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What I Learned in My First Month of Running a Startup Accelerator

One of the things I focused on is trying to make the program a lot more structured than YCombinator and modeled it around a finishing school that I always wanted.

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Microsoft Accelerator
Photo: dr-hempel-network.com

I have been the CEO of the Microsoft Accelerator for the past month. There are 11 companies as part of the batch and it has been an exciting ride. One of the things I focused on is trying to make the program a lot more structured than YCombinator and modeled it around a finishing school that I always wanted. Here are the top things I learned.

1. Don’t Try to Change an Entrepreneur’s Idea

They have to come up with something they like themselves. This seems fairly trivial. There are many incubators and seed funds that believe if you dont have an idea, but are great entrepreneur material, they will “give you ideas”.

That rarely works. Entrepreneurs have ownership and pride only for things they believe “they came up with on their own”. Anything borrowed (even if its a clone or knock-off idea from a US startup) is theirs. They will put more wood behind their idea than anything you ever propose.

2. Indian Entrepreneurs Have Varied Expectations from Accelerators

One entrepreneur wanted “execution” help in actually doing the design (preferably a full time designer and user experience person for a few weeks to do it) and another wanted better quality food at the cafeteria.

Some think the biggest value proposition of an accelerator is the “quality of the space” (i.e the physical location), while another thought the value was the other startups who would egg them to get better.

3. “Grass is Greener

Regardless of what you offer, there’s always someone offering more or better, which I think is the “grass is greener on the other side syndrome”. If I had a penny for every time someone said “I have heard YCombinator founders get XYZ” or “500 startups gives more ABC”, I’d have enough money to fund all the startups for a year.

4. Indian Companies Need a Lot More User Experience and Design Help than Any US Company

I have invested in over 20+ companies in the US and about 11 here in India. Its extremely hard to find good user experience talent in India. This is a different person from someone that just does Photoshop and illustration. We interviewed 23 “highly recommended” designers and user experience professionals in India. Most were average and were still charging rates from $20 / hour to $100 / hour. No negotiation.

Also read: 7 The Best Business Ideas to Make Money for Long-Term

5. The Go-to-Market Challenge is Largely Under-Appreciated in India among Founders

Many need more help here than any other area, but tend to relegate the problem to “lets hire someone to do that”. Unless one founder is deeply involved in the customer development process, we largely build technology for the sake of it.

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Business

6 Affordable Co Working Space around the Globe

Affordable co working space are becoming popular these days. This place can help people to boost their focus, creativity, and relax.

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Affordable Co Working Space

Affordable co working space are becoming more and more popular, especially for millennials and gen Z. Are you one of them? 

Well, co-working space is a great way to meet new people, get inspired and motivated, and do some good work with deep focus. Aside from the fact that they are located in some of the world’s most stunning cities (like London or Paris), there is also something else! Yes, each one has a unique design that reflects its surroundings. 

From creative to dedication of innovation, these co-working spaces have it all! So, keep reading our top beautiful and comfortable co-working spaces around the globe!

Affordable Co Working Space around the Globe You Should Make a Plan to Visit

As we can throwback, the europea of co-working has become popular after we had been through the pandemic COVID-19. Back that time, almost all offices around the world decided to work online from home to reduce the outbreaks of the viruses. 

Fortunately, we have fought against the Coronavirus, however, that new policy to work from home or “remote” is still efficient these days. Therefore, many workers like to spend their time in co-working spaces to finish their work or have meetings with a team. 

So, these are some affordable co working space around the world that you should make a plan to visit one of them one day.

1. Soho Works, London

Soho Works is part of the Soho House and Co. This way beyond the scope of an affordable co working space in London. This coworking space majorly provides to the entrepreneurs, business, and startups, which are working in the creative industry. 

They offer all-round services to the numbers, which include 24/7 access, professional help, events, tech support, food, beverages, and more. Our opinion, this workplace in East London is popular for its culture and encouraging ecosystem. 

Address:

Unit 4.01, The Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JJ London, United Kingdom

Opening Hours:

7am to 10pm (Monday to Friday)

11am to 6pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Contact:

(Phone) +44 (0) 20 3841 7600

Website: Soho House

Pricing:

(Membership) There are several plans to choose from at Soho House. You can either for a hot desk in the usual sitting area or book a shared permanent desk which also has a locker within your desk. There is a study plan where you can get a whole room for up to 10 people. 

2. The Yard, NYC

Another affordable co working space is The Yard. This modern and professional workspace is ideal for anyone seeking a more comfortable coworking environment. This place focuses on creating a quiet, focused work environment. So it is ideal for mature startups and experts. 

Some of the unique facilities provided by The Yard are ergonomic chairs, gallery spaces, and regular networking events. For us, the Pricing at this affordable co working space is competitive, scaling up based on the workspace size and needs.

Address:

The Yard HQ 157 13th Street Brooklyn, NY 11215

Opening Hours:

09.30 am to 05.30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Contact:

(Email) hello@theyard.com

Website: The Yard

Pricing:

Starts at $30 per day

3. Workcentral, Singapore

Here, in Workcentral affordable co working space, you can get a deep focus with minimalist nuance surroundings. This workspace, which is home to a distinctive mix of people and businesses, is conveniently situated in the Dhoby Ghaut area. 

Moreover, this affordable co-working space has differentiated work zones and main designed suites to provide a variety of day-to-day working needs (focused work, networking, relaxing or even hosting meetings). We see they also provide the basic services a business needs and take pride in delivering them with excellence.

Address:

190 Clemenceau Ave, #06-01 Singapore Shopping Centre

Opening Hours:

09.00 am to 05.00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Contact:

(phone) +65 6708 8200

Website: Workcentral

Pricing:

Starts at $500 per month

4. La Permanence, Paris

Bonjour et bienvenue à Paris!

The best option from La Permanence is ideal when time is of the essence and cost-effective efficiency is all that’s required as your perfect affordable co working space. This place is perfect for students or those on a budget. 

We bet this working space will make you feel like in the university lab or for the freelance crowd with bright and clean style surroundings. 

Address:

2-4 rue du Fer à Moulin, 75005 Paris

Opening Hours:

09.00 am to 05.00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Contact:

(email) contact@la-permanence.com

Website: La Permanence

Pricing:

Starts at $90 per month

5. Groworking, Rome

Well, it is no secret that Rome is not short of great affordable co working space by any means. But, among all of them, Groworking obviously stands out  thanks to the fact that they have managed to create a perfect environment for entrepreneurs and creative workers. 

Developing a sense of community and fostering social ties is highly valued. No wonder if they also host regular events to foster new life-changing connections and help their members take their ideas and business to the next level. 

Address:

Via della Fonte Meravigliosa, 44, 00143, Italia

Opening Hours:

09.00 am to 07.00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Contact:

(email) info@groworking.it

Website: Groworking

Pricing:

Starts at $22 per day

6. Work Inc, Sydney

Work Inc is another affordable co working space in North Sydney. This working space pursues to be more than the common office, and provides its members the chance to create and grow a community of like-minded professionals. 

Work Inc offers a growing pool of talented Web Developers, Web Designers, and Graphic Designers. Facilities of this place include unlimited internet, bike racks, printing facilities, meeting rooms, and a fully-stocked kitchen. 

Address:

6 Middlemiss St.Lavender Bay, NSW 2060

Opening Hours:

07.30 am to 05.00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Contact:

(email) info@workinc.com.au

Website: Work Inc

Pricing:

Starts at $150 per week

So, which is the best affordable co working space that interests you the most for the next plan? You don’t need to be worried for the price, as all of them are wallet-friendly. Most importantly, those working spaces will help boost your focus, creativity, and will make you relax!

Read Also: Individually Proficient, Collectively Efficient; Why Your First Hire Matters

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6 How to Make a Business Presentation More Relatable

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How to Make a Business Presentation

Looking for some ways on how to make a business presentation more relatable? Whether you are going to speaking to an audience of business leaders, dealing with a client or leading a staff meeting, you will face the same problem, how to deliver complex ideas, so they will stick in your listener’s minds and encourage them to take expected actions.

You need to be both memorable and convincing presenter. In this article, we will discuss how to make a business presentation that relatable to your audiences.

How to Make a Business Presentation More Relatable

Business Presentation

Business Presentation

You have probably known that people in an audience will remember only 10 – 20% of what they hear. You can add slides to your talk and retention jumps to about 30%. However, you don’t need to settle for 20% or 30% retention rates.

There is no limit to your ability to hold people’s attention, if you can engage their minds and inspire them with images and ideas that make them buzz afterwards. So, here are some ways on how to make a business presentation more relatable.

1. Understand Your Audience to Connect

To make a successful business presentation, you must first understand your audience. You might wonder what will inspire them. What hurts them the most? What ideals, ambitions, and objectives will they have? You can make your presentation more relatable to your audience once you have a thorough understanding of them.

2. To Get Your Audience Interested, Tell a Story

Telling a story is one of the most effective ways to engage your audience. Stories have the ability to inspire strong feelings in us and enable us to connect with the experiences of others.

By sharing a personal story from yourself or another person, you are allowing your audience to take a look inside your lives and extending an invitation for them to travel with you. Additionally, your audience is most attentive when you are telling stories.

3. Include Metaphors and Images

Sometimes, your audience may require a little help in comprehending the abstract ideas or complicated aspects of how to deliver a business presentation. Similes, metaphors, and analogies are useful tools for bringing these to life. They can help you to make complex ideas more relatable and make your point more visual.

4. Be Authentic

Audiences can recognize when you are faking it. They are far less to connect with you when they find you are not being genuine. Therefore, to connect with your audience speak from the heart, you need to be passionate. Let your own personal conviction and experience carry your presentation.

You will be successful on how to make a business presentation, and people will be much more likely to keep their mind of what you say.

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell

5. Use Humor

If you success make your audience smile or laugh, you will make an instant emotional connection. It will help break down the barriers and make your point more memorable. Don’t try telling a flat of jokes, professional comedians are processionals for a reason.

6. Give Rhetorical Questions to Engage Your Audience

Of course, rhetorical questions on how to make a business presentation will make curiosity and encourage active participation from the audience. It engages them more in your presentation. This technique is useful to captivate your audience’s attention and enhance their overall experience during your presentation.

Well, those are some tips on how to make a business presentation that you can follow. In the business, our goal is must be reaching the audience’s attention, and attract them to take a positive action for your business. So, make sure you give them best and relatable presentation.

Read Also: 10 Important Things to Have in Life for Financial Success

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7 The Best Business Ideas to Make Money for Long-Term

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The Best Business Ideas to Make Money

Doing the best business ideas to make money is indeed one of the most profitable long-term businesses. Over time, the business world has developed. Considering that now the reach of business has become easier because of the internet.

For those of you who want to build your own business, of course you have to be smart in reading promising business opportunities and situations for the future. A promising business opportunity can be a gateway to success, either as an additional income or as your main source of work later.

Here is a brief review of the most promising business ideas to tips on building a successful business that you can make a reference before creating your own business!

The Best Business Ideas to make money

For those of you who want to create an independent business, here are the best business ideas to make money that have the biggest and most promising opportunities in the future that you must know, namely:

1. Online Shop

Online Shop is the best business ideas to make money due to the significant development of the times, so that many people start shopping online. Then, the stock of goods sold in online shops is very high. Even to buy it can be accessed anytime and anywhere with only a mobile phone and internet connection.

2. Freelance

One business that has other great opportunities is freelancer. You can become a freelancer in the world of writing or translation. This will be a great opportunity for those of you who have passion and good writing and foreign language skills.

3. Skincare Business

Skincare also can be the best business ideas to make money. Because skincare products are needed by almost everyone, making this business has potential and can reach a diverse target market. 

However, the ever-changing beauty trends make you have to do research to find out what skincare products are most in demand so that your business does not lose competitiveness and lag behind the times.

4. Culinary and Beverage Business

One of the best business ideas to make money is the culinary and beverage business. Given the growing times, there are more and more unique models and types of food that you can offer at your food stall.

5. Wedding Organizer and MUA

Wedding Organizers (WO) and MUA (Makeup Artist) are also the best business ideas to make money, considering that weddings are one of the traditions in Indonesia that are still widely practiced. However, to run this business you need good teamwork and careful planning to maximize your business.

6. Tour and Travel Business

A tour and travel business is a type of business that provides travel services, ranging from selling flight tickets, hotels, transportation, to tour packages. Tour and travel business opportunities are supported by the development of digital technology.  Usually, to build this business you must also have good communication skills with clients, agents and other communities to reach a wider market.

7. Grocery Store Business

The grocery business is a promising business opportunity, because the need for groceries is always there every day. This makes the grocery business a big enough opportunity to last a long time. In fact, you can also promote your grocery store easily by only utilizing the sophistication of technology and social media.

Success Tips in Doing Business

After you get a lot of information about the most profitable business ideas. Here are some things you must do if you want your business to grow and be recognised by the public at large, including:

  • Promote products by utilizing social media and technology
  • Find out what market needs you can fulfill so that you can take the opportunity
  • Communicate well with customers
  • Learn from failure and dare to take risks so that you will continue to look for the latest innovations in handling failures in business
  • Be consistent with the best business ideas to make money you are building
  • Determine the marketing target, approximately who you want to spread your product to and where to go
  • Make a good management structure, you have to organize time and financial management in detail.

From the above reviews, it can be concluded that all types of the best business ideas to make money will run smoothly if you want to be consistent and have good self-management. 

You also have to be good at reading the marketing situation, in case what needs are being needed by the community and you can adjust it to your business. So, are you ready to build a successful business?

Read Also: 40 Good Brand Name Ideas for Great Business

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