Latest news with #Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
2 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
This $200 MacBook Air Handles Your Hustle Without Complaints
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. One thing to keep in mind when getting a laptop to support your professional needs is that not every job needs the latest M-series MacBook. If your goal is reliable performance, decent battery life, and that always-satisfying Apple experience—without obliterating your tech budget—this refurbished Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (from 2017) might be exactly what you're looking for. At just $199.97, it's a compelling option for entrepreneurs, frequent flyers, remote teams, or anyone needing a no-fuss, high-functioning laptop. Whether you're outfitting new hires, building a small remote team, or just need a travel-friendly workhorse for flights and coworking spaces, this deal checks all the right boxes. Powered by a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 128GB SSD and Intel HD Graphics 6000, this MacBook Air can easily handle productivity apps, video calls, and browser-based work. The 13.3-inch Retina display (1440×900) gives you enough screen real estate for spreadsheets, docs, or Netflix—no judgment here. And with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a 12-hour battery, you've got the flexibility to work wherever you find a signal and a seat. A business-savvy no-brainer Sure, it's not the newest model, but at this price, it's a smart choice for businesses that are looking to scale or support remote productivity without buying into another $1,000 machine. It's also ideal as a reliable secondary laptop for traveling professionals who'd rather not risk their $2,000 daily driver at airport security. It's been cleaned and inspected, and arrives with the possibility of some light scratching or minor blemishes. All in all, it's a legit Apple laptop with great performance, for just $200. You'll get what you need, save what you don't, and maybe even impress a client or two with how resourcefully you roll. Get a top-quality refurbished Apple MacBook Air for just $199.97 (reg. $999) with free shipping when you order through July 20. Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2017) 1.8GHz i5 8GB RAM 128GB SSD Silver (Refurbished) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entrepreneur
4 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
What Every Brand Gets Wrong About Using AI
Fast, scalable AI-powered marketing can boost efficiency, but when brands sacrifice empathy for speed, they lose trust. Here's how to drive loyalty in the age of automation. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Artificial intelligence has definitely changed how we do business, for the better in many ways. Chatbots that reply in seconds, algorithms tracking your behavior so you can instantly get what you want and automation handling routine tasks faster than any human team ever could. But just because it's fast doesn't mean it feels good. Efficiency is great, but I've seen too many businesses losing the human element that actually builds trust and loyalty. If your digital experience feels robotic, scripted or cold, people won't stick around, no matter how "optimized" it is. At some point, tech needs a heartbeat behind it. Otherwise, all you're doing is automating disconnection. Related: How to Scale a Marketing Strategy That Works When automation goes too far Yes, automation is powerful. It keeps things running. Chatbots answer questions 24/7, tools auto-schedule content and systems track customer behavior. But let's not ignore the downside. Sure, 51% of consumers prefer interacting with bots over humans when they want immediate service. But what if they don't? What happens when customers get frustrated from waiting or having to repeat themselves? Think about the entire experience. When every interaction feels automated, customers begin to question whether anyone is really paying attention. Bots can't read the room. They can't hear tone, detect frustration or understand nuance. So, while automation helps scale, it often kills connection if you rely on it too much. Your chatbot can still handle basic questions, but when things get tricky, a handoff to a human rep makes all the difference. Most people aren't expecting perfection. They're looking for effort, care and responsiveness. When that's missing, the tech isn't helping — it's hurting. Personalization is now a necessity, not a mere desire Personalization is now a basic expectation, but it can't be all AI. In 2024, Forbes surveyed over 1,000 U.S. consumers for their State of Customer Service and CX Study and found that 81% of customers prefer companies that offer a personalized experience, and they expect this personal touch across the platforms they use, not just in-store or over email. No surprise there — it confirms what we already know about personalization. Customers want fast, relevant and thoughtful service that feels made for them. But here's where brands get it wrong: They use AI to automate "personalization" based on click behavior, email opens or CRM tags — and stop there. The result? Generic messages dressed up in personalization tags. "Hi [FirstName]" isn't what people mean by thoughtful. Yes, AI helps scale insight. But real personalization comes from real-time awareness, in those moments that can't be predicted. Knowing that a customer just called support five minutes ago changes how you respond to their next email. This isn't something AI alone can deliver. It takes judgment, context and care. Let your team go off-book when it serves the customer. That's what humanizing your strategy means: efficient, but never robotic. Because personalization shouldn't feel predictive, it should feel considered. AI might tee it up, but humans close the loop. Related: 5 Innovative Ways to Give Your Customers the Personalized Experiences They Want Do what the algorithm can't Speed, data and automation can open the door, but connection keeps people coming back. Ask real questions The comments section is the closest thing you've got to a real-time focus group. It keeps your blind spots in check. Ask what your customers are struggling with, what they want to see more of and what's missing. They'll tell you when something's off. If you're paying attention, you can adjust before it becomes a bigger issue. Reward frontline feedback Your best insights aren't in your dashboards. Want to improve a feature? Ask the person fielding complaints about it. Want to write better copy? Talk to the person who knows the objections your customers keep bringing up. Build a process where frontline teams can flag patterns, share feedback and influence decisions. When your team sees that their input shapes the brand, they become more invested. And when customers see that their voice actually leads to improvements, they trust you more. Lead with your story Sprout Social reports that for 86% of consumers, authenticity is a major factor in choosing which brands to support. That's why storytelling — especially the messy, honest kind — builds trust faster than any email sequence ever could. It doesn't have to be dramatic or polished. Some of the most powerful brand moments come from raw, unscripted content: a phone-shot video, a glimpse of what went wrong behind the scenes, a quick peek at how you build your product. The truth is, customers don't just want to be sold to — they want to be in a relationship with the brands they buy from. Seeing real people doing real work is what turns that relationship from transactional to emotional. Related: How Brands Can Embrace Authenticity in a World Craving Transparency People first, always AI is here to stay, and that's not a bad thing. Use automation. Streamline. But remember, the brands that will truly thrive are the ones that know how to scale connection, not just automation. The future of digital isn't less human. It's more intentional. Next time you build a marketing campaign, send an email or respond to a comment, ask yourself: Does this sound human? Or just efficient?
Entrepreneur
5 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Improve Your Productivity with Windows 11 Pro for Just $15
Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. More than 50% of entrepreneurs fund their companies with retirement savings, and another 20% use personal savings, according to data from Guidant Financial. Under those circumstances, every penny has to count, so you won't be splurging on expensive software just because you think it would be nice. However, if you can get an affordable, powerful operating system designed specifically for professionals to turbocharge productivity and offer maximum security, you shouldn't pass that up. That's precisely what you get while Microsoft Windows 11 Pro sells for only $14.97. Everyone from designers to developers will appreciate this operating system, but entrepreneurs who must always be effortlessly connected will be particularly happy with it. Convenience was a priority for Windows 11, and the sleekly intuitive user interface is as friendly as it gets. Yet, the advanced security features will help you sleep easier at night. You'll get a biometrics login, encrypted authentication, advanced antivirus defense, and so much more. Tools to increase productivity abound, from a far more robust search experience to improved voice typing, seamless redocking, snap layouts, and more. Unique features to optimize your professional tasks are found throughout the system, such as BitLocker device encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, Azure AD, Smart App Control, TPM 2.0, Windows Studio Effects, and more. Of course, hard-working professionals are also entitled to their downtime, and Windows 11 Pro provides unprecedented gaming features. You'll enjoy DirectX 12 Ultimate graphics that maximize your hardware to provide amazingly realistic graphics so you can play all the latest games to their peak potential. Features such as Widgets and Microsoft Teams are also built in. You can even ditch the mouse and keyboard because the Touchscreen function will still give you a genuine computing experience. However, the superstar in this system is Copilot, Microsoft's AI-powered assistant. It answers questions, changes settings, opens apps, generates code suggestions and images, kicksstart your writing process, and more. Get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro while it's available for just $14.97. StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entrepreneur
18 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Turn Your Side Hustle Into a 7-Figure Business With These 4 AI Growth Hacks
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Most entrepreneurs are using AI the wrong way — tweaking blog posts, drafting emails and hoping it saves time. But surface-level tools won't grow your business. What if you could use AI to build a system that runs your content, lead gen and sales — without hiring a single person? This video reveals the four high-leverage AI growth hacks that solo entrepreneurs are using to reclaim three days a week and scale to seven figures — no tech skills required. What you'll discover: The content research shortcut top creators swear by: Uncover high-converting ideas from what's already working in your niche — then turn those insights into original, engaging content in record time. Uncover high-converting ideas from what's already working in your niche — then turn those insights into original, engaging content in record time. Your always-on sales assistant: Deploy a smart system that engages leads, answers questions and handles objections — boosting conversions while you focus on growth. Deploy a smart system that engages leads, answers questions and handles objections — boosting conversions while you focus on growth. Lead generation on autopilot: Set up a full cold outreach engine that identifies ideal prospects, warms them up and keeps conversations moving — without the manual grind. Set up a full cold outreach engine that identifies ideal prospects, warms them up and keeps conversations moving — without the manual grind. Revenue-boosting email intelligence: Analyze your past campaign data to reveal exactly what drives clicks and sales — then use AI to write emails that outperform your best ones. Analyze your past campaign data to reveal exactly what drives clicks and sales — then use AI to write emails that outperform your best ones. The plug-and-play system behind seven-figure solopreneurs: Link these automations together to build a lean, self-sustaining business engine that grows even when you're offline. Everything is broken down step-by-step, no tech skills required. If you're ready to scale your business without burning out, this is the video to watch. Download the free "AI Success Kit" (limited time only). And you'll also get a free chapter from my brand new book, "The Wolf is at The Door - How to Survive and Thrive in an AI-Driven World."
Entrepreneur
19 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Top Colleges Now Value What Founders Have Always Hired For
Strong academics will never get a student admitted to a top college. They'll only get an application read. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. If you're an entrepreneur, you understand this dynamic well: credentials open doors, but character closes deals. College admissions work the same way. A perfect GPA and test scores don't get a student into an Ivy League school. They get the application opened. From there, it's emotional intelligence, social awareness and self-understanding that determine who gets in — and who gets waitlisted or denied. This is why every year, top colleges turn down Valedictorians — and admit Salutatorians who demonstrate more maturity, curiosity and insight into who they are and how they grow. Related: 8 Must-Have Leadership Qualities for Workplace Success Why "be authentic" isn't helpful advice When students sit down to write their personal statements, they're told to "be authentic" or "show emotional intelligence." But those phrases are abstract. What do they actually mean? How do admissions readers interpret them? Most families assume that Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is about being kind, likable or involved in service work. But SEL isn't about checking personality boxes. It's a competency framework. A set of skills. And increasingly, it's the clearest proxy for future success — not just in school, but in life. What SEL really is — and why it matters now more than ever At its core, SEL consists of five key competencies: Self-awareness Self-management Social awareness Relationship skills Responsible decision-making These are real-world, transferable skills — rooted in emotional intelligence (EQ) — that students must develop if they're going to thrive in dynamic, high-pressure environments like college. Or startups. Or the real world. Colleges aren't just evaluating what students know — they're assessing how students think, how they grow, and how they relate to others. That's why the personal essay exists in the first place: it's a live demonstration of how a student thinks about themselves and the world around them. It's also why, in the new admissions landscape — test-optional, post-affirmative-action, and increasingly holistic — SEL has moved from "nice to have" to strategic advantage. Character is the competitive edge According to the 2024–2025 Common Data Set, across Ivy League and Top 20 schools, the number one most consistently important non-academic factor in admissions isn't work experience. It's not talent. It's not even extracurriculars. It's character and personal qualities. Let that land for a moment. MIT marked this category as the only "very important" factor in their entire non-academic review process — above talent, extracurriculars or recommendations. What they're really asking is: Can this student lead themselves? Can they work with others? Can they adapt and grow under pressure? Related: 4 Best Practices for Smarter Higher-Education Admissions Procedures The three most strategic SEL moves students can make Over decades in admissions, we've helped students turn personal qualities into compelling essays that demonstrate maturity, leadership and EQ — not just say they have it. Here's what actually works: 1. Insight over performance Most students treat the personal essay like a TED Talk. They tell a big story and drop a moral in the final paragraph — hoping it lands like a mic drop. That doesn't work. Colleges want to see insight. Reflection. Specific examples of how a student grew, not just what happened to them. The strongest essays aren't about life-changing moments — they're about mindset shifts. Big realizations > big stories. 2. Build a voice, not a persona Trying to sound "smart," "quirky" or "deep" almost always backfires. Colleges can tell when students are forcing a certain personality or voice on the page. How? Because it's the same "voice" that appears on nearly half their applications, they eventually end up denying. Strong essays don't need gimmicks. They need clarity. Don't: Overuse metaphors to manufacture meaning Write in a voice that isn't yours Hide vulnerability behind clever formatting Do: Be specific about how your thinking has changed Use language that sounds like you, not a TEDx speaker Share grounded, honest moments — not performances 3. Study the right models Students often base their essays on viral "How I Got In" posts, which are more about performance than substance. These essays follow a formula that doesn't demonstrate actual SEL. Better models? Read published personal essays from real writers — Joan Didion, Brian Doyle, Esmé Wang. These are authors who write with emotional intelligence, depth and nuance. Final thought If you're a founder, you know what it's like to bet on people. Admissions officers do the same. They're not just looking at performance. They're looking at potential. And the clearest indicator of future potential — in leadership, in relationships, in adversity — is how well someone understands themselves. That's what SEL reveals. And that's why it's the most overlooked yet powerful lever in modern college admissions strategy.
