Many startups fall into the same trap of being so focused on the product, service or experience they are building they lose sight of whether they're genuinely meeting customer needs. "I've read way too many investment pitches and business plans that wax lyrical about product features and service design. But it becomes clear they are beautiful solutions desperately trying to find a problem to solve," says innovation consultant and early-stage investor Matthew Cushen. Here, he shares some of the m...

TED, a non-profit organization, has evolved from a conference where technology, education and design converged to become an ever-growing collection of online videos for free distribution. Now these powerful short talks can give you a fresh perspective on a wide variety of presented by expert speakers. From the benefits of sleep and the power of emotional courage to becoming more creative, improving your network and boosting your career, Hayden Field shares here seven of the most compelling ...

While your friends may seem the best candidates to help build your startup, there are potential pitfalls you need to be aware of. When it comes to hiring, as a first-time founder you're most likely to look to people you already know and trust; people you're comfortable with. And hiring your friends can work out very well. "More often than not, though, hiring friends brings some problems and difficult moments," writes Alisa Cohn. To help you mitigate the risks, Cohn shares her top ...