5 Reasons Why Doing What Others Do Turns You Into a Small Business Zombie

I’m sure you have heard this advice: Follow the best practices. I’m not a believer in that advice. For me, do things others don’t; if you can’t, just copy the best practices and be sure to make them your own. Why am I such a rebel? The answer to that question is simple: Doing what others do kills your creativity. And if your creativity dies you are becoming a zombie of the business world: Wandering around places, clueless. You are becoming resistant to changes and you won’t notice the wind of change that will help you navigate your small business ship.…

My Growing Startup: Should I Monetize it or Keep it Free? (Infographic Inside)

It seems like a no-brainer for the rest of us, but some business owners – especially those establishing venture capital (VC)-backed tech startups – have strong preference toward growing user base by keeping their services free of charge. So, which strategy to adopt? Should I monetize my products/services or keep them free as long as I can? While growth and innovation are typically what VCs are looking for, my profit-oriented mind is always telling me that a business is a good business if it makes money.…