What Makes Failures Great Learning Experiences - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 8 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "Why are Failures More Meaningful Learning Experiences Than Successes?" Curtis recalls a political campaign where one of his favorite candidates lost the race due to one small error. He notes how losing the race ultimately amplified the learning experience for those involved with the campaign. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Manage Personal Bandwidth and Be More Effective - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 9 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "Where Has Learning to Say No Been Most Impactful in Your Own Professional Growth?" Over time he learns to help people in the most effective way possible. This includes saying "no", especially when asked to volunteer time for non-profit board activities. By limiting his commitments, Curtis finds himself making a more substantive contribution in the causes and groups he does support with his time. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Improve Community Service Volunteer Impact - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 10 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "Why is It Not Only Important to Participate in a Scene But Also to Contribute?" He learns that by participating in too many boards and commissions, he becomes "overboarded" and finds his ability to contribute diminished. Curtis comes to prefer helping a non-profit accomplish goals rather than sitting on boards. He advises young professionals to avoid becoming "overboarded" with volunteer commitments and to make sure that with participation comes contribution. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Champion a Community Service City Culture - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 11 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Has Winning Austinite of the Year Validated Your Approach to Community and Public Service?" Winning the award as part of Austin Under 40, Curtis connects his experience serving the community to promoting community service as a lifestyle option. Curtis sets a life goal to create more community service centered lifestyles by promoting the positive change volunteering creates. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Make Your Community Service More Impactful - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 12 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Can One Make His or Her Community Service More Impactful?" He starts by aiming to make the situation better than you find it. Curtis creates this impact by being an active contributor actually doing community service. For example, Curtis suggests volunteers not only help deliver Meals on Wheels but actually get inside and meet the people receiving the services. Curtis believes making this impact will also create a participatory culture focused more on taking action on potential instead of pointing out problems. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

The Power of Positive Political Communication - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 13 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "Why Do You Feel Positivity is an Effective Means to Making a More Effective Contribution?" Working in government, Curtis sees both positive and negative constituents and finds positivity a great enabler of increasing government engagement and action. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How Playing Petanque Connects a Diverse Community - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 14 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Is Learning to Play Petanque Giving You a New Way to Learn From Others?" Curtis gets into the game an enjoys not only the strategy but also the camaraderie that comes with playing around positive-minded people. By playing petanque, he meets local French residents and gets to learn strategic game elements from an older group of experienced players. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How Austin Maintains Culture As Local Economy Grows - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 15 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Do You Support Community Culture as Your Own City Becomes an International Economic Center?" Curtis notes how Austin has been doubling in size every 25 years. He meets the challenge maintaining culture while growing local economy by embracing change while keeping a steady way of life and state of mind. It comes down to supporting state of mind and understanding neighborhoods and businesses will change. This allows Curtis and Austin leaders to keep Austin weird and grow the local economy. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How Transportation Planning Affects Big City Development - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 16 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "What Did Working in Big City Transportation Teach You About How Big Cities Operate?" Curtis frames his answer in history and the changing community infrastructure and resource requirements. He notes transportation is "the vein of our existence and the key to our future." He advises people to be patient and to invest in diverse transportation solution that blends mass transit, roads, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure investments. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How to Create Private Sector Jobs - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 17 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Has Your Community Participation Allowed You to More Effectively Navigate the Political Process?" Curtis shares how by engaging the community across several levels - grassroots political groups, basic needs organizations, and non-profits - he's able to better understand needs and identify opportunities. He then connects this to larger Texas state-level relationships to get help to recruit new companies and create nearly 15,000 new jobs in Austin. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

How Learning to Negotiate Advances Career - Matt Curtis

In Chapter 18 of 18 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Has Better Understanding How to Negotiate Advanced Your Career?" Early in his career, Curtis thought negotiation was about pushing people over and getting his way. Working in politics, Curtis notes this end result typically creates a public good or positive outcome for the community. Over time, he learns to find a resolution point where both sides feel good about the outcome. Curtis is the communications director for Austin mayor Lee Leffingwell. Curtis' charity work includes affiliations with Capital Area Food Bank, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Students of the World, the Rainforest Project and the Art Alliance. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.

What Gets Easier and What Gets Harder - Richard Moross

In Chapter 1 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "What is Getting Easier and What is Getting Harder in Your Life?" He shares perspective on managing and growing his company, Moo.com. Personally, he finds the little things in life getting easier. What gets harder are making the big decisions and answering the larger questions of purpose. Additionally, Moross finds it hard to carve out time to relax and spend time with family. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

How to Define and Measure Quality of Life - Richard Moross

In Chapter 2 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "How Do You Define and Measure Your Quality of Life?" He begins with how he starts his day, and builds upon this talking about the positive nature of facing challenges. Initial challenges, getting past early company growth phases, evolve into exciting challenges of building a team, cultivating employee growth, and managing a sustainable business. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

How Moo Cards Plots Small Business Design Revolution - Richard Moross

In Chapter 3 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "What Makes Your Work Meaningful?" He shares how the mission of his company Moo.com is evolving from helping small businesses make an impression with customers to become a defacto standard for small business design services. He shares how IKEA revolutionized home furniture by bringing Scandinavian design to the masses. He then shares how Moo.com takes lessons from IKEA and even Mad Men to continue executing on its mission. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

How Family Provides Entrepreneur Emotional Support - Richard Moross

In Chapter 4 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "Where Have Your Parents Been Most Supportive to Your Career Development?" He shares how the massive emotional support from parents and family helped him make the transition from a salary job to a new world as an entrepreneur. After making the transition, Moross finds additional support in his brother and sister, who both help in different ways to help the company grow. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

How Startup Chooses Seed and Series A Investors - Richard Moross

In Chapter 5 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "What Criteria Did You Use to Evaluate Potential Investors in Your Business?" Moross notes his company Moo.com did a 2004 seed round and a Series A venture round in 2006. Running his first startup at age 26, Moross starts by asking his dad for financing advice and over time. He selects a seed investor based on commitment and understanding of vision. Moross applies these elements into his Series A venture capital round, ultimately choosing Index Ventures and Atlas Ventures. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

Where CEO Gets Advice on Running a Big Business - Richard Moross

In Chapter 6 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "Where Do You Seek Advice from Your Board of Directors?" He finds support at four levels. At the board level, Moross receives guidance on company strategy, big hiring decisions, and communication. At a second level, Moross engages individual board members about operational matters. At a third level, Moross finds value in a business mentor. And finally, at a fourth level, he benefits from the Young Presidents Organization, or YPO, business network. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.

How Innovation Can Enable Industry Leadership - Richard Moross

In Chapter 7 of 13 in his 2011 Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen, Moo.com CEO and London entrepreneur Richard Moross answers "What Does It Mean to Be a Leader in What You Do?" He shares how his company, Moo, has challenged rules to make an industry, printing, better. It was not only about process improvements such as lowering costs and increasing throughput. It was about being more relevant, responsible, accountable, useful and beautiful. The optimistic vision of continuous improvement over time shapes the Moo company and brand into one known for innovation. Moross is founder and CEO of Moo.com. Before starting Moo.com, an award-winning online print business, Moross was a senior design strategist at Imagination, the world's largest independent design company. He graduated from the University of Sussex, where he majored in philosophy and politics.