#Go-To-Market Strategy Consulting

[strategii-at-work]

FMCG Business Strategy: Comprehensive Guide for Sustainable Growth

Explore the intricacies of FMCG business strategy for sustainable growth. Discover key components like product innovation, pricing, distribution, and successful case studies in this guide.

[cplconsult-com]

CPL's daily case study on tumblr.... CPL Business Consultants analysed the dairy-derived ingredients sector market dynamics, and recommended a strategy for entering the business.

[corporality-global]

Celebrate excellence with Corporality Global, the leading brand strategist and business development partner in Sydney. Transform your brand and foster growth with our expertise. Explore our services now! https://corporality.global/

[strategyinc2]

In the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of medical devices, predicting the adoption and market success of a new product is crucial for manufacturers. One effective tool that aids in this process is a competitive analysis performed by medical device consultants. By examining the competitive landscape, identifying key players, and analyzing their strategies, medical device companies can gain valuable insights that inform their decision-making and increase the likelihood of successful market penetration. This article explores the value of competitive analysis in predicting medical device adoption and highlights its significance for manufacturers.

Understanding the Competitive Landscape A competitive analysis involves a systematic examination of the industry, market trends, and key competitors. In the medical device sector, this analysis encompasses factors such as regulatory environment, technological advancements, customer preferences, and pricing dynamics. By understanding the competitive landscape, manufacturers can gain insights into existing and potential competitors, market gaps, and the overall market size and potential.

Identifying Key Players Competitive analysis enables medical device manufacturers to identify and evaluate key players in the industry. This includes both direct competitors who offer similar products and indirect competitors who address the same healthcare needs using alternative solutions. By studying the strategies. strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning of these players, manufacturers can assess their competitive advantage and develop effective differentiation strategies

[marrywillson]

Best go to market strategy - cuneiform

Our Digital marketing service can accelerate your digital journey and generate revenue. We provider SEO, SMM, PPC Services in USA. The “go-to-market strategy and execution plan” is where we approach and strategize for releasing a product or service to the market.

[astroismypassion]

✨PART OF FORTUNE IN SIGNS AND HOUSES SERIES: 7TH HOUSE✨

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

ARIES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aries and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via project management, team leadership, startup environment, via creating and managing marketing campaigns in collaboration with other businesses or influencers. You feel abundant when you take on responsibilities where you can direct and inspire others, focusing on building strong, dynamic partnerships.

TAURUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Taurus and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via selling luxury items, such as high-end jewellery, fashion or home décor, via message therapy, work in fields related to nutrition and fitness, where you can help others achieve and maintain a healthy and stable lifestyle. You feel abundant when you incorporate aesthetics and a sense of beauty into your work.

GEMINI PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Gemini and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via using your persuasive communication skills to excel in sales, marketing or advertising roles. You find abundance in work in public relations, via entering a business partnership where you can complement your partner’s skills. You have an excellent ability to communicate and negotiate with others. You find wealth when you work closely with clients on a one-on-one basis.

CANCER PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Cancer and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via offering babysitting, nannying or after-school care. You may also find abundance in selling handmade items (candles, home decor or personalized gifts). You feel abundant when you work in nursing, patient care, daycare, work in hospitality industry. You feel abundant when you pay attention to your gut feelings when making decisions.

LEO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Leo and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via becoming a motivational speaker or event host. You may also earn money via being a stylist for others, personal stylist, personal shopper or providing makeup artist services for people that go to events. You may also do really pretty nails.

VIRGO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Virgo and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via working as a freelance writer, editor or proofreader. You may also offer consulting services in area of business strategy, health, wellness, nutrition and financial planning. Offer tutoring services in subjects you are knowledgeable about.

LIBRA PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via teaching an instrument or vocal lessons if you have musical skills. Share your knowledge in painting, drawing and crafts. You can start a TikTok account focused on topics of fashion, DIY, lifestyle, make up, clothing, sharing your recipes.

SCORPIO PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Scorpio and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via joint ventures, such as turnaround projects or startups in emerging industries or engaging in joint venture that involves a profound change or transformation, via family law, criminal law, forensic science, via work in crisis management or trauma recovery, investment banking or wealth management, work as a financial analyst or alternative healing methods (reiki, acupuncture, hypnotherapy).

SAGITTARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Sagittarius and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via writing books, articles, blogs on philosophical topics, travel experiences or cultural insights. You feel the most abundant when you are optimistic, enthusiastic and when you have direct and honest communication. You could find wealth through work in journalism, especially in roles that involve travel or reporting on cultural events and global news, work in diplomacy or international relations.

CAPRICORN PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Capricorn and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via investment banking, financial planning, property management, real estate development, specializing in corporate law, contract law or real estate law. You could also make money as a mediator or arbitrator, helping to resolve disputes and negotiate contracts. You feel most abundant when you define clear, achievable goals, when you are being focused with persistent effort.

AQUARIUS PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Aquarius and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via holistic therapy, energy healing, managing public relations for progressive companies or causes, via co-authoring books, developing new products. You feel abundant when you continuously seek out and embrace new ideas, technologies, ways of thinking, when you are being innovative and when you utilize technology to enhance your work and when you stay up-to-date with the latest technology.

PISCES PART OF FORTUNE IN THE 7TH HOUSE

You feel the most abundant when you have Pisces and Libra Sun people in your life. You make money via creative problem-solving abilities, running a boutique hotel, bed and breakfast or wellness retreat, nutritional coaching, meditation coaching, organizing cultural events, such as art exhibitions, music festivals or theatre productions or visual arts.

Credit: Tumblr blog @astroismypassion

[ziskeyt]

i work in making proposals. for those who don't work in business (and even those who do) you may not know what an RFP is, which is just a Request for Proposal. Sometimes it's RFI (information) RFQ (quote) or some other term, but it all leads to the same thing: a company needs something so they go out to the market with their documents detailing what they need and their terms, and other companies as suppliers or consultants then answer how they would solve their need. in my job i make proposals for any organization that needs the services my company provides: universities, private institutions, banks, the government, hospitals, it doesn't matter, at my level what matters is the size of the contract for my team to be called in to respond. this means i'm only seeing the bigger spends. it means i'm seeing where corporations and organizations see value in investing their time and money in. i give you this preamble to set the table for what i have to say.

i do not live nor work in the usa right now, though i do vote there as an expat. so i'm well aware of a lot of the social issues, fears, and predicted trends regarding both. DEI as a term became fashionable several years ago, and as we've seen in the recent past it has lost that lauded status as companies slowly close up their public facing support for these endeavours. this is disheartening and it feels like we're sliding backward on the ride of progress. and we are, in public. and, it is important to note these issues are not restricted to the usa, we are seeing this tide change in many places, the usa happens to have a lot of influence on the world stage, for better and for worse.

again, my job is making business proposals to solve a need a company sees monetary value in working on. so i want to tell you about an aspect of a proposal that i just saw: a company is asking for solutions on how to manage differing lighting needs in the office environment. you may read that and think: oh okay so changes in overhead lighting. not the case here. no, they are asking for solutions so an individual can be at their desk and have some control over how much light from the overheads they are exposed to. they are asking for solutions to help accommodate neurodiverse workers who have light sensitivity issues. my coworker tells me two very well known companies who write about workplace trends, workplace think pieces, workplace strategy, and so on, are both coming out with literature about neurodiversity in the workplace in the coming months and how to accommodate neurodiverse employees.

we may be seeing a rise in very obnoxious people gaining power, we may be seeing a rise in fascist rhetoric, and we may be seeing a rise in organizations stepping back from public support for "liberal" things -- and yet, business continues to see a value in investing in accommodations and diversity. and yes, a piece of the puzzle of this rise in hate is a reaction to exactly this happening. but the important thing here, for me, is that this rise hatred hasn't stopped this from happening. it hasn't stopped me from getting request after request asking how we invest in our communities, how we ensure we hire diverse subcontractors, what our dei policies are at our company, are we minority owned, do we work with companies owned by Indigenous people, what is the make up of our workforce, and more. the money, in the business world, is still in working with diverse companies, accommodating workers, or, at the least, speaking to it. we just have to keep pushing. people do care about each other. for some of them you just have to find the in to get around the hateful propaganda that transformed their thinking. but that's a different conversation. the point i'm making is, do not give in to despair. the money in business is still in diversity and this is a good thing.

[sunshinesmebdy]

Unleash Your Inner Warrior: Embracing the Power of the Moon in Aries

The vibrant energy of the Moon in Aries brings a dynamic shift to the world of business and finance. It’s a period characterized by bold initiatives, decisive action, and a surge of entrepreneurial spirit. As an astrologer and business consultant, I’m here to guide you through this potent transit and maximize its potential for your success.

Understanding the Moon in Aries Influence:

Fiery Leadership: This transit amplifies leadership qualities, encouraging assertiveness, initiative, and a willingness to take calculated risks. It’s an ideal time to step up, present your ideas confidently, and lead projects with courage and conviction.

The Moon in Aries ignites the inner CEO within! This fiery transit throws open the curtains on your leadership potential, boosting your assertiveness, initiative, and appetite for calculated risks. It’s prime time to shed self-doubt, step onto center stage, and confidently pitch your ideas. Lead projects with the conviction of a lion, unafraid to break new ground. But remember, true leadership isn’t a solo act — leverage your team’s strengths, delegate wisely, and inspire others with your fiery vision. Now go forth and conquer, leader!

Innovation & Creativity: The fiery energy sparks creative thinking and encourages out-of-the-box solutions. Businesses can leverage this time to brainstorm new products, explore niche markets, and implement innovative marketing strategies.

The Moon in Aries is creativity’s jet fuel! Unleash your inner inventor and ignite a brainstorming inferno. Dive deep into niche markets, explore unconventional possibilities, and let your ideas dance outside the lines. This is the perfect time to launch new products that disrupt the status quo, experiment with bold marketing campaigns, and implement innovative solutions that leave your competitors gasping for air. Remember, innovation thrives on a healthy dose of risk, so don’t be afraid to color outside the lines and ignite the spark of change!

Competitive Drive: Aries thrives on friendly competition. Utilize this energy to engage in healthy market competition, negotiate favorable deals, and strive for excellence in your industry. However, remember to stay ethical and respectful, avoiding aggressive tactics that could damage your reputation.

The Moon in Aries throws down the gauntlet, igniting a healthy competitive spirit within! Channel this fire to excel in your market, but remember, it’s a friendly duel, not a scorched-earth battle. Leverage this energy to secure favorable deals, negotiate with confidence, and push your industry boundaries. Remember, sportsmanship matters — compete fiercely, but ethically and respectfully. Think of it as a collaborative climb to the top, not a ruthless push to the bottom. By striking the right balance between ambition and integrity, you’ll emerge victorious, reputation intact and fire still burning bright. So, ready, set, go (with grace)!

Impulsive Decisions: The downside of Aries’ impulsive nature is the potential for hasty decisions and reckless investments. Before making significant financial moves, ensure thorough research, careful analysis, and a balanced perspective.

While the Moon in Aries fuels your fire, remember, impulse control is your armor! This transit can tempt you to dive headfirst into risky investments or hastily close deals. Don’t let the flames cloud your judgment. Before venturing into financial territory, douse the inferno with thorough research, careful analysis, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Seek diverse perspectives, consult trusted advisors, and prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term thrills. Remember, calculated risks are one thing, but reckless gambles can leave you singed. So, channel your fiery spirit wisely, and remember, slow and steady wins the financial race under this potent transit.

Tips for Harnessing the Moon in Aries Power:

Initiate New Ventures: This period favors launching new businesses, products, or marketing campaigns. Channel your creative spirit and develop strategies that stand out from the crowd.

With the Moon in Aries’ spotlight shining bright, it’s go time for bold initiatives! This is the astrological green light to launch that business you’ve been dreaming of, unveil that innovative product you’ve been tinkering with, or unleash a marketing campaign that blazes a trail unlike any other. Tap into your boundless creativity, ignite the spark of differentiation, and develop strategies that make your brand stand out like a supernova in a crowded galaxy. Don’t be afraid to break the mold — remember, Aries thrives on trailblazing and the world awaits your unique brand of brilliance. So, unleash your inner entrepreneur, channel your fiery spirit, and get ready to launch into the stratosphere of success!

Negotiate with Confidence: Don’t be afraid to express your value and negotiate assertively, ensuring you secure fair deals and partnerships. Remember, confidence is key, but stay respectful and collaborative in your approach.

Under the Moon in Aries, your negotiation game levels up! Don’t shy away from expressing your worth and confidently advocating for your goals. It’s okay to bring the fire, but remember, it’s a negotiation, not a battle. Assert your value with respect, collaborate to find win-win solutions, and remember, confidence is key to securing fair deals and partnerships. Think of it as a dance, not a duel — move with grace, power, and a clear understanding of your worth, and you’ll emerge victorious, leaving behind a trail of satisfied collaborators, not scorched earth. So, channel your inner diplomat warrior, and go forth and negotiate with confidence!

Invest Strategically: The Moon in Aries can be a good time for calculated investments, especially in innovative sectors or emerging markets. However, conduct thorough research, avoid impulsive decisions, and prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains.

While the Moon in Aries ignites the fire of investment fervor, remember — it’s a calculated burn, not a reckless inferno! This transit can offer fertile ground for strategic investments, especially in groundbreaking sectors or burgeoning markets. However, don’t let the fiery energy cloud your judgment. Conduct meticulous research, analyze trends with a cool head, and prioritize long-term stability over fleeting gains. Think of it as planting a financial seed — nurture it with knowledge, patience, and a sprinkle of calculated risk, and watch it blossom into a sustainable garden of success. Remember, impulsive bets might bring quick thrills, but informed decisions fueled by Aries’ fire will be the true key to unlocking long-term financial prosperity. So, invest wisely, fellow warriors, and let the Moon in Aries guide you towards a future as bright as your ambition!

Delegate Tasks Wisely: Delegate tasks wisely to capitalize on the team’s diverse strengths and prevent burnout. Encourage initiative and creativity within your team, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment.

Under the Moon in Aries, delegation becomes your secret weapon! Instead of trying to be a one-person whirlwind, tap into the diverse strengths of your team. Delegate tasks strategically, matching talents with workloads, and watch the collective fire ignite. Don’t micromanage, instead, encourage initiative and creative solutions. Foster a collaborative spirit where ideas flow freely, fueled by the shared energy of the transit. Remember, a united team with individual flames burning bright is a force to be reckoned with! By delegating wisely, you’ll not only empower your team but also avoid burnout and ignite a dynamic engine of productivity that propels everyone towards shared success. So, step back, empower your warriors, and let the collective fire of Aries work its magic!

Maintain Balance: While embracing the impulsive drive is important, remember to maintain a healthy balance. Take time for reflection, consult with trusted advisors, and avoid letting your enthusiasm cloud your judgment.

The Moon in Aries is a potent brew of impulsiveness and drive, but remember, even the fiercest warrior needs moments of calm! Don’t get swept away by the whirlwind of action. Breathe, reflect, and consult trusted advisors to ground your ideas and avoid rash decisions fueled by pure enthusiasm. Think of it as adding water to the Aries fire — it tempers the flames, allowing them to burn brighter, stronger, and for longer. Prioritize sleep, healthy habits, and moments of introspection to maintain balance. Remember, true success under this transit demands not just fiery drive, but also the wisdom to channel it strategically. So, embrace the passion, but fuel it with balance, and watch your Aries-fueled endeavors burn a path to lasting success!

Remember, the Moon in Aries transit is a fleeting opportunity to inject your business with dynamic energy and entrepreneurial spirit. By understanding its influence, employing strategic planning, and maintaining a balanced approach, you can turn this fiery transit into a catalyst for success and propel your business to new heights.

[fractalmax-official]

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*Disclosure: The results are not typical. It’s important to understand that some people may experience minimal or no results. All case studies, examples, and income figures presented are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of earnings. This is not a “get rich quick” scheme. We encourage you to take your time, conduct your own research and consult with a professional advisor before making business decisions.

Disclaimer: Be advised that results shown are extraordinary and don’t serve as guarantees. Also, there are no guarantees concerning the level of success you may experience. There is no assurance that examples of past earnings can be duplicated in the future. As stipulated by law, we cannot and do not make any guarantees about your ability to achieve results with our ideas, programs, information, testimonials, tools, and strategies. We don’t know you personally, and your results in life are up to you. We are not responsible for your actions. Our goal is to help you by providing great content, direction, and strategies that we believe can move you forward. Transparency is important to us, and we hold ourselves to a high standard of integrity. We hope the programs and content we offer bring you a lot of value.

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[strategii-at-work]

Go-to-Market Strategy Consulting

Elevate your business with Strategii At Work's Go-to-Market strategy consulting services. Tailored go-to-market strategies for success in diverse industries. Experience the power of GTM expertise!

[cplconsult-com]

CPL's daily case study on tumblr.... CPL Business Consultants formulated a strategy for plant growth promoting microorganisms (PGPM) sold into agricultural biostimulants market.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Losses, debt and drop in sales: the effects of online gambling on the Brazilian economy

Research reveals the first consequences of the vertiginous growth of online betting on the national economy

Brazil is currently witnessing astonishing growth in the online betting market. In four years, the amount of money invested by Brazilians in this type of gambling has almost doubled, reaching BRL 68.2 billion (over US$ 12.5 billion) in 12 months, according to research recently published in the country.

This volume of funds represents 0.62% of Brazil's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 0.95% of total consumption and 1.92% of the entire Brazilian wage bill, according to data from the National Trade Confederation (CNC, in Portuguese). Transferring all this money from regular spending to gambling sites is changing the national economy.

The consultancy Strategy& indicates that spending on gambling already represents the equivalent of 76% of the “leisure and culture” expenses of families D and E. This means that this slice of the population has stopped going to the theater or the cinema to gamble, for example.

The same consultancy company indicates that spending on online gambling is already equivalent to 5% of the poorest families' food bills. It also consumes 1.38% of the family budget of classes D and E – the poorest in the country’s classification – a relevant percentage, especially considering the futility of the expense.

Continue reading.

[khaleesiofalicante]

Hey Dani,

Can I ask for some advice or maybe explanation. You had mentioned you got into consulting later on in your career.

Um at the risk of sounding stupid,

How?

How does one get into consulting?

Also what's freelancing and how is that different?

Also how does one start these things. Like are there forums that u just join? Is this like a job application? Do u need marketing for this? Like know how to market yourself?

Yours truly

A very confused early professional 🥺

No such thing as stupid questions in this household 😌

Let me take this one by one.

Firstly, freelancing and consulting are not the same, but they are kind of used simultaneously sometimes. They are both self-employed roles (where you can work with multiple people at the same time on a contractual basis). However, freelancing involves providing specific skills or services on a project basis, while consulting focuses on offering expert advice and strategic guidance.

For example, I am a freelance trainer. So people hire me when they need to do a training and I do that training and get paid for it. I get paid by the hour (or per workshop/assignment) for that. I don't have any other business than that. In the same way, you see freelance voice artists or translators or graphic designers, where you just go in and do one thing and get paid for it. You're not involved in the whole project or company or anything. This kind of work is idea if you're trying to make money and not get attached to the company/teams you work with.

Consulting is a more involved role. You're usually an advisor for a whole project so you're overseeing everything (but you're still not part of the organization or team). You're like an external person overseeing something in a specific capacity (gender in my case) and give advice on everything related to that. So for eg, I am a gender consultant for one organization and I basically not only do their gender training, but I also do their social media content, provide input on their strategies, etc.

I think what you are referring to and looking for is more of a freelance role than a consulting one because the latter can sometimes feel like a full-time job depending on how much work is there. The consulting jobs I do don't need me 24/7 and I work like twice a week so it's great for me. So whatever they need my advice on they have to ask me on those two days.

An important thing about doing freelance/consulting work is to set boundaries. I can do a separate post on that if necessary.

In terms of how do you become a consultant, a few things:

You need a brand. Like a niche thing. I can't tell you how to market yourself, but you need something to market yourself about. Like what are you offering? What is your area of expertise? Try to specialize on a particular area (but not too specific because then it's becomes difficult to find opportunities) so you can promote yourself based on that.

LinkedIn is a great place to boost yourself. Look at what other consultants in your area of work are doing. Follow organizations (depending on your sector of interest) that hire consultants. They ALL do. It's easier to pay someone to do a specific job than to train your employees to do it (which is sad tbh).

When you look for jobs set the type to 'consultancy' so you only find jobs that are consultancies (short-term/project-based opportunities).

Most important for consultancies and freelance work is word of mouth and a good reputation. I hardly apply for jobs anymore because once you become a consultant and create a reputation for yourself in a sector (it takes a few years trust me, I've been doing this since 2021 and I'm just now getting there), they will refer you to each other.

BUT - this depends on the sector you work in. If it's corporate, it's a bit difficult. Because they don't like hiring the same consultants as others because of competition. In this case, something that would REALLY help is a portfolio - it could be a website or a pdf document that people can look at - to see your approach, past work, credentials etc).

Overall, if you're an early career professional, I'd recommend that you find a good job where you can learn and build a reputation for yourself (like an org that allows you to thrive without being sucked into their overall company identity) so people know you and your work - not just as your company's work. In other words, work in a place that allows you to take credit for it. Then, once you become a mid-career professional, you can start doing consultancies. But again, this depends on your field. A lot of people, like designers, start off as freelance because it works better for their job. So, it's completely up to you.

Happy to answer more questions if you have them 💙

[phoenixyfriend]

Ko-Fi prompt from @dirigibird:

I've been looking at investment options but I don't want to be messing around too much with the stock market, and a co-worker suggested exchange traded funds. Would love to know your opinions!

LEGALLY NECESSARY DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed financial advisor, and it is illegal for me to advise anyone on investment in securities like stocks. My commentary here is merely opinion, not financial advice, and I urge you to not make any decisions with regards to securities investments based on my opinions, or without consulting a licensed advisor. I am also going to be talking this all over from an American POV, which means some of these things may not apply elsewhere.

So instead of letting you know what to pick or how to organize your securities, I'm going to go through the definitions of what various investment funds are, how they compare functionally, and maybe rant about how I disagree with the stock market on a fundamental ethical level if I have word count left over.

If you want more information, and are okay with jargon, I'd suggest hitting up investopedia. That is where I will be double-checking most of my information for this one.

I also encourage folks who know more about the stock market specifically to jump in! I like to think I'm good at research and explaining things, but I'm still liable to make mistakes.

Mutual Funds: A mutual fund is a pool of money and resources from multiple individuals (often vast numbers of people, actually) being put together and managed as a group by investment specialists. The primary appeal of these is that the money is professionally managed, but not personally so; it gives smaller investors access to professional money managers that they would not have access to on their own, at cheaper rates than if they tried to hire one for just their own assets. The secondary appeal is that, due to the sheer number of people, and thus capital, that is being invested at once, the money can be invested in a wide variety of industries, and is generally more stable than investing in just one company or industry. Low risk, low reward, but overall at least mostly reliable. Retirement plans are often invested in mutual funds by employer choice, through companies like Fidelity or John Hancock.

Hedge Funds: A hedge fund is a high risk, high reward mutual fund. Investors are generally wealthy, and have the room and safety to lose large amounts of money on an investment that has no promise of success, especially since money cannot be withdrawn at will, but must remain in the fund for a period of time following investment. It gets its name from "hedging your bets," as part of the strategy is to invest in the opposition of the fund's focus in order to ensure that there is a backup plan to salvage at least some money if the main plan backfires. Other strategies are also on the riskier side, often planning to take advantage of ongoing events like buyouts, mergers, incumbent bankruptcy, and shorting stocks (that's the one that caused the gamestop incident).

Private Equity: Private equity is... a nightmare that got its own incredibly good Hasan Minhaj episode of Patriot Act, so if you've got 20 minutes, an interest in comedically-delivered, easily-digestible, Real Information, and an internet connection, take a watch of that one. (If it's not available on YouTube in your country, it's originally from Netflix, or you can probably access it by VPN.) Private equity companies are effectively hedge funds that purchase entire companies, rebuild them in one way or another, and then sell them at (hopefully) a profit. Very often, the companies purchased by private equity are very negatively impacted, especially if the private equity group is a Vulture Fund. Sometimes, it's by taking it apart to sell off; sometimes it's by just bleeding it for cash until there's nothing left. Sometimes, it's taking over a hospital and overcharging the patients while also abusing the staff! (Glaucomflecken has a lot of videos on the topic of private equity in the medical industry, check him out.)

Venture Capital: In contrast to private equity, which purchases more mature companies, venture capital is focused on startups, or small businesses that have growth potential. These are the kinds of hedge funds that are like a whole group that you'd see some random tv character calling an Angel Investor (they're not actually the same thing, but they overlap by a lot). I'd hesitantly call these less ethically dubious than private equity, but I'm still suspicious.

And finally, to answer your question on what ETFs are and how they fit into the above.

Exchange Traded Funds: ETFs are... sort of like a mutual fund. Sort of. You are, to some extent, pooling your money... ish.

An ETF is like a stock that is made out of partial stocks. So instead of paying $100 for stock A, and not getting stocks B/C/D that all cost the same, you buy $100 of the ETF, which is $25 each of stocks A/B/C/D. You are getting a quarter of a unit of stock, which isn't normally an option, but because you are purchasing through an ETF that officially already bought those Whole stocks, you can now purchase the partial stocks through them.

They buy the whole stocks, then they resell you mixes of those stocks. They still officially own the whole stocks themselves, but you now own parts of the stocks. Basically, you own "stock" in a company that owns stock in other companies, and in that process you own partial stocks in those other companies.

I'm going to re-explain this using fruit.

Imagine you can buy apples, oranges, melons, grapes, etc. You can also buy fruit cups. You can only buy the individual fruits in big batches or you can pool your money with a few other people, hand it to a chef. The chef will decide which fruits look like they'll taste the best by lunch time, buy a bunch of those fruit pallets with your combined money, and plan out the best possible fruit salad for you to share with a bunch of people once lunch rolls around.

You could also buy a fruit cup. You don't have a lot of control over what's already in the fruit cup, but there are a few different mixes available--that one has strawberries, but that one over there uses kiwi, and the other one that way has pineapple--and you can pick which mix you want. It's a pretty small fruit cup, and it's predesigned, but you can choose the one you want without having to pool money with everyone else. You just first have to let someone else design the fruit cups you choose from, and you don't know which ones are probably going to survive the best to lunch time unless you ask a chef (which defeats the purpose of buying a fruit cup instead of pooling your money, and asking the chef costs money).

That's the ETF. The ETF is the fruit cup.

The upside is that you can now just track the prices of your fruit cup, instead of tracking the prices of four different fruits, and so if the price of one fruit drops, you can just... let the other three buoy it.

Of course, in the real world, there are more than just four stocks involved in an ETF. This part of the Investopedia article lists a few examples, and they're usually themed and involve anywhere from 30 (DOW Jones) to thousands (Russell) of shares by stock type, or by commodity/industry. So with the ETF, you can invest in an entire industry, like technology, and just keep track of that single "stock" in the industry game.

They do cost less in brokerage/management fees than regular mutual funds, and they have a slightly lower liquidity (slower to cash out). There also exist actively managed ETFs, which are basically mutual funds for ETFs. You are paying the chef to buy you premade fruit cups.

(Prompt me on ko-fi!)

[strategyinc]

The Value of Competitive Analysis in Predicting Medical Device Adoption

The Value of Competitive Analysis in Predicting Medical Device Adoption