Mad Men
Business lessons pulled straight from Mad Men — start anywhere, no spoilers, one real book behind each one.
Sell the Feeling
Kodak walked in with a slide projector called the Wheel. Don sold a time machine called the Carousel — and the room cried.
Find the USP
Belle Jolie wanted the ad to brag about how many lipstick colors they had. Don sold "Mark Your Man" — and told the client their feature plan had already made them No. 4.
Turn Limitations into Opportunities
Lucky Strike could no longer claim cigarettes were safe. Don did not argue with the ban. He sold "It's toasted."
Own the Category
London Fog once sold 81% of America's raincoats. Roger Sterling explained why in three words — and accidentally defined what winning at positioning actually looks like.
Change the Thing You're Selling
Two small ad agencies walk into a Detroit bar the night before pitching Chevy. Both know they're going to lose. So they stop competing — and do something that changes the whole contest.
That's What the Money Is For
Don Draper thinks a paycheck says everything a boss needs to say. Two seasons later, the best employee he ever had quits — and won't even let him counter with money.
One lesson. Every week.
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