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Digital cameras can be an important tool for a small business. If you have a website, social media channels, or any other digital outlet, you need a quality digital camera. But how do you figure out the best digital camera for your small business? While it may be tempting to simply use your smartphone camera for photos, this may not deliver the image quality you want. Smartphone cameras have greatly improved over the years and can be quite good, but your best bet for the highest quality photos and videos is to invest in a digital camera. It is an important point to note that photography and videography equipment can be very expensive. As a small business, you certainly don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on professional-level camera equipment. What you need is a good compact digital camera that can take quality pictures and videos and is easy for you to use. Compact Digital Camera Options: Our Top Picks Choosing the best compact digital camera is crucial for small businesses that need high-quality images for marketing or documentation purposes. It requires careful consideration of various features to achieve the best value and performance. Below, we outline our rating criteria, with each factor assessed on a scale from 1 to 5 according to its importance: Image Quality (5/5): For professional-looking photos, it’s crucial to have high-resolution images that exhibit excellent color accuracy. Ease of Use (4/5): The camera should have an intuitive interface and controls that are easy to master, even for those with limited photography experience. Portability (5/5): As a compact camera, it should be lightweight and easy to carry around, suitable for on-the-go shooting. Durability (4/5): The camera should be sturdy enough to withstand regular use, and ideally, some level of weather resistance is beneficial. Battery Life (4/5): Long battery life is important to ensure uninterrupted shooting, especially during lengthy events or projects. Versatility in Shooting Conditions (4/5): The ability to capture high-quality images in various lighting conditions, including low light, is crucial. Zoom Capability (3/5): A decent optical zoom range can be helpful, although it’s not as crucial as other factors for a compact camera. Video Capability (3/5): Good video quality is a plus, especially for businesses that might use the camera for multimedia purposes. Connectivity Options (3/5): Features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for easy sharing and transferring of images can be very convenient. Price (3/5): While cost is always a consideration, it should not come at the expense of image quality and essential features. By considering these criteria, we ensure that the compact digital cameras we recommend are well-suited for small business needs, offering a good balance between quality, functionality, and value. Panasonic LUMIX 4K Digital Camera Image stabilization, 60x optical zoom, and 4K video quality are just some of the features this point-and-shoot camera has to offer. The Lumix has a lightweight, compact camera body and travel-ready technology like USB charging makes it great for the on-the-go. The Lumix promises impressive image quality, even in low light. It has an electronic viewfinder, post-focus and focus stacking, and lots more. It is also reasonably priced, making it our pick for the best compact camera. Panasonic LUMIX FZ80 4K Digital Camera Buy on Amazon Sony Cyber-Shot Compact Zoom Digital Camera The Sony Cyber-Shot camera kit boasts a 20.1-megapixel lens with 35x zoom, along with a 720p HD movie mode and a 360° sweep panorama feature. The Cybershot is a compact camera with a 3″ LCD screen for easy viewing and edits. Included with the camera is SanDisk Ultra 32GB SD Card, Rechargeable NiMH AA batteries with charger, a camera bag accessory bundle, and an 8 ” table tripod. Reviewers mention the ease of use and excellent image quality of this camera. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-H300/B Compact Zoom Digital Camera Buy on Amazon Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom The Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom is a user-friendly pocket camera that you can take anywhere. Some of its features include one-touch video, 4x optical zoom, red eye removal, and face detection. The PIXPRO pocket camera features a 27mm wide-angle lens and a 2.7-inch LCD screen display. This reliable and well-reviewed budget compact camera delivers image quality comparable to that of more expensive models. Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ55-BL 16MP Digital Camera with 5X Optical Zoom Buy on Amazon Nikon COOLPIX B500 Digital Camera Bundle Nikon produces some of the best cameras globally, and their Coolpix bundle offers excellent value for anyone in need of a digital camera along with additional accessories. This package includes the Coolpix B500, a 16MP premium compact camera equipped with impressive features such as a 40x optical zoom, 80x dynamic fine zoom, and lens-shift vibration reduction. With built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, you can maintain a constant connection, allowing videos and photos to automatically download to your device. Along with the Coolpix camera, the bundle includes a compact deluxe gadget bag, a 32GB SDHC high-speed memory card, an AA charger with 4 AA Batteries, an HDMI to Micro-HDMI Gold A/V Cable, a 60″ tripod, a card reader, screen protectors, and a cleaning kit. Nikon COOLPIX B500 16MP 40x Optical Zoom Digital Camera 32GB Bundle Buy on Amazon OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera If you need a compact camera that can take a beating, the Olympus Tough TG-6 should be on your list. It is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and freezeproof, so there’s nowhere it can’t go. It even takes underwater shots with impressive image quality. The camera has a high-resolution F2.0 lens, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, 5x zoom lens, and 4k video recording capability. OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red Buy on Amazon Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital 4K Vlogging Camera This camera by Canon is aimed specifically at vloggers and content creators due to its capabilities to live stream and shoot vertically. 4K video quality recording and an external microphone terminal also make this the perfect camera for vloggers. It is a powerful compact camera that produces high image quality and fast operation. A 4.2x optical zoom lens, image stabilizer, and a 20.1 megapixel 1.0” stacked CMOS sensor round out the features of this high-end compact camera. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital 4K Vlogging Camera Buy on Amazon READ MORE: Best Livestream Camera for Podcasters GoPro HERO11 Black The GoPro Hero11 is not inexpensive, but it offers an impressive range of features and capabilities. The HERO11 Black’s new full-frame sensor is said to enhance photo resolution to 27MP and capture 5.3K60 video, providing remarkably smooth motion. This allows you to take breathtaking 24.7MP stills of your favorite moments. This camera includes a wide zoom range, Hypersmooth image stabilization, a large viewing screen, and a lens that repels water. GoPro HERO11 Black – Waterproof Action Camera Buy on Amazon Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP Another compact camera that can stand up to harsh conditions, Ricoh’s WG-70 has a rugged, waterproof camera body and all the features you could want for great outdoor photos. A back-illuminated CMOS sensor boasting high optical efficiency and an effective 16-megapixel, the WG-70 takes low-noise photos with a wide dynamic range. It also has a digital microscope mode for macro photographs, 25 shooting modes, and full HD video recording. Ricoh WG-70 Orange Waterproof Digital Camera 16MP Buy on Amazon Canon EOS M50 Mark II This is another high-end camera with a high price tag, but reviewers claim it’s worth it. The Canon EOS is a 24.1-megapixel camera with auto lighting optimizer, vari-angle touchscreen LCD touchscreen, face and eye detection, electronic viewfinder, and lots more features. Besides the camera, you also receive an EF-M 15-45mm zoom lens. It also has built-in WiFi for live streaming. Canon EOS M50 Mark II + EF-M 15-45mm is STM Kit Black Buy on Amazon Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera Last up is Fujifilm’s FinePix digital camera, designed to be waterproof and rugged, making it perfect for outdoor adventure photography. However, even if you’re not an outdoor enthusiast, this camera boasts an impressive range of features, including Bluetooth connectivity, 4K video quality, a 5x optical zoom lens, a back-illuminated sensor, and optical image stabilization. This is a well-rounded pocket camera with a good zoom range, fast shutter speed, and great image quality. Fujifilm Finepix waterproof compact camera w 16 GB SD card Buy on Amazon Types of Compact Cameras Not all compact cameras are digital, and not all digital cameras are compact. Some types of digital cameras have interchangeable features, but there are some major differences between them as well: Point and Shoot Compact Cameras Compact cameras, also known as point-and-shoot cameras, are good entry-level digital cameras. They are usually small and lightweight and come with a lot of automatic features, such as an autofocus system, zoom lenses, built-in flashes, etc. This makes compact cameras great for beginner photographers. Zoom Compact Cameras These compact cameras are equipped with more powerful zoom lenses compared to point-and-shoot models. In addition to a variety of automated features, most models also provide manual controls and support HD recording. Advanced Compact Cameras These types of compact cameras are for the more experienced photographer. They are still lightweight and fairly easy to use, but they rely almost completely on manual controls. They take higher-resolution photos but are also quite expensive. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Best Studio Lights for Photography and Videos Best Gifts For Photographers The Best Suitcases for Business Travel Best Wrench Sets to Get the Job Done Best Extension Ladders for Your Business or Worksite Image: Amazon This article, "Best Compact Digital Camera Options for a Small Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Small businesses in the US saw improved performance in the September 2024 quarter, marking the first positive sales growth since late 2022, according to new data from Xero. The findings, part of Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI), also show a reduction in late payments and shorter average payment times, signaling a more stable financial environment for small businesses. Key Findings: Sales Growth and Payment Trends Small business sales increased by 0.8% year-over-year (y/y) in the three months ending in September, reversing a 0.1% decline in the June quarter. Businesses also experienced improved payment timelines: Late payments decreased, with businesses receiving payments 9.1 days late on average, a 0.5-day improvement over the June quarter. Average time to be paid dropped to 28.7 days, a 0.7-day improvement, maintaining a general range between 28.5 and 29.5 days since early 2023. Regional Differences in Small Business Performance All major US regions recorded sales growth in the September quarter, though results varied: Northeast led with 1.3% y/y growth West followed at 0.8% y/y South posted 0.6% y/y growth Midwest saw 0.2% y/y growth While the West region maintained three consecutive quarters of sales growth, payment times varied across regions: Improved payment times: The South (down 1.8 days to 28.5 days) and Midwest (down 0.3 days to 30.0 days) Longer payment times: The Northeast (up 1.3 days to 29.0 days) and West (up 0.5 days to 28.2 days) “It’s encouraging to see US small businesses trending in a positive direction after nearly two years of challenging conditions,” said Louise Southall, Economist at Xero. “Positive sales growth and shorter payment times in the September quarter are promising indicators that economic pressures are easing. To maintain healthy cash flow and build resilience against any future economic uncertainties, small businesses should prioritize strategies that encourage their customers to pay promptly.” Optimism and Challenges in 2025 A November 2024 Xero survey found 88% of US small business respondents felt more optimistic about their business prospects heading into 2025 than they had the previous month. This level of optimism was the highest among surveyed countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. Lower inflation and multiple Federal Reserve interest rate cuts since September 2024 contributed to improved economic conditions, easing pressures on cash flow and profitability. However, recent policy decisions present new challenges. Tariffs on Canadian goods and retaliatory trade measures have impacted cross-border supply chains, increasing operational costs for businesses dependent on US-Canada trade. “Unfortunately, the US government’s decision to levy tariffs on Canadian goods, and the subsequent retaliatory measures, have likely dented this growing optimism,” Southall noted. “Small businesses and their customers on both sides of the US-Canadian border will pay more for goods that travel across this border, impacting the often intertwined supply chains and adding to the cost of business operations.” Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape While macroeconomic trends point to easing financial pressures, Xero urges small businesses to prepare for continued volatility. “While the new administration has promised economic policy changes that will impact the business landscape, small businesses must also contend with ongoing economic challenges like cash flow disruptions and late payments,” said Michael Cascone, Vice President of Government Experience, Americas at Xero. “To remain agile and adapt to new policies and economic shifts that impact their long-term success, small businesses should prioritize financial resilience—through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and proactive cash flow management.” This article, "Xero Reports Positive Sales Growth for US Small Businesses, Shorter Payment Delays" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small businesses in the US saw improved performance in the September 2024 quarter, marking the first positive sales growth since late 2022, according to new data from Xero. The findings, part of Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI), also show a reduction in late payments and shorter average payment times, signaling a more stable financial environment for small businesses. Key Findings: Sales Growth and Payment Trends Small business sales increased by 0.8% year-over-year (y/y) in the three months ending in September, reversing a 0.1% decline in the June quarter. Businesses also experienced improved payment timelines: Late payments decreased, with businesses receiving payments 9.1 days late on average, a 0.5-day improvement over the June quarter. Average time to be paid dropped to 28.7 days, a 0.7-day improvement, maintaining a general range between 28.5 and 29.5 days since early 2023. Regional Differences in Small Business Performance All major US regions recorded sales growth in the September quarter, though results varied: Northeast led with 1.3% y/y growth West followed at 0.8% y/y South posted 0.6% y/y growth Midwest saw 0.2% y/y growth While the West region maintained three consecutive quarters of sales growth, payment times varied across regions: Improved payment times: The South (down 1.8 days to 28.5 days) and Midwest (down 0.3 days to 30.0 days) Longer payment times: The Northeast (up 1.3 days to 29.0 days) and West (up 0.5 days to 28.2 days) “It’s encouraging to see US small businesses trending in a positive direction after nearly two years of challenging conditions,” said Louise Southall, Economist at Xero. “Positive sales growth and shorter payment times in the September quarter are promising indicators that economic pressures are easing. To maintain healthy cash flow and build resilience against any future economic uncertainties, small businesses should prioritize strategies that encourage their customers to pay promptly.” Optimism and Challenges in 2025 A November 2024 Xero survey found 88% of US small business respondents felt more optimistic about their business prospects heading into 2025 than they had the previous month. This level of optimism was the highest among surveyed countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK. Lower inflation and multiple Federal Reserve interest rate cuts since September 2024 contributed to improved economic conditions, easing pressures on cash flow and profitability. However, recent policy decisions present new challenges. Tariffs on Canadian goods and retaliatory trade measures have impacted cross-border supply chains, increasing operational costs for businesses dependent on US-Canada trade. “Unfortunately, the US government’s decision to levy tariffs on Canadian goods, and the subsequent retaliatory measures, have likely dented this growing optimism,” Southall noted. “Small businesses and their customers on both sides of the US-Canadian border will pay more for goods that travel across this border, impacting the often intertwined supply chains and adding to the cost of business operations.” Adapting to a Changing Business Landscape While macroeconomic trends point to easing financial pressures, Xero urges small businesses to prepare for continued volatility. “While the new administration has promised economic policy changes that will impact the business landscape, small businesses must also contend with ongoing economic challenges like cash flow disruptions and late payments,” said Michael Cascone, Vice President of Government Experience, Americas at Xero. “To remain agile and adapt to new policies and economic shifts that impact their long-term success, small businesses should prioritize financial resilience—through strategic planning, operational efficiency, and proactive cash flow management.” This article, "Xero Reports Positive Sales Growth for US Small Businesses, Shorter Payment Delays" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued an advisory urging consumers to be cautious of a growing cyber scam involving fraudulent invoices sent through PayPal. The scam targets email users by sending repeated payment requests that appear urgent, often including a toll-free number directing victims to a scammer posing as customer support. Scammers exploit PayPal’s invoicing system by sending deceptive payment requests to users’ email inboxes. The messages often contain a phone number and a directive to call, leading victims to fraudulent operators attempting to extract personal and financial information. “Scammers are well aware that many Pennsylvanians rely on PayPal to send and receive money to their friends and family, or as part of a small business,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday. “This is another example of the sophistication of cyber scams, and a reminder to pause and be vigilant before offering personal information or sending money online. Our Bureau of Consumer Protection is standing by to assist Pennsylvanians who are harmed.” Attorney General Sunday’s office advises consumers to take the following precautions: Verify the email sender – Legitimate PayPal communications come from service@paypal.com. If the email address differs, do not respond. Assess the invoice request – Even if the email appears to be from PayPal, consumers should disregard any payment requests they do not recognize. Consumers who receive fraudulent invoices should contact PayPal customer service directly through PayPal.com and avoid calling any numbers provided in suspicious emails. Victims or concerned consumers can also file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to help prevent further scams from affecting others in Pennsylvania. This article, "Pennsylvania Attorney General Warns of Rising PayPal Invoice Scam" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has issued an advisory urging consumers to be cautious of a growing cyber scam involving fraudulent invoices sent through PayPal. The scam targets email users by sending repeated payment requests that appear urgent, often including a toll-free number directing victims to a scammer posing as customer support. Scammers exploit PayPal’s invoicing system by sending deceptive payment requests to users’ email inboxes. The messages often contain a phone number and a directive to call, leading victims to fraudulent operators attempting to extract personal and financial information. “Scammers are well aware that many Pennsylvanians rely on PayPal to send and receive money to their friends and family, or as part of a small business,” said Attorney General Dave Sunday. “This is another example of the sophistication of cyber scams, and a reminder to pause and be vigilant before offering personal information or sending money online. Our Bureau of Consumer Protection is standing by to assist Pennsylvanians who are harmed.” Attorney General Sunday’s office advises consumers to take the following precautions: Verify the email sender – Legitimate PayPal communications come from service@paypal.com. If the email address differs, do not respond. Assess the invoice request – Even if the email appears to be from PayPal, consumers should disregard any payment requests they do not recognize. Consumers who receive fraudulent invoices should contact PayPal customer service directly through PayPal.com and avoid calling any numbers provided in suspicious emails. Victims or concerned consumers can also file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection to help prevent further scams from affecting others in Pennsylvania. This article, "Pennsylvania Attorney General Warns of Rising PayPal Invoice Scam" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Chili’s is celebrating National Margarita Day this month with a new romcom Lifetime holiday movie. The casual-dining restaurant chain and cable network will debut a 15-minute TV short film, called I’ll Be Home For National Margarita Day, first airing on Lifetime on February 19 and available on Lifetime.com, YouTube, and social platforms. Starring actors Maria Menounos and Taye Diggs, the new flick hits on all the classic Lifetime tropes, including a big-city-dwelling woman returning to her hometown to reconnect with an old flame, who happens to be a bartender at Chili’s. The reunited lovers must work together to save a small town’s National Margarita Day celebration from the villainous big-city developer. “He’s like a bad guy right out of a Lifetime movie,” says Diggs during one of the film’s self-referential moments. “I think there are parallels between why people look to Lifetime and the great content they create, as well as why people look for a night out at a place like Chili’s,” says Chili’s chief marketing officer George Felix in an interview with Fast Company. “It’s a reliable source of comfort.” The project also presents an appetizing marketing opportunity for Chili’s, which sold 25 million margaritas last year, more than any other restaurant chain in the U.S. Chili’s worked with creative agency Mischief on the film, which is a core pillar of the restaurant chain’s largest-ever marketing campaign for National Margarita Day, a “holiday” that is celebrated on February 22. ‘We need excuses to laugh’ Chili’s is also offering several margarita promos, including a one-day $5 margarita special called the “Tequila Trifecta,” which combines el Jimador Silver, 1800 Reposado, and Jose Cuervo Gold. “When people are thinking about margaritas and a place to go out, Chili’s is really the first choice,” says Felix. Menounos, who plays Liz, is already well known to the Lifetime audience having previously appeared in the network’s films including Christmas at Plumhill Manor and The Holiday Dating Guide. The actress says she is so charmed by the genre that she cofounded a holiday movie production company in 2024 with her husband, writer and film producer Keven Undergaro, called We Heart Holidays. “Life has gotten so hard and so challenging, we need excuses to laugh, and smile, and have fun, and have margaritas,” says Menounos. [Photo: Chili’s] Menounos has also been a devoted fan of Chili’s for well over two decades and even hired a former Chili’s waiter to work at her company. Menounos says she tends to prefer appetizers including the chips and salsa, nachos, and the fried mozzarella. Beyond her love of holiday flicks, Menounos says she was lured to the project to work with a friend, Diggs, who plays Sam in the film and also previously starred in Lifetime’s Terry McMillian Presents: Forever. Diggs says he’s a more recent convert to the Chili’s cuisine. “We all knew these characters, but at the same time, it’s a little bit tongue in cheek, because we’re talking about Chili’s and mozzarella sticks and margaritas,” says Diggs. A bar and grill on a roll The chain has become a star performer for restaurant operator Brinker, which also owns the Italian-themed Maggiano’s. Comparable restaurant sales, which tracks the performance at locations that have been open for more than 18 months, have increased steadily over the past several quarters. For the most recent fiscal second quarter, comparable restaurant sales jumped 31% at Chili’s, growth that astonished Wall Street analysts, who have praised the chain’s comeback as one of the strongest ever in the restaurant industry. Felix says the chain has benefited from reinvesting in national TV advertising after a long pause during the pandemic, as well as a streamlined menu with 25% fewer items than two years ago. The core focus is now on five categories: burgers, chicken crispers, fajitas, margaritas, and the triple dipper. [Photo: Lifetime] The triple dipper, which allows diners to select from a range of three different appetizers, has been a particular popular dish. Last spring, Chili’s began to notice some social media chatter, especially on TikTok, that frequently featured the combination of sliders, honey chipotle chicken crispers, and fried mozzarella. TikTok users were particularly drawn to performing what’s known as the “cheese pull” as they bite into the fried mozzarella. “This item really lends itself to the way that the TikTok food world works,” says Felix. Chili’s cultivated interest in the dish by partnering with social media influencers. The triple dipper has amassed over 200 million views on TikTok in just the past six months. The Lifetime film presents yet another opportunity for Chili’s to lean into pop culture. While the network’s audience tends to skew more female, Chili’s says the brand’s overall strategy is fairly gender balanced. Recent partnerships include launching the espresso martini with the female cast members of Bravo’s TV show Vanderpump Rules, but other recent activations with NASCAR and the comedy group Dude Perfect lean more male. “The fact that Chili’s is a brand that really appeals to a wide demographic gives us, as marketers, a wide range of partners that we can play with,” says Felix. “Lifetime hits one of our big audiences in a big way.” View the full article

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. Over the past decade, the rising cost of insulin epitomized the broader systemic issue of higher healthcare out-of-pocket costs that prevented many Americans from accessing essential care. People with diabetes, who rely on insulin to maintain their health, were routinely priced out of accessing their medications—forced to choose between filling their prescriptions or paying other bills. As a result, lowering the cost of insulin became a political rallying cry, compelling elected officials and regulators to take action. Given the complexity of the American healthcare system, there’s no magic bullet when it comes to reducing insulin prices—or any prescription price for that matter. Patent protections, gaps in targeted affordability regulations, and supply chain issues are just a handful of the network dynamics at play. But, through collaborative efforts by pharma, lawmakers, and other stakeholders, the tide on insulin prices is beginning to turn. New research from GoodRx shows that the average price per insulin unit dropped 42% from 2019 to mid-2024—the lowest average in a decade. Notably, it wasn’t just one factor that contributed to this significant drop. The Inflation Reduction Act, which began capping costs for Medicare enrollees, was a game changer for millions of Americans. Voluntary manufacturer price cuts and savings programs, as well as increased approvals of biosimilars and generics, also drove big declines in insulin prices. Collectively, these efforts reflect a pivotal shift toward improving accessibility. Most importantly, this illustrates how, when the industry comes together, we can make medications more affordable. Collaboration as a catalyst for change To usher in a new era of affordable medicine, working together across the healthcare ecosystem is essential. Pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, insurance companies, and healthcare systems each hold a critical piece of the solution. While insulin price reductions are a notable victory, out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications continue to trend upward. Since 2014, prescription list prices have grown nearly 40%. Today, fewer medications are covered by insurance, and others are subject to restrictions like step therapy and prior authorizations. These factors contribute to why an estimated 53 million Americans leave their medications at the pharmacy counter every month. The insulin example demonstrates the impact that joint efforts can have in making lasting change, and private partners can play a significant role in driving innovation. At GoodRx, we saw an opportunity to contribute to the solution by partnering with Sanofi in 2023 to offer their most prescribed insulin, Lantus, for only $35 to all Americans—whether they had insurance or not. This happened before the manufacturer implemented its own program for consumers with commercial insurance and within the same coverage year that Medicare enrollees began benefiting from $35 insulin copay caps. Apply the insulin blueprint Though insulin was the starting point, it was only the first step on our path to better support people with diabetes. Since partnering with Sanofi, GoodRx broadened its efforts by launching cash-pay programs with other manufacturers to make essential diabetes medications and devices more affordable—especially for those not covered by insurance or with high out-of-pocket costs. For instance, we’ve partnered with Dexcom to lower the price of their Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitors by over $200 per month for consumers with diabetes. Both of these programs have brought savings to thousands of people who used GoodRx to complement insurance shortfalls. Our success with diabetes offers a playbook to tackle affordability challenges for other chronic conditions, such as heart and renal diseases. The groundbreaking medications and technology used to treat and monitor these conditions, especially solutions new to the market, typically come with high price tags that put them out of reach for many people. But it doesn’t have to be this way. To prioritize affordability and increase access to lifesaving treatments, there must be a sustained commitment to transparency and accountability from all stakeholders. Policymakers can strengthen and expand consumer-centric legislation while enforcing regulations that ensure companies prioritize the needs of people over profits. Pharmaceutical companies can prioritize the development of innovative treatments to advance patient care while also taking deliberate steps to improve affordability. This includes providing savings programs and supporting the production of biosimilars and generics to ensure broader patient access to lifesaving medication. Charting a path forward At GoodRx, we collaborate with partners across the healthcare industry, from pharmaceutical companies to retail pharmacies and healthcare professionals. These interactions provide an unparalleled vantage point for identifying opportunities to improve transparency and affordability. The journey toward making healthcare more affordable is undeniably complex, but the insulin price reduction serves as a beacon of hope. It underscores how sustained, collaborative efforts and a shared commitment to the public good can improve access to critical medications for those who need them most. The path forward is clear, and it is up to us as industry leaders to follow it. Dorothy Gemmell is chief commercial officer and president, manufacturer solutions at GoodRx. View the full article

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The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. When I was a college student renting an apartment in New York City, I learned firsthand that the rental process was overly complex and inefficient. My friends and I lost out on an apartment we really wanted simply because we couldn’t gather the necessary documentation fast enough. That experience stuck with me, and it sparked an idea—why not electronically store all of the documentation you need to apply for rental housing so it’s always ready at your fingertips. So I built an app to do just that. Along the way, I began talking to more people on both sides of the rental process, and I realized the issues went beyond just tenants. Understand both sides of the equation As I spoke with more landlords, I realized that they were just as frustrated as tenants, if not more so. I saw that independent landlords, in particular, felt a deep connection to their tenants and wanted them to have a positive experience. Yet, they were forced into a system filled with inefficiencies—using pens, paper, and spreadsheets to manage complex situations, resulting in logistical headaches. Independent landlords told me about pain points they were struggling with: how to collect rent efficiently; how to handle maintenance requests in a timely fashion; how to fill vacant units faster; and how to create a rental experience that makes people want to stay. Meanwhile, the technology available was not cost effective nor purpose-built for them. The existing systems were designed for massive property managers with different issues and budgets. Interacting with renters (and being one myself) revealed that renters value convenience just as much as their landlords. Tenants also struggled with outdated payment systems, maintenance requests getting lost or forgotten, and difficulties communicating with their landlords, making them feel dissatisfied and less likely to renew their leases. They wanted an easy way to pay rent, submit maintenance requests, and stay informed about issues (like property water shutoffs or garbage day changes). Driven by the belief that there had to be a better way, I saw an opportunity to bridge this gap, making the renting process easier for both landlords and tenants. Listening to the needs of both sides was instrumental in turning a personal project into an industry-changing solution. The power of customer feedback (and trust) Since my desire to build a software platform was born from talking to potential product users, it was only natural that listening to customers has been the cornerstone of my product development approach. One of my biggest regrets was waiting too long before sharing the platform with potential customers. I spent over two years building the first version without letting anyone use it because I was convinced it had to be “perfect.” I’ve since learned that waiting for a perfect or “customer-ready” product before releasing it is counterproductive. In technology, quick iterations are important. If a technical feature or update can solve 50% of the customers’ problems, just release it. Helping people sooner is better than waiting until a solution is 95% complete. Plus, customer feedback will help refine and optimize the product along the way. Once we got our product into customers’ hands, their feedback shaped everything. We learned that some features we thought were essential weren’t actually necessary, while others—ones we hadn’t even considered—became must-haves. By creating a direct feedback loop, we could pivot quickly, iterate fast, and build a product that truly meets users’ needs. Both customers and investors are willing to take a leap of faith with you if they feel heard and included in the journey. We’ve built a technology platform alongside users, and that collaboration has been invaluable. By staying engaged with our customers, we’ve ensured that we’re delivering what they actually need, not just what we think they need. A data-driven, customer-centric approach Once you have a good process to incorporate customer feedback into the development process, adding and analyzing data provides an even higher level of alignment on goals and decision making. Data gives us the “why” behind our choices, creating transparency and understanding within the company. This approach allows us to focus on the “right” things—giving customers everything they need, and nothing they don’t. As Steve Jobs once said, innovation is actually saying “no” to a thousand good ideas so you can focus on the most important ones, and I believe that wholeheartedly. Starting with your customer lets you focus on the most important ideas, and making data-driven decisions helps you refine those ideas and turn them into real solutions that help real people. Case in point: We added a Credit Boost feature that allowed tenants to report their on-time rent payments to TransUnion to help them build credit and/or boost their credit scores. When analyzing our internal data over the past four years, we learned that landlords are likely to see a 13% jump in on-time rent payments when their tenants use it. So this feature that was originally intended to benefit tenants was also benefiting landlords. Therefore, we added partnerships with Experian and Equifax, becoming the first property management software to enable on-time rent reporting to all three major credit bureaus, and we also made the feature available to landlords so they could purchase it for their tenants as an extra perk or amenity. We used this approach to improve landlords and tenant relationships and lives many times. Some examples: offering autopay to reduce missed rent payments and late fees; providing customizable experiences such as template builders for pre-qualification and application processes; developing accelerated two-day funding for rent payments; and adding state-of-the-art security layers to protect landlord and tenant identities, protecting them against fraud. We are continuously iterating, adapting, and refining the platform to ensure that renting is an easy and enjoyable experience for all. By focusing on these principles, we’ve created a platform that not only simplifies property management but also improves relationships between landlords and tenants. Investors can dedicate more time to their personal lives while growing their financial success, and renters benefit from a seamless, hassle-free process. Embrace the entrepreneurial mindset Ultimately, I’ve learned that success comes from a simple but powerful philosophy: Build only what’s needed, listen to the people who use your product, and always look for ways to make things better. By focusing on these principles, we’ve created a platform that simplifies property management and makes renting a better experience for everyone. Renting shouldn’t be a battle—it should be a partnership. And that’s the future we continue to build. Ryan Barone is cofounder and CEO of RentRedi. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. All houses make noise, and those noises can be useful in diagnosing and addressing potential problems. But if your house is driving you crazy with all its creaking and groaning, it’s time to look into ways you can quiet the house down. You could do a gut renovation to make the place absolutely soundproof, but if you don’t have a spare fortune to spend on the effort, you still have a lot of relatively simple, affordable options to try out, based on what's making those noises in the first place. Check your decibelsFirst, you’ll need some data to work with—and you'll have to identify exactly what’s causing noise in your house. While some sources of noise will be obvious, using a simple decibel meter (or an app on your phone) to check noise levels from room to room will give you a more specific action plan. Average room noise is considered to be between 30 and 50 decibels (dB), and any noise above 70dB is considered harmful—but noise sensitivity is subjective. Walk around and make a note of any spots where there’s a jump in noise levels and look into the source of the noise. Quiet down your appliancesOne of the main sources of noise in your home are your appliances. Washers, dryers, dishwashers—everything that makes our lives easier also generates noise, and sometimes a lot of it. Most appliances operate with noise levels between 50 and 70 dB, so having several running at once can create a lot of indoor noise pollution. You can take a few simple steps to reduce that noise: Choose quieter appliances. Different appliances have different decibel ratings, so you can target quieter appliances next time you’re replacing something. You can sometimes find this in a product’s specifications, or you can look for appliances that are Quiet Mark-certified. Check the balance. Washing machines and other appliances that have moving internal parts need to be balanced and level—if they’re unbalanced they can shake and make more noise than they should. Grab a level and check that everything is balanced. You can usually adjust the feet of the appliance to level it out. Use anti-vibration pads. Available in a variety of sizes, anti-vibration pads absorb the appliance’s vibration, reducing the noise it makes. Install wall cladding. Hanging fabric or soundproofing materials on the walls around your appliances can help absorb noise and keep it from being conducted through the walls to other areas of the house. Check your furnaceIf your furnace is noisy, it might be worth it to bring in an HVAC professional to take a look at it. There are some simple things you can try that might make it run quieter, however: Adjust the fan speed. Turning the fan speed down might be all that’s needed to eliminate whining or “howling” in a furnace. Clean it. Your furnace, filters, and the vents it connects to can become clogged with dust, which can make it run noisier than usual. Cleaning the whole system as thoroughly as you can might eliminate extra noise. Inspect your ductwork. Take a look at the ducts where you can, especially where they connect together. Any gaps or holes can cause whistling or other noise, so plugging them up with some foil sealer tape can make a big difference in noise levels. Add rugs and carpetingYou might not want to carpet the entire house, but area rugs (or even carpet tiles) can offer some of the same benefits, muffling the sounds of people walking around the space. To enhance the benefits, put an extra-thick rug pad underneath to get as much sound absorption as possible out of your floor covering. Place pads under furnitureWhile you’re contemplating how much noise your floors are transmitting, don’t forget to put padding under your furniture where practical. You don’t walk under your couch or bed, but the bare floor under there can still act as a conductor, spreading noise to other areas of the home. A rug or pad under those pieces can add just a bit more soundproofing. Secure your pipesIf one source of noise in your house is rattling pipes, either when you run the hot water (called “water hammering”) or when your heat cycles, you can reduce or eliminate that noise in two ways: Secure the pipes. Pipes that knock and bang inside the walls might just need to be secured. This isn’t a difficult job to DIY (but usually does involve opening your walls). Alternatively, you can have a plumber install a water hammer arrester, which should solve the problem. Install pressure-reducing valves (PRV). A PRV will regulate the water and air pressure in your pipes, which can reduce or eliminate hammering and banging. This isn’t exactly cheap (it can run you more than $600 if you hire a plumber to install one), but it might be worth it. Soundproof wall platesIf something in your home is making noise, your home itself can act as one big sound conductor—your walls act almost like speakers, bringing noise from other rooms. This is especially true if they’re not insulated. You might not want to (or be able to) stuff insulation into them, but you can easily blunt some of the noise traveling through those walls by adding some noise-absorbing gaskets to outlets and light switches. Behind those wall plates are holes in your walls, which makes it easy for noise to find its way into the room. By adding seals around those plates you can cut down the noise that makes it through. If you’re a little handier, you can also apply putty around the electrical boxes in the room, which will also blunt any sounds before they can invade the space. Upgrade your doorsLike your walls, doors can act as conductors of sound, ferrying noise from outside the room right to your ears. If your interior doors are hollow, the effect is even stronger, so swapping those out for solid-core doors can help make your home quieter. Gaps under the door can also allow sound to seep through from outside, so adding a simple sweep to the bottom to close off this gap can give your door an extra boost of soundproofing ability. Silence your creaking floorsEven if you put down rugs and pads, floors that creak and squeak as you walk on them will still add to the overall noise level in your home. The good news is that you probably don’t need professional help or even any power tools to shush those floors. A few things you can do include: Lubricate. If your hardwood floors are creaking, you can apply a dry lubricant like powdered graphite or even talcum powder. Just work it into the seams between floorboards where you hear a squeak, cover the area with a cloth, and walk on for a bit. Repeat the process until the squeak is gone. Shim. If you have access to the underside of the floor, you can look to see if there’s a gap between the subfloor and the joist. If there is, inserting a shim or two to eliminate movement might solve the noise problem. You can also try driving a screw from either above or below to secure the floor. If driving it from above, use a trim screw and sink it below the surface of the floor so you can fill the hole with wood filler. If driving it from below, make sure the screw is short enough not to pop out on the surface of the floor. Brace. If there is a pronounced gap or a lot of movement between your joists and subfloor, you can brace the floor with a 2x4 cut to fit between the joists. Attach it so that it’s slightly higher than the joists, compensating for the gap and eliminating subfloor movement. For tile floors, you can check that the tiles are firmly adhered to the subfloor and re-apply any loose tiles. Then look for gaps around the edges of the floor and caulk them. This will help eliminate any tile shifts that might be causing the squeak. Mitigate noises from settlingIf your home makes groaning or cracking noises, it usually gets classified as “settling,” the process of a house sinking into its foundation and the materials it’s built out of compensating for shifts and compression. This is pretty natural and affects most houses at one time or another, although severe settling can indicate a foundation problem. But those settling noises might also be caused by humidity and temperature, which can cause wood and other materials to expand and contract, resulting in cracking, popping, and groaning noises. Managing the humidity and temperature fluctuations in the home might reduce or even eliminate these noises. Service your heating systemNoisy radiatorsIf you have steam radiators in the house, you know that they can sound like an off-key brass band marching through your nightmares. You can try some simple DIY fixes to quiet them down: Shim it. A banging, clanging radiator can be caused by water settling at the bottom of the radiator. Elevating it slightly so it tips toward the boiler can eliminate that problem. Replace the air vent. A radiator that whistles and burps every time the heat rises might just need a new air vent. This is pretty cheap and easy to do DIY. A loud forced air furnaceIf you have forced-air heat that sounds like a battleship leaving port every time it fires up, you might be able to quiet it down without a major project: Duct liners. Having fiberglass duct liners installed in the ducts can dampen noise caused by vibration and rattling, and inhibit noise conductivity. Anti-vibration pads under the furnace itself can also help reduce the noise. Replace the filter. A dirty air filter can cause the furnace to work harder, which can lead to booming or banging noises. You can also try opening your home’s supply vents as well. If these steps don’t help, your furnace’s motor may be the cause, either due to low lubrication levels, a failing belt, or some other mechanical cause. Your best bet will be to call a professional to take a look. View the full article

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