Question of the Week: Which books, podcasts, or courses made the biggest impact on your business?

[JasonH]

Hey there, Community!

As many of us are kicking off the bustling BFCM sale this week, let's celebrate the knowledge nuggets that got us this far 🚀

Which books, podcasts, or courses made the biggest impact on your business?

Chat it up in the comments below 💬

[Akohub]

Hey @JasonH , this is Alexis from Akohub.

One book that helped me is "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. It completely changed the way I approach daily operations and long-term goals by breaking everything down into small, manageable actions. For merchants, instead of setting a vague goal like "increase sales during BFCM," they can create a system to send out one email per day for a week leading up to the sale.  Additionally, setting up automated reminders for abandoned carts and offering small discounts to re-engage customers.

I believe that if we focus on these small, repeatable habits, we can see big progress without feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the event. It’s all about building systems instead of relying on motivation, and that mindset has helped me stay consistent even during hectic times like this BFCM! 

[AppifyPro]

Hey @JasonH , Great question, especially with BFCM in full swing! Here are a few resources that have made a big impact on my business:

Books I loved reading:

• “Traction” by Gino Wickman – Helped me implement a clear framework for business growth and organization.
• “Hooked” by Nir Eyal – A game-changer for understanding how to build products that keep customers coming back.
• “Building a StoryBrand” by Donald Miller – Essential for improving website messaging and creating clear, compelling offers.

All the best !

Adeel

[JasonH]

Adeel @AppifyPro, thanks for sharing the books that inspired your business. Among them, I have to say the title "Hooked" looks very inviting. Before I dive in, what concepts in the book do you find yourself apply the most often?

[AppifyPro]

*Hooked* by Nir Eyal is a guide to building habit-forming products using a
four-step "Hook Model" (Trigger, Action, Reward, and Investment) to create
user engagement and loyalty.

[robbthelip]

Agree, "Hooked" is an awesome book, recommend it too!

[JasonH]

@Akohub Well said! It really gets us far by breaking down the goals into achievable wins every single day. As Jim Ryun put it, "Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."  

[crltonroocha]

Same here, Atomic Habits book was great!

[JasonH]

[C_D_DoubleOkurr]

Hi 👋 there!  I'm Christy from CristiDesigns...I don't have a domain yet.  Still a baby🫠😉

One author that has continued to change my way of thinking and viewing viewing the world.  When I'm feeling defeated and broken ... when you have to start all over again.

David and Goliath: Underdog, Misfits and the Art of Battling Giants. 

2.  Outliers: The Story of Success

3.  Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking 

4.  The Tipping Point. 

Incredible reads ... the read will hit you different everytime.

"Gladwell's theories can be used to run businesses more effectively,  to turn into runaway bestsellers, and perhaps more important,  to alter human behavior. "

      -New York Times 

[JasonH]

Hey Christy @C_D_DoubleOkurr, welcome to Shopify Community and chat about all things entrepreneurship! 

These are profound reads! My favorite goes to The Tipping Point because it was ahead of its time. The business cases used to illustrate the ideas make great sense of social trends and changes people experienced. For example, the "Stickiness" factor may seem like common sense, but hey the book was published back in 2000!

[MooseDesk]

Hi @JasonH and Community,

This is Mia from MooseDesk  , your go-to Live Chat, WhatsApp and FAQ App here to help you enhance your customer support experience 😊

When I took the HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, I was at a point where my marketing campaigns felt a bit disconnected. I knew we were reaching people, but it didn’t feel like we were truly connecting with them. I wanted to figure out how to create content that wasn’t just promotional but genuinely helpful.

The course completely changed how I think about marketing. One of the biggest takeaways for me was understanding the buyer’s journey that how customers move through the awareness, consideration, and decision stages. I realized we’d been skipping the early stages, jumping straight to selling, and that’s probably why we weren’t seeing the results we wanted. The idea of attracting people by solving their problems instead of just pushing products was so simple, yet so powerful.

After applying what I learned, I reworked some of our campaigns. For example, instead of focusing on sales pitches, I started creating blog posts and emails that addressed common questions our customers had. Almost immediately, we saw better engagement and more meaningful conversations with potential clients. What I love about this course is that it works for any business, no matter the size or industry. It’s about building trust and relationships, not just making a quick sale. If you’re looking for a way to make your marketing more impactful, I can’t recommend it enough, it really opened my eyes to a better way of doing things!

[JasonH]

Mia, @MooseDesk, I love how you emphasize understanding your audience and addressing their pain points. It really hits home! The audience is king, and when it comes to creating content, that's pure gold. As marketers, we really need to tune into what benefits our audience the most, especially since everyone has their own unique business scenarios and goals. Speaking of which, I’d love to hear your secrets! How do you figure out what your clients need most at their current stage?

[MooseDesk]

Hi @JasonH ,

Thank you for your kind words! You're absolutely right. Understanding your audience is key, and figuring out their current needs is a mix of active listening, observation, and analysis. Here’s what I typically do:

1. Listen Closely: I make it a priority to have open conversations with clients—whether through feedback forms, emails, or casual check-ins. Often, just asking, “What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing right now?” can reveal so much about what they truly need.

2. Analyze Patterns: Looking at past interactions or questions they’ve asked is incredibly helpful. Trends tend to emerge, whether it’s a recurring challenge or a feature they wish they had. Understanding these patterns can guide decisions and help you address needs effectively.

3. Segment by Stage: Not every client is in the same place, so I try to segment them based on where they are in their journey. Newer businesses might need foundational advice, while more advanced clients often want scalable solutions or optimization strategies. Tailoring communication and resources based on their stage has been super effective.

4. Proactive Support: Sometimes, clients don’t know what they need until you show them. Offering proactive tips or resources based on common challenges can help them feel supported before they even realize they needed help.

It all comes down to being curious and empathetic. If you really listen and keep digging into what they’re telling you (directly or indirectly), you’ll usually find the answers!

By the way, Jason, could you check your inbox when you get a chance? I have a quick question regarding the Community that I’d love to ask an expert like you. Many thanks to you 😊

[thomasblaket5]

This week I am try to know more about ERP>

[JasonH]

@thomasblaket5 Thanks for sharing your learning goal. How much of experience do you have with ERP? Any specific aspect are you looking to explore about ERP?

ERP: Making it Happen by Thomas F. Wallace and Michael H. Kremzar seems to be a promising starting point and practical guidebook to get a good understanding of it.