June 26, 2018

6 min read

This story originally appeared on GOBankingRates

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson isn’t your average billionaire. Instead of living in a big city penthouse or a sprawling estate, the fun-loving tycoon makes his home in the British Virgin Islands. He prefers jeans and board shorts over suits and, despite his status as Sir Richard Branson, he’d rather be called Richard.

Related: Elon Musk’s Essential Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Fascinating to say the least, the self-made billionaire behind Virgin Airlines has a sunny disposition that draws others toward him.

Take a look at Branson’s spectacular business success and fortune.

(By Gabrielle Olya)

Richard Branson net worth: $5.1B

Seemingly born to be an entrepreneur, Richard Branson started his first business, a student magazine, when he was just 15 years old. In 1970, he opened his first business under the Virgin Group umbrella, and the rest is history.

Though perhaps best known for its airlines, the Virgin Group consists of more than 60 companies today. Combined, they employ 71,000 people in 35 countries and bring in an annual revenue of $22.3 billion (16.6 billion pounds).

Richard Branson’s Virgin Records

Virgin began as a mail-order record retailer in 1970 and became Virgin Records when Branson opened the first brick-and-mortar record store in London. He later opened a recording studio under the Virgin Records label and was able to sign major acts like the Sex Pistols and the Rolling Stones, propelling it to become the biggest independent record label in the world.

Unlike many moguls, Branson truly cares about his companies. He sold Virgin Records for $1 billion in 1992, but instead of celebrating, he famously ran down London’s Ladbroke Grove in tears, distraught over cutting ties with the business.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Unite

These days, the father of two dedicates most of his time to Virgin Unite, the Virgin Group’s nonprofit entrepreneurial foundation. Established in 2004, the charity supports ventures close to Branson’s heart, including advocating for gay rights and speaking out against wildlife poaching.

Related: 15 Weekend Jobs and Side Gigs to Boost Your Income

Virgin Unite’s projects are changing the world for the better. Some of the foundation’s work includes providing life-saving healthcare to people in Kenya; creating the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, which has helped over 4,000 entrepreneurs in South Africa get their businesses off the ground; and fighting for LGBT rights in Uganda.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Airlines

A canceled flight from Puerto Rico to the British Virgin Islands served as Branson’s inspiration for Virgin Atlantic. Then a young businessman, he had a date waiting for him, so he chartered a plane and charged other passengers $39 for a one-way ticket.

Founded in 1984, Virgin Atlantic is an innovative airline with a 2016 pre-tax profit of about 23 million pounds. The Virgin brand also includes Virgin Australia and, previously, Virgin America, which has since been sold and merged with Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines bought Virgin America in 2016 for $4 billion. Despite earning millions from the sale, Branson opposed it and publicly expressed disappointment that he didn’t have enough voting shares in the company to halt the takeover.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic

Known for his innate curiosity and sense of adventure, it’s probably not too surprising that space travel is on Branson’s agenda. Founded by the billionaire entrepreneur in 2004, Virgin Galactic wants to make space travel accessible to everyone.

The privately funded company received $600 million from Branson, the Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments PJS as of 2014, the Financial Times reported, and in 2017, the company announced that it had received an additional $1 billion investment from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. So far, approximately 700 people have paid a full-price deposit of $250,000 to become a Virgin Galactic future astronaut.

Sending humans into space has been a challenging process — a pilot died during a test flight of the company’s SpaceShipTwo in October 2014 — but Branson believes his company is finally almost ready to launch. Branson hopes to be among the first passengers, with a launch by May 2019, Fortune reported.

Richard Branson’s Island

Located in the Caribbean, Richard Branson’s island doubles as his home and a posh resort. He purchased Necker Island in 1978 for a modest $180,000, according to Forbes.

If you want to visit his British Virgin Islands paradise, be ready to pay up. The cost to book the entire island — which accommodates up to 34 people — was $80,000 per night in 2017. Individual rooms can be booked from October through November in 2018, which start at $31,675 per couple for a seven-night stay.

In early 2017, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama vacationed on Necker Island as Branson’s personal guests. Photos revealed a playful friendship between the former U.S. president and billionaire, which included kitesurfing.

Necker Island was heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma in September 2017. It is scheduled to reopen in October 2018.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels

Branson opened the first Virgin Hotel in Chicago in 2015, and a second location will be opening in San Francisco in summer 2018, with future hotels planned for Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, New York City, Las Vegas, Silicon Valley, Palm Springs and Washington, D.C., Travel + Leisure reported. The brand will also be opening its first European location in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2020.

Related: 13 Million-Dollar Businesses That Turned Down ‘Shark Tank’ Deals

As with his airline, Branson built his hotel model on the idea that people shouldn’t be nickel-and-dimed during their travel experiences. His hotels offer free WiFi, free late checkout, minibar prices set at “street level” and no fee for room-service delivery.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop One

If Branson’s plans pan out, time-sensitive goods will be able to travel at speeds of 620 mph in technologically advanced transport pods to ensure a timely delivery. The entrepreneur is now the non-executive chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One, which plans to harness Elon Musk’s proposed hyperloop technology — using rails within low-pressure tubes — to transport freight at ultrahigh speeds at costs similar to trucking, the Daily Express reported.

Branson foresees the technology being used to transport fresh food, medical supplies and goods for delivery at speeds that were previously impossible. He hopes to launch Virgin Hyperloop One by 2021.

Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages

Branson already has plans to tackle land, air and space travel, so it makes sense that sea travel would be his next undertaking. In May 2018, Branson announced his plans for Virgin Voyages, an adults-only luxury cruise line that will launch in 2020 with inaugural seven-day cruises traveling from Miami to the Caribbean.

“At the core of our epic sea change for all is ensuring that the spaces on our ships are well-styled, distinct and reflective of the dynamic experience we want to bring to our sailors,” Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages, told Forbes. “Our design partners together with our internal design team have dreamed up eye-catching, intimate and alluring spaces that we can’t wait to see come to life.”

June 25, 2018

6 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As a business owner, growing your company is one of your top priorities, but as a small-business founder, you know what a challenge it can be: You may lack the budget for big marketing campaigns or the time to focus on growth, when there are so many other aspects you have to manage.

Related: 3 Growth Strategies From a Tech Company Trying to Disrupt a $325 Million Industry

So, if you’re a founder in this position, how do you boost your sales and grow your business?

The answer is growth-hacking. The term refers to the process of experimenting with marketing, product development, sales segments and other areas to determine the best way to grow a business.

Following are some simple growth hacks small-business leaders should know to help them grow their companies in a short amount of time.

Prioritize content marketing.

According to DemandMetric, content marketing costs 62 percent less and generates approximately three times more leads than traditional marketing, making it a valuable strategy for small businesses.

Having a blog on your site that offers engaging and useful content presents your business as an expert in your industry and can help you build a trusting relationship with your audience.

Blog posts can also generate more traffic to your site, improve your SEO and convert visitors into customers. Research high-volume/low-competition keywords for your blog posts to attract more of your target audience to your site and grow your customer base.

Use Facebook and Google customer-retargeting.

According to Digital Strategy Consulting, the average customer makes nine visits to a website before purchasing, so retargeting is a valuable growth hack to get those purchases you might have otherwise missed out on. Facebook and Google retargeting involves a pixel you add to your site that then enables you to show targeted ads to users who have previously visited your website.

Related: 7 Key Steps to a Growth Strategy That Works Immediately

While previous visitors to your website are browsing other sites on the web, they’ll see ads for your business encouraging them to return to you.

In this Expedia retargeting ad, customers are enticed to return to their site for a tempting last-minute deal:

You want all your visitors to be return visitors, right? So make sure you’re at the top of mind for them by coaxing them back using Facebook and Google retargeting.

Use exit-intent coupons.

Offering visitors a coupon in exchange for their email address is a great way to build your email list and encourage people to make a purchase. People love getting a deal, so not many will pass up the opportunity to save.

Home Fabrics Online uses an exit intent popup to offer a coupon and encourage people to make a purchase:

Using an exit-intent popup is also a great way to grab your visitors’ attention, as it can track when a visitor is about to leave your website, and offer a coupon at exactly the right time. Overall, it’s an amazing tool for boosting your conversions and improving your bounce rate.

Show social proof.

Most consumers look for reviews before they make a purchase. In fact, BrightLocal conducted a survey that revealed that 84 percent of people polled trusted online reviews and testimonials as much as they would a personal recommendation. So, make it easy for customers: Show social proof right on the pages of your website.

Slack’s website lets visitors know how many amazing companies are using its product:

 

Displaying comments from some of your satisfied customers on your website can help push visitors who are on the fence into making a purchase. People buy from companies they trust, so adding social proof shows you to be a trusted brand in your industry.

Use content upgrades.

Providing content upgrades on your blog posts is a great way to grow your email list rapidly. A content upgrade is essentially a freebie offered within the post that’s related to the blog post topic.  

Here’s an example of a content upgrade popup that encourages visitors to click in exchange for their email:

For example, you could offer a free, downloadable PDF to your readers in exchange for their email address. If you’ve crafted an informative blog post that already has your readers engaged, they’re likely going to be interested in the extra content you’re offering and will wclick that download button.

Use calls-to-action across social media.

Want your followers to do something for you on social media? Ask them! By using calls-to-action across your social media accounts, you can increase your views, likes and shares. You can even direct customers to your website to join your mailing list or sign up for your course.

Hubspot Academy uses its Twitter account to let followers know about its new course.

Whether you’re asking your audience to share, like or sign up, make sure your call-to-action is easy and clear. The easier you make it for them, the more likely they’ll take the action you want them to.

Ask for feedback.

There’s no better way to figure out what’s working in your business and what’s not than by asking your customers directly. There’s always room for improvement in your business and of course improving your customer service or user experience can really boost your sales.

Kennedy Blue uses a popup on its site to ask customers for feedback.

Another hack: Consider using a popup to ask for feedback, or sending an email to customers who have recently purchased. Being aware of all the issues your customers might face will help you ensure that future customers have an even better experience.

Related: 10 Marketing Strategies to Fuel Your Business Growth

So, those are a few advantages growth-hacking can offer: Instead of wasting your time with ineffective marketing, these strategies are a smart way to scale up your business. Using these tips, your small business can compete with the bigger players, and you won’t have to spend a fortune.

June 22, 2018

2 min read

This story originally appeared on Business Insider

The collateral damage from President Donald Trump’s trade fight with China could soon have some states feeling the squeeze.

China announced tariffs on $50 billion worth of imports from the US in response to Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, an escalation of the brewing trade war between the two countries.

Also mirroring Trump’s move, China’s tariffs will be deployed in two waves — the first covering $34 billion worth of goods coming in early July.

Related: Supreme Court Gives States OK to Collect Sales Taxes on Online Sales

The Chinese tariffs are focused on energy and agricultural products, covering goods including ornamental fish, whiskey, and coal. By singling out certain goods, the Chinese are also hitting some states harder than others.

To break down the effect by state, Business Insider used US Commerce Department data to determine the amount of tariff-eligible goods from each state sent to China in 2017. (Due to the US database’s limitations, the totals include some foreign-sourced goods that may not be subject to China’s tariffs. Those goods represent a small portion of the overall values.)

There are nine states that exported more than $1 billion worth of tariff-eligible goods to China in 2017:

• Texas: $8,022,380,040
• Louisiana: $6,627,390,388
• Washington: $5,231,988,100
• California: $4,560,897,434
• Alabama: $2,620,256,485
• South Carolina: $2,588,390,677
• Illinois: $2,123,222,976
• Kentucky: $1,006,565,148

Many of these states have just a handful of goods that make up most of the coming pain. For instance, $5.6 billion of Louisiana’s $6.6 billion worth of tariff-eligible exports comes from soybeans. Similarly for Alabama, $1.7 of the state’s $2.6 billion in tariff-eligible goods is soybeans. In Texas, the biggest hit will come from crude oil (the state sent $3.7 billion worth to China last year) and propane, the state sent $1.7 billion worth to China last year.

Andy Kiersz/Business Insider

June 22, 2018

10 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

“When someone tells you that something can’t be done, all it really means is that it hasn’t been done before.” ~ Lori Greiner

The digital age has transformed how business is conducted in powerful ways. Thanks to new technology, more educational resources, and alternative fundraising options, it’s now easier than ever to start a business. With so many people launching new startups, savvy business investors like Shark Tank’s Lori Greiner are speaking out and advising entrepreneurs on how to be successful in this digital age.

I had the unique opportunity to interview the “Queen of QVC” about how entrepreneurship has evolved, mistakes to avoid when pitching investors, and her surprising advice for women entrepreneurs.

Lori Greiner’s rise in the digital age

Greiner took advantage of the digital stage early on when she launched “Lori Greiner’s Clever and Unique Creations” on QVC in 2000. “There are so many venues that can play a role in your selling strategy, but in my opinion, there is simply no better selling medium for a new inventor than a shopping channel like QVC,” Greiner told me. “Once you know how to market something out of a certain medium, then it becomes easier to continue marketing other products out of that same medium.”

Using her flair to communicate and present well on air, Greiner leveraged her QVC success into becoming a Shark Tank investor and a mentor and role model for entrepreneurs worldwide.

Related: How to Win on ‘Shark Tank’

“The emphasis on entrepreneurship has grown tremendously over the last five years,” says Greiner. “Everybody can relate to having an idea they think could be worth millions, but several years ago people probably never seriously considered that it would be possible to get it off the ground, but now we’re showing that it can happen.”

What makes a great Shark Tank pitch?

Having witnessed hundreds of pitches on Shark Tank and thousands personally, Greiner concisely revealed what constitutes a great pitch. “Be energetic, captivating, honest and informative, but brief. A great pitch is when a person can describe what their business or product is within two sentences,” Greiner advised. “Draw the investors in with enthusiasm and passion. Remember that whoever you’re pitching has spent either little or no time thinking about your product, which you may think is the greatest on the market. Be succinct and to the point, but make it exciting and informative.”

When I asked Greiner if she felt that investing in the entrepreneur was more important than investing in the product, she responded, “I look at both the product being pitched as well as the entrepreneur pitching it, as they are equally important to me. For the product or business, I look for several different things…

• Something that has broad mass appeal
• Something that solves a problem
• Something that is unique or different 
• Something that can be made at an affordable price

“For the entrepreneur, I love to see someone who is energetic, passionate, honest and driven. I want to feel that they will do whatever it takes to make their business a success,” Greiner said.

3 biggest pitch mistakes 

As viewers know, negotiations on Shark Tank can quickly get heated and, even though the drama makes for great entertainment, I was curious to know how those moments can affect the relationship with the entrepreneur after the deal is made with the investor.

“Heated moments can come out in a positive way for the entrepreneur,” claims Greiner. “I think so because you always learn from your experiences. There are always valuable lessons to learn from every experience, and I think that even though sometimes the questions from the Sharks or what happens can seem quite difficult, I think you will walk away learning a great deal and correcting what went wrong. You learn the most from what you consider failures or difficulties. I look at them as the greatest and most valuable lessons. There are no failures in life, just great lessons.”

When asked what she believes is the biggest mistake people make when pitching investors, Greiner shared not one, but three fundamental mistakes every entrepreneur should avoid.

1. Being unprepared

According to the QVC queen, the biggest mistake individuals make is that they don’t know everything there is to know about their own product and business. “You should know your product or business inside and out, and be prepared to answer any question about it,” says Greiner. “Whether the question involves finances, manufacturing, inventory, or processes — you should know every single detail.” Not being prepared, Greiner says, is her biggest pet peeve. “It shows a lack of commitment and caring and is reflective of their work ethic. It also lets me know that they would probably not be successful.”

2. Lacking enthusiasm and passion

“I’ve seen the greatest ideas fall completely flat when presented by someone who lacks enthusiasm,” explains Greiner. “But, on the other hand, I’ve seen great entrepreneurs convince others to buy or invest in things that they would never have under any other circumstances, but for their passion.”

When I asked if there was a single pitch or experience that impacted her, she replied, “The craziest pitch was that squirrel zapper! Michael DeSanti, an aerospace professional turned entrepreneur, created a squirrel-proof bird feeder that deters squirrels from eating bird food by delivering a harmless static shock.”

“Ryan ‘Cowboy’ Ehmann was one of the funniest and most crazy,” Greiner also recalled. “I couldn’t figure out what he was selling, and Daymond John gave him a deal for his rodeo-themed Cowboy gym — go figure!”

Related: The Biggest Risk 4 Judges on ‘Shark Tank’ Ever Took

​​​3. Having an arrogant attitude

“Remember, if you’re trying to convince someone to invest in you, they need to not only like what you’re asking them to invest in, but they also need to like you and believe in you,” Greiner told me.

“If entrepreneurs don’t listen to questions asked during a pitch, they aren’t going to hear you down the road, and they’re not going to be a good partner.” Greiner also mentioned that it’s a big turnoff if they appear difficult to work with. “It doesn’t matter how great a business idea or product is, if the entrepreneur is going to be a problem, nothing is worth it.”

You made a deal. Now what?

Once the excitement of the Shark Tank experience subsides, many people are not aware that some of the deals that close on camera do not materialize into formal business partnerships afterward with the investors. On the surface, the deals may look great, but it’s the process after the show where the work truly begins.

“My process after a deal is to try to call the entrepreneur within a few days after it’s made in the ‘tank,’ and they get back home,” Greiner stated. “I want to make a more casual introduction and talk about their experience in the tank, then hear about the hot issues in their business and see how fast we have to move. My team and I go through due diligence with each entrepreneur to ensure that the company is, in fact, investible and that everything they said on the show is true.”

Greiner says she is very hands-on with these entrepreneurs. “I’m often talking to them at all hours of the night and on weekends. Once the deal is signed and closed, we begin working on a big-picture plan on what we need to do and what steps we need to take to get there.”

Best hiring practices

“I always say ‘Hire character and train skill,’ and I truly believe this. Who a person is is equally important to me as what they know how to do. There are many important characteristics I look for when hiring, but I’d say these are at the top of the list: honesty, ethical, trustworthy and a team player. Fun to be around is a big plus too!”

I also asked Greiner what advice she had for millennials and younger entrepreneurs who find it difficult to network, especially when it comes to getting the attention of seasoned investors.

“Don’t be afraid to network. Reach out and ask questions — you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. When selling yourself, be confident and frank about your attributes. You can be honest and humble at the same time. But, if you don’t speak up for yourself, nobody else will.”

Credit: Courtesy of Lori Greiner

Lori Greiner’s advice to women entrepreneurs

Having been influenced by strong, powerful, and influential women like Oprah, Sara Blakely, and Arianna Huffington, who have been leading the charge for women entrepreneurs for years, Lori Greiner shared her thoughts and wisdom for the next wave of women business leaders.

1. Don’t label yourself

“As a female entrepreneur, I think it’s very important for women not to think of themselves as ‘women’ in business, or as a ‘woman’ in any job position. They should think of themselves as a person in business or in their job position, equal to, if not better than, anyone else around them. Find something you love to do, and then do it better than anyone else.”

2. Educate yourself

“Do what it takes to educate yourself in the field you are interested in. Be a sponge and absorb as much knowledge and information as possible. It’s always great if you can work somewhere or for someone when you can learn and get hands-on experience in a real-life scenario. Education is great, but practical experience is invaluable.”

3. Don’t be afraid to speak up

“Most importantly, be yourself and confident in who you are, what you know, and what you can do. Don’t be afraid to speak up. You don’t have to be tough to appear strong. Just be confident and believe in your convictions and knowledge.”

4. Believe in yourself

“I think anyone can become successful. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what stage in life you are at. All that matters is your drive, determination, and your willingness to work hard. With that, I truly believe you can make anything happen, and you can be successful. I’m a big believer that you should never take no for an answer when people say things can’t be done. That just means it hasn’t been done before.”

Related: 5 Ways to Win Your Pitch, According to ‘Shark Tank’s’ Robert Herjavec

What motivates Greiner?

When I asked Lori Greiner why she believes she has continued to be successful over the past two decades, and what motivates her to work so hard today, the Shark Tank celebrity quipped, “I made my career on TV because I happened to invent highly demonstrable products, so that’s where I knew I would see my biggest success. I didn’t set out to be a serial inventor. After my first product was a success, the buyers wanted more and more. I was driven to keep creating by QVC and my customers.”

“I was lucky in that I could hear my customer’s voices when they called in on air,” Greiner regaled. “Hearing that they loved the product or that it made them happy or their lives better really gave me the motivation to keep creating more! Often I come up with ideas for products by thinking of things that people need or want. Usually, that means creating solutions for everyday problems.”

“Today, people say that I move at lightning speed and I humbly say that I have helped many of the most successful products in Shark Tank history, including Simply Fit Board, Scrub Daddy, Squatty Potty, Bantam Bagels and Sleep Styler to name a few,” Greiner proudly claimed. “I strive to make people’s lives easier and better, and I find that’s a primary force behind my passion for empowering entrepreneurs.”

June 21, 2018

5 min read

This story originally appeared on This Dog’s Life

Tomorrow is the annual Take Your Dog To Work Day. Created by Pet Sitters International in 1999, the event was conceived to “celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoptions.” But many employers are realizing the benefits of pet-friendly offices, apart from Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Research has found that dogs in the workplace reduce stress as well as promoting interaction among co-workers, not to mention just making your job a lot more fun. A study by Banfield Pet Hospital found that allowing dogs and other pets to accompany employees to work can attract and retain top talent, improve moral, provide a greater work-life balance, inspire company loyalty, increase productivity and create a general sense of well-being.

But a dog-friendly office is not without challenges.

Here are some things to consider when making your office welcome to pooches.

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Test the waters

Image credit: Pekic | Getty Images

It’s crucial to meet with your employees or co-workers to make sure everyone’s on board. If the reaction to going dog-friendly is not as unanimous as you’d hoped, it doesn’t mean you have to abandon your plans. Instead:

• Consider scaling down your plan to one day a week
• If your office space is large enough, create a dog-free area
• Provide air purifiers for those with allergies
• Gates on cubical entrances will keep dogs contained

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Create a pet policy

Image credit: Sidekick | Getty Images

Before going dog-friendly, employers will need to set some ground rules. First, A written policy for allowing dogs in the office will make ensure that your dog-friendly digs will provide a positive, constructive experience — for both the employees and their dogs.

Some companies require employees to register their dogs. A pet policy should be a document that is available to your employees and that they should sign. Consider including these important points:

• Dogs should be up to date on vaccinations
• Dogs should be clean and parasite free
• Dogs should be trained in basic commands
• Dogs should have no history of aggressive behavior or biting
• Dogs should be housetrained
• Dogs must be controllable while in the office

Guidelines for employee responsibility, procedures if rules are broken, and other pertinent information should also be outlined. Check out Pet Sitters International’s sample pet policy.

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Look at the environment

Image credit: Kurgo

There are some very dog-devoted companies that have designed their offices with dogs in mind.

Kurgo, a leading supplier of quality dog travel supplies and accessories for active dogs, designed their office with artificial grass on the cubical floors and in play areas, low water fountains for thirsty pups, a dog shower and toy baskets.

Amazon has a “doggie deck” with a fake fire hydrant, a “Dogs Only” water fountains, a 1,000-square-foot dog park, poop bag stations, designated dog relief areas, receptionists armed with dog treats, and a doggie treat truck.

While it’s not necessary to completely renovate your office space, it’s a good idea take a look around to see if it’s a dog-friendly environment. Ask yourself:

• Is there enough space?
• Are there easily accessible outdoor areas for dogs to take bathroom breaks?
• Is there a way to contain pets in employees’ offices or cubical space?
• Is there a separate space for people who don’t love dogs?

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How to create a dog-friendly space

Image credit: Barbara Brady-Smith | Getty Images

You don’t have to go crazy and completely overhaul your office, but there are a few easy ways to make your office space more dog-friendly. If you invest in some dog gear and carefully allot your space, you can make it dog-friendly for all of your workers.

Stock up on:

Water bowls: Weighted bowls in different sizes will cut down on spills.
Food bowls: Try non-skid bowls, but you can ask your employees to bring their own. Have a few on hand for emergencies.
Poop bags: You can get bio-degradable bags in bulk. If you have a lot of employees, consider a Dog Waste Station.
Hand wipes: These rinse-free sanitizing wipes can be a lifesaver.
Dog gates: Super important for keeping dogs contained, but you don’t have to spend a fortune on a sturdy gate.
Dog beds: Throw a few dog beds and sofas or elevated dog beds around in different sizes to encourage quiet time.
Toys: An assortment will keep dogs busy so their owners can work.
Treats: It’s always good to have an assortment available for people to give to the dogs. Opt for healthy, natural treats.
Lint rollers: Don’t leave home without these. Scotch Brite sells them in bulk and has refills. There are also rollers that are more earth friendly.
Carpet and upholstery cleaners: Have this on hand for accidents, but choose a cleaner specifically for pet stains, like the Bissell’s Powerglide Lift Off Pet Vacuum.
Puppy Pads: Potty pads are helpful for small dogs with small bladders.
Odor and stain remover: Nature’s Miracle will do the job.

Before any canine workers arrive, be sure to pet proof your office. Secure electrical wires and cables so dogs cannot chew through them. You can use cable shield covers, baseboard wire channels, over-floor cord protectors or cable cover tape.

It’s a good idea to get wastebaskets with covers and secure kitchen garbage. Get down on a dog’s level, and pick up any choking hazards or sharp objects. Use gates to block off any areas where dogs will not be allowed.

While this may all seem like a long to-do list, don’t let that deter you. Preparation is a one-time job, and the benefits of having man’s (and woman’s) best friend will be worth the work.

June 20, 2018

3 min read

Instagram on Wednesday announced IGTV, a new platform for longer videos that is designed to function like social-media based television.

IGTV is now available in the most recent version of the Instagram app. The new feature supports longform video — up to an hour long — shot in vertical orientation. The videos take up the entire smartphone screen, like Instagram Stories, and they will be accessible not only within the Instagram app, but via a separate IGTV app which is slated to launch in the coming days.

Instagram co-founder and CEO Kevin Systrom and IGTV product manager Ashley Yuki delivered the news onstage at a live-streamed event in San Francisco. They explained that IGTV will be navigable just like television: When a user opens the app, the IGTV video content of an account they already follow on Instagram will begin playing. In the original Instagram app, IGTV content will be accessible via a separate section, not as part of a user’s feed.

There won’t be channels beyond individual user accounts, though — as Instagram states in a blog post, “the creators are the channels.” Creators with more followers will have the ability to make hour-long videos right away, but average users will be capped at 10 minutes initially.

Related: Instagram Has Answered Your Questions About How Its Algorithm Works

To find new IGTV accounts to follow, users can swipe up and switch between the accounts they follow or accounts they don’t follow that are popular. They can resume watching videos they’d started previously or select from content that IGTV’s algorithm thinks they’ll like, based on past viewing habits. Users will also be able to access another user’s IGTV content from a designated spot underneath their Instagram bio. Like other content on Instagram, IGTV supports likes, comments and video sharing via Direct messages.

It seems that IGTV is Instagram’s attempt to compete with YouTube and Snapchat Discover, which already offer longer-length videos. Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, launched a TV-like section called Watch in August 2017. And of course, Instagram already supports longer feeds in via Instagram Live, but IGTV is designed to support video series. Instagram influencer Lele Pons, who has more than 25 million followers, is among those who will have a show on IGTV.

As for the ability for Instagram influencers to leverage IGTV to make a living, Systrom says that won’t be directly possible at launch. At this moment, advertising is not a part of IGTV, and the company isn’t paying any creators to upload content.

“Right now we’re focused on building engagement,” Systrom said in a press Q&A following the event in San Francisco. “But that’s obviously a very reasonable place to end up. There will be a way for creators to make a living.”

June 17, 2018

2 min read

People often fear that a robot will take their job. Unfortunately, that fear might not be so far-fetched.

The idea of a robot revolution is becoming more and more realistic. On average, one robot can do the job of 5.6 persons in the manufacturing industry. However, artificial intelligence threatens more than just manufacturing. From IBM’s Watson, which can specify cancer treatments for patients, to the rise of self-driving cars, AI is infiltrating nearly every industry and diminishing the need for the human touch.

Related: Automation Is Not Tomorrow — It’s Today

So what does this mean for the future? According to research compiled by Online Schools Center, by 2025, the amount of robots in the U.S. could quadruple, and by 2033, nearly half of all jobs in the country could be at risk of automation. In order to accomodate a world where robots make up half the workforce, some professionals suggest a universal basic income with heavy corporate taxes be implemented along with the removal of employment-based income. Of course, that’s easier said than done, but imagine a technology-driven world where most things are free and luxuries such as driverless cars, AI personal assistants and smart home tech are common.

Related: Advancing Automation Means Humans Need to Embrace Lifelong Learning

As scary as it all might sound, a robot revolution doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing. Like the industrial revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries, by having machines take over human labor and humans to contribute more cognitive labor, the AI revolution could have similar outcomes. People will have more time to pursue hobbies and passions, volunteer and learn about new technologies. That’s not so bad, right?

To learn more, check out Online Schools Center’s infographic below.