In a nutshell: Open with a story about why the author(s) wrote the business book. Think Like a Freak uses this approach: After writing Freakonomics and SuperFreakonomics, we started to hear from readersRead More…

In a nutshell: Open the business book with a definition. But don’t simply define a word we already know, in the standard way. Define a word that’s not so well-known, or defineRead More…

In a nutshell: Open the business book with an explanation of the situation or phenomenon being examined. Here’s how Thinking, Fast and Slow begins: To observe your mind in automatic mode, glanceRead More…

In a nutshell: Open the business book by explaining something the readers should know before continuing to read. This explanation is straight forward, not disguised as a story or definition. Money: Master the Game beginsRead More…

In a nutshell: Open with a story about or illustrating the business book’s idea. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference begins with a story about very small actions thatRead More…

Selecting the opening words for your business book can be challenging. Do you begin with a story, or some startling facts? A review of the problem you intend to solve? An explanationRead More…

There’s no such thing as “the business book.” Instead, there is a very broad and deep genre called “business books” which includes biographies and autobiographies; books that criticize and books that analyze;Read More…

In a nutshell: The author explains a problem, in depth, but offers little in the way of a solution. This approach is very useful when describing a problem the readers don’t knowRead More…

In a nutshell: The author explains why our current way of thinking or doing something is seriously wrong. The Smashing the Paradigm business book rips an old model to shreds, but does notRead More…

In a nutshell: The author offers a new way of thinking or doing something; a new model or mode. In the Presenting the New Idea business book, the new idea is usuallyRead More…

In a nutshell: The author presents a story that illustrates a problem and solution. In the Telling a Story or Fable approach, most of the book is devoted to the story, whichRead More…

In a nutshell: The author borrows ideas from other, often surprising, fields to teach the readers lessons that can be applied to business. The Borrowing from Other Fields approach is used inRead More…

In a nutshell: The author presents a comprehensive look at a particular subject, with sub-topics presented individually and usually arranged alphabetically, or via some other logical arrangement. The Encyclopedic Approach book isRead More…

In a nutshell: The author teachers the readers everything they need to know to get started. Typically aimed at those who know little about the subject, books using the Topic 101 approachRead More…