“Think about whether a seemingly simple task can take on an extra dimension that would improve your business. If the answer is no, get your assistant on the phone. If it’s yes, roll up your sleeves.”

This is not to say your assistants are incompetent and only you can improve your business, but it keeps the company’s overall direction and focus inline with the vision of its founder(s).

• Encourage more reading
• Improve the capturing of ideas and content
• Increase productivity by working on the move

Rather than writing a “first impressions” post on iPad launch day, here’s an update after three weeks of real-world, field use. So far, I’ve already read one of ten books I vowed to read this year (see New Years resolutions for 2010). I can’t remember the last time I finished a book. I’ve published three blog posts, another obvious improvement for me. And all while on the move. Working on the move is being productive during those 20-25 minute blocks of time that arise each day while in transit or waiting for someone or something. This time adds up so why not put it to good use? Notebooks are clunky, inelegant, and overkill, and smart phones are too small and impractical. I’ve discovered the iPad is the ultimate device for working on the move.

To those unaware, Democratic Senator Chris Dodd’s financial reform bill seeks to repeal the SEC’s Regulation D Preemption, and contains the following three provisions that will undoubtably bring unneeded time and cost barriers to startups and the investor community:

• Any startup looking to raise money would be required to register with the Securities and Exchange Committee and wait 120 days for the SEC to review such filing.
• The wealth requirements of being an “accredited investor” (an entity that can invest in higher risk investments) would be raised from an annual income of $450,000 (currently $250,000), or net worth of $2.3 million (currently $1 million). (Today, this would disqualify 77% of angel investors.)
• The United States preemption permitting investments to adhere to federal regulations as opposed to individual, state regulations would be removed, thus increasing compliance costs and complexity when financing across state lines.

The purpose of the bill is to provide protection against a future financial crisis, but these provisions clearly will do more harm than good.

Sign the petition to support startups and save Regulation D:
http://www.saveregd.com/

Filling whitespace and earning money.

It just works. When you or I visit thesaurus.com, chances are we simply want to type in a word and browse for synonyms. Therefore, there is a single element in full focus on the page: the search box. Yet, the surrounding white space is brilliantly sold as a full page advertisement, on the home page, which together equate to some very valuable real estate on today’s high traffic websites. Best of all, it barely impacts the usability of the application.

Update: It looks like they are A/B testing various home page designs, therefore you may or may not see this version when you visit the website.

Visit thesaurus.com »

“Got your heart set on being a millionaire? Stop trying to look like one.”

The article states that pretenders – people who spend beyond their means, pretending to be wealthy – often end up in financial trouble. It also lists several facts from the research of professor Thomas J. Stanley, who defines a millionaire as someone with net-value investments of $1 million or more, which include such items as cash, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and equity shares in a private business.

• 86% of all prestige or luxury makes of motor vehicles are driven by people who are not millionaires
• Typically, millionaires pay about $16 (including tip) for a haircut
• Nearly 4 in 10 millionaires buy wine that costs about $10
• In the United States, there are nearly 3 times more millionaires living in homes with a market value of under $300,000 than there are living in homes valued at $1 million or more

Update: Another relevant article emailed to me by a reader. I love #7 (“I was a B student”).

I think it is fair to say the relationship between WordPress, Boston, and Microsoft NERD was formed exactly one year ago, when a handful of enthusiasts and I met at a dive bar in the outskirts of Boston. We pledged to build a great WordPress community in Boston… and to find a new venue. We are so fortunate to have such generous and continued support from Microsoft.

With nearly 300 members to date, the Boston WordPress Meetup group has executed 8 official meetups, hosting presentations by our talented members and providing an invaluable networking opportunity. The overwhelming participation from the group has enabled everyone to share their knowledge and love for WordPress.

Thank you all for a great year of WordPress in 2009 as we look forward to a brand new year.

• Publish more content on this website
• Travel to a new place
• Improve organization, time management, and task prioritization
• Discover more indie media (music, films, and texts)
• Learn to cook something noteworthy
• Reach 500 Twitter followers
• Read at least 10 books
• Run a mile in under 7 minutes
• Play the stock market more aggressively
• Get more sleep