Business ideas for 2019: Personal health apps medical apps
25/01/2019
Smartphone apps for healthcare are giving people the power to take control of their health without resorting to a trip to the doctor. As well as saving money and democratising healthcare, these apps are lifting the burden on our overstretched NHS. ORCHA – a live database of independent app reviews – has identified more than […]
What Does Your Corporate Brand Stand For?
09/01/2019
Idea in Brief The Problem A clear corporate brand identity provides direction and purpose, enhances the standing of products, aids in recruiting and retention, and helps protect a firm’s reputation in times of trouble. But many companies struggle to define their brands. The Tool The corporate brand identity matrix can address that problem by guiding […]
How the Geography of Startups and Innovation Is Changing
16/12/2018
Jakal Pan/Getty Images We’re used to thinking of high-tech innovation and startups as generated and clustered predominantly in fertile U.S. ecosystems, such as Silicon Valley, Seattle, and New York. But as with so many aspects of American economic ingenuity, high-tech startups have now truly gone global. The past decade or so has seen the dramatic […]
How to promote your business | Social media secrets and more
14/12/2018
A small business usually means a small budget, especially where promotion is concerned. Time, money and resource are all limited, so dreams of a marketing campaign big enough to rival the John Lewis Christmas advert often stay as just that – dreams. However, this doesn’t mean that small business’ marketing can’t be super effective. For […]
Using Experiments to Launch New Products
08/12/2018
Martyn Goddard/Getty Images More than ever before, managers are using large-scale randomized controlled trials (i.e., experiments) to guide decisions. This has led to impressive gains for organizations ranging from Amazon to the UK government. We are excited about the rise of experiments in organizations and have spent much of the past few years thinking about […]
Why Unequivocal Trust Is The Highest Honor A Brand Can Receive
06/12/2018
According to the annual Edelman Trust Barometer, the USA is facing a 37-point aggregate drop in trust across all institutions. We’re living through increasingly polarizing times. Neutral ground and indifferent opinions are few and far between in a landscape that seems to encourage us to feel strongly about things at every turn. Fire up Twitter […]
Sovereign venture capitalism: at a crossroad
05/12/2018
What the Iron Man-like character is claiming for his futuristic automotive company is not unheard of. On a systemic basis, mammoth institutional investment—especially from sovereign wealth funds (SWFs)—is flowing into start-ups and technology-oriented publicly traded companies. In this case, Saudi billions would help Mr Musk escape the pressures of being publicly listed. SWFs have invested […]
The best preparation for digital transformation: an open mind
03/12/2018
When Thomas Edison built the first commercial electricity generators in New York and London in the 1880s, businesses were surprisingly slow to adopt this miraculous new energy source. Their factories were designed around steam power, and few could see the benefits of the new paradigm. Those that did were reportedly disappointed with the results. This, […]
We Need to Talk More About Mental Health at Work
27/11/2018
Sabine Scheckel/Getty Images Alyssa Mastromonaco is no stranger to tough conversations: she served as White House deputy chief of staff for operations under President Obama, was an executive at Vice and A&E, and is Senior Advisor and spokesperson at NARAL Pro-Choice America. So when Mastromonaco switched to a new antidepressant, she decided to tell her […]
5 ways investors can address the climate challenge
23/11/2018
Attempts to tackle climate change need funding – a lot of it. It will take an estimated $6-7 trillion per year over the next 15 years to solve climate change and to meet the other UN Sustainable Development Goals. That’s a big funding gap. Fortunately, one sector in particular is well placed to bridge that […]
Research: Self-Disruption Can Hurt the Companies That Need It the Most
22/11/2018
Fuse/Getty Images When innovations threaten to disrupt an industry by replacing an old business model with a new one, incumbents need to invest in that model in order to survive. That’s the conventional wisdom, and it’s given rise to popular mantra “Disrupt or Be Disrupted.” If you’re dealing with innovations that have led to a […]
How the U.S., the EU, and Japan Are Trying to Rein in China’s State Capitalism
21/11/2018
PM Images/Getty Images On November 12, the United States, European Union, and Japan will submit a package of proposals to the World Trade Organization’s Council on Trade in Goods that would significantly help curb China’s practices of heavily subsidizing its state-owned enterprises. They are also discussing ways to prevent China from forcing Western companies to transfer technology […]
Seven Trends Luxury Retailers Should Get On Board With
21/11/2018
When luxury retail experts gather to discuss the latest industry developments, the conversation typically drifts in the direction of technology. This being the age of multichannel, technology certainly deserves a prominent place in the retail narrative. But too often the focus seems to be on how it impacts corporate infrastructure, organizations and business models. While innovation […]
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is driving Globalization 4.0
21/11/2018
Globalization and technology are intimately intertwined. The movement of people, goods and ideas is accelerated and broadened by new forms of transport and communication. And technological development is, in turn, enhanced by the diversity of ideas and the increased scale that comes from global reach. During each phase of globalization, technology has played a defining […]
These are the world’s most competitive economies
02/11/2018
How well countries adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) will determine whether they ‘thrive’ or ‘stagnate’ and could further divide workforces and increase social tensions, according to the latest version of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. Almost 40 years after its first annual assessment of the global economy, the Forum’s 2018 report […]
How big data can help us fight climate change faster
01/11/2018
By 2030, carbon dioxide emissions caused by humans need to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050, says the report. Remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2 from the atmosphere, for example through reforestation and improved land management. Big data — whether historical or real-time — can […]
Can automation and AI support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals?
31/10/2018
Automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are set to drastically change society, promising extraordinary benefits including increased productivity and improved public services. Automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and other innovations of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are set to drastically change society, promising extraordinary benefits including increased productivity and improved public […]
Research Shows Immigrants Help Businesses Grow. Here’s Why.
30/10/2018
Fernando Trabanco Fotografía/Getty Images It has been well documented that immigrants contribute disproportionately to entrepreneurship. This is true both in the United States, where they represent 27.5% of all entrepreneurs but only 13% of the population, and in many other countries around the world. On average, immigrants contribute twice as much to U.S. entrepreneurship as […]
The power of trust and values in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
29/10/2018
Without trust, innovation is impossible. As we enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, business leaders face a dilemma. How do they leverage the technologies that are driving customer expectations sky high, while people grow skeptical of how organizations are using such technologies? With tools such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and the IoT, organizations can dramatically […]
Don’t Just Tell Employees Organizational Changes Are Coming — Explain Why
27/10/2018
Alan Copson/Getty Images Employees around the world are reporting that big organizational changes are affecting their jobs. From leadership transitions and restructurings, to mergers and acquisitions, to regulatory changes, there seems to be constant unrest in the workforce. But according to one survey of more than half a million U.S. employees, almost one-third […]
7 ways for businesses to capture the youth dividend
26/10/2018
Within every challenge lies an opportunity waiting to be seized. Businesses know this. Today, the world faces an urgent demographic challenge: 1.8 billion young people, between the ages of 10 and 24, are standing at the door of adulthood. Every month, 10 million young people reach working age – ready to begin productive lives. Will […]
How to Gauge the Effectiveness of Employee Wellness Programs
23/10/2018
thenakedsnail/Getty Images Tracking the data on the effectiveness of employee well-being programs can feel like you’re watching a Ping-Pong match. While more than 60% of U.S. businesses offer such programs, research on their effectiveness has been mixed. There are findings that point to positive gains in both cost savings and productivity measures, while other […]
Here’s what young Indians really want from life
22/10/2018
As the fastest growing economy today, India is home to a fifth of the world’s youth. Half of its population of 1.3 billion is below the age of 25, and a quarter is below the age of 14. India’s young population is its most valuable asset and most pressing challenge. It provides India with a […]
Why governments need to respond to the Fourth Industrial Revolution
19/10/2018
Around the world, the ground appears to be shifting beneath our feet as we hurtle through a period of unnerving change, marked by disturbing weather patterns, xenophobic protectionism, mass migration, failed states, science denial, cyberterrorism, a loss of faith in institutions and many other factors. What’s more, global energy markets are in flux. Supply chains […]
Winning customers & investors biggest challenges for UK start-ups in 2018
15/10/2018
A survey of 500 Startups.co.uk readers, carried out in partnership with business broadband and phone provider Plusnet, has found that a third (34%) of UK small business owners find attracting new customers their biggest challenge, followed by accessing finance (29%). We asked you, our audience of start-ups and small businesses, to share your experiences on […]
Reminder: Customers Care How You Treat Your Employees
13/10/2018
Executive Summary As companies pursue the talent they need for the future, and especially as the average age of U.S. workers continues to rise, some firms may be tempted to use biased talent practices. According to a recent report, for example, IBM has allegedly been systematically firing workers over the age of 40, perhaps to […]
innocent drinks Richard Reed: How to win over investors with a stellar pitch
12/10/2018
Whether you’re looking to get the public to back you, or you want to catch the attention of private investors, if your pitch doesn’t sing then you won’t win. No matter how many times you pitch, dealing with investors can still be a daunting experience. The only thing you can do is present a stellar […]
These 11 questions will help you decide if blockchain is right for your business
08/10/2018
One of the most unique aspects of blockchain is its high number of evangelists – people who believe blockchain can solve everything from global financial inequality, to the provision of ID for refugees, to enabling people to sell their houses without an estate agent. The enthusiasm to (over) promote the technology is also damaging its […]
Is there a new debt crisis on the horizon?
04/10/2018
The US Federal Reserve governor, Jerome Powell, stated in the recent Jackson Hole meetings of global central bankers that the US economy is doing well at present and confirmed the continuation of interest-rate hikes in the foreseeable future. Even though such a stance is probably already priced in by the global financial market and did […]
In focus: The rise of cannabis drinks
02/10/2018
As Canada prepars to legalise cannabis next month, weed is coming into the mainstream, and the drinks industry must decide whether this is a threat to its livelihood or a budding opportunity. “There’s no way to stop this now,” says Spiros Malandrakis, Euromonitor’s senior analyst, about the tidal wave of legalised cannabis sweeping across North […]
Why Companies Are Creating Their Own Coworking Spaces
01/10/2018
Nestled in the Silicon Sentier district of Paris, the Villa Bonne Nouvelle (“House of Good News”), or VBN, initially appears to be another new coworking space. But what sets it apart is that only half of its 60 occupants are freelancers. The remainder work for Orange (née French Telecom), which launched VBN in 2014 to […]
What makes an equity crowdfunding raise successful?
21/09/2018
Decided that equity crowdfunding is the best option for raising funds for your business? With over £400m invested into over 650 campaigns on Seedrs you’ll be in good company. But how do you make sure your campaign stands out and has the best chance of success? The experts at Seedrs have outlined what’s involved: First, […]
Here’s how we get businesses to harmonize on climate change
21/09/2018
The most popular song of the 1970s British rock band Ten Years After goes, “I’d love to change the world … but I don’t know what to do.” After a great guitar lick, the lead singer adds, “… so I leave it up to you.” In a world riven by political polarization and dysfunctional governments, […]
Why artificial intelligence is learning emotional intelligence
17/09/2018
The biggest risk we have to mitigate transforming businesses with technology is the resistance of people and organizations to change. It is a well-known fact that three in four transformation programmes fail to achieve their intended goals because people are not prepared to adopt new processes and technology. Mitigating these risks and helping people learn […]
Technology that knows what you’re feeling
22/07/2018
What happens when technology knows more about us than we do? Poppy Crum studies how we express emotions — and she suggests the end of the poker face is near, as new tech makes it easy to see the signals that give away how we’re feeling. In a talk and demo, she shows how “empathetic […]
The rapid growth of the Chinese internet – and where it’s headed
18/07/2018
The Chinese internet has grown at a staggering pace — it now has more users than the combined populations of the US, UK, Russia, Germany, France and Canada. Even with its imperfections, the lives of once-forgotten populations have been irrevocably elevated because of it, says South China Morning Post CEO Gary Liu. In a fascinating […]
Middle-aged entrepreneurs are more successful than young ones. Here’s why
06/07/2018
Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg are three of the biggest role models for entrepreneurs. They are all famous for starting their companies in their early 20s and in many ways set the benchmark for what a successful entrepreneur looks like. And yet, there is reason to believe that we’d be better off investing […]
Could Japan become a role model for the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
02/07/2018
Leveraging fast-emerging technologies like self-driving cars, artificial intelligence and data-intensive precision medicine to address social challenges is a goal that many countries share. The most successful will have at least two things in common: a strong sense of mission across government, industry and civil society; and the right mix of intellectual and industrial assets to […]
Will blockchain ICOs replace traditional funding for start-ups?
16/06/2018
The UK’s tech sector has given birth to many leading businesses and inspired the establishment of so many others. This remains so in the digital era, as the online world shifts us to a truly global economy. Now with Brexit looming, looking to new growth and digital innovation has become even more important as the […]
Saving the UK high street: It’s time to embrace the retailtech revolution
15/06/2018
London Tech Week is all about showcasing innovation and highlighting the range of exciting start-ups and scale-ups that are growing within a variety of verticals in the UK’s thriving tech community. The UK’s position as a global tech leader has often been attributed to the rise of fintech, with companies such as TransferWise and Revolut redefining the financial services industry. These […]
5 technologies that will forever change global trade
14/06/2018
International trade has dominated the global headlines recently. Much of the discussions have been focused on the threat of a trade war, the tit-for-tat tariffs, and the health of the global trade order. While extremely important, these conversations are missing a brighter side of international trade – how innovative technologies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution […]
Branding Britain – The Challenge of Brexit
30/01/2018
On Thursday, Signium invited a diverse group of 30 business leaders together for an informal event over drinks to discuss the impact of the Brexit vote and look at ‘What Next’! Interestingly, a straw poll of the room gave a 2/3 majority to Remain, a rather different result to the country as a whole! We […]