Monthly Archives: July 2009

Trend Report Card: Emerging Trends Pt. 2

Finding opportunity in recessionary times, emergence of vintage chic and paying it forward are key trends we discussed in our Emerging Trends Report in April. In the short few months since we published our report, much has changed. To see how we fared, below is our Emerging Trend report card. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, July 29th, 2009 | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How to Incorporate a Social Mission into your Business

How committed is your company to your social efforts? Is your social initiative a small side project or the essence of what your company stands for? Incorporating a social mission is about creating a harmony between your company philosophy and passion for social change. There is a spectrum of commitment–some entrepreneurs combine their social and company mission, while others use their company philosophy to define their social mission. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 | Tagged | 4 Comments

Top 5 Venture Capital Firms: Funding Social Missions

In recent years, a new breed of venture capital firms has emerged to make an impact beyond just profitability. Social venture capital funds are adding a new mission in combination with positive financial returns: social and environmental impact. Highlighting social venture funds across the world, this week’s top five will focus on VC portfolios that range from organic beverages to water purification systems in Rajasthan to fiber optic enterprises making energy companies more efficient. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Monday, July 27th, 2009 | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Rising Trend of Social Venture Capital

As venture capital continues to support cause-driven companies, entrepreneurs have an opportunity to be profitable and create long-term sustainability. Where at one time cause-driven businesses found it challenging to find investment, if the trend continues, social entrepreneurship will take center-stage and potentially be the gold standard of the investing world. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Thursday, July 23rd, 2009 | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Trend Report Card: Mainstream Trends Pt. 1

To stay ahead of the curve, we developed key cultural and business mainstream trends in early February of this year. We found the freshest, promising startups like MealBaby and NowPlayIt to exotic companies like Shark Diver and Tripwolf, while orienting ourselves with the recessionary market. To see how we fared, below is our mainstream trend report card. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 | Tagged , | 2 Comments

What Motivates Cultural Influencers to Promote Change

Musicians by nature are emotionally connected to the world in profound ways. They are able to see and feel things in a way that is unique to their views. Because of their strong emotional connection to the world they are drawn to helping others and making the world we live in a better place. To understand why the creative culture gets involved with certain causes, here are five key reasons that drive their passions. Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Guest Author | Monday, July 20th, 2009 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Trend Report Card: 2009 Emerging Trends Pt. 1

Escaping into virtual worlds, mashing ideas to spark innovative ventures and maximizing our professional and personal lives are key trends we discussed in our Emerging Trends Report back in April. To see how we measured-up to our predictions we are published a trend report card. Give us your thoughts on how we fared in the comments below. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Monday, July 20th, 2009 | Tagged | Leave a comment

Trend Report Card: Mainstream Trends Pt. 2

We have explored an array of pioneers in business and politics to create our mainstream trends of 2009. This is our second update installment to wrap-up how we did on predicting the trends of 2009, Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Friday, July 17th, 2009 | Tagged | 1 Comment

Social Influence Marketing: Recap of the Fluent Report

Through a survey with 1,000 N. American consumers and six months of social conversational data, Razorfish takes a deep dive in social media and the effectiveness of brands to break through into the digital world. Though the study recognizes the power of TV, it also illustrates the rising influence of social media on the decision making process. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing by Ethan Lyon | Friday, July 17th, 2009 | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Why Should Entrepreneurs Start a Social Mission?

It’s a simple question many entrepreneurs are asking themselves. Increasingly, entrepreneurs are pushing beyond purely self-interest-driven business to focus on ways in which they can leverage influence and expertise to impact social change—whether it’s a national video contest or a local blood drive. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Thursday, July 16th, 2009 | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

The New Harry Potter Film and Business Culture

Just as Rowling, Lucas and Tolkien built worlds for their readers, CEOs and managers too have a responsibility to build a world for their employees—although not one of fantasy, of course. The culture and environment in a workplace is almost if not as important as the work itself. Employees who work in an environment with shared values and experiences, feel a bond with their coworkers, and are constantly encouraged and inspired will be more productive and effective. But how does one build that culture? Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 | Tagged , | 2 Comments

An Introduction to Social Cause

Why incorporate a social cause into your brand? You might have seen cookies for cancer, wristbands, red computers, “organic” shoes and countless other consumer products sponsoring social initiatives. Cause-driven business has transformed our market economy landscape in profound, and positive ways. In today’s world, the social entrepreneur falls in ranks with the for-profit entrepreneur. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Top 5 Social Cause Trends

As we move forward, it’s critical we do better than the generation before us. It is the compassionate human spirit that will preserve nature’s beauty and mend our tattered social fabric. We have identified ways in which change agents–businesses, organizations, communities and individuals alike–can elevate their impact and advance the conversation within their respective communities. Here are five essential trends inspiring the next generation of social action: Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Monday, July 13th, 2009 | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Risky Business

In today’s recession it seems that the saying “nothing ventured, nothing gained” could be re-written as “nothing ventured, nothing lost.” But is that really true? In the long-run, is there a safe path to success? With a tough economy, risk-taking might seem even scarier than normal. But the truth is that there are also downsides of playing it safe. Our entrepreneurial spirit pushes us to explore risk, and seek out smart risk. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by David Capece | Friday, July 10th, 2009 | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

When Risk / Reward is in Your Favor

Entrepreneurs, and especially pioneers, often travel unknown roads. During the journey, we face opportunities and challenges in pursuit of meaningful rewards. During good times, the rewards take center stage, and we are often tempted to take on more risk. During the lean years, risks become the central talking point, and we become scared of taking any risk. Continue reading →

Posted in Social Impact by David Capece | Thursday, July 9th, 2009 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Microsoft VS Google: Collaborative Intelligence in Computing

The unique element Google is infusing into their new operating system is collaboration. Collaborative intelligence (CQ, like IQ) combines the individual intelligence of many practitioners to create or enhance a new product or service. Much like Wikipedia, Google will call upon their legions of enthusiastic developer fans to create a vastly different user interface—that improves upon the weaknesses of today’s technologies. These empowered legions of fans are a part of the Home-Turf King trend–that says internet users are increasingly encouraged to explore, create, collaborate and build. Continue reading →

Posted in Market Trends by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Speaking With Influencers: A Buzz Marketing Guide

Consumer conversation and engagement are increasing in value as a new era in marketing emerges. Consumers are empowered to be their own Private Eyes–dig deep to find true value via reviews, free reports and blogs. Consumers are turning to word of mouth (via the web) as a valuable resource to make purchasing decisions. Access to communication tools on the web have amplified the importance and influence of word of mouth. Though it’s not possible to transition all of your marketing efforts to… Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing, Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Wednesday, July 8th, 2009 | Tagged , | 5 Comments

How to Identify Influencers

They’ve been called the captains of industry; masters of the universe; the movers, shakers and policy makers. Masters need no introduction. They are the Steve Jobs, Colin Powells, TIME 100s of the world. They are the figureheads that make sweeping decisions with long-lasting impact. When targeting Masters, evaluate the time spent reaching them versus their attention on your business. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing, Social Impact by Ethan Lyon | Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Top 5: Tech Companies Securing VC Funding in June

As entrepreneurs and industry leaders adapt to the digital world, innovation is central to success. To illustrate innovation and entrepreneurship in the tech sector, we’ve selected ten companies across five categories that have secured venture capital (VC) investment. These companies are pioneering innovation and leading the next evolution in e-commerce, marketing, online video, social media and mobile technology: Continue reading →

Posted in Startups & Innovation by Ethan Lyon | Monday, July 6th, 2009 | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Engaging the New Consumer: Database and Variable Marketing

After visiting Amazon.com, doesn’t the homepage start to recommend books you’d actually buy? The same goes for a YouTube user. As your browsing history accumulates, Amazon and YouTube sifts through their mountains of data to recommend customized product / video pages just for you. Continue reading →

Posted in Digital Marketing by Ethan Lyon | Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 | Tagged , , | 3 Comments