Month: September 2024

The most profitable businesses don’t necessarily make the most sales or charge the highest prices; they wring value out of every resource—every centimeter of lumber or denim or silicon. What’s more impressive, they do it without burning out employees or sacrificing product quality. The name of the game is efficiency—specifically cost efficiency—and it can make…

Gaming is nothing new. Archeologists not long ago unearthed a 5,000-year-old dice set, and psychologists have documented how gameplay meets basic human needs like socialization, exploration, and achievement. In other words, humans are wired to play games. What is relatively new, however, is how businesses are using game-like structures to meet their goals. “Gamification can…

You’ve probably experienced the tension between long- and short-term goals. Should you drop that extra $200 in your retirement savings or invest in hand-sewn sequin pants? Schedule a dentist appointment or do the dishes? These decisions aren’t easy—a killer outfit and an ant-free kitchen are nothing to sniff at. Research shows, however, that people tend…

Online shoppers return products all the time for all sorts of reasons—it’s the wrong size or color, it doesn’t fit, or maybe it’s just plain broken or defective. For some, it’s simply not what they were hoping it’d be. As a business owner, it’s crucial to learn why items are returned so you can improve…

Search engine optimization without proper reporting is like driving at night without headlights or GPS. You may be moving forward, but you won’t know where you’re going and how quickly you’re getting there. Good visibility helps you course correct and make informed driving decisions. Similarly, SEO reporting lets you see how quickly you’re reaching your…

A fierce independent streak is an essential ingredient in launching and sustaining a startup. But it’s just as important to recognize and capitalize on the benefits of a dynamic startup community or ecosystem. Data shows startups are most successful when run from within robust startup ecosystems, like the San Francisco Bay Area. Even though San…

You’ve probably experienced virtual reality by now: You put on a headset and enter a virtual world that stands apart from the one you live in. Augmented reality is similar to VR in that it lets users interact with virtual objects that don’t exist in the physical world. But unlike virtual reality, augmented reality technology…

In the fast-paced world of beauty and skin care, longevity is rare. Yet OSEA Malibu, a brand that offers seaweed-based skin care products, founded in 1996, has not only survived but thrived for nearly three decades. CEO Melissa Palmer, daughter of company founder Jenefer Palmer, has steered the brand from its humble beginnings in Malibu,…