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Saudi Arabia meeting comes as both Kyiv and Moscow launched attacks on each other’s territoryView the full article

Neom, the insane urban development project in Saudi Arabia, appears to be sinking faster than the giant holes they keep digging in the middle of nowhere. Increasing delays and soaring cost overruns have led to project cancellations and a general scaling back of the original vision. Now a Wall Street Journal report has uncovered an internal audit that reveals evidence of deliberate manipulation of finances by management to justify rising cost estimates to investors. The sense of impending disaster is even more shocking when you look at the only crazy structure that is now standing in Neom: an unbelievably giant palace. New satellite images obtained by Business Insider via US space company Maxar Technologies have revealed the gigantic complex, which appears to feature at least 16 buildings (plus other buildings in the property), four swimming pools, private beaches, extensive gardens, a marina, 10 helipads, and its own golf course. The palace is thought to be owned by Saudi Arabian ruler Mohammed bin Salman, and it’s only one of five palaces that will be built for the royal family in the 10,230-square-mile region known as Neom. The development of Neom is supposed to become Saudi Arabia’s transitional path from an oil economy towards one based on technology, advanced manufacturing, green energy, and tourism. It includes a 110-mile-long “vertical city” called the Line—which has since been scaled back to just over one mile—along with other futuristic settlements that will allegedly include everything from hydrogen processing plants to luxury hotels. Bin Salman chairs the boards of Neom and its sub-projects, frequently approving architectural choices seemingly impossible to build, like this giant 30-story-high chandelier conceptualized by a Marvel concept artist because, reportedly, the Prince likes The Avengers. Fraud is in the air These lavish personal palaces and flashy renderings offer a stark contrast to the financial reality of the project. Initially, its promoters were looking to attract $500 billion in public and private capital, but Neom is reportedly having a hard time getting the money. The delays and cost overruns kept mounting and, in 2024, bin Salman fired Neom’s CEO of six years, Nadhmi al-Nasr, putting in a new team tasked with turning the project around in place. Now the WSJ has uncovered an internal audit that reveals evidence of deliberate manipulation of finances by management to justify rising cost estimates. Capital expenditure for building Neom to its “end-state” by 2080 was estimated at $8.8 trillion, more than 25 times the annual Saudi budget. According to the paper, the high costs due to the remote location, ambitious design, and unrealistic projections seem insurmountable, despite executives hiding rising costs by inflating profit assumptions. The audit shows that the crown prince encouraged Neom to use the internal rate of return (IRR) to assess project profitability, leading to concerns about the project’s financial viability. Then revenue estimates were increased to cover cost overruns, leading to a higher internal rate of return. Along the way, the Neom staff suggested a few cost-cutting measures, like reducing the height of The Line, but the crown prince rejected this. He ordered to find cost savings elsewhere. And when a project manager challenged the unrealistic cost estimates, he was removed. The WSJ reports that McKinsey helped create financial models, validated projections, and served as both planner and validator, raising potential “conflicts of interest.” Despite the audit findings, a Neom spokeswoman told the WSJ that the project remains on track and is demonstrating tangible progress. On social networks and YouTube, the organization and its top brass keep posting videos claiming progress. I follow them. They always look like the same holes in the middle of nowhere. We won’t have to wait long to see if the Prince and his organization can actually realize these pharaonic visions or if they will just end digging the most expensive hole in history. The Line’s first phase is supposed to open its first half-mile section, including a stadium, in 2034. Just nine years away. That will be the year the World Cup starts in Saudi Arabia, right in that stadium. No matter if it gets finished on time or not, I’m sure bin Salman will be watching the kick off game from one of the hundred (I’m guessing given its size?) living rooms in his cozy new palace. View the full article

The Lamborghini of baby strollers is literally a Lamborghini. Luxury carmaker Automobili Lamborghini is getting into baby gear by partnering with the British nursery brand Silver Cross for a limited-edition stroller called the Reef AL Arancio. Just 500 of the strollers will be made and each comes with a numbered edition plaque. Silver Cross calls it a “super stroller,” and it retails for about $5,000. [Image: Silver Cross] The stroller’s design borrows from the Lamborghini’s foundations, Silver Cross says, with an automotive-inspired brake pedal, hand-finished handlebar, and high-performance suede with Italian leather details. It comes with a high-gloss polycarbonate carry cot, full suspension wheels, and a cup holder. Lamborghini badging uses the Italian company’s script wordmark, and its bull-and-shield logo is incorporated throughout. The design process for the Reef AL Arancio took more than two years and included meetings with the Automobile Lamborghini design and licensing teams and visits to Lamborghini showrooms to draw inspiration. The finished product is designed “to mirror the intricacy and faceted nature of the vehicles,” Silver Cross says. [Image: Silver Cross] While babies aren’t impressed by luxury brands, their parents increasingly are. High-end baby gear like smart cribs, electronic bottle warmers, and pricey strollers have proliferated as fertility rates have fallen and the age of first-time mothers has risen. With parents having fewer children at older ages, they have more to splurge on their kids; some, apparently, are even willing to drop $5,000 for a one-of-500 stroller. In 2020, Bentley Motors announced its own officially licensed kids bicycle and stroller tricycle brand called Bentley Trike, created in collaboration with Posh Baby & Kids. With the Lamborghini stroller, now your baby can travel in style with luxury car-branded gear all the way from the crib until the training wheels come off. View the full article

A bartender makes a Brandy Alexander, pouring equal parts of a Courvoisier V.S.O.P brandy, Marie Brizard crème de cacao, and fresh cream. He shakes it with ice, strains through a fine mesh strainer, and finishes it off with a neat pile of freshly-grated nutmeg. This imagery may seem to be out of a bartending documentary, but it’s actually a scene from an anime series, Bartender: Glass of God. It’s this unavoidable, radical attention to detail in the animation itself that tells the story of a Japanese way of life–putting extreme care into one’s craft. During scenes inside the bar, the liquor wall features an elaborate selection of spirits, the labels of which are meticulously drawn. They include Maker’s Mark bourbon, Roku gin, and Laphroaig scotch, all of which fall under the portfolio of Suntory Global Spirits, which provided “production support” for the show. The show’s ability to combine real-life liquor brands with attention to detail helps it pull off a focus on craft that isn’t often seen outside of live-action documentary. The series portrays bartending as an empirical trade through the experience of each viewer watching on a screen. Not everyone watching will be a bartender nor will they each absorb every single nuance incorporated into the anime. But the care in the crafts of animation and bartending that Nakazawa meshed together with Suntory and other partners reveal a comprehensive and respectful illustration of the power of a cocktail. A reboot with emphasis on details—and brands Bartender originated as a Japanese manga, or graphic novel, in 2004 to then be turned into an anime series in 2006. Last year, anime studio Liber released a 12-episode revival, with streamer Crunchyroll releasing episodes dubbed in English from July through October. Creatives behind the reboot said the goal was to be as accurate as possible with cocktails and vibes. “We focused on creating an authentic bar ambiance that viewers could experience through anime, ensuring the movements and atmosphere retained a sense of realism,” says Takaaki Nakazawa, the series’ lead producer. [Image: © Araki Joh, Kenji Nagatomo/Shueisha, Bar hoppers] Nakazawa and his team pulled this off by consulting renowned Japanese bartenders Akihiro Sakoh of Sakoh Bar in Tokyo’s Shibuya district and Noriyuki Iguchi of Bar Gaslight in Tokyo’s Ginza district. “Before production, we interviewed them and filmed their actions—cocktail-making techniques and handling bottles—which the animation team studied closely to replicate the movements,” Nakazawa says. “They also prepared all the cocktails featured in the entire anime series.” [Image: © Araki Joh, Kenji Nagatomo/Shueisha, Bar hoppers] Suntory’s involvement is integrated throughout the series—mostly contained to brands behind the bar—but the anime also takes its protagonist, Ryu, to the Suntory Whisky Yamazaki Distillery in Osaka, Japan. It looks precisely in the anime the way it looks on Google Maps street view, down to the shrubbery. “Every glass of whisky is a coalescence of memories–like history, distilled,” Ryu says to his friends outside the distillery. “And even if our guests know nothing about that history, isn’t it better that we know the meaning contained within each glass, so we can serve something that transcends flavor alone?” [Image: © Araki Joh, Kenji Nagatomo/Shueisha, Bar hoppers] This statement sums up the overall message of Bartender, which highlights the longing to feel empowered through human connection. Creating these scenes, with all of the partnerships involved in settings where the Suntory brand is so prominently placed, gives the viewers a sense that they can too feel that sense of empowerment when sipping on its products. Focus on craft Nakazawa has been a huge fan of the original Bartender manga and felt emboldened to reimagine it, borrowing some plot lines but catering it to a new generation. “When a customer visits a bar, they don’t perceive everything in a straightforward way,” he says. “Their perception changes depending on their individual circumstances.” “It’s not what a typical, you know, Western audience would think of immediately,” says Crunchyroll CCO Asa Suehira. “We want to showcase anime more than just entertainment, but an art form that bridges cultures and tells a universal story.” Crunchyroll currently has 15 million subscribers, most of whom are in North America, but the service has been working to expand globally, including into Southeast Asia and India. [Image: © Araki Joh, Kenji Nagatomo/Shueisha, Bar hoppers] From an American perspective, the narrative may come across as cliché and over-exaggerated, but hospitality as an art form is taken more seriously in Japanese culture. The anime takes that reverence for craft and applies to a profession most American viewers might not think about much. “When you have an excellent bartender, they’re able to connect with a lot of people,” says Chris Leavitt, a Las Vegas bartender and cocktail content creator. “That aspect was on par with what I experience as a bartender myself. It’s so important for someone who mans a bar to understand that’s the priority over everything.” Neither Toho nor Crunchyroll commented on sponsorships other than Suntory. But dozens of other liquor brands, like Beefeater gin, Dolin vermouth and Heering cherry liqueur, are heavily featured in the show too despite not being Suntory brands. Leavitt commends the precise attention given to the animation, from the style in which Ryu holds his bar spoon through his fingers, to the motion of his Japanese hard shake, both in close-ups and wide shots. “That’s exactly how these bartenders operate,” he says. “Nothing was inaccurate. Every drink recipe was on point.” View the full article

Nearly 100 years ago, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and Harland Bartholomew designed a master plan for the city of Los Angeles, drawing a ring around the river at its heart. The plan addressed their concern about the rapid urbanization of cities in the West, which was frequently pushing nature to the outskirts. By centering the river and allowing it to move freely amid fields and wetlands, the planners envisioned a public green space where distant neighborhoods could come together as one. But the plan was quickly dismissed as out of step with the industrialist vision of the 1920s and ’30s. Then, in 1938, after a devastating flood, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began to build concrete channels that separated the river from its ecosystem and continue to confine it today. Copies of the original plan still exist, one of which sits in the Los Angeles Public Library, where it fell into the hands of the artist and video game designer Alice Bucknell. A still from The Alluvials [Image: courtesy Alice Bucknell] For Bucknell, the plan served as an essential bridge to the past, and it laid the groundwork for their visionary project, The Alluvials, a computer-generated, speculative fiction world, accessible through both a film and a video game. The Alluvials, which reimagines L.A. through the lens of water and the natural world, brings the lost dream of the Olmsted-Bartholomew plan to life—remixed as a private development known as Next LA, where the river has been transformed into a teeming wetland filled with iridescent beams of light. A series of ethereal voices guide the audience through a climate-stricken Western water system, from the dried-up basin of the Hoover Dam to the fire-torn Malibu coast. Like the plan that inspired it, The Alluvials issues a warning about where society is heading. In the midst of its eco-surrealist imagery, Bucknell offers a stark picture of the future: a deserted downtown, near-total drought, and corporate control over the remaining water resources. But by infusing this dystopian landscape with alternative histories, from the Olmsted-Bartholomew report to an Indigenous sacred site, Bucknell presents a compelling vision of what Los Angeles might have been and what it could still be. The film version of The Alluvials is divided into seven chapters, and the video game contains interactive versions of four of them. The film opens with aerial shots peering down into the city, which has become half desert, then cuts rhythmically through the region’s aquatic ecosystems, each rendered in the digital universe with a neon tech-noir aesthetic. Along the way, viewers meet a cast of familiar characters: the celebrity mountain lion P-22; the Lassen pack of gray wolves from Northern California; and El Aliso, a sycamore tree that once served as a meeting place for leaders of the Kizh-Gabrieleño Tribe, the original occupants of the Los Angeles River Basin. Bucknell was walking the streets of downtown L.A., a few blocks from the design school SCI-Arc, where they teach, when they stumbled upon the plaque for El Aliso. The memorial was created by members of the tribe in 2015 to honor the tree, which had long served as a place of worship and gathering. Set into concrete by Highway 101, however, the story all but disappears—making it precisely the kind of the history that Bucknell felt was important to center in their work. In The Alluvials, El Aliso grows tall in the reforested earth of Next LA. The sycamore tells its own story to players: how it lived for more than 400 years, witnessing waves of colonization and shading lush wineries before it was felled to make way for commercial development. In front of the tree, the memorial plaque hangs, embossed as an enormous hologram, like a curator’s introduction to the work of a venerated artist. In this fictional world scarred by climate disaster, El Aliso appears like an oasis, a momentary glimpse into what a worthy burial might have looked like, and a reminder of the many stories that 400-year-old trees can still tell. Bucknell amplifies the power of El Aliso’s story by bringing this nonhuman being back to vivid life. Stills from The Alluvials [Image: courtesy Alice Bucknell] The artist also celebrates the long history of the yucca moth, which is often outshone by its iconic companion, the Joshua tree. In the dried-out upper basin of Hoover Dam, The Alluvials recounts the symbiotic relationship between the yucca moth and the Joshua tree, describing it as an entrancing love story that dates back more than 40 million years. The depiction is not only uplifting, as it casts a flurry of white moths like snow against red rock; it is also a reminder of how complex relationships can be sustained throughout many ages of the Earth. The Alluvials universe is at its most powerful when viewers are completely immersed in the ambiguity of time. Racing along the lush L.A. River, you can’t tell if you’re deep in the future, experiencing the artificial paradise of Next LA, or deep in the past, exploring the imagination of Olmsted and Bartholomew. By the same token, the spell is broken when the script too closely resembles the modern day. In a later chapter of the film, for instance, viewers learn that Next LA’s private water developer puts mood stabilizers in bottled water to combat chronic anxiety over constant wildfires. It’s a satire that hits too close to home. Zooming out, however, Bucknell’s signature cyberpunk—from the beating electronic score to fluorescent animal silhouettes—largely erases time altogether. Staring up at the dense galaxy of animated stars, I almost wished I didn’t find it so beautiful. Born in the mid-1990s, I remember the precise years when my peers began to diverge into those who spent more time offline, lacing up boots and heading outdoors, and those who found greater fulfillment in the community and self-expression found in cyberspace. Both worlds offer their own comfort and sense of control, and sometimes I don’t know which I find more breathtaking—the natural cathedrals of mountains and oceans, or the technological systems made possible by generations of human hands and minds. Throughout The Alluvials, particularly on the banks of the river, I felt grateful to live in this age of the Earth, when one person can so completely render their imagination into an immersive experience that others can enjoy. Whatever the limitations of the human world, whether bureaucracy or debate, artists can overcome them and create wonders that never made it into reality. This work goes hand in hand with advocacy; in the development of their game, Bucknell worked closely with the nonprofit Friends of the LA River, which for decades has worked to build more connected green space along the river. A still from The Alluvials [Image: courtesy Alice Bucknell] Some critics may be quick to dismiss The Alluvials for its style or poetic flourishes, but they cannot deny its broad appeal to a growing audience. The film and game have been featured at over a dozen exhibitions and festivals, from Los Angeles to Madrid, and Bucknell continues to offer access to both by request via their website. Computer-generated worlds are steadily eclipsing traditional storytelling formats like books and magazines. In this context, Bucknell’s work stands as a compelling contribution to California’s climate fiction, echoing the legacy of the speculative fiction of Octavia Butler, who first offered scenes of a fire-torn California to the popular imagination back in the 1990s. But times have changed; Bucknell and other artists of the 21st century no longer have to imagine what that future might look like. Their task is much harder: They remind us that, to paraphrase Butler, looking into the future is still, as much as it was before, an act of hope. This story was originally published by High Country News. View the full article

US president’s late-night social media post follows company’s 15% share price dropView the full article

It’s popular right now to talk about meritocracy and how we want the most talented people to be able to rise to the top. Yet that’s not the reality for many. Lots of people experience a workplace reality where they see a few charmed people become the darlings of leadership. These darlings get recognized for their contributions and fast-tracked for honor, opportunity, and promotions. Sometimes, that’s for good reason. If you’re feeling jealous of the office favorite, it’s worth trying to be objective. Perhaps you wanted the recognition and reward and didn’t get it, and so you’re projecting your frustration on someone who really deserves the recognition. But, there really can be favorites at work. There is a phenomenon in psychology called the “halo effect,” in which an initial positive impression of someone can lead you to interpret all of their subsequent actions more charitably than you might if you didn’t have that initial positive impression. So, what do you do if you’re not the favorite, and you keep watching others get rewarded for their merit, while you get passed over? Play the long game Halo effects are a result of first impressions. While you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression on someone, the merry-go-round of organizations means that you’re likely to have many chances to make first impressions on influential people. Your supervisor may move on to another role. You may move to a different part of the organization. That means you need to continue doing good work—even when you aren’t being recognized for it. Stifle the urge to complain about the success of others. Be a good colleague and develop a reputation of being trustworthy. Over the long-term, that will help. You also have to hone your skills at making a good first impression. If you find that you have trouble communicating in public or in small groups, then consider getting some training. Join a public speaking group like Toastmasters to get more practice. Pay attention to how your habits affect impressions. Show up to meetings and work on time. If you tend to dress in a way that differs from the norm at work, think about whether that is affecting other people’s initial sense of who you are. Individuality and free expression through your appearance are important values, but you should decide whether they are the hill to die on at work. Create new opportunities Even if you don’t experience any leadership changes, you can still bring yourself to the attention of new people. Large organizations typically require a lot of projects that cross silos to bring people together in a significant effort. If you get involved in those projects, you’ll invariably meet lots of new people. Seek out ways to be part of these other projects—provided you have bandwidth to do so. There are two benefits to these engagements. First, you have an opportunity to make a good impression on a new group of people. Second, people you help from other groups may then pass their positive impressions back to your supervisor and others in your area of the organization. These positive comments that come from others can often lead people who know you to reevaluate their impressions. Make your case It’s hard to toot your own horn, and you certainly don’t want to do it all the time. But when the right opportunities come about, you need to help guide people’s impressions of you. Your annual performance evaluations with your supervisor are a place where you can try to reset the way you are seen. There’s a tendency to use those evaluations as a way to list all of the things you have done during the year. Rather than just listing the things you have done, focus on specific ways you would like to change how you are perceived by your supervisor. Organize your discussion of your accomplishments for the year in a way that highlights those aspects of your work that you want to emphasize. Help your supervisor to see aspects of your contribution that may not ordinarily be obvious. You won’t completely overcome a lackluster first impression with one meeting. But, you may help your supervisor to start seeing aspects of your performance that they have missed in the past. That work can slowly help your supervisor (and others) to see the contribution you’re making. View the full article

Invoice payment terms are essential for several reasons. They impact everything from the strength of business relationships to cash management. Specific payment terms are an integral part of financial management. They even tell businesses when they can expect to have money coming in so they can budget and plan their finances. Read this guide for all the details that small businesses may need to know. Essential Invoice Payment Terms Several critical components are involved, including the invoice and payment due dates. Payment terms such as Net 60 or Net 30 define the time frame where the payment is expected. Some invoices might say “owing on receipt.” Common Invoice Terms Here are a few other terms you should be familiar with. Immediate Payment The money is required right after the invoice for the transactions is issued. That way, the small business has an immediate cash flow. Cash Before Shipment (CBS) Payment needs to be made before the products and services are shipped. This reduces the risk of the invoice not being paid and provides the seller with advanced funds. Cash in Advance (CIA) This is used quite often in international transactions to lessen the risk. Payment must be made before goods and services are provided. Payment in Advance (PIA) One effective method to protect the seller’s interests is to request payment prior to delivery. This approach guarantees cash flow before the work commences. Cash Next Delivery (CND) CND requires the payment to be made the day after the delivery. This is perfect for quick turnaround industries since it offers a short credit period. Cash on Delivery (COD) Payment is made when the goods and services get delivered. Buyers are the winners here because they verify their purchases before paying. Cash With Order (CWO) This arrangement is advantageous for the seller, as they receive payment at the time the order is placed. This means the seller gets the funds before any work starts. Contra Payment This payment type is about two different parties and offsetting debts that work together. This way, there’s no cash exchanging hands. End of Month (EOM) As the name suggests, the payment is due at the end of the month when it is issued. This allows a buyer to manage their cash flow. Monthly Credit Payment This allows buyers to pay off outstanding balances month to month. It’s a tool used to establish regular payment schedules. Interest Invoice These serve as penalties for late payments. Interest invoices act as incentives for timely payments and help compensate the seller for any delays. Terms of Sale The terms of sale encompass various aspects, such as payment requirements and delivery. This approach ensures a clear and transparent agreement. Net 7/10/30/60/90 These are the days the buyer has to pay after the invoice is issued. It’s a way to establish a flexible schedule based on industry standards and the relationship between a seller and purchaser. Payment TermDescriptionImpact on SellerImpact on BuyerBest Used For Immediate PaymentPayment is required right after the invoice is issued.Ensures immediate cash flow.May strain buyer's immediate cash reserves.Small businesses needing instant cash flow. Cash Before Shipment (CBS)Payment is made before goods are shipped.Reduces risk of non-payment and provides funds in advance.Requires trust in the seller and upfront capital.Transactions where shipment risk is a concern. Cash in Advance (CIA)Payment before goods and services are provided, common in international trade.Lessens risk and secures funds upfront.High trust in seller required; impacts cash flow.International transactions to mitigate risks. Payment in Advance (PIA)Payment is made before delivery of goods or services.Secures seller's cash flow before work begins.Requires capital upfront without immediate return.Situations where sellers need assurance of payment. Cash Next Delivery (CND)Payment is due the day after delivery.Short credit period; quick cash flow post-delivery.Very short time to arrange payment post-delivery.Industries with quick turnaround times. Cash on Delivery (COD)Payment made upon delivery of goods or services.Risk of non-payment upon delivery.Allows verification of goods before payment.Buyers seeking assurance of product quality. Cash With Order (CWO)Payments are made when the order is placed.Immediate cash flow before any work starts.Must trust in the seller's delivery without immediate goods.Situations where sellers need funds to begin work. Contra PaymentOffsetting debts between two parties without cash exchange.No immediate cash flow but reduces payable amounts.Similar to the seller; reduces receivable amounts.Businesses with ongoing transactions between each other. End of Month (EOM)Payment is due at the end of the month of invoice issuance.Delayed cash flow until the end of the month.Helps in managing monthly cash flows.Buyers needing to align payments with monthly budget cycles. Monthly Credit PaymentAllows paying off balances month-to-month.Steady but delayed cash flow; risk of non-payment.Flexibility in managing cash flow; builds credit.Long-term business relationships with regular transactions. Interest InvoicePenalty for late payments to incentivize timely payment.Compensates for delays but can strain buyer relations.Additional costs for delays; encourages timely payment.Enforcing payment discipline and compensating for delays. Terms of SaleCovers all elements of a transaction, including payment.Clarity on transaction terms; can include favorable payment terms.Clear understanding of obligations and rights.Comprehensive agreements to avoid misunderstandings. Net 7/10/30/60/90Buyer has a set number of days to pay after the invoice is issued.Flexible cash flow based on terms; risk of delayed payment.Flexibility in managing cash flow; can negotiate terms.Adjusting payment schedules to fit industry standards and relationships. Invoice Payment Terms Example Following is a fictional example of the invoice terms for a website design contract. Invoice Number: #001234 Invoice Date: The date indicated on the invoice From: ABC Web Design Services, 123 Digital Lane, Tech City, TX To: XYZ Retail Company, 456 Commerce Blvd, Market Town, CA Description: Complete website redesign and deployment. Amount: $5,000 Payment Terms: Net 30 (Payment due 30 days from the invoice date, making the due date 30 days after the invoice is issued) Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (Preferred), Check, Online Payment Platforms (e.g., PayPal) Bank Details (for Bank Transfer): Account Name: ABC Web Design Services Bank: TechBank USA Account Number: 123456789 Routing Number: 987654321 Late Payment: Late payments may incur a 2% monthly interest charge. This fictional invoice clearly describes the amounts, due dates, and payment terms. There’s flexibility because Net 30 is offered, and allowing multiple payment methods is convenient. The Impact of Payment Terms on Cash Flow Immediate terms boost on-hand cash and allow for quick access to funds. However, you can limit your customer base if they have cash considerations. EOM or Net 30 can delay a business’s flow but potentially increase opportunities. A business owner should consider all the options for an effective invoicing process. Additionally, options like invoice factoring and invoice financing can help with immediate cash flow issues. Choosing the Right Payment Terms for Your Business Businesses can select suitable payment terms for prompt payment : Choose one that supports your cash requirements. If you need a steady inflow, immediate payment might be your best choice. EOM or Net 30 are best suited to long-term customers with a good track record of paying on time. You can potentially speed up transactions by offering convenient methods like digital payments and checks. Communicating Your Payment Terms Effectively Communicating invoice payment terms effectively is crucial for maintaining a clear and professional relationship with your clients. Here are key points to consider for enhancing transparency and understanding in your invoicing process: Clarity of Payment Terms: Ensure that your invoices clearly state the payment terms. This includes the due date, any early payment incentives, or charges for late payments. Making these terms visible and unambiguous helps set clear expectations. Highlight Payment Terms: To ensure that the invoice payment terms receive proper attention, consider emphasizing them or using bold text. This approach can help make certain that the terms are clearly understood and not missed by the client. Diverse Payment Options: Offering a variety of payment methods can significantly improve the convenience of your clients. This might include: Credit or debit card payments Online payment platforms (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) Bank transfers Checks Providing multiple options caters to different preferences and can expedite the payment process. Detailed Itemization: A transparent invoice should include a detailed breakdown of all products and services provided, along with their respective costs. This itemization helps the client understand exactly what they are being charged for, reducing the likelihood of disputes and confusion. Clear Instructions for Payment: Include specific instructions for each payment method offered. This should cover necessary details like online payment links, bank account information for transfers, or mailing addresses for checks. Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information is easy to find on the invoice. If clients have questions or concerns about their invoice, knowing how to reach you is essential for quick resolution. Use Clear Language: Steer clear of complex terminology or jargon that could confuse your clients. The objective is to ensure that the invoice payment terms and the entire invoice are as clear and comprehensible as possible. Prompt and Polite Communication: When sending invoices, accompany them with a polite message thanking the client for their business and highlighting the importance of adhering to the payment terms. This can set a positive tone for the transaction. Follow-Up System: Establish a system to track and follow up on unpaid invoices. Sending gentle reminders both before and after the due date can promote timely payments and help maintain a positive relationship with your clients. Incorporating these practices into your invoicing process can significantly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication regarding payment terms, leading to smoother transactions and healthier business relationships. Addressing Late Payments You need to have a process for handling overdue accounts. Check the following boxes so your expectations are clear. Make sure your requirements are outlined. Clients prioritize paying when they understand the consequences of late or delayed payments. Legal protection can be provided by defining the consequences of late payment. Ensure you are very upfront about the percentage and amount of late fees and interest charges. Clearly define your overdue procedures. These should include phone calls and reminder emails before a collection agency. Payment Method and Billing Process A variety of customers prefer having multiple payment options. Online payment platforms, credit cards, and bank transfers all simplify the process and expedite transactions. Recurring Payments and Invoices Ongoing services that have recurring invoices and payments automate the entire billing cycle. It’s a great way to have predictable cash flowing in and out, and automation reduces the amount of administration. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Payment Terms Watch out for these errors when you’re drafting payment terms. Make sure the late fees are transparent if you extend payment deadlines. Not enforcing your terms consistently is a big mistake. Some small businesses even forget to offer incentives for early payment. https://youtube.com/watch?v=O6qtAT_SnIM%3Fsi%3Df5t35j-vD2cmg2os FAQs: Invoice Payment Terms Here are some answers to common questions. What are the best payment terms to encourage quick invoice payments? Begin by understanding how to create an invoice that clearly outlines payment terms, facilitating quick transactions for clients. This usually involves detailing the payment steps either in an email or directly on the invoice. Refer to an invoice example to help you get started, then incorporate concise payment deadlines and think about offering early payment discounts. How does the invoice date affect payment terms and due dates? This date marks the beginning of the payment term. If you’ve agreed on a certain length of your payment term with clients, the due date will fall at the end of that term. For example, if your payment term is one week, then the due date would fall one week after the original invoice date. Is it a good idea to offer discounts for early payment? Incentivizing fast payments and improving your cash flow is a good idea for those that need to encourage fast payments. However, discounts can reduce your revenue over time. Communicating clearly and creating strong relationships with ongoing clients can encourage getting paid on time without reducing your revenue. Read More: What is an invoice? Image: Envato Elements This article, "Common Invoice Payment Terms and How to Write Them" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Invoice payment terms are essential for several reasons. They impact everything from the strength of business relationships to cash management. Specific payment terms are an integral part of financial management. They even tell businesses when they can expect to have money coming in so they can budget and plan their finances. Read this guide for all the details that small businesses may need to know. Essential Invoice Payment Terms Several critical components are involved, including the invoice and payment due dates. Payment terms such as Net 60 or Net 30 define the time frame where the payment is expected. Some invoices might say “owing on receipt.” Common Invoice Terms Here are a few other terms you should be familiar with. Immediate Payment The money is required right after the invoice for the transactions is issued. That way, the small business has an immediate cash flow. Cash Before Shipment (CBS) Payment needs to be made before the products and services are shipped. This reduces the risk of the invoice not being paid and provides the seller with advanced funds. Cash in Advance (CIA) This is used quite often in international transactions to lessen the risk. Payment must be made before goods and services are provided. Payment in Advance (PIA) One effective method to protect the seller’s interests is to request payment prior to delivery. This approach guarantees cash flow before the work commences. Cash Next Delivery (CND) CND requires the payment to be made the day after the delivery. This is perfect for quick turnaround industries since it offers a short credit period. Cash on Delivery (COD) Payment is made when the goods and services get delivered. Buyers are the winners here because they verify their purchases before paying. Cash With Order (CWO) This arrangement is advantageous for the seller, as they receive payment at the time the order is placed. This means the seller gets the funds before any work starts. Contra Payment This payment type is about two different parties and offsetting debts that work together. This way, there’s no cash exchanging hands. End of Month (EOM) As the name suggests, the payment is due at the end of the month when it is issued. This allows a buyer to manage their cash flow. Monthly Credit Payment This allows buyers to pay off outstanding balances month to month. It’s a tool used to establish regular payment schedules. Interest Invoice These serve as penalties for late payments. Interest invoices act as incentives for timely payments and help compensate the seller for any delays. Terms of Sale The terms of sale encompass various aspects, such as payment requirements and delivery. This approach ensures a clear and transparent agreement. Net 7/10/30/60/90 These are the days the buyer has to pay after the invoice is issued. It’s a way to establish a flexible schedule based on industry standards and the relationship between a seller and purchaser. Payment TermDescriptionImpact on SellerImpact on BuyerBest Used For Immediate PaymentPayment is required right after the invoice is issued.Ensures immediate cash flow.May strain buyer's immediate cash reserves.Small businesses needing instant cash flow. Cash Before Shipment (CBS)Payment is made before goods are shipped.Reduces risk of non-payment and provides funds in advance.Requires trust in the seller and upfront capital.Transactions where shipment risk is a concern. Cash in Advance (CIA)Payment before goods and services are provided, common in international trade.Lessens risk and secures funds upfront.High trust in seller required; impacts cash flow.International transactions to mitigate risks. Payment in Advance (PIA)Payment is made before delivery of goods or services.Secures seller's cash flow before work begins.Requires capital upfront without immediate return.Situations where sellers need assurance of payment. Cash Next Delivery (CND)Payment is due the day after delivery.Short credit period; quick cash flow post-delivery.Very short time to arrange payment post-delivery.Industries with quick turnaround times. Cash on Delivery (COD)Payment made upon delivery of goods or services.Risk of non-payment upon delivery.Allows verification of goods before payment.Buyers seeking assurance of product quality. Cash With Order (CWO)Payments are made when the order is placed.Immediate cash flow before any work starts.Must trust in the seller's delivery without immediate goods.Situations where sellers need funds to begin work. Contra PaymentOffsetting debts between two parties without cash exchange.No immediate cash flow but reduces payable amounts.Similar to the seller; reduces receivable amounts.Businesses with ongoing transactions between each other. End of Month (EOM)Payment is due at the end of the month of invoice issuance.Delayed cash flow until the end of the month.Helps in managing monthly cash flows.Buyers needing to align payments with monthly budget cycles. Monthly Credit PaymentAllows paying off balances month-to-month.Steady but delayed cash flow; risk of non-payment.Flexibility in managing cash flow; builds credit.Long-term business relationships with regular transactions. Interest InvoicePenalty for late payments to incentivize timely payment.Compensates for delays but can strain buyer relations.Additional costs for delays; encourages timely payment.Enforcing payment discipline and compensating for delays. Terms of SaleCovers all elements of a transaction, including payment.Clarity on transaction terms; can include favorable payment terms.Clear understanding of obligations and rights.Comprehensive agreements to avoid misunderstandings. Net 7/10/30/60/90Buyer has a set number of days to pay after the invoice is issued.Flexible cash flow based on terms; risk of delayed payment.Flexibility in managing cash flow; can negotiate terms.Adjusting payment schedules to fit industry standards and relationships. Invoice Payment Terms Example Following is a fictional example of the invoice terms for a website design contract. Invoice Number: #001234 Invoice Date: The date indicated on the invoice From: ABC Web Design Services, 123 Digital Lane, Tech City, TX To: XYZ Retail Company, 456 Commerce Blvd, Market Town, CA Description: Complete website redesign and deployment. Amount: $5,000 Payment Terms: Net 30 (Payment due 30 days from the invoice date, making the due date 30 days after the invoice is issued) Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (Preferred), Check, Online Payment Platforms (e.g., PayPal) Bank Details (for Bank Transfer): Account Name: ABC Web Design Services Bank: TechBank USA Account Number: 123456789 Routing Number: 987654321 Late Payment: Late payments may incur a 2% monthly interest charge. This fictional invoice clearly describes the amounts, due dates, and payment terms. There’s flexibility because Net 30 is offered, and allowing multiple payment methods is convenient. The Impact of Payment Terms on Cash Flow Immediate terms boost on-hand cash and allow for quick access to funds. However, you can limit your customer base if they have cash considerations. EOM or Net 30 can delay a business’s flow but potentially increase opportunities. A business owner should consider all the options for an effective invoicing process. Additionally, options like invoice factoring and invoice financing can help with immediate cash flow issues. Choosing the Right Payment Terms for Your Business Businesses can select suitable payment terms for prompt payment : Choose one that supports your cash requirements. If you need a steady inflow, immediate payment might be your best choice. EOM or Net 30 are best suited to long-term customers with a good track record of paying on time. You can potentially speed up transactions by offering convenient methods like digital payments and checks. Communicating Your Payment Terms Effectively Communicating invoice payment terms effectively is crucial for maintaining a clear and professional relationship with your clients. Here are key points to consider for enhancing transparency and understanding in your invoicing process: Clarity of Payment Terms: Ensure that your invoices clearly state the payment terms. This includes the due date, any early payment incentives, or charges for late payments. Making these terms visible and unambiguous helps set clear expectations. Highlight Payment Terms: To ensure that the invoice payment terms receive proper attention, consider emphasizing them or using bold text. This approach can help make certain that the terms are clearly understood and not missed by the client. Diverse Payment Options: Offering a variety of payment methods can significantly improve the convenience of your clients. This might include: Credit or debit card payments Online payment platforms (e.g., PayPal, Stripe) Bank transfers Checks Providing multiple options caters to different preferences and can expedite the payment process. Detailed Itemization: A transparent invoice should include a detailed breakdown of all products and services provided, along with their respective costs. This itemization helps the client understand exactly what they are being charged for, reducing the likelihood of disputes and confusion. Clear Instructions for Payment: Include specific instructions for each payment method offered. This should cover necessary details like online payment links, bank account information for transfers, or mailing addresses for checks. Contact Information: Ensure that your contact information is easy to find on the invoice. If clients have questions or concerns about their invoice, knowing how to reach you is essential for quick resolution. Use Clear Language: Steer clear of complex terminology or jargon that could confuse your clients. The objective is to ensure that the invoice payment terms and the entire invoice are as clear and comprehensible as possible. Prompt and Polite Communication: When sending invoices, accompany them with a polite message thanking the client for their business and highlighting the importance of adhering to the payment terms. This can set a positive tone for the transaction. Follow-Up System: Establish a system to track and follow up on unpaid invoices. Sending gentle reminders both before and after the due date can promote timely payments and help maintain a positive relationship with your clients. Incorporating these practices into your invoicing process can significantly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your communication regarding payment terms, leading to smoother transactions and healthier business relationships. Addressing Late Payments You need to have a process for handling overdue accounts. Check the following boxes so your expectations are clear. Make sure your requirements are outlined. Clients prioritize paying when they understand the consequences of late or delayed payments. Legal protection can be provided by defining the consequences of late payment. Ensure you are very upfront about the percentage and amount of late fees and interest charges. Clearly define your overdue procedures. These should include phone calls and reminder emails before a collection agency. Payment Method and Billing Process A variety of customers prefer having multiple payment options. Online payment platforms, credit cards, and bank transfers all simplify the process and expedite transactions. Recurring Payments and Invoices Ongoing services that have recurring invoices and payments automate the entire billing cycle. It’s a great way to have predictable cash flowing in and out, and automation reduces the amount of administration. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Payment Terms Watch out for these errors when you’re drafting payment terms. Make sure the late fees are transparent if you extend payment deadlines. Not enforcing your terms consistently is a big mistake. Some small businesses even forget to offer incentives for early payment. https://youtube.com/watch?v=O6qtAT_SnIM%3Fsi%3Df5t35j-vD2cmg2os FAQs: Invoice Payment Terms Here are some answers to common questions. What are the best payment terms to encourage quick invoice payments? Begin by understanding how to create an invoice that clearly outlines payment terms, facilitating quick transactions for clients. This usually involves detailing the payment steps either in an email or directly on the invoice. Refer to an invoice example to help you get started, then incorporate concise payment deadlines and think about offering early payment discounts. How does the invoice date affect payment terms and due dates? This date marks the beginning of the payment term. If you’ve agreed on a certain length of your payment term with clients, the due date will fall at the end of that term. For example, if your payment term is one week, then the due date would fall one week after the original invoice date. Is it a good idea to offer discounts for early payment? Incentivizing fast payments and improving your cash flow is a good idea for those that need to encourage fast payments. However, discounts can reduce your revenue over time. Communicating clearly and creating strong relationships with ongoing clients can encourage getting paid on time without reducing your revenue. Read More: What is an invoice? Image: Envato Elements This article, "Common Invoice Payment Terms and How to Write Them" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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It’s a . . . well, weird job market out there, to put it diplomatically. If you’ve suddenly found yourself looking for work among what feels like a never-ending onslaught of layoffs, you’re not alone. Now more than ever, standing out is essential to landing your dream job. In that spirit, LinkedIn Learning offers a variety of free courses that can help you sharpen your skills, boost your confidence, and navigate the job-seeking landscape with ease. Here are six free LinkedIn Learning courses that can assist you in finding a new job. Polish up your résumé This 2.5-hour course covers everything you need to know about creating a résumé that showcases your skills, experiences, and achievements effectively. You’ll learn how to format your résumé, choose the right keywords, and tailor it to different job applications.Additionally, the course provides tips on avoiding common mistakes and how to use action verbs to highlight your accomplishments. By the end, you’ll ideally have a polished résumé that sets you apart from other candidates. Ace your interviews Interviews can be nerve-wracking, but preparation is key to success. This 1.25-hour course offers expert advice on how to answer common interview questions confidently and effectively. You’ll learn how to research the company, understand the job requirements, and prepare responses to questions about your skills, experiences, and career goals. Also covered techniques for handling tricky questions, such as addressing gaps in your employment history or explaining why you left your previous job. Keep your wits about you You’ve sent out hundreds of résumés. The fish aren’t biting. The ones that are result in rejection. You’re getting discouraged. This quick course is a half-hour pick-me-up that teaches you strategies for setting realistic goals, staying organized, and managing stress. It also provides techniques for building self-confidence, overcoming self-doubt, and staying motivated even when the going gets tough. Land a job on LinkedIn Love it or hate it, LinkedIn is still a powerful tool for job seekers. This hour-long course teaches you how to finesse your LinkedIn profile to make it more attractive to recruiters and hiring managers. You’ll learn how to create a compelling headline, write a professional summary, and showcase your skills and experiences. The course also covers strategies for networking with industry professionals, joining relevant LinkedIn groups, and utilizing the platform’s job search features. Land a job not on LinkedIn (or anywhere else) Not all job opportunities are advertised publicly, and many great positions are found through networking and personal connections. This half-hour course reveals strategies for tapping into the hidden job market, where you can discover unadvertised positions and reach out to potential employers directly. You’ll learn how to identify key contacts, craft persuasive outreach messages, and build meaningful professional relationships. The class also covers techniques for conducting informational interviews and leveraging your network to uncover hidden opportunities. Always be networking Even if you’re not looking for a new job, building a strong professional network is more important than ever. This 40-minute course offers practical strategies for connecting with industry professionals, joining relevant online communities, and using social media to your advantage. You’ll learn how to create an engaging online presence, share valuable content, and participate in virtual events and discussions. Along with all that, you’ll get tips for maintaining and nurturing your network over time, ensuring that you have a solid support system as you navigate your career. View the full article

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A federal grand jury has indicted Edward Michael Greer, a Newport Beach businessman, on charges of tax evasion. According to the indictment, Greer, the owner of insurance salvage company Greer & Kirby Co. Inc., allegedly misclassified millions of dollars in personal expenditures as business expenses between 2017 and 2020. The indictment alleges that Greer used his company’s bank accounts to cover personal expenses, including payments to bookmakers Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian to settle gambling losses, as well as the purchase of a 2021 Mercedes Benz. Greer allegedly concealed these payments in the company’s financial records and directed them to be recorded as business expenses to lower taxable income. Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in operating an illegal sports gambling business. If convicted, Greer faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. The charges were announced by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally for the Central District of California. Image: Canva This article, "California Businessman Indicted for Tax Evasion" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A federal grand jury has indicted Edward Michael Greer, a Newport Beach businessman, on charges of tax evasion. According to the indictment, Greer, the owner of insurance salvage company Greer & Kirby Co. Inc., allegedly misclassified millions of dollars in personal expenditures as business expenses between 2017 and 2020. The indictment alleges that Greer used his company’s bank accounts to cover personal expenses, including payments to bookmakers Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian to settle gambling losses, as well as the purchase of a 2021 Mercedes Benz. Greer allegedly concealed these payments in the company’s financial records and directed them to be recorded as business expenses to lower taxable income. Wayne Nix and Ken Arsenian have previously pleaded guilty for their roles in operating an illegal sports gambling business. If convicted, Greer faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of tax evasion. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation. The charges were announced by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph T. McNally for the Central District of California. Image: Canva This article, "California Businessman Indicted for Tax Evasion" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Fiverr has introduced a Freelancer Equity Program, granting shares to top-performing, eligible freelancers based in the United States. The initiative aims to provide financial benefits beyond traditional earnings, reinforcing Fiverr’s commitment to its freelancer community. As freelancers are projected to represent half of the U.S. workforce by 2027, Fiverr sees this program as a means of offering additional financial incentives. The program will provide up to $10,000 in Fiverr shares to eligible freelancers, with equity grants distributed over four years based on annual eligibility requirements. “Freelancers are the backbone of today’s economy and the heart of Fiverr’s success,” said Micha Kaufman, Founder & CEO of Fiverr. “With this initiative, they’re not just shaping the future of work—we’re actually giving them a piece of it, making Fiverr not just a platform for work, but a place where equity can also be earned.” Eligible freelancers will be notified in the coming days regarding their participation in the program. The initiative is structured to encourage sustained excellence and continued engagement among Fiverr’s highest-performing freelancers, while also serving as an aspirational goal for others on the platform. “This is something we’ve long wanted to offer, and after careful development and extensive work, we’ve created a program around how we can build success together with our talent,” added Kaufman. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation not just in technology, but in how we value and invest in our talent community.” The Freelancer Equity Program marks a significant step in Fiverr’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with freelancers by offering them a direct stake in the company’s success. This article, "Fiverr Launches Freelancer Equity Program, Offering Shares to Top Freelancers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Fiverr has introduced a Freelancer Equity Program, granting shares to top-performing, eligible freelancers based in the United States. The initiative aims to provide financial benefits beyond traditional earnings, reinforcing Fiverr’s commitment to its freelancer community. As freelancers are projected to represent half of the U.S. workforce by 2027, Fiverr sees this program as a means of offering additional financial incentives. The program will provide up to $10,000 in Fiverr shares to eligible freelancers, with equity grants distributed over four years based on annual eligibility requirements. “Freelancers are the backbone of today’s economy and the heart of Fiverr’s success,” said Micha Kaufman, Founder & CEO of Fiverr. “With this initiative, they’re not just shaping the future of work—we’re actually giving them a piece of it, making Fiverr not just a platform for work, but a place where equity can also be earned.” Eligible freelancers will be notified in the coming days regarding their participation in the program. The initiative is structured to encourage sustained excellence and continued engagement among Fiverr’s highest-performing freelancers, while also serving as an aspirational goal for others on the platform. “This is something we’ve long wanted to offer, and after careful development and extensive work, we’ve created a program around how we can build success together with our talent,” added Kaufman. “This initiative demonstrates our commitment to innovation not just in technology, but in how we value and invest in our talent community.” The Freelancer Equity Program marks a significant step in Fiverr’s efforts to strengthen its relationship with freelancers by offering them a direct stake in the company’s success. This article, "Fiverr Launches Freelancer Equity Program, Offering Shares to Top Freelancers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Hundreds of thousands of people—including me—are heading to Austin, Texas, for the SXSW Conference and Festivals to learn, share, and meet others who are eager to propel business and culture forward. In perusing the lineup for this year’s conference, I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to Understood.org’s session, the agenda has half a dozen panels or meetups focused on some flavor of neurodiversity—from the science behind neuroinclusive office design to learning to “love your tricky brain.” As a neurodivergent leader at Understood.org, I often find myself the lone neurodiversity advocate in professional settings—creatively connecting dots to make the business (as well as the moral and ethical) case for why people who learn and think differently shouldn’t be overlooked at work, at school, and in the world. So, looking at the agenda, I’m thrilled! It’s incredible to see that people plan to proactively discuss people who learn and think differently at such an influential event. But I’m also cautious. Because I don’t want neurodiversity to get “buzzword treatment.” We’ve seen it before: The viral business focus or philosophy that dominates headlines and conference agendas for a certain period of time and then—poof! It disappears. “Empathetic leadership” during the COVID-19 pandemic-era. “Fail smart” before that. We can’t let neurodiversity get labeled as a trend, because it’s not a trend. Neurodiversity is the future, and it’s critical for business growth. The future is grounded in neurodiversity Research shows that 53% of Gen Z identify as neurodivergent, and this revelation comes at a critical moment when Gen Z now outnumbers baby boomers in the workplace. This means that more than half of middle managers—including those who will grow into future leaders—learn and think differently. Their neurodivergence may mean they have different expectations around ways of working, sharing information, and flexibility. Today’s business leaders must understand the upcoming generation of talent so that they can unlock their full potential. This should also be a wake-up call for brands. Every brand leader is trying to better understand and penetrate the Gen Z market. Recognizing that more than half of these consumers identify as neurodivergent can potentially open up new opportunities—from product development to marketing. It’s estimated that neurodivergent consumers boast almost $2 trillion in spending power. In short, organizations are leaving talent and money on the table if they don’t consider the neurodivergent population. Accessibility is a competitive advantage At a moment when there is sensitivity around language related to equity and opportunity, we must make sure “accessibility” remains. Accessibility helps everyone. It’s often the first step toward building environments where people feel included, and it’s also an unlock for business growth. When people can access information easily, they’re enabled to do their best work. This is especially important for neurodivergent talent, who can offer creativity and unique problem-solving skills when granted the right support. In fact, Gartner research has shown that cognitively diverse and inclusive decision-making teams lead to exceeding financial goals for 75% of organizations. It’s one of the reasons Understood.org leverages the principles of universal design in our operations. Universal design is a simple concept, whether it’s applied to architecture, education, or product design: If you design for the fringes, it benefits everyone. We know that using AI tools to take notes and provide captioning is beneficial to all, and that it’s particularly impactful for people with sensory or processing issues. We understand that using larger text sizes and bullet points in documents increases readability, and that these guidelines are especially helpful for our dyslexic talent. We adopted these practices so that the one-third of Understood employees who identify as neurodivergent don’t need to ask for formal accommodations to do their job. Support is available to everyone and helps everyone. While language may change, the work to build accessible environments for your workforce or your customers shouldn’t. Employers should view it for what it is: a competitive advantage, because it provides people with the opportunity to participate, engage, and play to their strengths. Where do we go from here? I’m optimistic about neurodiversity being discussed openly at marquee events. I’m encouraged by the inquiries we receive from leading companies wanting to be more supportive of neurodivergent employees or customers. I look at Google, which helped launch The Neu Project, and Hinge, which conducted in-depth research to improve the dating experience for users with ADHD. These brands get it. So, let’s continue talking about neurodiversity at conferences. Let’s continue celebrating the strengths while acknowledging the challenges. And let’s continue to push organizations to embrace neurodiversity—not just with words, but with action. Those that do will reap the benefits to their bottom line and do right in their world. Nathan Friedman is copresident and chief marketing officer of Understood.org. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Lindsay Orr was active and healthy, running marathons and hiking all around Colorado. During pregnancy, she developed a persistent headache and dangerously high blood pressure—hallmark symptoms of preeclampsia, a leading cause of preterm birth as well as maternal mortality and morbidity. She was induced at 32 weeks to save her and her baby’s life. Now, two years later, she continues to experience the long-term impact of preeclampsia as Lindsay developed chronic high blood pressure, a condition she never had before pregnancy. Pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction are dangerous for mom and baby. These complications can strike without warning—sending pregnancies into a crisis overnight. For women like Lindsay who are healthy and don’t have risk factors for complications like preeclampsia, the experience is harrowing and surreal in what should be the most joyous time of a parent’s life. It’s unacceptable for so many women, families, and doctors that the U.S. lags behind every major industrialized nation in addressing the maternal health crisis. It’s heartbreaking that 20% of pregnant women experience the crisis of a pregnancy complication. It creates trauma—long-term physical and mental health impacts on women—and also influences children’s health outcomes. A prenatal model designed 100 years ago As investment has lagged in obstetrics and pregnancy health, the prenatal care model for mothers’ health has remained largely unchanged over the past 100 years. Yet, rates of complications like preeclampsia continue to rise and preterm birth is at the highest level it has ever been in the U.S. We must understand what’s going on biologically in pregnancy to reverse these trends. In the absence of biologically-driven approaches, overstretched and underresourced OB/GYNs and care teams have had to rely on generalized characteristics and demographics. Those include age, BMI, race, and socioeconomic status, to try to identify who may be at risk for pregnancy complications. The U.S. Preventative Services Taskforce guidelines define these as moderate risk factors. Unfortunately, 80% of pregnancies have at least one of these moderate risk factors, making it a poor indicator of who is truly at high risk for preeclampsia. It’s no wonder that patients, clinicians, and care teams have little guidance on where to focus to create a personalized care plan to reduce preeclampsia risk. Some who have no risk factors end up developing severe forms of preeclampsia, and most with moderate risk factors have normal, uneventful pregnancies. The status quo isn’t working. Women deserve better. Moms deserve better. Families deserve better. We need to understand the biology of women and their pregnancy journey if we want to make progress in understanding how to more precisely prevent, treat, and manage diseases that impact women. A new era of pregnancy health To create healthier futures for moms and babies, we need scientific advancements to better understand what’s happening in pregnancy so we can prevent crises caused by complications and preterm birth before they happen. This idea is not new, of course. Five-year survival rates for breast cancer went from a toss-up to around 90% once we brought to bear the scientific understanding of breast cancer’s molecular drivers. Mirvie’s foundational, first-of-its-kind study uncovers insights we never knew about pregnancy. We examined the biology of nearly 11,000 diverse pregnancies from women enrolled across the United States and collected thousands of RNA transcripts and hundreds of clinical details from each patient, translating into millions of data points. Using this rich dataset, combined with advanced machine learning, Mirvie has identified unique molecular signatures to predict the risk of preeclampsia, preterm birth, and severe fetal growth restriction, months in advance. What does this mean for clinicians? Physicians and care teams can move away from generalized risk factors and move toward a personalized care approach driven by a precision understanding of the disease. By identifying care plans and monitoring methods for the right patients at the right time, clinicians and care teams can create better outcomes for mom and baby. Personalized medicine is the standard of care in fields like oncology and cardiology. Being able to finally understand which pregnancies are truly at high risk for complications based on one’s biology can allow women to plan ahead and do everything possible prevent dangerous complications like preeclampsia by adhering to evidence-based strategies like taking daily aspirin, monitoring blood pressure regularly, and incorporating lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Then we can potentially prevent disease, near-death experiences, long NICU stays, and trauma. With this type of information, we can shift toward personalized patient care and precision medicine by developing new, targeted therapies in the future. At a molecular level, we are closer to understanding who’s most at-risk for pregnancy complications and how biology impacts those at highest risk. Similar to the breakthroughs made in breast cancer in the 1990s, obstetrics can move towards a new standard of care steeped in biology, tailoring care and treatment based on the molecular characteristics of each pregnancy. What gives me hope is that by finally being able to predict the risk of complications like preeclampsia, we can usher in a new standard of care that is preventive, and reverse course on the maternal health crisis. Maneesh Jain is cofounder and CEO of Mirvie. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. View the full article

Today, no matter where you are in the world, it’s not unusual to find yourself working alongside an analyst from Amsterdam, a strategist from San Francisco, or a designer from Dubai. As companies look increasingly further afield for workers, they unlock a range of benefits—from wider talent pools that make it easier to find specialized talent to the injection of new perspectives that offer insights into diverse customer bases. While most business leaders agree that developing the right workplace model is crucial to their company’s success, only 24% feel their organization is actually ready to fully embrace a distributed workforce. The list of potential reasons for this is long. Common worries include navigating different cultures, time zones, legal requirements, and compliance hurdles. We recently investigated how these problems manifest at each stage of the employee lifecycle—hiring, onboarding, and management. Here’s what we discovered about the challenges of managing global teams, and the solutions. The challenges of a global workforce There are three main areas of difficulty facing distributed organizations. Operating on a global scale Traditional methods of hiring global workers, such as opening legal entities, are clunky and costly. Managing compliance across the globe is no joke—navigating laws across multiple countries increases chances of misclassification penalties and other legal troubles—which is why more companies are pivoting to an employer of record (EOR) solution. Creating a unified team Building teams across multiple countries comes with logistical and cultural hurdles. Clear communication is much harder than it might be in person, especially with workers operating in different time zones. This means global HR teams must create robust internal communication policies and guidelines to help teams stay engaged and in-the-loop. Leading from a distance Global workforce management is the ultimate test of leadership qualities. Employees with different cultural backgrounds may have varying communication styles, work expectations, and even attitudes towards hierarchy. If managers aren’t sufficiently aware of and sensitive to these differences, morale-draining misunderstandings and conflict are oftentimes the result. These are thorny, intertwined problems, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be solved. Here are some concrete solutions that you can use to support your own workforce. Operate on a global scale Operating on a global scale is not purely a problem. Indeed, it’s one of the main draws of building a global workforce in the first place. A distributed team can cater to a global client base, with sales and customer service staff online to close deals at all hours and offer 24/7 support. The challenge is that operating round the clock introduces significant potential for silos between regions. As a survey revealed, working across different time zones ranks among the top five challenges of remote work. Helping managers maintain seamless collaboration and customer engagement despite time zone differences means setting clear expectations around communication. For instance, businesses should embrace forms of communication that don’t require individuals to be simultaneously present, such as pre-recorded videos or shared kick-off documents. And if you’re a global organization, you should act like it. Recognize the time zone burden and rotate meeting times, rather than defaulting to the time zone of a manager or a large office. Create a unified team Nailing communication isn’t just good for operations—it’s at the core of any effective team. How can an organization function if its people don’t know what everyone else is doing? Little wonder that a study from McKinsey found that companies with effective internal communication can boost productivity by as much as 25%. But good communication is especially key in distributed environments, requiring extra effort on the part of everyone. Among distributed teams, communication has to be intentional—whether it’s via email, a video call, or a chat message. Crucially, a good communicator knows not only when to communicate, but how to limit non-essential noise. That means limiting participants in a meeting to only those who truly need to be there, or finding the right medium to communicate a specific point—a video, for instance. Lead from a distance Leadership looks different in a global company, and those with experience working in a culture different from their own have a clear advantage. Such people will naturally have gained the ability to navigate cultural differences and demonstrate self-awareness regarding their own biases. One study found that 89% of people who worked abroad said it improved their ability to work well with people from other countries and cultures. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be taught, however. It’s a skill that anyone can learn with the right framework of encouraging self-awareness and modeling the behaviors that make global teams a success. For instance, small demonstrations of leadership can mean a lot to workers, showing that managers care about them as people, not just commodities. It’s worth brushing up on headlines for the location of the person that you’re about to talk to and understanding what might be happening around them. From challenge to advantage While there are difficulties to operating a distributed team, all can be turned into positives. By prioritizing communication, cultural understanding, and self-awareness, you can unlock the full power of a global workforce. Sagar Khatri is cofounder and CEO of Multiplier. The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. 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