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We may earn a commission from links on this page. It's ridiculous that the pace of my day can be ruined by the realization that a beloved song is no longer on the streaming platform I pay for. As someone who vividly remembers cassette tapes, CDs, and hoarding hard drives full of MP3s, it's a reminder of what we traded in when we said "yes" to streaming services years ago. I've been working on my Warped Tour playlist for the summer, but I keep running into a ton of licensing holes and grayed-out deep cuts. The gaps are everywhere, and it's harshing the vibe. It's another harrowing reminder that I merely rent whatever Spotify offers in its music library. That's why I started building my music library from scratch again. Here's how to find, buy, and own music in a world that has gone purely streaming. The best places to buy MP3sBuying and owning MP3s depends entirely on the type of music you like. If you're into mainstream mega hits or your favorite grungy band is on a big label, you can look to the major players to buy music: Apple and Amazon. Apple's iTunes Store (it's still called that!) remains one of the most robust among the "available everywhere" sect. It's also easy to buy high-quality 256 kbps AAC files, which are technically more efficient than regular MP3s and offer CD-like sound quality without being massive files. Just make sure you're purchasing the music through the purple iTunes icon and not the red one. Amazon's MP3s are DRM-free, usually 256 kbps, and you can usually find what you need there, even some more obscure offerings. If you're hoping to own digital and physical media, Amazon offers AutoRip. When you buy a physical CD or vinyl marked with the AutoRip logo, Amazon adds the digital version to your cloud library for free. You can stream these purchases through the Amazon Music app without needing a monthly subscription. Apple also lets you stream your iTunes purchases directly within the Apple Music app. Even if you don't pay for the monthly streaming service, you can dig into your legacy library and stream what you own within the platform. 7digital is greatly heralded as a long-standing hidden gem of the MP3-buying world. The service itself is a backend provider for other global music services, which is why they have so much access to music licenses. It's a British company, so if you listen to more international artists, this is a viable solution, as Amazon and Apple's offerings can be region-locked. 7digital also allows you to choose between MP3 and high-resolution FLAC files at checkout. All three of these services have been around long enough to have a legacy of longevity. If you lose your digital files, Amazon, Apple, and 7digital will let you re-download them through your account. How to buy music directly from artists Bandcamp remains the defacto standard for buying music directly from an artist. Credit: Screenshot by Florence Ion/Lifehacker If you're buying digital music to support the band or artist you love directly, try Bandcamp before you go anywhere else. It's one of the few music marketplaces where you can choose your flavor of file—MP3, FLAC, or WAV, in some cases—within a single transaction. Sometimes there is even merch and physical media, like LPs and CDs, that you can add to the cart. Bands like the site because it doesn't take a huge cut of what you're paying the artist for an album. The Bandcamp app also acts like a cloud locker for everything you've bought on the platform, so if you get a hankering for music you don't have on you, you can access it through the mobile app. Some bands and artists get around their labels by using platforms like Patreon or Substack to distribute music files directly to a monthly "fan club." Others lean into their labels by using direct-to-consumer online shops, like Polyvinyl, which notoriously prioritizes a 50/50 profit-sharing model with their artists. The digital store also features high-res, DRM-free files, ensuring the artist gets a fair share while you get a file you actually own. Where to buy higher quality digital musicEven if you aren't trading your Apple AirPods for a dedicated DAC (Digital-to-analog converter) and a pair of serious headphones, you may want to own even higher quality digital music, beyond 256Kbs. You'll want to seek 24-bit/192kHz FLAC files, which aren't available in mainstream digital music stores. Qobuz is a global streaming service that also lets you buy high-res tracks. Credit: Screenshot by Florence Ion/Lifehacker Qobuz is a global favorite for buying high-res tracks, and it's one of the easiest to use. You can buy what you want in the browser and then use one of the companion desktop apps to batch-download files. Qobuz even offers a streaming subscription that gives you massive discounts on future high-res albums and EPs you purchase. It's a good deal if you're actually planning to collect MP3s, and the streaming ability lets you preview an album before you commit. Other popular services include HDtracks, which has been around since 2008. Founded by a pair of audio engineers, the site specializes in definitive masters. It's a good choice if you have a more classical or legacy rock taste in music, as 24-bit remasters are usually available to own. Bleep is another service geared toward electronic and alternative music lovers, while Boomkat serves the more experimental and underground niche. How to RIP your own CDsPart of the fun of getting back into digital music is remembering that another way to collect it—and really solidify your ownership—is to go to your local record store or second-hand market for CDs. Yes, CDs, the compact discs that somehow endure even though the players aren't even standard in cars anymore. Since most modern laptops and computers no longer ship with optical drives in favor of slim, svelte designs, you will need a simple external CD/DVD drive that connects via USB-C or another method. Brands like Asus and LG still make these combination drives. They're easy to buy and aren't too pricey. Next, you'll need ripping software. For Mac users, the Apple Music app features the same built-in ripper that shipped with iTunes all those years ago, and it's still a viable option. If you want something more robust, there's X Lossless Decoder. It's simple, handles album art and track names quite nicely, and is a good idea if you're a stickler for metadata. If you're willing to spend a little money, dBpoweramp costs about $40 and works for both Mac and PC. Users like it because it pulls track information from multiple databases simultaneously to ensure metadata is solid. Windows users also have a plethora of options. Exact Audio Copy is one of the more popular free ripping suites. It cross-references global metadata to ensure you're grabbing audio that sounds like the original, though it does have a learning curve. I use Express RIP CD Ripper because I paid for a license long ago (around $40). It's fairly plain and works fine on most of the albums I recover from Goodwill. However, it doesn't handle compilations very well. I'm still working through a couple of albums in Mp3tag to get them to display the correct song titles. One major thing to keep in mind if you decide to become CD-obsessed: Always rip to a lossless format like FLAC (Windows) or ALAC (Mac). You can convert a high-quality file into a smaller MP3 later. But you can never expand an MP3 back into the full-fidelity sound of the original CD. Amicool External DVD Drive USB 3.0 USB C CD Burner CD/DVD +/-RW Optical Drive, Slim Portable DVD CD ROM Rewriter Writer Duplicator for Laptop Desktop PC Windows 11/10/8/7 MacBook Mac Linux OS Apple $21.83 at Amazon $32.99 Save $11.16 Shop Now Shop Now $21.83 at Amazon $32.99 Save $11.16 How to stream your musical library now that you own itNow that you own your own digital music, you'll likely want to play back those files away from the tethers of your home computer. If you've got a centralized storage solution at home and you want to connect your library to the internet, Plexamp lets you create your own private streaming service. You can log in to it from anywhere in the world with the mobile app and stream the files you own in high resolution. If you don't want to deal with home servers and want to carry your music with you, apps like Prism on iOS and Symfonium on Android are primed for power users. Prism connects to cloud services like Plex and iCloud and features an Apple-worthy interface, while Symfonium supports almost every music format and even lets you cast to other devices. You could also invest in a dedicated mp3 player, either an off-brand one or a revived old favorite, to carry your music with you. Finally, keep the 3-2-1 rule of file ownership in mind when managing your music collection: If the song doesn't exist in three places, it doesn't exist at all. There should be one copy on your main computer or home server, one on an external backup drive, and one in the cloud or physically stored on a bookshelf. Yes, it's maintenance work, but the trade-off is that you own what you listen to. View the full article

U.S. President Donald The President on Monday threatened widespread destruction of Iran’s energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached “shortly.” On the ground, the conflict showed no sign of letting up: Tehran struck a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, and an oil refinery in Israel came under attack. Israel and the U.S. launched a new wave of strikes on Iran. The President’s new threat in a social media post and earlier comments in an interview with the Financial Times that suggested American troops could seize the country’s Kharg Island oil export hub highlight a frequent tactic. On the one hand, he has repeatedly said that talks with Iran are going well — though Tehran denies negotiating directly. On the other hand, he has continually ramped up his threats, as thousands more Marines and other U.S. troops pour into the Middle East. It remains unclear where the diplomatic effort facilitated by Pakistan stands. Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors could add another element of uncertainty to any talks. The United Arab Emirates — which has long billed itself as a beacon of safety and stability in a volatile region — has been hard hit in the war, and increasingly is signaling it wants Iran disarmed in any ceasefire. Iran’s theocracy likely won’t accept that. The President says diplomacy is going well but suggests military expansion is possible In a social media post, The President said “great progress is being made” in talks with Iran to end military operations. But he bristled that if a deal is not reached “shortly” and if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately reopened, the U.S. would broaden its offensive by “completely obliterating” power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island and possibly even targeting desalination plants that supply drinking water. The strait is a crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped in peacetime. In the interview with the FT, The President said his preference would be to “take the oil in Iran” — a move that would require seizing Kharg Island — the terminal through which nearly all of Iran’s oil exports pass. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” he continued. “We have a lot of options.” The U.S. already has targeted military positions on Kharg once. Iran has threatened to launch its own ground invasion of Gulf Arab countries and mine the Persian Gulf if U.S. troops land on its territory. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei on Monday acknowledged Tehran had been given a 15-point proposal from the The President administration, but said there had been no direct negotiations with Washington so far. Earlier, Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, dismissed the talks in Pakistan as a cover to get more U.S. troops into the region. He said Iranian forces were “waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,” according to state media. Twice during The President’s second term, the U.S. has attacked Iran during high-level diplomatic talks, including with the Feb. 28 strikes that started the current war. Iran launches attacks on Israel and hits more infrastructure in Gulf states Sirens sounded at dawn near Israel’s main nuclear research center, a part of the country that has been targeted repeatedly in recent days. Israel’s military also said it had taken out two drones launched from Yemen, where the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the war on Saturday with their first missile attack. Later, a fire broke out at an oil refinery in the northern city of Haifa, either because of a missile strike or debris falling from an interception. The blaze was quickly extinguished. Iran kept up the pressure on its Gulf Arab neighbors, as Saudi Arabia intercepted five missiles targeting its oil-rich Eastern province, Bahrain sounded a missile alert, and a fireball erupted over Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as a missile was intercepted by defenses. In Kuwait, an Iranian attack hit a power and desalination plant, killing one worker and wounding 10 soldiers, the state-run KUNA news agency reported. Amid Iran’s continuing campaign against its Gulf neighbors, an Emirati government official offered another signal Monday that the United Arab Emirates wants more than just a ceasefire. “We want a normal neighbor,” Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the UAE’s Foreign Ministry, wrote in a column published by the state-linked, English-language newspaper The National. “An Iranian regime that launches ballistic missiles at homes, weaponizes global trade and supports proxies is no longer an acceptable feature of the regional landscape.” She added: “We want a guarantee that this will never happen again.” Israel’s military, meanwhile, launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, saying it was striking “military infrastructure” across Tehran. Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital and Iranian state media reported a petrochemicals plant in Tabriz, in the north, sustained damage after an airstrike. Iran confirmed on Monday that the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s navy, Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, had been killed in an Israeli airstrike, as Israel claimed last week. In Lebanon, which Israel has invaded, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others were wounded when a projectile exploded near a village in the south. Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military would widen its invasion, expanding the “existing security strip” in that country’s south as it targets the Iran-linked Hezbollah militant group. In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. Two dozen people have been killed In Gulf states and the occupied West Bank. In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than 1 million have been displaced. Six Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, while 13 U.S. service members have been killed in the war. Oil prices rise again as concerns of global energy crisis grow Iran’s attacks on the energy infrastructure of the region and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz have threatened global supplies of oil, natural gas and fertilizer. They have sent fuel prices skyrocketing and given rise to growing concerns about an energy crisis. The President has said that Iran had agreed to allow 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday as “a sign of respect.” There wasn’t any information on whether those ships were actually moving Monday. Brent crude oil, the international standard, was trading around $115 Monday, up nearly 60% from when the war started. Rising reported from Bangkok, Corder from The Hague, Netherlands. Associated Press writers Darlene Superville aboard Air Force One, Melanie Lidman, Tel Aviv, Israel, Giovanna Dell’Orto in Miami and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this story. —Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Mike Corder, Associated Press View the full article

Martin Thomsen’s departure comes ahead of arrival of oil major’s new chief executive this weekView the full article

Yields rebounded after the 30-year held near 5%, but the yield curve's flattening trend likely isn't over, according to the head of correspondent business development at AD Mortgage. View the full article

When developing a customer care business plan, it’s vital to focus on ten key elements that can greatly impact your success. By setting SMART goals and segmenting your customers, you can tailor your strategies effectively. Enhancing communication methods and integrating technology can streamline operations. Furthermore, collaboration across departments and measuring customer success metrics are important for continuous improvement. Comprehending these components will lay the groundwork for a robust customer care approach, ensuring you meet evolving customer needs. What comes next? Key Takeaways Establish SMART goals centered around customer needs to align with business objectives and improve customer satisfaction metrics. Utilize customer segmentation to develop targeted strategies addressing unique pain points and preferences for tailored support. Implement technology solutions like CRM software to enhance efficiency and track customer interactions effectively. Foster cross-department collaboration to ensure consistent messaging and a seamless customer experience across all touchpoints. Regularly measure customer success metrics, such as NPS and CSAT, to drive continuous improvement in service quality. Build the Foundation To build a strong foundation for your customer care business plan, you need to establish clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Utilize the SMART criteria to define these goals, ensuring they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This approach helps create a solid foundation for your customer success strategy, guiding your team’s efforts effectively. Focus on customer-centric metrics, like increasing your Net Promoter Score (NPS) by a certain percentage within a specified period. This drives customer loyalty and satisfaction. Moreover, encourage a shared comprehension among your team members about the importance of these goals, which promotes a unified approach to achieving success. Regularly review and adjust your goals to respond to changing customer needs and market conditions, keeping your retail shop business plan template pertinent and effective. This adaptability is essential for maintaining high standards in your customer care business plan and overall retail business plan. Understand and Segment Customers Grasping and segmenting your customers is essential for tailoring your support and services to meet their specific needs. Recognizing customer demographics and behaviors allows you to create targeted strategies that address unique pain points for each segment. For instance, using a retail store business plan template can help you outline how to gather and analyze customer data effectively. Regularly collecting feedback through surveys and reviews provides insights that inform your segmentation, ensuring your strategies remain relevant. In your retail business plan example, emphasize the importance of utilizing data analytics to identify customer preferences and trends. This enables you to anticipate the specific needs of different groups, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Effective segmentation can lead to increased retention rates, eventually contributing to your business’s overall success. By focusing on these elements, you set the foundation for a more engaged and loyal customer base. Enhance Customer Interactions Improving customer interactions is crucial for cultivating loyalty and boosting overall satisfaction, especially when you actively anticipate and meet customer needs. Proactive engagement can increase retention by 23%, underscoring the importance of addressing issues before they arise. Customized interactions, like personalized emails and product recommendations, make customers feel valued and understood, raising their satisfaction. By utilizing data analytics, you can identify customer behavior patterns, allowing you to create targeted strategies that effectively address unique pain points for different segments. Implementing a CRM system streamlines these interactions, ensuring all team members have access to pertinent customer data to support personalized service. Additionally, regularly measuring engagement indicators helps you identify at-risk customers, enabling timely outreach to strengthen relationships and mitigate churn. Speed Things up With Technology and Tools As businesses endeavor to improve their customer service, leveraging technology and tools becomes essential for boosting efficiency and responsiveness. Implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allows you to track customer interactions and manage data efficiently, improving team collaboration and customer insight. In addition, utilizing customer success platforms like Custify can automate workflows and monitor customer health metrics, streamlining your support process and enhancing response times. Data analytics tools, such as Tableau, provide valuable insights into customer behavior and trends, enabling you to tailor your strategies effectively. Feedback collection tools, like Canny, facilitate gathering customer opinions and suggestions, driving product improvements and service upgrades. Moreover, communication tools such as Intercom guarantee timely and effective customer support, addressing inquiries quickly, which can increase customer satisfaction by up to 23%. By integrating these technologies, you can greatly improve your customer care operations and build lasting relationships. Collaborate With Other Departments Collaborating with other departments is crucial for creating a seamless customer experience. By aligning messaging across teams, you guarantee that customers receive consistent information, which builds trust and reliability. Furthermore, sharing insights and data helps identify customer needs and opportunities, allowing your organization to respond effectively and improve overall satisfaction. Align Messaging Across Teams Effective communication across teams is crucial for delivering a consistent customer experience. By collaborating with sales teams, you can gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences, leading to better-targeted customer care strategies and upselling opportunities. Aligning messaging between marketing and customer support guarantees a unified brand voice, which helps maintain customer trust and consistency in communication. Engaging with the product team allows you to prioritize customer feedback on feature requests and bug fixes, aligning product offerings with customer expectations. Regular coordination between customer service and support teams streamlines processes, creating an all-encompassing knowledge base. This alignment across departments promotes a cohesive approach to customer success, eventually improving customer satisfaction and loyalty metrics. Share Insights and Data Aligning messaging across teams not merely improves communication but furthermore sets the stage for sharing insights and data effectively. Collaborating with departments like sales and marketing gives you valuable insights into customer needs, leading to improved customer care strategies. Engaging the product team allows prioritization of feature requests based on real feedback, whereas coordination with the support team creates an all-encompassing knowledge base. Regular interdepartmental meetings encourage alignment on objectives, ensuring all teams work in the direction of improving customer satisfaction. Department Insight Provided Sales Trends in customer purchasing behavior Marketing Customer engagement data and campaign feedback Product Feature requests based on customer feedback Support Common issues faced by customers during interactions Document Your Processes Documenting your processes is vital for maintaining consistency in service delivery, which directly impacts the customer experience. By having clear procedures in place, you not just streamline training and onboarding for new team members but furthermore improve overall efficiency within your organization. Moreover, keeping this documentation updated allows for ongoing process improvements, ensuring your strategies adapt to evolving customer needs and market demands. Consistency in Service Delivery Creating a consistent customer service experience hinges on clear and thorough documentation of your processes. Documenting these processes guarantees your team provides a uniform experience, reducing variability and enhancing customer satisfaction at every touchpoint. With clear documentation, new team members can quickly grasp their roles and responsibilities, allowing for efficient onboarding. Establishing a set of customer service workflows promotes accountability, clarifying who’s responsible for each aspect of customer interactions. Standardized processes not only streamline operations but additionally enable your team to respond to inquiries more quickly and accurately. By regularly updating documentation based on feedback and customer interactions, you guarantee your processes remain relevant, adapting to evolving expectations and service standards. Training and Onboarding Efficiency Efficient training and onboarding are crucial for a successful customer care team, as they directly impact service quality and employee performance. Documenting your processes improves onboarding efficiency, offering new team members a consistent reference point for handling inquiries. Well-documented workflows can cut training time by up to 25%, allowing quicker adaptation to roles. Standardized procedures in a customer care playbook guarantee uniform experiences for customers. Regular updates prevent knowledge gaps, equipping new hires with the latest best practices. A centralized knowledge base makes information easily accessible, boosting response times and service quality. Benefits Impact on Training Time Outcome Clear Documentation Reduces by 25% Faster Onboarding Standardized Protocols Guarantees Consistency Uniform Customer Experience Regular Updates Keeps Information Current Informed Employees Process Improvement Documentation When processes are clearly documented, it guarantees consistency in customer experiences and minimizes errors, which in the end improves the overall quality of service provided by your customer care team. Documenting workflows not only assists in onboarding new team members effectively but also boosts overall efficiency. Here are some key benefits of process improvement documentation: It provides a clear reference point for team members to understand their roles and responsibilities. Regular updates facilitate easier adjustments to strategies, helping you remain agile in response to changing customer expectations. Accountability is improved, ensuring all team members are aligned in their customer care efforts. Measure Customer Success Metrics Measuring customer success metrics is essential for grasping how well your business meets customer needs and expectations. Key metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) provide quantitative insights into customer perceptions and engagement. Regularly tracking NPS, which ranges from -100 to 100, allows you to identify areas for improvement and assess overall sentiment regarding your service. CSAT, often gathered through post-interaction surveys, helps you evaluate satisfaction immediately after a service experience, enabling timely feedback for adjustments. Analyzing CLV gives you an insight into the long-term value of acquiring and retaining customers, informing your marketing and customer service strategies. Establishing a routine for measuring these metrics encourages a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring your business remains responsive to evolving customer needs and expectations. Continuously Improve and Adapt To continuously improve customer care, you need to focus on ongoing data analysis and agile process adjustments. Regularly evaluating metrics like customer satisfaction helps identify areas for improvement, as you adapt quickly to feedback guarantees your services meet evolving customer needs. Ongoing Data Analysis Ongoing data analysis serves as a crucial element in refining customer care strategies, helping businesses stay responsive to their customers’ needs. By regularly tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like customer satisfaction scores (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and customer lifetime value (CLV), you can effectively assess your initiatives. Utilizing data analytics tools allows you to identify trends, enabling proactive adjustments. Key benefits include: Improved comprehension of customer behavior and pain points Creation of feedback loops for real-time service adaptations Enhanced customer retention rates through proactive engagement Regular reviews empower your team to make informed decisions, ensuring alignment with customer expectations and facilitating timely adjustments to service delivery methods. This ongoing analysis cultivates a culture of continuous improvement. Agile Process Adjustments Agile process adjustments are essential for businesses aiming to improve customer care by adapting swiftly to shifts in customer preferences and market dynamics. Implementing regular feedback loops lets you adapt your strategies based on real-time insights, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. Analyzing customer success metrics, like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), provides actionable data to pinpoint areas needing improvement. Agile methodologies promote quick iterations, enabling your team to effectively respond to changing expectations. Regularly reviewing customer experience maps guarantees alignment with customer needs at every touchpoint. Moreover, utilizing data analytics tools like Tableau helps you uncover trends in customer behavior, supporting informed decisions for necessary process improvements. Effective Communication Strategies Effective communication strategies play a crucial role in enhancing customer care and satisfaction. By focusing on clear and empathetic interactions, you can greatly improve customer experiences and nurture loyalty. Consider these key elements: Active Listening: Truly understand customer concerns, resolving up to 90% of issues simply by acknowledging their emotions. Clear Language: Use concise communication to minimize misunderstandings, potentially boosting satisfaction scores by 25%. Proactive Outreach: Contact customers before they reach out for help, reducing the likelihood of minor issues escalating, which can improve retention rates by 23%. Additionally, maintaining consistent communication across all channels, such as phone, email, and chat, guarantees uniform service quality. This consistency is crucial for upholding your brand’s reputation and enhancing customer loyalty. Implementing these strategies can lead to a more effective customer care approach, eventually benefiting your business in the long run. Training and Empowerment of Customer Service Representatives Training customer service representatives is vital for guaranteeing they possess the skills needed to handle a variety of customer inquiries effectively. Your training programs should focus on fundamental skills, including product knowledge, communication techniques, and empathy. This equips you to address diverse customer needs. Empowering you to make decisions during interactions can greatly improve customer satisfaction, as trust leads to better service and quicker issue resolution. Prioritizing ongoing training guarantees you remain adaptable to changing customer expectations and industry trends. Incorporating role-playing scenarios during training improves your problem-solving abilities, preparing you for real-life situations and boosting your confidence. Moreover, providing access to updated resources is important, as it allows you to deliver accurate responses and maintain consistency across all customer interactions. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Key Elements of Customer Service? The seven key elements of customer service include clear communication, responsiveness, empathy, knowledge, consistency, personalization, and feedback. Clear communication guarantees customers understand your offerings. Responsiveness means addressing inquiries swiftly. Empathy helps in connecting with customers emotionally. Knowledge guarantees your team can provide accurate information. Consistency builds trust, whereas personalization tailors experiences to individual needs. Finally, seeking feedback helps you identify areas for improvement, guaranteeing your service evolves to better meet customer expectations. What Are the 5 Pillars of Customer Success? The five pillars of customer success are vital for nurturing long-term relationships and satisfaction. First, you need to understand customer needs by researching their preferences and pain points. Next, set clear, SMART goals that align with your business objectives. Effective communication is critical, so practice active listening and empathy. Leverage technology through CRM systems to improve engagement, and finally, promote continuous improvement to adapt your strategies and maintain customer loyalty. What Are the 7 Key Components of a Business Plan? To create a thorough business plan, you need seven key components. Start with an executive summary that captures your mission and vision. Next, conduct a market analysis to identify your target audience and competition. Outline your organizational structure to clarify roles. Develop a marketing strategy to attract customers, and include financial projections like income statements. Finally, assess risks and define your funding requirements to guarantee a clear path to success. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Care? The 4 C’s of customer care are Care, Communication, Consistency, and Convenience. Care involves showing empathy and comprehension regarding customers, which builds trust. Communication guarantees you engage in clear, transparent dialogue, addressing customer needs effectively. Consistency assures that customers receive the same high-quality service across all channels, reinforcing reliability. Finally, Convenience focuses on making interactions easy and accessible, utilizing technology to streamline processes and improve the overall customer experience. Conclusion In summary, implementing these ten key elements in your customer care business plan can greatly improve customer satisfaction and drive growth. By establishing SMART goals, segmenting your customer base, and utilizing technology, you streamline operations and improve interactions. Collaboration across departments, effective communication strategies, and thorough training for your team guarantee consistency and efficiency. Regularly measuring customer success metrics and adapting your approach will keep you responsive to market changes, ultimately nurturing loyalty and long-term success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Key Elements of an Effective Customer Care Business Plan" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When developing a customer care business plan, it’s vital to focus on ten key elements that can greatly impact your success. By setting SMART goals and segmenting your customers, you can tailor your strategies effectively. Enhancing communication methods and integrating technology can streamline operations. Furthermore, collaboration across departments and measuring customer success metrics are important for continuous improvement. Comprehending these components will lay the groundwork for a robust customer care approach, ensuring you meet evolving customer needs. What comes next? Key Takeaways Establish SMART goals centered around customer needs to align with business objectives and improve customer satisfaction metrics. Utilize customer segmentation to develop targeted strategies addressing unique pain points and preferences for tailored support. Implement technology solutions like CRM software to enhance efficiency and track customer interactions effectively. Foster cross-department collaboration to ensure consistent messaging and a seamless customer experience across all touchpoints. Regularly measure customer success metrics, such as NPS and CSAT, to drive continuous improvement in service quality. Build the Foundation To build a strong foundation for your customer care business plan, you need to establish clear and measurable goals that align with your overall business objectives. Utilize the SMART criteria to define these goals, ensuring they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This approach helps create a solid foundation for your customer success strategy, guiding your team’s efforts effectively. Focus on customer-centric metrics, like increasing your Net Promoter Score (NPS) by a certain percentage within a specified period. This drives customer loyalty and satisfaction. Moreover, encourage a shared comprehension among your team members about the importance of these goals, which promotes a unified approach to achieving success. Regularly review and adjust your goals to respond to changing customer needs and market conditions, keeping your retail shop business plan template pertinent and effective. This adaptability is essential for maintaining high standards in your customer care business plan and overall retail business plan. Understand and Segment Customers Grasping and segmenting your customers is essential for tailoring your support and services to meet their specific needs. Recognizing customer demographics and behaviors allows you to create targeted strategies that address unique pain points for each segment. For instance, using a retail store business plan template can help you outline how to gather and analyze customer data effectively. Regularly collecting feedback through surveys and reviews provides insights that inform your segmentation, ensuring your strategies remain relevant. In your retail business plan example, emphasize the importance of utilizing data analytics to identify customer preferences and trends. This enables you to anticipate the specific needs of different groups, driving customer satisfaction and loyalty. Effective segmentation can lead to increased retention rates, eventually contributing to your business’s overall success. By focusing on these elements, you set the foundation for a more engaged and loyal customer base. Enhance Customer Interactions Improving customer interactions is crucial for cultivating loyalty and boosting overall satisfaction, especially when you actively anticipate and meet customer needs. Proactive engagement can increase retention by 23%, underscoring the importance of addressing issues before they arise. Customized interactions, like personalized emails and product recommendations, make customers feel valued and understood, raising their satisfaction. By utilizing data analytics, you can identify customer behavior patterns, allowing you to create targeted strategies that effectively address unique pain points for different segments. Implementing a CRM system streamlines these interactions, ensuring all team members have access to pertinent customer data to support personalized service. Additionally, regularly measuring engagement indicators helps you identify at-risk customers, enabling timely outreach to strengthen relationships and mitigate churn. Speed Things up With Technology and Tools As businesses endeavor to improve their customer service, leveraging technology and tools becomes essential for boosting efficiency and responsiveness. Implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allows you to track customer interactions and manage data efficiently, improving team collaboration and customer insight. In addition, utilizing customer success platforms like Custify can automate workflows and monitor customer health metrics, streamlining your support process and enhancing response times. Data analytics tools, such as Tableau, provide valuable insights into customer behavior and trends, enabling you to tailor your strategies effectively. Feedback collection tools, like Canny, facilitate gathering customer opinions and suggestions, driving product improvements and service upgrades. Moreover, communication tools such as Intercom guarantee timely and effective customer support, addressing inquiries quickly, which can increase customer satisfaction by up to 23%. By integrating these technologies, you can greatly improve your customer care operations and build lasting relationships. Collaborate With Other Departments Collaborating with other departments is crucial for creating a seamless customer experience. By aligning messaging across teams, you guarantee that customers receive consistent information, which builds trust and reliability. Furthermore, sharing insights and data helps identify customer needs and opportunities, allowing your organization to respond effectively and improve overall satisfaction. Align Messaging Across Teams Effective communication across teams is crucial for delivering a consistent customer experience. By collaborating with sales teams, you can gain valuable insights into customer needs and preferences, leading to better-targeted customer care strategies and upselling opportunities. Aligning messaging between marketing and customer support guarantees a unified brand voice, which helps maintain customer trust and consistency in communication. Engaging with the product team allows you to prioritize customer feedback on feature requests and bug fixes, aligning product offerings with customer expectations. Regular coordination between customer service and support teams streamlines processes, creating an all-encompassing knowledge base. This alignment across departments promotes a cohesive approach to customer success, eventually improving customer satisfaction and loyalty metrics. Share Insights and Data Aligning messaging across teams not merely improves communication but furthermore sets the stage for sharing insights and data effectively. Collaborating with departments like sales and marketing gives you valuable insights into customer needs, leading to improved customer care strategies. Engaging the product team allows prioritization of feature requests based on real feedback, whereas coordination with the support team creates an all-encompassing knowledge base. Regular interdepartmental meetings encourage alignment on objectives, ensuring all teams work in the direction of improving customer satisfaction. Department Insight Provided Sales Trends in customer purchasing behavior Marketing Customer engagement data and campaign feedback Product Feature requests based on customer feedback Support Common issues faced by customers during interactions Document Your Processes Documenting your processes is vital for maintaining consistency in service delivery, which directly impacts the customer experience. By having clear procedures in place, you not just streamline training and onboarding for new team members but furthermore improve overall efficiency within your organization. Moreover, keeping this documentation updated allows for ongoing process improvements, ensuring your strategies adapt to evolving customer needs and market demands. Consistency in Service Delivery Creating a consistent customer service experience hinges on clear and thorough documentation of your processes. Documenting these processes guarantees your team provides a uniform experience, reducing variability and enhancing customer satisfaction at every touchpoint. With clear documentation, new team members can quickly grasp their roles and responsibilities, allowing for efficient onboarding. Establishing a set of customer service workflows promotes accountability, clarifying who’s responsible for each aspect of customer interactions. Standardized processes not only streamline operations but additionally enable your team to respond to inquiries more quickly and accurately. By regularly updating documentation based on feedback and customer interactions, you guarantee your processes remain relevant, adapting to evolving expectations and service standards. Training and Onboarding Efficiency Efficient training and onboarding are crucial for a successful customer care team, as they directly impact service quality and employee performance. Documenting your processes improves onboarding efficiency, offering new team members a consistent reference point for handling inquiries. Well-documented workflows can cut training time by up to 25%, allowing quicker adaptation to roles. Standardized procedures in a customer care playbook guarantee uniform experiences for customers. Regular updates prevent knowledge gaps, equipping new hires with the latest best practices. A centralized knowledge base makes information easily accessible, boosting response times and service quality. Benefits Impact on Training Time Outcome Clear Documentation Reduces by 25% Faster Onboarding Standardized Protocols Guarantees Consistency Uniform Customer Experience Regular Updates Keeps Information Current Informed Employees Process Improvement Documentation When processes are clearly documented, it guarantees consistency in customer experiences and minimizes errors, which in the end improves the overall quality of service provided by your customer care team. Documenting workflows not only assists in onboarding new team members effectively but also boosts overall efficiency. Here are some key benefits of process improvement documentation: It provides a clear reference point for team members to understand their roles and responsibilities. Regular updates facilitate easier adjustments to strategies, helping you remain agile in response to changing customer expectations. Accountability is improved, ensuring all team members are aligned in their customer care efforts. Measure Customer Success Metrics Measuring customer success metrics is essential for grasping how well your business meets customer needs and expectations. Key metrics like Net Promoter Score (NPS), Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), and Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) provide quantitative insights into customer perceptions and engagement. Regularly tracking NPS, which ranges from -100 to 100, allows you to identify areas for improvement and assess overall sentiment regarding your service. CSAT, often gathered through post-interaction surveys, helps you evaluate satisfaction immediately after a service experience, enabling timely feedback for adjustments. Analyzing CLV gives you an insight into the long-term value of acquiring and retaining customers, informing your marketing and customer service strategies. Establishing a routine for measuring these metrics encourages a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring your business remains responsive to evolving customer needs and expectations. Continuously Improve and Adapt To continuously improve customer care, you need to focus on ongoing data analysis and agile process adjustments. Regularly evaluating metrics like customer satisfaction helps identify areas for improvement, as you adapt quickly to feedback guarantees your services meet evolving customer needs. Ongoing Data Analysis Ongoing data analysis serves as a crucial element in refining customer care strategies, helping businesses stay responsive to their customers’ needs. By regularly tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) like customer satisfaction scores (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and customer lifetime value (CLV), you can effectively assess your initiatives. Utilizing data analytics tools allows you to identify trends, enabling proactive adjustments. Key benefits include: Improved comprehension of customer behavior and pain points Creation of feedback loops for real-time service adaptations Enhanced customer retention rates through proactive engagement Regular reviews empower your team to make informed decisions, ensuring alignment with customer expectations and facilitating timely adjustments to service delivery methods. This ongoing analysis cultivates a culture of continuous improvement. Agile Process Adjustments Agile process adjustments are essential for businesses aiming to improve customer care by adapting swiftly to shifts in customer preferences and market dynamics. Implementing regular feedback loops lets you adapt your strategies based on real-time insights, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. Analyzing customer success metrics, like Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), provides actionable data to pinpoint areas needing improvement. Agile methodologies promote quick iterations, enabling your team to effectively respond to changing expectations. Regularly reviewing customer experience maps guarantees alignment with customer needs at every touchpoint. Moreover, utilizing data analytics tools like Tableau helps you uncover trends in customer behavior, supporting informed decisions for necessary process improvements. Effective Communication Strategies Effective communication strategies play a crucial role in enhancing customer care and satisfaction. By focusing on clear and empathetic interactions, you can greatly improve customer experiences and nurture loyalty. Consider these key elements: Active Listening: Truly understand customer concerns, resolving up to 90% of issues simply by acknowledging their emotions. Clear Language: Use concise communication to minimize misunderstandings, potentially boosting satisfaction scores by 25%. Proactive Outreach: Contact customers before they reach out for help, reducing the likelihood of minor issues escalating, which can improve retention rates by 23%. Additionally, maintaining consistent communication across all channels, such as phone, email, and chat, guarantees uniform service quality. This consistency is crucial for upholding your brand’s reputation and enhancing customer loyalty. Implementing these strategies can lead to a more effective customer care approach, eventually benefiting your business in the long run. Training and Empowerment of Customer Service Representatives Training customer service representatives is vital for guaranteeing they possess the skills needed to handle a variety of customer inquiries effectively. Your training programs should focus on fundamental skills, including product knowledge, communication techniques, and empathy. This equips you to address diverse customer needs. Empowering you to make decisions during interactions can greatly improve customer satisfaction, as trust leads to better service and quicker issue resolution. Prioritizing ongoing training guarantees you remain adaptable to changing customer expectations and industry trends. Incorporating role-playing scenarios during training improves your problem-solving abilities, preparing you for real-life situations and boosting your confidence. Moreover, providing access to updated resources is important, as it allows you to deliver accurate responses and maintain consistency across all customer interactions. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Key Elements of Customer Service? The seven key elements of customer service include clear communication, responsiveness, empathy, knowledge, consistency, personalization, and feedback. Clear communication guarantees customers understand your offerings. Responsiveness means addressing inquiries swiftly. Empathy helps in connecting with customers emotionally. Knowledge guarantees your team can provide accurate information. Consistency builds trust, whereas personalization tailors experiences to individual needs. Finally, seeking feedback helps you identify areas for improvement, guaranteeing your service evolves to better meet customer expectations. What Are the 5 Pillars of Customer Success? The five pillars of customer success are vital for nurturing long-term relationships and satisfaction. First, you need to understand customer needs by researching their preferences and pain points. Next, set clear, SMART goals that align with your business objectives. Effective communication is critical, so practice active listening and empathy. Leverage technology through CRM systems to improve engagement, and finally, promote continuous improvement to adapt your strategies and maintain customer loyalty. What Are the 7 Key Components of a Business Plan? To create a thorough business plan, you need seven key components. Start with an executive summary that captures your mission and vision. Next, conduct a market analysis to identify your target audience and competition. Outline your organizational structure to clarify roles. Develop a marketing strategy to attract customers, and include financial projections like income statements. Finally, assess risks and define your funding requirements to guarantee a clear path to success. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Care? The 4 C’s of customer care are Care, Communication, Consistency, and Convenience. Care involves showing empathy and comprehension regarding customers, which builds trust. Communication guarantees you engage in clear, transparent dialogue, addressing customer needs effectively. Consistency assures that customers receive the same high-quality service across all channels, reinforcing reliability. Finally, Convenience focuses on making interactions easy and accessible, utilizing technology to streamline processes and improve the overall customer experience. Conclusion In summary, implementing these ten key elements in your customer care business plan can greatly improve customer satisfaction and drive growth. By establishing SMART goals, segmenting your customer base, and utilizing technology, you streamline operations and improve interactions. Collaboration across departments, effective communication strategies, and thorough training for your team guarantee consistency and efficiency. Regularly measuring customer success metrics and adapting your approach will keep you responsive to market changes, ultimately nurturing loyalty and long-term success. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Key Elements of an Effective Customer Care Business Plan" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. One of the easiest ways to turn off the noise of the world is to outsource what the phone does to other devices—ones that aren't perpetually online or requiring a subscription to function. This led me to rediscover an old favorite: the MP3 player. MP3 players are now, not surprisingly, far more capable than they were two decades ago. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, many of which emulate the design of favorite legacy MP3 players, and are manufactured by companies you've likely never heard of, like FiiO and AGPTEK. They come with support for the latest music codecs, Bluetooth, FM Radio, built-in speakers, and even features that smartphone manufacturers have long since dropped, like expansion slots and the standard headphone jack. But if you're really nostalgic for the old days, you can recommission a vintage Apple iPod or a Microsoft Zune. There are even creative modders who will customize a traditional one. Whatever way you decide to participate, embracing the standalone MP3 player means joining a movement in defiance of the current trend of streaming everything. Here's how I got started with an MP3 player, and where to start if you're interested in reviving your own for modern-day use. These MP3 players are a turnkey solutionLet's be realistic: MP3 players are no longer the de facto gadget category they once were. You can't find them at brick-and-mortar stores or online the way you used to. But you can find some reasonably priced ones on Amazon and other global gadget markets. The most common and well-rated brand you'll see pop up on Amazon is AGPTEK. The company is based in Brooklyn and sells nearly everything in the gadget spectrum. It's one of those "parts bin" brands, which have access to reliable, off-the-shelf components to make reasonably priced gadgets without the high cost. AGPTEK A02 MP3 Player with Bluetooth 5.3, 1.8 inch Screen Portable Music Player with Speaker, FM Radio, Voice Recorder, Supports Expanded Up to 128GB(Purple, 64GB) $36.99 at Amazon Learn More Learn More $36.99 at Amazon AGPTEK offers several music players, but its most popular is the A02. It became a legend for its 70-hour battery life, and it's the one I brought home because of its impressive feature set. The AGPTEK A02 uses the latest Bluetooth 5.3 codec. I can move around the house with the player in my pocket or leave it on my desk, and I still have clear sound on the other side of the house. It uses USB-C for charging and data transfer, and there's a microSD slot that supports up to 128GB of storage if you need more than its 64GB internal storage. There's a physical lock switch to keep you from accidentally skipping a track, too. The Innioasis Y1. Credit: Innioasis/Amazon Innioasis is another brand you'll see floating around—they're known for their iPod knockoffs. They sell touchscreen MP3 players, too, but it's the "iPod tribute" ones that get the most traction. The most popular model is the Y1, which looks like an iPod Classic. The $50 device comes with USB-C and Bluetooth, rather than relying on a 30-Pin proprietary charging cable like back in the day. You don't need special software to drag and drop music onto the device. Most models come with 128GB of internal storage. Innioasis's touch-screen models are hybrid digital music players: They have wifi access so that you can download Spotify playlists and Audible audiobooks. They can't access the internet outside of that hot zone, however, so if you want new music and you're out on a run, you'll have to wait until you get back to the internet. These high-end options for great for audiophilesThe Sony Walkman NW-A306 is a premium digital music player. It has high-end internals like Sony's proprietary S-Master HX digital amplifier, which reduces distortion and noise across different frequencies, and high-quality film capacitors that make audio sound clearer than a phone's standard DAC (digital-to-analog converter). These are usually parts reserved for Sony's high-end home stereo systems, but here they're shrunk into a smaller footprint. For those on a tighter budget who still want a full-featured MP3 player, the brand FiiO is the current darling of the audiophile community. The JM21 player is slim and runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 chip, which you'd typically find in an Android phone. It has Dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chips, which means it delivers music with fully balanced audio, the same way Sony's music players do. It also features both a standard 3.5mm and a 4.4mm headphone jack if you have high-end studio cans you'd rather listen through. 160G MP3 Player, JadeAudio/FiiO JM21 Android 13 Hi-Res Music Player with Snapdragon 680, Bluetooth WiFi USB DAC 12.5H Playtime, up to 2TB (Black) $179.99 at Amazon $189.99 Save $10.00 Learn More Learn More $179.99 at Amazon $189.99 Save $10.00 Deciding between these two depends on whether you prioritize usability or power. Sony's players, like the NW-A306 and the slightly larger NW-ZX707, are small and offer up to 36 hours of battery life. They also feature a Sony-piloted AI-powered tool called DSEE Ultimate, which upscales low-quality audio to sound more high-resolution. That said, Sony users have complained that the device can feel sluggish compared to even a modern midrange Android device. It's not exactly high-powered. The FiiO is an easier sell because it just got refreshed. The JM21 has a 700 mW output, so it won't start crackling as your headphones get louder. Users prefer the interface to that of the Sony MP3 players, too. They've also mentioned that the soundstage, or the perceived "distance" between instruments, feels much wider. However, the MP3 player is a bit of a "brick" compared to Sony's lighter builds. The battery life is only 12-15 hours, and it doesn't have Sony's AI-assisted audio processing, so if your audio files are bad, you'll hear it all. Should you resurrect your iPod? If you aren't interested in buying something new, you might find yourself drawn to the do-it-yourself world of MP3 player revival. You take a twenty-year-old device, gut it, replace its parts with modern components, and then you have yourself Frankenstein's digital music player for the new age. Right now, iPods are the ones getting the most modding. The fragile, spinning mechanical hard drive of the original iPod Classic is typically the first thing to fail, so modders use iFlash adapters to load music from microSD cards instead. By removing that hard drive, you also make space for a battery, which can add more life to the iPod—some modders figured out how to run it for over 100 hours of continuous play. If you do decide to go this route, there are kits you can buy, like the Classic Connect 2, which lets you add Bluetooth, USB-C charging, and wireless charging to the classic iPod shell. Even if you have an older iPod lying around that's still working, you can break free from the ghost of iTunes by installing Rockbox. This open-source firmware, which finally landed a stable release in 2025, enables vintage iPods to play lossless FLAC files, add custom themes, and other shenanigans that you wouldn't consider doing to an mp3 player, but you can. People are also reviving Microsoft's original attempt at the "iPod Killer": the Zune. The Zune 30 is particularly popular for these modding projects because its internal layout is spacious. Modders can swap the original hard drive for a larger-capacity solid-state drive and drop in a bigger battery. And yes, they're bringing wireless charging to the Zune through aftermarket hacks, too. I am personally on a journey to attempt to revive a Sony Walkman NW-HD5. It has its own community of modders who have figured out how to replace the 1.8-inch drive with flash storage. That model also had a user-replaceable battery from the get-go, and you can find higher-capacity batteries on places like AliExpress to fully revive it. Rockbox also works with the Sony NW-HD5. It's a tinkering hobby that will keep me busy for a while. View the full article

Creating an effective software satisfaction survey is vital for grasping user experiences and improving your product. By crafting clear, targeted questions, you can gather valuable insights on key features. It’s likewise fundamental to distribute the survey quickly after user interactions and personalize invitations to boost responses. Anonymity can encourage honest feedback, which leads to actionable results. As you explore the components of a successful survey, consider how each element contributes to a thorough comprehension of user satisfaction. Key Takeaways Incorporate diverse question types, such as rating scales and open-ended questions, to capture comprehensive user feedback. Ensure questions are clear and concise to minimize confusion and encourage honest responses. Distribute surveys soon after key user interactions to enhance the accuracy of feedback. Utilize multiple channels for distribution, including emails and in-app notifications, to reach a wider audience. Analyze results collaboratively, prioritizing impactful suggestions and measuring the effectiveness of any changes implemented. Understanding the Importance of Software Satisfaction Surveys Comprehending software satisfaction surveys is fundamental for any organization looking to improve its products and services. These surveys provide insights into user perceptions, allowing you to measure happiness and loyalty toward your software. By incorporating well-structured program survey questions, you can capture direct feedback on usability, functionality, and overall user experience. A well-designed survey for software not only highlights areas needing improvement but likewise tracks changes in user sentiment over time. This ongoing assessment aids in benchmarking progress and evaluating the impact of software updates. Furthermore, collecting user feedback demonstrates your commitment to valuing and responding to their needs, which can improve customer relationships. Implementing changes based on insights from your software satisfaction survey can greatly boost user satisfaction, leading to higher customer retention rates and reduced churn. Therefore, incorporating these surveys into your strategy is vital for long-term success. Key Components of an Effective Survey To gather meaningful insights from your software satisfaction survey, it’s important to include several key components that can improve the effectiveness of your questions. Here are five essential elements to take into account: Variety of Question Types: Mix rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions to capture diverse user insights. Clarity and Conciseness: Guarantee each question is straightforward, allowing respondents to easily understand and provide accurate feedback. Targeted Relevance: Focus on specific aspects of the software experience to gather actionable insights that align with user needs. Timing of Distribution: Send the survey shortly after significant software interactions to yield more accurate responses. Anonymity Assurance: Communicate the survey’s purpose and make sure users feel safe providing honest feedback without fear of repercussions. Crafting Thoughtful Questions for User Feedback How can you secure your software satisfaction survey effectively captures user feedback? Start by crafting clear and concise questions that respondents can easily understand, reducing any ambiguity in their answers. Incorporate a mix of question types—rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions—so you can gather thorough insights into user experiences and preferences. Focus your questions on specific software features and user interactions, targeting key areas like usability, functionality, and support to guarantee you collect actionable feedback. Use unbiased and neutral phrasing to avoid leading respondents in specific directions, allowing the data to accurately reflect genuine user sentiments. Finally, keep your survey length between 8 to 12 questions, making it quick and manageable for users. This approach improves response rates and encourages more participants to complete the survey, eventually providing you with valuable insights for enhancing your software. Best Practices for Survey Distribution and Engagement Gathering user feedback through surveys is only as effective as the methods you use to distribute them. To maximize your reach and engagement, consider these best practices when distributing your software satisfaction survey: Use a mix of distribution channels, like in-app notifications, emails, and social media. Time your surveys right; send them shortly after significant user interactions or milestones. Personalize survey invitations based on user behavior and demographics to increase relevance. Offer incentives, such as discounts or prize draws, to motivate participation. Monitor response rates and adjust your approach based on user feedback patterns. Analyzing and Acting on Survey Results Analyzing survey results reveals crucial insights into user satisfaction and potential areas for improvement within your software. You’ll want to aggregate data to identify trends and patterns that pinpoint critical feedback. Sharing these findings with relevant stakeholders is fundamental, as it encourages accountability and collaborative action on identified issues. Action Description Identify Trends Look for recurring themes in user feedback. Share Findings Communicate results with teams to promote action. Prioritize Feedback Focus on the most impactful suggestions first. Measure Impact Assess the effects of implemented changes. Frequently Asked Questions How to Create a Satisfaction Survey? To create a satisfaction survey, first, define your main objectives, like gauging overall satisfaction or pinpointing improvement areas. Next, choose a variety of question types, such as rating scales and open-ended queries, to gather thorough feedback. Make sure your questions are clear and concise, avoiding jargon. Finally, distribute the survey at opportune moments, like after purchases, and analyze the results to identify patterns that can inform actionable changes for enhancing user satisfaction. What Is the 5 Point Scale for Customer Satisfaction Survey? The 5-point scale for customer satisfaction surveys ranges from 1 (Very Unsatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied). This scale allows you to quantify customer sentiments effectively, making it easier to analyze overall satisfaction trends. A score of 4 or 5 typically indicates a positive experience, suggesting potential customer loyalty. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To gather meaningful insights, you should consider these five survey questions: First, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the overall experience?” Next, ask, “How likely are you to recommend our service to others?” Furthermore, inquire about valuable features with, “Which features do you find most useful?” Follow this with a value assessment: “Do you believe the service is worth its price?” Finally, ask for suggestions: “What improvements would you recommend?” What Are the 7 Steps to Creating a Good Survey? To create a good survey, start by defining your objectives to guide your questions. Next, craft clear and concise questions using straightforward language. Incorporate a variety of question types—like multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended—to gather diverse insights. Test your survey with a small group to identify any issues and make necessary adjustments. Finally, analyze the data thoroughly, focusing on actionable insights that can lead to meaningful improvements based on user feedback. Conclusion In summary, an effective software satisfaction survey is essential for comprehending user experiences and improving your product. By focusing on key components, crafting thoughtful questions, and employing best practices for distribution, you can gather valuable feedback. Analyzing the results allows you to identify areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction. Remember, engaging users through personalized invitations and maintaining anonymity can greatly impact response rates and the quality of the insights you receive. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Creating an Effective Software Satisfaction Survey" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating an effective software satisfaction survey is vital for grasping user experiences and improving your product. By crafting clear, targeted questions, you can gather valuable insights on key features. It’s likewise fundamental to distribute the survey quickly after user interactions and personalize invitations to boost responses. Anonymity can encourage honest feedback, which leads to actionable results. As you explore the components of a successful survey, consider how each element contributes to a thorough comprehension of user satisfaction. Key Takeaways Incorporate diverse question types, such as rating scales and open-ended questions, to capture comprehensive user feedback. Ensure questions are clear and concise to minimize confusion and encourage honest responses. Distribute surveys soon after key user interactions to enhance the accuracy of feedback. Utilize multiple channels for distribution, including emails and in-app notifications, to reach a wider audience. Analyze results collaboratively, prioritizing impactful suggestions and measuring the effectiveness of any changes implemented. Understanding the Importance of Software Satisfaction Surveys Comprehending software satisfaction surveys is fundamental for any organization looking to improve its products and services. These surveys provide insights into user perceptions, allowing you to measure happiness and loyalty toward your software. By incorporating well-structured program survey questions, you can capture direct feedback on usability, functionality, and overall user experience. A well-designed survey for software not only highlights areas needing improvement but likewise tracks changes in user sentiment over time. This ongoing assessment aids in benchmarking progress and evaluating the impact of software updates. Furthermore, collecting user feedback demonstrates your commitment to valuing and responding to their needs, which can improve customer relationships. Implementing changes based on insights from your software satisfaction survey can greatly boost user satisfaction, leading to higher customer retention rates and reduced churn. Therefore, incorporating these surveys into your strategy is vital for long-term success. Key Components of an Effective Survey To gather meaningful insights from your software satisfaction survey, it’s important to include several key components that can improve the effectiveness of your questions. Here are five essential elements to take into account: Variety of Question Types: Mix rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions to capture diverse user insights. Clarity and Conciseness: Guarantee each question is straightforward, allowing respondents to easily understand and provide accurate feedback. Targeted Relevance: Focus on specific aspects of the software experience to gather actionable insights that align with user needs. Timing of Distribution: Send the survey shortly after significant software interactions to yield more accurate responses. Anonymity Assurance: Communicate the survey’s purpose and make sure users feel safe providing honest feedback without fear of repercussions. Crafting Thoughtful Questions for User Feedback How can you secure your software satisfaction survey effectively captures user feedback? Start by crafting clear and concise questions that respondents can easily understand, reducing any ambiguity in their answers. Incorporate a mix of question types—rating scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions—so you can gather thorough insights into user experiences and preferences. Focus your questions on specific software features and user interactions, targeting key areas like usability, functionality, and support to guarantee you collect actionable feedback. Use unbiased and neutral phrasing to avoid leading respondents in specific directions, allowing the data to accurately reflect genuine user sentiments. Finally, keep your survey length between 8 to 12 questions, making it quick and manageable for users. This approach improves response rates and encourages more participants to complete the survey, eventually providing you with valuable insights for enhancing your software. Best Practices for Survey Distribution and Engagement Gathering user feedback through surveys is only as effective as the methods you use to distribute them. To maximize your reach and engagement, consider these best practices when distributing your software satisfaction survey: Use a mix of distribution channels, like in-app notifications, emails, and social media. Time your surveys right; send them shortly after significant user interactions or milestones. Personalize survey invitations based on user behavior and demographics to increase relevance. Offer incentives, such as discounts or prize draws, to motivate participation. Monitor response rates and adjust your approach based on user feedback patterns. Analyzing and Acting on Survey Results Analyzing survey results reveals crucial insights into user satisfaction and potential areas for improvement within your software. You’ll want to aggregate data to identify trends and patterns that pinpoint critical feedback. Sharing these findings with relevant stakeholders is fundamental, as it encourages accountability and collaborative action on identified issues. Action Description Identify Trends Look for recurring themes in user feedback. Share Findings Communicate results with teams to promote action. Prioritize Feedback Focus on the most impactful suggestions first. Measure Impact Assess the effects of implemented changes. Frequently Asked Questions How to Create a Satisfaction Survey? To create a satisfaction survey, first, define your main objectives, like gauging overall satisfaction or pinpointing improvement areas. Next, choose a variety of question types, such as rating scales and open-ended queries, to gather thorough feedback. Make sure your questions are clear and concise, avoiding jargon. Finally, distribute the survey at opportune moments, like after purchases, and analyze the results to identify patterns that can inform actionable changes for enhancing user satisfaction. What Is the 5 Point Scale for Customer Satisfaction Survey? The 5-point scale for customer satisfaction surveys ranges from 1 (Very Unsatisfied) to 5 (Very Satisfied). This scale allows you to quantify customer sentiments effectively, making it easier to analyze overall satisfaction trends. A score of 4 or 5 typically indicates a positive experience, suggesting potential customer loyalty. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To gather meaningful insights, you should consider these five survey questions: First, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the overall experience?” Next, ask, “How likely are you to recommend our service to others?” Furthermore, inquire about valuable features with, “Which features do you find most useful?” Follow this with a value assessment: “Do you believe the service is worth its price?” Finally, ask for suggestions: “What improvements would you recommend?” What Are the 7 Steps to Creating a Good Survey? To create a good survey, start by defining your objectives to guide your questions. Next, craft clear and concise questions using straightforward language. Incorporate a variety of question types—like multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended—to gather diverse insights. Test your survey with a small group to identify any issues and make necessary adjustments. Finally, analyze the data thoroughly, focusing on actionable insights that can lead to meaningful improvements based on user feedback. Conclusion In summary, an effective software satisfaction survey is essential for comprehending user experiences and improving your product. By focusing on key components, crafting thoughtful questions, and employing best practices for distribution, you can gather valuable feedback. Analyzing the results allows you to identify areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing user satisfaction. Remember, engaging users through personalized invitations and maintaining anonymity can greatly impact response rates and the quality of the insights you receive. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Creating an Effective Software Satisfaction Survey" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

At last, after seven months of public beta testing, Turntable is available today in the latest release of Adobe Illustrator. Presented at the 2024 edition of the Adobe Max conference as a sneak preview, the tool uses generative AI to transform any 2D vector illustration into a 3D object that you can turn around its vertical axis, as if it were on a clay modeling turntable. When it came out, its magicks left every Illustrator user cheering. If you have ever used Illustrator to craft a vector illustration—from a logo design to an animation character—it’s understandable why people were so excited. “The idea for Turntable originated from a consistent theme we heard directly from customers around the time and effort required to manually redraw characters and illustrations from multiple angles, often taking hours,” says Deepa Subramaniam, Adobe’s Vice President of Product Marketing for Creative Professionals. It’s a perfect use case of generative AI actually helping human creators to save an incredible amount of time without sacrificing their artistic vision. To understand Turntable’s wow factor, you need to understand why it is so hard to modify a 2D illustration. Drawing something complex with a stylus and a tablet using Photoshop requires very little time. It is as easy as drawing it with pencils and a notepad. But with Photoshop you can’t zoom in or out of a drawing infinitely without seeing pixels and jagged curves. With Illustrator, you can zoom-in infinitely, and it will always look perfectly smooth, but that benefit comes at a very high time cost. Unlike raster hand drawing, it’s very hard to create an image using mathematical lines and fills, requiring you to endlessly pull from little handles that shape curves add or subtract basic geometry like rectangles and ovals into a new, more complex shape. Doing that again and again, to change the perspective of a faux 3D object, or to create 40 different versions of a 2D character from different angles, is truly maddening. That is precisely why people love Turntable, a generative AI technology that runs in Adobe’s Creative Cloud to interpret what your mess of lines and shapes is—let’s say, an astronaut—and rotate it around 360 degrees to show its sides or back without you ever having to redraw the entire thing, all while keeping its infinitely-zoomable vector nature. Vital time saver When you feed a flat vector into this engine, it does not just blindly stretch the image. It perceives your mathematical anchors and curves like a constellation of stars mapped on a cosmic grid, intelligently recalculating the coordinates to reveal the hidden sides of the universe you built. The sheer shock of seeing an algorithm correctly guess the unseen geometry of a flat drawing stunned the industry. As the editorial team at CreativePro Network noted when it came out, the collective reaction “was a fascinating mix of pure shock, genuine excitement, and a healthy dose of professional skepticism.” Unlike the messy chaos of prompt-driven image generators that vomit random pixels, this utility has a laser-focused mandate. This singular focus turns a grueling marathon into a sprint, establishing Turntable as a brutal weapon against tight production deadlines. “Animation teams can quickly create character turnarounds for pitch decks, game designers can generate 360-degree assets for concept art and social media teams can create GIFs and micro-animations in seconds, all within Illustrator,” Subramaniam tells me. The Adobe ecosystem integration makes the workflow even more powerful, directly linking your rotating vector assets to animation pipelines. As Subramaniam tells me, “with seamless handoff to tools like After Effects, teams can move from design to motion without breaking their flow.” This means a character spun around in Illustrator can be instantly dropped into a motion graphics sequence. It processes the heavy lifting entirely in Adobe’s cloud, pulling from the monthly generative credits bundled into paid Creative Cloud subscriptions at a cost of 20 credits per generation. But while this all sounds like a bulletproof technological leap, the initial reality was much rockier, and early adopters quickly hit a wall of workflow-breaking limitations and strict structural demands during the public beta. Is Adobe Turntable ready for prime time? As it usually happens, after the Adobe Max stunning demos ended, the tool showed limitations in real-world beta testing. It initially demanded absolute perfection from the human operator. To prevent the algorithm from violently ripping the geometry apart during a rotation, users had to meticulously bind their layers together using Illustrator’s grouping functions. It was the digital equivalent of lashing pieces of a ship together to survive a hurricane; if your anchor points were loose, the AI would scatter them into chaos. When it became available, Redditor LukeChoice warned early testers that they needed to be “adhering to established best practices to achieve optimal outcomes.” Even if the artwork survived the spin, getting the results out of the software was a chore. Early testers ran into severe export friction, requiring convoluted workarounds just to save individual frames as usable standalone files. Subramaniam claims that they worked out these problems, which is why the tool left the beta testing phase now. According to the Adobe Community Release Notes, you “no longer need to group objects” before applying the effect. Furthermore, the development team shattered the artificial boundaries that previously capped rotations between -120 and +120 degrees. Now, the math pushes the vectors through a full 360-degree orbit in crisp 15-degree steps, as noted by contributors on the Illustrator subreddit. The excruciating export roadblocks were fixed too. Users can now deploy a single command to instantly dump every generated angle directly onto the canvas, forming immediate character reference sheets. Adobe also injected native GIF exporting straight into Illustrator’s Contextual Taskbar. These kinds of utilities represent a massive evolutionary leap for commercial artists, functioning as a hyper-efficient co-pilot that vaporizes hours of tedious labor. It is adequately fast too, as it runs on Adobe’s servers. By the way, each Turntable run will cost 20 AI-processing credits. When you run out of credits in your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, that will cost you roughly $1.00 (via a $4.99 tier yielding 100 credits) down to just $0.10 (via a $9.99 tier providing 2,000 credits). Peanuts, considering the hours and days of work this tool may save you. Yet, for all these advantages, the underlying trajectory of this technology points toward a chilling final destination. In Spain we have a saying: “Bread for today, hunger for tomorrow.” I have no doubt that generative AI will inevitably render Turntable, and Adobe Illustrator itself, completely obsolete. And you can do your own math when it comes to consequences to the human illustrators. In the not-so-distant future, the act of visual creation will not require mapping mathematical vectors or coaxing an algorithm to rotate an astronaut. You will simply command a machine to manifest any concept, in any conceivable style, from any angle, with absolute precision and infinite resolution—bypassing the ability of the human hand or any human knowhow entirely. This existential reality is exactly why some creatives fundamentally reject this tool, no matter how much time it will save them today. That’s not the time that matters to them; it’s the little time they have left as creators after so much time spent becoming expert illustrators and designers. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Action cameras usually ask you to choose between size and capability—smaller ones are easier to wear but often compromise video quality or controls. The Insta360 Go Ultra tries to bridge that gap. It’s a tiny, wearable camera that can also behave like a more traditional action cam when you need it to. Right now, it’s down to $379.99 (originally $449.99) during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale (ending March 31), which is its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. It also helps that it earned an “excellent” rating from PCMag, which gives some context to what you’re getting here. Insta360 Go Ultra $379.99 at Amazon $449.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $379.99 at Amazon $449.99 Save $70.00 What makes this camera interesting in daily use is how flexible it feels. The main camera unit is small enough to clip to your shirt or wear on a magnetic pendant, so you can record hands-free without thinking about framing. When you want more control, you snap it into the Action Pod, which adds a 2.5-inch flip-up touchscreen and turns it into something closer to a GoPro-style setup. Video quality is a clear step up from older Go models—it shoots stabilized 4K at 60fps, and the larger 1/1.28-inch sensor helps in low light, so evening clips or indoor footage don’t fall apart as quickly. Stabilization, too, works well for walking or biking, and the wide field of view keeps things immersive. The Go Ultra also supports HDR, multiple shooting modes, and a tutorial-led app-based editing, so putting together a usable clip doesn’t take much effort, even if it takes a bit of getting used to. Video is limited to 8-bit color, so there’s not much room for heavy editing or color grading. You’ll also need a microSD card since there’s no built-in storage. Audio is decent for casual use, but wind and distance can affect clarity unless you connect an external mic or supported earbuds. Also, its battery life depends heavily on how you use it—the standalone camera lasts around 30 to 36 minutes at 4K60 before heating becomes an issue, while the Action Pod stretches that to about two hours, according to the PCMag review. Compared to something like the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, what you’re paying for here is the compact, wearable design rather than raw video flexibility. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Some of Wall Street's biggest bond-fund managers say financial markets are underestimating the risk that the US war in Iran will cause a sharp slowdown in an already sputtering economy. View the full article

Fast Company is extending its application deadline for Best Workplaces for Innovators 2026 to Friday, April 3 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. This marks the eighth year Fast Company will be recognizing companies and organizations from around the world that most effectively empower employees at all levels to improve processes, create new products, or invent whole new ways of doing business. In addition to ranking the world’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, we will also recognize companies in 19 different categories. What differentiates Best Workplaces for Innovators from existing best-places-to-work lists is that it goes beyond benefits, competitive compensation, and collegiality (mere table stakes in today’s competitive talent marketplace) to identify which companies are actively creating and sustaining the kinds of innovative cultures that many top employees value even more than money. With Best Workplaces for Innovators, Fast Company aims to identify companies where employees can do the best work of their careers and improve the lives of hundreds, thousands, even millions of people around the world. For more than a decade, Fast Company has been recognizing outstanding achievement in business innovation with its annual awards programs. In addition to Best Workplaces for Innovators, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, Innovation by Design, World Changing Ideas, Brands That Matter, and the Next Big Thing in Tech lists have celebrated thousands of organizations transforming industries and shaping society through paradigm-shifting products, insights, or services. For more information on applying, see the FAQs. The final deadline is now April 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT. To sign up for Best Workplaces for Innovators notifications, register here. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Watching a show or a movie has quite literally never been easier. The streaming services you already subscribe to have more content than you could possible ever watch. If something you want to see is only on a specific platform, you can subscribe to it. If it's only available to buy or rent digitally, you can do that too. But with the rise of streaming, the concept of owning and curating a home video collection has fallen away. It seems fewer and fewer of us want a collection of discs in our homes. We'd prefer everything to fit neatly into our smart TVs. But streaming isn't perfect—far from it. Maybe you were counting on watching something on a service you already pay for, but discover it's now gone; maybe that movie isn't streaming anywhere at all, and there's no way to watch it online. Owning a physical copy of a show or movie really is the only way to guarantee that you'll be able to watch it whenever (or wherever) you want. Plus, building a collection of films perfectly suited to your tastes is just fun—entertainment feels less ephemeral when you can tie it to a physical object rather than an icon in a sea of them on the Netflix home screen. If you want to go back to how things used to be, here's how to go about starting your own home video collection in 2026: Buying movies and shows digitally isn't the same as owning them Modern streaming devices and TVs aren't exactly gatekeeping you from purchasing movies or TV shows. If you want to, you can still buy them through your Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, Google TV, or through the various apps you use. Prime Video will happily sell you Titanic; Apple will let you buy a "box set" of every season of The Office; you can even buy The Dark Knight on YouTube, by way of Google Play Movies & TV. The thing is, buying digitally isn't really ownership. It might feel that way: You have to click a "Buy" button, pay a good chunk of change, and you get access to that content at any time from any compatible, connected device. But when you buy a digital show or movie through Apple, Amazon, or Google, what you're actually paying for isn't ownership rights, but a license. You're paying for the privilege of viewing that content for as long as the platform has the rights to it. If Prime Video loses the rights to Titanic, so do you, even if you paid $19 for it. That's not to say digital content doesn't have its place. These stores are particularly great for renting movies when the flick you want to watch isn't available on streaming. It might also make sense for you to "buy" shows and movies on these platforms, as the license can cost less than the price of a movie ticket, and you can definitely get your money's worth in viewings this way. I have a number of movies I bought on iTunes a decade ago that I still have access to, and I watch them regularly across all my Apple devices. But back when I bought them, I assumed I owned them. I was wrong, and that's why I haven't clicked "buy" on one of those platforms in years. True ownership requires buying physical mediaIf you want to truly own your TV shows and movies, and know for sure that you won't lose access to them, you need to invest in physical media. In 2026, that largely means on a disc. If you've fully transitioned to the streaming lifestyle, the idea of bringing DVDs and Blu-rays into your home might sound downright medieval—but without them, your collection is forever at the mercy of the platforms that license said content. Here's the real kicker, though: Even when buying your shows and movies physically, you're still just buying a license to watch that content—that's why you can't publicly screen a movie just because you own the DVD; you still have to pay for the rights to show it outside of your home. Technically, the companies that own the content can revoke that license at any time—it's just way more difficult to cut someone off when they have a physical disc. That gets a bit dicier with modern Blu-rays and Blu-ray players, which connect to the internet, and could theoretically block your access in the future. But as far as I know, there's no documented case of this happening, whereas marketplaces like Prime Video have lost licenses and revoked users' content. So generally, if you buy a movie or a TV show on a disc, you own it, for all intents and purposes. There are many video formats out there, especially if you're interesting in owning legacy media (from VHS, to Betamax, to LaserDisc). But for now, let's assume you want to start a collection of DVDs and Blu-rays. They're the easiest physical media to buy when it comes to shows and movies, and the most versatile when it comes to playback. Physical media often looks and sounds better than a digital copyThis isn't an opinion driven by nostalgia: While streaming quality can be excellent, modern discs will always be superior. Sure, your 4K Prime Video stream is going to crush a low-resolution DVD, but even a 1080p Blu-ray has it beat in certain categories. A 4K Blu-ray, meanwhile, is the absolute gold standard. The main reason comes down to bitrates—the amount of information displayed on your screen at once. In general, the higher the bitrate, the more visual detail a video will have at any given moment. This is different than resolution, which is simply total number of pixels a video contains. (4K has roughly 8.3 million pixels per frame—3,840 pixels by  2,160 pixels—while 1080p has just over two million pixels per frame—1,920 pixels by 1,080 pixels). When you buy shows and movies digitally, you're only really sold on the resolution—whether the content is "HD" (1080p) or 4K—and not the bitrate. While that 4K stream has more available pixels to work with than a 1080p disc, if the disc's bitrate is higher, it can show more details in its two million pixels than the 4K stream can show in its 8.3 million. While discs can run off of the information they contain alone, streaming has to contend with all sorts of variables with your home internet connections—and, thus, it has to compromise on the bitrate. Take The Dark Knight, for example: I have the 1080p Blu-ray, which has a bitrate of 24 Mbps. I also have a license for the 4K Dolby Vision version from Apple TV. After hacking my Apple TV a bit, I was able to see the streaming data, which showed that while the maximum bitrate was 24.24 Mbps, my average hovered around 15 Mbps. That's still a good amount of data, but it's interesting to see that even at 4K resolution and in Dolby Vision HDR audio, my Apple TV stream moves less data than my 1080p Blu-ray. I have a good internet connection, but maybe if I were able to connect my Apple TV directly to the router via ethernet, I could get that 24.24 Mbps bitrate and match that of the Blu-ray. But what if I upgrade to the 4K Blu-ray, since that has a bitrate of 47.16 Mbps and supports HDR? While a 4K stream may be comparable (or even preferable) to a 1080p Blu-ray, the Blu-ray (4K or not) will always outclass it in the audio department. Streaming audio bitrates are more compressed than discs, even more than the video bitrates. While my Apple TV copy of The Dark Knight could theoretically reach the bitrate of my Blu-ray copy, its audio maxes out at 383.88 kbps. The Blu-ray, however, has support for 16-bit 48kHz Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio, which has a variable bitrate, but should theoretically reach 4,608 kbps (16 bits times 48 kHz times six audio channels)—as well as Dolby Digital 5.1 at 640 kbps. Simply put, you get a lot more audio data from the disc. The 4K Blu-ray ups that to DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 at 24-bit 48kHz, which applying the same math gets you 6,912 kbps. The big caveat here is that all of this is dependent on the TV and sound system you use to experience your movies or shows. If you use your TV's built-in, backwards-facing speakers, you might not notice the uptick in quality. But if you have at least a soundbar, if not a more elaborate home theater setup, discs are definitely going to sound better. The same goes for picture quality: If you have a high-quality TV panel, you'll notice sharper scenes, more film grain, and a lack of compression, especially in dark scenes. Where to buy Blu-rays and DVDs in 2026The good news is, even in 2026, it's not hard to find physical shows and movies to buy. You don't need to find specialty stores or shop secondhand: major retailers like Walmart and Target still sell physical media of all kinds, including Blu-rays and DVDs. You can walk into a Walmart right now and buy Zootopia 2 on Blu-ray, or head to Target and buy Vice on DVD. But for a more curated selection, you'll definitely want to keep tabs on Amazon, or even Best Buy. Barnes & Noble famously sells The Criterion Collection Blu-ray and DVDs, though you can always buy directly through Criterion. You might think that because "nobody" buys discs anymore, that these things would be dirt cheap. Au contraire: Physical media can get pricey, especially Blu-ray (and particularly 4K Blu-ray). My recommend is to follow a site that tracks deals on physical media, like Blu-ray.com. You can sort by type (4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, etc.) or just browse all types of deals to see if any of your favorites get to a price you find acceptable. But if you're getting into this type of collecting, and especially if you're buying new movies and TV shows, be prepared to spend some cash (there's a reason folks in the r/Criterion Reddit group mark the Barnes & Noble semi-annual 50% off sale on their calendars). You'll need something to play your DVDs and Blu-raysIf you're all-in on streaming, you might not actually have anything to play a DVD or Blu-ray on. If so, you'll need to remedy that. Believe it or not, there are companies still making Blu-ray players, though the numbers are dwindling. Two companies, Pioneer and Reavon, abandoned the market in 2025, but there are still good options out there, with Sony and Panasonic leading the pack. CNET recommends the Sony UBP-X700M, which you can pick up for under $300 used on Amazon. On the flip side, if you have a game console, like a PlayStation or Xbox, you already have a Blu-ray player—with some caveats: The Xbox models, as well as the PS5, don't support Dolby Vision HDR, only HDR10. If you're looking for Dolby Vision, you'll need to buy a dedicated player. But if all you want is a machine to reliably play your budding movie collection, your PlayStation or Xbox will work just fine. (Just make sure you buy one with a disc drive.) PlayStation 5 $549.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $549.00 at Amazon You can rip your discs to enjoy the flexibility of digital ownershipIf you want the permanence of physical media and the convenience of digital ownership, you can actually take things full circle and create your own private streaming service. You can take any of the physical discs you buy, rip the video files, and upload them to a private server. You can then use a program like Plex or Jellyfin to access those files from anywhere. You can watch them from your own home, of course, but also stream them when traveling. Plus, it serves as a backup method: Should something happen to the disc (or should the movie studio actually somehow revoke your Blu-ray license) you always have a backup copy of your disc. You may need some extra hardware to get this done, however. If you're ripping DVDs, you'll need a DVD player connected to your computer, and a program like Handbrake. If you're ripping Blu-rays, you'll similarly need a Blu-ray player that can connect to your computer, and a program like MakeMKV. While ripping DVDs is pretty straightforward, ripping Blu-rays can get a bit tricky, especially if they're 4K, so you might want to follow a full guide for the best results. As for the legality of this method, well, most films are encoded onto discs with digital rights management software (DRM), and while making a backup copy is often considered fair use, bypassing DRM in the U.S. is also a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which means it's illegal. You know, technically. And while I won't encourage you to break the law, if you invite me over to stream a movie from your personal Plex server, I promise not to tell on you. View the full article

Farmers around the world are feeling the squeeze of the Iran war. Gas prices have shot up and fertilizer supplies are waning due to Tehran’s near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli bombing. The fertilizer shortage is putting the livelihood of farmers in developing countries — already troubled by rising temperatures and erratic weather systems — further at risk, and could lead to people everywhere paying more for food. The poorest farmers in the Northern Hemisphere rely on fertilizer imports from the Gulf, and the shortage comes just as planting season begins, said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program. “In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year.” Baldev Singh, a 55-year-old rice farmer in Punjab, India, says smallholders — the bulk of the country’s farmers — may not survive if the government cannot subsidize fertilizers when demand peaks in June. “Right now, we are waiting and hoping,” he said. The war halts supplies of key nutrients Iran is seriously limiting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that usually handles about a fifth of the world’s oil shipments and nearly a third of global fertilizer trade. On Friday Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva Ali Bahreini said Tehran has accepted a request from the U.N to let humanitarian aid and agricultural shipments move through the critical waterway, even as it endured strikes on its nuclear facilities. The aid plan would be the first breakthrough at the shipping chokepoint after a month of war. While markets and governments have largely focused on blocked supplies of oil and natural gas, the restriction of fertilizer threatens farming and food security around the world. Nitrogen and phosphate — two major fertilizer nutrients — are under immediate threat from the blockade. Supplies of nitrogen including urea, the most widely traded fertilizer that helps plants grow and boosts yields, are the hardest hit because of shipping delays and the soaring price of liquefied natural gas — an essential ingredient. The conflict has restricted about 30% of global urea trade, said Chris Lawson of CRU Group, a London-based commodities consultancy. Some countries are already facing critical shortages, according to Raj Patel, a food systems economist at the University of Texas. For example, Ethiopia gets over 90% of its nitrogen fertilizer from the Gulf through Djibouti, a supply route that was strained even before the war began in February. “The planting season is now,” Patel said. “The fertilizer isn’t there.” Phosphate supplies, which support root development, are also under pressure. Saudi Arabia exports about a fifth of the world’s phosphate fertilizer, and the region exports more than 40% of the world’s sulfur, a key ingredient and byproduct of oil and gas refining, Lawson said. Even after the war ends, producers in the Gulf would need clear security guarantees before resuming shipments through the strait, and insurance costs would almost certainly rise, said Owen Gooch, an analyst with London-based Argus Consulting Services. In India, the government has prioritized urea supplies for domestic use and provides fertilizer manufacturers with about 70% of their natural gas needs. Some plants are still running below capacity, leading to lower output. “The food system is fragile, and it depends on stable fertilizer supply chains to ensure farmers can produce the food the world relies on,” said Hanna Opsahl-Ben Ammar of Yara International, one of the world’s largest fertilizer companies. Shortages hit at a critical time Fertilizers are generally applied just before or at planting, so crops miss key early growth stages and yields can fall when deliveries are delayed, even if supplies improve later. The impact is already being felt in the United States and Europe, where the main planting season is underway, and it is expected to hit the first planting season in much of Asia in the coming months. “Our crops out in the field need nitrogen now — the sooner the better — so they can get off to a good start, helping them establish themselves and build up reserves for the harvest later this summer,” said Dirk Peters, an agricultural engineer who runs a farm outside Berlin. Fertilizer prices are below the peaks seen after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but grain prices were higher then, helping farmers absorb the costs, said Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. Grain prices are lower now meaning margins are tighter and farmers may have to switch to less fertilizer-intensive crops — such as soybeans in the U.S. — or apply less fertilizer, reducing yields. Lower yields can lead to higher consumer prices. Other nations likely won’t make up the shortfall. China, the world’s largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, is prioritizing domestic supply, and urea shipments probably won’t resume until May, Lawson said. Plants in Russia, another major producer, are already running near full capacity, he said. Developing nations are vulnerable The disruptions are already being felt across Africa, where many farmers rely on fertilizer imported from the Middle East and Russia. Early heavy rains in East Africa have left farmers with about a week of dry weather to prepare fields and apply fertilizer, said Stephen Muchiri, a Kenya maize farmer and CEO of the Eastern African Farmers Federation, which represents 25 million smallholders. Fertilizer shortages and price hikes hit farmers hard, forcing them to use less and leading to reduced yields. Even short delays can reduce maize yields by about 4% in a season, Patel said, citing research from Zambia. Governments can intervene by applying subsidies, promoting domestic production and controlling exports. India already subsidizes fertilizer to ease the financial strain on farmers, but those subsidies leave less money for long-term farming investments. It has budgeted $12.7 billion this year for urea subsidies alone, according to the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Efforts to produce domestic urea have increased India’s dependence on imported gas, and excessive urea use has harmed local soil, said Purva Jain of IEEFA, who supports the use of organic fertilizers. Less reliance on imported fertilizers could protect farmers and consumers from energy price swings and climate shocks, said Oliver Oliveros, executive coordinator of the Agroecology Coalition. “This could be a turning point,” he said. This story was first published on March 27, 2026. It was updated on March 30, 2026, to correct Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the fertilizer industry. Saudi Arabia exports about a fifth of the world’s phosphate fertilizer. It does not produce about a fifth of the world’s phosphate fertilizer. Associated Press writer Jamey Keaten and Kerstin Sopke contributed. The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Aniruddha Ghosal and Allan Olingo, Associated Press View the full article

Your favorite spot for slow-cooked riblets might be cooked. A number of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar restaurants have closed their doors in the wake of mounting financial distress and declining foot traffic, according to a recent bankruptcy filing. The 10 shuttered stores, located in Florida and Georgia, are all owned by an Atlanta-based Applebee’s franchisee that last week became the latest regional restaurateur to seek Chapter 11 protection. The list of impacted locations includes long-standing Applebee’s restaurants near top tourist destinations such as SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and the Daytona International Speedway. Most of the locations were closed at some point before the franchisee’s initial bankruptcy petition on March 24, although online reviews suggest that some of the restaurants were still operating as recently as last week. Applebee’s had roughly 1,520 franchised locations as of December 2025. Which franchisee went bankrupt? According to court records, the bankrupt franchisee operates as a holding company called NRPF Group Two, along with multiple subsidiaries. Together, they own more than 50 Applebee’s locations in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Unfortunately, not all of its restaurants are going to survive the bankruptcy process. NRPF (short for Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida) is now seeking to reject the leases at the 10 properties in Florida and Georgia where the locations have shuttered, court documents reveal. Applebee’s restaurants had operated at the locations for more than a decade in some cases, with one lease dating all the way back to 1995. It’s unclear how many jobs have been impacted by the closures, or if more restaurants are expected to shutter. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, NRPF said it employed around 2,000 workers, including employees and independent contractors. The restaurant group has hired GGG Partners, a turnaround firm, to oversee its restructuring process. Fast Company reached out to GGG Partners for comment. News of the bankruptcy comes as increasing numbers of struggling chain restaurant franchisees appear to be turning to the courts to manage unsustainable debt loads. Earlier this year, a Miami-based owner of roughly 130 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations closed at least 17 establishments after filing for bankruptcy. Franchisees for Subway, Domino’s Pizza, and Firehouse Subs have also filed for bankruptcy in recent weeks. Why is the Applebee’s franchisee bankrupt? Business was apparently bright for the regional restaurant owner in the first few years after it acquired 65 Applebee’s locations in 2012. As described in court documents, NRPF enjoyed growth and profitability well into 2015, but then business started to fall off at the end of that year. The story from there is a familiar one for many legacy restaurant chains, particularly in the casual dining space. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent inflationary pressures had a detrimental impact on the company’s bottom line. Operating costs increased, customers felt the pinch from higher prices, and foot traffic dropped. As of last year, the company was operating in the red, despite having closed several locations in 2025 in an attempt to stem losses. In February, NRPF reached a tentative deal with the parent company of Applebee’s, Dine Brands Global, through which Applebee’s would acquire 53 of NRPF’s locations. But escalating financial struggles forced NRPF to file for bankruptcy before the deal could be finalized. The transaction is still expected to be completed by mid-May, with Dine Brands now acting as a “stalking horse” bidder for NRPF’s stores in the bankruptcy process. It was not immediately clear if a deal with Dine Brands could change the fate of the 10 shuttered stores. Fast Company reached out to Dine Brands for comment. Scooping up franchise-owned restaurants is not unprecedented for Dine Brands. In a 2025 financial report with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), it said it acquired 47 restaurants from franchisees in 2024 and another 12 last year. Which Applebee’s locations are closing? According to a March 24 court docket, nine Florida locations and one Georgia location were either closed as of the bankruptcy petition date, or were expected to be closed after the date. The locations were described by NRPF as “unprofitable,” with the properties being “burdensome” and providing little to no value for the company. The 10 locations are as follows: 150 Williamson Boulevard, Ormond Beach, Florida 14990 E. Orange Lake Blvd., Kissimmee, Florida 2503 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, Florida 6290 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Celebration, Florida 11036 International Drive, Orlando, Florida (SeaWorld) 3315 U.S. Highway 17-19, Casselberry, Florida 678 West 23rd Street, Panama City, Florida 637 Westover Boulevard, Albany, Georgia 10071 Hutchison Boulevard, Panama City Beach, Florida 1700 W. Intl. Speedway Blvd., Unit 600, Daytona Beach, Florida Is Applebee’s in trouble? The overall Applebee’s brand has struggled in recent years, although there there have been recent glimmers of hope. Dine Brands, which also owns IHOP, reported a 0.4% decline in Applebee’s same-store for the fourth quarter of 2025, but sales were up 1.3% for the year. In its February earnings report, Dine Brands projected that Applebee’s in 2026 would see U.S. sales growth of 0% to 2%. That’s nothing to brag about, but it’s a significant improvement over two years ago, when Applebee’s sales declined 4.2%. Still, investors don’t seem to be as impressed. Shares of Dine Brands Global Inc (NYSE: DIN) are down more than 24% year to date, compared to a dip of around 7% for the S&P 500. The stock saw significant declines during the post-COVID era and has not fully recovered since. This story is developing… View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Most window air conditioners follow a simple formula: cool the room, maybe add a fan setting, and leave it at that. The LG LW8023HRSM window air conditioner, currently on sale for $399.99 on StackSocial, takes a slightly more flexible approach. It still installs like a typical window unit, but it adds heating and smart controls, making daily use easier. For someone cooling a bedroom, small apartment living room, or home office, the main appeal here is convenience. You can control the unit with a remote, the onboard buttons, or the LG ThinQ app on your phone. If you already use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can also adjust the temperature with a voice command instead of getting up to press buttons. The cooling capacity is 7,600 BTU, which LG recommends for rooms up to 330 square feet. In practical terms, that size works well for most bedrooms, studio apartments, or compact office spaces. It should bring the temperature down fairly quickly after a hot afternoon, especially if the room stays closed. This unit also includes 3,850 BTU of heating, which can be helpful during cooler months when you want a little warmth without turning on central heat. You can also switch between cool, heat, fan, and dehumidify modes, depending on what the room needs that day. Two cooling speeds and two fan speeds give you some control over how aggressively the unit runs. Airflow is adjustable in four directions, so you can angle the air away from your bed or couch. LG lists the noise level at about 50–52 dB, so it produces a steady background hum, but not enough to drown out conversation or a TV. Rounding things out, there’s a 24-hour programmable timer that lets you schedule the AC to turn on before you get home or shut off overnight. You’ll also find an auto-restart function that restores your previous settings after a power outage, so you don't have to reset everything. The main limitation is coverage—at this size, it's built for smaller rooms, not large open living spaces. But if you want a window unit that cools reliably and gives you a few more ways to control it, this one fits the role without stepping into premium pricing. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is still going strong, and smart home upgrades are getting some real price cuts. One among them is the Philips Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Handle, which is down to $149.99 (originally $229.99)—its lowest price so far, according to price trackers. That drop makes it a more approachable way to switch from a traditional lock to something smarter without committing to a full security system. It’s a complete set with handles included, so you’re not mixing and matching parts or dealing with awkward installs that don’t look right on your door. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless entry keypad door lock with handle $149.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $80.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.99 at Amazon $229.99 Save $80.00 This lock focuses on flexibility in how you get in and out. You can unlock it with your fingerprint, a PIN, the Philips app, a physical key, or even voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. Fingerprint unlock is fast—around 0.3 seconds, according to the manufacturer. The app adds another layer of control. You can lock or unlock your door remotely, check access history, and create temporary or one-time PINs for guests, deliveries, or house help. That comes in handy if you don’t want to hand out permanent access. The auto-lock feature also helps cover those moments when you forget to lock the door, with a timer you can set between 30 and 180 seconds. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind—the wifi features depend on the included gateway, so you’ll need to set that up for remote access and voice control. Installation is straightforward for most standard doors, but you may need to drill if your door isn’t a perfect fit. And this is still a smart lock, so battery management and occasional maintenance are part of the experience. Our Best Editor-Vetted Amazon Big Spring Sale Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ 128GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet (Gray) — $202.00 (List Price $249.99) Sony WH1000XM6- Best Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones — $398.00 (List Price $459.99) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $35.99 (List Price $69.99) Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote — $34.99 (List Price $59.99) Amazon Kindle Colorsoft 16GB 7" eReader (Black) — $169.99 (List Price $249.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

The next few days could be a historic one for manned spaceflight. After a previous delay, it’s possible that NASA’s Artemis II manned lunar mission may finally blast off this week. But no matter what, Krispy Kreme’s limited-edition doughnut commemorating the mission is a go. Here’s what you need to know. What is Artemis II? The Artemis II mission is a historic one for NASA. It is the second major phase of the five-stage Artemis Program, whose ultimate goal is to establish a permanent base on the Earth’s moon, with future missions envisioned for Mars. Artemis I launched in 2022 and sent the unmanned Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit around the moon. That mission was a prelude to Artemis II, which may launch this week. Artemis II will be different than Artemis I, in that it will be a manned mission to the moon. However, its four astronauts will not be setting foot on the moon. Instead, they will remain in the orbiter as it circles the lunar body. Yet while the four astronauts will not actually land on the moon, the crew of the Artemis II will make history. The Artemis II mission will be the first crewed mission to the moon—and the first to go beyond the range of low Earth orbit—in the 21st century. That last manned mission to the moon happened all the way back in 1972. As CNN notes, the Artemis II mission also features the first woman to travel into deep space, Christina Koch; the first person of color to do so, Victor Glover; and the first non-U.S. citizen to do so, Canadian Jeremy Hansen. The goal of the Artemis II mission is to act as the first test flight ahead of the Artemis IV mission in 2028, which will actually land astronauts on the moon. Has the Artemis II mission been delayed? The Artemis II mission was originally scheduled for launch in February, but a helium flow issue prevented that launch. As a result, the launch date was pushed back to April 2026. Currently, NASA is aiming to launch Artemis II this week, but whether that launch goes ahead will depend on safety checks and weather conditions at Cape Canaveral, Florida. As of the time of this writing, NASA’s Artemis II website lists its current launch date as “No Earlier Than April 1, 2026.” Yes, there’s an Artemis II Krispy Kreme doughnut Whether or not the Artemis II launch actually goes ahead this week, fans of NASA, the mission, or just spaceflight in general, can celebrate the mission by picking up the limited-edition Artemis II Doughnut at participating Krispy Kreme stores nationwide. Krispy Kreme says the doughnut is “inspired by NASA’s iconic imagery” and is comprised of an Original Glazed doughnut with blue vanilla-flavored icing, black and white sprinkles, a buttercream dollop, and “a red chevron nod to the NASA logo.” But if you want to take a bite into the Artemis II Doughnut, you’ll need to act fast. It will only be available from tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, to Thursday, April 2. It is unknown if Kirspy Kreme will reissue the Artemis II Doughnut if the launch is delayed beyond Thursday. Fast Company has reached out to Kripsy Kreme for comment. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple’s latest tablet is still one of the most powerful pieces of hardware you can carry in a backpack, and right now, the refurbished 13-inch M4 iPad Pro is on sale for $899.99 on StackSocial. That price gets you the 256GB Wi-Fi model in Space Black with a Grade-A rating, meaning it should look and work like new with little to no visible wear. If you need more storage or cellular, prices scale up: 256GB with Wi-Fi + 5G is $999.99, 512GB Wi-Fi is $1,044.99, and configurations go up to 2TB with Wi-Fi + 5G at $1,674.99. All models include a USB-C charger and a 30-day third-party parts-and-labor warranty, and they ship only within the contiguous U.S. The 13-inch OLED display is sharp at 2,752 by 2,064 pixels, and it gets extremely bright for HDR video. Colors look rich without being oversaturated, and scrolling feels smooth thanks to the adaptive refresh rate. The M4 chip inside is the same class of processor Apple puts in its laptops, so this tablet can handle heavy tasks like editing high-resolution photos, cutting 4K or even 8K video, or juggling multiple apps without slowing down. It's also thin at 0.20 inches and weighs about 1.28 pounds, so it's easier to carry than most laptops. Battery life is rated up to 10 hours for web browsing or video playback, though demanding work will likely get you closer to seven hours, notes this PCMag review. Beyond performance, it covers the basics well. There are 12MP cameras on both sides for video calls and quick photos, speakers that sound fuller than most tablets, clear microphones, Face ID for unlocking, and a Thunderbolt/USB 4 port for connecting a monitor or fast external drive. It runs iPadOS 17 and will support future updates, including iOS 18 and beyond. Accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard work with it, but they are sold separately and add a noticeable amount to the total cost. Even at a discount, this is a high-end tablet, suitable if you want more than what a standard iPad offers for streaming, email, and casual browsing. It makes sense if you want top-tier power in a thin, touch-first device. Our Best Editor-Vetted Apple Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $321.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 10 GPS 46mm with Jet Black Aluminium Case with Black Sport Band — $392.09 (List Price $429.00) Apple MacBook Air M4 Chip 256GB SSD 16GB RAM 13.6" Laptop (Midnight) — $899.00 (List Price $999.00) Apple AirTag Tracker (4-Pack) — $90.49 (List Price $99.00) Apple 1M USB-C Woven Charging Cable (3-Pack) — $21.99 (List Price $57.00) Apple 1M 15W MagSafe Wireless Charger (1st Gen) — $14.99 (List Price $39.00) Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Ultra 3 (GPS, Cellular, 49mm, Black Ocean Band) — $779.00 (List Price $779.00) Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 42mm, S/M Black Sport Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Making the move to management is not for every employee, yet many think it’s the only option for climbing the ladder. There’s an art to coaching individual contributors who either want to take that step, or offering a promotion to someone you think is ready. It’s important to approach this not just as an opportunity, but a teachable moment. We asked our Fast Company Impact Council members how they coach team members to make this move and got much wise counsel in return. Their ideas might improve how you approach this with your employees. 1. TRUST YOUR PEOPLE I tell them I am trusting them, and in turn, they need to trust their people. Trust is giving someone an assignment and getting out of their way. Let them go do it and understand it might not be how you would do it, and that is okay. It sounds so easy but it can be so hard to let go and trust that teammate to get it done on time, on budget, and with quality. I also share that a little empathy and a few simple words can work magic: “How can I help you?” — Steven McKay, DLR Group 2. MOVE FROM HERO TO COACH The biggest trap I see talented individual contributors fall into when they become managers is continuing to do the work instead of multiplying it. The shift from individual contributor to manager is fundamentally an identity shift from hero to coach. You stop being the one who solves the problem and start being the one who creates the conditions for others to solve it. — Hala Hanna, MIT Solve 3. FROM DOING TO DELEGATING That transition is pivotal. The skills that make someone a strong individual contributor are different from those required to lead. I coach people to shift from doing to delegating, from execution to leverage, and to keep your arms wide, sweeping everyone forward with you. It starts with organization and clearly defining outcomes. Then it becomes about motivating others, listening closely, and giving direct, transparent feedback that drives growth. That’s our ethos: inspirational, direct, driven, empowering, and agile. — Meredith Rosenberg, NU Advisory Partners 4. SHIFT IN APPROACH A manager must step into a founder/owner mindset. They shift from an individual approach to one in which they look to their team as a tool towards achieving organizational goals. Importantly, they stay close to the work that happens as an individual contributor, because the nuances of that work inform their leadership. — Michael Tannenbaum, Figure 5. LEAD QUIETLY SO OTHERS CAN SHINE I tell people the move from individual contributor to manager is a complete mindset shift. You stop being the hero and start building them, multiplying impact through others. The focus moves to people and outcomes and how we get there quickly, intelligently, without fear. It starts with delegation, clear intent, honest feedback, and disciplined listening. Most of all, treat everyone like real human beings. Great managers clear obstacles, create air cover, and lead quietly so others can shine. Leadership is trading the dopamine of doing for the leverage of coaching. If you don’t feel the weight of it, you’re probably not doing it right. — Peter Smart, Fantasy 6. NO LONGER BE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM I believe the transition from individual contributor to manager is about shifting from being the expert to empowering experts. As a manager, your job is no longer to be the smartest person in the room, but to build strong teams and clear their path. I encourage leaders to develop a deep understanding of the work so they can support with credibility while giving trust and freedom to their teams. Great managers connect dots, people, and possibilities to help others perform at their best. — Ben Jeffries, Influencer 7. PROACTIVELY HOLD BACK It’s the hardest jump in leadership. As an independent contributor, you’re rewarded for doing. As a manager, you have to proactively hold back, which is uncomfortable for high performers. I give three rules: Stop rescuing. Define outcomes, not steps. Measure success by how well the team performs without you. At some point, leadership isn’t about being the most capable person. It’s about creating an environment where capability multiplies. — Emily Kortlang, Yerba Madre 8. DEVELOP DIFFERENT SKILL SETS High-performing individual contributors excel in their specific area of focus: the quality, consistency, and impact of their work. That doesn’t mean they can automatically shift to manager with additional responsibilities. It’s important for them to develop different skill sets—especially if this is their first time managing people. Coaching and directing work can help people learn how to effectively delegate, when to empower their teams to make the decision, and how they give meaningful feedback at various points throughout a year, not just at an annual review. — Nathan Friedman, Understood.org 9. VALUE OTHERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS MORE THAN YOURS Once you truly value the contributions of others more than your own, then (and only then) are you ready for leadership. — William H. Dodge, P-U-B-L-I-C 10. LEADERS ABSORB THEIR TEAMS’ FEARS The key behavioral shift here is that leaders absorb their teams’ fears. Periods of uncertainty are a given, so I tell my managers: Don’t pretend to have all the answers, just be the steady hand that hears your teams’ concerns, and reflects the real opportunity back to them. — Khozema Shipchandler, Twilio 11. DO THEY ACTUALLY WANT TO MANAGE? Management isn’t automatically a promotion. It’s a different job. Being a great individual contributor is about mastering your craft. Being a manager is about helping others master theirs. When someone says they want to move up, we talk about what they actually want. Do they like building things, or do they get energy from coaching others? Your wins come through your team. Some people love that. Some don’t. If they’re serious, we focus on a few fundamentals: defining success, communicating constantly, and resisting the urge to fix everything yourself. Good managers create clarity. They don’t rescue. — Logan Mulvey, GoDigital Music 12. EXTREME OWNERSHIP We recommend embracing three essential core principles, starting with radical candor. We’ve brought in renowned leadership coach and author Kim Scott to talk about the importance of providing honest and respectful conversations with team members, even in challenging times. It’s very effective. Leaning into extreme ownership is key to building a cohesive, accountable team. Finally, taking a clean escalation approach to problem-solving will help demonstrate critical thinking and build credibility. — Leerom Segal, Klick Health 13. UNDERSTAND THEIR GOALS When I coach team members on this transition, I want to understand why they want to be a manager. For many it’s because of pay, perceived status, or the view that they need to progress “up.” These are not good indicators of success, as the skills required for success as a manager differ significantly from those of a top performing individual contributor. The best solution for these talented individuals is to provide them a path to seniority that allows them to focus on their strengths and interests. This is especially true for highly technical roles where talented individuals can be a huge multiplier in a business. — Tony Grimminck, Scribd, Inc. 14. PROACTIVE TRAINING We developed the Tactacam Leadership accelerator program to create a “ready-now” talent pool. Upon successful graduation, participants are not merely given a certificate; they are formally designated within the company’s talent pool as “ready now” for promotion to the next leadership level. It creates a clear, tangible, and highly motivating career pathway for participants, answering the “what’s next?” question from day one. It also ensures that the investment in developing these leaders is realized through internal placements, strengthening the leadership bench and reducing recruitment costs. — Jeff Peel, Tactacam 15. THINK: LEADERS I don’t think in terms of managers. I think in terms of leaders. You don’t need direct reports to start leading. Leadership begins with ownership of outcomes. If someone consistently drives clarity, accountability, and results, they’re already leading whether they manage people or not. Eventually, when someone proves they can lead outcomes, they’re given the opportunity to lead people. But the mindset comes first. Titles come later. — Elery Pfeffer, Nift 16. IT’S NOT ABOUT CAREER ADVANCEMENT First I make sure they understand management is about caring for their employees, not about career advancement. So many people tell me they don’t want to manage people but they feel like they should to progress. In our company we create career progression paths as individual contributors to ensure people move to management roles for the right reasons. — Shely Aronov, InnerPlant 17. SHOW INITIATIVE By example. We live and act our values and expect all team members to do so too. Those who show initiative can move to the role of managing others—others prefer not to. — Larraine Segil, Exceptional Women Alliance View the full article

The Islamic republic aims to set up a toll booth on the Strait of Hormuz. It may succeedView the full article

For 60 years, people have read Warren Buffett’s annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letters to gain insights into his investment philosophies. Every year, thousands convened at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting to gain insights from Buffett and his partner, the late Charlie Munger. Buffett has also done countless interviews over the years. Winnowing all that advice down to four items isn’t an easy task, but this is my attempt. Here’s Buffett on leadership, focus, the best investment you can make, and the true meaning of success. Buffett on leadership What model does Buffett use for managing people? A baseball batboy. As Buffett wrote in his 2002 shareholder letter: My managerial model is Eddie Bennett, who was a batboy. In 1919, at age 19, Eddie began his work with the Chicago White Sox, who that year went to the World Series. The next year, Eddie switched to the Brooklyn Dodgers, and they, too, won their league title. Our hero, however, smelled trouble. Changing boroughs, he joined the Yankees in 1921, and they promptly won their first pennant in history. Now Eddie settled in, shrewdly seeing what was coming. In the next seven years, the Yankees won five American League titles. What does this have to do with management? It’s simple — to be a winner, work with winners. In 1927, for example, Eddie received $700 for the one-eighth World Series share voted him by the legendary Yankee team of Ruth and Gehrig. This sum, which Eddie earned by working only four days (because New York swept the Series) was roughly equal to the full-year pay then earned by batboys. Eddie understood that how he lugged bats was unimportant; what counted instead was hooking up with the cream of those on the playing field. I’ve learned from Eddie. At Berkshire, I regularly hand bats to many of the heaviest hitters in American business. Buffett doesn’t just study companies to spot opportunities. He also works to identify companies with leaders capable of seizing, and then building on, those opportunities. Clearly, he’s a great manager, but more important, he’s a great identifier. Where team effectiveness is concerned, the impact ratio is roughly 90 percent team to 10 percent leader; a great team with a mediocre leader nearly always outperforms a mediocre team with a great leader. Put together a team of awesome salespeople and you can basically leave them alone. Put together a team of awesome engineers and you can basically leave them alone. No matter how transformational, inspirational, or exceptional, even the best leaders can only produce incremental improvements. As Buffett wrote: Berkshire’s operating CEOs are masters of their crafts and run their businesses as if they were their own. My job is to stay out of their way and allocate whatever excess capital their businesses generate. It’s easy work. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend significant time developing the people you currently lead. You definitely should. But you should also spend time identifying people who won’t really need to be led. Add great people to your team, and you’ll be able to spend less time managing that team and even more time identifying great people to add to the team. Which will make it easier to attract great people, since superstars love to work with superstars. Do that, and to paraphrase Buffett, while your work may never be easy, it will definitely be much easier. Buffett on focus Here’s what Buffett thinks about how to best use your time: The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything. People are going to want your time. It’s the only thing you can’t buy. I can buy anything I want, basically, but I can’t buy time. Think about it this way. Efficient people are organized and competent. They check things off their to-do list. They complete projects. They get things done. Effective people do all that, but they check the right items off their to-do lists. They complete the right projects. They get the right things done. They do what makes the biggest difference for their business, and for themselves. If you’re struggling to accomplish what you want to achieve, take a step back. Determine what really matters. Determine what really drives results. In most cases, what really drives results is you. So stop thinking your presence is absolutely necessary in every meeting and on every call. That’s especially true if you’re a leader, because when you’re not there, your teams naturally feel a greater sense of freedom, autonomy, and, most important, responsibility. Do what Buffett does: See an open calendar as an opportunity, not a liability. Because a full calendar is a terrible proxy for success. Buffett on the most important investment Buffett doesn’t feel investing in stocks, or even businesses, is the best investment you can make. As Buffett says: Generally speaking, investing in yourself is the best thing you can do. Anything that improves your own talents; nobody can tax it or take it away from you. They can run up huge deficits and the dollar can become worth far less. You can have all kinds of things happen. But if you’ve got talent yourself, and you’ve maximized your talent, you’ve got a tremendous asset that can return 10-fold. You may not have the connections. You may not have the talent or skills. You may not have the experience — yet. But what you do have is the time to invest in yourself. To build your connections. To improve your skills. To gain experience. And unlike an investment, skill doesn’t depreciate in value. Nor does inflation lessen its value. More important, skill typically does pay off 10-fold. Simple example. My wife and I own residential real estate properties, and we decided to learn how to install hardwood floors. Not LVT, which we can also do. But lay, sand, and finish real hardwood floors. (And, because we’ve gotten good at it, to use less expensive materials and still make the end result look great.) Sure, it took time to learn. And takes time to do. But over the past couple of years, we’ve saved at least a total of $70,000 across a number of projects. (And we can charge slightly more in rent.) Hardwood floor work is a skill we have, one that we can leverage for the rest of our lives. You might not be into home renovation. But there are things you pay others to do that you could learn to do yourself. If you’re a small-business owner, bookkeeping. Social media marketing. Logistics planning and fulfillment. If you’re a homeowner, basic electrical or plumbing repairs. Most people try to learn to be better financial investors, and that’s great. But make sure you spend some of your time deciding which skills you should invest in. Those are the best investments you can make, because the return is guaranteed. As Buffett says, investing in yourself will produce better long-term results than any other investment you can make, if only because it’s the one investment outcome you can almost totally control. Put in the effort, get a return. What’s not to love about that? Warren Buffett on success As Buffett says he tells college students: When you get to be my age, you will be successful if the people whom you hope to have love you, do love you. Clearly, that’s true where family and friends are concerned; for example, research shows you’ll definitely be more successful if you marry the right person. Substitute “like” for “love,” and it’s also true in business. Skills, education, experience — where success is concerned, all those things and more matter. But one thing matters more. True success — the kind of success that also results in happiness — isn’t possible unless you build great relationships. Granted, you can be self-serving, obnoxious, and insufferable and still get rich. But you’ll be rich and lonely. Plus, it’s a lot easier to be successful if people like you; when your employees, your customers, your partners, and your colleagues not only hope you succeed but, without being asked, actively help you succeed. Those kinds of relationships don’t just make you successful in business. They make you successful in life. And make you a lot happier. —Jeff Haden 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

Toxic bosses are not only a “people issue.” They are a balance-sheet issue, a culture issue, and a reputational issue. And if you are a CEO, founder, or a leader trying to build something lasting, you cannot afford to treat them as background noise. Here’s the truth: a single toxic boss can kill psychological safety, drain creativity, spike turnover, and teach your next generation of leaders that fear is an acceptable management tool. I’ve spent 25 years in organizational psychology, watching this pattern repeat across industries, including tech and other high-growth environments. I’ve also conducted interviews and surveys across North America to dig deep into the behaviors and impacts. Toxic bosses harm people’s engagement, productivity, and well-being, and ultimately the organization’s culture through their ongoing destructive behaviors. I refer to them as toxic bosses, not leaders, as a leader brings out the best in their people, while a toxic boss depletes their performance and health. Yet toxic bosses can be tricky to identify as they often present as confident, smart, and polished. This problem is widespread, and leaders underestimate it A 2023 survey reported that 87% of professionals have had at least one toxic boss, and 30% more than one. That isn’t a niche problem, but a workplace epidemic. Another stat should make every executive pause: 57% of employees have left at least one job because of a bad boss, according to DDI’s Frontline Leader Project. People do not quit lightly in this economy, only when the cost of staying becomes too steep. Staggering financial costs The business costs are gradual and easy to excuse away to other reasons. Toxic bosses are masters at passing the blame to anything or anyone but themselves. Turnover driven by bad managers is estimated to be 50–60% of voluntary attrition, equating to $600B–$1T+ annually in North America. Lost productivity from disengagement costs an estimated $450–$550B USD per year. Toxic bosses suffocate innovation If you lead a future-facing company, you likely run on ideas. Toxic bosses kill these through daily fear-inducing behaviors, including micromanagement, manipulation, and gaslighting. Under that pressure, people share less. They do “safe work” instead of bold work. You still get output for a while, but it is brittle. Your top talent does not thrive in survival mode. They exit, disengage, or contort themselves into a smaller version of who they are. Toxic bosses harm health, and that becomes a business cost Through interviewing 40 toxic boss survivors from numerous industries and levels across North America, as well as surveying hundreds more, the health and productivity related costs of toxic bosses are undeniable. One study found workers under toxic bosses faced greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Another study found toxic workplaces increased the risk of depression by 300%. When health declines, your organization pays in absenteeism, presenteeism, disability costs, medical leaves, and churn. You also pay in slower decision-making and weaker collaboration, because exhausted people do not think expansively. “But they get results” is the most expensive sentence in leadership. Or you might even hear: “They’re tough, but they make us better.” Let me translate what that means: “They create fear. Fear produces compliance.” Yet compliance is not commitment and does not create inventive teams. Learn the patterns, then stop promoting them In my new book I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, I describe eight common toxic boss personas, including the Self-Serving Egomaniac, Dishonest Manipulator, Great Divider, and Gaslighter. While no boss fits perfectly, these personas give people a language to use. Eradicating toxic bosses Eradicating toxic bosses involves a set of decisions, repeated consistently, even when difficult. My recommendations for executives to prune toxic leadership include: 1) Treat toxic leadership as a core risk. Track it the way you track security incidents and quality defects. Collect specific feedback on each leader and regular pulse checks on your climate and act on the results. 2) Stop rewarding “results at any cost.” Promotion criteria must weigh how leaders achieve outcomes, not just what they achieve. If your top performer leaves a trail of burnout, their “wins” came at costs too great. 3) Make 360 feedback count. If a leader consistently scores as abusive, manipulative, or unsafe, executive coaching alone is not enough. If they are truly a toxic boss, they should not be in a people leadership role. 4) Protect reporting pathways. People do not speak up when retaliation is likely, even if it’s subtle. Provide multiple reporting channels, ensure confidentiality, and communicate actions in aggregate so trust builds over time. 5) Create escape routes inside the company. Internal mobility is a pressure-release valve. If someone is doing strong work under a harmful manager, your system should allow them to move without needing a dramatic, career-risking complaint process. If you are suffering under a toxic boss, there is a way out If you are currently suffering under toxic leadership: this is not your fault, and you are not weak for feeling the impact. I’ve seen the most brilliant professionals and leaders lose their confidence from reporting to a toxic boss, at any level, including executives. In I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, I urge people to start documenting incidents and to build an exit plan, including a “Good Riddance date,” because toxic bosses rarely improve over time. The path out is often stepwise, not cinematic: protect your energy, gather support, get clear on options, and move deliberately. What will your business tolerate? You can build breathtaking technology and still lose the plot if you allow toxic bosses to thrive. Culture is shaped by what you tolerate, especially when the person causing harm brings in great revenue. So here’s my question for you: what would your people create if they weren’t spending countless energy enduring a manager they fear? If you want a deeper, practical roadmap for identifying toxic bosses, protecting yourself, exiting, and recovering, my new book I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss is designed to help. You can learn more here. View the full article

Zoho became ubiquitous in 2026. Zoho’s trademark business software also includes management solution ManageEngine, enterprise automation and integration software Qntrl and online course launching software TrainerCentral. Today these brands together serve over 1 million customers and more than 150 million users around the globe. And those customers have plenty to say about the service Zoho provides. “‘Partnership’ is a word that gets frequently used in business,” says David Fauser, VP of Sales, Marketing and Strategy for CIMCO Refrigeration. The company specializes in engineering, manufacturing and construction of sustainable thermal solutions and runs their US operations out of South Carolina. “With Zoho, I can say that they have always genuinely felt like a true partner,” Fauser adds. Zoho does more than just deliver software, he explains. The company acts like a collaborator. Zoho helps Fauser’s team think through challenges, adapt to change and improve operations. “That level of customer focus and long-term perspective is what has made our relationship endure over eight years,” Fauser adds. What Other Customers Say To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Zoho asked customers some forward thinking questions about the year ahead. Where do they see their businesses, business technology in general and AI specifically heading in 2026? And what advice might they offer other entrepreneurs seeking to get their businesses up and running? You may find some answers surprising. What Do You Most Look Forward To? Zoho begins with an ice breaker. And the responses prove telling. What are you looking forward to the most in 2026 when it comes to your business? LaVerne Cox, CEO, Evergreen Investments LaVerne Cox, CEO of Evergreen Investments, gives a fairly straightforward answer. The Duluth, Ga.-based real estate service provider offers a plethora of services for owner occupants and real estate investors. The company provides brokerage services to help clients obtain income producing properties. It also handles investment sales of residential real estate. Finally, it offers property management services to help clients optimize their real estate investment and refinance services when needed. “In 2026, we are rolling out a web and mobile customer application that will connect our customers to our service operations within our Zoho One applications, which we use to manage our brands,” Cox explains. Zoho offers full automation through Zoho Creator and a payment portal through Zoho Payments. These and other services allow you to run much of your business directly through Zoho. “We hope to also roll out a new brand offering in Summer 2026,” Cox adds. Jessica Miller, Director of Compliance and Systems, Island Practice Management How Can Zoho’s Technology Transform Your Business? Many current Zoho clients use a substantial amount of the Zoho platform to run and automate their businesses. Take Island Practice Management, a company supporting mental health and wellness practitioners and based in Port Jefferson Station, NY. The company offers a huge variety of services to full and part-time mental health and wellness businesses. These services include everything from logo development and website creation to appointment and call management. They also include a full array of billing services, office rental and supply services. On the technical side, Island Practice Management uses Zoho tools to provide its growing set of offerings. “We have already seen how impactful the right technology can be,” says Jessica Miller, Director of Compliance and Systems at Island Practice Management. “We use a large portion of the Zoho platform, and the way the tools integrate with one another has made a huge difference for us.” she adds. This year, the company plans to expand its consulting services using AI to help clinicians create documentation faster. They used a Creator app they made and documentation became a breeze. “As someone who has worked as a therapist for most of my adult life, I have always loved the clinical work and honestly disliked the documentation,” Miller explains. “AI has helped reduce that burden so clinicians can spend more time focused on clients while keeping human judgment at the center of care,” she adds. And what about the results? “With that said, the documentation generated by AI isn’t perfect, but it is a great starting point,” Miller says. And Speaking of AI… Zoho also asked clients more broadly how they see AI and other technology evolving to better serve small businesses in 2026. Clients clearly feel the most useful evolutions involve AI in a supportive role in small businesses rather than replacing human creativity and judgment. Surge Web Design based in Boise, Idaho provides its clients with responsive web design, copywriting services for websites and even SEO and logo design. Natalie Hansen, Co-Founder and President, Surge Web Design Natalie Hansen, Co-Founder and President of Surge Web Design, sees AI as becoming more useful and less intimidating. “I hope that small businesses can learn to use AI as a tool, not to replace people, but to help us do our job better and give better service,” Hansen explains. Hansen observes that for a small team or even a solopreneur, AI can help organize data, create task lists, and even brainstorm ideas. This can prove helpful when you lack other team members with whom to collaborate. Other clients suggest AI’s limits will define how it evolves and how small businesses and entrepreneurs use it. LaVerne Cox of Evergreen Investments, for example, believes AI still needs human intervention. “AI automations and agents have proven their inability to work without the necessity of seasoned professionals who can handle more complex protocols and rationalizations,” says Cox. On the other hand, she believes these limitations will lead to AI development that ultimately becomes much more useful to small businesses. “I think this deepening of understanding will allow the tools to engage more remotely without as many human interactions, but I also believe it will never replace the complexities provided by human beings within the strategy or creation process,” Cox explains. Elea Lopez, Project Lead, Parametrics Medical What’s In It For Me? Still other Zoho customers believe the main factor developers need to keep in mind remains whether new tools actually make life easier for customers. Parametrics Medical provides biologic implants, allograft tissue and regenerative medicine for the medical industry and is located in Leander, Texas. The company uses Zoho Analytics dashboards and automation services across departments. Elea Lopez, Project Lead for the company, says she’s impressed with new AI developments but hopes developers stay focused on the right issues. “For an AI company to say they have the most advanced AI is cool, but what does that do for me and my business?” Lopez asks. “Does the most advanced AI make my day-to-day tasks easier or is it just good at making conversation?” she adds. “Does it actually reduce the amount of work I have to carry out or does it add extra work because I have to go back and check what it did, then correct it?” Zoho began introducing AI across much of its business software in 2025. Zoho Analytics and Zoho Creator, the company’s main automation tool, now both include AI features. But Zoho has also always put customers first when developing those tools. “Vendors don’t need our help, businesses do, which is why delivering customer value has, for 30 years, been Zoho Corporation’s North Star,” explains Sridhar Vembu, Co-founder and Chief Scientist at Zoho Corporation. “Before any innovation, strategy, or guiding principle becomes a product, pivot, or policy, it must first affirm the question, ‘Will this help businesses?’” Vembu adds. Zoho believes this philosophy more than any other factor has led to the company’s success and continued growth. What Development in Small Business Software Would You Most Like To See? In keeping with the company’s customer centric approach, Zoho also asked small businesses another important question. What evolution would they most want to see in small business software? Miller insists her greatest wish involves small businesses being put first for a change. “I would like to see more software built with small businesses in mind from the start,” Miller explains. “Too often, technology is designed for large organizations that have dedicated teams for IT, operations, and compliance, and small businesses are expected to adapt themselves to systems that were never built for their reality.” She then spells out what such software would look like. “For small businesses, software needs to be intuitive, flexible, and integrated without requiring constant customization or outside support,” Miller says. “The ability to start with something usable out of the box, and then grow into more advanced features over time, makes a huge difference when teams are small and time is limited.” “I’d love to see software become simpler and more intuitive,” Hansen agrees. “Many small business tools promise to save time, but end up creating more complexity with overlapping features,” she adds. “I’d like to see platforms that communicate better with each other, require less setup, and are designed around how small businesses actually operate, not how large corporations do – but still be able to scale with you.” What Worries You The Most About AI and Technology Development In The Future? Zoho also asked customers what they are most cautious about in 2026 when it comes to technology and AI. Not surprisingly, security ranked high up on the list of concerns. “While the promise of making our days more efficient through AI is great in theory, we have to consider what could go wrong,” Lopez says. “What if there is a data leak? What if the data we feed into AI programs is twisted and convoluted? What if it is used against us by an opposing company?” she asks. “When new technology comes around, it is easy to think it will change the way we do everything,” Lopez concludes. “But I think most businesses aren’t looking to change everything, just to make what they have more efficient in key areas without sacrificing security.” Zoho remains committed to security as it has throughout its entire history. Product security, data security and operational security at Zoho are ensured through the company’s globally recognized compliance certifications and its emphasis on privacy. What Advice Could Zoho Customers Offer Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners? Zoho also asked customers for advice they might offer other entrepreneurs seeking to get their businesses up and running in 2026. “My biggest piece of advice is to start, even if you do not have everything figured out,” says Miller. “When we launched Island Practice Management, none of us had formal business training,” she adds. ”We were mental health professionals building on what we had learned running Island Psychiatry, and a lot of our learning happened along the way.” “Curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to take thoughtful risks mattered far more than having a perfect plan,” Miller says. “Investing in the right software early was also important for us, but just as important was taking the time to really understand it.” “One of the most helpful lessons we learned was that you should not try to fit yourself into a piece of software,” she explains. “You need software that fits your business. Having that mindset has helped us avoid chasing tools that look good on paper but do not support our real workflows.” And Zoho certainly fits the bill in this respect. Quebec-based global security company GardaWorld Security Systems and Technology relies on Zoho’s ability to adapt to a company’s growth while offering maximum flexibility. “As our business has evolved over the past 10 years through further acquisitions, organizational restructures and new operating models, Zoho has continued to scale with us rather than forcing us into rigid frameworks,” says Brandon Lennix, Director of Commercial Operations. Become a Zoho Customer Today As Zoho celebrates 30 years of success and growth and crosses the threshold of 1 million customers worldwide, it also recognizes some of its most recent customer additions. These include Rapid Response Monitoring and Synergy HomeCare in the U.S.; and Mercedes-Benz India, Force Motors, Joyalukkas and Union Bank of India in South Asia. Also included are Flora Food Group, Handl Tyrol and Atout France in Europe; Al-Ahli Saudi FC and Al Qadsiah FC in the Middle East; Grupo Gonher in Latin America; and Creditas and Editora Globo in Brazil. These customers and more come to Zoho because of the way the company’s unique philosophy sets it apart. “Being bootstrapped, private, and built entirely in-house makes Zoho an outlier among competitors,” says Vembu. For more on how Zoho’s solutions can help your small business grow, visit the Zoho website or contact their sales team. This article, "Zoho Users Discuss The Future As Company Reaches 1 Million Customers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article