climbing Out of a Low Point in Life
Watch · youtube.com · Issue #122
A 12-minute Jocko Podcast episode from June 2023 by Jocko Willink, labeled Jocko Underground 62.
Summary
A 12-minute Jocko Podcast episode from June 2023 by Jocko Willink, labeled Jocko Underground 62. Its title promises advice for people at a low point in life. The description lists related topics, including improving a toxic work environment, finding success as a new leader and applying Extreme Ownership with kids.
Question-based agendas can cancel many meetings
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #122
Questions like who runs Project X replace vague topics like plan discussion
Summary
Write meeting agendas as questions and post them in a thread beforehand, so many meetings can be cancelled.
A product manager describes how to avoid unnecessary meetings. Write the agenda as questions to answer, such as who will run Project X, rather than topics to discuss, and post it in a Slack thread instead of the invite. The speaker says this sparked discussion that settled the issues, and asks attendees whether the meeting can be cancelled, though some still choose to hold it.
Key points- Questions like who runs Project X replace vague topics like plan discussion
- Post the questions in a team thread that morning, not in the invite
- If everyone agrees, cancel the meeting, since the thread often settles things
A polite pay-gap email is worth copying
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #121
Colleagues with the same title were paid 7 to 12% more after comparing accounts
Summary
A polite pay-gap email asking for a review is a model, and the speaker criticises the company's dismissive response.
The clip shows a polite email from an employee who learned they were paid 7 to 12% less than colleagues with the same title and tenure. The email asks for a meeting with the boss and HR to discuss the gap. Commentary in the clip notes that the staff handbook discourages talking about pay at this company.
Key points- Colleagues with the same title were paid 7 to 12% more after comparing accounts
- The email asked for a meeting with the boss and HR, with no back pay demanded
- The speaker says the response should have admitted a mistake and fixed it
Ask interviewers about past team members and promotions
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #120
Ask about a team member the manager helped progress in their career
Summary
Ask interviewers behavioural questions about past team members and promotions to learn how the manager actually works.
The speaker recommends asking interviewers behavioral questions, such as who on their team they helped progress, or how they handled two team members in dispute. The speaker says these reveal how the manager works and the culture, more than generic questions about culture or a 30-day plan. Other examples include asking about the last person promoted, and the last person who did not work out and why.
Key points- Ask about a team member the manager helped progress in their career
- Ask about the last person promoted and the last person who did not work out
- The speaker says it is not a trick, and it helps you qualify the job
Crystal: Personality and Career Assessments
Tool · crystalknows.com · Issue #120
Crystal is a personality, career and goals platform that combines 43 assessments across frameworks such as DISC, Enneagram, Big Five and Character Strengths.
Summary
Crystal is a personality, career and goals platform that combines 43 assessments across frameworks such as DISC, Enneagram, Big Five and Character Strengths. Users complete a short Morning Check-in and Evening Reflection that produce a daily insight and plan. Assessments, profile and daily insights are free, while Premium at $49 per month or $490 per year adds advanced advice and planning. The site reports 2.5 million users.
Helping Luck Along: The Luck Surface Area Model
Read · fronterablog.com · 5 min · Issue #120
A 2022 Frontera blog post on the luck surface area idea: luck cannot be forced, but the odds of it in business can be increased.
Summary
A 2022 Frontera blog post on the luck surface area idea: luck cannot be forced, but the odds of it in business can be increased. It describes four levels of luck and five ways to expand your surface area: share your work, follow your curiosity, seek serendipity by meeting new people, build a personal brand, and treat luck as an improvable skill. It credits Jason Roberts for the term.
Fire on Monday and deliver bad news fast
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #119
A Friday firing leaves a weekend of misery with no time to start job hunting
Summary
Fire people on a Monday rather than a Friday, and deliver bad news quickly without lingering.
The speaker advises firing people on a Monday rather than a Friday, since a Friday dismissal leaves a weekend of misery and no time to start job hunting. For other bad news, warn people first, since people cope better when warned, then deliver it quickly, within about three seconds, rather than prolonging the moment. The speaker says to rip off the band-aid.
Key points- A Friday firing leaves a weekend of misery with no time to start job hunting
- Warn people first, since they handle pain better when they are warned
- Hesitate no more than three seconds, then deliver the bad news directly
Microsoft's Military Empire, Explained
Watch · youtube.com · 21 min · Issue #118
A YouTube explainer by entrepreneur John Coogan, posted in March 2023, on Microsoft's military-related business.
Summary
A YouTube explainer by entrepreneur John Coogan, posted in March 2023, on Microsoft's military-related business. The description frames it as the creator's personal opinion rather than a primary source. Coogan co-founded soylent.com and lucy.co.
Staying in touch can win the next opening
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #118
Being a near-miss makes you first in line for the next role
Summary
A rejection can put you first in line for the next opening if you stay in touch with the people who interviewed you.
The speaker says a job rejection can still help. A candidate who built a relationship with the interviewer becomes first in line for the next opening, and may be interviewed before the role is even advertised. The speaker advises staying in touch with people you interviewed with, rather than waiting for a new job to open.
Key points- Being a near-miss makes you first in line for the next role
- Staying in touch lets you interview before the job is even posted
- The speaker frames it as building relationships rather than waiting for openings
Write decision principles, then turn them into algorithms
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #118
Principles are written down, made clear, and then turned into algorithms
Summary
The speaker writes decision criteria down as principles, then builds them into algorithms so computers can decide.
Ray Dalio says he wrote down the criteria for each decision, refined them into clear principles, and built those principles into algorithms so computers could make decisions. He says he was pleasantly surprised that people are beginning to understand how this systematic, principle-based decision making connects.
Key points- Principles are written down, made clear, and then turned into algorithms
- Says people now grasp how systematic, principle-based decisions link together
Kee: Link Page Styled as a Phone Home Screen
Tool · kee.so · Issue #118
Kee is a website builder for a personal link page styled as a phone home screen, in Apple, Android or Windows themes.
Summary
Kee is a website builder for a personal link page styled as a phone home screen, in Apple, Android or Windows themes. Social links, URLs, photos, videos, podcasts, products and services can appear as app-style icons or widgets, reached through a custom short link such as kee.so/you. The page presents it as a way to share links from one place.
How to Make Better Decisions About Your Career
Read · hbr.org · 5 min · Issue #118
A 2021 Harvard Business Review article by clinical psychologist Timothy Yen on making big career decisions.
Summary
A 2021 Harvard Business Review article by clinical psychologist Timothy Yen on making big career decisions. It proposes a five-step framework: examine your feelings about possible careers, identify your values, consider how loved ones are affected, assess your options realistically, then put it together and revisit earlier steps if needed.
How to Respond When a Client Says Your Price Is Too High
Watch · youtube.com · 13 min · Issue #116
A role play from The Futur channel with Chris Do and Mo Ismail, in which a vendor quotes $1,000 for a video and the client objects.
Summary
A role play from The Futur channel with Chris Do and Mo Ismail, in which a vendor quotes $1,000 for a video and the client objects. Chris Do's minimum engagement for this kind of work is $4,000, and the video shows how he handles the gap in price. The description links to articles on negotiating with clients and on getting more clients.
The Four Levels of Knowledge Work
Read · chrisbailey.com · 4 min · Issue #116
Chris Bailey argues that knowledge work falls into four levels by cognitive complexity: drudgery, low-skilled, high-skilled and superskilled.
Summary
Chris Bailey argues that knowledge work falls into four levels by cognitive complexity: drudgery, low-skilled, high-skilled and superskilled. The higher a task sits, the more it is protected from automation, so he suggests moving work up the stack. Drudgery involving people is harder to automate, which is why teaching keeps a human role. Those mostly low on the stack should level up or automate repetitive tasks.
Answer rudeness calmly and ask for respect
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #115
Answer how long you have been doing this with your years and experience
Summary
When a prospect is rude, answer calmly with your experience and a clear request for respect, and they will usually soften.
The speaker describes how to answer a rude comment in a first meeting or sales call, such as asking how long someone has been doing the job. Instead of ignoring it, state your experience and results, say you care about mutual respect more than the deal, and ask if that is fair. The speaker says the other person usually backs down and becomes friendlier.
Key points- Answer how long you have been doing this with your years and experience
- Say you do not mind whether they buy, but want mutual respect
- The speaker says the other person backtracks and gets friendlier once you stand up
How to Get People to Love Your Idea
Read · fortheinterested.com · 5 min · Issue #115
A For The Interested article by EBenedict arguing that a good idea must also be communicated well.
Summary
A For The Interested article by EBenedict arguing that a good idea must also be communicated well. It offers six tips: start with a story, get to the point, focus on the stakes rather than the pain, sell results rather than objectives, keep the message simple, relevant, clear, vulnerable and unique, and admit when you do not know something.
Live the life you want through small experiments
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #112
Warns against a hated job now for a beach retirement fifty years later
Summary
Live the life you want now through small experiments, rather than sacrificing decades for a retirement that may not suit you.
In a Tim Ferriss podcast excerpt about The 4-Hour Workweek, a guest says Ferriss encourages thinking about quality of life now rather than working a job one hates to retire at 50. Ferriss says effective lifestyle design is effective testing: he treats what he does not know as a set of experiments, and asks whether his current life is one he actually likes living.
Key points- Warns against a hated job now for a beach retirement fifty years later
- Says effective lifestyle design is effective testing of what you assume
- Frames constant experiments as a way to check what you think you know
Niche buyers can still sustain a business
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #109
About two million TikTok viewers produced roughly 300 orders in the last drop
Summary
Creators do not need to please everyone, since a niche 0.015% buyer rate can still sustain a real business.
A clothing maker in Australia explains that his label sells sportswear made on vintage machines under a made-up football club brand. About two million people saw the brand on TikTok, and a drop of 300 orders equals a 0.015% conversion, which he calls a strong number that now pays for a studio, camera gear and fabric. He says a creative person's job is to show people new things.
Key points- About two million TikTok viewers produced roughly 300 orders in the last drop
- Makes classic sportswear with vintage machinery in Australia under a made-up football club label
- Sales now pay for studio rent, camera gear and 1,000 metres of fabric
Simplifiers split easy work from hard thinking
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #108
Switches context between meetings on different topics without losing focus
Summary
Jeff is an exceptional simplifier who quickly separates the easy 90% of work from the hard 10% that needs senior thinking.
A colleague who worked with Jeff Bezos for 23 years says the public sees him as a lone visionary, when his key skill is simplifying. The colleague says Bezos switches context quickly between meetings, sorts out the 90% of tasks that are easy, and focuses his senior judgement on the small share that is hard, so he does not waste time on easy work.
Key points- Switches context between meetings on different topics without losing focus
- Sorts out the easy 90% quickly and saves effort for the critical slice
- The speaker says he is efficient because he does not waste time on easy work
Annie Duke at Talks at Google: Thinking in Bets
Read · youtube.com · 6 min · Issue #107
A 2018 Talks at Google event, about 84 minutes long, with former professional poker player Annie Duke discussing her book Thinking in Bets, moderated by Jordan Thibodeau.
Summary
A 2018 Talks at Google event, about 84 minutes long, with former professional poker player Annie Duke discussing her book Thinking in Bets, moderated by Jordan Thibodeau. Duke applies lessons from cognitive psychology and her poker career to decision-making under uncertainty.
Thinking in Bets: Deciding Like a Poker Player
Read · fronterablog.com · 5 min · Issue #107
A Frontera article on Annie Duke's 'thinking in bets' framework, drawn from her poker background.
Summary
A Frontera article on Annie Duke's 'thinking in bets' framework, drawn from her poker background. It argues that judging decisions by their outcomes is misleading, because luck also shapes results. The three steps are imagining a friend betting against your prediction, calculating expected value and reviewing past decisions apart from their results.
Ryan Serhant: What I Learned From 94 Billionaires
Watch · youtube.com · 11 min · Issue #106
A May 2023 video in which Ryan Serhant, a top-selling New York luxury real estate agent and founder of the brokerage SERHANT, shares six lessons from working with 94 billionaires.
Summary
A May 2023 video in which Ryan Serhant, a top-selling New York luxury real estate agent and founder of the brokerage SERHANT, shares six lessons from working with 94 billionaires. The video is free to watch on YouTube.
Seniority and pay do not reflect competence
Short · tiktok.com · Issue #104
Says only about 10% overlap exists between confidence and competence
Summary
The speaker claims seniority and pay do not reflect real competence, and promotions often follow relationships and background.
The speaker argues that seniority, pay and education do not reliably show competence, and that relationships and pedigree often decide who is hired or promoted. Citing a claimed 10% overlap between confidence and competence, the speaker says the most outspoken person is often not the most capable. The speaker recalls joining an executive search firm and finding senior leaders less impressive than expected.
Key points- Says only about 10% overlap exists between confidence and competence
- Recounts finding senior leaders unimpressive while assessing them at a search firm
- Advises learning the game, dressing sharp, and dropping imposter syndrome
Why Maximum Effort Doesn't Build Top Teams: The 85% Rule
Read · hbr.org · 13 min · Issue #104
Greg McKeown's June 2023 Harvard Business Review article argues that maximum effort does not produce maximum results.
Summary
Greg McKeown's June 2023 Harvard Business Review article argues that maximum effort does not produce maximum results. It proposes an 85% rule, where teams perform best when people give about 85% effort. The article warns that constant 100% effort leads to burnout and weaker results, and it is aimed at managers.
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