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Young Entrepreneur Council members look ahead at consumer IoT device trends they expect we’ll see more of this year. The internet of things (IoT) has been a booming sector of the tech industry in recent years. As people are now spending more time at home than ever, the need for connected devices has taken on new importance and relevance.  Because of this need, 2021 will likely be the year that consumers and businesses alike upgrade their smart home and office technology. Below, 12 members of Young Entrepreneur Council shared their predictions for which IoT devices will have the greatest impact on the consumer market in the coming months ahead.

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LONG-FORM ARTICLE EMAILED TO KELSEY You have a great idea for a startup. You know there's a gap in the market and you have the funds to start financing your business. Now all that's left to do is to land your first customer. Making your first sale as a brand-new company isn't always as easy as it sounds, though -- it requires extensive market research and a deep understanding of what messaging and marketing channels will resonate most with them. If you're embarking on the sales journey for the very first time, it helps to know what methods and strategies other entrepreneurs have used to grow their customer base. Below, seven business owners share their best tips for acquiring your startup's first customer.

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For many growing teams, in-person leadership conferences have been the go-to method for training and developing the organization's future leaders. In today's world, though, there's a lot of uncertainty around when these types of conferences might return. In the meantime, business leaders are finding other ways to encourage virtual or self-led leadership development among their staff members. We asked a panel of Young Entrepreneur Council members to recommend their most effective strategies for training leaders, even without in-person conferences. Here's what they had to say.

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17 professionals from YEC share the best websites for locating fresh talent. There has been a change in how companies approach the idea of outsourcing. In recent years, businesses have grown less fond of doing everything in-house and more open to hiring freelancers to lend them a hand. This new reality in the world of employment has spawned a massive explosion of websites that cater specifically to professionals providing talent to companies. Searching for local expertise, in particular, can help to enhance the region and support the local community. Additionally, local contractors are easy to get in touch with, either though message or by direct phone call. Occasionally, you may need someone familiar with the region you're operating in, which is why outsourcing to a local freelancer is the right call. Many companies overlook local talent because they have the misconception that imported talent is automatically better. Knowing where to look to find the best in local talent might encourage you to reconsider your opinion on hiring locals to work for your company. Many of these websites offer businesses access to a wide pool of qualified candidates, as well as the possibility of fine-tuning their search so as to identify the most relevant candidates. Filters you can get access to include the location (for local or regional talent), ratings, and expertise. All of these are critical factors in determining whether a freelancer or professional will fit the business's needs. However, not all of these websites are built in the same vein. Seventeen professionals from YEC share valuable advice on the best websites for finding outside talent -- local or not – and explain why those resources are vital to their own businesses.

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A marketer's job is a challenging one in today's always-on, digital-first world. Not only do they have to come up with an appealing brand image and message, but they have to figure out how to adapt marketing collateral to countless different channels and learn best practices for each one. To keep up with the demands of the modern marketing industry, professionals should consider adopting and incorporating certain habits into their workflow. We asked 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council what habits they recommend marketers pursue to help them boost their career. Here's what these experienced business leaders had to say.

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At times it can be difficult to turn off our emotions -- especially when it comes to separating personal feelings and work. While it’s perfectly normal to have negative feelings in the face of difficult work situations, wallowing in these emotions for too long can affect your job performance as well as your overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with low confidence, adversity or rejection, building a thicker skin can help you make it through whatever professional challenges you're facing. Below, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council share some tips to help you brush off feelings of negativity and press onward.

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Human beings are fallible. With every strength, there is an attached weakness. However, we are also self-aware, and that gives us an advantage. We can actively seek out our weaknesses and find ways to shore them up. Admitting that one is vulnerable to certain things is an excellent place to start. However, figuring out our strengths and weaknesses take a lot more time and effort than some are willing to invest. To help young business leaders get a handle on their characteristics, these eight members of Young Entrepreneur Council describe their personal techniques to determine where they are vulnerable, and how they address the shortcoming.