Business School Blogs

There are a number of business school blogs that can provide you with insight and education about a wide variety of business topics.

1. BizDeans Talk: Different business school deans offer insight on different issues facing business and business education, as well as lessons learned from real-world examples.
2. Kellogg Insight: The professors at Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern offer helpful information and research.
3. Conversation Starter: Various business gurus discuss business issues of the day, and invite debate and conversation on the latest business news. Run by Harvard Business School.
4. HBR Editors’ Blog: Another offering from Harvard, this provides insights from the editors of the prestigious Harvard Business Review.
5. Public Offering: The Columbia Business School Blog: A look at what is going on in the business world and the business education world from the viewpoint of professors at the Columbia Business School.
6. Words at Work: Harvard professor David Silverman expounds upon the importance of communication in business, drawing on real-world examples.
7. Yoko Ishikura’s Blog: Japanese business school professor provides insight into international and educational business issues. Available in English and in Japanese.
8. Santiago Iniguez: IE business professor provides insight into the international business scene. But you have to know Spanish to read most of his posts.

Strategy and Entrepreneurship

It is vital to have a good grip on business strategy and consider entrepreneurship. Innovation is also an important aspect of successful businesses. Here are some blogs that can help you hone your business strategies:

9. On Innovation: Clayton Christensen is a entrepreneur, as well as a Harvard professor. Jason Hwang and Michael Horn are also innovators contributing to this blog.
10. Top Shelf Reading Picks: Businesswoman Diane Danielson offers reviews of books and blogs for entrepreneurs. A great place to go if you want good insight and savvy innovation.
11. Edge Economy: Learn new business strategies for the new century from Umair Haque. His strategic advice has been helpful at the Havas Media Lab where he is director.
12. Rita McGrath’s Dynamic Strategies: Columbia Business School professor Rita McGrath offers helpful suggestions for business strategy in a changing world.
13. Practically Radical: Entrepreneur Bill Taylor provides a look at the challenges of the current economy, as well as practical and creative business solutions.
14. I Quit – Now What?: Steve DeMaio offers an interesting look at what happens when you are brave enough to quit your job and strike out as an entrepreneur.
15. Free the Non-Profits: Non-profit innovation pioneer Dan Pallotta provides insight into the non-profit industry and how one can find solutions to stressing problems.

Management and Leadership

Learning how to be a good manager and show good leadership is important for businesspeople. Here are some great blogs to learn business management theory and leadership skills.

16. Management I.Q.: Management writers from BusinessWeek provide insight into management issues and styles.
17. Robert Salomon’s Blog: Management guru and associate professor at NYU, Robert Salomon, provides fresh insight into managing in today’s business climate.
18. Upstarts and Titans: CEO Anthony Tjan looks at the challenges of business in a recession, and provides helpful management solutions.
19. Bob Sutton: Leadership expert Bob Sutton provides insight into what makes a good leader.
20. The Change Master: Rosabeth Moss Kanter is considered one of the premier business leadership and management thinkers. Her blog provides insight in changing yourself — and your business — for success.
21. Ed Batista: Executive trainer and coach offers insight on leadership and management.
22. Professor Michael Roberto’s Blog: Bryant University professor Michael Roberto offers thoughts and hints on being a better leader and boss.
23. Managerial Economics: Learn more about the economics of managing and business from Luke Froeb and Brian McCann, the guys who actually wrote the book.

Economics and Finance

Ever good businessperson should have an idea of different economic theories, and how finance works. Get an idea of how the world of finance works by reading these blogs.

24. Organizations and Markets: A collection of knowledgeable economists share their thoughts on how organizations and businesses interact with financial and global markets.
25. Carpe Diem: University of Michigan professor Mark Perry provides insight into economics and finance, and how they work on the local and global levels.
26. Economist’s View: Mark Thoma, a professor at the University of Oregon, offers his thoughts on economics and the world of business and finance.
27. Grasping Reality with Both Hands: This is an entertaining and popular economics blog from professor Brad DeLong at U.C. Berkeley.
28. Divison of Labour: A number of economists and analysts contribute to this blog about global economics.
29. Financial Literacy and Ignorance: Dartmouth professor Annamaria Lusardi works to educate people about finance and how it applies. A great primer for those looking to get a solid foundation in how finances work.
30. ProfessorVC: Learn about venture capitalism, finance and busines from “start-up CFO guy” Steve Bennet.
31. Investing Insights: Get a little more knowledge about investing and finances for business.

Marketing

Naturally, as a budding businessperson, you want to know about marketing. It is an essential skill for any business. Read these blogs to learn a little more about marketing strategy.

32. Dr. Neil Hair: Marketing professor Neil Hair teaches about marketing strategies in today’s high-tech world.
33. The Responsible Marketing Blog: This blog is written by CEO Patrick Byers. It focuses on responsible marketing practices and provides marketing education.
34. Marketing KnowHow: Harvard professor John Quelch provides practical tips and information on better, more effective marketing.
35. Marketing Practice: A blog written from an Indian perspective. An interesting look at marketing on a global scale.
36. eStrategy Internet Marketing Blog: David Erickson, a director of e-Strategy, provides insight on different Internet marketing strategies that can be employed for a more succesful business.
37. Social Media Marketing: Marketing professional Tom Chapman provides insight into how you can leverage social media into a marketing campaign.
38. MarketingProfs Daily Fix: Knowledgeable marketing professionals share insight into challenges and solutions in today’s marketing environment.

Green Business

If you are interested in more sustainable business practices, these blogs can provide helps and hints for greener business.

39. Leading Green: Information on what you can do to be a leader in green business practices.
40. Green Business Blogs: Sustainable business experts from around the corporate world offer news and business hints on greener practices on GreenBiz.com.
41. Green Advantage: Andrew Winston is a green adviser that helps businesses all over the world improve their sustainability. His blog provides insight into current practices.
42. Green Inc.: The New York Times provides a look at what’s happening right now in green business, and how to incorporate sustainable practices into your company.
43. Sustainable Business Design: Learn how to build a green business from the foundation on up.

Women in Business

If you are a woman determined to make it in the business world, you can take advantage of these great blogs that address some unique challenges businesswomen face. However, there is plenty of good business savvy and sense that men can benefit from as well.

44. Lip-Sticking: This blog is written by a variety of woman business professionals. It also has a specific leaning toward marketing to women.
45. Women on Business: Focuses on business from the female perspective.
46. Woman at Work: Business professional Aliza Sherman blogs about the challenges faced by women who work — and how to overcome them.
47. Women’s Leadership: A leadership blog aimed at businesswomen from Babson. Especially addresses the challenges women face as leaders.
48. Seriously Social: A look at using social media as a businesswoman. Businesswoman Lena West focuses on business news and best social media practices.
49. After55: At the top of our game: This blog is aimed at women over the age of 55. Bonnie Price offers helpful insight into remaining sharp in the business world.
50. Flokka.com: This is actually a collection of blogs by different female business professionals. A great resource for those looking to connect with other women in business.

If you don’t use a variety of basic social media tools for networking, then you’ll learn a few below. Then, we offer a variety of social media sites designed just for entrepreneurs. Through these sites, you can network, build a Web presence, place ads, find funding and more – all needs required by the entrepreneurial soul.

The following list is alphabetized under both categories to show readers we do not favor one social media site over another.

The Basic Social Networking Tools

1. Digg: Create a news niche by uploading information that’s useful to you and to others who want your information. This is a great place to find like-minded individuals who are interested in your information.
2. Facebook: Not just for kids, this tool can help you create ‘Pages’ that relate to your business where you gather ‘fans’ like ‘followers’ on Twitter.
3. Flickr: Share photos of your products or services, staff, convention photos and get-togethers to show that you’re a pro and that you like to have fun as well.
4. Friendfeed: Create a private group for your company or colleagues to collaborate on a research paper, coordinate an upcoming event, or give status updates on the TPS reports. Or, use Friendfeed as an aggregate to feed from your other social networking tools.
5. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the business social networking leader of the pack. While you may be tempted to use your business as the ‘name’ for your LinkedIn account, you might think about a down-the-road situation where you sell that entrepreneurial business. Be yourself at LinkedIn, state what you do, and put enough information in your profile to show that you own a business and that you’re a human being, too.
6. Twitter: Use Twitter to show that a real human lies behind your brand. Some social media pros suggest you use a photo rather than your logo for an avatar, but use what feels ‘right’ to you.
7. YouTube: This tool is a no-brainer for film companies, entertainers and politicians. But, you can use videos as how-to guides, information hubs and more to promote your business.

Enterpreneur-Specific Social Platforms

8. BizFriendz: Increase your online presence and your sales as well as develop new business contacts and partnerships through this social media platform. Earn money while you build your network through ticket sales for events you create and through first- and second-tier referral fees from others who join your network and use BizFriendz’ enhanced site features.
9. Biznik: If you hate isolation, need more clients and customers, want to raise your visibility and need help with certain parts of your business, then Biznik might be right for you. While LinkedIn provides a great venue to seek new work, Biznik is for sharing ideas online and face-to-face.
10. Cofoundr: This community for entrepreneurs offers a global environment for entrepreneurs to find co-founders, to build teams and to get advice. This is a public beta offering, so getting in on the ground floor might appeal to your entrepreneurial spirit.
11. DreamStake: This is a collaborative platform for “creative entrepreneurs” who want to meet up with other talented individuals with experience across a wide range of disciplines. Find funding, legal and marketing expertise and software and design development skills at this site.
12. Ecademy: Create new contacts and friends, market your business for Google visibility, share your knowledge for opportunities to meet others and build your business with unlimited advertisements in the Marketplace.
13. Entrepreneur Connect: Create a profile, share ideas and make connections without feeling pressured to self-promote (which is discouraged at any rate). You also can create or join groups to network, create dynamic business-to-business relationships and get your creative juices flowing.
14. Fast Pitch: Fast Pitch provides a “one-stop shop” for networking and marketing. Increase your online presence with a 60+ page manual that shows you how to use Fast Pitch to its fullest potential.
15. Go BIG Network: Billed as the “Biggest Community of Startup Companies,” this social networking site offers ways to build a business plan, find funding, services and mentors. Think of this site as a Grand Central Station for entrepreneurs.
16. PartnerUp: This is another networking site for small business owners that offers material on how to build your business, learn more about being in business and opportunities to find a new business and even properties for sale or lease.
17. Perfect Business: Get the education and resources you need to succeed in business along with a venue that promotes meeting thousands of entrepreneurs, both novice and expert. Use this site to find potential business partners, clients and mentors.
18. Ryze: This social media platform provides a free networking-oriented homepage for you to use to make quality business contacts, deals and connections with clients, peers and friends.
19. StartupNation: This is an entrepreneur-to-entrepreneur site that helps self-starters get off the ground, market and build a business. This site also welcomes franchise owners.
20. StartupSpace: Develop a profile page for your business and invite friends to network. You can develop a blog, a group and/or a discussion and upload and share videos about your business and interests at this social network platform.
21. The Funded: This is an online community filled with entrepreneurs who research, rate and review worldwide funding sources. Share terms of service sheets, assist others with finding start-up funds and ask for help for your venture.
22. Upspring: Use this social media platform to promote your company and to increase offline sales, to develop new B2B contacts and to profile your business for online visibility.
23. Vator.tv: If you want to expand your video exposure beyond YouTube, try this social platform on for size. This is a place for emerging companies to showcase and market their goods and/or services. Get feedback, join the community and share news while meeting new entrepreneurs and customers.
24. Young Entrepreneur: If you’re a young entrepreneur, join over 50,000 other members to discuss start-up issues and more in forums, through blogs and by private messages.
25. Xing: Manage your business contacts along with seven million other members to this site. You receive a profile, a personal home page and messages as well as special limited offers on travel, electronics and more.

General Finance News

These social media Web sites offer news on a variety of subjects, allowing you to rank stories and share with your social network. You get a pretty good idea of the day’s headlines.

1. Tip’d Finance News is one of the premier social media Web sites for finances. Categories cover a number of investment sectors, as well as business, personal finance and real estate. One of the best places to see what is going on around the Web in the world of money and finance.
2. PF Buzz provides a look at finances, with a personal finance twist. Vote on articles you think are well-written, and get a feel for what is setting the financial world abuzz.
3. Reddit, FinancialPlanning offers a specific Reddit category just for financial planning issues. The subscriber list is growing, and the submissions to this particular Reddit provide helpful insights and some great articles from around the financial blogosphere.
4. Mixx tag “finance” allows you to keep up to date on current topics of discussion in the business and finance world.
5. Twinancial brings personal finance tweets from around the world right to you. Want to get ideas, connect with other financial professionals and just stay in the loop? Tinancial can probably help.
6. Wisebread offers great content on finance and news from a variety of contributors. Additionally, the site has a forum where you can interact with other members, as well as daily deals.

Investing

The idea of social investing has really picked up. You can involve yourself in a number of communities that allow you to take advantage of collective knowledge in order to make stock market decisions.

7. FeedTheBull provides news, videos, Q&A and a community of users interested in stock market news, as well as other financial news. Use the bullish vote button (fun to do), and join often-lively discussions about the stock market issues of the day.
8. Value Investing News gives its members a little twist. Not only do you enjoy the benefits of community for your investment news, but you also get a share of the AdSense revenue from the Web site. You can bid stories higher and lower, and you can provide reviews of new stories. Use the Zacks.com screener on the site to help you find true value stocks.
9. Stockpickr puts the magic of collective ideas to work for investors. Offered through TheStreet.com, Stockpickr is developed by folks who know what they are doing. Follow professional and spotlight portfolios, and create your own portfolio based on what works. Read news, and get helpful hints on how to become a better investor.
10. SocialPicks is another social investing Web site that provides the opportunity for you to learn from your investing peers. You can follow what others say about their favorite tickers, as well as keep track of what is being said on Twitter.
11. Wikinvest provides the Wikipedia version of the stock market. Detailed information on prominent companies is included, along with bearish and bullish arguments from Wikinvest members. See detailed stock charts, and read the latest on a number of investment sectors.
12. Covestor provides you with the chance to follow professional investors. Build your credibility, and people may even begin to follow your stock trades! Portfolios that perform well are ranked, and you can even create an account that will mimic the moves of your favorite investment professionals.
13. StockTwits harnesses the power of Twitter to help you find stock tips and the latest news about investment related issues.
14. Kapitall may still be in beta, but it has the potential to be a very interesting social media site for investors. Kapitall acts like a stock trading game. It also helps you meet like-minded investors. Search your favorite stocks, and read the latest investment and finance news.

Budget and Money Management

You can use social media Web sites to manage your finances — and to connect with others. Here are some sites that take budgeting to the next level, by helping you find others with similar goals and situations.

15. Wesabe connects you with others who can share advice and information on managing finances. You can even share your own knowledge with others, building your own profile.
16. moneyStrands helps you manage your money easily, providing mobile versions of its services, as well as community. You can save money, share your knowledge with others and keep track of your entire financial life.
17. We, the Savers was set up by ING Direct to connect savers across the country. Sign the declaration and use calculators, tools and freebies available on the site.
18. Google Tip Jar provides a number of money saving tips that can help you better manage your money. You can become involved as a financial professional by joining and adding your tips to the jar.

Promoting Your Financial Services

19. LinkedIn has a Social Media and Web 2.0 in Banking and Financial Services group that offers great insight into how you can use social media and Web 2.0 to increase your business. Learn how to use social media tools as a financial professional.
20. Voyant offers money management software to consumers, as well as financial professionals. Indeed, Voyant has a set-up that allows you to market your services and provide value-added products for your clients. Connect with users of the Voyant@Home software easily, simply by being a part of the network.
21. ActiveRain focuses on real estate professionals. You can sign up, and then post to your own blog. Share information about your real estate market, and network with other real estate professionals.
22. IFA Life provides a place for Financial Planners, Wealth Managers and Indpendent Financial Advisers to meet each other and get helpful hints and support. Forums, news and resources, as well as events, can be found on this social networking site.
23. Sexy Insurance really isn’t as risqué as it sounds. It is the social networking site for insurance industry professionals. Share photos and videos, connect with others in the insurance industry, and join different groups.

It is also worth noting that you can find interesting finance articles and advice on the following social media sites:

24. StumbleUpon offers the chance for you to designate a “thumbs up” for sites you like. This puts them into the pool, and allows people to “stumble” onto them randomly. You can choose interests, so that your stumbles lead you most often to Web sites with a financial focus.
25. Kirtsy is aimed mostly at women. However, there are often financial articles on the Web site, in a variety of categories (not just the world, business and politics designation), that can give you a good feel for what women are interested in when it comes to finances.