What You Can Learn From 8 Kids Already Making a Million Dollars | Entrepreneur

March 9, 2015March 10, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

There’s no age limit when it comes to being a millionaire these days, and a handful of kids have struck it rich well before they can legally vote. They’re small business owners, inventors and entrepreneurs. I started as an entrepreneur when I was around 11 years old with my first candy stand, which grew to four candy stands, but that was nothing compared to some of these kids!

There’s is no age limit, either, when it comes to learning from others. These impressive kids learned from their own failures early in life but determined to keep going and to do it better the next time around. If you haven’t made your first million yet, the teen next door might actually be able to teach you something.

Check out these eight kids who made a million, or more, and what you can learn from their success:

Business and Pleasure: The Winning Combination | Page19

March 6, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The old adage, “separate your friends from your work,” is more outdated than VHS. Here’s how friendship in the workplace can boost productivity, and how you can help foster friendship in your team.

Who accompanies you to the cinema? Who’s on speed-dial in case of a major life crisis? Who does the back-busting work on moving day? Friends, that’s who, and they’re as key a component to a good life as professional satisfaction.

Innovation In Seating: Upgrading the Way We Sit | CoolBusinessIdeas.com

March 6, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

At first glance it seems entirely ridiculous that seating could be upgraded or innovated upon. After all the concept of a chair or bench is relatively simple, and the height is pretty standard. So how is it possible that there can be innovation in this industry?

Upon deeper investigation and diving deeper into the different types of seating available and its specific use, it is easier to check out the innovation taking place in the seating sector. Everything from airline seats, to recliner chairs, to church pews are being upgraded, with new features added that make them more comfortable, and suited to the intended use of the product.

Small Business Financing: Myths and Realities | All Business

March 6, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Do you know everything you need to know about small business financing? Whether you’re a small business veteran or just starting out, obtaining capital is one aspect of entrepreneurship there’s a lot of confusion about.

In fact, it seems getting financing isn’t the only challenge entrepreneurs face. Simply learning about and understanding their financing options is a hurdle in itself for most small business owners. In OnDeck’s latest quarterly Main Street Pulse Report,

8 Deadly Ways to Kill Employee Motivation | Inc.com

March 5, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

If you want to make sure you’re providing your employees with an environment in which they can thrive, check your workplace for these motivation killers.

1. Toxic people.

If you’ve ever spent time with truly toxic people, you know how destructive and exhausting they can be. Toxic people spread negativity and suffocate the positive. Let them find a new home–or, if that’s not possible, make sure policies and supervision are in place to minimize their damage.

2. No professional development.

Everyone needs to know that they are learning and growing. Without that, the workplace grows static and dull. Professional development for each of your employees allows them grow in their careers and also to know that both the organization and you have an investment in their success.

What is the Marshmallow Challenge and Can Your Team Beat It? | Small Biz Trends

March 5, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

How can twenty sticks of spaghetti, a yard of tape, a yard of string, and one marshmallow help build a stronger team?

The Marshmallow Challenge has become a popular exercise in which small groups are asked to build the “tallest free-standing structure” out of the materials provided. The teams have eighteen minutes to complete this task including the entire marshmallow on top. It’s a fun and instructive exercise that allows teams to experience simple lessons in collaboration, innovation and creativity.

The Marshmallow Challenge has been conducted with business school graduates, CEOs, architects, engineers, and even kindergarteners. There have been surprising findings for which groups perform most successfully.

10 Things You Should Never Write in a ‘Thank You’ Note | Business News Daily

March 4, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Thank-you notes, while not mandatory, are a great idea if you want to get ahead professionally. Whether you’ve just had a job interview or you’re looking to impress your clients, sometimes all it takes is a short, hand-written note to set you apart.

But while thank-you notes are important, writing the wrong thing could cost you that coveted job or the client you really want to work with. Business News Daily asked business and career experts what things should never be included in a professional thank-you note, and their responses may surprise you.

Here are 10 fatal thank-you note mistakes to avoid the next time you break out your stationery:

The Stratos Card Aims To Unify Credit Cards, And Can Be In Your Pocket Next Month | TechCrunch

March 3, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Yep, here’s another card that promises to consolidate all your credit cards into one. But unlike the others, the Stratos Card appears to be worth a longer look.

Stratos, the company behind the card, has a novel approach and has seemingly worked through all the niggles so far associated with universal credit cards. And best yet, the Stratos is on pace to ship the card next month.

Stratos was founded in 2012 and has since grown to 50 people. The founders chose to raise over $7 million from venture capitalists rather than pursuing crowdfunding cash. And for good reason. This let the company quietly build and develop the technology, brand and marketing. As of today the company and product is relatively unknown and thus doesn’t have the immense public pressure that often plagues crowdfunding gadgets — like one of Stratos’ closest competitor, Coin.

How Google’s New Wireless Service Will Change the Internet | WIRED

March 3, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

GOOGLE SAYS ITS new wireless service will operate on a much smaller scale than the Verizons and the AT&Ts of the world, providing a new way for relatively few people to make calls, trade texts, and access the good old internet via their smartphones. But the implications are still enormous.

Google revealed on Monday it will soon start “experimenting” with wireless services and the ways we use them—and that’s no small thing. Such Google experiments have a way of morphing into something far bigger, particularly when they involve tinkering with the infrastructure that drives the internet.

5 Ways to Help Your Business Grow with Video | Getentrepreneurial.com

March 3, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Today, it’s cheap and accessible to film something and throw it on the web, with a chance it will become viral and be viewed by millions. The benefits of a business creating and uploading such a video are obvious; a popular video online can drive thousands of new customers to a business, as well as maintain the interest of current customers.

Of course, a video can only go viral if it’s entertaining in some way, whether it’s side-splittingly funny or extremely informative. Typically, viral videos either teach viewers something interesting in an engaging way or they make them laugh. Since most businesses aren’t in the comedic realm, businesses can most prudently expect growth out of videos that inform in some way.

Here are methods you can use to help your business grow with video.