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New Jersey filed a lawsuit against Discord on Thursday, alleging that the social platform recklessly exposed children to “harassment, abuse, and sexual exploitation by predators who lurk on the platform.” The move makes it the first state to sue Discord. Founded in 2015, Discord is a platform where its millions of users can communicate in chatrooms and direct messages. It shot up in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, when many users were stuck at home and wanted to connect. Children, in particular, make up a “significant portion” of its 200 million global monthly active user base, per the suit. The New Jersey complaint alleges that Discord knew its safety features and policies wouldn’t actually protect its young user base and didn’t make changes. “Discord markets itself as a safe space for children, despite being fully aware that the application’s misleading safety settings and lax oversight has made it a prime hunting ground for online predators seeking easy access to children,” Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a release announcing the lawsuit. “These deceptive claims regarding its safety settings have allowed Discord to attract a growing number of children to use its application, where they are at risk. We intend to put a stop to this unlawful conduct and hold Discord accountable for the harm it has caused our children.” Discord, for example, doesn’t allow users under the age of 13. However, the platform only requires users to enter their date of birth when creating an account and uses no other systems to verify age. The suit also alleged the platform made it simple for malicious actors to send children explicit content due to its default safety settings. “As a result of Discord’s decisions, thousands of users were misled into signing up, believing they or their children would be safe, when they were really anything but,” Platkin said in the statement. The complaint cited a number of instances where adults in New Jersey were accused of using the platform to contact children and attempted to engage in conversation, solicit nude pictures and videos, and engage in sexual performance while video chatting. Discord, for its part, is reportedly denying the attorney general’s claims. In a statement shared with Fast Company, it said: “Discord is proud of our continuous efforts and investments in features and tools that help make Discord safer. Given our engagement with the Attorney General’s office, we are surprised by the announcement that New Jersey has filed an action against Discord today. We dispute the claims in the lawsuit and look forward to defending the action in court.” New Jersey has taken part in past lawsuits targeting social media platforms for alleged unlawful contact relating to children. It sued TikTok based on “features that keep children and teens online for ever-increasing amounts of time despite the harms that result” and Meta for similar alleged conduct. View the full article

Your company’s human resources (HR) department is often pitched as an employee advocate—the place where you take problems or concerns. But most employees know by now that HR—or, in some start-up environments, "the people team"—isn’t really intended to protect you, the human resource in question. Instead, HR works to protect the company’s interests more than anything. And the way job hunting has become a grueling gauntlet of ghost jobs, endless interviews, and zero responses from HR representatives hasn’t exactly endeared HR to workers. In fact, research shows that more than 70% of employees don’t trust their HR department. While it’s true that HR departments work for and protect the company, not you, that doesn’t mean they’re useless. First and foremost, the people who make careers in human resources want to do a good job, and often get into the field from a desire to help their coworkers. And your HR department can actually get a lot done for you, and not trusting them doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t utilize them when it makes sense. The trick is knowing when your company’s interests coincide with your own, making it not just safe to work with HR, but advantageous. When to go to HRThere are several scenarios when human resources is your best bet to resolve a situation: Paperwork. The most obvious time it’s OK to knock on HR’s door is when you’re dealing with the mechanics of being employed—changing tax forms, signing up for optional benefits, taking advantage of career development programs, having programs and benefits explained, etc. That’s one huge part of what HR does, and it’s very unlikely that these kinds of innocuous interactions will have any kind of negative blowback—and you probably don’t have any other option, anyway. You’ll also need to go to HR for certain government programs and protections, like signing up for the Family Medical Leave Act if you need to take a leave of absence for an emergency. In those cases you can rely on HR to do exactly what you expect them to do. Harassment, discrimination, or illegal activities. If you’re the victim of sexual harassment, believe you’ve been treated differently by your boss or co-workers because of your race or other personal aspect, or you’ve observed something illegal going on in your job, HR is an appropriate place to go—with the caveat that you should protect yourself first. That means document what’s going on before you head to HR, and consult with outside advisors—like an attorney, if you’re worried about your liability or legal responsibilities. HR departments are legally obligated to investigate accusations of sexual harassment and illegal conduct, so you can expect action when you bring these issues to them. Just keep in mind that their overall goal will be to limit the company’s liability and damage, not necessarily yours. In other words, they will take some sort of action, but it might not be as thorough as you hope and may not result in anything drastic. Morale. One crucial way the company’s interests and your interests align is with office culture issues, including overall morale and the company’s ability to attract talent. If you have thoughts on how the office morale could be boosted, or ways that the company could attract better applicants, heading to HR to share them may bear fruit, and there’s likely little downside as long as your suggestions don’t include firing your boss. Keep in mind that your experience dealing with HR will always be better if you come to them with a solution to your concerns in mind. When not to go to HRThere are key scenarios when going to HR with your problems or concerns can blow back on you in a very negative way: Confidential issues. If you want something to remain confidential, think twice about going to HR, even if it involves coworkers or your manager. Human resources may have a legal obligation to act on what you tell them—if you’re being harassed, for example—but they also have no legal obligation to keep your secrets. If you think bringing a private issue to HR is your best way forward, you should work out the terms of confidentiality with the department ahead of time, if you can—don’t assume that they will keep something private just because you ask. Personality conflicts. Just not getting along with someone you work with? Best to work it out yourself or go through your boss. HR may offer some advice on resolving the situation, but they probably won’t escalate your complaints or take any action for purely personality-based problems. Most likely they will bring your manager into the conversation, and they might be annoyed that you didn’t bring it to them in the first place. A bad boss. On the one hand, yes, if your boss is abusive or crossing legal lines when it comes to you and your career, you may have to go to HR and file a complaint. But be very careful: HR’s goal will be to resolve the situation with as little threat to the company as possible, which may or may not line up with protecting you in any way. If your problem with your boss is a personal one, HR will likely advise you to work it out on your own, and they may or may not offer guidance or assistance. And if the manager is very high-level (and you’re not), your chances of HR taking your side are much lower. When it involves your career. If you’re looking to change jobs, don’t tell HR. You might be tempted to get information about rolling over retirement accounts, or about the specific titles you’ve had at the company. But there’s nothing stopping HR from informing your boss that you’re seeking an exit ramp from your job, and that might lead to your boss arranging one for you before you’re ready to make the leap (after all, you probably work at an “at-will” employer). View the full article

In the three months since Target overhauled its policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the retailer has faced an onslaught of public criticism and a boycott that has carried on for weeks. There has been a clear impact on its business: Foot traffic has reportedly dropped for the last 10 weeks, and Target disclosed that sales had dipped in February. The company’s stock price is the lowest it has been in four years. Now CEO Brian Cornell is meeting with Al Sharpton (at Target’s request) to discuss the company’s DEI stance and commitment to the Black community, according to a CNBC report. As the head of civil rights organization National Action Network, Sharpton has started taking companies to task for pulling back on DEI efforts: Just this week, he met with PepsiCo after threatening to mount a boycott against the company. Sharpton has said he would consider pushing for a boycott of Target as well, depending on the outcome of his discussion with Cornell. “You can’t have an election come and all of a sudden, change your old positions,” Sharpton said in an interview with CNBC. “If an election determines your commitment to fairness then fine, you have a right to withdraw from us, but then we have a right to withdraw from you.” Target was not immediately available for comment. Sharpton’s attempts to hold companies like Target accountable for their change of heart on DEI is also a counterweight to the social media campaign waged by conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who has pressured a number of companies to drop DEI policies over the last year. The changes to Target’s DEI policies—which the company announced in late January—wound down its diversity goals and also ended its participation in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, a popular benchmarking survey that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. Plenty of other companies have taken a similar position in recent months, especially as the The President administration has ramped up its attack on corporate diversity programs, increasing the risk of litigation for major employers. But the vocal response to Target’s reversal on DEI is not exactly unexpected, given the company had made a concerted effort to engage Black entrepreneurs and consumers, particularly in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Target also took aim at programs that helped attract more Black and minority suppliers, which had benefited many underrepresented business owners over the years. It’s not clear whether Sharpton will proceed to call for a boycott after speaking with Cornell. (Some Black entrepreneurs have also been split on the issue, arguing it could hurt their business.) But Sharpton has claimed he is looking for some kind of pledge that indicates Target will continue supporting the Black community. “You made commitments based on the George Floyd movement … what changed?” Sharpton told CNBC. “Are you trying to say … everything’s fine now, because the election changed? That’s insulting to us.” View the full article

When it comes to sharing Instagram Reels with friends, the process of three taps to get a Reel from A to B can feel surprisingly tedious. Now, Instagram has addressed that issue with its latest feature: Instagram Blend. Announced on Thursday, Blend lets users create invite-only, personalized Reels feeds with friends. By tapping a new two-emoji-hugging icon (the Blend icon) within a chat, you can start or accept a Blend. Once active, Instagram will begin recommending Reels for both users in a shared feed, powered by an algorithm. The feature works in one-on-one DMs as well as group chats. These recommendations, refreshed daily, are said to be unique to each Blend and based on prior activity on the platform. “We want Instagram to be a place where people connect over creativity, and this is one more way to do that. It’s a really fun way to not only share your interests, but to learn a little bit about your friends’ interests… and then you can actually start conversations about that content that you discover,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a Reel. Instagram’s newest feature offers something social media users currently can’t find elsewhere (I’m looking at you, TikTok). It arrives at a time when several platforms are positioning themselves to capitalize on TikTok’s uncertain future. Blend is most comparable to Spotify’s Blend playlists—shared playlists that merge the music tastes of two or more users. But instead of listening to music while hanging out, you’re scrolling Reels together. For Instagram, Blend could boost watch time by encouraging shared short-form content consumption and allowing users to get to know each other’s algorithmic preferences. It might also increase Reel discovery, as the feed surfaces a mix of yours and your friend’s—or, if you’re feeling bold, your lover’s—recommendations. You just have to hope they haven’t recently fallen into any particularly weird corners of the internet. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The founders of Runna announced today that Strava has bought their company. Runna is a paid running app that provides structured training plans (which I personally loved when I tried it), while Strava is a hugely popular tracking and social app for runners and cyclists, with both a free and a paid tier. Runna customers don’t seem to be thrilled, but Runna’s founders say that the app and its team will stay independent, and they’re optimistic for the future. What is changing right now? Runna’s founders say “no immediate changes [are] planned other than sensible integrations (e.g., the ability to sign in with Strava).” No existing features are going away. New features are reportedly on the way, but so far no details have been released. Strava has previously offered training plans (which I honestly didn’t know about until now, despite being a free subscriber for years and having been a paid subscriber in the past). They seem pretty limited in scope and functionality. It seems that Strava likes the idea of being able to offer better training plans, or at least owning a company that does even if it’s a separate product. Strava’s news release emphasizes the coaching, with lines like “The world’s biggest team has a new coach.” The Runna founders, meanwhile, say they’re excited to have access to Strava’s much larger customer base. They have also hinted in a Reddit thread that they may try to incorporate some of Strava’s algorithms, like graded pace adjustments, into the Runna app. Will the apps (or subscription fees) be combined? It doesn’t seem so. Strava has both a free and a premium tier, so the Runna founders told their customers that they’re welcome to download Strava for free, and pay for premium should they choose. They won’t be getting a deal on Strava membership. Runna costs $19.99/month, or $119.99/year. Strava's free tier lets you post your runs, interact with other users, and track some basic statistics about your performance. The premium tier, at $11.99/month or $79.99/year, gives you extra performance tracking and mapping tools. “Our plan is to keep the apps separate for the foreseeable future,” Strava’s CEO said in the news release. There is, likewise, no plan at this point for Strava users to get a discount on Runna membership. Will this be good or bad for Runna?Products don’t always fare well after their companies are bought by bigger companies. Strava has a specific stain on its reputation here: Not long ago, they bought a terrain mapping product called Fatmap, beloved by skiiers and other adventurers. In 2023, they excitedly told Strava members “you now have access to Fatmap!” and talked up the features that it has that Strava didn’t. But in 2024, Strava shut down Fatmap, having integrated some but not all of its features into the main Strava app. Skiiers are still mad. I hope that Runna’s founders are right, and that they’ll get to keep building their product and making it better and better (for example, Runna just introduced an option to train for a “B” priority race alongside your main race goal). If the plan proceeds according to what both companies are now saying, it does sound like good stuff is on the way. I’m rooting for them. View the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr — who recently stepped down as the central bank's vice chair for supervision — urged banks and regulators to use emerging technologies to keep pace with bad actors. View the full article

Key Takeaways Understand Client Needs: Clearly identify and document client expectations to align your services with their needs, enhancing satisfaction and trust. Communicate Effectively: Maintain open and regular communication throughout the project to address concerns early and manage expectations efficiently. Avoid Overpromising: Set realistic goals and delivery timelines to ensure you meet client expectations without risking disappointment. Encourage Feedback: Actively seek and utilize client feedback to assess satisfaction and improve business processes, fostering loyalty and repeat business. Leverage Management Tools: Use project management software and learning management systems to enhance transparency and keep clients informed about project progress and deliverables. Invest in Team Training: Focus on improving your team’s communication and customer service skills through training and workshops to better meet client expectations. Managing client expectations is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring successful outcomes. When you align your services with what clients truly need, you not only enhance satisfaction but also foster trust and loyalty. Misunderstandings can lead to disappointment and frustration, so clear communication is key. You might wonder how to effectively set and manage these expectations. From the initial conversation to project completion, every interaction shapes your client’s perception. By establishing realistic goals and being transparent about potential challenges, you can create a positive experience that keeps clients coming back. Let’s explore some practical strategies to help you navigate this essential aspect of client management. Understanding Client Expectations Understanding client expectations is crucial in small business management. Grasping what clients anticipate from your services aids in aligning your offerings with their needs. What Are Client Expectations? Client expectations refer to the perceptions and beliefs clients hold about the services or products they receive. These include factors like quality, delivery timelines, customer service, and pricing. You might identify these expectations through direct communication, feedback, and market research. Recognizing and documenting client expectations sets the foundation for effective project management and relationship building. Why Managing Client Expectations Is Important Managing client expectations impacts business growth and customer retention. When you align your services with client expectations, you enhance satisfaction and trust. Clear communication plays a vital role in this process. By setting realistic goals and being transparent about potential challenges, you allow for informed decision-making. Failing to manage these expectations can result in misunderstandings, diminished satisfaction, and lost business opportunities. In small business operations, effective expectation management builds loyalty and encourages repeat business, which is essential for long-term success. Common Challenges in Managing Client Expectations Managing client expectations presents several challenges that can impact small business operations. Understanding these challenges allows you to navigate through them effectively. Miscommunication Issues Miscommunication often arises from vague language or assumptions about client needs. When you don’t clarify project parameters or timelines, misunderstandings can occur. Regular check-ins and progress updates enhance communication, ensuring that you and your clients remain aligned. Utilize tools like project management software to document conversations, decisions, and responsibilities. This strategy fosters transparency and reduces potential conflicts, boosting client trust. Overpromising and Underdelivering Overpromising can seem tempting to secure client contracts but leads to disappointment. When you commit to unrealistic deliverables or timelines, the chances of underdelivering increase. Instead, focus on setting achievable goals that align with your capabilities. Clearly communicate what clients can expect, especially in regard to project phases, budgets, and potential challenges. This approach not only sets realistic expectations but also positions your business as reliable and trustworthy. Prioritizing quality control and efficient workflows enhances customer satisfaction and can lead to better client retention rates. Strategies for Managing Client Expectations Managing client expectations effectively is key for small businesses aiming to build trust and foster long-term relationships. Below are strategic approaches for achieving this goal: Setting Clear Objectives Define Clear Goals and Expectations: Establish precise, realistic goals before starting any project. Understand your client’s needs and objectives, factoring in any constraints or limitations. Clearly outline the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and potential risks. A solid foundation helps you in delivering quality service and managing client satisfaction. Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid the pitfall of overpromising. Clearly communicate what clients can realistically expect, including delivery times, refund processes, and any compatibility issues. Transparency builds trust and aligns your business operations with clients’ needs. Regular Communication and Updates Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Maintain consistent communication with your clients throughout the project. Scheduling regular updates can address any concerns early, allowing you to manage expectations effectively. Utilize project management tools to streamline these communications. Provide Timely Progress Reports: Keep clients informed on project status, including any hurdles encountered. Transparency in sharing challenges as they arise supports collaboration and strengthens relationships. Utilizing Feedback Encourage Client Feedback: Actively seek feedback at different stages of a project. This helps you assess client satisfaction and identify areas needing improvement. Continuous engagement with your clients fosters loyalty and enhances customer retention. Use Feedback for Process Improvement: Analyze the comments and thoughts shared by your clients to refine your business processes. Integrating client feedback into your workflow can lead to improved service delivery and productivity, aligning your offerings with client expectations. By following these strategies, your small business can enhance client relationships and improve overall satisfaction, ensuring business growth and operational efficiency. Tools and Resources for Effective Management Managing client expectations effectively requires the right tools and resources. These facilitate communication, align project goals, and enhance overall management efficiency. Software Solutions Utilizing project management software is vital for small businesses aiming to manage client expectations. Tools like StartingPoint allow centralized access to project progress, documentation, and real-time updates. This transparency helps clients understand project direction, making it easier to identify potential issues early. You improve client satisfaction and retention by keeping all parties informed and engaged. Learning Management Systems (LMS) also serve an essential role. While primarily designed for employee training, LMS platforms can provide clients with education about project deliverables, timelines, and scope. By ensuring clients grasp what to expect, you create a foundation for better collaboration and alignment with their needs. Training and Workshops Investing in training and workshops can bolster your team’s communication skills and customer service approach. Regular sessions focused on these areas help your team better understand client requirements, enabling improved management of expectations. Workshops on conflict resolution and decision-making can enhance your team’s ability to navigate challenges efficiently, ensuring that client dissatisfaction is minimized. Incorporating client feedback sessions into your business operations creates opportunities for you to learn and adapt. By engaging clients in discussions about their experiences and expectations, you can customize your services more effectively. This proactive approach reinforces trust and loyalty, leading to long-term client relationships and sustained business growth. Conclusion Managing client expectations is a vital aspect of building lasting relationships and ensuring your business thrives. By prioritizing clear communication and setting realistic goals, you can create a positive experience that resonates with your clients. Regular check-ins and active feedback collection will help you stay aligned with their needs and enhance satisfaction. Utilizing the right tools and resources can streamline this process, making it easier to keep clients informed and engaged. Remember, every interaction counts in shaping their perception of your services. By committing to transparency and reliability, you not only foster loyalty but also pave the way for sustainable business growth. Embrace these strategies and watch your client relationships flourish. Frequently Asked Questions Why is managing client expectations important? Managing client expectations is essential because it fosters trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. By aligning services with clients’ true needs and communicating clearly, businesses can avoid misunderstandings that lead to disappointment, resulting in stronger relationships and successful project outcomes. How can businesses better understand client expectations? To understand client expectations, businesses should engage in direct communication, gather feedback, and conduct market research. Documenting these perceptions related to service quality, delivery timelines, and pricing lays the foundation for effective project management and relationship building. What are common challenges in managing client expectations? Common challenges include miscommunication and the pitfalls of overpromising. Miscommunication often arises from vague language or assumptions about client needs, while overpromising can lead to underdelivery, damaging trust and satisfaction. What strategies can small businesses use to manage client expectations? Small businesses can manage expectations effectively by defining clear goals at the project start, setting realistic timelines, and maintaining regular communication through scheduled check-ins and progress updates. Actively seeking client feedback can also enhance satisfaction. What tools can help in managing client expectations? Project management software, like StartingPoint, helps by offering centralized access to project updates. Learning Management Systems (LMS) educate clients on deliverables and timelines, while investing in team training can improve communication and service delivery, aiding expectation management. How can feedback improve client relationships? Incorporating client feedback into business processes enhances service delivery by ensuring offerings align with client needs. Regular feedback sessions allow businesses to adapt, thereby reinforcing trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships for sustained growth. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering Managing Client Expectations for Stronger Business Relationships" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Understand Client Needs: Clearly identify and document client expectations to align your services with their needs, enhancing satisfaction and trust. Communicate Effectively: Maintain open and regular communication throughout the project to address concerns early and manage expectations efficiently. Avoid Overpromising: Set realistic goals and delivery timelines to ensure you meet client expectations without risking disappointment. Encourage Feedback: Actively seek and utilize client feedback to assess satisfaction and improve business processes, fostering loyalty and repeat business. Leverage Management Tools: Use project management software and learning management systems to enhance transparency and keep clients informed about project progress and deliverables. Invest in Team Training: Focus on improving your team’s communication and customer service skills through training and workshops to better meet client expectations. Managing client expectations is crucial for building strong relationships and ensuring successful outcomes. When you align your services with what clients truly need, you not only enhance satisfaction but also foster trust and loyalty. Misunderstandings can lead to disappointment and frustration, so clear communication is key. You might wonder how to effectively set and manage these expectations. From the initial conversation to project completion, every interaction shapes your client’s perception. By establishing realistic goals and being transparent about potential challenges, you can create a positive experience that keeps clients coming back. Let’s explore some practical strategies to help you navigate this essential aspect of client management. Understanding Client Expectations Understanding client expectations is crucial in small business management. Grasping what clients anticipate from your services aids in aligning your offerings with their needs. What Are Client Expectations? Client expectations refer to the perceptions and beliefs clients hold about the services or products they receive. These include factors like quality, delivery timelines, customer service, and pricing. You might identify these expectations through direct communication, feedback, and market research. Recognizing and documenting client expectations sets the foundation for effective project management and relationship building. Why Managing Client Expectations Is Important Managing client expectations impacts business growth and customer retention. When you align your services with client expectations, you enhance satisfaction and trust. Clear communication plays a vital role in this process. By setting realistic goals and being transparent about potential challenges, you allow for informed decision-making. Failing to manage these expectations can result in misunderstandings, diminished satisfaction, and lost business opportunities. In small business operations, effective expectation management builds loyalty and encourages repeat business, which is essential for long-term success. Common Challenges in Managing Client Expectations Managing client expectations presents several challenges that can impact small business operations. Understanding these challenges allows you to navigate through them effectively. Miscommunication Issues Miscommunication often arises from vague language or assumptions about client needs. When you don’t clarify project parameters or timelines, misunderstandings can occur. Regular check-ins and progress updates enhance communication, ensuring that you and your clients remain aligned. Utilize tools like project management software to document conversations, decisions, and responsibilities. This strategy fosters transparency and reduces potential conflicts, boosting client trust. Overpromising and Underdelivering Overpromising can seem tempting to secure client contracts but leads to disappointment. When you commit to unrealistic deliverables or timelines, the chances of underdelivering increase. Instead, focus on setting achievable goals that align with your capabilities. Clearly communicate what clients can expect, especially in regard to project phases, budgets, and potential challenges. This approach not only sets realistic expectations but also positions your business as reliable and trustworthy. Prioritizing quality control and efficient workflows enhances customer satisfaction and can lead to better client retention rates. Strategies for Managing Client Expectations Managing client expectations effectively is key for small businesses aiming to build trust and foster long-term relationships. Below are strategic approaches for achieving this goal: Setting Clear Objectives Define Clear Goals and Expectations: Establish precise, realistic goals before starting any project. Understand your client’s needs and objectives, factoring in any constraints or limitations. Clearly outline the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and potential risks. A solid foundation helps you in delivering quality service and managing client satisfaction. Set Realistic Expectations: Avoid the pitfall of overpromising. Clearly communicate what clients can realistically expect, including delivery times, refund processes, and any compatibility issues. Transparency builds trust and aligns your business operations with clients’ needs. Regular Communication and Updates Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Maintain consistent communication with your clients throughout the project. Scheduling regular updates can address any concerns early, allowing you to manage expectations effectively. Utilize project management tools to streamline these communications. Provide Timely Progress Reports: Keep clients informed on project status, including any hurdles encountered. Transparency in sharing challenges as they arise supports collaboration and strengthens relationships. Utilizing Feedback Encourage Client Feedback: Actively seek feedback at different stages of a project. This helps you assess client satisfaction and identify areas needing improvement. Continuous engagement with your clients fosters loyalty and enhances customer retention. Use Feedback for Process Improvement: Analyze the comments and thoughts shared by your clients to refine your business processes. Integrating client feedback into your workflow can lead to improved service delivery and productivity, aligning your offerings with client expectations. By following these strategies, your small business can enhance client relationships and improve overall satisfaction, ensuring business growth and operational efficiency. Tools and Resources for Effective Management Managing client expectations effectively requires the right tools and resources. These facilitate communication, align project goals, and enhance overall management efficiency. Software Solutions Utilizing project management software is vital for small businesses aiming to manage client expectations. Tools like StartingPoint allow centralized access to project progress, documentation, and real-time updates. This transparency helps clients understand project direction, making it easier to identify potential issues early. You improve client satisfaction and retention by keeping all parties informed and engaged. Learning Management Systems (LMS) also serve an essential role. While primarily designed for employee training, LMS platforms can provide clients with education about project deliverables, timelines, and scope. By ensuring clients grasp what to expect, you create a foundation for better collaboration and alignment with their needs. Training and Workshops Investing in training and workshops can bolster your team’s communication skills and customer service approach. Regular sessions focused on these areas help your team better understand client requirements, enabling improved management of expectations. Workshops on conflict resolution and decision-making can enhance your team’s ability to navigate challenges efficiently, ensuring that client dissatisfaction is minimized. Incorporating client feedback sessions into your business operations creates opportunities for you to learn and adapt. By engaging clients in discussions about their experiences and expectations, you can customize your services more effectively. This proactive approach reinforces trust and loyalty, leading to long-term client relationships and sustained business growth. Conclusion Managing client expectations is a vital aspect of building lasting relationships and ensuring your business thrives. By prioritizing clear communication and setting realistic goals, you can create a positive experience that resonates with your clients. Regular check-ins and active feedback collection will help you stay aligned with their needs and enhance satisfaction. Utilizing the right tools and resources can streamline this process, making it easier to keep clients informed and engaged. Remember, every interaction counts in shaping their perception of your services. By committing to transparency and reliability, you not only foster loyalty but also pave the way for sustainable business growth. Embrace these strategies and watch your client relationships flourish. Frequently Asked Questions Why is managing client expectations important? Managing client expectations is essential because it fosters trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. By aligning services with clients’ true needs and communicating clearly, businesses can avoid misunderstandings that lead to disappointment, resulting in stronger relationships and successful project outcomes. How can businesses better understand client expectations? To understand client expectations, businesses should engage in direct communication, gather feedback, and conduct market research. Documenting these perceptions related to service quality, delivery timelines, and pricing lays the foundation for effective project management and relationship building. What are common challenges in managing client expectations? Common challenges include miscommunication and the pitfalls of overpromising. Miscommunication often arises from vague language or assumptions about client needs, while overpromising can lead to underdelivery, damaging trust and satisfaction. What strategies can small businesses use to manage client expectations? Small businesses can manage expectations effectively by defining clear goals at the project start, setting realistic timelines, and maintaining regular communication through scheduled check-ins and progress updates. Actively seeking client feedback can also enhance satisfaction. What tools can help in managing client expectations? Project management software, like StartingPoint, helps by offering centralized access to project updates. Learning Management Systems (LMS) educate clients on deliverables and timelines, while investing in team training can improve communication and service delivery, aiding expectation management. How can feedback improve client relationships? Incorporating client feedback into business processes enhances service delivery by ensuring offerings align with client needs. Regular feedback sessions allow businesses to adapt, thereby reinforcing trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships for sustained growth. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering Managing Client Expectations for Stronger Business Relationships" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The latest trend in AI chatbots is memory. It's not good enough for these models to provide you the same quick and detailed answers as everyone else; rather, each should be personalized to you based on your past conversations. Now, it's Grok's turn to remember. xAI, the company behind Grok, announced the chatbot's new memory feature in a post on X on Wednesday. The company says Grok now remembers your conversations, so your future queries will receive personalized responses. In the post, Grok uses an example of a user asking the chatbot to "plan me a workout for today." The assumption is Grok pulls from past conversations with the user to develop a custom workout that fits their needs, including their "interest in dynamic, high-energy activities and fitness trends like jump rope and weightlifting." This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Grok is not the first to roll out this type of feature. ChatGPT has had a memory option for over a year now. For most of that time, the feature would simply remember facts about you from your past conversations, but last week, OpenAI updated the feature to allow ChatGPT to access all past chats—effectively turning your conversation history into one big memory bank. It's not exactly clear how Grok's memory feature compares to ChatGPT's at this time: While it seems like Grok can access past conversations, rather than save specific facts, it's not evident whether the bot will crawl all past conversations each time you make a query, like ChatGPT does now. To Google's credit, Gemini also has a memory feature it introduced earlier this year. This memory feature is also rolling out first in beta to Grok users on the web and mobile apps, but not the Grok function on X. xAI, the company behind Grok, says that X support is on the way. How to manage Grok's memoryYou can access this new memory option from Grok's settings on desktop or the mobile app. Head to Data Controls, then enable or disable the toggle next to "Personalize with Memories." If you like the idea of Grok accessing past conversations most of the time, but know you'd like some conversations to stay private, you don't need to keep returning to this settings page. Keep the feature on, but tap the ghost icon in the top right corner of a chat to turn on Private Chat. These conversations will self-destruct after you exist, so Grok won't remember them. View the full article

Optimum Business and the Charleston Area Alliance have announced the opening of applications for the Lifting Up Small Businesses Grants, a new initiative aimed at bolstering small business growth in Kanawha County. As part of the program, 25 small businesses will each receive a $5,000 grant, totaling $125,000 in funding to support long-term economic prosperity in the region. The grant program, introduced on April 14, 2025, is designed to directly support local entrepreneurs and strengthen the community’s economic infrastructure. Selected recipients will be announced later this year. The initiative includes recognition events hosted by Optimum Business, where local officials and community partners will celebrate the awarded businesses. “Optimum Business is thrilled to partner with the Charleston Area Alliance to support the vibrant small business in Kanawha County. Optimum is committed to being more than a connectivity provider by investing in individual businesses to support the economic prosperity of this community,” said Jen Ostrager, Senior Vice President, Govt & Business, Community Affairs. “When businesses thrive, communities thrive. We’re very much looking forward to supporting the Kanawha community in ways that make an impact.” “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our community, helping to power our economy and fostering local connections. Through our partnership with Optimum Business and the Lifting Up Small Business Grants, we are empowering these vital enterprises, uplifting our community, and encouraging sustainable growth for years to come,” said Mara Boggs, President & CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. The Lifting Up Small Businesses Grants represent Optimum’s latest effort to deepen its community involvement and demonstrate its commitment to local development. The company’s broader contributions in Kanawha County include supporting 136 classrooms with a total of $61,000 in funding through a partnership with DonorsChoose. Recently, $30,000 of that funding went toward STEM materials for local schools. Optimum has also donated $20,000 over the past four years to local community organizations, including The Salvation Army Charleston WV Area Command and The Boys and Girls Club of Charleston and St. Albans. The grant program aims to fuel sustainable business success in Kanawha County and reflects Optimum’s ongoing mission to “support, understand, and celebrate what makes each of its local communities unique.” Learn more about the grant program’s rules and eligibility here. This article, "Optimum Business Launches $125K Grant Program for Kanawha County Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Optimum Business and the Charleston Area Alliance have announced the opening of applications for the Lifting Up Small Businesses Grants, a new initiative aimed at bolstering small business growth in Kanawha County. As part of the program, 25 small businesses will each receive a $5,000 grant, totaling $125,000 in funding to support long-term economic prosperity in the region. The grant program, introduced on April 14, 2025, is designed to directly support local entrepreneurs and strengthen the community’s economic infrastructure. Selected recipients will be announced later this year. The initiative includes recognition events hosted by Optimum Business, where local officials and community partners will celebrate the awarded businesses. “Optimum Business is thrilled to partner with the Charleston Area Alliance to support the vibrant small business in Kanawha County. Optimum is committed to being more than a connectivity provider by investing in individual businesses to support the economic prosperity of this community,” said Jen Ostrager, Senior Vice President, Govt & Business, Community Affairs. “When businesses thrive, communities thrive. We’re very much looking forward to supporting the Kanawha community in ways that make an impact.” “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our community, helping to power our economy and fostering local connections. Through our partnership with Optimum Business and the Lifting Up Small Business Grants, we are empowering these vital enterprises, uplifting our community, and encouraging sustainable growth for years to come,” said Mara Boggs, President & CEO of the Charleston Area Alliance. The Lifting Up Small Businesses Grants represent Optimum’s latest effort to deepen its community involvement and demonstrate its commitment to local development. The company’s broader contributions in Kanawha County include supporting 136 classrooms with a total of $61,000 in funding through a partnership with DonorsChoose. Recently, $30,000 of that funding went toward STEM materials for local schools. Optimum has also donated $20,000 over the past four years to local community organizations, including The Salvation Army Charleston WV Area Command and The Boys and Girls Club of Charleston and St. Albans. The grant program aims to fuel sustainable business success in Kanawha County and reflects Optimum’s ongoing mission to “support, understand, and celebrate what makes each of its local communities unique.” Learn more about the grant program’s rules and eligibility here. This article, "Optimum Business Launches $125K Grant Program for Kanawha County Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Google TV Streamer 4K is Google's latest iteration on the smart TV stick. No longer is it hiding behind your TV, but now takes center stage with a hub on your TV stand. Right now, you can get the Google TV Streamer 4K for $79 (originally $99.99), its first discount since its release last summer, according to price tracking tools. Google TV Streamer 4K Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Ethernet, Connector: HDMI, Special Feature: Google TV and Voice Search Remote $79.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $99.99 Save $20.99 Get Deal Get Deal $79.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $99.99 Save $20.99 Google first had the Chromecast, an HDMI device that let you cast your phone to your TV. Then it released the Chromecast with Google TV in 2022, which incorporated the Google OS into the Chromecast. Now, Google seems to want to go a new route after discontinuing the Chromecast altogether—this new device is powered by Gemini (Google's AI), has more storage, and better performance for twice the price. The Google TV Streamer 4K comes with 32GB of storage space, 4GB of memory, and the ability to run HDR streams at up to 4K@60 FPS. It also has support for Dolby Vision and Atmos, and it has ports for things like Ethernet. The Google OS is identical to older models, but performance is much better, according to CNET's review. While you already get more storage than previous models, you can expand it with the USB-C port. View the full article

Shares of ​​UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) plunged by more than 22% Thursday morning after the company reported underwhelming first-quarter earnings and revised its full-year outlook. The health insurance giant lowered its 2025 earnings forecast, now projecting net earnings of $24.65 to $25.15 per share and adjusted earnings of $26.00 to $26.50 per share. This marks a downgrade from its January guidance, which anticipated net earnings between $28.15 and $28.65 per share and adjusted earnings in the range of $29.50 to $30.00 per share. “UnitedHealth Group grew to serve more people more comprehensively but did not perform up to our expectations, and we are aggressively addressing those challenges to position us well for the years ahead, and return to our long-term earnings growth rate target of 13 to 16%,” CEO Andrew Witty said in a statement. The outlook was a result of two factors, the company revealed. First, UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans saw more people using medical services than expected—especially visits to doctors and outpatient care. This increase was clear at the end of the quarter and was much higher than the company planned for 2025, although it was similar to high usage levels it saw in 2024. On top of that, Optum Health, a division of UnitedHealth Group, had some unexpected changes in its patients. Some health plans left certain areas, and the people covered by those plans didn’t use services much in 2024, which affected the planning for how much money would come in for 2025. Also, more patients than expected were “complex” cases, people with serious or multiple health issues, and were heavily affected by past cuts to Medicare funding. The number of people served by the company’s offerings for seniors and people with complex needs grew by 545,000 in the first quarter and remains expected to grow up to 800,000 in 2025, according to the report. The company said these factors are “highly addressable” over the course of 2025 and it looks ahead to 2026. Other insurance stocks are tumbling, too The health insurance sector saw significant stock sell-offs following what appeared to be surprising financial troubles at industry leader UnitedHealth, according to the Wall Street Journal. Humana, for instance, saw an 8% decline. Elevance Health and CVS Health saw their stock prices fall about 6% each early Thursday morning. UnitedHealth Group reported revenues of $109.6 billion, marking a $9.8 billion increase year-over-year, with first-quarter earnings from operations totaling $9.1 billion. View the full article

Google has acted illegally to maintain a dominant position in online advertising, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. The tech giant’s “exclusionary conduct substantially harmed Google’s publisher customers, the competitive process, and, ultimately, consumers of information on the open web,” Judge Leonie Brinkema wrote in her 115-page ruling, which followed another federal judge’s ruling last year that Google had monopolized the search market. Google was found “liable under Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act” for actions in the ad exchange and tool sectors, but not that it operated a monopoly on ad networks. Google told Fast Company it disagreed with the court’s decision, and would appeal it. “We won half of this case and we will appeal the other half,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, vice president, regulatory affairs, in a statement. The latest decision is a big hit to the company, and acts as a prelude to further crackdowns in other jurisdictions, which some suggest could impact its operations. “This is a very big deal,” says Stacy Mitchell, co-director at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. “The chokehold that Google​ has over the flow of information​ and ideas online, and its power to pocket the ad dollars, has been killing off local news outlets and undermining a key foundation of democracy.” Jason Kint, CEO of the trade association Digital Content Next, says the ruling “underscores the global harm caused by Google’s practices, which have deprived premium publishers worldwide of critical revenue, undermining their ability to sustain high-quality journalism and entertainment.” Kint believes the decision “is a significant step toward restoring competition and accountability in the digital advertising ecosystem.” Yet for all the headlines the decision will generate, there’s still uncertainty about how much it’ll change Google’s practices—and the wider web. While there’s a recognition that the decisions will likely change how Google works, what impact that will have is uncertain. “Frankly, the ad exchange market is so complicated that it’s hard to know what the impact of any changes to Google’s operations in that area might mean for internet users,” says Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University. Chander believes any changes compelled by this decision may not immediately be obvious to rank-and-file users. “If Google is forced to spin out its ad exchange market or forced to open it up to more competitors, it’s not clear that the results will be visible to users,” he says. The ruling could also present a Catch-22: While it may open up the ad market and benefit online publishers, it could also lead to increased data collection of users (since a raft of third parties would compete to gather more data on users to supplant Google’s current single supply). Still, the decision, whatever it means for end users, is another drumbeat in a wider shift in power between big tech giants and the governments trying to regulate them. And while attention is on the U.S. right now, it’s decisionmaking elsewhere that could have the more longer-lasting impact on the web. The U.S. court’s decision will likely energize European regulators, who are conducting their own investigation into Google’s ad tech practices. A decision there is expected imminently—and could carry more weight. “After years of imposing fines that Google has shrugged off as a mere cost of doing business, the European Commission has the chance to break free from this cycle of whack-a-mole enforcement,” says Stephen Kinsella, an independent legal expert with 30 years of experience in antitrust regulation. European regulators may be prepared to go further than their American counterparts, potentially reshaping the digital ecosystem by compelling the breakup of Google’s intertwined businesses. “By taking decisive action and mandating a structural break-up, the EU can go beyond slapping big tech companies on the wrist,” says Kinsella. “It can restore a thriving, competitive and fair digital economy that works for its citizens, not entrenched monopolies. This is a moment that Europe cannot afford to let pass.” View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Once again, Zillow has downgraded its 12-month forecast for national home prices. On Wednesday, Zillow economists published their updated forecast model, projecting that U.S. home prices, as measured by the Zillow Home Value Index, will fall 1.7% between March 2025 and March 2026. Back in March, Zillow downgraded its 12-month outlook for U.S. home prices to +0.8%. In February, Zillow downgraded its 12-month outlook to +1.1%. And at the start of the year in January, Zillow’s 12-month national home price forecast was +2.9%. Why does Zillow keep downgrading its national home price outlook? “The rise in [active] listings is fueling softer price growth, as greater supply provides more options and more bargaining power for buyers,” Zillow economists wrote in March. “Potential buyers are opting to remain renters for longer as affordability challenges suppress demand for home purchases.” Essentially, Zillow thinks strained housing affordability—caused by U.S. home prices rising over 40% during the pandemic housing boom and mortgage rates spiking from 3% to 6% in 2022—is weighing on price growth. According to Zillow’s home price model, the listing site also believes that weakening and softening housing markets across the Sun Belt will weigh on nationally aggregated home prices this year. Among the 300 largest U.S. metro area housing markets, Zillow expects the strongest home price appreciation between March 2025 and March 2026 to occur in these 10 areas: Atlantic City, NJ: 2.4% Kingston, NY: 1.9% Rochester, NY: 1.8% Knoxville, TN: 1.7% Torrington, CT : 1.6% Bangor, ME: 1.5% Syracuse, NY: 1.4% Vineland, NJ: 1.4% Concord, NH: 1.3% Norwich, CT: 1.2% In that same time frame, Zillow expects the weakest home price appreciation to occur in these 10 areas: Houma, LA: -10.1% Lake Charles, LA: -8.9% New Orleans, LA: -7.6% Lafayette, LA: -7.5% Shreveport, LA: -7.0% Alexandria, LA -7.0% Beaumont, TX : -6.6% Odessa, TX: -6.3% Midland, TX: -5.7% Monroe, LA: -5.5 Below is what the current year-over-year rate of home price growth looks like for single-family and condo home prices. Florida is currently the epicenter of housing market weakness right now. View the full article

Homeland Security threatens to revoke university’s ability to admit foreign nationalsView the full article

Fifth Third Bancorp revised its guidance, but still expects record net interest income for 2025, even as commercial clients signal that economic volatility will drive up inflation. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. As Lifehacker's resident marathon runner and senior finance writer, there is one perfect point where my worlds intersect: buying sneakers. When it comes to investing in—and maybe even splurging on—running gear, nothing affects your running experience more than your shoes. Finding the perfect running shoes is about much more than style or brand preference. Proper footwear can be the difference between achieving your running goals and suffering through preventable injuries. Why proper shoe fit mattersMany runners unknowingly wear the wrong shoes for years. According to Jessica Lyons-Quirk, director of footwear merchandising at Road Runner Sports, "Not only do most people not know what true foot size they are, they also might not know if they are a neutral or stability runner, so they are setting themselves up for years of injury and being uncomfortable." If your gear is fitting improperly, "you're probably feeling prone to pain and injury," Lyons-Quirk says. "You might have pain in your feet, but also pain in your knees or hips when you walk or run." This mismatch between foot needs and shoe type can significantly impact your running experience and long-term foot health. "The biggest thing about injuries and foot health is that you need to be in the right shoe for your foot. Every foot is different—you're going to constantly be injury-prone if you aren't in the right shoe, which means you're never going to hit your training goals if you're constantly resting off an injury," Lyons-Quirk says. Understanding your running styleBefore selecting shoes, it's important to understand your running mechanics. Broadly speaking, there are two main categories of runners: Neutral runners have a natural foot motion forward with even weight distribution when pushing off. Your feet effectively absorb impact and don't roll excessively inward or outward. Stability runners overpronate, meaning the arch collapses during landing and the foot rolls too far inward. This can create alignment issues while you run. For both types of runners, you'll see shoes directly advertised for your specific style. Neutral runners have a more natural foot motion forward and effectively absorb the impact of the ground, while evenly distributing weight on the toe-off. Lyons-Quirk says you'll want to look for the HOKA Clifton or Saucony Ride. To find the best stability shoes, look out for extra guidance and support to control the excessive movement. Lyons-Quirk recommends the Brooks Adrenaline or the ASICS GEL-Kayano. Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 23 Supportive Running Shoe at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now at Amazon Saucony Men's Ride 18 Sneaker $139.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $139.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Signs your running shoes do fitBefore blaming all your running woes on your shoes (which will lead to wasting time and money on finding the right pair), here are some of the positive signs that your shoes are in fact the right fit: Thumb's width of space: A common tip is there should be roughly a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. No pinching or rubbing: The shoes shouldn't feel tight across the widest part of your foot. Secure heel: Your heel should feel snug but not tight, with minimal slippage when walking. Room for toe splay: Your toes should be able to spread naturally when your foot lands. Comfortable arch support: The arch support should contact your arch without feeling intrusive. Red flags of a poor fitWatch for these warning signs that your shoes aren't right for you: Blisters, hot spots, or calluses developing after runs Numbness or tingling in the toes Pain in your feet, ankles, knees, or hips during or after running Black toenails from toes hitting the front of the shoe Feeling unstable during your runs When to get fittedThe best approach is to visit a specialty running store to get in-person guidance. Running stores often have a treadmill in-store so you can try your shoes at a jogging pace without leaving the building. You’ll want to lean on the stores and companies with a good return policy so that you can road-test your new shoes. Here are some times you when you should consider getting professionally fitted: When you're new to running After significant weight changes If you're experiencing unexplained pain Every 1-2 years, as feet can change over time When returning from injury Tips for sneaker shoppingThis might sound unconventional, but my hot tip is to shop for sneakers later in the day. Just like how I never buy jeans before I've eaten breakfast, I find my feet naturally swell throughout the day, and I want to make sure my sneakers can handle all my feet fluctuations. Another hack: Bring your old shoes to the store. The wear pattern provides valuable information about your running style for the seller helping you. Similarly, wear your running socks when you try on a new pair, since the thickness of your socks affects fit. And most importantly, make sure you can take your shoes on a test run before committing to anything. Many specialty shops allow you to jog around the store or even take a short run outside. Finding the right running shoes is a personalized process that directly impacts your performance and injury risk. As Lyons-Quirk emphasizes, each foot is different, and matching your specific needs to the right shoe is the number one key to running at your best. View the full article

Satellite company linked to People’s Liberation Army has supplied images to Iran-backed group in Yemen, say officialsView the full article

In my coaching, I pride myself on helping clients get to the root of their issues, instead of offering Band-Aid solutions. At the same time, I’ve found that sometimes people are so overwhelmed with all they have to do that they have difficulty making time for the deeper reflective thought that coaching requires. In these situations, I offer some quick and easy-to-implement best practices to help reduce their sense of overwhelm. Managing your work calendar effectively is one of the most crucial steps toward feeling more in control of your professional life. When your calendar is well-organized, it reduces stress, increases productivity, and ensures that you are focusing on the tasks that truly matter. However, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings, constant demands on your time, and the struggle to find space for deep work. Here’s how you can regain control of your work calendar with practical tips and strategies that can be implemented right away: Set clear priorities Before diving into calendar management, it’s important to set clear priorities. Your calendar should reflect your key objectives, goals, and values—not just the urgent requests that come your way. Start by identifying your top priorities for the week, month, and quarter. These could include project milestones, professional development, or key meetings with stakeholders. Set clear priorities Time blocking is a powerful technique where you divide your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific tasks or activities. This method helps you focus on one task at a time, reducing the mental clutter that comes from multitasking. It also ensures that you allocate time to all aspects of your work, including deep work, meetings, and administrative tasks. Learn to say no One of the biggest challenges in calendar management is learning to say “no.” It’s easy to accept every meeting request that comes your way, but this often leads to a crowded calendar with little time for meaningful work. Protecting your time is essential to maintaining control over your schedule. Use the ‘two-minute rule’ The two-minute rule, popularized by David Allen in his book Getting Things Done, suggests that if a task can be completed in two minutes or less, you should do it immediately. This rule helps prevent your to-do list from becoming cluttered with minor tasks and ensures that these small items don’t take up unnecessary space on your calendar. Leverage technology Modern calendar tools offer a range of features that can help you manage your time more effectively. From scheduling assistants that find the best meeting times to integration with task management apps, these tools can significantly reduce the time you spend organizing your calendar. Batch similar tasks Batching similar tasks together is a technique that can improve your efficiency and focus. For example, if you need to make multiple phone calls, schedule them back-to-back rather than scattering them throughout the day. This minimizes the mental switch costs associated with jumping between different types of tasks. Create buffer time Buffer time between meetings and tasks is essential for maintaining flexibility and preventing burnout. It gives you a moment to regroup, reflect, or handle any unexpected issues that arise during the day. Without buffer time, your day can feel rushed, and you may find yourself running late from one meeting to the next. Review and reflect Effective calendar management requires regular review and adjustment. At the end of each week, take a few minutes to reflect on how well your calendar worked for you. Did you manage to stick to your time blocks? Were there meetings that could have been shorter or avoided? Use these insights to make adjustments for the following week. Delegate and outsource If you’re constantly overwhelmed by tasks, it might be time to delegate or outsource some of them. Delegating responsibilities to others not only frees up your time but also empowers your team members to take on more responsibility. (For more on how to delegate effectively, see here.) View the full article

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage average rose 21 basis points this week, lagging other indicators, which are all now lower than seven days ago. View the full article

Young volunteers who respond to natural disasters and help with community projects across the U.S. have been discharged as a result of the The President administration ‘s campaign to shrink government workforce and services. AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps informed volunteers Tuesday that they would exit the program early “due to programmatic circumstances beyond your control,” according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. More than 2,000 people ages 18 to 26 serve for nearly a year, according to the program’s website, and get assigned to projects with nonprofits and community organizations or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It celebrated its 30th year last year. The volunteers are especially visible after natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Helene last year. The organization said on social media last month that teams have served 8 million service hours on nearly 3,400 disaster projects since 1999. Jordan Kinsler, 23, has worked with FEMA Corps for the last nine months, traveling from Minnesota communities impacted by floods to ones in North Carolina touched by Helene. He and his team were on their final project at FEMA headquarters in Washington when they got word Tuesday that they wouldn’t be able to finish. Kinsler, who is from Long Island, New York, said they packed that night and left Wednesday morning for their home base in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Kinsler said he’s proud of the work he’s done and had hoped to apply for a permanent position. “To have this ripped right from us at the very end, it felt insulting,” he said. The AP sent an email Wednesday seeking comment from AmeriCorps. Funding for AmeriCorps and NCCC has long been included when there are talks in Congress of budget trims. The federal agency’s budget showed NCCC funding amounted to nearly $38 million last fiscal year. The unsigned memo to members said NCCC’s “ability to sustain program operations” was impacted by “new operational parameters” laid out by the The President administration’s priorities and President Donald The President’s executive order creating the Department of Government Efficiency. Members, who receive a living allowance and have basic expenses covered, would be paid through the end of April, according to the memo. The program also provides members who complete their 1,700-hour service term with funding for future education expenses or to apply to certain student loans. That benefit was worth about $7,300 this service year. The memo stated that those who have completed 15% or more of their term would be eligible for a prorated amount, but those that have completed less would not be eligible. There’s always been “bipartisan support” of NCCC — “and bipartisan criticism,” said Kate Raftery, who was NCCC director from 2011 to 2014. Raftery said the abrupt departure of these service teams would have lasting damage both on the NCCC members who were gaining education and launching careers as well as the organizations that depend on them and the neighborhoods where they served. “It was a very unique mixture of incredible heartbreak and incredible rage, outrage,” Raftery said of her reaction to the news. “The two were battling themselves most of the day.” Bud Maynard, mayor of Vinton, Iowa, which is home to a regional NCCC campus, said the program “has been without a doubt, a blessing for Vinton” and celebrated the opportunity to host “hundreds of people over the years with an unmatched passion and selflessness to want to help others.” “All of Vinton should never forget what a great program, filled with great people, this has been for not only Vinton but every community that benefited from their mission,” Maynard said in a statement Wednesday. —Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press View the full article

Ligation by the Ohio attorney general claims that UWM has turned brokers in its network into retail loan officers who solely work for the company. View the full article

The super-regional bank cited "a material slowdown" in investment banking and trading income as one reason for the lower revenue forecast. Interest rates are also a factor, executives said. View the full article

Every home needs upkeep and maintenance. Sometimes it can feel like you get one problem fixed, only to face another one. That can lead to tunnel vision, focusing on the present because you feel like there’s no time to worry about the future. But the future is coming, and if you don’t want to inordinately trouble your future self, there are several small steps you can take to make Future You a little happier. Record your paintPainting is an easy way to upgrade your house. Choosing the right color and sheen can be a project in itself, but once you get there you’ll have a space you feel comfortable in. Right as you start your paint project, snap photos of the can’s mixing formula on the label, then drop those photos in a folder for your home projects. That label contains everything you’ll need to know in order to replicate the paint at a later date, saving your future self a lot of grief. Alternatively, you can peel the label off (or ask for a second one when you buy the paint), and stick it in a notebook. Hang onto spare materialsRe-tiling the shower? Re-siding the house? Laying down some vinyl plank flooring? Whenever you finish a project, always try to have some leftover materials—and hang onto them. If you need to tear up a portion of your work years later, having spares on hand for the patch work will make the job a lot easier. Tiles and flooring are discontinued all the time, and even if that particular style is still being manufactured in the future there are often color and grain inconsistencies between batches, so a box of tile bought five years after the initial project may not match perfectly. Ask contractorsWe hire skilled professionals to do home maintenance and renovation tasks we can’t handle ourselves. But that doesn’t mean you should nip off to the pub while the work gets done. Paying attention and asking a few questions will make your future a lot less stressful: Materials used. Get a breakdown of the specific materials used. Knowing exactly what kind of paint, tile, or flooring was used will make it easier to replace or repair it in the future—and as noted above, ask to keep the leftover material. After all, you paid for it. Installation. You aren’t a contractor and don’t aspire to do complex plumbing or electrical work—but knowing how things were installed will be incredibly helpful to your future self. Contractors are deep wells of information, and they can clue you in on hacks, tricks, and best practices that can help you keep systems and finishes looking good and working correctly. Record datesKeeping a house in shape can be a whirlwind of constant effort, and that makes it easy to forget when, exactly, things were done. But knowing how long ago something was installed, repaired, or replaced will serve your future self very well. Everything in your house has a lifespan and a recommended maintenance schedule, so knowing when your boiler or HVAC was installed, how old your roof is, or the last time your basement flooded will be valuable information. While you're at it, mark down the date when you change the batteries in your smoke alarms, thermostats, alarm systems, and anything else that your comfort and safety rely on. Then do the same when you change out the filters on your HVAC system, furnace, or water supply (and don’t forget to check your fire extinguisher). Label fastenersHomeowners have been dealing with growing supplies of loose screws, bolts, and Allen wrenches for most of the modern home-owning age. To keep from someday desperately sifting through incorrect screws and wrenches, label them today. Every time you put together furniture or install shelving, put any leftover fasteners into some kind of storage and label it clearly. When the time comes to disassemble or fix it, you’ll have everything you need. Save product manualsJust about everything you buy for your home will come with some sort of product manual (and these days you can download most of them pretty easily). You might be tempted to think you don’t need a product manual for simple appliances—you know how to operate a toaster, for example—but you should keep your product manuals, physically or digitally. These manuals will provide the basic information you’ll need to repair, replace, or troubleshoot your stuff, including a breakdown of the specific sizes of fasteners, wall anchors, and other parts you might need to replace someday. Plus, manuals contain a lot of other useful information, like weight limits or other tolerances. If you want to turn a bookshelf you assembled into storage for your dumbbells, for example, it will be great to be able to just look up the unit’s capacity. Keep visual recordsTake photos of things like air filters or unique light bulbs and leave them on your phone. Do this for any unique item that needs replacing from time to time. Now, the next time you need a fresh supply, you'll be able to look up exactly what’s needed. Map out circuitsYou won’t know frustration until you need to cut the power to an area of your house (like the air conditioning) and you can’t figure out which circuit it’s on. You wind up flipping breakers until you find the one, and then you have a solid 20 minutes of resetting clocks and preferences ahead of you. Instead, spend a half hour mapping your breaker panel, labeling each one neatly. Next time you have reason to cut the power to an appliance or a room, you’ll be able to do so with no drama or stress. Purchase extra keysAs a man who has been forced to break into his own house far too often, I can say that having some extra keys stashed in safe places around your neighborhood (or a few trusted folks with security codes if you have smart locks) will be deeply appreciated by your future self. Identify contractors in advanceThe worst time to look for a plumber, electrician, exterminator, or roofer is when you’re in the midst of an emergency. Start asking friends and neighbors for recommendations now, and start a master file of contact info and who recommended them (including the specific work they did, if you can). When you discover a newly formed lake in your basement one morning, you’ll be able to calmly make a call instead of trying to cram three months of research into three minutes. View the full article