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Hisense is all about TVs at this year's CES—specifically, how those TVs display color. If the company's keynote is any indication, Hisense is extremely invested in leading the charge in color reproduction. Though its tagline this year is "Innovating a Brighter Life," the pitch is less on how bright their TVs are, and more on how true to life their colors are, especially when it comes to accurately displaying the filmmakers' original intent. Will consumers buy a TV because their favorite movie looks a bit more how the director intended it to be? I'm not sure. But that's largely the idea behind Hisense's new RGB MiniLED Evo. RGB MiniLED Evo Credit: Lifehacker Hisense's biggest announcement of the day is its RGB MiniLED Evo. This iteration of the company's RGB MiniLED technology comes with three key upgrades: First, there's the "Chromagic" precision backlight. The company says this technology helps avoid color bleeding and tint shifting when watching content. It also boosts the colors offered by existing RGB MiniLED technology: Hisense says this new standard can display 110% of the BT.2020 color gamut with four-primary colors (red, green, blue, and sky blue, or cyan), while RGB MiniLED can achieve 100% BT.2020 with the standard three primary colors. The company says Evo also comes with AI-powered RGB color dimming with "134 bit precision." Second, RGB MiniLED Evo has a "Hi-View AI engine," to sync color across the TV's backlight. This engine comes with a three-core RISC CPU and a 2TOPS NPU for AI processing. Hisense claims the chip provides a 40% boost in computing performance, a 70% improvement in scenario recognition computing power, and 100% upgrade in scenario adaption computing capability. The company says the RGB MiniLED Evo can help display shows and movies as the original creators intended them to look. Hisense compared it to OLED, which it says displays content with too little brightness, and QD MiniLED, which it says compromises the color by being too bright. Hisense's RGB MiniLED—not necessarily just Evo—also supposedly cuts down on blue light. Hisense says its new display tech emits 60% "less harmful" blue light than QD OLED, though the science doesn't necessarily support the claims that blue light is any worse for you than other light colors. The company also says RGB MiniLED is 30% more energy-efficient than QD OLED, though it didn't include any references to back up those claims in the keynote. Finally, Evo comes with an AI calibration feature, which Hisense touts as a way for users to turn their TVs into professional reference monitors. The company says RGB MiniLED evo is coming to its product lineup, including the U8, UX, U9, and U7 series, this year. Other Hisense announcements at CES 2026 Credit: Lifehacker While the RGB MiniLED Evo was undoubtedly Hisense's biggest announcement this year, the company also ran through some other news at the keynote. First, there's the XR10, a new projector that can reach up to 300 inches. It comes with liquid cooling, lens shift supporting a 4K projection, and 6,000 lumens of brightness. The company also announced the MXS MicroLED TV, which can scale up to 163 inches. Despite devoting only a moment to the TV, company says the MXS won an CES 2026 Innovation Award. Hisense also made some announcements about its TV OS, including features like weather, calendar, and integrations with other smart home devices. But perhaps most notably, Hisense announced a partnership with Microsoft to bring both Copilot and Xbox Cloud Gaming to its TVs. That's pretty big news. Finally, if you're both a Hisense and a FIFA fan, you can buy products from the "Hisense Elite Collection," which are designed specifically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. I'm not sure how big that crossover is, nor do I think I'd buy a TV because it was made for one soccer event, but it was part of Hisense's announcement. View the full article

Yields gravitated back toward session lows — down three to four basis points on the day — after the December ISM manufacturing gauge unexpectedly dropped. View the full article

Google has unveiled its latest advancement in artificial intelligence, the Gemini 3 Flash, a tool that promises to revolutionize how small businesses approach coding and development. With a focus on affordability and efficiency, Gemini 3 Flash is set to provide vital resources for the fast-paced world of small business operations. Small business owners are constantly seeking innovative solutions that streamline processes and bolster productivity. Gemini 3 Flash, integrated into Google’s Gemini API and Vertex AI, is priced competitively at $0.50 for every 1 million input tokens, and $3 for every 1 million output tokens. The tool is tailored for both cost efficiency and effectiveness, with additional options for audio inputs priced at $1 per million tokens. One of the standout features of Gemini 3 Flash is its context caching capability, enabling businesses to reduce costs by up to 90% in instances of repeated token use. This feature is particularly beneficial for companies that engage with high volumes of data or require repetitive tasks, such as generating reports or handling customer inquiries. By significantly lowering operational costs, small business owners can redirect resources towards growth initiatives. The tool is also accessible through the Batch API, which offers 50% cost savings and increased rate limits for asynchronous processing. This allows small business owners to scale their operations without the burden of excessive spending. For those who need immediate results, paid API customers benefit from production-ready rate limits, ensuring that even high-demand situations can be handled seamlessly. Early adopters of Gemini 3 Flash have expressed excitement about its potential. Its enhanced coding and agent capabilities outshine previous iterations, making rapid, iterative development a reality. For small businesses, this means faster project timelines and improved responsiveness to market demands. According to reports, Gemini 3 Flash achieves a remarkable performance rating, rapidly surpassing its predecessor, the 3 Pro, while maintaining quicker iteration speeds. In practice, Gemini 3 Flash has already begun to integrate across various Google products, pointing to a multitude of potential applications. For instance, small business owners can leverage its intelligent coding assistance to streamline their software development processes. The tool enables coders to maintain their workflow, allowing for continuous creativity without disruption. However, small business owners should also be mindful of potential challenges that come with adopting such advanced technology. While Gemini 3 Flash shows immense promise, businesses may face a learning curve when incorporating AI tools into their existing workflows. It is crucial for owners to consider training for their teams to maximize the benefits this tool offers. Additionally, maintaining data security and compliance with industry standards when using AI technologies is necessary to avoid potential pitfalls. For those contemplating the transition to AI-driven operations, Gemini 3 Flash can serve as a transformative solution. It enables businesses to not only enhance coding efficiency but also foster innovation in product development and customer engagement. As they strive to keep pace with larger competitors, small business owners have a unique opportunity to harness the power of this cutting-edge technology. In a landscape where adaptability is key to survival, Gemini 3 Flash stands out as an instrumental tool for small businesses looking to enhance their operational capabilities. As the demand for rapid digital transformation continues, the practical applications of AI tools like Gemini 3 Flash offer a glimpse into the future of business development. For further details, visit the original announcement on Google’s blog here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google’s Gemini 3 Flash Launches, Promises Major Cost Savings for Developers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google has unveiled its latest advancement in artificial intelligence, the Gemini 3 Flash, a tool that promises to revolutionize how small businesses approach coding and development. With a focus on affordability and efficiency, Gemini 3 Flash is set to provide vital resources for the fast-paced world of small business operations. Small business owners are constantly seeking innovative solutions that streamline processes and bolster productivity. Gemini 3 Flash, integrated into Google’s Gemini API and Vertex AI, is priced competitively at $0.50 for every 1 million input tokens, and $3 for every 1 million output tokens. The tool is tailored for both cost efficiency and effectiveness, with additional options for audio inputs priced at $1 per million tokens. One of the standout features of Gemini 3 Flash is its context caching capability, enabling businesses to reduce costs by up to 90% in instances of repeated token use. This feature is particularly beneficial for companies that engage with high volumes of data or require repetitive tasks, such as generating reports or handling customer inquiries. By significantly lowering operational costs, small business owners can redirect resources towards growth initiatives. The tool is also accessible through the Batch API, which offers 50% cost savings and increased rate limits for asynchronous processing. This allows small business owners to scale their operations without the burden of excessive spending. For those who need immediate results, paid API customers benefit from production-ready rate limits, ensuring that even high-demand situations can be handled seamlessly. Early adopters of Gemini 3 Flash have expressed excitement about its potential. Its enhanced coding and agent capabilities outshine previous iterations, making rapid, iterative development a reality. For small businesses, this means faster project timelines and improved responsiveness to market demands. According to reports, Gemini 3 Flash achieves a remarkable performance rating, rapidly surpassing its predecessor, the 3 Pro, while maintaining quicker iteration speeds. In practice, Gemini 3 Flash has already begun to integrate across various Google products, pointing to a multitude of potential applications. For instance, small business owners can leverage its intelligent coding assistance to streamline their software development processes. The tool enables coders to maintain their workflow, allowing for continuous creativity without disruption. However, small business owners should also be mindful of potential challenges that come with adopting such advanced technology. While Gemini 3 Flash shows immense promise, businesses may face a learning curve when incorporating AI tools into their existing workflows. It is crucial for owners to consider training for their teams to maximize the benefits this tool offers. Additionally, maintaining data security and compliance with industry standards when using AI technologies is necessary to avoid potential pitfalls. For those contemplating the transition to AI-driven operations, Gemini 3 Flash can serve as a transformative solution. It enables businesses to not only enhance coding efficiency but also foster innovation in product development and customer engagement. As they strive to keep pace with larger competitors, small business owners have a unique opportunity to harness the power of this cutting-edge technology. In a landscape where adaptability is key to survival, Gemini 3 Flash stands out as an instrumental tool for small businesses looking to enhance their operational capabilities. As the demand for rapid digital transformation continues, the practical applications of AI tools like Gemini 3 Flash offer a glimpse into the future of business development. For further details, visit the original announcement on Google’s blog here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google’s Gemini 3 Flash Launches, Promises Major Cost Savings for Developers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Deposed Venezuelan leader and wife appear in New York courtroom for first time since their capture in Caracas View the full article

As today is the first Monday of 2026, Americans across the country are settling back into their everyday routines after the busy holiday season. But many are also recovering from the flu—or still suffering from it. Flu illnesses are surging across the country. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), positive influenza test results reached the highest levels of the season for the week ending December 27, 2025. The CDC publishes a weekly influenza surveillance report that details positive case counts, illness activity levels by state, and breakdowns of flu types. Due to the winter holidays, the CDC’s latest weekly report was delayed. But the agency published its findings today, January 5, 2026. The report shows that 32.9% of samples tested positive for influenza. Positive influenza test results have continued to trend upwards in recent weeks. Influenza A H3N2 ‘Super Flu’ cases are surging nationwide Fast Company previously wrote about the worsening spread of the so-called super flu. The most common influenza strain this season is the subclade K, which is a mutated version of H3N2, a subtype of the influenza A virus. According to CDC data, for the week ending December 27, a total of 994 influenza viruses were reported by public health laboratories. Of those, 971 were influenza A and 23 were influenza B. Of the 600 influenza A viruses that were subtyped, 91.2% were influenza A H3N2. For the same week, 33,301 patients were admitted to hospitals with influenza. Meanwhile, two influenza-related pediatric deaths were reported. One death occurred the week ending December 20 and one death occurred the week ending December 27. A total of nine influenza-related pediatric deaths have been reported this season. For the week ending December 27, activity levels were considered very high in more than half of the U.S. states. Activity levels were also very high in Puerto Rico. The states with the highest flu activity include: Alabama Alaska Arkansas Colorado Connecticut Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Ohio Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New York North Carolina North Dakota Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Vermont Virginia The CDC expects activity to continue for several weeks. What are the symptoms of the flu? Flu symptoms can vary from mild to severe. According to the CDC, these are the most common symptoms to be aware of: Fever Feeling feverish/having chills Cough Sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Muscle or body aches Headaches Fatigue (tiredness) Possible vomiting or diarrhea It’s worth noting that not everyone with the flu gets a fever. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms, the CDC recommends limiting contact with others. Total flu cases reach 11 million nationwide The CDC estimates that at least 11 million flu illnesses have occurred so far this season. The agency estimates that there have been 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths from the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older who has not yet been vaccinated this season get an annual influenza vaccine. View the full article

The The President administration has added seven countries, including five in Africa, to the list of nations whose passport holders are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. Thirteen countries, all but two of them in Africa, are now on the list, which makes the process of obtaining a U.S. visa unaffordable for many. The State Department last week quietly added Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan to the list. Those designations took effect on Jan. 1, according to a notice posted on the travel.state.gov website. It’s the latest effort by the The President administration to tighten requirements for entry to the U.S., including requiring citizens from all countries that require visas to sit for in-person interviews and disclose years of social media histories as well as detailed accounts of their and their families’ previous travel and living arrangements. U.S. officials have defended the bonds, which can range from $5,000 up to $15,000, maintaining they are effective in ensuring that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas. Payment of the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted, but the amount will be refunded if the visa is denied or when a visa holder demonstrates they have complied with the terms of visa. The new countries covered by the requirement join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia, which were all placed on the list in August and October of last year. —Matthew Lee, AP diplomatic writer View the full article

Creating cool videos requires a structured approach that starts with comprehending your goals and audience. You’ll need to plan your content carefully, from storyboarding to scripting, ensuring clarity in your message. Quality recording equipment is crucial, as is effective editing that incorporates engaging visuals. Once your video is complete, promoting it effectively can make all the difference. To get started, let’s explore the fundamental steps in detail. Key Takeaways Define your video’s purpose and target audience to tailor content effectively for engagement and clarity. Create a structured script and storyboard to outline key messages and ensure coherence throughout the video. Use high-quality recording equipment and stable techniques, like a tripod, to produce professional-looking footage. Enhance your video with relevant text overlays, annotations, and engaging visuals during the editing process. Optimize titles, descriptions, and thumbnails with keywords to improve search visibility and attract viewers. Why Creating Videos Is Important Creating videos is important not just because they capture attention effectively, but likewise as they cater to the preferences of a majority of consumers. With 85% of individuals preferring video content, you can engage your audience in a compelling way. Since 65% of people are visual learners, comprehending how to create a good video becomes vital, simplifying complex topics. Instructional videos boost viewer retention considerably compared to text-based formats. In addition, 96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn about a product, indicating that well-crafted videos can improve brand loyalty. If you’re looking to enhance your SEO, knowing how to make a nice video can help drive organic traffic, as search engines prioritize multimedia content. Steps to Create Engaging Videos To create engaging videos, it’s essential to start with a clear purpose and a defined target audience, as this focus allows you to tailor your content to meet their interests and knowledge levels. Next, utilize a structured script and storyboard to outline key points, which will help maintain a coherent narrative flow. When recording, use high-quality equipment and stable techniques, like a tripod, to achieve professional-looking results. During the editing phase, add relevant text overlays, annotations, and engaging visuals to improve comprehension. Finally, optimize your video for SEO by incorporating relevant keywords in the title and description, along with eye-catching thumbnails. Planning Your Video Content Planning video content begins with a clear comprehension of your objectives and audience. First, define the goal of your video, whether it’s to educate, entertain, or promote a product, ensuring alignment with your desired outcomes. Next, identify your target audience to tailor the complexity and language of your content, enhancing viewer engagement and retention. Create a detailed outline or storyboard to visualize each scene and maintain narrative coherence, which streamlines the filming process. Furthermore, develop a clear and concise script that highlights key messages, keeping your audience engaged. Finally, research common questions or pain points related to your topic, allowing you to create more relevant and useful content that addresses viewers’ needs effectively. Recording and Editing Techniques Recording and editing techniques are crucial for producing high-quality videos that resonate with your audience. Start by using a high-quality external microphone; built-in smartphone microphones often fail to capture clear audio. Guarantee stability during recording by using a tripod, which minimizes shaky footage and improves professionalism. Furthermore, record in well-lit environments. To boost visual appeal, consider using the three-point lighting method for balanced illumination. For editing, choose user-friendly software that allows for automatic syncing of audio and video tracks, making the process smoother. During the editing phase, include text overlays and annotations to guide viewers, emphasizing key messages to improve comprehension. Promoting Your Finished Video Once you’ve completed your video, the next step is promoting it effectively to reach a broader audience. Start by sharing your video on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; this will help engage a wider audience. Optimize your video title, description, and tags with relevant keywords to boost search visibility and attract organic traffic. Creating eye-catching thumbnails can also entice potential viewers, improving your click-through rates. Furthermore, utilize video analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as view counts and engagement rates, which will help refine your promotional strategies. Finally, consider collaborating with influencers or relevant content creators; their established audiences can provide valuable exposure for your video, enhancing its reach and impact. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Really Cool Video? To make a really cool video, start by defining its purpose and audience. Create a storyboard to outline your content, ensuring a logical flow. Use quality recording equipment for clear visuals and audio. Edit with software that allows for the integration of text and graphics. Finally, optimize your video for sharing by designing eye-catching thumbnails and incorporating relevant keywords in the title and description to improve visibility and engagement. How to Create a Video Step by Step? To create a video step-by-step, start by defining your video’s purpose and knowing your audience. Next, draft a detailed script and storyboard to organize your content. Use quality recording equipment for clear audio and visuals. Once filming is complete, edit your footage with user-friendly software to improve the presentation. Finally, publish your video on suitable platforms and promote it through social media to effectively reach your target audience. How to Make a Step by Step Instruction Video? To make a step-by-step instruction video, start by defining your audience and purpose. Create a clear script that includes an engaging introduction, detailed instructions, and a conclusion. Use high-quality recording equipment for better audio and visuals. During editing, trim excess content, add helpful annotations, and incorporate relevant visuals. Finally, publish your video on various platforms, optimizing it with keywords and appealing thumbnails to improve visibility and attract viewers effectively. What Is the Easiest Program to Create Videos? The easiest program to create videos is often Animoto, thanks to its user-friendly templates and drag-and-drop features. If you prefer automation, Guidde simplifies the process by recording and editing for you. For Apple users, iMovie offers intuitive tools that make editing seamless. Adobe Spark provides pre-designed templates for quick video creation, whereas Kapwing‘s online platform supports collaboration and simple editing. Each option caters well to beginners, ensuring you can produce quality videos efficiently. Conclusion In conclusion, creating cool videos involves a structured approach that starts with clear planning and scripting. By utilizing high-quality recording techniques and effective editing, you can improve the visual appeal of your content. Once your video is complete, promoting it on social media platforms helps reach your target audience. Finally, analyzing performance metrics allows you to refine your strategies for future videos, ensuring continuous improvement in your content creation process. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Create Cool Videos With a Step-By-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating cool videos requires a structured approach that starts with comprehending your goals and audience. You’ll need to plan your content carefully, from storyboarding to scripting, ensuring clarity in your message. Quality recording equipment is crucial, as is effective editing that incorporates engaging visuals. Once your video is complete, promoting it effectively can make all the difference. To get started, let’s explore the fundamental steps in detail. Key Takeaways Define your video’s purpose and target audience to tailor content effectively for engagement and clarity. Create a structured script and storyboard to outline key messages and ensure coherence throughout the video. Use high-quality recording equipment and stable techniques, like a tripod, to produce professional-looking footage. Enhance your video with relevant text overlays, annotations, and engaging visuals during the editing process. Optimize titles, descriptions, and thumbnails with keywords to improve search visibility and attract viewers. Why Creating Videos Is Important Creating videos is important not just because they capture attention effectively, but likewise as they cater to the preferences of a majority of consumers. With 85% of individuals preferring video content, you can engage your audience in a compelling way. Since 65% of people are visual learners, comprehending how to create a good video becomes vital, simplifying complex topics. Instructional videos boost viewer retention considerably compared to text-based formats. In addition, 96% of people have watched an explainer video to learn about a product, indicating that well-crafted videos can improve brand loyalty. If you’re looking to enhance your SEO, knowing how to make a nice video can help drive organic traffic, as search engines prioritize multimedia content. Steps to Create Engaging Videos To create engaging videos, it’s essential to start with a clear purpose and a defined target audience, as this focus allows you to tailor your content to meet their interests and knowledge levels. Next, utilize a structured script and storyboard to outline key points, which will help maintain a coherent narrative flow. When recording, use high-quality equipment and stable techniques, like a tripod, to achieve professional-looking results. During the editing phase, add relevant text overlays, annotations, and engaging visuals to improve comprehension. Finally, optimize your video for SEO by incorporating relevant keywords in the title and description, along with eye-catching thumbnails. Planning Your Video Content Planning video content begins with a clear comprehension of your objectives and audience. First, define the goal of your video, whether it’s to educate, entertain, or promote a product, ensuring alignment with your desired outcomes. Next, identify your target audience to tailor the complexity and language of your content, enhancing viewer engagement and retention. Create a detailed outline or storyboard to visualize each scene and maintain narrative coherence, which streamlines the filming process. Furthermore, develop a clear and concise script that highlights key messages, keeping your audience engaged. Finally, research common questions or pain points related to your topic, allowing you to create more relevant and useful content that addresses viewers’ needs effectively. Recording and Editing Techniques Recording and editing techniques are crucial for producing high-quality videos that resonate with your audience. Start by using a high-quality external microphone; built-in smartphone microphones often fail to capture clear audio. Guarantee stability during recording by using a tripod, which minimizes shaky footage and improves professionalism. Furthermore, record in well-lit environments. To boost visual appeal, consider using the three-point lighting method for balanced illumination. For editing, choose user-friendly software that allows for automatic syncing of audio and video tracks, making the process smoother. During the editing phase, include text overlays and annotations to guide viewers, emphasizing key messages to improve comprehension. Promoting Your Finished Video Once you’ve completed your video, the next step is promoting it effectively to reach a broader audience. Start by sharing your video on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter; this will help engage a wider audience. Optimize your video title, description, and tags with relevant keywords to boost search visibility and attract organic traffic. Creating eye-catching thumbnails can also entice potential viewers, improving your click-through rates. Furthermore, utilize video analytics tools to track performance metrics, such as view counts and engagement rates, which will help refine your promotional strategies. Finally, consider collaborating with influencers or relevant content creators; their established audiences can provide valuable exposure for your video, enhancing its reach and impact. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make a Really Cool Video? To make a really cool video, start by defining its purpose and audience. Create a storyboard to outline your content, ensuring a logical flow. Use quality recording equipment for clear visuals and audio. Edit with software that allows for the integration of text and graphics. Finally, optimize your video for sharing by designing eye-catching thumbnails and incorporating relevant keywords in the title and description to improve visibility and engagement. How to Create a Video Step by Step? To create a video step-by-step, start by defining your video’s purpose and knowing your audience. Next, draft a detailed script and storyboard to organize your content. Use quality recording equipment for clear audio and visuals. Once filming is complete, edit your footage with user-friendly software to improve the presentation. Finally, publish your video on suitable platforms and promote it through social media to effectively reach your target audience. How to Make a Step by Step Instruction Video? To make a step-by-step instruction video, start by defining your audience and purpose. Create a clear script that includes an engaging introduction, detailed instructions, and a conclusion. Use high-quality recording equipment for better audio and visuals. During editing, trim excess content, add helpful annotations, and incorporate relevant visuals. Finally, publish your video on various platforms, optimizing it with keywords and appealing thumbnails to improve visibility and attract viewers effectively. What Is the Easiest Program to Create Videos? The easiest program to create videos is often Animoto, thanks to its user-friendly templates and drag-and-drop features. If you prefer automation, Guidde simplifies the process by recording and editing for you. For Apple users, iMovie offers intuitive tools that make editing seamless. Adobe Spark provides pre-designed templates for quick video creation, whereas Kapwing‘s online platform supports collaboration and simple editing. Each option caters well to beginners, ensuring you can produce quality videos efficiently. Conclusion In conclusion, creating cool videos involves a structured approach that starts with clear planning and scripting. By utilizing high-quality recording techniques and effective editing, you can improve the visual appeal of your content. Once your video is complete, promoting it on social media platforms helps reach your target audience. Finally, analyzing performance metrics allows you to refine your strategies for future videos, ensuring continuous improvement in your content creation process. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How to Create Cool Videos With a Step-By-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

For years, pharmaceutical companies have been racing to develop a market-ready GLP-1 weight-loss pill to join the ranks of popular injectables. Today, Novo Nordisk’s oral version of Wegovy is officially available for purchase. The Wegovy pill—which has been in clinical trials for over two years and was approved by the FDA on December 22—is the first and only oral GLP-1 for weight loss in adults available in the U.S. According to a press release from Novo Nordisk, the pill hit the market on January 5 at more than 70,000 U.S. pharmacies and several popular telehealth providers. Per a KFF health tracking poll released in November, one in eight Americans were already taking a GLP-1 for weight-loss. The new Wegovy pill likely represents an incoming era of even more widespread access to GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, as the medicine becomes more approachable and convenient than ever. “We know there are people who are interested in addressing their weight but have been waiting on the sidelines for a medicine that was right for them,” Ed Cinca, Novo Nordisk’s senior vice president of marketing & patient solutions, said in the press release. For many of them, he added, that wait is over. As of this writing, Novo Nordisk’s stock is up about 4% since the announcement. Here’s what to know about the company’s new pill. How much does the Wegovy pill cost? Like the injectable version of Wegovy, its pill form will require a prescription from a doctor. It’s available in multiple doses, including 1.5 mg (which is considered a starter dose, to help the body build up a tolerance), 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg. Novo Nordisk says prices for self-pay patients will start at $149 per month for the 1.5 mg dose. The 4 mg dose will also be available for $149 per month through April 15, 2026, then $199 per month after. The highest dose of 25 mg will be available for $299 per month. Where is the Wegovy pill available? Starting today, the Wegovy pill is available at more than 70,000 pharmacies, including CVS and Costco, as well as telehealth providers like Ro, LifeMD and Weight Watchers, NovoCarePharmacy (Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-patient service), GoodRx, and more. For its part, GoodRx (which is a healthcare company that provides coupons and savings to be applied in pharmacies) announced in its own press release that it will help consumers access the Wegovy pill at a variety of pharmacies for its lowest price of $149 per month at the 1.5 and 4 mg dosages. The news comes after GoodRx first joined forces with Novo Nordisk in September to offer the lowest-ever out-of-pocket prices for injectable Ozempic and Wegovy. View the full article

Stocks rose in morning trading on Wall Street Monday to kick off the first full week of the new year, led by energy and technology companies. The S&P 500 rose 0.7%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 639 points, or 1.3%, as of 10:55 a.m. Eastern. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.8%. Markets in Asia and Europe were mostly higher. Energy companies and the oil market were a key focus after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a weekend raid. The price of U.S. crude jumped 1.4% to $58.13 per barrel. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, rose 1.2% to $61.50 per barrel. President Donald The President has floated a plan for U.S. oil companies to help rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry. Chevron surged 5% and Exxon Mobil rose 2% for some of the strongest gains in the market. After years of neglect and international sanctions, Venezuela’s oil industry is in disrepair. It could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically. But some analysts expect its current output of about 1.1 million barrels a day could double or triple fairly quickly. Big banks also made solid gains. JPMorgan Chase rose 3.4% and Bank of America jumped 2.6%. Wall Street is also watching the technology sector as the industry kicks off its annual CES trade show in Las Vegas. Nvidia rose 0.3% and Intel jumped 2%. Investors are particularly focused on advancements in artificial intelligence, or AI. The sector led the broader market to a series of records in 2025 on expectations that AI will continue to drive advancements and profits for a wide range of technology companies. The latest updates on AI from influential technology companies could help shed more light on whether the big investments are worth the potential financial risks. Companies like Nvidia have been heavily investing in the technology, while investors on Wall Street have made those companies among the most valuable in the world. Their outsized valuations now drive much of the movement for major indexes. Gold gained 2.8% and the price of silver soared 8%. Such assets are often considered safe havens in times of geopolitical turmoil. The metals have notched record prices over the last year amid lingering economic concerns brought on by conflicts and trade wars. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.19% late Friday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which moves more closely with expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do, fell to 3.46% from 3.48% late Friday. Wall Street will get several economic updates this week that will also be watched by the Fed as it determines interest rate policy. On Monday, the Institute for Supply Management released its manufacturing index for December showing the sector continued shrinking. More importantly, the business group will release its December report on the services sector on Wednesday. The services sector makes up the bulk of the U.S. economy and it grew, even if only slightly, throughout most of 2025. Reports on the job market later this week, which include updates for job openings and overall employment, will be a bigger focus for the Fed. The central bank has been weighing a slowing job market against risks for rising inflation as it decides whether to cut interest rates. It cut its benchmark rate three times late in 2025, but inflation has remained above its 2% target and that has made the Fed more cautious. Wall Street still expects the Fed to hold rates steady at its upcoming meeting later in January. —Damian J. Troise, AP business writer AP business writer Elaine Kurtenbach and AP video journalist Mayuko Ono contributed to this report. View the full article

Your phone is a one-stop shop for a lot of your personal information, from day-to-day activities logged in your calendar and email to financial data accessed via banking apps. If you let someone else use your device—whether you're showing a friend a collection of photos or allowing a stranger to make an emergency call—there's a lot you don't want them to be able to see. If you're an iPhone user, there are several features you can enable to prevent others from snooping around your device. Use Guided AccessIf you don't want someone using your device to see anything else on it, you can turn on Guided Access, which limits them to a single app (such as Phone or Photos). This essentially locks down your screen and prevents navigation outside of the specific features you make available. First, go to Settings > Accessibility > Guided Access and toggle the feature on. Tap Passcode Settings to set up a specific passcode or flip the Face ID toggle to use biometrics to end Guided Access sessions. To start a Guided Access session before handing over your phone, open the app and triple click the side button. You can circle specific areas of the screen you don't want to respond to touch (such as swipes through Photos). Tap Session Settings at the bottom to set a time limit, disable the keyboard, and manage button press options. Then tap Start. To end a Guided Access session, triple-click the side button and enter your passcode or double-click and authenticate with Face ID. You can also lock or hide specific appsSome mobile apps, like financial apps and password managers, already require you to log in or authenticate with your username and password combo or device biometrics every time you open them. You can also lock down other individual apps on iPhone so Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode is required for access. To lock an app from your home screen, touch and hold the icon until the quick actions menu appears, then tap Require Face ID. Alternatively, you can hide apps so others cannot see them on your device (let alone open them) unless you authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. To hide an app, tap and hold the icon on the home screen and tap Require Face ID in the quick actions menu. Tap Hide and Require Face ID > Hide App. If you need to open a hidden app, swipe left on your home screen to reach your App Library, locate the Hidden folder at the bottom, and tap and authenticate to unlock the folder followed by the app. (Note that some native iOS apps, including Calculator, Camera, Clock, Contacts, Find My, Maps, Shortcuts, and Settings, cannot be locked, and system apps that come preinstalled cannot be hidden.) View the full article

Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari said on CNBC that both sides of the central bank's dual mandate show signs of imbalance, with the labor market appearing more vulnerable. View the full article

When considering the best customer satisfaction format for your business, it’s essential to align your survey design with your specific goals and audience. Different question types, such as Likert scales and open-ended queries, can provide a well-rounded view of customer sentiment. By tailoring your approach to fit customer demographics and regularly updating your survey structure, you can improve engagement and accuracy. What strategies can you implement to optimize your survey effectiveness? Key Takeaways Tailor survey formats to customer demographics, ensuring questions resonate with different segments for higher engagement and relevant feedback. Combine question types, such as Likert scales and open-ended questions, to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights effectively. Maintain a clear objective for your survey to ensure that questions are relevant and focused on gathering actionable data. Limit the survey length to 10-20 questions to prevent respondent fatigue and improve the quality of responses. Regularly review and update survey formats based on changing customer expectations and business needs to remain relevant. Understanding Customer Satisfaction Surveys What makes customer satisfaction surveys fundamental for businesses? These structured questionnaires gather critical feedback on your products or services, helping you identify areas for improvement and measure customer happiness. By using a customer satisfaction survey email template, you can efficiently reach your audience and collect valuable insights. Common metrics like the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) provide quantifiable data on how your customers feel about your offerings. Tailoring your survey invitation email template to specific touchpoints guarantees relevance, while maintaining a concise format of 10 to 20 questions prevents respondent fatigue. It’s imperative to prioritize clarity in your questions, avoiding jargon to improve data relevance. A mix of question formats, including multiple-choice and open-ended questions, allows for a thorough grasp of customer sentiments. Eventually, effective surveys drive actionable insights that can greatly improve your business’s performance. Importance of Customer Satisfaction Formats Comprehending the importance of customer satisfaction formats is essential for your business. By choosing effective question types and tailoring surveys to your audience, you can gather relevant feedback that leads to actionable insights. Analyzing this data helps you identify trends and areas for improvement, in the end enhancing customer experience and loyalty. Choosing Effective Question Types How can you confirm that your customer satisfaction surveys provide valuable insights? Start by choosing effective question types. Using Likert scales allows respondents to express varying degrees of sentiment, which helps you capture nuanced feedback. Open-ended questions can yield rich qualitative data, giving your customers a chance to share detailed insights and suggestions. Meanwhile, multiple-choice questions simplify analysis, providing standardized feedback quickly. Combining these formats improves the survey’s ability to gather thorough insights into customer perceptions. When drafting your survey request email example, make sure the questions align with your business’s unique interactions. This customized approach can greatly enhance response rates and the relevance of the data you collect, making your surveys more effective overall. Tailoring Surveys for Audience Why should you customize your customer satisfaction surveys to your audience? Personalizing surveys guarantees your questions resonate, leading to more accurate feedback. Different customer segments often prefer varied formats, like multiple-choice for quick insights or open-ended questions for detailed responses. By utilizing customer demographics, you can align survey formats with preferences, enhancing engagement and completion rates. Furthermore, consider the audience’s familiarity with your product; experienced users may handle in-depth questions better, whereas new users might prefer concise formats. Finally, employing a mix of qualitative and quantitative questions allows you to capture a thorough view of customer satisfaction customized for your audience segments. This approach maximizes the relevance and effectiveness of your surveys. Analyzing Data for Insights Analyzing customer satisfaction data is crucial for making informed business decisions. Choosing the right format, like CSAT, NPS, or CES, helps you gather insights aligned with your specific goals. This targeted approach allows for more effective decision-making. As you analyze data, you’ll uncover trends and patterns in customer behavior, revealing both strengths and areas needing improvement. By utilizing varied question formats, such as Likert scales and open-ended questions, you can gain richer qualitative and quantitative insights that inform strategic adjustments. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these formats guarantees your business remains responsive to evolving customer needs, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. In the end, effective data analysis leads to identifying customer pain points, resulting in improved experiences and solutions. Types of Customer Satisfaction Surveys Comprehending the different types of customer satisfaction surveys is essential for gathering meaningful feedback and improving your business. There are several key types to evaluate. The Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) typically asks customers to rate their satisfaction with a specific interaction or product on a scale from 1 to 5, offering immediate insights. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) gauges customer loyalty by asking how likely customers are to recommend your business on a scale of 0 to 10, helping you identify promoters, passives, and detractors. Finally, the Customer Effort Score (CES) measures the ease of interactions by asking respondents to rate how simple it was to resolve an issue or complete a task. You can tailor different survey types to specific customer segments or touchpoints, such as post-purchase or service interactions, ensuring you collect relevant feedback for informed decision-making in your business. Key Elements of Effective Surveys When creating effective surveys, it’s vital to start with a clear objective, as this guarantees each question serves a purpose in gathering valuable insights. Engaging question formats, such as a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, can boost both the quality of your data and the experience for respondents. Clear Objective Definition Defining clear objectives for your survey is crucial, as it directly influences the quality and relevance of the data you collect. Start by clearly outlining the purpose of your survey, ensuring each question aligns with your overall goal. Involve stakeholders to identify key insights, allowing you to create focused and actionable questions. Streamline your inquiries to target only vital insights, avoiding unnecessary questions that detract from your core objectives. Establish clarity about what information you’re gathering and how it will be used, promoting transparency to boost respondent engagement. Finally, regularly review and refine your survey objectives to adapt to changing business needs and customer expectations, ensuring that your data collection remains effective and relevant over time. Engaging Question Formats How can you effectively engage customers in your survey? By using a mix of question formats, you can gain thorough insights into their sentiments. Multiple-choice questions streamline data collection, offering predefined responses that make it easier to analyze trends. Likert-scale questions quantify attitudes, helping you measure the intensity of customer feelings about your services or products. Although you should use open-ended questions sparingly, they can yield rich qualitative feedback, revealing specific experiences and suggestions for improvement. Furthermore, maintaining a clear and logical question flow boosts engagement and increases the likelihood of survey completion. This approach leads to more reliable data collection, ensuring you capture valuable insights to improve customer satisfaction. Designing a Customer Satisfaction Survey Designing an effective customer satisfaction survey requires careful consideration of various elements to guarantee it captures meaningful feedback. Aim for 10 to 20 questions, balancing thoroughness with engagement, so respondents can complete it in 10 to 15 minutes. Organize questions logically, starting from general inquiries and moving to specific ones, using a funnel approach to reduce bias and improve comprehension. Incorporate diverse question formats like multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Providing clear instructions at the beginning is vital, as it guides respondents and improves the quality of their feedback. Finally, regularly test and iterate your survey design through pilot runs. This allows you to identify potential issues and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement before full deployment. Common Mistakes in Survey Creation During creating a customer satisfaction survey might seem straightforward, many businesses fall into common traps that undermine their effectiveness. Here are some mistakes to avoid: Mistake Description Forgetting the survey goal Irrelevant questions confuse respondents. Leading questions Imply bias and skew results; neutral phrasing is key. Complicated wording Overwhelms respondents, leading to survey abandonment. Unnecessary questions Distract from main objectives and reduce data quality. Limiting answer options Yes/no answers restrict depth; use a spectrum for insights. Utilizing Customer Feedback for Improvement Collecting customer feedback through surveys isn’t just about gathering data; it’s about translating that information into actionable improvements. By identifying specific areas for improvement, you can refine your product or service quality based on direct insights from your customers. Utilizing metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) helps you quantify customer opinions, enabling you to gauge their loyalty effectively. Don’t overlook qualitative feedback from open-ended questions, as it often reveals nuanced sentiments that numbers alone can’t capture, guiding targeted improvements. Implementing a structured feedback loop where you act on customer suggestions cultivates stronger relationships, potentially increasing your retention rates by up to 5%. Finally, regularly updating your customer satisfaction surveys to reflect changing expectations guarantees that the feedback you collect remains relevant and actionable, driving ongoing improvements in your business. Analyzing Survey Results Analyzing survey results is crucial for comprehending customer sentiments and making informed business decisions. Systematic analysis helps you identify trends and patterns in responses, guiding your strategic decisions and improving customer satisfaction. By utilizing statistical methods, you can strengthen the validity of your insights, ensuring they are reliable and actionable. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your strategies based on this feedback keeps you aligned with customer expectations. Sharing findings with stakeholders promotes transparency and encourages collaboration, ultimately addressing areas needing improvement. Effective data visualization techniques can simplify interpreting survey results, making it easier to communicate insights and drive organizational change. Trend Response Rate Action Needed Positive 75% Maintain current strategy Neutral 20% Investigate concerns Negative 5% Immediate action required Specific Feedback 15% Address key issues Overall Satisfaction 85% Continue improvements Free Resources for Customer Satisfaction Surveys How can you improve your customer satisfaction efforts without breaking the bank? One effective way is to leverage free online customer satisfaction survey templates. These customizable formats cater to various business needs and objectives, streamlining the survey creation process. Resources like SurveyMonkey offer a collection of certified templates that enrich your survey design, ensuring efficient data collection. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The 3 C’s of customer satisfaction are Customer Expectations, Customer Perception, and Customer Experience. Customer Expectations involve what you think you’ll receive based on past experiences or marketing. Customer Perception is how you interpret the quality of service or product compared to those expectations. Finally, Customer Experience encompasses all your interactions with a business, from initial contact to after-sales support, greatly influencing your overall satisfaction and future loyalty. What Is the Industry Standard for Customer Satisfaction? The industry standard for customer satisfaction typically includes key metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and Customer Effort Score (CES). CSAT measures satisfaction on a scale, aiming for scores above 80%. NPS gauges loyalty, targeting scores over 50. CES assesses the ease of interactions, with lower effort correlating to higher satisfaction. Different sectors have varying benchmarks, with retail averaging around 75% and hospitality or healthcare aiming for over 85%. What Are the Four Types of Customer Satisfaction? There are four main types of customer satisfaction surveys you should know. First, the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) measures satisfaction with specific interactions. Second, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) gauges customer loyalty by asking how likely they’re to recommend your business. Third, the Customer Effort Score (CES) evaluates how easily customers complete tasks. Finally, qualitative feedback surveys gather open-ended responses, providing detailed insights and suggestions about customer experiences and perceptions. How to Create a Customer Satisfaction Form? To create a customer satisfaction form, start by defining your goals, ensuring your questions align with them for actionable insights. Use a mix of multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback. Keep it concise, ideally 10 to 20 questions, and provide clear instructions for each to improve comprehension. Finally, test the form with a sample audience to identify issues before full deployment, ensuring a smooth experience. Conclusion In summary, selecting the best customer satisfaction format for your business involves comprehending your goals and audience. By combining various question types and tailoring your surveys to fit customer demographics, you can improve engagement and obtain valuable insights. Regularly reviewing your survey structure guarantees it remains effective in capturing accurate feedback. In the end, leveraging this information will allow you to improve your services and meet customer expectations more effectively, nurturing long-term loyalty and satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is the Best Customer Satisfaction Format for Your Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When considering the best customer satisfaction format for your business, it’s essential to align your survey design with your specific goals and audience. Different question types, such as Likert scales and open-ended queries, can provide a well-rounded view of customer sentiment. By tailoring your approach to fit customer demographics and regularly updating your survey structure, you can improve engagement and accuracy. What strategies can you implement to optimize your survey effectiveness? Key Takeaways Tailor survey formats to customer demographics, ensuring questions resonate with different segments for higher engagement and relevant feedback. Combine question types, such as Likert scales and open-ended questions, to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights effectively. Maintain a clear objective for your survey to ensure that questions are relevant and focused on gathering actionable data. Limit the survey length to 10-20 questions to prevent respondent fatigue and improve the quality of responses. Regularly review and update survey formats based on changing customer expectations and business needs to remain relevant. Understanding Customer Satisfaction Surveys What makes customer satisfaction surveys fundamental for businesses? These structured questionnaires gather critical feedback on your products or services, helping you identify areas for improvement and measure customer happiness. By using a customer satisfaction survey email template, you can efficiently reach your audience and collect valuable insights. Common metrics like the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) provide quantifiable data on how your customers feel about your offerings. Tailoring your survey invitation email template to specific touchpoints guarantees relevance, while maintaining a concise format of 10 to 20 questions prevents respondent fatigue. It’s imperative to prioritize clarity in your questions, avoiding jargon to improve data relevance. A mix of question formats, including multiple-choice and open-ended questions, allows for a thorough grasp of customer sentiments. Eventually, effective surveys drive actionable insights that can greatly improve your business’s performance. Importance of Customer Satisfaction Formats Comprehending the importance of customer satisfaction formats is essential for your business. By choosing effective question types and tailoring surveys to your audience, you can gather relevant feedback that leads to actionable insights. Analyzing this data helps you identify trends and areas for improvement, in the end enhancing customer experience and loyalty. Choosing Effective Question Types How can you confirm that your customer satisfaction surveys provide valuable insights? Start by choosing effective question types. Using Likert scales allows respondents to express varying degrees of sentiment, which helps you capture nuanced feedback. Open-ended questions can yield rich qualitative data, giving your customers a chance to share detailed insights and suggestions. Meanwhile, multiple-choice questions simplify analysis, providing standardized feedback quickly. Combining these formats improves the survey’s ability to gather thorough insights into customer perceptions. When drafting your survey request email example, make sure the questions align with your business’s unique interactions. This customized approach can greatly enhance response rates and the relevance of the data you collect, making your surveys more effective overall. Tailoring Surveys for Audience Why should you customize your customer satisfaction surveys to your audience? Personalizing surveys guarantees your questions resonate, leading to more accurate feedback. Different customer segments often prefer varied formats, like multiple-choice for quick insights or open-ended questions for detailed responses. By utilizing customer demographics, you can align survey formats with preferences, enhancing engagement and completion rates. Furthermore, consider the audience’s familiarity with your product; experienced users may handle in-depth questions better, whereas new users might prefer concise formats. Finally, employing a mix of qualitative and quantitative questions allows you to capture a thorough view of customer satisfaction customized for your audience segments. This approach maximizes the relevance and effectiveness of your surveys. Analyzing Data for Insights Analyzing customer satisfaction data is crucial for making informed business decisions. Choosing the right format, like CSAT, NPS, or CES, helps you gather insights aligned with your specific goals. This targeted approach allows for more effective decision-making. As you analyze data, you’ll uncover trends and patterns in customer behavior, revealing both strengths and areas needing improvement. By utilizing varied question formats, such as Likert scales and open-ended questions, you can gain richer qualitative and quantitative insights that inform strategic adjustments. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these formats guarantees your business remains responsive to evolving customer needs, promoting a culture of continuous improvement. In the end, effective data analysis leads to identifying customer pain points, resulting in improved experiences and solutions. Types of Customer Satisfaction Surveys Comprehending the different types of customer satisfaction surveys is essential for gathering meaningful feedback and improving your business. There are several key types to evaluate. The Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) typically asks customers to rate their satisfaction with a specific interaction or product on a scale from 1 to 5, offering immediate insights. The Net Promoter Score (NPS) gauges customer loyalty by asking how likely customers are to recommend your business on a scale of 0 to 10, helping you identify promoters, passives, and detractors. Finally, the Customer Effort Score (CES) measures the ease of interactions by asking respondents to rate how simple it was to resolve an issue or complete a task. You can tailor different survey types to specific customer segments or touchpoints, such as post-purchase or service interactions, ensuring you collect relevant feedback for informed decision-making in your business. Key Elements of Effective Surveys When creating effective surveys, it’s vital to start with a clear objective, as this guarantees each question serves a purpose in gathering valuable insights. Engaging question formats, such as a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, can boost both the quality of your data and the experience for respondents. Clear Objective Definition Defining clear objectives for your survey is crucial, as it directly influences the quality and relevance of the data you collect. Start by clearly outlining the purpose of your survey, ensuring each question aligns with your overall goal. Involve stakeholders to identify key insights, allowing you to create focused and actionable questions. Streamline your inquiries to target only vital insights, avoiding unnecessary questions that detract from your core objectives. Establish clarity about what information you’re gathering and how it will be used, promoting transparency to boost respondent engagement. Finally, regularly review and refine your survey objectives to adapt to changing business needs and customer expectations, ensuring that your data collection remains effective and relevant over time. Engaging Question Formats How can you effectively engage customers in your survey? By using a mix of question formats, you can gain thorough insights into their sentiments. Multiple-choice questions streamline data collection, offering predefined responses that make it easier to analyze trends. Likert-scale questions quantify attitudes, helping you measure the intensity of customer feelings about your services or products. Although you should use open-ended questions sparingly, they can yield rich qualitative feedback, revealing specific experiences and suggestions for improvement. Furthermore, maintaining a clear and logical question flow boosts engagement and increases the likelihood of survey completion. This approach leads to more reliable data collection, ensuring you capture valuable insights to improve customer satisfaction. Designing a Customer Satisfaction Survey Designing an effective customer satisfaction survey requires careful consideration of various elements to guarantee it captures meaningful feedback. Aim for 10 to 20 questions, balancing thoroughness with engagement, so respondents can complete it in 10 to 15 minutes. Organize questions logically, starting from general inquiries and moving to specific ones, using a funnel approach to reduce bias and improve comprehension. Incorporate diverse question formats like multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Providing clear instructions at the beginning is vital, as it guides respondents and improves the quality of their feedback. Finally, regularly test and iterate your survey design through pilot runs. This allows you to identify potential issues and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement before full deployment. Common Mistakes in Survey Creation During creating a customer satisfaction survey might seem straightforward, many businesses fall into common traps that undermine their effectiveness. Here are some mistakes to avoid: Mistake Description Forgetting the survey goal Irrelevant questions confuse respondents. Leading questions Imply bias and skew results; neutral phrasing is key. Complicated wording Overwhelms respondents, leading to survey abandonment. Unnecessary questions Distract from main objectives and reduce data quality. Limiting answer options Yes/no answers restrict depth; use a spectrum for insights. Utilizing Customer Feedback for Improvement Collecting customer feedback through surveys isn’t just about gathering data; it’s about translating that information into actionable improvements. By identifying specific areas for improvement, you can refine your product or service quality based on direct insights from your customers. Utilizing metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) and Net Promoter Score (NPS) helps you quantify customer opinions, enabling you to gauge their loyalty effectively. Don’t overlook qualitative feedback from open-ended questions, as it often reveals nuanced sentiments that numbers alone can’t capture, guiding targeted improvements. Implementing a structured feedback loop where you act on customer suggestions cultivates stronger relationships, potentially increasing your retention rates by up to 5%. Finally, regularly updating your customer satisfaction surveys to reflect changing expectations guarantees that the feedback you collect remains relevant and actionable, driving ongoing improvements in your business. Analyzing Survey Results Analyzing survey results is crucial for comprehending customer sentiments and making informed business decisions. Systematic analysis helps you identify trends and patterns in responses, guiding your strategic decisions and improving customer satisfaction. By utilizing statistical methods, you can strengthen the validity of your insights, ensuring they are reliable and actionable. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your strategies based on this feedback keeps you aligned with customer expectations. Sharing findings with stakeholders promotes transparency and encourages collaboration, ultimately addressing areas needing improvement. Effective data visualization techniques can simplify interpreting survey results, making it easier to communicate insights and drive organizational change. Trend Response Rate Action Needed Positive 75% Maintain current strategy Neutral 20% Investigate concerns Negative 5% Immediate action required Specific Feedback 15% Address key issues Overall Satisfaction 85% Continue improvements Free Resources for Customer Satisfaction Surveys How can you improve your customer satisfaction efforts without breaking the bank? One effective way is to leverage free online customer satisfaction survey templates. These customizable formats cater to various business needs and objectives, streamlining the survey creation process. Resources like SurveyMonkey offer a collection of certified templates that enrich your survey design, ensuring efficient data collection. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The 3 C’s of customer satisfaction are Customer Expectations, Customer Perception, and Customer Experience. Customer Expectations involve what you think you’ll receive based on past experiences or marketing. Customer Perception is how you interpret the quality of service or product compared to those expectations. Finally, Customer Experience encompasses all your interactions with a business, from initial contact to after-sales support, greatly influencing your overall satisfaction and future loyalty. What Is the Industry Standard for Customer Satisfaction? The industry standard for customer satisfaction typically includes key metrics like Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and Customer Effort Score (CES). CSAT measures satisfaction on a scale, aiming for scores above 80%. NPS gauges loyalty, targeting scores over 50. CES assesses the ease of interactions, with lower effort correlating to higher satisfaction. Different sectors have varying benchmarks, with retail averaging around 75% and hospitality or healthcare aiming for over 85%. What Are the Four Types of Customer Satisfaction? There are four main types of customer satisfaction surveys you should know. First, the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT) measures satisfaction with specific interactions. Second, the Net Promoter Score (NPS) gauges customer loyalty by asking how likely they’re to recommend your business. Third, the Customer Effort Score (CES) evaluates how easily customers complete tasks. Finally, qualitative feedback surveys gather open-ended responses, providing detailed insights and suggestions about customer experiences and perceptions. How to Create a Customer Satisfaction Form? To create a customer satisfaction form, start by defining your goals, ensuring your questions align with them for actionable insights. Use a mix of multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative feedback. Keep it concise, ideally 10 to 20 questions, and provide clear instructions for each to improve comprehension. Finally, test the form with a sample audience to identify issues before full deployment, ensuring a smooth experience. Conclusion In summary, selecting the best customer satisfaction format for your business involves comprehending your goals and audience. By combining various question types and tailoring your surveys to fit customer demographics, you can improve engagement and obtain valuable insights. Regularly reviewing your survey structure guarantees it remains effective in capturing accurate feedback. In the end, leveraging this information will allow you to improve your services and meet customer expectations more effectively, nurturing long-term loyalty and satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "What Is the Best Customer Satisfaction Format for Your Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends 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. Bone conduction headphones are ideal for activities where it is vital to your safety to hear your surroundings. That's because they use a technology that sends audio vibrations through to the inner ear while leaving your ear canals open. Shokz is one of the best brands—if not the best brand—making bone conduction headphones right now; at the high end of Shokz's offerings is the OpenRun Pro 2, which I got to review and put to the test. But the OpenRun Pro are also quality headphones and are currently discounted to $109.95 (originally $179.95), the lowest price they've been, according to price-tracking tools. SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Sound: Stereo, Connection Type: Wireless, Connectivity: Bluetooth, Maximum Wireless Range: 33 feet. $109.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $109.95 at Amazon $179.95 Save $70.00 If you've never used bone conduction headphones, they're worth a try, and the Shokz OpenPro are a great introduction. The technology has come a long way since their early days. The major downside of the way they work has been that the bass doesn't sound as good as their in-ear counterparts. The OpenRun Pro is designed to compensate for some of that—you won't get the same thumpy bass you'd get from regular headphones, but it'll be the best you can get from any other bone conduction headphones. As the name implies, these are meant to be used on runs outdoors. They have an IP55 rating for dust- and water-resistance, are lightweight and comfortable, and, because of their design, can be worn with bicycle helmets and sunglasses. You can use these as everyday headphones around the house, as well, since they can take calls; just be mindful that they don't block any sound. If you plan to use these in a location with a loud music or has a lot of ambient noise, you'll hear everything, so you might prefer taking regular headphones—but that will defeat the purpose of the "open ear" headphones. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $148.99 (List Price $179.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.99 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Broad Reach, Winterbrook and Allianz among those making gains as debt jumps in price View the full article

As New Year’s resolutions fade into the background amid busy lives, Google’s Gemini platform aims to bring a sense of structure and accountability to personal goals—invaluable tools for small business owners striving to enhance productivity and personal growth. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities, Gemini helps users not only set but also stick to their goals, making it a versatile assistant for entrepreneurs. The recent announcement from Google highlights Gemini’s unique ability to create organized, actionable plans across various domains—from fitness and decluttering to career advancement and budgeting. Small business owners can leverage these features to refine their personal objectives while enhancing operational efficiency. At the heart of Gemini’s offerings are customizable prompts. For instance, a small business owner might input, “I want to advance my career.” In response, Gemini can simulate a job interview, helping users polish their skills and build confidence. This interactive feature allows entrepreneurs to prepare thoroughly for important opportunities without the overwhelming pressure of traditional preparation methods. Furthermore, Gemini facilitates time management. With the capability to synchronize tasks directly into calendars, professionals can maintain an organized schedule while focusing on their resolutions. “A good plan can be the difference between a goal and a long-term habit,” Google states in their release, emphasizing the necessity of a structured approach to personal and professional development. Taking practical steps to enhance productivity is crucial for small businesses. For example, Gemini can assist with healthier eating habits by generating personalized meal plans based on dietary preferences and available cooking time. This reduces the mental load for busy owners who may struggle to prioritize nutritious meals amidst the chaos of running a business. Moreover, a key advantage of Gemini is its capability to analyze spending data through connected apps. Small business owners can utilize this feature to refine their budgeting practices, identifying non-essential spending to implement actionable weekly rules. This could lead to significant financial savings over time—crucial for maintaining cash flow in small enterprises. However, while the benefits are numerous, potential challenges exist. The reliance on AI for personal goal-setting requires a level of comfort with technology that not all users may possess. Small business owners might need to invest time in learning how to effectively use Gemini to tailor it to their needs. Furthermore, AI-generated plans might not resonate with everyone’s approach to personal development, necessitating periodic adjustments for optimal results. Integration is another critical factor to consider. Although Gemini offers customization, small business owners must ensure that it fits seamlessly into their existing workflows. This could require additional adjustments or adaptations depending on the specific tools and platforms they currently employ. On a broader level, the AI’s heavy reliance on data and customization may raise some concerns regarding privacy and security. Clear guidelines and best practices for maintaining the confidentiality of personal and business information will be paramount as more users adopt these advanced platforms. In summary, Google’s Gemini serves as a significant step forward for small business owners seeking to balance personal growth with professional demands. By offering tailored action plans and the ability to adapt as needs change, Gemini elevates the potential for achieving New Year’s resolutions like never before. The harmonious blend of structured support with flexibility creates a unique opportunity to not only set goals but also map out detailed paths to success. To dive deeper into Gemini’s offerings, small business owners can visit the original release for additional insights: Google Gemini announcement. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini Unveils Personalized Tools to Transform New Year Resolutions into Reality" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As New Year’s resolutions fade into the background amid busy lives, Google’s Gemini platform aims to bring a sense of structure and accountability to personal goals—invaluable tools for small business owners striving to enhance productivity and personal growth. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities, Gemini helps users not only set but also stick to their goals, making it a versatile assistant for entrepreneurs. The recent announcement from Google highlights Gemini’s unique ability to create organized, actionable plans across various domains—from fitness and decluttering to career advancement and budgeting. Small business owners can leverage these features to refine their personal objectives while enhancing operational efficiency. At the heart of Gemini’s offerings are customizable prompts. For instance, a small business owner might input, “I want to advance my career.” In response, Gemini can simulate a job interview, helping users polish their skills and build confidence. This interactive feature allows entrepreneurs to prepare thoroughly for important opportunities without the overwhelming pressure of traditional preparation methods. Furthermore, Gemini facilitates time management. With the capability to synchronize tasks directly into calendars, professionals can maintain an organized schedule while focusing on their resolutions. “A good plan can be the difference between a goal and a long-term habit,” Google states in their release, emphasizing the necessity of a structured approach to personal and professional development. Taking practical steps to enhance productivity is crucial for small businesses. For example, Gemini can assist with healthier eating habits by generating personalized meal plans based on dietary preferences and available cooking time. This reduces the mental load for busy owners who may struggle to prioritize nutritious meals amidst the chaos of running a business. Moreover, a key advantage of Gemini is its capability to analyze spending data through connected apps. Small business owners can utilize this feature to refine their budgeting practices, identifying non-essential spending to implement actionable weekly rules. This could lead to significant financial savings over time—crucial for maintaining cash flow in small enterprises. However, while the benefits are numerous, potential challenges exist. The reliance on AI for personal goal-setting requires a level of comfort with technology that not all users may possess. Small business owners might need to invest time in learning how to effectively use Gemini to tailor it to their needs. Furthermore, AI-generated plans might not resonate with everyone’s approach to personal development, necessitating periodic adjustments for optimal results. Integration is another critical factor to consider. Although Gemini offers customization, small business owners must ensure that it fits seamlessly into their existing workflows. This could require additional adjustments or adaptations depending on the specific tools and platforms they currently employ. On a broader level, the AI’s heavy reliance on data and customization may raise some concerns regarding privacy and security. Clear guidelines and best practices for maintaining the confidentiality of personal and business information will be paramount as more users adopt these advanced platforms. In summary, Google’s Gemini serves as a significant step forward for small business owners seeking to balance personal growth with professional demands. By offering tailored action plans and the ability to adapt as needs change, Gemini elevates the potential for achieving New Year’s resolutions like never before. The harmonious blend of structured support with flexibility creates a unique opportunity to not only set goals but also map out detailed paths to success. To dive deeper into Gemini’s offerings, small business owners can visit the original release for additional insights: Google Gemini announcement. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gemini Unveils Personalized Tools to Transform New Year Resolutions into Reality" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Withings launched their $600 Body Scan 2 smart scale at CES Unveiled last night—but they're positioning it as a "longevity station" rather than a smart scale. The device has a handle in addition to the footplate, which allows for extra sensors, and the new features include things like hypertension notifications that we've previously seen from smartwatches. (Hypertension notifications only just came to the Apple Watch a few months ago.) I got to see the Body Scan 2 at a CES event but haven't had a chance to use it for myself. According to Withings, the Body Scan 2 can measure "60+ biomarkers" that it says are relevant to tracking your health over time. With the caveat that I'm asking the company for more information on how this all works, I can say that it has more sensors than a typical smart scale and seems to be handling its data in a more sophisticated, and potentially more accurate, way. With sensors in your hands, and a small screen on the handle, it's able to measure and display the sort of data that you'd normally expect from a smartwatch. Smart scales generally aren't very accurate for data like body fat percentage, or really anything that goes beyond simple body weight. A typical smart scale runs a weak electrical current from one foot to another, measuring the electrical resistance of your lower legs. The Body Scan 2 adds a handle with electrodes, which brings the upper body into the mix. The screen on the handle also allows it to display data like ECG readings or other detailed results. Since the screen is in your hands, you don't have to squint at a display at your feet. (In product photos, the retractable handle sits on top of the footplate, but at yesterday's demo, Withings had the handles mounted on little holders at hand height. This setup allows for more detailed data than smart scales can usually measure. For example, a Withings rep told me yesterday that it can measure arterial stiffness by comparing the timing of your pulse in your torso, hands, and feet—the faster blood flows between these areas, the better. The Body Scan 2 uses impedance cardiography, a well-studied technology that can measure several aspects of heart health, and it includes a six-lead ECG. This means you can get ECG data and hypertension notifications—two headline Apple Watch features—without having to wear a watch every day. The scale isn't yet available for sale, but Withings estimates that it will be available in the second quarter of this year, pending FDA clearance for some features. The price will be $599.95. Withings already sells a first-generation Body Scan scale, with a handle but with fewer sensors and without a screen on the handle, for $399.95. View the full article

While most EVs tip the scales at several tons, a new “featherweight” electric sports car weighs half as much—or less—than others on the road. Longbow, the U.K.-based startup behind the sleek EV, plans to bring its first vehicle to market later this year with a limited run of 150 cars, starting at £84,995, or roughly $110,000. A high-performance version of the design is on display at CES this week. The company’s aim is to reverse the car industry’s weight problem—something that’s especially an issue for EVs that have large batteries inside. Heavier vehicles have bigger carbon footprints, use more energy, and are more dangerous in a crash for pedestrians. They also wear out roads faster (as well as tires, which spew more microplastic pollution the more weight they carry). “Everything gets better when you remove weight,” says Mark Tapscott, cofounder and CTO at Longbow. Still, most of the industry has been moving in the opposite direction. “We really see automotive in general—and EVs specifically—are getting increasingly heavier,” says Longbow CEO Daniel Davey. “When they become heavier, that requires more resources, requires bigger batteries, bigger motors. It’s kind of the opposite of marginal gains.” The Chevy Silverado, for example, can weigh as much as 8,900 pounds. Even the smaller Nissan Leaf can weigh 4,200 pounds. Longbow’s Speedster weighs around 1,973 pounds. A lighter car, by design The car uses lightweight materials, prioritizing options with the lowest environmental impact. “A lot of manufacturers will move towards carbon fiber, but it is the single worst material you can use for the environment,” says Tapscott. “It breaks easily. It’s difficult to maintain. You wear out the car quickly.” Instead, the car uses a custom aluminum chassis designed to maximum stiffness while minimizing weight. It also includes natural fiber composites and thermoplastics. Each design decision was made with lightness in mind. The handbrake is manual, for example, which makes it weigh less, but also makes it more effective and cheaper and quicker to develop. The design team kept the car intentionally simple. Instead of chasing unnecessary specs—like a 600-mile battery range when a typical commute might be 30 miles, or a four-second sprint from zero to 60—the design is pared down to the essentials. It’s similar to the approach that the startup Slate has taken as it works on a low-cost electric truck. “What they’ve done in the truck space I think is kind of revolutionary,” says Davey. “Because they’re saying, ‘You know all those things you pay loads of money that you don’t need? Well, you could not have them and not pay all the money if you’d like.’ And I think people like that idea.” “The world doesn’t need faster numbers,” says Tapscott. “It needs better experiences. And so that’s why we talk about what the car is, what it does, how it feels, rather than what battery chemistry we have.” They took time to find the right off-the-shelf components for the vehicle. The car on display at CES has innovative motors built into each wheel. The company hasn’t yet announced whether that feature will be available in the first cars that come out this year, but it’s another way that it can cut weight even further. A typical drivetrain, with a central motor that connects to each wheel, might have around 100 parts that can weigh a couple of hundred pounds and take up valuable space. By placing motors in the wheels, it eliminates those components and works more efficiently. Donut Labs, the Finnish startup that designed the new motors, says that they can also reduce the cost of making a vehicle by $1,000 to $2,000. Having motors in the wheels also makes cars more responsive. “It makes the car drive in a way that you cannot experience otherwise,” says Marko Lehtimäki, CEO of Donut Labs. A more sustainable car that’s longer-lasting Because of Longbow’s careful approach to sustainability, manufacturing the car has a lower carbon footprint than a typical gas car. When it’s driven, it also uses less electricity per mile than other EVs because it weighs less. (The lower weight also means that it can have a range of up to 280 miles on a charge, even though it uses a smaller battery than a typical EV.) The company also designed the car to last as long as possible—with an unprecedented pledge to help keep each car on the road for 100 years. The first step: trying to design a classic car that people will want to keep for life rather than replace. “It has to start with design,” says Tapscott. “No one wants to drive the Fiat Multipla anymore because it was the ugliest car ever built. So a core tenet of being available for a hundred years is that people want the car. Desirability. We looked at design that is timeless, not radically modern. We are drawing more inspiration from cars of the past.” The materials are also made to last. The aluminum chassis, for example, won’t rust or corrode. The parts are designed for repair. When possible, the engineers chose 3D printing for certain parts, like clips or brackets, so that they can easily be remade later on demand decades from now. The car is also designed to be fun to drive—another way, obviously, to convince drivers to keep the same car in use longer. The light weight is an important part of the experience. “I think most people today haven’t actually experienced what a lightweight car is like to drive,” says Tapscott. “Even a lightweight hatchback or economy [sedan] are all well over 3,000 pounds or so. So when you start driving something that’s under 2,000 pounds, everything changes. The way it handles corners, under acceleration, under braking, everything gets better when you get lighter. I think any racing driver will explain that the weight is the most important thing you have.” Their aim is to design the best sports car in the world, not just the best electric version. “You need to meet people where they are,” says Tapscott. “And you need to meet petrol on an even playing field, and do that with a really aspirational car that’s better. It just happens that it has one full green credential as well.” That mandate will extend beyond sports cars, though that’s where the company is beginning. “Our mission is to quickly make all cars better and lighter for people and the planet,” says Davey. “That’s really by showing a way to an industry that has lost itself by just adding all this excess weight to everything that they do.” View the full article

If you’re starting out in crafting, having the right supplies can make a significant difference in your projects. A reliable pair of scissors and an Exacto knife will guarantee you achieve clean cuts. Furthermore, an adhesive like Mod Podge is essential for attaching materials securely. Don’t overlook the importance of acrylic paints for adding lively colors to your work. To keep your crafting area neat, storage bins are indispensable. Next, let’s explore more tools that can enhance your crafting experience. Key Takeaways A basic set of acrylic paints allows beginners to explore various painting techniques on different surfaces. Fiskars scissors and an Exacto-knife are essential for cutting paper and fabric with precision. Mod Podge serves as an excellent adhesive and sealer for various crafting projects, especially in decoupage. Cotton fabric is versatile and ideal for a wide range of beginner sewing and crafting projects. Storage bins and tool caddies help organize supplies, making it easier to maintain a clutter-free crafting space. Essential Tools for Crafting When you immerse yourself in the domain of crafting, having the right tools can greatly improve your experience and outcomes. A mini sander is fundamental for beginners, providing smooth finishes on various surfaces. Precision cutting is important, so an Exacto-knife or slice cutter will help you achieve intricate designs. For versatile cutting, Fiskars scissors are ideal for both paper and fabric projects. If you’re focused on fabric crafts, a rotary cutter paired with a cutting mat guarantees clean, straight cuts. Moreover, needle nose pliers and wire/bolt cutters are essential for handling small items and cutting tougher materials. Investing in these tools improves your adult arts and crafts kits, making them more effective and enjoyable for creating craft decor and other art stuff for adults. Adhesives and Fasteners Having the right tools is only part of the crafting equation; knowing how to securely assemble your projects is equally important. For your arts and crafts set, consider using Mod Podge as it serves both as an adhesive and a sealer, perfect for decoupage. A Sure Bonder Glue Gun offers cordless convenience, making it ideal for quick bonding tasks. Gorilla Glue brand glue sticks are excellent for strong adhesion, ensuring your projects stay intact. For clean edges without the mess, double-sided tape works well with paper and lightweight materials. Finally, zip ties are practical for fastening tougher materials, especially in structural designs. These adhesives and fasteners are crucial crafts stuff that can likewise make good arts and crafts gifts. Painting Supplies To create beautiful and engaging crafts, you’ll need a solid selection of painting supplies that cater to various projects. Start with a basic set of acrylic paints, as they’re versatile and work well on surfaces like craft wood and canvas. Consider investing in chalk paint for a matte finish on home decor items; brands like Waverly and Folk Art are excellent choices. You’ll likewise want a variety of paintbrushes, including chip brushes for larger areas and finer brushes for detail work. A palette for mixing colors is crucial for custom shades. Don’t forget water containers to clean your brushes and drop cloths to protect your surfaces. Painting craft kits and Crafters Square products can provide a great starting point for beginners and make ideal arts and crafts gifts. Fabric and Textiles After gathering your painting supplies, the next step is exploring fabric and textiles, which open up a wide array of crafting possibilities. Stocking up on a variety of materials will improve your arts and crafts stuff considerably. Consider including: Cotton fabric for versatile projects Burlap for rustic charm Felt for easy sewing and embellishments Using old fabrics like repurposed t-shirts can promote sustainability and save money. Scrap fabric is perfect for patchwork and smaller embellishments, allowing you to practice your sewing skills without needing large amounts. Seasonal fabrics with unique patterns can boost holiday-themed projects and are best bought during sales at stores like Hobby Lobby or online on Amazon. These crucial items will round out your crafts set and complement your wood arts and crafts efforts. Organization Tools An organized crafting space can greatly improve your creative process and productivity. To achieve this, start by investing in storage bins for your supplies and tools, which help reduce clutter and streamline your workspace. Use tool caddies to keep frequently used tools within easy reach, making it simpler to engage with your projects. Labeling containers and storage areas will improve your organization, allowing you to locate specific craft pieces quickly. Consider setting up a dedicated crafting station that provides a functional area for your activities. Moreover, utilize drawer organizers to categorize smaller supplies, preventing them from mixing and becoming difficult to find. These organization tools will guarantee your arts and crafts decorative accessories are efficiently stored, optimizing your crafting experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Easiest Craft to Start With? The easiest craft to start with is paper crafts. You can use basic materials like colored construction paper, scissors, and glue to create various projects, such as greeting cards or decorations. Another simple option is painting with acrylics on canvas, which requires minimal supplies and delivers lively results quickly. Furthermore, jewelry making with beads and elastic string offers immediate creative expression. These crafts allow you to explore your creativity during honing basic skills effectively. What Is the Hottest Selling Craft Right Now? The hottest selling craft right now is DIY resin art. You can create unique items like coasters, jewelry, and decorative pieces using epoxy resin kits. These kits are user-friendly and cater to various skill levels, making them popular among crafters. Furthermore, knitting and crocheting kits are gaining traction as people seek to learn new skills from home. Seasonal crafting supplies, especially for holidays, likewise see significant sales as consumers want personalized decorations and gifts. What Are Craft Ideas for ADHD Adults? For adults with ADHD, engaging in hands-on activities can improve focus and reduce anxiety. Consider starting with simple projects like painting or coloring, which offer immediate satisfaction. Knitting or crocheting can likewise enhance concentration through repetitive tasks. Craft kits with clear instructions minimize distractions, making it easier to complete projects. Joining group workshops promotes social connections as well as providing a supportive environment for exploring creativity. These activities can greatly benefit adults managing ADHD symptoms. What Does a Crafter Need? As a crafter, you’ll need vital tools to improve your projects. Invest in high-quality scissors, craft knives, and a mini sander for precise cuts and smooth finishes. Reliable adhesives like Mod Podge and a glue gun are critical for securing materials, whereas double-sided tape offers clean edges. Don’t forget a craft mat for a protected workspace. Basic painting supplies, including acrylic paints and various brushes, will add color and creativity to your creations. Conclusion To sum up, equipping yourself with crucial crafting supplies can greatly improve your creative endeavors. By starting with reliable scissors and an Exacto-knife, you’ll guarantee precise cuts. Using Mod Podge as your adhesive will facilitate strong bonds, whereas acrylic paints enable lively personalization. A mini sander helps achieve smooth finishes, and storage bins keep your workspace organized. With these foundational tools, you’re well on your way to enjoying a productive and enjoyable crafting experience. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Must-Have Crafts Stuff for Beginners" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re starting out in crafting, having the right supplies can make a significant difference in your projects. A reliable pair of scissors and an Exacto knife will guarantee you achieve clean cuts. Furthermore, an adhesive like Mod Podge is essential for attaching materials securely. Don’t overlook the importance of acrylic paints for adding lively colors to your work. To keep your crafting area neat, storage bins are indispensable. Next, let’s explore more tools that can enhance your crafting experience. Key Takeaways A basic set of acrylic paints allows beginners to explore various painting techniques on different surfaces. Fiskars scissors and an Exacto-knife are essential for cutting paper and fabric with precision. Mod Podge serves as an excellent adhesive and sealer for various crafting projects, especially in decoupage. Cotton fabric is versatile and ideal for a wide range of beginner sewing and crafting projects. Storage bins and tool caddies help organize supplies, making it easier to maintain a clutter-free crafting space. Essential Tools for Crafting When you immerse yourself in the domain of crafting, having the right tools can greatly improve your experience and outcomes. A mini sander is fundamental for beginners, providing smooth finishes on various surfaces. Precision cutting is important, so an Exacto-knife or slice cutter will help you achieve intricate designs. For versatile cutting, Fiskars scissors are ideal for both paper and fabric projects. If you’re focused on fabric crafts, a rotary cutter paired with a cutting mat guarantees clean, straight cuts. Moreover, needle nose pliers and wire/bolt cutters are essential for handling small items and cutting tougher materials. Investing in these tools improves your adult arts and crafts kits, making them more effective and enjoyable for creating craft decor and other art stuff for adults. Adhesives and Fasteners Having the right tools is only part of the crafting equation; knowing how to securely assemble your projects is equally important. For your arts and crafts set, consider using Mod Podge as it serves both as an adhesive and a sealer, perfect for decoupage. A Sure Bonder Glue Gun offers cordless convenience, making it ideal for quick bonding tasks. Gorilla Glue brand glue sticks are excellent for strong adhesion, ensuring your projects stay intact. For clean edges without the mess, double-sided tape works well with paper and lightweight materials. Finally, zip ties are practical for fastening tougher materials, especially in structural designs. These adhesives and fasteners are crucial crafts stuff that can likewise make good arts and crafts gifts. Painting Supplies To create beautiful and engaging crafts, you’ll need a solid selection of painting supplies that cater to various projects. Start with a basic set of acrylic paints, as they’re versatile and work well on surfaces like craft wood and canvas. Consider investing in chalk paint for a matte finish on home decor items; brands like Waverly and Folk Art are excellent choices. You’ll likewise want a variety of paintbrushes, including chip brushes for larger areas and finer brushes for detail work. A palette for mixing colors is crucial for custom shades. Don’t forget water containers to clean your brushes and drop cloths to protect your surfaces. Painting craft kits and Crafters Square products can provide a great starting point for beginners and make ideal arts and crafts gifts. Fabric and Textiles After gathering your painting supplies, the next step is exploring fabric and textiles, which open up a wide array of crafting possibilities. Stocking up on a variety of materials will improve your arts and crafts stuff considerably. Consider including: Cotton fabric for versatile projects Burlap for rustic charm Felt for easy sewing and embellishments Using old fabrics like repurposed t-shirts can promote sustainability and save money. Scrap fabric is perfect for patchwork and smaller embellishments, allowing you to practice your sewing skills without needing large amounts. Seasonal fabrics with unique patterns can boost holiday-themed projects and are best bought during sales at stores like Hobby Lobby or online on Amazon. These crucial items will round out your crafts set and complement your wood arts and crafts efforts. Organization Tools An organized crafting space can greatly improve your creative process and productivity. To achieve this, start by investing in storage bins for your supplies and tools, which help reduce clutter and streamline your workspace. Use tool caddies to keep frequently used tools within easy reach, making it simpler to engage with your projects. Labeling containers and storage areas will improve your organization, allowing you to locate specific craft pieces quickly. Consider setting up a dedicated crafting station that provides a functional area for your activities. Moreover, utilize drawer organizers to categorize smaller supplies, preventing them from mixing and becoming difficult to find. These organization tools will guarantee your arts and crafts decorative accessories are efficiently stored, optimizing your crafting experience. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Easiest Craft to Start With? The easiest craft to start with is paper crafts. You can use basic materials like colored construction paper, scissors, and glue to create various projects, such as greeting cards or decorations. Another simple option is painting with acrylics on canvas, which requires minimal supplies and delivers lively results quickly. Furthermore, jewelry making with beads and elastic string offers immediate creative expression. These crafts allow you to explore your creativity during honing basic skills effectively. What Is the Hottest Selling Craft Right Now? The hottest selling craft right now is DIY resin art. You can create unique items like coasters, jewelry, and decorative pieces using epoxy resin kits. These kits are user-friendly and cater to various skill levels, making them popular among crafters. Furthermore, knitting and crocheting kits are gaining traction as people seek to learn new skills from home. Seasonal crafting supplies, especially for holidays, likewise see significant sales as consumers want personalized decorations and gifts. What Are Craft Ideas for ADHD Adults? For adults with ADHD, engaging in hands-on activities can improve focus and reduce anxiety. Consider starting with simple projects like painting or coloring, which offer immediate satisfaction. Knitting or crocheting can likewise enhance concentration through repetitive tasks. Craft kits with clear instructions minimize distractions, making it easier to complete projects. Joining group workshops promotes social connections as well as providing a supportive environment for exploring creativity. These activities can greatly benefit adults managing ADHD symptoms. What Does a Crafter Need? As a crafter, you’ll need vital tools to improve your projects. Invest in high-quality scissors, craft knives, and a mini sander for precise cuts and smooth finishes. Reliable adhesives like Mod Podge and a glue gun are critical for securing materials, whereas double-sided tape offers clean edges. Don’t forget a craft mat for a protected workspace. Basic painting supplies, including acrylic paints and various brushes, will add color and creativity to your creations. Conclusion To sum up, equipping yourself with crucial crafting supplies can greatly improve your creative endeavors. By starting with reliable scissors and an Exacto-knife, you’ll guarantee precise cuts. Using Mod Podge as your adhesive will facilitate strong bonds, whereas acrylic paints enable lively personalization. A mini sander helps achieve smooth finishes, and storage bins keep your workspace organized. With these foundational tools, you’re well on your way to enjoying a productive and enjoyable crafting experience. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Must-Have Crafts Stuff for Beginners" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When I was Chief of Staff at CoinDesk, I was in charge of the publication’s approach to AI. One of the earliest debates our internal AI committee had was about whether we should allow AI to index our articles or not. Most of the people on the committee thought we should block AI crawlers. While the fury of media copyright lawsuits had yet to begin, the issue had gotten some traction, and it was easy to make the case that we shouldn’t give our content away to AI companies to summarize unless we were compensated in some way. But one person boldly made the case for the other side: He argued that, if AI becomes the new way people find information, shutting ourselves out of AI services would mean our stories—and more broadly, the ongoing narratives around them—would be cut out of the amalgamated answers that the people using AI would read. We would be conceding that ground to competitors to not just get referrals (which, we knew even then, would be few), but to establish consensus. We would no longer be the authority on the things we write about, at least for those who find information through AI portals. The cost of silence Little did I know that largely academic debate at the time would become the centerpiece of the AI conversation nearly three years later. Today, information presence in AI summaries—for brands, for public relations, and for the media—is of great interest, and poorly understood. For publishers, the issues of copyright and compensation are ongoing. But regardless of how those conflicts are resolved, AI has become the primary interpreter of their content for a large and growing audience. The committee didn’t have a name for it back then, but the idea of taking the opposite course of blocking, and actually encouraging AI to index your content, is now called generative engine optimization or GEO (sometimes the first word is substituted for “answer,” or AEO). When I’ve previously written about GEO, it was mostly in the context of why publishers would even want to do it. After all, if AI is taking your content and summarizing it without sending users to your site, what’s the benefit? There are reasons, but I think it’s more informative to flip the question around: What’s the cost if you don’t? And that is relinquishing your influence on the consensus around the topics in your domain. The risk isn’t the loss in traffic—that’s lost anyway. Audiences are turning to AI as their information guides no matter what publishers do. What a publisher risks losing is their role as the chief interpreter of events. By reporting facts and validating claims, journalists have historically set the baseline for others to react to. Without those inputs, AI will paint a poor picture of reality. The thing is, even if a publisher opts out of AI summarization, there will always be someone else who republishes the information who doesn’t (an important foundational concept of copyright law is that, although works are copyrightable, the underlying facts and ideas aren’t). Except now that set of facts is put through their lens, and that will define the “first draft” that machines reuse. Will the answer be inadequate and incomplete? Probably. But as use of AI increases, it’ll be what most interpret as the truth. That’s why I think framing AI blocking as an existential dilemma kind of misses the point. Blocking AI from indexing your content means blocking yourself from having a say in what a rapidly expanding portion of the world counts as truth. A publisher prioritizing GEO means finding the value in what can’t be captured by traditional metrics like traffic and time on site. Victory in the new battleground of the AI summary will be measured by a different set of criteria: citations in AI answers, influence on narratives, and long-tail impact on trust and authority. Shaping truth at scale None of this is to say publishers should just let the AI companies crawl as much as they want and settle for no compensation. If anything, measuring and showing that your content is the source of consensus is hard proof of how valuable the content is. Lawsuits naturally focus on consent, copyright, and compensation, but the rise of GEO reveals what’s really being contested: Who gets to shape meaning at scale. Demonstrating how specific content influences AI answers is currently a challenge, but that’s about to change. Led by marketers, PR agencies, and brands, there’s a strong push to better understand GEO and how strategies around content, technical factors, and communication can help AI take notice of certain narratives over others. Like SEO, it will always be more art than science, but by this time next year I suspect the field of GEO won’t look nearly so nascent. On top of that, AI will be an even bigger informational gatekeeper than it is today. Litigation over compensation is important and necessary, but it shouldn’t keep the media from competing to be included in the new crucible where truth is formed. Journalists may no longer control the interfaces where people get information, but they still control the facts. Asserting that role in an AI world doesn’t mean you stop fighting for a better one. View the full article

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