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If you tuned into the red carpet for the Academy Awards, you may have seen actress Julia Fox being interviewed by social media influencers Quen Blackwell and Jake Shane, who were at the awards show reporting for Vanity Fair. In a bit that completely misses the mark, Shane quipped several times about the “annoying” child character in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, which earned Rose Byrne a nomination for best actress. After being asked by Shane repeatedly about the “annoying” kid in the movie, Fox politely and appropriately steers the conversation to the more important tenor of the movie: that it’s meant to depict the unforgiving pressures of motherhood. In fact, the identity of the child is intentionally obfuscated in the film to focus on Byrne’s emotional journey. The moment has received residual backlash this week—not only for Shane’s flippant remarks, but for what it might indicate about the current state of entertainment journalism and where it’s headed. It raises the question of why media outlets keep hiring internet personalities to do jobs typically done by journalists. As the media industry is laying off professional journalists en masse, a new kind of landscape and interview style is emerging. In many instances, journalists are no longer steering the conversation. Instead, we now have what I’ve been calling “besties journalism,” wherein big influencers who’ve made a name for themselves turn an interview with a notable figure into a gabfest. And in our new attention economy, it makes some business sense. Influencers like Shane and Blackwell come with millions of zealous parasocial fans, and their appearance at a major event will inevitably create excitement and engagement online. Plus, many celebrities, politicians, and other high-profile subjects would prefer a softball interview over probing questions about tough issues or controversies. Mixed with an influencer’s propensity or need to be liked and to come across as friends with all their guests, what results is an exchange that lacks depth. Shane’s time on the red carpet was just a hyper-visible moment for a phenomenon that’s been taking place for years—where the opportunity for virality that benefits both the influencer and the interview subject supersedes all. Alex Cooper’s steadfast branding as a media mogul and her Call Her Daddy takeover of media can account for much of this shift in recent years. While her show can be entertaining—and has corralled a cult-like following, particularly among young women—it has diluted the sit-down, long-form interview. Cooper has developed a reputation for chumming up to her guests while rarely following up with questions to their curious answers or demonstrating a deep knowledge of their work. Her 2024 sit-down with then-presidential hopeful Kamala Harris was essentially a well-dressed marketing campaign about palatable women’s issues. Her sit-down with Chappell Roan failed to get into the singer’s complicated relationship with fame and paparazzi. Instead, listeners got—and often get—a wishy-washy mosaic of vibes, affirmations, reactions, quips, people-pleasing, and performing personality. The rise of influencer culture over the last 10 years that I’ve been reporting on it has been fascinating and bewildering to watch: Nobodies (respectfully) have become household names, creating fortunes and opportunities from sharing their unfiltered thoughts and lifestyles. But beyond everyday people just chasing the bag, I’ve been more disheartened by newsrooms and big brands also chasing after it. I think Shane’s Oscars mishap has created a record-scratch moment of reckoning for so many of us who feel protective of either journalism or the art that journalism helps scrutinize or situate. And to be clear, Shane and Cooper are good at what they do. They are entertainers and, first and foremost, are hustlers of self-branding and creating many revenue streams for that brand. But the lack of depth in some cases underscores a need for a different approach when it comes to journalism. Confronting someone more powerful, wealthy, and famous than you about sticky issues that may create an uncomfortable moment is the name of the game, and it’s quite difficult to do for a reason. It is not a job for everyone—and requires a real, principled commitment to the craft. (Shane has said that he allows all his interview guests to vet their appearances, which is a big no-no as far as maintaining ethics and independence goes.) And it also takes real gumption and an obsession to delve into the meaty material of something (research, sitting with a piece of work to understand it holistically and profoundly, and an interrogation of your own personal biases). This is all to say that there is absolutely space for a third thing that isn’t quite journalism, and is maybe somewhere in the ether of an influencer collab. And that not all traditionally trained journalists are good at the job, either. We’ve seen our fair share of bad questions and engagement from them, too—it’s a tough job. But I do hope we have a referendum on these industry shifts before we are forced to watch another missed opportunity, or a potential conversation between Shane and . . . Martin Scorsese (can you imagine?). For the gag and the viral soundbites, sure. For the arts, no. We can do better. View the full article

The small business landscape is facing renewed uncertainty as the The President administration announces a sweeping 15% tariff on all imports entering the United States, an action that has drawn criticism and concerns from small business owners across the country. In response, Senate Democrats, led by Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), have launched the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act to protect small businesses from the adverse effects of these tariffs. Following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed previous tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act illegal, the new legislation aims to shield small enterprises from unnecessary financial strain. The Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act proposes key benefits for small business owners, including exemptions from section 122 tariffs—tariffs that are now being challenged in the courts for their constitutional validity. Additionally, it calls for refunds on any tariffs already paid, a move that could potentially inject vital cash back into the hands of small operators. Senator Markey emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “America’s small businesses cannot bear another bruising round of uncertainty… it’s time to end The President’s latest round of tariff tax madness and deliver real relief to the American people.” His sentiments echo the distress felt among small business owners who find themselves grappling with increased costs due to these tariffs. The potential consequences of the tariffs are significant. According to recent estimates, American households have already absorbed over $1,700 in additional costs due to previous tariffs, with projections suggesting another $570 in added costs from the new measures. This financial burden could stymie growth initiatives, compel price hikes, or even force some small businesses to close their doors. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) supported the initiative by emphasizing the bill’s role in creating a buffer against what he described as “The President’s erratic decision-making.” He stressed that small businesses should not be the collateral damage of larger geopolitical trade struggles, emphasizing the need for legislative action to safeguard them from price hikes. Data from stakeholder organizations underscores the urgency of addressing tariff impacts. For instance, the Small Business Majority highlighted that about half of small business owners have raised prices on materials or products, with a notable percentage delaying the importation of goods. John Arensmeyer, the organization’s Founder and CEO, shared how businesses reliant on U.S. suppliers that import materials are disproportionately affected, as they lack the negotiating power that larger companies possess. There are, however, challenges that small business owners will need to navigate. While the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act aims to offer immediate relief, the legislative process can be unpredictable, and the timing for implementation is uncertain. Furthermore, small business owners may face difficulty advocating for their interests in a political climate where tariffs have been deeply intertwined with broader trade policy discussions. Richard Trent, Executive Director of Main Street Alliance, articulated the pressing nature of the legislation: “When tariffs are imposed overnight, it’s Main Street, not multinational corporations, that gets squeezed first.” This insight reflects the reality that small businesses often bear the economic brunt of federal policies, making swift legislative action critical. Moreover, even if the bill passes, the potential for further tariff increases or new trade policies remains a concern among small business owners, leaving them in a state of continuous caution. Todd McCracken, President and CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA), revealed that almost half of small businesses have reported negative impacts from prior tariffs, revealing the persistent and unpredictable nature of U.S. trade policy. Given this backdrop, it is vital for small business owners to stay informed about new developments in trade legislation while also considering contingency plans. As challenges persist, small enterprises must assess their supply chains and pricing strategies to mitigate potential impacts arising from any new tariffs or trade regulations. Amidst turbulent trade waters, the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act represents a concerted effort to safeguard the interests of small businesses nationwide. Business owners are encouraged to monitor this legislative development closely and prepare to engage with policymakers advocating for their needs. For further details, you can access the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Senate Democrats Unveil Bill to Shield Small Businesses from New Tariffs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The small business landscape is facing renewed uncertainty as the The President administration announces a sweeping 15% tariff on all imports entering the United States, an action that has drawn criticism and concerns from small business owners across the country. In response, Senate Democrats, led by Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), have launched the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act to protect small businesses from the adverse effects of these tariffs. Following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed previous tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act illegal, the new legislation aims to shield small enterprises from unnecessary financial strain. The Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act proposes key benefits for small business owners, including exemptions from section 122 tariffs—tariffs that are now being challenged in the courts for their constitutional validity. Additionally, it calls for refunds on any tariffs already paid, a move that could potentially inject vital cash back into the hands of small operators. Senator Markey emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “America’s small businesses cannot bear another bruising round of uncertainty… it’s time to end The President’s latest round of tariff tax madness and deliver real relief to the American people.” His sentiments echo the distress felt among small business owners who find themselves grappling with increased costs due to these tariffs. The potential consequences of the tariffs are significant. According to recent estimates, American households have already absorbed over $1,700 in additional costs due to previous tariffs, with projections suggesting another $570 in added costs from the new measures. This financial burden could stymie growth initiatives, compel price hikes, or even force some small businesses to close their doors. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) supported the initiative by emphasizing the bill’s role in creating a buffer against what he described as “The President’s erratic decision-making.” He stressed that small businesses should not be the collateral damage of larger geopolitical trade struggles, emphasizing the need for legislative action to safeguard them from price hikes. Data from stakeholder organizations underscores the urgency of addressing tariff impacts. For instance, the Small Business Majority highlighted that about half of small business owners have raised prices on materials or products, with a notable percentage delaying the importation of goods. John Arensmeyer, the organization’s Founder and CEO, shared how businesses reliant on U.S. suppliers that import materials are disproportionately affected, as they lack the negotiating power that larger companies possess. There are, however, challenges that small business owners will need to navigate. While the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act aims to offer immediate relief, the legislative process can be unpredictable, and the timing for implementation is uncertain. Furthermore, small business owners may face difficulty advocating for their interests in a political climate where tariffs have been deeply intertwined with broader trade policy discussions. Richard Trent, Executive Director of Main Street Alliance, articulated the pressing nature of the legislation: “When tariffs are imposed overnight, it’s Main Street, not multinational corporations, that gets squeezed first.” This insight reflects the reality that small businesses often bear the economic brunt of federal policies, making swift legislative action critical. Moreover, even if the bill passes, the potential for further tariff increases or new trade policies remains a concern among small business owners, leaving them in a state of continuous caution. Todd McCracken, President and CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA), revealed that almost half of small businesses have reported negative impacts from prior tariffs, revealing the persistent and unpredictable nature of U.S. trade policy. Given this backdrop, it is vital for small business owners to stay informed about new developments in trade legislation while also considering contingency plans. As challenges persist, small enterprises must assess their supply chains and pricing strategies to mitigate potential impacts arising from any new tariffs or trade regulations. Amidst turbulent trade waters, the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act represents a concerted effort to safeguard the interests of small businesses nationwide. Business owners are encouraged to monitor this legislative development closely and prepare to engage with policymakers advocating for their needs. For further details, you can access the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Senate Democrats Unveil Bill to Shield Small Businesses from New Tariffs" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you've watched videos on the internet any time over the past year or two, you've encountered AI-generated content (even if you didn't realize it). While some of it is convincing, a lot of it is obvious. Like, I'm guessing no one thought those dramatic narrative videos of people made of fruit were painstakingly animated by hand. This type of artificially generated content has been lovingly (or not so lovingly) labeled "AI slop," which sums it up quite well: It's meaningless drivel, made with little effort or investment by some AI generator, that's raking up real money by going viral on social media. While all platforms that showcase short-form videos are inevitably already filled with AI slop, YouTube has been hit particularly hard. YouTube Shorts can be borderline unwatchable, depending on your algorithm. (Try watching in an incognito window to see what the platform serves up to a blank slate; it's wild out there.) What's worse, YouTube's algorithm shows these videos to kids. Short-form videos are already bad enough for kids in so many ways, but AI slop takes it to another level. "Did this feel like AI slop?"There's some good news on this front, at least: As reported by Dexerto, Starting this month, it appears YouTube is now asking users for their help identifying this AI-generated content. In fact, the company isn't mincing words or beating around the bush. If you're called to action, you'll receive a pop-up that literally reads: "Did this feel like AI slop?" According to a screenshot from this Redditor, you'll have the options of responding with any of the following: "Not at all," "Slightly," "Moderately," "Very much," or "Extremely." Why is YouTube asking for your help identifying AI slop?That might sound like a good thing, and I certainly hope it is. In an ideal world, YouTube would take the results from these findings and remove the videos that are egregious. It tracks with some of the company's past actions: YouTube has even taken down popular AI channels in the name of "reducing the spread of low quality, repetitive content." But Dexerto highlights a different theory, one that is less hopeful. Perhaps the reason YouTube is giving you so many choices in its popup is to understand more precisely how viewers interpret these AI videos. YouTube will then be able to tell which videos are obviously AI slop, versus videos that exist in the uncanny valley. Using that data, they'll be able to train their own AI video models to generate content that doesn't come across as slop to most viewers. If you're scrolling on Shorts and the videos you see feel real, how likely are you to question whether or not they're legit? I hope that's not the case. While my faith in tech companies remains low, I was impressed by YouTube's recent stance against AI slop, and these flagging pop-ups seem to be another step in the right direction. With any luck, YouTube will continue to push higher-quality, human-made content, and crush low-quality AI slop. View the full article

Marines and sailors to arrive in the region in three to four weeks, signalling possible new phase in conflictView the full article

If you’re looking to improve your content planning, grasping the significance of editorial calendar templates is key. These templates can streamline your workflow, ensuring all your content types are organized and delivered on time. From a thorough content calendar to dedicated blog and social media calendars, each serves a specific purpose in your strategy. By implementing these tools effectively, you’ll boost collaboration and optimize visibility for your content. Let’s explore the vital templates you should consider. Key Takeaways A primary content calendar visualizes all upcoming content types, ensuring comprehensive planning and scheduling across various formats. A blog calendar focuses specifically on blog post scheduling, helping prioritize topics and maintain consistency in publishing. A video production calendar tracks video content from concept to completion, managing production timelines and collaboration among team members. A social media content calendar organizes and schedules posts across platforms, optimizing engagement and brand presence on social channels. An email marketing calendar streamlines workflows for marketing emails, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with overall content strategy. Overview of Editorial Calendar Templates When you think about managing your content effectively, editorial calendar templates can be incredibly helpful tools. These templates provide structured frameworks that simplify the organization, planning, scheduling, and publishing of various content types, including blogs and social media posts. To create an editorial calendar, you’ll typically include crucial details like publication dates, content status, primary channels, and team responsibilities. This guarantees streamlined collaboration and accountability among your team members. By using the best editorial calendar, you can maintain a consistent publishing schedule that aligns with your marketing objectives. Many editorial calendar templates are customizable, allowing you to adapt them to fit your specific content strategies and workflows. Popular options can be found in project management tools like Asana and Trello. Benefits of Using Editorial Calendar Templates Using editorial calendar templates offers numerous advantages that improve your content management strategy. These templates centralize content planning, allowing you to manage various types and formats efficiently, which boosts overall productivity. By providing a clear overview of publication dates and responsible team members, they streamline the scheduling process, reducing confusion and ensuring timely delivery. You’ll find that better collaboration across departments is achievable, as these templates serve as a single source of truth for content status, promoting alignment among your marketing, social media, and PR teams. The flexibility of editorial calendar templates likewise supports swift adaptation to industry trends and spontaneous opportunities. Plus, incorporating SEO elements into a free editorial calendar template helps optimize your content strategy for improved visibility and audience reach. Types of Editorial Calendar Templates Editorial calendar templates come in various types, each designed to meet specific content management needs. You’ll find primary content calendars that visualize all upcoming content types, alongside blog calendars focused solely on blog posts. Video production calendars track video content from brainstorming to completion. Furthermore, social media content calendars help you manage posts across different platforms, as well as email marketing calendars organize workflows for your marketing emails. Each template typically includes crucial information like publication dates, content types, and distribution channels, enhancing organization and collaboration. With customizable tags and fields, you can easily sort and filter content, effectively tracking status and managing deadlines. Utilizing diverse editorial calendar templates supports various content creation strategies, boosting productivity and aligning with marketing objectives. How to Create Your Own Editorial Calendar Template Creating your own editorial calendar template can streamline your content planning and boost overall productivity. Begin by defining your content goals and types to align with audience interests and business objectives. Include these key components: Publication dates Content types Channels for distribution Responsible team members SEO strategies, including relevant keywords Customize your template to fit your brand’s needs by adding or removing columns as necessary. Incorporate SEO techniques by mapping keywords and conducting content gap analysis to improve visibility. Finally, regularly review and update your editorial calendar to guarantee it stays aligned with marketing strategies and adapts to new trends or feedback from your team. This structured approach will help maintain focus and drive successful content initiatives. Best Practices for Using Editorial Calendar Templates To maximize the effectiveness of your editorial calendar template, it’s vital to adopt best practices that improve organization and collaboration within your team. Regularly review and update your calendar to reflect changes in your content strategy, ensuring it aligns with your business goals and audience needs. Utilize collaborative platforms like Asana or Trello to boost communication among team members and track content progress in real-time. Make sure to include important details such as publication dates, content types, responsible team members, and status updates for clear organization and accountability. Don’t forget to incorporate SEO considerations by mapping keywords and scheduling deadlines for optimization tasks. Finally, cultivate a culture of feedback, encouraging team members to share insights based on performance metrics and audience engagement data. Frequently Asked Questions What Should a Basic Editorial Content Calendar Include? A basic editorial content calendar should include key elements to guarantee effective content management. Start by listing publication dates to maintain a consistent schedule. Identify content types like blogs or videos for diverse audience engagement. Specify publication channels for cohesive scheduling across platforms. Assign team members responsible for each piece, enhancing accountability. Finally, include a status tracking feature to monitor progress, so you can adjust the timeline as necessary and keep everything on track. How to Create a Content Planning Calendar? To create a content planning calendar, start by defining your content goals and types. Align these with your marketing strategy and audience needs. Identify key milestones, such as product launches or industry events, to incorporate into your calendar. Use a template that includes fields for publication dates, content types, and responsible team members. Regularly update and share the calendar with your team to guarantee effective collaboration and maintain a consistent publishing schedule. What Is the Difference Between an Editorial Calendar and a Content Calendar? An editorial calendar focuses on broader themes, strategies, and goals over a longer period, helping you plan campaigns and target audiences. Conversely, a content calendar zooms in on the specifics, detailing the production schedule, content types, and deadlines. In contrast, editorial calendars offer flexibility and strategic oversight, while content calendars manage day-to-day tasks and logistics. Comprehending this distinction helps you effectively organize content creation and guarantee alignment with your overall objectives. How to Set up an Editorial Calendar? To set up an editorial calendar, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Next, select a tool that suits your needs, from simple spreadsheets to project management software. Populate the calendar with key details like publication dates, topics, and responsible authors. Incorporate a list of story ideas and track performance metrics. Finally, review and update the calendar regularly to align with changing goals and seize timely content opportunities. Conclusion Incorporating editorial calendar templates into your content strategy can greatly improve your planning efficiency. By utilizing specific templates for blogs, videos, social media, and emails, you can streamline your workflow and guarantee timely content delivery. Creating your own templates customized to your needs further optimizes this process. By following best practices, you can enhance collaboration within your team and maximize the visibility of your content across various platforms. In the end, effective planning leads to greater content success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Essential Editorial Calendar Templates for Streamlined Content Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your content planning, grasping the significance of editorial calendar templates is key. These templates can streamline your workflow, ensuring all your content types are organized and delivered on time. From a thorough content calendar to dedicated blog and social media calendars, each serves a specific purpose in your strategy. By implementing these tools effectively, you’ll boost collaboration and optimize visibility for your content. Let’s explore the vital templates you should consider. Key Takeaways A primary content calendar visualizes all upcoming content types, ensuring comprehensive planning and scheduling across various formats. A blog calendar focuses specifically on blog post scheduling, helping prioritize topics and maintain consistency in publishing. A video production calendar tracks video content from concept to completion, managing production timelines and collaboration among team members. A social media content calendar organizes and schedules posts across platforms, optimizing engagement and brand presence on social channels. An email marketing calendar streamlines workflows for marketing emails, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with overall content strategy. Overview of Editorial Calendar Templates When you think about managing your content effectively, editorial calendar templates can be incredibly helpful tools. These templates provide structured frameworks that simplify the organization, planning, scheduling, and publishing of various content types, including blogs and social media posts. To create an editorial calendar, you’ll typically include crucial details like publication dates, content status, primary channels, and team responsibilities. This guarantees streamlined collaboration and accountability among your team members. By using the best editorial calendar, you can maintain a consistent publishing schedule that aligns with your marketing objectives. Many editorial calendar templates are customizable, allowing you to adapt them to fit your specific content strategies and workflows. Popular options can be found in project management tools like Asana and Trello. Benefits of Using Editorial Calendar Templates Using editorial calendar templates offers numerous advantages that improve your content management strategy. These templates centralize content planning, allowing you to manage various types and formats efficiently, which boosts overall productivity. By providing a clear overview of publication dates and responsible team members, they streamline the scheduling process, reducing confusion and ensuring timely delivery. You’ll find that better collaboration across departments is achievable, as these templates serve as a single source of truth for content status, promoting alignment among your marketing, social media, and PR teams. The flexibility of editorial calendar templates likewise supports swift adaptation to industry trends and spontaneous opportunities. Plus, incorporating SEO elements into a free editorial calendar template helps optimize your content strategy for improved visibility and audience reach. Types of Editorial Calendar Templates Editorial calendar templates come in various types, each designed to meet specific content management needs. You’ll find primary content calendars that visualize all upcoming content types, alongside blog calendars focused solely on blog posts. Video production calendars track video content from brainstorming to completion. Furthermore, social media content calendars help you manage posts across different platforms, as well as email marketing calendars organize workflows for your marketing emails. Each template typically includes crucial information like publication dates, content types, and distribution channels, enhancing organization and collaboration. With customizable tags and fields, you can easily sort and filter content, effectively tracking status and managing deadlines. Utilizing diverse editorial calendar templates supports various content creation strategies, boosting productivity and aligning with marketing objectives. How to Create Your Own Editorial Calendar Template Creating your own editorial calendar template can streamline your content planning and boost overall productivity. Begin by defining your content goals and types to align with audience interests and business objectives. Include these key components: Publication dates Content types Channels for distribution Responsible team members SEO strategies, including relevant keywords Customize your template to fit your brand’s needs by adding or removing columns as necessary. Incorporate SEO techniques by mapping keywords and conducting content gap analysis to improve visibility. Finally, regularly review and update your editorial calendar to guarantee it stays aligned with marketing strategies and adapts to new trends or feedback from your team. This structured approach will help maintain focus and drive successful content initiatives. Best Practices for Using Editorial Calendar Templates To maximize the effectiveness of your editorial calendar template, it’s vital to adopt best practices that improve organization and collaboration within your team. Regularly review and update your calendar to reflect changes in your content strategy, ensuring it aligns with your business goals and audience needs. Utilize collaborative platforms like Asana or Trello to boost communication among team members and track content progress in real-time. Make sure to include important details such as publication dates, content types, responsible team members, and status updates for clear organization and accountability. Don’t forget to incorporate SEO considerations by mapping keywords and scheduling deadlines for optimization tasks. Finally, cultivate a culture of feedback, encouraging team members to share insights based on performance metrics and audience engagement data. Frequently Asked Questions What Should a Basic Editorial Content Calendar Include? A basic editorial content calendar should include key elements to guarantee effective content management. Start by listing publication dates to maintain a consistent schedule. Identify content types like blogs or videos for diverse audience engagement. Specify publication channels for cohesive scheduling across platforms. Assign team members responsible for each piece, enhancing accountability. Finally, include a status tracking feature to monitor progress, so you can adjust the timeline as necessary and keep everything on track. How to Create a Content Planning Calendar? To create a content planning calendar, start by defining your content goals and types. Align these with your marketing strategy and audience needs. Identify key milestones, such as product launches or industry events, to incorporate into your calendar. Use a template that includes fields for publication dates, content types, and responsible team members. Regularly update and share the calendar with your team to guarantee effective collaboration and maintain a consistent publishing schedule. What Is the Difference Between an Editorial Calendar and a Content Calendar? An editorial calendar focuses on broader themes, strategies, and goals over a longer period, helping you plan campaigns and target audiences. Conversely, a content calendar zooms in on the specifics, detailing the production schedule, content types, and deadlines. In contrast, editorial calendars offer flexibility and strategic oversight, while content calendars manage day-to-day tasks and logistics. Comprehending this distinction helps you effectively organize content creation and guarantee alignment with your overall objectives. How to Set up an Editorial Calendar? To set up an editorial calendar, start by defining your content goals and identifying your target audience. Next, select a tool that suits your needs, from simple spreadsheets to project management software. Populate the calendar with key details like publication dates, topics, and responsible authors. Incorporate a list of story ideas and track performance metrics. Finally, review and update the calendar regularly to align with changing goals and seize timely content opportunities. Conclusion Incorporating editorial calendar templates into your content strategy can greatly improve your planning efficiency. By utilizing specific templates for blogs, videos, social media, and emails, you can streamline your workflow and guarantee timely content delivery. Creating your own templates customized to your needs further optimizes this process. By following best practices, you can enhance collaboration within your team and maximize the visibility of your content across various platforms. In the end, effective planning leads to greater content success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Essential Editorial Calendar Templates for Streamlined Content Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Another massive data breach has compromised millions of Americans' healthcare data and sensitive information. Navia Benefit Solutions, a benefits administrator for more than 10,000 U.S. employers, has disclosed a hack that affects nearly 2.7 million individuals, according to a March 18 filing with the Maine Attorney General. Navia's services include software and customer support for the administration of everything from Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to commuter and education benefits. What happened with the Navia Benefit Solutions data breach?On Jan. 23, Navia identified "suspicious activity" on its systems, leading to the discovery that hackers had access to some of the organization's data between Dec. 22, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026. During this time, threat actors were able to exfiltrate a significant amount of personally identifiable information (PII), which may include the following: Full name Date of birth Social Security Number (SSN) Phone number Email address Health plan information The compromised health plan data may include Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) participation, Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) enrollment information, and information about users' FSAs Navia has said that no claims or financial data were included in the breach, though the information stolen is commonly used for social engineering attacks and identity theft. What to do if you were affected by the Navia Benefit Solutions security breachNavia began notifying affected individuals on March 18, so keep an eye out for a letter from Navia Benefit Solutions. If your data was included in the breach, you are eligible for one year of identity monitoring services through Kroll. Your letter will include information about how to enroll, including the deadline to sign up for services and your unique activation code. You'll need to activate your account online at enroll.krollmonitoring.com/redeem. As always, a major data breach is a good reminder to lock down your identity. Freeze your credit (this should be your default unless you are actively applying for a new credit line) and set up a one-year fraud alert, which adds extra friction if someone tries to apply for credit in your name. Check your credit report and financial accounts regularly for suspicious activity, and report fraud immediately to your financial institution. You can also file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission and your local police department. View the full article

Rising insurance premiums and total ownership costs are driving borrower hesitation in high-cost regions. See how lenders can adapt strategically. View the full article

Middle East war has unleashed severe disruption for the aviation sectorView the full article

US rejected deal on intelligence-sharing proposed by Vladimir Putin’s envoy last weekView the full article

Overlooked controls and fragmented oversight leave mortgage lenders exposed to enforcement, litigation, and reputational damage. Learn how to close the gaps. View the full article

Is all hope lost for the future of the news media in the U.S.? There’s reason to be optimistic, two experts say, though new models for disseminating factual information are sorely needed and it’s worth paying attention to how younger Americans consume news. “We have to do something radically different,” said Chris Licht, founding partner and CEO of CLC Partners and a former executive at CNN and other TV networks, speaking at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW. “Millions of people get their news and information from people that are actually giving opinion.” “[We’ve] got to focus on, in this modern media world, separating those two things again,” he added. While untangling news and opinion could help to regain trust, Licht also envisions something like “Uber for the news business,” such that reporters are paid for newsgathering and the information of facts is available to consumers as something like a utility. “I think technology is going to play a massive role in restoring trust in what’s happening,” he says. THE TRUTH MUST MATTER TO CONSUMERS What’s more, Gen Z is likely to play a big role in guiding what’s next for the industry, as their consumption patterns differ from their older counterparts. That’s according to Steven Rosenbaum, executive director of the nonprofit Sustainable Media Center and author of the forthcoming book The Future of Truth. “They consume a lot of news, they read a lot of things, they listen to a lot of voices, they query them,” he said. “I think what you’re seeing here today is the beginning of a rising tide that says, ‘You know what? This thing truth matters to me,’” Rosenbaum added. “I think we are on our way into a really good chapter, with a lot of pain and suffering along the way.” View the full article

Google just announced some notable upgrades to the Google Play gaming experience on Windows PCs, with improvements that cover game discovery and purchases, and the news that a broader number of paid titles are now becoming available for the desktop. While an official Windows client for Google Play apps and games has been available for several years, these latest updates mean the experience is more polished than ever before. There are four main changes for gamers wanting to play Android games on Windows. First, Google is "actively expanding" the number of paid, premium games that are fully optimized for PCs. Android games don't get this optimization by default, and need to be specifically tweaked to support PC gaming (keyboard controls and all), so more titles that meet this criteria will be very welcome. Second, there's a new PC section in the Play Store Games tab on mobile devices, so you can actually see which titles are going to be cross-platform compatible before you install them. Third, you only need to buy a game once to use it on both mobile and desktop (something that wasn't always the case in the past). The last upgrade is Game Trials. On selected titles, you'll be able to dive in and start playing for free—once you reach a certain limit in terms of time or progress, you'll then be asked if you want to buy the game (and your progress will be carried over, if you do decide to make the purchase). Credit: Lifehacker It's not clear from the announcements how long this will all take to roll out, but Google says games such as Moonlight Peaks, Sledding Game, and Low-Budget Repairs will be available on PC in the "coming months." None of those games are live in the Play Store app on Android yet. There's a lot to like about running Android games on the desktop—not least a much bigger screen, and keyboard and mouse input options—so if you're keen to dive in, here's how you can give it a try. How to Android games on your PCGet started by visiting the Google Play Games web portal on your Windows PC. Follow the download prompts, and you get taken through the process of installing the software and entering your Google account details (for syncing purposes). Assuming you have actually played a game on your Android device at some point, your profile and stats are carried over to the desktop. At the end of the installation process, you'll be shown a list of games you've already played that are available on Windows. You can also find this list later by clicking From your library on the home page of the Google Play Games app. The majority of the titles I've played on Android seem to be present and correct. Credit: Lifehacker The playing experience is, on the whole, intuitive and straightforward. Most of the games I tried I had no problems with, although sometimes the desktop controls can take some working out: Click the keyboard icon to the left of the game window to remap these (you might also find some control settings within the games themselves). You can also click the visual settings button (the sliders icon) to change how the game is displayed on screen, and there's a volume control button on the left too. Games tend to stick to their default orientation from mobile, whether that's landscape or portrait, but you can adjust the size of the gaming window. The games I tried from my own library were rather hit and miss when it came to syncing up—some carried my progress over from my phone and some didn't, so it seems likely that the onus is largely on developers to implement this right now (and it's something Google clearly wants to improve). #DRIVE on the PC. Credit: Lifehacker From the home page, click the magnifying glass icon to explore games from the desktop: You can filter out titles that haven't been optimized for PC, and from what I can see, there's already plenty to choose from. I didn't find any Game Trials available at the time of writing, so it seems those are still in the pipeline. Android games on PC can be a lot of fun—especially those that work properly with keyboards or gamepads—and I can see this being something a lot of gamers should set up, especially given the latest improvements. And when you're not sitting at your Windows PC, you can carry on gaming as normal on your phone or tablet. View the full article

Scenarios that markets and policymakers hoped to avoid are now materialisingView the full article

As The President increases pressure on the island, the grandson of Raúl Castro is fronting its negotiationsView the full article

Customer journey mapping is an essential tool for businesses, helping you visualize the interactions customers have with your brand. It outlines key stages and touchpoints, and highlights potential pain points. By comprehending these elements, you can improve customer experiences and promote collaboration across departments. This approach not merely leads to better retention but additionally enhances overall satisfaction. To effectively create a customer journey map, you need to follow specific steps and strategies that can transform your approach. Key Takeaways Customer journey mapping visualizes customer interactions and experiences with a brand, aiding in identifying key experience stages. It highlights moments of truth and pain points, facilitating proactive improvements in customer experience. Mapping enhances business strategy by providing insights into customer behaviors and preferences, optimizing engagement. It fosters collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent customer experience throughout all touchpoints. Companies that prioritize customer experience through mapping can achieve improved retention and competitive advantages. Understanding Customer Journey Mapping Comprehending customer experience mapping is essential for any business aiming to improve its interactions with customers. Customer experience mapping involves visualizing the interactions and experiences customers have with your brand across various touchpoints. This process begins with a clear customer experience definition, identifying key customer experience stages that outline their experience from awareness to purchase and beyond. By utilizing customer experience mapping tools, you create a customer experience map that highlights moments of truth and potential pain points. This customer experience mapping enables you to develop a customer experience strategy that aligns with customer expectations, driving loyalty and retention. The benefits of customer experience mapping include optimized experiences and improved collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent brand interaction. A customer experience example can further illustrate how these strategies improve overall satisfaction, eventually leading to increased business success. Importance of Customer Journey Mapping Comprehending customer experience mapping lays the groundwork for recognizing the importance of customer path mapping in your business strategy. By utilizing buyer expedition mapping, you can improve your customer experience by gaining insights into interactions that lead to increased conversions and improved retention rates. A well-structured customer experience map stages can identify gaps and potential roadblocks, enabling proactive improvements and boosting customer satisfaction. With customer experience analysis, you’ll understand behaviors and preferences, allowing you to tailor offerings and marketing strategies effectively. Implementing a customer experience framework encourages collaboration across departments, breaking down silos and ensuring consistent experiences that boost brand loyalty. Since consumers engage with multiple channels, employing expedition mapping tools and customer experience software is crucial for creating seamless, personalized experiences. Furthermore, using a customer experience mapping template can streamline your efforts, finally leading to better ROI and customer engagement. Benefits of Customer Journey Mapping Customer experience mapping offers numerous advantages that can greatly improve your organization’s overall performance. By utilizing customer travel mapping, you can identify and analyze interactions that improve the customer experience, leading to improved retention and satisfaction. Brands prioritizing this approach gain a competitive edge, as 84% of consumers value experience equally to products. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits: Benefit Description Example Improved ROI Improves operations and interactions Increased sales through better service Proactive Gaps Identification Finds roadblocks for seamless experiences Streamlined processes Improved Collaboration Guarantees unified customer engagement across teams Consistent messaging and service Using a customer experience travel map template can simplify the process. In a customer travel mapping workshop, you’ll learn how to create a customer travel map that effectively visualizes your customer travel steps, enabling travel analysis that truly improves customer experience. Steps to Create a Customer Journey Map Creating an effective customer experience map involves several key steps that guarantee you capture the nuances of your customers’ experiences. Here’s how to create a expedition map: Set clear goals: Align your customer expedition map with business objectives to guarantee it addresses specific areas for improvement in customer experience. Involve cross-functional teams: Gather insights from different departments, helping to create a well-rounded comprehension of the customer experience. Develop customer personas: Base these personas on demographics and behaviors to accurately represent your target audience’s needs. Identify touchpoints: Map out customer actions, emotions, and pain points at each stage to uncover areas requiring attention. Enhancing Customer Experience Through Journey Mapping As many businesses recognize the importance of improving customer experience, few leverage customer experience mapping (CJM) to its full potential. This influential experience mapping tool provides a visual representation of all interactions, allowing you to identify pain points in the customer service experience. Comprehending customer behaviors through a customer experience map can help you improve customer experience by tailoring your messaging and interactions. Research indicates that 88% of customers prioritize experience as much as product quality, emphasizing the need for an optimized customer experience model. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Customer Journey Mapping and Why Is It Important? Customer experience mapping visualizes how customers interact with your business, identifying key touchpoints and potential pain points. It’s important since it helps you understand your customers’ experiences, enabling you to optimize each interaction. By recognizing “moments of truth,” you can improve engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, effective mapping promotes collaboration among departments, streamlining your approach to meet customer needs and eventually enhancing your overall return on investment through better targeting and personalized experiences. What Are the 5 A’s of Customer Journey Map? The 5 A’s of customer experience mapping are Aware, Appeal, Ask, Act, and Advocate. First, you become aware of a brand through marketing efforts. Next, the brand appeals to you by resonating with your needs. Then, you might ask questions for more information. After gathering insights, you act by making a purchase. Finally, if satisfied, you advocate for the brand, influencing others through your positive experiences and recommendations. What Are the 5 Main Points of a Customer Journey? The five main points of a customer experience include awareness, consideration, purchase, retention, and advocacy. In the awareness stage, customers first learn about your brand. Next, during consideration, they evaluate options. The purchase stage involves the actual transaction. Retention focuses on keeping customers engaged post-purchase, whereas advocacy encourages them to promote your brand. Comprehending these stages allows you to identify touchpoints and improve the overall customer experience, eventually enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. What Are the Benefits of Understanding the Customer Journey? Comprehending the customer pathway offers several key benefits. It helps you pinpoint interaction gaps, enabling proactive improvements in customer experience. By analyzing these pathways, you can tailor your services, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. Enhanced insights lead to higher conversion rates, as you align your strategies with customer needs. Moreover, cultivating collaboration across departments creates a unified approach, ensuring consistency in experiences, ultimately driving better retention and increased return on investment for your organization. Conclusion In summary, customer experience mapping is an essential tool for businesses aiming to improve customer experience and satisfaction. By visualizing interactions and identifying pain points, you can optimize your strategies effectively. The process nurtures collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent approach to customer engagement. By following the outlined steps to create a customer experience map, you can proactively address gaps and improve retention, finally benefiting both your customers and your brand’s long-term success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Customer Journey Mapping and Why It Matters?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Customer journey mapping is an essential tool for businesses, helping you visualize the interactions customers have with your brand. It outlines key stages and touchpoints, and highlights potential pain points. By comprehending these elements, you can improve customer experiences and promote collaboration across departments. This approach not merely leads to better retention but additionally enhances overall satisfaction. To effectively create a customer journey map, you need to follow specific steps and strategies that can transform your approach. Key Takeaways Customer journey mapping visualizes customer interactions and experiences with a brand, aiding in identifying key experience stages. It highlights moments of truth and pain points, facilitating proactive improvements in customer experience. Mapping enhances business strategy by providing insights into customer behaviors and preferences, optimizing engagement. It fosters collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent customer experience throughout all touchpoints. Companies that prioritize customer experience through mapping can achieve improved retention and competitive advantages. Understanding Customer Journey Mapping Comprehending customer experience mapping is essential for any business aiming to improve its interactions with customers. Customer experience mapping involves visualizing the interactions and experiences customers have with your brand across various touchpoints. This process begins with a clear customer experience definition, identifying key customer experience stages that outline their experience from awareness to purchase and beyond. By utilizing customer experience mapping tools, you create a customer experience map that highlights moments of truth and potential pain points. This customer experience mapping enables you to develop a customer experience strategy that aligns with customer expectations, driving loyalty and retention. The benefits of customer experience mapping include optimized experiences and improved collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent brand interaction. A customer experience example can further illustrate how these strategies improve overall satisfaction, eventually leading to increased business success. Importance of Customer Journey Mapping Comprehending customer experience mapping lays the groundwork for recognizing the importance of customer path mapping in your business strategy. By utilizing buyer expedition mapping, you can improve your customer experience by gaining insights into interactions that lead to increased conversions and improved retention rates. A well-structured customer experience map stages can identify gaps and potential roadblocks, enabling proactive improvements and boosting customer satisfaction. With customer experience analysis, you’ll understand behaviors and preferences, allowing you to tailor offerings and marketing strategies effectively. Implementing a customer experience framework encourages collaboration across departments, breaking down silos and ensuring consistent experiences that boost brand loyalty. Since consumers engage with multiple channels, employing expedition mapping tools and customer experience software is crucial for creating seamless, personalized experiences. Furthermore, using a customer experience mapping template can streamline your efforts, finally leading to better ROI and customer engagement. Benefits of Customer Journey Mapping Customer experience mapping offers numerous advantages that can greatly improve your organization’s overall performance. By utilizing customer travel mapping, you can identify and analyze interactions that improve the customer experience, leading to improved retention and satisfaction. Brands prioritizing this approach gain a competitive edge, as 84% of consumers value experience equally to products. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits: Benefit Description Example Improved ROI Improves operations and interactions Increased sales through better service Proactive Gaps Identification Finds roadblocks for seamless experiences Streamlined processes Improved Collaboration Guarantees unified customer engagement across teams Consistent messaging and service Using a customer experience travel map template can simplify the process. In a customer travel mapping workshop, you’ll learn how to create a customer travel map that effectively visualizes your customer travel steps, enabling travel analysis that truly improves customer experience. Steps to Create a Customer Journey Map Creating an effective customer experience map involves several key steps that guarantee you capture the nuances of your customers’ experiences. Here’s how to create a expedition map: Set clear goals: Align your customer expedition map with business objectives to guarantee it addresses specific areas for improvement in customer experience. Involve cross-functional teams: Gather insights from different departments, helping to create a well-rounded comprehension of the customer experience. Develop customer personas: Base these personas on demographics and behaviors to accurately represent your target audience’s needs. Identify touchpoints: Map out customer actions, emotions, and pain points at each stage to uncover areas requiring attention. Enhancing Customer Experience Through Journey Mapping As many businesses recognize the importance of improving customer experience, few leverage customer experience mapping (CJM) to its full potential. This influential experience mapping tool provides a visual representation of all interactions, allowing you to identify pain points in the customer service experience. Comprehending customer behaviors through a customer experience map can help you improve customer experience by tailoring your messaging and interactions. Research indicates that 88% of customers prioritize experience as much as product quality, emphasizing the need for an optimized customer experience model. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Customer Journey Mapping and Why Is It Important? Customer experience mapping visualizes how customers interact with your business, identifying key touchpoints and potential pain points. It’s important since it helps you understand your customers’ experiences, enabling you to optimize each interaction. By recognizing “moments of truth,” you can improve engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, effective mapping promotes collaboration among departments, streamlining your approach to meet customer needs and eventually enhancing your overall return on investment through better targeting and personalized experiences. What Are the 5 A’s of Customer Journey Map? The 5 A’s of customer experience mapping are Aware, Appeal, Ask, Act, and Advocate. First, you become aware of a brand through marketing efforts. Next, the brand appeals to you by resonating with your needs. Then, you might ask questions for more information. After gathering insights, you act by making a purchase. Finally, if satisfied, you advocate for the brand, influencing others through your positive experiences and recommendations. What Are the 5 Main Points of a Customer Journey? The five main points of a customer experience include awareness, consideration, purchase, retention, and advocacy. In the awareness stage, customers first learn about your brand. Next, during consideration, they evaluate options. The purchase stage involves the actual transaction. Retention focuses on keeping customers engaged post-purchase, whereas advocacy encourages them to promote your brand. Comprehending these stages allows you to identify touchpoints and improve the overall customer experience, eventually enhancing satisfaction and loyalty. What Are the Benefits of Understanding the Customer Journey? Comprehending the customer pathway offers several key benefits. It helps you pinpoint interaction gaps, enabling proactive improvements in customer experience. By analyzing these pathways, you can tailor your services, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty. Enhanced insights lead to higher conversion rates, as you align your strategies with customer needs. Moreover, cultivating collaboration across departments creates a unified approach, ensuring consistency in experiences, ultimately driving better retention and increased return on investment for your organization. Conclusion In summary, customer experience mapping is an essential tool for businesses aiming to improve customer experience and satisfaction. By visualizing interactions and identifying pain points, you can optimize your strategies effectively. The process nurtures collaboration across departments, ensuring a consistent approach to customer engagement. By following the outlined steps to create a customer experience map, you can proactively address gaps and improve retention, finally benefiting both your customers and your brand’s long-term success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Customer Journey Mapping and Why It Matters?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Traders price in almost 50% chance of higher borrowing costs by October, in potential blow to The President’s calls for cutsView the full article

The future of work is increasingly intertwined with the seamless flow between physical and digital operations, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Recent research from HP highlights a significant challenge many SMBs face: outdated systems that hinder productivity and stifle growth. According to HP’s report, The Workflow Wakeup, more than half of IT leaders in SMBs are bogged down by fixing problems rather than enhancing systems. This translates into a reluctance to innovate. For small business owners, understanding these dynamics can be the key to unlocking growth. “Inefficient workflows continue to hold organizations back, and the urgency to address them is growing,” states the report. Nearly 70 percent of SMB leaders express concern that competitors using smarter tools are outpacing them. This sentiment reflects a critical moment for businesses ready to modernize. At the heart of this issue lies the hidden friction in daily tasks. Almost half of the knowledge workers in SMBs report spending excessive time on manual tasks that could easily be automated. What may appear as minor inefficiencies add up, pulling teams away from more impactful work. SMB leaders recognize this; 82 percent claim that investing in new technology is vital for success. Document workflows—including printing, scanning, and sharing—are essential to business operations but frequently present roadblocks. Notably, over a third of SMB workers state that these processes slow their work. The implications are evident: when devices malfunction, productivity plummets, affecting everything from project timelines to employee morale. To combat this, HP advocates for the adoption of smarter systems. These connected devices and AI-enabled capabilities can streamline workflows significantly. Features like cloud printing, mobile access, and secure document sharing eliminate unnecessary steps, facilitating the smooth transit of information. The report cites a compelling statistic: 80 percent of SMB workers find that smart printing reduces frustration, with 30 percent claiming they save at least an hour each week as a result. The potential for broader adoption of such technologies is staggering, with estimates suggesting it could yield nearly $25 billion annually in enhanced productivity for U.S. SMBs. Small incremental efficiencies can create a pronounced competitive edge. For IT teams, integrating smarter systems translates to less time troubleshooting and more focus on enhancing system performance. The ability to preemptively address maintenance needs also mitigates risk and complexity. For business owners, investing in these technologies goes beyond operational improvement—it’s an investment in their workforce. By automating mundane tasks, organizations can allocate resources toward innovative and strategic initiatives that promote growth. HP positions smart printing within a larger ecosystem designed to simplify operations, enhance security, and foster collaboration. The focus is clear: bridging the gap between physical and digital workflows in secure and intelligent ways is essential. While transformation doesn’t always necessitate sweeping changes, it often begins with a reevaluation of fundamental processes. By modernizing document and printing systems, SMBs can bolster efficiency, fortify security, and enhance the overall employee experience. In an age where agility is paramount, embracing smarter, connected systems can significantly improve focus and productivity, paving the way for sustainable growth. Small business owners looking to dive deeper into these insights can explore more in HP’s full report, The Workflow Wakeup, available on HP.com. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SMBs Can Boost Productivity by Modernizing Document Workflows, HP Report Finds" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The future of work is increasingly intertwined with the seamless flow between physical and digital operations, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Recent research from HP highlights a significant challenge many SMBs face: outdated systems that hinder productivity and stifle growth. According to HP’s report, The Workflow Wakeup, more than half of IT leaders in SMBs are bogged down by fixing problems rather than enhancing systems. This translates into a reluctance to innovate. For small business owners, understanding these dynamics can be the key to unlocking growth. “Inefficient workflows continue to hold organizations back, and the urgency to address them is growing,” states the report. Nearly 70 percent of SMB leaders express concern that competitors using smarter tools are outpacing them. This sentiment reflects a critical moment for businesses ready to modernize. At the heart of this issue lies the hidden friction in daily tasks. Almost half of the knowledge workers in SMBs report spending excessive time on manual tasks that could easily be automated. What may appear as minor inefficiencies add up, pulling teams away from more impactful work. SMB leaders recognize this; 82 percent claim that investing in new technology is vital for success. Document workflows—including printing, scanning, and sharing—are essential to business operations but frequently present roadblocks. Notably, over a third of SMB workers state that these processes slow their work. The implications are evident: when devices malfunction, productivity plummets, affecting everything from project timelines to employee morale. To combat this, HP advocates for the adoption of smarter systems. These connected devices and AI-enabled capabilities can streamline workflows significantly. Features like cloud printing, mobile access, and secure document sharing eliminate unnecessary steps, facilitating the smooth transit of information. The report cites a compelling statistic: 80 percent of SMB workers find that smart printing reduces frustration, with 30 percent claiming they save at least an hour each week as a result. The potential for broader adoption of such technologies is staggering, with estimates suggesting it could yield nearly $25 billion annually in enhanced productivity for U.S. SMBs. Small incremental efficiencies can create a pronounced competitive edge. For IT teams, integrating smarter systems translates to less time troubleshooting and more focus on enhancing system performance. The ability to preemptively address maintenance needs also mitigates risk and complexity. For business owners, investing in these technologies goes beyond operational improvement—it’s an investment in their workforce. By automating mundane tasks, organizations can allocate resources toward innovative and strategic initiatives that promote growth. HP positions smart printing within a larger ecosystem designed to simplify operations, enhance security, and foster collaboration. The focus is clear: bridging the gap between physical and digital workflows in secure and intelligent ways is essential. While transformation doesn’t always necessitate sweeping changes, it often begins with a reevaluation of fundamental processes. By modernizing document and printing systems, SMBs can bolster efficiency, fortify security, and enhance the overall employee experience. In an age where agility is paramount, embracing smarter, connected systems can significantly improve focus and productivity, paving the way for sustainable growth. Small business owners looking to dive deeper into these insights can explore more in HP’s full report, The Workflow Wakeup, available on HP.com. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SMBs Can Boost Productivity by Modernizing Document Workflows, HP Report Finds" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

While Google has plans to severely restrict Android users' ability to download apps from sources other than the Google Play Store, the company is introducing a new process that will allow sideloading after a mandatory 24-hour waiting period. This new "advanced flow" setting is meant to prevent users from installing malware distributed by bad actors through unverified sources, while still allowing them to sideload from legitimate developers. Sideloading restrictions are coming to AndroidLast year, Google announced that sideloading on Android would eventually be limited to verified third-party app stores and developers. This change has a clear goal: cracking down on malicious apps impersonating real ones found on the Google Play Store. These restrictions—which go into effect for Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand later this year, and apply globally in 2027—will eventually require developers to register specific details with Google in order to distribute their apps, as well as pay a fee. (Students and hobbyists will be still able to share apps with up to 20 devices without registering or requiring users to go through the new workaround.) This move was met with significant criticism from both developers and users, with concerns ranging from privacy infringement (developers now need to share details they didn't previously have to) to increased difficulty accessing modified or downgraded versions of apps. As such, Google is rolling out a compromise it feels will protect most users from malware, while allowing power users to sideload when they wish to. Google is introducing a sideloading workaroundThe new advanced flow setting will add multiple points of friction to unverified app installation, cutting into the sense of urgency scammers frequently use to distribute malware. Users will go through a one-time process to disable security protections—meaning you won't need to repeat it every time you want to sideload—but you'll still see a warning when you attempt to install an app from an unverified developer. If you're interested in this workaround, you will first need to enable developer mode in your device's Settings app and confirm you are not being coerced into disabling security protections on your device (a common scam tactic). Next, you'll need to restart your phone, which shuts down calls and remote access tools scammers may use to communicate with you or control your device. From here, you'll have to wait 24 hours before you can return and authenticate the settings change using biometrics or your device PIN. Finally, you'll confirm you understand the risks, which then allows you to install apps from unverified developers for seven days, or indefinitely. This workaround will be available starting in August—before developer registration requirements kick in. View the full article

Investor and Shark Tank personality Kevin O’Leary said CEOs who blindly pursue AI are “dead in the water”. But the winning formula, he said, is pairing AI with storytelling and critical thinking. On Wednesday, in a post on X, O’Leary wrote: “In business, it’s about critical thinking and communication, period.” He shared the comment alongside a clip from a recent Fox News appearance, where he discussed the renewed relevance of liberal arts degrees in the age of artificial intelligence. Technical fields like computer science—once considered the safest bet for a stable, high-paying job—are increasingly on shaky ground. Rather than a specific set of technical skills that could become obsolete tomorrow, employers are now hunting for talent who can think critically, creatively, and contextually—the soft skills liberal arts majors have in spades. “Liberal arts graduates can certainly cut through the noise,” O’Leary agreed on X. “But the real value is in the ability to tell a story, paired with AI talent. That’s where the smart money is going. Everything else is noise.” Storytelling has emerged as a core skill over the past year, with U.S. job postings referencing “storytelling” doubling over the past year, according to LinkedIn data cited in The Wall Street Journal. “The number one inflation is creators, like storytellers, writers that actually have AI talents,” O’Leary said in the clip. Those employees who once earned $48,000 a year, now are commanding $600,000 salaries, he said. This increased value can be measured through customer acquisition, according to O’Leary. “If you can prove that you can change a company’s ability to acquire more customers, you can measure that every week, and you can pay them a portion of the profit you make off a new customer,” he explained in the Fox interview. “That’s the new model.” That model only works, he elaborated, if companies maintain focus on value-execution. “I don’t care if you have a liberal arts degree or an MBA; if you can’t tell a story that actually moves the needle on customer acquisition, you’re worth zero,” he wrote alongside the clip. The same is true on the flip side. “If you’re a CEO and you’re just pushing a button to generate garbage, you’re dead in the water,” wrote O’Leary—or drowning in workslop, resulting in both time and money down the drain. “That’s why I only look at it as a tool,” O’Leary said in the interview. “But the people that actually manage it are very valuable.” As we enter the era of the AI-augmented workforce, companies are experimenting—some with more success than others. Take Buzzfeed’s recent woes as a teachable moment. The media company’s full-throttle pivot to AI in 2023—just a month after shutting down its Pulitzer Prize-winning BuzzFeed News division—hasn’t panned out as planned. The company reported a net loss of $57.3 million in 2025 in an earnings report released this month, and said last week it has “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue as a business. The lesson is clear: The most successful companies won’t be those who resist AI or submit to it blindly. It will be those who can leverage their workers’ strengths, integrating human creativity and critical thinking with AI’s speed and scale. “The challenge isn’t the technology,” as O’Leary wrote. “It’s the execution.” View the full article

When actress Maddie Ziegler first read the script for the film Pretty Lethal, which premiered at SXSW over the weekend, she was immediately drawn to it because of its authenticity—even if, sure, the ballerinas are also seen scrappily fighting like a bunch of feral cats. “There’s been so many dance films that have not accurately depicted what it’s like to be a real-life ballerina,” Ziegler said during a panel discussion at the Fast Company Grill at SXSW. After first gaining fame as a young dancer on the reality show, Dance Moms, Ziegler had strayed from dance to instead pursue acting, and this project proved both emotional and cathartic for her. “It just completely made me fall in love with dance all over again,” she said. The team behind Pretty Lethal is hoping audiences, too, fall in love with the story of a ballet troupe that’s thrust into a survival situation and must fight their way out—using techniques that come naturally. The film also introduces audiences to the idea of “Ballet-Fu,” or combat fighting that’s grounded in some authenticity, while still leaning into some of the absurdity and fun of the situation, said Vicky Jewson, the director. “They’re not John Wick, they’re dancers,” Jewson said. “Ballerinas are so tough—they have such high pain thresholds, their bodies are their armor—and that gave us room to play and create some action that you’d never seen before.” Breaking new ground Being a member of the cast of a female-led action movie was so fun that actress Avantika Vandanapu hopes she’ll have many more opportunities to take on more such roles in her future. “It’s such an adrenaline kick to be doing action,” she said, adding that the specificity of fight sequences also makes the movie fun to watch. “There are things women think about when fighting, like you’re probably going to go for a man’s nuts,” she said. While Jewson has her sights on directing more action films, and particularly ones starring women, she said that one of the hurdles is the high degree of technical skill required—which takes time to develop. The cast of Pretty Lethal, for example, spent about five weeks training up to 12 hours a day on both ballet and fight sequences. And then there are the Hollywood types who sometimes need some convincing, as was the case with some studio executives who were initially hesitant about greenlighting Pretty Lethal. “I think the word they used was offensive,” Jewson recalled. View the full article

Pop star Zara Larsson is the internet’s newest it girl. After a wave of viral hits, including her latest album’s title track “Midnight Sun” and her feature on PinkPantheress’ “Stateside” remix, the Swedish singer cemented herself as the next big thing in pop music. But fame doesn’t come without controversy, as Larsson learned when she revealed to her fanbase that she uses generative AI. The discourse began when Larsson posted about watching AI-generated content on TikTok. Larsson first reposted an image from the account Ai Fruit Stories, a page posting AI animations of—you guessed it—drama between anthropomorphic foods. Larsson then posted a selfie with the caption, “Sorry I can’t hang out today, I gotta see what’s happening with choclatina and strawberto,” referring to that page’s main storyline: a chocolate bar named Chocolatina seducing a strawberry named Strawberto. oh she serious about this https://t.co/PdWYhyEiQB pic.twitter.com/7AAfvOZ5Jm — saragee (@cocoxel) March 19, 2026 The situation may sound silly on paper, but it riled up Larsson’s fandom, who called her out for apparently supporting generative AI despite its harmful environmental impact, as well as the damage so-called “AI slop” can do to creative industries. Larsson returned to TikTok to address the controversy in a since-deleted video. “I am just a girl with a phone at the end of the day,” she said. “And I just actually just want to be funny sometimes, and want to connect with people.” She added that she’s not an actual fan of the account she reposted, but that it randomly popped up on her For You Page and she shared it thinking her followers would find it funny. “Do I genuinely consume AI fruits cheating on each other and getting pregnant left and right? I don’t think I do,” she said. Larsson went on to describe her own relationship with generative AI: “I don’t use it for my art. I don’t use it to create. I can see how it can be a tool for people to do that; I don’t do it personally,” she said. “But I do use ChatGPT, I’m sorry,” she continued. “And I Google shit. I Google shit sometimes because I’m curious. I don’t really love the Google AI answers, but I use it.” Larsson said she feels like AI is “everywhere, and it’s taken over.” With generative AI now baked into the fabric of so many aspects of daily life, she says, she’s hopeful that it will eventually stop having a negative environmental impact: “I know it’s just gonna be more environmentally friendly. It just has to be,” she said. “It just has to use less water, less energy, because that’s just the way forward.” “At this point, I don’t ever see us going back to not using it,” Larsson concluded. Larsson’s response only added fuel to her critics’ fire. Many refuted her claim that generative AI use is impossible to avoid, saying they simply choose not to use tools like ChatGPT. “Reminder that you actually don’t have to use gen ai for anything at all despite it being shoved in your face!” one user posted. i’m kinda over ppl saying “AI is everywhere i can’t avoid it so that’s why i use it” like i have never Once used chatgbt………. — kitty (@imightbesinking) March 20, 2026 Reminder that you actually don’t have to use gen ai for anything at all despite it being shoved in your face! Just because the option to do and use something is waved in front of you does not mean you Have to engage with it 👍 — Ally ⭐️ (@AllyAllyOrange) March 20, 2026 Others pointed out that her optimism around AI’s environmental impact seems unfounded, as the continued construction of new data centers only ramps up concerns for the future of the planet. idk what’s worse the fact that she thinks it’s okay as long as she doesn’t use it on her art or saying that ai will use less energy/resources in the future when all of these ai companies are savagely trying to buy lands to build more data centers and ruin the planet over profits https://t.co/3IYiAYr3nH — mar ☆ (@chrrypm) March 20, 2026 "in the future ai is going to use less energy and less water it just has to" as if these huge ai corporations give a single fuck about environmental footprint lmfao https://t.co/vpMuJTqN4a — el ꩜ (@grimlitter) March 19, 2026 Some fans were especially disappointed that Larsson, as an artist herself, would consume and share AI-generated art. “Please support the human writers, artists, animators, singers,” one user wrote. “Art is humanity’s greatest creation. We have to protect it. We have to reject generative AI completely.” This ain't even bout Zara now like… Everyone is too comfortable with this shit. Please support the human writers, artists, animators, singers. Art is humanity's greatest creation. We have to protect it. We have to reject generative AI completely. — Tawny Luxardo (@H0LI3R) March 20, 2026 Not everyone was against Larsson’s perspective. Some reasoned that the situation has been blown out of proportion, with one poster saying they “cannot bring [themself] to care” about her “watching ai videos she did not make.” But others argued that the size of Larsson’s fanbase—including her 8.8 million followers on TikTok—means she ought to be held accountable for what she posts. zara larsson getting hate for reposting a racist ai slop video, casually using chatgpt, and normalizing ai use in general is extremely valid actually https://t.co/e6cpIk0Sf5 — ash 🍓 (@beefy5layerbby) March 20, 2026 Larsson may have deleted all her posts on the topic, but her comments section on TikTok is still dominated by discussions on generative AI. On her most recent video, the top comment riffs on Larsson’s beach-going, summery aesthetic: “It’s gonna be summer forever if you keep using ai.” View the full article