Ameriprise, which was spun out of American Express in 2005 is a wealth management and mutual fund operator, but it has a significant home and life insurance business as well as an annuities business.

FORBES: Connect

King is a smart and flamboyant operator, with a knack for spotting a good PR opportunity as well as expanding his business.

FORBES: King of Shaves' New Subscription Based 'Razor And Blades' Strategy

Although the firm runs a successful telecoms business, Infostrada, as well as Omnitel, Italy's second cell-phone operator, Roberto Colaninno, the chief executive, and his team cannot claim credit for this.

ECONOMIST: Telecom Italia

Or, as an old Waste Management wag once complained to me: The most efficient operator in the business is a one-truck hauler where the owner drives the truck.

FORBES: Connect