Merry Christmas and Happy 2014!

©2013 Laurel J. Delaney.  All rights reserved.

Wishing you a Holiday Season

Filled With Joy and Special Moments

Article of Interest: Bill Gates and His Seven Top Reads in 2013

I read a business book nearly every week and have oftentimes been teased by friends and colleagues for hardly ever reading fiction.  Now I feel I am in good company.  Bill Gates presents his seven top reads in 2013.  Commenting on the lack of novels on the list, Gates writes:

"It’s not that I don’t enjoy fiction. I’ve read The Catcher in the Rye a bunch of times—it’s one of my favorite books ever (and I enjoyed Salinger, the documentary that came out this year) ..."

He goes on to say:

"But I read mostly nonfiction because I always want to learn more about how the world works. And reading is how I learn best."

Read all of Gates' picks for 2013 - here.  And his first pick, The Box, by Marc Levinson, I've not only read but mentioned it in my forthcoming book.

What books have you read in 2013 that have helped you better understand our world and run your business more efficiently?

Article of Interest: Famous Failures

We all want success but oftentimes there are bumps (challenges) in the road that lead to it.  Before you think failure doesn't come with success, guess again.  The article below talks about famous failures.  Use the stories for inspiration.

Famous Failures

Photo courtesy:  Celestine Chua

Blog Post of Interest: Accelerate Women Now and Equally on a Global Basis

According to Forbes, "Accelerate Women Now:  Building a 50/50 global Economy:"

If you could adjust just one variable to exponentially improve the quality of life for everyone on planet earth, what would it be? We’d argue there are few places where you would get a bigger return on your investment than supporting women entrepreneurs.

And the blog post provides evidence that is overwhelming.  Read it here.

Bottom line:  "Women are good for business," says Ben Powell, the Founder and CEO of Agora Partnerships, and Dana Warren, Agora’s Communications Associate.

Photo courtesy:  Saad Faruque