What’s one resource you use to get quick answers for business-related questions?
A. LinkedIn Connections and Groups
LinkedIn provides the best platform to connect with some of the best and brightest. Making connections and/or posting on group pages focusing on an expertise is the best way to get free answers from people who have an extensive amount of experience. Who knows? You may end up working with a great candidate who wasn’t part of your current network.
A. StartupDefinition.com
StartupDefinition.com is a great place to learn the meaning behind hundreds of startup terms that can be intimidating if you’re new to startups.
A. Quora
Quora has a giant network of professionals who actually know what they are talking about.
A. Inc.
Inc. provides articles on many aspects of a small business, including marketing, leadership, technology, management and more. It features a video section where industry experts impart their knowledge on a variety of subjects, as well as an “events” tab that lists upcoming meetings that can be beneficial to small business owners.
A. Advisors
We have an extensive board of advisors, from those in the toilet paper manufacturing industry to professors to simply successful entrepreneurs. Whatever realm our question is in, we have someone who can help, and those people are almost always available. A simple phone call or email away, they are an amazing knowledge base that we can tap into.
A. The Young Entrepreneur Council
The YEC is made up of hundreds of members who lead all types and sizes of businesses. You can connect directly with other entrepreneurs or reach out to the entire organization as a whole for feedback through their newsletter. Chances are that more than a few have had similar issues and can share their experiences.
A. My Own Mini-Mastermind of Peers
Five years back, I started a simple Google group made up of the top people in our industry to share ideas, ask questions and network. Over time, it’s grown by word of mouth, and it’s a really dynamic, active and high-quality group. Now when I have a question, I ping that Google group and have several answers within minutes. Form your own “mini-mastermind of sharp minds” Google group.
A. Clarity
Clarity is a service built specifically for entrepreneurs to get quick, quality answers from experienced entrepreneurs. There is a massive directory of entrepreneurs, ranging from me to Mark Cuban. The calls are billed on a per-minute basis, and most entrepreneurs donate the money to their favorite charities. Ask me anything on Clarity.
A. RSS Feeds
Sadly, I don’t have one source where I get great information; instead, I use RSS feeds to find what I am looking for. However, in my industry, I think the best source is SEOmoz, as they focus on issues within my particular industry (Internet marketing).