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Tag: innovation

  • 2 Ways to Declutter Your Day and Unleash Creative Freedom | Entrepreneur

    2 Ways to Declutter Your Day and Unleash Creative Freedom | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As an entrepreneur, it can be difficult to navigate the responsibilities of running a business while still leaving room for creativity. The everyday responsibilities of running a business can overwhelm your bandwidth and hold you back from innovation. Here are two strategies to help you snip the unnecessary weights holding you back from creative freedom.

    Related: 5 Ways to Jump-Start Your Creativity — Even When It’s Running Low

    Letting go

    Unpack your to-do list and consider letting go of what is no longer serving your success. Taking the time to reassess the day’s priorities can save you from feeling overwhelmed by future obligations. When I start my day, I concentrate on what my team needs from me to keep projects moving forward. If there is a task that needs my approval, I make it a priority so my team can continue their work.

    Add a sense of urgency to responsibilities that are most integral to today’s schedule. By prioritizing certain tasks, you can release unnecessary weight from your day and free up more time and space for creative thinking.

    Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to your team. As an entrepreneur, it can feel like you are the only person who can do the job. But this isn’t true. If a project can be outsourced to someone else, trust that your team has got your back. Being legally blind, I’ve had to rely on others to be the eyes on projects that I cannot see. What some may consider a disability has allowed me to organically grow my business by sharing projects with others.

    Outsourcing projects can also lead to a higher quality of work. More eyes on a project ensures tasks are handled with greater care and attention to detail. Plus, you never know when a team member might have an innovative solution.

    Learn to let go of projects and ideas when necessary. As an entrepreneur, it’s important to gain the skills necessary to know when to move on. Notice when you are continuously hitting a brick wall and either let go or pivot and start from scratch.

    When I am evaluating a campaign for my business, I track the number of successes along with the times when no results were converted. I turn those results over to a professional with more skill than me and stay humble while they report on the campaign’s potential. Allowing room for others to point out your blind spots is essential to the growth of your business.

    Talking through the project with another professional helps hold you accountable and acknowledge when a project has run its course. Retiring an idea is not a sign of failure. It’s only from a place of raw truth that you can bounce back and soar higher than before.

    Related: How I Transformed My Business by Letting Go of Low-Value Tasks and Focusing on High-Impact Activities

    Looking ahead

    When you feel weighed down by responsibilities, visualizing your future success can help you maintain a positive mindset. You want to taste, smell, see, hear, and touch what it will be like to attain your ultimate goals.

    It can be easy to fall into the trap of negative thinking, but it’s essential to protect your mind by choosing hope and resiliency. Try stating words of affirmation or embodying mantras that feed your heart and vision to keep a positive mindset.

    My visualization is that I consider my mind as a neighborhood. There is no trash on the sidewalk or bars on the windows. The streets are clean and full of enthusiastic energy. I allow the momentum of this vision to surge into the words I speak, the actions I take, and the results I achieve.

    Through visualization, you help shape your thoughts into positive actions. Take time every day to refocus on hope and resilience to help you overcome obstacles and achieve success. Even the best idea can get derailed by circumstances. Reassess your goals on a quarterly or annual basis to make room for any necessary adjustments to your budget, staff or vendors. There is always room for growth and for embracing new ideas.

    I’ve learned to make education a priority in my business. I embrace workshops and partner with experts to constantly expand my skill set. But it’s up to me to turn that knowledge into action. By reassessing, I give my goals the wings they need to fly. Create a vision board to put out into the universe what you want to achieve. This can be pictures that remind you of your goals taped to your refrigerator or having a dedicated space in your office for images that motivate you.

    When I discuss my business, I talk about it like it’s a person. I give it legs and eyes and breathe life into it. I visualize my business growing from a toddler to a teenager to an adult. This helps me better understand its journey and advocate for it when I share my goals with others. Personifying your business can help you gain motivation to achieve your goals. Allowing yourself to visualize your future success opens your mind up to new possibilities and helps you stay creative amidst the responsibilities of your business.

    Related: Vision Boards: A Powerful Tool for Achieving Your Goals

    Conclusion

    Snipping the weights that hold you down frees you from unnecessary stress. By delegating and learning to let go of projects, you invite more room for innovation into your business. As an entrepreneur, it can often feel like all the responsibility falls on you. Trust in your team to lift some weight off your shoulders to allow your business to grow. Use visualization techniques to help you remain positive during the many ups and downs of business ownership.

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    Nancy Solari

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  • How Tech Innovation Helps You Stay Ahead of the Competition | Entrepreneur

    How Tech Innovation Helps You Stay Ahead of the Competition | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In today’s competitive business landscape, there seems to be a ready-made solution for everything. While off-the-shelf technology can offer practicality and convenience, relying solely on these tools often leads to a product or service that lacks distinction.

    Staying ahead of the competition is about more than simply adopting the latest tech tools — it’s about the ability to adapt quickly and create offerings that truly meet the evolving needs of your clients. Businesses that break free from the constraints of one-size-fits-all solutions are those that embrace innovation, developing unique products and experiences that set them apart from the rest, regardless of what industry they’re in.

    Related: The Secrets to Harnessing Innovation and Driving Your Business Forward

    Standing out and making your mark

    The pace of technological change can feel overwhelming. For businesses, the challenge isn’t just to keep up — it’s to stay ahead. In every industry, the companies that succeed are the ones that can pivot quickly, adopt new tools and adapt their processes to match shifting trends.

    As President and CEO of 1031 Crowdfunding, I saw an opportunity to break away from traditional real estate investment platforms and develop something uniquely ours. Like the best innovations, our platform was born out of necessity. There are a lot of stories of clients being misled, misinformed or deceived by other firms. Our proprietary online platform was created with transparency in mind.

    We’ve built a backend system that can be easily customized, allowing us to roll out new features or make adjustments in response to real-time feedback and shifting investor demands. Our goal has always been to offer our investors the best possible experience while staying compliant with industry regulations. For businesses that prioritize client satisfaction, being able to pivot quickly with your own unique technology can be a key differentiator when it comes to successful client relations. This can relate to entrepreneurs in any industry when developing products or tools for clients or investors.

    This platform isn’t just a rebranded version of what everyone else in the industry is using. It’s fully in-house, which gives us complete control over its features and makes it difficult for competitors to easily replicate. These features give us a direct line to our clients and allow us to offer services that stand out in the marketplace.

    Advantages of adaptability

    Maintaining control and flexibility over your business’ technological operations is a huge competitive advantage. While other companies are at the mercy of third-party vendors for updates, bug fixes and new features, we can move at our own pace. In an industry like real estate, where regulations and market conditions can change quickly, the ability to adapt is crucial. Our back-end technology moves as fast as we do.

    Related: 4 Ways to Adapt Your Business as Your Industry Evolves

    Imitation is not a winning strategy

    As a business owner, something I see a lot is white-label solutions. Many companies mimic others’ sites and services. If it isn’t broken, why fix it, right? The problem is, if you are offering what everyone else is, why should clients choose you? You can’t expect to outpace competitors if you are all wearing the same shoes.

    Off-the-shelf technology may seem like the easy choice. It’s ready-made, tested and widely available. Depending on your business and industry, this might be the right choice for you. However, there can be significant downsides to this approach, particularly in terms of differentiation and innovation.

    The most obvious issue is conformity. Many businesses don’t properly utilize the creative and intellectual talents of their team and, in place of their own product development, end up using the same platform as their competitors, which leads to little differentiation beyond branding. The result? A marketplace filled with companies that essentially offer the same product or service, with few distinguishing features.

    Another issue is dependency. Companies that rely on widely distributed tech solutions often find themselves limited by the functionality and update cycles of third-party providers. If your business depends on another company’s technology and they suddenly close shop, where does that leave you? While being at the mercy of a vendor’s timeline may be sufficient for some, this can hinder growth and innovation for businesses that wish to stay ahead of their competitors, regardless of industry.

    Related: One Size Does Not Fit All: Customer Centricity Is The Key To Differentiate Your Business

    Takeaways for entrepreneurs

    For entrepreneurs and business owners, creating a unique, in-house product can feel like a daunting task, requiring a significant investment of time, money and resources. But the most successful businesses are those that actively listen to their customers. By understanding and delivering the features your clients want, you not only foster loyalty but also encourage word-of-mouth recommendations that can drive growth. In today’s competitive market, providing what customers truly need is often the difference between staying ahead and falling behind.

    Innovation isn’t just an advantage — it’s a necessity. As industries evolve, companies that stay attuned to customer feedback and quickly adapt to meet their needs will secure a lasting competitive edge.

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    Edward Fernandez

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  • Why the Future of Cybersecurity Marketing Relies on Trust | Entrepreneur

    Why the Future of Cybersecurity Marketing Relies on Trust | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Cybersecurity marketing is changing rapidly, and the reason can be simplified down to a single word: trust. With improving technology, cybercrime is becoming more complex, and corporations must present themselves as not only solution providers but rather reliable guardians of clients’ most valuable assets. It’s no wonder that trust has become the bedrock of marketing in the cybersecurity industry over time.

    Why trust is so important in cybersecurity marketing

    Trust is important to any business, but the element of trust is critical in cybersecurity. The clients are not buying a physical product; they are buying a guarantee of safety. Decision-makers such as the CISO, CTO, and others need to be assured that the cybersecurity service provider they are looking at is able to grasp and respond to emerging threats.

    Traditional marketing methods often fail to build this level of trust. Flashy ads and mass campaigns now feel overtly insincere, especially in a domain where sincerity is crucial. Prospects now need to have a high level of rapport with a company before even considering a demo, let alone becoming a customer. This is where the value of content marketing has risen as an effective approach.

    Companies can demonstrate some level of thought leadership and credibility by providing educational resources like articles, case studies, webinars, whitepapers, etc. This shows that they grasp the evolving nature of cyber threats, which helps gain potential clients’ trust.

    Related: 7 Marketing Strategies to Help Your Startup Grow and Scale

    Challenges of traditional advertising in cybersecurity

    While many cybersecurity companies still use traditional advertising, it’s proving more and more to be less and less effective in today’s market. Audiences are overwhelmed with ads, leading to extreme “ad fatigue,” where potential customers ignore these messages, making it harder for brands to stand out and establish credibility.

    Moreover, people have become more skeptical of advertisements, often seeing them as exaggerated or misleading. This skepticism can be very damaging in cybersecurity, where trust is crucial. Instead of relying on ads, decision-makers turn to recommendations from peers or trusted industry experts. This is where influencer marketing becomes invaluable.

    Related: Marketing Campaigns Must Do More than Drive Clicks — Here’s How to Craft Landing Pages That Convert Clicks into Customers

    The power of influencer marketing

    Influencers have emerged as powerful voices because they’ve built authentic relationships with their followers and, in many cases, opted-in subscribers. For cybersecurity companies, partnering with these influencers means tapping into that established trust and reaching an audience far more receptive to their message.

    Finding the right influencers: The challenges

    Finding the right influencers in the cybersecurity space isn’t easy. Unlike other industries, cybersecurity is complex and demands high expertise. For this reason, companies need to be very selective about whom they partner with. It’s not just about the influencer’s following; their audience should consist of decision-makers genuinely interested in cybersecurity solutions. Furthermore, the influencer must have credibility and a history of discussing relevant topics accurately.

    Vetting influencers is a time-consuming process that involves analyzing their content and engagement rates and verifying their audience’s authenticity. A poor match can be costly, wasting marketing spend and potentially harming a brand’s reputation.

    Using platforms to streamline influencer marketing

    Given these challenges, many companies are turning to platforms that specialize in influencer marketing to simplify the process. These platforms vet influencers and provide data-driven insights to ensure that brands are matched with the most relevant voices. That’s where platforms like Presspool.ai, which I founded, come in — simplifying and streamlining the process.

    These platforms use advanced analytics to connect cybersecurity companies with verified influencers, engaging high-intent audiences. By leveraging data, these platforms match brands with influencers whose audience perfectly aligns with their target market, such as CISOs, CTOs, or other decision-makers. This approach removes the guesswork and allows brands to build authentic partnerships, making influencer marketing both scalable and efficient.

    How influencer marketing drives results in cybersecurity

    When executed correctly, influencer marketing can be incredibly powerful for cybersecurity brands. It allows them to reach high-intent audiences—people actively seeking solutions—who are more likely to engage. The key is that these audiences are hearing about your solution from someone they already trust, which significantly accelerates the sales cycle.

    For instance, when a respected influencer in the cybersecurity field endorses a product, their followers are immediately intrigued. They’re more likely to click through, read the content, and genuinely consider the solution. This level of engagement is rarely achieved through traditional advertising.

    Moreover, influencers help educate potential clients, breaking down complex topics in a way that resonates with their audience. This not only builds trust but also positions the brand as a credible authority in the space.

    Why data and technology matter

    As with any marketing strategy, measuring ROI is crucial. This is where data-driven platforms like Presspool.ai become invaluable. By providing real-time analytics on campaign performance, engagement rates, and conversions, these platforms allow companies to see exactly how their influencer partnerships are driving results.

    The ability to track and optimize campaigns in real-time allows brands to adapt quickly, ensuring they’re always getting the best possible return on investment. This combination of data-driven insights and authentic influencer partnerships sets the stage for the future of cybersecurity marketing.

    Related: AI Might Know What You Are Feeling Before You Even Do — Here’s How AI Can Help Us With Client Feedback

    As the digital landscape continues to evolve, cybersecurity companies must adapt their marketing strategies to avoid becoming irrelevant. Traditional advertising methods are rapidly losing effectiveness, and buyers are seeking more authentic, trusted voices.

    By embracing influencer marketing and leveraging platforms that streamline the process, cybersecurity brands can connect with their target audience in a way that’s both genuine and impactful. It’s not about replacing traditional methods entirely but rather integrating a more nuanced, trust-based approach that resonates with today’s discerning buyers.

    In an industry where trust is the foundation of every decision, I’ve seen first hand that building relationships through influencer marketing isn’t just a trend — it’s the future.

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    Jaxon Parrott

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  • 4 Content Secrets That Any Business Can Apply | Entrepreneur

    4 Content Secrets That Any Business Can Apply | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Every company faces more pressure than ever to offer their customers outstanding digital experiences. Content such as text, images, video and more is the substance of those digital experiences, so every business needs to get content right. Why not learn from the pioneers of digital experience, SaaS (software as a service) companies?

    Consider why SaaS companies like Intuit and Salesforce excel at content. From day one, successful SaaS companies support the end-to-end customer experience through diverse content, ranging from inspirational podcasts to product explainer videos to contextual help. As a past head of content for Mailchimp, I know firsthand that when customer experience is digital, content is critical. Consider these four content secrets that can benefit any business.

    Related: How to Create Content that Generates Exposure, Loyalty and Sales

    1. Show and tell your brand purpose

    A meaningful purpose can differentiate a brand from any generation, but especially the up-and-coming Gen Z. One recent study by Roundel found that 73% of Gen Z participants will buy only from brands they believe in.

    Adding purpose to a brand starts with defining it. But that can’t be where purpose ends. A brand has to demonstrate its purpose or risk coming across as unauthentic or even hypocritical.

    Salesforce is a model for showing, not just telling, its purpose through content. From almost day 1, Salesforce has said its purpose is to “build stronger relationships.”

    Recently, the successful SaaS launched a Netflix-like experience called Salesforce+. This streaming service provides on-demand content with very high production value about timely business and marketing topics, often involving Salesforce customers.

    I’m not saying every company has to be Netflix. But every business can offer content that brings its purpose to life. For instance, The Home Depot offers project, buying and inspiration guides that show it empowers “more doing.” Patagonia’s catalog is more like an outdoor magazine with stories illustrating its commitment to “protect our home planet.”

    Related: Don’t Just Hire — Grow Talent. 4 Ways to Set Your New Employees Up for Growth

    2. Go beyond customer service to customer success

    Great SaaS have figured out how to handle customer service digitally and enable customer success. Outstanding SaaS offers content to help customers solve problems and get more value.

    Content examples include but are far from limited to

    • Microcopy, such as labels, instructions, headings, icons, and error messages.
    • Wizards or step-by-step interactive guides.
    • FAQs that are easily accessible by chat and voice search.
    • Contextual help, such as tooltips and notifications.
    • Best practices based on the most successful customers.
    • Chatbots or copilots fueled by FAQs, contextual help, and other content.

    A great SaaS example is Intuit Assist, an AI-powered advisor that works across all Intuit products–and that has earned distinctions like the Fortune 50 AI Innovators. Forward-thinking businesses are taking note. For instance, Wal-Mart recently launched a copilot that allows customers to request “Help me plan a Halloween party” and receive relevant product suggestions across all departments.

    Not ready for a full-on AI bot or copilot? Your company can leverage content to help customers and train an AI bot or copilot later.

    Related: Why Doing the Right Thing Leads to Long-Term Success

    3. Promote less, guide more

    Every business faces the challenge of merchandising their products or services to fuel growth. Look at the way high-growth SaaS makes customers aware of relevant new offerings. Rather than blast sales-y ads and emails repeatedly, the best SaaS nudge customers to try new features, products, or services by suggesting them to customers most likely to benefit at the right time.

    For example, during my time at Mailchimp, the SaaS grew quickly and added features steadily. So, while the engineers built the features, my teams built the content to encourage and support customers. We found a strong correlation between suggesting a useful how-to article for a new customer attempting a feature for the first time, that customer’s success, and millions of dollars in revenue.

    I’m not saying your company should never place an ad again. But I’m willing to bet the uptake of your offerings will be much higher if you guide customers.

    Even a product as simple as an eyeshadow stick, as seen with the wildly successful Thrive Causemetics, includes detailed descriptions, how-tos (both text and video), images for different skin types, FAQs, statistics, pro tips from the founder, and more.

    4 Get your content in order

    This secret is about what happens behind the scenes with content. There is no content fairy to magically create and manage your content. (No, not even AI can do that!) But there is content operations — the combination of people, processes and technology that orchestrate end-to-end content. Smart SaaS matures its content operations quickly so that it can scale. At Mailchimp, I added modern content roles, defined new processes and led the adoption of content workflow software.

    Recently, Pfizer realized just how important content operations is to sustaining and expanding its business. At Adobe Summit, Jane von Kirchbach, Senior Vice President of Digital, said that “over the period of the pandemic, we touched more than one billion lives. This is our time to amplify how we engage with our customers, with our patients, with our doctors, and hospitals. Content is at the heart of that transformation.”

    Pfizer transformed its content operations by streamlining its end-to-end content supply chain, automating workflows, and using AI to assist content development. These changes reduced content creation time by more than 50%.

    So, as your business has to compete on digital experience, you can gain an advantage by acting like a world-class SaaS. Imbue your digital experience with content that shows your purpose and empowers your customers to succeed. And set up the right content operations to scale. The better your business gets at content, the more your business will grow.

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    Colleen Jones

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  • Rise Vision Introduces New Screen Sharing Feature to Enhance Collaboration and Engagement

    Rise Vision Introduces New Screen Sharing Feature to Enhance Collaboration and Engagement

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    Rise Vision, the #1 digital signage software solution is excited to announce the launch of its new screen sharing feature, designed to enhance collaboration, engagement, and teaching. This latest innovation allows users to seamlessly share content wirelessly from any device to any display running Rise Vision’s digital signage.

    The new screen sharing feature transforms any Rise Vision display into a wireless presentation hub, eliminating the need for adapters, dongles, or proprietary hardware. With Rise Vision, users can now easily share their screens with no account required, or opt for a more secure, moderated session, ensuring full control over presentations.

    “We developed this feature to meet the growing need for simple, accessible, and secure screen sharing in classrooms, offices, and other collaborative environments,” said Shea Darlison, Chief Revenue Officer at Rise Vision. “Our screen sharing solution offers a powerful, cost-effective way to make presentations more engaging and interactive, while minimizing the need for specialized hardware.”

    Key features of Rise Vision’s screen sharing include:

    • Easy Sharing: Share content wirelessly from any device—laptops, tablets, and smartphones—to any Rise Vision display with no need for special training or professional development.
    • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Whether you’re using a PC, Mac, Android, or iOS device, Rise Vision’s screen sharing works across all devices and operating systems.
    • Secure Sharing: With moderator control and a secure pin-code system, users maintain full control over who can share their screen and to which display, ensuring a smooth and controlled experience.
    • Browser and Native Sharing: Share a window or your whole screen from your browser without installing an application, or use our Android and iOS apps to share from supported devices.
    • Centralized Cloud-Based Control: IT administrators can remotely manage all screen sharing devices from the cloud, saving time and effort in supporting users.

    Rise Vision’s screen sharing feature is also highly cost-effective, offering organizations a streamlined solution for enhancing old displays and rejuvenating legacy hardware, without the need for costly replacements.

    This new feature joins Rise Vision’s comprehensive suite of digital signage solutions, including digital signage management, emergency alerts, and hardware as a service, giving businesses and educational institutions the convenience of working with a single vendor.

    For more information on Rise Vision’s new screen sharing feature, visit the  company’s website.

    eSchool News Staff
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    ESchool News Staff

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  • How Entrepreneurs Can Leverage Distribution for Business Growth | Entrepreneur

    How Entrepreneurs Can Leverage Distribution for Business Growth | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    For many new business owners, direct distribution may seem like the most cost-effective route to reach customers. Without any need for partnerships, third-party integrations or revenue splits, it has the lowest apparent cost. However, as businesses grow, a well-balanced mix of distribution channels becomes crucial to unlocking new growth opportunities. By strategically diversifying your distribution strategy, you can protect your brand, and build a more agile and resilient business model.

    Despite their higher costs, distribution partners not only ease operational burden but can significantly broaden market reach thanks to their established networks. That is certainly the case in the hospitality sector, where distribution has always been critical. Since the products can’t be moved, all of a hotel’s inventory is filled by smart distribution.

    Before the internet, the massive distribution power of hotel chains gave them a huge advantage over independent hotels. But since the early 2000s, hotels developed new ways to distribute through various online channels such as Expedia and Booking. In fact, 65% of all direct bookings now come from guests who first discover the property through an online travel agency (OTA).

    Across industries, distribution partners routinely prove their worth, but they are not quite a turnkey solution. To craft an effective distribution strategy, it is important to look beyond where your competition is showing up. Let’s explore how to diversify, innovate and potentially outperform them.

    Related: Innovating Your Product Distribution Is As Important As Innovating Your Marketing

    Balancing direct and partner distribution

    At its height in 2011, Toys “R” Us had revenue in excess of $13.9 billion. Just seven years later, the brand had filed for bankruptcy and shuttered all its U.S. stores, though it has since begun a revival under new ownership. CEO David Brandon linked the closeout to the company’s “inability to provide expedited shipping options” and a “lack of a subscription-based delivery service.”

    In other words, in a market dominated by online retailers like Amazon, their distribution strategy hadn’t evolved. Similarly, the mega-chain Blockbuster was wiped out by Netflix, and RadioShack was taken out by its limited ecommerce strategy. No matter how big your brand gets, maintaining a diverse distribution mix is essential.

    In practice, this means continuously monitoring the competition and proactively adapting to market changes. So, gather and analyze data from your distribution channels regularly. This will help you make quick, effective changes to optimize your sales and market position.

    Additionally, while brands shouldn’t rely on direct distribution alone, it is a crucial component of maintaining control over brand image, customer experience and pricing. Apple is an industry leader in this regard. While the company has many retail partners, it also invests heavily in its own retail stores and online direct-to-consumer channels, allowing it to maintain its market dominance.

    Finding innovative distribution channels

    In a competitive marketplace, the path of least resistance is identifying and mirroring the bigger players’ distribution channels. Ironically, this safety-first approach comes with risk. Instead of becoming commoditized, a better way may be to find niche markets. To do that, recognize that some channels have a stronger presence in certain markets than others. If you want to expand into a new region, for instance, identify channels that have access to demand in that particular area.

    In our industry, some Asian countries have specific OTAs that are widely used, so listing on these platforms can then attract new customers. While investing in specialized segments might not offer the same visibility as mainstream markets, a properly targeted niche strategy can lead to greater conversions and higher profitability. Red Bull, for example, carved out a $10 billion market in the energy drink industry by targeting extreme sports enthusiasts through special events and sponsorships.

    Catering to unmet needs means you can become the “go-to” solution in a small yet profitable market. The caveat is this niche approach can take months or even years to develop. While it is still important to leverage major players, don’t lose your unique value proposition in the process. The “be everywhere” strategy can work well if you are not trying to be everything to everyone.

    Marriott exemplifies this balanced approach. While guests can book any of its branded hotels through the company’s central booking system, Marriott uses both direct channels (website, mobile apps) and indirect channels (OTAs, travel agents) to reach different market segments. This allows Marriott to cater to various traveler preferences, from business-focused brands like Courtyard by Marriott to leisure-oriented properties like Sheraton.

    Related: 8 Ways to Be Certain You Are Selling Solutions Through the Right Channel

    Strategic expansion as things change

    Markets will always fluctuate. But if you listen to what customers say about where they are shopping, you will learn about new trends and new places to put your products. If your distribution strategy is well-mixed and you are not overly dependent on any single channel, you will be well-positioned to leverage changes in your favor.

    At least once a year, replace one or more of the channels generating the fewest sales to search for new customers. As a rule of thumb, when market demand drops, brands should increase the number of distribution options to cast. Conversely, when market demand is high, be more selective and focus on quality of audience, average prices, cost and ease of management. Successful brands often demonstrate this kind of adaptability.

    Perhaps the biggest name in graphic design, Adobe, even pivoted its entire revenue model when faced with the software industry moving towards cloud-based solutions. Although Adobe’s shift from licensing and upselling its creative suite of software to a SaaS model initially attracted criticism, it has proven a masterstroke — posting record revenue of $19.41 billion in the 2023 financial year.

    Related: 4 Must-Know Strategies for Selling Efficiently to Distributors

    Premium brands like Apple and Marriott are able to gain increasing market share despite their higher price points by continuously enhancing visibility and boosting engagement. As you prepare your distribution strategy, find ways to build in flexibility. By establishing metrics early on and recognizing the need to evolve as market conditions change, you will be well-positioned to test emerging platforms, explore new niches and balance a strategy that is capable of driving both immediate revenue and long-term growth.

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    Kevin King

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  • Report: Rising costs threaten state’s economic growth

    Report: Rising costs threaten state’s economic growth

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    BOSTON — Rising labor costs and a stagnant workforce are threatening Massachusetts’ status as a leader in innovation and economic growth, according to a new report from an independent tax watchdog group.

    The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation new Competitiveness Index, released earlier in the week, found that while the state benefits from the “symbiotic relationship” between a highly educated workforce and key economic sectors such as health care and higher education, it also faces significant challenges related to cost and demographic shifts.

    Those include the state’s high cost of energy, housing, and childcare, as well as a declining labor force, aging population, and increasing rates of outmigration, the report’s authors said.

    “Massachusetts has long been a leader in innovation and economic productivity, but our ability to maintain this status is under threat,” said Doug Howgate, the foundation’s president.

    The foundation ranked the state’s competitiveness standing on a broad set of 26 key metrics, ranging from economic health, population and labor force trends to business, employment, and investment factors as well as resident’s quality of life.

    Among the key findings: Massachusetts’ talent and innovation are its biggest strength, with the state ranked first nationally in terms of adult residents with a bachelor’s degree, and first and second in performance among public school students in reading and math, respectively.

    But the state’s high cost of living and cost of doing business is a “major competitive disadvantage,” according to the report, with energy, unemployment insurance and taxes near the bottom of national rankings, the report authors said.

    Child care and housing costs, as well as commute times, also make Massachusetts a challenging place to raise a family, according to the report.

    The authors said the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated preexisting demographic challenges and pointed out the state has seen a 2.4% decrease in its labor force since 2018, a trend they said is a “serious risk” to the state’s long-term economic growth.

    The state also ranks 45th in the nation for domestic outmigration, with many residents relocating to lower-cost states such as New Hampshire, the report noted.

    Gov. Maura Healey and legislative leaders have focused on boosting the state’s competitiveness in response to previous reports showing an exodus of people from the state in recent years. Healey argues that a lack of housing, among other factors, is impacting the state’s ability to attract and maintain businesses and families.

    But an economic development bill that would set aside hundreds of millions of dollars in bonding and tax credits and reauthorize the state’s life sciences initiative to boost competitiveness has been stuck in a six-member committee since the July 31 end of formal legislative sessions.

    The bill, a key plank of Healey’s first term agenda, was approved by the House and Senate but differences between the two bills still need to be worked out.

    The MTA’s new index, created with the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst’s Donahue Institute, will be updated yearly to give policymakers, business leaders, and the public “a clear, data-driven understanding of how Massachusetts measures up against other states.”

    “If Massachusetts is going to be serious about improving our competitiveness and enhancing what our state offers to residents and employers, we need to start with shared understanding of where we stand and where we want to go,” Howgate said.

    Jay Ash, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, said the MTA report “provides a roadmap for the policies and strategies that can help us reverse these trends and build a stronger, more resilient economy.”

    “Massachusetts is a great state, but to maintain our competitive edge, we need to address the fundamental issues driving up costs and driving out talent,” he said.

    Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com

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    By Christian M. Wade | Statehouse Reporter

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  • Hasbro CEO: Time to Give AI a Seat at the D&D Game Table | Entrepreneur

    Hasbro CEO: Time to Give AI a Seat at the D&D Game Table | Entrepreneur

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    AI is already being used in game development — but it could soon go even further when it comes to the roleplaying games that millions of people play, says Hasbro’s CEO.

    At a Thursday Goldman Sachs event, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said that the company is using AI internally to help develop games in “mostly machine-learning-based AI or proprietary AI as opposed to a ChatGPT approach.” Hasbro will use AI in the future as a knowledge and development assistant, giving the technology a seat at the game table.

    Development is just one part of the broader AI puzzle, though. Cocks says he’s more excited about how the technology could impact the day-to-day gameplay of Hasbro’s customers.

    Related: ‘Embrace the Change.’ How the CEO of a 101-Year-Old Toy Company Adapts to an Ever-Evolving Industry

    “If you look at a typical D&D player… I play with probably 30 or 40 people regularly,” Cocks said. “There’s not a single person who doesn’t use AI somehow for either campaign development or character development or story ideas. That’s a clear signal that we need to be embracing it.”

    Cocks gave examples of AI helping D&D players with storytelling and introductions and said that those use cases could apply to other brands within the company. Hasbro’s portfolio includes Transformers, Star Wars, and Marvel. Over 50 million people around the world play Dungeons & Dragons.

    In an interview with Entrepreneur in July, Cocks said that one of the most exciting projects he was working on was a refresh of Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition. He also spoke more broadly about how Hasbro balances tradition with innovation as a company in business for over 100 years.

    Related: She Turned Her Airy Side Hustle Into a $255 Million Business and ‘Captured Lightning in a Bottle’ — Here’s How

    “While history doesn’t repeat, it definitely rhymes — so major technology innovations and major changes in entertainment are something Hasbro has faced many, many times,” he said at the time. “Probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned from it is to embrace the change and not fight it. When we embrace [change], we win, and we come out on top.”

    Cocks also emphasized the importance of safe, responsible AI development at the event on Thursday, and stated that he wanted to pay creators for their work and make sure to label AI-generated content.

    Related: Using AI to Promote Your Business? New TikTok Labels Will Let Everyone Know

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    Sherin Shibu

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  • Her T-Shirt Side Hustle Led to a DM From Levi’s and $400M | Entrepreneur

    Her T-Shirt Side Hustle Led to a DM From Levi’s and $400M | Entrepreneur

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    This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Michelle Wahler, co-founder and former CEO of activewear brand Beyond Yoga. Wahler launched Beyond Yoga with Jodi Guber Brufsky in 2006. Years later, Levi’s reached out to Wahler via LinkedIn direct message, ultimately acquiring the company for $400 million in 2021. Under Wahler’s leadership, Beyond Yoga achieved 19% year-over-year growth and surpassed $115 million in revenue in 2023. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

    Image Credit: Greyson Tarantino. Michelle Wahler.

    What was your day job or primary occupation when you started your side hustle?
    After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in graphic design, I moved to New York to work in publishing, originally at People magazine and later Harper’s Bazaar. It was during that time that I started drawing illustrations of my friends, which I would put on T-shirts to give as birthday presents.

    Related: The Side Hustle She Worked on in a Local Starbucks ‘Went From Nothing to $1 Million.’ Now It Will Make Over $30 Million This Year.

    This hobby of mine ultimately turned into a company I called Unsweetened, with clothing and accessories featuring illustrations of women — in what I viewed as an “un-sugar-coated” version of them.

    Where did you find the inspiration for your side hustle?
    [At my magazine jobs], I got a firsthand look at the photoshopping that goes on in the industry. Both jobs were incredible experiences, but they shed light on the unrealistic expectations the media was putting into the market and minds of their consumers. My entire life, I have watched incredible, smart, beautiful women not see themselves as they are and try to conform to a singular idea of beauty. While this frustration was brewing, I struggled to make ends meet, working long hours for little pay but gaining loads of invaluable experience! At the time, my best friend and roommate’s birthday was coming up, and since I didn’t have the means to buy her something great, I decided to make her a birthday present — I sketched her and put the illustration on a T-shirt.

    All my friends loved it, so for the next year, everyone got one of these unique drawings of themselves on a T-shirt. These illustrations celebrated them for who they were — curves, careers and fun! I called it the “unsweetened” version of themselves, and before I knew it, I started selling them. It felt so fulfilling to be doing something that I loved while simultaneously promoting body positivity and self-confidence from within.

    Related: They Started a Home-Based Side Hustle Earning Up to $20,000 a Month — and It’s Still Growing: ‘Will Never Get Old’

    What were some of the first steps you took to get your side hustle off the ground?
    At People, I had a cubicle right in front of the publisher — a high-traffic cube! — and I put all my sketches on the wall. People started asking me to make them for them for their friends, and the next thing I knew, I was buying a T-shirt press, getting a wholesale license, purchasing T-shirts and printing and packing them in my shared apartment after my roommate went to bed.

    The T-shirts were a hit, and I started spending all my free time working on Unsweetened. I sold the shirts at holiday bazaars and craft shows and eventually got a booth at the New York City Gift Show and the Los Angeles Gift Show. Ultimately, I left New York City with the intention of making a full run of Unsweetened on the West Coast; however, things quickly changed upon my arrival.

    What led you to decide to transform the side hustle into full-time business Beyond Yoga?
    I moved to California and was very quickly introduced to Jodi [Guber Brufsky], who would become my future business partner. I instantly fell in love with the mission of Beyond Yoga, put Unsweetened on hold and went full steam ahead building Beyond Yoga — a brand that would eventually permanently change industry standards and expectations. These days, size inclusivity is a given for a new brand starting out, but this was just not the case 20 years ago when we started building Beyond Yoga. It’s really something that we pioneered, and I’m proud to be a big part of that movement.

    Related: This 26-Year-Old Dental Student Spent $25 to Start a Side Hustle That Can Earn $500 for Just a Few Hours of Work: ‘There Is Nothing More Satisfying’

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Yoga

    The idea of creating a line of clothing that celebrates women of all shapes and sizes was very exciting to me. After meeting Jodi, I shared some of my ideas for the business and the product. From that point on, I spent the next 18.5 years building Beyond Yoga from an idea to a global brand, employing hundreds of people (directly and indirectly), driving over half a billion in revenue, and running a profitable business without taking on any additional funding.

    What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while building Beyond Yoga, and how did you navigate them?
    Early on while building Beyond Yoga, everything was a challenge! Getting into stores and securing trusted wholesale partners, learning the ins and outs of the business, teaching myself everything on the fly and building the team from the ground up. It was a lot of work, but it was so rewarding and a time in my career where I learned many valuable lessons and skills.

    Some of the biggest challenges I faced included understanding fabric shrinkage and how to apply it to a pattern, figuring out the ERP, teaching myself merchandising and forecasting, hiring and firing, learning how to delegate — the list goes on and on.

    Related: This Couple’s Weekend Side Hustle Began With a $50 Facebook Marketplace Purchase — Now It Earns Millions of Dollars a Year: ‘You Don’t Need Money to Start’

    It was a long journey, and in the early days, we were a very lean and green team. We did absolutely everything ourselves, and there was a lot of learning to be done. Things started shifting about five years into the business, which is also around the time of one of my most impactful hires: our COO/CFO. Having him on board helped give me more comfort around investing in our team and leveling up by bringing on more experienced professionals.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Yoga

    What was the experience of growing the company like over the years? What were some highlights?
    Growing Beyond Yoga into the company it is today was no small feat, but it’s something I’m so incredibly proud of. Even though we began investing more aggressively over the years, we always ran the business for growth, investing every penny back into the business. Once we reached around $20 million, we thought it might be time to take on investors. After learning a few valuable lessons, we took ourselves off the market and decided to focus on profits and controlling our destiny.

    A noteworthy milestone was when I discovered Space Dye, which became the backbone fabric of the company. It was a game changer — so soft, yet durable with the perfect stretch and recovery. It quickly became a fan favorite and is still a huge part of the Beyond Yoga collections today. I love that an exploratory fabric meeting in 2013 led to so much growth and became a pillar for the brand. My love of fabrics gave way to a style revolution that transformed the activewear landscape that still continues to be emulated today.

    Another highlight during my career was becoming a mom, when I learned to balance work, love, family and friends. It was also where Beyond the Bump was born. Becoming a mom and seeing my friends and peers go through this transition helped inspire the creation of our Beyond the Bump line. After being so disappointed in the lack of comfortable clothes for women during and after pregnancy, the only way I was going to find options I liked was if I designed them myself, so I did. This ended up becoming one of our most successful brand extensions and a great way to introduce new customers to Beyond Yoga.

    Related: She Started a ‘Fun’ Side Hustle — Then It Earned $100,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Business: ‘Beyond What I Could Ever Have Expected’

    When and how did the Levi’s acquisition come about? Why was that a “full circle moment”?
    When Levi’s reached out, we were not looking to sell at that point, and honestly, I don’t think we would have sold to anyone else. I was flattered! Levi’s is an iconic brand, and after learning about its values and principles over profits mentality, I was excited to explore this opportunity.

    The more we looked into this, the more it felt like the right fit to ensure our company had a legacy that lasted beyond myself and the team. Negotiating a deal of this caliber and scale was something I’d never done before, so naturally, it was exciting. It was easily one of the biggest challenges of my career but also one of my greatest accomplishments. It was a unique experience, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn this side of the business.

    Image Credit: Courtesy of Beyond Yoga

    Throughout the entire process, from starting my own business to negotiating the terms of one of the industry’s biggest female-led athleisure sales to date, I stayed true to myself, our shareholders and the company I poured my heart into over the years, which I wouldn’t trade for anything.

    Related: This Former Model Used Her Personal Savings to Start a Thrifty Side Hustle — Then Taylor Swift Became a Repeat Patron: ‘People Really Responded’

    What’s your advice for others hoping to start successful side hustles or full-time businesses of their own?
    My biggest piece of advice is to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Do it because you’re passionate, do it because you want to create and give it your all, do it because you think you’ve solved a problem that will benefit people, or because you’ve created a better version of something that already exists.

    Once you’ve figured out what you’re going to do, get started. Don’t wait for the perfect moment — it won’t come! Sometimes, you just need to jump right in.

    This Women Entrepreneur® article is part of our ongoing series highlighting the stories, challenges and triumphs of running a business as a woman.

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    Amanda Breen

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  • We’re In a ‘Performance Erosion’ Crisis. Here’s How To Break Your Business Free. | Entrepreneur

    We’re In a ‘Performance Erosion’ Crisis. Here’s How To Break Your Business Free. | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    I want to talk to you about something important: the price of pho. A few years ago at the Vietnamese noodle joint around the corner from my office, a large bowl cost $12. Now it’s $17.

    How did my bill for the exact same meal jump almost 50%? It’s no mystery. Businesses of all kinds are wrestling with unprecedented inflation. But that’s not their only challenge.

    Even as the cost of doing business keeps climbing, geopolitical tensions are hampering trade and rattling stock markets. Meanwhile, employee engagement is in the dumps, and finding the right talent remains elusive. Then there’s AI, which is disrupting work in ways we’re just starting to grasp.

    The result is a business survivability emergency. It’s no exaggeration to say that companies today are facing an existential threat on multiple fronts. No wonder almost half of CEOs believe that if their business stays on its current path, it won’t be viable in 10 years.

    Here’s why companies find themselves in such a tough spot and how they can turn things around by better understanding the one resource that’s right in front of them — their people.

    Related: AI Will Radically Transform the Workplace — Here’s How HR Teams Can Prepare for It

    Unpacking the “performance erosion crisis”

    Despite all of our technology, people — the basic driver of any business’s success — remain a black box at most companies. Today, we can get real-time insights on customers and prospects through modern sales and CRM tools. But when it comes to the people working alongside us, we’re often flying blind.

    We’ve had people analytics for generations, of course, but they’ve been confined to spreadsheets and limited to HR wonks. And even when information about people is available, it’s typically siloed and inaccessible to the managers who need it most. At the same time, performance isn’t systematically tracked.

    The result is a performance erosion crisis. Productivity, in no uncertain terms, has flatlined. In fact, it’s now at a 75-year low and is the number one challenge, according to executives.

    Meanwhile, half of employees are disengaged, making them more likely to be unproductive or simply walk out the door, and three out of four businesses are having trouble hiring skilled talent. As a result, 1.9 million manufacturing jobs could remain unfilled in the U.S. by 2033.

    And don’t forget the elephant in the room: AI. Employers reckon that almost half of workers’ skills will be disrupted in the next five years. For companies, uncertainty about who to hire leads to inefficiency and churn. If people are expensive, that makes things even worse.

    Just ask blue-chip stalwart Intel, which is laying off 15,000 people — 15% of its workforce. With revenue declining, the tech giant admits that it’s failed to benefit from AI.

    In short, growth expectations are as ambitious as ever. But as productivity has stalled relative to operating costs, businesses everywhere are headed in exactly the opposite direction.

    How companies can come out on top

    To pull through in these uncertain times, businesses must capitalize on their most valuable resource: now, more than ever, they need real-time insights that connect the dots between their people and business results.

    What I’m talking about is categorically different from the people analytics of yesteryear — dense tables reserved for HR analysts. What’s needed are on-demand insights accessible across the company, in real-time. For people data to be useful, it must be intuitive enough for managers to use to drive daily decisions, big and small.

    The good news is that while AI is a catalyst for disruption, it’s also giving businesses a workforce edge when it comes to tackling the performance erosion crisis.

    Think of the questions that every company has about how people impact business outcomes. Who are our top performers? Who’s most at risk of quitting? Where is productivity dipping?

    Related: AI Is Changing the Way We Look at Job Skills — Here’s What You Need to Do to Prepare.

    New platforms let managers ask those questions in plain language — and instantly deliver a clear, actionable response. The best of these draw on a vast database of millions of anonymized employee records across industries to deliver tailored results and accurate benchmarks.

    Pay is yet another area where real-time people data can be a game changer. Even though most companies have a detailed compensation policy, the managers who make pay decisions often shoot from the hip, letting bias cloud their judgment. AI-powered smart compensation tools help managers make more informed choices, factoring in not only industry standards but individual employee performance while flagging pay gaps linked to racial, gender and other biases.

    Indeed, new platforms can serve as a one-stop shop for many of the repetitive questions that employees typically lob at HR, whether it’s about salaries, vacation days or benefits. Turning all of that information into a self-serve function liberates HR teams from manual toil, freeing them up to focus on what really matters: ensuring the business has the right people to propel it forward.

    Of course, technology alone is not a panacea. Companies that want to capitalize on real-time people data must also be willing to make a culture shift. This starts with a willingness to share insights on people and performance once hoarded by HR. People represent most companies’ biggest budget line-item and single most important driver of business success. A commitment to understanding how they work best and to sharing that information in ways that are consistent, understandable and safe is a prerequisite to getting the most out of AI-powered tools.

    Confronting the workforce challenge at the root of the performance erosion crisis isn’t rocket science. To get the most out of people in an unpredictable world, you need to understand them and how they impact business outcomes. In my experience, the best way to do that is by tapping the real-time insights that AI can deliver. Like my bowl of pho, running a business won’t get any cheaper, so it’s time to gain an edge by working smarter.

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    Ryan Wong

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  • 3 Recession-Proof Lessons We Can Learn From the Medspa Industry | Entrepreneur

    3 Recession-Proof Lessons We Can Learn From the Medspa Industry | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Estée Lauder chairman Leonard Lauder called it the “lipstick effect” — the growth in demand for small luxuries during times of economic uncertainty. The assumption behind this phenomenon is that when people are under more stress, beauty and self-care rituals offer a form of psychological comfort.

    McKinsey even reported a surge in demand for skincare and wellness products during the pandemic. So, with fears of an economic downturn never far from the surface, might the same apply to the more affordable alternatives to surgical procedures like tummy tucks?

    One of the most recognizable dermatology brands in the U.S., LaserAway, has now expanded to over 120 locations and reports the industry has been growing at over 20% annually in America. CEO Scott Heckmann says that LaserAway experienced “strong years” in 2008 and 2020 despite the recessions. He put it down, in part, to patients moving away from higher-cost providers like plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

    As CMO of Vagaro, a software provider to the wellness industry, I have witnessed it myself: So many people are abandoning surgical procedures for non-invasive methods such as body contouring that advancements in beauty technology are now allowing. They are simply more accessible and less overwhelming. I want to dive deeper into LaserAway’s growth as a barometer of the industry because it has drawn out three lessons that can help other beauty brands recession-proof themselves in an unpredictable economic climate.

    Related: 7 Strategies to Recession Proof Your Business in 2024 and Beyond

    1. A changing market is a good market

    When customers trust a clinic’s practitioners with something as sensitive as their bodies and faces, being very transparent about what’s involved in a procedure is critical to credibility. LaserAway’s social media features videos with real people, real nurses, actual treatments and basic plotlines — at their heart, these procedures are about helping people find their self-confidence.

    Providing people with a realistic picture of likely outcomes also ensures they are more likely to end up satisfied with the treatment. Internal data from our marketplace shows increasing demand for these non-invasive aesthetic treatments. Over the last five years, we have seen an average annual growth of new medspa businesses on our platform of 24%.

    Technology has been a key factor. While cosmetic surgeons have a very limited audience at a high price point, medspa clinics offer myriad services that open the door to a large market — including an increasing number of men. In fact, skincare makes up 45.6% of the global men’s grooming market (worth $85.2 billion in 2023) as old masculine stereotypes give way to self-care among younger generations.

    Related: 5 Recession-Proof Businesses to Start in a Turbulent Economy

    2. Diversification builds resilience

    In many industries, brands must be niche with their products or services. But medspa chains like LaserAway, Sculpt MD and Sono Bello can on-sell a range of services while still maintaining expertise in each area. That diversification is really important because it drives repeat customers and more revenue. When people get body contouring once, they are likely to come back. It’s the same with Botox.

    On our platform, we’ve found that medspa businesses offer an average of 47 services. Having a balance of higher and lower-value offerings like this is a great strategy to maintain steady income through economic fluctuations as people regard treatments as an ongoing investment in their well-being.

    Technology with embedded payments is also a key feature in helping people afford all types of treatments. A lot of consumers are choosing non-invasive procedures because they get the same results as surgery but don’t have to deal with the long recovery time.

    However, the pay-later option can make these treatments financially viable. Getting people through the door, however, does not require the hard sell because consumers are savvier than ever about what they want and expect.

    3. The power of referrals

    All beauty businesses need to be aware that the traditional sales model has evolved after first engaging customers through their different digital and marketing channels. The pandemic was the big impetus for digital influence, but people now want to be impacted through the use of real-life case studies instead of feeling like they are being “sold to.” Hence, the role of influencers.

    We can now assume that once people have sought out a product or service online and done their own research, they are already warm. For me, it is only once I have satisfied myself that a company has authority and integrity that I am ready to talk to a salesperson. The demand for more authenticity only reinforces the idea that the biggest point of sale in the beauty and wellness space should be referrals.

    It will be interesting to watch companies shift to this new expectation of how consumers want to be influenced through sales. This is especially the case since they are already doing so much right, such as their onboarding process that leads patients to choose their treatment, their body target areas, number of treatments already received, and their age. This kind of data can inform the appropriate regime and be leveraged to anticipate consumer trends and continue to build credibility.

    Related: How Small Businesses Can Survive and Thrive in a Recession

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    Charity Hudnall

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  • Why Being a More Generous Leader Will Create a More Successful Business | Entrepreneur

    Why Being a More Generous Leader Will Create a More Successful Business | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    It’s a common perception of company culture; images of trendy startups with perks like swag, free snacks and nap pods often come to mind — a scene reminiscent of Google’s early days. However, for us at Market Veep, the value of “give generously” wasn’t initially formally part of our core ethos. It wasn’t until several years into our growth journey that we recognized something crucial was missing.

    Here’s how we stumbled upon this realization: hiring experiences. We brought several individuals on board; it became swiftly apparent that their inclination towards generosity — be it with their time, knowledge or support for colleagues and clients — fell short of our expectations. It became a constant conversation, and we kept thinking, “shouldn’t this just be the standard of how people work with each other?” There was no denying that their values differed greatly from the company’s. It did not make them bad people, but they were not a company culture fit. That’s when it hit us: we needed to make “give generously” a core value formally. It’s now interwoven throughout our entire ecosystem..

    One of my favorite interview questions is, “What is the last nice thing someone has done for you — and on the flip side, what is the last nice thing you have done to brighten someone else’s day?” Some things people have said that made my heart grow three sizes:

    • Made homemade soup for their sick neighbor.
    • They brought their roommate a lunch they had forgotten at home.
    • Spent time with their elderly grandparents cleaning their house.
    • Donating time to the local shelter.

    For me, it’s not about the big gestures. It’s about the small details, the accumulation of many small “cares” that add to an embodiment of kindness and freely giving it. Similar to anniversaries, birthdays and holidays, they come around a couple of times a year — but wouldn’t you feel so special if every day felt like your birthday? Many companies we talk to say I’d love to do that, but I don’t have the budget for that. I’ll tell you a secret: it’s not about the money.

    When we had no budget, we did things such as :

    • Smiley balloons on employee appreciation day on everyone’s chair as a surprise when they come in.
    • Post it notes on their computers.
    • Take off your birthday paid time off.
    • Bike rides around the complex.
    • Pumpkin painting.
    • Halloween contest.
    • Valentine’s Day cards as a team to the people who lived at the senior center.

    Here’s the beauty of it: many times, it’s the free things or minimal expenses that people end up valuing more, finding more profound connections with and building memories off of. There is a huge misconception about saving up to do one to two big things to show your team you love them, but think about all the time in between, months on end, without telling them you care. Would you not tell your kids you love them every day?

    Now, things are different than before pandemic. We had a physical office, so the sky was the limit. Once the pandemic happened, it was a whole new evolution, and learning how to build a team, create happiness and give to them generously without physically being able to hand them something. It also introduced a new obstacle to measuring happiness through a computer screen. It’s a lot easier when you can read body language in person, notice if they are quieter throughout the day, etc., but when we started hiring all over the country, it made it a challenge. The pandemic taught us a lot about generosity and gratitude. As much as it was one of my most challenging times as a leader, it was also, by far, a period that taught me the most. I’ve seen the amazing character of people and their mental strength. Their ability to bind together to find solutions to difficult problems. Their kindness when there are difficult conversations. Their giving spirit when organizations barely had enough for themselves but still continued to support others.

    Even when unsure of what would happen, we promised to continue giving generously because kindness always wins. Someone is always worse off, has more struggles, and needs something you may take for granted daily. Giving generously helps us stay humble and focus on others’ needs above our own. It reminds us we are fortunate.

    • What it looks like now
      • Flexible hours.
      • 45 days off a year.
      • Sabbatical and a bonus for longevity.
      • Half-day Fridays.
      • Cookies in the mail for spotlight moments.
      • A 401k match.
      • Bereavement.
      • Personal time.
      • Happy hour Fridays.
      • Paid volunteer time off.
      • Medical, dental, eye.
      • Life insurance.
      • Health advocate services.
      • Work-from-home stipend.
      • Paid training and certifications.
      • Meditation as a team before the day starts.

    It’s not always about presents — it’s also about understanding where someone is in life. Your team shows up to help each other and the company, but it is not the driving factor of their life. When you see someone struggling, it’s more impactful to say, “Hey, how can I help? It seems like you have a lot going on. It’s just work. We’re not heart surgeons. Please get offline and take care of XYZ.” We’ve had people want to come in a day after a family member passed away, work from their family vacation or take meetings from a hospital. Respect and protect your team’s time, mental health, and boundaries. Give generously to them, and they give generously to your company, your team and your clients. Be their advocate even when they think work is more important.

    Have you considered what your team needs to live a generous life? What makes them feel appreciated? How can your company build deeper relationships and help them live their best lives? Think about the moments in your life where you felt the most cared for, supported and ultimately most appreciated. Because no one ever says, “I want to work someplace where I don’t feel appreciated.” Then, take it one step further and ask your team. Start a dialogue, and you’ll be amazed at how creative and thoughtful the ideas will be. Keep your focus on giving generously, and you can’t go wrong.

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    Jennelle McGrath

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  • 7 Mistakes That Sabotage Your Startup Fundraising (And What To Do Instead) | Entrepreneur

    7 Mistakes That Sabotage Your Startup Fundraising (And What To Do Instead) | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    With U.S. venture capital fundraising at a 6-year low, raising investor capital for your startup has become more challenging than ever. Potential investors are tightening their budgets and adopting a “wait and see” approach before putting their capital at risk. Yet, some of the best startups — like Airbnb, Uber and Square — were born during market downturns. So, if you’re an entrepreneur seeking capital in this environment, you might wonder about your chances of success.

    As a serial entrepreneur and now CEO of Builderall, I’ve heard over 3,000 pitches and helped founders raise millions. From my experience, seven common mistakes often derail attempts to raise investment capital. If you’re looking to raise money for your startup in this uncertain economic environment, be sure to avoid the following:

    Mistake #1: Rushing the pitch

    Many founders rush through their pitch, but speed isn’t always your friend in the venture capital world. Your goal is to establish key points and let them resonate, not finish your presentation as quickly as possible.

    Think of it like telling a good joke at a party — you wouldn’t rush to the punchline before everyone has had a chance to grasp the setup, right? The same principle applies when pitching. You want your investors to hang on to every word. But that’s impossible if you rush or gloss over crucial information.

    One effective technique is to use strategic pauses. In between slides or after making a key point, pause for about three seconds to let it sink in and observe your audience’s reactions. Don’t be afraid of silence. Patience in delivery can be a powerful strategy.

    Related: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Raising Capital

    Mistake #2: Skipping trust indicators and key differentiators

    Balancing detail with brevity is tricky, but it’s essential. There are some critical signals you should share to help build trust and differentiate your business. While most founders want to focus on how great their product is, there are two questions that are arguably more important:

    • Why is your team uniquely qualified to lead this business?
    • How does your company stand out in the market?

    As far as team qualifications, don’t be shy about including specifics on years of experience, prestigious university degrees, previous exits, existing patents and/or impressive startup or corporate experiences.

    I once coached a founder who was struggling to raise capital. After reviewing his pitch deck, I said, “The problem is that you have no real startup experience.” He then proceeded to tell me that he and his co-founder sold their last company for $80 million, but he thought it wasn’t relevant since it was in a different industry. Let me tell you, your previous accomplishments are 100% relevant to whether or not investors will trust you with their money.

    Next, I can almost guarantee that whatever amazing idea you are pitching — we have probably already seen it. This begs the question, how are you going to execute differently when you get to market? This is where your current traction becomes crucial: existing user base, early subscribers, accepted patents and strategic partnerships all come into play. These elements demonstrate that you’re not just another idea but a viable business that is already making waves.

    Mistake #3: Talking too much and for too long

    I know — this sounds like a contradiction based on the first point, but hear me out. Blathering on is another fatal mistake. You should plan for a nine-minute pitch, but you don’t want to “rush through” your nine minutes. Instead, be relentless about what to include – and what to cut – so the pacing feels natural and you’re still covering the key data points that make your business compelling.

    I often ask new founders to introduce their startup in just two sentences: What do you do, and why should I care? After that, you have under 10 minutes to explain the market problem, the market size, your business model, your solution, your traction, your team, and your ask. That means you need to be very specific about what details will tell your story most effectively.

    I’ve seen many founders get nervous and overcompensate by filling the conversation with unnecessary details and fillers. This often has the opposite effect of what they intend. If you talk too much or too quickly, investors might think you’re not being straightforward, or they may get bored and lose interest.

    Related: 5 Innovative Ways for Entrepreneurs to Raise Capital in Today’s Market

    Mistake #4: Forgetting who you’re pitching to

    Remember, you’re pitching to investors, not potential clients. Investors are not interested in how great your product is; they want to know about your market, margins, and differentiation.

    I once sat through a pitch for a young women’s jewelry startup where the founder spent the entire time trying to sell me on the jewelry. As an investor, I wasn’t the target audience and the pitch fell flat. Rather than sell me on the business, she was selling me on the product. When talking to investors, they want to hear about the business opportunity, not the product.

    Mistake #5: Undermining your credibility with weak language

    This might seem like needless semantics, but words like “hope” subtly signal uncertainty, and investors are not fond of taking chances on “hope.” They want clear-cut projections backed by data and logic.

    Instead of saying “we hope,” use phrases like “we will” or “we project.” This shift instantly ramps up your pitch’s credibility. Be definitive; your words should exude confidence, not wishful thinking.

    Here are a few more examples:

    • Instead of saying, “We think our product will be successful,” assert your confidence by stating, “Our product is positioned to be successful.” This subtle shift conveys certainty and strengthens your pitch.
    • Replace “We believe our revenue will grow” with “Our projections show our revenue will grow.” This not only sounds more authoritative but also indicates that your assumptions are based on concrete data.
    • Don’t say, “We aim to capture 10% of the market;” instead, say, “We are on track to capture 10% of the market.” This adjustment demonstrates that you are actively working toward a clear, achievable target.
    • Change statements like “We expect to launch by Q2” to “We will launch by Q2.” This minor change projects certainty and reliability, which are crucial to building investor trust.

    These subtle language changes replace hesitation and probability with assertiveness. It emphasizes that your pitch is built on credibility and supported by a solid, well-thought-out plan.

    Mistake #6: Using broad claims instead of precise data points

    When pitching to investors, generalized claims can raise red flags, making investors wonder if you’re trying to obscure the truth or lack the necessary detail.

    For example, instead of saying, “We have a huge subscriber list,” focus on concrete details like, “We have over 20,000 subscribers.” Specifics not only clarify your claims but also significantly boost your credibility and trustworthiness.

    Here are a few more examples:

    • Don’t say, “Our team has a lot of experience.” Say, “Our team has eight years of experience in this industry.”
    • Replace “Our product is very sticky, and our customers rarely leave” with “Our product has an 89% customer retention rate.”
    • Instead of “We anticipate rapid growth,” say, “Our projections show 30% month-over-month growth in the fourth quarter.”
    • Swap “We dominate the market” with “We currently hold 45% of the market share in our region.”

    These changes in phrasing turn vague assertions into solid, data-backed statements, which help to build investor confidence and convey that your pitch is grounded in reality.

    Mistake #7: Telling instead of showing

    Our final lesson: show, don’t tell. Depicting something visually instead of through words will have a greater impact and be more likely to be remembered. Instead of telling investors, “We have a great interface,” show the interface screens and let them make the determination themselves about whether it’s great or not. Instead of saying, “We’ve grown exponentially over the years,” show a line or bar chart illustrating your impressive growth.

    One more example: telling investors how much your customers love you is far less impactful than showing screenshots of social media posts where your customers are raving about you in their own words. Keep this mantra in mind: less talk, more visuals.

    Bottom line

    Mastering the art of pitching involves more than just avoiding pitfalls — it’s about crafting a narrative that resonates with investors and builds trust. However, by avoiding these seven mistakes, you significantly increase your chances of securing the capital needed to take your startup to the next level.

    In today’s challenging economic climate, precise communication, showing rather than telling, and delivering data-backed arguments will set you apart. Investors want to back entrepreneurs who can navigate adversity and drive their ventures to success. Keep refining your pitch, build strong relationships, and show investors why your startup is the one to bet on.

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    Pedro Sostre

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  • This controversial California AI bill was amended to quell Silicon Valley fears. Here’s what changed

    This controversial California AI bill was amended to quell Silicon Valley fears. Here’s what changed

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    A controversial bill that seeks to protect Californians from artificial intelligence-driven catastrophes has caused uproar in the tech industry. This week, the legislation passed a key committee but with amendments to make it more palatable to Silicon Valley.

    SB 1047, from state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), is set to go to the state Assembly floor later this month. If it passes the Legislature, Gov. Gavin Newsom will have to decide whether to sign or veto the groundbreaking legislation.

    The bill’s backers say it will create guardrails to prevent rapidly advancing AI models from causing disastrous incidents, such as shutting down the power grid without warning. They worry that the technology is developing faster than its human creators can control.

    Lawmakers aim to incentive developers to handle the technology responsibly and empower the state’s attorney general to impose penalties in the event of imminent threat or harm. The legislation also requires developers to be able to turn off the AI models they control directly if things go awry.

    But some tech companies, such as Facebook owner Meta Platforms, and politicians including influential U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont), say the bill would stifle innovation. Some critics say it focuses on apocalyptic, far-off scenarios, rather than the more immediate concerns such as privacy and misinformation, though there are other bills that address these matters.

    SB 1047 is one of roughly 50 AI-related bills that have been brought up in the state Legislature, as worries have grown about the technology’s effects on jobs, disinformation and public safety. As politicians work to create new laws to put guardrails on the fast-growing industry, some companies and talent are suing AI companies in hopes that courts can set ground rules.

    Wiener, who represents San Francisco — the home of AI startups OpenAI and Anthropic — has been in the middle of the debate.

    On Thursday, he made significant changes to his bill that some believe weaken the legislation while making it more likely for the Assembly to pass.

    The amendments removed a perjury penalty from the bill and changed the legal standard for developers regarding the safety of their advanced AI models.

    Additionally, a plan to create a new government entity, which would have been called the Frontier Model Division, is no longer in the works. Under the original text, the bill would have required developers to submit their safety measures to the newly created division. In the new version, developers would submit those safety measures to the attorney general.

    “I do think some of those changes might make it more likely to pass,” said Christian Grose, a USC political science and public policy professor.

    Some tech players support the bill, including the Center for AI Safety and Geoffrey Hinton, who is considered a “godfather of AI.” Others, though, worry that it could damage a booming California industry.

    Eight California House members — Khanna, Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Menlo Park), Scott Peters (D-San Diego), Tony Cárdenas (D-Pacoima), Ami Bera (D-Elk Grove), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-San Pedro) and Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) — wrote a letter to Newsom on Thursday encouraging him to veto the bill if it passes the state Assembly.

    “[Wiener] really is cross pressured in San Francisco between people who are experts in this area, who have been telling him and others in California that AI can be dangerous if we don’t regulate it and then those whose paychecks, their cutting edge research, is from AI,” Grose said. “This could be a real flash point for him, both pro and con, for his career.”

    Some tech giants say they are open to regulation but disagree with Wiener’s approach.

    “We are aligned with the way (Wiener) describes the bill and the goals that he has, but we remain concerned about the impact of the bill on AI innovation, particularly in California, and particularly on open source innovation,” Kevin McKinley, Meta’s state policy manager, said in a meeting with L.A. Times editorial board members last week.

    Meta is one of the companies with a collection of open source AI models called Llama, which allows developers to build on top of it for their own products. Meta released Llama 3 in April and there have already been 20 million downloads, the tech giant said.

    Meta declined to discuss the new amendments. Last week, McKinley said SB 1047 is “actually a really hard bill to red line and fix.”

    A spokesperson for Newsom said his office does not typically comment on pending legislation.

    “The Governor will evaluate this bill on its merits should it reach his desk,” spokesperson Izzy Gardon wrote in an email.

    San Francisco AI startup Anthropic, which is known for its AI assistant Claude, signaled it could support the bill if it was amended. In a July 23 letter to Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), Anthropic’s state and local policy lead Hank Dempsey proposed changes including shifting the bill to focus on holding companies responsible for causing catastrophes rather than pre-harm enforcement.

    Wiener said the amendments took Anthropic’s concerns into account.

    “We can advance both innovation and safety,” Wiener said in a statement. “The two are not mutually exclusive.”

    It is unclear whether the amendments will change Anthropic’s position on the bill. On Thursday, Anthropic said in a statement that it would review the new “bill language as it becomes available.”

    Russell Wald, deputy director at Stanford University’s HAI, which aims to advance AI research and policy, said he still opposes the bill.

    “Recent amendments appear to be more about optics than substance,” Wald said in a statement. “It looks less controversial to appease a couple of leading AI companies but does little to address real concerns from academic institutions and open-source communities.”

    It is a fine balance for lawmakers that are trying to weigh concerns about AI while also supporting the state’s tech sector.

    “What a lot of us are trying to do is figure out a regulatory environment that allows for some of those guardrails to exist while not stifling innovation and the economic growth that comes with AI,” Wicks said after Thursday’s committee meeting.

    Times staff writer Anabel Sosa contributed to this report.

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    Wendy Lee

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  • I Am an Investor in OpenAI — Here’s What Other Investors Must Consider About The Biggest Risks and Benefits of AI | Entrepreneur

    I Am an Investor in OpenAI — Here’s What Other Investors Must Consider About The Biggest Risks and Benefits of AI | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    While AI has been in existence since the 1950s, it has only just recently become a household name with the introduction of OpenAI’s ChatGPT less than two years ago. As an investor in both OpenAI and xAI, I continuously ask myself the ethical ramifications of this new technology, how intelligent it is and whether it is the best path forward for humanity. As an experiment, I asked ChatGPT its opinion about artificial intelligence (AI) systems in today’s society, and this is what it had to say:

    “As an artificial intelligence language model, I do not have personal opinions or beliefs. However, I can provide an objective analysis of AI systems in today’s society. AI has brought about numerous benefits to society, such as improved efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making processes. It has also contributed to advancements in medical research, transportation, and various other industries. However, the deployment of AI systems in today’s society also presents potential risks, such as job displacement, privacy concerns, and the possibility of biased algorithms. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that AI is developed ethically and responsibly to mitigate these risks and ensure that the technology benefits society as a whole. In summary, AI systems have immense potential to positively impact society, but their deployment must be done with careful consideration and ethical responsibility.”

    Related: The Only Drawback of AI Is Your Attitude. Here Are 4 Things You Need to Change Your Outlook — And Harness AI for Success.

    While this response shows AI is still robotic and objective in its methods of “thinking,” it is also, in fact, intimately aware of the ethical concerns bearing over its use. At this critical point in history, where we sit at the precipice of mass AI adoption, we still can’t seem to decide whether AI will be our savior or our villain. Ultimately, it comes down to the applications and responsible management of AI systems.

    As an investor, I am in the unique position of being able to help push these new AI companies forward. In the last two years, we have seen a “gold rush” of AI startups. Many have raised impressive rounds; many have faltered, and some have already seen acquisitions. However, the first two I have invested in OpenAI and xAI are now well-known. The former for its ability to have tackled the challenge of global mass adoption and the latter for its commitment to building a more ethical system for the AI ecoverse.

    When it comes to applications in AI, it’s safe to say that humans have always strived to create tools to make our lives easier; this is not new. Historically, “mechanical muscles” and outsourcing shifted physical labor. Now, we’re at the point where “mechanical minds” will unleash a cascade of applications across industries. Automation has evolved from more than just the physical.

    One major development pushing forward the AI adoption frontier is Microsoft’s continued investment in OpenAI. This partnership will likely lead to everything from optimized Excels to AI-generated PowerPoints and even more support in email management. Upper-class work is now also ripe for disruption.

    In finance, AI can be leveraged in various ways. AI algorithms can identify patterns of behavior, such as unusual transactions or identity theft, allowing financial institutions to detect and prevent activities quickly. AI can also analyze market trends and make assumptions about future trends, assisting institutions in making more accurate decisions.

    While this is only one sample of industry transformation, there are some areas of work that will be impacted less by AI. These industries are those operating in information asymmetry — such as early-stage venture capital. For AI to work effectively, the model must have access to data. Industries whose data is private, segregated and complex cannot train and build inferences in the same way that a model based on publicly available information can. The strength of AI is dependent on the value of its underlying data and model, which in turn is dependent on the quality of the rules set forth by the humans crafting the algorithms.

    In terms of management, we must continue to maintain an element of skepticism and criticism as the growing adoption of AI increases. These tools will continue to develop, but they should not be treated as an all-knowing source of truth. Again, this is critical because these systems only know what is in their underlying systems. As people, investors and business-minded individuals, we must acknowledge the strength of these systems while also considering the fact that they must be constantly maintained. While AI employs a constantly evolving algorithm that learns from itself and experiences, we must still continue to adjust the rules and data sources supporting these AI systems.

    Related: AI Will Radically Transform the Workplace — Here’s How HR Teams Can Prepare for It

    Diversity of thought and perspectives is critical for those who have the power to develop these systems. A system created by humans with biases will intrinsically be biased as well. We must maintain human values in control of the systems. In today’s society, where truth seems to be subjective, belief in these systems can be both extremely advantageous and extremely detrimental. We must refrain from programming systems to tell people what they want to hear. It is important for people to understand and respect the limitations of AI.

    At the same time, just because humanity is capable of doing something doesn’t always mean it should. We could likely replace most jobs with AI, but should we? Where do we draw the line? How do we ensure honesty and integrity in future systems and platforms? This is part of what xAI and OpenAI have committed to tackling and why I have believed in and supported them from the beginning.

    AI will undoubtedly transform all of our lives, but this transformation will only be positive if we continue to be critical stewards of truth and information. As investors, I encourage everyone to maintain a healthy dose of skepticism when investing in AI-powered solutions. Look at the human beings who stand behind those systems because their beliefs are the ones teaching and driving the solution.

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    Ozi Amanat

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  • Authorium Ranks #1093 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 List

    Authorium Ranks #1093 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 List

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    Pioneering Innovation in Government Technology and Driving Operational Efficiency


    SAN FRANCISCO, August 15, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Authorium, a leading provider of government technology solutions, proudly announces its ranking as #1093 on the prestigious 2024 Inc. 5000 list. This recognition highlights Authorium’s rapid growth and success in delivering innovative technology solutions to government agencies at the city, state, and federal levels. 

    Authorium’s Milestone Achievement

    Earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list is a testament to Authorium’s unwavering commitment to driving efficiency and transparency in government operations. This accolade reflects the company’s significant impact on the GovTech sector through its end-to-end platform that integrates compliance, productivity, and collaboration functionalities to transform legacy processes.

    “We are honored to be recognized among America’s fastest-growing companies,” said Kamran Saddique, Co-CEO of Authorium. “This achievement is a reflection of our team’s dedication to revolutionizing government operations through innovative technology. Our growth is driven by our commitment to empowering government agencies to make data-driven decisions and enhance their operational efficiency.”

    Innovating Government Technology

    Authorium’s platform is designed to address the complex needs of government agencies in areas such as procurement, budgeting, policy and legislature, human resources, and grant management. By unlocking data hidden within documents, Authorium supports critical operational systems and facilitates regulatory compliance, collaboration, and visibility.

    “Being part of the Inc. 5000 list is a significant milestone for Authorium,” said Jay Nath, Co-CEO of Authorium. “Our mission is to support government agencies in their journey towards digital transformation. We are proud to provide solutions that streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and free up staff to focus on high-value tasks.”

    Commitment to Government Clients

    Authorium’s success is rooted in its deep institutional knowledge and real-world government experience, which are unparalleled in the industry. The company’s platform is trusted by numerous government agencies across the United States, enabling them to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve service delivery to the public.

    As Authorium continues to expand its solution portfolio, it remains focused on addressing the evolving needs of government agencies. The company’s vision includes the development of new features and modules that further enhance its platform’s capabilities and provide even greater value to its clients.

    About Authorium

    Authorium combines compliance, productivity, and collaboration functionality in one end-to-end platform to consolidate siloed legacy applications in government. We unlock data hidden within documents to power data-driven decision-making and support other critical operational systems.

    Designed for government agencies with complex processes, such as procurement, budgeting, policies, HR, and grant management, our platform ensures regulatory compliance, facilitates collaboration and visibility, and increases agency efficiency – freeing up staff for higher-value work. Authorium’s deep institutional knowledge and real-world government experience are unparalleled by other companies. Learn more at authorium.com.

    Source: Authorium

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  • Addressing Early Ed Issues

    Addressing Early Ed Issues

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    Any educator will tell you that when it comes to student behavior, the pandemic isn’t over yet, especially regarding early education. The upheaval of recent years has significantly affected kindergarten and pre-K students, leading to observable declines in self-regulation, social skills, and language development. 

    Becca Carter Ed., Pre-K Instructional Specialist at Virginia Beach City Public Schools sees it every day. eSchool News spoke to her and Srikar Dronam, Vice President of Product Innovation, at Hatch Early Learning, Inc. Both experts emphasize the importance of addressing these issues through enhanced early childhood education. Have a listen:

    Topics include:

    1. Screen Time: An increase in screen time during remote learning has had mixed effects. While technology is crucial, there is a need to balance its use to prevent it from becoming a crutch. Strategies include limiting screen time and focusing on hands-on learning experiences.
    2. Teacher and Faculty Adaptations: Educators have had to adjust their methods to accommodate increased screen use and the varying levels of readiness among students. Professional development is focusing on appropriate technology use and re-engaging with developmentally suitable practices.
    3. Family Involvement: The role of families has become more significant as parents are now more involved in their children’s learning due to remote education. Effective parent-teacher engagement and support are vital for continuity in learning and behavioral development.
    4. Future Outlook: Both Shrinker and her colleague are optimistic about the recovery and advancement in early childhood education. They advocate for expanded pre-K opportunities and the use of technology in developmentally appropriate ways to support children’s long-term success.
    Kevin Hogan
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    Kevin Hogan

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  • Why Business Leaders Need to Learn About about Digital IDs | Entrepreneur

    Why Business Leaders Need to Learn About about Digital IDs | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We’ve come a long way from the days when identity verification meant simply presenting a handwritten document or a personal endorsement. The Digital ID movement signals a new era where your identity is a digital entity, stored and accessed online.

    This shift promises many benefits, like positively transforming efficiency, security and fraud prevention. Yet, here is the challenge: the transition isn’t an overnight overhaul. It’s a gradual, evolutionary process.

    Physical documents aren’t going anywhere – yet

    Consider the reliability of a physical document – tangible, verifiable and trusted across various industries. Despite the charm of digital transformation, a 2024 Forrester Consulting study commissioned by Regula reveals that 46% of organizations still manually verify documents, including in remote setups. This reliance is even higher in sectors with stringent security demands, such as Aviation (63%) and Finance (44%).

    Why the attachment to paper? It’s simple. Physical documents are trusted and familiar, and they provide unmatched authenticity. They work. For business leaders, this means a gradual transition to digital identity systems is not just sensible – it’s essential. The current systems can coexist with emerging technologies, ensuring operations remain smooth while new methods are integrated.

    The barriers to a digital dream

    The dream of a global Digital ID system faces significant challenges. Chief among them is the lack of universal legislative frameworks. It’s like trying to conduct a global orchestra without a shared music sheet.

    According to the study, 74% of respondents highlight the need for unified global standards to ensure seamless integration and acceptance worldwide. This lack of alignment means businesses are navigating a fragmented landscape, where interoperability across borders is a complex challenge.

    Furthermore, technological disparities create uneven progress. While some regions, like the UAE, are racing ahead with advanced digital infrastructures, others, including the US and Europe, are taking a more cautious approach due to stringent regulations. This disparity underscores the importance of tailored strategies considering regional readiness and capabilities.

    Related: Your Face is Data — and Scammers Are Using it for Fraud. Here are 5 Tips When Using Identity Verification

    Concerns and realities

    As businesses examine the digital leap, several Digital ID concerns weigh heavily:

    • 50% worry about increased data breaches and cybersecurity threats.
    • 46% are concerned about the necessity of robust security frameworks to mitigate the risks of data breaches.
    • 44% fear the implications for privacy due to surveillance and data tracking.
    • 35% highlight dependence on technology potentially leading to system failures.
    • 35% see the risk of identity theft and fraud with digital credentials.

    These concerns are not trivial. They reflect the real and present challenges of a digital transition. But they also point to the need for robust, secure, and reliable systems that can build trust over time.

    Related: Deepfakes Are on the Rise — Will They Change How Businesses Verify Their Users?

    The hybrid solution

    In this complex landscape, a hybrid approach to Digital IDs emerges as the most pragmatic path forward. This strategy embraces both digital and physical verification methods, allowing businesses to transition at a manageable pace. By maintaining physical documents alongside Digital IDs, organizations can leverage the strengths of both systems, ensuring reliability while gradually adopting new technologies.

    For business managers, this hybrid model offers a reassuring compromise. It minimizes disruption to existing processes and provides the flexibility needed to explore and integrate digital solutions incrementally.

    At the same time, to adopt digital IDs into the current IDV (Identity Verification) process, a business must undertake several steps. First, it should assess the compatibility of its existing infrastructure with digital ID technologies, ensuring it can seamlessly integrate the new system. This involves upgrading or adapting current software and hardware to support digital ID functionalities. Next, the business must select a reliable digital ID provider, prioritizing those with strong security measures and compliance with regulatory standards. Implementing digital IDs requires employee training to effectively manage and operate the new system. Additionally, the business should develop a clear strategy for data privacy and protection, addressing potential cyber threats and ensuring compliance with data protection laws. Finally, a thorough testing phase is essential to identify and resolve any issues before fully deploying the digital ID system, ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining the integrity of the IDV process.

    Standard issue

    The development and adoption of Digital ID systems will require collaborative innovation from authorities, businesses and stakeholders in the IDV market. Key players like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) are working to establish frameworks for Digital ID adoption. Their efforts foster interoperability, security and privacy across different systems. However, creating comprehensive standards is a meticulous, time-consuming process.

    However, even if all standards are prepared and fully verified, the next stage involves implementing software according to these standards. This is not just a single module but a comprehensive suite of systems for each vendor, and there will be many vendors. Each vendor may interpret the standards differently, leading to inevitable compatibility issues.

    This brings us to the necessity of having process standards as well as testing and certification standards. However, even if vendors pass certification, questions about the completeness and reliability of the software will remain, especially when used by end-users. For example, an SDK might be fully functional, but during integration, developers might cut corners and not utilize all necessary components.

    Who will handle the certification? Laboratories will be needed to prepare testing software, and these labs will charge significant fees for conducting time-consuming tests. Not all vendors will be eager to invest in certification. Given that each country might have multiple vendors, the scale of the problem is immense.

    Currently, passports function without any online infrastructure, but digital IDs will need online services capable of handling massive volumes of requests, potentially from around the world. Imagine 300 million simultaneous requests in the USA alone. This feels like the scale of Facebook, Instagram or Google, with dedicated data centers and more. The cost could be astronomical. Poorer countries might decide they don’t need such systems or opt for minimal implementations.

    As a result, we will have many document variants: not only paper documents, paper documents with chips, and digital IDs but also many different types of digital IDs.

    Related: U.S. State Will Now Accept Digital Driver’s License on iPhone

    A marathon, not a sprint

    The journey to widespread Digital ID adoption is indeed a marathon. Even after the development of comprehensive standards, global adoption will take time. The initial issuance of Digital IDs will still require physical passports or ID cards, underscoring the ongoing relevance of traditional identification methods. Moreover, the implementation costs and the need for robust infrastructure further slow the transition.

    For business owners and managers, introducing Digital ID is best viewed as a gradual evolution. After all, in this long road to digital transformation, patience and pragmatism will be your greatest allies.

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    Ihar Kliashchou

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  • IOTA Community Schools (Formerly Green Dot Public Schools Tennessee) Chooses Reading Horizons to Boost Student Literacy Outcomes

    IOTA Community Schools (Formerly Green Dot Public Schools Tennessee) Chooses Reading Horizons to Boost Student Literacy Outcomes

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    Memhis, TN — IOTA Community Schools has chosen Reading Horizons, a
    leading provider of foundational literacy programs, to enhance reading instruction across four middle and high schools in the Memphis Metro Area. IOTA has raised the bar in education reform, helping thousands of students in Tennessee’s historically underserved communities succeed in college, leadership, and life. IOTA stands for Innovation, Opportunity, Transformation, and Access.

    “Because of our intentional focus on academics, IOTA students have an opportunity to graduate from high school more prepared for college and their careers,” said Christina Austin, Chief Academic Officer for IOTA Community Schools. “Our strategic partnership with Reading Horizons ensures IOTA students receive effective, research-based reading instruction, preparing them for success in school and beyond.”

    Reading Horizons Elevate® is the leading program for effectively teaching foundational reading skills to older learners. Based on over 40 years of research, it blends direct instruction with engaging and age-appropriate software to make reading a reality for all learners. The program has proven successful across multiple age groups and settings, including intervention, adult education, special education, dyslexia, and multilingual learners.

    In Tennessee, there are 115 charter schools with over 44,000 students enrolled. According to the 2023-34 Tennessee Charter School Center Impact Report, Tennessee’s public charter school students have emerged as national leaders in academic growth. Despite serving students with more significant needs, Tennessee’s charter schools demonstrated one of the highest average growth rates in the nation. Across Tennessee, public charter students receive the equivalent of 34 extra days of reading instruction (compared to their non-charter counterparts), creating ample opportunity to leverage the new partnership with Reading Horizons.

    “IOTA Community Schools is committed to academic opportunity and excellence for each student,” said Trisha Thomas, President of Reading Horizons. “We are excited to be in a strategic partnership to ensure equitable education for all students, regardless of their background. We share a vision for all students in Tennessee to have the foundational reading skills they need to become confident readers and learners.”

    For more information, visit www.readinghorizons.com.

    About Reading Horizons

    Reading Horizons empowers educators to eradicate illiteracy with effective, tech-enabled foundational reading instruction that helps all students achieve reading proficiency. For 40 years, Reading Horizons has continuously aligned its simple instructional method with advancements in the science of reading. We have supported educators and students with ongoing, synergistic partnerships, serving as a trusted, innovative, foundational literacy partner. Adopted by over 200,000 educators, our proven method for teaching foundational literacy prevents and remediates reading difficulties, supporting our mission to ensure students reach
    reading proficiency by the end of third grade. Reading momentum begins at Reading Horizons.

    About IOTA Community Schools

    IOTA Community Schools is creating access to comprehensive opportunities by embracing each student and preparing them for life through innovative and transformative academics while building sustainable pathways to economic growth.

    eSchool News Staff
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    ESchool News Staff

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  • AI Marketing vs. Human Expertise: Who Wins the Battle and Who Wins the War? | Entrepreneur

    AI Marketing vs. Human Expertise: Who Wins the Battle and Who Wins the War? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Uncover the truth about AI in marketing and why it’s a ticking time bomb for unprepared businesses! As AI revolutionizes the marketing landscape, understanding its long-term impact is crucial.

    In this video, I dive deep into the reality of AI marketing, exposing the myths and revealing strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Learn why AI might play in your favor for the next 3 years, but could spell trouble if you’re not prepared for what’s coming. Discover how to leverage AI tools effectively while developing a future-sighted approach that will keep you competitive in an AI-driven world.

    Download the free ‘AI Success Kit‘ (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from Ben’s brand new book, ‘The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.’

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    Ben Angel

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