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Tag: innovation

  • Why The Demand for Tech Jobs Will Only Get Stronger

    Why The Demand for Tech Jobs Will Only Get Stronger

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In the world of big tech, there have been many hiring freezes and recent layoffs. Many worry that layoffs in this realm signify an impending national economic crisis. Yet, there is hope for tech workers and jobs outside traditional tech giants. Companies outside of big tech are scooping up tech talent to develop their tech infrastructures.

    All in all, don’t expect a slowdown in Information Technology (IT). What you should expect is a redistribution.

    Related: Why The Consumer Tech World Is Too Focused on Electronics

    Current layoffs and “cooling off” in IT hiring are a drop in the bucket amid a global shortage of IT talent

    Three major jobs in the ICT industry are a software developer or engineer, user support specialist and systems analyst. Other positions include project managers, systems engineers, systems administrators and network engineers. High-profile tech layoffs and hiring freezes are masking the job growth and demand that remains in the job market. Many companies outside of the tech sector are hiring tech workers for their digital transformation processes. As a result, the growth rate outside big tech firms is minimally affected.

    Some tech firms’ layoffs, such as those at Stripe and Meta, result from over-hiring. This happened as part of the tech boom that emerged during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and has less to do with the state of our economy. Raising capital is increasingly difficult as these tech firms’ public market valuations decrease. Therefore, they’re switching from a hyper-growth mode to an efficient growth mode.

    Globally, there has been a shortage of tech workers for a while. Management consulting firm Korn Ferry predicts we’ll be short over 85 million tech workers globally by 2030. That’s $8.5 trillion in lost annual revenue. Since technology is rapidly becoming a fundamental element in every operation within any company, there will always be a shortage of highly skilled tech workers, no matter how many companies hire and pay more.

    Related: What the Future Looks Like for Fresh Graduates in the Tech Industry

    Fundamental demand for IT continues to grow

    There is too much work worldwide to build new digital products, rebuild old systems, take advantage of cloud tech and automate human-dependent processes.

    Tech job postings are higher by 25% this year as aerospace, finance and healthcare companies are vying to hire tech talent. And since 2020, tech talents worldwide have been finding work in Canada, specifically in Toronto and Vancouver. One reason for this could be the Trump administration’s tricky immigration policy. Why jump through hoops to work in the US when neighboring Canada has looser guidelines and available work?

    Canada’s tech job growth rate has been outpacing that of the United States. This continues even as cities such as Seattle and San Francisco have tech giants hiring masses of workers.

    Layoffs and freezes will unevenly affect different sectors

    While big tech firms will slow down, other industries (e.g., travel and healthcare) will take advantage, meaning more resources will come in.

    Every laid-off tech worker has a job waiting for them in the United States or elsewhere. Remote work, burgeoning since 2020, has extended the job market and made it possible for people to work anywhere.

    Frankly, some bloodletting is healthy

    Compensation and perks in big tech and Silicon Valley have reached crazy levels. Many believe that the Valley is losing its unique aura. Silicon Valley talent may not be a good fit for “Main Street” and may have little interest in working in such an environment. They will have to adjust, leading to a healthier, adaptable and sustainable tech workforce in the long term. Silicon Valley and New York City, traditional major tech hubs, are cooling down and cutting costs. However, states like Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas and Florida are seeing tech industry job growth.

    It’s also important to keep the Eastern European IT picture in mind. What is happening now is that Eastern Europe, which was traditionally considered to be the main competitor, is in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine. Although still working and available, Russia and Belarus are no longer in the picture, and Ukraine is a high risk. Poland, Romania, Serbia and Portugal are becoming more expensive because of war and the reduced talent market. This is helping India, always a big IT outsourcing hub, benefit.

    Conclusion

    Labor market conditions are only getting better. Tech is the backbone of every company, whether in consulting, healthcare or aerospace. Displaced big tech workers will turn to companies in other sectors where they’ll still be paid well and expected to work similar jobs. IT jobs were hot and still are because of the law of supply and demand.

    Every company wants to hire the best tech talent. However, there’s only so much talent to choose from. It can get pretty competitive when another company can lure away the tech workers that one company has been eyeing. Let the tech talent wars continue.

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    Dmitry Bagrov

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  • Blockchain Technology: Overhyped or Underused?

    Blockchain Technology: Overhyped or Underused?

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    With the recent collapse of FTX, investors now worry about the future of cryptocurrency. While some blame the technology, we should remember that people are corruptible, not blockchain. The ledger-based technology making cryptocurrency possible is as much a breakthrough today as it was yesterday. Unfortunately, crashes like FTX play into fears that blockchain is more hype than breakthrough. Will blockchain once and for all prove not very useful in the enterprise?

    When blockchain technology spawned a new way of thinking about money and creating wealth, many in the enterprise IT space began thinking about using blockchain technology to streamline business processes. For example, the global supply chain is still not working as well as it could. More than a decade later, enterprise adoption of blockchain technology is crawling at best and stalled across the board in many of the world’s largest companies.

    Blockchain is an emerging technology, meaning its full potential and practical uses are still evolving. This creates hype as visionaries dream about using the technology to its full potential, usually long before everyone else sees its usefulness. This is the downside of emergent technology, as hype often masks reality.

    Related: The Blockchain Is Everywhere: Here’s How to Understand It

    Remember the cloud?

    When cloud computing first came out, it was an emerging technology. Software developers scrambled to develop SaaS applications where people bought a software service instead of installing the software on each workstation. Two decades later, the endpoint for the evolution of cloud computing revealed itself to no fanfare. Cloud computing is behind the scenes and responsible for billions of data exchanges daily.

    Everyone takes the cloud for granted today. But go back 20 years, and the same hype drove similar conversations about cloud computing. Indeed, go back half a century, and you will find hype about using computers in the enterprise. There was even excitement about driving cars instead of horses. The point is that the hype is part of the adoption process that all emergent technology must go through to become behind-the-scenes technology.

    Facts behind the hype

    Blockchain technology and the movement of digital information across disparate locations are not exaggerated. Human civilization needs blockchain because it protects the process of moving digital data from one place to another in a physical realm people cannot see. Once a Bitcoin gets transferred, the record of that transfer does not change.

    What can change is the cybersecurity surrounding the transfer. Because software is a product of human creation, bugs will pop up from using the technology. Our society deals with this regularly. Consequently, there will be bugs; that is a fact.

    Another crucial point is that blockchain technology must use other technology with no attached hype — for example, securing cloud computing SaaS applications using Wi-Fi. If every other part of the information exchange is secure, working out the bugs is a process of elimination.

    Related: How Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Can Revolutionize Businesses

    Trailblazer vs. trail follower

    Although some technologists perceive blockchain as overhyped, what does that mean, and what should the enterprise do about it? Hype in the tech sphere is a cultural phenomenon driven by followers waiting for someone else to lead. Everyone knows blockchain is the future, but only some want to be trailblazers. Unfortunately, it does not help when a trailblazer fails. Enterprise leaders get worried and pull back.

    Provocatively, it collapses like FTX, which works to legitimize hype for emergent technology. Spectacular collapses tend to spur serious progress into making the technology live up to its hype. For the enterprise, the hype centers on supply chains as the world seeks a better way to manage global shipping.

    Making blockchain work for the enterprise

    Walmart and other large retail businesses need blockchain technology or something like it, which is driving much of the hype. The global supply chain is not functioning as it could, so the enterprise needs blockchain much like the healthcare industry needs caregivers because of a worker shortage. In this light, overhype is a motivator for taking action or getting in line and waiting for the trailblazer.

    The enterprise’s decision-makers need motivational buy-in from software engineers with a trailblazer mindset. Moreover, the software applications must be heavily backed by robust security specifically designed to manage the movement of digital information from one point to another.

    Related: How Blockchain Can Make A Positive Impact On Global Issues

    Incremental change

    Enterprise adoption of blockchain is slow but not unexpected. Our modern society wants everything right now. If the digital revolution taught us anything, change is incremental. The best way to get comfortable using blockchain comes from using it in small test programs. Once these smaller programs work as a system, scale the operations together, then work the bugs out from there.

    Patience and hype need to get along better. However, trailblazers in the tech sphere must be patient or risk being victims of hype. Focus on small steps representing steps forward — for example, using an extensive global supply chain with only a tiny part controlled by blockchain. Once the blockchain-supported supply chain section runs without bugs, please step back and understand how it fits into the bigger supply chain. The process and setup systems needed for incremental change do not pay attention to hype.

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    Steve Taplin

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  • Why You Need A Ghostwriter For Your Next Book

    Why You Need A Ghostwriter For Your Next Book

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Would you believe me if I told you I just attended New York Fashion Week? If you are someone who celebrates fashion, you might know that Fashion Week is one of the biggest events in the industry. I was honored to be personally invited to participate in one of the shows.

    But you’re probably thinking, how did this happen to someone like me who is decidedly not in the fashion industry? It happened because of a book. My company wrote a book for one of the designers, and she was generous enough to let me see her collection launch during the infamous event.

    In the current age, more and more entrepreneurs are jumping into the literary space to gain authority in their field. I have heard it said that entrepreneurs having their own books is like having a really good business card. But is everyone good at making business cards?

    Not everyone is a writer. Some might not enjoy the act, don’t feel they have the skills or don’t have the time needed to create a book. Plus, writing is hard. But it can be much more manageable if you have someone who knows what they’re doing. They can guide you along the process, working with you to create your book while saving you time. Enter the “ghostwriter.”

    Related: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Writing a Book

    A common misconception

    People hear the word ‘ghostwriter’ and get weary that the book is untrue. But just because something is “ghostwritten” doesn’t mean the ideas aren’t from the author (in this case, the client or the person whose name is on the book).

    Authors play a huge role in writing the book! They’ll discuss their ideas with the writer, provide feedback on drafts and even edit the ideas in the book. With ghostwriting, someone else puts those ideas into coherent, eloquent words, but the author gets the credit because they brought the book to life. It becomes a helpful tool devised through an equitable partnership. This is why working with a trusted professional will give you the best results.

    Related: How One Man Made $200,000 Last Year Ghostwriting Tweets

    Save time

    As I mentioned, another benefit of hiring a ghostwriter is saving time in the writing process. Writing a book is nothing if not time-consuming and having a ghostwriter by your side makes life much easier. If you are an entrepreneur, you’re most likely busy balancing your personal and professional life while trying to earn the best results for your clients. This is no easy task, but the best leaders know that they cannot do everything themselves.

    Did somebody say delegation? Having someone who helps you out is okay, especially if that individual understands your goals. Reaching out to someone like a ghostwriter doesn’t make you fraudulent or a bad business person; it just makes you a person who is willing to ask for help, which is an admirable quality if you ask me.

    How do ghostwriting services work?

    While every ghostwriter may have a slightly different process, typically, it starts with a discovery interview where they ask what you want to write about. Here the writer will gauge if you have any topics that you want to be implemented. This is a great time to lay out those ideas that have been brewing inside your head. This way, the writer can already start piecing together what the actual text of your book might look like.

    Usually, ghostwriters will then take your input and put it into words that foster connection and empathy from your audience. Ghostwriting is an intimate process so expect the call to get personal at points, especially if it is a nonfiction book and even more so if it’s biographical. You must feel comfortable with your ghostwriter so that you and your work don’t suffer in creating your book.

    Related: The Entrepreneur’s Complete Guide to Ghostwriting

    After the preliminary call is done, the ghostwriters get to work. Once they have the first draft done, they will typically send it to you, encouraging you to make any edits you deem appropriate. Remember, this is your book! So this is an excellent time to clear up any misunderstandings or bumps in the manuscript.

    Even if you are not a linguist at heart, you can create your own book with a good ghostwriter by your side. When you start to promote your books (especially if it centers around you and your field of business), others will see you as an authority. Books are a great way to prove your knowledge in your field, allow your customers to get to know you better, and allow you to flex those creative muscles.

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    Morissa Schwartz

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  • General E. John Teichert Joins Gapingvoid Culture Design Group as Executive Advisor

    General E. John Teichert Joins Gapingvoid Culture Design Group as Executive Advisor

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    Press Release
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    Jan 17, 2023


    MIAMI, January 17, 2023 (Newswire.com)
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    Brigadier General E. John ‘Dragon’ Teichert, United States Air Force (retired), has joined Gapingvoid Culture Design Group as Executive Advisor of Innovation and Leadership. 

    Teichert was Commander of Edwards Air Force Base from 2018-2020, where he collaborated with Gapingvoid on an innovation Culture Design project, largely recognized as the most successful innovation culture change effort ever undertaken by the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the command of Edwards, he served as the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Iraq and the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs. He has a background as an F-15E fighter pilot, an F-22 test pilot, and an inspirational and transformative leader at multiple levels of command.

    Gapingvoid Culture Design Group CEO Jason Korman said, “We are honored that General Teichert has chosen to join the team. We are energized by the potential this partnership has to bring new thinking about designing innovative cultures and helping leaders expand their influence.”

    About his new position, General Teichert stated, “Gapingvoid is a unique company that helps leaders intentionally design their organizational culture to deliver sustained operational excellence while fostering a real, human, emotional, immersive connection to work. I’ve seen them in action as a customer, and they deliver! I am thrilled to join their team.” 

    General Teichert will be assisting with executive strategy and leadership consultation for several global accounts and in developing novel approaches to applying Culture Design® to other public and private sector clients in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. 

    Source: Gapingvoid Culture Design Group

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  • How to Outrank AI-Generated Content

    How to Outrank AI-Generated Content

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    ChatGPT, an AI-powered content creation tool, has gained widespread popularity. GPT stands for Generative Pre-training Transformer. It is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that can generate human-like content by analyzing language patterns and a knowledge database. Marketers are using it to produce massive quantities of high-quality content, but it lacks credibility without a recognized author. That’s where you can leverage Google EAT and other tactics to outrank GPT spammers and your competition.

    What is Google EAT?

    EAT — or Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness — is a ranking signal in Google’s algorithm. Real people called “quality raters” use it to determine the quality and relevance of search results based on Search Quality Rater Guidelines. This feedback helps train Google’s algorithm to deliver better results to users.

    • Expertise is the author’s depth of knowledge on the topic. You can demonstrate expertise through educational credentials, professional experience and published works.

    • Authority is the author’s reputation within an industry or community. You can demonstrate authority through media mentions, industry awards and speaking engagements.

    • Trustworthiness is the credibility and reliability of the content and its source. You can demonstrate trustworthiness through references and citations, transparent author bios and clear contact information.

    In general, websites with high EAT are more likely to appear higher on Google Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) compared to other content where all other factors are equal. EAT is especially important for websites in industries where accurate and reliable information is critical, such as healthcare, finance and legal.

    Related: 7 Best SEO Tools to Help You Rank Higher in Google

    Why Google EAT matters during an explosion of machine-generated content

    As ChatGPT and other automated content creation tools become more popular, we can expect a surge in search engine spam. These tools can produce content quickly and inexpensively. Consequently, Google must adjust its algorithm to prioritize credible writers. A viable solution is to give more weight to the EAT ranking signal. They’ll continue to prioritize articles associated with trusted authors and fine-tune their algorithm to detect the legitimacy and quality of content attributed to them. Google must also score content according to the value of the information contained and stylistic attributes such as engagement and readability.

    I recently described how human writers have some advantages over AI on a podcast. People have imagination and can generate original data with surveys and experiments. We can then use data storytelling to make our content stand out in SERPs. We can also grow our audience on social media and drive traffic to our pages. This “social signal” can increase the legitimacy of our content.

    Related: Top 5 Ways AI Can Enhance Your Content-Creation Process

    What to do when you can’t demonstrate EAT on your own

    If you have a limited amount of influence, you can leverage the Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness of established authors and influencers to grow your brand. Here’s how:

    1. Pay top influencers in your industry to write articles, record videos and create other content they agree not to publish elsewhere until after Google indexes your pages. Be sure to disclose payments when legally required to do so.

    2. Identify, quote and write about well-respected people in your industry. Then, contact them, or tag them in social posts that point back to your content. Some of these people will share your content with their audiences.

    3. Build genuine relationships with famous people in your industry. You can network with influencers at events, on LinkedIn and on other social platforms. Transform those relationships into mutually beneficial collaborations to grow your authority.

    Related: How Influencer Marketing Took Power, and What the Future Holds

    Machine-generated content will improve, and platforms will use it to deliver personalized content. Authors can use it for ideation, outlines and summaries. However, spammers will use it for gaming search engines. To future-proof yourself as a content creator, optimize for Google EAT, and create unique articles that only humans can initiate.

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    Dennis Consorte

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  • Why It’s Time For You To Accept Crypto

    Why It’s Time For You To Accept Crypto

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Cryptocurrency is nothing new. While many people discuss the digital asset as an enigma, it is a medium of exchange worth significant value. True, digital coins do not have the same tangible backing as cash, but the security of design, and the blockchain setup, create (or should create) a level of confidence.

    If your business has yet to embrace crypto as a form of payment, it is falling behind and missing valuable opportunities to thrive. While not all companies yet embrace crypto, those that do experience unparalleled access to otherwise distant consumer pools.

    The number of companies embracing crypto is rising, including such names as Gucci, Paypal and Visa. Permitting crypto payment options can expand your market share and improve your position in the marketplace; it can also demystify this legitimate form of payment.

    The reasons crypto is right for your business model

    It is easy to look at the failings of FTX and lose confidence in the system, but investors and businesses need to review the market’s otherwise successful history. Bitcoin is only one asset out of thousands that continues to outperform investor expectations. The folly of one digital coin should not deter innovative businesses from embracing a payment option that proves time and time again its ability to persevere.

    If your company wants to look toward the future, it must embrace crypto because it isn’t going anywhere. The financial “new normal” demands that businesses adapt and embrace changing structures. Besides the need to adjust, there are many reasons businesses benefit from accepting crypto payments.

    Related: 5 Tips for Using Cryptocurrency in Your Small Business

    1. Decrease fraudulent chargebacks

    Many companies are victims of friendly fraud or mistaken consumers. In the digital subscription age, many consumers don’t remember all their purchases and may report an issue of credit card fraud where there is none. Unfortunately, whether friendly mistakes or criminal, chargebacks cost businesses billions yearly.

    Embracing bitcoin payments can reduce fraudulent chargeback risks. Crypto payments report to an immutable public ledger. The payment method does not allow for alteration, meaning once a transaction is complete, nothing can reverse it, eliminating the false claims of fraud on the purchase end.

    Related: The Benefits of Crypto Education for Your Business

    2. Increase security

    Cryptocurrencies exist within the blockchain — a decentralized, distributed digital ledger. All transactions are permanent, unmodifiable, and impossible to delete. The entire crypto concept is a vision for secure monetary assets.

    A business can improve the security and usability of crypto by partnering with blockchain monitoring services. Some payment processors will offer additional security measures; however, even bare-bones, cryptocurrency is more secure than credit cards and other payment methods.

    Accepting crypto shows your consumers that you care about their security and yours. The additional security and finality of digital coins also provide assurances for businesses providing subscriptions or other services in a techno-focused era.

    Related: Crypto vs. Banking: Which Is a Better Choice?

    3. Lower transaction fees

    Credit card fees present a significant thorn in the side of many merchants. Fees represent a profit loss on individual transactions. Besides the on-top percentage taken from the sale, many credit card processors also charge a nominal fee per incoming transaction.

    Cryptocurrency transactions eliminate any additional fee structures when handled on the business end. If you decide to use a payment processor (recommended), you will need to pay a service fee, typically less than traditional processors will charge.

    4. Improve transaction speed, regardless of country of origin

    Besides transaction fees, credit card transactions take time to process. As a business owner, you do not have time to waste. Most cryptocurrency transactions occur in real-time — one of the many perks of a decentralized system.

    Traditional credit card or debit card payments can take several days, depending on a consumer’s location. Crypto is borderless, so location does not affect or inhibit transaction speed. Also, because the digital asset does not involve cross-country settlements or obstacles, there are no costly currency conversions.

    Related: 10 Ways You Can Learn More About Crypto and Blockchain

    5. Improve growth potential

    The growth potential of crypto is twofold for business owners: financial and market share. Any crypto investor can tell you about the exponential growth of digital assets in recent years. For a business owner, the potential valuation increases for some cryptocurrencies are enough to embrace the payment method. Permitting crypto payments means you can potentially earn greater profits from the same volume of purchases.

    Besides the monetary gains, permitting crypto also opens your business to a wealthier consumer pool and buyers who may not have considered your company before. Crypto allows for a level of anonymity and privacy that other payment forms do not. Newer, more private consumers will appreciate your business’s steps to secure their privacy.

    6. Taking crypto means getting cash

    You get cash, not crypto, for your payment by dealing with a reputable payment platform. Trusted platforms will convert crypto payments into cash. And by taking crypto, you’re making it easy for crypto holders to buy products and services, all while receiving cash in your bank account. It’s a win-win and a great cost-effective opportunity to increase your revenue.

    Crypto is the future and the future is now

    Whether a high-end, established retailer or a small, young business, it is time to use cryptocurrency, permitting it as a payment option. Digital currency is more secure than other transaction methods and allows for growth opportunities while maintaining consumer privacy. Embrace crypto and embrace the future of your business.

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    Richard Iamunno

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  • Tech Impact’s Data Innovation Lab Launches Fellowship and Celebrates New Space

    Tech Impact’s Data Innovation Lab Launches Fellowship and Celebrates New Space

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    Eight data scientists join the inaugural Fellowship cohort focused on using data for social good.

    Press Release
    –

    Jan 12, 2023


    WILMINGTON, Del., January 12, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The Data Innovation Lab, a division of Tech Impact that accelerates the use of data insights and intelligence to address societal issues, today announces eight data fellows have joined the third Fellowship cohort. The year-long program, funded this year by a $3 million ARPA grant, aims to support Delaware state agencies in leveraging data and technology to develop pandemic relief solutions and better serve the community. Upon completion of the program, the Data Innovation Lab will aim to place Fellows in roles with Delaware-based companies.

    To improve collaboration among the Fellows, the Data Lab has moved into a new space at the FinTech Building located at the STAR (Science Technology and Applied Research) Campus at the University of Delaware. The Data Lab will host an Open House on Jan. 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the new location, where attendees will have the opportunity to meet the Data Lab team and the Fellows, and become immersed in interactive data experiences.

    “We are thrilled to welcome the new cohort of Fellows to the Data Innovation Lab as we continue to grow the program,” said Patrick Callihan, CEO of Tech Impact. “While we remain focused on leveraging technology and data to enable Delaware organizations and government entities to make an impact, we hope to scale this program on a national level to further impact communities across the U.S.”

    The eight Fellows include Dr. Tameca Beckett, Kaitlin Canalichio, Jose Dominguez, Maylene Ferrin, Yüksel Karahan, Yupeng Lei, Evan Miller, and Nile Miller. To learn more about the Fellows, visit the Tech Impact Blog.

    The focus of the cohort of Fellows is to support the Data Lab in using data to improve the community. One project focus is a collaboration with The Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association as they seek to understand the changing healthcare workforce landscape in Delaware. “With the addition of the Fellows, our team has moved on to the second phase of work for this project. We are focused on understanding the distribution of chronic diseases geographically across Delaware, which is part of the work that will allow us to determine healthcare worker needs,” said Ryan Harrington, Director, Strategy & Operations at the Data Innovation Lab.

    Other projects include supporting the Delaware Workforce Development Board analyzing the workforce landscape, including future hiring needs, skills gaps, and recruitment mediums. The Data Lab is also exploring state education data using augmented and virtual reality and building products to assist nonprofits with social impact evaluation. 

    “We are engaging with various social issues ranging from education and housing to healthcare and safety while thinking critically about their intersectionality. For example, in collaboration with the WRK Group at Reach Riverside, we developed and launched the organization’s inaugural social impact reporting interactive dashboard. Identifying the appropriate data to analyze and the necessary tools to develop aids our partners in understanding their community impact and to target interventions or services,” said Héctor Maldonado-Reis, Director, Research Development and Analytics at the Data Innovation Lab.

    About Tech Impact

    Tech Impact is a nonprofit that leverages technology to advance social impact. Our proven workforce training programs and intermediary services prepare our graduates to launch or advance their careers in technology. We strengthen nonprofits through a full spectrum of technological support, giving them the education and services they need to deliver greater impact and help their communities thrive. Learn more at techimpact.org. 

    Source: Tech Impact

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  • Japan hugs UK close as it seeks to push back against China

    Japan hugs UK close as it seeks to push back against China

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    LONDON — Japan increasingly sees the U.K. as a key defense and trade ally in its pushback against China in the Indo-Pacific, say senior Japanese officials, as the country makes a diplomatic push to rally G7 nations this week.

    Tokyo has opened its G7 presidency with a diplomatic offensive amid concern about both China and Russia. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Italy and France this week before landing in London — and plans to cap the week with visits to Canada and Washington.

    Kishida is “a strong believer” that “security in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable,” the Japanese prime minister’s press secretary, Hikariko Ono, told reporters Wednesday.

    On the same day, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Kishida signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, the most significant defense pact between the two nations since 1902. The two will ramp up joint military drills and smooth the ability of U.K. forces to be deployed to Japan and vice versa.

    The agreement “cements our commitment to the Indo-Pacific,” Sunak said ahead of the signing, “and underlines our joint efforts to bolster economic security, accelerate our defense cooperation and drive innovation that creates highly skilled jobs.”

    “Collaboration across defense and security would not only benefit Japan and the United Kingdom, but broader global stability, the leaders agreed,” said a Downing Street spokeswoman after the signing ceremony at the Tower of London Wednesday evening.

    Japan is increasingly concerned about security in its backyard. Last December, China and Russia conducted joint live-fire military drills near Japan. And Beijing launched live-fire exercises near Taiwan last summer following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. This prompted Tokyo to update its own national security strategy in December, vowing to increase its defense budget to 2 percent of its GDP — a 20 percent increase.

    Japan’s security environment has become “really severe so that we have no choice but to think about whether or not our current defense capability can really defend the life of the Japanese people,” said Ono, the Japanese prime minister’s spokesperson.

    Last month, London and Tokyo also announced they are teaming up with Italy to develop the Tempest, a new fighter jet kitted out with the latest technology. 

    During his meeting with Sunak, Kashida urged Britain to agree to further bilateral meetings between the foreign and defense ministers from both countries in a bid to further bolster defense ties.

    “We are ready to strengthen our security alliances,” Ono said, and “would like to explore further collaboration” with the U.K.

    As part of this, Tokyo is working to help Britain join the 11-nation Asia-Pacific CPTPP trade bloc. Japan is a founding member and the deal is “not a mere trade agreement, but a strategic agreement,” the spokesperson said, with negotiations with the U.K. “now at the final stage.”

    Kishida and Sunak plan to “jointly tackle the remaining issues regarding the accession,” they said, “so the earliest possible conclusion can be reached.”

    Japan is keen “to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific,” they said, and “fully support” the British government’s engagement in the region. 

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    Graham Lanktree

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  • 4 Ways Your Business Can Take Advantage of a Recession

    4 Ways Your Business Can Take Advantage of a Recession

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Today’s macroeconomic environment is marked by high inflation, low consumer confidence, abysmal stock market performance and rising interest rates. Few sectors of the economy are exempt from the current malaise, and discretionary spending by consumers and businesses alike is at an all-time low.

    In times like these, it’s natural for entrepreneurs to focus on surviving rather than thriving. But recessions can actually be fertile ground for companies that are prepared to seize opportunity. Here are four ways entrepreneurs can take advantage of a recession to achieve massive growth:

    Related: How to Turn Inflation and Recession into Your Largest Business Opportunity

    1. Look for white space in the market

    In a recession, many companies trim their product lines and focus on their core offerings. This creates opportunities for companies that are able to identify and fill gaps in the market.

    For instance, in September, Facebook shuttered Novi, its digital wallet. The move comes as no surprise. Facebook is facing big challenges in maintaining both user and investor confidence amidst a slowdown in growth, all while its metaverse dreams flounder. But the death of Novi opens up an opportunity for a new entrant to provide a digital wallet. In fact, a phoenix has already risen from the ashes: A Web3 wallet, Martian, raised a $3 million pre-seed following Facebook’s announcement.

    Just as Novi aimed to provide a simple way to store digital currencies and make payments, Martian is said to “allow users to hold, store, and use multiple digital assets.” The key difference is that Martian is being built on top of open-source technology, rather than Facebook’s centralized infrastructure.

    In another example from the Web3 world, the FTX exchange famously collapsed, leaving thousands of users looking for other trading solutions. Yuriy Sorokin, the CEO of 3Commas, explains in an article that, amidst this volatility, their “goal remains the same as always: to meet the needs of every crypto investor by providing industry-leading services and professional-grade tools.”

    Rather than suffer from an industry downturn, Sorokin found an opportunity to double down. These kinds of opportunities are everywhere in a recession. As incumbent companies focus on their core offerings, new entrants can swoop in and provide the missing piece of the puzzle. In another example, while Ford is reducing the production of its trucks and SUVs, Tesla is gearing up to mass produce its Cybertruck.

    2. Attract top talent

    From Google to Facebook to Uber, many of the most successful tech companies have announced layoffs this year. While this is devastating news for the employees who are impacted, it’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs who are looking to attract top talent.

    In a recession, it’s not just big companies that are making layoffs. Small businesses are cutting back as well. But as employees at all levels find themselves out of work, they’ll be looking for opportunities that offer both security and upside potential. For entrepreneurs, this presents a golden opportunity to attract the best and the brightest to their team.

    Some recruiters have already started to take advantage of the current climate. As Reuters reports, following layoffs at Google and Apple, Stack Overflow more than doubled its headcount. Stack Overflow isn’t alone, as a survey of startup tech executives found that more than 40% of them boosted their hiring plans in the first half of 2022.

    If you’re an entrepreneur, now is the time to start thinking about how you can attract top talent to your company.

    Related: For Savvy Entrepreneurs, an Economic Downturn Creates Opportunity

    3. Take advantage of lower costs

    A recession can be a great time to get discounts on everything from office space to advertising. As businesses contract, they’re often willing to negotiate better terms with their vendors in order to free up cash. This presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs who are looking to get more bang for their buck.

    One way to take advantage of lower costs is to negotiate longer-term contracts. For example, if you’re looking for office space, you may be able to get a longer lease at a lower rate. Or if you’re looking to expand your team, you may be able to get a better deal on salaries if you’re willing to lock in employees for a longer period of time.

    4. Deploy cost-optimization technologies

    When faced with a budget crunch, businesses of all sizes are looking for ways to reduce costs. This has created a demand for cost-optimization technologies that can help businesses slash their spending.

    For entrepreneurs, this presents a unique opportunity to develop and market technologies that can help businesses save money. For instance, there’s currently a big push for energy-efficiency technologies that can help businesses lower their utility bills. Likewise, there’s a growing market for software that can help businesses streamline their operations and reduce waste.

    Cloud spend, in particular, is an area where businesses are looking to save money. In recent years, businesses have been moving more and more of their workloads to the cloud. However, as businesses have become more reliant on cloud services, their spending on these services has ballooned.

    This has led to a search for cost-effective cloud strategies, and this is where entrepreneurs can play a big role. Recently, a number of cloud optimization startups have raised big rounds of funding. Zesty, which automatically adjusts use of cloud resources in real time, raised $75 million while Keebo, a data warehouse optimization tool, raised $10.5 million.

    Related: Don’t Let a Recession Ruin Your Business. Here’s How Your Business Can Thrive During Hard Times

    As businesses look to save money in a recession, entrepreneurs who can provide cost-effective solutions will be in high demand. Financial technology solutions, too, can help firms cut costs, and therefore see greater adoption in a downturn. Solid, a banking-as-a-platform solution, recently raised a $63 million Series B and claims to have experienced 10X growth in the past year.

    Recessions are often seen as a time of contraction and doom and gloom. But for entrepreneurs who are willing to seize opportunity, recessions can actually be a time of massive growth. By looking for white space in the market, attracting top talent, taking advantage of lower costs and deploying cost-optimization technologies, entrepreneurs can position their companies for success in the years to come.

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    Frederik Bussler

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  • AI Learning Leader, Ahura AI is Selected for the 2023 GSV ‘Elite 200’

    AI Learning Leader, Ahura AI is Selected for the 2023 GSV ‘Elite 200’

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    Ahura AI to Compete as Semifinalist in the World’s Largest Pitch Competition for Pre-K to Gray EdTech Startups

    Press Release
    –

    Jan 9, 2023 07:00 EST


    SAN FRANCISCO, January 9, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Ahura AI, a leading AI learning platform startup, announced the company has been selected to The Elite 200, the distinguished list of semifinalists set to compete in the 2023 GSV Cup. The GSV Cup, widely recognized as the world’s largest EdTech pitch competition for early-stage digital learning and workforce skills startups, takes place at the ASU+GSV Summit April 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. The cup, powered by GSV Ventures, Google Cloud, HolonIQ, HubSpot for Startups, and ASU RealmSpark, will award $1MM in cash & prizes.

    Ahura AI was selected from a global applicant pool of 900+ startups across 69 countries, representing the largest and most competitive applicant pool for the GSV Cup. More than 200 judges from leading venture capital firms and strategic partners in digital learning and workforce skills, including Accel, Bessemer Venture Partners, Blume Ventures, ECMC Group, NEA, Pear, Owl Ventures, Reach Capital, and more, leveraged a rigorous framework to evaluate each startup and determine the 200 most promising companies.

    “2023 has started off so incredibly well for our team, and Ahura AI is so excited to be selected as a semi-finalist in the GSV Cup alongside so many prestigious innovators,” said Bryan Talebi, CEO & Co-Founder of Ahura AI. “We’re bringing our transformative AI-driven platform to companies everywhere, increasing their productivity and driving stronger performance across their teams.”

    “Our GSV Cup semifinalists epitomize our 2023 theme, Brave New World – you can’t use an old map for a new world. These 200 companies are charting new courses and drawing new maps to achieve the scaled delivery of learning and skills. We all hope to achieve the mission that ALL people deserve equal access to the future through the innovations of these great founders,” said Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner of GSV Ventures and Co-founder of the ASU+GSV Summit.

    The Elite 200 companies selected as semifinalists in this year’s competition support learners from Pre-K to Gray and are well-distributed across the categories of Early Childhood, K-12, Higher Education, Adult Consumer Learning, and Workforce Learning. Among this year’s Elite 200 companies: 

    • 43% of companies are headquartered outside of the United States
    • 52% of companies have female founder(s)
    • 48% of companies have founder(s) that identify as people of color

    The 2023 Elite 200 join an illustrious group of startups with past winners and semifinalists, including, Abwaab, Curious Cardinals, Ethena, Kibo Schools, LingoAce, uDocz, and many more.

    See Ahura AI and all of the companies selected to the GSV Cup Elite 200 https://www.asugsvsummit.com/gsv-cup-elite-200

    About Ahura AI

    Ahura AI is a pioneer in the field of personalized learning. We are a mission driven company, founded with the goal of developing a powerful AI-driven platform to enable the workforce, teams, companies, and even individuals acquire the critical skills necessary to succeed in the unfolding economy. “Meet Your Future”, speaks to the company’s vision and belief in the transformational power of learning, and that access to a platform that understands how we learn, our unique differences, and personalizes the experience of connecting to information creates agility and fearlessness in a constantly shifting workplace. For more information, please visit: www.ahuraai.com

    About ASU+GSV Summit

    The ASU+GSV Summit is the premier global event focused on technology innovation in education and skills. We believe that ALL people deserve equal access to the future. Started in 2010 with a collaboration between Arizona State University (ASU) and Global Silicon Valley (GSV), the annual Summit connects leading minds focused on transforming society and business around learning and work. Educators, investors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world come together to innovate the future of education for all. Hosted in San Diego, over 5,300 people attended in April 2022. Speakers from previous years include President Barack Obama, President George W. Bush, Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, John Legend, Common, Marian Wright Edelman, Bill Gates, Sandra Day O’Connor, Reed Hastings, President Vicente Fox, Malcolm Gladwell, Gloria Steinem, Tony Blair, and Howard Schultz.

    Source: Ahura AI

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  • 3 Easy New Year’s Resolutions Every Business Owner Should Make in 2023

    3 Easy New Year’s Resolutions Every Business Owner Should Make in 2023

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    New year’s resolutions are a bit of a joke these days. Let’s be honest. To the point that breaking them seems par for the course. Only 9-12% of the 41% of Americans who make resolutions in the first place follow through with them.

    As business owners, we face this every year too. We set goals for our team, or we have growth forecasts to hit. Right from the jump, we commit ourselves to deliver a long list of lofty promises.

    And do we come through?

    It would be very glib of me to accuse you of writing checks your…um…”bottom” can’t cash. But statistically, that’s precisely what you’re doing. In the warm, cozy confines of the Christmas holidays and new year celebrations, you concoct all of these wonderful new milestones for you and your business.

    Then reality hits. The day-to-day operational issues, supplier delays and client requests. They all conspire to slow your progress to a crawl. Before you know it, you’re preparing for Christmas again, having hardly achieved any of it!

    Related: 10 New Year’s Resolutions Entrepreneurs Should Make Every Year

    The problem is that you tried to change too much!

    We all look for magic bullet solutions, but your mind is just not set up to cope with massive and sudden changes. As much as 97% of your decision-making is done subconsciously. That means that no matter how strong your intellectual resolve is — unless you can internalize your intentions and communicate them favorably to your subconscious — you’re unlikely to see them to fruition.

    You might think that working on your subconscious is a personal indulgence you don’t have time for, but trust me: you have to. Like it or not, your business is an extension of you. It exists because you created it and gave it purpose.

    If you are locked in a personal battle between your consciously held desires and your subconscious emotional programming, your business will rapidly lose direction and focus.

    So with that said, here are three easy new years resolutions that every business owner should make in 2023.

    1. Make ‘check-ins’ a part of your everyday routine

    What do I mean by this?

    I’m talking about taking five or ten minutes twice daily to take yourself off to a quiet space and check in with yourself.

    We can often become derailed as we go through our day. We unknowingly carry the baggage of the various issues we encounter into our subsequent decisions on unrelated matters.

    By checking in regularly, you’ll be able to hear and let go of your frustrations. Your ‘stuck states’ will be freed, enabling you to address your needs with a level head. Thus improving your ability to lead and your team’s ability to deliver.

    Related: This is Why Entrepreneurs Seriously Need to Take a Break

    2. Take regular ‘VIP Days’

    I do this at least once or twice a month, but it’s crucial in getting that 97% of your brain onboard.

    A VIP day involves you indulging in your favorite things to do. This could be shopping, a spa treatment, going to your favorite restaurant for lunch…anything.

    A big part of why you face so much internal resistance to change is because you are hardwired (thanks to millions of years of inherited, genetic wisdom) to resist it. The change represents the unknown, and the unknown is unsafe!

    Bearing in mind that this simple reasoning pre-dates language, reasoning and certainly globalization. It simply doesn’t have the awareness that your conscious mind does. What taking a VIP day will do for you is show your subconscious that you are a person who has taken chances and they have given your more security. Not less.

    A significant point of resistance to growth for so many of us is that we simply do not see ourselves as successful. By enforcing the taking of regular VIP days, you’re actively stepping into becoming that new person holistically. And your subconscious will notice.

    Related: Would You Rather Change or Let Your Business Die?

    3. Set micro-goals for your business

    It’s easy to drag everyone into a meeting on their first day at work of the new year and proclaim that “this year we’re going to aim to double growth in sales!” before dusting your hands off and returning to your office.

    Setting top-level goals is your responsibility, sure. But you won’t get there in one leap!

    Going back to what I just said about your subconscious programming. Looking at a high-level goal like that, with no conceivable way to break it down, is simply going to result in overwhelm for you and your team. You need to think about the lower-level steps along the way to achieving that end result and then walk those through with your team.

    Related: Do You Have a Love/Hate Relationship With Goals?

    Of course: delegate operational responsibility for them, but recognize your responsibility to understand what they are in the first place! When everyone can see the path clearly, understand precisely how to execute their part in it and feel confident in their ability to do so: you’ll be unstoppable.

    Limiting these to three and keeping them simple is to avoid overcommitting yourself and risking a shutdown. The reason for giving your three personal resolutions (rather than ones for your business directly) is to better resource you in terms of your mental resilience so that you can handle whatever comes your way.

    Make no mistake: the challenges of 2022 are likely to continue well into 2023. The best way to hedge against them is by better equipping yourself with the internal resources to guide your team decisively.

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    Daniel Mangena

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  • 3 Ways to Fuel Your Digital Media Growth in 2023

    3 Ways to Fuel Your Digital Media Growth in 2023

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In light of recent shakeups at tech companies, a possible looming recession and enduring inflation, it’s never been more important for companies to reallocate marketing budgets across a variety of platforms to maximize return on investment. Collectively, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google) and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) have lost more than $3 trillion in market value this year alone, according to Bloomberg.

    Frequent mass layoffs and highly volatile technology stock prices have led companies to wonder whether these firms are stable enough to continue advertising with. And even if they are, should channel priorities change?

    A few digital media shift highlights of 2022:

    • After Elon Musk’s chaotic takeover of Twitter — including his sudden departure as CEO and both introducing and then disposing of subscriptions for Twitter Blue — advertisers have been anxiously pulling paid media spend, fearing brand safety, misinformation and minimal content moderation.
    • Tech layoffs were so common that they quickly became trending hashtags, including #TwitterLayoffs and #MetaLayoffs.
    • Meta’s valuation plunged this past February and set off Wall Street’s worst drop in nearly a year, with Meta shares falling more than 26%, representing a $230 billion decrease in its market value, according to The New York Times. This plunge comes on the heels of Facebook’s re-brand to Meta, including a pivot from driving brand growth through performance-centric ads to its Metaverse future vision focused on augmented and virtual reality.

    Related: “Tweets are read ~100 times more than they are liked,” Musk Rolls Out New View Count Feature

    So, how can leaders confidently put together 2023 marketing budgets and forecast return on ad spend (ROAS) when the technology firms they’ve been advertising with — and upon which they have become so reliant to drive brand awareness, new leads and revenue — have seemingly become so unstable?

    My experience managing digital marketing at B2C companies like Nike, L’Oréal and Meta, and now as vice president of digital media at The Bliss Group (a data-driven marketing communications agency focused on financial services, professional services and healthcare) grants me unique insight into the future of these and other media platforms.

    With that in mind, here are tips for optimizing 2023 marketing plans and budgets:

    1. What do the metrics show? Re-evaluate your analytics

    Performance starts and ends with a weekly assessment of metrics. The ability to determine why numbers are up or down is critical in order to drive sustainable growth. For example, if Twitter is an important channel for your brand engagement strategy, start looking more closely at recent trends. Have your followers been significantly increasing or decreasing, and more quickly than usual? An unexpected increase could indicate bots, while a sudden decrease could indicate that followers are leaving the platform. If you’re seeing a significant decrease, it might impact referral traffic from Twitter to your company’s website, potentially leading to fewer new visits and leads.

    Tip: For Twitter, it might be worth pausing ads until the platform stabilizes, and re-allocating that budget portion to another channel like TikTok, Instagram or LinkedIn, depending on where your audience is. And for organic social media, be sure to monitor comments on your corporate Twitter account. If sentiment is trending more negatively than usual, re-consider the type of content you’re promoting and/or how frequently you post. For B2B firms, it might be worth re-focusing on other channels, like LinkedIn.

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

    2. Who are you talking to? Re-assess your audience

    The way advertisers identify and target audiences is changing, including increased friction between balancing data privacy best practices and delivering personalized content. To provide a truly one-to-one user journey, marketers need to have a clear understanding of who they’re talking to. The challenge? There has been a heightened global focus on data privacy, with government regulation at the forefront (i.e., GDPR in the EU, Google Chrome’s possible deprecation of third-party cookies and Apple’s iOS changes).

    Because of these shifts, it might become more difficult for companies to identify a highly segmented audience, track its behavior and assess paid media metrics. This could impact digital advertising campaigns’ re-targeting, measurement and attribution. (Source: Meta & Deloitte Digital, Q3 2022).

    Ensure that your organization clearly understands what audience data is being collected and by whom, what technology tools are housing that data and how you plan to leverage information in marketing communications and reporting. In other words, continue to invest in paid media campaigns, but be sure to prioritize owned media by capturing first-party data on your website, rather than being completely reliant on third-party data through various ad platforms.

    Tip: To grow an audience base through owned media, focus on collecting new email addresses on your website (lead generation), then follow up with a strategic lead nurture campaign in which your company sends segmented “Welcome” emails, with personalized content to new users. By honing your website customer relationship management strategy, if third-party cookies were to go away in the future, your company will be prepared, since it has already developed a direct relationship with its audience and captured information in a trustworthy way.

    Related: 3 Tips to Re-Engage With Isolated Consumers

    3. What happens after the click? Create a streamlined user experience

    More than 80% of smartphone users access email on their devices, but if they are not easily readable on mobile, consumers delete them in three seconds, according to HubSpot. If subscribers open your email, click on the content and land on your website, what messaging do they see? Do they take an action, or do they immediately leave? It’s critical to use responsive design and prioritize the mobile website journey.

    Tip: Create a seamless “after the click” experience. Align your company’s email with its website content. Develop concise benefits-oriented copy with a clear image, a consistent user experience that ensures all key messages are “above the fold” (at the top of the mobile landing page) and a clear call-to-action, using buttons that are action-oriented, such as “Download Now”). The simpler the user experience, the higher the engagement.

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    Melissa Stone

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  • 3 Lessons for Creative Entrepreneurs

    3 Lessons for Creative Entrepreneurs

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    When people say, “Well, everyone has to start somewhere,” they’re usually not referring to drop-outs like me. I was a pretty rebellious kid, to be honest, and at age 16, I’d managed to flunk most of my classes — all but art and technology — so, I dropped out. You could say I wasn’t exactly setting myself up for success, but what 16-year-old doesn’t like a good challenge?

    One thing I knew was that I wanted to use my art skills, so I set my sights on becoming a designer and applied to graphic design school. But my low grades and lack of detectable academic skills did me no favors, and my application was rejected. Irritated, I got a job working at a creative production agency as a tea boy (yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like). It didn’t take me long to realize that if I made the tea badly enough, my colleagues wouldn’t request it as often. I’d then have more time to figure out how to make myself actually useful at the company.

    But the biggest challenge I faced at the agency was not the tea kettle; it was my family. I was the son of one of the agency’s three owners, which meant I had to do twice as much work to gain acceptance from my fellow employees. But it soon became clear that it wasn’t working. Two weeks into my tenure, my older brother, who’d been at the agency for a few years, pulled me aside. “Everybody hates you,” he said.

    That stung. I couldn’t believe it. I was hurt, angry and more than a little embarrassed. But that harsh slap of reality motivated me to prove myself over the next 20 years by consistently searching for ways to make myself valuable to the organization. By the time I was named CEO some two decades later, I’d worked in nearly every position. Along the way, I learned lessons that would end up being incredibly useful to me as CEO. And I only could have learned them by slowly moving up the ranks and working in all corners of the business.

    Here are three lessons I’d like to pass along to any inspiring entrepreneur:

    1. Don’t believe what you see in the movies

    Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart: New problems, scary unknowns and intriguing (but distracting) opportunities will challenge you every day. And you’ll second-guess yourself every step of the way while others rely on you to make decisions. People will rely on you to make the right decisions — and they expect you to do it with a degree of confidence, whether you have any or not!

    Movies love to depict entrepreneurs with automatic access to lavish parties, luxury cars and a golden ticket to Silicon Valley. In this case, life doesn’t imitate art. Entrepreneurship includes many struggles. And if you’re lucky, and your company begins to grow, your struggles grow as well.

    In fact, you can compare entrepreneurship to parenting. Some of the most difficult, challenging and stressful moments in life involve raising a child. The bigger the child, the bigger the mess, right? It often feels like an uphill battle trying to keep the house clean. But parenting is also magic. It includes some of the most moving and memorable moments of your life. Parents and entrepreneurs often find themselves in high-pressure situations, managing unique personalities and getting zero credit. But these facts hold true for both:

    Despite the difficulties, you can achieve success with persistence. As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Energy and persistence conquer all things.”

    Related: 4 Success Secrets for Creative Entrepreneurs

    2. Passion supports persistence

    As an entrepreneur, you need passion to succeed. It inspires your business plans and sets you apart from the competition. Your passion attracts the right customers and employees, and perhaps most importantly, gives you the motivation to deliver on your mission.

    If you want to give everything to something, you have to do what you love. Otherwise, you’ll burn out, get frustrated and be tempted to throw in the towel. To identify your purpose, ask yourself:

    • What was I put on this earth to do?

    • What motivates me to get out of bed every morning instead of languishing under the covers and pondering life?

    • What makes me tick?

    Once you identify your purpose, take a step back and examine your career. Ask yourself: Does my career feed my purpose? Stepping into the business world means choosing a venture you believe in and feel passionate about. Find a way to tap into that purpose and drive yourself forward to achieve the best possible outcome.

    That somewhere starting point requires a vision and goals to achieve success. Where do you want to see your business in one, five and 10 years? Every day, check the alignment of your goals and your passions with your plan for the future.

    My purpose is creativity. It makes me tick, and it drives me forward in my career. In my world, it’s essential for me to understand the creative process, how people think and work. By thinking creatively, I find more solutions to problems and even challenge my own assumptions.

    Related: Remember, Persistence Pays Off. Stay Motivated With These 5 Tips.

    3. Defend, cherish and promote creativity

    Creativity is born from adversity and constraint. Growing up, I was very familiar with both. My parents played infidelity tennis through much of my childhood, fighting and tormenting each other while my brother and I could only look on. My constraint was the academic system, which crushed my spirit. It wasn’t the right fit for me, and it didn’t give me what I needed at that time.

    Adversity pushed me towards creativity to ease my anxiety and escape from my parents’ tortuous relationship. I channeled my passion for the creative process into drawing, building and creating, which also served as a rebellion against the constraints of the academic system. My creative spirit protected me and helped me thrive, despite the upheavals happening at home.

    To an extent, the creative spirit represents a higher power in humans. And while creativity doesn’t come naturally to everyone, it lives in us all. Entrepreneurs need to use the creative process to solve problems, escape troubled times and leverage that creativity in good times to develop products and innovate. I launched my company in 2011 with the mission to unlock creativity through liberating technology. That purpose hasn’t changed, and it still gets me out of bed in the morning.

    The struggles I faced in my career and personal life, along with my passion and creativity, shaped me into the leader and entrepreneur I am today. If you have the next great idea, give yourself permission to explore it, and see where it goes. Use your experiences, your purpose and your creativity, of course, to unlock your potential.

    Related: 7 Tips for Emerging Creative Entrepreneurs

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    Simon Berg

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  • BLUETTI to Debut Its Latest EP900 Home Power Backup System at CES 2023

    BLUETTI to Debut Its Latest EP900 Home Power Backup System at CES 2023

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    Press Release
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    Jan 4, 2023


    LAS VEGAS, January 4, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    BLUETTI, a pioneer in the clean energy storage industry, has decided to showcase its new model EP900 and other power backup products at the upcoming CES 2023, the world’s biggest tech conference. It claims to redefine home energy at the Las Vegas Convention Center, North Hall #9335, Jan. 5-8, 2023.

    EP900+B500 – Modular Energy Storage System for Whole House
    The upgraded EP900 & B500 feature a 9kW inverter and expandable capacity that starts at 9kWh with a single B500 LFP battery and ends at 79kWh when paired with 16 batteries. The system can be integrated directly into any solar system, allowing for 9kW max solar input. Besides its peak-load shifting mode to reduce electric bills, it also acts as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) that switches instantly to battery power in 10ms after the grid power fails.

    AC500+B300S – Modular Energy Storage System for All Occasions
    The stellar combo of the year will also hit the stage. A month earlier, it raised $11 million from more than 4,000 backers on Indiegogo, another record in BLUETTI’s history.

    The 16-outlet solar generator pumps out 5kW pure sine wave power and can be charged via 8kW AC+ Solar dual input. The AC500 can handle anything from home blackouts to outdoor camping when teamed with one to six B300S LFP batteries for a maximum capacity of 18,432Wh.

    Other Power Generator Selection
    BLUETTI has a diverse product range that can be classified by size, usage, or design. It has a lineup of portable generators called the EB series, such as the popular 10-pound EB3A. The AC200MAX, AC200P and EP500, EP500Pro make up the best all-in-one power giant collection. Options for power stations are growing in number as BLUETTI’s R&D team continues to roll out products based on customer demand.

    About BLUETTI
    With over 10 years of industry experience, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future through green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use while delivering an exceptional eco-friendly experience for everyone and the world. BLUETTI is making its presence in 70+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe. For more information, please visit BLUETTI online at https://www.bluettipower.com

    Or follow us on social media:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluetti.inc
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluetti_official
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluetti_inc
    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLUETTIOfficial

    Source: BLUETTI POWER INC

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  • Patent Trolls Are Targeting Small Businesses — and You Could Be Next

    Patent Trolls Are Targeting Small Businesses — and You Could Be Next

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As I walk the CES show floor each year, I’m awed by the world-changing innovations put on display by our country’s top entrepreneurs, inventors and businesses. While innovation can happen anywhere and exhibitors join us from around the globe, it’s not just our Las Vegas location that brings thousands of American businesses to our halls. But this year, beyond the spectacle and lights, I’m concerned about a quiet but potentially disastrous threat to American innovation and entrepreneurial spirit.

    The International Trade Commission (ITC) is a little-known but powerful executive agency tasked with protecting U.S. industries — including small businesses and entrepreneurs — from unfair trading practices deployed by foreign companies. That’s a laudable goal. However, in recent years, patent trolls — in other words, companies that don’t make anything, but manipulate patent laws to extort legitimate businesses — have transformed the ITC into a legal weapon targeting successful companies of every size. These cases have serious consequences, as the ITC often relies on exclusion orders and sweeping bans blocking American businesses from distributing products and using technology as a primary tool to resolve disputes. These extreme bans pose a real danger to American innovation. Just one errant exclusion order could shut down a small business, shutter a growing company or hamstring a successful entrepreneur.

    Related: 4 Potential Lawsuits to Watch Out for in Small Business

    American entrepreneurs and small business owners spend years creating and investing in innovative products and services to build successful companies. Patent trolls simply prey on others’ success. Unfortunately, these bad actors often see small and medium-sized businesses as easy targets, and the ITC’s legal forums do nothing to discourage baseless lawsuits. Even the ITC’s own data shows that the problem has gotten out of control, with lawsuits filed by patent trolls skyrocketing in the past decade. Now, it’s commonplace for business owners to receive threatening letters, which cite absurdly broad or vague patents and offer business owners the choice between huge payments or costly, drawn-out legal action.

    Even small business owners who avoid direct confrontations with patent trolls can be caught in the crossfire of disputes between bad actors and larger companies. Take, for example, a recent ITC case filed by one patent troll against leading U.S. tech companies over their use of semiconductors. If that case is successful, it would exclude a large swath of tech products. Overnight, smaller businesses could lose access to key components used in their products.

    While Congress has been slow to address the patent troll problems plaguing the ITC, the issue is starting to gain momentum. Groups like the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC) have led the charge on ITC reform, pushing leaders in Congress to introduce meaningful legislation. The bipartisan Advancing America’s Interests Act, for example, would fix some of the most glaring legal loopholes patent trolls exploit for profit – but Congress still needs to pass it.

    Related: How to Stop a Frivolous Lawsuit From Sinking Your Business

    Small business owners and entrepreneurs have a critical role to play in pushing ITC reforms over the finish line. Lawmakers in Washington pay special attention to concerns raised by members of their home state’s small business community, which means that calling and writing members of Congress in support of the Advancing America’s Interests Act and similar legislation can have a real impact.

    American entrepreneurs and small business owners are spending too much precious time and money fending off bogus lawsuits from patent trolls. ITC reform is needed urgently to stop patent trolls from hijacking American innovation.

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    Gary Shapiro

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  • 6 Tips for Creating Magnetic Headlines that Bring High Conversions

    6 Tips for Creating Magnetic Headlines that Bring High Conversions

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    You work hard on creating content. This content deserves to get seen. But that’s only possible when you invest some of your efforts into creating the content’s headline.

    The headline is the one part of your content that gets the most exposure since 80% of the readers only read the headline. The quality of the headline determines whether a reader will stop scrolling, look at your content and click on it.

    If the headline seems unappealing, your content may not get the attention it deserves, no matter how valuable, informative and engaging it may be. This is perhaps why traffic can vary by as much as 500% just because of the headline.

    Therefore, compromising on the quality of the headline is the last thing you want to do.

    Related: This Is How You Write Headlines That Hook ’em!

    How to write great headlines

    Fortunately, writing powerful headlines involves no rocket science. You can quickly start churning out impactful headlines with a bit of practice. Writing great headlines is a combination of art and science. The internet is filled with formulas for headline writing. And they work too. But only so much.

    You must blend your creativity, audience understanding and a bit of data with these formulas to create resounding headlines.

    Here are a few tips on how you can go about doing that:

    1. Think about your readers

    It’s a customer-first world we are living in. In this case, reader-first.

    You have to identify your audience’s problems and deliver effective solutions in an appealing manner to solidify your reputation and build loyalty.

    Since the headline gets the most exposure, reflect your audience’s understanding and concentrate on the value your content adds to their life within it. This is the best way to show your audience you understand their struggles and get them to read your content to further hone in on the emotional bond you intend to create.

    Be clear about what the article has for the reader. Will it entertain, educate, inform or inspire them? Will it answer a question or solve a problem?

    For example, if you sell office chairs and know your prospects struggle with back pain, you can create a headline focusing on the pain point. Something like “7 Exclusive Office Chairs to Help Alleviate Your Back Pain” may help generate good results.

    2. Use power words

    Notice the word “exclusive” in the example headline above? That’s a power word.

    Certain words trigger a psychological response, an emotion within humans. These words are called power words. Power words are divided into multiple categories based on the emotions they invoke. These categories may include greed, curiosity, trust, anger, fear, etc.

    Including one of these words within the headline maximizes its impact. Your headline now triggers an emotional response within the readers and is more likely to get a click from them.

    Let’s revisit the example headline above.

    “7 Exclusive Office Chairs to Alleviate Your Back Pain”

    Let’s take the power word out.

    “7 Office Chairs to Alleviate Your Back Pain.”

    Did the impact visibly reduce? It sure did.

    That’s the power of power words. You can find a comprehensive list of power words here.

    3. Don’t forsake authenticity

    It is easy to go overboard with power words. But that would bring you closer to creating click-baity headlines. And savvy modern readers can spot click-baity headlines from miles away and dismiss the content and the brand that pushes such headlines.

    Therefore, strike a balance when using power words.

    Make sure the headline promises what the content delivers. Nothing is more annoying than clicking on an article to learn about one thing and finding something completely different, incomplete, or irrelevant instead.

    Mold your headline to fit the article. For this, create the content and then write the headline to ensure it reflects the article’s content.

    4. Stay on brand

    Consistent branding is essential across all customer touchpoints since it can increase revenue by 33%.

    The headlines may get the most eyeballs from your online content. Therefore, they must align with your brand’s personality. Think of the headlines here on Entrepreneur and compare them with those on Buzzfeed. You will be able to identify how brands stick to their brand personality through headlines.

    5. Use numbers

    The age-old headline tip. Use numbers.

    Using numbers in headlines is an approach that is often overused. But it still works.

    Numbers are more appealing to the human brain than words. They are easier to process and understand. More importantly, numbers help readers determine how long the content is and what they should expect more easily.

    This is why 36% of readers prefer headlines with numbers.

    Which of the following headlines do you think will be better:

    “7 Exclusive Office Chairs to Alleviate Your Back Pain” or

    “Office Chairs to Alleviate Your Back Pain.”?

    The former. That’s because it tells the readers they have seven options inside and promises them that the article will be easier to skim through.

    So, try and write numbered headlines. But again, don’t go overboard. Mix it up with other headlines to ensure your brand appears authentic.

    6. Take care of the headline length

    It is easy to get carried away when creating headlines. You want to write the most straightforward and impactful headline, after all. However, you have to stick to a character limit. 60-100 characters, to be exact.

    Readers are almost always short on time. You have a few seconds to grab attention and deliver value. Therefore, stick to the character limit and consolidate all its value.

    Related: Copywriters Use These 4 Psychological Tactics to Write Attention-Grabbing Headlines

    Do justice to your content

    Creating content can be challenging. And once you are done writing your blog, you need it to be seen to serve the purpose it was designed for. Therefore, make sure to write headlines that generate clicks and do justice to your content.

    You can do this by aligning the headline content with the user’s pain points, clarifying the value, including numbers and maintaining optimal headline length.

    Also, test your headlines to see what resonates best with your audience. See which posts have garnered the most clicks and analyze their headlines. You might be able to pick critical headline-writing insights this way. Implement these insights to improve your headline writing game.

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    Atul Jindal

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  • Chef Joe Isidori of Arthur & Sons NY Italian on Finding Your Authentic Voice

    Chef Joe Isidori of Arthur & Sons NY Italian on Finding Your Authentic Voice

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    Takeaways:

    Authenticity Makes the Most Sense – Joe Isidori is unapologetically “New York Italian”. However, it wasn’t always that way. While building his brand, he found his voice after “shedding the armor” of what he thought he should be, and did what made the most sense: be himself.

    Gaining Balance by Leveraging Social Media – Joe Isidori’s father Arthur was a huge influence on him as a man and restaurateur. One of the lessons he learned from his father is, despite how hard it is to run a restaurant business, you need to take care of yourself and your family. Luckily, the digital age of social media has allowed Joe’s presence to grow without him spending every waking moment in his various restaurants.

    Being Yourself Makes you Bulletproof – Finding his voice has helped Joe Isidori build an impeccable empire and a worldwide restaurant portfolio. When asked how he did it, his advice to up-and-coming restaurant owners can be applied universally: Cut the BS and get over yourself.

    ***

    Chef Joe Isidori learned a secret to life that has resonated with him ever since: “Knock it off and cut the BS out.”

    Thanks to leaning into his authenticity online, the Michelin starred restaurateur and founder of Arthur & Sons in NYC has built a global brand and expanding food empire.

    For Joe Isidori, the key to it all has been authenticity.

    “And at the end of the day, it’s all going to be about one thing. It’s going to be about authenticity. It’s New York Italian,” Isidori passionately explains about his food to podcast host Shawn P. Walchef of CaliBBQ Media. “Which means it’s got that attitude, it’s got that flavor, it’s got that authenticity.”

    After the death of his father Arthur (or Artie), who was his inspiration for being a chef and business owner, Isidori searched internally for happiness. That search materialized to a tribute restaurant entitled Black Tap that harkened back to his childhood days of grabbing a cheeseburger and milkshake on Tuesdays with his father.

    While the popularity of Black Tap grew quickly, it skyrocketed when he introduced Crazy Shakes after following his wife’s wishes.

    Despite worldwide acclaim online for his decadent, over the top shakes, Isidori found himself struggling again to find his voice.

    “The day I started Black Tap as a memory I had with my father. And unfortunately, that memory had faded away and Black Tap had become something else. It was eclipsed by the milkshake. It was eclipsed by worldwide fame.” he says of the experience. “I decided that I was going to just shed the armor, throw it all away. And I was just going to be myself, and that’s what I did. And that was the game plan.”

    That game plan has taken Joe Isidori’s empire to even new heights. His NY Italian restaurant Arthur & Sons has amassed an Instagram following that has many followers based purely on Isidori being himself and putting his authentic experience on full display.

    Fortunately, the social media influence of today’s marketplace has also freed him up to be more present in his family’s lives and provided a level of balance he hadn’t previously experienced.

    “My father gave his shirt off his back. He worked his ass off. He made people happy. He did nothing but bring joy into people’s lives and a lot of restaurants. The end of the day, when I buried him, he had $265 in his pocket, two packs of Marlboros and those lottery tickets.” says Joe Isidori.

    “What social media has done and what I do as a chef and everything; I don’t live and die in my restaurants anymore, but I make sure I run my business accordingly and I make sure everyone’s happy and I make sure they keep coming back. Social media allows me to do that because they still feel me through social media, even if I’m not in a dining room with them.”

    The aspirations to be better came from Isidori’s father. He was a man of the people and the people loved him for it. As for Joe Isidori, the kid who started cooking while listening to Wu-Tang Clan, he has since realized what his dad meant by “chicken parm pays the bills.”

    Cut the BS. Be yourself.

    ***

    ABOUT RESTAURANT INFLUENCERS:

    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.

    Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

    Restaurant Influencers is also supported by AtmosphereTV – TV to Enhance Your Business. Try AtmosphereTV.

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    Shawn P. Walchef

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  • The No.1 Most Bankable Skill You Must Have to Succeed in 2023

    The No.1 Most Bankable Skill You Must Have to Succeed in 2023

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    If you don’t foster this skill, you’ll fall behind the pack financially and professionally in 2023.

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    Ben Angel

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  • How to Be the Empathetic Leader Your Team Needs

    How to Be the Empathetic Leader Your Team Needs

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Can you feel it? The tides of the workplace norm are quickly shifting. Which side are you on? Are you stuck in the past where traditional plug-and-play marketing methods are fading away as the revenue runs dry? Or are you sinking into your more empathetic side to support a lean team through every ebb and flow of the business world?

    Melodramatic maybe, but true nonetheless. Without a doubt, the business market evolved, and the typical consumer avatar shifted in the past few years. No industry was safe from this drastic change.

    Clients know they deserve more when it comes to the customer journey, and they’re not afraid to keep searching until they find a company that is willing to make good on their investment. Right now, you need to ask yourself one simple question … Are you that company? Better yet, are you that leader?

    The answer to these questions, among other factors, lies in your ability to empathize with both your clients and your team.

    Related: Why Empathetic Leadership Is More Important Than Ever

    To create a meaningful customer experience, you have to know how to read people’s nonverbal cues, understand their verbal language and see the world from their perspective — not just your own.

    It takes a high level of emotional intelligence to truly comprehend what others are experiencing and then be able to adjust your words or actions accordingly. This is the empath’s gift. Being an empath doesn’t mean you are a pushover.

    We both know you can’t let others run over you if you desire to be a true titan of business. That being said, your team members need to know that when they come to you with concerns, you’ve got their back — always.

    On the other hand, clients need to feel confident in your abilities from the start. They also need to know without a shadow of a doubt that you’re always working on their behalf and in their best interest. When they feel this connection with you, they’ll be much more likely to remain a customer for life.

    How to develop your empathy skills

    So, ask yourself again … are you that company? That leader? If not, it’s time to start developing your empathy skills so you can be. Here are a few actions you can take to get started:

    • Pay attention to nonverbal cues
    • Listen with the intent to understand, not just reply
    • Seek out diverse perspectives
    • Practice mindfulness and meditation
    • Check your ego at the door
    • Be patient and present in every moment
    • Allow yourself to feel emotions fully, both positive and negative

    The ability to empathize is a crucial business strategy that all leaders should master to be successful. Empathy allows you to connect with your team members and customers on a deeper level, understand their needs and wants and create a more meaningful customer experience.

    In a world where traditional marketing methods are beginning to fade away, empathy can be the key to differentiating your company from the rest.

    The role of an empath in business

    In its simplest form, an empath is a person with the ability to understand and feel the emotions of others. It goes beyond being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes; an empath experiences the world of others as if they were living it themselves.

    If you’re not an empath, reading the sentence above probably left a large question mark in your mind. How can anyone feel exactly what someone else is feeling at any given moment? What an enlightened question. Here’s the science behind it.

    Every human has what’s called a mirror neuron system. This system is responsible for our ability to understand the emotions and intentions of others by simulating their feelings in our own brains. In other words, we can feel others’ emotions because our brain is wired to do so.

    Some people have stronger mirror neurons than others, which makes them more empathic. These individuals are typically more in tune with the emotions of those around them and can easily read nonverbal cues. They’re also quick to build relationships and trust because people feel understood when they’re around them.

    It doesn’t matter whether you’re an empath or not; the most important thing is that you understand how empathy works and why it’s such an important business tool. The first step to using empathy in business is to understand the different types of empathy. There are three main types:

    1. Cognitive empathy: This type of empathy allows you to understand how someone else is feeling by putting yourself in their shoes and seeing the world from their perspective. It’s the ability to see things from multiple angles and understand another person’s point of view.

    2. Emotional empathy: Emotional empathy is the ability to feel what another person is feeling. It’s different from cognitive empathy because it doesn’t require you to put yourself in someone else’s shoes; you simply feel their emotions as if they were your own.

    3. Physical empathy: Physical empathy is the ability to understand and respond to another person’s physical sensations. This includes both pain and pleasure. For example, if someone is telling you about a difficult time they’re going through, you might physically mirror their expressions or body language to show them that you understand what they’re feeling.

    Related: How Understanding the Power of Empathy Makes You a Better Leader

    For business owners: Why an emotionless human being is difficult to trust

    Yes, we’re all humans, but we probably all know that one person who is stone-cold all the time. And not in a good way. If you’re that person, do you truly believe your employees are going to enjoy working for you?

    Being unapproachable and unwilling to listen causes low employee retention rates and low company morale. Everyone comes to work knowing they have to walk on eggshells because their boss isn’t going to understand that an unexpected family emergency is the real reason why the assignment was a day late.

    As the leader of a team with varying emotional needs, you must step up to the plate and develop your empathetic side. Empathy is a crucial quality for any leader who desires to build trust, rapport and understanding with their team.

    Empathetic leaders are also able to see situations from multiple perspectives and make better decisions as a result. When leaders can empathize with their team, they create a safe and supportive environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.

    How can you become the empathetic leader your team needs?

    Once you tap into this side of yourself, you’ll quickly start seeing a shift in your team’s dynamic. Here’s how:

    1. Try to put yourself in other people’s shoes: This means trying to see things from their perspective, without judgment.

    2. Pay attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues: What are they saying? How are they saying it? What is their body language telling you?

    3. Be present in the moment: This means being fully focused on the other person and what they’re saying or doing.

    4. Practice active listening: This means not only hearing what the other person is saying but also trying to understand the meaning behind their words.

    Remember, empathy is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. The more you do it, the better you’ll become at it.

    To scale your business with sustainable systems that succeed, your employees need to feel free to open up and share their thoughts and feelings. You hired each and every person on your team for a reason — that reason being that you see a creative and innovative spark in them that presents itself as an incredible asset to your business.

    Why shut down their creative flow before they have the room to flourish? Your business’ next big breakthrough could come from the mind of one of your talented team members. Imagine how much impact and income you could miss out on by silencing your team member with a billion-dollar idea they’re too afraid to share.

    Related: The Future of Leadership is Empathy—And Companies are Better for It

    Why empathy is your secret weapon

    Empathy is a critical business strategy because it allows you to:

    • Develop deeper relationships with your clients

    • Build trust and rapport

    • Create a safe space for sharing

    • Understand needs and how to best support them

    • Generate new ideas

    What is a business without its strong employee-client relationships? If clients can’t trust your brand, they’re not going to purchase your products or services. That’s simply a fact.

    Being authentic and showing clients that there’s an emotionally intelligent human behind your well-oiled machine helps you fully understand the needs of your target market and create products and services that meet those needs. When you have empathy, you’re able to see both the big picture and the smaller details. Soon, you’ll be making informed decisions that benefit everyone aligned with your brand.

    Start the process to see the impactful results

    Maybe you’ve run a successful operation by being that cold, calculating business person. But what if you’re missing out on something phenomenal by not opening yourself up to the power of empathy? Sure, it might be a little out of your comfort zone at first, but that’s how growth happens. By stepping outside of what’s familiar and exploring new territory, elevation is inevitable.

    Empathy is a learned skill that takes time and practice to master. But it’s well worth the effort because it will make you an impactful leader, an effective communicator and an enlightened human being.

    When you’re able to see the world through the eyes of others, you gain a greater understanding of the human experience. And that is a powerful tool that can be used to make a positive impact in the world. The bottom line is that empathy is essential for both personal and professional success. If you want to be an awe-inspiring leader that invites loyalty, you must first master the art of empathy.

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    Shaan Rais

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  • Long-Term Success and Quality Leadership Hinge on Authenticity

    Long-Term Success and Quality Leadership Hinge on Authenticity

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    To say that we have collectively experienced massive turmoil and upheaval since 2020 first arrived would be an understatement of the highest measure. Lessons learned from the pandemic, and the roller coaster that it was in our personal and professional lives, highlight the critical nature of genuine, steadfast leadership.

    When challenging and chaotic times occur, emotionally intelligent leadership is essential to ensure safe passage across choppy seas. This critical nature of a steady hand at the helm rings true for small businesses and large corporations alike. While the scale may differ, the core element remains the same: people.

    Long-term, quality leadership hinges on the ability to keep the humanity of business a central component of all operations.

    Related: How You Can Build a More People-Centric Workplace

    Humanity drives business

    Every aspect of the business and customer relationship, whether directly or indirectly, impacts individuals. It’s important to step back from the point of sale or moment of service and see the layers of men and women connected to those single moments.

    1. The consumer who is due quality products and service.
    2. Shareholders expecting profitable — and sustainable — results
    3. Senior leadership tasked with guiding the bigger picture
    4. Team or departmental heads charged with implementing the vision
    5. Every employee in their ranks, inspired to take on the challenge
    6. The family and social connections every individual represents

    When running a business, it’s natural to zero in on the transactional moments that represent the viability of our business or brand. Quality leadership remembers the bigger picture and what it takes to get there, to that moment when the product or service is fulfilled.

    Amplify this process fivefold, tenfold or a thousandfold and that one thing remains: the humanity of it.

    Related: 5 Ways Emotional Intelligence Will Make You a Better Leader

    Employees deserve authentic respect in challenging times

    In business, challenging seasons are inevitable; there is no avoiding that reality. And while the size and scope of the issue will vary in correlation to an organization’s size, the experience is felt the same for every employee.

    A company may have hundreds or thousands of employees; a small business may have a baker’s dozen. Regardless, the workforce encompasses men and women who deserve leadership anchored with authentic respect.

    Authentic respect as a leader is defined by the simple truth that we are all in this together. Small business leaders may experience this reality in a more tangible way, as the natural divide between employee and employer logically expands with every stage of company growth.

    When operating with authentic respect, leaders navigating challenging seasons choose transparency over opaqueness, with intentional communication and connectedness driving adaptive, creative problem-solving.

    Related: 7 Ways to Stay Resilient in Uncertain Times

    Avoiding empathy just for empathy’s sake

    Any business leader striving to guide their company through an arduous period may be tempted to dive into the deep end of empathetic and intentional support without having earned it or knowing how to achieve it effectively.

    Employees are instinctively aware of inauthentic support done seemingly for show and little else. If clumsily attempted, well-intended measures of communicating care and fueling connection can prove ill-fated and counterproductive. Forced efforts exacerbated by poor research or being rushed into action can derail positive momentum.

    Amidst tumultuous times, one-on-ones with employees and regular, alternating team and departmental meetings can be an excellent means to retain awareness and understanding. The larger the company, the more complex the system may be to ensure every individual receives proper care and support.

    Conversely, scheduling one-on-ones or more frequent team meetings and having no game plan for effectively utilizing the time can drain away the impact of a well-intentioned check-in.

    Perhaps your game plan is to listen if an employee or team member needs to vent about the stresses and challenges they’re experiencing. Having an awareness of your goals with any effort is essential to ensuring a positive, sustained impact on employee and company morale.

    Related: Inspire Loyalty With Your Leadership: Here’s How

    Leading with assured authenticity, transparency and vision

    Nothing in business is accomplished without the individuals making it happen, the men and women who are the lifeblood of a company. Any leadership position is a privilege; it’s an opportunity to guide career paths and company trajectories. An awareness of this foundational truth is crucial to tamping down any potential for overly inflated egos that can derail leadership development.

    Leading during challenging times is a wholly different level of challenge and reward. It requires higher levels of flexibility and creativity, demands authentic interpersonal skills fueled by empathy and necessitates open and active communication channels.

    Your employees will look to you as their leader to provide clarity and confidence. You may not have all the answers, and your vision for the path forward may be a work in progress. If confidently communicated on wheels of authenticity and transparency, the light at the end of the tunnel will be all the brighter.

    Related: Power With Purpose: The Four Pillars of Leadership

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    Summit Ghimire

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