Enjoy your journey

Peak Seven’s Director of Marketing, John-Michael Del Valle (JM), to speak at SFIMA  Startup Marketing Conference 2015.

As a member of the Growth Hacker Panel, JM will be covering Growth Hacking Lead Generation. سلوتس اون لاين

The brainchild of Startup Socials – a global community of entrepreneurs fostering growth, connections, relationships and education – Startup Marketing Conference 2015 will bring industry thought leaders, authors and big idea teams together to teach companies about rapid growth and digital marketing best practices, new trends in digital and lean marketing, and growth hacking.

The Startup Marketing Conference will take place in Ft. Lauderdale, on Thursday, April 9^th. Get invited and check out more details on their site.

“The future looks bright,” say Sunshine State entrepreneurs like Darren Seys, CEO of Peak Seven, recently featured on the Miami Herald, Sun Sentinel, and Palm Beach Post. “It’s clear the South Florida economy has hit a great stride, and our members are overwhelmingly confident the business climate will grow even stronger.”

In a world of recession panic and cutback scares, it is encouraging to see the numbers of confident entrepreneurs forging forward toward a profitable future. According to Ostrowski, a survey done by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization found that about 88% of South Florida business owners anticipate bigger profits in the coming years, and 75% even plan to increase their staff. It seems the Sunshine State is ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to being optimistic, with the number of entrepreneurs expecting bright profit futures falling somewhere on the 78% range.

But while the nation – and the world for that matter – adjusts to growing economic constraints, are entrepreneurs simply overly optimistic Pollyannas driven by unfounded dreams. كيف تربح في الكازينو According to Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, the answer is a somewhat complicated yes. موقع ٣٦٥ To Kahneman, bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and Slow, entrepreneurs are an irrational bunch, driven less by calculated decision-making and more by “Delusional Optimism.”

It turns out, this is actually a good thing.

In an interview with Eric Schurenberg, editor-in-chief of Inc. Magazine, Kahneman explains, “All the world’s inventions came from people who didn’t know the odds they were facing…if they had known, they might not have done it, so a lot of progress is driven by delusional optimism. We like optimists and we want to be lead by people who say we are going to be OK…optimists are more likely to be successful because they will inspire optimism in others.”

Although some have written off entrepreneurs’ cheery outlook as the “optimism bias” – a tendency to look at the glass as being half full – for South Florida business owners, it may just be a case of self-fulfilling prophecy. A recent article on the Miami Herald Business Monday section detailed a resurgent South Florida economy starting early 2015.

According to J. Antonio Villamil, founder and principal of the Washington Economics Group in Coral Gables, South Florida has all its economic cylinders “running at a high rate.”

It seems likely then, that South Florida entrepreneurs are on to something.

Our own CEO had this to say about the link between optimism and the booming South Florida economy. “[Us] entrepreneurs are an inherently optimistic crowd, but all the hard numbers back up our positive view of the local economy.”

Many people spend more time in their office than their living room. Whether you work in a cubicle or at a spacious home office, you can design your workspace so that it encourages productivity and peace of mind.

Here at Peak Seven, we’ve just renovated our offices to increase the flow of ideas and create a more appealing environment. We’ve knocked a hole to connect our two offices into one, so that everyone can share the same brain space. We’re also adding a foosball table for a little fun and levity – taking breaks now and then is an essential component of progress.

You can also use the art of design to enhance your creative flow. It’s not necessary to spend a fortune on a major overhaul; just a few small changes can really make a difference.

1. Use color correctly. Certain colors influence people universally – just think of the woman in the red dress. العب وربح Color psychologists have determined that blue stimulates the brain, red affects your body, yellow makes you more creative, and green has a calming effect. The intensity of the hue also matters: pastels are more relaxing, while bright tones are stimulating. Painting your entire office neon yellow is probably not the best idea to stimulate creativity – instead, choose a pop of color with accent pieces.

2. Bring the outdoors inside. Studies have shown that simply having a potted plant on your desk can improve cognitive attention and increase productivity. Plants also filter the air, removing mold and bacteria and generating oxygen. Try some lucky bamboo, a pot of succulents, or a sweet smelling peppermint plant.

3. Adjust your ergonomics. Sitting all day while you work has been linked to a higher risk of disease and even mental health problems. But for many office workers, it can be hard to avoid. الرهان على مباريات كرة القدم Start by improving your workspace ergonomics. Consider the height of your computer monitor, desk and chair. With your hands at the keyboard, your upper arms should be perpendicular to the floor and your wrists should be almost straight. Your thighs should be parallel to the floor, and all of your most-used supplies should be within easy reach. You should be looking neither up or down at your monitor, but straight ahead.

4. Create space to walk around. Being attached to your desk can make you feel sluggish and stuck. Take a regular 20-minute walk to un-stick your brain during the early afternoon energy slump, instead of the usual sugary snack. Have an alternate workspace that you can use to shake things up, like a kitchen table, coffee shop, or chair by the window for brainstorming sessions.

5. Declutter your junk. Being organized with your digital life as well as your physical surroundings helps reduce anxiety. Knowing where things are will save you time and frustration in the long run. Use a filing system that works for you, including an inbox that you sort through frequently.

6. Make it fun with office supplies that you love. Whether you want an Office Space-style Swingline Stapler or a cup full of colored gel pens, using supplies that make you smile is an easy way to enhance your workday. What school supplies did you love as a child? Use pretty highlighters, colored folders, and striped paperclips to add some levity to your workday. قوانين لعبة بلاك جاك

Did You Know…

… that a menu written in an elegant, scripted font can make soup taste richer, creamier, and more enjoyable?

… that writing your product information in a familiar typeface can encourage consumers to trust your company?

… that test questions written in a funky font can force you to pay more attention – and get more answers correct?

Behold, the power of the font. Everyone knows that words are powerful, but the font (or typeface) that you choose to convey those words can have an important emotional impact. Discover the five main types of fonts below, and learn how each style can affect a reader’s emotions:

SERIF

A serif is a small line attached to the end of a stroke in a letter or symbol. As the oldest variety of typefaces, serif fonts evoke a feeling of reliability, respectability, and tradition. Impressive and authoritative, they are often used by law firms and brands that want to emphasize their prestige.

Serif fonts include the ubiquitous Times New Roman, which frequently appears in mass-market paperback books and is used in Microsoft products – making it one of the most widely used typefaces in history. العاب ربح مال حقيقي Serif fonts you may be familiar with include:

• Times New Roman
• Georgia
• Garamond
• American Typewriter
• Baskerville

SANS SERIF

“Sans” is the French word for “without” – and sans serif fonts indeed are lacking any embellishments or lines on the end of the letters. Clean and modern, sans serif fonts project objectivity and stability. These business-like fonts are perhaps the easiest to read, offering an efficient experience for the user. Popular sans serif fonts include:

• Arial
• Helvetica
• Verdana
• Calibri

SCRIPT

Also called slab serif, these elegant fonts breeze across the page with a friendly, feminine feel. Script fonts offer an air of creativity, almost like a handwritten note from an artist. They soften your message with sophisticated affection, but use them sparingly – they can be hard to understand. افضل موقع العاب اون لاين Script fonts work best when the reader isn’t in a rush. You’ll find them fairly often on menus at fancy restaurants. Example of script fonts include:

• Lucida Calligraphy
• Edwardian Script
• Bickham Script

MODERN

To convey a progressive message with strength and style, use a modern font. These chic, no-nonsense fonts are bold and edgy, and favored by tech companies. العاب كازينو مجانية Fresh and intelligent, modern fonts evoke an exclusive, in-the-know vibe. Some of our favorite modern fonts include:

• Eurostile
• Futura
• Century Gothic

DISPLAY

Unique, expressive, and a little bit funky, display fonts provide a touch of whimsy to your brand. Fun and amusing, display fonts are often used for products aimed at children – just think about the Disney logo. True to their name, these fonts are best for displays and work well in larger sizes. Display fonts include:

• Cooper
• Chalkduster
• Giddyup
• Curlz
• Eccentric

The next time you see a popular text logo, consider the font that the company is using. Does it convey the right feeling for the brand? Notice your emotional reactions to different fonts, so that you can choose correctly for your next design.

As I opened my inbox this morning, it was more obvious to me than ever that Black Friday has already started. موقع قمار اون لاين “BLACK FRIDAY SNEAK PEEK” and “LAST CHANCE DEALS” are just a few of marketers attempts at FOMO-inducing headlines (or Fear Of Missing Out for all my non-acronym fluent friends). Black Friday used to be just Friday, but with retailers and marketers alike pushing consumers to buy buy buy, Black Friday now begins Thursday afternoon for many stores. Furthermore, Cyber Monday began this week, instead of the Monday following Thanksgiving. What’s the deal? And no – I’m not talking saving money here!
Starting consumer savings before Black Friday means retailers could get a head start into the “black,” or be financially solvent (if they weren’t already). Unfortunately, many uneducated consumers do not know that Black Friday is NOT the best day of the year to get the best prices on items, and neither is Cyber Monday. Clothing is hit-or-miss and often you get much better deals at end of season sales or through retailers such as 6PM.com (Zappos’s clearance website, my credit card’s most hated website). In most cases, there are great deals on electronics for Black Friday, but the electronics you can get the best deals on come and go in trends. This year, for example, the PlayStation 4 is rumored to be one of the hot items that you can get the best deal on. Therefore, before you rush out to camp out outside of Best Buy or hit the mall at 5a.m., you should do your research. Take advantage of retailers who post Black Friday “sneak peeks” on their website or through e-blasts, check social media, and check sites such as RetailMeNot.com for additional coupons and savings. Amazon.com and previously mentioned 6PM.com are my secret weapons for finding lower-priced anything. In the meantime, since you’re already probably surfing the Internet for holiday deals, check out some of these facts about Black Friday and Cyber Monday:

• In 2013, New York City had the most people shopping online during Black Friday, followed by Atlanta, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago (source: Entrepreneur).
• 1 out of 3 Americans plan to shop on Black Friday (source: Entrepreneur). Hopefully the other 2/3 have more sane plans. موقع مراهنات 365
• Up 18% from 2012, over $1.9  billion was spent in online Black Friday sales (source: Entrepreneur). That’s a lot of Chipotle burritos!
• Surprisingly enough, shopping in stores at 10am or later was the most popular time, while 1-3am was the least popular (source: Entrepreneur). Glad to see people have at least some common sense.
• Online Black Friday sales peaked around 9am in 2013, and Google searches between 8am-noon, then again from 4pm-7pm (source: Entrepreneur)
• Amazon.com is the most popular Black Friday retailer with 7.7 unique visitors, followed by Wal-Mart at 3.5 million and then Best Buy at 2.75 million (source: National Retail Federation)
• Clocking in at 87%, the most popular Black Friday purchase were electronics, followed by clothing at 71% (source: Entrepreneur)
• Black Friday shoppers referred from Pinterest spent 77% more money per order than those referred from Facebook (source: BusinessInsider)
• Conversely, shoppers referred from Facebook converted into sales at almost 4x the rate of Pinterest (source: BusinessInsider)
• In 2012, Wal-Mart had the most Twitter mentions at 77.5% of the voice, but 4:1 of those mentions were negative (source: BusinessInsider). This is not surprisingly, considering the types of incidents that are reported year-after-year at Wal-Mart.

2014 wouldn’t be complete without another Apple product announcement accompanied with another sassy critique (the last Apple critique of the year – I promise!). This time, the world’s attention has shifted from the iPhone 6 to the brand new Apple iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 3. تنزيل لعبة الروليت Once again, Apple lures us into a technology-feeding frenzy where everyone in society suddenly becomes a Veruca Salt: we want the newest iPad, and we want it right now! However, instead of introducing an array of fabulous new features that add value and utility to the iPad, the new iPads emphasize just one feature: its thinness. Although it’s hard to argue against a thinner product, some people just can’t handle having nice things as we’ve seen recently with the iPhone 6. For example, there was #BendGate, where people who sat on their iPhone 6s noticed they were bending (gee who saw that one coming!). Then there was #HairGate, where consumers said the glass of the iPhone 6 was pulling out their hair (honesty people it’s like 3 strands, let it go). But these flaws, not had with past iPhone models, do shed light on the greater issue on hand: While lighter and faster technology is the goal, it seems product quality may be taking a hit. Is customer satisfaction Apple’s goal, or are they just out to stay ahead of the competition?

At a statuesque 5’2” with baby hands, the new iPhone 6 is too big for my grasp. This size of the new iPhone, in addition to not needing a new phone, ultimately played a role in my decision to not get the new iPhone. Additionally, the phone feels so thin that it could slip out of my hands at any moment, leading me to possess a constant fear of dropping it. What is the point of having the new iPhone if I’m terrified to use it anywhere other than in a room with padded floors and walls? Why couldn’t Apple have kept the size of the iPhone 5/5C/5S and made that thinner or lighter? At this rate, should Apple continue to make every succession of iPhones larger and thinner than the previous, they are going to size-out an entire market of baby-handed people, young and old, alike!

In all seriousness, Apple has an obsession with going thinner and lighter than both itself and its competitors. Why? Because most people are not going to say “no” to a lighter and thinner device (except me because I’m a baby-handed rebel). Apple’s claim to fame on the new iPad is that it is the thinnest and lightest tablet in the world. The iPad Air 2 is 20% thinner and 28% lighter than the fourth-generation iPad model, and 18% thinner than the previous Air model. What does this do for you? Nothing except lighten the load in your purse or backpack by a few ounces. Thanks, Apple – you truly are focusing on the important functional characteristics that consumers take into mind when purchasing a tablet (not). Furthermore, the shock value of thinner products has diminished over the past few years: everybody’s doing it, but how thin can you go before we are all texting on cell phones that are as thin as paper? كيف تلعب لعبة بينجو It just isn’t practical. Apple needs to readjust its focus to improving and developing new features for the iPad, rather than competing in the rat race for the thinnest tablet.

It’s enough with the Trimspa for iPad, Apple. Instead of wasting money trimming edges and weight off of the iPad Air, Apple should have spent their money working to fix certain flaws and adding value to the product through new working features. For example, iPad’s 10-hour battery life has been standard since its introduction in 2010. While 10 hours of battery life were fantastic in 2010, it is now 2014. Don’t you think after five generations of iPad we could exceed the 10-hour mark by now? Additionally, Apple should have developed features that add value to Apple’s products. While Apple introduced one of the first tablets, they lack many standard features that their competition has, such as split-screen sharing applications, an Apple stylus-type pen, and increased RAM. Sure, there’s probably an app solution for some of these, but what *if* Apple could make these features standard instead? العاب تربح مال Imagine if Apple could save all of us lazy people the time and trouble of downloading 3rd party apps! What a crazy thought!

In short, unless you are truly in need of a new iPad, there is no reason to run out to grab this device. While Apple possesses an extremely impressive ability to market itself and its products, the reality is that its product releases for 2014 have been nothing short of lackluster. Here’s to a more innovative and interesting 2015, guys!