The 7 Books
Curated for young professionals seeking to master the principles of business, our curriculum encompasses 7 time-tested business classics.
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How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie, 1936
Despite the title, this book does not teach you how to manipulate people; instead, it offers profound insight into how to recognize the needs of others and create an enjoyable experience in any interaction.
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Hug Your Customers, Jack Mitchell, 2003
There's so much more to "the customer is always right" than meets the eye. Follow Jack Mitchell's account of how his family grew his parents' "mom and pop shop" to a thriving brand, all through delivering service above and beyond their customers' expectations!
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Mindset, Carol Dweck, 2006
How do you approach a difficulty? Do you recoil and return to things you know, or do you rise to the challenge and learn from your mistakes? Carol Dweck shows example after example of how the "fixed mindset" and the "growth mindset" come into play in every area of life.
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Good To Great, Jim Collins, 2001
Based on an analysis of 27 real-life companies, Jim Collins presents his findings on what separates the good businesses from the great ones. Learn the foundations and principles that made some companies thrive while others went under.
The Challenger Sale, Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson, 2011
Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson lay out a compelling case for the “Challenger” selling strategy. After interviewing thousands of sales reps over the course of their study, they discovered that, particularly in industries with complex products, sharing important insights and being unafraid to challenge others are crucial to truly serving potential clients.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini, 1984
Over 35 years of research and study are packed into this gem written by Robert Cialdini. Learn the principles behind what makes people say “yes” and the most effective ways to negotiate.
The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg, 2012
So much of our day is governed by habituated actions. If you’re unhappy with the habits you’re living, or want to incorporate more practices into your life, learning the science behind habits is key. Charles Duhigg elucidates what’s going on behind the scenes with compelling stories and practical tips for changing your life, one action at a time.
The 7 Skill Sets
Many skills are developed on the job​, but it always helps to have an idea of what you're getting into. Over the course of the program you'll be assigned project work to develop key skills in the following areas.
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Marketing
Any billboard, Facebook ad, or sales email you've ever seen was created by some company's marketing department. Learning how a marketing funnel works will enable you to attract first-time visitors and convert them into paying customers.
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Finance
Every company needs to understand revenue, expenses, the time value of money, and how valuation works. You will gain experience working with spreadsheets, making forecasts, understanding the 80/20 rule, and how to understand the cost to acquire customers.
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Customer Success
The point of any business is to serve your customers. This requires understanding their needs and wants, often better than they do. You will learn many examples of how to do this effectively as well as how it ends up impacting the business as a whole.
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Sales
They say no matter what career you end up in, you will be selling - especially when you are in positions of leadership. Whether you are a CEO selling your vision for the company to potential shareholders and future employees, or a spouse selling your significant other on the next family vacation, everyone encounters a time when they must convince others of something. Learning how to sell ethically and effectively and in a way that actually serves the best interests of others will do wonders, no matter what your career path is.
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Presenting
There’s a world of difference between a good presentation and a great one, and our increasingly virtual interactions only compound the difference. A fine line exists between concise and not detailed enough, and conversely between being detailed and rambling. Learn the art of creating a compelling presentation and always be assured of captivating your audience.
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Networking
Who you know matters. Making use of your network matters even more. When was the last time you asked an alum from your alma mater for advice? Or your friend's dad for a referral letter? Networking doesn't always look like it did in your grandparents' time, but it isn't rocket science either. Knowing the ins and outs of LinkedIn and composing a killer resume are both steps in acing networking in the twenty-first century.
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Interviewing
Interviews shouldn't be scary. We know it can be intimidating to meet with someone from your dream company, but they're human too. Proper preparation and poise will land you miles ahead of your competition and lead to a less stressful experience.
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