#33voices @33voices - Tumblr Blog

By now it’s fairly well known that we care a lot about headlines here at Upworthy. We write at least 25 of them for each post. We test them rigorously. Sometimes, we even make up a word to catch your eye.

Why? Because for us, headlines are an important means to an even more important end: …

When Microsoft Word tells me a previous version has already been saved

#microsoft

Me, after my mandatory morning Americano

#coffee #business

The most important rule of startup life

#startup #stayalive

When someone presents a PowerPoint with 20+ words per slide

#powerpoint #presentation

When someone tried to tell me my idea was horrible

Then:

Now:

#entrepreneurship #courage

The first time I saw Google Glass

#google glass #toy story

Monster Loyalty

The first question that I asked Jackie Huba was to 'tell me the one word that came to her mind when the name Lady Gaga is mentioned? Jackie, of course, is the author of Monster Loyalty - the inside story behind how the pop phenom turns followers into fanatics. You'll hear her answer at the beginning of our conversation; but for me, that one word is simply outrageous.

There's no denying that Gaga has built a larger than life persona - she has sold over 51 million singles worldwide, has a fan base that includes 38 million twitter followers and 58 million Facebook fans - Forbes has recognized her as the 45th most powerful woman in the world and it didn't hurt that she took home in excess of $52 million in 2012, landing her at #5 on Forbes' top 100 celebrity list. Say what you want about the hair and makeup, but make no mistake that Gaga is as brilliant with the business side of her life as she is with her music. It all starts owning her name, here's what I mean -----

Slideshare - http://slidesha.re/11J716M

Interview - http://bit.ly/12Ppxkk

Five minutes of happiness each day

The great distinction of Iconoclast entrepreneurs is their relentless pursuit of greatness. Steve Jobs taught us that better never stops. He was a design genius obsessed with building 'insanely great' products that empowered us to celebrate our uniqueness.

Tony Hsieh is a marketing prodigy who's continually re-imaging the retail experience. He taught us that the path to sustainable profits, passion and purpose starts with delivering happiness. Today, few will question the impact thatJack Dorsey is having on the way we shop and communicate. His Twitter network connects you to only the stories, ideas and people that you find interesting; while his Square wallet brings elegance and ultra convenience to your credit card transactions.

Just a few years ago, another aspiring entrepreneur, Ben Huh, made it his goal to 'make people happy for five minutes each day'. What started as the, I Can Has Cheezburger, cat blog that he purchased from friends in 2007 has turned into a media empire with almost 400 million page views a month, a network reality show, a bunch of venture money and an imaginative way to share news. Here's the most important lesson that we can all learn from Ben -----

Slideshare - http://slidesha.re/111ShzI

Interview - http://bit.ly/12uOUrm

Your Network is Your Net Worth

A few days before my scheduled conversation with Porter Gale, a close friend approached me about introducing his cousin to a professional athlete whom he felt would make a great seed investor for his new venture. The founder, a seasoned entrepreneur, had an impressive track record, but was building a sports related business for the first time. Without hesitation, I offered to help and within minutes, I had received an email introduction and an accompanying slide deck profiling the business.

The idea was brilliant; the team was intelligent and experienced and the product brought fresh eyes to a recurring problem facing professional athletes in all major sports. Relying on the strength of my relationship with both parties, I made the introduction and by the results of their initial meeting, they might be boarding a rocket ship together. Only time will tell, but for me, the opportunity to facilitate that relationship is why I do what I do; and it's why I resonate with Porter Gale's mantra - Your Network is Your Net Worth.

Slideshare highlights from the interview: http://slidesha.re/18HNGrA

Full interview: http://bit.ly/13xg5gI

1m preview: http://bit.ly/14lLhhZ

#porter gale #33voices #moe abdou #portergale #network #your network is your net worth #sports #athletes #success #entrepreneurship

The Girl Scout Promise

One of the greatest sales presentations that I've witnessed took place in 1996 when I invited the three +Girl Scouts of America sales champions that year to speak to my sales team. All three were under the age of fourteen, and together they had sold over 10,000 boxes of cookies. They were as adorable as they were innocent, but when it came to selling, they were savvy and as entrepreneurial as anyone I had met.

They started by sharing 'The Girl Scout Promise' and when I asked them the secret behind their sales success, they recited the 'Girl Scout Law - I will do my best to be honest, fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.' That day, I vowed to never complicate the sales process and its how +Michael Port will help you 'Book Yourself Solid.' Listen, first to what you should not do:

Slideshare - http://slidesha.re/13VzTws

Interview - http://bit.ly/10CC8R3

The Happiness Cho!ce

The happiest person I know happens to also be the busiest and most successful person I know. He has built an enduring business that's destined to outlive him. He has earned the privilege to travel around the world empowering social causes that he cares deeply about. He has invested prudently, and as a result of his financial stewardship, his money will last for generations.

Despite being in his 60s, he looks like a fit professional athlete in his 30s because he maintains health and nutrition as his most important morning ritual. And perhaps most important of all, he has gained a global following that trusts his every word. As I paused to reflect on how his example impacts me, I immediately started to connect the dots between Gallup's wellbeing index and Marilyn Tam's inspirational book, The Happiness Cho!ce. As an global humanitarian, Marilyn has that rare ability of making everyone around her better - it's been her life mission since she was 11 years old, and she maintains it by combing these five factors:

Slideshare - http://slidesha.re/10vEXrq

Interview - http://bit.ly/17OzaOm

Clip - http://bit.ly/11VIZpK

Playing to Win

What is 'strategy'? Ask ten executives and you're likely to get ten different answers. In business, strategy has many fathers, but it's only result is winning at the game you're playing. For many years, I viewed strategy as the 'how' component behind achieving our goals - and my theory has always combined minimal strategy, 2-3 per goal, with a plan for implementation that has child like clarity. As leaders and entrepreneurs, understanding strategy tops our learning agenda, and for most of us, that learning starts with observing those we most admire.

When Roger Martin collaborated with +Procter & Gamble's A.G. Lafley to write, Playing To Win, they not only uncovered how strategy really works, more importantly, they gave you a thinking framework that integrates the essential components of your business. In my conversation with Roger, he guides you through the choices you have to make as you answer the five fundamental strategy questions - it always starts with defining your winning aspiration...

Slideshare - http://slidesha.re/Yk3CiG

Interview - http://bit.ly/11zSdb5

An Invisible Thread

On more than one occasion, I've walked past a homeless person on the street and felt the urge to do more than just hand him five dollars; yet, only once did I stop and do more. He was in his 20s, humble, sacred and just plain mad at the world. As I always do, I asked a few questions, and although he was attentive, he chose not to respond. So, within ten minutes, I handed him that five bucks and walked away. My curiosity about the 'why' behind homelessness was piqued, but it was only after I stumbled upon Laura Schroff's Today Show segment, that I was convinced that I needed to do more. Laura was born to be an Angel, and when destiny came calling one night in New York, she not only raised the spirits of one hungry Maurice Mazyck, she changed her life in the process. An Invisible Thread is an ancient Chinese Proverb that none of us can ignore - Here's why Interview: http://bit.ly/17pgxB6 Summary: http://slidesha.re/ZBtkAb

#an invisible thread #philanthropy #33voices #interview #33voicesinterview #moe abdou #today show #laura schroff #angel #new york #maurice mazyck #author #chinese proverb #homeless #teen #poverty #love

Data Visualization

The ability to visually and uniquely display data might be the great competitive advantage that distinguishes your business from the crowd. In a digital world rampant on new ideas, but short on attention spans, consumers want to capture the essence of your idea, and want it fast. Few have been able to cut through the clutter like the creative agency,+JESS3. Fueled by the curiosity and entrepreneurial zeal of its founder,+Jesse Thomas, +JESS3 has turned data visualizations into an art form and regardless of the size and scope of your business, their approach applies to you - here's Jesse to get you started: http://slidesha.re/YEFmWI Interview: http://www.33voices.com/jesse-thomas/audio

How Happy Are You?

Just like excellence, happiness is a habit - and a deliberate one. It's a state of mind that begins with a commitment to live each moment in a state of peace and appreciation; while never denying the 'what is'. That's hardly an easy task, but as the Dalai Lama likes to say, 'it's the very purpose of life'. Each day, the choice to be happy is yours, and yours alone. There's no denying that happiness is directly correlated with one's level of success and achievement; but what's most exciting to me are the longevity studies that overwhelmingly attribute one's state of happiness to living a longer and healthier life. Sophie Keller is a happiness ambassador, and although her pursuit of happiness is never finished, the place she starts is worth imitating - ---

Building Bridges

Over the past few months, I've been mentoring two aspiring professional athletes. Like most kids, both grew up with the dream of someday playing in the NFL. They excelled in high school and were even more impressive as collegiate athletes; still, they know that in order to reach the pinnacle, they'd have to magnify their work ethic. Both come from challenging backgrounds, have little to no relationship with their family and zero financial support; but only one of them had the foresight to see beyond football. Despite not knowing where he is going to sleep from day to day, the 20 year old, walks two miles each day to volunteer at a homeless shelter - he is convinced that by helping other troubled youth, he will be forced to improve his ways. His impact has been nothing short of remarkable, and has reinforced to me the importance of perspective - only by living in someone else's world, do you truly understand their circumstances. For Bob Harris, that shift was ignited when he discovered that through Kiva.org, he can change lives, with as little as $25. To date, Bob has financed more than 5,300 Kiva clients in 67 countries and although his impact is far-reaching - his work is just beginning. Learn about The International Bank of Bob ---

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

#33voices