Artist, performer, musician, entrepreneur, and visual artist Amrita Sen has launched Amrita Sen Music to compose for different subjects such as commercials, feature films, television and live special events.

Amrita Sen is probably best known for her performance at the 2009 Academy Awards with music legend AR Rahman, singing “Jai Ho” from the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire. She has also performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Sen is the founder of the Indian-inspired fashion line BollyDoll and an accomplished entrepreneur. She has found composing as an immediate way to connect music to visuals and work in the metaphorical. In her opinion music composition with pictures is very prominent and remains like a combination of music and dialogue. In commercials, the music doesn’t have to be so literal, it just needs to help to represent the emotion of the brand. For composing music, Sen likes to first work out the basics on a harmonium, a type of free-reed pump organ.

Visual artist and musician; Education in music

Sen passed voice and music lessons and was taught classical Indian music and Western opera at a young age. She continued with rigorous training in classical piano, playing the harmonium, and went to India to learn music. In India, Amrita was schooled in the Indian classics from the late Gaan Prakash Ghosh, a celebrated singer, and from her own aunt, the late Geetika Sen. Therefore, she became a composer and performer with a unique sensitivity. She has received degrees from The Wharton School of Business and an MBA from Harvard. Sen’s music has Indian influences but it also has a lot of influences from western classical; because she has trained in piano and western opera. The audience follows her for Indian music but finds her as a very versatile artist. She writes both Indian music and English pop songs. Furthermore, Sen is a well-known entrepreneur, and has launched the successful Amrita Sen line of products including designs from her brands “BollyDoll” and “Cosmic and Eternal Love.” Sen debuted her BollyDoll illustrations at Art Basel in Miami. As a visual artist, she created “BollyDoll”, a live event combining immersive visual worlds with vocal performances spanning East Indian, African and R&B influences. This event of music and art launched an entire fashion and lifestyle brand.

Amrita Sen as a storyteller

As adult colouring books became popular and prevalent, Amrita Sen as a storyteller and visual artist, released an interesting colouring book as a gift collection, called Cosmic and Eternal Love. Sen’s first story BollyDoll” was originally created as a series of illustrations and later evolved into a soundtrack, a live show and eventually a fashion and accessories line that is distributed in department stores worldwide. This amazing book is inspired by the tale of Radha and Krishna from Hindu mythology and contains 15 original compositions. She Chose classic Indian mythology for her newly released colouring book as the idea of a series of illustrations and a girl’s perspective. She is best known for her performance of “Jai Ho” at the 2009 Academy Awards. Sen went on to collaborate with various artists such as Weezer, and Justin Timberlake.  In an interview with Living Out Loud – Los Angeles, she talks about her inspiration behind Cosmic and Eternal Love. At first, she didn’t know much about adult colouring books and the big market for them. Once she decided to start making adult colouring books, she made something, not like other mandala books and have a story behind the pictures. she wanted to have a story from a girl’s perspective because every myth is always from a guy. Sen was involved in numerous projects, so the synchronization of the music and illustrations of Cosmic and Eternal Love took a year to complete.

Amrita’s unique concepts

Wellness, healing and mindfulness are Amrita’s unique concepts in terms of stories from Indian mythology. She tries to present a new attitude about the potential of music to soothe her inner self and does this by taking a representation of the Buddha’s life. Amrita, which is fascinated by the sheer cacophony of pure health and mindfulness concepts, stores excerpts from her books about Buddha and its reports in music and art, and claims that this had been the constant procedure of merging writing with art. Amrita Sen is Originally from India, a designer, singer, manufacturer and entrepreneur who lives in the United States. As a musician, she has tried to combine visual arts with music. As an entrepreneur, she produces original Indian-themed art in a successful line of fashion and home products. Amrita Sen combines the creation of original artistic content with extensive business experience to commercialize unique products at retail. Amrita is a Hollywood-Bollywood crossover producer in the marketplace and has India’s largest vertically integrated studio, Pooja Entertainment. She works as a US-based designer, singer and film producer of Indian-themed products and entertainment for global markets.

Making podcasts

After the success of their previous podcast series “Music For”, Amrita Sen and Dinis Guarda discuss mindfulness, sustained happiness and world peace at “Finding Your Atom” another YouTube podcast series. In episodes of “Finding Your Atom” commits the dynamic boundaries of the most basic principles of humanity are discussed. Finding Your Atom is focused on the primary idea of recognizing unique characteristics, to motivate the audience towards concepts such as mindfulness, sustained happiness, and world peace. The podcast is available on the Amrita Sen YouTube Podcast and Dinis Guarda YouTube channels. Amrita Sen as one of the presenters of this podcast tries to reveal the constantly battling to find success. This podcast shows the heroic journey of negating the cacophony of needless thoughts in life, in order to redirect oneself to find the fundamental ‘particle’ of happiness and peace in life. Amrita and Dinis worked on the journey of meditation and wellbeing with music in this podcast. They discuss the principles and practices for making the world a healthier and happier place. Amrita, as a reservoir of knowledge and deep thoughts, has gained its share of experiences in a rogue path of turmoil. Her strong belief is that the identification of one’s self is half of the way to winning the battle of life.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post From the Oscars to Mindfulness: Amrita Sen, Singer-Songwriter, Entrepreneur, and Visual Artist appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Let’s see how, with an MBA in marketing, you’ll be ready to start your own business and achieve success!

The Education

The education you will receive from an MBA in marketing, whether it is in school or online, can be extremely beneficial for aspiring entrepreneurs. With this degree, you will learn about the essential concepts and strategies involved in marketing. This knowledge can help you create a successful business and reach your target consumers.

In addition, an MBA in marketing can also provide you with the skills and tools you need to manage and grow your business. For example, in an online MBA in Marketing curriculum, you will typically take courses in business administration, finance, and management. This comprehensive education can give you the foundation you need to be a successful entrepreneur. You can learn more about the different aspects of business, such as accounting, human resources, and supply chain management.

The Experience

Not only will you have access to a wealth of theoretical knowledge in an MBA in the marketing program, but you will also gain valuable practical experience. This experience can be extremely beneficial when starting your own business. For example, you may have the opportunity to work on a team and create a marketing plan for a real business. This type of experience can help you apply the concepts you learn in class to the real world.

In addition, you may also have the chance to participate in internships. These internships can give you hands-on experience in the marketing field and allow you to develop your skills. By gaining this experience, you can be better prepared to start your own business.

Another marketing experience you may want to consider is a conference. Attending a conference can allow you to learn from some of the top marketing professionals in the world. You can learn about the latest trends and strategies, and get advice from these experts on how to be successful.

The Networking

One of the best things about earning an MBA in marketing is the networking opportunities available to you. With this degree, you will have access to a network of professionals in the marketing field. You may be able to find a mentor who can help you grow your business. In addition, you can also connect with other professionals who can offer advice and support.

Imagine having a group of people who can help you when you need it the most – that’s what you will have access to when you earn an MBA in marketing. This network can be extremely valuable when starting your own business.

On the other hand, if you are already a business owner, networking with other professionals in an MBA in marketing program can help you take your business to the next level. You can learn from their experiences and get advice on how to grow your business even more.

The Resources

Another great thing about earning an MBA in marketing is the resources available to you. With this degree, you will have access to a variety of resources, such as databases, journals, and books. You can also access online resources, such as websites and chat rooms. 

If you are not sure how to create a business plan or want to learn more about marketing, you can find the resources you need in an MBA in the marketing program. This type of program can provide you with all the tools you need to be successful as an entrepreneur. Also, if you are having difficulty with a certain aspect of your business, you can reach out to the resources available in your program for help.

The Marketing Skills

To be successful as an entrepreneur, it is important to have strong marketing skills. An MBA in marketing can give you the skills you need to reach your target consumers and sell your products or services. You will learn about different aspects of marketing, such as advertising, public relations, and sales.

You will also learn how to create effective marketing campaigns that will reach your target audience. In addition, you will learn how to measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. This information can help you make changes to your campaigns, so they are even more effective.

On the other hand, if you are already a business owner, an MBA in marketing can help you improve your marketing skills. You can learn more about the latest marketing trends and techniques, so you can stay ahead of the competition.

The Possibilities of an MBA in Marketing

There are many possibilities for your career after earning an MBA in marketing. You can start your own business, work for a marketing firm, or become a sales representative. The skills and knowledge you gain in an MBA in marketing program can help you achieve success in any of these careers.

For example, if you want to start your own business, you will learn how to create a business plan, identify your target market, and develop products or services that meet the needs of your customers. You will also learn how to promote your business and measure its success.

If you want to work for a marketing firm, you will learn about different aspects of marketing, such as advertising and public relations. You will also learn how to create effective marketing campaigns. This knowledge can help you land a job at a marketing firm.

If you want to become a sales representative, you will learn about different types of products and how to sell them. You will also learn how to build relationships with customers and close sales. 

An MBA in marketing can help you achieve success as an entrepreneur. You will learn about different aspects of marketing, such as advertising, public relations, and sales. In addition, you will have access to a network of professionals in the marketing field. This network can be valuable when starting your own business. Earning an MBA in marketing can open up a variety of career opportunities for you. So, if you are interested in entrepreneurship, consider earning an MBA in marketing!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Can an MBA in Marketing Help You Become an Entrepreneur? appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Adam has over a decade of experience successfully building and marketing products at scale. A passionate member of a number of prominent NFT communities, including BAYC.

Adam Hollander Interview Focus

1. Career background

2. As a serial entrepreneur, can you tell us about your experience creating   FantasySalesTeam and its acquisition by Microsoft?

3. You have been doing amazing things in gamification. Can you tell us how you see gamification, especially when it comes to business and workplaces?

4. Can you tell us more about Hungry Wolves?

5. What are your views on NFTs, crypto and blockchain?

6. Final remarks

More Interviews

From The Oscars to Bollywood: Dinis Guarda Interviews The Multitalented Amrita Sen On Her Career In Music, Film And Design

James Zhang, CEO The Concept Art House – Games, Art And NFTs

Interview with Rishi Kapoor, Founder & CEO of paus.tv – The Revolutionary Streaming Platform For Independent Creators

Interview with Daniel Liu – Co-Founder of NFT Creative Studio INFLUXO – Creating The Ronaldinho NFT Collection

Interview with Alvin Foo – Co-Founder at DAOventures, Emerging Tech & Marketing Evangelist, AI, Blockchain, DeFi

Dinis Guarda Interviews Liti Capital’s David Kay On Litigation Finance: “We Are Going To Be There To Help People That Are Getting Scammed, Defrauded In The Crypto Space”

Adam Hollander Biography

Adam Hollander is a serial entrepreneur and has spent the last decade launching and growing successful companies. In 2011 he founded FantasySalesTeam, a gamification platform that encouraged employee motivation through interactive competition. That company was acquired by Microsoft in 2015 and fully integrated into Microsoft Dynamics CRM. After spending two years with Microsoft as their Director of Gamification, he joined a medical education startup, OnlineMedEd, in 2017 as their COO and fourth employee. Adam spent 4.5 years with the company which now boasts more than 350,000 monthly users and recently completed a $25 million fundraise.

Adam has now turned his attention to a unique and fast-growing market: NFTs. NFTs have been taking the art and collectables world by storm with billions of dollars in sales and certain high-end collections.

“Imagine walking into a museum and seeing a priceless piece of art on the wall. You could take a picture of it, but it wouldn’t be worth anything. You could buy a print in the gift shop, but that wouldn’t be worth very much either. The original piece is valuable because it’s the original,” Adam explained in a recent article.

“Until recently, you could copy a digital asset, like a picture, an unlimited number of times and each would be identical. You could never prove which was the original. As a result, it was extremely hard to value digital art. With NFTs and the blockchain, all of that has changed. Now an artist or company can create a scarce number of digital assets and distribute them with infallible proof of ownership. 

This is game-changing not just for art and collectables, but for other types of assets ranging from digital land to medical records.”

“The bar is being consistently reset. A few months ago, you could create an NFT project with relatively low-quality artwork, a completely anonymous team, and it would sell out based purely on speculation,” said Adam. “That’s changing now. Projects are becoming more established and are being treated like companies raising investment with meaningful value expectations. I believe Hungry Wolves will raise that bar yet again by creating dynamic game engagement and competition.”

You can learn more about Hungry Wolves at www.hungrywolvesnft.com. The Priority Sale begins on December 5th and the Public Sale goes live on December 6th.

About Hungry Wolves

Hungry Wolves is a gamified generative collection of 6,000 NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain.  Join wolf packs with friends, hunt Scrumptious Sheep NFTs, and eat them to earn rewards for yourself and your packmates. Learn more at www.hungrywolvesnft.com.

Sources and links:

www.hungrywolvesnft.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollanas/

https://twitter.com/HollanderAdam

https://twitter.com/hungrywolvesnft

About citiesabc.com
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https://www.openbusinesscouncil.org/

4IR: AI Blockchain Fintech IoT Reinventing a Nation by Dinis Guarda and Rais Hussin (4irbook.com)

Dinis Guarda citiesabc openbusinesscouncil Series is also available as podcast on

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dinis-guarda-citiesabc-openbusinesscouncil-series/id1510330391

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1vA8KaDaRpJ0mAfpNbfTSF?si=H_WngL4RSOyu1W7VAmM41w&dl_branch=1

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Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/953a5156-823c-4e86-baeb-4fda1128e44c/DINIS-GUARDA-CITIESABC-OPENBUSINESSCOUNCIL-SERIES

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Adam Hollander, Serial Entrepreneur, Pack Leader at Hungry Wolves – NFT, Gamification appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

If we roll back to at least a decade ago, we will notice that it was a lot easier to be an entrepreneur than today. However, due to the ever-growing competition, it will become even more challenging to become one in the foreseeable future. Successful entrepreneurs are those who take their business to heights only imaginable in their dreams while sustaining its success. After all, anybody can start a business today. However, everyone cannot taste success. 

Great entrepreneurs aren’t born. Unfortunately, it is a fact that most new entrepreneurs fail to realize. Successful entrepreneurs are those who are willing to go one step further when others play safe. They are eager to work hard and understand that success lies within what they do, not just what they are told to do. While there is no surefire way of becoming a successful entrepreneur, some traits will take any entrepreneur to great heights of success. And today, we will discuss some of these traits with you. 

Effective Communication Skills

To be a successful entrepreneur, you need several skills in your toolkit to achieve long-term business success. However, one of the most critical skills an entrepreneur needs to run a successful business is effective communication. Whether you need to entice a potential employee to work for you, persuade customers to purchase services/products, or convince an investor of your business idea’s merit, communication skills are a must. 

So, to acquire these communication skills, it is wise to enroll in a relevant course, like a communications online degree program to school yourself in such an area. Plus, online degrees will help you apply what you learn to while you work.

 Creativity

If someone does the same thing over and over again, they will never see results. Therefore, to be a successful entrepreneur, you must try new things to find better solutions to your business problems. It can be as simple as talking to your employees to promote creativity or taking some online classes to improve your entrepreneurial skills. Every new experience you have will result in new, better opportunities and, hopefully, allow you to improve yourself as an entrepreneur. 

 Passion

These days, telling someone to do what they love is now a cliché. It might be easy to tell someone to find their passion. However, it isn’t easy to do so. In order to be a successful entrepreneur, you need dedication, commitment, and trust in your products and services. But, if you’re uncertain, sustaining success will become very challenging in the long run. In the end, being a successful entrepreneur is finding something that you love and are passionate about. And that love will fuel your business and give your life purpose!

 Willingness To Take Risks

Your love and passion for something will be useless if you don’t have the willingness to take risks. Of course, there will come times when you might fail or be on the brink of losing your business. But, if you arent willing to take risks, you will never take your business to new heights. That said, the risk you take don’t need to be high-level. You must ensure that you are ready and have the resources before taking any risk. Such a thing will allow you to cover up for losses if risk-taking doesn’t pay off. But, on the other hand, you’ll reap the rewards and become a more successful entrepreneur if it does. 

 Adaptability

With the speed at which the business world is evolving these days, entrepreneurs need to adopt technology into their business operations to remain competitive. They have to stay flexible in adapting new ideas that utilize technology in one way or another. With every passing day, the market is changing. So, you must adjust accordingly. After all, what worked yesterday might not work today. So, entrepreneurs who cannot adapt to recent changes won’t stay ahead of their competitors. 

Patience

Every business owner should remain patient with their business. After all, when you invest human resources and capital in your business, you probably won’t taste overnight success. You must understand that it will take some effort, and most importantly, a lot of time. After all, entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey, and it will take time to reach from point A to B. 

Perseverance

Many aspiring entrepreneurs have faced life-altering failures and defeats during their entrepreneurial journeys. And there will come a time when you will too. However, instead of looking at these failures as an end, look at them as learning experiences. In the end, persevering and remaining optimistic while making changes to future efforts will allow you to become a better entrepreneur. Perseverance is crucial to long-term business success!

 Confidence And Assertiveness

While listening to and understanding your employees is vital for effective communication within the workplace, you also need to know when to assert your beliefs and opinion and take control of the conversation. That said, you must also listen to others when their claims and requests are reasonable. However, it would help if you learned to say no as well. Plus, be open-minded to earn trust and respect from people working under you. Moreover, determine what your beliefs are and stand up for them no matter what. 

 Hardworking

One might say that being an employee is the hardest thing as you’ll have to listen to your boss and face their wrath when things go sideways. However, you must realize that being a business owner has the same difficulty, if not more. To achieve the desired success, entrepreneurs need to put their time and their best efforts whenever required. Hard work is one of the foundations of success, be it your business or anything else in life!

Conclusion

In the end, entrepreneurs need to better themselves every step of the way to reach the peak of the business mountain. After all, the path to success isn’t always straightforward. Entrepreneurs must take steps to develop the right combination of knowledge, skills, and traits to taste success. So, if you can nurture these skills and attributes, you will definitely experience tons of success in business and life!

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post 9 Traits That Will Take Any Entrepreneur To Heights of Success appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

• Film, retail and music are just some of the industries the multitalented Amrita Sen has left her mark on.

• She worked as CEO of The Vault Agency, a consumer product licensing company, for eight years. After the company was dissolved in 2011, she reinvented herself as a Bollywood singer and musician, working with leading figures in film and music for over ten years. Today, she is producing the Indian adaptation of John Le Carre’s The Night Manager, starring A-list actor Hrithik Roshan, for Disney Plus Hotstar; and has founded her own line of fashion and furniture design inspired by Indian art: Amrita Sen Designs. 

• Dinis Guarda’s interview with Amrita Sen continues in the tradition of the citiesabc openbusinesscouncil YouTube interview series with thought leaders and personalities at the top of their fields.

In the latest Dinis Guarda citiesabc openbusinesscouncil YouTube Podcast Series, Amrita Sen started by recounting her move from India to the USA in the 1980s. She described her experience as an immigrant as being profoundly marking, in a 1980s America more hostile to foreigners than it is today. It is this fortifying experience, she explains, that nurtured the pride for her Indian heritage she still feels (and is inspired by) today – a chip of her shoulder of sorts, as her parents chose to invest much of what they had in her education.

The need to earn a living and gain independence profoundly shaped who she is today. After a brief stint at Goldman Sachs, she worked at Capitol Records in order to launch herself into a career in the creative industries. With a B.S. from the Wharton School of the UPenn and an MBA from HBS on her resume, she founded The Vault Agency in 2003. Serving as CEO of the company until 2011, she brokered deals for brands to department stores and mass retailers, representing celebrity clients such as Beyonce, Prince and Kanye West, as well as corporations like Universal Music Publishing, Sony Music Publishing and Nintendo, in consumer product licensing.

More Interviews 

From The Oscars to Bollywood: Dinis Guarda Interviews The Multitalented Amrita Sen On Her Career In Music, Film And Design

Interview with Calvin NG, General Partner at Plutus VC – How To Successfully Manage a $200 Million Blockchain And Innovation Fund

Interview with Prof Xiaolan Fu, Director of the Technology and Management Centre for Development TMCD – University of Oxford, Founder OxValue.AI

Interview with Deyan Georgiev – Forbes 30U30 Winner, CEO at NitroPack – Digital Marketing & Website Optimization Solutions For Today’s Businesses

Interview with LaMondre Pough, CEO of Billion Strong, Mentor, Recognized Leader for the Community of People with Disabilities

Interview with Richard Haigh, Managing Director at Brand Finance, BA from University of Oxford, Lecturer – “Bridging The Gap Between Marketing And Finance”

Intrigued by a career as winding as it is impressive, Guarda asked her about the pivotal experiences and decisions that have defined her path, and what kind of cosmic energy she has embraced to find her footing in something she really loves. Sen responded that she did not believe in cosmic energy as a fact of life, but rather that ‘cosmic energy is something you create for yourself.’ Claiming agency over her own narrative, she argued that her departure from CEO lifestyle was part of a wider, slow burning movement. ‘I think I was signaling to people, very strongly, that I was just bored,’ she explained. Not what you might expect from a former CEO.

But Sen is no classic CEO – she’s a free, independent thinker with a knack for finding niches where even she didn’t expect to find them. The fact that Sen does not play by the book has paid off hugely in happiness, fulfilment and career progression; she used a dying business in which her interest was flagging as a springboard to relaunch herself:

Vault was my main strategic alliance [because of the partnerships I had forged as CEO], and when the firm dissolved, I didn’t aggressively chase after the new entity. I was open to it but I didn’t chase […] my previous owners and say “Hey, you’re starting a new company, let me come with you.” Instead, I went home. I took naps. […] I felt like my time was opening up. I still had clients, of course, who were keen to see where I was going to take my practice next. But, [not succumbing to the pressure, I found that in those crucial moments of silence which I cultivated],  you learn to shorten your lines. What I mean by that is that when I was running my business with these big strategic alliances making me busy 24/7, my lines were very long: it would take forever to organise a meeting with me because I was just fully booked. I barely had time to call people back. But then, as I chose not to join CNA or UTA, I was suddenly calling people back faster; responding to emails faster; because I had more time. In the process of just being more available, I was able to practice singing, play the piano, and enjoy doing things I never had the time to do. And these amazing opportunities started to show themselves to me [in this newfound free time]. That’s when ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ came along. […] That 20% extra spare time allowed me to appreciate the film [in a  way that I wouldn’t have if I were still working as hard as I used to].

Shifting From The Corporate World To The #CreativeIndustries

Interview Amrita Sen – Singer, Musician, Artist, Producer, Designer#AmritaSen #Wiki https://t.co/XMlNq3tn6B pic.twitter.com/NBMqzsx9TZ

— openbusinesscouncil (@openbusinesshq) July 28, 2021

Sen allowed herself to be profoundly marked by the film and, upon hearing that the score’s composer, Oscar-nominee A. R. Rahman, was in town to hold auditions for backing singers at the Academy Award Ceremony performance, auditioned for the part. ‘There’ll be a thousand women in this line, but in this community no one knows I’m an executive or a Harvard MBA’. With this unprecedented degree of anonymity, Sen was able to cast a new role for herself as a Bollywood singer. She called her first meeting with A. R. Rahman ‘the most pivotal moment of [her] life’.

Sen has gone on to perform and record with several major recording artists and musical groups, including Justin Timberlake, Weezer, Timbaland, Pitbull and the LA Philharmonic. Most recently, Amrita scored and performed in Leonardo DiCaprio’s HBO climate change documentary ‘Ice on Fire’.

Inspired by her Indian heritage, Sen has also ventured into furniture and fashion design, drawing on ornate patterns from her home country to create intricate pieces for homes and outerwear. Products from Amrita Sen Designs have retailed at Wayfair, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond, Shop NBC, Dillard’s, and Nordstrom. Amrita Sen Designs also houses Sen’s own cosmetics brand, BollyDoll; she has created collections with MAC Cosmetics.

Guarda and Sen also touch on her colouring book, Cosmic and Eternal Love (Chronicle Books), which was featured prominently at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Walmart; as well as on her production slate deal with Roth Kirschenbaum films, which include projects the WWE, John Cena, Tiger Shroff, among other high budget Hollywood Bollywood films slated for release in 2022.

Closing the discussion, Guarda asked Sen to draw on her experience in production, business development, and merchandise rights to share her thoughts on technology in the creative industries.

‘I work primarily with musicians, digital artists, e-commerce artists – a highly creative business format – and screenwriters,’ she explained. ‘Fundamentally, [what all artists want to do] is control their IP.’ Sen believes new technologies like NFTs may help solve what she sees as a deluge of online art which never rewards the artist due to a lack of authenticity certification. She criticised ‘the concept of overposting everything we do, including high res versions of our own digital art, on Instagram, so that anyone can take a screenshot and print it’. NFTs are a solution because they ensure that any screenshot trying to pass as the real thing is invalidated by the lack of authentication.

Overall, Sen advocated for more restraint. She underlined the distinction between promotional platforms and consumer platforms, highlighting how important it is for them to work together:

There are teaser platforms out there designed to be promotional [of art], and then there are platforms, I believe, which are truly meant for consumption. A YouTube link to a trailer, for example, is a great promotional vehicle for the consumption of a full miniseries on a subscription service like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

But, even more crucially, she highlighted the role of the artists themselves: ‘You have to be very intelligent [when deciding what to do with your art],’ she said, explaining that there is a time to share art but also a time to guard it. ‘You shouldn’t be vomiting out content,’ she playfully concluded. ‘That’s no way to actually sustain a living [as an artist].’

Watch the interview with Amrita Sen now on Dinis Guarda’s YouTube Channel.

Read Amrita Sen’s full biography on openbusinesscouncil.
Read more about Amrita Sen Designs.
https://amritasen.demoriver.com/
https://www.instagram.com/amritasendesigns/
https://amritasen.shop/pages/about

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Oscars Performer Amrita Sen Interviewed By Dinis Guarda: “You Have To Be Very Intelligent With Your Art, There Is A Time To Share It And A Time To Guard It” appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Prior to working in the design and film industries, Sen worked for Goldman Sachs and then Capitol Records, before becoming CEO of Vault: a licensing firm focused on brokering deals for brands to department stores and mass retailers. Clients included 50 Cent, Paul Frank, Prince, Beyonce, Kanye West, Mr. Cartoon, Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing, EMI Music Publishing, Christian Audigier and Fredericks of Hollywood.

After Vault was dissolved in 2011, Sen took a leap of faith into the music industry by successfully auditioning as a backing vocalist for Slumdog Millionaire scoremaker A.R Rahman, and performing ‘Jai Ho’ with him at the Academy Awards in 2009. This launched Sen’s career as a prominent Bollywood playback singer and musician, during which she performed and recorded with several major artists and musical groups, including Justin Timberlake, Weezer, Timbaland, Pitbull and the LA Philharmonic. Most recently, Amrita scored and performed in Leonardo DiCaprio’s HBO climate change documentary Ice on Fire.

Amrita Sen Interview Focus

1. Introduction: Guarda and Sen discusses her youth in India and formative experiences.

2. Education: Sen describes her time at UPenn and Harvard and how her alma maters prepared her for a career in business.

3. Mentorship: Guarda and Sen discuss the prominent people who have shaped her life.

4. First career highlights: Guarda and Sen discuss the highlights from the first half of her career, focused especially on Vault, the product licensing firm with high-profile celebrity clients, where she was CEO.

5. Music and entertainment: Amrita Sen shares her background in the music and entertainment industries.

6. Slumdog Millionaire: Guarda and Sen discuss her unexpected national debut at the 2009 Oscars, performing the hit song ‘Jai Ho’ from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack by music legend A. R. Rahman. The number won the Academy Award for Best Original Song later that evening.

7. New horizons: Guarda and Sen discuss how this pivotal life event opened up new directions for Sen’s career, in the music industry in particular. She explains how she went on to work with household names such as Timbaland and Justin Timberlake.

8. Design: Guarda and Sen then turn the discussion to her equally impressive career in furniture and fashion design, sharing the origin stories of her brand.

9. Books: Guarda asks Sen about her book ‘Cosmic and Eternal Love: An Everlasting Story’ (Galison: September 2016), which she wrote and illustrated herself.

10. Present paths: Guarda and Sen discuss where she stands now in relation to her overall career.

11. Thoughts for the future: Guarda asks Sen about her views for the future of the creative industries, focusing in particular on technological trends and how these might be used appropriately by artists to increase their visibility and remuneration.

12. Last words: Guarda and Sen discuss how society needs to change in order to incorporate technology for a beneficial social impact on art and creativity.

More Interviews

Interview with Calvin NG, General Partner at Plutus VC – How To Successfully Manage a $200 Million Blockchain And Innovation Fund

Interview with Prof Xiaolan Fu, Director of the Technology and Management Centre for Development TMCD – University of Oxford, Founder OxValue.AI

Interview with Deyan Georgiev – Forbes 30U30 Winner, CEO at NitroPack – Digital Marketing & Website Optimization Solutions For Today’s Businesses

Interview with LaMondre Pough, CEO of Billion Strong, Mentor, Recognized Leader for the Community of People with Disabilities

Interview with Richard Haigh, Managing Director at Brand Finance, BA from University of Oxford, Lecturer – “Bridging The Gap Between Marketing And Finance”

Amrita Sen Interview Highlights

• About her transition into Music and Film

Vault was my main strategic alliance [because of the partnerships I had forged as CEO], and when the firm dissolved, I didn’t aggressively chase after the new entity. I was open to it but I didn’t chase […] my previous owners and say “Hey, you’re starting a new company, let me come with you.” Instead, I went home. I took naps. […] I felt like my time was opening up. I still had clients, of course, who were keen to see where I was going to take my practice next. But, [not succumbing to the pressure, I found that in those crucial moments of silence which I cultivated],  you learn to shorten your lines. What I mean by that is that when I was running my business with these big strategic alliances making me busy 24/7, my lines were very long: it would take forever to organise a meeting with me because I was just fully booked. I barely had time to call people back. But then, as I chose not to join CNA or UTA, I was suddenly calling people back faster; responding to emails faster; because I had more time. In the process of just being more available, I was able to practice singing, play the piano, and enjoy doing things I never had the time to do. And these amazing opportunities started to show themselves to me [in this newfound free time]. That’s when ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ came along. […] That 20% extra spare time allowed me to appreciate the film [in a  way that I wouldn’t have if I were still working as hard as I used to].

• About her thoughts for the future of the creative industries

‘I work primarily with musicians, digital artists, e-commerce artists – a highly creative business format – and screenwriters,’ Sen explained. ‘Fundamentally, [what all artists want to do] is control their IP.’ Sen believes new technologies like NFTs may help solve what she sees as a deluge of online art which never rewards the artist due to a lack of authenticity certification. She criticised ‘the concept of overposting everything we do, including high res versions of our own digital art, on Instagram, so that anyone can take a screenshot and print it’. NFTs are a solution because they ensure that any screenshot trying to pass as the real thing is invalidated by the lack of authentication.

Overall, Sen advocated for more restraint. She underlined the distinction between promotional platforms and consumer platforms, highlighting how important it is for them to work together:

There are teaser platforms out there designed to be promotional [of art], and then there are platforms, I believe, which are truly meant for consumption. A YouTube link to a trailer, for example, is a great promotional vehicle for the consumption of a full miniseries on a subscription service like Netflix or Amazon Prime.

But, even more crucially, she highlighted the role of the artists themselves: ‘You have to be very intelligent [when deciding what to do with your art],’ she said, explaining that there is a time to share art but also a time to guard it. ‘You shouldn’t be vomiting out content,’ she playfully concluded. ‘That’s no way to actually sustain a living [as an artist].’

Amrita Sen Biography

Born in India, Amrita Sen studied Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania 1988 to 1992, before obtaining an MBA from Harvard Business School which qualified her for the position of CEO at Vault, a product licensing company which nurtured her professional relationships with eminent music performers and producers. At heart, Sen was always more of a performer than a performer’s product licensing manager: she grew up with a mother and aunts who were all classical Indian singers and, as a child, she performed extensively at major venues like Madison Square Garden.

Her transition into professional musicianship in 2009 has been met with critical acclaim: for her career-making performance of Jai Ho at the 2009 Academy Awards to her work in electronic music. Widely regarded as one of the chief singers of Indian music in the United States, Amrita has provided music for major film soundtracks, television shows and pop albums, making appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Oprah Winfrey Show. In addition, Amrita was the featured Hindi singer in the song “Love is the Answer” performed by the band Weezer, in their album ‘Ratitude’ (2009). She has also performed and co-written two songs with Ozomatli for their album ‘Fire Away’ (2010). Finally, since February 2010, Sen and her brother Ananda have been the featured Indian musicians for Sprite’s worldwide music campaign alongside chosen performers from Africa, South America, and China.

Since then, Sen has ventured into other types of creative work, notably visual art and design, for which she combines the creation of original artistic content with her extensive business experience to commercialize unique products at retail and on-the-air. As owner and director of Amrita Sen Designs, Sen creates original Indian-themed art on successful lines of fashion and furniture products, which have retailed at Wayfair, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, NBC Store, Dillard’s, and Nordstrom so far. Many of these have been exciting collaborations, for example when Sen partnered with MAC cosmetics and with Dillard’s and Nordstrom on a loungewear collection.

Sen has also ventured into illustrations: her illustrated picture book, ‘Cosmic and Eternal Love’, was launched through a Barnes & Noble end-cap program nationwide, and featured prominently at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Walmart. In addition, Amrita debuted a project named BollyDoll at Art Basel Miami in 2011, where she exhibited 26 colourful back-lit illustrations.

Finally, thanks to her background in film scores, Sen has carved a niche for herself in the film industry as well. Her Indian adaptation of John Le Carre’s The Night Manager, currently in production, stars A-list actor Hrithik Roshan, for Disney Plus Hotstar. Amrita also has a production slate deal with Roth Kirschenbaum films, which include projects the WWE, John Cena, Tiger Shroff, among other high budget Hollywood Bollywood films slated for release in 2022.

Amrita Sen References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrita-sen-8128934/

https://amritasen.shop/pages/about

https://www.instagram.com/amritasendesigns/

http://syncsummit.com/amrita/

https://mim.org/leadership/amrita-sen/

https://ourstage.com/profile/amritasen

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4IR: AI Blockchain Fintech IoT Reinventing a Nation by Dinis Guarda and Rais Hussin (4irbook.com)

Dinis Guarda citiesabc openbusinesscouncil Series is also available as podcast on

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Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Amrita Sen – Singer, Musician, Artist, Producer, Designer – From Wall Street To Hollywood Bollywood appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

There are very few things in life that give you the same adrenaline rush as launching your business. The journey becomes even more adventurous when you’re trying to make your mark as a solopreneur. If you’ve got the vigor and zeal to bring your ideas to fruition, it’s possible to run a successful business on your own.

Being a solopreneur means you’ll have to juggle multiple responsibilities, from product development and marketing to accounting and growth hacking. You’ll even have to focus on That means you need more than just a laptop and a high-speed internet connection to operate your business.

Whether you’re working from home or renting a coworking space, you must equip yourself with a toolkit comprising the right office stationery, tech, and hardware. It can go a long way to make a lasting impression on clients who visit your workplace for meetings. Also, it’ll help you organize your work and increase productivity.

In this blog, we’ve compiled an extensive list of important office supplies you need to kickstart your journey as a solopreneur. Let’s take a look.

Custom Rubber Stamps

In the age of digital signatures, it’s natural to wonder whether you even need a custom rubber stamp. But if you’re a one-person army running a full-fledged business, chances are you never have enough hours in the day.

Between nurturing active leads and monitoring marketing campaigns, you don’t want to spend your time signing documents and writing your office address on envelopes. That’s where self-inking custom rubber stamps step into the picture.

Whether you want to add the date of shipping or return address on product packages, personalized rubber stamps are just the right solutions. You can even use monogram stamps to spice up the product packaging and make it stand out.

Similarly, custom signature stamps come in handy when you have to sign a bunch of checks or agreements. Modern self-inking stamps even save you the hassle of getting separate ink pads. If you’re planning to launch a business in 2021, it’s high time you invest in a high-quality custom rubber stamp.

Checks & Envelopes

The advent of internet banking has improved the speed and simplicity of business transactions. But there might be specific scenarios where you’ll need to make payments using checks. Many vendors and suppliers still prefer check payments because of the enhanced security.

That’s why it is a good idea to invest in a set of high-quality, durable business checks that are compatible with laser and inkjet printers. Apart from the bank, you can order business checks from various online platforms. If you’re ordering checks online, make sure you find a reputable and trustworthy company.

Also, dig deeper and find out what kind of security features are available on the check. If you’re using accounting software to manage cash flow, find business checks that are compatible with the software.

Business envelopes are an indispensable part of making check payments. Apart from standard double-window envelopes, you should also keep a few coin envelopes and booklet envelopes handy.

Office Furniture

No. You can’t run a successful business from the comfort of your bedroom. Even if you’re working from home, it’s crucial to have a dedicated office space to execute and manage business operations.

And if you’re building a home office, the quality of furniture will play a key role in enhancing your productivity. Invest in a sturdy ergonomic chair that helps you maintain correct posture throughout the day. If you’re planning to invite clients or investors for meetings in the future, you’ll need to make arrangements for additional seating.

Find a table that can easily accommodate your computer, notepad, phone, and other objects you’ll need in your arm’s reach while working. Don’t forget to invest in a few rugged storage cabinets to prevent folders, documents, and other paraphernalia from cluttering your office.

Hardware & Software

Apart from a laptop, you’ll need a few more pieces of hardware, such as a printer and paper shredder. If you experience connectivity issues in the office, consider installing a couple of network boosters. Depending on the type and scale of your business, you might also need a business telephone line.

When it comes to software, you must choose the right applications that’ll take some of the load off your shoulders and help you focus on growing your business. Most new-age business owners build a toolbox that includes the following types of software:

• Marketing automation tools
• CRM platforms
• Conversational AI platforms
• Project management tools
• Email marketing platforms
• Graphic designing and video editing tools
• Web development platforms
• E-commerce platforms
• Accounting and invoicing software
• Website analytics platforms

You won’t need all these applications when you’re getting started. Make sure you choose the right tools that’ll help simplify your job.

Kickstart Your Entrepreneurial Stint

The path to becoming a successful solopreneur will be filled with several roadblocks. Empower yourself with the right technology to ease some of the challenges. While you’re at it, don’t ignore quintessential office stationery, such as custom rubber stamps, business envelopes, and checks.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post The Ultimate Office Essentials Checklist for the Busy Solopreneur appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Time Management

It’s great to work for yourself. But that means that you will end up doing all the work unless you outsource some things. As well as this, the only person around to keep track of your goals and deadlines is yourself. If you’re a product seller, then getting deliveries out on time is very important or you’re going to end up with some disgruntled buyers. If on top of that, you are creating your products, then that adds another thing that will take up your time. Finding a good way of managing your time and keeping reminders of critical tasks is very important. Try to stay organised and you will find that the work will become a lot easier.

Marketing

You’re never too small to market your products or services. Make good use of intuitive, easily accessible design software and keep your social media accounts buzzing away. The only way you’re going to maintain a healthy customer base is by keeping your brand relevant. You could also outsource these tasks to an agency or freelancer if you have the funds or contacts.

Don’t Do Everything Alone

Speaking of outsourcing, finding other professionals or businesses that can assist you in your work can be invaluable. Whether you’re paying for designers, tech helpers, or even logistics companies, you’ll be saving time in the long run, and time is money! If you’re selling and shipping products, you’re going to need to make use of a delivery service. You might even be selling products to people on the other side of a large city such as London. Consider paying for a courier service like Mango Logistics Group to take advantage of quick, same day deliveries.

Don’t Take On Too Much

Always make sure you’re not overdoing it too. If you’re taking on too many jobs or orders, you can end up both burning yourself out and being unable to fulfil those orders too. That leads to so many more problems and ultimately will harm both your business and your health. Using those time management skills, determine what you can comfortably take on and learn to say no to things you can’t.

Look After Yourself

Ultimately, you need to look after yourself. If you’re giving yourself unhealthy work hours from poor time management and taking on too many tasks as mentioned above, this will risk impacting your mental and physical health. Make sure you eat, stay hydrated, and adopt a good sleeping habit. This will bolster your attitude and health and can only help your business overall.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Running Your Online Store: Tips For The Solo Business Owner appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

No matter how much education or experience you have in business management, nothing can prepare you for an entrepreneur’s role. Most people discover what’s required to be the boss after jumping headfirst into their own ventures. Although time and experience help them develop critical skills and characteristics, the business world’s ever-changing landscape requires continual professional development. Entrepreneurs that wish to remain successful are, therefore, encouraged to continue evolving. Below are some suggestions on how to get started. 

Work With A Business Coach

Learning from the experience of others can help you sharpen your skills as an entrepreneur. That’s where business coaching comes in. These are seasoned entrepreneurs, business executives, and small business owners that offer advice and guidance. When paired with someone that’s an expert in your field, you can learn specific concepts to grow your business. They can help you define your vision, solve problems, make informed decisions, and work on any shortcomings or weaknesses. 

Use Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook and Youtube can be invaluable tools for entrepreneurs wishing to enhance their skills. You can follow successful business professionals and get tons of information on how to excel. There’s also the option to join entrepreneurial groups where you can connect with others and learn from their experiences. Lastly, start listening to credible podcasts for business professionals. Many of the topics and guest speakers are knowledgeable in business management and can provide tips to grow professionally. 

Online Classes And Training

You don’t have to go to college and obtain a degree to learn how to be a better business owner. If you have a thirst for knowledge and wish to challenge yourself in new areas, consider taking an online class or training. These courses and training sessions are sponsored by top agencies and organizations that support business professionals. You can learn about everything from accounting and budgeting to leadership and business technology in a learning environment that’s convenient for you. You can receive college credits, certifications, and other credentials upon completion. 

Create Challenges

The best way to sharpen your skills is to challenge yourself. When you step outside your comfort zone, you’ll find that you can learn so much more. Push yourself to do something professionally and set a realistic deadline to accomplish this goal. For example, let’s say you want to obtain new clients. You could challenge yourself to get three new clients in 6 months. Whether you actually accomplish this goal or not, the effort you put into it will help you finetune your client acquisition skills. You can then assess your efforts, identify strengths and weaknesses, and then start working on improving so you can meet your mark next time. 

A Day In The Life

The show Undercover Boss is about executives spending the day in the life of their employees. They learn about what their employees experience, their problems and concerns, and how management can do more to support them. If there’s any way to sharpen your tools as an entrepreneur, this is an excellent one to try. 

While you don’t have to disguise yourself, you can spend the day working with your teams. Ask them to be open and honest about what they’re going through and how they can do their jobs more efficiently. Be transparent about your mistakes and concerns. Share ideas and ask for their input. In the end, you’ll learn a lot about how to be a more effective boss. Not to mention, it shows your employees that you care about their needs which only helps boost morale and productivity in the workplace. 

The business world is constantly changing. If you’re going to be an effective competitor, you must invest in your continued growth. Entrepreneurs should always look for opportunities to sharpen their skills and become better business professionals. Use resources like those listed above to help you evolve as an entrepreneur. The time, money, and effort you invest will certainly pay off in the end.

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

The post Ways To Sharpen Your Entrepreneurial Skills appeared first on OpenBusinessCouncil Directory.

Matt Haworth, gadget enthusiast and co-founder of Reason Digital, a tech social enterprise, discusses how he created a business with a mission to use digital to do good and work exclusively on projects that ‘have a positive social impact on people and change lives for the better.’

Values

“We’re maybe not what you think of when you picture tech entrepreneurship. We’re driven by very different goals. For a typical entrepreneur in tech, all too often users are monetised and mined for value – be that for their data, their attention spans or their voting preferences. For us, users are the people we want to work with to find innovative ways to improve their lives.”

“We don’t support charities through a CSR arm of our company, instead our whole mission is around helping the causes that charities fight for, making a real difference to society. By harnessing digital for good, we’ve helped to raise tens of millions of pounds for charities.” he says.

Haworth co-founded Reason ten years ago when he was just 20, with a desire to partner with charities and pro-social organisations, helping them use the power of technology to improve the lives of their service users.

“We have made a real difference to society by working on projects to reduce the stigma of HIV, protect sex workers from abuse, support children and young people with cancer and assist people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction,” he continues.

Mission driven business

The organisation now employs 45 people and has a turnover of £2m. Unlike the average tech director who pay themselves 40 times more than the most junior members of staff, Matt earns the lowest salary of all full-time employees. Reason is less about the short-term value to shareholders and investors and instead focuses on doing what’s right and offering long-term life solutions to service users. This means profits are reinvested to fund new innovations for good.

Impact Reporting – the CSR reporting tool is one example of the result of this reinvestment. Now valued at £2 million, this tool can be used by any organisation to track, record and report on environmental and social sustainability, engaging employees in taking ownership of their impact and contribution to the organisation as a whole. It is now being used by The University of Manchester and DWF as well as housing providers like Places for People and One Manchester.

Similarly, Matt worked with other partners to invest profits into ‘Gone for Good’, an app that allows people to upload photos of their furniture, or unwanted goods to then be collected for charity shops. This is now a standalone business, with charity partners including British Heart Foundation, Oxfam and Barnados which has raised over £1m-worth of extra donations for charity.

Setting up the social enterprise

“As a teenager I found solace in online communities through some pretty difficult times, which illustrated to me the potential power of technology to help people.” says Matt. “I want to show that you can have a successful business that puts the good of society at the core. We can change lives by doing the job we love doing, which more than compensates for knowing we’ll never be rich.”

He and co-founder, Ed Cox, met while working at The University of Manchester and realised they had the same ambition – to use their tech skills to make a difference. After much discussion, Ed and Matt set about working with pro-social clients and partnering with charities, housing associations and not-for-profit companies. At this point, they didn’t realise this could translate into a separate, pioneering organisation, which would eventually become nationally recognised. Matt says: “Ed and I set out trying to develop careers which focused on using tech for good. Our vision has now expanded and we’re able to offer 45 people the chance to work towards the same goal.”

Partnering with charities

“I believe in tech as a force for good and we show its potential every day, from supporting parents and carers of very sick children to cope and manage with everyday life, to using artificial intelligence to allow one charity support worker to provide help to hundreds of thousands of people.”

Working with leading third-sector organisations Reason has developed outstanding tech solutions to potentially life-threatening situations. For example, they partnered with National Ugly Mugs, an organisation helping sex workers access protection and justice, to develop SafetyNets. This app was built to discreetly protect the lives of sex workers from potentially dangerous customers. It focused on empowering users to share time-critical safety alerts with others nearby, using their smartphones.

Reason partners with charity leaders to build innovative solutions to address challenges. Over the last decade the team has worked with hundreds of charities to provide insight into long term issues in the sector. A problem most charities have is not having enough staff to support the amount of service users. Reason recognised most charities can’t upscale recruitment and began looking into how technology could help.

In collaboration with Parkinson’s UK, Reason built CHAP (Charity Health Assistant Project), an online assistant powered by machine learning, which offers service users personalised practical and emotional support, at every stage, from treatment to rehab. The tech was inspired by start-ups that were using AI to cheaply provide more customers with tailored personal shopping advice.

Matt says: “We thought it was more important that people with Parkinson’s got the right support when needed, rather than online shoppers being assisted to select the perfect pair of chinos for their look.”

However, innovation in tech is not the only focus for the team at Reason. Unique collaborations between charities and digital organisations is something Matt is keen to encourage. He made the decision to engage a group of health charities to financially partner on CHAP, allowing them to apply this tech to their own advice services.

Julie Dodd, director of digital transformation and communication at Parkinson’s UK, said:

“CHAP is designed to be a fully automated and bespoke system. It will work out, from the responses that individual users give, the most common challenges. This could be ground-breaking for service users as this type of technology is usually used for more commercial means, whereas we have a real opportunity to make a difference to people with Parkinson’s by using it in this space.

“I wanted to collaborate with Reason and other charities to support this because it means they can use their unique expertise to build the most valuable service for their users. Charities can bring so much to the table in terms of understanding needs and support required, we need to be open and confident in partnering with digital experts.”

Research and innovation

The organisation is recognised as a leader in the social tech space. Its numerous accolades demonstrate this and range from being Matt being named as Digital Entrepreneur of the Year at the Digital Entrepreneur Awards, to being chosen as one of ‘100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy’ by Grant Thornton UK LLP. This acknowledgement of excellence often provides opportunities to be involved in sector leading networks and initiatives.

Nurture Network – a £8m network funded by UK Research and Innovation, a new research body, which was established by psychologists and doctors – approached Reason to help research the impact the digital world is having on children’s mental health. The working group, which also includes the NSPCC, Instagram, Disney, Barnardo’s, Save The Children and BBC Children, is looking at the indicators that predict the emergence of mental health conditions and ways to help children and families benefit from mental health research.

Empowering the next generation

“We want to act as a beacon for the next generation – to show them you can be a tech pioneer and change lives in an ethical and meaningful way. You don’t have to set up a venture capital-backed app that mistreats people’s data or uses immoral advertising practices to be successful in tech. Young people understand the shortcomings of tech because they’ve lived it and its impacted on their own mental health. It’s vital that we can offer an alternative route for young people to take offering them the opportunity to see digital as an inclusive, diverse and exciting solution for problems in society.”

The future

“I started Reason and working in the tech for good sector because I couldn’t motivate myself to use tech, to make some rich guy, a little bit richer. But my ambitions have since grown and I see the impact its having and the future potential. Now I’m driven by wanting to leave a legacy. I want to provide a platform for as many talented people as possible, to channel their skills towards more meaningful ends. I want to show that being a tech entrepreneur and caring about the world you and I live in shouldn’t be in opposition.”

Hernaldo Turrillo

Hernaldo Turrillo is a writer and author specialised in innovation, AI, DLT, SMEs, trading, investing and new trends in technology and business. He has been working for ztudium group since 2017. He is the editor of openbusinesscouncil.org, tradersdna.com, hedgethink.com, and writes regularly for intelligenthq.com, socialmediacouncil.eu. Hernaldo was born in Spain and finally settled in London, United Kingdom, after a few years of personal growth. Hernaldo finished his Journalism bachelor degree in the University of Seville, Spain, and began working as reporter in the newspaper, Europa Sur, writing about Politics and Society. He also worked as community manager and marketing advisor in Los Barrios, Spain. Innovation, technology, politics and economy are his main interests, with special focus on new trends and ethical projects. He enjoys finding himself getting lost in words, explaining what he understands from the world and helping others. Besides a journalist, he is also a thinker and proactive in digital transformation strategies. Knowledge and ideas have no limits.

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