10 Quick Tips for Getting Organized

Source : Image on Liquidplanner.com

1. Clean, organize and purge your desk. Update your files and replace all torn files. Buy new files, in different colors, and organize them by color: green for financial papers, purple for clients and so on. Be sure to label all the files, and then organize them alphabetically within each color scheme. And never, ever put the word "Misc" on any file--once you file it, you'll forget what you put in it. If you can say out loud what the file is, you have your label.

2. Be like Santa every day of the week. Make a list and check it twice. There's nothing more satisfying than checking things off your "to do" list! Make a list every night of all the things you need to accomplish the next day. Do this every night, including the weekends, so you get in the habit of relying on your to-do list to help you get things done.

3. Use only one calendar. Choose the one that works best for you: one on your computer, a handheld one like a PDA, or a paper one on your desk. Then get rid of all your other calendars and use just the one to record and keep track of everything. If you're maintaining more than one person's schedule, like your children's, use different colored inks to record information for each family member.

4. Make a note on your calendar, one week ahead of any event, about what you need to do for that event. Do you need to buy wine to bring to a housewarming party? Do you need to send flowers for your mother's birthday? Whatever it is, make a note of it in advance so you can stay of top of your tasks.

5. Make a list of your goals. Write down at least 10 goals you want to accomplish in your lifetime. Be specific. Then put the list away and update it again next year.

6. Choose one or two goals you want to accomplish this year with your business. Maybe it's to make more money or to land more clients. How will you accomplish that goal? What amount of money will you make this year? How will you do it? Type that information out in a clear sentence, put by your bedside, and read it every morning and every night to help inspire you to reach your goals.

7. Get rid of any office supplies you haven't used in the past year.Return them to the store for credit or donate them to your favorite charity. The less clutter there is in your office, the more happiness there'll be in your life. If you buy a new printer, donate the old one. You don't need two printers--the old one is just taking up space. This goes for everything in your office.

8. Start planning now for the next tax year. Label a box "Next Year's Taxes," and put it in your office. This box will hold all your tax-related documents throughout the year: bank statements, receipts for business expenses, online statements indicating what bills you paid and charity receipts. At the end of the year, remove the contents from the box and make two piles--business and personal--for your accountant (or for yourself, if you do your own taxes). The box will be the one place you put everything that has anything to do with your taxes. It sure beats searching for the paperwork at the end of the year.

9. Update your Name Card Collection. Clear out all the cards of people you never called last year. I can tell you that if a year goes by and you haven't contacted them, chances are, you'll never call them. If you feel you need to keep the information, put all the "maybe I'll call them one of these days" cards in a file and label it that.

10. Feng Shui your desk and surroundings. If it's good enough for Donald Trump, it's good enough for you!

- Source : Leslie Jacobs, Owner of Less is More, Entrepreneur.com

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“Want to succeed? Hit rock bottom first”

Ever thought to yourself that, "What is the point in trying when I am just gonna fail at the end of the day?"

I am pretty sure that would be the thought running through most of our minds at least once in the life of an entrepreneur. But honestly, not every success came about by chance. It was through trials and tribulations that strengthens us like the hit song, "What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson.

Here's a challenge you can make for yourself, 'Look in the mirror and ask yourself, have you done enough to succeed?" Just before you answer, let's take a look at what one visionary in particular has to say?

Meet the Beautiful

Serene Gan 

Founder of heylaundry, Product Manager at VLT Labs

The Starting Point

Hitting rock bottom in life.

I’ve had this idea brewing inside me for a while because I hate doing laundry, it is my number one enemy, and everyone who knows me should be able to testify to that. I have weeks worth of laundry piled up, which would only get washed because I would run out things to wear. I have always wanted to find a solution to this, but never really had the courage to be the solution.

But it was only when things took a really bad turn in life recently that I realised that I am more resilient than I thought I was, and it led me to pursue something (heylaundry) I never would have if I didn’t pick myself up from where I fell.

What is a typical day like? What are the highlights of your day and what motivates you everyday

Right now I am juggling a day job and moonlighting to get my startup off the ground. Working with my team at VLT Labs gives me great joy because everyone is like family. We complement and inspire each other on a daily basis. The core part of my job at as Product Manager is to work closely with my team members (Ruby on Rails developers and UX designers) to ship out a product that we would be proud to call our own.

The highlights of my day would be every bit of team collaboration that takes place during the course of a project. The laughter and hardship, the celebration of small wins and the encouragement of losses that we go through together as a team — those bits are most precious to me. Building great things that provide real value to others — that’s what motivates me to keep doing what I do.

What are some of the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

Coping with great levels of uncertainty,my personal battle with perfectionism and of course, the fact that I was convinced that I knew nothing about business.

How did I overcome it? Attitude and perseverance. I learnt that if I was willing and open to change and that if I would keep a good attitude no matter the circumstance, I would learn something and that in turn would be the solution to overcome the problems that I faced.

I am also incredibly grateful for all the mentors, advisors and friends that are supporting me. They make this journey just that much sweeter.

Do you have partners?

I’m currently a single founder on the lookout for cofounders.

Do you have any advice for budding entrepreneurs?

If something’s been tugging in your heart for weeks, months, years, do it!

Listen to your gut and get started,  even if it means doing the groundwork alone at first. Be humble, be hungry to learn, be persistent, and be absolutely clear about your purpose.

If you could turn back time, what would you have done differently?

I’m a believer of no regrets. But in the grand scheme of things, I wouldn’t have done anything differently other than working harder to make sure that I do not fall into the trap of complacency both at work and in my personal life.

heylaundry is an app that will pick up, wash your laundry, iron it and have it delivered back to your doorstep.
To find out more about what Serene is up to, visit http://www.heylaundry.com/

So now, back to the very first question that was asked of you. Would it be a Yes or No?

Source: Tumblr Image by Alientechnology00

 - Author : David Suppramaniam, Best Events Asia Writer, Aug 28th, 2015

 - Original Interview Source : MaGIC, wearemy.com

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5 Movies With Great Lessons for Entrepreneurs

Books, articles, speeches, television shows and movies can spark creative ideas and provide helpful inspiration for entrepreneurs. That’s right -- an excuse to watch some cinematic masterpieces!

Break out the popcorn, get comfy on the couch and watch these movies to get inspired and enlightened:

1. Deli Man

Image credit: Deli Man | Cohen Media Group

This fun documentary chronicles the rise of delis in the U.S. during the 1930s. The filmmakers interview many deli owners, including star Ziggy Gruber, a third-generation deli man and owner of Kenny & Ziggy’s, a tremendously successful authentic New York-style deli in Houston.

Gruber is charismatic and inspiring, and the movie shows how much he cares about his business and customers. He is energetic, obsessed with high quality, and loves what he does and the deli industry as a whole. He is very focused on delivering top-notch quality in every dish and every customer-service interaction.

He is also hands-on and brings warmth and love to his customers, and importantly, his employees, by engaging with them and showing he cares. Overall, the movie illustrates the importance of passion and heart in business and shows that those who find their passion will find success.

2. Woman in Gold

Image credit: Women in Gold | BBC Films (UK) | The Weinstein Company (US)

Woman in Gold tells the story of an elderly Jewish woman who 50 years later tries to reclaim artwork taken from her family by the Nazis. She begins a long and difficult legal battle with the Austrian government to get her family’s paintings back.  

The movie depicts the struggle between knowing when to give up and knowing when to persevere. This balance is one the hardest elements entrepreneurs need to master.

Don’t be afraid to fail -- if a business isn’t a winner, discard it and move on. On the other hand, giving up too early can ruin real chances for success, which often only come after tremendous trials and tribulations. Certain fights can last for decades, just as the main character’s fight for justice did.

3. The Wolf of Wall Street

Image credit: The Wolf on Wall Street | Paramount Home Entertainment

The Wolf of Wall Street details the decadence and depravity of real-life stockbroker, Jordan Belfort. From crazy office parties to reckless drug use, the film depicts the flashy and shady side of business.

Greed, hedonism and fraud may be tempting for some, but for all will eventually lead to failure. There are no shortcuts to succeeding in business and life. Take the time to grow a credible business built on solid values and ethics.

4. Boyhood

Image credit: Boyhood | Paramount Home Entertainment

Boyhood not only attracted tremendous attention and acclaim after its release, but also way before, because it was a true purple cow that stood out in the industry. The movie chronicles the childhood of a young boy, and is the first to use the same actor as he aged over a 12-year period.

“If you've seen one cow, you've seen them all. But what if one of the cows were purple?” writes Seth Godin in his book, Purple Cow. “Make a purple cow. Get people's permission to find out what they really want.”

Purple cows have the power to capture attention and start conversations. Be remarkable, be different and get the attention of industry peers and consumers alike.

5. The Queen

Image credit: The Queen | Miramax

The Queen depicts how the British royal family reacted and publicly responded to the death of Princess Diana. Although she was urged to make an official statement and expression of grief, Queen Elizabeth II was stubborn in considering the death a private family matter.

Her strategy was a public-relations disaster, and the media and British people were outraged at the Queen’s seemingly cold composure. As more and more people displayed their grief at Buckingham and Kensington Palaces, the Queen finally took the advice of the prime minister, made a public statement about the death, and visited the palaces to acknowledge flowers and gifts the public has left.

The movie shows that no matter how powerful a person is, they still need to listen to others and take advice during times of crisis. Brand image can make or break a business, and during a crisis, that image is tested. Listen to what the public is saying, consider advice from trusted peers and let go of stubbornness and outdated traditions.

What are some of your favorite movies? What can they teach entrepreneurs? Share in the comments section below.

Source: Zach Cutler for Entrepreneur.com

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How to Write a Great Business Plan: Sales and Marketing

Providing great products and services is wonderful, but customers must actually know those products and services exist. That's why marketing plans and strategies are critical to business success. (Duh, right?)

But keep in mind marketing is not just advertising. Marketing--whether advertising, public relations, promotional literature, etc--is an investment in the growth of your business.

Like any other investment you would make, money spent on marketing must generate a return. (Otherwise why make the investment?) While that return could simply be greater cash flow, good marketing plans result in higher sales and profits.

So don't simply plan to spend money on a variety of advertising efforts. Do your homework and create a smart marketing program.

Here are some of the basic steps involved in creating our marketing plan:

• Focus on your target market. Who are your customers? Who will you target? Who makes the decisions? Determine how you can best reach potential customers.

• Evaluate your competition. Your marketing plan must set you apart from your competition, and you can't stand out unless you know your competition. (It's hard to stand out from a crowd if you don't know where the crowd stands.) Know your competitors by gathering information about their products, service, quality, pricing, and advertising campaigns. In marketing terms, what does your competition do that works well? What are their weaknesses? How can you create a marketing plan that highlights the advantages you offer to customers?

• Consider your brand. How customers perceive your business makes a dramatic impact on sales. Your marketing program should consistently reinforce and extend your brand. Before you start to market your business, think about how you want your marketing to reflect on your business and your products and services. Marketing is the face of your to potential customers--make sure you put your best face forward.

• Focus on benefits. What problems do you solve? What benefits do you deliver? Customers don't think in terms of products--they think in terms of benefits and solutions. Your marketing plan should clearly identify benefits customers will receive. Focus on what customers get instead of on what you provide. (Take Dominos; theoretically they're in the pizza business, but really they're a delivery business.)

• Focus on differentiation. Your products and services have to stand out from the competition in some way. How will you compete in terms of price, product, or service?

Then focus on providing detail and backup for your marketing plan.

Key questions to answer:

• What is your budget for sales and marketing efforts?
• How will you determine if your initial marketing efforts are successful? In what ways will you adapt if your initial efforts do not succeed?
• Will you need sales representatives (inside or external) to promote your products?
• Can you set up public relations activities to help market your business?

The Sales and Marketing section for a cycling rental business could start something like this:

***

Target Market

The target market for Blue Mountain Cycling Rentals is western VA, eastern WV, southwestern MD, and northern NC. While customers in the counties surrounding the George Washington National Forest make up 35% of our potential customer base, much of our market travels from outside that geographic area.

Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy will focus on three basic initiatives:

• Road signage. Access to the forest is restricted to a few primary entrances, and visitors reach those entrances after traveling on one of several main roadways. Since customers currently rent bicycles in the local town of Harrisonburg, road signage will communicate our value proposition to all potential customers.

• Web initiatives. Our website will attract potential visitors to the resort. We will partner with local businesses that serve our target market to provide discounts and incentives.

• Promotional events. We will hold regular events with professional cyclists, like demonstrations and autograph signings, to bring more customers to the store as well as to extend the athletes' "brand" to our brand.

Pricing Strategy

We will not be the low-cost provider for our target market. Our goal is to provide mid- to high-end equipment. However, we will create web-based loyalty programs to incent customers to set up online profiles and reserve and renew equipment rentals online, and provide discounts for those who do. Over time we will be able to market specifically to those customers.

***

Just like in the Market Opportunity section, you may want to include a few more categories. For example, if your business involves a commission-compensated sales force, describe your Sales Programs and incentives. If you distribute products to other companies or suppliers and those distribution efforts will impact your overall marketing plans, lay out your Distribution Strategy.

The key is to show you understand your market and you understand how you will reach your market. Marketing and promotions must result in customers--your goal is to thoroughly describe how you will acquire and keep your customers.

Also keep in mind you may want to include examples of marketing materials you have already prepared, like website descriptions, print ads, web-based advertising programs, etc. While you don't need to include samples, taking the time to create actual marketing materials might help you better understand and communicate your marketing plans and objectives.

Make sure your Sales & Marketing section answers the "How will I reach my customers?" question.

- Source : Jeff Haden, Contributing Editor, Inc.

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Why These 3 Superstar Startups Called It Quits in 2015

Winning a "best app" award is great, but it won't help you meet payroll. 

More than 30 U.S. startups have had to close their doors in 2015, CB Insights reports. Some of the companies that called it quits had raised capital from high-profile investors. Others had collected accolades like being named to Apple's annual list of the best apps of the year.

Here are three superstar startups that have shut down this year, plus explanations about what went wrong from their founders.  

1. Zirtual. 

Virtual-assistant company Zirtual surprised customers and all of its 400 employees last week by announcing it was "pausing all operations." Founded in 2011, the Las Vegas-based company connected executives with remote assistants over the Internet to help with tasks like scheduling and making travel arrangements. Investors including Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh invested a total of $5.5 million in the company. 

What happened: Zirtual co-founder Maren Kate Donovan declined to comment, but told Fortune the company needed additional capital to meet two upcoming payroll cycles, and couldn't raise the money. Startup investor Startups.co acquired Zirtual a day after it shut down, but it's unclear how or when a reorganized version of the company will resume operations.

The lesson for entrepreneurs: Don't let your burn rate affect your ability to meet payroll.

2. Circa News. 

In June, news app and website Circa went on an "indefinite hiatus," co-founder Matt Galligan wrote in a blog post. The company launched in New York and San Francisco in 2011 to provide news in a format tailored specifically for mobile devices. Circa raised $4 million in venture capital funding and was named one of the best new apps of the year in 2013 by both Apple and Google. 

What happened: Circa didn't develop its revenue model fast enough. "Our ongoing plan was to monetize Circa News through the building of a strategy we had spent a long time developing, but unfortunately we were unable to close a significant investment prior to becoming resource constrained," Galligan wrote in a blog post.

The lesson for entrepreneurs: Don't let making money be an afterthought.

3. Secret. 

Anonymous social networking app Secret halted operations in April just 16 months after launching. The San Francisco-based company let its 15 million users share personal details without revealing their identity. Secret had raised $35 million from groups including Google Ventures and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

What happened: Secret co-founder David Byttow wrote in a blog post that the startup had drifted from the vision he had when he started the company. Like similar anonymous social media apps Yik Yak and Whisper, Secret ran into problems related to bullying and gossip. Byttow said the company would return money to investors and cut its losses. "I believe in failing fast in order to go on and make only new and different mistakes," Byttow wrote.

The lesson for entrepreneurs: Fast growth can sink your startup--particularly after it takes on a life of its own. 

Source: Graham Winfrey for Inc.com

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How to Hire the Right Leadership Team for Your Startup

As the old adage goes: “You’re only as good as the people around you.” While it’s true in both life and business, it’s certainly magnified for entrepreneurs and startups, particularly early on in the process. With limited resources and endless competition, the line between success and failure is extremely small. That means it’s important to put the odds in your favor as early as possible, with an equal eye on both the short term and the long term.

Something I’ve learned firsthand, both as an investor in early-stage tech companies and as an entrepreneur, is just how important it is to give each C-level position (and really any hire for that matter) the appropriate amount of thought and research. While this may seem like a daunting task for those looking for fast growth, it’s well worth the effort and will afford long-term stability for your company.

To help you along the way, here are five tips that can optimize your C-level hiring process:

Hire people who are smarter than you.

As a CEO, you’re probably used to making the final decision. However, are you always the best person to make that decision? Great talent, who provide trustworthy perspectives and experience, always surrounds the best leaders. If you have implicit trust in your key hires, then you can count on them bringing new viewpoints and options to the table. The best teams are built around complementary parts so that any weaknesses are offset by another person’s strength.

Tip: Ask interviewees what they see as obstacles in a perceived problem area (real or theoretical). Their answers will tell you how they can spot things you may have missed.

Invest in experience, it pays dividends.

Hiring key personnel with a brilliant track record and/or immense experience may add to the payroll ledger, but you’ll quickly discover that this is offset by the value they bring. Beyond their direct skills and talents, the indirect benefit of adding talented and experienced people is they will speed your growth by shrinking the learning curve. The more expertise you bring in, the less ground-up time needed. Remember, time is money for any startup so any sort of acceleration benefits the bottom line. 

Tip: Make key hires in the most glaring holes in your company first to accelerate growth in those areas.

Bring on people that can attract talented individuals.

Strong executive hires bring many skills to the table but one of the most important traits is that intangible magnetism that draws talent to them. People within the company like them, want to be around them and learn from them. The level of this industry magnetism is a testimonial in itself about the executive’s abilities. If people are willing to follow this person around from company to company, then they are willing to put their trust, career and livelihood on the line. Added bonus and necessary component: People already within the company look up to them and want to learn from them. 

Tip: When interviewing references, try to gauge references on whether or not they would follow the leader from company to company.

Hire to define your company culture.

What do you want your company culture to be? From day-to-day interactions to short-term goals to long-term scalability dreams, your company culture is both defined by this and defines this. As CEO, you are the head of this beast. If you hire executives who aren’t on the same page as you and will make their own hires that go against the grain, it can spell disaster. On the other hand, when executives are a good fit, they will effectively act as a proxy for the CEO, increasing communication and efficiency. Clashing company cultures can unravel a company. 

Tip: Look past the titles and achievements on a resume, learn the how and why behind those achievements to gain some insight into the interviewee’s impact on company culture.

Remember that your team is your family.

Particularly for a startup, C-level hires are a CEO’s family. They are the confidants, lieutenants behind major decisions and co-pilots that steer the ship. You may actually spend more time with them than your actual working family, particularly near milestones. In times of distress, your “CXOs,” will help you make the critical decisions. Because of that, the executive team has to have more than just industry skill or experience. They need to complement each other and help the group become more than the sum of its parts.

Tip: Ask yourself if you would be comfortable traveling with this person or sharing a hotel with them if need be. Worst case scenario: Would you survive if you were stuck in the airport for a few hours with no one else but this person. If it’s a “yes”, chances are they would fit into the “family.”

Often times, as a resource constrained startup or early-stage business, the temptation may be to go with the easiest fit rather than the best fit when it comes filling out your C-level roster. But remember, your key executive hires bring much more to the table than their job description, and in many ways, those hiring decisions can make or break your startup. So be patient and go slow with your key hires to ensure they are the right fit.

- Source : Mark Ghermezian, Founder of Appboy and Investor, 2015, Entrepreneur Media Inc.

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