by Team Stopwatch Creative
At Stopwatch Creative, we employ various methods to track conversions and measure the effectiveness of our marketing strategies. Here are some key approaches we utilize:
Overall, our approach to tracking conversions and measuring marketing effectiveness combines the use of technology, data analysis, and ongoing optimization. By continuously monitoring and evaluating campaign performance, we ensure that our strategies align with your business objectives and drive tangible results. Learn more about Stopwatch Creative on stopwatchcreative.com
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Watch Dwight Simmons: Who's The Master? Full Comedy Special shot by Four By Three Productions7/20/2023 Filmed at the iconic Comedy Attic in Bloomington, Indiana, Dwight Simmons takes us through being newly married, growing up in two different environments, and learning what you can't say on HGTV. Watch the special shot by Four By Three Productions below: By Mia Carvalho Alternative farming practices are needed now, more than ever, to address food insecurity. By 2050, the United Nations expects the world population to surge to nearly 10 billion. However, traditional farming practices won’t be enough to support our growing population, where 70% of current freshwater is dedicated to agriculture. AppHarvest, a Kentucky-native sustainable food company, serves as a solution. “Farms out West, especially in California and Mexico, are being destroyed by droughts and flooding,” says Rohan Munnolimath, a Communications Strategist at AppHarvest. “With catastrophic events making it harder for open-field farmers to predict their growing seasons, we have to find alternative ways to grow more food with fewer resources. This is where AppHarvest comes in.” Founded by Jonathan Webb in 2017, AppHarvest uses innovative technology to sustainably produce fresh crops for not just Kentucky, but the entirety of the U.S. AppHarvest uses high-tech indoor farms throughout rural Appalachia for sustainable crop production. “With these farms, we’re able to control the environment, enabling us to grow more food,” Rohan describes. “Any water that comes into our facility only leaves as a fruit or vegetable.” These indoor farms use a closed-loop irrigation system, resulting in up to 90% less water use compared to traditional farming. “All of the water we use is rainwater that was captured on our roofs, and sent straight into a retention pond,” says Rohan. With these techniques, AppHarvest is able to produce up to 30 times more produce than traditional farming, allowing healthy crops to reach areas that otherwise may not have access to them.* AppHarvest also uses technology to ensure that every crop is fresh, using over 300 sensors and AI to collect data from hundreds of thousands of plants to guarantee crops receive the correct amount of nutrients.** This technology allows AppHarvest to produce fresh crops year-round and prevent food waste, combatting the food insecurity U.S. residents face today. AppHarvest’s first 60-acre farm in the rural town of Morehead, Kentucky opened in 2020, and is the largest greenhouse in the U.S.** Nevertheless, determination to live out AppHarvest’s mission continued. Today, AppHarvest has a four-farm network in Kentucky, covering a total of 165 acres under glass. Besides the Morehead, Kentucky tomato farm, AppHarvest is operating a salad greens farm in Berea, KY, a strawberry and cucumber farm in Somerset, KY, and an additional tomato farm in Richmond, KY. “This was the biggest milestone I’ve witnessed at the company – I don’t think there’s been this kind of expansion in controlled environment agriculture in the U.S. before,” says Rohan. “But we were able to do it, and that’s a testament to how committed we are to improving food security by farming in a more sustainable way.” Kentucky’s convenient location also helps AppHarvest deliver its crops fast enough to preserve their nutritional value, as 70% of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive for AppHarvest facilities. “With production from out West, produce can be sitting in a delivery truck for up to two weeks before it arrives at a grocery store, let alone your plate,” Rohan explains. “Where we’re located, at times we can harvest a fruit, package it, and send it to grocery stores within 24 hours.” These fast deliveries are important for delivering a healthier product to a wider range of consumers. Not only does Kentucky’s central location allow for swift deliveries, but reduced transportation fuel by up to 80% compared to U.S. Southwest delivered-produce as well.*** While AppHarvest’s location provides fresh produce to all Americans, it also contributes to sustainability through a lower carbon footprint. The collapse in the coal mining industry brought about great economic distress in rural Kentucky, which played a large factor in the establishment of AppHarvest. “One of the main reasons Jonathan came back to Kentucky was to create good jobs here,” Rohan says. “It was important for Jonathan to tap into Appalachian faith and grit to bring jobs back to this area.” With the new job opportunities brought on by AppHarvest, significant progress has already happened in these rural economies of Kentucky. In fact, the success of AppHarvest has encouraged new companies to come in and follow their lead, further revitalizing these communities. “It’s almost like a ripple effect,” Rohan explains. “In the couple years we’ve been established, other companies have been encouraged to establish themselves in these areas as well and bring more opportunity.” With AppHarvest being a startup, the communications team takes on many opportunities to further the company. Rohan, for example, manages the company’s social media channels, and photographs AppHarvest’s indoor farms and team members. The communications team is heavily involved with media, working with outlets such as The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and Business Insider in the past. “We’re a small team of three, so we get to wear a lot of different hats,” Rohan explains. “It’s been interesting working with Jonathan as well, going to events with him and supporting him with AppHarvest in general – it’s helpful to have that mentorship.” As with any startup, one of the biggest challenges is the scrutiny the company faces. In the U.S., the controlled-environmental agriculture industry is an incredibly new space, with lots of trial and error involved. However, this can be even harder to navigate when AppHarvest is constantly under the public eye, through its successes and mistakes. However, Rohan emphasizes the importance of the company’s end goal despite these challenges – “At the end of the day, we have to focus on what’s most important, which is our mission. That’s what we’re committed to doing.” Currently, the communications team at AppHarvest is focused on storytelling – showing why controlled environment agriculture is needed, now more than ever. “When you look at our social media, for example, what’s intertwined within is our story,” Rohan says. “It’s important for people to understand the need to feed more people as the population continues to increase.” While the company has helped countless individuals within Kentucky, it undoubtedly serves importance for sustainability and feeding people as a whole. AppHarvest is a trailblazing company that recognizes the need for change in traditional agriculture. Through their state-of-the-art greenhouses that utilize progressive resource use, AI, and Appalachian values, AppHarvest sets new standards for sustainable agriculture. AppHarvest improves food security by using technology to provide fresh produce across the U.S., while reducing the carbon footprint associated with transporting these goods. All the while, the company strives to combat resource depletion through its efficient resource use within its indoor farming facilities. By combating today’s challenges with food security, AppHarvest sets the stage for sustainable food production and a greener future. *
AppHarvest. “The CEA Difference — AppHarvest,” May 25, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/process/ ** Kang, Liz. “Is the Biggest Greenhouse in the US the Future of Farming?” CNN, October 6, 2021. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/06/world/appharvest-kentucky-greenhouse-robot-farming-spc-intl-hnk/index.html *** AppHarvest. “About Us — AppHarvest,” June 1, 2022. https://www.appharvest.com/about-us/ by Shriya Nevatia
I built this Angel Investment Value Calculator to help you understand the answer: - If there are between 0-5 additional rounds of dilution after your investment - If the company exits for $100M-$10B I showed the different scenarios of dilution with an estimated 20% dilution per follow-on round And showed you the final expected value of your initial investment. I even compared it to investing in the S&P 500 for 10 years at a 7% average annual return, as this was one of my big questions when I started out. ===== Get your view-only copy here and feel free to make a copy to edit with any investments you make: https://lnkd.in/eRuWh8Qq ===== Be sure to update the "Post-Money valuation" & "Amount you invest today" to match each investment you're considering or have made. Recently updated to include scenarios for investing via a Syndicate & investing a Venture Fund's capital (instead of your own) as a Scout. Next up will be a portfolio calculator where you can track a portfolio of investments in a template to figure out portfolio construction. ===== If you liked this or found it valuable, please comment/share and consider joining The Council Angels community: https://lnkd.in/emjZUMiD ===== P.S. Because it needs to be said -- the most likely outcome is a $0 exit, and $0 return. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to show than *even very small checks* can be high-ROI in the best possible case!! Capped downside, uncapped upside. #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startups #founders #fundraising
Dirty Coin is an independently produced documentary currently in production. (2023)
Follow them on Twitter and connect with Alana on Linkedin for more frequent updates. 🌟 Calling all knowledge seekers! 🌟 ✨ Join Innovate New Albany for an extraordinary opportunity to tap into the collective wisdom of 16 brilliant minds! ✨ 🗓️ Date: Friday, June 2 ⏰ Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm EST 📍 Location: Virtual 📣 Innovate New Albany is thrilled to announce FREE office hours featuring 16 industry experts in their respective fields ~ Tristan Ruml, Shwetha T. Pai, Tushar Kulkarni, Sandy Murphy, Kaylee Willis, Megan Neff, Roberta Winch, Ryan Steele, Scott Longnecker, Kevin Hammond, Lora Brown - Bookkeeping Simplified By Lora, Johna Charles, Satish Albert, Susan Fortner, APR, and Ed Porter! Whether one is an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or simply curious about the latest trends, this event is tailor-made for them! 🌱 This event is a vibrant garden of knowledge where participants can plant their questions, ideas, and aspirations and watch them flourish. The panel of experts brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and a genuine passion for sharing their insights. 🔍 Here's a sneak peek of the diverse fields the experts specialize in: 1️⃣ Marketing and Branding 2️⃣ Finance and Investment 3️⃣ Technology and Innovation 4️⃣ Legal and Intellectual Property 5️⃣ Human Resources and Leadership 6️⃣ Sales and Business Development ...and many more! 🙌 This unique opportunity allows individuals to connect one-on-one with these experts during dedicated office hours. They can expect personalized guidance, industry tips, and the chance to gain invaluable perspectives from those who have already walked the path they're embarking on. 💡 Whether attendees have burning questions, seek mentorship, or seek a fresh perspective, this event caters to their needs. The experts are here to help them navigate the challenges, seize opportunities, and unlock their full potential. 🌟 Remember, knowledge grows exponentially when shared, and Innovate New Albany believes in fostering a supportive community of lifelong learners. Attendees shouldn't miss out on this chance to connect with like-minded individuals, expand their network, and cultivate meaningful relationships with professionals in their field. 🚀 Participants should mark their calendars, spread the word, and join Innovate New Albany for an unforgettable day of learning, growth, and inspiration. Together, let's ignite innovation and positively impact our respective industries! 🌐 Visit the website https://innovatenewalbany.org/new-event/expert-office-hours-friday-june-2/ for more information and to reserve a spot. Seats are limited, so don't wait too long! 🤝 Let's learn, connect, and empower each other. See everyone at Innovate New Albany's Free Office Hours! 🎉 #InnovateNewAlbany #OfficeHours #KnowledgeExchange #Empowerment #founders #tech #community About Manny Larcher
He is a first-generation St. Lucian American born in Columbus, Ohio, who studied Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Bowling Green State University. Manny serves on the Board of Black Men Talk Tech as well as the Impact & Inclusion Advisory Board of the Columbus Young Professionals.
by Lenny Burkett
In Richmond, Virginia, Comfort Keepers, a leading senior caregiving company, stands ready to provide compassionate and dedicated care for families in need. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by seniors and their loved ones, Comfort Keepers' team is committed to delivering the support required during this important journey. With a deep sense of empathy, Comfort Keepers' caregivers prioritize the physical, emotional, and social well-being of their clients. Through careful selection and comprehensive training, these dedicated professionals possess the necessary skills, experience, and nurturing qualities to offer exceptional care. From assistance with daily activities to providing companionship and specialized care, the Comfort Keepers team ensures that each service is tailored to meet the unique needs of every family. Whether it involves personal care, medication management, or simply engaging in meaningful conversations and activities, Comfort Keepers' caregivers are there every step of the way. Open communication is highly valued at Comfort Keepers, and families are actively involved in the development of personalized care plans for their loved ones. Regular updates on their progress are provided, ensuring that families remain informed and involved throughout the caregiving journey. At the heart of Comfort Keepers is the belief that family well-being is paramount. They strive to create a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment that promotes independence, dignity, and overall happiness. By fostering genuine connections and building trust, Comfort Keepers' caregivers become an extended family for their clients. Families can experience peace of mind knowing that their loved ones are in the caring hands of highly trained professionals from Comfort Keepers. The company is dedicated to providing dependable, reliable, and compassionate senior care in Richmond, Virginia. For those seeking support and comfort for their family members, reaching out to Comfort Keepers can be a transformative step. By working together, families can enhance their loved ones' quality of life, enabling them to age gracefully and cherish meaningful moments every day. Contact Comfort Keepers today to learn more about the compassionate care they provide and how they can support your family during this important time. Listen and watch Abundance Universe Ep #6 + Enjoying the Journey with Kyle Kyle Kemper and Bijan5/19/2023 On this episode, Bijan Machen connects with Kyle ✨ Kemper! Kyle is a technologist, cryptocurrency expert, and author and serves as Chief Solutions Officer @ Raze, a SaaS private fundraising platform. Kyle and Bijan discuss life, entrepreneurship, spirituality, an abundance mindset, and more! By Saundra Latham, Editor at LinkedIn News
It’s official: Twitter has a new CEO. Linda Yaccarino, head of global advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, will take over the top job from Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter in October for $44 billion. Musk confirmed Yaccarino’s hiring Friday, saying she will “focus primarily on business operations, while I focus on product design and new technology.” Musk said Thursday that he will transition to new roles as executive chair and chief technology officer. "I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at Twitter. I’ve long been inspired by Elon Musk's vision to create a brighter future. Now, I’m excited to help bring that vision to Twitter and transform the business together. Everyone's feedback is VITAL to Twitter's future. And I’m here for all of it. Let’s please keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together!" Linda mentioned on Linkedin. by Lenny Burkett
Marketing is essential for small businesses and startups because it helps them reach their target audience, build brand awareness, and establish a strong online presence. Small businesses often operate on tight budgets and limited resources, making it crucial to make every marketing effort count. Effective marketing helps these businesses connect with potential customers and generate leads, which can lead to increased sales and revenue. In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is also critical for small businesses and startups to remain competitive and relevant. By investing in marketing efforts, small businesses can establish themselves as a credible and trustworthy brand, which can help attract and retain customers over the long term.
Are you looking to take your business to the next level? Learn more about Stopwatch Creative, a full service marketing agency and business growth software platform Collaborate and Elevate. Work with the best marketers in the USA and the best business community on CollaborateandElevate.com5/8/2023 by Lenny Burkett As collaborateandelevate.com, a software platform we launched when the pandemic began to help keep businesses open, is approaching 1000 customers across various industries in the USA, we understand the importance of marketing support and customer service for businesses of all sizes. Whether you are an entrepreneur, small business owner, startup, or large enterprise, your success hinges on your ability to reach your target audience and deliver exceptional customer experiences. At CollaborateandElevate.com, we have had numerous experiences with marketing support in person and online. We understand in-person marketing experiences are essential for establishing solid relationships with potential clients and partners. We have attended industry events, tradeshows, and conferences to connect with new businesses and showcase our software platform to potential clients. These events have provided valuable opportunities to network and gain insight into our target market. However, we understand that in-person marketing is only sometimes feasible or cost-effective, especially for smaller businesses. CollaborateandElevate.com offers online marketing support through email campaigns, SEO, and social media via our subscription plans, starting at $4.95/month. Our software and team of experts help in numerous ways, from developing a comprehensive business strategy that targets your ideal customers and drives conversions or connecting with the proper growth partner or investor. We also understand the importance of email campaigns in keeping our customers engaged and informed about our products and success stories. Our team can also help our members develop and execute effective email campaigns that deliver value to their businesses, ultimately driving sales.
Thank you for your time! As collaborateandelevate.com approaches 1000 members, we have learned so much and understand the importance of affordable marketing and business development software tools to support and enable customer service for businesses of all sizes. Whether you need online marketing assistance or a community of mentors in your back pocket, collaborateandelevate.com is here to help you reach your goals and deliver an exceptional experience!
Learn more about our marketing and customer service offerings and how we can help your business grow - Get started in seconds, and become a member today on collaborateandelevate.com! by Manny Larcher
Purchase order financing can be a great way for product owners to secure the necessary funding to fulfill large orders. Here are ten tips to help product owners navigate the process of purchase order financing:
The impact of making small consistent efforts throughout the year is presented well by math5/7/2023 by Alex Wang
I love these equations. This has been a beacon in my life for a very long time, especially when long-term goals can look daunting. Just focusing on short-term steps and consistency can make me feel happier and more productive. The impact of making small consistent efforts throughout the year is presented well by math. Credit: James Clear (Atomic Habits) For downloadable ML/ AI/ Data Science learning materials, please check my previous posts. I share my learning journey into Data Science with my amazing LinkedIn friends, click follow and let's grow together! by Rich Falk-Wallace
But you better know the math cold. Like & comment if you want the new excel. 6 topics: First, the update: 2 new divisions to illustrate an essential point. #1 Low margin decliner at 40% of start revenue #2 High margin "viral" growth product at 10% of start revenue Start & end revenue set to be identical to the last file. But the valuation almost doubles. Why? 6 topics: *1) Unit economics* Builds unit economics to company financials. Quantity per unit, growth. Unit price, cost; unit marketing spend. Drive return on ad spend (ROAS), customer acquisition cost (CAC), LTV/CAC, gross margins (GM). Model sets up four products: A high margin, low price power, low growth product vs. a low GM, better pricing power, better growth, lower unit market cost product vs. a high margin "viral" growth product vs. a low margin, declining product To show the dynamics of each over time. And their impact on the model and on value. *2) Accounting* Units flow to revenue, variable COGS, SG&A. Into EBITDA, EBIT, EBT, Net income & EPS. Simple cash flow statements & balance sheets reconcile D&A to inflation-adjusted replacement CapEx, debt, & GAAP PP&E. You need accounting fluency to look at equities. Not because accounting matters. But because it can obscure what matters. *3) Operating ratios* Units output financials, which drive ratios. Rev & EBITDA growth, margins. Contribution margins (= change in profit over change in revenue) Net debt-to-EBITDA, net debt % of EV *4) Valuation* You can drive valuation on multiples or DCF Which are equivalent: The discount rate minus growth rate = the 'terminal multiple.' Using a P/E instead of a DCF just uses next year as the terminal value. DCF here mapped to multiples. So why did this valuation double with the same start & exit revenue? Short version: Contribution from the high growth but small starting product. Leave the exit business with higher margins And higher terminal growth. But the long version in the math. *5) Corporate finance & DCFs* DCF here using the CAPM Beta from returns, cost of debt = WACC: the theoretically right discount rate DCFs are assumption laden - you get out whatever you want. But realistically: Your banker (or analyst) will make the math show a 7-13% discount rate. Varying with risk, industry, market - and whatever they want to achieve. *6) The hard part* This then sensitizes value and multiples to unit and price. Bringing unit drivers full circle to valuation outcomes. Ultimately, the math isn't the hard part. You need fluency in the math, its nuances and its limits. But once you are, you also have to shift focus. To the hard part. Which is filling in the numbers. If you’re investing, that means thoughtful unit drivers; how, when, and why they shift. And if you're building, it means making the numbers on the page happen. That's all for now. by Javier Ramírez Lugo
There's a large group of Founders that runs away from sales. The 'other group' run towards sales & here is what they do to succeed: 1. Define your Ideal Customer Profile and go after many conversations 2. Don't give up until you get the meeting 3. Always make the conversations about them 4. Shut up & listen 5. Ask better questions to uncover pain 6. Don't just 'follow up'; add value 7. A well executed sales strategy will increase the perception of your business 8. In the early days; don't hire from big companies by David Sym-Smith founder of Mobility Ventures
Here are some helpful guidelines for leaders to assess how their leadership habits and styles can have a constructive or destructive effect. #leadership #leadershiptips #leadershiptraits #leadershipskills#leadershipstyle
Kevin Cekanor, the 4ft5 Runner Runs Alaska, to benefit the Dwarf Athletic Association of America4/23/2023 PROJECT Run the 24 HourAlaska Endurance Trail Run to raise awareness and money for the Dwarf Athletic Association of America. Why?
Why Running? Ever since I was young, I tend to hyper focus on the small things. I could say it is on brand being a little person and as I’ve progressed and now near 26, I’d say that the biggest lesson learned is that when the small is compounded together it creates the biggest impact. I take this lesson and apply it in every area of my life, especially into two pillars like photography and running. In photography, I leverage being 4ft5 into every single photo and project, using that unique perspective to my advantage. Check out www.4ft5photographer.com to see what I mean. And then there is running. It's a simple equation for running - every small step in front of the other builds on top of one another to create miles and with every small step, you can cover some pretty big distances if you are willing to put in the work. WHEN I FOUND THE DAAA THINGS STARTED TO CHANGE. Since 2006 I have participated in the Dwarf Athletic Association of America, a non profit that provides annual sporting competitions across the country and world events every four years for people with dwarfism or of short stature. For many, this is their one opportunity to compete on a level playing field and know what it means to compete to win. Many of us spend the entire year at a competitive disadvantage but for one or two weeks, you feel like Michael Jordan. There is nothing like hearing your national anthem play ahead of the gold medal match of a world basketball tournament. Not many can say that but I experienced it and it changed my life. The DAAA provides a canvas for the little to become the big - like when a young athlete finally makes a basket for the first time because they do not have to worry about being blocked or when one wins the 100M dash and is named the fastest little person in the world - that changes lives. It changed mine and I want to provide opportunities for others to do the same and that is where this trail run comes in. DAAA is completely reliant on private donations to run (pun intended) so this running project will hopefully help in putting on future games. Running long distances. That didn’t happen overnight. Running and enjoying it. That didn’t happen overnight. It’s in the everyday obedience to the sport that it has become something big to me - it’s an avenue to create and tell a story. So June 2nd starting at 8PM, I will run 24 hours to raise money for the Dwarf Athletic Association of America. I will ask for donations up front as well as look for donations for every 6 mile loop that I complete. In 24 hours, I am aiming to run 70 miles. It could be more or it could be less but 70 miles with the goal of raising $7,000 for the Dwarf Athletic Association of America. The first ask is helping to support a portion of the travel, nutrition, and gear / equipment needed to accomplish this goal. At the end of the day, I would be asking to raise $3,000 to help support this aspect of the trip. In doing so, I would be open to wearing your brand if you are a company, share your products and brand via social as well as exchange content for your support. As a photographer, my job is to work with brands to create eye catching product, brand, and lifestyle imagery that sells. If it aligns, I would exchange this service for financial support. Donations Directly to DAAA: Monetary donations can be made via this link and all donations will go directly to the DAAA. by Kevin Cekanor Follow Kevin on instagram Kevin is also an Amazing Photographer! Check out his photos from our last Ohio Tech Happy Hour event in Cleveland!
10 Proven Marketing Tips to Reach Your First 100 Customers and Launch Your Startup Successfully4/16/2023 by Lenny with Stopwatch Creative
Launching a startup can be an exciting and challenging experience. However, one of the most important goals for any new business is to acquire its first 100 customers. Here are ten marketing tips that can help you reach this milestone and set your startup on the path to success:
Join Manny Larcher, founder of Collaborate and Elevate and Associate at a Venture Capital firm JumpStart Ventures, for a tech event like no other during Miami Tech Month, hosted in beautiful Miami.
eMerge Americas brings together technology visionaries, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from across the world for two days of live speaker sessions, exhibits, workshops, networking opportunities and so much more. Don’t miss our keynote speaker this year – seven-time football world champion Tom Brady. Learn more on emergeamericas.com Want to connect with Manny while he's in Miami? Find time below: by Lenny with Stopwatch Creative
Corporations may hire outside marketing consultants like Stopwatch Creative for a variety of reasons, but here are three common ones:
Soon's co-founder Aaron Bylund, joins the It's Bigger Than Business podcast's Manny Larcher to talk about his experience at Y Combinator, raising capital, building a business in Utah, and how they are simplifying the investing process and eliminating stress. With Soon, you can invest without the stress of speculating. By investing on a schedule and selling available gains when you spend, Soon automates investing from beginning to end. No investing experience required, no need to time the market, just connect Soon to your spending account and build wealth. Learn more on www.soon.app by Lenny with Stopwatch Creative
Here are five ways to gain your very first customer:
Gaining your first customer can be challenging but essential in building your business. By leveraging your network, attending events, utilizing social media, offering a free trial, and cold outreach, you can increase your chances of success and build momentum for your business. Learn how agencies like Stopwatch Creative and platforms for business like CollaborateandElevate.com are making a positive difference. Official Press Release from Stopwatch Creative
Great news! We're thrilled to welcome a new addition to our marketing team here at Stopwatch Creative & CollaborateandElevate.com. Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest sophomore intern, Lucy Kloiber, who hails from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With her passion for field hockey, we know that Lucy will bring her competitive spirit and drive to the table. We can't wait to see how she'll use her skills on the field to help our team score some big wins in the marketing world. As a sophomore, we understand that Lucy is just beginning her journey in the professional world. But we're confident that her enthusiasm and eagerness to learn will make her an invaluable asset to our team. We're excited to see her grow and thrive in this new environment, and we're committed to providing her with the resources and support she needs to succeed. At Stopwatch Creative, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and diverse team, and we're thrilled to add Lucy's unique perspective and experiences to our group. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, and we're committed to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation. We're confident that Lucy will feel right at home with our team, and we can't wait to see what she'll accomplish during her time with us. We're honored to have her on board, and we know that her contributions will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. So, welcome to the team, Lucy! Let's get ready to hit the ground running and make some magic happen in the world of marketing. We're so excited to see what the future holds! Learn more about Stopwatch Creative here: https://www.stopwatchcreative.com/ Learn more about Collaborate and Elevate here: https://collaborateandelevate.com/ by Manny Larcher
Too many meetings can be a waste of time for a number of reasons:
Here are 5 reasons to avoid business meetings:
A lot has been written about this problem, Harvard Business Review has put together a helpful list to make meetings more productive ahead of time: 1. Collect data from each person. To get a clearer view of how meetings are affecting your group, use surveys or interviews to gather data and impressions from every individual. That will help you gauge the full extent of the problem: You’ll learn how much resentment is bubbling under the surface and how much work isn’t getting done during the day. 2. Interpret the data together. Next, it’s critical to come together as a team or a unit to digest everyone’s feedback and analyze what is working and what is not. This must be an open, nonjudgmental discussion of the survey or interview findings. Neutral facilitators can help keep the conversation constructive. However, delegating the data interpretation to an outside consultant—or even just a subset of the team—can undermine success. You’ll need contributions and analysis from all team members to generate the widespread understanding and buy-in required for the remaining steps. At the financial and regulatory consultancy we studied, for example, exploratory interviews revealed that meetings were chopping up calendars so badly that very few two- or three-hour blocks were left for deep-thinking work. Without enough quiet time to concentrate, the consultants felt that their creativity and productivity were being sapped. These disclosures served as a wake-up call for the managers who had been scheduling meetings without a full awareness of the impact they were having. 3. Agree on a collective, personally relevant goal. We have found that personally benefiting from the group’s initiative is a great motivator. For example, you might designate a certain amount of time each week for people to focus on independent work—whether in the office or at home. Giving them such flexibility and freedom can provide necessary relief in their schedules, along with an incentive to make the arrangement work. Declaring “meeting free” periods also forces the whole group to reevaluate meetings that were normally scheduled during those times and to ask who really needs to attend. As a result, we find, teams hold fewer meetings overall, and fewer people go to each one. The additional “white space” in everyone’s calendar increases individual productivity and reduces the spillover into personal time. Here’s how this approach worked at a technology consultancy we examined: Members were based in the United States and India, so a handoff meeting was held each day—early in the morning for some and late at night for others to accommodate the 12.5-hour time difference. The long days were causing significant stress and fatigue on both sides: Early-morning calls were required, family dinners were missed, workdays were more than 12 hours long. Once the team had collected survey data from its members and realized the magnitude of the problem, it altered its approach: Each person was given one workday a week when he or she didn’t have to participate in the handoff call. In order to ensure the appropriate information exchange, team members had to find ways to cover for one another and keep everyone updated. Learning how to do that gave individuals the break they needed, but it also resulted in more shared knowledge and versatility in the group. Furthermore, people gained a deeper understanding of their colleagues’ work, which led to better-integrated offerings for customers. 4. Set milestones and monitor progress. As with any change effort, it is important that concrete and measurable progress be assessed and discussed along the way. Small, tangible wins provide something for people to celebrate, and small losses provide opportunities for learning and correction. Consider this example: At a global e-commerce company, a team of 30 employees spanning the United States and China told us that their weekly all-hands meetings were a pain point. Attendees were often on their phones or laptops. Because people were continually distracted, those who spoke had to repeat themselves frequently, making the time spent not only longer but also much less effective. To help address these problems, the team decided on a simple, tractable goal: Allow no outside technology at the meetings. At first several vocal engineers and even the team leader were resistant, feeling that they should have the right to use their devices, especially when meetings became boring or turned to topics outside their purview. For a while after the initiative was launched, friendly reminders (“No tech, man!”) were necessary. But over time the new norm took hold, and even the manager self-corrected when he instinctively started to check his phone. The team began to see the benefits of this experiment. Meetings became more productive, and people were more engaged. As one engineer said, “This no-tech rule is fantastic! Now that people are more focused on the meeting, it’s more efficient.” Another team member started bringing a notebook to jot down thoughts rather than playing games on her phone. This small victory opened the door to setting other new norms, such as preparing materials more thoroughly ahead of time, keeping meetings as brief as possible, and ultimately reworking meeting cadences to better fit the team members’ schedules. 5. Regularly debrief as a group. Finally, we have found that it is critical to regularly and openly take stock of how people feel about the meetings they attend and about their work process more generally. Frustration, resentment, and even hopelessness are signals that people are falling back into bad patterns. Moreover, changing protocols and behaviors takes time, and sustaining momentum requires consistent attention and contact. At a pharmaceutical company we worked with, the global medical-affairs division established two regular “pulse checks” to monitor the progress of an experiment it was conducting with meeting-free days: one check within the subteam and one across the division. At the beginning of each pulse check, participants answered four questions: How are you feeling? How valuable are the ways in which you are spending your time? How well are you working as a team? Is this sustainable? The answers to these questions triggered substantive discussions, rich in emotional, strategic, and tactical content. Early conversations focused specifically on the meeting problem, but over time they increasingly addressed how team members approached their work—and one another. One manager said, “I’m impressed with how these meetings have allowed people to open up, particularly with [the manager] listening….Pulse checks are really insightful—they give me a good dose of reality…and they surfaced issues that resulted in more cross-coverage, people development, and teamwork. It sounds crazy that this little experiment could create these sorts of results, but it has profound implications far beyond the initial goal.” Read more from Harvard Business Review here. |
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