Perseverance
« Previous Entries Next Entries »Charles Schwab – Succeeding in a Lifelong Struggle with Dyslexia
Friday, July 17th, 2009Most people may not consider a college career steeped in Economics courses to be the golden road to happiness. But then again, Charles Schwab isn’t ‘most people’. Founder of the eponymous discount brokerage house, and the 55th richest person in America (according to Forbes magazine), Schwab clearly doesn’t have a problem out-performing the norm. So [...]
A Summer Adventure
Sunday, June 28th, 2009I have always looked for challenges, for opportunities that would test my mettle. One summer while my family was vacationing on Chappaquiddick Island, I decided to do something nobody had ever done: circumnavigate the island alone and, being the first, set a world’s record for doing so. I was just sixteen. Chappaquiddick Island sits off [...]
The Case of Fabio Rosa – How Social Entrepreneurs Take on the World
Saturday, June 27th, 2009In a civilization fueled by innovation, entrepreneurial enterprise is king. This is no surprise to those of us living in the Information Age – where entrepreneurs are regular features on the covers of the glossy business weeklies – sharing their stories of translating problems into solutions, and making a mint in the process. Creativity, keen [...]
Warren Buffett’s Test Drive into an Electric Auto Future
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. The Oracle of Omaha has spoken. Warren Buffett may not be the Wizard of Oz, but considering his almost mystical track record as a powerhouse investor and one of America’s most successful businessmen, it would be easy to understand any confusion. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO is [...]
Arie de Geus
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009Adaptation is an alteration in the structure or function of an organism that results from natural selection and by which the organism becomes better fitted to survive and multiply in its environment. This is a concept well embraced by those in the biological sciences, but less so in the corporate world. As the worldwide economic [...]
David Neeleman – Soaring Beyond ADD
Wednesday, May 13th, 2009Just keep thinking about the good side of ADD – the creativity and the originality it can stimulate. – David Neeleman David Neeleman isn’t your average entrepreneur. While many successful businessmen (and women) share common characteristics such as keen intelligence, strong focus, a drive to succeed, and the ability to ‘think outside the box’, Neeleman [...]
Making the Team
Monday, April 27th, 2009Yesterday and today likely tried the nerves of many an NCAA player as they awaited their fates during the annual NFL Draft. I’ve never played professional sports, but I do know the angst and anxiety inherent in waiting to find out if you’ve been “picked”-and, even worse, the initial feeling of helplessness when you learn [...]
Craig Venter – Synthesizing a Life on the Leading Edge
Friday, April 24th, 2009Under the title heading of Craig Venter’s Wikipedia entry is a note reading – “the neutrality of this article is disputed… please do not remove this message until the dispute is resolved.” This note could serve as a metaphor for Venter’s relationships with those in the scientific community, where ongoing struggles for funding create fast [...]
Adventures in Zip-Lining
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009Not too long ago I served as a “dance host” on a two-week cruise from Santiago, Chile, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. What is a dance host? Many cruise ships hire gentlemen who are accomplished dancers to be available to dance with women. Our typical daily schedule involved being on the dance floor at six o’clock [...]
Temple Grandin’s Guided Tour of the Autistic Mind
Monday, April 20th, 2009Dr. Temple Grandin may be the most extraordinary person you’ve never heard of. As a leading expert in the field of animal science and humane livestock-handling methodology, Grandin holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois and is the published author of eight books – covering subject matter from animal welfare to social relationships to [...]
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