How to Keep Your Readers on Your Blog Longer

Don’t you hate it when you spend hours writing a blog post only to see that people spend mere seconds skimming it? In an ideal world, you want people to spend hours on your blog, but sadly that won’t happen. What you can do instead is get people to come back more frequently and spend  [click to continue...]

My Challenge to You for 2015: Only Connect

Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. ~ E.M. Forster, Howards End The thing, I think, that keeps people from building successful businesses, especially online, is that business seems complicated. And it is, in the sense

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January Sales Drive? - Think Twice Before You Pick Up The Phone

From a business perspective, the Christmas and New Year holiday season can be both frustrating and not a little worrying. Outside of the retail sector – which remains busy throughout - many businesses here in the UK can look forward to a marked slowdown in activity from mid-December onwards, culminating in a prolonged period of zero productivity, starting on Christmas eve (or earlier) and ending on the first full working week of January when customers and suppliers return from their holidays.

Reflections on Leadership

The end of the year always for me means a “summing up” and so I have been reflecting on what the idea of “leadership” is all about: political, social, business, cultural…

Knowing When Your Private Equity, Hedge Fund Is Really A Winner!

Determining when, precisely, a private equity or hedge fund has delivered a true profit, rather than simply benefiting from a rising market, is not a straight-forward matter.

The Best of Copyblogger: 2014 Edition

It’s that time of year again … The time of year when we wind down one year in anticipation of the next by taking a final look back at the best of the best content published here at Copyblogger during the last calendar year. It’s become an annual tradition. But first, I want to highlight

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Related Stories

• The Best of Copyblogger: 2013 Edition
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Eurozone Chaos And Contagion Are Coming

Since Greece had to call for an early general election the yield acceleration has been confined to the Hellenic Republic. Unless France and Italy implement serious reform the spectre of contagion could appear once again.

Uber May Need To Become 'Radio Uber' In India's Fast-Growing Market, Diminishing Its Appeal To Investors

Delhi’s transport authorities on Monday modified the rules governing the operations of taxi aggregator Uber and its Indian rivals, like Ola and TaxiForSure. The new licensing rules require Uber and other taxi hailing apps to set up infrastructure like parking facilities, a local office, a customer service center, as well as have GPS-tracking fitted fleets.

2015 Is The Year Of The Millennial Customer: 5 Traits You Must Understand Now

Millennial customers—80 million in the U.S. alone–are about to become the most important customers your business has ever seen. And you need to understand these customers if you’re going to be able to create the perfect millennial-friendly customer experience and customer service approach. Which I suggest you get started on, before it’s too late for your business to reap the benefit of this coming commercial windfall.

Here’s How Daniel Pink Writes

[Editor’s note: this post was originally published on February 20, 2013. We’re running it again because Dan Pink is one of our keynote speakers for Authority Rainmaker in May, 2015.] It seems only fitting that bestselling author and journalist Daniel Pink returns to Copyblogger to reveal his secrets for getting words onto the page. Brian

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Guidance for 2015

This year, be willing to be even more true to who you are, and who you intend to be. Work from the core of your mission and permit no distractions. Remember that your day is your week is your month is your year. Your success comes from each choice you make along the path. And […]

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Is 'Purpose' Fast Becoming Central to Business Success?

Never before have leadership skills been under such intense focus. In today’s connected world driven by the explosion of the internet there is easy access to detailed business information and relentless forensic analysis by commentators and financial markets. Today’s leaders require a wide global perspective, strong mediation and communication skills, a large dose of empathy, courage, team building with superb delegation and execution, optimism but must be honest and transparent, a high sense of morality with drive and sense of purpose.

Don’t Blog Unless You Use These 11 Tools

Are you having a hard time blogging? I know I did when I first started out. Over the years, blogging has evolved, and many new platforms and tools have been created. Most of the tools aren’t very useful, but a few are. Here are the 11 tools that have helped make my blogging journey a bit easier  [click to continue...]

Real Life Willy Wonka Wins With Wild Flavors

A self-taught Willy Wonka is winning high profile customers with his wild flavored chocolates, like sweet potato, French bleu cheese, and bacon caramel shortbread. That's just a sampler of what Phillip Ashley Rix has concocted for his eponymous, artisan chocolate company. Rix's chocolates were doled out at the Oscars, a box sits on Morgan Freeman’s nightstand, and they're consumed by some of America’s top CEOs. Each one has been lovingly named, starting with his signature, “Mama Jean,” a sweet potato-flavored dark chocolate ganache. They’re made by hand, and have been dreamt up, and produced by Rix, at his professional kitchen in Memphis, Tennessee.

Here’s How Daniel Pink (One of Three Keynote Speakers at Authority Rainmaker) Writes

[Editor’s note: this post was originally published on February 20, 2013.] It seems only fitting that bestselling author and journalist Daniel Pink returns to Copyblogger to reveal his secrets for getting words onto the page. Brian Clark picked the brain of this influential thinker six years ago in a conversation that became Copyblogger’s first author

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Xiaomi Raises $1.1 Billion At $45 Billion Valuation

Merry Christmas, Apple: the aggressive smartphone maker’s value has now jumped 10 fold in less than three years.

Tsunami Millionaires: How Two Orphaned Brothers Survived Tragedy And Built A Business

Ten years ago, Rob, Paul, Matty and Rosie Forkan lost their parents in the Boxing Day tsunami that devastated much of coastal South East Asia.

Follow The Sun! The Right Way To Use Solar Energy

In the future, people will be less dependent on oil for things like electricity and home heating. Solar energy will take up much of the slack, and it is actually something that you can use right now. This post can definitely help you out there. Even a small change, such as a solar-powered hot water ...

Get Brave With Me

Are you ready to take on 2015? For the last few years, I’ve been running a course called Brave New Year, where we work together on growing out your confidence, your ability to execute, and much more. We’ve had hundreds of graduates from the Brave course, and they are one of my most active private […]

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The 5 Stages of Becoming a Successful Thought Leader

The idea of becoming a thought leader is a nebulous and confusing concept to grasp. Every leader’s approach is different, and there’s no secret formula to success.

Is IRS Ninth Circuit Salus Mundi Win A Pyrrhic Victory?

 The IRS  has won another round in its pursuit of a share of the Diebold fortune with the Ninth Circuit decision in the case of the Salus Mundi Foundation.  This one may prove to be a Pyrrhic victory, as it seems that the Salus Mundi cupboard may well be bare.  Here's the story.

Six Customer Trends That Will Build Or Break Your Business As We Enter 2015

Here are six trends in customer expectations and behavior that have affected our businesses in 2014 and will continue to do so in 2015. Have you adapted to these yet? If not, I suggest you step on it.

Unprofessional Advice For Professional Keynote Speakers

This seems a nice sleepy time of the year to share some advice with my fellow public speakers, as the U.S. is pretty much a no-gig zone throughout the entire holiday season, because event organizers find scheduling too conflicted this time of year.  (The rare gigs that a speaker gets during the holidays are in exotic, or

The Ultimate Reason To Be Nice To A Customer

Not that it comes down to this often, in most lines of work. But an ultimate reason to be kind to a customer (or, for that matter, a vendor, or an employee or a boss) is the off chance it’ll be the last time you interact.

Don't Sabotage The Customer Experience Speaking Jargon To Your Customers

An unrecognized killer of a positive customer experience? Speaking jargon to your customers rather than straightforward, plain English. Every industry, every profession, has its jargon, its specialized, shortcut ways of talking. This actually works well behind the scenes. It's an important culture builder, actually: creating a common language is very, very powerful for cementing a culture. When flight attendants (FAs) talk about PAX instead of passengers, waiters talk about four-tops instead of "a table for four guests," they're not just saving letters and syllables, they're saying "we're on this team together." Speaking like this in front of, or to, customers, however, can be a customer experience killer, for three reasons.

How to Face Unafraid the Plans That You’ve Made

Later on, we’ll conspire, As we dream by the fire To face unafraid, The plans that we’ve made, Walking in a winter wonderland. Have you caught yourself at any time over the past few days and weeks daydreaming about what you plan to do in 2015? Maybe you have a new website idea you want

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Is Macau turning a flush into a bust?

When China relaxed gambling restrictions in Macau just over a decade ago, it was like taking the cork out of a champagne bottle. In no time the region – only recently ceded to the Chinese by Portugal after 400 years of colonial rule – was on a hot streak that made Las Vegas look like a drop-in centre for low-rollers.

How To Modernize Your Customer Service Experience (And Save $200 Billion)

If your customer service approach isn't working for you anymore, it's probably because your customers have changed.  They're buying (or deciding not to), raving about your customer service (or telling their friends to avoid you), enhancing (or depressing) your bottom line based on factors your business may have never considered.

Criminal Lawyer Cashes In On Moonshine

A 300% growth rate in one year may seem like a blessing for a small business, but when Joe Baker and his partners started Ole Smoky Moonshine, they knew little about the alcohol industry, and even less about running a commercial distillery. Within its first year, jars of Ole Smoky were filling Wal-Mart’s shelves. Baker says their small staff worked 24-hours a day to keep up with the incredible and unexpected demand. Though they avoided crashing and burning, Baker says those early, yet successful days weren’t easy.

Why You Won’t See a Happy Holidays EMAIL From Me

Note, if you’re receiving this in your inbox, that means you’ve subscribed to the RSS-to-email feed for chrisbrogan.com. That doesn’t count. Now, my point. The Least Read Email of the Year I may be alone on this. You tell me. But the holidays email message is the least read email of the year. I haven’t […]

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3 Subtle Content Techniques That Make Your Offer Addictive

Leading up to my wedding, I indulged in one of the most lavish things. No, I didn’t order doves to be released after the ceremony or commission an intricate ice sculpture. I hypnotically worked my way through half a tube of $45 lip gloss in just two weeks. How did it happen? Simple, subtle, persuasive

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Goodbye, Mobile and E-commerce; Hello, Data and Context

It wasn’t all that long ago that every marketer in the world was focused on establishing the strongest possible e-commerce presence. Nobody cared if your company had been in business in the bricks-and-mortar world for a century; without an e-commerce app, you’d be left behind, crushed by the competition. Fast-forward just a few years, and everyone’s attention had shifted to mobile. No mobile app? Good luck reaching all those mobile customers, pal. It was nice knowing you.

IRS Hid Conservative Targeting Until After 2012 Presidential Election. Smidgen Corrupt?

IRS Played Politics, Criticizing Conservatives For Playing Politics. And the Obama administration failed to cooperate with the investigation, claims a new report.

Israel's Bank Leumi Settles U.S. Tax Charges For $400M, Gives Depositor Names

Bank Leumi is settling with U.S. prosecutors and with NY state in a deal that emulates the UBS settlement. It is yet another victory for IRS, DOJ and the country that brought FATCA to the world.

Big Ocwen Bet Could Burn Hedge Fund Kingstown Capital

Value-oriented hedge fund Kingstown Capital Management may have a problem after the firm rushed headlong into the shares of mortgage servicing giant Ocwen Financial Corp. amid the firm's regulatory troubles in 2014.

An Easy Fix for 5 Website Woes That Can Threaten Your Business

It’s something that hangs heavy over your head every day. You’ve got traffic flowing to your site. You’ve built an audience and overcome the obscurity problem. The number of links pointing to your site grows every day, social shares to your content rise with each passing moment, and you’ve recently started creating products and services

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Why My Small Business Pays More Than The Minimum Wage [Video]

Sixty-six percent of small business owners support a minimum wage increase according to The Hartford’s 2014 Small Business Success Study. Jen King, co-owner of New York City’s Liddabit Sweets describes why paying her employees a living wage is important for the business.

Following the Millions in LUSH's 'Charity Pot'

For LUSH, it pays, in many ways, to donate 100% of the price of their Charity Pot lotion to hundreds of grassroots nonprofits and charitable organizations.

McDonald's Should Learn A Labor Lesson or Two From Chipotle And Starbucks

  McDonald’s labor problems are going from bad to worse. After worker protests over a $15-base wage in recent months, McDonald’s now faces a complaint from the National Labor Relations Board regarding the way it responded to these protests. “The labor board’s complaint asserts that McDonald’s and numerous franchise operations in more

Bankruptcy Considerations In Asset Protection Planning

IN BANKRUPTCY, ALL BETS ARE OFF

Now Romania Sets Its Sights On Becoming Tech Start-up Capital Of Europe

It has the highest number of technology workers per capita, close to 64,000 specialist IT workers, and counts Avangate and UberVu among its most recent exit successes.These factors, combined with an enviable tax regime; as low as 0% for IT workers, have conspired to help create one of Europe’s hottest start-up

Rev. Al Sharpton's Key Tax Tips...From Lois Lerner

Reverend Sharpton still owes the IRS and NY, but his Teflon coating is the envy of many a taxpayer.

Increase Productivity 13% -- Decrease Fatigue 29%: Is There An App For That?

Here's a simple solution for computer workers and the organizations that employ them. A way to increase productivity by 13% while reducing worker fatigue by 29%.

IRS Issues John Doe Summons To FedEx, DHL, UPS, HSBC In Massive Offshore Account Hunt

IRS is still after offshore accounts, and with FATCA and new John Doe Summonses, there is no escape.

From Broadway Actress To CEO Of Multi-Million Dollar Healthy Chocolate Company

Heather K. Terry once turned heads on Broadway, now she's doing it in a different industry with her multi-million dollar, health conscious, chocolate company, NibMor.

8 Customer Service, HR and Leadership Secrets From The 5-Star Broadmoor Hotel

Want to improve the customer service experience at your business? Who better to learn from than Colorado Springs’ iconic Broadmoor Hotel And Resort, a hotel with customer service and hospitality so genuine, eager and consistent that it actually turns guests into nicer human beings when they stay there.

Budweiser Is No Longer King; Lagunitas And Other Craft Brewers Pursue A New Crown

Budweiser is shaking things up with their holiday ads. More millenials, fewer Clydesdales, and promotions like vintage cans and wooden crates. I like the effort, but Bud’s decade long decline it is much more about what's inside the can. It is a new era in beer, and it is being defined by craft brewers. In fact, in 2013 craft brewers sold 16.1 million barrels of beer, outpacing Budweiser for the first time. The new crown is not just about volume. It is about defining and owning the most valuable part of the beer market. Craft beer represents 8% of beer sold, but more than 10% of the revenue. And craft beer has the momentum with younger drinkers. According to Anheuser Busch's own research, only 44% of 21-27 year old drinkers have ever tried a Bud.

How Google Crawls and Indexes Web Pages

Have you ever wondered how Google crawls and indexes web pages? If you haven’t, you should. Why? Because it affects how well your site ranks on Google. In order to help you understand Google and improve your rankings, I’ve created the following infographic. It not only breaks down the way Google indexes your website, but it  [click to continue...]

Are Impact Accelerators/Incubators Targeting Emerging Markets Any Good?

A new report surveys impact accelerators/incubators aimed at developing nations to determine how effective they are.

List Of Celebrities Who Bid Farewell To Stephen Colbert

List of Celebrities Who Said Goodbye To Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report

Former Billionaire Tim Blixseth Jailed Over Missing Funds

A frustrated judge throws former billionaire Timothy Blixseth in jail for failing to account for millions from the sale of a resort.

American Apparel: A Case Study In CEO Transition

When the announcement of Dov Charney’s firing was finally made this week, the story was as much about American Apparel’s future as it was about the downfall of a once great entrepreneur. As evidenced by Wall Street’s reaction, analysts and pundits think that future looks bright under incoming CEO Paula Schneider.

5 Steps to Revising Your Content Marketing Strategy to Attract and Retain Future Customers

This is not a how-to post; this is a how-to-think post. What troubles me about the majority of current content creation activities from companies is the sheer lack of strategy and purpose. I see a lot of activities — tweets, posts, articles, infographics, and more — that don’t support a real business goal. Content Marketing

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Essentials of a Solar Greenhouse

Plant breeding and plant production is a very productive hobby and livelihood. It is good way to earn some living by producing high-valued crops. It is also a good way of contributing to the environment. The best way to sustain this endeavor is to get a solar greenhouse. Read on to learn the basics of ...

Marketing Gone Wrong: Is Your Social Media Plan Legal?

Few things are sadder than PR/marketing campaigns that result in—Heaven forbid—bad PR. This month the company Topps is under investigation for alleged FTC violations for its #RockThat Rock social media campaign.

My One Big Fat Cloud Computing Prediction for 2015

It's that time of year, again, and the predictions for the year ahead (as well as retrospectives of the year just past) are rolling across the Internet. Rather than put another list of predictions out there, I'll focus on one trend that stands out above the rest.

How to Create Simple Drawings to Clarify Your Ideas and Captivate Your Audience

Struggling to find a stock image for your next blog post? You browse Flickr for ages. You settle on a picture that’s okay. You’d love to hire a professional illustrator, but you don’t have the budget. Not yet. Sometimes you wonder if a better source of images exists. What if you could create your own

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100 Lessons Learned from 10 Years of Blogging

I can’t believe that I’ve been blogging for over 10 years now. Boy, has it been a fun journey! Overall, I love blogging because I enjoy helping others. In addition to that, it’s helped generate a lot of traffic and revenue for my companies. It’s actually our main marketing channel for each of my software  [click to continue...]

Why Haiti And America Need To Promote Exports

“Buying local” seems to fit in the same category as motherhood, apple pie and the flag. But before we get tangled up in our romantic memories of a golden yesteryear, let’s look at reality. Unless you want to go back to the agrarian world and suffer the lousy standard of living at the time (except for a few warlords), we need to understand the limits about buying local.

20 Facts About IRS Targeting, Those Emails And The White House

New links between the IRS, Justice Department and White House should worry every taxpayer regardless of party.

6 Ways That Lack Of Focus Can Kill Your Business

Many passionate entrepreneurs fight to add more features into their new products and services, assuming that more function will make the solution more appealing to more customers. In reality, more features will more likely make the product confusing and less usable to all. Focus is the art of limiting your scope to the key function that really matters for the majority of customers.

Why The Best SEO Firms Don't Offer Guaranteed Results

Hiring an SEO firm can be stressful. It can be tempting to choose an SEO firm that offers a guarantee, but here's why you shouldn't.

Seth Godin on Stepping Up and Making it Happen

Seth Godin is the author of 17 bestselling books. He’s the founder of email marketing pioneer Yoyodyne, and the charity-driven publishing platform Squidoo. And he’s the selfless dispenser of daily wisdom via the most popular marketing blog on the planet. But if you had to sum Seth up in one word, it might well be

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Adaptive Content: A Trend to Pay Attention to in 2015

Each new year seems to bring with it a new buzz term or two describing a concept that will change how we reach an audience, or how we build and grow a business. Some of these buzz terms pan out and become legitimate, long-term parts of the lexicon because they work and prove important. Others

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Determining Material Participation By Trusts: Types Of Fiduciary Participation-Part 2

As the previous post noted, when determining if a trust or an estate should be considered as materially participating for Code Sec. 1411 purposes, the IRS’s position is that the only party whose participation counts is the fiduciary. Consequently, understanding the types of activities that a fiduciary may participate in that can be counted for the purpose of the Material Participation Determination (“MP Determination”) is an important issue.

How a Ferrari Made Me a Million Bucks

Can you believe that something as silly as a car made me a million bucks? What’s even funnier is that I don’t even own a car or drive… So, how the heck did I make a million bucks from a Ferrari that I don’t even own? Well, I’ll get into that a bit later. But  [click to continue...]

Take Your Content Marketing to the Next Level at Authority Rainmaker (And Save Money)

The “what” and “why” phases of the content marketing revolution are over. To effectively gain and maintain your competitive advantage, you need a clear and concise strategy with the exact tactics to effectively execute. More than that, you need the best talent you can get. You’re tasked with finding and assessing the right strategic partners,

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A Q&A With A Very Seasoned Brand Icon

It is not often one gets to speak to a brand icon. And not just any icon. Oh no, I'm talking about an icon who just celebrated their 100 birthday, making them a marketing, advertising and branding phenomenon not to mention that aforementioned 4-letter word: icon.

Phen375 The Best Diet Pill

Have you been trying new diet plans, weight loss tools, and workout regimes, one after the other and still not getting any real results? Does it seem impossible to you to fit into that gorgeous dress even after sweating for hours and going days without food? Some experts would tell you to keep your goals realistic and not aim for that pretty dress. But why not? Why can’t you have that fabulous shape of the celebrity that comes on TV? Especially if you can seek help! Not from a personal gym trainer or a surgeon but from the most advanced and highly popular diet pill in the US, Phen375.

Grab Phen375 now and get the ideal body you dream of! Click Here!

How does Phen375 work?

Ask any expert how to lose weight and they will give you one simple formula: eat less and burn more. This is the ultimate weight loss formula that always works if you stick to it. And that’s where the problem lies. We easily get sidetracked and tempted into eating more and feel lazy or are just too busy to work out. This is when Phen375 comes to the rescue.Phen375 is the most advanced formula meant to suppress your appetite and burn your fat, both at the same time. So while you are trying to stay away from those greasy burgers and control your calories, Phen375 will help you by curbing your appetite. You won’t feel hungry and tempted to eat. Plus, when you are too busy to work out or are just feeling lazy, Phen375 will do its work for you by burning the fat in your body. It is also called a 24-hr fat burner. Plus, Phen375 also boosts your energy levels thus making you actually want to work out. With all that extra energy in you, you won’t feel like lying down in front of the TV.According to a study at University of Columbia, a person will have to walk 40 hours per week to lose the same amount of weight as taking 7 doses of Phen375. Imagine how much you can do by combining exercise with Phen375.Now, that you know how it works, let’s take a quick look at its ingredients and how they work together to achieve the goal Phen375 promises.

• 1,3-Dimethypentylamine Hydrochloride: it’s a metabolic booster and is responsible for burning all that fat and giving your metabolism a real boost.
• 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine: feeling energetic? This ingredient is responsible for giving you an energy boost and making efficient use of all that fat in your body. Plus, it curbs your appetite and tricks your brain into thinking you are full.
• Capsaicin-1.12: an interesting ingredient that raises your body temperature and causes you to burn more fat than normal.
• Eurycoma Longifolia: again a fat burner but a unique thing about it is that it prevents muscle loss.
• L-Carnitine: it is another fat burner included in this pill that takes fat cells and directs them to your blood stream.
• Sympathomimetic Amine: an energy booster and fat burner that makes efficient use of your fat cells.

That’s truly too much goodness in a tiny pill.

What people say about Phen375?

“I lost 46 lbs. after the birth of my son using Phen375. I went from 200 lbs to 154 lbs and from a size 16 to a size 8.”                                                                      Danielle, Canada“I lost 17 lbs. in 8 weeks. The best thing about Phen375 is that it suppressed my appetite. Being hungry was the main reason I fell off the band wagon every time. Highly recommended.”                                                                                              A.E, Colorado

Price of Phen375

Just $70 a month and you can get the ideal body you yearned for since forever. Just make sure you have some extra cash so you can go shopping once you get that new shape.Plus, always buy from the official website so that you not only get the authentic product but also get the advantage of many lucrative discount offers available there.

Why buy Phen375?                    

Well, after knowing so much about it, why not buy it and test things out. With Phen375, you have nothing to lose except your weight.

Who is Chris Brogan

You know, sometimes I take it for granted that you know who I am. I thought I’d share. Continue Reading

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Solar Power- How Does It Save The Environment

You’ve probably heard a lot about solar energy and how efficient it is. Moreover, over the last few years, there have been several moves to see how effectively we can use solar power in an attempt to alleviate the energy crisis that the world faces. So, how does using solar energy fit into the bigger ...

The 10 Key Elements of a High Quality Website

Have you ever wondered what makes a great website? You know things like content, videos, and images are all important, but there has to be more to it, right? There is! For example, 79% of people scan web pages, so if you don’t know how to make your page optimally scannable, it won’t do well.  [click to continue...]

Last Day to Take Advantage of Rainmaker’s Monthly Payment Option — Get It Before It’s Gone

If you’ve been holding back on getting started with Rainmaker, today is the day to spring into action. Here’s why … Monthly billing is going away After today, you will no longer be able to lock in monthly billing when you sign up for your 14-day free Rainmaker trial (we are moving to quarterly and

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How Solar Thermal Works In Your Home

Given energy concerns these days, most homes are now designed to take advantage of passive solar heating concepts. Solar thermal is a big part of this process. How Thermal Mass Works In Your Home Getting a little free heating can go a long way on your utility bill, particularly over the life of a structure. ...

Shine Your Own Bat Signal

It’s our job to be storytellers of what we do for the world, and who we seek, and how we’ll help them. If you’re not taking your opportunity to help, to connect, to build the storyline that will guide people to understand what you have that can help them, you’re missing your chance. Shine Your […]

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Best Apps and Software of 2014

If you know me, you know that this list won’t be your typical. I don’t care which software most people use. But I do have some thoughts on the matter as it applies to doing business. See, that’s always been the angle. I’m not into the tech. I’m into what the tech helps us DO. […]

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Webdesign in Rotterdam - Geweldige Websites

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPf2Co_qMbQ

Text: Lokaal een betere website laten maken. Neem nu contact op met Webdesign Rotterdam.

Webdesign in Rotterdam - Geweldige Websites

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPf2Co_qMbQ

Text: Lokaal een betere website laten maken. Neem nu contact op met Webdesign Rotterdam.

Michael Hyatt on Building a Media Platform and Becoming a 10-Year Overnight Success

Michael Hyatt is the former Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S. In fact, Hyatt has been involved in the traditional publishing business his entire working life. Not the typical profile of a do-it-yourself blogger, right? And yet, in 2012 when Thomas Nelson was acquired

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Following A Greener Path: What You Must Understand About Solar Power

Going forward, people will be using oil less and less. Luckily, you can join this transition by making good use of clean, renewable solar energy today. This article is filled with useful tips and helpful information. When you are just transitioning to solar power, pick something small to start with. There are outdoor lights that ...

Can Solar Energy Replace Your Dependance On The Power Company?

Cutting energy costs and helping the environment are both important goals. As time passes, electricity costs will rise, meaning you should look into solar energy. In the following paragraphs, you will become better acquainted with the topic of solar energy. The power you are able to generate with a solar energy system will depend on ...

How Spending $162,301.42 on Clothes Made Me $692,500

Over the last 12 months, I’ve acquired a new addiction… shopping. And it’s not because I love clothes. The reality is I don’t care for them at all. At home, I walk around in .com t-shirts and basketball shorts because it’s super comfortable. If it were up to me, I would wear that all day… including in business  [click to continue...]

Why Shark Tank is Terrible for Your Business

Maybe they’ll take away my Entrepreneur’s Secret Hat and Decoder Ring for saying this, but I hate Shark Tank. My husband and son like it, and every time it comes on, my teeth start to grind and my eye does that little twitchy thing. I’m not saying the investors don’t give some decent advice. They

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What You Need to Know About Geothermal Heating in Pennsylvania

What You Need to Know About Geothermal Heating in Pennsylvania

Did you know that geothermal energy provides long lasting responses to some of the most pressing problems in today’s economy? Well, the warning signs of unpredictable energy costs and climatic distress are leading people to questions where their alternative sources of power come from.  Unlike the natural gas and coal, geothermal energy incurs no hidden costs such as high air emissions, land degradation costs, destruction of flora and fauna, or forced extinction and health effects to human beings. Also, due to the fact that geothermal energy is domestic, it greatly helps to offset the involvement in foreign energy affairs.

Critical facts about Geothermal Heating in Pennsylvania Recently conducted research illustrated that the average American home uses about 11,280KWh of energy per year. This is basic energy used to power simple household appliances and electronics.   To exacerbate this bad news, heating alone, according to the research, accounts for more than 63% of the total energy bills. Looking at this plain fact, there is a vibrant necessity to switch to an alternative source of energy, geothermal energy being the best option. 

Geothermal energy in the state of PA PA is absolutely an ideal place for a geothermal heat pump system. This is because the hot summers and cold winters of PA allow the homeowners to use it for their cooling and heating purposes. Moreover, the drilling conditions here are generally good, though some places may be a little bit challenging to drill due to the hard underground rock.  Most people are switching to geothermal heating and cooling in Pennsylvania because of the recent 30% federal tax credit benefit from the state. Many homeowners desire to go green, specifically for its sustainability, however are unable due to the financial burden it can be. 

Benefits of geothermal energy in Pennsylvania: Significant cost saving Geothermal energy involves low running costs, saving about 80% over other energy sources. It does require a significant upfront investment however; it often pays for itself within 5-10 years. In addition, no fuel is used to generate power. Since no fuel is required to cater for such costs like transportation, purchasing, and cleaning of plants, the total costs that are incurred are quite low. This makes geothermal a very attractive option for going green. Reduce overreliance of fossil fuels Geothermal does not rely on any fossil fuels, which is great news when considering the boom in oil prices in the contemporary market. Many countries are now pushing companies and organizations to adapt cleaner energy sources. This is because continuous burning of fossil fuels releases the greenhouse gases that may result in a rise in global warming.  No pollution effect This is one of the major benefits of using geothermal source energy. It tremendously helps to clean up the environment as it doesn’t create any form of pollution. Geothermal energy doesn’t release harmful gases to the environment as the gases found deep within the earth are exclusively harmless. This impressively reduces the chances of global warming and pollution since geothermal energy can be renewed.   Direct use Since time immemorial, geothermal energy has been used for heating of homes, bathing, preparing food among other important purposes. It can also be used for direct heating of offices and homes. This makes this form of energy affordable and cheaper as well. Though the initial investment in installation may be costly, in the long run with huge cost savings, geothermal proves to be worth your money.  Tax credits advantages Another critical advantage of the Geothermal Heating in Pennsylvania is that homeowners who install geothermal power take advantage of the tax credit of about 30%, which runs until December 2016. Even for new homeowners, tax credits can be claimed no matter the time for installation. However, the system’s heat pump ought to meet the standards set by the state and use the ground water as the genuine heat source.   Low maintenance After a successful installation of the underground pipes, you can totally forget them. Similarly, when you install the heat pump appropriately, low maintenance may be required. In fact, the research depicts that such components may last for up to 25 years when appropriately installed.  Looking to get started on your installation? Learn more about which company is right for you by visiting http://geosourcepa.com

Feeling In The Dark About Solar Energy? Check Out These Illuminating Tips!

Many people are switching over to solar energy to power their homes these days. To make the best decisions regarding solar energy usage, one must fully understand the consequences and considerations surrounding its use. Read the below article to increase your knowledge on solar energy. There are a couple of different photo-voltaic panels to choose ...

Fashion Philanthropists Train A New Generation Of Entrepreneurs

By Deanna Cioppa

Homes Security System Reviews & Preparedness Tips

Securing your home is not just a right, it’s a must! Today’s criminals are becoming ever more sophisticated. PersonalSec bring you the best advice on home and personal security and preparedness. Read gear reviews concerning: Home Security Systems, Remote Monitored Home Security Systems, Security Cameras, DIY Home Security Systems, CCTV Systems, Sensors/Security Lights & Electronic Home Security Gadgets.

Get more information here http://personalsec.com/home-security-system-reviews/  

7 Billion Ebola Cases Projected by May 2016 Prepper Experts Release Ebola Survival Guide in Response to News

7 Billion Ebola Cases Projected by May 2016 Prepper Experts Release Ebola Survival Guide in Response to News  

The experts have sounded off that Ebola, rather than a passing concern is more likely in line with an “end time” scenario, with some predicting as many as 7 billion Ebola cases by May 2016.  Hot Prepper Supplies, leaders in providing prepper resources, have recently published a Ebola Survival Guide on their website as a service to their loyal customers and readers who may have to face off against this plague.  

October 29, 2014  

The mainstream news about Ebola can be frightening enough, but what if their were more details barely hidden underneath the surface?  That's the premise of a recent post at the popular website Hot Prepper Supplies, well known for its honest and penetrating look at recent news.  The post takes a look at the mathematics of Ebola and how it spreads, along with suppressed quotes from leading experts on the disease, coming to the shocking conclusion that by May 2016, there are likely to be 7 billion cases of Ebola world-wide.  In an effort to provide actionable help to those readers who may have to face off against this crisis, a complete Ebola Survival Guide with tips and suggestions is also included.  

“If there were ever a time to take prepping seriously it's right now,” commented a spokesperson from Hot Prepper Supplies.  “7 billion Ebola cases by May 2016, and that's a conservative estimate.  Many people who aren't prepared will end up in very, very bad situations they may not make it out of.”  

The informative article provides tables that clearly break down the facts behind these predictions using raw data and free from emotion.  For a great many people it will certainly be an eye opener and a call to become better prepared.   In addition to providing information, like the Ebola Survival Guide, the website is also an acclaimed resource for the latest and best prepper gear, packed with honest appraisals and reviews.  Categories covered include water filters; food bars; fire starters; shelters; backpacks and much, much more.  

For more information be sure to visit http://www.hot-prepper-supplies.com. 

Two Reasons to Begin Your Free Trial of Rainmaker this Week

In case you missed it, back in September we introduced Rainmaker, the complete website solution for building your online marketing and sales platform. With Rainmaker, you can: Create powerful content-driven websites on your own domains. Build membership sites and online training courses. Sell digital products like software, ebooks, and more. Perform sophisticated online lead generation.

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6 Key Steps to Influencing Effective Knowledge Transfer in Your Business

Knowledge transfer will be a key resource and differentiator for your organization because your employees will be more engaged in their work and have a more in-depth understanding of the systems around them.

Why It's Time To Think About Tech-Life Balance

If you’ve spent most of 2014 glued to a screen, now is the time to step back and re-assess. Too much time plugged in can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted and overworked. Yet what should be simple – stepping away from the screen – often seems impossible to do.

Take Underwater Video Of Humpback Whales With Your iPhone Using The Waterproof Catalyst Case

Not that you would use your iPhone to go snorkeling with humpback whales, but with a Catalyst Lifestyle waterproof case, you could.

How to Choose the Best Solar Energy System

With the recent advances in technology in recent years, being able to produce viable and clean energy to be used to power your home is now a reality. Alternative sources of power and energy will not only help you avoid burning fossil fuel to help provide electricity for your home, but will also help you ...

Using Electric Car Batteries To Power Schools In India

Startup Totus Power uses discarded EV batteries to power schools for low-income kids in India.

Want To Be Happier? Change Your Commute Or Change Your Attitude

Research shows the amount of time you spend commuting is directly linked to your health and overall well-being.

Under-The-Radar Expert Advisor Emerges As Enticing Long-Term Investment Bet

ICF International's well diversified consulting business mix makes it well positioned to deliver solid long-term earnings and cash flow growth over the next few years.

Can a company pay its bills? Which industries have strong liquidity ratios?

When a business offers credit to a favorite customer, loyalty and the desire to make the sale often play roles in the move. But one thing the financial crisis taught American businesses is that it’s important to spot signs of financial sickness in transaction partners before that sickness infects your firm.

Leadership, Customer Service And Sustaining The Customer Experience

The leadership focus required to consistently deliver a great customer experience and high level of customer service differs from what’s required to maintain production capacity in manufacturing. Your organization's ability to provide service is overwhelmingly affected by how engaged—how professionally ‘‘alive’’—the employees are who come in contact with customers. Employee engagement, in turn, is propelled by organizational leadership.

Laguna Niguel California Dermatologist + Skin Care Spa Clinic Reviews

Lately, it will seem as you'll find very a handful of much more aesthetic skin care processes compared to there are actually in a when. That may be specifically why it could be a intelligent notion to work by means of a little advice concerned with   so you can notice what you can end up with the following occasion you try out doing work having a health practitioner or an individual that does these sorts of matters. It may be tough to have an thought of exactly what to perform when you have no information and facts, and yet by studying by means of what exactly we've to express right here, you'll be able to get started effortlessly. The main level you should remember to maintain in mind is the fact that you would like to accomplish a little bit of shopping around prior to deciding to believe in any individual to provide you the most beneficial package on the procedure. It also would certainly to your advantage for you personally to do some exploration in to the agency exactly where this method might be completed so that you can decide if it really is well worth the time and effort . you are spending on it along with the price it prices to acquire the operate carried out. After you notice that you're having the best services to get a wonderful selling price, you'll be able to have the ability to relax easier when it really is time for the method. Should you be making an attempt to obtain your self in to see a dermatologist, turn it into a point to complete a bit of study prior to doing work with any type of a health practitioner clinic in the location. You have to be certain that they have a right training, and that they're well thought of by the individuals they have assisted in the past.

 Your dermatological surgeon could be the very best particular person to decide and information you around the most ideal treatment method approach to your particular skin problem. A professional physician will evaluate your skin ailment, and examine for obvious scarring damage prior to advising by far the most acceptable aesthetic skin care process for the dermis. This may help to prevent pointless problems and unwanted side effects while in the lengthy run. Bear in mind, the skin is for life, and also you need to care for the skin similar to you care to the other important body parts in your body. This really is why you will need to consider the advice of a expert skin doctor ahead of determining on any beauty dermatology method for your skin. One particular from the most generally employed beauty skin care method could be the Restylane treatment. This therapy is mainly made use of over the encounter skin. It's the most effective remedy process to decrease wrinkles, fine lines and also other epidermis contaminants which make you appear more than your real age. Your own skin doctor will apply botox treatments for your face dermis so as to achieve the very best success from this therapy strategy. The treatment method ought to be recurring each and every several weeks for no less than a yr for that finest benefits. Face chemical peels are yet another well known method of invigorating the face skin area. During this method, a chemical resolution is positioned about the face epidermis. This can peel the many cellular levels of the dermis in your face allowing for new and healthy skin to develop alternatively. The brand new skin that evolves will make you search 10 years younger. You can find light, moderate and heavy chemical peels accessible for this function. Your skin tone doctor will settle on the top answer just after evaluating your complexion condition. 

{Should you can't find any good mass media with regards to a solution and even a process which may be an option for you, it is finest to steer clear of all of it. You can find also several points out there that can do the task, therefore costing you effort on one thing people today scarcely understand something with regards to may very well be the incorrect strategy to go. Working using the dermatologist can be a ought to for those who want to get the very best skin area probable. Don't ignore the guidelines they provide for you in advance of and soon after your process in the event you get one. In case you have any allergy symptoms to anything then it truly is a good prepare to allow anyone know to ensure that the process you will get or possibly a merchandise you are informed to order won't damage you. You will discover strategies around allergy symptoms and wellbeing challenges when you have difficulties with these points, so will not just let it go forgotten and possibility your wellbeing. You'll have to also make sure you tell the dermatological doctor what your finish objective is all round to ensure you may get the job done on the program. If this plan is in area, ensure you function meticulously with it so you can have the ideal possibility of making it out okay when getting it get the job done properly for you. Immediately after all, you happen to be going to spend income to obtain assist with this normally, which means you ought to be obtaining precisely what is desired every time you check out. Will not be scared to contact the office of the dermatologist for those who have any queries about what desires to be accomplished or what presently continues to be worked on with you.|For those who have any kind of nervousness about working with all the man or woman that you've got as your md, it should assist you to understand what sort of teaching they've got gone by. Remember that not anyone may have the identical form of education, but all people you do the job with requires to have at the very least taken some sort of courses as it can be probably not 100 % legal in the event you live in the usa to employ this without the need of getting able to prove you've got schooling. In either case, be careful of those who will not have something to present for what their education was. There may be never a cause for you personally to test over the counter remedies if you have anyone you can perform with any time you have skin problems. All too frequently will people today try and function on themselves, and they never comprehend that they're generating the trouble that considerably more painful. If you can get a procedure completed, you should attempt that in lieu of doing work on the concern your self because a great deal of these over-the-counter remedies are just there to consider your dollars and they will not commonly operate all that well for many individuals anyways. In case you test a little something, you have to make sure that you're not sensitized. It would not be fantastic for you to get an allergic reaction, as that can make your skin worse yet and can even land you from the hospital for anyone who is incredibly sensitive to it. You can find rather a couple of individuals that have had problems available with over-the-counter solutions, so for those who need to use {one|1

Salesforce Opens The Door To Competitors

6 in 10 sales people will make quota in 2014, down from 2013 performance numbers. Training and better sales tools are needed. Sales Cloud hasn't kept up with market needs and that has opened the door to new competitors like PipelinerCRM and Get Base.

Judicial Watch Loses Orthodontist Suit Against Delay Of Obamacare Employer Mandate

Video

Doctor Larry Kawa, a Florida orthodontist,  was gearing up for the employer mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.  In an interview he indicated that his company had spent around five grand in legal fees. Then the administration kicked the can down the

Stage Set For Uber Battle In Asia With Local Rivals

Too many car-hailing services getting too much funding in Southeast Asia could lead to fall-out for Uber and its local rivals.

Crowdfunding Update: IP Issues and Entrepreneurs Move On

Entrepreneur wait patiently for the SEC to release the rules on the JOBS Act, but have also started enacting state crowdfunding to fill the void.

$5M Ohio 'Pay For Success' Targets Homelessness And Child Welfare

Cuyahoga County in Ohio is launching, with a variety of partners, a $5 million Pay for Success project aimed at homelessness and child welfare.

Start-ups Take Note: Uber Made It Big, But Did They Get It Right?

Uber is the start-up that can be accused of recommending a million dollar smear campaign against a female journalist one week, and seal a billion dollar funding round the next. The company bears all the hallmarks of a disruptive start-up, using technology to exploit a gap in the market and scaling so quickly that it is now operating in 250 cities across 51 countries, backed by the likes of Google Ventures, and Fidelity Investments.

What entrepreneurial desire do you possess?

In a passage from Upanishads, the ancient and sacred texts of Hinduism, the writer proposes this thought about desire: “A man whose mind wanders and longs for objects of desire, goes again to life and death according to his desires. But he who possesses the End of all longing, and has found fulfillment, even in this life his desires will fade away.” In the world of entrepreneurs, desire is the common denominator and truly a powerful force. But what is not common among entrepreneurs is what is desired.   Perhaps there are two kinds of entrepreneurial desire: to accomplish something entrepreneurial and to be an entrepreneur. It’s important to understand the distinction because while both may lead to success, the latter is more likely to provide fulfillment. Here are examples of desiring to do something entrepreneurial.

Last Day to Save $100 on Authority

More than 7,000 of your professional peers are Authority members. These are people who, like you, have specific questions about their businesses and who need tailored advice from people who don’t just study content marketing … but who actually do content marketing. And do it well. This week we’ve given you the chance to join

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It's Clear: Local Businesses Need More Transparency From Digital Marketing Providers

The hard truth is that companies providing digital marketing to local businesses have come under fire lately.

Takata And The Japanese Auto Quality Crash: What It Means

The recall of some 15 million cars due to defective airbags manufactured by Takata Corporation, which are believed responsible for five deaths, is one of the most damning indictments and illustrations of Japan’s fall. While Abenomics is directed primarily at macro-economic policy, including seeking to restore competitiveness through a weaker yen, the reality is that the Japanese manufacturing corporations that inspired admiration and awe – in some cases fear – across the world are not what they used to be. The travails of Sony, once the iconic global Japanese brand held to be synonymous with quality and innovativeness, could serve as the illustrative narrative of Japanese industry’s rise and fall. It demonstrates the fact that Japan’s problems are far deeper than twiddling about with the exchange and the money supply is likely to solve. The story of quality in Japan is quite fascinating offering many lessons. Japan is the only non-Western country that successfully industrialized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It adopted a nationalist economic policy inspired by the goal of “fukoku-kyôhei” – “rich country, strong army”. Economic power was to be sought not as a goal per se, but as a means of making Japan militarily and geopolitically strong. It quite brilliantly succeeded. While Japan defeated China in war in 1895/95, much more dramatic from a global stage point of view was the victory over Russia in 1905/05. Japan had become Britain’s military ally in 1902 and was one of the “Big Five” – along with the UK, France, Italy and the US – at the 1919 Paris Peace Treaty. Though Japan did manufacture labobr intensive goods, notably textiles, for export, most of its efforts were focused on heavy industry, especially military-related industry. The so-called “zaibatsu”, literally “financial cliques”, in effect large industrial groups such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, Yasuda, etc, worked hand-in-glove with the government to achieve these goals. While Japan had been among the victorious allied powers in World War One, it was among the defeated axis powers in World War Two. With the spectre of the cold war, the communist victory in the Chinese civil war and the outbreak of the Korean War, American Occupation (1945-52) policy in Japan sought rapidly to strengthen the economy in order for the country to become a robust American ally in the Pacific. This was not to be, however, through resurgence of the military-related heavy industry, but rather a focus on consumer goods for exports. To that end, among other things, the Yen-Dollar exchange rate was fixed at a very undervalued, hence highly competitive, 360! A serious problem even with a cheap yen was that in the 1930s and 40s Japan had established a reputation for producing very low quality shoddy products. The “Made-in-Japan” label was a synonym for crap! To say that Japanese industry had a quality problem was to put it mildly. It was then that a member of the entourage of the Supreme Commander for the Asia Pacific (SCAP) General Douglas MacArthur mentioned that he had heard of a professor by the name of W Edwards Deming at New York University’s Graduate School of Business Administration who, among other things, had published a seminal book entitled Statistical Method from the Viewpoint of Quality Control. MacArthur had Deming brought to Japan. The impact was a total revelation. Deming lectured around the country on what was referred to at the time as Statistical Quality Control (SQC), demonstrating how quality boosts productivity and lowers costs. He was revered. Deming became a famed teacher at the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers (JUSE). Never would he have, including in his own country, the US, such assiduous students. Japanese managers religiously applied SQC methods. Not only that, however, but in what became a pattern of Japanese incremental innovativeness, they adapted and improved the methods. That was Japan’s genius. SQC was an American invention that the Japanese came to master and dominate, transforming SQC into TQC (total quality control). The same applied to the transistor: it was an American invention that the Japanese transformed into the consumer electronics revolution of the late 1950s and 1960s.

Innotribe/SWIFT: Can Banks Master Disruptive Innovation?

A whirlwind of innovation activity is under way in FinTech, but risks remain high

Fowl Play: Billionaire Perdue Family Caught-Up In Chicken Abuse Scandal

A YouTube clip shows a Perdue farm's apparently awful conditions.

Doing More With Less: Avoid Fake Work

In a question-and-answer session following a recent speech, I was asked the following question: “How should we respond when we’re constantly asked to do more with less?”

1 More US Startup Takes In Capital From China - Xiaomi!

Pulling in capital from China's Xiaomi could help U.S. tech startup Misfit gain a competitive edge with faster market entries and a stepping stone to China.

Cyborgs From Sierra Leone: Polymath David Sengeh Brings Prosthetics To The People

David Sengeh tells me he'll have to delay our phone interview. “I am sorry to do this but there’s a last minute need for me to attend an Ebola meeting.” Sengeh is a multi-faceted kind of guy. After all, before he started designing prosthetics, he did vaccine research. He grew up in Sierra Leone, where the Ebola epidemic has been harshest. So the 27-year-old MIT PhD student, biomedical engineer, and inventor doesn't hesitate to take a few hours away from talking to Techonomy, not to mention writing his dissertation, looking for a job, leading a youth foundation, designing clothes, making music, or playing soccer.

5 Tips For Making Time For Yourself Despite Competing Priorities

One woman recently asked me, “How do you go to work all day, attend several meetings, then come home and make dinner and tomorrow's lunch and go to bed early enough to get enough sleep so that you can do it all over again tomorrow? Is there a way to get all of this done - oh, and find time for exercise and meditation as well?” Here are five tips I use to create more time in my day while being bombarded with demands.

Buck Mason is Building a Timeless American-made Clothing Brand

Meet Buck Mason, a minimalist men's clothing brand. A profile and Q&A with the founders.

Pat Flynn on Entrepreneurial Inspiration and His Profitable Content Strategy

In 2008, Pat Flynn was happily employed by an architectural firm. And then, like a lot of people in 2008, just like that … out of a job. It was the best thing that ever happened to him. Since that point, Pat has built a business that supports his family through blogging and podcasting. And

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The Death of Voting Booths. America is Changing the Way We Vote

The 2000 election debacle in Florida – with confusing butterfly ballots, dangling chads, and contested recounts – motivated the United States to make major strides in modernizing voter registration lists and voting equipment. While those were important steps forward, the focus today has shifted from updating voting equipment to changing the way we vote. Using Qualtrics, we ran a study in Utah to understand voting preferences. We found that 21 percent of the Utah voting population prefers to vote by mail and nearly 20 percent prefer to vote by Internet. Of voters under age 50, one-in-four would prefer to vote by Internet. Interestingly, voters over 65 were most likely to prefer mail-in ballots. These voter attitudes, coupled with no assurance of federal funds to update voting equipment, make in-person voting seem like an endangered species and a shift to Internet voting seem like an inevitable reality.

Doing Business In Africa: Award-Winning Lawyer Peter Petrou Provides An International Perspective

Peter Petrou, a 30 year-old British-born, international award-winning Commercial Lawyer who has advised several of the world’s largest corporations on doing business in Africa, discusses the challenges and opportunities in doing business in Africa

Emails Link White House To IRS, Still Can't Be Revealed. Why? Taxpayer Privacy...That Was Already Violated

A government watchdog may have found thousands of connections between the IRS and the White House. But now, they can't be revealed because they contain the very kinds of private taxpayer data the White House is never supposed to receive!

IRS Approach To Taxation of Bitcoin

The IRS approach to the taxation of crypto currencies like Bitcoin may turn into an accounting nightmare for all but the most casual of users.

One Stanford Grad's Path To A Job At Red-Hot Xiaomi

Hong Kong native Alvin Tse left home in 2006 for Stanford University, where holds an undergraduate degree in management and engineering.  Like many in Silicon Valley, he had an early passion in life for entrepreneurism. In 2009, he co-founded ThinkBulbs Inc.,  which developed two popular photography apps and was acquired by Megatasty Labs in 2011. And like many U.S. grads that hail from Asia, Tse was eventually pulled into China’s powerful economic gravity. Tse later took a job at news-aggregating-app Flipboard of Palo Alto but that led to a promotion and relocation to Beijing.

Was Kent Hovind 2006 Structuring Indictment Flawed?

I have been following the travails of Kent Hovind for over two years.  Doctor Dino, as he is known, is a proponent of Young Earth Creationism, the notion that you can arrive at the age of the Earth by summing up the begats in the Book of Genesis.  That works

Beyond Xiaomi: Lei Jun Looks For China's Next Billion-Dollar Startup

Xiaomi boss Lei Jun is a billionaire from just his other holdings in China’s tech and consumer sectors.

New Technology Allows Electric Bus To Carry Passengers In Addition To Batteries

When I first met Wesley Smith he was running a STEM-rich, team building program for students of all ages, including an occasional corporate group--it was really a Star Trek fantasy experience.

How to Use an Experience Map to Develop a Winning Content Marketing Strategy

Customers. Complex bunch. They pull out their wallets and purses to trade hard-earned dollars for stuff. Stuff we design, organize, grow, program, or manufacture. Stuff like curved TVs. Endurance events. Spicy vodka. Graphic design textbooks. Massive multiplayer online games. Lilac bulbs. Tax preparation software. Workout regimens. If customers buy the stuff you make, then you

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How to Write a Great Value Proposition

Can you guess a simple way you can convert visitors into customers? It’s through your value proposition. In case you are not familiar with a value proposition, here is an explanation: A value proposition is a sentence that tells your visitors why they should buy from you and not your competitors. A good example of  [click to continue...]

How to Use an Experience Map to Make Your Customers Even Happier: The Ultimate Guide

Customers. Complex bunch. They pull out their wallets and purses to trade hard-earned dollars for stuff. Stuff we design, organize, grow, program, or manufacture. Stuff like curved TVs. Endurance events. Spicy vodka. Graphic design textbooks. Massive multiplayer online games. Lilac bulbs. Tax preparation software. Workout regimens. If customers buy the stuff you make, then you

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Sorry Mr. Ryan, But Corporate-Only Tax Reform Doesn't Work

When as simple a task as passing an extenders package leads to infighting, revenge tactics, and claims of betrayal within Congress, you know we're a long, long way from comprehensive tax reform becoming a reality.

Smart Executives Are Prepared For Health Emergencies When Traveling

For business travelers the possibility of having a medical emergency is actually fairly low. However, increasingly, executives and their firms are taking pre-emptive action to deal with health crises when on the road. According to Kevin M. Cuff, executive director of The Professional Risk Managers’ International Association, “While a low risk probability, if an executive faces a health emergency while traveling, the consequences can be severe. Overall, not many executives are adequately prepared, or prepared at all, to deal with a health matter while traveling resulting in bad situations becoming considerably worse.”

Flight Attendants Texting In The Air While On The Job--Is Anyone OK With This?

Flight attendants “are here primarily for your safety.” I've heard this message many times, and I've always believed it.  So help me understand why the flight I just took (on a major—one of the most major—U.S. carriers) featured a fight attendant texting every moment he thought passengers couldn't see him, behavior that rendered him fully detached from passengers and their needs and wishes except for those few minutes when he was visibly "conducting the cabin service"?

How To Increase Productivity By Employee Happiness

Whether you are an entrepreneur managing a startup, or a corporate executive with thousands of employees, it’s hard to ignore the evidence of big value from happy employees. For example, the Harvard Business Review a while back included an analysis of hundreds of studies showing an average of 31% higher productivity, 37% higher sales, with creativity three times higher.

Stanford University Celebrates #GivingTuesday

Today, all donations to Stanford University will be matched dollar for dollar with a gift to undergraduate education. Gifts will be doubled thanks to Stanford alumni Joyce and Aubrey Chernick’s philanthropy and commitment to a new growing movement: #GivingTuesday.

4 Reasons Successful Entrepreneurs Need Executive Assistants

The abilities and contributions of your team often determine the overall outcome of your project. Yet there is one position often overlooked by the most ambitious and successful entrepreneurs. No, it isn?t your VP or manager. It is your executive assistant.

How to Own Your Neighborhood In Google Local Search Rankings

Online search is constantly becoming more sophisticated, and local businesses are in a prime position to reap the rewards of the many recent local-focused algorithm updates—as long as they know how. Google’s goal is to display the most relevant search results with every query, and as a result, they’ve developed more complex algorithms that can filter results geographically, down to a neighborhood level of specificity.

The Most Important Lessons You Should Have Learned in 2014

For so many of us, the end of every year revolves around holiday celebrations and spending quality time with friends and family. As it should. But the end of the year is also a time for purposeful reflection — for considering the successes and failures of the year gone by, and for making sure that

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Great Investment Returns Begin With Selecting An A+ CEO

The success of every startup company depends on the CEO. I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard top angels say, I’ll take an A+ founder with a B+ technology over the reverse—and they mean it.  Without great leadership, companies struggle to sell products and tank as a result.

Why Lagging Indicators Are Insufficient Measurements of Success

What do lipstick, scrap metal, and cardboard boxes have in common? Business leaders and policy makers have tracked these benign and seemingly unrelated items as leading economic indicators to better predict where the market is heading.

The Truth About Cross-Channel Attribution In Marketing

In today’s measurement-focused marketing world , cross-channel attribution is a hot topic. Trouble is, most companies still use antiquated attribution methods that fall apart in an increasingly complex online and off-line marketing ecosystem . This article explores eight myths about what cross-channel attribution can and can’t do, along with the associated realities.

Did You Fail Cyber Monday? The 5-Point Report Card for Marketers

There was a day when each point of contact with a target audience was a costly endeavor, one that required tremendous research, forethought, and integration across all consumer touchpoints by a cross-functional team.  Today marketers can reach their targets with the push of a button at virtually no cost via an email address or a Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account. Without requiring production of a $350k television commercial and a multimillion-dollar media plan extensively analyzed to optimize the cost per thousand reached, contact with current and potential customers can be more frequent and casual. Relationships between marketers and their buyers can be built (and destroyed) at warp speed.

Art Garfunkel: How Ferguson Decision And 'Poem On The Underground Wall' Intersect

“Now from his pocket quick he flashes/The crayon on the wall he slashes/Deep upon the advertising/A single-worded poem comprised of four letters.” Those are lines from the 1960s Simon & Garfunkel song, Poem On The Underground Wall. Art Garfunkel, in our recent interview, says the message of alienation applies to Ferguson, MO, site of recent unrest following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of a black teenager.

Macy's Adds Alipay, Alibaba Brings Black Friday To China, Singles Day Sets Sales Record

This has been one of the important two months in the history of global e-commerce.

The 4 Unicorns Of Modern Management

There are a few myths the contemporary management consulting crowd has championed in recent years. Forget the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. We're talking more like the Four Unicorns of Utopia, galloping along on rainbows.

Get Tailored Content Marketing Advice When You Need It (And Save $100, This Week Only)

Mike, Julie, and Darren have big ideas and want to grow their online businesses. And they have questions. Like you do. Like I do. Mike wants tips on how he can avoid getting distracted by the “‘Yo, try this!’ tsunami” (his words) and make smart decisions about what action he should take next. Julie wants

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What I Learned from Fighting a 12-Month-Long Lawsuit

Entrepreneurs tend to talk about the glory moments. You know… about raising millions of dollars from investors or selling their companies. Sadly, there isn’t much you can learn from those glory stories, which is why I rarely discuss them. Instead, I focus on sharing my mistakes because if you can avoid making the ones I  [click to continue...]

Leveraged Loan Funds See $412M Outflow For Week Ending Nov. 26; 20th Consecutive Weekly Withdrawal

Cash outflows from bank loan funds were $412 million for the week ended Nov. 26, versus $374 million in the previous week, according to Lipper. The latest reading represents the 20th consecutive weekly withdrawal and the 31st outflow in the past 33 weeks, for a net redemption of $18.7 billion over that span.

Leading Global Law Firm Appoints African Rising Star Joshua Siaw As Youngest Ever Partner

Global law firm White & Case LLP (W&C) has appointed one of Africa’s rising stars, Ghanaian-national Joshua Siaw, as global Partner in its banking and finance practice with immediate effect. Formerly Director of W&C’s Africa practice in London, the promotion makes Siaw, 30, the youngest ever global Partner at the elite international law firm and, the youngest Partner amongst all of the leading international law firms in the City of London.

How To Avoid Sales Tax On Cyber Monday

Buying online? Here's how to still avoid sales tax if you're willing to go to the extra effort.

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Essentials: 10 Trends In Customer Service, Retail, eCommerce

Here's a timely refresher as we head into Black Friday and The Season: The 10 trends I'm seeing more of this year in my work as a customer service consultant: trends in how customers and their customer service, customer experience and retail expectations are changing. Please don't overlook these as we head into the battlezone (I overstate, but just by a little) that starts tonight and with any luck won't end for us 'til about January.

The Best Cities For Female Founders

Modern Philanthropy: the answer to public debt?

The US, with its historic antipathy towards government support, is sometimes presumed to contain the seeds of philanthropy, but in fact, a legal framework dates back to the days of English Queen Elizabeth I, whose 1601 Charity Act protecting philanthropic donations from fraud and misuse gave a legal framework to donating to the poor and worthy causes.

Leaders Need To Follow The Entrepreneurial Spirit

It comes to something when a religious leader criticizes Europe for its stagnant economy. True, the main focus of the speech Pope Francis made at the European Parliament in Strasbourg last week was the plight of immigrants. But he also called for the creation of jobs and better conditions for workers. He said there was a need to reinvigorate Europe, describing the continent as a “grandmother, no longer fertile and vibrant” and adding it risked “slowly losing its own soul”.

TransferWise's Co-Founder On Banks, Bitcoin and Branson

TransferWise is a leading light in London?s flourishing fintech scene. I catch up with Taavet Hinrikus, co-founder of the high profile peer-to-peer money transfer service, for his thoughts on financial services.

Do Criminals Run The IRS?

A government report says the IRS is paying millions in fraudulent tax refunds to prison inmates and has failed to take steps to stop the bleeding. With this and those emails, who's running the IRS?

Admitting You Don't Like Your Boss Could Be The Wisest Career Move You'll Ever Make

Acknowledging your aversion to the boss could actually improve your motivation and productivity.

Eric Schmidt's Venture Fund Collaborates On Agtech 'Collective'

A group of companies including Google Chairman Eric Schmidt's Innovation Endeavors and Flextronics' Lab IX has created a "collective" that aims to support technology startups focused on innovation in agriculture.

Golden Globe Winner and Wildlife Campaigner: Virginia McKenna Discusses Fashion and The Born Free Foundation

The Born Free Foundation a global organization devoted to saving endangered species started from the 1966 film Born Free. Where Virginia played a conservationist raising an orphaned lion cub name Elsa. Through the film, it has become a lifelong commitment to animal welfare. After her husband and co-star Bill Travers passed away, Mckenna continued the work they began.

How The Band OK Go Are Making It Up As They Go Along

OK Go?s Damian Kulash on the similarities between scientific, technological and artistic discovery.

Will Affordable 3D Scanning Lead To 3D Printing Disrupting IP?

A new product is making 3D scanning affordable and available to everyone. But what impact will it have on companies looking to protect Intellectual Property (IP)?

Interview With Steve Cheney On Estimote And The Power Of Local Commerce

I've interviewed tech blogger Steve Cheney before in Forbes, but - about a year ago - he became SVP of Business and Operations for Estimote. Estimote is an NYC-based start-up that produces beacons and software to allow for the next wave of local commerce. I had a chance to catch up with him recently to discuss Estimote and the tech landscape in general.

The Judo Move - How To Out-Google Google

As the European Parliament approves the break-up of Google, and Europe across the board targets US internet firms with regulation, we are failing to think deeply about how Europe (and the rest of the world) can win, not just lose less quickly and not as devastatingly.

Garfunkel On Relationship With Simon: 'Love' And 'Like Weather In Slow Motion'

The weather ebbs and flows, much like the relationship between Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon over the years. The two tour together, break up, reconcile, do it again and so on. It’s been 60 years now.

Five Important Lessons From A Trip To The Apple Store

Want to sell more stuff? Take some tips from the folks who do it best.

The Four Tax Breaks (And Two Senators) That Killed The Tax Extender Deal

When you woke up on the morning of January 1, 2014, it was more than just your pants and your dignity that had gone missing. Also gone were 55 tax breaks, many of which are routinely used by businesses and individual taxpayers alike.

'Clumsy Ninja' Creator's Eight Rules For Building Record-Breaking Mobile Games

Torsten Reil co-founded NaturalMotion as an Oxford University spinout in 2001 to commercialise dynamic motion synthesis animation technology. The firm’s Endorphin virtual motion capture system helped make films including Troy, Spiderman and Lord of the Rings, while its Euphoria animation engine is used in best-selling games including Grand Theft Auto IV and V and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

2015 Guide To FAFSA, CSS Profile, College Financial Aid And Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

If you have children going to college, this 2015 guide will simplify the complex world of college financial aid and will help you understand the FAFSA and CSS Profile college aid forms, estimate how much you will be expected to contribute toward the cost of college, explain how assets hurt aid eligibility, what the difference between merit and need-based aid is, how your choice of colleges impacts the amount and quality of your aid award and how to avoid costly misconceptions about paying your share of the cost of college.

Billionaire Richard Kinder Weathers Oil Market Plunge With Mega Deal

Shale baron Richard Kinder isn't suffering from a plunge in oil prices as OPEC tries to live with North American production.

How To Adapt Your Online Sales to the 4 Personality Types

Anytime you sell anything to anybody, you are encountering personalities. Different personalities make purchase decisions in different ways.

Oxford Launch Programme Can Help You Build A Business In One Weekend

Ever since Sherry Coutu CBE released her ground-breaking report on 17th November, arguing that closing the “scale-up gap” is the biggest single challenge the UK government faces in its efforts to stimulate small business growth, all the talk around the “Silicon Roundabout” has focused on “scale-up” businesses, defined as enterprises “with average annualised growth in employees or turnover greater than 20 per cent per annum over a three year period, and with more than 10 employees at the beginning of the observation period.”

Why Cameron And UKIP Have It Wrong: Immigration and Entrepreneurship

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has announced new promises for dealing with immigration. Out is the plan for a cap but plans to limit benefits remain. However, is there really any need for a new direction on migrants?

Which Small Businesses Need A Big Small Biz Saturday?

With awareness of Small Business Saturday rising and the generally fuzzy feelings people have for America’s small businesses, this Saturday could provide an important lift for many retailers .

Art Garfunkel On The Tune That Changed His Life: Sounds of Silence

In the first part of this interview series with Art Garfunkel, the great singer/songwriter gave us perspective on the recent passing of his long-time friend and mentor, Mike Nichols. Nichols had directed Garfunkel in two movies in the early 1970s – Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge – and worked with him on the soundtrack of The Graduate in the late 1960s.

Hardware Startups In Greater China Educate Consumers On Indoor Air Pollution

In Hong Kong, we’re used to images of our smog-choked harbour and celebrate at the sight of clearer skies. While we know the air outside is less than perfect, but what about our indoor environments?

Hardware Startups in Greater China Educate Consumers on Indoor Air Pollution

In Hong Kong, we’re used to images of our smog-choked harbour and celebrate at the sight of clearer skies. While we know the air outside is less than perfect, but what about our indoor environments?

Black Friday Essentials: 10 Customer Service And Retail Trends You Need To Have Your Eye On

Here's a timely refresher as we head into Black Friday and The Season: The 10 trends I'm seeing more and more of this year: trends in how customers and their customer service, customer experience and retail expectations are changing. Please don't overlook these as we head into the battlezone (I overstate, but just by a little) that starts tonight and with any luck won't end 'til about January.

Which Are You: A Well Dressed Man Or A Stylish Man

Is there a difference between having style and being well dressed? Some would say the labels we wear determine the difference and certain brands become our aesthetic identity. Do they define how we dress and our perceptions of what we know about style? The problem: many labels simply become one big group we all wear which mean something and nothing all at the same time. What the 'fashion police' deem to be stylish or whom we deem to be well dressed is entirely subjective. To realize the concept of being well dressed or stylish in our minds requires us to take personal taste into account. We cannot look at it objectively – we all have our own ideas of what looks good and what does not.

The UK's net migration figures are nothing to worry about

A new report from The Entrepreneurs Network shows that international graduate entrepreneurs are being let down by the UK government.

Black Friday And DNS Hijacking

It is that time of year again in the US when people are getting together to enjoy a turkey dinner and exhibit feats of strength…or is that Festivus? Never mind. At any rate, as people are slipping into their tryptophan induced comas in front of their TVs, the negative element of the Internet denizens soldiers on. One of the problems that comes around at this time of year in addition to distributed denial of service attacks is the insidious practice of DNS (domain name system) hijacking.

Lead Like It Matters: Enrich Your Job, Boost Your Career

We’ve all seen it: The hotshot salesman who bombs when he’s appointed sales manager. The gifted engineer who seems lost in a new supervisory role. The skilled lawyer who totally stumbles when promoted to a role that involves leading others.

Shop Green! Eco-Friendly Cyber Monday Deals From A-Z

It’s almost here again – Cyber Monday is just around the corner.  This year, the shopping phenomenon is once again expected to yield close to $1.8 Billion for online retailers  — but what percent of that spending will find its way to companies producing ecologically sound products?  UL’s recent Under The Lens: Claiming Green study, found that 70% of consumers are actively seeking green choices, but sometimes actually finding eco-friendly products can be difficult.

Myanmar Digital Startup NEX Gets 2nd Round Funds From Blibros

Myanmar digital startup NEX has won second round funding of  US$150,000 from Singapore's Blibros Group, the privately-held investment arm of Sweden’s Böcker family. Yes, this is the family of Magnus Böcker, CEO of the Singapore Exchange and former CEO of Nasdaq OMX Nordic. NEX got its initial angel investment of $50,000 last year from Singapore  investor Ned Phillips, formerly of  E*Trade and Chi-East.

On Faith And Finance

I did something really scary. My soul’s desire to go back to freelancing finally overpowered my need an infinite stream of paychecks, a cadre of charming coworkers, and all the Tazo tea I could drink in a day. I sat down with my manager, stammering as I told her, “I have some news …” and then quit, giving a month’s cushion to tie up and transition projects. I gave her a hug, went back to my cubicle and felt like throwing up.

Buzz Over Hong Kong Startups Gets A Reality Check

Three experts on startups appear on Silicon Dragon Talk to air their views on the reality of Hong Kong as a future tech innovation hub.

Thespians And Pagans Fight Assessors In New York Court

Merry-Go-Round Playhouse Inc operates a professional summer stock theater in Auburn, New York.  MGRP recruits actors and staff from all over the country.  Given the short term nature of the gig and the low pay, MGRP needs to provide the aspiring thespians with housing.  This had been handled by leasing apartments with local landlords, but as the operation grew it became rather cumbersome.  So in 2011 MGRP acquired two apartment buildings with a total of 30 units.  None of the units are rented out.  They are used exclusively to provide staff housing.  So now that the buildings are owned by a not for profit and being used for its exempt purpose, they come off the city's tax rolls - right?  The assessors did not think so, which is why we now have a decision from the New York Court of Appeals.  I'll keep you in suspense for now, so you can decide who to root for.

The 4 Most Productive Ways To 'Slack-Off' At Work

“I have an odd question,” she told us. “During the holiday season, I spend most of my time trying to look busy. And, I’m too nervous to tell my boss that I have nothing to do. What should I do?”

10 Defining Podcast Stories From 2014 Not Named Serial

Serial has everyone talking about podcasts, but the launch of the breakout hit from the folks behind This American Life is only one of many interesting stories from the world of podcasting in 2014.

Against Attention: The Pre-Thanksgiving Manifesto

Attention is not a fixed resource. Thank goodness. This means the little guy and gal can rise above the crowded skyline. Just because Seth Godin has 400 million eyeballs, it doesn’t mean you can’t capture some of those eyeballs, too … Doesn’t mean you can’t attract some of that interest and loyalty. We all start at the

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Why Fashion Is Not a Frivolous Matter: E-Commerce with Impact

The shopping season for the holidays has begun, and as people line up outside stores to await Black Friday “deals,” you may want to consider a few other options -  and offer a gift with a bit more meaning (than a sweater yanked off the rack from other shoppers). A growing tide of fashion start-ups are linking social impact to their designs.  Mainly through production, these companies are attempting to create a more inclusive economy, by employing marginalized communities.  Given that the majority of these companies are only about two to three years old, it’s too soon to deem them as a successful alternative to aid.  Yet, they’re still a viable addition to the marketplace, one that’s long been skewed by big box brands and multinationals.  Here are a few socially-conscious fashion brands to consider for this holiday season: Soko: Soko’s peer-to-peer approach, means that you can buy products directly from artisans.  No middlemen are involved, though they do work with partnering non-profits at the grassroots level.  (Founded in 2012)  Their tagline: A woman-run and operated e-commerce marketplace for the developing world.    What do they sell?  Mostly jewelry.