The HR Agility Toolkit

By Alex Mercer & Michael Hennessy Welcome, fearless entrepreneurs, to the grand odyssey of funding—a journey laden with potential yet fraught with uncertainties. Let’s embark on this exploration together, understanding that while the waters may be turbulent, the right approach can guide us safely to our destination. #1. The Self-Made Route: Bootstrapping Brilliance We begin with bootstrapping, the purest form of startup funding. It’s you, your savings, and your unwavering belief in your idea. This is the path of control, resilience, and true grit. But beware, for it demands more than just financial investment—it demands your soul. Embracing this route means you are choosing to steer the ship entirely on your own terms. You're not just the captain; you're also the crew, navigating through the tumultuous waters of startup life without external financial aid. This journey requires a relentless work ethic and a heart full of passion, as you’ll face challenges and obstacles that...

By Alex Mercer & Michael Hennessy In the business world, startups are known for their agility and ability to adapt quickly. Now, with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the landscape is shifting. For startups, embracing AI is not a distant goal; it's a pressing necessity. Here’s why: From Scratch: The AI Canvas When you're building from scratch, you've got a blank canvas. Most startups are quick to paint with the usual brushes – value proposition, customer segments, revenue streams. But the smart ones? They're reaching for the AI brush early. The early strokes of AI on this canvas lay down the neural pathways of your business, enabling a level of personalization, efficiency, and scale previously unimaginable. Startups have the unique opportunity to weave AI into their fabric from the outset, setting the stage for a future-proof business. For example, they can deploy AI-driven chatbots for automated customer service, streamlining inquiries and solutions. ...

          By Alex Mercer & Michael Hennessy Discovering the Treasure Trove Within Your Digital Assets In the fast-paced, ever-evolving landscape of the marketing world, digital assets reign supreme. From the enlightening launch videos to comprehensive research reports and resourceful ebooks, these assets are the lifeblood of your content marketing team’s endeavors. Yet, for Startups without a proper system in place, these invaluable resources can quickly turn into an overwhelming digital maze. The Quest for Order: Introducing the Digital Asset Library (DAL) So, what is the game-changing solution that every startup marketing team needs? Welcome to the world of the Digital Asset Library – a not-so-typical digital asset management system, and your new best friend. The DAL  is more than just a storage space; it is a haven for your digital treasures, designed to help you effortlessly organize, locate, and share your files, ensuring your team has everyth...

By Alex Mercer & Michael Hennessy In the bustling arena of entrepreneurship, 2022 marked a phenomenal year of transformation and unprecedented growth.  A staggering 5,044,748 new businesses sprouted to life, as revealed by data from the US Census Bureau!  This astonishing figure not only reflects the relentless spirit of innovation that courses through the veins of aspiring entrepreneurs but also underscores the vital role that startups play in shaping the economic tapestry of our society. The surge of fresh ideas, disruptive technologies, and groundbreaking solutions has indeed turned the business world into a dynamic and thriving ecosystem, ripe with opportunities for those daring enough to take the plunge. In this article, we will delve into the essential steps and considerations that these millions of trailblazers have navigated, providing you with a comprehensive startup checklist to ensure your venture not only takes off but soars to new heights. Welcome to the journ...

Greetings, fellow entrepreneurs and change-makers. Today, I want to share a journey, a narrative dipped in the hues of innovation, challenges, and entrepreneurial spirit. This isn’t just my story; it’s a saga that resonates with many of you, the brave who chose the road less traveled: entrepreneurship. The Genesis: From BrassRing to GraceBlocks Back in the late 90s, my journey began at a small, ambitious company called HireSystems, which eventually evolved into BrassRing. We were pioneers, charting unknown territories in the world of Enterprise Applicant Tracking Systems. Transitioning from my experiences at BrassRing, I channeled the valuable insights gained there into establishing SmashFly Technologies, with the goal of developing a cutting-edge Enterprise Recruitment Marketing platform. For over 25 years, the entrepreneurial space has been my playground, my battleground, and I’ve cherished every moment of it. A New Chapter: Embracing GraceBlocks November 1st 2019, 4 years ago to...