Business Today was originally founded in 1968 by Steve Forbes, Michael Mims, and Jonathan Perel as a magazine. The organization started on Princeton’s campus during the Vietnam War. In 1969, Forbes, Mims, and Perel appeared on the Today Show, sparking worldwide attention about the magazine. Business Today was later featured in an article by The Wall Street Journal in 1968 and contained exclusive articles published in the magazine by presidential candidates Hubert Humphrey and Richard Nixon.
Leadership is important to his role as Chief Operating Officer, and Paul explains that his leadership style is all about “rolling up my sleeves and working with my team.” “I see myself as someone who has a lot of great experience, a lot of knowledge. I always hate the idea when someone calls me their boss,” he said.
Under Armstrong’s leadership, FCB has embraced AI to streamline processes and foster innovation. The agency has developed its own GPT-based model, which supports tasks like drafting ideas, analyzing data, and creating synthetic audiences. “AI gets us halfway there, saving time and offering inspiration,” Armstrong explained. However, she emphasized that human creativity remains essential. “The final leap is always about human ingenuity.”
For college students eyeing a career in technology consulting, both were articulate in action steps from translating academic skills into real-world applications, but also surprisingly candid in terms of the work hours, tactical skills, and limited scope when starting as a junior analyst. Sessa advised that "crisply articulat[ing] a story[... is] a fundamental skill that you have to have as a consultant”.
Miller’s insights were grounded in a deep belief in the power of relationships. Whether discussing leadership traits or resolving team conflicts, she consistently emphasized the importance of genuinely caring for others and fostering connection. “It’s less about you and more about the people around you,” she said, underscoring how great leaders cultivate environments where others can thrive.
Connolly, who has traveled to over 200 countries for work, believes his global exposure has been instrumental in shaping his insights. “When I travel, I go to grocery stores to see how food is labeled, priced, and presented,” he shared. “I’ve seen innovations in one country spark interest in another. My role is to act as a conduit, sharing ideas across borders.”
Guideposts embraces inclusivity as a cornerstone of its mission – the organization is non-dogmatic and non-political. “We don’t tell you what to believe,” he said. “Our goal is simply to make you feel inspired and hopeful.” This approach has allowed Guideposts to reach a diverse audience, from devout Christians to those simply seeking positivity and encouragement.
One of the most significant hurdles was learning how to attract and manage capital. Tieng admitted that building relationships with investors and understanding their needs was a steep learning curve. He explained, "How do you build that network? How do you garner trust? How do you filter out those that aren't going to be a great fit for whatever reason?" This trial-by-fire experience shaped Tieng’s approach to fundraising and building a sustainable firm.
"In our industry, I don’t want people who just push numbers. I want a team that’s always looking for the next improvement, that isn’t afraid to challenge the numbers when they don’t make sense,” Piastre explained. Holding the title of the prestigious "Woman in Manufacturing" STEM award and leading the creation of the most modern and complete precious metals laboratory in the United States, she attributes her accomplishments to the people who helped make it possible. “Innovation is something we can only achieve when we have the right people in place,” she said.
Ryterband presented an extreme example for consideration: Elon Musk’s unprecedented $56 billion bonus package from Tesla. Ryterband asked students to wrestle with the rationale behind this package–whether the staggering sum was excessive (as a Delaware judge ruled) or whether it was justified by the company’s desire to retain Musk, reward his achievement of pre-determined benchmarks, and motivate his performance in the future.
Parker is keenly aware of the inequities that exist in standardized testing and professional exam preparation. “We need to standardize how we teach and provide information so it’s accessible to anyone, regardless of their background,” he says. This philosophy drives Knopman Marks’ outreach efforts, including partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities and other under resourced communities.
Webster shared how he transitioned from studying law to mergers and acquisitions, and ultimately to executive search. This journey, he explained, underscores the non-linear nature of many successful careers. “The most successful professionals often navigate unexpected turns with adaptability, always maximizing value from their current roles while staying open to new opportunities,” he said. This adaptability, paired with judicious risk-taking, has been a defining trait of individuals who thrive in competitive fields. Webster emphasized that career plans are crucial, even if they evolve over time, as they provide focus and increase the likelihood of long-term success.
“When you're in the government service, you're generally a risk-averse person,” Wilcox said. “I learn something new [now] every day about the types of businesses that are out there, the finance aspect of it, the laws you have to comply with, [things that] have nothing to do with export controls and sanctions that pertain to actually owning and running a business.”
“The finance world is small,” she said. “It’s crucial to build and maintain strong connections throughout your career, both inside and outside of your company.” Vairavan attributes much of her career success to the mentors she’s had along the way, particularly those who helped guide her through difficult decisions and transitions.
Cansler pointed out the direct relationship between energy consumption and quality of life. “Energy is not just about comfort; it’s a lifeline. Countries with higher per capita energy use enjoy longer lifespans, better education, and greater economic opportunities,” he explained, illustrating how energy access remains a cornerstone of development.
Valentine’s work spans continents, with team members spread across time zones in Dublin, India, the Philippines, and the United States. This global distribution offers distinct advantages, including the ability to maximize productivity. Valentine explains, “We can shoot a deliverable off to our team members overseas. They can start working on it in their morning. And so you start to get into more of a 16-hour production schedule versus an eight-hour production schedule.”
Entrepreneurship doesn’t always have to start on a grand scale. For instance, he said, you could approach a family member in a business and say “Hey, I'm a social media expert, but I'm going to help you grow your business. And you give me 20% of the increase.” The journey of entrepreneurship will reveal who your true friends are. “You notice who’s a real cheerleader.”
On April 23rd, 2019, Dr. Mike Stern, Head of the Climate Corporation, presented at Princeton University on the digital tools transforming the landscape of farming and the current challenges facing the agriculture industry.
The rise of China and the implications for the world are immeasurable, a message which reverberated clearly when Stephen A. Schwarzman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Blackstone, and founder of Schwarzman Scholars, spoke during his fireside chat with Business Today.
In her BT seminar on October 4th, Tyson emphasized the importance of taking initiative and creating opportunities for yourself by doing more than what’s expected of you.
