J.K. Rowling: The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination

J.K. Rowling, author of the best-selling Harry Potter book series, delivers her Commencement Address, “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination,” at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association.

Very inspiring speech and I find it inspiring not just to those Harvard students but to all of us young students and professionals who are either still searching for the purpose of our lives or working towards our goals.  

You can watch her speech here at Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

U.S. News & World Report: 10 Secrets to Finding Happiness During the Recession

Inspiration

Here is a summary of 10 things you can do to uplift your spirit and stay optimistic and confident during this difficult time. For the full article, click here.

1. Spend $20 on an experience rather than an item.

2. Pursue meaningful life goals.

3. Be open and receptive to what’s happening right now, in the moment.

4. Nurture meaningful relationships.

5. Recognize your strengths.

Night owls have better chance of success than early birds

According to a recent study by Université de Liège in Belgium, night owls, the group of people who usually go to bed at 4am and wake up around noon, have more stamina and better focus than early birds, those who get up at 5-6am and go to bed around 10pm, when they are awake.  In that study, researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to monitor the brains of individuals from both groups to look for changes in how their attention was focused throughout the day.

The Daily Mail reports:

It has long been held that the early bird catches the worm. But it is the night owl that lasts the distance, research shows.

It found that late risers tire less quickly than those who make a point of getting up at the crack of dawn.

The study is likely to be embraced by anyone tired of being branded lazy for their love of a lie-in.

Not so guilty pleasure: A study has found that people who sleep-in tend to be cleverer and richer than morning larks

And it adds to growing evidence that it is night owls that rule the roost.

Guidance on forming an Advisory Board for Small Businesses

John L. Mariotti of the Enterprise Group offered some guidance on how to create an effective Advisory Board for your business.

• How to Create an Advisory Board for Your Business  (PDF)
• Download this sample board charter  (PDF)
• Guidance for creating an Advisory Board

How Often Does A Small Business Have a Web Site?

Apparently, more than 70% of the largest small businesses have a web site these days.

According to a survey conducted in September 2008 by Barlow Research of 680 small businesses, drawn from the Dun & Bradstreet list, ranging in size from $100,000 to $10 Million in annual revenues, the overall breakdown is as follows:

• 49% of small businesses – currently have a Web site
• 13% of small businesses – do not have a Web site but plan to within the next 12 months
• 38% of small businesses – do not plan to have a Web site within the next 12 months

Percent of businesses that have a website, by annual sales size:

• 45% – Revenues of $100,000 to $499,000
• 49% – Revenues of $500,000 to $999,000
• 69% – Revenues of $1.0 Million to $2.49 Million
• 67% – Revenues of $2.5 Million to $4.9 Million
• 73% – Revenues of $5.0 Million to $10 Million

For midsize businesses, those with revenues of $10 Million to $500 Million in size, 84% of them have websites.

If you’reThinking about getting your business online but not sure what you need for your web site?  We are here to help you.