Mittal figured he could cut his raw-material costs in half by buying direct-reduced iron rather than scrap.

FORBES: Carnegie would be jealous

On my second run during a horrible week I got poison ivy, a raw red band that cut across my calf and left my whole lower right leg red and inflamed.

FORBES: Running (A Business): Bankruptcy, Publishing, Poison Ivy and My Crappy Week

The premise: Buy up lots of small companies in a fragmented business--such as used cars, funeral homes, office products, food distribution and medical diagnostics--then purchase raw materials in bulk to cut costs.

FORBES: Wrong Address