Gates had a vision of the future that he genuinely believed in (i.e. the potential of computers) and was prepared to take major personal and professional risks to pursue that vision. He is a man who has never particularly cared what people thought, and so he was able to do things that went against the grain, such as dropping out of Harvard and alienating those who cried antitrust. We can note, looking at Gates, that those who aren't overly concerned with society's expectations actually have a better shot of transforming that society for the better.
Even though he was successful at a young age, Gates never sat back and reveled in it. He continually strove for higher levels of achievement. His management style was hands-on so that he could firmly control the direction of Microsoft and its products. He is not a leader who has relied on others to make important decisions on product strategy and other facets of the business, which cuts both ways. On the one hand, he can count himself personally responsible for Microsoft's many successes, but on the other, he likely suffered a great deal of burnout, which may be part of the reason he's retiring so early. We should ultimately strive for a working life that allows for some measure of control while leveraging the contributions and talents their of team members.
Gates was not afraid of failure. He was never apposed to without trying various tactics to see what would work for Microsoft – and what wouldn’t. In his speeches and articles, he has been known to tell of the significant investment in time and dollars that went into failed projects like the Omega database and a joint operating system with IBM. But if it weren’t for Omega, we wouldn’t have Microsoft Access, and if it weren’t for the discontinued IBM effort, Windows would not have progressed to its current super-product status. We can learn from Gates that temporary setbacks do not equal total failure but are rather a means to an end.

Whether through a natural ability or one he honed over time, Gates knows himself and what's meaningful to him. He let Ballmer take over in 2000 so that he could focus on the areas of the business that intrigued him most, and it's widely recognized how much time and money he devotes to his philanthropic endeavors of global health and education. It's even said that he's an excellent father. We should look at Gates as someone who has been successful as a total human being, not just as a businessman. This is, admittedly, a new definition for success, but one that's becoming increasingly important as the boundaries between the personal and the professional continue to blur.

This is syndicated from Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom.

For the story in pictures:

SHAH RUKH KHAN

Occupation: Actor

Region/territory: India

Brand ambassador for: Nokia phones

The world's largest phone manufacturer doesn't work with many celebrities but makes an exception for Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, who says he has used Nokia phones for more than a decade. After pairing on a popular commercial last December, the company began sponsoring Khan's cricket team this spring.

more

Ok well not really....but maybe someday. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing a different color than yellow. Anyways NYC is speeding up the process of turning their yellow taxi fleet to hybrids at the rate of 300 cars a month. There are already over 1,000 hybrid taxis running around NYC as I type this. The NY Taxi and Limo Commission said that its entire fleet of taxis will be all-hybrid by 2012.

This is another "green" initiative of Mayor/Billionaire/Political Party Flip Flopper Michael Bloomberg. Mr. Bloomberg has said he wants accomplish 127 "green" initiatives before his final term is up in 2010. Thats pretty ambitious Mr. Bloomberg, lets hope you don't change your mind down the road. By the way for those who were wondering Mr. Bloomberg is the 25th richest person in the United States according to Forbes's 2007 list.

Original Article via Reuters.

The GGG View (With almost every post we will give our readers our view on the post subject and how it could effect you as an everyday consumer)

This is a good thing for all parties involved. The taxi drivers save tons of money on gas per year, automakers like Ford and Chevy get some much needed revenue and NYC becomes a little less polluted which it needs given the fact it is currently 8th the list of most polluted (ozone) cities in America. And who knows maybe more money in the drivers pockets equals lower fares for us the passengers....ya highly doubt that but who knows.

The US publication, known for its rankings of wealthiest persons across the world, has named these Bollywood stars among ten celebrities adding star-power to mobile phones.

The two Khans and the junior Bachchan, son of Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, have been joined by two international sportstars Maria Sharapova and David Beckham, four singers Usher, Fergie, Rain and Andy Lau and race car driver Danica Patrick in the 'Ten Celebs and Their Cells' list published on the Forbes website.

"Once upon a time, perfume and designer jean makers were the ones who relied on celebrities to add a bit of star-dust glamour to their products. Add to that list, now, mobile phone makers," the report said.

While Shahrukh endorses mobile phones made by Nokia, the world's biggest cellphone maker, Abhishek and Aimer are brand ambassadors for Motorola and Samsung phones respectively.

Among other celebrities, Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova endorses Sony Ericsson phones, while soccer star David Beckham is a brand ambassador for Motorola RAZR2 phone.

Forbes said the ten celebrities are "some of the big ones who want you to join their handheld club."
"As nearly everyone on the planet seems to have a cellphone, device makers must work harder to win new customers. Cool designs and low prices help, of course. But so do celebrities. That's led phone makers to recruit some A-listers from Usher to David Beckham to lend an ear-- and a smile-- to selling cellphones," it added.

Facendo una breve riflessione, ritengo che Tiger Woods sia uno di quei sportivi che lasciano un segno incancellabile nella storia dello sport che praticano, in quanto dotati di quel qualcosa in più che li distingono dai bravi giocatori; come lo è stato Michael Jordan per il basket, o Maradona per il calcio, o la Vezzali per il fioretto...e penso che basti guardare il solo palmares per capirlo...

P.S.: metto un piccolo video con il colpo più famoso della carriera di Tiger...si tratta del secondo colpo alla 16 (par 3) dell'Augusta National, durante il 4° giro del Master di qualche anno fa...grazie a questo colpo raggiunse il playoff con Chris DiMarco, per poi conseguire il suo 4° Master (per coloro che non lo sapessero il Master è uno dei quattro Major del golf; gli altri 3 sono: lo U.S. Open, l'Open Championship, e il Pga Championship.)

Source: Forbes Global 2000 Companies

Demostrando, como decía Bernardo Klisberg anoche en una charla, que América Latina tiene tal nivel de pobreza debido a la desigualdad feroz que hay en los ingresos económicos, el mejicano Slim es el SEGUNDO hombre más rico del planeta!! Argentina sólo aportó un multi-millonario al listado, lo cual tiene que ver con un historial de menor desigualdad (hasta hace 15 años) y con un peso débil frente al dólar.

El hecho que la lista contenga nueve israelíes entre los 1200 multi-millonarios (sumando 35 mil millones de dólares) habla sobre el desarrollo de esta nación, pero también sobre la pérdida de los valores socialistas y de ética judía (justicia social) sobre los que fue fundada.

Muchos pensarán distinto, pero a mí me gusta ver israelíes en el listado de descrubimientos de energías alternativas, potabilización de aguas o ayuda a países subdesarrollados, no tanto en la Forbes...

"Researchers at Rutgers-Camden University and the University of Northampton found that about a third of BlackBerry users show signs that are similar in many way to alcoholism. Psychologist Glenn Wilson pointed out that the compulsive need to answer emails led to changing direction often, making people tired and distracted. He even said that the constant flow of emails and text messages was more of a threat to IQ and concentration than pot! Others have said that BlackBerry addiction is putting more and more strain on relationships, especially when both partners are wearing out their thumbs. The problem has gotten so bad that one professor, in a paper titled "Employer Liability for Addiction to Information and Communication Technology," suggested that employers provide programs to help with BlackBerry addiction in the same way that many offer support for chemical or substances abuses. "

"Are You Addicted to Your Blackberry?" Forbes.com

I have a healthy scepticism when it comes to research generally, but this poll makes for an interesting overview of our American cousins. It reveals that the better the education, the less tolerance for the thought of living with a disability. 57% of college-educated people would rather die, but only 30% of people who didn't finish secondary school felt the same way. Who's the smart one?
Could it be that life tastes sweeter when it's tougher to maintain? Curiously, Southerners believe that life is worth hanging on to more than their West Coast counterparts do, even if it means - gasp! - living it at a disadvantage. I'm not local enough to draw any firm conclusions from that clichéd sounding nugget, so I'll keep my counsel.
Of those 63% death wishers in the 35-44 age bracket, I ask myself how many are technically obese. There have to be some. I would consider obesity to be a disability. Either minor or major, but debilitating nonetheless. I can't see them killing themselves to be rid of the debilitation. Well, maybe very slowly.
Ask a person a question and they'll give you an answer most of the time. Might not be a terribly sound one, but they'll open their mouth and an opinion will issue forth. 'Oh God I'd rather DIE than live in a wheelchair!' Oh really? Oh... really... ? Somehow I don't think you've thought this through, Citizen. Life's worth hanging on to, and never more so than when it's dangling by the slimmest.
I am fortunate not to have a major disability. My wife will not vouch for that, but my frequent inability to process the simple information she relays through me does not qualify as a major handicap. (No dear, it does not.) But I stand close enough to one who has a comparative disadvantage. So close that my perspective has changed utterly. And the idea that life is less worth living for my 'disabled' son is so ridiculous now - on an emotional, rational, instinctual, practical or whatever-you're-having-yourself level - that I find it difficult to contemplate even as a theoretical exercise. I am different now. That is all.
I would like to think that if I found myself suddenly blind, for instance, I would still want to maximise life as much as I do now. I cannot be sure, but I am sure that I wouldn't want to kill myself in preference to at least exploring the options. Why would I? Because of the struggle? Struggle is everywhere. Yes, life in a wheelchair is struggle. And on kidney dialysis. Ataxia. Needing a new heart. Having Alzheimers. Anorexia. But life without any of these factors is struggle too. The older I get the more I see struggle, real struggle, etched on the faces of impoverished children. It still doesn't make them want to leave the greatest show on earth.

Life is sweet. Even at its bitterest, life is sweet.

This is the latest from Forbes - July 2008 Edition and a bit old for Dinar - almost last year.  After clicking the link, you may surf the website of those companies to get better understanding how they operate and developed.

2008 Ranking for world biggest company

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2008/full_list/

as per 2007 rankings

http://www.dinarstandard.com/rankings/ds100/index.html

100 muslim companies

We can be on the list should we work harder and smarter..

ACI SESONDOL

Critics absolutely hated Will Smith's latest star vehicle Hancock, but moviegoers -- myself included -- loved it, as evidenced by the $195 million worth of ticket sales it's grossed so far domestically. Hancock is Smith's eighth consecutive $100 million grossing film, and he's the first Hollywood actor to accomplish this feat. So it comes as no surprise when Forbes named him Hollywood's best-paid actor:

Smith leads the pack of Hollywood's best-paid actors, banking an estimated $80 million over the course of the year. Frequently called the hardest-working man in Hollywood, Smith has proved that no matter the genre -- be it sci-fi thriller (Warner Bros.' "I Am Legend") or sappy drama (Sony's "The Pursuit of Happyness") -- he can deliver an audience.

Coming in second place was Capt. Jack Sparrow himself, Johnny Depp, earning an estimated $72 million. Tying for third are Shrek co-stars Eddie Murphy and Mike Myers, each earning an estimated $55 million. So it looks like the colossal failures of Meet Dave and The Love Guru won't put these guys in the poor house anytime soon.

Fuck, man, $80 million? Gots to stay on the grind.

To quote OMG: 

In an era where risk-averse studio executives have declared men the more reliable movie stars-- and the more desirable moviegoers -- perhaps it's no surprise that they are also the medium's top earners. The reality: Hollywood's 10 best-paid actors out-earned Hollywood's 10 best-paid actresses 2-to-1 over the course of the year.

Highest paid?  Will Smith, who supposedly racked up over $80 million this year.  He made the top list of Forbes. 

DATING TIP:  Do you like to go to movies?  Mention it on your profile.  Music choice, and movie choice are great indications of how compatible two people are.  List your favorite movie , whether it's "The Dark Knight," or "Indiana Jones 4" or Pacino in "Merchant of Venice," whatever it is, it tells a lot about you.  So share your favorite movies and see what happens.

Marcelina fell in love with a guy she met online when he said his favorite movies were "City of Angels," "Somewhere in Time," and "The Notebook."

Joshue and Candee clicked when they both mentioned "opera" on their profiles. 

2. Johnny Depp

3. Eddie Murphy

4. Mike Myers

5. Leonardo DiCaprio

While Will Smith may not look like a rich man, he truly is. Will Smith may walk around public hardily ever wearing suits or expensive tuxedos, he just wears normal and casual clothing like all of us. He never rides in expensive limos, he just drives regular cars like all of us. He's just a normal person that he don't have to look like a rich person, he's just being himself like he's always been his whole life.

Forbes compiled a list of Hollywood actors who make the most money from the movies they make, of course, it's no surprise to me that Will Smith tops them all. Johnny Depp comes second and Eddie Murphy comes third.

More on it here:

http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/07/22/actors-hollywood-movies-biz-media-cx_lr_0722actors.html

Of course, Will Smith is the richest actor in the world. That is no surprise. The Big Willie style made hit after hit, pretty much all of his movies are hits. I don't think he ever made a film that bombed once. He's pretty smart and intelligent at choosing the right films that fits him.

While his acting in films is okay, he is an entertaining actor and that's what he's in it for, he's an entertainer. I'm sure he's still getting checks from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air".

Kev

#1 > Will Smith - $80 million (I Am Legend, Pursuit of Happyness, Hancock)

#2 > Johnny Depp - $72 million (Pirates of the Caribbean)

#3 > Eddie Murphy - $55 million (Shrek the Third, Norbit, Dreamgirls)

#3 > Mike Myers - $55 million (Austin Powers, Shrek, The Love Guru)

#4 > Leonardo DiCaprio - $45 million (Titanic, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed)

Por Calil Neto

- A polêmica cantora britânica Amy Winehouse, de 24 aninhos, ganhou uma réplica de cera no famoso museu Madame Tussauds, em Londres, na Inglaterra.

A bonequinha de Amy, de 24 anos, está vestida com o mesmo modelo que usou na cerimônia do Brit Awards de 2007, quando ganhou o prêmio de melhor artista feminina britânica.

E o pior: segundo o tablóide britânico The Sun, durante a inauguração, os pais de Winehouse comentaram que prefeririam ter a estátua de cera em casa no lugar da filha problemática.

What?

Não tenha medo leitor, é só uma bonequinha de cera. Ahahahaah...

OBS: A boneca tem um cabeção.

- Segundo a revista Forbes, a apresentadora de televisão norte-americana Oprah Winfrey foi a celebridade do mundo do entretenimento que mais lucrou em 2007. Oprah atingiu a marca de (somente!) US$ 275 milhões de lucro em seus negócios ligados ao mundo artístico.

Essa mulher é foda...

- De acordo com a revista Star, a atriz Sarah Jessica Parker, protagonista de Sex and the City, foi traída pelo marido, o também ator Matthew Broderick. Broderick estaria de romance com uma garota ruiva de 25 anos não identificada, segundo pessoas próximas ao casal.

Infelizmente, até Sarah Jéssica Park tem problemas no relacionamento homem-mulher...

- O astro e galã Rodrigo Santoro recusou o convite para protagonizar uma novela na TV Record e o salário de R$ 80 mil, que é o maior valor que da emissora paga para atores.

Segundo a coluna Zapping, do jornal Agora, o ator brasileiro está mais preocupado com a sua carreira no cinema internacional. (Fabíola Reipert)

Quem pode pode... Santoro não gosta mais do Brasil?