The World's 12 Most Powerful Entrepreneurs Of 2013

On Forbes’ annual list of the 72 World’s Most Powerful People, you’ll find a panoply of names, from CEOs and co founders to billionaires and bureaucrats. While these people all have the influence to change the world, within the ranks is an even more elite subset that is crucial to the spirit of economical growth: the 12 most powerful business founders and entrepreneurs.

The World’s 12 Most Powerful Entrepreneurs

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No. 1: Bill Gates

Power People list: No. 6

Age: 58 

Country: United States 

Cofounder, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 

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The list is U.S.-concentrated, exclusively male, and dominated by tech-founders. One sure commonality, though, is that each person on the list has built his business from the ground up–and, ultimately, used his power and money to do two things: invest in charitable aims and solve the problems of global development.

No. 1 should come as little surprise: though Microsoft MSFT +1.54% isn't the behemoth it was back in the ’90s, Bill Gates still remains the richest person in the world–a title he’s held since 1994. In recent years, the chairman of the software company has set boisterous standards for efforts to eradicate a variety of the most dire diseases, from polio to HIV. Thanks to his strong ties with billionaire comrades like Carlos Slim and Michael Bloomberg, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has secured up to $335 million in pledges.

In September, he announced Google’s new investment in Calico, a company created to take on the challenges of age-associated diseases. Brin oversees Google X, a division that has greeted with world with breakthrough technologies (driverless car, Google Glass). Earlier this year, he and Anne Wojcicki donated $52 million to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to fight Parkinson’s disease.Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin both take the No. 2 spot. Combined, the two have an estimated net worth just shy of $50 billion. Page, who is tasked with running Silicon Valley’s most celebrated company, is a huge spender when it comes to research and development.

At 29, Mark Zuckerberg (No. 3) is the youngest entrepreneur to make the list. The Facebook CEO has expanded his influence beyond the social network by advocating for immigration reform and technology education. Last year, he donated $10 million shares of his company to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

But some of the names on the list go beyond the U.S. A few standouts: Masayoshi Son (CEO of SoftBank), Terry Gou (CEO of Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Mo Ibrahim (CEO of Mo Ibrahim Foundation).

Who stands out the most? Who didn't make the list, but should have? Is there an entrepreneur more powerful than Bill Gates?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/vannale/2013/10/30/the-worlds-12-most-powerful-entrepreneurs/

5 Steps To Take Control Of Your Financial Security

A growing number of Americans say they don’t have enough time to properly plan for their financial future. Are you among them?

According to the Northwestern Mutual 2013 State of Planning in America study, more than six in ten (63%) Americans say their financial planning needs improvement, and the No. 1 obstacle is not having enough time (24%). It’s true that financial planning these days can be complex, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. By taking these five steps today, you can gain more control of your financial security.

Step 1: Lay the groundwork. To reach any financial goal, you need to understand where you are, where you want to be in the future and what it’ll take to get there. Only then can you establish a habit of savings to help you achieve your goals. Start by taking stock of where you are today. Track your monthly expenses and develop a detailed list of your current assets, liabilities and income. Once you've got your current “financial house” in order, you can turn your attention to the future.

Step 2: Determine what you want to achieve, and build a plan to achieve it. What are your hopes, dreams and goals? Do you have a clear vision of what you want from life? It’s not enough to say, “I want to fund my children’s education and enjoy retirement.” You've got to be specific about your goals – possibly more specific than you have ever been – because until you know what your ideal life looks like, you cannot craft a plan to build it. Share your vision with a financial advisor who does financial planning and can help you develop a plan to achieve it.

Step 3: Take steps to minimize risk and ensure your plan’s success.What if you get sick? Lose your job? What if you or your spouse dies unexpectedly? Achieving financial security means more than accumulating wealth. It also means protecting your ability to create wealth. Of course, no one likes to think about the worst-case scenarios of accident, illness or disability. But ignoring the potential for these things to happen won’t make it go away; it only opens you up to unnecessary risk. Until you address the risks, it’s difficult to feel financially secure.

Step 5: See the future – today. Today’s financial advisors have access to sophisticated tools that can help you see, in remarkable detail, where you stand, what you’ll need to live your life comfortably and what it will take to get there. With this type of holistic view, you’ll be well-equipped to take control of your financial security and build a plan to live a financially comfortable, long life.Step 4: Embrace change and the need to be flexible. Changes to your life, your career, as well as new laws and regulations can all have a profound impact on your plan to achieve financial security. So, as you navigate through the changing stages of your life, both you and your plan must have the flexibility to adjust to life’s gifts, challenges and shifting priorities. Your financial plan should be a living document that changes over time to meet your evolving needs.

Financial security in life isn’t something you just wish for. Achieving it takes a disciplined and balanced approach. But if you follow these five steps, you’ll be better positioned to take control of your financial security.  Get detailed information about these five steps in this white paper, 5 Steps to Take Control of Your Financial Security.

The Northwestern MutualVoice Team is a group of professionals who share insights and opinions from experts and industry leaders across the enterprise. Our vision is to inspire others to take action and plan for their financial future through topics ranging from financial planning, retirement planning and distribution strategies, wealth accumulation and preservation, to leadership, philanthropy and innovation.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/northwesternmutual/2013/05/20/5-steps-to-take-control-of-your-financial-security/