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When an employee succeeds at work, leaders should make sure that employee feels recognized for their efforts. Rewarding your staff members for a job well done not only motivates them to continue to work hard, but it also inspires others to reach the same goal. To help you reward hardworking employees for excellent performance, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) members answered the following question:

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With so many forms of digital communication available, the traditional cold phone call may seem like a lesser form of gaining a sale or finding a business partnership. Some people may believe that cold calling will only lead to rejection—or worse, mid-call hang-ups. However, there are still ways to effectively cold call about prospective business transactions that will lead to success.  Below, eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council each detail a strategy they have for effective cold calling and why it works so well. Rather than dismissing cold calls as a sales tactic, try these thoughtful and personal approaches out.

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Members of Young Entrepreneur Council share marketing methods you can use to get potential customers interested in your new mobile app. Even with the right tools and skilled team members in place, companies may find that building a mobile app can be a lengthy and complex process — though a very rewarding one once users experience the app’s benefits. The real problem, however, often lies in marketing the app. Once you build this useful tool, how are you able to ensure the right people discover and find value in it? According to the members of Young Entrepreneur Council, the key is choosing the right marketing methods. To help, they offer their top strategies for companies looking to get people excited about their new apps and explain why these tactics work so well.

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Motivation and energy don't always stick around for long, so it's good to know how to channel it for maximum productivity. Few things feel better than being struck with a sudden burst of motivation. Suddenly, those tasks you've been putting off seem easy to tackle and your to-do list doesn't seem too overwhelming.  Because this unexpected bout of energy can be fleeting, it's helpful to have a plan in place to take advantage of the inspiration and productivity created by this motivation. Sometimes this means starting with an easy task, but other times it means starting with hard tasks you've been putting off. Below, a group of successful entrepreneurs share what they like to do when they get a burst of motivation and how it helps their business.

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Every growing organization will experience role transitions at some point. Whether a project is changing hands, an employee is moving into a promotion, or you’re hiring someone to take on a new position, you will want the transitions to go smoothly. For the best ways to ensure successful transitions, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council members share their best advice.

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Many aspiring entrepreneurs start their businesses as "side hustles" so they can keep a steady income from their day jobs while still working on what inspires them. Still, they may dream of the day when that side hustle can become their main hustle. To ensure the growth you need to take your business full time, there are a few things you can start doing now, even while only working on it part time. Below, Young Entrepreneur Council experts each share one thing you can do right now to turn your business dream into a reality in the not-too-distant future.

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Companies with a 5-star rating have earned their stellar reputation by delivering a superior product or service and following best practices for customer service. Today's consumers typically do a lot of online research before deciding to engage with a company's product or service. Part of this research may entail reading reviews from other customers to see what kind of star rating the business has received.  Companies with a 5-star rating have a clear leg up in this scenario because previous customers trusted their business enough to tell other consumers about their stellar experience. But becoming a 5-star company doesn't just happen overnight -- it takes consistent effort and a commitment to the best customer service practices. Below, a group of successful entrepreneurs shared some key practices these top-rated companies follow and how you can replicate them in your own business.

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A negative mindset can be poisonous in the workplace. It can lower morale, decrease productivity and spread to other members of the team, leading to toxic work culture. As a leader, it's critical to have a positive mindset to effectively work through difficult situations and keep your team on the same page. Below, 12 members of Young Entrepreneur Council discuss how to exude more positivity at work and why these practices are especially crucial for those in leadership positions.

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Love them or hate them, pitches are essential components of the sales process. But it's not enough to have a simple slide deck and a few talking points. Your sales team needs an engaging presentation that truly showcases the value of your company's product or service. Luckily, there are multiple ways professionals can optimize their sales pitches to close the deal. To help, nine members of Young Entrepreneur Council offer their best tips for developing a presentation that will help you land the sale.

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With so many competing companies in today's marketplace, customers have countless options when it comes to patronizing a business. To influence their decision-making, customers look for companies that they believe will add value to their lives.   Below, 11 members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared their thoughts on ways small business owners can consistently bring value to customers. They explain how these methods strengthen a business's connection with its customers and ultimately ensure the company's longevity.

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Members of Young Entrepreneur Council explain how to merge your website's copy and design to create a more engaging user experience. Two of the most important elements to consider when building your business’s website are the copy and the user experience (UX) design. Ensuring you write quality text and construct a visually appealing design will give you a great basis for an engaging website. When you combine your focus on these two elements, however, you’ll end up with a truly attention-grabbing business site that will keep your audience coming back. Unsure of how to go about merging your copy with your UX design? Below, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council members shares 11 tips to get you started.

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Every successful entrepreneur has one special "something" that has made a unique, lasting contribution to their achievements, be it a former mentor, a previous role they held or an event that impacted their life. Our lived experiences help define who we are as individuals and hone our perspectives throughout life. As we advance as professionals, these experiences take shape as new traits, resources and accomplishments that help drive our ongoing maturity and achievement. Whether it’s in their personal or professional lives, Young Entrepreneur Council members have been influenced by many milestone moments and memories. Below, nine of them describe the most important things they've gained as they've advanced in their careers and how these additions benefit them in the roles they play now.

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Many employees are intimidated by salary negotiation, especially if they don’t have any prior experience with it. However, managers are more open to negotiation than you might think. In fact, 75% of managers expect to negotiate when making a job offer; however, workers often don’t take them up on the opportunity. To help professionals who have never done this before, 10 Young Entrepreneur Council members shared salary negotiation insights from an employer’s perspective. They offered tips for successfully asking for a higher salary and shared how these strategies have worked in the real world.

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No matter what industry you're in, if you’re trying to hire in the current job market, chances are that you're up against some fierce competition. With so many companies to compete with, it's vital to find a way to stand out so that the best talent will want to join your team — and your job posting is the best place to start. To that end, a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) members were asked to answer the following question:

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Overcoming a creative block can seem impossible at times, but with the right strategies, you can unlock more of your potential. When you’re a creative person, it’s normal to experience blocks where you feel as though you aren’t original or innovative enough. Many people experience this same lack of confidence when they don’t believe in their skills; however, knowing how to move past these blocks is critical.  For entrepreneurs in particular, a creative block can be a major barrier that hinders their ability to produce results. Below, a group of successful business leaders share their best advice for unlocking true creativity. They share examples that have worked for them and explain how they can help any business owner get past their blocks to unleash their creative side.