About Jenga, by Leslie Scott, is a great holiday gift book for game lovers and budding entrepreneurs.
Greenleaf Book Group, LLC

Stumped for a Christmas gift your your boss or co-worker? About Jenga: The Remarkable Business of Creating a Game that Became a Household Name is a great and affordable gift idea.

Written by Leslie Scott, the woman who invented the game, About Jenga is an interesting memoir nestled in the story behind the creation of Jenga. But her book also offers charming and entertaining anecdotal and experiential insights into the world of business making it a worthwhile and inspirational read for aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs.

Who Would Like This Book

Any Jenga lover interested in learning more about the origins of the game will find enough gossipy and anecdotal details to make the book enjoyable. The book puts to rest any suggestion that Scott stole the idea for Jenga from African customs or that the game had its origins in some other ancient culture. Scott briefly compares her game to others and presents enough historical data to prove her case.

The book will also appeal to any aspiring entrepreneur (especially women) who have an interest in inventing, the trademark process, and in laughing while reading a book that cheerfully delivers some serious business lessons learned the hard way.

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Related Articles

• Biography of Leslie Scott, Inventor of Jenga and Co-Founder of Oxford Games Ltd.
• Book Review:  The Mom Inventor's Handbook

December is National Write a Business Plan Month - Part 3: Working Capital

Three important questions to ask yourself when writing or updating a business plan include:

1. How much working capital will I need to start and run my business?
2. Where will I get working capital to start my business?
3. Where can I cut costs to create more working capital to grow my business?

How to Plan Your Cash Flow and Working Capital Needs asks you these questions (and provides resources) to help you find answers as a guide for developing your business plan, feasibility study, or business model by assessing working capital needs for your business.

Related Information

• Definition of Working Capital
• Strategies for a Struggling Business - Not Enough Working Capital
• Business Strategies - Steps to Resolve a Lacking of Working Capital
• 10 Financial Institutions That Lend Money to Business Women

"Beloved," one of the many greeting cards offered by Blac Gurlz Ink.
Blac Gurlz Ink

When Spring Opara was laid off in November 2008, she did not let life knock her down. Instead, she cashed in some of her retirement funds her and started a business of her own.  Today, barely one year after losing her job, Spring is the general partner of a successful start-up company, Blac Gurlz Ink.

Blac Gurlz Ink produces a line of quality greeting cards for the LGBT community, as well as mainstream consumers.  Determined, talented, and passionate about business, Opara immediately entered her business into several small business contests - an won a contest sponsored by StartUpNation and British Airways called the Face of Opportunity.  Opara submitted an essay as to why it would be advantageous to take her businesses into overseas markets. She was one of the winners to receive a free round-trip ticket to Europe to promote her business.  You can read more about her strategies and business advice in an Interview With Spring Opara, General Partner, Blac Gurlz Ink.

Women in Business Success Story: Blac Gurlz Ink

• Part 1: How One Woman Turned an Idea Into a Successful Business
• Part 2: How Networking Has Helped My Business to Grow

December is National Write a Business Plan Month - Part 2: Writing a Business Plan

If you are starting a business or just need to determine new ways to be competitive, begin by writing an outline for where to start (new businesses), what you are doing now, and what you want to do in the future (existing businesses). If your business is struggling, you also need to outline problem areas.  If you are not sure where to start, I have written a series of questionnaires designed to help you assess your unique business needs to address in your business plan.

Questionnaire to Help You Write a Business Plan

1. Business Foundations Questionnaire - Cash Flow
2. Business Foundations Questionnaire - Internet Sales, PR, and Advertising
3. Business Foundations Questionnaire - Customer Service
4. Business Foundations Questionnaire - Manufacturing, Production & Distribution