Small Business Development

Investigative reporter Gary Rivlin gives an armchair tour of the world of venture capitalism, while providing vivid case studies illustrating how to get started in the field. He shows how once-small companies such as Facebook, Instagram, and Amazon used venture capitalism to transform into the icons they are today, and the VCs that made a fortune in the process. Listeners will learn what series funding is, the difference between an angel and super angel investor, and how to go about identifying ideas worthy of funding.

It's a jungle out there. There is no end to the obstacles, challenges, mountains, and unexpected issues, even self-defeating thoughts, that get in the way of being the best you can be and achieving your goals and dreams. So here it is: a powerful system to enable you to make good decisions, prevent problems, and plan for the future with speed, effectiveness, and accuracy every time! The greatest coaches and leaders today and throughout history have mastered these skills. And now, so can you.

Acting on values—doing good for the benefit of all—can substantially benefit the bottom line, but many business leaders mistakenly believe that doing the right thing lowers profits. This belief is the greatest barrier holding businesses back from being more financially and competitively successful—and delivering more good for the world. Not only can it be a winning business strategy to act on values, as Daniel Aronson suggests in The Value of Values, but it is also a savvy choice, increasing a company’s power, profit, and competitive advantage.

Being an entrepreneur can be scary, but so can driving long distances alone. I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with it or us. I am also not suggesting that entrepreneurship is a disease, and I am certainly not poking fun at anyone in recovery or who's gained in life from similar books. I am just suggesting that entrepreneurship can be a bit of an addiction.

Turn Your Passions into Profits outlines step-by-step guidance for turning your passions into a profitable and lasting business. Author Matt McWilliams, a successful entrepreneur and in-demand online business coach, shows you exactly how to do just that. He details how to find and attract your audience, build a following, and ultimately how to monetize your venture quickly and sustainably.

Imagine being able to effortlessly chat with anyone, anywhere, without feeling anxious or stuck. You know, those moments when you're at a party, networking event, or even just meeting new people and you're racking your brain for something to say. It's like your mind goes blank and you're left standing there, awkwardly sipping your drink, wishing you could just disappear. We've all been there. But what if you could break free from those awkward silences and instead, navigate conversations with ease and confidence?

Recruiters and recruiting firm owners are overwhelmed, frustrated with their clients, candidates, and by completely unpredictable revenue. Most training simply puts recruiters in more overwhelm with marginal results. It’s possible to go from annoying vendor to trusted adviser, from rollercoaster revenue to predictable income, and from total overwhelm to clarity. It’s possible to build a recruiting business that runs without you there!

"In this provocative book, Greg Olney uncovers the movement between the Status Quo and Commitment to Change. Olney reveals his goal for each reader to move quickly, but surely, through transition to the desired change rather than linger in transition. He has created a five (5) step model to transition individuals and companies and uniquely explores common pitfalls while defining what will happen if the Status Quo continues. The concepts brought up in this book generate strong provocation because the world tells the transition story differently. But the book doesn't stop there."

For Nafisa Bakkar (CEO and Forbes Under 30), the secret to building a business from scratch is all about asking—and answering—the right questions. When she started out, Nafisa had an idea, some passion and £50 to spend on her venture. But over the next 12 months, she hustled to find the answer to every problem she faced. Six years later—with no network, no capital and no previous industry knowledge—her business Amaliah is the leading media platform in the UK for Muslim women and works with household names like Lush, Pinterest, Dove and Universal.

Success is not born out of skill, school, where we’re from, who we know, or what we scored on the SAT. None of us were born ready. None of us started life knowing how to fly a plane or launch a company or knit a sweater for our dog. But we are born with something more important than skills. We’re born with optimism—the initial seed for success. Optimism fuels the belief that you can be the one to create the good the world needs. But you’ve got to hone it. And practice it. And determine to live from it.

It has long been recognized that most standard of living increases are associated with advances in technology, not the accumulation of capital. Yet it has also become clear that what truly separates developed from less developed countries is not just a gap in resources or output but a gap in knowledge. In fact the pace at which developing countries grow is largely determined by the pace at which they close that gap. Therefore, how countries learn and become more productive is key to understanding how they grow and develop, especially over the long term.

Maybe you’re trying to make new friends, get that job promotion, be a charismatic leader, or get lucky in love. Do you want to become more than just another one of the crowd? Effective communication verbally, physically, and online will open these doors for you. Through a series of engaging and practical exercises, you'll learn how to banter and build rapport with anyone you meet. You'll discover the secrets of confident body language, effective listening, and engaging storytelling.

Having a clear knowledge of your business's financial life is important. No one should be in the dark about their overall financial picture. That's a disaster waiting to happen. However, with a perfunctory knowledge of basic accounting principles, including assets and liabilities, creating financial statements, budgeting, and more, you'll be on the road to healthier relationship with your money.

Too often we feel like underdogs fighting a system that stacks the odds against us. We work hard, follow the rules, and dream of a better life. But these days, working harder doesn't always lead to fulfillment. In fact, according to Gallup research, nearly 90% of people feel disconnected from their jobs. So how do you break free from the drudgery and achieve more success on your own terms? You hustle.

Renowned designer and professional hell-raiser James Victore wants to drag you off your couch and throw you headfirst into a life of bold creativity. He'll guide you through all the twists, trials, and triumphs of starting your creative career, from finding your voice to picking the right moment to start a project (hint: It's now).

Meant for More is the rare personal development book that offers tangible skills for all areas of your life, including work, to increase your success while also doing good - a How to Win Friends and Influence People for the modern age. It shows you how to stand out in an increasingly noisy world by simply offering your unique skills and talents and helping others do the same. It speaks to people looking to leave the 9-to-5 for more freedom and fulfillment; stay-at-home moms going back to work; young Boomers worried they're too senior (and expensive) to find new jobs.

What do Apple CEO Steve Jobs, comedian Chris Rock, prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, the story developers at Pixar films, and the Army Chief of Strategic Plans all have in common? Best-selling author Peter Sims found that all of them have achieved breakthrough results by methodically taking small, experimental steps in order to discover and develop new ideas.

Andrew Sobel offers a proven, 100-day plan for conquering 14 tough client development challenges and growing your client base. He's encapsulated 25 years of unique research, including personal interviews with over 3,000 top executives, into a practical road map for winning more new clients and growing your existing relationships. You'll learn specific strategies to move confidently and predictably from a first meeting to a signed contract, and discover the agenda-setting techniques that create a steady stream of sole-source business.

Walk through this concisely written executive summary of how to manage the finances of your practice in just a few hours a month. Get up to speed on which financial reports to run, how to analyze them quickly, and how to be sure that your cash and other assets are safeguarded.

Customer 360: How Data, AI, and Trust Change Everything delivers key insight and vision on using emerging technologies to delight customers and become more competitive by providing a superior customer experience. This book helps listeners attract and engage their customers across channels and throughout their journey, from acquisition and onboarding, through service, upsell, retention, and win-back.