Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

The State of Play: Law, Games, and Virtual Worlds (Ex Machina: Law, Technology, and Society) Review

The State of Play: Law, Games, and Virtual Worlds (Ex Machina: Law, Technology, and Society)
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The State of Play: Law, Games, and Virtual Worlds (Ex Machina: Law, Technology, and Society) ReviewWhen Judge Richard Posner first called himself and other legal academics "intellectual entrepreneurs," he was at least half-kidding (in a Chicago kind of way). But in recent years the "market" for legal scholarship has become among the most cutthroat in the world. Professors seem desperate to be the first to homestead new territory in any emerging market.
The work of economists like Edward Castronova has demonstrated that virtual worlds constitute a new frontier, ripe for cutting edge scholarship. The authors in this book are staking their claim to its legal issues. But just being the first to a topic does not mean you have anything interesting to say about it. Castronova's work is interesting, but you don't need this book to understand it. The remaining essays in this book reminded me of cyber-squatted domain names. "What will happen?" they all seem to ask, but they don't offer many answers or even interesting speculations.
The real problem here is that law exists to dealing with real-world consequences, while virtual worlds exist to eliminate them. Law may eventually get some traction in virtual reality, but it hasn't happened yet. If you want to be there when it does, don't read a law book - get yourself into a MMPORG. Just don't plan on keeping your job or your marriage.The State of Play: Law, Games, and Virtual Worlds (Ex Machina: Law, Technology, and Society) Overview
The State of Play presents an essential first step in understanding how new digital worlds will change the future of our universe. Millions of people around the world inhabit virtual words: multiplayer online games where characters live, love, buy, trade, cheat, steal, and have every possible kind of adventure. Far more complicated and sophisticated than early video games, people now spend countless hours in virtual universes like Second Life and Star Wars Galaxies not to shoot space invaders but to create new identities, fall in love, build cities, make rules, and break them.

As digital worlds become increasingly powerful and lifelike, people will employ them for countless real-world purposes, including commerce, education, medicine, law enforcement, and military training. Inevitably, real-world law will regulate them. But should virtual worlds be fully integrated into our real-world legal system or should they be treated as separate jurisdictions with their own forms of dispute resolution? What rules should govern virtual communities? Should the law step in to protect property rights when virtual items are destroyed or stolen?

These questions, and many more, are considered in The State of Play, where legal experts, game designers, and policymakers explore the boundaries of free speech, intellectual property, and creativity in virtual worlds. The essays explore both the emergence of law in multiplayer online games and how we can use virtual worlds to study real-world social interactions and test real-world laws.

Contributors include: Jack M. Balkin, Richard A. Bartle, Yochai Benkler, Caroline Bradley, Edward Castronova, Susan P. Crawford, Julian Dibbell, A. Michael Froomkin, James Grimmelmann, David R. Johnson, Dan Hunter, Raph Koster, F. Gregory Lastowka, Beth Simone Noveck, Cory Ondrejka, Tracy Spaight, and Tal Zarsky.


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Doing eBusiness: Thriving in an Electronic Marketplace Review

Doing eBusiness: Thriving in an Electronic Marketplace
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Doing eBusiness: Thriving in an Electronic Marketplace ReviewHere's a book on e-business that is actually entertaining in the way it approaches its subject. This book takes on the ambitious task of addressing both the B2C and B2B aspects of e-commerce, full of good insights and constructive advice in both areas. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Terhune combine the best of their experience from Gartner with new, independent research and conclusions, all written in an entertaining, informative way. While not outright funny, but written in a light style that makes it more readable that most of the E-Business books I've read.Doing eBusiness: Thriving in an Electronic Marketplace OverviewStrategies for becoming a fully functional E-businessThis book provides executives, managers, and entrepreneurs with practical ideas and techniques that will help them improve the way they implement and manage E-commerce and E-business. The authors have been E-business strategy consultants for over a decade, and this book is based on their experiences working with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies and dot com startups. The book is filled with examples of how companies across industries have used the Internet to sell in business-to-business E-marketplaces, as well as direct to consumers, and the problems they have encountered in the process. The book also covers many topics that other E-business books miss, including the impact of the Net's underground economy and how to involve customers emotionally with a Web-based business.David Taylor and Alyse Terhune (Stamford, CT) founded eMarket Holdings, LLC, an E-business strategy consulting firm in 1999. They have been e-commerce and e-business consultants for over a decade, primarily at Gartner Group, Inc.

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The Social Factor: Innovate, Ignite, and Win through Mass Collaboration and Social Networking Review

The Social Factor: Innovate, Ignite, and Win through Mass Collaboration and Social Networking
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The Social Factor: Innovate, Ignite, and Win through Mass Collaboration and Social Networking ReviewFour signs that you are seriously behind the Internet-driven times: 1) You type "www" in front of Web addresses, 2) You think "geek" is a term of derision, 3) You subscribe to TV Guide and 4) You have a landline. If these descriptions fit you, then you will find Maria Azua's book eye-opening. She describes online developments such as wikis, cloud computing, crowdsourcing, widgets, social bookmarking, folksonomies, avatars and all the rest - and explains what they can do for your business. However, if you are already an experienced social networker, Azua's guide will be a review of familiar information. getAbstract recommends this book to businesspeople who are feeling mystified by the Internet - that is, anyone who needs to update his or her Web skills. Online, it's a new world. Azua's book provides a good map.The Social Factor: Innovate, Ignite, and Win through Mass Collaboration and Social Networking OverviewHarness the Power of Social Networking to Promote Innovation and Drive GrowthA treasure trove of strategic and tactical insights for the business leader

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The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World: Marketing and Selling Your Product, Services, and Brand In-World Review

The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World: Marketing and Selling Your Product, Services, and Brand In-World
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The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World: Marketing and Selling Your Product, Services, and Brand In-World ReviewYou should visit even if you don't plan to establish a business presence. I bought the book because I was featured in it. It's an excellent book about the opportunities available to the people willing to take the time to build a business. I know several people who have built SL businesses since the book was written and despite the generally bad economic times we're in currently. If you're a creative person and have a feel for Second Life, get this book to spur you forward.The Unofficial Guide to Building Your Business in the Second Life Virtual World: Marketing and Selling Your Product, Services, and Brand In-World OverviewWhy market and sell to people only in the "real world.,." when there's a "Second Life" filled with unlimited possibility for profit? A comprehensive, in-depth guide to the opportunities in this new marketplace, "The Second Life Business Builder" gives readers practical tips and strategies for creating an income stream, and marketing or extending a brand on the site. This is the one book that reveals the best ways to make money using the hottest thing online.

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The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse Review

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse
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The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse ReviewEntrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse
I figured this would be a useful book because when I was interviewed for it the questions were in-depth, thoughtful, and non-fluffy. And it turns out that the book is even better than I expected. This is a GREAT book for anyone who wants to start an in-world Second Life business, or for someone who wants to improve their existing business. I would have turned a profit quicker if I'd had it when I was a newbie!The Entrepreneur's Guide to Second Life: Making Money in the Metaverse OverviewBusiness is booming in Second Life, and many residents are earning big bucks in-world—and so can you. This unique guide walks you through what it takes to launch and run a successful Second Life business. Packed with insider tips from some of the metaverse's best-known entrepreneurs, it delivers the lowdown on SL business basics and shows you step by step how to succeed in popular business niches, from real estate and construction to fashion, gadgets, toys, entertainment, music, blogging and more.

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How to Make Money Using Etsy: A Guide to the Online Marketplace for Crafts and Handmade Products Review

How to Make Money Using Etsy: A Guide to the Online Marketplace for Crafts and Handmade Products
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How to Make Money Using Etsy: A Guide to the Online Marketplace for Crafts and Handmade Products ReviewI've been selling knitted items on Etsy for over a year now, but only recently started getting serious about it. Sales have come in, but they are slow. I wanted to do something to get more buyers. It's just that Etsy has grown to be so big now, unless you're luckly enough to be featured on the main page, your store can get buried (and mine was buried). So, I bought this book and also Etsy Success - How to Make a Full-Time Income Selling Jewelry, Crafts, and Other Handmade Products Online to get ideas on how to get the word out.
The author takes an "internet marketing" approach to the advice he gives. Basically, he has taken the things that have worked for successful internet marketers (who sell ebooks and other products) and shows you how to apply them to your Etsy store. This was a new approach I hadn't thought of.
There's a lot of mention of SEO (search engine optimization) but it wasn't too complicated to understand. He gives really good advice on setting up a blog and that was helpful. There are also interviews with successful bloggers (some of whom I had read before) which were helpful to better understand how a blog works to get new buyers and keep them interested. Reading about their success also really inspired me.
The big thing I learned was that there's a big difference between advertising your Etsy store and marketing it. Marketing takes a little more work, but can lead to the best results, so it is more efficient in the long run.
This book gave me ideas on how I can spend minimal time marketing my store without it turning into a full-time job, so I have the best of both worlds. This was especially important to me, because I still need time to knit! :)How to Make Money Using Etsy: A Guide to the Online Marketplace for Crafts and Handmade Products OverviewIn a world where most products are manufactured by machines, Etsy offers an online platform for makers of handmade products and crafts to market and sell their goods to a vast network of buyers who demand unique, genuine products. To date, the site has attracted over 400,000 sellers who collectively have sold over 30 million items, generating more than $180.6 million in revenue. The only resource of its kind, How to Make Money Using Etsy--written by Tim Adam who has successfully been selling his products all over the world through his Etsy shop since 2007--guides readers step-by-step through the many stages of selling online. How-to topics include:
Establish your Etsy shop

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Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) Review

Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business and Personal Finance))
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Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) ReviewIf you want to sell your work on etsy.com, this is the book you need. Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies takes you step-by-step through the process of signing up for an account, deciding what you will sell, creating listings, marketing your store, getting paid and shipping your items.
This is not a book filled with generalities, such as, "Take nice photos of the items you offer for sale." There is, for example, an entire chapter devoted to exactly how to showcase your crafts attractively in photos that will help them sell. There are also chapters on writing titles and descriptions, pricing, shipping and much more. If you have questions about selling (and buying) on Etsy, you will find the answers here.
The book is written in the style of all of the "for Dummies" books, so the tone is light and breezy and there are lots of lists, photos and screenshots. The book contains 25 chapters grouped into six parts. "The Part of Tens" (a fixture in the for Dummies books) includes Ten Terrific Tips for Etsy Sellers, Ten Strategies for Marketing Your Etsy Shop and Ten Pointers for Saving Money and Time as an Etsy Shop Owner.
This book will start you on your way to running a successful and profitable Etsy store.Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) OverviewThe easy way to build an online craft business from scratch
Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies offers expert advice for artists and entrepreneurs looking to build an online craft business from scratch. You'll get invaluable information on setting up your online shop, writing compelling item descriptions, photographing your work, engaging the Etsy community, understanding fees, and finding your muse when it takes a holiday.
In the last couple of years, the DIY movement has transcended the big-box hardware stores, and has taken on a new format in the savvy crafting arena. Etsy.com boasts an astonishing 1.9 million members, and there are tens of thousands of craft and hobby bazaars held each year across the United States. Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies shows you how to create, manage, and successfully sell handmade wares, vintage goods, and DIY supplies using the world's largest online handmade marketplace.
Learn to sell your handmade wares, vintage goods, DIY supplies online at Etsy.com
Create and manage your own successful Etsy storefront
Merchandise your unique creations and drive buyers to your shop

If DIY is your domain, Starting an Etsy Business For Dummies gives you the skills, knowledge, and know-how to create a successful business that pays.

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The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses Review

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
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The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses ReviewAs an experienced entrepreneur - inside of big companies in terms of the ubiquitous "change initiative," but also in new product or service development, and as a new subsidiary C-level executive - and now as a small business startup founder and owner - I really looked forward to reading this. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to like this book and see how I could apply Ries' learnings to better my entrepreneurship and my innovation, I was deeply disappointed. The book is repetitive, light on specifics, with many generalized insights (that are really not too insightful), and even includes a number of passages that lead the reader to second-guess whether the author's point is to share actual advice and steps to take, or to encourage people to use his "Lean Startup program" (which, coincidentally, entails hiring his firm - who knew?).
Six key strengths/pros of the book:
1. It's a very quick read; I finished it in two sessions
2. A great premise: "the application of lean thinking to the process of innovation"
3. An excellent threshold question that goes beyond the usual, Should this product be built? to: "Can we build a sustainable business around this set of products and services?" Definitely more would-be entrepreneurs should be able to definitely answer this question long before they go seek funding or decide to incorporate.
4. The suggestion to see customer requests/desires as the opportunity to run innovation experiments, not as the actual need for a new product or service (i.e., maybe you only need to tweak a current product or service, not invent new). For anyone who's followed Voice of the Customer new product innovation techniques over the past two decades, this is hardly news, but Ries does a good job of simplifying one of the core learnings of Voice of the Customer: stated customer feedback is not always an accurate reflection of actual need/desire.
5. The concept of the "engines of growth" (i.e., entrepreneurs have lots of ideas, it's really more a matter of selecting which ones will actually work and strongly grow the company).
6. The need to use metrics of customer churn rate versus customer retention versus new customer attraction to assess customer behavior associated with your product/service, and thus the likelihood for good business growth.Four frustrating cons of the book:
1. Mr. Ries must mention at least a dozen times throughout the book (and sometimes several times a chapter) something along the lines of "My experiences are now part of the entrepreneurship curriculum at several business schools, including Harvard Business School, where I serve as an entrepreneur in residence. I've also told these stories at countless workshops, lectures and conferences." It's one thing to tell stories in a book to demonstrate principles and tactics, it's another to constantly remind the reader about the great stories and advice he/she is getting by reading the book.
2. All of the strengths I noted above are just about how specific Mr. Ries actually gets. For instance, over pages 215-220, Ries discusses the metrics of customer churn, customer retention, and how, in order to get good growth, you have to have significantly more customer retention and more new customers than lost customers. At the end of those five pages, you'll have learned exactly what I just stated (and in the process read a bunch of stories and case studies taught in countless workshops, etc., illustrating that sentence).
3. A number of the mistakes that Mr. Ries talks about are related to his dot-bomb experiences, and do not, unfortunately, relate very well to innovators and entrepreneurs today. For instance, most of the venture capitalists that I know will not loan money or invest in startups that do not have rock-solid business plans stating specifically how the new product or service will make money, how quickly, the specific known hurdles, and so on. And the VCs will re-run their own numbers and do their own market analysis. Try getting a line of credit today, and you'll quickly see how different the financial investment in the startup landscape is today from back in the dot-bomb era.
4. Much of the book is written not for small business owners or those who'd strike out on their own and start a new company, but those who work within large companies (who, incidentally, will have the money to hire Mr. Ries as an entrepreneurship consultant) and want to start innovating better, being more creative, and being internal entrepreneurs.
While these pros and cons balance out any assessment of the book (and thus I give it 3 stars), I don't think they make for a satisfying - or even very helpful read. There's much better fare out there that is much more specific, including the Heath brothers' "Made to Stick" or their latest, "Switch."
If you must get "The Lean Startup," wait for it in the bargain bin.The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses Overview
Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. Eric Ries defines a startup as an organization dedicated to creating something new under conditions of extreme uncertainty. This is just as true for one person in a garage or a group of seasoned professionals in a Fortune 500 boardroom. What they have in common is a mission to penetrate that fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path to a sustainable business. The Lean Startup approach fosters companies that are both more capital efficient and that leverage human creativity more effectively. Inspired by lessons from lean manufacturing, it relies on "validated learning," rapid scientific experimentation, as well as a number of counter-intuitive practices that shorten product development cycles, measure actual progress without resorting to vanity metrics, and learn what customers really want. It enables a company to shift directions with agility, altering plans inch by inch, minute by minute. Rather than wasting time creating elaborate business plans, The Lean Startup offers entrepreneurs - in companies of all sizes - a way to test their vision continuously, to adapt and adjust before it's too late. Ries provides a scientific approach to creating and managing successful startups in a age when companies need to innovate more than ever.


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