Hundreds of executives, operators, and investors use a Commoncog membership to augment their business learning.
How do you get good at business? There are typically two ways:
- You can learn on the job,
- Or you can go get an MBA.
A Commoncog membership is a third way. It’s built on some effective cognitive science, costs a fraction of an MBA, and fits into your life as a busy businessperson.
Here’s what a membership gets you:
Frameworks that Work
We test ideas so you don’t have to.
Business writing can be full of fluff. Not every framework is worth testing.
The rule at Commoncog is this: every idea must be tested against reality, and presented according to a hierarchy of practical evidence.
We do not publish many frameworks. But when we do, you betcha it comes from business experimentation — either from our own businesses, or from selective consulting.
A Growing Case Library
We seek out, research, and publish cases to accelerate your pattern recognition.
There’s only so much you can learn from reading frameworks. You need to put things to practice in order to improve.
But there’s something you can improve by reading alone.
Experienced businesspeople and investors have seen more business patterns than novices. This ability to see makes for a big difference in expertise.
Experts organise cases according to certain patterns in their heads. Commoncog publishes cases the same way experts think. (Read about the cognitive science behind this.)
We do the research for you. We publish a case or two a week. You get all the benefits of an expansive reading program, for a fraction of the time costs.
Access to a Community of Business Obsessives
A gathering of business nerds, obsessed with the best game ever invented.
A Commoncog membership selects for those who are serious about the game of business.
Got a question about a business? Want a book recommendation?
Whichever you choose, you’ll have access to an exclusive, members-only forum, curated and moderated like the value investing forums of old.
“Commoncog has basically replaced any reason for me to do an MBA-type Masters program.” - Botong C, Lead Learning Designer
Sign Up for a Commoncog Membership:
USD $250 a year ($20.83 a month) Subscribe Yearly
Many members get their companies to pay for their Commoncog membership. To make it easier for you, here’s a sample email you can send to HR to get it comped.
Members Say
“Pro tip: if you have a Corp role in Big Tech, a premium subscription in @commoncog will teach you more than any generic business strategy executive education course.” - Vassilis Tziokas, Microsoft
“Your prolific and thought provoking writing has had a major influence on the way I think about business and career. The series on product and design taste really clicked with me, and made me realize that moving back into a product focused role was the best way for me to get the deep satisfaction of solving incredibly difficult problems with novel, elegant solutions.” - Jonathan Horowitz, The Home Depot
“I continue to find Commoncog among the most on point and relevant business material I've come across in my career. I think it's the combination of Cedric's curiosity and rigor that leads him to frame both the conventional and unconventional conclusions and hypotheses he offers in such a clear fashion (at least to my brain and sensibilities).” - Josh Rosen, Bengal Capital
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Commoncog a replacement for an MBA program, or on-the-job learning?
A: No, of course not. An MBA program is a different bundle: it forces you to attend class, and gives you a great network. Also, nothing beats learning from doing. You should still find a mentor to learn from, or get an MBA if that’s what you want.
A Commoncog membership is what you buy if you want something extra as you’re learning the ropes in your job, or if you want the continued rigour of a business education after your MBA ends.
It’s a secret weapon: an extra edge that your peers aren’t getting.
Q: Do you offer discounts or purchasing power parity?
A: No, we do not currently offer discounts of any type. However, many members get their Commoncog membership expensed by the company. Here’s a sample template you may use — send it to HR, or to your boss.
Q: Do you offer a monthly plan?
A: No, we do not.
Q: Would you mind offering a discounted price for students?
A: Unfortunately, Commoncog is not meant for students. Nearly all of Commoncog’s topics are somewhat advanced; the membership is targeted towards those with a few years of business experience. If you’re not sure if Commoncog is for you, browse the site as a non-member — there’s still plenty of free content available!
Ready to start?