Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

Tips for Finding and Retaining Top Talent

Does it feel like many of your applicants are underqualified? How can you find and retain talent at your company? With such a competitive job market, there’s an abundance of applicants to sift through. The problem is that it’s difficult to tell which of those applicants would be a good fit for your company. Additionally, once you’ve chosen to hire someone, it can be just as challenging to keep them. Here are some tips on finding and retaining talent from the book Execution.

The Alchemist: Dreams and Their Meanings

What do dreams symbolize in The Alchemist? What are the two major dreams in the book? In The Alchemist, dreams play an important part in the story—it was a reoccurring dream that set Santiago out on his journey in the first place. It’s also a dream that brings his treasure hunt to an end. Let’s take a look at dreams in The Alchemist.

What Are the Main Causes of Stress?

What are the main causes of stress? What is the difference between acute and chronic stress? According to Dr. Gabor Maté, stress is the body’s response to a threat. There are two kinds of stress: acute and chronic stress, which have different triggers and effects on the body. Keep reading to learn about the causes of stress.

The Alchemist: Analysis and Overview of the Book

Are you looking for an analysis of The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? What are some of the symbols and lessons that can be found throughout the story? The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a story of transformation. But rather than transforming lead into gold, Coelho teaches readers, through the story of a shepherd boy who is following his dreams, the power of transformation for our lives. Keep reading for The Alchemist analysis and overview.

What Are the Functions of a Leader in Business?

Leadership: What are the Major Traits of a Good Leader

What are the functions of a leader? What are some of the common mistakes leaders make? According to business leaders and specialists Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan, a leader must perform three functions to be successful. A good leader will find and keep talent, set realistic goals, and create tactical plans that work. Here’s an overview of the functions of a business leader.

How the Scrum Sprint Cycle Helps Maximize Time

Do you have trouble maximizing time at your workplace? How can the Scrum Sprint cycle help your team use their time more efficiently? Sprints are fixed lengths of time, usually one or two weeks, in which the team works on a particular task or tasks. Scrum Sprints are where the work gets done, where value is created, and where people turn ideas into reality. Here’s a look at the benefits of the Scrum Sprint cycle.

3 Important Life Lessons From The Alchemist

What are the main lessons in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? How can you apply the book’s lessons to your own life? The Alchemist is the story of an Andalusian shepherd boy’s journey of spiritual awakening. The boy gives up everything to embark on a long journey across the desert toward the Egyptian pyramids, to look for a treasure he has dreamed of. He follows omens and the wisdom of spiritual guides he meets along the way. Here are the biggest lessons Santiago learns during his journey.

The Connection of Mind and Body in Medicine

Why is the connection of mind and body important in the medical field? Why does modern medicine separate mind from body? The Western medicine treats the mind and the body as separate domains (mind-body dualism). According to Dr. Gabor Maté, the author of When the Body Says No, this mindset is holding modern medicine back because the mind can cause disease to the body. Here’s why the mind-body connection shouldn’t be overlooked when diagnosing and treating illness.

The Benefits of Working in Small Teams

Are small teams more or less effective than larger teams? What are the benefits of working in small teams? Management expert and creator of the Scrum method, Jeff Sutherland, says that working in small teams is more efficient than in large teams—he says that the ideal team size is five to nine people. Small teams promote communication, expand roles, and increase efficiency. Here’s a look at the benefits of small teams.

How to Set Business Goals: Make Them Realistic

Want to know how to set business goals that are attainable, rather than pipe dreams? Why is it important to create a strategic plan that’s grounded in reality? In their book Execution, business specialists Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan teach you how to put together a strategic business plan that establishes your business’s priorities and goals. They assert that business goals must be flexible, grounded, and accessible. It’s also important to intermittently follow up on the goals after you set them. Here’s how to set business goals that will help your company succeed.