If there is any word of advice you gave my business history students, one that I repeat to them often is "learn your business." That means read, read and keep on reading. Find the best sources, soak in them regularly, and leave the rest. I had no business degree, not a single business course actually, but I got banking and finance jobs because I was self-taught. Imagine reading textbooks on finance, econ, accounting for no college credit. Then moving on to lighter, more useful reading -- everything from Peter Drucker (remember him?) to whatever everyone was reading in the '80s (_In Search of Excellence_ comes to mind). Some of it didn't pass the test of time but at the very least you knew what the other guy was reading.
I can't prove to anyone that there is "Life after Life" but the bestselling book by that title -- about near-death experiences -- reported that people who "came back" emphasized the two most important things in life: Love and Learning. Never stop doing both. (People even reading and learning in heaven! That would be hell for some students!)
That's a good article. I read a lot of publications and news items about the Bay Area VC and start up community. My brother-in-law is part of it and loves it. What a terrific culture for an enterpreneurial-type to be involved in! No matter where you live or do business you can lear a lot from their experiences.
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If there is any word of advice you gave my business history students, one that I repeat to them often is "learn your business." That means read, read and keep on reading. Find the best sources, soak in them regularly, and leave the rest. I had no business degree, not a single business course actually, but I got banking and finance jobs because I was self-taught. Imagine reading textbooks on finance, econ, accounting for no college credit. Then moving on to lighter, more useful reading -- everything from Peter Drucker (remember him?) to whatever everyone was reading in the '80s (_In Search of Excellence_ comes to mind). Some of it didn't pass the test of time but at the very least you knew what the other guy was reading.
I can't prove to anyone that there is "Life after Life" but the bestselling book by that title -- about near-death experiences -- reported that people who "came back" emphasized the two most important things in life: Love and Learning. Never stop doing both. (People even reading and learning in heaven! That would be hell for some students!)
That's a good article. I read a lot of publications and news items about the Bay Area VC and start up community. My brother-in-law is part of it and loves it. What a terrific culture for an enterpreneurial-type to be involved in! No matter where you live or do business you can lear a lot from their experiences.
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