Perhaps you weren’t expecting this list of TED Talks for Online Sellers, but we believe in the importance of motivational speaking to inspire others.
TED Talks are well known for their collection of “ideas worth spreading” that can impact people’s way of thinking, living, and even working!
For this article, we share some of the most thought-provoking and inspirational speeches that we believe still ring true today, especially as the world experiences all sorts of challenges.
Here are our recommendations and takeaways:
1. EVERY EFFORT COUNTS!
The unpaid work that GDP ignores — and why it really counts | Marilyn Waring
The economic forecasts that we see on television were developed in the 1950s as a means to measure how the market was performing.
In other terms, this is what we know today as Gross Domestic Product or GDP.
In this TED Talk, Marilyn Waring explains that what economics considers as growth and productivity do not reflect what it looks like in real life.
For example, when you use your car to go to work, take the time to shop for materials you need in the business, and even raise a family of 5 (or more!)…
…these are all labors and efforts that GDP considers as unproductive.
So whenever you watch the television or read the news, and statistics show that the economy is in terrible shape, just remember that the actual data and factors they use are not that accurate.
| The work that we do every day, whether we get paid for it or not, may not measure as anything in the economic scales but these are actually of great value. |
2. ECOMMERCE ISN’T JUST FOR THE WEALTHY, BIG CITIES
How E-commerce Creates Jobs | Xubei Luo | TEDxZizhuParkWomen
When we hear eCommerce people think of the giants, Amazon and Alibaba.
With so many people regularly buying things online, so many lives have changed.
People nowadays think that eCommerce will drive away vulnerable groups in the population such as the rural areas, jobs for women, and the younger generation…
But it’s quite the opposite!
According to the research mentioned in this TED Talk, eCommerce is increasing opportunities for those who may be semi-skilled or living in remote areas.
| This is because the development of digital technologies are providing access for people to start their businesses, and for consumers to patronize their products and services, without the need for any physical presence. |
3. THE PERFECT TIME FOR OPPORTUNITIES IS NOW
How I became the youngest entrepreneur | Tilak Mehta | TEDxGSMC
People often wait for the right time or the perfect moment before doing something with their lives.
But little do people realize that that mindset is what limits them from achieving their goals.
In this inspirational story, 13-year-old Tilak Mehta shares the chances he took and the wise decisions he made to become one of the youngest CEOs in the world.
| This isn’t to make you feel like you have done nothing in your life thus far, but it just goes to show that we make opportunities for ourselves when we decide to take a risk and persevere. |
Despite all the backlash and criticisms that Tilak received for being “young and crazy” for wanting to chase his dreams, he succeeded in overcoming the challenges and executed his parcel delivery business.
4. BUILDING A FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
How to start your own business without investors | Nicholas Hänny | TEDxHochschuleLuzern
Nicholas Hänny is an environmentally-conscious entrepreneur who is responsible for planting over half a million trees for every product that they sold.
For a lot of startups and SMEs, funding is one of the primary challenges that determine whether the business can survive.
Usually, entrepreneurs turn to investors so they can reduce operational costs and increase their profit margins.
In this TED Talk, we learn about the importance of being resourceful and expanding your limits as you grow your business.
| You will find that everything you need to start and maintain a business, you can get it for free or without having to spend a lot of money. It’s just about knowing how to utilize what’s available to you. |
5. IT’S CALLED THE NEW NORMAL FOR A GOOD REASON
The COVID-19 crisis is a chance to do capitalism differently | Mariana Mazzucato
As the world goes through a pandemic, recession, and climate change, there’s no better time to reassess capitalism to solve issues from the “Old Normal.”
In this hour-long TED Talk, Economist Mariana Mazzucato shares her insights about what governments can do to repair broken systems…
…and how businesses can play an important role in reshaping a better world for future generations.
| Some of their insights show how small businesses will be the key to economic recovery and governments that recognize and aid their growth, are on the road to success. |
6. THE THINGS WE CONSUME AND NEED TODAY ARE PROVIDED BY STARTUPS
What COVID-19 means for the future of commerce, capitalism and cash | Dan Schulman
With the health and economic concerns, gadget-use has compensated for capitalism and consumption to digitize contactless transactions.
Each household has at least one smartphone or computer as a means to work and communicate.
In an eCommerce world, we have access to more products and services that can fully suit our business and personal needs online.
Whether it’s a banking service, grocery deliveries, an online store builder and so much more!
| Little do we know that in some way, the surge of startups and support for small businesses are actually what’s providing all these things that are available to us today. |
7. THE KEY TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM IS AVAILABLE TO YOU NOW
The true cost of financial dependence | Estelle Gibson
People often don’t know how to manage their own money and end up relying on others to handle it for them.
This TED Talk shares the narrative of making proper money decisions to grow wealth and become financially-responsible.
Online sellers experience the same trouble when they focus on selling and making profits, but when it comes to sustaining a business, they’re lacking.
| Gibson shares the three solutions to solve financial dependence as awareness, development in financial literacy, and using free resources (there’s a lot online!) to gain support. |
8. WE BREAK THE MOLD BY TRYING NEW THINGS
Management lessons from Chinese business and philosophy | Fang Ruan
Online sellers looking to grow their business by hiring employees and making partnerships are often so focused on skills and experience.
This TED Talk teaches the importance of working with those who share the same passion and mindset to grow in the long-run.
That usually means being patient towards mistakes and dealing with failures at first before it pays off.
| While there’s a “recipe” for every business, it is up to you as the business owner to decide which ingredients to use and which techniques to work with. |
9. ONLINE MARKETPLACES AREN’T VILLAINS, THE LACK OF GROWTH IS
How online marketplaces can help local economies, not hurt them | Amane Dannouni
When Uber, AirBnB, and Amazon started, there was backlash saying they took away jobs from the local people.
But today, marketplaces changed the way we shop, travel, and transact.
More jobs are created and small businesses gained market exposure for using these platforms.
| The problem is when online businesses or sellers only use these as their only sales channel to grow and conduct business, that hurts their business and profitability. |
CONCLUSION
There’s more where that came from, if you’re looking for more inspirational content that is not a TED Talk, you can always check out our resources page on our website.
Here’s a summary of the points we shared in this article:
- Every Effort Counts!
- eCommerce Isn’t Just For The Wealthy, Big Cities
- The Perfect Time For Opportunities Is Now
- Building A Financially Sustainable Business
- It’s Called The New Normal For A Good Reason
- The Things We Consume And Need Today Are Provided By Startups
- The Key To Financial Freedom Is Available To You Now
- We Break The Mold By Trying New Things
- Online Marketplaces Aren’t Villains, The Lack Of Growth Is
Further reading:
- How to Bounce Back From Business Failures
- Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs
- How to Write a Mission Statement for MSMEs
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