Despite programmes to Arabise school education, French continued to be the dominant language in business and professional circles.

ECONOMIST: Algeria

In Hollywood circles the TV development business is often described derisively as 10, 000 people running to the spot where lightning just struck.

FORBES

Prahalad gained wide acclaim in business circles for his 2004 book The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, which challenges large, established companies to come up with innovative business ideas to serve the rising classes in developing countries.

FORBES: Cheaper Sleeper

Were he and his top lieutenants in a bubble, imbibing the false optimism and denial pervading conservative and big business circles?

FORBES: Explaining Romney's Polling Delusion

Ms. Tisch could help boost Mr. Thompson's credentials in the city's prominent real estate, business and financial circles, a crucial group for fundraising.

WSJ: Regents Chancellor to Back Thompson

This exercise, long popular in Business Schools and entrepreneur circles, runs on the belief that in 30 seconds, you should be able to tell your story. (be it sell your product or in the case of interviewing, sell yourself) PwC guides students through a series of steps to help hone this pitch.

FORBES: Personal Branding in the Future Workplace: A Crucial Skill for Employees and Recruiters Alike

In Indonesian business circles, where success is usually measured by the connections you have, Mr Putera is unusual in that he believes passionately in things like market research, brands and technology.

ECONOMIST: The kretek man

Mr Tapie, who has long been active in French business, sporting and political circles, sued Credit Lyonnais over its handling of the sale in 1993 of sportswear brand Adidas, in which he was a majority stakeholder.

BBC: IMF head Lagarde's flat searched in Bernard Tapie probe

He now chairs the mighty Den Danske bank, sits on many other boards and remains a force in Copenhagen's business and political circles.

FORBES: A Beer That Lost Its Head