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Emirates 24/7
3 days ago
- Science
- Emirates 24/7
Museum of the Future in Dubai Welcomes 4 Million Visitors Ahead of 4th Anniversary
Dubai's Museum of the Future celebrates another remarkable milestone, with more than 4 million visitors from around the globe since its official opening on 22 February 2022. This achievement reinforces the museum's status as one of the world's leading cultural and scientific landmarks, and among the most visited destinations both regionally and globally. This recent milestone comes less than four years after the museum's opening, underscoring its growing appeal as an exceptionally unique destination that blends science fiction, immersive experiences, and visionary foresight within an integrated system of knowledge and culture. The museum truly embodies Dubai's vision and mission to pioneer in foresight future-shaping. The Museum of the Future continues to fulfil its role as a global hub for innovation and future thinking, a unifying platform for changemakers, thought leaders, experts, and a key driver of scientific and technological progress on a global scale. Visionary Leadership Realised Through Global Achievements His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Chairman of the Museum of the Future, stated that the museum's record number of visitors is a vivid embodiment of the exceptional vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to consolidate Dubai's position as a global hub for the future and a destination that embraces creators, scientists, and innovators from around the world. His Excellency added: 'The Museum of the Future embodies the ambition of Dubai to become a global capital for designing and shaping the future; a beacon of hope that brings together optimists and aspirants from all cultures and nationalities. The museum is not merely an architectural monument, it is a platform for empowerment and capacity-building, aiming to ignite the spark of inspiration in those who aspire to shape the future by posing big questions and anticipating possible answers.' His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi added: "The Museum of the Future is a vibrant centre for knowledge and thought, striving to enhance cultural and intellectual exchange and to revive the civilisational role of the Arab region in shaping the future of humanity. The museum will continue to make impactful contributions in supporting Dubai's and the UAE's future strategies across various fields, whether through its dialogue platforms, knowledge programs, or global partnerships with prestigious institutions and research centres.' 'We believe that the future is not something to be waited for but rather created. From this perspective, the Museum of the Future embraces the culture of future foresight that has transformed the UAE into one of the world's most advanced countries in less than fifty years. Like our city Dubai, the museum will remain a symbol of tolerance, coexistence, openness, creativity, and innovation, attracting diverse cultural, philosophical and social perspectives to establish a future rooted in the values of the UAE and the Arab world, and inspired by the journey of humanity,' His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi concluded. A Global Hub for Innovators and Decision-makers Located in the heart of Dubai, the Museum of the Future is a prominent destination for government officials, decision-makers, experts, intellectuals and hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It serves as a global platform for converging visions and ideas as well as a permanent platform for dialogue around the challenges and opportunities facing the future of humanity. Since its opening, the museum has hosted 423 events, conferences, forums, and seminars, covering diverse topics such as AI, sustainable cities, and the future of education, health, economy, work, and technology. These events have also addressed the arts and numerous other fields, all with a focus on placing humanity's well-being at the forefront. International Delegations and State Visits The Museum of the Future has firmly established itself as one of Dubai's leading cultural landmarks and a top destination for visitors from around the world. It has also become a key destination for leaders, officials and dignitaries during their visits to the UAE. Over the past year alone, the museum has welcomed a number of international dignitaries, including the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the Vice President of Tanzania, the Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, and the former President of the Republic of Liberia. The museum's guests included His Excellency Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar; His Excellency Félix Ulloa, Vice President of the Republic of El Salvador; His Excellency Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; and Her Excellency Željka Cvijanović, Chairwoman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Museum of the Future also welcomed 610 international media delegations, who covered its wide range of activations, experiences and events, highlighting its key role in shaping conversations about the future. It also drew visitors from over 180 nationalities, reinforcing its role as a cultural and interactive bridge between people from around the world. Pioneering Events and Valuable Initiatives Throughout the year, the Museum of the Future continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic platform, hosting a diverse range of unique events and initiatives that explore future challenges from scientific, humanitarian, and technological perspectives. The Dubai Future Forum is one of the most prominent of these initiatives, as it is the largest global gathering of futurists. It has hosted more than 3650 experts from over 100 states, acting as a platform for exchanging visions on the future paths of some of the most vital sectors. The Museum of the Future hosts dozens of conferences, events, and global gatherings annually, including prominent activities as part of the 'Dubai AI Week,' which took place last April under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Chairman of the Dubai Future Foundation Board of Trustees. The event welcomed more than 30,000 participants and experts from around the world, as well as the largest global technology companies and the most promising startups. The 2025 edition of 'Dubai AI Week,' organised by the Dubai Center for Artificial Intelligence, is an initiative of the Dubai Future Foundation. It included 10 major events across the city, more than 250 panel discussions and workshops and witnessed the launch of over 30 initiatives, partnerships and agreements between government entities, the private sector, investors and startups. Lessons from the Past at the Museum of the Future The Museum of the Future has launched a series of intellectual lectures, titled 'Lessons from the Past at the Museum of the Future'. As part of this series and throughout 2025, the world-renowned historian and researcher, Dr. Roy Casagranda, has been delivering lectures, drawing on his extensive expertise in the history of civilisations and his unique ability to present past stories and experiences in an inspiring way. This initiative aligns with the museum's commitment to strengthening its role as a platform for intellectual innovation, sustainable learning, and future foresight. The new program, which includes over 10 exclusive lectures, aims to explore key milestones in history in an interactive manner that highlights aspects that can be utilised and invested in effectively. Both the 'Future Talks' and 'Future Experts' series play a central role in the museum's annual agenda. Held regularly, these sessions tackle cutting-edge topics such as AI, sustainability, education, the arts, and the economy, featuring a select group of international thinkers, decision-makers, and experts. In a unique intellectual and cultural setting, the Museum hosts the 'Ramadan Majlis', bringing together a distinguished group of experts and thinkers for discussions that explore the role of values in shaping the future. These discussions focus on how ethical principles can guide the development of modern technologies, with the aim of fostering a more humane and responsible future. Empowering Future Generations he Museum is committed to empowering younger generations with future readiness skills through programs like the annual 'Future Heroes Summer Camp.' This initiative offers children and young adults a unique chance to explore the future through hands-on workshops and immersive experiences, equipping them with the creativity and knowledge to navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Future-Focused Career Workshops The museum also hosts a series of workshops around future-focused careers that keep pace with the latest professional trends. These workshops focus on specialised sectors such as agri-tech, vertical farming, and careers in sustainability, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the skills required in an ever-changing world. The Future of the Video Gaming Industry The museum's hosting of the international Gaming Matters event marked a milestone in exploring the future of the video games industry. It brought together leading global companies such as Epic Games and Walt Disney, along with experts and designers from the esports sector, to exchange insights on future trends in this rapidly growing field. A Gateway to the Future for Everyone The Museum of the Future reflects Dubai's ambitious spirit, where creativity and innovation know no bounds. It represents the confluence of the past, present, and future in an exceptional architectural landmark designed to reflect human progress and serve as an open platform for imagination, experience and discovery. With over 4 million visitors, the museum proves that it's not just a unique architectural icon but also a vibrant space for engaging with and shaping the future, within an inspiring environment that celebrates the human mind and its capacity for imagination and change.
Forbes
26-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Top 10 Podcasts for Managers and Mid-Level Leaders
Brené Brown's "Dare to Lead" is one of the best podcasts for managers and mid-level leaders. Managers and mid-level leaders may have the hardest jobs in the workforce. They are tasked not with setting an agenda but with following one, motivating their employees to stay on task, focusing on the road ahead, and supporting the vision of leadership at the top. These managers are leaders in their own right but often limited in how much they can effect change, while also hearing complaints from above and below. Balancing all this can be a challenge, and so it helps to know that there are others experiencing the same difficulties and also reaping the many rewards that come with middle-management. This list of podcasts for new and seasoned managers and mid-level leaders can help you find inspiration, new approaches and joy in your job. The 10 Best Podcasts For Managers And Mid-Level Leaders This list was compiled based on podcast ratings on iTunes and other sites, social media presence of the podcast, expertise of the hosts, and quality and diversity of guests. Read on to find your next five-star listen. Hosted by renowned academic and storyteller Brené Brown and based on her book of the same name, Dare to Lead challenges listeners to innovate and create new approaches to leadership. Brown interviews celebrities, cultural tastemakers and thought leaders who give insights into finding your own leadership style and perfecting that approach. Some of her most popular episodes have focused on impostor syndrome, armored vs. daring leadership, creating brave spaces and defining daring leadership. Guests range from the incredibly famous, like Former President Barack Obama, to gifted communicators like author Ruchika T. Malhotra. This podcast is best for managers trying to define and hone their leadership styles. You can listen to Dare to Lead on iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. From Harvard Business Review, HBR IdeaCast features interviews with business leaders and managers and is hosted by HBR Executive Editor Alison Beard and Senior Editor Curt Nickisch. Each episode provides actionable tips for making day-to-day decisions easier and maximizing time. Topics range from finding ways to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for training and project management to the wisdom of immigrant entrepreneurs. Guests include Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts, Harvard University President Emeritus Lawrence H. Summers and Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. This podcast is best for up-and-coming managers looking to establish their footing. You can listen to HBR IdeaCast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Host Adrion Porter started Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter to give voice to the generation stuck between the Baby Boomers and Millennials. He focuses on mid-career leaders who have learned from both experience and observing those above and below them, offering unique insights into everyday leadership. Topics include reaching your full potential at work, creating a purposeful career path, recovering from burnout and how to cultivate empathy. Guests tend less toward celebrities and more toward authors, journalists and creators, such as CNBC's Jon Fortt, equity strategist and author Tara Jaye Frank and Ian Schafer, president of Issa Rae's Ensemble. This podcast is best for mid-career managers looking for inspiration as they aim even higher. You can listen to Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter on iTunes, Audible, YouTube, Amazon Music and Spotify. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, delves into workplaces that have incorporated innovative strategies to make every day more productive and actually fun. His message on WorkLife with Adam Grant: Work doesn't have to suck, and anyone can play a role in changing the culture. Topics include improving meetings (oh hallelujah!), the pitfalls of charisma and how to avoid that trap, navigating bureaucracy, and how to stop chasing perfectionism. The guests include a mix of everyday people and workplace experts as well as the occasional A-list celebrity like Dolly Parton. This podcast is best for managers looking to encourage changes in their work culture but uncertain where to begin. You can listen to WorkLife With Adam Grant on iTunes, TED, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Radical candor is the idea of stating your honest opinion, the positive and negative, while exhibiting empathy for the other person. Kim Scott's book Radical Candor inspired this podcast, where Scott and Radical Candor co-founder Jason Rosoff speak to lead Radical Candor coach Amy Sandler about the concept and how to deploy it. Topics include deep dives on employee one-on-one sessions and how to improve them, the problem with vanishing vacations, how to become a boss, and how to give feedback to employees about their tone. Not every episode has a guest, but notable ones include Google Distinguished Designer Ryan Germick, The Economist's 'Bartleby' columnist Andrew Palmer. This podcast is best for managers looking to improve their communication skills. You can listen to The Radical Candor Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. You don't need to be an entrepreneur to benefit from EntreLeadership, from noted financial guru Dave Ramsey's Ramsey Solutions. Ramsey offers business and leadership coaching, with a generous dose of encouragement for those finding their footing in the entrepreneurial world—but these tips are also applicable to middle managers. Topics often touch on current events, such as the impact of tariffs on business, and managers can skip most of those. But the in-depth considerations of issues like when to intervene when someone you supervise is having a problem and when leadership structure becomes a problem are definitely worth your time. Ramsey uploads new episodes several times a week, too. This podcast is best for anyone looking for inspiration. You can listen to EntreLeadership on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Hosted by twins identified only as 'The Recruiter' and 'The Expert,' The Career Salon With the HR Twins draws on their more than 38 years of combined experience in human resources and recruiting to advise listeners on critical aspects of business. Their fun rapport and curiosity make this listen fly by. Topics range from in-the-weeds breakdowns of performance improvement plans to hiring dos and don'ts from an attorney. The twins usually have at least one guest, often chief people officers or recruiters, but they also examine general trends in HR and offer insights based on their real-world experience. This podcast is best for managers involved in hiring. You can listen to The Career Salon With The HR Twins on iTunes, Overcast and Spotify. What have seasoned leaders learned over the years and how can managers put those lessons to work for them? That question drives The Global Leadership Podcast, hosted by Global Leadership Network executives Whitney Putnam and David Ashcraft. Whether you want to know how to manage conflict or increase productivity, they have answers. Topics include using science-backed theories that have helped high-level athletes in the workplace, how to focus on high-level work, and applying military strategies to the workplace. Guests are experts in their fields, which may be a Navy pilot, a bestselling author or a scientist, though sometimes it's just Ashcraft sharing his expertise. This podcast is best for managers struggling to focus their work who want to become more productive. You can listen to The Global Leadership Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, iHeartRadio and Spotify. LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock partner Reid Hoffman has experienced business success and knows how others can try to achieve it. His podcast, Masters of Scale, features other successful founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs who share how they overcame challenges and break down how they achieved their biggest triumphs. Topics include how to grow small businesses, navigating global expansion and ways AI can benefit managers. He also tackles timely issues in the news. Hoffman's list of guests is a who's who of the business world, including authors John Green and Suzy Welch, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol and PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. This podcast is best for managers looking for outside-the-box ideas. You can listen to Masters of Scale on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. No matter your identity, you can find inspiration and advice from Latina Leadership Podcast, an insightful show focused on navigating life and work with purpose and progress. Anjelica Cazares founded the podcast during the pandemic to help bring Latina women together. Other co-hosts are Olga Rodriguez, Susie Barrera and Andrea Diaz. Topics include maintaining mental health, the ups and downs of launching a new business, how to navigate working with family (a great niche topic that is hard to find honest coverage on), and finding reliable role models. Guests include a who's who of Latina women in business (plus many others), from IT executives to dietitians to health care providers. This podcast is best for managers looking for support and reassurance. You can listen to Latina Leadership Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio and Spotify. Grab your AirPods and plug in to any one of these insightful and often uplifting podcasts for managers and mid-level leaders to help you take your career to the next level.
Forbes
25-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Stand Out On LinkedIn And Own Your Industry In 2025
How to stand out on LinkedIn and own your industry in 2025 If I asked your LinkedIn connections what you did and what you believed, what would they say? Would they be able to recite your mission statement, define your dream client, and explain exactly how you help them achieve results? Most people on LinkedIn are invisible because no one knows what they stand for. They aren't consistent with their message. And that's a problem. Someone with half your experience is building a bigger business because they have twice the clarity and triple the conviction. Don't get left behind. Don't feel the pain of missing out when you could be using LinkedIn to become successful beyond your wildest dreams. They're not smarter than you. They're not more qualified. They just decided to choose a lane and stay in it. It's your turn. Stop hiding: stand out on LinkedIn by choosing one message Pick the hill you're willing to die on and plant your flag there. Every post, every comment, every interaction should reinforce this one core message. If your thing is "pricing psychology for SaaS founders," talk about nothing else for six months. When you define your swimlane, the right people start showing up. People begin tagging you in pricing discussions. Potential clients DM you before making their next move. You don't need variety in yourLinkedIn posts. Your audience doesn't even need you to be interesting. They need you to be useful in one specific way. Think about the most successful thought leaders on LinkedIn. Gary Vaynerchuk talks about hustle. Brené Brown talks about vulnerability. Simon Sinek talks about finding your why. They've been saying the same thing for years, just finding new ways to package it. You get known by saying something real, then saying it again tomorrow. Your energy shows up in every word you type. When you write from a place of desperation, trying to prove you belong, people can smell it through their screens. Compare "I've been thinking about customer retention strategies" with "Customer retention is broken. Here's what we're doing differently." One sounds like you're asking permission to speak. The other sounds like you're already in charge. Imposter syndrome has no place in your world. Claim your authority without years of experience or fancy credentials. Speak with the confidence of someone who's already arrived. Position yourself as the expert rather than the student. What happens next: people start treating you like an expert. They share your posts with their teams. They screenshot your advice. They come to you with their biggest challenges because you sound like someone who's already solved them. Nobody has time for your three-paragraph humble brag about closing a big deal. But a screenshot of that contract value with one powerful line makes people pay attention. Visual proof is worth more written claims. When you share your client's 400% revenue increase, don't write an essay. Show the graph and add a few words. Simple. Your proof should be easy to scan and impossible to ignore. Screenshots of client testimonials, before-and-after metrics, calendar bookings, and revenue dashboards tell your story fast. The most engaging posts on LinkedIn include evidence. Show the Slack message where your client says you changed their business. Show the waitlist for your program. Show the DM from someone implementing your advice. Let your results do the talking. Another month of LinkedIn posts are in the comments you left on other people's posts. That off-the-cuff response where you broke down your entire pricing philosophy becomes next week's viral post. The framework you sketched out to help someone struggling with team management is a carousel waiting to happen. Most of your best content is hidden in replies because that's where you (and everyone else) are most real. Start treating every comment like potential content. When someone asks a great question, give them an answer worth stealing. Create a feedback loop of engagement. Then trawl through those conversations for insights, or paste them into ChatGPT and ask questions. Your audience is literally telling you what they want to know more about. Expand detailed responses into full posts and weekly series. Your LinkedIn headline is so important and most people waste on job titles. "Marketing manager at generic company" tells me nothing about why I should care. But "I help busy mums get more sleep without taking pills"? Now they are listening. Your headline should make your ideal client think two things: "This person gets me" and "I need what they're offering." Make it undeniable. Lead with your strongest belief about your industry. Call out exactly who you serve. Promise the transformation they're desperate for. Watch your inbound inquiries triple. Finally say what you mean, not what you think you're meant to say. Your headline should feel like a belief statement, not a business card. Own your space on LinkedIn without apology You don't need a huge audience to win on LinkedIn. You need clarity about what you stand for and the courage to say it repeatedly. Consistency over creativity, conviction over consensus. While everyone else is trying to go viral with motivational quotes, you'll be building an audience of buyers by solving one specific problem better than anyone else. Stand out by owning one thing, and owning it loudly. Pick your message, perfect your proof, and keep showing up. Update your LinkedIn profile to attract ideal coaching and consultancy clients.
Forbes
09-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Young Entrepreneurs Build Their Personal Brand And Network On LinkedIn
Young entrepreneurs are discovering that strategic personal branding on LinkedIn can accelerate their business growth faster than traditional networking methods. Rather than relying on family connections or alumni networks, today's ambitious business owners can establish a digital presence that attracts opportunities, partnerships, and capital even before they graduate. LinkedIn allows users as young as 13 or 14 (depending on the country), so virtually any high school student can create profiles and start building a professional online presence. Young entrepreneurs face a credibility gap that previous generations didn't encounter. Investors and partners want proof of competence before meeting, and traditional markers—such as prestigious degrees, corporate experience, or family connections—aren't always available. This challenge becomes more pressing when considering that 91% of employers use social media, including LinkedIn, to screen job candidates. For young entrepreneurs seeking investment, partnerships, or customers, a strong LinkedIn presence often serves as the first impression. Successful young entrepreneurs on LinkedIn follow specific patterns that separate them from generic self-promotion: They solve problems publicly. Rather than posting about their achievements, they share solutions to industry challenges. This approach positions them as thought leaders while demonstrating their expertise. They document their learning process. Sharing failures, pivots, and lessons learned builds authenticity while showing resilience—a quality investors and partners value highly. They engage strategically. Top performers spend as much time commenting thoughtfully on others' posts as creating their content. This approach builds relationships while expanding their reach. Among LinkedIn creators generally, 91% post at least once every three days, and 20% post at least once per day, highlighting the importance of consistent engagement for brand growth—a lesson applicable to younger users building their professional presence. Young entrepreneurs who successfully leverage LinkedIn focus on three content categories: Industry Analysis: Breaking down trends, regulations, or market shifts that affect their sector. This demonstrates market awareness and analytical thinking. Process Documentation: Sharing behind-the-scenes looks at building products, securing customers, or navigating challenges. This content builds trust while showcasing practical skills. Community Building: Highlighting other entrepreneurs, sharing resources, or facilitating connections. This approach creates goodwill while expanding their network. Young entrepreneurs who focus on these content areas consistently experience higher engagement and more meaningful professional connections as a result of their LinkedIn activity. Among Gen Z adults (typically those aged 18-26), 67% believe it is important to have a strong personal brand, with LinkedIn serving as a primary platform for achieving this goal. This generation understands that professional relationships often begin online before moving to in-person interactions. Young entrepreneurs use LinkedIn strategically to: Showcase achievements early. Students and young adults highlight academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, internships, and early work experiences, building credible personal brands before entering the workforce. Network with purpose. Young users explore university options, connect with institutions, and network with professionals in their fields of interest. Create valuable content. They share insights, articles, and reflections on their learning journeys, using LinkedIn to demonstrate expertise and thought leadership even at early career stages. Build authentic relationships. Engaging with others through commenting, sharing, and participating in groups helps young users expand their professional networks and increase their visibility. The most successful young entrepreneurs track specific metrics that correlate with business growth: Quality of inbound inquiries. Rather than counting followers, they monitor how many high-value opportunities come through LinkedIn. Partnership development. They track partnerships, speaking opportunities, and collaborations that originated from their LinkedIn presence. Media coverage. Many young entrepreneurs secure podcast interviews, article features, and speaking opportunities through their LinkedIn networks. A strong LinkedIn presence creates compound returns—especially for young entrepreneurs. Early connections made through thoughtful engagement often evolve into future collaborators, customers, or even investors. What starts as a simple comment or connection can lead to lasting opportunity. When young founders build their networks early, they lay the groundwork for professional relationships that grow in value over time. Unlike short-term marketing tactics, personal branding on LinkedIn is about playing the long game. I still hear from former WIT students who first connected with me in high school. Years later, they're running businesses, sending quick questions, or asking for warm intros to someone in my network. That's the power of early, authentic connection—and LinkedIn makes it scalable. Organizations focused on entrepreneurship education recognize the importance of teaching young people both digital and in-person networking skills. At WIT (Whatever It Takes), the program I founded in 2009, we've helped over 10,000 young entrepreneurs develop comprehensive networking strategies that combine LinkedIn personal branding with traditional relationship-building techniques. Through WIT's curriculum, students learn to leverage LinkedIn as part of a broader networking approach that includes mentorship relationships, industry connections, and peer collaboration. The program teaches participants how to leverage their online LinkedIn presence into real-world opportunities through strategic follow-up, meaningful engagement, and authentic relationship-building. This integrated approach proves particularly effective because LinkedIn serves as the initial touchpoint for many professional relationships that later develop through phone calls, video meetings, and in-person interactions. Students who master both digital and offline networking skills position themselves for sustained success in entrepreneurship. Many high school students hesitate to create LinkedIn profiles, thinking they lack professional experience. However, young entrepreneurs can showcase meaningful accomplishments that demonstrate leadership, initiative, and business acumen even before graduation. Profile Headline: Instead of simply writing "High School Student," craft a headline that reflects your entrepreneurial focus: "Aspiring Social Entrepreneur | Founder of Community Cleanup Initiative" or "Teen Business Owner | Digital Marketing for Local Businesses." About Section: Highlight your entrepreneurial ventures, volunteer leadership roles, or passion projects that solve real problems. Focus on impact rather than just activities. Experience Section: Include any business ventures, even small ones like tutoring services, lawn care businesses, or social media management for local organizations. List significant volunteer roles, internships, or part-time jobs that demonstrate responsibility and skills. Education: Beyond your high school, include relevant coursework, entrepreneurship programs, online certifications, or business competitions you've participated in. These show initiative in developing business knowledge. Skills and Endorsements: Add skills relevant to entrepreneurship such as social media marketing, customer service, project management, or specific technical abilities you've developed. Accomplishments: Include awards, publications, speaking engagements, or recognition for your entrepreneurial activities. Even school-level achievements can demonstrate leadership and initiative. The key is presenting yourself professionally while staying authentic to your current stage. High school entrepreneurs who thoughtfully craft their profiles often attract mentorship opportunities and early business connections that prove valuable as they develop their ventures. For young entrepreneurs looking to build their brand and expand their network on LinkedIn: Start with clarity. Define the specific problem you solve and the audience you serve. Generic positioning generates generic results. Engage authentically. Spend time daily commenting meaningfully on posts from potential partners, customers, or collaborators. Stay consistent. Regular presence matters more than perfect content. Posting weekly with authentic insights beats sporadic viral content. Showcase learning. Share reflections on challenges, failures, and lessons learned to demonstrate growth and resilience. As remote work becomes the norm and more businesses launch online, LinkedIn is playing a bigger role for young entrepreneurs. It's one of the few platforms where a teen entrepreneur can connect with partners, clients, and opportunities around the world. Young entrepreneurs who master LinkedIn's relationship-building potential gain access to networks that previous generations spent decades developing. The question isn't whether young entrepreneurs should build personal brands and networks on LinkedIn—it's whether they can afford not to.
Entrepreneur
23-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How Podcasting Became My Most Powerful Branding Tool (And How to Start Yours)
Podcasting offers a deeper, more personal way to engage audiences while also helping thought leaders grow their influence and network through meaningful guest conversations. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. When I launched my podcast last fall, I saw it as more than just another platform. It was a necessary piece of a larger puzzle — filling a critical gap in how I communicate my message around personal branding and authority-building with CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors and professionals. Let's face it: business leaders are busy. While they may enjoy reading books, articles and blogs to stay informed and inspired, carving out time to sit down and read can be difficult. But listening? That's another story. Whether traveling between meetings, commuting or simply taking a break from the screen, audio (and increasingly, video) content fits seamlessly into the rhythms of a busy life. That's one reason podcasts have become such a valuable vehicle for thought leaders who want to meet their audience where they are — and make receiving their message as convenient as possible. Related: Why Every Entrepreneur Should Consider Starting a Podcast Why podcasts matter now more than ever In today's noisy content landscape, podcasts offer something rare: an intimate, distraction-free space to connect. They allow you to speak directly into someone's ears — literally. That level of proximity and attention is hard to replicate elsewhere. But the power of podcasts isn't just about ease of access. It's about depth. Podcasts allow you to tell stories, explore ideas and share insights in a format that feels personal, unscripted and real. You're not just delivering information — you're building a relationship. That's especially important for entrepreneurs, authors and executives who want to cultivate authority. Your audience is not just looking for credentials — they're looking for a voice they can trust. Podcasts let your voice, your tone and your personality shine through in a way that text alone can't. Authenticity is your advantage The unscripted nature of a podcast helps build a stronger connection between host and listener. Over time, your audience gets to know your cadence, your humor, your quirks — and that breeds familiarity, comfort and trust. Think about some of history's great communicators. People felt deeply connected to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during his fireside chats — not because they met him in person, but because they heard him speak directly to them in a calm, intimate setting. Similarly, Ronald Reagan's charisma was amplified through his voice and storytelling. Podcasting can have the same effect. It allows people to feel like they know you — even if they've never met you. Guests expand your reach — and your credibility Although solo episodes can be powerful, one of the best ways to boost the value of your podcast is by including guests. When you bring on other experts, you're not only making the conversation more dynamic — you're also expanding your network and credibility. Your guest's expertise adds weight to your show. And when they share the episode with their own audience, you get exposed to new listeners who may have never discovered you otherwise. In this way, podcasting becomes a two-way street — each person helps elevate the other. The added bonus? A guest can help carry the conversation, making the episode more engaging and relieving some of the pressure of having to talk solo for an extended period. Make it a conversation, not an interview While we often use the word "interview," the goal should be a conversation. You want the dialogue to flow naturally — not feel like a scripted Q&A. Yes, you should prepare. Yes, you should know where you want the discussion to go. But leave room for curiosity, spontaneity and surprise. This is where the magic happens — where real insights and unexpected moments emerge. And if that means someone stumbles over their words or goes slightly off track? That's okay. It's real. And real is what builds connection. An easy launch for a big impact One of the reasons I often recommend podcasting to clients and colleagues is because it's relatively simple to start. You don't need a massive studio or a huge budget. In fact, many people already have the basic tools: a laptop, internet connection, a decent microphone and a quiet, well-lit space. Video podcasts are growing in popularity, too — and if you're already on Zoom or Teams regularly, you likely have most of the setup required. The bar to entry is low. The opportunity for growth is high. Related: The Basics of Podcasting and How It Can Grow Your Business Amplify your thought leadership For authors in particular, podcasts are a perfect companion to a book. Your podcast allows you to explore topics from the book in greater detail, engage with new perspectives and keep the momentum going long after publication. More broadly, your podcast can serve as a hub for your intellectual property — a space where you test ideas, refine your message and engage directly with your audience. A few key questions to guide your show As you shape your podcast, ask yourself: Is this insightful and fun? Does it reflect my personality and values? Will it move my audience to take meaningful action? Am I consistently providing unique value? If you can answer "yes," you're on the right path. You're not just creating content — you're creating connection. You're building a platform that supports your authority and invites others into your world. In a world where attention is scarce, podcasts offer something different: time, trust and depth. Use it wisely — and your message will go farther than you think.
