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AQR in the Herald – Sept. 29th

September 29, 2011
AQR Ventures, Interviews, Social Media, Startups
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http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1265642.html

Agency helps companies capitalize on social media 

By BRUCE ERSKINE Business Reporter
Thu, Sep 29 - 4:55 AM

You say you want a revolution? Rob MacArthur is your man.

The co-founder of Halifax co-work space, The Hub, recently launched a new technology consulting company, A Quiet Revolution, which he’s dubbed a social disruption agency.

The agency is designed to help businesses capitalize on the sometimes wasted potential of the brave new world of social media, MacArthur said in an interview.

“It’s causing disruption, but there are great new opportunities,” said the Sydney native and Dalhousie University science graduate.

MacArthur said social media like Twitter and Facebook and online sharing have turned the way people connect upside down, causing confusion and uncertainty for many businesses and organizations.

But those new media technologies can be tailored and focused to work effectively to “find the others,” he said, citing one of ’60s guru Timothy Leary’s favourite maxims.

Rather than simply helping clients set up social media accounts, MacArthur said A Quiet Revolution will work with them to maximize the benefits of social media and give them a competitive advantage.

He characterized the agency’s approach to clients by posing a question he would ask in trying to help them.

“What are you trying to do and who are the people who want to do the same thing?” he said, suggesting it is more effective to connect with 300 like-minded people online than it is to have a million Twitter followers.

A Quiet Revolution offers social media site and strategy development, web and mobile application development, new business model development and related advisory services.

It also plans to stage new technology events and draw on MacArthur’s experience as a musician, a rehearsal space operator and co-founder of the crowd funding website, IOUMusic.

The site gives fans the opportunity to make donations to bands they listen to online.

“It goes back to our focus,” said MacArthur, who noted that the music industry in particular has been transformed by the advent of new technology.

IOUMusic will be part of the new agency, as will a quarterly magazine, SPIDER, which will address new technology issues and focus on local entrepreneurs.

( berskine@herald.ca)

 

 

 

Mentor Camp

September 27, 2011
Events, Startups
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A great opportunity is being presented to 6 Nova Scotia based companies in a few short weeks.

With the right advice and connections, Digital Companies can scale up very quickly and achieve their growth targets. On many occasions, the advice and the connections can be worth a lot more than simple passive investment.
Having trialled a mini-mentor program in Halifax, all of the main agencies, ACOA, NRC, Innovacorp and NSBI have come together to bring more than a dozen world class mentors to Halifax and allow six companies to benefit from their vast knowledge and experience in one intense day on the 11th of October

For the agenda and details on how to apply visit the Mentor Camp blog

2.5x

September 22, 2011
Startups
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This is the lesson I have learned after:

  • opening a rehearsal space for bands
  • launching an indie label and working with bands
  • co-founding a co-working space
  • launching a crowdfunding site for musicians
  • and now starting AQR

Almost everything takes longer than the initial estimate. Almost without fail it has come close to taking 2.5x longer than expected. Whether that was a small project that should have wrapped in a week, leaseholds on a space or hitting revenue targets. No matter how well you plan – if your project involves other people – you can not control the timing of your plan.

So what I do now – and my advice to you – is make your initial estimate, then multiple it by 2.5 and tell your clients, yourself – whoever needs to know – that`s how long it is going to take. With luck you hit that target, at best you hit the initial target and look great to everyone who was expecting the later date. At worst? Well you may need to find a multiplier of your own.

That gives you a taste too how long I have been waiting to share AQR with you ;)

First Internal Venture: Crowdfunding Service for Musicians

September 20, 2011
AQR Ventures, New Ideas, Startups
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One of the initial ideas that spurred V0.1 of the site

Most of our team are musicians and/or have experience in the music industry – thus we know what it means for an industry to be turned upside down – and find the opportunities in that chaos.

Besides doing client work, we also aim to put our beliefs into practice via internal ventures. The first is a complete reworking and relaunching of a crowdfunding site specifically for musicians.

Besides highlighting the programming, design and social media marketing skills of our team – we also see an opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of musicians for the better. Our mission for the site is more money to more musicians – the antithesis of the current music industry model.

We think our mix of crowdfunding, direct-to-fan options and a system that walks artists through the process from setting goals to reminders for follow-up contact with their segmented fan base will achieve our mission.

Watch the blog and newsletter for more on this project relaunching by year’s end.

(Not naming or linking to it as the site is live but not with the brand spanking new look and features we are excited to share – BUT if you are really curious, some snooping around the AQR world will find it).

Starting/Kaizen

June 6, 2011
Startups
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Seth Godin just made a blog post yesterday about four points that hold people back. Fear is on that list. It is certainly scary to start something new, take a stance, get in front of a crowd or put yourself out there.

I’ve come to enjoy it though – like a good horror film – you just have to ride it through knowing you’ll be fine. Then it almost becomes enjoyable.
I now use such feelings as a guide. If I am not as least slightly uncomfortable, I know I am not pushing my boundaries, trying new things.

Almost everyone experiences it too. So keep that in mind. And start the things you know you need to.It may seem like it takes quite an effort but I am always amazed at how easily people put so much effort into developing excuses for why they CAN`T do something. It boggles my mind: you are spending energy and time on the excuses, yet getting nowhere.

Small Steps: Kaizen Read More