I recently read a very interesting article in Forbes Magazine regarding if entrepreneurial success is inherited. It features the story of Dylan Lauren, Ralph Lauren’s daughter…take a look below for an excerpt and let us know your thoughts on this subject in the comments.

What accounts for entrepreneurial talent in parents and some of their children–chromosomes or care and feeding? Both? That question may never be resolved with certainty. But in kicking off father-child conversations in eight families, we learned a great deal about characteristics shared among generations. Business is more than a common interest between dads and their kids. It forms an intimate bond that engages ambition, achievement, competition, criticism, fear, failure, reconciliation, growth, renewal. In other words, it reenacts the high drama of family life.

You can read the complete cover story here.

It’s June, can you believe it?! Summer has arrived and for some of us that may mean a little downtime. As entrepreneurs there is often always something to be done and relaxing is usually pretty low on the list. If you happen to carve out a little time to kick back BusinessInsider.com has put together a great list of books every entrepreneur should read.

Check out the list HERE!

Meetings at the office can be major time and productivity killers. Read this article from American Express’ openforum.com to learn how to make the most of them. See excerpt below:

Many business meetings seem to be populated with people who derail and prolong discussion and who then wonder why nothing ever gets accomplished. Dealing with these offenders requires playing a strong offense, rather than relying on defense. Good meetings don’t just happen. They must be actively planned for and managed.

Before the Meeting:

1. Set goals

Whether it is a standalone session, weekly or monthly review, or one in a series covering an ongoing project decide what you want to accomplish.

2. Prepare an agenda

Ask key players if they have agenda items so that you can plan the meeting content appropriately. If urgent items mean that your meeting may be hijacked or diverted, revise your meeting goals and plan another session.

3. Send out the agenda before the meeting

Provide background information that participants need in order to engage in productive discussion. Give specific instructions on actions that participants need to take before arriving at your session—ask them to brainstorm ideas on a certain topic, gather information for presentation, or send reports for review.

During the Meeting:

4. Start on time

Explain the ground rules for discussion—limiting times on certain topics if needed—and remind participants of your desire to keep the meeting short but productive.

5. Identify those topics that need further discussion in another meeting

Interject that you or someone you nominate will plan a smaller-group session to explore these issues.

Click HERE to read the full article and to view all tips.