Business development Archives - Page 11 of 11

Valuable Ideas from Google for Growth and Innovation: Part 1

Pamela Ayuso March 20, 2018

How Google Works by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg is a New York Times bestselling book published in 2014. From 2001 to 2011, Eric Schmidt was the CEO of Google, and Jonathan Rosenberg was the Senior Vice President of Products at Google and resigned in 2011. In the book, the authors share the lessons they learned in management as they and others built and grew this internet behemoth.

When I first read How Google Works, I was surprised by the many brilliant ideas for business strategy and organization in the book. Although following their example and implementing everything they propose would take tremendous attention and work, I think that just taking a few of their ideas could have a big impact on any business. I highly recommend reading the publication for anyone interested in learning some of Google’s secrets and backstories.

The Benefits of Implementing Processes in Your Business

Pamela Ayuso March 6, 2018

Organizing the operations of a business into processes can be time-consuming and perhaps overwhelming. I did not realize just how much we do on a daily basis until I started cataloging everything. From the calls we make and the proposals we send out, to negotiations with suppliers and communication with accounting, everything we do includes different steps that need to be documented.

The investment, though, pays off: your firm will benefit immensely from implementing processes.

The Importance of Research as a Tool for Growth

Pamela Ayuso February 27, 2018

As an entrepreneur, it seems that one has to be an expert in close to everything, including software, marketing, human resources, and sales. However, it is next to impossible to have specialized knowledge in all of the departments that are needed to run a business successfully. Although it would be ideal to have advanced degrees in these fields, research and self-study can be the next best tools for acquiring the needed information for growth.

5 Benefits of Hiring Freelancers to Help You Out

Pamela Ayuso February 20, 2018

As you grow your business, you will need to rely on many capabilities, which you may not have within your firm. But what happens if it is only you and a few employees? Your budget probably doesn’t allow for hiring a professional for each of your many needs.

This is where freelancers come in. They can truly be lifesavers for a small firm. Expert freelancers exist who specialize in anything you can imagine. They can work with your firm on a short-term, contract or ad-hoc basis, helping to solve your current (and future) problems.

How to Improve and Grow Your Business with Effective Processes

Pamela Ayuso February 13, 2018

So many things to do, so little time: the demands of work can seem endless. There is a certain number of things that need to get done, and throughout the day, we go from one to the next. There never seems to be enough time, and it may seem sometimes impossible for things to get better.

There is, however, an alternative to merely surviving. To rise above the daily to-do list, you can set up processes for yourself, your employees, and your company. These same tasks that engulf a business can be organized into overall processes. The procedures that are designed for the firm will provide more organization, efficiency, and accountability for the work that needs to be accomplished every day.

6 Reasons You Will Love Wrike Like We Do

Pamela Ayuso February 6, 2018

A few years ago, I would spend an hour or two every morning meeting with individual members of our team. During these meetings, we would go over all the assigned tasks and projects to see where we stood. Activities were assigned verbally and written in each person’s organizer. In follow-up meetings, I would find that we had miscommunicated, and the to-dos had been misunderstood. Valuable time had been wasted. We soon realized that this method was too inefficient, and something had to change.

After researching the benefits of Cloud software, I knew a Cloud-based project management system was right for our firm. Project management software would allow us to share tasks and deadlines as well as improve our effectiveness as a team. Because we did not have an IT department, we needed software that is constantly upgraded and easy to implement. I weighed many options and finally chose Wrike. Here’s why we love Wrike.

How to Effectively Set Your Next Project in Motion

Pamela Ayuso January 23, 2018

Starting a new project from ground zero is probably one of the hardest things to do. Sometimes I have a wonderful idea, a whole new project I’m ready to start. I’m convinced it’ll change everything for the better and I’m ready to go. Then, I sit down in front of my computer to start working and everything suddenly goes blank, leaving me with no clue where to start.

When this happens, I try to go back and re-discover my original inspiration. Even though the excitement is almost always still there, I don’t know how to get started. I usually sit there for a few more minutes until I can’t take it anymore. Finally, I end up shutting down my computer and continuing with my day so it doesn’t feel wasted.

It’s a Jungle Out There with Unlimited Opportunities

Pamela Ayuso January 16, 2018

Life is inherently messy. Relationships, events, and opportunities change every day. The points of reference one may have one day may greatly differ the next.

As human beings, however, we crave control and continuity. We want to believe things are fixed, but they are not. Life keeps changing: people move away, businesses shut down, cities evolve, and new regulations are put into effect. Demands fluctuate, and expectations change.

However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. The constant change can also provide an opening where a firm can stand out in comparison to competitors, and even provide areas for growth.

Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles: Part 2

Pamela Ayuso December 19, 2017

This article is Part 2 of “Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles.” Part 1 is available here.

Ray Dalio’s Principles: Life and Work (public library) is an impressive book full of insights and concepts applicable to both life and work. It is divided into three parts. The first two, which I commented on in the first part of this series, deal with his background and the principles he uses in life. “Part III: Work Principles” introduces the principles he has developed to manage his firm, Bridgewater Associates.

In case you have not had a chance to read the book, here are some of the highlights on the topic of work that resonated strongly in this part of his book.

Ray Dalio on His Powerful Principles: Part 1

Pamela Ayuso December 12, 2017

I just finished reading Ray Dalio’s book Principles: Life and Work, which was released in September 2017. Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, and his book was highly anticipated due to the scale of his renown and success. His work is about the principles he developed to guide him both personally and professionally. Dalio has chosen to share these principles so others can benefit from the wisdom and experiences he and his company have accumulated over the years.

Despite his unusual approaches, Dalio’s book carries tremendous wisdom and practical insight. I highly recommend reading Principles: Life and Work because his principles apply to everybody who has goals, and his ideas provide an extremely valuable way of looking at the world. In case you haven’t had a chance to read it, here are some of the points that I found most impactful in “Part I: Where I am Coming From” and “Part II: Life Principles.” I will continue next week with my analysis of “Part III: Work Principles.”

Category: Business development