David Lidsky's Blog, page 2634
September 12, 2016
Birchbox Cofounder Hayley Barna On New Ventures, Glamping, And Her Filthy Fridge
After leaving Birchbox last year, Barna is diving into the VC world. She explains why and offers a look at what she's up to.
After leaving Birchbox last year, Barna is diving into the VC world. She explains why and offers a look at what she's up to.
Last August, Birchbox co-CEO Hayley Barna decided to walk away from the influential beauty-subscription-box startup that she cofounded in 2010 (she remains on the company's board). "What we created with Birchbox was truly unique at the time," she explains. "I loved it, but it turned out the beauty industry is not my lifelong passion. It's [exploring] innovative business models." So, in February, Barna signed on as a partner at First Round Capital, the seed-stage VC firm that has invested in companies such as Uber, Warby Parker, and, not coincidentally, Birchbox. (Meanwhile, Barna's former company has been struggling, enduring two big rounds of layoffs earlier this year and receiving a $15 million injection of funds from current investors in August, reportedly due to cash-flow issues.)
Debating The Rules Of Brainstorming
Designers weigh in on the best ways to brainstorm. Spoiler alert: not everyone agrees.
Designers weigh in on the best ways to brainstorm. Spoiler alert: not everyone agrees.
Love it or loathe it, brainstorming is a ubiquitous part of office culture. Whether it is an effective tool for generating ideas and solving problems is up for debate. And since we love a good debate, we invited 50 leaders in the design community—typically some of the most opinionated, creative, and analytical types in business—to share how or if they brainstorm. Here are some of their responses, including a characteristically honest one from the legendary and outspoken creative director George Lois.
Updates From Our Most Innovative Companies
R/GA reimagines the workplace, Sonos goes brick-and-mortar, and more from our Most Innovative Companies.
R/GA reimagines the workplace, Sonos goes brick-and-mortar, and more from our Most Innovative Companies.
One of the world's most tech-savvy offices isn't in Silicon Valley, but in New York City: It's the global headquarters of R/GA, the digital ad agency that counts Google, Nike, and Verizon among its clients. In January, nearly 1,000 employees moved into a new, 200,000-square-foot work space in Manhattan's Hudson Yards teeming with connected-design innovations. The overhead lights are tuned to natural circadian rhythms; enormous projection screens display local transit times and company announcements; and a proprietary app allows employees to book conference rooms. The idea for the connected office was borne, in part, of R/GA founder and CEO Bob Greenberg's desire to stem employee attrition (down 5% since the move) by creating a space that's exciting to come to every day. "It's all designed to help you do your best work," he says. "Collaboration [among R/GA employees] has improved massively."
The Recommender: What Execs From Argodesign, Zillow, and Coursera Are Loving Now
A gorgeous tropical island, vintage hats from a style icon, and a Los Angeles cabaret.
A gorgeous tropical island, vintage hats from a style icon, and a Los Angeles cabaret.
8 things the Fast Company community is loving this month.
10 Gadget Flops We Can Learn From
These products didn't connect, but they paved the way for tech we now take for granted.
These products didn't connect, but they paved the way for tech we now take for granted.
The first personal computer with a windows-and-icons-style graphical user interface, Steve Jobs's visionary Lisa had one disastrous flaw: a staggering $10,000 retail price.
How AI Is Changing Human Resources
Companies including IBM, GE, and Hilton Worldwide are using algorithms to screen, test, and hire new talent.
Companies including IBM, GE, and Hilton Worldwide are using algorithms to screen, test, and hire new talent.
Making a good impression with a prospective employer often requires little more than a great résumé and congenial personality. But how do you impress an algorithm? That's the question facing applicants of Facebook, IBM, and a spate of other companies that are starting to incorporate artificial intelligence into their hiring practices. They're using machines to scan work samples, parse social media posts, and analyze facial expressions on behalf of HR managers. Such practices raise questions about accuracy and privacy, but proponents argue that harnessing AI for hiring could lead to more diverse, empathetic, and dynamic workplaces.
Laverne Cox: "I Just Wanted To Get In The Room"
The actress and activist talks about being a transgender role model, election-season scapegoating, and how an alien transvestite helped her find her voice.
The actress and activist talks about being a transgender role model, election-season scapegoating, and how an alien transvestite helped her find her voice.
This month, you're starring in the TV remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. What drew you to the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the "sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania," which Tim Curry memorably played in the original?
To Win Over Women, Adidas Adds New Products
To counteract a declining cool factor and recent mixed performance, the German company is updating its lineup.
To counteract a declining cool factor and recent mixed performance, the German company is updating its lineup.
Adidas used motion-tracking technology to study the movement of the female foot and designed the Pure Boost X to match it. The sneaker features a floating arch for extra support, as well as material engineered for a flexible fit.
How Google Is Schooling Apple And Microsoft In The Battle For America's Classrooms
It took the Chromebook just five years to become the country's most popular education device. Here's how Google won the classroom.
It took the Chromebook just five years to become the country's most popular education device. Here's how Google won the classroom.
A Mozart duet echoes through the dim auditorium of Philadelphia's String Theory high school, performed by a pair of plaid-skirted violinists reading music off their school-issued iPads. In other classes at the performing-arts-themed public charter school, students use their iPads to plot DNA data, design graphics, and make movies. At first glance, the school is a model Apple education customer, buying into both its hardware and iOS ecosystem.
The Biggest Issue With Rift, Vive, and Hololens
Despite VR's huge promise, here is why the technology has a long way to go.
Despite VR's huge promise, here is why the technology has a long way to go.
Last summer, Pokémon Go instantly transformed augmented reality from a geeky-cool niche concept into a mainstream phenomenon. But if you really want to experience AR's world-changing potential, you can't just download an app and start chasing after Charizards. Serious augmented reality—and its cousin, virtual reality—finally arrived this year in the form of several impressive products that could mark a big evolution in how we connect to the digital world.
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