ReportWire

Tag: Thought Leaders

  • Why Vertical Integration Allows Leaders to Actually Control Their Data | Entrepreneur

    Why Vertical Integration Allows Leaders to Actually Control Their Data | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    The parable of “The Blind Men and The Elephant” tells the story of six blind men who come across an elephant for the first time. They each examine a different part of the elephant. The trunk. The ears. The tusks… You get the gist.

    Consequently, each person comes to a very different conclusion about what an elephant is.

    They are all partly right — but also entirely wrong.

    The moral of this story is simple. Different perspectives and incomplete information can lead to varying — and often inaccurate — interpretations. It’s an old story. But it’s a fable we should pay close attention to in our modern world. Especially when working with data.

    Related: Using Data Analytics Will Transform Your Business. Here’s How.

    Less will (almost) always be more

    Business leaders worldwide want to use their data to make better decisions and get more accurate insights into their business.

    But often, businesses will have multiple layers in their tech stacks. Some are new. Some are old. Some are integrated. Some are totally siloed. Each of these layers captures different data. And you get inaccurate insights when these pieces aren’t talking to each other.

    Businesses have access to more data than ever before. But quantity doesn’t equal quality.

    For many organizations, the actual quality of their data is being diluted. You create misaligned incentives by having so many different elements in your tech stack. One aspect of your stack may tell you one thing, but then the next part can contradict it. We see this a lot in advertising technology. A myriad of different buying platforms, data partners, publishers, analytics tools, CRM, segmentation tools and more. Often, it becomes so messy over time that it’s hard to get the actionable data you need to create insights, actions, and business impact.

    Access to lots of data sets does not equal good data. Looking at data sets in silos is an easy way to paint the wrong picture, which increases the likelihood of poor decision-making.

    Data is exciting, but you need to be able to view it in a single place, which is why I think the principles of vertical integration should be implemented here.

    Vertical thinking

    Vertical integration is a strategy that allows a company to streamline its operations by taking direct ownership of processes. In other words, it allows you to control your own destiny. In theory, it gives businesses greater efficiencies, reduced costs, and more control of the manufacturing and distribution process. Tesla is a famous example of this model practice.

    Tesla implemented vertical integration across its business structure — but with a major focus on two key aspects: battery production and energy storage. Tesla knew that batteries were critical to EVs – and that success hinged on owning a highly contested battery supply chain. This enterprise allowed Tesla to leverage its expertise in battery technology and apply it to the energy storage market, creating synergies and shared resources across different product lines.

    It does everything from designing the cars, building the tech, and making its own chips to selling the cars. Everything is in-house, meaning supply chain issues or manufacturing partners don’t slow it down. This integration has helped the company scale its operations, drive technological advancements, and position itself as a sustainable transportation and energy solutions leader.

    Owning your data can work in the same way. But without the need to build a multi-billion dollar gigafactory in Nevada.

    By taking control of your tech stack and ownership of your information, you gain a more holistic view of what is happening with your business. And you also insulate yourself from issues in the outside world.

    This is invaluable on its own. But this singular view becomes even more powerful when you factor in the exponential growth of AI and ML technologies. Applying these tools to a vertically integrated data set can transform a business and unlock previously unknowable insights.

    Essentially if your data is disparate and not well integrated, you can never get to the “Unknown Unknowns”—the things you didn’t even know to ask about. There are patterns invisible to human eyes. You can only see these with good data.

    More insights. More efficiency. More control. Vertical integration offers businesses control of their supply chains. But there are challenges, too. Even if you aren’t building huge factories, you need investment and support to make the necessary changes. And most importantly, you need to ensure that becoming self-reliant doesn’t mean you get tunnel vision and lose sight of developments outside your business.

    Related: 8 Ways Data Analytics Can Revolutionize Your Business

    Data and elephants

    If you look at different data sets in isolation, you will likely emerge with an incorrect idea of what an elephant — aka your business — really is.

    You might be partly right in places, but you will also be entirely wrong.

    Vertical integration allows leaders to see the full picture of their business — from customer to creative, hoof to tusk.

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    Kristopher Tait

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  • Why Embracing Change Elevates Business Success | Entrepreneur

    Why Embracing Change Elevates Business Success | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    If you haven’t noticed, industries and the world at large are experiencing some pretty substantial changes as of late. Notably, innovation in artificial intelligence, massive shifts in the employment sector, and the continuing move toward sustainability have all impacted the way we run and grow our companies — and I am not just referring to the big guys. Even smaller organizations are modifying the definition of business as usual, as an unwillingness to do so could eventually threaten their very existence.

    This isn’t just rhetoric. Refusal or resistance to change can be devastating to both businesses and individuals. Perhaps this is best illustrated by a cover story titled “Change or Die,” published by Fast Company magazine nearly 20 years ago. The article chronicled a 2004 IBM conference speech by Dr. Edward Miller, the CEO and Dean of Medicine at John Hopkins at the time.

    It appears Miller shocked the audience when he shared just how many heart patients possess a destructive resistance to change. He claimed that of the nearly two million bypasses and angioplasties performed each year in the U.S., lives were rarely substantially prolonged. Miller said that half the bypasses were clogged again within a few years, and the angioplasties failed in as little as a few months. Why? He explained that even though the surgeries were traumatizing and expensive — and the stakes were extraordinarily high — many post-op heart patients simply refused to modify their unhealthy routines.

    “If you look at people after coronary-artery bypass grafting two years later, 90% of them have not changed their lifestyle. And that’s been studied over and over and over again,” Miller said. “Even though they know they have a very bad disease and they know they should change their lifestyle, for whatever reason, they can’t.”

    While Miller’s insight is jarring, it is honestly not surprising. Even in the most critical of circumstances, change can be very hard.

    So what is the difference between those who are able to implement healthy, positive change in their lives and their businesses and those who can’t? The answer might surprise you.

    Related: Why Employee Accountability is the Holy Grail of Every Successful Business

    The real catalyst for change

    Many people fear change. Or, at the very least, they fight it tooth and nail. According to renowned author and Harvard Business School Professor John P. Kotter, this resistance is generally due to one of four factors: a fear of losing something of value, a misunderstanding of the change and its implications, a belief that the change doesn’t make sense, or simply an overall low tolerance for change.

    Kotter posed that the ability to adapt is not solely based on building a proper strategy, structure, culture or systems. Instead, he posed that successful change is more specifically based on focusing on and altering behavior. We all know this is not as simple as it sounds, but there is hope. You see, Kotter explained that the key to behavioral change — in yourself, your leadership team, and your organization — is to tie the desired outcome to each participant’s feelings. The concept is rather straightforward. Emotional support and connection foster transformative action in just about everybody.

    Inspiring change in your business

    Let’s talk about your business. Ultimately, successful change in your organization begins by properly framing an issue in a way that connects with you and your team and motivates you all on a psychological level. Your message of change needs to be positive. It needs to be inspiring, and it needs to resonate. When presented with the need for change, it is also essential that those involved are provided with an appropriate support structure. The likelihood of successful change increases exponentially when people are surrounded by constructive feedback, encouragement, and the comradery of others rather than simply mandated actions.

    Related: 15 Strategies to Help Leaders Overcome Resistance to Change

    The power of your peers

    As an entrepreneur, your ability to change and adapt is arguably the single most important contributor to long-term success. Stagnant businesses simply can’t flourish, grow or (like those heart patients unwilling to modify their habits) survive. Ask yourself, how receptive are you to transformation in yourself, your processes, and your entire organization?

    Now is the time to evolve as a business owner. Start with an unwavering desire for continuous improvement. The next step is finding that emotional connection and the people or groups who can support you on your journey of change. For business leaders, these relationships are often found outside of one’s own company in the form of peer advisory boards or mastermind groups. Peer advisory boards provide business owners with the requisite support and emotional connection that act as catalysts for forward progress and even innovation.

    As the president and CEO of such an organization, I get to witness the transformative power of connection all the time. It is truly amazing to see what can happen between owners and executives who care about each other’s welfare and respect, support and elevate each other on their paths to transformation.

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    Jason Zickerman

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  • Why You Should Learn New Skill Sets This Winter | Entrepreneur

    Why You Should Learn New Skill Sets This Winter | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Here’s a harsh truth: unemployed people are having a hard time finding a new job because many companies halt their recruiting efforts during the last quarter of the year. This is not new – it is a well-known fact that big companies often do a headcount at the end of the year, and they often significantly slow down their hiring process.

    Instead of unsuccessfully searching for opportunities when there is little to no hiring, many look to expand their arsenal of skill sets, which can propel their pursuit of better, bigger opportunities in the few months to come.

    For those looking to embark on the journey of acquiring new skill sets during the slower pace that winter months often offer, I’d like to delve into five unique avenues to discover inspiration for skill sets that can benefit your life and career in the near future.

    Related: Master New Skills From the Comfort of Your Home With This Bundle, Now Less Than $175

    Exploring LinkedIn job applications

    One valuable resource for finding inspiration for new skill sets is right at your fingertips: LinkedIn job applications. Start by identifying professionals with positions similar to your current role, your desired career path, or roles with the title of the person you used to report to in your last job. Take a closer look at the job description for those roles, paying close attention to the skills and qualifications they require.

    For example, if you’re in marketing and aspire to move into a leadership role, analyze profiles of Marketing Managers or Directors. Note the skills they require or those with that job title have honed over the years, such as data analysis, digital marketing or project management. These insights can guide your skill acquisition journey, helping you align your skill set with your career aspirations.

    Mentorship and networking

    Seek out mentors who can offer guidance on skill acquisition. If you are still close or have a great relationship with the last person you reported to, you may seek them for advice, asking which skill sets would be valuable for you to acquire if you intend to continue to pursue growth in your current career path.

    Conversations with mentors and industry peers can provide valuable insights into skill sets that have contributed to their success. These personal anecdotes and recommendations can steer you toward acquiring skills that align with your goals and aspirations.

    If you’re not in touch with them anymore or would rather avoid contact with them, engage in mentorship and networking activities to discover skill sets that have proved valuable for others. Attend industry events, webinars, or virtual conferences where you can connect with experienced professionals who may have a similar career path to the one you’re pursuing.

    In my experience, I found people I highly admire and invited them to step into a virtual group call once every other month. In our one-hour meetings, we discuss what’s been working for each of us and provide valuable guidance for everyone in the group. I like to call this exercise “Business Therapy,” in which we often discuss our past experiences and challenges and how we overcame them.

    Learning from the experiences of others may end up saving you years of continuous hustle. Never rely solely on your experiences when you can learn from the experiences of others.

    Related: Looking for a Mentor? The 7 Best Places to Start.

    Personal interests and hobbies

    Sometimes, inspiration for new skill sets can emerge from your personal interests and hobbies. Consider activities you’re passionate about outside of your professional life. These interests can be a foundation for acquiring skills that bring joy and fulfillment.

    For instance, if you’re an avid photographer, you may explore photo editing or digital marketing courses to promote your work effectively. Blending your passions with skill acquisition can lead to a well-rounded skill set that enhances your personal and professional life.

    Fun fact: that’s how my journey in the technology industry began. I am an Architect by profession, but I am such a tech nerd that I always sought to acquire technical skills, which is how I came up with the business idea that ended up becoming Replay Listings, the company I’ve led for over seven years now.

    Related: How to Turn Every Adversity You Face into an Advantage

    Tapping into industry trends

    As industries evolve, new demands arise, creating opportunities for individuals to acquire relevant skills. For instance, if you’re in the technology sector, consider the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. These cutting-edge technologies are shaping various industries, from healthcare to finance.

    By understanding industry trends, you can pinpoint relevant skill sets and future-proof your career. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and advancements. Explore industry-specific publications, blogs, or podcasts to gain insights into emerging skills in your field.

    Online learning platforms and courses

    Online learning platforms offer various courses on various subjects, making skill acquisition more accessible than ever. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning provide various courses, from technical skills to soft skills like leadership and communication.

    Browse these platforms to discover courses that align with your career goals or personal development objectives. The flexibility of online learning allows you to acquire new skills at your own pace, making it a convenient option for the winter months.

    The bottom line is the slow winter months often present a unique opportunity to embark on a skill-acquisition journey. Whether you draw inspiration from LinkedIn profiles, industry trends, mentors, personal interests, or online courses, acquiring new skill sets can enrich your life and open doors to exciting possibilities. Embrace the season as a time of growth and discovery, and you’ll emerge with valuable skills that can shape your future success.

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    Rodolfo Delgado

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  • How Bitewell Won $200K on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch | Entrepreneur

    How Bitewell Won $200K on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch | Entrepreneur

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    Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch is the show where contestants get into an elevator and have just 60 seconds to pitch their business to our board of investors. In this ongoing article series, we’re celebrating the entrepreneurs who walked out with a win and sharing their tips for pitching success. (Answers have been edited for length.)

    Bitewell bills itself as the world’s first digital food pharmacy. The platform educates people on the use of food as medicine with its proprietary food navigation tool called the FoodHealth Score and then helps them shop for meals and ingredients that fit their needs, preferences, and budget.

    After a super-sweet appearance on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch, Bitewell co-founder Sam Citro walked out with a $200K investment from investor Kim Perell. Watch Sam’s pitch, then read on to learn how she prepared to make sure that the investors were hungry to be a part of her company.

    How did you prepare for the show?

    I have a BFA in Drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, so I have a bit of a leg-up when preparing for public appearances. It was a combination of doing investor pitch prep and scripted TV prep. I memorized my 60-second pitch and drilled it into my brain so that I was saying it in my sleep. For me, knowing the business fundamentals of my company is easy — it’s what I spend all day, every day building, so I know those numbers like the back of my hand.

    Related: See Who Wins Big on the High-Stakes Season Finale of ‘Elevator Pitch’?

    What did you think was going to happen? What was different from your expectations?

    I’ve been on TV before, so I had a pretty good idea of what was going to happen. What I wasn’t expecting was the 12-hour day! I didn’t realize how much content we’d develop over the course of the shoot. It was incredible.

    Why do you think they opened the doors?

    You’d have to ask the investors to know for sure, but if I were a betting woman, I’d say it’s the combination of the market opportunity size and our demonstrated traction. Eliminating diet-related disease is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, and we’ve shown that we can make that vision a reality.

    How did the negotiations go? Would you do anything differently?

    I wish I would have pushed back on Kim a bit more about the valuation. Our business has grown so much since the last financing, and I let her in on the same terms. So, it was a great deal for Kim!

    What do you plan to do with your investment?

    It’s all going toward growth-related activity: marketing and hiring additional members of our sales team.

    Related: Would You Give a Former Hacker Your Money?

    What did it mean to you personally to get in the boardroom and walk out with a win?

    I believe in what we’re building, so when I went into the boardroom believing we’d come out with a deal. I think you have to be that confident, that sure in your business, to be a founder. That said, I’m incredibly proud and grateful that we left the boardroom with an investment from Kim. As a female CEO, it’s important to me to have equal representation of female investors around the table. I’m looking forward to all of the great work Kim and I will do together!

    What is your advice for anyone thinking of applying to be on a future episode?

    Do it! But remember that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Come prepared to walk out with a deal.

    Related: Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph Made a Surprise Move That Stunned Investors.

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • 5 Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Advice to Starting a Company | Entrepreneur

    5 Entrepreneurs Share Their Best Advice to Starting a Company | Entrepreneur

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    We’ve met a lot of influential CEOs, founders, and celebrities this year through Entrepreneur+ subscriber-only events. Here are some of the best moments from these interviews this year — in no particular order:

    1. Shopify’s President on what’s changing online

    Harley Finkelstein sat down with us to discuss the best ways to grow your e-commerce business. Here are some top insights:

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    Entrepreneur Staff

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  • How to React to Stressful Situations with Calmness | Entrepreneur

    How to React to Stressful Situations with Calmness | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Lyndon B. Johnson was known for his histrionics — his customary reaction to minor pain or illness was “frantic” and “hysterical,” wrote Robert Caro for the New Yorker in 2012. But when under pressure — real pressure, as he was the day he became president after John F. Kennedy was assassinated — Johnson assumed a near preternatural calm.

    As Caro writes, “Johnson’s aides and allies knew that, for all his rages and his bellowing, his gloating and his groaning, his endless monologues, his demeanor was very different in moments of crisis, in moments when there were decisions — tough decisions, crucial decisions — to be made; that in those moments he became, as his secretary Mary Rather recalled, ‘quiet and still.’”

    Certain people seem designed to perform well under moments of intense pressure. As an entrepreneur, it’s certainly a skill you’d do well to develop. Research conducted by TalentSmart found that 90% of top performers can manage their emotions in times of stress and remain calm and in control.

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    Aytekin Tank

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  • How to Establish a Distinct Brand Identity in a Crowded Market | Entrepreneur

    How to Establish a Distinct Brand Identity in a Crowded Market | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In today’s digital world, crafting a standout personal brand is essential for success as a business leader. One thing’s for sure: Consumers trust and purchase from real people more than impersonal brand names. This is especially true with a service business. According to the recent national research study, “Trends in Personal Branding,” personal branding is more than just a social media personality contest. The data showed that 67% percent of ALL Americans would be willing to spend more money on products and services from the companies of founders whose personal brand aligns with their own personal values.

    A personal brand that captures your unique expertise can elevate your business and create a loyal customer base. That same study mentioned above showed that 74% of all Americans reveal they’re “more likely to trust someone who has an established personal brand.” In perhaps the most powerful statistic of the entire study, it turns out that 82% of all Americans agree that “companies are more influential if their executives have a personal brand that they know and follow.

    Let’s explore some action steps you can take to build a brand identity that cuts through the noise of a crowded marketplace.

    Related: 8 Reasons a Powerful Personal Brand Will Make You Successful

    Crafting and communicating your brand

    Your personal brand is the story you tell the world, and your audience wants to learn something genuine about you and your brand story. It’s crucial to share not only your professional triumphs but also the personal stories and passions that make you relatable, such as your hobbies, family, travels, etc. Consistency in your messaging creates a coherent narrative, while authenticity fosters a trusting relationship with your audience.

    Embrace the platforms where your audience engages the most. For professionals, LinkedIn is often the go-to, serving as a space to demonstrate expertise and share personal insights. Authoring books and hosting podcasts can elevate your authority, allowing you to reach a wider audience with in-depth knowledge. My brand and reputation on LinkedIn didn’t soar until I added a lot of authentic posts and stories and less boring business-focused posts. Sharing personal aspects should be done thoughtfully, ensuring each story aligns with your professional message and adds value to your brand narrative.

    Building community and engagement

    The goal of a personal brand is to create a community, not just a following. Engagement is key. Encourage your audience to participate in conversations or debates through comments, forums and direct messaging. This interaction makes your brand relatable and accessible.

    Responding to feedback and adapting your brand message is important, but remember to stay true to your core values. Avoid the trap of overpromotion, and strive for a balance that promotes engagement over sales. Your brand should inspire interaction and foster a genuine connection.

    Building relationships with other like-minded entrepreneurs can open the door to opportunities that are mutually beneficial, such as speaking on a podcast or attending an upcoming event. When you collaborate with others outside of your immediate followers, you’re able to tap into their audience, gaining exposure to potential customers who already trust your collaborators’ judgment.

    To be most effective in growing your audience, select partners whose personal brands resonate with your own. Their followers should have interests that overlap with the products and services you offer. For example, if your brand is built on financial literacy, partnering with influencers in the personal development space could be advantageous.

    Scaling your business through personal branding

    Success in personal branding can often be qualitative. Look for engagement beyond likes and shares — genuine messages from your audience and opportunities for collaboration are indicators of a resonant personal brand. As your brand gains traction, use your influence to support your business goals. A strong personal brand can lead to new ventures and partnerships while amplifying your reach. As you scale, maintain the integrity of your brand. Growth should enhance, not compromise, the personal touch that distinguishes your brand from the rest.

    Building a personal brand is an ongoing process that involves sharing your journey and leveraging your experiences. It’s a powerful strategy for entrepreneurs, offering a platform for growth and the opportunity to make a real impact. Maintain authenticity, consistency, and focus on community. These principles will guide you in creating a personal brand that not only stands out but also stands for something meaningful.

    A reputation is built up by trust, and a personal brand is a trust accelerator. Another recent study found that 76% of American Millennials are more likely to buy from a person with a personal brand.

    Related: 6 Strategies You Need To Ensure Your Personal Brand Stands Out

    1. Define and deliver your value proposition clearly

    Imagine you’re a chef at a bustling food market. Every other stall is offering a range of dishes, each with its own mix of flavors and ingredients. To stand out, you need to have a signature dish — something that no one else offers, that tells your story and satisfies a unique craving. Your value proposition is that dish.

    What is it that you provide that no one else does? Maybe it’s a unique combination of services, or perhaps it’s a particular approach to wealth management that’s both approachable and highly effective. Once you’ve defined it, communicate it consistently across all platforms — be it on your LinkedIn profile, on your podcast shows or when speaking at events. Make it clear, make it appealing, and ensure it speaks to the core of what your audience values.

    2. Personalize your client experience

    Imagine each client interaction as a handcrafted gift. It’s not just about the content inside the package — it’s about the wrapping, the note that accompanies it and the perfect timing of its delivery. Your clients should feel that every piece of advice and every service you offer, is tailored specifically for them.

    This doesn’t mean creating entirely different services for each individual, but it does mean understanding their unique challenges and goals. Use client feedback to refine your offerings. Send personalized communications. Host events that cater to their interests and values. By personalizing the client experience, you build a relationship that feels exclusive and deeply connected to their needs.

    3. Educate and empower your audience

    Just as a gardener nurtures plants to grow, so should you cultivate your audience’s financial knowledge. Education is empowerment — and by providing valuable, easily digestible information, you position yourself as not just a service provider but a guide and mentor.

    Start a blog or a YouTube series focused on financial literacy, using simple language and relatable analogies. Explain complex concepts using common life experiences, like comparing diversified investments to a balanced diet. Not only will this reinforce your brand as a source of valuable knowledge, but it will also foster trust and deepen the relationship with your audience.

    Related: The 3 Questions You Must Answer to Make Your Brand Stand Out

    In a saturated market, your personal brand isn’t just a label; it’s your distinct edge. Your key to success is authenticity and engagement. By genuinely connecting with your audience and consistently delivering on your unique value proposition, you create more than just a brand; you build trust and long-term loyalty. It’s about being relatable yet professional, innovative yet grounded.

    Remember, in the realm of entrepreneurship, your personal brand is a powerful tool that drives not just visibility but real, meaningful business relationships. Cultivate it with intention, and watch it become your most valuable asset in navigating the competitive business landscape that we all find ourselves in.

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    Chad Willardson

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  • How to Improve Communication by Understanding Stress Responses | Entrepreneur

    How to Improve Communication by Understanding Stress Responses | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Traumatic experiences manifest as invisible wounds that impact us psychologically and emotionally. While we often associate wounds with physical injuries, trauma creates internal damage.

    Unprocessed experiences become trapped within us as unintegrated information. This unresolved trauma then influences our behaviors and relationships, often without conscious awareness that it’s happening. We only tend to recognize that something is off, wrong, or unsustainable. Understanding common trauma responses allows us to communicate with our colleagues, employees and clients alike with greater compassion and insight.

    Our job is never to diagnose or even try to unpack someone else’s experiences, but the more awareness we can bring to our interactions, the more compassion we can have for each other.

    Childhood trauma shapes adult reactions

    Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) stem from abuse, neglect, household challenges, discrimination, and other distressing situations. Studies suggest most people have at least one ACE, with much higher averages among the underestimated.

    The unresolved pain of early trauma then commandeers our nervous systems in adulthood. We develop patterns of thinking and reacting that echo old survival mechanisms. Though unconscious or subconscious, these habitual responses drive our professional (and personal) relationships.

    In certain instances, we may observe that our reaction to a particular event, person, visual, or language used is not congruent with the reality of the situation. Those moments may be markers of unprocessed trauma. Said another way, this is what it looks like when the younger version of us is in the driver’s seat —when they belong in the backseat, seatbelt-buckled, and enjoying their favorite snack. When the regulated, emotionally mature, adult version of us drives, we can respond versus react.

    A recent example of this was the Elon Musk interview with Andrew Ross Sorkin at the New York Times DealBook Summit, in which Musk mentions the abuse he endured during childhood. The influence of unintegrated trauma from his upbringing gives us a glimpse into aspects of his behavior that could be categorized as low-conscious leadership.

    Related: How to Lead with Compassion During These Traumatic Times

    Four key trauma reactions

    Trauma experts identify four common reactions to stress and perceived danger: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn (also called faint). While we each exhibit a primary tendency, these responses occur on a fluid spectrum. Our reactions depend on the situation and the person involved.

    • Fight reactions show up as aggression or defensiveness. Those with habitual fight reactions often faced belittling or neglect early on. Fighting helps them avoid repeating painful past experiences of unimportance, indifference and powerlessness.
    • Flight reactions reflect an ongoing perception of danger. Anxious folks seeking escape through workaholism or perfectionism exhibit flight patterns. Their frantic busyness causes acute stress reactions like increased heart rate and breathing.
    • Freeze reactions provide time to decide how to respond by stopping the moment. Those prone to freezing often grew up in unpredictable households requiring hypervigilance. Freezing allows the nervous system to pause on high alert before reacting.
    • Fawn reactions prioritize avoiding conflict through appeasement. However, as children those who fawn adapted to volatile environments by placating others. While fawning colleagues may resent their people-pleasing tendencies, their response provides a sense of control.

    Related: Burnout Is Not Preventable — Here’s How to Address Its Underlying Cause Instead

    In each of these four reactions, there are aspects of people pleasing and people controlling. People pleasers may seem kind on the surface but can lack boundaries and accountability. People controllers, who emerge from childhood powerlessness, micromanage and disempower their teams. Neither style effectively motivates or empowers. Both are on a quest for safety.

    Beyond fight or flight: Nuanced communication

    Understanding others’ likely trauma responses allows us to communicate with greater dexterity and care. We can identify reactive patterns through curiosity and non-judgment and adapt our language accordingly.

    With controlling colleagues, we might focus on maintaining their sense of autonomy and purpose. People-pleasing team members may need reassurance that speaking up won’t jeopardize relationships. Regardless of specifics, leading with empathy fosters safety and collaboration.

    My forthcoming book, HEAL to LEAD: Revolutionizing Leadership through Trauma Healing, breaks down the impact of trauma on leaders who exhibit people-controlling and people-pleasing behaviors. It explores the four fundamentals for uncovering the high-conscious leader within — Integrating Trauma, Embodying Vulnerability, Leading with Compassion and Lighting the Way.

    Healing happens in the body

    While talk therapy is certainly an effective gateway (i.e., I am an advocate and have 15 years of first-hand experience), mental health maintenance alone does not work to integrate trauma. Verbal counseling addresses thought patterns but can also keep some stuck in repetitive loops. Somatic methods, on the other hand, directly target the physical manifestations of trauma.

    Somatic therapy and mindfulness practices help discharge stuck emotional energy and tension from the body. Practical methods of somatic experiencing can be utilized in real-time, even during the workday—whether you work in the field, at an office, or from home.

    Related: Why Trauma Integration Will Give You a Competitive Advantage in Leadership

    Conscious leadership through embodiment

    Trauma shapes us, but it need not define us. As leaders, turning compassionately toward our own wounds and those of others allows for mutual understanding. It permits authentic connection and releases us from patterns that no longer serve.

    Understanding trauma reactions and releasing trauma from the body together enable more conscious, compassionate communication. Blending somatic practices with this relational awareness empowers the healthiest possible workplaces. With insight into each other’s pain, we stand a greater chance of building trust and mutually fulfilling professional partnerships.

    We rise together when we bring a higher consciousness to our shared humanity.

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    Kelly Campbell

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  • How to Become the LinkedIn Thought Leader You're Meant to Be | Entrepreneur

    How to Become the LinkedIn Thought Leader You're Meant to Be | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    LinkedIn is the preeminent platform facilitating connection and network-building among millions of professionals around the world.

    With over 950 million members in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, it’s easy to feel like your professional identity becomes lost in the crowd. However, the key to rising above the noise lies in finding and owning your thought leadership niche.

    In this article, you will learn the importance of carving out your niche on LinkedIn and explore how identifying and establishing yourself within a specific industry niche can be the game-changer you need to boost your career.

    Related: Avoid These 8 Mistakes Leaders Make on LinkedIn Every Day

    What is an industry niche?

    An industry niche is more than just a buzzword — it’s a strategic focal point within a specific sector that demands specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise.

    This can include particular products, services or even segments of the market that have yet to be adequately addressed by existing players in the industry. At its core, an industry niche represents an opportunity for innovation and differentiation.

    Honing in on a niche is a proactive step toward establishing yourself as a thought leader. Such deliberate focus allows businesses and individuals to distinguish themselves from the competition, creating a unique space that resonates with a specific audience. It’s a conscious decision not to be a generalist but rather an expert in a particular domain.

    Positioning yourself as a go-to authority in a specific realm sets you apart from the broader market. It enables you to address the nuanced needs of a particular audience, fostering a deeper connection with clients, collaborators and stakeholders.

    Essentially, embracing an industry niche is a pathway to unlocking new professional opportunities and fostering meaningful collaborations within your chosen sector. As we navigate the landscape of thought leadership on LinkedIn, it becomes increasingly evident that owning your niche is not just about specialization — it’s a strategic move to shape your brand identity.

    What are the most important industry niches on LinkedIn?

    In a recent industry study by LinkedIn, a comprehensive analysis of user engagement and trends revealed intriguing insights into the platform’s most influential niches.

    According to the study, the top ten industries collectively command a significant portion of LinkedIn’s user base, accounting for approximately 29% of all users. These industries, from technology and finance to healthcare and marketing, serve as hubs for professionals to connect, share insights and establish thought leadership.

    However, it’s crucial to recognize that these top industries are broad, encompassing various topics and niches under each umbrella. While these large-scale industries may attract a substantial audience, the key to making a meaningful impact on LinkedIn lies in drilling down into specific topics that align with your unique expertise and insights.

    Related: 3 Tips to Become a Thought Leader on LinkedIn

    For instance, let’s consider the broad industry of sustainability.

    While working within this overarching field provides ample opportunities for engagement to truly stand out and find your community on LinkedIn, it’s imperative to focus down on specific topics that resonate with your background, interests and expertise. In this context, you might delve into the niche of the circular economy within the broader sustainability umbrella.

    Finding your niche is not only about aligning with a broad industry but also identifying the core topics that genuinely speak to your strengths and interests. Doing so allows you to connect with a more targeted audience who shares your passion and values. LinkedIn becomes a space not just for professional networking but for fostering meaningful conversations within a niche that matters to you.

    Why should you care?

    Finding and owning your niche on LinkedIn isn’t just a recommended strategy — it’s necessary for anyone seeking to maximize their impact on this influential platform.

    LinkedIn continues to see a staggering surge in users and interactions. By defining your niche, you carve out a distinct identity amidst the multitude, allowing you to stand out and have a more significant impact.

    But finding your niche is not just about standing out — it’s about building authority.

    When you focus on a specific topic that aligns with your core career or business objectives, you position yourself as an expert. This intentional specialization enhances your professional credibility and establishes your thought leadership. If you consistently contribute valuable insights within your niche, you can become a go-to resource for industry-related discussions, further solidifying your authority in the eyes of your peers and followers.

    Defining your niche on LinkedIn is also about strategically positioning yourself within a community of like-minded professionals. Identifying and engaging with industry leaders, company founders and subject matter experts within your niche opens doors to invaluable connections.

    These connections will enrich your network and provide opportunities for collaboration, mentorship and knowledge exchange. Connecting with individuals who align with your personal goals and broader community interests ensures that your interactions on LinkedIn aren’t just quantity-driven but rich in quality and value.

    Related: Why You Can’t Ignore LinkedIn for Thought Leadership

    Navigating the LinkedIn landscape with your niche

    In the ever-expanding nature of LinkedIn, discovering and embracing your niche transcends the confines of personal branding — it emerges as a deliberate strategy to thrive amidst the platform’s burgeoning user base.

    Being strategic about your core thought leadership topics, values and the community you represent becomes paramount to enjoying the benefits of LinkedIn. Making an ongoing commitment to curate content and foster engagement will build a community that resonates with your unique voice.

    As you embark on this strategic approach, remember defining your niche is not just a choice. Rather, it’s a pathway to ultimately unlock the full potential of your LinkedIn experience.

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    Megan Thudium

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  • Cybersecurity Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

    Cybersecurity Attacks Are On the Rise — Is Your Business Prepared? | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, the traditional castle-and-moat approach is proving increasingly inadequate. The global average data breach cost in 2023 was $4.45 million. Compared with 2020, this is a 15% increase. Organizations must fortify their defenses with proactive and comprehensive strategies as cyber adversaries grow more sophisticated. In this era of uncertainty, the key to resilience lies in continuous monitoring.

    Related: The World is Doubling Down on Cybersecurity — Here’s What Business Leaders Should Know

    Understanding the value of continuous monitoring

    At its core, continuous monitoring is not just a tool but a mindset — a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity. It transcends the reactive measures of the past, emphasizing continuous data collection, analysis and correlation. It is also not a one-time event but a perpetual vigilance system that allows organizations to stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries.

    The primary benefit, of course, is identifying threats early on. Furthermore, employing advanced analytics and machine learning helps go beyond signature-based detection and recognize anomalies that may indicate potential threats. This proactive stance is crucial in the dynamic landscape of cyber threats, where speed is often the differentiator between containment and catastrophe.

    When breaches occur, and they inevitably will, the monitoring system plays a pivotal role in isolating compromised systems and containing malware. This containment strategy limits the blast radius of an attack, preventing the spread of malicious entities within the network. In the aftermath of a breach, the ability to swiftly and effectively mitigate the impact is a testament to the resilience afforded by continuous monitoring.

    Related: 4 Ways Continuous Learning Will Make You and Your Business Unstoppable

    Knowing is half the battle, especially in the realm of cybersecurity. Continuous monitoring gives organizations valuable insights into attacker tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs). Organizations can strengthen their security controls and create an adaptive defense architecture by understanding how adversaries operate.

    Beyond resilience, in an era of stringent regulations and compliance standards, monitoring is crucial in demonstrating adherence to industry guidelines. By providing continuous visibility into security postures and monitoring activities, organizations can proactively address compliance requirements, avoiding the pitfalls of non-compliance.

    Finally, the financial burden of cyberattacks extends far beyond immediate remediation costs. Minimizing the impact of breaches and optimizing incident response significantly reduces the overall economic toll of cyber incidents. It transforms cybersecurity from a necessary expense into a strategic investment that safeguards data and the bottom line.

    Executing continuous monitoring in your organization

    To offer complete visibility, a comprehensive monitoring plan should consider every endpoint, network, and software your company utilizes. As such, the first step is assessing every asset within the corporate network. However, not all assets are equal. Prioritizing monitoring efforts is essential to protect the most valuable information. Allowing organizations to focus their resources where they matter most helps create a targeted defense that fortifies the digital crown jewels.

    A monitoring architecture should also include an incident response plan. Due to its ability to allow organizations to record, respond, and learn from cyberattacks, incident reporting is essential. Facilitating the development of well-defined incident response procedures ensures that organizations can react swiftly and decisively to mitigate potential damage when a threat is detected.

    Selecting the most suitable technology and monitoring tools is a crucial choice. To have complete visibility, the monitoring architecture established must account for every attack vector that can be used to launch a cyberattack. Considering the expanding nature of today’s attack surface, choosing the right tools is paramount.

    For instance, most enterprises start with a Security Information and Event Monitoring Tool (SIEM), followed by Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) and a Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution. SIEM searches for patterns that make it easier for security teams to recognize attacks, breaches, and technical problems. An EDR, on the other hand, collects data from each endpoint and uses AI to determine threats.

    While on the outside, both SIEM and EDR offer visibility, EDRs focus on endpoints, and SIEM covers the entire network. However, EDR offers deeper capabilities regarding incident response, allowing security teams to fight back. UEMs, on the other hand, utilize their remote capabilities to keep track of device compliance. Furthermore, non-compliant devices, once identified, can be flagged and managed remotely. With new national and international regulations emerging, the consequences of non-compliance are grave indeed.

    The chosen tools must seamlessly integrate into the existing cybersecurity ecosystem, whether it’s network monitoring, endpoint monitoring or threat intelligence platforms. For example, selecting a SIEM with data loss prevention or a UEM with patch management capabilities saves IT teams from managing multiple platforms.

    Finally, let’s say you have implemented a reliable architecture. This, however, is not the end. There are always fresh risks to be aware of in the evolving field of cybersecurity. To respond to changing threats, continual improvement and refining are necessary. Regular reviews and updates ensure that the watchtower remains vigilant and resilient in the ever-changing cyber threat landscape.

    Last but not least — your employees. An issue with complex tools like SIEMs is that they require skilled security professionals to manage. Beyond security professionals, each employee must be updated on the latest cyber threats and attack vectors through regular workshops and training sessions. Knowing how criminals breach security will help them notice the minute details and signs that could help them identify a breach. Moreover, it also impacts how well they respond to a cybersecurity dilemma.

    Going forward

    As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the significance of continuous security monitoring continues to grow. It is not an exaggeration to portray it as a vital tool for businesses looking to safeguard their assets and ensure business continuity — in fact, doing so is a strategic requirement. The agility and responsiveness afforded by continuous monitoring are the building blocks of a resilient cybersecurity strategy in an age where digital disruption is the norm.

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    Apu Pavithran

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  • How to Make High-Priced Products Accessible to Working-Class Families | Entrepreneur

    How to Make High-Priced Products Accessible to Working-Class Families | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    There are times when products are inherently expensive. Homes are a classic example. So are vehicles. In those cases, the constant human needs for shelter and transportation have created natural solutions in the form of mortgages and auto loans.

    But what about companies outside of staple product niches? Here are three examples of how companies with high-priced products designed for larger consumer markets can make them accessible to working-class families.

    Leasing expensive equipment to customers

    Leasing is a classic business model. It involves renting an asset under a contractual agreement at a certain price for a set amount of time.

    When leasing comes up, it’s usually referencing major assets such as a house or car. However, it’s completely possible to lease a wide variety of additional products.

    Related: 5 Major Leasing Deal Points to Know Before Signing a Lease

    One example of this is solar panels. NerdWallet reports that the average solar panel installation can cost as much as $35,000. The renewable source of energy can save money over time, but its barrier to entry is inhibitive and has made solar power inaccessible to lower-income homeowners for over a decade.

    Some companies aim to combat this by leasing solar panel systems to homeowners. The end result is lower energy bills that ideally cover both the leased equipment and reduce the original cost of energy for the home.

    This approach to solar panel installation saves consumers tens of thousands of dollars in up-front fees. This makes it possible for homeowners to tap into the long-term savings of solar power without breaking the bank in the process. The same model is easy to reproduce for any brand that has a solid product and enough capital or investors to front the cash for equipment.

    Related: How to Invest In Real Estate Amid High Interest Rates and Inflation

    Offering interest-free payments

    Interest is a major detracting factor that makes larger purchases unappealing. For example, if an individual purchases a car in New York and takes out a five-year $25,000 auto loan at 5% interest, they’ll end up paying over $2,600 more in interest.

    Broken down over 60 months, this is nearly $45 per month in interest alone. To a working-class family, this is a legitimate cost that they must factor into their financial plans.

    Savvy companies that sell big-ticket items have caught onto the toll that interest payments take on their customers. Some have opted to offer interest-free payments as an alternative.

    Home Depot, for instance, regularly offers its customers coupons for 12-month and even 24-month interest-free financing. The Home Depot credit card also provides a round-the-clock six-month interest-free financing option. That means a customer can hold a balance with the company for that entire period (whether it’s six, 12 or 24 months). As long as they pay off the total before the payment period ends, they won’t pay a penny in interest.

    This model assumes a certain degree of risk on the part of the company. However, when managed well, the interest-free financing model more than makes up for the risks in the amount of larger purchases it encourages from those customers with limited up-front funding.

    Breaking things into smaller bundles and á la carte pricing

    Sometimes, a grouped product selection can push something out of reach of working-class family budgets. When this is the case, splitting a product up into multiple components can help reduce the financial barrier to entry.

    The exorbitant cost of cable television is a good example of this issue. Cable provider Spectrum has found a solution to the problem of its excessively priced full television packages by offering its Spectrum TV Choice bundle.

    This allows users to choose from a variety of channels to fill up a smaller quota of total channels. They can change their selection once a month, making the arrangement sustainable and accessible.

    Not all products come in individual pieces. Whenever that is the case, though, companies should consider innovative ways to repackage the individual components to make them accessible to customers without losing their collective value.

    Related: How Businesses Can Empower Consumers to Make Sustainable Choices

    Making high-priced products accessible to everyday consumers

    The middle class in America is able to make larger purchases. But they cannot do so with the same laissez-faire attitude as those with ample wealth and disposable income.

    Companies that want to market higher-priced products to middle-class consumers must be willing to find unique and innovative ways to help them make a purchase. From leasing and financing options to á la carte and “buffet style” offerings, consider how you can make your brand’s big-ticket items accessible to your target audience.

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    Rashan Dixon

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  • Deepfakes are Lurking in 2024 — Here's How to Unmask Them | Entrepreneur

    Deepfakes are Lurking in 2024 — Here's How to Unmask Them | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    As artificial intelligence (AI) takes the world by storm, one particular facet of this technology has left people in both awe and apprehension. Deepfakes, which are synthetic media created using artificial intelligence, have come a long way since their inception. According to a survey by iProov, 43% of global respondents admit that they would not be able to tell the difference between a real video and a deepfake.

    As we navigate the threat landscape in 2024, it becomes increasingly vital to understand the implications of this technology and the measures to counter its potential misuse.

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

    The evolution of deepfake technology

    The trajectory of deepfake technology has been nothing short of a technological marvel. Deepfakes were characterized by relatively crude manipulations in their infancy, often discernible due to subtle imperfections. These early iterations, though intriguing, lacked the finesse that would later become synonymous with the term “deepfake.”

    As we navigate the technological landscape of 2024, the progression of deepfake sophistication is evident. This evolution is intricately tied to the rapid advancements in machine learning. The algorithms powering deepfakes have become more adept at analyzing and replicating intricate human expressions, nuances, and mannerisms. The result is a generation of synthetic media that, at first glance, can be indistinguishable from authentic content.

    Related: ‘Biggest Risk of Artificial Intelligence’: Microsoft’s President Says Deepfakes Are AI’s Biggest Problem

    The threat of deepfakes

    This heightened realism in deepfake videos is causing a ripple of concern throughout society. The ability to create hyper-realistic videos that convincingly depict individuals saying or doing things they never did has raised ethical, social, and political questions. The potential for these synthetic videos to deceive, manipulate, and mislead is a cause for genuine apprehension.

    Earlier this year, Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned people about the dangers of AI content, saying, “It will be possible with AI to create, you know, a video easily. Where it could be Scott saying something or me saying something, and we never said that. And it could look accurate. But you know, on a societal scale, you know, it can cause a lot of harm.”

    As we delve deeper into 2024, the realism achieved by deepfake videos is pushing the boundaries of what was once thought possible. Faces can be seamlessly superimposed onto different bodies, and voices can be cloned with uncanny accuracy. This not only challenges our ability to discern fact from fiction but also poses a threat to the very foundations of trust in the information we consume. A report by Sensity shows that the number of deepfakes created has been doubling every six months.

    The impact of hyper-realistic, deepfake videos extends beyond entertainment and can potentially disrupt various facets of society. From impersonating public figures to fabricating evidence, the consequences of this technology can be far-reaching. The notion of “seeing is believing” becomes increasingly tenuous, prompting a critical examination of our reliance on visual and auditory cues as markers of truth.

    In this era of heightened digital manipulation, it becomes imperative for individuals, institutions, and technology developers to stay ahead of the curve. As we grapple with these advancements’ ethical implications and societal consequences, the need for robust countermeasures, ethical guidelines, and a vigilant public becomes more apparent than ever.

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

    Countermeasures and prevention strategies

    Governments and industries globally are not mere spectators in the face of the deepfake menace; they have stepped onto the battlefield with a recognition of the urgency that the situation demands. According to reports, the Pentagon, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is working with several of the country’s biggest research institutions to get ahead of deepfakes. Initiatives aimed at curbing the malicious use of deepfake technology are currently in progress, and they span a spectrum of strategies.

    One front in this battle involves the development of anti-deepfake tools and technologies. Recognizing the potential havoc that hyper-realistic synthetic media can wreak, researchers and engineers are tirelessly working on innovative solutions. These tools often leverage advanced machine learning algorithms themselves, seeking to outsmart and identify deepfakes in the ever-evolving landscape of synthetic media. A great example of this is Microsoft offering US politicians and campaign groups an anti-deepfake tool ahead of the 2024 elections. This tool will allow them to authenticate their photos and videos with watermarks.

    Apart from that, industry leaders are also investing significant resources in research and development. The goal is not only to create more robust detection tools but also to explore technologies that can prevent the creation of convincing deepfakes in the first place. Recently, TikTok has banned any deepfakes of nonpublic figures on the app.

    However, it’s essential to recognize that the battle against deepfakes isn’t solely technological. As technology evolves, so do the strategies employed by those with malicious intent. Therefore, to complement the development of sophisticated tools, there is a need for public education and awareness programs.

    Public understanding of the existence and potential dangers of deepfakes is a powerful weapon in this fight. Education empowers individuals to critically evaluate the information they encounter, fostering a society less susceptible to manipulation. Awareness campaigns can highlight the risks associated with deepfakes, encouraging responsible sharing and consumption of media. Such initiatives not only equip individuals with the knowledge to identify potential deepfakes but also create a collective ethos that values media literacy.

    Related: ‘We Were Sucked In’: How to Protect Yourself from Deepfake Phone Scams.

    Navigating the deepfake threat landscape in 2024

    As we stand at the crossroads of technological innovation and potential threats, unmasking deepfakes requires a concerted effort. It necessitates the development of advanced detection technologies and a commitment to education and awareness. In the ever-evolving landscape of synthetic media, staying vigilant and proactive is our best defense against the growing threat of deepfakes in 2024 and beyond.

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    Asim Rais Siddiqui

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  • 50 Questions to Ask Your Business Before the New Year | Entrepreneur

    50 Questions to Ask Your Business Before the New Year | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    We naturally begin to review things as our focus shifts to the new year (or a new fiscal year in any season). Assessing, lamenting, dreaming, dreading… Maybe it’s a big initiative that someone in your leadership is spearheading, or maybe it’s something entirely your responsibility to steer.

    Regardless, I wanted to create a set of comprehensive prompts, written in plain language, that hopefully stir up some fruitful reflection, as well as a way to summarize and prioritize them into goals at the end. I’ve collected the prompts into categories to keep us focused.

    The goal isn’t to have a thoughtful response to every prompt but to pay attention to which prompts resonate most with you — and why. Every stone you turn over won’t uncover a gem, but one of them will, and that’s all that matters.

    Brand identity

    1. As our brand leaders, what do we value most in the world?

    2. How would the world be different if our brand grew to become a household name?

    3. If our brand were a person, how would we describe its personality?

    4. How would an outsider describe what makes us unique?

    5. Does our brand reflect the needs and aspirations of our target audience?

    Competitive brandscape

    6. Which of our competitors do we want to become more like? (Think of these as a “north star.”)

    7. Which of our competitors do we want to become less like? (We call this a “south star.”)

    8. Has our market position changed over the past year? How so?

    9. What aspects of our company truly differentiate us from our competitors? List everything that comes to mind.

    10. Are there any emerging trends in our industry that we should consider embracing in the year ahead?

    Last year’s brand performance

    11. What achievements are we most proud of in the past year?

    12. Which strategies or initiatives were most successful?

    13. What were some of our most frustrating setbacks or obstacles?

    14. How have our customers’ perceptions of our brand changed?

    15. In the last year, have we received helpful customer feedback?

    Related: Your Most Burning Questions About Personal Branding, Answered

    Customer insights

    16. How would you describe our ideal customer? Get granular.

    17. What does our customer want? And what do they want more than that? (Keep asking that second question until you run out of responses.)

    18. Where do our customers tend to hang out?

    19. How do our customers prefer to interact with us?

    20. What’s the health of our touchpoints with customers? (Think customer service, support, etc.)

    Talk tracks and messaging

    21. Are we speaking our customer’s language?

    22. Are we offering enough consistency and variety in our messaging?

    23. When did we compellingly tell our brand’s story last?

    24. Does content marketing play a role in our communications strategy? Should it?

    25. Are there words or phrases we consistently use that we should rework?

    Digital presence and social media

    26. In the last year, how have we tried to improve our SEO?

    27. Is our website effective in converting visitors?

    28. Which social platforms seem most beneficial for our brand to interact with prospective customers?

    29. Do we have a content calendar or rhythm to posting on socials?

    30. How can we be more consistent on these platforms?

    Product and service evaluation

    31. How would you rate our product/service’s ability to meet customer expectations?

    32. In the last year, what feedback have we received about our offerings?

    33. How can we enhance our product/service quality?

    34. Is there anything we can wrap-around our product/service to delight our customers?

    35. Are there opportunities to flex from predominantly service into a product, or vice versa?

    Internal culture

    36. Does our internal culture reflect the diversity of our customer base?

    37. How aligned is our team around our brand values?

    38. Does our team feel engaged and motivated, or perhaps lacking in certain areas?

    39. What professional development opportunities can we provide in the next year?

    40. How can we actively improve our recruitment and retention?

    Financial health

    41. What is the current financial health of our brand?

    42. Are we charging enough (or too much) for our product/service?

    43. Are there any creative ways to reallocate our budget to improve our operations next year?

    44. Which new revenue streams could we explore?

    45. What are our financial goals for the upcoming year?

    Related: How to Ask Yourself Better Questions in the New Year

    Innovation

    46. What new cultural trends should we prepare for? (Think AI, Web3, etc.)

    47. How can we promote a culture of innovation within our company?

    48. Are there any strategic partnerships that could benefit our brand?

    49. How will we measure success in the coming year? Should we schedule quarterly reviews of these questions?

    And lastly — read through all of your responses to the previous 49 prompts and:

    50. Dream up a list of five goals for the next year. Get specific.

    Take the guardrails off your mind momentarily and allow yourself to dream big. We often overestimate what we can get done in a week but underestimate what can happen in a year. Dream dreams that your future self might thank you for. Be specific. Use measurable language.

    Related: Setting Measurable Goals Is Critical to Your Strategic Plan (and Your Success). Here’s Why.

    After you have your five goals, prioritize them, listing them in order of significance and how impactful they’ll be to your brand’s growth over the next 12 months. Then, cross out the bottom two.

    This will provide focus and keep three primary objectives at the front and center for you. Now that you have your top three, write the first actionable step under each. What’s the smallest — but most apparent — step you can take towards each goal?

    And look at that: You’re already on your way to a brighter year ahead.

    What’s the best that could happen?

    Related: 16 Powerful Quotes to Unlock Change in the New Year

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    John Emery

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  • How Mark Cuban Changed CVS and the Pharmacy Business Forever | Entrepreneur

    How Mark Cuban Changed CVS and the Pharmacy Business Forever | Entrepreneur

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    This story originally appeared on Business Insider.

    CVS just announced plans for a major shift to how drugs are sold in its pharmacies — and it’s a sign the retailer is bending to market pressures.

    The retail pharmacy chain is set to launch a program that will flip how its pharmacies get reimbursed by pharmacy-benefit managers and insurers. Under that program, called CostVantage, CVS’s pharmacies will get paid based on the cost of the drug plus a set markup and a service fee. It’s not clear if it will always lead to lower costs for customers at the pharmacy counter.

    The new program offers a far simpler model than how CVS’s pharmacies have traditionally been reimbursed. At least in part, it’s a response to models like billionaire Mark Cuban’s online pharmacy taking hold in the market.

    CVS has been facing increased pressure to provide transparent drug pricing in the past two years as consumers turn to companies like Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs for lower drug prices. Blue Shield of California, for example, said it’s ditching a CVS unit and replacing it with Cuban’s company for some prescription drug tasks. Cuban declined to comment for this story.

    The billionaire’s drug-pricing model, which made waves across healthcare when the company launched at the start of 2022, looks remarkably similar to the program CVS is now adopting.

    Federal lawmakers and the US Federal Trade Commission have also been scrutinizing the prescription drug supply chain. They’ve been especially focused on pharmacy-benefit managers and the lack of transparency around how much drugs cost.

    CVS’s new model “provides our PBM and payor clients a foundational step towards more pricing clarity for consumers,” said Prem Shah, executive vice president, chief pharmacy officer, and president of pharmacy and consumer wellness at CVS Health, in a statement.

    Getty Images / Justin Sullivan via BI

    How Mark Cuban changed drug pricing

    Cuban’s pharmacy buys drugs directly from manufacturers and sells them to consumers at a 15% markup, plus pharmacy fees.

    The company’s patients pay for the drugs out of pocket, skirting middlemen like PBMs or insurers, and generally paying far less for their medications as a result. Cost Plus says it has more than 2 million members.

    Cost Plus isn’t the first company to try to revolutionize how consumers pay for pricey drugs. GoodRx has offered coupons for drug discounts for more than a decade.

    Still, GoodRx works with PBMs to get those discounts rather than with the pharmacies, and has made some enemies in the process. The drug-discount startup took a revenue hit last year when an unnamed grocer, rumored to be Kroger, renegotiated a number of its drug pricing contracts at once and forced GoodRx to stop offering discounts for those drugs at the grocer.

    Kroger announced in July that it’s now partnering with Cost Plus.

    GoodRx’s stock tumbled more than 6% on Tuesday, while CVS gained 3.8%.

    Other healthcare firms have been feeling the pressure to provide lower prices, too. Walgreens announced a new drug-discount app last week that helps patients find savings for their prescriptions. Cigna’s pharmacy-benefits unit, Express Scripts, announced a transparent pricing option last month.

    CVS is the biggest US pharmacy chain by prescription revenue, followed by Walgreens, according to Drug Channels.

    It’s not clear if CVS’s new program will result in lower prices overall for consumers. Some drugs will cost more under CostVantage, while others will cost less, according to the Wall Street Journal. The costs could also depend on the terms of an individual’s insurance plan, and whether they choose to use it.

    But the announcement looks to be a step in the right direction for drug pricing transparency.

    CVS said it plans to launch the program in full through contracts with commercial payers in 2025.

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    Rebecca Torrence

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  • Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger: Inside the 60-Year Friendship | Entrepreneur

    Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger: Inside the 60-Year Friendship | Entrepreneur

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    This article originally appeared on Business Insider.

    Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s friendship goes back 60 years.

    99-year-old Munger, the investing legend who led Berkshire Hathaway as vice chairman alongside Buffett, died on Tuesday in a California hospital.

    “Berkshire Hathaway could not have been built to its present status without Charlie’s inspiration, wisdom and participation,” Buffett said in a short statement about his friend’s death.

    The two friends first met in 1959 at a diner, but had worked at the same grocery store for Buffett’s grandfather as teenagers.

    “I knew after I met Charlie, after a few minutes in the restaurant, I knew that this guy’s going to be in my life forever,” Buffett told CNBC in 2021. “We were gonna have fun together, we were gonna make money together, we were gonna get ideas from each other. We were both going to behave better than if we didn’t know each other.”

    Read more to see how the two men built their careers together.

    Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger worked together for 45 years at Buffett’s holding company, Berkshire Hathaway.

    Buffett, left, and Munger, right, at the company’s annual Omaha meeting last year. REUTERS/Rick Wilking via BI

    Together, the two achieved incredible success and respect in the business world.

    Both billionaires grew up in Omaha, Nebraska.

    Omaha Nebraska

    Shutterstock Berkshire Hathaway is also headquartered in Omaha. via BI

    Buffett has been called the “Oracle of Omaha.” He started investing early, buying his first stock when he was 11 years old and accruing a small fortune from business ventures by the time he was a teenager. His pursuits included operating a successful pinball machine business in local barbershops, delivering newspapers, and washing cars.

    After attending Columbia’s School of Business, Buffett returned to Omaha, then moved back to New York to work for his mentor, Benjamin Graham.

    columbia university

    The library at Columbia University in New York. meunierd/Shutterstock via BI

    When Graham closed his firm in 1956, Buffett moved back home to Omaha and started Buffett Partnership Ltd. This quickly turned to seven partnerships, which led him to become a millionaire by age 32.

    He merged these partnerships in 1962 and invested in a textile manufacturing firm called Berkshire Hathaway.

    Berkshire Hathaway

    BloombergTV via BI

    In the late 60s, he pivoted the company from textiles to insurance. At the age of 93, Buffett still leads the company today.

    Buffett would eventually join forces with Charlie Munger, commonly referred to as his “right-hand man.”

    charlie munger and warren buffett

    Eric Francis/Getty Images via BI

    The pair were introduced by a mutual contact in 1959 in Omaha, where they dined with their wives at Johnny’s Cafe.

    Along with enjoying each other’s sense of humor, the men learned they both worked for Buffett’s grandfather at his grocery store as teenagers. Though the two worked at the same store, they had never crossed paths, as Munger was seven years Buffett’s senior.

    Both men have recalled their first interaction fondly.

    Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger

    Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger Getty Images via BI

    “About five minutes into it, Charlie was sort of rolling on the floor laughing at his own jokes, which is exactly the same thing I did,” Buffett, 90, told CNBC in 2019. “I thought, ‘I’m not going to find another guy like this.’ And we just hit it off.”

    Meanwhile, Munger said the pair “got along fine,” according to CNBC.

    “What I like about Warren is the irreverence. We don’t have automatic reverence for the pompous heads of all civilization,” Munger said.

    A lawyer by trade and an architect on the side, Charlie Munger began working for Berkshire Hathaway in the late 1970s.

    charlie munger

    Previously, Munger excelled at Harvard Law School and even co-founded his own law firm — Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP — which still exists today.

    Buffett convinced Munger to leave the practice as he felt it did not utilize his full talents in the early 1960s.

    “It took me a long time to wise up that [Buffett] had a better way of making a living than I did,” Munger said in 2021 regarding the decision to follow Buffett’s advice. “But he finally convinced me that I was wasting my time.”

    Over a decade later, Buffett convinced Munger to leave his second company, an investment practice called Wheeler, Munger & Co.

    warren buffet charlie munger

    Buffett and Munger with fellow investors Peter and Paul Hilal in 1998. FrankTursetta/Wikimedia Commons via BI

    In 1978, he became Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, where the two had worked side-by-side.

    At the time of his death, Munger had a net worth of about $2.5 billion, according to Bloomberg.

    After almost half a century of joined partnership, the two men have often appeared as the faces of Berkshire Hathaway, adding a personal element to the holdings company.

    warren buffet charlie munger

    Kraft Heinz company is one of Berkshire Hathaway’s companies. REUTERS/Rick Wilking via BI

    The pair’s faces are often used by their subsidiary companies, such as Heinz and Coca-Cola.

    In 60 years of friendship, Buffet claims they’d never fought.

    warren buffet charlie munger

    REUTERS/Rick Wilking via BI

    Buffett told CNBC in 2019 that he “always learn something” from the time he spends with Munger.

    Buffett also praised Munger in his 2022 letter to shareholders.

    Charlie Munger, left, and Warren Buffett, right

    Nati Harnik/AP via BI

    “Charlie and I think pretty much alike. But what it takes me a page to explain, he sums up in a sentence,” Buffett wrote.

    The pair appeared to share a lighthearted friendship.

    “I never have a phone call with Charlie without learning something. And,
    while he makes me think, he also makes me laugh,” Buffet wrote in the letter.

    Munger has spoken highly of Buffett and even stepped in to defend him at times.

    charlie munger

    Lacy O’Toole/CNBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images via Business Insider.

    Earlier this month, Munger defended his friend against a report alleging Buffett sometimes traded stock in his person account before his company traded the same stocks.

    “I don’t think there’s the slightest chance that Warren Buffett is doing something that is deeply evil to make money for himself. He cares more about what happens to Berkshire than he cares what happens to his own money. He gave all his own money away. He doesn’t even have it anymore,” Munger said at the time.

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    Marissa Perino and Grace Kay

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  • Harvard Scholar Joan Donovan Claims Facebook Pushed Her Out | Entrepreneur

    Harvard Scholar Joan Donovan Claims Facebook Pushed Her Out | Entrepreneur

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    Dr. Joan Donovan, a former Harvard disinformation scholar, is claiming in a new disclosure that the university’s cozy relationship with alumni Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, led to her termination.

    Donovan is regarded as one of the world’s leading social media disinformation experts. In 2021, she testified before the House and Senate subcommittees about misinformation and social media.

    In the whistleblower declaration made public on Monday, Donovan claims her studies on media manipulation campaigns were restricted following a $500 million donation from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to fund an artificial intelligence center in 2021.

    “From that very day forward, I was treated differently by the university to the point where I lost my job,” Donovan told The Logic.

    The disclosure was sent on Donovan’s behalf to Harvard and U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona by Whistleblower Aid last week.

    RELATED: How Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Makes, Spends His $65 Billion Fortune

    The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is a philanthropic organization run by Zuckerberg and Chan.

    Donovan claims she was terminated in 2022 after Harvard shut down her research. She had worked at the university since 2018 running the Technology and Social Change Research Project for the Shorenstein Center at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

    The disclosure calls for an investigation into the Kennedy School and “all appropriate corrective action.”

    Harvard, meanwhile, has refused Donovan’s allegations and claims she wasn’t fired.

    “Allegations of unfair treatment and donor interference are false. The narrative is full of inaccuracies and baseless insinuations, particularly the suggestion that Harvard Kennedy School allowed Facebook to dictate its approach to research,” said Harvard spokesperson James Francis Smith in a statement to CNN.

    “By longstanding policy to uphold academic standards, all research projects at Harvard Kennedy School need to be led by faculty members. Joan Donovan was hired as a staff member (not a faculty member) to manage a media manipulation project. When the original faculty leader of the project left Harvard, the School tried for some time to identify another faculty member who had time and interest to lead the project. After that effort did not succeed, the project was given more than a year to wind down. Joan Donovan was not fired, and most members of the research team chose to remain at the School in new roles,” he said.

    Entrepreneur reached out to Meta for comment.

    RELATED: Facebook Whistleblower Reveals Herself

    The disclosure notes that the Chan Zuckerberg donation came shortly after the 2021 “Facebook Papers” whistleblower complaint from former Facebook employee Frances Haugen.

    Harvard made the papers public with the help of Donovan, who archived the documents for public research.

    Since Donovan’s departure from Harvard, she announced in August she is joining Boston University’s College of Communication as an assistant professor.

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    Sam Silverman

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  • An Expert Explains Why You Need a Personal Board of Advisors | Entrepreneur

    An Expert Explains Why You Need a Personal Board of Advisors | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    By the early 2000s, working for a single company for your entire career was rare. The new normal was fluid. Employees became more likely to move between organizations, or even switch industries entirely. Job mobility offers flexibility, but it also leaves many of us feeling overwhelmed and looking for guidance.

    How can we best draw on others’ support as we forge our own careers? I’m a professor of management at Babson College who has spent decades studying how mentors boost individual development and organizational success. After teaching thousands of students and executives, there’s one piece of advice I give everyone:

    You need to build a personal board of advisors to help guide your career.

    A personal board of advisors is a small part of your overall network: It’s a group of people invested in your success who you can turn to for advice and support. Here are five of the most important things to know about building your board of mentors.

    Related: What You Need to Know About Building a Small Business Advisory Board (and Why You Need One)

    Quality is more important than quantity

    A personal board of advisors falls between the solo guru you turn to for every question, and your 500-plus LinkedIn connections. It’s a smaller network of people who care and provide support for you throughout your career, including peers and role models. This network changes over time to reflect what you need at different career stages, as you will rely on them for everything from providing practical advice to advocating on your behalf.

    An extensive contact list does not translate to a better network. Prioritize high-quality connections over high-quantity networks. Try making a list of how many people you actually discuss your career with. You’ll notice it’s smaller than you may have thought.

    Here are the three characteristics to look for in a high-quality relationship:

    1. Positive intent — You and your mentor are both entering with good intentions and assume the best of each other.
    2. Mutuality — You’re both present and engaged when you’re speaking. You have a genuine connection and aren’t just trying to get something out of each other.
    3. Vitality — You leave the conversation feeling energized rather than drained.

    Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

    Everyone benefits from mentoring relationships. My research shows that mentees are happier, more satisfied in their careers, get promoted faster and learn new skills. Mentors get many of the same benefits, plus loyalty among their team and a reputation for supporting others.

    However, a common mistake people make when seeking mentorship (and that companies make when setting up mentorship programs) is relying on one person. More than 92% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs in place. But many of these are 1:1 models, where an employee is matched with a single mentor. That’s a lot of pressure on a single relationship and whether you hit it off.

    More importantly, you need multiple perspectives on your personal board of advisors. Sometimes, you need support from within your organization. Other times, you need an external eye. Sometimes, you want a person who shares your existing interests. Other times, you want someone who shares new interests you’re looking to explore.

    Related: 8 Steps to Creating an Effective Advisory Board

    People are more willing to help than you think

    Reaching out can feel daunting. Everyone’s busy, and it can feel like you’re asking a lot. But research on reciprocity shows that when someone asks for help, our immediate instinct is to offer it. People are flattered to be asked for their advice and mentorship. That doesn’t mean you’ll always get a “yes,” but it should make you feel more confident asking.

    When you reach out or first meet a mentor, think through how you present your story. This is an introduction, not a sales pitch for why this person should mentor. Be honest; if you’re editing your story to strengthen a relationship with a mentor, it might be a sign to seek someone else.

    Take advantage of the moment when you’re new at an organization to reach out to people. There’s never an expiration date on seeking mentorship. But the first few months of a new job offer a natural alignment: It’s when you most need support and when other people are most inclined to give it.

    Your peers are some of your best mentors

    The most underrecognized and underutilized mentors are your peers. As you progress through the ranks into more senior positions, the pool of available mentors above you shrinks. By the time you get to CEOs, who don’t have a boss, peers are the main option to receive mentorship.

    Adding peers to your personal board of advisors is helpful at every career stage. A lot of peer mentorship is informal and spontaneous. Structure, however, can also be helpful. Set up a recurring time to meet, whether it’s once a week or once a year. And, as with other mentors, it’s best to have a diverse group of people with different perspectives.

    Peer mentoring allows us to grow through the advice we receive as mentees, but also as the mentor who’s offering said advice.

    Related: Randi Zuckerberg: Don’t Search for That ‘Pie-in-the-Sky Mentor’

    It’s on you to develop your personal board of advisors

    With the shift toward greater job mobility, companies stopped taking responsibility for cultivating employees’ entire career trajectories. The formal mentoring programs large companies have in place are aimed at developing employees in their role within the organization, not looking out for your career as a whole. You now need to be intentional about building your own career networks. No one will do it for you.

    Many executives I work with feel lonely in their professional journey. Oftentimes, the only person they’ll discuss their career with is their spouse or partner. They come to understand that they haven’t paid enough attention to their own growth and development.

    Even as an expert who teaches about building networks, I sometimes forget to focus on my own. But I remind myself that creating and maintaining quality relationships with multiple mentors is good for me, good for my advisors and good for my employer.

    It’s a win-win-win worth investing in.

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    Wendy Murphy

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  • 3 New Ways to Develop Laser-Like Focus | Entrepreneur

    3 New Ways to Develop Laser-Like Focus | Entrepreneur

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    To boost focus in the face of distractions, you need a new approach to success.

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    Ben Angel

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  • 5 Tips for Helping Your Book Stand Out In an Overcrowded Niche | Entrepreneur

    5 Tips for Helping Your Book Stand Out In an Overcrowded Niche | Entrepreneur

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    Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

    Think you have a good book idea in you? You’re not alone. In fact, it’s estimated that in 2022, between traditional publishing and self-publishing, over four million new books were released. That’s a lot more books than even the most avid reader could ever find time for.

    It also means that if you want to publish your own book to strengthen your platform and your business, you can’t just release it on Amazon and hope for the best. You need to take actionable steps to help it stand out.

    1. Give your writing the attention it deserves

    No matter what you want to write about or how you hope to market your book, you have to put a lot of time and focus on the actual writing itself. This means ensuring that your book is well organized and that chapter ideas flow smoothly. It also means that you take the time to proofread your writing for grammar and spelling mistakes.

    This may seem self-explanatory, but ensuring quality writing allows your ideas to shine through. Bad writing will stick out to readers, but not in the way you want. Consider working with a professional editor or using beta readers (or test readers) to get feedback on what is or isn’t working before you publish.

    Related: Why Every Entrepreneur Should Write a Book

    2. Consider working with a co-author

    Depending on the connections you have in your industry, working with a co-author can become a powerful strategy for getting your book to stand out. The right co-author can strengthen your own insights with their personal expertise, making it easier to develop high-quality content for your book.

    However, a co-author can be even more powerful after publication. The right co-author can lend your book instant credibility with their audience. It also provides someone else who can assist with marketing efforts. Especially in business writing, a co-author can help you achieve far greater reach and more potential sales than you would on your own.

    3. Make sure you have an eye-catching cover

    The cliche “a picture is worth a thousand words” is surprisingly accurate when it comes to books — much more so than “don’t judge a book by its cover.” In fact, a survey found that 52% of readers choose which book to buy based on its cover art.

    While business books often opt for relatively simple designs, it’s worth paying a little extra to have this done by a professional who understands the nuances of typography, colors and imagery. An attractive, professional cover will help your book make a positive first impression and entice people to click to learn more.

    A word of warning: Beware trying to go the cheap and easy route of AI cover generation. The use of AI is quite controversial in publishing and could get your book the wrong type of attention.

    4. Work with a book marketing agency

    Book marketing can be surprisingly challenging. Email lists, e-reader advertisements and getting advance reviews for your book before it launches can all play a critical role in achieving sales success — but getting relevant placements and reviews can be challenging for a first-time author.

    Book marketing agencies can be incredibly useful in this regard. With resources like curated email lists that can be filtered for different book categories and connections with advanced readers, they can help build strong word of mouth for your launch.

    Related: Here’s How Writing a Book Can Give Your Brand a Much-Needed Boost

    5. Price effectively

    Book pricing can vary significantly based on its length, whether the book is being published as a hardcover, paperback or ebook and other factors. Many self-publishing business non-fiction writers see the bulk of their sales come through ebooks, which they can use to their advantage with more flexible pricing arrangements.

    For example, a common strategy is to price the ebook at a significantly discounted price (even as little as 99 cents) during its launch week to increase sales. This helps propel the book up the bestseller list right away, which in turn can generate more reader reviews, word of mouth and exposure through bestseller lists. Look at other successful books in your niche to determine the average pricing, as this will give you a good idea of market expectations.

    Write your way to success

    Getting a finished book out into the world is a big accomplishment. Sharing your unique knowledge and insights can be a powerful way to build your personal brand and even attract new clients to your business. But if you want those kinds of results, you need to make sure your book will stand out in its niche.

    With strong writing and solid marketing to back it up, you can ensure a successful launch for your book that helps it achieve the kind of results you hope for.

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    Lucas Miller

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  • How to Flip Your Bad Personality Traits | Entrepreneur

    How to Flip Your Bad Personality Traits | Entrepreneur

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    All of us, at some point in our lives, have believed some aspect of our personalities could be improved upon. Maybe you got the message that you were too loud, or brash, or talkative. Maybe you were told you were overly reserved, or sensitive, or dreamy. Maybe your ideas are too impractical, or too regimented. Maybe you’re too loose with money, or too tight-fisted. Whatever the critique was, it probably made you feel crappy and self-conscious. But that’s okay, because a little self-reflection is good for everyone, and it’s important to be mindful how you’re coming across to others. And it also doesn’t mean you should try to eradicate that part of yourself. In fact, if it’s getting other people’s attention, it’s probably core to who you are. Here, we spoke with six entrepreneurs who made the mindset shift from feeling ashamed of their “bad” personality traits, to unlocking their potential.

    Image Credit: Pete Ryan

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    Frances Dodds

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