How Mark Zuckerberg’s Vision Has Changed Since Facebook Went Public
How Mark Zuckerberg’s Vision Has Changed Since Facebook Went Public.
“For the past decade, Facebook has focused on connecting friends and families,” Zuckerberg wrote.
One the eve of Facebook’s IPO in February 2012, Zuckerberg laid out his plans for investors in a letter that took on similar themes, though was not as detailed.
We believe that this creates a greater number of stronger relationships between people, and that it helps people get exposed to a greater number of diverse perspectives.” In his Feb. 16, 2017 letter, he led with the idea of utilizing Facebook to build support systems in real life.
“Online communities are a bright spot, and we can strengthen existing physical communities by helping people come together online as well as offline,” Zuckerberg wrote.
“In the same way connecting with friends online strengthens real relationships, developing this infrastructure will strengthen these communities, as well as enable completely new ones to form.
“This is technically difficult as it requires building AI that can read and understand news, but we need to work on this to help fight terrorism worldwide,” Zuckerberg wrote.
“Keeping our community safe does not require compromising privacy,” he wrote.
Again, the CEO cited the platform’s ability to bring users together offline.
“The Women’s March is an example of this, where a grandmother with an internet connection wrote a post that led her friends to start a Facebook event that eventually turned into millions of people marching in cities around the world.” Related: Mark Zuckerberg: I Would Only Hire Someone to Work For Me If I Would Work For Them Zuckerberg used the letter to acknowledge mistakes Facebook has made in monitoring and removing content on the platform, citing the removal of videos related to Black Lives Matter and historic images from the Vietnam War as well as the “misclassifying of hate speech.” Zuckerberg characterized these exchanges with users as painful, noting “In the last year, the complexity of the issues we’ve seen has outstripped our existing processes for governing the community.” He laid out his idea for developing a system of personalized settings when it comes to what content you see in your feed, proposing the idea of a questionnaire to determine how much users see content containing violence, nudity and profanity.
3 Questions That You Should Regularly Ask Yourself That Can Transform Your Life
Doing this also encourages you to pause and think more deeply.
What’s more, asking the right questions stimulates creative thinking that can inch you that much closer to experiencing a major breakthrough.
Such questioning has been monumental in my own personal and professional growth over the years.
Taking the time to ask yourself where you currently are in life is incredibly important.
Start asking yourself on a continual basis where you currently are in life and answer that question honestly.
And a lot of the regret that people unfortunately experience comes directly from never taking the time to ask this simple but extremely important question.
In this day and age, it is so easy to get sidetracked by the fast-paced and noisy world we live in, while totally forgetting about what we truly want for our lives, personally and professionally.
This question also happens to be the one that most people end up never asking because it requires a whole lot of work and actually getting up and doing something after you take the time to answer it.
Asking the above three questions and taking the time to write out the answers on a regular basis has changed my life in so many ways; and I fully believe it can do the same for you.
When we set aside time to write everything out, we start to see things we never would have seen before.
India Dealbook: Imaginate, The Ken raises funding; Obino buys Fitard
How Hard Is It for Startups to Raise Capital in Philly?
How Hard Is It for Startups to Raise Capital in Philly?.
Case in point: COSY (Cognitive Operations Systems, Inc), a software platform that enables robots to navigate retail stores autonomously to help businesses manage inventory and maintain smooth operations.
At a talk about innovation and capital at the Pennovation Center on Thursday, the company’s founder and CEO, Jonas Cleveland, announced a $2.3 million seed round of funding led by Intel and Chicago’s GoodPoint Ventures.
So what was it like for COSY to raise the funds?
(It looks like his work paid off: Walgreens is already locked in as a customer, and Cleveland said the country’s top 10 retailers flew to Pennovation to meet with his team.)
“You can expect to pivot,” Snyder said, “don’t fall in love with your first use case.” When COSY first developed its technology back in 2012, it was a B2C tool that could help consumers navigate around a shopping mall, for example.
And to get more capital flowing through Philly, the panel recommended that the city stop poking holes in its innovation story.
What the city can become better at is “sharing Philadelphia’s many success stories,” Cleveland said.
Nate Lentz, managing director at Osage Venture Partners who moderated the discussion last night agreed.
COSY is a spinout of UPenn’s GRASP Laboratory and was one of the first occupants at Pennovation Works, where Cleveland said the team’s focus was commercializing the research that they had in the works for some time.
How Your Personal Credit Score Can Impact Your Business
How Your Personal Credit Score Can Impact Your Business.
Making things even more challenging, your business may not be able to stand on its own when it comes to applying for credit.
In this case, while you can apply for business credit cards or business loans, they will all be under your name and you are personally liable for paying the debts back.
Similarly, if you have bad credit, your business will not be approved for new loans or may have to pay higher interest rates because of your personal credit score and credit history.
LLCs As an LLC, your personal credit has an impact on your business, but not as strong as a sole proprietorship.
LLCs are considered “pass through entities,” which means the business results are reported on your personal tax return.
They have their own tax ID number, they file their own taxes, they can have their own bank accounts and your personal credit typically is not considered when applying for new loans or credit cards.
When you apply for new credit and have a corporation, your personal credit will still be looked at and taken into account, but the business is essentially responsible for itself.
Your Personal Credit Matters In most cases, if you are running your business as a sole proprietorship, LLC or S-Corp, your personal credit definitely impacts your business.
This is why it is so important to make on-time payments, never pay less than the minimum and never spend more than you can afford to pay back.
Got Your Post-Death Checklist? Grace Can Help.
Kruger and Luchsinger want to keep Grace free to families and build on their directory of providers with a suite of online tools to help patients and families navigate what needs to be done, from one central resource. “The more we talk to families, the better our product can become,” said Kruger.
Grace got its start on the East Coast under a different name, Attendant.
Then my great-uncle died,” Kruger told PCMag.
I asked my family how I could help, and the idea for a digital solution began to emerge.”
Kruger had been looking for a new business idea. “We wanted to be somewhere that has a digitally forward population, where people are open to using a service like Grace, that’s online.
They applied to the Techstars program, which mentors promising startups, and were accepted into the Boulder, Colorado, program. “It was through [Techstars] that Cedars Sinai found out about us,” Luchsinger told PCMag.
What’s next for Grace?
3 of the Top Opportunities and Challenges for Digital Marketing in 2017
Recently, I sat down with Peter Handy, CEO of Dallas-based digital marketing agency Advantix Digital, to discuss the future of digital marketing trends in 2017.
“Capturing the customer in the moment means the customer will be less likely to spread their negative review across the internet,” says Handy.
Local SEO/local listings The challenge: The world of SEO is constantly changing, especially when it comes to local listings, Google maps and mobile optimization.
You also need to identify and clean up duplicate listings that could be causing confusion among your customer base, and ensure all your listing information is up to date.
If you are running into problems with duplicate-listing removal, partnering with a digital marketing agency like Advantix can help speed up the process.
Local listings often fall into this category.
If your business is brand new, however, knowing where to get started — or even where to build an engaged audience on social media — can be a challenge.
Focus on building an engaged audience with curated, active social media pages.
Yes, brands will be trying out tactics like live-streaming and immersive experience-content marketing, but don’t overlook the importance of building a strong digital marketing foundation.
Local search, online reputation management and a consistent, curated social media profile are three digital marketing essentials for every startup in 2017.
Parents Advised to Destroy My Friend Cayla Dolls
Parents Advised to Destroy My Friend Cayla Dolls.
Internet-connected toys are a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, they can offer access to a wealth of knowledge available online, but you need to trust such devices are secure before giving them to kids.
In December last year, a complaint was filed with the FTC regarding the My Friend Cayla doll and i-Que robot.
Due to an insecure Bluetooth connection included with the doll and robot, a hacker could listen in or even talk to a child through the doll.
The doll is manufactured by Genesis Toys and distributed by the Vivid Toy Group in Europe.
As the BBC reports, under German telecoms law the Cayla doll is classified as a “concealed transmitting device.”
The only problem could be if it’s currently in the possession of a child who would be distraught to lose it.
A visit to a toy shop to select a replacement may remedy that, though.
More from PCMag
Secrets to Building A Startup with Logan LaHive of Techstars Chicago
Secrets to Building A Startup with Logan LaHive of Techstars Chicago.
“I’ve always been involved in a startup and sort of obsessed with startups and technology.
LaHive had been a mentor to the Chicago community since 2010, even at RedBox, and he felt this was the place for him to make an impact.
Secret #1: Social Validation During the early stages, meeting people and telling them what you do is key to getting the word out about your company.
Secret #2: It’s About the Team In early-stage funding, 9 out of 10 key criteria for venture capitalists is the team.
I focused on networking when Belly was pre-product and raising seed.
I just focused on actively selling and working on product at night,” LaHive said.
“There is no standard or perfect way to build a business.
[However,] if you are looking at raising a venture round from investors who are in a consumer product, then the coverage does matter and that’s an early part of tractions.
LaHive’s main advice to founders who wish to help their community is this.. “The best thing that founders can do for their community is build a great company” Read more about Logan’s appointment at Techstars here.
11 Ways To Be Frugal Now So You’re Rich Later
11 Ways To Be Frugal Now So You’re Rich Later.
It also involves being careful with your spending by being frugal.
He lives in the same house he purchased in 1958 for a mere $32,000 (which was a lot of money in 1958).
In short, we all wasted countless amounts of dollars on unnecessary expenses or things that we don’t need.
When it comes to recycling, you can cash-in on your aluminum can, cardboard and broken appliances by taking them to scrap yards.
Don’t use your credit card if you don’t have the money to pay off the balance.
They’re useful when building your credit, which you’ll need if you want to start a business or purchase a home.
There really are a lot of free things out if you do a little bit of research.
I’ve got a pair of loafers that I still wear that I got in 1957.” There’s a misconception that being frugal means that you’re cheap.
In fact, most frugal individuals splurge occasionally.
The Secret to Media Attention: 7 Rules for Crafting the Perfect PR Pitch
Most entrepreneurs know very little about PR and how it has shifted in the past few years — and even less about how to actually pitch the media.
You may think one way to get earned media is to make your product so incredibly intriguing that deluged content editors somehow find out about it on their own.
You, Ms. or Mr. CEO, are going to have to get earned media the hard way — by pitching editors and journalists yourself, or by hiring someone to do this for you.
Now that editors’ email addresses are more accessible and PR firms are more aggressive with their pitching, to get an editor’s attention, you need to impress them with “the perfect pitch.” Isaac and I use the following guidelines to create just that.
However, don’t get discouraged if your pitches don’t get picked up immediately, because pitching is a process.
Make sure the headline is familiar, but unexpected.
If you’ve been written about anywhere, include that in a short, three-sentence paragraph describing yourself and/or your company.
This should go either very first or very last in your pitch email.
An angle is more or less the reason that this particular news source is covering this particular story — at this particular time.
Be sure to always be authentic and engage your intended recipient in a relatable way that will resonate with them.
President’s Day Electronics Sales: TVs, Laptops and More
Dell XPS 8910 Intel Core i5-6400 Quad-Core Win10 Pro Desktop for $499.99 (use code: XPS499 — list price $749.99).
Tobii Eye Tracker 4C Head & Eye Tracker PC Gaming & Input Periphral (Works on Watch Dogs 2, Deus Ex & more) for $109.99 (use code: EYE40 — list price $149.99).
Laptop and desktop computers Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Intel Core i3-5005U 15.6″ Win7 Pro Laptop for $299.00 (use code: LT299 — list price $475.85).
Dell Inspiron 14 Intel Celeron N3060 Dual-Core 14″ Laptop with Windows 10 for $149.99 (list price $249.99).
HDTVs and home entertainment Vizio P55-C1 55″ 4K 120Hz HDR Full-Array LED Home Theater Display w/ 126 Dimming Zones + $400 Dell Gift Card for $1099.99.
Electronics and components Annke 720p Wireless IP Camera w/ 2-Way Audio for $45.59 (use code: GL9KXACE — list price $59.99).
WEme Mini Displayport/Thunderbolt 2 to DVI Adapter for $3.96 (use code: QD5RL8F7 — list price $9.99).
For more Electronics deals, visit TechBargains.
Home and miscellaneous Bosch Icon Windshield Wiper Blades Sale – from $12.29 to $20.23 with 15% off Subscribe & Save (Lowest prices of the season).
Instant Pot IP-LUX60 V3 Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker, 6Qt, 1000W (updated model) for $79.99 (list price $99.99).
3 Tracking Technologies That Will Change the Future
My personal favorite at the moment is tracking technologies.
The tracking technology most people are familiar with is the Global Positioning System, or GPS, satellite technology owned by the U.S. government and operated by the Air Force but now a commercial part of our everyday lives.
will grow in popularity; and personalization engines will be even more accurate.
But a new trend is making use of all of these connections: fog computing.
While not a tracking technology, in the sense that GPS is, fog computing’s main benefit is that it can give data systems the ability to understand when certain changes or services are required at specific locations.
The most exciting potential applications of fog computing will use data to aggregate information for applications and services.
Why entrepreneurs should care.
While the technology is still under development, the idea of pairing GPS with biometric sensors — think “a Fitbit for cows” — seems a sound and ideal way to manage the problem.
Why entrepreneurs should care: Considering getting into the organic food industry, or starting a free-range ranch with animal welfare in mind?
The future of tracking technology will lead the IoT and technology industries, and we can only guess where the possibilities will take us.
Social Impact Investing Is Attracting New Funds As Well As New Startup Ideas
Social Impact Investing Is Attracting New Funds As Well As New Startup Ideas.
I said “yes” to an invite to Impact Engine’s annual showcase the other day, and walked away thinking that what might have been a fleeting fancy seems to be taking root.
But this year the event featured as many impact venture funds as startups.
The idea was to help entrepreneurs build companies that can make money while solving a social problem.
It offered mentorship and cash, in return for a piece of each company.
“Today more than ever we have to use all the tools at our disposal to create the world we want our children to live in.
Capitalism is one of those tools.” Funds featured at Impact Engine’s recent showcase were Ekistic Ventures, a $15 million seed fund looking for companies tackling urban problems; the Clean Energy Trust, an accelerator focusing on clean-tech startups; SLoFIG, a network of angel investors focusing on sustainable local food; Energy Foundry, which helps energy companies connect with entrepreneurs; and Further Fund, which works in the healthcare space.
Advanced Diamond Technology turns natural gas into diamond material that can be used in industrial, electronic and medical applications.
Resonance Medical is a medical device software company focused on cochlear implants and other devices.
Edovo offers tablet-based educational and rehabilitative programming aimed at reducing recidivism among jail and prison inmates.
Top Silicon Valley VC firm Accel leads $15M round for Opal, a marketing collaboration startup based in Portland
Opal, a marketing collaboration startup based in Portland, today announced a $15.5 million Series B round led by Accel, the 34-year-old Silicon Valley venture capital firm, along with participation from existing investors Madrona Venture Group, Seven Peaks Ventures, and MMC Ventures.
GeekWire reported on the funding back in December, but now we have more details about how Opal will use the fresh cash and the investors involved.
Clients include NASA, Nike, Starbucks, Target, Airbnb, and others.
In 2014, it raised an $8 million Series A round led by Seattle-based Madrona.
Total funding in the company is now $25.6 million.
This Series B round marks a pivotal milestone for the company as it looks to establish itself as the top platform of choice for companies that want to streamline their brand marketing process across every consumer touch point.
“We want to accelerate growth and solidify our position as a market leader in this space we feel we are defining,” Opal CEO Steve Giannini told GeekWire.
Giannini stressed the importance of having Accel lead its Series B round, given the firm’s investments in other enterprise collaboration software companies like Dropbox, Slack, Atlassian, Invision, Frame.io, and others.
“This notion of collaboration software and helping the way teams work together to get jobs done is a major investment thesis for them,” he said.
Opal’s top-notch list of clients pay a licensing fee of $100,000 per year, on average, Giannini said.
This Billionaire Entrepreneur Says You Need to Be in the ‘Reordering’ Business
This Billionaire Entrepreneur Says You Need to Be in the ‘Reordering’ Business.
I had the rare opportunity to interview John Paul Dejoria, co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair products and founder of Patrón tequila, at the City Gala, an Entrepreneur-sponsored event that’s all about entrepreneurship and creating a brighter future through charity.
How do you hire well?
How do you create a great culture?
But the one burning question I had was, “What advice can you give us business owners?” Here’s what Dejoria had to say.
“If you are prepared for it and know it’s going to come, it won’t be able to stop you and get you down.” Be in the ‘reordering’ business.
“Don’t be in the business of selling,” Dejoria said.
“You should be in the ‘reordering’ business.
And once you have found that success, Dejoria said to make sure you spread that fortune because, in his words, “success unshared is failure.” Be enthusiastic in the face of all odds.
“Be enthusiastic and don’t give up, no matter what is put in your face,” Dejoria said.
5 Companies Redefining Mobile in 2017
5 Companies Redefining Mobile in 2017.
back in 2000, I did exactly three things on it: I talked, messaged and played Snake.
Nintendo Remember last summer when all you saw when driving down the street was people running while repeatedly swiping forward on their device?
Maybe Super Mario Run isn’t as groundbreaking as Pokemon GO, but it alludes to mobile users’ desire for the throwback — the classic game, app or device — that brings us full-circle to where we are now.
Snap Inc. is also in talks with a wearable camera company, according to Business Insider.
Periscope was one of the first commercially viable mobile live-streaming services despite Facebook Live eclipsing it; it launched just a mere 5 months before Facebook Live and was acquired by Twitter at this time as well.
Periscope is a company changing the way we interact with our world — and making that interaction more mobile.
Postmates popularized the “on-demand delivery” industry with their food-dominated delivery app.
Mobile redefined These 5 companies are redefining what mobile means in our time.
Through AR, documenting one’s world, contextually-relevant apps and smart on-demand businesses, these companies are redefining how we interact with each other and our world.
Why Office Perks Are Traps, Not Benefits
Why Office Perks Are Traps, Not Benefits.
I haven’t slept for more than three hours at a time.
If my company were like most in the country, I’d be burdened by two kinds of guilt: The guilt of having left work for seven days to take care of my family and the guilt of having to go back to work and leave my family.
I work at a company that values its employees and gives real, meaningful benefits.
Let me say that differently: My company gives us benefits, not perks.
Benefits are things like health insurance, paternity leave, and paid sick leave.
These days, you’ll hear more about perks than you will about benefits.
Aren’t fathers just as important to raising children as mothers?
Vacation policies often have an “unlimited” label, yet employees rarely utilize the benefit because they feel pressure to take less time off.
If you do see a lot of fancy perks, ask yourself a simple question: Are those video game rooms, complimentary massages, or free dry cleanings really benefiting you — or are they making it so you’ll never leave the office?