Being an entrepreneur can sometimes mean walking alone on a long-winded path. The path may be full of roadblocks that you must handle on your own. In these circumstances, one falls back on oneself for strength and courage. Self-reliance, the belief in ones own abilities is the source of power in such hard times.

There are numerous examples of women like Oprah Winfrey, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and many more, who started out alone and built empires.

Here are some quotes by women on how self-reliance got them through tough times and helped them build successful careers and businesses.

Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life youre proud to live. - Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks

I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.- Estee Lauder, Founder, Estee Lauder Cosmetics.

There is no better personal development tool than running your own business. Ali Brown, Entrepreneur and Business Coach

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. Audre Lorde, Writer and Civil Rights Activist

Making the decision to not follow a system, or someone elses rules has allowed me to really dig into what my own strengths and gifts are without spending time feeling jaded or wasteful. Ishita Gupta, Founder, Fear.less Magazine

There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard. Madam CJ Walker, Americas first female entrepreneur millionaire

Running my own business is empowering. I get to set my own hours, call the shots, and contribute to my family. - Amanda Cookson, Be My Guest

Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got. - Janis Joplin, Singer-songwriter

(Edited by Rekha Balakrishnan)

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10 inspiring quotes by women on how self-reliance can help you succeed in life - YourStory

By 2004, Scott Kriens was already a Silicon Valley veteran and success story.

He started his career working for a once-penniless tech company that took off and was acquired by Cisco Systems for $4 billion in 1996. Next, he joined Juniper Networks as the company's CEO. Today, Juniper is worth over $4 billion and currently employs more than 10,000 employees worldwide!

However, despite his monetary achievements, as Scott began reaching mid-life, he felt like something was missing. Money and business success was greatbut was it everything?

Scott Kriens

Little did he know that this simple question would eventually lead Scott to create the 1440 Foundation, and later the 1440 Multiversity, both of which would guide countless people to find a deeper meaning within their own lives.

It also shaped Scott into an even stronger business leader with invaluable wisdom for aspiring and veteran entrepreneurs alike.

Meditation, Mindfulness and Purpose

By the early 2000s, Scott had already been working in Silicon Valley for nearly two decades. He loved what he did and accomplished, but he still felt like there had to be more to life.

What was his real purpose?

"I saw myself chasing after widgets and dollars," Scott says. "I looked around at what I was doing and said, 'Well, that doesn't really matter.'"

These feelings only escalated once his father passed away. "I sat with him right after he had passed," Scott remembers. "I was just sitting there with him, and I had this question come up, 'What matters between now and the time my time comes?'

Confronted with mortality and desire to find purpose, Scott began searching for those answers. He'd heard how meditation had assisted others in finding these answers, so he decided to try it out himself. The practice quickly clicked with him.

"Meditation came to me as a tool or an invitation in response to that question [of purpose]," he remembers. "It began as a search for the answer, and I've just been with it ever since."

Since taking on a regular meditation practice, Scott's views on life have changed immensely. Business leadership is still a crucial part of his life, but he's also sought to incorporate other pieces that added extra meaning to the totality of his existence.

As for whether he's answered that big question about purpose?

"I'm not sure I'll ever know the answer, or if there even is one," he says "But, I'm pretty sure that the place to look is inside of yourself. It's about finding a deeper connectionand not just searching elsewhere to find it.

Say It and Mean It

It isn't what you do. It's the way that you do it. Scott Kriens

In 1996, Scott joined Juniper Networks as their new CEO. Fast forward less than a decade and the tech company was worth about $2 billion, had over 3,000 employees, and was spread out over 60 countries.

Needless to say, Scott had plenty to manage. Despite past accomplishments, he was conflicted about what strategies were best for leading such a diverseand massiveworldwide team. After all, he was only one man.

This was also around the time that Scott discovered meditation. His new practice offered him previously untapped space to reflect upon his new role and better analyze how to lead his company effectively.

Soon, he began contemplating how to influence his people best, even though it was impossible to connect with thousands of employees personally. "I found that what really matters is leadership development," remembers Scott. "I can't always be at the point of impact, so I have to best train the people who are."

To Scott, leadership training wasn't all about showing others how to do the job itself wellit was also about being true to the company's core values. And, as CEO, Scott had to set the example.

"You have to model," says Scott. Companies can throw any positive, uplifting words or visions on the wall. But, if the leaders aren't actively living those values, there's no way the rest of the team will.

If they do, however, those values will trickle down and inspire the entirety of the company. It'll also offer a new level of trust and authenticity, as it shows that everyone is equally expected to commit to their organization's mission.

In short, great leaders must do more than give orders and assume they'll be followed because of some hierarchy. With any luck, the team might coast by doing the bare minimum, but where's the incentive to exceed?

"Here's something that Roosevelt said a long time ago," says Scott. "'Nobody cares what you think until they know who you are.' That's because if I don't trust the person and I'm not seeing who a person is in front of me, then I'm not going to embrace whatever they tell me."

Inspiration in the Redwoods

Scott knows he's fortunate in a multitude of ways. And because of this good fortune, he also believes it's his responsibility to give back.

In 2011, Scott and his wife Joanie started the 1440 Foundation. The philanthropic nonprofit's overarching goal was to assist leaders in building compassionate, authentic relationships with their communities through grants, outreach, and more.

The 1440 Foundation quickly grew. Within a few years, it became apparent that they needed a space that was bigger than the Kriens' home office. That's when Scott and Joanie heard about a cluster of abandoned buildings at a nearby defunct Bible college outside of Santa Cruz, California.

Once they saw the property nestled beneath the centuries-old redwoods, it felt right. The buildings were no doubt a mess, but that was part of its appeal. "I love building things," says Scott. So, he instead saw this "mess" as an empty canvas with incredible potential.

Inspired by the setting and energy surrounding the space, the once rather modest concept rapidly evolved. "We followed it more than we led it," says Scott. "It was all about creation." And what they created was a 75-acre campus complete with restaurants, classrooms, a hotel, and more.

It was also built with sincere intention. "The premise when building this place was for every square foot to potentially be a spot where something important or memorable could happen for one person," Scott says. "As a result, every square foot needs to be treated as if it were the most important square foot in this whole place."

Now containing much more than just a nonprofit, they named this space the 1440 Multiversity.

The Kriens' goal is for the Multiversity to become a destination for individualsespecially those in businessto connect both with themselves, as well as find value in honest, open conversations. These conversations may stem opportunities for growth, trust, innovation, and bulletproof personal and professional relationships.

In addition, Scott says, "it's a place where energy, discovery, and creativity flourish. It's about stimulating energy in people. That energy produces discoveries. When you amass those discoveries, you find creativity.

When we're energized, we can look at things in new and different ways."

So, what could you discover with newfound energy?

Listen to my entire conversation with Scott Kriens on the donothing podcast.

You'll learn more about how he found early success in Silicon Valley, what he discovered about himself while meditating, his favorite leadership lessons, and so much more.

Also, Id love to connect with you on Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as have you keep up with my company imageOne. Learn about my mission to show business leaders how mindfulness can transform you and your business in my book donothing. Visit http://www.donothingbook.com for more information.

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This CEO of a Billion-Dollar Tech Company Built a Retreat Center Where Leaders Can Unplug, Grow, and Look Within - Forbes

To move the cancer diagnostic tool he invented from concept to development -- that is, from R to D-- Tom Grogan, MD needed capital. Not just millions of dollars, but tens of millions.

At stake: making cancer treatable and curable. Tom had invented a medical device that accomplished this while reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and vastly speeding up the laborious by-hand diagnostic process. Before Grogan's invention, patients would often have to wait days or even weeks for a prognosis and misdiagnoses were far too frequent.

With drawings, a few slides and a short presentation, Tom and his fundraising partner presented to thirty-five venture capital firms around the country. In an eighteen-month span, they received thirty-five rejections. Typical rejections went something like this:

"This is a naive proposal from an unwitting academic."

"It's a long-term project taking five to ten years to profitability. . . yet we have computer deals that give three to five times return on investment in two to three years."

"We've run the idea by several groups of practicing physicians, and they don't see the need."

Although Grogan likens the process of pitching to and getting rejected by VCs to proposing marriage thirty-five times with thirty-five rejections, he says the rejections played a key role in his ultimate success: in 2008 his startup, Ventana Medical Systems, was acquired by Roche for $3.4 billion, becoming Roche Tissue Diagnostics. Today, the diagnostic tool Grogan invented, the Ventana BenchMark System, is in its third generation and is used for 20 million patients per year in more than 100 countries. Grogan writes about this in his new book, Chasing the Invisible: A Doctor's Quest to Abolish the Last Unseen Cancer Cell.

Above all, he says, the rejections taught him a number of key lessons about pitching to VCs, lessons he was able to incorporate and use as he continued his quest. Here are Grogan's insights for all those on the bumpy road to raising capital:

1) Explain the value of solutions with real-life applications over pie-in-the-sky ideas

Sometimes investors just need to be brought back to the ground. Somewhere around VC meeting number thirty, Grogan gave his pitch to an investor who shrugged him off by saying that he had just started a company whose founder, a Nobel Laureate, was taking them into the scientific stratosphere. And that far from rocket science, Grogan's idea was too practical. Too earthbound. Grogan responded that Nobel versus practical brought to mind James Clerk Maxwell -- the father of modern physics -- whose mathematics explained the propagation of light. It was a Nobel-worthy idea, but would have had no practical use without Thomas Edison's more practical invention of the lightbulb. Given the everyday utility and economic value of Edison's bulb, wouldn't a VC bet on Edison over Maxwell? With this comment, the investor found the spark he was looking for. He ultimately became one of Ventana's early backers.

2) Go beyond the elevator pitch to unleash investors' curiosity

Just as it's important to have a well-honed, polished twelve-minute elevator speech, you also need to find a way to engage with potential investor's senses and unleash their curiosity. When Grogan met one investor who saw his device's medical promise, he invited him into the lab to sit with him at the microscope. They talked about patients whose care the device had altered and the lives it had saved. A mother of four misdiagnosed and mistreated for breast cancer. A ten-year old boy falsely diagnosed as having a lymphoma in the tonsil but in fact had infectious mononucleosis. And many more... Seeing the biopsies for himself and understanding the implications, this investor ultimately became Grogan's first backer. The key was demonstrating the transformative power of the invention.

True, not every VC you pitch to will be curious, but watch for the light in their eyes -- then grab it by engaging them with information they can see, touch and relate to.

3) Don't quit until you've gotten a substantive, fact-based rejection

Although amply skeptical, the rejections Grogan received were not substantive. Grogan's device sought to automate and vastly speed up cancer diagnoses that were being done by hand. The VCs rejecting him did not fully understand or take into account the medical realities underpinning the need for automation. They were also unaware of the often-unspoken uncertainty of diagnosis his fellow physicians were reluctant to discuss. They were unfamiliar with the chemistry behind Grogan's device. But a rejection means nothing if it's not founded on substance. Don't ever quit, Grogan says, until you have a rejection that is substantiated by facts and technology or science.

The experience of learning from rejection also set Grogan up for success when the next major funding challenge appeared on the horizon after initial funds were secured: holding an IPO to raise the hundreds of millions it would take to produce a medical device worthy of FDA approval and a global business.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

Originally posted here:
What This Founder of a Multi-Billion Dollar Startup Learned from 35 VC Rejections - Inc.

Jury deliberations have begun in the fraud trial of five men, including three former senior executives of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, a lawyer and prominent businessman.

After a 12-week trial, Superior Court Justice Kenneth Campbell concluded his three-and-a-half-day charge to the jury just after 4 p.m. Monday. The central issue in the case is the purchase, by the accused, of a travel agency in 2014 that they all say was done on behalf of the unions 10,000 members. Prosecutors alleged the purchase was orchestrated, and concealed, for personal gain.

The RCMP laid fraud charges against James Christie, the president and CEO of the OPPA, Karl Walsh, the associations chief administration officer, and vice-president Martin Bain in March 2015. Former Toronto police officer-turned-lawyer Andy McKay, and businessman Francis Chantiam were also charged and are allegedly parties to the offence.

In April 2014, the five men together planned to buy a travel company called Leximco, counting on the OPPAs captive market which included corporate travel, event planning and leisure travel. The agency was rechristened and marketed as First Response Travel Group to OPPA members and other first responders.

But prosecutors Robert Hubbard and David Friesen argued the transaction was fraudulent because the three OPPA executives used their own money to finance the purchase, subsidized, in part, with a $30,000 kickback from an OPPA contract with McKays consulting firm.

It is simply unbelievable that Mr. Walsh, Mr. Christie and Mr. Bain would use $68,000 of their personal funds to make an investment on behalf of the OPPA, the Crown attorneys wrote in a summary of evidence provided to the court.

Personal funds are used to make personal investments. The OPPA is not a charity. It has lots of money. It has thousands of members who all pay dues. It has millions of dollars of investments. It has big surpluses. The OPPA did not need a $68,000 handout.

The trio also worked to keep the purchase hidden from other board members, as demonstrated by their switching to personal email accounts when discussing the purchase, the prosecution argued. They also asked jurors to consider why there was no documentation, or trust agreement, showing Bain, Christie and Walsh were holding their shares on behalf of the OPPA.

But defence lawyers for the accused men echoed their clients testimony. There was no alleged fraud. They committed no crimes, nor did any act dishonestly. While the purchase of a travel agency was admittedly unorthodox, it was entirely designed to ultimately benefit the membership, they argued.

Bain, Christie and Walsh were intensely loyal to the OPPA, worked tirelessly for the organization and were doing as theyd done in the past: trying to secure benefits for members. The three were expected to go out and develop business opportunities to bring to the rest of the board and they had a record of success doing so, the lawyers argued.

The three one-time police officers decided to defer disclosure about the agency purchase to the board because they wanted to ensure it was running smoothly, the jury heard repeatedly. Their ownership was only temporarily confidential so the board wouldnt hear about it prematurely, the defence argued.

The defence lawyers all argued about the good character of their clients who had spent their lives in policing and who did countless good works for the OPPA. Committing an alleged fraud was not in Christies DNA, said his lawyer, Julianna Greenspan.

The other OPPA board members who initially complained each had their own reasons for wanting the three executives removed, the jury heard.

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Undoubtedly, after so much critical attention has been focused on their communications, the men recognize that their unorthodox plan could have been better documented and executed, David Humphrey, McKays lawyer, told jurors during his closing address.

Prosecutors asked jurors to disregard a lot of the good character evidence they heard, saying what Bain, Christie and Walsh did was clearly acting out of character.

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Jury begins deliberations in fraud trial of former OPP union executives - Toronto Star

Seniors from both college and high school will be setting out to look for jobs soon. However, the education system doesnt typically leave students ready to face the working world.

Landing a job in spring would be the ideal outcome, but graduates may not really be sure how to get employed. The critical aspect of landing a job, regardless of whether you're leaving high school or college, is being prepared. You should have a firm grasp of what kind of a job you're looking for and find out what the requirements for that position are.

To help, 13 experts from Forbes Human Resources Council share their insight into what high school and college grads should be doing to land a job in spring, and why those elements are of such importance.

Members offer their best advice for high school and college seniors who are preparing for their first jobs.

1. Network And Practice Interviewing

Graduating can be an exciting and stressful time for seniors. It can be easy to forget the basics of job searching -- networking and interviews. Remember to keep your contacts as you collaborate on projects or work with teachers for possible future letters of recommendation or job referrals. Also, practice interviewing with friends or teachers to help you be prepared for when the time comes. - Kelly Loudermilk, BuildHR, Inc.

2. Know What You're Passionate About

Really putting thought into what they are passionate about is important in identifying the right job or career. College and high school counselors can assist with personality profiles, but talking with friends and family about what you are good at and drawn to will also help. My advice: try things! Dont wait until you are sure. Take chances and try various options. - Diane Strohfus, Betterworks.com

3. Learn To Expand Your Personal Boundaries

The ability to set appropriate boundaries rises as a key marker of psychological well-being because we're constantly being pulled in multiple directions. The challenge for young people is that moving into work life requires shifting personal boundaries to include the needs/demands of colleagues and team. This is a key factor for success. - Leeno Karumanchery, PhD, MESH/Diversity

4. Do Your Leg Work

Research a few companies youre interested in and contact their HR to see if they have short-term intern programs or job shadow days. Get your foot in the door by showing eagerness to take a paid or unpaid opportunity to work in your field of interest. Potential employers are impressed by candidates that are proactive and enthusiastic. The experience will also help build your resume. - Regina Romeo, CPS HR Consulting

5. Identify Company Values You Can Get Behind

Job vacancies are at an all-time low and the fight for top talent is on! You will have a plethora of employment options. Start now to identify five to 10 companies that enact values that resonate with you. Do you value trust, hard work, efficiency? Find companies that value the same and their management philosophy will be well-aligned with your needs. Share this during the interview process to impress. - Christine Wzorek, White Label Advisors

6. Find A Mentor And Create A Plan

It can be difficult figuring out your next steps in this exciting time of your life. Its important to set yourself up for success by preparing in advance. Network as early as possible and start planting the seed in your areas of interest with those you meet. Find a mentor already in the workforce, and create a plan for yourself with actionable steps to reach your goal by graduation. - Charles Ashworth, Copper

7. Identify What Makes You Unique

Help employers understand why you stand out from the crowd by focusing on accomplishments or attributes that make you unique and of which you are exceptionally proud. Be willing to take risks and put yourself out there. If employers aren't connecting with who you are, those are not employers with whom you want to align yourself. You have a right to find an employer who values you! - Sherrie Suski, Tricon American Homes

8. Build Your Professional Brand

It is important that college seniors be aware of how to brand themselves in a professional manner and be aware of how they act and speak to their new environment. This may mean a social media audit, the way we dress to an interview, the way we conduct ourselves at a networking event. Branding is also about how I speak and what I speak. All the lingo of school should be left in school. - Tasniem Titus, Dentsply Sirona

9. Globalize Your Thoughts And Actions

Today's workforce is global and multicultural. High school and college seniors can get a head start by participating in global projects and study-abroad opportunities or simply seeking a mentor globally. By demonstrating global thoughts and actions, the seniors can create a clear differentiation and announce their readiness to be successful leaders of the future. - Vineet Gambhir, Summit Partners

10. Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts

Recent graduates, go clean out your social media closet! You can bet that employers are looking at this, and if your social media looks like that of half the young people I know, its in dire need of an overhaul. Hide the accounts you dont want people to see, delete embarrassing photos, get rid of any radical commentary and generally look like someone an adult wouldnt mind employing. - Tracy Cote, Genesys

11. Make Your Resume Real-World Ready

It's critical that employers can envision candidates as successful employees. Students with relevant internship experiences stand out for me. Employers can understand that you needed income, but if all you've got on your resume is bartending and babysitting, it's harder for them to understand how you'll contribute in their environment. - Joyce Maroney, Kronos Incorporated

12. Close Your Skills Gap

Whether it's high school or college, students should prepare themselves for graduation by either volunteering or taking internships during holidays and vacation periods to bridge the gap between formal education and workplace needs. Students who demonstrate the skills and outcomes for which employers are looking will certainly stand out once they are ready to enter the workforce in any season. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Cantata Health & Meta Healthcare IT Solutions

13. Improve Your Communication

Use every opportunity to practice your communication skills. About 70% of what we do in business relates to written and oral communication. Speak up in class every opportunity you have. Seek out chances to give oral presentations in front of peers. With experience, your skills will only improve so the key is seizing every opportunity you have to become a better communicator. - Heide Abelli, Skillsoft

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Getting Ready To Join The Workforce: 13 Tips For High School And College Seniors - Forbes

Senator from New Jersey

Codify Roe v. Wade? Yes

Require judicial nominees to support Roe as settled law? Yes

Repeal the Hyde Amendment? Yes

Would you sign a budget that included the Hyde Amendment? Unsure

Require private insurers to cover abortion? Yes

Require private insurers to cover contraception? Yes

Repeal the Helms Amendment? Yes

Repeal the global gag rule? Yes

Repeal the domestic gag rule? Yes

Ban state TRAP laws? Yes

Require preclearance for state abortion laws? Yes

Make misoprostol and mifepristone available over the counter? Yes

Make hormonal birth control available over the counter? Yes

Ban abstinence-only sex ed? Yes

Preserve Planned Parenthood funding? Yes

Consider a running mate who opposes abortion rights? No

No answer.

As president, Ill create a White House Office of Reproductive Freedom, charged with coordinating and affirmatively advancing abortion rights and access to reproductive health care across my administration. In addition, I will fight to pass comprehensive sex education legislation based on the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act thats inclusive of all youth and provides information on a range of topics, including preventing S.T.I.s. I would also fight to pass the MOMMIES Act into law, which would ensure that all pregnant women have full Medicaid coverage, extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum women up to a full year after giving birth, and increase access to doula care.

I have released an entire plan to advance reproductive rights through executive action that includes:

Creating a White House Office of Reproductive Freedom;

Ending the domestic gag rule and expanding and modernizing the Title X family planning program;

Guaranteeing access to employer-covered contraceptive care;

Undoing Trumps refusal rules that allow people to be denied the health care they need;

Restoring evidence-based guidelines for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program; and,

Ending the global gag rule and restoring funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

First and foremost, this question underscores just how important it is that we ensure not only that we put a Democrat in the White House, but also flip the Senate and hold the House in 2020. I will continue to stand with the more than seven in 10 Americans who support Roe v. Wade and push Republicans in Congress, whether theyre in the majority or not, to pass legislation that will codify Roe and protect womens reproductive rights from what would be an extreme finding by the Court.

Abortion is health care and decisions regarding someones health care should be made between that person and their doctor.

I believe that abortion is health care.

Yes. And as a man, its even more incumbent upon me to use my voice and my platform to help reframe this debate. Women should not have to face this fight alone. Men need to take responsibility too. We need to listen, to speak out, and to take action not because women are our mothers, sisters, wives or friends because women are people. And all people deserve to control their own bodies.

Reproductive freedom and the right to access safe, legal abortion care is core to our values and a central tenet of who we are as a party. These far-right attacks on womens rights must be understood as an attack on all of our rights. But we also need to understand who these attacks on reproductive freedom are designed to control, dehumanize and criminalize.

Read more:
How the 2020 Democrats Responded to an Abortion Survey - The New York Times

Associate Professor James Bartlett, Ph.D., is examining the steps community colleges are taking to prepare the workforce in a recently published American Council on Education report entitled Preparing the Workforce in Todays Community Colleges: Issues and Implications for Higher Education Leaders,.

Co-authored by Bartlett, the report examines how community colleges are helping to reduce the skills gap through credit-based, non-credit and technical education programs while offering four strategies for enhancing the workforce development mission of community colleges.

With this brief, I hope that we have more community colleges looking at local labor market demands and that theres more alignment with labor market demand for careers that have family sustainable wages, Bartlett, director of the Charlotte adult and community college doctoral cohort, said.

The report closely analyzes the courses of study selected by community college students and compares that data with projected growth in those fields.

The data shows that community colleges are producing enough students in certain areas, such as health sciences, to closely align with labor market needs. However, when it comes to fields like information technology, human services, and hospitality and tourism, which show high projected growth rates through 2026, community colleges are not graduating enough students with the skills necessary to meet demand.

While there are areas where we do have some alignment, theres still room for improvement and we have other areas where there are some large gaps, Bartlett said.

The report argues there is also room for improvement in the transfer process for students who earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and then plan to matriculate to a four-year institution. According to the report, the Associate of Applied Science degree is the fastest growing degree in the North Carolina Community College System, but students who earn this degree often lose credits in the transfer process and graduate within four years at lower rates.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is the fastest growing; however despite the success, theres no common articulation agreement for those degrees, which is a huge concern, Bartlett said.

The report also examines how community colleges can improve outcomes through various practices, including offering apprenticeships and credit for prior learning gained through things like military service.

Were actually seeing a growth, especially in North Carolina, in the use of apprenticeships. They naturally align with labor market demand because theres such a strong connection with employers, Bartlett said.

Read this article:
Associate Professor James Bartlett Examines Role of Community Colleges in Reducing the Skills Gap in New Report - NC State College of Education

The Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) official account also changed its public bio description to Fact checking Labour from CCHQ as Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn went head-to-head on ITV. The Tory HQ presented itself as an Independant fact checker and then spammed its Twitter timeline with pro-conservative and anti-Labour tweets which appeared under the Twitter name factcheckUK when seen by other users. However the move has prompted a backlash on social media TalkRADIO broadcaster and Brexiteer Julia Hartley-Brewer wrote on Twitter: It is just plain wrong for @CCHQPress to rename themselves as FactCheckUK for this #ITVDebate. Stop it.

Labour MP David Lammy said: The Conservative Party press office @CCHQPress rebranding themselves as FactCheckUK shows what disdain this party and this government has for the truth.

The Electoral Commission must investigate and punish this blatant attempt to decieve the public. #LeadersDebate #ITVDebate

LBC reporter Matthew Thompson wrote on Twitter: This is extraordinary. The Conservative Party press Twitter account has renamed itself factcheckUK as if to give the impression it is a genuine fact checking account. Unbelievable.

Tory party chairman James Cleverly defended the move and CCHQ has since changed its Twitter account back.

Mr Cleverly told Sky News: We make it absolutely clear it is a Conservative party website we are checking the claims put forward.

Boris Johnson kicked off the debate and hit out at Mr Corbyn in his opening speech and said a Labour Government would bring more deadlock and division to the UK. The Prime Minister said the Conservatives are the only party who can get Brexit done and then unleash the potential of this entire country.

Mr Johnson said a potential coalition between the Labour Party and the SNP would bring more dither and delay and two more referendums on the EU and Scottish Independant.

Mr Johnson told the ITV debate: There is only one reason why we are having this election and that we have a deadlocked parliament that will not deliver Brexit.

And whether you voted for Leave or Remain people want to get Brexit done and to unleash the potential of this entire country and we Conservatives can, because if you vote for us, we have a deal that is ready to go, approved by everyone of the 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election.

And as soon as we can get that deal through parliament as we can in the next few weeks we can get on with the peoples priorities and thats the choice dither and delay, deadlock and division under a Corbyn-Sturgeon coalition with two referendums.

Another one on the EU and then another one on Scotland or we can end this national misery break the deadlock, get Brexit done and make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth.

Where we invest in our NHS and deal with the cost of living, together lets take this country forwards.

Follow for live election updates:

10.15pm update: Swinson rules out forming a coalition

Jo Swinson vowed to revoke Article 50 on her first day in office if she were to be elected prime minister.

The leader of the liberal democrats also ruled out forming a coalition with either Labour or the Tories.

Ms Swinson said: "Liberal Democrat votes are not going to put either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn into power because I believe our country deserves better than either of them."

She said she could not envisage working with either party even if they were to change their leadership, saying: "Both men are a product of their party.

"Even if they changed their leader I don't think there's any guarantee that they would be a more moderate figure."

9.30pm update: YouGov poll finds narrow victory for Boris

A YouGov snap poll suggested 51 percent of Britons believed Boris Johnson won the debate compared to 49 percent for Mr Corbyn.

Those who answered "don't know" were removed from the result, with YouGov adding the figures are so close as to be within the margin of error.

Chris Curtis, YouGov's political research manager, said: "Our snap poll shows that the public is divided on who won the debate, with most Labour voters thinking Jeremy Corbyn won, most Conservative voters thinking Boris Johnson won, and very few people changing their minds.

"But given the Conservatives went into this debate in the lead, they will hope the lack of a knockout blow means they can maintain this until voting day."

9.20pm update: Raab: Boris 'proved the doubters wrong

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: "Trust in British politicians is not particularly high but what they do want to see is what you do, what you are capable of delivering.

"He has shown in three months that he got the deal that no-one said could be delivered, everyone said it was impossible - he proved the doubters wrong."

9.10pm update: Patel reacts to debate - Boris was the only prime minister on the stage

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: "It was quite clear Boris was the only prime minister on the stage this evening.

"But actually I think he was very strong on the NHS and challenging Corbyn quite frankly on Brexit where Corbyn effectively refused for nine times to outline what his plan was, whether or not he was going to be for Leave or Remain."

8.57pm update: Boris gives closing remarks - Corbyn unfit for PM

Boris Johnson accused Mr Corbyn of being "unfit" to be prime minister.

He added: "Mr Corbyn, you've heard tonight, cannot answer the fundamental questions. Is he for Remain or Leave and what price would he pay to secure Nicola Sturgeon's support to enter Number 10?

"If he can't answer those questions tonight, I don't think he's fit to lead our country."

8.54pm update: Corbyn gives closing remarks - once-in-a-generation election

In his closing remarks, Jeremy Corbyn urged viewers to register to vote in a "once-in-a-generation election".

He added: "This is a once-in-a-generation election to end privatisation and give the National Health Service the funding it needs.

To give people the final say and get Brexit sorted.

"To tackle the climate emergency that threatens our futures. To invest good jobs in every region and nation of our country.

"I ask that you vote for hope and vote Labour on December 12."

8.48pm update: Two leaders respond to Prince Andrew question

Asked if the Duke of York is fit for purpose Mr Corbyn said: "Before we discuss Prince Andrew I think we should discuss the victims that are there because of what Epstein was doing.

"I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered and nobody should be above the law, but the primary position ought to be the proper treatment of those people who were victims of the most appalling behaviour by apparently Epstein and many others."

Boris Johnson Johnson said "all our sympathies" should be with the victims of Epstein, adding: "The law must certainly take its course."

8.45pm update: Corbyn says Labour will end austerity

Mr Corbyn said: "We will end austerity, I am absolutely clear about that because it is so brutal on the lives of so many people."

8.42pm update: Boris vows to invest in public services

Boris Johnson said: "I believe in spending, investing massively in our public services because we support ... a dynamic wealth-creating sector."

8.35pm update: Boris hits out at Labours four-day working week plan

Boris Johnson said: "What could be more ruinous for the NHS than a crackpot plan for a four-day week, which would add massively to the burdens not just of the NHS but of every public service in the country?"

8.28pm update: Corbyn addresses anti-Semitism allegations within the Labour Party

Jeremy Corbyn said: "Anti-Semitism is an absolute evil and scourge within our society.

"Racism in any form is a scourge in our society. I have taken action in my party where anyone who has committed any anti-Semitic acts or made any anti-Semitic statements, they either suspended or expelled from the party and investigated every single case. We do take this very, very seriously indeed."

8.25pm update: Corbyn rules out coalition

Jeremy Corbyn said: "There's not going to be a coalition between Labour and anybody else.

There are no deals that have been done and there will be no deals that are done."

Mr Corbyn added: Ive said there would be no deal with the SNP, there would be no support for a Scottish referendum in the early years of the next Labour government because I want to invest in Scotland and give Scotland the 70 billion it needs in capital investment."

8.22pm update: Boris defends Brexit deal

Boris Johnson said: We have a deal that keeps the whole of the UK together as we come of the EU and, of course, Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party, be in no doubt about it, in order to secure power and the keys to number 10 are going to do a deal, or probably already have done a deal with Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP to form Corbyn-Sturgeon coalition and the price of that deal ... would be a second referendum on the union with Scotland."

8.20pm update: Corbyn asked is the union worth sacrificing for Brexit?

Jeremy Corbyn said: "The agreement that the Prime Minister ... has put to Parliament was about creating a border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and creating a different customs arrangement for Northern Ireland with the rest of Ireland, having promised to the Democratic Unionist Party he would never do that.

"Clearly, there is an issue there. Clearly, there are issues all around about this deal he has proposed."

8.18pm update: Boris says NHS not for sale

Boris Johnson has said the NHS is not on the table in any future trade deals.

The Prime Minister said: "This is an absolute invention. It is completely untrue.

There are no circumstances whatever in which this Government or any Conservative government will put the NHS on the table in any trade negotiation."

8.15pm update: Corbyn challenges Boris on the NHS

Jeremy Corbyn accuses Boris Johnson of trying to sell the NHS

The Labour leader said: "What we know of what Mr Johnson has done is a series of secret meetings with the United States in which they were proposing to open up our NHS markets as they call them to American companies."

8.10pm update: Boris says Tories have Brexit deal that is ready to go

Boris Johnson Johnson told the ITV debate: There is only one reason why we are having this election and that we have a deadlocked parliament that will not deliver Brexit.

And whether you voted for Leave or Remain people want to get Brexit done and to unleash the potential of this entire country and we Conservatives can, because if you vote for us, we have a deal that is ready to go, approved by everyone of the 635 Conservative candidates standing at this election.

And as soon as we can get that deal through parliament as we can in the next few weeks we can get on with the peoples priorities and thats the choice dither and delay, deadlock and division under a Corbyn-Sturgeon coalition with two referendums.

Another one on the EU and then another one on Scotland or we can end this national misery break the deadlock, get Brexit done and make 2020 a year of prosperity and growth.

Where we invest in our NHS and deal with the cost of living, together lets take this country forwards.

8.05pm update: Corbyn says Labour offering real change

Jeremy Corbyn has said the general election gives you a real choice".

The Labour leader said: "A choice about your future, the future of your community and of your country.

"Labour is offering real change and real hope."

8.00pm: ITV debate begins

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn have begun the ITV debate in Salford.

7.30pm update: Raab reacts ahead of ITV debate

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab wrote on Twitter: Up in Salford for the ITV leaders debate. Will be working the spin room, and making the case for @BorisJohnson for PM and a majority @Conservatives govt to unleash Britains potential.#BackBoris #LeadersDebate."

6.20pm update: Corbyn arrives ahead of ITV debate

Jeremy Corbyn has arrived for the ITV debate with Boris Johnson.

Mr Corrbyn told ITV: Its going to be, I hope a respectful and informative debate, am I am looking forward to it.

5.45pm update: Boris Johnson snatches back election popularity from Labour as Kensington rejects Corbyn

Boris Johnson appears on track to snatch back the Kensington from the Labour Party as voters in the London constituency voiced their support for the Conservatives to Express.co.uk.

Boris Johnson is hoping to keep a stronghold on the constituencies the Conservative Party won in 2017 in addition to targeting seats in traditional Labour heartlands.

The Prime Minister is also on track to regain the marginal constituency of Kensington, which the party lost to Labour in the snap election his predecessor, Theresa May, called two years ago.

Prospective voters appear to be leaning back towards the Tories after several locals told Express.co.uk they are planning to put their trust in Mr Johnson and back Conservatives in December.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson snatches back election popularity from Labour as Kensington rejects Corbyn

5.05pm update: YouGov poll cuts Tory lead to 12-points

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Election 2019 LIVE: Tory HQ forced to backtrack after mocking Corbyn on Twitter - Express.co.uk

Three strategies to create a special link with strangers and collaborators across almost any distance.

November 20, 2019 7 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

When we do business, we do it through relationships. We select whom we want to engage with, and whom we come back to for more. The ability to make a real connection, and make the other person like you is a big part of your success or failure.

It can be useful to look at it from the angle of positional and personal power. Sometimes positional power makes it possible for us to engage in any way we want. The people we are trying to reach simply have to respond. But the way they do, of course, is affected by our likeability, or lack thereof. In the new gig economy with more and more entrepreneurs, we cannot lean on positional power only. Even for employees inside organizations, an entrepreneurial mindset is often desired. Part of that mindset is knowing how to navigate and connect, while making ourselves likeable.

Ive supported several stellar professionals make the transition from a big corporate position to create their own venture and brand, witnessing their surprise when they discover a need for a whole new approach. On the journey of acquiring personal power, likeability changes from a nice-to-have to a vital career resource. Defining likeability is a strange thing; at the same time, an intuitive gut feeling, and a series of different traits. In his book, The Popularity Illusion, Mitch Prinstein describes likeable people as cooperative, able to keep a conversation going, while giving others a chance to speak, and creative at solving awkward dilemmas. In short, theyre good at being part of a group. Its finding that gentle balance of feeling comfortable in our own skin to share and lead, without the need to dominate.

The road to get there starts right at home. Before anything else, we need to like ourselves. In the same way as the instructions for oxygen masks in the airplane, we need to put our own mask on first, and then we can begin to help others. When we let go of judgment towards ourselves, its so much easier to like people around us. The relationship between the two is parallel. Once weve landed in a safe haven of self-acceptance, we make it easier for other people to join in and like us, too.

Related:In Defense Of Influencers: The Importance Of Protecting Your Personal Brand

Here are three strategies that have made it possible for me to create that special link with strangers and collaborators across almost any distance, be it geographical, socio-economical, or among different business sectors.

1. BE ROOTED When we meet a new person, the first thing we pick up is a quality of trust: friend or foe? And the way we know is that feeling of presence. When it comes to trust, it doesnt typically show up in grey scales or a continuum, its an either-or. One of the reasons its not always that easy to come across to others as authentic is because we tend to be in a mental space. Or, using the poignant description by James Joyce, Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body. When we stay up in our head, its easier for others to manipulate us, both physically and on an emotional level. Without connection to our core, we have a hard time drawing boundaries when confronted with a strong will we dontagree with.

And its not all feelings and sensations. Modern science has named it the gut brain, or the little brain. We have an enteric nervous system inside our intestines, impacting our immune system, decisions, and our presence in the room. Most of us havent been taught to tune in with our gut brain, and the messages it has for us. During your days with different conversations and meetings, find your own way of integrating that question inwards. What does my gut brain say to this? You might have some startling insights. And its easier to like someone when theyre bringing their whole self along.

2. BE REAL One of the factors that have the strongest oscillation on the scale of likeability is the voice. When was the last time you were listening to an automated voice assuring you of how much it cares, while cringing inside? Its almost violent to sit through a longer call with robotic recordings, each menu option pushing us further into frustration. And the opposite? The magic of an auditorium joining in the wordless mixture of heartbreak and promise of a new tomorrow, as they are showered by the velvet in a human voice. Nothing touches us the way the voice does. Its not only when we listen to beautiful concerts that the voice has an impact on others. In everyday conversations, each time we speak, our voice is telling a story on top of or under the words we are using. Its the story of what we are feeling. Feeling about the words were saying, about the person were talking to, and feeling about ourselves.

When we make a call, and our conversations are pure audio without facial expressions and body language, all of our nonverbal signals are concentrated into the voice. Its so obvious to us whether the person on the other end of the line believes in his or her own words. Even in situations when we all know that the words are part of a formality, we can still hear if the person is adding that personal touch. During your days with different conversations and meetings, pause in between to check in with yourself. Are you choosing the words that resonate with your personal truth, and if not, is there a way to align your words and your voice? Its such a likeable trait to say what we mean and mean what we say.

3. BE RESPONSIVE In the cult movie Pulp Fiction, Mia Wallace asks her guy: Do you listen, or do you wait to talk? Unfortunately, we have a tendency to do just that- theres a lot of waiting to talk. Not necessarily because we are selfish, but because listening requires discipline and dedication, its not easy. As listeners, we have a longing. Make this moment memorable. Tell me something thats relevant. Make me feel like you have never told this story to anyone else in this way. We want to feel special. We want our exchanges to have meaning.

One of the most tangible ways of creating that meaning is to listen to the person were talking to, and adapt our content along the way. Its the opposite of repeating the same old script. During your days with different conversations and meetings, make sure to make space for the part of the exchange that no one knows where will land. Youll be more likeable for sure, and youll have more rewarding conversations as well.

Related:Marketing Yourself: Developing Your Personal Brand

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Likeability In Business: Why We Need It More Than Ever - Entrepreneur

Boss Manufacturing Company has agreed in principle to sell its glove, boots and rainwear business to Boston-based Protective Industrial Products Inc, a supplier of personal protective equipment. No financial terms were disclosed. PIP is a portfolio company of Audax Group.

PRESS RELEASE

KEWANEE, Ill., Nov. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ Boss Manufacturing Company (Boss), a national supplier of personal protection equipment, announced today that it has reached an agreement in principle to sell the assets of its glove, boots, and rainwear business to Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP) of Latham, New York. Specific terms of the deal have not been announced with the transaction expected to close within thirty days.

Boss, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boss Holdings, Inc. (BSHI), is the oldest U.S. work glove company with operations dating back to 1893 and has been a leading supplier of work gloves and personal protective gear to both the consumer and industrial markets, including CAT branded work gloves and safety products. PIP is an international supplier of personal protective equipment and is a portfolio company of Audax Group, a diversified private equity firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with over 20 years of middle market experience and strategic investments in over 130 companies.

Boss Chief Operating Officer, Richard Bern, stated, We feel a deal with PIP will be a natural fit for both companies. We believe the synergies of a combination of our businesses will position this partnership for future success. The acquisition of Boss will further solidify PIPs position as a global leader in hand protection and general safety products.

Boss plans to utilize a portion of the proceeds from the sale to pay off its existing debt and credit facility. After the sale, Boss and Boss Holdings would retain their Kewanee, Illinois headquarters, warehouse facilities and the majority of its operating staff. If completed, the transaction will provide Boss Holdings financial flexibility for its remaining businesses and working capital needs.

Other subsidiaries of Boss Holdings Inc. include: Boss Pet Products, Inc. and PetEdge LLC, headquartered in Oakwood Village, Ohio and Beverly, Massachusetts, respectively, nationwide distributors of a broad line of pet toys and pet supplies to retailers and an industry-leading ecommerce marketer of pet grooming products to pet groomers, boarders, veterinarians and individual consumers through PetEdge.com.

Galaxy Balloons, Incorporated, based in Cleveland, Ohio, a leading supplier of imprinted balloons, sport balls, ornaments and drinkware to the promotional products industry.

Boss Tech Products, Inc. d/b/a Aries Manufacturer, a distributor of a wide range of cell phone accessories, including Cat branded chargers, power packs, cords and speakers.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain various forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. They involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which are in some cases beyond the control of the company.

ABOUT BOSS MANUFACTURING Over 125 years of excellence. Building great things takes trust. Trust in talent. Trust in skills. Trust in tools. Since 1893, industrial workers, retailers, hobbyists and distributors have trusted Boss Manufacturing to deliver the safety wear and support they need for every situation. Today, Boss continues to respond to the urgent needs of our customers. Boss keeps up with emerging technologies to continue to offer innovative glove designs for changing work environments. As the oldest glove company in the United States, Boss has developed the infrastructure, inventory and relationships needed to ensure our customers and partners always have everything they need to succeed -as soon as they need it. Additional information about Boss Manufacturing is available at http://www.bossgloves.com.

ABOUT PROTECTIVE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS PIPs global mission of Bringing the Best of the World to You is fulfilled every day by way of its portfolio of companies and brands. Protective Industrial Products (PIP) is a leader in providing innovative safety products to wholesalers and distributors in the industrial channels. PIP, along with its recognized leading brands: G-Tek, Assurance, Kut-Gard, QRP, Maximum Safety, Dynamic and most recently, Uniform Technology and Boss Manufacturing, are relied upon for personal protection by workers every day. West Chester offers safety products to leading retail customers under the Safety Works, Brahma; Mud; West County Gardener and Hearos, brands as well as some of the worlds most recognized and licensed brands. Additional information about PIP is available at http://www.pipglobal.com.

ABOUT AUDAX PRIVATE EQUITY Audax Group is a leading alternative investment manager with offices in Boston, New York, and San Francisco. Since its founding in 1999, the firm has raised over $26 billion in capital across its Private Equity and Private Debt businesses. Audax Private Equity has invested over $5 billion in more than 130 platforms and 825 add-on companies, and is currently investing out of its $3.5 billion, sixth private equity fund. Through its disciplined Buy & Build approach, Audax seeks to help platform companies execute add-on acquisitions that fuel revenue growth, optimize operations, and significantly increase equity value. With more than 250 employees and over 100 investment professionals, the firm is a leading capital partner for North American middle market companies. For more information, visit the Audax Group website http://www.audaxgroup.com.

Read more from the original source:
Boss to sell glove, boots and rainwear business to Audax-backed PIP - PE Hub