There is not a single person who at least once in his or her life has not faced an unforeseen situation, a newfound reality, a daunting challenge, or a veiled opportunity and not wondered what to do. Is This Seat Taken? It's Never Too Late to Find the Right Seat (©2015, Greenleaf Book Group Press), the second in the Is This Seat Taken? series, author Kristin S. Kaufman profiles the lives of 15 people who found success later in life when they learned to spot and take advantage of second chances. From American businessman Ray Kroc, who built McDonald's into the most successful fast food operation in the world, to author Laura Ingalls Wilder whose book was published when she was 64-years-old, to swimmer Diana Nyad who finally achieved her goal of swimming from Havanna, Cuba to Key West, Florida, to artist, Grandma Moses, among others, all of whom found success later in life, in most cases, after the age of 50, the stories will inspire and motivate the reader.
According to a survey by Oxford Economic, the world is facing a looming talent crisis and two-thirds of businesses across the globe have not been able to develop a workforce capable of meeting future business objectives. Specifically, a bad hire can cost up to 10 times his or her salary. Hard-working employees lacking clear goals and objectives perform to only 60 percent of their potential. Failing to have a succession plan can cost business owners their company. In Talent Mindset: The Business Owner’s Guide to Building Bench Strength (©2015 Feiner Consulting, LLC), author Stacey Feiner, PhD, shares how having a strategic talent management system helps business leaders overcome the talent crisis and enhance value through high-performing talent, increased productivity, and business expansion. This system includes nine centers of excellence that strategically leverage talent—from recruiting to succession planning.