7 must read books for every entrepreneur

1. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin

2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R Covey

3. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B Cialdini, PhD

4. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

5. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell 

6. Rework by Jason Fried and David Hansson

7. The Start-Up Playbook by David S Kidder

People Skills Required for Faster Career Growth

Top 10 people skills to put your career on a fast track 

Smart resumes are useful only in getting a job. To sustain it, one requires not just expertise in one's field but, more importantly, inter-personal skills. Here are the top people skills that will help you put your career on a fast track. 

1. EXPRESS BOLDLY 

Be assertive. The team needs your inputs and ideas, so learn to express yourself verbally and in writing. Be direct and clear, using simple language and minimum words. Assertiveness is not aggression, so stick to positive language, learn to accept a 'No' and don't alienate people by bragging. Observe how people react to your words and choose them accordingly.

2. LISTEN SINCERELY 

If speaking up is important, learning to listen is critical. Getting the communication right the first time saves you trouble later. Be 100% present in every conversation and listen sincerely, and with humility and empathy. Do not fidget, worry about your problems or sit in judgement. With time, you will understand different communication styles and avoid misunderstandings. 

3. RESOLVE CONFLICTS 

Conflict resolution is the biggest skill that managers and leaders need. Start by building trust. Being fair will help people listen to you during disagreements. To resolve issues, seek common ground between both parties and present both sides equally. Find consensus and hold people accountable for their actions. Focus on the solution, not on the problem or people concerned.

4. SHOW INTEREST 

The workplace is for teams, not individuals. Success comes only thro ugh team work. The closer the bonds you build with people, the easier your work will be. Break the ice with a smile and increase quality time spent with people, both in and outside office. Genuine interest for team members will bring them closer to you. 

5. SAY THANK-YOU 

Even if it appears difficult or corny, learn to say thank-you and express gratitude. Be sincere and specific in your words. Acknowledge your subordinate who stayed back late to complete the presentation for your meeting. Your acknowledgement helps people feel energised and creates an enabling environment for the team.

6. BODY LANGUAGE 

Each organisation and team has its code of conduct besides the expected workplace behaviour. Pay close attention and follow both general and local etiquette. Master non-verbal communication: have clear eye contact and a confident posture. Only if your body language and behaviour are in line with expectations, will your words have an impact. 

7. ASK QUESTIONS 

Learn how to question people and respond in the right way. Questions are vital to learn how things work, foster close relationships in a team, manage people and projects and avoid needless conflict. The right way causes people to calm down and reach an agreement. Avoid a manner that assumes wrong intention or wrongdoing on the other person's part. 

8. USE THE MIRROR 

Japanese legends respect the power of mirror or self-knowledge. Introspect to know what makes you thrive and what makes you lose focus and motivation. Figure out the same for people around you. You will soon realise that there are many right approaches to getting the work done. Your sensitivity to what people say will also reduce, making you resilient and persistent in challenging times. 

9. DON'T LOSE YOUR COOL 

US President Barack Obama is known to never lose his cool even in the most stressful situations. Doing so will give you power over the 0situation and people involved. The first step towards learning to control your anger is to shut up and walk out or walk away till you have calmed down. You can come back later with a planned response to achie ve your aims with minimum disturbance to you or your team. 

10. ASK WHAT YOU WANT 

The quickest secret to success is to ask yourself: 'What do I want?' Figure out what you want from the situation or the person you are dealing with. This will help formulate a plan and take the best action possible. Knowing what you want from people will empower you to redirect a challenging relationship or even terminate it with minimum pain, if the need arises. 

FIVE CRITICAL WORK SKILLS

BEAT THE BELL 

Be on time, every time. It includes being seated at your desk when the office begins and being punctual for a meeting called by your team leader. To remember non-routine commitments, set up a reminder 15 minutes prior to the meeting through your online Google calendar.

BATTING AVERAGE 

Your work reputation depends on tasks and projects you complete successfully. Constantly find ways to solve problems that crop up invariably. Your batting average improves with every task you complete on your own and drops when you go back to ask for solutions. 

MOVE EVERY MONKEY 

All communication that you receive, be it a request for information or a new task for you, goes on your to-do list. Keep the list moving by replying to every e-mail and confirming tasks on completion. Don't let any monkey sit on your back for too long.

STAY IN SIGHT 

'Out of sight' can result in 'out of job'. Be visible to your team or make sure that your work is visible at all times. People tend to remember who was around when the going was tough, so be present to help your team when the big project deadline is near. 

RAISE YOUR HAND 

Many people find it tough to ask for help. Also, there are tasks that no one wants. In both cases, raise your hand. Volunteer to help colleagues and complete unsavoury tasks. This is the fastest route to being indispensable.

Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

Mesh Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A Good Year is predicted for you with the pace of improvements picking up in the second half of the year. A year of profit and good health is predicted for you except for some minor skin aliments. Eligible Aries individuals will get married this year. Family life will be good for most part of the year. Minor domestic problems and tensions will occur after July. Your private life will be on the front burner and may cause a lot of trouble. Though this is a year of gains but expenses will continue the same pattern as 2014 till September. This year predicts that financially the year may not go smoothly. A good year for academic achievements.

Vrishabh Rashi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

You have to take care of your health at all times. However on professional and business fronts you will forge ahead and pending litigation will get solved. Turning points both at work and in love are quite possible therefore you should manifest resistance, persistence and tolerance. An explosion of emotions is most likely to happen in the second half of the year, and neither Taurus, nor his partner will be ready to compromise. Expenditure needs to be controlled. Gains from legacy, shares, lottery and games of chance indicated if strong combinations present in your natal chart. The year is quite successful financially.

Mithuna Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A year of mental tension and increased problems is predicted for you. Health problems will occur for most part of the year due to irregular sleeping and eating habits. Medical expenditure is indicated. Finance and Business will improve by leaps and bounds in the second half of the year. Eligible Gemini natives will get married this year. This year may be a turning point in life, personal growth, perfection and development. Risky investments should be avoided at all costs. The initial six months are tough but come July and you will shine. This year foresees an unstable financial situation. You’ll be suffering from large expenses the whole year. If you continue to neglect your studies like last year then expect bad news.

Kark Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

This year indicates major changes in the work sphere and you may change your business or profession. You will be mentally tense throughout the year. Eligible Cancer natives will get married this year. The whole year you’ll be dealing with family and professional problems at the same time. And being flexible you’ll succeed in combining both activities. Many Cancers will start to build their own home or will make it more spacious and comfortable. . Large financial losses and conflicts connected with money or other assets may occur. An appearance of restrictive Saturn since August, in financial sector of the sky will require prudence and caution.

Simha - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A good Year is predicted for you. This year will be characterized by increased responsibilities and spending money on acquisition of assets and luxury goods. Eligible Leo natives will tie the knot in the first half of the year. Happy occasions will be celebrated in the family that will bring much joy. Avoid confrontations from March to July. Health will be excellent for most part of the year barring second half of March, April and May. This year promises interesting contacts, flirtation and a pleasant society for single people, and those looking for romantic adventures. Increase in earning sources clearly predicted July onwards. Time will be spent on enjoyment activities than studies. Remain focused to get good results.

Kanya - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014
A good year with the real results manifesting from July onwards. The second half of the year can actually change your life in every positive manner if you put your mind and resources to it. Unmarried eligible Virgo natives will get married this Year and business profits will be good. This underlines the necessity to make decisions and to take responsibility not only for your own words and actions, but also for that of your close acquaintances. In 2014 the energy level of Virgo is quite high and diseases are not likely to occur. Feb, May and June will bring problems in business and profession. There will be a general increase of income. In February, June and October you can expect to get some decent money.

Tula Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A much better year than the last year gone by is predicted for you in all respects. You will get mental peace and solutions to your problems. Health problems surface off and on and medical expenses will be there. If you plan and move then by the year end you will be happy and contended. You have trumps in your hands, and it is important to play them in a right way. With Jupiter, a planet of success aspecting your sign for most of this year, you mustn’t be afraid to leap into action and to stand up for your rights. Money problems get solved July onwards and developments in career clearly predicted. Despite obvious professional success, there will be some financial problems. Most of them will happen in the second half of the year, when the financial status will be shifting.

Vrikshik Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

An average year with the second half better than the first. The second half sees you forging ahead. With new responsibilities will also come mental stress and tension. This will be in a tight situation with limited freedom of actions. Scorpio horoscope 2014 advises to forget about the problems for a while, to think the situation over and study it properly, without taking final decisions and pronouncing sharp judgments. Be guarded against health problems and be careful while driving specially in May and June. Love relations may not go smoothly. It will be especially dangerous for couples, having problems for more than two or three years. This year there will be a steady rise in income and opportunities July onwards. Chances of promotion are strong July onwards.

Dhanu Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

The first half of the year will be much better. You must exert yourself in the first six months to forge ahead in career and profession. This year pays special attention to career and ambitious expectations. The feelings are also of a great importance. Take care of health in Jan, May, June and July. March onwards things will become better at the family front. Jan, Feb, May, June and October see you making short distance travels. Increase in export related trade. The whole year will be characterized by large expenses connected with business affairs, business development or with growing needs of children or close people.

Makar Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A good year is predicted for you with the developments in career and business picking up in the second half of the year. In the first half of the year you will face domestic tension so be a little diplomatic and avoid confrontations. Eligible Capricorn natives will find their soul mate in the second half of the year. Health needs to be taken care of especially from February to June. The second half sees you forging ahead on professional fronts. You will start a new business or make innovative changes in the existing set up to reap a rich harvest. Barring May and June the rest of the year is excellent for academic achievement.

Kumbh Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

An above average Year is predicted for you with the last year's problems getting solved. Your concentration and work efficiency levels show a marked improvement April onwards. Eligible Aquarius natives will get married this year. This year is a transitive or preparatory period, paving the way to happy future. Mental stress will be experienced in the months of January and February. Your health is quite delicate in the first half of the year, when acute conditions or unexpected illnesses are possible. The financial status will be improved a little, what will be a natural consequence of new professional opportunities

Meen Rasi - Tamil Rasi Palan 2014

A good Year is predicted for you. Many of the problems that you have been facing from the last year get solved. The second half of the year sees you forging ahead with confidence and zeal. Marked improvements in all spheres of life April onwards. The future year can be described as finishing, final and transitive. Health needs to be taken care of in May, June and January. In the second half of the year you should be more attentive while driving and on trips.All round improvements in career and business. Acquisition of house, land, flat clearly predicted. Successful months from this point of view of finance are February and June. A good year for achieving academic excellence. If you work hard you will get the desired results.