Establishing a strong personal brand can seem daunting in today’s crowded online space. With so many social platforms and tools to choose from, how do you know where to focus your efforts? The key is finding the right fit based on your goals, audience, and
The exuberance and abundance of startup funding seen over the past couple of years has sharply reversed course in 2023. Like bear cubs emerging from hibernation to suddenly face scarce resources, many startups are struggling to adapt to a new climate. Funding has dried up.
As an intrepid business journalist with a passion for demystifying complex topics, I often get asked by readers to explain secondary shares in private equity and venture capital. “What are they?” “How do they work?” “What’s their value proposition?” Valid questions indeed! Secondary shares allow
Tobacco giant British American Tobacco rocked markets this week with a massive $31.5 billion write-down on the value of key cigarette brands like Camel, Newport, and Pall Mall. A Sign of Shifting Sands This huge accounting charge signals a watershed moment. It broadcasts that big
For entrepreneurs and e-commerce sellers, Amazon represents a massive opportunity with over 2.5 billion monthly visitors. However, scaling an Amazon business also requires significant time and effort. This is where Amazon automation comes in – tools and software that automate key parts of running an
APIs (application programming interfaces) have become a vital part of software development, allowing different applications to communicate with each other. As APIs grow in popularity, API licensing has emerged as a profitable business model for companies with valuable APIs. But what exactly does an API
The internet has dramatically changed how companies bring their products and services to market. Traditional distribution channels like brick-and-mortar stores and print advertising are giving way to an array of online options. For business owners and marketers, navigating this new digital landscape can be a
A lead magnet is a free offer used to attract and convert website visitors into leads. As a smart marketer, you know the importance of building your email list. But how do you encourage visitors to sign up? This is where lead magnets come in
The smell of fresh bread wafting through the house. The gurgling of a cool mountain stream on a hot summer day. The smile of a loved one when you walk through the door. Some things in life are simply irresistible. As a business owner, your
Have you ever wondered if your business could thrive by expanding into related or “adjacent” markets? Many successful companies have boosted growth by leveraging their existing capabilities to serve adjacent spaces. But what exactly are adjacent markets and how can you determine if expanding into
Constellation Software, founded by Mark Leonard in 1995, is a unique success story in the world of enterprise software. While most software companies start with a single product and try to expand, Constellation took the opposite approach – acquiring small vertical market software companies and
If you run a business, leads are your lifeblood. But leads alone won’t keep you afloat. You need to optimize your lead funnel to turn those leads into customers. I’ve seen companies pour tons of money into lead generation only to see most leads drop
Multi-level marketing, direct sales, referral marketing—you’ve probably heard these terms used interchangeably with “network marketing.” But what exactly does network marketing mean and how does it work? As a business model, network marketing has managed to persist over decades despite controversy and misconceptions. Supporters tout
Starting a new business is thrilling but also challenging. With limited resources, startup founders need to make careful decisions about hiring. One key role that is often overlooked is the revenue manager. So what does a revenue manager do? And why is this position so
Starting a new business can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor. The statistics show that about 20% of new businesses fail within the first year and about 50% fail by year five. However, some types of businesses tend to have much lower failure rates than
Starting a new business is always a risk. Statistics show that only about half of new businesses survive past the five-year mark. But some companies seem to defy the odds, sailing through economic downturns and disruptive changes that sink their competitors. What makes these businesses
Charlie Munger, the billionaire investor and vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, passed away on November 28th, 2023 at the age of 99. Known for his brilliance in business and investing, Munger leaves behind an unparalleled legacy of wisdom that will continue inspiring new generations. In
Staying on top of trends and timely topics is crucial for content creators and marketers who want to produce relevant and engaging content. But with the fast pace of the online world, how do you consistently come up with content ideas that will resonate with
Starting a business is an exciting journey fueled by passion, drive, and a great idea. But behind every great startup is sound accounting. As a founder, you may see accounting as a boring chore that takes time away from building your product or service. But
Open-source software has come a long way since its early days as a niche movement among hobbyist programmers. Today, open source is mainstream – used by Fortune 500 companies, governments, and organizations of all sizes and industries. But how do open-source companies actually make money