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Trends to Watch in the final 365 days of the Decade by @SBSLEducSoltns

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by SJ Barakony | Featured Contributor

 

2019 awaits. How ready are you & your business for these 13 trends?

 

Can you believe it?! Yes, its true: we’re less than 2 weeks away from another New Years’ Day; so, let’s dedicate a toast to our businesses, our families, & friends!

Not only that … did you notice?  It’s also the last year of the first decade of the ‘new’ century.

 

Where were you on 01 Jan, 2010?

 

Was your business even open?

How did you communicate with your clientele?

Have you rebranded since then?

 

…  That’s NINE years ago, believe that!

 

The Mindset of the Futurist

 

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”  — Buckminster Fuller

 

#quotestoliveby #futurist 

( Click to Tweet the above )

 

Many thought leaders, chief amongst them the futurists, visionaries, and creative disrupters, know of Fuller. He laid this cornerstone of thought and its now part of his legacy, to be embraced by generations not yet born. It is from this core thesis that we’ll push ahead – unveiling a market basket of trends that your business will be impacted by in some manner in 2019 ( & beyond. )

 

 

A Bakers’ Dozen

 

Laying out 13 that I, as a futurist, am personally invested in tracking; each of these are invigorating and, in the hands of the benevolent & bold, will usher in as yet unknown amounts of potential energy to our nation(s), states/provinces, and localities:

 

Mobile revolution

Smart Cities

Blockchain / Crypto currencies

Gig Economy ( Conceptual Age )

Automation ( AI, Machine Learning, Robots )

Autonomous Vehicles \ Drones

Holistic Wellness ( > sickcare )

Decentralized [ social & news ] media

Self directed education & learning ( schooling & credential seeking )

Communities / tribes

Social enterprises ( modern mutual aid societies )

Principles > politics

Holocracy ( future of ‘work’/places )

 

 

In pursuit of a deeper understanding of the bright future which awaits

 

Even a rudimentary understanding of 1, some, or perhaps all of the 13 trends shared above won’t be embraced at deeper levels of awareness, acceptance, and consciousness without continually reading, listening ( podcasts, audio books ), & watching ( videos, webinars )

 

Two #mustread books in this space are linked below, to further illuminate your path.

I wholeheartedly suggest investing in them as a holiday/Christmas present for yourself & for those whom you hold most dear.

 

A Whole New Mind

The Code of the Extraordinary Mind

 

Suggested Follows out in the ‘Twitter’verse

 

Futurist Rankings by Ross Dawson

Generations Timeline – After the Millennials by Anne Boysen

Gold vs. Cryptos: Invest or divest … Here … from Gerald Celente

4 questions to test your intellectual humility via Daniel Pink

 

 

Don’t Argue, nor Debate

 

Instead, as we see, hear, and experience more & more creative disruption which impacts our professional sphere ( inc. our business’ cashflow, income streams, etc. ), shall we abandon the negativity, time loss, & win/lose (or worse, lose/lose) outcomes from arguing & debating?

I propose an equivalent swap of the above two non futurist, consumerist terms for those that produce & add value:   Discussion & rational discourse.

 

As 2019 dawns, I thoughtfully (channeling one of my many informal mentors, Mr. Dale Carnegie), throw down a challenge:

 

Whether with yourself ( self talk ), your staff, clientele/customers, or a prospect, engage in thought provoking win/win discussion or a structured rational discourse with him/her/them in the next several weeks

 

Word Play: Choices to make to embrace the transformation underway in our workplaces  

 

As we ascend the ladder from unconscious incompetence on up to unconscious competence, let’s fully embrace how exciting each of these trends will be in our ongoing entrepreneurial journeys & resolve to learn new words

Some which are becoming anchored to the past as these 13 futuristic trends continue to evolve, expand, & replicate:  ‘employee’ ; ‘hierarchy’ ; ‘college for all’ ; ‘health care’ ; ‘cash’.

Does this indicate that these (let alone others) will disappear forever? Not necessarily. Yet, the early adopters in our business networks will already grasp the above, and quite a number more will eventually ‘see’ as you have/will!

 

 

Websites, articles, blogs, & organizations: Learn More & Take Action

 

Define. Learn. (then) Do.

We’ve defined a vision for 2019 & beyond. With numerous resources are embedded in the post already, let’s expand your learning zone:, what if you want to self educate even more?!

 

Ever more important, investing time in additional concrete steps to ‘future’ prep your business venture would be wise. I’m applauding you proactively, if you choose to do so!

 

 

Trends Research

Future Frontiers

A-speakers

Mind Valley

 

Future Today

AdWeek.com

Visual Capitalist

Futurism Blogs

 

In short …

 

  • 9 years down, 1 to go in the decade #ThinkItOver
  • Suggested Twitterverse follows
  • A bakers’ dozen trends
  • The futurist rankings & further resources to dig into
  • Don’t argue, debate, or fight the existing; discuss & set time for rational discourse
  • Word swaps:  let’s ‘play’ on a 2020’s field
  • What’s coming is exciting & transformational; fear not!  Embrace. Encourage. Uplift.

 

Thank YOU for reading!

& …

5 Inspiring Social Entrepreneurs who are Making the World a Better Place by @ChristyCareer

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by Christy Williams | Featured Contributor

I’ve always been especially inspired by entrepreneurs who have an undeniable urge to make the world a better place. Socially-conscious business owners who are driven more by being of benefit to others than they are by the the bottom line. Who know what their “Why” is and are compelled by it so much so that they develop their career—and sometimes even their lives—around that mission.

I recently went on a web-quest to find some of those socially-minded people who are changing the world, and was so inspired and uplifted by their stories, I wanted to share them with you.

1. Jessica O. Matthews, Uncharted Play

In 2008, while Jessica O. Matthews was working on a class project at Harvard University, she invented SOCCKET, a soccer ball that harnesses energy. Realizing that she had the opportunity to bring this unique combination of play products and clean energy to communities worldwide, Matthews founded Uncharted Play.

With a mission of “Democratizing energy access worldwide,” Uncharted Play has developed what they call their Impact Vision around four pillars of: Inspire Through Play, Teach STEM, Create Social Solutions, and Scale Impact.

Not only has Matthews created a company where “doing good and having fun” go hand-in-hand, she is teaching others to do the same with her example.

https://youtu.be/kErtBVfp66I

2. Denise Paredes, Equal Uprise

Denise Paredes combined her passions for accessories, responsible consumerism, and quality craftsmanship to create this unique brand of modern home décor and accessories.

But Equal Uprise is more than just its one-of-a-kind pieces. Paredes created Equal Uprise with the goal of empowering and investing in the artisans from rural communities in Tunisia and Ecuador.

So not only does Paredes create jobs for the artisans in their communities, she also invests back in their businesses through their Business Development Program.

3. Doniece Sandoval, Lava Mae

We all know how soul-nourishing a hot shower or bath can feel after a long day. So imagine how it would feel to go days or even weeks without one. Doniece Sandoval came up with the idea for Lava Mae after seeing a young homeless woman on the street crying that she’d never be clean again.

Sandoval founded Lava Mae in 2013, and set to work converting public transportation buses into mobile toilet and shower units for the homeless in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Not only has Sandoval created a business that provides sorely-needed hygiene services, she has also offered our homeless friends the dignity they deserve with the “Radical Hospitality” of Lava Mae.

https://youtu.be/yc921UM1IZY

4. Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Studio 189

Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah founded Studio 189 with a mission of using “fashion as an agent for social change, turning challenges on the ground into opportunities.” The artisan-produced collection of ethical fashion and accessories are all African and African-inspired.

The artisans use traditional techniques in crafting their wares, and oftentimes they are techniques that have been handed down from many generations. In turn, Studio 189 offers their artisans in Ghana empowerment, education, and opportunity. Fashion with a purpose, for sure.

5. Komal Ahmad, Copia

A lot of us grew up being told to clean our plates because there were starving people in the world. And now that I’m a mom, I absolutely cringe every time I scrape uneaten food off our plates, thinking of who that could have fed. Well, Komal Ahmad is putting all that uneaten, leftover food to use.

Copia is a tech-enabled service that redistributes food surplus to nonprofits in need. Once signed up, organizations can simply schedule a pickup of surplus food using the app, and one of Copia’s Food Hero Drivers will pick it up and deliver to an nonprofit in need.

Ahmad came up with the idea when she was at the University of California, Berkeley. She met a homeless veteran who had recently been discharged from Iraq but was still waiting for his benefits to kick in, and he hadn’t eaten in three days.

Meanwhile, across the street in Berkeley’s dining hall, Ahmad knew thousands of pounds of food were being thrown away. It became clear to her that lack of food wasn’t the problem—the logistics of distributing uneaten food was the problem. And she invented Copia to solve that problem.

https://youtu.be/e71oH8vZVoE

For more inspirational stories about and resources for social entrepreneurs, visit Social Enablers.

 

Image of Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah of Studio 189: YouTube

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Know This Before Launching a Charitable Promotion by @ThallenESQ

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charitable promotions

by Thallen Brassel | Featured Contributor

During the holiday season, it is quite popular for businesses and brands to team up with their favorite charities. Usually, the brands promote a special product or service in the charity’s name and then donate proceeds to the cause.  This is a great way to build good press and goodwill for your business while helping those in need.

Unfortunately, the legal aspects of these promotions are often overlooked, leaving both the charity and business exposed to unintended consequences.  Before launching your promotion, make sure you are familiar with any federal or state nonprofit requirements relating to charitable solicitations, and that you have an agreement in place to deal with your “commercial co-venture” (i.e., the joint relationship between a charitable organization and a for-profit business).

Taking these steps can ensure that:

  1. The nonprofit is compliant with all charitable solicitation requirements (including registration, filing/reporting and fees);
  2. That the agreement between the parties clearly outlines the business deal and relationship between the business and charity (and clearly allows the charity to have control over the fundraising process); and
  3. That the arrangement does not jeopardize the charity’s nonprofit status.

There is way more than meets the eye to these popular arrangements, but now you’ll know to reach out for guidance before you launch a charitable promotion this holiday season!

For other tips and posts on life, law and the internet, check out ThallenBrassel.com

*This post should not be taken as legal advice.  Please seek the advice and/or counsel of your own attorney regarding any matters discussed here.

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Thallen BrasselThallen Brassel is an attorney in the Nashville office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, where she concentrates her practice in business, tax and technology law.  She is an alumna of Vanderbilt University and Duke University School of Law, and before returning home to Tennessee, she began her legal career at a Wall Street law firm in New York City.

Thallen is also the creator of Life, Law and the Internet, a consumer’s blog that brings awareness to how the law and internet impact our daily lives.  Her current interests include the fast-paced sector of social media, marketing & advertising, and she has experience advising Fortune 500 companies on marketing campaigns, and compliance with federal and state regulations.

Thallen is also a wife and mom, and enjoys volunteering, traveling and chasing around her toddler son! Follow her on Twitter @ThallenEsq.

Being the Change With Your Online Business: Is it Possible? by @ErinmGiles

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Extreme close-up of a young woman wearing eyeglassesby Erin Giles | Featured Contributor

With the number of social entrepreneurs on the rise and the vast amount of issues our world is currently facing you may have wondered if as an online business owner it’s possible to be a change in the world.

I am here to tell you, you can.

You may think you don’t get enough traffic, make enough money or have a big enough list. That isn’t the case. All you need is to be passionate about a cause and allow your customer and readers to connect with you by telling them why it’s important to you, your business can give and give big.

But there are a few questions you need to ask yourself first before building philanthropy into your business.

1.    What are you passionate about? What pisses you off?

In working with my clients, this is the number one question that I have found helps business owners realize what cause to give to. For me it was sex trafficking, what pisses you off?

2.    How much time are you willing to spend on your giving project?

If your project is something you are passionate about, spending time on it won’t be hard for you to do. Although in order for you to figure out what give you want to create with your business you must look at how much time you have to give before making a decision.

3.    Where will the money come from? Sales, out of pocket or fundraising?

Do not let this one scare you! I know more now than ever before that if your heart is in it, the money will be provided and your profit won’t hurt. First you have to figure out in what way you would like to go about giving.

4.    Who can help me if I need help?

You will need help launching your do-good mission and you must be willing to ask! Be prepared to ask on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, and your list. People love helping others with a good cause!

5.    Should I give big or give small?

Personally, I like to take on things that scare the crap out of me, so I of course recommend the same. If it doesn’t scare you, it isn’t a big enough world-changing dream! But you must take on something that works with your business model and lifestyle.

6.    Should I wait to give until I am making a good steady income?

This is the most frequently asked question I get asked from my clients. When I started End Sex Trafficking Day our family was going through a rough time financially, so I will be the first to tell you to give no matter what your income looks like.

With all of the issues going on in the world I know it can seem like you can’t make a difference and with our busy lives as business owners and maybe even wives or Moms, it’s easy to push it to the side until the time is “right”. The time to give is now and as a business owner you have more freedom and innovation at your finger tips than ever before, go ahead…change the world, I dare you!

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Erin

Erin Giles is a Business Philanthropy Expert at eringiles.com that consults with big + small businesses teaching them why a do good mission is a MUST have and how to do it so that it uniquely bakes into their business.

She created her own do good mission, End Sex Trafficking Day and hasn’t been the same since. She currently works one on one and online through her group online course, Rocket Your Revolution. She loves glitter, spontaneous haircuts and of course teal (hence the bright streak in her hair).

Erin has been seen on Forbes, INC, Crazy Sexy Life, ProBlogger is a contributring writer at Huffington Post and a soon to be Tedx talker! She is head over sneakers (cause that’s how she rolls) in love with twitter and would LOVE to connect with you there, find her at @erinmgiles.

Get free updates on how to do good + do business by signing up for her newsletter here: eringiles.com