Common mistakes to avoid when training for a marathon

The last thing any runner wants to happen during a marathon is to not finish the race due to fatigue or injury, which is why training should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately, some people commit mistakes that prevent them from training correctly, resulting in unsatisfactory performances in marathons. 

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Here are some examples: 

Using an arbitrary goal time 

Oftentimes, those in marathon training fail to create a solid plan that centers on a goal time based that is realistic, reachable, and corresponding to their abilities and fitness levels. Running at a feel-good pace can prohibit the right kind of training for a marathon – one that must help the body cope optimally with the rigors of the endurance race. Pacing should also be practiced; thus, the goal time has to gradually increase over time. 

Improper nutrition intake 

Another important item in training for a marathon is establishing a right nutrition plan. Runners do not just have to determine what their diet would be while in training, but they also have to mimic their race-day nutrition strategy at least once during the training. This way, if there are issues in cramping, bonking, and even bathroom visits, they can tweak and adjust the plan accordingly. Furthermore, there must be a proportional increase in nutritional intake whenever mileage and intensity are also increased during the training. The calories-in versus the calories-out difference should be monitored diligently. 

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Read more tips on marathon training by checking out this Steven Rindner blog.

Effective social media strategies for startups

The usual dilemma of most startups is prioritizing which comes first: the money or the marketing. And there’s no easy answer to this. Startups need customers to make money and vice versa. But without a solid marketing strategy, the small business might just as well be non-existent to most customers. Here is where turning to social media helps tremendously. 

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Social media is increasingly being seen as a promising and effective marketing tool for big business leaders and startups managers alike. To maximize its use, one should first develop a marketing plan. Without which, all social media activity will fall flat. Establish a goal and supporting metrics to measure whether what you’re doing is successful is not. Before that first Facebook post or Twitter tweet, know the outcome you have in mind and possible humps on your way there. 

Secondly, take advantage of team play. You are in a good position as a startup to have your employees contribute to your marketing efforts via social media. It empowers them, too. Having brainstorming sessions with the entire team can lead to grand ideas for blog posts, tweets, and status updates. Consider this: 70 percent of customer brand perception is based on experiences with people. Startups that encourage their employees to publicly engage customers on social media will edge the competition in terms of reputation-building. 

Finally, startups should harness consumer-to-consumer recommendations. This can be done in a handful of ways, like directly asking for referrals among your most-satisfied customers, building a highly visible community through webinars and crowd-sourced content, and offering incentives for referrals such as rewards points or percentage discounts. This can even be the beginning place of future influencer marketing. 

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Steven Rindner is a business and corporate development executive with experience in different fields. Drop by thisblog for more similar reads.

Knowing what it takes to add more value to customers

In this day and age, defining the customer base and knowing what it takes to satisfy their demands rule business consciousness. Consumers have been shown to be more exacting when it comes to their needs and what they get from companies they continually patronize.

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Keeping existing clients engaged and contented is ultimately more profitable than investing in new leads. Businesses should learn how to be mindful of people who have been with them from the beginning, believing in their products and ideals. Giving customers more value for their money can be tough, but it’s a conundrum that sustains business. 

Continuously placing a premium on what the customers need primarily drives business creativity. It is always advisable for firms to find more information about their customers, not just for marketing purposes but chiefly to lend their personal touch and maintain their satisfaction past product or service purchase. 

Customers also appreciate being informed and updated about developments and changes related to the products and services they bought. Company communication doesn’t always have to harp on making a sale. Clients will stay loyal if they feel they are an integral part of the business. Following up on their requests and questions promptly might be time-consuming, but it is one of those basic services that should be in place if one hopes for constant patronage.

Integrating new technologies in corporate communication and customer service to augment customer involvement and satisfaction can also add value to customer experience. By making it easier for them to get in touch, receive timely replies, and interact with on-the-go platforms and solutions using their preferred medium, companies are able to provide the most valuable clients topnotch service.

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Steven Rindner is a business and corporate development executive with a strong background in business development and growth strategy across a number of industries including media, technology, real estate services, and healthcare. To get similar updates, visit this page.

Disruptive technologies that are out to change the future of business

The business world relies on transactions that involve the consumers in an ever-changing flow of exchanges. Economies can only truly thrive if they consider the inevitable and significant changes that processes go through when new technologies are introduced. Companies that can’t keep up with the demands of the public and adopt current innovations wouldn’t be able to survive the challenges of the 21st century. Disruptive technologies have been influential in shaping businesses and redirecting their priorities. They have promoted a variety of practices that coincide with newer methods of conducting operations, creation of previously untapped markets, and others. 

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Probably one of the earliest disruptions the business world experienced is the sudden necessity for companies to explore platforms for mobile and wearable tech. The ubiquity of smartphones and wearables in the last few years started widespread development of apps, products, and other mobile avenues for performing business deals, transactions, services, and whatnot. Nowadays, it is not enough that firms have an online presence. They have to provide a mobile, on-the-go solution for their customers who spend most of their time glued to their phones. Mobile payment systems and digitally stored identification details may soon find a deeper integration into business activities. 

Some people might think that artificial intelligence is still largely sci-fi stuff, but the truth is some web and mobile functionalities already use some type of artificial intelligence to learn about the ways people interact with their devices, the purchases they make, and virtually all decisions that connect people with the surroundings. The Internet of Things is another extension of such functionality that promises deeper connectivity and automation.

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Steven Rindner is a business and corporate development executive with expertise in business development and growth strategy across a number of industries including media, technology, real estate services, and healthcare. To learn more about his professional work, follow this Twitter account.

Business Strategy 101: Avoid these mistakes

Owning a business is a big deal. There are hundreds of considerations, and more responsibilities than one may care to admit they could handle. The bigger businesses get, the more moving parts there are, and the higher the chances of making mistakes. Here are some of the pitfalls business owners should be wary of when running their company. 

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Old tech 

Old technology can hinder the progress of a company. Not only can these dated equipment operate at a snail’s pace, they can also be obsolete. Businesses need to keep up with the times. A company with old tech will always lose to a competitor that keeps its systems updated. 

Lack of professionalism 

Sure, a personal touch goes a long way with a client, but to be overly personal is just bad business. Clients still want and need to be treated like clients, and with professionalism. There’s a good chance that the more serious clients will be turned off when they’re faced by customer service reps who are too casual. 

Lack of standards 

New business owners who are only now handling employees may want to be “friends” with them, so as to “earn respect”. This kind of mindset can cause a company to implode before anyone can do anything about it. The danger with being too close to employees is that it gets in the way of managers and owners implementing company standards. 

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Steven Rindner is a business and corporate development executive who helps organizations develop their own businesses through his extensive experience in the industry. For more about Rindner and his insights, check out this blog.

China Wants To Lead The Ai Industry By 2030

China has just announced its plans to become the leader in artificial intelligence (AI). Many experts in the AI field believe that China is not that far behind the United States when it comes to knowledge of the technology. And with this, China’s government has vowed to intensify its AI suit so it can go past the country’s biggest political rival.

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The Chinese government calls for billion-dollar investments for its domestic initiatives in artificial intelligence. It has also created a blueprint to start collaborations between private sectors, the Chinese military, and local research industries.

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China has a lot of local scientists and mathematicians who are specializing in artificial technology. They are also increasing their knowledge in cloud computing. In terms of knowledge growth, it’s no surprise that the economic giant can surpass what the United States holds currently in just a few years. Baidu just acquired Raven Tech, an AI-focused startup in February. Raven Tech has just released “Little Fish,” its first ever AI robot, last May.

Steven Rindner is a business executive with expertise in different fields including media, healthcare, technology, and real estate. Read similar updates by visiting this blog.

Noting The Critical Stages In Business Development

For all intents and purposes, setting up a business is always a gamble. Members of the organization inevitably face the realities of risk, and this is why it is important to be aware of the critical stages of business development.

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1. Start-Up Stage

As with all things, birth is always the first milestone. This is where most of the concepts and ideas are formed, along with the commitment to get a clear vision of the future in view early on. At this point, business owners make the best effort to build a customer base, and the first batch of stock is purchased here, too.

2. Growth Stage

Growth is defined by expanded capabilities as a result of proper preparation done in the previous stage. Here, a company may reap a few low-lying fruits. Also, it gives the company an idea as to whether they have done right or wrong. This is the period of many opportunities to make adjustments.

3. Maturity Stage

The maturity stage is characterized by the company running like a well-oiled machine and operations have reached a predictable point. The company sustains itself and increases its capabilities. If things are going well, the company can either choose to expand with much bigger steps like buying more assets, or it may even be sold at a profit.

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4. Decline Stage

The decline stage is one which no company aspires for, because this would lead to its closure. It may reveal gaps in management, a state of irrelevance for the product, or a high level of attrition. It may sound pessimistic, but it is good to note this so that when early signs appear, steps can be made to avert it.

Steven Rinder is a leader is business development. In his spare time, he likes to run. For more about Steven, find him on Pinterest.

Strategic growth through social media

Breakthroughs in technology have redefined the global lifestyle. As connectivity has reached its most advanced state, it seems that almost everyone wants to have a piece of the action. The result is a personal stake in a completely engaging interconnectedness which we now know as social media. If one wants to grow as a business, social media is now a viable channel for doing so. 

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Shareability is probably one of the biggest draws that hook people on social media. This becomes the platform by which people agree or disagree. It doesn’t really matter, so long as there is a lot of buzz, especially if it’s your product that is the topic. Sharing creates a lot of mileage for business. 

If your company has a social media presence, then you are also interested in subscription. Whether this is in the form of likes, friends, followers, or views, once an individual considers you interesting enough, he is willing to become your subscriber. Clearly, this allows your network to grow. 

Another characteristic that makes social media an effective growth platform is instantaneity. The moment you share something that’s worth a person’s time and attention, it reaches your network of subscribers, and maybe even their individual networks. 

Strategic growth through social media is all about getting into the general consciousness of the market. This can be achieved successfully. Once people know who you are and how it makes sense for your business to be a part of their lives, then you know that you’re all primed for growth. 

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Steven Rinder is a seasoned expert on business development. He is also a running enthusiast. For more about his interests, visit this Pinterest page.

Chasing time: The quest to break the two-hour marathon

Nike’s recent much-publicized Breaking2 initiative -- to beat the two-hour marathon -- had the running community abuzz about the doability of the feat. With both running experts and enthusiasts weighing in on such herculean attempt, it is important to extract the valid points from all the discussions. 

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Experts from the field of sports physiology agree that a sub-two-hour marathon is feasible. However, it requires a perfect blend of variables. For instance, Dr. Michael Joyner of the Mayo Clinic calculated in 1991 that 1:57:58 is the physiological limit for a man in the marathon, the best possible time for an athlete with a maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) of 84 ml.kg-1.min-1, a lactate threshold of 85 percent of VO2max, and exceptional running economy. 

Meanwhile, Alex Hutchinson of Runner’s World concluded that it would be in the year 2075 when the sub-two marathon is finally conquered. In his article, Hutchinson, after assembling a database of more than 10,000 top marathon performances, crunching numbers, and plotting trends, identified several factors that need to align to create the perfect race for the perfect runner. 

While the quest to break the two-hour marathon seems impossible for now (Nike’s attempt ended with Kenyan Olympic gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge clocking in at 2:00:25), several groups are still pressing on to conquer the dream. There’s the Sub2HR Project, initiated in 2014 by Yannis Pitsiladis, a professor of sports and exercise science at the University of Brighton in Britain. The Sub2HR Project is eyeing to break the two-hour barrier within five years. Another project is spearheaded by Nike archrival, Adidas, though details are scarce on the company’s sub-two effort. 

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Seasoned business executive Steven Rindner is also a running enthusiast. For more articles on the world of running, visit this blog.

A Strong Comeback: Running After An Injury

For any experienced runner, returning to training and joining races after an injury is not as easy as putting on their running shoes and heading out to their favorite trail. Even if the injury is a minor one, many runners still question if they are indeed ready, and more importantly, confident, to run again.

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Running coaches emphasize the importance of patient progression. Making a strong comeback after an injury calls for a gradual approach that some runners may find frustrating especially after being sidelined for weeks. While the eagerness to return to running is commendable, the objective is to do so in a manner as healthy as possible. And that entails a slow, pain-free progress. One must first learn to walk before they run (again).

When crafting a re-entry strategy, several factors need to be considered:

1. The site and severity of the injury
2. How many weeks sidelined
3. Fitness level before injury
4. Years of experience as a runner
5. Any cross-training during time off

Answers to these queries are essential because the worst thing that can happen post-injury is a re-injury. Setting parameters will help in staging a successful comeback. And while there are numerous approaches or rules on how to do so, the common denominator is to build a solid running foundation slowly but surely.

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Running is all about pacing. Whether you are just new to the sport or training again after a stress fracture, crossing the finish line successfully requires smart moves.

Steven Rinder is a seasoned business executive with a background in media, technology, and real estate industries. He also enjoys running and joining marathons. Read more running insights here.

Race To The Top: The Best Marathon Runners Of All Time

In every endeavor, be it personally or in the business world, it is helpful to look for inspiration from individuals who have had success in the same pursuit. Those who wish to find success in marathon can learn from these runners who are considered to be some of the finest athletes the sport has ever seen:

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Dennis Kimetto

The world record holder in marathon, no runner has yet topped the Kenyan’s 2:02:57 mark which he set in the 2014 Berlin Marathon. As a matter of fact, Kimetto is the only marathoner to break the 2:03:00 barrier.

He was a subsistence farmer who had casual training before meeting Geoffrey Mutai, the record holder in the Boston and New York City Marathons, in 2010. After that, he was invited to Mutai’s training camp, and not long after, he was already finishing world-class times in marathons.

Haile Gebrselassie

The Ethiopian running legend has set 27 world records in athletics throughout his illustrious career. Widely considered as the greatest distance runner of all time, he is a two-time Olympic Gold medalist in the men’s 10,000-meter event. He has also won nine major marathons, but had he entered the marathon scene at a younger age (he first joined marathons in the early 2000s when he was in his thirties), he probably could have won more marathon events.

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Paula Radcliffe

The British running legend set the fastest time for the women’s division in marathon during the 2003 London Marathon. She completed the course in 2:15:25, which is more than three minutes shorter than the next fastest time.

Read more about running and marathons by visiting this Steven Rinder blog.