What You Need to Know About the Rise of Social Trading

For the past several years, social media has been all the rage, and for good reason. It allows family and friends from every corner of the world to keep tabs on each other as if they were just next door. However, that’s not the only thing social networks do these days. 

They give people a way to play games together, video message each other, and far, far more. However, it seems as though the social environment and the technology behind it is changing once again. 

There’s a new social network concept that is rising in popularity incredibly quickly. That concept is called social trading.

What Is Social Trading?

Social trading is an entirely new concept. In fact, I first heard about the concept myself just last year. Essentially, social trading is a social network platform designed for traders, as the name would suggest. This new technology combines several features of the average social network like being able to follow, message, and communicate with people around the world, with features you’d generally see on a trading application. Using this new technology, traders not only have a way to make friends, but can also help each other profit. Experienced traders have the ability to share how they earn the money they earn and beginner traders have the ability to tag along on the strategy to reduce the incredible learning curve associated with trading. It’s a match made in heaven.

Why Social Trading Is Becoming So Popular

At the moment, there are only a few social trading websites out there. In fact, the only platforms that I know of off of the top of my head are CopyOp and Etoro. Nonetheless, these websites are becoming incredibly popular. So, why are they growing in popularity so quickly? There are a few reasons…

• Reducing The Learning Curve – Trading successfully is not the easiest thing in the world to do. In fact, to become a successful trader, there’s an incredible learning curve that you’ll have to make your way over. However, social trading greatly reduces the learning curve associated with financial trading. This is because beginners have a way to copy the moves of professionals and ask them questions in the process to see why the moves that are being made are good for the overall portfolio. Believe it or not, this functionality has the ability to shave months, or even years for some, off of the learning curve!

• Avoiding Excessive Research – Without social trading, finding strong trading opportunities takes quite a bit of research. However, social trading platforms use a technology that picks up on what the popular trades are. This means that finding a trending stock, commodity, currency, or any other asset is a relatively simple process. Let’s face it, even the professional traders can use a hand when it comes to research.

• Making Friends With Like Interests – I’m a professional trader myself, and I have to say, the industry does get a bit lonely. After all, I work from home and when I talk to friends about what I do, I’m usually met with a mix of blank stares and snarky remarks. However, I’ve found social trading platforms to be a great way to have an intelligent discussion with other like minded people with regard to what’s going on in the market. For me, this is absolutely priceless!

Social trading is an incredible concept that meets a need that many traders didn’t even know they had. This incredible technology is yet another example of how technological innovation shapes the way we live, and will likely continue doing so for years to come!

Source : http://bit.ly/1nVCSTe

5 predictions for the Internet of Things in 2016

The Internet of Things revolution is set to dramatically alter many industrial sectors during 2016 

The promise of software sitting inside a wider variety of devices is set to open up valuable new revenue streams for the Internet of Things (IoT) in 2016.

Device manufacturers are set to aggressively adopt new business models associated with monetising the embedded or external software powering their intelligent devices, as the rhetoric becomes reality and the true value of connectivity comes to fruition. 

Here our five predictions for how the IoT landscape will shape up next year.

1. Intelligent device manufacturers will increasingly realise the need to become software-centric companies to garner profits

Increasingly, the value of physical devices will be defined by the embedded software inside them or the control software that helps to manage the physical goods.

Manufacturers will have to start thinking and acting more like software companies, leveraging the software applications they build into their products as a driver to reduce manufacturing costs, increase product innovation, and capture new revenue streams. 

Taking a software-centric approach means manufacturers will start re-designing products from fixed-function, disconnected devices to flexible, seamlessly connected systems.

2. Manufacturers will start realising the financial gains from the IoT

While the innovations and customer references now possible with smart and internet-connected devices serve as the fuel for industrial revolution, there must be an accelerant to ignite that fuel.  In a business context that accelerant is the lure of money. 

In last-generation devices, device makers were fairly limited in terms of monetisation options. Today, and more so in the future, device makers will continue to aggressively adopt new business models associated with monetising the embedded and external software that’s increasingly powering their intelligent and internet-connected devices.

This includes leveraging software licensing and entitlement management – a mainstay in the traditional software industry. 

3. ‘Everything as a service’ – IoT will transform objects into services

As IoT manufacturers seek ways to deepen their relationships with customers, a key goal will to become more strategic and provide ongoing solutions tailored to evolving customer needs. Services will be a critical element to selling solutions. 

For instance, medical device makers will be able to use big-data to provide better diagnostics based on segmenting national, socio-economic or ethnic characteristics of an overall population pool. 

Or auto manufacturers will be able to equip their cars with every feature and upgrade available – and simply turn on or off the feature via software and licensing based on what the customer has purchased. 

In these scenarios, the device maker can make a strategic decision about whether or not to monetise a feature or to provide it at no cost.

4. IoT hacking will make more headlines, increasing pressure on device makers to focus on security and remediation

Recently, much attention has been paid to potential security threats facing smart internet-connected devices – from refrigerators to vehicles. As incidents of these device hacks continue to mount, device makers will need to make security more bulletproof – both to prevent hacking and to quickly remediate the problem if hacking does occur. 

Device makers will need to adopt measures such as tamper resistant licensing code, investing the time to reverse engineer-embedded software on the device, monitor and track patch levels to be aware of exposure, and send software and firmware patches to entitled customers using only secure download URLs that expire.

>See also: What does an 'Internet of Things' enterprise really look like?

5. Rise in IoT devices will fuel third industrial revolution

The first industrial revolution ushered in a global transformation as the means of production transitioned from human labour to machine driven automation. The second industrial revolution accelerated change through the growth of the railways, iron and steel production, manufacturing automation, the use of steam power, oil, electricity, and electrical communications.

With the introduction of embedded software and app-driven hardware into manufactured devices, and the ability, through software licensing, to monetise those device functions and features, devices have become intelligent solutions and capable of generating completely new types of revenue streams. 

Connecting those intelligent devices to the internet is accelerating the third industrial revolution by enabling services, solutions and big data offerings around every day industrial and consumer goods.

Source : http://bit.ly/1QjqGWP

3 Reasons Why Thought Leadership Matters

Thought leadership has been at the forefront of digital transformation and continues to expand the idea revolution that started with the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press. It has become a key driver for innovation and creating new opportunities as ideas are shared and distributed beyond traditional sources and across social platforms that were unimaginable a decade ago.

The term “thought leadership” means different things to different people. It is used and practiced both in personal and professional spaces. Some take place on large stages; others unfold in small corners that are hidden from the limelight. But no matter the size or shape, they all share a common DNA. In its simplest form, it creates an opportunity to become a trusted source on topics we are passionate about by delivering different perspectives on all questions—new and old.

As the name suggests, it requires two things:

• Thought. Ask every possible question and ignite the critical-thinking process, which is a prerequisite for asking the right questions.
• Leadership. Write with passion as an informed opinion leader to become the go-to-person in an area of interest or expertise.

Thought leadership is a pursuit that is more about growth, innovation, and creating opportunities.  It starts when an idea is kindled, and it doesn’t stop when the fruits of that idea is delivered.

Thought leadership is about growth

When we set out to develop a perspective, the process gives us a chance to experiment freely with different ideas while escaping the disciplined and demanding rigor that may be otherwise required in certain roles, functions, and disciplines. Neither the process nor growth happens in random circles with loose ends. For those who follow and stay committed, the process of molding these ideas can sometimes be as intense and focused as the development of new products and services.

Thought leadership helps us grow not only as an individual, but also as an organization to learn more about our purpose, which is a reflection of both our passions and imperfections. More important, it’s a journey that sheds light on our path–allowing us to seek what is yet to be discovered through our natural talent and creativity.

Thought leadership is about curiosity and innovation

How do we innovate with thought leadership? If innovation is how we create new things, whether they are completely new solutions or improvements over existing ones, then thought leadership is the spark that recoils the energy needed to deliver these ideas and harness unrealized value.I often talk about curiosity to achieve this forward-thinking motion because neither innovation nor thought leadership can endure without it. I see it as a gift that we’re given as a child to explore what surrounds us and risk losing as we get older. We innovate because we are not satisfied with the status quo. In the same vein, thought leadership is about a keen desire to extend accepted models of thinking to amplify opportunities.

Thought leadership is about creating opportunities and engagement

Thought leadership is neither a magic formula nor one that can be rushed or done in a vacuum. One of the main ingredients is a relationship—albeit virtual in many cases—that is built (sometimes from scratch) between thought leaders, organizations, and their audiences. This invisible process by its nature takes time. And to use an analogy from cooking: Cranking up the heat doesn’t necessarily reduce cooking time.

Consistent delivery of quality content that engages our audiences begins the process of building trust—a crucial component of this journey. Topics and ideas that are explored in these thought leadership pieces echo the core values of those, who harvest these ideas. Each piece we present serves as a building block that will later become the foundation from which we will all lead and create new opportunities.

Why thought leadership matters

Generating excitement about topics that are relevant and timely—not just in one business, industry, or niche, but across the entire ecosystem—provides inspiration and intellectual stimulation to get the process started.

Finding viewpoints and relating them to real-life stories with a new angle—even if they represent a small window for discussion or engagement—gives birth to new opportunities never-before imagined.

Thought leadership matters because stretching old ideas beyond their traditional boundaries creates new perspectives. 

More important, it can serve as a foundation for others to expand and innovate, inspiring conversations that would have been otherwise lost or never started.

Source : http://onforb.es/1RERekb

5 Ways Entrepreneurs Escape the Daily Grind

Even entrepreneurs have to take an occasional break.

While the life of an entrepreneur is anything but routine, sometimes we get caught in a nonstop cycle of work, work, and more work. It's exciting, important, and at times, all-consuming, and that's exactly why we have to take a step back on occasion and clear our minds. Let's step out of the norm and escape the daily grind.

1. Hone a Skill

It's true; entrepreneurs are learning every day. However, this typically means improving in one area or industry. Sure, we work in a lot if different fields, but that's no substitute for honing a skill that's independent of work. Activities like these can open an individual up to a more creative perspective and even boost entrepreneurial skills. Plus, creative activities give the mind a break from work, so this serves a way to relax and unwind.

There are a number of ways to find these opportunities. Organize a painting class with your friends or staff. Find a local dance class and invite a friend or partner. You can even sign up for an online writing or language course. Local class platform Dabble CEO Jay Swoboda suggests, "Drop your to-do list and pick up your bucket list. The opportunity to re-invent yourself and find creative inspiration can be found by supporting other entrepreneurs sharing and monetizing their skills. Go take a class." Whatever it may be, make sure it happens.

2. Get Out of the Office at the End of the Day

At some point each day, everyone needs to physically leave the office. If you're just heading home to eat and sleep before another day of work, your mind will have a hard time shutting down. There are plenty of ways to mentally leave the office and take a break from hard work. Attend a sporting event, meet friends for a happy hour at a new bar or restaurant - just get out and enjoy your evening. If you're concerned about still being productive, networking events are everywhere, and they're more entertaining than the stereotypically bad events we've heard about.

3. Cook Healthy Meals and Exercise

Take care of yourself! By getting regular exercise and eating healthy meals, professionals can accomplish more at work. Plus, client meetings over meals are rapidly becoming the norm for entrepreneurs. A home-cooked meal is a welcome break from this. "Cooking is therapeutic and the perfect solution for putting life's hectic challenges on hold," says Home Chef Founder and CEO Pat Vihtelic. "That's why we want our customers to focus on the fun part - cooking the actual dish."

Mix up your exercise routine. Try spinning if you're usually a distance runner. Take a cardio class instead of lifting alone. This shift in routine will keep you inspired and motivated without disrupting a healthy habit.

4. Collaborate and Network With Other Entrepreneurs

Invite business leaders and entrepreneurs to join you at lunch or industry events. Working with other leaders and motivators provides an opportunity to explore new ideas and get feedback on current projects or issues. There are plenty of conferences and workshops to learn new trends and meet new people in any industry, like TechWeek or Chicago Ideas Week. Block out time on your calendar each week (or even month) to attend events like these. Even easier, you can just grab coffee with a mentor or business partner to catch up and make new connections.

5. Take a Vacation--For Real 

It's difficult to put work aside and take a real vacation from a business that has become your heart and soul. However, a good leader should trust the talent of their team. Leave them to run the business for a week or two and truly remove yourself from the stress and chaos. A good vacation has benefits beyond the initial escape, and having faith in your team to hold down the fort will make them and the company that much stronger.

Source : http://bit.ly/1LUNeNW

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