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A no-nonsense, start-to-finish roadmap for aspiring franchisees In The Ultimate Guide to Franchising, straight-shooting author Joe Mathews delivers a practical and hands-on “how-to” guide for aspiring franchisees seeking to start their own businesses. In the book, you'll explore real-life stories from the franchising trenches that illustrate how to effectively look past the obvious and dig deep into the bones of a franchise to establish fit, predict success, and mitigate risk. You'll discover the personality types most likely to experience success and failure at franchising and identify the entrepreneurial traits that can expose you to additional risk. You'll also find: All the info you need to know about franchising before you start looking for the right fit Strategies for properly and fully investigating a franchise opportunity in your area Techniques for conducting proper diligence to determine a franchisor's skills and viability. Perfect for budding entrepreneurs, founders, and other business-minded professionals, as well as employees, leaders, and suppliers to franchise brands who want a better understanding and appreciation for how franchising works, The Ultimate Guide to Franchising will earn a place on the bookshelves of anyone serious about opening their own franchise as well as those who have already begun their franchising journeys.

Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture focuses on financial management within entrepreneurial firms. Most of these are young firms, although some are more established. The book examines these firms at all phases of their life cycle, from the initial idea generation to the ultimate harvesting of the venture. The book covers firms in a diverse set of industries including high technology, low technology, and services. A significant fraction of the cases focus on non-U.S. ventures. Additionally, the issues of gender and diversity are addressed in a number of settings. Financing the Entrepreneurial Venture entails understanding both sides of the balance sheet. Consequently, the book looks at issues related to both sides as well. The first section of the book explores how to evaluate entrepreneurial business opportunities, that is, the asset side of the balance sheet. The skills necessary to make good investment decisions include developing a framework of analysis for business opportunities. The process also entails reinforcing and enhancing valuation skills. With these tools, one will be able to qualitatively and quantitatively assess markets and opportunities. The second section of the book examines how entrepreneurial investments are financed. An emphasis is placed on understanding financial institutions and deal terms. It then examines how entrepreneurial firms which have succeeded need to continually finance the scaling of their operations. What are the financial issues that affect these types of firms? How do the sources and terms of financing change? This transition to the second product or opportunity is often the most difficult time for the entrepreneurial enterprise. The book then concludes with an examination of harvesting. Unless an entrepreneur plans for the future realization on investment, he or she could get left holding the bag with little value having been created.

This book assesses the resilience of enterprises and their abilities to adapt to changing circumstances and new business environments in the time of crises. Entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations proved to be capable of utilizing innovation and technology to survive the economic and financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many enterprises have succeeded in turning the pandemic crisis into viable business opportunities, dominating local and regional markets, and putting them at the heart of technological transformation. The book also emphasizes the role of innovation, digitalization, and technology in developing new business models and innovative strategies that contributed to enhancing business resilience and market adaptability during the pandemic. The implementation of the new business model and working methods has not only made companies more competitive, but it also ensured the sustainability of the flow of goods and services in the time of the crisis. The analysis is provided through a detailed examination of key sectors, including small and medium enterprises, logistics and supply chain, food security, and labor market. While acknowledging the unprecedented economic and financial consequences of the pandemic on enterprises and markets, this book stresses the importance of the lessons learned from this experience that are critical for supporting the business sector and strengthening market fundamentals to withstand similar crises in the future.

••Business Book Awards 2024 Finalist••'Want to avoid making leadership mistakes and make better decisions? Read this book.'- James TimpsonNo time for wishful thinking when you're changing the world.If you're a leader who wants to get things done in a way that makes the world a better place, you need someone in your corner.Liam Black has been supporting social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven leaders for decades, and he understands what it takes to do work that goes beyond the bottom line – and what it can take out of you, too.In this no-bullshit, woo-woo-free book, he reveals how to align purpose and leadership, how to deal with uncertainty, imposter syndrome, anxiety and loneliness along the way, how to exercise authority (even in the face of endemic sexism), and when it's right to walk away.'Liam's the mentor you want on your side when things get tough.'- Sue Campbell, FA Director of Women's Football'This book (like his mentoring) will help you get through tough times with grace – a must read.'- Juliet Scott-Croxford, President North America Brompton BikesLiam Black has founded and led a dozen organizations, invested millions in purpose-driven companies and is a mentor to start-up entrepreneurs and leaders in multinational corporations.

This book examines intellectual property (IP) as an important value driver for start-ups. Businesses of all sizes are inevitably confronted with intellectual property issues at some point, but start-ups and their collaborators face unique challenges and opportunities in IP management. Identifying, generating, and exploiting intellectual property can lead to sustainable competitive advantages and avoidance of risks. Many start-ups sense the complexity of IP management and therefore place their energy elsewhere. However, the clear conclusion to be drawn from this unique collection of contributions is that putting an IP management strategy in place is critical to the successful development of a business. Prof. Dr. Martin A. Bader and Prof. Dr. Sevim Süzeroğlu-Melchiors have years of experience as consultants, entrepreneurs, business owners, and researchers where they saw firsthand the need for a comprehensive yet practical resource for start-ups and their key stakeholders.This book explores different perspectives in dealing with IP from six different angles: the start-up's view, the investor's view, the corporation's view, the university's view, the global IP office's view, and the advisor's view. Each section consists of chapters written by leading experts from around the globe including Silicon Valley, Canada, Israel, Switzerland, Germany, Finland, France, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Singapore, and South Africa. Contributors bring practical experience from a wide range of sectors, such as information and communication technology, software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, industrial automation, internet of things, life sciences, pharma, crop science, biotech, medtech, mining, sustainability, climate tech, and even quantum technologies. This timely publication serves as a guidebook for entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders in the start-up ecosystem. It empowers founders to develop their own IP management strategyto mitigate risk, create and capture value, and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth. An essential reference for start-ups to achieve business excellence.“This edited book volume offers valuable insights, bringing together perspectives of key stakeholder groups from a wide variety of innovation ecosystems – an invaluable resource.” —Carsten Fink, Chief Economist, World Intellectual Property Organization, Geneva“A timely book for those wanting a clear overview of the issues the different players encounter in the start-up ecosystem. A useful resource indeed. Congratulations to the editors and team.”—Audrey Yap, Managing Partner YUSARN AUDREY LLC, Past President LESI, Chairman Singapore Innovation & Productivity Institute, Singapore“A ‘must read'for all innovators in the start-up world. It is truly a fantastic book and one I would recommend being bought and read (in full)!”—Laurence Freeman, Professor (Adjunct), CU Denver Business School, Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship, Denver, Colorado, United States

The fight for a better future requires radical change and cooperation between governments, NGOs, investors and businesses, as well as exponential technological innovation and new perspectives - in other words, nothing less than a miracle. Increasingly, this miracle is being made possible by leaders of all generations who have found the courage to act.This book presents cases of sustainability, from small start-ups to large corporations, but above all it tells the stories of extraordinary women who have decided to dedicate their time and personal resources to saving the world. By embracing change, they have created value for all stakeholders at the table, including the planet we inhabit. Their stories demonstrate that this is not a battle we will win once and for all, but rather a journey in which we will evolve the way we access and use the resources around us. This project approaches the sustainability challenge from a unique perspective, offering real-life examples of the leadership and impact of remarkable women who are changing the rules of the game in their respective industries and fields.

Offering veteran insight and friendly, actionable advice from two self-made women who manage three six-figure businesses, this practical handbook acts as a roadmap to guide anyone wanting to build a profitable venture out of their creative passion.Figuring out how to make a living from your creative work poses unique challenges and obstacles. From choosing the right business model to building a brand, from managing your time to scaling up your production—starting your own creative business often means doing it all yourself. Enter The Creative Business Handbook by Alicia Puig and Ekaterina Popova, the dynamic duo behind Create! Magazine.With its conversational tone and accessible advice, this handbook lays an essential foundation for anyone wanting to earn a living with their art—no fancy business degree required! In addition to nuts-and-bolts advice based on the authors'real-life experiences, each chapter of the book includes an interview with a creative entrepreneur from a different background and craft, and ends with action steps that will help keep you on track. Written by creative business owners for creative business owners, this is the perfect book for anyone with a vision who is ready to hit the ground running.EXPERT AUTHORS: Informed by the authors'decades of experience founding and managing three successful creative businesses—as well as the lessons they learned from some projects that didn't stand the test of time—this book offers tried-and-true advice for artists looking to get their creative enterprises off the ground and achieve real financial success. Popova and Puig have also included interviews with other self-employed creatives across a variety of fields, giving you a window into the myriad paths available to you as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey.FOR ALL CREATIVES: This book offers real wisdom for starting and sustaining your unique creative business no matter your passion, whether you are a career artist looking to make a living outside of the gallery space, an experienced freelance writer interested in mentoring your peers, or a podcaster who dreams of sustaining yourself by making content that you genuinely care about. From advice about best marketing practices to striking the ever-elusive work-life balance, this guide will help you to understand the business side of your creative practice.Perfect for:Artists, designers, makers, illustrators—recent graduates and budding professionals—looking to start their own businessesCreative people exploring career ideas and looking for practical advice and inspirationGraduation, birthday, or holiday gift for artistic and entrepreneurial friends and loved onesReaders of Create! Magazine, Steal Like an Artist, Big Magic, and Untamed

'A vibrant, inspiring celebration of fashion, family and passion. I love this colourful celebration of all things shoes.'– Fearne Cotton'I really enjoyed the personal insights into what makes Sophia so unique and wonderful. A brilliantly bold, colourful delight, just like Sophia's shoes'– Alesha Dixon'Beautiful and motivational. A rare insight into what it's like to walk in Sophia's heels and build an empire in the fashion world.'– Laura Whitmore Artist. Entrepreneur. Mum. Bosslady. Leading British shoe designer Sophia Webster is known for her sense of fun, playful and feminine touches – but less well known is the story behind the shoes, and how Sophia juggled a fledgling business with a young family, turning her love of drawing into a renowned brand. Charting her early days as a young creative, through her inspirations (from the Spice Girls to Grayson Perry) and on to how her designs are brought to life, Oh My Gosh, I Love Your Shoes! shines a spotlight on Sophia's boundless imagination and enthusiasm for her craft. Sophia reflects on how her early life experiences set her up to face the challenges of establishing a fashion brand and the benefits of quick thinking and infinite determination when navigating the daily trials of business ownership. Her story is told through 365 sketches of her favourite designs, each evoking their own memories of this fascinating and colourful journey. Celebrating a decade of head-turning heels, Oh My Gosh, I Love Your Shoes! is an inspiring, uplifting showcase of Sophia's remarkable shoes, inspiration and expertise. Gathering together the stories and learnings behind Sophia's most cherished designs, it's also a celebration of the many famous feet who have worn Sophia's shoes on red carpets all over the world – from Taylor Swift to Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani and Michelle Obama.

A billion plastic bags a day. That's how many bags Americans were throwing away in 2005 when Lisa D. Foster first switched to reusable bags. The impacts of all those bags on our environment and our taxes kept her up at night. It was wrong. Morally wrong. She believed that if American shoppers knew what she knew, they would switch to reusable bags too. So, she did what any good English teacher would do. She took the facts about bags and turned them into a story. Over the next 12 years, that story transformed Lisa into the Bag Lady, an eco-entrepreneur on a mission to save the world one reusable bag at a time. Because she was driven by purpose, she did a lot of things right. She sold a quarter of a million reusable bags her first year, 2 million her second year, and 8 million her third year. Each reusable bag had the potential to replace a thousand single-use bags, collectively eliminating billions of plastic bags. Lisa also did a lot of things wrong. One out of ten startups fail, and odds are worse for people like her with no business experience or training. In the end, she built a thriving company, disrupted the plastic bag industry and changed the way America shops. It was a wild ride.

NATIONAL BESTSELLERFrom one of Canada's most successful business leaders, the founder of the BlackNorth Initiative and the newest and first Black Dragon in the Dragon's Den comes a rags-to-riches story that also carries a profound message of hope and change.Wes Hall spent his early childhood in a zinc-roofed shack, one of several children supported by his grandmother. That was paradise compared to the two years he lived with his verbally abusive and violent mother; at thirteen, his mother threw him out, and he had to live by his wits for the next three years. At sixteen, Wes came to Canada, sponsored by a father he'd only seen a few times as a child, and by the time he was eighteen, he was out of his father's house, once more on his own. Yet Wes Hall went on to become a major entrepreneur, business leader, philanthropist, and change-maker, working his way up from a humble position in a law firm mailroom by way of his intelligence, his curiosity, and his ability to see opportunities that other people don't.When people expected his thick Jamaican accent, lack of money and education, not to mention the colour of his skin, to shut down his future, Wes was not to be stopped. He is still overturning expectations to this day. Well aware of racism and injustice, his lack of privilege and the other roadblocks to his success, Wes has always believed that he can walk along any cliff edge without falling. His book teases out and shows how he fostered that resolve in himself, exploring his childhood and the milestone successes and failures of his career in order to share not only how he stopped himself from falling, but survived and thrived, and then dedicated himself to bringing his family and his community along with him. Now, with the founding of the BlackNorth Initiative, Wes takes aim at ending systemic anti-Black racism. It's a huge goal, but one he's tackling with heart, soul, smarts, and every connection he's made in an extraordinary career that's taken him to the centre of the Canadian establishment. Throughout his life he's resisted sinking into despair or getting lost in anger; now he wants to tell truth to power and pave a path forward.

“I'm excited about Faith Driven Entrepreneur. Anyone who is following the example of their creator God can find echoes of their work in this book.” —LecraeEntrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. But it doesn't need to be. God has a purpose and a plan for all those entrepreneurial dreams and creative gifts he gave you.The work you do today—the company you've built, the employees you work with, the customers you serve, the shareholders you report to, all of it—serves as an active part of what God wants to accomplish on earth.You are not alone in this journey. Join other faith-driven entrepreneurs as, together, weidentify the values, habits, and traits that empower us to successfully build businesses, serve our communities, and faithfully pursue a loving relationship with God;read stories that exemplify how those values, habits, and traits unfold in everyday life; anddiscover the potential God wants to unleash through our work.Each book purchase includes access to the eight-session Faith Driven Entrepreneur video series, a discussion guide to encourage conversation among peers, and an invitation to join a Faith Driven Entrepreneur Group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs.

This book provides a guide to engineering successful and reliable products for the NewSpace industry. By discussing both the challenges involved in designing technical artefacts, and the challenges of growing an organisation, the book presents a unique approach to the topic.New Space Systems Engineering explores numerous difficulties encountered when designing a space system from scratch on limited budgets, non-existing processes, and great deal of organizational fluidity and emergence. It combines technical topics related to design, such as system requirements, modular architectures, and system integration, with topics related to organizational design, complexity, systems thinking, design thinking and a model based systems engineering. Its integrated approach mean this book will be of interest to researchers, engineers, investors, and early-stage space companies alike. It will help New Space founders and professionals develop their technologies andbusiness practices, leading to more robust companies and engineering development.

A New York Times bestseller! In a world that feels increasingly disconnected, it's time to reclaim a life of rich, authentic connection—because we are all made better when we trust one another and work together.In his most vulnerable book to date, Chip Gaines opens up about his lifelong pursuit of building relationships with people from all walks of life. Chip emphasizes the importance of seeing people for who they are and not for what they can do for you, enabling you to build a strong community and a life of meaning, joy, and connection.How does it happen? By being intentional about choosing the company you keep. Chip explains the value of seeking out people who are electrified by living according to their purpose, who will stand beside you as you tackle new challenges, and who bet on each other instead of the status quo. The key is being true to yourself, figuring out what you want to do with your life, and finding people who will lift you up along the way.No Pain, No Gaines will open your eyes to valuable lessons, including how to:Find the risks worth takingValue what you bring to the tableResist the status quoLook outside yourself and your circle and foster connections with othersGet comfortable with being uncomfortably kindLive life fully awake, not asleep at the wheelA good life doesn't always come easy, but that's because the good stuff never does. It requires faith in people. It requires faith in yourself. It requires hope. And it requires a willingness to grow even when it hurts. In No Pain, No Gaines, through hard-won lessons and personal stories all told with his trademark blend of wit and wisdom, Chip Gaines will coach you on how to make your life rich and your relationships run deep.

Founders and Organizational Development: The Etiology and Theory of Founder's Syndrome is designed to help today's researchers, faculty, students and practitioners become familiar with the etiology and dynamics of Founder's Syndrome as an organizational condition challenging nonprofit/nongovernmental, social enterprise, and for-profit and publicly traded organizations. The book uses applied social and psychological theories and concepts to peel away the layers of an organizational enigma, revealing three causes of Founder's Syndrome and insight into the power and privileges assumed by founders who engage in undesirable and self-destructive behaviors leading to their termination; going from hero status to antihero. Researchers, instructors, students, and practitioners will find thought-provoking case studies from the real world of organization development practice. Segments from interviews during interventions reveal the type of emotional turmoil experienced in organizations where founder's syndrome is present. Insight is provided into accounts of well-known founders who were terminated or forced to resign. The unique features of this book include: integrating theory into practice, describing a new theory about the psychological reaction of founder's syndrome victims, prevention ideas when designing new organizations, strategies for intervention, using content based on research and organization development consultation experiences, and, integrating feedback from students who have launched organizations.

DARE TO CHANGE THE WORLD Why do some great ideas take off and soar, while others never get off the ground? Where does that elusive sense of being part of something larger than ourselves come from? How can each of us harness that feeling to help fuel the world's best ideas and turn them into movements? In Larger Than Yourself, Thibault Manekin tells gripping stories about inspirational people and pivotal moments that answer these questions at a time when social entrepreneurship is no longer a buzzword but a global necessity. He shares his experiences helping to bridge social divides in war-torn countries through sports and reimagining the real estate industry so that buildings empower communities and unite cities, illustrating how we all can turn ideas into movements. The seven distinct lessons that emerge become actionable principles for the doers and dreamers of today, inspiring you with takeaways to assist in the pursuit of your own endeavors.

Can we solve big public problems anymore? Yes, we can. This provocative and inspiring book points the way.The huge challenges we face are daunting indeed: climate change, crumbling infrastructure, declining public education and social services. At the same time, we've come to accept the sad notion that government can't do new things or solve tough problems&#8212it's too big, too slow, and mired in bureaucracy.Not so, says former public official, now Harvard Business School professor, Mitchell Weiss. The truth is, entrepreneurial spirit and savvy in government are growing, transforming the public sector's response to big problems at all levels. The key, Weiss argues, is a shift from a mindset of Probability Government&#8212overly focused on safe solutions and mimicking so-called best practices&#8212to Possibility Government. This means public leadership and management that's willing to boldly imagine new possibilities and to experiment.Weiss shares the three basic tenets of this new way of governing:Government that can imagine: Seeing problems as opportunities and involving citizens in designing solutionsGovernment that can try new things: Testing and experimentation as a regular part of solving public problemsGovernment that can scale: Harnessing platform techniques for innovation and growthThe lessons unfold in the timely episodes Weiss has seen and studied: the US Special Operations Command prototyping of a hoverboard for chasing pirates; a heroin hackathon in opioid-ravaged Cincinnati; a series of experiments in Singapore to rein in Covid-19; among many others.At a crucial moment in the evolution of government's role in our society, We the Possibility provides inspiration and a positive model, along with crucial guardrails, to help shape progress for generations to come.

One of the world's most prolific creative industries, the Indian movie industryhas received scant attention for its spirit of enterprise. Indian Movie Entrepreneurshipaddresses this omission.For many readers, it might come as a surprise that the Indian movie industry isnot just Bollywood and that it has several regional clusters, which are just as vibrant,with a significant output. The authors begin by outlining the contours of Indiancinema and the different regional language hubs that form part of the larger picture.The reader is then offered a glimpse into the actual process of making a filmfrom day zero to release day. The key players in the Indian movie ecosystem areanalysed, with the central role of the producer highlighted. Concluding with a lookinto the future of the entrepreneurial process in the Indian movie industry, theauthors illuminate the shifting parameters of distribution and exhibition.Appealing to those interested in understanding the entrepreneurial journey ofthe Indian movie industry, the book provides a sneak peek into the businesslandscape of India more broadly.

This book is the first major account of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Arab higher-education sector. It provides an update of the current situation and advances reasons for the under-performance of Arab universities in international ranking tables and the weaknesses of Arab economies. Specific proposals are made for upgrading curricula and assessment procedures as well as providing an environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The roles of university-based technology and business parks are examined, with examples of successful business partnerships in the Arab region, Europe, and North America.Opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship have never been greater with the wealth of rapidly developing transformative technologies that are driving the international knowledge economy. This book puts forward proposals for the management and exploitation of intellectual property, and for establishing businesses.

The compelling story of how one man took a 150-year-old family recipe and disrupted the entire liquor industry one sip, one bottle, one handshake at a time Tom Bulleit stood on a stage before a thousand people inside a tent the size of a big-top. It was both his thirtieth wedding anniversary and his birthday. But there was another thing to celebrate: the dedication of the new Bulleit Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky. His great-great-grandfather, Augustus, created his first batch of Bulleit Bourbon around 1830. A century and a half later, Tom fulfilled his lifelong dream, revived the old family bourbon recipe, and started Bulleit Distilling Company. Eventually, Tom was named a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and elected to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Thinking back on all his achievements, Tom was overcome by a wave of emotion. He looked into the sea of faces and said, “I don't believe our lives are told in years... or months... or weeks. I believe we live our lives in moments.'Tom's book Bulleit Proof is just that—a life told in moments. Moments of joy, triumph, hardship, persistence, and success. His is a story of survival: in war, in business, in life. Tom faced death twice: in a foxhole and in a cancer ward. In Bulleit Proof, Tom reveals all, pulls no punches, and lets you into his heart. In this book, you will: Share Tom's personal story, including his loves, losses, and struggles Learn the history of one of America's most beloved and awarded brands Draw inspiration from the persistence and dedication Tom has shown throughout his life Explore how Bulleit Bourbon changed the liquor industry forever Bulleit Proof is a fast-paced page-turner—not only for fans of Bulleit Bourbon and admirers of Tom, but for anyone who loves an emotional, hilarious, inspirational, and deeply honest story.

How often does one stop and wonder what the mind holds in store for the entrepreneur? The golden truth is that'mind behind the business'is the sacred treasure of entrepreneurship. Great entrepreneurs of each time have been able to develop their minds to a level of personal growth that enabled them to be the creators and pursuers of great innovative ideas. All innovation begins with opportunity recognition and idea generation usually springing forth from a problem that needs to be tackled or a solution that can benefit humans. Their strength of mind is a lesson for all entrepreneurs who need to understand that their mind is the'key sustainer'of their business. This book so fulfils that call as a voice to ignite the imagination of potential leaders in the arena of business and summons them to use their brain's resources to guide them to their destination. As it was famously said,'A mind once stretched can never go back to its original form.'This book emphasises the importance of business cognition, how the mind behind the business speaks louder than the business itself.

Winner of a 2020 Gourmand World Cookbook Award The story behind Alberta's craft beer boom. An insider's look that brings together tasting notes, social history, politics, and science.When Alberta eliminated its laws around mandatory minimum brewing capacity in 2013, the industry suddenly opened to the possibility of small-batch craft breweries. From roughly a dozen in operation before deregulation, there are now more than a hundred today, with new ones bubbling up each month. It's an inspiring story, one that writer Scott Messenger tells in impressive scope.At a time when Alberta was still recovering from the plunge in oil prices in 2008, deregulation represented a path to economic diversification. Messenger takes readers on the road with him to investigate artifacts left behind by Alberta brewers dating to the late-1800s, to farms responsible for the province's unrivalled malt, and into the brewhouses and backstories of some of Canada's best new beer makers. It's an insider's look at history in the making.With humour, straight-talking tasting notes, and a willingness to challenge stereotypes, Messenger introduces us to key players in the industry. We meet Graham Sherman of Tool Shed Brewing, who helped spearhead the change in legislation; Greg Zeschuk, whose Belgian-inspired brewery is poised to put Alberta beer on the global map; the sisters behind Northern Girls Hopyard, Alberta's first hop farm; and many more.Messenger winds up his narrative with a good, old-fashioned pub crawl, a fitting finale for the story of an industry that is, at its heart, about having fun with friends. Bringing together social history, politics, and science, Tapping the West is engaging and balanced—not unlike the perfect you-know-what.

From perilous early years through clashes with the BBC and BT, not to mention the News Corporation bid for full control that failed in the wake of 2010's phone hacking scandal, there has been no shortage of drama in Sky's history – nor in its likely future. In 2018, the organization was the target of bids from two true titans of the global media industry – Disney and Comcast – with a dramatic bidding war waged for ultimate ownership. Throw in an industry already shaken by the arrival of newer media players such as Netflix, the declining circulation of Murdoch newspapers such as The Sun and The Times, as well as the UK government's scrutiny of the Murdoch family's influence on UK media, and the scene was set for a major corporate battle of a size rarely seen on the global business stage.But how exactly did Comcast win in the battle for shareholder votes? How will the Murdoch empire fare when the dust finally settles? And what does it mean now for the future of entertainment in a streaming, downloadable and digital world?Featuring interviews with key individuals and stakeholders from around the world, The Battle for Sky offers a timely and intriguing glimpse into the workings of media empires, and a gripping account of one of the largest corporate battles in recent years.

There's a bold decision in your life you've been waiting to make, and every day passing by is a reminder of what hasn't happened. Conveniently tucked in a box labeled ‘someday,'the fear of the unknown has taken a grip on your life and put your dreams on hold. Until now. Whether your leap is quitting the soul sucking job and starting your own business, taking a bold chance on love or finally going all in on your dreams, The Leap of Your Life is the ticket to get you there. All while having the time of your life and ensuring you don't wake up years down the line with a sinking feeling of regret. Author and high-performance coach Tommy Baker has helped thousands of everyday people identify and take their leap, step into courage and create a life they can't wait to wake up for. After interviewing 250+ of the world's most powerful entrepreneurs, thought leaders, experts, spiritual teachers and athletes he discovered a common theme: They all took a leap, even if they were full of fear—and it radically transformed their experience of life. If you're ready to: Re-define risk and stop playing small Step into the boldest version of yourself Give yourself permission to take a chance Live the Hero's Journey of your life story Eradicate regret and ‘what could have been'... then look no further and order The Leap Of Your Life now!

How did a couple of quirky siblings from suburban Pittsburgh end up as the king and queen of eclectic-design chic with their own HGTV show? They never let fear get in the way of a great idea. Leanne and Steve Ford share their secrets for how to turn dreams into reality.Leanne and Steve were middle-class kids growing up in Pittsburgh in the 80s and 90s. There was nothing particularly glamorous or unusual about their lives as kids. Leanne was a shy, stubborn child who lived a rich life in her own imagination. Steve was outdoorsy and offbeat and was bullied mercilessly at school for being different. Their parents, grounded in faith and always encouraging of both creativity and hard work, gave them the confidence and the encouragement they needed to pursue the often difficult creative life. Leanne's slogan as a child was, “My name is Leanne. If I want to, I can.”Leanne studied clothing design and pulled gigs at fashion houses in New York and as a stylist to country music stars in Nashville before she found her true passion: interior design. Steve threw himself into kayaking and snowboarding and opening his own men's clothing store in Pittsburgh. And then their individual passions converged when Leanne asked Steve to help renovate her bathroom. There was magic in their collaboration, and they began renovating for clients in Pittsburgh—creating unique, authentic spaces that manage to feel both chic and completely obtainable—before catching the eye of producers at HGTV.Leanne and Steve share the details of their journey, including the beliefs that have inspired them and the experiences that have challenged them along the way.

This book celebrates the contributions of David B. Audretsch, Distinguished Professor at the School of Public and Environment Affairs (SPEA) at Indiana University (USA), co-founder and co-editor of Small Business Economics, and former Director of the Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy Group at the erstwhile Max Planck Institute of Economics (Jena, Germany). For his pioneering work, which explores the links between entrepreneurship, government policy, innovation, economic development, and global competitiveness, he has received the 2001 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research from the Swedish Foundation for Small Business Research and the 2011 Schumpeter Prize from the University of Wuppertal (Germany).This volume features original contributions from over 50 leading scholars to map, analyze and evaluate the impact of Audretsch's research on a broad spectrum of research fields, ranging from economics to entrepreneurship and geography. The development and evolution of key ideas which have significantly shaped theory and future research across these fields are also explored.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edmund Morris comes a revelatory new biography of Thomas Alva Edison, the most prolific genius in American history.NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • Publishers Weekly • Kirkus ReviewsAlthough Thomas Alva Edison was the most famous American of his time, and remains an international name today, he is mostly remembered only for the gift of universal electric light. His invention of the first practical incandescent lamp 140 years ago so dazzled the world—already reeling from his invention of the phonograph and dozens of other revolutionary devices—that it cast a shadow over his later achievements. In all, this near-deaf genius (“I haven't heard a bird sing since I was twelve years old”) patented 1,093 inventions, not including others, such as the X-ray fluoroscope, that he left unlicensed for the benefit of medicine.One of the achievements of this staggering new biography, the first major life of Edison in more than twenty years, is that it portrays the unknown Edison—the philosopher, the futurist, the chemist, the botanist, the wartime defense adviser, the founder of nearly 250 companies—as fully as it deconstructs the Edison of mythological memory. Edmund Morris, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, brings to the task all the interpretive acuity and literary elegance that distinguished his previous biographies of Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and Ludwig van Beethoven. A trained musician, Morris is especially well equipped to recount Edison's fifty-year obsession with recording technology and his pioneering advances in the synchronization of movies and sound. Morris sweeps aside conspiratorial theories positing an enmity between Edison and Nikola Tesla and presents proof of their mutually admiring, if wary, relationship.Enlightened by seven years of research among the five million pages of original documents preserved in Edison's huge laboratory at West Orange, New Jersey, and privileged access to family papers still held in trust, Morris is also able to bring his subject to life on the page—the adored yet autocratic and often neglectful husband of two wives and father of six children. If the great man who emerges from it is less a sentimental hero than an overwhelming force of nature, driven onward by compulsive creativity, then Edison is at last getting his biographical due.

This book presents the latest research perspectives on how the Industry 4.0 paradigm is challenging the process of technological and structural change and how the diversification of the economy affects structural transformation. It also explores the impact of fast-growing technologies on the transformation of socioeconomic and environmental systems, and asks whether structural and technological change can generate sustainable economic growth and employment. Further, the book presents the basic innovations (new technologies, materials, energy, etc) and industrial policies that can lead to such a structural change.

A prescriptive guide to how to keep your relationship strong when there's a start-up in the family.The idea of starting your own business is exhilarating and inspiring. It's one over 30 million Americans pursue. But being the significant other of an entrepreneur is not so glamorous. Boundaries between work and home disappear. Personal savings and business funds become intertwined. You can feel like a single parent as your spouse travels, works late hours, and answers calls and e-mails 24-7.You may even sacrifice a career or move your home for the sake of the business.But there are strategies you can use to combat all this stress and uncertainty. Whether you're new to the start-up world, or a long-term entrepreneurial partner, Start, Love, Repeat will help you understand exactly how a start-up affects your lives-and what you can do to build a happy and healthy relationship in the midst of the madness. Dorcas Cheng-Tozun has not only done extensive research, she has lived through the perils and pitfalls of being with an entrepreneur as the wife of the CEO and cofounder of successful start-up d.light. She offers clear-sighted, first-hand advice for any couple considering making the same leap. She further draws on interviews with other successful entrepreneurs and their significant others, executive coaches, marriage-family therapists, venture capitalists, and start-up authorities to provide practical insights and steps any couple can take to build a strong relationship while launching that dream business.

This is the second in our important Prosperity series. Now together for the first time are ten more of the most important books ever written on the subject of Wealth and Success. We've gathered another 1,000+ pages of the best advice and instruction that you'll ever receive on how to become successful, for one incredibly reasonable price. The writers in this volume are all legendary and for good reason. It's time to stop hoping for success and do something about getting it. This book will guide you every step of the way. Collected in this omnibus edition are'The Magic Word'by Robert Collier;'The Path of Prosperity'by James Allen;'The Power of Your Subconscious Mind'by Joseph Murphy;'The Master Key System'by Charles F. Haanel;'In Tune With The Infinite'by Ralph Waldo Trine;'Thought Vibration, or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World'by William Walker Atkinson;'The Science of Mind'by Ernest Holmes;'The Creative Process in the Individual'by Thomas Troward;'Attaining Your Desires'by Genevieve Behrend; and'The Law, and Other Essays on Manifestation'by Neville Goddard.

Now together for the first time are ten of the most important books ever written on the subject of Wealth and Success. That's more than 1,000 pages of the best advice and instruction that you'll ever receive on how to become successful for one incredibly reasonable price. The writers in this volume are all legendary, and for good reason. It's time to stop hoping for success and do something about getting it. This book will guide you every step of the way. Collected in this omnibus edition are'Think and Grow Rich'by Napoleon Hill;'The Art of Money Getting'by P. T. Barnum;'The Science of Getting Rich'by Wallace D. Wattles;'As a Man Thinketh'by James Allen;'The Secret of the Ages'by Robert Collier;'Thoughts are Things'by Prentice Mulford;'Your Invisible Power and How to Use It'by Genevieve Behrend;'Dynamic Laws of Prosperity'by Catherine Ponder;'Acres of Diamonds'by Russell H. Conwell; and'How to Succeed'by Orison Swett Marden.

Author of cult classics The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur offers a simple, counterintuitive cash management solution that will help small businesses break out of the doom spiral and achieve instant profitability.Conventional accounting uses the logical (albeit, flawed) formula: Sales - Expenses = Profit. The problem is, businesses are run by humans, and humans aren't always logical. Serial entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz has developed a behavioral approach to accounting to flip the formula: Sales - Profit = Expenses. Just as the most effective weight loss strategy is to limit portions by using smaller plates, Michalowicz shows that by taking profit first and apportioning only what remains for expenses, entrepreneurs will transform their businesses from cash-eating monsters to profitable cash cows. Using Michalowicz's Profit First system, readers will learn that:· Following 4 simple principles can simplify accounting and make it easier to manage a profitable business by looking at bank account balances.· A small, profitable business can be worth much more than a large business surviving on its top line.· Businesses that attain early and sustained profitability have a better shot at achieving long-term growth.With dozens of case studies, practical, step-by-step advice, and his signature sense of humor, Michalowicz has the game-changing roadmap for any entrepreneur to make money they always dreamed of.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship 3rd Edition is an accessible text on innovation and entrepreneurship aimed specifically at undergraduate students studying business and management studies, but also those on engineering and science degrees with management courses. The text applies key theories and research on innovation and entrepreneurship and then reviews and synthesises those theories and research to apply them in a much broader and contemporary context, including the corporate and public services, emerging technologies and economies, and sustainability and development and creating and capturing value from innovation and entrepreneurship. In this third edition the authors continue to adopt an explicit process model to help organise the material with clear links between innovation and entrepreneurship. This text has been designed to be fully integrated with the Innovation Portal at www.innovation-portal.info, which contains an extensive collection of additional resources for both lecturers and students, including teaching resources, case studies, media clips, innovation tools, seminar and assessment activities and test questions.

How have women managed to break through the glass ceiling of the business world, and what management techniques do they employ once they ascend to the upper echelons of power? What difficult situations have these female business leaders faced, and what strategies have they used to resolve those challenges? Junctures in Women's Leadership: Business answers these questions by highlighting the professional accomplishments of twelve remarkable women and examining how they responded to critical leadership challenges. Some of the figures profiled in the book are household names, including lifestyle maven Martha Stewart, influential chef Alice Waters, and trailblazing African-American entrepreneur Madame C.J. Walker. Others have spent less time in the public eye, such as Johnson & Johnson executive JoAnn Heffernan Heisen, Verizon Senior Vice President Diane McCarthy, Wells Fargo technology leader Avid Modjtabai, Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, inventor Jane ni Dhulchaointigh, engineering firm President Roseline Marston, Calvert Investments President and CEO Barbara Krumsiek, and Merrill Lynch executive Subha Barry. These women, from diverse backgrounds, have played important roles in their respective corporations and many have worked to improve the climate for women in male-dominated industries. This is a book about women who are leading change in business. Their stories illuminate the ways women are using their power and positions—whether from the middle ranks or the top, whether from within companies or by creating their own companies. Each case study in Junctures in Women's Leadership: Business includes a compelling and instructive story of how a woman business leader handled a critical juncture or crisis in her career. Not only does the book offer an inspiring composite portrait of women succeeding in the business world, it also provides leadership lessons that will benefit readers regardless of gender.

Drive your food truck business to success While food trucks may not be the new kid on the block anymore, it's a segment that continues to swell—and there's still plenty of room for growth. If you have your sights set on taking your culinary prowess on the road, Running a Food Truck For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you find your food niche, follow important rules of conducting business, outfit your moving kitchen, meet safety and sanitation requirements, and so much more. Gone are the days of food trucks offering unappealing prepackaged meals, snacks, and coffee. In today's flourishing food service industry, they're more like restaurants on wheels, offering eager curbside patrons everything from gourmet tacos and Korean BBQ to gluten-free pastries and healthy vegan fare. Whether you're the owner or operator of an existing food truck business looking to up the ante or a chef, foodie, or gourmand interested in starting your own mobile restaurant endeavor, Running a Food Truck For Dummies has you covered. Create a food truck business plan to set yourself up for success Stay profitable by avoiding the most common operating mistakes Harness public relations and social media to build your following Grow from one truck to multiple trucks, restaurants, or a food truck franchise Packed with the latest information on legislation and ordinances, securing loans, and marketing to the all-important Millennials, this one-stop guide helps you cook up a well-done food truck venture in no time!

Why the next Steve Jobs is just as likely to come from Lagos, Acapulco, Lahore, or Mumbai as from Silicon Valley. Elmira Bayrasli's colorful narrative brings readers inside the world of high-growth entrepreneurs as they overcome vexing obstacles to build businesses that create jobs and economic growth and -- perhaps most important -- shift mindsets. Here are the people who personify the transformative force of entrepreneurship from parts of the world that will be the source of the overwhelming amount of economic growth over the next twenty-five years. Bü�lebi applies creative genius as he searches for the talent needed to roll out a wireless mesh technology, convincing skeptics from Europe and America that a breakthrough like this could be developed in Turkey. Tayo Oviosu grapples with the poor infrastructure and political chaos to bring financial services to the vast majority of Nigerians who lack access to banks and other financial institutions. Bayrasli takes us on an extraordinary journey, with fascinating eyewitness accounts of courage, endurance, and ingenuity, as people in some of the world's most challenging societies build globally competitive products and services that garner international praise and investment. As these extraordinary entrepreneurs create new economic possibilities in their countries, it becomes clear that the same game-changing creative development that happened in Silicon Valley in the 1960s is occurring right now in unexpected places on'the other side of the world.'

A New York Times BestsellerIn the spirit of Steve Jobs and Moneyball, Elon Musk is both an illuminating and authorized look at the extraordinary life of one of Silicon Valley's most exciting, unpredictable, and ambitious entrepreneurs—a real-life Tony Stark—and a fascinating exploration of the renewal of American invention and its new “makers.”Elon Musk spotlights the technology and vision of Elon Musk, the renowned entrepreneur and innovator behind SpaceX, Tesla, and SolarCity, who sold one of his Internet companies, PayPal, for $1.5 billion. Ashlee Vance captures the full spectacle and arc of the genius's life and work, from his tumultuous upbringing in South Africa and flight to the United States to his dramatic technical innovations and entrepreneurial pursuits.Vance uses Musk's story to explore one of the pressing questions of our age: can the nation of inventors and creators who led the modern world for a century still compete in an age of fierce global competition? He argues that Musk—one of the most unusual and striking figures in American business history—is a contemporary, visionary amalgam of legendary inventors and industrialists including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Howard Hughes, and Steve Jobs. More than any other entrepreneur today, Musk has dedicated his energies and his own vast fortune to inventing a future that is as rich and far-reaching as the visionaries of the golden age of science-fiction fantasy.Thorough and insightful, Elon Musk brings to life a technology industry that is rapidly and dramatically changing by examining the life of one of its most powerful and influential titans.

A year's worth of management wisdom, all in one place.We've examined the ideas, insights, and best practices from the past year of Harvard Business Review to bring you the latest, most significant thinking driving business today. With authors from Marcus Buckingham to Herminia Ibarra and company examples from Google to Deloitte, this volume brings the most current and important management conversations to your fingertips.This book will inspire you to:Tap into the new technologies that are changing the way businesses competeFuel performance by redesigning your organization's practices around feedbackLearn techniques to move beyond intuition for better decision makingUnderstand why your strategy execution isn't working—and how to fix itLead with authenticity by moving beyond your comfort zoneTransform your physical office space to promote creativity and productivityThis collection of best-selling articles includes:“Reinventing Performance Management,” by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall“The Transparency Trap,” by Ethan Bernstein“Profits Without Prosperity,” by William Lazonick“Outsmart Your Own Biases,” by Jack B. Soll, Katherine L. Milkman, and John W. Payne“The 3-D Printing Revolution,” by Richard D'Aveni“Why Strategy Execution Unravels—and What to Do About It,” by Donald Sull, Rebecca Homkes, and Charles Sull“The Authenticity Paradox,” by Herminia Ibarra“The Discipline of Business Experimentation,” by Stefan Thomke and Jim Manzi“When Senior Managers Won't Collaborate,” by Heidi K. Gardner“Workspaces That Move People,” by Ben Waber, Jennifer Magnolfi, and Greg Lindsay“Digital Ubiquity: How Connections, Sensors, and Data Are Revolutionizing Business,” by Marco Iansiti and Karim R. Lakhani

The “useful and inspiring” (Diane von Furstenberg) guide for female entrepreneurs who want to take their businesses into the big leagues.“Do you have an ambitious vision for your business, but aren't sure what to do next? Successful entrepreneur Julia Pimsleur provides an invaluable guide for any woman who wants to make a big jump” (Gretchen Rubin, author of Better Than Before and The Happiness Project). Over the past twenty years, women in the US have started nearly twice as many businesses as men, but only three percent of all women business owners ever make revenues of one million dollars or more. Most are stuck running kitchen-table businesses, just getting by, or in many cases, running out of cash. Julia Pimsleur aims to change that with Million Dollar Women, which will show you how to take your business to that million-dollar mark and beyond. Million Dollar Women introduces you to Pimsleur and seven other women who have raised capital, developed powerful networks, and built multimillion-dollar companies from scratch. It teaches you the concepts and the vocabulary you need to secure funding and scale up. It explains how to make the right connections, when to delegate, and when to seek coaching and support. Drawing on her own experience of becoming a CEO, Pimsleur also provides help for overcoming the hurdles you have to clear to leap to that next level. “With thought-provoking interviews of women entrepreneurs and other business experts and important exercises at the end, this resourceful book is rich in ideas and valuable insight” (Booklist).

Two firefighters-turned-management-consultants provide organizations with an innovative way to transform executives into inspirational leaders.Tom Pandola and Jim Bird discovered that the management and leadership principles they relied on for success and survival during their firefighting careers also lead to success in business—and in life. The book they wrote on the basis of that realization is for people who face challenges in their business or personal lives, for those who feel a sense of purpose is missing in their work, and, especially, for every senior management team in search of a winning corporate culture.The book is organized in three sections that teach business leaders and others how to improve processes, empower employees, and transform a business culture. Principles are demonstrated using actual firefighting experiences—the authors'practical classroom—to bring lessons to life. Then, those same principles are applied to business situations to demonstrate their real-world application. Throughout, the book shares a success formula that will provide managers and other senior executives with effective planning skills, the vision to solve problems, and the ability to inspire the individuals within an organization to become the best at what they do.

The George Mordaunt Collection contains his two books Shepherd's Pie and Back in the Driving Seat. For the first time since the Irish financial meltdown comes a book not from an economist or journalist but from a self-employed Irishman who found himself in the eye of the storm, guilty of nothing more than investing in every level of his family business.

From Howard Hughes to Mark Zuckerberg, the public has always been fascinated by genius entrepreneurs who succumb to their eccentricities. Now, James Scurlock engages, educates, and entertains readers with the captivating story of DHL cofounder and billionaire Larry Hillblom.King Larry begins with an early biography of Larry Lee Hillblom, a mercurial young man who grew up on a peach farm outside of Fresno, California. Hillblom cofounded DHL in 1969 (three years before FedEx), and it became the fastest-growing corporation in history. Hillblom's expatriate life began in 1981, when he retreated to a small tax haven in the Western Pacific. There he led the resistance to American meddling in the Marianas Islands. Hillblom's voracious appetite for underage prostitutes is another facet of his unusual story. In 1995, Hillblom's amoral, thrill-seeking nature caught up to him when his seaplane disappeared off the coast of Anatahan, leaving behind an estate worth billions. Weeks later, five impoverished women and their attorneys came forward to challenge Hillblom's will in a legal battle for his fortunes that continues to this day. Meticulously researched and thoroughly engaging, King Larry will satisfy fans of such bestsellers as Confessions of an Economic Hit Manand The Accidental Billionaires.

'So at fifteen, spread belly-down upon the floor, a black sheet hunched over me and a candle at my foot and head, my lips pressed on stone, litanies in my ears as the priest broke and entered my shocked fist to slide the ring on my finger, I promised to take no other husband than Christ. I almost meant it. In that heady moment the vow seemed no great sacrifice: I'd never known a man, but I had tasted chocolate.'One unforgettable night in 1785, in a theatre in Drury Lane, the heady alchemy of love and murder suddenly fuses the lives of Mimosina Dolcezza, a Venetian actress, and Valentine Greatrakes, prince of London's medical underworld.The Remedy is a ravishing love story that seamlessly weaves fiction with historical fact in rich and details prose.

NATIONAL BESTSELLERWINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARDIn this groundbreaking biography, T.J. Stiles tells the dramatic story of Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt, the combative man and American icon who, through his genius and force of will, did more than perhaps any other individual to create modern capitalism. Meticulously researched and elegantly written, The First Tycoon describes an improbable life, from Vanderbilt's humble birth during the presidency of George Washington to his death as one of the richest men in American history. In between we see how the Commodore helped to launch the transportation revolution, propel the Gold Rush, reshape Manhattan, and invent the modern corporation. Epic in its scope and success, the life of Vanderbilt is also the story of the rise of America itself.

In Thomas A. Stewart's bestselling first book, Intellectual Capital, he redefined the priorities of businesses around the world, demonstrating that the most important assets companies own today are often not tangible goods, equipment, financial capital, or market share, but the intangibles: patents, the knowledge of workers, and the information about customers and channels and past experience that a company has in its institutional memory. Now in his new book, The Wealth of Knowledge, Stewart--widely acknowledged as the world's leading expert on working with intellectual capital in today's knowledge economy--reveals how today's companies are applying the concept of intellectual capital into day-to-day operations to dramatically increase their success in the marketplace.Arguing that companies can make untold millions of dollars by managing knowledge more effectively--and save millions more--Stewart offers executives and managers compelling accounts of how leading companies around the world are successfully tackling the practical issues involved in today's knowledge economy. The heart of the book is a revolutionary 4-step preocess that shows how to put intellectual capital to work to improve performance and profitablity, as well as manage knowledge processes. He goes on to discuss how companies can better utilize their current assets and enhance their knowledge resources for the future. Questioning many of the assumptions that have ruled business in the twentieth century, he addresses such critical and fundamental issues as why companies exist, how they should be organized and how people should be compensated. With his customary fearlessness and foresight, he plunges into the thick of the controversial arena of measuring and accounting, as well-an increasingly difficult task when a corporation's assets are intangible.The Wealth of Knowledge not only sets out the latest thinking in creating and managing knowledge assets, but provides a detailed course of action for corporations trying to navigate their way in the world of knowledge economy.

Toy of the Year, Toy of the Century, Greatest Toy of All Time... there aren't many titles that haven't been bestowed on LEGO toys, and it's not hard to see why. From its inception in the early 1930s right up until today, the LEGO Group's history is as colorful as the toys it makes. Few other playthings share the LEGO brand's creative spirit, educative benefits, resilience, quality, and universal appeal. The LEGO name is now synonymous with playtime, but it wasn't always so. This history charts the birth of the LEGO Group in the workshop of a Danish carpenter and its steady growth as a small, family-run toy manufacturer to its current position as a market-leading, award-winning brand. The company's ever-increasing catalogof products—including the earliest wooden toys, plastic bricks, play themes, and other building systems such as DUPLO, Technic, and MINDSTORMS—are chronicled in detail, alongside the manufacturing process, LEGOLAND parks, licensed toys, and computer games. Learn all about how LEGO pulled itself out of an economic crisis and embraced technology to make building blocks relevant to twenty-first-century children and discover the vibrant fan community of kids and adults whose conventions, websites, and artwork keep the LEGO spirit alive. As nostalgic as it is contemporary, A Million Little Bricks will have you reminiscing about old Classic Space sets, rummaging through the attic for forgotten Minifigure friends, and playing with whatever LEGO bricks you can get your hands on (even if it means sharing with your kids).

We're all just one step away from achieving what we want and getting what we deserve out of life. To seize control of her own life and career, Vickie Milazzo, internationally known women's mentor, New York Times bestselling author, Inc. Top 10 Entrepreneur and self-made millionaire, was willing to take a whacking from a Buddhist monk, jump out of an airplane and step out of a comfortable job into the unknown. In Wicked Success Is Inside Every Woman, Vickie shares every success secret she used to grow her career into a $16-million business. Vickie shows you how to get real about achieving wicked success. Not witches and flying broomsticks wicked—but exaggerated wicked. Reading this book, you'll feel like you're sitting with a good friend who inspires you, encourages you and pushes you to think in a more exaggerated and uncommon way. This is a buck-up book with a buck-up plan for any woman ready to take back control of her life and career and unleash the wicked success inside every woman.

Since the start of the recession in Ireland, the public has been infuriated by reports of self-serving bankers, developers and government ministers, but little has been reported about the personal trauma and the devastating effect of this crisis on Irish-owned businesses and the hard-working people trying to keep them going. George Mordaunt believes that many Irish businesses are now in trouble not only because of the recession, but because of the response of business owners to the recession. With raw honesty he outlines the effect that this recession has had on him, his young family, his marriage and his business. He shares his most private moments of despair and fear, yet provides a story of hope by demonstrating how things can be turned around when the situation is at its bleakest.

'One is tempted to say'the only book you'll need on starting a business.'Brilliant! Genius! Choose your superlative-it'll fit.'-Tom Peters People starting out in business tend to seek step-by-step formulas or rules, but in reality there are no magic bullets. Rather, says veteran company-builder Norm Brodsky, there's a mentality that helps street- smart entrepreneurs solve problems and pursue opportunities as they arise. Brodsky shares his hard-earned wisdom every month in Inc. magazine, in the hugely popular'Street Smarts'column he cowrites with Bo Burlingham. Now they've adapted their best advice into a comprehensive guide for anyone running a small business.

Recent surveys show that more than half of American entrepreneurs share ownership in their business startups rather than going it alone. Yet the media and many scholars continue to perpetuate the myth of the lone visionary who single-handedly revolutionizes the marketplace. In The Entrepreneurial Group, Martin Ruef shatters this myth, demonstrating that teams, not individuals, are the leading force behind entrepreneurial startups. This is the first book to provide an in-depth sociological analysis of entrepreneurial groups, and to put forward a theoretical framework for understanding activities and outcomes within them.

Geared toward the unique challenges faced by self-employed businesswomen—and updated for the social media-driven, post-financial crisis world—The Girl's Guide to Starting Your Own Business offers solutions and advice for handling a range of issues, including how to write a business plan, how to secure funding, and how to hire (and fire) employees. Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio share practical information drawn from their own extensive experience in the public relations, marketing, and consulting fields. Their concise and engaging advice is explained through entertaining tips, lists, and quizzes that speak directly to women who are dreaming of starting, or have already started, their own businesses.