#049 – Everything You Need to Know About Business with Josh Kaufman of The Personal MBA
Apr 13, 2018
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Josh Kaufman, author of The Personal MBA, discusses his background in business and the process of writing his book. They explore topics such as online promotion, marketing at Procter & Gamble, collecting and synthesizing information in business, aligning scientific developments and customer feedback, the lack of clear definitions in business books, and treating writing as a business.
Having a strong foundation in business knowledge can benefit entrepreneurs in various domains, especially those with specialized skills like programming.
Understanding cognitive psychology and systems thinking is crucial for effective marketing and business management.
Applying concepts from business, such as breaking down complex tasks and remaining calm under pressure, can enhance personal growth and success in business endeavors.
Deep dives
The Importance of Learning Business Fundamentals
The episode features Josh Kaufman, author of 'The Personal MBA,' who shares his journey and how he learned the fundamentals of business. He highlights the value of having a strong foundation in business knowledge, which can be applied to various entrepreneurial endeavors. Kaufman emphasizes that individuals with specialized skills, such as programming, have a better chance of starting a successful business by adding business knowledge on top of their existing expertise.
The Overlooked Value of Psychology and Systems Thinking
Kaufman discusses the significance of cognitive psychology and systems thinking in business. He believes that understanding human psychology at scale is crucial for effective marketing, sales, and management. He recommends reading books on cognitive psychology, such as 'Influence' by Robert Cialdini and 'How to Win Friends and Influence People,' which offer valuable insights into consumer behavior. Additionally, he encourages exploring systems theory books, like 'Thinking in Systems' by Donella Meadows, as they help entrepreneurs approach business processes more efficiently.
Applying Business Principles to Other Areas of Life
Kaufman demonstrates how concepts from business can be applied to other domains. He explains that breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps, a skill developed through studying business, can be applied to learning new skills, such as practicing Aikido. Furthermore, he discusses the importance of remaining calm under pressure, drawing parallels between relaxation techniques in Aikido and the need for entrepreneurs to handle stress and adversity in their business endeavors. These valuable life lessons can enhance both personal growth and success in business.
Importance of Having Confidence and External Validation
The podcast episode discusses the importance of having confidence in oneself and the role of external validation in pursuing new endeavors. The host shares personal experiences of meeting a professional in the book business who encouraged him to write a book, highlighting how having someone believe in your abilities can boost confidence and motivate you to take action. The episode also explores examples of people who were inspired to start businesses or pursue new ventures after witnessing others' success or receiving advice from influential figures. It emphasizes the significance of external perspectives in validating one's potential.
Challenges and Considerations in Writing a Book
The podcast episode delves into the challenges and considerations involved in writing a book, particularly focusing on the author's experience writing 'The Personal MBA.' The host highlights the need to define concepts clearly and concisely, even if other books in the business genre often lack clear definitions. Additionally, the episode touches on the difficulty of drafting the book, including the process of iterating and refining multiple drafts to find the right format. The episode also underscores the importance of treating book writing as a business, understanding publishing contracts, and making strategic decisions to maximize long-term value.
Josh Kaufman (@joshkaufman) has read a lot of business books. He also happens to be the author of The Personal MBA, easily one of the best business book in existence. In it, he lays out the fundamental concepts that are core to every successful business, and in this episode, we talk about how he became the kind of person who was able to write this book.
Transcript, speaker information, and more: https://www.indiehackers.com/podcast/049-josh-kaufman-of-the-personal-mba
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