On his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Mark Hunter discussed his understanding of what it means to be a leader in today’s world. Here, he provides a list of the individuals who have helped to shape his career and point of view: 1. Seth Godin (author of Tribes: We Need You to…

On his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Linked Selling founder Josh Turner described founding and developing his business in the wake of the 2008-2009 recession, and moving from offering freelance CFO services to helping businesses develop their LinkedIn marketing campaigns. Here, he lists the people who have helped influence his understanding of…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, JP Hervis discussed moving from journalism to founding his own publication relations firm, Insider Media Management, and how he was able to bring what he learned as a journalist to the PR world. Here, he discusses the people who helped teach and inspire him along…

On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, three-time CEO Ted Coiné discussed how we’re moving into a post-industrial economy into one driven largely by social networks and social intelligence. Here, he shares part of his own network of people near and far who helped influence his path: 1. “My father” “Taught me more about leadership…

On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Orlando Bowen described an extraordinary story of overcome adversity. Currently the founder and Executive Director of the One Voice One Team youth leadership organization, in 2004 Bowen was seriously assaulted by two corrupt plain-clothes police officers. Following this, Bowen has dedicated his life to working with youth, helping…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, entrepreneur and educator Julie Ducharme discussed how businesses can keep on top of their market and move forward, and what skills they need—and what investments they might need to make—to do so. Here, she discusses the people who have helped her move forward as she founded her…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, technological visionary Salim Ismail spoke about how fast-moving tech is changing how entrepreneurship works, and how our legal, educational, and other structural social systems need to adapt quickly to accommodate this accelerating rate of change. Here, this visionary speaker and writer looks back, providing a…

On his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Rick Martinez spoke about what he calls “bink” moments—moments of personal clarity that can be assessed and used to move forward towards some greater goal in life. Here, he lists those individuals and organizations who have helped him move toward business success, and his understanding…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Jack Daly described the processes that any business should put in place to ensure successful sales and sales processes, from hiring to training to sales follow-ups. Here, he provides a list of those individuals and texts who have influenced his understanding of what leads to success, from modern…

On his appearance on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Greg Crabtree described how small businesses can plan ahead to give themselves both profitability and purpose. Here, he describes some of the leaders who have influenced the development of his own business philosophies: 1. Verne Harnish (www.gazelles.com) Crabtree describes Harnish as a “great business thinker”…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Dr. Pandwe Gibson discussed creating eco-friendly opportunities for economic development in low-income communities. Here, she provides a list of the writers and mentors who have influenced her work: 1. Black Tech Week (blacktechweek.com) “They’re doing tremendous, tremendous work in terms of bringing diversity conversations into…

On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Tania Yuki spoke about predictive analytics to take the guesswork out of social media; how growing small business should approach hiring; and being sure that you’re having fun and keeping variety in your life. Here, she shares a list of writers and entrepreneurs who have influenced her: 1.…

In her appearance on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Brenda Williams discussed her “Self-Mastery System” and how it can help both leaders and employees improve their self-awareness and communication in the workplace. Here, she provides a list of her own business inspirations—leaders who she admires and recognizes both for their skill sets and ethical…

On yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, author and keynote speaker Allan Karl spoke about his three-year motorcycle journey around the world, and how the lessons he learned—about trust, risktaking, persistency, and decision-making—can all be useful for entrepreneurs. Here, he provides a list of the people who were the most influential to him, as he…

On their Face Off interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Gary Vaynerchuk and David Zweig discussed personal branding: when is it productive, and when is it simply a timesink? Today, they follow up their interview with their favorite tips and resources for people interested in the subject. 1. “Long-tail search culture” on Google…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Will Henshall discusses the work and time involved in moving an idea (hit song or tech inspiration) from conception to success. Here, he provides a list of the people who have shaped how he approaches the entrepreneurial process: 1. Singularity University (www.singularityu.org) Henshall is a…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Marcie Allen described some of the individuals who have been most influential to her over the course of her career. 1. Hoss Allen, Marcie Allen’s grandfather. Hoss Allen was an influential DJ that introduced artists such as Chuck Berry, James Brown and Fats Domino to…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Tim Fargo spoke at length about the process of learning from mistakes and missteps, and how what seem like simple business success stories are almost always too simple. Here, he shares a list of people who helped him make his own entrepreneurial efforts successful: 1.…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Sheila Walker Hartwell discussed long-term personal financial planning for business owners, as well as how she built and shaped her own financial planning business, Hartwell Planning. Here, she provides a list of the people and companies who have influenced her and helped to shape her…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, author, entrepreneur and investor Scott Fritz spoke about how entrepreneurs can set up their businesses for long-term success and stability, as well as how they can transition out of everyday operations. Here, he provides a series of other resources that entrepreneurs can turn to as…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Mary Andrews described how she drew on her Olympic and other athletic experiences to form her understanding of how individual and team success works. Here, she supplements that background with details on the people who have also helped shape her coaching philosophies: 1. Marilyn King…

In her interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Clemantine Wamariya described several people who have influenced her as she seeks to make a difference in the lives of the forgotten citizens of the world. Here, an excerpt of that interview, in which Clemantine describes the people who have had the greatest impact on…

In his interview on Smashing the Plateau yesterday, Shep Hyken detailed how strong, example-setting leadership can influence all employees to treat customers well. Here he expands on the people who have, in turn, influenced him: 1. Zig Ziglar (now deceased) and Tom Hopkins (@TomHopkinsSales): Hyken writes, “I saw Zig and Tom at a ‘rally’ in…

On his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Brian Honigman discussed how business and individuals can get smart about social media. As for his own social media mentors, he describes how “The list goes on and on and on! And mostly people that don’t really know that they’re a mentor or an influencer…”…

In his interview on yesterday’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Marc Mathios discussed the challenges that come with helping to lead—with his two brothers—a third-generation, New York-based manufacturing company. Here, he provides us with two further recommendations: one that can be universally applied to any sales business, and one that he recommends particularly for family…