Tested principles for transforming an idea into a fully operational company Startup Weekend—the organization behind 54-hour events where developers, designers, marketers, and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and create startups—has spawned both a global initiative in entrepreneurship as well as numerous successful startups. Startup Weekend, the book, contains best practices, lessons learned, and empowering examples derived from the organization's experiences for individuals and small organizations to follow as they launch businesses. Each of the key beliefs outlined has been tested by Startup Weekend and has yielded powerful results. The principles described in each chapter will give any business idea a greater chance for success. Chapter topics include trust and empowerment, flexible organizational structures, the power of experiential education, action-based networking, and much more Describes consequences for startup development as entrepreneurs and founders begin doing much more, even faster Profiles successful Startup Weekend companies, including two powerful examples: Memolane, an application that captures a user's online life in one timeline making it easy for users to travel back in time and relive memories; and Foodspotting, a mobile and desktop app that allows users to find and share the foods they love Apply these simple actionable principles to launch your own startup revolution.
A leading consumer advocate reveals how to protect your money, time, and integrity from corrupt businesses Once upon a time store prices were simple and fair, businesses stood behind their products with guarantees free of fine print and loopholes, and companies genuinely seemed to care about their valued customers—but those days are long gone. In this groundbreaking exposé, consumer advocate Christopher Elliot reveals the broken relationship between American consumers and businesses and explains how companies came to believe that fooling their customers was a viable, and profitable, business plan. Scammed explores how companies control information to mislead, distort the truth, and even outright lie to their consumers. Exposes the various ways companies have led their war against information—from seductive ads, disingenuous fine print, and unconventional promotions that involve seeding discussion forums and blogs with company-friendly comments Offers consumers insider knowledge of the system, reasonable expectations, and a clear understanding of the games businesses play Christopher Elliott is one of the nation's foremost consumer advocates Protect yourself, your time, and your money from the predators of the consumer world. Armed with knowledge, readers will become far more discerning and every business's worst nightmare.
The financial world is changing; this book shows you how to update your ideas about investing and keep pace Investing successfully means figuring out where economic value is being created, and then identifying the investment opportunities that result. MoneyShift: How to Prosper From What You Can't Control helps readers do just that. In addition to explaining the epic shifts in global economic momentum that have created a new financial reality for investors in recent years, the book offers readers a guide through new investment opportunities available in both emerging and developed markets. This book also points out the potential risks and then puts opportunities and risks together in outlining a sensible approach all readers can follow to develop their own investment strategy. Describing the transformation in global economic momentum and explaining why and where the centers of growth have moved, the book explores the new opportunity this change represents and sets realistic expectations for creating wealth through investment. Presents a new kind of investment strategy, including investing in your own human capital, while not neglecting advice on how to identify, assess, and manage risk Provides navigational tools for financial planning and for making money in a new environment we cannot simply wish or vote away Explains how domestic economic problems, the damage done to the financial system, government debt crises around the world, and even changing birth rates and aging populations have wrought a fundamental transformation in how wealth is and is not now created, and that these changes, while challenging, present great investment opportunities for those prepared to seize them By demonstrating the seismic changes in the economic topography, MoneyShift teaches you how these changes can be turned into an exceptional opportunity for increasing wealth through investing. To put it simply, there is money to be made in what you can't change about the world's economy. This book shows you how.
Why pay a financial adviser to manage your portfolio when you can do it yourself – all in less than one hour a week? The first edition of Active Investing was an Australian bestseller and a must-have for all DIY share investors and traders. In this book, sharemarket expert Alan Hull provides all types of investors with simple but effective methods for keeping one step ahead of the market using low-risk, tried-and-tested techniques. Fully revised and updated due to popular demand, this new edition will show you how to profit in all sharemarket conditions. You’ll discover: when to buy shares, when to hold them and when to keep your money in the bank how to survive volatility and even profit in a falling market how to sensibly use CFDs and protect your portfolio from market risk. Manage your portfolio like a professional – become an active investor!
An investor's guide to understanding the most elusive (yet most important) aspect of successful investing – yourself. Why is it that the investing performance of so many smart people reliably and predictably falls short? The answer is not that they know too little about the markets. In fact, they know too little about themselves. Combining the latest findings from the academic fields of behavioral finance and experimental psychology with the down-and-dirty real-world wisdom of successful investors, Drs. Richard Peterson and Frank Murtha guide both new and experienced investors through the psychological learning process necessary to achieve their financial goals. In an easy and entertaining style that masks the book’s scientific rigor, the authors make complex scientific insights readily understandable and actionable, shattering a number of investing myths along the way. You will gain understanding of your true investing motivations, learn to avoid the unseen forces that subvert your performance, and build your investor identity – the foundation for long-lasting investing success. Replete with humorous games, insightful self-assessments, entertaining exercises, and concrete planning tools, this book goes beyond mere education. MarketPsych: How to Manage Fear and Build Your Investor Identity functions as a psychological outfitter for your unique investing journey, providing the tools, training and equipment to help you navigate the right paths, stay on them, and see your journey through to success.
Make customer feedback work for your business. Customers are speaking loud and clear through a miriad of mediums. Evidence shows that customers will no longer stand for the hurried and complacent service that has become the norm. They are looking for a positive, memorable experience. Organizations that provide that level of service will earn their loyalty. Customers base their decisions on nothing more than a positive or negative review of your product and/or service. Pay Attention! paves the way. Your company wins when you: Understand Customer Expectations Embrace and implement The RATER Factors Define who you are and what you offer Become E.T.D.B.W. (Easy To Do Business With) Connect with your audience in all mediums React appropriately and respond immediately to customer feedback Recover sincerely when things go wrong All you need is to Pay Attention!
Make every communication count—with a simple, four-step speaking model Whether it's among colleagues at lunch or an audience of a thousand, a leader's role is to move and inspire others. It's not only the big occasions that test a leader's mettle, but the little ones as well—in a casual conversation in the elevator, in phone calls, or one of many incidental, seemingly «insignificant» interactions in everyday work life. Written by one of the world's leading communications coaches, Speaking as a Leader shows you how to make the most of your daily communications, creating a presence on the job as a genuine and constant leader. In this eye-opening guide, aspiring (and established) leaders can enhance their reputations and influence by following a few simple steps. Speaking as a Leader: Shows how to structure your thoughts and message in any situation using a four-step model Offers tips on listening effectively, in three dimensions Details why you are the best visual and how to avoid «Death by PowerPoint» Offers guidance on taking the «numb» out of numbers Includes tips on moving from subject to message With Speaking as a Leader, you'll learn to tap into your innate leadership skills at every occasion—whether small or large—and earn the sort of respect that creates devoted friends and passionate supporters.
A detailed guide for avoiding the pitfalls of retirement funding In Stop the Retirement Rip-Off, author David Loeper provides the necessary tools for investors to take action and make the most of their retirement plans. It offers a road map for employees to understand the fees and costs associated with their plans; document the excesses in a presentation to management; then organize themselves to protest and, if necessary, bring the documentation to the Labor Department in a complaint. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this book is filled with sensible strategies for making the most of retirement funds and putting future retirees back on the right financial track. Filled with strategies that can help employees stand up and secure their financial future Addresses how to make the most of your money, and your life, after fixing your retirement plan Outlines a practical approach to understanding your organization's retirement plan and overcoming its potential inefficiencies This important book contains the much-needed information that employees need to plan for retirement and ensure a secure financial future.
As you might expect from a company responsible for renting so many thrillers, there’s rarely a dull moment at LOVEFiLM. From start-up, through mergers and fast paced growth, culminating in a takeover by an internet giant, few corporate adventures encapsulate the archetypal modern business story as neatly as that of LOVEFiLM. In the 6 years from inception to the defining deal with Amazon, the company underwent a near constant process of change and evolution. They simply didn’t sit still for a minute. As the chief executive who guided LOVEFiLM through these fast-paced times, Simon Calver tells the story of how they grew the company from a series of small start-ups into a multi-million pound enterprise and well-love household name. Calver offers his personal insights and key lessons on everything from how to manage spectacular growth, to the importance of taking big risks and how small entrepreneurial companies can benefit from big companies thinking. Success the LOVEFiLM Way is an essential read for anybody who wants to start and grow a successful business, and learn how to stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing and growing industry. “The LOVEFiLM story offers interesting insights into the way modern businesses, and particularly those backed by venture capital, succeed. There are useful lessons for anyone looking to start or grow a business using this route. Simon Calver explains both the challenges and opportunities that VC funding raises. Calver is right to describe this as the classic modern business story.” Alex Mitchell, Head of Influencer Relations, IoD “The LOVEFiLM story was a great read. It’s honest, insightful and very entertaining. It shows most importantly the power of leadership to create an exceptional company. Frankly, everyone in the UK needs to read this book right now.” Julie Meyer, Managing Partner, ACE Fund “I met Simon at the annual Real Business awards in 2009, and was delighted when he asked King of Shaves to become a founding member of The Consumer Forum – an association of SME’s that put the customer first. The success of LOVEFiLM, and his leadership of this disrupting business, was entirely down to his ‘putting customers first’ – by giving them what they wanted, when they wanted it, always embracing the latest in cutting edge technology. Firstly by sending the latest film releases through the post, and now by it streaming on demand. I’ve been lucky enough to spend personal quality time with him, and now you can learn how he helped LOVEFiLM grow so astonishingly, in a constantly changing digital environment. If you Lovefilm, and LoveCustomers, then you’ll Love this book!” Will King, Founder, King of Shaves “The LOVEFiLM story shows the importance of organizational agility, trust and the relentless focus of taking customers, stakeholders and employees with you on your journey. Above all it demonstrates the importance of understanding what you do and why you do it, and why it’s important to have a business model that delivers for the customer and the business.” Jo Causon, CEO, Institute of Customer Service “It took Simon’s dedicated hard work bringing together a series of smaller businesses to make LOVEFiLM one of the true internet success stories. In Simon Calver’s book, he shares his business philosophies that led LOVEFiLM to the successful takeover by Amazon. The book is not just a compelling narrative, but lessons that all businesses and entrepreneurs can benefit from.” Mar
Put your own fate exactly where it belongs-in your hands It is one of the great questions of life. Its a simple question, really, but it seems impossible for many to answer: Do we control our own destinies? 90 percent of people think and act as if their destiny is foreordained, while only about 10 percent believe in the capacity to change and act on it. Creating Your Own Destiny explains and demonstrates to the majority how to dream, plan, and execute a better future-despite the challenges of the economy and life circumstances. Based on time-honored principles, theories, and case studies Provides a Success Road Map for all those people who are seeking to achieve success but who aren't satisfied with their careers. Written in an easy and accessible tone by Patrick Snow, who has been dubbed «the Dean of Destiny» With the powerful and practical tools featured in this essential guide, you'll find yourself newly empowered and energized to achieve extraordinary results.