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Currently, we see that more and more large companies are reducing or even completely eliminating work meetings. For instance, has recently cut off all recurring meetings that include more than two people and drastically limited all others. Shopify But given the economy’s recession, does it mean all companies should follow suit and delete the majority of meetings from the calendar? As to all the questions that sound like, "Should I do something because everyone else is doing it?" – the answer is no. At Refocus, 90% of the team works completely remotely. The remaining 10% who live in the cities where our offices are located ) are not obliged to go to the office – although they could come 1-2 times per week if they wish. The majority of business decisions are made online, which is pretty logical. Here's how we managed to build a system for work meetings that allow our team from GMT+1 to GMT+8 time zones to collaborate effectively and earn more than $4.5M since launching from the ground up last January 2022. We all can text. Why even have meetings? Corporate messengers are key to organized communication, so it’s crucial to negotiate that everyone can be reached there and will, with some rare exceptions, answer a message within a couple of hours. They allow us to keep in touch and quickly discuss problems, but they still have disadvantages. For instance, answering one message after another interrupts you from doing something you were concentrating on. You all probably have experienced it: you’re doing some long routine task, then you read a message from your colleague, and then have to return to what you were doing. It often looks like meetings are a waste of money for companies. However, this example shows quite the opposite: it’s cheaper and more effective to dedicate time for communicating than to do it randomly throughout the day and get interrupted from a task. Generally, whether you need work meetings or not depends on many factors, such as: the complexity and developmental stage of the business the number of changes happening at the moment the number of people on your team the multiculturalism of your team Logically, if you have higher values on each of these parameters, everyday communication is needed to maintain productivity. This means that your company is rapidly growing. Thus, all the processes should be regularly organized and reorganized, which is simply impossible without communication. This is the case for us: Refocus is a little over a year old with a multicultural team, and we constantly develop our product–changing the existing ones and creating new ones. So, a lot of communication takes place every day. We don't avoid work meetings but also try to find a golden means. There are three cases when we usually shift communication to a meeting: If you notice that you get interrupted every day by discussing the same matter over and over again, it’s pretty logical to have a brief meeting 1-2 times a week and talk about it there. For example, we’ve noticed recently that we constantly ask each other questions about CSAT or Customer Satisfaction, which happens on various Slack channels. People who monitor it get interrupted from their current tasks and answer questions regularly. So we created a meeting in which we discuss this metric on a weekly basis and, at the same time, a dedicated Slack channel to address anything urgent. Another example is the weekly planning each team has: everyone who has tasks assigned to them should attend and join the discussion–not create extra communication and interrupt the team from working. It is something regular. . The work of some teams requires constant communication with others. For example, another Refocus co-founder recently __ __attention to regular communication between the sales and marketing departments. Similarly, the product and support teams should regularly interact with community managers. It requires cross-team communication drew . I think this simple rule is crucial for communication within remote teams: it's better to talk together for 15 minutes than chat for an hour, waiting for the responsible team member to answer. Of course, we don’t have any kinds of limitations or restrictions – our employees set it up themselves if that helps them come up with a solution. You can’t solve an issue after a dozen minutes of messaging How to make a meeting productive To a large extent, the productivity of your work meetings reflects the productivity of your team in general. As I previously mentioned, we don't have to worry about our employees chatting for hours if they don't need to discuss any issues. We invest a lot in hiring people who we can be sure of. They are hardworking, and their goals are aligned with the business’s. Also, we make sure that apart from having a growth mindset, our employees are good friends with all kinds of collaborative tools: Notion, Slack, Google Docs, Miro, and various task trackers such as ClickUp or Trello. We don’t have time to educate people on how to use them, but I can't say we ever had a problem with this after the pandemic. However, some simple rules will surely make it better. Adjust the meeting schedule to the of other participants. If your team is spread all over the world, it's not "courtesy" – it's a necessity without which productive communication is impossible. We certainly have two hours of overlap among the most distant team members, so we adjust meetings to their time zones as needed. Therefore, every team member should include information about their time zones in the calendar just to make it less confusing for others. time zone When inviting people to meetings, provide a list of participants. The latter are those who have expertise in the topic to be discussed and can deepen the discourse. Nevertheless, the meeting will be fine without them. To create one, think about the cost of the meeting: an hour of a manager costs X$ and you invite 6 different people. Will you eventually earn more than was spent? obligatory and optional . It can comprise topics you're planning to cover and the information each participant should prepare. Even opening another ready-to-use document requires a couple of extra minutes, not to mention trying to calculate something that you haven’t yet. In most cases, it's easy to prepare, although, to be honest, we don't follow this rule too strictly: an agenda is good when it's convenient and when you know what exactly to cover. Prepare the agenda for the meeting Keep track of the . It's hard to say how much time you should plan for each meeting: host ten of them, and you will decide for yourself. However, you should optimize the time you have – it is fine to politely remind them, "Everyone, let's return to the topic." And if the time appears to not be enough to cover everything, you can always drop one meeting and negotiate on another. Some collaborative tools have built-in functionality to follow the schedule. For example, Miro allows you to set a timer to discuss particular blocks. schedule strictly If you have something to discuss regularly, do so We're sure that the best way to organize a meeting productively is to dedicate time to it on a regular basis. As I mentioned above, it allows your employees to not get distracted from their tasks and to plan their schedules. The frequency of such meetings depends on the issues to be discussed: in some areas, it's impossible to keep up with changes if you don't discuss them every day, and for others, once a week is just fine. For example, one of the most important regular meetings we have is called . Guess what? We have it for an hour every day! This is a key meeting led by the CPO where the product and marketing teams and C-level executives sync on the product’s critical metrics: revenue indicators, percentage of installment approvals, CR, and so on. If something is not normal, each of them needs to be fixed as soon as possible, so that's why we discuss them every day, which is especially the case for a rapidly developing startup. Product Daily As for the meetings that take place once a week on Mondays, we have the boards of each C-level with the founders, where they share their weekly indicators. Of course, we're in touch during the week, but those 30 minutes allow us to dive into the processes they run and debug them. And it is also time-saving: each founder prepares their questions and doesn't have to message and wait for a reply. Just after the board, we have another weekly meeting – Megaboard. There, all the C-level executives and founders gather and discuss the business plan for the week in more detail, making the planning smooth and productive. And if it’s a recurring meeting, e. When something is working fine, one may fail to keep updating it, even if changes are needed. While regular meetings usually work perfectly, there is always room for improvement. For example, we have recently changed the Product Daily meeting. While it was under development, more and more people got invited. Some were not needed there anymore but kept attending because they knew that it was indeed essential for business and because they received an invitation. So when we cut the list of participants, it became better for everyone! Furthermore, we decided to hold separate meetings for the two markets we have (the Philippines and Indonesia) to have more time to discuss each of them. What I'm saying is: the changes you may need depend on your business indicators, but you will definitely need to make modifications after some time. don’t forget to adjust it once in a whil Leave space for something more informal Informal communication between employees Without it, it’s almost impossible to collaborate effectively and feel like a part of a team that is reaching the same goal. In the office, people interact naturally, but even in hybrid mode, managers should invest time in helping their subordinates meet each other. So it’s wise to have meetings dedicated to such communication and not forget about it for those that are strictly work-related. The meeting agenda would not be ruined if you spend the first couple of minutes asking, "Hey, how is it going? Where are you now? Do you like it there?" and so on, but it will make future communication easier and more comfortable for everyone. Also, for the same reason, we try to turn on cameras if we can. That's not a hard and fast rule, but isn't it just more comfortable to interact with someone when you can see their face? should not be underestimated. Every two weeks, we have an , which is where we comunicate semi-formally, and every team member attends to share business updates, welcome newcomers, and say thank you to each other out loud. This meeting might look like a waste of money–imagine how much an hour would cost each team member. But it is not. It's crucial to know what is happening in other departments and see the faces of your colleagues, even on Zoom. All Team meeting Another important work meeting you shouldn’t overlook is the regular . At Refocus, this is done as an hour-long meeting once a week. This is a safe place for an employee to share the difficulties they have and receive feedback on their work. To make the one-on-one meetings productive, we also follow agendas, but generally, they are a pretty informal way of communicating between two people. one-on-one each employee has with their manager And what about offline meetings? Even though the vast majority of our team works remotely, we don't believe it's possible to discuss everything online. During a consultation, one experienced tech founder with company’s evaluation of $600-900M told me: you can do something remotely only if you have already organized it offline. I disagree with this statement partly: t . But generally, that's the rule we try to follow – offline mode provides more opportunities to create something from scratch and discuss it. he complexity of our business and almost fully remote team sometimes requires trying to do something new online One of the things we tried but failed to do remotely was strategy sessions that we had four times a year together with the founder and C-level executives. During these meetings, we discussed the company plans and developed the vector of development for the next three months. We tried to do it online, but it didn’t work out: we spent more time than we usually did and were not able to discuss strategy in enough detail. So we decided to move them offline and meet each other in different parts of the world for about a week. Apart from making business decisions easier, these meetings allow the C-level executives to communicate informally, which might lead to better business synergy, which can never be achieved if talking only about work. Moreover, the same is true for other personnel. We do encourage informal communication online, but we also have offices where our employees can come to co-work. As I mentioned earlier, our team is not obliged to do so, but some of them do because they feel more comfortable working on-site. If everyone who is required to attend the meeting is there, they often discuss matters offline or just have lunch together and chat. But if at least one person is at home – everyone else should go to different places and join the meeting remotely. Otherwise, it would be a mess. It is all about the system When your company is developing rapidly, and your goal is to achieve better results every day, it’s simply impossible not to have meetings to discuss your growth. Building a system of regular and extraordinary meetings will save you time: you will spend less on communication and negotiate better.

Don’t Drop Your Work Meetings – Rather, Build a System for Them

The thrill, innovation, risk—and above all, the reward! If you work with a startup, these concepts are likely familiar, as is the roller coaster of experiences – both ups and downs – that come with launching a new company. And while there are many advantages to working with a startup, it’s not for everyone. The appeal may seem obvious, but many startups fail to get off the ground, and balancing the pros and cons can be a challenge. What if I told you, it’s possible to get the best of both worlds – to capture the advantages of working with a startup while mitigating the downsides? Why Would You Join a Startup? Many developers are attracted to startups because of the opportunity to be part of something from the ground up, creating something entirely new and helping shape an organization’s future. This dynamic helps lead to greater job satisfaction and fulfillment because people feel to something bigger than themselves, and they can clearly see where their contributions have made an impact. attached In fact, a whopping reported job satisfaction, compared to a meager 30% reporting happiness while working for larger institutionalized companies in tech industries. 60% of startup employees Part of this satisfaction comes from the opportunity to try on many hats and learn diverse new skills as the company scales. This contrasts with working in a larger, more established company where you might stay in the same role for years. For example, it’s not unusual for startup employees hired for marketing to jump into the role of an , or for workers in any position, including tech development, to have to learn to successfully , from finance to sales and even visionary leadership. office manager balance different roles While challenging, this exposure to multiple roles can help you learn new skills and grow your career more quickly than at a larger company. Startups also help you build leadership skills In larger companies, most employees often have very limited or no access to the leaders of the company. In some cases, you may not even meet the CEO. But in a startup, you can actually access leadership and may even be able to bounce ideas directly off the CEO. This can and provides access to mentorship from leaders in the company, which can help workers grow. boost morale and productivity By providing an ideal environment to take risks in, startups also help employees develop leadership skills through trials, tribulations, and hard-won experiences. Learning to be a leader in a startup requires embracing the fact that you will make mistakes and learn from them. If you adopt this growth mindset in a small group with a fledgling company, your team will likely catch mistakes early, so you can rectify them quickly and learn from them before it’s too late to change. Because of the smaller, collaborative team dynamic startups supply, you will also work in nearly every role the company requires, enabling you to gain leadership experience daily, empathy for every position you may be expected to lead someday. and Cool Company Cultures and Perks Due to their disruptive nature, startups tend to attract like-minded people. This creates a unique company culture based on innovation, creativity, and risk-taking. One of the best advantages of working with a startup is coming forward with ideas and being supported through the creative process. With a smaller team, there’s usually a greater need and support for new initiatives than in larger companies. And while the small nature of startups means funding is limited, these companies and the firms that work with them also require the best talent to succeed and offer many to attain this talent, such as the ability to work from home, paid health insurance for employees their families, reimbursement for professional events, travel assistance and training opportunities. meaningful perks and These benefits, which you may also find in bigger organizations, are also often bolstered by some very offered by grassroots companies to make the environment more fun. unique perks Lastly, working with a startup can provide you with an incredible opportunity. Startups are often connected to industry professionals who can help them succeed. These connections can also benefit you, opening doors for future opportunities. networking More Innovation and Greater Impact If you thrive on creative thinking and innovation, then working for a startup can be the right choice. Startups are about thinking outside the box and coming up with new, innovative solutions to problems and shared vision. Per the : “experience alone does not make a team successful–soft skills, such as ‘entrepreneurial passion’ and ‘shared strategic vision’ are also required.’” Harvard Business Review This commitment to innovation and shared vision can have a meaningful impact on an industry and the world, with some arguing the collective value created by new ventures of a G7 economy. rivals the entire GDP The impact is not only measured in dollars but in how innovative changes can improve millions of lives. One example of this is one of our Commit clients, This game-changing environmental company leads the charge in developing clean water solutions by creating water from the atmosphere. Watergen. Through working with Watergen, Commit has seen firsthand the changes one visionary company can have on billions worldwide. The possibilities are limitless. If you want to leave your mark on the world as Watergen has done, then working for a startup is for you. The Risks of Working a Startup for While the benefits of working with a startup are enticing, there are also many risks that must be considered when taking an in-house gig at one. of startups fail in their first year! 20% , with many closing before launching their solution. 90% of startups fail Only of startups actually turn a profit, meaning there is very little job security and even a chance you may not receive your paycheck. 40% More than startup and tech employees have been laid off in 2022 alone, with many fast-growing companies scaling back. 110,000 The bottom line is that both startups and the tech industry are highly volatile, and even if you think a company is a groundbreaking disruptor with something to offer, anyone joining a hi-tech startup should recognize that their job or company is not a guarantee. Reaping Rewards Without the Risk If the perks of working with a startup excite you, but concerns are holding you back, I have good news: it’s possible to reap these rewards (and more) without the risk. There’s a growing number of software development firms today that specialize in supporting startups, presenting an ideal opportunity for developers and tech specialists to capture the best of both worlds. While the business models and services may vary among these firms, they can provide the opportunity to work their startup clients’ teams – delivering all the same benefits a traditional employee would receive, while mitigating the risks of working for a startup. within For example, an in-house developer will often lose their job if a startup fails to launch, runs out of funding, or no longer believes a role is necessary. A third-party software development partner, on the other hand, can quickly reallocate these employees to other projects and clients, ensuring job security and a steady paycheck regardless of emerging challenges and economic conditions. Importantly, many startups are increasingly outsourcing these roles to software development firms, and this trend will only continue to grow. A recent study from Commit found that between 2022 and 2023, a sign that outsourcing is becoming an increasingly important strategy among startups. software development outsourcing will grow by 70% So, if you want to experience the excitement and camaraderie of a startup culture, while minimizing your risk, consider working with – not for – a startup. It’s the best way to experiment in multiple startup environments and on many new innovations, without needing to job-hop every few months.

Why It’s a Good Idea for Developers to Work with Startups Instead of for Them

FTX + SBF Chapter 11 (Bankruptcy) Court Filing by John J. Ray III, Nov 17, 2022 is part of . You can jump to any chapter in this filing . HackerNoon’s Legal PDF Series here III. ACTION TAKEN SINCE MR. BANKMAN-FRIED’S DEPARTURE K- Corporate Communications 76. Finally, and critically, the Debtors have made clear to employees and the public that Mr. Bankman-Fried is not employed by the Debtors and does not speak for them. Mr. Bankman-Fried, currently in the Bahamas, continues to make erratic and misleading public statements. Mr. Bankman-Fried, whose connections and financial holdings in the Bahamas remain unclear to me, recently stated to a reporter on Twitter: “F*** regulators they make everything worse” and suggested the next step for him was to “win a jurisdictional battle vs. Delaware”. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Date: November 17, 2022 John J. Ray III CEO Continue reading here

'Mr Bankman-Fried is not employed (by FTX) and does not speak for them', says new CEO John Ray 

'Mr Bankman-Friend no está empleado (por FTX) y no habla por ellos', dice el nuevo CEO John Ray

"M. Bankman-Friend n'est pas employé (par FTX) et ne parle pas pour eux", déclare le nouveau PDG John Ray

नए सीईओ जॉन रे कहते हैं, 'मिस्टर बैंकमैन-फ्रेंड (FTX द्वारा) कार्यरत नहीं हैं और उनके लिए बात नहीं करते हैं'

「Bankman-Friend 氏は (FTX によって) 雇用されておらず、彼らの代弁者ではありません」と、新しい CEO の John Ray 氏は述べています。

'O Sr. Bankman-Friend não é empregado (pela FTX) e não fala por eles', diz o novo CEO John Ray

'Ông Bankman-Friend không được tuyển dụng (bởi FTX) và không nói thay cho họ', CEO mới John Ray nói

新任首席执行官约翰·雷 (John Ray) 表示，“Bankman-Friend 先生未受雇于 FTX，也不代表他们发言”

Vue is a reactive language, meaning when the data changes, we can automatically have that represent itself in the HTML. To help us with this, we can use to watch for a change in data, and then do something to the HTML, or send a message to the user about it. watchers in vue This works fine for simple datasets, but if we start to have data which is deeper than one level, it becomes harder to watch it properly for changes. Watching for Nested Data Changes in Vue To understand a little about this issue, we need to understand how watchers work in Vue. Vue only watches for For example, below, we watch for changes in , and those changes: shallow changes count console.log <script>
export default {
    data() {
        return {
            count: 1
        }
    },
    watch: {
        count(data) {
            console.log(data);
        }
    }
}
</script>

<template>
    <h1>{{ count }}</h1>
    <button @click="++this.count">
        Click Me
    </button>
</template> Every time the user clicks on the button, we , and our watcher watches for any changes in . It then logs the data, so we can see the new count value. That means . ++this.count count console any time the button is clicked, the value of count is shown on the console log However, means Vue only checks for changes in that properties value. If we have data more than one level deep, Vue will not check for updates. For example, updating below will not trigger our watcher for , since Vue simply doesn't check for any changes deeper than : shallow changes count.number count count data() {
    return {
        count: {
            number: 1,
            type: 'number'
        }
    },
    watch: {
        // This doesn't get triggered when count.number!
        count(data) {
            console.log(data);
        }
    }
} Instead, we need to mention specifically which element is changing. We can continue to watch for changes in above by changing our watcher to watch for : count.number count.number data() {
    return {
        count: {
            number: 1,
            type: 'number'
        }
    },
    watch: {
        // This gets triggered when count.number changes!
        "count.number" : function(data) {
            console.log(data);
        }
    }
} Using the above method, we can easily check for changes in properties within properties, so that we can fire the appropriate watchers, but it can get messy. If we want to simply watch for any changes, we need to use the property. count deep Using the deep property The deep property can be added to any watcher, and it forces Vue to watch for any change within a specific data property. This means we have to write our a little differently: watcher data() {
    return {
        count: {
            number: 1,
            type: 'number'
        }
    },
    watch: {
        count: {
            handler(data) {
                console.log(data);
            },
            deep: true
        }
    }
} Now whenever any property within changes, the watcher will fire. When we this time, the entire object will be console logged, i.e. . count count console.log(data) count { number: 1, type: 'number' } This is a lot easier than targeting specific properties within properties, but it is costly. Since Vue has to go through each property every time, this can cause serious performance issues for very large objects. As such, only use this if you have a known object of small size. For other situations, stick to targeting specific properties, like . count.number Originally published here.

Nested Changes in Vue: How to Watch Out for them

[Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash .] Leaders have to think digital, embrace design thinking, and read every day to keep up. One the greatest challenges for leaders today is keeping up with the constantly changing business landscape. In this post, I flag the trends that professionals in every field will have to adjust to, and how to do it. Leaders have to think digital, embrace design thinking, and read every day to keep up. BY FAISAL HOQUE The modern economy — local, domestic, and global — operates in a state of accelerating change, driven by increasing and changing competition. This is due in part to easier market entry created by advances in technology and communications infrastructure, restructuring of product sourcing arrangements, the growing availability and changing costs of global labor pools, the continuous restructuring of capital markets, and the emergence of new economic powers. One of the greatest challenges that businesses leaders face is the ability to quickly respond to this constantly accelerating change and to act as the catalyst of organizational adaptation. Whether you’re in a leadership role, focused on innovation, running your own business, or all of the above, here are six traits and trends that will impact your work today and for years to come: 1. READING A LOT WILL KEEP YOU OPEN TO CHANGE Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and Warren Buffett all put ample time on their iPads and/or with physical books and publications, and you should, too. Reading can force our minds to attract, retain, and cultivate new knowledge and skills. Success can quickly inflate egos and cause isolation of leadership, but reading can help break down those walls. Leaders who read can get into continuous learning loops that allow them be more empathetic and collaborative, rather than commanding and controlling. 2. REMOVE ‘END POINTS’ AROUND INNOVATION When was the last time your cable company introduced a groundbreaking, innovative product? Or your electric company rolled out a pioneering new service? The answer is probably “never,” and that’s because competition spawns innovation. In the absence of a competitor knocking on customers’ doors, trying to sell them a newer, better, and more efficient product, the drive to innovate dwindles. Innovation includes everything — how you take your product to market, how you serve your customer, and how you come up with effective pricing. All of these activities go well beyond the very narrow “cocktail napkin” approach to innovation. By adopting this mindset, companies can become more competitive, customer-friendly, and profitable. The latter is a particularly important point in industries where thin margins and higher levels of competition are challenging firms to find more innovative ways to generate revenues. 3. THINK, ACT, AND DO DIGITAL Technological transformations will continue to reshape the way the business world is organized. As information becomes more plentiful and less centralized, more organizations are likely to decentralize, too, in order to respond swiftly to it all. As I wrote in a recent , we are being inundated by a new wave of challenges and opportunities as the planet becomes increasingly connected. article Today technologies have wildly different fates: Anything that can be digitized will be Anything that can go wireless will Anything that can get smaller will Information will move more freely Digital transformation can be defined as a process whereby an organization shifts their business models, processes, and organizational culture with digital technologies to adapt to changing customer behaviors. 4. APPLY AI AND MACHINE LEARNING Nebulous and complicated by nature, AI and the movements it fuels all require a highly specialized skill set. For it to work, people must connect the dots between AI and how it can be effectively applied in the private or public sector. That’s not always easy to do — and the very notion of it may be scary to some who think that the day when machines “take over” isn’t that far off — but the positive results are already evident. As AI and machine learning continue to evolve and mature, it’s time for every company to start experimenting with the many ways these technologies can help organizations work smarter, better, and faster. 5. EMBRACE DESIGN THINKING Contrary to the popular belief that design thinking is only used for a new product or service, existing business processes greatly benefit from design thinking. They usually need to be reinvented the most. Although there are many models and frameworks available for applying design thinking, let’s establish some basic concepts: — Do extensive cross-industry market research, both qualitative and quantitative, to understand current and changing customer behavior. Research — Define the problem that needs solving. Define — Consider many options from many perspectives, disciplines, and sources. Design thinking requires multiple iterations of idea generation before picking the ultimate winning idea. Ideate — Develop rapid prototypes to gather feedback from stakeholders. Once the final solution is refined and approved, an execution plan is then produced to move forward. Execute Design thinking is not just about creativity, as complex problem solving requires a collaborative approach incorporating all parts of an organization — from internal resources, to partners, and customers. 6. REMEMBER, EMPATHY ALWAYS PAYS DIVIDENDS For communication to get through on all sides, we have to be clear about what we want from each other. As a leader, I try especially hard to remain approachable and keep an open dialogue flowing. It’s difficult to keep everyone motivated, asking questions, and sharing their concerns when a lot is changing. But getting it right just means doubling down on the type of empathy leaders love to talk about under much steadier conditions. This means not just clearly articulating our message but also listening actively — without bias or judgment and with a real willingness to consider different perspectives. It’s about trading messages respectfully and accurately, not just them. delivering Leaders may feel their job is to reassure their teams — to talk more than they’re used to. But I’ve found listening to be even more important. When I’m actively listening, I’ll hear genuine concerns and clear a space for talking level-headedly about how to cope with them together. . Original Article @BusinessInsider Serial entrepreneur Faisal Hoque is the founder of Shadoka , which enables aspirations to lead, innovate, and transform with its accelerators and solutions. He is the author of “ Everything Connects: How to Transform and Lead in the Age of Creativity, Innovation, and Sustainability ” (McGraw-Hill) and other books.Copyright © 2018 by Faisal Hoque. All rights reserved. Follow him on Twitter @faisal_hoque .

The 6 Trends That Will Shape Your Business In The Future — And How To Prepare For Them

When I worked at Trilogy, one of my fellow managers seemed to have a brutal case of absenteeism. He was never at his desk. Even more concerning, when I did see him he seemed to be doing random things — talking to one person, going for coffee with another, or maybe just standing around and looking at people. Yet his teams performed excellently. I wondered if luck bestowed him with a pack of A-players, enabling him get by doing nothing as a manager. I thought he was hopeless, but then I discovered something powerful: he spent all his time helping people. Those ostensibly random activities were his way of unblocking his team and paving their way to success. I changed my own behaviour. I started to work for my team and carried that practice throughout my career. Whether I manage five (as I did at first) or 300 (as I did at Xtreme Labs), I help people do their jobs. I volunteer for the unpopular jobs. When my people are blocked, I work as hard as I can to unblock them. To an outsider, it might look like I’m doing nothing. But the value accruing to the company is tremendous. There are four main reasons: Your people need a threshold level of responsibility to get creative Your people need missions and authority to reach peak productivity You are in the best position to unblock people This is how your people learn — and how you learn 1) Your people need a threshold level of responsibility to get creative “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.” — Kurt Vonnegut In order for someone to do her best work, she needs to feel and understand the problem. She’ll never grow wings if she’s never forced to fly. The conflict and struggle of fixing one’s own problems is the key to creativity. This is why people should work for themselves and ask for help from managers when they need it. This is the opposite of what most people think (people work for managers and ask for help from below when they need it). As a manager, your job is to unblock people by getting your hands dirty, showing them who to ask for help, or asking for help a level up — from your own manager. This way, the company benefits by having far more people working on creative solutions to problems. Command-and-control works for organizations like the army, but not for knowledge workers. You need each of your people to spread their wings. 2) Your people need missions and authority to reach peak productivity “You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” — Toni Morrison Your people have to shed their chains to do good work. A typical manager might give her subordinate a task and micromanage until it . I prefer to ask my people to build something that . looks like they want solves the pain For example, I asked one of our Helpful product designers, Novia, to help solve a pain: some users want to use the app but they won’t use their phones. The mission was to build web functionality for everything in our app. Her output looked nothing like I expected, but it was fantastic. Roger Martin calls this the “Choice Cascade” — choices cascade down the org chart and fall to the people that actually do the work. Missions alone, however, are not enough. Your people need to have the authority to accomplish their missions. Even if you think the output should look different, they need to be able to say “no.” Saying “no” is a skill, and like all other skills, it has to be nurtured. I encourage and reward people who defend their points of view. For example, I gave Shawn, another Helpful product designer, a specific feature suggestions. When I didn’t see it in the app, I repeated it five more times. Eventually, I asked, “Why isn’t that in the product?” He replied, “I know you’ve told me many times, but I don’t agree with you.” He has the final say. I am just one voice. 3) You are in the best position to unblock people “In most cases you will have more context than I will about a [technical] decision, but come to me when you’re blocked and I’ll unblock you. That’s my job.” As a manager, you understand who knows what, who’s done what, and who owns what. By virtue of that alone, you know how to get help for your people. At Xtreme, I spent a lot of my time learning about people. This way, I could help people quickly. My team called me “air traffic control.” My task as air traffic control was to unblock people (making sure there were no crashes), but not micromanaging (how to fly the plane). 4) This is how your people learn — and how you learn “You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over.” — Richard Branson As a manager, your job is not to prevent people from making mistakes. Don’t worry about mistakes. In reality, there are extremely few catastrophic mistakes that people can make. Your job is to set a tone that making mistakes is okay — as long as people learn from them. Make your own mistakes. Bring a mindset of learning to everything. Explicitly call it out: “I thought that X was right, but turns out I was wrong and Y is better.” I learned that you have to be explicitly and emphatically advertise your own mistakes. At Pivotal, I once called someone by the wrong name and a colleague said, “Woah, you make mistakes!” I was floored, ”Do you think I never make mistakes?” My mistake was to not showcase my mistakes. This helps people get rid of their fear — again unleashing autonomy and creativity. Two Cautions 1. You can very sparingly say “no” Success for a manager sometimes requires saying “no.” Some of your creative people will sometimes create output that just won’t jive (with other departments, with the company vision, or with other team members). Your duty to the company may require you to put a bullet in such projects. Do it quickly and without remorse. As a manager, you have to be decisive — your team will appreciate it. Just use your bullets wisely — saying “no” should never become a habit. For example, I will not budge in my stance pair programming. I believe so strongly in the benefits of pairing that I simply will not allow engineers to code alone. I often say that, if you don’t like pair programming, you don’t have to work at Helpful. 2. Don’t create a leaning monolith When you have large numbers of people all working to advance their mission, you increase the risk of colossal failure. They might build a huge monolith only to have it fail in an unexpected way. To mitigate this risk, be agile (ship, test, iterate). At Helpful, everyone (not just our engineers) demos every Friday. This means nobody can work on something for more than a few days without another person seeing their output. Friday demos also force people to think in terms of short-term output. It’s okay to demo something that’s broken, as long as it’s moving in the right direction each week. Be hard on the process, not the people. Another way to avoid creating a monolith is to time box activities. For example, one of our Helpers wanted to create a new analytics report. I know that analytics can take a lot of time, so I said, “Sure, but don’t spend more than one day on it.” This forced him to hone in on the few most valuable metrics, create a lightweight report, and move on. Your org chart is upside-down. Flip it. Conclusion:

Your team doesn’t work for you. You work for them.

By Nenad Zaric, Co-founder and CEO at Trickest Every industry generates massive amounts of data, which is now being used for better decision-making — tech giants understand this. For example, streaming powerhouse Netflix implements data analytics to study viewers’ visual preferences and adjusts content thumbnails to similar content its users have liked to increase viewership. The rise of AI is further influencing this trend, helping companies make sense of their datasets to uncover weaknesses and predict outcomes. However, these advancements are no longer exclusive to engineers, managers, and IT teams who grapple with data daily. This information is increasingly climbing the ladder and knocking on executive’s doors. In fact, one of today’s most pressing challenges for executives is data privacy concerns and cybersecurity. It has never been more important to make key decisions toward better data governance, and data skills are necessary to understand the specific risks and demands a company faces. So, reading reports an engineer crafted with dedicated software programs is no longer enough. A concerning report revealed that only half of C-suite executives were confident in their data literacy, and 45% made decisions based on their gut feeling instead of data-backed facts. Modern executives must have data skills to understand the flow of valuable data in their company and know how to make it work for them, not the other way around. From crucial decision-making to infusing data culture and enabling democratization, positive company changes stemming from data analysis must start at the top. Spot pain points in minutes, not days When a company decides to change directions, these choices begin at the executive level and trickle down to managers and workers — nothing new there. But, while an exceptional leader has always been crucial in driving change, it’s how they do it that is shifting. C-suite directors are in charge of crafting better strategy, financial performance, risk management, and corporate governance, and data is becoming increasingly connected to all of these activities. Imagine you’re meeting with the Head of Sales to discuss the sudden performance drop of a fan-favorite item in your online store. You can’t seem to connect the dots from the sales report you’ve received, and it becomes a hurdle to decode the issue. One skill that can help executives and department heads easily uncover patterns for weak performance is data visualization. Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Looker Studio are some of the most prominent data visualization tools. They are easily accessible from popular corporate programs (Salesforce, Office 365, and Google Studio) and help analyze massive amounts of data in visually appealing ways. While you don’t need to be a data scientist to use them, setting up and building charts requires certain data skills and tech acumen, or at least prior training. Whether from a data science and visualization course at Harvard, or self-taught online classes, a few hours and hands-on practice will be time well spent to hone your data visualization skills. With this newfound talent, you can aid and guide department leaders to the answers to their performance questions. In this case, you would pivot to the online sales data in the company database using visualization to track downtime and realize the fan-favorite item’s link has been down, leading to that drop in sales. Expertise in data visualization tools allows executives to stay ahead of the curve in every business vertical by quickly analyzing pain points and understanding what their verticals need. This leads to improved strategies and more accurate decision-making at a fraction of the time it takes to crunch vital datasets. KYC: Know Your Cybersecurity While data management isn’t an executive’s role in itself, knowing its ins and outs allows them to understand the company's successes and areas for improvement. When data increasingly plays a vital role in a business, ensuring that it is being properly managed and secured can save leaders major headaches in the future. Does your company practice master data management? Does it have an outdated data lake that’s slowing down processes? How is sensitive data access managed? These are governance questions investors, stakeholders, and partners might ask, and you must be ready to understand and navigate these concepts. Moreover, adopting good cybersecurity practices starts at the top — especially when 63% of security professionals say users with access to critical business data are their biggest data risk. Knowing the basics of cybersecurity and current trends not only allows top-level roles to mitigate risks from their end but also helps them foresee their IT teams’ needs, like allocating a budget for better endpoint security and enforcing staff training. Beyond courses and academic work, data governance and cybersecurity at a C-suite level are more easily learned through conversations with experts. You can resort to networking and approaching other industry leaders and even your own staff to gauge these concepts and what they mean for your company. As a result, instead of wrestling to understand the demands of security professionals, data-savvy executives will know when needs are pressing or if they can wait, making wiser and more objective business choices alongside their team leaders. Make data work for you — not the other way around There was a time when data was only one of many business assets, something you generate but store for audits or other compliance purposes. Those days are gone, especially as we move toward data-driven solutions that thrive primarily on how a company can implement data for other use cases. Data is no longer a stagnant asset — it can make you money if you derive the right value from it. Knowing the value of your data is only possible if you’re well-informed about it and know its potential. Executives with data skills will be able to take the lead and inject their data into better risk management strategies, extract customer data to improve marketing, and further implement it into AI tools to speed up business processes. Grasping these concepts also impacts the way you communicate with stakeholders. Expressing the importance of data security, governance, and even democratization for your company must come across as more than numbers and graphs — they wish to know the real value of these practices. By clearly explaining the importance of safeguarding data and placing it front and center of your operations, stakeholders will be on the same page about business decisions. Simply put, skipping the data-related courses will do nothing for future executives. In fact, nowadays, being able to run a successful company is directly linked to your data knowledge. So, prioritize these skills if you don’t have them, and make sure to pitch them as a worthwhile talent when climbing the ladder; they will be key to your success. By Nenad Zaric , Co-founder and CEO at Trickest Nenad Zaric Nenad Zaric Trickest Trickest Every industry generates massive amounts of data, which is now being used for better decision-making — tech giants understand this. For example, streaming powerhouse Netflix implements data analytics to study viewers’ visual preferences and adjusts content thumbnails to similar content its users have liked to increase viewership. Netflix Netflix The rise of AI is further influencing this trend, helping companies make sense of their datasets to uncover weaknesses and predict outcomes. However, these advancements are no longer exclusive to engineers, managers, and IT teams who grapple with data daily. This information is increasingly climbing the ladder and knocking on executive’s doors. In fact, one of today’s most pressing challenges for executives is data privacy concerns and cybersecurity . data privacy concerns and cybersecurity data privacy concerns and cybersecurity It has never been more important to make key decisions toward better data governance, and data skills are necessary to understand the specific risks and demands a company faces. So, reading reports an engineer crafted with dedicated software programs is no longer enough. A concerning report revealed that only half of C-suite executives were confident in their data literacy, and 45% made decisions based on their gut feeling instead of data-backed facts. only half of C-suite executives only half of C-suite executives Modern executives must have data skills to understand the flow of valuable data in their company and know how to make it work for them, not the other way around. From crucial decision-making to infusing data culture and enabling democratization, positive company changes stemming from data analysis must start at the top. Spot pain points in minutes, not days When a company decides to change directions, these choices begin at the executive level and trickle down to managers and workers — nothing new there. But, while an exceptional leader has always been crucial in driving change, it’s how they do it that is shifting. C-suite directors are in charge of crafting better strategy, financial performance, risk management, and corporate governance, and data is becoming increasingly connected to all of these activities. Imagine you’re meeting with the Head of Sales to discuss the sudden performance drop of a fan-favorite item in your online store. You can’t seem to connect the dots from the sales report you’ve received, and it becomes a hurdle to decode the issue. One skill that can help executives and department heads easily uncover patterns for weak performance is data visualization. Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Looker Studio are some of the most prominent data visualization tools. They are easily accessible from popular corporate programs (Salesforce, Office 365, and Google Studio) and help analyze massive amounts of data in visually appealing ways. While you don’t need to be a data scientist to use them, setting up and building charts requires certain data skills and tech acumen, or at least prior training. Whether from a data science and visualization course at Harvard, or self-taught online classes, a few hours and hands-on practice will be time well spent to hone your data visualization skills. With this newfound talent, you can aid and guide department leaders to the answers to their performance questions. In this case, you would pivot to the online sales data in the company database using visualization to track downtime and realize the fan-favorite item’s link has been down, leading to that drop in sales. Expertise in data visualization tools allows executives to stay ahead of the curve in every business vertical by quickly analyzing pain points and understanding what their verticals need. This leads to improved strategies and more accurate decision-making at a fraction of the time it takes to crunch vital datasets. KYC: Know Your Cybersecurity While data management isn’t an executive’s role in itself, knowing its ins and outs allows them to understand the company's successes and areas for improvement. When data increasingly plays a vital role in a business, ensuring that it is being properly managed and secured can save leaders major headaches in the future. Does your company practice master data management ? Does it have an outdated data lake that’s slowing down processes? How is sensitive data access managed? These are governance questions investors, stakeholders, and partners might ask, and you must be ready to understand and navigate these concepts. master data management master data management Moreover, adopting good cybersecurity practices starts at the top — especially when 63% of security professionals say users with access to critical business data are their biggest data risk. Knowing the basics of cybersecurity and current trends not only allows top-level roles to mitigate risks from their end but also helps them foresee their IT teams’ needs, like allocating a budget for better endpoint security and enforcing staff training. 63% 63% Beyond courses and academic work, data governance and cybersecurity at a C-suite level are more easily learned through conversations with experts. You can resort to networking and approaching other industry leaders and even your own staff to gauge these concepts and what they mean for your company. As a result, instead of wrestling to understand the demands of security professionals, data-savvy executives will know when needs are pressing or if they can wait, making wiser and more objective business choices alongside their team leaders. Make data work for you — not the other way around There was a time when data was only one of many business assets, something you generate but store for audits or other compliance purposes. Those days are gone, especially as we move toward data-driven solutions that thrive primarily on how a company can implement data for other use cases. Data is no longer a stagnant asset — it can make you money if you derive the right value from it. Knowing the value of your data is only possible if you’re well-informed about it and know its potential. Executives with data skills will be able to take the lead and inject their data into better risk management strategies, extract customer data to improve marketing, and further implement it into AI tools to speed up business processes. value of your data value of your data AI tools AI tools Grasping these concepts also impacts the way you communicate with stakeholders. Expressing the importance of data security, governance, and even democratization for your company must come across as more than numbers and graphs — they wish to know the real value of these practices. By clearly explaining the importance of safeguarding data and placing it front and center of your operations, stakeholders will be on the same page about business decisions. Simply put, skipping the data-related courses will do nothing for future executives. In fact, nowadays, being able to run a successful company is directly linked to your data knowledge. So, prioritize these skills if you don’t have them, and make sure to pitch them as a worthwhile talent when climbing the ladder; they will be key to your success.

Why C-Suite Executives Won’t Cut it Without Data Skills Anymore

কেন C-Suite এক্সিকিউটিভরা ডেটা দক্ষতা ছাড়া এটিকে আর কাটবে না

Warum Führungskräfte auf oberster Führungsebene ohne Datenkenntnisse nicht mehr weiterkommen

Por qué los ejecutivos de C-Suite ya no lo lograrán sin habilidades de datos

Pourquoi les cadres supérieurs ne réussiront plus sans compétences en données

सी-सूट के अधिकारी अब डेटा कौशल के बिना काम क्यों नहीं कर पाएंगे

経営幹部がデータスキルなしでは役に立たない理由

최고 경영진이 더 이상 데이터 기술 없이는 성공하지 못하는 이유

Por que os executivos C-Suite não vão mais trabalhar sem habilidades em dados

Почему руководители высшего звена больше не справятся без навыков работы с данными

Üst Düzey Yöneticiler Neden Artık Veri Becerileri Olmadan İşini Kesmiyor?

Tại sao các nhà điều hành C-Suite sẽ không làm việc nếu không có kỹ năng dữ liệu nữa

为什么高管们不再需要具备数据技能

Video is everywhere. From repurposed image sensors in bird feeders to the seamless integration of connected doorbells, the addition of video to everyday devices is fundamentally reshaping surveillance. As a result, video is no longer a primary feature but rather a secondary attribute that permeates the Internet of Things (IoT). The implications of this transformation are profound, urging the security industry to adapt to a landscape where surveillance cameras are distributed across devices with various functions. In turn, this shift ushers in a new era of consumer demands, driving product revamps and evolving opportunities within the market. Of course, with more cameras in the modern home and office, safely navigating this trend requires careful consideration. Let’s consider the path ahead for security professionals with five key insights into the IoT video revolution. The Evolution of Surveillance We’ve come a long way from CCTV. In the early days of surveillance, fixed cameras were singular analog tools. Advancements led to the creation of digital multiplexing, which brought about motion recorders and time-lapse capabilities. Fast forward and the market continued to innovate. Today, surveillance encompasses everything from Internet Protocol (IP) cameras to cloud-based storage, remote alerts, and smart interconnectivity. This story isn’t static and the advent of video-enabled IoT is the next chapter. Thanks to the upcycling of video sensors from older mobile phones, surveillance increasingly comes in all shapes and sizes. This opens up a world of possibilities for surveillance, automation, and connectivity that promises to redefine the years to come. Beyond Cameras Smart doorbells, pet cameras, baby monitors: surveillance devices are no longer just cameras. Inversely, regular devices now count surveillance features. And the market is more diverse and lucrative as a result. This first product – the smart doorbell – is an example of this in action. Part surveillance and part convenience, this product does far more than alert occupants to the arrival of visitors. It monitors the front yard, enables two-way communication, and adds a layer of home security. Ten years after entering the market, smart doorbells are worth more than $3B. By the end of the decade, the segment is expected to grow 17% per year to a valuation of $11B. The expansion of surveillance into devices represents an expansion of market opportunities for security companies. In 2026, for example, the global surveillance market is estimated to grow to $54B, more than double the size of 2019. Therefore, this is a lucrative opportunity for those willing to pivot. To do so successfully, however, demands a keen focus on research and development (R&D) and versatile skills. A Fusion of Skills Technically, there are important considerations in offering video-enabled devices. This is because incorporating video into devices goes far beyond simply adding a camera. Rather, it necessitates the development of an all-in-one system that not only captures image streams but also processes the data on-board. Companies in this space quickly realize that crafting such devices requires specialized components. For instance, real-time operating systems may struggle to efficiently process and transmit video data, often necessitating a shift to a high-end operating system like Linux. Yet, this transition can introduce energy considerations, especially for battery-powered devices. Further, video encoding and compression is no mean feat. Given that video significantly multiplies data volumes, developers must also incorporate chipset add-ons to encrypt the imagery for secure transmission. In essence, creating video-capable devices is a formidable task, rife with software, hardware, and development challenges. In addition to these hurdles, companies will also need to develop companion apps and platforms that facilitate user-device interaction while prioritizing data transmission, security, and privacy. This introduces complexity on top of complexity. These obstacles underscore the need for companies developing devices in this direction to possess versatile skills (and plenty of patience). The Vendor's Dilemma Therefore, security companies must consider if this evolution is right for them. Of course, not every operator will find it necessary or feasible to develop video-enabled devices. Leaders must carefully evaluate the relevance of this shift within the context of their existing product lines. This evaluation process involves consideration of specific use cases and the flexibility to adapt as needed. Incorporating video into devices shouldn’t be a hasty response to passing trends. Rather, it should align with a well-founded business and technological strategy. It’s also crucial to recognize that “device vision” doesn’t invariably translate to the inclusion of traditional cameras. Alternative technologies such as Lidar sensors, which determine distances using laser targeting and measuring the return times of reflected light, offer viable options. These sensors can be more cost-effective and less invasive for certain use cases. Ultimately, the sector must remain adaptable and discerning when addressing the market’s ever-evolving demands. Security in Flux Finally, we must address the cybersecurity elephant in the room. If cameras are in everything, and those devices connect to the internet, the reality is that hackers have a larger attack surface to exploit. And, a particularly sensitive attack surface at that. Unfortunately, hackers can and will target companies that don’t adequately protect themselves or their customers. This happened earlier in the year when this surveillance camera manufacturer recalled almost 5M cameras with easy-to-guess passwords. Security companies venturing into connected video devices face a dual responsibility. First, they must achieve robust user authentication. This is possible by employing solutions like public key infrastructure (PKI) for cryptographic key-based security. This method works to strengthen resistance against brute force attacks and eliminate the vulnerability of shared secrets in the event of a breach. Additionally, secure data transfer is vital. Peer-to-peer connections that eschew intermediary servers in favor of end-to-end encrypted transmission best achieve this. Not only does this connection type enhance cybersecurity, but it also offers cost savings by avoiding cloud service fees based on file size, an important detail when handling high-quality video. The IoT video revolution is transforming surveillance and security, offering new growth opportunities As video sensors become integral to an array of devices, executives must weigh the benefits carefully. This expansion requires a fusion of hardware and software skills, robust cybersecurity, and considerable R&D. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial to meet evolving market demands. It’s a significant shift, but one that must be approached cautiously to ensure both success and safety. Video is everywhere. From repurposed image sensors in bird feeders to the seamless integration of connected doorbells, the addition of video to everyday devices is fundamentally reshaping surveillance. As a result, video is no longer a primary feature but rather a secondary attribute that permeates the Internet of Things (IoT). The implications of this transformation are profound, urging the security industry to adapt to a landscape where surveillance cameras are distributed across devices with various functions. In turn, this shift ushers in a new era of consumer demands, driving product revamps and evolving opportunities within the market. Of course, with more cameras in the modern home and office, safely navigating this trend requires careful consideration. Let’s consider the path ahead for security professionals with five key insights into the IoT video revolution. The Evolution of Surveillance We’ve come a long way from CCTV. In the early days of surveillance, fixed cameras were singular analog tools. Advancements led to the creation of digital multiplexing, which brought about motion recorders and time-lapse capabilities. Fast forward and the market continued to innovate. Today, surveillance encompasses everything from Internet Protocol (IP) cameras to cloud-based storage, remote alerts, and smart interconnectivity. This story isn’t static and the advent of video-enabled IoT is the next chapter. Thanks to the upcycling of video sensors from older mobile phones, surveillance increasingly comes in all shapes and sizes. This opens up a world of possibilities for surveillance, automation, and connectivity that promises to redefine the years to come. Beyond Cameras Smart doorbells, pet cameras, baby monitors: surveillance devices are no longer just cameras. Inversely, regular devices now count surveillance features. And the market is more diverse and lucrative as a result. This first product – the smart doorbell – is an example of this in action. Part surveillance and part convenience, this product does far more than alert occupants to the arrival of visitors. It monitors the front yard, enables two-way communication, and adds a layer of home security. Ten years after entering the market, smart doorbells are worth more than $3B. By the end of the decade, the segment is expected to grow 17% per year to a valuation of $11B. worth worth The expansion of surveillance into devices represents an expansion of market opportunities for security companies. In 2026, for example, the global surveillance market is estimated to grow to $54B, more than double the size of 2019. Therefore, this is a lucrative opportunity for those willing to pivot. To do so successfully, however, demands a keen focus on research and development (R&D) and versatile skills. estimated estimated A Fusion of Skills Technically, there are important considerations in offering video-enabled devices. This is because incorporating video into devices goes far beyond simply adding a camera. Rather, it necessitates the development of an all-in-one system that not only captures image streams but also processes the data on-board. Companies in this space quickly realize that crafting such devices requires specialized components. For instance, real-time operating systems may struggle to efficiently process and transmit video data, often necessitating a shift to a high-end operating system like Linux. Yet, this transition can introduce energy considerations, especially for battery-powered devices. Further, video encoding and compression is no mean feat. Given that video significantly multiplies data volumes, developers must also incorporate chipset add-ons to encrypt the imagery for secure transmission. In essence, creating video-capable devices is a formidable task, rife with software, hardware, and development challenges. In addition to these hurdles, companies will also need to develop companion apps and platforms that facilitate user-device interaction while prioritizing data transmission, security, and privacy. This introduces complexity on top of complexity. These obstacles underscore the need for companies developing devices in this direction to possess versatile skills (and plenty of patience). The Vendor's Dilemma Therefore, security companies must consider if this evolution is right for them. Of course, not every operator will find it necessary or feasible to develop video-enabled devices. Leaders must carefully evaluate the relevance of this shift within the context of their existing product lines. This evaluation process involves consideration of specific use cases and the flexibility to adapt as needed. Incorporating video into devices shouldn’t be a hasty response to passing trends. Rather, it should align with a well-founded business and technological strategy. It’s also crucial to recognize that “device vision” doesn’t invariably translate to the inclusion of traditional cameras. Alternative technologies such as Lidar sensors, which determine distances using laser targeting and measuring the return times of reflected light, offer viable options. These sensors can be more cost-effective and less invasive for certain use cases. Ultimately, the sector must remain adaptable and discerning when addressing the market’s ever-evolving demands. Security in Flux Finally, we must address the cybersecurity elephant in the room. If cameras are in everything, and those devices connect to the internet, the reality is that hackers have a larger attack surface to exploit. And, a particularly sensitive attack surface at that. Unfortunately, hackers can and will target companies that don’t adequately protect themselves or their customers. This happened earlier in the year when this surveillance camera manufacturer recalled almost 5M cameras with easy-to-guess passwords. this surveillance camera manufacturer this surveillance camera manufacturer Security companies venturing into connected video devices face a dual responsibility. First, they must achieve robust user authentication. This is possible by employing solutions like public key infrastructure (PKI) for cryptographic key-based security. This method works to strengthen resistance against brute force attacks and eliminate the vulnerability of shared secrets in the event of a breach. Additionally, secure data transfer is vital. Peer-to-peer connections that eschew intermediary servers in favor of end-to-end encrypted transmission best achieve this. Not only does this connection type enhance cybersecurity, but it also offers cost savings by avoiding cloud service fees based on file size, an important detail when handling high-quality video. The IoT video revolution is transforming surveillance and security, offering new growth opportunities As video sensors become integral to an array of devices, executives must weigh the benefits carefully. This expansion requires a fusion of hardware and software skills, robust cybersecurity, and considerable R&D. Flexibility and adaptability are crucial to meet evolving market demands. It’s a significant shift, but one that must be approached cautiously to ensure both success and safety.

What The IoT Video Revolution Means For Security

Imagine the ability to understand your pet. Wouldn’t it be helpful to understand our pet’s needs and what they want when they approach us and look at us inquisitively? Wouldn’t it be great to have a smart system to help us manage our pet’s feeding schedule, litter box, and daily walks – all designed to enhance pet care, provide peace of mind for pet owners, and improve the overall well-being of our pets? There’s no better time than the present to explore the technologies we have available to us today and see what existing systems can help us in this regard. There are automatic feeders, self-cleaning litter boxes, and all sorts of alarms and reminders that help us remember when to walk our pets. Some devices can even be controlled via smartphone apps. Smart pet collars can now come with GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and health tracking features. Interactive toys, like the iFetch or Petcube Bites, are designed to keep pets entertained and mentally stimulated. These toys can dispense treats, be controlled remotely, and have various play modes. Smart pet doors can be programmed to allow only certain pets in and out, keep out unwanted animals, and can also be controlled via a smartphone app. AI pet temperature control systems can help maintain a comfortable temperature for pets in outdoor shelters or indoor spaces, providing owners with one less thing to worry about. Some believe that while there are benefits to AI and technology helping to manage our pets, there are also dangers that need to be addressed. According to a recent article by author Sydney Page in the Washington Post, “Although many new pet products show promise for improving health, safety and quality of life, AI is fraught with possible dangers. Beyond privacy and ethical concerns, experts caution advanced technologies could splinter the cherished bond between humans and animals.” In other words, some people worry that relying too much on technology for pet care can lead to reduced human interaction and attention, which are essential for a pet's emotional and social well-being. This is a real concern and should not be readily dismissed. Concerns over privacy and data security, as briefly mentioned by Page, are also serious. Many pet technologies, such as smart collars and pet cameras, collect and transmit data, raising concerns about how this data is used, stored, and protected. Regarding automatic food and water dispensers and litter boxes, there is always the risk that these and other smart devices could malfunction, potentially leading to missed feeding, unclean environments, or inaccurate health monitoring. Many pet technologies require a stable power source and internet connectivity. Power outages or connectivity issues could render these devices useless. Obviously, any type of malfunction would be unhealthy and even potentially dangerous for our pets. However, AI, in general, could, in fact, help us with remote monitoring as two-way communication allows owners to check on their pets and interact with them. AI also has the ability to analyze behavior to alert owners of any unusual activities. With AI data, our pet’s veterinarian could automatically and remotely diagnose any existing issues. As AI technology progresses, it will be easier to track the health of our pets, care for them while we are away, and by helping us better understand our pets, help us enhance our relationship with them. Imagine the ability to understand your pet. Wouldn’t it be helpful to understand our pet’s needs and what they want when they approach us and look at us inquisitively? Wouldn’t it be great to have a smart system to help us manage our pet’s feeding schedule, litter box, and daily walks – all designed to enhance pet care, provide peace of mind for pet owners, and improve the overall well-being of our pets? There’s no better time than the present to explore the technologies we have available to us today and see what existing systems can help us in this regard. There are automatic feeders, self-cleaning litter boxes, and all sorts of alarms and reminders that help us remember when to walk our pets. Some devices can even be controlled via smartphone apps. Smart pet collars can now come with GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and health tracking features. Interactive toys, like the iFetch or Petcube Bites , are designed to keep pets entertained and mentally stimulated. These toys can dispense treats, be controlled remotely, and have various play modes. iFetch Petcube Bites Smart pet doors can be programmed to allow only certain pets in and out, keep out unwanted animals, and can also be controlled via a smartphone app. AI pet temperature control systems can help maintain a comfortable temperature for pets in outdoor shelters or indoor spaces, providing owners with one less thing to worry about. Some believe that while there are benefits to AI and technology helping to manage our pets, there are also dangers that need to be addressed. Some believe According to a recent article by author Sydney Page in the Washington Post , “Although many new pet products show promise for improving health, safety and quality of life, AI is fraught with possible dangers. Beyond privacy and ethical concerns , experts caution advanced technologies could splinter the cherished bond between humans and animals.” Washington Post privacy and ethical concerns In other words, some people worry that relying too much on technology for pet care can lead to reduced human interaction and attention, which are essential for a pet's emotional and social well-being. This is a real concern and should not be readily dismissed. Concerns over privacy and data security, as briefly mentioned by Page, are also serious. Many pet technologies , such as smart collars and pet cameras, collect and transmit data, raising concerns about how this data is used, stored, and protected. Many pet technologies Regarding automatic food and water dispensers and litter boxes, there is always the risk that these and other smart devices could malfunction, potentially leading to missed feeding, unclean environments, or inaccurate health monitoring. Many pet technologies require a stable power source and internet connectivity. Power outages or connectivity issues could render these devices useless. Obviously, any type of malfunction would be unhealthy and even potentially dangerous for our pets. However, AI, in general, could, in fact, help us with remote monitoring as two-way communication allows owners to check on their pets and interact with them. AI also has the ability to analyze behavior to alert owners of any unusual activities. With AI data, our pet’s veterinarian could automatically and remotely diagnose any existing issues. As AI technology progresses, it will be easier to track the health of our pets, care for them while we are away, and by helping us better understand our pets, help us enhance our relationship with them.

Could AI Help Or Harm Our Pets? 

Facebook. Where do I even begin with this colossal junkyard of a platform? It's like someone took the concept of social networking and doused it in a vat of incompetence. Let's talk about how Facebook has managed to mess up beyond all common sense. Firstly, their idea of content moderation seems to be more about randomly throwing darts at a board than actually using any sort of coherent logic. Legitimate posts in perfectly innocuous groups are being whisked away into the digital ether while spam proliferates like a disease. Seriously, how does a post about genuine advice or a thoughtful discussion get flagged and removed, but the umpteenth spammy post for shady sunglasses or miracle weight loss pills in totally irrelevant groups get a free pass? It's like Facebook has an algorithm that's not just broken but actively malicious. Facebook cares more about profit margins than the user experience. Instead of fostering a community where people can share meaningful ideas and connect on a genuine level, they've turned it into a virtual junkyard where the loudest, most obnoxious, spammy advertisers and paid-to-post parasites reign supreme. What happened to valuing quality over quantity? Now, it's all about how many eyeballs they can shove in front of spammy URL posts or advertisements, regardless of whether those eyeballs are seeing something worthwhile or utter garbage. It's a race to the bottom where meaningful content is drowned out by an endless barrage of clickbait. And let's not forget the privacy nightmares. Facebook has more tentacles in your personal life than an overbearing mother-in-law. They track your every move, every click, every like, and probably your wet dreams if they could. Remember when Facebook was caught red-handed with plans to sell user data and received support from Facebook’s most senior executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg? Yeah, that happened, and somehow, we're all still here, feeding the beast with our personal information. According to approximately 4,000 pages of leaked internal documents obtained by NBC News, Zuckerberg allegedly supervised strategies aimed at centralizing the social network's influence and stifling competitors by using user data as leverage. This occurred despite public assurances from the company about protecting user data. The documents primarily cover the years 2011 to 2015. Facebook’s (Meta) latest spam joke Case in point: I joined a Facebook group dedicated to blogging and guest posting. Perfect, right? Wrong. I posted a meticulously crafted message with a URL, offering insightful tips on how to craft a perfect guest post. What did Facebook do? They promptly removed my post, citing some obscure community guideline violation. Meanwhile, the same group was inundated with spam posts about irrelevant topics, worthless websites, and other scammers, hawked by individuals paid to spread digital garbage like confetti at a clown convention. Facebook has lost its way. Digital Nonsense It's crystal clear that Facebook has lost its way. They seem more interested in padding their profits than ensuring a quality user experience. Maybe they're scrimping on competent programmers because their algorithms can't tell the difference between genuine content and spammy trash. There are better options out there, folks. Platforms that actually give a damn about quality and fairness. They know how to handle spam: swiftly and decisively, with bans and suspensions flying like justice from a vigilant sheriff. Meanwhile, Facebook twiddles its thumbs, letting the spammers run amok like unruly toddlers in a toy store. It's time for a change It's time for a change. Governments should consider banning this digital travesty of a platform. We deserve better. We deserve platforms that respect our time, our data, and our intelligence. Facebook had its chance. It's time to let it fade into irrelevance, like the distant memory of a regrettable haircut or Myspace. Facebook could have been a force for good - Instead, it’s a spam-loving machine The saddest part is that Facebook could have been a force for good. It could have been a platform where people from all walks of life could come together, share ideas, and foster genuine connections. Instead, it's a bloated, soulless husk of what it could have been—a place where spam rules and meaningful interaction is a rare gem buried under layers of digital detritus. Facebook is a joke Facebook is a joke—a sad, outdated relic in the age of superior social media alternatives. Let's move on, shall we? There's a whole world of digital connectivity out there, waiting for us to embrace platforms that actually value what matters. Facebook's love affair with scammers Facebook's love affair with scammers is a textbook example of corporate greed overshadowing ethical responsibility. They don't just turn a blind eye to scammers; they roll out the red carpet for them. It's like they have a special VIP section reserved for shady operators peddling everything from fake diplomas, get-rich-quick schemes, dodgy products and digital services. It's like they're saying, "Scam away, folks! Just make sure the ad revenue keeps flowing." They rake in cash hand over fist while unsuspecting users fall victim to schemes that would make even the most seasoned con artist blush. Facebook doesn't care. And the best part? Facebook doesn't care. They're too busy counting their ill-gotten gains to bother with pesky details like vetting advertisers or ensuring the legitimacy of promoted services. Who cares if someone's promoting a Ponzi scheme or selling snake oil disguised as miracle cures? Certainly not Facebook, as long as those sweet advertising dollars keep pouring in. Facebook's revenue - Willful ignorance Let's face it: a substantial chunk of Facebook's revenue likely comes from scammers. I mean, do they even bother to check? The obvious answer is no. It's the digital equivalent of renting out billboard space to a carnival barker without asking what's under the tent. They're complicit, whether through negligence or willful ignorance. So, while the rest of us navigate the internet with caution, Facebook gleefully lines its pockets with ad click money earned from the misfortune of others. It's a disgrace, a betrayal of trust, and a stark reminder that when it comes to ethics, Facebook is MIA. Facebook's laissez-faire attitude towards scammy and spammy advertisers is not just irresponsible—it's reprehensible. They owe their users better. They owe the digital community better. It’s time our governments finally put a stop to this mayhem. Hence why I have decided to start my own movement, a reporting agency that finds, responds to and reports every scam we come across. Then, provide a database every month to my national government that reflects the reported scams Meta refuses to remove after being reported. A visionary will emerge - Sooner than you think! Someday, a visionary will emerge—someone smarter, bolder, and more ethical than Zuckerberg and his cohort of profit-driven enablers. This visionary will revolutionize social media, leaving Facebook (or Meta, as they now call it) in the dust. (Watch this space) Picture this: a platform where authenticity reigns supreme. Only real people, genuine advertisers, and vetted content are allowed. No more scams, no more clickbait, no more shady dealings. It's a place where integrity is not just a buzzword but a guiding principle. This new social media titan will prioritize user safety and privacy above all else. Children will be protected, personal data will be guarded like a treasure, and transparency will be the cornerstone of every interaction. Imagine a digital space where users can connect, share, and thrive without fear of exploitation or deception. And yes, this platform will make money. But unlike Facebook, its success won't come at the expense of its users' trust. It will be a fair exchange where value is delivered without compromising principles. Advertising will be relevant and respectful, enhancing the user experience rather than detracting from it.  It’s coming, believe me. Maybe sooner than you think. Meta, beware. The winds of change are blowing, and it's only a matter of time until you become the next Myspace—a relic of a bygone era. The future belongs to those who innovate with integrity and prioritize the well-being of their community. So, brace yourself because the revolution is coming, and when it arrives, the world will finally have a social media platform worthy of its users. So, Facebook, if you're listening (which you probably are because, let's face it, you're always listening), get your act together. Clean up your act. Start valuing quality content and user experience over your bottom line driven by spam and scams. Stop treating us like commodities to be sold to the highest bidder. Until then, I'll be over here, trying to salvage what's left of my faith in social media. And maybe, just maybe, hoping for a platform that actually gives a damn about its legitimate users instead of spammers and scammers. It's time they cleaned up their act and started prioritizing integrity over profit, and governments start handing out major penalties Until then, caveat emptor: let the buyer beware, especially when it comes to anything Facebook promotes on its junkyard of depict, spam and filth. Facebook. Where do I even begin with this colossal junkyard of a platform? It's like someone took the concept of social networking and doused it in a vat of incompetence. Let's talk about how Facebook has managed to mess up beyond all common sense. Firstly, their idea of content moderation seems to be more about randomly throwing darts at a board than actually using any sort of coherent logic. Legitimate posts in perfectly innocuous groups are being whisked away into the digital ether while spam proliferates like a disease. Seriously, how does a post about genuine advice or a thoughtful discussion get flagged and removed, but the umpteenth spammy post for shady sunglasses or miracle weight loss pills in totally irrelevant groups get a free pass? It's like Facebook has an algorithm that's not just broken but actively malicious. Facebook cares more about profit margins than the user experience. Instead of fostering a community where people can share meaningful ideas and connect on a genuine level, they've turned it into a virtual junkyard where the loudest, most obnoxious, spammy advertisers and paid-to-post parasites reign supreme. What happened to valuing quality over quantity? Now, it's all about how many eyeballs they can shove in front of spammy URL posts or advertisements, regardless of whether those eyeballs are seeing something worthwhile or utter garbage. It's a race to the bottom where meaningful content is drowned out by an endless barrage of clickbait. And let's not forget the privacy nightmares. Facebook has more tentacles in your personal life than an overbearing mother-in-law. They track your every move, every click, every like, and probably your wet dreams if they could. Remember when Facebook was caught red-handed with plans to sell user data and received support from Facebook’s most senior executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg? Yeah, that happened, and somehow, we're all still here, feeding the beast with our personal information. plans to sell user data According to approximately 4,000 pages of leaked internal documents obtained by NBC News, Zuckerberg allegedly supervised strategies aimed at centralizing the social network's influence and stifling competitors by using user data as leverage. This occurred despite public assurances from the company about protecting user data. The documents primarily cover the years 2011 to 2015. Facebook’s (Meta) latest spam joke Case in point: I joined a Facebook group dedicated to blogging and guest posting. Perfect, right? Wrong. I posted a meticulously crafted message with a URL, offering insightful tips on how to craft a perfect guest post . guest post What did Facebook do? What did Facebook do? They promptly removed my post, citing some obscure community guideline violation. Meanwhile, the same group was inundated with spam posts about irrelevant topics, worthless websites, and other scammers , hawked by individuals paid to spread digital garbage like confetti at a clown convention. spam posts other scammers Facebook has lost its way. Digital Nonsense It's crystal clear that Facebook has lost its way. They seem more interested in padding their profits than ensuring a quality user experience. Maybe they're scrimping on competent programmers because their algorithms can't tell the difference between genuine content and spammy trash. There are better options out there, folks. Platforms that actually give a damn about quality and fairness. They know how to handle spam: swiftly and decisively, with bans and suspensions flying like justice from a vigilant sheriff. Meanwhile, Facebook twiddles its thumbs, letting the spammers run amok like unruly toddlers in a toy store. It's time for a change It's time for a change. Governments should consider banning this digital travesty of a platform. We deserve better. We deserve platforms that respect our time, our data, and our intelligence. Facebook had its chance. It's time to let it fade into irrelevance, like the distant memory of a regrettable haircut or Myspace. Facebook could have been a force for good - Instead, it’s a spam-loving machine Facebook could have been a force for good - Instead, it’s a spam-loving machine The saddest part is that Facebook could have been a force for good. It could have been a platform where people from all walks of life could come together, share ideas, and foster genuine connections. Instead, it's a bloated, soulless husk of what it could have been—a place where spam rules and meaningful interaction is a rare gem buried under layers of digital detritus. Facebook Facebook is a joke Facebook is a joke—a sad, outdated relic in the age of superior social media alternatives. Let's move on, shall we? There's a whole world of digital connectivity out there, waiting for us to embrace platforms that actually value what matters. Facebook's love affair with scammers Facebook's love affair with scammers is a textbook example of corporate greed overshadowing ethical responsibility. They don't just turn a blind eye to scammers; they roll out the red carpet for them. It's like they have a special VIP section reserved for shady operators peddling everything from fake diplomas, get-rich-quick schemes, dodgy products and digital services. love affair with scammers shady operators fake It's like they're saying, "Scam away, folks! Just make sure the ad revenue keeps flowing." They rake in cash hand over fist while unsuspecting users fall victim to schemes that would make even the most seasoned con artist blush. Facebook doesn't care. And the best part? Facebook doesn't care. They're too busy counting their ill-gotten gains to bother with pesky details like vetting advertisers or ensuring the legitimacy of promoted services. Who cares if someone's promoting a Ponzi scheme or selling snake oil disguised as miracle cures? Certainly not Facebook, as long as those sweet advertising dollars keep pouring in. Facebook's revenue - Willful ignorance Let's face it: a substantial chunk of Facebook's revenue likely comes from scammers. I mean, do they even bother to check? The obvious answer is no. It's the digital equivalent of renting out billboard space to a carnival barker without asking what's under the tent. They're complicit, whether through negligence or willful ignorance. So, while the rest of us navigate the internet with caution, Facebook gleefully lines its pockets with ad click money earned from the misfortune of others. It's a disgrace, a betrayal of trust, and a stark reminder that when it comes to ethics, Facebook is MIA. Facebook's laissez-faire attitude towards scammy and spammy advertisers is not just irresponsible—it's reprehensible. They owe their users better. They owe the digital community better. It’s time our governments finally put a stop to this mayhem. Hence why I have decided to start my own movement, a reporting agency that finds, responds to and reports every scam we come across. Then, provide a database every month to my national government that reflects the reported scams Meta refuses to remove after being reported. the reported scams A visionary will emerge - Sooner than you think! Someday, a visionary will emerge—someone smarter, bolder, and more ethical than Zuckerberg and his cohort of profit-driven enablers. This visionary will revolutionize social media, leaving Facebook (or Meta, as they now call it) in the dust. (Watch this space) Picture this: a platform where authenticity reigns supreme. Only real people, genuine advertisers, and vetted content are allowed. No more scams, no more clickbait, no more shady dealings. It's a place where integrity is not just a buzzword but a guiding principle. authenticity content This new social media titan will prioritize user safety and privacy above all else. Children will be protected, personal data will be guarded like a treasure, and transparency will be the cornerstone of every interaction. Imagine a digital space where users can connect, share, and thrive without fear of exploitation or deception. And yes, this platform will make money. But unlike Facebook, its success won't come at the expense of its users' trust. It will be a fair exchange where value is delivered without compromising principles. Advertising will be relevant and respectful, enhancing the user experience rather than detracting from it.  It’s coming, believe me. Maybe sooner than you think. Meta, beware. The winds of change are blowing, and it's only a matter of time until you become the next Myspace—a relic of a bygone era. The future belongs to those who innovate with integrity and prioritize the well-being of their community. So, brace yourself because the revolution is coming, and when it arrives, the world will finally have a social media platform worthy of its users. So, Facebook, if you're listening (which you probably are because, let's face it, you're always listening), get your act together. Clean up your act. Start valuing quality content and user experience over your bottom line driven by spam and scams. Stop treating us like commodities to be sold to the highest bidder. Until then, I'll be over here, trying to salvage what's left of my faith in social media. And maybe, just maybe, hoping for a platform that actually gives a damn about its legitimate users instead of spammers and scammers. It's time they cleaned up their act and started prioritizing integrity over profit, and governments start handing out major penalties Until then, caveat emptor: let the buyer beware, especially when it comes to anything Facebook promotes on its junkyard of depict, spam and filth.

Facebook Has Managed To Mess Up Beyond All Common Sense. A Social Media Nightmare 

The Most Detailed Guide On MLOps: Part 2

There is a common belief that you have to have a partner to launch a business. However, recent insights challenge this idea, showing that solo entrepreneurs can be equally, if not more, successful than teams of founders. Nowadays, there are over 305 solo founder-led unicorns, including notable companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. And this number is constantly growing The rise of solopreneurship Paul Graham, co-founder of the influential startup accelerator Y Combinator, once wrote, "The low points in a startup are so low that few could bear them alone." This sentiment underscores a long-held belief in venture capital circles: backing teams is safer than supporting solo entrepreneurs. This is a typical view of venture capitalists. Historically, they have favored teams over individual founders, viewing it as a less risky investment. The reason is straightforward: a single founder can easily become overwhelmed and burn out, potentially leading to the startup's failure. In contrast, having partners allows for shared responsibilities and mutual support, mitigating these risks. Simply put, two heads are better than one; combined skills, expertise, and networks offer a significant advantage. However, this perspective is evolving. A 2016 TechCrunch analysis of CrunchBase data revealed that solo founders are just as successful in building businesses, raising funds, and achieving exits as their team-led counterparts. In fact, more than half of startups with an exit were led by a single founder. Today, there are over 305 solo founder-led unicorns. In fact, some of the well-known companies in the world like Amazon, Dell, eBay, Tumblr were set up by one person. Further research from New York University (NYU) and the Wharton School confirms that single-founder companies often outperform those with multiple founders over time. Solo founders can make decisions faster, pivot more swiftly, and adjust strategies without the need for consensus—an agility that is crucial in a startup's early stages. Conflicts among partners are another significant factor driving the solo founder trend. Studies show that disagreements are responsible for the failure of 65 percent of high-potential startups. Solopreneurs avoid this risk, retaining complete control over their business’s vision and strategy. As I see it, technological advancements have further fueled this shift toward solo entrepreneurship. Today, no-code platforms and advancements in AI have made it possible for solo founders to build products and manage technical aspects without needing a co-founder with a tech background. AI-driven tools now significantly enhance software development efficiency, with one report predicting a tenfold increase in developer productivity by 2030. Solo, but not alone Truth be told, most successful "solo" founders are not truly alone. Research shows that while they might not have partners with equity and voting rights, they benefit from co-creators—employees, organizational alliances, investors, and board members. These collaborators provide expertise and second opinions, minimizing potential mistakes. For first-time founders, however, finding such support can be daunting. From my experience, they often lack the connections and hiring expertise to bring in skilled people. Additionally, without a strong technical background, they may struggle to guide developers, identify necessary specialists, and assess potential employees' expertise. In my opinion, venture studios offer a compelling compromise between starting alone and with partners. This is a relatively new type of venture entity that acts as a co-builder of a business. Ben Yoskovitz, in "The Many Flavors of Venture Studios," provides a useful test to define a venture studio: "If you build startups but don’t fund them, you’re more akin to a dev shop; if you fund startups but don’t build them, you’re an investor. A venture studio is a combination of the two." As of July 2023, there were over 800 venture studios worldwide. They are gaining momentum thanks to advantages compared to traditional venture capital firms (VCs), accelerators, and incubators. Unlike VCs, which typically invest in existing startups, venture studios actively initiate and build companies from the ground up, often acting as co-creators. While accelerators provide short-term programs, venture studios engage with startups over an extended period, offering comprehensive support from ideation to scaling. They provide a more hands-on, resource-rich environment compared to incubators, nurturing startups with dedicated teams and shared resources throughout their development journey. Venture studios as an alternative But how exactly can a solopreneur benefit from a venture studio? Here are key takes: Access to resources Venture studios provide essential capital, reducing the financial strain on solo founders. They support startups from idea to exit with substantial investments, often exceeding millions of dollars. This financial backing helps develop stable late-stage companies and ensures that an experienced team supports the founder's vision. This mitigates the risk of being rejected by investors due to the lack of co-founders. Enhanced skill set Venture studios bring a diverse set of skills that complement the founder’s expertise, filling gaps in areas like marketing, finance, product development, legal issues, and administration. Additionally, they assist with hiring the right talent, ensuring the business builds a strong team from the outset. Expertise and network Venture studio teams are often composed of seasoned entrepreneurs. Therefore, they can provide mentorship and guidance to first-time founders. They can also offer access to a broad network of industry experts, investors, mentors, and corporate partners. These connections open doors to funding, partnerships, customers, and resources that are typically hard to access for solo entrepreneurs. Risk mitigation The collaborative nature of venture studios means that risks are shared, reducing the burden on solo founders. Professional risk assessment and strategic planning increase the likelihood of success and help avoid common pitfalls. Accelerated growth Venture studios streamline the startup process, reducing the time required to reach key milestones. According to recent research, studio startups reach seed rounds twice as quickly as conventional startups (1.49 years vs. 3.03 years). Moreover, it takes only five years for them to be acquired, which is 33 percent faster than non-studio startups. They also require a third less time to go public. In conclusion, the landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting towards solopreneurship, challenging traditional notions that success necessitates a team of founders. Insights from industry leaders, research analyses, and technological advancements all contribute to this growing trend. While solo founders may lack conventional partners, they often benefit from collaborative networks and can leverage resources like venture studios to mitigate risks and accelerate growth. These entities represent a promising compromise between solo and partnership models, providing founders with essential capital, a diverse skill set, mentorship, and shared risk. There is a common belief that you have to have a partner to launch a business. However, recent insights challenge this idea, showing that solo entrepreneurs can be equally, if not more, successful than teams of founders. Nowadays, there are over 305 solo founder-led unicorns, including notable companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. And this number is constantly growing There is a common belief that you have to have a partner to launch a business. However, recent insights challenge this idea, showing that solo entrepreneurs can be equally, if not more, successful than teams of founders. Nowadays, there are over 305 solo founder-led unicorns, including notable companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. And this number is constantly growing The rise of solopreneurship The rise of solopreneurship Paul Graham, co-founder of the influential startup accelerator Y Combinator, once wrote , "The low points in a startup are so low that few could bear them alone." This sentiment underscores a long-held belief in venture capital circles: backing teams is safer than supporting solo entrepreneurs. wrote wrote This is a typical view of venture capitalists. Historically, they have favored teams over individual founders, viewing it as a less risky investment. The reason is straightforward: a single founder can easily become overwhelmed and burn out, potentially leading to the startup's failure. In contrast, having partners allows for shared responsibilities and mutual support, mitigating these risks. Simply put, two heads are better than one; combined skills, expertise, and networks offer a significant advantage. However, this perspective is evolving. A 2016 TechCrunch analysis of CrunchBase data revealed that solo founders are just as successful in building businesses, raising funds, and achieving exits as their team-led counterparts. In fact, more than half of startups with an exit were led by a single founder. Today, there are over 305 solo founder-led unicorns. In fact, some of the well-known companies in the world like Amazon, Dell, eBay, Tumblr were set up by one person. CrunchBase CrunchBase over over Further research from New York University (NYU) and the Wharton School confirms that single-founder companies often outperform those with multiple founders over time. Solo founders can make decisions faster, pivot more swiftly, and adjust strategies without the need for consensus—an agility that is crucial in a startup's early stages. research research Conflicts among partners are another significant factor driving the solo founder trend. Studies show that disagreements are responsible for the failure of 65 percent of high-potential startups. Solopreneurs avoid this risk, retaining complete control over their business’s vision and strategy. As I see it, technological advancements have further fueled this shift toward solo entrepreneurship. Today, no-code platforms and advancements in AI have made it possible for solo founders to build products and manage technical aspects without needing a co-founder with a tech background. AI-driven tools now significantly enhance software development efficiency, with one report predicting a tenfold increase in developer productivity by 2030. Solo, but not alone Truth be told, most successful "solo" founders are not truly alone. Research shows that while they might not have partners with equity and voting rights, they benefit from co-creators—employees, organizational alliances, investors, and board members. These collaborators provide expertise and second opinions, minimizing potential mistakes. For first-time founders, however, finding such support can be daunting. From my experience, they often lack the connections and hiring expertise to bring in skilled people. Additionally, without a strong technical background, they may struggle to guide developers, identify necessary specialists, and assess potential employees' expertise. In my opinion, venture studios offer a compelling compromise between starting alone and with partners. This is a relatively new type of venture entity that acts as a co-builder of a business. Ben Yoskovitz, in "The Many Flavors of Venture Studios," provides a useful test to define a venture studio: "If you build startups but don’t fund them, you’re more akin to a dev shop; if you fund startups but don’t build them, you’re an investor. A venture studio is a combination of the two." As of July 2023, there were over 800 venture studios worldwide. They are gaining momentum thanks to advantages compared to traditional venture capital firms (VCs), accelerators, and incubators. Unlike VCs, which typically invest in existing startups, venture studios actively initiate and build companies from the ground up, often acting as co-creators. While accelerators provide short-term programs, venture studios engage with startups over an extended period, offering comprehensive support from ideation to scaling. They provide a more hands-on, resource-rich environment compared to incubators, nurturing startups with dedicated teams and shared resources throughout their development journey. there were there were Venture studios as an alternative But how exactly can a solopreneur benefit from a venture studio? Here are key takes: Access to resources Venture studios provide essential capital, reducing the financial strain on solo founders. They support startups from idea to exit with substantial investments, often exceeding millions of dollars. This financial backing helps develop stable late-stage companies and ensures that an experienced team supports the founder's vision. This mitigates the risk of being rejected by investors due to the lack of co-founders. Enhanced skill set Venture studios bring a diverse set of skills that complement the founder’s expertise, filling gaps in areas like marketing, finance, product development, legal issues, and administration. Additionally, they assist with hiring the right talent, ensuring the business builds a strong team from the outset. Expertise and network Venture studio teams are often composed of seasoned entrepreneurs. Therefore, they can provide mentorship and guidance to first-time founders. They can also offer access to a broad network of industry experts, investors, mentors, and corporate partners. These connections open doors to funding, partnerships, customers, and resources that are typically hard to access for solo entrepreneurs. Risk mitigation The collaborative nature of venture studios means that risks are shared, reducing the burden on solo founders. Professional risk assessment and strategic planning increase the likelihood of success and help avoid common pitfalls. Accelerated growth Venture studios streamline the startup process, reducing the time required to reach key milestones. According to recent research , studio startups reach seed rounds twice as quickly as conventional startups (1.49 years vs. 3.03 years). Moreover, it takes only five years for them to be acquired, which is 33 percent faster than non-studio startups. They also require a third less time to go public. research research In conclusion, the landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting towards solopreneurship, challenging traditional notions that success necessitates a team of founders. Insights from industry leaders, research analyses, and technological advancements all contribute to this growing trend. While solo founders may lack conventional partners, they often benefit from collaborative networks and can leverage resources like venture studios to mitigate risks and accelerate growth. These entities represent a promising compromise between solo and partnership models, providing founders with essential capital, a diverse skill set, mentorship, and shared risk.

Fly Solo: Why Founders Do Not Really Need Partners to Succeed

ISTJ is one of the 16 personality types according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. It’s one of the most common personality types, comprising 11 to 14% of the world’s population, and is about 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in men than women. Myers-Briggs framework distinguishes personality traits based on how a person perceives the world, performs in certain activities, and manages their life decisions. Four aspects that are taken into account: attention focus: extravert (E) / introvert (I);
information intake: senses (S) / intuition (N);
decision-making: thoughts (T) / feelings (F);
world approaching: judgment (J) / perceptiveness (P). ISTJ is the abbreviation for Introverted, Sensing, Thinking, and Judging, with the dominant function for Sensing. Generally, these people have a rational outlook, are practical, organized, and methodically purposeful in all life spheres, and lean toward reservation, quietness, and mindfulness. Characteristics of an ISTJ Personality Type Focused on the present moment and grounded, noticing and collecting information on what’s happening around them. Well-organized, value order and structure, and prefer to plan everything in advance and with great attention to detail. Operate with matter-of-fact and practical information and make reasonable decisions based on objective data. Have a logical approach and seek rational explanations for all the events in their lives. Enjoy clear guidelines rather than abstract scenarios and work steadily and efficiently to accomplish concrete tasks at hand. Loyal to themselves, respectful to others, and emphasizing traditions, laws, rules, and established procedures. Hardworking, responsible, and trustworthy and tending to keep their promises. Have internal values and are fair and honest to themselves and others. Direct and straightforward in verbal communication around rational questions while experiencing difficulties expressing their emotions. Independent and preferring to be on their own, but reliable and committed friends and partners when they have met the right people. Can be stubborn, find it hard to adjust to new circumstances, and can be too harsh on themselves when something goes wrong. Careers for ISTJ Personality Types People with an ISTJ personality type strongly focus on tasks, have developed analytical skills, delve into the smallest details, are responsible and materialistic, all about the practical value of information and its accurate application, and prefer working independently. Generally, the best fit for ISTJs is careers aligned with a logical approach and connected to facts and figures, extensive data analysis, planning, and reporting. It makes the IT sector a favorable sphere for their successful professional application. The roles can vary from data and information security analysis and computer network administration to engineering and software and web development. They also feel comfortable and confident in the fields that operate strictly by facts, rules, and norms and require a high level of responsibility, such as banking and accountancy, law, and medicine. Professionals in these domains are expected to be able to navigate through large volumes of data and interpret information accurately and reasonably. As for work environments, ISTJ personalities feel more comfortable in quiet and stable places with defined schedules and deadlines, clear assignments, well-regulated and performance-driven protocols, and a concrete set of duties and distinct areas of responsibility. ISTJs are likely to fail in professions that require creativity, active communication with people, or have a degree of uncertainty, spontaneousness, and the necessity of dynamic adjustments. These are creativity-related professions like design, art, or copywriting. Since ISTJs prefer to rely on the rational part of their brain rather than their imagination and emotions, these occupations will be naturally uncomfortable for them. Entrepreneurship is another unlikely match associated with high risk and uncertainty levels. It requires the readiness to accept challenges, instantly react to changes, and seek brand-new solutions, contrary to the ISTJ type. Introverted individuals will also feel stressed in sales and services as these professions involve active and constant communication with other people. How to Best Interact With ISTJ Colleagues Understanding and engaging with ISTJ individuals based on their four core personality traits is essential for effectively communicating with them. Introverted: Be respectful of their personal space. Introverts need time to feel comfortable around you and open up to you. Sooner of all, you won’t become close immediately. You should respect their wish for privacy and be as correct as possible, not overloading them with questions. Sensing: Try to express your thoughts accurately and factually, with no lyrics or excess emotions. Give preference to verbs and nouns and use adjectives to a lesser extent. And be prepared for multiple follow-up questions, as they will try to get as many details as possible. Thinking: Be direct and structured with your statements and messages. Try to explain thoughts logically and gradually. Judging: Be patient. This personality type is reliable and fair, but needs time to make a decision and won’t rush into it. They would rather follow the rule of measuring twice and cutting once. ISTJ personalities are fans of independent work tasks, and usually, they do not seek close communication with their co-workers. They can seem cold and closed because they are trying to protect their personal space. Ultimately, successful relationships in the workplace are based on shared interests or beliefs. ISTJs require a particular effort from your side to convince them of the worthiness of allocating their work time to external communication. ISTJ is one of the 16 personality types according to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator . It’s one of the most common personality types, comprising 11 to 14% of the world’s population, and is about 1.5 to 2 times more prevalent in men than women. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Myers-Briggs framework distinguishes personality traits based on how a person perceives the world, performs in certain activities, and manages their life decisions. Four aspects that are taken into account: attention focus: extravert (E) / introvert (I); information intake: senses (S) / intuition (N); decision-making: thoughts (T) / feelings (F); world approaching: judgment (J) / perceptiveness (P). attention focus: extravert (E) / introvert (I); information intake: senses (S) / intuition (N); decision-making: thoughts (T) / feelings (F); world approaching: judgment (J) / perceptiveness (P). ISTJ is the abbreviation for I ntroverted, S ensing, T hinking, and J udging, with the dominant function for Sensing. Generally, these people have a rational outlook, are practical, organized, and methodically purposeful in all life spheres, and lean toward reservation, quietness, and mindfulness. I S T J Characteristics of an ISTJ Personality Type Focused on the present moment and grounded, noticing and collecting information on what’s happening around them. Well-organized, value order and structure, and prefer to plan everything in advance and with great attention to detail. Operate with matter-of-fact and practical information and make reasonable decisions based on objective data. Have a logical approach and seek rational explanations for all the events in their lives. Enjoy clear guidelines rather than abstract scenarios and work steadily and efficiently to accomplish concrete tasks at hand. Loyal to themselves, respectful to others, and emphasizing traditions, laws, rules, and established procedures. Hardworking, responsible, and trustworthy and tending to keep their promises. Have internal values and are fair and honest to themselves and others. Direct and straightforward in verbal communication around rational questions while experiencing difficulties expressing their emotions. Independent and preferring to be on their own, but reliable and committed friends and partners when they have met the right people. Can be stubborn, find it hard to adjust to new circumstances, and can be too harsh on themselves when something goes wrong. Careers for ISTJ Personality Types People with an ISTJ personality type strongly focus on tasks, have developed analytical skills, delve into the smallest details, are responsible and materialistic, all about the practical value of information and its accurate application, and prefer working independently. Generally, the best fit for ISTJs is careers aligned with a logical approach and connected to facts and figures, extensive data analysis, planning, and reporting. It makes the IT sector a favorable sphere for their successful professional application. The roles can vary from data and information security analysis and computer network administration to engineering and software and web development. They also feel comfortable and confident in the fields that operate strictly by facts, rules, and norms and require a high level of responsibility, such as banking and accountancy, law, and medicine. Professionals in these domains are expected to be able to navigate through large volumes of data and interpret information accurately and reasonably. As for work environments, ISTJ personalities feel more comfortable in quiet and stable places with defined schedules and deadlines, clear assignments, well-regulated and performance-driven protocols, and a concrete set of duties and distinct areas of responsibility. ISTJs are likely to fail in professions that require creativity, active communication with people, or have a degree of uncertainty, spontaneousness, and the necessity of dynamic adjustments. These are creativity-related professions like design, art, or copywriting. Since ISTJs prefer to rely on the rational part of their brain rather than their imagination and emotions, these occupations will be naturally uncomfortable for them. Entrepreneurship is another unlikely match associated with high risk and uncertainty levels. It requires the readiness to accept challenges, instantly react to changes, and seek brand-new solutions, contrary to the ISTJ type. Introverted individuals will also feel stressed in sales and services as these professions involve active and constant communication with other people. How to Best Interact With ISTJ Colleagues Understanding and engaging with ISTJ individuals based on their four core personality traits is essential for effectively communicating with them. Introverted: Be respectful of their personal space. Introverts need time to feel comfortable around you and open up to you. Sooner of all, you won’t become close immediately. You should respect their wish for privacy and be as correct as possible, not overloading them with questions. Introverted: Sensing: Try to express your thoughts accurately and factually, with no lyrics or excess emotions. Give preference to verbs and nouns and use adjectives to a lesser extent. And be prepared for multiple follow-up questions, as they will try to get as many details as possible. Sensing: Thinking: Be direct and structured with your statements and messages. Try to explain thoughts logically and gradually. Thinking: Judging: Be patient. This personality type is reliable and fair, but needs time to make a decision and won’t rush into it. They would rather follow the rule of measuring twice and cutting once. Judging: ISTJ personalities are fans of independent work tasks, and usually, they do not seek close communication with their co-workers. They can seem cold and closed because they are trying to protect their personal space. Ultimately, successful relationships in the workplace are based on shared interests or beliefs. ISTJs require a particular effort from your side to convince them of the worthiness of allocating their work time to external communication.

What Is the ISTJ Personality Type, and Why Do They Favor IT Careers?

With the saturation of gamified mining apps on Telegram, every app now feels the same, following similar approaches to building a community. From a player's perspective, it is boring. Imagine having several games to play daily just to maintain streaks and earn rewards; which one will you prioritize, and which one will you abandon? Pioneers Usually Gain More Traffic Observing marketing tactics from popular Telegram-based mining games like Hamster Kombat, it's clear that subsequent apps started including more interesting quests. This contrasts with how it started with Notcoin, where players primarily had to follow partner accounts on X and join groups on Telegram. Hamster Kombat incorporated content marketing into their strategy with a strong educational component. Players watch videos on YouTube to find cryptic codes, which help them earn rewards by discovering in-game cards that are assumed to have actual use cases when the project launches its token. This ‘new’ strategy helped Hamster’s YouTube channel achieve record-breaking growth by gaining over 10 million subscribers in six days! This explains why ‘upcoming’ projects attempt to follow this similar strategy at the detriment of players’ interest. There will always be more downsides of doing the same thing everyone else is doing especially if you're not the first. Familiarity will ruin the creative intention. This fizzles out interest in the project seeing that nothing makes it stand out from others. Why do I have to join at least 10 telegram channels and X accounts (which may not be useful to me) because I want to secure a reward? How valuable is even that reward? Think Outside the Box It's time for projects to think outside the box. One of the beauties of Web3 marketing is the opportunity for creative experiments. If it doesn't work out, at least you've tried and learned something about your target audience's behavior. Most importantly, you can earn free PR for your project even if your strategy fails. Here are some things you could do differently: Rethink rewards – consider creating in-app rewards, such as cards, that have real-life use cases or can serve as a form of status in other games. This will foster better collaboration with similar projects aside from the follow-for-follow quests.


If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players.


With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. Create a different gaming environment other than ‘tapping' – let's face it, tapping is exhausting even with the invention of bots to assist with offline mining. An ‘exhausted player’ will not want to go through the route of spending time to tap the nth mining app especially if rewards seem uninteresting. Dare to be different by creating an exciting gaming environment that doesn't scream 'stress’ but interactive storytelling of the project. While diligent players should be rewarded more than others, the experience shouldn't be burdensome. Explore limitless partnerships – currently, most Telegram gaming apps tend to partner only within their circle, strictly with other Telegram gaming apps, rotating the same players. You could change this. Imagine collaborating with an on-chain game like Axie Infinity or Web2 games like Minecraft. This could bring fresh players and new dynamics to your app. You could have players earn rewards that can be used in any of these games just as explained above in rethinking rewards. Include creator's economy - You can create a framework that allows players to improve the game. This will increase participation, as players will not just use what you've created but also contribute their own input. Additionally, explore user-generated content to boost virality. By giving players the autonomy to create the best type of content with the game and rewarding them for it, you can significantly enhance engagement and reach. Also, bear in mind that whatever technology is created must be well-suited for Telegram's application and capable of scaling to accommodate a massive number of users. To Wrap Up Telegram games are doing the same thing in terms of marketing, making it difficult for them to stand out or appeal to new and existing players. If truly, we are serious about onboarding the next billion users into crypto through Telegram, it's necessary to adjust. To adjust, we should think outside the box by embracing more gamified techniques and removing borders in terms of partnerships. I help Web3 projects create and execute ideal GTM strategies and have assisted top-tier Web3 projects in crafting impeccable stories. Send an email to Web3.talez@gmail.com to get started. With the saturation of gamified mining apps on Telegram, every app now feels the same, following similar approaches to building a community. From a player's perspective, it is boring. Imagine having several games to play daily just to maintain streaks and earn rewards; which one will you prioritize, and which one will you abandon? Pioneers Usually Gain More Traffic Observing marketing tactics from popular Telegram-based mining games like Hamster Kombat, it's clear that subsequent apps started including more interesting quests. This contrasts with how it started with Notcoin, where players primarily had to follow partner accounts on X and join groups on Telegram. Hamster Kombat incorporated content marketing into their strategy with a strong educational component. Players watch videos on YouTube to find cryptic codes, which help them earn rewards by discovering in-game cards that are assumed to have actual use cases when the project launches its token. This ‘new’ strategy helped Hamster’s YouTube channel achieve record-breaking growth by gaining over 10 million subscribers in six days! This explains why ‘upcoming’ projects attempt to follow this similar strategy at the detriment of players’ interest. There will always be more downsides of doing the same thing everyone else is doing especially if you're not the first. Familiarity will ruin the creative intention. There will always be more downsides of doing the same thing everyone else is doing especially if you're not the first. Familiarity will ruin the creative intention. This fizzles out interest in the project seeing that nothing makes it stand out from others. Why do I have to join at least 10 telegram channels and X accounts (which may not be useful to me) because I want to secure a reward? How valuable is even that reward? Think Outside the Box It's time for projects to think outside the box. One of the beauties of Web3 marketing is the opportunity for creative experiments. If it doesn't work out, at least you've tried and learned something about your target audience's behavior. Most importantly, you can earn free PR for your project even if your strategy fails. Here are some things you could do differently: Rethink rewards – consider creating in-app rewards, such as cards, that have real-life use cases or can serve as a form of status in other games. This will foster better collaboration with similar projects aside from the follow-for-follow quests.


If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players.


With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. Rethink rewards – consider creating in-app rewards, such as cards, that have real-life use cases or can serve as a form of status in other games. This will foster better collaboration with similar projects aside from the follow-for-follow quests. If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players.


With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. Rethink rewards – consider creating in-app rewards, such as cards, that have real-life use cases or can serve as a form of status in other games. This will foster better collaboration with similar projects aside from the follow-for-follow quests. follow-for-follow If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players. With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players. If rewards are distinctly defined, you can reach a higher number of players. With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. With real-life use cases attached to rewards, you are able to cripple the mindset of players immediately selling off their tokens during launch. Create a different gaming environment other than ‘tapping' – let's face it, tapping is exhausting even with the invention of bots to assist with offline mining. An ‘exhausted player’ will not want to go through the route of spending time to tap the nth mining app especially if rewards seem uninteresting. Create a different gaming environment other than ‘tapping' – let's face it, tapping is exhausting even with the invention of bots to assist with offline mining. An ‘exhausted player’ will not want to go through the route of spending time to tap the nth mining app especially if rewards seem uninteresting. Dare to be different by creating an exciting gaming environment that doesn't scream 'stress’ but interactive storytelling of the project. While diligent players should be rewarded more than others, the experience shouldn't be burdensome. Explore limitless partnerships – currently, most Telegram gaming apps tend to partner only within their circle, strictly with other Telegram gaming apps, rotating the same players. Explore limitless partnerships – currently, most Telegram gaming apps tend to partner only within their circle, strictly with other Telegram gaming apps, rotating the same players. You could change this. Imagine collaborating with an on-chain game like Axie Infinity or Web2 games like Minecraft . Axie Infinity Minecraft This could bring fresh players and new dynamics to your app. You could have players earn rewards that can be used in any of these games just as explained above in rethinking rewards . rethinking rewards Include creator's economy - You can create a framework that allows players to improve the game. This will increase participation, as players will not just use what you've created but also contribute their own input. Include creator's economy - You can create a framework that allows players to improve the game. This will increase participation, as players will not just use what you've created but also contribute their own input. Additionally, explore user-generated content to boost virality. By giving players the autonomy to create the best type of content with the game and rewarding them for it, you can significantly enhance engagement and reach. Also, bear in mind that whatever technology is created must be well-suited for Telegram's application and capable of scaling to accommodate a massive number of users. To Wrap Up Telegram games are doing the same thing in terms of marketing, making it difficult for them to stand out or appeal to new and existing players. If truly, we are serious about onboarding the next billion users into crypto through Telegram, it's necessary to adjust. To adjust, we should think outside the box by embracing more gamified techniques and removing borders in terms of partnerships. I help Web3 projects create and execute ideal GTM strategies and have assisted top-tier Web3 projects in crafting impeccable stories. Send an email to Web3.talez@gmail.com to get started. I help Web3 projects create and execute ideal GTM strategies and have assisted top-tier Web3 projects in crafting impeccable stories. Send an email to Web3.talez@gmail.com to get started. Web3.talez@gmail.com

Telegram Games Have Boring Marketing Strategies 

Creating High-Performing CTA’s: The Ultimate Guide

By Tyler Young, CISO at BigID The countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics is on, and it’s crucial to defend the Olympic stage against cyber threats. Cyberattacks targeting the Olympics are not new, but their frequency and sophistication have increased over the years. For example, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, experienced a cyberattack resulting in a Wi-Fi outage malfunctioning internet protocol TVs, which resulted in the shutting down of the Winter Olympics website. This disruption prevented attendees from printing reserved tickets and attending the ceremony. Since 2018, these attack efforts have only grown. In fact, according to NTT, the total number of security events blocked during the Tokyo 2020 Games, including unauthorized communications to the official website, was 450 million. So, today, a strong plan is needed to ensure safety against the intersecting threats of advanced AI and increased cybersecurity risks. Anticipating Increased Attacks and Disinformation Campaigns at the Paris 2024 Olympics The cybercrime economy continues to grow and was reported to be the third largest economy in the world, behind only the U.S. and China. Additionally, large events like the Olympics have always been prime targets for cybersecurity attacks due to their large audience, complex infrastructure, and data-rich environment. We should expect ransomware gangs to continue to target organizations by exploiting rudimentary tactics (like phishing and unpatched systems). Franz Regul, CISO at the Paris 2024 Olympics, recently said he expects this year’s Summer Games in Paris to have eight to 12 times more security events than 2020. Since February of this year, security incidents have already disrupted the preparations for the Games. French media have reported on multiple separate incidents, including the theft of laptops that allegedly contained information about security matters related to the Olympics. Additionally, Russian propagandists created a disinformation campaign with AI deepfakes to flood social media with short videos raising alarms about possible terrorist attacks and stoking fears about safety. Embracing AI to Enhance Performance, Fairness, and Security AI has made it easier for people with limited hacking abilities to carry out cyber attacks, but industry experts know that AI can also be a valuable tool in defending against these attacks as well. The International Olympic Committee should take a cue from businesses and leverage AI to protect against cyber threats. According to “The 2024 Global Report on Generative AI: Breakthroughs & Barriers”, the security risk of data breaches or ransomware attacks is the top influence when adopting AI. If Olympic committees turn to AI, it's crucial for them to maintain control over the kind of data that these AI systems are trained on. As the age-old saying goes, “You can't protect what you don't know.” AI comes with its own set of risks and concerns, including sensitive data exposure. When language models are trained using data that contains sensitive or regulated information, it can result in unauthorized exposure, access, and breaches. It's essential to have robust data governance and controls in place to prevent such incidents. Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures Ahead of The Games The Olympic Committee needs to adhere to industry standards to maintain a strong data security posture. Proactively detecting and addressing data security vulnerabilities is essential. BigID’s 2024 State of Data Security Report highlights that 63% of CISOs prioritize proactive risk detection and remediation for data security, as only scanning data isn't sufficient. Deploying advanced cybersecurity measures in any business, much less the Olympics, requires a delicate balance. It's imperative that the Olympic Committee and host countries operate efficiently with zero disruptions. In order to effectively accomplish this, they need to adopt Secure by Default principles and be innovative with their solutions. Taking into consideration existing business processes and wrapping security technologies around them is extremely important. Secure by Default takes critical processes, systems, and solutions and bakes security measures natively into the operations. Another critical component of this evolving strategy is employee education and awareness. The human element often plays a significant role in data security. By ensuring that all employees, especially those interacting with AI systems, are well-versed in best practices for data management and aware of the potential risks, companies can create an additional layer of defense against data breaches. Training programs should be regularly updated to reflect new developments in AI technology and emerging security threats. Lastly, security leaders can leverage threat intelligence data—regardless of the industry—to deeply understand upcoming geopolitics and cyber-related chatter and how this may impact them. Cybercriminals and nation-state attackers begin to make moves by spinning up infrastructure, registering domains, and implementing government plans such as the five-year plans prior to launching an attack. All of this can be correlated and detected by leveraging the right amount of threat research and data. Ensuring Integrity and Safety at the Olympics Through Robust Cybersecurity By prioritizing these measures, the Olympic Committee aims to ensure a secure and forward-thinking Olympic experience. In light of AI's increasing influence, the Olympic Committee will likely allocate equal or greater resources for the 2024 Games to prevent attacks and enhance cybersecurity measures. But it’s necessary. This commitment not only upholds the Games' integrity but also safeguards participants, spectators, and global stakeholders from potential cyber threats, thereby creating a safe and innovative environment for all. While the laundry list of priorities for security leaders to keep their organizations safe varies and changes from organization to organization, it is crucial to foster open dialogue, innovation, and policy development. By embracing AI while staying informed and implementing robust security practices, security practitioners can harness its power and safeguard against emerging threats. By Tyler Young, CISO at BigID By Tyler Young, CISO at BigID The countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympics is on, and it’s crucial to defend the Olympic stage against cyber threats. Cyberattacks targeting the Olympics are not new, but their frequency and sophistication have increased over the years. For example, the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang , South Korea, experienced a cyberattack resulting in a Wi-Fi outage malfunctioning internet protocol TVs, which resulted in the shutting down of the Winter Olympics website. Pyeongchang Pyeongchang cyberattack cyberattack This disruption prevented attendees from printing reserved tickets and attending the ceremony. Since 2018, these attack efforts have only grown. In fact, according to NTT , the total number of security events blocked during the Tokyo 2020 Games, including unauthorized communications to the official website, was 450 million. NTT NTT So, today, a strong plan is needed to ensure safety against the intersecting threats of advanced AI and increased cybersecurity risks. Anticipating Increased Attacks and Disinformation Campaigns at the Paris 2024 Olympics Anticipating Increased Attacks and Disinformation Campaigns at the Paris 2024 Olympics The cybercrime economy continues to grow and was reported to be the third largest economy in the world, behind only the U.S. and China. Additionally, large events like the Olympics have always been prime targets for cybersecurity attacks due to their large audience, complex infrastructure, and data-rich environment. We should expect ransomware gangs to continue to target organizations by exploiting rudimentary tactics (like phishing and unpatched systems). Franz Regul, CISO at the Paris 2024 Olympics, recently said he expects this year’s Summer Games in Paris to have eight to 12 times more security events than 2020. eight to 12 times eight to 12 times Since February of this year, security incidents have already disrupted the preparations for the Games. French media have reported on multiple separate incidents, including the theft of laptops that allegedly contained information about security matters related to the Olympics. security incidents security incidents Additionally, Russian propagandists created a disinformation campaign with AI deepfakes to flood social media with short videos raising alarms about possible terrorist attacks and stoking fears about safety. AI deepfakes AI deepfakes Embracing AI to Enhance Performance, Fairness, and Security Embracing AI to Enhance Performance, Fairness, and Security AI has made it easier for people with limited hacking abilities to carry out cyber attacks, but industry experts know that AI can also be a valuable tool in defending against these attacks as well. The International Olympic Committee should take a cue from businesses and leverage AI to protect against cyber threats. According to “ The 2024 Global Report on Generative AI: Breakthroughs & Barriers ”, the security risk of data breaches or ransomware attacks is the top influence when adopting AI. The 2024 Global Report on Generative AI: Breakthroughs & Barriers The 2024 Global Report on Generative AI: Breakthroughs & Barriers If Olympic committees turn to AI, it's crucial for them to maintain control over the kind of data that these AI systems are trained on. As the age-old saying goes, “You can't protect what you don't know.” AI comes with its own set of risks and concerns, including sensitive data exposure. When language models are trained using data that contains sensitive or regulated information, it can result in unauthorized exposure, access, and breaches. It's essential to have robust data governance and controls in place to prevent such incidents. Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures Ahead of The Games Enhancing Cybersecurity Measures Ahead of The Games The Olympic Committee needs to adhere to industry standards to maintain a strong data security posture. Proactively detecting and addressing data security vulnerabilities is essential. BigID’s 2024 State of Data Security Report highlights that 63% of CISOs prioritize proactive risk detection and remediation for data security, as only scanning data isn't sufficient. 2024 State of Data Security Report 2024 State of Data Security Report Deploying advanced cybersecurity measures in any business, much less the Olympics, requires a delicate balance. It's imperative that the Olympic Committee and host countries operate efficiently with zero disruptions. In order to effectively accomplish this, they need to adopt Secure by Default principles and be innovative with their solutions. Taking into consideration existing business processes and wrapping security technologies around them is extremely important. Secure by Default takes critical processes, systems, and solutions and bakes security measures natively into the operations. Another critical component of this evolving strategy is employee education and awareness. The human element often plays a significant role in data security. By ensuring that all employees, especially those interacting with AI systems, are well-versed in best practices for data management and aware of the potential risks, companies can create an additional layer of defense against data breaches. Training programs should be regularly updated to reflect new developments in AI technology and emerging security threats. Lastly, security leaders can leverage threat intelligence data—regardless of the industry—to deeply understand upcoming geopolitics and cyber-related chatter and how this may impact them. Cybercriminals and nation-state attackers begin to make moves by spinning up infrastructure, registering domains, and implementing government plans such as the five-year plans prior to launching an attack. All of this can be correlated and detected by leveraging the right amount of threat research and data. Ensuring Integrity and Safety at the Olympics Through Robust Cybersecurity Ensuring Integrity and Safety at the Olympics Through Robust Cybersecurity By prioritizing these measures, the Olympic Committee aims to ensure a secure and forward-thinking Olympic experience. In light of AI's increasing influence, the Olympic Committee will likely allocate equal or greater resources for the 2024 Games to prevent attacks and enhance cybersecurity measures. But it’s necessary. This commitment not only upholds the Games' integrity but also safeguards participants, spectators, and global stakeholders from potential cyber threats, thereby creating a safe and innovative environment for all. While the laundry list of priorities for security leaders to keep their organizations safe varies and changes from organization to organization, it is crucial to foster open dialogue, innovation, and policy development. By embracing AI while staying informed and implementing robust security practices, security practitioners can harness its power and safeguard against emerging threats.

Securing the Paris Olympics: Balancing AI Innovations & Heightened Cyber Threats

Authors:
(1) Omri Avrahami, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem;
(2) Amir Hertz, Google Research;
(3) Yael Vinker, Google Research and Tel Aviv University;
(4) Moab Arar, Google Research and Tel Aviv University;
(5) Shlomi Fruchter, Google Research;
(6) Ohad Fried, Reichman University;
(7) Daniel Cohen-Or, Google Research and Tel Aviv University;
(8) Dani Lischinski, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Table of Links Abstract and Introduction
Related Work
Method
Experiments
Limitations and Conclusions
A. Additional Experiments
B. Implementation Details
C. Societal Impact
References A. Additional Experiments Below, we provide additional experiments that were omitted from the main paper. In Appendix A.1 we provide additional comparisons and results of our method, and demonstrate its non-deterministic nature in Appendix A.2. In Appendix A.3 we compare our method against two na¨ıve baselines. Appendix A.4 presents the results of our method using different feature extractors. Lastly, in Appendix A.6 we provide results that reduce the concerns of dataset memorization by our method. A.1. Additional Comparisons and Results In Figure 9 we provide a qualitative comparison on the automatically generated prompts, and in Figure 10 we provide an additional qualitative comparison. Concurrently to our work, the DALL·E 3 model [12] was commercially released as part of the paid ChatGPT Plus [53] subscription, enabling generating images in a conversational setting. We tried, using a conversation, to create a consistent character of a Plasticine cat, as demonstrated in Figure 11. As can be seen, the generated characters share only some of the characteristics (e.g., big eyes) but not all of them (e.g., colors, textures and shapes). In Figure 12 we provide a qualitative comparison of the ablated cases. In addition, as demonstrated in Figure 13, our approach is applicable to consistent generation of a wide range of subjects, without the requirement for them to necessarily depict human characters or creatures. Figure 14 shows additional results of our method, demonstrating a variety of character styles. Lastly, in Figure 15 we demonstrate the ability of creating a fully consistent “life story” of a character using our method. A.2. Non-determinism of Our Method In Figures 16 and 17 we demonstrate the non-deterministic nature of our method. Using the same text prompt, we run our method multiple times with different initial seeds, thereby generating a different set of images for the identity clustering stage (Section 3.1). Consequently, the most cohesive cluster ccohesive is different in each run, yielding different consistent identities. This behavior of our method is aligned with the one-to-many nature of our task — a single text prompt may correspond to many identities. A.3. Naıve Baselines As explained in Section 4.1, we compared our method against a version of TI [20] and LoRA DB [71] that were trained on a single image (with a single identity). Instead, we could generate a small set of five images for the given prompt (that are not guaranteed to be of the same identity), and use this small dataset for TI and LoRA DB baselines, referred to as TI multi and LoRA DB multi, respectively. As can be seen in Figures 18 and 19, these baselines fail to achieve satisfactory identity consistency. A.4. Additional Feature Extractors Instead of using DINOv2 [54] features for the identity clustering stage (Section 3.1), we also experimented with two alternative feature extractors: DINOv1 [14] and CLIP [61] image encoder. We quantitatively evaluate our method with each of these feature extractors in terms of identity consistency and prompt similarity, as explained in Section 4.1. As can be seen in Figure 20, DINOv1 produces higher identity consistency, while sacrificing prompt similarity, whereas CLIP achieves higher prompt similarity at the expense of identity consistency. Qualitatively, as demonstrated in Figure 21, we found the DINOv1 extractor to perform similarly to DINOv2, whereas CLIP produces results with a slightly lower identity consistency. A.5. Additional Clustering Visualization In Figure 22 we provide a visualization of the clustering algorithm described in Section 3.1. As can be seen, given the input text prompt “a purple astronaut, digital art, smooth, sharp focus, vector art”, in the first iteration (top three rows), our algorithm divides the generated image set into three clusters: (1) focusing on the astronaut’s head, (2) an astronaut with no face, and (3) a full body astronaut. In the second iteration (bottom three rows), all the clusters share the same identity, that was extracted in the first iteration, as described in Section 3.2, and our algorithm divides them into clusters by their pose. A.6. Dataset Non-Memorization Our method is able to produce consistent characters, which raises the question of whether these characters already exist in the training data of the generative model. We employed SDXL [57] as our text-to-image model, whose training dataset is, unfortunately, undisclosed in the paper [57]. Consequently, we relied on the most likely overlapping dataset, LAION-5B [73], which was also utilized by Stable Diffusion V2. To probe for dataset memorization, we found the top 5 nearest neighbors in the dataset in terms of CLIP [61] image similarity, for a few representative characters from our paper, using an open-source solution [68]. As demonstrated in Figure 23, our method does not simply memorize images from the LAION-5B dataset. A.7. Stable Diffusion 2 Results We experimented with a version of our method that uses the Stable Diffusion 2 [69] model. The implementation is the same as explained in Appendix B.1, with the following changes: (1) The set of custom text embeddings τ in the character representation Θ (as explained in Section 2 in the main paper ), contains only one text embedding. (2) We used a higher learning rate of 5e-4. The rest of the implementation details are the same. More specifically, we used Stable Diffusion v2.1 implementation from Diffusers [86] library. As can be seen in Figure 24, when using the Stable Diffusion 2 backbone, our method can extract a consistent character, however, as expected, the results are of a lower quality than when using the SDXL [57] backbone that we use in the rest of this paper. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED license. Authors: (1) Omri Avrahami, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; (2) Amir Hertz, Google Research; (3) Yael Vinker, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (4) Moab Arar, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (5) Shlomi Fruchter, Google Research; (6) Ohad Fried, Reichman University; (7) Daniel Cohen-Or, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (8) Dani Lischinski, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Authors: Authors: (1) Omri Avrahami, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; (2) Amir Hertz, Google Research; (3) Yael Vinker, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (4) Moab Arar, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (5) Shlomi Fruchter, Google Research; (6) Ohad Fried, Reichman University; (7) Daniel Cohen-Or, Google Research and Tel Aviv University; (8) Dani Lischinski, Google Research and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Table of Links Abstract and Introduction Related Work Method Experiments Limitations and Conclusions A. Additional Experiments B. Implementation Details C. Societal Impact References Abstract and Introduction Abstract and Introduction Related Work Related Work Method Method Experiments Experiments Limitations and Conclusions Limitations and Conclusions A. Additional Experiments A. Additional Experiments B. Implementation Details B. Implementation Details C. Societal Impact C. Societal Impact References References A. Additional Experiments Below, we provide additional experiments that were omitted from the main paper. In Appendix A.1 we provide additional comparisons and results of our method, and demonstrate its non-deterministic nature in Appendix A.2. In Appendix A.3 we compare our method against two na¨ıve baselines. Appendix A.4 presents the results of our method using different feature extractors. Lastly, in Appendix A.6 we provide results that reduce the concerns of dataset memorization by our method. A.1. Additional Comparisons and Results In Figure 9 we provide a qualitative comparison on the automatically generated prompts, and in Figure 10 we provide an additional qualitative comparison. Concurrently to our work, the DALL·E 3 model [12] was commercially released as part of the paid ChatGPT Plus [53] subscription, enabling generating images in a conversational setting. We tried, using a conversation, to create a consistent character of a Plasticine cat, as demonstrated in Figure 11. As can be seen, the generated characters share only some of the characteristics (e.g., big eyes) but not all of them (e.g., colors, textures and shapes). In Figure 12 we provide a qualitative comparison of the ablated cases. In addition, as demonstrated in Figure 13, our approach is applicable to consistent generation of a wide range of subjects, without the requirement for them to necessarily depict human characters or creatures. Figure 14 shows additional results of our method, demonstrating a variety of character styles. Lastly, in Figure 15 we demonstrate the ability of creating a fully consistent “life story” of a character using our method. A.2. Non-determinism of Our Method In Figures 16 and 17 we demonstrate the non-deterministic nature of our method. Using the same text prompt, we run our method multiple times with different initial seeds, thereby generating a different set of images for the identity clustering stage (Section 3.1). Consequently, the most cohesive cluster c cohesive is different in each run, yielding different consistent identities. This behavior of our method is aligned with the one-to-many nature of our task — a single text prompt may correspond to many identities. cohesive A.3. Naıve Baselines As explained in Section 4.1, we compared our method against a version of TI [20] and LoRA DB [71] that were trained on a single image (with a single identity). Instead, we could generate a small set of five images for the given prompt (that are not guaranteed to be of the same identity), and use this small dataset for TI and LoRA DB baselines, referred to as TI multi and LoRA DB multi, respectively. As can be seen in Figures 18 and 19, these baselines fail to achieve satisfactory identity consistency. A.4. Additional Feature Extractors Instead of using DINOv2 [54] features for the identity clustering stage (Section 3.1), we also experimented with two alternative feature extractors: DINOv1 [14] and CLIP [61] image encoder. We quantitatively evaluate our method with each of these feature extractors in terms of identity consistency and prompt similarity, as explained in Section 4.1. As can be seen in Figure 20, DINOv1 produces higher identity consistency, while sacrificing prompt similarity, whereas CLIP achieves higher prompt similarity at the expense of identity consistency. Qualitatively, as demonstrated in Figure 21, we found the DINOv1 extractor to perform similarly to DINOv2, whereas CLIP produces results with a slightly lower identity consistency. A.5. Additional Clustering Visualization In Figure 22 we provide a visualization of the clustering algorithm described in Section 3.1. As can be seen, given the input text prompt “a purple astronaut, digital art, smooth, sharp focus, vector art”, in the first iteration (top three rows), our algorithm divides the generated image set into three clusters: (1) focusing on the astronaut’s head, (2) an astronaut with no face, and (3) a full body astronaut. In the second iteration (bottom three rows), all the clusters share the same identity, that was extracted in the first iteration, as described in Section 3.2, and our algorithm divides them into clusters by their pose. A.6. Dataset Non-Memorization Our method is able to produce consistent characters, which raises the question of whether these characters already exist in the training data of the generative model. We employed SDXL [57] as our text-to-image model, whose training dataset is, unfortunately, undisclosed in the paper [57]. Consequently, we relied on the most likely overlapping dataset, LAION-5B [73], which was also utilized by Stable Diffusion V2. To probe for dataset memorization, we found the top 5 nearest neighbors in the dataset in terms of CLIP [61] image similarity, for a few representative characters from our paper, using an open-source solution [68]. As demonstrated in Figure 23, our method does not simply memorize images from the LAION-5B dataset. A.7. Stable Diffusion 2 Results We experimented with a version of our method that uses the Stable Diffusion 2 [69] model. The implementation is the same as explained in Appendix B.1, with the following changes: (1) The set of custom text embeddings τ in the character representation Θ (as explained in Section 2 in the main paper ), contains only one text embedding. (2) We used a higher learning rate of 5e-4. The rest of the implementation details are the same. More specifically, we used Stable Diffusion v2.1 implementation from Diffusers [86] library. As can be seen in Figure 24, when using the Stable Diffusion 2 backbone, our method can extract a consistent character, however, as expected, the results are of a lower quality than when using the SDXL [57] backbone that we use in the rest of this paper. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED license. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED license. available on arxiv

The Chosen One: Consistent Characters in Text-to-Image Diffusion Models: Additional Experiments

A few months ago when I first started learning about Cryptocurrencies, It felt like I had been thrown into a whole new world with people using complex terms I didn't understand anything about. One concept in particular I struggled to understand was that of APIs. It took hours of tutorials and personal research to finally understand what APIs are and what they do. So, if you're a trainee web developer, crypto enthusiast, or a newbie to crypto trading, and you currently have a similar problem that I had, then this is the one tutorial you are going to need. Using simple language and easy-to-understand analogies, at the end of this tutorial, you'll save yourself hours of research time, and you will be able to answer the basic questions: What are Cryptocurrency APIs and how do they work?
Why are Crypto Currency APIs important?
What are the top APIs out there? Now let's dive in! What Are Cryptocurrency APIs, and How Do They Work? To understand this, we must first understand what APIs are. API is an acronym that stands for Application Programming Interface. Sounds complex? let's break it down. An application is software that helps people obtain information about specific things or carry out particular tasks like how the Expedia app on your phone helps you book flights on the go or the Amazon weather app helps you check weather forecasts. An interface in this context, is a program that helps 2 applications or websites communicate with each other, kinda like a middleman. So an API is basically a program or a “link” that helps two apps (or websites) “talk” to each other about a particular thing. So, when an app (let's call it app A) needs information about a particular thing or needs access to a service rendered by another app B, an API of app B is used. This API for app B serves as a link, a connection via which the specific information app A requires from app B is obtained. Wait … What?! Okay, okay. Let's break it down further using this analogy: Imagine you're opening a bakery, and you decide to sell cupcakes, muffins, and sourdough bread. For some reason, however,  you don't have the capacity to make sourdough bread of your own. What do you do? You reach out to another bakery that sells sourdough bread. Make an agreement for them to sell you sourdough bread when you request it. So, every time you need bread, you reach out to an employee of that bakery, and he brings you the bread. Now, bread isn't the only thing this second bakery sells, but it's the only thing you need from them. That's basically how an API works. When an app needs information that it cannot provide on its own, it uses the API of another app to gain access to that information from the other app. For a more technical analogy. Let's use a flight booking app to illustrate how APIs work: Imagine you're using a travel app like Expedia to book a flight. When you search for flights, the app doesn't have all the flight information stored locally. Instead, it uses specific APIs to fetch data from airlines' systems or other flight databases. Here's basically what happens behind the scenes: The travel app sends a request to the airline's API (e.g., "Get flights from Nigeria to New York on August 26th").


The airline's API processes the request and returns the relevant data (e.g., flight numbers, departure times, prices).


The travel app receives the data and displays it in a user-friendly format. So you see: The travel app is the "client" or "consumer" of the API. The airline's system is the "provider" of the API. The API acts as an intermediary, allowing the travel app to access the airline's data without having to replicate it locally. So, if I’m an app developer and the app I'm working on serves to provide specific information about the flight schedules from Qatar Airways for instance, I will use an API of Qatar Airways to get me and my future users access to that information. Now that we understand what an API is, applying that knowledge directly, we can say that cryptocurrency APIs are basically programs that enable different apps or websites to get access to specific data about Cryptocurrencies (i.e., chart updates, transactions, etc.) from other websites that directly monitor and interact with the Crypto Market. So, if I want information about the current status of Bitcoin on the Crypto Market, I open a website like Dervi. This website cannot monitor the Crypto market directly, so it uses an API to get information about current Bitcoin status from the Trading View website. Why Are Crypto Currency APIs Important? From what we've discussed earlier, we can say some of the importance of these APIs to Cryptocurrency are: Real-time data access: APIs provide up-to-date information on market prices, trading volumes, and blockchain data, enabling informed decisions.


Research and analysis: APIs provide data for researchers, analysts, and investors to study market trends and make predictions.


Integration with other services: APIs enable integration with payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and other services, expanding cryptocurrency adoption. In essence, cryptocurrency APIs facilitate innovation, automation, and accessibility in the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem. What Are the Top Cryptocurrency APIs? Now that we understand what APIs are and can see why they are so important, let's look at some of the top Crypto CryptoCurrency APIs: Coin Market Cap API Coin Market Cap is one of the best cryptocurrency data APIs. So as a developer, incorporating it into your app or website will be really beneficial. You see it offers real-time cryptocurrency data and market information, such as: Historical cryptocurrency data since 2013
Live price updates for cryptocurrency assets
Market data, volume, and exchange information
Trading data and analytics
Data on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) Enterprise, professional, and free API plans This is an API that is used all over the world by cryptocurrency traders, developers, and financial firms. CoinGeko API CoinGeko is a big name amongst web developers! It offers many exciting features and has an easy-to-use interface. It has its own charts which it uses to track several coins in the Crypto market. Some of the important features it offers are these: Real-time and historical crypto prices,
Market capitalization data,
Trading volume and exchange data,
Metadata,
NFT collection floor prices. Coin Gecko API offers a free plan! As well as several paid plans with additional features and support. Binance: Binance is considered one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms globally. It allows users to buy and sell digital assets. Its free API allows web developers to interact with the Binance platform and create custom trading applications like: Executing trades and checking their account balances.
Viewing their trading history using the API.
Enables developers to create custom trading strategies and automate their trading activities. The world of cryptocurrency is constantly changing, evolving, and expanding. APIs make it easier for web developers to build cryptocurrency-related apps, wallets, exchanges, and analytics tools. Which makes monitoring of trends within the Crypto market much easier for traders. A few months ago when I first started learning about Cryptocurrencies, It felt like I had been thrown into a whole new world with people using complex terms I didn't understand anything about. One concept in particular I struggled to understand was that of APIs. It took hours of tutorials and personal research to finally understand what APIs are and what they do. So, if you're a trainee web developer, crypto enthusiast, or a newbie to crypto trading, and you currently have a similar problem that I had, then this is the one tutorial you are going to need. Using simple language and easy-to-understand analogies, at the end of this tutorial, you'll save yourself hours of research time, and you will be able to answer the basic questions: What are Cryptocurrency APIs and how do they work? Why are Crypto Currency APIs important? What are the top APIs out there? What are Cryptocurrency APIs and how do they work? Why are Crypto Currency APIs important? What are the top APIs out there? Now let's dive in! What Are Cryptocurrency APIs, and How Do They Work? What Are Cryptocurrency APIs, and How Do They Work? To understand this, we must first understand what APIs are. API is an acronym that stands for Application Programming Interface. Sounds complex? let's break it down. An application is software that helps people obtain information about specific things or carry out particular tasks like how the Expedia app on your phone helps you book flights on the go or the Amazon weather app helps you check weather forecasts. An interface in this context, is a program that helps 2 applications or websites communicate with each other, kinda like a middleman. So an API is basically a program or a “link” that helps two apps (or websites) “talk” to each other about a particular thing. So, when an app (let's call it app A) needs information about a particular thing or needs access to a service rendered by another app B, an API of app B is used. This API for app B serves as a link, a connection via which the specific information app A requires from app B is obtained. Wait … What?! Wait … What?! Okay, okay. Let's break it down further using this analogy: Imagine you're opening a bakery, and you decide to sell cupcakes, muffins, and sourdough bread. For some reason, however,  you don't have the capacity to make sourdough bread of your own. What do you do? What do you do? You reach out to another bakery that sells sourdough bread. Make an agreement for them to sell you sourdough bread when you request it. So, every time you need bread, you reach out to an employee of that bakery, and he brings you the bread. Now, bread isn't the only thing this second bakery sells, but it's the only thing you need from them. That's basically how an API works. When an app needs information that it cannot provide on its own, it uses the API of another app to gain access to that information from the other app. For a more technical analogy. Let's use a flight booking app to illustrate how APIs work: Imagine you're using a travel app like Expedia to book a flight. When you search for flights, the app doesn't have all the flight information stored locally. Instead, it uses specific APIs to fetch data from airlines' systems or other flight databases. Here's basically what happens behind the scenes: The travel app sends a request to the airline's API (e.g., "Get flights from Nigeria to New York on August 26th"). The airline's API processes the request and returns the relevant data (e.g., flight numbers, departure times, prices). The travel app receives the data and displays it in a user-friendly format. The travel app sends a request to the airline's API (e.g., "Get flights from Nigeria to New York on August 26th"). The travel app sends a request to the airline's API (e.g., "Get flights from Nigeria to New York on August 26th"). The airline's API processes the request and returns the relevant data (e.g., flight numbers, departure times, prices). The airline's API processes the request and returns the relevant data (e.g., flight numbers, departure times, prices). The travel app receives the data and displays it in a user-friendly format. The travel app receives the data and displays it in a user-friendly format. So you see: The travel app is the "client" or "consumer" of the API. The travel app is the "client" or "consumer" of the API. The airline's system is the "provider" of the API. The airline's system is the "provider" of the API. The API acts as an intermediary, allowing the travel app to access the airline's data without having to replicate it locally. The API acts as an intermediary, allowing the travel app to access the airline's data without having to replicate it locally. So, if I’m an app developer and the app I'm working on serves to provide specific information about the flight schedules from Qatar Airways for instance, I will use an API of Qatar Airways to get me and my future users access to that information. Now that we understand what an API is, applying that knowledge directly, we can say that cryptocurrency APIs are basically programs that enable different apps or websites to get access to specific data about Cryptocurrencies (i.e., chart updates, transactions, etc.) from other websites that directly monitor and interact with the Crypto Market. So, if I want information about the current status of Bitcoin on the Crypto Market, I open a website like Dervi. This website cannot monitor the Crypto market directly, so it uses an API to get information about current Bitcoin status from the Trading View website. Why Are Crypto Currency APIs Important? Why Are Crypto Currency APIs Important? From what we've discussed earlier, we can say some of the importance of these APIs to Cryptocurrency are: Real-time data access: APIs provide up-to-date information on market prices, trading volumes, and blockchain data, enabling informed decisions. Research and analysis: APIs provide data for researchers, analysts, and investors to study market trends and make predictions. Integration with other services: APIs enable integration with payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and other services, expanding cryptocurrency adoption. Real-time data access: APIs provide up-to-date information on market prices, trading volumes, and blockchain data, enabling informed decisions. Real-time data access: APIs provide up-to-date information on market prices, trading volumes, and blockchain data, enabling informed decisions. Research and analysis: APIs provide data for researchers, analysts, and investors to study market trends and make predictions. Research and analysis: APIs provide data for researchers, analysts, and investors to study market trends and make predictions. Integration with other services: APIs enable integration with payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and other services, expanding cryptocurrency adoption. Integration with other services: APIs enable integration with payment systems, e-commerce platforms, and other services, expanding cryptocurrency adoption. In essence, cryptocurrency APIs facilitate innovation, automation, and accessibility in the cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystem. What Are the Top Cryptocurrency APIs? What Are the Top Cryptocurrency APIs? Now that we understand what APIs are and can see why they are so important, let's look at some of the top Crypto CryptoCurrency APIs: Coin Market Cap API Coin Market Cap API Coin Market Cap is one of the best cryptocurrency data APIs. So as a developer, incorporating it into your app or website will be really beneficial. You see it offers real-time cryptocurrency data and market information, such as: Historical cryptocurrency data since 2013 Live price updates for cryptocurrency assets Market data, volume, and exchange information Trading data and analytics Data on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) Enterprise, professional, and free API plans Historical cryptocurrency data since 2013 Live price updates for cryptocurrency assets Market data, volume, and exchange information Trading data and analytics Data on non-fungible tokens (NFTs) Enterprise, professional, and free API plans This is an API that is used all over the world by cryptocurrency traders, developers, and financial firms. CoinGeko API CoinGeko API CoinGeko is a big name amongst web developers! It offers many exciting features and has an easy-to-use interface. It has its own charts which it uses to track several coins in the Crypto market. Some of the important features it offers are these: Real-time and historical crypto prices, Market capitalization data, Trading volume and exchange data, Metadata, NFT collection floor prices. Real-time and historical crypto prices, Market capitalization data, Trading volume and exchange data, Metadata, NFT collection floor prices. Coin Gecko API offers a free plan! As well as several paid plans with additional features and support. Binance: Binance: Binance is considered one of the largest cryptocurrency exchange platforms globally. It allows users to buy and sell digital assets. Its free API allows web developers to interact with the Binance platform and create custom trading applications like: Executing trades and checking their account balances. Viewing their trading history using the API. Enables developers to create custom trading strategies and automate their trading activities. Executing trades and checking their account balances. Viewing their trading history using the API. Enables developers to create custom trading strategies and automate their trading activities. The world of cryptocurrency is constantly changing, evolving, and expanding. APIs make it easier for web developers to build cryptocurrency-related apps, wallets, exchanges, and analytics tools. Which makes monitoring of trends within the Crypto market much easier for traders.

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