July 2011
39 posts
How A Startup Grew 600 Percent By Telling The... →
The story of AHAlife proves how storytelling can transform a business.
4 tags
4 tags
“The average reward in Japanese companies is worth barely five dollars, and...”
– Matthew E. May on why we shouldn’t pay for ideas, but help inspire them instead.
6 tags
Revolutionizing The Ice Cream Business: Jeni’s...
Q: What has been your biggest success?
A: When we were starting out, no one took us seriously, but when we opened our first store (in 2006), one of the best chefs in the city put us on his menu. I framed that and realized we were going to be okay.
Q: How do you compete with the Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs’ of the world?
A: We engage people with the customer service...
5 tags
Our Tumblr Community Asks: How Do I Find... →
How early is too early to find investors for a startup? Finance expert Mike Periu explains on OPEN Forum.
6 tags
“In today’s fast-evolving business world it’s essential to encourage your entire...”
– Elaine Pofeldt on the 5 types of employees you can’t afford to keep.
8 tags
Twitter, Facebook And LinkedIn: Where Should You...
More than once, I’ve had a new client come to me and say that she wants to be on “all the social networking sites.”
When I dig a little deeper and ask for details, that almost certainly means that the client wants her business to have a presence on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. But the why of the matter is a little harder. Basically they believe that since potential...
4 tags
5 Ways You Can Raise Your Prices Right Now →
Here’s why you should forget price as a marketing tactic and how you can do it while keeping customers.
2 tags
6 Common Blunders Of Lousy Leaders →
Avoid these common blunders of lousy leadership that could be holding you back.
5 tags
From CEO To Social Entrepreneur: How Jeff Church...
Jeff Church is an ordinary guy. He’s in his mid-40s, has four kids and lives in San Diego. What isn’t so ordinary about him is his mission: to make a difference in the developing world.
For the past 25 years, Church has spent his time working in the business world, heading up several companies—but a few years back, he felt his thoughts shift direction.
“I started asking myself...
6 tags
What Mark Zuckerberg’s Google+ Snooping Can Teach... →
The Facebook CEO teaches us an important business lesson: stay ahead of the competition by becoming their best customers.
8 tags
“It goes without saying, but sometimes you may be tempted to lend advice despite...”
– - Scott Belsky on sourcing and giving great advice
7 tags
7 tags
8 Creative Ways To Profile Ideal Customers
“When you narrow your message and audience to a group who values what you are selling, then the rest of your marketing system becomes obvious and easy to implement—not to mention the fact that you’ll save tons of money by only investing in tasks, tools and resources your ideal customers appreciate,” says Ivana Taylor
Read more tips on profiling customers on...
4 tags
Why Your Business Should Hunt Deer Not Squirrels →
The CEO of the world’s largest social media monitoring tool explains why it’s essential to focus on the bigger picture.
This is how you land a dream job: Foursquare's... →
tristanwalker:
today marks two years since i sent my very first email to dennis and naveen (wow i was such a nerd! ha). naveen sent a reminder to team foursquare today and i thought i’d share it on my blog. Man, how times have changed:
Hey Dennis and Naveen How’s it going? Hope all is well! My name is…
“Gen Y is scared of being screwed-over by corporate America because they saw...”
– Agree? From new OPEN Forum author Penelope Trunk’s latest post on her personal blog. And check out her recent OPEN Forum piece, on “How To Find Top Talent Before They’re Stars”.
6 tags
The Power Of Millennials
“Millennials” grew up with technology at their fingertips in an era of instant gratification. For them, multitasking is second nature: they talk on the phone while updating their Facebook status and simultaneously typing a paper. Expression and acceptance are more important to this generation, and they have high expectations when entering the workplace. These qualities are...
3 tags
9 Business Lessons From The Roadside Stand →
That roadside stand in your community might never become a large corporation, but it offers valuable business advice.
7 tags
“Unless you are building the next commercial spaceship or electric car, you...”
– Read more on startup myths on OPEN Forum.
4 tags
7 tags
6 tags
Benchmark Your Business To The Startup Genome →
Does your startup have what it takes? Mike Periu takes a look at a report indicating key levels of growth for startups.
6 tags
WatchGet more social media insights from Gary Vaynerchuk on OPEN Forum here and here.
4 tags
Would You Pass The Marshmallow Test?
In 1972, psychologist Walter Mischel of Stanford University conducted a novel experiment. Researchers led children aged between four and six years into a room consisting of only a table and a chair. The researcher would place a marshmallow on the table in full view of the child, and as his or her mouth started watering, the researcher offered the child a choice: eat the...
“Branding is one of those big words that marketers and multinationals see as core...”
– Does branding really matter? Read more on OPEN Forum.
4 tags
7 Ways To Self-Promote Without Selling Out →
How do you sell yourself without sounding like a sleaze? Here are some easy tips towards smart self-promotion.
“Choksi thinks that being a woman actually is “a huge advantage.” She goes on,...”
– Sheryl Sandberg & Male-Dominated Silicon Valley : The New Yorker (via sarpa)
4 tags
Top Tweeters To Follow For Small Business And... →
Stay on top of small business trends with these 10 must-follow experts!
5 tags
“Today, we have 100 employees and I’m usually the last person to interview each...”
– Read more of Thrillist CEO Ben Lerer’s hiring advice in How I Hire and Why I Suck Less At It These Days.
4 tags
5 Quick Ways To Become A Better Networker →
Networking isn’t about knowing the most people. Here are 5 easy steps towards networking the right way, right now.
5 tags
Tim Westergren on Pandora's Success
Q: What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
A: First, I’ve learned how important it is to surround yourself with great people. It takes a lot of people to get over the hump and it can be very challenging. I didn’t do this on my own. A lot of people have been part of it.
Second, I’ve learned to realize that these kinds of things take time and that you need...
4 tags
Where To Save And Where To Spend : Money ::... →
There’s a difference between being cheap and being thrifty. Make sure you’re spending and saving where it’s needed.
4 tags
“You can build a company for any reason you want. I hear from countless people...”
– Read more of Andy Beal’s entrepreneurial insights on OPEN Forum.
5 tags
10 Signs You're A Micromanager—And How To Reform
A keen attention to detail is necessary when analyzing critical reports, drafting budgets, or ensuring tasks are completed on schedule. But there is a big difference between being an involved manager and one who sticks his or her nose in everybody’s business.
Micromanaging may boost productivity in the short-term, but over the long haul it creates employee hostility, compromises...
“Great leadership is all about managing uncertainty. Challenge yourself to accept...”
– Scott Belsky, OPEN Forum 