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Engineering Business, Case By Case

I’m an engineer, by background, so at the core I’m inspired by helping people build new things. Even though I now work primarily with large bankers I still haven’t given up my engineering mindset.

Working with large investors and vendors of technology I’ve seen up close how they analyze new technologies hoping to break into the enterprise system as new vendors or as business opportunities.

The hard truth is that 99% of vendor spend by these companies is going to enterprise providers who are already in the system!
 
It’s much easier and less risky to renew a five year contract than it is to take a chance on an unproven newcomer.

However, this created a situation where less new technologies were being developed, and that’s where I came in as a business analyst.

I worked as a go between for new technologies and CTOs. I work with both sides to showcase technologies and the business cases behind them. The hope is to give more start ups a chance and to improve the standard of technology across the board.

As a close observer of this process, here’s the best advice I can offer to small businesses and new companies working to break in.

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Pitfalls To Avoid When Starting Out

One of the attributes I need to test for with young companies is to see if they are on the right track, and if their development process is working towards a product that’s going to be a fit with enterprise businesses.

A critical component here is what their advisory board looks like and if they are venture backed or not. These board members should have strong relationships already in place in the enterprise world.

If you’re not venture backed then you need to be on the look for these individuals within the technology network you’re a part of.
 
For example, if you are focusing on Health Care then you want the makeup of your advisory board to have enough expertise and relationship capital to get you those key meetings as your product develops. This needs to be done early on so the track record has had time to grow.
 

Don’t Try To Sell Too Early

A lot of companies want to jump into a sales cycle as early as possible. I strongly caution against this – don’t try to mimic the large vendors!

What typically happens here is that companies will spend hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, of their capital into recruiting seasoned sales people from places like Cisco or IBM.

These folks actually have no idea how to make sales for small start ups! They’re used to the style and treatment big vendors have already earned. This can mess up everything from your cash flow to your marketability.
 

Strategizing For A Quick Win

Before you go and build a demo, it helps to do some thought experiment style strategizing on what’s going on within your target enterprises. This is why you need board members on your side who can lend their expertise.

If there’s leadership within an enterprise that’s trying to make a dramatic change, then they’re looking for immediate quick wins. They’re looking at the next quarter, not the next five years.
 
If you’re going to come in with a demo or test solution for them, then figuring out how you can make them look good before their next internal review is going to go a long way. Again, this is where relationships come into play.

It’s imperative that your point of contact with the company has the ability to say yes and sign the check. If not you need to get those relationships in place first.

Once that’s taken care of, build the demo that will give this person the success they’re looking for and you’ll be on your way.

Action Steps

1. Build an advisory board of experts with experience in your target segments of the enterprise world.
2. Don’t waste funds on hiring salespeople who don’t understand small start up sales.
3. Leverage your relationships to understand the biggest problems facing your target enterprise customers.
4. Produce a demo that solves one of their biggest immediate challenges and produces a big win for them.
5. Ensure your contacts have the power to sign off financially.

Result You Will Achieve

Insight into the business practices of enterprises and how to position yourself to join their system as a startup company.

<img src="https://entrepreneurshq.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/LSS-Manoj-Govindan.jpg">

Mentor: Manoj Govindan

VP – Corporate Development of Levvel IO. Manoj has helped 100s of young VC-backed tech startups navigate and scale enterprise.

 
This article is based on an EHQ interview with the mentor.
 
 

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A £1.6bn government fund has been launched to boost less well-off towns in England after Brexit.

The pot is split into £1bn, divided in England using a needs-based formula, and £600m communities can bid for.

More than half of the money, to be spread over seven years, will go to the north of England and the Midlands.

Labour called it a bribe to influence MPs to back the PM's Brexit deal and critics say it does not cover cuts to local authority funding.

The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government said there will be additional announcements "in due course" for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

In January, MPs rejected the withdrawal deal Theresa May has reached with the EU by 230 votes - the biggest defeat for a sitting government in history.

To win another vote, which Mrs May has promised will be on or before 12 March, she could find herself relying on the votes of Labour MPs from Leave-voting parts of the country.

John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, a former coal mining area in Nottinghamshire, told the PM last month to "show us the money" with "transformative investment" in areas that voted to leave.

The Labour MP, who backed Mrs May's Brexit deal at the first vote, denied it amounted to "transactional politics".

But John McDonnell, Labour's shadow chancellor, said the fund "smacks of desperation from a government reduced to bribing MPs to vote for their damaging flagship Brexit legislation".

The BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the money will be targeted on coastal communities, market towns, and de-industrialised towns, which meets the demands of some Labour MPs, who say regeneration funding tends to go to big cities.

The funding will go to specific projects like a new university campus or railway station, our correspondent added.

'Drop in the ocean'

Dismissing the claim that the funding aimed to entice Labour MPs, Housing and Communities Secretary James Brokenshire insisted the cash would be made available even if the withdrawal agreement was rejected and denied the funding was a bribe.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "This funding is there regardless of the outcome, but obviously we want to see a deal happening, we believe that is what is in the best interests of our country."

He said the money would "supplement the work of councils" and could be "transformative" and was there "to see that towns grow".

However, Labour MP Alex Sobel, of the cross-party People's Vote campaign, which wants a new referendum on Brexit, said it was "a drop in the ocean" compared with the cost of leaving the EU.

He said the annual loss to local economies would be more than enough to wipe out any potential return from this scheme.

Labour's Ruth Smeeth, the MP for Leave-supporting Stoke-on-Trent, described the amount of money as "extraordinarily pathetic".

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour programme, she said: "If you're talking about national renewal, this is less money than is being taken out of my economy by the introduction of [new welfare system] universal credit over the next four years."

Labour and Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell said the announcement was a "huge disappointment", tweeting: "The entire allocation for the West Midlands over four years is less than the total value of cuts faced by Stoke-on-Trent City Council alone over the same period."

Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, has described the funding as "a shameless little bung."

She told BBC Radio 5 Live that £90m had been lost from her local council over nine years of austerity and the money was "bobbins" and was "shameless and embarrassing".

And Labour's Rhondda MP Chris Bryant tweeted: "And not a penny for Wales. The trouble with bribes is they embody injustice."

But the prime minister insisted: "Communities across the country voted for Brexit as an expression of their desire to see change - that must be a change for the better, with more opportunity and greater control.

"These towns have a glorious heritage, huge potential and, with the right help, a bright future ahead of them."

She said prosperity had been "unfairly spread" for "too long".

Analysis: Is May buying votes?

By BBC political correspondent Iain Watson

A month ago John Mann - who voted to leave the EU - told the BBC there was a "good dialogue" going on with the government.

And he was hopeful Mrs May would come back with "something significant" for his, and other, areas outside London.

He and a group of Labour MPs from Leave areas were demanding the protection of employment rights after Brexit - and assurances poorer areas wouldn't lose out when EU regional funding ended.

The cash on offer from the government is equivalent to less than 2% of English local authority spending.

Theresa May says she is simply making good a promise she made in her first speech as prime minister to help "ordinary working class families".

But the Labour leadership see this as a "bribe" to tempt some of their own MPs to break ranks and back Mrs May's deal.

The former Conservative, now Independent, MP Anna Soubry claims it's an attempt to buy votes.

But the government insists the true beneficiaries will be residents of coastal and industrial communities who feel left behind.

The £1.6bn Stronger Towns Fund will be broken down into £600m, which communities in any part of England can bid for, and £1bn allocated using a needs-based formula to the following areas:

• North-west England: £281m

• North-east England: £105m

• Yorkshire and the Humber: £197m

• West Midlands: £212m

• East Midlands: £110m

• South-west England: £33m

• South-east England: £37m

• East England: £25m

"The formula allocations are based on a combination of productivity, income, skills, deprivation metrics and proportion of the population living in towns," a department spokesperson said.

"This targets funding at those places with economies that are performing relatively less well to the England average."

London is not included in the list, but towns within Greater London can bid for a share of the £600m pot, the department spokesperson added.

The government said communities would be able to draw up job-boosting plans for their town, with the support and advice of their Local Enterprise Partnerships.

It added that it would also seek to ensure towns in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would benefit from the new funding.

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“And suddenly you know… It’s time to try something new and trust new beginnings.” - Meister Ekhart #happymonday #dosomethingnew #newbeginnings

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The UK will not lower food standards to secure a post-Brexit trade deal with the US, the government says.

It comes after Washington published its objectives for a US-UK trade pact.

The US wants "comprehensive market access" for its farmers' products that would see more US-made food on British supermarket shelves.

European Union rules currently limit US exports of certain food products, including chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-boosted beef.

If free of EU trade rules, the US want the UK to remove such so-called "sanitary and physiosanitary" standards on imported goods.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "We have always been very clear that we will not lower our food standards as part of a future trading agreement."

• What trade deals has the UK done so far?
• US firms seek changes to UK beef standards

America's National Farmers Union has always maintained that its chicken and beef, which uses processes banned by the EU, is "perfectly safe" and argues there has been a lot of "fear-mongering".

However, its British counterpart, the National Farmers Union, said the UK government should not accept an American deal "which allows food to be imported into this country produced in ways which would be illegal here".

Amy Mount from Greener UK, an environmental lobby group, said: "This wish-list shows that a hard-Brexit pivot away from the EU in favour of the US would mean pressure to scrap important protections for our environment and food quality.

"Any future trade deals should reflect the high standards that the UK public both wants and expects."

Currency controversy

The 18-page negotiating stance from Washington also demands that the pound should not be "manipulated" to improve trade income or make UK products cheaper in the US.

US President Donald Trump has previously been outspoken about China "unfairly" using its currency to improve its trade balance - arguing that it keeps the yuan artificially low to make its goods cheaper to sell abroad.

His team has included similar demands in its trade negotiations with Japan.

Another demand from President Trump's negotiators is for the NHS to not "discriminate" against US pharmaceuticals and medical devices when purchasing goods and services.

The negotiating objectives, published by the office of US trade representative Robert Lighthizer, are only an initial move in what may be lengthy negotiations between Washington and London.

The US-UK trade relationship is currently worth £173bn annually.

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Branded content can engage your biggest fans, but you'll have to rethink what storytelling means now.

March 1, 2019 5 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Taco Bell recently relaunched its nacho fries with a cosmic bang. In its third faux movie trailer, the fast food chain parodies a sci-fi epic -- think “Interstellar” or “Arrival” -- to show the world that its menu is expanding rather than contracting. This one, called “Retrieval,” features actor James Marsden, whose road to stardom began in a “Saved by the Bell” spinoff (which seems fitting), and it has fans on social media demanding the release of a feature film.

CMO Marisa Thalberg says that the expectations around the campaign have perhaps been just as great as those around the product, which is any marketer’s dream. So, where are these great expectations coming from? How did Taco Bell build such a buzz?

Well, in the world of fast food, Taco Bell’s nacho fries might be good. They might be really good. That’s for you to decide. But in the world of marketing, Taco Bell’s storytelling is undeniably superb.

A great commercial -- in fact, any great piece of branded content -- can engage your audience and inspire viewers to action. Well-done branded content will build or strengthen loyalty to your brand. But to accomplish any of this, it must provide a compelling story. As large as the American appetite for T-Bell’s nacho fries might be, it’s tiny compared to the human appetite for great stories. Always seeking stories that resonate, we are obsessed with creating and consuming content in countless forms.

Related: How Brand Storytelling Is the Missing Link to Building a Loyal Community of Followers

It’s not easy for a brand to get noticed amidst the flashy videos and photos endlessly cascading down our news feeds or being projected from our tablets, televisions and mobile devices, but it can be done. If your storytelling isn’t compelling, however, you might as well be shouting into the void.

If you’re a marketer or entrepreneur hoping to tell a better story through branded content, here are three tips from people and brands that have done it before.

1. Find the right spokesfolks.

Consumers are more likely to pay attention to your story if it’s coming from a source they trust. Consider Airbnb’s “Airbnb Magazine,” a travel magazine for the sharing economy, published by the hospitality disruptor in partnership with Hearst.

Unlike most travel magazines, this one highlights real people. Its contributors include top columnists and authors who are experts in their fields. As the magazine continues to circulate, Airbnb fulfills its mission of connecting people who love to travel while adding credibility to its message.

Similarly, Uber partners with local experts in its operating cities to publish its city guides. These local blogs offer relevant stories from Uber’s corporate offices, as well as news and things to do in the area. Its Once Upon a Ride section features real rider stories, including one in which a couple met in an UberPool and later got engaged.

Publishing your own content can be extremely beneficial. Just make sure you get the right voices -- whether experts or normal folks -- to contribute.

Related: Branded Content vs Developing Content for Brands - What’s the Difference?

2. Give the people a hero.

The most memorable stories always involve a relatable, heroic character of some kind. Hope Horner, CEO and founder of video production company Lemonlight, points to Intuit’s recent campaign as an example of how storytelling can transform a brand’s image. The financial software company has been around for more than 30 years but had never run an ad campaign until 2018. Last year, it decided to invest in a massive effort that included a Super Bowl ad, as well as longer-form video content published on YouTube and Facebook. Its videos centered on the story of a surprisingly relatable giant robot -- brought to life in Pixar-like fashion -- which represented its various products.

Within days, the campaign had been viewed 16.8 million times. It ultimately lifted brand awareness and favorability significantly among consumers. “Storytelling personifies a brand better than any other tactic,” says Horner. “When audience members relate to a story on a personal level, they remember the brand behind it -- and when it comes time to purchase, they give that brand the first shot at their business.”

Related: Win More Business by Copying Nike's Storytelling Playbook

3. Let audience members choose their own adventure.

In the consumer world, we’re seeing companies like Netflix experiment with innovative storytelling approaches. The content giant’s release of “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” -- which allows viewers to select their own narrative path -- made headlines for weeks, and it definitely got some marketing junkies more than a little excited. Interactive content can certainly help brands get noticed, too, especially those trying to reach niche audiences.

Related: How to Use Storytelling to Sell Your Brand and Vision

Interactive video gets pretty expensive but if your budget is smaller, there are still innovative ways you can incorporate video content into your marketing. Take, for example, the “Tax Spa” videos from Geico and Vice. The two companies partnered just in time for tax season to enlighten viewers struggling with their taxes and, in an immersive twist that almost feels interactive, to help them relax at the same time. The campaign was an unprecedented success, with viewers, on average, watching at least 83 percent of all four videos.

The ability to tell a compelling story is a competitive advantage for any brand. Capturing consumer attention is only going to get more challenging. Companies that want to grow or maintain market share, regardless of what industry they’re in, will find that great storytelling is an essential ingredient of their branded content.

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Some car buyers are being overcharged by more than £1,000 when they take out a loan to buy a car, the UK's financial watchdog has warned.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the industry practice of allowing dealers to set their own interest rates was costing consumers £300m a year.

Dealers overcharge to boost their commission, the FCA concluded.

But the Finance and Leasing Association said the watchdog's survey was "based largely on out-of-date information".

Conflicts of interest

The regulator launched its investigation into the car finance market in April 2017 after there was a rapid surge in consumer credit led by car dealership finance.

At the time, it said it was concerned about a lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

In its final findings on motor finance, the FCA concluded that the widespread use of commission models, which allow brokers discretion to set the customer's interest rate and thus earn higher commission, can lead to conflicts of interest that are not controlled adequately by lenders.

It said the practice can lead to customers paying significantly more for their motor finance.

Jonathan Davidson of the FCA said: "We found that some motor dealers are overcharging unsuspecting customers over a thousand pounds in interest charges in order to obtain bigger commission payouts for themselves.

"We also have concerns that firms may be failing to meet their existing obligations in relation to pre-contract disclosure and explanations, and affordability assessments.

"This is simply not good enough and we expect firms to review their operations to address our concerns."

Problem finance?

Four-fifths of new car finance deals are now what are known as Personal Contract Purchase, or PCP.

Instead of buying a car outright, a PCP allows consumers to rent a car over a three or four-year period.

At the end of the period consumers can buy the car for its residual value (known as a "balloon" payment), hand the car back, or roll over the residual value into a new PCP on a new vehicle.

But problems have arisen because lenders have allowed brokers to set interest rates on the PCP agreements.

The FCA estimated that on a typical motor finance agreement of £10,000, higher broker commission can result in the customer paying around £1,100 more in interest charges over a four-year term of an agreement.

'Considerable progress'

The FCA said it was assessing the options for intervening in the market.

Options include strengthening existing rules or other steps such as banning certain types of commission model or limiting broker discretion.

In the meantime, the regulator said it would deal with individual firms where problems were identified, but it expects all lenders and brokers to review the way they do business to make sure they comply with the law and treat customers fairly.

The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA), a UK trade body for asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance, said that the FCA's survey work was "based largely on out-of-date information, and therefore does not reflect the very considerable progress the market has already made in moving away from such structures".

The FCA analysed contracts between lenders and dealers from 2013 to 2016 and examined lenders' data from January 2017 to July 2018.

The FLA added: "We look forward to working with the FCA as it modernises its regulations in line with market best practice."

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“Music always sounds better on Fridays.” - Lou Brutus. Be sure to crank up your favorite tunes this weekend! What will you be listening to? #happyfriday #music #weekend

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Referrals aren't favors-- no need to be embarrassed! @referralsales explains how to ask for a #referral from your network: https://clik.site/referrals-jb/

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It doesn’t matter what industry your business operates, social media marketing is the perfect way to connect your business directly to consumers. At Adodo Consultancy Services Limited we are experts in helping businesses like yours connect. Set up a free consultation at https://adodo.co.uk #socialmediamarketing #socialmedia

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The chief financial officer of China's tech giant Huawei is suing Canada over her arrest at the request of the US.

Meng Wanzhou was held in December at Vancouver airport on suspicion of fraud and breaching US sanctions on Iran.

On Friday Ms Meng filed a civil claim against Canada's government, border agency and police for "serious breaches" of her civil rights.

It came on the same day that Canada officially launched Meng Wanzhou's extradition process to the US.

• Huawei charges: The 100, 400 and 800-word story
• Should we worry about Huawei?

China has attacked Ms Meng's arrest and the extradition process as a "political incident". She denies all the charges against her.

What does Ms Meng's lawsuit say?

Ms Meng's claim - filed in British Columbia's Supreme Court on Friday - seeks damages against the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the federal government for allegedly breaching her civil rights under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

She says CBSA officers held, searched and questioned her at the airport under false pretences before she was arrested by the RCMP.

Her detention was "unlawful" and "arbitrary", the suit says, and officers "intentionally failed to advise her of the true reasons for her detention, her right to counsel, and her right to silence".

Where are we in the extradition process?

Ms Meng, 47, will next appear in court on Wednesday, when it will be confirmed that Canada has issued a legal writ over her extradition to the US. A date for an extradition hearing will be set.

But this is still the early stages. A judge must authorise her committal for extradition and the justice minister would then decide whether to surrender her to the US.

There will be chances for appeal and some cases have dragged on for years.

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What is Huawei accused of?

The US alleges Huawei misled the US and a global bank about its relationship with two subsidiaries, Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech, to conduct business with Iran.

• Why Huawei matters in five charts

US President Donald Trump's administration has reinstated all sanctions on Iran removed under a 2015 nuclear deal and recently imposed even stricter measures, hitting oil exports, shipping and banks.

It also alleges Huawei stole technology from T Mobile used to test smartphone durability, as well as obstructing justice and committing wire fraud.

In all, the US has laid 23 charges against the company.

Some Western nations are reviewing business with the firm over spying concerns, although Huawei has always maintained it acts independently.

How has China reacted?

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The arrest has seriously strained relations between China, and the US and Canada.

Beijing says it is an "abuse of the bilateral extradition treaty" between Canada and the US, and has expressed its "resolute opposition" and "strong dissatisfaction" with the proceedings.

China also says the accusations against Huawei, the world's second biggest smartphone maker by volume, are a "witch-hunt".

Two Canadian citizens are thought to have been detained in China in retaliation for the arrest.

China and the US are also engaged in tough trade negotiations to end a major tariff dispute.

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“Why worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” –Walt Disney

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It’s a new week! Have lots to do? Plan it, then do it. Effective Mondays make effective weeks. #happymonday #effective #planitdoit

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A single mother herself, this contributor starts out with the tip, 'You're not alone.'

March 1, 2019 7 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Some years ago, early in my career, I was just starting a demanding new job when I had a conversation with my then-boss that is forever etched onto my brain. My son was 6 at the time, and I thought it best to proactively mention that in the case of an illness or emergency, I might need to leave work early to tend to him.

Related: How a Rude Boss Can Hamper Your Parenting Style

I had had my son in my fourth year of college at UCLA and was a young, single mother trying to juggle many responsibilities while providing for my child.

Though I see now that there was no reason to disclose this fact to my leadership -- I should have had every right to take care of my child when necessary -- I thought at the time that I was doing the right thing, being transparent. Unfortunately, my boss’s reaction was jarring.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had a son?” was the curt, annoyed reply. This person was visibly flustered that I had a personal obligation that might, on occasion, distract me from my work. And, what’s worse, this person was a woman.

Hoping for support from our fellow women

This woman was also very career-focused, with impressive work experience, yet sadly someone who would never be an advocate for me as a single, working mom. Not in that moment, and not at any time after.

That's too bad because, as mothers, we hope and expect that our fellow women will embrace and uplift us -- especially when we're simultaneously juggling two jobs, as full-time worker and full-time single parent. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with this boss and still isn’t the case for so many women today.

Related: Coaching and Parenting Have Similar Goals But It's a Big Mistake to Do Them the Same Way

The lesson I took from that experience is that the battle for support, acknowledgment and understanding is very real, very present and not something to be expected just of our male bosses and counterparts.

Thankfully, I’ve never been the type to let these kinds of experiences weigh me down. I retain them as important lessons but don’t allow them to color my attitude or steal my joy. While I’ve encountered my share of naysayers, I’m fortunate to have been supported and uplifted by a great many men and women throughout my life. I wish the same kind of support, resilience and optimism for every one of the 10 million single working mothers in the United States today.

That’s not to say we don’t have every right to feel drained by the demands of our dual responsibilities. After all, recent studies have shown that we single working moms are putting in approximately 100 hours of labor every week, between work and home. But I want us to take a moment to acknowledge our courage, strength and perseverance, and to find the positive in what can seem like a hopelessly exhausting situation. These four steps are a good start.

1. Know that you're not alone.

Women today comprise approximately 47 percent of the American workforce. An estimated 70 percent of American mothers with children under 18 participate in the workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and 75 percent of that group are employed full-time.

Of course, nearly all working mothers juggle “second shift” responsibilities at home -- caring for kids, managing the household, cooking, cleaning, caring for relatives, engaging with the community and more. Some of us have help from a partner, and some of us don’t. And those of us doing it all alone are often stressed to the gills in an effort to get it all right.

According to a study from Pew Research, 8 in 10 adults surveyed said that women face a lot of pressure to be an involved parent (as compared to only 56 percent who said the same about men). A 2018 study on motherhood from Welch’s found that the average working mom’s day begins at 6:23 a.m. and doesn’t stop until about 8:31 p.m.. That translates to approximately 14 hours of nonstop work and home duties. And let’s not forget: Our work doesn’t stop when the weekend comes or a holiday arrives.

2. Count your achievements.

Take out a piece of paper and make a list of what you’ve done in the last week. Start with your work tasks, the mundane as well as the noteworthy. Then start listing your household and childcare tasks. Include that third load of laundry and the second reading of a favorite bedtime story (the one in which you performed all the characters’ voices, by request).

Don’t forget the nutritious meals you prepared, the life lessons you've taught, the appropriate discipline you've doled out, the picking up of all those pesky Legos. And, finally, include everything you've done to take care of yourself and others: the skincare routine you dutifully carried out, even though it was 11 p.m. and you were dead tired; that call you placed to the aunt you haven’t spoken to in a while; your successful efforts to avoid the doughnuts in the breakroom in favor of a healthy lunch.

Then, when you’ve combed through your memories of the week to include everything you’ve done, take a step back and examine the list as an outsider looking in. Try to see the list for what it really is -- the achievements of a woman who is killing it. A real-life super hero.

3. Push for benefits for working parents.

hankfully, a growing number of businesses are waking up to the workplace needs of single working moms. Smart companies are expanding their benefits and culture to accommodate parents' unique challenges, and reaping tangible benefits (including better employee engagement and lower turnover, as seen at Google). Then there are companies, like Nike and Patagonia, which offer onsite child care for employees -- a major draw for single mothers and parents overall. 

Smaller companies can't necessarily afford on-site daycare but some of the things they might consider are:

• Breastfeeding rooms/storage
• Flextime options
• Paid maternity leave/adoption leave
• Back-up child care

Moms (and dads) should push for these benefits and offer positive feedback to their employers when they get them. Having a safe place to leave your child on those federal holidays that many companies don't offer, for example, can be a major stress reliever.

4. Celebrate yourself.

For all that you did this week, and all that you do throughout life, you deserve more than just a pat on the back. Frankly, you deserve a deep-tissue massage, a bottle of rosé and an uninterrupted Netflix binge. But if those things aren't possible today, just take a moment and seriously acknowledge your efforts.

Related: These 4 Startups Are Taking The Pain Out Of Parenting

Don’t let the critical voices -- whether outside or inside -- bring you down. You may not be doing everything you’d ideally like to do, you may be tired every day, and you may sometimes feel like you’re failing. But I’m here to tell you that I see your achievements and your sacrifices, and many others do, too. To the single working mother discouraged by the lack of support at her workplace, or the mom who is desperately reaching for a helping hand, I say: You are more powerful than you can even imagine. And you’re demonstrating your awe-inspiring power every single day.

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A group of Christian church investors is planning to put pressure on companies which have no women directors or a questionable record on tax.

The Church Investors Group has pension fund members with £21bn in assets.

It says it will vote against chairmen and women of boards of big companies which have poor polices on tax transparency and climate change.

It will also vote against pay reports which do not disclose the ratio of pay between top bosses and workers.

The Church Investors Group (CIG) has 67 members including the pension funds for the Church of England and the Methodist Church.

'Common good'

"Ultimately a company's license to operate depends on the confidence of the public and its long-term contribution to the common good," said Canon Edward Carter, chair of CIG.

"As asset owners, we will continue to press with our votes the need for companies to act responsibly and work not only for the benefit of shareholders, but also contribute to the wider common good in both the short and long term," he said.

CIG says it has told FTSE 350 companies - the largest companies publicly traded in London - of its plans.

It will also include Russell 50 companies - an index of the biggest US companies - when it comes to tax transparency.

Large companies will soon have their annual meetings where shareholders will be called to vote on board membership, pay for top executives and to accept annual results.

'Hard line'

The CIG says its members will vote against the chairs of FTSE 350 and Russell 50 companies with a score of zero for tax transparency in the FTSE ESG ratings, which look at environmental, social and governance matters.

Currently, that includes Exxon, Amazon and Broadcom, the Financial Times reported.

The CIG also said it wanted to "take a hard line on excessive executive remuneration" and that it "continues to have concerns about CEOs receiving pension payments that are more generous than those made to other staff".

The Church of England has a £8.3bn investment fund, which it says it invests in an "ethical and responsible way".

The Church holds investments in firms including pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, the bank HSBC, supermarket Tesco, as well as tech firms Microsoft and Samsung.

However, it has been criticised for some of its investments.

In September, the Church said it was keeping its shares in Amazon - a day after the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said the firm was "leeching off the taxpayer".

The archbishop had questioned Amazon's tax record.

In 2014, the commissioners sold around £75,000 of shares in failed payday lender Wonga after the archbishop pledged to "put it out of business".

He had admitted to being "embarrassed" and "irritated" when details of the link emerged in 2013.

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Workers who sign gagging orders in return for pay-offs from their firms will still be able to report wrongdoing to the police under new proposals.

The government has said it will bring in legal measures to protect workers from the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

It wants to enshrine in law that people cannot be prevented from reporting crimes, harassment or discrimination.

Topshop boss Sir Philip Green has been at the centre of controversy over NDAs.

It emerged in October last year that the businessman had used them to buy the silence of at least five members of staff who accused him of sexual and racial harassment.

• What are non-disclosure agreements?

Last month, Sir Philip abandoned legal action against the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which had first reported the allegations against him.

The government's measures, announced by Business Minister Kelly Tolhurst, also include extending the law to ensure that workers agreeing to NDAs receive independent advice on their limitations.

"Many businesses use Non-Disclosure Agreements and other confidentiality agreements for legitimate business reasons, such as to protect confidential information," said Ms Tolhurst.

"What is completely unacceptable is the misuse of these agreements to silence victims, and there is increasing evidence that this is becoming more widespread.

"Our new proposals will help to tackle this problem by making it clear in law that victims cannot be prevented from speaking to the police or reporting a crime and clarifying their rights."

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'The rich are different from you and me,' F. Scott Fitzgerald famously said. Apparently they're different from one another, as well.

March 1, 2019 5 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

To the average person, "millionaire" and "billionaire" sound similar; they're both people with money, right? And, indeed, both have access to far more wealth than the average citizen, and neither may have to worry about money ever again.

Related: 6 Money Tips From Self-Made Billionaires

Furthermore, because entrepreneurship is often the route to wealth accumulation, both may have earned their way to riches the same way. Yet while their monikers "millionaire" and "billionaire" sound the same, there are in fact significant differences between the two. 

For starters, the difference between a million versus a billion dollars is immense. To put it in context, consider that one million seconds amount to 11.5 days, while one billion total 31.5 years!. A billionaire could give his or her wealth away and make 1,000 new millionaires overnight.

Further, there are 2,200 billionaires on the planet, according to a CNBC report; and while some of these wealthy elite gained their status from a family inheritance, many of the top-ranked billionaires are entirely self-made through entrepreneurial endeavors. So, what separates these hyper-successful entrepreneurs from millionaires, who are also considered successful?

The billionaire factors

These are some of the most important factors distinguishing billionaires from millionaires:

1. Goals and commitment

First, it's important to consider the billionaire’s goals and commitments. Very few people become one accidentally; instead, billionaires tend to relentlessly pursue wealth, and refuse to compromise to achieve it. Consider the entrepreneur who grows an innovative tech startup for a few years, then gets an acquisition offer from a major tech company for, say, $15 million. 

This isn’t exactly rare; Alphabet makes a dozen or more such acquisitions every year. A “typical” entrepreneur might cash out and take the $15 million as a personal victory (and early retirement). A billionaire, however, setting his or her sights higher or living out a commitment to the business's core idea, might reject the $15 million in hopes of obtaining something better, or growing the business further.

Related: Billionaires Like Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos and Mark Cuban Live by Ancient Stoic Philosophy

Though these rejections don’t always pan out, you can’t become a billionaire by settling to be (just) a millionaire.

2. Scale 

What should also be considered is the scale on which billionaires operate. If we consider profit as a product of both efficiency and impact, then the more locations your business reaches, the more money you’re going to make. Owning a chain of restaurants in one state might make you a millionaire, but you’ll need to change the world on an international scale if you want to be a billionaire.

3. Repetition 

Billionaires rarely make their riches by starting just one business. In some cases, they experience a crushing failure and apply the lessons learned from that failure to future endeavors (see: Bill Gates’s Traf-o-Data). In other cases, they settle for selling a company for a few million dollars, only to roll those funds into bigger, better startup ideas (see: Elon Musk’s path through Zip2, Compaq and X.com).

They’re not only willing but eager to repeat the entrepreneurial process over and over again to achieve success.

4. Budget and self-control

There’s a reason why so many lottery winners end up losing everything. It’s because poor financial habits and decisions end up bankrupting them no matter how much money they start with (conversely, good financial habits and financial decisions can put you ahead even with a modest income).

Billionaires -- when they first reach millionaire status -- tend to avoid spending lavishly or wasting their money, which makes it easier to grow their wealth even more and retain what they’ve acquired. Some even take this practice to an extreme: Warren Buffett, for example, still lives in the Omaha, Neb., house he bought for just $30,000 in 1958.

5. Passion

You don’t become a billionaire by just "getting the job done." That level of wealth requires you to constantly come up with new ideas; adapt and refine your ideas when challenged; and put in long, hard hours throughout the entire process. While plenty of millionaires can certainly be described as passionate, their level of passion often pales in comparison to that of billionaires (think: Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Oprah Winfrey, Meg Whitman).

Passion was always a big motivator for people like these, and kept them moving forward even after their initial success.

Related: 7 Real-Life Business Lessons You Can Learn From Billionaires

Is luck a factor?

Is luck a factor in the success of a billionaire versus a millionaire? This is a hard question to answer, and one that’s been examined in at least one scientific study. Luck is objectively hard to measure, because virtually any positive or negative development for a business might be considered good or bad luck. For example, if you beat an unknown competitor to market by just a few days, is that considered mere luck or the outcome of your tenacity?

While luck is almost certainly a factor (depending on how you define it), it isn’t the only factor, nor is it the most significant. A simple stroke of luck isn’t enough to justify a thousand-fold increase in the monetary success thousands of entrepreneurs enjoy; rather, that success is a product of these fortunate individuals' different mindsets and practices.

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The owner of Giraffe and Ed's Easy Diner is to close 27 restaurants putting hundreds of jobs at risk.

The brands will enter a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) and close almost a third of their 87 restaurants.

Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) said sales had improved at the chains since they were acquired in 2016, but several sites remained unprofitable.

Tom Crowley, chief executive of BRG, said: "The CVA is the only option to protect the company."

He added: "The combination of increasing costs and over-supply of restaurants in the sector and a softening of consumer demand have all contributed to the challenges both these brands face."

The proposal to enter a CVA will be put to a creditor vote, with advisers from KPMG overseeing the insolvency process.

• Restaurant insolvencies jump by 25%
• What’s eating the restaurant trade?

BRG snapped up Giraffe from Tesco in 2016, before combining it with Ed's Easy Diner, which it had bought in a pre-pack administration the same year.

The two brands form a combined entity, which in the most recently available accounts had annual turnover of £67.1m with underlying losses of £1.6m.

The company owns 70 branches of the two chains, with 17 franchised restaurants unaffected by the CVA.

Will Wright, restructuring partner at KPMG, said: "This CVA seeks to address the cost of the company's leasehold obligations across a number of unprofitable sites, and if successful, will put the business on a surer financial footing."

Creditors will vote on the proposal on 21 March with at least 75% needed to approve it for the CVA to proceed.

BRG also owns other brands, which are not involved in this CVA. These include fish and chip restaurant Harry Ramsden and the upmarket Cinnamon Collection.

It is also the master franchisee for US brand Slim Chickens, which first opened in the UK last year.

BRG is owned by "chicken king" Ranjit Boparan, who also owns the 2 Sister group, which supplies food to supermarkets such as Aldi, Asda, Co-op, KFC, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose.

Last year, rising costs and tougher competition led to several restaurant brands shutting branches, including Prezzo, Jamie's Italian, Byron, Carluccio's, Gaucho and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

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You can't control everything that happens during the day but you can control how it begins.

March 4, 2019 8 min read

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Everyone approaches their morning differently. Some people wake up excited to start their day. Others like to ease into their day more gradually. No matter how you like to start your morning, there are things you can do to ensure every day gets off to a great start.

A good morning routine will help you feel relaxed, alert and energized. Starting your morning on the right foot means creating a feeling of happiness that you can carry with you all day long. Your morning routine should include not only getting ready, but also making space for feeling joy and feeling mentally and physically prepared to take on whatever the world has in store for you.

Start your day off the right way with these 9 habits that happy people use to get their morning going. (Hint: It’s not about gulping coffee and running out the door.)

1. Get enough sleep.

An exhausted person isn’t a happy person. Nothing will kill your happiness faster than waking up tired and grumpy. If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, you’re probably starting your day drained and irritated. It’s hard to have a positive outlook when all you want to do is crawl back into bed.

A good night’s sleep is like a magical elixir for your physical health, and is key to your overall sense of happiness and well-being. Research has shown that sleep is one of the most effective ways to improve concentration, strengthen the immune system and improve a person’s mood and feeling of well-being.

However, not getting enough sleep impairs memory and increases levels of stress hormones. So, the first step to creating a happy, cheerful morning is ensuring you get enough quality sleep the night before. Set a sleep schedule for yourself and stick to it -- your happiness may depend on it.

Related: Too Much Sleep Can Kill You, Scientists Say

2. A new day, a new start.

Happy people begin each day anew. They wake up with the mindset that each day is a new beginning -- a chance to move forward and not let past failures weigh them down. Yesterday may have been a rotten day, but that doesn’t mean today has to be.

Happy people start their day with an affirmation. They declare from the outset how they want their day to go. A positive morning affirmation can be a powerful way to start your day feeling confident and ready for success. Examples include:

• I have the knowledge to make smart decisions for myself.
• I am, and always will be, enough.
• I let go of any negative feelings about myself or my life and accept all that is good.
• I am courageous. I am willing to act and face my fears.

3. Wake up grateful.

Waking up with a feeling of gratitude ensures you start your day in good spirits. A thankful heart is a happy heart. Gratitude is powerful because it’s both a feeling and an action. Actively thinking about things you’re grateful for, in turn, makes you feel grateful. It’s a positive thought loop that’s easy to practice and has beneficial effects on your physical and mental health.

You can wake up feeling grateful by simply taking a moment when you first open your eyes to look about and feel a swell of appreciation for everything around you. Recognize how wonderful this moment is, and how good it feels to be here. Today is a gift, and you can do with it what you will. You can choose to make the most of it. You can choose happiness. Take a moment to acknowledge all you have and see the possibilities of the day before you.

4. Keep a manageable morning routine.

Happy people don’t frantically tear around trying to get ready at breakneck speed and then rush out the door, already late for their first meeting or appointment of the day. Doing this will set you up for feeling stressed out and harried all day long. Starting the day with a contented and peaceful attitude requires you to have time to wake up properly and to get ready at a calm and measured pace.

Happy people tend to keep their routine simple and manageable. A complex routine is hard to stick to and can leave you feeling anxious and exasperated first thing in the morning. Cut out multitasking and reject unneeded distractions, like checking and returning email while trying to get ready. Do one thing at a time. Keep your morning uncomplicated and as stress-free as possible so you’ll set yourself up to be in a good mood all day long.

Related: The 10-Minute Morning Routine That Will Clear Your Mind

5. Meditate

Daily meditation, whether it’s a quick five-minute practice or a lengthier session, can help create a contented and happy mind. Spending time meditating each morning improves focus, increases self-esteem and confidence, and quiets the cacophony of mental angst and turbulence we are constantly contending with. You can meditate at any time of day, but it’s best to do it in the morning so you’re sure to get it in, and so you can benefit from its effects throughout the day.

To begin the practice of meditation, start by sitting quietly in a comfortable position or in a chair for two minutes every morning. This is a chance for you to check in with how you're feeling, both in your mind and body. Be focused on the moment. Turn your attention to your breaths or do a body scan, focusing on one body part at a time. Recognize your thoughts and feelings, and maintain a loving attitude toward yourself. Meditation is a chance to get to know yourself and be aware of each moment you are in.

Related: 7 Proven Ways Meditating Prepares You for Success

6. Start your day with exercise.

Before you dive into a long day of work, make sure you take time to get some exercise in. Some people find that fresh air first thing in the morning brightens their mood all day. Try a brisk walk, a run around the block or a trip to the gym. Other people may prefer to start their day with a home workout, such as stretching or yoga.

Morning exercise gets your blood flowing and gives you a boost of energy for the day. Exercise also releases feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. These may buffer feelings of stress and anxiety, and help relieve symptoms of depression. Research has shown that working out improves how we feel about our bodies and gives us a sense of well-being.

7. Make your bed.

It may sound silly, but beginning your day by making your bed can set you up for feeling ready to take on the world. According to one survey of 2,000 Americans, bed makers tend to be adventurous, confident and sociable. People who don’t make their beds tend to be shy, moody and sarcastic.

Many successful people recommend making your bed as a simple way to start the day off on the right foot. For example, Tim Ferriss has said that the simple act of bed making teaches us that it’s the little things in life that matter.

US Navy SEAL commander Admiral William H. McRaven gave a now-famous commencement speech at the University of Texas in which he said that making your bed is so powerful because it gives you a feeling of accomplishment first thing in the morning. It encourages you to take on even more tasks and motivates you to get more done in life.

8. Nourish your body.

You’ve heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s true. Eating breakfast jump-starts your metabolism and gets your body and mind prepped for a busy day. Research has found that breakfast eaters have better diets and consume more fruit and vegetables than those who don’t eat breakfast.

But just as important, a nourished body leads to an improved mood. Eating breakfast also sends a positive message to yourself that you are taking care of your health and well-being. You’ll find you can concentrate better if you start the day with a healthy meal. You’ll be less likely to feel fatigued and get that “hangry” feeling mid-morning, which leads to overeating at lunch. The best breakfasts pair carbs with proteins to get your body fueled and ready to go.

9. Set goals for the day.

Happy people often have a sense of purpose. They aren’t wandering aimlessly through life; they work each day to make progress and accomplish their tasks. It feels satisfying to have set priorities for yourself and strive to meet milestones. Happy people make sure they begin their day by setting goals for themselves. What do you want to accomplish today? What is the most efficient and effective use of your time?

Make it a point to spend a few minutes each morning determining what you want to do that day. Be sure to think through your to-do list carefully -- often we spend too much time on things that aren’t really important. Focus on what matters and make sure you’re scheduling downtime. After all, the secret to lasting happiness is finding ways to enjoy each day in its entirety.

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