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Across job listing sites over the past few months, you might have noticed something curious. Alongside traditional titles like “designer,” “engineer,” and “product manager,” a new crop of roles is appearing. They have names like “designer engineer,” “builder,” or “design crafter,” and they represent a tipping point in the design industry that’s just beginning to play out. That tipping point is captured in the second annual AI in Design report, published by the investor firm Designer Fund and the venture capital firm Foundation Capital. This year’s report draws on a survey of over 900 designers across 60+ countries, including partners like Stripe, Framer, Linear, Notion, Sierra, Shopify, and Anthropic. According to Ben Blumenrose, the managing partner of Designer Fund, last year’s inaugural survey showed that designers were beginning to experiment with artificial intelligence. Just a year later, it’s become integral in nearly every designers’ workflow—and it’s rewriting the definition of “designer.” “For the past two decades, the way we built software was the same for the most part,” Blumenrose says. “Someone came up with a concept of what they wanted to build, they’d work with a PM [project manager] to figure that out, they’d bring on a designer to give the visuals to that thing, then pass it to the engineer to build.” Today, he explains, AI is rewriting the process. “We’ve started seeing that there’s a shift. It’s happening quickly, and it’s quite big,” he says. Ultimately, Blumenrose says the data shows that the concept of a “designer” is getting blurrier, but at the same time, it’s a role that’s more important than ever. New year, new tools Over the past year, the design industry has undergone a paradigm shift in how it views the utility of AI. Where AI tools were once viewed as assistants for brainstorming and ideation, they’re now integrated into nearly every part of the design process. In the 2025 report, only 54% of AI in Design survey respondents said that they were using AI more than once a week. This year, 91% of respondents reported using it multiple times a week or every day. “I think we almost forget how quickly this has taken over and become a staple of our day-to-day work,” Blumenrose says, adding, “AI shifted from enhancing a few parts of the process to being instrumental in almost every part of it.” A greater reliance on AI tools among designers has also meant that tool stacks are becoming more complex. Whereas designers in 2025 used an average of three AI tools, that figure more than doubled to seven in 2026. And, following the release of Anthropic’s Claude Code last October, Claude overtook ChatGPT as designers’ favorite general AI tool: 78% of respondents used Claude, compared with 65% for ChatGPT. Almost two-thirds of overall respondents—65%—reported using Claude Code, which due to its recent debut wasn’t even a part of the 2025 survey. Other popular tools include Figma (a favorite for design-specific tasks), Cursor (for coding), and AI notetakers like Otter and Fathom. Many design teams are moving beyond the existing tools on the market and opting to build their own bespoke, internal AI systems. The survey data shows that 63% of designers at enterprises reported using internal company-built AI tools, compared with just 13% of designers at startups. Robyn Park, Designer Fund’s head of platform, says her team has found that these types of niche investments in AI are leading teams to begin instituting new learning rituals to keep up with the pace of change. That could mean more weekly check-ins, specific mentorship programs, and devoted AI-centric days (Stripe calls these “AI-cation days”). “Inevitably, if you just keep going this direction, more designers are going to spend time building their own stuff in their own tools,” Park says. “I think a lot of design leaders are realizing that and creating more space to get together.” How AI is changing what it means to be a designer As use of AI tools broadens among designers, so does the definition of “designer.” Today, the survey found, many designers are using AI to expand into areas of software development that would previously have been categorized as work for engineers. Fully 50% of designers reported shipping AI-generated code to production. Park explains that they’re using tools like Figma or Claude Code to code elements like motion graphics, back-end systems, and in-app tools that are making it into their products’ final interfaces. For context, Blumenrose says, that would’ve been almost unheard of two years ago, when coding and visual design were considered distinctly siloed skill sets. “If you told someone at a tech company two years ago that half of working designers would ship code to production, they couldn’t even fathom it,” Blumenrose says. “They’d say, ‘What are you talking about?’ It used to be that only the top 0.1%, 0.5% of designers that were truly, truly technical and very savvy could do that. For the most part, 99% of designers didn’t even have the login credentials to do that.” Steve Vassallo, general partner at Foundation Capital, says he’s noticed that at the hiring stage, Foundation Capital’s companies are now looking for designers who show up with prototypes built through AI. They want to see that candidates are able to implement these skills right away, not just via mock-ups. Park at Designer Fund adds that companies may also be seeking candidates with side projects where they’ve demonstrated “AI fluency” by using multiple tools throughout their AI workflows, often including shipping code to production. As expectations for designers become more all-encompassing, organizational structures are lagging to catch up. Only 28% of leaders surveyed for AI in Design said they’d implemented formal changes in their organizations, while just 13% of leader respondents had updated their performance review metrics or hiring practices. The rise of AI design Frankenjobs Blumenrose predicts that the broadening and blurring of “designer,” “engineer,” and “product manager” categories will mean individuals have to become domain experts who master a niche in their category to guide the rest of the team. Motion designers, for example, will need to dive even deeper into the craft of motion elements while also adopting a wider AI-based toolset. At the same time, he says, the AI-powered design shift is likely to spawn its own new batch of position titles. This is a shift that’s in its early stages, but already appears to be emerging in glimpses. The report found that positions like “UX designer” or “UI designer” have faded out in favor of descriptors like “product designer” or “designer engineer” that indicate a broader skillset. Some companies, Blumenrose explains, are also considering design-centric positions dedicated to streamlining a company’s AI workflows and building bespoke tools—a concept he calls the “AI imagineer.” “We’re already seeing titles like ‘deployed engineer,’ ‘designer engineer,’ ‘design builder,’ or just ‘builder,’” Blumenrose says. “We’re going to come up with terms for someone who has depth in one thing, but also these two or three other skills, in the next three, six, nine, 12 months.” Why designers are more important today than ever before In an era when the definition of “designer” is blurring and broadening, some have argued that the entire role is becoming obsolete. But Blumenrose believes the data from AI in Design tells the opposite story. As AI tools make it easier to bring an idea from prototype to production, the role of the designer becomes even more integral. “Designers were starting to question, ‘Where in this process do I fit?’” Blumenrose says. “What we saw was that the designer becomes more important in this world, because there’s more software.” With more software comes a need for more systems thinking, more empathy, and more taste-making—essentially, more guardrails to ensure that the final software is genuinely helpful for the end user. “What you are responsible for as a designer is shifting and changing,” Blumenrose says. “But that does not mean that we need fewer designers. We need more designers, and they need to do things differently than they did. If we evolve, we should be a very key part of building software for the next 10, 15 years.” View the full article

The Eva Longoria Foundation announced a $1 million investment in UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) to support long-term, data-driven solutions that integrate leadership development and narrative change within Latino communities. “This grant is going to fund a lot of the economic research and policy work for Latina entrepreneurs, because we need to know what our economic power is,” Longoria said at the Inc. Founders House Los Angeles. Through this partnership, the foundation will fund a three-year initiative aimed at advancing Latina economic mobility by generating data on Latina entrepreneurs and workers and the barriers they face to building wealth, while also training leaders and shifting public understanding of Latina economic power. Additionally, LPPI plans to establish a Latina Entrepreneurship Advisory Group and host Policy Pláticas to connect research with community leaders and decision-makers, while also supporting the next generation through fellowships, mentorship, graduate research opportunities, and communications training. Longoria is an actress, producer, and entrepreneur best known for her breakout role on Desperate Housewives. She’s become a prominent advocate for the Latino community and was among Inc.’s 2023 Female Founders honorees. In 2012, she founded the Eva Longoria Foundation to support innovative solutions that accelerate economic opportunity, civic participation, and cultural influence for Latinas. Its work spans expanding access to careers, creating pathways in the entertainment industry, and building a world where Latinas are equitably represented both on and off screen. While its programs are tailored specifically for Latina women, the foundation believes that empowering them creates a ripple effect that benefits their families and broader communities. She is no stranger to this work, having long sought out ways to uplift her community. “My master’s degree thesis was the basis of the foundation, which is helping Latinas reach their full potential through entrepreneurial programs,” she said. Her dedication has not gone unnoticed, as she was also the recipient of the Jeff Bezos Courage and Civility $50 million award. Investing in people over products When it comes to investing, Longoria has said she bets on people rather than products. Her investment in Siete Foods, for instance, was driven by a personal connection to the family behind the brand and a shared Mexican American heritage. This same instinct guided her partnership with LPPI, whose director, Amada Armenta, PhD, is also Mexican American—a connection that felt natural to Longoria. Additionally, the institute is currently entering a new chapter under Armenta’s leadership alongside deputy director Lila Burgos. Despite driving significant economic growth and contributing $4.1 trillion to U.S. GDP in 2023, the Latino community continues to face steep barriers around wages, wealth, and opportunity. According to the LPPI, Latinas are the lowest-paid workers in the country, and Latino households hold a disproportionately small share of U.S. wealth relative to their roughly 20 percent share of the population. Longoria says she is focused on filling these gaps, and those left by the current administration’s cutbacks, to ensure that vulnerable communities don’t get left behind in the process. “A lot of DEI programs are gone. A lot of programs for women are gone,” she said. “And these were viable pipelines for people to gain access to, to jobs and job training. And so using that money through all the programs that I’ve talked about, but also to make sure that nobody falls through the cracks.” Securing a seat at the table for 2026 and beyond With major economic events on the horizon—specifically the 2027 Super Bowl, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the initiative aims to ensure Latinas are not sidelined from the economic opportunities these moments will generate. That urgency is what drives the partnership, Longoria said: “Trying to understand and research this juggernaut of an economic force and really hoping to turn this study into tools for economic mobility for Latinos.” —Amaya Nichole This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister website, Inc.com. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

Google has released the first major update to the search bar, the search box, ever - Google is calling it the intelligent Search box. We saw variations of this being tested over the past year, and now it is officially rolling out - as per Liz Reid, Google's Head of Search, via Google I/O.View the full article

Google Search is now using Gemini 3.5 Flash to power AI Mode globally and also there are several new agentic features in and coming to Google Search. These agentic features include information agents, agentic coding, personal intelligence is expanding and Universal Cart, UCP and AP2.View the full article

Google is now testing adding the Preferred Sources label in the AI Mode links and citations. It is unclear if Google is showing this link in this AI Mode response because it is a preferred source or if it is just labeling it, and it would show the source anyway - does that make sense?View the full article

In today’s competitive environment, managing finances and inventory efficiently is essential for small businesses. Choosing the right accounting and inventory management software can streamline operations, reduce errors, and save time. With a variety of options available, it’s important to understand what each software offers and how it fits your specific needs. From robust features to user-friendly interfaces, you’ll want to explore the top contenders that can enhance your business operations. Let’s examine these standout solutions. Key Takeaways Intuit QuickBooks Online offers robust inventory management and customizable reporting, making it ideal for small businesses needing comprehensive accounting solutions. FreshBooks provides easy invoicing and expense tracking at competitive prices, perfect for service-based small businesses. Wave delivers strong accounting capabilities for free, though users should be aware of transaction fees on payments. Zoho Books is an affordable option with generous automation features, catering to small businesses looking for efficiency. EasyReplenish enhances inventory management with AI-powered demand forecasting, making it suitable for businesses focusing on stock optimization. Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses When searching for the best accounting software for small businesses, what features should you prioritize? It’s essential to contemplate an accounting and inventory management software for small business that integrates both functions seamlessly. Intuit QuickBooks Online is a top choice, offering robust inventory management features and customizable reports, perfect for businesses selling products and services. If you’re focused on service-based work, FreshBooks provides easy invoicing and expense tracking at a competitive price. For those on a tight budget, Wave offers strong accounting capabilities for free, though it has transaction fees. On the other hand, Zoho Books is affordable with generous automation features. If advanced inventory tracking is your priority, Sage 50 Accounting stands out, though it may be complex for smaller businesses. In the end, prioritize solutions that streamline inventory tracking software for small business needs while additionally offering simple inventory management software functionalities to improve efficiency. Top Inventory Management Software Options Selecting the right inventory management software is crucial for small businesses aiming to streamline operations and improve efficiency. For the best inventory management software for small businesses, consider EasyReplenish, which stands out with AI-powered demand forecasting and automated replenishment features. Zoho Inventory is a budget-friendly choice, offering a free plan that covers basic inventory tracking and integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps. If you prefer a user-friendly interface, inFlow Inventory provides a versatile stock management system for small business, available in both desktop and cloud formats, complete with barcode scanning and reporting capabilities. Square for Retail is another affordable option customized for Square POS users, featuring a free plan that addresses vital inventory needs. Finally, free inventory control software options like Odoo Community Edition provide basic tracking but may lack advanced features necessary for scaling your business effectively. Features to Look for in Accounting Software After exploring top inventory management software options, it’s important to contemplate the features that Intuit accounting software should offer to support your small business. Look for solutions that automate income and expense tracking, giving you real-time visibility without the hassle of manual data entry. Customizable invoicing and online payment options are important, as they speed up payments and improve client relationships. Prioritize software with robust reporting capabilities, providing insights into cash flow and profitability, even if you’re not an accounting expert. Confirm the software supports multi-currency transactions and integrates well with other tools, like CRM and simple inventory tracking software, to streamline your operations. Moreover, mobile access is crucial for on-the-go invoicing and expense tracking, allowing you to manage your finances anytime, anywhere. This will help you choose the best inventory management system for small business needs while simplifying your accounting processes. Benefits of Inventory Control Software Effective inventory control software is essential for small businesses looking to improve their operational efficiency. By enhancing stock visibility across multiple sales channels, you can track inventory levels in real-time, preventing stockouts or overstocking. The best inventory control software for small business often includes automated reordering features, streamlining your inventory management and reducing the risk of human error in manual tracking processes. With data-driven insights and demand forecasting, this software supports better cash flow management, helping you optimize stock levels to meet customer demand. Many systems integrate seamlessly with POS systems and e-commerce platforms, creating a cohesive operational workflow that simplifies order fulfillment and tracking. Implementing simple inventory control software or a barcode inventory system for small business can greatly improve overall efficiency, allowing you to focus on growth during minimizing losses from misplaced or double-sold items. How to Choose the Right Software for Your Business How can you guarantee you choose the right software for your business? Start by evaluating your business size and specific needs, as different inventory programs for small businesses cater to various industries. Compare pricing structures and features to find solutions within your budget—options like Zoho Books and FreshBooks offer flexible plans. Evaluate the integration capabilities of the software, ensuring it connects seamlessly with your existing sales channels and payment processors. Look for user-friendly interfaces, especially if you prefer simple stock management software, as well as considering customer support options. Free trials, such as a 30-day trial for FreshBooks, allow you to test functionality before committing. In the end, selecting the best inventory control software involves balancing your operational requirements with available features, ensuring you choose an effective invoice and inventory software solution that fits your business model. Frequently Asked Questions Which Accounting Software Is Best for Inventory Management? When considering accounting software for inventory management, it’s crucial to evaluate features like real-time tracking, multi-currency support, and integration capabilities. Xero stands out with its collaboration features and extensive app integrations, whereas QuickBooks Online offers advanced tracking across various sales channels. Zoho Books, paired with Zoho Inventory, provides automation at an affordable price. For more complex needs, Sage 50 Accounting is thorough. Finally, Wave is a cost-effective solution for freelancers and smaller operations. What Is the Best Inventory Management Software for Small Business? When choosing the best inventory management software for your small business, consider your specific needs. EasyReplenish stands out with AI-driven forecasting and automation. If budget’s a concern, Zoho Inventory offers a free plan and integrates well with other apps. For simplicity, inFlow Inventory is user-friendly, whereas Square for Retail provides a free option for Square POS users. Be cautious, though; free software often lacks advanced features necessary for growing businesses. What Is the Best Software to Use for a Small Business? For small businesses, the best software depends on your specific needs. If you focus on accounting, Intuit QuickBooks Online offers robust features and customization for $38/month. For service-oriented businesses, FreshBooks is user-friendly and starts at $19/month. If you want a free option, consider Wave, which provides basic accounting tools. Xero and Zoho Books likewise offer solid features, with plans starting at $25 and $15/month, respectively, and are great for growing businesses. What Is Better and Easier Than Quickbooks? If you’re looking for alternatives to QuickBooks that are easier to use, consider FreshBooks for its user-friendly interface and strong customer support. Wave is a budget-friendly option, especially for microbusinesses, offering crucial features at no cost. Zoho Books stands out with its automation tools and generous free plan. Xero’s flexibility with unlimited users and extensive app integrations makes it a great choice for collaborative teams. Each of these options has unique strengths customized to different business needs. Conclusion Choosing the right accounting and inventory management software is essential for your small business’s success. Each option, from QuickBooks Online to inFlow Inventory, offers unique features customized to different needs. By identifying the specific requirements of your business, such as invoicing capabilities or inventory tracking, you can select software that improves efficiency and accuracy. Investing time in this decision will ultimately lead to enhanced financial management and streamlined operations, setting a solid foundation for your business’s growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Accounting and Inventory Management Software for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive environment, managing finances and inventory efficiently is essential for small businesses. Choosing the right accounting and inventory management software can streamline operations, reduce errors, and save time. With a variety of options available, it’s important to understand what each software offers and how it fits your specific needs. From robust features to user-friendly interfaces, you’ll want to explore the top contenders that can enhance your business operations. Let’s examine these standout solutions. Key Takeaways Intuit QuickBooks Online offers robust inventory management and customizable reporting, making it ideal for small businesses needing comprehensive accounting solutions. FreshBooks provides easy invoicing and expense tracking at competitive prices, perfect for service-based small businesses. Wave delivers strong accounting capabilities for free, though users should be aware of transaction fees on payments. Zoho Books is an affordable option with generous automation features, catering to small businesses looking for efficiency. EasyReplenish enhances inventory management with AI-powered demand forecasting, making it suitable for businesses focusing on stock optimization. Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses When searching for the best accounting software for small businesses, what features should you prioritize? It’s essential to contemplate an accounting and inventory management software for small business that integrates both functions seamlessly. Intuit QuickBooks Online is a top choice, offering robust inventory management features and customizable reports, perfect for businesses selling products and services. If you’re focused on service-based work, FreshBooks provides easy invoicing and expense tracking at a competitive price. For those on a tight budget, Wave offers strong accounting capabilities for free, though it has transaction fees. On the other hand, Zoho Books is affordable with generous automation features. If advanced inventory tracking is your priority, Sage 50 Accounting stands out, though it may be complex for smaller businesses. In the end, prioritize solutions that streamline inventory tracking software for small business needs while additionally offering simple inventory management software functionalities to improve efficiency. Top Inventory Management Software Options Selecting the right inventory management software is crucial for small businesses aiming to streamline operations and improve efficiency. For the best inventory management software for small businesses, consider EasyReplenish, which stands out with AI-powered demand forecasting and automated replenishment features. Zoho Inventory is a budget-friendly choice, offering a free plan that covers basic inventory tracking and integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps. If you prefer a user-friendly interface, inFlow Inventory provides a versatile stock management system for small business, available in both desktop and cloud formats, complete with barcode scanning and reporting capabilities. Square for Retail is another affordable option customized for Square POS users, featuring a free plan that addresses vital inventory needs. Finally, free inventory control software options like Odoo Community Edition provide basic tracking but may lack advanced features necessary for scaling your business effectively. Features to Look for in Accounting Software After exploring top inventory management software options, it’s important to contemplate the features that Intuit accounting software should offer to support your small business. Look for solutions that automate income and expense tracking, giving you real-time visibility without the hassle of manual data entry. Customizable invoicing and online payment options are important, as they speed up payments and improve client relationships. Prioritize software with robust reporting capabilities, providing insights into cash flow and profitability, even if you’re not an accounting expert. Confirm the software supports multi-currency transactions and integrates well with other tools, like CRM and simple inventory tracking software, to streamline your operations. Moreover, mobile access is crucial for on-the-go invoicing and expense tracking, allowing you to manage your finances anytime, anywhere. This will help you choose the best inventory management system for small business needs while simplifying your accounting processes. Benefits of Inventory Control Software Effective inventory control software is essential for small businesses looking to improve their operational efficiency. By enhancing stock visibility across multiple sales channels, you can track inventory levels in real-time, preventing stockouts or overstocking. The best inventory control software for small business often includes automated reordering features, streamlining your inventory management and reducing the risk of human error in manual tracking processes. With data-driven insights and demand forecasting, this software supports better cash flow management, helping you optimize stock levels to meet customer demand. Many systems integrate seamlessly with POS systems and e-commerce platforms, creating a cohesive operational workflow that simplifies order fulfillment and tracking. Implementing simple inventory control software or a barcode inventory system for small business can greatly improve overall efficiency, allowing you to focus on growth during minimizing losses from misplaced or double-sold items. How to Choose the Right Software for Your Business How can you guarantee you choose the right software for your business? Start by evaluating your business size and specific needs, as different inventory programs for small businesses cater to various industries. Compare pricing structures and features to find solutions within your budget—options like Zoho Books and FreshBooks offer flexible plans. Evaluate the integration capabilities of the software, ensuring it connects seamlessly with your existing sales channels and payment processors. Look for user-friendly interfaces, especially if you prefer simple stock management software, as well as considering customer support options. Free trials, such as a 30-day trial for FreshBooks, allow you to test functionality before committing. In the end, selecting the best inventory control software involves balancing your operational requirements with available features, ensuring you choose an effective invoice and inventory software solution that fits your business model. Frequently Asked Questions Which Accounting Software Is Best for Inventory Management? When considering accounting software for inventory management, it’s crucial to evaluate features like real-time tracking, multi-currency support, and integration capabilities. Xero stands out with its collaboration features and extensive app integrations, whereas QuickBooks Online offers advanced tracking across various sales channels. Zoho Books, paired with Zoho Inventory, provides automation at an affordable price. For more complex needs, Sage 50 Accounting is thorough. Finally, Wave is a cost-effective solution for freelancers and smaller operations. What Is the Best Inventory Management Software for Small Business? When choosing the best inventory management software for your small business, consider your specific needs. EasyReplenish stands out with AI-driven forecasting and automation. If budget’s a concern, Zoho Inventory offers a free plan and integrates well with other apps. For simplicity, inFlow Inventory is user-friendly, whereas Square for Retail provides a free option for Square POS users. Be cautious, though; free software often lacks advanced features necessary for growing businesses. What Is the Best Software to Use for a Small Business? For small businesses, the best software depends on your specific needs. If you focus on accounting, Intuit QuickBooks Online offers robust features and customization for $38/month. For service-oriented businesses, FreshBooks is user-friendly and starts at $19/month. If you want a free option, consider Wave, which provides basic accounting tools. Xero and Zoho Books likewise offer solid features, with plans starting at $25 and $15/month, respectively, and are great for growing businesses. What Is Better and Easier Than Quickbooks? If you’re looking for alternatives to QuickBooks that are easier to use, consider FreshBooks for its user-friendly interface and strong customer support. Wave is a budget-friendly option, especially for microbusinesses, offering crucial features at no cost. Zoho Books stands out with its automation tools and generous free plan. Xero’s flexibility with unlimited users and extensive app integrations makes it a great choice for collaborative teams. Each of these options has unique strengths customized to different business needs. Conclusion Choosing the right accounting and inventory management software is essential for your small business’s success. Each option, from QuickBooks Online to inFlow Inventory, offers unique features customized to different needs. By identifying the specific requirements of your business, such as invoicing capabilities or inventory tracking, you can select software that improves efficiency and accuracy. Investing time in this decision will ultimately lead to enhanced financial management and streamlined operations, setting a solid foundation for your business’s growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Accounting and Inventory Management Software for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google added the hasAdultConsideration property to the Merchant listing and Product variant documentation, and it is now officially supported and listed as a recommended property for both Merchant listing and Product variant structured data with Google Search.View the full article

Microsoft Advertising announced its monthly releases, and they include updates to the import center, cross-account portfolio bidding, bidding strategy reports, and custom column conversion metrics (that one we covered earlier).View the full article

Unilever's 300,000-creator network plus 71% of creators using AI tools equals a content machine at unprecedented scale. The real question: Will any of it work? The post Can A 300,000-Influencer Network Built On AI-Generated Content Work? appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

New data from the recent Storyblok Global Speed-to-Market Benchmark Report reveals the biggest causes and costs of slow go-to-market (GTM) delivery today — with tech limitations at the center of the problem. The world has shifted gears in recent years, and the pace of change has accelerated beyond anything we’ve experienced before. Rapid advances in AI and technology, combined with the constant emergence of new digital channels and trends, have transformed GTM delivery. Customer and organizational expectations are clear: deliver great work fast or lose out. The problem is that while speed-to-market expectations are skyrocketing, only 22.5% of teams say they consistently deliver at the pace the market demands. That gap between intention and execution is clear. So, what’s slowing teams down? In the Global Speed-to-Market Benchmark survey, hundreds of GTM teams shared where the go-to-market process is slowing down — or, in some cases, stalling completely — what’s causing the delays, and what it takes to achieve true speed-to-market today. Here’s what they had to say. The bottlenecks sabotaging GTM velocity Four major bottlenecks stood out in the survey findings — and each one traces back to a technology limitation or dependency. 1. The approval process The approval process is the single biggest bottleneck in the GTM workflow, cited by more than 50% of teams. More than half go through three or more rounds of content revisions, and nearly one in five endure five or more. This rigorous review process isn’t necessarily driven by high standards. More often, it’s the result of stacks fragmentation. When feedback is scattered across tools, with no single source of truth, unclear sign-off ownership, and no firm deadlines, reviews become the bottleneck that quietly kills momentum. It’s as much a technology failure as a process failure — and one that adds significant unnecessary time to the GTM process. A well-configured CMS is often the most effective fix here — and for GTM campaign delivery, that increasingly means a headless CMS. Because content is decoupled from presentation, a headless CMS stores everything in a single structured repository every stakeholder (marketers, developers, legal, and others) can review. No version confusion. Just one content record for every reviewer. Pair that with a built-in visual editor and in-app commenting, and you remove two of the biggest friction points in content review. Stakeholders can comment on specific elements while seeing exactly what will go live, and feedback stays centralized and trackable instead of scattered across inboxes and tools. The takeaway The report data supports that conclusion: only 50% of teams say their CMS even somewhat supports speedy go-to-market. For MarTech leaders auditing their stack, the content review layer deserves the same scrutiny as automation platforms and analytics infrastructure if faster, more accurate delivery is the goal. 2. Overreliance on developers Thirty-eight percent of marketing and digital teams need developer support for most or every campaign, according to the survey. More than a third of developers spend between a quarter and half of their working time supporting GTM campaigns. And 42% say their tech platform makes that support more complex than necessary. When publishing a landing page, updating campaign assets, or changing a simple content block requires a developer ticket, two things happen: marketers lose speed and developers lose focus. Neither team can work at its best, and every launch takes longer than it should. The takeaway The solution isn’t to give marketers and other teams access to the entire tech stack and codebase. It’s to build a stack that lets each team operate independently where they should. For marketing teams, that means owning the work that’s fundamentally theirs: building campaign pages, updating content, publishing launches, and managing assets. For developers, it means getting time back to focus on high-value technical work. Once again, this is where a headless CMS proves its value for teams trying to improve speed-to-market. Decoupling content from code gives marketing teams a dedicated space to create, edit, and publish without touching the underlying codebase. Developers define the structure, marketers own the content, and launches no longer depend on developer support every time. 3. Compounding tech limitations This finding comes as no surprise based on the data so far. Nearly a third of GTM teams cite tech limitations as a major cause of slow delivery. The main issues are complex deployment processes (39%), tool integration problems (25%), and fragmented or outdated systems (14%). What makes this bottleneck especially costly is how invisible it can be. Missed deadlines get flagged. Approval delays get escalated. But tech limitations build quietly as developers create workarounds, marketers wait on tickets, and teams start accepting that “this is just how long it takes.” The takeaway A thorough audit of where tech limitations are slowing speed-to-market — especially in the areas above — is critical for GTM teams today, along with evaluating alternatives that can support modern delivery demands. The data is clear: a team can only move as fast as its technology allows. 4. Post-launch firefighting: The hidden speed tax Even when teams get campaigns out the door, the work often isn’t finished. Post-launch fixes affect 79% of teams at least some of the time. When projects go live with errors, the fallout is immediate and public: broken user experiences, compromised results, and developers pulled away from planned work to firefight. For teams already over-reliant on developers to publish anything, this is where the damage compounds. Fragmented, outdated tooling often makes developers the critical path for every GTM launch, and when post-launch fixes pile onto that workload, ticket queues back up fast. The takeaway The teams that break the cycle address the source of the problem: the tech stack — and especially the CMS. A headless CMS reduces risk by letting teams implement and preview content changes independently of the codebase, so code updates can’t accidentally break page layouts, and what gets approved is exactly what goes live. The result is fewer surprises, faster delivery, and more time spent running campaigns instead of fixing them. The cost of slow GTM delivery The Global Speed-to-Market Benchmark survey examined the causes and costs of slow speed-to-market. The data is clear: Lost revenue (22%) Missed market opportunities (18%) Reduced marketing effectiveness (15%) These three leading consequences are already affecting most GTM teams, with nearly half saying their competitors are moving faster than they are. At the same time, only 22.5% feel they consistently deliver at the speed today’s market demands. The data shows teams are already feeling the impact of these issues — and the cost of slow delivery doesn’t stop there. It affects your people, too. The gap between what teams are capable of and what their processes and tech stacks allow them to deliver can become a quiet, persistent source of disengagement. It often leads to lower morale and growing frustration across teams, creating real retention risks — reflected in the 58% of developers considering leaving their jobs because of inadequate or outdated tech stacks. An emerging leadership alignment gap A key conclusion from the report was the clear misalignment between leadership priorities and the investment needed to execute them. Fifty-six percent of executives rate speed-to-market as important or mission-critical to growth. Yet only 36.5% of respondents believe senior leadership is doing enough to support and improve it. The urgency is there, but the commitment to enabling delivery often isn’t. But data changes that conversation. When bottlenecks are identified, quantified, and tied directly to revenue risk and competitive disadvantage, speed-to-market stops being an abstract priority and becomes a concrete business case. For leadership, that means knowing where to act. For GTM teams, it means having the evidence and focus needed to drive meaningful improvements. How to close the speed-to-market gap Most of the bottlenecks and consequences in this article and report aren’t new. What’s changed is the cost of ignoring them. In a market where AI has compressed timelines, audience expectations are sky-high, and competitors are moving faster, a slow or fragmented tech stack is no longer just an inconvenience — it’s a strategic liability. The teams consistently hitting the market at the right speed aren’t doing it by working harder or hiring bigger teams. They’ve built a tech foundation that creates confidence, autonomy, and efficiency across the organization. Marketers own their work, developers are freed from constant GTM tickets, stakeholders know exactly what will go live, and the entire process becomes easier. The full Storyblok Global Speed-to-Market Benchmark Report details the complete data, analysis, and a practical framework for closing the speed-to-market gap. View the full article

The persuasive power of platforms like YouTube has long been apparent. It’s why the The President campaign, for instance, bought out the masthead ad space at the top of YouTube 20 times during the 2020 election cycle, including an audacious buyout on Election Day. But the platform’s algorithm can also be politically persuasive. A new study published in the Cornell University repository arXiv suggests YouTube’s recommendation system actively directs male and female users into vastly different political information environments, even when their initial political interests are identical. Researchers deployed 160 automated social bots: 80 programmed with what the researchers called male-coded viewing habits like sports and gaming, and 80 with female-coded habits like style and vlogs. Both groups were given the exact same baseline interest in YouTube’s News & Politics category. (The authors did not respond to an interview request; among the questions we would have asked was how reliable it is to stereotype viewing habits this way.) The bots then completed 150 consecutive interaction steps so that researchers could track where the recommendation algorithm led them. While female-coded accounts actually encountered a higher overall volume of political videos, the kinds of issues recommended diverged sharply depending on whether the account displayed male- or female-coded habits. Male-coded profiles were disproportionately funneled toward a narrow set of confrontational domestic issues, including law, crime, and defense. They were also pushed heavily toward state-power entities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Justice. In contrast, female-coded accounts were presented with a broader, more moderate mix of macroeconomic and lifestyle-related public policy topics, including international affairs, culture, and the arts. Female-coded profiles also received significantly more neutral political content, while male-coded profiles were shown more polarizing videos. “YouTube is one of the most widely used platforms on the planet, yet its algorithms remain opaque and poorly understood,” says Jonathan Gray, codirector of the Center for Digital Culture at King’s College London. Gray was not involved in the study but reviewed its findings. The recommendation system also trapped male-coded profiles in a highly concentrated network of overlapping videos, creating a cohesive echo chamber in which they repeatedly encountered the same content. Female-coded profiles, meanwhile, experienced a far more diffuse and differentiated information network. “For many it is a primary source for news, advice, and guidance,” Gray says. “In a moment where platforms are promoting increasingly misogynistic and extremist content, this study contributes to a growing body of work investigating the role that their algorithms play in shaping society, culture, and politics, highlighting an urgent need for greater public scrutiny and oversight.” View the full article

We need to have a blunt conversation about the word empowerment. In the majority of companies, the lie behind the word “empowerment” becomes apparent in familiar ways: job descriptions that promise autonomy, leaders who proudly talk about their empowered teams, and meetings that end with “you’ve got this.” Reality though strips away the veneer of this lie: that same work still runs through a gauntlet of approvals, sign-offs, and second-guessing. The language suggests freedom. The system reinforces control. The result is not empowerment. It is dependence with better branding. In our work at Amazon helping Fortune 500 leaders understand how to dismantle their rigid bureaucracies, and previously driving large scale change at companies like DHL and McDonald’s, we see the same patterns. Organizations say they want people to act like owners. They encourage initiative and accountability. But when they maintain top-down control over decisions, people adjust their behavior accordingly. They stop acting like owners and start acting more like renters. Here is what we mean. Think about how you treat a rental car. You don’t worry about long-term maintenance. You don’t take extra care beyond what is required. You use it, then move on. That’s how people behave at work when they do not feel true ownership. When every meaningful decision still needs approval, even high performers begin to operate within the limits of the system instead of pushing beyond it. They wait. They hedge. They protect themselves. Over time, this creates an invisible friction. Work slows down. Initiative fades. Curiosity narrows. Leaders become the bottleneck without realizing it, spending their time reviewing, approving, and correcting work that should never have needed their involvement. The issue is not a lack of motivation or talent. It is the system itself. Most organizations were designed for control, not ownership. That made sense in a world where work needed to be standardized and predictable. But in a world where speed and adaptability matter more than ever, those same structures quietly undermine performance. Leaders try to compensate with words and direction. They say be more proactive. They say take initiative. They say act like an owner. But people cannot act like owners if the system is rigged against allowing them to own anything. True ownership is a condition you must actively create. At its simplest, ownership is responsibility paired with authorship, the ability to decide how the work gets done. Most organizations give people responsibility. The outcome is theirs to deliver. But they hold onto the authorship of the decision-making path, of how to deliver the outcome. That gap is where ownership breaks down. Leaders who create real ownership operate as system architects rather than micromanagers, designing environments where better decisions happen without them. This requires providing clarity over giving instructions, defining the outcomes, and providing context on what success looks like, while trusting people to navigate the path to get there. It also means favoring guardrails over approvals, replacing rigid checkpoints with clear boundaries within which teams move faster and with greater confidence without requiring explicit decisions and approvals. It entails letting people make reversible decisions with roughly 70% of the information they wish they had. This drives speed and low-stakes learning. When leaders insert themselves into these low-risk choices, they slow the organization down and signal a lack of trust. If your team still needs your approval to move forward on most decisions, they don’t have true ownership. They are waiting. And if they are waiting, you are the bottleneck. Try a simple thing: For the next 48 hours, do not make a single decision your team could reasonably make themselves. You will feel the instinct to step in. That is the habit of control. But if you hold the line, something else happens: your team starts stepping up. They make decisions. They take responsibility. They move faster. That is not “empowerment.” That is ownership. View the full article

Canva just pulled off a clean sweep in the AI design world that’s about to make AI-generated branding a lot more common. On May 19, the company announced that it’s partnering with Google Gemini to bring its Canva Design platform directly to Gemini users. Once Gemini users enable Canva in their app settings, they’ll be able to search their Canva content from within the chatbot, generate designs based on the context of their chat history, and easily take designs into Canva to edit them. The move means that Canva has successfully integrated its design tools with every major AI player in the game: Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, and, now, Gemini. Canva’s aggressive integration strategy with AI giants is making AI design tools accessible to almost anyone—and netting a major payoff in reach for the brand. Inside Canva’s frontier model clean sweep As major AI models become more and more integral to the daily workflows of individuals and companies, Canva’s integrations with those models allow the brand to reach customers where they’re already working. Whereas before users might have needed to seek out a separate AI-centric platform, like Figma, Adobe Firefly, or Canva’s own platform to create AI-generated assets, now they can complete those tasks from whichever frontier model they already use. For brands, the tie-in has the added advantage of Canva’s proprietary Brand Kit function, which sets guidelines around AI-generated assets to ensure they meet existing brand standards. “The biggest friction in AI-powered creative work for companies has always been the gap between AI output and brand-ready asset,” says Anwar Haneef, Canva’s general manager and head of ecosystem. “Teams get a draft or an image, and then spend time manually applying the right fonts, color palette, and visual standards before it’s usable. Bringing the Canva Design Engine and Canva Brand Kits into AI tools removes that step. Every design generated inside Gemini already can reflect the organization’s visual guidelines from the first prompt, no tedious corrections needed.” Typically, Haneef says, Canva sees its users generate initial designs from within partner apps before refining and publishing from within Canva’s own platform. “This isn’t about replacing Canva as the destination; it’s about making Canva the creative engine of AI-powered work,” he explains. These functions mean that going forward, any brand already using a frontier AI model has automatic access to fairly advanced branding capabilities. The core tools needed to create a branded asset are also more accessible and easy to use than ever before, especially for non-designers who lack formal training but who might have an AI app installed on their phone (whether that’s a positive development remains up for debate in the design community). Essentially, Canva is making its AI design capabilities an expected component of working with any chatbot—and, as a result, AI-generated brand assets are about to become a lot more commonplace across the board. That ubiquity is translating into some fairly significant business outcomes for the company. According to Haneef, millions of people are coming to Canva through its apps in AI assistants. In all, use of Canva’s AI products has tripled over the past year, bolstered by sustained growth in connector app usage, which has been consistently increasing at about 30% to 40% per month. As Fast Company has previously reported, AI frontier model companies and incumbents like Canva are currently operating like frenemies: While many offer products that directly compete with each other, they also stand to find mutual benefit in select collaborations. And right now, Canva stands to gain quite a lot from making its tech as widely available as possible. View the full article

Firefox is the browser that, statistically speaking, more people remember using than use today. Its market share in most countries is now just a sliver of what it once was. In 2011, it held more than a quarter of the U.S. desktop market. That many former users still remember it fondly may be a point of pride for the San Francisco-based nonprofit foundation behind the browser that broke Internet Explorer’s mediocre monopoly. But nostalgia alone doesn’t pay for the continued development of Firefox’s in-house Gecko rendering engine, along with versions of the browser for every major desktop and mobile operating system. “Anyone who was using the internet 15 years ago was probably using Firefox at some point,” says Ajit Varma, head of Firefox at Mozilla, speaking on the sidelines of Web Summit Vancouver. His theory for why Firefox users become former Firefox users is simple: The largest browser developers benefit from inertia, and from avoiding the kinds of mistakes that once pushed Internet Explorer users toward alternatives. “There’s just never a reason to question the default because it’s kind of just good enough,” he suggests. A choice in AI tools, including none of them Of course, Mozilla isn’t alone in adding AI features to its browser. But unlike Apple, Google, and Microsoft, it isn’t weaving a proprietary AI assistant throughout the browsing experience. “We’re not an AI company,” says Varma. “That’s a really great place for us to be in, where we’re just trying to create the best browser and [considering] how does AI improve those browser paths.” Firefox’s most prominent AI implementation so far is an optional sidebar that connects users to a range of chatbots: Google’s Gemini, Microsoft’s Copilot, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and the French startup Mistral’s Le Chat. (Most people haven’t tried it. Varma says Mozilla’s telemetry shows that just 5% of users have experimented with the sidebar.) Another opt-in feature uses on-device AI to suggest and name tab groups. Firefox’s settings menu also includes an “AI Controls” pane with a “Block AI enhancements” toggle that hides all of these tools entirely. Mozilla is now slowly rolling out a more ambitious AI feature: Smart Window, an on-device browsing assistant that can summarize web pages and provide recommendations based on a model of the user’s interests generated from browsing history. “We’re trying to do everything as locally as possible,” Varma explains. “We don’t send to the cloud unless you explicitly ask a query.” He’d like to see AI go farther in offering browsing help in response to plain-language queries—for example, finding every tab about an upcoming trip to Japan and putting them in a group to share with a family member, or having an agent do a daily search for suitable job listings. “These are all things that we’re looking at as the positive side of AI,” he says, noting later that some of these AI services might have to come with a price tag for users. Privacy, please Firefox’s emphasis on employing on-device AI models instead of enlisting cloud services—most notably, if not most visibly, in its language-translation feature—fits with Mozilla’s longstanding focus on privacy. The company began blocking tracking cookies by default in 2019, following Apple’s lead. (Chrome, meanwhile, still defaults to allowing ad networks, including Google’s own, to track users across the web.) Firefox now also blocks social-media trackers and fingerprinting, a technique that attempts to identify users based on the unique characteristics of their browser and device setup. It has also introduced containers, a middle ground between standard browsing and private windows that keeps isolated tab groups separate from the rest of a user’s browsing activity while still allowing them to persist across sessions. The newest addition to Firefox’s privacy toolkit is a free built-in VPN (subject to a 50 GB monthly usage cap) to cloak your browsing from the operator of your internet connection by routing it through proxy servers run by Mozilla’s partner Fastly. The feature reflects a broader shift in the browser wars: Privacy tools once reserved for power users willing to pay for third-party services are increasingly being folded directly into mainstream browsers themselves. “We have tens of thousands of people who are signing up every day,” Varma says, declining to provide a total figure. “It’s probably the most successful feature we’ve launched in a couple of years.” Mozilla has spent the past few years pulling back from sprawling side projects and refocusing its attention on Firefox itself. The company still resells the standalone VPN service from the Swedish firm Mullvad, but it has wound down other attempts to build subscription products, including the Pocket read-it-later bookmarking service. “In the past, Mozilla tried some really ambitious projects that were very noble in spirit,” Varma says. “We’re almost getting back to our roots; how do we just make Firefox the best browser?” Mozilla itself, however, continues to depend heavily on Google’s paying to be the default search engine in Firefox. “Revenue diversification is important to us, for a lot of reasons,” Varma says, echoing previous statements by prior Mozilla executives. He cited the new-tab screen, filled with suggested news and entertainment sites and the occasional ad, as one revenue-improvement opportunity. Some of those recommendations can veer into low-quality clickbait. Varma says he notices it too: “Every time I see something, I send it to the team: why are we showing this?” A helping hand from European regulators One of Firefox’s biggest problems is visibility. Many Windows users never reconsider their browser choice after using Microsoft Edge to download Google Chrome. But in the European Union, mobile users are now required to make that choice directly, thanks to the browser-selection screen mandated under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). That has made the EU, where Varma says concerns around privacy and digital sovereignty already create a more favorable environment for Firefox, a bright spot for Mozilla. “The big reason is DMA,” he says. “Our growth is about 115% higher in iOS.” In May, Mozilla reported more than six million new installs via the choice screen, with those users five times as likely than others to stick with that choice. But Firefox’s desktop market share in Europe remains far stronger than its mobile footprint. In Germany, for example, Firefox accounts for just 1.59% of the mobile browser market, according to Cloudflare data, but 19.4% of desktop browsing. In the U.S., its share is far smaller: 0.97% on mobile and 5.4% on desktop. The DMA also requires Apple to allow third-party browser developers to use their own rendering engines instead of basing their iOS and iPadOS browsers on Apple’s own WebKit. Mozilla has not yet taken advantage of that EU-only policy shift. “We are still trying to figure out how much investment to put into this,” Varma says, suggesting that a more widespread adoption of this rule would help. “We basically want stability in these laws.” Maintaining its own browser engine instead of using Chrome’s Blink or Apple’s WebKit does, however, require Mozilla to shoulder additional effort. “We spend a lot of effort to ensure that there’s Web compatibility,” Varma underscores. “If the site doesn’t work, someone’s not going to use the browser.” A sales pitch with as much ‘who’ as ‘what’ Like many Mozilla executives before him, Varma ultimately frames Firefox’s value proposition around ownership and incentives as much as product features. “If you are a multi-trillion-dollar, publicly traded company, your motivation is to your shareholders in maximizing value,” he says. Firefox’s parent organization, the Mozilla Foundation, has no stock price to defend or venture investors demanding returns. Founded as a nonprofit in 2003, Mozilla, Varma argues, is structured around the broader goal of maintaining an open, user-focused internet rather than maximizing shareholder value. The newer element of Mozilla’s pitch is that Firefox represents an alternative to an internet increasingly overwhelmed by AI-generated content, something Varma says has begun to dominate his own online experience. “I’m convinced 80% of what I say on Instagram is ‘this is AI,’” Varma laments. “That’s a sad state for the world, because you’re building something that’s optimizing for not humans. You’re building something that optimizes for corporate profits.” Harry McCracken contributed to this report. View the full article

If you’re exploring alternatives to QuickBooks for your accounting needs, you’ve got several strong options to evaluate. Each software comes with unique features customized for different business types and sizes. From user-friendly interfaces to advanced automation capabilities, these alternatives can streamline your financial processes. Comprehending their specific strengths can help you make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at these seven top contenders in the accounting software market. Key Takeaways Zoho Books: Offers affordable plans with automation features and robust reporting at prices ranging from free to $60/month. FreshBooks: User-friendly for freelancers, featuring strong invoicing capabilities and expense management, with a 30-day free trial available. Xero: Starts at $13/month, supports unlimited users, and integrates with over 800 applications, providing project management and advanced reporting. Quicken: Focused on personal finance, with low pricing but lacks essential business features like payroll and time tracking. NetSuite: A comprehensive ERP solution for larger businesses, offering automation and customization, but may be complex for smaller companies. Zoho Books When you’re looking for an affordable accounting solution, Zoho Books stands out as a practical choice for small to medium businesses. With pricing plans ranging from free to $15-$60 per month when billed annually, it’s one of the best QuickBooks alternatives available. The free plan allows you to manage up to 1,000 invoices annually, making it suitable for freelancers or very small teams, though it’s limited to 15 users. Compared to other accounting programs like QuickBooks, Zoho Books offers seamless integration with other Zoho applications, enhancing its overall functionality. Moreover, it supports automation features for recurring invoices and payment reminders, which streamline your billing process. You’ll likewise appreciate its robust reporting capabilities, enabling you to generate detailed financial insights and track your performance efficiently. FreshBooks FreshBooks serves as an excellent choice for freelancers and small businesses seeking a user-friendly accounting solution. This accounting software other than QuickBooks offers a straightforward interface, making it easy to navigate, with pricing ranging from $21 to $65 per month based on selected features. FreshBooks boasts strong invoicing capabilities, including customizable templates and automated reminders, which help you manage payments efficiently. Moreover, it integrates time tracking and expense management, streamlining your financial processes. In addition to allowing unlimited invoicing, be aware that lower-priced plans have client limits, making it best for those with fewer clients. A free 30-day trial is available, giving you the chance to explore its features before making a commitment. FreshBooks furthermore integrates with Gusto for payroll, further enhancing its functionality as a QuickBooks online alternative. This makes FreshBooks a robust quick book alternative for managing your small business finances effectively. Xero Xero offers a range of pricing plans, starting as low as $13 per month, making it accessible for various business sizes. Its project management features allow you to track project status and costs efficiently, with options for advanced tracking at an additional cost. Additionally, with the ability to integrate over 800 third-party applications, Xero improves your workflow and meets diverse business needs effectively. Pricing Plans Overview Xero provides three distinct pricing plans designed to meet a variety of business needs, allowing you to choose the level of service that aligns with your requirements. Each plan offers unique features, making Xero a strong contender among programs similar to QuickBooks. Plan Monthly Cost Features Early $13 Basic invoicing & reconciliation; 5 invoices/month Growing $37 Unlimited invoicing, quotes, and bills Established $80 Advanced features like project tracking & multi-currency invoicing With all plans supporting unlimited users, you can improve collaboration across your team without incurring extra fees. This flexibility allows you to scale your accounting solutions as your business grows. Project Management Features With various pricing plans available, the project management features in Xero stand out as a strong tool for businesses looking to improve their operational efficiency. You can track project expenses, time, and profitability, ensuring thorough visibility over performance. Xero allows you to create and manage projects directly within the platform, assigning tasks and tracking progress in real-time, which boosts collaboration among your team members. Significantly, all pricing plans support unlimited users, making it easy for everyone to collaborate on project-related tasks without extra costs. Furthermore, Xero integrates seamlessly with over 800 third-party applications, augmenting your project management capabilities. Finally, advanced reporting features enable you to generate customized reports, helping you make informed decisions based on real-time data. QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online stands out as a cloud-based accounting solution that offers a range of features customized for businesses of various sizes. With plans starting at $35 per month, you can access functionalities like invoicing, payroll, and real-time collaboration among your team. In this section, we’ll explore its key features, compare pricing options, and share insights on user experience to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your accounting needs. Key Features Overview In relation to cloud-based accounting solutions, QuickBooks Online stands out for its robust features designed to streamline your financial management. This platform allows you to work collaboratively with your team in real-time, accessible from any device with internet connectivity. Here are some key features that cater to your accounting needs: Income and expense tracking to monitor your finances. Invoicing and payment acceptance for efficient billing. Tax deduction handling and receipt/mileage tracking for expense management. Customizable permissions and multiple logins for secure access. Additionally, advanced tiers offer functionalities like bill management, time tracking, and workflow automations, making it suitable for businesses of varying sizes. Pricing Comparison When evaluating your options for cloud-based accounting solutions, pricing plays a significant role in your decision-making process. QuickBooks Online starts at $35 per month for its basic plan, which includes crucial features like income tracking and invoicing. Nevertheless, since 2017, the subscription fees for its Plus plan have increased by up to 125%, making it costlier than some competitors. Higher-tier plans can reach $200 per month, providing advanced features that smaller businesses may not need. Conversely, alternatives such as AccountEdge start at $20 per month, offering thorough accounting without hidden fees. Moreover, options like Wave provide free plans with vital features, enabling you to manage your accounting without recurring costs associated with QuickBooks. User Experience Insights Although many accounting software options exist, users often find QuickBooks Online to be a robust choice for managing their financial tasks. This cloud-based solution improves collaboration, allowing multiple users to access financial data simultaneously. Here are some key user experience insights: Comprehensive Features: It includes invoicing, payroll management, and expense tracking. User-Friendly Interface: The design simplifies accounting tasks, making it accessible for users without extensive knowledge. Customizable Permissions: You can control who accesses sensitive information, improving security. Flexible Pricing Plans: Starting at $35 per month, you can choose plans that fit your business needs, including advanced features for larger organizations. Quicken Quicken is a popular software choice for individuals and small businesses looking to manage their finances effectively. With pricing plans ranging from $5.99 to $10.99 per month, it offers a cost-effective solution for personal finance management. Unlike traditional accounting software, Quicken primarily focuses on expense tracking and managing home finances, which makes it less suited for thorough business accounting. It lacks vital features like payroll and time tracking, potentially limiting its appeal for businesses needing more robust capabilities. On the other hand, Quicken shines in tracking spending, managing bills, and generating financial reports, which are fundamental for budgeting and cash flow management. Furthermore, it provides specialized tools for rental property management, helping you track income and expenses related to real estate investments. NetSuite NetSuite stands out as a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, seamlessly integrating accounting with critical business functions like customer relationship management (CRM) and inventory management. This all-encompassing platform is designed for larger enterprises, offering automated processes that notably streamline financial operations. Here are some key features of NetSuite: Automated invoicing and bill payments: Simplify your financial transactions. Tax code management: Guarantee compliance with minimal effort. Customizable solutions: Tailor the software to fit your specific business needs. Starting price: Begins at $99 per month, with pricing usually customized based on requirements. While it’s highly beneficial for Microsoft businesses and enterprises, its complexity might be a drawback for smaller companies. You may find the lack of transparent pricing and the need for substantial implementation resources challenging. Overall, NetSuite can be an excellent choice if you need extensive financial management integrated with other business functions. Sage Intacct Sage Intacct offers a strong cloud-based accounting solution that’s particularly customized for small to medium-sized businesses, making it an ideal choice for those seeking robust financial management tools. Endorsed by the AICPA, this software provides a scalable solution with customizable pricing based on the modules you choose, allowing you to tailor the system to your specific needs. One of its standout features is advanced reporting capabilities, which include multi-dimensional financial analysis and real-time visibility into your business performance. Sage Intacct supports automation for various accounting processes, such as billing, revenue recognition, and expense management, enhancing efficiency for your finance team. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other business applications, ensuring a thorough approach to financial management and operational efficiency. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Software to Replace Quickbooks? To find the best software to replace QuickBooks, consider options like AccountEdge, Xero, FreshBooks, Wave, and Zoho Books. AccountEdge offers local data ownership, whereas Xero provides unlimited users and strong reports. FreshBooks shines in invoicing for freelancers, and Wave is a free choice for budget-conscious users. Zoho Books integrates well with its other applications, making it versatile. Evaluate your business needs and budget to determine which software suits you best. Why Do CPAS Not Like Quickbooks Online? Many CPAs find QuickBooks Online challenging because of its confusing pricing structure, which can lead to higher costs over time. The user interface often feels overwhelming for managing complex tasks, making simpler software more appealing. Furthermore, concerns about data security arise from its reliance on cloud storage, and some CPAs criticize its limited reporting capabilities. Finally, QuickBooks Online may lack advanced features needed for larger businesses, pushing professionals toward alternatives. Who Is Intuit’s Biggest Competitor? Intuit’s biggest competitor in the accounting software market is often considered to be Xero. It offers strong project tracking features and allows unlimited users across all plans, appealing to small businesses that need extensive solutions. Other notable competitors include FreshBooks, which focuses on ease of use for freelancers, and Wave, which provides free core accounting features. Each alternative has unique strengths, catering to various needs in the small business sector. Conclusion To sum up, as QuickBooks is a popular choice for accounting software, several alternatives can meet your business needs effectively. Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Xero offer unique features and pricing structures that can cater to various users, from freelancers to larger enterprises. Quicken focuses on personal finance, whereas NetSuite and Sage Intacct provide robust solutions for businesses seeking advanced capabilities. Evaluating these options can help you find the right fit for your financial management requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Top Software Alternatives for Accounting Similar to QuickBooks" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re exploring alternatives to QuickBooks for your accounting needs, you’ve got several strong options to evaluate. Each software comes with unique features customized for different business types and sizes. From user-friendly interfaces to advanced automation capabilities, these alternatives can streamline your financial processes. Comprehending their specific strengths can help you make an informed decision. Let’s take a closer look at these seven top contenders in the accounting software market. Key Takeaways Zoho Books: Offers affordable plans with automation features and robust reporting at prices ranging from free to $60/month. FreshBooks: User-friendly for freelancers, featuring strong invoicing capabilities and expense management, with a 30-day free trial available. Xero: Starts at $13/month, supports unlimited users, and integrates with over 800 applications, providing project management and advanced reporting. Quicken: Focused on personal finance, with low pricing but lacks essential business features like payroll and time tracking. NetSuite: A comprehensive ERP solution for larger businesses, offering automation and customization, but may be complex for smaller companies. Zoho Books When you’re looking for an affordable accounting solution, Zoho Books stands out as a practical choice for small to medium businesses. With pricing plans ranging from free to $15-$60 per month when billed annually, it’s one of the best QuickBooks alternatives available. The free plan allows you to manage up to 1,000 invoices annually, making it suitable for freelancers or very small teams, though it’s limited to 15 users. Compared to other accounting programs like QuickBooks, Zoho Books offers seamless integration with other Zoho applications, enhancing its overall functionality. Moreover, it supports automation features for recurring invoices and payment reminders, which streamline your billing process. You’ll likewise appreciate its robust reporting capabilities, enabling you to generate detailed financial insights and track your performance efficiently. FreshBooks FreshBooks serves as an excellent choice for freelancers and small businesses seeking a user-friendly accounting solution. This accounting software other than QuickBooks offers a straightforward interface, making it easy to navigate, with pricing ranging from $21 to $65 per month based on selected features. FreshBooks boasts strong invoicing capabilities, including customizable templates and automated reminders, which help you manage payments efficiently. Moreover, it integrates time tracking and expense management, streamlining your financial processes. In addition to allowing unlimited invoicing, be aware that lower-priced plans have client limits, making it best for those with fewer clients. A free 30-day trial is available, giving you the chance to explore its features before making a commitment. FreshBooks furthermore integrates with Gusto for payroll, further enhancing its functionality as a QuickBooks online alternative. This makes FreshBooks a robust quick book alternative for managing your small business finances effectively. Xero Xero offers a range of pricing plans, starting as low as $13 per month, making it accessible for various business sizes. Its project management features allow you to track project status and costs efficiently, with options for advanced tracking at an additional cost. Additionally, with the ability to integrate over 800 third-party applications, Xero improves your workflow and meets diverse business needs effectively. Pricing Plans Overview Xero provides three distinct pricing plans designed to meet a variety of business needs, allowing you to choose the level of service that aligns with your requirements. Each plan offers unique features, making Xero a strong contender among programs similar to QuickBooks. Plan Monthly Cost Features Early $13 Basic invoicing & reconciliation; 5 invoices/month Growing $37 Unlimited invoicing, quotes, and bills Established $80 Advanced features like project tracking & multi-currency invoicing With all plans supporting unlimited users, you can improve collaboration across your team without incurring extra fees. This flexibility allows you to scale your accounting solutions as your business grows. Project Management Features With various pricing plans available, the project management features in Xero stand out as a strong tool for businesses looking to improve their operational efficiency. You can track project expenses, time, and profitability, ensuring thorough visibility over performance. Xero allows you to create and manage projects directly within the platform, assigning tasks and tracking progress in real-time, which boosts collaboration among your team members. Significantly, all pricing plans support unlimited users, making it easy for everyone to collaborate on project-related tasks without extra costs. Furthermore, Xero integrates seamlessly with over 800 third-party applications, augmenting your project management capabilities. Finally, advanced reporting features enable you to generate customized reports, helping you make informed decisions based on real-time data. QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online stands out as a cloud-based accounting solution that offers a range of features customized for businesses of various sizes. With plans starting at $35 per month, you can access functionalities like invoicing, payroll, and real-time collaboration among your team. In this section, we’ll explore its key features, compare pricing options, and share insights on user experience to help you determine if it’s the right fit for your accounting needs. Key Features Overview In relation to cloud-based accounting solutions, QuickBooks Online stands out for its robust features designed to streamline your financial management. This platform allows you to work collaboratively with your team in real-time, accessible from any device with internet connectivity. Here are some key features that cater to your accounting needs: Income and expense tracking to monitor your finances. Invoicing and payment acceptance for efficient billing. Tax deduction handling and receipt/mileage tracking for expense management. Customizable permissions and multiple logins for secure access. Additionally, advanced tiers offer functionalities like bill management, time tracking, and workflow automations, making it suitable for businesses of varying sizes. Pricing Comparison When evaluating your options for cloud-based accounting solutions, pricing plays a significant role in your decision-making process. QuickBooks Online starts at $35 per month for its basic plan, which includes crucial features like income tracking and invoicing. Nevertheless, since 2017, the subscription fees for its Plus plan have increased by up to 125%, making it costlier than some competitors. Higher-tier plans can reach $200 per month, providing advanced features that smaller businesses may not need. Conversely, alternatives such as AccountEdge start at $20 per month, offering thorough accounting without hidden fees. Moreover, options like Wave provide free plans with vital features, enabling you to manage your accounting without recurring costs associated with QuickBooks. User Experience Insights Although many accounting software options exist, users often find QuickBooks Online to be a robust choice for managing their financial tasks. This cloud-based solution improves collaboration, allowing multiple users to access financial data simultaneously. Here are some key user experience insights: Comprehensive Features: It includes invoicing, payroll management, and expense tracking. User-Friendly Interface: The design simplifies accounting tasks, making it accessible for users without extensive knowledge. Customizable Permissions: You can control who accesses sensitive information, improving security. Flexible Pricing Plans: Starting at $35 per month, you can choose plans that fit your business needs, including advanced features for larger organizations. Quicken Quicken is a popular software choice for individuals and small businesses looking to manage their finances effectively. With pricing plans ranging from $5.99 to $10.99 per month, it offers a cost-effective solution for personal finance management. Unlike traditional accounting software, Quicken primarily focuses on expense tracking and managing home finances, which makes it less suited for thorough business accounting. It lacks vital features like payroll and time tracking, potentially limiting its appeal for businesses needing more robust capabilities. On the other hand, Quicken shines in tracking spending, managing bills, and generating financial reports, which are fundamental for budgeting and cash flow management. Furthermore, it provides specialized tools for rental property management, helping you track income and expenses related to real estate investments. NetSuite NetSuite stands out as a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution, seamlessly integrating accounting with critical business functions like customer relationship management (CRM) and inventory management. This all-encompassing platform is designed for larger enterprises, offering automated processes that notably streamline financial operations. Here are some key features of NetSuite: Automated invoicing and bill payments: Simplify your financial transactions. Tax code management: Guarantee compliance with minimal effort. Customizable solutions: Tailor the software to fit your specific business needs. Starting price: Begins at $99 per month, with pricing usually customized based on requirements. While it’s highly beneficial for Microsoft businesses and enterprises, its complexity might be a drawback for smaller companies. You may find the lack of transparent pricing and the need for substantial implementation resources challenging. Overall, NetSuite can be an excellent choice if you need extensive financial management integrated with other business functions. Sage Intacct Sage Intacct offers a strong cloud-based accounting solution that’s particularly customized for small to medium-sized businesses, making it an ideal choice for those seeking robust financial management tools. Endorsed by the AICPA, this software provides a scalable solution with customizable pricing based on the modules you choose, allowing you to tailor the system to your specific needs. One of its standout features is advanced reporting capabilities, which include multi-dimensional financial analysis and real-time visibility into your business performance. Sage Intacct supports automation for various accounting processes, such as billing, revenue recognition, and expense management, enhancing efficiency for your finance team. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other business applications, ensuring a thorough approach to financial management and operational efficiency. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Software to Replace Quickbooks? To find the best software to replace QuickBooks, consider options like AccountEdge, Xero, FreshBooks, Wave, and Zoho Books. AccountEdge offers local data ownership, whereas Xero provides unlimited users and strong reports. FreshBooks shines in invoicing for freelancers, and Wave is a free choice for budget-conscious users. Zoho Books integrates well with its other applications, making it versatile. Evaluate your business needs and budget to determine which software suits you best. Why Do CPAS Not Like Quickbooks Online? Many CPAs find QuickBooks Online challenging because of its confusing pricing structure, which can lead to higher costs over time. The user interface often feels overwhelming for managing complex tasks, making simpler software more appealing. Furthermore, concerns about data security arise from its reliance on cloud storage, and some CPAs criticize its limited reporting capabilities. Finally, QuickBooks Online may lack advanced features needed for larger businesses, pushing professionals toward alternatives. Who Is Intuit’s Biggest Competitor? Intuit’s biggest competitor in the accounting software market is often considered to be Xero. It offers strong project tracking features and allows unlimited users across all plans, appealing to small businesses that need extensive solutions. Other notable competitors include FreshBooks, which focuses on ease of use for freelancers, and Wave, which provides free core accounting features. Each alternative has unique strengths, catering to various needs in the small business sector. Conclusion To sum up, as QuickBooks is a popular choice for accounting software, several alternatives can meet your business needs effectively. Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Xero offer unique features and pricing structures that can cater to various users, from freelancers to larger enterprises. Quicken focuses on personal finance, whereas NetSuite and Sage Intacct provide robust solutions for businesses seeking advanced capabilities. Evaluating these options can help you find the right fit for your financial management requirements. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Top Software Alternatives for Accounting Similar to QuickBooks" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Last week, I whooshed into a Luckin coffee shop in Lower Manhattan, snatched my mobile order off the counter, and was back on the street within eight seconds—as if I’d run upstairs to grab my keys. The fact that this required zero human interaction barely registered, especially because I was too giddy about the deal I’d scored on the app. My iced coconut latte cost a mere $1.99—a full 69% off the regular price, after I used one of the six active coupons that appeared on the screen. I had officially gotten myself swept up in America’s latest fast-food trend: cheap, flavorful drinks ready in an instant, sold by Chinese chains on apps where the coupons give hourly countdowns. I took a sip and enjoyed the coconut latte Luckin is pushing for all of May, a drink it claims has been sold more than 2 billion times worldwide since April 2021. Chinese chains—Luckin Coffee, Mixue Ice Cream & Tea, Cotti Coffee, and Chagee among them—feel built for this moment, when Americans are pinched for cash and spending is tilting hard toward bargains and little treats. Their success here may determine whether habits forged in China’s brutal consumer economy will reshape how the rest of the world buys and sells fast food. Chinese fast food colonizes the U.S. China has a head start on dealing with the “down economy.” The country has been hit hard. Spending is projected to drop 18 points in 2026, trapping its food-and-beverage sector in what analysts call an acute oversupply problem. China now has roughly three times more outlets than the U.S. per capita, a saturation level that has triggered a profit-killing race to the bottom. The country is in its third year of the so-called coffee wars, where chains like Luckin (the biggest, with 33,000 stores) and Cotti (a distant second, at 16,000) drove prices as low as 40 cents a cup last summer. There are too many stores chasing too few customers. So now the biggest players are migrating here. In the past year, U.S. consumers have gotten their first Luckin outposts and their first taste of Mixue, the world’s largest food-and-beverage chain, which sells cheese-foam tea and $1 soft serve. They have witnessed the openings of Cotti coffee shops and Chagee teahouses, and a twentyfold jump in Heytea cafés. They have also seen the arrival of food chains like Wallace, China’s 20,000-unit KFC rival, which offers Californians a three-for-$10 chicken sandwich deal. Mainly, though, the influx is being driven by a flood of beverage joints hawking cheap coffee, tea, ice cream, and sweets. The influx marks a striking reversal from the ’90s, when American fast-food companies began pouring into China, lured by the irresistible pull of a billion new customers—and the turnabout has happened with remarkable speed. Just a few years ago, U.S.-based coffee chains still eyed China as their great untapped frontier. In this subscriber-exclusive story, you’ll learn: What Starbucks taught Chinese entrepreneurs about fast food—and how it’s now being sold back to Americans Why beverages are key to winning over customers in the U.S. Which marketing agency is influencing Chinese brands’ strategy The one big thing that could trip up Chinese chains How Starbucks taught China Three and a half years ago, I reported on Starbucks’s aggressive growth strategy in China. Starbucks was opening a new café every nine hours in the country, a pace so aggressive, it left some analysts puzzled. Experts I interviewed saw a company working hard to appease the Communist Party. Founder Howard Schultz thought China represented the future: a vast middle class hungry for the “affordable luxury” of Starbucks coffee and his version of modern community, even though coffee was still a largely unfamiliar drink there. By the 2010s, China had become Starbucks’s second-biggest market, and Schultz declared it would overtake the U.S. for the top spot by 2025. Instead, the opposite happened. Consumers proved reluctant to pay Starbucks prices when the homegrown rivals that popped up offered cheap drinks, hassle-free mobile orders, quick delivery, and endless viral menu stunts. Starbucks pursued a pickup-only format in the U.S. after the pandemic (an ill-fated move that the company is just now rectifying), but was committed to maintaining the brand’s high-end coffeehouse image in China. The company’s share of China’s coffee market fell from a high of 42% in 2017 to 14% by 2024, even as its store count doubled. A latte that cost $4.25 at Starbucks went for $2.25 at Luckin and $1.75 at Cotti. In April of this year, under new CEO Brian Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks finally cut its losses and sold the China operation to Boyu Capital, a private-equity firm cofounded by the grandson of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin. Boyu got a favorable deal: It paid $4 billion to operate roughly 20% of Starbucks’s 40,000 global stores. And it wasn’t just Starbucks: Tim Hortons, the only other Western coffee chain in China with more than 1,000 stores, saw sales fall 5.4% last year and posted $62 million in losses. Meanwhile, the American coffee menu was evolving. A decade ago, iced was enough. “Millennials love cold brew,” Dunkin’ CEO Nigel Travis said after a menu revamp. Around the same time, Schultz insisted the market for cold coffee drinks was “limitless.” Today, everywhere from Starbucks and Dunkin’ to Panera and Dutch Bros., you find dragonfruit refreshers with boba pearls, fruit-flavored cold foam, teas stuffed with fruit slices, ube macchiatos, and yuzu-filled croissants. America’s fast-food chains spent years trying to teach China to drink coffee. Now, back home, it’s starting to feel like it’s Shanghai’s turn to teach Seattle. Luckin and Starbucks square off in the U.S. For its first U.S. location, Luckin chose Lower Manhattan, setting up in a shuttered Body Shop on Broadway near Astor Place. The heavy foot traffic and proximity to NYU’s campus made it appealing. But really, this seemed like a way to mock Starbucks. Once a hangout for East Village characters near The Village Voice offices, Astor Place had for three decades been the site of a Starbucks that was briefly the largest in the U.S.—a popular study spot, date meetup, and de facto public restroom overlooking the square. The café closed unexpectedly in 2024. Store management blamed an “astronomically high” rent hike, though the landlord countered that rent stayed the “exact same.” Starbucks cited “the needs of our customers.” Months later, in June 2025, Luckin opened what it labeled store No. U.S. 00001 a block away. (Yes, Luckin’s numbering system for U.S. locations goes up to 99,999.) It’s more of a beverage dispensary, accepting no orders in person and featuring just three small tables—and it would probably have popped a vessel in a younger Howard Schultz’s forehead. (A side note: While it marked Luckin’s physical arrival to the U.S., the company wasn’t a stranger to American markets. From mid-2019 to mid-2020, it traded on the Nasdaq, reaching a valuation of $12 billion before regulators accused it of inflating revenue by 45%. Luckin paid the Securities and Exchange Commission $180 million to settle fraud charges, and it was delisted.) On the corner across from the new Luckin sat a vacant storefront. Following the grand opening, Starbucks rented the window space on both exposures and hung ads. It also bought a video ad at the intersection’s subway entrance. When I swung by, I could see Luckin customers being greeted in two directions by a model smiling with her Starbucks iced coffee. The ads seemed to telegraph some anxiety. Luckin couldn’t seriously eat into Starbucks’s market share on its home turf, right? Well, maybe it could. Last year, Starbucks closed 42 New York cafés as part of a U.S. restructuring plan focused on reviving its “third place” model. It shuttered 400 underperforming stores nationwide, about 1% of its global footprint. Around 100 were mobile-order-only locations. Asked whether Luckin’s arrival had factored into this, Starbucks told the Financial Times that it was simply “doubling down on what customers have always loved about Starbucks—a warm and welcoming coffeehouse with high-quality beverages crafted by a skilled barista.” Meanwhile, since its first U.S. store opened, Luckin has added 15 more Manhattan locations, with at least three more on the way. Store No. 00002, in Chelsea, faces a Starbucks, as do three of its other sites. Eight more are located within a two-block walk. But stalking Starbucks would only do so much. I wanted to understand the actual strategy for winning over American coffee drinkers. I tried to meet with corporate Luckin representatives, but a meeting scheduled at the Financial District’s Fulton Street store (around the corner from a Starbucks) fell through twice. I was also told to presubmit my questions, because they needed “approval from China” first. The U.S. team later explained that the topics I had asked to discuss were “outside of their current communications parameters.” They did, however, offer me a 700-word pre-written Q&A where they answered questions they wrote themselves. One prompt read, “How the brand is approaching localization from a product/marketing perspective, without getting into business strategy or expansion planning.” They responded: “For Luckin, localization is about understanding how coffee and beverage culture fit into local customers’ daily lives, not simply translating a brand from one market to another.” What Luckin has offered investors isn’t any more illuminating. CEO Jinyi Guo has called the U.S. “strategically important” to the growing brand (its global store count has increased 39% in the past year, to 33,596 units) and believes that “Luckin’s unique value propositions and customer experience” are ready to compete in even a “highly developed” coffee market like the United States. The most direct comment was probably one in an Instagram post addressed to customers after the Astor Place grand opening: “This is just the beginning. NYC, we’re here.” The Washington Post Mixue sings an American tune Mixue—a Chinese ice cream and tea chain founded in 1997 that has dethroned McDonald’s as the world’s largest food and beverage chain—arrived in the U.S. six months ago in a bicoastal strike, opening locations in Los Angeles and New York at the same time. On a recent afternoon at the New York City flagship by Herald Square, people were queued on a red carpet (as happens often) for their turn to get boba and ube soft serve in a conspicuously Barney shade of purple. The storefront, two stories of all red, features the friendly, cape-wearing mascot, a snowman named Snow King, perched over the phrase “I LOVE YOU 🖤 YOU LOVE ME”—the lyrics to its world-famous jingle, which plays from loudspeakers effectively nonstop. One pedestrian sang along as he passed by. The Washington Post The Mixue motto, as founder Zhang Hongchao relayed it to Chinese state media, is: “Let people around the world eat well and drink well for just two American dollars.” Since December, New Yorkers have indeed been paying $1.99 for fresh lemonade and $1.19 for soft serve—half the price of a McDonald’s cone, and likely the cheapest in Manhattan. (Prices are slightly higher at L.A.’s Hollywood location.) Fruit teas and sundaes round out the menu, but one thing every customer takes home is the Mixue theme song, lodged in their head. That is because the brand took “Oh! Susanna”—the 180-year-old American folk song about coming from Alabama with a banjo on the knee—and replaced every line of its melody with the same 11-word phrase: “I love you, you love me, Mixue ice cream and tea.” The marketing agency behind this relentlessly cheerful earworm, Hua & Hua, works with several top Chinese food and beverage chains. In China, it’s known for creating the Super Sign, a method arguing that the most brilliant marketing is often the least creative. Instead of inventing something new, a brand should look for a universal symbol already hardwired into culture—a folk tune, a clown, a mermaid—and claim it as its own. Brother duo Sam and Nan Hua termed this “cultural copyright” in a 2013 book. Decades ago, American brands pulled similar moves in China, where Ronald McDonald mugged for photos with party officials, and KFC swapped a chicken mascot, Chicky, for the all-American Colonel. Hua & Hua had this to pull from, and considers Mixue its magnum opus. Its AABA melody (found in “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Every Breath You Take,” and many Beatles songs) is one of the catchiest types of music. And because “Oh! Susanna” entered the public domain long ago, Mixue paid nothing for it. At December’s Herald Square grand opening, customers who sang the jingle got a free ice cream. TikTok and Instagram are full of American influencers singing it into their camera, often mangling the name as “Micks-yoo” or “Micks-oo–eey” instead of the correct “Mee-shweh.” Earlier this year, Mixue opened its 60,000th global location. The majority of stores—more than 55,000—are still in mainland China. But lines are now forming in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Los Angeles to experience buying tea in Mixue’s carnival atmosphere of animated menu screens, workers dancing in Snow King costumes, machines whirring, and the never-ending jingle. The future of Chinese chains in America Not long ago, the consensus among Westerners about Chinese retail brands was they were “good, but not great, and definitely not cool,” argues Chris Pereira, CEO of iMpact, a firm that helps Chinese companies expand into Western markets. He says that American consumers’ openness, at least to unusual beverages, is something Chinese brands themselves “are still trying to figure out what to do about.” It took American chains decades to acculturate themselves to Chinese customs and palates when they entered the country in the ’80s and ’90s. At first, KFC and McDonald’s charged too much: a little over $1 for a burger, 50 cents for a Coke in a society where monthly wages were $17 to $35. This was purposeful, to market Western fast food as a “treat.” Often, these were family outings that everybody dressed up for; it’s why McWeddings remain a thing. But as incomes rose and local rivals flooded the market with cheaper burgers and pizza, the luxury aspect waned. By the late ’90s, both chains were starting to become dependable family restaurants. Starbucks arrived in 1999, securing coveted space in Beijing’s China World Trade Center. Its aim to give Chinese consumers a modern, upscale spin on their traditional teahouse turned its “third places” into a status symbol for a certain type of social striver and a punch line for others. A source I interviewed in 2022 recalled satirical advice being passed around the internet in the 2010s about how to “act cool at Starbucks”: Order an espresso, carry The Economist, and leave coins on the table so you could wave at staff and say, “I’m used to tipping in America. Keep it.” Yet Starbucks seemed to relish the image. “We don’t run a discount company,” Schultz said in 2024 as rivals were practically giving coffee away. “We’ve already established a premium brand image in the market.” The tension between what a brand is at home and what it becomes abroad is the trap laid by expansion, Pereira argues. It plays out in menu design, cultural signaling, workforce practices, even naming conventions. “Get the balance wrong in any of these directions and you lose,” he says. When I think of Chinese chains selling their translation of American culture back to Americans, nothing comes to mind faster than the insidious Mixue jingle. “Oh! Susanna” has a complicated history in the United States. Its national popularity turned Stephen Foster into America’s first professional songwriter. But the song is rooted in blackface minstrel traditions, and was only later rewritten to strip out explicit racism. What remains is a vaguely Southern-sounding ditty that many people can sing just a few words of. Whether Mixue knew about this tangled history, I couldn’t tell you. Company representatives didn’t respond in time to my inquiries. But one thing is certain. Since hearing it, I can’t get the blasted song out of my head. “I love you, you love me, Mixue ice cream and tea.” Does it even matter that it makes no sense? It taps into something basic and global—our appetite for things that are simple, sweet, and easy to consume without thinking. View the full article

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Work is the closest thing most adults have to a full-time identity. Strip away sleep, and roughly half of our waking lives are spent working. If you take a conservative estimate—40 to 50 hours a week, across four to five decades—you end up with well over 80,000 hours on the job. And yet, the most salient feature of work is not how many hours we devote to it, but rather how we experience it, which varies wildly. For some, it resembles what the sociologist Max Weber once described as a “calling,” a source of meaning and even a kind of secular transcendence. For others, it’s closer to what Karl Marx labeled alienation: a draining, joyless routine that disconnects effort from purpose. Modern psychology adds its own spectrum, from engagement and flow—terms popularized by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi—to burnout, now formally recognized by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon. What explains this gap? Compensation matters, though far less than we think. So does the nature of the work itself (whether it feels inherently meaningful or merely transactional, whether it involves creating or complying, autonomy or routine, prestige or drudgery, and so on). But there is one universal factor that always impacts how happy you are at work, namely the person you report to. How your boss affects your job satisfaction, job performance, and career success Decades of research in organizational psychology show that managers account for a disproportionate share of variance in employee engagement, performance, and well-being. A landmark meta-analysis found that managers account for around 20% of the variance in team engagement scores. In line, experimental and longitudinal studies demonstrate that when employees switch managers—holding role and organization constant—their performance and satisfaction often change accordingly. In plain English: Bosses matter, and they matter more than most people think, especially compared with the factors people tend to obsess over, like the company brand, the role title, or the job’s surface features. The mechanism is not mysterious. Managers control resources, set expectations, provide feedback, and shape the psychological climate of work. They are gatekeepers of opportunity and, just as importantly, narrators of your competence. A good boss acts less like a supervisor and more like a coach: someone who stretches you, supports you, and, crucially, makes you look good. A bad boss does the opposite, often with remarkable efficiency. This is why choosing a boss is one of the most consequential career decisions you’ll ever make. It doesn’t just determine your current job satisfaction. It shapes your future employability. A strong manager amplifies your skills, gives you visible wins, and builds your reputation. A weak one can stall your development or, worse, quietly undermine it. The uncomfortable implication is that loyalty to a role or even an organization is often misplaced. If you want to optimize your career, you should be thinking about upgrading bosses. So how do you know when it’s time to change yours? The first sign is relational: The chemistry is off, or has deteriorated. This is not about occasional disagreements. In fact, productive conflict is often a feature of high-performing teams. The problem is persistent tension, lack of trust, or a sense that interactions are performative rather than genuine. You find yourself second-guessing how every message will land. Meetings feel like interrogations rather than conversations. Or worse, your boss has become indifferent, which is often more damaging than overt hostility. Relationships at work are not a “nice to have.” They’re the medium through which everything else flows. When that medium is contaminated, even straightforward tasks become cognitively and emotionally taxing. Over time, this erodes both performance and well-being. The second sign is the absence of meaningful feedback and direction. You’re either flying blind or being micromanaged in trivial ways while strategic guidance is missing. Good managers calibrate challenge and clarity. They tell you what success looks like, give you regular input on how you’re tracking, and adjust their guidance as you grow. When this is absent, two things happen. First, your learning curve flattens. Without feedback, improvement becomes guesswork. Second, your anxiety increases. Humans are remarkably tolerant of hard work, but far less tolerant of ambiguity about whether that work is valued. Research on goal-setting theory and feedback interventions consistently shows that clear, timely feedback is one of the most reliable drivers of performance. Its absence is not neutral. It is actively harmful. The third sign is more blunt: Your boss lacks competence. This is awkward to admit, but surprisingly common. Perhaps they were promoted for technical skills that don’t translate into leadership. Perhaps they’re politically adept but operationally weak. Or perhaps they are simply out of their depth in a rapidly changing environment. You see it in inconsistent decisions, poor prioritization, or an inability to articulate a coherent strategy. The impact is predictable. Teams under incompetent leaders waste time, duplicate effort, and drift. Worse, they often internalize the chaos, leading to confusion about standards and expectations. There is also a reputational spillover. Being associated with a weak leader can diminish how others perceive your own capabilities, regardless of your actual performance. The fourth sign is subtle but decisive: Your boss doesn’t make you shine. They may even do the opposite. This includes taking credit for your work, failing to advocate for you in promotion discussions, or distributing opportunities based on politics rather than merit. Organizations are, despite their best intentions, social systems. Visibility matters. Sponsorship matters. If your boss is not actively helping you build both, you are at a structural disadvantage. Studies on career progression repeatedly highlight the role of sponsorship (distinct from mentorship) in accelerating advancement. A mentor gives advice. A sponsor uses their capital to create opportunities for you. If your boss is neither, or worse, an obstacle, your trajectory will reflect that. At this point, many people entertain a comforting fantasy: Perhaps the boss will change. After all, feedback is a two-way street. Maybe a candid conversation will reset the relationship. Sometimes, this works. Often, it doesn’t. Personality traits, which heavily influence managerial behavior, are relatively stable over time. Research on the Big Five shows that while people can adapt at the margins, deep-seated tendencies—such as low conscientiousness or high narcissism—are not easily reengineered. In other words, hoping your boss will undergo a personality transformation is not a strategy. It’s a gamble. How to upgrade If you decide to move, the goal should not simply be to escape a bad situation, but to upgrade. This requires more deliberate planning than most career advice suggests. Start by diagnosing what you want (and especially need) in a boss. Do not default to vague preferences like “supportive” or “nice.” Translate these into observable behaviors. For example: gives regular, specific feedback; delegates meaningful responsibility; advocates for team members in senior forums; demonstrates domain expertise. Next, gather data. This is where many candidates underperform. They interrogate the role and the company but treat the boss as a black box. Reverse that. Speak to current and former team members. Ask about turnover rates, promotion patterns, and how credit is allocated. During interviews, ask your prospective boss to describe how they develop talent and handle underperformance. Then listen carefully, not just to what they say, but how concretely they say it. You can also look for indirect signals. High-performing teams tend to leave trails: strong alumni, internal promotions, and reputations for excellence. Weak leaders, by contrast, often preside over revolving doors or stagnant teams. Even in a tight labor market, these signals are usually visible if you know where to look. Finally, remember that the best bosses are not those who make your life easiest in the short term, but those who make you better in the long term. There is a difference. A demanding but fair manager who pushes you to grow is often a better investment than a congenial but disengaged one. The former compounds your capabilities. The latter simply preserves your comfort. Work will always occupy a central place in our lives, whether we like it or not. The real question is what kind of experience it will be. In an era when companies compete aggressively on perks, purpose statements, and flexible policies, the most important variable remains stubbornly analog: the quality of your boss. Choose wisely. Or, when necessary, choose again. View the full article