Monday, December 31, 2018
Why Having an 'Internal Resume' Is Just As Important As Having an External One
Everyone has an external resume, but what an 'internal resume'? Here's a simple way to document your core values and your personal milestones.
7 Steps to Help You Look for the Lesson or the Gift in a Mistake or Hardship
Remember that what you appreciate, appreciates.
All the Predictions for 2019 Are Utter Nonsense
Sure they're fun to read but they're mental junk food.
How Long Does It Take You to Decide Whether Someone is Attractive? Science Says Just 3 Seconds
What do you really know about love?
What Elon Musk Got Wrong With Artificial Intelligence
The media loves the hype around fully autonomous solutions, but experts agree that a human's value is more important than ever.
10 Best Albums of 2018 for People Who Actually Like Music
My top picks for the best songwriting, musicianship, and motivating you at your desk.
Insane But True: This Is the 1 Night of the Year It's OK to Lie to Your Kids. Here's How
Most days and nights we'd say honesty is the best policy. Not tonight.
How to Use Persuasion to Improve Your Leadership Potential
Leaders must be able to mobilize consumers, colleagues and vendors to adopt and support a shared vision.
60 Inspiring Quotes About Writing from the World's Greatest Authors
Need inspiration to help you achieve your writing goals in 2019? Read this collection of quotes from some of the most famous authors of all time.
There's an Enormous Trend on the Horizon that Could Completely Change Cloud Computing
There's a 'storm' coming, folks--and it's adecentralized one.
Instagram Testing Error Shows Likely Future of the Platform
Instagram's unpopular test of a tap-to-advance feature for the Explore tab may be coming, despite the backlash.
The 5 Biggest Leadership Trends to Watch in 2019
One way to get ready for 2019 is to focus on the trends that are coming your way.
Why Google, Apple, and Microsoft Are On Board With This Progressive Trend in 2019
These tech giants are fans of Progressive Web Applications--and for good reason.
4 Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Struggle to Step Up their Game--And How They Can Crush 2019
New Year, new [entrepreneurial] you.
The 3 Most Beneficial Books for Entrepreneurs (That Go Beyond Teaching You How to Run a Business)
Home in on these three most beneficial categories of books for entrepreneurs to supercharge your reading journey in 2019.
Yale Psychologists: Introverts Are Better Than Extroverts at Performing This Essential Leadership Skill
According to new research by Yale psychologists, introverts appear to be better than extroverts and understanding human behavior in group settings.
Netflix Just Made a Truly Stunning Announcement and People Are Now Staring in Disbelief
You know that thing about a tree falling in the forest?
A Brutal Truth About Keeping New Year's Resolutions That Few People Are Willing to Admit
Making a New Year's resolutions is great, but what makes the biggest difference in whether you achieve your goal is what you do immediately after.
Why You Need to Shake Things Up at Your Company--and How to Start
Are you the leader your company has been waiting for? How to innovative from within to foster enterprise-wide transformation.
Happy New Year. Now Stop Trying to Make Everyone Happy.
This is the time for you to allocate more resources to your winners and kick the losers to the curb. Good leaders learn to use the word "No" and to stop propping up mediocre productsor people.
Why Dreaming While You Sleep Is a Good Sign for Your Job Performance
It's OK if the dreams don't make sense. Just make sure you're having them.
Investing in Employees Adds No Value to Your Company--Technically. 7 Strategies to Make Sure it Pays Off
Your balance sheet shows no ROI on what you spend to engage your employees. 7 strategies to make sure you see it on your bottom-line.
Drinking Champagne Tonight? Don't Make These Common Mistakes
Skip the flutes and don't eat chocolate.
The Minimum Wage Increases in 20 States and 24 Cities Tomorrow. Is Yours One of Them?
SeaTac, near Seattle, will have the highest minimum wage in the nation, at $16.09 an hour.
In-N-Out Just Made an Announcement That's Going To Frustrate a Lot of People
The cult burger chain is very deliberate about what it does. And what it won't do.
How to Handle a Non-Drinker at the Office
I shouldn't have to write this article, but sadly, it's a thing.
19 Powerfully Inspiring New Year Quotes to Start 2019 Off Right
While the New Year is always a time for setting inspiring goals for ourselves, anytime is actually a good time to be inspired.
60 Years Ago, Walt Disney Taught a Major Lesson in Emotional Intelligence. Here It Is in 1 Sentence
Walt Disney had a remarkable response to criticism: He used it to make him better.
How This Octogenarian Turned Defective Diapers and Scrap Paper Into a Family Business for the Ages
Shore Manufacturing's Bill Loughran, 89, is the prolific inventor of dissolving confetti, christening bottles, and no-clump tinsel.
Microsoft's New Approach to Job Interviews Makes People Really Want to Work There
Google and Apple, take note.
Here Are the Best Inspirational Quotes for 2019
365 of the best inspirational quotes and motivational quotes, organized one per day for all of 2019.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
21 Quotes About Entrepreneurship That'll Make You Think (and Some That'll Make You Laugh)
Whether you're already an entrepreneur or thinking about it, you'll benefit from the inspiration of the quotes of those who've come before.
4 Emotionally Intelligent Skills That Will Transform How You Handle Tense Conversations
These simple self-regulation practices are game-changers.
3 Smart Ways to Market Travel to Millennials in 2019
Winter is coming. Time to get the heck outta town.
Start the New Year Right With These 3 Email Tips
Use this time of year to hit "reset" on your email and make the new year the most productive possible.
One Simple Way to Experience Less Drama in 2019
This resolution doesn't involve diet or exercise but can remarkably improve your quality of life in the year to come.
7 Quick (and Free) Ways to Find Inspiration and Be More Creative in 2019
Sometimes creative people run out of inspiration and ideas. But don't despair: There are several ways to get your creative mojo back.
The Travel & Hospitality Industry is Being Disrupted, Again.
Airbnb disrupted hotels. Now big travel and hospitality companies are going after the next disruptive innovation themselves before getting blindsided yet again.
I Tried Getting Up At 4 a.m. To Be More Successful. It Was Hell
Would early rising lead to more productivity?
Just How Fat Are Americans? A Stunning New Government Study Just Revealed the Truth in Time for 2019
It's a big story, all right.
You Have More Time Than You Think To Make a Good First Impression, Says a New Study
Is this more time than you thought? Or less time than you give others?
A Top American Airlines Executive Flew Delta. Her Review is Shocking
Many believe Delta offers superior service to American. What would a biased reviewer think?
3 New Year's Resolutions Successful People Make (and Keep)
Disappointed that you didn't keep your 2018 New Year's resolutions? Here are three life-enriching resolutions you can keep without breaking a sweat.
2 Simple Tweaks That Will Vastly Improve Your Social Life in 2019
How do you schedule your time together? The answer makes a big difference.
Can You Tell the Difference Between a Human Face and an AI-Created Fake? Take This Test to Find Out
Hair, teeth, ears, and background provide the biggest clues.
Here's How Apple Lost $9 Billion After President Trump's 'Last Minute Tax Law' (It's Insane, But Also Kind of Funny, Sorry)
Welcome to the law of unintended consequences.
Your Guide to an Alternative, Way-More-Fun New Year's Eve Celebration
New Year's Eve never fails to live up to the hype. These suggestions will help you ring in the new year with relaxed fun.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
The 10 Most Googled People of 2018 (Who'd You Look Up?)
Our Google searches say a lot about us both individually and collectively. Global trends are the basis of content, as well as cultural relevance.
American Airlines Just Made Some Very Famous People Angry. Here's Why
Is this a little careless on the part of the airline?
3 Ways to Share Expectations for Your Employees Really Effectively
Don't break boundaries, set them.
The Many Benefits of Licensing Your Hit Idea to a Market Leader
The inventor of the GoGo Gift Bag explains how her relationship with her licensee just keeps getting better.
25+ Google Tricks (Guaranteed You Won't Know All of Them!)
25+ Google Tricks (Guaranteed You Won'tKnow All of Them!): Maximize your time with these lesser-known commands!
Maximize Your Productivity in the New Year With These 3 Tips
Distractions have become a bane to our productivity, but these simple tips can help you get your time back.
The Gender Pay Gap Doesn't Have to Exist. Here's What You Can Do Today to Help Fix It
Equal pay for women is achievable.
How #MeToo Concerns Made Me Nervous at a Turkish Dance
Not everything needs to be seen through this lens.
Is This the World's Worst Airline Passenger?
Flight Attendants aren't perfect. They also have to put up with passengers like this.
CenturyLink Outage Disrupts 911 Services So Company Tweets: Drive to Fire Station for Help
Company blames outage of more than 24 hours on "network element."
A Delta Air Lines Flight Attendant's Dad Gave Her a Truly Stunning Gift. But How Did Everyone Miss the Other Big Hero In This Viral Story?
Not all heroes wear capes. And they also don't all get mentioned on social media.
I Just Flew Cross-Country on United's Newest, Most Uncomfortable Plane. It Hurt
The Boeing 737 MAX isn't for everyone. The question is whether it's for anyone other than airline CFO's.
When Procter & Gamble Cut This, Their Profits Went Up by 10%
Want to earn more? Science shows that this sales technique makes you more money fast, whether you're a brick-and-mortar CEO or eCommerce entrepreneur.
The Secret to a Longer Life Lies in 3 Things You're Told To Avoid, Says an Eye-Opening 15-Year Study
Finally, someone has dared to say it.
United Airlines Says It's Doing an 'Unforgettable' Thing For All 25,000 United Flight Attendants. But Will Passengers Like the Result?
Good luck getting details. But that might be part of the point.
According to This Truly Surprising New Study, You Have Just 27 Seconds to Make a First Impression
Surprisingly,69 percent of people reported that they form a first impression of someone before they've even had a chance to speak.
How to Develop the Grit You Need to Succeed
Grit isn't just another self-help buzzword. It's the key to achieving any long-term goal.
These Amazon Packages Were Stolen. What Happened Next Was Truly Shocking
Some people go out of their way to do bad. But not all people.
Here's How to Make New Year's Resolutions That Will Actually Stick
You begin with the best intentions, but the resolutions never last. To achieve success, you need a specific, reasonable plan.
Got a McDonald's or Burger King Coupon? Here's the Smart, Surprising Thing to Do With It. (You Only Have 3 Days)
Hint: It's a brilliant marketing idea, and it doesn't actually involve going to Burger King or McDonald's.
Elon Musk Adds Larry Ellison to Tesla's Board, Fulfilling SEC Requirement--Sort of
The other new director is Walgreens HR head Kathleen Wilson-Thompson.
Friday, December 28, 2018
4 Simple Habits That Will Make You More Likable Right Away
You need to shift your focus away from yourself and onto those around you.
Sears Just Won a Long-Shot Chance at Survival. The 125-Year-Old Retailer Lives On--For Now
Chairman Eddie Lampert met Friday's 4 pm deadline--just barely.
This Evening of Food Theater Goes Beyond Inspiring Innovation. It's a Master Class in the Art of Possibility
When you pursue innovation, your potential to serve others is greater than you think.
Aliens, Trolls, Morality, and Google: The Top 10 TED Talks of 2018
Artificial intelligence, Google, Facebook, and the future of the internet. The best TED talks of 2018 enlighten both startup CEOs and baristas alike.
I Travel More Than 100,000 Miles a Year. Here Are My Best Tips for Saving Money on Hidden Fees
Don't let travel fees ruin your budget. Use these tips to save money.
5 Tips to Manage Low Humidity When Flying
Use these strategies to help you stay fresh and healthy during your business travels.
Success Recipe: Positive Role Models, More Office Privacy, and a Great Cup of Coffee
My top 10 columns (selected by readers) really do define what people need to be more successful at work.
The 7 Best Shows to Binge Watch for Students of Leadership
Watching TV has never been more beneficial for your work-life, especially if you're paying attention to these seven characters.
Why 'Work Wives' and 'Office Besties' Are Hurting Your Team's Productivity
Company culture can go from harmonious to 'The Hunger Games' in a blink of an eye.
Make Meaningful Resolutions With This Effective Technique
Resolutions for the new year are often abstract and intimidating, but with this simple technique, you can make ones that will last.
Employees Quitting? According to LinkedIn's Jeff Weiner, That's Your Fault
Being a good manager means way more than just being nice to your employees.
Here's the Right Way to Conduct a Review of the Prior Year
As one year ends, another begins. This simple process will help make next year your most successful yet.
I Played 'Monopoly for Millennials' With a Few Young Adults. The Results Were Totally Surreal
I was surprised by the reaction to a game that pokes fun at Millennials.
2 Simple Ways to Be More Peaceful in 2019
In a world filed with stress, having conflict at work only adds to the worry. Here's one experts advise on how to have a more peaceful 2019.
Your Guide to TSA PreCheck and Global Entry for Business Travels
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are excellent government programs to consider, especially if you travel frequently.
Grab Your Best Highlighter and Read These 2 Books
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Leaders, This Is How You De-Stress For 2019
Here's how to tackle your stress level going into the new year.
Resolution Hacking: 10 Podcasts to Keep New Year's Goals on Track
Envisioning a 2019 filled with new habits, hobbies and healthful practices? Give these a listen.
Will Smith Says 1 Thing Separates People Who Achieve Their New Year's Resolutions From Those Who Only Dream
Best of all, it's something we all possess. We just have to use it.
How to Properly Allocate Your Marketing Budget in 2019
Treat your budget as an outline rather than a set-in-stone plan.
How This MIT Graduate Started a Software Business and Closed Jet.com in Less Than 18 Months
An interview with Isa Watson and how she created a software business and closed Jet.com, all in less than 18 months.
How to Use Humor to Win Your Customers' Hearts
Don't be afraid to show your silly side to win over customers -- and maybe get a standing ovation.
Create a Contact Form in PHP
No matter what type of website that someone owns or manages, they probably need a contact form. The contact form can help your visitors request a quote, ask for information, or share any tips or problems that they are facing while using a website.
In this tutorial, our focus will be on creating a fully functional contact form in PHP from beginning to end. We will begin with the markup of all the fields that we need to add and the basic styling of the contact form. After that, we will move on to the PHP code to implement its functionality.
Of course, the easiest way to create a contact form is to download a professional contact form script from CodeCanyon.
PHP12 Best Contact Form PHP Scripts
But if you want to learn about how a contact form is created, read on! It might just be easier than you think.
Markup of Our HTML Contact Form
The first step towards creating our own contact form is to code the markup. We will start doing that once we have a list of all the elements that we want inside our form. We'll need an input field for the name of the person who is contacting us, and we'll need a field for their email address so that we can send a reply back to them if the need arises. We'll also need an input field for the reason people are contacting you and a textarea where users can type their message.
If the website you are managing is very popular, you'll be getting a lot of emails through the contact form. To make sure that the right people get to read those emails and respond quickly, you need a couple more fields. For instance, you could add a field that can determine which department the visitor wants to contact like marketing, support, or billing. This information can later be used to route the email to the appropriately. Ultimately, that might help you reply back more quickly and sort the emails more efficiently.
How many fields you add to the contact form depends on the type of website you run but make sure you don't over do it. Forcing visitors to fill out too many details might discourage them from contacting you altogether.
Lets write the HTML code to add all the fields I just mentioned into our contact form.
<form action="contact.php" method="post">
<div class="elem-group">
<label for="name">Your Name</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="visitor_name" placeholder="John Doe" pattern=[A-Z\sa-z]{3,20} required>
</div>
<div class="elem-group">
<label for="email">Your E-mail</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="visitor_email" placeholder="john.doe@email.com" required>
</div>
<div class="elem-group">
<label for="department-selection">Choose Concerned Department</label>
<select id="department-selection" name="concerned_department" required>
<option value="">Select a Department</option>
<option value="billing">Billing</option>
<option value="marketing">Marketing</option>
<option value="technical support">Technical Support</option>
</select>
</div>
<div class="elem-group">
<label for="title">Reason For Contacting Us</label>
<input type="text" id="title" name="email_title" required placeholder="Unable to Reset my Password" pattern=[A-Za-z0-9\s]{8,60}>
</div>
<div class="elem-group">
<label for="message">Write your message</label>
<textarea id="message" name="visitor_message" placeholder="Say whatever you want." required></textarea>
</div>
<button type="submit">Send Message</button>
</form>
Before proceeding any further, I would like to quickly summarize the meaning of some important attributes in the above markup. The action attribute in the form determines where the form data needs to be sent. If you don't have an action attribute, the data is sent back to the same URL. Here we've used contact.php, so the form data will be sent to that script.
The name attribute for different input elements in the form is used to access the element values on the server side. For example, in the above form, you can get the name of the visitor contacting you using $_POST['visitor_name'] in contact.php.
We use the placeholder attribute to give users some basic idea of the expected input for each field in the form. The required attribute ensures that no important field is left blank before the user hits the submit button on the form. The pattern attribute is used to enforce some rules on the kind of values that can go inside certain fields. In our case, we only allow users to use letters and the space character in the names they submit. We also limit the total number of acceptable characters from 3 to 20 inclusive. The pattern that you use will depend on the type of input that you want from users.
The following CodePen demo shows us what our contact form looks like with the above markup and a little bit of CSS.
Making Our HTML Contact Form Functional Using PHP
Right now, our form doesn't do anything useful. Visitors can fill it out and hit the send message button but we won't receive anything because there is no serve- side code to handle the information provided by the form. In this section, we'll make our contact form functional using PHP.
Begin by creating a contact.php file and put the following code inside it.
<?php
if($_POST) {
$visitor_name = "";
$visitor_email = "";
$email_title = "";
$concerned_department = "";
$visitor_message = "";
if(isset($_POST['visitor_name'])) {
$visitor_name = filter_var($_POST['visitor_name'], FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);
}
if(isset($_POST['visitor_email'])) {
$visitor_email = str_replace(array("\r", "\n", "%0a", "%0d"), '', $_POST['visitor_email']);
$visitor_email = filter_var($visitor_email, FILTER_VALIDATE_EMAIL);
}
if(isset($_POST['email_title'])) {
$email_title = filter_var($_POST['email_title'], FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);
}
if(isset($_POST['concerned_department'])) {
$concerned_department = filter_var($_POST['concerned_department'], FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING);
}
if(isset($_POST['visitor_message'])) {
$visitor_message = htmlspecialchars($_POST['visitor_message']);
}
if($concerned_department == "billing") {
$recipient = "billing@domain.com";
}
else if($concerned_department == "marketing") {
$recipient = "marketing@domain.com";
}
else if($concerned_department == "technical support") {
$recipient = "tech.support@domain.com";
}
else {
$recipient = "contact@domain.com";
}
$headers = 'MIME-Version: 1.0' . "\r\n"
.'Content-type: text/html; charset=utf-8' . "\r\n"
.'From: ' . $visitor_email . "\r\n";
if(mail($recipient, $email_title, $visitor_message, $headers)) {
echo "<p>Thank you for contacting us, $visitor_name. You will get a reply within 24 hours.</p>";
} else {
echo '<p>We are sorry but the email did not go through.</p>';
}
} else {
echo '<p>Something went wrong</p>';
}
?>
We have already done some client side validation of user input. However, it is always safer to do server side validation as well. We use the filter_var() function to sanitize the name provided by the user. In a similar fashion, we also sanitize the value of $email_title and $concerned_department. You can use the filter_var()function to validate or sanitize all types of user input. We also use the htmlspecialchars() function to encode all the special HTML characters in the visitor message sent to us.
The value of $recipient is based on the value of the variable $concerned_department. This way we make sure that only people who are actually supposed to look into the matter receive the email.
Finally, we use the mail() function to send an email which includes the information the visitor wanted us to know. Upon successful delivery of the email, we let the visitors know that we have received their email and that they will be contacted soon.
Security is paramount when you are dealing with user data or input. Whether you should validate or sanitize the user input depends on what the input is and how you want to use it. Validation simply checks if the user input follows a certain set of rules. For example, validation could check that the name of a person does not contain any numbers. Sanitization is used to remove any offending characters that pose a security risk. For example, a malicious user trying to contact you through the form might add a script tag in the textarea to get you to download a harmful script. This is particularly worrisome when your website has public forums accessible by everyone.
However, you have to be very careful when getting rid of unwanted characters in user input. For example, you might decide to use filter_var($user_input, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING); on some input to strip all tags and encode special characters. However, this flag also strips harmless character input by legitimate users. Here is an example:
<?php $string = 'One of your posts about inequalities mentioned that when x < y and y < z then x < z.'; // Output: One of your posts about inequalities mentioned that when x echo filter_var($string, FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING); // Output: One of your posts about inequalities mentioned that when x < y and y < z then x < z. echo htmlspecialchars($string); ?>
If your website has a lot of maths related topics, it will be relatively common for users to write < or > in contact forms or forum posts. Using the FILTER_SANITIZE_STRING flag with the filter_var() function will strip necessary information from the message in this case.
The point I am trying to make is that even though you should always validate or sanitize user data, make sure that you are not stripping away crucial information in the process.
Final Thoughts
Creating a basic contact form in PHP is relatively simple once you are familiar with the basics. You begin by writing the HTML needed to create input elements for information like the users name, email address, phone number etc. Next step is writing CSS to make sure the contact form blends in perfectly with the rest of the website. The final step involves writing the PHP code that will take the information from the contact form and securely mail it to you.
The aim is to make sure that different form elements are laid out in a way that does not confuse people and the user input is sanitized and validated before you mail it to concerned parties. If all this is new to you or if you don't want to spend a lot of time creating a professional looking contact form, you should definitely check out these top rated contact form PHP scripts.
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments. My next tutorial will show you how to implement your own CAPTCHA to help keep contact form spam in check.
If you're interested in professional-quality PHP form scripts that you can start using on your site today, check out some of our other posts.
PHP20 Best PHP Email Forms-
PHP12 Best Contact Form PHP Scripts
PHP15 Useful PHP Login Forms on CodeCanyon
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Thursday, December 27, 2018
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If you work from home, take preemptive steps to make it a mentally and physically healthy remote experience.
What Civil War General and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant Can Teach You About Adopting a Winner's Mindset
Ulysses S. Grant had one of the most unique presidencies along with being a Civil War General. He also taught us about adopting a winner's mentality.
The Facts Are the Matter
Unlike in Washington D.C., in business there are really no such things as alternative facts. How much weight you assign to the available facts, however, is a critical part of the decisionmaking process.
How to Make Sure the Decisions You Make Have Real Meaning
Each question helps you see the purpose and potential consequences in the choices ahead of you.
3 Strategies to Make Fewer Mistakes In 2019
We all make mistakes, but some can be avoided. Use these strategies to make better decisions in the new year.
Death to Boring Presentations: How to Transform Your Entire Team Into Persuasive Communicators
"Shift your mindset from solely transferring information to creating an experience."
Want To Be Happy? You're Lying, Says a Famous Psychologist
Are we really this good at deluding ourselves?
17 Powerfully Inspiring Quotes to Help You Create a Remarkably Strong Self-Image
Almost everyone struggles with confidence. These 17 inspirational quotes are about believing in yourself and the incredible power of being self-confident.
How Do You Know a Good Boss When You See One? They Display 1 Uncommon Behavior
Your whole career, reputation, and success depend on it.
How Life Is Good CEO Bert Jacobs Made The Tough Decision That Saved His Company
From 2009 to 2012 Life Is Good CEO Bert Jacobs found the company moving in the wrong direction. That's when he made one of the toughest decisions a founder can make.
Do More of This to Succeed in 2019. Hint: You're Already Doing it
A recent yoga class helped me modify my business mindset by switching my focus to a surprising area. Here's how to make it work for you.
3 Strategies That Will Prepare You for Success in 2019
As you near the year-end finish line, it's time to think how your company will win the race in 2019.
Do You Think You're Pretty? For Too Many Women, the Answer Is No
Even Jennifer Aniston doesn't believe she's beautiful.
How This Company Used High-Tech Lava Maps to Recreate the Finest French Wine in Oregon
Mark Tarlov was a chief justice's speechwriter and movie producer. Then he launched a winemaking experiment--which turned into a successful business.
10 Inspiring Entrepreneurs We Lost in 2018
The entrepreneurs who died this year changed the way we dress, use computers, buy toys, and furnish homes.
Our Household Has 3 Alexa Devices. Here's Why I Still Want a Google Home
The real surprise is how smart they're all getting
YouTube Apparently Just Did Something Totally Insane on Twitter. (Here's What Happened When People Complained)
It's one thing when other people do this. But when YouTube itself is accused of doing it?
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
An American Airlines Flight Turned Back Halfway to Europe. The Question is Why
A report says one thing, the airline says another. This wasn't the perfect Christmas Day for many.
How 3 Top Entrepreneurs Spend the Holiday Break
Just because you're a founder and CEO doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself during the holidays.
From Satya Nadella to Arianna Huffington, the Best Leadership Lessons From 2018
This year, I sat down with incredible leaders from a variety of fields to have candid conversations about leadership. Here's what I learned -- and how I plan to apply the lessons in the coming year.
3 Ways Leaders Can Facilitate Radical Innovation
Leadership and business call for radical innovation if you wish to survive.
Family Holidays Can Be Fraught. Here's One Way to Make Them Productive
Rather than settling scores with your siblings, or overeating, use this time to get serious about how you're going to take care of your aging parents, a problem made more difficult by our broken-down healthcare system.
How to Keep Your Schedule From Overflowing During the Holiday Rush
As soon as your week gets cooking, it can overflow quicker than Belgian waffles on a Sunday morning. Here's how toget it just right.
How to Craft an Inspirational Mantra to Use All Year Long
Choosing a word of the year can be a powerful way to stay focused. Here are 5 tips to help you find your word for 2019.
How to Ignite Your Speaking Skills in The New Year With These 3 New Year's Resolutions
Even the best of the best need to set goals. Here are three you'll want to keep.
Need Some New Year's Leadership Resolutions? Try These 5
The time for new year's resolutions is once again upon us. Try some of these on for size to be a better leader.
How to Successfully Execute Your 2019 Business Strategy
Strategy and execution--they exist at opposite ends of a spectrum, yet you need both in order to grow your startup into the business you've been dreaming of.
4 Ways Artificial Intelligence Will Impact Your Business in 2019
Competitors are already harnessing the power of AI. What are you waiting for?
3 Social Media Trends to Pay Attention to in 2019
These trends are predicted to have the biggest impact on marketing in the coming year.
J.K. Rowling Says 1 Decision Separates People Who Achieve Success From Those Who Only Dream
According to 'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling, it's a simple decision that makes all the difference.
7 Mobile SEO Tips for Small Businesses
Optimize your site for the fast-growing mobile-first population.
Life Expectancy in the U.S. Is Declining. Hardly Anyone Is Talking About This 1 Reason Why
The U.S. for all intensives and purposes is the land of the rich. However, its life expectancy keeps falling--and this one big reason is why.
How Brands Can Use Authenticity in Storytelling
Authenticity is the key to making your brand worthy of consumer attention and trust.
Why Your Resume is Stopping You From Getting an Interview
Why Your Resume is Stopping You From Getting an Interview. There's a Way to Stand Out From the Crowd
29 Questions That Make People Let Down Their Guard and Be More Authentic
Open-ended inquiries that dive into history, personality and value build trust every time.
An Elderly United Airlines Passenger Struggled to Walk Down the Aisle. What Happened Next Will Stay With You For Weeks
This is an exceptional lesson in humanity and humility.
Why New Year's Resolutions Fail (and What It Takes to Succeed All Year)
There's no time like the present to take accountability for your organization's topline objectives.
The Research-Backed Secret to Achieving Your New Year's Resolution: Hit the Goldilocks Point of Hardness
Too much and too little ambition both doom New Year's resolutions, according to a new study.
How Perfectionism Tricks You Into Downplaying Your Own Value
Why you need to stop basing your self-confidence on how much and what you accomplish. Starting today.
The 10 Fastest-Growing Companies in Portland in 2018
The City of Roses is home to thriving businesses in the consulting, IT staffing, and marijuana industries.
How Buying Your Office Building Now Can Help Your Retirement Later
Consider investing in real estate as part of your retirement planning.
Want Your Most Talented Workers to Never Quit? Ask Them 5 Powerful Questions
Managers should be asking the right questions before their best people mentally motionally check out.
We Test New Athletic Jeans, Designed by a Team of Former Under Armour Executives
Revtown's Decade Denim Jeans claim to be the most comfortable jeans available, able to withstand rigorous activity. We put them to the test at a kickboxing class.
There Are No Boring Products. 3 Ways to Deliver Remarkable Customer Experiences No Matter What You're Marketing
Everyexperience you deliver has the potential to be remarkable.
Sales Aren't What You Hoped They Would be? Stop Looking At Metrics and Start Looking at Moments
Sales Aren't What You Hoped They Would be? Stop Looking At Metrics and Start Looking at Moments
Hate Telemarketers? This Brilliantly Simple Legal Trick Totally Destroys Most of Them (Why Did It Take So Long?)
All we have to do is change a few words in the law, and it should cut way down on this thing we all hate.
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
The Mystery of a Canceled United Airlines Flight That Cost a Soldier $2,500
It's always painful when airlines appear to take no responsibility for their deficiencies. But what really happened here?
The Small Business that Changed the Revolutionary War
What if someone else hadn't been taking care of the day to day?
3 Great New Year's Resolutions That Will Dramatically Improve Your Business in 2019
Dek: Anyone can make a few obvious New Year's resolutions. Here are a few unusual resolutions that can have unusually great outcomes.
Office Bullying Affects 60 Million American Workers. Here's How to Stop It Once and For All
It's a current problem. You are the current solution.
21 Best Christmas Quotes to Ensure You're in the Spirit This Year
Need a last-minute holiday spirit boost? You're covered.
Absolutely the Worst Ways to Become an Instagram Star in 2019
If you aspire to be the next Instagram star avoid making these mistakes.
8 Movies Every Entrepreneur Should Watch In 2019
Next year's business movies cover everything from the Theranos fraud case to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Monday, December 24, 2018
The Book That All Entrepreneurs Need To Read To Be Wealthy
Here are five strategies in the book (among many others) for not losing money as an entrepreneur.
3 Coaching Strategies To Help Your Employees Overcome Uncertainty
The best leaders prepare their teams to excel when circumstances take an unexpected turn.
10 Books That Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) Plans To Read In 2019
Recently, A-ROD posted on Instagram sharing that he had a goal in 2019 to read one book per week.
This Brilliant Holiday Gift Guide Shows Us How Advertising Should Be Done
Digital Trends packed massive impact into miniature effects with this holiday guide.
How Absolut is Making Art as Accessible as Vodka
A history lesson on vodka, how Absolut is making art as easy to access as music, and the woman making connecting the iconic brand to new artists.
800,000 Federal Employees Lost Their Salaries 3 Days Before Christmas. Small Businesses Try to Help
Many D.C. area businesses are offering discounts. But there are affected federal employees across the U.S.
The 1 Crucial Thing You've Probably Forgotten About As Your Company Grows
Do you have the right framework in place to scale your training, and take your business to the next level? Here's how to know.
These 3 Things that Drive Me Nuts At Retail
Turning off customers isn't usually a goal but it happens more often than it needs to. Luckily, there are easy ways to create loyal customers, too.
Twitter Brings Back Chronological Option with "Show Latest Tweets" Button
Return ofchronological Twitter feed optionprovides opportunities and challenges for social media marketers on the platform.
4 Key Metrics That Will Tell You Exactly When to Make a Change in Your Business
You are what you measure and track. These four metrics will help your startup make smart and timely course corrections.
A Single Word Is The Secret To Successful Leadership. You'll Never Guess Who's Been Trying To Tell It To You.
The key to thriving as a leader has been ringing in your ear - it's time to listen.
5 Insightful Books Entrepreneurs Should Read (That You Won't Find on Most Lists)
To continually grow as an entrepreneur, learning at a fast rate is essential. With that said, these 5 insightful books cover each area needed.
Employee Ghosting is an Entrepreneur's Nightmare. You May be Able to Keep It from Happening to You.
Employers are losing employees without so much as a goodbye text. Decrease the odds of getting ghosted by improving your company culture.
20 Feel-Good Books to Read for a Happier Holiday Season
Spend your holidays in the company of books that will leave you happy and inspired.
Doing Good: These Companies Gave Thoughtfully in 2018
When their community was in need, these founders and businesses stepped up.
This Is the Best Way to Learn Something Important, According to Neuroscience
It might mean a little more schedule tweaking and proactivity on your part, but it's worth it.
Here's the 1 Surprising Christmas Story You Truly Must Read in 2018
It's the perfect true story to end a truly imperfect year.
4 Easy Tips for Getting Through Remote Meetings Without Losing Your Sanity
Here's how to make meetings more productive--even for the remote workers.
'Baby, It's Cold Out Outside'--Charming Standard or Date Rape Song?
KOIT San Francisco banned, then reinstated it. William Shatner defended it on Twitter. Should it stay or go?
Meet Phoenix's 10 Fastest Growing Companies in 2018
These businesses are making hay--and plenty of revenue--in the Valley of the Sun.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin Raises Questions of Bank Stability: Hold Onto Your Hat
As if markets and business didn't have trouble enough.
Why SMS Marketing Could Be Your Brand's Secret Weapon in 2019
Looking for new marketing opportunities in 2019? Here's why you need to consider including SMS into your budget.
My List of Grievances About Customer Support
It's Festivus so, in the spirit of the holiday, I'm kvetching about horrible customer support.
5 Personal Branding Trends You Need to Know About for 2019
Are you looking to build a personal brand in 2019? Get a head start by taking advantage of these five hot marketing trends.
7 PR Trends That Should Be on Your Radar in 2019
Building trust -- with clients, with journalists, with audiences -- is still the name of the PR game. It's only the tactics that have changed.
Remember the Awful United Bonus Scheme That Caused a Riot? Now There's a New One (It's Sneaky)
United Airlines revolted against a game show-style bonus scheme. The new one is almost as sneaky.
Tony Robbins Learned Something Brilliant and Vital From Warren Buffett. Here It is In 1 Sentence
You have to remind yourself of this again and again because it's so very true.
12 Incredible True Christmas Stories Starring Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Elon Musk
How do icons of enterpreneurship spend their Christmases? Like this.
LeBron James Just Gave Business Leaders a Brutal Lesson in Management. It Took Just a Few Sentences
Some think it controversial. But perhaps James's harsh words show an astute understanding not only of racial politics, but of the modern business world.
A United Airlines Passenger's Stunning Act of Kindness Went Viral. (What Others Did in Response Will Surprise You)
One person's act of kindness could inspire another's.
Don't Like the Holidays? Stop Feeling Guilty
It's time we stopped expecting everyone to be full of holiday joy.
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Only Idiots Start Their Day at 4 a.m. by Choice
What kind of fool wakes up at 4 a.m. when they can get the exact same benefits with a little self-discipline?
This United Airlines Captain Had to Resort to a Democratic Vote Among His Passengers. Here's Why
Democracy still works in certain places, apparently.
I Spent 5 Seasons With Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary. Here's Why You Should Listen to His Advice
Kevin O'Leary uses biting wit to help entrepreneurs understand what they're doing wrong--and to prevent the wantrepreneurs watching from repeating those mistakes.
These Quotes Will Help Remind You to Be Grateful for the Magic of the Season
This time of year, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Let these wise men and women help you capture the spirit of the holidays in your life.
3 Ways to Become a More Consistent Leader
The importance of building a drumbeat of effective leadership
I Had Dinner at a Top Chef Winner's Restaurant. I'm Still in Shock
It's an exceptionally popular TV show. But what happens when the winner opens a real-life restaurant?
Why Gen X Women Are an Untapped Talent Pool--and How to Hire Them
Hire top talent by tapping into the under utilized talent pool of GenX women.
McDonald's Just Sneaked a Truly Controversial New Burger Into the U.S. and Hardly Anyone Noticed
Why would this be McDonald's latest idea?
Delta Just Announced Something So Insanely Unexpected That It Puts Other Airlines to Shame
Sometimes, the unlikely appears to be possible.
'Go Fund the Wall' is a Brilliant Success, Except for This 1 Shocking Problem. (How Did Nobody Notice This Before?)
It's a big success from one perspective. But there's also an enormous problem.
9 Surprising Ways McDonald's Is Changing the Future of Fast Food Forever
In the United States alone, McDonald's sells more than 1 billion pounds of beef and more than 500 million cups of coffee each year.
5 Smart Tricks Emotionally-Intelligent People Use to Deal With Family Members During Christmas
It's a time for celebration. It's also a time to dread those family gatherings.
These 3 Books Will Inspire Your Holiday Shopping and the Entrepreneurs in Your Life
That bonus title is perfect for the female business owners you know.
10 Buzzwords You Need to Forget in 2019
Everyone is guilty of using buzzwords. Remove these 10 pieces of jargon from your vocabulary right now to make yourself a stronger and clearer communicator.
What Would You Do With an Extra $2 Billion? This Startup Is Handing It Out to Employees
Juul just got a $2 billion dividend payment from its new investor Altria. It decided to give that money to employees.
After What President Trump and Congress Did on the Friday Before Christmas, the Government Is (Partially) Shutting Down. Here's What That Really Means
Once again: a government shutdown. Here's what it means this time.
Friday, December 21, 2018
5 "Thieves" That May be Robbing You of Your Happiness
How we choose to view life makes a quantum difference.
Follow These 7 Tips to Write Better Cold Emails in 2019
Chances are you're over thinking how to send cold emails. Here are 7 tips to make you a better cold emailer
The 1 Question You Should Ask Yourself When Building Your Marketing Plan in 2019
It's tempting to think big with your marketing plan, but often times, the plan falls short. Do this instead.
Want to Travel and Work Remotely With a Family? Follow These 5 Productivity Tips
I've been lucky enough to travel for months at a time and still work remotely. Here's how I did it.
Jeff Bezos Says Forget Work-Life Balance: Here's What Entrepreneurs Should Do Instead
You don't actually need work-life balance. You need to figure out a way where both can exist together.
These Classic Christmas Movies Have Business Lessons to Offer
They're hilarious, heartwarming holiday classics. And they contain some pretty smart business advice, too.
This 1 Mindset Shift Each Morning Will Make You Happier in the Workpla
It's about rediscovering why you started your business or took your job in the first place.
7 Podcasts to Add to Your Weekly Schedule
Many of us have become podcast devotees, and for good reason: They're an easy way to hear interesting stories and learn new ideas when we're on the go. Here are 7 to add to your playlist in 2019.
How TRON Is Working Toward a Decentralized Internet and a Sustainable Cryptocurrency Model
How TRON Is Working Toward a Decentralized Internet and a Sustainable Cryptocurrency Model
Marketing Doesn't Have to Be Complicated--Just Stick With These 4 Tips
It all starts with the right process and plan and sticking to them.
Most Leaders Rule With an Iron Fist. LinkedIn's CEO Wants His Employees to Steal His Job
If they know exactly what they want, they're that much more capable of acting upon it.
Housing Will Get Even More Unaffordable in 2019. Here Are Three Things that Need to Happen to Change That
Unless something changes, the skyrocketing cost of housing will have an effect on the economy in 2019, and it won't be good.
Why J.K. Rowling Told Inc. to 'Piss Off'
The author of the 'Harry Potter' novels had a strong reaction to an Inc. article about the habits of the most successful people.
You've Created a Business Plan For Your Startup. Now What?
You need to have believers in your network who will give you the capital to get started.
How to Help a Loved One Overcome Phone Addiction This Holiday Break
Educating people about why phone addiction happens can actually help them.
The One Important Career Skill You Are Likely Overlooking
Your ability to self-regulate and motivate will help you reach your long-term goals. Aha! co-founder and CEO Brian de Haaff explains how to cultivate more tenacity.
Want Your Kids to Become Entrepreneurs? Stop Buying Them So Many Toys
Find out how to spur your child's entrepreneurial curiosity this holiday season.
This Is How Successful Influencers Keep Growing
You're a successfulmedia influencer. Now it's time to take your entrepreneurship to the next level.
Google CEO Shows 3 Ways to Make Search Work for You
Google boss reveals the smart things businesses can do to succeed in search.
Facebook Has Hit the Point of No Return and Advertisers Should Beware
Do you really want your brand tainted by an advertising medium?
Get These 3 Conditions Right to Be Happy at Work in the New Year
Work can make you happy when you can get these relationships right between you and others; you and your work; you and something bigger than you.
High-Tech Clothes to Help You Survive Winter (Outside or Even at Your Desk)
Clothes make a statement about your attitude and how you want to be perceived.
What Experts Say Small Business Buyers Need to Know for 2019
A strong market and a new year have made for near perfect buying conditions.
A Simple Gym-Inspired Trick for Follow-Through That Will Help You Achieve Your Business Goals
From workouts to work. How to follow-through on what's most important to you.
Kids are Using PowerPoint to Pitch Holiday Gift Ideas. It's a Great Idea That Worked on Me
Presentation skills are fundamental and should be encouraged as early as grade school.
Shonda Rhimes Helps You Understand Your Worth - in Four Words
With 1 Tweet, media powerhouse Shonda Rhimes reminds us of our true creative power. It also captures the flavor of my new book Bring Your Worth
How Companies Who Think Like Humans Will Win Big In 2019
Transactional and impersonal relationships between brands and their customers are swiftly losing favor
5 Tried-and-True Tips for Respectfully Keeping Remote Team Members Accountable
Remote work is the rage and it's here to stay.
Service Breakdowns and Customer Complaints May Be the Secret to Your Success
Most businesses fear hearing about a service breakdown from a customer, but research shows that they might be the best thing that can happen.
3 Tips to Make You a Better Conversationalist
Master the art of communication by focusing on your verbal and body language.
How to Cope With Holiday Loneliness
Strategies to deal with the three types of loneliness people experience during the holidays.
Employees Prefer to Watch the News Rather than Read It. What Does That Mean for Internal Communication?
7 ways to create communication that appeals to employee preferences
Now It's Stylish to Sleep On The Job
As the employee well-being revolution continues, companies are adopting--or rejuvenating--a long-held tradition: the power nap.
5 Social Media Trends To Watch And Apply in 2019
Social media will continue to dominate the marketing landscape in 2019. Here are five easy ways to add them to your marketing mix.
How to Utilize Fractional Business Services to Grow in 2019
Taking the leap to outsourcing--even in small, measured steps--can be a significant decision for many businesses. Is your company ready?
4 Reasons to Remove Intimidation From Your Leadership Arsenal
Management by fear or intimidation can sometimes produce results, in the short term. But for the long game, it will hurt much more than help.
5 Essential Bits That Must Be Included in Every Employee Handbook
The value of a digital employee handbook and what goes insid
Your Kid's Teachers, Your Hairdresser and Your Admin Want This For Christmas
Baked goods are tasty, but Twitter says this is better.
Why Do People Quit Their Jobs, Exactly? New Research Points the Finger at 5 Common Reasons
Data analyzed from a study of over 25,000 employees across the world reveals some very familiar reasons why people are leaving their companies.
Tired of Playing it Safe? Embrace These 3 Simple Lessons to Make 2019 Your Best Year Yet
You have to be unapologeticallybold. Playing it safe will not deliver the results you want.
The 13 Best and Worst Logos of 2018
Some of these rebrands were long overdue. Others did not go over well.
3 Changes You Should Make to Avoid Getting Ghosted by Employee
You may not think you have a toxic workplace, but if you're being ghosted by new hires and losing top talent, you just might.
4 Surefire Sales Tactics for People Afraid to Sell
Selling a product can be scary. Happily, there are proven methods of overcoming that fear which can make an effective salesperson out of just about anybody.
The Difference Between an Entrepreneur and a Businessperson Is This
Do you see opportunities that everyone else has missed?
Make Life Hell for Telemarketers, With This Brilliantly Simple Trick. (It's Actually Kind of Fun)
1 down, 5,248,999,999 to go.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
This Is the End of the Beginning
To paraphrase: It is not the end; it is not the beginning of the end. But it is the end of the beginning.
You Should Definitely Work Over the Holiday Break
If you've got a traditional office job, it's a huge mistake to take your vacation between Christmas and New Year's
What You Can Do to Protect Yourself on Facebook
There's not much you can do with your info once it's in Facebook's hands, bue you can certainly take steps to limit how much they gather on you.
The Secret Weapon Behind Self-Driving Cars? Everyday People Playing on an App
Like all artificial intelligence, computer vision starts with human vision.
The Feds Have Raised Key Interest Rates Once Again. Here's What That Means for You
"When you're carrying a lot of debt in good economic times, it means that you're probably not putting enough money away for when things go south."
D.C. Attorney General Is Suing Facebook Over Cambridge Analytica Privacy Violations
"We're seeking to hold Facebook accountable for jeopardizing and exposing the personal information of tens of millions of its users."
7 Facts About Flying to Remember on Your Business Travels
These facts can help you stay healthy and keep you productive when flying.
How to Adapt Your Leadership Practices to the Growth of Your Company
How to match your leadership change and growth to your company scale and growth stage.
How to Master Office Organization in 2019
Looking to master your office organization? Use these tips to make the nec
How Iceland Used Brilliant PR to Bounce Back from a Natural Disaster
Disaster doesn't always mean doom-here's how to turn a negative into a positive for your business.
TEDWomen 2019 Conference: Be Brave, Not Perfect
TEDWomen's 2019 Conference was full of inspiring women creating global movements. Here are the top 5 takeaways from this year's conference.
8 Simple Mind-Body Strategies That Will Take Your Life to the Next Level
The ideal plan is to try out different strategies, and then focus on the ones which work the best for you.
This Entrepreneur Built a Startup to Help Travelers with Disabilities Find Accommodations. Then He Sold It to Airbnb.
Srin Madipalli led one of the most interesting acquisitions of the last 12 months. His company, Accomable, sold to Airbnb for an undisclosed amount.
Here Are 5 Low-Cost Ways to Find Inspiration (It's Easier Than You Think)
When we get into a slump, it's easy to stay there because making change requires effort. It's all the more reason we need to make movement and encourage ourselves to go off course. Here are 5 ways to find inspiration in your backyard.
How to Establish a Rockstar Routine in 2019
There are many reasons new year resolutions don't stick but rather than focusing on the negative, why not focus on what does work? Here are five habits and routines that can help you create a more productive new year.
What the Fastest Growing Real Estate Company in Inc. 5000 Can Teach You
How did Welfont crush the growth rates of competitors and differentiate itself as a premier brokerage firm? It found opportunity in unlikely places.
Behind the Meteoric Rise of the Ninja Foodi--and Why the Hot Holiday Gift Is Sold Out Across America
Inside the 2-in-1 gadget selling out everywhere this holiday season. Call it a shame--or perhaps brilliant.
25+ Marketing Experts Share Genius Tips for 2019
25+ marketing experts share genius tips for 2019: Strategies to add to your action plan in the new year.
5 Traits Venture Capitalists Always Look for Before Investing
Leading a company to fast growth is more than a great idea. Discover the leadership traits admired by a VC who's partnered with large tech brands.
4 Important Reminders for Entrepreneurs Going Into the New Year
A new year is coming, and it's a time to refresh and rebuild. But while you're trying out new strategies and ideas, remember these four simple lessons.
Why You Should Sell to Fewer People to Increase Your Sales
Most early stage companies chase anyone with money. However, if you truly want to scale you need to learn how to say 'no' to a lot more prospects.
Williams-Sonoma Is Suing Amazon for 'Copying' Its Products (and Marketing Counterfeit Goods)
The home goods retailer is accusing Amazon of damaging the Williams-Sonoma brand.
A Study Says Your Company's 'Purpose' Can Increase Returns By 400 Percent. Here's How to Create One That Works
Purpose-driven companies have outperformed those in theS&P 500. Here's how to create a company purpose that works.
Did You Rock 2018? Here's How to Make Your 2019 Even More Successful
Being an entrepreneur means you're never done. These two practices help us all keep on keeping on.
Effective Business Communication Can Really Be Summed Up in 2 Simple Words
These two words are all you need to know when communicating in the business world.
Why We Invest in Teaching the Next Generation of Founders--and You Should Too
How to give back through education.
Five Innovative Startups to Watch in 2019
You may not have heard of these companies - but they will disrupt their industries in 2019
How DC Solar Became a Renewable Energy Powerhouse (and a Major Player in NASCAR)
I talked with DC Solar founder Jeff Carpoff about how a conversation with a neighbor turned into a business with hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.
Lavish Perks? Big Bonuses? Nope. The Biggest Driver to Happiness at Work Doesn't Cost a Thing
For truly happy employees, Invest your time and energy in the right things.
It's the Product, Not the Coin, That's Hurting ICOs
It's ideal for supporting a digital coin but it can do a whole lot more.
3 Things You Need to Know About Gen Z in 2019
Reaching out to Gen Z requires an authenticity few brands possess. So here's your opportunity.
3 Overlooked But Essential Qualities of a Marketable Business
The key to becoming a marketable business is focusing on your business as a whole -- not just your marketing efforts.
Do Your Employees Keep Making Mistakes? Don't Fire Them--Try This Instead
What do you do when your team fails to follow your systems and controls?
Dropbox, Airbnb, and Dollar Shave Club All Used This 1 Tool to Attract Their First Users
Explainer videos are short online animations that quickly share your venture's value proposition with potential stakeholders and users.
3 Expectations of Affluent Shoppers and How to Meet Them
Foster a sense of exclusivity, opportunity and support to attract shoppers who want the best.
Having Trouble Sleeping? This 1 Overlooked Workplace Habit May Be the Cause
When it comes to optimizing the well being and performance of employees, companies are trying various tools. But, they're overlooking this one area.
Personal Chatbots Are Coming. Here's How They'll Change Your Communication
As they handle the mundane, you'll become the creative, productive genius you've wanted to be.
It Only Took Jerry Seinfeld a Few Words to Drop the Best Career Advice You'll Hear Today
Always remember: It's not about you.
Bill Gates Used to Think Meditation Was More Trouble Than It's Worth. Here's What Changed His Mind
How the Microsoft founder went from meditation skeptic to believer, and how you can do the same.
Stock Market Turbulence Aside, This Lurking Variable Is the Real Threat to Small Business
Business was good in the third quarter, but trouble lies ahead.
How a $1 Billion Startup Succumbed to Its Own Reality Distortion Field
Being able to conjure an alternative reality is a great skill for a CEO. Until it's not.
5 Successful CEOs Share Their Top Tips for Delegating
The smartest ways to delegate, according to five successful CEOs.
4 Ways to Make Sure Your Privacy Policy Doesn't Abuse Your Customers' Trust
California's new privacy law is one more reason to reassess how you handle customer information.
Everyone Is Sick of Your Spammy Holiday Messages. Here's What to Do Instead
Before you send out impersonal 'happy holidays' messages, be sure you're following 3 of the most important principles of marketing today.
Want to Motivate Your Employees to Provide Better Customer Service? Try These 5 Tactics
Often the key to growing your company isn't just getting new customers, but keeping the older ones.
Thinking About a Job Change in 2019? These Inspirational Quotes Will Motivate You
The new year is a great time for a fresh start and a new job. These wise words will inspire you to hit the ground running in 2019.
How Do You Know Someone Is Truly a Bad Boss? Look for 3 Signs That Will Make Employees Cringe
Being a bad boss happens to good people too.
A New LinkedIn Report Says These Are The 10 Skills That Will Get You Hired Faster Than Anything Else
Do you have the skills to be competitive in today's job market?
7 Nonverbal Skills to Build Trust and Empathy, According to New Harvard Neuroscience
Empathy research reveals that truly successful leaders 'shine' in interpersonal relationships.
3 PR Trends Coming in 2019--and How to Work Them to Your Business Advantage
Keeping your audience in mind will always be smart public relations.
Afraid Your Employees Are Roasting You on Reddit? Become a Better Boss by Taking These 3 Steps
Want to be a leader who's revered, not reviled? Do three of the most important things that empathetic bosses do every day
How These Entrepreneurs --Unintentionally-- Have Hired Very Few Men
It's not just guys who hire for "culture fit" and cite a pipeline problem.
How Bad Was 2018 for Facebook? Watch This Video to Believe
In a single day Facebook lost the equivalent of all of Twitter.
3 Phrases That Imply You Are About to Cheat Your Customer...even if you didn't mean it that way
3 Phrases That Imply You Are About to Cheat Your Customer...even if you didn't mean it that way
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
How To Take 100% Responsibility For Your Life
Where decisions are made in a single moment, commitment is seeing those decisions into the future.Especially when life gets difficult.
Here's Why Creating Your Own Definition of Success is Critical
I asked a number of "successful" people to weigh in with their definitions.
How to Build a Self-Reliant Team That Steps Up to Any Challenge
Creating that sense of independence requires leaders to be very deliberate about hiring the right people, setting expectations, and asking the right questions.
The 1 Type of Job Candidate You're Almost Definitely Overlooking (and That's a Huge Mistake)
The competitive hiring market means you need to think outside the box to attract top talent. Here are some tips to reach an often untapped candidate pool.
This St. Louis Startup Believes Crickets Might be the Food of the Future
The founder of Mighty Cricket believes the key to a coming food and sustainability crisis might be eating bugs.
What the Recent Media Acquisitions Can Tell You About the Evolving Consumer
Content is everywhere. And you can't be everywhere at once. Understand your audience first and tell stories that are relatable and new.
99 Years Ago, This Psychiatrist Summed Up How to Read Body Language in 3 Words
Milton Erickson had plenty of time to think about body language clues when he was only 17.
All the Greatest Leadership Lessons Come Down to This 1 Word
Leaders tend to share a multitude of similar traits, but their ability to achieve one thing above all others - empathy - is what puts them above the rest.
10 Holiday Treats and Foodie Gifts You Have to See (and Taste) to Believe
My selections for the best holiday treats to give as gifts or order for your office this year.
How to Balance Work and Family in Today's Competitive Culture
The happiest families I see are very thoughtful and planned about their hours.
Popeyes Is Offering 'Emotional Support Chicken' and It's a Perfect Example of Viral Marketing
Going viral is an art and a science. Popeyes nails the foundational components of a marketing stunt with their latest campaign
TEDWomen 2019 Conference: Be Brave, Not Perfect
TEDWomen's 2019 Conference was full of inspiring women creating global movements. Here are the top 5 takeaways from this year's conference.
Being an Entrepreneur Takes Guts. Here's How to Know If You Have What It Takes
Knowing your risk tolerance can serve as an internal compass, guiding your business growth decisions.
This Post-it Note With 19 Words Can Reshape Your Company's Culture
High expectations, frequent communication, and continuous support can lift your culture.
These 10 Subscriptions Make Perfect Holiday Gifts
Thankfully, many companies offera variety of gift options that are unconventional and unique.
Facebook Allowed Far Greater User Data Access to Companies Like Microsoft, Amazon, and Spotify Than Previously Disclosed
Facebook shared data with more than 150 companies.
These Are The 3 People Who Will Attack Your Business Next Year
acronis, ransomware, cryptojacking, slaby, hacker, breach, online backup
The Expected Tech IPO Boom Didn't Happen in 2018. But Just Wait Till Next Year
A new report predicts there could be nearly 300 public offerings in 2019.
How the Fastest-Growing Companies in America Are Using Tech to Banish Boring Busy Work
Algorithms have not taken over the entire workforce--just yet.
Want to Finish First? Be the Last to Give Up: On Yourself
Drag racer J.R. Todd spent over a decade working and hustling and grinding. Today, he's the 2018 NHRA Funny Car World Champion.
The Top 50 Best Places to Live in America Right Now. (Spoiler: Not a Single Big City Made the List)
Quality of life, affordability, and ease of living were all taken into account.
Don't Wait For the New Year: Get Ahead of Your 2019 Career Goals Now
It's never too early to start taking action on ways you can grow in your role to be successful in the new year.
Do You Have the Best Idea Ever? Don't Pitch It to the Boss Until You Do This
Learn a lesson from the experts and test your concept first.
3 Ways to Find a Technical Co-Founder for Your Business
Find a co-founder who can handle the tech side of the business and free you up to focus on growth.
Successful Teams Come From Leaders Who Do These 5 Things
A team by definition is a group of people working together to achieve a goal.
Loneliness Is a Growing Epidemic. Here's What You Can Do About it at Work
These five strategies can help you and your team not feel so isolated.
Why Startup Founders Shouldn't Shy Away From Doing the Dirty Work
Words are great, but actions say a lot more. Here's a surprising way to lead by example.
The Most Successful Kids Are Gifted These 8 Things From Their Parents
Want to raise happy and successful kids? Start giving them these things a lot more often.
5 Proven Ways to Learn Faster
Take a scientific approach to learning and you'll soon be an expert at whatever you put your mind to.
This Is When the Work Day Should Actually Start, According to Science
Your body wasn't designed to wake up to an alarm, OK?
How to Get the BEST from Yourself and Others
Ever wanted to change the world? Well, it's easier than you think. Here are simple ways you can change the world of those around you.
This Amazing Picture (Taken From an Airplane) Won National Geographic's Photo Contest. Here's the Story Behind It
The sight of thousands of cars sitting idle and collecting dust in the middle of the desert is indeed a powerful one.
A Truly Disturbing New Study Says This Is How to Spot a Psychopath (There's a Big, Horrible Twist)
Who'd have thought that this could be one way to discover if your boss is psychopathic?
4 Fascinating Technologies Remaking Hollywood Behind the Scenes
Artificial intelligence is shaping up to be Hollywood's next big star. Here's why.
This Company Is Bringing ESports to High Schools. To the Students Who Play, It's Bringing a Life Line
Thanks to a small startup in California, high schools across the country are launching esports clubs. Here's what that looks like.
These Are the 7 Best Podcasts of 2018, Bar None
I listen to a lot of podcasts. These are the casts that I keep coming back to.
Why You Should Shut Down Between Christmas and New Year's
There isn't a better way to say Merry Christmas than "see you next year."
These Harvard Rhodes Scholars Just Demonstrated What All Leaders Should Do When They Achieve Something
Two talented Gen Z'ers remind us of the ABC's of how to act when we experience success.
This Remarkably Powerful Detox Can Help You Immediately Improve Your Self-Esteem
If you find yourself attached to your screen for far too many hours a day, this particular kind of detox is essential.
How Toxic Is Your Workplace? Quite Toxic If This 1 Terrible Thing Keeps Happening Daily
Most of us have experienced it. Many of us aren't aware of its consequences.
3 Simple Changes Which Can Result in Radical Self-Improvement, According to Science
These baby steps of getting better involve hardly any time at all.
A Divorce Lawyer Just Gave Incredibly Powerful Marriage Advice and It's Only 4 Words Long
He's handled divorce cases for 20 years. Here's how to avoid needing his services.
4 Negotiation Questions You Should Ask If You Want To Win Big In 2019
4 Negotiation Questions You Should Ask If You Want To Win Big In 2019
Thank God for Employees Who Quit Without Notice or Even Just Ghost You (Seriously)
Thank goodness for small favors.
How to Keep Your Business Self-Sustaining After That Initial Success
How to grow your business and make it self-sustaining without reliance on repeatable processes and linear thinking.
Elon Musk Just Taught a Valuable Lesson in What to Never Do With Your VC Money
You can't just take an investor's money and spend it on another company you run.
Google Has Effectively Shuttered Project Dragonfly, Its Planned Chinese Censored Search Engine
The project hinged largely on the company's controversial use of search data it obtained from the Beijing-based website, 265.com.
Investors Are Not Happy With Elon Musk After He Using SpaceX Resources to Construct a Boring Company Test Tunnel
SpaceX has a six percent stake in The Boring Company.
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
The Most Important Reason You Need to Develop Your Emotional Intelligence Now
Improving our own emotional intelligence leads to a brighter, less scary future for conversational assistants like Alexa and Siri.
Why Elon Musk Understands Space and the Future While Jeff Bezos Doesn't Get It
When it comes to saving the planet, being the richest man on it might not be enough.
Ask Yourself These 4 Questions Before Quitting Your Day Job
Whether you're about to make the leap or weighing options, for now, these considerations can help when it's time to blaze your own trail.
What Entrepreneurs Need to Know Before Buying Health Insurance
Healthcare coverage is an important ingredient in a successful business, but the choices can be dizzying. Here's how to find the right policy for yourself and your employees.
8 Habits You Should Rely On To Manage Your Time As An Entrepreneur
There is an art to time management.
3 Mistakes That Are Killing Your Recruiting Efforts
Are all the top guns going elsewhere? Here's how to revise your talent-recruiting battle plan.
Target's Lead Innovator on How to Work with Big Corporations
Target worked with independent creatives years before it was cool. EVP and innovation lead Minsok Pak shares what it looks for in startup collaborators
How to Disinfect and Clean Your Space Like a Seasoned Travel Pro
Being proactive about minimizing germs can help you stay healthy for your business travels.
Six Things Every Young Entrepreneur Needs to Know in 2019
Know when to push through and when to step back.
2018 Marked a Year of Catastrophic Data Breaches--Here Are 3 Ways We Can Learn From it (and Need to)
There are some key takeaways for business owners.
Replacing a Founder? 5 Must-Solve Problems in Your First 90 Days
You can help an incoming CEO diagnose and fix what's keeping your company from soaring.
7 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders
Being a good listener and paying attention to nonverbal cues are among the key traits of any good communicator.
Why the NAACP Wants People to Boycott Facebook--and What That Means for You
Facebook critics are piling up. Is it time to listen?
In 1 Word Warren Buffett Explains How He Gets Rich When Everyone Else Panics
The day Warren Buffett bought his first stock offers a valuable lesson in growing wealth.
Millennials Say This Old-School Leadership Technique Makes You Look Like a Liar. Here's Why
This outdated communication technique no longer works, especially with Millennials.
Surprise: This Southern Hub Might Have the Best Talent Pipeline in Tech
North Carolina is home to a bustling epicenter for tech startups, brainy talent, and killer barbecue.
The 7 Best Business Books of 2018 (That Don't Appear on Most Lists, But Should)
See reading these best business books of 2018 as not just an investment in your business, but in yourself.
How to Encourage Work-Life Balance in Employees When All You Care About Is Work
Career ambitions might be the only thing on your mind. But there's more to life for the people who work for you.
This Is Why You're So Afraid of Uncertainty, According to Neuroscience
Your brain is constantly creating and updating a set of rules that can predict how your world works.
How to Write a Compelling Company Description
Follow these three steps to craft an impactful company description that helps you win business and garner attention.
In Just 3 Words, J.K. Rowling Drops the Best Hot Take on Productivity You'll Read Today
Why are we so crazed with being so productive all the time?
Still Not the Person You Always Wanted to Be? Three Steps to Get You There in 2019.
Improving your life starts with changing your focus, priorities and execution.
An Employee Excluded Coworkers From His Holiday Party
... and four other questions about holidays at work.
A Delta Passenger Left His Laptop On a Plane. What Happened Next Was 'Frustrating' and 'Scary'
You never imagine this will happen to you. But who's to
Why Ethical Data and Influencer Strategies are Essential for Success
What do influencers and ad tech have in common? They are both popular with marketers. They are also both negatively impacting consumer trust in advertising.
6 Questions You Must Ask Yourself Before Any Big Business Decision
Streamline your decision making process with these six must-ask questions.
These 4 Amazon Patents Are Either Ridiculously Incredible or Incredibly Ridiculous--You Decide
The e-commerce giant patents a lot of wacky inventions, but these might be the year's best.
The World's Most Successful People Don't Actually Start Work at 4 a.m. They Wake and Work Whenever the (Heck) They Decide
Waking up at an arbitrary time won't help you succeed. Making a thoughtful decision to wake up at the time that's most productive for YOU is all that matters.
5 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Avoid the Trap of Drug Addiction
Nobody thinks they are at risk of addiction, but with the stress of starting a business, it can happen. Find out how to avoid it here.
How to Know the Right Time to Grow Your Business
Sometimes your startup needs to grow in order to survive. At other times, though, growth is not important--or even necessary.
21 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Intelligence (Using Just a Few Minutes a Day)
Looking to increase your EQ? Here's how you can start.
Here Are the Top 50 Cities in America for Startups (It's Full of Surprises)
Also: France vs. U.S. startups, Google's $1 billion HQ makeover, and how J.K. Rowling feels about Inc.com
What Do You Do If They're New?
We are creating a generation of highly-demanding if largely miseducated workers. Taking on this crew means you'll have to change their attitudes about work before anything else. Or you could let someone else do that first.
Does Your Business Have Repeat or Recurring Revenues? One Is Better than the Other
Does Your Business Have Repeat or Recurring Revenues? One is Better than the Other. Repeat revenue is good, but Recurring revenue is great
Hate Open Offices? This Company Thinks You'll Love Its Virtual Workspace
Goodbye isolation, hello team strength and productivity.
3 Unexpected Tactics To Help Your Company Save (And Make) Money in 2019
3 Unexpected Tactics To Help Your Company Save (And Make) Money in 2019
Chili's Got Caught Up in a Nasty Political Debate. Its Response Was Truly Brilliant (Or Was It?)
It's hard to know what to do when politics rears its ugly being. Chili's found one answer.
If You Need an Energy Boost, Try These 5-Minute Activities to Sustain Hard Working Days
Exercise is helpful. But sustaining motivation and energy every day often means changing your perspective, or even just sitting up straight.
Want to Be an Admired Leader? Harvard Research Says Stop Hiding This 1 Thing
Come clean on this one thing and keep that success rolling.
Most People Miss the Opportunity to Lead Because They Lack These 2 Traits
There are opportunities to lead all around you.
Make the Best First Impression by Communicating This One Surprising Thing About Your Success
You may be tempted to emphasize your talents and successes, but talking about this may be a much better choice.
5 Things Average Managers Will Fear but Good Leaders Will Courageously Do
These are the virtues ingrained in the DNA of the world's best leaders.
4 Ways Your Non-Verbal Communication is Telling a Different Story Than Your Words
Most people aren't as conscious as they should be about how they hold their bodies, and what the body language of others really conveys.
Want to Accomplish the So-Called 'Impossible' Like Elon Musk? Think About Risk Like He Does
How does the SpaceX and Tesla founder continually beat incredible odds? It comes down to his approach to risk.
Customers and Employees Want Your Business To Take a Stand on Political Issues. Here's How to Do It Right
Silence is no longer an option in an employee-activist era.
How This Woman Makes a Living Selling Ornaments 2 Months of the Year
Jamie Shapiro Goldhagen spends months crafting Christmas Ornaments that only sell during the holiday season -- here's how she makes it work.