#tech-shark’s one piece journey

[tech-obssessed-shark]

IT ONLY TOOK A HUNDRED EPISODES-

KOBY AND HELMUPPET FINALLLYYYYYYYY

[absolutely-normal-about-x]

Can you tell me about this fabled Zelda/Megaman crossover? I am very curious because there's not a lot out there

Ah hahahah that Au, funny enough I was working on that a while back never really showed it to anyone cause of idk. But I maybe I can dump a bit about it haha. :)

So it obviously set BOTW universe cause it’s basically where I have the most freedom/flexibility with it *Looks at the Shekath tech and the Zonai*

It’s meant to be a loose adaptation of the story of BOTW but with X characters living in that world and what their Races would be so *Whips out le list*

An important note I tried to keep their origins from their main canon close but with my own personal flare into it (you can piece things together lmao)

X- “Hylian” (Cause he ain’t really a Hylian lmao) has a unique connection to the Zonai. Was found by Cain, an archaeologist that studies ancient Sheikah tech and the history of Hyrule. While he was researching the lost ruins. But discovers a shrine (Basically proto Shrine of resurrection). Accidentally awakens him from his unknown slumber with no memories of his past, but only a letter of his old name. Is taken in as his adopted grandson, both of them live in Hateno Village.

Hes still a pacifistic sweetheart, that has a great passion for science and history (Becoming Purah’s apprentice), but also an impressive mechanic as he was able to reverse engineer sheikah technology (and by extension eventually Zonai) to create his gadgets, he wanted to protect innocent people from threats okay-. The buster was very much in its prototype phase (that becomes completed into the Zonai Buster in TOTK) as he works on it throughout his journey across hyrule.

He’s also shown to be somewhat abnormal for a Hylian, despite his smaller chubby size he is shown to be and have strange dark blue-ish spots around skin, and horns slightly protruding out from his head and a strange symbol on his forehead

Zero: A half Gerudo, half Dweller (Basically a chimera created by a Wily) a powerful swords man. That roams the gerudo dessert after being discovered/Awakened by the Yiga Clan (and if you know how Zero first acted in prior joining the hunters you know you know). Roamed the Gerudo dessert for god knows long and being pacified/watched over by the Gerudo tribe. Who’s trying to find someone important to him from the vivid memories that he holds on.

“Something completely unnatural and yet…natural the embodiment of destruction that choose to be a hero”

Are you may know X and Zero were the proto Zelda and Link from 10,000 years ago (After the sealing way their backstories are be eh entwined ur honor) so the basic g

Axl: Korok (LET ME COOK LET ME COOK OKAY?!) we know that Korok’s used to be low key shapeshifters and such. He rediscovers that lost ability so he can interact with Hylians and leave Deku Forest to learn more of the world. So I want o lean into that as a bonus he tries to recover the masks (ya know the ones Majoras Mask :3). It’s also like funnier to see a smoll Korok being capable of kicking butt and still being a deadly sharpshooter.

Marty- Zora (she’s from a different Zora’s Domain like Yoma, she’s a shark Zora) coming from a far off Sea, she ended up on Hyrule during her travels accidentally gets tangled up in the mess but goes along with it for the thrills. But also to help out the people the hyrule (she’s the first companion that X gains)

Marino- Sheikah, left her village to pursue as a thief, def has beef with the Yiga. Basically stealing what the they stole from her people. Low key

Massimo- Goron, THE BIGGEST SOFTIE, but also the soft spoken and timid (Yunboo’s big brother maybe??)

Cinnamon- Rito a Dove cause she has that vibe yo- but still she’ll be the cutest Dove man. Also probably the first Rito to gain healing magic called Gentle Winds.

So basically the plot

“X and his grandfather were living peacefully in their village of Hateno, working in his grandfather’s workshop and small library. But not all things are well as X is haunted by nightmares of a forgotten past and calls for help from an unknown girl calling out to someone to defeat “The calamity” (Hi Zelda). The increase onslaught of monsters were starting to be a concern him as he goes off to a journey, along the way he meets friends and goes alike and soon discovers buried secrets that lay deep in the Ruins of Hyrule”

Link’s there too since the story takes place roughly around the first BOTW. But Events are separate from one another since Zonai stuff and the Depths is sorta of a bigger focus!

That’s what I can say for now it’s kinda some brain storming stuff but it’s fun ya know-

[laresearchette]

Tuesday, January 07, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES? PAW PATROL (Season 6) (Paramount + Canada) THE POISON ROSE (Paramount + Canada) A SIMPLE FAVOR (Paramount + Canada) KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (CTV - Check local listings) 6:00pm THE ROOKIE (CTV - Check local listings) 7:00pm WILL TRENT (CTV - Check local listings) 8:00pm DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND (CityTV) 8:00pm HIGH POTENTIAL (CTV) 9:00pm DOC (Global) 9:00pm 7 LITTLE JOHNSONS (TLC Canada) 9:00pm THE IRRATIONAL (CityTV) 10:00pm

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. (PBS Feed) LUCY WORSLEY INVESTIGATES (PBS Feed)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

NETFLIX CANADA THE BREAKTHROUGH (SE) ESCAPE ROOM GABRIEL IGLESIAS: LEGEND OF FLUFFY JERRY SPRINGER: FIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION ROLE MODELS WWE NXT: 2025 (Netflix Live Event)

2025 IIHF U18 WOMEN'S HOCKEY (TSN/TSN5) 10:00am: USA vs. Finland (TSN/TSN5) 1:30pm: Czechia vs. Canada

NHL HOCKEY (SN1/SNWest) 7:00pm: Oilers vs. Bruins (TSN5) 7:00pm: Sens vs. Red Wings (SNOntario) 7:30pm: Leafs vs. Flyers (TSN3) 8:00pm: Predators vs. Jets (SNWest) 10:00pm: Flames vs. Ducks (SN1) 10:30pm: Knights vs. Sharks

ONE DISH, ONE SPOON (APTN) 7:00pm: When they run out of lyed corn to make soup, Dakota struggles to find any for sale; Chef Tawnya sees how close to the brink her community is to losing this gift.

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN4) 7:30pm: Lakers vs. Mavericks (TSN/TSN4/TSN5) 10:00pm: Celtics vs. Nuggets

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (CBC) 8:00pm

COUNTRY HOUSE HUNTERS: CANADA (CTV Life) 8:00pm/8:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Couples looking to relocate from the city find their perfect country house in a regional, Canadian location.

FLORIBAMA MURDERS (Oxygen Canada) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Investigators from three separate counties along the Floribama border team up with the daughter of a missing man to uncover how the fireworks at a Fourth of July celebration ended in murder.

THE EDIFY SHOW: HEARTIES TUESDAY (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Elliott sits down with the actors and filmmakers of "When Calls the Heart" to discover the stories behind their journey that brought them to the series and gain an inside look at the people that bring this show to life.

SON OF A CRITCH (CBC) 8:30pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Mark starts high school at a former girls' school, finding joy in theater while navigating old friendships and new love; pop's ham radio hobby leads him to an intercepted distress signal.

TGL GOLF (SN360/SNEast/SNPacific) 9:00pm: New York Golf Club vs. The Bay Golf Club

NORTH OF THE NORTH (CBC/APTN) 8:00pm/8:30pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Feeling stuck in her life in her tiny Arctic community, Siaja decides it's time to shake things up during the annual Spring Festival, but her plans are derailed by personal upheavals. In Episode Two, Siaja struggles to pick up the pieces and prove herself capable of handling more than just her messy personal life.

LOCKERBIE: A SEARCH FOR TRUTH (Showcase) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): After losing his daughter in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Dr. Jim Swire begins a quest for truth, searching for why this was allowed to happen and who exactly was responsible for his daughter's death.

THE REAL MURDERS OF ATLANTA (Oxygen Canada) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): When a tech mogul is found bludgeoned to death in his lavish Roswell bedroom, detectives quickly compile a long list of potential suspects; police ultimately zero in on one scorned lover who wouldn't take no for an answer.

GHOST ADVENTURES: SCREAMING ROOM (DTOUR) 9:000pm/10:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): The Comedy Store: Zak and the guys revisit their investigation of the world-famous comedy club; fear and laughter go hand in hand as the crew encounters a paranormal energy unlike any other at the iconic LA hot spot. In Episode Two, The Whitmore Mansion: Zak and the guys look back at their investigation of a Utah mansion soaked in tragedy and bloodshed; the historic home is charged with so much negative energy that the crew fears it may be a portal to hell.

CHOPPED NEXT GEN (Flavour Network) 10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): The finalists turn deep-fried sriracha and fennel into dessert.

ICONS UNEARTHED: STAR WARS (Much) 10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): "Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope" changed the course of movie history; the production, however, was a tumultuous process that nearly killed the man who created it: George Lucas.

THE REAL MURDERS OF ORANGE COUNTY (Oxygen Canada) 10:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): The execution-style murder of a Fountain Valley wife and mother shocks the OC and leaves police with no leads on motive; the community bands together to find justice until a similar shooting reveals the truth behind a murder plot gone awry.

THE DARKNESS (Showcase) 10:20pm (SERIES PREMIERE): On the eve of retirement and forced to work with a new partner, detective inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir takes on a murder case.

[india7d]

Delhi-NCR: From Aspiring Visionary to Business Powerhouse

Delhi-NCR: From Aspiring Visionary to Business Powerhouse - Naveen Sinha, Your Loan Guru

The Delhi-NCR region pulsates with ambition. From the bustling streets of Noida to the urbane avenues of Gurgaon, dreams dance in the air, waiting to be transformed into thriving businesses. But navigating the financial maze to fuel those dreams can be daunting. Fear not, aspiring moguls, for a financial genie resides in the heart of Delhi-NCR, ready to grant your entrepreneurial wishes – Mr. Loan Whisperer himself, Naveen Sinha. Naveen isn't just another loan officer; he's a seasoned sherpa with over a decade of experience scaling the treacherous peaks of business loans. Having traversed the financial landscapes of Saket's trendy cafes, Malviyangar's bustling bazaars, South Ex's designer havens, Lajpat Nagar's vibrant markets, Green Park's tech hubs, Hauz Khas Village's bohemian studios, Greater Kailash's luxury boutiques, Panchsheel's opulent offices, Nehru Place's tech conglomerates, Noida's industrial zones, Gurgaon's glass towers, Ghaziabad's manufacturing belts, and Faridabad's dynamic hubs, Naveen speaks the language of your business dreams, no matter where in Delhi-NCR they are rooted. Why Naveen Sinha is Your Delhi-NCR Loan Guru: Cartographer of the Financial Jungle: Forget the loan application compass spinning wildly. Naveen's intimate understanding of the diverse financial ecosystems across Delhi-NCR – from the government banks of Noida to the NBFCs of Gurgaon – ensures you find the perfect funding route, avoiding treacherous loan shark swamps and bureaucratic quicksand. Dream Architect with a Bespoke Hammer: Forget one-size-fits-all loan blueprints. Naveen delves deep into your unique business vision, crafting a tailor-made loan structure that fits your needs like a hand-stitched Savile Row suit, whether it's a quick injection for your Ghaziabad startup or a robust bridge loan for your Faridabad manufacturing expansion. Loan Processing Ferrari: Say goodbye to the snail's pace of loan approval. Naveen's expertise and connections grease the bureaucratic wheels, ensuring your funding arrives faster than a Delhi Metro on steroids, propelling your dreams from blueprints to brick-and-mortar reality in record time. Negotiation Ninja with Silver Tongues: Don't settle for predatory interest rates that devour your business profits. Naveen's silver tongue and fierce negotiation skills are weapons sharper than any Dilliwala bargaining for spices, slashing percentages and securing you the most competitive deals in town, leaving predatory loan sharks shivering in their dens. Your Personal Cheerleader and Business Yoda: Need a financial hype man and seasoned mentor? Naveen is your ultimate cheerleader, injecting contagious enthusiasm into your journey while offering priceless strategic advice honed over years of navigating the complex business landscapes of Delhi-NCR. He'll be your Yoda, guiding you through loan hurdles with wisdom and wit. Testimonials from Naveen's Loan Oasis: "Naveen helped me launch my Noida IT startup when everyone said it was impossible. He secured the perfect loan, helped me navigate the legal maze of company formation, and even recommended the best tech talent! He's a one-man business success kit!" - Aditya Raj, CodeWizards Solutions, Noida. "My dream of a boutique hotel in Hauz Khas Village was just a dusty dream until Naveen stepped in. He found the ideal loan, helped me deal with heritage property regulations, and even recommended the best interior designers! He's a miracle worker!" - Zara Khan, Qissa: A Hauz Khas Story. "Naveen helped me transform my Gurgaon construction business from a local player to a regional leader. His insightful loan restructuring freed up capital, and his connections landed me lucrative government contracts. He's a business game-changer!" - Rohan Malhotra, Skyline Constructions, Gurgaon. Ready to claim your piece of the Delhi-NCR entrepreneurial pie? Don't wander the loan labyrinth alone. Contact Mr. Loan Whisperer, Naveen Sinha, today and watch your financial dreams morph into bustling Delhi-NCR reality! Bonus Tip: Mention "Delhi-NCR Loan Whisperer" when you contact Naveen and unlock a special welcome bonus – a free financial health check-up to diagnose any pre-existing loan woes and ensure your business journey starts on a clean slate! So, ditch the spreadsheets and grab your chai. With Naveen Sinha as your financial compass, navigating the Delhi-NCR business world is just a loan application away! Read the full article

[slamsams-blog]

Thunderball - #24WeeksofBond

This week we are treated to the 1965 film “Thunderball” with Sean Connery.  This movie has always been one of my favorites, mostly because of all the beautiful under water scenes and action.  The final underwater battle for atomic bomb supremacy is one of my favorite, if not thee favorite, ending sequences of any Bond movie.  But on top of all the visual stimulation there is a well thought out plot perfectly executed by the direction of Terence Young.  The downside to this movie and the Bond series in the long run is the producer, Kevin McClory...we’ll get to him later.  

This would be Connery’s fourth outing and the last of his greats before he starts phoning it in.  There is just so much to love and enjoy with Thunderball starting with the pre-title sequence.  Thunderball opens up at a supposed funeral of a man who was working for Spectre and Bond appears to have his doubts.  He goes to follow the widow to her place only for Bond to squarely knock the crap out of her...revealing it to be the man who was supposedly dead.  This gave me a good chuckle, seeing Bond going to give his condolences to a grieving widow and then just punching her face.

If that wasn’t enough, he escapes by jet pack...JET PACK.  How very entertaining already, and the journey has only just begun...CUE TOM JONES, MF!  

Well, after a rather obnoxious performance by Tom Jones the film begins with Bond off getting rehab after his last mission. Little did Bond, or Blofeld know, that he was going to find himself on a another mission.  Bond smells something fishy is going on and starts doing some digging off the clock. The plan is to steal a couple atomic bombs and hold England for a 100 million pound ransom, threatening to destroy a city in England or the USA if they don’t cooperate.  Bond gets the files for the mission but sees photos of faces he saw while getting rehab including one of them who Bond found dead.  So Bond already has a lead in this time sensitive mission, so Bond is on his way.

By this time Blofeld and Spectre are not good friends of Bond.  He’s already ruined a few of their operations so it’s funny to me that Blofeld keeps coming up with these elaborate schemes instead of putting all his best men on a mission to just get rid of Bond.  Largo (Adolfo Celi) is the man heading the operation and quickly comes to realize that Bond is going to be a nasty thorn in his side.

While Thunderball has so much going for it in terms of story and action, the cast of characters are a bit sleepy.  Domino (Claudine Auger), whom I just learned had her voice dubbed over by a Voice Actor, pulls in a rather forgettable performance.  Largo has a cool look with jet white hair and an unexplained eye patch...but even that doesn’t really save him or make him that memorable.  No cool henchmen either, except for the crazy Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi) who likes to drive 110 miles an hour through narrow windy streets in the woods.  Those deer better watch it.

As Bond works to uncover the truth and put the puzzle pieces together we see him being followed by a mysterious man with sunglasses....he evetunally gets to Bonds hotel door...Bond opens the door AND.....(suspense) IT’S FELIX!  Ah they got us again!  Good ole Felix from the CIA is here to help with the mission, and to get Bond of out what ever type of Jam Bond has found himself in.

After an escape through a madri-gras parade, a run in with a couple sharks, and some hand grenades, Bond has finally, and quite literally, uncovered the answer to where the bombs are and can now pursue the nasty Largo to foil his plot.  This all leads up to a most wonderfully shot action sequence between the good guys and the bad guys under the sea.  Carrying harpoons and welding knives to cut the oxygen tube of your enemy as the key strategy to victory, we see an absolute war in the water.  We also see shots of all the beautiful sea creators who are like “WTF?”.  I just can’t imagine the skill it took to film the whole thing.  With the intense score backing it up, I’d be hard pressed to point you into the direction of a better fight scene in the Bond series.

This leads to the big fight between Bond and Largo on his runaway ship. The green screen work here is just laughable.  The boat, from the inside, appears to be going 1,032,231,318 miles an hour and somehow they are still able steer it away from the rocks that are 5 feet in front of them.  After the evil Largo has been killed by Domino, the final scene is Bond and Domino getting whisked away by a plane catching a string that is attached to Bond.  They make this look romantic, but in actuality, they get hauled away so fast that I would be crapping my pants.  It made me laugh anyways.

I do also wish we got one last reaction from Blofeld finding out his plans got spoiled once again.  This movie lacks a touch of closure at the end.  Largo dies and they get whisked away without seeing MI6 relived of the mission being a success or Blofeld pissed and angrily changing his cat’s litter box.

Thunderball, while plentiful of shortcomings, is stimulating to the senses and takes you on an epic journey - but this script would come back to haunt Eon Productions years later.  Kevin McClory had worked on multiple screen adaptions with Ian Flemming and got partial credit for this screenplay.  McClory had eventually been given the rights to the script and would go on later to make a Bond film of his own with the same script.  It was called “Never Say Never Again”.  12 years after Connery had said good bye to the role, would come back to play the part again...only as a grandpa.  

Never Say Never Again is an abomination and is not an official entrant into the series, so no, I will NOT be watching that garbage...if you want to on your own time, be my guest, but it’s just a bad movie.  McClory would go on to have multiple lawsuits against the Bond producers, even trying to remake the same movie again in the late 80′s and trying to recruit Brosnan for it.  But it fell through...thank the lord.

All that nonsense being said, I still love Thunderball, and is one of the highlights of the Connery series.  I hope you liked it too!  Let me know what you thought!

Reviews from Friends:

My Mom:

Boy Sean Connery was really in his glory days here wasn’t he? So young and handsome. You could always identify him in a crowd under helmets and googles by those puppy eyes. A couple things that were really funny was that silly jet pack at the start. With all our tech stuff now that scene was almost cartoony. The way his body didn’t move and the wind picked up not a whisp of hair or clothing. Then when we got a look at those nuclear bombs. They had the words printed on them. “Treat like Eggs”. Ha. It seems like it’s unique to Connery (from what I’ve seen so far) to punch a woman in the face (seemingly) or use her to shield a bullet. Don’t know if Bronson or Moore or Dalton would do that. It was a Tense under water battle but I loved the ending. It was just simple and fun. No need to string out a big explanation or closure.

Alexandra Hein-Roberts

I find Claudine Auger to be the most iconic Bond girl. She had something most didn’t.

Jake Benrud

So many things taken from this movie for Austin Powers... sharks or Ill tempered mutated sea bass? I enjoyed the movie, and laughed out loud when Sean Connery punched that woman in the face who was really a disguised man. I guess I wasn’t expecting that. Also, whoever SPECTRE employs as a plastic surgeon, I want their name. That was a perfect clone. The SPECTRE agent should have known better to try to extort more money from Largo. That’s never going to end well. The death of Bond’s assistant/field operative kept it a little bit more real. I thought the plot was decent, but I thought the underwater battle was really slow moving for my tastes especially in the beginning. Kind of a cool concept though. Bond was able to swim pretty well for getting shot in the leg. I liked that Domino got the kill in the end. Classic Bond. Great movie despite the sometimes unbelievable parts!

24 Weeks of Bond will return next Monday with - 

A View To A Kill 

[dailynewswebsite]

Black Friday home appliance deals 2020: Best offers from Shark, Le Creuset and Dyson

With a whole lot of kilos off big-name manufacturers, now could be the very best time to put money into a brand new espresso machine or vacuum cleaner

(The Unbiased)

The wait is lastly over as the principle day of the most important and finest buying occasion of the yr, Black Friday, is right here.

House home equipment offers are massive information this yr, with cult favorite merchandise from big-name manufacturers, akin to Dyson, KitchenAid and Shark, all being discounted.

Observe stay: Newest Black Friday offers

You possibly can preserve updated with the easiest offers in our Black Friday information, and we’re additionally rounding up the highest gives from our go-to retailers for residence home equipment together with John Lewis & Companions, Amazon, Argos, Currys and extra.

Plus, to save lots of you from endlessly scrolling, we’re additionally protecting the reductions throughout furnishings, mattresses, tech, TVs, vogue and sweetness. It doesn’t cease there, you’ll be able to even observe our Black Friday liveblog for the most recent information, motion and reductions as they arrive.

Learn extra: The final word Black Friday offers information

However, that will help you flex your culinary and cleansing expertise with out breaking the financial institution, right here’s our fastidiously curated round-up of the very best residence equipment offers to buy now. We predict we would make Mrs Hinch proud with this choice.

Our IndyBest group hand-picks each deal we function. We might earn some fee from the hyperlinks on this article, however our choices have been made independently and with out bias. This income helps to fund journalism throughout The Unbiased.

The very best residence equipment Black Friday offers

Dyson V8 absolute additional: Was £399.99, now £299.99, Argos

Dyson

For those who’re searching for a brand new vacuum, Dyson is a go-to model and it even featured twice in our evaluation of the very best cordless vacuums. The V11, an analogous mannequin to the V8 absolute additional, took the highest spot as our Finest Purchase, with our tester praising it for being “thoughts blowingly good” and claimed it had “severely raised the bar on the planet of cordless vacs”

The V8 absolute additional, a heavy responsibility mud buster that claims to carry out even higher than its conventional corded counterpart. With as much as 40 minutes of highly effective suction, it may be used to wash upholstery at residence or within the automobile, and you may get to laborious to achieve surfaces, akin to ceiling corners. With £100 off such a number one product, you’ll should act quick, as we predict this can fly off the cabinets.

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Purchase now

Karcher K5 Premium full management plus residence stress washer: Was £449.99, now £298.80, Amazon

Amazon

Save a large £151.19 on this residence stress washer, designed to wash objects like your automobile, backyard furnishings and driveway. This mannequin made it into IndyBest’s 2020 information of finest stress washers, with our reviewer commenting: “That is an exceptionally well-built, well-engineered, user-friendly and highly effective little bit of package tackles cussed dust, grime and algae on a grand scale, utilizing water as much as 40C. Filthy big decking space? Tick. A driveway so lengthy that you would be able to’t see the tip of it? Tick. Ridiculously soiled automobile? Tick.”

Purchase now

Bosch Serie Four WAN28281GB freestanding washer: Was £449, now £349, John Lewis & Companions

Bosch

Save £100 on this 8kg load Bosch washer, which comes with a two-year assure. The Bosch Serie Four WAN28050GB (7kg) took the highest spot in IndyBest washer information, with our reviewer noting: “In our view, this provides you all the pieces you could possibly ever actually need from a washer. It’s exceptionally quiet, nearly soothingly so, and it has a wide variety of cycles, together with darkish wash, combined load, and a brilliant fast setting which will get your washing achieved in as little as 15 minutes.”

Purchase now

Neato Robotics D650: Was £729.99, now £329.99, Amazon

Neato

Save an enormous £400 on this robotic vacuum cleaner that comes with a pet brush, two filters, a aspect brush and a cleansing device, so that you’ll be effectively geared up to make sure it lasts you years.

Because of its D-shape, the model guarantees it may possibly attain even the tightest corners and edges on each hardwood and carpeted flooring. It is also independent, returning to the cost base by itself, earlier than selecting up the place it left off as soon as filled with juice. The same Neato botvac related D7 mannequin has additionally appeared in our evaluation of the finest robotic vacuum cleaners which our tester discovered to be notably good for pet house owners because it was very efficient at selecting up animal hair.

Purchase now

Le Creuset Solid Iron 20cm Casserole and 29cm Stoneware Dish Set, 2 Piece, Volcanic: Was £235, now £141, John Lewis & Companions

Le Creuset

Save a powerful 40 per cent and snap up two of Le Creuset’s hottest merchandise throughout early Black Friday gross sales throughout John Lewis. Within the model’s signature volcanic color, make a daring assertion in your kitchen whereas experiencing all of the cooking advantages of forged iron and stoneware. Containing a 20cm forged iron spherical casserole dish and a stoneware 29cm deep rectangular dish, change simply from slow-cooking stews to baking bread.

We featured an analogous Le Creuset shallow dish in our round-up of the very best casserole dishes, noting that “it’s a model you’ll be able to depend on, with dishes usually turning into household heirlooms… we discovered this one to be the very best for our necessities, notably given its versatility; on high of cooking risottos and casseroles, the dish is adept at browning meat because of its shallow depth.” Versatile, light-weight and sturdy, put money into these kitchen staples whereas almost £100 is knocked off the value.

Purchase now

Tefal Entry Steam Pocket Journey Handheld Garment Steamer: Was £49.99, now £34.99, Very

Very

By no means be caught with a crinkle in your garments with this Tefal journey steamer. It has an ultra-compact design and is the primary ever foldable garment steamer, good for slipping right into a journey bag and never taking over helpful baggage area. The 1300W of energy ensures high-efficiency steaming periods however can be light sufficient for use on all materials, even silk. Additionally included is a journey bag and refill cup included, so you might be set to go. Tefal’s garment steamers are tried and examined by The Unbiased’s reviewers and featured twice in our round-up of the very best garments steamers.

Purchase now

DeWalt XR 18V 1.5Ah Li-ion Cordless Combi drill 2 batteries DCD776S2T-GB: Was £100, now £70, B&Q

DeWalt

B&Q can be now providing its Black Friday offers a couple of days earlier than the official weekend kicks off, with financial savings to be discovered on instruments and good residence units. This cordless combi drill will turn out to be useful for any duties round the home you’ve been pushing aside, starting from flat packing to shelf hanging. Its options embody a two velocity gearbox and reverse change and 15 torque settings which can permit you optimum screw driving on a wide range of supplies effectively. The same DCD778M2T 18V, a much bigger mannequin, might be present in our information to the very best cordless drills too.

Purchase now

Morphy Richards rose gold accents assortment conventional kettle – blue and rose gold: Was £79.99, now £34.99, Currys PC World

Morphy Richards

We’re unsure if kettles might be referred to as attractive, however this one’s as shut as they get. It has a 1.5l capability – that’s six cups of tea, an anti-limescale filter and visual water stage indicator. At greater than 50 per cent off it’s a steal, oh and did we point out it’s lovely?

Purchase now

Lawnmower 2.0 + Backyard Security Package: Was £514.98, now £249.99, Gtech

Gtech

Available in the market for a brand new lawnmower? Look no additional than Gtech’s Black Friday offers, the place you’ll be able to snap up this cordless device for an unmissable half worth. The model’s upgraded mower has a runtime of as much as 40 minutes and a cost time of only one hour. Its reengineered blade is designed for energy and effectivity and it routinely adjusts its velocity to deal with thicker and longer grass. Obtain the right garden with this high machine whereas saving greater than £250.

Purchase now

Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Was £349.99, now £199.99, Argos

Shark

Save £150 on this cordless vacuum from Mrs Hinch’s favorite residence equipment model, Shark. It may be used on laborious flooring, wool rugs, carpet, upholstery and stairs, promising 40 minutes of run-time. There’s a versatile wand which can let you attain these nooks and crannies below furnishings. The coveted anti hair-wrap expertise removes hair from the comb head as you clear, so there’s no blockage or construct as much as sluggish you down. It’s a model that featured in our evaluation of the very best vacuum cleaners for pet house owners, so we will testify to its credentials. Argos claims that is its lowest worth ever.

Purchase now

SodaStream Genesis Glowing Water Maker Black: Was £99.99, now £59.99, Amazon

Lakeland

Convey some comforting nostalgia to your kitchen with this SodaStream that is presently diminished by £40. You possibly can get pleasure from glowing drinks at residence with simply the contact of a button, which is ideal for these of us who’re presently in lockdown. The package accommodates the SodaStream genesis glowing water maker, a 60l gasoline cylinder and a one litre reusable bottle; all it is advisable to assist the planet by slicing down in your use of single-use bottles. The model has been serving to folks carbonate their very own drinks at residence for greater than 100 years, so this set will present the retro throwback that everybody wants proper now.

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KitchenAid slicer and shredder attachment: Was £85, now £42.50, Lakeland

Lakeland

This KitchenAid slicer and shredder attachment is a good steal with 50 per cent off. This easy attachment simply turns your stand mixer right into a slicer and shredder. Its stainless-steel drums are sturdy sufficient to handle with uncooked greens, nuts, cheese and extra, so shred and slice to your hearts content material. It completely suits the KitchenAid Artisan 4.8L Stand Mixer, which we featured in our information of the very best stand mixers.

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DeWalt TSTAK Plastic 1 compartment Toolbox: Was £30, now £18, B&Q

DeWalt

Maintain all of your instruments in a single secure area with this field that may match as much as 23l and comes with a detachable tray for straightforward entry to smaller components and attachments. It additionally has a large deal with that may assist make it extra comfy to hold.

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Dyson small ball animal 2: Was £249.99, now £199.99, John Lewis & Companions

Dyson

The bigger mannequin of this upright bagless vac featured in our round-up of the very best corded vacuum cleaners, with our tester noting how she was “genuinely amazed on the outcomes. It has wonderful allergy filters, a protracted hose and is a robust performer in tight corners and nooks and crannies.”

As this one is extra compact in dimension, it takes up 30 per cent much less room than the bigger mannequin, so in the event you’re quick on area, it’s the right alternative. For those who’re contemplating upgrading your present hoover, now could be the time to take action, as it can save you £50.

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Karcher K2 Full Management Automobile Strain Washer: Was £140, now £89, Halfords

Halfords

Save £51 on this highly effective stress washer. Make mild work of any cussed cleansing chore with its 4 stress settings; delicate for fences and benches, medium for bikes and automobiles, laborious for masonry and blend which lets you apply detergent. The extendable deal with, wheels and set off gun design permit for ease of motion and management. We featured the same mannequin, the Karcher K5, in our information of the very best stress washers, the place our reviewer stated: ” That is an exceptionally well-built, well-engineered, user-friendly and highly effective little bit of package that tackles cussed dust, grime and algae on a grand scale”.

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Kenwood KHC29.B0WH Prospero Stand Mixer: Was £199.99, now £99.99, Argos

Kenwood

If the most recent Bake Off sequence has left you feeling impressed, save greater than £100 on this Kenwood stand mixer in Argos’s sale. Its compact design makes it splendid for smaller kitchens, and it comes with a 4.3l chrome steel bowl together with three different non-stick bowls and different attachments akin to a whisk and dough hook. This model was featured twice in our evaluation of the very best stand mixers, so we will converse to the status of Kenwood’s merchandise. You’ll be a star baker very quickly.

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Crock-Pot carry and serve digital sluggish cooker with hinged lid and programmable countdown timer, 4.7 litre: Was £59.99, now £49.95, Amazon

Crock-Pot

Have dinner able to function quickly as you get residence from work, effectively, transition from the desk to the kitchen. You possibly can set the cooking time wherever from 30 minutes to 20 hours, or to maintain meals heat till you need it. The bowl and lid are dishwasher secure, and the hinged lid saves mess build up in your worktop between stirs. The 4.7 litre ceramic bowl makes it splendid for households, dinner events or batch cooking. In our current evaluation of the very best sluggish cookers, our tester discovered that “in terms of cooking a succulent roast, this light-weight machine received, arms down.”

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Spear & Jackson Strain Washer 2200W: Was £200, now £100, Argos

Spear & Jackson

The second nationwide lockdown in England is the right time to do these dreaded family jobs that you simply’d been avoiding, and in the event you want a brand new stress washer to tick a few of them off of your checklist, this one is presently half worth. It’s Spear & Jackson’s strongest mannequin, with a bar ranking of 110 (in the event you’re not sure what this implies, try our evaluation of the very best stress washers for extra steerage). It comes with a spread of equipment together with a patio cleaner, rotary brush and variable lance, so you’ll be able to deal with in every single place from automobile wheels and patio stones. This washer comes with a three-year assure too, in case you wanted any extra convincing.

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Ninja foodi OP300UK multi stress cooker and air fryer: Was £199, now £149, Currys PC World

Ninja

Receiving excessive reward in our evaluation of the very best stress cookers, our tester stated this “is a completely sensible piece of package,” including that it “does nearly all the pieces within the kitchen besides take the bins out”.

“The place it actually scores over different fashions is that its lid may grill, bake or air fry contents,” she stated. If that’s not motive sufficient, it’s presently 25 per cent off within the Black Friday sale. Put together to serve up meals to perfection with minimal effort.

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Shark Flexology True Pet Anti Hair Wrap IZ251UKTDB Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – Black: Was £549, now £349, Currys PC World

Shark

Save £200 on this vacuum cleaner that may are available notably helpful if in case you have pets which are continuously shedding hair in your carpets and laborious flooring. It’s a model that’s featured beforehand in our evaluation of the very best pet vacuum cleaners that deal with hair and dust with ease.

Promising 120 minutes of working time, it has a motorised attachment that may assist carry pet hairs from flooring to furnishings, and its anti-wrap expertise will cease the brush-roll getting clogged up. It could possibly additionally change to a handheld unit that will help you deal with harder-to-reach areas akin to stairs or the within of your automobile.

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Tineco A10 Hero Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Was £229, now £179, Amazon

Tineco

This vacuum will make clearing up mess a speedy job, promising 10-25 minutes of cordless cleansing, and has 22 per cent off. It could possibly additionally convert right into a handheld machine, so you’ll be able to attain each floor from the flooring to the ceilings, with a low-noise design that received’t disrupt pets or younger youngsters. The same mannequin, Tineco A11 hero, has additionally beforehand featured in our evaluation of the very best cordless vacuum cleaners.

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Blueair Blue Pure 411 with particle filter: Was £130, now £117, Selfridges

Blueair

This topped our evaluation of the very best air purifiers, as a consequence of its easy set-up, one button management and three velocity settings. Our reviewer stated: “We actually felt the air was more energizing to breathe, and particularly, it eliminated cooking smells when positioned within the kitchen.” You may get 10 per cent off whenever you enter “SELFCCE” at checkout.

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Tefal All-in-One CY505E40 Electrical Strain Cooker: Was £79.96, now £59.99, Currys PC world

Tefal

For those who’re too busy to spend hours cooking up dinner, however nonetheless wish to eat one thing home made after a protracted day of labor, add this stress cooker to your kitchen set-up. The Tefal cooker has a 6l capability and has 25 totally different programmes to select from. It additionally comes with a recipe booklet included with 30 dishes to strive. It has a hinged lid too, which can assist to maintain your worktops clear when including substances or serving meals.

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Hotpoint NSWR 742U WK UK N 7 kg 1400 Spin Washing Machine – White: Was £299.99, now £219, Currys PC World

Hotpoint

Whereas not probably the most thrilling purchase, a washer is an important that you will get loads of use from, so it’s price investing in whereas this one is on supply, because it has over £80 off. It guarantees to scrub a full load of laundry in simply 45 minutes with a speedy possibility that lets you cut back the wash time of smaller hundreds in the event you’re in a rush. There are 16 applications to select from, which may wash your delicates, woollen objects and on a regular basis bits and items. It’s additionally a model that’s featured in our evaluation of the very best washing machines.

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Gtech AirRam MK2 K9: Was £249.99, now £149.99, Gtech

GTech

Designed particularly for properties with four-legged buddies – K9, geddit? – this heavy responsibility vacuum guarantees a harder clear. The cordless design lets you transfer seamlessly from carpets to wooden flooring to tiles and it’s light-weight at simply over 3kgs. It additionally has calmly scented cartridges within the filter to maintain your property feeling clear and contemporary.

Purchase now

Shark Klik n’ Flip S6001UK Corded Pocket Mop: Was £119.99, now £79, Amazon

Amazon

Identified for its vacuum cleaners, Shark additionally gives a spread of mops and is a model that’s featured in our information to the 10 finest steam cleaners to maintain carpets, flooring and surfaces glowing, the place we’ve reviewed the very related S6003UK mannequin.

The S6001UK options double microfiber pads to brush up dust and dry your flooring speedily so that you don’t should spend 20 minutes avoiding the kitchen when you’ve used it to wash up after dinner. With a direct jet of steam, it guarantees clear flooring that received’t look streaky and is claimed to be splendid for allergy victims because it mops up frequent family micro organism. As we’ll solely be spending extra time indoors, preserve your area clear and tidy, whereas sweeping up a cut price.

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Coredy R650 Robotic Vacuum Cleaner: Was £269.99, now £229.99, Amazon

Coredy

We’ve all dreamt of unburdening ourselves of the family chores, and this robotic hoover could reply our prayers, particularly with 15 per cent off. It options what the model calls “boost-intellect” expertise that detects which floor the good vacuum is cleansing, adapting its suction if it strikes onto carpet from laborious picket flooring. With as much as 120 minutes of cost, the hoover claims to be extremely quiet, a function our tester additionally famous when reviewing an analogous mannequin from the identical model in our round-up of the very best robotic vacuum cleaners.

Purchase now

LG AI DD V3 F4V310SNE Spin Washing Machine, graphite: Was £549.99, now £399, Currys PC World

LG

With a capability of 10.5kg and a spin velocity of 1400 rpm, this washer is a steal with its worth discount of £150. Ticking the field for inexperienced credentials too, it makes use of LG expertise that helps save vitality whereas nonetheless producing nice washing outcomes.

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Kenwood Okay25MB20 solo microwave, black: Was £170, now £69.99, Currys PC World

Kenwood

Available in the market for a brand new microwave? Look no additional than this deal the place you can be saving greater than £100. Prepare dinner, reheat and defrost with this versatile product which boasts six automated cooking applications for particular meals sorts, from popcorn to pizza.

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TASSIMO by Bosch Model TAS1102GB Espresso Machine – Black: Was £89.99, now £29, Currys PC World

Bosch

For those who’re sick of on the spot espresso, add this inexpensive machine to your kitchen arsenal for a barista-style cup of Joe each morning. With an enormous 68 per cent off, this has the flexibility to make 70 various kinds of espresso, an automated shutoff operate whenever you’re not utilizing it and dishwasher secure components, making it an absolute steal at this worth. It’s compact too for even the smallest of kitchens.

Purchase now

Kenwood kMix KMX750 stand mixer, white: Was £349, now £299, John Lewis & Companions

Kenwood

Give your self a serving to hand within the kitchen with this good mixer, boasting six totally different velocity settings and a novel fold operate that fastidiously layers substances. With a £50 worth discount and equipment akin to chrome steel bowl, spatula and a splash guard included, snap up this deal quick.

Purchase now

Learn extra on Black Friday 2020

Methods to get the very best Black Friday offers this yr – When the sale begins, the best way to get the very best financial savings, and the best way to put together

Finest Amazon Black Friday offers – There might be hundreds of thousands of offers, so verify in right here for our choose of the very best

Finest John Lewis & Companions Black Friday offers – With nice offers on high quality vogue, magnificence, tech, youngsters and homeware manufacturers, will probably be a go-to for a lot of

Finest Currys PC World Black Friday offers – For all the pieces from TVs to laptops, and kettles to espresso machines

Finest Argos Black Friday offers – Masking all the pieces from youngsters to homewares and health to DIY

Finest Apple Black Friday offers – The tech large is infamous for not collaborating in Black Friday, so how will you discover offers on Apple merchandise? Discover out in our information

Finest Black Friday tech offers – Whether or not it’s a brand new telephone contract or noise-cancelling headphones, you’ll discover the very best deal right here

Finest Black Friday TV offers – Replace your at-home cinema expertise with out paying full worth with our featured offers

Finest Black Friday laptop computer offers – There’s a whole lot of kilos to be saved on laptops from big-name manufacturers akin to Apple, Microsoft and HP

Finest Black Friday gaming offers – Struggling to decide on which console to purchase, or after a brand new controller or sport? Here is our professional information

Finest Black Friday vogue offers – Whether or not its a pair of shoes or a coat, deal with your self to new season necessities

Finest Black Friday magnificence offers – Replenish in your favourites throughout make-up, skincare, haircare and perfume

Finest Black Friday youngsters’ toys offers – Get your Christmas buying achieved and dusted, with offers from Disney, Lego, Playmobil and extra

Finest Black Friday mattress offers – Relaxation simple with massive reductions for manufacturers akin to Emma, Eve Sleep and Simba

Finest Black Friday furnishings offers – There isn’t any want to attend till the January sale to get a cut price couch, wardrobe or armchair

The shops collaborating in Black Friday – Our predictions based mostly on final yr, which we’ll be updating because the offers start

from Growth News https://growthnews.in/black-friday-home-appliance-deals-2020-best-offers-from-shark-le-creuset-and-dyson/ via https://growthnews.in

[fisherandhunterblog]

How to choose Freshwater Trolling Reels

Freshwater Trolling Reels Fishing in freshwater can be the first place to adventure and practice fishing for beginners because freshwater like rivers and lakes are more shallow than in saltwater like oceans and seas. Of course, fishing is not complete without the needed equipment, accessories and guidelines. One of the important objects an angler must have is the reel. Reels help us catch fish from long distances. It has a collection of line and special bearings. Now I will give you the top trolling reels for freshwater that are highly praised by many anglers.

Penn Squall 50VSW Trolling Fishing Reel Penn is one of the most popular and trusted brands in the fishing world. This Penn Squall 50VSW Trolling Fishing Reel has an aluminum spool and is corrosion resistant. No worry for this trolling reel for it is always ready to have a journey with you. This trolling reel shifts easily from low gear to high gear which gives you good control and more fun when fishing. Features Made of aluminum and graphite materialsOne of the lightest trolling reels in the marketSmall and ideal for both beginners and professionals Pros Compact and lightweightIt has zero nags or hesitationIt has an anti-reverse system for safety and efficiencyStrong side plates Cons It lacks a rod clamp screw

Okuma Line Counter Cold Water Trolling Reel This trolling reel is designed for cold water fishing. This reel is extremely durable and when it comes to performance, excellent! Its features are both good for newbies and professional anglers. This trolling reel is easy to pull and operate. Like Penn Squall, the reel is lightweight so it is easy to use for so long without experiencing fatigue. Features Most of its parts are made from aluminum including the spool, handle and dragThe reel has a titanium coated level windThe side-plates are weather resistantIt has a self-lubricating gear systemThe line is made to be anti-forging and easy to set Pros Competitively pricedComfortable to operateThe three stainless steel ball bearings and the drag system is multi-disc and carbonatedThe gears of the reel are made of brass Cons One year warranty onlyDesigned for left-handed onlyNoisy Clicker

Daiwa Sealine Sl-SH SL30SH 14-25Lbs Test Conventional Reel This Daiwa Sealine Trolling Reel has various top-notch features. It greatly works while trolling in a freshwater. It is great for casting and trolling larger baits. Though it has an oversized gear, this trolling reel will surely meet what you are looking for in a certain trolling reel. Using this reel, you can catch easily Marlin, Tuna, and Wahoo. Features The side plates are made of aluminum materialsIt has a one piece frame guard Pros Its handle preforms greatly while castingIt has a super high-tech braid linesIts dual disc drags provide smooth drag with excellent rangeExcellent free spool adjustmentDurableIt will be your long-term investment Con Heavyweight

Shimano TLD 2-Speed Conventional Reel The Shimano TLD 2 Speed Conventional Reel is a very nice looking reel, powerful, lightweight and durable. This reel is not just designed for saltwater but for freshwater environment also. The Anti-rust bearings help improve the quality of the reel and reduce corrosion. It will surely give you a good and smooth performance while fishing. This fishing reel is designed for use with Mono, Fluorocarbon and PowerPro lines. Features It offers 2-speed versatilityFeatures salt-resistant A-RB bearings Pros Graphite frame and side plateErgonomic power handle, clicker, and aluminum spoolApproved for both freshwater and saltwater fishingLever drag TLD IIA reels offer a 2-speed versatilityA-RB bearings are corrosion resistantIt only weighs 36.2 ounces

Penn Fathom Lever Drag The Penn Fathom Lever Drag is made of the full metal body for durability. It also offers speed and a lightweight kind of trolling reel. This reel is good for fishing applications like live baiting, bottom, and shallow fishing, and jigging. It has an excellent Penn Dura-drag system which most anglers are in love with it, stainless steel pinion gear and full stainless steel gear trains. Features It comes in 5 models which can pack 995 yards of 65 pounds braidPerfect for your lager catch like kingfish and sailfishThe lever drag offers you the ability to know how much pull you have appliedThe Fathom performs very well for an incredible price point Pros Side plates and the full metal body built from aluminum for rigidityIt has five shielded stainless steel ball bearingsQuick shift 2-speed systemDura drag system eliminated the hesitations and snags

6. Burning Shark Trolling Reel Wind Reels If you want a higher level of fishing, you can use this Burning Shark Trolling Reels. It will definitely give you the most unforgettable fishing adventure. This reel is designed to catch big fishes in both freshwater and saltwater. It is built of high-quality materials. It is good and smooth with retrieving. This reel has a ton of best features for a high price. Features - Its high-quality double dog ratchet system eliminated reverse handle - It has a lightweight Corrosion resistant frame - Comfortable cranking - Its line release lever performs really well - It features the Machined Aluminum Spool, Bake light Side plates, Spherical handle, stainless steel gears, etc. - The level wind makes line retrieving easy - It has 300 yards 80 pounds braid line Pros - It is lightweight and corrosion resistant - It has die-cast aluminum frame - Seven stainless steel anti-rust ball bearings - It has oversized cast-control knob - Non-disengaging level win system - Its gear ratio is 4.1:1 Cons - This trolling reel does not include a reel clamp

Read the full article

[garychou]

Words and Metaphors

One undercurrent of the work I'm doing has been an iterative process of figuring out the right words to use for the various projects I'm considering.  This comes up not just in how we name projects, but also the processes and phases contained within it.

Particularly when you're working as part of a team, your choice of words matter because they connote a context.  We make assumptions regarding mental models, defaults and strategy simply based upon the words we choose when expressing an idea.

(Btw, if you haven't yet read Nicole Fenton's Words as Material, now is a good time to do so.)

The challenge is that much of my work is in the realm of "education" and "entrepreneurship", both of which are incredibly loaded words.

The Problem with 'Education'

When people think of "education", there's an implicit expectation that you have a fixed time-frame course along with some set of materials to be consumed.  Or that, the nature of the experience is instructional, where it's led by an authority figure who has taken critical information and chunked it into pieces for delivery in a linear sequence.  Or, that the business model should be some variant of tuition rather than a wholesale reconsideration of how the entire system should operate.

Unfortunately, much of the educational work I do doesn't fit this model.  It's more experiential than it is instructional.  Sometimes our programs help people unpack the day-to-day problems and challenges they're experiencing at their jobs.  Other times, our programs catalyze a brand new experience through the use of in-public challenges, such as the $1K Challenge.  Getting them to have an experience is part one, then we help them review and reflect afterwards.

Inevitably, I have to explain our approach, and how this is different than the norm. It's both a waste of time and a poor user experience because the poor framing or lack of positioning leads to user confusion.  We need to choose more precise words.

The Problem with 'Entrepreneurship'

Similarly, when people think of "entrepreneurship" alongside "education", they jump immediately to some amalgamation of Y Combinator and Shark Tank, because that is what dominates the popular mindshare today.

They unconsciously adopt the elements and structure of an accelerator—because that seems like the right thing to do—without understanding that accelerators are essentially deal flow funnels intended to help investors filter the market down to a handful of investable opportunities.

They're selection mechanisms, not a framework to train and educate everyone in the room.

(That's not to say that there aren't elements of teaching and training present in accelerators—just that we should be aware of what the system is really designed to do before blindly adopting them as templates.)

Entrepreneurship isn't a skill to be acquired, it's a medium to be understood.  You need to understand the terrain, the pitfalls, the problem space.  And, you learn it by doing, rather than doing the required reading in a syllabus.

(As a further aside, even the word "entrepreneurship" by itself is dangerous to use because it almost always assumes your goal is to build a venture-backed business, which really should not be the default.)

Exploring Metaphors

So, when you're working in a realm of such loaded words, where it's an uphill battle to reframe entrenched default mental models, you might simply be better off by borrowing an existing metaphor.

Metaphors come with associated words, concepts and phrases which might be useful.

I've been considering a few different realms of metaphors (and I'm even tempted to try to mix them, though I know it's dangerous to do so).

Here are a few I'm considering:

One of the laboratories in the Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH). (via)

Lab: While "lab" is already overused in the tech industry as a way to make one's company sound cooler than it is, I like it in terms of normalizing expectations that the work around launching new ideas is an iterative process of experimentation.  It sets a default that you don't know what the answer is, and thus, you have to put a stake in the ground, define an experiment, run it, and then see what happens.  It's also somewhat comforting to me because as a Molecular Biology major in college, I kicked ass in lab while getting my ass kicked in the actual classes (thanks, pre-Meds).

New York City Marathon on November 5th, 2017. (via)

2. Marathon: One of the key aspects of any experiential learning opportunity is simply the act of having an experience.  In teaching Entrepreneurial Design at a grad program, the experience needed to fit within a fixed time frame, which we were able to manage with a lot of carefully considered constraints.  However, in the real world, you'll find that the process of exploring two different, arbitrarily-scoped projects or problems is highly variable.  And so, how do you otherwise re-construct the constraints you need?  Marathons are a wonderful construct because they have a beginning, an end, as well as milestones.  There are requirements to qualify to even run, and usually those steps are clearly defined.  There's an expectation that you need to train and even be coached.  By its nature, it's a solitary journey (the running of the race) that is often coupled with a community of support.

The first launch of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. (via)

3. Launch: While "Launch" is already an overused word in the realm of startups, there's a specific use of the word that is relevant to our work, which is the specific act of launching a rocket into space.  It's a wonderful metaphor because it seems like you should be able to just launch the satellite or payload itself.  But in reality, you need tons of fuel and additional rockets along with an elaborate multi-stage process in order to counteract the Earth's gravity and break into orbit.  The same holds for when you're launching a new idea / product / project / company.  There's an inordinate amount of up front work that is required just to get your idea launched.

There's a richness to each of these metaphors so I'm optimistic that at least one of them will work out.

Part of the complexity is that as I've been going through multiple concurrent ideation processes, there's a possibility where it might make sense to develop multiple, separate programs rather than just one.  While they'll all likely be rooted in similar themes, they'll be targeted towards different audiences, thus necessitating different names.

So, I might actually get to use all three.

Originally posted: https://garychou.com/notes/words-and-metaphors/

[meetmitsui]

Congratulations, 2017 Survivor!

The best part about 2017 is that you gave it your best shot. 😌👌🏼 Yes, tables turned. Plot twists happened; LIFE happened. 🙂 Reaching breakthroughs nearly broke you, stepping off your comfort zone felt almost like the worst idea, letting go of certain things barely had you moving forward, but guess what? You’re still here, alive and ready to conquer the next decade. You’re still here reading this post along with the rest of the year-in reviews on social media. This however, is not a #2017bestnine post, sorry. 😅😂✌🏻 Perhaps more like a proud congratulatory message from an ordinary human being who survived the year of seeding and reaping just like you did. 😎👍🏻#thuglife For some reason, 2017 was indeed a year of absolute crunch if not for all, maybe for the most of us. Let me walk you through this year’s highlights. From a forex trader’s perspective, the Brexit event welcomed the year with a crash on the British Pound. This sent trading charts on disarray until almost half of Q3. Also, Trump happened... need I mention what kind of Trump actually happened? Oh yeah, tensions on war here (China), tensions on war there (North Korea), tensions on war everywhere. Anyway, so the Federal Reserve also hiked interest rates 3 times this year; enough to send the dollar to Mars. But then again, Trump happened in between (ha ha ha, but may Trump supporters take no offense) and as Janet Yellen said before she left office, the fundamentals are supportive of growth and increasing rates is still appropriate. Oil prices hit new highs and boy, of course, #bitcoin... BITCOIN made history! 🤯💸 I’ve never considered it as an investment, but well it’s a highlight yesteryear so let me give credit to where it’s due. Congratulations to those who made profits or earned valuable lessons from the heavy market waves, and all the best to your 2018 investment journeys! 🙌🏻 Meanwhile, Juan de la Cruz could be crying out “Why can’t we let the yearend event pass without a single record of damage from typhoons?!”. Urduha, Vinta, you guys happy now? Well, that’s just the tail of a long list of highlights from every Filipino citizen’s 2017 diary. Why? Well, starting today we ought to be watching our hard-earned cash flush down the drain for the new tax schedules. Too negative in context, sorry but I just really hope the government’s “Build, build, build” program would be implemented as presented to the trusting (even in blind sight) public. If the program delivers (in the next five years) then I’ll wholeheartedly salute this administration. Ikaw na bahala sa pera namin, Tatay Digong! 😅 Moreover, this year we almost lost our life-changing tech advancements. I’m talking about Grab and Uber, but I’m just happy you managed to settle issues and stay in business. At least you can still keep helping Pinoys in their daily exodus (of commuting) and you can still keep saving lives from the wonderful world of random, choosy, abusive, unpredictably unsafe cab drivers. Well done, Grab & Uber! We didn’t lose you, however we lost Angkas & Wunder Carpool just like we lost someone’s hand when MRT messed up once out of the countless times it messed up this year. So let’s take this moment to reminisce our escapes from traffic (with Angkas) and our environmentally friendly acts (with Wunder Carpool, while eliminating the number of cars in the streets and their carbon emissions)... R.I.P. Angkas and Wunder Carpool App 😔 Let’s not forget the nationwide teleseryes we’ve actually casted in without us knowing. Mocha Uson’s role stood out as she escalated (way too) quickly from being an icon of fake news to being an epitome of dedication in service to Filipinos (specially when she entered law school). But still, let’s give her a chance, we’ll never know how much things can change for her and the (fake or not) news she’s had the power to infuse in our unsuspecting minds, sarcasm aside. One other plot in our nationwide teleserye also picked sizable interest from the public. Remember the sensational pre-debut shoot in the Malacanang Palace? Of course you do, that’s the latest twist. I wonder how the story ends though. 🤔 The war against drugs is still on, but only the branches of the glorious tree (of gods and masterminds) have been shut down. The carriers of the drug biz could be out, but its origin persists. And this question also persists: is the battle truly for the purpose of eliminating narco politics in the country or just for the purpose of silencing gnawers to the business? Oh well, let’s see. 🤧 On the brighter side, Filipinos became more educated and aggressive in terms of investments. The PSEi made multiple all-time highs and settled above 8,500 in the last trading hour. I hope that our willingness to explore the local and global markets continue to grow and that we’ll still feel empowered despite an increase in tax for passive investments. Mehehehe... amazing pahabol for the year ahh. I like your style, PH gov’t. Well, who doesn’t, right? 🤣 Congratulations, my fellow Filipinos who cared enough to feel the frustrations and handle the crazy political roller coaster. Congratulations for having no choice, but to deal with adversities like we always will. #thuglife Congratulations for having the courage to post your views on social media despite huge chances of your issues being left diverted and unaddressed by the stupefying government officials. Uso pa rin naman ang welga, galit lang talaga tayo sa dakilang traffic... soooo nah! 🤗😶😂 Now enough on politics. Inhale optimism, and breathe out these words: “Thank you government of the people, for the people and by the people. Well done!” *slow clap* 👌🏼 Now if there’s anything more sensational this year, that’s your love life. Yes, your love life. It’s that piece of needle that made you feel excruciating pain at one point this year, and that thread that sewed you back together when everything fell in perfect bliss. Well, let me not dwell on this too much, because we’re not ending this novel with everyone’s love stories. 😅 Congratulations, strong and independent humans for knowing your worth and not settling for less. Congratulations, f*ck boys and girls for playing too well this year you might actually have caught yourself STD. Sorry not sorry. 😏 And of course, congratulations to those who started and finished 2017 on their own (like completely “single”). Your third wheeling skills are remarkable! 😂🙌🏻✌🏻🍻#ForeverAlone 🙃 Highlights from the world’s iconic couples though? Single, taken, married, or whatever, we all felt that heartbreak on #Brangelina ‘s split (Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt). Don’t tell me you didn’t twitch on that painful news. Oh well, at least “Jelena” (Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez) are back together before yearend, coining each other as their one true love. #MayForever na ba to? News just two hours ago revealed, Selena’s been calling JB, “my husband”. Boom!! And oh, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth got engaged, while Kylie Jenner got preggy. 🤭 Meanwhile, from the locale, #JaDine was a highlight for allowing the battle of morales to surface among conservative Filipinos. “Come on guys, it’s 2017.” he he he. 🤷🏻‍♀️ But really, let me take this moment to shed one last tear of joy for all the “It girls” getting wedded this year, even including the mother-of-the-It-girls, Dr. Vicky Belo-Kho. #WeddingGoals emerged from this parade of love, and I can’t wait for all of them to spread lovely genes across the planet. 😂🤗 Solenn and Nico, ano na?! Hahaha! Kayo talaga hinihintay ko eh! El Patato 🐢 deserves cute company 👶🏻 ! JK! Oh, I just love this pair! Anyhow, for some time my newsfeed’s been filled with wedding-related posts of friends. In fact, I was a bridesmaid for a time so yeah, 2017 was a year of love after all. 😍Congratulations to those who tied the knots this year! All the best wishes!🍾 From the social arena, we’ve seen depression take its toll on a massive scale this year though some thinkers disvalue its existence. Hi, Tito Joey! Sorry, but depression does exist. We’ve seen people fighting against bullying and racism to name a few, and people working towards advocacies on gender equality. The battles have been tough. In fact, we have casualties. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden & Black Hole, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, and Kim Jonghyun of K-pop group SHINee, are iconic names we’ve lost to suicide with depression being the key cause. One that triggered sadness most in me though is with Nadine Lustre’s brother where she coined #KeepGoing . The series of suicidal deaths allowed me to write the song “I Owe You”, and I hope I never get to finish it. 😔 Hello, survivors of this reaping world! Congratulations for never giving up! Congratulations for taking it all in, for standing up for what is right, for challenging yourself everyday, for battling with your personal demons and for pushing yourself to #KeepGoing . You may not be proud of yourself just yet, but God is proud of you and He will always be. 😉 Moving on, the more trivial things. Quite a number of words were added to the Filipino dictionary (unofficial but widely used) 🧐 such as “petmalu”, “lodi, & “werpa”. Vice Ganda even made a song out of these words. And speaking of songs, “Baby Shark” was almost this year’s favorite along with “Despacito”. 😅 Congratulations to all of us for enjoying 2017 with simple pleasures amidst the chaos! We truly are Filipinos for this trait. We smile amidst the storms, stand up and move forward. But really, take no offense, I’m sure we can do better than what we’ve done this year. Our creativity and love for novelty could translate to creativity for the bigger things this 2018. I am certain of this, and sure that we can attend to the issues that really matter. We need not be superstars or high profile personalities to change our bad habits that collectively destroy the world, socially, economically or environmentally. We need not be superheroes from films we’ve watched this year. No need to be part of the “Avengers” to save someone from bullying. No need to be part of “Justice League” to hear out anyone who’s close to committing suicide. No need to be “Wonder Woman” to look at humanity with hope amidst all the chaos. No need to be the big guy, because no matter how minute we are compared to this huge planet, our actions still create the Earth as our home. And what do we do to build a “home”? We build and connect our little realities. Let’s create better realities this 2018, so that next time we can congratulate ourselves for being co-creators of a better world. 🌍🌻 Too abstract I know, but well congratulations for letting that thought sink in for awhile. Congratulations for closing the year stronger than when you started. Congratulations for making it this far. Congratulations for surviving 2017! Now, get ready for a grander year. Hello, 2018! 💪🏻😎👌🏼 P.S. Congratulations for finishing this lengthy piece. hahaha! I hope you found value in it.😂

[blschaos3000-blog]

Its 2:37 am dark

  Welcome to another “8 Questions with…….”

I’m have been waiting for this chance to sit and talk with film director Lisa Ovies once again. It has been over two years since we last chatted and it has taken that long for her new film “Puppet Killer” to finally hit the festival arena where it has racked up several wins. Lisa is currently working on a distributing deal that see Simon meet his adoring fans at long last.   Lisa is one of my favorite people,she is one of the kindest and most generous persons I have met and her desire to help young actors through her teaching studio Rogue Studios to be respected and admired,several of her young students have started landing parts in various movies and TV shows,she is such a positive force in so many people’s lives.   Her sense of adventure and fun also stand out as she tackled one of the difficult challenges any performer can face,much less a film director and that was doing a stand-up comedy set. For someone who has never tried going onstage before,it still wasn’t surprising to hear that she did a bang up job. She is a lady of many talents.   The cheetah (who says Lisa is his spirit animal) and I are excited to be able to watch and review “Puppet Killer” and am so relieved for Lisa and her team that the journey is just about over,I can see why directors treat their film projects so passionately….but for now,while we a chance……let’s go ask one of my favorite directors,the amazing Lisa Ovies,another 8 Questions……..

    Its pretty awesome to chat with you again,Lisa. Last time we chatted you were taking your new film “Puppet Killer” to post. What is the current status of Simon today?

 Thank you! It is always great to chat with you.

We are done and released into the world and we could not be happier! We started our festival run mid September where we took home Runner Up Best Feature at Mid West Monster Fest and it has been a surreal ride ever since. By the end of this month (October)  we will have played on 5 continents and we have already won 16 awards and are nominated for another 10. My mind is truly blown as you know how hard I worked to finish this film properly and honestly some people pushed me to finish quicker and with less quality. All this recognition helps me remember the fight and patience was more than worth it and my post team DESTROYED. I am so in love with the finished product and have loved sharing it with audiences and horror fans alike. I would not have this film without my amazing team and they have my heart for life. 

Can you walk us through what a “pre-production” and a “post-production” is?

 Pre production is a lot of paperwork and laying the ground work. Location and tech scouting,our practical FX builds and designs, finalizing the script, casting, working out the budget, building sets and props, sorting wardrobe.. all the pieces that go into creating what we end up filming. Our pre production also including puppet training and camera tests with the puppet to try to make our on screen kills as practical as possible. 

Post is more paperwork (AHH!) and then our editing, our VFX, color correction, our sound design and music (Sound designer Robert Phaneuf and composer Stephen Gallagher did an AMAZING job) clearances, title builds ect. In our case, because we had unexpected costs that ate up our post budget, so we took the time to raise enough money to finish properly. We used a fantastic finishing House ‘Finale Post’ and although it was painful to take so long to get it out, it was more than worth the wait. 

How is Rogue Studios doing? Have any of your acting school students landed any major roles or awards yet? What do you like about teaching the most?

 Rogues Studios is doing fantastic and I love coming home and working with my students. I love watching them grow and their hard work paying off! They are leads in movies now or reoccurring on tv shows that would have only been a dream to them a few years ago. A few to mention are Childs Play, Riverdale, Nancy Drew. But really, they are almost constantly booking so it is hard to keep our website updated and I could not be more proud.

What I like most about teaching is the personal connection. I love each and every one of my students and have close relationships with my parents. Many of my students call me their second mom (Momma Shark) and being a part of their growth, their passion, and being a human they trust and can come to when they need an ear, that means more than I could ever put into words. 

 I saw that you recently did some stand-up comedy? You are a naturally funny person,did stand-up come easy for you? Did you enjoy your experience before a live audience?

 Well, thank you for calling me funny! I think I am more sarcastic than funny and I can say it did not come easy for me. I have been a professional improv performer and instructor for 8 years and I would say the disciplines were very different for me. I have always wanted to try stand up but was terrified of it. I don’t think people give stand ups enough credit, the skill to entertain strangers with non stop dialogue all alone on stage, a true gift. 

One of my students Ragini actually signed me up for class because she knew I would never go on my own. My goal was to get through class and do the one stand up show at the end of the program. I was terrified, and I don’t often get scared, so I knew it was something I should lean into for my won growth but damn, truly nervous. At the student show, I was approached to do a show at Yuk Yuk’s, Canada’s most prominent comedy club and I guess it has been following me ever since. Just last week I was offered another paid gig to do a set. I keep saying it is my last show but evidently I have no idea what I am talking about lol

In your opinion,why do comedians adjust to doing drama so much better then dramatic actors doing comedy?

That is a hard answer for me as every actor is different and I think some have done both successfully but my instinct would be that comedic timing is intuitive, it is hard to teach. Some people just have the gift and that is a skill that can then be transitioned into drama, a form of acting that is most times, more available with the proper training. 

One of your students is at an audition and another actor,who is also trying for the same role,asks for your student for help……what are you telling your student and why?

 That is actually a great question and a scenario I have not brought up specifically with them so I think I will. I do however, teach them to hold each other up and to celebrate each others wins. They often go up against each other and truly celebrate when any of them book. I think in this circumstance they would lean into the opportunity to help the other actor and leave proud of themselves for doing so. 

  (Lisa telling Pennywise she already has a spirit animal)

  Outside of acting,teaching and directing….what makes you happy?

  First and foremost that will always be my dogs, my family and my friends. They are all amazing in their own way and bring me so much love and joy. I have had a hard few years and I was humbled by the support I received from them all. 

Beyond the human connection, I love hot yoga, snowboarding and travel. I have been lucky to do a fair amount of all of those the last few years and plan to continue.

8You recently went on a crazy international trip with “Puppet Killer”. How did this come about and where did you go during your trip?

   Yes! And it has only just begun!. Last Christmas I went away with friends to Australia, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong and that was the start of this amazing journey. One of the gf’s I went with is now a member of the Puppet Killer team and in Hong Kong we secured our final investment to finish the film. Those investors flew me out to Seoul Korea the end of September for our Asian premier, I was home two days and then left to LA for the Anaheim film festival where we took home two trophies, one for best ensemble cast and a special award for the amazing Jett Kylne for best young actor. The following week the team packed up and went to HEX in Calgary, a fantastic three day horror convention and film festival. We won best horror film, best soundtrack and when we returned home, found out we had won fan favorite which means the world to us all. As I write this I am preparing to head to Nightmares Film Festival in Ohio while my team mans our Vancouver premiere. Believe it or not we play 9 film festival next weekend! 

After that I have LA, Toronto and NY on the schedule. Not sure yet what 2020 has in store for the Puppet Killer team but I can’t wait to find out!

What is next for you filmwise? Do you have anything in the works you can share with us?

 I am still working with the team and my agent to get ‘Beverly Hills Lizard People’ off the ground. We are nearly funded but have the last chunk to go. This is a dream project with an amazing script, it’s a creature feature with practical effects slated to be designed by ADI if we can finalize our funding. I have also been approached to direct three other features that I hope we get to work on once we slow down the festival run with PK. 

What have been the five biggest life events for you in the past two years?

 What a great question!

1: I started to travel with friends. I did a trip to Thailand in March 2018 with my producing partner and best friend Katie Stuart for almost a month, and then solo traveled to Bangkok and had a surprise run in with another dear friend Heather Dorff when I landed to do a solo trip of Tokyo. 

Then I did the above mentioned trip Dec 2018- Jan 2019 with a few different groups of friends, and did Christmas in a villa in Bali with Heather Dorff and Jaala Wanless.

Experiencing the world with my friends has been inspiring to say the least.

2: I lost my dog Tinkerbell, who was my fur baby for 15 years. That broke my heart. I adopted Gizmo three months after losing Tinkerbell and he has truly filled in my family again.

3. I tried stand up and didn’t die! That was a huge bucket list moment I was too scared to even say out loud let alone pursue. I will always be grateful to Ragini for believing in me and also for pushing me when I needed it most. 

4. I learned to ask for help. I had one of the hardest years this year (although social media probably fails to project that so remember that when you judge yourself and your struggles in relation to others) My family, my friends, my team on Puppet Killer, they really rallied to keep me strong and to keep me going. That truly changed my life

5. WE FINISHED PUPPET KILLER! I have been working on this film for 4 years, and to finally share it in theaters with audiences brings tears to my eyes. It is a goal I have worked towards nearly my whole life. 

The cheetah and I are BACK in Vancouver to see you doing something great but we are once AGAIN a day early and you’re stuck playing tour guide,what are we doing?

Hmmm, well right now it is pissing rain and I am hiding in a cafe doing work. If it was now, we would probably do indoor things like underground bowling, a comedy show, Maybe drive to Whistler and hope it is snowing there instead of raining!

I like to thank Lisa for her time and also congratulate her and her team for all the accolades that “Puppet Killer” has been racking up.  I do believe Simon is going to really become a big hit.

You can follow Lisa’s career by going to her IMDb page.

You can read our first interview with Lisa by going here.

You can also see whom we have chatted with by going here.

Thank you all for your support and please feel free to leave a comment or two below.

8 More Questions with…………film director/Rogue Studios owner Lisa Ovies Its 2:37 am dark Welcome to another "8 Questions with......." I'm have been waiting for this chance to sit and talk with film director Lisa Ovies once again.

[tech-obssessed-shark]

guys please please tell me he’s lying please guys he’s my favorite character he can’t go guys no please i

[strangecollectorcupcake-fan]

AI, automation and analytics: 3 critical strategies for CMOs in 2019, and beyond

The digital revolution has triggered tidal waves of innovation and change that show no sign of slowing down. It’s tempting to look back as we head into the holidays, but CMOs are even now peering at the horizon, trying to stay ahead of what comes next.

Across a martech landscape that has grown exponentially in size in recent years, there are some technologies and trends that have certainly jumped the shark. Many hyped-up start-ups will be pressured to prove value in order attract the C and D series investment that would make them true players over time. More established brands and tools will swallow up some of this struggling tech and talent as the industry consolidates; others will perish as it matures.

Technology now accounts for a whopping 29 percent of the total marketing expense budget, making martech the single largest area of investment when it comes to marketing resources and programs. With this massive investment and a colossal amount of data come supersized expectations of for CMOs, who are not accountable for ROI but customer experience, as well.

While you have likely been planning your 2019 strategy for months now, it’s important to keep your eye on that next horizon — on the impactful changes you’ll be able to make in the coming 24 months. In this post, we’ll explore three areas that will prove critical into 2020 and beyond.

These are the 3 ‘A’s of Accountability for CMOs: AI, automation and analytics.

1. Artificial Intelligence: Forego the hype

Though we’ve really only begun to scratch the surface as far as AI’s potential goes, business leaders are sold on the possibilities. Investments in AR and VR, a small segment of AI, are expected to grow from $11.4 billion in 2017 to $215 billion in 2021, according to IDC.

The challenge now is in developing an artificial intelligence mindset, in order to make best use of AI-powered tools and tech. There’s a push to explore the myriad ways AI can improve data collection and analysis, create organizational efficiencies, enhance the customer experience and ultimately drive greater ROI.

Yet even as leadership are buying into AI and ready to invest, it’s proving challenging to find enough workers with AI skills to delve into it. Paysa recently found that there are more than 10,000 AI-related positions open across the country. Meanwhile, 56 percent of senior AI professionals peg a lack of qualified workers as the single greatest barrier to AI implementation (Ernst & Young).

As exciting as it is, it’s important that CMOs keep AI in perspective. It’s not a cure-all for every problem. Avoid the temptation to start with the tech; rather, define the problems you want your technology to solve and from there, you can begin to explore AI-powered solutions.

In the coming year, we’ll see a lot of first-adopted AI applications fade away as organizations track and analyze performance data and rethink their strategy. The volume of data created worldwide is growing at a staggering 40 percent per year, feeding a near-unimaginable level of intelligence into organizations attempting to make sense of and activate it. As consumers increasingly move away from the touch interface and instead choose to converse with search engines and personal assistants, we’ll gain and even deeper understanding of intent at every point in the customer journey.

Smart CMOs aren’t concerned about the shiniest new kid on the block or getting the sexiest toys. They’re figuring out a stack with AI-powered tools in all the right places — tools that enable them to come to consumers with a better informed, more compelling experience on any device or platform.

2. Making your automated processes more accountable

Automation is near-universally considered a threat by the workforce — at first. In reality, automation in marketing frees up valuable time to focus on areas of greater impact; on creativity, communication and decision-making.

We tend to think of automation as a task-based imperative. However, what we define as “tasks” is changing. Even a decade ago, it was inconceivable to all but the most forward-looking visionaries that communicating directly with customers could be an automated task that actually improves customer experience. In fact, 45 percent of end users actually prefer conversing with a chatbot as their primary method of communicating with customer service.

Today, you can automate search campaigns, email campaigns, lead flow processes, analytics, content promotion, interactions triggered by actions within your CRM, and more. There’s a tool out there to automate delivery of every message and the collection of every bit of data that generates.

It’s the next step in automation that gets exciting, and that is the combination of automation and AI. Intelligent automation takes the efficiency and productivity of automation and layers on data analysis, decision-making and even prioritizing next steps. Automation allows for the collection and analysis of super datasets; natural language processing and machine learning drive predictive analytics and evidence-based learning.

Applications that interact with your customers and even make decisions about how to interact with them must be extensively tested and monitored closely by team members skilled in AI. ROI cannot be measured in dollars alone. Customer satisfaction must be tracked at various points in the journey in order to fully realize the impact of the technology on your customer-facing operations.

3. Maximizing the value of your analytics

Marketing and customer analytics have been named by 40 percent of CMOs as the top capabilities needed to support the delivery of their marketing strategies over the next 18 months.

Yet this is another area where we’re barely even scratching the surface. At least 99 percent of big data is not even analyzed, according to the IDC.

It’s no longer enough to gather data from your website and other analytics, using it to inform the next year or even the next month’s strategy. We are no longer restricted to activating our data by feeding the machine only select pieces of data. Today, deep learning allows us to take massive and sometimes unstructured datasets and reap actionable, relevant insights.

What’s more, predictive analytics activates those insights by facilitating real-time optimization, ongoing measurement, and further optimization.

This year, you’ll be able to set up increasingly complex trigger-based campaigns tailored to individuals at a more granular level. Prioritize the experience you’re delivering through the content you’re serving up based on these better informed triggers. The capability is there, but are you matching it with equal creativity?

And not too far in the future, you can expect deep learning to power even more effective, compelling and timely content creation.

Like Ben & Jerry, caramel and sea salt, the three ‘A’s of accountability for CMOs just go better together. It’s AI that is driving the smartest automations, and analytics that both helps you prove the value of these efforts and optimize them for even greater performance in future.

This is the 2020 vision we need to home in on; one in which technology isn’t disruptive at all, but empowering and accountable for marketers and customers alike.

More Expert Predictions

20 expert predictions: Here’s what successful marketers will do in 2019

The post AI, automation and analytics: 3 critical strategies for CMOs in 2019, and beyond appeared first on Marketing Land.

from Marketing Land https://mklnd.com/2ApOR4O

[seattle-fog]

27 of the Best Marketing Conferences in 2017 (and 2018)

When I've done articles like this in the past, I come up with the list based on my personal preference (or what Google says is the most popular). But with this list of top marketing conferences, I changed my approach. Each conference on this list was recommended by someone in my LinkedIn network. Here's the LinkedIn status update that I posted a few weeks ago where you can see all of the suggestions. So without further ado, here are the 27 best marketing conferences according to my network on LinkedIn. The B2B Marketing Forum is specifically designed for just SEO Blog9T that--B2B marketers. According to those that chimed in on the thread, the networking opportunities were incredible at this event. The largest Content Marketing event around, CMWorld focuses on providing attendees with takeaways that they can implement to grow their audience and build their business. Some of the best breakouts mentioned were: Jay Baer - "Does Your Content Pass the Mom Test?" Lee Odden - "Influencer Marketing" Ann Handley - "FIWTSBS (Find Interesting Ways To Say Boring Stuff)" Jonathan Kranz - "Content Lab" With keynote speakers like Brene Brown and Michelle Obama, the quality is apparent. What so many mentioned in the LinkedIn thread, though, was the helpfulness of the smaller breakout sessions, too. This international conference for senior-level tech marketing professionals goes beyond basics to tackle sophisticated challenges. With a culture that allows for deep engagement with other attendees, MarTech will enable you to connect the marketing and technology sides of your business for creative collaboration across the organization. Built for the executive level B2B leader, the SiriusDecisions Summit provides data-driven best practices, new innovations, and networking with an elite community of sales, marketing, and product leaders. Many of those that commented on the post expressed their great experience as an attendee AND as a sponsor. This event was unique in that it was described as a "life changing" conference -- powerful words! Promising proven, practical, and actionable marketing education, the MarketingSherpa Summit is taught by successful marketers who have been in your shoes. Not to mention the world-class venue. Past speakers have included Will Smith, Hillary Clinton, and John Legend--not your run of the mill conference. Held in San Francisco, the Marketing Nation summit boasts engaging breakouts such as "Human to Human" (teaching brands to grow in their storytelling) and "7 Behavior Hacks that Increase Engagement." Most recently held in my own backyard of Orlando, FL, the LoyaltyExpo provides speakers from brands with credibility and insight into customer loyalty (and "not just the loyalty program"). The customer experience tracks provide tangible, targeted experience structures and processes for brands. With a laser focus on SEO, brand development, and CRO, this conference provides actionable input on a specific topic. A few of the favorite breakouts were: "Data-Driven Design" by Oli Gardner "SEO-intent based framework" by Katie Cunningham "How to Survive Google's Trojan Horsing of the Web" by Rand Fishkin With an attendance of around 300, this content marketing conference allows for greater engagement with speakers and attendees. Plus, if you miss something, your ticket allows you full access to all speaker slides and video recordings to go back and watch again. Suggested by: Nancy Maneely With leading speakers such Blog9t as Brene Brown, Allen Mulally from Ford, and Daymond John from Shark Tank, you will gain insight from leading voices. Beyond this, the networking comes from unique events such as the golf tournament and black-tie gala. Suggested by: Jean Ginzburg With speakers ranging from Tony Robbins to Tony Hawk, this conference focuses on entrepreneurship, but covers so much more. The innovative sessions will challenge you, and their networking events provide the opportunity to meet hundreds of business leaders. Hosted by CNBC & Inc, you can trust that the entire experience will be top-notch. Suggested by: Sean Privitera Honing in on strategic marketing content and sales enablement, this conference is designed specifically for B2B marketing (hence the name). This conference equips marketers to make the right decisions on people, processes, and technologies to drive acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. One unique takeaway--analysts are accessible throughout the time to do 1:1 meetings. Suggested by: Tracy Eiler A conference featured in Inc., Forbes, and The Huffington Post, one word defines its mission: growth. Bringing leaders from the fastest growing tech companies, this conference will empower you to "get, keep, and grow customers and revenue." What more could you ask for? Suggested by: Darrell Ellens With top marketing executives from a diverse range of brands, the attendees are what make VidCon. Bringing these attendees together for unique networking events allows you to meet the players without their fans chasing them all over the place. While the focus is online video, the separate industry tracks enable everyone to participate in what will be beneficial to them. An "experts-only" event on SEM and SEO tactics which frequently features Google execs...yes please. This conference serves as a chance to connect with others fluent in SEM and SEO that will leave you thinking, "These are my people!" The sessions are "fast-paced, Q&A-packed, always informative, and don't stop to cover the basics." This one day event hosts over 1,000 marketers under one roof. At this event you'll find more than 50 sessions, a unique networking experience, and an awards ceremony that celebrates the best in B2B marketing. Suggested by: Russ Powell In the time we live in, email automation has turned from a "nice-to-have" to a critical piece of the equation. As customers expect tailored and customized experiences, this conference aims to help marketers deliver on the sophisticated world of email automation. With top brands, speakers, and content, this summit empowers marketers to meet the expectations of their customers. Suggested by: Maurice Flynn Feeling stuck? Like you have no new ideas? "Focusing on deliberate creativity, innovation, and change leadership, CPSI teaches practical creativity skills and tools in an inspiring learning environment." Taking the whole team? Register 5 or more people and receive a 30% discount on registration. Suggested by: Joe McCambley With the marketing community as vibrant, active, and growing as it is, this conference is an opportunity to promote "creativity, exploration, and shared experiences." With speakers from national brands and hosted by Comcast, you can expect meaningful, industry leading insight from this one-day conference. No doubt you will leave feeling informed and inspired. Suggested by: Lisa Beaumont Featuring a diverse range of speakers (from CMOs to an Olympic gymnasts), this one-day event in Boston will help you connect the world of tech through the eyes of artists, industry-leaders, and innovators--helping you to take a new perspective back to your team. This is a conference that I've personally attended, so I was excited to see it show up in the comments of my LinkedIn update. This is a single track conference that aims to teach marketers next-level, actionable marketing tactics they can use the very next day. Talks cover every facet of digital marketing, including pay-per-click, conversion rate optimization, email, copywriting, landing page design, and more. Unique in its focus on customer marketing, the Advocamp is all in on one concept--the customer experience. With speakers like Daniel Pink, Jay Baer, and Dan Ariely you can be sure to get great training in short, high-energy talks. The 1,000+ attendees also allow you to rub shoulders with other innovative business leaders passionate about customer experience. Suggested by: David Axler With practitioner led content, you can trust that The Revenue Summit will be both actionable and tactical. The balance between sales and marketing allows for both sides of the team to gain real insight through providing separate tracks for each. Beyond that, the 2,000+ high-quality attendees means that you are in the right spot to network. Suggested by: Max Altschuler Taking place in Brazil, the RD Summit aims to inspire and connect by bringing together marketing and sales experts throughout Latin America. With 8 stages and 150 speakers, there will be no shortage of content, but what sets this conference apart is its "DisneyLand Effect." Suggested by: Renee Sturcq This free (yes, FREE) event from "across the pond" (the next show is in Bournemouth, England) focuses on fueling business growth and innovation. Topics such as digital transformation, video content, SEO, and social media marketing allow you to get the insights you are looking for without taking a hit to your budget. This conference brings like minded content marketers together with those who understand the importance of experience to the buyer journey. By matching "curious minds and groundbreaking presentations", The Content Experience delivers just that--an experience--to all attendees. Held in Toronto, this year's event features Jay Baer (Convince & Convert), Ann Handley (MarketingProfs), Grad Conn (CMO of Microsoft), and many more. Suggested by: Randy Frisch According to my LinkedIn network, these are the 26 most impactful marketing conferences. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know what you think should have made the list. James Carbary is the founder of Sweet Fish Media, a podcast agency for B2B brands. He's a contributor for the Huffington Post & Business Insider, and he also co-hosts a top-ranked podcast according to Forbes: B2B Growth. When James isn't interviewing the smartest minds in B2B marketing, he's drinking Cherry Coke Zero, eating Swedish Fish, and hanging out with the most incredible woman on the planet (that he somehow talked into marrying him). Thinking about launching a podcast for your B2B brand? Here's a 26-step process that will explain exactly how to do it.

[orphans-forest-blog]

27 of the Best Marketing Conferences in 2017 (and 2018)

When I've done articles like this in the past, I come up with the list based on my personal preference (or what Google says is the most popular). But with this list of top marketing conferences, I changed my approach. Each conference on this list was recommended by someone in my LinkedIn network. Here's the LinkedIn status update that I posted a few weeks ago where you can see all of the suggestions. So without further ado, here are the 27 best marketing conferences according to my network on LinkedIn. The B2B Marketing Forum is specifically designed for just that--B2B marketers. According to those that chimed in on the thread, the networking opportunities were incredible at this event. The largest Content Marketing event around, CMWorld focuses on providing attendees with takeaways that they can implement to grow their audience and build their business. Some of the best breakouts mentioned were: Jay Baer - "Does Your Content Pass the Mom Test?" Lee Odden - "Influencer Marketing" Ann Handley - "FIWTSBS (Find Blog9T Interesting Ways To Say Boring Stuff)" Jonathan Kranz - "Content Lab" With keynote speakers like Brene Brown and Michelle Obama, the quality is apparent. What so many mentioned in the LinkedIn thread, though, was the helpfulness of the smaller breakout sessions, too. This international conference for senior-level tech marketing professionals goes beyond basics to tackle sophisticated challenges. With a culture that allows for deep engagement with other attendees, MarTech will enable you to connect the marketing and technology sides of your business for creative collaboration across the organization. Built for the executive level B2B leader, the SiriusDecisions Summit provides data-driven best practices, new innovations, and networking with an elite community of sales, marketing, and product leaders. Many of those that commented on the post expressed their great experience as an attendee AND as a sponsor. This event was unique in that it was described as a "life changing" conference -- powerful words! Promising proven, practical, and actionable marketing education, the MarketingSherpa Summit is taught by successful marketers who have been in your shoes. Not to mention the world-class venue. Past speakers have included Will Smith, Hillary Clinton, and John Legend--not your run of the mill conference. Held in San Francisco, the Marketing Nation summit boasts engaging breakouts such as "Human to Human" (teaching brands to grow in their storytelling) and "7 Behavior Hacks that Increase Engagement." Most recently held in my own backyard of Orlando, FL, the LoyaltyExpo provides speakers from brands with credibility and insight into customer loyalty (and "not just the loyalty program"). The customer experience tracks provide tangible, targeted experience structures and processes for brands. With a laser focus on SEO, brand development, and CRO, this conference provides actionable input on a specific topic. A few of the favorite breakouts were: "Data-Driven Design" by Oli Gardner "SEO-intent based framework" by Katie Cunningham "How to Survive Google's Trojan Horsing of the Web" by Rand Fishkin With an attendance of around 300, this content marketing conference allows for greater engagement with speakers and attendees. Plus, if you miss something, your ticket allows you full access to all speaker slides and video recordings to go back and watch again. Suggested by: Nancy Maneely With leading speakers such as Brene Brown, Allen Mulally from Ford, and Daymond John from Shark Tank, you will gain insight from leading voices. Beyond this, the networking comes from unique events such as the golf tournament and black-tie gala. Suggested by: Jean Ginzburg With speakers ranging from Tony Robbins to Tony Hawk, this conference focuses on entrepreneurship, but covers so much more. The innovative sessions will challenge you, and their networking events provide the opportunity to meet hundreds of business leaders. Hosted by CNBC & Inc, you can trust that the entire experience will be top-notch. Suggested by: Sean Privitera Honing in on strategic marketing content and sales enablement, this conference is designed specifically for B2B marketing (hence the name). This conference equips marketers to make the right decisions on people, processes, and technologies to drive acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. One unique takeaway--analysts are accessible throughout the time to do 1:1 meetings. Suggested by: Tracy Eiler A conference featured in Inc., Forbes, and The Huffington Post, one word defines its mission: growth. Bringing leaders from the fastest growing tech companies, this conference will empower you to "get, keep, and grow customers and revenue." What more could you ask for? Suggested by: Darrell Ellens With top marketing executives from a diverse range of brands, the attendees are what make VidCon. Bringing these attendees together for unique networking events allows you to meet the players without their fans chasing them all over the place. While the focus is online video, the separate industry tracks enable everyone to participate in what will be beneficial to them. An "experts-only" event on SEM and SEO tactics which frequently features Google execs...yes please. This conference serves as a chance to connect with others fluent in SEM and SEO that will leave you thinking, "These are my people!" The sessions are "fast-paced, Q&A-packed, always informative, and don't stop to cover the basics." This one day event hosts over 1,000 marketers under one roof. At this event you'll find more than 50 sessions, a unique networking experience, and an awards ceremony that celebrates the best in B2B marketing. Suggested by: Russ Powell In the time we live in, email automation has turned from a "nice-to-have" to a critical piece of the equation. As customers expect tailored and customized experiences, this conference aims to help marketers deliver on the sophisticated world of email automation. With top brands, speakers, and content, this summit empowers marketers to meet the expectations of their customers. Suggested by: Maurice Flynn Feeling stuck? Like you have no new ideas? "Focusing on deliberate creativity, innovation, and change leadership, CPSI teaches practical creativity skills and tools SEO Blog9T in an inspiring learning environment." Taking the whole team? Register 5 or more people and receive a 30% discount on registration. Suggested by: Joe McCambley With the marketing community as vibrant, active, and growing as it is, this conference is an opportunity to promote "creativity, exploration, and shared experiences." With speakers from national brands and hosted by Comcast, you can expect meaningful, industry leading insight from this one-day conference. No doubt you will leave feeling informed and inspired. Suggested by: Lisa Beaumont Featuring a diverse range of speakers (from CMOs to an Olympic gymnasts), this one-day event in Boston will help you connect the world of tech through the eyes of artists, industry-leaders, and innovators--helping you to take a new perspective back to your team. This is a conference that I've personally attended, so I was excited to see it show up in the comments of my LinkedIn update. This is a single track conference that aims to teach marketers next-level, actionable marketing tactics they can use the very next day. Talks cover every facet of digital marketing, including pay-per-click, conversion rate optimization, email, copywriting, landing page design, and more. Unique in its focus on customer marketing, the Advocamp is all in on one concept--the customer experience. With speakers like Daniel Pink, Jay Baer, and Dan Ariely you can be sure to get great training in short, high-energy talks. The 1,000+ attendees also allow you to rub shoulders with other innovative business leaders passionate about customer experience. Suggested by: David Axler With practitioner led content, you can trust that The Revenue Summit will be both actionable and tactical. The balance between sales and marketing allows for both sides of the team to gain real insight through providing separate tracks for each. Beyond that, the 2,000+ high-quality attendees means that you are in the right spot to network. Suggested by: Max Altschuler Taking place in Brazil, the RD Summit aims to inspire and connect by bringing together marketing and sales experts throughout Latin America. With 8 stages and 150 speakers, there will be no shortage of content, but what sets this conference apart is its "DisneyLand Effect." Suggested by: Renee Sturcq This free (yes, FREE) event from "across the pond" (the next show is in Bournemouth, England) focuses on fueling business growth and innovation. Topics such as digital transformation, video content, SEO, and social media marketing allow you to get the insights you are looking for without taking a hit to your budget. This conference brings like minded content marketers together with those who understand the importance of experience to the buyer journey. By matching "curious minds and groundbreaking presentations", The Content Experience delivers just that--an experience--to all attendees. Held in Toronto, this year's event features Jay Baer (Convince & Convert), Ann Handley (MarketingProfs), Grad Conn (CMO of Microsoft), and many more. Suggested by: Randy Frisch According to my LinkedIn network, these are the 26 most impactful marketing conferences. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know what you think should have made the list. James Carbary is the founder of Sweet Fish Media, a podcast agency for B2B brands. He's a contributor for the Huffington Post & Business Insider, and he also co-hosts a top-ranked podcast according to Forbes: B2B Growth. When James isn't interviewing the smartest minds in B2B marketing, he's drinking Cherry Coke Zero, eating Swedish Fish, and hanging out with the most incredible woman on the planet (that he somehow talked into marrying him). Thinking about launching a podcast for your B2B brand? Here's a 26-step process that will explain exactly how to do it.

[analiecious]

27 of the Best Marketing Conferences in 2017 (and 2018)

When I've done articles like this in the past, I come up with the list based on my personal preference (or what Google says is the most popular). But with this list of top marketing conferences, I changed my approach. Each conference on this list was recommended by someone in my LinkedIn network. Here's the LinkedIn status update that I posted a few weeks ago where you can see all of the suggestions. So without further ado, here are the 27 best marketing conferences according to my network on LinkedIn. The B2B Marketing Forum is specifically designed for just that--B2B marketers. According to those that chimed in on the thread, the networking opportunities were incredible at this event. The largest Content Marketing event around, CMWorld focuses on providing attendees with takeaways that they can implement to grow their audience and build their business. Some of the best breakouts mentioned were: Jay Baer - "Does Your Content Pass the Mom Test?" Lee Odden - "Influencer Marketing" Ann Handley - "FIWTSBS (Find Interesting Ways To Say Boring Stuff)" Jonathan Kranz - "Content Lab" With keynote speakers like Brene Brown and Michelle Obama, the quality is apparent. What so many mentioned in the LinkedIn thread, though, was the helpfulness of the smaller breakout sessions, too. This international conference for senior-level tech marketing professionals goes beyond basics to tackle sophisticated challenges. With a culture that allows for deep engagement with other attendees, MarTech will enable you to connect the marketing and technology sides of your business for creative collaboration across the organization. Built for the executive level B2B leader, the SiriusDecisions Summit provides data-driven best practices, new innovations, and networking with an elite community of sales, marketing, and product leaders. Many of those that commented on the post expressed their great experience as an attendee AND as a sponsor. This event was unique in that it was described as a "life changing" conference -- powerful words! Promising proven, practical, and actionable marketing education, the MarketingSherpa Summit is taught by successful marketers who have been in your shoes. Not to mention the world-class venue. Past speakers have included Will Smith, Hillary Clinton, and John Legend--not your run of the mill conference. Held in San Francisco, the Marketing Nation summit boasts engaging breakouts such as "Human to Human" (teaching brands to grow in their storytelling) and "7 Behavior Hacks that Increase Engagement." Most recently held in my own backyard of Orlando, FL, the LoyaltyExpo provides speakers from brands with credibility and seo 2019 insight into customer loyalty (and "not just the loyalty program"). The customer experience tracks provide tangible, targeted experience structures and processes for brands. With a laser focus on SEO, brand development, and CRO, this conference provides actionable input on a specific topic. A few of the favorite breakouts were: "Data-Driven Design" by Oli Gardner "SEO-intent based framework" by Katie Cunningham "How to Survive Google's Trojan Horsing of the Web" by Rand Fishkin With an attendance of around 300, this content marketing conference allows for greater engagement with speakers and attendees. Plus, if you miss something, your ticket allows you full access to all speaker slides and video recordings to go back and watch again. Suggested by: Nancy Maneely With leading speakers such as Brene Brown, Allen Mulally from Ford, and Daymond John from Shark Tank, you will gain insight from leading voices. Beyond this, the networking comes from unique events such as the golf tournament and black-tie gala. Suggested by: Jean Ginzburg With speakers ranging from Tony Robbins to Tony Hawk, this conference focuses on SEO Blog9T entrepreneurship, but covers so much more. The innovative sessions will challenge you, and their networking events provide the opportunity to meet hundreds of business leaders. Hosted by CNBC & Inc, you can trust that the entire experience will be top-notch. Suggested by: Sean Privitera Honing in on strategic marketing content and sales enablement, this conference is designed specifically for B2B marketing (hence the name). This conference equips marketers to make the right decisions on people, processes, and technologies to drive acquisition, retention, and revenue growth. One unique takeaway--analysts are accessible throughout the time to do 1:1 meetings. Suggested by: Tracy Eiler A conference featured in Inc., Forbes, and The Huffington Post, one word defines its mission: growth. Bringing leaders from the fastest growing tech companies, this conference will empower you to "get, keep, and grow customers and revenue." What more could you ask for? Suggested by: Darrell Ellens With top marketing executives from a diverse range of brands, the attendees are what make VidCon. Bringing these attendees together for unique networking events allows you to meet the players without their fans chasing them all over the place. While the focus is online video, the separate industry tracks enable everyone to participate in what will be beneficial to them. An "experts-only" event on SEM and SEO tactics which frequently features Google execs...yes please. This conference serves as a chance to connect with others fluent in SEM and SEO that will leave you thinking, "These are my people!" The sessions are "fast-paced, Q&A-packed, always informative, and don't stop to cover the basics." This one day event hosts over 1,000 marketers under one roof. At this event you'll find more than 50 sessions, a unique networking experience, and an awards ceremony that celebrates the best in B2B marketing. Suggested by: Russ Powell In the time we live in, email automation has turned from a "nice-to-have" to a critical piece of the equation. As customers expect tailored and customized experiences, this conference aims to help marketers deliver on the sophisticated world of email automation. With top brands, speakers, and content, this summit empowers marketers to meet the expectations of their customers. Suggested by: Maurice Flynn Feeling stuck? Like you have no new ideas? "Focusing on deliberate creativity, innovation, and change leadership, CPSI teaches practical creativity skills and tools in an inspiring learning environment." Taking the whole team? Register 5 or more people and receive a 30% discount on registration. Suggested by: Joe McCambley With the marketing community as vibrant, active, and growing as it is, this conference is an opportunity to promote "creativity, exploration, and shared experiences." With speakers from national brands and hosted by Comcast, you can expect meaningful, industry leading insight from this one-day conference. No doubt you will leave feeling informed and inspired. Suggested by: Lisa Beaumont Featuring a diverse range of speakers (from CMOs to an Olympic gymnasts), this one-day event in Boston will help you connect the world of tech through the eyes of artists, industry-leaders, and innovators--helping you to take a new perspective back to your team. This is a conference that I've personally attended, so I was excited to see it show up in the comments of my LinkedIn update. This is a single track conference that aims to teach marketers next-level, actionable marketing tactics they can use the very next day. Talks cover every facet of digital marketing, including pay-per-click, conversion rate optimization, email, copywriting, landing page design, and more. Unique in its focus on customer marketing, the Advocamp is all in on one concept--the customer experience. With speakers like Daniel Pink, Jay Baer, and Dan Ariely you can be sure to get great training in short, high-energy talks. The 1,000+ attendees also allow you to rub shoulders with other innovative business leaders passionate about customer experience. Suggested by: David Axler With practitioner led content, you can trust that The Revenue Summit will be both actionable and tactical. The balance between sales and marketing allows for both sides of the team to gain real insight through providing separate tracks for each. Beyond that, the 2,000+ high-quality attendees means that you are in the right spot to network. Suggested by: Max Altschuler Taking place in Brazil, the RD Summit aims to inspire and connect by bringing together marketing and sales experts throughout Latin America. With 8 stages and 150 speakers, there will be no shortage of content, but what sets this conference apart is its "DisneyLand Effect." Suggested by: Renee Sturcq This free (yes, FREE) event from "across the pond" (the next show is in Bournemouth, England) focuses on fueling business growth and innovation. Topics such as digital transformation, video content, SEO, and social media marketing allow you to get the insights you are looking for without taking a hit to your budget. This conference brings like minded content marketers together with those who understand the importance of experience to the buyer journey. By matching "curious minds and groundbreaking presentations", The Content Experience delivers just that--an experience--to all attendees. Held in Toronto, this year's event features Jay Baer (Convince & Convert), Ann Handley (MarketingProfs), Grad Conn (CMO of Microsoft), and many more. Suggested by: Randy Frisch According to my LinkedIn network, these are the 26 most impactful marketing conferences. Connect with me on LinkedIn and let me know what you think should have made the list. James Carbary is the founder of Sweet Fish Media, a podcast agency for B2B brands. He's a contributor for the Huffington Post & Business Insider, and he also co-hosts a top-ranked podcast according to Forbes: B2B Growth. When James isn't interviewing the smartest minds in B2B marketing, he's drinking Cherry Coke Zero, eating Swedish Fish, and hanging out with the most incredible woman on the planet (that he somehow talked into marrying him). Thinking about launching a podcast for your B2B brand? Here's a 26-step process that will explain exactly how to do it.

[dainiaolivahm]

How Storytelling Turned Dollar Shave Club Into a Billion Dollar-Brand

In July 2016, Unilever shocked the business world. They were purchasing Dollar Shave Club—a startup dreamed up just five years earlier by an improv comedian named Michael Dubin— for $1 billion.

Reporters were baffled. Similar e-commerce subscription startups like Birchbox, Trunk Club, and Stitch Fix had failed to attract anywhere near the same interest. Plus, Dollar Shave Club sold blades that paled in comparison to the high-tech razors that brands Gillette and Schick were famous for. Heck, it didn’t even make its own razors! It just bought them wholesale from manufacturers in China and resold them. The billion-dollar price tag was also five times Dollar Shave Club’s expected 2016 revenue—a near-unprecedented multiple for a retail startup.

So why did Unilever pay such an unprecedented price tag? As forward-thinking analysts began to explain, it wasn’t about revenue. It was about the company’s relationships—with customers, and consumers at large. Relationships that began with possibly the greatest startup launch video of all time.

Dollar Shave Club’s Origin Story

In 1990, a group of comedians that included Amy Poehler, Adam McKay, Ian Roberts, and Horatio Sanz had created an improv group called The Upright Citizen’s Brigade (UCB). Before long, the UCB had its own Comedy Central TV show and served as a talent pipeline to Saturday Night Live. As class offerings expanded, it became the destination for the thousands of young creatives who stumbled out of their college acting classes and into the bright lights of New York City each year.

In the early 2000s, Dollar Shave Club founder Michael Dubin was one of those young creatives. For eight years, he honed his craft at UCB while working in various television and marketing jobs. In December 2010, he found himself at a Christmas party talking to one of his father’s friends. The conversation took an unexpected turn, and before long, the family friend was asking him for help selling 250,000 razors he had acquired from Asia. (We’ve all been there, right?) The conversation would have weirded a lot of people out, but it gave Dubin an idea. What if he started a service that would eliminate the expense and hassle of selling razor blades? What if they just showed up at your door each month for $1 each?

Faced with the challenge of getting the startup off the ground and attracting investors, Dubin knew that he had to speak to men like him. Men who were fed up with a razor monopoly that forced them to pay more than $20 for just a few blades. And so he bet big on what he does best. He created a hilarious video to connect with his target audience and cast himself as the protagonist in the Hero’s Journey of his own brand.

“Are our blades any good?” Dubin asks in the beginning of the video. “No, our blades are fucking great.”

What follows is 90 seconds of absolute absurdity that nonetheless touts all of the features of Dollar Shave Club’s razors. There’s a toddler shaving a man’s head, polio jokes, a machete, a clumsy bear, a giant American flag, and perhaps the best “make it rain” scene of all time.

The rough cut of the video convinced former Myspace CEO Michael Jones to sign on as Dubin’s partner. When the video was released on March 6, 2012, it went viral. The startup got more than 12,000 orders in the first 48 hours.

What Dollar Shave Club Got Right About Content Creation

Dollar Shave Club’s origin story highlights something powerful: The economics of marketing are changing quickly, with great content as the ultimate currency. As a result, brands that embrace great storytelling can achieve an incredible advantage over their competition.

The principles behind Dubin’s success aren’t new. Companies have always told stories to drive sales. From the very first barters made to the present day, that hasn’t changed. But everything else has. The sheer pace of technological change in how we are able to communicate our stories to each other—from the birth of radio a century ago to the hurricane of social media apps that mark the 2010s—can be daunting for brands.

On one hand, it presents a huge opportunity. Content is being published everywhere, and consumers are now immersed in stories everywhere they go. Per comScore, time spent with digital media tripled between 2010 and 2016. At last count, 65 percent of all time spent with digital media occurred on mobile devices, consumed primarily via social networks. As a result, companies that excel at storytelling can reach their target customers more effectively and at greater scale than traditional advertising ever offered—all at a fraction of the cost.

On the other hand, there’s more content now than ever. At a conference in 2010, Google CEO Eric Schmidt revealed that we create as much information every two days as we did in human history up until 2003, a figure that’s only increased since.

As a result, brands can’t create mediocre content and expect to stand out. Half-baked content simply has little chance of breaking through on social or search.

“There’s not a whole lot of value in writing a decent blog post anymore. [There’s not a lot of value] unless you can be pretty extraordinary,” SEO and content analyst Rand Fishkin, who also founded Moz, told us. “Ask: If they’re searching for an answer to a question, would they rather reach your piece of content than anything else on the internet right now? Unless the answer is a slam dunk, ‘Yes, this is 10 times better than anything else out there,’ I’m not necessarily sure it’s worth publishing.”

But when you do create something amazing that stands out? The results are staggering.

Especially when you keep doing it over time.

Brands can’t create mediocre content and expect to stand out. Click To Tweet How Dollar Shave Club Scaled Its Storytelling

Dubin and Dollar Shave Club continued to crank out hilarious videos that their target audience watched millions of times and shared enthusiastically. One of the best follow-ups, “Let’s Talk about #2,” introduced their new butt wipes product and made more jokes about bears pooping than you ever thought you’d see in a brand video.

It also started shipping The Bathroom Minutes, a small comic newspaper, with every order. And in late 2015, it launched MEL, one of the most ambitious editorial sites ever launched by a brand.

As Contently managing editor Jordan Teicher wrote in The Content Strategist: “MEL is a great example of how ambitious storytelling can stand out if brands stop trying to play it safe. It’s the only place you can read articles like ‘I Went Shark Fishing and Accidentally Caught a Kilo of Coke’ or watch short documentaries about subjects like former Harvard graduates who become medieval fighters.”

In total, these videos helped build an incredibly strong brand and lasting relationships with consumers. Moreover, they helped Dollar Shave Club achieve a financial exit that seemed impossible just a few years before.

As David Pakman, a partner at Venrock and an early investor in Dollar Shave Club, explained: “There are two things that drive multiples: the financial metrics and the story.”

As Dollar Shave Club proved, the right story can make those financial metrics look five times as good.

This is an excerpt from the Amazon #1 New Release, The Storytelling Edge: How to Transform Your Business, Stop Screaming Into the Void, and Make People Love You by Joe Lazauskas and Shane Snow. Order it today to take advantage of some awesome bonuses, and sign up for the free storytelling course based off the book.

This post is part of a paid sponsorship between Contently and Convince & Convert.

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