Twenty years ago, an item of fake news spread across the Web, causing tens of thousands of companies to waste as hundreds of billions of dollars which in turn contributed to a collapse of the economy.That event is important today because the same thing could easily happen now.Before getting started, though, I give you fair warning. This is a much longer post than usual and it's pretty detailed. Also the events I describe are based upon my memory of them. I'd try to find links to the various articles, not all that much of the 1997 Internet remains today to be linked to, frankly.So let's get...…Twenty years ago, an item of fake news spread across the Web, causing tens of thousands of companies to waste as hundreds of billions of dollars which in turn contributed to a collapse of the economy.That event is important today because the same thing could easily happen now.Before getting started, though, I give you fair warning. This is a much longer post than usual and it's pretty detailed. Also the events I describe are based upon my memory of them. I'd try to find links to the various articles, not all that much of the 1997 Internet remains today to be linked to, frankly.So let's get...WW…

Nearly 8 million viewers watch Shark Tank weekly to connect with entrepreneurs living the American Dream. Over 30,000 companies apply annually for their 10 minutes in the limelight, but only 200 get filmed-and just over 100 actually get aired. Having just taken my company through the arduous 18 month process and getting my airtime, I'm able to share some strategies we used to ensure our company made it to the coveted prime time slot.1. Select the right "schtick."While there's no way to guarantee your episode will air, there are certainly some personality archetypes that make for good TV....…Nearly 8 million viewers watch Shark Tank weekly to connect with entrepreneurs living the American Dream. Over 30,000 companies apply annually for their 10 minutes in the limelight, but only 200 get filmed-and just over 100 actually get aired. Having just taken my company through the arduous 18 month process and getting my airtime, I'm able to share some strategies we used to ensure our company made it to the coveted prime time slot.1. Select the right "schtick."While there's no way to guarantee your episode will air, there are certainly some personality archetypes that make for good TV....WW…

Ever read something said or did and mumble to yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?"Outside of , his down-to-earth is not only legendary but we all nod in agreement with the simple and yet profound effect it has on our lives.Take, for example, the advice below. Common sense, yes. But to many of us, it's not common practice. That is, until we become believers that the principles actually work. All you need to do is act on them with positive intent.Buffett has taught so many lessons appealing to our common sense. One of them was recently highlighted in Bill Gates's...…Ever read something said or did and mumble to yourself, "Why didn't I think of that?"Outside of , his down-to-earth is not only legendary but we all nod in agreement with the simple and yet profound effect it has on our lives.Take, for example, the advice below. Common sense, yes. But to many of us, it's not common practice. That is, until we become believers that the principles actually work. All you need to do is act on them with positive intent.Buffett has taught so many lessons appealing to our common sense. One of them was recently highlighted in Bill Gates's...WW…

This is a story about a change at , the , and revenue.It contains a lesson you should pay attention to no matter what kind of business you're running, and regardless of whether you .The change is pretty simple. In March, Walmart announced that it was as a result of the pandemic.That meant that 5,000 Walmart stores, some of which had been open 24 hours a day, shifted to a 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. schedule (unless they already had shorter hours). As part of that change, Walmart also added a temporary "senior hour," one hour before stores open on Tuesdays, during which only people over the age of...…This is a story about a change at , the , and revenue.It contains a lesson you should pay attention to no matter what kind of business you're running, and regardless of whether you .The change is pretty simple. In March, Walmart announced that it was as a result of the pandemic.That meant that 5,000 Walmart stores, some of which had been open 24 hours a day, shifted to a 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. schedule (unless they already had shorter hours). As part of that change, Walmart also added a temporary "senior hour," one hour before stores open on Tuesdays, during which only people over the age of...WW…

? There are , no doubt.But , as many of us have learned during the pandemic. Fortunately, however, every challenge brings opportunities--and there's a big opportunity right now for anyone who wants to improve their interpersonal relationships in ways that make other people It all comes down to two things: Emotional intelligence and the power of habit.The really great news? By mastering the kinds of simple things we'll explore below, you'll train yourself to act instinctively in other ways that ultimately Small talk can be a drudge, but...…? There are , no doubt.But , as many of us have learned during the pandemic. Fortunately, however, every challenge brings opportunities--and there's a big opportunity right now for anyone who wants to improve their interpersonal relationships in ways that make other people It all comes down to two things: Emotional intelligence and the power of habit.The really great news? By mastering the kinds of simple things we'll explore below, you'll train yourself to act instinctively in other ways that ultimately Small talk can be a drudge, but...WW…

Increasingly, is becoming the marker consumers use to determine which brands they are loyal to. That's why it is important for you to ensure the experiences your brand delivers across every part of your provide as as possible in enabling your customers' success. As you plan out your customer experiences, note that it isn't enough to just benchmark what others in your industry are doing. Your customers don't compartmentalize their expectations of what a good experience is. Customer experience expert Shep Hyken captured this phenomenon succinctly at the Customer Engagement...…Increasingly, is becoming the marker consumers use to determine which brands they are loyal to. That's why it is important for you to ensure the experiences your brand delivers across every part of your provide as as possible in enabling your customers' success. As you plan out your customer experiences, note that it isn't enough to just benchmark what others in your industry are doing. Your customers don't compartmentalize their expectations of what a good experience is. Customer experience expert Shep Hyken captured this phenomenon succinctly at the Customer Engagement...WW…

 is the legendary co-founder of one of the most well-known talent agencies, (CAA). Ovitz's success is a testament to his ability to upend the traditional talent agency model in the 1980s that fixated on representation. How did he accomplish this remarkable feat? Unlike heads of other agencies--most notably, then-incumbent William Morris--Ovitz built a team of resources for CAA's clients that were far more valuable than traditional talent agency offerings. CAA's unparalleled value proposition catapulted it to new heights in terms of attracting top talent. In 2009, two Silicon...… is the legendary co-founder of one of the most well-known talent agencies, (CAA). Ovitz's success is a testament to his ability to upend the traditional talent agency model in the 1980s that fixated on representation. How did he accomplish this remarkable feat? Unlike heads of other agencies--most notably, then-incumbent William Morris--Ovitz built a team of resources for CAA's clients that were far more valuable than traditional talent agency offerings. CAA's unparalleled value proposition catapulted it to new heights in terms of attracting top talent. In 2009, two Silicon...WW…

Say you're considering whether to . Or . Or set out to .If you're like most people, the decision usually comes down to this:"Will (this) make me happy?"The problem is, where major personal decisions are concerned, we tend to be terrible at predicting what will make us happy. For example, plenty of entrepreneurs build successful businesses only to discover they love working in, but not on, their business. And we also tend to be terrible at using happiness as a filter for smaller decisions. Sure, binge-watching Broadchurch on Netflix sounds like a...…Say you're considering whether to . Or . Or set out to .If you're like most people, the decision usually comes down to this:"Will (this) make me happy?"The problem is, where major personal decisions are concerned, we tend to be terrible at predicting what will make us happy. For example, plenty of entrepreneurs build successful businesses only to discover they love working in, but not on, their business. And we also tend to be terrible at using happiness as a filter for smaller decisions. Sure, binge-watching Broadchurch on Netflix sounds like a...WW…

Entrepreneur and investor had already founded a small handful of companies when he began his best-known role, as chief executive of . He'd networked his way into Silicon Valley by asking smart questions of successful people, including founders of such companies as Salesforce and Yahoo. Inc. asked several entrepreneurial luminaries like Libin to share a piece of . Here's one piece of advice so specific--and reliable--that Libin has come back to it many times throughout his career. --As told to Christine Lagorio-ChafkinProbably the came from Hiroshi Mikitani, who is the...…Entrepreneur and investor had already founded a small handful of companies when he began his best-known role, as chief executive of . He'd networked his way into Silicon Valley by asking smart questions of successful people, including founders of such companies as Salesforce and Yahoo. Inc. asked several entrepreneurial luminaries like Libin to share a piece of . Here's one piece of advice so specific--and reliable--that Libin has come back to it many times throughout his career. --As told to Christine Lagorio-ChafkinProbably the came from Hiroshi Mikitani, who is the...WW…

Tim Cook gets up at 3.45 a.m. Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi gets up at 4 a.m. Disney CEO Bob Iger is a 4.30 kind of guy.  sleeps in until 5.30. So does .Rarely do night owls get good press.Because hey: Successful people wake up early.Well, at least some of them do.As Adam Grant says, "The world's most successful people aren't worried about what time others wake up. They wake and work on the schedule that works for them."Science agrees. While you might think becoming an early bird is a simple matter of willpower and persistence, that whether you're an early rise or a night owl...…Tim Cook gets up at 3.45 a.m. Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi gets up at 4 a.m. Disney CEO Bob Iger is a 4.30 kind of guy.  sleeps in until 5.30. So does .Rarely do night owls get good press.Because hey: Successful people wake up early.Well, at least some of them do.As Adam Grant says, "The world's most successful people aren't worried about what time others wake up. They wake and work on the schedule that works for them."Science agrees. While you might think becoming an early bird is a simple matter of willpower and persistence, that whether you're an early rise or a night owl...WW…