#108 The latest on Monzo, So Solids growth story, Alternative funding and deep discussions on being yourself at work
My progress building
This week I made progress on my Sis’s site and I really think the background in a game-changer. Since for me the landing page is like the shopfront, I like focussing on front pages that are highly optimised to convert. I also did a bit of reading on social proof so will look to build that into the page a bit more. All I can honestly say is I am enjoying the process and I’m grateful I get the chance to work on this.
Monzo is doing some cool stuff
This week after Monzo announced they needed more funding, I also noticed some of the cool new things they are working on for Monzo for business. I am still impressed.
They are helping people with budgeting tips
Here’s a few things they plan to do (and the official roadmap)
and they also got cool incentives like this to stop you buying lunch (there is rice and stew at home)
An example of company using collecting useful data to drive sales
This is something I hear more and more about and I was introduced to a great example of this which is thread. Imagine if you could have the convenience of a stylebook created for you and you can can select and customise the clothes you want (for example you may already have the trousers they are suggesting).
Design
Netflix discovery experience — a UX/UI case study – UX Collective
What if Netflix know’s what you want to watch, before you?
Faraz Ali is studying a digital creative course in Stockholm, Sweden. He conducted some deep user interviews and testing and shared the results in this article
Insights
How Remote Work Impacts Employees With Disabilities
I can’t lie, when I first thought about remote work I thought about missing Amazon deliveries, letting the electrician in, and being able to do my house chores/shopping mid-week.
This is articles takes us how employees with disabilities don’t always have an easy ride to work - another reinforcement of remote working.
Monzo is on stuff!
Monzo Blog | The future of Monzo Business Accounts
I must say I’m impressed with Monzo’s roadmap and with their 2 million+ userbase no doubt there will be those who can easily see the benefits.
You’ll be able to automatically calculate and set aside tax into a separate Pot and see upcoming payments from supplier. Cash flow is so important in the early stage and I can see this being a big win.
Checkout the other things that’s on their Monzo business roadmap
Monzo Blog | Trending Spending: London
Monzo’s machine learning lead talks through what’s trending based on a slick algorithm.
It essentially creates a score for each merchant in different post codes, that rewards places where people have been frequently, but penalises places based on how popular they are overall. This lets us discover places that you love and have been visiting lots recently, beyond the familiar chains that everyone knows.
A webcast for Founder-led funding this Tuesday
Zebra is a Founder-led movement that want to provide funding for Founders who have made revenue. They wrote a great article in 2017 which talks more about their mission.
What if Uber was owned by the drivers? What if Spotify was owned by the artists (and not just the big names, but new and emerging musicians too)?
Running this webcast for Zebras Unite on Tuesday 9th July (1PM UK time). Join them if you want to learn more about alternative financing. The focus will be on how the community can build and fund Co-ops to compete with big VC backed startups.
Funding discussion for startups/scale-ups in July
At the end of July there will be a discussion with people from FT, Cleo, Backstage Capital and Hustle Crew where they discuss what they look for when hiring and how to get hired by your dream company.
Yafi – feedback widget for your website
Feedback widget for your website
Conduct a survey, collect contacts or feedback from customers. Yafi is easy to set up. You’re gonna like it.
AI School by Microsoft
Whether you’re completely new to AI or a seasoned professional looking to stay on top of your game, AI School is quite simply the best place to find the information, learning materials and resources you need to start building intelligence into your solutions.
Adobe's experimental AI tool can tell if something's been Photoshopped
Haters will say it’s photoshopped
I once heard a discussion on Techish podcast where Michael/Abadesi were discussing how would we feel if our face was turned into a celebrity that was used by brands to make money
You’ve probably also seen some Black Mirror episodes that’s made you think hmmmm
Makers
Any tips on how I can make this site even better?
Culture Chat
If you don’t know So Solid then boy, you got 21 seconds to go lol. (Nah foreal, where you been?)
I loved this interview because we get to hear from this legend about how intentional Mega Man was about building something that was bigger than himself.
One of my favourite quotes:
The business is built on people that are willing, and happy for you to make more money than them
Mega Man is more than qualified to talk about building a brand that he was wise enough to trademark early on and through this 3 part introspective with Amaru Don he talks about learning about his black history at home, reading Robert Kiyosaki, navigating the underground scene he was a part of and being involved in all the creative process so that everyone got to shine.
"Know The Business You're In"
Deep discussion about startups, funding and being yourself at work
Deep podcast where Andy Ayim talks about what it means for him to be able to spot opportunities and use the fact he grew up in Tottenham to his advantage and how he confidently explores places that sparks his interest and has had the opportunity of co-founding Mixtape Madness, worked with hundreds of startups and can now provide access to capital.