Beyond The Champion

Large, mature companies often struggle when it comes to the uncertain process of breakthrough innovation. But innovation is an imperative in today's cutthroat business environment. To fulfill its potential, there has to be a better way—and there is. Beyond the Champion argues that innovation is a talent all its own that requires distinct skills and expertise, just like finance or marketing. Viewing innovation as a discipline in its own right, it is easy to see that breakthrough wins require an organizational design with clearly delineated roles, responsibilities, and career tracks for those who shoulder the responsibility for new products. Drawing on the results of a four-year study and two decades of related research, this book outlines three fundamental competencies necessary for innovation: discovery, incubation, and acceleration. Mapping these skills onto roles and opportunities for advancement, the authors deliver a pioneering blueprint for sustainable innovation.

A guidebook to survival: “Look no further for stories that will warm your soul, encourage your heart, and give your spirit hope during a stormy season” (Marcia Weider, CEO/founder of Dream University). What could you do with a passport to more time? Who would you be? Where would you go? And who could you serve? Imagine yourself fifteen years from now living your best life—what does that look like to you? In A Champion's Guide to Thriving Beyond Breast Cancer, you’ll find transformative stories of faith, courage, and overcoming. You’ll discover the secret ingredients that have helped others transform challenge and struggle into a journey of perseverance. You’ll learn how a “Springboard Spirit” can help you through the darkest of times and lead you to a fulfilled life. Drawn from the real experiences of eight extraordinary women, these powerful stories have inspired and given hope and encouragement to people around the world. “If you or someone you love is facing cancer—this book is a must! A positive, faith-based look at how to overcome the disease and reclaim your life.” —Randy Gage, New York Times–bestselling author of Risky Is the New Safe

A Warrior without Equal, a Woman without Options Triumphs in the Coliseum—and society bedchambers—made gladiator Alexius of Iolcos famous for his brutal skill and womanizing ways. Yet the only woman who intrigues him is Tiberia the Younger, who now needs his help. Protecting Tiberia places Alexius in the greatest danger he has ever known—from her vengeful father and his own heart… Becoming a temple priestess may be an honor, but Tibi can't bear to surrender her freedom or her newfound faith. Alexius's solution stuns her. Marriage…to a gladiator! Scorned by her noble family, Tibi always felt unworthy. But with her champion by her side, can she accept—and give—a love strong enough to vanquish their enemies?

The Mindset of a Champion follows the career of legendary blogger Byron Crawford a/k/a Bol, founder and editor of the eponymous hip-hop blog, from a dark, foul-smelling dorm room in the middle of nowhere, to his pioneering work in the field of online hip-hop journalism, in which he either coined or popularized several slang terms that are generally frowned upon, attempted to have Kanye West banned from the Grammys (years before the incident with Taylor Swift), and witnessed a vicious, passionate sexual attack perpetrated by an animal, which is described here in detail. From there, it's on to his career as one of the first - and best, he would say - professional hip-hop bloggers, at XXL magazine, where he was involved in a number of controversies, including beefs with rappers like Bun B and Lupe Fiasco, posts that mysteriously disappeared from the Internets almost as soon as they appeared, and threats of boycotts by Muslims and black feminists. Nary a feeling is spared as he reveals the hilarious true stories behind the rise and fall of his career as a semi-professional hip-hop journalist.

Theodore 'Tiger' Flowers rose above the racist bigotry of the Deep South to become the first African-American middleweight champion of the world. To do it, this Christian family man beat a boxing legend, Harry Greb, in the first of the great sporting cathedrals, Madison Square Garden. It was a victory that stunned the sporting world and made him a household name. Yet within a year he had lost his championship on a decision some said was influenced by Al Capone - and within another year was dead, following a seemingly innocuous operation, in the clinic of a controversial surgeon, to remove lumps and scars above his eyes. Was his death, at the age of 34, an accident, a result of negligence, or something more sinister? And what was behind his white manager's attempt to throw Tiger's widow into an asylum and their daughter into an orphanage? Flowers' inspiring, harrowing story, set against an horrific backdrop of lynchings and routine prejudice, is largely forgotten now but he paved the way for black sporting heroes like Joe Louis, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson.

“Accessible and practical, Rabil’s book will appeal to anyone seeking not only to understand what it takes to succeed, but also to understand the courage, discipline, and grace it takes to become a champion. . .Wise, inspired reading.” — Kirkus From lacrosse legend Paul Rabil, lessons on becoming a true champion— in sports, business, and life Long before Paul Rabil had become lacrosses's most acclaimed player, the sport's first million-dollar man, and the cofounder of the Premier Lacrosse League, he always strove for greatness. The problem was he lacked a manual for how to achieve it— so, he set out to create one himself. He talked to Bill Belichick about how to prepare, Steph Curry about how to practice, Sue Bird about how to develop resilience, and Mark Cuban about how to build a career with longevity. From the wisdom of these and other legends, and through his own—often painful—trial and error, he forged himself into a true champion. And in doing so, he wrote the manual he always wanted. The Way of The Champion is the synthesis of everything Rabil learned on his path to becoming one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time. But this is not merely a sports book. It is a guide to embodying a champion's mindset—in sports, in business, and in relationships. According to Paul Rabil, “No one is born to be a champion. It can only be earned— through equal parts philosophy, execution, and sheer determination. I've won and lost championships, business deals, and relationships. I've learned that our best moments come after we've faced our most devestating defeats— when we choose to rise with unwavering resolve. That's the way of the champion."

You are created to conquer circumstances, achieve goals, solve problems and become a champion in life. God planted a seed in you already; all you need to do is stir the seed. The plan of God for your life is to be great, to be victorious, to succeed, to make an impact, and to help others. In other words, you are created to succeed, designed to win, equipped to overcome, anointed to prosper, and blessed to become a blessing. It doesn't matter who or where you are now, in this book, Gideon Ojo reveals that God wants you to become a Champion, and shows you the pathway to the championship. This book- (The Champion in you) will help you: *Discover the purpose of God for your life *Develop and invest your full God-giving potentials *Recover your losses *Improve and devote yourself to worthwhile ventures *Be empowered to succeed *Become a trailblazer, with footprints on the sands of time Nothing ventured, nothing gained; this book unfolds insights that will propel you to be a champion. Be ready!

Gower Champion's career spanned the years during which American musical theatre was transformed from a crude popular entertainment into a sophisticated art form. As the director and choreographer of Hello, Dolly!, 42nd Street, and other Broadway musicals, he was central to that transformation. He came of age during the zenith of American musical theatre production and made his mark on both sides of the curtain. As a dancer, he gained notoriety through his work with Jeanne Tyler and Marjorie Belcher, and his experience as a performer gave him a solid foundation for his later success as an organizer of memorable productions. As a choreographer and director, he became known for spectacular numbers that blended dance, staging, and elaborate scenography. More than anyone else, he seemed to realize that the achievement of a musical depended on those spots where music, dance, lighting, costumes, and staging created a sustained narrative and emotional flow through sound and motion rather than words. This book provides the first extensive treatment of Champion's life and legendary career. The book falls neatly into two main sections. The first discusses Champion's career as a performer, with chapters on his early Broadway appearances and his work for MGM Special attention is given to how his experiences as a dancer prepared him for the later half of his career. The second examines his work as a choreographer and director and is organized around the musicals with which he was involved. Each chapter consists of a history of one or more of those productions, from original concept to opening night and sometimes beyond, as Champion, ever the perfectionist, sought to improve on what everyone else thought was already perfect. The volume is fully documented, with basic historical research conducted at several special collections. In addition, the book is based on a careful analysis of Champion's scripts, which include numerous revisions and thus illuminate how he crafted his productions. Finally, the study depends on interviews conducted with various individuals who knew and worked with Champion throughout his impressive career.