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As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to redefine the business landscape, small business owners may wonder how they can effectively harness its power to drive growth. A recent checklist released by a leading Chief Information Officer (CIO) outlines five critical steps that can help businesses maximize their return on investment (ROI) from AI technologies. The checklist provides a roadmap for small business owners who may feel overwhelmed by the rapid pace of AI advancements. It emphasizes that a structured approach can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and productivity, ultimately translating to a better bottom line. Key takeaways from the CIO’s checklist include the importance of aligning AI initiatives with business goals, assessing current capabilities, educating the team, measuring success, and continuously refining processes. Each of these steps contributes to fostering a more strategic adoption of AI in business operations. Aligning AI initiatives with overarching business goals is the first step. This alignment ensures that any AI tool implemented serves a clear purpose and addresses specific challenges within the organization. Small business owners can ask themselves: “What do we hope to achieve with AI?” This question sets the stage for meaningful integration. Next, assessing current capabilities is crucial. Understanding existing resources, technical skills, and infrastructure allows business owners to identify gaps and opportunities. Acknowledging these areas helps businesses determine what kind of AI solution they need and whether it’s feasible to develop in-house or source externally. Education plays a vital role as well. The checklist emphasizes the need to invest in training for team members on how to effectively leverage AI tools. This not only enhances team capability but also fosters a culture of innovation. For small businesses with limited resources, free or low-cost training options are often available online and can equip teams with necessary skills. Measurement of success is another key focus. Establishing clear KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) allows businesses to evaluate the performance of their AI initiatives. Gathering and analyzing data related to these KPIs can reveal whether AI is driving the anticipated benefits and where adjustments might be necessary. Finally, continuous refinement suggests that adopting AI is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Small business owners should be prepared to iterate their strategies based on real-world results. Regular reviews and adjustments can lead to improved efficiency and ensure that AI tools are being used to their fullest potential, thereby maximizing ROI. However, while these strategies present clear benefits, small business owners should also be aware of potential challenges. For instance, understanding AI technology and its best applications may require more financial investment up front, which can be a barrier for smaller companies. Additionally, the risk of failing to implement AI correctly may lead to wasted resources or missed opportunities. Moreover, as AI systems become more widespread, business owners must remain cognizant of data privacy and ethical considerations. Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations is paramount, as is understanding the implications of using AI in customer interactions. This checklist not only provides a practical framework for small businesses to engage with AI but also highlights that pursuing innovation requires careful planning and consideration. For owners ready to adopt AI or improve upon existing strategies, the checklist serves as a vital tool. “By following a structured approach, business owners can demystify AI and harness its potential to drive their businesses forward,” said the CIO, underscoring the value of the checklist. For further details and insights, business owners can refer to the original article at CIO. Embracing this transformative technology may lead to significant enhancements in small business operations, making it an essential area to explore in today’s competitive landscape. Image via Google Gemini This article, "CIOA Unveils 5-Key Checklist for Maximizing AI Returns" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. According to our analysis of the Zillow Home Value Index, U.S. home prices are up +0.2% year-over-year between November 2024 and November 2025. While that pace has decelerated over the past year—back in November 2024, the national year-over-year home price growth rate was +2.3% —it has ticked up slightly from the recent low of -0.01% in August 2025. In the first half of 2025, the number of major metro area housing markets seeing year-over-year declines climbed. That count has since stopped ticking up. 31 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 10% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the January 2024 to January 2025 window. 42 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 14% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the February 2024 to February 2025 window. 60 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 20% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the March 2024 to March 2025 window. 80 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 27% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the April 2024 to April 2025 window. 96 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 32% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the May 2024 to May 2025 window. 110 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the June 2024 to June 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 36% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the July 2024 to July 2025 window. 109 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the August 2024 to August 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the September 2024 to September 2025 window. 105 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 35% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the October 2024 to October 2025 window. 98 of the nation’s 300 largest housing markets (i.e., 33% of markets) had a falling year-over-year reading in the November 2024 to November 2025 window. Earlier this year, an increasing number of housing markets slipped into year-over-year price declines as the supply-demand balance gradually tilted more toward buyers. But in recent months, the list of declining markets has begun to stabilize as inventory growth has decelerated. Home prices are still climbing in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest. In contrast, some pockets in states like Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Colorado—where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels—are seeing modest home price pullbacks. Many of the housing markets seeing the most softness, where homebuyers have gained the most leverage, are primarily located in Sun Belt regions, particularly the Gulf Coast and Mountain West. Many of these areas saw major price surges during the Pandemic Housing Boom, with home price growth outpacing local income levels. As pandemic-driven domestic migration slowed and mortgage rates rose in 2022, markets like Tampa and Austin faced challenges, relying on local income levels to support frothy home prices. That Sun Belt softening was further compounded by an abundance of new home supply in the Sun Belt. Builders are often willing to lower prices or offer affordability incentives to maintain sales, which also has a cooling effect on the resale market. As a result, some buyers who might have previously opted for existing homes are instead choosing new construction with more attractive deals—adding further upward pressure to resale inventory growth over the past few years. Of course, while 98 of the nation’s 300 largest metro area housing markets are seeing year-over-year home price declines, another 202 are still seeing year-over-year home price increases. Where are home prices still up on a year-over-year basis? See the map below. View the full article

This year delivered whiplash: geopolitics, tariffs, and technology all shifting at once. And heading into 2026, the disruption isn’t easing up. Bob Safian distills hard-won lessons from his Rapid Response podcast this year on how to lead when the ground won’t stop moving—featuring standout moments from Airbnb’s Brian Chesky, Runway’s Cristóbal Valenzuela, Meta’s Clara Shih, LinkedIn’s Aneesh Raman, Planned Parenthood’s Alexis McGill Johnson, and the NWSL’s Jessica Berman, with practical takeaways for turning uncertainty into advantage. This is an abridged transcript of an interview from Rapid Response, hosted by the former editor-in-chief of Fast Company Bob Safian. From the team behind the Masters of Scalepodcast, Rapid Response features candid conversations with today’s top business leaders navigating real-time challenges. Subscribe to Rapid Response wherever you get your podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode. Lesson number one: As tech moves fast, we need to move even faster Among the most challenging aspects for leaders is the speed of change and how it requires us to reset our expectations and practices. Here’s the CEO of AI video company Runway, Cris Valenzuela, talking with me about planning in the eye of the AI storm. How far out do you think of your product roadmap? Or is that something you’re reassessing all the time? Cris Valenzuela: Yeah, it’s a weekly thing, to be honest. If you’re planning on a quarterly basis, you’re not going to make it. You’re done. In four weeks, you’re going to get leapfrogged and things will change. We’ve historically taken this open-ended research approach. Instead of defining very specific goals you want to accomplish, you define the boundaries on which you want the team to play and experiment. And then setting the boundaries and the limits is kind of the hard thing because if it’s too open, then there’s nothing really directionally happening. If it’s too broad, then it’s just an objective that’s very clear. If it’s broad enough and has enough of the right incentives, then people are going to stumble on things that are new, that you’ve never thought of before, that have a great value. And those are the things that we care the most. Valenzuela’s approach is so different from traditional leadership, leaning into experimentation rather than specific goals, and reframing plans on a weekly basis. It’s an approach that could make a lot of people uneasy. I talked about this with Clara Shih, who’s led AI business at Salesforce and at Meta. She offered practical insights about navigating what’s hype and what’s imperative. Here’s me and Shih. How do leaders strike the balance between I got to be in this, versus it’s not really showing any measurable impact now yet? Clara Shih: I see this all the time from various leaders that I meet with. I think it’s first being hands-on and really getting in there and understanding the capabilities because I think with that judgment, with that firsthand experience, only then can leaders really know, “Okay, I want to apply it here, but not here.” Another really great success formula is splitting up the team, right? Having people focus on immediate use cases, what can I unlock today that will show me ROI this quarter, next quarter, versus what are the bigger bets where just I see the secular trend and we have to skate to where the puck is going. But just know that it’s going to take longer and more experiments to asymptotically hopefully get to the right answer. And then just having space and time to live in both time horizons simultaneously. What’s the day-to-day? What’s the quarter? How could I be completely screwed in six months or 12 months if I don’t have this tiger team that’s incubating experiments at startup speed? Lesson two: In an AI world, human connection is a competitive advantage AI technology is so powerful. But there’s an equally strong thread about emphasizing the human factor within enterprises, that that will truly differentiate the winners. Here’s Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb. Brian Chesky: The term AI, the important term is artificial. We’re going to live in a world where it’s not clear that what you’re seeing is real. And the opposite of artificial is real. The opposite of screen is the real world. People want real connections in the real world. Why are people feeling so lonely right now? Because they were connecting with people they don’t know, arguing with people on the internet and your Instagram followers aren’t coming to your funeral. No one changed someone else’s mind in YouTube comment section. And now pretty soon we’re going to have a situation where your friends are going to be AIs. So there has to be this movement to real. Chesky’s business at Airbnb, of course, relies on in-person interaction through home stays and experiences, but that doesn’t diminish the leadership implications of what he’s saying. The challenges and opportunities of this age come down to human choices. The choices we make about how we interact with each other defines leaders and organizations, especially because AI is changing how we’re interacting. Here’s LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, Aneesh Raman, talking about what he calls the five Cs, the core human skills for this era. Aneesh Raman: What you’ve got is sort of what I call the five Cs, this list I’ve developed with neuroscientists, courage, compassion, creativity, curiosity, and communication. Those are kind of the core skills I think that make us humans. Remember, our species until about 40,000 years ago wasn’t the only sapiens around. And we were never the biggest, we were never the fastest. What allowed us to emerge as the apex species on this planet is that we were able to adapt in really important ways by those five Cs in how we both told really complex stories through language and then how we organized to increase scale around things like nation states. So that’s going to come to the center of it all for us and we’ve got to shore those skills up. Lesson three: The most important decisions are simple and brave When uncertainty is high, clarity of mission matters more than ever. For some, new pressure served as a valuable reminder of what was most important. Here’s an exchange I had with Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood, who’s been in the crosshairs of the The President administration all year. Alexis McGill Johnson: I feel concern that a number of really critical institutions in our society are feeling a financial pressure to, I think in many ways, go against their core values. Your values are … That’s your integrity. That’s who you are. So I cannot actually stand here and say, “We’re going to walk away from the very communities that we have committed ourselves to providing care for.” It sounds like you wish maybe that there was a little more bravery from some other leaders whose, I don’t know, whose missions may not be as clearly values-based all the time. Two things come to mind here. One is watching people obey in advance, comply in advance before the actual directives come, which I think sends a signal that people are willing to kind of stand down. But I think we’re also missing the collective action here, that there is a logic of collective action that means that when we actually stay kind of arms linked and say, “You know what? We are going to stand with the rule of law and what we believe the Constitution says here.” I think it really is about linking arms and understanding that that is really the kind of strongest attack back in some ways to the kinds of things that we are facing. When it comes to decision making, I often think of a framework Brian Chesky has talked about, focusing on what he calls principle decisions versus business decisions, choices that you’ll be proud of even if things don’t go your way. It seems pretty simple, but then the most important decisions often are if boiled down to their essence. Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women’s Soccer League, keeps a pile of children’s books on the coffee table in her office to remind her team to ground themselves in the basics. Here’s Berman. Jessica Berman: Every single leadership lesson you need in life, you learned when you were five… It’s such a great analog for people to humanize and boil down sometimes hard to talk about or complex concepts that are really interpersonal. Is there a book that right now, a children’s book that you find yourself going to more? I have one. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Guess what? You can’t go around it. You can’t go over it. You can’t go under it. You just have to go through it. And that is the story of challenges in life, and so we cite that in our office almost every single day. View the full article

Scammers frequently target shoppers who are looking for a good deal or a rare find (or both). As holiday sale season winds down, the Better Business Bureau is warning buyers about a scheme in which fraudsters charge you for "out of stock" goods and fail to refund your money. The out-of-stock purchase scam is simple: After you buy a product online, scammers send you a notification that said item is no longer available, cancel your order, and tell you that you'll get your money back. Obviously, the refund never arrives, and no one ever responds to further inquiries. As the BBB points out, in most cases, the item you thought you bought probably never existed in the first place—rather, scammers are selling fake stock, charging customers, and vanishing in hopes you won't notice that you didn't receive your refund. Some consumers who submitted reports to the BBB Scam Tracker said that they did receive products, but items were of poor quality or not what they ordered, and no refund was ever issued. Spot out-of-stock purchase scamsThese fake purchase schemes may have the usual red flags, like prices that are too good to be true, especially those promoted on social media. Personalized items are ripe for scams, as are hard-to-find products or collectibles. If you find an amazing deal from a company or seller you don't recognize, search the name with "scam" and read reviews on Google and Reddit to identify patterns of suspicious activity (or poor-quality products). You should also be wary of websites that aren't secure—those that don't start with HTTPS or have a lock icon in the browser bar—as these are more vulnerable to hackers looking to intercept credit card info and other personal data. Legitimate vendors collect payment securely. Shop with a credit cardShopping scams are a good reason to use a credit card for online purchases, as they offer protection against fraudulent charges. If you don't receive a refund from a seller, you can file a chargeback—while this isn't as simple or swift a process, it is likely you'll get your money eventually. Always keep receipts, order confirmations, and any communication with sellers in case you need to make a claim for a scam purchase. View the full article

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s net worth surged to $749 billion late Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options worth $139 billion that were voided last year, according to Forbes’ billionaires index. Musk’s 2018 pay package, once worth $56 billion, was restored by the Delaware Supreme Court on Friday, two years after a lower court struck down the compensation deal as “unfathomable.” The Supreme Court said that a 2024 ruling that rescinded the pay package had been improper and inequitable to Musk. Earlier this week, Musk became the first person ever to surpass $600 billion in net worth on the heels of reports that his aerospace startup SpaceX was likely to go public. In November, Tesla shareholders separately approved a $1 trillion pay plan for Musk, the largest corporate pay package in history, as investors endorsed his vision of morphing the EV maker into an AI and robotics juggernaut. Musk’s fortune now exceeds that of Google co-founder Larry Page, the world’s second-richest person, by nearly $500 billion, according to Forbes’ billionaires list. —Rajveer Singh Pardesi, Reuters View the full article

If you’re looking to understand the current real estate market, examining the recent sales of 10 properties that sold close to their asking prices is essential. Home sales have increased this year, whereas inventory levels are at a record high, giving buyers more options than ever. With stable median home prices and mortgage rates around 6.8%, you might find opportunities to negotiate favorable deals. Nevertheless, there are trends at play that could impact your decisions. Key Takeaways Home sales increased by 3.0% year-to-date, indicating a resilient market despite rising mortgage rates. The median home price has seen minimal growth, currently sitting at $347,000, reflecting market stability. A record high inventory of 38,713 listings enhances buyer negotiation power, allowing for better purchase terms. Seasonal trends show summer as a strong selling period, while off-peak months may lead to lower sale prices and extended market times. Future predictions suggest stable home prices through 2025, with mortgage rates projected to stay around 6.7% to 6.8%. Overview of Recent Home Sales In the current terrain of home sales, data reveals significant trends that are shaping the market. As of June 2025, there have been 43,795 single-family homes sold year-to-date, reflecting a 3.0% increase over the same period in 2024. The median home price for these properties has risen slightly to $347,000, indicating a modest increase of 0.2%. Meanwhile, the inventory of single-family homes has reached a record high of 38,713 listings, which suggests a competitive market where homes sold close to the asking price may become less common. Furthermore, townhome and condo sales have weakened, with prices dropping by 4.6%. The recent drop in mortgage rates could likewise influence buyer activity moving forward, impacting overall sales dynamics. Key Market Trends Influencing Sales As buyers navigate the evolving real estate environment, several key market trends are influencing home sales in 2025. Comprehending these trends can help you sell to close effectively. Increased inventory: With single-family home listings reaching a record high of 38,713, buyers now have more options. Stable prices: The median home price rose only 0.2%, indicating a more stable market with limited price growth. Shifts in demand: Townhomes and condos saw a 4.6% decrease in sales, as listings surged by 42%, reflecting changing buyer preferences. These trends highlight the importance of staying informed as you navigate the market, ensuring you make strategic decisions in a competitive environment. Impact of Mortgage Rates on Transactions Grasping how mortgage rates affect transactions is fundamental in today’s housing market. Recently, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped from 6.9% to 6.7%, temporarily boosting buyer interest. Nevertheless, the rebound to 6.8% because of inflation and treasury yields shows the volatility of borrowing costs. Historically, lower rates encourage buyer participation; for instance, when rates fell below 6% in late 2024, home sales surged. This sensitivity is evident as many move-up buyers hesitate to switch from lower 3-4% rates to higher 7% loans. With predictions of lower rates in 2025, buyers may find a sell to close option more appealing, facilitating transactions and increasing market activity amid fluctuating inventory levels. Grasping these trends is crucial for informed decision-making. Inventory Levels and Buyer Power Even though many factors influence the housing market, current inventory levels play a crucial role in shaping buyer influence. With single-family homes reaching a record high of 38,713, buyers now enjoy improved authority in negotiations. Here are key points to reflect on: Inventory has increased by 30.7% in Texas over the past year. The current supply stands at 5.4 months, up from 4.2 months last year. Median home prices have only risen by 0.2%, indicating balanced market conditions. This surge in inventory allows you to explore options and negotiate better terms. If you’re looking to purchase a home, comprehending how to close a call effectively can give you an edge in this competitive environment, making it vital to stay informed. Price Changes in Townhomes and Condos As of June 2025, prices for townhomes and condos have dropped by 4.6% year-over-year, reflecting shifting buyer preferences in the market. This price decline coincides with a significant 42% increase in inventory, which has put additional downward pressure on prices. Notably, whereas townhomes and condos face challenges, highrise units are experiencing stable sales and rising prices, indicating a more complex environment within the condo market. Declining Prices Overview While many buyers may still be considering townhomes and condos, recent data reveals a concerning trend in declining prices for these property types. The declining prices overview shows that prices fell by 4.6% year-over-year, indicating a dip in demand. Moreover, you should note: Listings for townhomes and condos surged by 42.0%, suggesting a market oversupply. Active listings for highrise units increased by 18.7%, while sales remained flat. The contrast between these declining prices and a mere 0.2% rise in single-family home prices highlights changing buyer preferences. These trends necessitate careful evaluation for sellers, who may need to adjust marketing and pricing strategies in light of the shifting market dynamics surrounding townhomes and condos. Increased Inventory Impact The significant 42.0% increase in inventory for townhomes and condos has particularly altered the market scenery, impacting both buyer behavior and pricing dynamics. With prices for these properties falling by 4.6% year-over-year, you’ll notice that the increased inventory impact is reshaping demand. Buyers can now enjoy a less competitive market, creating more opportunities for negotiation. Curiously, highrise units saw flat sales in spite of an 18.7% rise in active listings, signaling a shift in buyer interests within the multifamily segment. As inventory levels rise, sellers may need to realign their pricing strategies to attract buyers, reflecting a broader trend of diminishing demand in the townhome and condo market. Comprehending these dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions. Regional Variations in Market Activity Regional variations in market activity reveal significant differences in how real estate performs across Texas. Comprehending these differences can help you navigate the market effectively. Here are some key points to reflect on: Dallas-Fort Worth is the hottest market with 19,668 closed sales. Houston saw a 1.4% increase in median prices, whereas Austin experienced a 2.1% decline. Inventory levels increased from 4.2 to 5.4 months, indicating varying supply and demand dynamics. In this context, knowing the “sell to close” meaning helps you grasp how these regional trends impact pricing and competition. As inventory rises and prices fluctuate, adapting your strategy based on your location becomes essential for success in Texas real estate. Seasonal Trends Affecting Sales Dynamics Comprehending seasonal buyer demand patterns is essential for maneuvering real estate markets effectively. April through June stands out as the ideal selling period, with significant price increases and high sales volumes. Whereas the off-peak months of December and January pose challenges because of low buyer interest. Recognizing these trends can help you strategize your buying or selling decisions throughout the year. Seasonal Buyer Demand Patterns Seasonal buyer demand patterns play a crucial role in shaping the real estate market, influencing when people choose to buy and sell homes. Comprehending these trends can help you navigate the market effectively. Peak buying season typically runs from April through June, with sales averaging 16,530 homes per day. Home prices rise considerably during these months, with a 16% increase in June compared to winter. Activity slows from July to September, averaging 16,200 homes sold daily, and continues to decline in fall and winter, where sales drop to 13,810 per day and days on market extend to 49. Optimal Selling Months When you’re considering selling your home, timing’s everything, and certain months stand out as more advantageous than others. The ideal selling months typically range from April to June, when buyer demand peaks and home prices can rise by 16% compared to winter months. In fact, May and June are especially profitable; homes often sell for more than the listing price, with bidding wars common because of heightened competition. Even though the summer months continue to offer good selling conditions, the number of homes sold per day starts to decline. Conversely, December and January are the least favorable months, with low buyer activity leading to extended market times and lower selling prices. Plan accordingly to maximize your selling potential. Off-Peak Market Challenges During the peak selling months, robust buyer activity and competitive pricing prevail. Nevertheless, the off-peak market from December to February presents distinct challenges for home sellers. You may notice: Lower buyer demand, with only about 11,380 existing homes sold per day. Extended median days on the market, which can reach up to 49 days. Homes often sell for less than the listing price because of holiday distractions. These conditions make it harder to sell to close put option effectively. Yet, off-peak periods can likewise offer unique opportunities for negotiations, as fewer buyers mean less competition. If you’re motivated, you might find better deals, but be prepared for the realities of a slower market. Buyer Preferences and Shifts in Demand As the real estate market evolves, you’ll notice significant shifts in buyer preferences and demand that are reshaping the terrain. Recently, demand for townhomes and condos has weakened, with prices dropping by 4.6% year-over-year and listings surging by 42.0%. This indicates a clear shift in buyer preferences in the direction of different property types. Additionally, the average days on the market for homes in Texas has risen to 72, suggesting buyers are taking more time to decide, reflecting changing market dynamics. Notably, during the median home price rose only 0.3%, highrise units saw flat sales, further emphasizing divergent buyer interests. With increasing inventory, buyers now have more leverage in negotiations, influencing their purchasing choices. Predictions for Future Market Conditions As you look ahead to the future market conditions, expect to see stable home prices and greater flexibility for buyers. With mortgage rates projected to hover around 6.7% to 6.8% throughout 2025, you’ll find it easier to make informed decisions without the pressure of rising costs. Furthermore, increased inventory levels mean you’ll have more options and time as you navigate your home-buying experience. Stable Price Projections Though many markets have experienced volatility in recent years, predictions for Texas home prices indicate a period of stability through 2025. Experts foresee stable price projections, with home prices expected to rise only 1-3% nationally. Key factors influencing this stability include: A 5.89% mortgage rate for 15-year fixed loans, which encourages home sales. An increased inventory reaching 4.8 months of supply, allowing buyers more time to decide. A median home price increase of only 0.3% year-over-year, showing slower growth compared to previous spikes. This calming market environment suggests that buyers can approach their purchases with confidence, as a significant market crash isn’t anticipated. Buyer Flexibility Trends In light of the recent trends in the housing market, buyers are finding themselves in a more advantageous position as we move through 2025. With inventory reaching 5.4 months of supply, you’ll notice greater buyer flexibility trends compared to previous years. The median home price has stabilized, increasing just 0.2% to $347,000, allowing you to make more informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, declining mortgage rates from 6.9% to 6.7% improve affordability, boosting your buying capacity. Experts anticipate continued stability in home prices and more options for buyers throughout the year. The demand shift in the direction of townhomes and condos, with prices falling 4.6%, further increases choices, making it an opportune time to explore new possibilities. Strategies for Navigating Current Market Trends Steering through the current market trends requires a strategic approach, especially with the notable shifts in inventory and pricing. To effectively navigate this terrain, consider these strategies: Leverage Negotiating Influence: With increased inventory, you can negotiate better terms when you sell to close on your dream home. Monitor Mortgage Rates: Keep an eye on fluctuating fixed mortgage rates; a slight decrease can markedly affect your purchasing influence. Explore Diverse Options: With declining prices in townhomes and condos, you might find better deals in these segments, offering potential savings. Frequently Asked Questions How to Find Real Estate Market Trends? To find real estate market trends, start by analyzing sales data, including the number of homes sold in your area. Monitor inventory levels and median home prices to gauge supply and demand. Review listing statistics to assess market saturation. Furthermore, keep an eye on mortgage rates, as they can influence buyer behavior. What Is the Hardest Month to Sell a House? The hardest month to sell a house is typically January. This month experiences low buyer demand as a result of holiday distractions and colder weather, causing homes to remain on the market longer—averaging 57 days. With fewer buyers, sellers often accept lower prices than expected. The reduced competition makes it challenging to attract interest, leading to extended wait times and decreased profitability. If you’re considering selling, it’s wise to plan for these seasonal trends. Are Wisconsin Home Prices Dropping? Yes, home prices in Wisconsin are dropping. Recent data shows a 4.6% decrease year-over-year for townhomes and condos, as buyer preferences shift in the direction of single-family homes. Increased inventory means more options for buyers, adding downward pressure on prices. Homes are now averaging around 72 days on the market, indicating they’re taking longer to sell. Economic factors like fluctuating mortgage rates and high living costs likewise contribute to this market slowdown. Are Idaho Home Prices Dropping? Yes, Idaho home prices are dropping, with a year-over-year decline of about 2.1% as of mid-2025. The median home price now stands at $400,000, still above the national average but reflecting a slowdown in growth. Increased inventory and rising mortgage rates are creating a more favorable environment for buyers, contributing to longer days on market for homes. These factors indicate a cooling market, affecting overall homebuyer behavior and prices. Conclusion In conclusion, the current real estate market offers both challenges and opportunities for buyers. With a 3.0% increase in home sales and record-high inventory levels, you have greater negotiating influence. Even though median prices remain stable, the impact of mortgage rates at 6.8% suggests careful consideration is needed. By comprehending these market trends and adapting your strategies, you can effectively navigate this environment and make informed decisions that align with your home-buying goals. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Properties That Sold Close – Market Trends You Need to Know" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to understand the current real estate market, examining the recent sales of 10 properties that sold close to their asking prices is essential. Home sales have increased this year, whereas inventory levels are at a record high, giving buyers more options than ever. With stable median home prices and mortgage rates around 6.8%, you might find opportunities to negotiate favorable deals. Nevertheless, there are trends at play that could impact your decisions. Key Takeaways Home sales increased by 3.0% year-to-date, indicating a resilient market despite rising mortgage rates. The median home price has seen minimal growth, currently sitting at $347,000, reflecting market stability. A record high inventory of 38,713 listings enhances buyer negotiation power, allowing for better purchase terms. Seasonal trends show summer as a strong selling period, while off-peak months may lead to lower sale prices and extended market times. Future predictions suggest stable home prices through 2025, with mortgage rates projected to stay around 6.7% to 6.8%. Overview of Recent Home Sales In the current terrain of home sales, data reveals significant trends that are shaping the market. As of June 2025, there have been 43,795 single-family homes sold year-to-date, reflecting a 3.0% increase over the same period in 2024. The median home price for these properties has risen slightly to $347,000, indicating a modest increase of 0.2%. Meanwhile, the inventory of single-family homes has reached a record high of 38,713 listings, which suggests a competitive market where homes sold close to the asking price may become less common. Furthermore, townhome and condo sales have weakened, with prices dropping by 4.6%. The recent drop in mortgage rates could likewise influence buyer activity moving forward, impacting overall sales dynamics. Key Market Trends Influencing Sales As buyers navigate the evolving real estate environment, several key market trends are influencing home sales in 2025. Comprehending these trends can help you sell to close effectively. Increased inventory: With single-family home listings reaching a record high of 38,713, buyers now have more options. Stable prices: The median home price rose only 0.2%, indicating a more stable market with limited price growth. Shifts in demand: Townhomes and condos saw a 4.6% decrease in sales, as listings surged by 42%, reflecting changing buyer preferences. These trends highlight the importance of staying informed as you navigate the market, ensuring you make strategic decisions in a competitive environment. Impact of Mortgage Rates on Transactions Grasping how mortgage rates affect transactions is fundamental in today’s housing market. Recently, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropped from 6.9% to 6.7%, temporarily boosting buyer interest. Nevertheless, the rebound to 6.8% because of inflation and treasury yields shows the volatility of borrowing costs. Historically, lower rates encourage buyer participation; for instance, when rates fell below 6% in late 2024, home sales surged. This sensitivity is evident as many move-up buyers hesitate to switch from lower 3-4% rates to higher 7% loans. With predictions of lower rates in 2025, buyers may find a sell to close option more appealing, facilitating transactions and increasing market activity amid fluctuating inventory levels. Grasping these trends is crucial for informed decision-making. Inventory Levels and Buyer Power Even though many factors influence the housing market, current inventory levels play a crucial role in shaping buyer influence. With single-family homes reaching a record high of 38,713, buyers now enjoy improved authority in negotiations. Here are key points to reflect on: Inventory has increased by 30.7% in Texas over the past year. The current supply stands at 5.4 months, up from 4.2 months last year. Median home prices have only risen by 0.2%, indicating balanced market conditions. This surge in inventory allows you to explore options and negotiate better terms. If you’re looking to purchase a home, comprehending how to close a call effectively can give you an edge in this competitive environment, making it vital to stay informed. Price Changes in Townhomes and Condos As of June 2025, prices for townhomes and condos have dropped by 4.6% year-over-year, reflecting shifting buyer preferences in the market. This price decline coincides with a significant 42% increase in inventory, which has put additional downward pressure on prices. Notably, whereas townhomes and condos face challenges, highrise units are experiencing stable sales and rising prices, indicating a more complex environment within the condo market. Declining Prices Overview While many buyers may still be considering townhomes and condos, recent data reveals a concerning trend in declining prices for these property types. The declining prices overview shows that prices fell by 4.6% year-over-year, indicating a dip in demand. Moreover, you should note: Listings for townhomes and condos surged by 42.0%, suggesting a market oversupply. Active listings for highrise units increased by 18.7%, while sales remained flat. The contrast between these declining prices and a mere 0.2% rise in single-family home prices highlights changing buyer preferences. These trends necessitate careful evaluation for sellers, who may need to adjust marketing and pricing strategies in light of the shifting market dynamics surrounding townhomes and condos. Increased Inventory Impact The significant 42.0% increase in inventory for townhomes and condos has particularly altered the market scenery, impacting both buyer behavior and pricing dynamics. With prices for these properties falling by 4.6% year-over-year, you’ll notice that the increased inventory impact is reshaping demand. Buyers can now enjoy a less competitive market, creating more opportunities for negotiation. Curiously, highrise units saw flat sales in spite of an 18.7% rise in active listings, signaling a shift in buyer interests within the multifamily segment. As inventory levels rise, sellers may need to realign their pricing strategies to attract buyers, reflecting a broader trend of diminishing demand in the townhome and condo market. Comprehending these dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions. Regional Variations in Market Activity Regional variations in market activity reveal significant differences in how real estate performs across Texas. Comprehending these differences can help you navigate the market effectively. Here are some key points to reflect on: Dallas-Fort Worth is the hottest market with 19,668 closed sales. Houston saw a 1.4% increase in median prices, whereas Austin experienced a 2.1% decline. Inventory levels increased from 4.2 to 5.4 months, indicating varying supply and demand dynamics. In this context, knowing the “sell to close” meaning helps you grasp how these regional trends impact pricing and competition. As inventory rises and prices fluctuate, adapting your strategy based on your location becomes essential for success in Texas real estate. Seasonal Trends Affecting Sales Dynamics Comprehending seasonal buyer demand patterns is essential for maneuvering real estate markets effectively. April through June stands out as the ideal selling period, with significant price increases and high sales volumes. Whereas the off-peak months of December and January pose challenges because of low buyer interest. Recognizing these trends can help you strategize your buying or selling decisions throughout the year. Seasonal Buyer Demand Patterns Seasonal buyer demand patterns play a crucial role in shaping the real estate market, influencing when people choose to buy and sell homes. Comprehending these trends can help you navigate the market effectively. Peak buying season typically runs from April through June, with sales averaging 16,530 homes per day. Home prices rise considerably during these months, with a 16% increase in June compared to winter. Activity slows from July to September, averaging 16,200 homes sold daily, and continues to decline in fall and winter, where sales drop to 13,810 per day and days on market extend to 49. Optimal Selling Months When you’re considering selling your home, timing’s everything, and certain months stand out as more advantageous than others. The ideal selling months typically range from April to June, when buyer demand peaks and home prices can rise by 16% compared to winter months. In fact, May and June are especially profitable; homes often sell for more than the listing price, with bidding wars common because of heightened competition. Even though the summer months continue to offer good selling conditions, the number of homes sold per day starts to decline. Conversely, December and January are the least favorable months, with low buyer activity leading to extended market times and lower selling prices. Plan accordingly to maximize your selling potential. Off-Peak Market Challenges During the peak selling months, robust buyer activity and competitive pricing prevail. Nevertheless, the off-peak market from December to February presents distinct challenges for home sellers. You may notice: Lower buyer demand, with only about 11,380 existing homes sold per day. Extended median days on the market, which can reach up to 49 days. Homes often sell for less than the listing price because of holiday distractions. These conditions make it harder to sell to close put option effectively. Yet, off-peak periods can likewise offer unique opportunities for negotiations, as fewer buyers mean less competition. If you’re motivated, you might find better deals, but be prepared for the realities of a slower market. Buyer Preferences and Shifts in Demand As the real estate market evolves, you’ll notice significant shifts in buyer preferences and demand that are reshaping the terrain. Recently, demand for townhomes and condos has weakened, with prices dropping by 4.6% year-over-year and listings surging by 42.0%. This indicates a clear shift in buyer preferences in the direction of different property types. Additionally, the average days on the market for homes in Texas has risen to 72, suggesting buyers are taking more time to decide, reflecting changing market dynamics. Notably, during the median home price rose only 0.3%, highrise units saw flat sales, further emphasizing divergent buyer interests. With increasing inventory, buyers now have more leverage in negotiations, influencing their purchasing choices. Predictions for Future Market Conditions As you look ahead to the future market conditions, expect to see stable home prices and greater flexibility for buyers. With mortgage rates projected to hover around 6.7% to 6.8% throughout 2025, you’ll find it easier to make informed decisions without the pressure of rising costs. Furthermore, increased inventory levels mean you’ll have more options and time as you navigate your home-buying experience. Stable Price Projections Though many markets have experienced volatility in recent years, predictions for Texas home prices indicate a period of stability through 2025. Experts foresee stable price projections, with home prices expected to rise only 1-3% nationally. Key factors influencing this stability include: A 5.89% mortgage rate for 15-year fixed loans, which encourages home sales. An increased inventory reaching 4.8 months of supply, allowing buyers more time to decide. A median home price increase of only 0.3% year-over-year, showing slower growth compared to previous spikes. This calming market environment suggests that buyers can approach their purchases with confidence, as a significant market crash isn’t anticipated. Buyer Flexibility Trends In light of the recent trends in the housing market, buyers are finding themselves in a more advantageous position as we move through 2025. With inventory reaching 5.4 months of supply, you’ll notice greater buyer flexibility trends compared to previous years. The median home price has stabilized, increasing just 0.2% to $347,000, allowing you to make more informed purchasing decisions. Furthermore, declining mortgage rates from 6.9% to 6.7% improve affordability, boosting your buying capacity. Experts anticipate continued stability in home prices and more options for buyers throughout the year. The demand shift in the direction of townhomes and condos, with prices falling 4.6%, further increases choices, making it an opportune time to explore new possibilities. Strategies for Navigating Current Market Trends Steering through the current market trends requires a strategic approach, especially with the notable shifts in inventory and pricing. To effectively navigate this terrain, consider these strategies: Leverage Negotiating Influence: With increased inventory, you can negotiate better terms when you sell to close on your dream home. Monitor Mortgage Rates: Keep an eye on fluctuating fixed mortgage rates; a slight decrease can markedly affect your purchasing influence. Explore Diverse Options: With declining prices in townhomes and condos, you might find better deals in these segments, offering potential savings. Frequently Asked Questions How to Find Real Estate Market Trends? To find real estate market trends, start by analyzing sales data, including the number of homes sold in your area. Monitor inventory levels and median home prices to gauge supply and demand. Review listing statistics to assess market saturation. Furthermore, keep an eye on mortgage rates, as they can influence buyer behavior. What Is the Hardest Month to Sell a House? The hardest month to sell a house is typically January. This month experiences low buyer demand as a result of holiday distractions and colder weather, causing homes to remain on the market longer—averaging 57 days. With fewer buyers, sellers often accept lower prices than expected. The reduced competition makes it challenging to attract interest, leading to extended wait times and decreased profitability. If you’re considering selling, it’s wise to plan for these seasonal trends. Are Wisconsin Home Prices Dropping? Yes, home prices in Wisconsin are dropping. Recent data shows a 4.6% decrease year-over-year for townhomes and condos, as buyer preferences shift in the direction of single-family homes. Increased inventory means more options for buyers, adding downward pressure on prices. Homes are now averaging around 72 days on the market, indicating they’re taking longer to sell. Economic factors like fluctuating mortgage rates and high living costs likewise contribute to this market slowdown. Are Idaho Home Prices Dropping? Yes, Idaho home prices are dropping, with a year-over-year decline of about 2.1% as of mid-2025. The median home price now stands at $400,000, still above the national average but reflecting a slowdown in growth. Increased inventory and rising mortgage rates are creating a more favorable environment for buyers, contributing to longer days on market for homes. These factors indicate a cooling market, affecting overall homebuyer behavior and prices. Conclusion In conclusion, the current real estate market offers both challenges and opportunities for buyers. With a 3.0% increase in home sales and record-high inventory levels, you have greater negotiating influence. Even though median prices remain stable, the impact of mortgage rates at 6.8% suggests careful consideration is needed. By comprehending these market trends and adapting your strategies, you can effectively navigate this environment and make informed decisions that align with your home-buying goals. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Properties That Sold Close – Market Trends You Need to Know" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

With its goofy block lettering and bright colors, the MetroCard feels like a relic, which it sort of is—an early 1990s design, complete with gradients and drop shadows, that’s managed to stick around long enough to become one of New York’s defining symbols. At a time when generic minimalism and the sheen of AI-generated graphics have taken over, its unmistakable graphics feel refreshing. And the fact that a 31-year-old fare payment system is still in circulation when most tech today becomes obsolete in a matter of months is a remarkable achievement. But the end is near: on December 31st, the MTA will stop selling MetroCards and completely phase them out on an imminent date that the agency has yet to announce. Loving tributes have already begun as the city pays its respects to the slim piece of plastic that kept commuters moving for three decades. “It’s not as iconic as the token, but maybe in the future it will be,” says Jodi Shapiro, curator of the New York City Transit Museum, which on December 17 opened “FAREwell, Metrocard,” a new exhibition on the card’s history. While it might be New York City Transit’s second-most famous fare payment system, it has had a tremendous effect on the metropolis’s culture, how people get around, and what good municipal design ought to accomplish. It all began with a big ask: getting New Yorkers to change their habits. Peter Stangl A generational shift For 40 years before the MetroCard, New Yorkers paid for the subway using tokens. Dropping it into a turnstile wasn’t much different than paying with coins. The MetroCard was a technical leap that changed how riders experienced the public transit system. “At the time of its introduction, not many people used swipe cards,” Shapiro explains. “If you were familiar with them, you probably worked some kind of job where there was a security measure.” The idea to replace tokens percolated in the late 1970s, when city council member Carol Bellamy proposed the idea. But it took until the 1980s for the MTA to take fare cards seriously. Richard Ravitch, the chairman at the time, wanted to update the system and keep it on par with Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Paris, which already adopted magnetic strip cards. He argued that it would encourage off-peak ridership, curb fare evasion, and allow the sale of monthly passes. “’Passes will encourage mobility,” Ravitch said, and “enhanced mobility will increase commercial activity in this region.” The MTA launched the MetroCard in January 1994 and existed side-by-side with tokens for nearly a decade. With the change to a fare card also came a change to the turnstiles. To riders, the subway’s built environment doesn’t change all that much, but when it does, it’s big—the Vignelli/Noorda signage, demolishing the El lines, the fare evasion spikes and fins. The MetroCard was responsible for a major physical shift: electrified turnstiles, which were required to power the magnetic strip readers, and with them electrified emergency exit gates that can be remotely opened by booth clerks. The ’90s are calling Now back to the MetroCard itself. With a blue gradient background, MetroCard spelled out in golden block letters that ascend in angle and descend in size from the bottom right to top left corner, the card is 1990s to the core. The decade was a highly experimental time for graphic designers because of the freedom desktop publishing, a relatively new tool at the time, gave them. With typography in particular, designers obliterated the rules. They set type on curves, stretched and warped letterforms, and layered text. Cubic Transportation Systems designed the magnetic strip and the turnstile readers, but the exact designers of the graphics are unknown. The most Shapiro has been able to concretely find is that a group of people within the MTA was responsible for the visual direction. Compared to the disciplined Helvetica wayfinding signage throughout the system, the MetroCard was pure pop, especially after the MetroCard Gold replaced the original in 1997. What is MetroCard? “It wasn’t just a cosmetic change,” Shapiro says. “It indicated visually that the magnetic strip was functionally different.” Magnetic strip technology improved in the first few years after the original card debuted and more information could be encoded onto it. The new cards enabled free transfers between buses and the subway and also let the MTA sell 7-day and 30-day unlimited passes. (The new magnetic strips also gave rise to green and white student passes and gold and white reduced-fare cards for seniors and people with disabilities.) For this iteration of the MetroCard, the agency reversed the colors—blue lettering on a gold gradient background—and added a drop shadow to the text. The MTA logo in the top corner switched to gold, too, giving the image a faint resemblance to a sunset. The MetroCard’s graphics were friendly and, like the genius of the Antenna-designed MetroCard machine, taught riders how to use it. (There was even a plan to have an affable MetroCard mascot named the Cardvaark to boost early adoption.) You can only swipe it in one direction and so the text orientation indicates which side should go up and the slanted lettering mimics the swiping motion. That clipped top-right corner? It’s an accessibility cue to let riders with low vision know how to orient the card through the reader. Human-centered design About that swipe: It’s a motion that requires just the right speed: not too fast, not too slow, just brisk enough much to the annoyance and exasperation of tourists as well as daily riders who don’t want to look like newbies. (The exact speed should be between 10 and 40 inches per second.) “The cool thing about the MetroCard is the swipe mechanism is human powered,” Shapiro says. SubTalk: Refill your MetroCard Relying on the manual labor of riders had ripple effects, like traffic jams at turnstiles, but on the whole it’s a lot simpler than the alternative: a conventional magnetic ticket reader, which mechanically draws a card in, reads it, and spits it out. The machine could jam at any of those three steps, which is risky given the volume of straphangers in New York. Over 4.6 million people ride the subway each day, which means that a single turnstile can clock thousands of swipes a day; in 2011 the busiest turnstile saw over a million riders pass through. “How many points of failure do you really want to have with a system that has that amount of transactions?” Shapiro says. “And the answer is you want to have as few points of failure as possible. When you have a human-powered card reader, that’s only really one point of failure.” In the calculus of subway math, lost time and expense of fixing a jam is worth a lot more than personal embarrassment. (Just ask Hillary Clinton and George Pataki.) From to fare passes to holy grails While the MetroCard’s front gave it its identity and functionality, its back turned it into a collector’s item. This was by design from the beginning, too. The graphics enticed people to buy and use them and offered an advertising opportunity. The MTA described them as “walking billboards.” MetroCards are printed using flexography and CMYK color, a process that results in crisp, vivid imagery and a high level of customization. “Since tokens were a big souvenir for people’s trips to New York, then why wouldn’t the Metro Card be one?” Shapiro says. The MTA launched the MetroCard with four collectible fixed value cards—$1.25 (a single-ride fare at the time), $5, $10, and $20. Each denomination featured a different scenic view of New York on the back: Grand Central Terminal, the World Financial Center, Times Square, and the skyline. Through the years, the MTA issued many more special-edition MetroCard that celebrated the city and its culture, over 400 in all. The Transit Museum has “several thousand” MetroCards in its collection and just a fraction of them are in the exhibition. They’re grouped thematically based on recurring motifs including sports teams, musicians, artists, PSAs and safety ads, commemorative moments, and transit facts. “There was definitely some fun being had,” Shapiro says. The first five years alone featured the New York Rangers winning the Stanley Cup, an illustration of subway riders by the Brooklyn-born artist James Rizzi, and an ad for Gang Starr’s album Moment of Truth—the first time rap artists appeared on the card. “Gang Starr is great,” Shapiro says, “but one of their members is from Boston so I can’t forgive that.” In 2012, the MTA changed the MetroCard rules to allow special graphics on the front amid a wider expansion of advertising in the system. (Before then, the MTA issued a MetroCard with a green logo in honor of climate week.) The Brooklyn Museum took advantage of this to publicize its David Bowie exhibition in 2018 as did Instagram with its content creators campaign from 2024, the very last limited-edition MetroCards printed. The MTA’s collector’s item strategy worked. After the Supreme card launched to hordes of Hypebeasts rushing to vending machines (the NYPD had to barricade the lines and limit buyers to two cards apiece), resellers listed the limited-edition MetroCards for upwards of $1,000 (you can find them on the secondary market in the double digit range now). And some holdouts are still hoping their Biggie cards will fetch $5,000. But the rarest, according to Shapiro, is actually a special prepaid New York Times MetroCard mailed to newspaper subscribers in 1994. “You couldn’t buy it from a booth or anything like that,” she says. One is listed on eBay for $950. “It’s interesting to see something that is such a fundamental part of every New Yorker’s commute becomes some kind of grail on the secondary market,” Shapiro says. “It’s odd.” While Shapiro doesn’t personally collect MetroCards, she has held onto a select few, including Barbara Kruger’s designs released for the 2017 edition of Performa, the James Rizzi illustrations, and ads from defunct businesses like Kozmo and Urban Fetch. Compared to the MTA’s annual operating budget, around $20 billion, the revenue it earned from MetroCard campaigns is anemic. From 2012 to 2018, the MTA averaged about $600,000 a year in ad revenue. It rose to $1 million in 2019 then dropped to zero during 2020 on account of the pandemic, then ticked up to $166,000 per year between 2021 and 2023. In 2024, promos earned $641,000. Cultural touchstones More than being trophies for transit nerds, the MetroCard simply became part of the fabric of the city—literally. Ana Ratner, the editor of The Other Almanac and a lifelong New Yorker, recalls how she and her friends used to gather spent cards (broken boxes where riders discarded spent cards were jackpots) and make clothes out of them. “I wasn’t that good at it, so I did square things like wallets and tote bags, but then friends of mine could make dresses and those are really cool,” Ratner says. “You would punch holes in different parts of the MetroCard, link them with metal loops or wire or string, and then you’d have the chain tunic dress.” Teen Vogue even featured one of her friends with a MetroCard-wrapped desk in its Last Look column. “She was extremely crafty,” Ratner adds. Juan Carlos Pinto, an artist based in Brooklyn, has been making collages out of MetroCards since 2002, using the ads on the back to bring color to his mostly blue, gold, and yellow compositions. “Of course I will miss the card,” he says. “It became my bread and butter. But the switch to other forms of payment is unavoidable. Change is good.” Numerous other artists have used the card as material, too. The Transit Museum’s next MetroCard show, opening in March, will chronicle it as an artistic medium. On the conceptual side, Shawn Lawrence James, aka The Blue Hundreds, a 40-year-old artist born and raised in Bed-Stuy, wrote a song in 2015 about the MetroCard that was featured in an exhibition at MoMA PS1. In it, he describes a glitch within two-trip tickets (bending the card just right lets riders swipe in for free, a trick he learned 20 years ago) against a backdrop of rising transit costs and increased policing of fare beaters. He saw the song as a way to help people save money, stay out of trouble, and offer “access on your own terms,” James says. “The song was kind of like a protest.” As the MTA phases out the MetroCard this graphic ephemera and the culture around it will slowly fade away. When tap-to-pay through OMNY fully takes over, many riders will never need a dedicated physical object to ride New York City transit, a first in over 160 years. “Since transportation started in New York City in the 1860s, you’ve always either had to have a ticket or a token,” Shapiro says, noting that tokens existed and were in use before the subway opened. “It’s going to be weird to not have everyone using something tangible.” With the MetroCard’s retirement comes another casualty of dematerialization (remember ticket stubs, loyalty cards, and handwritten correspondence?) and another retreat into the digital wallets trapped in our phone screens. As the MetroCard exits daily circulation, we also lose the collective experience it embodied. On any given day, thousands—maybe even millions—of New Yorkers carried the same exact object, with the same messages printed on them. The MetroCard is a link to a specific place and time: a PSA about the dangers of subway surfing, a fact about the most checked-out book in the NYPL system (that would be The Snowy Day by Jack Keats), or a simple poem. When the MTA released the Biggie cards, in honor of what would have been his 50th birthday, fans lined up for hours for the chance to buy one. “Who’s not going to want this, being born and raised in Brooklyn?” a woman from Brighton Beach told the New York Post. Presumably, the MTA could offer limited-edition OMNY cards, but since their expiration date, usually five years after issuance, is longer than the MetroCard and its cost, $5 each, is also higher, there’s less incentive to switch up the graphics. A spokesperson from the MTA says that “moving to a contactless payment unlocks potential for new customer-friendly promotions and fare discounts” and mentioned a Barilla activation that turned pasta boxes with an OMNY decal stuck on them into a one-way ticket. Has anyone collected these? I, for one, haven’t swiped my MetroCard in nearly a year (it expired on January 31, 2025) since contactless payments are so much more convenient, but the scuffed up card with a PSA about not going on the tracks for any reason remains in my wallet, and likely will for quite sometime as a tribute to the legendary object. [a] View the full article

Over the past five years, the remote work revolution has changed life as we know it for corporate folks like myself. And while I’m on the record singing the praises of working from home, I’d like to set the record straight: It’s not without its faults. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed my weekday afternoon naps and time away from co-workers. But I’ve also come to realize that before the pandemic, we were putting a little bit too much gas on working from home. Is WFH convenient? You bet your ass it is. Waking up and not having to get out of bed — or get in the shower or get dressed because I’m taking all my meetings with the camera off — is a lifestyle I’ve come to appreciate. But what has actually depreciated is my personal satisfaction with my apartment, my building, and my neighbors. I’m not the only person dreading the stricter return-to-office policies companies like Paramount and Microsoft are mandating for the new year, but there are some aspects of working from home that I certainly won’t miss. Let’s start with my own pad, a modest one-bedroom with a nice view. It’s one of those places that often garner compliments from first-time guests after they return from the bathroom. You know what I’m talking about. They walk out, still drying their hands with a paper towel, look around, and say, “Wow, you’ve got a nice place here.” I’ve always appreciated that, because I felt the same way. But when I began working from home, I started to realize that what I had is not enough. Specifically, I need a building that can help a brother out when it comes to maintenance. I may not live in The PJs, but our super, Randy, has the apathy of Thurgood Stubbs. Which I wouldn’t care about if it didn’t infringe on my own work performance. Dude almost never comes to the building, and when he does, he tries to get everything done in one day. It’s inefficient as hell. While I’ve successfully plunged a toilet back in my day, I’m no Black Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, which usually leaves me at Randy’s mercy when things go haywire at home. On one occassion, my kitchen sink randomly started leaking. And while Randy promised to come take a look as soon as possible, I knew that could take days. So I rolled up my sleeves and aimlessly poked around under the sink, losing track of time and logging in a few minutes late for a Zoom meeting as a result. Ugh. (Speaking of video conferences, due to my apartment’s ancient infrastructure, we’re apparently not equipped to receive Fios service, which means our internet connectivity is more than seldom subpar. With the number of times I’ve been told I’m frozen on calls, you’d think I lived in Antarctica. Burr!) There are other obstacles that WFH has presented. Since my name is the first in my building’s intercom directory, I’m the default buzzer for delivery workers who are too lazy to find the appropriate resident receiving a package or food order. All due respect to delivery persons, but with an average of damn near four rings a day — for deliveries that are rarely my own — I just want to tell them to buzz off. Last but not least, my neighbors have replaced my former officemates as daily distractions of choice. An opera singer lives in the apartment directly below mine, which means her practice sessions can sound less like music and more like cries for help. There’s just so much drama in whatever she’s singing that on several occasions, while I’ve been speaking in a meeting, I’ve been concerned that my co-workers think a murder or violent sex is happening somewhere in my background. There are other offenders: the neighbor with a dog whose barks are so loud that you’d think it was living in my unit; the grunting fitness buff who racked up on free weights last year and slams them on the floor during workouts like he’s at the damn gym; the new parents across the hall whose bundle of joy gets to crying for hours at a time at approximately 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The list of grievances can go on, but honestly, I’m sure lots of folks have their own issues, whether tending to their own households during work hours or simply being thirsty for a change of scenery. My solution to the WFH woes has been to get an escape by popping out to a cafe for a few hours a couple of times a week. Because let’s be real — the true value in remote work isn’t necessarily the fact that it’s happening from your own residence; it’s that it’s not happening at the office. View the full article

Rather than unleashing a new multi-polar era, US retreat has left states scrapping for advantage in an ill-defined orderView the full article

It’s been a pretty wild year in the world of advertising and brand work. Amid broader industry shifts, there has been some incredible brand work created this year across many different platforms, film, experiences, and more. But as we bring 2025 to a close, I wanted to take a more targeted look at some of the best commercials of this year. I’ve tried to adhere to criteria that includes level of difficulty, creative inventiveness, risk, and sheer entertainment. Despite how much great work is out there, sadly, most advertising can be generously categorized as cultural wallpaper. But these select few pieces of brand weren’t a waste of time—they made me laugh, think, and, yes, crave a fast-casual margarita. Let’s dive in, shall we? Best Social Commentary Commercial for a Meat Australian Lamb “The Comments Section” What is it about Australian Lamb? And I’m not even talking about the meat. The Aussie meat producer marketer is making a habit of crafting hilarious social commentary while hyping the taste and quality of its young sheep. This year, it holds a mirror up to online culture and the absurdity of how people act in the comments compared to IRL. The results are simply delicious. Best Self-Aware AI Commercial That Absolutely No one Should Copy But Many Will Kalshi “The World’s Gone Mad” If you were watching the NBA playoffs when this ad aired, you’d be excused if you thought someone snuck some ‘shrooms in your beer glass. Unhinged doesn’t even begin to describe how the prediction market platform Kalshi went about introducing itself to the broader American public. Hilarious, wild, and an absolute AI-generated nightmare, the spot immediately grabbed attention, but also burned the bridge of shock-and-awe AI ads behind it. Any other spot that tries to use this approach will just be a copycat—see: McDonald’s now-pulled European holiday spot. I’m definitely not a fan of AI slop advertising, but here Kalshi sets the bar for AI as a creative ad gimmick. Bonus points here for the equally funny behind-the-scenes spot that quickly followed online. Best Reinterpretation of a Classic Tagline Nike “Why Do It?” When Walt Stack ran across the Golden Gate Bridge in Nike’s first commercial, “Just Do It” became the tagline and philosophy that propelled the swoosh to become an iconic global brand. Now almost 40 years later, Nike needed to remind a new generation what “Just Do It” actually means. Launched in September, the brand’s campaign was called “Why do it?”, and it took aim at the pervasiveness of cringe culture, which often frames earnest effort as uncool. “Those three words mean so much to us, but we can’t just be holier-than-thou about it,” Nike chief marketing officer Nicole Graham told me at the time. “We have to make sure that those three words are resonating with each generation.” Narrated by Tyler, the Creator, and starring a laundry list of star athletes, this was a stylish way to bridge the brand’s heritage as an iconic advertiser, with a modern message that shouldn’t get old. Best Blockbuster Video Game Commercial Battlefield 6 “Live Action Trailer” Created with agency Mother LA, the video game giant appears to be bringing Battlefield 6 squads to life with the help of Zac Efron, NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, chart topper Morgan Wallen, and MMA fighter Paddy Pimblett. It harkens back to the days when Call of Duty enlisted Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel (2010), or Jonah Hill and Avatar’s Sam Worthington (2012) to hype its new releases. Except the celebs in this spot only last for about three seconds. Set to Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” it quickly becomes clear that the game doesn’t need to rely on the celebrity of Efron, Butler, Wallen, and Pimblett, but its strength is actually in the community of everyday players that make it what it is. A clever play on a classic gaming trope to help launch a blockbuster. Best Meta Movie Marketing Award A24 “Marty Supreme zoom call” It’s 18 minutes long. Here we get Chalamet—sporting a bright yellow tank top, buzz cut, and dainty necklace—joining a Zoom call full of supposed studio marketing execs leading the prom campaign ahead of the film’s December 25th release. The star actor then gradually unloads an increasingly ridiculous list of ideas to market the film. As my colleague Grace Snelling wrote, it may be his best role yet. Absolute genius. Meta advertising in entertainment used to be the lone realm of Mr. Ryan Reynolds. Here, by lampooning entertainment marketing in a way that doesn’t give anything away about Marty Supreme, while still building curiosity and hype, A24 and Chalamet raise the bar. Best Brand Apology Award Ram Trucks “This is our Ram-demption” It can be surprisingly difficult for brands to admit they’ve made a mistake. It’s even harder to get them to actually apologize for it. Back in June, Ram Trucks did both shockingly well. In 2024, parent company Stellantis announced it would discontinue the automaker’s popular Hemi V-8 engine for its Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck beginning this summer, and fans were upset—to say the least. Sales dropped 18%. Created with the ad agency Argonaut, the apology spot was shot entirely with practical effects, and featured CEO Tim Kuniskis behind the wheel of the truck, doing doughnuts, drifting, and taking a few hot laps on a NASCAR track. Here he says, “We own it. We got it wrong. And we’re fixing it.” It’s a simple, textbook brand apology, creatively combined with the kind of pep talk aimed to get brand fans hyped for what’s next. New Sports Tradition We Didn’t Know We Needed Award Oscar Mayer “Wienie500” Part commercial, part sports event, this year Oscar Mayer redefined what was possible when you make a car in the shape of a hotdog. First created in 1936 as a promotional vehicle for the brand, the Wienermobile has seemingly always been part of the hotdog brand’s heritage. So the brand asked itself a simple question, why not race them? The Wienie500 raced five of the brand’s famed Wienermobiles against each other at the Indianapolis 500 in May. It streamed live on the Fox Sports app, getting 150 million total views; media coverage and social media attracted nearly seven billion earned impressions, and Oscar Mayer saw its biggest Memorial Day sales lift in years. Best New Country Song to Sell Margs Chili’s “Ride the ‘Dente” Word on the street is that Chili’s sells more margaritas than any other U.S. restaurant chain. In 2024, it sold more than 25 million margs. So when the brand was looking to connect with a NASCAR audience, it combined country music, margaritas, and some good ol’ fashioned hilarious copywriting to create an epic music video featuring its signature marg, the Presidente. The tune is catchy and the lyrics are remarkably transparent: Chili’s wanted to reintroduce the Presidente Margarita to a NASCAR audience But that was pretty complex, so we came up with a catchy line And it ends with, “I’m singing ‘bout Chili’s y’all.” It’s a lifestyle choice. Most Creative Use of a Billboard Steph Curry “Shot Ready” To promote the Golden State Warriors’ star’s new book Shot Ready, Curry and his publisher Random House enlisted agency Known to create what may go down as a pantheon billboard. Timed with three days of a November supermoon, the billboard makes it look like Curry is actually shooting the actual moon, as it crests over the Los Angeles skyline, in a perfect arc. So much of our world—and especially advertising—is digital, that billboards have become a welcome analog canvas for creativity. Bonus: They are still able to spread globally thanks to our social feeds. This joins BBC’s 2020 remake of Dracula, and the original Deadpool ‘s emoji as one of the most creative billboards in recent memory. Best Commercial That’s Also a Feature Doc That’s Also A Commercial WhatsApp “The Seat” Okay, okay, I’m cheating here a bit, I know. Brand entertainment is not technically a commercial. But WhatsApp is so embedded in this entire story that I can’t really help but make an exception. Back in May, Netflix debuted a new doc that chronicled Mercedes search for its new F1 driver after Lewis Hamilton announced he would be leaving for Ferrari. The one-hour doc was directed by Kyle Thrash, and produced by RadicalMedia, but it can also be considered an elaborate WhatsApp commercial. The Meta-owned app is a producer, and created the whole project with its content partner Modern Arts. With a budget similar to a 60-second ad,The Seat is the ultimate example of non-interruptive advertising that people actually want to watch. 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. The Backbone Pro mobile gaming controller is currently down to $134.99 from $169.99, its lowest price yet, according to price trackers. That drop helps justify its somewhat in-between status—it’s more expensive than basic clamp-on controllers but still cheaper than buying both a dedicated phone grip and a standalone Bluetooth gamepad. BACKBONE Pro Mobile Gaming Controller $134.99 at Amazon $169.99 Save $35.00 Get Deal Get Deal $134.99 at Amazon $169.99 Save $35.00 The appeal here is flexibility. The Backbone Pro snaps directly onto your phone through USB-C, but it can also work wirelessly over Bluetooth with a PC, tablet, or TV. That means one controller can live in your bag and handle quick mobile sessions, cloud gaming on a laptop, or couch gaming on a bigger screen without extra mounts or adapters. PCMag rated it “excellent,” which tracks with how polished it feels, though it’s not without trade-offs. In hand, the Backbone Pro feels noticeably better than the original Backbone One. The rounded grips and full-size analog sticks make longer sessions easier, especially for shooters or racing games where precision matters. The sticks are the same size as an Xbox controller’s and track movement reliably. Buttons are smaller than a full-size gamepad but clicky and well-spaced, which helps avoid accidental presses. Triggers are responsive, though their shorter pull takes some adjustment in games that rely on fine throttle control. That said, the controller lacks haptic motors, so there is no rumble feedback, which makes it feel a bit hollow compared to traditional console controllers. It is still solid and well-built, just not as weighty or immersive as something like a full-size gamepad. Where things get more complicated is the software. Plugging the Backbone Pro into a USB-C phone is simple, and it works with most Android phones and iPhone 15 and newer models, even large devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Wired mode gives you access to the Backbone app, where you can update firmware, remap buttons, and use the screenshot capture button. Many of the more appealing features, though, are locked behind the Backbone+ subscription, which costs $39.99 per year. That includes game launching, video capture, 1080p recording, Twitch streaming, or retro emulation for iPhone users. That’s a bit of a letdown considering the already steep price tag. Still, you’re getting a compact and dual-purpose controller that can travel with you, hook onto your phone, or connect wirelessly to just about anything that supports XInput. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $248.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $139.99 (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 — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Meta Quest 3 512GB Mixed Reality VR Headset with Controllers — $499.00 (List Price $499.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Oracle co-founder has agreed to backstop Paramount’s $108bn hostile bid personallyView the full article

Method is still used in some restaurants but campaigners say this ‘torture’ is avoidable View the full article

“Avatar: Fire and Ash” opened with $345 million in worldwide sales, according to studio estimates Sunday, notching the second-best global debut of the year and potentially putting James Cameron on course to set yet more blockbuster records. Sixteen years into the “Avatar” saga, Pandora is still abundant in box-office riches. “Fire and Ash,” the third film in Cameron’s science-fiction franchise, launched with $88 million domestically and $257 million internationally. The only film to open bigger in 2025 was “Zootopia 2” ($497.2 million over three days). In the coming weeks, “Fire and Ash” will have the significant benefit of the highly lucrative holiday moviegoing corridor. But there was a tad less fanfare to this “Avatar” film, coming three years after “Avatar: The Way of Water.” That film launched in 2022 with a massive $435 million globally and $134 million in North America. Domestically, “Fire and Ash” fell a hefty 35% from the previous installment. Reviews for “Fire and Ash” were also more mixed, scoring a series-low 68% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet those quibbles are only a product of the lofty standards of “Avatar.” The first two films rank as two of the three biggest box-office films of all time. To reach those heights, the “Avatar” films have depended on legs more than huge openings. “Avatar” (2009), opened with $77 million domestically but held the top spot for seven weeks. It ultimately grossed $2.92 billion worldwide. “The Way of Water” also held strong to eventually tally $2.3 billion globally. James CameronSuzy Amis Cameron “The openings are not what the ‘Avatar’ movies are about,” said David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter on box office numbers. “It’s what they do after they open that made them the no. 2 and no. 3 biggest films of all time.” For “Fire and Ash” to follow in those footsteps, it will need robust ticket sales to continue for weeks. Working in its favor so far: strong word-of-mouth. Audiences gave it an “A” CinemaScore. In interviews, Cameron has repeatedly said “Fire and Ash” needs to perform well for there to be subsequent “Avatar” films. (Four and five are already written but not greenlit.) These are exceptionally expensive movies to make. With a production budget of at least $400 million, “Fire and Ash” is one of the costliest movies ever made. “James Cameron is not known for his low budget movies,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore. “You can’t exactly create the world of Pandora on the cheap. If you’re going to have a 3D movie, an epic film that’s three hours and 17 minutes, it’s a huge buy-in of money, time, resources, and then you have to hope the audience wants to once again go along on that ride.” “Fire and Ash” was especially boosted by premium format showings, which accounted for 66% of its opening weekend. A narrow majority of moviegoers (56%) chose to watch it in 3D. The “Avatar” films have always been especially popular overseas. “Fire and Ash” was strongest in China, where its $57.6 million opening weekend surpassed the two previous movies. ‘David’ overperforms and ‘Marty Supreme’ sets a record “Fire and Ash” didn’t have the weekend entirely to itself. A trio of other new wide releases made it into theaters in hopes of offering some counterprogramming: Lionsgate’s “The Housemaid,” Angel Studios’ “David” and Paramount Pictures’ “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.” In the race for second place, “David” came out on top. The animated tale of David and Goliath collected $22 million from 3,118 theaters, notching the best opening weekend for Angel Studios, the Christian-oriented studio that emerged with 2023’s surprise hit “Sound of Freedom.” “The Housemaid,” Paul Feig’s twisty psychological thriller starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, opened with $19 million 3,015 theaters. The Lionsgate release, which cost about $35 million to make, is set up well to be one of the top R-rated options in theaters over the holidays. Based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel, it stars Sweeney as a woman with a troubled past who becomes a live-in maid for a wealthy family. Trailing the pack was “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” which collected $16 million from 3,557 theaters. The G-rated film, based on the Nickelodeon TV series, is the first “SpongeBob” theatrical movie since 2015’s “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.” All of this weekend’s new films will hope the ticket sales keep rolling in over the upcoming Christmas break. Starting Dec. 25, they’ll need to contend with some new wide releases, including A24’s “Marty Supreme,” with Timothée Chalamet; Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue,” with Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson; and Sony’s “Anaconda,” with Jack Black and Paul Rudd. Before expanding on Christmas, “Marty Supreme” opened in six theaters over the weekend, grossing $875,000 or $145,000 per theater. That was good enough for not only the best per-theater average of the year, but the best since 2016 and a new high mark for A24. The film, directed by Josh Safdie and starring Chalamet as an aspiring table tennis player in 1950s New York, is the most expensive ever for A24. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $88 million. “David,” $22 million. “The Housemaid,” $19 million. “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” $16 million. “Zootopia 2,” $14.5 million. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” $7.3 million. “Wicked: For Good,” $4.3 million. “Dhurandhar,” $2.5 million. “Marty Supreme,” $875,000. “Hamnet,” $850,000. —Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer View the full article

O btaining a business license in Texas involves several key steps customized to your specific business type and location. First, you’ll need to identify the licenses required for your operation, which can vary widely. Next, registering your business entity with the Secretary of State is essential, along with securing an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. If you’re selling taxable goods, don’t forget to apply for a sales and use tax permit. But that’s just the beginning; local municipalities often have additional requirements to take into account. Key Takeaways Determine the necessary licenses based on your business type and local regulations before starting the application process. Register your business entity with the Secretary of State if applicable, unless you are a sole proprietor. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for most business structures to facilitate tax reporting. Apply for a sales and use tax permit through the Texas Comptroller’s website if you will sell taxable goods or services. Check with local city or county authorities for any additional permits required for your specific business operations. Understanding Business Licenses in Texas When starting a business in Texas, you might wonder what licenses you’ll need to operate legally. Texas doesn’t require a general business license at the state level, but requirements vary based on your business type and local regulations. If you’re selling tangible goods or taxable services, you’ll likely need a sales and use tax permit. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships must file an Assumed Name Certificate if using a different name, but they don’t need to register with the Texas Secretary of State. Furthermore, certain industries, like food service, may require specific city licenses for business from local health departments. To guarantee compliance, consult the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for details on how to get a business license and where to get a business license. Types of Business Licenses Required Several types of business licenses may be required to operate legally in Texas, depending on the nature of your business activities. Additionally, Texas doesn’t have a general state-level business license; local municipalities may require specific licenses. Common types include sales and use tax permits, local health department permits for food service businesses, and specialized licenses for regulated industries like alcohol and firearms. If you’re running a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you won’t need to register with the Secretary of State, but you must obtain an Assumed Name Certificate for a different business name. Furthermore, if you’re considering an online business, check if you need a permit for online business. For those in Georgia, researching how to apply for a business license in GA is crucial, especially if you’re in areas like Atlanta GA. Steps to Apply for a Business License Comprehending the types of business licenses required is just the beginning; the next step is to navigate the application process. First, identify the licenses necessary for your specific business type and location. If you’re in Texas, register your business entity with the Secretary of State, except if you’re a sole proprietor. Then, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, needed for most business structures. If you plan to sell taxable goods, apply for a sales and use tax permit through the Texas Comptroller’s website. Finally, check with your local city or county for any additional permits. If you’re considering how to get a business license in GA or getting a business license in another state, the steps may vary. Costs Associated With Business Licenses Comprehending the costs associated with obtaining a business license is vital for any entrepreneur. In Texas, these costs can range from $15 to $1,000, influenced by the type of license and industry risks. Although there’s no general state-level requirement, local licenses may have various fees based on municipal regulations. If you’re forming an LLC or corporation, expect to pay $300 by mail or $310 online, separate from local business license costs. Furthermore, specific activities, like food service or health permits, could incur extra fees. Remember, timely renewal of business licenses is important, typically involving a base fee of $110, plus any other filing costs. Grasping these factors helps when asking, “how do I obtain a business license?” Licensing Considerations for Online Businesses When starting an online business in Texas, comprehension of the licensing requirements is crucial to avoid legal complications down the road. You’ll need to obtain a sales and use tax permit if you sell tangible goods or taxable services, which you can apply for online through the Texas Comptroller‘s website. If you’re operating from another state, you might wonder, “Does my GA business licensure work in Georgia?” You’ll need to check Texas regulations. In addition, consider federal licensing if you’re in regulated industries. Research local laws, as they may vary, and keep in mind that obtaining your business license number can take time. Consulting with a legal expert can help clarify these requirements and streamline your process, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations. Frequently Asked Questions What License Is Best for a Small Business? The best license for your small business largely depends on your industry and location. If you’re selling goods, you’ll likely need a Sales and Use Tax Permit. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships don’t need a general business license but must file an Assumed Name Certificate if using a different name. If you want to protect personal assets, consider forming an LLC, which requires filing a Certificate of Formation with the state. Always check local requirements. Conclusion In conclusion, obtaining a business license in Texas involves identifying the necessary licenses based on your business type and location, registering your entity, and applying for permits as needed. It’s crucial to understand local regulations and any additional requirements that may apply to your specific situation. By following these steps and staying informed about compliance, you can guarantee that your business operates legally and efficiently. Take the time to research and complete all necessary paperwork to avoid future complications. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How Do You Obtain a Business License?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

O btaining a business license in Texas involves several key steps customized to your specific business type and location. First, you’ll need to identify the licenses required for your operation, which can vary widely. Next, registering your business entity with the Secretary of State is essential, along with securing an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. If you’re selling taxable goods, don’t forget to apply for a sales and use tax permit. But that’s just the beginning; local municipalities often have additional requirements to take into account. Key Takeaways Determine the necessary licenses based on your business type and local regulations before starting the application process. Register your business entity with the Secretary of State if applicable, unless you are a sole proprietor. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for most business structures to facilitate tax reporting. Apply for a sales and use tax permit through the Texas Comptroller’s website if you will sell taxable goods or services. Check with local city or county authorities for any additional permits required for your specific business operations. Understanding Business Licenses in Texas When starting a business in Texas, you might wonder what licenses you’ll need to operate legally. Texas doesn’t require a general business license at the state level, but requirements vary based on your business type and local regulations. If you’re selling tangible goods or taxable services, you’ll likely need a sales and use tax permit. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships must file an Assumed Name Certificate if using a different name, but they don’t need to register with the Texas Secretary of State. Furthermore, certain industries, like food service, may require specific city licenses for business from local health departments. To guarantee compliance, consult the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for details on how to get a business license and where to get a business license. Types of Business Licenses Required Several types of business licenses may be required to operate legally in Texas, depending on the nature of your business activities. Additionally, Texas doesn’t have a general state-level business license; local municipalities may require specific licenses. Common types include sales and use tax permits, local health department permits for food service businesses, and specialized licenses for regulated industries like alcohol and firearms. If you’re running a sole proprietorship or general partnership, you won’t need to register with the Secretary of State, but you must obtain an Assumed Name Certificate for a different business name. Furthermore, if you’re considering an online business, check if you need a permit for online business. For those in Georgia, researching how to apply for a business license in GA is crucial, especially if you’re in areas like Atlanta GA. Steps to Apply for a Business License Comprehending the types of business licenses required is just the beginning; the next step is to navigate the application process. First, identify the licenses necessary for your specific business type and location. If you’re in Texas, register your business entity with the Secretary of State, except if you’re a sole proprietor. Then, obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS, needed for most business structures. If you plan to sell taxable goods, apply for a sales and use tax permit through the Texas Comptroller’s website. Finally, check with your local city or county for any additional permits. If you’re considering how to get a business license in GA or getting a business license in another state, the steps may vary. Costs Associated With Business Licenses Comprehending the costs associated with obtaining a business license is vital for any entrepreneur. In Texas, these costs can range from $15 to $1,000, influenced by the type of license and industry risks. Although there’s no general state-level requirement, local licenses may have various fees based on municipal regulations. If you’re forming an LLC or corporation, expect to pay $300 by mail or $310 online, separate from local business license costs. Furthermore, specific activities, like food service or health permits, could incur extra fees. Remember, timely renewal of business licenses is important, typically involving a base fee of $110, plus any other filing costs. Grasping these factors helps when asking, “how do I obtain a business license?” Licensing Considerations for Online Businesses When starting an online business in Texas, comprehension of the licensing requirements is crucial to avoid legal complications down the road. You’ll need to obtain a sales and use tax permit if you sell tangible goods or taxable services, which you can apply for online through the Texas Comptroller‘s website. If you’re operating from another state, you might wonder, “Does my GA business licensure work in Georgia?” You’ll need to check Texas regulations. In addition, consider federal licensing if you’re in regulated industries. Research local laws, as they may vary, and keep in mind that obtaining your business license number can take time. Consulting with a legal expert can help clarify these requirements and streamline your process, ensuring compliance with all necessary regulations. Frequently Asked Questions What License Is Best for a Small Business? The best license for your small business largely depends on your industry and location. If you’re selling goods, you’ll likely need a Sales and Use Tax Permit. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships don’t need a general business license but must file an Assumed Name Certificate if using a different name. If you want to protect personal assets, consider forming an LLC, which requires filing a Certificate of Formation with the state. Always check local requirements. Conclusion In conclusion, obtaining a business license in Texas involves identifying the necessary licenses based on your business type and location, registering your entity, and applying for permits as needed. It’s crucial to understand local regulations and any additional requirements that may apply to your specific situation. By following these steps and staying informed about compliance, you can guarantee that your business operates legally and efficiently. Take the time to research and complete all necessary paperwork to avoid future complications. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How Do You Obtain a Business License?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Managing your inbox is a never-ending task, which is why we should seek to simplify it as much as possible. When emails pile up, you start overthinking what you need to do—I know I do, anyway. But if you pare down your options to the most basic and straightforward ones, it'll help ease your decision paralysis and keep you on top of things. That's what the "four Ds," or the 4D method, does. It’s easy to remember and easy to implement, which makes it helpful for anyone who has a pile of emails to contend with every day. Here’s how to follow it. What is the 4D method of inbox management?This method of managing your overflowing inbox has been around quite a while and rests on quick decision-making to help you easily weed through it all. Time-tested, it works—but only if you get what you’re supposed to do. 4D stands for, obviously, four “D” words: Delete the email Do what the email says Delegate what the email wants you to do Defer it Those are easy to remember and, once you get the hang of calling them to mind, easy to do. Proponents of the method, like Aleksandra Brzeska, business development manager at XTRF Translation Management System, say this works as long as you adhere to it. Here’s how to put it in action. How to use the 4D method of inbox management4D is similar to the one-touch rule. In fact, it relies on it, but takes it a step further. When using the one-touch rule, you make a decision about the email as soon as you open it up, but with that one, your focus is simply opening it the moment it comes in. For these techniques to work, you have to be opening every email, or at least looking at it and identifying from the subject line whether it’s worth opening. So, first things first, you’ll need to designate a time every day to sort through all your communications. Use timeboxing to block out time every morning, for example, to get this done. Make email management a core part of your daily to-do list when you use a method like the 3-3-3 list. When it’s time to go through your messages every day, set out to make a choice about each one, referring to the four options above. If it’s irrelevant, spam, or won’t ever require a follow-up, delete it. If it calls for a task that is doable right now, you’re responsible, and/or it’s pretty urgent, just do it. If it’s a less urgent task for someone else in your department or could be handled by another person without overloading them, delegate it and forward it their way. If it’s something that could or should be handled in the near future but doesn’t require immediate action, defer it by archiving it, putting it in a folder, or starring it. When this is done, go back through once more and archive or delete anything that’s now been done or delegated, clearing out your inbox for the next wave of messages. The benefit of using this method is that it makes decision-making simple, quick, and actionable, plus keeps your inbox low or close to zero. Removing unnecessary choices or procrastination streamlines the process and keeps you moving in just one of four ways, ensuring everything gets done or removed from your plate. View the full article

Power was restored Sunday to the bulk of the 130,000 homes and businesses in San Francisco impacted by a massive outage a day earlier that caused major disruptions in the city. About 17,000 customers remained without power as of noon Sunday, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said. PG&E said earlier its crews were working to restore electricity in several neighborhoods and small areas of downtown San Francisco following Saturday’s outage. PG&E in a statement said it expects to restore power to remaining customers no later than 2 p.m. Monday. “The damage from the fire in our substation was significant and extensive, and the repairs and safe restoration will be complex,” the utility said, referring to the substation at 8th and Mission streets. That fire has been blamed for some of the blackouts. The outage remains under investigation. PG&E said it mobilized additional engineers and electricians to help with restoration efforts. “This is a very complex work plan and will require the highest amount of safety focus to ensure safe work actions,” PG&E said. No injuries have been reported. The outage, which occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on Saturday, left a large swath of the northern part of the city without power that began to grow in size. At its peak, the outage represented roughly one-third of the utility company’s customers in the city. At about 4 p.m. on Saturday, PG&E posted on X that it had stabilized the grid and no further outages were expected. Social media posts and local media reported mass closures of restaurants and shops and darkened street lights and Christmas decorations on Saturday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said on X there were “significant transit disruptions” happening citywide and urged residents to avoid nonessential travel and treat down traffic signals as four-way stops. Waymo, the operator of driverless ride-hailing vehicles, suspended its services. At least one video posted on social media appeared to show a Waymo vehicle stopped in the middle of an intersection. —Jaimie Ding and Susan Haigh, Associated Press View the full article

Shares in Rocket Lab Corp were heading for their second day of gains on Monday after the aerospace manufacturer was named as one of four companies that will build tracking satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA). The stock (Nasdaq: RKLB) was up more than 4% in premarket trading on Monday as of this writing. That’s in addition to a jump of 17% on Friday when the news was announced. Share are now trading at record highs. What did the Space Development Agency announce? The SDA, a unit of the United States Space Force, said on Friday that it awarded four companies with contracts to build 72 satellites—or 18 apiece—with the aim of expanding missile tracking and defense systems. The total value of the award is $3.5 billion. In addition to Rocket Lab, the SDA also named Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies. The constellation of satellites is expected to launch in 2029. Long Beach California-based Rocket Lab has been gaining more attention recently for its Electron orbital rocket, which is lighter than the heavier vehicles manufactured by rivals SpaceX and Blue Origin. As Fast Company previously reported, the Electron’s lightweight nature gives it an edge in certain complex missions where precision and speed are prioritized. A head-turning market rebound After going public during the ill-fated SPAC craze of 2021, Rocket Lab stock struggled to rise above $10 a share. It limped along for well over three years. But the stock has really broken out this year as excitement has grown around satellite buildouts and Rocket Lab executed successful launches for companies like Kinéis, a French operator of internet-of-things satellites. For its third-quarter financial results released last month, Rocket Lab reported record revenue of $155 million and said it had secured a record 17 Electron launch contracts. The company reported a net loss of $18.3 million for the second quarter, much narrower than the $52 million net loss it reported a year earlier. As of Friday, Rocket Lab’s stock was up more than 182% year to date and was trading at $70.52 a share. View the full article

For as useful as emails are, they sure have a way of hampering productivity. Not only do endless emails bog you down and keep you stuck in a loop of endless replies, but the stress of even having to wade through both the important messages and the junk is enough to make you avoid your inbox altogether. There's a reason "answer emails" is always the example I use for a tedious-but-important task when I'm explaining more complicated, detailed productivity techniques. But there are smaller techniques you can apply directly to email management, too. To stay on top of your work, school, and personal correspondence, you need a productivity plan, but it doesn't have to be intense: You can try the simple “touch” rules of inbox management. The one-touch ruleStart reframing how you think of every email you get and consider them each an immediate priority. Crucially, I only mean the email itself is a priority; if you think too hard about this, you'll get overwhelmed fast. You don’t have to do whatever task is outlined in it the moment it arrives, but you do have to open it. The “one-touch” rule is similar to the “two-minute” rule of productivity in that way: A task that takes less than two minutes to complete should be done right away. Open the email, respond to it, and either delete or archive it, depending on if you’ll need it later. If it requires no response, even better. This method works best for people who get a lot of emails that aren’t necessary to respond to, like all-staff updates. The goal is to touch it once instead of coming back to it repeatedly and deliberating if and when you’ll respond or deal with it or instead of procrastinating, never opening it, and being unaware of its contents (or even existence) when you actually need to know what it said. Open it, take in the information, send feedback if necessary, and be done with it. The two-touch ruleIf you tend to have a lot of emails that need a response and the one-touch rule isn't working well, you can move on to a “two-touch” method to clear your mind and be more productive. On the first touch of the email, decide if you need to respond to it right away (making it one-touch) or it’s something that can or should be responded to later in the week. Use your email service’s flagging or snoozing functions to categorize it, so it is available to you easily when you’re ready to respond. Your first touch is still opening it right away—that’s key. Letting emails pile up is overwhelming, but opening them right away will help you maintain peace in your inbox. Designating a specific time to respond to non-urgent messages will also free you up to be more productive, as you’ll know you’ll get it done and won’t feel it weighing on you. Make sure you schedule time into your week to circle back on the flagged emails. Try building a 3-3-3 list to manage your to-dos, designating one of your three medium-sized or small tasks to opening all those saved messages. View the full article

Shares in Rocket Lab Corp were heading for their second day of gains on Monday after the aerospace manufacturer was named as one of four companies that will build tracking satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA). The stock (Nasdaq: RKLB) was up more than 4% in premarket trading on Monday as of this writing. That’s in addition to a jump of 17% on Friday when the news was announced. Share are now trading at record highs. What did the Space Development Agency announce? The SDA, a unit of the United States Space Force, said on Friday that it awarded four companies with contracts to build 72 satellites—or 18 apiece—with the aim of expanding missile tracking and defense systems. The total value of the award is $3.5 billion. In addition to Rocket Lab, the SDA also named Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris Technologies. The constellation of satellites is expected to launch in 2029. Long Beach California-based Rocket Lab has been gaining more attention recently for its Electron orbital rocket, which is lighter than the heavier vehicles manufactured by rivals SpaceX and Blue Origin. As Fast Company previously reported, the Electron’s lightweight nature gives it an edge in certain complex missions where precision and speed are prioritized. A stunning market rebound After going public during the ill-fated SPAC craze of 2021, Rocket Lab stock struggled to rise above $10 a share. It limped along for well over three years. But the stock has really broken out this year as excitement has grown around satellite buildouts and Rocket Lab executed successful launches for companies like Kinéis, a French operator of internet-of-things satellites As of Friday, Rocket Lab’s stock was up more than 182% year to date and was trading at $70.52 a share. View the full article

AI has been both a blessing and a curse for small businesses. Cheaper technology means that more minor players can level up their competitiveness without having to scale rapidly, but the technology’s reliance on data raises a host of concerns about privacy. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The news these days is dominated by stories of data breaches that erode trust and force organizations to take drastic action to prevent further harm. More data is emerging that small businesses are successfully navigating the tightrope between embracing exciting new technology and approaching a mystifying piece of AI with caution. Earlier this year, Zoho partnered with Michael Fauscette and Arion Research to conduct a global privacy and AI survey titled, The AI Privacy Equation — Balancing Innovation with Protection in the Modern Enterprise. The study spoke to 4,782 global business professionals, 47% of which are small or medium sized businesses. Plus, 33% of the companies surveyed have less than 100 employees. The results of this survey, published in September, paint a mixed but ultimately optimistic picture of how small businesses are wading into unknown privacy terrain. Ultimately, they understand the privacy risks presented by AI and have taken steps to get out ahead of them—and as the survey says, those companies who appropriately emphasize privacy are poised to create sustainable competitive advantages. Here are some factoids from the survey and what they mean for small businesses: “When examining organizational privacy concerns, customer data breaches dominate at 40.8% of top-ranked responses.” As the study lays out, “This primary focus reflects the reality that customer data breaches carry the highest potential for reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and business disruption. Organizations understand that customer trust forms the foundation of business relationships, making customer data protection the highest privacy priority.” While larger businesses can try to perform damage control when a data privacy issue arises, small businesses do not share that luxury. Their resources are stretched too thin and the competition for customer attention to begin with is far too fierce. News of an issue can proliferate quickly and ground a small business that would otherwise have launched. Rather than act reactively, it’s up to small business owners to proactively get ahead of privacy concerns before they become even remotely a reality. This process starts by codifying a stance on data privacy to be published on the company’s website and shared far-and-wide. Once this is in place, prospective customers will be able to compare it against those of other companies when they’re conducting exploratory research, meaning that these privacy policies will become competitive differentiators. It’s far easier for a small businesses to stake a claim in data privacy than, say, promising a gargantuan customer service team or the latest flashy pieces of technology. It’s also up to small businesses to address the other two major concerns identified by the privacy survey: employee privacy (18.6%) and regulatory compliance (14.6%). Luckily, the approach doesn’t have to be all that different. By developing data privacy policies for their customers and posting these policies online, small businesses will demonstrate to employees that they take data privacy seriously (perhaps even include employees in the creation of privacy policies) and provide a framework upon which to build mechanisms to maintain compliance. “Rather than weakening privacy protection, 41.3% of organizations report significantly strengthening privacy measures since implementing AI technologies, with an additional 25.5% somewhat strengthening their privacy approaches.” It may seem counterintuitive at first that greater AI adoption would lead to stronger privacy measures. After all, much of the chatter around privacy has to do with how AI has added much complexity to the privacy formula, as understanding of the technology is sparse and regulations or governance is even sparser. But as the survey highlights, the process of implementing AI requires companies to take a deep look at their inner workings best practices. These have to be fully fleshed out so they can be articulated to an AI’s large language model (LLM), thus ensuring new AI technology works within the proper contexts to best serve the business. Often in the hustle-bustle of trying to simply keep the lights on, small businesses will forego formalizing certain processes and continue business as usual, thinking the time will come later when big-picture reflection makes the most sense. AI implementation forces that sort of thinking in the more immediate future. It’s heartening to see that companies are increasing their AI knowledge along with the rise of that technology. According to the study, 37.2% of the companies surveyed strongly agree (5 out of 5) that they clearly understand the privacy implications of their AI systems, while 33.9% said they mostly agree, rating it 4 out of 5. This demonstrates that companies are confident in their ability to venture into unknown territory rather than view AI privacy as an insurmountable challenge.To succeed moving forward, small businesses have to meet this challenge head-on. A wealth of analytics and data help with these endeavors by supplying information about each step of a company’s workflow, particularly when analyzing risk. For example, according to the study, businesses correctly identified recording customer calls, training AI models on customer interactions, and remote work were three facets of a business that carried the highest privacy risks. Analytics focused on those three areas of operations will ensure that privacy efforts remain targeted for maximum effect, shoring up critical points where exposure may occur. “Organizations face three primary barriers to successful AI implementation — privacy and security concerns (37.2%), lack of technical expertise (36.6%), and cost concerns (32.3%).” Not surprisingly, the second and third most prominent blockers of a company’s AI implementation are skills gaps and high costs. But what’s a bit surprising, and heartening, is that the leading cause of pause is related to security and privacy. This indicates that companies are, rightfully, taking these topics seriously. As previously discussed, it’s unlikely that a small business will be able to avoid AI altogether. This means that these companies must begin focusing on upskilling their employees if they haven’t already. These folks need to learn how to get the maximum benefit from AI tools and how to interpret its output to make more informed business decisions. Fittingly, the survey found that companies are prioritizing data analysis and interpretation skills (55.7%), AI literacy and understanding (47.1%), and prompt engineering capabilities (39.6%) within their workforce development initiatives. The emphasis on data analysis skills shows that AI effectiveness requires high-quality data management and interpretation capabilities. Organizations willing to invest in these foundational skills create sustainable competitive advantages in AI implementation. Small businesses would be forgiven if they felt that the above level of technical knowledge far exceeded the demands they place on their employees. But given the rapid reimagining of almost every competitive landscape, it’s always helpful for companies to learn more about what they don’t already know in order to minimize surprise disruptions. Even a survey lesson on interfacing with AI can ease the transition to new technology down the road. In conclusion The AI Privacy Equation global survey offers many more encouraging data points. It demonstrates that all businesses need to focus on privacy, not just enterprise organizations. Companies of all sizes understand that AI is a powerful tool when used ethically and sustainably, and the risks of getting it wrong are simply too high. Ultimately, what small businesses should take away from this survey is that AI privacy is not something that can be solved in one fell swoop. Instead, companies should continue to adapt as the landscape changes around them. The survey suggests that organizations are willing to tackle this challenge head-on and understand the proper investments to make along the way—prioritizing people, processes, and governance structures to ensure AI finds its footing without becoming too invasive. As with most things, patience is also a virtue to AI privacy. This article, "AI Privacy Remains an Ongoing Priority, Even for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

AI has been both a blessing and a curse for small businesses. Cheaper technology means that more minor players can level up their competitiveness without having to scale rapidly, but the technology’s reliance on data raises a host of concerns about privacy. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The news these days is dominated by stories of data breaches that erode trust and force organizations to take drastic action to prevent further harm. More data is emerging that small businesses are successfully navigating the tightrope between embracing exciting new technology and approaching a mystifying piece of AI with caution. Earlier this year, Zoho partnered with Michael Fauscette and Arion Research to conduct a global privacy and AI survey titled, The AI Privacy Equation — Balancing Innovation with Protection in the Modern Enterprise. The study spoke to 4,782 global business professionals, 47% of which are small or medium sized businesses. Plus, 33% of the companies surveyed have less than 100 employees. The results of this survey, published in September, paint a mixed but ultimately optimistic picture of how small businesses are wading into unknown privacy terrain. Ultimately, they understand the privacy risks presented by AI and have taken steps to get out ahead of them—and as the survey says, those companies who appropriately emphasize privacy are poised to create sustainable competitive advantages. Here are some factoids from the survey and what they mean for small businesses: “When examining organizational privacy concerns, customer data breaches dominate at 40.8% of top-ranked responses.” As the study lays out, “This primary focus reflects the reality that customer data breaches carry the highest potential for reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and business disruption. Organizations understand that customer trust forms the foundation of business relationships, making customer data protection the highest privacy priority.” While larger businesses can try to perform damage control when a data privacy issue arises, small businesses do not share that luxury. Their resources are stretched too thin and the competition for customer attention to begin with is far too fierce. News of an issue can proliferate quickly and ground a small business that would otherwise have launched. Rather than act reactively, it’s up to small business owners to proactively get ahead of privacy concerns before they become even remotely a reality. This process starts by codifying a stance on data privacy to be published on the company’s website and shared far-and-wide. Once this is in place, prospective customers will be able to compare it against those of other companies when they’re conducting exploratory research, meaning that these privacy policies will become competitive differentiators. It’s far easier for a small businesses to stake a claim in data privacy than, say, promising a gargantuan customer service team or the latest flashy pieces of technology. It’s also up to small businesses to address the other two major concerns identified by the privacy survey: employee privacy (18.6%) and regulatory compliance (14.6%). Luckily, the approach doesn’t have to be all that different. By developing data privacy policies for their customers and posting these policies online, small businesses will demonstrate to employees that they take data privacy seriously (perhaps even include employees in the creation of privacy policies) and provide a framework upon which to build mechanisms to maintain compliance. “Rather than weakening privacy protection, 41.3% of organizations report significantly strengthening privacy measures since implementing AI technologies, with an additional 25.5% somewhat strengthening their privacy approaches.” It may seem counterintuitive at first that greater AI adoption would lead to stronger privacy measures. After all, much of the chatter around privacy has to do with how AI has added much complexity to the privacy formula, as understanding of the technology is sparse and regulations or governance is even sparser. But as the survey highlights, the process of implementing AI requires companies to take a deep look at their inner workings best practices. These have to be fully fleshed out so they can be articulated to an AI’s large language model (LLM), thus ensuring new AI technology works within the proper contexts to best serve the business. Often in the hustle-bustle of trying to simply keep the lights on, small businesses will forego formalizing certain processes and continue business as usual, thinking the time will come later when big-picture reflection makes the most sense. AI implementation forces that sort of thinking in the more immediate future. It’s heartening to see that companies are increasing their AI knowledge along with the rise of that technology. According to the study, 37.2% of the companies surveyed strongly agree (5 out of 5) that they clearly understand the privacy implications of their AI systems, while 33.9% said they mostly agree, rating it 4 out of 5. This demonstrates that companies are confident in their ability to venture into unknown territory rather than view AI privacy as an insurmountable challenge.To succeed moving forward, small businesses have to meet this challenge head-on. A wealth of analytics and data help with these endeavors by supplying information about each step of a company’s workflow, particularly when analyzing risk. For example, according to the study, businesses correctly identified recording customer calls, training AI models on customer interactions, and remote work were three facets of a business that carried the highest privacy risks. Analytics focused on those three areas of operations will ensure that privacy efforts remain targeted for maximum effect, shoring up critical points where exposure may occur. “Organizations face three primary barriers to successful AI implementation — privacy and security concerns (37.2%), lack of technical expertise (36.6%), and cost concerns (32.3%).” Not surprisingly, the second and third most prominent blockers of a company’s AI implementation are skills gaps and high costs. But what’s a bit surprising, and heartening, is that the leading cause of pause is related to security and privacy. This indicates that companies are, rightfully, taking these topics seriously. As previously discussed, it’s unlikely that a small business will be able to avoid AI altogether. This means that these companies must begin focusing on upskilling their employees if they haven’t already. These folks need to learn how to get the maximum benefit from AI tools and how to interpret its output to make more informed business decisions. Fittingly, the survey found that companies are prioritizing data analysis and interpretation skills (55.7%), AI literacy and understanding (47.1%), and prompt engineering capabilities (39.6%) within their workforce development initiatives. The emphasis on data analysis skills shows that AI effectiveness requires high-quality data management and interpretation capabilities. Organizations willing to invest in these foundational skills create sustainable competitive advantages in AI implementation. Small businesses would be forgiven if they felt that the above level of technical knowledge far exceeded the demands they place on their employees. But given the rapid reimagining of almost every competitive landscape, it’s always helpful for companies to learn more about what they don’t already know in order to minimize surprise disruptions. Even a survey lesson on interfacing with AI can ease the transition to new technology down the road. In conclusion The AI Privacy Equation global survey offers many more encouraging data points. It demonstrates that all businesses need to focus on privacy, not just enterprise organizations. Companies of all sizes understand that AI is a powerful tool when used ethically and sustainably, and the risks of getting it wrong are simply too high. Ultimately, what small businesses should take away from this survey is that AI privacy is not something that can be solved in one fell swoop. Instead, companies should continue to adapt as the landscape changes around them. The survey suggests that organizations are willing to tackle this challenge head-on and understand the proper investments to make along the way—prioritizing people, processes, and governance structures to ensure AI finds its footing without becoming too invasive. As with most things, patience is also a virtue to AI privacy. This article, "AI Privacy Remains an Ongoing Priority, Even for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. From technological advances and geopolitical changes to workplace culture shifts and market pressures, 2025 has been a year of change, uncertainty, and disruption. I’m Gwen Moran, and for nearly three years as Modern CEO’s editor, I’ve had a front-row seat as Mansueto Ventures CEO and Chief Content Officer Stephanie Mehta talks to business leaders and experts to help CEOs navigate the modern world. Every year, I recap some of the key insights from a year of interviews with the array of leaders featured in the newsletter. Here are four themes that we saw repeatedly in 2025. Uncertainty and change were everywhere Leaders faced nearly constant change—and more than a few curveballs—this year. When E.l.f. Beauty CEO Tarang Amin was named inaugural Modern CEO of the Year near the end of 2024, little did he know that tariffs, blowback over an influencer scandal, and attacks on the diversity efforts that E.l.f. champions were awaiting him in the coming months. When we asked CEOs to share their thoughts on leading during times of great uncertainty, we got responses representing industries from architecture to pharmaceuticals. Some of the changes we saw this year will have lasting ripple effects. Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman talked about closing one of the world’s largest and most well-known philanthropies over the next two decades. What had become an annual check-in with former SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley was canceled after she and the company parted ways, leaving TIAA’s Thasunda Brown Duckett as the only Black woman currently leading a Fortune 500 company. AI still dominates the conversation One of the most pressing mandates many CEOs face is figuring out how to realize the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). And they were forthcoming about their opportunities and challenges this year. Weber Shandwick CEO Jim O’Leary discussed how his firm’s multifaceted AI use is giving him back what most leaders value most: time. O’Leary estimates that AI saves him one to two hours per day. This spring, Workday CEO Carl Eschenbach said the quiet part out loud when he discussed how his company made head count cuts to invest in AI. Then, during the summer, seven leading C-level execs gave us a peek at how they are using AI to do their own jobs. Regardless of their path, leaders don’t succeed in a bubble This year’s reporting showed us that there are many paths to the CEO’s office, from intern to chief financial officer—and even a comeback story as former Beautycounter CEO Gregg Renfrew took the reins at her new beauty company, Counter. Despite their different backgrounds, they have one thing in common: They need great people around them to succeed. Leaders shared insights about performance management, the importance of strategic partnerships, the challenges of keeping CEOs safe, and what happens next in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Additionally, one of our top-performing pieces was about how boards need to focus more on their No. 1 job: succession planning. Creativity and community fuel growth Modern CEO dropped dispatches from Cannes Lions in June. It was clear that this “Festival of Creativity” has grown into an important event for CEOs. As Shelley Zalis, founder and CEO of the Female Quotient, a community of women in business, put it: “Any CEO who wants to grow, innovate, and stay culturally relevant will benefit from being here.” The importance of creativity is a message AKQA Global CEO Baiju Shah discusses with the next-generation business leaders he teaches at Northwestern University. He believes that a fusion of technology and creativity is essential for businesses, especially in the age of AI. Another recurring theme in this year’s coverage was “community.” Cult brand co-CEO AJ Kumaran, who heads chicken chain Raising Cane’s, attributes his company’s success to a rigorous focus on its community. And your community includes your team, too: WorkJam CEO Steven Kramer explained how enlisting the wisdom of frontline workers can help you find market insights and solutions. What lessons did you take away from Modern CEO in 2025? Were there issues of Modern CEO that helped you or gave you something to think about this year? We’d love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in an email message to stephaniemehta@mansueto.com. Read more: other Modern CEO highlights Conscious capitalism isn’t dead Why your company’s next CEO might be a multi-hyphenate Modern CEO readers share their thoughts on top leaders View the full article