Archive for Inspire
The Puzzle Model: Piecing together as a business model
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- Image via Wikipedia
Just read another great post by Seth Godin called “How to be a Packager“. In it Seth starts out by talking about putting a book together and being the one that manages the flow. Everything from putting the authors together to designing the cover to selling the book. Kind of like a wedding planner for books.
“A book packager is like a movie producer, but for books. You invent an idea, find the content and the authors, find the publisher and manage the process. Book packagers make almanacs, illustrated books, series books for kids and the goofy one-off books you find at the cash register. I did everything from a line of almanacs to a book on spot and stain removal. It was terrific fun, and in a good year, a fine business. Along the way, I worked with just about every major publisher and created more than a hundred books. I packaged (with various levels of success) video games, college professors, Julia Robert’s astrologer, an award-winning children’s novelist, the Weekly World News, Kinko’s and (almost) Craftsmen Tools.”
He then goes on to talk about using this model but for other ventures. The truth is this is not a new model and as I said on top it’s sort of like being a wedding planner. There are many industries and businesses that are built on being what Seth call a “Packager”.
Now while Seth is talking about taking perhaps existing products and or content and packaging them together, I would like to spend a couple of minutes talking about “Packages” that save time and the value they bring.
This is probably best noticed with consultants. Consultants have the experience and the knowledge to direct and guide you to the solution you are looking for. While it is possible to find the information on your own, a consultant can save you tens or even hundreds of hours. You just need to ask yourself how much is your time worth.
Another similar deal is a web design firm. Where as I am a big advocate of using FREE website designers, this is mostly for informational type of websites, easy E-commerce sites or for when you are just getting started. But if you are looking for a more advanced type of website, a web design firm will create a whole package for you including hosting, paypal integration, blog software, forms, design, etc.
The point is even though you can do something yourself with enough time, is it really something you should do? Again, it depends on how much you value your time.
Another thing to think about is how can you create a new business by saving time for people whose time is valuable. Think out of the box. The same with being a packager. What can you package together that will bring value and save time for those that need what ever it is your selling? There is plenty of opportunity out there and the article by Seth Godin is a good way to inspire you and get you started.
Orthodox Jewish Boxer, Dmitriy Salita, goes for the Gold
Posted by: | CommentsA must view video for Entrepreneurs – I truly enjoyed watching this
Posted by: | CommentsDrive: What you need to succeed in business in Israel or to be a successful entrepreneur
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Do you want to make a difference? Do you have what it takes? All of us have ideas, some of them even great or life changing ideas. But what stops you from acting on them? What makes one person successful and another one sit on his/her dreams for years? The answer is “Drive”.
What drives you? What keeps you from sleeping at night and anxious to get up in the morning? Do you love what you do? If not then your probably not doing it as well as you could. If not, why not? If not, make a change.
When someone is driven there is no stopping them. When it comes to being a successful entrepreneur you need to have drive and passion about your idea or it will always remain just that; an idea.
Aish HaTorah started a section on there site called Heroes of Israel.
It is very inspiring to see what normal people can accomplish when they are driven. Do you want to know what “drive” is? Watch these videos, be inspired, and then go out and change the world!
The move from TypePad to WordPress and the future of Israpreneur
Posted by: | CommentsDear Readers,
Over the past couple of days we have moved this blog over from TypePad to WordPress. We have done this for many reasons, but the most important is to be able to bring you more. More great articles, more writers and more features.
The economic situation in Israel is bleak and we have already started facing many challenges including lay offs by the thousands and companies closing. We are here to help you meet those challenges and to offer advice and inspiration to help you get through this rescession.
Please bear with us over the next couple of days as we continue to clean up this website and add new features and tools.
As always we welcome your thoughts and advice on how we can serve you better.
Israpreneur
When seeking a position in Israel come from a position of strength not weakness!
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A couple of days ago I was consulting a women who wanted to expand her skill set and perhaps take a job at a very low level or even for free in order to get her feet wet. I had a great conversation with her and I wanted to share with you some of the things I said. More and more I am hearing about friends and people I know that are losing their jobs in Israel because of the current global economic situation. It pains me every time I hear of someone else getting laid off since it is much harder to get a job in today's market. I read somewhere recently that for every job that becomes available in Israel, 5 people are trying to get it.
So how do you get it? How do you become the 1 that gets the job and not the 4 that doesn't?
Before we answer that I want to answer the question about why most people leave their jobs to start a company. Even if they are happy with their jobs they eventually realize one thing and that is why should I work 10 hours a day making someone else money when I can be making myself money? Now of course this is not the course for everyone since it is easier said then done, but that is the concept behind it. What I would like to suggest is applying that same attitude when looking for a job.
What do I mean? If you are looking to gain new skills in internet marketing, then why spend 6 months or a year working for a company to build them up? Why work for a few shekels an hour and start a blog, twitter account, or Facebook fan page for a company when you can be building yourself up. Build your brand and not your companies brand.
Below are some of the things I suggested to her to do:
- Start Your own blog and post everyday
- Get on to Twitter and start following people and offer value to get others to follow you
- Get on Facebook and LinkedIN, now more than ever it is important to build and utilize your network
- Get speaking engagements! Do it for free! Offer free courses or lectures about topics you are passionate about. Make sure to record them and post them on your blog or website
- Write articles! Write about what you know and get them printed in newspapers, magazines and on other blogs
- Read every post by Chris Brogan (www.ChrisBrogan.com) He is a master at self branding
- Do a search on Google for "Personal Branding" and learn everything you can about branding yourself
- Check out: www.synthasite.com to build a free website and blog
I said if you do this for 6 months then after six months you would have created an exceptional brand about yourself. Now when you go into a company for an "interview", you won't just be one of the 5, but in a league of your own. You can point out how you are a published writer, a speaker, how you have thousands of people following you on Twitter, that you have hundreds of posts on your blog that is being read by hundreds of people, how you have hundreds of people as fans of yours on Facebook etc. And now you can tell the company that you will do the same for them. Now you are coming from a position of strength and not weakness.
You may even decide to work as a consultant and work from home or you may just have so much fun building up your personal brand that you decide to do that full time and start to charge for your services.
The Israeli kid candy entrepreneurs are back in Ramat Bet Shemesh
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I am very impressed! A couple of weeks ago we highlighted on this blog a post about these two young brothers who were selling candy on Nachal Dolev in Ramat Bet Shemesh right outside my offices. You can see that post here. Well yesterday they were back! Or at least one of the brothers. The other was probably working another corner spreading distribution.
As you can see from this exclusive photo not only have they fixed there presentation by adding more candy and keeping them in a nice container as opposed to spread out on the stools, but the quality of the candy and the prices hasgone up as well. This time I bought 5 of the candy necklaces at 1nis a piece. This is pure entreprenurism at its best. They tested the market with a product without investing in huge inventory, they saw that there was a market need. So they reinvested the product in more and better stock and are now testing it in multiple locations (according to my theory of where the other brother is). If they keep this up, by the time he is Bar-Mitzva he will be the most successful candy company in Israel (or at least on Nachal Dolev)!
War in Gaza + Former Gush Katif Residents + JobKatif = creative job solutions
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JobKatif is an innovative and inspiring non-profit organization that was created as a way to create and find job for former members of Gush Katif that were expelled from their homes in the Disengagement. There was and unfortunately still is a need to find Jobs for those who needed to start from scratch after their communities were destroyed. With the current war in GAZA and the general situation with the Global economy, there is a need to be innovative. JobKatif is being innovative as seen in this post below:
all of you who contributed! And it was multiplied by 4x by a generous
donor, so JobKatif did even better! Below read about its latest
wonderful project:
At JobKatif we are conducting business in unusual times. So we are conducting business unusually.
As you know, JobKatif is focused on providing employment solutions for
the former residents of Gush Katif. But who can work when there are
sirens going off every few minutes? Who can work when staff members are
being called up to the army? Who can work when your son, who grew up in
Gush Katif, and knows the terrain was sent to the front lines? And who
can think about getting a job when you are scared for your life and the
life of your neighbors.
So instead of business as ususal, we are going to have fun. Lots and
lots of fun. And we are going to help the people of Gush Katif do what
they do best?. care about the Jewish people. During Operation Cast
Lead, JobKatif has begun Operation Joy and Light. JobKatif has
requisitioned a van which will be taking entertainers to visit small
communities under fire and provide joy and respite to the children.
Both the van driver and the entertainers are from Gush Katif. And many
of them have been helped by JobKatif. So far we have lined up jumping
castles, karaoke, puppet theatre, magicians, balloon games and Jewish
telepathy.
In addition to Operation Joy and Light, which will provide work for
entertainers from Gush Katif and happiness to children from the South -
our counselors are continuing to offer support to families and we are
continuing to help Gush Katif families find alternative housing as
needed.
Visit JobKatif to Donate Today!
Help us bring respite and joy to the people of the South. Remember,
repentance, prayer and charity annul evil decrees. Go out and do a
kindness for another person. If you haven't yet donated to our $4 to $1
matching campaign, please do so now. Please pass this on to your
friends Finally, continue to keep the people of Gush Katif, the people
of the South and all of our valiant soldiers in your prayers.
In friendship,
Judy Lowy
Executive Director, JobKatif
While this idea may not make millions, I love the innovation and the never give up attitude. I strongly suggest that anyone that wants to help out should support this group and give donations. Kol HaKavod!
Not everyone was made to be an entrepreneur just like not everyone was made to sing
Posted by: | CommentsI know when I get up to sing (which most people are grateful is not often), I never feel like I'm in my zone. I mean I don't have a horrible voice, but let's just say I was not blessed with the musical talents of my famous cousins. So, from an early age I realized nor aimed for being a singer or a chazan. That doesn't mean I don't love to listen to music or that I won't sing when there are at least a few other guys singing together, but I know my limitations.
The same is true about being an entrepreneur. Not everyone is meant to be one or can even be one. Even though it has become popular to take classes in Entrepreneurship at the Ivy League Colleges, being an entrepreneur is more than just having knowledge and is truly not something you can teach or learn.
Being an Entrepreneur is something you are born with. It's one of those things that you either are or aren't. You can't teach how to go through a year without bringing in a dime, to not have enough food to feed your family, just to start your business and to see it fail 2 years later and then to start-up again another company a year later after having sold your wife's engagement ring to put the electricity back on. You can't teach having a never give up attitude, or what it means to be responsible for all aspects of a company, or how to handle employees who lives you effect everyday.
(It is very important to mention that one of the secrets of success of any entrepreneur is having a spouse that fully supports you. This can not be over emphasized since a true entrepreneur may go through several failures before finding his success.)
So if you are thinking about starting a business you need to first ask yourself if you have what it takes to fail. Do you have enough cash in the bank to go a year without bringing in a shekel and do you have the type of spouse that will fully support you even if you lose your money in the endeavor and would need to start again from scratch? Again, knowledge is nice, but you can't teach guts.
Here are some posts that are worthile to read:
4 Simple Steps to Minimize Failure For Your Next
Business Idea
Why your Web Start-up Will Fail
Do what you love, love what you do!
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I am a big believer in doing what you love to do. If you love your work then it doesn't seem like work. I love being an entrepreneur! I love to take a G-D given idea and take it from the stage of idea to raising money, building a team and seeing your baby become a success. We should also talk about passion, because if you want to succeed in anything you do, you need to be passionate about it. Whether it's starting a business, working for a company or sitting and learning Torah all day! If you are passionate you will succeed. With all the hundreds of thousands of layoffs around the world today, I can almost guarantee you that no one who was passionate about their job was laid off. When you are passionate it rubs off on other people and your boss will for sure notice. The best way to be passionate about something is to love what you do! So if you hate being on your feet all day and traveling, then perhaps being a salesman is not for you. But if you are passionate about baking and you love to bake and people can't stop talking about your baked goods, then perhaps selling your baked goods or teaching others how to bake would be a great idea for you! If you are going to have to work everyday, then it may as well be something that you would enjoy doing!
Again, going to Seth Godin here, he writes a post called "Maybe you can't make money doing what you love.
It's a worthwhile read and you should think about what it is you love to do and see if you can some how make a business about it or target a company that allows you to follow your passion. If you go on a job interview and you can't stop smiling and talking passionately about the product the company sells, chances are you will get the job above someone who may be more "qualified" then you, but is simply not as passionate.
