What is an argument? In the Argument Clinic, a sketch from Monty Python’s Flying Circus, an absurdist comedy series, a man pays for a five-minute argument. The customer goes to a room where a man behind a desk hurls abuse at him. The customer interrupts saying he paid for a five-minute argument, and this is… Continue reading The art of persuasion 2: How to argue
business book
Plan your whole business book
“Any organization that won’t take the trouble to be both clear and personal in its writing will lose friends, customers, and money.” — William Zinsser, in his 30th-anniversary classic, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
Distraction and concentration
Concentration is at a premium in an increasingly distracted world. And this is why writing a book is so difficult for the busy professional. Writing a book requires long periods of distraction-free thinking-time, focus, and solitude. Author, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, termed Flow as a state of hyper-concentration where we lose all sense of time. We become what… Continue reading Distraction and concentration
Business book titles
Why should readers read your book? Every business book has a value proposition. Writing a one-sentence reply will help clarify your thinking. Most of us form opinions quickly. And this is true when it comes to business book titles and introductions. First impressions count.
Speaking with confidence
You can’t acquire confidence by reading about it. You become confident by doing. Before you succeed you may have to fail for a while. You need a safe place in which to practice and get constructive feedback. It’s all very well to “say” step out of your comfort zone, but each one of us is… Continue reading Speaking with confidence
Payoff
Payoff: The hidden logic that shapes our motivations by Dan Ariely is a short book about meaning and motivation. The central thesis is that intrinsic motivators shape long-term beneficial results, whereas extrinsic rewards don’t. This small-format TED book is a companion to Dan Ariely’s TED Talks online. At 103 pages, it’s a quick read, something you… Continue reading Payoff
Pre-Suasion by Robert Cialdini
A dangerous book Which messages cause people to comply? Robert Cialdini’s new book addresses this question. Pre-Suasion is a revolutionary way to influence and persuade. Pre-suasion operates by creating favorable conditions a few moments before trying to influence. This is a powerful book, and not without its ethical concerns.
The Master Communicator’s Handbook
Your message won’t speak for itself Whether you’re speaking to a child about putting on her shoes, or you’re head of an organization trying to solve a global problem, you need to understand and be understood.
Should I write a business book proposal?
Publishers want a book proposal, not a finished manuscript. A publisher’s business model seeks revenue from book sales. But business people see the value of their book in terms of what it will do for them and their companies. Self-publishing has many advantages for the business author. However, in this article, I’m going to tell you… Continue reading Should I write a business book proposal?
Beginning your business book
How should you begin writing your business book?