I'm The Blog

Feel free to read our awesome blog.

3 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Frederick Douglass About Leading in Challenging Times


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

This Black History Month, we can learn a lot about how to move through challenging times by looking back at leaders who have experienced their fair share of challenges, too. It takes bravery, stamina, guts and a vision to move through dark eras and emerge victorious. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, I spend most of my days helping companies big and small navigate challenges, and I often look to Black leaders like Frederick Douglass as examples of what resiliency looks like.

Here are three lessons that all entrepreneurs can learn when navigating trying situations in their professional and personal lives.

Choose the path of self-development

In challenging times, sometimes our best teacher is ourselves. And no one knows that better than Frederick Douglass. Despite being born into slavery, Frederick Douglass knew his ticket to freedom was through education. At the age of 6, Douglass moved to the Wye House plantation, where he was looked after by Lucretia Auld, the wife of a recently deceased slave overseer. Later, she sent him to serve her family members, Hugh and Sophia Auld, in Baltimore. When Douglass was about 12 years old, Sophia Auld began teaching him the alphabet. However, her husband Hugh strongly disapproved as he felt that literacy encouraged enslaved people to seek freedom.

In secret, Douglass would teach himself to read and write and once said, “Knowledge is the pathway from slavery to freedom.” Douglass taught himself how to spell from Webster’s spelling books and began to read and write with inspiration from posters on cellar and barn doors. In his later years, he went on to write three bestselling biographies: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an enslaved American (1845), My Bondage and My Freedom (1855) and Life and Times of Frederick Douglass (1881).

The lesson is this: When it’s time to evolve and change, choose the hard path of self-development for long-term growth and success. Whether it’s getting an executive coach when you’re feeling stuck, honing your fundraising skills, or implementing a new DEI program that stakeholders are skeptical about, do the hard thing that you know will pay off later.

Related: The 3 C’s That Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Can Teach Us Today To Advance Workplace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Do and say what’s right — even if no one’s listening

Douglass was known worldwide as a vocal abolitionist. He spent two years in Ireland and Great Britain, delivering lectures on the need to eliminate slavery in the United States. Sympathetic Europeans donated money to buy his freedom from the Auld family. When he returned to the U.S. in 1847, he started the first abolitionist newspaper, the North Star, where he advocated the abolition of slavery in writing.

Here’s the lesson: Say and do what you know is right. In business, we often follow our competitors, copy what they do, iterate on it, and try to outdo them. But some of the best entrepreneurs I know chart their own paths, often swimming upstream, innovating along the way, and doing something that no one has ever done. In challenging times, these may feel like risky moves to make. But, these entrepreneurs focus on their vision for the future and do what they think is right, even if others aren’t bought in.

Related: From Faith to Politics: How to Navigate Difficult Conversations in the Workplace

If you’re feeling alone, build coalitions

When you’re stuck in a challenging situation — whether fighting to keep your business afloat or navigating an uncertain market — you can weather the storm by building coalitions and partnerships with those around you. Frederick Douglass did exactly that but with the women’s suffrage movement.

In 1848, Douglass was the only Black person in the room as he attended the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in New York. When others couldn’t see the connection between women’s suffrage and abolition, Douglass spoke firmly in favor of a woman’s right to vote and equated the rights of Black men with the plight of women to vote. He often said that the world would be a better place if women had the right and power to participate in politics. For this era, this kind of partnership was revolutionary. Douglass wouldn’t be alive to see the 19th Amendment passed, but his allyship and advocacy for civil rights and liberty for all will never be forgotten.

The lesson is this: Build partnerships. No one in business can survive alone. If you haven’t built as many partnerships, alliances, and relationships as you’d like, now’s the time. Douglass understood that by leaning on a community of people who shared similar values and goals, he could elevate his cause and create collective growth. When times get hard in business, it’s the strength of your partnerships that will see you through.

Related: It’s Black History Month. Here’s How to Show Black Employees You Care.

Final thoughts

Sometimes, it’s helpful to look back in order to move forward. Looking to leaders like Frederick Douglass is not only an inspirational choice but a smart one. He was a man who struggled to navigate life in the era of slavery and rose to the occasion to teach himself how to read, write, speak, and eventually become a vocal advocate for freedom and liberation. You can’t help but feel that Douglass would be someone you’d reach out to in need of advice if he were still alive. He’s one of many figures in Black history who can provide us with a guiding light in times of uncertainty and turmoil and can be a model for moving through challenges with fortitude, confidence, and hope.



Source link

39% of Your Skills Will be Obsolete in 5 Years — Here Are 6 Skills You Will Need to Thrive


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Entrepreneurs — take note: 39% of your current skills will be obsolete within 5 years, but this AI revolution is your biggest opportunity yet.

In this video, I’ll reveal how Phase 3 AI, specifically the rise of AI agents, is driving this massive shift and why mastering new skills is no longer optional; it’s critical. I’ll share insights from the Future of Jobs Report, highlighting the six key skills you need to thrive in an AI-driven world and how embracing analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, creative thinking, motivation and self-awareness will be crucial. You’ll also learn how my new book, “The Wolf is at the Door,” predicted this skills revolution and why entrepreneurs are rushing to get their hands on it to prepare for 2025 and beyond.

This isn’t just about surviving the AI revolution; it’s about thriving in it. Discover how to leverage AI agents to your advantage, creating new opportunities and transforming your business.

Download the free “AI Success Kit” (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from Ben’s brand new book, “The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.”



Source link

Here’s What Amazon Is Doing To Cut Down On Middle Management


Amazon announced on Wednesday that it was laying off dozens of workers in its communications and sustainability departments, and earlier this month, the company let go of 200 employees from its North America stores team. It’s only the beginning.

In September, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the company would be eliminating excess layers of middle management by the end of March. Now, a leaked Amazon Web Services (AWS) sales team guidelines document, obtained by Business Insider on Thursday, sheds light on how those middle-manager cuts will happen.

The document tells AWS sales managers to increase their number of direct reports, pause hiring new managers, and demote some managers down a level to a non-managerial position of less pay. An Amazon spokesperson did not confirm the internal guidance to BI. AWS had about 115,000 employees out of Amazon’s total 1.55 million.

When it comes to direct reports, the leaked document requires managers to have at least eight team members, up from the six that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos required in 2017.

The AWS sales team guidelines also advised a pause on hiring new managers, stating that the team had hired more managers than entry-level employees in the past few years, driving costs up. Amazon’s structure had become more diamond-shaped than pyramid-shaped, the document stated, referring to the heavier middle management layer.

The final recommendation in the leaked documentation was to move managers down a level to individual contributors, which has a lower pay range. Two AWS employees told BI that this had already happened to several managers.

Andy Jassy. Photo by Noah Berger/Getty Images for Amazon Web Services

These changes arrive in response to Jassy’s September note, which asked each senior leadership team to “increase the ratio of individual contributors to managers by at least 15% by the end of Q1 2025.”

Related: ‘Not a Cost Play’: Amazon CEO Clarifies Why Employees Have to Come Back to the Office

A Morgan Stanley note to investors in October estimated that Amazon could let go of 13,834 managers under Jassy’s guidelines, assuming that 7% of Amazon’s workforce is management. Amazon had 105,770 managers as of the second quarter of 2024 and would cut that number down to 91,936 managers by the first quarter of 2025, per the note.

Morgan Stanley estimated that if Amazon’s cost per manager ranged from $200,000 to $350,000 per year, Amazon would save between $2.1 billion and $3.6 billion by reducing its manager headcount.

At a November all-hands meeting, Jassy explained that changes to middle management were necessary to keep Amazon competitive. He had created a “Bureaucracy Mailbox” in September for Amazon employees to email him examples of excessive processes or rules that could be eliminated. As of November, that inbox had received more than 500 emails, with Amazon taking action on more than 150 employee suggestions.

“The reality is that the [senior leadership team] and I hate bureaucracy,” Jassy said. “One of the reasons I’m still at this company is because it’s not a political or bureaucratic place.”

Related: I Tried Buying a Car on Amazon. Here Are the Pros and Cons.



Source link

Barbara Corcoran Doesn’t Look at Resumes. Here’s Why.


Real estate entrepreneur and long-time “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran says she’s hired thousands of people during her career—including hiring (and firing) her own mother.

Now the 75-year-old investor and mentor is sharing her advice when it comes to what to look for when hiring. And if you think you need a strong resume to work with Corcoran, you’d be mistaken.

Related: This Is the Most Important Part of Starting a Business, According to Daymond John, an Entrepreneur Worth $350 Million

“I’ve hired thousands of people over the years and this is the No. 1 thing I’ve learned,” Corcoran says in a video posted to Instagram. “Always hire attitude over experience.”

“You have someone with the right attitude, you can teach them anything!” Corcoran continues. “Forget about the resume.”

“Think about their attitude and their willingness to learn,” she adds. “That’s what I’ve learned.”

Commenters mostly agreed with Corcoran’s thoughts, with one writing: “The best advice!!!! Agree 1000%; makes work and team environment so good too!”

Related: Barbara Corcoran Only Flies Coach. Here’s Why.

Others said they were applying her advice to their company’s hiring processes.

“Cheers to this. I just interviewed some people and this is what I pay close attention to!” a user added.

Though not everyone said it works in their field.

“I feel like it’s been the opposite recently within the design world,” one user wrote—before asking if Corcoran was hiring.

Related: Barbara Corcoran Says This Is the One Question to Ask Before Selling Your Home



Source link

How a Mindfulness Practice Can Help You Beat Tech Overwhelm


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Nearly every industry is going through digital disruptions, making entrepreneurship more accessible. However, the constant change in the tech landscape makes it hard to keep up and settle on a tech strategy.

When the goal is to work on your business, not in your business, make the tech work instead of building connections with your audience and attracting your ideal clients. Where mindfulness has become a practice to step away from the digital world, incorporating some of the same practices will lighten the digital load.

A mindful approach to tech isn’t just about slowing down — it’s about creating space for strategic, values-aligned decisions. By taking time to assess each tool’s impact, entrepreneurs can avoid “tech bloat,” where unnecessary platforms slip into daily operations and complicate workflows.

Related: Conventional Business Models Weren’t Cutting It — See How Innovating With AI is Changing the Game for Startups

The overwhelm of tech choices

The tech revolution has driven an “always-on” culture where constant connectivity and quick changes lead to burnout and reactive decision-making. To maintain balance, a conscious approach to tech adoption can help ensure technology supports us rather than being driven by it.

Entrepreneurs face significant challenges when managing their tech stack, from selecting the right software to dealing with connectivity issues and staying within budget. New digital tools are marketed as solutions to common pain points, leveraging success stories to encourage quick adoption. However, these tools can be challenging to integrate into existing systems and processes, creating more work and new pain points.

Why mindfulness matters in a tech strategy

Embracing tech decisions as a series of thoughtful steps rather than reactive moves helps make a business unique. It ensures the business owner is well-supported and can focus on building a company that reflects its values.

Taking a mindful approach encourages entrepreneurs to pause, reflect and evaluate whether their current tech continues to support their goals. Regularly reflecting on whether tools work for them creates a continuous improvement cycle and allows for change without compromising the business’s integrity. This approach ensures that tech supports growth, not a source of pressure or burnout.

Applying mindfulness to your tech

Here are some considerations for a mindful approach to tech decision-making:

  • Pause and assess: Before investing in new technology, evaluate whether it aligns with your goals, values and personal capacity to ensure that the choice contributes meaningfully to your operations.
  • Prioritize and simplify: Focus on essential tools that add genuine value rather than being drawn into trends to maintain a streamlined tech stack that supports efficiency and reduces complexity.
  • Reflect and iterate: Review your current tech setup regularly to determine whether it meets your business needs. Make adjustments thoughtfully and avoid reactive changes to ensure the technology continues to serve your evolving goals.
  • Mindful auditing: Periodically evaluate your tech tools and ask, “How does this still align with my business goals?” You should be able to see how each tool supports your business to prevent tech bloat and keep in alignment with strategic goals.
  • Intentional implementation: Plan new technology with clear steps, considering factors like the learning curve and potential challenges. Then, phase out old technology to promote smooth integration and practical use.

Related: Why Practicing Mindfulness in Daily Life Is Invaluable For Entrepreneurs

As someone who loves trying new tech, I’ve learned the importance of mindful assessment to avoid cluttered workflows and wasted resources. Early in my entrepreneurship, I eagerly adopted several productivity tools, believing they would enhance efficiency. Instead, they created bloat and duplicated efforts, draining time, money and energy. I could never fully leverage any tool, being too wrapped up in what the tools could do versus what I needed from them.

One example involved a client whose team used three task-tracking platforms for clients, marketing and internal projects. They faced communication issues and decreased productivity from copying details from one platform to another. We paused to assess their core needs and found that some tweaks to their processes meant we could better leverage just one of their platforms to streamline operations and reduce costs.

A mindful approach to tech choices is more than just a feel-good concept; it is a practical strategy to enhance clarity, reduce stress, and create a cohesive, value-driven tech environment. By thoughtfully evaluating and integrating technology, entrepreneurs can ensure that their tech choices align with their goals and support sustainable growth without unnecessary complexity.

Take one small step today: take some time to think about a piece of tech that you use regularly. How does it support you? What effort does it require from you? Is it worth it?



Source link

Bill Gates Is Still Doing Product Reviews at Microsoft


When Bill Gates stepped down from Microsoft’s board in 2020, it seemed to be the end of the entrepreneur’s almost four decades at the tech giant he co-founded in 1975. Though on his Gates Notes blog, he states he is still a “technical advisor,” it wasn’t clear how much time he was actually spending at the company.

Gates spent 25 years as CEO and transitioned into a part-time role at Microsoft in June 2008. And despite officially stepping down in 2020, it looks like Gates never actually retired.

In a new interview with the Wall Street Journal, Gates said that he is still doing “product reviews” at Microsoft, and it takes up “maybe 15%” of the 69-year-old’s time.

Related: Melinda French Gates Announces Open Call for $250 Million Fund. Here’s Who Can Apply.

Gates also said that he and current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella still have a “very close relationship.”

“I love doing product reviews, and he brings me in to do that,” Gates said. “It’s maybe 15% of my time. It helps me stay up-to-date.”

Microsoft Co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen pose for a portrait in 1984 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by © Doug Wilson/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

This is a departure from April 2024, when Business Insider reported that Bill Gates was working behind the scenes at Microsoft, and a company spokesperson told the outlet, “Bill is not at Microsoft and not involved here.”

So, it doesn’t look like Gates will be fully retired anytime soon.

As his blog says: “I have a front seat view to all the amazing work the company continues to do in my current role as a technology advisor, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”

Related: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Says the Company Needs a ‘Culture Change’ After Security Failures



Source link

Grow Your Skills with Access to More Than 1,000 Courses for $20


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

For business leaders, professionals, and lifelong learners, the journey of staying ahead never truly ends. Whether you’re managing a team, scaling your startup, or pivoting careers, having the right skills makes all the difference. To that end, StackSkills EDU Unlimited is an online learning platform that offers lifetime access to more than 1,000 courses for just $19.97.

With courses ranging from coding and IT to leadership, marketing, and beyond, StackSkills is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals. Each course is self-paced, so you can learn when it’s convenient for you—no rigid schedules, no deadlines. And with new courses added monthly, you’ll always have access to fresh, relevant content.

StackSkills empowers you to strengthen your skillset while tackling the challenges of a fast-paced business world. Whether you want to upskill your team, improve your own capabilities, or explore trending topics like AI, blockchain, or growth hacking, StackSkills has you covered. And it’s all presented in a user-friendly interface with easy progress tracking, helping you see tangible results.

For example, imagine a marketing executive who needs to brush up on analytics for their next big campaign. StackSkills offers beginner-to-advanced courses in data storytelling and visualization. Or consider a parent returning to the workforce—courses in project management or graphic design could be the key to landing their dream job.

Life gets busy, but StackSkills fits learning into your schedule. Commuting? Watch a quick lecture. Need a refresher? Revisit the material anytime. And with more than 350 expert instructors, you’ll be learning from those who’ve been there and done that.

From foundational courses like Excel Essentials to advanced lessons on Cybersecurity for Business Leaders, StackSkills brings expertise to your fingertips. Plus, quarterly Q&A webinars and premium customer support ensure you get the most out of your learning journey.

Don’t miss lifetime access to EDU Unlimited by StackSkills for just $19.97.

EDU Unlimited by StackSkills: Lifetime Access – $19.97

Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.



Source link

Secure Your Business with 320+ Hours of Cybersecurity Courses for $60


Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you’ll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners.

It’s no secret that businesses large and small are under constant threat from cyberattacks. For business leaders, IT professionals, and aspiring developers, understanding cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s essential. The Complete 2025 Cybersecurity Developer & IT Super Skills Bundle is your all-in-one toolkit to stay ahead of the curve and protect your business.

This bundle features 24 expertly crafted courses totaling 320+ hours of training, covering everything from ethical hacking to advanced network security principles. With lifetime access, you can master the skills you need at your own pace. Whether you’re tackling real-world vulnerabilities, preparing for certifications like CompTIA Security+, or learning to thwart social engineering tactics, this bundle has you covered.

Why businesses need cybersecurity expertise

Today’s businesses depend on strong cybersecurity strategies to safeguard customer data, financial assets, and proprietary information. This bundle equips you with the knowledge to lead your organization confidently through the evolving threat landscape. For instance, courses on incident response help you manage breaches, while modules on network security teach you to implement robust protection measures for your company’s systems.

For business leaders, knowing what ethical hackers do and how tools like Nmap and Wireshark work can improve decision-making when selecting cybersecurity teams or protocols. Plus, the CompTIA Security+ prep course ensures you’re up to date on the gold standard of cybersecurity certifications.

Real-world skills and applications

The best part? This bundle emphasizes practical, hands-on skills. You won’t just learn abstract concepts. You’ll also be taught how to apply them in real-life scenarios. For instance, ethical hacking techniques give you insight into how attackers think so you can better defend your systems. Social engineering modules prepare you to train employees to spot phishing attempts and other scams.

These are the exact skills businesses demand—and they’re all included for this one-time low price.

Get the Complete 2025 Cybersecurity Developer & IT Super Skills Bundle while it’s just $59.99 (reg. $936).

The Complete 2025 Cybersecurity Developer & IT Super Skills Bundle – $59.99

Get It Here

StackSocial prices subject to change.



Source link

The AI Tool That Will 10x Your Output in 2025 (And It’s Not ChatGPT)


Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Buried within your emails, documents, and data lies a goldmine of insights with the power to 10X your output and double your sales – but it’s fragmented and overwhelming. That’s all about to change. A revolutionary new category of AI tools is emerging, poised to transform how we work, and Google’s Agent Space is leading the charge.

In this video, I’ll demystify this groundbreaking technology, revealing how it acts as a central command center for your business, powered by a team of tireless AI assistants. I’ll also reveal a specific prompt that helped me double the sales in my own business using these very tools.

This is beyond basic automation, this is about creating a team of specialized AI agents that handle your most tedious tasks, from customer support to report generation, all while you focus on growing your business.

Download the free ‘AI Success Kit’ (limited time only). And you’ll also get a free chapter from Ben’s brand new book, ‘The Wolf is at The Door – How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World.’



Source link

Payment Processor Stripe Lays Off Employees Via Cartoon Duck


News of layoffs has seemed nonstop in January, with CNN, Citigroup, and Microsoft all cutting roles this week alone. Usually, these notices are pretty standard—heavy on the legal wording, and light on the cartoons.

But that wasn’t the case at Stripe, a payments software company that laid off 300 employees on Monday. Some employees in the various roles affected (product, operations, engineering) were notified by an illustration of a cartoon duck, Business Insider reports. The dates on the termination notices were also incorrect.

Related: ‘We Will Have Job Eliminations’: Starbucks CEO Announces Corporate Layoffs Will Begin Soon

The illustration was sent as a PDF attachment and said, “US-Non-California Duck.” Business Insider received a picture of the yellow duck from employees on a Blind chat.

“The comms to those laid off were flubbed completely,” one employee reportedly wrote.

A Stripe representative told Business Insider that follow-up emails went out to affected employees.

“I apologize for the error and any confusion it caused,” wrote Rob McIntosh, the company’s chief people officer. “Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes.”

Related: Citigroup Eliminated More Jobs This Week. Here Are the Roles Affected.

Stripe is valued at $70 billion in the private markets, per CNBC.

Despite the cuts, McIntosh said the company is “not slowing down hiring” and expects to increase its workforce by 17% this year to 10,000.





Source link