With an industry that is heavily influenced by newsworthy and timely events, there’s always a lot to catch up on at the end of the week. Introducing BFT’s “Other Voices,” a feature that shares what you need to know now. Read below for more.
Do You Speak Like a Midwesterner?
Some of us in the Midwest feel we don’t have noticeable accents like our neighbors in other parts of the country or even other parts of the Midwest. Not so fast! Turns out we may be showing our region with just a few words or phrases. And what about those who use language from multiple areas? Well, perhaps that just makes us interesting.
— Susan Bray, Director of Content
First Round’s State of Startups Report
For the second year running, First Round has compiled its “State of Startups” report. The report aggregates responses, observations, opinions and experiences from over 700 startup founders in the tech industry. It’s a fascinating look into the minds of the people disrupting industries all over the world with technology and their unique business challenges. The report covers everything from their outlook on the future of the market to the gender gap plaguing the industry. Of particular interest was the section talking about culture and employee retention. Take a look at the beautifully simple highlight website they built to showcase the results.
— Josh Stauffer, EVP of User Experience
Why Teams That Cook Together Work Better Together
If you’re a foodie, you will want to show your coworkers this article and start cooking up some friendly competition right away. Some startups are engaging their employees with having cook-offs, such as waffle competitions, that are modeled after the Food Network’s Chopped or Iron Chef. And, it’s working. These startups have seen a boost in employee morale, and it gives everyone a break from the daily grind. What’s not to love about food and sharing laughs with your colleagues?
|— Amanda Jakubowski, Account Coordinator
Window Wonderland
One of my favorite childhood memories was walking around NYC during the holidays. Between Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station and the store windows, it felt magical. Well, now you can experience some of the magic without leaving your seat. Google Shopping offers a virtual tour of some of New York’s windows to get you into the holiday spirit.
— Susan Bray, Director of Content
26.2 Miles, 46 Sketches
Live streaming and tweeting from events has become the norm for personal and broadcast communication purposes. But, what about live drawing? That’s what New York-based artist Christoph Niemann did back in 2011. The event? The New York City Marathon. That’s right, a marathon. So, not only did Niemann run a marathon, which is an incredible accomplishment by itself, but he also managed to draw his experiences in 46 entertaining sketches as he ran. We salute Niemann’s determination and perseverance to his craft while emphatically upping the selfie game.
— Adam Rice, Senior Art Director
