The NYU Entrepreneurs Festival emphasized the intrinsic passion and persistence that define entrepreneurship. Key discussions included the necessity of technical literacy among founders and the importance of finding a technical co-founder. The event highlighted valuable experiences and perspectives from successful entrepreneurs, ultimately showcasing NYC’s potential in the global startup ecosystem.
Living Social vs Groupon
The author reflects on a presentation by Living Social’s Mitch Spolan, highlighting the platform’s focus on high-quality experiences compared to Groupon’s quantity-driven model. While Living Social targets affluent consumers with fewer, exclusive deals, both platforms shift buying habits. The effectiveness of Living Social’s marketing tactics, such as campaigns like Whole Foods, is emphasized.
Perler on Sondheim
I don’t get a lot of Stephen Sondheim‘s music. His lyrics are certainly impressive and witty, and though my former professor of musical theater Steve Swayne (Sondheim expert) might throw his hands up at the statement, I nevertheless have trouble digesting a good chunk of Sondheim’s music. I had trouble sitting through shows such as Into theContinue reading “Perler on Sondheim”
Groupon’s Pre-IPO Secret*!
Groupon plans to IPO with a valuation of over $10 billion, drawing both excitement and skepticism due to recent accounting changes and fierce competition from companies like Google and Amazon. Despite challenges in customer loyalty and profitability, Groupon is innovating with new features aimed at enhancing user engagement and market share, leaving its future growth uncertain yet promising.
The Lean Startup, In Bullet Form
In “The Lean Startup,” Eric Ries emphasizes entrepreneurial principles derived from cases in his Stern MBA program. Key concepts include the Minimum Viable Product, testing assumptions, collecting feedback, and continuous innovation. He also discusses competition, suggesting sharing ideas for feedback and focusing on learning quickly to succeed against rivals.
Pretty Music: Jason Robert Brown
The writer reflects on the music of composer Jason Robert Brown, highlighting three songs: “Stars and the Moon,” “I’d Give It All For You,” and “The Next Ten Minutes.” They appreciate Brown’s intuitive yet complex rhythmic structures and virtuosic piano riffs, emphasizing how his instrumental music is engaging and dynamic.
My Perspective on Occupy Wall Street
The author reflects on a visit to Zucotti Park, home of the Occupy Wall Street movement, noting a decline in participation amid rain. They express agreement with the movement’s critique of government complicity in corporate greed, while cautioning against reliance on governmental bailouts. Ultimately, they call for a balanced approach to market and government roles.
Thoughts on Business Plans
In a recent Digital Media Marketing class, guest lecturer JB Rudelle emphasized that startup business plans primarily provide self-assurance for entrepreneurs and help attract talent. He noted a potential shift in how business plans are perceived, suggesting that they may now hinder rather than help startups in fast-paced markets.
Total Praise? Yes, I Like the Gospel (Music)
“Total Praise” by Richard Smallwood has been a cherished gospel piece for the author since high school, despite their Jewish-born Atheist background. The author notes Jason Robert Brown’s inspiration from gospel music and shares links to performances of “Total Praise” and other works, appreciating the diversity in the genre.
The Virtue of Selfishness, and Net Neutrality
In a recent NYU Stern class, students discussed net neutrality’s economic implications, asserting that allowing Internet Service Providers to filter content reduces consumer choice and overall utility. While net neutrality may seem to require government regulation, it could enhance individual freedom of content selection. The debate highlights concerns over bandwidth as a limited resource versus unregulated market dynamics.