As a behavioral health professional, I’ve seen firsthand how our always-connected world can be both a blessing and a curse for our psychological well-being. Let’s unpack this complex relationship together.

The Love-Hate Relationship We Can’t Seem to Quit

Let’s face it – social media is like that friend who’s both the life of the party and sometimes a bit too much to handle.

We love staying connected, but we also catch ourselves mindlessly scrolling at 2 AM, wondering why we can’t just put the phone down. Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone.

Understanding the Relationship Between Social Media and Mental Health

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives, and its impact on mental health is a topic of growing concern. While social media offers numerous benefits, such as connectivity and access to valuable resources, it also poses significant risks to mental health.

Understanding the relationship between social media and mental health is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate its negative effects.

The Pew Research Center has highlighted how social media usage can both positively and negatively affect mental health. On one hand, social media apps provide platforms for raising awareness about mental health issues and connecting with supportive communities.

On the other hand, excessive social media use can lead to social media addiction, contributing to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. By recognizing these dual aspects, we can better navigate our social media habits to support our mental wellbeing.

The Bright Side: When Social Media Boosts Our Mental Health

Finding Your Tribe Online

One of the most beautiful things I’ve witnessed in my practice is how social media can be a lifeline for people who feel isolated in their “real” lives.

Whether you’re the only person in your town who’s obsessed with vintage typewriters or you’re dealing with a rare health condition, social media can connect you with others who get it.

I remember a client who struggled with social anxiety telling me how joining an online community of artists literally changed her life. She went from feeling like an outsider to having a whole network of supportive friends who shared her passion. That’s the kind of connection that can be genuinely transformative for mental health.

A Platform for Self-Expression

Social media gives us a voice, a canvas, a stage – whatever metaphor you prefer. For many people, especially those who might feel voiceless in their daily lives, this is incredibly empowering.

Whether it’s through thoughtful Twitter threads, artistic Instagram posts, or vulnerable TikTok videos, the ability to express yourself and potentially reach others who resonate with your message can be incredibly validating.

Mental Health Resources at Your Fingertips

We can’t ignore the wealth of mental health support and information available through social media. From therapists sharing coping strategies on Instagram to support groups on Facebook, access to mental health information and communities has never been easier.

This democratization of mental health resources is genuinely revolutionary – though, of course, it comes with its own set of challenges (more on that later).

The Motivation Factor

When used mindfully, social media can be a source of inspiration and motivation. Seeing others achieve their goals, whether it’s fitness, career, or personal growth, can spark our own motivation. The key word here is “mindfully” – we’ll get into the flip side of this soon.

The Dark Side: When Social Media Hurts Our Mental Health

Here’s where things start to get tricky. As a former therapist, I can’t tell you how many sessions I’ve had that circle back to the same theme: “Everyone else seems to have it all figured out.” We logically know that social media is a highlight reel, not reality, but our emotional brain doesn’t always get the memo.

The comparison trap is particularly insidious because it’s often unconscious. You might not even realize you’re doing it until you’re feeling inexplicably down after a scrolling session.

What’s worse, we’re not just comparing our lives to our peers anymore – we’re comparing ourselves to carefully curated, filtered, and often professionally produced versions of other people’s lives.

The Anxiety of Always Being “On”

Remember when we could just be bored? Now, there’s this subtle (or not so subtle) pressure to always be documenting, sharing, and performing our lives for an online audience. This constant state of potential scrutiny can be exhausting and anxiety-inducing.

I’ve worked with teenagers who feel genuine panic if they can’t immediately respond to a message or if their post doesn’t get enough likes. This isn’t just teenage drama – it’s a real psychological response to the demands of our digital social lives.

The Dopamine Rollercoaster: Understanding Social Media Addiction

Let’s talk brain chemistry for a second. Social media platforms are designed to be addictive, triggering little hits of dopamine with every like, comment, or notification. This can lead to a cycle of seeking validation through social media, which can be particularly dangerous for people already struggling with mental health issues.

What makes this especially tricky is that the highs get less satisfying over time, while the lows feel increasingly worse. It’s not unlike other addictive behaviors, and it can have a real impact on our mood regulation and overall mental well-being.

Digital Drama and Cyberbullying

The relative anonymity and distance provided by social media can bring out the worst in people. Cyberbullying isn’t just a teen issue – adults experience online harassment too, and it can have serious mental health consequences.

The public nature of social media means that embarrassing moments or conflicts that might have once been private can now be broadcast to hundreds or thousands of people.

Body Image Concerns

Social media platforms often present unrealistic beauty standards, which can lead to body image concerns and negative self-esteem. The constant exposure to curated and filtered images can create unrealistic expectations and promote the idea that physical appearance is the most important aspect of a person’s identity.

This can be particularly damaging for young adults, who are already vulnerable to body image issues. Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of promoting positive body image and self-esteem through social media platforms.

I’ve seen countless young adults in my practice who struggle with body image issues exacerbated by social media. The pressure to look a certain way can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

It’s crucial for social media platforms to take responsibility by promoting diverse and realistic representations of beauty. Encouraging users to share authentic, unfiltered content can help foster a healthier online environment.

Finding Balance: Practical Tips for Healthier Social Media Use

1. The Power of the Purge

One of the most effective strategies I recommend to clients is a social media purge. This doesn’t mean deleting all your accounts (unless you want to), but rather:

• Unfollowing accounts that consistently make you feel bad about yourself
• Muting or snoozing connections that raise your stress levels
• Curating your feed to include more content that genuinely enriches your life

2. Set Boundaries (and Actually Stick to Them)

This might look like:

• No social media first thing in the morning or last thing at night
• Designated social media-free times or spaces
• Using app timers to limit your scrolling time

3. Reality Checks and Mindfulness

Practice active awareness when you’re using social media. Ask yourself:

• How am I feeling right now?
• Is this adding value to my day?
• Am I scrolling mindlessly or engaging meaningfully?

4. The Art of Digital Detox

Consider regular digital detox periods. This doesn’t have to mean going off the grid for a month – even a day or weekend away from social media can help reset your relationship with these platforms.

5. Seeking Professional Help and Support

Seeking professional help and support is essential for individuals struggling with mental health issues related to social media usage. While inpatient treatment is not often advised, for some youth having the support of an intensive outpatient program (also called IOPs for short) can be really useful.

In whatever form, mental health professionals can provide guidance on developing healthy social media habits, coping strategies, and emotional support.

Online communities and support groups can also offer a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others who are facing similar challenges.

If you find that social media is negatively impacting your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Mental health treatment professionals can work with you to create a balanced approach to social media usage, ensuring it enhances rather than detracts from your wellbeing.

Additionally, online communities can provide a sense of belonging and emotional support, helping you navigate the complexities of the digital world. Remember, you don’t have to face these challenges alone – support is available, both online and offline.

Special Considerations for Different Age Groups

Teens and Young Adults

This group is particularly vulnerable to the mental health impacts of social media. If you’re a parent or work with young people, it’s crucial to:

• Have open conversations about social media use
• Model healthy digital habits
• Encourage real-world connections and activities

Adults and Professionals

The pressure to maintain a professional online presence can be significant. Remember:

• It’s okay to maintain boundaries between your personal and professional online presence
• You don’t have to be available 24/7
• Your worth isn’t determined by your follower count or engagement metrics

The Future of Social Media and Mental Health

As we look ahead, there are some promising developments:

• More platforms are implementing wellbeing features
• There’s growing awareness about digital wellness
• Mental health conversations are becoming more open and nuanced

Finding Your Sweet Spot for Social Usage is Essential

At the end of the day, social media is a tool—and like any tool, its impact depends on how we use it. We believe in the power of social media to connect, inspire, and empower, but also in the importance of using it mindfully, ensuring it supports rather than detracts from our mental health.

Remember, your relationship with social media doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s about finding your personal sweet spot – that balance where you can enjoy the benefits while minimizing the potential negative impacts on your mental health.

As we continue to navigate this digital age together, let’s stay conscious of both the opportunities and challenges that social media presents to our mental wellbeing.

Keep the conversation going, stay mindful, and don’t forget to look up from your screen now and then to enjoy the unfiltered, unedited beauty of real life!

For more insights on navigating the digital world while maintaining your mental health, stay tuned. We’re here to help you make the most of social media while taking care of what matters most—you.

The post The Pros and Cons of Social Media on Mental Health: What You Really Need to Know appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

By leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics, they can streamline and enhance their AML investigation processes. In this article, we will explore how automating AML investigations with advanced analytics is transforming the way financial institutions detect and prevent money laundering. We will delve into the benefits, challenges, and real-world applications of advanced analytics in AML investigations. 

Challenges and Limitations of Manual AML Investigations

For decades, AML investigations have predominantly relied on manual processes and rule-based systems. While these methods have yielded results to some extent, they suffer from critical limitations in the face of modern financial crimes.

1. Volume and Velocity: The sheer volume of financial transactions in today’s digital era is staggering. Manual investigations struggle to keep pace with the rapid flow of data, leading to delays in identifying suspicious activities.
2. False Positives: Traditional systems generate a high number of false positives, overwhelming investigators with non-criminal alerts. This inefficiency not only consumes valuable time and resources but also diminishes the focus on genuine threats.
3. Lack of Context: Manual investigations often lack the depth of analysis required to uncover sophisticated money laundering schemes. They may miss crucial contextual information that automated systems can capture.
4. Resource Intensity: Hiring and training investigators are resource-intensive, and the shortage of skilled AML professionals compounds the problem. The cost of maintaining large AML teams can strain organizational budgets.
5. Regulatory Evolution: As regulations evolve, manual systems struggle to adapt quickly. Keeping up with the changing compliance landscape becomes a perpetual challenge.

In light of these challenges, the need for a paradigm shift in AML investigations becomes evident. Advanced analytics, with their capacity to process vast amounts of data rapidly and accurately, provide a promising solution to address these limitations effectively. In the subsequent sections, we will explore how these technologies are poised to reshape AML investigations and usher in a new era of efficiency and effectiveness.

The Power of Advanced Analytics: Redefining AML Investigations

•Defining Advanced Analytics and Its Relevance in AML

Advanced analytics represent a transformative approach to data analysis that leverages cutting-edge techniques to extract valuable insights and predictions from complex datasets. In the context of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) investigations, advanced analytics offers unprecedented capabilities to tackle financial crimes.

At its core, advanced analytics employs statistical algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics to process vast volumes of financial data swiftly and accurately. It goes beyond traditional rule-based systems, which often generate an overwhelming number of false positives. Instead, advanced analytics discern meaningful patterns, anomalies, and potential threats in financial transactions, empowering investigators to focus their efforts efficiently.

•Advanced Analytics: Machine Learning, AI, and Big Data Analytics

1. Machine Learning (ML): This subset of AI enables computers to learn from data and improve their performance over time. In AML, ML algorithms can identify complex money laundering patterns that might elude human investigators. For example, ML can analyze historical data to spot unusual transaction behaviour, thereby flagging potential illicit activities.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI encompasses a broader range of technologies, including ML. AI-driven systems can automate decision-making processes, allowing for faster and more consistent responses to potential AML threats. AI-powered chatbots, for instance, can facilitate customer due diligence checks and transaction monitoring in real-time.
3. Big Data Analytics: Today, financial data flows ceaselessly, and big data analytics is the engine that processes this torrent of information. It excels at handling vast datasets, providing AML investigators with a holistic view of financial transactions. By analyzing this data in real-time, big data analytics can pinpoint suspicious activities swiftly.

Real-World Examples of Organizations Benefiting from Advanced Analytics in AML

Numerous organizations, including financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and fintech startups, have already harnessed the power of advanced analytics to enhance their AML efforts. Let’s delve into some real-world examples to illustrate the tangible benefits:

1. HSBC: The global bank implemented an AI-driven system that analyzes client data, news articles, and other sources to identify potential money laundering risks. This proactive approach has reduced false positives by a significant margin, allowing investigators to concentrate on genuine threats.
2. Chainalysis: This blockchain analysis firm employs advanced analytics to trace cryptocurrency transactions and detect illicit activity on the blockchain. Their software has been instrumental in identifying cryptocurrency-based money laundering schemes, aiding law enforcement agencies worldwide.
3. AU10TIX: AML compliance is not limited to traditional financial institutions. AU10TIX specializes in identity verification and uses advanced analytics to ensure compliance in various industries, from online gaming to digital payments. Their solutions provide real-time authentication, preventing fraudulent transactions.

These examples underscore the transformative potential of advanced analytics in AML investigations. As we progress in this article, we will explore the key components of automated AML investigations, the specific benefits they offer, and the challenges they help address. Advanced analytics is not a distant dream but a present reality, reshaping the landscape of AML compliance for the better.

The key components of automated AML investigations form the foundation of efficiency in modern compliance efforts. These tools empower financial institutions to proactively detect and mitigate risks, reduce operational costs, and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards. As financial crime continues to evolve, automated AML investigations will play an increasingly critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the global financial system. 

Platforms like Youverify provide simple automatable AML compliance solutions for businesses looking to simplify their AML processes with intelligent software and advanced analytics.

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Before you start, it’s important to note that proper preparation is key to achieving a lasting and attractive finish. If you need professional help with chain link fence installation, be sure to check out specialized services for an expert touch.

Materials You’ll Need

• Wire brush
• Sandpaper
• Pressure washer or garden hose
• Rust-inhibitive primer
• Paint (oil-based or rust-inhibitive)
• Paint sprayer or roller
• Drop cloth or plastic sheeting
• Painter’s tape
• Safety gear (gloves, mask, and goggles)

Step 1: Prepare the Area

Begin by preparing the area around your fence. Lay down drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect the ground and any nearby plants from paint splatters. Use painter’s tape to cover any parts of the fence you don’t want to paint, such as posts or hardware.

Step 2: Clean the Fence

Cleaning the fence thoroughly is crucial for good paint adhesion. Remove any loose dirt, debris, or old peeling paint with a wire brush. Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots. Rinse the fence with a pressure washer or garden hose, ensuring you remove all dust and grime. Allow the fence to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Step 3: Remove Rust

If there are any rusty areas on your chain link fence, they must be addressed before painting. Scrub off rust with a wire brush or sandpaper until you reach bare metal. This step is vital in preventing the rust from spreading underneath the new paint.

Step 4: Apply Primer

Priming the fence is essential to ensure the paint adheres well and provides a uniform finish. Use a rust-inhibitive primer designed for metal surfaces. A paint sprayer is ideal for this task, as it allows for even coverage and gets into all the nooks and crannies of the chain link. If you don’t have a sprayer, you can use a roller or brush, though it may take more time. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 5: Paint the Fence

Once the primer is dry, it’s time to apply the paint. Choose an oil-based or rust-inhibitive paint suitable for metal surfaces. Again, using a paint sprayer will yield the best results, but a roller or brush can also be used. Apply the paint evenly, making sure to cover all areas of the fence. It’s usually best to apply two coats of paint for the most durable finish. Be sure to allow the first coat to dry completely before applying the second.

Step 6: Clean Up

After the paint has dried, remove the painter’s tape and drop cloths. Clean your tools and dispose of any waste materials responsibly. Stand back and admire your freshly painted chain link fence!

Tips for Maintaining Your Painted Fence

• Regular Cleaning: Keep your fence clean by washing it down with a garden hose periodically.
• Touch-Up: Address any chips or scratches promptly to prevent rust from forming.
• Inspection: Regularly inspect your fence for signs of wear and tear to catch issues early.

Painting a chain link fence may seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and materials, it can be a rewarding DIY project. Not only will it enhance the look of your property, but it will also protect your fence from the elements, helping it to last for many years to come.

Anderson Fence is a trusted provider of high-quality fencing solutions, specializing in chain link fence installation and various other fencing services. With a commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Anderson Fence ensures that every project meets the highest standards. Visit Anderson Fence or call 800-722-0929 to learn more about their services and how they can help secure your property.

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“Having done this for three decades, I’ve seen other fits and starts in other places,” says Marino. “Florida and Texas have tried. And you’ll get a handful of companies that go there, but they tend to be more medical device, materials, or diagnostics companies than true biotech,” Marino said.

That’s because the process is nuanced. The right players need to be in place, like a highly learned talent pool and the right amount of space to put that talent in.

“They’ll use government incentives, discounted land, or other financial inducements to try to get someone to come there,” he said of various companies’ efforts. “However, this is an industry that likes to cluster and collaborate, and that takes critical research institutes, educational institutions, and existing players to [cooperate with] in order to germinate and grow.”

Perhaps Nashville, Tennessee, will be next. Music City saw a boom of 35,000 life science-related jobs between 2015 and 2020. Fueled by educational powerhouses such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health, life science has been increasing funding in the region, with Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center reaching a $1 billion milestone in research funding this past April. 

“Vanderbilt researchers are among the most accomplished in the world, contributing in significant ways to solving the most complex scientific and medical challenges of today while also charting important new pathways of discovery for tomorrow,” Daniel Diermeier, chancellor of Vanderbilt University, says on the school’s website. “Reaching this funding benchmark affirms Vanderbilt’s place among the world’s foremost research institutions and inspires new levels of aspiration as we look ahead to the future.”

Boston could be another up-and-coming life science player. Boston Real Estate Times reported that Boston’s life science market topped 3 million square feet of leasing during Q2. 

Globest.com said Boston is just getting started when it comes to ruling biotech, with an additional 23.8 million square feet of upcoming projects underway in the city famous for its baked beans and Fenway Park. 

The city ranks sixth for life science educational attainment, thanks to its 840,000 residents over age 25 who hold at least a bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or related fields.

Life Science Clusters Have Been Popping Up in Other Areas Across America

A 2022 Life Sciences Research Outlook Report by global commercial real estate services company JLL assessed metrics like funding and talent of potential future life science hot spots. It found that the greater Washington, D.C., area and Baltimore, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City, and Salt Lake City are heating up. 

While many clusters have seen great successes in preleasing, available space has also jumped from over 10 million square feet to nearly 25 million square feet, according to JLL. The company reports that leases have been up since the spring of this year. 

That’s music to Hughes Marino’s ears.

“Our firm has been representing life science tenants for our whole careers, for 30 years,” Marino says. “As we have grown, we think that’s a really important part of the economy and an important part of our practice. It’s a very specialized base of knowledge as well, as to what those companies and what that industry requires. It’s been a big focus of ours as we’ve expanded into, initially, San Francisco and then Seattle. We’re hiring some of the top office and industry professionals as well. They know what manufacturing and supply chain companies require and what corporate headquarters and traditional office tenants require.”

In keeping ahead of life science trends, Hughes Marino has positioned itself in the thick of it all. Apart from its headquarters in San Diego, Boston and Raleigh-Durham are the newest additions to its already flourishing fleet of offices throughout the United States.

“We’re truly a national company,” Marino says. “We have a footprint in multiple states with nine offices and more to come.”

San Diego Remains Life Science Hot Spot

In San Diego, Marino says biotechnology lab developers can’t build lab space fast enough.

“In the last three years, there’s been 5 million square feet of life science leases signed,” he says. “And so these folks can’t build it fast enough. Literally, they’re tearing down two- and three-story office buildings to build six-story lab buildings.”

Biotech company Excellos is coming to Genesis San Diego, which is a 203,000-square-foot, eight-story life science building. The transaction is downtown San Diego’s second-ever life science lab lease. 

Global real estate magnate Oxford Properties Group recently announced on its website the purchase and long-term leaseback of Ionis Pharmaceuticals’ 18.4-acre life science campus and corporate headquarters, growing Oxford’s San Diego life science impression to 900,000 square feet across 16 buildings. The press release adds that San Diego has established itself as one of the most important life science markets globally, which is another reason Oxford invested in the area. 

“Our purchase of the Ionis campus adds to Oxford’s significant presence in a top three global life science market that is characterized by high barriers to entry,” Tycho Suter, Oxford’s VP of investments, said in a press release. “We have long-term conviction in the San Diego life science market, which is supported by its strong [science, technology, engineering, and math] presence and a highly skilled labor force, as well as world-renowned research and academic institutions.”

Marino says he and the Hughes Marino team are excited for what’s to come for the life science sector. “It’s just going to be more of that [growth], and we have proven that we can scale our culture and technology.”
When it comes to securing life science space anywhere in the world, but especially in San Diego, Hughes Marino’s team says starting earlier is always better and it’s ideal to allow for at least six to 12 months before a life science company requires lab space occupancy. Tenant representation companies such as Hughes Marino specialize in making sure every detail is covered, especially when it comes to the complex task of procuring life science lab space.

Continue this story on ScienceTimes.

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When you are going through an acquisition with a good M&A advisor it is important to have a plan of action and set clear-cut objectives for the sale. While you might be thinking of your bottom line, there is a whole range of other objectives that need to be considered because they will impact your team and the company’s future success.

• What are the reasons you want to sell the business?
• Which acquirer is best suited for you?
• What are the exit strategies for the co-founders?
• What do you want for your team?
• What do you want for your customers?
• How will the mission be continued?

Knowing what you want out of the acquisition will give you more control. Have minimum and maximum lines clearly defined, and plan for negotiating, and the unexpected. 

Prepare The Team

Preparing the team for an acquisition is another important aspect of keeping control of the process. The buyer needs to fit in with the company culture, or the transition can be painful. Can your team align with the acquirer’s values and beliefs? How can you prepare your team for the acquisition?

• Keep your team informed: Never blindside your team with an acquisition if you can help it. Instead, communicate often with your team and answer their questions and concerns. You can also offer them a timeline with milestones concerning the acquisition to put their minds at ease.
• Develop a transition plan: A well-developed transition plan will help employees from both companies integrate. While the buyer might have his own plans, such as training plans, company name changes, and more, you can still have an effective strategy for preparing your own team for the transition.
• Unify company objectives: Get your team acquainted with the new company’s culture and values, so they know what the new company expects of them when the acquisition occurs.
• Be positive: Positivity is a game changer. Don’t let your team get discouraged because it can affect their productivity, and ultimately the valuation and ability to close the deal. 

Get an expert valuation

Valuations don’t only let the acquirer know your worth. It helps you to know how to negotiate during the acquisition process. Valuations will help the acquirer understand the startup’s potential for growth and establish a baseline value.

Get your accounting in order

The acquirer is going to tear right through your financials. As they should before making a big purchase. But if you have your accounting in order; revenue, expenses, and assets supported by documentation, the acquisition process will go a lot smoother. 

The following are some of the documentation you need to gather:

• Past performance: All of your accounting up to this point.
• Short-term projections: These include weekly, monthly, and the following year projections.
• Multi-year plans: These include 3-5 year projections that give the acquirers insight into the future of the company.

The Startup Acquisition Process

Now that you have positioned the deal and established your worth, you can get the ball rolling on the acquisition process. 

Develop an acquisition plan

Your acquirer is already developing a plan to negotiate the offer. Prepare yourself with potential offers and negotiating steps so you don’t get steamrolled by a large corporation. You know they have seen value in your business, or they wouldn’t be devising an acquisition plan.

Prepare an acquisition team

Gather an acquisition team with IT experts, the CEO, an acquisition lawyer, and all other relevant personnel you feel should be at the acquisition meeting. They help provide information on the startup’s technical infrastructure and inner workings of the business that the acquirers might have questions for.

Do your due diligence

The acquirer will be doing plenty of digging of their own. Don’t just leave the ball in their court. You should be vetting them as much as they are investigating you. 

Negotiate

An acquirer will often start out low. Counteroffer, and both parties can meet in the middle. How much do you want? What is your company worth, and are you willing to part with the startup for less? Make sure that everyone’s objectives can be seen in the final agreement. Don’t feel like you lost a battle. Ensure the conversation is within the parameters of your main objectives before you get too deep. Especially as you can expect a lot of renegotiating and discounts in the process.

Closing the deal 

Closing the deal is a huge moment for a startup, and even when things have gone according to plan, you may experience mixed emotions. Contracts are signed, and now you know your hard work and effort in your business has paid off, it’s time to let go.

What Acquirers Consider When Buying a Startup

You can control the acquisition process by knowing what the acquirers want. They are not just looking at the dollar signs. Understanding their mindset will help you grab their attention and get the best deal for yourself and the buyer. 

So, what are acquirers looking for in a startup? This can vary widely, but may include:

• Cost per customer: What does it cost to get a new customer? The acquirer will want to know what it will cost to get new consumers and the cost of tapping into a new market. 
• Customer base: Is your customer base thriving? If you already have traction, buyers will notice.
• Team expertise: How much experience does the team have? A good team has knowledge of the product, consumers, and industry the potential buyer might not.

What To Consider Before An Acquisition

Selling your startup can be a life-changing experience. You have put everything into it for the last couple of years, and you may feel a deep connection to the staff, the product, and the business. Here’s what you should consider before taking the leap.

Are you ready to sell your startup?

Startups can take years to establish, and the demand can begin to pile up. You know you’re ready to sell when you are prepared to hand over the stress and anxiety which often occurs to first-time founders. You may even decide to stay on after the acquisition or move on to greater things.

Is it the right time to sell?

Founders may begin to experience burnout when you need to keep raising funds. To relieve yourself of this burden, your choices are to increase capital or a merger and acquisition venture.

Will you be able to accept the consequences?

The consequences of the acquisition include:

• Having enough money to retire or fund future ventures
• The acquirers might not take care of your startup as much as you hope 
• There needs to be enough money to pay your early investors off

The Bottom Line

The acquisition process can be laborious for the founders and acquirers, but the common goal is to generate value. The last thing that the founder should be worried about is losing control of the acquisition process. You understand the value of the company and its potential for the future, so you deserve appropriate compensation for the work you put into your product.

To keep control, you need to know the ins and outs of the company. Have all your financials in order and prepare your team for the acquisition. Do your due diligence and hire a valuation expert as well as a full acquisition team to ensure you are getting the most out of the deal. You have done the hard work and deserve to reap the rewards.

Author Bio

Alejandro Cremades is a serial entrepreneur and the author of The Art of Startup Fundraising. With a foreword by ‘Shark Tank‘ star Barbara Corcoran, and published by John Wiley & Sons, the book was named one of the best books for entrepreneurs. The book offers a step-by-step guide to today‘s way of raising money for entrepreneurs. 

Most recently, Alejandro built and exited CoFoundersLab which is one of the largest communities of founders online. 

Prior to CoFoundersLab, Alejandro worked as a lawyer at King & Spalding where he was involved in one of the biggest investment arbitration cases in history ($113 billion at stake). 

Alejandro is an active speaker and has given guest lectures at the Wharton School of Business, Columbia Business School, and at NYU Stern School of Business. 

Alejandro has been involved with the JOBS Act since inception and was invited to the White House and the US House of Representatives to provide his stands on the new regulatory changes concerning fundraising online.

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One of these services is Tree Frog Social. It’s a provider that first appeared in 2017. It is based in the United States. It’s extremely rare for a service from that era to still be operational. It was surprising to see that they have fast support response times, provide decent results, and still can claim having the cheapest prices in the industry–that’s before you get your first month for $1 with the promo code “TREEFROG1”

More About the Service

Tree Frog appears to be a classic organic growth service that uses follow-unfollow and other methods to grow accounts. Based on the description on their website, they don’t use bots. This is supported by the fact that they have a robust customer support team of US-based employees, so while we can never prove these things, we’re more likely to believe their claims than services based in India.

They don’t promise anything crazy on their website, and all of their pricing plans make sense. All three of the plans, from $30/mo to $55/mo to $75/mo, all are competitively priced. There are plenty of services out there that start their pricing plans at $80 or $100 and probably offer the same thing as Tree Frog.

Tree Frog’s blog can’t be overlooked. They employ a team of US-based writers frequently producing interesting content in the social media space. They aren’t running ads or doing shameless self-promotion, but actually providing articles worth reading. This is rare in the Instagram growth space and it built my confidence in their offerings.

My Experience

I always start by submitting a support request. Not only does Tree Frog have a phone that someone usually picks up, when they missed my call someone texted me back (with a non-automated message!) within minutes apologizing for missing the call. They have a support ticketing system that they used to respond to me in less than one business day.

Signing up for the service, they collect targeting details and a detailed description of your account. If they need to be sent a 6-digit code to approve their log on, they message you with instructions and make it quite clear. I was set up within 48 hours and appreciated the human touch.

Over the first month with the service, there were no major interruptions or action blocks. Though I wasn’t getting thousands of new followers, the actions were indeed consistent. The targeting was solid. For $30 per month, this is a great deal and I am satisfied. It seems that they have a number of safety features including taking a day or two off and changing their hours of operations so as to avoid getting blocks on your account.

Reviews

When it comes to Instagram growth services, there are very few “review” sites that appear to be independent. Many of the pages are filled with generic content and misleading reviews that are meant to direct you to the few providers that they themselves own. You won’t realize this if you only type “Tree Frog Social Review” and click the first link, but exploring a bit deeper usually makes this clear.

First up, we have the one site that is fairly hard to manipulate: TrustPilot.

Tree Frog has one of the most impressive TrustPilot pages that I’ve seen. Though there are a few negative reviews, every single one of them is responded to in an extremely detailed and believable manner. There is no concerning theme to the negative reviews. Where most other businesses are accused of never responding to support requests or “stealing” from clients, Tree Frog seems to have a large US-based support team that responds extremely quickly and with a lot of detail.

Their responses to complaints are so detailed that they are almost funny to read. They put a lot of time and effort into responding to customers. This translates to a high degree of trustworthiness. It’s worth considering that, as a low-cost provider, they do have to deal with some of the most delusional deal-seeking customers out there.

Even among some of the less reputable “independent” review sites, Tree Frog gets solid reviews. However, these sites never go out of their way to promote Tree Frog or post affiliate links, so it’s unlikely that these are sponsored posts.

Conclusion

Looking through all of the flashy websites and wild claims of competitors, Tree Frog’s dedication to customer service and $1 deal for the first month means the service is pretty much unbeatable. All these years later, it’s still a top provider and it’s hard not to recommend it.

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If you are a new social media marketing professional starting your career now, as strange as it may sound there couldn’t be a better time to establish yourself as a freelancer. With that being said, working freelance isn’t all long lunches and midweek holidays; there are a lot of practical matters you’ll need to contend with if you want to set up a successful freelance enterprise To guide you along the way, here are a few essential tips for new social media marketing freelancers starting out: 

Always Have a Contract

A detailed contract is an essential element for freelancers. In fact, this is the foundation of any good business. A contract establishes the fees negotiated between you and your client. It will also explain the scope of each project and set its parameters,  as well as a schedule of deadlines and revisions. A contract will also mention clauses with regard to project cancellations and reimbursements. An important reason to have an established contract is that it can protect both parties from legal issues that could arise somewhere along the line. Drawing up a social media marketing contract may feel like a bit of a chore, but with so many easy-to-use templates available online, you really won’t struggle. 

Understand Your Tax Situation

You’ll need to factor in your tax obligations when setting your rates. Being self-employed can make things quite complicated as you’ll also need to consider providing yourself with necessities such as health insurance and retirement contributions. There are also numerous ways you can save on taxes, so you’ll have to speak to a tax practitioner to find out how best to file your payments. 

Use Technology to Your Advantage

We live in a technological age, and it’s up to you to use the tools available to your advantage as a freelancer. There are great technological innovations that can assist with key business functions such as invoicing and project management. 

Stick to a Schedule

Ask anybody who has tested the freelancing waters will know that sticking to a schedule is no simple feat. Novice freelancers often burnout because they are unable to manage their workflow. This is why creating a schedule and stick to it is so crucial. This will, of course, require a great deal of self-discipline but it is essential to have a schedule in order to successfully meet all your deadlines and provide each client with the quality service they’ll be paying for.  Furthermore, it will help you establish a routine and have a healthy work/life balance. 

Being a freelancer in the social media marketing space certainly comes with its own set of challenges, however the freedom it offers in terms of being able to choose clients and manage your own schedule are huge benefits. Therefore, if you plan on venturing down the path of self-employment, think it through properly and consider all the realities before taking the plunge. Good luck with your new venture!

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Of course, screen addiction isn’t a new problem. You know you should just unplug, but what happens when your professional life is tied up in social media? Telling a digital marketer to lay off Facebook is like telling a chef to get out of the kitchen. How do you take a breather and avoid burnout when your entire life revolves around technology?

The Challenges of Unplugging for Modern Workers

The truth is, social media has become both work and recreation for many of us. Even when you’re not working to build a following or promote your brand, you’re scanning content on Instagram or messaging friends through Snapchat. I’ve even run into situations where I’ve had to use social media, like communicating with an organization that was only on Facebook.

Unfortunately, these tendencies often lead to burnout. It’s hard to be creative when you’re suffering from information overload, never-ending comparisons, and mental fatigue. Trying to create original ideas or contribute authentically is difficult unless you proactively take steps to budget your time online and explore alternative activities to scrolling social media

If you work in marketing, taking an offline break not only soothes your brain but also makes you better at your job. Stepping away from the digital realm gives you a chance to relax, recharge, and refocus. After all, social media is a tool for connection — not the end goal. If you want to produce stronger and more genuine content, give your brain a break with the following social media substitutes:

1. Be a paper person.

In a world of technological devices competing for your attention, paper is your friend. I have a box filled with old magazines, article tears, and scraps of paper. No matter what kind of inspiration I need, I can find it in that box.

A lot of social media content is on-trend and recycled. If you want to be innovative, it can help to take a step away. Try looking through print publications or brainstorming in a notebook. When your brain is fried from too much screen time, a paper break can be exactly what you need.

2. Take an inspiration day.

Set aside a few hours to go exploring. Visit a local museum. Stroll through a park. Take opportunities to engage in your immediate reality and uncover new concepts lurking right in front of you.

Finding it difficult to clear your headspace? Randomly incentivize yourself. People will invest more effort in an activity if there’s an uncertain reward, so find ways to gamify your personal “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Put a $10 bill in one envelope and a $20 bill in another, shuffle, and then set them aside. After returning from your adventure, pick an envelope at random to determine your reward. When it’s time for your next break, use the money you earned from your last experience.

3. Talk to people.

Conversing with others can help you come up with new ideas and take a breather from social media. Consider talking to industry leaders, customers, or even your mother. Be open-minded. Sometimes you need to speak with someone who knows nothing about your industry to create a new approach.

In-person meetups are hard to arrange right now, but that’s where FaceTime and Zoom can be useful. When we’re able to watch someone else’s body language and responses, we pick up on nonverbal cues and better communicate. This can be a boon when you’re seeking inspiration through conversation.

4. Try something new.

As a content creator, most of my creative resources are poured into Google Docs and Photoshop. I was tired of the same old grind, so I tried improv last year. Not only was it a huge stress reliever, but it also kicked my imagination into high gear.

Whether you’ve always wanted to speak a second language or be able to whip up French macarons, force yourself to learn something new. You’ll develop skills you probably didn’t know you had, and you’ll view everything you touch as a marketer with a clearer lens.

Do you have to be on social media for work? Do yourself a favor and turn it off during your downtime. You’ll reap numerous benefits, and you won’t miss anything that you can’t catch up on tomorrow.

The post It’s OK to Take a Break From Social Media — Even When It’s Your Job appeared first on Social Media Explorer.

That said, here are some common best practices for designing the perfect offline marketing campaign for your real estate business.

Create Postcards & Flyers That Work

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. In fact, if you are an expert on real estate, then there’s a good chance that graphic design is not your thing. However, you can use a service like My Creative Shop to use a template for your flyer or postcard. There are several benefits to this. For one, online templates are tested and designed to be effective layouts for marketing. You can trust the experts who designed them. 

Then, all you need to do is plug in your content. This not only saves you time when you first create a flyer, but it also saves you time every subsequent week. You will have a standard layout into which you can just plug your content every time you need to put out a flyer. 

Leverage Direct Mail

Direct mail is one of the most common offline real estate marketing strategies, and rightfully so. It has proven, time and time again, it can generate leads and increase the marketing presence of real estate investors. It is often cost effective and can be a great way to reach new audiences. Direct mail can also be a good long-term strategy for investors looking to generate leads over time. When strategizing a particular direct mail campaign, identify target areas and the best ways to reach them. Direct mail campaigns can involve anything from handwritten letters to postcards–it all depends on the intended audience. Additionally, identify which types of leads you are attempting to contact and where to find them. It is a good idea to research property types and the owners you aim to reach.

Utilize Buyer Consultation Packets

A buyer consultation packet essentially contains anything you would give to prospective buyers. It should include instructions on your business process, contact information, reference forms, and any legal agreements necessary. Investors can even include local coupons or maps as an added bonus. These packets can come in handy in the event an unexpected networking opportunity arises.

Send Printed Newsletters

Under the right circumstances, a monthly newsletter can be a great way to increase awareness about your business. Investors may find success distributing a monthly business newsletter in target neighborhoods, similar to a direct mail campaign. There are several online services out there that can help make this offline strategy a reality, like Canva.

Design Done Well

Rember, the point of a flyer is to grab attention so that a consumer will take action. That action could be calling your number or visiting your website, for instance. You need to highlight certain points or details so that the viewer can easily see what you want them to see. Contrasting colors can help provide an eye-catching way for your audience to discover the actions you want them to take or the most important information. The contrast can be between certain colors, but it can also be between black and white, or bolded letters and non-bolded. Having a static font throughout without any contrast can seem boring and stale, and is a good way to have your audience toss your flyer in the trash. 

Keep Your Branding Consistent

Even though it’s a different medium, make sure to keep your branding consistent between all of your marketing materials, no matter whether it’s online or offline. Your colors, logo, and everything else need to keep the experience for your audience the same when they transition between the flyer and your website. That way there’s no confusion. They should also be able to easily find the information from your print materials on your website so that they can take the action that you want them to. 

Even though so many people are searching for properties online, do not forget about offline marketing. With these tips, you can create a great offline marketing strategy and get the business you need to be successful. 

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There are so many things that have changed in the last 20 years.  Playing outside all day with the neighbors kids seems like a thing of the past.  I regularly have teens over to hang out with my kids, and almost all of them are constantly checking their phones.  It’s actually pretty sad.

Another thing that is interesting is when I meet social media “influencers” they almost never look like the pictures they post online.

Many of the women use so many filters on their images that it almost looks like a cartoon.

Everything is so smooth, eyes and teeth are so bright and white, I can’t tell if I’m looking at a picture of my neighbor, or if it’s some new Disney Princess.

Comcast reported a 60% increase in internet usage in the first month of COVID restrictions.  Almost all of us are on some type of social media and with more time than ever at home, we are seeing more faces than ever.   All this time looking at faces can really have an effect on our minds.   Psychologist, Dr. Amadi, says, “Instagram has been tied to anxiety and depressive symptoms, but also to concerns such as anxiety related to physical appearance, increased body dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem.” 

I know numerous women, men and friends of my teenage daughter that almost alway use filters on everything they post and even use filters while talking on a facetime call.  Some even use an app called Facetune, which can actually alter the shape of your face.  It can make your eyes bigger, nose smaller, narrow your cheeks, plump your lips and even change the shape of your body.

Facetune has reported a 25% increase in usage of their app in the last 6 months.  There are over 100 million users that have some version of Facetune on their phones!

I’m sure all of you have tried some of the built in filters on every app from Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Tik Tok.  I’m glad the dog ears and tongue lick seems to have gone away.

Dr. Amadi also says, “It seems harmless at first, but a slight edit here and a slight edit there can spiral into obsessive-compulsive tendencies around body image.”

Dr. Bacow, from New York says, “Some of these behaviors inadvertently worsen body image. Editing your image reinforces a negative belief and confirms the thought that your natural body is not acceptable.” 

Doctors are reporting a dramatic increase in plastic surgeries and fillers and botox, even among young girls in their teens. This is natural when you consider they are looking at unrealistic images of people all day long on their phone.

Some of the suggestions I read were:

-Unfollow people that trigger unhealthy thoughts.

-Follow people that make you feel better about yourself.

-Limit the time you spend on social media.

-Try to recognize when you are comparing yourself to others and eliminate these thoughts.

-Remind yourself about things you like about yourself.

-Focus on goals that help you feel healthy and happy.

This reminds me of an old joke that one of my buddies told me.  It was something like, “Whenever you see some beautiful girl, just remember that there is a guy somewhere that is sick of her sh**.”

My point in telling you this is that no matter how beautiful someone is, the most important thing is how they treat other people.  Obviously I care a lot about fitness, but no matter how obsessed we are with our physical appearance, there are always going to be pictures of people that make us feel like we need to be leaner, or look more beautiful. 

The most important thing we can do is find things that bring us true happiness.  Being healthy can help, but in my life, what makes me happy, is my close relationships with family and friends.  So whiter teeth and a smaller waist might get you more likes on Instagram, but they for sure will not make anyone like you more in real life.  To be clear, post whatever pictures make you comfortable and follow whoever you want to follow, just be careful to pay attention to whether or not the things you post or look at online are actually making your life better.

As always, work hard, have fun and don’t forget to drink your Nanohydr8!  :)

Adam Legas

Founder/ CEO Nanohydr8

Discount Code “adam”

www.nanohydr8.com

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For example, social media has been linked to self-esteem issues, cyberbullying, and car accidents. 

Distracted driving is one of the primary causes of car accidents, and yet people continue to use their phones to scroll social media when they’re behind the wheel. We’re learning that the compulsion to scroll social media, even in dangerous situations could highlight the deeper issues of these platforms. 

The distractions of social media sites extend to work and relationships. It’s hard for most of us to be present when there’s the constant pull of social media at our fingertips. 

The Social Dilemma is a buzzy new Netflix movie exploring the topic and opening up many people’s eyes to the difficult truths regarding social media. So what should you know if you haven’t watched it yet?

The Basics

The Social Dilemma is a documentary from Jeff Orlowski, which looks at how things like addiction to Facebook and Instagram aren’t accidental and are rather part of the design on the part of tech companies. The documentary deep-dives into the fact that social media companies are manipulating and exploiting human behavior for profit. 

For example, those push notifications you receive are a way to keep you constantly tethered to your social media. Personalized recommendations are not just using your currently available data but are influencing your every action. 

Through the course of the film, Orlowski speaks with the people who built social media and now are worried that they’ve created a monster in terms of democracy, mental health, and more. 

According to Anna Lembke, who is a Stanford University addiction specialist, social media companies rely on the evolutionary need of the brain to have a sense of connection. 

Interestingly, the documentary combines interviews with fictional scenes of a suburban family dealing with the ramifications of an addiction to social media. 

The documentary looks at former decision-makers in the tech industry dealing with the business models that have led to their power and influence, but perhaps many negative outcomes. 

The ability of social media to play into human psychology and drive behaviors is why these companies have become so staggeringly rich. 

Most of us at the individual level are entirely unaware of how social media is affecting us, and that’s by design. 

The Effects of Social Media on Your Brain

It sounds dramatic, but we are increasingly seeing that social media is turning us into addicts. Social media platforms target the same brain circuits as drugs and gambling. 

For example, consider how you feel if you realize you don’t have your phone with you at any given moment in your day. You may feel panic because if you don’t have your phone you can feel incomplete. We’re entirely reliant on our phones, which is why we find ourselves using them even when we shouldn’t, like when we’re behind the wheel. 

Smartphones themselves aren’t necessarily addictive—it’s what on them. 

Social media lets you carry your social life in your pocket. There are, unfortunately, links between smartphone use and anxiety and depression, diminished sleep quality, and a higher risk of car accident injury and death. 

Even if you want to spend less time scrolling social media on your phone, you may not be able to. This is how an addict feels with substance use. 

Social Media and Dopamine

Understanding the addictive nature of social media relies on gaining insight into dopamine. 

Our brains produce dopamine, and it plays a role in motivation. Dopamine is released when we do something pleasurable, including having social interactions. The dopamine response we have from pleasurable behaviors motivates us to keep repeating those stimuli. The dopamine pathways in our brand are considered reward pathways. In addiction, there is dysfunction seen in these paths. 

Reward pathways in the brain reinforce our feelings of feel-good reward that follows certain behaviors.

Smartphones and social media apps provide non-stop, rewarding stimuli in the form of social interactions. Each time we see a notification on our Facebook or we get a like on Instagram, there’s a flood of dopamine that triggers the addictive reward cycle. 

Consider over the past decade how many more notifications you likely get from Facebook as part of this. You are now getting notifications for interactions you have with groups and for things that you aren’t even directly involved in. It’s those notifications that keep you going back for more and incentivize you to repeat your behaviors and Facebook knows that. 

On Instagram, there’s a trick where likes are withheld on your photos so that then they can be delivered in a larger burst. What happens is that you initially may feel let down because you aren’t getting the responses you thought you would on Instagram, but then your dopamine centers are activated when you get that collection of likes later on. 

So, What Can You Do?

How you decide to handle the information provided in The Social Dilemma is up to you and what your goals are, but research is increasingly showing us that at least limiting your social media exposure can be tremendously beneficial for your mental health. 

Consider a social media detox, or put yourself on a strict timer to only use social media 30 minutes a day. 

What you have to realize is that this is going to be tough if you’re used to engaging with social media all day. 

You have to rewire your brain, and it takes time to do that. You may get frustrated when you find yourself picking your phone up after you just put it down, but if you can be more mindful of what you’re doing, it can help you change those pathways in your brain hijacked by social media. 

Watching The Social Dilemma can provide you with more insight into how social media is affecting you without you knowing it. The film might give you the motivation you need to cut social media out of your life or at least make changes in how you use it, interact with and it, and rely on it.

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What is Sustainability Marketing

Sustainability Marketing is the act of promoting a brand, business or enterprise by ‘merchandising’ a socially impactful or environmentally responsible attribute, product or practice and increasingly these efforts align with the SDGs. Larger CPG brands and companies such as Unilever, P&G, Pepsico are seeing the value in ‘twinning and winning’ by encouraging the Chief Sustainability Officer and the Chief

Marketing Officer to work more closely and collaboratively to figure out what should happen at the intersection between what the brand stands for, the consumer wants and the world needs. And when done well it will make people more receptive to buying your products, using your services or frequenting your establishment. Because when consumers know a business is doing right by people and planet, and not just profit, they are more likely to buy and even pay more for the opportunity.

Why is Sustainability Marketing Important?

The desire to shop more consciously and sustainably continues to grow. In fact, Brands for Good research shows that an overwhelming 88% of consumers would like brands to help them lead a more sustainable lifestyle. And a recent study from IRI finds that Sustainably marketed products have grown 7X faster that conventionally marketed products over the past 4 years.

And this is not just a growing fad. Sustainable brands have been showing steady growth year after year for the past 12 years. In fact, 70% of consumers consider climate change as serious a crisis as COVID-19. And 63% expect companies to continue their efforts around social and environmental issues even during the pandemic. (Porter Novelli COVID Tracker- Wave 2: 2020) With 74% of consumers saying that the way a brand conducts itself now will influence whether they buy them in the future (Gfk) it is no longer low risk for Brands to sit on the sidelines.

Sustainability Marketing done right (and gone wrong)

Even with so much upside, Sustainability Marketing can be a slippery slope. Making a misstep or stretching your message too far can be looked at as “green-washing”. Take Nike’s social campaign for example. In response to Black Lives Matter the brand took to Instagram and Twitter, urging followers to be part of the change. But while the company proudly promoted its stance to the black community, consumers became aware that the sneakers are produced in factories that employ forced labor of China’s imprisoned Uighur minority. Thus, undermining their credibility and a backlash through the press. The lesson is clear. Be genuine, authentic, transparent, and traceable and then track your impact and you can’t go far wrong.

But there are brands doing it right. For example, when Patagonia joined the Climate Strike and closed stores so their employees could join in as well — while even helping outfit local communities with signs and stickers to demonstrate their own support. And Adidas, setting out to end plastic waste by launching new product innovations created from recycled materials — all while working to reduce their own company’s carbon footprint. These two brands have risen in popularity and sales and demonstrate the power of successful Sustainability Marketing. It takes time, commitment and hard effort. As Alan Jope the CEO of Unilever said, “A principle isn’t a principle unless it costs you something.”

Getting started in Sustainability Marketing?

With so much at stake and so many brands and companies looking to start their Sustainability Marketing journey, it’s hard to know where to start. To get you grounded, here are a few tips:

1. Take a good look at your business.  

Start with a landscape assessment and then use that data and those insights to map and benchmark your business. We like the Sustainable Brands Brand Transformation Roadmap tool for helping do just that. If you really want to go to town – you could take the B-corp assessment and become a certified B-corporation! (That way you’ll get the kudos and prove that you really mean in it)

2. Ensure the “why” of purpose connects to the “way” of profit.

With your assessment in place make sure your company is financially, operationally and culturally able to make the shift. It is important that everything you do aligns and supports your goals. Make sure you cleary articulate your commitments within a time frame and communicate them internally before you go out there and save the world.

3. Find your community.

There are a lot of groups that can help businesses start and stay on track.  We actively participate with our B-Corp community as well as Sustainable Brands, Kindred and the United Nations so we can leverage learnings from those that have gone before. You can even use social listening tools to help identify key themes, communities, influencers and ambassadors that can help. We like netbase / quid and pulsar.

4. Look for a good Sustainability Marketing Agency Partner

A good marketing partner has the proven experience and credibility in sustainability and brand-purpose to help shepherd you along. Remember, this is not a simple communications brief. To be credible and bullet proof it often demands more of a business transformation underneath. Never underestimate it. As Mark Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer at P&H says “ When it comes to topics like inclusion, equality and sustainability, this is important creative work, it requires experienced marketing and agency teams, it needs a ‘hands on’ leadership style, it should not be delegated.”

Conclusion:

Sustainability is here to stay. And more and more businesses are getting their company and products in line to live up to a more sustainable future. In fact, it is the only way to future proof your business and your brand (and did we mention that people pay up to 35% more for sustainably marketed products?)  But the good news is, when you do you have a great message to share with your consumers, shoppers and stakeholders. And when you do it right you can unlock exponential growth and help save the planet so that everyone can feel good about it.

Author bio: 

Heidi Schoeneck & Phil White

Co-founders of Grounded World

Voted in the top 100 of global impact leaders they are a Creative and Strategic duo who left big agency life to use their talents for good. Their company, Grounded World is a B-corp certified, award-winning Social Impact and Sustainability Marketing Agency that helps brands, businesses and nonprofits articulate their brand purpose, activating their brand and accelerating their positive impact. www.grounded.world

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