Startups

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• Here is a preview of AngelPad's Demo Day

  VatorNews.tv

  22 May 2013 | 12:00 am

  We highlight four of the 12 companies that will be presenting for angels and investors on WednesdayAngelPad, a mentorship program founded by ex-Googler Thomas Korte, is set to host its sixth ever Demo Day on Wednesday. After receiving a few thousand applications, and interviewing 120 companies, it has come down to 12 startups whp will be presenting their companies to angels and investors, in the hopes of attracting a seed round of funding.  I got to stop by the AngelPad offices on Tuesday, and was able to talk to four of the exciting companies who will be presenting…

• Pitfalls Start-Ups Need To Avoid

  EpicLaunch

  Kevin Kaiser

  30 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am

  The U.S economy is driven by start-ups. They play a vital role in the net job creation. However, INC. magazine reports 33 percent of all the new businesses face failure within the first 6 months of operation. 50 percent go on to fail after 2 years, while 75 percent see the wrath after three years. So what are the pitfalls that startups need to avoid in the first 6 months? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest mistakes that startups need to carter to, and the dangers of not avoiding these holes; 1.  Poor management Even though Bachelors or Master degree in Business Administration…

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Inc.com

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• When should you make the jump to work for yourself?

  I Will Teach You To Be Rich

  Ramit Sethi

  10 May 2013 | 5:40 am

  Too many weirdos think that to start a business, they have to quit their job, raise millions in venture capital, and start the next Google. Uh, that sounds pretty risky to me. Is there another way? Can you start something slowly? What if you want to quit your job and start your own thing, but you have bills and you don’t want to take on a huge risk? What do you do? I made the leap to running my own business, and then I taught a bunch of my students how to do it, too. So I wanted to share my answer to today’s “Ask Ramit” question, which comes from Jacquie in Atlanta:…

• Why some smart people become oblivious to their stupid actions

  Rajesh Setty » Blog

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  18 Apr 2013 | 8:31 pm

  Have you seen some people do stupid things? More importantly, have you seen some smart people do stupid things AND are completely oblivious to that fact? If you are curious to know why this happens, please read the outcome of my mini-research project on this topic. [ Note: Replace "You" with any smart person in question ] Over the last few weeks, I asked a bunch of people about stupid things that they have done and what was the cause of that. I got dozens of interesting answers. Here is the partial list:  Didn’t seem stupid when I did it. Error in judgment, should not have happened I…

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  Fast Company

• Experimental Lighting That Balances Like a See-Saw

  Margaret Rhodes

  21 May 2013 | 2:30 pm

  Fort Standard’s debut lighting series put some experiments with physics to good use. It’s either the most grown up hanging mobile, or the most secretly playful piece of high end design. The Counterweight Mobile light mixes polished white oak with brass, tone, and kiln-formed glass diffusers--all of which simply hang from a thread-like cord and sway in midair, once in place. Just think of a see-saw, Gregory Buntain, one half of the Fort Standard design duo, tells Co.Design. “If the hanging point--or ‘fulcrum’--was even half of an inch in either direction, the…

• We May All Be Driving Electric Cars In The Future, But That Future Is Really Far Away

  Ben Schiller

  21 May 2013 | 2:00 pm

  Tesla’s success might be in the news, but it’s just a drop in the bucket of EV adoption. There is a long way to go, and many hurdles, before EVs are the preferred method of getting around. Electrified transport is key to a lower carbon future. According to the International Energy Agency, three-quarters of new cars need to be EVs by 2050, if we’re to stay within "safe" global warming limits (generally said to be 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels). To give you an idea of how many sedans that is--it’s a lot. The IEA’s goal is 5.9 million new EVs a year…

• Prepare Yourself For A Revolution In Cured Meats

  Zak Stone

  21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  The U.S. government is loosening restrictions that have kept various Italian delectables out of our country for decades. How long will it take for them to reach our shores? While the rest of Washington has been brought to a standstill by scandals and partisan gridlock, there’s one issue our nations leaders are making real progress on: cured meats. NPR reports that at the end of May, the USDA will lift its 40-year ban on the import of Italian salumi from areas that were once restricted due to the presence of swine vesicular disease, including some of the country’s most famous…

• A Photog Unearths The Differences Among Like Objects

  Margaret Rhodes

  21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Ordinary objects take on a new language in Diana Zlatanovski’s Typology series of photographs. You may have collected coins, stamps, or baseball cards as a kid. If you’re Jay Leno, you’re fortunate enough to collect cars. If you’re Angelina Jolie, you hanker after Renaissance knives (at least during the Billy Bob era). Part of the thrill of tracking down trinkets are the stories behind them. Those stories are the focus of anthropologist and photographer Diana Zlatanovski’s body of work. “Objects are wrapped in stories and meaning,” she tells…

• This Pouch Ensures You Pay Attention To Your Date, Not Your Phone

  Jordan Kushins

  21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Blokket blocks cell signals and keeps your phone screen hidden from view. Forget body language--the most effective, ultra-modern way to show someone that you’re into them, you respect them, or you genuinely enjoy their company is to keep your darn hands off your darn phone when you’re hanging out. Period. There’s always a little sinking feeling when you’re sitting across from someone who, mid-sentence, feels the need to fidget: To fact-check how tall Channing Tatum is in real life (Google sez 6’1”); to see if your buddy wants to get ice cream and a beer…

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  VentureBeat

• Funding Daily: Silicon Valley Is Burning

  Jolie O'Dell

  21 May 2013 | 7:17 pm

  Guuuuurrrrl, the Valley is on fayah today. In a huge wave of announcements, we saw a bevy of businesses from the Bay getting fierce funding deals. Trust: From Mountain View to Redwood City, from Los Gatos to not-so-sunny San Francisco, our Bay Area startups were snatching term sheets and serving business executive realness. And it wasn’t just deal volume on the Peninsula, either; the numbers these companies posted were pretty sickening, too. No tea, no shade, but if the New York/Austin/L.A./Boulder scenes want to keep up, they. Bettah. Werk. (If you haven’t seen Paris Is Burning…

• Grownups speak to startups: We’re not into technology just because it’s cool

  Lauren Wagner

  21 May 2013 | 6:45 pm

  SAN FRANCISCO — Representatives from AARP and Geisinger Health System make no pretensions: They’re not into technology just because it’s cool. While the 50+ population and doctors appear to be dissimilar markets, selling to either requires a deep understanding of customer needs rather than just a sense of having “the next big thing.” If you’re a startup targeting either market, you need to wise up. Here are a couple pointers from AARP and Geisinger, gleaned from a panel discussion at HealthBeat today. How can entrepreneurs sell into a health system? Geisinger…

• Keas partners with nutrition experts to encourage employee wellness

  Rebecca Grant

  21 May 2013 | 5:34 pm

  The typical employer pays an average of $10,000 a year per employee for healthcare.  Keas announced at Healthbeat today two new content partnerships with My Healthy Dish and Noshtopia that will help employees make wiser nutritional choices and save employers money on health care costs.  Businesses use Keas to create and manage their workplace health programs. The system promotes healthy behavior and teamwork by rewarding people for achieving simple exercise and nutrition goals through games and social motivation. Keas’ CEO Josh Stevens said that seventy to eighty percent of health…

• Microsoft Store offers $10 credit in return for Xbox One email signups

  Dealzon

  21 May 2013 | 5:15 pm

  Amid the storm of Xbox One coverage around the web today, Microsoft Store attempted to build up even more hype and demand for their next-gen console by offering an enticing freebie offer. If you sign-up for preorder email notification on the Xbox One, you’ll receive a $10 Microsoft Store credit in return for your trouble. This offer was so good, in fact, that the Microsoft Store servers got hit hard by bargain hunters on deal sites and deal forums from across the web. Things got even more out of hand when people found loopholes for the $10 credit, resulting in many $0 orders being…

• How Maslow’s hierarchy can help you build a great mobile checkout process

  Noam Inbar

  21 May 2013 | 5:00 pm

  Everybody’s talking about the m-commerce boom, but if you look past the sophisticated surveys, app owners are struggling to figure out why their conversion rates fall short of expectations. It’s not surprising if you consider the fact that mobile shopping cart abandonment rates are around 97 percent. Many frustrated developers have asked me how they can decrease these huge numbers that just don’t fit their business model. I’ve tried to look at this challenge differently, not as a payment expert but rather from a psychological viewpoint, exploring our users’ needs and expectations…

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  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.    

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  The New OPEN Forum | Site Wide Activity

• Meredith Wood created a new post: The Shy Businessperson's Guide to Self-Promotion Online

  21 May 2013 | 8:35 pm

  How do you handle self-promotion?

• Denise O'Berry created a new post: How to Be Confident, Even When You're Not

  21 May 2013 | 8:28 pm

  Do you ever have moments when you lack confidence? What do you do to overcome that feeling?

• Mike Michalowicz created a new question: Which internet marketing (hype marketing) techniques drive you nuts?

  21 May 2013 | 7:58 pm

  Which internet marketing (hype marketing) techniques drive you nuts? Comments: 0

• Toby Daniels created a new post: 5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Maximize Social Media Marketing Efforts - Social Media Week

  21 May 2013 | 7:56 pm

  5 Ways Small Business Owners Can Maximize Social Media Marketing Efforts Do you take your social media efforts seriously? Seriously enough? Almost 100% of small businesses use Facebook and nearly 75% are on […]

• Clare Rountree, Ph.D., LLC created a new question: I recently created a Facebook game that offers a safe way for folks to flirt and connect. Do you have any advice on seeding the game and building momentum?

  21 May 2013 | 4:35 pm

  FlirtChamp's page has been populated by posts, surveys, and building up to the launch. People are able to invite some or all of their FB friends to play. But with only three weeks until the launch of the mobile […] Comments: 0

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  Entrepreneur

• Downtown Diary: Inside Zappos and the $350 Million Urban Experiment in Las Vegas

  22 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  In the third of a four-part series, we take you behind the scenes for a first-hand look at Tony Hsieh's Downtown Project, which is counting on entrepreneurs to help revitalize Sin City.

• SBA Secures Pledge from Banks to Lend More to Veteran Entrepreneurs

  21 May 2013 | 12:27 pm

  The government's small-business agency announces a pledge to support approximately 2,000 additional businesses.

• 3 Leadership Lessons From Tumblr's David Karp

  21 May 2013 | 12:25 pm

  Learn how the 26-year-old founder navigated the challenges of growing the business in the early days.

• The Key to Building a Strong Online Reputation (Infographic)

  21 May 2013 | 11:00 am

  Managing your company's digital brand is an important part of your success. Here is a detailed look at the right -- and wrong -- way to do it.

• Why 'You' May Be Standing in the Way of Your Company's Success

  21 May 2013 | 10:00 am

  In business, as in life, your preconceived notions can wreck your future potential. To stamp them out, consider an attitude adjustment.

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  TechCrunch

• Airtasker Wants To Be oDesk Of Southeast Asia

  Victoria Ho

  22 May 2013 | 2:58 am

  Australian startup, Airtasker, is keen to expand out of its home country into Southeast Asia, which it says hasn’t been touched by large competitors yet. The year-old startup provides job matching for freelancers and employers, similar to what oDesk and Elance do. For its first steps outside of Australia, its first port of call will be Singapore, where it wants to hire two country managers. Airtasker joins a scene that already has a few huge competitors. oDesk, for example, has been around since 2005. Last year, the company raised $15 million, making its total funding $45 million to…

• SumUp, One Of Europe's Many Mobile Payments Startups, Launches In Russia - Now Operating In 11 Markets

  Natasha Lomas

  22 May 2013 | 2:32 am

  SumUp, one of the myriad European Square-style mobile card reader startups, has expanded its coverage footprint by rolling into an eleventh European market: Russia. SumUp is now operational in the U.K., Germany, Ireland, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Belgium and now Russia, giving it a larger international geographical footprint than other European mobile point-of-sales rivals including iZettle and Rocket Internet-backed Payleven. To support its Russia launch SumUp has opened a local office in Moscow, and partnered with Svyaznoy Group, a Russian retail and…

• Aiming To Be The Mobile Banking App To Rule Them All, Numbrs Stashes $7.7M Of Fresh Funding

  Steve O'Hear

  22 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  Chalk this up as one to watch closely in the world of consumer fintech. Numbrs, a mobile-first banking app founded out of Swiss company builder Centralway, has raised 7.5 million Swiss francs (~$7.7 million) from its parent, capital it will use to build on its pending German launch, with the UK and Swiss markets up next, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong. The startup, which also hails from Switzerland (a country known for its “innovative” banking) bills itself as a mobile banking app to rule them all, offering a financial dashboard similar to something like Intuit-owned…

• Rando's 5M Anti-Social Photo Shares Could Be The Canary In The Social Networking Coalmine

  Natasha Lomas

  22 May 2013 | 1:29 am

  Rando only launched in March but the anti-social photo-sharing app that deliberately eschews the standard social network clutter of likes and comments and connections – simply letting users share random photos with random strangers and get random snaps in return — has blasted past five million photo shares after a little over two months in the wild. It is now averaging around 200,000 shares per day, says its creator ustwo. For half that time Rando was iOS only, with its Android app not launching til April. Platform spread aside, the huge point here is that Rando has ditched all…

• Sleep Tracking Startup Zeo Says Goodnight

  Jon Orlin

  22 May 2013 | 1:23 am

  One of the early pioneers in the Quantified Self movement has quietly gone out of business. Zeo, a leading maker of hardware and software used by consumers to track sleep and improve their health, has not been operating since the end of last year. A trustee has nearly completed the sale of all company assets. Zeo has been very quiet about the news up until now. In fact, Zeo’s website is still up and doesn’t mention the news. Zeo was founded by three students at Brown University who had a passion for using the science of sleep and technology to improve people’s lives. The…

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  Knowledge@Wharton

• Adobe's Shift to the Cloud: Is This the Start of a Trend?

  8 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Adobe, the leading software company targeting creative professionals, is exiting the shrink-wrap software business in favor of subscription-based software and online "cloud" services. While perhaps painful at first, the business model change will be ultimately beneficial for consumers and Adobe alike, and other software companies are likely to follow, say experts at Wharton.

• Research Roundup: Foreign Diversification, Social Comparisons and Consumer Identity

  8 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Is investing in foreign stocks still a good strategy for offsetting risk and boosting returns in your portfolio? How do social comparisons impact the different dimensions of trust that people can have for each other? How can companies use emotional cues to convey a particular identity to consumers? Wharton professors Karen Lewis, Maurice Schweitzer and Patti Williams, respectively, examined these issues -- and what they mean for business and consumers -- in recent research papers.

• Wharton's 2013 Business Plan Competition: Health Care, Kids, Fashion and More

  8 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Finalists in this year's Wharton Business Plan Competition proposed innovations to disrupt areas including health care, used car sales, children's retail and fashion. On the day of judgment last month, eight teams described their business plan and potential market, with several thousand dollars in prize money on the line. Check out descriptions of each plan, and see if you can guess the winner.

• As Crowdfunding Grows, the Rewards Increase -- but So Do the Risks

  8 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  As the recent successful campaign to fund a movie based on the television show "Veronica Mars" proves, crowdfunding is now recognized as a reliable funding avenue for both start-ups and established firms. But the growth of the sector also creates more regulatory challenges and raises questions about the risks that funders take when they put their money behind a project.

• Beth Comstock and GE: Imagining the Future

  8 May 2013 | 1:54 pm

  Beth Comstock, a senior vice president and chief marketing officer at General Electric, thinks everyone should embrace change, accept challenges and never fear failure. It is advice that has helped her continue to grow in her career at NBC, CBS and now GE, where, among other things, she convinced the CEO to support a new slogan for the company: "imagination at work." Comstock offered her thoughts during a Wharton Leadership Lecture.

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  swombat.com

• Four pricing principles

  Daniel Tenner

  22 May 2013 | 1:15 am

  Excellent points by Des Traynor: Charge earlier than you're comfortable Charge more than you're comfortable Justify (or kill) your lowest plan Plan on changing prices Each of those deserves highlighting, but Des already does a good job of discussing them in the article, so I'll just comment on the last one. Pricing is a very tricky thing to get right the first time. Yet, in a world where we are willing to A/B test so many things, we are strangely reticent towards changing our pricing around dramatically. Yet the stories of startups that changed their pricing schemes (not just their prices,…

• Sometimes, failure is your best option

  Daniel Tenner

  21 May 2013 | 7:15 am

  Brad Feld: I strongly believe that there are times you should call it quits on a business. Not everything works. And — even after trying incredibly hard, and for a long period of time — failure is sometimes the best option. An entrepreneur shouldn’t view their entrepreneur arc as being linked to a single company, and having a lifetime perspective around entrepreneurship helps put the notion of failure into perspective. Entrepreneurship is a career (and a safe one at that). But that doesn't mean that every startup you start has to succeed for you to be successful. Quite the contrary.

• Corrosive Acquihires

  Daniel Tenner

  14 May 2013 | 7:15 am

  Acquihires are not that much of a problem in London. There are a lot of talented people available for hire, and for a Google or an Amazon, it'll be more productive to poach great software engineers from the financial services world (you probably don't even need to pay them as much as a bank would) than to pay massive premiums by acquiring startups. Still, interesting to read this analysis by Mark Suster: You have been at Google, Salesforce.com, Yahoo! for years. You have worked faithfully. Evenings. Weekends. Year in, year out. You have shipped to hard deadlines. You’ve done the death-march…

• Stop looking for a cofounder

  Daniel Tenner

  13 May 2013 | 11:15 pm

  Dave Lerner: Even without a co-founder, you can acquire skills and employ powerful tools to get to a minimum viable product all by your lonesome. In fact, it’s so easy and accessible, there really is no excuse not to. Imagine how powerful this is. You can generate a massive amount of value before even thinking about having to dilute your equity. Ironically, this is actually the best way to find co-founders, early employees and investors — just get a real business up and running by yourself! I think "I just need a cofounder to get started" ranks up there with "I just need $100k to get…

• Taking the leap

  Daniel Tenner

  15 Mar 2013 | 4:57 am

  I'm a pretty stern opponent of the idea that entrepreneurship is like jumping out of a plane. As an image, it has all sorts of incorrect implications (you only have one shot, you'll die if you fail, it's really scary, it can end in something horrible and violent, it's for thrill-seekers, etc) which mislead new entrepreneurs badly. For example, many will stake everything on that one startup and not realise that entrepreneurship is a career, and that it will probably take them years to get the hang of it. That said, when you're sitting in your comfortable office chair in the office of a large…

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  SmartBrief on Entrepreneurs

• When it makes sense to fail

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Sometimes, despite all of your hard work, you just can't turn your business into a success, writes Brad Feld.  -More- 

• Why leaders should keep it real

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Leaders should spend less time worrying about what they do and more time focusing on the person they are, writes Margie Warre -More- 

• Harassing reporters and other PR blunders

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Throwing a lavish launch party can turn into a public relations disaster if it takes the focus off your core product, writes  -More- 

• VCs often provide more than cash

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Venture capital firms don't just offer money to startup founders; they also try to create value in other ways, such as by hel -More- 

• Slow and steady wins the startup race

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Stitch Fix, a company that ships personalized packages of clothing to its customers, has chosen to grow slowly rather than sp -More- 

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  VatorNews.tv

• Here is a preview of AngelPad's Demo Day

  22 May 2013 | 12:00 am

  We highlight four of the 12 companies that will be presenting for angels and investors on WednesdayAngelPad, a mentorship program founded by ex-Googler Thomas Korte, is set to host its sixth ever Demo Day on Wednesday. After receiving a few thousand applications, and interviewing 120 companies, it has come down to 12 startups whp will be presenting their companies to angels and investors, in the hopes of attracting a seed round of funding.  I got to stop by the AngelPad offices on Tuesday, and was able to talk to four of the exciting companies who will be presenting…

• Why you should be angry with Apple's tax shenanigans

  21 May 2013 | 2:44 pm

  Tim Cook's corporate tax proposal: "Not zero." Tim Cook took to Capitol Hill Tuesday to defend Apple’s complex matrix of tax dodging trickery. Several times throughout the hearing, he was asked what kind of corporate tax rate we should have in the U.S. to keep large, multi-billion dollar companies like Apple from shunting their money overseas. Each time the question came up, Cook artfully avoided giving a concrete number (which I would imagine is the first rule of Negotiation 101), and suggested instead that “it doesn’t have to be zero.” Why, Mr. Cook. How magnanimous…

• Postmaster raises $600K to simplify eCommerce shipping

  21 May 2013 | 9:00 am

  The TechStars Cloud graduate gets support from Capital Factory, Cloud Power, and Zelkova VenturesE-commerce growth continues to dominate brick-and-mortar retail growth. While online retail still only accounts for less than 10% of all retail dollars spent in the U.S., it’s gobbling up more and more of those retail dollars every year. Last quarter, e-commerce sales grew 13% year-over-year to $50.2 billion, making it the second consecutive quarter to pass the $50 billion mark, according to comScore. More sales mean more shipments and deliveries. But as it turns out, that can be pretty…

• Pandora debuts new station to preview upcoming albums

  21 May 2013 | 8:19 am

  Albums will be available on Pandora Premieres for up to a week before their official U.S. releaseThe music streaming space is becoming more and more crowded over time, with seemingly every company, from Google to Twitter, getting into it. So if you are a  service like Pandora, how do you make yourself stand out? By giving users something no one else can. Pandora has unveiled a new station called Pandora Premieres, which will allow users to preview album releases in their entirety before they go on-sale, the company announced Tuesday.  The new station will feature previews…

• Knewton partners with Macmillan to help ELL students

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  Knewton and Macmillan target English Language Learners, who have the highest dropout ratesThe future of education is all about personalization. Kids come in all varieties, and teaching them the same curriculum with the same content and expecting them all to meet the same goals at the same time is a losing strategy. It could explain why a full third of all high school students don’t graduate. One of the more interesting startups, Knewton, is attempting to change this with its unique adaptive learning platform, which teaches to the individual student with its Adaptive Learning Platform.

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  Small Business Labs

• What is Quantum Computing?

  Steve

  22 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  The announcements that Google and Lockheed Martin have purchased quantum computers has led to a lot of recent coverage on the topic. Quantum computers are very, very fast. Instead of using the traditional approach of a string of 1's and 0's that are either turned on or off, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits. Qubits take advantage of the weird behavior of quantum mechanics which means they can essentially be both on and off at the same time.  This allows them to multitask and at least in some cases potentially run thousands of times faster than traditional…

• Using Twitter's Promoted Tweets

  Steve

  21 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  Promoted Tweets are basically paid ads for Tweets. They are described by Twitter as "ordinary Tweets purchased by advertisers who want to reach a wider group of users or to spark engagement from their existing followers." Promoted Tweets have been around for a couple of years, but Twitter limited the number of companies allowed to use them.  They recently changed this policy and now anyone can pay to their Tweets promoted.  Over the last month Small Business Labs has been experimenting with promoted tweets.  Here are our reactions: 1. Promoted…

• R.I.P Lotus 1-2-3

  Steve

  20 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  IBM recently announced that it's no longer selling Lotus 1-2-3.  Most readers of this blog likely have never heard of Lotus 1-2-3.  But more experienced readers (meaning old) will remember 1-2-3 as their first PC spreadsheet and the first "killer app" for the PC. Lotus Development Corporation released 1-2-3 in 1983 and it quickly became one of the most popular PC software products of its era.   Along with other now forgotten PC software companies like Word Perfect (word processing), Ashton-Tate (database) and Software Publishing (graphics), Lotus helped drive…

• Self-Employment Shifting to the Creative Class

  Steve

  16 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  Well known author and academic Richard Florida has written extensively about the rise of the creative class. According to his work, the creative class - a grouping of knowledge-based professions - has rapidly increased its share of total employment over the last 2 decades and now comprises about one third of all U.S. jobs. While the majority of creative class members have traditional jobs, a growing share of the self-employed are also members of the creative class. The chart below shows the percent of total self-employment for 2 of the 3 broad employment sectors. I left off the services…

• Temps Working More Hours Than Employees

  Steve

  15 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  Prior to the Great Recession temporary workers worked, on average, fewer hours per week than regular employees.  But as the chart below (from a NY Times Economix blog post) shows, this shifted in 2009 and temps now work, on average, 30 minutes more per week than regular employees.      I think this shift is an example of broader changes taking place in the economy as more firms increase their use of temporary and contingent workers.  BTW, another interesting tidbit from this chart is according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you need to work…

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  Ben Parr's Entrepreneurial Musings

• Bay to Breakers, Through the Eyes of Google Glass

  Ben Parr

  21 May 2013 | 7:30 am

  Tweet I decided to wear Google Glass to Bay to Breakers, San Francisco’s annual “What kind of ridiculous and/or slutty costume can I wear?” race/celebration. This is part of my month-long experiment to wear Google Glass as often and as long as possible to see A) how people react, B) how my habits change and C) whether I will like them enough to keep wearing them. Quick thoughts: I took a lot more photos and videos while wearing Glass. It was just… so easy to do. I got asked by at least 20 strangers to try on the Glass. Some thought I was assholes for not letting them…

• Is Apple’s Tim Cook on the Money with Changing U.S. Tax Laws? My Thoughts on CNBC [VIDEO]

  Ben Parr

  20 May 2013 | 4:23 pm

  Tweet I dropped by CNBC this afternoon to discuss an issue that will dominate the headlines this week — a proposal by Apple CEO Tim Cook to simplify the tax laws regarding the repatriation of corporate cash. Currently, Apple has more than $100 billion sitting overseas ($1.7 trillion is doing the same from the top 1000 U.S. companies) because of a rule that would tax that money by 35% before it can enter the U.S. It’s a complicated subject that we discuss in depth. Check out where I fall on the issue below:

• Rocking Google Glass on NBC’s Press: Here [VIDEO]

  Ben Parr

  20 May 2013 | 9:37 am

  Tweet I dropped by NBC Bay Area recently for NBC’s Press: Here to interview some awesome people, including Hipmunk CEO Adam Goldstein and Zoosk CEO Shayan Zadeh. But mostly, I dropped by to chat about Google Glass and see how distracting it would be to wear for an entire interview show. The verdict? “It wasn’t as distracting as I thought it would be,” said NBC’s Scott McGrew. You can check out this week’s interviews below:

• Mark Zuckerberg Is an Awesome CEO. Watch Me Explain Why on CNBC [VIDEO]

  Ben Parr

  15 May 2013 | 5:05 pm

  Tweet I was on CNBC earlier today to answer the question, “Is Mark Zuckerberg In Over His Hoodie?”, facing off against Silverback Social CEO Chris Dessi. My argument was simple: Facebook stock has been on the rise in the last six months, and replacing a founder with a manager at the CEO level is usually a disaster (just ask Apple). Check it out and let me know what you think.

• Reading: “Boston Combs Mile-Square Crime Scene After Blasts”

  Ben Parr

  16 Apr 2013 | 10:37 am

  Tweet Boston Combs Mile-Square Crime Scene After Blasts – NYTimes.com. These monsters will be brought to justice, but it’s going to take a lot of time and patience.

• 

  Business tips for startups by proven entrepreneurs - Mixergy

• Lessons From Door-To-Door Sales – with Ramu Tremblay

  Andrew Warner

  20 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  If you do a search on Mixergy for the phrase, “door to door” you’ll notice that dozens of the successful founders I interviewed got started by knocking on doors and turning strangers into paying customers. So, I invited Ramu Tremblay, who used to sell software and books for families with kids using door to door sales, to teach us what he learned from the experience. Watch the FULL program Prefer audio? Great! “Right click” here for the MP3 format. About Ramu Tremblay Ramu Tremblay works in sales for Paperless Pipeline, which takes real estate transactions and…

• CraftJack: How To Launch And Sell A Company In Two Years – with Ross Gordon

  Andrew Warner

  17 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  How does a copywriter who maxed out his credit cards end up building a multimillion dollar lead business? Ross Gordon is the CEO of CraftJack.com which sells leads to contractors. He started the company in 2011 and sold it the following year. I’ll ask him for how much in this interview. Watch the FULL program Prefer audio? Great! “Right click” here for the MP3 format. About Ross Gordon Ross Gordon is the CEO of CraftJack.com, which helps contractors grow their business and find new clients through lead generation marketing. Raw transcript Mixergy’s audio transcription…

• If You’re Into Sales, You HAVE TO See How This Inspring Guy Sold Knives. Yup, Knives. – with Hal Elrod

  Andrew Warner

  15 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  After interviewing so many successful entrepreneurs, I happened to notice that a few of them have said that because they sold Cutco knives early in their careers, they became good sales people. So I filed it away and said, “I wonder what it is about Cutco. What are they teaching their people? I’d like to learn that.” A fan in the audience heard me say that and they helped me land today’s guest. Hal Elrod is a Cutco hall of fame Sales rep and manager. He’s also a motivational speaker who inspires business people and college students with stories of what he learned…

• Likeable Local: Turning A Job That Sucked Into Something Incredible – with Dave Kerpen

  Andrew Warner

  13 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  In this interview I want to find out how a guy who used to sell snacks at ballgames built a multimillion dollar social media business. Yes, social media business. Dave Kerpen is the co founder of Likeable Media, an award-winning social media and word of mouth marketing firm. Also, he is the founder of Likeable Local, his new software company. And, piling onto this intro here, he’s also the author of Likeable Social Media: How to Delight Your Customers, Create an Irresistible Brand, and Be Generally Amazing on Facebook. Watch the FULL program Prefer audio? Great! “Right…

• Aweber: Will They Buy What You Built? – with Tom Kulzer

  Andrew Warner

  10 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  How does a marketing idea turn into a business? Tom Kulzer is the founder of AWeber, email marketing software that’s used by over 115,000 businesses including Mixergy. The idea came to him when he sold hardware at a previous job earlier in his life. I invited him here to talk about how that idea turned into a business and how he got so many customers. Watch the FULL program Prefer audio? Great! “Right click” here for the MP3 format. About Tom Kulzer Tom Kulzer is the founder of AWeber, email marketing software that’s used by over 115,000 businesses including Mixergy.

• 

  Bootstrapping a Startup - Business Exchange

• Something Ventured

  Business Exchange

  20 May 2013 | 11:15 pm

  This movie, Something Ventured, offers a unique insight into the rise of venture capital, with some notable examples. So watch and learn about "the single greatest engine of innovation and economic growth in the 20th century"

• 7 Killer Tools to Boost Startup Sales in 2012

  Business Exchange

  5 Dec 2011 | 8:44 am

  Marketing Matters for Local Business

• The New Rules for Startups

  Business Exchange

  22 Nov 2011 | 9:57 am

  Raising capital is an intense process, which can be made easier by taking into consideration the following ten rules

• How to Grow a Business (With Little Cash)

  Business Exchange

  14 Apr 2011 | 3:59 am

  In today’s world, stretching your dollar is an important concept, especially for entrepreneurs. While securing funding to expand your fledgling business is important, it’s also key to know the various ways you can grow your business with little capital investment.

• Ten Tips on How to Get the Entrepreneur X-Factor

  Business Exchange

  31 Oct 2011 | 9:15 am

  To be successful as an entrepreneur, you don’t have to be a fabulous person, but it helps. Some people, and some entrepreneurs, have that something extra, like Simon Cowell is searching for on the X-Factor, that you can’t quite put

• 

  The Businessmakers Radio Show

• Brandonomics from Savage - Karen Love

  The Businessmakers Radio Show - Robin Tooms

  18 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  Brand journalism may be the Next Big Thing. Robin Tooms discusses targeted leadership with Karen Love, director of practice growth for accounting firm PKF Texas.

• Carlos Ramos - Latin Bites

  The Businessmakers Radio Show - Russ Capper

  18 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  How far would you go to grow your dream? Start really small? Hire family? Give up a kidney?! Carlos Ramos, founder and owner of the very popular Latin Bites Café, certainly had his share of challenges while chasing his dream. But he had family that shared his dream, and for every not-so-good event he faced, something wonderful happened. Russ interviews a man who is grateful for many things. (And what a story!)

• PKF Texas: The Entrepreneur’s Playbook® - Sonia Freeman

  The Businessmakers Radio Show - Greg Price

  18 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  Just how hard is it to correct an operational mistake and where do you start? Greg Price discusses employee benefit plans with Sonia Freeman, a director in PKF’s audit department.

• Ted Schilowitz - Red Digital Cinema

  The Businessmakers Radio Show - Russ Capper

  18 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  We revisit a BusinessMakers favorite: Russ’ interview at SXSW in Austin with Ted Schilowitz, co-founder of Red Digital Cinema, manufacturer of digital cinematography cameras and accessories. Red Digital cameras are the standard for all Hollywood and Independent motion pictures. Ted is a fascinating interview and is proving himself to be one of Hollywood’s movers and shakers.

• School of Business 05/18/2013

  The Businessmakers Radio Show - Russ Capper|John Beddow

  18 May 2013 | 1:30 am

  Russ and John host the show about the make-it-happen entrepreneurs. They are the most creative members of our free enterprise system and their enthusiasm will never die. We LOVE that guy who invented the wheel! Includes: The BusinessMakers Quote of the Week—something funny from American humorist Franklin P. Jones; This Week in Business History includes the mercury thermometer, the first accordion, blue jeans and IBM’s Electronic Brain; the Jargon Challenge Round—trendy technospeak that YOU should know and Dumb Moments—some people in Manhattan are really low.

• 

  Up and Running

• How to make sure your bar doesn’t end up on “Bar Rescue”

  Todd Edman

  21 May 2013 | 10:51 am

  If your in the bar business, you’ve probably seen an episode of “Bar Rescue.” Nothing better than Spike TV at 2 a.m. and seeing John Taffer confront a guilty bar staff. It makes for good TV, but lets be honest: if you have to yell at your bar staff every week to get them to perform, you probably need a new staff. So how do you create long-term accountability behind the bar? How do get your bartenders to do an even pour each time? How do you make sure that your signature drinks are made exactly the same way so that you create that consistent customer experience that…

• Speaking for Leads

  Cidnee Stephen

  20 May 2013 | 8:04 am

  I love to write – creatively as well as for business. So last year I decided to take a course at a nearby college to learn how to hone this skill. I learned a very valuable lesson that really should be the golden rule for your marketing. It’s always better to SHOW your audience than TELL them. Speaking is a great way to do this, especially for those of you in service-based businesses. Here are just a few of the key advantages of integrating this into your marketing: You have the opportunity to educate your target market in your area of expertise. By demonstrating your expertise, you…

• Friday roundup: Amy’s Baking Company, rising small business optimism, creative business people

  Tyree Harris

  17 May 2013 | 5:04 am

  Don’t get so wrapped up in work that you forget to stay up with the current events of the business world! Amid all of the chaos, grab a cup of Joe and take a short reading break. 1. If you haven’t heard about the Amy’s Baking Company fiasco, please look into it. It’s probably the most hilarious and frightening online meltdown in business history. After appearing on an episode of “Kitchen Nightmares,” where they were so awful Gordon Ramsay fired them, The couple received a lot of flak on their Facebook page. Instead of just accepting it and moving on, they…

• How do I generate buzz for a website launch?

  Will Stevens

  16 May 2013 | 8:56 am

  Taking the time to design and build a website that reflects your company’s values is vital if you’re looking to bring to market a new product or service; but if people don’t know about your site then that investment is effectively wasted. Here are the steps you need to take to ensure you clock up hits from day one. Pre-launch planning This covers pretty much everything from selecting the right domain name, to design and content; it’s one of the most vital parts of the process. With so many domains already registered, you’re likely to have to compromise when it…

• Energy efficiency tips for your business

  Jason Smith

  15 May 2013 | 2:04 pm

  Each and every business must work to improve its energy savings. This will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but also improve companies’ cost savings and energy efficiency. And it is often a simple thing to do, with positive changes in energy usage having the ability to reduce a business’ energy bill by around 20 percent. However, before your business begins its journey to improved energy consumption, you must appreciate the uniqueness of your business and understand that certain measures are not appropriate; if a change seems impractical it may be the wrong option at…

• 

  Startup Lawyer

• Tech Wildcatters Pitch Day 2013

  Ryan Roberts

  10 May 2013 | 7:55 am

  Tech Wildcatters has just announced a new location for their 2013 Pitch Day. Pitch Day 2013 will be held on Thursday, May 23 from noon to 3pm (Dallas Texas Time) at the Granada Theater. Prior Pitch Days were held at the Magnolia, but due to demand, Pitch Day 2013 will be held at a larger [...]

• Tech Wildcatters Announces 2013 Class

  Ryan Roberts

  6 Mar 2013 | 6:14 am

  Tech Wildcatters recently announced the 11 participants for their 2013 class. As usual, this class features participants from around the country. Read about the teams straight from Tech Wildcatters here or their coverage in the Dallas Morning News here.

• The Rolling Close

  Ryan Roberts

  8 Feb 2013 | 7:28 am

  Unlike Series A Rounds, most seed rounds of financing don’t have all investors fund their investment on the same date. Sometimes it’s a matter of logistics for investors, but mostly it’s because the startup is continuously identifying and pitching potential angel investors to join in the seed round. The startup can’t afford to wait to [...]

• Price Cap Liquidation Preference Windfall Regulators

  Ryan Roberts

  22 Jan 2013 | 9:16 pm

  Most convertible notes have a price cap as a feature term. Depending on the delta between the price cap and the pre-money valuation of the qualified equity financing, the convertible note investors could receive a windfall in terms of liquidation preference. The Potential Problem Let’s say Series A investors invest at a pre-money valuation that [...]

• Tech Wildcatters Spring 2013 Applications Are Open

  Ryan Roberts

  6 Dec 2012 | 12:44 pm

  Tech Wildcatters, a Forbes Top 10 seed accelerator, is now accepting applications for the fifth cycle of their 12-week accelerator program which begins Spring 2013. The deadline for submissions is January 21, 2013. Comprised of 15 startups, the fifth cycle is set up to be the largest group of companies to go through the Tech [...]

• 

  Tech Cocktail

• MakerSquare Produces Industry-Ready Coders in 10 Weeks

  Guest Author

  21 May 2013 | 2:00 pm

  MakerSquare is the kind of idea that inspires ideas. In its simplest form, it is a 10-week, intensive, full-time, full-stack web development program. But if you talk to cofounder Ravi Parikh about the company, the discussion quickly moves from the simple logistics to wider (borderline philosophical) issues about technology, empowerment, community, and innovation. Even Parikh’s simple explanation of the company – “we’re building people who build things” – leads to an exponential visions of builders building builders that spread like some sort of tech version of Pay It…

• Create Music Scrapbooks and Journals with FanAddict

  Tom Krulikowski

  21 May 2013 | 1:00 pm

  “Everybody’s working for the weekend,” famed poets Loverboy once said. And sometimes on the weekend. We work – too much – and we save what we sow from our weekday grind – not enough – to use to unwind.We use sports, hiking, or art for an escape. Or music. And as our escape, we pour our passions into this outlet as much as we can. We become “fans” – fans of the opera, fans of the local sports teams, fans of a band that we follow around the country all summer.As passionate people, we need passionate applications. FanAddict is that passionate app that…

• Improve Your Startup’s Reputation With BrandYourself

  Heather Huhman

  21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Every startup or business owner has concerns about their online reputation. However, when you’re in the beginning of launching your business, it can be difficult to find room in your budget for your branding strategy.BrandYourself makes brand management simple and effective for startups. Typically, when you’re first starting your business, you don’t have a large budget set aside for marketing and branding. With the help of BrandYourself, users can make the most of their branding strategy through this affordable reputation management platform.According to Patrick Ambron,…

• Integrate Information and Data with Onspring’s Business Solution Applications

  Tom Krulikowski

  21 May 2013 | 10:00 am

  Software solutions are vital to businesses of any size. Incorporating data and information across software services effectively can be the deciding factor in achieving business goals. With the growing number of software programs and applications, businesses struggle to find the best mixture of solutions to work for their company.Onspring aims at ridding businesses of the hassle of mixing and matching software programs and applications from different providers by offering a comprehensive and customizable software solution that focuses on integration. With Onspring, companies can use an…

• For Entrepreneur and Cancer Survivor Rob Gough, Anything Is Possible

  Kira M. Newman

  21 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  At age 18, Rob Gough was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer. He was just finishing his freshman year in college, but he would have to put his studies on hold and spend the next year and a half going through chemotherapy.Those 17 long months were spent in and out of the hospital. He would do five days of chemotherapy, after which his immune system was completely devastated. He would spend two weeks recovering, avoiding raw fruits and vegetables because they might contain mold spores. If someone hit him, he risked bleeding to death internally. Then the chemo would start again. And over and…

• 

  Forbes - Entrepreneurs

• What Is A Family Office?

  Russ Alan Prince

  22 May 2013 | 3:39 am

  The very wealthy are in unprecedented numbers turning to family offices to address many of their financial and life issues. To compete, many of the traditional providers such as private banks and brokerage firms are establishing their own family office practices for their wealthiest clients. This client-intense renaissance is a function of the appeal of the family office model to the wealthy. Basically, there are two types of family offices ? single-family and multi-family offices.

• Vivek Wadhwa: We Need Your Stories and We Need Them Now!

  Women 2.0

  22 May 2013 | 3:24 am

  Singularity University?s Vivek Wadhwa got the ball rolling on a crowdsourced project to collect the stories of women working in the innovation economy worldwide. Now he needs women to step up and share their experiences, he tells Women 2.0.

• How To Multiply Efficiency And Free Up Hours Of Labor In An Instant

  John Kotter

  22 May 2013 | 3:03 am

  I am very fond of the strict ?No Slide Presentations? policy in our office. Since its inception, presentations have become more animated, engaging, and effective. My colleague Ken Perlman tells the story of how one of our clients realized the wasted time and effort being poured into formal executive presentations and diverted that time to boosting productivity and trust simply by replacing slides with conversations.

• Copying What The Best Companies Do: Yes, It Can Be Extremely Entrepreneurial

  Paul B. Brown

  22 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  It probably goes back to elementary school, when you were told "keep your eyes on your own paper."

• They Will Change Your Life. The 7 Non-Negotiables Of Winning

  David K. Williams

  21 May 2013 | 9:49 pm

  David Williams at the Fishbowl Day of Service, 2012 Today, I would like to share the principles that have transformed me and our company and a growing number of people across the globe.  They are simple and powerful and I promise you that if you make the time to learn and

• 

  Startup Professionals Musings

• Recent Gen-Y Startup Successes are an Emerging Era

  21 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  The business world has been watching this emerging generation with trepidation, and a lot of people haven’t been sure who would be the winners, and who would be the losers. Can Gen-Y, much less the new Generation Z (1995-2010), survive as entrepreneurs, and do they have the passion and commitment it takes to run a startup and attract investors? My own perspective is that the recession was good for Gen-Y (Millennials), because it forced them to face reality, often for the first time in their life. In the last few years, even college grads with advanced degrees don’t have job opportunities…

• 6 Strategies for Transforming Ideas Into Results

  20 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  Successful startups are all about turning ideas into action quickly and efficiently. These actions must be the hard part, since entrepreneurs always seem to come to me with ideas, and ask me for help on the actions. That has always seemed strange to me, since the magic is supposed to be in the ideas, and the actions are the same for every business. In fact, the actions required to start and run a business are well documented, the subject of many books, and taught in college courses across the land. As confirmed to me by John Spence in his book on this subject, Awesomely Simple, turning…

• How an Entrepreneur Can be Open But Stay In Control

  19 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  The emergence of social networking and the Internet has caused a new focus and value on “openness,” which leads to a new element of leadership, called “Open Leadership.” The mantra of open leadership is “Be Open, Be Transparent, and Be Authentic.” This is counter to the traditional business premise of “control,” so many companies are still pushing back. Charlene Li, in her book “Open Leadership,” shows leaders how to tap into the power of the social technology revolution and use social media to be “open” while still maintaining control. I support her ten elements of…

• Inspiration Without Perspiration is a Dull Startup

  18 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  I’m fully convinced that both inspiration and perspiration are always required in a startup. Yet many people seem to be stuck on one end or other of this equation – all perspiration with no dream, or all inspiration with no reality. Success is the right balance of both for fun and profit. Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. Those at the other extreme don’t look up from the grindstone long enough to notice whether all their work is producing…

• 10 Entrepreneur Risks Worth Taking in Every Startup

  17 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  Being a risk taker in business is not the same as being reckless. Nevertheless, the word “risk” has a negative connotation to most of us, implying danger and possible loss. For true entrepreneurs, risk is viewed as a positive, with its implied challenge to overcome the unknown and hitting the big return. In fact, risk is an integral part of life, as well as every business, yet so few people learn to manage it properly, or even want to think about it. One way to learn is to understand better how successful entrepreneurs approach risk, and look at actual strategies they use for success. I…

• 

  Presentation Zen

• No excuse for boring an audience: Advice on giving technical presentations

  Garr

  7 May 2013 | 10:47 pm

  Long before "death-by-powerpoint" or vertigo-by-prezi, there were bad presentations. Really bad presentations. So don't blame the software. The genesis of painfully dull or muddled presentations predates the computer. No one knows this better than scientists, researchers, and academics, who have long been required to attend numerous conferences each year, conferences which typically feature a keynote speaker and scores of shorter presentations by others in their field. Over the years I've heard from many people with technical backgrounds about what is a good presentation and what is not. I've…

• TED Talk: A story of survival, resilience, and hope

  Garr

  24 Apr 2013 | 12:56 am

  Hyeonseo Lee's 2013 TED Talk describing her escape from North Korea is one of the most compelling and inspiring talks I've seen on the TED stage in quite a while. I'm not saying it's technically the best TED talk ever, but it's certainly one of my personal favorites. I showed the talk a few times here to my students in Japan and they were amazed and inspired by this young woman's experience and her remarkable story. There are storytelling lessons to be learned by examining these kind of true-life personal narratives. In the book Story Craft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction,…

• Should we be suspicious of stories?

  Garr

  12 Apr 2013 | 3:35 am

  We are wired for stories. “Evolutionary biologists confirm that 100,000 years of reliance on stories have evolutionarily hardwired a predisposition into human brains to think in story terms,” says research scientist and engineer Kendall Haven in his book Story Proof: The Science Behind the Startling Power of Story. “We are programmed to prefer stories and to think in story structures.” Stories are ubiquitous in our lives. Jean-Paul Sartre said, "A man is always a teller of stories. He lives surrounded by his own stories and those of other people. He sees everything that happens to him…

• Visual storytelling lessons from Citizen Kane, one of Roger Ebert's favorite films

  Garr

  8 Apr 2013 | 1:34 am

  Last week, a mere two days after he wrote an article entitled "A Leave of Presence," the acclaimed and beloved American film critic Roger Ebert died. Like millions of other people, news of his passing deeply saddened me. I loved Ebert's writing, his wit, and his determination battling illness these past years, but I will always remember him from the '80s with Siskel & Ebert. Their authenticity was so rare and appealing back then (it's still rare today). I learned a lot about what makes for a good film over the years by reading or listening to Roger Ebert. Since the '90s, Ebert took time…

• Never leave the playground: The key to a long, happy life

  Garr

  5 Apr 2013 | 3:34 am

   "We don’t stop playing because we grow old,"George Bernard Shaw said. "We grow old because we stop playing." We know—but too often forget—that play is a key component of learning and creativity (it's even good for business). Play is also the key to a healty body, a healthy mind, and a long life, says Stephen Jepson, founder of Never Leave the Playground. Last week I received an email from Stephen Jepson saying how much the Presentation Zen book has helped him in spreading his message. Jepson, who is 72, is an internationlly acclaimed potter and a retired college professor on a mission…

• 

  Great Demo!

• [Warning: Shameless Self-Promotion Alert] Great Demo! Public Workshop May 22-23 - Next Week

  Peter E. Cohan

  15 May 2013 | 9:16 am

  Our next Great Demo! Public Workshop is scheduled next week - May 22-23 in San Jose, California. Registration information can be found here (http://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2012/10/26/great-demo-workshop-on-may-22-23-2013/). This is a 1.5-Day Workshop, with the first day focusing largely on core Great Demo! concepts and the morning of the second day addressing more advanced topics and techniques. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals, small groups or for teams that have new hires. You can register using the link above or contact me for more information (PCohan@SecondDerivative.com).

• Reflector – Share iPad/iPhone screens in Remote Demos

  Peter E. Cohan

  14 May 2013 | 7:09 am

  Saw something very cool in a recent Great Demo! Workshop – one of the participants showed how to share his iPad via his Mac over WebEx… In other words, he was doing a demo on his iPad and shared it with customers located remotely, via his Mac while running WebEx (or GoToMeeting, etc.). Reflector is an app that enables this, using AirPlay to mirror an iPad or iPhone on a Mac or PC. Check it out: http://www.reflectorapp.com/

• Why Don't Customers Remember My Demos?

  Peter E. Cohan

  5 May 2013 | 10:11 am

  We typically encounter about 3000 interruption-based marketing messages every day – in the form of web/email/magazine/newspaper/radio/TV ads and commercials, billboards, other signage, and even the drink cans, bottles and snacks that we consume in conference rooms during meetings! Our brains are presented with this onslaught constantly. Accordingly we make very rapid yes/no, keep/discard decisions about what is important (things that are threatening, attractive, unusual, or humorous) and what can be ignored and discarded right away. To add to this, our brains also operate in “stack”…

• Practice Your Demos with Existing Customers

  Peter E. Cohan

  26 Apr 2013 | 11:41 am

  In addition to practicing demos with: - Other SC’s/presales team members - Sales people - Your spouse/significant other - Dog (always positive) or cat (typically more cynical) - Customer Champion You can also consider vetting demos with existing, friendly customers who may be willing to give you honest and often very useful feedback. This strategy is particularly useful when testing new Vision Generation demo ideas (for new products, updates, or existing products targeted at new customers, etc.).

• Menu Approach – Controlling the Content

  Peter E. Cohan

  18 Apr 2013 | 12:53 pm

  A Great Demo! Workshop participant pointed out (today!) that the Menu Approach offers an additional advantage: it (by definition) enables you to control what content can be explored. With a restaurant menu, the range of offerings is limited to what is on the menu (with the exception of a few daily specials, perhaps). This keeps the diners “on track” with respect to what the kitchen can create and serve. The Great Demo! Menu Approach provides that same control when presenting topics to your audience as it limits the topics (hopefully) to what you are able to demo.

• 

  The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com

• Juan Mendez Invokes Carl Sagan While Leading Arizona House Of Representatives Pre-Session Prayer

  The Huffington Post News Editors

  21 May 2013 | 11:54 pm

  Arizona State Rep. Juan Mendez (D) turned a Tuesday afternoon prayer into something much more.The Phoenix New Times reports that Mendez, who is an atheist, changed the course of the event held prior to the House of Representatives' afternoon session. He asked lawmakers to refrain from bowing their heads and instead to view their surroundings."Most prayers in this room begin with a request to bow your heads," Mendez said, according to the Phoenix New Times. "I would like to ask that you not bow your heads. I would like to ask that you take a moment to look around the room at all of the men and…

• Is Abortion About To Doom Republicans Again?

  The Huffington Post News Editors

  21 May 2013 | 10:34 pm

  Recently, I asked Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, one of the most fiercely pro-choice members of Congress, why she thought the House of Representatives had been so muted this year in its introduction of anti-abortion and anti–Planned Parenthood bills. “It pays to fight,” she said.Read More... More on Republicans

• Inhofe And Coburn: Red State Hypocrites

  The Huffington Post News Editors

  21 May 2013 | 10:31 pm

  Just a week ago, Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe suggested that President Obama might be impeached over the Benghazi non-scandal. Now, Inhofe must watch as Obama declares Inhofe’s state a disaster area and promises Oklahomans “all the resources they need at their disposal.”Read More... More on Republicans

• Sharks Top Kings In Game 4, 2-1: San Jose Ties Series (VIDEO)

  The Huffington Post News Editors

  21 May 2013 | 10:19 pm

  SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Thornton set the tone for the San Jose Sharks with a dominant first period. After that, the Sharks did their best to hang on and tie up their playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings.Thornton set up Brent Burns' first-period goal and Logan Couture added a power-play goal early in the second to give the Sharks just enough offense to beat the Kings 2-1 Tuesday night to knot their series at two games.Read More... More on Video

• Rev. Michael Fugee Faces Judge For Violating Ban On Access To Children

  The Huffington Post News Editors

  21 May 2013 | 10:18 pm

  By Mark Mueller Religion News ServiceHACKENSACK, N.J. (RNS) Wearing a bright orange prison jumpsuit, the priest at the center of the furor in the Archdiocese in Newark made his first court appearance on Tuesday (May 21) on charges he violated a court-sanctioned lifetime ban on working with children.Read More... More on Catholic Church

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  youngentrepreneurfoundation.wordpress.com

• Top Recruiting Tips: “Top Grading” Summary for Entrepreneurs, Educators, and Recruits

  kathykormanfrey

  14 May 2013 | 9:30 am

  Top Grading by Bradford Smart Now is final call for recruiting time: Internships, jobs, and maybe you want to start your own business. The well-known book Top Grading is a favorite in elite entrepreneur and corporate circles; namely because it’s a standard reference for recruiting on how to recruit A Players. A Players definition: One who qualifies among the top 10 percent of those available for a position and is willing to accept a job offer in your sector, organization, and location. Top Grading is a recruiting philosophy that looks for individuals with certain traits, and ends in an…

• Entrepreneurial Field Trip–Teaching Entrepreneurship both In and Outside the Classroom!

  mollyvyoung

  9 Apr 2013 | 8:17 pm

  NFIB’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation has created educational curriculum specifically to be used outside the classroom, in the educational setting of a small business environment. Teaching entrepreneurship can be difficult, but more importantly, it’s essential to the success of our young people. Entrepreneurial literacy and skills becomes essential to equip students for 21st Century opportunities, which means the American education system needs to include entrepreneurial teaching in the classroom and adults in the lives of young people need to begin talking about it outside the classroom…

• Can’t Take Your Daughters and Sons To Work? Bring the Workplace to Them!

  kathykormanfrey

  12 Mar 2013 | 6:57 am

  If you’re a wannabe entrepreneur, an entrepreneur, a corporate climber, a professor, doctor, machinist or anything in between: This post is for you. Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day  doesn’t work for everyone. Between missing school, company policies, and the nature of what you do, it may be downright impossible. What do the Duggars do, for instance? This post offers some ideas for how to start planning now so when Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day rolls around, everyone can participate. Background. Take your Daughters and Sons to work day is the fourth Thursday of…

• Passion: A Valentine’s Day Wish or an Entrepreneurial Necessity?

  mollyvyoung

  12 Feb 2013 | 11:22 am

  Throughout February, we hear the word “passion” all over the place. Passion can certainly be related to hearts and candy and flowers. But passion influences entrepreneurs beyond February 14th. Passion is a key element to success as a young entrepreneur. “Ideally, since 80 percent of your life is spent working, you should start your business around something that is a passion of yours. If you’re into kite-surfing and you want to become an entrepreneur, do it with kite-surfing. Look, if you can indulge in your passion, life will be far more interesting than if you’re just…

• Seven Secrets of Billion Dollar Companies – Blueprint to a Billion Entrepreneur Version

  kathykormanfrey

  31 Jan 2013 | 8:53 pm

  The Blueprint Growth Institute. This is the institute borne from David G. Thomson’s book profiling billion-dollar businesses. But not just any billion-dollar businesses: Ones that got there better and faster than others. Below we highlight the seven keys to success espoused by the most successful billion-dollar companies studied by Thomson. Essential #1 Create and Sustain a Breakthrough Value Proposition - Are we solving a compelling, unmet need (emotional, financial)? Are we providing value to the industry as well (streamlining, etc.)? Essential #2 Exploit a High-Growth Market - Is…

• 

  » Blog

• 4 Lessons From the Nightmarish Amy’s Baking Company

  Adam Toren

  21 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  Think the customer is always wrong? Here are a few lessons in entrepreneurship from the latest Kitchen Nightmares' season finale.

• The 10 Best Cities to Start a Business

  Jenna Goudreau

  20 May 2013 | 1:00 pm

  A new report ranks the top cities for startups based on lending, business friendliness, hiring pool and local economy.

• Co-Working NYC: An Inside Look at The Yard

  Casey Halter

  20 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  In our co-working series, NYU students give us the skinny on hot spaces in NYC. Here, we take a look at Brooklyn's creative-tech space The Yard.

• 10 Startup Events and News to Watch This Week

  Brad Crescenzo

  20 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  Eric Schmidt gets buddy buddy with David Cameron, Apple's Cook talks taxes, while indie retailers talk shop, Internet Week New York and the CM Summit kick off, the Ethernet turns 40, PandoMonthly features legendary investor John Doerr, Art Basel goes to Hong Kong… This week’s notable news and startup events for young treps:

• Free Online Service Matches Small Businesses With Lenders

  Michelle Goodman

  19 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  An art school uses an online lending matchmaker to find capital.

• 

  silicontap.com - Silicon Valley High Tech News

• Popexpert Finds $2M for Learning Video Marketplace

  21 May 2013 | 4:34 pm

  San Francisco-based Popexpert, which operates an online marketplace focused on video learning about a wide range of topics, has raised $2M in a funding round, the firm said Tuesday.... (more) READ MORE>>

• Brightpearl Gains $8M

  21 May 2013 | 3:34 pm

  San Francisco-based Brightpearl, a developer of software which integrates orders, inventory, and customer data from multiple, e-commerce engines and marketplaces for companies, has raised $8M in a funding round. The SEries B financing was co-led by Eden Ventures and Notion Capital.... (more) READ MORE>>

• MessageMe Gets $10M For Mobile Messaging Apps

  21 May 2013 | 11:32 am

  San Francisco-based MessageMe, which develops iOS and Android instant messaging apps, has raised $10M in a funding round, the company said today. The funding came from Greylock Partners, with the investment led by John Lilly.... (more) READ MORE>>

• ConsultingMD Finds $10M For Medical Advice Service

  21 May 2013 | 11:21 am

  Palo Alto-based ConsultingMD, which is developing an online service to connect patients with second opinions from medical experts, has raised $10M in a funding round. The round came from Venrock. The company said it will use the funds to further develop its service.... (more) READ MORE>>

• Adaptive Planning Gets $45M

  21 May 2013 | 11:00 am

  Mountain View-based Adaptive Planning, a developer of cloud-based, business analytics software, said today that it has raised $45M in a funding round.... (more) READ MORE>>

• 

  Austin Startup

• Mass Relevance Hits a 25 Billion Milestone

  Bryan Menell

  16 May 2013 | 1:23 pm

  Mass Relevance, the technology leader in social curation and integration, today announced that it has passed key company milestones as demand accelerates for social experiences that engage users and boost brand loyalty. As of May 15, the company’s platform has integrated 25 billion pieces of content into dynamic visualizations on digital displays ranging from TV and second screens through billboards, stadium displays, websites, mobile apps, conference centers and in-store displays.

• Mutual Mobile Launches GlassSim, Invites Everyone to Dream Big for Google Glass Apps

  Bryan Menell

  15 May 2013 | 6:34 am

  Mutual Mobile today unveiled GlassSim, a free, easy to use prototyping tool designed to encourage people to dream big about what can be accomplished with Google Glass. In a few short minutes users can mock-up fields of view from the perspective of someone wearing Google Glass – no technical expertise or coding required.

• Austinpreneurs as Celebrated Athletes

  Larry Chiang

  15 May 2013 | 6:20 am

  Bob Metcalfe wants tech founders to be heralded like athletes. I see a few tactical steps that will help. I'll break them into some non snarky categories and avoid "inside baseball" jargon that is inherent in my style of writing...

• 9W Search Reveals Partnership with The Street

  Bryan Menell

  13 May 2013 | 7:34 am

  TheStreet, a leading digital financial media company, announced today an agreement with 9W Search, Inc. of Austin, Texas to provide visitors of The Street.com with access to its innovative financial answer engine.

• Gluu integrates Toopher for 2FA

  Bryan Menell

  2 May 2013 | 10:45 am

  Gluu, an open source access management company, announced today that it has open-sourced the code needed to support Toopher, a location aware two-factor authentication mechanism, in its enterprise SSO and access management platform. With Toopher, Gluu’s enterprise customers can offer their employees, partners, and customers an excellent user experience for strong authentication with single sign-on to cloud, mobile, and social applications using SAML 2.0 and OpenID Connect, the soon-to-be standardized profile of OAuth 2.0.

• 

  Escape From Cubicle Nation

• Announcing … Fantastic lineup of Spring classes from Power Teaching students

  ssanders

  20 May 2013 | 11:54 am

  In March/April, I ran another small session of my Power Teaching class. Another extremely smart and enthusiastic group joined in intensive study of effective training design and development, and worked on real, live classes that they are launching this Spring and Summer. I love teaching this class for three reasons: It is exceptionally energizing to share my passion for teaching with completely open and eager participants They really worked their hearts out to apply great design to their classes, ensuring a superior learning experience for their students They were extremely generous with each…

• Why writing your book doesn’t have to be scary

  Pamela Slim

  25 Apr 2013 | 10:42 am

  I am delighted to feature a guest post today from my friend and fellow coach, bestselling author Debbie Rieber. Debbie is in the business of helping people get the books in their heads written, sold, and out into the world. As someone who is writing a book now, I know that we authors need all the help we can get! In this post, she helps to disprove some of the myths that keep us stuck and afraid to write. Enjoy! Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to strengthen your platform or someone with a body of research, a story, or a unique point of view you feel compelled to share, writing a book…

• It just got easier to book yourself solid

  Pamela Slim

  9 Apr 2013 | 9:58 am

  When I started my coaching practice, I felt extremely awkward when I talked with prospective clients. Asking for a sale felt like torture. And I was so excited about anyone at all hiring me for my services that I didn’t really consider whether they were a good fit or not. Thankfully, seven years ago I found  Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port, which gave me an extremely clear framework and tools for selling my services. One of the reasons why I liked the book so much is that Michael operates out of a personal value set of service and integrity. When I got to know him personally a…

• 10 Ways to Develop a Mastery Mindset

  Pamela Slim

  5 Apr 2013 | 4:17 pm

  In today’s world of hacks, shortcuts and instant money-making blueprints, I think we have lost appreciation for slow-brewing mastery in our work. Through the years, I have worked with many martial artists, cultural leaders and business mentors who have taught me that trying to finish first in a short race is not only stressful, it works against developing deep expertise. Here are ten ways to develop a mastery mindset: Learn patience My mother in law has taught me that Diné people (Navajos) have ceremonies for every part of life. There are baby’s first laugh ceremonies and puberty…

• Confession of an entrepreneurial optimist

  Pamela Slim

  15 Mar 2013 | 3:46 pm

  I am cruising into my 17th year in business. Seventeen years of creating things, connecting with people, figuring out what I want to do, what people need  and inviting them to pay me to help them get things done. It has been fun. Really, really fun. I remember when I first started blogging and everything was just so dang exciting. I didn’t know what I was doing, and had an ugly homegrown Typepad blog. Every day I would meet a new, cool person who would teach me something new. Rich Sloan from Startup Nation called me out of the blue one day to tell me he liked my writing and I think I…

• 

  Rajesh Setty » Blog

• Are you ready to do something special?

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  19 May 2013 | 10:43 pm

  Before I go any further, watch these two videos that will set the context for this article. While there is a chance that this may be staged, the point is to focus on the lesson on not on winning a debate that will lead to nothing. Video #1: Pumpcast News, Part 1 – The Tonight Show with Jay Leno This is a short video (5 minutes) where Jack Rafferty surprises a cool couple (husband is a bartender and wife is a fitness instructor) Click here to view the embedded video. Video #2: Pumpcast News, Part 2 – Happy Couple on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Jay Leno invites the happy couple…

• Six Simple Growth Equations

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  11 May 2013 | 7:27 am

  I was advising a young student who is getting into his first real job and wanted to keep everything plain and simple. The outcome was the following six simple growth equations. 1+1 = ? This is where you are working without a purpose. You don’t know what you want in life so you are confused whether you are growing or sliding sideways. The anxiety to “get things right” robs a lot of your growth. 1+1 = -1 This is where you make dumb career decisions such as focusing on personal gain at the expense of relationships. You take advantage of people forgetting that you don’t…

• One More Thank You

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  5 May 2013 | 3:10 pm

  Can one more Thank You make a big difference? The answer is Yes – just ask any person who received that Thank You from you. Why is it “one more” Thank You? The focus of this article is on that “one more.” The concept is so simple but one that has changed my life in a very profound way. Let’s get to the heart of it right away. [ Note: Printing this page might make this easy to do this exercise but it not required ] Think about your most recent “win” – be it in your personal or professional field. A win could be anything that has moved the…

• Mini Saga #128 – Readiness

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  29 Apr 2013 | 4:17 pm

  Mini Saga #128 – Readiness It was Dave’s first camping trip with his three friends. Tired after hiking all day, they wanted to sleep early in their tent. Seeing three pairs of earplugs in Dave’s hand, Sam asked him, “Why do you want three pairs of ear plugs?” Dave smiled, “They are not for me.” Readiness involves caring for yourself AND caring for others involved. Note: 1. A mini saga is a story told in exactly 50 words. Not 49 or 51 but exactly 50. 2. You can download a photographic manifesto of Mini Sagas at ChangeThis. Here is the link – Mini Sagas:…

• Why some smart people become oblivious to their stupid actions

  thinksulting@gmail.com (Rajesh Setty)

  18 Apr 2013 | 8:31 pm

  Have you seen some people do stupid things? More importantly, have you seen some smart people do stupid things AND are completely oblivious to that fact? If you are curious to know why this happens, please read the outcome of my mini-research project on this topic. [ Note: Replace "You" with any smart person in question ] Over the last few weeks, I asked a bunch of people about stupid things that they have done and what was the cause of that. I got dozens of interesting answers. Here is the partial list:  Didn’t seem stupid when I did it. Error in judgment, should not have happened I…

• 

  Get Elastic Ecommerce Blog

• Ten Conversion Testing Questions Answered

  Linda Bustos

  20 May 2013 | 1:03 am

  We talk a lot about conversion optimization tactics on Get Elastic. While they may be backed up by research, case studies or even what may be considered common sense, they can always be punctuated by one phrase: “You should test that.”I recently asked Chris Goward, author of You Should Test That some hard-hitting conversion optimization testing questions — answers below. Chris is a pioneer of conversion rate and landing page optimization and the founder of WiderFunnel, a testing consultancy that’s worked with ecommerce brands like Google, Electronic Arts, SAP,…

• The Web Usage Habits of Europeans [Infographic]

  Linda Bustos

  17 May 2013 | 1:03 am

  This week’s infographic is courtesy of MintTwist, looking at the web usage habits of Europeans.TweetablesEuropeans make up 12% of the global population, and 21% of the online population Tweet thisIceland and Scandanavia have the highest Internet penetration in Europe Tweet thisOnly 59% of Europeans shop online Tweet thisRomanians, Bulgarians and Italians are least likely Europeans to shop online Tweet this92% of Europeans prefer Google as a search engine Tweet this49% of Europeans use social networks daily, 1/3 of them are Russians Tweet thisThere are 131.5 million smartphones in Europe…

• Facebook Satire Reflects Real Attitudes About the Web

  Linda Bustos

  15 May 2013 | 2:48 pm

  This satirical vignette titled A Facebook Update in Real Life reflects some real-life attitudes towards the number one social network and the web experience in general.Enough with the constant updates! With Facebook, web applications and even some ecommerce sites, the only constant is change. As soon as a user catches up with the old experience, some creative decides to jumble everything around or add and remove major features. The benefit of adding a new shiny object could be outweighed by user frustration. And unless you’re as indispensable as Facebook, it could cause defection from…

• Why, Why Not and How to Use Facbeook Log In

  Linda Bustos

  13 May 2013 | 1:04 am

  Using Facebook credentials for registering and logging in to websites makes life easy for today’s impatient and password-overloaded users. But according to a survey by Betapond, only a modest 14.5% of European and a measly 6% of US ecommerce sites are using it.Despite its low adoption, social log in offers benefits to both a business and customers. What are the pros and cons of using it, and best practices should you choose to implement Facebook Connect for registration and account sharing?Top reasons why ecommerce sites should use Facebook Log inReduce friction in the registration…

• US Mobile Commerce 2013 and Beyond [Infographic]

  Linda Bustos

  10 May 2013 | 1:04 am

  This week’s infographic from Invesp Consulting highlights the growth in US mobile commerce this year and projected beyond.TweetablesMobile commerce is expected to account for 24% of total ecommerce sales by 2015 Tweet thisMcommerce expected to reach 15% of total ecommerce sales this year, 18% in 2014 Tweet thisTablets expected to drive $24B in ecommerce sales in 2013, $34B in 2014, $61B by 2016 Tweet thisSmartphones expected to drive $13B this yr, $17B 2014, $24B in 2016 Tweet this73% prefer mobile shopping for timesaving, 69% for deals + convenience, 63% for multitasking Tweet thisTime…

• 

  Planning Startup Stories

• How to Calculate Hourly Cost of an Employee

  Tim Berry

  21 May 2013 | 9:21 am

  For the sake of occasional business analysis — such as calculating return on investment (ROI) on a project, hiring a new employee, allocating costs — here’s a simple formula for calculating the hourly cost of an employee: cost per hour = annual gross salary/1000 So the $75,000/year salary costs the company $75 per hour. The $30,000/year data entry person costs the company $30 per hour.  This quick and practical calculation is based on the assumption that the overhead, including payroll taxes, health insurance, benefits, office space, office equipment, telephone, Internet,…

• Willamette Angel Conference Invests More than $450K

  Tim Berry

  10 May 2013 | 10:59 am

  Yesterday’s Willamette Angel Conference (WAC) 2013 event invested more than $465,000 in four Oregon startups, highlighted by more than $250,000 in Portland-based Sonivate, which has developed a fingertip-mounted ultrasound probe that enables imaging while leaving both hands free to do work with simultaneous tactile feedback.  Three other startups got WAC investment at the event: Amorphyx, a Corvallis company with innovative technology that reduces manufacturing costs and increasing the brightness, speed and efficiency of LCD and flexible displays; DesignMedix, a Portland company…

• Amazing Time-Lapse Videos of Earth Changing

  Tim Berry

  10 May 2013 | 10:10 am

  Watch from space as Las Vegas grows from 1984 to now. Or watch as a glacier shrinks, and the Amazon jungle recedes. Watch Dubai grow.  Time Magazine and Google have combined to create this Time Lapse site Earth Engine site, offering time-lapse photography of the earth changing from 1984 through 2012, using NASA technology and satellite pictures, plus Google’s Google Earth technology.  What you see is, well, take a look … this is a great use of technology, good for the organizations that put it up there, and good for it’s educational value. Well done. 

• The Growth is Always Greener in Your Neighbor’s Lawn

  Tim Berry

  7 May 2013 | 9:01 am

  Have you noticed this? Businesses that sell to small business want to sell to enterprises. Businesses that sell to enterprises want small business. I’ve seen it for 30 years now.  On the one hand, it’s good business. Expand. Go from where you are to where there’s more market waiting.  On the other hand, damn, I think there’s a DNA problem for most of us. I, for example, have always been comfortable with small business and startups. Companies I’ve started focused on small business and startups. And much as I’ve tried, repeatedly, I never really figured out…

• Business Owners: Are Your Ex-Employees Your Enemies?

  Tim Berry

  1 May 2013 | 9:01 am

  If you own a business, check your business culture: How does your business feel about people who leave the team to take a different job? What about people who leave your business to start their own business? Are they your team alumni? Do you wish them well? Do you take pride in their new successes?  Of course ongoing businesses generate ex-employees for lots of different reasons. People move on, get better jobs, and change. Teams break up. People evolve and needs evolve.  Ask yourself this: Are ex-employees more likely to be enemies or friends of the business? Do you see a trend? What does…

• 

  Preneur Marketing Blog - Pete Williams | Author Entrepreneur

• What Makes a Superhero in Marketing?

  pete@preneurmarketing.com (Pete Williams)

  12 May 2013 | 7:51 pm

  I was asked to write a foreword to a book recently, and today’s blog post is adapted from that, and applied to something happening over the next two weeks I’m involved in. Su-per-he-ro (soo’per hIr’o) n., pl. ­ roes. A heroic character with a selfless, pro-social mission; with superpowers — extraordinary abilities, advanced technology, or highly developed physical, mental, or mystical skills… Superman might have been faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive… But Batman, he was a real-world superhero! With his utility belt full of…

• THREE Opt-In Changes We’ve Implemented + Templates You Can Swipe

  pete@preneurmarketing.com (Pete Williams)

  8 May 2013 | 9:49 pm

  I think you might all get a kick out of this … We’ve been testing a whole bunch of stuff recently regarding increasing Opt-Ins, and I wanted to share the results with you here and in a video below. So here are THREE Recent Opt-In Changes We’ve Implemented + Templates You Can Swipe Finding #1: Reports Are The Best B.A.I.T. I won’t go into great detail here (see video below for that), but we are continually finding that short reports are the best opt-in bribes you can be using to encourage subscriber sign-ups across almost all niches and projects. Here’s the a…

• How I Saved $1204 Yesterday Thanks To iVideoHero

  pete@preneurmarketing.com (Pete Williams)

  25 Apr 2013 | 12:01 am

  >>> Click here to find out more about Jules program <<<     How I Saved $1204 Yesterday Thanks To iVideoHero is a post from: Preneur Marketing - The Blog of Entrepreneur Pete Williams Don't miss out on the comments people like you have left, view this post online here: How I Saved $1204 Yesterday Thanks To iVideoHero

• Noise REduction .57

  pete@preneurmarketing.com (Pete Williams)

  31 Mar 2013 | 5:59 pm

  Hey Gang… Here’s another edition of Noise Reduction for you, with a whole bunch of articles and links I think are worth checking out. Also, I just want to say thank you for being a part of this ever-growing Preneur Community (33,400+ entrepreneurs). Thanks for taking the time to watch any of my videos, attend a webinar I’ve been on, or read anything I’ve written. Thanks for putting up with the typos, investing in anything I’ve put together, and for whatever bit of attention you’ve given me. I’m very grateful and I really appreciate it. So thanks…

• The Rise of the National Basketball Association: A conversation with author David George Surdam

  pete@preneurmarketing.com (Pete Williams)

  30 Jan 2013 | 1:35 pm

  So let me take another short break from all the marketing stuff, and get back on my basketball soap box. I’ve written about my opinions on the state of basketball here in Australia a number of times on the blog, as I feel there is a lot more that can be done to improve the state, exposure and profitability of sport in this county. And in an effort to do something, I’m going to continue to share my thoughts, and the thoughts of others. Today, I’m honored to post a recent conversation with David George Surdam, author of The Rise of the National Basketball Association David…

• 

  Signal vs. Noise

• LINK: Ryan on Jobs-To-Be-Done Radio

  Ryan

  16 May 2013 | 11:55 am

  Ryan on Jobs-To-Be-Done Radio I talked about software design and seeing through the customer’s eyes for 30 minutes on Jobs-To-Be-Done Radio. In my favorite part we thoroughly debunked personas and talked about how situations, not attributes drive behavior. Hosts Bob and Chris are collaborators of Clay Christensen and they strongly influenced my thinking over the past year. It was a blast to chat on the show.

• Don’t have the right gear? Make it.

  Shaun

  13 May 2013 | 2:04 pm

  I’ve been working on some video tests with the iPhone and I needed to mount it on tripod for some steadier shots. Some folks in the office had good things to say about the Glif from Studio Neat, but the only one we had lying around didn’t fit my phone and sat kinda goofy on our tripod plate. So, I did something I wouldn’t have imagined possible a few years ago. I printed a new one. We got a 3D printer in the office a few months ago. So far it’s been used to make little statues, paperclips, even some chain mail. So I went about designing a new baseplate for our tripod.

• LINK: The 37signals Report Card

  37signals

  8 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  The 37signals Report Card We’ve long believed in the value of transparency at 37signals. It’s why we write about how we work and why we provide real-time information about our customer happiness and uptime. We like being held to a high standard, and we think there’s no one better to do so than our customers. Today we’re taking another step towards greater transparency with the launch of the 37signals Report Card. This report card, which we’ll update monthly (April 2013 is available now; subscribe to be emailed the report each month), provides a high level…

• VIDEO: “If you wanna meet with me… come…

  Jason Fried

  5 May 2013 | 12:28 pm

  “If you wanna meet with me… come to the garden… with your shovel… so we can plant some shit.” -Ron Finley

• Wanted: 25 special customers.

  Jason Fried

  2 May 2013 | 8:21 am

  We’re working on a entirely new product, and I’m looking to meet some potential customers. We can meet in person, over the phone, or via Skype, etc. The tool is for the small business owner who runs a company of between 25 and 75 people. You used to be smaller, but now you’re bigger. And you experienced some personal growing pains along the way. When you were smaller, you used to know everyone a bit better. When you were smaller you used to be in the loop a bit more. When you were smaller you used to have a better feel for what everyone was thinking and feeling. When you…

• 

  WorkHappy.net: killer resources for entrepreneurs

• How to drastically improve the copy on your site, even if you only have 5 minutes.

  Carson

  2 May 2013 | 1:18 pm

  First, let me tell you a little story involving butterflies and bladders.  I've spent the past few days at MicroConf. Just a phenomenal conference, full of like-minded folks, loaded with actionable content. Not to get too carried away, but it was a life-changer. I'd go on some more, but I don't want you competing with me for tickets next year. On the second day, Joanna Wiebe from Copyhackers selected a handful of sites from the audience to do a public "tear down" of in front of these 200 folks. 200 folks I admire and respect. I had submitted my baby, my…

• The most important entrepreneurial lesson I've learned.

  Carson

  28 Mar 2012 | 6:47 am

  I've enjoyed recreational fishing since I was a kid. Over the years I've had the chance to fish and associate with some top anglers, and I've noticed something about them - they don't waste time in an unproductive location. If the fish aren't biting, they quickly move to a new spot.  This applies to startup ideas too. Finding out if the market will respond positively has to be as early in the process as possible, and you should move on if it's not a fit.  I've poured emberassing amounts of time into terrible ideas that I thought were…

• LaunchRock

  Carson

  19 Mar 2012 | 12:27 pm

  What is it? LaunchRock: A service that provides a pre-launch page for your startup (you know, the "signup to be notified when we launch" type of site). Heres the one I created for a project I'm working on for startup founders (and those aspiring to be). Who makes it? LaunchRock Why is it the killerest? In addition to a nice pre-launch page, it has good social integration, encouraging those who sign up to share it with their friends via Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr or email.  There are also some modest stats telling you your conversion rate, which can be helpful. It's fairly easy…

• List of the best online payment alternatives for entrepreneurs.

  Carson

  12 Mar 2012 | 4:27 pm

  There are few segments more exciting right now than alternative payment systems. Earth's collective contempt for the entrenched payment tech industry is ardent. This industry has abused users, built regulatory walls to competition, made things insufferable for customers, and as a result, put payment processing options nearly out of reach, especially for bootstrappers. Overcoming these hurdles is a huge barrier to progress. But the alternative payment world is red smoking hot right now, and I'm more excited about it than any other segment. The possibilities that are unlocked by this…

• I call myself an entrepreneur, but to be honest, a lot of times I don't.

  Carson

  7 Mar 2012 | 1:24 pm

  I call myself an entrepreneur, but to be honest, a lot of times I don't. When someone asks me what I do - I often punt. I feel like if I'm going to describe myself as an entrepreneur, the next sentence needs to explain what that means - what I've done, what successful business I've launched. And I don't have a good answer for that. Oh I've cobbled together a series of modest successes, and I'm managing to feed my family, but I haven't yet built something that I can point to with pride and say yes - that, I built that, and that is now what I do for living.

• 

  OnStartups

• The Why and How Of Updating Your Angel Investors

  Dharmesh Shah

  20 May 2013 | 7:02 am

  There’s a massive amount available on the interwebs on how to improve the odds for success in new ventures. But almost nothing concrete is available on the care and feeding of your investors. You can do all of the Lean Startup experimentation you want, but we’re here to tell you that one of the the easiest and most underrated skills that a startup CEO needs is knowing how to keep your investors updated, excited and engaged. The reason is:  The CEO is the investor's  user interface into the business.  It's how investors see what's going on, and in some minimal ways, interact…

• Startup PR Tip: To Get Press, Don't Pitch Your Product

  Dharmesh Shah

  16 May 2013 | 6:47 am

  Entrepreneurs that are looking to get attention from bloggers and journalists will often pitch their businesses themselves or though a PR agency. It's sad that most of those pitches fall flat and are likely to be completely ignored. A waste of time and money for everyone. For example, here’s a pitch from a PR professional. I’ve changed it slightly to avoid embarrassing anyone: “I’m working with a wonderful new business… The owners grew up together and decided to go into business… it’s a story I’m sure your readers will care a lot about!” Uh, no. It's unlikely that…

• The Pitch Deck We Used To Raise $500,000 For Our Startup

  Dharmesh Shah

  8 May 2013 | 11:04 am

  One of the big no-no’s we’ve learnt about early on in Silicon Valley is to publicly share the pitchdeck you’ve used to raise money. At least, not before you’ve been acquired or failed or in any other way been removed from stage. That’s a real shame, we thought. Sharing the actual slidedeck we used (and one, that’s not 10 years old) is by far one of the most useful things for others to learn from. In fact, both Joel and I have privately shared the deck with fledging founders to help them with their fundraising. On top of that, our case study is hopefully uniquely insightful…

• 5 Startup Hiring Mistakes That Can Crush Your Culture

  Dharmesh Shah

  29 Apr 2013 | 11:44 am

  Remember your first business loan? Or, if you're like many entrepreneurs, you may have initially bootstrapped your startup by buying some stuff on your credit card. You were excited and apprehensive: Excited because now you had the cash to invest in your business, apprehensive because you had just taken on a debt you would have to repay. But that was okay, because you were confident you could create more value than the interest you would pay. Even though you eventually have to pay off a financial debt, gaining access to the right resources now often marks the difference…

• 12 Terrible (But Hilarious) Places To Work [slides]

  Dharmesh Shah

  22 Apr 2013 | 10:42 am

  After the week we've had in Boston this week, I found it hard to focus on any overly heavy work this weekend. So, instead, I created the slide deck below.  This is unlike the prior deck I worked on (Culture Code), which had 150+ slides, and proved to be useful.  This one is 14 slides, takes a minute to go through and is almost  completely without use.   But ye, it's fun. Hope you enjoy it.   12 Terrible (But Hilarious) Places To Work from HubSpot All-in-one Marketing Software (And, disclosure: This was not completely for amusement.  There's a call-to-action at…

• 

  Growthology

• What’s the Best Way to Hire Employees?

  Mindee Forman

  16 May 2013 | 6:45 am

  New research by Stephen V. Burks, Bo Cowgill, Mitchell Hoffman, and Michael Gene Housman (paper available here) looks at the performance of employees hired as a result of a referral vs. those hired from other sources. They knew from previous research that referred employees often performed better, but couldn't explain why. Through their research, they found that, relative to non-referred workers, referred workers are a better deal, even though both groups have similar characteristics and score similarly on standard productivity measures. Referred workers: Are less likely to quit Are more…

• Immobility and Freelancing

  Dane Stangler

  14 May 2013 | 9:18 am

  I'm trying to square two seemingly contradictory trends. First, as we've known for several years, geographic mobility in the United States is today half of what it once was. This applies to interstate, intrastate, and intra-county moves. At the same time, apparently, we are living in a new era of freelancing and independent work, such that 58 percent of Millenials surveyed called themselves an entrepreneur becasue of freelancing work. That Forbes article also references an Intuit study purporting to find that 40 percent of US workers will be freelancers in 2020, only seven years…

• Signaling and Investor Preferences

  Jared Konczal

  25 Apr 2013 | 1:33 pm

  I mentioned last week a paper by Jing Chen on serial small business owners. From the same special issue of the Journal of Economics & Management Strategy is another paper, "Show Me the Right Stuff: Signals for High-Tech Startups" by Annamaria Conti, Marie Thursby, and Frank T. Rothaermel (available online here [gated]). The authors construct a theoretical model to examine the influence that (i) obtaining patents and (ii) receiving financing from founders, friends, and family (FFF) have on follow-on investments by angel capitalists and venture capitalists in high-tech startups.

• Clusters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  Jared Konczal

  25 Apr 2013 | 12:00 pm

  The title is from a new paper by Aaron Chatterji, Edward Glaeser, William Kerr, available here, about local entrepreneurship (disclosure: the Kauffman Foundation supported the conference at which this paper was presented). When I talk to entrepreneurs about policy, they comment that they wish they knew more about what to do at the local level. Successful entrepreneurs will frequently be tapped by local policy makers for their input or to give a speech, and they sometimes feel overwhelmed or at a loss for words when it comes to talking about local government policy. This paper reviews the…

• Serial Small Business Ownership

  Jared Konczal

  18 Apr 2013 | 1:10 pm

  Serial entrepreneurs generally do better with their subsequent businesses than first-time entrepreneurs do with their first business.This has led to the belief that serial entrepreneurs' previous business experience sets them up for greater success with their subsequent ventures. However, it is also possible that serial entrepreneurs simply have better ability at the start. A forthcoming paper, "Selection and Serial Entrepreneurs" by Jing Chen (available online here [gated]), looks at this issue among small business owners and the self-employed and finds that natural ability of…

• 

  ArcticStartup

• Powers Combine As Powermat Acquires Helsinki's Powerkiss

  Greg Anderson

  22 May 2013 | 5:44 am

  Powers are combining across the world. U.S.-based Powermat has acquired Helsinki-based Powerkiss, the provider of the somewhat wireless device powering solution. Powerkiss offers a pretty neat "ring" that connects magnetically to a paired ring on a table, giving your device some juice. The company has has been on a roll lately, announcing it will be providing its table-top powering solution to select McDonalds Europe locations. Powermat claims to have over 1,500 charging locations in the U.S., which you might have seen in airports, coffee shops, malls, and arenas. Meanwhile Powerkiss has…

• A Kickstarter Kick Start

  Claire Ingram

  22 May 2013 | 2:33 am

  By now, most Nordic entrepreneurs are likely to have had a brush with crowdfunding; whether because they’ve considered it themselves or because they’re one of the “friends, family and fools” who’ve funded another’s dream project. One of the biggest international crowdfunding sites is, of course, Kickstarter. With rewards as incentives and the draw of international names like Zach Braff and innovative tech like Memoto, it’s no surprise that Kickstarter has moved away from being merely a new way to collect contributions to a viral internet marketing sensation. However, although…

• Arkkeo Sees Growth In Important Document & Receipt Platform

  Greg Anderson

  21 May 2013 | 6:50 am

  Keeping track of receipts is no fun. I know you're there with me, but I don't think we say it outloud enough. One startup tackling the whole receipt and 'important papers' ecosystem is Arkkeo, who has built an online platform to track and store all those documents that get sent your way from official sources. The way they see it is that it's a mutual benefit for everyone involved. People like the idea of going paperless, but email is broken in the sense that inboxes are clogged and messy. In one of their surveys, they found 94% of respondents like the general concept of having one service…

• Jolla's Marc Dillon: Join The Movement And Spread The Love!

  Guest Blogger

  21 May 2013 | 5:28 am

  Editor's Note: This is a sponsored post for the DNA Engine Blog by Marc Dillion, head of Jolla's Sailfish development. Jolla was born out of passion. We saw that we had a chance to make something really unique, and we decided to do it although seemed crazy to many people at the time. We have proven that by being different, doing unlike things and spreading the love, we can create a world class product with enormous demand and support from the world. I don’t think that a year ago when we started any of us knew what was ahead. Wow, what an amazing journey it has been. We have the best team…

• Fajoya Pushes Goodwill By Letting Friends Help Each Other

  Elena Zozulya

  21 May 2013 | 3:55 am

  Since Facebook went public a year ago, it has started actively exploring possibilities for monetization and introduced many new features, which in fact seem to be pretty disruptive for users. This situation opens a lot of opportunities for Facebook-based application developers to improve users’ social media experience. Espoo-based Fajoya builds a mobile app that allows Facebook users to help request, receive and reward favors from their friends. It aims to accomplish a social mission — to make the world a better place where helping others is something everyone wants to do. Yakir Falik,…

• 

  Silicon Moon

• 10 Million SlideShare Presentations

  14 May 2013 | 2:27 pm

  SlideShare was celebrating their 10 millionth upload.  Also some ego-rubbing stats on my uploads..."Your 21 SlideShares have been viewed a total of 63,848 times" and over 1,300 downloads.

• Uber Looking to Hire 3 Key Positions in Korea

  14 May 2013 | 12:15 am

  Uber is looking to fill 3 positions in Korea!  General Manager, Operations & Logistics Manager, and a Community Manager.  Take a look at the details below.  If you are interested, please send your resume to Jin-Sun Kim jinsun@uber.comABOUT UBERUber is a technology company. We make a smartphone app that provides users with an on-demand, private car service that takes them safely and smoothly to where they need to go, in over 30 major cities around the world - at the push of a button.Our investors include Jeff Bezos (Amazon CEO), Goldman Sachs, Menlo Ventures,…

• On CNN Talking About The Future of Transportation

  14 May 2013 | 12:11 am

  I was on CNN talking about the future of transportation, the City of Songdo in Korea and giving a plug for Jimmy Kim’s Innotive work there.

• How SparkLabs, Our Startup Accelerator, Assesses Companies for Their Program

  14 May 2013 | 12:08 am

  Question really was about how does SparkLabs assess companies applying to their program and what are the most important factors. Memebox is cited as an example. (Part 6 of 6)

• "Korean Entrepreneurship, Global Reach" Panel at The Korea Society in NYC

  14 May 2013 | 12:04 am

  My "Korean Entrepreneurship, Global Reach" talk at The Korea Society with David Joo, Co-CEO of KnowRe, which was part of SparkLabs' first class.Full audio podcast is here, which is 33 minutes, and 6 videos are listed here, which is 17 minutes. Below are a few of them..."Bernard Moon, CEO of Vidquik and Co-founder of SparkLabs, discusses the Silicon Valley style startup accelerator [SparkLabs] that provides support for Korean startups to take their business global and how it has been based on the Israeli model for success, in a discussion with Nikita Desai, Director of Policy & Corporate…

• 

  The Startup Pitch | Come pitch your startup to the world

• Pitch for ProofHub

  public

  18 May 2013 | 11:52 am

  Company / App Name: ProofHub http://www.proofhub.com Twitter – proofhub What does it do? ProofHub is a web based project management software that helps to manage, discuss and communicate projects with team members and clients at one central place. Why do we need it? For Project Management and Collaboration at one central place. Who is it for? Business Organization, Students, Anyone who need to manage project and need a central platform to manage projects with team members and clients at one central place. What makes it stand out from the crowd? ProofHub is loaded with many features like…

• Pitch for PokerStoker

  public

  18 May 2013 | 7:52 am

  Company / App Name: PokerStoker http://www.pokerstoker.com Twitter – PokerStokerApp What does it do? Stop sucking at online poker! Track your opponents and ascertain their playing style. Use that information to exploit them! Why do we need it? More information leads to better play. Who is it for? Online poker players What makes it stand out from the crowd? It is the only poker tracker app available through the web. Very simple and easy to use! What’s next? Additional statistics and features. Pitch Video

• Pitch for Chataroo.com

  public

  18 May 2013 | 12:40 am

  Company / App Name: Chataroo.com http://chataroo.com What does it do? Website owners can manage customer support with one solution. Live chat, Ticketing Help Desk, and Visitor Tracking. Why do we need it? Engage customers to improve their satisfaction and sales. Reduce support issues. Chataroo allows you to manage your support services more efficiently, treating each and every incoming request as a unique, traceable ticket or in live chat. Who is it for? Any website that sells or offers something. Chataroo’s Incredibly Easy and Affordable! Both service teams and customers love to use…

• Pitch for Truckit.net

  public

  17 May 2013 | 6:39 pm

  Company / App Name: Truckit.net – Australia’s Online Freight Marketplace http://www.truckit.net/ What does it do? Truckit connects people with customer-reviewed delivery companies that can move anything and everything from hard-to-ship items such as cars, horses and heavy equipment through to the most fragile works of art . Why do we need it? Customers can find out the right transport service and get the best possible quotes for transmitting any kind of goods easily and affordably. Transport Providers can compete to get their work done. Who is it for? For people who are in need of…

• Pitch for FashionMix

  public

  16 May 2013 | 6:42 pm

  Company / App Name: FashionMix http://fashionmix.com/creator Twitter – fashionmixcom What does it do? It is the newest tool to connect with others who share your tastes, map your clothing experience, tap into hot, new trends shared by others and even shop for clothing pieces and accessories you fall in love with. Why do we need it? The interactive, groundbreaking site was created for the love of clothing. Who is it for? Fashionmix is a dynamic social connection platform for fashion lovers. What makes it stand out from the crowd? It\’s unique. Users from across the globe will be…

• 

  Techday

• Xbox One revealed today

  Darren Price

  22 May 2013 | 1:00 am

  Game Console Unlike Sony, who famously revealed their upcoming PlayStation 4 without actually showing us the thing, Microsoft has kept quiet about their new console offering.   Read More →

• Do you want to work for Google in NZ ?

  Sean Mitchell

  21 May 2013 | 9:54 pm

  Start-Up The search engine giant is on the hunt for a local sales person to specialise in selling it’s advertising to the New Zealand finance industry.   Read More →

• Microsoft didn’t announce Xbox 720, it announced the Xbox One

  Brendan Kelly

  21 May 2013 | 7:05 pm

  Game Console It’s not the 720, the Durango, the Delta or any of the other potential names that popped up during the waiting period, but finally the Xbox One has been announced.    Read More →

• 9 quarters of Vodafone NZ losing customers

  Business Desk

  21 May 2013 | 6:54 pm

  Featured Telco Review Vodafone lost a net 7,000 mobile customers in the first three months of the year, its ninth straight quarterly decline.   Read More →

• HD to focus on enterprise grade ISP solutions

  Contributor

  21 May 2013 | 5:11 pm

  IT Brief New Zealand ISP HD have announced that their focus now lies entirely in providing high end, niche online services. After   Read More →

• 

  Campus Entrepreneurship

• Student Entrepreneur $10M Revenue Run Rate: Extrabux CEO Jeff Nobbs | Sramana Mitra

  David J. Miller

  13 May 2013 | 8:14 am

  I love when data for my research arrives in my email inbox. Thank you Sramana Mitra, Jeff Nobbs of Extrabux, and USC!: Sramana: Jeff, let’s start with the beginning of your story. Where are you from? What are the circumstances that led up to the Extrabux story? Jeff Nobbs: I am from San Diego. I was born in Northern California and spent two months there before I decided it wasn’t for me! I grew up in San Diego and went to college at USC in Los Angeles. While I was at USC, I started Extrabux with my co-founder, Noah, a guy who lived two doors down from me in the dorms. We started it as a…

• ‘Why I 3D printed an iPhone shoe’ | Video

  David J. Miller

  9 May 2013 | 4:14 pm

  <!– BBC News – ‘Why I 3D printed an iPhone shoe’.

• The Dark Side of #EDTECH & #MOOCS

  David J. Miller

  9 May 2013 | 6:15 am

  Thinking about the negative implications of innovation and technology on campus. From Marc Perry at Chronicle of Higher Education: Companies, colleges, and columnists gush about the utopian possibilities of technology. But digital life has a bleaker side, too. Over the weekend, a cross-disciplinary group of scholars convened here to focus attention on the lesser-noticed consequences of innovation. Surveillance. Racism. Drones. Those were some of the issues discussed at the conference, which was called “The Dark Side of the Digital” and hosted by the University of Wisconsin at…

• G3Box IndieGoGo | Student Entrepreneurs | #socent | ASU

  David J. Miller

  7 May 2013 | 7:40 am

  Last year I interviewed 3 of the founders of G3Box when I visited ASU’s Edson Student Entrepreneur Initiative at the Skysong campus. It was during the heavy data collection phase of my dissertation research on student entrepreneurs at US Universities and Colleges. The G3Box team recently launched an IndieGoGo campaign and are about to place their first maternity clinic in the developing world. Their goals is to  cut down on fatalities and complications during child birth.  Their vision is solve global health challenges by connecting multiple organizations. This team of ASU student…

• A Self-Publication Gold Rush? | Disrupting Higher Education | The Chronicle of Higher Education

  David J. Miller

  7 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Amazon is playing a role in disrupting academic publishing. From Marc Bousquet at the Chronicle of Higher Education (h/t Paul Rogers) En route to a professorship of rhetoric and writing at the University of Texas at Austin, Clay Spinuzzi published scholarly monographs with the MIT Press 2003 and Cambridge University Press 2008. Last January, right on schedule, he brought out a third book, Topsight: A Guide to Studying, Diagnosing, and Fixing Information Flow in Organizations. His publisher this time? Himself. Using the Amazon CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform and a couple of…

• 

  TheFunded Founder Institute News

• 10 Rules for a Great Startup Idea, featured on Business Insider

  20 May 2013 | 12:40 pm

  Even though its trendy in startups to say that ideas mean nothing and execution means everything, the reality is much less binary and much more nuanced. For example, even the world’s best entrepreneur with incredible execution will fail if their idea is fundamentally flawed, or if their market is too small. Yesterday, our infographic "10 Rules to a Great Startup Idea" was featured on Business Insider in an article by Megan Rose Dickey. This list provides a great starting point for people who want to evaluate their startup ideas the very first stage.  What we have found is that…

• Free #Startup Events this Week from the Founder Institute

  20 May 2013 | 9:15 am

  We will be hosting a number of free events over the next few weeks, across several cities and countries.  These "Startup Bootcamps" are hands-on, intensive workshops that are modeled off a real Founder Institute session. In just three hours, the Founder Institute and leading local entrepreneurs will help you improve your ideas and pitching skills, come up with new ideas, and even recruit potential cofounders.  The Startup Bootcamps come in two different flavors; the Startup Ideation Bootcamp, which focuses on analyzing and dissecting your startup ideas; and…

• This Week’s Must-Read Articles for Entrepreneurs

  19 May 2013 | 7:50 am

  Each week we scour the web for insightful articles to share with the Founder Institute network. This week's top articles include insights from Adeo Ressi on Startup Ideation, building a startup community, raising capital, finding a great startup idea, and more. Check out our must read articles for the week of May 12th - May 18th:   Turtles and Flywheels: How to build a startup community by Chris DeVore Chris DeVore gave the keynote speech at Thursday night’s GeekWire Awards. These are his prepared remarks, with full video of the talk above).I want to talk to you tonight about two…

• Funding: What’s Changed, and What Needs To, by Adeo Ressi

  17 May 2013 | 11:25 am

  Founder Institute CEO Adeo Ressi shared his thoughts on the recent changes in the funding landscape, and the risks he sees for the future. This article originally appeared on Women2.0.  Since 2008, I believe there has been more innovation in the field of funding entrepreneurs than in any other short period in history. Recently, I have been asked by many entrepreneurs, investors, and journalists to provide my thoughts on the last five years, and on where we are headed in the future. Here’s my opinion.In 2008, as we watched banks fail and governments hand billions to organizations…

• Fundraising Advice from Scott Painter, Who Has Started 37 Companies and Raised $1.5 Billion

  17 May 2013 | 8:30 am

  Inside FI gives you exclusive access inside the training sessions of the Founder Institute. To get updates when we release new videos, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Scott Painter is currently the Founder and CEO of TrueCar, an online automotive information and communications platform focused on creating a better car buying experience for dealers and consumers. Throughout his prolific career, Scott has started over 37 companies and has raised over $1 billion. In other words, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to…

• 

  OnlyOnce

• Book Short: Getting to MVP

  Matt Blumberg

  13 May 2013 | 12:00 am

  Book Short:  Getting to MVP Usually, when we hear the term MVP, we think Most Valuable Player.  But in my line of work, that acronym has come to mean something entirely different:  Minimum Viable Product.  Running Lean: Iterate from Plan A to a Plan That Works, by Ash Maurya, is an incredibly useful, practical how-to guide for any entrepreneur with an idea from concept through to MVP, or the smallest bit of functionality that you can get customers to pay for. This is one of the best books I’ve read that encapsulates most of the contemporary thinking and writing about product…

• Firsts, Still

  Matt Blumberg

  3 May 2013 | 4:55 am

  Firsts, Still After more than 13 years in the job, I run into “firsts” less and less often these days.  But in the past week, I’ve had three of them. They’re incredibly different, and it’s awkward to write about them in the same post, but the “firsts” theme holds them together. One was incredibly tragic — one of our colleagues at Return Path died suddenly and unexpectedly.  Even though we’ve lost two other employees in the last 18 months to cancer, there was something different about this one.  While there’s no good way to die,…

• Return Path’s Newest Board Member: Jeff Epstein

  Matt Blumberg

  1 May 2013 | 10:29 am

  Return Path’s Newest Board Member: Jeff Epstein I’ve written before about how much I love my Board. Well, I’m pleased to announce I have a new reason to love it – today, I’m officially welcoming Jeff Epstein to the Return Path Board of Directors. He is joining an all-star cast that includes Greg Sands, Fred Wilson, Brad Feld, Scott Weiss and Scott Petry. I first met Jeff back in 2000 when, as CFO of DoubleClick, he and DoubleClick CEO Kevin Ryan agreed to invest in Return Path as our first institutional investor, along with Flatiron Partners.  He is one of the few people who have…

• The People Who Go to the Trainer the Most Are the Ones Who Were in the Best Shape to Begin With

  Matt Blumberg

  25 Apr 2013 | 12:00 am

  The People Who Go the the Trainer the Most Are the Onese Who Were int eh Best Shape to Begin With Have you ever noticed this?  That the people working out with trainers in the gym are usually in great shape?  So why do they keep working with the trainer?  So they maintain their awesome level of fitness, of course! The lesson for business is the same.  Just because you have a strong suit doesn’t mean you can afford to ignore it and rest on your laurels (at least not for very long).  This is true in good times, and in bad times.  When things are going well, it can feel like it’s the…

• The Nachos Don’t Have Enough Beef in Them

  Matt Blumberg

  4 Apr 2013 | 12:00 am

  The Nachos Don’t Have Enough Beef in Them Short story, two powerful lessons. Story:  I’m sitting at the bar of Sam Snead’s Tavern in Port St. Lucie, Florida, having dinner solo while I wait for my friend to arrive.  I ask the bartender where he’s from, since he has a slight accent.  Nice conversation about how life is rough in Belfast and thank goodness for the American dream.  I ask him what to order for dinner and tell him a couple menu items I’m contemplating.  He says, “I don’t know why they don’t listen to me.  I keep telling them…

• 

  Startup Weekend

• Startup Weekend London Alum SmartWard Begins Seedcamp Week Berlin

  Claire Topalian

  21 May 2013 | 9:32 am

  The following is a post by Katie Finley from the Startup Weekend London office. Startup Weekend alum SmartWard has just been announced as 1 of 20 top startup teams accepted into Seedcamp Week Berlin.  This is the second Seedcamp Week of the year, and is a step toward capturing a coveted spot in the Seedcamp accelerator program.  Founded in May 2007, Seedcamp has garnered a renowned reputation across Europe for providing the tools and resources (including access to an elite group of mentors and investors) to launch young startups to success; the company receives thousands of…

• OSU Athletics Brings New Meaning to Concept of ‘Team’ via Startup Weekend

  Claire Topalian

  20 May 2013 | 8:00 am

   The following is a guest post by Anthony Casson covering the recent Startup Weekend hosted by Oregon State Athletics on May 10th – 12th. The event was a “new approach to student-athlete development” that allowed OSU athletes to get a 54-hour introduction to the entrepreneurial life and develop their own business ventures via Startup Weekend.  “Student Athlete Exchange,” the event facilitator announced. The five-person team jumped and cheered, receiving a round of applause from fellow participants, organizers, coaches and judges. They had been named Crowd Favorite…

• May 13-17: Updated SW Judging Criteria, Alumni Wins, Contests and More

  Claire Topalian

  17 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  This week at Startup Weekend: Contest opportunities, alumni updates and an infographic… plus, we’re hiring!   Enter to pitch your startup at the ‘We Own It’ Summit in London this June  Astia and The Next Women are seeking the most promising high-growth women-led companies from around the world to present on stage at the We Own It Summit Global Pitch Competition in London on June 27th in front of an audience of preeminent venture capitalists and global investors at the summit. Compete for global visibility, a cash prize and unequaled promotion and networking…

• Startup Weekend Team Dropifi Is First African Startup Accepted Into ’500 Startups’

  Claire Topalian

  16 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  Startup Weekend is excited to share that Dropifi, a smart widget that allows companies to better analyze incoming “contact us” messages, is amongst the sixth batch of companies to join the 500 Startups Accelerator Program. Dropifi seeks to clear out the era of long and scary website “contact us” forms that deny businesses of valuable feedback and leads, but will still deliver business critical insights and a spam-free customer engagement. Founded in November 2011,  Dropifi joined the 500 Startups program in April 2013. Since 2011, Dropifi, a graduate of the Meltwater…

• New Kid On The Block? How We Won Startup Weekend

  Claire Topalian

  15 May 2013 | 9:00 am

  The following is a guest post by Alyssa Mompoint, one of the founders of BeforeWeDo, a service that provides discreet and regular HIV testing to your doorstep.  Ever been that new kid on the block? I have. Photo Credit Greg Go On a whim, I joined Startup Weekend Bay Area. I did not know what to expect. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I didn’t think I would win. But I did. Now, I’m not a programmer.  I’m not a web designer.  I’m not that business savvy.  Turns out, you don’t have to be.  All you need is the right team who shares your vision (or one that…

• 

  TechStars

• Quiz M.B.A.s for Startup Experience

  David Cohen

  20 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  M.B.A. grads tend to be very bright and motivated people who are looking for an opportunity to break in and contribute to a growing company. And while you should wait for product-market fit before bringing on professional marketing or CEO talent, there’s no reason an M.B.A. can’t contribute early on in a company’s life cycle. The key factor is how well the candidate understands startups. Because the biggest potential drawback is that M.B.A. thinking doesn’t necessarily fit with a startup. Some of the M.B.A. grads we’ve worked with have tried to apply “business school” logic…

• [VIDEO] Exclusively on The Next Web: Startup Stories, SendGrid

  admin

  16 May 2013 | 1:33 pm

  The post [VIDEO] Exclusively on The Next Web: Startup Stories, SendGrid appeared first on TechStars.

• Schools Should Invest in Student Entrepreneurs

  Eugene Chung

  16 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  In my adolescent years, my single mother started two businesses and worked a third wage job in order to raise my younger brother and me. Eventually, I started working in these businesses—one of them was a restaurant—to help my family through difficult times. Every weekend, I would wake up well before dawn to open the restaurant and work 12-hour days among the grease and fumes. Many years later, I would go on to Harvard Business School, where I learned about things like the 4Ps and 5Cs, before joining a venture capital firm, where I got used to sizing up markets and entrepreneurs in my…

• [VIDEO] Startup Stories: SendGrid Trailer

  admin

  15 May 2013 | 12:58 pm

  See the full SendGrid story exclusively on The Next Web tomorrow morning. The post [VIDEO] Startup Stories: SendGrid Trailer appeared first on TechStars.

• Announcing TechStars Austin

  David Cohen

  15 May 2013 | 4:56 am

  Today, we are thrilled to announce TechStars Austin! Forbes and Bloomberg have been calling Austin the No. 1 Boomtown and the best place for your startup for years now, and Google recently chose it as the second city to receive the fastest Internet on the planet. TechStars exists to put the best mentors and the best entrepreneurs together in the best startup communities so Austin is a natural next stop for us. We will run our first program starting this August and applications are open as of today! Nominated by investors, rapidly growing startups like SpareFoot, Mass Relevance,…

• 

  Jacoline Loewen

• It’s NOT All About You, It’s About the Company You Keep

  24 Apr 2013 | 8:08 am

  Books written by friends are always the most interesting and Michelle Bailey shares her most valuable business ideas in her new book - It's NOT all about you, it's about the company you keep.What a great title and Michelle's book seems to be channeling other great experts. Just last week, I was fortunate enough to host an event with Warren Buffett's team who buy companies in Canada. They are part of MiTek. They sold the majority of their company to Warren Buffett and have grown their business tremendously ever since. It helped to have the Berkshire Hathaway name but…

• Are you looking for an equity partner? Terry Didus at Heenan Blaikie has good news.

  19 Apr 2013 | 1:15 pm

  A report from Heenan Blaikie which is well worth reading.Optimism In Canada’s Private Equity & Venture Capital Markets Heenan Blaikie,Terry Didus, 16 April 2013 The federal government recently announced that it would be injecting $400 million into the venture capital sector in Canada in 2013. To Canada's private equity and venture capital community, this comes as welcome news and serves as a call to action for an industry that has certainly gone through some dark days in recent years. Yet, based on the activity in the last 24 months in the private equity and venture capital markets,…

• Don’t Let Family Ties Bind Your Exit Strategy

  7 Mar 2013 | 7:45 am

  Blood may be thicker than water but it can also create a way bigger mess.Running a family business has some definite advantages, yet it poses unique challenges when creating an exit strategy.In this PROFIT BusinessCast, Ed Giacomelli, managing director at specialty investment banking firm, Crosby & Company, explores these obstacles—including financial, leadership, social and emotional—and how best to avoid them. Great podcast and if you are interested in succession, worth the listen:View Profit Magazine linkhttp://www.moneymagnetbook.ca

• CFA Society Lunch - Crosbie tells the outlook for M&A activity in Canada

  22 Feb 2013 | 2:39 pm

  Selling and Buying, Mergers and Acquisitions, Financing Strategies and the Outlook for Private EquityDate:  Thursday, May 16, 2013Time: 12:00pm to 2:00 pm Location:  The National ClubFunction Type: Luncheon SeminarOVERVIEWPresentations by the  senior management  of specialty investment banking firm Crosbie & Co. Inc will cover the outlook for M&A activity in Canada, examine  trends in Private Equity  and  explore the wide range of liquidity strategies that are possible for business owners as well as  the factors that need to be considered in…

• Get advice from one of Canada's M&A corporate finance experts - Ed Giacomelli,

  20 Feb 2013 | 3:54 pm

  Get advice from one of Canada's M&A corporate finance experts - great show with Ed Giacomelli, Crosbie, on BNN.Press here to view.or here is the link:  http://ow.ly/hTXLZhttp://www.moneymagnetbook.ca

• 

  Valleywag

• Who Got Rich off Tumblr's Super Sale? [UPDATED]

  Sam Biddle

  21 May 2013 | 2:33 pm

  We all know about Marco Arment's "not yacht rich" fortunes from Yahoo's microblog bailout, but what about the venture moneybags? How did the investors get in return for writing checks? A lot. Crain's reports a series of whopping windfalls for firms like Union Square Ventures, which pulled a 5,000% return of $253 million—that's more than David Karp himself (with around $250 million). The others? Sequoia Capital - $176 million (700% return) Spark Capital - $77 million (4,000% return) Don't forget the people who sat at desks: The company's first 10 employees will receive an average…

• Kotaku Xbox One: Everything We Know | Deadspin David Beckham: How The Last English Winger Ordained S

  Lauren Bertolini

  21 May 2013 | 2:20 pm

  Kotaku Xbox One: Everything We Know | Deadspin David Beckham: How The Last English Winger Ordained Soccer In America | Jezebel Recent Grads: Here's What You Should Know | Jalopnik Woman Brags About Hitting Cyclist, Learns Police Also Use Twitter | Valleywag Confused John McCain Asks Apple CEO Why He Has to Update Apps

• Confused John McCain Asks Apple CEO Why He Has to Update Apps

  Sam Biddle

  21 May 2013 | 11:49 am

  Today's congressional hearing on Apple's Irish tax-dodging has included a lot of impressive browbeating—it's nice to see Tim Cook taken to task. What doesn't help the issue is Senator John McCain chuckling with Cook about how his gosh darn iPhone updates apps all the durn time. You can't grill and guffaw in the same breath, Mr. Senator. It was a strange turn for McCain, who'd otherwise been riding Cook through the entirety of his questioning—spoiled somewhat by the Quirky Grandpa routine that capped it off. [video via TPM]

• Apple Lobbies on Taxes More than Any Other Subject

  Sam Biddle

  21 May 2013 | 10:30 am

  Bill Allison, the editorial director of the Sunlight Foundation, looks at the lobbying and campaign finance records relating to Apple as its CEO, Tim Cook, appears before a Senate Committee. Ahead of a hearing at the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations [today] at which its CEO, Tim Cook, is the star witness, computer, tablet and smartphone manufacturer Apple has preemptively released his prepared remarks defending the company's tax practices, which include pooling $100 billion overseas, away from the grasping hand of the Internal Revenue Service. The prepared testimony does not…

• This Guy Wants You to Know He's Rich from Tumblr, Too

  Sam Biddle

  21 May 2013 | 7:52 am

  Insecure code-slinger Marco Arment was an original employee at Tumblr, when it was just two dudes in a room. He wrote a nostalgic little post yesterday about the company's rise to Yahoo's pocketbook, with one important conclusion: he's rich too. OK? Very rich. Not yacht rich, but rich. OK? Arment—who also created (and recently sold) Instapaper—takes us on a dull trot through coding memory lane: David always had a vision for where he wanted to go next. I was never the “idea guy” — in addition to my coding and back-end duties, I often served as an idea editor. David would come in with…

• 

  Posts from the Econsultancy blog

• Evergreen content: what is it, and why should you love it?

  Chris Lake

  22 May 2013 | 3:24 am

  Evergreen content can drive plenty of the right kind of traffic to your website over the long term. It is one of the best returns on your investment into content, as it is a gift that keeps on giving, and should be a key part of your content strategy. In this article I’m going to try to outline the strategic value of evergreen content, to help you understand exactly what makes something long-lasting, and I shall provide a few pointers on what works (and what doesn’t). First, let's answer the question. What is evergreen content? Simply put, it is the kind of content that does not grow old…

• Security and fraud concerns are biggest barriers to mobile payment adoption

  David Moth

  22 May 2013 | 2:34 am

  Much was written about the predicted boom in mobile payments last year, but it still seems to be some way from becoming an every day payment method. NFC and mobile wallets were all set to become commonplace following a successful trial at the Olympics, but despite the increasing use of contactless bank cards I’m yet to see anyone pay for anything using their mobile phone. However new research into consumer attitudes suggests that people are slowly edging towards accepting the technology. A survey of 2,006 consumers by eDigitalResearch found that 39% of respondents had seen a contactless…

• Is your organisation web-compatible?

  Paul Boag

  22 May 2013 | 2:17 am

  “When it comes to the web, organizations are broken”, at least that is what Jonathan Kahn says in his A List Apart article and I have to say I agree with him. After all, you don’t have to look far to see there is a problem. Most websites lack focus, let alone a consistent user experience or tone of voice. Social media rarely integrates well with the website and most organisations' mobile strategy consists of throwing some apps at the iOS app store. Email is little better. In fact I am working with one charity client whose supporters may receive as many as 80 emails from them a month!

• How The Rolling Stones use Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+

  David Moth

  22 May 2013 | 1:39 am

  It’s time again for us to shine a light on how one of the world’s biggest brands use the four main social networks. However unlike in previous weeks when we’ve focused on consumer brands such as Coca-Cola, BMW, Red Bull and Nike, this week the subject is The Rolling Stones. The Stones are obviously very different from the other brands we’ve looked at in that they have a dedicated, global fan base, but they’ve still got to try and maximise their revenue by flogging concert tickets and merchandise. With ticket prices what they are this is no easy task, particularly when targeting…

• Australia: Traditional retailers are heading online... and e-tailers are heading off

  Claire Brinkley

  21 May 2013 | 3:45 pm

  Some of Australia’s biggest retailers have recently spoken out at a conference in Melbourne saying that while selling online has the benefit of lower overheads, it is not yet as profitable as traditional bricks-and-mortar retailing.Despite frequent reports on the demise of traditional retail and the rise of online shopping, ecommerce still only represents a small fraction of consumer spending. For example, Officeworks managing director Mark Ward recently announced that online sales actually only accounts for 10% of his chain’s annual profit: We are selling more online than we ever were…

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  StartupMuse

• QVC x YouTube = HAUL?

  Alexander Muse

  20 May 2013 | 9:34 am

  In this month’s edition of Vanity Fair Bruce Feirstein suggests that ‘Everything old is new again’ and provides the following historical analysis. What did he miss? Valpak Coupons + Internet Explorer = Groupon Scrapbooking x iPhone = Pinterest The Sears Catalog + A mouse = Amazon The Rotary Club x Fiber-Optic Cable = LinkedIn Pearle Vision + Broadband = Warby Parker Christmas Newsletters X Giant Server Farms = Facebook Filene’s Basement + Email = Gilt Your “Artsy” Cousin Mae x Wi-Fi = Etsy QVC x YouTube = HAUL Note: I added the last one…

• Boulder Startup Week

  Alexander Muse

  17 May 2013 | 7:09 pm

  Each May the startup community in Boulder hosts a 5-day event called Boulder Startup Week in an effort to showcase the unique startup culture found in this tiny Colorado city. This year I was invited to attend and spent the last three days taking in all that Boulder could offer. It was an amazing experience – truly inspiring. The best part of my trip was the Startup Crawl. In less than four hours we got to visit 22 startups in their own offices. Hearing about a startup is great, but seeing where and how they work is really fascinating. I took a lot of pictures (as seen on my Facebook…

• My Next Big Thing. . .

  Alexander Muse

  2 May 2013 | 8:54 am

  Lots of you are asking about what I am up to these days so I thought I would give you a little update. Since January I have been working on a new startup called HAUL. Initially, spending all of my free time learning all I could about the market and attempting to formulate a plan to best address the opportunity. Most recently we’ve been recruiting the team and raising capital. For the past few months we have been in ‘relative’ stealth mode. But, as you know, the Dallas startup community is relatively small and you know the cat is out of the bag when the telemarketers start…

• Stop listening to what they are saying. . .

  Alexander Muse

  30 Apr 2013 | 5:00 pm

  Recently I had an epiphany that has changed the way I deal with almost every person in my life and I wanted to share it with you. My question for you? The next time you are involved in some sort of interpersonal conflict – with a spouse, friend, client or employee – what would happen if you quit listening to the words they are writing or speaking and start thinking about where they are coming from. Think about the why more than the what. In high school and college I competed in cross examination debate, traveling nationally to argue any side of any argument (in rapid fire fashion…

• Startup Mistakes: Building Everything Yourself

  Alexander Muse

  24 Apr 2013 | 9:46 am

  One of the biggest challenges startups face is deciding what is core to their business. For example, at ShopSavvy we spent a LOT of time developing technology around barcode scanning. We assumed that developing and owning our own intellectual property would make our company more attractive to potential acquirers or investors. Turns out this assumption was a huge mistake that cost us time – one of the most valuable assets that startups and entrepreneurs seem to lack. It is really easy to see other entrepreneurs making this mistake – it is really hard to see you are making it…

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  Sparkplug CEO

• Three Reasons NOW Is The Time To Put Yourself Out There

  Kelly McCausey

  21 May 2013 | 4:55 pm

  I want to convince you of this:  NOW  is the time to put yourself out there. If YOU don’t do it, someone else will.  I’m not suggesting there isn’t enough business to go around. Tweet Whatever the niche, there’s room for you – if you rise above & do what it takes. You believe that, or you wouldn’t be in business. So why are you procrastinating? Why are you holding back? Why aren’t you putting yourself out there for more people to know? No more delaying.  Now is the time. The First Reason Now Is the Time: There Are Only So Many Kingpins.  If you watch gangster…

• Sparkplugging Podcast Episode #101: Meet The Round Table

  Kelly McCausey

  15 May 2013 | 11:51 am

  The brand new Sparkplugging Podcast is here at last! Subscribe via iTunes Our approach to podcasting is similar to the way television series are presented in ‘seasons’ and like many cable television programs, we’ve adopted a 12 episode season. In this quick first episode you’re going to meet our first Round Table of Experts and learn what we’ll be discussing in this first season of the podcast. Susanne Myers of the HillBilly Housewife. Lain Ehmann of Crafting Your Biz. Nicole Dean of Nicole on the Net. David Perdew of MyNAMS. You’re going to feel like…

• Expand Your Reach by Participating in Audio Interviews

  Kelly McCausey

  13 May 2013 | 10:10 pm

  This is a guest post from D’vorah Lansky, M. Ed.  Sparkplugging is proud to be a stop on her Virtual Book Tour. I’d like to thank Kelly for graciously hosting me, as a guest blogger, in celebration of the launch of my newest book, 21 Ways to Launch a Successful Virtual Book Tour. In this blog post, I’d like to share with you one of “21 Ways” to launch a successful virtual book tour. This tip comes from “Way #17: Participate in Audio Interviews” Tweet An author interview provides compelling content and helps you promote your book and brand. Participating in audio…

• 10 Day May Madness: $7 Deals You’ll Go Mad For

  Kelly McCausey

  6 May 2013 | 7:11 am

  It’s the Fifth Annual 10 Day May Madness, my joint venture with members of Solo Masterminds. Everyone who wants to offers a full price product at a sample price rate, just $7. We put the deals behind a simple registration page, then we all collectively drive traffic to register and browse the deals. If you go there now you’ll find deals for: Ghostwriting & Ghostblogging Graphic Design Memberships & Info Products WordPress Helps & Plugins VA Assistance And much more… there are 35+ deals available as of this morning. Why offer full price products for such a low…

• Three Business Lessons Learned From A Robot

  Lynette Chandler

  29 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am

  Have you ever heard of a Mint? It is this small little robot that can clean your floor, much like the Roomba. There are significant differences between the two machines though. One of them is the Mint’s Global Positioning System. Yes, you read that right. This cleaning robot runs with the guidance of a GPS. It’s not what you think though. The Mint doesn’t use the satellite like the GPS in your car. Mint calls it an indoor GPS. It is a small cube that you turn on and place where it has a clear view of the center of your room. When you start the robot, it will secure a…

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  I Will Teach You To Be Rich

• New presentation: How to overcome critics & build a powerful support system

  Ramit Sethi

  19 May 2013 | 9:59 pm

  I got a huge response to my previous post about dealing with critics. They come in all shapes and sizes, and the most formidable critics never attack head-on. Instead, they say things like “Are you sure about that?” or “I’m just worried about you…” So I wanted to go into more depth to go beyond just “handling” critics — and go into the deeper area of building a POSITIVE support system. This week, I’m giving a live presentation on How to Overcome Critics and Build a Powerful Support System this Wednesday night. You’ll learn: The subtle ways critics cut people down…

• The surprising myth about investing in real estate (PS – I’m hiring)

  Ramit Sethi

  17 May 2013 | 8:19 am

  One of my most popular concepts is “Invisible Scripts,” or the guiding beliefs we have that are so deeply embedded, they’re often invisible. For example: “Everyone should get a college degree” “I don’t have any money, so I can’t go to college” “Marry someone you love” “If you rent, you’re throwing money away” “Online courses are SCAMS” Here’s an overview of the Invisible Scripts concept, which many of my readers told me changed their lives more than anything else I’ve written. One of…

• Win “Dinner for Two” for a year

  Ramit Sethi

  10 May 2013 | 8:07 pm

  Two months ago, I ran a giveaway for two plane tickets anywhere in the US. Robyn won! She’s planning to fly to her coin-collecting grandfather to Philadelphia to see how coins are made. Last month, I gave away $1,001 on Amazon. Meghan won! She’s using her prize to buy the “most luxurious, highest quality bedding she can find.” THIS IS DOPE. I think you guys are okay, but not that cool. But this is awesome. Today I’m kicking off another giveaway…and I tweaked the rules to give away even more. Win dinner out for two — for a YEAR As you know, I love Taco Bell,…

• When should you make the jump to work for yourself?

  Ramit Sethi

  10 May 2013 | 5:40 am

  Too many weirdos think that to start a business, they have to quit their job, raise millions in venture capital, and start the next Google. Uh, that sounds pretty risky to me. Is there another way? Can you start something slowly? What if you want to quit your job and start your own thing, but you have bills and you don’t want to take on a huge risk? What do you do? I made the leap to running my own business, and then I taught a bunch of my students how to do it, too. So I wanted to share my answer to today’s “Ask Ramit” question, which comes from Jacquie in Atlanta:…

• Case Study: How Ben quit the circus and proved he could get a “real” job (Part 2)

  Ramit Sethi

  7 May 2013 | 10:15 pm

  On Monday, I introduced you to Ben, a circus performer who used my Earn1K course to go from $0 to $60/hour in side income. Now I want to show you how he found his Dream Job — a job that offered “more money than I’d ever received” — in 3 weeks. Starving Artist Syndrome In college, Ben had an interesting experience. “A bunch of cute girls asked me if I wanted to lift them up in a circus show, a partners acrobatics act, and I said ‘sure, sounds like fun!’” After he graduated with a degree in philosophy but no job prospects, Ben moved to Seattle and started working part…

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  CollegeMogul

• CNA Classes in Indianapolis

  admin

  21 May 2013 | 1:36 am

  If you are interested, being a Certified Nurses Assistant, or CNA, can be a greatly rewarding career, as well as one with great job security. CNA’s work in just about any medical setting, from hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, even convalescent hospitals and hospice care. You can find CNA classes in Indianapolis as well as many other cities across the country. Before we get into this, let’s take a look at what some of the duties the CNAs perform, and what are some of the benefits of working in this career. One of the first things you will be doing is assessing a patient and plan…

• How To Take Garcinia Cambogia

  admin

  17 May 2013 | 5:05 am

  Obesity is a growing concern in our society. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people just in the US that are overweight and even obese. Even an extra twenty pounds can cause numerous health problems. The more weight you have the worse these problems can become. Some of these include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Sometimes it is hard to eat right, people are on the go a lot. Others have problems losing weight because they have jobs where they are sitting at a desk, and just don’t get enough exercise. There are numerous weight loss products on the market, both at local…

• Tips You Should Know When Looking for a Business Web Designer

  admin

  16 May 2013 | 2:58 am

  If you live in the UK, you may want to consider Lemongrass Media. They are a local web design Hertfordshire company, and have a grass roots approach to helping businesses not only get on the web, but profit from it. Lemongrass have been in business for many years, and offer many different services for your business or company. Getting your business online is probably one of the best things you can do. If your business offers some kind of service, your customer base will expand tenfold just in your local area. More and more people these days are using the internet instead of the Yellow pages…

• Internet Marketing Basics

  admin

  15 May 2013 | 1:52 am

  These days almost everyone is using the internet to buy products or services, with new companies and businesses springing up all the time. For someone who wants to make money, getting on the internet is a great way to start a business, or find that perfect job. More and more people are getting tired of the same run of the mill job, because they may have to commute back and forth to work, work under a lot of stress, or lack job security. Other reasons for getting started in an internet business can include wanting to be able to stay home, work as many or as few hours, and not worry about a…

• Are Electronic Cigarettes the Next Step in Smoking?

  admin

  14 May 2013 | 2:11 am

  With the influx of different kinds of electronic cigarettes out there, it seems that actual smoking is becoming a thing of the past. These cigarettes are much different in a number of ways. One is that there isn’t any actual smoke. The ‘smoke’ is produced by water vapor. A battery causes a reaction in the filter chamber, vaporizing the nicotine and producing the ‘smoke.’ This means that you are not inhaling harmful chemicals, nor are you exhaling second hand smoke. This is much safe for those around you, and allows you to smoke in areas that would normally be off limits. There are…

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  Start Up Blog

• Can I help you? Why retail customers always say no

  Steve Sammartino

  20 May 2013 | 11:31 pm

  These are the four worst words anyone can utter to a customer in retail. We all know they answer it gets 99% of the time – because we all give it. “No thanks – just looking” These 4 words are revenue stoppers, barrier creators, and empathy evaporators. It just says to the potential customer – I’m too bored and uninterested to even use a sentence that isn’t expected, practiced or considerate of the fact that you are the person who pays my wage. But rather than simply pointing out that it doesn’t work, let’s discuss a couple of simple and…

• What to sell first

  Steve Sammartino

  15 May 2013 | 5:15 pm

  Before anything is sold to a customer, first a story gets bought.

• Mobile living

  Steve Sammartino

  14 May 2013 | 5:26 pm

  There has been a lot of talk lately about the mobile revolution. A shift which is here to stay which will forever change communications, commerce and culture. But most people are wrong about this revolution. Yes, mobile living is here, but it’s not about that piece of technology which lives in our pockets. No, the mobile phone is a symptom, not the cause. The mobile phone is really an inevitable invention. In both the agrarian and industrial era we became less itinerant as a species. We instead invested our time on farms, then institutions and factories. We built suburbs and shopping…

• Seinfeld Today = Digital Training

  Steve Sammartino

  13 May 2013 | 4:00 pm

  I’m totally in love with Modern Seinfeld on Twitter (@seinfeldtoday). Each day I tune into the stream hoping for some more tweets which serve up 140 more characters of Seinfeld goodness. For the uninitiated, Modern Seinfeld is an ‘unofficial’ tweet stream in which each tweet is the synopsis for a fictional modern day Seinfeld episode. It really is the stuff of genius. But it has another possibly unintended benefit. It’s also a short cut to an understanding of the world we live in. For anyone who has been asleep for the past 15 years, and missed out on the revolution,…

• Retail Apathy: Target

  Steve Sammartino

  12 May 2013 | 10:58 pm

  On the weekend I went into a Target store to purchase an Esky for a pitch presentation I was doing where the reference was brands becoming generic terms for a product. Rather than walk around a giant retail floor, I thought I’d ask a staff member where I might be able to find one. I approached a staff member and asked. He was friendly and attentive. He almost cared and he said: “To be honest, that is a seasonal line. I know we have them in summer, but I’m pretty sure we don’t carry any stock in winter. But, to be sure let me check.” He then reached for his…

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  Springwise

• Glowing polar bear energy sensor, book and app educates kids about global warming

  Springwise

  21 May 2013 | 8:35 am

  Add / Remove The plight of polar bears is one of the many concerns raised due to the effects of global warming, and we recently saw the MELTDOWN board game innovatively educate young children about the issue. Now Norway-based Caretosave has created the animal-shaped Bobo energy display, storybook and app for kids, which illustrates the connection between home energy consumption and the wellbeing of polar bears. The product centers around a smart sensor that – when clipped to the property’s electricity meter – detects how much energy is being used and sends the information over wifi…

• App notifies recruiters when criteria-matching jobseekers are nearby

  Springwise

  21 May 2013 | 6:48 am

  Add / Remove Location information can enrich and transform the capabilities of a wide variety of mobile apps, and we’ve seen those focusing on transportation, beer and news benefit in the past. Our latest spotting is JobProx, a smartphone app that connects recruiters and employers with job seekers when they happen to be in the same vicinity. Using JobProx’s proximity feature, job seekers and recruiters or hiring managers are alerted when they’re nearby. Users can then request a meetup; recipients of such requests, meanwhile, can select one of three options: meet now, set up a…

• Concept store enables customers to make and share their own digital ‘look book’

  Springwise

  21 May 2013 | 5:29 am

  Add / Remove One thing that fashion trends often rely on is consumers spreading the word – something that Replay’s Social Denim jeans picked up on with their instant sharing facility. Now the recently opened Karl Lagerfeld Store in Amsterdam is enabling online sharing of new looks straight from the changing room. As well as featuring iPads around the showroom – which visitors can use to browse and purchase items from the designer’s online store and leave comments on the Karl Lagerfeld Facebook page – each changing room in the venue comes with a wall-mounted touchscreen and…

• Bespoke alternative prosthetics boost amputees’ self esteem and style

  Springwise

  20 May 2013 | 8:41 am

  Add / Remove Robohand has already provided an inexpensive, open source substitute for those who can’t afford commercial prosthetics, but what about amputees who want to remain stylish? The UK’s Alternative Limb Project is helping that audience boost their self esteem, with its fashionable, unconventional prosthetics. Founded by Sophie de Oliveira Barata, a graduate of the London Arts University who specialized in special effects for film and television, the project aims to enable amputation patients to creatively customize the prosthetics they use. Rather than accepting dull and…

• Spokeless wheels bring full suspension to foldable bikes

  Springwise

  20 May 2013 | 7:52 am

  Add / Remove Foldable bicycles may bring unsurpassed convenience to the pedal-powered commuting world, but with their attractive flexibility can sometimes come a price in comfort. Integral suspension systems are often sacrificed for that foldable convenience, but the Loopwheels – a spokeless wheel from UK-based Jelly Products – aims to offer a more comfortable ride. “Most folding bikes do not have suspension because conventional suspension forks add weight and bulk to the bicycle,” explains Jelly Products. “Replacing the spoked wheels with Loopwheels provides full suspension in a…

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  entrepreMusings

• Happy Mother’s Day 2013

  Aruni

  12 May 2013 | 6:48 pm

  quick payday loan Another year has passed and another Mother’s Day is almost over.  Apparently my Happy Mother’s Day 2012 – Keep Up The Good Work post had several hundred views the last few days via google searches.  I still find that “greeting” card I took a picture of and put in that post humorous in an ironic kind of way…not even sure that makes sense or not. This Mother’s Day, we find ourselves living in an extended stay hotel for a couple of weeks while we wait for our new home to be ready.  We’ve already had several friends over to eat and swim…

• Lemonade Day Austin – May 5, 2013 – Entrepreneurial Kids

  Aruni

  5 May 2013 | 8:26 pm

  Every year there is a nationwide effort to encourage kids to think like entrepreneurs called Lemonade Day.  This year it was held in Austin on May 5 (cinco de Mayo), 2013 and both of my kids participated with some of their classmates.  One location was at the Rookie Triathlon and the other was at Mueller Lake Park. My daughter’s team made a profit of $91.  They split $90 three ways and gave $1 to the 3 year old sister of one of the girl’s on the team.  Her younger sister is so cute and had a sign that said “buy my sister’s lemonade” that she held while…

• CELEBRATING 18 Years of BiG BUSINESS, BiG IMPACT AND BiG PARTNERSHIPS

  Aruni

  4 May 2013 | 12:18 pm

  CELEBRATING 18 Years of BiG BUSINESS, BiG IMPACT AND BiG PARTNERSHIPS Acknowledging the past, Celebrating the present and Ushering in the future is the theme of BiGAUSTIN’s 18th birthday celebration.  On Thursday May 9, 2013 from 6pm-9pm, BiGAUSTIN is inviting friends of the past and present who have been instrumental in establishing BiGAUSTIN’s status as a leader in the small business development sector. This event will engage past and present clients, instructors, supporters and all whose stories have inspired 18 years of adventure for BiGAUSTIN.  This interactive event will consist…

• Do You Have The Guts Not To Fight?

  Aruni

  21 Apr 2013 | 8:14 pm

  I saw the movie 42 this weekend and it was *very* inspiring.  The theater was packed and people applauded when it was over.  Based on my movie going experience, it’s not often that people applaud after a movie.  It was about Jackie Robinson, the first African-American baseball player.  The movie portrayed what he went through to make a name in America’s top sport in the 1940′s. One line from the movie that resonated with me was said by Branch Ricky, a team executive, played by Harrison Ford in response to Jackie saying “do you want a player who doesn’t have…

• Perspective – April 2013

  Aruni

  10 Apr 2013 | 12:12 pm

  “If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.”  –Regina Brett (Thanks Jeffrey Fry for sending out that quote on Feb 23, 2013). When things get challenging and life seems overwhelming, there is generally always someone worse off than we are.  I think being educated in the United States means you have mostly a privileged life.  We lose perspective when we think our troubles are “not fair,” we haven’t achieved what we thought we wanted to achieve, or everyone else has it better than we do.  I think a big part of…

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  Financial Times - Entrepreneurship

• A start-up that is fit for purpose

  21 May 2013 | 11:08 am

  The husband and wife team behind Zaggora explain the challenges of managing growth energised bysocial media

• Anti-espionage tips for the traveller

  20 May 2013 | 8:01 am

  Work trips can leave businesses particularly susceptible to security breaches but there are many ways to reduce the risk

• Invoice discounting grows as loans dry up

  19 May 2013 | 9:44 am

  An alternative funding mechanism, in which money is provided in lieu of unpaid invoices, is growing more popular with companies

• Business questions: Seeking a patent

  17 May 2013 | 10:12 am

  I have developed a man-made textile during my university studies that has several innovative features. Should I protect the concept before getting it manufactured?

• How to bridge a cultural ocean

  15 May 2013 | 12:01 pm

  There is often an underlying assumption that Americans and Britons make obvious partners but this can come unstuck when it comes to doing business

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  The Next Web

• User-generated content platform Urturn raises $13.4m led by Balderton Capital and launches on iOS

  Martin Bryant

  22 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  In the week that Tumblr has been acquired by Yahoo, it’s interesting to see that Urturn, a service with a similar focus on user-generated content being shared by a youthful audience, has announced a $13.4 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Balderton Capital and coincides with the launch of Urturn’s mobile app for iOS. Until January this year, Urturn went by the name of Webdoc and it initially developed an audience by allowing users to share multimedia collages encompassing images, videos, text and audio. The rebranding as Urturn saw the Switzerland-based…

• Google cuts the cost of Apps for Business in India by half, seeking to sign up more local SMEs

  Josh Horwitz

  22 May 2013 | 3:50 am

  As part of an effort to help small and medium sized enterprises in India, Google today announced it would slash the cost of its Google Apps for Business suite in the country by almost half. Citing the miniscule percentage of small businesses in the country that are online – just 1 percent of 47 million - Google has committed itself to offering its business services to the myriad of up-and-coming enterprises at a reduced price. Access to the Google Apps for Business suite formerly cost INR 2700 (about $48.73) at an annual rate and INR 270 ($4.87) at a monthly rate, Indian businesses can…

• Frustrated with the Xbox One? That’s okay, because Microsoft isn’t building its next system for you

  Nick Summers

  22 May 2013 | 3:41 am

  Microsoft’s unveiling of the Xbox One yesterday caused quite a stir among the gaming community. The mixed messages regarding always-on and always-online (which are two completely different concepts by the way) and pre-owned games didn’t help either. The larger concern surrounds Microsoft’s messaging to its core audience. The reliance on multimedia functionality, such as the ability to switch between live TV and Xbox apps using Kinect-enabled voice commands, was seen by many as a distraction from what Microsoft’s presentation should have been about. Video games. Video games are, after…

• Chinese telecom giant ZTE denies EU accusations of illegal subsidies and dumping

  Josh Horwitz

  22 May 2013 | 2:43 am

  Following accusations of dumping and illegal government subsidies, Chinese telecom firm ZTE yesterday released a formal statement denying any involvement in foul play. Along with Huawei, another leading Chinese telecommunications equipment provider, ZTE last week found itself at the center of controversy when European Union Trade Commissioner accused it of dumping its products onto European shores, thereby creating a “distorted playing field.” ZTE issued a public statement firmly defending itself against the allegations: ZTE’s success in the international telecommunications…

• Docomo completes $130m acquisition of MCV, Guam’s top TV and Web provider (yes, Guam)

  Jon Russell

  22 May 2013 | 2:20 am

  NTT Docomo, Japan’s top operator, has expanded its international presence after it announced the $130 million (12.7 billion yen) acquisition of MCV, a cable TV and Internet provider in Guam. Yes, that’s right, the lovely Pacific island of Guam. The deal, which went through yesterday, sees Docomo wholly acquire ‘MCV Acquisition’, the holding company behind MCV, which is the island country’s largest provider of Web and TV services. Docomo says that the deal is a strategic one that will enhance its business in the region but linking up to the MCV fiber optic…

• 

  Entrepreneur Success Blog

• The World’s Most Impressive Invitation Ever Sent Promoting a Grand Opening

  Jared Reitzin

  10 May 2013 | 12:34 am

• Creating Culture, One Step at a Time

  Jared Reitzin

  28 Mar 2013 | 11:59 pm

  For the past decade I have been focused on a bunch of things, but besides selling, my top two priorities have been: 1. To develop a web-based software that companies can use to grow their business. 2. To create a very special company culture that makes mobileStorm a sought after place to work. mobileStorm’s Core Team My travel to India (still here actually), has allowed me to combine these two passions. I started mobileStorm, not because I thought mobile was going to be the next big thing (even though I knew it would be), but ultimately I didn’t want to work for anyone. I…

• Going to the mHealth Summit in D.C. Next Week?

  Jared Reitzin

  28 Nov 2012 | 9:34 am

  I wanted to personally invite my readers to an awesome event we are hosting with Kony Solutions during the mHealth Summit in D.C. on Tuesday December 4th. We are taking over the Cherry Blossom, a replica of a 19th century Victorian riverboat. We will have a complete open bar, dinner, and great music that will have you dancing for the entire trip. We will dock for the first hour and then start our journey around D.C. taking in the sights and enjoying each other’s company. The boat will dock directly behind the Gaylord for easy access to the event. Spots are very limited so if you are…

• How to Protect Yourself From Your Client’s B Player Employees

  Jared Reitzin

  5 Jul 2012 | 5:20 pm

  Everything is going great with your prospect. You think you have a potentially huge deal, and are way down the road on closing it — then bam; your prospect stops engaging and you get an email that they went in another direction. Or how about this; you have been working with your client on a huge upgrade, and the next thing you know they are going in a totally different direction and their reasons make no sense. You are blindsided because you thought everything was going to happen, but after a bit more thought you realize its because the decision makers had the wrong information. Do any…

• 5 Common Sales Mistakes

  Jared Reitzin

  1 Dec 2011 | 9:51 am

  Here are the 5 common mistakes I see: Being unprepared: Too many times I have seen someone slap together a presentation the night before a meeting. They don’t do their homework with who they are meeting or how their prospect makes money. Going to linkedin and looking up the people you are meeting with goes a long way, especially when you realize that Sally has the same alma mater as you. I can’t imagine not going to the company’s website and learning about what kind of products they have, how they make money, and how my solution will fix their problems, but many people just show up and…

• 

  Pop17: Recent Videos

• The Hub for Dallas Startups: LaunchDFW, 2.0 Crowdfunding Video - Mason Pelt Media

  6 May 2013 | 10:09 am

  http://launchdfw.com/ LaunchDFW is the online home for the Dallas Startup Community. This site is a first step towards bringing the entrepreneur, business and tech communities together to discover all the cool stuff that's going on here in the Metroplex. LaunchDFW 2.0 is the next step. The...

• Attorney General, Kamala Harris on Privacy & Innovation

  12 Apr 2013 | 11:05 am

  Attorney General of California Kamala Harris gives a speech at Runway in San Francisco about privacy and innovation. The future steps that the state of california is taking to insure the privacy of it's citizens.

• Interview With Ronnie Escalante

  4 Apr 2013 | 1:19 pm

  Ronnie is the Director of Fashion and Business Development at FashionClyp, a social application that allows consumers to interact with brands they love and share with their friends on various social media platforms. The app is doing well and so is Ronnies passion as a fashion designer. He appeared on Season one of Fashion Star on NBC.

• Free Stuff = Tech Conference

  2 Apr 2013 | 10:22 pm

  The San Francisco and Silicon Valley techie-night-life is full of free goodies, but more than anything else tech conventions are the real jackpot. You can find a whole bunch of free junk from companies trying to market their products to potential customers and partners.

• Silicon Valley's Under Exposed & Over Exposed Startups

  2 Apr 2013 | 9:02 am

  Tech conventions in Silicon Valley have the gems that no one has ever heard of before and the over exposed over funded startups that may or may not go anywhere. But if you're an investor how do you know if either or will be a hit? Silicon Valley is all about the people and investing in the founders over any buzz because a track record will say everything about the future.

• 

  The Product Guy

• Coming Soon: The Best Product Person of 2013!

  Jeremy Horn

  13 May 2013 | 11:15 am

  The Best Product Person (#TBPP) is the leading international award honoring excellence in Product Management. Established in 2010, TBPP is awarded annually in association with The Product Guy and The Product Group. And, it’s now that time again to start submitting your 2013 nominations. Submit your nomination today! TBPP recognizes 1 person each year, invites them to speak and share their knowledge and experience with the larger product community.  The nominations can be submitted by anyone.  And, if you are the first to submit the winning nominee, you too will be rewarded…

• New Ideas, New Connections, May Parties and June Gyrations!

  Jeremy Horn

  5 May 2013 | 7:35 pm

  Thank you to everyone who made it to our latest record breaking roundtable meet-up of The Product Group at MTV Networks / Viacom, as well as to our other sponsors, Balsamiq Studios, Sunshine Suites, and Ryma Technology Solutions. Over the course of the night a few of the highlights were… Featured Product: Bizzaboexploring the product, its challenges and successes, from focus to the motivated experience(thanks to Alon Alroy) Ideas & Pre-Buildfrom new idea pitfalls to decision planning(thanks to Guest Expert, Beth Temple) The Product Groupmeet-ups are an opportunity for Product People…

• From Composing to Servicing

  Jeremy Horn

  12 Apr 2013 | 6:20 pm

  Every week I read thousands of blog posts. For your weekend enjoyment, here are some of those highlights. What are you reading this weekend? On Product Management… http://www.proficientz.com/two-by-four-product-management.html Take a 2×4 to your product team.     On Starting Up… http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2013/03/19/one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-enterprise-startups-make/ Service that professional business to start. On Modular Innovation… http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/18/dealangel-api/ Rest in knowing of the new complementary streams of modular…

• Curious Generation Group

  Jeremy Horn

  10 Apr 2013 | 9:17 pm

  Reblogged from The Product Peek: Curious Generation Group's use of long, colorful layouts to capture much of the emotion of their product offering. Read more… 6 more words

• It’s My Bag! Leveraging! More May!

  Jeremy Horn

  7 Apr 2013 | 1:18 pm

  Thank you to everyone who made it to our latest roundtable meet-up of The Product Group at MTV Networks / Viacom, as well as to our other sponsors, Balsamiq Studios, Sunshine Suites, and Ryma Technology Solutions. Over the course of the night a few of the highlights were… Featured Product: It’s My Bagexploring the product, its challenges and successes, from production to positioning (thanks to Tonia Torrellas) Leveraging Disagreementfrom numbers to environments The Product Groupmeet-ups are an opportunity for Product People (managers, strategists, marketers, etc.) to come together to…

• 

  Ben Casnocha

• “My Last Days”

  Ben Casnocha

  21 May 2013 | 8:37 pm

  This is a really touching 20 minute video about how Zach Sobiech, a 17 year old diagnosed with bone cancer, chose to spend his final months. Inspirational. It reminded me of the Enjoy Every Sandwich book trailer.

• Status and Power Drive Social Dynamics in Business

  Ben Casnocha

  19 May 2013 | 9:30 pm

  An excerpt from The Start-Up of You, as featured on LinkedIn. If you want to maintain relationships with busy, powerful people, you have to pay special attention to the role of status. Status refers to a person’s power, prestige, and rank within a given social setting at a given moment in time. There is no one pecking order in life; status is relative and dynamic. David Geffen is high status in the entertainment world, for example, but perhaps comparatively less so if Steven Spielberg is in the room. Likewise, Brad Pitt is high-status, but put him in a room full of software engineers when…

• Career Advice for New Grads

  Ben Casnocha

  12 May 2013 | 11:31 pm

  Graduating this spring or know someone who is? Check out this new Start-Up of You inspired slideshow from our team — it captures some key career insights for new grads in a very visually appealing way. The 3 Secrets of Highly Successful Graduates from Reid Hoffman

• Awe, An On-Going Series

  Ben Casnocha

  11 May 2013 | 4:26 pm

  My interest in “awe” as a primary human emotion continues, so I took note of these paragraphs pop up in Jon Haidt’s excellent book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. In the 1830s, Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered a set of lectures on nature that formed the foundation of American Transcendentalism, a movement that rejected the analytic hyperintellectualism of America’s top universities. Emerson argued that the deepest truths must be known by intuition, not reason, and that experiences of awe in nature were among the best ways to…

• 3 Day Silent Meditation Course

  Ben Casnocha

  8 May 2013 | 7:02 pm

  Over the weekend, I completed a 3 day Vipassana silent meditation course. Here are my other posts on my meditation practice as background: Something I Think I Could Fail At: A 10 Day Silent Meditation Program Reflections and Impressions from a 10 Day Meditation Course The Skill Developed in Meditation Meditation, Six Months Later Having already written about meditation generally and Goenka courses specifically in my other posts, I’ll keep these thoughts limited to the most recent 3 day: Recharge. Think of a structured meditation course as a battery charge, and the charge weakens with…

• 

  infoChachkie

• Entrepreneurs Should Forget ROI And Focus On Return On Life: The New Measure Of Wealth

  John Greathouse

  20 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. According to Tige Young, Founder and CEO of Tui Tai Expeditions, entrepreneurs should de-emphasize ROI and focus on a more accurate measure of wealth, Return On Life. I became acquainted with Tige, when I was researching examples of exemplary online customer service. In the resulting article, I describe Tige's deft handling of online trolls via the deft use of social media. My subsequent correspondence with Tige led me and my 13-year-old son to Fiji, where we experienced the Tui Tai firsthand.   As luck would have it, a large…

• A Surprising Entrepreneurial Journey To The Pinnacle Of Hollywood

  John Greathouse

  13 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. With no industry connections or family ties, talent agent John Ferriter applied basic entrepreneurial principles to reach the pinnacle of Hollywood's elite. You can watch John describe his surprising Hollywood journey in the following 20-minute excerpt from his recent talk at UC Santa Barbara. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles!   John began his talk by explaining that, "All through life you're going to run into temporary people who make permanent decisions. Don't let them get…

• The Series A Crunch Is For Entrepreneurs Who Cannot Create Their Own Luck

  John Greathouse

  6 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. Jim Andelman, my Partner at Rincon Venture Partners, aptly describes the genesis of the Series A crunch, stating that: "Over the next 12-to-18 months, a lot of good companies that have been Seed financed are going to have a tough time raising a Series  A from a new outside lead. This is due to a fundamental disconnect between the increased activity of high-volume seed investors (that fill out lots of Seed rounds) and the relatively small number of Series A investors, who only make 1 or 2 investments, per partner, per year."…

• Using Social Media To Deal With Customer Trolls

  John Greathouse

  29 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am

  A version of this article previously appeared on Inc. For many small businesses, their online reputation is their passport to virtual word-of-mouth referrals. Unfortunately, an articulate and engaging negative review on Yelp!, TripAdvisor or Amazon can have an outsized impact on a small business. You operate your business from a small boat in the remote waters of northern Fiji and your customers are spread across the globe, residing in the US, Europe and Asia. How can you protect your company's reputation when a rouge customer unjustly flames your startup? In searching for world-class…

• This 28 Year Old Woman Co-Founded One Of The Most Successful YouTube Networks

  John Greathouse

  21 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am

  A version of this article previously appeared on Forbes. How did Sarah Penna create one of YouTube's most successful networks? Consistently working 14-to-16-hour days had something to do with it, along with a service-oriented mentality built upon a foundation of integrity. You can watch Sarah tell her compelling story in the following 15-minute excerpt from her recent UC Santa Barbara talk. Note: I am indirectly a micro-investor in Big Frame through Rincon Venture Partners sponsorship of Launchpad LA. If you haven't already subscribed yet, subscribe now for free weekly Infochachkie articles!

• 

  Start-up

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• 4 Signs Your Start-Up Needs an Exit Plan

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 9:32 am

  Ready to kiss your start-up goodbye? VC principal Geoff Lewis offers four ways to tell if you're prime for the picking.Exit strategies are rarely mentioned by start-ups, yet they are something every business owner needs if they hope to be acquired, said Geoff Lewis, principal at Founders Fund, a venture capital firm.Speaking Tuesday at Internet Week in New York, he explained, "entrepreneurs and VCs don't often talk too candidly about how to think about getting acquired, because the best start-ups don't actually sell. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of start-ups will not IPO,…

• Sleep Deprivation: Just as Bad for Performance as Alcohol

  Jessica Stillman

  21 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Feel proud of your 70-hour weeks? You may as well boast about working while drunk.Just how deep does the lionization of long work hours run in the entrepreneurial community? Pretty deep, according to Forbes writer Michael Simmons. When he started asking around Silicon Valley if 70-hour work weeks were worth it, he noticed founders turned cagey."Talking publicly about the topic brought fear of judgment," he wrote. "Two of the people I interviewed said that things like sharing vacation photos was a taboo as investors might see them. People who start ‘lifestyle’ businesses and who…

• 8 Start-Up Buzzwords to Avoid

  Eric Markowitz

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  If you use any of these words, consider this your start-up slang intervention.Ninja / • noun, a person with advanced skills. As in, "Dave is our secret ninja; he's the best coder we've ever hired." Is this a real company or a 6-year-old's fantasy? Why not throw teenage, mutant, and turtle in there while you're at it?Value prop (or proposition) / • noun, the reason a customer would want to buy your product. As in, "I don't see the point of another crowdfunding site. What's the value prop? Another thing customers value? Plain English.Killing it / • verb phrase, to perform…

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Street Smarts | Inc.com

• Getting Ready for Growth

  Norm Brodsky

  30 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am

  Here's the challenge: Look to the future, but also stay focused on the present.Every business gets built in stages. The challenge is to stay focused on the stage you're in--while preparing for the ones to follow.We're dealing with multiple stages right now at Kobeyaki, the Asian fast-casual restaurant chain I'm building with three partners--Brian Kelly, Brian Konopka, and Sal Barrera. Our first restaurant, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, has been a huge success. Now, we're moving on to the second stage: starting up two more restaurants in other parts of Manhattan.But our goal is to…

• Don't Worry; Grow Happy

  Norm Brodsky

  29 Apr 2013 | 9:00 pm

  Inc.'s Norm Brodsky talks about knowing when to walk away from opportunities that others consider can't-miss.It's been two years since I decided to build a hotel in Tioga, North Dakota, and my, how things have changed. The state's oil-and-gas boom wasn't as far along or as famous back then as it is now, and I couldn't get any outside financing.So I built the first Black Gold Suites with my own money. It opened just over a year ago and has been a roaring success from Day One. We made plenty of mistakes, but as I expected, our occupancy rate was so high that we were able to overcome the…

• When Not to Join the Family Business

  Norm Brodsky

  25 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am

  You always face the challenge of keeping your emotions from getting in the way of making sound business decisions. Those emotions are especially strong when you're dealing with family issues.Dear Norm,I grew up in a family business that I absolutely love. It's a butcher shop, and I'm the fourth generation. For many years, I tried to work with my dad, but we're both strong willed, and I decided to follow my own path and went for my M.B.A. Today, I work for a large financial institution. About four years ago, I moved back to Detroit to be closer to my family. I have been able to get more…

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  25 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am

• Don't Let Your Breaking Point Upend Your Goals

  Norm Brodsky

  17 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am

  This business has grown so well that the owner can't take it anymore. Should he hire an expensive manager?Dear Norm,I started my business seven years ago and have grown it to $3 million in sales. Our work is never-ending. We work every weekend and every holiday. Whenever it looks like we're going to hit a lull in the action, the phone rings for a last-minute job, and off we go. I've reached the point where I realize I can't handle any more myself. For the company to grow, I need to bring in a professional manager. These guys are expensive--$90,000 to $120,000 a year--and they don't produce…

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Inc.com

• Why Warby Parker Opened a Retail Store

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 3:26 pm

  The future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortars, says co-founder Neil Blumenthal.When Warby Parker opened a flagship in New York City, many people were shocked. No one expected the digital eyewear disruptor to expand their business to a bricks-and-mortar store. Speaking at Internet Week this week, Neil Blumenthal, one of Warby Parker's founders, said the move was strategic. "We believe the future of retail is at the intersection of e-commerce and bricks-and-mortar," he said. "People think it's crazy that we went and signed a 10-year lease in SoHo, next to…

• What It Really Means to Put Your Best Foot Forward

  Julie Strickland

  21 May 2013 | 3:01 pm

  Seva Call founder Manpreet Singh says what you do matters more than what you wear.In Silicon Valley, the classic suit and tie has long given way to hoodies and sweatpants. But Manpreet Singh says he's fine with that. The founder and president of Seva Call, a Potomac, Maryland-based site that connects customers with service providers, tells The Washington Post that long hours and focused attention require maximum comfort. Getting dressed to the nines? Well, that's just a distraction. “I have no idea how I, or anyone else, got any work done at my old finance job," he recalls. "Today, if…

• General Assembly Co-Founder: 'Your Education Is Always in Beta'

  Jana Kasperkevic

  21 May 2013 | 1:31 pm

  No matter what happens, you should never stop learning, says Matthew Brimer and a panel of entrepreneurs.Entrepreneurs should think of their education as always being in beta with room for growth and improvement, said Matthew Brimer, co-founder of General Assembly, a start-up academy."We have this idea that education is this kind of an adjective that you can apply to yourself after you go through four-plus years experience in your late teens and early twenties," he said in a panel held Tuesday at Internet Week. "So you come out with a college degree and you are educated."But this doesn't mean…

• The Biggest Threat to the Yahoo-Tumblr Combination

  Paul Spiegelman

  21 May 2013 | 1:04 pm

  A recently-acquired founder has some advice on company culture for Marissa Mayer.So another young tech genius cashes out as Yahoo acquires Tumblr for $1.1 billion. Will Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer be able to turn it into a profitable venture? I'll leave that to the pundits. I'm going to address what poses the biggest risk to a successful integration: culture. Yahoo and Tumblr have very different company cultures--and if the marriage is not handled correctly, it could mean disaster for everyone involved.Already social media observers and even Tumblr employees are openly saying to Yahoo: "Leave us…

• Mario Batali on Growing a Business

  Scott Gerber

  21 May 2013 | 1:03 pm

  The celebrity chef talks branding, business, and building quality products with Scott Gerber.

• 

  Young Upstarts

• SpeedSpot Tests Speeds Of WiFi Networks Around You

  Daniel Goh

  17 May 2013 | 1:30 pm

  If you’re a mobile warrior who travels and often need to rely on WiFi networks around you, you probably know the frustration of connecting to a WiFi network – free or otherwise – only to get crawling (or non-existent) data transfer speeds. Well, there’s an app for that. SpeedSpot is a free mobile app that lets you test the internet speeds – ping, upload, and download – of WiFi networks around you, so you can make an informed decision on which ones to connect to. So whether you are in a hotel, cafe, restaurant or some venue that offers free or paid WiFi,…

• Paper, Paper Everywhere: How Long To Keep Human Resources Records

  Daniel Goh

  17 May 2013 | 9:30 am

  by Joyce D. Tucker From medical records to I-9 forms, the human resources department of any business, large or small, is probably cluttered with paperwork. Even if you keep records digitally, you may wonder how much storage space you need to devote to records that are years old. On the off chance that your company may one day face litigation regarding an employee, it’s essential you know how long to keep these records. Outsource to Experts. The task of determining which records to keep can be overwhelming, so ask for help from HR consulting. A professional employer organization (PEO) can…

• The Three Most Powerful Questions You Can Ask In Business

  Contributor

  16 May 2013 | 7:30 pm

  by Glenda Eoyang, coauthor of “Adaptive Action: Leveraging Uncertainty in Your Organization“ Joe has always been a successful leader. But recently he’s found that the strategic planning system that once served him well is no longer working. He used to be able to plan on a five-year cycle. Now, even one-year cycles are too long. Regardless of his best-laid plans, other forces in the organization keep overriding his strategies. What’s more, the tricks that have always helped him see what needs to be done and motivate his staff are failing him. Joe is deeply frustrated. It seems so…

• Making Good Use Of The Competition

  Contributor

  16 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  by Stacey Thompson Unless you’ve been operating a monopoly (not a lot of those, nowadays), I am certain that your budding little enterprise has butted heads with other companies that aim to offer similar products and services. Even at the moment of your business incorporation, you must have been already made aware that you are not alone in your quest to become number one. Competition is ubiquitous in this very well-connected world, and whereas before, they would have to be operating in the same general area as you to be considered a threat, the Internet has made it more than possible for…

• [Interview] Epirot Ludvik Nekaj, Founder And CEO Of Crowdsourcing Week, On Crowdsourcing

  Daniel Goh

  16 May 2013 | 12:00 am

  The upcoming Crowdsourcing Week is a five-day conference to be held in Singapore on June 3-7, 2013, that will explore everything crowdsourcing, open innovation and crowdfunding. We grab Epirot Ludvik Nekaj (pictured above), the founder And CEO Of Crowdsourcing Week, for a quick chat on where crowdsourcing is headed in the coming years for this part of the world. 1. Crowdsourcing has been a phenomenon that’s been raging for quite a number of years. Do you think it’s a fad that will die down anytime soon? Crowdsourcing is the practice of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content…

• 

  ArabCrunch

• Tahrir Square Defense: ِA facebook game based on battles between Egyptian protesters and thugs during the 2011 uprising

  Gaith Saqer

  20 May 2013 | 9:14 am

  Alkottab, an Egyptian games developer has released a Facebook game based on battles between protesters and thugs during the 2011 uprising. The company describe it as a “tower defense game” that is built around the events of the so-called Battle of the Camel on 2 February 2011, when a peaceful sit-in in Tahrir was attacked by armed thugs riding horses and camels. The developers say the game will allow players to “have a glimpse of the battle that happened that day and witness how the people stood to defend their freedom.” Alkottab is a games and animation studio founded by…

• Kartag Car polling, Sharing Rides in Egypt

  Gaith Saqer

  19 May 2013 | 7:55 am

  The concept of car polling or ride sharing is not new, but it is new to the region. Kartag has developed an iOS and Android app that enables car drivers in Cairo Egypt to share their ride with friends and friends of friends. The concept is simple. If you are looking for people to join you in your ride you post a request and people who want to use a ride post also a request then a matching happens enabling users to agree in both others. Also users can rate each other to give a feedback to the community. Here is exactly how KarTag works: Get KarTag App 1. You login using your Facebook account.

• Leaked List of All Blocked Web Sites in Syria

  news

  19 May 2013 | 6:23 am

  It is very well known that Syria has the worst profile in blocking websites world wide, but who are these websites that are blocked? Syrian online magazine the-syrian.com/ has received a leaked document about the blocked web sites in Syria by one of the ISPs and they are 634  sites: . The blocking in Syria goes like this: security officials at the official telecom body orders the blocking of a certain website and then orders all ISPs to block the website. Blocking websites is a policy that does not make sense, with all these sites blocked, but this has not prevented the revolution in Syria…

• Namshi Receives US$13M Funding from Summit Partners

  Gaith Saqer

  14 May 2013 | 10:47 am

  Rocket Internet’sNamshi, the Middle East’s leading online store for fashion and lifestyle, has secured funding through its German holding company of US$13 million by the growth equity firm Summit Partners to sustain its accelerated growth target. This is the second investment by Summit Partners in Namshi, further affirming the investors’ confidence in the online retailer after months of steady growth in the region. Prior to this funding, Namshi secured investments from Investment AB Kinnevik, JP Morgan Chase, Blakeney Management as well as Holtzbrink Ventures and others. “We see…

• Kngine Web Service Relaunched

  Gaith Saqer

  12 May 2013 | 6:11 am

  Semantic search engine Kngine has relaunched its web site after focusing on mobile application for android and iOS. Kngine is funded by Sawari Ventures and is based in Egypt and Silicon Valley. Share and Enjoy • Facebook • Twitter • Delicious • LinkedIn • StumbleUpon • Add to favorites • Email • RSS

• 

  StartupCFO : Mark MacLeod

• The role of Canada’s Startup Accelerators

  mark

  14 May 2013 | 3:15 pm

  The National Post published two articles (here and here) this week questioning the role / impact of Canada’s startup accelerator programs. In the first article The Post asks “Is Canada’s Accelerator Model Broken?”. In the next it goes on to say that “accelerators are failing to produce the next Hootsuite or Shopify“. Having been deeply involved in FounderFuel, one of Canada’s leading accelerator programs, I’ve got some thoughts on this. First, it’s important to understand the role of accelerators, especially in geographic markets outside…

• Founder to CEO: Mike McDerment

  mark

  24 Apr 2013 | 10:08 am

  Last week I wrote about the interviews and research I did on how founders become great CEOs. Given that I just joined his company, it’s only fitting that I kick off this series of posts with some thoughts from Mike McDerment, co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks. Mike & FreshBooks don’t need much of an introduction – especially here in Canada. FreshBooks is the leading cloud accounting specialist for small business owners and one of Canada’s premier startups. Each interview I did followed the same high level, open-ended questions (below). But as you can imagine, each…

• From Founder to CEO

  mark

  18 Apr 2013 | 10:57 am

  When I decided to become a VC in 2010 I had lots of reservations. After all most VC funds don’t succeed. The Canadian VC industry in particular has not historically delivered returns (though there are some great new funds backing great companies – so hopefully that’s changing). In any event, history reveals that my tenure as a VC was short-lived. Still, during my brief time there, I began working on an investment thesis that I still believe can result in superior VC returns. Some VCs, such as Foundry Group are theme-driven. Union Square also focuses more or less on a…

• I’m looking for a Dealmaker Intern

  mark

  12 Apr 2013 | 12:51 pm

  Let’s face it every small business owner opens their own business in order to do the accounting, right? That’s a definite “no” but every freelancer and small business owner still needs an easy way to take care of invoicing, expenses and other aspects of running their business. Enter FreshBooks. We are the # 1 cloud accounting specialist in North America. Since 2003, we have been helping entrepreneurs make it easy to get paid and manage their business finances. To date over five million people have used our service. The Opportunity We are looking for a paid intern to join our Business…

• Announcing Kiltr Ventures

  mark

  1 Apr 2013 | 5:16 am

  I announced back in January that I was leaving Real Ventures to join FreshBooks. I’ve been spending some time with the fine folks at FreshBooks since then. I had forgotten just how hard it is to operate companies. Especially fast growth ones. It was all too much, so I am announcing today that I am going back to the VC World. I am pleased to announce a joint venture with Kiltr called Kiltr Ventures. KV is a new, specialized venture fund that exclusively backs Scottish entrepreneurs. The Scots are a hardy bunch. They have toiled under English persecution for centuries. They are virtually…

• 

  47hats.com

• Two words. Get it. Focus@Will.com

  Bob Walsh

  11 May 2013 | 6:32 pm

  I feel absolutely compelled to share something that has over the past week tripled my productivity: Focus@Will. This “productivity music service” will. Rock. Your. World. It’s that good. I find that when I’m coding away on PetSitterApp or DevNewsApp listening to this, I effortlessly slip into Flow and crank right through what I want to get done. At about triple the speed. This is an almost scary improvement over the halfway focused but easily distracted state I’ve been in for years. Focus@Will can explain the science behind the profound effect music can have on…

• Changing hosts – please let me know if anything is broken.

  Bob Walsh

  22 Apr 2013 | 6:20 pm

  Since I finally posted today the last podcast of the Startup Success Podcast and moved it to a longterm home where it can digitally live forevermore, I decided it was time to cut the cord to WP Engine and consolidate to one host. While WPE is a premium outfit, Bluehost.com has been my equally excellent host for a dozen or so sites. So, please give me a shout at bob.walsh@47hats.com if you see any major holes here. And I expect to be blogging again in the the near future.

• Use a checklist to control your email addiction

  Bob Walsh

  1 Jan 2013 | 11:59 am

  So what was your most terrible anti-productive habit in 2012? Mine was checking email. On my desktop, iPad and iPhone, morning, noon, night, between and during and before and after everything else. Killing this habit in 2013 would be the #1 thing I could do to increase productivity. And maybe, just maybe, I’ve chanced upon an approach that will work. Make a mobile checklist of your email checks and check off a check each and every time you check email. A little unpacking is in order. Having bought nearly every todo managing piece of software in the past 20 years for every platform…

• Hello Again!

  Bob Walsh

  31 Dec 2012 | 6:49 pm

  After spending the past six months focused on two different Ruby on Rails contracts, I rebooting my site, clearing out the old, making room for the new and going mobile. 2012 is in its last hours, I’m really looking forward to 2013, and at least two major projects for me. If you’re reading this on my new site, you probably noticed the tagline as headline above: “Living at the intersection of Startup and Productivity.” I mean it. There’s easily a thousand times more startups now than when I started down this road in 2005, and we’ve become the darlings of the…

• David Allen on GTD for Startup Founders

  Bob Walsh

  17 Aug 2012 | 11:47 am

  Just posted the interview that Patrick and I did with David Allen, founder of GTD. You’ll find it at startupsuccesspodcast.com. Speaking of things GTD, I’m now switching back to Things from OmniFocus. I just found myself too distracted by OmniFocus and its intricacies and not focusing on the actual things I want to get done. Now that Things has become Things2 and added cloud synchronization, I’m giving it another try, going with a lightweight approach, and will see how that works out. You might want to do the same.

• 

  Polygraph Media Blog

• Data Proliferation and the rise of the Chief Data Officer

  Chris Treadaway

  8 May 2013 | 12:50 pm

  Quick update today -- the "data proliferation problem" is just a theme I've heard from a lot of conversations recently. A fellow "data" startup CEO mentioned to me the other day that he lamented just how hard it is to sell "data" and "data services" to people in brands and the enterprise.  Marketing departments have millions of dollars to spend on print advertising that they know does not work... but a modest $100,000 investment to help people understand their data opportunity requires significant explanation and is often met with blank stares.

• SXSW Panel on OPD (Other Peoples' Data)

  Chris Treadaway

  5 Mar 2013 | 6:24 am

  SXSW Interactive2013 approaches... it's the the fifth year in a row I'm attending and the sixth in the last eight for me.  The event continues to thrive and is the one "must-attend" event of the year in my book. A few quick thoughts on the panel I was invited to join by Carter Rabasa of Twilio and Hung Truong of NewFoundry -- it's my first time speaking at SXSW.  I straddle marketing & technology professionally, and am speaking on the tech side in this session. Discussion will center on mashups and/or "OPD" -- other peoples' data.  To me, the…

• What Lance Armstrong and Facebook Have in Common

  Chris Treadaway

  11 Feb 2013 | 6:28 am

  Today's blog post comes to you from our Business Development Manager, Craig Carter, who had a little fun speculating about Lance Armstrong and Facebook. I thought it was pretty amusing, so here goes... (Preface—Except for the Facts and Figures charted below, all statements are pure speculation and have not been confirmed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.) What do Lance Armstrong and Facebook have in common? The short answer is they have both given their teammates Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs).   Now before you go running off to the mountain top, screaming that Mark Zuckerberg is…

• The folly of analytics and value of big data analytics

  Chris Treadaway

  6 Feb 2013 | 1:14 pm

  Analytics has become a hot topic over the last 12 months as middle-managers are asked tough questions by their executive stakeholders. For all the insanity around social marketing, mobile apps, and "conversations", many CMOs, CIOs, and CFOs want to know exactly what they're getting for their money.  Budgets are growing and advertising spend is fluid.  People want to know the impact of strategy changes and tactics tweaks. But don't worry.  This pattern is not just familiar to you in your business, it's happening everywhere. Middle managers have turned to analytics…

• Polygraph: Solving & more importantly Explaining Big Social Data, Facebook

  Chris Treadaway

  15 Jan 2013 | 10:48 pm

  Howdy everyone -- it's been awhile since I've posted here.  Lots of work on Polygraph and a new addition to my family in the form of a baby.  Margot Ellen Treadaway was born on December 14th and is our first child.  Lots of life changes -- all good.  But the blog has taken a bit of a back seat recently. That's a-changin'.  Regular blogging is back for us as we bring Polygraph v2 to market.  I'll tell you more about that later. But for now, I thought I'd better explain how our business has evolved and where it is going.  For those of you who have followed…

• 

  IttyBiz

• How To Set Goals Without Screwing It Up, Part 1

  Naomi Dunford

  21 May 2013 | 4:50 pm

  Those of you who have been following IttyBiz over the years probably know how much I winced typing the words “How to Set Goals.” Goals drive me crazy, because people tell you how they set goals and assume what worked for them will (naturally!) work for you. Well, it might work, but it probably won’t work for you as smoothly as they promise it will. Let’s think about any piece of advice out there on the “best” way to set goals, given by any well-meaning blogger, author or motivational speaker who’s dishing it out. As we think about what they’re telling…

• The Cereal Box (Or, How To Be The Smartest Person You Know)

  Naomi Dunford

  7 May 2013 | 5:14 pm

  A very long time ago – yes, even before the internet, if you were to allow yourself to believe that such a time existed – a certain author was asked what one book he would take with him if he were stranded on a desert island. Normally a question like that is designed to see how sophisticated the askee’s tastes are. Will he say the Bible? The Complete Works of Shakespeare? Great Expectations? What profundity awaits us today? In this case, the answer was a little more prosaic than that: “Thomas’ Guide to Practical Shipbuiding.” Indeed. Let’s start with a story. A little while back…

• How (Not?) To Choose Your Marketing Strategy

  Naomi Dunford

  5 May 2013 | 8:36 pm

  We get a lot of questions from clients asking whether or not they should hop on the bandwagon for some new marketing initiative that, by all rights, seems to be a Legitimately Big Thing. The question is essentially “Should I put all (or most of) my eggs in this basket? It seems to be extremely popular, and a lot of people say I’m missing out if I don’t get on this now.” The answer is – well, it’s what we always say. It depends. Why this choice is difficult in the first place. When something seems to be extremely popular right now, it’s really difficult to figure out whether it…

• Ask fewer questions. Get better answers.

  Naomi Dunford

  2 May 2013 | 10:35 am

  As we finish up the last two weeks of our Let’s Fix Your List class, we’ve received enough questions on the “What do I ask for on my opt-in / contact form?” front that now would be a good time to talk about that in a bit more detail. When someone signs up for your list, or fills out a contact form, quote form, or a “schedule a phone call” form, it’s natural to want as much information about them as you can get your hands on. However, it is not natural for them to want to give it to you. This is why you tend to hear marketing types tell you to ask for as little information as…

• SHOULD you jump? WILL the net appear?

  Naomi Dunford

  10 Apr 2013 | 11:19 pm

  Every now and again, you’ll hear the expression, “Jump, and the net will appear.” This is meant to mean that when you are in a situation where you want to make a big change and that big change involves a lot of (real or perceived) risk – such as jumping off a cliff – you should take the risk. While you cannot see a net now – and indeed, the net is not there now – it will “appear” when you take the jump. (Causality, while unstated, is implied.) For obvious reasons, some people have trouble with this advice. I was asked the other day by a person…

• 

  Gregg Fraley, Creativity & Innovation Consultant, Speaker » Blogg

• KILN Continues to Innovate Innovation Services

  GREGG FRALEY

  4 May 2013 | 8:35 am

  A peek at the contents of an IdeaKeg Single. I’m off to the FEI show (Front End of Innovation) in Boston this week. In my view it’s the most serious innovation conference in the world, and the USA edition features speakers and participants from a who’s who of international organizations. I’m particularly interested in hearing Denise Morrison CEO of Campbell Soup about their use of culture in the innovation process, and also Nelson Farris of Nike about corporate storytelling. It will be great to catch up with Idea Management System vendors like CogniStreamer, and…

• Spontaneous Thinking and the Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Jonathan Winters

  GREGG FRALEY

  15 Apr 2013 | 9:24 am

  “If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it.” Jonathan Winters Jonathan Winters Last week, a personal hero of mine, Jonathan Winters, passed away. He had a long, full, complicated, crazy, and indeed, mad, mad, mad, mad, life. If you don’t know who he is or why I’d be doing a post about him in a creativity and innovation blog, please just go to YouTube and watch this. If you really want to snort milk through your nose, try this one. Winters was a comic genius, a creative tour-de-force, and, a man who “used” his affliction with bi-polar disorder…

• TEDxStormont – creativity and community collide in Belfast

  GREGG FRALEY

  1 Apr 2013 | 9:12 am

  Jim Eastwood, talking about potential at TEDxStormont So, I’m talking to five beaming young people after TEDxStormont last Thursday. They’re all 20 something, glowing with energy, smiling like mad, and we’re blue streak style sharing ideas, theories, making connections –it’s a fast-paced, highly generative conversation. It occurs to me,  all at once, that moments like this — are how communities are formed. And how prosperous futures are created. For Northern Ireland, I think the lasting value of the event is not the content delivered, the fun experienced,…

• Zombies, Dreamers, Managers and Leaders

  GREGG FRALEY

  18 Mar 2013 | 10:59 am

  Imagination Segmentation (Gregg Fraley, 2013) I’ve been preparing a new keynote speech on Imagination and it’s been a real challenge to get my thoughts together on such a big and creatively important concept. My focus is usually on Creativity. To be honest I’m enthralled with the concept of imagination, and yet have avoided talking about it directly because it’s so individual and amorphous. That’s why I’m so excited about one aspect of my new talk I wanted to share it with my readers right away, so here it is, my “Johari Window” of Imagination…

• Imagination, So What?

  GREGG FRALEY

  28 Feb 2013 | 8:09 am

  I don’t mean to be cynical with that headline. Still, what’s imagination got to do with it? Imagination is a revered idea isn’t it? Everybody seems to want it. And yet… Who actually sets aside time to imagine? Is it focused or completely not, or both? Who tolerates the imagination of others when it’s expressed? Who and how often do people actually take action on some dream? John Lennon practically has trademarked the word, but I find his song quite challenging. “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only…

• 

  Startup Daddy Business Startup Podcast Radio Show

• An Invitation To Belong To Something New

  Ian Gordon | StartupDaddy.com

  19 May 2013 | 9:56 am

  Happy Sunday ! It’s a long weekend in Canada, and with most of the working world here taking a 3 day weekend, it’s a great opportunity to catch up on some work projects. So a while back, I sent an invitation to unsubscribe. This was meant with some confusion. Today, I’m going to be more clear. I wanted to create a place where you could ask and answer questions of other people just like you. People who are starting or running a business- fellow members of the Startup Daddy community. I was deciding between LinkedIn and Facebook, and I asked for your input as well. Your…

• Are You the Same

  Ian Gordon | StartupDaddy.com

  5 May 2013 | 7:24 am

  Spring has definitely sprung here. The leaves on the trees are starting to pop out, lawns are green, flowers are blooming, and I finally got to take the snow tires off the car! I had to give our lawn it’s first mow of season yesterday. Most people seem to mow their lawn in straight lines. When you do this, it leaves a pattern of those neat, straight rows. Not me. When I realized that when you mow it leaves lines, I started to mow my lawn in a curved pattern, like this: I do this just to be different. No other reason. Do you know how much extra work this is? Zero. It does take a little…

• The New Rules of Social SEO

  Ian Gordon | StartupDaddy.com

  26 Apr 2013 | 2:58 pm

  In this episode of Startup Daddy, I talk about the new rules of Search Engine Optimization.  The new rules of SEO rely heavily on social media, specifically having your website and content shared on social media websites. I also talk about the importance of a Google Places profile to Local Businesses. Sign up for a Google Places account. Google’s explantion of  the differences between local pages in Google+ Great breakdown on the  integration of Google Places Dashboard With Google+ Local from from Search Engine Land. Are you interested in participating in a new interactive…

• Are You Sure You’re Working On the Right Things for Your Business?

  Ian Gordon | StartupDaddy.com

  21 Apr 2013 | 6:53 pm

  Are you working on the things that will move you forward, or are you letting others dictate your priorities? This is a big one, and something I still struggle with from time to time. It is so easy to let your inbox dicate your day. You may try to get organized- write out a todo list the night before, then you open your email when you wake up and there a few things that need your attention. So you address them.  Then you check your inbox again before knocking out those todos, and there are a few more quick things waiting for you. Before you know it, it’s noon and you haven’t even…

• What’s Wrong with the Middle of the Pack?

  Ian Gordon | StartupDaddy.com

  14 Apr 2013 | 8:01 pm

  Today was Masters Sunday if you like golf (or you’re a general sports fan). If not, it was just Sunday. Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be about sports. Well not much. Just a quick sports metaphor, and I’m out- OK?  For the non-golfers, the Masters is one of the four biggest golf tournaments every year- called “the majors.” Professional golfers play 4 day tournaments.  Thursday and Friday the group gets whittled down to the final group that “makes the cut,” and gets to play Saturday and Sunday. Traditionally, Saturday is called…

• 

  Dr Jeff Cornwall

• Creative Destruction, Disruption, and Opportunism

  Jeff Cornwall

  13 May 2013 | 3:56 am

  Economists tell us that the primary role of entrepreneurs in the economy is to engage in a process they call “creative destruction.”  Through their innovations, entrepreneurs help create new industries that transform or even replace old and declining industries. For example, online media sites such as the Huffington Post have played a significant role in the decline of the print-based media industry and in the demise of many traditional daily newspapers.  Creative destruction is a not a common occurrence, but when it happens, its impact is profound The venture capital world views…

• Students Work for Free Enterprise

  Jeff Cornwall

  10 May 2013 | 9:20 pm

  Spurring entrepreneurship in Northern and Eastern Europe is as much a cultural battle as it is an economic one.  I am spending the rest of this month traveling with a group of students throughout Eastern Europe.  One of the lessons I hope they will learn is about the entrepreneurial transformation underway in countries formerly under the shadow, or more often complete domination, of the communistic USSR. We are starting our visit in Finland, where we visited Aalto University’s amazing entrepreneurship program. I have been a fan of Aalto’s Startup Sauna (formerly known as Venture…

• The Battle Over Plans Versus Models

  Jeff Cornwall

  2 May 2013 | 9:45 am

  There has been a growing debate about business plan versus business model.  The lines are being drawn.  However, I would chime in to say that both sides of this debate are right, and both sides are wrong.  To mix metaphors, let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water, even though that may be one ugly baby! We have moved to much more of a focus on business modeling here at Belmont University.  Why?  Because my own experience as an entrepreneur and as an entrepreneurship educator is that the business plan is just a tool. In that past, we did not teach much about business models…

• My Interview with VC Vic Gatto

  Jeff Cornwall

  1 May 2013 | 6:26 am

  TweetFacebookLinkedInTumblrStumbleDiggDeliciousThe post My Interview with VC Vic Gatto appeared first on Dr Jeff Cornwall.

• Life’s a Pitch. Be Ready!

  Jeff Cornwall

  29 Apr 2013 | 6:14 am

  Entrepreneurs need to be ready to pitch any time, anywhere. Jake Jorgovan, an alumnus from Belmont’s Entrepreneurship program, is always ready to give his pitch. “At the most random situations, I will find myself giving a pitch,” says Jorgovan. “Out at drinks with friends, or just out socializing and suddenly I run into someone who is a contact directly in the space that I am working in. It can catch you off guard sometimes, but you should have your elevator pitch prepared and not be afraid to deliver it anytime of day.” Jorgovan has become an expert at pitching through a lot of…

• 

  CollegeMogul

• CNA Classes in Indianapolis

  admin

  21 May 2013 | 1:36 am

  If you are interested, being a Certified Nurses Assistant, or CNA, can be a greatly rewarding career, as well as one with great job security. CNA’s work in just about any medical setting, from hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, even convalescent hospitals and hospice care. You can find CNA classes in Indianapolis as well as many other cities across the country. Before we get into this, let’s take a look at what some of the duties the CNAs perform, and what are some of the benefits of working in this career. One of the first things you will be doing is assessing a patient and plan…

• How To Take Garcinia Cambogia

  admin

  17 May 2013 | 5:05 am

  Obesity is a growing concern in our society. There are literally hundreds of thousands of people just in the US that are overweight and even obese. Even an extra twenty pounds can cause numerous health problems. The more weight you have the worse these problems can become. Some of these include heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Sometimes it is hard to eat right, people are on the go a lot. Others have problems losing weight because they have jobs where they are sitting at a desk, and just don’t get enough exercise. There are numerous weight loss products on the market, both at local…

• Tips You Should Know When Looking for a Business Web Designer

  admin

  16 May 2013 | 2:58 am

  If you live in the UK, you may want to consider Lemongrass Media. They are a local web design Hertfordshire company, and have a grass roots approach to helping businesses not only get on the web, but profit from it. Lemongrass have been in business for many years, and offer many different services for your business or company. Getting your business online is probably one of the best things you can do. If your business offers some kind of service, your customer base will expand tenfold just in your local area. More and more people these days are using the internet instead of the Yellow pages…

• Internet Marketing Basics

  admin

  15 May 2013 | 1:52 am

  These days almost everyone is using the internet to buy products or services, with new companies and businesses springing up all the time. For someone who wants to make money, getting on the internet is a great way to start a business, or find that perfect job. More and more people are getting tired of the same run of the mill job, because they may have to commute back and forth to work, work under a lot of stress, or lack job security. Other reasons for getting started in an internet business can include wanting to be able to stay home, work as many or as few hours, and not worry about a…

• Are Electronic Cigarettes the Next Step in Smoking?

  admin

  14 May 2013 | 2:11 am

  With the influx of different kinds of electronic cigarettes out there, it seems that actual smoking is becoming a thing of the past. These cigarettes are much different in a number of ways. One is that there isn’t any actual smoke. The ‘smoke’ is produced by water vapor. A battery causes a reaction in the filter chamber, vaporizing the nicotine and producing the ‘smoke.’ This means that you are not inhaling harmful chemicals, nor are you exhaling second hand smoke. This is much safe for those around you, and allows you to smoke in areas that would normally be off limits. There are…

• 

  Jun Loayza - How to close deals as a startup

• 7 Ways to Increase Communication with Your Remote Team

  Matt Boyd

  14 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  Working remote can be extremely difficult. In those moments when communication is less than ideal and the situation seems dismal, joining the ranks of a team in a physical office space can sound like a good idea. Everyone has these moments. When this happens, it’s important to stay calm and not make any decisions you may come to regret. I can assure you, there are several ways to connect your remote team and streamline your communication. I can recall, in great detail, specific instances where I felt like pulling my own hair out or just sleeping the day away. Time zones were the enemy and a…

• How to Build and Get Captivating Case Studies and Testimonials from Clients

  Jun Loayza

  23 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  I recently received a terrific question from Lorraine, one of the people in my community.  She asks: How can I get testimonials and case studies from a corporate client? Should I ask before, during, or after the project?  Should we ask for permission to use their logo on our website? Should we get the testimonial via LinkedIn or email?  How can we make the ask in a professional manner? I felt her questions were so good that I’d turn the answers into a blog post.  So, without further ado, here is how I build and get case studies and testimonials from my clients. How I Get…

• How to Get Clients With No Case Studies

  Jun Loayza

  8 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  How can I possibly get clients with no prior case studies or experience in a field? I often get asked this question by first-time entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs that are entering a brand new industry.  It’s fare to say that we’ve all at some point had to start from scratch; I mean, I too at one time had no case studies, right? Really think about that.  In 2008, my team and I started building Facebook Apps and we worked with companies such as Levi’s, LG, and Activision.  We were 23-year olds working for companies way out of our experience level.  But we somehow managed to…

• How to Recruit a Technical Cofounder

  Jun Loayza

  4 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  If you’re building an internet startup, then you need a technical co-founder — plain and simple. Incubators such as Y Combinator won’t accept a team with a majority of business-minded co-founders; smart investors in Silicon Valley know that it takes engineers and designers to build an internet startup, not a Harvard MBA. Guy Kawasaki once said: Add $500,000 to the valuation of your startup for every technical co-founder that you have Subtract $250,000 to the valuation of your startup for every business co-founder that you have Early in my startup career, I met three Harvard MBAs…

• Three Simple Tactics that Sales People Use to Improve Their Proposals

  Jun Loayza

  1 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  For someone who’s been involved in entrepreneurship for six years, I’ve dealt with sales, marketing, public relations, and just about everything on the business side for my startups.  I’ve been fortunate enough to have had opportunities to start countless companies – many of which are successful, but I’ve also encountered many failures as well.  One skill that I’ve carried along with me through every experience is my ability and confidence in closing deals.  This wasn’t instantaneous, however, and was definitely a growing process.  Through the numerous amount of…

• 

  Entrepreneur Bootcamp

• Does Your Business Story Stand Out or Blend In?

  Delores Williams

  1 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  I love a good story. Truth be told, I am all into mysteries, but not just any mysteries, Agatha Christie and Paul Temple are my favorite. Why? They require you to think. You are forced to really figure out who the guy is, and perhaps, the motivation behind their murder. What does that have to do with your business? Quite a bit. I want a story where I am rooting for you, not one of "come to my business because we have the cheapest price." I want a story that tells me you put some thought into the service or solution you are providing. I want you to beat the odds. One of my favorite business…

• Why I Like Selling on Amazon

  Delores Williams

  13 Feb 2013 | 12:30 am

  For the last couple of years I have sold on Amazon, but through a rather passive way. Meaning, I put my books on there, and that was that. They sold it, collected the money, shipped it, and all that fun stuff. And I like it that way for the most part. A few weeks ago, I happened up selling on Amazon, in this case, used books. What's the difference? Quite a bit. First off, let's just Admit Amazon takes a hell of a lot in either case. However, with this way, I felt like I have more control. I know who the customer is, and where they live which is sort of empowering. Of course, Amazon has rules…

• Silicon Valleys Sexually Harasses it's Women to Keep it a Boy's Club

  Delores Williams

  6 Feb 2013 | 1:32 pm

  Silicon Valley has a problem with hating women. Hate means "todislikeintenselyorpassionately;feelextremeaversionfor or extreme hostilitytoward;detest." Over the last couple of days I have seen example after example with techies doing all manner of things to degrade, harass, and sexually objectify women. Sarah Parmenter of "You Know Who" wrote a blog post about her experience where an unknown person put up faked porn pictures of women who LOOKED similar to her, and proceeded to send links of the photos to high profile people she knew in order to ruin her credibility. You can read that here…

• Did You Inherit a Nightmare?

  Delores Williams

  23 Jan 2013 | 2:23 pm

  In this time where businesses are being gobbled up or acquired, sometimes we overlook the people who won't be part of the million dollar payout...the employees. Over the last couple of months I have watched as one company took over another. The fallout was not pretty, but that is for another blog post. But he is one of the main things I have seen, the new place inherited a culture. What do I mean by that? The way the staff was under the old management, the new management got. It seems like all chocolate and roses when you get a group of people already trained in their job, but that is only if…

• Of Course it's the Money, Duh!

  Delores Williams

  19 Nov 2012 | 8:53 am

  I have one of two responses when I hear someone saying they are not doing something for the money. One, is to call them a straight out liar, or two, think they are some idiot living off parents, spouse or significant other, who doesn't get that someone is paying for their ability to "play."No where is this "not doing it for the money" thinking so apparent then in writing circles. Yes, I get it, it's your passion, blah, blah, blah. However, if you REALLY did not want to get paid for said writing, you wouldn't submit it to places to get paid. There are these things called blogs. So, now that we…

• 

  Shalabh Pandey on Ideas, Inspirations and Innovation

• Facebook and Twitter: Which is Best for Business?

  buzzoptima@yahoo.com.sg (Shalabh Pandey)

  6 May 2013 | 3:29 am

  Facebook and Twitter have both become integral parts of many web users’ digital lives, whether they are accessed on the best ultrabook or the humble office PC, or even on smartphones and tablets. Consequently, both social media sites are also vital in a business context, offering companies the opportunity to reach millions of potential customers. Each however has particular strengths and... Click the title for complete post. (twitter.com/shalabhpandey)

• Five Great Social Media Campaigns in 2012/2013

  buzzoptima@yahoo.com.sg (Shalabh Pandey)

  5 May 2013 | 3:27 am

  With the best laptops now boasting HD screens and bundles of processing power, and smartphones boasting multimedia capabilities that were practically unthinkable a little over a decade ago, it’s no surprise that social media campaigns have moved well beyond the now obligatory Facebook and Twitter pages to encompass some of the most exciting and innovative advertising around. With this in mind,... Click the title for complete post. (twitter.com/shalabhpandey)

• Can Social Networking Prevent the Spread of Illness?

  buzzoptima@yahoo.com.sg (Shalabh Pandey)

  13 Apr 2013 | 1:33 am

  Can Social Networking Prevent the Spread of Illness? Social media has a plethora of uses. New laptops (especially those using Windows 8), tablets, and mobile phones can all be used to keep tabs on friends living abroad, share photos of big moments, and forecast sickness. Forecast sickness?! Yes, the next time your son or daughter catches a cold or displays the early symptoms of influenza, instead... Click the title for complete post. (twitter.com/shalabhpandey)

• Festival of Media Asia: My perspectives

  buzzoptima@yahoo.com.sg (Shalabh Pandey)

  6 Mar 2013 | 4:20 pm

  What awesome two days. Happy (and thankful to Rice Communications and FOMA) to be a part of an event like Festival of Media, Asia. Stylish, full of great speaking sessions and good speakers- not just on the quality of speaking but the quality of content they had to talk about. Apart from that, great questioning by presenters. Two days- locked in the southern corner of Singapore- hijacking the W... Click the title for complete post. (twitter.com/shalabhpandey)

• Festival of media Asia 2013 in Singapore

  buzzoptima@yahoo.com.sg (Shalabh Pandey)

  27 Feb 2013 | 7:28 am

  Attending The Festival of Media Asia 2013 in Singapore. The Festival of Media Asia 2013 takes place from 3-5 March 2013. I personally am quite stoked about the two days: 4th and 5th March. There seems to be a solid line-up of speakers and sessions. Check out the speaker line up for yourself. And the Festival agenda here   Earlier, I usually attended these events from a Media Agency (when I... Click the title for complete post. (twitter.com/shalabhpandey)

• 

  Growthink blogs

• The 10 Million Dollar Mindset

  Dave Lavinsky

  21 May 2013 | 2:07 pm

  If I say to you, "Hey, you can grow your business into a 10 million dollar company and be very wealthy" would you believe me? Would you think it's possible? Likely? Easy? Hard? A pipe dream? You don't have to tell anyone your answer, so be really honest with yourself. Can you envision becoming a multi-millionaire by growing your business?If you can't see it, first congratulate yourself for that bit of honesty. Next, get to work on your mindset. You will never be a millionaire if you don't think like a millionaire. Have you read biographies of multi-millionaires in the Unites States? It is…

• Lesson I Learned this Weekend

  Jay Turo

  20 May 2013 | 10:08 am

  I had the great good fortune this past weekend to co-host Growthink's Business Blueprint Live event at the LAX Sheraton Hotel, next door to our Company’s Los Angeles offices.At it, 53 entrepreneurs and business owners gathered for two days and nights with the Growthink team to dream, plan, and network as to how to best grow the revenues, increase the profits and better fulfill the missions of their businesses.What is really neat is that because of its longer group and in-person format, there is time and space to really listen and, correspondingly, to share best business practices, ideas,…

• Why You Can't Live (or Die) Without Business Systems

  Dave Lavinsky

  14 May 2013 | 11:47 am

  Business systems, business systems, business systems....why is everyone always going on and on about systems in your business?  Well, it's simple really. If you don't have a business system, and your entire operation relies on you personally performing certain actions, then you really don't have a business. You may be a really busy and even profitable self-employed, independent contractor, but you do not have a business. A true business may require your leadership, strategy, vision, and even daily performance of work. But importantly, it will also continue to operate and make money even…

• Magic Bus

  Jay Turo

  13 May 2013 | 1:25 pm

  It is hard not to laugh when I hear tired old refrains like "Nobody reads business plans anymore" or "In the world of lean startups, there is no time for strategic planning."Why do otherwise intelligent and well-meaning businesspeople think things like this?Well, for starters as human beings we all struggle to emotionally grasp the impact of the history not made, of the things that don't happen.You see, poor strategy does not manifest itself as much in high profile flame-outs as perhaps it did in days of yore (see Pets.com, eToys, etc.) as much as it does in nothing of note ever being…

• The 10 Common Characteristics Of Empire Builders

  Dave Lavinsky

  7 May 2013 | 2:18 pm

  Are you an Empire Builder? How do you gauge yourself and your business?  Do have the potential to turn your business into an empire? You may not know it yet, but you may just be the person to create the next business empire.Empire builders are ordinary people who perform extraordinary tasks. There are certain traits and actions that distinguish these outstanding individuals from others. By learning certain skills and adopting successful actions you can set your business growth to super-size.10 Characteristics of Empire BuildersIf you have painstakingly built your business from scratch to…

• 

  crowdSPRING Blog

• This Is Why Social Media Doesn’t Work For Your Business

  Ross

  21 May 2013 | 8:11 am

  If you have invested considerable time and resources on social media marketing over the past year and feel frustrated, you are not alone. About 61% of small businesses don’t see any return on investment on their social-media activities … Yet, almost 50% say they’ve increased their time spent on social media, and only 7% have decreased their time. The above conclusions are from a survey released by Manta, a social network for small businesses. It’s not surprising that many businesses fail to properly leverage social media. After all, the success of any marketing…

• Small Business and Social Marketing: Time for an Audit?

  Mike

  19 May 2013 | 11:05 pm

  Marketing is simple: spend $100 advertising your product or service and earn back $110 for your efforts. This has long been the underlying challenge for businesses large and small:  how do you acquire new customers, convince them to buy more of whatever it is you are selling, get them to tell other’s about your offering, and achieve positive ROI the whole while. Problem is, for many companies, this kind of magical thinking is simply not grounded in any type of reality. Especially for small business, traditional print, radio, and television advertising is out of their reach financially.

• Twitter Link Roundup #179 – Small Business, Startups, Innovation, Social Media, Design, Marketing and More

  Ross

  17 May 2013 | 7:37 am

  Every day on the crowdSPRING Twitter account and on my own Twitter account, I post links to posts or videos I enjoyed reading or viewing. These posts and videos are about logo design, web design, startups, entrepreneurship, small business, leadership, social media, marketing, and more! Here are some of the links that I’ve liked and shared this past week! The above is a fun video of a gas station prank that shows some people have a great, happy attitude – and it’s contagious. Small Business and Startups: Prepare For the Worst – http://crowdspring.co/10DZYvs The First Step,…

• If You Risk Nothing, You Risk Everything

  Ross

  16 May 2013 | 8:52 am

  People fear many things. The fear of failure is perhaps one of the greatest and most dangerous fears. If you risk nothing, you risk everything. No related posts.

• The First Step, No Matter How Small, Is Crucial To Success

  Ross

  15 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Hamdi Ulukaya, CEO and founder of Chobani, recently talked about how he started Chobani. It’s a wonderful story and well worth your time to watch how an immigrant entrepreneur with a vision others thought was crazy, built a business that grew from zero to a billion dollars in just five years. Ulukaya was born in Turkey and was an accomplished feta-cheese-maker. He lived in Upstate New York when he saw an ad for a closed Kraft yogurt plant. Ulukaya initially threw the ad away. But his gut told him to go see the place. He bought the plant, despite friends telling him otherwise, and…

• 

  The Entrepreneurial MD

• A non-profit physician entrepreneur who anticipated burnout and acted

  Philippa Kennealy

  20 May 2013 | 9:10 am

  Dr. Richard (Rich) Sagall is a very busy physician entrepreneur these days. As co-founder and president of the 501(c)(3) non-profit NeedyMeds, he is reaping the rewards of having pursued his passion -- helping those whose circumstances make receiving affordable healthcare treatments and services a significant challenge.  Over 25 years ago, Rich began his clinical life as a family physician in practice and went on to work in occupational medicine, before ultimately moving full-time into his own non-profit start-up.  On the advice of his father, he wisely looked ahead while still…

• The Queen’s Power: A Leadership Fable

  Philippa Kennealy

  6 May 2013 | 10:11 am

  Discover the secrets of real leadership power

• Physician leadership coach on "Leading Clinicians & Clinicians Leading"

  Philippa Kennealy

  22 Apr 2013 | 3:36 pm

  The four tasks facing frontline physician leaders in today's healthcare organizations

• Seven secrets to becoming a successful physician intrapreneur

  Philippa Kennealy

  16 Apr 2013 | 5:40 pm

  Physicians can succeed as intrapreneurs within their organizations without having to go out on their own and start businesses

• How to eat an elephant ... one spoon at a time

  Philippa Kennealy

  19 Mar 2013 | 8:25 pm

  I have never been a fan of group exercise with its hyper-upbeat classes, pounding music and the need to keep up with the gungho crowd. However, a Groupon coupon many months back lured me into a neighborhood Circuit Works and despite it being exactly that (loudly energized), I have discovered a wholly satisfying way to get a workout. At the beginning of the hour (my "elephant"), I feel a sense of dread ... how am I going to endure this long, hard sixty minutes? At the end, I leave with a sweaty inner glow and a sense of accomplishment that surprises me.  I now understand how this works.

• 

• Reputation Causing Big Problems?

  22 May 2013 | 4:35 am

  Reputation Causing Big Problems? Getty Lindsay Lohan doesn't have the best reputation in Hollywood, and it could end up costing her $5 million. Company that's suing her Hollywood Tidbits Actress, 41, Denies Getting Plastic Surgery Rocker's Ex Writes Revealing Tell-AllA-List Actor Has 'Very Few Friends'

• 'Dancing' Declares a New Winner

  22 May 2013 | 4:35 am

  'Dancing' Declares a New Winner Getty It's been a very tight race -- but 'Dancing with the Stars' could only crown one winner for its 16th season. And the newest champion is ...More in TVBrad Pitt Opens Up About Drug UseReality Star Gets Drastic Haircut When Will Smith Will Let Son Be Emancipated

• 'He Was So Brave, He Was So Brave'

  22 May 2013 | 4:35 am

  'He Was So Brave, He Was So Brave'NewsOKTrenda Purcell didn't know her 8-year-old son's school had been hit directly by the tornado until she arrived. And then, she couldn't find him. Watch: Tearful reunion after her searchRelated CoverageLocal Meteorologists Issue Desperate Plea Terrifying Time-Lapse of Monster TornadoEerie New Purpose for Local Movie Theatre

• He's Totally Stunned by Wife's Body

  22 May 2013 | 4:35 am

  He's Totally Stunned by Wife's BodyWDIVLarry was beyond excited to come home after a year away from his beloved -- but he almost didn't recognize her at first.Massive change she made in secretMore to SeeChemistry Teacher Gives Class a ScareBlind 'MasterChef' Winner Speaks Out Photog: 'It Was a Miracle They Got Out'

• Search for Tornado Victims Nears End

  22 May 2013 | 4:35 am

  Search for Tornado Victims Nears EndAPRescue workers raced early Wednesday to complete the search for survivors in the Oklahoma town destroyed by a mammoth tornado.Kids found alive under cinder blocksRelated CoverageTwister More Powerful Than A-BombTeachers Credited With Saving KidsPhotographer Describes Destruction

• 

  Xconomy

• Venture Debt as Growth Capital? You Bet.

  Joe Spinelli

  22 May 2013 | 2:00 am

  Joe Spinelli It’s easy to understand why most discussions about the state of venture capital investing paint a pessimistic view. Access to institutional equity dollars is increasingly limited for new entrepreneurs and early stage companies, and an anemic fundraising environment for VC firms is contributing to the long-anticipated “VC shakeout.” We’re also at a cyclical low in reported M&A events and the IPO window isn’t as open as we all would like, stretching out the time to exit. But it’s not all bad. In fact, now is actually a great time to be a later-stage growth company…

• Dream Chaser Reaches Edwards AFB to Prove it Has “The Right Stuff”

  Michael Davidson

  21 May 2013 | 11:36 am

  Michael Davidson The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The journey into space for a potentially breakthrough vehicle begins with a nearly 1,000-mile trip to Edwards Air Force Base—on the back of a flatbed truck, wrapped in plastic. At least that’s the case for the Dream Chaser, the space vehicle Sierra Nevada Corp. is building in Louisville, CO. The company delivered a test version of the Dream Chaser to NASA this week, and it arrived at the air force base Wednesday on the back of a flatbed truck. The vehicle is part of NASA’s effort to support private companies…

• UT Horizon Fund Aims to Build, and Capture, Value from its Startups

  Bernadette Tansey

  21 May 2013 | 10:33 am

  Bernadette Tansey Campuses at the University of Texas, such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, can boast of star-studded faculties to rival the innovative scientific leadership at UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley and Stanford University. In 2009, the 15-institution University of Texas system was second only to the powerhouse University of California system in the number of patent applications filed, startups spun out from campus inventions, and research dollars raised. Yet UT ranked only 19th that year in terms of income from licensing its innovations, the Association of University…

• Effector Therapeutics Raises $45M to Prove New Concept in Cancer

  Bruce V. Bigelow

  21 May 2013 | 9:03 am

  Bruce V. Bigelow After Switzerland’s Roche paid $230 million in cash to buy San Diego’s Anadys Pharmaceuticals in 2011, Anadys CEO Steve Worland says he felt like an entrepreneur-in-residence, but without a venture capital firm to call home. So he began to roam the country in search of a new pharmaceutical adventure. Worland says he wanted to focus on cancer, a field in which he hadn’t worked for more than a decade. So he began talking prominent academic researchers about hot areas of research and development. Worland’s quest eventually led him to UC San Francisco and scientists…

• The Star Thrower, or How Healthcare Looks to Consumers

  Lisa Suennen

  21 May 2013 | 8:25 am

  Lisa Suennen It is always interesting how events find ways of connecting themselves together even when they seem so unrelated. I was at my sister Alexis’ graduation from law school on Friday, where I had gone directly from leaving a several day event organized by Health Evolution Partners. At the event I had occasion to meet with Dr. Charlotte Yeh, Chief Medical Officer of AARP, who will shortly be participating in a very cool panel at the conference I am chairing, the Consumer Health & Wellness Innovation Summit, on June 11 in San Francisco (yes, that was a shameless plug; please…

• 

  Internet Marketing for Business - Jim Kukral - Small Business Web Consultant

• You Suck At Sales

  jim@jimkukral.com (Jim Kukral)

  1 May 2013 | 8:21 am

  I recently filled out an online form in search of fishing camps in Ontario. What happens is I fill out the form, then they take my lead and mail it to all of their advertising partners (fishing camps). So within 48 hours of filling out the form, I have gotten about 50 fishing camps contact me to tell me about their camps. But 99% of the sales pitches they have given me completely suck. 99% of them just email back a one-line “We’re awesome, check our website here www.fishingcamp.com”. And just one of them actually called me. One! So this got me ranting in my head about bad…

• The Moment I Knew I Never Wanted To Work For Anyone Ever Again

  jim@jimkukral.com (Jim Kukral)

  5 Apr 2013 | 1:56 pm

  I’ve never told this story before. Not in a blog, or in one of my books, or to anyone really. I suppose I suppressed it. But I recently pulled it out of my memory bank because I was listening to a Chris Brogan podcast about why you should quit your job and it spurred this memory up and I wanted to share it with you. I believe this moment has made me into the entrepreneur I am today. Read on if you’re curious. This happened in 1996 or so. I was the fourth employee at a “new media company” here in Cleveland, Ohio. “New Media” was code for Internet company…

• Book Discovery with PinYourBook.com

  jim@jimkukral.com (Jim Kukral)

  15 Mar 2013 | 9:49 am

  If you’re an author trying to find ways to reach new readers in this new world of self-publishing, then you know that it’s hard. This is why book discovery is the single most important issue facing new authors today. It’s something we all need to be aware of and something we should all be concerning ourselves with. eBook discovery was the reason I created the Author Marketing Club over a year ago. Since that time over 7,500 authors have signed up for free tools and promotional help. Our mantra has always been “We LOVE Free Book Promotion!”. With that being said,…

• 13 Reasons You’re Not As Successful As Successful As You Should Be

  jim@jimkukral.com (Jim Kukral)

  28 Dec 2012 | 12:38 pm

  One of my most popular things I’ve ever written. Now in infographic form. Please share if you like. Click image to enlarge. Like this? You can get more in my book Business Around a Lifestyle. Read the entire post at NFIB with comments.

• The Most Difficult Thing To Do Is Talk About Yourself

  jim@jimkukral.com (Jim Kukral)

  13 Nov 2012 | 8:51 am

  Anyone who is in the business of marketing will tell you… The most difficult thing to do is talking about yourself. That could mean you, your brand, or your business. For years I’ve struggled with answering the question of “What do you do Jim?” And, “tell me more about yourself”. So much so I’ve hired professionals who have a much easier time of explaining what I do and what I have done. I think we all just get too close to ourselves; plus the fact that most of us are humble (I know I am) and tend to speak lightly of ourselves. I don’t think…

• 

  Thisisgoingtobebig.com

• The Billion Dollar Aqui-hire of David Karp

  Charlie O'Donnell

  20 May 2013 | 4:01 am

  You can do the math on Tumblr's pageviews, throw in some expected CPM, weighted average cost of capital, and try to justify the billion dollars that Yahoo! is spending on Tumblr. I think you'd be kidding yourself if that's what this was all about.  The Tumblr community isn't going anywhere, but that's not the asset Yahoo! bought.  It will be run on it's own and probably not touched too much. If you're spending a billion dollars on something, you have to be taking the long view--and I don't think we'll be sitting here ten years from now focused on display ads on webpages.  At…

• Get Your Money for Nothing and Your Bitcoins for Free

  Charlie O'Donnell

  13 May 2013 | 4:45 am

  Land grab. That's the term that Fred Ehrsam, founder of Bitcoin startup Coinbase, used to describe the current state of play in the Bitcoin ecosystem. It's an interesting term, one that a) makes me uncomfortable as an investor and b) I'm not sure totally applies to a marketplace that is all about decentralization and openness. First of all, it's a real estate term, obviously. It applies to a finite, physical resource. As the saying goes, "They're not making more land." When and where do land grabs happen? Shifts in population, transportation, and economic opportunity produce land grabs.

• Why Communication with Investors is Important

  Charlie O'Donnell

  6 May 2013 | 4:20 am

  Board meetings are a pain in the ass.Unless you're a well funded, growth stage company that has lots of hands on deck--tons of instrumentation that easily dumps out pretty charts and metrics, or luxury amenities like, well, time, most entrepreneurs probably feel like they could be doing more productive things than telling their investors what they did last month.Same goes for update e-mails. "Frankly, this company is duct-taped together and will be for quite a long time, and shit hits the fan just about every day. Just the fact that we're still here is a major accomplishment, but now we've…

• The Best Leftovers Ever

  Charlie O'Donnell

  2 May 2013 | 8:50 am

  Yesterday, I got profiled in Crain's about my investment philosophies.  They do this cool lunch series where they try a new place and profile both a person and a place.  We went to Brick, which is a sorely needed lunch spot by City Hall. I made the following comment: "I've looked at 2,000 companies, and I'm funding eight. It's not about picking the eight. It's about eliminating the other 1,992, and the eight are leftovers." Don't get me wrong, I'm psyched about the investments I make--calling them "leftovers" doesn't really do them justice.  But, it does emphasize one important…

• Taking Responsibility for the No

  Charlie O'Donnell

  1 May 2013 | 9:08 am

  I hear a lot of funny things about other VCs. This one doesn't really do early stage, that one doesn't really get consumer. It usually stems from entrepreneurs who have been passed up on. Often times, I've literally just closed on an early stage opportunity with that VC--so I'm quite sure they go early.Beware of the intel you get on VCs from other startups. They'll often gloss over their own miscues and blame the investor.What I never hear is "I failed to demonstrate product's value proposition." No entrepreneur has ever said to me "I totally see why every VC I pitch thinks my market is too…

• 

  Entrepreneurs-Journey.com by Yaro Starak

• Business Timeline Update: Looking Back Before Moving On

  http://ReplytoYaro.com (Yaro Starak)

  21 May 2013 | 11:48 pm

  TweetWhen I first started Entrepreneurs-Journey I wrote something that I believe was one of the most powerful rapport building pieces of content I have ever created. I called it my “Business Timeline” and it was exactly what it sounds like, a chronicle of my life as an entrepreneur. Since this blog began when I had already enjoyed … Read the rest of this entry »

• What Is A Many To Many Business? (And How Can This Model Produce Billion Dollar Outcomes)

  http://ReplytoYaro.com (Yaro Starak)

  15 May 2013 | 8:05 am

  TweetDuring the dot com boom around the year 2000, and the years that followed it (this was before I started blogging in 2004), I was a guy in his early twenties looking for a business idea to make my riches with online. At that stage I had only built a few handful of websites, hobby sites that shared content … Read the rest of this entry »

• How To Attract Coaching Clients Presented In My New Yaro.TV “Coaching Session” Video Format

  http://ReplytoYaro.com (Yaro Starak)

  7 May 2013 | 8:37 pm

  TweetAs you can probably tell I have upped the amount of videos I release on my YouTube channel. I am personally recording quick behind the scenes updates that I call “Yaro.TV Dailys“, as well as releasing the occasional more substantial videos like my Stand Up Desk video. I’ve also been working with my new Filipino … Read the rest of this entry »

• How I Created My New Sales Page Video (And Why I’m Taking A New Approach)

  http://ReplytoYaro.com (Yaro Starak)

  1 May 2013 | 5:56 am

  TweetI recently had the opportunity to play with a couple of great cameras to record some videos. After some trial and error with lighting, I finally came up with a setup that combined the Canon 6D with an Ikea lamp and a Rode lavalier lapel mic and went to work recording videos. The big video I needed to create … Read the rest of this entry »

• From Father Of Three And Walmart Employee, To Internet Success Story, Joey Kissimmee Explains How He Made It Big Online

  http://ReplytoYaro.com (Yaro Starak)

  28 Apr 2013 | 7:19 pm

  TweetDownload the Text Transcript in PDF Subscribe to this Podcast in iTunes Joey Kissimmee worked at Walmart for ten years. During that time, to make extra cash he went online and managed to bring in a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a month whenever he needed it. He started with eBay, ordering a CD-Rom from a poster … Read the rest of this entry »

• 

  OnStartups

• The Why and How Of Updating Your Angel Investors

  Dharmesh Shah

  20 May 2013 | 7:02 am

  There’s a massive amount available on the interwebs on how to improve the odds for success in new ventures. But almost nothing concrete is available on the care and feeding of your investors. You can do all of the Lean Startup experimentation you want, but we’re here to tell you that one of the the easiest and most underrated skills that a startup CEO needs is knowing how to keep your investors updated, excited and engaged. The reason is:  The CEO is the investor's  user interface into the business.  It's how investors see what's going on, and in some minimal ways, interact…

• Startup PR Tip: To Get Press, Don't Pitch Your Product

  Dharmesh Shah

  16 May 2013 | 6:47 am

  Entrepreneurs that are looking to get attention from bloggers and journalists will often pitch their businesses themselves or though a PR agency. It's sad that most of those pitches fall flat and are likely to be completely ignored. A waste of time and money for everyone. For example, here’s a pitch from a PR professional. I’ve changed it slightly to avoid embarrassing anyone: “I’m working with a wonderful new business… The owners grew up together and decided to go into business… it’s a story I’m sure your readers will care a lot about!” Uh, no. It's unlikely that…

• The Pitch Deck We Used To Raise $500,000 For Our Startup

  Dharmesh Shah

  8 May 2013 | 11:04 am

  One of the big no-no’s we’ve learnt about early on in Silicon Valley is to publicly share the pitchdeck you’ve used to raise money. At least, not before you’ve been acquired or failed or in any other way been removed from stage. That’s a real shame, we thought. Sharing the actual slidedeck we used (and one, that’s not 10 years old) is by far one of the most useful things for others to learn from. In fact, both Joel and I have privately shared the deck with fledging founders to help them with their fundraising. On top of that, our case study is hopefully uniquely insightful…

• 5 Startup Hiring Mistakes That Can Crush Your Culture

  Dharmesh Shah

  29 Apr 2013 | 11:44 am

  Remember your first business loan? Or, if you're like many entrepreneurs, you may have initially bootstrapped your startup by buying some stuff on your credit card. You were excited and apprehensive: Excited because now you had the cash to invest in your business, apprehensive because you had just taken on a debt you would have to repay. But that was okay, because you were confident you could create more value than the interest you would pay. Even though you eventually have to pay off a financial debt, gaining access to the right resources now often marks the difference…

• 12 Terrible (But Hilarious) Places To Work [slides]

  Dharmesh Shah

  22 Apr 2013 | 10:42 am

  After the week we've had in Boston this week, I found it hard to focus on any overly heavy work this weekend. So, instead, I created the slide deck below.  This is unlike the prior deck I worked on (Culture Code), which had 150+ slides, and proved to be useful.  This one is 14 slides, takes a minute to go through and is almost  completely without use.   But ye, it's fun. Hope you enjoy it.   12 Terrible (But Hilarious) Places To Work from HubSpot All-in-one Marketing Software (And, disclosure: This was not completely for amusement.  There's a call-to-action at…

• 

  The Marketing Zen Group

• A Fresh look at Tumblr for Brands

  Stephanie Graves

  20 May 2013 | 8:40 am

  With this week’s announcement that Yahoo will purchase Tumblr for $1.1 billion, it may be a good time for brands to reevaluate how they can leverage the image-driven platform to reach their targets. If the marriage of the two companies is successful, then it’s likely that Tumblr will have the infrastructure to begin to expand their ad packages which until now have been largely experimental and focused on formats that meld nicely with the social/blogging site’s own aesthetic. For brands that have their eye on millennials — a group with which Tumblr has been highly…

• Does your PR Agency Know How to Connect?

  Stephanie Graves

  15 May 2013 | 11:25 am

  “We need more people talking about us!” As a CMO, or PR director, how many times has someone at the top come to you and said those exact words? Did you immediately start to feel the heat? When an organization decides it needs PR representation or that their current PR strategy needs an overhaul, it usually starts with a desire to create more buzz. And many times, this desire is motivated by a positive article in the local news about a competitor, or a look at another company’s thousands of seemingly engaged Twitter followers eagerly and happily interacting with their brand…

• Marketing Zen is looking for super awesome interns

  Stephanie Graves

  10 May 2013 | 9:29 pm

  The Marketing Zen Group, an award-winning digital marketing and PR company based in Dallas, is looking for talented go-getters interested in gaining valuable, first-hand experience working with a top digital agency. Check out our full list of available internships below to learn more. And if you’re not sure which one would be a fit, send us your resume along with a cover letter telling us why you’d be a great addition to our team. Our internships are unpaid, but highly-competitive and can be used for college credit. And we’re more than happy to provide letters of…

• What you need to know now about the future of digital marketing

  Stephanie Graves

  7 May 2013 | 11:06 am

  A recent industry forecast by global management consulting firm McKinsey and Company aptly points out that “Digital marketing is about to reach more challenging territory”.  The basis for this assertion is not surprising. Consumers are in power. Our current digital age places them squarely in the driver’s seat when it comes to how they receive marketing messages. Taking that a step further, we are barreling toward a place where consumers are not only determining “how” messages are received, but “what” messages they’ll receive. We’re…

• The Bottom Line on What Facebook Partner Categories Mean for the Little Guys

  Stephanie Graves

  3 May 2013 | 10:29 pm

  When Facebook launched its new ad-targeting solution Facebook Partner Categories a few weeks ago, we’re pretty sure we heard a loud, collective, “Wooooohoooo” from every small business owner using Facebook ads to market their business. And they have every right to be happy beyond measure because Partner Categories, for small fries, are the great equalizer. In case you missed the announcement, Facebook Partner Categories allow brands on the social network to get ads in front of targeted users based on their activity across the Web, through desktop and/or mobile, plus their…

• 

  Blogtrepreneur | Entrepreneur Blog

• How to Laser-Focus When Everything’s a Priority at Once

  Matthew Toren

  20 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Your management report is due––now. A customer wants a spontaneous meeting––today––to discuss a recurring issue. Your boss assailed you in the hallway to remind you that the expense report from your trip overseas is overdue. And those 15 minutes a day you committed to spending on social media is adding up fast. How do you focus on anything in a manic world where everyone expects results and responses right now? Do you often feel as though the file cabinet in your brain’s got all the drawers open at once? You’re not alone. In today’s rapid-paced, complex world, the…

• Which Ecommerce Platform is Right for Me?

  Guest Post

  19 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Many SMB owners are often stumped when it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform that is right for their needs. There are several different options available, depending on the type and size of business, the technical ability of your team and your budget. Do you want to be able to modify every last detail, or would you prefer a platform that works right out of the box? Are you after a basic package that you can choose additional features for later on, or do you want to go all-in and pay a single cost up front? How many channels do you want to manage from the get-go – and do you want to add…

• Five Tips for Getting Journalists and Bloggers to Pick Up Your Story

  Adam Toren

  17 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Media coverage––online, print, and social––has the potential to launch your start-up or established business from obscurity to buzz-worthy. But without a glitzy PR firm on retainer (yet), how can you garner the attention of journalists? First rule of thumb––journalists typically want to make some sort of difference. Their mission is to tell a unique story that spurs action, inspires, or achieves killer scoop status. So help them separate themselves from the pack. Do your homework, and glean a thorough understanding of the type of content featured across their publication––blog…

• Your Ultimate Guide to Mobile Productivity Apps

  Matthew Toren

  15 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  This post is the result of my obsession with making everyday tasks fun. There’re hundreds of apps meant to rethink how you handle your chores, and a combination of ADD and compulsiveness means I have way too many installed on my phone. I picked the best of the best to share with you, dear reader, and I hope you end up downloading one or two of ‘em. As a disclaimer, I’m an iPhone user. I tried to find either multi-platform apps or a suitable Android alternative for all of my suggestions. Business Basics 1. Note-taking Evernote – iOS/Android/Windows Phone/Blackberry – Free…

• Five Products That Make You Say ‘Why Didn’t I Think of That?’

  Adam Toren

  13 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  Market forecasting is one of the most important traits in any entrepreneur. Figuring out what the consumer wants before they know it themselves is infinitely important. It’s also really frustrating when someone else hits the spot before you have your chance. We combed through our deep-seeded insecurities to bring you a list of current (last five years) products that made us smack our foreheads. Hopefully, they’ll bring you one step closer to your ah-ha moment. 5. Amazing Jellybean Everyone hates when their internet gets wonky. Everyone also hates that 30 seconds spent tapping their feet…

• 

  The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss

• A How-To Guide: Accelerated Learning for Accelerated Times

  Tim Ferriss

  20 May 2013 | 8:26 pm

  The above video is a short presentation I gave at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam. It covers a basic framework for mastering any skill quickly, including languages, music, dance, and more. What skill have you put off learning for longest… and why? Let me know in the comments. Perhaps I (or other readers) can help. Second, if you could learn one skill in the next six months, what would it be? Important afterword: NOTE — For my competition launched last week (not too late to join), roundtrip airfare is covered for all four winners. Related content: The 4-Hour Chef and…

• The Magic of DonorsChoose — Join Me and Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian for Dinner

  Tim Ferriss

  13 May 2013 | 9:58 am

  DonorsChoose.org is the first charity named to Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World. I dislike most non-profits because — good intentions aside — they get little or no results. DonorsChoose, on the other hand, is incredibly effective. In this month’s Vanity Fair, Melinda Gates describes them as “Kickstarter for classrooms.” Here’s her short article, which includes a photo spread by Annie Leibovitz. I make a guest appearance, which was a dream come true. Here’s why I’m on their advisory board: To me, poor education is…

• How To Gain 20 Pounds In 28 Days: The Extreme Muscle Building Secrets of UFC Fighters

  Tim Ferriss

  11 May 2013 | 12:15 pm

  The following is Part 2 of a two-part guest post from Nate Green, who works with John Berardi, PhD, Georges St-Pierre’s nutritional coach. Part 1 detailed how top UFC fighters rapidly lose weight before weigh-ins for competitive advantage. Now, in Part 2, Nate shares how he gained 20 pounds in 28 days, using techniques an elite fighter such as Georges St-Pierre (GSP) might utilize to move up a weight class. This is a very, very comprehensive post. If you’ve ever wondered how to quickly gain muscle — or how a GSP versus Anderson Silva super-fight could happen —…

• How To Lose 20-30 Pounds In 5 Days: The Extreme Weight Cutting and Rehydration Secrets of UFC Fighters

  Tim Ferriss

  6 May 2013 | 1:28 pm

  The following is a guest post by Nate Green, who works with Dr. John Berardi, nutritional advisor to athletes like UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (GSP). This is the first of two blog posts entailing extreme physical experiments. Absolutely no performance enhancing drugs of any kind were used. Part 1 — this post — details exactly how top fighters like Georges St. Pierre rapidly lose 20-30 pounds for “weigh-ins.” To refine the method, Nate performed this on himself, losing 20 pounds in 5 days. The unique part: Dr. Berardi and team measured key variables throughout the…

• A Few Thoughts on Content Creation, Monetization, and Strategy

  Tim Ferriss

  2 May 2013 | 6:41 pm

  (Photo credit: Shewatchedthesky) This is short post on content creation and monetization. Below is an e-mail I received from a friend of a friend. My answers to him are inline after “TIM”, and I’ve elaborated on a few. The e-mail itself is also a great example of a thoughtful approach to a busy person (me). I bolded one key phrase. For those who want to explore further, here are two related posts: How to Build a High-Traffic Blog Without Killing Yourself Tim Ferriss Scam! Practical Tactics for Dealing with Haters Now, let’s read that e-mail… The Email: Questions…

• 

  IMAutomator blog

• Penguin 2.0 is on the way – Are you ready?

  Caroline Middlebrook

  22 May 2013 | 3:21 am

  Around a year ago Google started rolling out the Penguin and Panda algorithm updates which penalized a lot of sites for violating their guidelines. One of the categories targeted were ‘poor quality bookmark sites’. It was interesting to see how this affected the sites in the system and those on our lists that are not yet added. Those with high PR that had been around for years were largely unaffected though there were a few surprises with an occasional PR4+ suddenly becoming unranked. We saw this more amongst article and directory sites. However, what we did see was a lot of…

• Transitioning To Our New Membership System – Closing For At Least 1 Month

  Caroline Middlebrook

  20 May 2013 | 3:36 am

  We are on the verge of launching our new membership system but as it works quite differently to our current one, and we use a mixture of both systems, we are in a transition phase. In this post I shall recap exactly the difference between the two systems, how the new membership will work, what the new membership options are and how we plan to transition from one to the other. We will also be closing to new memberships during this time for at least 1 month. Our Current System What we started with was a system based around daily submission limits. Your membership fee purchased the ability to…

• New Site Design Is Live!

  Caroline Middlebrook

  15 May 2013 | 9:53 am

  I’m sure you will have already noticed that the IMAutomator website has a brand new look! What started as an effort to remove the sidebar to give us more space to display job information turned into a total site overhaul! We’d had the original design since the site was first created back in 2009 so it’s about time it had an update! I hope you like the new look! If you have any issues refresh the page in your browser and it should load properly. I’d love to hear your feedback – feel free to drop a comment on our Facebook page.

• Sneak preview of the new membership options!

  Caroline Middlebrook

  9 May 2013 | 7:26 am

  I’ve been working on the new site design this week and part of that work is getting ready for the launch of the new membership options. Below is a screenshot showing the design from part of the purchase page that shows the table of available options. There are a couple of things to note: 1) The different levels of membership get better in value as you go up as the price you pay for the credits goes down. For example, the $25 option puts the price of 100 credits at $4.00 but the $50 option slashes that in half which means going from level 2 to 3 actually quadruples the credits you get.

• Retroactive refund of failed submissions now complete

  Caroline Middlebrook

  7 May 2013 | 4:38 am

  We reported yesterday that a bug had been found with the mechanism that refunds credits spent on failed submissions. The bug was fixed but there was still the issue of past jobs that had been submitted and not correctly refunded. We’ve now run the script to allocate the refunds and this has been done as a batch. If you run the credits report from the member page you’ll see one entry for each job type such as Bookmarks, Articles etc. You’ll probably actually have MORE credits than were spent due to two reasons. Firstly, we did not have a mechanism to mark the trial…

• 

  TylerCruz.com: An Internet Entrepreneur's Journey

• My 1,000th Post: 7.5 Years of TylerCruz.com

  Tyler Cruz

  12 May 2013 | 1:29 pm

  This is my 1,000th blog post (proof). I first started blogging over 7 years ago, having made my very first post on October 21st, 2005. I was 22 years old when I started it, and in a few months I will be 30 (which depresses me greatly). That means that I’ve been blogging for a quarter of my lifetime! Insane. How It All Began In interviews, one of the questions I almost always get asked is why I started blogging. Here’s the answer: I was 22, living in my room in my parent’s basement and my websites at the time were just starting to make enough to where I could move out on my…

• Affiliate Marketing Campaign Walkthrough

  Tyler Cruz

  7 May 2013 | 8:36 am

  Three months ago, I published a post called A Beginner’s Introduction to Affiliate Marketing in which I included a screencast where I explain what affiliate marketing is, how it works, and how to get started. With the continued success I’ve been having with affiliate marketing so far, people have been continuing to send me quite a lot of comments, e-mails, IM’s, and tweets asking for more step-by-step instructions. And since that seems to be the #1 request by far, here I have for you another affiliate marketing screencast "how-to" video. This screencast is meant to act…

• Affiliate Marketing Income Report: April 2013

  Tyler Cruz

  1 May 2013 | 12:51 pm

  I feel a bit guilty having only published 2 posts since my last monthly affiliate marketing income report, but blogging just isn’t my main focus at the moment. I definitely hope to post more frequently in May though. This is now my fourth post in this new monthly post series, and I hope that I continue with them for a long time. At least, I hope that I can post profitable numbers for a long time. If you recall in my previous report, March 2013 was my best affiliate marketing month by far, netting $33,883.66, which was the most I ever made from affiliate marketing in 1 month. I ended…

• Tying Up Loose Ends

  Tyler Cruz

  28 Apr 2013 | 12:22 pm

  I apologize for not posting in a while. I’ve been working during this whole time, just not on my blog. A month ago, I published a post called Getting To The Next Level in Affiliate Marketing in which I outline and describe the various roadblocks that are stopping me from getting to the next level in affiliate marketing. I really took that post to heart and have constantly been thinking about how I need to shift my focus and energy away from my various side projects, and more into affiliate marketing, as that is where I’ve seen the greatest success in terms of monthly income so…

• I Made an Affiliate Marketing Chatroom – Join Us!

  Tyler Cruz

  25 Apr 2013 | 2:02 pm

  One of the most unproductive things you can possibly do is spend all day hanging around in a chatroom. The main problem is usually that you never want to "miss out" on anything, and therefore feel the urge to read everything. That is partly why forums are so popular – because you can read and participate in discussion at your leisure, and never have to worry about missing out on anything. But chatrooms do have benefits that forums do not. Responses are much faster/instant, communication is usually more in-depth (longer conversations as opposed to just 1 forum reply), and the…

• 

  Inventor Spot - Inventions, Innovations, and Interesting Ideas for the Inventor in All of Us

• Chinese Activist Artist Ai Weiwei Maps The Milk Of China's Discontent

  China.new

  21 May 2013 | 9:00 pm

  Internationally renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei thinks there IS a point to crying over spilled milk. His latest work, titled “Baby Formula 2013”, maps out China's discontent over multiple milk powder scandals using 1,800 cans of powdered milk.

• German Industrial Robots Turned Aussie GPS Testers

  Katie Gatto

  21 May 2013 | 2:45 pm

  It looks like robots, that were designed to do heavy work in factories in Germany, are going to be going on a new adventure. They are going to be used to help test the relability of the GPS systems down under in the outback.The systems data will be used to refine the system and help tectonic plate research in the future.

• Xbox One Revealed

  dendory

  21 May 2013 | 12:17 pm

  Today Microsoft introduced the Xbox One, its next generation gaming console, and the company aims to make it an all-in-one device for the living room with online and social features for the whole family.

• The Real Story Behind the Failed Sale of the Sega Pluto

  Nicholas.Greene

  21 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  Some time ago, a fellow on Destructoid who goes by the handle "kidvid666" made a very exciting revelation. Apparently, he owns one of the only two Sega Pluto units in existence. He decided to see what he could sell it for, and opted to put it up for auction. Unfortunately, things didn't exactly go as planned. 

• The Boil Buoy Lets You Know When The Heat Is On

  Laurie Kay Olson

  21 May 2013 | 7:02 am

  For busy people it is easy to get distracted while having something on the stove. To make sure you know when your water is boiling Quirky.com is bringing out the Boil Buoy. This dandy little gadget rings when your pot is boiling so that you won't miss your tea or burn your soup.

• 

  mokoyfman.com

• (via Libya in Mind, Obama Urges Better Security at Embassies -...

  16 May 2013 | 11:16 am

  (via Libya in Mind, Obama Urges Better Security at Embassies - NYTimes.com) Seems like overkill for an umbrella holder.

• karmakarmanyc: Sam Falls, Lattice Edition of 10 handmade books,...

  6 May 2013 | 5:32 pm

  karmakarmanyc: Sam Falls, Lattice Edition of 10 handmade books, each unique Gottlund Verlag, Kutztown, PA, 2013 9.5 x 12.5 inches (24 x 31.5 cm) Enquire Love.

• "The world is so big, so complicated, so replete with marvels and surprises that it takes years for..."

  5 Apr 2013 | 10:49 am

  “The world is so big, so complicated, so replete with marvels and surprises that it takes years for most people to begin to notice that it is, also, irretrievably broken. We call this period of research “childhood.”” - Wes Anderson’s Worlds by Michael Chabon | NYRblog | The New York Review of Books

• Kitchensurfing

  4 Apr 2013 | 6:13 am

  It’s no secret that I am a lover of marketplace businesses and have been for some time. I’ve long believed in the power of the web to uniquely aggregate disparate supply & demand into a frictionless, transaction-oriented platform. It’s something we think about a lot at Spark and we’ve put our money where our mouth is, with investments in Skillshare1st DibsWork MarketAdap.tv and others capitalizing on this trend across different markets in distinctive ways. It’s even less of a secret that I love everything food. Be it restaurantsburger-making, cooking, or just plain eating, food…

• @hilaryrosenman’s beautiful Passover table....

  26 Mar 2013 | 5:25 pm

  @hilaryrosenman’s beautiful Passover table. #kitchensurfing

• 

  Force of Good: a blog by Lance Weatherby

• Sales Is A Numbers Game

  Lance Weatherby

  21 May 2013 | 7:30 pm

  Not too ago we were having a meeting about sales activity and what a rep needed to do to have a healthy pipeline and this ended up on the white board. Essentially contact 50 prospects, reach 10 decision makers, send out 10 contracts and get 5 signatures. Directionally correct for a rep in my current business. Not many folks know I started out as a sales rep. Sold capital packaging equipment. I had to cold call 100 prospects to land ten face to face appointments. Those ten appointments would turn into three demos. Three demos would turn into one sale. I had to get 3.5 orders to reach my quota…

• 2013 ATDC Startup Showcase Video

  Lance Weatherby

  13 May 2013 | 2:19 pm

  Nice video from the Metro Atlanta Chamber highlighting the 2013 ATDC graduate companies and the strategic benefits of that technology hub. Great to see companies like BrightWhistle, KontrolFreek, PatientCo, and Urjanet, which I helped in some way, growing up. While Atlanta Tech Village seems to be getting all the attention these days ATDC continues to be an important node in the Atlanta startup ecosystem. Kinda interesting that the fourth 2013 ATDC grad company, AccelerEyes, is now my neighbor at ATV.

• Groupon's Growing Mobile Business

  Lance Weatherby

  10 May 2013 | 5:40 am

  That post the other day about room to grow in the mobile coupon space.  From the Groupon Q1 earnings call this is what it looks like today for them, one of the leaders in local couponing. Sales via mobile have risen to 45%. There's gold in them devices.

• Room To Grow

  Lance Weatherby

  8 May 2013 | 10:18 am

  Interesting new “Cheapskates Online: How the 'New Normal' Takes Advantage of New Technology” report from eMarketer. I prefer savvy shoppers over cheapskates but names aside the report is interesting. I like this chart. While penetration is slowing there is still some growth in digital coupon use and that use is going mobile. There's room to grow in this market.

• No Longer A Startup

  Lance Weatherby

  7 May 2013 | 4:33 am

  I have written a bit about the stages a successful startup goes through in the past. Covering theories such as concept, seed, early stage and growth stages for those that were not reading in 2009. One of the things I have always believed is that at some point, in the $50 million revenue range, a startup is no longer a startup and is really a small company. Maybe I was wrong. I now think sometimes it happens before that mark.  I am basing this on my current experience with nCrowd. Back in January when we announced the CrowdSavings acquisition All Things D reported that nCrowd had 70…

• 

  The Next Women - Business Magazine

• How To Use Powerful Questions to Challenge Your People

  Guest Author

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  Sue Stockdale looks at how asking the right questions can change the focus of your employees and your business.When was the last time that you were asked a great question?   One that really made you stop and think, or that caused you to come up with new ideas or insights. It is likely that it was quite a long time ago, as my experience in day to day business is that powerful questions are rarely asked.  In Western society the focus is often more on finding the right answer, than asking the right question.read more

• Anna Richey, Co-Founder, Two Chicks: Growing a Million £ Business in a Recession

  Beth Pitts

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  We meet the Co-Founder of Two Chicks, a company producing a range of liquid egg white products which has grown to a million pound business, despite the recession.Anna Richey and her business partner Alla Ouvarova, 31, launched Two Chicks in 2007 with the aim of catering for increasingly health conscious UK consumers. Hugely popular in Los Angeles, liquid egg whites did not exist in the UK in retail prior to the launch of Two Chicks.  Together, Anna and Alla built and grew a whole new UK market in liquid egg and today the range of egg whites and egg…

• Amy Sheng: Using Mobile Tech to Create a Digital First Aid Kit for the Home

  Beth Pitts

  20 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  The NextWomen Tech Theme.Amy Sheng is Co-Founder of CellScope, a venture-backed mobile health startup creating a suite of optical attachments for smartphones to enable remote diagnoses. Its first product is the CellScope Oto, a smartphone otoscope for capturing diagnostic quality ear images and videos to diagnose ear infections. CellScope spun out of a bioengineering lab at UC Berkeley creating mobile microscopes for disease diagnosis in the developing world. Amy previously led a team to develop an automated hematology analyzer with automated classification of white blood cells that was…

• Startup Diaries: Kate Jackson, Winner of The NextWomen Pitch Event

  Guest Author

  20 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  The winner of The NextWomen Pitch Event tells her story about leaving the legal sector to fulfil her ambition to start her own business with her brother.In a past life I was a commercial lawyer, advising clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations on commercial, contract, advertising and IP issues. I enjoyed the work, loved my boss but in terms of my vision for the future, as the months ticked by I found that I never aspired to be a partner in that organisation. And, if you don’t aspire to be the top dog in the place you work then my view is that you are probably in the…

• Rebecca Monk, Founder, Bathrooms.com: The 3 Phases of Scaling to a £5m Turnover

  Lexi Mills

  17 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  Rebekah Monk, Founder at Bathrooms.com, talks to Lexi Mills about how she grew what started as a side project to a £5m turnover business. Bathrooms.com is a consumer website that sells bathroom products; built on the ethos that good design should also be affordable.   The business began has a side project when Rebekah Monk had her first child, however it grew sharply to such a scale that her husband, Ian Monk, had to leave his full time position to help manage it. Since then, the business has grown to more than 50 employees in the UK and China and has a turnover in excess of  £5…

• 

  Starting Out - Your Business

• Student entrepreneurs: what are you waiting for?

  20 May 2013 | 11:00 pm

  Being a student entrepreneur does wonders for your CV, provides valuable experience and can even help your academic work, says Bristol undergraduate Angelica Malin.    

• Dessi Bell: I 'Googled up' my hotpants business Zaggora

  4 Dec 2012 | 2:56 am

  Zaggora founder Dessi Bell tells Louisa Peacock how her inspiration for hotpants came from a need to lose weight before her wedding and talks candidly about 'Googling up' her successful business.

• How to get noticed at work

  9 Sep 2012 | 11:30 pm

  Stand out in the office with these tips from the advertising guru George Lois

• How to get noticed at work

  9 Sep 2012 | 11:30 pm

  Stand out in the office with these tips from the advertising guru George Lois

• Made in London: the city's local entrepreneurs in profile

  30 Mar 2012 | 7:47 am

  Anoosh Chakelian profiles the London entrepreneurs currently finding success in the capital.

• 

  The Wright Place TV Show

• Systems For Your Business – Why I wrote this

  Dr. Letitia Wright

  11 May 2013 | 5:57 am

  I was recently at an awards event in Orange County and happened to pull up behind Michael Gerber and his wife Luz, The Author of the E-Myth. E stands for Entrepreneur. Gerber has been a guest on The Wright Place TV Show and of course reading his book, back when I was really struggling to [...]

• Our New Twitter Panel

  Dr. Letitia Wright

  5 May 2013 | 9:39 am

  From The Desk of Dr. Letitia Wright.. I’ve been thinking of ways to make the show more interactive this season. Because we are now nationally syndicated, it’s important to make the topics work nationwide. In order to widen my scope, I need your help! No, no, I am not crowd funding! However, I am creating [...]

• Crowd Funding Basics May 16 – No Cost

  Dr. Letitia Wright

  4 May 2013 | 7:11 am

  Presented by: Dr. Letitia Wright, D.C. Find out how you can raise money in 90 days or less without an investor, using your savings or getting a loan. You’ll learn: Who can use crowd funding effectively What is illegal in crowd funding How to find a platform that is best for you What kinds of [...]

• 2013 Publicity

  Dr. Letitia Wright

  30 Apr 2013 | 11:05 am

  Publicity: Build Your Platform – 2013 Silver Package: 1 hour Webinar- PR plan for 2013 so that you can see exactly what steps to take to your goals Blog Write up – get traffic and links back to your site 1 15-minute radio interview- to add to your website, show you are an interesting interview, [...]

• Main Street Chamber Expo

  Dr. Letitia Wright

  16 Apr 2013 | 3:07 am

  I’ll be a speaker talking about Crowd Funding! 1st Annual MSC Mighty Biz Expo RSVP Hosted by: Rancho Cucamonga Chapter Event Type: Expo When: Wed May 1, 2013 5:00 PM Location: La Villa Bella San Antonio Address: 792 Arrow Highway @ San Antonio, JUpland, CA Description:  1st Annual MainStreetChamber Mighty Biz Expo Networking Mixer & Speakers Forum. Open to all MSC [...]

• 

  Steve Blank

• University of Minnesota Commencement speech – May 10th 2013

  steveblank

  15 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  I am honored to be with you as we gather to celebrate your graduation. This school has a distinguished roster of graduates… Earl Bakken, the founder of Medtronic, was an Electrical Engineering grad, and Bob Gore of Gortex, and your current president are both alums of your Chemical Engineering program. In fact, I feel very connected to another one your grads. I’m sure you’ve heard of Seymour Cray, he built a supercomputer company in Chippewa Falls that made the fastest computers in the world. These were very expensive supercomputers. They cost 10’s of millions of dollars and filled two…

• Guns and Cyber Security

  steveblank

  13 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  The online world can be a dangerous place for the unprepared.  And it’s just going to get worse. It’s time to teach Cyber Security as integral part of the high school and college curriculum and to all corporate employees. —- I grew up in New York City and for a few years heaven on earth for me was going to Boy Scout camp in the summer near the Delaware River.  The camp had all the summer adventures a city kid could imagine, hiking, fishing, canoeing, etc. But for me the best part was the rifle range.  For a 12-year old kid from the city shooting target practice and skeet  with a…

• Free Reprints of “Why the Lean Startup Changes Everything”

  steveblank

  6 May 2013 | 11:23 am

  The Harvard Business Review is offering free reprints of  the May 2013 cover article, “Why the Lean Startup Changes Everything“ Available here Filed under: Big Companies versus Startups: Durant versus Sloan, Business Model versus Business Plan, Customer Development, Customer Development Manifesto, Lean LaunchPad, Teaching, Venture Capital

• Fly High

  steveblank

  29 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  Todd Branchflower was one of my Lean LaunchPad students entrepreneurial enough to convince the Air Force send him to Stanford to get his graduate engineering degree. After watching my Secret History of Silicon Valley talk, he became fascinated by how serendipity created both weapon systems and entrepreneurship in World War II – and brought us federal support of science and Silicon Valley. In class I would tease Todd that while the Navy had me present the Secret History talk in front of 4,000 cadets at the Naval Post Graduate School, I had yet to hear from the Air Force Academy.  He…

• When Hell Froze Over – in the Harvard Business Review

  steveblank

  16 Apr 2013 | 6:00 am

  “I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” Groucho Marx In my 21 years as an entrepreneur, I would come up for air once a month to religiously read the Harvard Business Review. It was not only my secret weapon in thinking about new startup strategies, it also gave me a view of the management issues my customers were dealing with. Through HBR I discovered the work of Peter Drucker and first read about management by objective. I learned about Michael Porters’s five forces. But the eye opener for me was reading Clayton Christensen HBR article on disruption in the…

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  First Class Fashionista

• Designer’s Rock

  First Class Fashionista

  20 May 2013 | 11:02 am

  You’re invited to experience Designer’s Rock, a fashion, music and art extravaganza coming 4th of July weekend, Saturday, July 6, 2013. Hosted by Mrs Denver County Danielle Taylor, the extravaganza will feature designers Francis Roces of KimonoDragons and JURNEY JURRAY Handcrafted Jewelry. With live performances, pop-up shops, a pampering station and an opportunity to network with industry professionals, there is something for everyone to enjoy! On the program is ABC TV’s DUETS winner J Romw, MIRAJ, The RnB Beast, spoken word by Mahogany and Blue Collar Killers. Music by DJ…

• AnnaFesta Grand Opening

  First Class Fashionista

  25 Apr 2013 | 4:54 pm

  Thursday April 25th, get ready for free pampering, food, cocktails, music and FASHION because AnnaFesta is having their grand opening at ConneXions Boutique in Southwest Plaza starting now! You are invited to come out and celebrate this amazing event as AnnaFesta grows with the fashion industry. Guests will be able to view a preview show of AnnaFesta’s Fall 2013 Collection! What to expect: - Spring 2013 Jewelry custom designed by Tali - Just Polish will be on hand adding flair to your fingers! - Chris Hibner Photography on hand for fabulous photos. - Food by Kay’s Kitchen. - Live DJ…

• Fit and Fashionable: How to look stylish while working out

  First Class Fashionista

  22 Apr 2013 | 11:40 am

  In honor of my new tradition of Sunday afternoon yoga classes, this week I’m blogging about different outfit ideas for fashionable fitness wear. Whether you enjoy pounding the pavement on a run, stretching and meditating in yoga, or sweatin’ away in a step class, these outfit combos will keep you looking fresh and trendy even when you’re sweaty and tired! Contemporary Yoga  This trendy look will make you stand out in yoga class while also keeping you covered and comfy for working on your poses. Explosive, patterned leggings are the hot-ticket item in yoga right now, and…

• Favorite Hair Products

  First Class Fashionista

  22 Apr 2013 | 11:18 am

  Have you ever gone into a hair salon and asked for a trim, but later realized that they cut of 4 or 5 inches of your Hair? Or did you decide one day that you would try and give your own hair a small trim and completely messed it up? Well I have personally gone through both of these situations and realized there is always a solution for everything no matter how bad it may seem. There are a lot of amazing hair products out there that people have developed to make everyone feel and look fantastic. John Frieda has a great selection of products for any type of hair whether your hair is blond,…

• Amanda Bynes: The Fall of Yet Another Child Star

  First Class Fashionista

  22 Apr 2013 | 10:27 am

  It’s always sad to see a child star tumble into his/her demise. Recently, social media and entertainment news sites have been blowing up with talk of Amanda Bynes’ sanity. First the former lead of the popular Nickelodeon program, The Amanda Show, and the 2003 chick flick, What a Girl Wants, shocked with her new look: messy bleach blonde hair, ridiculous tan, excessive make-up, and those cheek piercings. The first thought that came to mind when I saw pictures was oh no, there goes another one. Another child actress gone bad – to follow in the footsteps of celebs such as…

• 

  Begin the Begin

• Kingdom Rush 2 is coming out…

  jeffhilimire

  21 May 2013 | 10:48 am

  Kingdom Rush remains the best iOS game I’ve ever played. And I still play it, well over a year after I first picked it up. It’s tower defense at its best. And now, there’s a new one coming out this Summer (the video says Spring but sources are saying Summer). And I can’t friggin’ wait.

• More on why personal offices generally suck

  jeffhilimire

  21 May 2013 | 4:26 am

  Love this passage from the Max Barry book, Company. A great way of describing my feelings on personal offices and why I’ll never have one again. Like every other department in Zephyr, Training Sales has an open floor plan, which means everyone works in a sprawling cubicle farm except the manager, who has an office with a glass internal wall, across which blinds are permanently drawn. Open-plan seating, it has been explained in company-wide memos, increases teamwork and boosts productivity.  Except in managers, that is, whose productivity tends to be boosted by – and the memos…

• 15 things you should give up to be happy #blindpost

  jeffhilimire

  20 May 2013 | 2:33 am

  Studies show that blogs with pictures of happy people or kittens get more views. I just nailed both. This is a blindpost recommendation from @gumboshowjoe. You can see the original article if you want to compare (which I still haven’t). And I write a lot about being a happier, more positive person, but I don’t think I’ve ever written about the things you should give up in order to do so, which turned out to be a fun challenge. 15 things you should give up to be happy: Give up the idea that money makes you happy. It doesn’t. If you live your life trying as hard as…

• I’m back

  jeffhilimire

  20 May 2013 | 2:20 am

  I’m both literally back from a great vacation but I’m also back to the blogging world. Over the last month I slacked a lot and let life fill me with excuses not to blog each day. What I have to constantly remember is why I blog and what I personally get out of it. So I went back and looked at what I’ve written about blogging to inspire myself again. So I re-read my blogging process. Then I looked back at my “Consume. Write. Participate.” mantra and realized that the only thing I’ve doing a lot of recently is consuming content. That’s both selfish and…

• The best gift I’ve received in quite some time #arresteddevelopment

  jeffhilimire

  10 May 2013 | 9:41 am

  Thanks @GumboShowJoe!

• 

  TheFunded Founder Institute News

• 10 Rules for a Great Startup Idea, featured on Business Insider

  20 May 2013 | 12:40 pm

  Even though its trendy in startups to say that ideas mean nothing and execution means everything, the reality is much less binary and much more nuanced. For example, even the world’s best entrepreneur with incredible execution will fail if their idea is fundamentally flawed, or if their market is too small. Yesterday, our infographic "10 Rules to a Great Startup Idea" was featured on Business Insider in an article by Megan Rose Dickey. This list provides a great starting point for people who want to evaluate their startup ideas the very first stage.  What we have found is that…

• Free #Startup Events this Week from the Founder Institute

  20 May 2013 | 9:15 am

  We will be hosting a number of free events over the next few weeks, across several cities and countries.  These "Startup Bootcamps" are hands-on, intensive workshops that are modeled off a real Founder Institute session. In just three hours, the Founder Institute and leading local entrepreneurs will help you improve your ideas and pitching skills, come up with new ideas, and even recruit potential cofounders.  The Startup Bootcamps come in two different flavors; the Startup Ideation Bootcamp, which focuses on analyzing and dissecting your startup ideas; and…

• This Week’s Must-Read Articles for Entrepreneurs

  19 May 2013 | 7:50 am

  Each week we scour the web for insightful articles to share with the Founder Institute network. This week's top articles include insights from Adeo Ressi on Startup Ideation, building a startup community, raising capital, finding a great startup idea, and more. Check out our must read articles for the week of May 12th - May 18th:   Turtles and Flywheels: How to build a startup community by Chris DeVore Chris DeVore gave the keynote speech at Thursday night’s GeekWire Awards. These are his prepared remarks, with full video of the talk above).I want to talk to you tonight about two…

• Funding: What’s Changed, and What Needs To, by Adeo Ressi

  17 May 2013 | 11:25 am

  Founder Institute CEO Adeo Ressi shared his thoughts on the recent changes in the funding landscape, and the risks he sees for the future. This article originally appeared on Women2.0.  Since 2008, I believe there has been more innovation in the field of funding entrepreneurs than in any other short period in history. Recently, I have been asked by many entrepreneurs, investors, and journalists to provide my thoughts on the last five years, and on where we are headed in the future. Here’s my opinion.In 2008, as we watched banks fail and governments hand billions to organizations…

• Fundraising Advice from Scott Painter, Who Has Started 37 Companies and Raised $1.5 Billion

  17 May 2013 | 8:30 am

  Inside FI gives you exclusive access inside the training sessions of the Founder Institute. To get updates when we release new videos, follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly newsletter here.  Scott Painter is currently the Founder and CEO of TrueCar, an online automotive information and communications platform focused on creating a better car buying experience for dealers and consumers. Throughout his prolific career, Scott has started over 37 companies and has raised over $1 billion. In other words, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to…

• 

  A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

• An eBook pricing model that resulted in $100,000 in sales

  Jason

  21 May 2013 | 7:45 am

  This is a guest post by Nathan Barry, in response to two other posts that previously appeared on this blog.Nathan is the author of Designing Web Applications, The App Design Handbook, and Authority: A Step-By-Step Guide to Self-Publishing. His most recent company, ConvertKit, makes email marketing suck less.How you price a product can have a radical impact on the revenue you make from it. My search for the perfect pricing model resulted in an additional $50,000 (a 170% increase) in revenue. Here’s how. The BackstoryIn March 2012 two designers, Sacha Greif and Jarrod Drysdale both…

• Solving the Low-Budget Online Marketing Dilemma

  Jason

  14 May 2013 | 7:45 am

  Stop me if you’ve heard this one:Your bootstrapped startup is finally off the ground. You’re able to spend $6000/mo on AdWords to drive leads. Sure the conversion rates could be better, and sure it’s not the best ROI on Earth, but on the balance it’s making money.You don’t have a huge budget, but you can plough some of your winnings back into advertising.You’ve heard banner ads don’t work well, but they’re cheap, so you start throwing $600/mo into an ad network and trust your web analytics to tell you whether it’s working. The jury is…

• Bootstrapped CPC rule of thumb: MRR/25

  Jason

  29 Apr 2013 | 7:30 am

  In the first year of business, you have literally no data for making decisions and predictions.Even after the first hundred customers, half of those were serendipitous one-offs, not representative of repeatable, controllable customer acquisition, and the scale of the data isn’t statistically significant.One of the root questions you have at the start, which is supposed to be data-driven (but you don’t have data) is: What’s the maximum I should bid for CPC (cost-per-click) campaigns like Google AdWords?The answer for a funded startup is “Bid as much as possible, to get…

• Reframing the problems with “Freemium” by charging the marketing department

  Jason

  16 Apr 2013 | 7:30 am

  Seems like every third startup nowadays is using the “Freemium” business model: The lowest service tier is free, and the business is designed to get those users hooked and then upgrade to a paid plan.It can work wonderfully of course, but usually it crushes and destroys companies, not only because it costs more than anticipated but because the founders didn’t realize the business model itself caused them to make incorrect decisions.Foibles of FreemiumLet’s dispose of some misconceptions about what Freemium actually does for you and how much it costs.Freemium is not…

• The *real* pivot

  Jason

  9 Apr 2013 | 7:28 am

  Guest post by Ben Yoskovitz, the co-author of Lean Analytics, a new book on how to use analytics successfully in your business. Ben is currently VP Product at GoInstant, which was acquired by Salesforce in 2012. He blogs regularly at Instigator Blog and can be followed @byosko.Have you pivoted before? Probably.Was it a lazy pivot? Hopefully not.Unfortunately, due in part to the popularity of Lean Startup and the concepts it promotes, the pivot has been bastardized to the point where it doesn’t mean much to people anymore. We hear the word “pivot” and groan or shrug, knowing…

• 

  CurrentMom

• The F Word

  Karen Paul-Stern

  16 May 2013 | 4:33 am

  Truth Thursday It’s not what you think, although I am a renowned potty mouth. And it’s not even what I’ve written about before in many ways – feminism. Although it is in some ways. It’s about self esteem. It’s about...

• Paola's Tiramisu -- Brava!

  Emily

  13 May 2013 | 11:06 am

  Meal Monday My friend Paola is an amazing cook. She is from Naples and manages to whip up Neapolitan specialities the way I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. That is, she is dazzling in the kitchen. Last night,...

• Just Another Sunday in May

  Karen Paul-Stern

  9 May 2013 | 5:20 am

  Truth Thursday I just can’t bear to try to find another way to talk about Mother’s Day. It’s a non-holiday, one that I really dislike. I am not interested in cards, in breakfast in bed (which no one in my...

• Coffee Talk

  Karen Paul-Stern

  2 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  Truth Thursday Last week on National Public Radio, as is often the case, there was a week-long series on a very serious topic – coffee. Java. Joe. Mud. Mocha. Cuppa. Brew. Regular. Probing journalism on where it comes from, who...

• Forced Creativity -- Roast Vegetables, Grilled Tofu and a Poached Egg Over Greens

  Emily

  29 Apr 2013 | 8:03 pm

  Meal Monday Sometimes it seems as if it's always almost dinnertime. As in, OMG, it's almost dinnertime already and I haven't thought about it/shopped/defrosted/prepared ANYTHING. Oops. But necessity is the mother of invention, as they say, and I usually find...

• 

  Sramana Mitra

• Intel’s Software Moves

  MitraSramana

  22 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  IDC’s recently released PC shipment report has shown very disappointing results. During the first quarter of this year, worldwide PC shipments fell 14% to 76.3 million units. The researcher had been... ___

• Building a Pre-IPO SaaS Company: Chris Cabrera, CEO of Xactly (Part 7)

  Sramana Mitra

  22 May 2013 | 12:01 am

  Sramana: What kind of penetration do you think you have into your TAM, specifically to sales forces? Chris Cabrera: I think it is still a pretty nascent market and the number is still low. Sramana:... ___

• Thought Leaders in Mobile and Social: Interview with Dan Hickey, SVP of Products at Alliance Health (Part 7)

  Sramana Mitra

  21 May 2013 | 1:49 pm

  Sramana Mitra: The situation that scares me a bit is a “blind leading the blind” situation. Dan Hickey: That view doesn’t give the consumer enough credit. In survey after survey, consumers say that... ___

• Thursday, May 23 – 175th 1M/1M Mentoring Roundtable For Entrepreneurs

  Maureen Kelly

  21 May 2013 | 7:48 am

  Special book offer for all entrepreneurs who attend our 175th FREE online 1M/1M roundtable mentoring session on Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 8 a.m. PDT/11 a.m. EDT/8:30 p.m. India IST! To celebrate our... ___

• Yahoo + Tumblr: Some Thoughts

  MitraSramana

  21 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  Since Marissa Mayer’s appointment as the CEO of Yahoo, the market has been waiting for big news from the company. And it seems that Yahoo has delivered. The company has been building its capabilities... ___

• 

  Thriveal CPA Network

• What is it About Community?

  Jennifer

  20 May 2013 | 5:28 pm

  “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C.S. Lewis Many Thriveal members over the last few years have commented that it has been a relief to find other like-minded CPAs. Thriveal CPAs don’t fit the stereotype. They are great at [...]

• Fun Facts on Fraud

  Greg

  13 May 2013 | 5:57 pm

  Fraud is awesome. Because if nobody committed fraud, we would never get to find fraud. And finding fraud is the sexiest part of accounting. Sure, that’s like saying the sexiest part of Steve Buscemi is his forearm¹. But at least there’s some part of our job that’s materially sexier than sales tax compliance ². Unfortunately, we suck [...]

• Greed Is Not Good

  Adrian

  6 May 2013 | 7:07 am

  Greed is not good. We have only to observe what happens when greed takes ahold of ourselves, to recognize that an unbalanced desire for wealth, and a willingness to do anything to get it, leads to an ignoble form of the human person. Yet decades of economists have taught us that it’s pure self-interest that [...]

• The Future of a Financial Platform Advisor

  Jason

  22 Apr 2013 | 12:30 pm

  Let me walk you through a brief history of accounting technology.  As we review the past, we can hopefully extrapolate where the future of accounting technology is leading the professional accountant. Humble Beginnings Our journey begins with Intuit, the maker of QuickBooks.  Intuit’s founder, Scott Cook, realized that personal computers would replace manual bookkeeping and [...]

• The Customer is Always Right, Unless You are Serving the Wrong Customer

  Jennifer

  14 Apr 2013 | 2:30 pm

  Many of us are wrapping up a tough tax season and right now I bet you can name a handful of wonderful clients. And possibly some you would rather refer elsewhere. Right now, while it’s fresh on your mind, think through these questions with specific customers in mind. I’ll be using two of our customers [...]

• 

  Carol Roth » Business Unplugged

• How to Increase Flexibility in Your Business

  Carol Roth

  21 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  With the business landscape constantly changing, having flexibility in your business is a big key to success. So, with that in mind, I have reached out to the CarolRoth.com contributor network of business owners, experts, advisors and entrepreneurs to find out their best advice for increasing flexibility in business. Their answers are presented below in [...]

• You Are In the Relationship Business

  Rich Gallagher

  20 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  I was just in Carol Roth’s hometown of Chicago for a quick business trip this week, sitting in the back of the hotel shuttle van, when I noticed the driver and an older passenger talking like old friends up front. After the passenger got off, I asked the driver about it. He replied that this [...]

• The Power of Persistence

  Carol Roth

  17 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  A particularly astute observation from Mark Minervini in his book Trade Like a Stock Market Wizard is that people tend to overestimate what they can do and achieve in the short term, and underestimate what they can do in the long term. This rings particularly true to me in the context of business and entrepreneurship.  [...]

• Learning to Say No

  Britt Raybould

  16 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  When I work with clients, one of the first questions I ask usually surprises them: “What services don’t you offer?” After they figure out I’m serious, they’ll give me a list of things they don’t do. Then comes the next question: “Why don’t you offer those services?” Sometimes the answers are an obvious: “My clients [...]

• Are Your Financial Statements Misleading You?

  George and Mary-Lynn

  15 May 2013 | 4:00 am

  Accounting is the language of business. You must have a basic understanding of it in order to succeed. However, your financial statements can mislead you. To help illustrate this point, let’s think about the Balance Sheet of an airline. They have a line item for Inventory. It’s a small part of their Total Assets – [...]

• 

  Lessons Learned

• How to Get Free Speaker Training with Kathy Sierra

  Sarah Milstein

  7 May 2013 | 11:55 am

  This post was written by Sarah Milstein, co-host of The Lean Startup Conference. We are downright thrilled to announce that Kathy Sierra, one of our all-time favorite speakers and teachers, has offered to provide free training for Lean Startup Conference speakers. If you've never spoken at a conference before, or it you've done it and found you weren't quite the MLK you had imagined, this is a terrific opportunity to build your skills. Company leaders: if you have no budget for speaker training, but you've got employees with amazing expertise and limited presentation chops, please encourage…

• How to Get Picked as a Speaker for The Lean Startup Conference

  Sarah Milstein

  29 Apr 2013 | 11:10 am

  This post was written by Sarah Milstein, co-host of The Lean Startup Conference. We’re looking for speakers for the 2013 Lean Startup Conference. Last week, we announced that our short application form was live. Today, we’re following up with answers to frequently asked questions we’ve received since then, because the answers will help your application succeed. If you’re a Lean Startup veteran, feel free to skim the beginning, as this is mostly stuff you already know. 1) Can you tell me more about your audience? The Lean Startup Conference is an event by entrepreneurs for…

• Speak at the 2013 Lean Startup Conference

  Sarah Milstein

  18 Apr 2013 | 10:29 am

  This post was written by Sarah Milstein, co-host of The Lean Startup Conference. Exciting news: we’ve nailed down dates for The Lean Startup Conference 2013. We’re holding it December 9 – 11 in San Francisco, with sessions at the Nob Hill Masonic Center and the Fairmont Hotel, a half-block away. This is the fourth year of the conference, and we’re acting on feedback last year’s attendees shared with us: as Lean Startup practices have evolved, you want in-depth talks, new speakers with fresh stories, and more time for structured networking and mentoring. So we’ve added an…

• How to make better decisions

  Eric

  27 Mar 2013 | 11:10 am

  Those of you who have ever launched anything know just how precious the hours on launch day are. Yesterday, author Dan Heath took time out of his launch day to spend some time with me and answered some questions about his new book, Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work, co-authored with his brother Chip.   Dan also kindly asked his publisher to reserve 50 copies of the new book to give away to my readers. You can visit the Heath Brothers’ website and enter to win a free copy of Decisive.  Dan is a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s…

• Lean Analytics

  Eric

  21 Mar 2013 | 7:27 am

  Lean Analytics is the latest addition to the Lean Series. The book has been a year in the making, and authors Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll—themselves successful founders with several exits under their belts—spent much of that time speaking with founders, investors, and analysts to understand a really basic, but seldom-asked, question: What's normal? As it turns out, normal is a hard question. Normal depends on what kind of business you're in, and what stage of that business you're at. If you're working on the Sticky Engine of Growth, you're focused on very different metrics…

• 

  Big Red Tomato Company

• The Ultimate Guide To Getting More Clients For Your Web Design Business

  Matthew Needham

  13 May 2013 | 5:11 am

    Growing a business takes time and effort.  It takes consistent delivery of quality work and happy clients referring more clients to you. The hardest part for growing your business is in... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• How to Grow A Business In 20 Days

  Matthew Needham

  24 Apr 2013 | 4:00 pm

  “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle Growing your business is like going to the gym. You don’t get results overnight. ... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• How A Must Do List Will Grow Your Business

  Matthew Needham

  22 Apr 2013 | 6:02 am

    Many of the business owners I work with are stressed out busy people. They spend all day dealing with customer queries, processing sales orders and above all answering emails. All urgent... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• How to Hire A Business Coach

  Matthew Needham

  28 Mar 2013 | 10:00 pm

  Many of my future clients are now tired and frustrated. They complain that they don’t have the freedom that they thought they would when they started out in their business. They don’t get... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• What’s in a name? The Story Behind The Big Red Tomato Company

  Matthew Needham

  25 Mar 2013 | 4:00 pm

  The question I am most asked is why is The Big Red Tomato Company called The Big Red Tomato Company? After all, we aren’t big, we aren’t red and we don’t grow (or sell!) tomatoes. ... The post... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

• 

  David Cancel

• Should Entrepreneurs Get an MBA? Hell No.

  David

  21 May 2013 | 7:52 am

  Today I am attending a great event on rethinking education and the potential startup opportunities in that space. While I am personally obsessed with lifelong learning I am not a fan of our higher education (or primary/secondary) system, actually I hate it. I am a big fan of self directed learning, primarily by doing (no surprise to readers of this blog). All of this made me think of a blog post I had written earlier this year for Boston.com  but never cross-posted on my own blog. Should you get an MBA before founding a startup? Hell no. If you intend to found a tech startup I believe that…

• Customer (not Competitor) Focused

  David

  6 Dec 2012 | 8:56 am

  I was recently speaking with an entrepreneur whose company is in the same space as my previous company, Performable (which was acquired by Hubspot). He was asking how I thought they should compete with a particular competitor. This competitor is good at producing software quickly and extremely adept at copying its competitors — they went as far as copying much of Performable’s copy and product names after we were acquired. The situation this entrepreneur is in is not unique — this happens to most companies in competitive markets every single day. If you are doing something…

• Your Priorities

  David

  1 Nov 2012 | 10:24 am

  Truth be told, the idea of everything being in balance on a daily basis is a myth. - Dave Ramsey Based on what I’ve learned from talking to people over the past decade, there is no clearer path to misery than attempting to live the lie that is work/life balance. Achieving perfect work/life balance is impossible — for starters, there simply are not enough hours in the day for us to exercise, walk the dog, have meaningful interactions with our kids, read a book, learn something new, eat good food, help others, meditate, nurture our relationship with our spouse, be sexy, drink a good…

• What Matters

  David

  11 May 2012 | 1:02 pm

  It’s easy to get caught up reading about the startup that codes from the beach, or the other startup that was featured  in [insert name here], or that other startup that raised a bunch of money and was valued at a billion dollars (in make believe money that is). Blah blah blah. Those are not accomplishments that matter. Raising money and getting a high valuation is not a milestone worth celebrating — it’s a reason to get to work. Don’t waste your time reading about them. Don’t waste your time trying to emulate them. What matters is creating something that…

• Why I Hire People, Not Skills

  David

  10 Apr 2012 | 2:41 pm

  Note: This post was originally posted on BostInno.com on April 13th, 2011 but never cross-posted on my own blog. I find this post to be even more relevant today at HubSpot as we transform our team into the greatest engineering team I have ever seen; I hope you find it useful. — Companies change. Products evolve. Approaches get thrown out the window. The centrifugal force alone of that kind of rapid development is enough to throw anyone off center. Throughout my experience, one guiding rule on team building in fast-moving companies has emerged: hire people, not skills. It can be tempting…

• 

  Meylah

• Fanpageology For Meylah : 21 Point Checklist to Grow Your Fans on Facebook!

  15 May 2013 | 10:58 pm

  There are more than 1.2 billion people using Facebook every day. Facebook offers more than just a way to stay connected to friends and family; it is an essential tool in the marketing toolbox for small businesses.  Fan gating is an innovative and targeted approach to build your business’ following through Facebook.Creating a fan gate provides an incentive to people that are not currently your business’ fans to become a fan. Fanpageology makes it easy for small business to create their fan gate to attract the right customers at the right time.Download the 21 point checklist today!Meylah…

• Download eBook - 4 Recorded Meylah Webinars - All in One Place

  13 May 2013 | 8:33 pm

  Recorded webinars has been extremely helpful for small business owners to learn tip and tricks to manage their online business.Meylah did 4 top notch small business webinars and everyone loved it. With popular demand, we are making it accessible for you. Download the ebook to get access to 4 cool webinars:Facebook Marketing Made Easy!Meylah Store features and functionality!Empower your customer to take action on your store!Wholesale Selling made easy! First 10 minutes is black screen due to computer glitch.Register for a New Webinar : Amplify your Facebook marketing to attract more Customers…

• Interview with Susi Ryan of The Felted Gnome Knows

  12 May 2013 | 9:43 pm

  Today we're excited to feature Handmadeology Collection Winner, Susi Ryan, the Owner of The Felted Gnome Knows and we're happy to share her story with you today:A Peek Into Susi Ryan's Business - The Felted Gnome Knows (Visit her site today!)Sheep’s wool is what most people would consider an unlikely medium to express a feeling or perception but that is what felting and wool sculpting is for me. It gives me the power to express my worldview through a natural substance. My journey combines both a new way of manipulating wool, through needle felting or sculpting wool and an ancient…

• New Meylah Feature - Coupon Codes For Your Storefront

  6 May 2013 | 11:21 am

  We all are accustomed to promotions as a small business owner.  These promotions are a great way to attract new customers, generate new sales and engage with our audience.Who does not love a sale?  We all do and so do our customers.  We at Meylah are excited to share with you that now you can create your own coupon codes/discount codes especially for your storefront and energize your marketing machines.Each storefront can create up to 5 coupon codes.  Each coupon code can be either a % of total purchases or $ off total purchases.  It is very easy to create, edit and mange the coupon…

• Nakea and Meylah Team Up In Strategic Partnership To Provide Complete Online Solution for Small Businesses

  28 Apr 2013 | 11:02 pm

  Nakea and Meylah announced today, a strategic partnership that many are calling a game changer for small businesses in the digital age. The two companies have entered into a joint venture that bundles their core products and provides small businesses and organizations a comprehensive solution for building, managing and marketing their business online.  The new partnership is expected to spark innovation by maximizing the product development talents and resources at both companies, while driving scale and efficiency in the small businesses.The partnership is a strong strategic fit, leveraging…

• 

  i-netpreneur

• How to Start a Knowledge Base Using WordPress (6 Themes)

  cyrus

  10 May 2013 | 7:33 pm

  Sharing the information you know with others online is one of the best ways to build your reputation and grow your business. Many companies have started knowledge base sites to share information with their customers and prospects. You could always start your own with these 6 WordPress themes: Base: it has a clean and professional design with three styles. The theme is ready for Retina displays. It supports audio, gallery, video, and image post formats. KnowPress: allows you to create a customized database of articles and information. It has 5 different colors. KnowledgePress: has a responsive…

• Add Google+ Comments to WordPress: 3 Plugins

  cyrus

  3 May 2013 | 6:26 pm

  Google+ is going to play a huge role on how Google ranks websites in the future. The sooner you get active on it, the better off your business will be. Google+ already had Communities, Hangouts, and plenty of tools for small businesses to use to improve their brand engagement. Adding Google+ Comments to your WordPress site can be a difference maker also. These 3 plugins enable you to add Google+ Comments to WordPress: Google+ Comments: a very good implementation of Google+ Comments for WordPress. It makes your comment section tabbed, so you can have Facebook and Disqus enabled. Google+…

• 5 Awesome Photoshop CS6 Cheat Sheets

  cyrus

  19 Apr 2013 | 7:14 pm

  Photoshop should not need any introduction. It is an awesome photo editor that lets you enhance your photos easily. Photoshop has gone through many changes in the past few years. These 5 cheat sheets show you how to use Photoshop CS6 like a pro: PS CS6 Cheat Sheet: an elegant Photoshop CS6 cheat sheet by ZeroLag. It shows you how to use your keyboard to become a more productive PS CS6 user. Photoshop CS6 All-in-One For Dummies: a complete cheat sheet for this photo suite. It covers commands and shortcuts. Adobe Photoshop CS6 Keyboard Shortcuts: covers some of the commands you need to be…

• 6 Must See Tools for Online Businesses

  cyrus

  12 Apr 2013 | 6:52 pm

  Running a business online comes with its own unique challenges. Not any two businesses are alike. But there are tools that could help all small business owners run their businesses more smoothly online. Here are 6 powerful tools you don’t want to miss: Appsify: allows you to create iOS apps more easily. It has an intuitive web interface you can use to build your app visually. IFTTT: a powerful tool that allows you to automate simple tasks online based on the conditions that matter to you. Screaming Frog: a small program that goes through your website and gives you more information about…

• 3 XLR to USB Microphone Adapters and Converters

  cyrus

  5 Apr 2013 | 6:28 pm

  We have already covered some of the equipment you will need to build a professional podcast program. At the very least, you need to have a decent microphone to record higher quality audio. There is a good reason most pros go with XLR microphones. They give you more flexibility when the time comes to expand your operations. Connecting your XLR microphone to your computer is easy with a USB interface or mixer. Don’t want to invest a whole lot of money to get one of those? These 3 XLR to USB microphone adapters let you connect your XLR microphone to your computer using a USB cable: Shure…

• 

  Under30CEO

• The 7 Startup “Mudas”

  Under30CEO

  21 May 2013 | 2:00 pm

  In the industrial world the elimination of “muda” (Japanese term for waste) can’t be stressed enough as means to increase productivity and profitability, yet there is a vast majority of service-related businesses that are still trying to figure out how to implement lean strategies to their businesses. Startup founders may find that there are several tools that are currently being used by big companies that may be applied to their own businesses to create “unfair advantages” relative to the competition just by designing and operating more efficiently. May I present to you…

• Google+ Communities Every Small Business Owner Should Be A Part Of

  Under30CEO

  21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Every entrepreneur and small business owner needs a little help now and then. Google+ Communities is the perfect place to find mentors, get advice and network with others who are trying to get their own startups going. Here are 31 of the best. Venture Capital Communities Venture Capital for Africa (VC4Africa) Have you heard the phrase, “See one, do one, teach one?” The idea is that you learn a skill from someone else, try it yourself, and then learn even more by showing someone else how to do it. Be a mentor with VC4Africa and you can do just that. This community can put you in touch with…

• 5 Tips for Young Entrepreneurs Who Want to Be Taken Seriously

  theyec

  21 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  I was a 21 year-old entrepreneur when the dot-com bubble burst in 2001.  Given the unprecedented volume of dying startups, investors and other business partners became less and less inclined to partner with new companies — especially those led by young founders. But I felt compelled to win over potential investors, customers, and team members. If I didn’t succeed, neither would my venture. Here are some of the tactics I used to help establish my credibility as a young founder, and grow my business in spite of my age: 1. Show others that you’re committed to the venture. Find visible…

• 7 Ways to Spark Your Creativity Without Leaving Your City

  Matt Wilson

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  So you’re busy running a company or you haven’t read enough Under30CEO to figure out how to break away from your 9 to 5 job…. You wish you had time to for excitement and adventure but bills and responsibility always seem to bring you back to reality.  Your brain is caught in a rut, and on your way to work everyday you think the same thoughts… You want to travel, but your excuses are too big to overcome… How do I break out of my slump within the confines of my own city? Here is a list of seven ways to break out of your comfort zone, and spark your…

• Tech Startup High Flyers: Israel, India and Brazil

  Under30CEO

  20 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Brazil, India and Israel are without question three of the world’s most important tech hubs outside of Silicon Valley. All these countries, thanks to their specialties and their large populations of digital consumers are pushing the envelope on some of the coolest innovations in technology and engineering. By driving a lot of activity, they gain an international profile in terms of new business and investment. Spotlight. Brazil, the promised land. For tech starters, Brazil has huge opportunities. Although just 40 percent of Brazilians currently use the Internet, Brazilians reportedly spend…

• 

  Think Traffic

• The Biggest Oversight In Online Video Today

  Guest Writer

  21 May 2013 | 5:45 am

  This post is by Richard Boehmcke, the winner of our mentorship contest earlier this year. There’s a great line from an episode of Seinfeld when George and Jerry are pitching their “show about nothing” to NBC’s top executive Russell. After a bit of back and forth Russell tries desperately to understand what the show is about. The exchange goes like this: Russell: Well, why am I watching it? George: Because it’s on TV! Russell: (threateningly) Not yet. As a profession, I produce videos for brands. That means I find myself watching tons of videos. All different…

• What’s the biggest question you have about building an online business right now?

  Corbett Barr

  16 May 2013 | 5:45 am

  What’s your most burning question about building an online business? What would you ask me and the Think Traffic team if you had our undivided attention for a few minutes? It can be about tech, marketing, networking, finance, something behind-the-scenes, something “taboo,” or whatever you’re dying to know the answer to. Take a minute to think about it. Really. Do you have a question in mind now? Great, because we could use your help. We’re starting something new, and your question could play a big part. Can you do us a favor today? While your question is fresh,…

• Vanity vs. Actionable Metrics: Are you tracking the right stats in your business?

  Caleb Wojcik

  9 May 2013 | 5:45 am

  You know the rush. A guest post you’ve written goes live on a huge site, you finally launch the product you’ve been working on for months, or an older article of yours gets Gizmodo’d. You watch your traffic spike and you can’t peel yourself away from the analytics for the whole day. “Look at all those visitors!” you yell to your significant other as they feign interest. But what really matters during these big days? What metrics and stats should you actually be tracking and which don’t mean jack squat? (Hint: Traffic doesn’t matter as much as you may think.) In this post…

• What’s New at Fizzle and Why We Changed Our Pricing Model

  Corbett Barr

  7 May 2013 | 5:45 am

  We’ve been busy over at Fizzle in the past couple of months and I wanted to share some exciting news with you. If you haven’t heard about Fizzle yet, we call it “Honest Online Business Training.” We think it’s the best training library and community for online business builders anywhere. And now, it’s available at a new simplified price. Announcing New Fizzle Pricing We used to have two pricing tiers for Fizzle. After lots of planning, talking with Fizzlers and coding behind the scenes, we’ve decided to unify all Fizzlers into one (discounted) pricing…

• Punch Fear in the Mouth

  Caleb Wojcik

  2 May 2013 | 5:45 am

  Fear is something every entrepreneur has to deal with from time to time. For me it recently came in the form of interviewing a hero of mine. (Not in the superpowers from Krypton sense of the word, but in the successful online entrepreneur kind of way.) When it comes to fear you can do one of two things. Let it in and give up. Punch it in the mouth. In this post I’ll walk through how I almost gave in to fear and let a big opportunity slip through my hands. I’ll also cover a simple exercise you can do each time you’re afraid of doing something. Interviewing Gary Vaynerchuk Last week I had…

• 

  War Room

• AWESOME PLACES TO WORK: These Startups Have Better Perks Than Free Food Or Beers On Tap

  Julie Bort

  21 May 2013 | 6:30 pm

  The difference between a job you love and a job you hate is usually one thing: the company's culture. These days, lots of tech startups have adopted cultural perks like free food, pool table/games, and beers on tap. But others have come up with new ways to make their companies great places to work. They've "hacked" their culture, according to this discussion thread on Quora.Maptia's founders moved the whole company to Morocco Jonny Miller, cofounder at Maptia and an avid surfer, has the best hack we've ever heard of. He and his two co-founders moved their company to Morocco, a low-cost way to…

• The Most Successful People Give Their Best Advice To New Graduates

  Vivian Giang and Max Nisen

  21 May 2013 | 5:22 pm

  Right now is not the most promising environment students have ever graduated into. Students fear entering a job market that doesn't want them, and losing vital years of their careers.  Great advice is needed more than ever. In its latest "Influencers" series, LinkedIn asked 70+ top professionals, from Fortune 500 CEOs to media icons what the class of 2013 needs to succeed.   Some share their commencement speeches while others share the things that they wish they knew before starting out. They explain everything from how to create your own company to how to…

• Inspiring 85-Year-Old Lands A Job Four Days After Graduating From College

  Jane Gross

  21 May 2013 | 4:32 pm

  The employment market being what it is for newly minted college graduates, Willadene Zedan would stand out at Saturday's commencement at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wis., if only for the fact that she'll begin the job of her dreams just four days later: Accompanying a local doctor on house calls to the homebound elderly. (MORE: Why I Went Back to College)But Zedan, at the age of 85, is already the reluctant celebrity of Marian's class of 2013. She's proof that it's never too late to do the things you didn't get to do in the prime of life and that "lifelong learning" is more…

• Popular Open-Plan Offices Make Employees Less Productive And Happy

  Ana Codrea-Rado

  21 May 2013 | 2:21 pm

  A well-designed office is a happy office. As facilities managers strive to save space and cash, they’re reshuffling desks and fiddling with temperature gauges. All of which has an impact on workers’ performance. Open-plan offices may make some kinds of collaboration easier, but are they more conducive to productivity? What's the most irritating distraction? And are those state-of-the-art workstations actually more comfortable? Here’s the Quartz complete guide to open-plan offices: Nearly three quarters of Americans work in…

• 9 Leadership Traits To Look For In New Hires

  Martin Zwilling

  21 May 2013 | 1:22 pm

  Very few people know their own leadership style — or strengths and weaknesses, for that matter. But that's a mistake. From leading a company to hiring workers, you necessarily must know what you're good at and what, if anything, you need help with to properly meet your company's goals. I'd argue that your leadership-development efforts may be more valuable for achieving startup success than building business skills. But, of course, leadership skills aren't always innate. So for new entrepreneurs, especially, expect to put in a fair amount of work. To assess where you are, and to unlock…

• 

  BitMethod

• We Assembled Our Thoughts, Brick by Brick

  Amanda Morrow

  1 May 2013 | 12:48 pm

  Back in March of 2012, we wrote about our company's change of focus on this very blog, and in the past year, we accomplished exactly what we've set out to do. We launched our own product (Change) and continue to find ways of helping some of the most hard-working people around: restaurant owners. Unfortunately, much of our energy has gone toward Change and left Brick by Brick a bit neglected. But not to worry, you can continue to follow the adventures of the BitMethod crew on the Change Blog. Brick by Brick will remain here as an archive of sorts, reminding us how far we've come. We are very…

• Eat Sleep Lands Spot In App Store App Essentials

  Nate Paulson

  14 Dec 2012 | 10:27 am

  Garnering success over the past year, Eat Sleep has landed a spot in the top “Apps For Parents” collection in the Apple App Store. This collection is comprised of various apps to help parents cope with every step of childhood. Placed in the “New Parents” section, Eat Sleep sits alongside Target, WebMD and other well-respected apps. Thus far, Eat Sleep has averaged a four star rating. This does not go without thanks and we are constantly receiving great reviews. “This app is awesome!! I was keeping track of feedings, diaper changes, pumping, etc. in my notes before I found this app.

• Introducing Nate Paulson - A Professional Gentleman Of Leisure

  Nate Paulson

  5 Oct 2012 | 12:09 pm

  Some may call me debonair. Some may call me a connoisseur. In some circles I am known to be what Willis was in fact talking about. Really, though, I am a simple man with simple pleasures. Recently hired at BitMethod, I am here to inject life into their iPhone baby tracking app Eat Sleep. Seeing as I have not fathered any children of my own, I am taking the bull by the metaphorical horns and owning the challenge at hand. By the end of my time here, I am hoping the phrases “Eat Sleep” and “Crushed It” are synonymous. I am a junior at Drake University, majoring in Creative Advertising…

• Startup Weekend Des Moines 2012

  BitMethod

  5 Oct 2012 | 9:35 am

  Are you ready to surround yourself with slightly crazy, yet awesomely creative individuals all hopped up on energy drinks and passion? Then Startup Weekend Des Moines is for you. The next one is right around the corner taking place November 16-18. Startup Weekend is a weekend-long crash course on pitching a startup and making it grow. Anyone can participate, whether you’ve got a background in development, design, business, or even balloon animals. Participants spend the entire weekend working through an idea that all ends with a five-minute pitch in front of a panel of local entrepreneurial…

• Needed: Communications and Design Intern

  BitMethod

  22 Aug 2012 | 10:54 am

  BitMethod is looking for a Communications and Design Intern to help us promote our soon-to-be released product called Change, an iPad app aiming to replace old, clunky cash registers. We want someone who will nerd out on promoting Change and will find creative ways of communicating with our users and potential customers through our blog, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and email newsletters. Ideal Candidate An energetic, goofy person who wants more out of their internship than just school credit. Someone who wants to learn and loves writing, design, public relations and technology. Details This is…

• 

  800 CEO Read

• KnowledgeBlocks Giveaway: The One Thing

  Sally

  21 May 2013 | 7:25 am

  Tweet If I were to ask my husband to make a “to-do” list of the things he wants to get done over the weekend, the list would top out at around 20 items. On it would be anything from cleaning out the garage and going to the bank…to moving our garden to the east side of the yard and building a new set of stairs. Over the 16 years we’ve been married, I’ve been a witness to his inability to whittle that list down to something manageable many times, and the inevitable result that he gets none of those 20 things done because he is overwhelmed and distracted. He wants…

• Reinventing You

  Michael

  20 May 2013 | 10:39 am

  Tweet“What do people think of you? What do they say when you leave the room?” Maybe you don’t think you have a brand. Hopefully you don’t think that. As Dorie Clark demonstrates in her new book, Reinventing You, taking control of your professional future hinges on your acceptance and understanding of your current brand, and your ability to take control of where that brand is going. OK—we can call it a reputation, if that makes you feel better. As Clark points out early on, we simply can’t afford to disregard the impact that our personal brand has on our success. The idea that you…

• Friday Links

  dylan

  17 May 2013 | 12:38 pm

  TweetFor your weekend perusal, here is another installment of Friday Links ➻ Calvin Ried’s coverage of the BISG’s MIP (The Book Industry Study Group’s Making Information Pay Conference) 2013: A New World of Big Data, Complexity and Collaboration for Publishers Weekly yesterday was a treasure of interesting insights: BISG executive director Len Vlahos gave an overview of “The Digital Consumer” using data from its “Consumer Attitudes Towards E-book Reading Survey,” in particular looking at the behavior of “Power Buyers” or consumers who buy at least one e-book a…

• ChangeThis: Issue 105

  dylan

  15 May 2013 | 11:33 am

  Tweet Monster Loyalty: How to Build Customer Loyalty like Lady Gaga by Jackie Huba “While known as much for her voice as for her over-the-top wardrobe, few recognize Lady Gaga for her stunning business acumen, which has earned her legions of loyal fans worldwide.” Brains Favor the Ridiculously In Charge Leader by Henry Cloud, Ph.D “Leaders must establish some key boundaries in some very key areas if they want to get results. And, thanks to brain research, we now can scientifically get a peek into why the leaders who do establish these kinds of boundaries get the results that they…

• The Power of the Circle

  Sally

  15 May 2013 | 7:25 am

  TweetTwo conversations I had last week got me thinking about networking. ➻ The first was during a brainstorming meeting with Jon, our general manager, about our annual author conference. The meeting ended with a discussion on the value of mentoring, and the predominance of books that advocate for the practice. ➻ The second was over a drink with a friend who was joking about the state of her golf game. When I commented that I had no desire to learn the sport, she explained that she works in an industry in which golf is still an elemental aspect of networking. She challenged herself with…

• 

  Business Planning by us

• Crowdfunding Update by Rolfe Larson

  Rolfe Larson

  13 May 2013 | 7:48 pm

  Many entrepreneurs were excited last year when Congress legalized the use of crowdfunding for equity investments. This law, passed as part of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS), would allow a business owner to raise up to $2 million over the Internet from individuals who invest a maximum of $10,000 per person. Too good to be true? Well, first the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) has to issue regulations to implement the law. The SEC has a lot on its plate, including implementation of a law that overhauls how the US financial system is regulated. So at this point it seems…

• Video Business Plans by Rolfe Larson

  Rolfe Larson

  23 Apr 2013 | 9:46 am

  Most business plans appear on paper or on a pdf, but a growing number are on video, or include a video component.  Often that’s done in the form of a YouTube video, which you can use to promote your new business in ways that are not possible via paper or email. And even if your plan shows up as a more traditional hard copy document, be sure to include in its marketing section information on how you’ll use video to promote your business and attract customers. “Video is one of the most powerful ways to visually represent your brand and story.  Through video, a business owner…

• Typical Revenue Models by Rolfe Larson

  Rolfe Larson

  10 Apr 2013 | 7:35 pm

  Every business has to attract revenues from selling products and services, and every business plan has to describe how that will happen. Trying to figure out how to do that for your business idea? One way to approach that problem is to look at common models  other companies have used, and see which ones fit best. It’s all too common for a business to get latched on too strongly on one revenue model, too early, so take a look at a bunch of them before you decide. And be ready to go back to this list and make some changes if after your first few months or a year you discover things…

• Lessons from Michael Porter’s Monitor failure by Rolfe Larson

  Rolfe Larson

  2 Apr 2013 | 3:14 pm

  It’s been widely reported that the company co-founded by Michael Porter, the famous Harvard Business School professor who wrote The Book on business strategy, was forced into bankruptcy protection. We’ve written several blogs about Michael Porter’s insights. How could a business started by the guru of five-force analysis, possibly one of the most widely-adopted competitive strategy in the world, possibly fail? Why did the Monitor Group fail? The basic premise of Porter’s approach is that by analyzing an industry’s structure and the forces shaping it, one could…

• Online Classes for Entrepreneurs by Rolfe Larson

  Rolfe Larson

  12 Mar 2013 | 8:32 pm

  Want to start a small business, but missing some skills? Here’s one option: take some online classes, where you might learn what you need, for a fraction of the time and cost. Improve your business plan AND your business. There are 100s of web-based business classes, many of them free (open source) or for a small fee. Many are taught through world-class universities, and offer more interactivity than you would get if you attended classes there. Online Business Classes Check out a few of them in “What’s Available Online?”  Might just be one there for you.    …

• 

  Boston Business News - Local Boston News | Boston Business Journal

• The top 5 caterers in Massachusetts (BBJ List)

  22 May 2013 | 3:45 am

  For this week's List, the Boston Business Journal Research Department surveyed the top 25 caterers in Massachusetts, ranking them by 2012 revenue from events catered in Massachusetts. The list, on page 36 of this week's print edition, gives each firm's address, the number of events catered in Mass., revenue from those events, Massachusetts full-time and part-time employees and contact information for the chief executives. (Subscribers, check it out in the digital edition.) Here are the top five: Rebecca's…

• Out of the Office: Comcast, Dana-Farber, BiNA Farms, Women to Watch (photos)

  22 May 2013 | 3:26 am

  The BBJ's Out of the Office page covers business-related social events and runs on page 24 this week. (Subscribers, check it out in the BBJ's digital edition.) This week's photos include Comcast Cares Day at the BCYF Curley Community Center in South Boston; Legal Sea Foods' 22nd annual Golf Outing to benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover; BiNA Farm's 3rd annual Kentucky-Derby-inspired "Horsing Around at the Ritz"; and Mass High Tech's Women to Watch. See…

• Prime Student Loan gets seed money to help grads cut loan payments

  21 May 2013 | 9:01 pm

  Prime Student Loan, a Boston startup aiming to help recent graduates reduce their student loan expenses, said Wednesday it has raised $250,000 of seed funding from CommonAngels as it seeks to reach more students. The startup took part in the 2012 MassChallenge accelerator program and continues to be based out of the MassChallenge offices in South Boston. Launched in beta in December, the company's platform connects qualifying recent grads with opportunities to refinance their student loan debt,…

• Avid delays filing, gets second Nasdaq warning

  21 May 2013 | 5:52 pm

  Avid Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:AVID) received its second letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department saying it was no longer in compliance with Nasdaq exchange rules. The Burlington, Mass.-based maker of digital audio and video technology said it received the first warning letter in March after it delayed the filing of its annual report for the year that ended on Dec. 31, 2012. In its letter to Avid on March 22, Nasdaq warned the company that the delay could cause it to be delisted from…

• Analog hits earnings estimates for Q2, but predicts lower-than-expected EPS for Q3

  21 May 2013 | 1:53 pm

  Late Tuesday, Analog Devices Inc. (Nasdaq:ADI) reported earnings for the three months that ended on May 4 that hit analyst estimates, but gave guidance for the next three months that came in just below what analysts were expecting. The Norwood, Mass.-based semiconductors maker took in $659 million in gross revenues for it’s second quarter of 2013, down 2 percent year over year. At the same time, its net income of $164 million was also nearly the same as Q2 of 2012, bringing in 52 cents a share,…

• 

  Alltopstartups.com

• Personalities Best Suited for A Manager

  Contributor

  21 May 2013 | 2:13 pm

  Many people look at management as an easy job. All the managers have to do is stand back and watch the “real” employees do all the work. What most people don’t realize is that it takes a specific personality type to be an effective manager in any industry. The managers have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders to keep the entire operation moving effectively.1.  Managers have to be empathetic and patient people. Sometimes he or she will get new workers who are not necessarily prepared for the type of work they are performing and will need to be taught step-by-step…

• Find Out How Your Personality Matches Up With Your Employer– Now

  Thomas Oppong

  21 May 2013 | 8:31 am

  Workplace happiness can to some extent be attributed to how well your personality matches the employer you work for and the people you work with. No matter how great an opportunity may look on paper, it is crucial to know if it’s the right fit for your personality type. According to Mark Murphy, the author Hiring for Attitude:…46% of  new hires fail within the first 18 months . But even more surprising than the failure rate, was that when new hires failed, 89% of the time it was for attitudinal reasons and only 11% of the time for a lack of skill.Good.Co wants to help you find…

• 5 Essential Tips for Women Leaders

  Contributor

  20 May 2013 | 11:54 am

  Women are constantly redefining their roles in today’s world. With the challenges faced, women are striving to excel in an environment that has not adapted as quickly to change. Women are becoming a driving force in many fields. According to Forbes there are five essential tips for women looking to become leaders.Be set up for success. Look for opportunities that offer room to move up. The women who rise to positions of leadership don’t simply look at the present, but look towards the future. They take positions that can lead to better positions. By putting themselves in a place where…

• 45 Amazing Resources for Stirring Up Your Creativity

  Thomas Oppong

  19 May 2013 | 4:59 am

  Creativity is a process that cannot be forced but can be cultivated and allowed. Creativity must be allowed for the creation of innovative products and design of everyday things. You can stir up your creativity by getting serious about pen and paper again or you can also use  apps as a guide. Start keeping a journal too. Postpone judgment when you are in your creative mood and start allowing more silence in your life. Don’t put pressure on yourself, avoid creative deadlines when you can. Begin to ask questions about everyday products, ideas etc. In the words of  Masaru…

• 7 Reasons Why You Should Get Used to Failure

  Thomas Oppong

  17 May 2013 | 1:58 pm

  “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill1. Failure pushes you closer to another approach that works!Failure doesn’t mean you are a failure yet, it just means you haven’t found a way to make it work yet  and you have just found another way it doesn’t work. You know why you should try again? You are closer to a another discovery. Good to great entrepreneurs  have failed countless times, but you only get to see and hear the one true breakthrough out of the many times they try to make it work. The successful ones do…

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  Startup Blog

• 3 Words that can prevent feelings of guilt

  TaffyWilliams

  20 May 2013 | 5:19 am

  What will your tomorrow look like? Have you ever decided to wait until tomorrow to do something important?  Perhaps it was completing a task at work or having a difficult discussion with an employee.  Maybe, you put off a visit to a loved one thinking it will wait until the next day.  It is easy to put things off especially when we are tired or have something else we need to do. Procrastination is one reason we put things off because the task can be done later.  Conflicts in scheduling is another reason we put things off because we are not able to be in two places at the…

• 5 Ideas that may facilitate creating a startup business

  TaffyWilliams

  2 May 2013 | 5:29 am

  Every company was created by someone.  You can make one too! Successful businesses deliver goods and services that people want or need.  People or businesses interested in the goods and services are the market.  The market must be willing to pay for the goods and services on a continuing basis for the business to have a sustainable model.  This sounds simple, but too often entrepreneurs creating a startup do not have this concept properly developed.  The key to creating a successful business is to find a niche product or service and evaluate the market.  The…

• Your reputation precedes you

  TaffyWilliams

  24 Apr 2013 | 7:06 am

  Want to come work with me? Entrepreneurs work hard to create businesses and make money in the process.  Their personal traits are part of the business evaluated by others.  Being stingy or ugly to employees is something that eventually gets around.  Treating tentative providers poorly has the same tendency for negative recognition. People REMEMBER bad treatment and eventually your treatment of others comes back to haunt you! Success is a great neutralizing event.  People treated like dirt tend to minimize the bad and remember the good once they make lots of money. …

• Multiple paths lead to solutions of business and research problems

  TaffyWilliams

  17 Apr 2013 | 7:35 am

  More than one path usually exists.  Find the one that best fits your business needs!     Business and research are places where products discoveries occur during attempts to solve problems and make improvements.  It is rare that the discovery process has a singular path; meaning that more than one route leads to the accomplishment of key goals.  If path limitations exist, they arise because of attitudes, knowledge, and skills of the individuals involved.  People see problems differently and backgrounds influence the directions and view of the problems; e.g., is…

• Second interview of Taffy Williams by Greg Viloria of the Nerd Stalker

  TaffyWilliams

  14 Apr 2013 | 5:44 am

  Everyone has a slant!  Listen to mine in the interview on Nerd Stalker.   In a second interview by Greg Viloria, the Taffy Williams provided "slant" on startups, leadership and business creation: Nerd Stalker ( @nerdstalker ) calls the segment Startup Blog Insights. The goal is to obtain in-depth thoughts about topics covered in Startup Blog. This interview covered two articles published in the examiner.com: “5 Key considerations while creating a startup " and "8 Hats Entrepreneurs Often Wear." The full interview is available on Nerd Stalker:  …

• 

  Collegefallout

• Will the iPhone 6 be the Best Gaming Device?

  Vivek Krishnan

  15 May 2013 | 4:03 am

  No matter where you are these days with your smartphone you are now able to do more than ever before, and Apple has no doubt changed mobile technology forever. This is because before Apple joined the smartphone market other companies had tried to make smartphones for people but these were very expensive and not powerful enough. When the first iPhone was released this all changed as it was affordable to many people through mobile phone plans while offering a lot of power to the users. But this was not the most important aspect to the iPhone, this was just how easy to use it was with a very…

• 5 Essential Tips Before Starting an Online Store

  Vivek Krishnan

  10 May 2013 | 10:53 pm

  Use this post, where essential points of consideration before starting an online store are considered. Follow these tips to stand out in the craze of starting online stores as there are several people who had the urge to enter this stream through ‘niche’ categories. Internet has got the whole global hemisphere much closer than any mind could possibly anticipate, which is why it is conceived by several people as easy money making medium. However, in reality the picture is not as rosy as it seemingly appears to be. Especially in today’s heated competitive era, it is surely not enough…

• What Is Ecommerce? (In Simple Terms)

  Vivek Krishnan

  5 May 2013 | 11:33 pm

  In simple terms, the answer to what is E-commerce is that it is electronic commerce. It is basically referred to businesses that have created an online store to sell products/services to their customers. Ecommerce is essentially a website that sells products online that will be subsequently delivered to you. The main advantage is that the buyer does not need to travel all the way to store or shop to purchase something. The buyer can complete his shopping online from his Personal computer or laptop. What is Ecommerce? Any ecommerce website will be consisting of the following: Shopping Cart…

• Pros.com – Solve Your Price Optimization Problems

  Vivek Krishnan

  5 May 2013 | 10:56 pm

  When it comes to selling a product and profiting against the tide of your competition, the price that you are selling at is just as important as the quality of your product. Unfortunately, many aspects that affect the perspective of the customers in relation to your pricing are not quantifiable – or are they? The pricing experts at Pros.com have actually created a software solution to your price optimization problems. You are now able to quantify many of the aspects of price that you previously had to rely on feeling to approximate. When it comes to business, hard numbers always win out…

• How to Write The Best Converting Abandoned Cart Email [Infographic]

  Vivek Krishnan

  4 May 2013 | 11:31 pm

  An important guide to ensure that you net as many customers as you can from your abandoned cart. Learn to write an email that converts extremely well in abandoned cart users. However, it is essential to know that once a cart is abandoned very few will actually convert from the total pool. Since every sale counts for ecommerce companies – make sure that you are ready for the next cart abandonment that occurs. Key takeaways from this data: The turn around time to reach out to your user after he abandons the cart matters a lot The key is to get the email opened – test with subject…

• 

  Yourstory.in

• Post funding, Housing.co.in launches operations in Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Pune

  Raghu Mohan

  22 May 2013 | 3:10 am

  After raising two quick rounds of funding, one lead by ex Futurebazaar VP, Zeeshan Hayath and the other lead by ex Network 18 CEO, Haresh Chawla, Mumbai based property listing site, Housing.co.in has expanded its operation to three other cities – Gurgaon, Hyderabad and Pune. At the time of raising their second round, Advitiya Sharma, co-founder of Housing.co.in, has told us that Hyderabad would definitely be one of the cities that they’d be looking to expand to, based on poll conducted on their Facebook fan page. We caught up with the Housing.co.in team to know more - Why these…

• Heard about the Singapore Startups’ Walkabout?

  Archana Sudhendranath

  22 May 2013 | 1:27 am

  We have a lot of startup events happening in India now a days and they’re getting innovative and fun by the day (check out our TechSparks). While we have been on a constant upward path to bring you the best since last 4 years, here we present a glimpse of what’s happening in other buzzing startup ecosystems. Enter Singapore Startup’s Walkabout. Walkabout Singapore is a celebration of technology and entrepreneurial culture in Singapore. May 17, 2013 was the second edition that saw over 100 startups open their doors to welcome strangers for a beer, a chat, and peek into their…

• LetsDine – Social networking for real, over food

  Ganesh Nagarsekar

  22 May 2013 | 12:43 am

  In the era of facebook and twitter, people often crib about real interactions waning down. LetsDine is a new startup in the ‘social networking’ space, that tries to address this issue and arranges themed dining events for different groups of bloggers, poets, foodies, entrepreneurs and random socials where absolute strangers come and meet, interact and make friends over great food and coffee! Akhilesh Kumar (yes, they like caricatures) LetsDine was founded in April this year by two engineers from REC Trichy, Akhilesh Kumar(Chief Diner) and Prashant Angyan (Tech Guru).  Akhilesh with his…

• [Startup Hatch] VITTBI: Incubating 8 bio and IT startups in Vellore

  Madanmohan Rao

  21 May 2013 | 11:55 pm

  [ This article is part of a new series called Startup Hatch, about incubators and accelerators in the startup ecosystem. ] VIT TBI Inauguration Vellore Institute of Technology’s Business Incubator (VITTBI) is bringing the entrepreneurial buzz to places outside mainstream startup ecosystems in India. It identifies growing opportunities in India’s economic boom, plugs entrepreneur gaps in building startups, and connects them to the broader investor community, as explained by A. Balachandran, General Manager, VIT-Technology Business Incubator. Balachandran has over two decades of…

• Readers respond: Why carpooling will not fail in India

  Shrinath V

  21 May 2013 | 9:54 pm

  Last week, I wrote an article on why I believed carpooling will not work in India. The gist of my argument is: the problem is not related to technology, but to behavior. Car owners cherish their cars, and do not want to feel like a cab driver. Passengers feel irate if the scheduled car to pick them up for their carpool is late. In office situations, pre-planned carpools mean that employees need to synchronize timings, a difficult ask in today’s working environment. You can read the entire article here. The article seems to have touched a chord with readers. Many commented on what could be…

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  StartUpLift

• Chiptong – Biltong / Jerky Online

  StartUpLift

  20 May 2013 | 4:23 pm

  We sell our range of biltong via our website Target Audience: People who like Jerky or Biltong Website URL: http://chiptong.com No. of Feedback Providers Requested: 3 Feedback sought: 1) Look around the home page – what is your initial impression of what you see? 2) Think of something you want to find on this website. Now try to find it. Did you find what you were looking for? Was anything confusing? 3) Do you find it easy to order or find out how much the product is and the cost of shipping? 4) Go to search engine of your choice and find one other company that offers a similar service.

• Wikido, What’s Happening Today!

  StartUpLift

  7 May 2013 | 7:06 pm

  WikiDo.com provides a new way to find interesting things to do in a specific local area. Target Audience: People only in U.S. that are looking for events or things to do Website URL: http://www.wikido.com No. of Feedback Providers Requested: 5 Feedback sought: 1) Look around the home page – What is your initial impression of what you see? 2) Click on the “Search button” to make a search for events in your city. You will see a lot of things that are happening today in your local area. Think of some features or things you want to find on this website. Did you find what you…

• StyleShapes – 3D Printed Jewelry Finder

  StartUpLift

  7 May 2013 | 3:23 pm

  Styleshapes is a 3D Printed Jewelry Finder which operates in ultra innovative and sky-rocketing niche: consumer 3D printing – by finding most astonishing and mind shacking designed 3D Printed Jewelry AVAILABLE for sale Target Audience: women Website URL: http://StyleShapes.com No. of Feedback Providers Requested: 3 Feedback sought: 1) Look around the home page – what is your initial impression of what you see? 2) Think of something you want to find on this website. Now try to find it. Did you find what you were looking for? Was anything confusing? 3) Are you encouraged to…

• Press Release Distribution in 3 Easy Step!

  StartUpLift

  16 Apr 2013 | 6:13 am

  Create online visibility with persistent Press Release Distribution and social media presence! Target Audience: B2B (Business to Business) Website URL: http://www.SubmitPressRelease123.com/ No. of Feedback Providers Requested: 5 Feedback sought: 1) Watch our video on http://online.submitpressrelease123.com/. Share your thoughts. 2) Take at look at our price page and see if it covers clear message. What is your opinion? 3) Think of something you want to find on this website. Now try to find it. Did you find what you were looking for? Was anything confusing? 4) Is the customer encouraged to…

• Matching jobs and talent

  StartUpLift

  12 Apr 2013 | 7:04 am

  Jojari is a new job matching engine that uses self learning algorithms to help match people with jobs. Target Audience: job seekers, employers and recruiters Website URL: http://www.jojari.com No. of Feedback Providers Requested: 5 Feedback sought: 1) What is your initial impression of the site? 2) If you were looking for a job, would you find this a useful service? Why so? 3) If you were employing, would you be encouraged to create an account or sign up for a free trial? Can you tell us why (or why not)? 4) Is there anything in particular you don’t like about the site? 5) Any other…

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  The Metropreneur Columbus

• At Work: S77 finds a new home in the Short North

  Anne Evans

  21 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  S77 has found their home in the Short North. A creative studio with a focus on motion graphics, 3D, live-action, illustration, photography, and visual effects, they will be celebrating one year of their rebranding relaunch on May 30. They moved to their current space at 1239 North High about a year ago. Previously they were [...]

• Tickets to 2013 Ohio Growth Summit on sale now

  Melanie McIntyre

  20 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  As director of the Ohio Small Business Development Center at Columbus State Community College, Michael Bowers works directly with hundreds of small business owners each year. He hears their stories and has developed a keen understanding of what they want and need to succeed in this economy. Based on that knowledge, he has hand-picked 17 speakers [...]

• Six finalists chosen for Central Ohio Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

  Melanie McIntyre

  17 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  The Metropreneur and Rotary District 6690 have teamed up to host the first-ever Central Ohio Social Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Six businesses have been named finalists: Billy Two Shoes; CivitasNow; Freedom a la Cart; Freshbox Catering; Fulcrum Creatives; and The Greener Grocer. The finalists will make five-minute presentations to Rotary members at their district conference this morning at The Northpointe Conference Center [...]

• Make sure your employment policies don’t box you in

  Bill Nolan

  16 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  I have written here before about how, when your company becomes involved in legal proceedings, you want to be able to tell your company’s story as effectively as possible to neutral third parties who have no background on the dispute and the personalities involved. In employment disputes, one important part of that story will be any [...]

• How To Be Your Own Sales Consultant

  Jim Lane

  15 May 2013 | 5:00 am

  Since we offer a full spectrum of “commercial excellence” consulting services, we wind up helping clients determine what kind of pricing opportunity they have and then we wind up assisting them to implement pricing improvements. This involves sales− and it’s not naturally a pleasant activity. In the most challenging cases, we work with companies that [...]

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  Visionwiz » Business and Technology blog, venture funding and Start ups

• Find Jobs According To Your Location Via JobProx

  ajay

  21 May 2013 | 9:58 pm

  JobProx: JobProx is a new startup that aims to help job seekers find jobs according to their location & employers find suitable candidates according to their location and requirements. JobProx will notify job seekers if they find any suitable openings are available in their location. And in same they will also notify employers if any suitable candidates are available in their location. How It Works: If you are jobseeker and if you already have a LinkedIn account, then just download their free app from the App Store and sign in using your LinkedIn username and password. Then turn…

• What To Learn From Gen-Y Entrepreneurs?

  Martin

  21 May 2013 | 7:59 pm

  The business world has been watching this emerging generation with trepidation, and a lot of people haven’t been sure who would be the winners, and who would be the losers. Can Gen-Y, much less the new Generation Z (1995-2010), survive as entrepreneurs, and do they have the passion and commitment it takes to run a startup and attract investors? My own perspective is that the recession was good for Gen-Y (Millennials), because it forced them to face reality, often for the first time in their life. In the last few years, even college grads with advanced degrees don’t have job opportunities…

• Discover Your Neighborhoods Via BlockAvenue

  VisionwizTeam

  20 May 2013 | 10:02 pm

  BlockAvenue: BlockAvenue is an online guide that helps people understand neighborhoods, local trends and new happenings by combining geodata and informed opinions from neighbors who know the area best. On BlockAvenue you will find a completely unique mashup of neighborhood data, user reviews, local business information and other hyper-local geodata. You can search any address or place in the world, and quickly understand what that specific location is like. In Company’s Own Words: BlockAvenue is an easy way to find, review and talk about what’s great – and not so great – in your…

• Six Essential Strategies For Turning Your Business Ideas Into Action

  Martin

  20 May 2013 | 7:47 pm

  Successful startups are all about turning ideas into action quickly and efficiently. These actions must be the hard part, since entrepreneurs always seem to come to me with ideas, and ask me for help on the actions. That has always seemed strange to me, since the magic is supposed to be in the ideas, and the actions are the same for every business. In fact, the actions required to start and run a business are well documented, the subject of many books, and taught in college courses across the land. As confirmed to me by John Spence in his book on this subject, Awesomely Simple, turning…

• Now Watch Sold Out Concerts Via EventLive

  Vineet

  19 May 2013 | 10:13 pm

  Eventlive: EVNTLIVE lets you watch a sold out concert, discover new artists and share your live music experiences with friends. In Company’s Own Words: EVNTLIVE gives you an all access pass to the show, allowing you to learn the story behind your favorite artists while you experience them live. How It Works: EvntLive works with artists to create high quality interactive live concert experiences online, delivering users the content they love. If your band is interested in being on EVNTLIVE please contact them. Best Part Is: They put you in the director’s chair and give you access…

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  EpicLaunch

• Banks vs. Credit Unions: Opening a High Interest Savings Account

  NatalieBracco

  15 May 2013 | 1:44 pm

  Are you considering opening a new bank account? Whether it’s for personal or business, there are a lot of things to consider. Are you going to go with a traditional bank, or a credit union? What are the interest rates? There are many different options, and the details may vary depending on your area. However, there are some basics to consider. Credit Union Image via Flickr by kenteegardin Credit Unions are very localized. They are not national chains, and because of this, they may not be able to offer you the same incentives that larger banks can. Credit Unions, however, are known for…

• Pitfalls Start-Ups Need To Avoid

  Kevin Kaiser

  30 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am

  The U.S economy is driven by start-ups. They play a vital role in the net job creation. However, INC. magazine reports 33 percent of all the new businesses face failure within the first 6 months of operation. 50 percent go on to fail after 2 years, while 75 percent see the wrath after three years. So what are the pitfalls that startups need to avoid in the first 6 months? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest mistakes that startups need to carter to, and the dangers of not avoiding these holes; 1.  Poor management Even though Bachelors or Master degree in Business Administration…

• Boost your start-up creativity with yoga

  Jennifer Lang

  26 Apr 2013 | 3:59 am

  Are you lacking creativity? Sluggish after lunch? Complaining of stiff necks or tight lower backs? If so, you might want to do yourself a favor—bring yoga into your life. Yoga will let you stretch and lengthen your muscles, brains included. Start or end the day, or maybe take a lunch break, with yoga. Plan a fun day and kick it off with yoga. Organize a day of learning with workshops with yoga at the center. Studies show that yoga in the workplace brings the following benefits: increases creativity and efficiency promotes team work, camaraderie and supportive employee interaction provides…

• 5 Important Things Startups Must Do To Keep Business and Personal Finances Separate

  NatalieBracco

  22 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am

  When you own a startup or small business, it can be tempting to combine the money the business makes with your personal money. It is crucial that you not do this. Keeping business and personal finances separate is important for tax purposes, as well as for keeping the business financially secure. So, what are some things you can do to keep your personal and business finances separate? Have Multiple Bank Accounts Image via Flickr by kenteegardin Never, ever combine your household money and the money from your business in one bank account. You need to ensure that you keep separate accounts.

• The Still-Not-Forgotten Art of Complaining About Your Business

  Karol

  15 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am

  If you’re like me then you probably don’t even feel like reading this post. I mean, I bet that 90% of people (myself included) see themselves as those who know better or those who don’t do silly things like complaining about their current situation. But on the contrary, we all have the tendency to do that. And when I give it a closer look, unfortunately, I do too. So before you stop reading simply because this is one of the more ridiculous introductions you’ve ever seen, let me tell you what I exactly mean by complaining. First of all, there’s not going to be any…

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  Internet Entrepreneurship skills | Make Money Working Online

• 4 Ways to Integrate Traditional and Digital Marketing

  Guest Blogger

  3 May 2013 | 12:54 pm

  Balanced marketing campaigns see the best results; here’s how People have been prophesying the doom of traditional marketing for at least 15 years now; and while digital marketing continues to consume a larger and larger share of the marketplace, traditional tools are far from obsolete. Americans still watch 3 ½ hours of live television every [...]

• What Are The Main Factors To Consider While Creating A Landing Page?

  Dilip

  29 Apr 2013 | 12:27 am

  Landing pages play a very critical role in the success of the website of any company or, online business. When a viewer clicks on a certain ad related to your company or a search engine result or any other link which leads to your company, you need to make sure that the person is led [...]

• Importance of M-commerce in the scenario of Ecommerce

  Guest Blogger

  25 Apr 2013 | 9:30 am

  The world of business is changing with a rapid level due to the introduction of technologies like Mobile commerce (M-commerce) and Ecommerce. Not too long ago, that is, around 6 years back, Ecommerce and M-commerce concept started and industries started reporting an immense growth in the market. Similarities of Ecommerce and M-commerce Electronic commerce is [...]

• Tips for Building a Mobile-Ready Website

  Guest Blogger

  24 Apr 2013 | 9:30 am

  In the last couple of years there has been a real explosion in the use of mobile devices to search the Internet. There are more than four billion mobile devices worldwide, and some industry experts predict there will be a smart phone for every person on the planet in the next few years. It is [...]

• Pros and cons for marketers that purchase tweets

  Guest Blogger

  23 Apr 2013 | 9:30 am

  In the age of social media, there are few sites, which dominates in terms of popularity and Twitter is among them. It is considered as the second largest social networking site, which has more than 600 million people all across the world. Twitter is an effective tool not only just for socializing over the web [...]

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  Fadzuli.com

• Ultimately We Are Here to Please Allah swt

  Fadzuli

  1 May 2013 | 4:50 pm

  It’s been a long long time since I wrote anything here. So here we go. This is inspired by one of my students who felt sad that I do not check her facebook page to read or LIKE her postings. So I am going to smack this on everyone’s head right now. Seriously!! Firstly we must understand truly who you need to please especially when you run your business through FB or Blogs and such. Ultimately it is not to please me ( your teacher ) and you do not need my approvals for every single postings. Its like waiting for me to give you a grade every time you post something on FB. If you…

• Facebook Action Series Course Postponed

  Fadzuli

  25 Mar 2013 | 11:55 pm

  Tentatively, the course is suppose to start today but as there aren’t enough sign ups to begin with, we will have to postpone the dates. When shall we Postpone the Course to?  To be confirmed for now. Those that have already registered will be informed of the changes. More updates soon. 

• Our First Fire Sale

  Fadzuli

  7 Mar 2013 | 5:00 pm

  This took a while for me to sit down and thought it out but this was amazing to see. Perhaps you are wondering what a “FIRE SALE”  is ? If you happen to google for the term, Wikipedia would say “A fire sale is the sale of goods at extremely discounted prices, typically when the seller faces bankruptcyor other impending distress.” however they are others that term it as ”Having many sales within a short time”.  Fortunately I was able to witness such phenomenon recently. Within 4 hours 900 tickets worth $10 each was sold out for this event…

• Facebook Marketing Tips: Viral Contents

  Fadzuli

  3 Mar 2013 | 7:29 pm

  Peace be upon you, I would like to share a simple strategy that could take your contents viral. But first let’s understand what do we mean by being viral. VIRAL comes from the word VIRUS. A virus as we know is a medical term for a disease or drug that is able to spread easily such as the normal COLD and FLU. It’s behaviour works as such that it is able to multiply from the place where it is hosted. From one bacteria its spreads to two and more. In Facebook it may look something very similar, however being viral is subjective and depends on the audience you have created. A content…

• Facebook Action Series Batch 5

  Fadzuli

  1 Mar 2013 | 5:57 am

    How do I book my seats? Please read our terms first. Terms & Conditions: Positions are confirmed after your Payment/Registration made before first session. There will be no re-funds if you fail to attend any classes. Friend/Colleagues cannot be your replacement if you are unable to attend. By attending this workshop, you will be providing confidential data to Fadzuli.com. Hence we will promise you that we will never share your details / data to others. Before Registering please listen to the following advice. 1) If you are married woman who still have a husband, please seek…

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  Entrepreneurs Unpluggd

• 4 Things You Need to Get a Business Up and Running

  Stella Fayman

  20 May 2013 | 6:50 am

  Starting a business can be an extremely challenging process. There are so many different things a business needs that it could seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are really two things a business needs to have potential in today’s world: A good idea and appreciable execution. But that gives everyone the premise of the company. The flesh and blood, the actual needs to get the ball rolling, are a bit more material. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources that can help you recognize just where to start. Here’s a brief list of the things you will need get your business up and…

• How To Uncover Hidden Opportunities

  Mel

  6 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  On my way to my own dream of doing a TEDtalk! Last year I was feeling stagnant. I had ideas I was working on to expand my business, but wasn’t 100% sure how to spark to the growth I craved. As someone who thrives on the known and feels daunted by the unknown, I felt blocked for sure. One thing I definitely believe in is that when you put energy/effort in a direction, things will happen. Period. Thing was, I had been putting energy/effort into my company for a while, but I’d been doing it all on my own. The solopreneur syndrome where you don’t trust anyone to do anything as well as you,…

• Entrepreneurs Unpluggd Needs Your Help!

  Stella Fayman

  2 May 2013 | 11:43 am

  Do you love entrepreneurship? Do you dream of starting companies and relish listening to stories of others’ successes? Are you looking to learn from thought leaders in the entrepreneurship education space? Do you want to make a big impact and name for yourself? We are looking for you!! Tim and I have enjoyed growing Entrepreneurs Unpluggd over the years from a single event featuring 5 Chicago entrepreneurs to monthly events with over 3000 attendees in just 3 years, a blog with growing traffic, and a biweekly newsletter to thousands of entrepreneurs across the US. Recently, we launched a…

• How Can Girl Scout Cookies and Charity Wristbands Help Your Startup?

  Tim Henningsen

  1 May 2013 | 7:00 am

  (photo credit) It’s not uncommon to get the random “you should check out X” or “they are doing Y but look similar” suggestion now and then. It usually comes up in an email exchange or conversation with people in your startup community. In fact, if nobody else was doing your idea it  would be cause for concern! This type of “support” is highly encouraged. We’re all supposed to be helping each other. Right? For young companies that have been shipping code, talking to customers, and gaining some traction for several months the seemingly innocuous…

• 6 Key Aspects of Networking

  Guest Author

  29 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am

  Networking for business purposes has been around since before the U.S. was even a glimmer of an idea in the minds of our founding fathers. We all network. From our days on the playground, all the way up to our higher education stints. There are many ways to do it now, especially since the inception of the Internet. There are online networks such as LinkedIn that are dedicated to making this more convenient than ever. However, the good old fashion way of gathering with a group of like-minded businesspeople to recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities, as stated in Wikipedia’s…

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  Start Up Donut blog feed

• How much do you know about your website visitors?

  Helen Major

  22 May 2013 | 3:44 am

  If you have a business website with Google Analytics enabled, it can be fascinating to see how your customers and potential customers interact with you online. But that’s just a drop in the ocean in terms of competitive intelligence analysis. It can be a complex and expensive endeavour, but if you’re running a start-up and need comprehensive but free tools, here are a few that can provide excellent analytics if you’re willing to put in the time to learn how to use them.  Do your ‘due diligence’ You don’t have to pay to view Companies House accounts if you can download them…

• How to be a successful B&B owner

  guestblogger

  20 May 2013 | 6:08 am

  Some of us have always dreamt of having our own business, but not all of us go through with it. For those who do, it can be a real labour of love. Bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) have been around for many years and they’re a great alternative to hotels and hostels. Not only can they be cheaper, but they are designed to be homely for all who sleep there. Running one takes a lot of time and patience, and many things must be considered for the small business owner. First off, you need to be aware of your target market, because this can greatly affect your success. You need to be able to stand…

• So you want to set up a business?

  Mark Young

  13 May 2013 | 7:27 am

  The short answer is, do it. The longer answer is… When I set up new business development agency Retriever I set it up as a lifestyle business. I could look after a few clients, earn great money and do it all in probably only three days a week. I thought I’d found the Holy Grail and from that point on, life was going to be a breeze. Skip forward six years, and I was still on my own but looking after 12 clients and it was killing me. I got ill, thought about the future and realised I couldn’t do it on my own if I wanted to make good money and survive. Today I have a team of 20 and the…

• Starting an online business: an optician's view

  TimHarwood

  13 May 2013 | 4:51 am

  As an optician I had a well-respected and secure job that paid the bills and gave me a very comfortable lifestyle, but it never quite gave me the fulfilment I was looking for. I always wanted to run my own business and considered starting my own practice, but I didn’t think it was something I was passionate enough about to make a success of it. I had always been interested in technology and so it seemed fairly logical to do something online. Both my business partner (a medical doctor) and I realised that there was a bit of an untapped market in the comparison website niche, because there…

• Start-up funding for aspiring young entrepreneurs

  guestblogger

  13 May 2013 | 3:10 am

  The Start-Up Loans Company, part of the government’s solution to help kick-start enterprise in England and create more jobs for 18-30 year olds, is being championed by tech whizz kid and serial entrepreneur Josh Buckley (@joshbuckley), CEO of gaming giant MinoMonsters. Although born and raised in Kent, in 2010 Josh moved to Silicon Valley to start up MinoMonsters, aged just 18. Now a web veteran at the tender age of just 21, Josh already has a decade’s wealth of experience behind him, and now he is looking to help other young people like him realise their potential by becoming their own…

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  SKMurphy, Inc.

• Learning the Right Lessons From Failure

  Sean Murphy

  16 May 2013 | 7:44 am

  John Finneran recently wrote a postmortem on a startup that aspired to be “the 37 Signals of non-profit software entitled “Fat startup: Learn the lessons of my failed Lean Startup.” It’s a candid narrative the ends with four “lessons learned” First, pursue achingly high standards in every aspect of your startup. Mediocre execution will slowly murder your startup. Second, narrow the scope of your product until you can develop an extraordinary product. The purpose of your first release (and every other release)  is to give your customer immediate value. You…

• Due Diligence Checklist For Evaluating A Service Business for Acquisition

  Sean Murphy

  15 May 2013 | 7:18 am

  We did some work recently advising a client on  a possible acquisition a small service business and came up with a checklist of items to review: key employees – plan for retention and role in merged entity financials check register – all checks in last two years bank statements income sheet and balance statement contracts existing customer contracts  terms and expiration leases and other supplier contracts and obligations sales pipeline and forecast existing Sales Tools proposals statements of work RFP responses demo examples and scripts customer satisfaction (interview to…

• Podcast with Pete Tormey on Forming a Team, Dividing Equity, and Gaining Early Traction

  Sean Murphy

  14 May 2013 | 7:35 am

  Pete Tormey and I decided to do a podcast to address a number of team formation, business formation, and early revenue issues that we have seen in our own startups, in our practices, or hear questions about at the various Bootstrapper Breakfasts® meetings we take part in. Pete is a serial entrepreneur and patent attorney with Antero Tormey. He co-moderates the Bootstrapper Breakfast group that meets the first Wednesday of the month at Boudin Bakery in Embarcadero 4 in San Francisco. We walk around a number of issues around mistakes that break teams up early or plant the seeds that kill a…

• They Screwed Up, They Followed Our Specification

  Sean Murphy

  13 May 2013 | 9:02 am

  A story from when I was working at Cisco about how a lack of trust slowed down the solution to a problem. We had been shipping a successful new midrange router for about a year when we were suddenly faced with a line stop, the boxes were failing final test. The product team was working on new versions and suddenly faced a fire drill to find and fix a problem on a box already in volume production. A quick investigation showed that a cost reduction effort had phased in a new memory part from a different supplier and the design engineers, in the thick of a new design, were frustrated that they…

• Get Out of Your Batcave: Customer Development for Lean Startups

  Theresa Shafer

  3 May 2013 | 6:44 am

  Join us on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 for a new class “Get Out Of Your Batcave: Customer Development for Lean Startups” from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at Education @ PARISOMA in San Francisco, CA. You’ll learn how to: Establish “ground truth” in an early market Use an MVP (minimum viable product)  to explore the market Apply what you have learned to drive early product iterations Make your offering attractive to paying customers This interactive class will cover key concepts and rules of thumb for successful innovation by lean startups. We will cover actionable strategies…

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  EpicLaunch

• Banks vs. Credit Unions: Opening a High Interest Savings Account

  NatalieBracco

  15 May 2013 | 1:44 pm

  Are you considering opening a new bank account? Whether it’s for personal or business, there are a lot of things to consider. Are you going to go with a traditional bank, or a credit union? What are the interest rates? There are many different options, and the details may vary depending on your area. However, there are some basics to consider. Credit Union Image via Flickr by kenteegardin Credit Unions are very localized. They are not national chains, and because of this, they may not be able to offer you the same incentives that larger banks can. Credit Unions, however, are known for…

• Pitfalls Start-Ups Need To Avoid

  Kevin Kaiser

  30 Apr 2013 | 8:00 am

  The U.S economy is driven by start-ups. They play a vital role in the net job creation. However, INC. magazine reports 33 percent of all the new businesses face failure within the first 6 months of operation. 50 percent go on to fail after 2 years, while 75 percent see the wrath after three years. So what are the pitfalls that startups need to avoid in the first 6 months? Let’s take a look at some of the biggest mistakes that startups need to carter to, and the dangers of not avoiding these holes; 1.  Poor management Even though Bachelors or Master degree in Business Administration…

• Boost your start-up creativity with yoga

  Jennifer Lang

  26 Apr 2013 | 3:59 am

  Are you lacking creativity? Sluggish after lunch? Complaining of stiff necks or tight lower backs? If so, you might want to do yourself a favor—bring yoga into your life. Yoga will let you stretch and lengthen your muscles, brains included. Start or end the day, or maybe take a lunch break, with yoga. Plan a fun day and kick it off with yoga. Organize a day of learning with workshops with yoga at the center. Studies show that yoga in the workplace brings the following benefits: increases creativity and efficiency promotes team work, camaraderie and supportive employee interaction provides…

• 5 Important Things Startups Must Do To Keep Business and Personal Finances Separate

  NatalieBracco

  22 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am

  When you own a startup or small business, it can be tempting to combine the money the business makes with your personal money. It is crucial that you not do this. Keeping business and personal finances separate is important for tax purposes, as well as for keeping the business financially secure. So, what are some things you can do to keep your personal and business finances separate? Have Multiple Bank Accounts Image via Flickr by kenteegardin Never, ever combine your household money and the money from your business in one bank account. You need to ensure that you keep separate accounts.

• The Still-Not-Forgotten Art of Complaining About Your Business

  Karol

  15 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am

  If you’re like me then you probably don’t even feel like reading this post. I mean, I bet that 90% of people (myself included) see themselves as those who know better or those who don’t do silly things like complaining about their current situation. But on the contrary, we all have the tendency to do that. And when I give it a closer look, unfortunately, I do too. So before you stop reading simply because this is one of the more ridiculous introductions you’ve ever seen, let me tell you what I exactly mean by complaining. First of all, there’s not going to be any…

• 

  Technical.ly Baltimore

• Baltimore Foundery: downtown makerspace opens [PHOTOS]

  Andrew Zaleski

  21 May 2013 | 8:30 am

  It was by chance that Andrew Stroup and Corey Fleischer, two locals-turned-contestants on a new engineering-focused Discovery Channel TV show, met Jason Hardebeck, the executive director of gb.tc. But despite having only met earlier this year, the three had more in common than they knew: each thought it was high time Baltimore city had its own makerspace — a large, indoor area replete with machine tools, digital tools like 3D printers and equipment for woodworking and metalworking — on par with similar spaces in other cities in the U.S. Through their time on the show, Stroup and Fleischer…

• Curiosityville: subscription youth learning startup shares early metrics

  Ken Berlack

  21 May 2013 | 8:00 am

  Curiosityville, a Cockeysville-based company that wants to foster learning for kids and their families with smarter content and better games, is built on a lot of science. The premise of this subscription-based online education platform targeting kids between the ages of three and eight is rooted in the contemporary science of learning, sometimes called neuro-education, which links today’s cutting edge brain research to the field of education. Visit the site here. “If you can help a child learn to learn and in fact love learning at a young age, research has shown their trajectories were…

• Nine portfolio companies acquired in last 12 months: angel investor Tom Kuegler

  Andrew Zaleski

  21 May 2013 | 7:30 am

  This is Technically Baltimore’s Better Know an Angel. We hope to use this space to highlight local angel investors investing in Baltimore-based startups. If you’re an angel investor interested in being profiled here, complete this questionnaire. Tom “TK” Kuegler is a self-proclaimed Baltimore boy and Kenwood High School graduate, even though he lives in New Hampshire now. The 42-year-old investor is the general partner with Wasabi Ventures, which has offices in Silicon Valley and Charm City and focuses most of its resources on early-stage startups (in order to “grow the…

• AT&T launches Digital Life, wireless home-automation app, in Baltimore

  Andrew Zaleski

  21 May 2013 | 6:00 am

  Can’t wait around at home for the Comcast technician who’s scheduled to hook up Internet service at your house? Use AT&T‘s home-automation service and app, Digital Life, and open the door for the technician remotely from your office desk. The app, first introduced in 15 different cities in April, is expanding to seven more cities Friday, including Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Digital Life users can remotely control the opening and closing of doors, home security and more in a single app through a series of in-home sensors that come with each separate Digital Life…

• Watch Andrew Stroup’s audition video for “The Big Brain Theory” [VIDEO]

  Andrew Zaleski

  21 May 2013 | 5:30 am

  If you’ve been watching the Discovery Channel every Wednesday night at 10 p.m. the last several weeks, no doubt you’ve spotted Baltimore’s Andrew Stroup, one of 10 contestants on “The Big Brain Theory.” The 27-year-old Stroup, who lives in Canton, has been competing in a series of engineering challenges. (Which he has been documenting in guest posts on Technically Baltimore.) But to even be chosen for Discovery’s new show, he first had to submit an audition video, which we have below. In addition to being an engineer with the Department of Defense, Stroup…

• 

  10 Steps to Start-Up

• How Start-Up Companies Can Protect Against Online Defamation

  Howard Greenstein

  27 Apr 2013 | 10:21 am

  Have you ever tried to sign up for an e-mail account, a WordPress blog platform, or a website — and been frustrated to find that the online username or domain name of your choosing has already been snatched up by somebody else? For small businesses and start-up companies, this kind of thing is more than just an annoyance. It can actually pose a threat to your online reputation. How, exactly, can something so seemingly innocuous become a big problem? Consider the following example. Guy Fieri — celebrity chef and restaurateur — owns a Manhattan eatery called Guy’s…

• Don’t Curb Your Enthusiasm

  Howard Greenstein

  26 Mar 2013 | 9:15 pm

  Howard Thurman wrote, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is morepeople who have come alive.”  This is good advice when you are thinking about your startup business, about your career, and about most aspects of your life.  It is also good advice when you are in sales. When you are enthusiastic, when you show your passion for your startup’s product or service, your excitement is transferred to your customers, and they become enthusiastic about what you are selling, too.  This doesn’t mean you have…

• When Is It Time to Sell Your Business?

  Howard Greenstein

  9 Jan 2013 | 3:03 pm

  This week, entrepreneur and owner of Amsterdam Printing, Christopher Wallace fills us in with a guest blog post about how to go about selling your business. For many Wicked Starters, the prospect of selling a company is way down the line. But think of this #foodforthought you can ruminate on now as you plan your startup journey. Read on… Many entrepreneurs are now building their startups with the expressed intent to sell them to another company. This has been fueled by the astronomical offers some startups have recently received in their infancy. One of the latest examples was…

• Operationalize Your Business

  Howard Greenstein

  10 Dec 2012 | 2:04 am

  Operationalizing your business means getting your act together. This is the place where all the planning you’ve done starts to become very real. Operations includes setting up suppliers, vendors, and other key relationships for your business. You may have found some of these connections at earlier steps, but any you’re missing must be filled in now. This is the place to find that online sales platform, that commercial kitchen in which to create your cupcakes, or to find the right manufacturing partner to make your widgets. I’m currently consulting with several startups, in…

• Small Business Branding

  Howard Greenstein

  4 Dec 2012 | 12:25 am

  Every company has a brand, from the largest companies like P&G to the smallest mom and pop store. Small business branding is about creating an experience or a promise that resonates with your customer. Your brand is what customers consider when shopping or doing business with you. It encompasses your look, your logo, your reputation, and the “bucket” into which you fit in the mind of a customer. Branding helps your business create an identity. Once you know that identity, it is easier to figure out who your customers are, and where you can find them. Are you the “high…

• 

  Start-Up Smart

• Start-up Hiring 101

  Bryan Janezcko

  20 May 2013 | 9:08 am

  Hiring employees at a start-up is probably the most important step of any business’s growth. The people you hire are the eyes, ears, hands, and mouth of the company. They will create the products and perform the services, listen for feedback and customer complaints, respond to problems and more. They’re the people who sell, and everyone from the receptionist to the stock clerk has the potential to connect with your customers in a positive or negative way. In addition to thinking about employees as the key parts of a company, it is important to think about team dynamics. Make sure that you…

• How Much Does it Cost to Start a New Business?

  Bryan Janezcko

  25 Apr 2013 | 10:20 am

  Determining your startup costs can be complex. There are many variables to think about and in some cases, the best you can do is to make educated guesses. But the more accurate you can be in estimating your costs, the more likely you are to fund your startup appropriately, and therefore be poised for success. Predicting your startup costs is easiest, according to the Financial Wisdom Small Business Resource Center, if you think about estimates for these three items: 1. One-time startup costs 2. Monthly costs during the startup phase 3. The timing and profitability of revenues during the…

• What’s in My Financial Plan? Part II

  Bryan Janezcko

  19 Apr 2013 | 2:34 pm

  Last week, I went over the first five sections crucial to a financial plan. The next four sections are just as important and include fundamental information you will need to present when you meet with potential investors. Remember a financial plan is necessary when you want to attract outside funding but it is also an adaptable plan that helps you set profit milestones, gauge your business’ future progress and set up your company’s ideal financial trajectory. Here are the final four parts you’ll need in your financial plan: Use of Funds The Use of Funds section shows how you will use…

• What’s in My Financial Plan? Part I

  Bryan Janezcko

  11 Apr 2013 | 8:51 am

  The Financial Plan section is a critical component of the business plan. Having a thorough financial plan will help you determine how much money you will need to turn your idea into a business and serve as a budget once it’s launched. If you aren’t experienced with creating budgets or using spreadsheets, it will be important to have someone on your side who is – ideally an accountant or CPA, but, many communities offer free resources to help you review or prepare these with you. You can talk to aSCORE mentor with financial expertise, seek assistance at a local Small Business…

• How to Track Your Sales: Metrics, Tips and Tools

  Bryan Janezcko

  7 Apr 2013 | 8:25 pm

  One of the most effective ways to increase your sales is to track what works and what doesn’t, so that you can focus your efforts most effectively. Now you may not have expensive algorithms and a large sales team to track your progress but you can be just as successful by strategizing around three key factors: Does your business have a seasonal or other time-related component? Many restaurants are busy on some days of the week and not so busy on others; most retail stores move the most merchandise during the winter holidays; and health clubs tend to gain more members at the beginning of…

• 

  The Startup Slingshot

• 6 Important Lessons From This Year’s Growth Hacker Conference

  William Griggs

  11 May 2013 | 5:26 pm

  The second annual Growth Hacker Conference in San Francisco, run by Gagan Biyani and Erin Turner, features some of the smartest growth hackers from the world’s biggest tech companies, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. Collectively, the products they’ve worked on have acquired billions of users/customers and created loads of value for customers and investors alike. The conference happened last week, and videos of speakers should be available on Udemy in the near future, but I wanted to share what I leaned in the meantime. (And if you attended, I encourage you to share what you…

• Should You Find A Co-Founder Or Go At It Alone? — With Noam Wasserman of Harvard Business School

  William Griggs

  15 Nov 2012 | 2:00 am

  Today’s guest is Noam Wasserman. Noam is a professor at Harvard Business School and the author of the bestselling book, “The Founder’s Dilemmas.” In this episode, I am going to talk with him about the dilemma founders face when deciding whether they should go at it alone, or recruit a co-founder. Enjoy! About Noam Noam Wasserman is a professor at Harvard Business School. For more than a decade, his research has focused on founders’ early decisions that can make or break the startup and its team. At HBS, he developed and teaches an MBA elective, “Founders’ Dilemmas,” for which…

• What The Heck Does A Startup CEO Do? — with Sam Decker

  William Griggs

  1 Nov 2012 | 3:00 am

  Today’s guest is Sam Decker. Sam is the co-founder and CEO of Mass Relevance. In this episode, I am going to talk with him about the role of a startup CEO including how it changes from a team of three to a team of 50 people. Stay tuned to the end to hear Sam share how you can go about coming up with a big idea for your next startup. Enjoy! About Sam Prior to Mass Relevance, Sam Decker was founding Chief Marketing Officer at Bazaarvoice, the leader in Software as a Service (SaaS) social commerce technologies serving over 1,000 brands. Decker was responsible for building the company’s…

• How To Find, Connect With, And Leverage Startup Advisors With Bill Boebel Of Capital Factory

  William Griggs

  25 Oct 2012 | 3:30 am

  Today’s guest is Bill Boebel. Bill an experienced entrepreneur, investor, and startup advisor. In this episode, I am going to talk with him about his experience advising startups so that you can learn how to find, connect with, and leverage startup advisors for your company. Enjoy! About Bill Bill is an entrepreneur and an investor/advisor to a dozen really cool tech companies. In his spare time he helps out at Capital Factory, 500 Startups and TechStars. Bill was the founder and CTO of Webmail.us, which Rackspace acquired in 2007. After helping to scale his email business, Bill spent a…

• (BIG IDEA Series) How Wahooly Plans To Help Thousands Of Startups Just Like Yours

  William Griggs

  18 Oct 2012 | 3:30 am

  Today’s guest is Dana Severson. Dana is the co-founder and CEO of Wahooly, a company that seeks to help startups connect with the influencers they need to breakout and attract customers. This interview is a part of the “BIG Idea” series where I will showcase entrepreneurs from around the world that are tackling huge opportunities. In this episode, I am going to talk with Dana about where the idea for Wahooly came from, what he did to get it off the ground, and how you can benefit from their work. Enjoy! About Dana Dana Severson is a Minneapolis-based entrepreneur, veteran adman and…

• 

  Startup Law Blog

• Washington State to Regulate Venture Fund Managers

  Joe Wallin

  20 May 2013 | 1:19 pm

  This article is appearing simultaneously on The Venture Alley and on Startup Law Blog. Readers may feel free to re-post this content elsewhere as well. The world is changing for venture funds and similar funds in Washington State, and not necessarily for the better.  It used to be the case that managers of venture or other private funds did not need to file anything with the SEC or state securities regulators (other than Forms D incident to their fundraisings).  Dodd-Frank changed all that – but provided that investment advisers solely to venture capital or other small private funds…

• SEC Fires Another Salvo in the “Finder” Debate

  Joe Wallin

  17 May 2013 | 8:56 am

  The SEC recently issued orders against two individuals and a company and, in doing so, continued the debate over what conduct requires someone acting as a “finder” to be registered as a broker or dealer or associated with a registered broker or dealer.  This new guidance makes clear that the SEC takes a hard-line position on unregistered finders who receive transaction-based consideration, under facts and circumstances where such finders take an active role in securities transactions. In the words of the SEC, “[t]he federal securities laws require that an individual who solicits…

• Young Entrepreneur Social Charity Auction

  Joe Wallin

  17 May 2013 | 8:09 am

  Do you want to make a local impact right now? Are you someone interested in encouraging young entrepreneurs and leaders here in Seattle? Or, are you a young leader yourself who is interested in building a better community locally? On June 6th, the Young Entrepreneur Social is hosting a charity auction at the Bellevue Arts Museum in support of an innovative online platform that will incentivize young leaders to connect, share resources, mentor and volunteer to make a difference in their local communities. YES, a local non-profit supporting young entrepreneurs and leaders, believes this…

• 

  JUAN GREAT LEAP

• Universities Represent!

  Peter Cauton

  15 May 2013 | 3:57 am

  Universities Represent! (from L – R) Christian Go (ADMU), Albert Mercado (MAPUA), James Fernando (DLSU), me, Angeli Recella (DLSU), Red Bermejo (ADMU), Quina Baterna (ADMU), Luis Gan (UP) I had an absolute blast early today with 6 awesome student leaders (sorry Angeli, you don’t count anymore) talk about ideas on how to propagate the startup movement in campuses. Basically, the group introduced themselves to one another, ate doughnuts, and then the awesome brainstorming happened. There is one big plan the group is concocting (to be revealed soon). The next step is to get more…

• How To Assemble Your Startup Entourage

  Peter Cauton

  14 May 2013 | 1:34 am

  (the following is a guest post by multi-awarded entrepreneur Maoi Arroyo) As a junkie of all things startup, I’ve always loved shows like Bloomberg’s TechStars. Whichever season you watch, these entrepreneurship-themed reality shows try to select the best teams as opposed to the best ideas. As Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, famously said “The view that good ideas are rarer and more valuable than good people is rooted in a misconception of creativity. If you give a good idea to a mediocre team, they’ll screw it up. But if you give a mediocre idea to a great team, they’ll make it…

• Last Two Days for Early Bird Rates for Pitchcraft!

  Peter Cauton

  14 May 2013 | 12:29 am

  Hey people! At midnight tomorrow, May 15, the early bird rate for Pitchcraft: How To Develop a Killer Pitch for Raising Capital and Recruiting will expire. For the content it provides (great speakers, killer panel, chance for real pitches in front of institutional investors), I think this is a great deal, so you might want to grab tickets now. You can do so here.  Filed under: ANNOUNCEMENTS, TOOLS AND RESOURCES Tagged: maoi arroyo, philippine startups, pitchcraft

• Juan Great Leap Calls on 5 More Student Leaders!

  Peter Cauton

  10 May 2013 | 2:50 am

  I’ll be meeting around 5 student leaders next Wednesday, 4pm, at the STORM conference room, at Unit 602, Centerpoint Building, along Julia Vargas. The main agenda will be: 1) How to push entrepreneurship and the startup movement in universities 2) How to help student entrepreneurs   (Map here) Our conference room seats around 10 people, so there are 5 seats still free. I wanted to open it up to interested parties. Do you want to join this conversation? If you are an incoming undergraduate student, interested in entrepreneurship, and you’re the type of person who gets things…

• May Open Coffee Is Now Brewing! Sign up now!

  Peter Cauton

  9 May 2013 | 3:49 am

  WHAT: MAY OPEN COFFEE WHEN: 930am-12:00 noon, Saturday, May 18, 2013 WHERE: 47 East Co-working Compound (47 Esteban Abada, Loyola Heights, QC) Inviting ALL entrepreneurial-minded people: young or old, newbie or veteran to join this month’s edition of OPEN COFFEE. This event has been outdoing itself every month we have it, so I’m pretty excited to see what this month’s version will  offer. Don’t you miss it! Sign up here now! Here’s how the last one went… Filed under: ANNOUNCEMENTS, TAKE THAT LEAP! Tagged: 47 East, open coffee, philippine startups

• 

  Blog

• Formlabs Starts Shipping Form 1 - Desktop 3D Printer

  Keith Cline

  20 May 2013 | 6:10 pm

  Release Date:  Wed, 05/22/2013 - 08:00 Author:  Dennis Keohane - Contributor, VentureFizz Thumbnail:  Home Page Image:  Teaser:  Local 3D Printer Company Formlabs had quite busy last weekend.  First, they were on the road repping their product at Maker Faire in San Francisco and the International Contemporary... Local 3D Desktop Printer Company, Formlabs had quite busy last weekend. First, they were on the road repping their product at Maker Faire in San Francisco and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (IFCC) in New York. More importantly, however, was…

• Zeppelin, the Inbox for Business Data, Launches New Mobile Version Product

  Keith Cline

  20 May 2013 | 5:55 pm

  Release Date:  Tue, 05/21/2013 - 06:45 Author:  Dennis Keohane - Contributor, VentureFizz Thumbnail:  Home Page Image:  Teaser:  On Tuesday morning, Anže Vodovnik and Davorin Gabrovec are holding an event in Kendall Square to unveil the mobile version of Zeppelin, their one-stop data and analytics... On Tuesday morning, Anže Vodovnik and Davorin Gabrovec are holding an event in Kendall Square to unveil the mobile version of Zeppelin, their one-stop data and analytics management tool for business. Native Slovenians, Gabrovec and Vodovnik created Zeppelin in order to…

• Bonuses Are Toxic At Startups

  Keith Cline

  19 May 2013 | 3:08 pm

  Release Date:  Mon, 05/20/2013 - 06:00 Author:  Eric Paley - Managing Partner, Founder Collective Thumbnail:  Home Page Image:  Teaser:  Venture backed startups are incredibly ambitious. A startup team comes together to try to create something highly improbable and well beyond what can reasonably be expected... Venture backed startups are incredibly ambitious. A startup team comes together to try to create something highly improbable and well beyond what can reasonably be expected given the scarce resources at hand. Once financed, everyone at the startup should have a…

• Throwing a Fastball Down the Middle

  Keith Cline

  16 May 2013 | 2:39 pm

  Release Date:  Fri, 05/17/2013 - 07:30 Author:  Rob Go - Co-Founder and Partner, NextView Ventures Thumbnail:  Home Page Image:  Teaser:  Right after OMGPOP released DrawSomething to rave reviews (and traction), I was catching up with my friend Nabeel Hyatt and chatted a bit about the game’s meteoric... Right after OMGPOP released DrawSomething to rave reviews (and traction), I was catching up with my friend Nabeel Hyatt and chatted a bit about the game’s meteoric rise.  I joked that the success was eerily well timed with him joining Spark as a Venture…

• Awesome.me Helps You Shine a Light On... YOU

  Keith Cline

  15 May 2013 | 1:37 pm

  Release Date:  Thu, 05/16/2013 - 07:30 Author:  Dennis Keohane - Contributor, VentureFizz Thumbnail:  Home Page Image:  Teaser:  Patrick O’Quinn, the founder of Awesome.me, built his media-sharing-platform company with two personal beliefs in mind. The first is that everyone has greatness in them; second... Patrick O’Quinn, the founder of Awesome.me, built his media-sharing-platform company with two personal beliefs in mind. The first is that everyone has greatness in them; second, he feels that people need a better opportunity to represent and be proud of what…

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  Startup Addict

• Blabpredicts.com helps you spot Content before it’s Viral

  jon.negroni

  8 May 2013 | 12:51 pm

  What if you could predict which conversations online are going to become important days before they do? Well, blabpredicts.com is a service meant for just that. The service allows you to discover which topics and conversations, even surrounding your brand, are gaining momentum online, allowing you to track which ones are worth paying attention to. To me, the concept makes perfect sense. Freelance bloggers such as myself pride ourselves in talking about content before everyone else is, and the staggering potential for businesses is pretty obvious. From crisis communication to brand…

• Is Jelli the Next Big Thing For Social Radio?

  jon.negroni

  6 May 2013 | 1:18 pm

  Though the streaming radio startup has been around since 2009, it has recently managed to reach international fame and status through high crowdfunding achievements (up to $9 million), so this is definitely a tech idea worth reviewing. I was actually introduced to Jelli through my employer, who is a veteran with radio broadcasting but not too impressed with streaming stations like Pandora and Spotify. In fact, our office is pretty obsessed with determining which streaming radio service is best, with me advocating for Slacker, others for Spotify, and there is this one guy who actually…

• Forming a business in the UK

  Tod Whipple

  6 May 2013 | 11:31 am

  We’ve discussed how to setup a new company in the United States in several of our previous posts but felt compelled to touch on procedures for setting up a new company in the UK as well. It’s important for any entrepreneur considering setting up in the UK to appreciate the differences from the US. While business people in the US are accustomed to dealing with the laws and regulations in 50 different states, the UK businesses are subject to a single set of rules under the Companies Act 2006. You must also take care to adhere to the directives of the European Union too. All new UK…

• Virtual Offices – Pros and Cons

  Tod Whipple

  1 Feb 2013 | 5:48 am

  (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Many new businesses are choosing to operate virtual offices instead of carrying out day-to-day business in the traditional office environment. Commuting costs, travel expenses and the desire to have flexible work schedules are all contributing factors to the rise in virtual offices. A virtual office has many advantages, but there are weaknesses to consider for individual business needs. Read on to find out what we consider to be the pros and cons of running your own virtual office. Pros: Save money on rent, utility bills and commuting. You will still need a PO Box…

• Yapp – create your own mobile app in minutes

  jon.negroni

  14 Nov 2012 | 1:16 pm

  The startup Yapp, is offering its users the ability to create their own personal apps that they can share with friends. It is not a service designed for more interactive apps. For the purposes of this review, I will highlight both the potential and the limitations of Yapp. I experimented with the beta version of Yapp several months ago and walked away from it unimpressed, mostly because the official service had not yet launched, so I did not see the value in creating something that would not be seen. Well, that all changed when Yapp announced their official launch the other day, so I though…

• 

  http://incubes.tumblr.com/

• #Ontario has an ICT Startup Cluster 2nd only in North America to...

  atravisscorry

  21 May 2013 | 3:55 am

  #Ontario has an ICT Startup Cluster 2nd only in North America to Silicon Valley & ranked best support for tech entrepreneurs! (From Forbes)

• INcubes Mentor @AssafWeisz chosen in @CBC young leader feature...

  atravisscorry

  20 May 2013 | 6:37 am

  INcubes Mentor @AssafWeisz chosen in @CBC young leader feature http://goo.gl/ZFdYK

• FROM THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY itBusiness.ca Toronto-based...

  atravisscorry

  19 May 2013 | 6:16 am

  FROM THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY itBusiness.ca Toronto-based startup incubator Incubes will have something new to offer its next cohort thanks to partnerships with IT solutions firm T4G Inc. and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF). ($15,000 startup financing and access to more.) Toronto-based IT services outfit T4G has offices across the country and specializes in a range of technical categories including e-commerce, business intelligence, Web hosting, and more. Now it will be lending those services and the help of its 260 employees to the entrepreneurs looking to create a business in…

• New Mentor and Perk for the next cohort!

  rwhittall

  17 May 2013 | 11:00 am

  We are excited to announce that Gary Swart, CEO of oDesk has joined the INcubes mentor network and startups in the program will be offered oDesk work credits! Thanks Gary and Shoshana for coming into the office this week!

• INcubes and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation Partner to support Canadian entrepreneurs

  rwhittall

  15 May 2013 | 9:37 am

  Organizations will join forces to foster high-potential Canadian entrepreneurial companies. Toronto, Canada - May 13th, 2013 - INcubes, an internet startup accelerator based in Toronto, and the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), are pleased to announce that they have partnered to provide financing and support to companies chosen for the INcubes Accelerator. In partnering, the two organizations will be able to offer more resources to ensure the success of companies going through INcubes’ intensive three-month acceleration. “INcubes provides mentorship-based acceleration structured…

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  Verge Startups

• If I Knew Then What I Know Now…16 Founders Share Their Top Lessons

  The YEC

  19 May 2013 | 10:15 am

  The following answers are provided by members of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, the YEC recently launched #StartupLab, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses via live video chats, an expert content library and email lessons. What lesson would you teach your younger self about entrepreneurship, given what you know now? 1. Embrace Change When I started out, I thought success meant everything working out the way…

• Find Your Voice So You Can Die Empty [Video w/ Todd Henry]

  Matt Hunckler

  22 Apr 2013 | 6:13 am

  “In the midst of the craziness, everything in our life becomes unstructured,” Todd commiserated. We’ve all been there: pulled in different directions, out of sync, and just plain fried. But we don’t always know how to get ourselves back to that state of flow so we can do our best work. Todd Henry is the author of The Accidental Creative, a book that unveils how you can create your best ideas when you need them most. I was lucky enough to talk candidly with Todd about how we get ourselves in these various states of “fried” and (more importantly) what,…

• Awesome startup communities create ‘Startup Triangle’ in SW Indiana.

  David Dubree

  6 Apr 2013 | 10:58 am

  The startup scene has really taken off in southwest Indiana over the last several months. Terre Haute, Evansville and Bloomington seem to form a ‘startup triangle’ for the region.   For starters, there has been no lack of Startup Weekend events. The first Crane event launched on October 5th, 2012. Bloomington on November 9th, 2012. Terre Haute‘s first ever event on February 8th, and right on it’s heels Startup Weekend Evansville 2.0 kicked off on February 22nd. Not to be left out, a little outside the triangle Louisville, Kentucky fired off an event the following…

• Startup Fever Hits Terre Haute

  David Dubree

  18 Feb 2013 | 3:32 pm

  An awesome event took place in Terre Haute, Indiana last weekend and I was fortunate enough to be involved and live to tell about it. During the weekend of Feb. 8th, 2013 over 85 energetic startup enthusiasts, business coaches and local leaders came together in a friendly competition to pitch ideas, form teams, build prototypes and push for a 1st place finish in the very first Startup Weekend Terre Haute. Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. Friday afternoon as…

• Ramping Up Your Indiana-based Startup This Year? This Could Be Your Golden Ticket.

  Matt Hunckler

  3 Jan 2013 | 1:29 pm

  UPDATE: Deadline extended to 2:30 PM, Fri. January 4 They’ve given away hundreds of airline tickets to entrepreneurs. They’ve granted millions of dollars worth of software. And they’re looking for a handful of founders who want ramp up their business in 2013. Come on, you know who I’m talking about… Startup America has been known to leverage their partnerships with companies like American Airlines, Intuit, Microsoft, and the New York Stock Exchange to pull in massive favors for growing companies. Just take a glance at their board, which includes a LinkedIn…

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  Planio Blog

• Agile Breakfast

  brian-sheehan

  6 May 2013 | 11:24 pm

  by Oliver Widder at Geek&Poke Did you enjoy today’s comic? If so, share the love with a Like/Tweet below!

• Planio 101: How to Create a New Project

  brian-sheehan

  23 Apr 2013 | 8:29 am

  Over the last year we’ve discussed many exciting features within Planio, many of which are brand new (CC Additional Contacts, New Mini Features), several are quite Project Manager-friendly (Milestones & Roadmaps), and others are just downright awesome (E-Mail Drop Box). Today I was thinking that it may be a good time to step back and look at a subject that we’ve never discussed here on the blog AND affects every new user: how to create a new project. Yep, believe it or not, we’ve never done a walkthrough of this, the most instrumental of actions for all Planio users. So,…

• New Feature: CC Additional Contacts in CRM & Helpdesk

  brian-sheehan

  31 Mar 2013 | 6:26 am

  A new set of mini-features have been added to Planio and we’re excited to tell you about them! The focus of these new features is the recognition of additional contacts; essentially, Planio now supports the specification of secondary contacts (and CC e-mail recipients) in the CRM & Helpdesk feature. By the way, if you want to get up-to-speed on all the cool things our CRM & Helpdesk can do, be sure to check out these articles from the Using the CRM & Helpdesk series: Part 1: Administrative Steps, Intuitive E-Mail Handling Part 2: Specifying a Custom Reply, Using Automated…

• Stackoverflow

  brian-sheehan

  20 Mar 2013 | 6:37 pm

  by Oliver Widder at Geek&Poke Did you enjoy today’s comic? If so, share the love with a Like/Tweet below!

• New Mini-Features

  brian-sheehan

  12 Mar 2013 | 1:12 am

  We’ve recently introduced a trio of new mini-features that are designed to aesthetically please (image attachment thumbnails), keep you up-to-date on upcoming issue due dates (day setting for e-mail reminders), and provide more flexibility with a project parameter (new option to calculate percentage done). So, without further ado, let’s check them out: Image Attachment Thumbnails When attaching an image to your issues, a thumbnail of the image can now appear on your Issue Details screen. This is particularly handy when “role-diagram-2013-v5-5.png” just doesn’t…

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  Funders and Founders | Funders and Founders

• How Funding Works – Splitting The Equity Pie With Investors

  Anna Vital

  9 May 2013 | 11:30 am

  A hypothetical startup will get about $15,000 from family and friends, about $200,000 from an angel investor three months later, and about $2 Million from a VC another six months later. If all goes well. See how funding works in this infographic: First, let’s figure out why we are talking about funding as something you need to do. This is not a given. The opposite of funding is “bootstrapping,” the process of funding a startup through your own savings. There are a few companies that bootstrapped for a while until taking investment, like MailChimp and AirBnB. If you know the…

• Getting On The Right Line Of Thinking – Think Like an Entrepreneur

  Anna Vital

  1 May 2013 | 8:13 am

  How does one learn to think? If you get lost, here is a line of thinking map. “Forget everything you learned,” they told me on the first day of law school. Three years and $150,000 later they erased from my mind all the half-truths I learned from school and my family. They were not teaching law, they acknowledged, they were teaching thinking. As an entrepreneur, you, too, have to relearn everything from scratch. By yourself. As much as it seemed like a ripoff back in law school, I later realized knowing how to think is the most valuable thing. Period. You can do it yourself, for…

• Why We Live – Counting The People Your Life Impacts

  Anna Vital

  29 Apr 2013 | 3:35 pm

  If you were to have your last party, ever – how many people would be there? If this question itself is unsettling it is because you want your life to have an impact. A big one. Counting the people we impact, I made the following estimation. Wanting impact goes back to the question of why we are alive. Often we answer it by saying what we want to do in life. To grow, to learn, to experience, etc. Counting the people we impact, there is another way to think of this. You can focus on the impact of what you do rather than on what you do. Once you do that, you might see that you want to do…

• Small Realizations of Big Entrepreneurs

  Anna Vital

  25 Apr 2013 | 3:21 pm

  How much do you need to know to build a startup? From what I have seen of big entrepreneurs and founders they tend to not worry about knowing things, but rather doing things. A lot young people have an education. Often it is the education that disables them from doing – they know so much that they don’t even know where to start. Walking out of my law school graduation I remember sensing that I had too much information, and little idea of what to do with it. What does the alternative look like? Having little information, and acting on what you know. This infographic very simply…

• The History of Creating Value – How Humans Made Money In Different Eras

  Anna Vital

  24 Apr 2013 | 4:52 pm

  At this point in history, startup entrepreneurship has become the fastest way of creating value, and thus the fastest way to move upward in life. But this opportunity is unlike other opportunities humans had in history. Here is how you could create value before:   You can see that Gross World Product (all the stuff the world produces) grew exponentially after industrialization because serious mass production became possible. Creating Value in Different Periods The Hunter Age. After hunter-gatherers became growers and herders, some people realized that it is faster and easier to go take…

• 

  Life-Long Learner

• Startup BD and Channel Partnerships with Andrew Dumont, Director of BD at SEOmoz

  Scott

  21 May 2013 | 1:18 am

  I recently had the chance to chat with Andrew Dumont, director of BD at SEOmoz. I’ve been following him from a distance after discovering his blog so it was awesome to get some facetime to rap BD, life, and other coolness. In this interview we talk about: His introduction to working in tech at the ripe age of 18 years young and various startup experience since then (Tatango -> Seesmic -> SEOmoz) How to manage business development relationships when you’re company pivots…a lot What the heck business development at SEOmoz actually means How he evaluates channel partnerships and…

• Why To Avoid LinkedIn Messages

  Scott

  12 May 2013 | 7:57 pm

  A lot of people in my Skillshare classes ask me whether you should send LinkedIn messages when reaching out to prospects? Short answer: avoid this at all costs. In this video below I discuss WHY reaching out someone on LinkedIn hurts your chances of getting a response and the framework I use to determine which method of communication is best for engaging prospects.   In general, I almost always approach people via email because that is where people I do business with interact with contacts they know and trust. That’s the bucket you want to be in – not the random people from…

• Lifehack Video Fun: 80/20 Approach to Networking, Creating Serendipity, And MAS

  Scott

  8 May 2013 | 6:30 pm

  I recently talked lifehacks, BD, WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER LINKEDIN MESSAGE SOMEONE etc at the New York Lifehack Meetup. Thanks for having me Sam Hysell! Below you’ll find some video fun where we talk about: How I got involved with SP How to take the 80/20 approach to hack networking (shhhh…don’t tell anyone) Ways to “create value” for people when trying to network with the big boys The art of “creating serendipity” and how I got Keith Ferrazzi, author of my favorite book Never Eat Alone to buy me dinner How to give people a personal update on your life…

• Your Most Important Muscle and 10 Ways to Overcome Fear

  Scott

  5 May 2013 | 12:56 pm

  Read this quote and tell me you’re not compelled to evaluate your life… “Your willingness to look foolish is a small price to pay to get everything you ever wanted” WHOWZERS…..The crazy thing is it’s true.  In this post, I’m going to tell you how to overcome fear so you can get the things you want… I strongly believe that the biggest thing that holds us back from getting everything we want is fear. Fear to look dumb. Fear to fail. Fear for retribution. Fear to even ask for what you want!!! You know what’s weird? I bet 99% of the time your…

• How To Get A Free Dedicated Virtual Assistant For 6 Months

  Scott

  1 May 2013 | 7:35 pm

  I have a dedicated virtual assistant who helps me out for 10 hours a month through an awesome company called Zirtual. For the next 6 months I’m getting this service for free… My virtual assistant’s name is Josiah and he’s an absolute stud. Today I want to tell you how I’ve leveraged existing assets to get this service for free for ATLEAST the next 6 months (retail value $1200 bones!). If you discount a crap ton of existing work on building a platform, this took me less than 2 hours accomplish. Time to explain… Today, the only way you can get access to…

• 

  IdeaMensch

• Kyle Sanders – CEO of Complete Web Resources

  mario

  17 May 2013 | 11:00 am

  “You are the product of your aggregate experiences and that directly contributes to your success in business.” Kyle Sanders is an eCommerce and small business SEO consultant on a mission to help online businesses improve their web presence, business strategy, and topline revenue. Presently, Kyle is the CEO of Complete Web Resources, a full-service digital marketing refinery and SEO agency with offices in Denver, CO and Austin, TX. Additionally, he’s also the co-founder of ClinicVitamins.com, a national, online vitamin dispensary dealing exclusively in professional-grade health…

• How Enrique Iglesias Can Help You Find Your Inner Happy

  mario

  16 May 2013 | 12:00 pm

  Beats, rhythms, and swaying your body changes your brain. Changing brain waves changes your mood. I have a friend who often says, “We live in interesting times,” He’s right. But things have been a little too interesting lately. You know things are bad when a gal comes into YOGA and starts talking about the European money markets.  On that note, our leader took us right into relaxation poses rather than our usual stretches. Another powerful way to calm a stressed brain is with upbeat, steady music. Beats, rhythms, and swaying your body changes your brain. Changing brain waves changes…

• Brittany Dowell – Vice President at Influence & Co

  mario

  16 May 2013 | 12:00 am

  “I think trying to help others in a community is the best thing for an entrepreneur to do.” Brittany Dowell is a vice president at Influence & Co., a thought leadership and content marketing firm that assists experts and brands in growing their influence by getting bylined articles published in the world’s leading online publications. She works with experts in dozens of different industries to develop content and connect them with editors at the most reputable and noteworthy publications in their areas. Brittany has worked in the marketing departments of several large…

• Shane Hurley – CEO of Sphyra

  mario

  15 May 2013 | 9:00 am

  It’s challenging to be positive when nothing is going right but you have to always keep your head up and move forward. Shane Hurley is the CEO of Sphyra and has ventures in several other industries including entertainment, real estate and transportation. He serves on several boards as well as participates in multiple community events and charities. His company has been recognized as the 16th fastest growing privately held company in WA state. Shane was also recognized in 2012 in his region as one of the 20 top business professionals and entrepreneurs under 40. Most recently Shane received…

• Kytka Hilmar-Jezek – Best Selling Author of Book Power

  mario

  14 May 2013 | 10:43 am

  Write a book. No matter what business you are in, writing a book will give you credibility and recognition. Kytka Hilmar-Jezek, is a Best Selling Author of Book Power: A Platform for Writing, Branding, Positioning & Publishing, Reiki for Children, The Waldorf Community Exchange, Waldorf Talk Series, Born To Learn and The Growing Entrepreneur. She founded Waldorf Homeschoolers in 1996 and has been an active voice in alternative education since. Her latest company, Be More Network helps business people share their messages and gain leverage by authoring and publishing their books. Kytka is…

• 

  Mark Evans Tech

• Why Startups Should Create Customer Personas

  Mark Evans

  21 May 2013 | 4:30 am

  For startups looking to break into the market, identifying their customer is obvious. Far too often, however, startups tend to look at target audiences as one amorphous group that has the same characteristics, needs and interests. The problem with a one-size-fits-all approach is while “the customer” may appear to be the same, they may actually break down into several target segments with slightly differently needs and interests. A startup’s product may serve all customer segments but the messaging to reach them can’t be the same. What works well for one group, may not…

• This Week in Canadian Startups (May 18, 2013)

  Mark Evans

  20 May 2013 | 4:26 am

  For people who have been watching Pebble for awhile, it has been fascinating to see its path from a smart watch project created by students at the University of Waterloo to being the belle of the ball at Kickstarter (more than $10-million raised) to now raising $15-million in venture capital. Pebble is the lead story in the newest edition of “This Week in Canadian Startups”. There is also two items about incubators: a Financial Post suggesting incubators are failing because they don’t spawn enough successful startups, while Mark MacLeod counters that incubators are doing a…

• Startups and the Art of Storytelling

  Mark Evans

  14 May 2013 | 4:05 am

  As brand journalism and content marketing become more engrained into the way that companies do business, storytelling is clearly becoming more important. There are a couple of reasons why this is the case. First, good stories are interesting, attractive and compelling. Second, brands will need to become better storytellers as content marketing becomes table stakes. When everyone’s telling stories, you need to be better at it to rise above the crowd – something we’re seeing in social media. So, how do brands tell good stories? It starts by being customer-centric, which means…

• Should Startups Use Consultants?

  Mark Evans

  10 May 2013 | 6:30 am

  Earlier this week, the New York Times’ “You’re the Boss” column asked whether small and fast-growing businesses should hire consultants. The author, Clifford Oxford, opined that consultants should mostly be kept away: “This is the human factor of growth, and quite frankly, most consultants contaminate the whole place. Keep them out of this part of the business. Think about snakes in a wood pile. In fact, go back and find that 10-foot pole and grow without them.” As a consultant who provides marketing services to startups, I think Oxford is wrong because it…

• How Much Should Startups Spend on Marketing?

  Mark Evans

  7 May 2013 | 4:30 am

  How much should startups spend on marketing? It’s a difficult to answer question to answer because many startups think that anything spent on marketing is a challenge to justify, whether it’s $100/month for a digital tool or $25,000 for an extensive media and blogger outreach program. The reality is most startups see marketing as a luxury or something that solves a point of pain, rather than a need-to-have or an exercise that has solid ROI. As a result, establishing a marketing budget can be a daunting exercise. The easy answer is how much to spending on marketing is do more than…

• 

  jrodthoughts

• Stay Away from Workaholics

  jesusmrv

  17 May 2013 | 5:30 am

  I find writing this post a bit ironic and I am, without a doubt, a workaholic. Between the rapid growth of KidoZen, leading the strategy side of TelIago and some third-party projects I work around 16 hours during weekdays and another 8-10 hours during the weekend. I don’t complain about it. I have the privilege to be at a point in my life on which I enjoy what I am doing more than at any other time in my career and I am convinced that it takes that kind of effort to make a difference in this highly competitive market. Having said that, I tried very hard to not encourage that type of…

• Announcing KidoZen: An Enterprise Mobile Platform as a Service

  jesusmrv

  2 May 2013 | 6:35 am

  Today is one of the proudest days of my life. After almost a year of running a very successful and humbling private program we are super happy to announce the general availability of our KidoZen platform. KidoZen is our attempt to DEMOCRATIZE and REVOLUTIONATIZE enterprise mobility providing a simple, secure and feature rich model to enable enterprise-ready backend and management capabilities to mobile apps. KidoZen is challenging the traditional mobile enterprise application platform (MEAP) model that for years have contaminated the enterprise mobility ecosystem an incredible complex and…

• Want to Be Creative? Be Happy!

  jesusmrv

  1 May 2013 | 5:38 am

  Cognitive science has become one of my favorite non-technical subjects during the last year. For the last few months, I have been reading a ridiculous amount of books and research papers about different cognitive science subjects ranging from psychology to neurosciences. It never ceases to amaze me how a basic understanding of human’s reactions can help us to make better decisions in the business world or influence the culture of an organization. A great example of this are some fascinating studies that a good friend sent me about some of the elements that influence creativity. Creativity…

• Dreams Fly High at Venture Hive: The Hidden Treasure of Miami’s Startup Scene

  jesusmrv

  22 Apr 2013 | 5:41 am

  Last Friday was demo day at Miami’s startup accelerator Venture Hive. This was the opportunity for the companies in the program to present to potential investors and other influential people in the South Florida business community. For me, Friday represented the culmination of three months of my first role as a mentor on a startup accelerator program. While watching the presentations and trying to revisit all the wonderful memories and experiences of the last few months, I couldn’t avoid but feeling very proud of having had the opportunity to contribute to such an important program to…

• I Want Control, I Want a Pretty Tittle, It Makes Me Feel Happy

  jesusmrv

  11 Apr 2013 | 5:41 am

  The story sorts of goes like this: One of your employees continuously express the desire of leading or managing specific activity and have more control over certain decisions given their particular expertise on that specific area. After months of hearing this argument, you finally decide to promote that person to that management position to implement some of his ideas. Immediately, you realize that, even though your employee is very happy with the new “title” or position he constantly struggles to make any decision and is constantly asking for the involvement of his superiors to address…

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  swombat.com

• Four pricing principles

  Daniel Tenner

  22 May 2013 | 1:15 am

  Excellent points by Des Traynor: Charge earlier than you're comfortable Charge more than you're comfortable Justify (or kill) your lowest plan Plan on changing prices Each of those deserves highlighting, but Des already does a good job of discussing them in the article, so I'll just comment on the last one. Pricing is a very tricky thing to get right the first time. Yet, in a world where we are willing to A/B test so many things, we are strangely reticent towards changing our pricing around dramatically. Yet the stories of startups that changed their pricing schemes (not just their prices,…

• Sometimes, failure is your best option

  Daniel Tenner

  21 May 2013 | 7:15 am

  Brad Feld: I strongly believe that there are times you should call it quits on a business. Not everything works. And — even after trying incredibly hard, and for a long period of time — failure is sometimes the best option. An entrepreneur shouldn’t view their entrepreneur arc as being linked to a single company, and having a lifetime perspective around entrepreneurship helps put the notion of failure into perspective. Entrepreneurship is a career (and a safe one at that). But that doesn't mean that every startup you start has to succeed for you to be successful. Quite the contrary.

• Corrosive Acquihires

  Daniel Tenner

  14 May 2013 | 7:15 am

  Acquihires are not that much of a problem in London. There are a lot of talented people available for hire, and for a Google or an Amazon, it'll be more productive to poach great software engineers from the financial services world (you probably don't even need to pay them as much as a bank would) than to pay massive premiums by acquiring startups. Still, interesting to read this analysis by Mark Suster: You have been at Google, Salesforce.com, Yahoo! for years. You have worked faithfully. Evenings. Weekends. Year in, year out. You have shipped to hard deadlines. You’ve done the death-march…

• Stop looking for a cofounder

  Daniel Tenner

  13 May 2013 | 11:15 pm

  Dave Lerner: Even without a co-founder, you can acquire skills and employ powerful tools to get to a minimum viable product all by your lonesome. In fact, it’s so easy and accessible, there really is no excuse not to. Imagine how powerful this is. You can generate a massive amount of value before even thinking about having to dilute your equity. Ironically, this is actually the best way to find co-founders, early employees and investors — just get a real business up and running by yourself! I think "I just need a cofounder to get started" ranks up there with "I just need $100k to get…

• Taking the leap

  Daniel Tenner

  15 Mar 2013 | 4:57 am

  I'm a pretty stern opponent of the idea that entrepreneurship is like jumping out of a plane. As an image, it has all sorts of incorrect implications (you only have one shot, you'll die if you fail, it's really scary, it can end in something horrible and violent, it's for thrill-seekers, etc) which mislead new entrepreneurs badly. For example, many will stake everything on that one startup and not realise that entrepreneurship is a career, and that it will probably take them years to get the hang of it. That said, when you're sitting in your comfortable office chair in the office of a large…

• 

  Platform Thinking

• Marketplace Metrics: The three success factors

  Sangeet Paul Choudary

  8 May 2013 | 8:50 am

  Note: This article was originally published on TheNextWeb Marketplaces are difficult businesses to run. Like all multi-sided platform businesses, they suffer from the classic chicken and egg problem: the technology has no value unless buyers and sellers are present and you can’t get the buyers on board unless you have sellers and you can’t bring in sellers without having buyers. Hence, building a marketplace is a lot like building two separate companies simultaneously, each dependent on the other. There are three factors that determine success for a marketplace business: Liquidity or…

• Dissecting Amazon’s Platform Play

  Sangeet Paul Choudary

  1 May 2013 | 11:27 pm

  Question: Is Amazon a Pipe or a Platform or both? Short Answer: It’s complicated! Long answer follows… Pipes and Platforms are two contrasting business models, as we noted in the last post. However, the internet itself is a platform on which others (you, me, web developers, app makers, everyone) create value. By virtue of this fact alone, every business on the internet exhibits some Platform characteristics, even if it may appear to be a Pipe. Platform Thinking is an approach to creating internet businesses with platform characteristics. The question above was raised by one of the…

• Why Business Models Fail: Pipes vs. Platforms

  Sangeet Paul Choudary

  24 Apr 2013 | 3:06 am

  Why do most social networks never take off? Why are marketplaces such difficult businesses? Why do startups with the best technology fail so often? There are two broad business models: pipes and platforms. You could be running your startup the wrong way if you’re building a platform, but using pipe strategies. More on that soon, but first a few definitions.   Pipes Pipes have been around us for the last 400 years. They’ve been the dominant model of business. Firms create stuff, push them out and sell them to customers. Value is produced upstream and consumed downstream. There…

• Users or Customers?

  Sangeet Paul Choudary

  13 Apr 2013 | 12:13 am

   If you’ve been around the internet startup world for long enough, you’ve probably engaged in the user-customer debate at least once. Who’s the user? Who’s the customer? Who should we be focusing on? I’m going to start off a series of posts talking about the basic elements of Platform Thinking and this being the first, I’d like to talk about the User-Customer debate since that lies at the very heart of how we think about the design of internet businesses. If we put on the Platform Thinking lens, we essentially do away with the user-customer debate and…

• Building Online Marketplaces: A checklist for Disruption

  Sangeet Paul Choudary

  2 Apr 2013 | 6:12 am

  Marketplaces employ the platform business model by connecting buyers and sellers and enabling them to transact. I have written a lot about marketplaces in earlier posts on this blog. Nir Eyal and I have collaborated in the past and we got together again to make this post happen. Bill Gurley had written an interesting post on marketplaces a few months back with tons of wisdom packed into a page. Nir and I wanted to make this more digestible for entrepreneurs. Going through a post with ten different points sometimes leaves one overwhelmed. We wanted to distill the essential points into a…

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  DreamPushers is the home of originality, startups, and visionaries. Melbourne, Australia.

• THE WORLDS FIRST SKATEBOARD WITH AN ELECTRONIC CANVAS

  yourdream@dreampushers.com (© Chris Joannou)

  3 May 2013 | 1:03 am

    We created the World’s First Skateboard with an Electronic Canvas. But this is no regular skateboard, This is one of the world’s most advanced electric motor vehicles. It hits speeds of 20km/h and features a lithium battery similar to what they use in mac laptops. It gets up to 18km distance per charge. And [...]

• Startup Grind Melbourne Hosts Patrick Llewellyn (Founder // 99Designs)

  yourdream@dreampushers.com (© Chris Joannou)

  29 Apr 2013 | 10:00 pm

  THIS IS A PAID EVENT PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE Patrick Llewellyn, 99Designs Patrick Llewellyn joined 99designs, the world’s largest graphic design marketplace, in 2009 after a decade advising Australian technology and media companies at NexTec Strategic Capital. In 2010 he moved to San Francisco to open a U.S. office and oversee U.S. and international expansion. [...]

• TYNKER // TEACHES CHILDREN TO CODE THROUGH GAMES

  yourdream@dreampushers.com (© Chris Joannou)

  29 Apr 2013 | 9:43 pm

  As a kid growing up with games I didn’t learn much more than the value of a mushroom or star! Actually that is not true, collecting gold coins was perhaps also a pre-cursor to my world view on capitalism =) Fortunately for us, Tynker a computing platform designed to help teach kids programming skills by playing [...]

• A Guide to Melbourne’s Startup Scene

  yourdream@dreampushers.com (© Chris Joannou)

  20 Apr 2013 | 7:19 pm

    If you didn’t know already I live in Melbourne and I love Startups :) When I searched ‘Startup Melbourne’ guess what ranked #1? Surprise,Surprise – StartupMelbourne.com (Actually ranks number 2 now). Anyway, the site had been inactive for awhile and I wanted to revive it for two reasons, first I like that it was [...]

• MEET PRODUCER // BONES EL GALACTICO

  yourdream@dreampushers.com (© Chris Joannou)

  14 Apr 2013 | 9:00 pm

  We sat down with Music Producer Bones El Galactico to talk shop. He is tearing it up at the moment and wanted to see what makes him tick. Bones El Galactico is a Producer, Creator, Writer, Artist, Designer.   Describe your Style Musically my style varies. One day I can wake up and work on [...]

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  Start Up Business Ideas

• 6 Reasons Why You Need an Accountant

  Caroline Baxter

  21 May 2013 | 5:32 am

  Many small business owners are reluctant to hire an accountant for their business. They shy away from hiring an accountant for fear of the fees associated with professional accounting advice. Some business owners believe that hiring an accountant is redundant and that they can handle all their accounting themselves. However, after taking into consideration the [...]The post 6 Reasons Why You Need an Accountant appeared first on Start Up Business Ideas.

• 25 Call to Action Examples That Really Work

  Caroline Baxter

  21 May 2013 | 1:50 am

  A ‘call to action’ is part of your website where you ask a reader to take some sort of action. It should be easily identifiable and should show your site reader exactly what you want them to do and how they will do it. Buttons and graphics are usually used to point out clear, identifiable [...]The post 25 Call to Action Examples That Really Work appeared first on Start Up Business Ideas.

• 5 Killer Guerrilla Marketing Ideas

  Caroline Baxter

  17 May 2013 | 11:19 am

  The term “guerrilla marketing” was reputedly coined by Conrad Levinson in his book “Guerrilla Marketing” which was published in 1983. Guerrilla marketing is an advertising strategy that employs low-cost unconventional means to promote a product or service. Guerilla marketing campaigns often defy traditional marketing ideas and methods, and include strategies such as flash mobs, viral [...]The post 5 Killer Guerrilla Marketing Ideas appeared first on Start Up Business Ideas.

• Why Getting Advice Is Important For Young Entrepreneurs

  Caroline Baxter

  15 May 2013 | 3:00 am

  Just how valuable is input to the newbie entrepreneur? Today, being an entrepreneur is made up of two simple things “being smart” and “keeping lean.” Factor in the current economic distress, and the changing face of traditional bricks and mortar business, and you have an increasingly difficult environment for a young, inexperienced entrepreneur to get [...]The post Why Getting Advice Is Important For Young Entrepreneurs appeared first on Start Up Business Ideas.

• Think and Grow Rich

  Caroline Baxter

  14 May 2013 | 9:52 pm

  Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill Although a little dated due to the fact that it was writted in 1937, Think and Grow Rich is a great starting point for anyone interested in personal development and creating a ‘Mindset’ from which to re-launch your life. It’s not a step by step manual, it simply [...]The post Think and Grow Rich appeared first on Start Up Business Ideas.