What does it take to be a compelling business leader? We hear all this talk about leadership styles but, really, is any one style preferable to the others? In my observation, there is no single, universally superior leadership style.
That being said, there are some universal qualities that successful leaders share, including the ability to inspire trust, the vision to move a company forward, and the foresight to provide the training employees will need to realize that vision.
Inspiring trust is critical. People are not willing to recognize someone as their leader unless they trust them, not just intellectually, but ethically and morally as well. Likewise, people won’t follow someone unless they’re convinced that person knows where they’re going.
When ask to define their leadership style, entrepreneurs often reply, “I lead by example.” What they mean is, “I work long, hard hours and will take on any task.” Leading by example is terrific, but it’s not the be all and end all. Employees aren’t dumb. They can recognize effective activity versus meaningless busyness. That’s why one of my favorite pieces of leadership advice is “don’t do well what you shouldn’t do at all.”
I suspect that leading by example may sometimes mask a fear of letting go. A true leader doesn’t just i
Read more…
What: Vote for Art
Who: Jeremy Parker, 24
Founded: 2009
Projected 2010 Revenue: Undisclosed
The Pitch: Vote for Art hosts and organizes collegiate graphic design competitions in partnership with major universities across the nation. Funded by MV Sport, a leader in the collegiate products industry, Vote for Art has revolutionized and democratized the student affinity market. Students submit designs on VoteForArt.com where the VFA community selects the winners. The chosen designs are then printed on t-shirts and sold exclusively in the college bookstores. The winning artists receive a cash prize and a percentage of revenue made from merchandise sales. Since its founding in 2009, VFA has partnered with several universities, including Purdue University, Arizona State University, and University of North Dakota. VFA also recently partnered with DesignContest.net, an online community of 21,000 graphics designers.
The Start Up Story: Jeremy Parker always had an interest in the clothing business. Fre
Read more…
Have you ever been attracted to a credit card because it promises you an outstanding interest rate that seems just too good to be true? Most of us have at some stage jumped for one of these attractive offers.
credit cards,balance transfers,cash back,advice
Have you ever been attracted to a credit card because it promises you an outstanding interest rate that seems just too good to be true? Most of us have at some stage jumped for one of these attractive offers. There are a growing number of credit card providers out there that will offer you 0% deals on either balance transfers or purchases, and sometimes they just seem too good to resist.
Particularly if you have a large outstanding credit card balance that you are currently paying a lot of interest on, these offers will be very tempting. In fact, many 0% balance transfer offers will save you hundreds of pounds on interest that you would otherwise have had to pay on your credit card balance. But no matter how attractive such offers may appear at the time, you should only ever take on another credit card if you have taken the time to review your finances and are satisfied that it is the right financial move for you at this time.
Read more…
I have noticed lately I am receiving a lot of credit card offers. The offers are for new credit cards or cheques to be drawn down on my existing credit cards. When I pick up the mail in my condo, there are recycling bins by the mailboxes. My first instinct is to toss the offers into the recycling bins. However, I end up taking them to my condo and shredding them.
Identity theft can occur in many different ways. Someone steals your wallet and becomes you. Someone hacks your computer and steals vital information. However, identity theft can also occur as simply as going through your garbage or recycling bin and taking your credit card offers and applying in your name but with a different address. It is so simple yet so effective.
As a practical tip, please make sure you shred all your personalized junk mail. Offers from your existing financial institution, credit card companies or investment advisors provide key insights into where you keep your money to strangers. These solicitations are both junk mail and insights into your life so guard your privacy accordingly.
I am on a business trip for the remainder of the week so no more posts this week. Have a great week.
