Author Archives: Allen
Life Updates and Getting Back on the Horse
This poor blog as been neglected for long enough, so I’ve decided it’s time to jump back on the horse.
Not to make excuses, but the past 9 months have brought some some major life changes and decisions including moving to NYC and putting the peddle to the metal on my new business venture – with [...]
Posted in Travel 0 Comments
Don’t Forget the Little Guys: Pens Increase African School Attendance by 30%
Over the past year, attendance in participating schools [in Malawi] has gone up by 30% due to the simple addition of pens in the classroom. – Goods4Good
I ran across this statistic the other day and was struck by the impact of such a relatively simple and focused initiative – supply pens to poverty stricken [...]
Posted in Social Enterprise, Unconventional Ideas 0 Comments
Take the Money and Run: Vibram Five Fingers Shoes Case Study
Take the money! Don’t try to reposition your product so that the intended customers use it as intended. But learn where and why you are succeeding, then adjust.
~ Guy Kawasaki (paraphrased from The Art of the Start)
Vibram Fiver Fingers, the ridiculous-looking reptilian like footwear, have been idolized in the running community as [...]
Posted in Business Development, Entrepreneurship 3 Comments
Apocalypse Nashville: The Flooding of a Millennium and How You Can Help
Overshadowed by the news in the gulf, Arizona, and Times Square NYC, the devastating floods that ripped through Nashville, TN slid quickly and quietly under the news radar.
Over the course of this past Saturday and Sunday approximately 15 to 18 inches of rain fell on Nashville, over about as many hours, in what the Corps [...]
Posted in Social Enterprise 1 Comments
The Economics of Obesity and Why We Need More Help than Jamie Oliver
Over the past few months Jamie Oliver, Britain’s own Naked Chef, has captivated American viewers with his hit show Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution – a tale of one chef’s battle against obesity and to transform the way Americans eat and live.
However, while emotionally compelling and entertaining (I didn’t miss an episode!), Jamie’s movement, which [...]
Posted in Health, Unconventional Ideas 2 Comments
Not Only is Failure an Option, It’s Mandatory
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that successful innovation most often derives from a series of failures. I found this interview with chef David Chang, of Momofuku restaurants in NYC, to be a welcomed reminder.
His notoriety has spurred from his collection of highly successful Momofuku restaurants (Ko, Ssam, Noodle Bar, & Milk Bar) in NYC, [...]
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Unconventional Ideas 3 Comments
The Sleeper Business Strategy: Personal Health
Why are sleepless nights, late evening fast food dinners at the office, and unused gym memberships the badges of honor for driven entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders? Believe me, I’m the worst offender. I realize there are only so many hours in a day and only so many hands to do the work, [...]
Posted in Health, Unconventional Ideas 3 Comments
When seeking partnerships, lose your pitch and perfect your question
What’s more important than perfecting your pitch? Perfecting your question.
Forming strategic partnerships, especially early on, can be the catalyst necessary to take a new business from year 1 to year 2. However, pitching a potential business partner can be tricky, especially if they are an industry incumbent and you’re the new guy on [...]
Posted in Business Development, Entrepreneurship 0 Comments
Changing the World is Cheap
I harp on the power of the internet as a tool for philanthropy a lot. It’s hard not too. The increases in communication and financial payment platforms on the web have crushed the barriers that used to block access to third world countries. Now, anyone can set up an online fundraiser to [...]
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Demand Generation vs. Demand Fulfillment