The Bitcoin Blog

We all know lack of sleep is harmful to our health -- sleep affects mood, increases risk of psychiatric disorders and depression, cardiovascular disease and lowers immune system health. Yet the stress of running a company and long working hours means entrepreneurs often find themselves functioning on little sleep. Evanston, Ill.-based sleep expert Dr. Lisa Shives says getting seven to eight hours of sleep a night is a critical component of entrepreneurs' business success. "Sleep affects our executive function; the area of the brain responsible for decision making, creative thinking, memory and reaction time," says Shives. Follow these seven sleep habits and dream your way to business success:  1. Avoid alcohol before bedtime. While alcohol may help you fall asleep, it will affect the quality of your slumber. "Sleep is lighter, you have less REM (the deepest stage of sleep)," says Shives. Alcohol can also wake you up in the middle of the night. "Many pe

What works today is the exact opposite of what worked a decade ago. If you think of marketing as the same thing it was twenty (or even ten) years ago, you're basically screwed. The reason is simple. What works today is the  opposite  of what worked in the past. The Old Rules Here's are the rules for marketing that are taught in most business courses, and are common inside most companies (many of whom are struggling): Step 1.   Create a product that has a broad appeal to a large number of consumers or buyers. Step 2.  Reach as large an audience as possible with a message that appeals to  many of those potential buyers. Step 3.  Create a recognizable brand name that can be extended into additional product categories. While it's true that companies following these rules have, in the past, been able to build strong brands like Sony and Coke, this type of "broadcast marketing" no longer works because: The Internet and wealth of media outlets has fragm

If you've considered the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur there are eight traits that are important in describing the perfect entrepreneur. 1. Risk Taker - Entrepreneurs understand that in order to make a profit they will need to assume a certain level of financial risk. 2. Business Manager - Entrepreneurs have a keen understanding of finance and are well equipped to manage the finances of a business. 3. Organizer - Entrepreneurs are well equipped in the area of organizing all aspects of the business for current and long-term growth. 4. Marketing Expert - Entrepreneurs are capable of understanding and implementing marketing strategies both online as well as offline. 5. "People" Person - Entrepreneurs love to interact with people. They are proficient in customer service and have never met a customer they didn't like. 6. Self Starter - Entrepreneurs understand that if something is going to be done right they need to be the one to do it. They are neve

These books will help put your entrepreneurship drive on steroids. Try reading at least five of them 10.  How to Lie With Statistics Darrell Huff's classic 1954  explains how business people, politicians, and the news media misuse "the truth" specifically to mislead. As a touchstone and reality check, this book keeps you from being duped by others. As a weapon, this book gives you vast power over the ignorant masses. Please handle with great care. Best quote:  "A well-wrapped statistic is better than Hitler's 'big lie'; it misleads, yet it cannot be pinned on you." 9.  The No Asshole Rule As much as we all wish it were different, there's no denying that some people are jerks and that sometimes we're going to end up working with them. The expletive in the title sets the tone for this book, which also provides suggestions for avoiding, transcending, or even utilizing these inevitable corporate sphincters. Best quote:  "

These ten books changed the business world forever. Thousands of business books are published each year, most of which are destined for the remainders bin. However, there are a handful of business books that have literally changed the world. Here's the list as featured on Inc. 10.  The Art of War  (3rd Century BCE) While militaristic thinking sometimes leads to bizarre business behavior (like treating competitors as enemies rather than potential partners), Sun Tzu's  magnum opus  really isn't about war, per se. It's more about how to think strategically about complex issues, as well as how to adapt those strategies to the often limited reality of the human condition. Fun fact:  Sun Tzu's patron tested the strategist's theories on war by asking him to organize an army of prostitutes and have them parade around the courtyeard. 9.  The Prince  (1532) While intended for monarchs rather than moguls, Machiavelli's realpolitik view