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Pitching to investors can be a nerve-wracking endeavor for any entrepreneur, but especially so when the investors don't seem to be interested in your idea. Whether they just say “no” or have some negative feedback in regards to your pitch or your product, this type of situation can be a big blow to your self-esteem and your confidence as an entrepreneur. But not earning a “yes” doesn’t have to mean you’ve failed. According to the members of Young Entrepreneur Council, it’s more of an opportunity to improve. Below, they outline the best ways to respond when faced with negative feedback from investors and why doing so will set you up for success the next time.

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When you're actively searching for a new career, you know the importance of crafting a compelling resumé. In addition to the expected information, such as work history and experience, there are certain "green flags" that can help your application catch the eye of prospective employers. To help job seekers land that coveted interview, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council share their experiences on the other side of the hiring table. Read on for 13 attributes that can send your resumé to the top of the list—and the top of a hiring manager's mind.

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A cornerstone of any thriving business’s operations, a company’s human resources department plays a key role in the success of its people. And yet, it can be easy for CEOs to think of their HR departments like their own self-sustaining departments, recruiting and hiring employees without much need for additional assistance. However, just like any other department, HR can experience their own challenges and require the full support of the leadership team (and the company as a whole) if they are to function well. So what can CEOs do to provide that support? Below, the business leaders of Young Entrepreneur Council share their thoughts and outline 10 different ways company leaders can better support their HR teams and why it's so important to the overall health of a business.

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Converting a potential customer takes more than just rattling off the facts about your product or service. It often requires a personalized approach based on a genuine understanding of the customer's needs. To gain this understanding, you'll need to ask the right questions during the sales process. Below, the business leaders of Young Entrepreneur Council share the eight most insightful questions you can ask a potential customer as well as how they will help you land that coveted sale.

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The modern work landscape is dotted with transient employees hopping from job to job, making the recruitment and onboarding journey a costly affair for employers. With the rise of the gig economy and the allure of diverse experiences, retaining talent has become an uphill task. Yet, within this trend, there are candidates seeking stability and a lasting professional journey—you just have to find them.  Here, 12 Young Entrepreneur Council members explore the strategies businesses can leverage to ensure they're selecting candidates eager to establish long-lasting professional roots.

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The business world is very different from what it was even just a decade ago. While many business best practices and principles remain the same, the roadblocks and problems entrepreneurs face are not. With major advancements in technology to a cultural shift toward online shopping, the landscape is becoming increasingly difficult to navigate, and many business owners are struggling to adapt. As business leaders themselves, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council have experienced—and are still experiencing—many of these same roadblocks. Here, they outline a number of common issues entrepreneurs are facing today and what they see as good solutions to overcoming them.

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As a business owner, it’s easy to assume that you have to be a nonprofit in order to get involved in the world of philanthropy. However, your business doesn’t have to be centered around a particular cause in order to give back. By building a company culture that values generosity and doing good for the community, you can make a difference no matter what type of business you’re in. But how can you as a leader incorporate these kinds of values into your company culture? Here, nine business leaders from Young Entrepreneur Council offer their suggestions for easy ways businesses of any size can make philanthropy part of their company culture and the impact this has on your employees and your company overall.

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Startup leaders can consider engaging in work marketplaces for expert- or task-related projects that don't require a full-time budget.

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Negotiating contracts and terms with clients is a critical aspect of any business engagement. Whether you're a freelancer, a small-business owner, or work for a large corporation, understanding and implementing effective negotiation strategies is crucial for achieving mutually beneficial outcomes. To employ the best practices in contract negotiation—as well as safeguard your interests, foster productive client relationships, and ensure the smooth execution of projects—consider the following advice from members of the Young Entrepreneur Council.

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It’s perfectly human to have “off” days—those when you can’t help but feel distracted by every little thought or feeling that enters your mind, or when smaller, less important tasks suddenly seem necessary to complete immediately. It can be difficult to get into a state of deep focus or even to find a normal amount of motivation on days like these, which means your productivity and ability to get things done can drastically decrease. Business leaders are no strangers to these kinds of off days, but thankfully the leaders of Young Entrepreneur Council have found a few solutions to recommend. Below, they each discuss one method they use to find their motivation for work even when they’re feeling distracted and how you can implement each tip to regain your own motivation.

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As the modern workforce evolves, the appeal of hybrid work environments has become increasingly apparent. While fully remote work may not be feasible for every company, adopting a hybrid work solution can be an attractive perk for both potential and current employees. Transitioning from a fully on-site setup to a hybrid environment, however, requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and successful shift. If you're ready to embrace the hybrid work model for your company, read on for 11 expert tips recommended by Young Entrepreneur Council members.

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By following these 10 tips, I feel confident that you can create a dream team of talented individuals who are passionate about your company's mission and values.

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Running a business from the comfort of your home can be both rewarding and challenging. While a home-based business offers flexibility and convenience, it can also blur the lines between work and your personal life, leading to burnout and a lack of work-life balance. Here, Young Entrepreneur Council members share some of the strategies that can help home-based business owners set boundaries and maintain a healthy balance between both aspects of their lives.

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From rejection and adversity to self-doubt, entrepreneurs will inevitably encounter many challenges as they work to build a thriving business. Fortunately, there are effective strategies new business owners can leverage to help them navigate the rough patches and stay motivated to achieve their goals.  Without preparing for unexpected setbacks and downturns, a new entrepreneur may struggle to maintain the focus and confidence they need to succeed. Here, 12 Young Entrepreneur Council members share their best advice for persevering through the difficulties that come along with entrepreneurship, offering tips to help entrepreneurs stay the course and find lasting success.

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Whether you are delivering a keynote speech, presenting a sales pitch or just leading a team meeting, effective communication is key to getting your message across and inspiring action. As a business leader, your ability to communicate effectively can make or break your career, as being an engaging speaker is not only essential for motivating your employees but also for pitching your ideas to potential investors, clients or partners. Below, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council recommend nine tips that can help you improve your public speaking skills and reap the benefits of becoming an engaging speaker.

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While there are numerous benefits to remote work—schedule flexibility, lack of commute and a more relaxed workspace, just to name a few—isolation is still one of the downsides to remote work that many employees regularly report. However, these feelings can be mitigated with a few key changes to their routine and the support of their leadership. If you or one of your remote employees starts to feel isolated during the workday, consider the following advice from the members of Young Entrepreneur Council. Here, they discuss solutions that have worked for them and their teams and what they recommend you do to help your own employees feel more connected during the day.

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After many years of being a business leader, and after all the lessons learned and experiences had, sometimes there are those lessons that just stick with you throughout your career. These lessons often shape the way you run your business and make decisions on both a day-to-day and long-term basis.  This is often true when it comes to sales. One of the most important aspects of business, any lesson learned about sales is likely to have an impact on the success of your business. Below, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council each discuss one lesson they've learned about sales that sticks with them even today and why.

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Both bootstrapping and VC funding offer unique advantages and drawbacks for starting and expanding a business.

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When it comes to business cybersecurity, there's no such thing as "too small a target." If your company uses poor cybersecurity practices, leaving sensitive customer or company data at risk, hackers can exploit those vulnerabilities to accomplish their goals—no matter how big or small your company is. In the same way, however, cybersecurity doesn’t have to require major capital to implement. Below, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council each share one practical, affordable way a company of any size can protect itself and its data from hackers and phishing attacks, and why these methods are so effective.

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While the cloud is perhaps most notably recognized as a convenient way to store and access data, there are many other benefits of this technology users may not automatically think of—namely when it comes to business growth. From streamlining project management to reducing retraining time, there are a multitude of ways business owners can leverage cloud technology to help them scale. Here, the members of Young Entrepreneur Council share nine of the most effective ways to use cloud technology to grow your business as well as other benefits you may gain by doing so.

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While the importance of the “double bottom line” in today’s workforce is unmistakably present, it will likely only increase in the necessity for companies looking to recruit and retain top talent, including millennials.

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Learn important VC fundraising tips right from the source.