heentrepreneurialmindsetbeginswithasenseofexcitementaboutthesuccesswhichisyet
Ttocome.Itstemsfromadisruptiveideathatcouldgoontopotentiallybecomethenext unicornbutunfortunatelythereisnobusiness-startupfairythatwouldsprinklethemagicdust andturntheideaintosuccess.
Whenwevisualizeanentrepreneur,wetendtothinkofsomeonewhoishard-working,determined andhavetheknowhowtoexpandhis/hernetwork;someonewhoiscreativelyinclinedandiswilling totakecalculatedriskstosucceed.Wethinkofanentrepreneurassomeonewithapositiveattitude andwhopossessesaninherentpassion.
Whilecultivatingallthesequalitiesisanintegralpartofentrepreneurship,notallsuccessful entrepreneursboastthesequalitiesinabundance.Somemightcompletelylackinsuchqualitiesothers mightpossessawealthofothers.But,theunderlyingcommonchainbetweenallthesuccessful entrepreneursistheundyingspiritofentrepreneurship.
Entrepreneursarekindoflikethesocietalrebels,whoareunwillingtobogdowntothestatusquo andconformtothestandardsfixedbyothers.Theyaretheoneswhopushthemselvestobreakpast theseboundaries.Itisthisspiritthatpreparesthemtofaceanynumberofproblemsandvividlysee thesolutionsandopportunitiespresentinfrontofthem.Itisthissamespiritthathelpsthemsurge aheadoftheirfearoffailureandovercomeinherentdoubt,allowingthemtoimprovise,inventand
createnewroadwaysandbusinesspaths.Entrepreneurialspiritreferstotheundyingbeliefin one’sowncapabilities.Itiswhatseparatesanentrepreneurfromasuccessfulentrepreneur
Hence,herein,InsightsSuccesshascuratedalistof“The30MostInspiringEntrepreneursof 2018,”whoarewavingtheircreativewandtobring-forwardthemostinnovativeanddisruptive solutiontotheindustryandleavingabenchmarkofleadershipforemergingEntrepreneursto followsuit.
OurCoverStoryfeaturesMichaelRisich,theCEOandFounderofBOLTONTECHNOLOGY, whotranslatedhis20yearoldvisionintoarealitytoformthecompanyandleadittowards success.Thecompanydesignsanautomotivesoftwaresolutionthatsolvesthemostcommon strugglesfacingtheAutomotiveRepair&MaintenanceIndustry
Theinspiringentrepreneurstatesthatitisateamofreallyhard-workingpeoplethathasmade thecompanywhatisknownastoday.Talkingaboutfacingchallenges,Michaelmentions “I always tell my children, get comfortable in the uncomfortable. It’s taking the challenges, going with the unknown, which helps in making your way.”
BOLTONliterallyboltsontoashop’smanagementsystem,makingeverythingtheydoeasier Theycansimplygrabatablet,takeaphotoofthelicenseplateandthentheentirevehicle’s information,includingtheVIN,canbepulledintothecustomer’sprofile.
AstheCEOofthecompany,Michaelpointsout “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Learn from your mistakes and never give up.”
Makesuretoscrollthroughthearticleswrittenbyourin-houseeditorialteam— How Day Planner Can Help You Become a Better Entrepreneur; Evolution of Female
; and The Four Most Admired Qualities of an Effective
AswellastheCXOStandpoint’s ofsomeoftheleading
tohaveabrieftasteofthe
CEO is just a title. It takes
Success can be defined in several ways, but it’s the impression you leave on others that makes the difference,” saysMichaelRisich,TheCEOand FounderofBOLTONTECHNOLOGY.
Theimpressionthis43-yearoldentrepreneurleavesonhis teammembers,businesspartners,andmostofallhis family,istosetgoals,worktowardsthem,andstaythe course.“Ialwaystellmychildren,getcomfortableinthe uncomfortable,”saidRisich.“It’stakingthechallengesand goingwiththeunknownthathelpsinmakingyourway.”
AndMike,mostcertainly,madeitinhisownway.
BornfromanIdea BOLTONstartedasanideanearly20yearsago,butitwas onlyin2009whenthecompanycametofruition. “Ididn’tinheritabusiness,Ididn’tbuyintoanything,”said Risich.“Itwasaboutseeinganeedandcreatingthe servicesthatwouldmakeashop’sjobeasier.Iwantedto findawaytohelpthem.”
WhenyoulookatBOLTONTECHNOLOGY’s achievements,youwouldneverguessthatthecompanyis stillinitsinfancy.LocatedinthesuburbsofPhiladelphia, the19,000square-footbuildinghasnearly50team membershelpingtoleadthechargeandchangethe automotiveindustry.WhenRisichhumblytalksabout ‘success,’hereferstohisfamilyandteamwhohelpedhim getthere.
“It’sateamofreallyhard-workingpeoplewhomakethis companywhatitis,”saidRisich.
Today,morethansixthousandshopsacrossNorthAmerica useBOLTONTECHNOLOGYintheireveryday operations;increasingrepairorders,makingthingsmore efficient,andimprovingtransparencybetweenshopsand vehicleowners.Thecompanyisknownmostlyfor
developingautomotivesoftwareandtakingthevehicle inspectionprocessandmakingitdigital.Itallows technicianstotakephotosandvideosofthevehicle,which arethensavedtoacustomer’sprofile.
Since2013,morethantenmillionphotoshavebeentaken bytechnicianswhouseBOLTONTECHNOLOGY Documentingthevehicle’sconditionandthensendinga textmessagetothevehicleownerallowsthemtosee everythingtheyneedtoknow Thevehicleownercanseein real-timewhatrepairstheyneedoranyother recommendationsthatneedfulfillment.Theycaneven followthestatusoftheircarwhileintheshop,asiftracking adeliveryfromFedExorUPS.Everythingthetechdoes, theserviceadvisorcanseeontheircomputer
ImprovingEveryAspectofaShop’sDay-to-DayProcess BOLTONliterallyboltsontoashop’smanagementsystem, makingeverythingtheydoeasier.Theycansimplygraba tabletandtakeaphotoofthelicenseplate;pullinginallthe vehicle’sinformation,includingtheVIN,andputitintothe customer’sprofile.Thesoftwarewillevenremindthe ownerthattheirnextoilchangeorothervehicle maintenanceisdue.
TheaverageshopthatusesBOLTONseestheiraverage repairorderincreaseupto39%andimprovementsin customerrelationshipsandretention.BOLTONworksto improveeveryaspectofashop’sday-to-dayprocess;from pickingupthephone,tonotifyingcustomersviatextthe conditionoftheirvehicle.Itistheonlysoftwarethatdoesit all.Competitorstrytocatchup,butBOLTONisyears aheadofthepack.
BOLTONhasbeenrecognizedasoneofthefastest growingcompaniesinthePhilly100,havingwontwo PTENAwards,beenlistedintheInc.5000twice,andhave alsobeenfeaturedonABCNews.Itsofficelobbyfeatures
When we say we're the industry’s leader in shop management software and we have major partnerships with the largest companies in the business—we mean it
anawardtablethatisquicklyrunningoutofroom.Rewind afewyears,andyouwouldseeRisich,andafewothers, sittingatapicnictableinthebackofanautomotiveshop. That’swheretheydeveloped,sold,andtestedthesoftware.
“There’salotofpinchablemomentswhereyoustopand think,‘Isthisreallyhappening?’saidRisich.“I’venever forgottenthepeople,themoments,andthedesiretokeep helpingothersthatgotmehere.”
ThisBucksCountyfamilymanismodestwhenhetalks abouthisachievementsasanentrepreneur,evenmoreso whenbeingrecognizedasoneofthe 30 Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2017.
“It’sanhonorknowingthatsomeonereadingthiscouldbe inspiredtomaketheirownimpression,theirownmarkin thebusinessworld;takingtheirideaandturningitinto reality.Itmeansalottome.”
Risichsaidthatittakestime,accountability,andevensome tryingtimestomakeapersonrealizetheirsuccess.
“Itwasn’talwayseasy,”saidRisich.“Thereweresome toughtimes;wewonderedifweweregoingtobeableto makerent.Ievenrememberborrowingmoneyfrommy daughter Thechallengesyoufaceandhowyouhandle themsaysalotaboutaperson.Justdon’tgiveup.Ialways hadthispassion,andIknewIcouldmakeitpossible.There wereafewtimesIwonderedwhatwouldcomenext,but youkeeptrying.”
Successdoesn’tcomeeasyorhappenovernight.It’sfinding innovativebusinesssolutionsthatforceustostayhonest andhardworking.
“Wedon’tusecontractsforoursoftwareagreements becauseitkeepsusaccountabletoourpromise.Westand behindourproduct,”saidRisich.“Formyentirecareer,I’ve hadwrittenonawhiteboardinmyoffice,‘howcanIhelp
you?’Why?BecausethatiswhatIbasedthiscompanyon andwillcontinuetodonomatterhowbigweget;that won’tchange.”
Innovationandambitionarelimitlessforthisfast-growing company.Risichhopestoadd20to30teammembersover thenextfewyearstokeepupwiththeever-growing demandandneedforconvenienceandsleekperformance.
“Youcanteachanyoneaproduct,butyoucan’tteach personality.Workingwithatalentedteamcanmakeor breakacompany.ImaybetheCEO,butIamapartofa familywhereeveryonelovescomingtowork.Iamnot betterthanthenextperson;CEOisjustatitle.Wedoalot ofthingstogether;eachmonth,thedifferentdepartments evenmakebreakfastforeachother.Youwilloftenhear themsharingstorieswitheachother,andevenwith customers;it’swhoweare.Weliketogettoknowone another,evenlettingourcustomerslearnmoreaboutus,” saidRisich.
Education,listening,communication,andwillingtoswim upstreamwillcontinuetomotivateRisich.
“We’rejustgettingstarted;IthinkIworkhardernowthanI everhave.Neverstoptrying,nevergiveup,”saidRisich. “Successisintheeyeofeachindividualontheirownlevel; butagain,beingsuccessfulismoreabouttheimpressions youleaveonthosearoundyou.That’smyadvice.Thatis whatcanmakeyouasuccessfulentrepreneur.”
Risichsaidhestillhasalottolearn;there’salways somethingnewwhenrunningacompany.Butifit’seasy, thenit’snotachallengethatkeepsyouwantingtodomore. “It’samarathon,notasprint.Learnfromyourmistakesand keepgoing,”saidRisich.“TherearetwojobsIneverwant tofailat;myfamilyandmyworkfamily.”
AllGo
AbleDevicefuelsthegrowthofM2Mbyreducingthecost,
withdeveloping
K.Srinivasan
AllGoEmbeddedSystemsisaleadingautomotiveinfotainment
playbacksupplier
AnthroTronix,
Corinna
Lathan
AnthroTronixisaresearchanddevelopment(R&D)firm
inthedevelopmentofadvancedinterface technology
Approyo
BOLT
Serge
ApproyoisaleadingglobalSAPHANAtechnologysolutions
BOLTONTECHNOLOGYdesignsautomotivesoftware
thatsolvethemostcommonstrugglesfacingthe
&MaintenanceIndustry
CGIGroupInc.,morecommonlyknownasCGI,isaCanadian
technology(IT)consulting,systems
outsourcing,andsolutionscompany.
Compassisbuildingthefirstmodern
industry’stoptalent
intelligentand
Concept
Inc.,
Correlsenseistheleading
andinstalls
tomakethe
It
Nick
Adam
CharlesSeybold
Sébastien
Monica
DocDocisAsia’sleadingpatientempowermentcompany Operatingin8countrieswithmorethan23,000doctors,
patientstofindtherightcareattherighttime.
FirstLineSoftwarespecializesinservingthemostdemanding
consistentlydeliveringqualitysoftwarebased
andproducts.
LiftIgniterisamachinelearningpersonalizationlayerthat
usersthroughapplicationandsoftwareinteractions.
LiquidPlannerisanonlineprojectmanagementsolutionthat helpsyoudotherightwork,attherighttime.
Locarisetracksandtheninterpretsallthecomplexinteractions
customers,retailers,brands,location,socialmedia, marketingcampaigns,theseasonsandmore.
MercuryGateprovidespowerfultransportationmanagement
tobeacompetitiveadvantagefortoday’smost
shippers,3PLs,freightforwarders,brokers,and carriers.
OmniNetdeliversthenextgenerationofFortune500-grade
andistheonlyproviderinthemarkettomovethe
businessestoavirtual,omnipresentperimeter.
Raheela
Plush
Propack
andother
solutionsfora
Salesforceistheinnovativecompanybehindtheworld’s#1
thatemployeescanaccessentirelyoverthe
SFA
Jason
&Co-founder
Simple
YunhaKim
Skillz
AndrewParadise
&CEO
StocksToTrade
TimBohen HeadofTraining
SynGlyphX
MarkE.Sloan
AartdeGeus
Validata
Bharat
Erik
Vaios
Payman
SFAandSFMproducessuccessfulsport,adventure, entertainmentandwellnessoperationsbyprovidingstrategic planning,modeling,financing,openingandmanagement servicesamongseveralothers.
SimpleHabitisa5-minutemeditationappdesignedforbusy peopleavailableasbothfreeandpremiumsubscription.
SkillzisaleadingmobileeSportsplatformthatcanbe integratedintoiOSandAndroidgames.Itoperatescash competitionsinmobilegamesofskill.
StocksToTradeisareal-timestockscreening,chartingand tradingplatformthatallowsyoutofindthebeststocksevery day!
SynGlyphXsoftwareenablesuserstoquicklymakesenseof complexdata.
Synopsystechnologyisattheheartofinnovationsthatare changingthewayweliveandwork.
Syntel'sservicespoweredbyautomationenableenterprisesto transformtheirITandBusinessProcessesforDigitalAge.
TotalCommunicatorSolutionsisaglobalinnovatorof
platforms,customizedandintegrated
thathelpclientsconnectwith
andfutureusersinmeasurablewayson connecteddevices.
ValidataGroupistheleaderintheEnterpriseSoftwaremarket
andApplicationLifecycleManagement(ALM), helpingitsclientsaccelerateapplicationdelivery,optimize businessrisks,andreducecosts.
Vismeisanonlineeasy-to-usevisualcommunication
individualsandcompaniestocreate professionalinteractivepresentations,infographics,and otherformsofvisualcontent.
InaninterviewwithInsights Success,thevisionaryandthecofounderofthesoftwareindustry giantAllGoEmbedded,K. Srinivasan,revealshisfruitfulinsights behindthesuccessofhisjourneyasan entrepreneur.Popularlyknownas Srini,theinsightfulleaderhasdriven thesoftwaresolutioncompanytothe globalscalewithhisrobustinnovation andmanagementskills.Belowarethe highlightsoftheinterviewconducted betweenSriniandInsightsSuccess:
Giveusabriefinsightofyour journeyasanEntrepreneur?And theroadthatledyourcompanyto whatitisknownastoday?
Srini:IstartedAllGoin2005along withafewofmycolleaguesfrom Motorola.Westarteddoingembedded softwaredevelopmentforautomotive andconsumerproducts.Otherthanan initialseedinvestmentfromsomeof ourfriends,thecompanyoperatedina boot-strappedmodel.Weinvestedin someofourownIntellectualProperty developmentinadditiontodoing contractsoftwaredevelopmentforour customers.Thoughweinitially
developedquiteafewdesignand technologyinconsumerproducts,our IPinconsumerspacedidn’treallysee marketsuccess.Notableamongthem wasalowcosttabletdesign,which thoughachievedasub$100price point,couldn’tcompetewithconsumer tabletsfromwell-knownbrandsand waseventuallyshelved.Our technologicalsuccessfinallycamein automotiveinfotainmentwiththe adventofsmartphoneconnectivity technologiessuchasCarPlayand AndroidAuto.Ourmediaand connectivitysoftwareforautomotive infotainmentachievedgoodmarket tractionamongautomotiveOEMsand Tier1s.Wewereonlyoneofthethree ISVsofferingthissoftware.Oneofour customersVisteonCorporationwas interestedtoownthistechnologyinhouse.Aftermorethan10yearsof journeyasanentrepreneurialcompany, weagreedtobepurchasedbyVisteon, andarepartoftheVisteonfamilysince July2016.AllGocontinuestooperate asanindependentsoftwarevendor providingIVIandDMSsolutionsto OEMsandTier1sevenafterbeing acquiredbyVisteon.
Whatarethe services/solutions/productsoffered byAllGo?
Srini:Weoffersolutionsfor automotiveinfotainmentformediaand smartphoneconnectivitytechnologies. Notableamongthemisourintegrated mediaandsmartphonemirroringstack called RACE 2.0, whichwon a CES innovation award in 2017.Wealso providesolutionsforeCockpit developmentusingAndroidandLinux. Ournewestinvestmentsforfuture growthareincamerabasedDriver Monitoring,HighspeedIn-Car connectivityandEmbeddedSecurity
Whatpromptedtheinceptionof AllGoEmbeddedSystems?What wasthepivotalmoment?
Srini:Afterspendingover10yearsin Motorola,Iwaslookingformore interestingcareeroptions.When MotorolaspunoffFreescaleasa separatesemiconductorcompany,there wasanopportunitytodocontract softwaredevelopmentwithFreescale asourcustomer.Thisprovidedthe sparktostartAllGo.
K. Srinivasan CEO & Co-founder AllGo Embedded Systems
The scholar alumnus of University of California and IIT, Madras, K. Srinivasan started his career with Motorola Global Software Group and advanced the company with his expert solutions for nearly a decade. Prior to that, Srini was at an innovative start-up company in California back in 1994-95.
Srini, with his resilient engineering and people management skills has shouldered the AllGo team to scale new heights. His innovative approach and exceptional business strategies has aunted the company on a global scale with credible acknowledgements. AllGo was acquired by the prestigious automotive giant, Visteon in the year 2016. Srini is also a non-executive board member, and chalks the road maps to make AllGo Vision the pioneer among video analytics solution providers worldwide
Accordingtoyou,whatisthemostimportant characteristicthateveryEntrepreneurshouldpossessin thisdayandage?
Srini:Integrity,perseveranceandtheabilitytoworkwith smartandindependentpeople.Ibelievethatstrategic clarityandtechnicalcapability,whileessentialfora technologybusiness,willhappenifonehasagoodteam andstickstotheentrepreneurialpath.
WheredoyouseeAllGoEmbeddedSystemsinthenext fiveyearsandhowdoyouseeyourselffacilitatingthat change?
Srini:AllGoisnowpartofVisteon,butcontinuestooperate asaseparatecompanyservingthebroaderautomotive marketasaTier2.Wewillcontinuetogrowournichein technologydevelopment,servingthefast-growing connectedandautonomouscarindustry.Iseemyselfasthe leadersettingthestageforfuturegrowthofAllGoaspartof thisjourney.
Finally, what would be youradvice to some of the young andaspiringentrepreneursenteringthemarket?
Srini:Sticktothebasicsofdoingbusinessanddon’tget carriedawaybythefadoftoday.Iseethatmanyoftoday’s youtharedrivenbygettingVCfundingratherthanbusiness growth.Whileinvestmentandfundingmaybenecessary forabusiness,theyshouldneverbeputaheadofbusiness success.
AllGoisanAutomotiveInfotainmentexpert,whichdeploys softwaresolutionstoTier1sandOEMs.Itisamongthetop globalIn-VehicleInfotainmenttechnologyproviders. TopmostautomobilemanufacturesacrossEurope,theUS andChina,areutilizingAllGodevelopedMediaand MirroringSolutions.Itsautomotivepartnerportfolio includesGoogle,Apple,Genivi,Android,Miracast,Mirror linkandSOCpartnerslikeQualcomm,TI,Intel,NXPand more.Thesolutionsdeliveredbythecompanyaredeployed inover14+millioncarsworldwide.
TechnicalprowessinAvant-gradeembedded,multimedia, andconnectivitysolutionshaspoweredtheorganizationon aglobalplatform.Theadaptableandcreativeexpertiseof embeddedsystems,signalprocessing,softwareprocess,and peoplemanagementcontributeswithstrongfoundation, whichisacorefactorbehindAllGo’senormoussuccess.
Youthiconandoneofthe mostinspiringentrepreneurs ofthetwentyfirstcentury MarkZuckerbergexclaimed “The budding entrepreneurs are those who work on the stuff that they are passionate about, as they don’t have to have a master plan with how things will play out.”
Theglobalmarkethasbeen fortunatelyevolvingwithsuch passionateindividuals.The entrepreneurialintelligenceofyouth hassuccessfullydriventheevolution incountlessterritories.Thesocial technologies,inparticular,havebeen revolutionizedbysuchaspiring personalities.Astheworldis swarmingwithsuchentrepreneurs, brandingahard-wearingmarkinthe presidingfieldsisaccurately praiseworthy AdamSpector,the Co-founderofLiftIgniter,isone primeexample. LiftIgniter isa machinelearningpersonalizationAPI formobileappsandwebsitesthat leadtomoreengaged,sticky,and highvalueusers.Adamandhis fantasticteamhavebeenthe motoristsbehindthecompany’s success.Thecompanyprovidesits
servicesacrossvarioussectorslike media,e-commerce,enterpriseB2B andmore.
CharismaofaPassionate Entrepreneur Adamisknownasanoptimistic leaderwhocancommunicatehis visioninaconcise,digestible,and actionableway.Adam’sinnovative ideas,empoweringstrategies,and smartskillstoexecuteactionplans haveresultedinsuccessfor LiftIgniter.Hebelievesthattoenable fantasticproduct,oneneedadaptable andcapableteammateswhoare fascinatedwiththesamesetofideas andchallenges.Adamstated, “Passion about my product, my company and my team is what drives me. I work hard and enjoy being surrounded by people who don’t believe in 9-5s.”
Thepassiontobuildavaluable productandsuccessfulcompanyare whatmotivateshim.Hehas experienceincreatingandorganizing companiesandworkdifferent domainsincluding:datascience, machinelearning/artificial intelligence,fraud/background screens/identityverification,E-
Discovery,cloudtechnology,clean tech,andinvesting.
AdammovedtoSiliconValleyin 2010,andstartedworkingin businessdevelopmentpartnershipsof astartupcompanynamedClearwell Systems.Itwasane-discovery companythatmainlyfocusedon buildinge-discoveryproducts.The startupgainedenormouspopularity, andwaslateracquiredbySymantec for$400million.Adamthenstarted hisownstartup,anidentity verificationcompany,Virtrue,Inc. Thestartupwasbasedontheideaof usingsocialmediaandotherbigdata platformstoverifyidentification.The ideaofaglobal,universaland verifiableidentityfascinatedmany companiesespeciallyintheemerging collaborativeconsumptioneconomy –suchasAirBnBandLyft.Despite this,buildingaviablebusiness aroundthisideawastoughandthe teamdecidedtoshutdownthe companyandreturnmoneyto investors.
workinginGoogle’stopmachinelearningresearch group.Hesawthepowerofusingmachinelearning personalizationforhigherengagementonYouTubeand otherGoogleproperties.
Recognizingabusinessopportunity,Dr.Mukherjee startedLiftIgniterandrecruitedAdamSpectortojoin himasco-founderonthebusinessside. Thesolution utilizedcuttingedgedatasciencetohelp publishersandretailersoptimizetheirwebsitesand mobileappsinreal-time.Machinelearning personalizationputtheperfectpieceofcontent(video, article,itemtobuy)infrontoftheuserswithimmediate effect.CustomerscantherebyeasilyintegrateLiftIgniter viaJavascriptorviaserver-sideAPIs.
Thecompanyhasgrownfromsevenemployeesto twentyfouremployees.Sinceitsinceptionithas facilitatedorganizationalgrowthofmanypopularglobal brands,withanaverageof80%improvementsinclick throughrate(CTR),engagement,andconversation.A state-of-the-artpersonalizationsystemiscriticalforany digitalpropertythatwantstoretaintheirusersandgrow thebusiness.
VersatilityofanIndividualandCatalyzingFactors AdamhasalsocontributedinfieldslikeSales,Business Development/Partnership,Onlinemarketing/Demand Generation(SEO&SEM),CorporateDevelopment, Mergersandacquisitions,strategy/research,Customer support,Financing,LegaladvisingandMarketing/PR management.Heisaboardmemberforanon-profit organization,theCoralRestorationFoundation,which focusesonrebuildingcoralreefsthroughouttheworld. CRFhasreceivednationalpressattentionincludingfrom theNewYorkTimes,CNN,andDiscoveryChannel.
Adamstates,“Honesty, trust, fun, a sense of urgency and mission are what I look for in colleagues and places I work.”Heisoftendescribedbycolleaguesasenergetic, positive,andoptimisticleader.Anotherfactorthat stimulatesAdamistheabilityandwillingnesstofight hardforanidea–anyideacanbecomereality.Tellthe story,understandwhybuyerscare,whyemployees shouldfollowthevision,andbuildacompany
Building a product that customers will pay for and evangelize equates to success.
Adam Spector Co-founder LiftIgniter
Entrepreneurshipisa demandingandexcitingfield,
onewhichbringsforwardnew challenges,asenseofsatisfaction,and addssparktoyourambition.But jumpingfromthemundane9-5 corporatejobtobeinganentrepreneur isbynomeansasmallfeatto accomplish.Itrequiresapositive mind-frame,effectiveplanning, unwaveringcourage,andlong-term visionarytosurvivetheentrepreneurial bandwagon.AndrewBagrin, FounderandCEOofOmniNet,is onesuchindividualwhotookoffhis corporatehattoputonhis entrepreneurialhatandledhis companytowhatitisknownastoday
Andrewgrewupinacorporate environment,onewhichhelikedbut feltthelackofabilitytogetthings done. Hehadaninherentcapabilityto makethingsworkbetter,more efficiently,andwithsimplicity.Priorto foundingOmniNet,Andrewhelmed theDirectorofServiceProvider BusinessDevelopmentpositionfor overfiveyearsatFortinet,anetwork securityprovider AtFortnet,Andrews rolefocusedonnewsecurityofferings aswellasgapsinthesecuritymarket.
AndrewscareerintheITspacebegan in1997,whereinheworkedfor numerousnetworksecurityconsulting
companies.From2000,heheldthe chairofDirectorofNetworkand SecurityatRegalEntertainment Group.Duringhisfouryeartenureat thecompany,Andrewdevelopeda 500-siteareanetwork;hebuiltand migratedadatacenter,andplayeda significantroleinfourstrategic corporateacquisitions–leadingthe companytobecomethelargesttheater chainintheworld.Hefollowedthat stintwithapositionatCheckPoint SoftwareTechnologies,wherehe workedonthemanagedsecurity servicesbusinessforfourconsecutive years.
Withsuchawiderangingexperiencein theIT/securityspectrum,Andrew brings-inanextensivelevelof knowledgeandexperienceto effectivelyshapethebusinessandalign technologytoachievethemostfar reachinggoals.
ForAndrew,leavingthecorporate landscapeinAmericaandstarting My Digital Shield,nownamed OmniNet, wastheboldestdecisionthatheever made.Herealizedthattheroadahead wouldbefullofobstacles,buthe wasntentirelypreparedforthe challenge.
Andrewdecidedtosetupaproofof concepttoseeifthearchitecturehe hadenvisionedwouldwork.Whenit
did,herealizedthatthiscanreally shapethewaysecurityisdeliveredin thefuture.Itwasonlythenthathewas convincedtotaketheleapforward.
Additionally,afterspendingover5 yearsofresearchingsecuritygapsin managedserviceofferings,Andrew realizedthattherewasn’tanygood securitysolutionproviderforthe boomingsmallbusinessmarketatan affordablecost.Hisdesiretofill existinggapswithintheindustry, combinedwithhisvisionarytomake bettersecurityattainabletoall,also contributedsignificantlytohisleapin theentrepreneurialdirection.
Beingthesonofanentrepreneur, Andrewsupbringinghelpedhimto shapehiscreativeandsolution-driven mindset.Buthisentrepreneurial journeywasntinitiallyabedofroses. Hecameinfromadifferentmarketand itrequiredhimtounderstandthis market.Understandinghowitworks andwhatmakesittick,wasoneofhis biggestchallengesatthebeginningof hisnewcareerpath.
Concerninghisableleadershipskills, Andrewasserts “Leadership is much easier when you have a great team. I love to collaborate and make sure people are working together. I try to promote this as much as I can. I also
like to challenge people and focus on making everyone better at what they do.”
Anetworksecurityexpert,Andrewhasbeenquotedin variousmediaoutlets,including Small Business Computing, Business Solutions Magazine, The New York Times, Columbia Business Law Review, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek.
DeliveringSecuritySolutionsatanAffordablePrice MyDigitalShieldwascreatedinanefforttoprovidesmall businesseswithanenterprisegradesecuritysolutionatan affordablepricerate.NowrenamedasOmniNet,the companyprovidesaplatformthatallowsITprovidersand varioustechnologychannelstoeasilyoffersecurityasa servicetothesmallbusinessmarket.OmniNetleveragesa fusionofSDWANandElasticUTMtodeliveranextremely robustandsolidnetworkfoundation,henceenhancingall otherapplicationsthatusethenetwork.
AFutureofContinualGrowth AndrewhopestoseeOmniNetcontinueitssurgeingrowth, bothintermsofitsproductandcustomerbase.Hebelieves thatthereisalotofworkaheadforthecompanytoreachits
hugepotential.Withinthenextfiveyears,Andrew envisionsOmniNetsplatformtobeacentralplatformfor securenetworkingandwillcontinuetoenhanceuser experienceofallotherapplications.
AndrewsSoundAdvicetoAspiringEntrepreneurs “Go and do it. Dont stop, keep going! Dont be afraid to sell because someone will see value in what you currently have, even if you feel there is very little value. Sell, observe, improve, and repeat.
By very nature, we are crazy! I think its critical to find and mentor others who are as crazy and guide them to leverage their craziness in an amazing way.”
We leave the comfort of corporate pay checks and risk everything to accomplish what we believe in.
Andrew Bagrin Founder & CEO
Everyentrepreneurwith successtotheirnamehasa relativelysimilarsetof praiseworthyqualities.However,the mostimportantqualityliesin understandingpotentialopportunities. AndrewParadise,CEOandfounderof SkillzInc.,isanexceptionalexample ofthisexpertise.
Asalifelonggamer,Andrewrealized theunharnessedpotentialwithinboth mobilegamingandeSportsthatcould beutilizedtodemocratizetheentire ecosystem.HefoundedSkillz in2012tocreatetechnologythat gamedeveloperscouldusetopower competitionsandmonetizetheirgames inanew,engagingway Today, Skillzhaspatentedsolutionsto captivateplayers,invented streaming/broadcastingtechnology, connectedpassionategamers worldwide,andchallenged stereotypicalperceptionsregarding eSports.
Initially,Andrewworkedatinvestment firms.However,hispassionforsolving uniqueproblemsledhimtobecomean entrepreneurandin2005hefounded DoublePictureLLC,apioneerin digitalphotographyandadvertising. HelatersoldthecompanytoMPAInc. andfoundedAisleBuyerLLC,where
heinventedmobileself-checkoutand builtin-storemobilepaymentsolutions forretailers.Hesoldthissuccessful companytoIntuitandbecameadirector withinthecompany.Sixmonthslater, hislifelongpassionforvideogames causedhimtoleaveIntuittoscratchhis entrepreneurialitchonceagainand createSkillztomakegamingbetter forbothplayersanddevelopers.
DeliveringeSportstoEveryonewith DemocratizingTechnology Skillz,theworldwideleaderinmobile eSports,connectstheworld’s2.6billion mobilegamersthroughcompetition. SkillzisdedicatedtodeliveringeSports toeveryone–includingplayers, developers,streamersandviewers ateverylevel.Thedemocratizingnature oftheSkillztechnologybenefitsevery stakeholderinvolvedintheeSports ecosystem.SkillzistheeSportsprovider forover3,000gamingstudiosandhelps developersdriveengagement,retention andrevenueintheirgames.The companyprovidesitspatented TournamentManagementSystem (TMS)togamestudios,enabling developerstotransformtheirgamesinto full-fledgedeSports.Thisplatformsaves gamedevelopersmeaningfultimeand moneythatwouldberequiredtobuild thenecessaryinfrastructuretechnology tosupporteSportsfunctionality
Skillzhasalsobeenactivelyadvancing broadcastingandstreamingtechnology fortheentireeSportsecosystem, hosting500,000tournamentsevery dayandover100milliontotal. StreamersthatpartnerwithSkillzand implementitstechnologyintotheir broadcastsareabletobetterentertain, rewardandengagewiththeirviewers.
WithSkillzlevelingtheplayingfield, independentgamedeveloperscannow competewithtopstudiostocreatethe nextbighit.Akeyelementofthe platformisfairness,whichSkillz ensureswithitspatentedalgorithm thatmatchesplayersbasedontheir skillleveltopreventunfairadvantages. Thistechnologyprovidesasuperior gamingexperiencethatresultsin recordengagementmetrics.Skillz playersspendanaverageof61minutes adayontheplatform,whichisalmost twicethecasualmobilegaming industryaverageof33minutes.
WhenSkillzlaunchedin2012,itwas solelypartneredwithAndroidgame developers.InAugustof2013,Google changeditspoliciesandsubsequently forcedthecompany’sinitialdeveloper partnerstoremoveSkillztournaments fromtheirgamesinordertoremainin
theGooglePlayStore.ThisledtoSkillzlosingallofits customersandhalfofitsengineerswithinthespanofa month.Fortunately,Andrewhadasuccessfulmeeting withApplethattriggeredtherebirthoftheplatformon iOS.Afterovercomingthissignificantobstacleinits earlydays,Skillzhassinceachievedmeteoricsuccess. Itattained50,000%revenuegrowthinthelastthreeyears alone,whichresultedinitbeingnamedthe#1 fastest-growingcompanyinAmericaontheInc.5000. Withallofitstalented,hardworkingemployees,Skillz hasbeenabletoexceedexpectationsandbecomethe worldwideleaderinmobileeSports.
PivotalMomentBehindCreationofSkillz Andrewandhisco-founderCaseyChafkinarebig mobilegamingfans.Onedaywhileplayingaracing gameonhisphone,Andrewaccidentallytappedabanner adthatwasplacednexttothegame’scontrols,which tookhimtoanunrelatedwebsite.Thiswasafrustrating experiencethatinspiredtheideatocreateabetterway forgamedeveloperstoearnmoneythanjustadsand in-apppurchases.ThisledtotheinceptionofSkillz, andinspiredAndrewandCaseytoenableeveryvideo gametohavecompetitions,justlikeeveryofflinesport hascompetitions.
Integrity,IntellectualCuriosityandAbilitytoHonor Commitments:TheMantratoSuccess
Andrewisknownforhisbig-picturethinking,butit’sthe combinationofhisuniquevisionwiththeteam’sexecutional expertisethathasledtoimpressiveresults.Andrewinvests hispersonaltimeintodesigningoptimaltrainingtechniques, andemploysuniquepracticestoempowerhisemployeesto learnessentiallessons–suchasgiftingbookstoSkillzteam memberswrittenbyleadersthroughouthistory.According toAndrew,thethreemostimportantqualitieseverybusiness leaderandentrepreneurmusthaveareintegrity,driveand intellectualcuriosity.Heexemplifiesthesetraitsinhisdaily responsibilities,andmentorshisemployeestofosterthese attributeswithinthemaswell.
Inthenextfiveyears,Skillzisontracktobecomeatrue globalbusinessandhouseholdbrand.Asthecompany continuestothrive,itsinternalheadcountwillalsoscaleto fulfilltheneedsofthegrowingeSportsecosystem.However, Andrewforeseesthatthecompany’ssuccesswilleventually belessabouthimandmoreabouttherestofthestaff.True tohismodestnature,AndrewaimsforSkillztoalways flourish,evensomedaywhenhe'snolongeratthehelm.
An important characteristic every entrepreneur should possess is the ability to honor commitments – to both others and themselves.Andrew Paradise Founder & CEO Skillz Inc.
Startinghisfirstcompanyasa teenager,ByrneMurphywas involvedwithpaintinghouses, deliveringboats,andrebuildingjetties, everysummer Theseprojectsrequired nosmallamountofperseverance, diligence,anddrive,andwerethefirst signsofacareerthatwouldbedefined byentrepreneurship.Itwasthisspirit thatledhim,overthepast30years,to spearheadanumberofventuresacross differentverticals.
TheStartofSomethingBig Initiallyfocussedoninternational propertydevelopment,Byrne’sfirst stepintotheEuropeanmarketbegan withasuccessfulrangeofoutlet centresandprivateresidentclubs.It waswhileworkingontheseprojects thathiscareerwasforeverchangedby thearrivaloftheinternet.
“IrealizedIhadoutletsandinventory acrossEuropeand–byutilizingthe internet–Icouldselltheinventory online.Fastdistribution,competitive cost,andspeed,allofwhichdefined therapidriseofe-commerce,appealed tomeimmediately.Itdidn’ttakeme longafterthattorealisethatthe physicalinfrastructurethat underpinnedthedigitalrevolutionwas anincrediblyimportantgrowthmarket. Hence,Istartedadatacentre business.”
January2001sawByrnestarthisown datacentreserviceprovider,DigiPlex —asmallcompanywithbigambitions ofredefininginnovationindatacentres acrosstheworld.Todaydatacentres operateattheheartofnearlyall streaming,cloud-basedornetworkbasedservices.Withtheworldmoving quicklytowardswiderdistributionof InternetofThings,cloudcomputing, andartificialintelligence,thedemand forfast,secure,andpowerfuldata centreswillgrowexponentiallyeach year
Today,DigiPlexisoneofthemost cost-effective,secure,andsustainable datacentresintheworld,takingfull advantageofattractivelylowNordic energypricesandcleanrenewable powertobuildacompellingoffer.
Throughoutits17-yearlifetime,the businesshasconstantlyworkedto improveitself,winningmultiple industryawardsforinnovation,growth andenvironmentalstandardsallwhile makingstridesinsecurity,stabilityand best-in-classefficiency,includingstate oftheartAirtoAircooling.
TheNordicsimmediatelyappealedto Byrneasaplacetostartandgrowa
globaldatacentrebusiness,asit offeredsomeofthelowestcostsfor cleanpowerinaclimatewithalow year-roundtemperature,idealforthe bestkindsofefficientcooling.Buta longcareerininternationalmarketshas leftByrnenostrangertobarriersand setbacks,however
“Thehurdlesyoufaceasan entrepreneurallvarybasedonwhere youareinyourlifecycle.Intheinfancy phase,thebiggestriskliesinagood introductionoftheconcept.Youneed tofigureoutwhowillputcapitalin, andwhatyouneedtogiveuptosecure it.”
“Whenyou’veproventheconcept, yournextchallengebecomesgrowth. Youneedevenmorecapital,butalsoa greatteamwhocandeploytheidea, challengingstructuralnormswith somethingthemarkethasn’treally seenbefore.”
“Finally,ifyourideaworks,andyou starttorealisegrowth,otherpeoplesee itaswell.Fromnowhere,you’re suddenlyfacingatideofcompetition, andimitators.”
“ThisisaveryAmericanword,but: ‘Grit.’Itmeansnever,ever, ever giving
up.Ifyoudon’tfullycommitandpersevereit’seasytofall behind.Infact,aversionofthismentalityhasbecomea corevalueforDigiPlex:Entrepreneursmustnever,ever, ever giveup,andDigiPlexnever,ever, ever goesdown!”
It’snothardtoseehowthismindsethashelpedDigiPlex secureitspositionasoneofthemostambitious,inventive, andmarket-definingcompaniesinitsfield.
In2016,ByrnewasawardedtheDataIndustry AchievementAwardinrecognitionforoutstanding individualcontributiontothedatacentreindustry.In additiontohisentrepreneurialcareer,Byrneisalsothe authorofthebook Le Deal,whichwaspublishedbySt. Martin’sPressin2008,andsubsequentlywonthe “Winner Axiom Award for Best Memoir 2008.”
Whilethecompanyhasmadeincrediblestridesinthepast 17years,Byrneclearlyseesanevenbrighterfutureahead forDigiPlex.
“Ithinkin5yearsDigiPlexwilldoubleinsize–andbythat ImeaninourEBITDA,notnecessarilydoublingstaff.I thinkwecanbecomeincreasinglydifferentiatedby becomingevenmorevocal,highlightinghowourmodel
emphasisestheimportanceofclean,sustainabledata centresinanincreasinglydigitizedworld.”
“Today,datacentresareresponsibleforabout2percentof theworld’sannualCO2emissionsand3percentofthe world’spowerusage.Giventhatdatacentersaretheheart ofthedigitization,thisisjustasliveroftheimpactour industrymaycometohaveonourplanetintheyearsto come.Businesses,andthedatacentersthatsupportthem, willbothneedtotakegreaterresponsibilityfortheir environmentalfootprint.Withourcommitmentto100% renewableenergyandconstantdrivetoinnovatetoreduce powercostsweaimtoshowthewayformeaningfulchange inourindustry.Wewanttobethecompanywherepeople wanttowork,notjustbecausewecomeupwithgreatideas, butbecausewemaketheworldabetter,moresustainable place.”
Byrne’sfinallastpieceofadviceforbuddingentrepreneurs istonotwait.“Ifyoureally, really,havetheurgetobean entrepreneur,taketheleapnow.Youwon’tregrethaving tried,evenifyoufail.But,youmaybitterlyregretitifyou neverdo.”
If you really, really, have the urge to be an entrepreneur, take the leap now.
TlikeAmazonandWalmartestablishingthestandardsfororganizationsregardlessofsize,howdoesacompany compete?Asaretailerinthesportsindustry,manyofoursolutionsapplytobusinessesoutsideofourverticalasking themselvesthesamequestion.Companiesmustleveragenewtechnologiestoensureanenjoyableuserexperience,stress exceptionalcustomerservice,nurturebrandloyalty,emphasizethoughtleadershipwithinandoutsidetheorganization,and frequentlyanalyzeconsumerbehaviortodifferentiateyourbusinessfromtheconglomerate.
heconsumermarketcontinuestomakedrasticshiftsinitsshoppinghabitsandretailexpectations.Withbighitters
LeverageNewTechnologytoBetterEngagetheConsumer Newtechnologiestolisten,communicate,engage,andanalyzeconsumerbehaviorandperformancesarerapidlyemerging. Adoptingtechnologieslikevisualmarketingandreferralplatformswillincreasethewayaconsumerdiscoversandengages withabrand.Millennialsarethedrivingforceinthischanginglandscapeofmainstreammediaandthelargestconsumersof user-generatedcontent(UGC).
Brandengagementincreasesby28%whenconsumersareexposedtobothprofessionalcontentandUGC,supporting growingevidencethatfindsconsumerswhoseeUGCduringtheirpurchasejourneyhavea4.6percenthigherconversionrate accordingtovisualcommerceplatform,Olaic.Referralplatformsandthirdpartyreviewsareprovenmethodstoacquirea customer’strust,resultinginincreasedconversions.CompaniescanutilizetheirCRM/ERPdatatobettersegmentcustomers inordertodeliverrelevantandtimelycommunications.Astechnologyadvancesandthebetterweareabletomake actionableandmeaningfulconnectionsfromthisdata,thebetteracompanywillbeabletocreateamoreseamlessand intuitiveomni-channelcustomerexperience;proactivelymeetingcustomerneedswithincreasinglymoreaccurateproduct recommendationsandcontentbasedonsearch,purchase,andpreferencehistory,tonameafew
Evaluatingthesportsindustry,ormorespecificallythetriathlonindustry,therearemanyobviousmajorhurdles.Someof theseobstaclesincludegreatercompetitioninenduranceeventstakingparticipantsawayfrommultisport(i.e.raceslike Ragnar,Spartan,etc.)andfewerlocalbeginner-friendlyracesasmoreparticipantscompeteinlessracesovertheyearandopt foronecostlyevent.Beinganicheretailerinashrinkingsportandcompetingagainstcolossalcompanieswithvast resources,howdoesonecompeteatthesegreatodds?Besidesadoptingnewtechnologytooptimizetheconsumerexperience aspreviouslydiscussed,theemphasisshouldfocusondeliveringexceptionalcustomerservice,constanteducationfor customersandemployees,anddevelopingbrandloyaltyandpartnerships.Customerserviceisthekeytowinningconsumer loyalty.Technologywillcomplementthecustomerservicecomponent,butitboilsdowntotheamountofeducationandcare deliveredfromyourstaffthatwillmakethebiggestimpression.Awell-trainedstaffmaybeyourbiggestassetastheyoffer conflictresolution,producteducation,andpromotebrandtrustwheninteractingwithclients.
Employingaloyaltyprogramisanotherwaytofurtherenhancebrandloyalty.Withaloyaltyprograminplaceconsumersare incentivizedforrepeatbusiness.Theseprogramsarethesimplestwaystogathercustomerdataandinsightsintobehavior Businessesareabletoconnectacrossmulti-channelsanddirectlyrewardpeopleforthisbehaviorwhenusingaloyalty program.Whenexecutedwell,theprogramnurturescross-channelengagement,actionabledata,andtheopportunityto connectwithamoreresponsiveaudience,contributingtoabettercustomer-centricoperation.
Thoughtleadershiphasbecomeacorporatebuzzwordthesedays,sopardonthelackofabetterterm,butthetermhasgained popularityforareason.Essentially,athoughtorknowledgeleaderisatrustedresourcewithin-depthknowledgeandinsight intothemanyareasofitsindustry.Chicago-basedmarketerJeanVanRensselarexplained,“Inalmosteveryindustry,thereis
anunmetneedforinsightfulinformationthatcustomersandprospectscanusenow.”Positioningyourcompanyasathought leaderiscost-effectiveandasbasicasprovidingvaluableinformationthatisrelativetoyourconsumerandothersinyour industry,withoutaskingforanythinginreturn.Developinsightfulandeducationalcontentoftenandyou’llquicklyreapthe benefitsasyoubecomethattrustedvoice.
Constantanalysisofhowconsumersareinteractingandengagingwithyourbrandisamustintoday’sfast-paced marketplace.Utilizethetechnologyyoualreadyhaveinplacetoexamineconsumerdataandtrendstodevelopbetter engagingcampaignsacrossthevariousplatforms.Consumerstodayarelessconcernedaboutcybersecurity,andmore concernedwithahyper-personalizedexperience.Ascustomersaccessyourbrandonmultipleplatforms(mobile,tablet, desktop,social),itisimperativethattheexperienceisseamlesswithconsistentmessagingandbrandingacrossevery platformandchannelofinteraction.Asacompanycompetingintoday’shighlysegmented,yetbroadlyconnected environment,onemustbeagileandquicktoassesswhatisworkingandwhatisnot.Byleveragingemergingtechnologies, ensuringacustomer-centricfocus,creatingvaluablecontentasaknowledgeleader,andfrequentevaluationofconsumers, acompanycanprevailwhenfacedwithcolossalcompetition.
Seton Claggett is the founder and CEO of TriSports.com, one of the world’s premier triathlon stores. He founded the company with his wife, Debbie, in 1999 while attending the University of Arizona where he earned a BS and MS in Hydrology as well as a degree in Entrepreneurship. Mr. Claggett has been active in the multisport and triathlon industry since 1987, racing in hundreds of races including the Ironman World Championships. Mr. Claggett earned a BS and MS in Hydrology as well as a degree in Entrepreneurshipfrom the University of Arizona.
Seton Claggett Founder & CEO TriSports
ChrisCarter,Founderand CEOofApproyo,aleading enterpriseSAPHANA SolutionsProvider,definessuccessas thenexusbetweencustomer satisfaction,stafffulfillmentand companygrowth.Astrongadvocateof employeesuccess,Chrisbelievesin empoweringhisteam,andbelievesthat iftheyhaveskininthegame,theyare morevestedinsuccess.
Overmorethantwodecadesinthe industry,Chrishasobservedhowother executiveteamsfailedrepeatedly, whileheandotherlikehimsucceeded. Itmadehimrealize, “My first years were up and down, some great days some not so great but hey, I can do this! I can create a company and succeed!”
Chrissawtheneedforacompanythat couldprovidecosteffective,strategic solutionsusingthebestofSAP,cloud andbigdataanalytics.Hestarted Approyoin2011withtheaimof helpingothercompaniestoprosperand flourish.
Today,hiscompanysupportsfirmsthat arelookingfortheknowledgethatwill
helpthemtogrowthroughcurrent businessprocess,whereevena1% increasecanleadtomillionsofdollars inbusinessflow
Approyofollowsastrategybasedon theplatformeco-systemtrendthatis becomingprevalentinthetechworld.
“We have seen the success of this model with Apple’s iOS, Google’s Android, and Salesforce’s Force.com.
Using this strategy based on a platform and its eco-system, a large number of developers are able to build their businesses cost-effectively without time-to-market disadvantages,” Chris explains.
Approyohelpscompaniesmaketheir shifttotheSAPHANAplatformby developingsecure,ready-to-deploy predictiveanalyticssolutions.The distinctbenefitoftheHANAplatform overotherbigdatatechnologiesisits abilitytofitstructuredand unstructureddataintoanexisting systemwithoutthehassleofmassive hardwaredeploymentandhugecosts. Approyoalsoallowsitscustomersto chooseapay-as-you-gomodelora monthlysubscription.
RevolutionizingDataandIgniting theFuture Chrisisproudoftheteamwhichhas
created “IGNITE”,wheretheteam takesSAPsolutionsandputstheminto itscloudtosupportclients’missions. Recently,theylaunched SAP S/4HANA Ignite thatcreatesatrueSAP S/4HANAsandboxreadyforusein minutes.ThisrevolutionizestheSAP worldwithaproduction-gradesandbox atacostlowerthatanysimilarproduct onthemarket—only$3,000permonth witha100%securednetwork.Chris believesthatthisisagamechangerfor SAPcustomerswhowanttotryS/4 1610andwhoneedtotesthowthey willmigratetoS/4.
KeyTraitsthatDistinguishApproyo Approyo’ssuccessliesinhowithas madeitselfuniqueintheindustry.Here aresomeofthekeytraitsthathaveled totheirgrowth:
Network:Chrisandhisteambringa wealthofrelationshipsintotheSAP ecosystem,whichtheyhaveusedto buildbusinesspartnershipsthroughthe years.
Expertise:Chrishasover25yearsof BigDataandtechnologyexpertise.He wasthecreatoroftheveryfirst customerSAPHANACloud Environment.Histeamhasworked withover100SAPHANAcustomer cloudenvironments.
Global:Approyoiseverywherethatitsclientsare,andhas theresourcesandteammembersthroughouttheworldthat canhelpthem.
Team:TheApproyoteamofexpertsiscommittedto helpingcustomersrealizethebusinessbenefitsofbigdata, theInternetofThings,andcloudcomputing.Theydrivethe successoftheircustomersbyprovidingexpertisetohelp facilitatebusinessgrowth,improveefficiencyandincrease profitability
Technology:Approyohelpscustomersachievetheirdreams throughsolutionstailoredtotheirbusinessneeds.Itscloud environmentsarebuiltfromthegroundupforSAPHANA, S/4HANA,Hadoopandothertechnologysolutions.
Chrisemphasizesthatcommunicationandlisteningskills havealwayshelpedhimmaketherightdecisions.Healso believesthatthebuckstopswithyou,andthatitisvery importanttobealeaderwhotakesresponsibility. Chrisgavesomeinsightsonhistimemanagement strategies.Hesaid, “I am on 24x7, just like my team. I
manage staff, technology, customers and sales from a high level. My staff then handles the items down in the dirt. I firmly believe we need to play in the dirt to succeed for them and us.”
SomeAdviceandtheRoadAhead Chrishadapieceofadviceforbuddingentrepreneurs: JUST KEEP GOING FORWARD!
“Do not stop, do not let others tell you to stop, if you believe you can do it! Trust your technology, but pivot if you need to and do it fast.”
Lookingbackonhisjourney,Chrissaid, “Creating the first SAP cloud was pretty cool. Working with an incredible team every day is awesome, and finding customers who want to be helped by us is fulfilling in itself.”
Talkingofhisvisionforthecompany’sfuture,headded, “I would love to see our team size double in the next year, setting the stage to acquire other companies and grow with our clients.”
Do it, fail fast or succeed early ut just do it and run with it.
Findingtherightdoctorisoftena challengingandstressful experienceandinmanycases thestakescouldnotbehigher Cole SirucekandGraceParkwereonce facedwiththischallengewhentheir daughter,Rand,wasdiagnosedwith liverfailurewhenshewas100days old. Thecouplefoundthemselves needingtofindtherightsurgeonfor theirdaughterwithindaysofher diagnosis.Thiswasnoeasyfeetasthe informationtheyneededtomakean informeddecisionwasnotreadily available. Luckily,Grace,asthe formerManagingDirectorforthe largestmedicaldevicecompanyin SoutheastAsia,hadasizeablenetwork ofdoctorsshecoulddependontohelp findtheneededmedicalteam.They werefortunateandfoundan exceptionalteaminJapanthat pioneeredthelivelivertransplant procedurewhichtheirdaughter required.Colewasthedonorandthe procedurewasasuccess.
However,thisexperienceleftan indeliblemarkonbothColeandGrace inmorewaysthanone.Theylookedat howdifficultthisentireexperienceof findingtherightdoctorandteamwas andsaidtoeachother,“Ifnotus,then who,andifnotnow,thenwhen?This isaproblemthatwewillsolvebecause wemust.Findingtherightdoctorfor youandyourlovedonesshouldnotbe thishardandcannotbelefttochance,” saidColeSirucek.Beingan entrepreneurandformerinvestorfor
TemasekHoldings,Coleworkedwith GraceandfoundedDocDoctohelp patientsfindtheirrightdoctorfor theiruniqueneeds.
Today,DocDochasbecomeAsia’s largesthealthcarenetworkwithover 23,000physicians,600clinicsand100 hospitalsfromabroadpanelof specialtiesthroughouttheregion.With itsvirtualnetworkofphysiciansand hospitalssupportingpatientstofind highqualitymedicalcare,DocDocis transforminghealthcarewhile empoweringpatientstofindtheright courseofcare.
Thecompanycombinesdeepexpertise inclinicalinformatics,artificial intelligence,andhealthcarequality assessmenttodeliversimpleyet powerfulpatientempowerment solutions.DocDocdoesthisby collectinginformationnooneinthe industryhasandthencategorizingthat informationinawaythatallowsfor medicalqualityassessmentatthe procedurelevel.DocDocleverages theirknowledgebasedassetsthrougha medicallytrainedcontactcenterwhich supportseachpatienttohelpthem understandtheinformationthe companyprovidesandtoanswer questions.“Wearethereforourclients asiftheywerefamilybecauseinour mindstheyare,”saidGracePark,CofounderandPresidentofDocDoc.
Colehasfoundedadiverserangeof businessesinhiscareerspanningover 17yearsofexperienceinfounding, investingintoandotherwisesupporting entrepreneurialventures.Hehasalso servedasanIndependentMemberof theBoardofDirectorsforGlobal EagleAcquisitionCorp,aUS$190 millionNASDAQlistedSpecial PurposeAcquisitionCorporation focusedonthemediaand entertainmentindustry. Colespent sevenyearsasadirectinvestment professionalwithTemasekHoldings. Inthiscapacity,hesourced,executed, andmonitoredinvestmentsonaglobal basisinthefirm’stelecommunications, mediaandtechnologygroup.Hehas successfullyinvestedoverUS$500 millioninprivateequitydirectand secondarytransactions.
BeforeTemasek,hewastheCoFounderandExecutiveVicePresident ofPlutoNetworks–awirelessdata networkingcompany.Hehasformerly heldexecutivepositionsinHawaii’s StateGovernmentandhasworkedasa technologyventurecapitalistand strategybusinessconsultant.
ColeattendedMassachusettsInstitute ofTechnology,SloanSchoolof Management(MasterofBusiness Administration)andHarvard’s KennedySchoolofGovernment (MasterinPublicAdministration).In hisfreetime,Coleisamartialartist, adventureracer,scubadiverand mountaineer.Hehascompletedselfsupported250KMfootracesacross
China’sGobiDesertandEgypt’sSaharaDesert,funding medicalmissionsinVietnamandChinathatdirectlysaved thelivesof+13children.
Havingfoundedvariousbusinessesofhisown,Cole believesthatthereareseveralexistingcommonissues, whichyouareboundtofaceeverytimeyoustarta company.Accordingtohim,teambuildingcomesfirst, followedbythedistributionmodelandthenfundraising. Hesays,startupshaveconsiderablevariabilityandlotsof ambiguitywhichisdifficulttodealwithatapersonaland teamlevel.Forhim,buildingandkeepingahigh-quality teamtogetherwhilesellingthevisionduringperiodsof difficultyisthehardestpartofbuildingasuccessful innovativecompany
Whenaskedaboutthequalitieshepossessesthatmakes himaninspirationalbusinessleader,hesaid “Ibelievein havingthegutstofollowwell-reasonedconvictionsandthe workethictogetpeoplecomfortablethatwearegoingto makeithappen.IthinktheteamalsoknowsthatIwillbe thefirstpersontosacrificeifneededfromthegroupandthe firsttosharepraisewhenwewin. Itisallaboutservant leadership.”
PushingtheLimitationsfortheBetterFuture
Hisadviceforaspiringandstagnantentrepreneurs:“Pursue somethingbiggerthanyourself.Haveagoalthatisbeyond themundaneandthatispartandparceltoyoursoul.Then, nevergiveupandnevergivein.Theworldwillalways pushbackandtryandstopalmostallformsofchange.This ishumannature.Thejobofanentrepreneuristopush throughthislimitationofhumancharactertobuildabetter future.Thisrequiresnearpathologicaldetermination.”
Healsobelievesthathewouldnotenterthehealthcare marketasayoungentrepreneur.Itistoocomplicatedand thechannelpartnersaretoocomplextodealwithunless youhavesignificantbackgroundinthespacebeforeyou startthecompany.UnlikemanyBtoCstartups,healthcare requiressignificantdomainexpertiseandexperienceto interfacewithindustrypartners.“Iamsothankfulforthe teamatDocDoc.GraceandIcouldnotdothiswithoutthe near‘jedi’expertiseandinsightsofDr.DanRiskin,Dr Ari WidodoandChadParsons.Theseguysmakethisvision realeverydayandwearesothankfulfortheirleadership, friendshipandexpertise,”saidColeSirucek.
Goingahead,ColeenvisionsDocDocasthepreferred partnerforinsurancecompaniesandemployersthroughout Asiawhowanttoprovidehighqualitydoctordiscovery servicestotheirpolicyholdersandemployees.
The job of the entrepreneur is to push through the limitations of humanity to uild a better future.
Cole Sirucek Co-founder and CEO DocDoc
Changes call for innovation and innovation leads to progress.
Foryears,Entrepreneurshipand innovationhashadahand-in-hand relationship.Theamalgamation betweenthebothhasenabled businessestoproducenewideas, providebetterservicesandoriginate newproducts.Alongsidehundredsof traitsthatasuccessfulentrepreneur possesses,innovationisoneofthekey traitsamongstthem.Onesuch entrepreneurwhoflexedherinnovation musclestoattainunrivaledsuccessis Dr.CorinnaE.Lathan,theCofounderandCEOofAnthroTronix TheformerAssociateProfessor,has featuredinmultiplemagazinesandhas wonnumerousdistinctionsforher contributionsandeffortstowardsthe industryandhercompany.Sheisalsoa thoughtleaderonsomeofthelatest technologicaltrendsthatareimpacting thehealthcaresector
PlantingtheSeedsofInnovation AnthroTronixisahumaninspired, technologydrivenResearchand Developmentcompanythatoffersa plethoraofsoftwareandhardware services.Itworkswithadiverseclient base,rangingfromtheprivatesectorto governmentagenciesinthefieldsof rehabilitation,education, entertainment,military,and communication.
Theideabehindtheinceptionof AnthroTronixstemmedfromCori’s dedicatedinterestinempowering peoplethroughtechnology.Shecofoundedthecompany,with Jack Vice, backin1999tofocusonenhancing capabilitiesbeyondwhatcouldbedone withouttechnology.Oneoftheirfirst productswasconceptualizedwiththe sameideaandinnovation.Theproduct wasacomputeraccessdevicefor childrenwithdisabilities.
BoastinganImpressivePortfolio Cori’seducationalresumeincludesa Bachelor’sinBiopsychologyand MathematicsfromtheSwarthmore College,whichshefollowedupwitha Master’sinAeronauticsand AstronauticsandaPh.D.in NeurosciencefromMIT.Priorto AnthroTronix,CoriwasanAssociate ProfessorofBiomedicalEngineeringat theCatholicUniversity.Shewasalso anadjunctAssociateProfessorof AerospaceEngineeringatthe UniversityofMaryland.
SheispartoftheBoardofDirectors panelsfornon-profitslikeEngineering WorldHealthandTheKID-Museum andalsoontheAdvisoryBoardforthe SmithsonianInstitute’sLemelson CenterfortheStudyofInventionand Innovation.AsidefromAnthroTronix, CoriservesasanIndependentDirector ofPTC,Inc.,whichisaglobal technologyproviderofInternetof
Asaresearchanddevelopment company,AnthroTronixistruly dedicatedtoenhancetheinteraction betweenpeopleandtechnology.By improvingthatconnection,the companycanincreasethebenefitsthat technologycanprovide.Thecompany haddevelopedamobilemedical application,DANA™:TheBrain Thermometer®,whichadministers game-liketeststhatcanprovidedata withinminutestohelpassessand measureaperson’sbrain/cognitive health.Coristates “The app can help clinicians track cognitive function as a quantitative outcome during treatment for such conditions as depression, dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
AnthroTronixhasalsoundertaken educationaltechnologyprojectswith productsliketheCosmosLearning Systems™.Thiscomputerinterface deviceprovideseducationaltoolsto childrenwithandwithoutdisabilities. Thecompanyalsohasaproductnamed CosmoBot,whichisaprototype interactiverobotusedtopromote educationalandtherapeuticactivities. CosmoBothasbeentestedwith childrenwithawiderangeof disabilitiesincludingchildrenwith
AutismSpectrumDisorders,Downsyndrome,cerebral palsy,musculardystrophy,apraxia,neurodevelopmental disorders,andlanguagedevelopmentaldisorders.
AlloftheseproductshighlightAnthroTronix’shumancomputerinterfacetechnology,andproductdevelopment specializations.
SupportingandNurturingeachEmployee
Corimentions, “I think it is critical that leaders, whether for a small, mid-size or large business, remember that their most important resource is their staff.” Shefirmlybelieves thatsupportingandnurturingyouremployeesshouldbe embeddedwithintheDNAofeveryentrepreneur
AtAnthroTronix,thereisanincrediblegroupofengineers, designers,scientists,andadministrators,whoallcontribute towardsthecompanyintheirownuniqueway.Corivalues thedifferentskillsetsandperspectivesofheremployees, allowinghertohaveamulti-disciplinaryapproachto developingexclusivetechnologysolutionsthathelpsolve reallifechallenges.
OvercomingtheStumblingBlocksalongtheJourney WhenaskedaboutthechallengesandstrugglesCorihadto
facesincefoundingthecompany,sheexclaims “The biggest challenges we had were personnel and timing.” NeitherCorinorJackhadtherequisitebusinessexperience orexpertise.Ittookthemabout12-18monthstofindthe rightbusinesspartner,whichisaneternityinthelifeofa startup.
Addtothat,timingwasanotherchallenge;aslotsofthings affectthemarketsthatarebeyondthecontrolofacompany
OneofwhichwaswhenAnthroTronixlauncheditsfirst roundoffund-raising—thenightbeforethe9/11attack. Needlesstosay,noonewasinvesting.Inspiteofallthese, Coriandherteam’sunwaveringdeterminationtoattain successledthecompanytowhatitisknownastoday
“I see AnthroTronix growing and adapting to meet the ever changing technological needs of humans,” Coriasserts. Movingahead,AnthroTronixwillcontinuetopushthe envelopeinitscollectivethinkingtoensuremeaningful researchanddevelopment. “We will stay true to our company, nurturing our employees and treating our customers as co-creators,” sheconcludes.
We design and develop systems to optimize human technology interaction.
Dr. Corinna E. Lathan CEO & Co-founder AnthroTronix
Forbuddingentrepreneurs,“The best advice that I can offer is that being proactive and a careful planner is key. Think about the major things that could shake up your financial life, and I’ll bet there are some great ways to protect yourself,” saysAlexaVonTobel,thefamousAmericanEntrepreneurandtheauthorofNewYork TimesBestseller.
Technologyisnowinvolvedeverywhere,fromdoingdailychorestodevelopingrocket science.Inthisfastpacingworld,everythinginvolvestechnologyandtechnological devicesfromportablecomputerstosmartphone.Subsequently,forpeopletodo everythingfrommakingmonthlybudgettobookingamovieticket,takingabreakfrom theso-calledtech-savvyworldandusinganotepadandpencanhelpbetter.
Thedemonstrationofcomposingresembleszenforyourbustlingpersonality,and researchindicateswillprobablyrecollectthingsyouworkout.Takingthetimeevery daytorecordthegreaterpartofyourarrangements,undertakingsandobjectivesis justifiedregardlessofconsistentspends.Itwillspareyoutimethefollowingdaywhen youhaveagenuinearrangementandaren'tscramblingtomakesenseofwhatshouldbe finished.
Noundertakingistoolittletorecordifit’ssomethingyouwouldprefernottooverlook. Recordit,andafterthatmakeamove.
Expertsgenerallyprescribetakingacoupleofminutesout,eachearliernightbeforebed,todesignyour followingday,andaboveandbeyond,totakesometimeeverySettingupmonthtomonthmotivationis significantlymoreviable,thanbasicallymakingyearlyresolutions,andkeepsthingsnew.Recordwhatmakes blissinyourlife,thingsyouneedtostatenoto,schedulesandpropensitiesthatassistyoutoremainsound, extraordinarydatesandamonthtomonthcanlist.Makeapointtoalludebacktoyournoteseachweeksoyou keepthemotivationgoing.
Utilizeyourorganizerminusallpotentiallimitationsdegreeconceivable.Yourfundsareanenormouspiece ofyourlifeandbusiness,soforwhatreasonnotrecordthingstomonitoryourcash?
Stampwhenyourbillsasdueonthedatethattheyshouldbepaid,definemoneyrelatedobjectivesand verifythemwhenyouachievethem!Youinalllikelihoodhaveplanningprogrammingsetupforyour business,yethowoftenhaveyoubeeninarushamidtheweekandunderstoodyourelectricbillis expectedtodayor-muchmorelamentably-yesterday?Recorditanderasethatworryfrom yourlifetotally
Notjusttrackingyourfinances,useyourplannertodojot downeveryminutedetailoftheyourself.Planyour personallifeandincorporateself-careasthatiswhatis actingasthemainsourceofpowerbehindyourand yourenterprise’ssuccess.
Sundaynighttodesignyourupandcomingweek. Youwilldiscoveryourbrainisclearerandallthe extratimewillsurface.
Chooseaplannerwhereyoucanfillupyourtimetable anddailyagendaeveryday
Asavisualcreatorandanittygrittyorganizeridentity,most entrepreneurs taketheiraffectionfororganizersandmakestheir ownparticularimageoforganizersacoupleofyearsbefore.Oneof thefundamentalsegmentsoftheplanneristhedesigntooffer enoughspaceforeverydayschedule.
Itisimperativetoentrepreneurstohavethecapacitytoseethegreaterpartoftheirchancedelicateexercisesamidthe day,yetadditionallyhaveaspacetocomposeundertakings.Weasawholehaveagreatdealtoachieveeveryday, exceptwithanappropriateorganizersetup,wecanremainfocusedandaccomplishourobjectivessooner.
Incaseyouplanyourscheduleseveryday,yououghttolikewisebeconsideringanoutlineeverymonth.Oneofthe keyelementsforbusinessvisionariesisdefiningobjectivesandafterwardfindingawaytocontactthem.Takesome timetowardthefinishofeverymonthtochoosewhatyouneedtoachieveinthenextmonth,andcomposeeverything outinyourorganizerorplannerbook.
AcurrentreportdirectedbyDominicanUniversityofCaliforniademonstratedrecordingyourobjectivesmakesthem significantlymorepronetohappen.Theseobjectivescanbebusiness-relatedandindividual.Youarenotadifferent elementfromyourbusiness.Youareapieceofit,somakingobjectivesthatworkforyourbusinessandforyouis critical.
Aplannerdiaryisn’tonlyaplacetoconfirmthingsandseewhattimeyoushouldbesomeplace.Itoughttobeaplace thathousesmotivationtoo.Somethingmostentrepreneursgenerallywriteintheirownparticularorganizerisaword toconcentrateoneverymonth.AgreatdealofuspickanexpressionoftheyearorsetaNewYear’sdetermination,yet weknowthatitissodifficulttoremainenlivenedallyear
SteveJobsoncesaid, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”
Likewise,oftendiscussionsabout entrepreneurshipboildowntothe differencebetweenpatienceand perseverance.Entrepreneursbelieve patience isthekeytosurvivein today’sever-changingdigitalworld. Butformany,itis perseverance and notpatience–thekeytovirtue.One suchtenaciousentrepreneur,Erik Bjontegardhasalwaysbeendrivenby thechallengetocombinescienceand innovationinwaysthatimproveour lives.Currently,Presidentand founderofTotalCommunicator Solutions,Erikisbringing unprecedentedvaluetomillionsof peoplebyenablingsmartdevicesto becomeevenmorepowerfuleven smartcitiestobecomeintelligent–givingyoupersonalized,contextual relevantcuratedexperiencesthatmake lifeevenbetter.
Leadingfromfront,Erikhasguided TotalCommunicatortobecomeafully integrated,contextuallyintelligent mobilecommunicationsplatform.The solutionleveragesreal-dataanalytics withreal-timesensordatatodeliver “augmentedrealitycommunication™” thatcombineslocation,user,and activityknowledge,todelivercurated experiencesonmobiledevicesand otherconnecteddisplays.The company’spatented,contextually
intelligentcommunicationsplatform, SparkCompass™,integrates proximitybeacons,NFC,augmented reality,smartcitysensors,NFCand otherIoTandsmartcitysensors.With severalinstallations,SparkCompassis usedbyenterprisessuchasairports, hospitals,universityfacilities,sport venues,stadiumsandconvention centers.TotalCommunicatoris headquarteredinSanDiego,CA,with locationsinUSA,Spain,Mexico,UK, Norway,andNewZealand.
TheJourneythatTracesbackto90s Erik’sjourneytobecomean entrepreneurrootsbacktohisfour-year termintheUniversityofSalford,UK in1986.Hisacademicshadrunits course,anditwasthereforetimetobid farewell.Thedaysthatfollowedleft Erikquestionableabouthischoiceof professionafterworkingatthe NorwegianUnderwaterTechnology Centerdevelopingunderwaterrobotics heyearnedtoexplorefurtherbeyond theshoresoftheNorthSea.Hewas soonfoundpackinghisbagforan expeditiontotheU.S.–anationwith promisesinstoreforayoungengineer, seekingtoexploreanddevelop aerospaceanddeepspacevehicles insteadofsubseaterrain.Afteryears workingonfighterjets,SpaceShuttle andcommercialairlinersandrocket scienceengineering,followedbya coupleofyearsinrealestateandland development,ErikjoinedQualcomm, thetelecommunicationsgiantand beforelong,heascendedtojointhe executiveleadershipintheCorporate
R&Ddivision.Itwashere,thatit occurredtohim:scienceand advancementthatencompassed technologylackedreal-lifevalueand vision.Hesawaneedtoestablisha solutionandplatformproviderthatcan leveragetheirtechnologiesintousable andpowerfulplatformsandend-to-end solutions. Assemblingalittlegroupof dedicated,like-mindedspecialists,in themidstoflimitedresourcesand budget,Eriklaidthefoundationfor TotalCommunicatorSolutions,Inc.in 2012.
Healongwithateamofindustry experts,architectedanddevelopeda one-of-a-kindplatform(PaaS)that connectedexistingsensornetworks, devicesandtheirusers.Theplatform wasdesignedtodelivercompelling relevantcontentwithinaunique localizedexperiencetotheuser,while capturingappurtenantuser-behavior dataforplatformstakeholders. Together,theydevelopedacomplete precisemobilemarketingplatform withdynamicmobileapps–theSpark Compassplatform.Today,Spark CompassiscoveredbyanawardedUS patentwithnumerouspendingpatents inUSAandworldwidewithproviders andpartners,channelpartnersand systemintegrationpartnersranging from ATOS, Qualcomm,CGI and Samsung to smaller local BOT (Build Operate Train) partners. “We are finally out of stealth mode and are deploying with some powerful brands
and partners. The Spark Compass platform has been tested and validated in real commercial enterprise deployments, across multiple vertical markets. It drives conversion and result, now endorsed and promoted by our channel partners globally” Erikaffirms.
HelpingBusinessesExpandtheirBrands
TotalCommunicator’scustomersaretypicallybigbrands andtheyhaveaverybigassetintheirbrands. Total Communicator–goingbeyondtheconventionalbusiness approach–proposestohelpthemexpandtheirbrands–not itsownapps.Thefirmthereforeprovidesthetools,the plumbingifclientswant–todelivertheirbranded messagestotheirfans.
“Our INCLUSIVE approach enables us to integrate with legacy systems – from client databases to existing apps for our clients. We work to enhance the communications for our clients and drive a loyalty with their customers and fans. We do this by ensuring that it’s the BRAND’s app we build and interact with, and then we enable the BRAND to communicate with THEIR fans. We can even leverage the platform to enhance and improve internal dialog and communications too for improved operations” hefurther explains.
TheSparkCompass™mobileproximityplatformisthe ‘brains’that’senablingawiderangeofexperiences.Based onitspatentedtechnology,ittakesadvantageofthelatest innovationsinproximitybeacons,sensorintegrations,geofences,augmentedrealityandvirtualrealitytonameafew –creatingalayerof“AugmentedIntelligent Communication(TM)”toenablebusinessesand organizationsdrivedynamicmarketing,servicesaswellas internalandexternalcommunications.Theendresultisthe abilitytoeasilybringreal-time,contextuallyintelligent experiencestopeopleinplaceslikeconventioncenters, universities,airports,medicalcentersandhospitals,events, conventioncenters,officebuildingsandtouristdestinations. SparkCompassisalreadyinallofthese.
TheInternetofThingsindustryhasemergedrapidlyand looksallsetforagreatfuture.Someinterestingbusiness modelshaveemergedaswellandTotalCommunicator Solutionsseemspoisedtorevolutionizethewaythe locationbasedbusinesseswork!LedbyErik,thefirmis lookingforinnovative,self-startersthatareeagertomake thingshappenastheysettomaketheSmartCity Intelligent™.
I’ve always been driven by the challenge to combine science and innovation in ways that improve our lives.
Erik Bjontegard Founder & President Total Communicator Solutions, Inc
Youthsportsparticipationhas becomeanimportanttoolin catalyzingpositivechangeto upstreamhealthsolutions,character development,andfuelingtheeconomic engineofcommunities.Asseenin mainstreammediaoutletssuchasHBO RealSports,TIMEMagazine,andThe TODAYShow, topicssurrounding youthsportssuchasthestateof healthcare,thefutureofyouthphysical activity,thefamilydynamicandthe economicgrowththroughoutour countryaremakingheadlines.Somuch so,thatyouthandamateursportshave becomebigbusiness.Theintersection ofthisemergingmarket,life experiences,andanethictoservice havemanifestedintoadedicationto socialentrepreneurshipforJason Clement.
JasonClementistheFounderPartner andCEOofasuccessfulsports managementsolution,Sports FacilitiesManagement(SFM)and ManagingPartnerofSports FacilitiesAdvisory(SFA).Today, thesefirmshaveoverseenmorethan$8 billiondollarsworthofplanned investmentsandover60millionvisits inassociatedvenues. RaisedinIowa, Jasonwassurroundedbyan industrious,entrepreneurialfamilywho successfullyownedagriculturalservice variousotherbusinessesrangingfrom
manufacturing,autoandplane dealerships,grainelevators,andreal estatedevelopment.Buildingonthis foundation,Jasonhonedhisinstincts throughahands-onarchitecturaland entrepreneurshipprogramsatIowa StateUniversity,whichtaughthimto valueoriginalityinproblemsolving, innovationandthepragmaticaspectof business.Duringhisadulthood,he madethemostoutofhisformaland informallearningtobuildasuccessful enterprise,SportsFacilitiesAdvisory andSportsFacilitiesManagement.
CapturingOpportunitiestoCreate anEnterprise Jasonwasworkingforanoutsourced corporaterealestatemanagementfirm whenhesawanupcomingopportunity tocreateanenterpriseinanemerging market.Thecorporaterealestatefirm providedfacilitymanagementservices togrowingcorporationslikeCisco, NOKIA,USAAandmore.Duringhis timewiththiscorporaterealestate firm,Jasonsawanopportunitytohelp publicentities,privatedevelopersand entrepreneursavailsophisticated managementsolutionsinthesport, entertainment,andrecreationindustry Today,SFAandSFMprovideawiderangeofsolutionsstartingfrom strategicplanningallthewayto organizationaldevelopmentand managementservices.SFAandSFM
havebecomeaglobalforceinthe industry.Overthecourseof15years, thefirmshavecreatedvariousentities includingnumerousSFM-managed venues,EmpowerAdventures,Bo Jackson’sEliteSportsDevelopment Group,SportsLeadershipCentersof America,andmore.Theirwork towardsthedevelopmentofsports, leisure,andentertainmentindustryhas alsoleadtothecreationofover60 entitiesaroundtheworld.SFAand SFM,duringinception,wereasmall leapoffaithinthefutureonthepartof Jasonandhispartners,andtodaythey areaglowingfaceofsuccessinthe industry
MeasuringtheImmeasurableScale ofExcellence Intheearlydays,SFMandJasonfaced manychallengesinordertoestablish theirpresenceintheindustry.Of which,oneofthemostrecurrent struggleshasbeenscalingtothe“next” leveloforganization.Inthebeginning, Jasonandadedicatedteamworked hardtoprovethebusinessconcept, servetheoperations,andsetthe higheststandardsofservicetotheir clients.
Duringitsearlystages,buildinga cultureofaccountability,controlling quality,andsettingabarforservice wastheunspokennorm.Asthe
companygrew,itexpandedintoateamofover300 managingover2000venuestaff.Asaresult,thecompany holdsthevaluesofaccountability,collaboration,excellence andservicesacrosanctforallteammembers.Scalingthose standards istherecurringchallengeJasonandthe leadershipteamseempoisedtomeet.
OneofJason’scorebeliefsisthatpeopledonotcareabout what leadersknowuntiltheycometounderstandtheextent oftheircare,passionanddedication.Hebelievesevery organizationandentrepreneurshouldconsidermakinga positivedifferenceinthelivesofthepeopletheyintersect. Thispassionprovidesthefuelforperseverancerequiredto reachnewground.ThispassiondroveSFAandSFMto succeedduringthemostchallenginggrowthperiods, somethingwhichJasonmakeseveryefforttosharewith employees,clients,andthemanagementeachday.
TheFutureandaSoundWordofAdvice SFMcontinuestoinnovatetheirmanagementsolutionsby applyingnewtechnologiesandincorporatingthelatest industrytrends.Jasonenvisionsafuturefortheindustry thatwillservefamiliesandparticipantsinnewand innovativewaysinwhichtheywillinteractonthecourts, fields,poolsandicedifferentlyastheresultofnew technologies.“Smartcourts”,entertainmentandactive
amenitieswillbemoreprevalentascomparedtonow. Hence,heinveststheresourcesofSFAandSFMinfinding strategicpartnersandsolutionsthatwilltaketheirservice offeringstothenextlevel.Additionally,Jasonrecognizes thecurrenttrendofdwindlingyouthsportsparticipation rates.Thedownstreameffectresultsinsocietiesaroundthe worldbecominglessactive,healthyandinvestingless effortonphysical,mentalandemotionalwellbeing.Jason believesintheimportancefortheindustrytoprovide opportunitiesforaccesstoallkidsandinnovatewithin communitiestopromoteparticipationforpeoplewho cannotaffordqualitysportsservices.
Jasonledthecompanyfromthefrontindifficulttimesand haslearnedthatinordertodiveintothefuture, entrepreneursmustacceptthisasawayoflife.Jasonshared thatgiantcorporationslikeApple,Uber,Amazon,and othersgrewoveralongperiodoftimeandwereestablished throughcontinuouseffortsandchange.Additionally,these companiesalsokeepinnovatingtostayaheadofthecurve andbethebestintheirrespectivefields.Hence,headvises youngentrepreneurstoinvesttheirtime,effort,andfocus withoutwastingtimeworryingaboutovernightsuccess. AccordingtoJason,successisnotadestinationbuta journeymarkedbysustainedeffortfilledwithrelationships, collaborationandcommitmenttoservice.
As an Entrepreneur, I am focused on the health and economic growth of the communities we serve.
Withover25yearsof experienceinthesoftware industry,LanirShacham holdsthedistinctionofbuildinga companyfromscratchandleadingit towardssuccess.Originallythe Founder&CEOofCorrelsense, duringthecompany’sinitialyears, Lanirwentontoshouldertheposition ofaCTOandsupervisedProduct ManagementandCustomerRelation rolesatthecompany.Hedeveloped channelsandpartnerstoexpand Correlsense’spresencewithinthe marketandthreeyearsagohereturned totheCEOpositiontohelpthe companyexpandglobally
PriortotheinceptionofCorrelsense, Lanirwasoneoftheseniormembers ofthe IBM Global Technology Unit. Hisresponsibility,backthen,involved generatingtechnicalandbusiness relationswiththeIsraeliHi-Tech community.Movingfurtherback, LanirservedastheChiefArchitectand R&DManagerat Indocs Online,a start-upcompanythatdeveloped uniqueservicesforthepre-print industry.Healsoservedasanofficerin the IDF Intelligence Corps,wherein LanirledthedevelopmentofBigData systemsofKnowledgeManagement.
HiseducationalresumeincludesaBSc inComputerScienceandMScin PhysicsfromBar-IlanUniversityand graduateofthe MAMRAM IDF Computer Academy.
TheInceptionofaBigIdeafroma SimpleQuestion
Whileworkingasaperformance consultant,LanirkepttryingtohelpIT organizationssolvehardperformance problems.Itwasobviousthatthere wasnoanswertothequestion:Whyis thisusertransactionhanging?Lanir inceptedCorrelsensetobring-forward arelevantanswertotheabove question.
Butaswithanyothercompanies,the roadwasn’tabedofroses.Lanirand histeamofexpertsstartedworkingon asolutiontenyearsago,butthe challengeexistedforatleasttenyears priortothattime.Owingtothediverse andcomplexapplicationenvironment, thechallengeswereenormous.There wasnosolutionouttherethatcould tracesingleusertransactionsacross multipletechnologytypestomonitor enterprisedata.
Thecompanyinvestedfouryearsto justgettothestagewhereitssoftware agentscouldattachthemselvestoany
typeoftechnologythatcreated transactionsautomatically.Following that,Correlsensefocusedmoreonhow tocaptureallofthatdatainan effectivemanner,sothatitcouldbe analyzed,indexed,andcollated-allin real-time.Thecompanyasaresult facedaBigDataproblem,whichit startedworkingonduring2010,and completedthetaskthreeyearslater
TheconceptbehindCorrelsenseisto giveorganizationsvisibilityintoevery singleusertransactionthatlieswithin theirapplications—Application PerformanceManagement(APM)— andthisiswhatconstitutesitsvision, mission,andcoretechnology.Lanir rightlypointsout, “We enable organizations to accurately answer the question: ‘How are my applications performing?’by giving them information on each and every user click.”
Correlsenses’maininvestmentgoes intothetechnologybehinditsflagship product, SharePath,whichgives organizationsbothabird’s-eyeand detailedviewofhowtransactionsare performedacrossmultipletiersintheir datacentres.
Lanirmentionsthataninherentpassionfortechnology, persistenceandanacuteunderstandingthatittakesaloyal teamofprofessionals,whoaresmarterthanyou,translates adreamintoarealityforanyentrepreneur.Themost importantpartofitisfindingandkeepingholdofawinning team.
Talkingabouthisowncontributionsandentrepreneurial traits,Lanirexclaims, “When things crumble you have to be able to see the light, be the captain of the ship and take charge. This is what your employees and shareholders expect from you. I saw no other option for myself, as an aspiring engineer this was the only thing I wanted to do. Also you have to be determined and calculated working in small steps that lead you to your ultimate objective.”
Correlsensehasalwaysbeenattheforefrontofinnovation initsmarket.Thecompanywasthefirsttointroducejava
script’sautomaticinjectionattheweb-serverlevel,enabling customerstomeasurerealuserexperienceasopposedto syntheticmonitoring,whichwascommonuntilafewyears ago.Correlsensewasalsothefirsttointroduceawholenew conceptofbinaryinterception,andonlynowafewother vendorsaretryingtoreachthislevelofgranularity,usually withlesssuccess.
Lookingahead,Lanirisexcitedwithwhatthefutureholds forthecompanyandplanstoinnovateandbringnewways ofmanagingtheperformanceoflarge-scaledatacenters intothemarket.
Lanirconcludeswithhisadviceforemergingentrepreneurs bystating, “You have to really enjoy what you do and be passionate about it. Things for certain will not develop as you planned; you will need to overcome constant obstacles – and as an entrepreneur, this is not a cliché – look at them as opportunities to grow your business and yourself.”
When things crumble you have to be able to see the light, be the captain of the ship and take charge.
Lanir Shacham CEO & Founder Correlsense
MarioAndretti,oneofthe mostsuccessfulAmerican
racecardrivers,oncesaid,
“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
Thesingle-mostimportant characteristicthateveryentrepreneur shouldpossessinthisdayandageis commitment—commitmenttowards one’sdreams,one’sdesires,andone’s ownabilities.
“The entire universe is conspiring to give you everything that you want”AbrahamHicks.Outofthe7billion peopleonthisplanet,only8%goonto achievetheirgoals.Itisnotbecause theuniverseisbiasedtowardsthis8% population.It’sjusttheircommitment thatconvincedtheirfatetotakeaturn forthebest.Everyoneisbornwitha talent,butitrequiresundeterred determinationtoreallybearthefruitof thattalent.Entrepreneursbecome successfulwhentheycommittotheir idea,team,customers,andthe community.
Entrepreneursshouldhavegreat leadershipqualitiestobecomeleaders whoinspireasharedpassionforthe workbeingdoneateverylevelinthe company.Thisstoryisaboutonesuch
inspiringleaderatMercuryGate,a companyrecognizedasaleading provideroftransportationmanagement solutions.AtMercuryGate,every employeeisfocusedoncustomer service.Andthatfocusisanextension ofthecompany’sleadership,which recognizestheirteamsfortheir contributionsandhelpthemrealize thattheireffortsdomakeadifference. Theinspiringentrepreneurleadingthe wayatMercuryGateisMonica Wooden.
PredictedOpportunityandGrabbed itInstantly MonicaandherMercuryGateCofounder,SteveBlough,anticipatedan opportunitytoreducecostsinthe supplychain.Theywereamazedbythe levelofinefficiencyandvarious untappedopportunitiestoreducecosts andoptimizesupplychain performance.Theyhadexperienced first-handthefrustrationsofusing technologyapplicationsthatwere developedfromapurelyacademic perspective.Theyrecognizedthe significantneedfortechnology designedbasedonhowthe transportationindustryoperates. Together,theydevelopeda TransportationManagementSystem (TMS)andworkedwithothersto accelerateasignificantdisruptionin thelogisticsindustry.Monicaand StevewerethefirstonestoputTMSin thecloud.
Whatbeganwithanidea,laterevolved intoafull-fledgedconvictionto leveragetheresourcesthatwould improvetransportationtechnology systems.Monicatookanactiverolein theindustrybyplanning,listening,and adaptingtothechangingnormsand trendsofthemarketandits stakeholders.Withongoingsupport fromcolleagues,friendsandfamily, Monicacontinuedtoinnovateand expandthetechnologysolutions offeredbyMercuryGate,whilerapidly increasingthecompany’scustomer base.
KeepingtheEntrepreneurialSpirit Alive MercuryGatehasbeenwellreceived sinceitsbeingfoundedin2000.Steve Bloughcamefromanoperational backgroundandlikeMonica,launched hiscareerfromawarehousefloor. MonicaandStevedeveloped MercuryGate’sinitialproductoffering withanup-close,hands-on understandingofthechallengesfaced bythetransportationandthelogistics managers.
MercuryGatehasbeenverywell receivedsinceitsearliestdaysof operation.Monicaandherteam continuetooperatewithaclearvision basedonanin-depthknowledgeofthe industriestheyserve.Shehasbuilta strongteamoftalentedandpassionate individualswhoarededicatedtodoing
thebestjobpossiblefortheircustomers.Theonlylimiting factortotheirmasterplanwastherateofexpansion. Monicaandherteamareconstantlyexecutingsolutionsto matchthepaceoftheirgrowth.
PerfectBlendofTechnology,Process,andBusiness Intelligence Sinceitsbeginning,MercuryGatehasfocusedontailoring itssolutionstotheircustomers.Monicaandherteam developedthefirsttransportationmanagementsolutionfor alargeelectronicscompanywithextremelycomplex,high volumetransportationneeds.Thesystemwassosuccessful thatitbegansavingthecompanymillionsofdollarsassoon asitwasimplemented.Thiswasthegenesisoftheir advanced,provensolutionsthattodayservehundredsof customers.
MercuryGatecontinuestobeacompetitiveadvantagefor today’smostsuccessfulshippers,3PLs,freightforwarders, brokers,andcarriers.Monicahasdedicatedallhereffortsin turningMercuryGateintoauniquesolutionprovider;one whichwouldnativelysupportallmodesoftransportationin asingleplatform,including Parcel, LTL, Truckload, Air, Ocean, Rail, and Intermodal. Monicahascollaboratedwith variousexpertstoconsistentlyreleaseinnovative,resultsdriventechnology.Hercommitmenttowardsmaking customerssuccessfulhasledMercuryGatetobecomean
invaluableassettovariousTMSusers.Evenafterseveral yearsofoperation,Monicaisstilldrivingtheevolutionof MercuryGatebyimprovingproductivityandoperational efficiency.MercuryGatehasalsoearnedcheersforits sophisticatedandstableBusinessIntelligencesystemthat improvestransportationprocesses,increasescustomer satisfaction,andreducescosts;andallthecreditgoesto Monicaandtheeffortsofherdedicatedteam,today
BelieveinanIdeaHonestlyandbeUnconditionally FaithfulTowardIt Monicabelievesthatinthisageoffast-pacedgrowth,we justcannotaffordtobeintimidatedbyfailure.Everynew ventureshouldbeapproachedwithavisionofwhatsuccess meanstoyouandthatentrepreneursshouldneverstop learning,working,andimproving.“Itisimperativetohave anunwaveringfocusonachievingyourgoals,”Monica said.
Monicaisconfidentthatbykeepingherentrepreneurial spiritalive,MercuryGatewillcontinuetoexperiencerapid growththroughexpansionofimportantfeaturesand functionalitiesinthecurrentplatformfortheirexisting customers.Shepledgestoexplorenewopportunities, customers,andmarketsalongwithherincrediblytalented team.
The most important characteristic an entrepreneur should have today is commitment. There’s no faking it. ho make it have depth and are curious and cerebral.Monica Wooden CEO & Co-Founder MercuryGate
Theattitudeoftechnical specialistsatFirstLine Softwareresemblesthatofan entrepreneurastheyembracethe challengesof,andopportunitiesfor, deliveringtechnicalexcellenceoneach newclientproject.Theyareknownfor takingpersonalownershiponprojects thatdemandtheirbestefforts.By constantlythinkingabouthowtosolve projectchallengesorfine-tunecodefor optimalperformance,whichdelivers thebestpossibleuserexperience,they routinelyexceedcustomerexpectations withexceptionaloutcomes.
FirstLine’sCo-founder:An EntrepreneurLeadingbyExample Ofcourseithelpstohaveaserial entrepreneurrunningthecompany MeetCEOandFounder,Nick Puntikov.AfterearninghisM.Sc. degreein1983,Nickworkedasa researcherinthefieldofcomputational linguisticsandnaturallanguage processing.NickalsoholdsaPh.D. fromtheInstituteofInformaticsofthe AcademyofSciences.
Nickfoundedhisfirstcompany,a privately-heldsoftwareengineering firm, StarSoft in1991.Underhis leadership,overthenext15years,the companyestablisheditsreputationasa premiersoftwareservicesproviderto clientsinNorthAmericaandEurope. ThecompanywasbasedinCambridge, MAandemployedover700technical specialistsandengineers.
In2007,StarSoftmergedwith Exigen Services ofSanFrancisco,andNick tookontheroleastheheadofdelivery forthenextthreeyears.Inthisrole, Nickwasresponsibleforbusiness development,managingcustomer relationships,andoverseeingastaffof 1,500technicalexpertsworkingin10 R&Dcentersin6countriesacross Europe,theBalticsandChina.
Nick’snextphaseasanentrepreneur beganwhenheco-foundedFirstLine Software,afull-service,software engineeringsolutionprovider.Henow servesasthecompany’sCEOandhas nurturedthecompanytonearly500 resourcesoverthelastnineyearswith thehelpofaveryexperienced managementteam.
Entrepreneurialattitudeopensup newopportunities FirstLineisaglobalcompanythat overtime,hasbuiltupareputationfor servingadiversemixofcustomersand partnersaroundtheworldand introducingcutting-edgetechnology thatcreatesadistinctcompetitive advantage.Customersatisfactionhas beenconfirmedwithover80%ofits customersplacingtwoormoreprojects withFirstLineSoftware.
Beingadaptableandforward-thinking hasopenedupnewopportunitiesfor FirstLine–specifically,workingwith promisingstartupsthataredisrupting howservicesaredelivered.When presentedwiththeirvision,FirstLine
forgesaheadtoexecuteondeveloping thetechnologythatwillenablethese startupstolaunchtheirinnovative productsandservices.Again,it’san agileandentrepreneurialspiritthat fuelstheexpansionofFirstLine’s customerbasetoincludeworkingwith innovativestartups.
Currently,FirstLineisworkingontwo mobileappsthatwillserveindividuals whowouldotherwisenothaveaccess tosuchvaluableservices.Thefirstapp willconnectpatientsinremotepartsof Africawithparticipatingphysicians aroundtheworldwhowillprovide medicaladviceondemand.Eventually theYapiliplatformandthisappwill expanditsreachtoincludepatientsin otherremotepartsoftheworld.The secondappwillservehearing-impaired visitorstotheStateRussianMuseum, whichistheworld’slargestcollection ofRussianartandishousedina uniquearchitecturalcomplexinthe historicalcenterofSt.Petersburg.The appwilldeliveraguidedtour experience,includingsignlanguage thatwouldnottypicallybeavailableto hearing-impairedmuseumvisitors.
Acompletelydifferentprojectis centeredonbigdataandissocomplex thatitrequiresthecollaborationof multiplecompanies.FirstLinehas beenparticipatingindevelopinga vocabularysystemcontaining thousandsofmedicaltermsand methodologiesfromcountriesaround theworld.
Finally,FirstLineworkedwithiTraqtodevelopatracking deviceusedbyarangeofcompaniestotrackobjectsand cargoaroundtheworld.Thisdeviceutilizesarangeof technologiesthatallowittobelocated(evenindoors) includingcellularID,GPS,WiFitriangulation,andLoRa, amongothers,whilealsoallowingformonitoring temperaturechangesandmotion/falls.Infact,iTraqand FirstLineSoftwarewererecognizedbyVentanaResearch forthetechnologydevelopedtooperatethedevice.
Preparedforinnovationwithdeeptechnicalexpertise andindustryexperience
ThetechnologyexpertsatFirstLinehavebuiltupan extensiverepositoryofexpertisespanningmultiple industries,deepknowledgeofindustry-leading,and function-specifictechnologies,aswellasengineeringskills thatcoverplatforms,systems,andsoftware.Inadditionto these,FirstLinehasfosteredaculturethatinspirestheir technologyexpertstousethesehorizontalengineering skillsandcapabilitiestomeetandexceedcustomer expectationsinmanydifferentindustryverticals.
AndFirstLinedoesn’tbelievetheseinterestingprojects comealongbecauseofluck.Infact,NickPuntikovoften quotesThomasEdisonregardingluck: “We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.” Timehasnomeaning whenengineersembracechallengingassignments.
Technologyexpertsmustbedisciplined,curiousand sufficientlyeducatedorexperiencedto deliverinnovative technicalsolutionsandproducts.Fosteringacorporate cultureofinnovationisdrivenbyFirstLine’sstakeholders, executivesandfounders.
FortunatelyforFirstLine,entrepreneurNickPuntikovisat thehelmandinspiresexcellencefromtheentireteamof technologyexperts.Andeventhoughthecompanyisno longerastartupandhas500plusemployees,the entrepreneurialspiritisaliveandwellatFirstLine.Nick hadthistosay, “I’m proud to have instilled the attitude of being an entrepreneur by empowering each member of the First Line team. It has without a doubt been instrumental in consistently delivering the exceptional quality of development projects for our clients.”
FirstLineofferstechnologyenablementservices,custom softwaredevelopment,intellectualintegration,and digitalization,plusthethreeprimaryBigDatacategories: BigDataEngineering,BusinessAnalysisandDataInsights. TherangeofindustriesandmarketsFirstLineserves includes:HealthcareIT,InternetofThings(IoT),Industrial IOT(IIoT),Wearables,EnterpriseMobility,DigitalMedia andMarketing,WebContentManagement,e-Commerce,eGovernment,TravelandTransportation,Warehouse Logistics,andGasandOil.
oud to have instilled the attitude of being an entrepreneur by empowering each member the First Line team.
Nick Puntikov Co-founder & CEO First Line Software
heextentanorganizationcangrowdependsabout70%ofthe
Tleadershipstrategiesimplementedondailybasis.Asaneffective leaderwhoaimstosteeryourorganizationtothenextandbetter level,youmayneedtoconsiderthecriticalityofthebelow-highlighted points:
TheyFindpassionandSeePossibilityintheirBigDream:
Atrueleaderfirstdreamsobigthathisdreamalsofeelsasthoughitwould notberealizable,buthe/shefollowsitupwithstrategylike;Dissectinghis dreamintosmallermodules,andidentifyingpassionoutofit.They understandthatadreamaswholemaynothavealltheinterestingelementsall overit,butwhentheysitdownandidentifythelittlethingsthatmattersmore, thenpositiontheirmindtoprioritizeitwithgenuineadmiration.Withina shorttime,everythingwillstarttofallrightintoplace.Sotheyidentifyoneor twothingstheylikemoreabouttheirgoalsandalwaysthinkofitasadriving force.
Afterthisstep,trueleaders,takesthetimetodrawtheattentionoftheirteam tothatdrivingforceandmotivatethemtoseereasonstoachieveeachgoal effectively.
Delegationofpowertocapablehandsintheorganizationhelpstheorganizationwithconsiderablereliefintheireffortsto managebusinessoperationseffectively
Thisstrategyfortifiestheiremployeeswithasenseofsupportandselflessness.Trueleaderswhodelegatespowerandthink abouthisorganizationfirstbeforethemareseenasbothhumbleandinspiring.ThereisacompletesenseofSharedVision whichenablestheorganizationtoleadahealthyworkculture.
Timeismoneyandmoneyisabigfactorineverybusinessgrowth.Everyeffectiveleaderknowsthenumerousgrowth potentialsthatlayaheadoftheirorganizationiftheymanagetheirtimewell.Theyseeopportunitiestogrowwhenitarrives andneverwastetimeinutilizingthem.“Effectiveness,”isemptywithoutthevaluesof,“TimeManagement”.
Theeffectiveleadersobligetheirteamtomaintaintime.Whenthereisdifficultyinthis,theyalwaysgivealisteningearand suggestthemostpossiblewaytoimprovethewellbeingoftheirteam/employees.
Youarealeaderbecausetherearepeoplewhofollowyou.Aneffectiveleaderputshis/herpeoplefirst.Theyfirstbecomethe servantsbeforetheystepupastheleader Thoughthereistheneedtoalwaysbeadecisionmakerastheleader,buttheytake theinitiativesoftheirteamtoencourageparticipativeteamspirit.
Thefirstandmostimportantvaluesthataneffectiveleaderconsidersareputtingtheindividualandprofessionalgrowthof theirteamfirst.Ittakesacertaindegreeofdisciplinetoportraythisquality,butifanindividualisabletoattemptitwithkeen interest,thentheendwillbeagloriousreturnoninvestment.Betheleaderthatwhenpeoplearegoingtorefertoleaders with;PositiveThinking,GoodHearttowardsothers,Understandingofindividuality&AccommodationandSelfless Personality,theywillcallyourname.Itwillpayyoumorethanyourinvestment.
TheyDelegatePowerwithCommunity-FirstApproachintheirOrganization Having Owners in every corner builds trust ~ Harold MacDowell, CEO of TDIndustries
Being an entrepreneur is not about waiting for the storm to pass by but rather, learning to bounce back.
Oneofthemostdistinctive characteristicsthatseparates entrepreneurswhosucceedfromthose whodonotistheirundying persistence.Standingoutwith distinctionfromthecrowdhasnever beenachallengeforPaymanTaei,an inspiringentrepreneurwhotranslated hisvisionintorealitywithsheer determination.
Inhisfinalyearofcollegeatthe UniversityofMaryland,Paymanhad just$170inhisbankaccount.He resistedthetemptationtogetaschool loanbecause,eventhen,heknewthat hewantedhisfutureearningstogo intofundinghisbusiness,notinto repayingloans.
Helaunched‘UclipM’,asingleweb pagewheresmallbusinessescould posttheircoupons.Inhindsight,itis perhapsfortunatethatthesitehadno takersbecauseonebusinessowner askedforawebsiteinstead.Payman hadhisfirstwebdesignclient,which markedthestartofaventurethat
wouldbecometheHindSiteInteractive digitalagencythefollowingyear
By2008,HindSitewascreating interactiveanimatedwebsitesusing FlashformajorclientslikeABCNews. Apple’s2010decisiontobarFlash fromtheiPhonegavethecompanya massivejolt-noonewantedFlashbasedwebsitesanymore.Business droppedby50%subsequently
HindSitesurvivedandcontinuesto operatetodayasacustomdigital agencybutPaymanhadbeentaughtan invaluablelesson: “I learned that to succeed in business you have to keep up or get left behind.”
Theexperienceopenedhiseyesandhe usedthedemiseofFlashasastepping stonetoincubateastart-upknown todayasVisme.
Vismebeganasanexperimenttotryto recreateflashanimationsusing HTML5,whichisthefabricofthe internet,notapluginthatcanbe squashedbyaconglomerate.Theidea wastoempowerindividualsand companiesasvisualcommunicators.
“This has broad meaning and that’s the beauty behind Visme; our mission is to
democratize the creation of visual content so even someone with little or no design knowledge, and with limited time, can create professional-looking visual content - presentations, infographics, reports, flyers or social banners,” saysPayman.
Aswithanyothercompany, irrespectiveoftheindustryandsize, Vismefacedmanyhurdleswhenitwas afledglingstart-up.Chiefamongthem wasalackoffundingbutPaymanused thatobstacleasanopportunitytolearn, tocreatesomethingfromnothingwith limitedresources.Ittaughthimthe importanceofeverydecisionandthe valueofeverydollar
Speakingofthattumultuoustime,he reveals, “The first intuition of most founders is to go after funding, everyone would tell me that, even those internally involved in Visme. But I had a strong feeling that this would eat way too much energy early on. Since we didn’t even have a proof of concept, bootstrapping was the lower risk option.”
PaymanknewthatbuildingVisme fromthebottomupintoasuccessful venturewouldtakelongerthanmost venturecapitalistwouldhavethe
patiencefor,andherelishedhavingcontroloverits decision-makingprocessinthoseearlystages.
Headds, “Since there is no set path before you, you have to create your own and along the way, you make so many mistakes and take wrong turns. Over time, as you learn from those mistakes - or as I now call them, ‘experiments’you build a sort of sixth sense where you can distinguish between what could work or what very likely won’t.”
TheothermajorhurdlePaymanfacedwasrecruitmentand hehashadhisfairshareofmistakeshiringthewrong people.Thoseexperienceshavemadehimmuchbetteratit andhenowhiresindividualsnotbasedsolelyontheir experiencebutalsoonmotivation,dignityandtrust; “a combination which is very hard to come by but critical to the success of any business.”
Beinganupfrontandhardworkingindividual,Paymanlikes toleadbyexample. “I don’t like to waste time beating around the bush; life is too short for that and there are too many things to accomplish in a day.”
Hispassionandzealousattitudeignitesasenseof excitementthatdriveshimtodoeverythingwithinhis powertosucceed.Asidefromthis,Paymancaresdeeplyfor histeammembers,especiallythosewhogoaboveand beyondthecallofduty.
Althoughnotonetoplantoofarahead,Paymantypically doesone-ortwo-yearoutlookstokeepabreastofchanges. HebelievesthatVismewillcompletelydisruptthespeed andeasewithwhichnon-designprofessionalscommunicate visuallyifthecompanycanachieveitslistofgoalsforthe nexttwoyears.
Asforhisadvicetoemergingandaspiringentrepreneurs, hesays, “If you want to increase your odds of being successful, make sure you have a deep passion for your endeavor. There is a dark side to the glamour of being an entrepreneur - you can get hit from all sides at any time and if you don’t have a deep passion and love for what you do (it’s really an addiction I think), don’t waste your time and do something else.”
I learned that to succeed in business you have to keep up or get left behind.
Payman Taei Founder Visme
SteveJobshadoncesaidthat “The only way to be satisfied in your life is to do work that you truly believe in.” Duringschool-life everyonehassomeinherentaimor visioninlife;everyonebelievesin theirideasbutinretrospectweobserve thatveryfewofushavethecapability totranslatethatvisionintoareality. Obstaclescanleadtoacollapseorcan bealearningcurve.Entrepreneurs,in particular,gothroughmanyofsuch obstacles.However,convertingthese challengesintoopportunitiesisoneof thesalientcharacteristicsofbudding entrepreneurs.Amongsuch empoweringpersonalitiesacrossthe globe,somewomenentrepreneurs havepedaledtheirwayintovarious industryverticalswithcourageand dedication.RaheelaAlKarim,the FounderandCEOofPlushEvent Planning,isaperfectexampleofsuch courageanddedication.Theselfassuredwomanhassuccessfully fulfilledherfather’swishbyproving hercapabilitiesinvariousindustriesin theUnitedStates.
Raheelamentionsthatherfatherisher chiefinspirationandidol.Shedreamed ofbeingasuccessfulentrepreneurand philanthropist.Hence,sheperusedher MBAintheUnitedStates.Buther primemotivatorexpiredjustafterthe completionofherMBAdegree.He wantedhertohaveaPhDfromDePaul Universityandalsosharedalastwish
ofcreatinganon-profitcharity organizationbeforedemise.Beinga compliantdaughter,Raheelathereafter madeherfathers’aspirationsher primaryobjectiveanddecidedtofulfill hiswish.
Initially,theimmigrationstatusof Raheelahadbeenacrucialhindrance. ShewasinAmericaonastudentvisa, therebyrestrictingherwork proceedingsmanyatimes.Shecould notgetajoboreventimetoworkon herideas.Afterreassessingher situation,shetookthedecisiontojoin avarietyofprofessionalcoursesinher areaofinterestandstrengthenedher portfolio.Thetwoyearsofhardwork transpiredintoproductiveoutcomes. Today,RaheelaisanEducational LeadershipDoctoralStudentat Depaul.Shehasbeensuccessfully runningbusinesseslikeeventplanning. Hersuccessalsoexceededforprofit organizationstoincludehernon-profit organization,AlKarimFoundation.
APassionthatDrivesNumerous BusinessestoProminence Drivingnumerousbusinesseswiththe sameenthusiasmisnotaneasytask. RaheelaAlKarimcurrentlycarries threediversebusinessesonher shoulder
Plush Multimedia:Itisamultimedia companybasedinChicago,IL.It satisfiescommunicationneedsofsmall andmediumsizedbusinesses.Her companyprovidesawide-arrayof
communicationproductsandservices suchaslogodesigning,branding,print collateral,customizedweb applications,andwebsites.Italso offersphotography,videography,IT consultingservices,andother promotionalservicesaswell.Raheela isanintegratedpartnerinthecompany andhandlesdedicatedteamsof experiencedprofessionalstherein.
Plush Event Planning:Asacertified eventplanner,sheprovidesevent planningforimportantoccasionslike wedding,cooperateevents, anniversaries,andotherfamilyevents includingbirthdays. It’saone-stop shoppingeventplatformthatoffers EventPlanning,Photography, Cinematography,WeddingCake& SweetTable,SaladStation,Stage Décor,andCentrepieces,Flower Bouquets,FlowerGarland,Floral Décor,RomanticWeddingRoom Décor,Sound,Lighting,Videography ofevent,WeddingDesignerDresses Boutique,Makeup,HairdoandTattoo forbridal,InvitationCardsDesignand Print.Thetimelessdesigns,flawless co-ordinationandchicstylingof companiesarewidelyacknowledged bytheclients,andRaheelahasbeen thekeyfacilitatortoassurethat.She asserts, “We believe that ‘Dreams Really Come True’and We want our clients to be absolutely stress free, all that we ask from our clients is to enjoy every single moment of your event.”
Al Karim Foundation:The foundationwasadreamof afathercradledbyhis daughter.Raheelahas handledmultipleambitious socialprojectsunderthis roof.Sheiscurrently involvedinthreemajor initiativesthatinclude New-bornClothsDriveand FazalFoodDrivefor Karachi,WarmCoatsDrive forChicago.Shedesiresto helpasmanypeopleas possiblethroughthis platformandtakeher father’sdreamprojecttoan indisputablelevel.
Raheelabelievesthatherpassiontobeaphilanthropist, courageousandanadeptprofessionalisduetotheresolute supportfromheremployees.Shefurtherstatesthat “My weakness and my failures build a solid foundation of spark and positive energy inside me which motivates and excites me about prospects of work” ShehasfaithinherGod giftedtalents,andisproudofherindividualstrugglesthat hasenhancedherpersonaandcateredinbusinessbooming. Shehasapivotalactionplantoenhanceorganizational
infrastructure,withsomeessentialalleviatedareasof concernsatcenter.Raheelapredominantlyfocuseson, understandingandpromptinglearningreciprocity.She encouragesleadershipthroughreciprocityandmeaningful interactionswithothers,andbelievessuchinitiatives improveorganizationalcontext.Indexingandmonitoring personalgrowthandorganizationalgrowthisanother concernareaforher.Sheretainsapersonaljournallisted withessentialactionsanddailyreportstoenhance individualperformancelevels.Raheelaclaimsthat organizationalimprovementscanbeenabledpersistently throughbidinganactionplanunderstandingthecomplete progressionasorganizationalunit.Shehasformeda workingrelationshipwiththeadministrativedepartment, whichpromotesthecompanypoliciesandimprovesthe restraintsuponeveryunit,therebyfurtherassistinginthe completeorganizationalgrowth.
Raheelaisknowntobeaversatileandmultitalented individualamongstherassociates.Foryears,Raheelahas beenmentoringinvariousleadinginstitutes.Sheexclaims thatnoonesucceedsimmediately;itisofutmost importancetohavefaithonone’sowncapabilities.She advicesemergingentrepreneurstobelieveinthemselves andchallengetheirpre-conceivedabilitiesandtohavea vision,andbuildacapableteamthatsharesthesamesetof goalsastheorganization.
I have vision, courage, integrity, humility and focus along with the ability to plan strategically and catalyze cooperation amongst my company team.
Raheela Al Karim Founder & CEO Plush Event PlanningFazal Karim Raheela’s Father
ItwasstatedinaBNPParibas
GlobalEntrepreneursreport
surveying2,600entrepreneurs basedin18countries,thatmillennials arelaunchingmorethantwotimes morebusinessesversustheirolder counterparts.Timearechangingand theinevitableriseofthe20-something CXOswillfollow,whetherwelikeit ornot.
Thatsaid,startingyoungalsocomes bundledwithitsownsetofunique challenges.Forwide-eyedmillennials enteringtheworldofbusiness,thiscan provetobedauntingandattimes overwhelming.
BackwhenmypartnerandIfirst startedHighSpark,acompanythat providespresentationdesignservices andskillstraining,itwasbynomeans awalkinthepark.Herearesome obstacleswefacedalongthewayand howweovercamethem:
1.Youwillbeunderestimated Wouldyoutrustyourbusinesswith someonethatistwo-timesyounger? Notaneasyanswerisit?
Ourstruggleinitiallywastoget experiencedorseniorbusinessowners totrustacoupleofteenagerstryingto helpthemincommunications. Naturally,wegotplentyofobjections rangingfromdisbelief:“Whatmakes youqualified?”tooutrightrejection “Wecan’tworkwithyou,you'retoo young”.
Itwasonlyafterayearintothe businessthatwewerefinallyfigured outhowtogetpastthisobstacle: Crediblereferencesfrompastclients.
Perceptionisalmostasimportantas actuallybeingabletodeliver.Having someoneelsetootyourhornforyou canbeinvaluablewhenyou’restarting outyoung.Nodoubtit'llbeharder versusalreadyhavingprofessional cloutasamoreexperienced professional,butthelessonsyoulearn
willbeinherentlymorevaluable. Anothergreatwayistoworkwith otherexpertstocoverareaswhereyou falter.Inourcase,wecollaboratedwith expertsinsalestrainingandpublic speakingtoprovidemoreholistic solutions.Thatway,byassociation, youquicklyappearmoretrustworthy.
2.Youwillfeellikeyou’remissing out
Entrepreneurshipisalonely,riskyroad lesstravelled.Whenyou’reyounger, youcanstomachmorerisk,butit mightbetoughertobedoing somethingthatgoesagainstwhatthe restofyourpeersaredoing.
Inourcase,mypartnerandIstarted thebusinessattheexpenseoffurther educationatthetime-wedidn’tgoto college.Ontheflipside,about80%of ourpeerswereheadingtouniversity, graduatingandfindingemployment.
Therewerenumerousinstanceswhere weweregenuinelyuncertainabout whetherourbusinesswouldbe profitableenoughtojustifyour sacrifices.Peersouragewerealready progressingintheircareers,whilewe werestilltryingtodetermineifwe madetherightdecisiontodothis.
Theoldproverb,“showmeyour friendsandI'lltellyouwhoyouare,” ringstruehere.
Surroundingyourselfwithlike-minded peoplegoingthroughthesame strugglesisagreatwaytomanageselfdoubtandaccelerateyourlearningin theprocess.Justrememberthatnoone everdidanythingspecialbybeinglike everyoneelseandthattherisksyou takenowcanpayoffhandsomelyin thefuture.
3. Youwillnevertruly‘knowwhat you’redoing’
Withnewsoutletsreportingsuccessful fundraisingroundsinthemillionsand newstartupstoriesonthepressevery otherday,itcansometimesseemlike
everyoneelsehasgotlifefiguredout exceptyouandyourteam.
Thetruthisthateventhemost seasonedentrepreneurs(youngorold) feelunsureattimes.Heck,even entrepreneursthataredoingwellmight constantlyhaveacaseofimpostor syndrome.Whenweconsistently entertainthoughtsofself-doubt,these thoughtscanmanifestintoparalysis whereweendupworryingmorethan doinganythingproductive.
Asimplesolutionasrenowned marketingexpertSethGodinoften saysisto‘StartShipping’.Don’tfear makingmistakesbecauseyouwill definitelyrunintoobstaclesalongthe way.
TheBusinessInsiderrecentlyreported ona6-yearoldboythatmakes$11 MillionayearonYoutubereviewing toysonhischannel:RyanToysReview Itreallygoestoshowwhatonecan accomplishwhenapplyingyourself correctlyandsilencinganyfeelingsof inadequacy.
Whetheryou’reaCEOinyourfifties orastartupfounderinyourtwenties, sometimesthebestthingtodoisto hunkerdownandtreadalongyour plannedpathratherthanworryif you'remakingthewrongdecisions.
Startingyoungcanbeanadvantageif youuseitright.Don’tbeboggeddown bythingsthatyoucancontrol,but insteadfocuson:
1.Buildingsolidrelationshipsand developingyourcredo
2.Growthroughosmosisby surroundingyourselfwith outstandingpeople
3.Focuson‘shipping’andthesteps ahead.
erseveranceandmore
Pperseverance,”mentionsRoger Dewey,theCEOandFounder ofAbleDevice,asoneofthekey aspectsforanentrepreneurtofoster success.Theinternationallyrecognized businessleader,RogerDewey,is knownforhisunrivaledcontributions intheemerginggrowthareasof InternetofThings(IoT)andMachineto-Machine(M2M)communications. Boastinganextensiveportfolio,the inspiringentrepreneurhasably shoulderedtheresponsibilitiesatAble Devicetoleadittowardssuccess.
WhileworkingatEricssonandSony Ericssonbackinthelate90s,Roger wasfortunatetoworkinMachine-toMachinetechnology,nowbroadly knownastheInternetofThings.He mentionshowthecultureatboththe companiesheavilyencouragedinternal entrepreneurshipfocusedon technologicalinnovation.Hisstintat boththecompanieswasagreat traininggroundforfuture entrepreneurs.Withthesafetynetof thecompany’sfinancialandsupport functioning,itfacilitatedthe developmentoftherequisiteskillsets andapproachneededforaburgeoning entrepreneur.
AfterworkingatSonyEricssonforfive years,Rogerleftthecompanyin2006 toexploremoreopportunitiesand challenges.Hesubsequentlyjoined TelitWirelessSolutions,anM2M wirelesstechnologycompany,andled itintotheAmericasregionasit previouslyhadoperationsonlyinthe EMEA.Hementions “While Telit’s financial backing provided security, the effort provided an interesting challenge for me as the company had scant support functions and none with any experience in the Americas region.”
AftersuccessfullygrowingTelit’s businessintheAmericas,Roger’s experiencefosteredtherealizationand thevisionoflaunchinganewbusiness unitorregionforanothercompany. Thisexperiencefirmlystrengthened Roger’sofficialleapintothe entrepreneurialbandwagon.Herecalls that “…since I had proven twice that I could succeed in my industry, it gave me the emotional freedom to try something new and potentially fail, as it wouldn’t be a reflection on me or impact my sense of myself.”
WhileservingatTelit,Rogerrealized thathehadastrongdesiretolaunch, build,andrunsomethinguniqueinhis
areaofexpertisei.e.,M2M.Thefirst steptowardsthatvisionwasleaving TelitandstartinganM2M/IoTbusiness strategyconsultingfirmwithapartner. AconsultingfirmnamedM2MV providedthevehicletogenerate incomewhilestayingengagedinthe cutting-edgedevelopmentsofthe industry.
Hisnon-engineeringeducational backgroundandhislackofSIM (SubscriberIdentityModule)expertise stemmedacuriosityofwhatRoger perceivedtobeanunderutilizationof thestandardSIM,embeddedinevery deviceconnectedtothemobile network. “From my understanding, it was a processor that was required to authenticate on the network and thus a sunk cost,” Rogerexclaims.Hesaw thevalueinreducingcomponentsand cost,whiledrivingstandardizationif theSIM’scapabilitiescouldbe extendedtoactatthedevice’s embeddedM2M/IoTapplication processor.SIMexpertstoldhimover andoveragain,howitwouldn’tbea possibilitybecauseoftheSIM standardsandthewaytheSIMfitsinto themobiledevicearchitecture.Roger couldn’tletgooftheideaandrecruited someformerSonyEricssoncolleagues, whowereexpertsinembeddeddevice connectivity Theteamtooka
systematicviewofhowtheSIMinteractedwiththerestof thedeviceandquicklydeterminedamethodtoachievethe objectiveofextendingtheSIM’sutilitytoactastheIoT applicationprocessor
Rogerimmediatelybeganthetaskofestablishingalegal entitywithequityallocationacrosstheteammembers,thus formingtheinceptionofAbleDevice.Followingthat, Rogerandhisteam’smainfocuswasfilingpatentsand developingproofofconceptdevicesandapplications.From thereon,thejourneywasfilledwithvariousroadblocksfor Roger,whereineachwasalearningprocess.Astheidea wassouniqueandaheadofitstime,thecompanyinitially experiencedverylittletractionfrompotentialcustomersor investors.
AfterestablishingAbleDevice’sfootholdintheindustry, Rogerboldlytookamajorstepinhiscareer.Hetookthe positionastheCOOofanM2M/IoTstartup;forwhich Roger’sconsultingfirmdevelopedthebusinessplanand strategy.Hetookthispositiontoreplenishhispersonal financesandtogivethemarketsometimetocatchupto withhisvision.Itwasalsoeducationalforhimtowork
throughownershipandfinancialstructureswhilegaining experienceinpitchingideastoVCs.Thoughthecompany ultimatelyfailed,itprovidedRogerwiththeabilitytomove ontothenextstage—backtoAbleDevice.
WhileawayfromAbleDevice,thecompanywasnotonly ablyledbyitstwoco-founders,butalsoobtainedaninitial investmentandbusinesssupportfromalocaltechnology accelerator,TheStartupFactory.Thisprovidedthe resourcesaswellasthetimeneededforthepatentprocess tosuccessfullyrunitscourseandfortheIoTindustryto begintocatchuptothevisionofthepowerofthestandards basedSIM.Rogerstatesthatthesevisionsmightnothave beentotallyaligned,buttheywerecloseenoughforthe companytomodifyitsofferingsandmarketmessageto respondtotheexistingneedsofitspotentialcustomers.
Heconcludedwiththefollowingadviceforemerging entrepreneurs, “You need to be open to continuous failing and learning. You also will need to be willing to take decisive action even when you have scant evidence as to what the best decision will be.”
Believe in your offering vision, but be willing to adapt when it’s obvious that the market is telling you that you should.
Roger Dewey CEO & Founder Able Device
Aspiringinvestorsontheverge oftakingtheirfirststep towardsacquiringknowledge concerningthebasicsofstocktrading needadequateeducationregardingthe same.Justlikelearningtorideabike, stocktradinginvolvesnumerous instancesoftrialanderrormethod coupledwiththeknowledgeable guidanceofatrainer,eventually leadingtowardssuccess.Havingbuilt anenormousbodyofknowledgeand experience,TimBohen,HeadTrainer ofStocksToTrade,isonesuch inspiringtrainerwhoselifelonginterest infinancehasfabricatedanentire careerpathintrading.
TheSparkthatIgnitedFire Priortohisstocktrainingdays,Tim workedasatechnologyconsultant, whereinhewouldoftenholdseminars andone-on-onesonhowtobestutilize technology.Asandwhenhestartedto activelytradeinthemarket,hequickly startedcreatingbothaudioandvideo contentsonline;helpingotherstolearn theintricaciesofdaytrading. “I’m surprised to look back actually and see that I was doing how to trading videos on YouTube in 2009,” mentionsTim.
In2013,Timcommittedhimselfto full-timedaytrading.Duringthistime, hestarteddoinglongerandmore detailedformsoftrainingwebinars,
typicallyonamonthlybasis.The positiveresponsefromthesocial mediaaudiencedrovehimtoplaya moreactivetraineroffinance. Ironically,StocksToTradeapproached Timduringthisperiod,leadinghimto bring-forwardhisonlineroleintothe organization.
AnOrganizationGrowinginStrides StocksToTradeisoneofthemost innovativeandrapidlyadvancingstock researchandchartingplatformwithin theindustry.Itfeaturesreal-timelevel 2newsfeedsandstockscanningSTT, whichistrulybuiltbytradersfor traders.
“Never before has there been a stock research platform with built in preprogrammed strategies that allow you to locate the best stocks to trade in as little time as possible,” assertsTim.In today’smarketfilledwithrapidfire powerhousehedgefunds,thecompany putsthesametoolsinthehandsofthe individualtrader
ThePromentorshipprogramof StocksToTradeprimarilyconsistsof dailyliveandinteractivewebinars, twice.Throughthisplatform,real-time traineescanaskdirectquestionson
howtobestimplementallfacetsofthe software.Ontopofthis,itdiscusses fundamentalaspectsoftradingsuchas earningreports,SECfilings,andother companynews.
Tradersalsohavedirectemailaccessto Tim;asawaytogetanswerstoqueries orinputsonsituationsoutsideofthe webinars.Asisthecaseinalmostany competitiveenvironment,dedication andcommitmentisofparamount importance.Timpointsout, “as a mental discipline there may be no such competitive and fast moving industry than trading. Day trading is truly ‘eat what you kill’and you need to be prepared and committed to excel.”
Oneofthebiggestimpedimentsin attainingconsistencyisthewillingness tositandwaitforthebesttrade opportunities.Manynewand intermediatetradersover-tradeandrisk nonidealsetups.Overcomingthisis mostlyafunctionoftimeand experience,asmentionedbyTim.
WiththeStocksToTradeProprogram, hehopestohelpshortenthistimeline foraspiringtraders.Tim’smottoof buildingandrebuildingdiscipline everydayvividlyglistensinhisadvice forfellowtraders, “As a trader you must recognize that you are never
“done” you must constantly sharpen the sword every day and never become complacent. Stay humble or the markets will humble you.”
Whenaskedaboutoneofthemostimportantcharacteristic thatanaspiringtradershouldpossess,Timrightfully mentions“agrowthmindset.”Heprovidestheexampleof WarrenBuffet, nAmericanbusinessmagnate,a philanthropist,andinvestor,whoisrumoredtoreadover 500pagesperday Asadaytrader,marketsareconstantly evolving;whathadworkedlastyear,lastmonth,oreven yesterdaymightnotworktoday Timadvisestraderstobe alwayswillingtoadaptandlearnfromeverysource possible. “If your goal is to be trading long term you need to be willing to work even harder than Warren Buffett” he adds.
ItisTim’sunwaveringwillingnesstoliterallyshowup everydaywithhighenergyanddiscipline,whichhasmade himaprointhetradingsphere. “Nothing worth having comes easy, in over 1.5 years of the STT Pro program I
have showed up prepared and ready every trading day. My commitment to teaching is the most important thing in my life second only to my family.”
Thissortofpassionanddisciplinecoupledwithconsistency iswhatittakestobeaProinthisfield.
AsStocksToTradeevolvesintomoremarketssuchas Options,Futures,Cryptocurrencies,etc.,itwillcontinueits surgeaheadtobeoneofthebestplatformsfortrading instrument.Timaimstoexpandtheeducationalaspectsof StocksToTradeProtoincludethesemarkets,aswell.
“Access to markets has very limited value without education. My goals over the next 5 years include reaching 10,000 aspiring traders and giving them the tools and education to help maximize their success,” Timconcludes.
I intend to be trading the markets until I can no longer use a mouse and yboard. If you are prepared and ready to take this journey, I welcome you.
Tim Bohen Head Trainer StocksToTrade
everalfemaleentrepreneurstodayaresosuccessful
Sthatitiseasytoassumethathigh-profile businesswomeninavarietyoffieldshavealways beenafeatureofthiseconomy.Regrettably,ithasnot alwaysbeenso.Thefactisthatachievementsoftoday’s womenowemuchtothegroundworkofearliergenerations offemaleentrepreneursandworkers.Businesswomenhave alwaysstruggledwithuniquechallengespresentedbythe society,whichhavebothcreatedopportunitiesforwomen’s advancementandlimitedtheirgrowthasprofessionals.
Formanydecades,women’sroleinbusinessandworkforce wasdeterminedbytheculturalnotionsaboutwomen’s appropriateroleinsociety.‘Thecultofdomesticity’inthe earlynineteenthcenturydictatedthatwomen’sproperplace wasathomeandthattheycouldbestservethepoliticaland socialneedsbydedicatingtheirenergiestothecreationofa wholesomeandnurturinghousehold.Theideaof domesticityinthepublicarenashapedtheperceptionof whattypesofjobswere“proper”forwomen,whoneeded toworkoutsidetheirhomesandfamilyfarms.Thesefactors limitedtheavenuesforwomenentrepreneurshipand
dictatedthatwomenweresuitedforfewselected occupationsmorethanothers.
Thenineteenthcenturywitnessedaboomwithinthetextile industryandindustrializationandalsothedevelopmentof thenationalrailroadsystemandthetelegraph.These changesbroughtbythebigbusiness,industrializationand urbanizationhelpedtoredefinewomen’splaceinthe economy Womenbegantoworkoutsideofthehome, mostlyas“helpmates”ofvarioustypes.Somewomen venturedintomanagementbyestablishingtheirown companies,butmostofthesecompaniesstillfellwithinthe purviewofwoman’ssphere.DorothyShaver,inaneffortto upgradewomen’sfashion,rosetothetopofAmerican retailingbetweenthe1920sandthe1950sintheexclusive capacityofthedepartmentalstoreLord&Taylor
DuringtheProgressiveEra,althoughwomenwere propelledintotheworkforce,littleopportunitywas providedfortheestablishmentofcreativeenterprises. MadameC.J.Walkerisonesuchentrepreneurwhotook
andtelegraphstobeabletocommunicateeffectivelyand establishthenetworkthatenabledherinbecomingoneof themostsuccessfulbusinesswomenofhertime.
In1932,OliveAnnBeechco-foundedtheBeechAircraft Company,whichsuppliedtheUS,militaryaircraftsduring theWorldWarII.Asthewarprogressed,manywomen enteredtheworkforcetofillthevoidmenhadleftbehindto serveinthemilitary.Somewomentookthesejobsasa patrioticduty,whereasothersventuredintoestablishing theirownenterprises.OneofthemwasPaulineTrigere, whostartedatailoringbusinesswhichlateronturnedintoa high-endfashionhouse.Anothersuchinspirationalwoman wasEsteeLauderwholaunchedalineofbeautyproducts post-warandwastheonlywomenfeaturedintheTime magazine’slistof20mostinfluentialbusinessgeniusesof ththe20 century.
The“FederationofBusiness”and“ProfessionalWomen’s Club”weresourcesofinspirationtofemaleentrepreneursat thistimebyprovidingadviceandholdingworkshopswith alreadyestablishedentrepreneurslikeElizabethArden.In 1940,KhertekAnchimaa-Tokabecamechairwomanofthe LittleKhuraloftheTuvanPeople’sRepublic,makingher theworld’sfirstnon-hereditaryfemaleheadofstate.Asthe 1950srolledin,womenlikeEstelleEllishelpedmagazine
women.AsalesexecutivebythenameofBrownieWise accumulatedapersonalfortuneandmadeTupperwareinto ahouseholdnamebycapitalizingonwell-established traditionsofwomen’ssocialnetworktocreate‘Tupperware HomeParties’.The1950salsowitnessedthefirstfemale governoroftheAmericanStockExchange,MaryRoebling.
The1970sbroughtaboutthefeministmovementthat encouragedequalopportunity.Thiswasalsowhenthe divorceratesroseandseveralwomenwereforcedbackinto theroleofbeingthesoleprovider Thisurgedthemback intotheworkingworld,wheretheywerenotwell-received. Whentherecessionhit,manyofthesewomenwerethefirst onestobeoutofwork.Andonceagain,theentrepreneurial venturesofwomencametotherescue.MaryKayAshand RuthFertelwereapartofthiscrusade.
In1972,KatharineGrahambecameCEOoftheWashington PostCompany,makingherthefirstfemaleCEOofa Fortune500company.Sheledthenewspaperduringits coverageoftheWatergatescandal,andwentontowinthe PulitzerPrizeforhermemoirs.
The1980sand1990sprovedtobethetimeforreapingthe benefitsofthehardworkthatwomenhadputin.Martha StewartandBarbaraBradleywereamongthetopbusiness
owners.Thepublicbecamemorereceptiveandencouraging towomenentrepreneursandstartedacknowledgingand appreciatingtheirvaluablecontributiontotheeconomy
Anotherhistoricmomentforwomeninbusinesswasthe appointmentofSusanEngeleiterastheleadoftheUS government’sSmallBusinessAdministrationin1989. Throughoutthe1990s,theworldoffemaleentrepreneurs wasfocusedonpropagatingnetworkingopportunitiesand assistingthosewhowereinterestedinstartingtheirown business.Organizationslike‘Women’sBusiness DevelopmentCentre’providedfinancialhelpandseminars tosupportupcomingwomenentrepreneurs.
The1990sbroughttheadvancementincomputersandthe increasingpopularityoftheinternetgaveamuchneeded boosttowomeninbusiness.Thisdevelopmentallowed themtobemoreprevalentinthebusinessworldandhelped showcasetheirskills.Eventhoughwomeninbusiness increasedinpopularityandtheavailabilityoftechnology andsupportfromdifferentorganizationsencouragedthem further,femaleentrepreneursarestillstruggling.
Theeconomicdownturnof2008furtherresultedina troubledcondition.However,withthecontinualattention giventofemaleentrepreneursandtheeducationalprograms providedtowomenseekingtostartoutwiththeirown businessventure,thereiscomparativelymuchmore informationandhelpavailable.
In2009,ElinorOstrombecamethefirstandtilldatethe onlywomentobeawardedtheNobelPrizeinEconomics. 2014sawthehighest-evernumberoffemaleFortune500 CEOseverrecorded.Womeninvariousareasarewillingto supportandofferencouragementandadvicetomomswho seektoprovidefortheirfamiliesthroughtheirown businesses.Severalsmallgroupsandorganizationsare seekingtobringwomenbusinessownerstogetherto collaboratewitheachotherforthebettermentoftheir business.Moreover,thereareseveralgovernmentsupported programsavailableforthefemaleentrepreneurstoday
Businesswomenacrossthecenturieshaveoftenadopteda work-orientedview.Businesshasbeenawaytomakea livingandsurvive.Businesshasbeensoessentialin women’slivesthatsomehavesteadfastlyrefusedto distinguishbusinessfromlife.
-Edith Mae Cummings
is just we had long before we had BUSINESS
& ,
One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning.
Atitscore,successfulentrepreneurship isonewhichisaboutrisk-taking.It’s notsolelyaboutpushingthe boundaries;insteadit’saboutrippingit upandinscribingnewboundaries.It’s abouthavingtherequisiteconfidence andconvictionbehindyouridea.It’s aboutexperience!
Boastingover25yearsofextensive experienceinthesoftwareindustry, VaiosVaitsis—TheFounderand CEOofValidata—isonesuch dedicatedentrepreneurwholeveraged hisyearsofexperiencetobringforwardavisionandpioneereditintoa success.Responsiblefordeveloping softwarecompaniesthroughthe developmentofglobalpartnershipsand channelsales,Vaiospossessesdeep domainknowledgeindatalifecycle management,ProjectIntelligence,and testanalyticssoftware.Priorto Validata,VaioswastheFounder, PresidentandCEOofanothertwo successfulstart-ups,wherehewas responsiblefordevelopingchannel sales&franchising,talentacquisition andteambuilding.
TheSparkthatIgnitedFire Vaios’extensiveknowledgeand understandingoftheAutomated LifecycleManagementindustry stemmedthevisionandtheneedfora model-driven,integratedALMsolution
providerwithautomatedtesting capabilities.Hetranslatedhisvision intoarealitywiththeinceptionof Validatain2004.
VaioshadasetvisionforValidata, whichwastomakeautomationwork andturnthemanualtestersinto automationexperts.Additionally, Validatastrivedtomoveawayfromthe fragmentedmethodologies, spreadsheets,etc.andintroducea unifiedplatformbyleveragingallthe technologyinnovations:service virtualization,mobiletesting, distributedexecutions,agiletestdata managementandothers.Vaios eliminatedtwoofthemostexpensive aspectsofthetesting business—environmentcostsand humanintervention&errors.The entrepreneurhelmingfromtheUnited Kingdom,thusembarkedonamission tochangethewayweperceive automationforever.
LeadingtheIndustrywithits UnrivaledSolutionsandServices BeingtheleaderintheEnterprise SoftwaremarketforDevOpsand ApplicationLifecycleManagement (ALM),Validatastrivestohelpits clientsbyacceleratingtheirapplication delivery,optimizingbusinessrisksand reductionofcosts.
ItprovidestheonlyunifiedDevOps andALMplatformforthefinancial servicessector,whichcanaddressall ofDevOpsinitiativessuchas
ContinuousTesting,Continuous IntegrationandDeployment,including real-timeTestAnalytics.Keepingboth AgileandCloudinmind,Validatawas builtfromthegroundtobringtogether requirements,testing,defects, planning,resources,development& deployment,capableofintegrating withexternalsystemssuchasHPQC, CAClarity,IBMRTM,AtlassianJira etc.,andindeliveringa‘singleversion ofthetruth’acrossallofitsclients’ projects.
Presently,Validatahasavast combinationofloyalmarquee customers,innovativemarkettested productsandanamazinglytalented workforce.
“I am honoured to continue working with such talented people dedicated to technology, innovation and passionate about listening to our clients,” Vaios mentions.
RisingAbovetheInitialHurdle
Validata’sinitialestablishmentofthe businesswasnotstraight-forwardwith investors,banks,andpartners.While othersseemedskepticaloftheventure intotheworldofautomationand robotics.Butthecompany’ssuccess provedallofitsearlycriticswrong. Today,Validataisexpandingits presenceandspreadingitstentacleof servicesbyopeningnewofficesacross Asia,MEandtheUS.Theypossessa diversegroupofemployees,proficient andcapableintheirindividual
spectrumofwork.Validata’slinkupwithTemenos—oneof theleadingcompaniesspecializinginenterprisesoftware forbanksandfinancialservices—isalsooneofitskey positivehighlights.
AnAcuteUnderstandingoftheIndustry Manualtestingisatimeconsuming,error-proneprocess, engagingtestersinrepetitivetasksandwritingscriptsto testrequirements,gaps,chasingchange,butthisapproach getsunwieldlyovertimeasthevolumeofscriptsthatneed tobemanagedjustkeepsgrowing.
only20%offunctionaltestingisnowautomated. 80%is stillcarriedoutmanuallyduetothefailureofautomated testingprocesses,scriptinglanguageswhichare fundamentallylimiting,specialtechnicalskillswhichis difficulttofindandexpensivetohire. “Our vision was to make automation work, and turn the manual testers into automation experts” Vaiospointsout.
Sincewecanproducerepeatabletestingassets,this eliminatestheadditionalcostsforautomationscript maintenancewhicharearesource-intensiveandexpensive activityeverytimeanapplicationundergoesachange. Clientsarenowbeabletoadopttestautomationasa
strategicandlong-termsolutionandbenefitfromlower costsandfasterreturnoninvestment(ROI).
Assoftwaredevelopmentandtestingteamsmovefrom waterfallapproachestocontinuousdeliveryandcontinuous testing,QAandDevOpsneedsmonitoringthatbrings greatervisibilityacrosstheentirelifecycle.
Validata’sAIdriventestautomationandtestanalytics platformwasbuiltfromtheground-uptodriveAgileand DevOps,therebyempoweringteamstoincreasetestand codecoverage,testreal-userflowsbetter,trackdownroot causes,andusepredictionmodelsbasedonextensivedatamininganditerativelearningtechniques.This,inturn, maximizestheefficiencyandminimizescostsandrisks relatedtorecurringsoftwarelifecycles.
UnusualamongotherCEOs,Vaioshasanuncannyability toadapttounpredictablecircumstances,withaunique understandingofthemarketlandscapeandtheneedsofits clients.Heisaninnovativethinker,anacceleratoroftalent andanincubator,andbelievesinthinkingbig.Additionally, Vaiosstressesupontheimportanceofpersistenceand dedicationastwoofthekeyattributesforaspiring entrepreneurs.
We drive innovation. We hire smart, innovative people with a track record of delivering ‘smart’ work.
Vaios Vaitsis Founder & CEO Validata
Youthfulwomenarechartering acrossuniqueandchallenging globalterritories;beitin commerce,education,travel,fashion, law,oranyotherconventionalsector Theirwisdomandenthusiasmhas dominatedeverypossibleindustry Someyoungwomenentrepreneursare pedalingwithuniquehealthcareideas andsolutions.Onesuchpioneering precedentisYunhaKim,theFounder andCEOofSimpleHabit.
TheTranscendentMeditationAppof YunhaKim SimpleHabithasgoneontobecomea leadingwellnessguidanceplatform, withinoneyearsinceitsformation. Theuniquesmartphoneapplicationhas overfourlakhpluspotentialusersand hasbeenawardedbyGooglePlay Storeasoneofthebestappsof2017
SimpleHabitisanextremely unequivocalmeditationappfor engrossedpeople.Theapplicationis designedbymeditationexpertise, whichoffersapremiumlibraryofmore than1000meditationtechniquesand 50+freesessions.Theinnovative applicationbyYunhaprovidesa meditatingsolutionthatcanbeutilized asperthesituationandmood;for example,theaptmeditationmethods canbecarriedoutwhilecommuting,
beforesleeping,ortakingworkbreaks. Theplatformalsofelicitates customizedaccessibilitytomorethan 60globalmeditationexperts,who providespersonalconsultation.The cateredmeditationhabitscanreduce stress,improvefocus,andalso providesbettersleep,fasterrelaxation andhealthybreathinghygiene. Customerscanevencustomizetheir sessionfromoneminuteto30minutes. Theapplicationoffersfreeversionas wellasaveryeconomicpremium subscription.Yunhastatesthatthe workingyouthinmodernizedworldis strugglingwithinsomnia,anxiety,and othermentalstressproblems;five minutesofmeditationeverydaycanbe verypersuasive.
TheDukeUniversity,magnacum laudealumnus,YunhaKim,servedas theInvestmentBankeronWallStreet duringtheinitialphaseofhercareer. Shecommencedherfirststartupin 2013,Locket,alockscreenapplication thatservedtailorednewsonmobile screen.Sheraised$3.2millionin venturecapitalandthensoldthesame toane-commercecompanynamed Wish, in2015.Shesharesthatshe createdtheappattheageof23and triedtodoeverything,becausethere
wasanendlessamountofwork,and duringtheseperiodshehadtobemore disciplinedaboutprioritizing.
TheideaofSimpleHabitwascoined byYunha,atStanfordGraduateSchool ofbusinesswhereitwaslikea personalpassionprojectforher.She describesthatshewentthrougha seriousstressinherearly20s;even whileworkingonWallStreet,where shespentoversixteenhoursadayin work.Yunhaobservedthattheproblem offallingasleep,findingnotimefor relaxationisnormalforassociatesas well.Shethereaftertriedmany techniquesforstressrelief,including meditation.Shewasfascinatedbythe benefitsofmeditationandfounditto bethemosteffectiveandeconomic practice.However,shediscoveredthat thereisnotasingleplatformwhich significantlyelaboratesthistechnique anditsnumerousbenefits.Sheclaims, afterself-trialsherealizedthepowerful impactofregularmeditationon people’slifeandbegantoworkonthe ideaofcreatingameditation applicationbyutilizingtheknowledge oftopmeditationexpertise.She subsequentlydroppedoutofStanford andprimarilyfocusedonforminga platformformindfulnessand meditation.
Asawomenentrepreneur,manymaledominantpeople oftencharacterizeyouinamannerthatsomehowaffects yourprofessionalpotential.Accordingtoher,resilienceis themostimportantqualitythatemergingentrepreneurmust possessasthingsanimateunproductively.Onemusthave therequisitementalresiliencetofightagainstanalogous obstacles.Shefurtheraddsthat,meditationisthebestway tofindresilience.Hiringofcapableandadaptable employeesisanothersalientwaytoconquerbusiness obstacles.Inheropinion,theenthusiasmandreliabilityof employeesisoneofthevitalfactorsforhercompanywhich strivestoovercomeexistingorimminentchallenges.She mentions, “Strive to be kind and fearless attitude towards risk taking might been the prominent qualities that helped her in being successful individual”
SimpleHabithasbeenacceleratingwithfastpace,Yunha expectstofacilitateexpansionandenvisionsthecompany tobeagloballyleadingwellnessplatform.She contemplates,toconceiveagloballyleadingwellnesstool whichwillemboldenhumanlifetobebetterandstressfree. Shepresupposestomakethemeditationandmindfulness platformextremelysubstantialandhighlyaccessible.
Yunhaadvisesaspiringentrepreneur, “…the earlier you take action, the better. Every year you wait, your opportunity cost goes up (cost of a family, mortgage, lifestyle and salary, etc.) If you feel passionate about an idea, act when you’re young(er).”
Sheconcludes, “For young entrepreneurs, remember to invest in yourself. Self-care is critical. You will work long days, and stress is inevitable, so it’s important to take a little time each day to step away, breath and reset. I learned this the hard way with my first startup where I experienced burnout. Now, I meditate at least once every day. As a boss, leader and team member, I am more alert, focused and equipped to handle the hundreds of un-expectancies that happen at a startup.”
As an Entrepreneur, You have to build mental resilience against hallenges. This is why I meditate.
Yunha Kim Founder Simple Habit
