So far, more than 10 million people have downloaded Clubhouse, the social media app that lets you listen to – and sometimes join – conversations and presentations with industry heavy hitters. But if you’re waiting for your turn to try the invitation-only chat-fest, you can find inspiration elsewhere with our round-up of this month’s best business resources and buys: equipment that’s useful at work and home; a book that pinpoints how entrepreneurs succeed; and businesses that hope to make both money and a difference.
The Handy Out-Of-Office Gadget: PopSockets PopGrip
The PopSockets PopGrip 2nd Gen acts as both a comfortable handle for on-the-fly video chats and a useful smartphone stand for those times you’re consuming content while consuming a sandwich. If the rose gold-marble design isn’t your style, you can opt for a simple, all-business black (or something even sweeter).
The App That’s Got Everyone Talking: Clubhouse
This audio-based social media app is currently invitation-only, but, once in, you can head to chat rooms to listen to real-time conversations and panel discussions with industry leaders; past chats include Tesla’s Elon Musk interviewing Robinhood’s Vlad Tenev. Whatever your interest – marketing, finance, Rihanna – you can access a lot of expertise on Clubhouse. Starting your own room or being invited to “share the stage” is a way to reach potential clients and new Instagram and Twitter followers. Haven’t been invited yet? The creators are working to open the app to all in 2021 but in the meantime, when you sign up for the app, you can join the waitlist to enter or see if you have a friend or colleague who’s in and can send you an invite.
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The Book for Making It: The Common Path To Uncommon Success
John Lee Dumas, host of award-winning podcast Entrepreneurs on Fire, has interviewed more than 3000 founders, mavericks and superstars, so it’s not surprising that he has a few observations on the principles of business success. In his new book, he Common Path to Uncommon Success, he shares his insights, explaining that many of us tend to misidentify our big business ideas as either a passion (I love muffins! I’ll open a bakery!) or something we have expertise in (I know how to code. I’ll build websites!) when it has to be both. From there, he offers exercises, tips and anecdotes in his roadmap to entrepreneurial success.
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The Most Inspirational Business Email: TrendWatching
Consumer trend company TrendWatching has more than 600 spotters across the world seeking out fascinating startups and corporate initiatives with purpose. You can subscribe to free weekly or daily trend updates to find out about firms such as a Californian startup launching mental health gyms and the Dutch startup that’s making recycled, recyclable tennis balls (because it’s estimated that the French Open alone goes through 65,000 balls a tournament).
The Monitor for Work and Play: Samsung 32” Smart Monitor
When your home address and work address are one and the same, it’s time to consider a monitor you can use both professionally and for streaming entertainment. The 32” Samsung Smart Monitor has a 32-inch 4K UHD display, Apple and PC connectivity and automatically adjusts brightness according to lights around it.
