Most of us would never have guessed reality TV shows built around businesses and budding entrepreneurs could work, but shows like The Apprentice, Dragon’s Den and Shark Tank have proven that there is interest in business-focused reality programs. Soon, Asia will get one of its own – Angel’s Gate is set to air on Singapore-based broadcaster Channel NewsAsia from next week.

Comprising of eight episodes, season one of Angel’s Gate features 24 aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to some of the region’s top investors representing the “Angel’s Gate Fund”, pooled from various investors and sponsors from around the region.

The program will take the concept of the ‘elevator pitch’ pretty literally, and will see Asia-based entrepreneurs a chance to ride an elevator with one of four ‘Angels’ and make a 30-second business pitch. If the Angel takes to the idea, he’ll let the entrepreneur through to the next round to pitch to all four Angels – judges Patrick Grove, co-founder and CEO of Catcha Group, William Klippgen, founder and managing director of Tigris Capital, Ken Mandel, managing director of Buddy Media Asia Pacific, and Karan Singh Thakral, executive director of the Thakral Group of Companies.

“The programme is more than just a reality TV show. It is a deal-making, game-changing stage for investment transactions. To succeed in business, an entrepreneur needs money, the right connections, and the right exposure,” says Ash Singh, CEO of digital media company and new business accelerator Interactive SG, and co-producer of Angel’s Gate. “Angel’s Gate builds that bridge.  Anyone with a great idea can come forward, get instant exposure in mainstream media, and win over financial backers and business mentors.”

The first season of Angel’s Gate will showcase business ideas coming from across Asia and straddling diverse sectors including bio-technology, gaming, mobile applications, and travel – during the press conference, we spotted GameMaki boss Keith Ng (who used to do SOCIALICO) and John Fearon of DropMySite.com.

There’s a corporate social responsibility element to Angel’s Gate as well. Sponsor CapitaLand will, through its CapitaLand Hope Foundation, donate S$1 for every “like” received by business profiles on AngelsGate.com, with winning business ideas earning bonus donations. The donations will go towards four selected children’s charities, namely the Infant Jesus Homes & Children’s Centres, Jamiyah Children’s Home, Melrose Home and Sunbeam Place.

Angel’s Gate airs on Channel NewsAsia every Monday, 8pm SG/HK time from 6^th Feb.

by Ken Blanchard, co-author of “Great Leaders Grow: Becoming a Leader for Life”

Today, I’m going to give a short, one-question quiz. Here’s the question: How do you rate as a leader?

I don’t ask this question flippantly. It is a question I’ve asked countless people at the leadership seminars we conduct.

As leaders, most people rank themselves as being very close to a minor deity or at least Mr. or Ms. Human Relations. Seldom do leaders give themselves low marks. Strangely enough, when the tables are turned and people are asked to rank their boss’s leadership style, we often find many supervisors graded as being adequate, merely OK, or at worst, office autocrats who depend heavily on the often-referenced “seagull management” technique as their sole line of attack — they leave their people alone until something goes wrong, and then they fly in, make a lot of noise, dump all over everyone, and fly out.

More often than not, we find that leaders lull themselves into thinking they are top-flight leaders because they think they use a supportive or coaching style, which someone told them are “good” leadership styles. Not too surprisingly, this isn’t the way they are seen by those in their department, office or store.

To get a true and accurate answer about the question above, it is necessary for you as a supervisor to honestly determine how your employees perceive your leadership style. These are the folks who know you best. They have first-hand experience with your leadership style and operate on their own perceptions about it. They are the best judges of your managerial effectiveness. However, getting an employee or subordinate to give his or her honest feedback on your leadership style is difficult. People fear being the messenger who will get shot for bearing bad news. Hence, they are naturally reluctant to be totally candid.

Employees are sharp observers. In the past, they may have gone to their leader and made an honest suggestion such as, “Ken, I think our Thursday afternoon meetings are a waste of time.” If the supervisor answers with an outburst by saying, “What do you mean a waste of time? Are you kidding? Those meetings are important,” it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that one thing the leader doesn’t want to hear is the truth.

It is important to remember that when people you supervise tell you what they honestly think about your style of leadership, they’re really giving you a gift. When someone gives you a gift, what is the first thing you should say? “Thank you,” of course! Then it’s a very good idea to follow up by saying, “Is there anything else you think I should know?” When a person learns that you won’t become defensive or hostile when he or she gives you an honest evaluation about your style, you’ll find that you’ll be given many nuggets of truth which are extremely valuable. My advice would be to encourage people to give (feedback) at the office, and to give often!

Just remember, what you think about your own leadership style really doesn’t matter. In addition, there is no one correct style, nor is there a “good” or a “bad” style. Rather, style is judged by those immediately influenced by it. It’s your people’s response to your style that matters. If you are getting the right response consistently — high productivity and morale — then you’re doing just fine. If not, then perhaps it’s your style that needs changing, not your employees.

As originally published on How We Lead.

The mobile phone is an indispensable tool these days, be it for personal or business use. Our phones are chockful with sensitive information – your contact list, critical emails, and in many cases, user names and passwords – which only means that losing a phone can be disastrous.

And it’s a lot worse if a phone meant for business use is the subject of identity theft. Here is a short white paper by identity theft expert John Sileo, sponsored by Deluxe Corporation, detailing 7 simple smartphone protection tips will help business owners understand these risks and protect their mobile offices.

You can download the white paper here. You owe it to yourself to protect your phone.

If you’re like most people, you’d probably worship the late innovative Steve Jobs over nerdy, geeky Bill Gates. But wealthy Gates, with his philanthropic work, is destined to end up in the list of the most philanthropic persons – alongside luminaries such as Andrew Carnegie, Warren Buffet and John D. Rockfeller.

From a commitment to eradicating polio to improving the U.S. education system, Gates’ philanthropic Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation surely positions him as a real-life Bruce Wayne, aka. Batman’s billionaire industrialist, and philanthropist alter ego.

Here’s an infographic that shows you what kind of impact on mankind Gates has:

(Source: frugaldad.com)

by Jeremy Kingsley, president of OneLife Leadership

Lack of loyalty is a serious problem in organizations everywhere today.

No longer do people join a company and devote the rest of their working lives to it. Companies are, of course, not exactly known for offering up thirty or forty years of employment, a gold watch and pension plan.

Times have changed. Businesses appear and disappear at a dizzying pace. So do the jobs they offer. People no longer expect to spend their entire career with the same company.

Organizations preoccupied with short-term, bottom line thinking often view their employees as little more than resources to be hired, fired, and manipulated as the need arises.

Both sides pay a price for this lack of loyalty. Workers are naturally less happy on the job when they sense little or no loyalty from their employer. I agree with Carmine Coyote about how the negative impacts on productivity are truly alarming:

• People expect to be continually under threat of layoff, so they keep their resumes permanently on the market, changing jobs without concern for anything save their own short-term advantage.

• Because they see executives cheerfully raiding the corporate coffers to enrich themselves, any natural unwillingness to engage in cheating or manipulating rules to put extra money in their own pockets is lessened.

• Top level emphasis on quick, short-term returns (especially to themselves), permeates the organization as a whole, leading to everyone focusing on what will give them the biggest, quickest return—even if that means elbowing colleagues out of the way, playing the dirty politics, or hyping resumes to leverage a quick move somewhere else that is paying a few bucks more.

• Loyalty to colleagues can turn into an us-versus-them attitude toward those higher up.

• Worst of all, people feel devalued and see their work as less and less worthwhile. This creates emotional and psychological stresses and problems that go beyond the workplace and may last for some time.

What can you do to avoid this terrifying outcome? Learn from others.

A century ago, Ernest Shackleton was one of the most renowned explorers of his time. He was a member of Captain Randolph Scott’s Discovery Expedition to the Antarctic in 1901–04 and led the Nimrod Expedition to the Antarctic in 1907–09, when he and three companions marched farther south than any human had ventured before. He was knighted by the king of England for that effort.

Today, however, Shackleton is best known for a failed mission. In January 1915, while trying to be the first to journey across the Antarctica, he and his men aboard the Endurance were trapped in pack ice in the Weddell Sea and forced to abandon the ship. They floated on icebergs and paddled three small lifeboats to reach a remote, deserted island. From there, Shackleton and five men embarked in one of the lifeboats on an eight-hundred-mile voyage through some of the planet’s stormiest waters, landing more than two weeks later at South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic. After a rest, Shackleton and two of his men hiked and climbed across treacherous mountains to a whaling station, where Shackleton procured a ship and sailed to rescue his comrades. Every member of the twenty-eight-man crew returned home safely.

Margot Morrell and Stephanie Capprell, in their book Shackleton’s Way, list eight principles Shackleton applied to forge unity and loyalty among his team. As a leader, Shackleton was ahead of his time. His principles are just as important in today’s modern workplace as they were in the Antarctic a hundred years ago:

1. Take the time to observe before acting, especially if you are new to the scene. All changes should be aimed at improvements. Don’t make changes just for the sake of leaving your mark.

2. Always keep the door open to your staff members, and be generous with information that affects them. Well-informed employees are more eager and better prepared to participate.

3. Establish order and routine on the job so all workers know where they stand and what is expected of them. The discipline makes the staff feel they’re in capable hands.

4. Break down traditional hierarchies and cliques by training workers to do a number of jobs, from the menial to the challenging.

5. Where possible, have employees work together on certain tasks. It builds trust and respect and even friendship.

6. Be fair and impartial in meting out compensations, workloads, and punishments. Imbalances make everyone feel uncomfortable, even the favored.

7. Lead by example. Chip in sometimes to help with the work you’re having others do. It gives you the opportunity to set a high standard and shows your respect for the job.

8. Have regular gatherings to build esprit de corps. These could be informal lunches that allow workers to speak freely outside the office. Or they could be special holiday or anniversary celebrations that let employees relate to each other as people rather than only as colleagues.

If you demonstrate a strong measure of loyalty to your team, you’ll find that same measure of loyalty being returned to you. In these trying times – inspiring loyalty will help you get the most out of your team and lay the foundation for lasting success.

Jeremy Kingsley is a professional speaker, author, and the President of OneLife Leadership. Since 1995 he has spoken to over 500,000 people at live events around the world. He is the author of four books: Inspired People Produce Results – Leading Generation Me (2013), Getting Back Up When Life Knocks You Down (2011), Be Last – Descending to Greatness (2008), One Step Closer – To A Life Worth Living (2004).

In a 15,000 square foot studio complex in the heart of West Hollywood stands a facility filled with multiple set stages and film production equipment that is, by any stretch of the imagination, the envy of most Hollywood producers. Yet the space does not produce movies or films of the traditional sort – it is, however, probably responsible for making most of the celebrity fitness videos you see today.

The facility is owned by full-service production company Watch It Now Entertainment (WIN), and its forte is giving its clientele the ability to direct, produce and promote any kind of celebrity-driven fitness media – including that Richard Simmons workout DVD – all under one roof. You’d expect WIN‘s studios to encompass a state-of-the-art video editing suite or professional lighting grip and electric rooms – which they do, of course, have. What you may not expect, though, is an entire marketing and public relations arm that helps celebrity clients in reaching out to their audiences.

Founded by CEO Darren Capik, Watch It Now Entertainment is interestingly placed to capitalize on the US$30 billion a year fitness industry. Capik’s the literal creative force behind his company – he leads all aspects of the creative process as producer, director and creative director.

Capik’s business philosophy is unsurprisingly in line with his personal philosophy. “By pursuing a solid goal of bettering yourself through quality fitness and nutrition you can live a longer and more fulfilling life,” Capik says. “In an age of processed everything, the process of fitness remains true and strong.”

And through his company, he hopes to create quality products to help others achieve a higher level of fitness and health.

By Marsha Friedman, CEO of EMSI Public Relations and author of Celebritize Yourself

I remember when the Internet first gained prominence and it became apparent that having a website was essential for any commercial enterprise.

Back then, web designers were not plentiful and few people thought to hire a professional to create a site. They felt that ANY web presence was better than none at all and they found people they knew who were “into the whole Internet thing”to help them.

As a PR professional, when I saw a website that didn’t represent people well or looked amateurish, I’d ask who created it. Invariably, I’d get answers like, “My nephew did it,” or “I bought Web Design for Dummies and did it myself,” or “My son has a friend who just graduated with a degree in computer science.” While those days have passed for Web sites, I’m afraid I am seeing the same thing happen with regard to social media.

As social media has become an integral element of all mainstream media,some people regard it the same way they used to regard websites – as a good addition to their marketing tactics, but not so essential that they need to approach it with a professional sensibility. As with any marketing outreach, social media done badly will actually set a person back rather than move him forward.

Here are some tips for people to gauge whether they’re taking the right approach or heading down the wrong path:

My Daughter Does That For Me.

If your daughter is a college graduate with a broad-based education that includes a degree in mass communications, I’d say you may be on the right track. However, if she’s 18 and her primary qualification is that she has Twitter and Facebook accounts, I’d say you need to reevaluate your choice of marketing personnel here. Just because she’s your daughter and can use Facebook and Twitter, doesn’t mean she has the skills necessary to market a business using social media.

I Hired a College Intern.

While college students may be part of the social media generation, it doesn’t automatically qualify them to do social media for you. Unlike traditional media, which is a communication to a broad audience, social media is one-to-one marketing outreach. You are communicating directly to individuals and anyone who has ever posted an opinion in an Internet forum knows the online audience is not to be trifled with. Understand that your reputation is on the line. With the variety of questions and comments you will receive, it is critical that they’re handled with care and professionalism to avoid any repercussions to your name and brand. A social media marketing professional is an astute communicator who ensures each time the right tone, caring and message is delivered for maximum return and keeps your audience engaged. This dynamic is crucial for the success of the program.

I Got 11 New Followers on Twitter This Week.

Of course, building followers is important, but you’ll never make a social media campaign work with the onesy-twosy approach.For myself, my company and our social media clients, we have a monthly benchmark for building followers. Now, this benchmark is not a gross number, but a net figure after we have weeded out spammers, chronic friend adders, and marriage proposals from men in foreign countries, and yes, I’ve gotten a few of those.

At the end of the day, social media is serious business. Done right, it can create a base of thousands of followers. Done wrong, it wastes time and energy and, most important, gives people the impression that social media marketing isn’t important. In fact, it has become one of the most critical and fundamental components for any marketing strategy, which every company needs to put in place.

Marsha Friedman is a 20-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations, a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. She also hosts a national weekly radio talk show, The Family Round Table, and is the author of the book, Celebritize Yourself.

While you’re undoubtedly learning a lot from your MBA courses at college, it never hurts to supplement your education with a little outside reading material. There are numerous great books out there on business, entrepreneurship, leadership, and other topics of interest to MBA students that can be immensely valuable to anyone looking to build their knowledge and prepare for a career in business. In fact, you may learn a few tips and tricks you won’t cover in any of your MBA courses. Whether you’re looking to learn more before graduation, or build your business skills afterwards, these books are essential to any MBA library.

Business Basics

These great reads cover a wide range of business topics, from business school to decision-making.

1. Deals from Hell: M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes by Robert F. Bruner and Arthur Levitt Jr.

Mergers and acquisitions are a messy part of business and don’t always produce the expected outcome. In this book, you can read about some of the worst mergers ever to happen and hopefully take away some lessons that will help you in your future deal-making.

2. Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School by Philip Delves Broughton

You might not go to Harvard Business School, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a taste of what it’s like to attend one of the most elite MBA programs in the world. Capturing both the good and the bad of business school, MBA students, no matter where they attend school, are bound to find this book both fascinating and relatable.

3. Peak: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow by Chip Conley

Psychology and business have more in common than you think. This book applies Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to relationships between businesses and their employees, investors, and customers.

4. The Unwritten Laws of Business by W.J. King and James Skakoon

Originally published in 1944, this classic book offers advice that is as true today as it was then, helping you more skillfully navigate the business world.

5. Sources of Power: How People Make Decisions by Gary Klein

We make thousands of decisions every day, but most of us don’t put much thought into how we’re able to do it, especially under pressure. In this book, you’ll learn about some fascinating studies on decision-making, the results of many you can apply directly to the business world.

6. Turning Numbers into Knowledge: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving by Jonathan Koomey and John Holdren

Numbers are great but useless if you don’t know how to use them to solve problems in your business. This book aims to help you learn this essential skill and boost your problem-solving prowess.

7. Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk by Peter Bernstein

Risk is an essential element in any business venture and society as a whole. This engaging book takes a look at the history of risk and the many different ways we look at and attempt to control risk in modern society.

8. The Future Arrived Yesterday: The Rise of the Protean Corporation and What It Means for You by Michael S. Malone

The digital age has changed how business is done, and businesses must either adapt or go extinct. This book will educate you on the skills and know-how you’ll need to be a CEO and leader in a 21st-century company.

Management and Leadership

Whether you’re a student or a working professional, these books can help you hone the essential management and leadership skills you’ll need to work as an executive or business owner.

9. How to Become CEO: The Rules for Rising to the Top of Any Organization by Jeffrey Fox

Many graduate with an MBA with the goal of someday becoming a CEO, but without a plan about how they’ll get there. Fox’s book can help you meet that goal by presenting 75 common-sense rules that will help you guild your career and work your way to the top.

10. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter Drucker

As this book will teach you, the key to being a great CEO isn’t just getting things done, it’s getting the right things done. Drucker shares lessons on time management, prioritization, and decision-making that can help mold you into a better, more effective exec.

11. Out of the Crisis by W. Edwards Deming

Deming believes that American management practices need an update for the realities of the modern business world, and shares his famous 14 Points for Management that hold as true today as they did when the book was first published almost 30 years ago.

12. Growing Great Employees: Turning Ordinary People into Extraordinary Performers by Erika Andersen

Anderson distills some great management lessons from her own career, offering others a chance to learn how they can evaluate, communicate with, and encourage their employees.

13. Transparency: How Leaders Create a Culture of Candor by Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, Patricia Ward Biederman, and James O’Toole

We’ve all heard about transparency, but many may not know how to even begin to create a business that embodies that characteristic. Not to worry. This book offers some great advice on how leaders can create a more transparent workplace.

14. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management by Scott Berkun

This collection of essays on project management offers a number of philosophies and strategies for becoming a better leader and manager.

15. Hire With Your Head: Using Performance-Based Hiring to Build Great Teams by Lou Adler

Read through this great book to better understand why performance-based hiring could be the best choice for filling your business with great employees.

16. The Halo Effect by Phil Rosenzweig

As much as we hate to admit it, our business decisions may not always be based on reality. In this book, Rozenzweig explains some of the most common delusions that taint business decision-making and how to overcome them to make smarter, sharper decisions.

17. First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman

Think you know what it takes to be a great manager? This book may teach you otherwise, explaining why many of the rules of management simply aren’t followed by the best managers out there.

Innovation

You can’t be a leader in business without at least a touch of innovation. These books will help you cultivate your creativity and better understand the importance of an innovative mind in the modern era.

18. A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel Pink

In this book, Daniel Pink explains why creativity and innovation will soon be at the heart of every business strategy in the 21st century and why you shouldn’t ignore the valuable, though perhaps less practical lessons, provided by your right brain.

19. The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage by Roger L. Martin

Why think like a designer? This book explains that innovation and creativity drive today’s market, especially in fields like technology, where outside-the-box thinking can make or break a company. Martin provides a wealth of examples to illustrate just how businesses today are using design thinking to come out ahead, teaching the true value of innovation.

20. The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp

Tharp may be a dancer and choreographer, but that doesn’t mean many of the lessons she offers on creativity can’t be applied to the business world. Through this engaging book, you’ll learn how to maximize your innovative and creative potential and make the most of whatever genius idea you have.

21. Seeing What’s Next: Using Theories of Innovation to Predict Industry Change by Clayton M. Christensen, Erik A. Roth, and Scott D. Anthony

In this book, the authors present a new model for anticipating innovation and changes in industries, one they promise is more reliable and consistent than past ways of doing things.

22. The Innovator’s Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christensen

Don’t let your business get driven out of the market by a disruptive new technology. Learn how to stay ahead of the curve in innovation with a little help from this read.

23. Winning at New Products: Accelerating the Process from Idea to Launch, Third Edition by Robert G. Cooper

First published more than ten years ago, this book is regarded as a must-read for anyone in product development. It showcases some of the innovative strategies being used by big businesses to stay creative, engage customers, and make sound business decisions.

24. The Myths of Innovation by Scott Berkun

There’s a lot of conventional wisdom and advice surrounding innovation, but as you’ll learn in this book, much of it just isn’t accurate.

Networking and Communication

Knowing how to make connections and communicate effectively is essential to anyone embarking on a business career. Brush up on your skills in this area by giving these books a read.

25. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

This classic book will provide you with the skills you need to build better relationships, especially when it comes to networking and moving up within your chosen field.

26. Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

To make it to the top in business, you need to build a strong network of connections. Easier said than done, but this book offers some amazing advice that will have you making the most of any time you spend networking.

27. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds

At some point in your business career, you’ll undoubtedly have to give a presentation. Make sure that it’s as interesting, engaging, and effective as it can be, with help from this book.

28. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

If you want to get your way in negotiations or business deals, you’d be well-advised to read this book, offering some of the best lessons on what methods truly work to persuade.

29. Show Me the Numbers: Designing Tables and Graphs to Enlighten by Stephen Few

It can be hard to convey just what numbers mean on their own, but this book will teach you how to use graphs and other visual representations to help make sense of any kind of numerical information.

30. Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillian, and Al Switzler

High-stakes conversations can be nerve-wracking, but with the help of this book you can learn how to prepare, deal with anger, and talk about almost anything with success.

Productivity

Get advice on getting more done in less time with the help of these books.

31. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Are you as effective in your work as you could be? Take a look at Covey’s best-selling book on leadership to learn how to improve your communication, management, productivity, and positive-thinking skills in both your personal and professional endeavors.

32. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

David Allen is known around the world for his works on productivity, probably because his methods are so effective. This book, his most popular title, is a great read for learning how to better manage your time, resources, and energy — helpful both in school and in the working world.

33. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

Is it really possible to work less and still get enough done? Ferriss thinks so, and shares his lessons through this immensely popular book.

34. The Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways To Do Less And Accomplish More by Bill Jensen

Why work hard when you can work smart? In this book, MBA students and grads will find some excellent advice on being more productive in everything you do.

35. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith

Executive coach Marshall Goldsmith offers some advice on helping you reach the top of the corporate ladder in this book, exposing the traits that the best execs have in common.

Marketing

A great product is meaningless if you can’t sell it. Use these books to improve your understanding of marketing, sales, and branding.

36. Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant by Renée Mauborgne

This classic book is a must-read for any business student looking to learn more about marketing. Even if you don’t embrace Mauborgne’s strategy, you can still take numerous lessons away from the book that are sure to help you in your life after graduation.

37. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath

If you want to make your ideas, products, or services stick in the minds of consumers, then you might want to read this book. It’s full of great methods you can use to improve the resonance of whatever it is you’re selling.

38. Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill

If you want to sell, you have to understand what will make people buy. That’s the focus of this compelling book from retail guru Paco Underhill. Read through it to better understand consumer culture, merchandising, and the all-important online store.

39. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin

Every business wants to stand out, but few know how to do it. This book by marketing guru Seth Godin may give you a leg up, offering insights into what really works in promoting and branding a business.

40. Guerrilla Marketing for Consultants: Breakthrough Tactics for Winning Profitable Clients by Jay Conrad Levinson

You don’t have to be a consultant (though if you are, this book is an even better read) to appreciate the valuable lessons and advice this book has to offer on building a better marketing plan, getting publicity, and reeling in big clients.

41. Duct Tape Marketing: The World’s Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide by John Jantsch

Those who are working in small business or want to start their own should consider this book an essential read for preparing for the challenges of marketing their business.

Entrepreneurship

If you plan to go it on your own, these books are essential reads for preparing you for life as an entrepreneur.

42. Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter F. Drucker

Innovation is a key component to entrepreneurship, and in this book you’ll get some great advice from management guru Drucker on what your business can do to succeed in today’s innovation-driven economy.

43. The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Having an idea for a business is a first step, but how do you turn that idea into a profitable business? This book covers all the basics of starting your own business, from hiring to getting investors, and everything in between.

44. Purpose: The Starting Point of Great Companies by Nikos Mourkogiannis

Anyone starting a new business or thinking of starting a new business should read this book. It explores the importance of a business having purpose, something Mourkogiannis believes is essential for long-term success.

45. The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Strategies for Continuously Creating Opportunity in an Age of Uncertainty by Rita Gunther McGrath

Looking to start a new business? This book can help you with the fundamentals, with some innovative new ideas that may just set you apart from the competition.

46. The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steven Gary Blank

While focused on the tech industry, any entrepreneur working on a startup can find valuable lessons and examples in this book that can be useful to building a new business.

47. StartupNation : America’s Leading Entrepreneurial Experts Reveal the Secrets to Building a Blockbuster Business by Jeff Sloan and Rich Sloan

Successful entrepreneurs Jeff and Rich share some of their lessons and those drawn from more than 30 other entrepreneurs in this great, inspirational book on entrepreneurship.

48. Reality Check: The Irreverent Guide to Outsmarting, Outmanaging, and Outmarketing Your Competition by Guy Kawasaki

Entrepreneur and venture capitalist Kawasaki offers no-nonsense advice on starting and growing a business that will stand the test of time.

49. Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

This book takes a different approach to helping you start a business, throwing the business plan aside and helping you stop thinking and start doing.

Outside the Box

Looking for something that offers business lessons but isn’t just the standard fare? These books can be great additions to any MBA library.

50. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Created for military strategists in ancient China, this book has been applied with great success to the modern business world, offering sage advice to anyone heading into a situation that requires strategy and calmness of mind.

51. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

This acclaimed work of fiction offers an interesting take on economics and capitalism that any student of business should be familiar with.

52. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Euxpery

This fable of love and loneliness can be good reminder to businesspeople to remember what’s really important, as it satirizes a busy businessman.

53. Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond

This book explores the reasons why European societies were able to conquer most of the world, even felling some of the great civilizations in the new world. The same principles that apply to societies, however, can also be applied to business, giving you a whole new perspective on your place in the corporate world.

54. Against the Odds by James Dyson

If you need an inspirational biography to read, this might be just the one to give you a morale boost. It tells the story of James Dyson, who is familiar to most of us today, but who struggled through numerous failures in his designs along the way.

55. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli

The key themes of this 14th-century political treatise are still timely today and offer the reader great insights into morality (or the lack of it) and power relationships.

This article was first posted on OnlineMBA.com.

By Mark Miller, co-author of “Great Leaders Grow: Becoming a Leader for Life“

Some of you are Tim Tebow fans and some of you are not – got it. Regardless of your feelings, let’s not miss the chance to learn something here about leadership. Here are a few things I’ve observed watching Tebow this season that may help you on your leadership journey.

Leadership Matters.

Team sports require leadership. In the NFL, there is an expectation that the quarterback will provide that leadership. Business, ministry, government and academia are all TEAM SPORTS. If you are going to win, someone must lead. Tim provided leadership for the Broncos.

Passion Matters.

The intensity of the team is always a reflection of their leadership. If the leader is not passionate the team won’t be either. Tim gets this. This was a critical ingredient in 6 fourth quarter or overtime victories this season! How high is your passion for what you lead?

No Style Points on the Scoreboard.

Winning is the ultimate measuring stick in the NFL. Pretty or ugly, it doesn’t matter. Tim knew the goal was winning – not his QB rating. What does a win look like for your team? Is everyone on the same page?

Leadership is a Platform for Influence.

When you and I lead well, our influence will grow. What we do witth that influence matters. One of the things Tim does is host disabled young people to attend both home and away games. He says that it inspires HIM to see their courage and helps him keep the game in perspective. How will you steward your influence?

Skills Still Matter.

Tim has a lot to learn as an NFL quarterback. His skills are not where they need to be.  Heart, passion and drive are huge – but insufficient over the long haul without the skills. Tim knows that. That’s why he’s so excited about the off-season. He plans to grow before next year. What’s your plan to grow this year?

Tim Tebow is not perfect – as a football player or as a human being. However, I know he can teach me a lot about leadership. I look forward to learning from him for years to come.

Mark Miller, co-author of “Great Leaders Grow: Becoming a Leader for Life“, is vice president, training and development, for Chick-fil-A. During his career he has served in corporate communications, restaurant operations, quality and customer satisfaction, and numerous other leadership positions. He began his Chick-fil-A career in 1977 working as an hourly team member. He is the author of “The Secret of Teams” and the coauthor of “The Secret“.