Torque.TV is a recently launched digital television network for everything and anything automotive.

Where did you spend your summer break?
Our summer break was pushed to the very end of August due to an insanely busy schedule of automotive television production and event coverage.  At the last minute we rented a cottage on Fire Island, where, ironically, there are no cars.  It took a little time to get used to having no appointments but we had a blast enjoying long days filled with nothing to do and jollying about via fat-tired retro bicycles.

What book are you currently reading?
The Agony And The Ecstacy by Irwin Stone.  It seems that even Michelangelo had to mix business acumen with hard work, passion, and talent in order to see his vision through.  We might debate how meddlesome or intrusive government's role in small business currently is, but whatever we contend with today is a big improvement over Rome and Florence in the late 1400s!

What was the last movie you saw, and would you recommend it?
My daughter plays the piano, so we went to see a documentary called Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 at the Jacob Burns Film Center (in Pleasantville, NY).   Afterwards, concert pianist Michael Boriskin played THE piano we watched being built in the film, and then we stayed for a Q&A with the film's director, Ben Niles.  Four thumbs up!  Race to rent or see the film.  And, if you are ever in Queens, NY, call to schedule a tour of the Steinway "factory" - a truly unique, old-fashioned American business success story.

What is your favorite sport or hobby?
I'm currently addicted to cross-country running.  I live in the exurbs of New York surrounded by woods and parklands.  When the stress level gets out of whack I head for the hills.  No fancy equipment or appointments required; just head out the back door or down the dirt road.  A long run, especially to a scenic vista and back, totally resets the gauges.

Who is your favorite historical figure?
Hannibal (not the serial killer, the Carthaginian General).  Always undermanned and under-funded, with a small band of dedicated followers, he repeatedly outmaneuvered, outsmarted, outworked, and nearly conquered the Roman army.  The quote most often attributed to him: "We will either find a way, or make one."

		Read the entire interview

International Paper of Memphis, Tennessee, was presented with a Stevie Award for Best Sales Training in the 2007 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Here we look at how playing a business game contributed to the company's success.

International Paper (IP), founded in 1898, is a global company that produces uncoated paper and packaging, with markets and operations in North America, Europe, Russia, Latin America, Asia, and North Africa. With headquarters in the United States, IP employs approximately 54,000 people in more than 20 countries and serves customers worldwide. Annual sales are about $22 billion.

International Paper was awarded a Stevie in 2007 for the development of a CVM (customer value management) process that greatly increased the business expertise of all its sales, support, and customer service employees.

"International Paper's consultative approach to sales is critical to our customers' and to our long-term success," said Steve Sullivan, customer value service manager for IP. "We implemented the principles of CVM and continue to make great efforts to improve customer success by demonstrating how the company's tailored solutions deliver value to its stakeholders and customers."

Added Sullivan: "One of the main goals of the CVM sales training is to make sure that both salespeople and other support personnel understand how International Paper makes money as well as how its customers make their money. This approach requires higher levels of business acumen and financial literacy among the sales teams."

Masters of the Game
A familiarity with business finance was gained by using Paradigm Learning's award-winning board game Zodiak®: The Game of Business Finance and Strategy for Sales Professionals .

Zodiak® is a one-day business acumen training program that includes a four- to five-hour business simulation followed by a two- to three-hour "Connections" session. The program targets supervisors, managers, sales professionals, project managers, and other leaders and can be customized to the needs of different organizations. Zodiak® is based on discovery learning methodology and is designed to educate through a fun and hands-on experience.

		Read the entire article

Blogs, or web logs, are all the rage these days. Each month in this space we'll point you to several blogs that we think might be of interest to you.

The Daily Beast : The latest offering from Tina Brown: an ezine packed with buzz.
Bing's Blog : The blog of Stanley Bing, a businessman and columnist for Fortune magazine.
iCue : NBC political website targeting the new generation of voters.
Naked Shorts : Alternative thoughts on alternative investments…an investment analysts take on the economic situation.