Blog | Fireside Insights

Sep 21, 2017
3 min

How to Become a Whiz at Networking Events

Fireside Insights spent an evening with Network After Work, an organization with monthly recurring networking events hosted across 85 cities, promoting our website and socializing with other business owners, entrepreneurs, and career-minded professionals. Aiming to shift away from mundane networking events, the organization provides a relaxed atmosphere within which people are welcome to make meaningful connections. At Fireside Insights, we know how daunting it can be to meet

Aug 28, 2017
2 min

Stop Competing and Start Collaborating: Why Entrepreneurs Should Work Together

Being an entrepreneur is hard work. The long nights and endless list of priorities can be daunting, especially in the beginning. Many entrepreneurs in this predicament overlook one obvious resource that can help lead them to success: other entrepreneurs. It’s instinctual to feel the need to compete with others, after all, you want to be the biggest and the best. However, once you push past this urge and focus your energy on developing yourself and your brand, you will find th

Jun 23, 2017
3 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of June 19, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from this past week. BUSINESS Inside Travis Kalanick’s Resignation as Uber’s C.E.O. During a trip to Chicago on Tuesday, Uber CEO Travis Kalanick was paid a surprise visit by “two of Uber’s venture capitalists–Matt Cohler and Peter Fenton of the Silicon Valley firm Benchmark, which is one of Uber’s biggest shareholders–who presented Mr. Kalanick with a list of demands, including his resignation before the end of the day…Th

Jun 22, 2017
2 min

4 Books about Business and Entrepreneurship You Should Read

Among other things, “lifelong learning” is a core value of my alma mater, and what better way is there to learn than to read the personal accounts of today’s preeminent entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Read about Eric Ries’ lean manufacturing approach to managing a startup, Tim Ferriss’ collection of business tips and lessons from other innovators, and more from Adam Grant and the the Gaineses from HGTV’s Fixer Upper. The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuou

Jun 16, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of June 12, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from this past week. BUSINESS Tim Cook on Donald Trump, the HomePod, and the Legacy of Steve Jobs Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the legacy of Steve Jobs, the internet-connected HomePod, the future of augmented reality, job creation in the manufacturing sector, and his experience working with President Trump. HEALTH The case for prescription heroin As the opioid epidemic ravages North America, the Providence Crosstown Clinic

Jun 9, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of June 5, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Bitcoin’s price keeps breaking records. Here’s what’s driving its growth. Bitcoin, the peer-to-peer cryptocurrency and digital payment system, “reached a record high on Tuesday, climbing above $2,900 for the first time. That’s more than double the price at the beginning of May, and an incredible 500-fold increase over the past five years.” Experts attribute the currency’s recent growth to soaring d

May 30, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of May 29, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Computer meltdown may cost British Airways over $100 million British Airways canceled around 800 flights on Saturday from London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. A power surge crippled BA’s flight, baggage, and communications systems, leaving 75,000 passengers stranded and costing BA more than $100 million in compensations, refunds, additional staffing, and lost revenue. “Delta and Southwest airlines

May 23, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of May 22, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Ford got a new CEO, but it needs a new strategy Three big technological changes–autonomy, electric power, and ride-hailing–are about to hit the car industry; and Ford, in an apparent move to adapt to these changes, abruptly changed CEOs from Mark Fields to Jim Hackett. The latter comes from Ford Smart Mobility, a subsidiary focused on next-generation technologies. HEALTH Like Hunger Or Thirst, Lone

May 8, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of May 8, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS From concept art to store shelves: How Lego creates its ‘Star Wars’ toys Have you ever wondered what Lego’s design process is for its products? Star Wars ranks among Lego’s top five licenses, and their products begin development one to two years before their release to retail shelves. Lego product designers share an inside look into the development of Rey’s speeder from Star Wars: The Force Awakens

May 2, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of May 1, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Amid Brick-and-Mortar Travails, a Tipping Point for Amazon in Apparel As brick-and-mortar retail spaces continue to close, Amazon has filed a patent to manufacture custom-made suits, dresses, and shirts on-demand. This follows the growth of e-commerce that now constitutes 20% of total national retail spending and signals a change in consumers’ willingness to purchase apparel online. HEALTH Stalking

Apr 24, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of April 24, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Stores are closing at an epic pace The latest casualty in the decline of brick-and-mortar retailers is Bebe which plans to close 28 stores and is “exploring strategic alternatives.” Credit Suisse reported this month that “[possibly] more than 8,600 brick-and-mortar stores will close their doors in 2017” which amounts to a loss of 147 million square feet of retail space. HEALTH How one county slashe

Apr 17, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of April 17, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Inside the Hotel Industry’s Plan to Combat Airbnb Concerned about the rise of Airbnb, the American Hotel and Lodging Association launched two campaigns on the local, state, and federal level against the short-term rental company. First, three senators asked for an investigation into how companies like Airbnb affect soaring housing costs.” Second, “in October, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York signed

Apr 10, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of April 10, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Duolingo’s Luis Von Ahn on How the Language App Added Africa to the Mix The founder of the smartphone-based language learning app discusses common trends among the 150 million users who use Duolingo. A study conducted by the City University of New York claims that “34 hours on Duolingo is equivalent to a university semester of language classes,” so pull up the free app and start learning languages

Apr 2, 2017
1 min

21 Questions to Ask During an Interview

When the interviewer invites questions at the end of an interview, it is important to optimize this time. Asking the right questions can be a great opportunity to showcase your interest as well as to determine if the company is a good fit for your professional goals. To help you out, we have compiled these questions to keep the conversation going. Company Culture How would you describe the company culture? If you had to describe Company X in one word, what would it be? How is

Mar 30, 2017
4 min

Diamond Greer, Founder and CEO of Women’s Professional Platform Let’s Vibe

Meet Diamond Greer, human capital strategist and founder of Let’s Vibe. She is passionate about empowering women to realize and actualize their potential. Two years ago, Diamond created Let’s Vibe as a platform to engage female professionals and give them a space to develop personally, professionally, and mentally. Let’s Vibe now has over 300 members, and is fostering new connections every day. In this Fireside Chat, we spoke with Greer about intrapreneurship, entrepreneurshi

Mar 27, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of March 27, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS An era ends for Starbucks and Howard Schultz Next month, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz steps down from the once-flailing coffee shop empire and will continue his advocacy work on social causes. In the weeks proceeding his resignation, read about his storied career making coffee a luxury commodity and steering Starbucks away from financial ruin during the 2008 recession. HEALTH How health care works

Mar 21, 2017
2 min

Beat the Heat: 6 Interview Styles and How to Master Them

Interviews are make-or-break moments when job hunting. There are many different types of interviews, and it is imperative that you are comfortable with each unique type. You are likely to encounter at least one of these interview styles during your job search. Case In case interviews you are presented with a business problem to which you must provide a logical solution. The questions are often very complex, and you will be challenged to ask your interviewer targeted questions

Mar 20, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of March 20, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS Investors are putting their dollars into patient experience As healthcare reform faces another iteration, investors are shifting their focus to investments in personalized health and wellness and improving the patient experience. Conversely, electronic health record platforms have received the least amount of investments. HEALTH What Are the Best Snacks Before Bedtime? Isabel Maples of the Academy

Mar 13, 2017
2 min

NEWS BRIEF: Week of March 13, 2017

Catch up on current events with these news highlights from last week. BUSINESS How China Built ‘iPhone City’ With Billions in Perks for Apple’s Partner Foxconn’s plant in Zhengzhou, a city in China, produces upwards of 500,000 iPhones per day, earning its local nickname “iPhone City.” The local government’s incentive package provides benefits in construction, energy, finances, workers, and logistics to Apple’s manufacturing partner, and demonstrates how far China will go to a

Mar 12, 2017
3 min

Young Entrepreneur Chat: Jeff Badu, Tax Wiz

Who: Jeff Badu What: Badu Tax Services, LLC When: Founded in 2015 Where: Chicago, IL Meet Jeff Badu, an accountant and young entrepreneur with experience beyond his years. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Accountancy. Shortly thereafter, Jeff obtained his CPA license which helped him start his own business, Badu Tax Services, LLC. His goal in life is “to help people,” which he does throu