Author: Steve

Why do Customers Like Using Figma over Competitors?

Customers appreciate Figma for several reasons, making it a popular choice for design teams and individuals:

Collaboration:

  • Real-time collaboration: Multiple people can edit the same Figma file simultaneously, fostering effective teamwork and streamlined design iterations. This allows designers to work together on projects seamlessly, regardless of their physical location.
  • Version control: Figma automatically saves your work, allowing users to revert to previous versions if necessary. This ensures everyone is working on the latest version and eliminates the risk of losing work due to accidental changes.
  • Commenting and feedback: Figma provides tools for leaving comments and providing feedback directly on designs, facilitating clear communication within teams and with clients.

User-friendliness:

  • Simple and intuitive interface: Figma boasts a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and navigate, even for those new to design software. This makes it accessible to a wider range of users, including designers with varying experience levels.
  • Web-based platform: No software downloads are required; users can access Figma from any device with a web browser, eliminating compatibility issues and allowing for easy access on the go.
  • Extensive resources and tutorials: Figma offers a wealth of resources, including tutorials, documentation, and community forums, making it easy for users to learn new features and get help when needed.

Features and Functionality:

  • Comprehensive design tools: Figma offers a diverse toolkit for various design needs, including vector graphics creation, prototyping, and user interface (UI) design. This allows designers to complete their entire design workflow within a single platform.
  • Integrations with other tools: Figma integrates with various external tools and plugins, expanding its functionality to cater to diverse design workflows and connect seamlessly with other commonly used software.
  • Community-driven enhancements: Figma actively incorporates user feedback and suggestions, ensuring the platform continuously evolves and adapts to user needs.

Additional factors contributing to Figma’s popularity:

  • Free plan: Figma offers a free plan with basic features, making it an accessible option for individual designers and startups.
  • Affordable paid plans: Paid plans offer additional features and functionalities, catering to the needs of larger teams and organizations.
  • Growing popularity: Figma’s rising popularity within the design community further attracts users, creating a network effect and establishing it as a preferred industry tool.

What are the Benefits of Using Notion Calendar Over Google Calendar

While both Notion Calendar and Google Calendar are effective tools for managing your schedule, they cater to different needs and offer unique benefits. Here’s a breakdown of some advantages Notion Calendar might have over Google Calendar:

Integrated Workspace:

  • Notion integrates seamlessly with other Notion features: You can connect your calendar to databases, notes, project plans, and other elements within your Notion workspace, creating a centralized hub for managing various aspects of your life and work.
  • Google Calendar functions as a standalone app: While it can integrate with other Google services like Gmail, it lacks the level of in-depth integration that Notion offers.

Customization:

  • Notion offers extensive customization options: You can create different calendar views (e.g., calendar, table, list), personalize the layout with colors, fonts, and icons, and embed various content formats like images and videos within your calendar entries. This allows for a more visually appealing and personalized experience.
  • Google Calendar offers limited customization: While you can choose from different calendar views and color-code events, the overall visual customization options are more restricted compared to Notion.

Flexibility and Functionality:

  • Notion allows embedding other functionalities within calendar entries: You can directly add checklists, to-dos, and even embed other Notion pages within your calendar events, creating a comprehensive and multifaceted view of your schedule and tasks.
  • Google Calendar focuses primarily on scheduling events: While you can add descriptions and attachments to events, the functionality is more limited compared to Notion’s ability to embed different content and information within calendar entries.

Offline Accessibility:

  • Notion offers offline access within its desktop app: This allows you to view and edit your calendar even when you don’t have an internet connection.
  • Google Calendar requires an internet connection for most functionalities: While some limited functionalities might be available offline within the mobile app, full functionality requires internet access.

However, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks of Notion Calendar:

  • Learning curve: Notion’s interface and features can be more complex to learn and navigate compared to Google Calendar’s more user-friendly design.
  • Performance: Notion’s web app can sometimes experience performance issues, especially with very large workspaces.
  • Limited platform availability: Currently, Notion primarily functions as a web app with limited mobile app features compared to Google Calendar’s mobile app.

What is Amuseio AB

Amuseio AB, also known simply as Amuse, is a Swedish music distribution and artist services company. They offer a range of services to help independent artists release and manage their music careers.

You can read there financials here.

Owning Your Music Masters: Demystifying Artist Rights and Control

In the music industry, “owning your masters” is a phrase often thrown around, but what does it truly mean? For artists, understanding the concept of master ownership is crucial, as it significantly impacts their creative freedom, financial gain, and overall control over their music.

What are Music Masters?

Simply put, music masters are the original sound recordings of a song. These recordings include the final version of a song captured in a studio, encompassing the artist’s performance, instrumentation, mixing, and mastering. They are distinct from the musical composition itself, which falls under copyright protection as an intellectual property.

Why Owning Your Masters Matters:

Owning your masters grants you, the artist, a bundle of rights associated with the recordings, including:

  • The right to reproduce: This allows you to decide how and where your music is distributed (e.g., streaming platforms, vinyl pressing).
  • The right to distribute: You control where your music is made available for purchase or download.
  • The right to create derivative works: This includes authorizing remixes, covers, or other versions of your original recordings.
  • The right to receive royalties: You earn a portion of the revenue generated when your music is used, such as through streaming, downloads, or licensing for films or commercials.

Not Owning Your Masters:

When artists sign traditional record deals, they often give up ownership of their masters in exchange for upfront funding, production support, and distribution assistance. While this arrangement can be advantageous for launching a career, it means the record label retains ownership of the masters and controls the aforementioned rights.

Benefits of Owning Your Masters:

  • Creative Control: You have the final say over how your music is presented and distributed, ensuring artistic integrity.
  • Financial Gain: You reap the majority of the royalties generated by your music, potentially leading to greater long-term financial benefits.
  • Long-term Ownership: Masters remain your property, potentially appreciating in value over time and allowing you to pass them on as part of your legacy.

Challenges of Owning Your Masters:

  • Financial Investment: Independent artists need to cover recording, manufacturing, and distribution costs themselves, which can be a significant financial hurdle.
  • Marketing and Distribution: Establishing distribution channels and promoting your music independently requires additional effort and resources.
  • Legal Expertise: Navigating contracts and copyright complexities might necessitate legal counsel, adding to the costs.

The Decision:

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to own your masters is a personal one that depends on your individual circumstances, career goals, and risk tolerance. Weighing the benefits and challenges carefully, alongside seeking professional guidance, can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your long-term vision as an artist.tunesharemore_vert

What is Tracklib and Why is it Better Than It’s Competitors

Tracklib is a music service that allows producers and artists to legally sample original music recordings for use in their own creations. It functions as a “record store for sampling” by offering a vast library of pre-cleared music and a streamlined process for obtaining licensing permission.

Here’s a breakdown of Tracklib’s key features:

  • Extensive Music Library: Tracklib boasts a library of over 100,000 tracks across various genres and decades, including full songs, stems (individual instrument tracks), and multi-tracks.
  • Pre-cleared Samples: Each song in the library is pre-cleared for legal use, meaning the copyright holders have already granted permission for sampling, eliminating the need for individual negotiations.
  • Licensing Options: Tracklib offers various tiered subscription plans that allow users to download a specific number of samples per month or purchase individual song licenses.
  • User-friendly Interface: The platform provides a search function and filtering options to help users find the perfect sample. Users can also preview and loop samples before downloading them.
  • Royalty Distribution: Tracklib facilitates royalty payments to the original rights holders whenever a sample is used in a commercially released track.

Here’s what sets Tracklib apart from other sample resources:

  • Legality: Unlike traditional crate-digging, where copyright issues can arise, Tracklib ensures legal and ethical sampling through pre-cleared licenses.
  • Convenience: The platform eliminates the time-consuming and complex process of negotiating individual sample clearances.
  • Variety: The extensive library offers a diverse range of music, increasing creative possibilities for producers and artists.

However, it’s important to consider the limitations of Tracklib:

  • Cost: Subscription fees can add up depending on the chosen plan and the number of samples needed.
  • Limited Control: Users might have less creative control compared to using completely original or manipulated sounds.

Overall, Tracklib provides a valuable tool for musicians seeking an efficient and legal way to incorporate high-quality samples into their music productions. However, it’s essential to weigh the costs and limitations against its benefits before deciding if it’s the right solution for your creative needs.

How Can I Buy Shares in Xiaomi (XIACY or 1810) on the Public Stock Market?

Buying Xiaomi American Depositary Receipts (ADRs):

  • This is the simplest and most common way for US investors to buy Xiaomi stock.
  • ADRs represent shares of a foreign company (in this case, Xiaomi) that are traded on a US stock exchange.
  • Xiaomi’s ADR trades under the ticker symbol XIACY on the OTC Markets.

Buying Xiaomi shares directly on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX):

  • This method allows you to buy actual shares of Xiaomi (stock code: 1810), but it’s a more complex process and not recommended for all investors.
  • It typically involves opening an international brokerage account that allows trading on the HKEX and navigating potential currency conversion and other fees.

NIO’s First Mass Market Brand Coming in September and 10% Cheaper than Tesla!

NIO plans to start selling the first model under a mass-market brand as early as September, according to founder and chief executive William Li. The production cost for these new electric vehicle models would be 10% less than that of Tesla’s Model Y. Li told investors on Tuesday that this would give NIO “better flexibility” in pricing its first model, codenamed Alps, which will feature battery-swapping technology. This advantage is due to China’s well-developed EV supply chain and NIO’s extensive research and development efforts over the years.

Li suggested that the luxury EV manufacturer might adopt a more aggressive pricing strategy to compete with rivals in the segment. The new brand will primarily target Chinese families and prioritize volume sales, while NIO’s original brand will continue to focus on gross margin.

In 2023, the net loss of the Shanghai-based company increased to RMB 20.7 billion ($2.9 billion) from RMB 14.4 billion the previous year, while its revenue grew by approximately 12.9%. NIO’s stock ended the day at $5.48, a 2.8% increase.

Accenture Acquired Udacity to Expand Its Learning Platform – Focused on AI

Accenture announced today that it will acquire the learning platform, Udacity. This acquisition is part of an initiative to create a learning platform focused on AI, in response to increasing interest in the field. While the acquisition price for Udacity was not disclosed, Accenture also announced a $1 billion investment in a technology learning platform named LearnVantage.

Although the company could offer broader technology training, it underscored its interest in providing training for AI. Kishore Durg, the global lead of Accenture LearnVantage, said in a statement, “The rise of generative AI represents one of the most transformative changes in how work gets done. It’s driving a growing need for enterprises to train and upskill people in cloud, data, and AI as they build their digital core and reinvent their enterprises.”

Distribute Music with Distrokid and RouteNote

Distrokid and RouteNote are both great options for uploading your music into the worlds largest stores and streaming services. Here is a quick list of Pros and Cons for both.

DistroKid:

Pros:

  • Simple and user-friendly interface
  • Affordable pricing for basic plans
  • Fast distribution speeds (especially for paid plans)

Cons:

  • Limited features in basic plans (e.g., no YouTube Content ID)
  • Additional fees for advanced features
  • Limited customer support options

RouteNote:

Pros:

  • All-inclusive features in their free plan (including YouTube Content ID)
  • Unlimited track uploads even on the free plan
  • Wide range of additional features and services
  • 24/7 customer support

Cons:

  • Slightly more complex interface compared to DistroKid
  • Slower distribution speeds compared to DistroKid (for the free plan)
drums music streaming distrokid routenote
via – Shuttur

Alibaba Invests in AI Company MiniMax $600 million Funding Round

Investments in AI have been increasing, and Alibaba has emerged as one of China’s key players in this field. Recently, the e-commerce giant led a funding round of over US$600 million for the Chinese startup MiniMax.

This deal increased MiniMax’s valuation to over US$2.5 billion, marking Alibaba’s second significant AI investment this year. It recently led a US$1 billion round for Moonshot AI, also valuing it at US$2.5 billion.

MiniMax is a Chinese AI startup specializing in social AI. It develops AI companions and virtual characters for interactive experiences.

At present, the startup has two AI character role-playing apps: Talkie for international markets, and Xing Ye for China.

My Thoughts on Google (GOOGL) and Their Market Share and Investment Opportunity

A lot of people have been giving Google a really hard time of late over their troubled entry into AI – with their chat interface Gemini. Additionally, there are investors out there that think OpenAI, Perplexity and others will start to disrupt their search business which is their main revenue stream via ads.

I don’t think this is going to happen and here is my take:

  • Google has 93% market share in search and 50% in total digital marketing. These are not going anywhere.
  • Cloud is growing 30% YoY with margin expansion.
  • Forward PE of 19 is reasonable compared to industry average and to its historical median.

I think I will be buying more for my own investment portfolio.

Cox Enterprises Acquiring OpenGov for $1.8 billion – Government Software Provider

Cox Enterprises is set to acquire OpenGov, a software provider for cities and state agencies, in a deal valued at $1.8 billion. OpenGov, a privately-owned company based in San Francisco, has developed a software platform over the past twelve years. This platform assists with budgeting, accounting, asset management, and other local government requirements.

via The Wall Street Journal

Who are Salesforce Biggest Clients – Globally?

While Salesforce doesn’t publicly disclose an official list of their “biggest” clients, here are some of the prominent companies and organizations known to be Salesforce customers, highlighting the diverse range of industries they serve:

Large Enterprises:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • U.S. Bank
  • Walmart
  • Toyota
  • BMW
  • L’Oreal Americas
  • American Express
  • The Hershey Company
  • Canon
  • The New York Post
  • NBCUniversal
  • PayPal
  • Ford
  • NASA

Public Sector and Non-profits:

  • The American Red Cross
  • The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • The City of San Francisco
  • UNICEF

Smaller Businesses:

  • Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across various industries also utilize Salesforce solutions, highlighting their scalability and adaptability to diverse needs.

Additional Considerations:

  • Global Reach: Salesforce boasts a global customer base, with a presence in over 170 countries.
  • Industry Focus: While they serve a wide range of industries, Salesforce has a strong presence in sectors like technology, healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing.
  • Customer Segments: Their solutions cater to various customer segments, from large enterprises to small businesses and non-profit organizations.

Who Are the Largest Shareholders of Axios Media

Axios Media is majority-owned by Cox Enterprises, a family-owned media conglomerate headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. However, Axios ownership isn’t solely held by Cox Enterprises. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Majority ownership: Cox Enterprises owns approximately 70% of Axios Media.
  • Minority ownership: The remaining 30% ownership is divided between Axios Media employees and its co-founders, Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz.

Therefore, while Cox Enterprises holds the majority stake, Axios also maintains ownership by its founders and employees, potentially fostering a sense of shared ownership and alignment within the company.

Who are Currently the Largest Shareholders in Monster Beverages

As of October 26, 2023, the largest shareholders in Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) are:

  1. The Coca-Cola Company: Owns approximately 20% of Monster Beverage’s outstanding shares. This makes them the single largest shareholder.
  2. The Vanguard Group: Owns approximately 6.0% of the shares. Vanguard is a large investment management company with a diverse portfolio of holdings.
  3. BlackRock Inc.: Owns approximately 5.6% of the shares. Similar to Vanguard, BlackRock is a major investment management firm with a broad range of investments.

Here are some additional insights about Monster Beverage’s ownership structure:

  • Institutional ownership: Over 63% of Monster Beverage’s shares are owned by institutions such as investment companies, pension funds, and insurance companies. This indicates that Monster Beverage is a popular investment choice for institutional investors.
  • Individual investors: While the largest shareholders are institutions, individual investors still hold a significant portion of the company’s shares, indicating a diverse ownership structure.

Monaco Royal Family Under Fire as Back Door to Western Europe

Prince Albert II of Monaco, a tiny country renowned for its casinos, grand prix, and status as a tax haven, is facing scrutiny for allegedly favouring his nephews’ business interests. A yearlong investigation by Bloomberg revealed that his nephews’ construction company secured state contracts worth over $60 million. Furthermore, Prince Albert II allegedly helped quash a lawsuit from a competing developer over an apartment building his nephews aimed to develop near the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Government offices have been raided by the police, but the prince and his family deny any wrongdoing. Monaco remains one of the few countries where power is still centered in the palace. This has raised concerns among European officials, who fear that the wealthy nation “continues to serve as a back door to Western Europe for financial criminals,” as stated by Bloomberg.

Webull Prepared to Go Public at $7.3 billion Valuation (SPAC deal) – Xiaomi and Alibaba as Early Investors

The News: Online brokerage Webull is planning to go public via a $7.3 billion merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), after previous initial public offering (IPO) attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to its past crypto offerings.

Details: The New York-based company, which launched its trading platform in the U.S. in 2018, has agreed to merge with SK Growth Opportunities Corp. The company plans to start trading on the Nasdaq in the second half of 2024, giving Webull an estimated enterprise value of roughly $7.3 billion.

Webull’s U.S. CEO, Anthony Denier, stated that the company’s previous attempts to IPO were hindered by its cryptocurrency trading offerings, a practice the SEC has frowned upon. To eliminate this regulatory uncertainty and clear the path for its public listing, Webull sold its crypto asset business in late 2023.

Why SPAC?: Denier explained that the SPAC route provides a more certain valuation upfront compared to a traditional IPO. The blank-check deal is expected to raise approximately $100 million for Webull, which it intends to use for international expansion and new product development.

Webull experienced significant growth during the pandemic, with registered users reaching 20 million worldwide. The company has targeted more active traders than competitors like Robinhood, offering tools for technical analysis.

It’s important to note that this impending public listing occurs as fintechs proceed cautiously due to increased regulatory scrutiny of companies with ties to China. Despite early backing from Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Alibaba, Denier emphasized that Webull is not majority-owned by Chinese entities.

How Did Baillie Gifford Start and Grow Their Investment Fund and Management

The story of Baillie Gifford’s origins starts in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1908, when two ambitious lawyers, Colonel Augustus Baillie and T.J. Carlyle Gifford, saw an opportunity in the burgeoning rubber industry.

The Founding Moment:

  • Baillie, a veteran of the Boer War, and Gifford, a brilliant young lawyer, combined their expertise to establish a law firm, Baillie & Gifford WS.
  • They quickly recognized the potential of the rubber industry and decided to create an investment trust focused on this promising sector.
  • In 1909, The Straits Mortgage and Trust Company was launched, with Baillie & Gifford managing its assets. This marked the official start of Baillie Gifford, laying the foundation for their journey as successful investment managers.

Early Years and Growth:

  • The initial years were challenging, with the rubber industry facing fluctuations. However, Baillie Gifford’s astute investment decisions and long-term perspective helped the trust navigate these difficulties.
  • They gradually diversified their portfolio beyond rubber, venturing into other sectors like shipping, textiles, and utilities.
  • Throughout the 20th century, Baillie Gifford continued to grow, weathering various economic storms and building a reputation for prudent management and a focus on long-term investment horizons.

Evolution and Modern Form:

  • In the late 20th century, Baillie Gifford embraced new investment strategies and technologies, adapting to the changing financial landscape.
  • They became pioneers in growth investing, focusing on identifying and backing companies with high growth potential.
  • Their commitment to research and analysis, coupled with their distinctive partnership structure, which emphasizes collective decision-making and long-term thinking, further set them apart.

Today:

  • Baillie Gifford stands as a global investment management powerhouse, managing over £216 billion (US$ 264 billion) in assets for a diverse clientele.
  • They are known for their innovative approach to investing, dedication to sustainability, and commitment to supporting the companies they invest in.

Duolingo cuts 10% of its contractor workforce as the company embraces AI

Duolingo, the popular language learning platform, has recently made the decision to reduce its contractor workforce by 10%. This move comes as the company shifts its focus towards integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its language learning programs.

The decision to cut contractors was driven by Duolingo’s desire to leverage AI technology to enhance its language learning experience. By utilizing AI algorithms, Duolingo aims to provide personalized and adaptive language instruction to its users.

While the reduction in contractor workforce may lead to some short-term challenges, Duolingo believes that the long-term benefits of AI integration will outweigh the initial impact. The company anticipates that AI-powered features will enable users to learn languages more efficiently and effectively.