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All 16 learnings · one per slide
The Tipping
Point
Malcolm Gladwell, in bytes
16 key learnings on how little things can make a big difference in spreading ideas and behaviours.
16 learnings · ~40 sec eachSwipe →
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The Tipping Point, in bytes
16 key learnings from Malcolm Gladwell's book on how ideas, products and behaviours spread like epidemics. Each takes about 40 seconds to read. Swipe, use the arrows, or your keyboard.
The Tipping
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Learning 1 · Introduction
Hush Puppies
The story
In the mid-1990s, sales of unfashionable Hush Puppies shoes exploded after a few hip kids in Manhattan started wearing them.
The lesson
A small group triggered a huge trend.
Takeaway
Trends can tip suddenly.
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Learning 2 · Introduction
Social Epidemics
The idea
Ideas and behaviours spread like viruses: contagious, small causes with big effects, and sudden change at a tipping point.
Example
Crime, fashion and diseases all spread in this way.
Takeaway
Think about change as an epidemic.
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Learning 3 · Chapter 2
The Law of the Few
The idea
A few special people drive social epidemics.
The three
Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen.
Takeaway
Find the right messengers.
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Learning 4 · Chapter 2
Paul Revere's Ride
The story
Revere's midnight ride roused the militia. William Dawes rode with the same message, but fewer people responded.
Why
Revere was a Connector who knew everyone.
Takeaway
Who carries a message matters.
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Learning 5 · Chapter 2
Connectors
The idea
Connectors know a large number of people across different worlds.
Example
Chicago's Lois Weisberg seemed to know everybody.
Spot it
The person who introduces everyone.
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Learning 6 · Chapter 2
Mavens
The idea
Mavens collect information and love to share it to help others.
Example
Mark Alpert, a market maven who tracked prices and deals.
Takeaway
Mavens are trusted sources.
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Learning 7 · Chapter 2
Salesmen
The idea
Salesmen persuade with charm, energy and subtle body language.
Example
Financial planner Tom Gau's infectious enthusiasm.
Takeaway
Persuasion can be contagious.
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Learning 8 · Chapter 3
The Stickiness Factor
The idea
Messages spread when they're memorable and make people act.
Example
Small changes in presentation can make a message stick.
Takeaway
Make the message stick.
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Learning 9 · Chapter 3
Sesame Street and Blue's Clues
The story
These children's shows used research to make lessons sticky, like repeating episodes.
The lesson
Testing what holds attention makes education stick.
Takeaway
Test and refine.
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Learning 10 · Chapter 3
The Gold Box
The story
Columbia Record Club ads included a gold box hunt, which boosted responses.
The lesson
A small interactive element made ads sticky.
Try this
Add a small action to your message.
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Learning 11 · Chapter 4
The Power of Context
The idea
People are very sensitive to their environment.
Example
Small changes in surroundings can tip behaviour.
Takeaway
Change the context, change behaviour.
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Learning 12 · Chapter 4
Broken Windows
The story
New York's subway cleaned graffiti and fought fare-dodging. Gladwell links this to the city's crime drop.
Worth noting
The theory's role in the crime drop is debated.
Takeaway
Small signs of disorder matter.
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Learning 13 · Chapter 4
The Good Samaritan Study
The study
Seminary students in a hurry often ignored a person in need, even on their way to talk about the Good Samaritan.
The lesson
Context mattered more than character.
Takeaway
Situations shape behaviour.
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Learning 14 · Chapter 5
The Rule of 150
The idea
Groups work best below about 150 people, the number of relationships we can manage.
Example
Gore-Tex maker W. L. Gore kept plants around 150 people.
Takeaway
Keep groups small.
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Learning 15 · Chapter 6
Airwalk
The story
Airwalk shoes grew by targeting trendsetters, then lost momentum when it went mainstream too fast.
The lesson
Tipping points can be managed, and lost.
Takeaway
Watch how a trend spreads.
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Learning 16 · Conclusion
Small Changes, Big Effects
The idea
With limited resources, focus on the few things that can tip a change.
Example
Targeted efforts in the right place can transform results.
Reflect
What small push could tip your goal?
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All 16 learnings complete
That’s all 16 learnings.
Small changes can tip big ones. What small change could start a bigger shift around you?
Abhay Kumar JaiswalFCA · PMP® · Workday Financeabhayjaiswal.com
Summaries in my own words. Read the book for the full stories.
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Summaries are written in my own words for learning. Read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (2000) for the full stories. Gladwell's use of the 'broken windows' policing example is contested by later research. More Books in Bytes