| Bold Ventures | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
Mobile-payments startup brings in $25 million in seed funding
A startup called Clinkle has brought in $25 million in seed investment to support its mission of revolutionizing mobile payments. The company is taking a software-based approach to payments rather than asking companies to buy new hardware, but details about Clinkle's application are hazy. The company plans to gain initial traction in the mobile-payment space by building a following on college campuses. CNNMoney/Fortune (6/27), Forbes (6/27)
![]() | Join a community that can help you grow your business
You are invited to join OPEN Forum, a unique business community where you can:
• Leverage meaningful advice from other business owners to help you overcome obstacles in your business
• Use the Stream option to filter topics that matter to you
• Grow your network by connecting and engaging with experts online
CLICK HERE TO JOIN |
![]() |
| Leading the Pack | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
Leadership doesn't mean ordering people around
Good leaders recognize that their workers aren't automatons and don't try to make every single decision for them, writes Mary Jo Asmus. If you're feeling bogged down, try delegating, thus giving yourself more space to focus on the bigger picture, Asmus advises. "You'll be surprised at how smart and capable they are," she writes. Aspire-CS.com (6/24)
![]() | CSO Insights: 2013 Sales Performance Optimization Study Results
In this analysis, see an overview of the eight key attributes found in high performance sales organizations, and some of the major trends that positively and negatively impacted sales behavior in 2012. Compare how your sales team's best practices align with the high performing organizations in this study. Download the free study now. |
![]() |
| Finance & Growth | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
Customer feedback is critical for startup success
The key to building a successful company is to collect feedback from your customers throughout every phase of growth, writes Brian Casel. "You'll find that customers respond differently depending on which phase you're in; prelaunch beta users tend to be more engaged than casual post-launch trial users," he writes. He provides several suggestions for how to gather input as you move from idea to execution. Mashable (6/27)
The most important SEO strategies
Entrepreneurs shouldn't pour too much time into search-engine optimization, but following a few strategies can help your website to climb search rankings and attract more traffic, writes Bryan Janeczko, founder of Wicked Start. Among them: Make sure your URLs are descriptive, create site maps and add headers and subheads to help you format your writing. SCORE Small Business Success Blog (6/26)
Why raising smaller amounts is good for business
Getting a big check from a venture-capital firm may be exciting, but it isn't necessarily the best thing for your business. Instead, it may be wise to raise smaller amounts early on, which can help you to retain equity in your company and ease the pressure that can come with a large funding round, writes Eric Markowitz. Inc. online (free registration) (6/27)
![]() |
| The Whole Entrepreneur | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
Why your business will benefit from the Golden Rule
There are plenty of rude people in the business world, but your business will reap the benefits if you are able to keep your cool, writes Rebekah Epstein. Being nice will help you to assemble an effective team, stay energetic and develop a positive reputation, she writes. "Next time a partner snaps at you, respond with a smile," she advises. "When a customer sends a dreadful e-mail complaining about everything, take five deep breaths before answering." YoungEntrepreneur.com (6/27)
![]() | 4 Tips For A More Effective Attribution Strategy
How do you measure digital advertising success? Learn what metrics truly matter in order to evaluate and optimize your investments. This Digital Marketing Depot white paper discusses attribution approaches, emerging challenges and best practices for improving the performance of your display campaigns. Download it now! |
![]() |
| Ideas for Innovators | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
How to cook up innovative ideas
Creative types should aim to be more like crock pots than frying pans, writes Behance founder Scott Belsky, because it's better to give your ideas time to simmer and mingle. "When you cook something slowly, at lower heat for a longer time, the flavors and textures can yield culinary masterpieces. The process of our own creations isn't much different," he writes. 99U (6/21)
![]() | Building Trust in Targeted Online Advertising — Giving Consumers Transparency, Notice and Choice in the EU
Recent Online Behavioural Advertising (OBA) rules are now enforcing ad networks, advertisers, and publishers to remain transparent with their consumers. Learn how to comply with the new rules, as well as easily provide consumers the notice and choice that they desire through TRUSTe's EU Solutions. Download the free white paper now. |
![]() |
| Fortune from Failure | Sponsored By |
| ![]() |
Learning from mistakes is critical, entrepreneurs say
Successful entrepreneurs make mistakes, but they are able to turn these missteps into learning opportunities for the future. "I always try to find the people who are just a little bit ahead of me and learn from their mistakes," said Menkiti Group founder Bo Menkiti, one of the entrepreneurs who participated in a recent panel discussion. Menkiti says he learned from a situation earlier in his career in which he didn't do enough to keep his employees on the right track. RepCapitalMedia.com (6/27)
![]() |
![]() |
Customer feedback isn't just for the pre-launch and early traction phase of your startup. It's critical that you prioritize customer feedback on an ongoing basis."
|
|
Please contact one of our specialists for advertising opportunities, editorial inquiries, job placements, or any other questions.
Mailing Address:
SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004
|
|
|
