§ Do leaders need luck to succeed?Many of the most successful business leaders appear to have essentially lucked their way into the jobs that made them famous -- but there's much more to their rise to the top than mere chance, writes Steve Tobak. The best leaders are both superb networkers and natural opportunists, able to schmooze their way into interesting situations and then spot and seize opportunities that present themselves. BNET/The Corner Office blog (3/15)
§ The education of Howard SchultzStarbucks chief Howard Schultz has a reputation as an impulsive, idiosyncratic visionary, capable of spurring his company to new heights but also of making brash moves that sometimes backfire. Lately, though, Schultz has shown a more humble leadership style, and allowed himself to be guided by subordinates and focus groups in ways that observers say has made Starbucks a more successful and stable enterprise. "What leadership means is the courage it takes to talk about things that, in the past, perhaps we wouldn't have, because I'm not right all the time," he says. The New York Times (free registration) (3/12)

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Strategic Management
§ Disasters show fragility of Japan's manufacturing baseThe Japanese auto industry is in turmoil after last week's earthquake and tsunami, with plants offline, rail and highway infrastructure knocked out and inventories of parts and completed vehicles damaged or destroyed. Industry watchers say the disaster has called attention to the fragility of Japan's complex and much-emulated manufacturing strategies. "Running smoothly, it is highly productive. But a single disruption anywhere along the line can tie up the whole system," writes Alex Taylor III. CNNMoney.com/Fortune (3/14)
§ Isle of Capri Casinos bets on its rebranding strategy and winsWhen Isle of Capri Casinos decided to distinguish between the branding of its older riverboats and newer casinos, it focused on the different experiences customers could expect, said Julia Carcamo, vice president of brand marketing. "I think the biggest mistake we, as marketers, make is thinking that it's only about colors and logos and slogans. You have to decide what you want the experience to be like day in and day out, then find a way to deliver that consistently," she said. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (3/14)

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Innovation and Creativity


§ How The Oatmeal got viralCartoonist Matthew Inman's humor site, The Oatmeal, gets about 30 million views a month, in large part because of Inman's knack for creating viral content. Speaking at the South by Southwest Interactive festival, Inman offered tips for trying to replicate his success: Be simple, concise and specific; tell a compelling story as vividly as possible; and be willing to go back to ideas that flop and study them to learn what works best for your brand. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Social Media (3/14)

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The Global Perspective


§ How private entrepreneurialism took root in ChinaPrivately owned businesses and individual entrepreneurs are emerging as a driving force behind China's economic transformation, according tothe Economist. "Behind China's remarkable success has been an odd and often unappreciated experiment in laissez-faire capitalism," the magazine says. The Economist (3/10)

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Daily Diversion
§ Study: Super wealth makes some people super-unhappyThe super rich -- those with $25 million or more -- appear to be generally dissatisfied with their lives, with their wealth contributing to their anxieties, a Boston College study found. Respondents complained, among other things, about not being financial secure enough, feeling as if they never have a right to complain, believing their money isolates them and worrying that they are raising brats. The Atlantic