Business Lessons from sucessful entrepreneurs and business leaders: LunchLearning.com

Reading time: 3 - 4 minutes

Video Time: 58 minutes 21 seconds

What I really enjoy about politics, when it works, is that it’s a lot like a small business in that it’s essentially about people seeking solutions for a variety of issues at hand every single day. At least that’s the case when our political leaders are actually “working” and not politicking, which, of course lends itself to a whole different group of challenging skill sets including public speaking and persuasion. . .again, skills critical skills for any business leader.

So, in the spirit of learning, and with politics aside, let’s take a quick look at former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair. As with every feature on LunchLearning.com, Mr. Blair’s, we find offers up many opportunities for continued learning. His communication and presentation skills are, without question, top-notch, and his ability to move a mass of people (both in favor and in opposition) behind a goal is almost legendary. And yet even in light of these talents he has also suffered great setbacks, and what some would consider a lengthy fall from grace. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, his effect on government or the current status of the general populace’s admiration for him, there is no doubt Tony Blair has achieved a level of success worth looking into.

In this discussion with representatives from Yale University, Mr. Blair addresses questions on his policies, his path to office, and the challenges of the world today. There are TONS of lessons for business in this talk. Listen and enjoy.

Things to look out for in this talk with Tony Blair:

1. How to position your argument in a way that makes sense even to someone who might disagree with you.
2. Notice his awareness of both his panelist colleagues as well as his seating audience.
3. Notice how he pauses before addressing serious questions. . .planned or not. . .this is a very powerful way to demonstrate reflection when answering a question. This is one of Blair’s strengths as as speaker and it’s possessed also by other great speakers like Reagan, Churchill, Obama and yes, Clinton.
4. Every business owner and leader has to make tough strategic decisions. Mr. Blair’s response to the difficulty posed in not being able to please everyone is worth watching beginning at: 22:10 through 28:37.
5. Keep in mind the tendency these days of political leaders to leverage their exposure for passions of which they can pursue free of *some* political encumbrances. Rather than sitting on our laurels when we’re done with business. . .ask “what’s next?” And keep going!
6. And, of course, his sheer diplomacy in addressing the last question of the conversation: Who’s better? The Rolling Stones or The Beatles. Brilliant.

Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes

Video Time: 41 minutes 52 seconds

I’m actually embarrassed that until yesterday, I had never heard of the amazing woman known as “Granny D.” And, perhaps unless you’re from the glorious state of New Hampshire, maybe you’ve never heard of Granny D (aka Doris Haddock) either. Well, boy howdy, we’re going to change that for you today.

Doris Haddock is (today) a 99 year-old woman. Yet, a mere five years ago in 2004, Granny D ran for the vacant Democratic senatorial seat in New Hampshire against, then incumbent, Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) in the 2004 election. And, while Granny D didn’t win the election, she did debate Senator Gregg, and did manage to earn her right to claim 34% of the vote for her efforts. Incredible.

This story first came to me only last night actually, after watching “Run Granny Run,” an HBO film that I happened to catch on Hulu.com. To say the account of Mrs. Haddock’s run for Senate as a 94 year old is inspiring, goes without mention, but I believe I failed to mention that at age 89, Granny D also walked from California to New Hampshire over a two year period in support of campaign finance reform. She was 89!

If this story doesn’t make you wonder about the possibilities of your own potential in life, I’m not sure what else could help. Seriously…89 years old and walking across the country? 94 years old and debating a somewhat entrenched, and experienced Senator and pulling in 34% of voters. Wow.

Run Granny Run, indeed. Granny is nearing her 100th birthday. . .we wish her well, and even more vigor with the addition of each new digit to her age.

Read more about Doris “Granny D” Haddock’s in Wikipedia bio

Reading time: 3 - 4 minutes

Video Time: 57 minutes 45 seconds

I’m a sucker for an underdog story. And who isn’t really? If you’re at all capable of being inspired, then you’ve got to love learning about people who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve the “impossible” …

Sometimes, these underdog stories are of men and women who come from humble beginnings, yet go on to change the world. . .other times, they’re stories of men and women of means who also go on to change the world in the face of an underdog cause, and sometimes they’re stories of people just like you and me, who overcome obstacles in their own universe to change their own lives and surroundings in a positive way. Regardless of their wealth, education, upbringing or geographic location, these underdog serve to teach us a very valuable lesson: that persistence with an eye toward a single, or multiple goals, can yield great results. And the wisdom of hindsight that comes from learning from such underdogs is what this week’s LunchLearning.com is all about.

This week, we’re going to take a look at several men and women who have risen up from their own individual worlds, to leadership role in the geopolitical arena. This is a “politics-aside” learning week, and I’ll try to pick people who allow us to straddle this line as much as possible. But what we’re attempting to do with this week’s lessons is not harp on politics, but rather take a look at vision; good or bad, successful or unsuccessful, and how we can take some of these principles and apply them to our own lives and businesses.

So, with that in mind, today, we’re going to hear a little bit from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. If you’re not familiar with Minister Lee, or even Singapore for that matter, his story, and the story of Singapore is one of incredible possibilities. In this talk with Charlie Rose, Minister Lee talks with Charlie about how Singapore evolved from a third-world country after WWII, into the first-world country it is today. This week they even had Formula One racing running through the streets of the city-state!

Here’s a good background on Lee Kuan Yew from Wikipedia. Pick up Lee Kuan Yew’s memoirs if you’re looking to learn even more about him, his leadership style, and the combined efforts that have resulted in Singapore’s admirable place in the world today. If you’d like to learn more about the history of Singapore, I’d recommend “From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000″

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 22 minutes

I just stumbled upon this neat little show with Richard Kirshenbaum on PlumTV. . .it’s a neat idea (interviewing someone while actually eating lunch!). . .kinda’ like a foodie favorite of mine. . .Chicago’s very own: Check, Please!

In sticking with our shorter Friday version of LunchLearning.com, this one is under 25 minutes, and, heck you can learn a little bit about Donny Deutsch (@Donny_Deutsch on Twitter) and Richard Kirshenbaum (@rkirshenbaum on Twitter) while you eat your own lunch!

Donny shares insight into his own business ideals and goals, political advertising and what motivates him and inspires him in this candid lunch, this isn’t a note-taking talk, but one that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. Have a great weekend!

Reading time: 3 - 5 minutes

Video Time: variesSorry, but there seems to be no way to disable the auto-start on these!!****Q&A starts in the third part (only the first two questions are related to skin care)****

Today, Fortune magazine’s America’s Top-Paid Female CEOs sheds light on the growing number of women leading companies across America, an achievement that I’m certain will only continue, bringing with it the kind of diversity in business, that reflects the actual diversity of our world. Three cheers to business women across the world!

Searching for a video of a female speaker for today’s show, I stumbled on the story, so what better story to highlight then that of Andrea Jung, Chairwoman and CEO of Avon. In this “fireside chat” of sorts, Andrea talks a little about her life as the child of Chinese immigrants, her start in the retail business and her path to the top seat at Avon.

She’s a great casual speaker, her story is one that many men and women, no doubt, can relate to: starting out small, working hard, and dreaming big. Enjoy this three part “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” chat with Andrea Jung of Avon.

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 56 minutes 52 seconds****Q&A starts at 23:30****

A crisis can either wreck or strengthen any business leader, and in the recent history of the Xerox Corporation, crisis has certainly NOT been a stranger. To navigate through accounting scandals and lags in sales, Xerox relied on its employees and its customers to help turn around the company. In this talk, keynote speaker, Anne Mulcahy, Xerox’ current Chairwoman of the Board, speaks to an audience of students, faculty and professionals at the Darden school about how her company re-shaped itself in the face of multiple difficulties, and placed itself on its current path.

Anne’s leadership talk is inspiring, and her candid discussion about her trials and tribulations with Xerox shed light on the importance of communicating with staff and a discussion about “real” planning instead of “pie-in-the-sky” ideas.

Believing in your leader is key. See how Anne Mulcahy did it at Xerox.

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 32 minutes 26 seconds

In this talk, eBay President & CEO (and gubernatorial candidate for the state of California), Meg Whitman speaks about small business innovation and entrepreneurship at the NFIB National Small Business Summit.

There is a slight policy angle at the beginning of the talk. . .Meg Whitman’s keynote speech starts at 7 minutes 35 seconds.

Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes

Video Time: 56 minutes 21 seconds****Q&A starts at 19 minutes****

Jack Welch (@jack_welch on Twitter) hardly needs an introduction. The former CEO of GE, he is without doubt, a management titan, and depending on your view, he’s either a management tyrant or the best possible manager. . .the one who will really tell you like it is…for your OWN benefit. That’s how I look at Jack Welch. He’s the kinda’ guy that’ll help you find your best “self” so that you can benefit most from your career and life. He’s also the author of “Winning”, and “Straight from the Gut”, and if you haven’t read Jack’s books to date, I recommend you read them, or even better. . .LISTEN to them! You’ll really “hear” what he’s saying through the power of his voice.

This MIT conversation has Jack tackle advice useful for college students, as well as business leaders, and if you’re not a numbers person, Jack will allow you to see the power in numbers and how relevant they are to more than just budgeting (which he seems to despise), but to compensation, culture and the application of measurement across the board. As a business speaker, Jack’s experience lends a great deal of anecdotal stories that help to illustrate his philosophies, and his voice (I find, at least) is a great auditory reminder of his passion. . .Jack Welch is today’s keynote speaker. . .listen and learn.

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 27 minutes 59 seconds

It’s Friday, so we’re going to keep it short and sweet today. . .and have a little fun with today’s speaker: Tim Brown, CEO of “innovation and design” firm IDEO.

Watch how easily he engages this audience through participation, visualization and quick attempts at creativity.

This lecture is great fun, and will definitely have you thinking of things you can do in your own workplace to get folks inspired toward more creativity. Which, by the way, is ALWAYS a good thing.

Reading time: 2 - 2 minutes

Video Time: 59 minutes 01 seconds

Dharmesh Shah (@dharmesh on Twitter) seems to “tell it like it is”. . .and I really love that.

I’ve heard of his work with OnStartups.com and Hubspot, as most likely you have as well, but you most likely haven’t heard some of his opinions about Venture Capital, entrepreneurship, case studies and business processes like pricing, branding, and product execution. …and the attention economy!

His talk from Business of Software Boston, 2008 (started by Joel Spolsky (@spolsky on Twitter) and Neil Davidson (@NeilDavidson on Twitter). is relevant to any business owner, as well as super-candid and energetic. If you’re falling asleep at work today, you’ll enjoy this talk!