There are plenty of shopping days left until Christmas.
Of course, that's not a license to procrastinate, but who wants to shop for the holidays when we're working on our Halloween costumes?
Knowing how often I shop for gifts late in the season (I actually like holiday shopping during the holidays - crazy, huh?), I've already marked my calendar for Dec. 17, this year's Free Shipping Day.
This revolutionary idea is the brainchild of an entrepreneur I interviewed, Maisie Knowles, for my podcast this summer.
She and her husband Luke founded FreeShipping.org in 2007. Last year, they had a last-minute brainstorm and created Free Shipping Day in time for the 2008 holiday shopping season. They were surprised to get participation from 250 retailers and 250,000 visitors in a 10-day period, including over 100,000 visitors on the actual day itself.
This year, the Knowles' expect to attract more than 500 retailers. If you're a small business owner selling online, it's an idea that worth considering.
How does it work? Free Shipping Day occurs on the last possible 24-hour period when retailers can guarantee on-time delivery by Christmas Eve. Retailers who participate promise to provide free shipping for online orders placed on that day. So far, merchants like Toys R Us, Babies R Us, FAO Schwartz, eToys, Baby Universe and Crate & Barrel have confirmed they will participate this year.
My calendar is marked; how about yours?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Reinvent Yourself
In many respects, small businesses get the short end of the stick. When companies cut back, small suppliers are usually among the first to get jettisoned.
When consumers cut back, it's the local businesses they tend to stop frequenting. And meanwhile, they're always striving to deliver more quality at lower prices than their larger competitors!
Back in 2007, I started to hear about small companies really suffering. Looking back, I think they were the "canary in the coal mine" of the Great Recession, which didn't hit in full until last fall.
And with credit still tight and consumer spending way below what it was a few years ago, there's no doubt that many small business (the ones who've survived) are still hurting.
It's good to know, however, that many entrepreneurs have powered through the downturn doing exactly what they're best at: Being creative, innovative and flexible. In my Smart Answers column today, I interview several small business owners who've been successful this year because they've changed their business models.
Earlier this week, I wrote about the risks of cashing out retirement funds to start a small business.
And on my podcast, management guru Michael McGrath discusses smart startups and how they can make good decisions.
When consumers cut back, it's the local businesses they tend to stop frequenting. And meanwhile, they're always striving to deliver more quality at lower prices than their larger competitors!
Back in 2007, I started to hear about small companies really suffering. Looking back, I think they were the "canary in the coal mine" of the Great Recession, which didn't hit in full until last fall.
And with credit still tight and consumer spending way below what it was a few years ago, there's no doubt that many small business (the ones who've survived) are still hurting.
It's good to know, however, that many entrepreneurs have powered through the downturn doing exactly what they're best at: Being creative, innovative and flexible. In my Smart Answers column today, I interview several small business owners who've been successful this year because they've changed their business models.
Earlier this week, I wrote about the risks of cashing out retirement funds to start a small business.
And on my podcast, management guru Michael McGrath discusses smart startups and how they can make good decisions.
Pissed Off?
There are a lot of unfortunate people who live by P.T. Barnum's* old adage, "There's a sucker born every minute."
Even more unfortunate: A lot of them are determined to make suckers out of startup entrepreneurs. Nothing more tempting to a con artist than an optimistic, enthusiastic individual with a little money saved up or borrowed, apparently.
One of the first tests of a successful entrepreneur, in my book, is whether s/he gets through the startup phase without being victimized by someone selling worthless "information," "motivation" or "consulting." I have a hunch that a lot of would-be business owners get ripped off - but don't report it because they are too embarrassed.
Sometimes we have to learn lessons the hard way, I guess.
But here's some good news: The Internet has empowered all of us who may be lured by scammers. And if we're not sharp enough to research first - and resist - we can always report later, and save someone else from ruin.
I take some comfort in knowing that the bad guys' true motives are being exposed all the time. Here's the latest site to focus on ripoff reports.
Before you do business with a new company, take a gander and see if they've recently pissed someone off. And if you're a small business owner, it would be smart to monitor the site and take steps immediately to resolve any complaints posted about your company there.
*Turns out that Barnum denied coining that phrase, but if he didn't say it, it's never been determined exactly who did.
Even more unfortunate: A lot of them are determined to make suckers out of startup entrepreneurs. Nothing more tempting to a con artist than an optimistic, enthusiastic individual with a little money saved up or borrowed, apparently.
One of the first tests of a successful entrepreneur, in my book, is whether s/he gets through the startup phase without being victimized by someone selling worthless "information," "motivation" or "consulting." I have a hunch that a lot of would-be business owners get ripped off - but don't report it because they are too embarrassed.
Sometimes we have to learn lessons the hard way, I guess.
But here's some good news: The Internet has empowered all of us who may be lured by scammers. And if we're not sharp enough to research first - and resist - we can always report later, and save someone else from ruin.
I take some comfort in knowing that the bad guys' true motives are being exposed all the time. Here's the latest site to focus on ripoff reports.
Before you do business with a new company, take a gander and see if they've recently pissed someone off. And if you're a small business owner, it would be smart to monitor the site and take steps immediately to resolve any complaints posted about your company there.
*Turns out that Barnum denied coining that phrase, but if he didn't say it, it's never been determined exactly who did.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Future of Journalism
I woke up to good news this morning: My Smart Answers podcast has been named a finalist in a digital media competition.
The American Society of Business Publications Editors (how's that for a mouthful!) also named six other BusinessWeek.com finalists in categories including web news, commentary, video and podcasting. The SmallBiz channel, which is the site that I specifically write for, was named a finalist in the Web Microsite category. The awards will be handed out in early November.
Whether we win or not, it's quite an honor to be a finalist for a national award. And the timing couldn't be better: Bloomberg is currently deciding how much of BusinessWeek.com it will keep alive in the new year. My colleagues and I are hoping that getting the nod today will help push that decision in the proper direction!
What else is going on in journalism?
The Washington Post reports on one journalist turned entrepreneur who could be a role model for many of us.
And a new report assessing the future of community journalism - and how it might use new, innovative funding models - is being released tomorrow.
Look for some interesting conversations on the possibilities raised, including government grants to journalistic outlets that do investigative and innovative reporting. That should stir up some controversy!
The American Society of Business Publications Editors (how's that for a mouthful!) also named six other BusinessWeek.com finalists in categories including web news, commentary, video and podcasting. The SmallBiz channel, which is the site that I specifically write for, was named a finalist in the Web Microsite category. The awards will be handed out in early November.
Whether we win or not, it's quite an honor to be a finalist for a national award. And the timing couldn't be better: Bloomberg is currently deciding how much of BusinessWeek.com it will keep alive in the new year. My colleagues and I are hoping that getting the nod today will help push that decision in the proper direction!
What else is going on in journalism?
The Washington Post reports on one journalist turned entrepreneur who could be a role model for many of us.
And a new report assessing the future of community journalism - and how it might use new, innovative funding models - is being released tomorrow.
Look for some interesting conversations on the possibilities raised, including government grants to journalistic outlets that do investigative and innovative reporting. That should stir up some controversy!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Beyond Stereotypes
I noticed it immediately - indeed it was unmistakable: The charged-up energy of entrepreneurship. It hit me like a wave as soon as I arrived at Perfect Pitch 2009, the entrepreneur/investor conference I attended this week.
The level of excitement, stress and pure self-promotion at the conference seemed almost testosterone-fueled. Perhaps that's because the audience - and presenters - were mostly male. Or perhaps it's because there's a mythos that surrounds entrepreneurs, who are usually portrayed as hard-charging, risk-taking extroverts.
But that popular perception, however ubiquitous, may be off the mark. Dr. Candida Brush, an professor of entrepreneurship at Babson College, writes that being a successful entrepreneur is more about what you do than who you are.
The level of excitement, stress and pure self-promotion at the conference seemed almost testosterone-fueled. Perhaps that's because the audience - and presenters - were mostly male. Or perhaps it's because there's a mythos that surrounds entrepreneurs, who are usually portrayed as hard-charging, risk-taking extroverts.
But that popular perception, however ubiquitous, may be off the mark. Dr. Candida Brush, an professor of entrepreneurship at Babson College, writes that being a successful entrepreneur is more about what you do than who you are.
Perfect Pitch 2009
I'm happily looking forward to attending Perfect Pitch 2009, a conference that allows entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to investors.
I've been asked to appear as part of a panel that listens to entrepreneurs discuss their business ideas and get feedback on them. It should be interesting: Sir Richard Branson is the keynote speaker.
If you can join us on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, please do!
I've been asked to appear as part of a panel that listens to entrepreneurs discuss their business ideas and get feedback on them. It should be interesting: Sir Richard Branson is the keynote speaker.
If you can join us on Monday, Oct. 26 at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, please do!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Championing Experience
Last time, I wrote about Choire Sicha's New York Times op-ed from last week.
That piece was published just below another column that caught my eye. This one was about the downfall of Gourmet magazine.
The author, Christopher Kimball, is the editor of Cook's Illustrated. But he takes no delight in the closing of his competitor.
In fact, he laments the fading of the "old-media" tradition of writers gaining experience, spending years covering an industry or topic and learning to write and report with excellence:
While I've seen many people - bloggers, mostly - celebrating this coronation of the ordinary, Kimball's not so complimentary:
I happen to agree with him, probably unsurprisingly, since I've got a few years' experience in journalism myself. But how do those of us who do have professional credentials and expertise make sure we can still make a living at it? Here's Kimball's prescription:
It may not be popular, but I agree with Kimball. And I especially like the part about asking to be paid for what we do.
Too many people think that work done online doesn't really "count" as work. Those of us who are professionals really cannot afford to accept that idea.
That piece was published just below another column that caught my eye. This one was about the downfall of Gourmet magazine.
The author, Christopher Kimball, is the editor of Cook's Illustrated. But he takes no delight in the closing of his competitor.
In fact, he laments the fading of the "old-media" tradition of writers gaining experience, spending years covering an industry or topic and learning to write and report with excellence:
The shuttering of Gourmet reminds us that in a click-or-die advertising marketplace, one ruled by a million instant pundits, where an anonymous Twitter comment might be seen to pack more resonance and useful content than an article that reflects a lifetime of experience, experts are not created from the top down but from the bottom up.
While I've seen many people - bloggers, mostly - celebrating this coronation of the ordinary, Kimball's not so complimentary:
The world needs fewer opinions and more thoughtful expertise - the kind that comes from real experience, the hard won blood-on-the-floor kind.
I happen to agree with him, probably unsurprisingly, since I've got a few years' experience in journalism myself. But how do those of us who do have professional credentials and expertise make sure we can still make a living at it? Here's Kimball's prescription:
To survive, those of us who believe that inexperience rarely leads to wisdom need to swim against the tide, better define our brands, prove our worth, ask to be paid for what we do, and refuse to climb aboard this ship of fools, the one where everyone has an equal voice.
It may not be popular, but I agree with Kimball. And I especially like the part about asking to be paid for what we do.
Too many people think that work done online doesn't really "count" as work. Those of us who are professionals really cannot afford to accept that idea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
