Business Brilliant: Surprising Lessons from the Greatest Self-Made Business Icons

Best-selling author Schiff (executive director of Inc. Magazine's Business Owners Council service; The Influence of Affluence: The Rise of the New Rich and How They Are Changing America) argues that the "business brilliant" ways of the wealthy may be learned. He shares the results of a widespread survey he conducted after the 2008 financial crisis to determine how the "self-made wealthy" continued to prosper. Schiff's examples feature self-made leaders such as Richard Branson and Bill Gates. However, he ultimately debunks what he calls "myths of wealth" by highlighting the differences between the middle class and self-made millionaires; for example, 30 percent of the middle class thought "coming out on top in business dealings is paramount," while 75 percent of self-made millionaires agreed with that statement. Chapters on imitation over innovation, negotiations, and social contacts are followed by an appendix of 17 essentials to master on the road to wealth.