I tried to subscribe online a number of times but my transaction keeps getting disapproved. Why?
There are two possible reasons.
1. You didn't enter your security code (this is needed to complete the transaction.) The security code is the last 3 digits on the back of your VISA or MasterCard, or the four digits on the front of your AMEX card.
2. The information was not entered properly. This may be because you entered the numbers incorrectly; or it may be that the name or address does not match the card. If you enter a name or address unrelated to the card you are using (e.g., your home address when the card is attached to your business address) the transaction will not be processed due to the security measures implemented by your credit card issuer.
I subscribed to your service but never received anything. What's going on?
Most likely, your spam filter is blocking the emails we have been sending to you (which contain the links to our service). After subscribing online you should receive an immediate confirmation from InternetSecure (the company that securely processes your credit card transaction). On that day or the following business day you should receive an email linking you to your first month's content.
The Business Source email can now get though my spam filter, how do I get the material I missed?
Whenever you receive new monthly content from us you are taken to a page where your summaries, tips and audio (when applicable) are featured. On the top of the page there is an Archive link. Click there and you will be taken to all of the previous content in your current subscription.
What is the mission of The Business Source?
To provide the best business knowledge available today in the easiest and quickest format so subscribers get useful business ideas, insights, methods and solutions that keep them up to date and truly competitive in today's ever changing, fast paced business world. This mission embodies what we term "Learning at the Speed of Business."
What is a book summary?
A book summary is a concise synopsis of a business book that highlights the author's main ideas and gives the reader a specific insight and understanding into its contents. The summaries produced by The Business Source are approximately 2,500 words in length (or about 5 pages) and typically take10 to15 minutes to read.
What is the difference between a book summary and a book review?
A summary gives you an overview of the main points of a book and a working knowledge of its key concepts. In contrast, a review provides a reviewer's opinions of a book.
What kind of people read summaries?
Our subscribers are typically business people but they also include the informed public at large. They range from CEO's of multi-billion dollar corporations to regular people with a keen interest in what's going on in the business world around them. Their occupations run the gamut from senior managers to financial advisors, sales and marketing people, entrepreneurs, investors, human resource professionals, consultants — and the list goes on. What all of them have in common is that they have a passion to get ahead or stay ahead and The Business Source helps them to achieve their goals.
Can I read a free sample summary?
Yes. A free sample of Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner is available on our site. Click here to see the free summary.
What do I get for US$130?
Each annual subscription provides:
- 24 business book summaries from the world's leading authors (2 per month), plus
- 24 sets of business tips from top business experts (2 per month), plus
- 4 audio tracks from prominent business speakers (I per quarter)
... all for less than you would pay for 3 typical business books.
Why 5 pages?
Our easy to read 5-page format gives you all of the essential information you need from a book in the shortest possible time. Anything longer would just add to your workload ... and that's not what you're looking for. The average reader can digest a summary in 10 to 15 minutes (compare this to the 10 to 20 hours it takes to read an entire book).
Can a 5-page summary really contain all the most important concepts and strategies from an entire book?
A business book summary removes all of the non-essential information and focuses on the key ideas presented by the author. It clarifies the most salient concepts and strategies and simplifies them for the reader in an easy to read format.
But wouldn't I remember more information if I read the whole book?
Although the original book from which a summary is written holds much more detail and breadth of information than the summary, many studies prove that you can retain more information from reading a summary than from reading an entire book. Without delving into all of the technical reasons for this, it's a very real phenomenon that has to do with how people learn; including focus, attention span and the way the human brain catalogues and stores information.
How can I subscribe?
Just click here and you'll be walked through the process.
What is your return policy?
If you are not completely satisfied with our service, we offer a full refund within 90 days of purchase.
You say the summaries give you ideas and techniques you can use on the job to get better results. How else do people use the summaries?
Our readers use them as gifts, value-adds and incentives to customers, employees, colleagues, friends and others.
My clients would really benefit from this service. Can you give me some examples of applications?
We understand that companies are always looking for a leg up on their competition. That's why they look for unique ways to differentiate themselves and really create an impression with their clients. A subscription to The Business Source can be given to new clients to show that you value their business; as a signing bonus for new clients or as an ongoing loyalty gift for your current clients. And unlike typical gifts, a subscription to The Business Source will reinforce the benefit of your gesture month after month for a full year.
Please email the details of your plans to sales@thebusinesssource.com or call our business development line at 416 256-0103 and we'll gladly help you find ways to creatively fulfill your needs with your current and prospective clients.
Do you give volume discounts?
Yes. Please email the details of your plans to sales@thebusinesssource.com or contact our business development line directly at 416-256-0103 with your requirements and we'll be happy to provide you with a detailed quote.
How many programs do you offer?
We offer two programs to fit your individual needs:
- Our Executive Business Program offers book summaries on a broad range of business topics from many of the latest best-sellers. Topics that include leadership, managerial effectiveness and career advancement, can help you get the most from yourself and your employees.
- Our Investment & Business Program offers the best of our Executive Business Program but also includes summaries that are specific to investors. If you're in the market, this program can help you keep abreast of what great investment minds are recommending you do with your (or your client's) money.
Why do you provide tips from certain books rather than summaries?
We include tips from a variety of top business experts in order to provide our readers with a greater breadth of business information. The tips are sourced from well-known books and the author's ideas are offered verbatim in short, easy to read segments. The Investment & Business Program includes tips from books as well as some of the most prominent investment newsletters available in North America.
Can I read a free sample tip?
Yes. A free sample of "Ways to Nurture Business Relationships" from If Success Is a Game, These Are the Rules by Chérie Carter-Scott, Ph.D. is available on our site. Click here to go directly to the tip.
Can I print the summaries and tips in hard copy form?
Yes. The summaries and tips can be printed in a printer friendly format. Each subscriber can make one copy for personal use but no other duplication or redistribution is permitted.
Why do you also offer audio tracks?
Hearing a business expert's own words helps listeners understand a business expert's logic and insights and also helps with the retention of valuable information. Listening to an entertaining speaker is also easy and enjoyable. Sometimes you just want to sit back, relax and listen to a great teacher.
How long are the audio tracks?
They are approximately 15-30 minutes in length.
How do I access the audio?
You can listen to the audio online through Real Audio. If you do not have a Real Audio player you can download one from our site for free.
Do you have full permission to summarize the books and use the other material featured on your site?
Yes. We have permission from the rights-holders and all of the original content we feature is copyrighted.
How do authors feel about having their books summarized?
They appreciate the additional exposure our service provides them and many have commented on our ability to get to the heart of their ideas in such a short summary.
Do some people still read the entire book, even after reading the book summary?
A tremendous number of business books have been written and promoted and many of these deserve a thorough read. In fact, thousands of new business books are published each year and deciding which ones are worth investing your valuable time and money on is no simple matter. A book summary can help you screen current business books to determine which ones you should read in their entirety. By devoting only 10 to 15 minutes to reading the summary, you can more easily decide whether or not reading the entire book will fit your particular needs.
Do you send summaries or tips in the mail? Do you send audiotapes in the mail?
No. Our service is delivered entirely online.
If I subscribe today when do I receive the first month's content?
You will receive an email linking you to your first month within 48 hours.
If I buy today what books will I see summarized?
The programs are continuously changing as new books come out so unfortunately we can't supply a full list of upcoming summaries. However, you should be secure in knowing that, as always, The Business Source will continue to provide summaries of only the best books available, written by the world's leading business authorities.
How do you select the books to be summarized?
First of all, it should be clear that we don't summarize every book that hits the bookstore shelves. Rather than overwhelming our readers with content, we pick only the cream of the crop - the best business books on the market. After all, isn't saving time, not adding work, one of the main reasons you're considering our service in the first place?
Our book summaries are created from many of the latest best-sellers and all of them have been highly acclaimed and have received excellent reviews. Our comprehensive internal review process also takes into account the relevant subject matter of each book, including whether or not it covers new ground and provides fresh insights for our readers. We also consider and appreciate suggestions made by our subscribers.
How safe is it to give my credit card over the Internet?
It's safe and easy to subscribe online because we use InternetSecure. Click here for the full story.
People like to shop online because it's convenient but some believe their credit card information is unsafe. Fortunately, the security issues many consumers have had in the past have been addressed. The safest method of payment on the Internet is by credit card. In the event of a problem with your purchase, you have recourse with your credit card company to dispute the charge.
The bottom line is that placing an order over the Internet is no less secure than ordering over the phone.
How do I know I'm using a secure browser?
There are several ways to tell if your personal information will be secure. Look for:
- Symbols like an unbroken lock
or key 
- A URL that begins https://
- The words "Secure Sockets Layer" (SSL)
Any of these mean that no one but you and the merchant can view your payment information.
Is it okay to send my credit card information in an email?
No! Information that travels over the Internet as regular electronic mail is not fully protected from being read by outside parties.
Why don't you send me a user name and password when I subscribe?
Few people ever use their user name and password because it's difficult to remember all the different passwords and user names for all the different sites and services accessed. To make things as simple as possible we send an email each month, which links you to that month's content. This serves as a great reminder and this way you don't have to remember yet another password and user name.
If you do wish to access the service through a user name, you can find out what it is by entering the email address you subscribed with in the "Forgot your password?" field on the login page.
How can I change my email address?
If you would like to change the email address that your subscription is sent to, you can do it yourself by clicking here and following the simple instructions.
Do you answer all the email you receive?
Every email gets a reply unless:
- It does not arrive.
- There is no return address.
- There is no message in the mail form.
- We cannot reply because of an incorrect reply address.
What is your Privacy Policy?
Our Web server does not recognize information regarding the domain or e-mail address of visitors to our Web site.
We only collect information volunteered by the user, such as survey information and/or site registrations.
The information we collect is not shared with, or sold to third parties.
With respect to cookies: We do not set any cookies.
With respect to Ad Servers: We do not partner with or have special relationships with any ad server companies.
From time to time, we may use customer information for new, unanticipated uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If our information practices change at some time in the future we will post the policy changes to our Web site to notify you of these changes and provide you with the ability to opt out of these new uses. If you are concerned about how your information is used, you should check back at our Web site periodically.
Upon request we provide site users with access to all information [including proprietary information] that we maintain about them. Users can access this information by sending us e-mail at custserv@thebusinesssource.com.
With respect to security: When we transfer and receive certain types of sensitive information such as financial information, we redirect users to a secure server.
If you feel that this site is not following its stated information policy, you may contact us at the above addresses or phone number.
Users who supply us with their telephone numbers on-line will only receive telephone contact from us with information regarding orders they have placed on-line.
If you feel that this site is not following its stated information policy, you may contact us at custserv@thebusinesssource.com.
