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"In today's economic environment—where most of us, even those who are succeeding—face pressure and uncertainty in our business, there's an increasing emphasis on rewarding results. And why shouldn't there be? Why shouldn't we disproportionately direct praise, resources, and rewards to those who produce bottom line results? The answer is that—in the long run—doing so may empower lesser-valued employees, punish our future stars, and undermine the most valuable organizational asset, a company's culture. The framework of this manifesto will help managers and leaders identify the employees who represent the future of their business, and it will help them spot and eliminate the organizational vampires that may kill it."
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"We live in a world that has lost its connection to its traditional myths, and we are now trying to find new ones—we're people, and that's what people without myths do. These myths will shape our future, how we live, what we do, and what we buy. They will touch all of us But not all of us get to write them. Those who do have tremendous power.
And where there is power, there is struggle for it. That's why, just below the surface, just beyond what the uninitiated can see, there are wars going on. The soldiers at are Tea Party demonstrators and champions of "the 99 percent," climate change activists, makers of computers and sneaker brands. They seem to be fighting over ideas and dollars, but they are really fighting for control of our stories."
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"The Personal MBA is a project designed to help you educate yourself about advanced business concepts as quickly and inexpensively as possible. This manifesto will show you how to substantially increase your knowledge of business on your own time and with little cost, all without setting foot inside a classroom.
The Personal MBA is more flexible than a traditional MBA program, doesn't involve going into massive debt, and won't interrupt your income stream for two years. Just pick up one of these business books, learn as much as you can, discuss what you learn with others, then go out into the real world and make great things happen.
If you're interested in educating yourself about business, the Personal MBA is the best place to start."
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"With college costs rising, student loan debt skyrocketing and average starting salaries falling, the following questions must be asked. Is college for everybody? Who is college for? What types of experiences should students pursue that will make them more competitive in the job market? In the midst of great change, what is the role of the university? What are the roles of the student, and of the family in picking a college to attend?
Policy wonks will issue decrees on change and philosophers will debate them. Poets will write odes to the university of the past, and visionaries will dream of the university of the future. This manifesto is about the architects of the present—those that seek to rebuild the system, brick by brick. This manifesto seeks to identify some steps that colleges, students and families can take to make education more affordable and accessible for students, and give them more of what they need to succeed in the present and future economy. It is also about how students can take control of the current educational system and make college a more sound investment than it is presently. This manifesto is for those who are willing to begin the work of change."
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"I know it sounds impossible, but El Sistema is for real.
El Sistema's founder, the visionary musician and economist Jose Antonio Abreu, has said, "If you put a violin in a child's hands, that child will never hold a gun." It is a profound idea: to use an orchestra as a means of personal growth for children in impoverished environments—which in turn brings transformation to the community as a whole.
Yes, a very big idea. And now this idea is spreading around the world. Every month, it seems, we hear about another nucleo starting up in another country."
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