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Tag: innovation

  • 3 Ways to Preserve Your Brand’s Humanity in the Era of AI | Entrepreneur

    3 Ways to Preserve Your Brand’s Humanity in the Era of AI | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Would you like a side of fries with your AI?

    Wendy’s is betting that your answer is yes.

    Earlier this year, the company unveiled a plan to bring generative AI technology to its drive-thru visitors. Instead of dealing with a person, hungry patrons would be greeted by a chatbot programmed to get their orders right.

    Those of us who’ve tried to converse with a fast-food worker through a scratchy sound system would probably find this move a blessing. Who wouldn’t want to remove obstacles to getting grub for a bunch of hungry, restless kids in the back seat? Yet Wendy’s foray into AI might well serve up more than just a meal. It might be yet another sign that AI is being used to bypass the brand-customer human touch.

    This isn’t to suggest that AI tools aren’t valuable. They are, and leaders know it. McKinsey & Company found that 55% of businesses have adopted AI in some capacity. But the almost-feverish desire to automate has some executives worried. At a Yale University summit, a full 42% of CEOs sounded alarm bells about AI’s potential for humanity’s destruction. That’s pretty scary stuff.

    At the same time, you can’t allow yourself to be left behind in the AI arms race. You need to figure out a way to remain competitive without losing your brand’s human side. And that’s doable if you take steps to preserve the humanity of your organization.

    Related: The Complete Guide to AI for Businesses and How It’s Making a Difference

    1. Bring AI solutions into the fold thoughtfully

    There’s nothing wrong with using AI solutions to enhance and optimize your processes. Fair warning, though: You shouldn’t just adopt tools left and right. Rather, take a more thoughtful, pragmatic approach and ask if an AI product will help or harm your company’s humanness.

    Where should you start? Research scientists at MIT Sloan recommend studying the ethical effects of all AI you’re evaluating. Does the AI free up time and space for your employees to have deeper interactions with buyers? Or does it have the power to hurt some end users or stakeholders? For instance, consider a generative AI software like ChatGPT. It can churn out content faster than humans, but the content may lack depth and contain inaccuracies. Therefore, although it may technically make populating your blog simpler, it could steal from your ability to provide truth and value.

    Each time a team member brings up an AI product to test, think about the long-term effects. Map out the good, bad and unintentional outcomes. That way, you’ll be able to see if you’re about to gain more positives or negatives if you bring the AI into the fold.

    2. Gear up your human-to-human outreach efforts

    Let’s say you have a customer service chatbot and AI-powered marketing campaign generator. Both products could allow you to rev up your team’s efficiency. Nevertheless, you may still be worried that customers won’t get as much of a chance to see the people, purpose and humanity behind your brand. One way to overcome this issue is with authentic outreach vehicles.

    Take podcasts, for example. More and more B2C and B2B brands have entered into the podcast realm, my professional arena. Podcasts are excellent opportunities to send your voice and message out to the world. Plus, they’re popular: More than 100 million people are expected to tune in next year. When you’re sharing information over a podcast as an expert, there’s no barrier between you and the listener. On the contrary, you’re creating a stronger, richer bond between you and the people you’re reaching.

    Other outreach options that are also effective at bridging any AI-constructed gaps include webinars, video blogs and even live #AMA (“ask me anything”) sessions. All of them encourage you to tap into your storytelling and teaching skills. Consequently, you get the benefit of increasing your thought leadership acumen while simultaneously upping your brand’s humanity.

    Related: AI vs. a Human Touch: Finding The Right Balance When It Comes to Branding

    3. Resist the temptation to hide behind AI tech

    I’ve always appreciated technology and what it can do for businesses and their workers. With that said, I’m not a fan of those who hide behind AI. For example, you might use an AI plug-in to elicit feedback from customers. That’s a great idea. Surveys — particularly those taken right after a purchase is made — can reveal how satisfied your customers are.

    But what happens when a customer isn’t happy and makes it quite clear on a survey? Do you immediately try to get in touch to find out why or do the right thing? Or do you simply allow this critical moment to pass because it feels like “just another data point?”

    Ideally, AI should free up your (and everyone’s) time so they can make the most of touchpoint opportunities like the one I just described. It may not be your favorite thing in the world to call a cranky customer. Nevertheless, it’s a lot better — and more lucrative — than losing the customer for good. American Express research reveals that acquiring a new customer is up to six times as costly as retaining one. And nothing beats a personal reach-out to soothe a buyer’s irritation and highlight the empathetic humans behind your company.

    The development of AI innovations isn’t going to stop. Fortunately, AI doesn’t have to interfere with your brand’s humanity. As long as you use AI consciously, as well as balance it with human outreach and connections, you can avoid problems. And that’s advice you can take all the way to the drive-thru.

    Related: 3 Ways to Lean into Tech Without Losing the Human Touch

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    Lindsay Tjepkema

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  • Pig-Heart Transplant Recipient Is Doing Well After a Month

    Pig-Heart Transplant Recipient Is Doing Well After a Month

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    WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s been a month since a Maryland man became the second person to receive a transplanted heart from a pig—and hospital video released Friday shows he’s working hard to recover.

    Lawrence Faucette was dying from heart failure and ineligible for a traditional heart transplant when doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine offered the highly experimental surgery.

    In the first glimpse of Faucette provided since the Sept. 20 transplant, hospital video shows physical therapist Chris Wells urging him to push through a pedaling exercise to regain his strength.

    “That’s going to be tough but I’ll work it out,” Faucette, 58, replied, breathing heavily but giving a smile.

    The Maryland team last year performed the world’s first transplant of a heart from a genetically altered pig into another dying man. David Bennett survived just two months before that heart failed, for reasons that aren’t completely clear although signs of a pig virus later were found inside the organ. Lessons from that first experiment led to changes before this second try, including better virus testing.

    Attempts at animal-to-human organ transplants—called xenotransplants—have failed for decades, as people’s immune systems immediately destroyed the foreign tissue. Now scientists are trying again using pigs genetically modified to make their organs more humanlike.

    In Friday’s hospital video, Faucette’s doctors said the pig heart has shown no sign of rejection.

    “His heart is doing everything on its own,” said Dr. Muhammad Mohiuddin, the Maryland team’s cardiac xenotransplantation chief.

    A hospital spokeswoman said Faucette has been able to stand and physical therapists are helping him gain strength needed to attempt walking.

    Many scientists hope xenotransplants one day could compensate for the huge shortage of human organ donations. More than 100,000 people are on the nation’s list for a transplant, most awaiting kidneys, and thousands will die waiting.

    A handful of scientific teams have tested pig kidneys and hearts in monkeys and in donated human bodies, hoping to learn enough for the Food and Drug Administration to allow formal xenotransplant studies.

    The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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    LAURAN NEERGAARD / AP

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  • 6 Common Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face (and How to Overcome Them) | Entrepreneur

    6 Common Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face (and How to Overcome Them) | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Millions of new businesses are started by women every year, though they still hold the minority percentage compared to men. One report found only 39.9% of new businesses were created by women in 2022 compared to 60% created by men.

    Although the opportunities and expectations are starting to shift in favor of women, they still face challenges that affect their entrepreneurial goals. But with any hope, the future percentage will be more equitably distributed. Each entrepreneur faces their own hurdles. Here are a few common ones women experience most.

    Related: Women Entrepreneurs Face Unique Challenges. Here’s How to Thrive in the Face of Adversity.

    1. Surpassing social expectations

    Female entrepreneurs often face scrutiny regarding how they dress, speak, and interact with others. Especially in a professional setting, society has them toe the line between being too conservative and too casual and scaling back from appearing too aggressive versus the male-given adjective of assertive.

    However, being controlled by this see-saw way of thinking, for women to commandeer the spaces they’re in, it’s best to take the age-old advice to: be yourself. Listening with empathy and collaborating with others are often viewed as feminine traits, which can be combined with speaking up in meetings and leading presentations, which are automatically assumed by males.

    There doesn’t have to be an either/or approach to try to fit the idea of how women should feel they ought to dress and act. It comes down to personal comfort and confidence, both of which will outshine any stereotypes that are placed upon them.

    Related: These Are the Biggest Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face (and What to Do)

    2. Creating professional connections

    The “boys club” excludes women entrepreneurs from important conversations and opportunities. Moreover, some women may feel the need to raise their competitiveness against other women, feeling a sense of scarcity from a lack of options. The truth is that there is room for everyone to succeed. This mentality can help female leaders form meaningful connections and future partnerships to support their business growth.

    Though women should welcome all networking opportunities, there are female-oriented spaces geared toward the specific challenges women entrepreneurs face. These can create a safe place to share similar concerns and welcome new solutions from others facing the same situations.

    Related: 4 Ways Women Can Leverage Network and Build Better Connections

    3. Finding a work-life balance

    Work-life balance has been a hot topic of conversation, fueled by the changes brought on by the pandemic in 2020. Entrepreneurs across all industries have shifted their priorities to make more room for “life” activities and moments.

    However, for women, in particular, caregiving falls squarely on their shoulders, with an estimated 62% of women providing more than 20 hours of weekly care compared to 38% of men. This imbalance contributes to other problems in maintaining work-life balance, including job and financial security and physical and mental health and well-being. Therefore, managing schedule flexibility to support self-care and/or familiar caregiving responsibilities has become a priority for women entrepreneurs, evolving past the previous “hustle culture” of the past.

    4. Celebrating their accomplishments

    Unknowingly, women often downplay their accomplishments rather than celebrate their wins. For many, sharing a win can feel like bragging or superficial. Others may know it’ll spark jealousy in others, which can lead to catty responses. However, women should be as proud as men for their accomplishments and not be afraid to speak up about them.

    This fade-into-the-background approach also aligns with how men and women differ regarding their resumes or applying for new opportunities. Men are confident, sometimes overly so, in talking about their qualifications. At the same time, women aren’t as likely to be forthcoming with their accolades forthright, even if they are factual and not inflated.

    5. Handling a fear of failure

    Insecurities are a big challenge holding women entrepreneurs back from taking the next big step. Having the courage to make and learn from mistakes is something every entrepreneur must have. The road isn’t always linear and full of plenty of setbacks, but failure often leads to bigger, better things.

    However, when women are given opportunities, they know there’s a lot of weight on them to not fail. It’s underserved pressure and unrealistic expectations as not every idea is going to be a winning one. Not every strategy or client is going to be the right fit. Understanding how to cope with the fear of failure and getting back up and trying again is a lesson every woman entrepreneur will learn time and time again and become stronger for.

    Related: Female Founders Need to Stop Self-Sabotaging

    6. Asking for help

    Whether it’s asking for virtual administrative assistance or capital funding from investors, women face the challenge of asking for help and delegating responsibilities. The perception of being able to handle everything alone is usually ingrained. But as business grows, it’s only practical to call on help when needed.

    Asking for help leaves space and energy to streamline efficiency to maximize efforts. A good way to identify areas where help is most impactful is to look at the list of to-dos and see which tasks can be delegated to someone else. This applies to both business and personal life. Social media, scheduling, onboarding, cooking, all of these types of tasks can be assigned as needed to free up time to concentrate on business goals.

    Building a business is hard enough without the additional challenges women entrepreneurs face that men don’t. As the workforce continues to shift and glass ceilings are broken, women can show up in professional spaces and receive the same opportunities and advantages. Until then, maintaining strong support through community and staying resilient are two attributes females have become all too much of an expert in.

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    Kelly Hyman

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  • Debunking 4 Common Myths About Being a Bold Business Leader | Entrepreneur

    Debunking 4 Common Myths About Being a Bold Business Leader | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In the realm of business, few terms capture the imagination quite like “boldness.” Entrepreneurs and established business leaders alike are often told that being bold is the ticket to success. But what does it really mean to be bold in the world of business? It’s easy to mistake boldness for mere risk-taking or to believe it’s reserved for the startup world, where every move can make or break a company. However, true boldness is more nuanced, encompassing decision-making, innovation, speed, inherent traits and collaboration.

    Before diving deeper into the intricacies of business strategies, it’s essential to dispel some myths about boldness. In this article, we’ll dissect the concept, aiming for a clearer understanding of what it truly means to be bold and how it can be harnessed effectively in any business environment. True leadership recognizes that audacity is as much about preparation as it is about action.

    Related: The Benefits of Bold Leadership and How Leaders Can Develop a Bold Mindset

    1. Dissecting boldness and risk

    The world often romanticizes the idea of the “fearless” entrepreneur who takes enormous risks and subsequently reaps enormous rewards. This narrative pushes the belief that boldness and high risk are synonymous. However, genuine boldness in business decisions is not about throwing caution to the wind. Instead, it’s about being assertive and confident in one’s decisions, especially when those decisions are rooted in solid data, careful analysis and keen insight. Truly bold moves are often the product of meticulous planning, understanding potential outcomes and calculating potential setbacks.

    They strike a balance between courage and caution. Embracing and understanding fear, rather than denying it, is the cornerstone of truly bold actions in business. Daring decisions are made with a vision, fueled by insight and backed by informed confidence. The difference between recklessness and boldness is the depth of knowledge and the clarity of vision.

    In movies and stories, the brave businessperson is often shown as someone who jumps into situations without thinking too much and then finds success because of that bravery. It’s like they’re suggesting that if you’re bold, you don’t need to plan or think things through. But in real life, being bold in business doesn’t mean acting without thinking. Real boldness is like a tightrope walker who practices for hours, ensuring each step is precise. They might seem fearless to us, but they have prepared and know exactly what they’re doing. Similarly, when a business leader makes a bold move, it’s after lots of research, advice from experts and careful thought about the pros and cons. They aren’t just hoping for the best, they have planned for success.

    2. The startup misconception

    A closely related misconception is that only startups, with their agile nature, are the ones making these so-called “bold” moves. The belief is that established companies, with their foundations and reputations, have more at stake and thus are more conservative in their approach. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Boldness is not restricted by the age or size of a company. In fact, for many established companies, the pursuit of innovation and the courage to adapt to changing market dynamics are what keep them relevant and competitive. They too need bold strategies to navigate the ever-evolving business landscape. It’s not about the age of the company, but the mindset with which it operates.

    When we think of established businesses, images of towering skyscrapers, legacy brands and decades-old institutions might come to mind. It’s easy to assume that these titans of industry, having weathered numerous storms, would adopt a “play it safe” mantra. After all, they have reputations to maintain and legacies to protect. However, this mindset can be a trap. In reality, regardless of a company’s stature or age, stagnation is one of the most significant threats. The business world is dynamic, and resting on past laurels can quickly render a company obsolete. Just as startups need to innovate to break into the market, established companies need to continuously evolve to stay in it. Take Netflix, for instance. Once a simple DVD rental service, it pivoted and embraced the world of online streaming, transforming into a global entertainment behemoth.

    Related: How to Develop Bold, Assertive Self-Confidence — Your Power Tool for Success in Life and Business

    3. Speed doesn’t always equal boldness

    Another common misconception in the business world equates boldness with speed. There’s a prevailing thought that quick decisions, rapid pivots and immediate actions are markers of a bold entrepreneur or a daring company. While agility and adaptability are indeed valuable traits, especially in a fast-paced market, boldness isn’t merely about velocity. At its core, boldness is about impact. Some decisions, even if they’re groundbreaking or game-changing, require careful contemplation, research and planning. The true measure of a bold move isn’t how quickly it’s made, but how profoundly it affects its intended target, whether that’s a company’s internal culture, its market position or the industry at large.

    This perspective arises from the idea that swift action is indicative of confidence, that it showcases a leader’s ability to adapt quickly to evolving circumstances. Boldness isn’t always about the speed of a decision, but its depth and impact. Bold decisions are made with a vision, fueled by insight and backed by informed confidence. The boldest moves are often the result of a meticulous play between intuition and information. Audacity is not just about momentum, but direction — not just about speed, but destination.

    Many transformative actions in business history resulted from extensive contemplation and patience. Bold leaders understand that some choices need time to be refined, their implications fully understood and their potential impact thoroughly assessed. A decision’s true boldness is defined by its lasting effects on an organization or industry, not merely the speed at which it was made.

    4. Bold leadership and the power of collaboration

    There’s an age-old image of the bold leader, a solitary figure, paving their unique path, guided solely by their instincts. Such tales have perpetuated the myth that to be bold, a leader must go it alone. In reality, some of the most groundbreaking decisions arise from collaboration and a collective effort to address the biggest challenges. Bold leadership often entails recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge and expertise and being open to collaboration above competition for the greater good. True boldness in business recognizes that in unity, there is innovation, and in collaboration, there is strength.

    The most successful leaders are those who understand the value of diverse perspectives, who aren’t afraid to seek advice and who realize the strength in strategic partnerships. They know that being bold can sometimes mean pooling resources, knowledge and expertise. In today’s interconnected business landscape, collaboration isn’t just beneficial, it is often essential for groundbreaking innovations and strategies. Being truly bold means acknowledging that the collective, at times, may be able to see farther than the individual.

    As the business world evolves, our understanding of concepts like boldness must also transform. True boldness in business is multifaceted, encompassing not just risk-taking, but strategic planning, continuous learning and effective collaboration. By challenging traditional notions and embracing a more nuanced view, leaders can harness genuine boldness to drive their businesses forward in meaningful and impactful ways. Let’s get #bold!

    Related: The Boldness of Business: 3 Rare Ways to Turn Courage Into Success

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    Leigh Burgess

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  • Meta Is Paying Celebs Millions for Their AI Likeness, Chatbot: Report | Entrepreneur

    Meta Is Paying Celebs Millions for Their AI Likeness, Chatbot: Report | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

    Meta is paying one top creator as much as $5 million over two years for six hours of work in a studio to use their likeness as an AI assistant, according to The Information.

    Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the AI assistants during the company’s Connect event last month. While the company has its own AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT, it also introduced 28 new ones with different personalities that use celebrities’ images.

    For example, Kendall Jenner’s likeness is used for Billie, who is portrayed as a big sister to give users advice. And Tom Brady plays Bru, a chatbot for debating sports.

    Meta has also brought onboard creators like MrBeast, the most-subscribed individual on YouTube, and the TikTok star Charli D’Amelio.

    The Information reports that Meta was initially willing to pay more than $1 million to use the stars’ likenesses, but shelled out more for big names. The report doesn’t say which person was paid $5 million, but primarily refers to creators.

    Right now, the AI assistants are only text-based but Meta’s announcement video featured clips of the celebrities speaking as their AI counterparts.

    In an interview with The Verge, Zuckerberg said there’s a “huge need” for AI versions of celebrities. Although he said that would be “more of a next year thing” due to brand safety concerns, because celebrities would want to make sure their image won’t be used to make problematic statements.

    At the same time as its AI assistants, Meta also launched AI stickers. But that feature has come under criticism as users have managed to generate wild images like a child soldier and a lewd image of Justin Trudeau.

    Meta did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

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    Pete Syme

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  • How to Ensure Your Website Succeeds in the Experience Economy | Entrepreneur

    How to Ensure Your Website Succeeds in the Experience Economy | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In an era where consumer expectations are perpetually in a state of renewal, products and services can no longer afford to be just functional or aesthetically pleasing; they must also deliver exceptional experiences. In the age of the experience economy, a period where the line between the tangible and the intangible has blurred, the spotlight is squarely on the experience that a brand can offer.

    Consumers are no longer simply purchasing a product but investing in experiences that can shape perceptions, evoke emotions and foster long-lasting relationships. The shift is irrevocable and brings new challenges and opportunities for digital designers.

    Related: The New Rules Of Customer Experience

    What is the experience economy?

    The experience economy is transforming how we interact with physical and digital environments. This lens focuses on the entire ecosystem of experiences that surround our actions. When you step into a café, for instance, you’re not just purchasing a latte — you’re stepping into a crafted ambiance that encapsulates the aroma of freshly ground coffee, the comfortable seating, the curated playlist and even the art on the walls. It’s this broader experience that you’re buying into, not just a simple transaction for goods or services.

    The experience economy doesn’t just stop at physical spaces. Its principles extend into the digital realm, fundamentally altering how websites, apps and technologies are designed. User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers at our own agency have advocated for building and designing experiences as opposed to solely designing a website or digital interface. With user-centric design, there is a greater emphasis on the emotions and immersive feeling that users feel on their user journey.

    Essentially, in the experience economy, designers are not just shaping products or services; they are shaping the experiences that resonate on a deep, emotional level with consumers. Whether it’s the ease of navigating a mobile app or the visual splendor of an interactive website, each element is fulfilling a memorable experience. How can one ensure their website is up-to-par with the experience economy?

    Create immersive and dynamic visuals

    User participation should factor in to ensure that your users can undergo an experience. Users are actively participating simply by navigating the website itself, however, incorporating immersive and dynamic features can elevate that experience to greater heights. To craft an immersive and dynamic website, designers must leverage a blend of animations, user interactions, microinteractions and other engaging elements. Thoughtfully executed animations can bring a site to life, guiding users’ attention and offering smooth transitions between sections.

    Interactive elements — such as hover effects, parallax scrolling and responsive buttons — enhance user engagement, ensuring that every click, swipe or scroll is met with a satisfying response. Layered with high-quality imagery, video backgrounds, and adaptive typography, these features contribute to a fluid user experience that not only retains visitor attention but also makes navigation intuitive and immersive. The key lies in ensuring these elements are cohesively integrated and allow the user to feel as though they are running their own experience. Consider if your website attains these key factors to increase the interest of your users, and create a new layer of memorability for your company’s digital presence.

    Related: How You Can Turn Your Website Into a Web Experience

    Attain a cohesive theme

    A huge factor that plays into an experience is if the experience itself feels cohesive and polished and has a theme or over-arching cohesive elements. According to an article by The Harvard Business Review, a purposefully curated theme drives the overall experience toward something integrated. As the article states, “An effective theme is concise and compelling. It is not a corporate mission statement or a marketing tagline. It needn’t be publicly articulated in writing. But the theme must drive all the design elements and staged events of the experience toward a unified storyline that wholly captivates the customer.”

    Regarding web experiences, you want to ensure that your website or digital product is cohesive with a seamless “theme” or a design language. Effective design captures the essence of immersion, evoking strong emotions and engagement. A unified visual and narrative presentation enhances memorability, reinforcing your brand’s story. Moreover, ensuring that your digital product aligns harmoniously with other branding materials and your social media presence amplifies this sense of cohesion, creating an even more impactful experience for your audience.

    Bridge an emotional connection

    Today’s users expect digital interactions tailored to their preferences, needs and behaviors. Personalization transcends merely addressing a user by their first name; it’s about curating content, design elements and user pathways that resonate on an individual level. Achieving this requires a combination of data analytics to understand user behaviors, AI-driven algorithms for dynamic content suggestions and user-centric design principles. As businesses invest in creating personalized web experiences, they not only foster deeper connections with their audience but also position themselves advantageously in a competitive digital marketplace.

    Not only does a personalized website feel much more catered to users’ needs quickly and effectively, but it also furthers the experience aspect because it feels personalized to the individual. The Harvard Business Review states, “…Experiences are inherently personal, existing only in the mind of an individual who has been engaged on an emotional, physical, intellectual, or even spiritual level. Thus, no two people can have the same experience.” Experiences are personal because of how they make the user feel, and they attach emotions, connotations and associations, particularly when an experience feels made for their personal enjoyment.

    To make your website feel personalized to cater to human emotion, there are many small design approaches to consider. This includes dynamic content display by presenting content tailored to individual users or segments. For example, a shopping site might showcase products based on browsing history.

    Through adaptive design, cohesive themes and a genuine emotional connection, websites can truly become more than digital platforms — they can become experiences that shape perceptions and foster loyalty.

    Related: Use These Web Design Tricks to Grow Your Business Exponentially

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    Goran Paun

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  • Goldbelly’s Founders Bet on Foodies, And It Paid Off Big Time | Entrepreneur

    Goldbelly’s Founders Bet on Foodies, And It Paid Off Big Time | Entrepreneur

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    Goldbelly co-founder and chief product officer Vanessa Ariel grew up in Venezuela and moved to the U.S. when she was 18, so she’s well-acquainted with “food nostalgia” — the hankering for a favorite dish that can’t be found where you are. In Venezuela, “Our no. 1 comfort food is an arepa,” Ariel tells Entrepreneur. “An arepa is so comforting that you eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can stuff it with meat, you can stuff it with veggies, you can stuff it with cheese, it doesn’t matter. You can eat this at 3 a.m. — you can eat it at 3 p.m. And it is incredible.”

    Her husband and co-founder, Joe Ariel, was familiar with food nostalgia too, in a different way. Born and raised in New York, he attended college in Nashville, and when he returned to his home state, he couldn’t find the Southern cuisine he’d come to love. “We were dating at the time,” Ariel recalls, “and he would always talk about these foods and how he would pay anything to get these foods here so that I could try them. So it went from this beautiful, What if we could do this? to making it into a reality.”

    “It felt like a very ambitious idea,” Ariel adds, “but also like the future.” The duo was confident a platform of its kind would exist one day — so why not be the ones to make it happen?

    Back then, in 2012, Ariel didn’t necessarily make the connection between her and Joe’s experiences of missing their favorite foods. But more than a decade after they and co-founders Joel Gillman and Trevor Stow began building the business that would grow into a food-delivery platform with nationwide reach and millions of customers, she acknowledges the parallel — and sometimes finds it hard to believe that their big dream turned into an even bigger success. To date, Goldbelly has raised $133 million and boasts more than 1,000 restaurants on its site.

    Related: 15 Strategies for Quickly Expanding Your Business | Entrepreneur

    One restaurant on the platform that hits particularly close to home is Doggi’s Arepa Bar based in Miami, Florida. “There’s never a time that I have an arepa that I don’t cry,” Ariel says. “One hundred percent of the time, I cry. It reminds me of my home, of my parents, of my grandmother who made me arepas every single day. And so, for the first time, I was able to experience this food nostalgia just through one of my own foods that I grew up eating, which I never had the opportunity to do until now.”

    It’s Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15), and Goldbelly is celebrating with a collection featuring acclaimed Hispanic chefs and food makers “shipping unforgettable restaurant experiences to your door” — now and year around. Food Network star Aarón Sánchez of New Orleans-based Johnny Sanchez, Chef Arnaldo Richards of Houston-based Picos Mexican Restaurant and Fany Gerson of Brooklyn-based La Newyorkina are among some of those highlighted.

    “I got a lot of inspiration from the fashion industry, which photographs items in such a beautiful, aspirational way.”

    Goldbelly’s road to success wasn’t always smooth, but the business got an early break when it was accepted into Y Combinator in 2013. Goldbelly had already gained some traction, “but Y Combinator [created a] support system for us,” Ariel says. “It made it feel less lonely to be entrepreneurs. We were paired with other people that were building companies in different industries that were facing similar challenges. So we got to learn from conversations that we were having with our peers.”

    The funding from Y Combinator allowed Ariel to quit her job and work on the startup full-time. With a background in UI/UX design, branding and ecommerce, she had a clear vision for a marketplace where people could order the best foods to be shipped nationwide. But she also recognized a significant problem from the start: To work, the platform “needed to be a visual experience” — yet most restaurants didn’t have photography fit for Goldbelly’s purposes.

    Related: 7 Ways to Improve Online Engagement With Visual Content

    “Most restaurants had photos of their dishes that just came out of the oven, that were styled at their restaurants, that had all of this dishware, or stuff that was not really polished or aspirational,” Ariel explains. “But I got a lot of inspiration from the fashion industry, which photographs items in such a beautiful, aspirational way. They show you how to wear it. They show you how to include it in your daily life.”

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Goldbelly. Testing photography in the early days.

    It took a couple of years to strike the perfect balance and “tell the right story,” which gave people an accurate picture of what they’d receive, didn’t make Goldbelly look like a recipe site and kept everything aspirational. At the time, it was challenging to depict assembly (but not cooking), though the practice is common within the growing meal-kit industry today, Ariel says.

    “We weren’t the most convenient. We weren’t the cheapest. But what we are and have always been is the best.”

    When the co-founders returned to New York, another hurdle awaited them: pitching investors. With the vast array of cuisines available in the city, it was difficult for some of them to see the value in Goldbelly’s offering. The company doesn’t limit food options based on location and reduces the friction and complexity of ordering out of state.

    “Our sweet spot is focusing on the foods people love the most,” Ariel says. With just a few clicks, customers can order pizza from Lou Malnati’s in Chicago or smoked brisket from Terry Black’s Barbecue in Austin and find them at their doorstep courtesy of FedEx or UPS in a matter of days. But the service isn’t inexpensive either; the Terry Black’s offering comes with four to five pounds of brisket and costs about $250.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Goldbelly. Bartolini’s Pizza.

    Related: Are You Reducing Friction For Your Sales Team? If Not, Here’s Why.

    “[New York investors] thought about it as a commodity business,” Ariel explains. “They were thinking about food delivery, like how to get [it] to you. The nearest, fastest [delivery] to your office or home. And we were so the opposite of that: We weren’t the most convenient. We weren’t the cheapest. But what we are and have always been is the best.”

    Goldbelly’s growth over the years has proven its model, but perhaps the greatest testament to its necessity and success came during the pandemic when customers craved the comfort their favorite foods could provide and restaurants struggled to maintain revenue. At the time, Goldbelly “was bursting at the seams on the customer side and the merchant side,” Ariel recalls. The company gained a million new customers in 2020 and saw annual sales jump 300% compared to 2019.

    “We want to help you discover a dish that you never knew existed, through something else that you already love and that you’ve been in your entire life.”

    Next up? Goldbelly plans to use AI to recommend foods and help people find new favorites, taking inspiration from music streaming services like Spotify.

    “Music and food are very similar in the sense that it’s through food and music you can relive a moment, celebrate something, that you can [create] a mood, show someone affection,” Ariel explains. “Music streaming services have [broken open] the discovery experience. That is something that can be directly applied to food. So we are experimenting with AI to help people find foods from their past. We want to help you discover a dish you never knew existed through something else you already love and have your entire life.”

    Related: JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon Says AI Leads to 3.5-Day Work Week

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Goldbelly.

    And once people reconnect with foods from their past, Goldbelly’s there to make them easy to enjoy. Just consider Ariel’s beloved arepas: They’re delicious, but putting them together can be “intimidating,” she says — and it’s “the combination of ingredients that makes an arepa special.”

    “The fact that I can go to Goldbelly and get a kit that gives me the exact kind of meat that is shredded the way it needs to be, that is seasoned the way it needs to be, the exact kind of cheese, the exact kind of beans that my grandmother [made], the fact that I can get this in a kit, I cry every single time,” Ariel says. “And I know this kit wouldn’t exist had we not come up with this company.”

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    Amanda Breen

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  • Artificial Intelligence Being Trained to Show Empathy | Entrepreneur

    Artificial Intelligence Being Trained to Show Empathy | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    This story originally appeared on Readwrite.com

    As humans become increasingly overwhelmed and busy, we are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to express empathy for us.

    According to an October Wall Street Journal report, AI models trained on massive amounts of conversational data are now advanced enough to detect emotions and respond with empathy. Companies like Teleperformance are using AI bots to analyze the conversations of their customer service agents during calls, first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

    The bots use natural language processing to detect emotional cues based on word choice, vocal tone, and pacing. They then score each agent on metrics like empathy.

    Doctors and therapists reportedly utilize similar AI tools to suggest empathetic responses to patients needing care or emotional support. The AI reviews patient conversations and proposes thoughtful, caring responses for the provider to choose from.

    Related: Technologists Are Creating Artificial Intelligence to Help Us Tap Into Our Humanity. Here’s How (and Why).

    Even the comforting voice on the other end of a call from your bank may actually be an AI chatbot designed to sound caring and thoughtful using advanced emotional detection and response generation capabilities. Proponents argue AI empathy could greatly improve interactions in fields like customer service, healthcare, and human resources.

    For example, some argue an empathetic sales bot could boost customer satisfaction and sales by detecting when a customer is frustrated or confused and responding appropriately. Proponents also claim that therapist bots may help address severe shortages in mental healthcare access using automated conversational systems to provide essential emotional support and therapeutic techniques to those unable to access human providers.

    However, some experts caution that AI lacks real emotional experiences and, therefore, cannot truly empathize — it only emulates examples of what is deemed an appropriate emotional response. Bioethicist Jodi Halpern notes that “cognitive empathy,” where an AI recognizes emotions based on data patterns, is not the same as “emotional empathy,” which involves genuine concern from shared emotional experiences. Others warn delegating empathy to AI risks atrophying human skills if used as a replacement rather than a supplement for human-to-human emotional engagement.

    Related: These 4 Quick Wins Can Boost Your Customer Count and Revenue

    As applications for artificial empathy expand, guidelines and transparency will be needed to integrate the technology ethically. While AI may someday perfectly mimic human emotional intelligence, for now, it lacks the shared experiences that create true empathetic understanding. Oversight and wise implementation is key to ensuring artificial empathy augments but does not replace authentic human compassion.

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    Radek Zielinski

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  • 5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read Before Starting a Business | Entrepreneur

    5 Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read Before Starting a Business | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    There is no one formula to become a successful entrepreneur, and there is certainly not a set path. Entrepreneurship is a journey that is full of immense opportunities but also immense challenges.

    My path to becoming a founder of a unicorn startup was a winding path. I was raised in Kentucky, in the heartland of America, by a single mother in a union household. My mother and grandparents, who helped raise me, encouraged me to read as much as I could from a young age. I was drawn to business and motivational books, which helped create a positive mindset and provided me with one of the first views into the basics of business.

    I was able to scale the first business I founded to unicorn status, a billion-dollar startup. Only 0.1% of companies reach this incredible milestone. The journey was extremely rewarding but filled with many challenges that take a toll on the entrepreneur. That is why you need to be in the right mindset when starting your journey, and as an entrepreneur, you should always look for ways to improve yourself and your business.

    Reading many books from a young age allowed me to self-teach the common principles that make people successful in business and helped me dream big when founding my company. Here are five books that inspired and prepared me for the wild ride of scaling a startup from a $10,000 line of credit to going public on the New York Stock Exchange.

    Related: 3 Books That Made Me 6 Figures That Aren’t About Business At All

    ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill

    First published in 1937, “Think and Grow Rich” is one of the most influential self-help books of all time. Andrew Carnegie commissioned the author, Napoleon Hill, who spent over 20 years studying successful individuals, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell, among others. The book outlines 13 principles that can help you achieve wealth and success, such as having a burning desire, having a positive mental attitude and taking massive action.

    The book provides valuable insights into the mindset of successful people and the principles they follow. This is the single most important book that shaped my outlook on success, and I encourage everyone to read Think and Grow Rich. Hill’s message is clear: success is attainable for anyone who is willing to follow these principles.

    ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’ by David J. Schwartz

    My mother always told me to “dream big because it is free.” If you are planning your future, it takes no more effort to dream big. This remains the number one piece of advice I give to aspiring entrepreneurs.

    David Schwartz, in The Magic of Thinking Big, teaches you how to think positively, set big goals and take action. It encourages you to believe in yourself and your abilities and to think outside the box. The book provides practical tips and strategies to help you overcome fear and doubt, build confidence and succeed.

    ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by Norman Vincent Peale

    The author, Norman Vincent Peale, was a minister who believed that faith and positive thinking could help individuals overcome adversity and achieve their goals. Entrepreneurs are met with challenges at every turn when starting their endeavors, the book can help you overcome self-doubt and cut through any negativity to maintain a healthy outlook on life.

    Related: 4 Books for Entrepreneurs Seeking to Challenge the Status Quo

    ‘The Fountainhead’ by Ayn Rand

    “The Fountainhead” is a novel that explores the concept of individualism and the importance of following one’s own values and beliefs. The book’s protagonist, Howard Roark, is an architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision, even in the face of opposition from society. Rand’s novel is a reminder that entrepreneurship requires courage and conviction.

    Mark Cuban famously said in a 2006 interview with C-Span, “I’ll pick it up when I need motivation, but then if I read too far I get too much motivation, and I get too jittery, so I have to put it down.”

    ‘The First Billion is the Hardest’ by T. Boone Pickens

    The First Billion is the Hardest is a memoir by T. Boone Pickens, an industry titan and one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs. The book provides insights into his business philosophy and the strategies he used to build his empire. Pickens shares his experiences and lessons learned, including his failures and successes.

    I was lucky enough to get to know the legendary Boone Pickens. He should serve as an inspiration to all entrepreneurs. He reinvented himself throughout his career and persevered no matter the challenge.

    Just as my own unique path led me to success, others can also find their own way forward, inspired by the wisdom of those who have gone through similar experiences. With the right mindset and a strong desire to learn, the world of entrepreneurship isn’t just a goal but a life-changing adventure.

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    Nate Morris

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  • 10 Expert Principles For Designing Better CSAT Surveys | Entrepreneur

    10 Expert Principles For Designing Better CSAT Surveys | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As a customer service consultant and customer service transformation expert, I’ve felt like cringing a few times (or more than a few!) when my client companies send out customer satisfaction (CSAT) surveys that are less accurate and customer-friendly than I’d want them to be.

    This is risky for any business, so I work with them immediately to make the needed improvements.

    Sending out poorly designed surveys can try the nerves of even your most loyal customers, mislead you with spurious results and waste the time of everyone involved — those who send it out and those who receive it. When designed and deployed correctly, however, surveys can reveal essential insights into how customers view their experience with your company and allow customers to vent!I encourage you to spend a few minutes with me learning the do’s and don’ts of designing and deploying customer surveys.

    Related: How to Measure Your Customers’ Happiness Score (and Why That Matters)

    1. Every survey question should be clearly worded and easy to answer

    It shouldn’t require your customer to do math or think too much about the inner workings of your company. Avoid anything like, “Compare this interaction with interactions you’ve had at similar departments at other fintech companies in our broadly competitive cohort.” Also, don’t ask questions you don’t care about and already know you’re not going to act on. (This seems obvious, but it happens all the time.)

    2. Don’t ask your customers to grade you on a scale of 1–10

    When you request their opinions on a scale of 1-10 (or 0-10), you’re confounding your customers at best. Why? You’re essentially asking your customers to determine the difference between a “six” and an “eight” or a similar nuanced gradation when choosing how to rank you. Provide your customer with no more than approximately five choices. (Why do I say approximately five? Well, I’d go with five, but I confess that there is an argument to be made for making it four or six: If you choose an even number like this, you take away an easy midpoint response, thus perhaps getting more reasoned answers.)

    Related: 4 Ways to Use Customer Feedback for Business Innovation

    3. The order in which you ask your questions matters

    The order matters because a prior question brings up images in a customer’s mind that will influence their answer to the next one. So, be sure to ask for your customer’s overall impression first. You don’t want to influence how a customer answers this central question by asking more nitpicky questions before you get to the most important, broad one.

    Asking several individual questions before asking for an overall rating will tend to color that overall rating, perhaps quite significantly. For example, if the question the customer encounters just before the big one asks about the cleanliness of your restrooms, which was just so-so, this will likely reduce your overall rating since you’ve left their mind in the toilets.

    Conversely, if they’ve just been asked about the availability of parking and parking was abundant, this is likely to artificially increase your overall rating since they are thinking about something positive (how easy it was to park).

    4. Include at least one open-ended question

    Doing this is valuable both to harvest customer insights and to let customers know you value and are curious about their thoughts and insights. For example, “Please share any thoughts you may have; we promise to read all of these!”

    The CEO of a major corporation told me that he transformed his entire level of customer service success by reading every one of these so-called “verbatims.” In these, he found a “staggering” level of nuance about his current operations and even some promising suggestions for innovations for the future.

    Related: You Need Consumer Insights To Ensure The Success Of Your Business. Here Are Five Ways To Find Them.

    5. Word choice matters

    I’m a fan of emotive rating options on surveys, such as “fantastic!” (for your top score), “meh” (for somewhere in the middle) and even “Are you sure you can handle the truth?!” (for your lowest). Only consider this approach if it conforms with your brand style! It wouldn’t be appropriate for a traditional jeweler or a business in a life-and-death industry like healthcare or mortuary services.

    6. Pay attention to the number of top ratings (5 on a scale of 5) that you receive

    While it’s nice to know how, on average, customers perceive you, It’s arguably more important to know the number of customers who give you a top (5 on a scale of 5) rating. This may be more important than your average score because the number of people who rate you as tops are the best representation of the number of truly loyal customers you have — or, at least, the number of customers well on their way to true loyalty. Of course, most important here is the trend: are you getting more loyalists than in the past, or is customer enthusiasm flagging?

    Related: Yes, the Rich Are Different — Here Are 5 Customer Service Secrets I Learned While Working With Wealthy Clients

    7. Don’t ask nosy questions

    Nosy questions include questions on income, sex or how old they are. First, you can never assume respondents will trust your privacy practices. Second, unless you’re a casino operator, cannabis dispenser or operate another type of business limited by law to serving adults, you don’t have a reason to ask for a complete birthdate. If you are trying to set yourself up to send out birthday cards or offers later, please at least stop asking for the year of birth. A complete birthdate is probably none of your business and makes identity theft all too easy in the event of a breach.

    8. Skim through your surveys right away, looking for any complaints or ultra-low scores

    Then respond personally and immediately to these upset customers. Don’t make them wait without a response, stewing in their own frustration, until such time as you’ve batched all your surveys for review.

    9. Put thought and attention into any preamble that accompanies your survey

    Your introductory note or cover letter, just like the survey itself, should be friendly, gracious and brand-appropriate. This way, whether or not the recipient chooses to respond, they’ll be left with a positive impression.

    10. Please don’t hound your customers if they don’t respond to your survey request(s)

    I would make one follow-up reminder the limit — or even zero. Once you’ve surveyed a particular customer, suppress future surveys of that same customer for at least 30 days.

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    Micah Solomon

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  • How Complacency Kills Your Business (and How to Foster Innovation) | Entrepreneur

    How Complacency Kills Your Business (and How to Foster Innovation) | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Howdy, entrepreneurs! If you’re all cozy in your comfort zone, relishing past successes, here’s a wake-up call: Extinction could be looming. Time to shake things up! You heard that right. Complacency, that wicked wolf in sheep’s clothing, can slaughter your business faster than you can say “Netflix.”

    Now, pull up a chair, grab a mug of your strongest Joe, and prepare to learn how innovation is your only lifeline in this bloodthirsty, ever-evolving business arena.

    Because this is what you need to survive.

    Related: Complacency Kills Your Business. Here’s How to Fight It.

    Comfort zone: Your business’s deathbed

    Got a well-oiled business machine running smoothly? Congrats! Now, forget about resting on those laurels. The comfort zone, my friends, is where innovation goes to die, dreams get strangled, and businesses bite the dust.

    Why so? Because the market doesn’t care about your past glories. Customers always look for the next big thing — faster, better, cooler. If you don’t keep up, you’ll end up like Blockbuster — a relic in the entrepreneurial graveyard, remembered only as a cautionary tale.

    Remember, your competition isn’t sleeping. They’re plotting, scheming and innovating. While you’re cruising on autopilot, they’re out there hustling. So, dust off those cobwebs of complacency, and rev up your innovation engines.

    The “innovate or die” business mantra

    Innovation isn’t a fancy buzzword to throw around in board meetings. It’s the lifeblood of modern businesses. To illustrate, let’s rewind to the glorious ’90s. Remember Kodak? It was the darling of the photography industry. But when digital came knocking, Kodak clung to its film empire. Result? A swift and embarrassing downfall.

    Fast-forward to today. Look at the tech titans — Apple, Amazon, Tesla. They’re always pushing boundaries, forever in beta mode. That’s why they’re the apex predators in the business jungle. The message is crystal clear: To thrive, you must, I repeat, disrupt or risk being disrupted.

    So, how do you avoid the fate of the dinosaurs? You innovate. You experiment. You take risks — and most importantly, you never, ever get too comfortable.

    Related: Why Innovation Is Increasingly Becoming Critical to Entrepreneurship

    Nurturing an innovative culture: A practical guide

    Now, let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of fostering innovation. How does one cultivate this elusive beast? Buckle up, because we’ll embark on a no-nonsense, down-to-earth, practical guide.

    1. Embrace failure as a stepping stone

    That’s right. Failure isn’t the enemy; it’s a critical part of the innovation process. Ever heard of WD-40? That “40” stands for the 40 attempts it took to get the formula right. Embrace failure, learn from it, and charge ahead.

    2. Foster diversity and inclusion

    Do you want fresh ideas? Start by getting fresh perspectives. Foster a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion. Hire people who look, think and experience life differently from you. Their unique perspectives can lead to breakthrough innovations.

    3. Encourage curiosity and questioning

    Create an environment where every question is welcome and curiosity is cherished. Remember, every innovation starts with a question. So, encourage your team to ask questions without any fear.

    4. Promote a risk-taking culture

    Innovation thrives on risks. When teams fear consequences, bold ideas fade. Dare to venture for success! You must cultivate an atmosphere where calculated risk-taking is encouraged and rewarded. The next groundbreaking idea might just be lurking in one of those risks!

    5. Invest in continuous learning and development

    Innovation thrives in an environment where learning is continuous. Equip your team with the latest skills and knowledge related to your industry. Get them excited about workshops, seminars and courses. Create a supportive space for growth, learning and personal development.

    6. Collaborate beyond your walls

    Innovation doesn’t happen in silos. Collaborate with other businesses, universities or research institutions. You never know where the next big idea might come. These partnerships can bring fresh insights and invigorate your team with renewed enthusiasm.

    7. Provide time for creative thinking

    The daily grind can often stifle creativity. Encourage your team to take time off their routine tasks for creative thinking. This “innovation time” can be used to brainstorm new ideas, explore new technologies or simply think about better ways to perform their duties.

    8. Implement a good idea management system

    To nurture innovation, you need a system to collect, analyze and implement ideas from your team. An efficient idea management system ensures that no good idea goes unnoticed. It also encourages your team to contribute their ideas, knowing they will be considered seriously.

    9. Celebrate success, learn from failures

    When an innovative idea works, celebrate it. If it doesn’t work out, embrace the lesson. Acknowledge and celebrate your team’s innovative ideas, regardless of the result. This not only motivates them but also signals that you value innovation.

    10. Lead by example

    As a leader, you influence your organization’s atmosphere. To encourage innovation:

    1. Lead through action

    2. Be the inspiration you seek

    3. Demonstrate your commitment to innovation through your actions

    4. Be open to new ideas, encourage healthy debates, take calculated risks, and continuously learn and adapt

    Related: 9 Ways Your Company Can Encourage Innovation

    Innovation is a journey, not a destination

    Hey, fellow trailblazers! Innovation is no one-time gig; it’s a journey of constant improvement. Keep pushing boundaries, challenging norms and staying curious.

    Remember: Stop innovating, and you risk fading away. No room for complacency! Let’s shake things up, reinvent and leave a lasting legacy.

    As Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes leaders from followers.” Ready to lead?

    Keep those creative juices flowing, stay hungry, and stay foolish. Happy innovating! Until next time, stay innovative and keep your businesses alive and kicking.

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    Chris Kille

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  • World Renowned Maker Faire Bay Area Relaunches in October at Historic Mare Island

    World Renowned Maker Faire Bay Area Relaunches in October at Historic Mare Island

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    SANTA ROSA, Calif., September 27, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The countdown has begun for Maker Faire Bay Area’s relaunch on the historic waterfront at Mare Island in Vallejo this October. Dubbed “The Greatest Show and Tell on Earth,” Maker Faire Bay Area will be held over two full weekends, Friday-Sunday, October 13th-15th and the 20th-22nd. A family-oriented showcase of cool projects, hands-on activities, and interactive exhibits, Maker Faire is the intersection of science, art, engineering, and overall creativity. It will feature rockets, combat robots, drones, cosplay, wearable electronics, large fire art, biohacking, and plastics recycling technology.

    Starting in San Mateo in 2006, Maker Faire had a successful run through 2019, with large crowds coming out to enjoy the incredible celebration of creativity and ingenuity. A one-of-a-kind event, Maker Faire Bay Area sparked a worldwide maker movement that inspired young and old to become makers and led to Maker Faires in hundreds of locations worldwide.

    “I have been asked by so many people about Maker Faire Bay Area that I am glad to say that we are planning a new edition of Maker Faire Bay Area at Mare Island this Fall,” said Dale Dougherty, Founder and President of Make: magazine and Maker Faire. “We hope that many of those who enjoyed Maker Faire in the past will come to Mare Island, but we also want to invite all those who have never experienced Maker Faire to come.”

    Maker Faire Bay Area will take place along the historic Mare Island waterfront, a long stretch of waterfront on the Napa River adorned with buildings that were once part of the naval shipyard, the first Navy base on the West Coast. The event will pay homage to the venue’s history with a nautical theme and inclusion of a treasure map for kids of all ages to explore various hands-on activities and “make and takes.” A large building called the Foundry will be filled with robotic couture, kinetic sculpture, and unusual art installations, and as usual, Maker Faire will have several awe-inspiring fire sculptures, art cars, mobile robots, and bands will be along the esplanade.  

    This year, we’re bringing back some beloved favorites, including Adam Savage’s Sunday Sermon, Eepy Birds Coka, and Mentos, a healthy dose of Art from the Burning Man community, but also showcasing new exhibits, activities, and partnerships. Each day will feature a parade of makers and their machines at 4 p.m. A full lineup of exhibits can be seen here.

    “Young kids who grew up going to Maker Faire tell me how it inspired them to get involved in science and technology,” said Dougherty. “Now they are developing new products and solving tough problems at work because it was something that they learned to do as makers,” said Dougherty, who also publishes Make: Magazine, a DIY technology quarterly that is the bible of maker know-how.  

    Source: Maker Faire

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  • The Definition of Value Is Changing — What Entrepreneurs Need to Know | Entrepreneur

    The Definition of Value Is Changing — What Entrepreneurs Need to Know | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Entrepreneurs have long worked hard to build their wealth and create dynasties by creating value in the marketplace and finding unique ways to solve problems. In recent years, however, the way entrepreneurs have been approaching this has shifted. Often, this involved allocating a percentage of their profits into savings accounts to act as a hedge for the well-being of their companies during a market downturn or a need for liquidity to meet payroll. Another method was to generate profits, raise your net worth, take a member draw and make your money work for you by putting it into real estate or stocks.

    However, the world is changing, and along with it, the idea of what is valuable is changing. Entrepreneurs need to understand this updated landscape to capitalize on these changes and continue building their multigenerational dynasties.

    Value has historically been defined by fiscal money, tangible assets (such as art, land and property) and other net worth-building components. However, the collective, modern mentality is changing what the term “value” means in today’s world.

    Related: The Key to Generating Maximum Value in Today’s Fast-Changing, Competitive Business Environment

    What people deem to be important today is shifting rapidly from what it was even 20 years ago. The laptop or digital nomad lifestyles are en vogue, and business owners have started investing earlier in other opportunities such as digital currency, other businesses and more flexible means of creating value.

    This is part of what has led to a shift in wealth distribution, with millennials and Gen Zers taking the lead for spending power, opening the interpretation of what is considered valuable. Younger generations value experience above products or things, and they use their assets to expand and enrich those life experiences.

    For example, if you offer someone in their twenties $100,000 in cash or $100,000 in travel experiences, most of them will choose the travel option.

    As an entrepreneur, it’s vital to know what is considered valuable so you know where to put your time, energy and resources — and what kind of company to start, invest in and be a part of in today’s world. Whereas before, an entrepreneur may have kept a large storehold of cash in a savings account to shore up the business, but with the recent bank collapses, entrepreneurs are now looking for other safe havens to ensure their value — and their company’s value — remains secure and available to them. This is the current state of how value is shifting and what you need to know.

    How values shift

    Value has been changing in the form of delivery since the beginning of time. We used to trade beads and rice, then we valued fiat currency, and now we’ve moved to blockchain and digital currencies.

    As technology continues to quicken the speed of human advancement, the actual things we use to symbolize value will likely keep changing. This is because the way that we value our time, energy and life experience is evolving beyond just survival.

    Old systems of earning value, investing value and accumulating value are breaking down, and that’s leading to a different meaning of what value can be.

    Instead of homes, cars and belongings, people are finding more value in freedom. Freedom of experience. Freedom of time. Freedom of expression. Freedom of opportunity.

    No longer are fiat currencies and tangible assets the go-to; in fact, studies show that the growing trend of other nations to establish alternate trade routes concerns entrepreneurs about the long-term value of the dollar. Entrepreneurs are looking outside the USA to international vehicles, currencies, and other categories to diversify so their wealth and businesses survive. They are looking for assets that retain their value and that they value personally, rather than putting fiat currency in a bank account or counting the number of computers and company equipment in their commercial real estate office as the only options to give the business value.

    The only tried and true methods are not enough; they want to diversify with other asset classes in holdings as a backup. This may include: collecting hard assets like valuable art, gems or collectibles. In a minimalist trending society that values time over everything else, assets need to be mobile so that it’s easier to access the experiences you want to have.

    Related: How to Build an Impressive Investment Portfolio

    How value is perceived

    Because of the pandemic, people are valuing their time as an asset more than previous generations. People are no longer waiting around and assuming that they have time to waste — this is why entrepreneurs are getting younger and starting businesses earlier in life, according to the Centre for Entrepreneurs. Because of the worldwide quarantines from the pandemic, people feel that they need to make the most out of their lives in every way possible. This awakening has led to a significant difference in what people consider valuable and how they want to run a company.

    How value is experienced

    If you want to shore up your business with a hedge against inflation or a market downturn, consider how to increase your portfolio of assets. How someone experiences their assets directly correlates with how they experience their life and the purposes they need them to serve.

    For example, some people love to collect art, hang it on their walls or proudly display it in their galleries. Other collectors have a vault of art that they haven’t entered in the past 20 years, where portraits that have been passed down for the past six generations are simply collecting dust.

    For the vault owner, the $30,000,000 in art they purchased with the business is not working for them. It may or may not be accumulating more wealth for them, they’re not admiring it, and it’s not being used in any meaningful way. So, the vault owner’s collection may not be considered valuable to them because it’s not enriching their life and there’s a cost associated with maintaining it. Not every investor holds the same value for the same assets. It’s a personal decision that goes beyond fiscal interest but also includes mental and emotional well-being considerations.

    However, for the collector who spends time admiring the brushstrokes of the Impressionist paintings in their gallery each week, that person may feel that their art collection expands their creativity and happiness — therefore bringing value to their life.

    Related: How to Use Alternative Assets as a Hedge Against Inflation

    Overall, things are different now

    There is a big difference between materialism and lived experience. Materialism for previous generations was the equivalent of wealth. Their net worth was tied to their belongings, and that was in alignment with their value system as people. However, lived experience is what today’s generations value above everything else. Assets are to be used to elevate life and delight the senses, which is why travel is so highly coveted. The key to assets being considered high-value today is, in part, tied to their ability to be easily mobilized to create more lived experiences, liquidate to convert, transfer or serve other immediate personal or business needs. Therefore, the more flexible and mobile your assets are, the more subjectively valuable they are.

    Because of the current housing market, stock market and other traditional investment opportunities, people are asking different questions about their valuable hard assets.

    Here are some questions to ask to choose the best asset for your diversification needs:

    • Will I still want this in three years?

    • Is this an asset that fits my current lifestyle or the lifestyle that I want?

    • Is this asset something that’s tradeable for something else?

    • How quickly can I divest this if I don’t want it anymore or need cash for a business or personal need?

    • Does this asset expand my time freedom, or does it rob me of the time that I have that I want to invest in other experiences?

    • Does this asset pull from other assets such as money, stocks, or other things?

    • Does this asset continue to accumulate value on its own accord?

    What each entrepreneur, investor or asset holder perceives as valuable will be unique to them. So, when purchasing or acquiring an asset, get clear on what that asset will do for you, how it will retain its value, whether it will cash flow or give you more time or location freedom, how quickly you can liquidate for cash to meet payroll or any other emergency business or personal needs and what its value is in your life. Adding hard tangible assets to your portfolio may ensure your personal net worth remains stable and your company remains secure in the months and years ahead.

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    Jarrett Preston

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  • How Sci-Fi Movies and Shows Spark Real-World Innovation | Entrepreneur

    How Sci-Fi Movies and Shows Spark Real-World Innovation | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Believe it or not, movie script writers, producers and directors are ironically — and comedically — technological prophets. Usually, it’s totally unwittingly, as their true goal is really to create complex fictional dreams for us to immerse ourselves in, and of course, to entertain. But their elaborate and conceptual technological fantasies become the blueprints, and true creative inspiration for the technology entrepreneurs, scientists, and engineers of the world, who end up developing these innovative technologies for us to use in real life.

    Movies spark innovation

    Remember the flying cars from The Jetsons, the talking Johnny-5 robot from Short Circuit, the 3D holographic health scanning device from Star Trek, or the superpowered A.I. brain from Wargames? All these crazy-cool technologies have now been invented, created and are already in use.

    I personally interviewed many emerging technology innovators who were inspired in some way by movies on our award-winning TV series TechTalk on Amazon Prime and Entrepreneur TV, which I co-host with my dear friend “The Amazing” Jessy Katz. (Her connection to film-inspired tech is deeper than most — she’s Steven Spielberg’s highly talented niece.)

    Related: The Entrepreneurial Genius of ‘Star Wars’

    According to MIT, 90% of the information transmitted to the brain is visual, leading to why we are so impressionable by TV and film. I find it quite incredible how human brains soak up information and references by the millisecond, which we can then turn into innovation and creativity in a heartbeat.

    Well, technology isn’t always created in a heartbeat, as several innovators have been slaving away at futuristic devices for decades. Take Professor Eli Kolberg and his soccer-playing robots, for instance, or Urban Aeronautics’ Cityhawk flying taxis; both teams are at the tail end of a 30-year journey to change the dynamics of our technological future, however, they look like something straight out of the Jetsons and iRobot. What amazing stamina and belief to see the future, and to work for decades to achieve that dream.

    Inspiration everywhere

    I remember growing up as a Gen-X kid and thinking how much I had learned from television and the Internet. Well today, due to the rise of social media, Millennials and Gen-Zers and are absorbing information at unprecedented levels.

    According to Pew Research, “Nearly all (95%) American teenagers aged 13 to 17 report using TikTok, with 16% saying they use it almost constantly.” Digiday notes, “The unique thing about Gen Z is that while millennials have grown up with social media, Gen Z has grown up with video-first social media.”

    With all this rapid evolution and development, doctors and neuroscientists are still clambering to understand how the human brain works. The truth is, they don’t fully understand it, with claims that we only utilize a minuscule portion of our brains, just as dramatized in feature films such as Lucy and Limitless.

    Related: 50 Years of Leadership Lessons From Star Trek

    Well, the 10% brain myth, may factually be a ruse, however, according to Salk Institute for Biological Studies, we may have 10 times more capacity for memory in the brain than previously thought.

    We know for sure that the brain loves visuals, and therefore arts and culture has a fundamental impression on our mind and lives. Depending on a person’s demographics, upbringing, influences and network, the way they see and think about the world, can drastically change in their thought processes, creativity, understanding and ultimate destiny.

    The Path to Success

    In the past, we measured a person’s success based on their education, resources, and achievements, but today, education, professional skills and experience can be replaced for simply being able to create on social media, or working in a professional where technology, artificial intelligence and machines do most the hard work.

    Truth be told, it’s a phenomenal time to be a creator, with so many new verticals to explore and conquer. Now with the internet, smartphones, blockchain, robots and AI, they all provide easy and remote access to innovation, marketing, and opportunity for anyone who is bold enough to try.

    Some argue that this is a bad time for creators, with artificial intelligence and robotics potentially taking jobs, but I strongly disagree, the time is ripe, the time is now, we need to learn how to harness technology for good and for the benefit of society and evolution, and prevent it for disadvantaging or ruining human life.

    Technology isn’t going to stop evolving and we need to jump on the train quickly before we risk becoming a Kodak or Blockbuster Video, who are victims of missing the rapid evolution of technology.

    Never has there been a time where the average Joe can be so creative and entrepreneurial and get involved on such a grand scale, in so many new avenues, with the 24/7 opportunity to collaborate and monetize on the global stage.

    Things are evolving fast, and TV, film, theatre, art, and music have greatly shaped how we see the world. That’s exactly why MTV was such a big hit in its day; music, culture fashion and style were all broadcast in a unified manner, to be absorbed, regurgitated, and experienced globally.

    Iconic shows created and celebrated culture via television for many in the ’80s and ’90s, likewise, modern-day productions, such as Shark Tank, TechTalk and Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch have spawned an army of hungry new entrepreneurs with over $200M in deal flow via the exposure of TV.

    It’s no wonder that fictional media and entertainment showcasing unfathomable and futuristic technological apparatus has catapulted us into this automated and machine-infused future at the speed of light.

    The Future Is Here

    Many speak about the fear of what’s coming with futuristic technology. Will A.I. take our jobs and become big brother? Will robots hurt us? These are normal fear-based responses to unknown change, usually based on the premise that there may be a chance we can stop evolution.

    AI, robotics and intelligent machines have actually been around for decades. Armies around the world have been using these technologies in real-life scenarios for a long while, but the tech is now evolving fast and becoming much more accessible to the mass market.

    The worldwide release and access to the AI-powered Chat GPT certainly raised public awareness and usage of the tech, with investments in AI now soaring. Even Elon Musk is getting back in the game, with the launch of xAI, a new truth-seeking AI project.

    Related: 5 Best Sci-Fi Movies and Series to Watch on Netflix

    Our reality became even more dystopian/utopian when Boston Dynamic launched their dancing and acrobatic Atlas robots and bionic dog-like pet, called “Spot.” We already have R2D2-style autonomous police robots that are guarding our cities, thanks to Knightscope Robotics, who also roam around our casinos, parking lots and airports. We’re also starting to fight dementia and Alzheimer’s in elderly patients, with autonomous machines and technology, thanks to robots such as Elli-Q.

    Science Fiction is becoming our reality, as Star Trek-style scanners are on the way to check our health and zap our food. Believe it or not, it’s now perfectly normal for a doctor to elect a robot or AI to participate in a medical procedure or surgery. Even 3D Holographic Surgery is a thing — it’s just mind-blowing.

    TV and film have had a profound effect on the development and evolution of our society, as we know it, however, both in a positive and negative manner.

    Entertainment Fears Innovation

    I find it remarkable, both as a filmmaker and technology innovator how closely these two verticals align in synchronicity, but at the same time, are so far apart from each other.

    The entertainment industry, although prophets of our technological future, are widely technology and innovation-adverse. The functionality of our televisions and the interactivity of TV, film and theatre is still quite limited and rudimentary.

    Imagine the possibilities if we incorporated more advanced technologies into our entertainment!

    In my experience, and with our catalog of highly innovative programming and features, the entertainment industry is still much too slow and fearful to adapt and delve into exciting new technologies.

    There are, however, some of us are still pushing the boundaries forward.

    Making a Change

    One of my personal missions in life is to create wholesome, healthy, and impactful media and content, that can be absorbed and interacted with in a multitude of ways. I’m also determined to nurture our society by pioneering and supporting the entertainment industry to evolve successfully and harmoniously with the onset of new and emerging technologies.

    Our production company has incorporated both robotics and AI into our processes, for over five years. We also currently have several Original Productions in development, that delve into the future of technology and offer heightened interactivity for the viewer, with more controls and collaboration with their environment and smartphones.

    I take my hat off to legendary movie producers, such as the great Steven Spielberg, who had such ambitious and elaborate stories, that ended up shaping our future. Without these futuristic dreams that were shared for us all to see, who knows how far along we would have been with the development of technology?

    We have come so far, yet it feels like media is dragging us down today, not uplifting us to the next era. As an industry, we need to focus more on creating the TV and film of our future to aid our next steps.

    Create, Innovate and Develop

    With the entertainment industry painting our future, yet slow to develop our path, this leaves huge ground for those who are both entertainment-minded and technology-savvy.

    Never has there been so much opportunity to interact and utilize new technology in almost every element of a business.

    For those in the media industry, we need to embrace usage, testing and trial of new technologies and verticals. The world is developing rapidly, and without leading the way or fast adoption of global trends, we risk becoming a thing of the past. We, of course, must also be mindful of our teams, crews, and workers.

    For technology innovators, team up with creators and filmmakers, you guys are made of a similar cloth. Watch movies to explore the possibilities of innovation. Try to find the technologies that have been imagined, but not yet created.

    I intend to be at the forefront of this leading revolution, which to be honest, should have already been conquered. There is so much ground to cover, and we have only truly set out on the fast lane.

    My adaptation of Alec Baldwin’s phrase from the 1992 Glengarry Glen Ross movie would be: “ABC – Always Be Creating.”

    Get working and start innovating. The future rewards the brave.

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    Jonny Caplan

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  • How to Using Influencers, AI and Social Media to Drive Growth | Entrepreneur

    How to Using Influencers, AI and Social Media to Drive Growth | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    ‘Prime Energy Drink’ — it’s everywhere! Their striking cans are impossible to miss in supermarkets and convenience stores. What fueled their surge? The secret ingredient is the influencer duo Logan Paul and KSI.

    Despite looming concern (its caffeine has triggered calls for the FDA to investigate), Prime Energy has quickly created a space for itself in a crowded and competitive market. This curious case begs the question: If influencers can spearhead a product’s success, how does this revelation apply to your brand? How can you get the most bang for your buck when leveraging social media? My teammate, Ronan O’Callaghan, and I did the research, so you don’t have to.

    This article explores this subject by examining a series of case studies about influencers, the power of blending the digital and physical worlds and AI. By the end, you’ll have a strong understanding of how to leverage these powerful tools for all they are worth.

    Part 1: Using influencers the right way

    Influencers possess immense power to shape consumer perceptions. The previously mentioned meteoric rise of Prime Energy is only one example. Mr. Beast, the world’s most popular YouTube personality, has transformed his name into several successful consumer brands, including a chain for ghost kitchens, chocolates and athletic clothing.

    It might seem like influencers have a Midas touch: an uncanny ability to turn ventures into success stories. However, these successes only materialized after years of painstaking brand cultivation. That means your next big marketing success won’t just come from getting your product into an influencer’s hands and hoping some of their magic will rub off on you. You need to select influencers whose brand values resonate with yours and engage innovatively.

    Häagen-Dazs offers an instructive case study. Häagen-Dazs wanted to remind New Yorkers that ice cream is integral to summer. They partnered with millennial influencers living in New York to promote their product throughout the city. The campaign generated 14.3 million impressions, 4 million more than their goal. If they had tried to reach that number of people through conventional means, it would have cost them 3x as much. The lesson: working with influencers whom your target customer can relate to can create a real connection. In a deeply digital and distressingly disconnected world, this is especially important to remember.

    You can reach a broader audience by working with a diverse range of influencers. When the HISTORY channel started a TikTok account in 2021, they wanted to reach beyond their typical audience. They contacted Paralympians, cooks and hurricane chasers on TikTok to promote their wide range of educational programs — the result: 21 million views and exposure to a new audience.

    To harness the true power of influencers, businesses should aim for a more profound alignment than a mere product endorsement. This collaboration should reflect shared values, a unified vision and genuine resonance with the target audience. This deep-rooted connection has the potential to foster not just temporary engagement but long-term brand loyalty.

    Related: 5 Ways to Stop Wasting Money on Influencer Marketing

    Part 2: Blending digital and physical worlds

    Many brands focus heavily on the digital realm when considering social media. However, the recipe for substantial success lies in orchestrating a symphony between digital engagements and physical realities. Especially for brands with brick-and-mortar stores, this harmony can engage the younger generation of consumers who seamlessly navigate between the online and offline worlds.

    McDonald’s ‘Grimace Shake’ campaign is an excellent example of this philosophy. This initiative didn’t just create a buzz; it crafted an engaging narrative that allowed consumers to participate actively. Consumers posted themselves getting the shake; some even made animated parodies, giving the shake to fictional characters from media franchises.

    The genius of the Grimace Shake is that it understood that engaging with social media is not simply a matter of advertising. People don’t want to stare at ads; they want to be a part of the action. This trend created a global cultural moment anyone could engage with: the gold standard of social media engagement.

    Another brand that has effectively harnessed this strategy is Duolingo, which leveraged its mascot for user engagement and kept a keen eye on evolving trends like TikTok’s rise. By focusing on this larger trend and creating content that matches young consumers’ irreverent and self-deprecating sense of humor, Duolingo earned 6.3 million TikTok followers, making it one of the most followed accounts on the website. Duolingo has been so successful that they are now starting to forgo TV advertisements.

    McDonald’s and Duolingo also share a marketing strength: their recognizable mascots. Their simple and iconic designs make it easy for young people to create memes featuring them. Again, hooks like these allow customers to engage. These monocolored, simple mascots can easily be inserted into images, making them ‘memeable,’ a valuable asset for engaging with GenZ consumers.

    However, this approach requires a shift from traditional advertising mindsets. It’s about embracing social media not merely as a billboard but as a platform for storytelling. The best stories aren’t just read or heard—they’re experienced. Brands need to create immersive experiences that allow consumers to be a part of the narrative, leading to stronger connections and loyalty.

    Related: How to Make Social Media Marketing Effective for Your Brand

    Part 3: Seeing through the noise with AI

    So, how can your brand forge such victories? The answer lies in understanding these insights and tailoring them to your unique brand proposition. Staying ahead of trends — both ephemeral fads and lasting shifts — is key to gaining a competitive edge.

    AI-powered sensing is an invaluable tool for identifying these trends and recognizing which ones will strike a chord with your consumers. For example, BeReal is a fast-growing social media platform with 20 million daily users. Yet, no companies have been able to capitalize on this space for marketing. Despite this, one of our AI sensing partners identified it as a growing space where companies could succeed by promoting their brands.

    To make the most of these trends, brands must be agile, constantly adapting their strategies based on these insights. It’s not enough to just know what’s “in” today. Businesses should be proactive, anticipating what’s coming next and positioning themselves at the forefront of these trends. This approach boosts brand visibility and positions the brand as an innovator in consumers’ eyes.

    The realm of social media presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage consumers in ways traditional advertising could never dream of. You can revolutionize your marketing strategy by creating brand-aligned partnerships with influencers, crafting narratives that interweave digital and physical experiences and harnessing AI’s trend-predicting powers. By channeling these strategies, you can become the next big sensation.

    The question is – are you ready?

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    Francesco Fazio

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  • 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Working With ChatGPT | Entrepreneur

    5 Mistakes to Avoid When Working With ChatGPT | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As the owner of multiple content websites, I use ChatGPT every day for multiple tasks, including — but not limited to — content creation. ChatGPT is always there for me, whether crafting texts or discussing my business goals with me.

    But as with all powerful tools, ChatGPT and similar Large Language Models (LLMs) have their limitations. I have stumbled upon them many times during my time working with AI. If you rely on ChatGPT in your business without understanding its limitations, that’s a recipe for disaster.

    Here are some common mistakes that you could be making if you think ChatGPT thinks like a human:

    Related: The Top 3 Do’s and Don’ts of Integrating ChatGPT into Your Business

    1. Neglecting to fact-check AI output

    I use AI tools like ChatGPT to create informational web content, which has proven to be an effective strategy for boosting my publishing business. The articles produced by AI writing tools utilizing models like GPT-4 are typically well-written and helpful. Of course, using these tools is also infinitely more cost-effective than hiring writers.

    However, while the AI-generated articles provide a great starting point, they are rarely robust enough to be published as-is without human oversight. It is crucial to thoroughly fact-check the content, as AI tools can get details wrong, especially more nuanced facts that fall outside general knowledge. Make a point to check dates, locations, numbers and any claim that seems very specific. In many cases, the claims are unsubstantiated and need to be taken out of your article.

    2. Using the generic ChatGPT style

    Left to its own devices without any guidance or customization, ChatGPT tends to use a particular writing style. This default style is typically authoritative in tone, yet also dull, lifeless and formal-sounding. It sometimes reminds me of high school essay writing. This would not be an effective style choice for crafting engaging, compelling web content that connects with readers.

    When utilizing ChatGPT or other AI writing assistants, prompting the model for your particular style is important. One helpful technique is to provide the AI with a few samples of your own writing, then ask it to analyze your style and implement similar stylistic elements into the new text it generates.

    3. Failing to guide the AI in a structured, step-by-step manner

    While ChatGPT is capable of generating coherent text, its output quality suffers greatly when prompted to produce long-form content all in one go. A far better approach is to break down the writing process into stages:

    • Discuss the topic, goals and target audience with ChatGPT to help set the stage.

    • Ask the AI to craft an outline based on your discussion. Assess the outline, and make sure it covers the topic properly.

    • Prompt ChatGPT to write individual sections one at a time, offering additional guidance and examples as required.

    • Ask it to suggest improvements for its own work to refine and polish the wording further.

    • Thoroughly edit and refine the full draft as needed.

    Guiding ChatGPT in a structured, step-by-step manner with regular human feedback tends to yield much higher quality writing. This approach is far superior to simply prompting the AI to produce a full piece in one shot and leaving it to its own devices for long stretches of uninterrupted text generation.

    In the web publishing industry, we have tools that create quality content based on a similar method with many pre-determined prompts and a built-in back-and-forth process. You can achieve the same by prompting ChatGPT to do the same.

    Related: How Can Companies Use ChatGPT for Content Marketing?

    4. Using LLMs for tasks outside language processing

    LLMs like ChatGPT excel at language processing and generation tasks. They converse with us in the same way another human would. It’s easy to assume they can do other things that humans do — like counting, for example.

    ChatGPT confidently informed me that the paragraph above contained 42 words. Go ahead and count. It’s easy for you to do as a human. You’ll see right away that the correct number is 37.

    When prompted to generate a numbered list of all the words in the paragraph, ChatGPT struggled badly, either apologizing that it could not get the count right or actually fabricating nonexistent words to reach the incorrect word count it had provided.

    Additional areas I’ve found ChatGPT has considerable difficulty with are solving simple anagram word puzzles or even reliably reversing a string of characters.

    There is a solid rationale behind these weaknesses — ChatGPT was trained to mimic conversational human responses, which it does amazingly well. However, it was not designed for tasks like arithmetic, word games or manual data manipulation. Being aware of exactly when to rely on its language strengths versus utilizing other, more specialized systems is key.

    5. Believing the AI’s self-assessment of capabilities

    When needing to determine if ChatGPT or a similar language AI can handle a particular task well, avoid directly asking the model itself. ChatGPT does not have accurate insight into the full extent of its strengths and limitations.

    For example, when I inquired whether ChatGPT could count words accurately, it confidently assured me it could handle such a simple math task. But as the earlier example illustrates, it failed at word counting multiple times. To assess an LLM’s true capabilities, real-world testing is far more informative than taking the AI’s word on what it can or cannot do.

    Related: 3 Ways to Use ChatGPT to Spark Your Creativity

    The future is here, but tread carefully

    ChatGPT and similar AI tools represent an incredible step forward that can amplify our capabilities if used judiciously. But these are not human equivalents — merely brilliant mimics lacking complete self-awareness.

    By understanding their limitations, prompting creatively, guiding systematically, minding the task suitability and verifying through hands-on testing, we can maximize value while avoiding potential pitfalls.

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    Anat El Hashahar (Anne Moss)

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  • How Smart Technologies Are Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management | Entrepreneur

    How Smart Technologies Are Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Supply chain management plays a pivotal role in the success of any enterprise. Entrepreneurs and business owners are constantly seeking innovative ways to optimize their supply chains, reduce operational costs and enhance overall efficiency.

    This is where the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies step in to revolutionize the field of supply chain management.

    Related: Supply Chain Management: The Game-Changing Innovations That Are Shaping the Industry

    The role of IoT in supply chain management

    IoT refers to the interconnected network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other objects embedded with sensors, software and network connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data. When integrated into supply chain operations, IoT can bring about a transformational shift in the way businesses manage their logistics and distribution processes.

    1. Real-time tracking and visibility:

    In the context of supply chain management, real-time tracking and visibility are game-changers. IoT devices, such as GPS sensors and RFID tags, provide continuous data streams that allow entrepreneurs to monitor their goods at every stage of the supply chain journey. This means they can pinpoint the exact location of products, monitor their condition and track their movement from manufacturer to distributor to retailer.

    The benefits are twofold. First, this level of visibility significantly reduces the risk of theft and losses since any anomalies or deviations from the planned route can trigger immediate alerts. Second, it offers valuable insights into the overall efficiency of the supply chain. By analyzing data on delivery times, transportation routes and storage conditions, entrepreneurs can identify areas for improvement, optimize routes and ensure that goods reach their destination faster and in better condition.

    2. Inventory management:

    IoT sensors are capable of automating inventory management with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. These sensors can monitor inventory levels in real time and send automatic alerts when stock is running low or when products are approaching their expiration date.

    This proactive approach to inventory management has numerous advantages. It prevents stockouts, ensuring that businesses never run out of essential supplies, which can be especially critical for just-in-time manufacturing processes. It also helps in reducing overstock situations, which can tie up capital and storage space. Ultimately, this level of control not only optimizes storage space but also improves cash flow management by reducing excess inventory costs.

    3. Predictive maintenance:

    Within the IoT ecosystem, smart technologies can predict when machinery and equipment are likely to fail. IoT sensors on machines can continuously monitor their performance, collecting data on factors such as temperature, vibration and energy consumption. By analyzing this data, predictive maintenance algorithms can identify patterns that indicate when a machine is deviating from its normal operating conditions, suggesting a potential breakdown.

    This predictive capability is a game-changer for supply chain operations. Instead of relying on scheduled maintenance, which can be costly and lead to unnecessary downtime, businesses can address maintenance needs proactively. This minimizes downtime, reduces repair costs and ensures smooth operations. In essence, it keeps the supply chain running like a well-oiled machine.

    4. Reduced costs:

    IoT-enabled supply chains are inherently more efficient. The real-time data provided by IoT devices allows businesses to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies quickly. For example, if goods are consistently delayed at a particular warehouse or if delivery routes are suboptimal, these issues can be promptly addressed.

    By optimizing processes and streamlining operations, businesses can significantly reduce costs in various aspects of the supply chain, including transportation, warehousing and labor. For instance, they can minimize fuel consumption by optimizing delivery routes, reduce warehousing costs by better managing inventory levels and enhance labor productivity by automating routine tasks. This cost reduction not only improves profitability but also enables businesses to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.

    Related: IoT: Introduction And Disruption Of Supply Chain Management

    The power of data analytics

    IoT generates an immense amount of data, but its true potential is unlocked through data analytics. Entrepreneurs can harness this data to gain valuable insights into consumer behavior, demand patterns and supply chain performance. By leveraging advanced analytics tools and machine learning algorithms, businesses can make data-driven decisions that enhance their competitiveness.

    Smart technologies beyond IoT

    In addition to IoT, several other smart technologies are making waves in supply chain management:

    1. Blockchain:

    Blockchain technology is revolutionizing supply chain management by offering secure and transparent tracking of products and transactions throughout the entire supply chain journey. Here’s how it works:

    • Secure and immutable records: Every transaction or movement of products is recorded in a secure and immutable blockchain ledger. This means that once data is entered, it cannot be altered or tampered with. This inherent security ensures the authenticity of records, reducing the risk of fraudulent or deceptive practices.

    • End-to-end transparency: Blockchain provides an unbroken, transparent chain of custody for products. Entrepreneurs can trace the origin of each product, monitor its movement from manufacturer to distributor to retailer and even verify its authenticity. This level of transparency not only reduces the risk of counterfeit goods but also enhances trust among consumers.

    • Smart contracts: Blockchain allows for the implementation of smart contracts, which are self-executing agreements with predefined rules. These contracts can automate various supply chain processes, such as payments, quality inspections and compliance checks. This automation reduces administrative overhead and ensures that contractual obligations are met promptly.

    2. Artificial Intelligence (AI):

    AI-driven algorithms are a powerful tool for optimizing supply chain processes. Here’s how AI can transform supply chain management:

    • Demand prediction: AI algorithms can analyze historical data, market trends and various external factors to predict demand accurately. This enables businesses to adjust their production and inventory levels accordingly, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts.

    • Process automation: AI can automate routine and repetitive tasks, such as data entry, order processing and inventory management. This not only reduces labor costs but also minimizes the potential for human errors, improving overall efficiency.

    • Enhanced decision-making: AI can analyze vast amounts of data in real time to make informed decisions. For instance, it can optimize delivery routes based on real-time traffic data or recommend the most cost-effective suppliers. This data-driven decision-making leads to more efficient supply chain operations.

    • Personalized customer service: AI-powered chatbots and customer service platforms can personalize recommendations and resolve customer issues more efficiently. This enhances the customer experience and fosters brand loyalty.

    3. Robotic Process Automation (RPA):

    Robotic Process Automation involves the use of robots and automation technologies to streamline various aspects of supply chain management. Here’s how RPA is making a significant impact:

    • Warehouse operations: Robots can automate tasks within warehouses, such as picking and packing products. They work with precision and consistency, reducing the potential for errors and increasing order accuracy. This not only speeds up order fulfillment but also reduces labor costs.

    • Repetitive Task Automation: RPA can handle repetitive and rule-based tasks, such as data entry, invoice processing and tracking shipments. By automating these tasks, businesses can free up human resources for more strategic activities.

    • Enhanced efficiency: RPA can operate around the clock, ensuring that supply chain operations continue without interruptions. This enhances overall efficiency and reduces lead times.

    • Cost reduction: By automating routine tasks, RPA reduces labor costs and the potential for errors that can lead to additional expenses. It also optimizes resource utilization, ensuring that operations are cost-effective.

    Related: How AI Can Revolutionize Our Broken Supply Chain

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    Taiwo Sotikare

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  • Crayola Launches Crayola Flowers Online Florist Business | Entrepreneur

    Crayola Launches Crayola Flowers Online Florist Business | Entrepreneur

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    Those flower bouquets you drew as a kid can finally jump off the page, thanks to Crayola’s latest endeavor.

    On Tuesday, the art supply brand launched an online florist called Crayola Flowers in partnership with Mrs. Bloom’s, a flower distributor, per CNN. The two companies will sell bouquets nationwide, with prices ranging from $49 to $150.

    Mrs. Bloom’s has been distributing flowers for 20 years with fundraising and helping nonprofits at the forefront of its mission, according to the Crayola Flowers website. Crayola Flowers will be a fundraising platform where buyers can select a nonprofit to receive a percentage of their purchase. Nonprofit organizations can also create storefronts for supporters to purchase flowers, with 10% to 50% of the proceeds going to the charity.

    Related: This Flower Company Walked Away From a Major Revenue Driver for a Heartwarming Reason — Now It’s Worth 8 Figures Anyway

    “Instead of just selling flowers when they’re needed, why not unite this idea of color and creativity with spreading kindness?” Warren Schorr, Crayola’s senior vice president of business development, global licensing and experiences, said in an interview with CNN.

    Crayola Flowers will also launch a mobile truck storefront to help with fundraising efforts at various events.

    Crayola has been in operation since 1903. Today, the company is a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards.

    Related: These Flower-Delivery Services Help Take the Stress Out of Valentine’s Day

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    Sam Silverman

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  • How Restaurant365 CEO Tony Smith Uses Data to Make Better Decisions | Entrepreneur

    How Restaurant365 CEO Tony Smith Uses Data to Make Better Decisions | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Restaurant365’s Tony Smith knows he’s not a social media expert. Few people are. Still, the software company executive has been able to prove that authenticity is a powerful tool for building a devoted following online.

    He believes that true connections are built on honesty, not a facade. It’s important to let people see the real you, rather than hiding behind a persona.

    “For me,” says R365’s Tony Smith to Restaurant Influencers series host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media. “I am not a master of social media, but luckily I’ve been able to build some presence there because what I do believe in is people knowing you — really knowing you for who you are — not some fake persona.”

    Tony Smith is the CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365, a company that’s helping improve the fortunes of more than 40,000 restaurants with its back-office management software. The leader stands out for his commitment to transparency and desire to help businesses thrive.

    Restaurant365, or R365, is a fast-growing SaaS company, whose cloud-based software provides a unique, all-in-one accounting, store operations, and workforce solution for restaurants. Their mission is to facilitate optimal productivity and profitability.

    With R365, restaurants can manage back-office productivity from one platform. It also integrates with your POS (such as Toast, the sponsor of this series), banks, vendors, and more. This results in less time spent on manual tasks, with improved visibility and control of the bottom line.

    Tony Smith’s journey as the CEO of Restaurant365 is a testament to the power of authenticity, the value of personal connections, and the importance of seeking help when needed.

    Leaders often find it challenging to ask for help when they spend so much time helping others. But Smith has a unique approach to avoid burnout.

    Employing a quadrant strategy to evaluate his tasks, he divides responsibilities into categories: “love it,” “don’t love it,” “great at it,” and “not great at it.” Once he recognizes areas where he doesn’t excel or doesn’t enjoy, he proactively seeks assistance.

    Tony Smith knows that trying to do everything himself would be a disservice to his company.

    “I have to be honest and admit I’m probably not the best person here to do that thing anymore,” he says. “If you do too many of those things you don’t love, that’s the burnout zone.”

    In an era where virtual interactions dominate, Tony Smith values the richness of in-person connections.

    The Restaurant Transformation Tour, an ongoing series of events by Restaurant365, reflects his passion for meaningful face-to-face encounters. He believes that personal connections are formed best when you can “rub shoulders” with someone, exchange ideas informally, and create valuable relationships.

    “I think that some of that really does come best in person.”

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    Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

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    Shawn P. Walchef

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  • Deepfakes Are on the Rise — Will They Change How Businesses Verify Their Users? | Entrepreneur

    Deepfakes Are on the Rise — Will They Change How Businesses Verify Their Users? | Entrepreneur

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    You know how you can’t do anything these days without proving who you are? Whether opening a bank account or just hopping onto a car-sharing service. With online identity verification becoming more integrated into daily life, fraudsters have become more interested in outsmarting the system.

    Criminals are investing more money and effort to overcome security solutions. Their ultimate weapon is deepfakes — impersonating real people using artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. Now, the multi-million question is: Can organizations effectively employ AI to combat fraudsters with their tools?

    According to a Regula identity verification report, a whopping one-third of global businesses have already fallen victim to deepfake fraud, with fraudulent activities involving deepfake voice and video posing significant threats to the Banking sector.

    For instance, fraudsters can easily pretend to be you to get access to your bank account. Stateside, almost half of the companies surveyed confessed to being targeted with the voice deepfakes last year, beating the global average of 29%. It’s like a blockbuster heist but in the digital realm.

    And as AI technology for creating deepfakes becomes more accessible, the risk of businesses being affected only increases. That poses a question: Should the identity verification process be adjusted?

    Related: Deepfake Scams Are Becoming So Sophisticated, They Could Start Impersonating Your Boss And Coworkers

    Endless race

    Luckily, we’re not at the “Terminator” stage yet. Right now, most deepfakes are still detectable — either by eagle-eyed humans or AI technologies that have already been integrated into ID verification solutions for quite some time. But don’t let your guard down. Deepfake threats are evolving quickly — we are already on the edge of witnessing persuasive samples that can scarcely arouse any suspicion, even upon deliberate scrutiny.

    The good news is that the AI, the superhero we’ve enlisted to fight against good old “handmade” identity fraud, is now being trained to spot fake stuff created by its fellow AI buddies. How does it manage this magic? First of all, AI models don’t work in a vacuum; human-fed data and clever algorithms shape them. Researchers can develop AI-powered tools to remove the bad guys of synthetic fraud and deepfakes.

    The core idea of this protective technology is to be on the lookout for anything fishy or inconsistent while doing those ID liveness checks and “selfie” sessions (where you snap a live pic or video with your ID). An AI-powered identity verification solution becomes the digital Sherlock Holmes. It can detect both changes that occur over time, like shifts in lighting or movement, and sneaky changes within the image itself – like tricky copy-pasting or image stitching.

    Fortunately, AI-generated fraud still has some blind spots, and organizations should leverage those weak points. Deepfakes, for instance, often fail to capture shadows correctly and have odd backgrounds. Fake documents typically lack optically variable security elements and would fail to project-specific images at certain angles.

    Another key challenge criminals face is that many AI models are primarily trained using static face images, mainly because those are more readily available online. These models struggle to deliver realism in liveness “3D” video sessions, where individuals must turn their heads.

    One more vulnerability organizations can use is the difficulty in manipulating documents for authentication compared to attempting to use a fake face (or to “swap a face”) during a liveness session. This is because criminals typically have access only to one-dimensional ID scans. Moreover, modern IDs often incorporate dynamic security features that are visible only when the documents are in motion. The industry is constantly innovating in this area, making it nearly impossible to create convincing fake documents that can pass a capture session with liveness validation, where the documents must be rotated at different angles. Hence, requiring physical IDs for a liveness check can significantly boost an organization’s security.

    While the AI training for ID verification solutions keeps evolving, it’s essentially a constant cat-and-mouse game with fraudsters, and the results are often unpredictable. It is even more intriguing that criminals are also training AI to outsmart enhanced AI detection, creating a continuous cycle of detection and evasion.

    Take age verification, for example. Fraudsters can employ masks and filters that make people appear older during a liveness test. In response to such tactics, researchers are pushed to identify fresh cues or signs of manipulated media and train their systems to spot them. It’s a back-and-forth battle that keeps going, with each side trying to outsmart the other.

    Related: The Deepfake Threat is Real. Here Are 3 Ways to Protect Your Business

    Maximum level of security

    In light of all we’ve explored thus far, the question looms: What steps should we take?

    First, to achieve the highest level of security in ID verification, toss out the old playbook and embrace a liveness-centric approach for identity checks. What’s the essence of it?

    While most AI-generated forgeries still lack the naturalness needed for convincing liveness sessions, organizations seeking maximum security should work exclusively with physical objects — no scans, no photos — just real documents and real people.

    In the ID verification process, the solution must validate both the liveness and authenticity of the document and the individual presenting it.

    This should also be supported by an AI verification model trained to detect even the most subtle video or image manipulations, which might be invisible to the human eye. It can also help detect other parameters that could flag abnormal user behavior. This involves checking the device used to access a service, its location, interaction history, image stability and other factors that can help verify the authenticity of the identity in question. It’s like piecing together a puzzle to determine if everything adds up.

    And one final tip – requesting that customers use their mobile phones during liveness sessions instead of a computer’s webcam would be helpful. This is because it is generally much more difficult for fraudsters to swap images or videos when using a mobile phone’s camera.

    To wrap it up, AI is the ultimate sidekick for the good guys, ensuring the bad guys can’t sneak past those defenses. Still, AI models need guidance from us humans to stay on the right track. But when together, we are superb at spotting fraud.

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    Ihar Kliashchou

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