Think the iPad is just for watching movies, tv shows, playing games and browsing the web? Based on a growing roster of companies which include Mercedes-Benz, SAP, Wells Fargo and many more, the iPad is quickly becoming a viable tool for the enterprise market. When Apple launched the iPad they positioned it as a media consumption device aimed squarely at the consumer. However, it has not taken long for businesses to find ways to leverage the iPad's leading-edge presentation capabilities.
Mercedes-Benz is now using the iPad in showrooms to offer car shoppers additional photos, videos and information on their vehicles in real-time at the consumers fingertips on the showroom floor. Another example is London-based global insurance firm Torus who used to ship 1600-page boardroom packets to board members and executives around the world but are now shipping a single iPad with all of that information in paperless digital form saving the company money and boosting efficiency.
"I think that the iPad certainly is a terrific business tool ... great for managers who consume information, approve others’ work and tend not be content creators. I think for managerial tasks and content consumption tasks -- a large part of what managers and executives do - I think this is a great device ... A salesperson can go to a client and sit across the table and pull up presentations... They can just flip the iPad across the table and show the client what’s possible. - COO, MicroStrategy"Tablet computers enable a new way of working in which complex information is accessible in real time to users in the firm as well as clients and brokers" - Torus IT
Here is a Profit guide to some of the best iPad Apps for general Business use.
Documents To Go
An all-around excellent app for editing, creating and viewing Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. It also doubles as a PDF reader.
Publisher: DataViz
Price: $14.99
Dragon Dictation
If you haven't tried hands-free email creation, you're letting the best of life pass you by. Ok that may be an exaggeration, but Dragon Dictation for the iPad is an excellent voice recognition app that really works as advertised. It's free so there is no excuse to not give it a spin. You may never type another email again.
Publisher: Nuance
Price: Free
Evernote
Evernote is a swiss-army knife of productivity that organizes and syncs all of your random ideas and data into something more coherent and usable. A big hit for the iPhone only gets better with more screen real estate on the iPad.
Publisher: Evernote
Price: Free
GoodReader
There are no shortage of pure 'reader' apps for the iPad. But only one can claim to be the best, and that honour belongs to GoodReader. GoodReader will open just about any type of file you need to read and present it in a way that gives you maximum control of how you want to view it ie, double page layout, margin cropping, file rotation and more. The interface is simple and intuitive with minimal learning curve. GoodReader also integrates nicely with cloud services like MobileMe, Google Docs, Dropbox and Box.net.
Publisher: goodiware
Price: $0.99
Penultimate
Hand-writing and unstructured note taking are not dead by any means, they've just been re-invented via apps like Penultimate. Create notebooks of hand-written notes, idea jots or napkin-style drawings in digital bold gel ink with Penultimate. The app also has a nice library of photorealistic paper styles and a wide variety of ink colours.
Publisher: Cocoa Box
Price: $2.99
PrintCentral
One of the iPad's biggest shortcomings upon launch was the inability to print anything off the iPad. Thanks to PrintCentral, printing any document from the iPad is a breeze. You can now print anything, from anywhere to any WiFi-enabled printer. You can even print over 3G.
Publisher: EuroSmartz
Price: $9.99
Analytics HD
Not all websites are easily navigated or presented well on the iPad. Google Analytics is one of those websites that can be cumbersome to use on the iPad especially if all you want is a quick glance at some key statistics or graphs. Analytics HD puts all of your Google Analytics data into an easy-to-use, faster app interface. The price is a bit rich for what it does, but if you are a web stats junkie, it's worth it.
Publisher: Analytics App
Price: $6.99
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A recent study in the UK demonstrated that having a BlackBerry device may add up to 10 extra work days a year because people feel compelled to leave them on during off-work hours. Chances are, if your BlackBerry is on and a work email comes in, you are going to feel stress and pressure to respond, even it is during off-work hours. That has become the new expectation.
According to research millions of Brits find it impossible to switch off and keep their work devices on even when they're not in the office. The study found that a fifth of UK workers keep their phones on over the weekend.While the main premise of the study may be true, perhaps there is an underlying problem that all of this technology and the 'always on, always available' mentality has spawned that is far more responsible for added work days than simply carrying a BlackBerry in your pocket. Interruptions. Whether it is the pinging push of an email arrival, a text message, a meeting, a conference call, a knock on the office door, or a shout from across the room, the work place has become cluttered with a steady stream of interruption.But even more - 24 per cent - complain they feel stressed because they are always on call. Men find it the hardest to switch off with only a third turning off their phones and BlackBerrys when they leave the office, compared to over half of women. Of those that do switch off, 22 per cent still can't resist having a peak at their work emails over the weekend.
Jason Fried from 37signals was recently interviewed and he talked about how difficult it is to get work done in an environment where the concept of a 'work day' has eroded to the point where it is really just a series of 'work moments' due to a constant barrage of interruptions. Jason convincingly argues that the primary reason people are working longer hours and weekends is specifically because they are going to work to be interrupted.
Watch this interview, and ask yourself if this describes your work life? If so, developing strategies to eliminate interruptions may hold the key to getting a better work / life balance.
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As 2010 ramps up, entrepreneurs will set goals and strategy for the year ahead. Vator.tv's Bambi Francisco has outlined 10 tips for entrepreneurs to be mindful of in 2010 based on the numerous interviews she has done with founders, angels and VCs. Here are the broad points she mentions followed by a video that highlights each of these tips with excerpts of relevant interview footage.
1. Vision is a process - If there is a misconception about a founder's vision for a given venture, it's that the founder should actually have a firm and clearly articulated one at the beginning. However, in many cases vision is a process that often results in some bumbling, stumbling and searching before coming together. Founders should learn to enjoy this process, not fight it. Persistence and long-term thinking is the name of the game.
2. Failure is not a 4-letter word - Instead of stigmatizing failures as mistakes, entrepreneurs should view it as a right of passage. Failure is data. Use the information you gain through failure to make adjustments on the fly. Talk to enough successful entrepreneurs and most will tell you that failure is a pre-cursor to success, not an impediment.
3. Dreams are the nourishment that feeds success - Quite simply if you're not dreaming, you're not passionate. If you lack passion, you will never get through the drudgery and obstacles that await you throughout the entrepreneurial process.
4. Dreams depend on teams - A lone maverick entrepreneur won't survive in the jungle of startup business. You need a tribe, a team to survive and thrive. And not just any team, but a team that has the right chemistry and talent mix. Like everything else, this is a process and one of the biggest mistakes you can make, is to hire too quickly. Be patient and wait for the right people.
5. Revenue is your best friend - Not a day should go by that you don't think about revenue, period.
6. Two steps backward, one step forward - Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Don't be afraid to start over.
7. Venture obesity is a killer - That is to say that staying as lean as possible is critical to survival. Learn to do more with less and avoid overspending on anything from marketing to office space and everything in between.
8. Talk to your money - Keep your investors in the loop with regular communication no matter if it is positive or negative. A good line of communication between founder and investor will help manage expectation and keep small fires from burning into bigger ones. Over-communication is a good thing.
9. VCs are not the only game in town - You do not need a VC to be highly successful. Money can come from many different places these days. Put on a good pair of shoes and pound the networking pavement to explore your options.
10. Don't be so liberal with your equity - Yes, you need to give up equity to bring in the right investors and people. However, many entrepreneurs give up too much equity without truly factoring in how the dynamics will change as their equity pie shrinks.
For some great real-world excerpts that reinforce all of the above points, check out the video below.
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TAGS: Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, In Tech, Startup, Tips, Video
Gary Vaynerchuk the uber-successful wine entrepreneur and social media maven posted a salient video on the changing expectations of consumers in a world that is becoming more social with each passing day.
Gary's broad point is that consumers are increasingly expecting companies/brands/people to reach out to them and/or listen to what they have to say about your business. If your business doesn't have at least one ear to the ground and one arm extended in the world of social media, not only are you missing out on an opportunity to foster a better one-to-one relationship with your customers (something every business can benefit from) but you are also at risk of losing business to competitors who are actively engaged in social activities.
Perhaps the real lesson here is that becoming a more social company and brand is not an overnight process. It takes time to find your voice and your footing in the social sphere. As such it is paramount that your business start this process now before it loses a competitive advantage or loses customers that may not be so easy to get back down the road.
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TAGS: Customer Loyalty, Social Media, Technology
As the world continues to wade through the economic wreckage of a recession and muster some kind of recovery, investors around the world are having to make tough decisions about where to put their cash in uncertain times.
When it comes to safe haven currencies the U.S. Dollar has historically been king of the hill. However, with U.S. debt levels tickling record highs and double-digit unemployment numbers, the days of the U.S. Dollar being the best defensive currency may be coming to an end.
The national debt has risen above 50 percent of GDP (gross domestic product) from 40 percent two years ago, and within 20 years will blow past a previous record above 100 percent of GDP set after World War Two without stern official steps.If the U.S. Dollar is losing its status as the de facto global currency of choice, could the Canadian Dollar be viewed as one of the best alternate safe haven currencies? If foreign buying patterns of Canadian Bonds is any indicator, that answer may very well be 'yes'.Mounting debt could sap investor confidence in the economy, and the nation's ability to honor its obligations, pushing up interest rates and causing a steep fall in the value of the dollar as international creditors seek safer returns elsewhere.
Foreigners invested heavily in Canadian bonds in November as credit markets recovered and the Canadian dollar rose, pushing total purchases of Canadian securities to C$10.54 billion ($10.23 billion) in the month, Statistics Canada said on Monday.Not only are the prospects of the Canadian Dollar looking favourable, but it may be poised to blow past parity with the U.S. Dollar for reasons that go far beyond fiscal responsibilities and conditions.Their net purchase of C$97.82 billion in the first 11 months of 2009 is higher than any previous annual foreign investment on record.
It (Canada) has gold, skyrocketing in value as a hedge in a worrisome economic world. Oil in the west might be problematic for environmentalists, particularly that which is extracted from the oilsands, but the world needs petroleum products to grease, propel and construct wealth. As for cleaner fuels and energy sources, Canada has them too -- natural gas and uranium. Greener is our extraordinary store of natural gas.Ready or not, Canada's time is now and the world will be coming to our doorstep with money and expectations. Can Canada get comfortable in its own skin as a global financial leader after so many years of being a monetary subordinate to our southern neighbour? How well Canada capitalizes on this window of opportunity will likely shape our country for generations to come.This country is one of the premier exporters of potash, critical to the supply of world food. Canada is itself an exporter of food, which is becoming more valuable as developing countries demand, and can purchase, better diets.
Global industrial countries, as they pull out of the recession, need our natural resources to replenish inventories as demand develops.
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As the venture capital market continues to shrink, there is an increased burden falling on the shoulders of angel investors to fill the gap. With startups requiring less capital thanks to the lower costs of software and development, angels figure to be a growing source of seed capital for early-stage ventures.
But what do angels investors look for in an investment opportunity, and is that criteria much different than your typical VC?
As Kevin Krauss explains in the video above, the advantages of working with an angel investor are pretty clear. Angels are typically more patient, and active angels will have a higher invest-rate than your garden variety venture capitalist. Finding angel investors really boils down to networking.
One of the key points made in Tim Draper's comments was the importance of solving a problem. In other words, what pain-point does your venture solve? In many cases, entrepreneurs look to solve a problem they personally want to see solved for their own need or benefit. For example, Steve Chen and Chad Hurley founders of YouTube, wanted to upload videos taken at a party but couldn't find anywhere on the internet to do it, so they built YouTube to solve their own problem.
Perhaps the best advice on securing angel investment can be found in Jason Cohen's essay entitled '4 ways to get automatically rejected by an angel investor'. Josh has been a startup entrepreneur and is now an active angel investor, and he outlines four key pitfalls that entrepreneurs should avoid when preparing to pitch to angels.
1. (Don't) Be dismissive of the competition. - Failing to acknowledge competition and/or addressing the advantage(s) they really do have, is a major faux pas. Give proper recognition to your competitors and then explain coherently how they are under-serving a portion of the market or how they won't be able to compete on your level.
2. (Don't) Have five-year projections. - Angel investors are wising up to the notion that 5-year projections are a waste of the paper they are printed on. You're just guessing, and they know it. Don't bother. Focus on other timelines, like how quickly you can become cash-flow positive.
3. (Don't) Gloss over your strategy for customer acquisition. - Spend more time on customer acquisition with real details on what your actual strategy will be. Be creative and be specific, don't just do what everyone else is doing.
4. (Don't) Do what you think you “should” do instead of what feels right. - Plain and simple, think for yourself. Your mother always told you honesty was the best policy, and in the case of raising angel money, honesty and original thinking will get you further than following what the herd is doing.
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TAGS: Angels, Capital, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Funding, Investors, Startup
Stewart Butterfield loves the internet. Dating back to his days as a student at the University of Victoria in 1992, Stewart has been immersed in all things web for the better part of two decades. Stewart's web journey has taken him from opining about his favourite bands Phish and the Grateful Dead in BBS and usenet groups in the early days, to creating the world's most popular photo-sharing website called Flickr which was born in Vancouver in 2004 and sold to Yahoo in 2005. Flickr now hosts over 4 billion images and has well in excess of 60 million users.
Now Stewart Butterfield is back with a new web venture, and for those who know the Flickr story well, it may seem like deja vu. Before Flickr looked anything like a photo-sharing service, it was an online game called Game Neverending. While the original incarnation of Game Neverending stoked the creative fire that ultimately led to the launch of Flickr, the game itself had to be shelved in favour of the more commercially-viable photo-sharing concept. While details of Butterfield's new venture called 'Tiny Speck' are still few and far between at this point, it sure seems like Game Neverending is getting dusted off the shelf and making a comeback.
“There hasn't been, yet, a great realization of play online that we have in the real world, the kind of social interaction people have playing poker or bridge or a board game or a round of golf,” Mr. Butterfield said.Very few entrepreneurs get the opportunity, or would even have the desire, to re-visit a concept left behind years ago. But that's exactly what Stewart Butterfield is doing with Tiny Speck.Inspired in part by the artistry and sensibilities of writers Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and Jorge Luis Borges, Mr. Butterfield says Tiny Speck's goal is to create a “fun and really interesting world with its own rules, absurdist and strange but fully realized, if imaginary.”
While we don't know much about Tiny Speck right now, we do know one thing. With Stewart's passion for gaming and social interactivity leading him back to his roots, the future world of Tiny Speck will be anything but tiny. Stay tuned.
Here's a video keynote that Stewart Butterfield gave earlier this year where he talks candidly about his 'love affair' with the internet.
Stewart Butterfield Keynote - Northern Voice 2009 on Video.ca
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TAGS: Canadian, Entrepreneur, Gaming, Online, Startup, Technology, Vancouver, Video
Startup entrepreneurs are a brave lot. The odds of success are against them and the journey of taking a company from zero to hero, or basement to boardroom, is both all-encompassing and permeates every nook and cranny of a founder's life.
Most startup entrepreneurs inherently know the entrepreneurial road less travelled is paved with blood, sweat and tears. However, one common phrase often used to describe startup entrepreneurship is 'expect the unexpected'. What about the surprises? What are the unexpected twists and turns that most startup entrepreneurs don't anticipate?
That's precisely what Paul Graham wanted to find out. Paul is a partner in the well-known startup incubator Y Combinator which has funded over 100 early-stage companies. Paul recently sent an email to over 100 founders in an effort to learn more about the 'unexpected'.
So I sent all the founders an email asking what surprised them about starting a startup.Here are some of the most popular things that surprised startup entrepreneurs the most:
* Issues with cofounders - Choosing the wrong cofounder(s) can lead to big problems down the road.
* Startups take over your life - Your startup is your baby, literally. It will occupy your attention morning, noon and night.
* It's an emotional roller-coaster - The highs are high, the lows are low. It's an extreme way to work/live.
* Persistence is the key, think long-term - One of the most common surprises among startup entrepreneurs was how important persistence was as a precursor to success;
"Everyone said how determined and resilient you must be, but going through it made me realize that the determination required was still understated."In addition to persistence, the actual length of time it takes to grow a successful business caught many entrepreneurs off-guard;"If you are persistent, even problems that seem out of your control (i.e. immigration) seem to work themselves out."
"I've been surprised again and again by just how much more important persistence is than raw intelligence."
"I'm continually surprised by how long everything can take. Assuming your product doesn't experience the explosive growth that very few products do, everything from development to dealmaking (especially dealmaking) seems to take 2-3x longer than I always imagine."These are some great tips to be mindful of when thinking about starting a new company. Clearly the value of patience and resilience can not be over-stated."The top thing I didn't understand before going into it is that persistence is the name of the game. For the vast majority of startups that become successful, it's going to be a really long journey, at least 3 years and probably 5+."
For more insight on starting a startup, Paul Graham's essay What Startups Are Really Like is a must-read.
photo credit: flickr user: /J
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TAGS: Culture, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Startup
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