Nomrota Sarker

Startup marketing and the dilemma of doing more with less

Early-stage startups in the seed stage commonly focus on building an in-house marketing team. This is because the startup’s core focus is developing an MVP with initial funding. If they are not offering a robust product to the market, any marketing effort for the startup is irrelevant.

The fear of becoming a bad manager might make you one

Developing managerial skills from early on can help young professionals see through the challenges of becoming bad ones. While some companies tend to overlook the importance of addressing the fears, mapping out the concerns can help employees look forward to managing teams and departments more effectively.

Listen actively, respond appropriately

Active listening is a process through which an individual secures information from other individuals or groups. Listening actively requires paying attention to what’s being said, while not interrupting the speaker and understanding the context entirely. The “active” aspect, however, requires some extra steps to complete the process of effective communication.

How students can make the most out of LinkedIn

LinkedIn exposes students to networking or guidance opportunities, relevant knowledge about their fields, resources, and career options for the future. Here’s how students can get the most out of the social platform:

Professional etiquette: an essential tool for managing workplace impression

The changing professional environment around us now demands more agility, adaptability, and fewer excuses from the workforce. With a growth mindset engraved into this population, having just good manners don’t suffice for surviving the challenges that come with it.

Thrive Edtech raises USD 180k in pre-seed B round

Thrive Edtech, an education technology startup based in Dhaka has raised USD 180K in its pre-seed B round.

Social media moderation in lockdown: Facebook lets users control algorithms –– to some extent

Facebook has launched some new in-app controls to give people some control over its algorithms. 2020 was all about how to moderate the consumption of the never-ending news feed. Considering this,

Understanding the basics of fundraising for early-stage startups

Early-stage startups are businesses focused on product development, building a customer base, and creating defensible value in the market. These companies might have a brilliant idea, a dedicated team, advisors, and supporters. They could even generate revenues to some extent. But to get the startup off the ground, capital is essential.

Scaling up your startup

Considering we have now been able to distinguish between a startup and a SME, the next thing we should ideally talk about is how they have different growth strategies. Startups are high risk,

Beat unemployment in the post-Covid future

Have you noticed the companies making headlines frequently during the pandemic? Some have gone under; in a way nobody could forecast before. Some have risen from the ashes, with ideas nobody seemed to believe in.

The biggest tech flops of 2020

While the global tech industry saw a ray of hope during the beginning of 2020, its backlashes equally generated some intense chaos, riots and much more. Here's a list of some of the biggest tech flops of 2020 that made headlines and affected lives, businesses and had all of us talking about it.

Money management basics for Gen Z

Born between 1995-2010, Gen Z (also known as “internet generation” or “Post Millennials”) are now in grad school, college or have just entered the workforce.

Want to beat the crowd? Upgrade your emotional intelligence

In modern-day and age, emotional intelligence is more valued than any other form of intelligence. For the development of interpersonal relationships between peers, colleagues and even friends and family,

Thinking outside the Box: Statistics and effective myth-busting

From making-up a silly “5-second rule” to predicting an industry’s future using no more than our judgment, we humans love to tell stories. We can sell off stories, maybe to a friend, our employers, or an aspiring entrepreneur. However, the truth of these stories or myths that we spread ends up having dire consequences.

All you need is a phone: Much needed healthcare at the fingertips of RMG workers

The qualms of RMG workers worsened when their work resumed from the 26th of May, 2020. This made them more susceptible to the virus that consequently led to many of them testing positive. To address the multidimensional vulnerabilities faced by RMG workers during these turbulent times, Maya and Marks & Spencer Bangladesh has signed an MOU to provide free digital healthcare services to this specific community and to help prevent and limit the spread of Covid-19.

Three key areas where Bangladeshi startups are transforming digitally

Bangladesh has seen the good and bad of this pandemic, where the ‘good’ only implied the rise of opportunities for tech-based businesses.

Paranoia on social media?

As per a famous report that surfaced on social media about a research done by some British epidemiologists, the worst-case scenario for the coronavirus could be marked by the death of about 2.2 million Americans if the disease was left to spread unchecked.

Designed to divide

Even though some institutions tried adapting quickly to the crisis, some are still bound and limited by national policy changes regarding the issue. Perspectives of educationalists, faculties, and student experiences from prominent institutions throughout the country shed light on the bigger question here -Is Bangladesh really ready for the transition imposed?

NSU Startups Next: A platform to set ideas free

NSUSN involves collaborations with academicians, stakeholders, and industry experts. The program will nurture the entrepreneurship spirit and assist young founders. The program kicked off on 29th June from NSUSN’s Facebook page, where Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, Honorable State Minister of ICT Division, was the Chief Guest.

The story of ‘Gaze’: The Bangladeshi startup that wants to embed AI in our everyday life

Gaze, a Singapore and Bangladesh-based Artificial Intelligence startup, has recently raised US$830,000 in seed funding led by US-based venture capital firm Anchorless Bangladesh, with follow-on capital from an existing angel investor Mr Mohammad Maaz. Being an ambitious tech startup that focuses on providing API solutions to the global market, Taus Noor (Co-founder & CEO) shares the experience of his team and about their journey so far and beyond with Toggle.

Design Thinking: Why so popular?

‘Design thinking’ is a term that has gained popularity shortly after the shift in work culture in Dhaka was noticed. It is an iterative process in which a clearer, more detailed picture of the problem is perceived.

Editor's Note: Hey, it's Friday, again!

I wouldn’t lie, I longed to write this note. A 4x4 column where I write about my erratically inspiring editorial team.

Post corona work culture

The recent pandemic has hit the world hard and it is slowly changing the way we see things. Subconsciously, we are more driven to adopt a

What venture capitals look for in a new company

If you’re an entrepreneur who’s looking to raise capital for your company or planning to branch out and wondering how to get fund for it, you’re probably wondering about going to venture capitalist investors.

A millennial’s guide to mental wellbeing during a pandemic

In the midst of all the “wash your hands”, “disinfect your stations” and “maintain safe distances” during a pandemic, phrases like “Take care of your mental health” may sound redundant.

What’s ‘Dalgona coffee’ and why is it taking social media by storm?

A new kind of coffee drink has taken over social media feeds since the worldwide coronavirus outbreak forced people into home quarantine.

Femvertising: Who benefits?

“Young women of the world, two things are lacking in your life: gender equality and shiny hair.

Office relationships: Yes or No?

Workplace romance can lead to long term relationships or even marriage. On the flip side, they can also result in uncomfortable situations for both parties as well as other colleagues.

PCOS: A woman’s nightmare

PCOS stands for PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome. It sounds scary enough to flip the page already. But it is rather a very common syndrome. About 7 out of 10 women have this condition, diagnosed and undiagnosed.

Self-Check: Are you a toxic leader?

Leadership is a commendable attribute to have in this economy that strives under deadlines. A leader is born anywhere, anytime,if they are crystal clear about how to lead and motivate a group of people assigned for tasks that lead to a common goal.

November 19, 2021
November 19, 2021

Startup marketing and the dilemma of doing more with less

Early-stage startups in the seed stage commonly focus on building an in-house marketing team. This is because the startup’s core focus is developing an MVP with initial funding. If they are not offering a robust product to the market, any marketing effort for the startup is irrelevant.

October 1, 2021
October 1, 2021

The fear of becoming a bad manager might make you one

Developing managerial skills from early on can help young professionals see through the challenges of becoming bad ones. While some companies tend to overlook the importance of addressing the fears, mapping out the concerns can help employees look forward to managing teams and departments more effectively.

September 24, 2021
September 24, 2021

Listen actively, respond appropriately

Active listening is a process through which an individual secures information from other individuals or groups. Listening actively requires paying attention to what’s being said, while not interrupting the speaker and understanding the context entirely. The “active” aspect, however, requires some extra steps to complete the process of effective communication.

July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021

How students can make the most out of LinkedIn

LinkedIn exposes students to networking or guidance opportunities, relevant knowledge about their fields, resources, and career options for the future. Here’s how students can get the most out of the social platform:

June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021

Professional etiquette: an essential tool for managing workplace impression

The changing professional environment around us now demands more agility, adaptability, and fewer excuses from the workforce. With a growth mindset engraved into this population, having just good manners don’t suffice for surviving the challenges that come with it.

April 30, 2021
April 30, 2021

Thrive Edtech raises USD 180k in pre-seed B round

Thrive Edtech, an education technology startup based in Dhaka has raised USD 180K in its pre-seed B round.

April 9, 2021
April 9, 2021

Social media moderation in lockdown: Facebook lets users control algorithms –– to some extent

Facebook has launched some new in-app controls to give people some control over its algorithms. 2020 was all about how to moderate the consumption of the never-ending news feed. Considering this,

March 19, 2021
March 19, 2021

Understanding the basics of fundraising for early-stage startups

Early-stage startups are businesses focused on product development, building a customer base, and creating defensible value in the market. These companies might have a brilliant idea, a dedicated team, advisors, and supporters. They could even generate revenues to some extent. But to get the startup off the ground, capital is essential.

February 19, 2021
February 19, 2021

Scaling up your startup

Considering we have now been able to distinguish between a startup and a SME, the next thing we should ideally talk about is how they have different growth strategies. Startups are high risk,

February 5, 2021
February 5, 2021

Beat unemployment in the post-Covid future

Have you noticed the companies making headlines frequently during the pandemic? Some have gone under; in a way nobody could forecast before. Some have risen from the ashes, with ideas nobody seemed to believe in.