Meaningful Book Summary - Meaningful Book explained in key points
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Meaningful summary

Bernadette Jiwa

The Story of Ideas That Fly

4.2 (28 ratings)
11 mins

Brief summary

'Meaningful' by Bernadette Jiwa is a guide to creating a business that truly matters. It offers insights and examples of how to focus on purpose, connection, and impact to attract loyal customers and build a thriving brand.

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    Meaningful
    Summary of 5 key ideas

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    Key idea 1 of 5

    Stay relevant to your customers by understanding what they really want.

    Tons of new products and services enter the market every day. And some of them are the result of a truly innovative idea: those products and services that make your life easier, more enjoyable and, simply put, better. But a great product doesn’t guarantee customer satisfaction.

    In fact, the customers of today want products and services that truly take their needs seriously. It hasn’t always been like this. In the past, a taxi driver wouldn’t worry too much if a customer was grossed out by his cab, because it was unlikely that the two would ever meet again. Bad customer experiences didn’t affect business.

    But with apps like Lyft and Uber, that’s all changing.

    That’s because Lyft measures how long your ride lasts, who drove you and what your experience was like. As a result, the focus is put on the quality of the ride, and the customer’s voice is absolutely essential.

    So, what does this mean for business in general?

    That it’s key to stay relevant to your customers. And that means tracking their behavior and gearing your product or service toward their way of life. A great example is the way Google developed Google Images.

    It began as a search engine just like countless others, but became a household name by showing users not just what they search for, but what they want. So, Google’s success wasn’t about tech-savvy developers, but about carefully observing customers and intelligently using the knowledge this observation afforded.  

    For example, at the 2000 Grammy Awards, Jennifer Lopez donned a see-through Versace dress with an open neckline. The dress became so famous that it got its own Wikipedia page, but also presented a problem that Google had to solve. The dress rapidly became (up to that point) the most googled thing ever; people were dying to see photos of it. Hence, the birth of Google Images.

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    What is Meaningful about?

    Meaningful (2015) is a guide to making customers central to your business. These blinks, by teaching you how to produce a product that truly matters to and empowers your customers, will perfectly align your brand with the demands of the twenty-first century.

    Meaningful Review

    Meaningful by Bernadette Jiwa (2019) is a thought-provoking book that explores the importance of finding meaning in our lives and work. Here's why this book is worth reading:

    • It offers insightful perspectives on how to uncover the true meaning behind our actions, helping us lead more fulfilling lives.
    • The book emphasizes the value of purpose and encourages readers to align their goals with their personal values, leading to greater satisfaction.
    • With its compelling stories and practical examples, the book keeps readers engaged, making the exploration of meaning an enjoyable and inspiring journey.

    Best quote from Meaningful

    Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page. - Steve Jobs

    —Bernadette Jiwa
    example alt text

    Who should read Meaningful?

    • Entrepreneurs looking to boost business
    • Innovators
    • Marketing managers who want a broader perspective

    About the Author

    Bernadette Jiwa is a brand-story and marketing strategist. She’s written an Amazon bestseller, and offers consulting to entrepreneurs, companies and business leaders, setting them on a path toward producing value for their customers.

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    Meaningful FAQs 

    What is the main message of Meaningful?

    The main message of Meaningful is finding purpose in our work and creating meaningful connections with others.

    How long does it take to read Meaningful?

    The reading time for Meaningful varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Meaningful a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Meaningful is definitely worth reading. It offers valuable insights and practical advice for finding meaning and fulfillment in our lives and work.

    Who is the author of Meaningful?

    The author of Meaningful is Bernadette Jiwa.

    What to read after Meaningful?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Meaningful, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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    • The Upside of Your Dark Side by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener
    • The Anarchy by William Dalrymple
    • The Poetry and Music of Science by Tom McLeish
    • On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
    • The Fortune Cookie Principle by Bernadette Jiwa
    • Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin
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