I'm a sociologist, researcher, and writer who loves to learn + build businesses. My storytelling adventures have taken me through worlds as diverse as security, government innovation, and data.
3 color theory tips to inspire your digital design
This post was originally published on the Shutterstock blog and has been reprinted with permission.
Color makes the world beautiful. Nothing feels more energizing than a vibrant blue sky on a sunny day. And when we need peace? We take a walk through the snow, relax in the sand at the beach, or let ourselves become captivated with the orange, purple and pink sunset that, without fail, puts our busy days to rest.
Our everyday experiences teach us that color has value beyond what we see. It comp...
What is a Liquidation Preference?
A liquidation preference determines the order and the amount VCs get paid in the event of an exit.
The liquidation preference structure is impacted by the preference stack, multiple, and participation rights.
Liquidation preferences offer some level of protection in the event a startup fails or exits at a loss.
Startups are risky investments due to their high failure rates. One of the ways VCs can protect themselves from downside risk is with a liquidation preference.
A liquidation preference...
Why governments need open source more than ever
We face larger than life challenges in our world. Maybe open source's wisdom of the crowds can help solve them.
We’re in a unique—albeit confusing—moment in history.
“We’ve started 2023 staring down the barrel of a confluence of challenges unlike any other in our lifetimes,” said United Nations Chief António Guterres during the General Assembly in New York on February 6. “Wars grind on. The climate crisis burns on. Extreme wealth and extreme poverty rage on.”
Meanwhile, the Doomsday Clock, es...
How to land a job in climate tech
Climate tech is a niche industry and requires specific strategies to get a job in.
Last week, we outlined some reasons why a role in climate tech is a smart move for engineers seeking more meaning and purpose at work.
It’s unlikely that the perfect role is going to come to you; however. You’re going to need to put in the time and effort — which is understandably tough for people with busy schedules.
We put together this collection of tips to help you stay focused and execute.
1. Stop making e...
NxStop
Arriving late to school is stressful for everyone — from harried parents rushing to work and teachers trying to manage their classrooms to students starting their day already behind.
The disciplinary and academic burden of late arrivals is real and meaningful: One study found that late arrivals contributed to 25% of the variance on a state math test — students who were chronically late to class were less likely to pass their exams. According to anot...
How an AI Chatbot Works
In 2020, US-based eCommerce experienced a 30% growth, and accelerated the shift in physical to digital shopping by nearly two years. As a result, one of the biggest challenges companies must navigate is rising customer demands. But what’s the best way to meet people’s needs and ensure a smooth shopping experience?
According to a recent survey, 90% of consumers rated an “immediate response as important or very important” for their customer service expectations. Meanwhile, 75% of people expect ...
How Georgia State University Built a Global Community of Brand Advocates
Georgia State University, which ranks as one of the most innovative institutions in the US, has invested in designing and implementing a social media strategy that would scale across their institution. For the last two years, Georgia State’s #TheStateWay campaign has been a vibrant channel for sharing news, insights, and stories—communicating to audiences a unique spirit that is changing the higher education landscape.
When we wrote the campaign, our team wanted to approach our work with the ...
3 Steps to Building Your Credit History
Here are three steps to help you get started building your business credit history to give you financial options that cash alone simply cannot.
9 options for paying your employees when you can’t make payroll
It stands to reason that, due to a coronavirus-related cash flow problem, companies of all sizes may lapse on payroll. So what should you do if you can’t make payroll? Read on for six options for paying your employees when you think you can’t make payroll—and three options should you miss payroll.
6 ways to increase cash flow when you can’t make payroll
1. Ask your vendors for longer payment terms.
Humans are the heart of any business. Explain your situation to your vendors as soon as possibl...
The Best Time to Send an Email and How to Build Stronger Bonds with Your Audience
As the world navigates it’s new normal, one of the biggest challenges that you may face as a marketer is understanding the needs of your target audience. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people around the world to adapt to new ways of life; and while 2020 is about adjusting to change, 2021 and beyond will be about discovering and building new routines, especially around the way that we engage with screens.
For this reason, your email marketing strategy requires careful thought, consideration,...
Remote Setup: The Remote Guide to Logistics
This guide outlines the legal and finance challenges that companies often navigate, when building a remote-first workforce. Rather than offer prescriptive steps to regulatory gray zones, this resource highlights judgment calls that leaders should anticipate making, including outlining risks and rewards. Throughout each section, we’ll share our experience at Doist, a remote-first company, on building and scaling remote operations over the last 12 years.
Omniflow
In the coming years, digitization will be a key priority for cities around the world. One of the biggest questions on every local government leader’s mind is how to improve access to public services and quality of life. This need requires a heightened degree of integrated systems thinking and problem-solving. Connectivity and software-defined feedback loops are essential for effective resource management.
This need is largely responsible...
Zan Compute
One of the biggest challenges that the commercial real estate industry faces in the coming years is safety. Around the world, building occupants and facilities managers are questioning how to create safer spaces — to protect tenants, guests, and workers responsible for upkeep.
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing companies in all industries to take a more strategic and proactive approach to cleaning spaces. At a minimum, workplaces need to be cl...
Beyond Black Friday: Becoming an Agile Retailer
There has even been an evolution of new retail shopping trends such as Cyber Monday, which made its debut in 2005 to reach consumers who would rather shop online than participate in the Black Friday rush. Just seven years later in 2012, Giving Tuesday made its debut as part of a consumer-led movement to bring more attention to giving back during the season of “thanks.”
As a retailer, you’re impacted by constant change in the industry. Over the last decade, the world has seen dramatic changes ...
Decentralization and Solar: Blockchain as a Pathway to Infrastructure Development
Solar power projects are one of the biggest opportunities for investment in Africa. With more than 600 million Africans living without electricity, there’s a clear need. But there isn’t a clear path. Even though Africa is the most sun-rich continent in the world and pricing on new electricity generation is reaching record lows, limited financing and lack of government support have stood in the way of development. This gridlock has been a challenge for overseas investors and developers to crac...