The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking became a New York Times Bestseller Feb 1, 2012. The book also launched #1 on Amazon + Barnes & Noble (Jan 23, 2012). We’ve now donated thousands of FREE books to students in need, young entrepreneurs, universities, and 10% proceeds to charities! This 1 for 1 mission continues. Forever honored + [...]

      Each new year, we reflect on the past 12 months > What worked? What didn’t? Lessons learned? Then we ask “What if?” But the even smarter question (the more impactful one), is “WHAT’S NEXT? Here are my Top 10 Tips to IMPACT your 2012 … and ROCK the BOAT! 1. LAUGH & [...]

I recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh (pronounced Shay). I was so honored that Tony endorsed my new book, The 4 Essentials of Entrepreneurial Thinking, I brought him a “Thank-You” basket filled with his favorite snacks (gourmet pickles, red bull, Grey Goose Vodka). Ironically, ABC’s Barbara Walters’ 20/20 camera [...]

For Part 1 of this interview, and an insightful look behind the entrepreneurial mind of Tony Hsieh, go to Part 1 of 2 with Tony & Cliff Tony’s Top Tips for Social Media Cliff: Picking up where we left off in of in Part 1 of this Interview, as soft-spoken as you are, you inspire [...]

MYTH: Written Goals Lead to Success REALITY: There are 4 Essentials to New-Year Resolutions … 1. Analyze Your Basic Skills 2. Connect Action Strategies 3. Align Core Values 4. Create Accountability with Your Purpose More money? To­‐Do Lists? A happier year? It’s quite a dance we do each December between eggnog and self-­reflection. We start [...]

Friends and I recently discussed social media at a party. All things being equal, the main question of the night was “Who uses social media more effectively; men or women?” Members of our soirée included 10 girls and 10 guys, ages 21 to 39. We had students, artists, and executives alike. Even single and married [...]

From Main Street to Wall Street, neither intelligence, experience, nor even a degree from the finest school is a proxy for success. There are real-world Essentials critical to life, career, and business performance. The biggest challenges however are fragmented education programs, diverse culture values, and escalating costs for learning. In turn, the gap between what [...]

Some movies age like wine. They inspire and nourish the soul. They remind us that life is about passion and purpose. One of my favorite flicks to define these mantras was Dead Poets Society (1989 Oscar-Winner, Best Original Screenplay). It not only pushed the Latin phrase “carpe diem” into pop culture, it affected millions of [...]

Friends know me as a networker. I enjoy connecting with people. When I’m at my best, I’m introducing peers and listening to stories. That willingness to help comes back in many ways. The fact that I’m verbal doesn’t hurt. But talking too much can interfere with one’s ability to hear. To that end, after twenty [...]

On Nov 22, 2011, a team of scientists at Facebook and the University of Milan released a study based on 721 million active Facebook users with a connectivity of 69 billion friendships. The study showed that any two individuals in the world can be connected through 4.74 acquaintances. Hmmm? Is 4.74 the new 6 degrees [...]