Posted: 09 Nov 2013 03:30 PM PST
Win a prize and use the winnings to grow your business.Or attend an event to network with your peers and learn valuable tips and tricks to be more successful.Or perhaps apply for an award to bring public relations and honor to your business.
Whatever your goals, don't pass up this terrific curated list of events, awards and contests chosen specifically with small businesses and entrepreneurs in mind.
Welcome to our latest curated list of events, contests and awards for small businesses, solo entrepreneurs and growing companies. To see a full list or to submit your own event, contest or award listing, visit the .FEATURED EVENTS, CONTESTS AND AWARDS
December 06, 2013,Online
The BIG Innovation Awards recognize organizations and people who bring new ideas to life. Whether that idea is big or small, these ideas change the way we experience the world. We recognize every innovation that our judges deem worthy!
Hashtag: #bigawards
DECEMBER 15, 2013,ONLINE
Win $25,000 in pay-per-click advertising budget for 2014, plus marketing tools from WordStream and Constant Contact. Grade and get paid today!
Hashtag: #
MORE EVENTS
November 08, 2013, Salt Lake City, UT
November 09, 2013, Miami, FL
November 12, 2013, Las Vegas, NV
November 12, 2013, Seattle, WA
November 12, 2013, Santa Clara, CA
November 12, 2013, Online
November 12, 2013, Online
November 13, 2013, Washington, PA
November 13, 2013, Santa Clara, USA
November 13, 2013, Vienna, Austria
November 14, 2013, Chicago, IL
November 14, 2013, Online
November 15, 2013, Coraopolis, PA
November 16, 2013, Online
November 18, 2013, Multiple Cities, Worldwide
November 18, 2013, New York City, NY
November 18, 2013, Richardson, Texas
November 21, 2013, Moon Township, PA
November 30, 2013, Everywhere, USA!
December 06, 2013, Moon Township, PA
MORE CONTESTS
November 08, 2013, Online
November 29, 2013, Online
February 03, 2014, Online
This weekly listing of small business events, contests and awards is provided as a community service by and .
The post appeared first on .
Posted: 09 Nov 2013 12:30 PM PST
It's time for another community news and information roundup. And have we got a lot to share. Here's our weekly survey of useful information and advice collected from across the Web. It's gathered from our wide and varied online small business community. Check the bottom of this post to learn more about how you can be involved.
Now, let's begin.
? (People Management Consulting)
Cecil Wampler, , shares some thoughts about what we're subtly telling our employees and business associates by the way we communicate. Thanks Cecil for a .
(eWomanWeb.com)
Kathleen Lewis has created this interesting comparison of work-at-home versus working on site earnings. Though salaries are generally lower for telecommuters (with a few interesting exceptions) there are advantages. This is also something to consider when thinking about your own workforce.
(Open Forum)
Creating content is becoming a huge job for every business, but especially for businesses online. Taking shortcuts even subconsciously by borrowing too much from someone else's content can land you in hot water. Anita Campbell has some precautions to consider.
(CC Marketing Online)
Among the top methods of content creation for small businesses online is through a business blog. If your company doesn't have one of these yet, Carolina Miranda gives some tips about how to get started.
(SBA.gov)
There are so many ways to use social media for building your brand. In this post, Small Business Trends founder Anita Campbell picks just six. Also check out her on the SBA website.
(Capital Copy Print Media)
Raymond Sziber has this overview of the rapidly changing field of 3D printing and its possible uses for business. Of course, nothing new to us here at Small Business Trends. It's a technology we expect to continue covering for some time to come.
(Genesis HR Solutions)
The initials stand for Professional Employer Organization. If you haven't heard of these organizations yet, you'll want to read this post from Kevin Mason about the economies of scale they can bring your business.
(2Tasks)
If you're wondering what's most important, it's the quality of your content. Blogger Eric Stacy argues SEO is fine, if it brings people to your website for the right reasons. If not, well, it certainly won't help your bottom line.
(Marisa Alvarado)
Which one of the above groups you happen to fall into in your personal life is unimportant. But being a laggard is not such a great idea in business, says Alvarado. You may not realize your customers are leaving you behind until it's too late.
(The Solopreneur Life)
You've no doubt heard of niche marketing and perhaps niche businesses. But you may not know what's involved in picking out a niche of your own.
Help us gather the small business news and information most vital to our small business community each week.
Email us at sbtips@gmail.com or share the story via the community. We'll consider it for a future post.
Photo via Shutterstock
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Posted: 09 Nov 2013 09:00 AM PST
The world of technology offers a lot of new opportunities for innovation and ideas. For entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the tech business world, finding the necessary funding and assistance on your own can be tricky.
However, there are options, such as the many startup incubators aimed at helping these startups succeed. This slideshow features a list of 25 startup incubators that attempt to do just that for startups here in the U.S. and around the world. Read on and be inspired.
In 2005, Y Combinator set out to build a new model for startup funding. That model involves investing a small amount of money in a large number of startups twice per year. The incubator has funded over 550 startups to date, including big names like Reddit, Airbnb, and Dropbox.
[Click "View Slideshow" to see the full presentation or simply view as a "Single Page."]TechStars has become one of the most prestigious incubators since its founding in 2006. The incubator provides mentorship and funding from over 75 venture capital firms and angel investors. The program is very competitive, with just about 10 companies accepted in each of its 10 cities.
Founded in 2010, 500 Startups operates out of Silicon Valley, but has invested in startups in 40 countries around the world. The startup accelerator program provides up to $250,000 in funding and access to special events and mentors around the world.
I/O Ventures focuses mainly on mentorship for early-stage startups. The startup accelerator is a three-month program based in San Francisco. The program is guided by current and former tech company founders, with partners from companies like MySpace and BitTorrent and mentors from companies like Yelp and Digg.
The Philadelphia-based incubator recently expanded its operations to New York City. The program provides up to $25,000 in seed capital to accepted companies, along with mentorship programs and the opportunity to present at a demo day event.
Kicklabs is a bit different than many of the accelerators on the list. It works with companies that are past the early development stages and ready to begin acquiring customers and generating revenue. Some of the startups even complete other incubator programs before heading to Kicklabs. The program is based in San Francisco and normally lasts three to six months.
The Hatchery is a venture collaboration forum that runs an incubator in New York City aimed at early-stage technology startups. Founded in 2007, The Hatchery takes a long-term approach to working with entrepreneurs. It helps with everything from business plans to pitches and sales presentations.
Excelerate Labs consists of a three-month summer program ending with a demo day where startups can present in front of 500 investors at the House of Blues in Chicago. Just 10 companies are selected for the program each year out of hundreds of applicants. The program recently began operating in conjunction with TechStars as TechStars Chicago.
Capital Factory's startup accelerator program takes place each year in Austin, Texas. It consists of a series of meet-ups, classes and other events aimed at helping startups attract talent, mentors, press and funding.
Based at the University of Illinois, EnterpriseWorks consists of about 30 startups working in biotechnology, chemical sciences, software development, sustainability and materials sciences. Most of the startups have some connection to the university, but it isn't a requirement.
Founded by Google's Thomas Korte, AngelPad is a mentorship program focused on Web and mobile technology startups. The 10-week mentorship program takes place twice per year in AngelPad's New York and San Francisco offices.
This 12-week program focuses on B2B software and enterprise startups. The New York City-based program provides access to startup capital, investors and workspace.
This Lexington, Massachusetts-based program is exclusively for student entrepreneurs. So at least one member of the team must be a student or recent graduate. Accepted startups receive $18,000 in startup funding, office space and mentorship.
This investment firm provides select entrepreneurs with seed funding along with a community of 80 to 100 mentors and advisors. The North Carolina-based company previously operated an annual business accelerator program, but now focuses on investing in early-stage companies in its home state.
The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based TechVentures is a regional incubator program that focuses on assisting early-stage high-tech companies. The workspace is located on the campus of Lehigh University.
ERA's four-month accelerator program consists of seed funding opportunities, hands-on help and collaboration with other startups in the program. The New York City-based company specializes in early-stage tech-based startups. Accepted startups receive an initial $40,000 investment and then spend the program in ERA's co-working space in Chelsea.
This mentor-driven seed accelerator program is based in Dallas and focuses on B2B and B2B2C tech companies. The 12-week program consists of various exercises, access to a large investor network and a final pitch day event.
Launchpad LA offers accepted startups in its Southern California-based program between $25,000 and $100,000 along with free office space and access to mentors and advisors. To qualify, startups should be tech-based and either from, or able to relocate to the Los Angeles area.
This seed-stage startup accelerator consists of a four-month program in Cincinnati, Ohio focused on branding and consumer marketing. The Brandery accepts about 10 companies for each program. Each receives $20,000 in seed funding, along with mentorship, design assistance and the opportunity to pitch their idea to investors at the end of the program.
Awesome Inc.'s summer accelerator program aims to create and grow high-tech startups in Lexington, Kentucky. The three-month program accepts six companies and offers $20,000 per company, along with mentorship and a co-working space.
Founder's Co-op is a community of early-stage entrepreneurs and startups in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle-based program brings seed-stage investments and mentorship to Web and mobile tech companies throughout the region.
The international program hosts events around the world. Seedcamp's events attempt to fit months worth of advice into a single day. The winning companies at each event receive various amounts of seed funding and the opportunity to join Seedcamp's intensive year long program.
The Incubator at Evanston, Illinois's Technology Innovation Center is a not-for-profit resource focused on growing very early stage tech companies. The Incubator provides access to investors, office space and assistance with things like creating business plans.
This globally-focused accelerator accepts 10 companies into a three month program twice per year. The program offers $100,000 per company, a demo day event and introduction to potential customers and additional funding opportunities.
This accelerator invites startups from around the world to apply for its three-month program. Accepted companies can earn up to $18,000 in funding as well as support from StartFast's entrepreneurial community and access to mentors and talent.
Images: Y Combinator, TechStars, 500 Startups, i/o Ventures, DreamIt Ventures, Kicklabs, The Hatchery, Excelerate Labs, Capital Factory, EnterpriseWorks, AngelPad, NYC Seed Start, Summer @ Highland, LaunchBox Digital, Ben Franklin TechVentures, Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator, Tech Wildcatters, Launchpad LA, The Brandery, Awesome Inc., Founder's Co-op, Seedcamp, Technology Innovation Center, Communitech Hyperdrive, StartFast
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Posted: 09 Nov 2013 06:00 AM PST
I almost cried when I read the message on the card, "In a world full of phonies, you are the real deal!"This came from one of my first clients.And, while he paid me for my consulting services, this one sentence meant more to me than any consulting fee.
I still have this card.I keep it in a "feel-good" file to read whenever I feel down and out.It means a lot to me to be considered a "real-deal."Although, I have to admit that I had never really thought about what it means to be a real deal.I took it to mean authentic and credible.
But when I read Connie Dieken's new book, , I realized that there is much, much more to being the real deal.In fact, taking on being the real deal can put your career, your company and your personal brand on a powerful trajectory of success and profits.
A NEW TAKE ON INFLUENCE AND POWERFUL PRESENCE
Connie Dieken () is an executive coach to senior leaders at the world's top brands.Before she started coaching top executives on creating a powerful presence in front of TV cameras and shareholders, she was an Emmy Award winning television journalist who was inducted into the Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Her last book, Talk Less, Say More: Three Habits to Influence Others and Make Things Happen was a best-seller (and is my go-to book for presentations).
As you can see, Connie has been studying influence for more than thirteen years.She isn't interested in the kind of influence that is focused on getting people to do "what you want them to do," but the kind of influence that connects you to your audience in a powerful way that touches, moves and inspires them.
DO YOU HAVE THESE THREE KEYS TO A POWERFUL PRESENCE?
Granted, some people are just born with presence, but most don't come by it naturally.Dieken has a track record for turning ho-hum leaders into heroes and she reveals all her tricks in Become the Real Deal.
Following the same simple style she teaches inTalk Less Say More, she delivers her powerful insights to influence in delicious bites of three layers:
* Layer One: Inner Presence: How you experience yourself
* Layer Two: Verbal Presence: How you reveal your messages
* Layer Three: Outer Presence: How others experience you
Each "layer" is a section and each section contains the same general chapters:
* What is Inner, Verbal and Outer Presence?
* Centered (Inner, Verbal and Outer Presence)
* Too Little
* Too Much
* Action Plan
Your job is to read each section carefully, find yourself and your style inside the pages and follow the action plan she has set out for you.
INNER PRESENCE IN ACTION
Let me take you through a mini experience of a section here.
In Layer One: Dieken explains that inner presence is how you experience yourself.This might sound a little "spiritual" she says, but it's critical to understand if you see your inner presence as an asset or a liability.Then in Chapter two, she takes you through a simple inventory of your inner presence that focuses on your values and beliefs, since these are the primary drivers of how you occur for yourself.
I especially like that she has a decent sized list of values that you can review and then select the ones that you feel best represent the values you live by.
If you're like me and hesitate writing inside of a crispy new hardcover book, I urge you to get over yourself and mark up the book, taking notes in the margins and going through the exercises.There isn't exactly a lot of room to write an essay, but there is enough space to write in some notes of what jumps out at you as you read through the material.
Don't worry, there are plenty of examples of real people working through each process. Some you'll know, like Condoleezza Rice and some you won't know, like Steve, a leader who had acquired two companies with different cultures and wanted to successfully integrate them.
Dieken outlines what powerful presence looks like when it's working and what it looks like when it isn't.Trust me, you will see yourself in both.
That's when you will want to move over to the section where she gives you action strategies that you can practice and put in place to hone your presence.
YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO IGNORE YOUR IMPACT ON THE WORLD
The one lesson you will get from Become the Real Deal is that you are making an impact and an impression on those around you.The question you have to ask yourself is whether you want to be in control of the impressions you are creating or if you want to just leave it up to chance.I don't know about you -- but I prefer the latter.
Become the Real Deal is so much more than a business book for small business owners. This is a book that should be required reading for anyone who is interested in successfully navigating our always communicating culture.
I would especially recommend this book to young professionals who are just starting out in the work world because they are just forming their professional style.Become the Real Deal will be a powerful asset to their professional development.
My biggest complaint about this book is that it doesn't come with private lessons from Connie Dieken.I'm being a little facetious, but there is an element of truth in what I'm saying.I think that if you are really committed to honing your influence and communication style, it's going to be difficult to do it alone.You might consider recruiting some like-minded friends to read the book, go through the exercises together and give each other feedback and coaching.
If you've read ,you can't afford to miss out on .It's an integral part to an effective communication strategy and style.Once you've mastered what you say and how you say it, you'll not only make your desired impact on the world, you will know that you are, indeed, the "real deal."
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