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The Unfair Advantage

summary ofThe Unfair AdvantageBook by Ash Ali, Hasan Kubba

13 min
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You’ll learn

  • Why your background is your best asset
  • How connections shape your success
  • When timing can skyrocket potential
  • Where education meets opportunity
  • Why money is more than a cushion

first KEY POINT

Starting and running a business is a challenging task, but success comes with the right advantages

The media often portrays success as a result of hard effort and devotion. While this is somewhat accurate, it does not entirely explain what is required to establish a firm effectively. Many company ventures fail not because the people involved aren’t serious but because they lack an edge. Many benefits go unnoticed in business, and many people are unaware that time, money, background, and demographics all play a part in an organization’s success.For example, opportunities accessible to Harvard graduates are seldom available to graduates from third-world countries, and wealthy kids have a higher probability of success than poor or ordinary ones. This is not to say success doesn’t come to people who are not as privileged, but rich kids, for example, have a higher chance of going to the best schools in the country. These rights are considered unfair advantages, and everyone possesses them. It’s a fundamental advantage over the competition, and it’s not always gained or worked for but discovered and nurtured.

The success of a business is not solely determined by the ideas you have but also by the research you've done.

The Unfair Advantage won the UK’s Business Book of the Year Award for 2021, and in it, Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba talk about the many things individuals overlook when it comes to launching a business. In this summary, you will find insights into how to harness your unfair advantage to work for you all the time.

second KEY POINT

We all possess privileges that are helpful if we put them to good use

It’s easy to think that only the elites have advantages. However, in reality, they are not the only ones who do, and we all have something to leverage wherever we are in society.For some, the advantages are evident, like in the case of riches or beauty. Evan Spiegel, the co-founder of the social media company Snapchat, is a perfect illustration of this. It is easy to see how Spiegel’s advantages helped his business prosper. Growing up with wealthy parents who were attorneys and friends with famous entrepreneurs meant he had access to money, financiers, and mentors from day one. Of course, this does not imply you need money or connections to succeed. For example, Ash Ali, an award-winning author, grew up in a drug-infested part of Birmingham, England, where he dropped out of high school and worked at an office supply business while his friends graduated. However, with a natural entrepreneurial instinct, Ali had been coming up with methods to generate money since the age of 13, so when a friend contacted him at 19, Ali was all in, marking the beginning of his successful journey.

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first KEY POINT

There’s more to business intelligence than being brilliant in one area of expertise

second KEY POINT

Location and timing are essential to the growth of any start-up

third KEY POINT

Learning may lead to more than just a degree; it can enhance competence and vital contacts

fourth KEY POINT

Unfair advantages reinforce work bias and trigger social classism

fifth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Ash Ali is the co-founder of Uhubs, a skills training platform to help entrepreneurs and professionals. Hasan Kubba is a specialist in technology start-ups, marketing, and fundraising.

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Frequently asked questions

What is The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed about?

The Unfair Advantage, authored by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba, explores how individuals can leverage their unique experiences and advantages to achieve success. It emphasizes that everyone possesses inherent advantages regardless of their background, and teaches how to recognize and utilize these strengths.

What are the key takeaways from The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed?

Key takeaways from The Unfair Advantage include understanding the concept of unfair advantages, identifying personal strengths, and applying them strategically to outperform others. The book also provides actionable insights on entrepreneurship and personal development.

Is The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed worth reading?

Yes, The Unfair Advantage is definitely worth reading if you're looking for practical advice on leveraging your unique strengths for success. It's filled with valuable insights that can inspire aspiring entrepreneurs as well as anyone seeking personal growth.

How many pages is The Unfair Advantage: How You Already Have What It Takes to Succeed and when was it published?

The Unfair Advantage has 288 pages and was published on June 22, 2021. This makes it a concise read for anyone interested in actionable success strategies.

How can The Unfair Advantage help in personal development?

The Unfair Advantage provides tools for self-assessment and guidance on how to turn perceived disadvantages into strengths, which is crucial for personal development. By identifying individual advantages and leveraging them, readers can enhance their self-belief and effectiveness in various areas of life.