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Grow Your Business: 7 Top TED Talks You Need to See
Discover business-relevant presentations that will inspire, inform and entertain
HouzzIN
6 March 2019
Looking for a rich source of inspiration to kick-start a new business idea or reboot an existing one? Then try and find some time in your weekly schedule to listen to a relevant TED talk and we guarantee you’ll come away buzzing.
Since 2006, these short presentations (that can be no more that 18 minutes long) have been available online for the world to absorb and learn from, and what started as talks about technology, entertainment and design, have now grown to span a whole variety of topics. Here, we bring you some popular TED talks from around the globe that focus on achieving the most from your business. So, blank out some space in your diary, find a quiet place, and prepare to be inspired.
Since 2006, these short presentations (that can be no more that 18 minutes long) have been available online for the world to absorb and learn from, and what started as talks about technology, entertainment and design, have now grown to span a whole variety of topics. Here, we bring you some popular TED talks from around the globe that focus on achieving the most from your business. So, blank out some space in your diary, find a quiet place, and prepare to be inspired.
Building a successful business
From start-ups to established companies, being a success is at the forefront of every business leader’s drive and ambition. However, even the most experienced business founders or directors need guidance and inspiration now and again.
Find a wealth of inspiration in this business TED talk by Roselinde Torres, that looks at What it Takes to be a Great Leader, and challenges traditional leadership skills to diversify in an era that sees the world more connected than ever before. While Richard St. John’s talk on 8 Secrets of Success reveals common character traits that successful people have in common. The results will surprise you.
From start-ups to established companies, being a success is at the forefront of every business leader’s drive and ambition. However, even the most experienced business founders or directors need guidance and inspiration now and again.
Find a wealth of inspiration in this business TED talk by Roselinde Torres, that looks at What it Takes to be a Great Leader, and challenges traditional leadership skills to diversify in an era that sees the world more connected than ever before. While Richard St. John’s talk on 8 Secrets of Success reveals common character traits that successful people have in common. The results will surprise you.
Learn new business techniques
As a small business owner, the sheer magnitude of work can often be overwhelming, as you spread yourself thinly across many aspects of the company. Learning how to effectively hone your time-management skills can increase your productivity, however, as well as adopting new techniques to help you improve your business strategy. Don’t miss Kelly McGonigal’s talk about How to Make Stress Your Friend and techniques for combating its often harmful effects.
Then, if you’re still in the need for a positive pick-me-up, hop over to Shawn Achor’s talk, The Happy Secret to Better Work, where he discusses the difference between working to be happy, or being consistently happy for improving productivity.
Give your small business a boost with these tricks
As a small business owner, the sheer magnitude of work can often be overwhelming, as you spread yourself thinly across many aspects of the company. Learning how to effectively hone your time-management skills can increase your productivity, however, as well as adopting new techniques to help you improve your business strategy. Don’t miss Kelly McGonigal’s talk about How to Make Stress Your Friend and techniques for combating its often harmful effects.
Then, if you’re still in the need for a positive pick-me-up, hop over to Shawn Achor’s talk, The Happy Secret to Better Work, where he discusses the difference between working to be happy, or being consistently happy for improving productivity.
Give your small business a boost with these tricks
Improve client relationships
We’ve discussed before the importance of being frank and open with clients from the outset, to ensure good working relationships. This is a similar ethos expressed in Amanda Palmer’s The Art of Asking, in which we learn that it’s important to listen to our clients and take time to understand their needs or journey, rather than just selling a service or product.
Another invaluable insight for improving your listening skills is the TED talk by Celeste Headlee about 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation. In it, you’ll learn how better conversation skills will in turn improve customer or client support and overall relationships.
Encourage your clients to write a positive review for you
We’ve discussed before the importance of being frank and open with clients from the outset, to ensure good working relationships. This is a similar ethos expressed in Amanda Palmer’s The Art of Asking, in which we learn that it’s important to listen to our clients and take time to understand their needs or journey, rather than just selling a service or product.
Another invaluable insight for improving your listening skills is the TED talk by Celeste Headlee about 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation. In it, you’ll learn how better conversation skills will in turn improve customer or client support and overall relationships.
Encourage your clients to write a positive review for you
Career advice to take away
You don’t have to be at school or college to be given career advice. Listening to expert knowledge and tips from those with a wealth of experience can be beneficial at any stage of your working life, and often TED talks can spark a new direction or initiative for your business.
For example, Head of Houzz Pro+ Team, Andrew Small, recalls how a TED talk made him revisit some career advice he was given in his twenties. “Meg Jay’s talk on Why 30 is Not the New 20 made me remember a course of life-coaching sessions in my mid-twenties,” says Small. “Someone told me at the time that ‘your twenties are all about positioning yourself’. I think this is great advice, as your twenties are a time to get serious about making the right investments in your future – learning the right skills and finding the right people to share your life with.”
Read more:
A Guide to Careers in Design
Tell us:
Do you have any TED talk gems you’d like to share with the community? Tell us in the Comments below.
You don’t have to be at school or college to be given career advice. Listening to expert knowledge and tips from those with a wealth of experience can be beneficial at any stage of your working life, and often TED talks can spark a new direction or initiative for your business.
For example, Head of Houzz Pro+ Team, Andrew Small, recalls how a TED talk made him revisit some career advice he was given in his twenties. “Meg Jay’s talk on Why 30 is Not the New 20 made me remember a course of life-coaching sessions in my mid-twenties,” says Small. “Someone told me at the time that ‘your twenties are all about positioning yourself’. I think this is great advice, as your twenties are a time to get serious about making the right investments in your future – learning the right skills and finding the right people to share your life with.”
Read more:
A Guide to Careers in Design
Tell us:
Do you have any TED talk gems you’d like to share with the community? Tell us in the Comments below.
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