Turn TGIF into TGIM

Photo by Nina Matthews

Since Friday kicks off the weekend, it's definitely one of our favorite days of the week! As Fridays roll by and work weeks come to a close, we can't wait to leave the office and enjoy the weekend. However, when we we think about Mondays our outlook is not always so pleasant. Inc. recently wrote some tips though on how you can make Mondays less daunting by utilizing some of those Friday afternoons. Here are there tips: 

1. Finish It Off

As Friday afternoon approaches Friday evening, it's easy to mentally clock out and get distracted by your weekend plans. Or, Friday afternoon procrastination might force you to work Friday evenings. Take a few minutes to assess what projects can be finished before the (regular) end of day, or at the least what would constitute a respectable stopping point. Make a habit of trying to wrap current projects on Fridays instead of starting new ones. Set yourself up for success by finishing the most important things early in the day, leaving time in the afternoon to focus on your employees, and on the company as a whole.

2. Write It Down

Outlining your most essential Monday tasks before you head out on Friday is a surefire way to make sure you'll hit the ground running next week. Write down what exactly needs to be accomplished, and be sure to build in time for something that makes you happy. Remember that Mondays are rough on everyone, so don't wait until then to set times and places for meetings; have your day laid out as much as possible.

3. Clean It Up

A clear workspace is essential for a clear mind. The last thing you need on a Monday morning is to be rooting around your paper-strewn desk trying to find those notes from an important client meeting.  Just 10 or 15 minutes spent de-cluttering today will seem like a great investment come Monday, and is likely to become a habit you'll be glad you developed.

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Emerging Tech Series: Chef

This week's Emerging Tech Series will feature Chef, a configuration management tool. It's automation platform transforms infrastructure into code that could potentially save a business time and resources. Seth Vargo from Chef will be the keynote speaker and will offer more insight into the automation tool. Here are some more details for the Tech Series: 

March 26th from 6-8pm
Riverside Center for Innovation
700 River Avenue
Conference Room, 
1st floor (by the elevators)

For more information or to RSVP for the event click here.

The 16 Coolest College Startups in 2014

Entrepreneurship can happen at any age. Startups are popping up in colleges around the U.S. and the business world is taking notice.  This March, Inc is holding it's 2014 College Competition for the coolest college startup.

Picked from a list of nearly 100 college startups across the country, these 16 companies are the cream of the college entrepreneurship crop. Their ideas span a variety of industries, from mobile applications to subscription boxes and cosmetic-product makers.

Their founders may be young, but the companies are already making significant strides--from earning revenue and seed funding from the likes of Y Combinator and Mark Cuban to cultivating celebrity clients. Additionally, these 16 winners were chosen on the basis of factors including originality, pitch (which we left mostly intact below), and growth potential.

Here, in alphabetical order, is Inc.'s 2014 list of the 16 coolest college startups. To cast your vote for the coolest college startup, among this list of 16, check out Inc.'s March Madness-themed tournment. The winner will be announced on April 8. 

Read more and find the full list of startups here.

St. Patrick's Day Events in Pittsburgh

St. Patty's Day is a big celebrate every year for Pittsburgh. The Steel City is usually full of music, dancing, drinks, and lots of green. The annual parade is a fun way to start off, but the celebration doesn't have to end there because there are tons of Pittsburgh events to go to celebrate.  Here are a few events:

MARKET SQUARE PARTY

During parade hours, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Market Square will host family-friendly activities, including face painting for kids, street performances from buskers, Irish music and dance from Celtic Shores, Shovlin Academy of Irish Dance and the Pittsburgh Ceili Club. The Ceili Club will teach Irish dance and invite the public to join in the fun.

After the parade, the party continues in Market Square with music by Bastard Bearded Irishman (1-2:30 p.m.), The Stickers (3-4 p.m.) and the Alex Talbot Duo (4:30-5:30 p.m.).

MULLEN’S PUB AND GRILL200 Federal St., North Shore, 412-231-1112Saturday: Red Hand Paddy (2-5:30 p.m.).

CLADDAGH PITTSBURGHSouthSide Works, South Side; 412-381-4800Friday: Wild Geese (6-8 p.m.).Saturday: The St. Baldrick’s Foundation annual head-shaving fundraiser (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), where participants raise funds in advance and shave their heads for pediatric cancer research. Music by Que Ball, Ceann and Irish Pretenders, plus bagpipers and dancers.

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3 Things to Know for St. Patty's Day in Pittsburgh

Photo by DrivingtheNortheast

Every year, Saint Patrick's Day brings thousands of spectators into the heart of Pittsburgh for the festivities, particular the annual parade. This year the parade will take place on March 15th at 10 a.m. Below are a few things to know if you plan on celebrating in Pittsburgh.

1. Where to Get Parade Gear

The official parade T-shirts from the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee are now on sale. A portion of the proceeds goes to the parade.  Shirts are available online and at selected shops around Pittsburgh. (Click here for a list.)

2. Irish Fair in the Square

Market Square will host its annual "Irish Fair in the Square" street party starting at 10 a.m. It's a family-friendly, alcohol-free event until 2 p.m., changing into an adult-oriented event with controlled access from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Open containers will be permitted from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and food and green beer will be sold in the streets of the square.

3. Parking and Transportation Options

Transportation services will be offered at various times from 7:30 a.m. March 15 until 4:30 a.m. March 16 as follows:-Licensed taxi stand: East Carson at 17th Street, slopes side-Free public parking: Pittsburgh Parking Authority Second Avenue parking lot (700 spaces) across 10th Street Bridge from 6:30 a.m. on March 15 until noon March 16-Free shuttle bus service: Starts at Pittsburgh Parking Authority Second Avenue parking lot across Tenth Street Bridge via Muriel, Wharton, 18th and East Carson Streets to South Side Works and back continuously-Transportation services map: The Chamber will post a transportation services map at its website and launch a major informational campaign to publicize special transportation and parking options.

Read more at WTAE

February 25 Emerging Tech Series Event: Scala

Our next event in the Emerging Tech Series will feature Scala, an object-functional programming and scripting language for general software applications. Below are some of the details for this free event:
Where: 
Riverside Center for Innovation
1st Floor Conference room
When: 
Tuesday, February 25
6-8 p.m.
The tech series aims to help entrepreneurs in the Pittsburgh area. If you are interested in attending this event you can RSVP here.  Free food and beverages will be provided.

10 Key Guidelines for Business Planning

Great businesses don't just start with innovative ideas.  Business planning is essential for the long term success. Washington State University put together an infographic outlining the 10 Key Guidelines for Business Planning: 

The infographic details some major questions that aspiring CEOS need to ask themselves like, what problem is my business going to solve, what’s my company’s mission, and what do we do better than anyone else in the market?

But you aren’t quite done yet. A thorough business plan includes who your target demographic is, the conditions of the market you’re entering into and accounts for worst-case scenarios. And of course, there’s the money: how much you need to get going, and where it’s going to come from once your business is up and running.

Read more and see the infographic.