Many factors shape the success or failure of a new business, whether it’s a startup or a venture inside a larger corporation. But the most important and least understood of these factors is the personality of the entrepreneur—and what drives his or her motivation, decision making, and leadership style. In Built for Growth, Chris Kuenne and John Danner describe four distinct types of successful entrepreneurial personalities—and show how each is motivated, makes decisions, manages, and leads their businesses differently. Use this book as your guide to building a successful business—from startup to scale-up.

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HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Sales (Paperback + Ebook)

Harvard Business Review

Don't just push products to sell. Build the right systems to manage and empower your salespeople. If you read nothing else on sales, read these 10 articles. This book will inspire you to understand your customer's buying center; integrate your sales and marketing operations; assess your business cycle and its impact on your sales force; transition away from solution sales; leverage the power of micromarkets; introduce tiebreaker selling and consensus selling; and motivate your sales force properly. Save 30% off the individual component prices when you order this paperback + ebook collection.

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Thursday, June 29, 2017

The Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review

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THE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY: Harvard Business Review

June 29, 2017

Find Meaning in Even Your Most Mundane Tasks

We all want to feel that what we do every day matters. But when you’re wading through tedious meetings and endless to-do lists — perhaps with less-than-inspirational managers breathing down your neck — it’s hard to feel a sense of purpose about your work. Fortunately, many studies have shown that even a brief moment of reflection can help boost your performance and resilience. Ask yourself questions that help you see the big picture, such as, “Who is going to benefit from what I’m doing?” Remembering, for example, that your daunting presentation will allow you to champion the ideas of a new colleague may help you stay focused and engaged throughout. Or you might ask yourself: “If I get this task done well, what bigger aspiration or value of mine will it support?” Perhaps the never-ending spreadsheet you’re building will help the board make better financial decisions. Finding a meaningful goal can help you power through a seemingly meaningless task with a sense of purpose.

Adapted from "Find Purpose in Even Your Most Mundane Tasks at Work," by Valerie Keller and Caroline Webb

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Leadership on the Line, Updated Edition

HBR Press Book

To lead is to live dangerously.

It’s exciting to think of leadership as all inspiration, decisive action, and rich rewards, but leading requires taking risks that can jeopardize your career and your personal life. It requires putting yourself on the line, disrupting the status quo, and surfacing hidden conflict.

In Leadership on the Line, now updated with a new Preface, Ronald Heiftetz and Marty Linsky show how it’s possible to make a difference without getting “taken out” or pushed aside. Through vivid stories from all walks of life, the authors present straightforward strategies for navigating the perilous straits of leadership. Whether you’re a parent or a politician, a CEO or a community activist, this practical book shows how you can exercise leadership and survive and thrive to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

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HBR Guide to Being More Productive

Harvard Business Review

Regain control of your tasks—and your attention. Whether you’ve been in the workforce for 40 years or are just starting out, this guide will help you be more productive. You'll discover how to motivate yourself, take on less but get more done, preserve time for your most important work, improve your focus, and more.

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