Hey Square Readers, We’re getting close to the end of Start with Why by Simon Sinek, so it’s time to look at our next book. You voted, and you chose The 1-Pa...
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Hey Square Readers, Who’s ready to read? First, wow. I am so blown away by the response and excitement that all of you have for the Square Readers Book Club. ...
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Hey Square Readers! Are you looking for a new way to level up your business skills and have some fun while you're at it? Then get excited, and get ready to r...
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Group Hub Activity
Hey Square Readers,
We’re getting close to the end of Start with Why by Simon Sinek, so it’s time to look at our next book.
You voted, and you chose The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib as our Square Readers Book Club book for June & July!
Here’s a quick summary:
“To build a successful business, you need to stop doing random acts of marketing and start following a reliable plan for rapid business growth. Traditionally, creating a marketing plan has been a difficult and time-consuming process, which is why it often doesn't get done. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced entrepreneur, you'll discover: How to get new customers and how make more profit from existing ones; how to close sales without being pushy; how to make yourself the only logical choice; how to get amazing results on a small budget; how to charge high prices for your products and services and have customers actually thank you for it.”
We will start reading on Monday, June 5th, so get ready and pick up a copy at a local library, bookstore, Amazon, or anywhere else! Feel free to go for any version you’d prefer: paper, digital, or audiobook (listening totally counts as reading too!).
You can join in at any time, new readers are always welcome. So get ready to dive into this book together!
We’ll have discussion threads being posted throughout the next two months, and a Live Video Chat Discussion on Tuesday July 25th at 4pm (Eastern US & CA).
Learn More about the Square Readers Book Club.
Check back here in June for our discussion posts.
We can’t wait to read with you!
Pesso
... View more

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Hey Square Readers,
We had our first Live Discussion last week, and a big thank you to all of you who attended and shared so much! We'll do a little recap as part of our full book summary within the next couple of weeks.
I just wanted to hop in to share some more great content by Simon Sinek. So if you finished reading Start with Why, here’s some more from the author.
In our introduction post, we shared a 5 minute clip of his TED Talk, and now here’s a link to the full 18 minute TED Talk.
A few folks mentioned that they liked the principles laid out in Start with Why, but wanted some more practical tips on finding, expressing, and being true to your Why. Simon Sinek did write a followup book called Find Your Why, which sounds like it might help with this need. I haven’t read it yet so I can’t vouch for it, so let me know what you think of it if you do read it.
If you’re into his philosophy and ideas and want to apply it elsewhere, he also wrote a leadership and management book called Leaders Eat Last.
Sinek also did an audio interview on the Tony Robbins Podcast, and a text interview with 15five.
You can also read through Simon Sinek’s articles on his website, along with listening to his podcast.
And as a fun bonus, here’s a video of Steve Jobs talking about marketing strategy, which really lines up with Start with Why.
Have you found any other good ones that line up? Share them in the comments below!
Don’t forget to pop into these discussion threads to share your thoughts and pictures, if you haven’t already:
Post a Book Selfie
Opening Discussion Post
Your Favorite Quotes
What is your Why?
What can you do to be true to your Why?
Are you a How or a Why person?
Happy reading, watching, and listening!
Pesso
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Hey Square Readers,
Who’s ready to talk books?
We’ve already announced that our April & May 2023 book is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. Check out that first thread and read more about what to expect.
We hope you picked up a copy and are excited to dive in!
Let’s start off here with some questions to keep in mind: We'd love if you could jump into the comments to answer any or all of them as you go, and share your thoughts as you are reading the book.
What do you hope to learn from this book?
Why do you think the Why is so important in running a business?
We can’t wait to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
We may repost your comments into our summary post at the end of the month.
And check out my comment to see my thoughts!
Keep checking back in this group throughout the next two months for some key insights, discussion questions, articles, videos, and more ways for you to learn and share. I'll be adding another discussion thread in early May with more questions and thoughts.
See these threads for more discussions:
SwW: Announcement Post
Post a picture of you with your book
Introduce Yourself
RSVP for our Live Video Discussion
Share your Favorite Quotes
What is your Why?
Happy reading,
Pesso
... View more

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Hey Square Readers,
***VOTING HAS ENDED***
Check out our Announcement Post for our June & July 2023 book
It’s voting time!
We’re halfway through reading Start with Why by Simon Sinek, our Square Readers Book Club book for April and May. But let’s start looking ahead to our next book for June and July 2023.
We have 3 books to choose from, and we’d love for you to vote to help us decide!
Last time we focused on business foundations, but for this round we’re diving into running your business. We’re choosing between Finances, Leadership, and Marketing books; all recommended by sellers like you!
1. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
“A simple, counterintuitive cash management solution that will help small businesses break out of the doom spiral and achieve instant profitability. Just as the most effective weight loss strategy is to limit portions by using smaller plates, Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows. Four simple principles can simplify accounting and make it easier to manage a profitable business. A small, profitable business can be worth much more than a large business surviving on its top line. Businesses that attain early and sustained profitability have a better shot at achieving long-term growth.”
2. Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
“Leadership is not about titles, status and power over people. Leaders are people who hold themselves accountable for recognising the potential in people and ideas, and developing that potential. Over the past seven years, Brene Brown found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial start-ups and family-owned businesses to non-profits, civic organizations and Fortune 50 companies, are asking the same questions: How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders? And, how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? Dare to Lead answers these questions and gives us actionable strategies and real examples from her new research-based, courage-building programme.”
3. The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib
“To build a successful business, you need to stop doing random acts of marketing and start following a reliable plan for rapid business growth. Traditionally, creating a marketing plan has been a difficult and time-consuming process, which is why it often doesn't get done. Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced entrepreneur, you'll discover: How to get new customers and how make more profit from existing ones; how to close sales without being pushy; how to make yourself the only logical choice; how to get amazing results on a small budget; how to charge high prices for your products and services and have customers actually thank you for it.”
Which of these do you most want to read first?
Vote by filling out this Google Forms survey!
While we’re voting by survey this time, feel free to tell us why you’re excited about a particular book in the comments below.
And if you have any suggestions of other books, drop them in the comments too and we’ll take a look and consider them for the next round in August and September.
We announced the winning book on Monday, May 15th, and start reading it in June.
We can’t wait to read with you!
Pesso
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Hey Square Readers,
I hope you’re making your way through Start with Why by Simon Sinek so far, our Square Readers Book Club book for April & May. I’m about ⅔ of the way through! There's still plenty of time to read before our Live Discussion on Tuesday May 23rd.
The keystone of the book is the importance of having, knowing, and explaining the Why for your business.
Sinek defines a Why as an action statement that defines your purpose, cause, or belief. It explains why your business exists and why your customers should care. It should start with a verb (To bring, to give, to change, to ...) and be the heart of your business. It should guide every decision you make, and if your actions are aligned with it, build trust with the kinds of customers that align with it.
So that's my question today: What is your Why?
Feel free to share your How and What too!
It doesn’t have to be perfect – this is hard to do! If you’re not completely sure, that’s perfectly fine. Give it a shot, and if you’re not sure, tell us a bit more about your principles and mission, and maybe we can help.
You can read my Why in the comments below, and I can’t wait to read yours!
We may repost your comments into our summary post at the end of the month.
See these threads for more discussions:
SwW: Announcement Post
Post a picture of you with your book
Introduce Yourself
RSVP for our Live Video Discussion
Share your Favorite Quotes
What can you do to be true to your Why?
Happy reading,
Pesso
... View more

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