ResidentialBusiness

When considering how much business tax you’ll pay, it’s vital to comprehend your business structure and income level. C corporations face a flat federal tax rate of 21%, whereas pass-through entities, like sole proprietorships and S corporations, are taxed at individual rates of 10% to 37%. Additionally, state tax rates can complicate matters further. Grasping these variables is important, especially when exploring strategies that could minimize your tax burden. What details might surprise you? Key Takeaways C corporations face a flat federal tax rate of 21% on taxable income. Pass-through entities are taxed at individual income tax rates ranging from 10% to 37%. Eligible owners of pass-through entities can utilize the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction. Payroll taxes total 15.3%, with employers matching employee contributions for Social Security and Medicare. State income tax rates vary widely, impacting overall business tax liability significantly. Understanding Business Tax Structures When you start a business, grasp of the tax structure that applies to your entity type is fundamental, as it greatly influences your tax obligations. Various tax structures exist, impacting how much business tax you’ll pay. If you choose a C corporation, you’ll face a flat federal tax rate of 21%. Conversely, pass-through entities like sole proprietorships and S corporations are taxed based on individual income tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 37% for 2025. This distinction also affects your self-employment tax amount. As an independent contractor, you’ll need to take into account the independent contractor tax rate, which can vary depending on your overall income. Furthermore, pass-through entity owners may qualify for the Qualified Business Income deduction, allowing a 20% deduction of eligible income. Grasping these structures is vital for budgeting your tax obligations effectively. Federal Income Tax Rates for Businesses Regarding federal income tax rates for businesses, comprehending the differences between C corporations and pass-through entities is vital. C corporations face a flat tax rate of 21% on their taxable income, whereas pass-through entities like sole proprietorships and LLCs are taxed at individual rates that range from 10% to 37%, depending on the owner’s overall income. Furthermore, for eligible pass-through owners, the Qualified Business Income deduction allows for a significant tax reduction, making it important to grasp these distinctions for effective tax planning. Tax Rates Overview Comprehending federal income tax rates for businesses is crucial, as these rates significantly affect how much tax you owe based on your business structure. If you operate a C corporation, you’ll face a flat federal income tax rate of 21% on your taxable income, which is your total revenue minus allowable expenses. Conversely, pass-through entities like sole proprietorships and LLCs are taxed at individual income tax rates ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on your personal income. For 2025, business income from pass-through entities will be included in your taxable income and taxed accordingly. Furthermore, the Qualified Business Income deduction lets eligible owners deduct up to 20% of their business income. Consider using an ss withholding calculator to estimate your tax obligations accurately. Corporate vs. Pass-Through Comprehending the differences between corporate and pass-through tax structures is essential for business owners as it directly impacts their tax obligations. C corporations face a flat 21% federal income tax rate on taxable income, which is determined by deducting allowable business expenses from total revenue. On the other hand, they also experience double taxation, as dividends distributed to shareholders are taxed again at the individual level. Conversely, pass-through entities like sole proprietorships and partnerships avoid corporate taxes entirely; instead, their income is taxed at individual rates ranging from 10% to 37%. Furthermore, eligible owners of pass-through entities can benefit from the Qualified Business Income deduction, allowing up to a 20% deduction on their business income, subject to specific limitations. State Income Tax Considerations Grasping state income tax considerations is crucial for small business owners, as these taxes can greatly affect your overall financial obligations. State income tax rates vary considerably; some states, like Nevada and South Dakota, impose rates as low as 0%, whereas others, such as California and New Jersey, can reach as high as 13.30%. If you operate a pass-through entity, your business income is taxed at your individual income tax rate, which likewise falls within that range. In 2025, 44 states levy corporate income taxes on C corporations, with rates from 2.25% in North Carolina to 11.5% in New Jersey. Some states, like Ohio and Texas, use gross receipts taxes instead of traditional corporate taxes, altering your tax calculations. Furthermore, potential deductions and credits vary by state, impacting your overall tax liability. Comprehending these factors can help you make informed financial decisions for your business. Sales and Use Taxes Explained Comprehending sales and use taxes is fundamental for managing your business’s financial health. Sales tax is a percentage added to the sale of taxable goods and services, which you must collect from customers. Rates vary by state; for example, California‘s base rate is 7.25%, whereas Texas‘s is 6.25%. Use taxes apply to out-of-state purchases for business, ensuring you pay the appropriate tax on items not taxed during purchase. Here are three key points to remember: Some states add local taxes, increasing the total rate; in parts of New York City, it can exceed 8.875%. You must comply with state and local sales tax regulations, sometimes requiring specific licenses. Failing to collect and remit these taxes can lead to penalties and interest charges, making compliance vital for your business. Payroll Taxes and Their Implications When you run a business, comprehending payroll taxes is vital to guarantee compliance and maintain financial stability. Payroll taxes consist of mandatory contributions for Social Security and Medicare, totaling 15.3% of eligible gross earnings. You’ll need to withhold 7.65% from your employees’ wages for FICA taxes and match this amount, effectively contributing the full 15.3%. Significantly, the Social Security tax only applies to the first $168,600 of earnings in 2024, so any income above this threshold isn’t subject to this particular tax. Moreover, you’ll be responsible for federal unemployment taxes (FUTA) at a rate of 6% on the initial $7,000 paid to each employee, though credits may reduce this rate. Don’t forget that state and local payroll taxes can likewise apply, varying by jurisdiction, so it’s vital to stay informed about these obligations to guarantee compliance and avoid penalties. Calculating Your Business Tax Liability When calculating your business tax liability, it’s essential to understand the different tax structures that apply to your entity type. You’ll need to accurately estimate your deductions, as they can greatly impact your taxable income, and remember to calculate your quarterly payments to stay compliant. Understanding Tax Structures Comprehending tax structures is vital for accurately calculating your business tax liability, as various factors influence how much you owe. Here’s a breakdown of key components: Corporate Tax Rate: If you’re a C corporation, expect a flat federal rate of 21% on taxable income, which is total revenue minus business expenses. Pass-Through Entities: For sole proprietorships and S corporations, taxes are at individual rates ranging from 10% to 37% in 2025, depending on your income level. State Taxes: State corporate tax rates can vary, from 0% to 9.8%, and some states don’t impose any corporate tax. Keeping accurate records of your income and expenses is vital for determining your taxable income and maximizing deductions. Estimating Deductions Accurately Estimating deductions accurately is vital for managing your business tax liability effectively. To lower your taxable income, track all eligible expenses like office supplies, utilities, and employee wages. Utilize the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which allows certain pass-through entity owners to deduct up to 20% of their business income, considerably reducing tax obligations. It’s important to maintain proper documentation, including receipts and records of expenses, to support your claims and remain compliant with IRS guidelines. Furthermore, the tax implications of your business structure—whether a sole proprietorship, S-Corp, or C-Corp—affect how you calculate and report deductions. Consider engaging a tax professional to help identify potential deductions and develop strategies customized to your unique financial situation. Calculating Quarterly Payments Calculating your quarterly tax payments is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties, as accurate projections can substantially impact your financial planning. To determine your estimated taxes, follow these steps: Estimate your taxable income for the year and apply the relevant federal and state tax rates based on your business structure. Consider the due dates for estimated payments, which are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15, and remember to base payments on either 90% of the current year’s tax or 100% of the previous year’s tax, whichever is lower. Use IRS Form 1040-ES to calculate and report your estimated taxes, factoring in any deductions and credits to minimize your liability. Strategies for Maximizing Tax Savings In regards to maximizing tax savings for your business, comprehending the various strategies available can make a notable difference in your overall tax liability. First, consider the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, which lets eligible pass-through entity owners deduct up to 20% of their business income, greatly lowering your effective tax rate. Next, utilize common deductions like operating expenses, employee wages, and business-related travel to reduce your taxable income; accurate record-keeping is essential for supporting these claims. You might also think about structuring your business as an S corporation to avoid self-employment taxes on distributions, saving on Social Security and Medicare taxes. Furthermore, engage in tax-efficient strategies, such as timing income and expenses and deferring revenue recognition. Finally, regularly consult with a tax professional to stay updated on changing tax laws and available credits that could further minimize your tax burden. Important Tax Deadlines and Filing Requirements Comprehending tax deadlines and filing requirements is vital for maintaining compliance and avoiding unnecessary penalties. As a business owner, staying on top of these dates guarantees you won’t face costly fines. Here are some key deadlines to remember: Estimated Tax Payments: For corporations, these are due quarterly on April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. Pass-through entities, like sole proprietors, have payments due on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Franchise Tax Report in Texas: This is due on May 15, with adjustments if it falls on a weekend or holiday. Tax Return Filings: C corporations file Form 1120, S corporations use Form 1120-S with Schedule K-1, and partnerships file Form 1065 with Schedule K-1 for each partner. Timely filing is critical, and extensions can shift specific deadlines. Frequently Asked Questions How Much Tax Do I Pay on Business Income? When you earn business income, the tax you pay depends on your business structure. If you operate as a C corporation, you’ll face a flat federal rate of 21% on taxable income. For pass-through entities like LLCs, your income falls under individual tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 37%. Furthermore, you might benefit from deductions like the Qualified Business Income deduction, which can reduce your taxable income considerably. Quarterly estimated tax payments are likewise required. How Much Do I Have to Pay in Taxes for a Small Business? When determining how much you have to pay in taxes for a small business, consider various factors like your business structure and location. C corporations face a flat 21% federal tax rate, whereas pass-through entities are taxed based on individual rates, ranging from 10% to 37%. Furthermore, state income taxes and payroll taxes apply, often totaling 15.3%. Keeping accurate records of deductible expenses can greatly lower your taxable income, reducing your overall tax liability. How Do I Estimate My Business Taxes? To estimate your business taxes, start by calculating your taxable income. Subtract your allowable business expenses, deductions, and credits from your total revenue. For C corporations, apply a flat 21% federal tax rate. If you’re in a pass-through entity, use individual income tax brackets from 10% to 37%. Don’t forget to account for state taxes, which can vary. Regularly review your financial records and consult a tax professional for accurate estimations. Is Self-Employment Tax 15% or 30%? Self-employment tax is approximately 15.3%, not 30%. This rate combines Social Security and Medicare taxes on your net earnings from self-employment. If your net earnings exceed $400, you’ll need to pay this tax. For 2024, the Social Security portion only applies to earnings up to $168,600. Conclusion In summary, comprehending your business tax obligations is essential for effective financial planning. By knowing the federal and state tax rates, along with other taxes like sales, use, and payroll taxes, you can better estimate your overall tax liability. Implementing strategies to maximize deductions, such as the Qualified Business Income deduction, can further reduce your taxable income. Remember to stay aware of important tax deadlines and filing requirements to guarantee compliance and avoid penalties. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "How Much Business Tax Will You Pay?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Credibly will bring its SMB loans and revenue-based financing products to Figure's Democratized Prime platform, Figure said in a press release. View the full article

iPhone buyers sued the tech giant for touting features in 2024 that have yet to launchView the full article

BJP’s landslide election in West Bengal shows the prime minister’s ability to appeal to voters across the countryView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A lot about 2026 has been depressing, infuriating, or worse, but at least the TV has been pretty good—there are future classics streaming across the genre spectrum, from the medical realism of The Pitt, to the endless mystery of FROM, to the over-the-top comedy of Big Mistakes. Below are the ten most-streamed series across all streaming services for April, and there's almost definitely something here you'll dig. The Pitt The Pitt continues to dominate the streaming charts. HBO's gritty, hyper-realistic medical drama has earned acclaim from critics and audiences for its relentless pace, as each episode follows one slice of a single 15-hour shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. Starring Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael Robinavitch, The Pitt ditches the "disease of the week" format of many medical shows in favor of a study of the toll the modern medical system places on everyone involved. Season one earned five Emmy awards, and now that it has wrapped up, it looks like season two might win more. Stream The Pitt on Max. The Pitt at HBO Max Get Deal Get Deal at HBO Max FROM The residents of the unnamed town at the center of FROM just cannot catch a break. If it's not worms crawling around under their skin, it's the mysterious Man in Yellow stealing people's souls. Season four of this mystery-heavy show from the creator of Lost sees the survivors pushed to their limits as the veil between the strange town and the real world gets thinner. Stream FROM on MGM+. FROM at MGM+ Get Deal Get Deal at MGM+ Paradise The "Paradise" of the show's title is a high-end, experimental community inside an underground Colorado bunker. The Earth's surface may be an irradiated hellscape, but in Paradise, everything seems perfect, until an outsider enters. Sterling K. Brown plays Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent investigating the murder of the U.S. President in Paradise, where everything starts weird and only gets weirder. Stream Paradise on Hulu. Paradise at Hulu Get Deal Get Deal at Hulu The Boys This satirical take on the superhero genre examines what happens when "supes"—people with godlike powers—are owned by a multi-billion dollar corporation. As Season 5 begins, Vought International is poised for a total political takeover, and Billy Butcher, leader of "The Boys," is ready to go full scorched earth to end the superhero menace once and for all. Stream The Boys on Prime Video. The Boys at Prime Video Get Deal Get Deal at Prime Video Margo's Got Money Troubles If you like quirky, of-the-moment comedy with heart, Margo's Got Money Troubles is the show for you. It tells the story of Margo Millet, played by Elle Fanning, a 20-year-old junior college dropout and daughter of a Hooters waitress. Left a single mother by her English professor, Margot starts an OnlyFans to survive, only to become a massive success. Margo's cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer as Shyanne Millet, Margo's sassy mother, Nick Offerman as Jinx Millet, Margo's father, a retired professional wrestler, and Nicole Kidman as Lace, a former wrestler turned legal mediator. Stream Margot's Got Money Problems on Apple TV+. Margo's Got Money Problems at Apple TV+ Get Deal Get Deal at Apple TV+ Euphoria When it premiered in 2019, Euphoria turned heads for its stylish, nothing-held-back look into the lives of modern teenagers. Now in its third season, the show has undergone a major time jump to follow the characters into adulthood. Zendaya's Rue is still the heart of the show, and original cast members Sydney Sweeney (Cassie), Jacob Elordi (Nate), Hunter Schafer (Jules), Alexa Demie (Maddy), and Maude Apatow (Lexi) are all back. Sharon Stone has been added to the cast as an imposing TV showrunner, adding a meta layer to this always provocative show. Stream Euphoria on HBO Max. Euphoria at HBO Max Get Deal Get Deal at HBO Max Big Mistakes From the creators of Schitt's Creek comes Big Mistakes, another dark, dysfunctional family comedy. The Boudreaux family are not organized crime types, but they nonetheless find themselves blackmailed into the criminal underworld, where they must navigate a series of cascading misfortunes and dangerous alliances to survive. But in a funny way. Stream Big Mistakes on Netflix. Big Mistakes at Netflix Get Deal Get Deal at Netflix Your Friends and Neighbors The great Jon Hamm returns for a second season of Your Friends and Neighbors, a dark drama about the secrets lurking beneath the surface of an upscale neighborhood. Hamm plays Coop, a recently divorced and recently fired hedge fund manager. To keep up with his family's expensive lifestyle, he turns to robbing the wealthy residents of his own tony neighborhood. It's a perfect plan, until everything unravels in a spectacularly entertaining way. Stream Your Friends and Neighbors on Apple TV+. Your Friends and Neighbors at Apple TV+ Get Deal Get Deal at Apple TV+ Beef Season two of Beef features a new cast, a new story, and a new beef. Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny play Ben and Toby, a struggling young couple who work at a country club. When they catch a disturbing fight between their boss and his wife (Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan) on video, their thoughts turn to blackmail, leading to an ever-escalating game of high-stakes, class-conscious psychological warfare between the two couples. Watch Beef on Netflix. Beef at Netflix Get Deal Get Deal at Netflix Rooster Rooster follows Greg Russo (Steve Carell), a successful author of trashy novels who takes a job as the writer-in-residence at Ludlow College, where his daughter is a professor. Series creator Bill Lawrence's previous shows include Shrinking and Scrubs, so if you like a mixture of cringe comedy and real emotional weight, Rooster belongs on your must-watch list. Watch Rooster on HBO Max. Rooster at HBO Max Get Deal Get Deal at HBO Max View the full article

For those who think a fake mustache is not fooling anybody, think again. Since 2023, the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act has tasked social media and search engine companies with protecting young users by restricting harmful content and even resorting to age verification to access certain platforms. But unsurprisingly, the tech-savvy young generation is already developing ingenious ways to jump through the extra sets of hoops. A recent study by Internet Matters, a British child online safety organization, found that around one-third of children in the U.K. have bypassed safety measures such as age verification. The safeguard often requires users to take a selfie or show a valid ID to verify their age. “I did catch my son using an eyebrow pencil to draw a mustache on his face, and it verified him as 15 years old,” an anonymous mother of a 12-year-old boy told Internet Matters. “I have helped my son get around them” The survey polled 1,000 children and their parents, with 46% of those surveyed believing that age checks are easy to bypass. Some shared more high-tech alternatives to fool the system, like turning to AI to distort their faces to appear older, or using video game characters to reveal an older face. But sometimes kids don’t even have to get creative. They can simply ask for help, with 17% of parents helping their children bypass age checks. “I have helped my son get around them. It was to play a game, and I knew the game, and I was happy and confident that I was fine with him playing it,” a parent revealed. Many agree that the restrictions, while intended for good, don’t do much to keep users safe. One kid even shared how unreliable the safeguards can be, even when one is not trying to trick the system. “On Roblox there’s a thing where you put your face in and are only allowed to chat with that age group . . . I got 15 when I’m 12, so I’m chatting with people older than me when I shouldn’t be,” a 12-year-old said. But the creative techniques employed by kids are garnering attention and laughs online. “All that fancy age verification tech & millions spent . . . & kids just draw a fake mustache,” one user said on X. “Clever little legends.” The study also reveals that the gaps in the system expose young users to harmful content. Almost half of the children surveyed reported that they’d experienced harm online, with 11% seeing unrealistic body types promoted and 10% reporting hateful content like homophobia or slurs. Additionally, 12% reported seeing violence online, particularly inadvertently seeing videos related to the assassination of Turning Point USA cofounder Charlie Kirk. It’s not just parents surveyed who are concerned. In response to the study, users on social media also shared their discontent toward tech companies that build systems that so easily fail. “A fake mustache getting past age verification systems that billion-dollar companies built is genuinely one of the funniest and most embarrassing tech failures in recent memory,” a user said on X. “The people who designed these systems need to sit in a room and have a serious conversation.” View the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Michael Barr said Tuesday that the U.S. energy sector is more insulated from shocks than Europe's, particularly in natural gas prices. However, he warned that the war is pushing up gasoline prices, which could spill over into other parts of the economy. View the full article

Amid an airline industry in crisis, Delta Air Lines found an unexpected way to cut corners: nixing its snack and drink service on flights under 350 miles long. Delta is doing away with its “Express Service” tier of in-flight food and drink, which previously offered basic amenities including water, tea, coffee, and two snack options to passengers on flights between 250 and 500 miles in length. Instead, all flights longer than 350 miles will get Delta’s full beverage and snack service—while all flights shorter than 350 miles will get no food or drink offerings at all. The news of Delta’s new policy comes just days after Spirit Airlines announced its near-immediate closure, while the ongoing war in the Middle East continues to drive up fuel prices and ticket costs are skyrocketing, up 24% between January and April of 2026. It all paints a picture of an industry struggling to stay afloat, though there may be more to Delta’s decision than cost-cutting. In a statement to Fast Company, a Delta representative said the move is intended to “create a more consistent experience across our network.” “Even on the small number of flights without beverage service, our crew will continue to be visible, available, and focused on caring for our customers, like they do on every flight,” the statement continues. Which flights are affected? Delta’s new policy goes into effect on May 19, when approximately 450 daily Delta flights will go from Express Service to no service. Only flights between 250 and 350 miles in length will be affected by the change, with flights under 250 miles already having had no food or drink service offered. Delta emphasizes that all flights now receiving no service spend less than an hour in the air, and that they make up only 9% of all daily flights. Still, the move puts Delta’s service threshold higher than other major U.S. legacy carriers: On United Airlines, service begins at 300 miles, and on American Airlines, it starts at 250 miles. While many Delta flights are receiving a downgrade in service, many others are getting a bonus. Flights between 350 and 500 miles are being upgraded from Express Service to Full Service, meaning 14% of flights each day are getting more in-flight offerings. First-class Delta passengers will still receive food and drink service on every flight, regardless of length. Why make this change? Though on paper the move may seem like an effort to cut costs, there’s also an operational precedent for the change. With 350-mile flights typically only being an hour long, there’s a very small window—often only 15 minutes—for flight attendants to actually provide service to every passenger. Cutting snack and drink service from those flights frees up attendants to focus on safety and responding to passenger requests. Social media is split on Delta’s decision. Many reasoned that when a flight is less than an hour long, snacks and drinks are unnecessary anyway. “In flight service is annoying. I don’t need cookies or apple juice. We’re all adults. Just get us there and we’re all good,” one X user wrote in response to the news. “As long as everyone knows the policy and can hydrate at the terminal this is fine,” argued another. But others said the move came across as cheap and unfair to passengers. “Y’all can’t even throw a snack machine up in that thang?” asked one user. “Delta can afford to pay their CEO $27 million,” reads another response. “But a complimentary water bottle is where they draw the line.” “Crashing planes, raising prices, and you don’t even get a drink and a lil snack,” wrote a third user. “It’s time to revolt.” View the full article

If Roku or TCL made your TV, listen up: Your set might be involved in a class action lawsuit. Both TV manufacturers are currently in the middle of a suit, and while it's far too early to know where the case is going or what a potential settlement would be, we do know which TVs in particular are named. What is the Roku/TCL lawsuit? As Top Class Actions reports, plaintiff Terri Else recently filed the lawsuit in California federal court. Else's suit asserts Roku and TCL issued software updates that were "repetitively defective." According to the suit, the updates rendered some TVs from both Roku and TCL "bricked" or otherwise unusable. Else says these updates "materially impair" the functionality of Roku's devices, and that both companies failed to disclose the issues to customers; rather, that Roku and TCL sold these products as "reliable" smart TVs that would “keep getting better over time…thanks to [ongoing] automatic software updates.” The lawsuit claims Roku and TCL offer no recourse for customers whose TVs become inoperable, despite warranties that claim to fix software defects. Else seeks to represent a nationwide class action suit with a jury trial, with a monetary reward for all involved. I don't own either a Roku or a TCL TV, so I can't personally attest to the issues. However, there are over 300 comments on the Top Class Actions report, with many (if not most) complaining of similar issues with their Roku TVs. "My TV just turns off at random and sometimes takes several tries to turn on;" "It doesn’t play unless it’s hooked up to the internet and then a lot of the stations have blank screens," "I just disposed of a 65″ Roku branded TV that went black in less than 3 years after purchase." Many of the comments simply request to be added to the class action suit. As it happens, this case isn't the only class action lawsuit Roku is facing at this time: Another customer is suing Roku for removing a feature from its smart home cameras and requiring a new subscription to restore it. Which TVs are named in the Roku/TCL lawsuit?The lawsuit does charge Roku and TCL with a blanket claim across all of their TVs and streaming devices. Instead, it names the following models specifically, sold from Dec. 16, 2024 through today: Roku Select Series Roku Plus Series TCL 3 Series Roku TV TCL 4 Series Roku TV TCL 5 Series Roku TV TCL 6 Series Roku TV Again, it's too early to know what will happen in this case. But if you bought one of these TVs in that timeframe, take note, and keep an eye on the suit as it progresses. View the full article

What you read reflects who you are. Leaders like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Indra Nooyi, and Mark Cuban advocate reading extensively to gain knowledge and challenge assumptions. At a minimum, reading widely develops a key business skill—making intelligent small talk. More importantly, reading and actively discussing ideas enhances critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, some studies show that only 16% of Americans read daily and for pleasure. Before the digital revolution, that number was well over 50%. Even more concerning, the latest statistics show that about a third of high school graduates have college-level reading skills. Leading a book club is a great way to share your business experience, develop early-stage workers, and inspire the next generation of reading advocates. I started a book club focused specifically on books written by business leaders at Wake Forest University. Book clubs are fun, but they are not easy. I’ve learned a few rules for success. RULE #1: OWN THE LEADERSHIP ROLE You must read the entire book and prepare for the meeting. Once you’ve read the book, use AI to summarize it and then edit and refine the output to match your understanding. As a leader, you probably tend to overprepare. Be patient. Some participants will lack experience with deep reading. College faculty often work with students who are not used to reading and resist reading anything longer than short excerpts. Many use AI to summarize everything and are accustomed to attending class with only a shallow understanding of the content. Set a standard by discussing specific ideas in depth. Do not assign these ideas as homework. Remember to contextualize them. Millennials and Gen Z were born after 1980. You will know who the readers are. They will offer valuable insights that go well beyond the book. Hopefully, it inspires the rest to match the group’s effort. RULE #2: READ ORIGINAL THINKERS Before pursuing an MBA, I earned a PhD in Anthropology. Completing a PhD involves reading vast amounts of work by original thinkers. I’ve read everyone from Plato to Machiavelli to Karl Marx to Stephen Jay Gould. When I entered business school, I found it odd that management scholars wrote most of the material we read about businesspeople, rather than by businesspeople about their own views and experiences in business. Many business students don’t find academic work relevant. Increasingly, they do not read books by leaders with fascinating lives, such as Alfred P. Sloan and Andrew Grove, who struggled with problems relevant today. Alfred P. Sloan Jr. (1875–1966), for example, ran GM from the 1920s through World War II, an era of incredible technological development. Sloan transformed a large, diverse group of businesses into a professionally managed company. In his book, My Years with General Motors, he grapples with the challenges of decentralization with coordinated control, his phrase for the tricky balancing act that spurs growth by encouraging decentralization for initiative and speed, while maintaining some central coordination for economies and strategic consistency. Andrew Grove (1936–2016), a cofounder and CEO of Intel, was one of the most influential technology executives of the 20th century. Grove’s philosophy, described in Only the Paranoid Survive, helped him guide Intel through a difficult pivot. The book’s real treasure, however, is his 1996 analysis of whether the internet created a Strategic Inflection Point—a moment when a company’s fundamentals change so profoundly that old assumptions no longer hold. My students laughed when they realized no one really knew what would happen with the internet, but they also recognized the value of learning from Grove and applying his methods to artificial intelligence and future technologies. RULE #3: RELY ON FACTS, NOT ATTACKS Shallow reading and social media encourage us to stop thinking at the first sign of outrage. Business book clubs do not bash or nitpick leaders. They promote discussions of universal human challenges and how, as champions of free enterprise, we can bring our best to the ongoing effort to improve the human condition. Leaders will need to keep discussions fact-based and free from personal attacks. Sheryl Sandberg’s 2013 book, Lean In, for example, is full of useful ideas for women in the workforce. Unfortunately, participants may only hear her ideas dismissed as corporate, privileged, and faux feminism. Lean In is now more than a decade old. Instead of criticizing Sandberg, isn’t it more interesting to explore real data on what’s improved and where the work still needs to be done? FINAL THOUGHTS Book clubs are both rewarding and challenging. I look forward to book club meetings and hearing what Wake Forest students take away from reading. A business-focused book club is an excellent way to connect with early-career workers and address skills gaps. Helping others develop the habit of reading is one of the best gifts you can give to the next generation. Christina Elson is the executive director for the John A. Allison Center for the Study of Capitalism at Wake Forest University. View the full article

In relation to enhancing customer satisfaction, crafting effective service surveys is vital. By including five fundamental questions, you can gather valuable insights. Start by evaluating response times, resolution effectiveness, representative attitude, solution clarity, and the likelihood of recommendations. Each question serves a specific purpose, helping you identify strengths and weaknesses in your service approach. Comprehending these aspects can lead to significant improvements, but how can you implement these questions effectively in your surveys? Key Takeaways How satisfied are you with the speed of our initial response to your inquiry? Were your issues resolved on the first contact? Please rate the effectiveness of the solution provided. How would you rate the attitude and professionalism of the representative you interacted with? On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend our services to others? What specific improvements would you suggest to enhance your experience with our products or services? Understanding Customer Expectations How well do you understand your customers’ expectations? Knowing what your customers expect is fundamental for tailoring your services effectively. Using a call center survey can pinpoint specific expectations around response times, service quality, and product features. By asking the right customer service survey questions, you can gather important feedback that highlights what matters most to your customers. Research indicates that 70% of customers view their overall experience as a key factor in satisfaction, making it critical to align your services with these expectations. Regularly evaluating customer expectations allows you to adapt to shifting preferences and market trends, ensuring your business remains competitive. Consistently meeting these expectations can greatly boost customer retention rates, with studies showing that even a 5% retention increase can improve profits by 25% to 95%. This strategic approach not only fosters customer loyalty but also drives your business’s success. Measuring Satisfaction With Customer Service Measuring satisfaction with customer service is vital for comprehending how well your business meets customer needs. Effective customer service surveys should include questions about responsiveness, problem resolution, and the attitude of your representatives. These aspects provide valuable insights into overall satisfaction levels. One popular metric is the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), which allows you to quantify satisfaction by asking customers to rate their service experience on a scale. Focus your surveys on specific interactions, such as the speed of the initial response and the effectiveness of issue resolution. This targeted approach helps identify areas for improvement in customer support. Regularly analyzing this feedback enables you to track trends over time, leading to improved service strategies and better customer experiences. A remarkable 5% increase in customer retention can greatly boost profits, making it crucial to prioritize satisfaction measurement in your customer service efforts. Evaluating Responsiveness and Resolution Effectiveness Evaluating responsiveness and resolution effectiveness is fundamental for comprehending the efficiency of your customer service team. Start by measuring the speed of your initial responses to inquiries, as this can markedly impact customer satisfaction levels. Incorporating survey questions that gauge customers’ perceptions of your team’s responsiveness is imperative; using scales can help quantify satisfaction levels effectively. Moreover, assess resolution effectiveness through metrics like the percentage of issues resolved on the first contact. This measure indicates both efficiency and overall quality of customer service. Gathering feedback about whether representatives provided clear and actionable solutions is equally important for identifying training needs. Finally, analyze data on hold times and follow-up actions to uncover operational bottlenecks. This analysis can reveal areas where responsiveness can be improved, ultimately leading to enhanced customer experiences and satisfaction rates. Gathering Feedback on Product and Service Quality To maintain a high standard of customer satisfaction, gathering feedback on product and service quality plays a crucial role in pinpointing areas that need improvement. You should include specific questions in your surveys that address product usability, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction. This will provide measurable insights into customer experiences. Incorporating open-ended questions is significant, as they allow customers to express detailed opinions and suggestions, uncovering qualitative insights that quantitative data might miss. Moreover, tracking customer satisfaction scores (CSATs) helps you monitor perceptions of product and service quality over time, enabling adjustments to your strategies as needed. Regularly analyzing feedback on quality reveals trends that can inform product development, improve service delivery, and eventually lead to increased customer loyalty. Assessing Likelihood to Recommend How likely are your customers to recommend your product or service to others? This question is pivotal in evaluating customer loyalty and satisfaction, commonly measured using the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Customers rate their likelihood on a scale of 0 to 10, allowing you to categorize them as Promoters, Passives, or Detractors. NPS Score Range Customer Category Implication 9-10 Promoters Likely to promote 7-8 Passives Neutral, not engaged 0-6 Detractors May harm reputation High NPS indicates strong loyalty and correlates with business growth. Regularly measuring this metric helps track customer sentiment over time and provides insights from Detractors, allowing you to pinpoint areas needing improvement. By focusing on these insights, you can improve the overall customer experience effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Questions for Customer Service Satisfaction Survey? When creating a customer service satisfaction survey, consider including questions like, “How satisfied are you with our initial response speed?” and “How well did we resolve your issue?” You should likewise ask, “How would you rate the overall quality of our service?” Open-ended questions, such as “What suggestions do you have for improvement?” can provide useful insights. Finally, assess customer loyalty with, “How likely are you to recommend our service to others?” What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The 3 C’s of customer satisfaction are Consistency, Communication, and Care. Consistency guarantees you deliver the same service quality every time, building trust. Communication involves sharing clear and timely information, which helps manage customer expectations. Care means genuinely addressing customer needs and feedback, making them feel valued. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To create effective survey questions, consider these five: First, ask, “How satisfied are you with our service?” This assesses overall satisfaction. Second, inquire, “How responsive were our representatives?” This evaluates their speed and efficiency. Third, use, “How well did we resolve your issue?” to measure problem-solving skills. Fourth, include, “How likely are you to recommend us?” to gauge loyalty. Finally, ask, “What suggestions do you have for improvement?” for valuable feedback. What Are Some Good Customer Service Questions to Ask? To improve your customer service, consider asking questions that address key aspects of the experience. You might ask, “How satisfied are you with the speed of our initial response?” or “Did our representative understand your issue well?” Furthermore, open-ended questions like, “What can we do to improve your experience?” can yield valuable insights. Using a Likert scale for rating professionalism can likewise help you gauge customer perceptions effectively. Conclusion Incorporating these five crucial questions into your customer service surveys can greatly improve satisfaction levels. By evaluating response time, resolution effectiveness, representative attitude, solution clarity, and likelihood to recommend, you can gather valuable insights. These insights not only emphasize areas for improvement but also promote customer loyalty. In the end, comprehending and addressing customer expectations through targeted feedback helps improve service quality, ensuring a more positive experience for your clients and encouraging repeat business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Essential Questions for Customer Service Surveys to Boost Satisfaction" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In relation to enhancing customer satisfaction, crafting effective service surveys is vital. By including five fundamental questions, you can gather valuable insights. Start by evaluating response times, resolution effectiveness, representative attitude, solution clarity, and the likelihood of recommendations. Each question serves a specific purpose, helping you identify strengths and weaknesses in your service approach. Comprehending these aspects can lead to significant improvements, but how can you implement these questions effectively in your surveys? Key Takeaways How satisfied are you with the speed of our initial response to your inquiry? Were your issues resolved on the first contact? Please rate the effectiveness of the solution provided. How would you rate the attitude and professionalism of the representative you interacted with? On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend our services to others? What specific improvements would you suggest to enhance your experience with our products or services? Understanding Customer Expectations How well do you understand your customers’ expectations? Knowing what your customers expect is fundamental for tailoring your services effectively. Using a call center survey can pinpoint specific expectations around response times, service quality, and product features. By asking the right customer service survey questions, you can gather important feedback that highlights what matters most to your customers. Research indicates that 70% of customers view their overall experience as a key factor in satisfaction, making it critical to align your services with these expectations. Regularly evaluating customer expectations allows you to adapt to shifting preferences and market trends, ensuring your business remains competitive. Consistently meeting these expectations can greatly boost customer retention rates, with studies showing that even a 5% retention increase can improve profits by 25% to 95%. This strategic approach not only fosters customer loyalty but also drives your business’s success. Measuring Satisfaction With Customer Service Measuring satisfaction with customer service is vital for comprehending how well your business meets customer needs. Effective customer service surveys should include questions about responsiveness, problem resolution, and the attitude of your representatives. These aspects provide valuable insights into overall satisfaction levels. One popular metric is the Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT), which allows you to quantify satisfaction by asking customers to rate their service experience on a scale. Focus your surveys on specific interactions, such as the speed of the initial response and the effectiveness of issue resolution. This targeted approach helps identify areas for improvement in customer support. Regularly analyzing this feedback enables you to track trends over time, leading to improved service strategies and better customer experiences. A remarkable 5% increase in customer retention can greatly boost profits, making it crucial to prioritize satisfaction measurement in your customer service efforts. Evaluating Responsiveness and Resolution Effectiveness Evaluating responsiveness and resolution effectiveness is fundamental for comprehending the efficiency of your customer service team. Start by measuring the speed of your initial responses to inquiries, as this can markedly impact customer satisfaction levels. Incorporating survey questions that gauge customers’ perceptions of your team’s responsiveness is imperative; using scales can help quantify satisfaction levels effectively. Moreover, assess resolution effectiveness through metrics like the percentage of issues resolved on the first contact. This measure indicates both efficiency and overall quality of customer service. Gathering feedback about whether representatives provided clear and actionable solutions is equally important for identifying training needs. Finally, analyze data on hold times and follow-up actions to uncover operational bottlenecks. This analysis can reveal areas where responsiveness can be improved, ultimately leading to enhanced customer experiences and satisfaction rates. Gathering Feedback on Product and Service Quality To maintain a high standard of customer satisfaction, gathering feedback on product and service quality plays a crucial role in pinpointing areas that need improvement. You should include specific questions in your surveys that address product usability, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction. This will provide measurable insights into customer experiences. Incorporating open-ended questions is significant, as they allow customers to express detailed opinions and suggestions, uncovering qualitative insights that quantitative data might miss. Moreover, tracking customer satisfaction scores (CSATs) helps you monitor perceptions of product and service quality over time, enabling adjustments to your strategies as needed. Regularly analyzing feedback on quality reveals trends that can inform product development, improve service delivery, and eventually lead to increased customer loyalty. Assessing Likelihood to Recommend How likely are your customers to recommend your product or service to others? This question is pivotal in evaluating customer loyalty and satisfaction, commonly measured using the Net Promoter Score (NPS). Customers rate their likelihood on a scale of 0 to 10, allowing you to categorize them as Promoters, Passives, or Detractors. NPS Score Range Customer Category Implication 9-10 Promoters Likely to promote 7-8 Passives Neutral, not engaged 0-6 Detractors May harm reputation High NPS indicates strong loyalty and correlates with business growth. Regularly measuring this metric helps track customer sentiment over time and provides insights from Detractors, allowing you to pinpoint areas needing improvement. By focusing on these insights, you can improve the overall customer experience effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the Questions for Customer Service Satisfaction Survey? When creating a customer service satisfaction survey, consider including questions like, “How satisfied are you with our initial response speed?” and “How well did we resolve your issue?” You should likewise ask, “How would you rate the overall quality of our service?” Open-ended questions, such as “What suggestions do you have for improvement?” can provide useful insights. Finally, assess customer loyalty with, “How likely are you to recommend our service to others?” What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The 3 C’s of customer satisfaction are Consistency, Communication, and Care. Consistency guarantees you deliver the same service quality every time, building trust. Communication involves sharing clear and timely information, which helps manage customer expectations. Care means genuinely addressing customer needs and feedback, making them feel valued. What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To create effective survey questions, consider these five: First, ask, “How satisfied are you with our service?” This assesses overall satisfaction. Second, inquire, “How responsive were our representatives?” This evaluates their speed and efficiency. Third, use, “How well did we resolve your issue?” to measure problem-solving skills. Fourth, include, “How likely are you to recommend us?” to gauge loyalty. Finally, ask, “What suggestions do you have for improvement?” for valuable feedback. What Are Some Good Customer Service Questions to Ask? To improve your customer service, consider asking questions that address key aspects of the experience. You might ask, “How satisfied are you with the speed of our initial response?” or “Did our representative understand your issue well?” Furthermore, open-ended questions like, “What can we do to improve your experience?” can yield valuable insights. Using a Likert scale for rating professionalism can likewise help you gauge customer perceptions effectively. Conclusion Incorporating these five crucial questions into your customer service surveys can greatly improve satisfaction levels. By evaluating response time, resolution effectiveness, representative attitude, solution clarity, and likelihood to recommend, you can gather valuable insights. These insights not only emphasize areas for improvement but also promote customer loyalty. In the end, comprehending and addressing customer expectations through targeted feedback helps improve service quality, ensuring a more positive experience for your clients and encouraging repeat business. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Essential Questions for Customer Service Surveys to Boost Satisfaction" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Social media platform invests in equivalent to OpenClaw that aims to seamlessly carry out everyday tasks for usersView the full article

Proposed appointment of Emmanuel Moulin as central bank governor faces intense scrutiny in parliament View the full article

With a focus on cultivating a strong company culture, SurveyMonkey has unveiled strategies that could be game-changers for small business owners looking to enhance employee engagement and align their teams with company values. In their latest initiative, the company reports significant increases in employee agreement that their organizational culture reflects clearly defined values, with a remarkable 23-point rise following the implementation of these tactics. The heart of this initiative is a newly introduced “Living Our Values” survey, designed to be a continuous feedback loop within the workplace. This survey allows employees to recognize their peers who exemplify the company’s core values, fostering a culture where those values are actively lived out and celebrated. This not only aids in reinforcing the values but also boosts morale and connectivity among team members. One of the key takeaways for small business owners is the practical application of this feedback mechanism. By creating a platform where employees can highlight positive behaviors that align with the company’s values, small businesses can maintain visibility and relevance of these values over time. This is crucial in an environment where employees may often feel disconnected from the company’s mission and vision. Moreover, the integration of employee recognition into celebrations reinforces what those values look like in practice. When an employee acknowledges a teammate’s contribution, they can tie that recognition back to a specific company value. This approach not only validates individual contributions but also provides a clear picture of what values in action look like, making them tangible and relatable to all employees. Yet, while the system is straightforward, small business leaders should consider potential challenges before implementation. Time and resources may be considerations, particularly for smaller teams that may struggle to balance day-to-day operations with additional initiatives. Furthermore, it can be challenging to develop a culture of consistent recognition without it feeling forced or disingenuous. Small business owners will need to invest time in fostering an environment where feedback is both welcomed and regularly practiced. Engagement plays a crucial role in this model; maintaining an open line for recognition will require commitment from both leadership and employees. Leaders must ensure that feedback is encouraged and that recognition becomes a normative part of the workplace culture, rather than a sporadic occurrence. The positive implications of adopting such a framework could be substantial, especially in industries where employee morale directly affects productivity. Creating a culture centered around shared values can enhance loyalty, reduce turnover, and ultimately contribute to business growth. As the report indicates, fostering a culture that reflects company values can convert abstract ideals into real-world benefits, resulting in a more cohesive and motivated workforce. With increasing competition for talent and the pressing need to retain skilled workers, small businesses must be innovative in their approach to culture and employee engagement. Initiatives like SurveyMonkey’s “Living Our Values” survey offer a practical blueprint for building a values-driven workplace that can keep team members aligned and motivated. As small business owners reflect on these insights, it becomes evident that the journey towards cultivating an engaged workforce anchored in shared values requires intentional effort. Incorporating systems for recognition and reinforcement can transform workplace dynamics, making company values a living, breathing part of everyday interactions. For more insights on creating and implementing company values, you can read the full details on SurveyMonkey’s approach here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SurveyMonkey Boosts Workplace Culture with Innovative Values Recognition Program" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

With a focus on cultivating a strong company culture, SurveyMonkey has unveiled strategies that could be game-changers for small business owners looking to enhance employee engagement and align their teams with company values. In their latest initiative, the company reports significant increases in employee agreement that their organizational culture reflects clearly defined values, with a remarkable 23-point rise following the implementation of these tactics. The heart of this initiative is a newly introduced “Living Our Values” survey, designed to be a continuous feedback loop within the workplace. This survey allows employees to recognize their peers who exemplify the company’s core values, fostering a culture where those values are actively lived out and celebrated. This not only aids in reinforcing the values but also boosts morale and connectivity among team members. One of the key takeaways for small business owners is the practical application of this feedback mechanism. By creating a platform where employees can highlight positive behaviors that align with the company’s values, small businesses can maintain visibility and relevance of these values over time. This is crucial in an environment where employees may often feel disconnected from the company’s mission and vision. Moreover, the integration of employee recognition into celebrations reinforces what those values look like in practice. When an employee acknowledges a teammate’s contribution, they can tie that recognition back to a specific company value. This approach not only validates individual contributions but also provides a clear picture of what values in action look like, making them tangible and relatable to all employees. Yet, while the system is straightforward, small business leaders should consider potential challenges before implementation. Time and resources may be considerations, particularly for smaller teams that may struggle to balance day-to-day operations with additional initiatives. Furthermore, it can be challenging to develop a culture of consistent recognition without it feeling forced or disingenuous. Small business owners will need to invest time in fostering an environment where feedback is both welcomed and regularly practiced. Engagement plays a crucial role in this model; maintaining an open line for recognition will require commitment from both leadership and employees. Leaders must ensure that feedback is encouraged and that recognition becomes a normative part of the workplace culture, rather than a sporadic occurrence. The positive implications of adopting such a framework could be substantial, especially in industries where employee morale directly affects productivity. Creating a culture centered around shared values can enhance loyalty, reduce turnover, and ultimately contribute to business growth. As the report indicates, fostering a culture that reflects company values can convert abstract ideals into real-world benefits, resulting in a more cohesive and motivated workforce. With increasing competition for talent and the pressing need to retain skilled workers, small businesses must be innovative in their approach to culture and employee engagement. Initiatives like SurveyMonkey’s “Living Our Values” survey offer a practical blueprint for building a values-driven workplace that can keep team members aligned and motivated. As small business owners reflect on these insights, it becomes evident that the journey towards cultivating an engaged workforce anchored in shared values requires intentional effort. Incorporating systems for recognition and reinforcement can transform workplace dynamics, making company values a living, breathing part of everyday interactions. For more insights on creating and implementing company values, you can read the full details on SurveyMonkey’s approach here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SurveyMonkey Boosts Workplace Culture with Innovative Values Recognition Program" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. As a headphone reviewer, not a lot of headphones outside of the flagship Sony, Bose, and Apple models get me excited. However, the JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx headphones not only got me excited when I first heard of them, but I started using them over my Sony 1000XM6 as my go-to headphones. The Tour One M3s are down to $299.95 (originally $449.95), their lowest price ever, according to price-tracking tools. This is a great deal for these headphones, which I deemed my favorite travel headphones in my review. JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx - Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones with Smart Transmitter, Hi-Res Audio (3.5mm or USB-C), Spatial 360 Sound with Head Tracking & 70Hrs of Playback (Mocha) $0.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $0.00 at Amazon SEE -2 MORE Everything from design to the features on the Tour One M3 was made with travel in mind. The headphones are very light, which, along with the comfortable soft earcups and headband, makes them great for wearing for long periods of time. I was able to wear these on a long flight without feeling any kind of fatigue. Feeling like you're not wearing any headphones is the gold standard for comfort, and the Tour One M3 nails that aspect. The battery life is also impressive, with up to 70 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with it on. The travel case is compact, convenient, and has extra storage for the audio transmitter, which is the best feature of the Tour One M3. This is a high-quality, low-latency audio transmitter. You can essentially make anything that you can plug an AUX cable, USB, or USB-C port into stream high-quality 24-bit audio wirelessly to the Tour One M3. The main way most people will use these headphones is by plugging them into the in-flight entertainment, which lets you watch movies in high-quality LDAC with ANC. But I've also been able to use them to watch TV. The Tour One M3 Smart Tx are incredible traveling headphones, especially at $300, and I recommend them to anyone who values comfort, battery life, simplicity, and likes the idea of the audio transmitter. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.99 (List Price $249.00) 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) Fitbit Versa 4 Fitness Smartwatch (Black) — $149.95 (List Price $199.95) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Anker Nano 45W 10,000mAh Compact Power Bank With Retractable Cable — $59.99 (List Price $59.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Economic uncertainty weighed on risk appetite, but the current performance of the non-QM market is "durable," Angel Oak leaders said in an earnings call. View the full article

When influencer and entrepreneur Emma Chamberlain stepped out on the carpet at the 2026 Met Gala, it was in a swirl of acrylic ink and thick, glossy paint. She looked like a painting come to life—as if, with each next step, a prismatic smear of color might follow in her wake. Chamberlain was wearing a custom-made Mugler gown by creative director Miguel Castro Freitas. But what laid on top of the dress’ expert construction is what turned it into a head-turning spectacle: The entire piece was painstakingly handpainted, from hem to neckline, by artist Anna Deller-Yee. She relied entirely on real fine art supplies to achieve the final look, a process that took 40 hours of painting, four days of drying time, and a six-foot-long shipping crate to transport the resulting gown from Paris to New York City. The theme of this year’s Met Gala, which took place on May 4, was “Fashion is Art.” The concept was inspired by “Costume Art,” an exhibition at the Met celebrating the “centrality of the dressed body” through depictions and interpretations of the human form. Several celebrities took this theme to its most logical endpoint by directly recreating works of art, including Lauren Sánchez Bezos as John Singer Sargent’s Madame X, Gracie Abrams as Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Block-Bauer I, and Madonna as The Temptation Of St. Anthony. Fragment II. Chamberlain took a different approach. Rather than reinterpreting a single piece of art, her garment pulls inspiration from a wide body of Impressionist and Expressionist works, aiming to capture their focus on visible brushstrokes and atmosphere. The final product turned Chamberlain into a kind of canvas, transforming each detail of Deller-Yee’s craft into a statement in its own right. Building on a history of fine art and fashion Deller-Yee first began her career as a print designer for the Italian apparel brand Marni in 2021. She specializes in hand-painted prints, alternating between creating works that can be digitally scanned and painting directly onto finished garments, depending on the project. Deller Yee’s uniquely analog process has since catapulted her work into the global spotlight, including through partnerships with Nike; Nicki Minaj, whose 2024 Met Gala outfit she designed in collaboration with Marni; and Anna Wintour herself. She is now represented by creative agency Hugo & Marie as part of its in-house artist bureau. For her second-ever Met Gala project, Deller-Yee says Castro Freitas, who she’s worked with as a Mugler collaborator since 2024, approached her directly. “When Miguel arrived [at Mugler], we started to work together on prints, and the work became more and more elaborate, and also more and more intimate, in terms of really sitting down with him and understanding his vision for the brand,” Deller-Yee says. One day, she recalls, she received a message from the Mugler team about an upcoming opportunity to collaborate on a gown for the Met Gala. “I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a huge amount of trust to place on somebody that you’ve only known for a few seasons,’ but I could already feel that we were getting along very well,” she says. “[Castro Fretias and I] are very close in a lot of ways that we think about creativity. This collaboration felt very natural—there was nothing in it that felt forced.” Finding inspiration On the red carpet, Chamberlain’s dress looked like it had just been pulled from an artist’s grasp, with its glistening, three-dimensional swatches of paint, visible brushstrokes, and almost wet-looking hem. According to Deller-Yee, that was part of the original design remit. “There was a lot of materiality in work, and that’s what Emma wanted: to literally feel like she’s a painting,” Deller-Yee says. Castro Fretias’ vision for the dress was crafted in collaboration with Chamberlain and Jared Ellner, her stylist. They pulled artistic inspiration from Impressionist and Expressionist paintings; archival Thierry Mugler looks like his glittering La Chimère and Butterfly dresses from 1997; paintings made by Chamberlain’s father, who is an oil and watercolor artist; and Deller-Yee’s own portfolio. “They wanted to have this specific look that I have in my own work, which is this contrast and clash between very watery, runny paint, and extremely thick and almost sculptural-looking impasto brush strokes,” Deller-Yee says. To achieve a truly painted look, Deller-Yee opted to use only traditional fine-art supplies on the dress. But the first—and most daunting—challenge, she says, was to actually spread the dress out in her Paris studio, given that it’s made of hundreds of meters of fabric. “When it arrived, I was like, ‘Oh my God, that dress is so giant,’” Deller-Yee says. “Up until that point, I had only seen renderings of it, and it was just the front view—I didn’t realize that it had such a long train on it too. And I was like, ‘This is so much fabric—this is the largest thing I’ve ever painted before.’” Giving Emma Chamberlain’s gown 3D texture Her first step was to mount the dress on a large cardboard form that helped separate the skirt into workable planes. From there, she sprayed down the entire lower half of the gown with water and began applying highly pigmented acrylic ink with light brushstrokes, starting with lighter hues and building up to the darker shades. In between layers, she continuously sprayed the whole piece again, creating the illusion that each piece of the skirt was melting into the next. Once the skirt was complete, Deller-Yee moved on to the upper half of the garment. For this piece, she switched to using acrylic paint mixed with a thickening gel, which she applied in a chunky, yellow-blue swirl up the flank of the gown and over the chest. The very last details were a series of small, almost imperceptible white flowers at the neckline of the gown, as well as delicate sleeves of fringe painted in a dark blue. When Chamberlain finally arrived on the runway, the dress felt like a celebration of the uniquely human joy to be found in the evidence of an artist’s craft. “One of the things that people have said to me is that the dress deeply touched them—they were really just in awe of it,” Deller-Yee says. “To me, in the specific times that we live in right now, which are extremely turbulent and bring so much ugliness with them, it’s beautiful to be able to make people dream and show them a sense of wonder.” View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your editing workflow, consider integrating five strong tools into your process. Kdenlive offers robust video editing and color grading features that can raise your projects. Meanwhile, GIMP and Inkscape provide exceptional graphic design capabilities for visual content. HandBrake simplifies video optimization, and Photoprism helps keep your files organized. Finally, free sound libraries can greatly enhance your audio quality. These tools could transform your editing experience, but how do you choose the right ones for your needs? Key Takeaways Kdenlive offers extensive video editing capabilities with features like unlimited tracks, audio effects, and advanced color grading tools for professional results. GIMP provides powerful photo editing and graphic design tools, enabling the creation of overlays and lower thirds to enhance video content visually. Inkscape specializes in vector graphics, ideal for designing logos and illustrations, ensuring high-quality visuals without costly software. HandBrake facilitates efficient video optimization and transcoding, supporting multiple formats and features like batch processing for streamlined workflows. Photoprism enhances file management and organization, allowing easy browsing and tagging of media projects while ensuring data privacy and security. Kdenlive: Comprehensive Video Editing and Color Grading Kdenlive stands out as a robust tool for video editing and color grading, offering users a versatile platform to create high-quality projects. This open-source video editing software supports unlimited audio and video tracks, enabling extensive timeline editing. Its built-in audio editor improves your projects with effects like EQ and noise reduction. With advanced features like chroma keying and motion tracking, you can achieve precise edits and dynamic visuals. Keyframing allows you to animate effects effectively, as your color grading options using RGB curves help you refine your footage for cinematic looks. Kdenlive’s compatibility across various operating systems makes it accessible for everyone, from beginners to seasoned professionals, ensuring a thorough video editing experience that meets diverse needs. GIMP and Inkscape: Creating Stunning Static Graphics In the domain of video production, having visually appealing static graphics can improve the overall quality of your projects. GIMP and Inkscape are two of the best graphic design apps free of charge, perfect for creating stunning visuals. GIMP, a strong photo editing app, allows you to design lower thirds, overlays, and PNG stills, whereas Inkscape specializes in vector graphics for logos and illustrations that maintain quality at any size. Both tools are actively supported by the community, ensuring you have access to the latest features. By using these graphic artist apps, you can notably cut costs, gaining advanced capabilities without expensive software licenses. This combination offers a thorough toolkit for enhancing your video content through exceptional graphics. HandBrake: Optimizing and Transcoding Your Videos HandBrake serves as a robust tool for enhancing and transcoding your videos, making it an essential part of any video production workflow. This free and open-source video transcoder allows you to convert video files into various formats, perfect for platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. With its advanced features, you can: Resize videos to fit specific resolutions Crop unwanted portions for a cleaner look Utilize subtitle options for accessibility Adjust video quality and bitrate for peak results Use batch processing to streamline multiple conversions Photoprism: Efficient File Management and Organization After optimizing your videos with HandBrake, you’ll want an efficient system to manage and organize your media files. Photoprism serves as a self-hosted library that improves file management, allowing you to easily browse and organize exported projects and reference media. It provides thumbnail previews and metadata tagging, so you can filter and search for specific assets swiftly. This tool supports various file formats, making it compatible with different media types, including images and videos. By automating the organization process, Photoprism reduces the time spent searching for files during your video editing projects. With a focus on privacy, you control your data without relying on third-party cloud services, ensuring your creative work remains secure during the use of photo editing software and photography editing apps. Free Sound Libraries: Enhancing Audio With Royalty-Free Music and Effects Finding the right audio to complement your video projects is crucial, and free sound libraries offer an excellent solution for sourcing royalty-free music and sound effects. These libraries provide access to high-quality sound without the risk of copyright infringement, making them invaluable for editors. Here are some benefits of using free sound libraries: Vast collections across various genres Easy search by mood, tempo, or instruments Licensing agreements that clarify commercial use Ability to improve storytelling through audio engagement Access to high-quality sound effects that raise production value Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Recommended Editing Workflow? To establish a recommended editing workflow, start with thorough pre-production planning, setting clear goals and timelines. During production, guarantee you capture high-quality footage and organize your assets effectively. Shift to post-production by using editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro. Incorporate collaboration tools for feedback and communication, and optimize your videos before final rendering. This structured approach will amplify your efficiency and improve the overall quality of your projects. What Editing Software Do Most Editors Use? Most editors prefer software like Adobe Premiere Pro for its extensive features and seamless integration with other Adobe applications. If you’re a Mac user, Final Cut Pro might appeal to you because of its intuitive interface and advanced capabilities. DaVinci Resolve is likewise popular, especially for color correction, whereas iMovie serves beginners well with its easy-to-use tools. Open-source options like Kdenlive and Shotcut are great for those on a budget, offering solid functionalities. What Are the 5 Steps of the Editing Process? The editing process consists of five crucial steps. First, you import and organize your assets, gathering all clips and audio into a structured library. Next, you create a rough cut, arranging clips on the timeline for a basic narrative flow. Then, you’ll fine-tune the edit by trimming and adjusting pacing. After that, you add effects, titles, and audio. Finally, you export and optimize the video for distribution on various platforms. What Is the Basic Editing Workflow? The basic editing workflow begins with organizing and importing your raw footage into editing software. You’ll then arrange the clips on a timeline, trimming them to create a coherent narrative flow. Simultaneously, you’ll edit the audio to improve sound quality, applying techniques like noise reduction. After the initial cut, you’ll add effects and shifts, followed by color grading and rendering in the post-production stage, ensuring the final video is polished for distribution. Conclusion Incorporating these potent editing tools into your workflow can greatly improve your content creation process. Kdenlive, GIMP, and Inkscape offer advanced capabilities for video editing and graphic design, as HandBrake guarantees your videos are optimized for any platform. Photoprism streamlines project organization, and free sound libraries provide high-quality audio options. By utilizing these tools effectively, you can boost your productivity and creativity, leading to more polished and engaging content that resonates with your audience. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Editing Tools That Transform Your Editor Workflow" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your editing workflow, consider integrating five strong tools into your process. Kdenlive offers robust video editing and color grading features that can raise your projects. Meanwhile, GIMP and Inkscape provide exceptional graphic design capabilities for visual content. HandBrake simplifies video optimization, and Photoprism helps keep your files organized. Finally, free sound libraries can greatly enhance your audio quality. These tools could transform your editing experience, but how do you choose the right ones for your needs? Key Takeaways Kdenlive offers extensive video editing capabilities with features like unlimited tracks, audio effects, and advanced color grading tools for professional results. GIMP provides powerful photo editing and graphic design tools, enabling the creation of overlays and lower thirds to enhance video content visually. Inkscape specializes in vector graphics, ideal for designing logos and illustrations, ensuring high-quality visuals without costly software. HandBrake facilitates efficient video optimization and transcoding, supporting multiple formats and features like batch processing for streamlined workflows. Photoprism enhances file management and organization, allowing easy browsing and tagging of media projects while ensuring data privacy and security. Kdenlive: Comprehensive Video Editing and Color Grading Kdenlive stands out as a robust tool for video editing and color grading, offering users a versatile platform to create high-quality projects. This open-source video editing software supports unlimited audio and video tracks, enabling extensive timeline editing. Its built-in audio editor improves your projects with effects like EQ and noise reduction. With advanced features like chroma keying and motion tracking, you can achieve precise edits and dynamic visuals. Keyframing allows you to animate effects effectively, as your color grading options using RGB curves help you refine your footage for cinematic looks. Kdenlive’s compatibility across various operating systems makes it accessible for everyone, from beginners to seasoned professionals, ensuring a thorough video editing experience that meets diverse needs. GIMP and Inkscape: Creating Stunning Static Graphics In the domain of video production, having visually appealing static graphics can improve the overall quality of your projects. GIMP and Inkscape are two of the best graphic design apps free of charge, perfect for creating stunning visuals. GIMP, a strong photo editing app, allows you to design lower thirds, overlays, and PNG stills, whereas Inkscape specializes in vector graphics for logos and illustrations that maintain quality at any size. Both tools are actively supported by the community, ensuring you have access to the latest features. By using these graphic artist apps, you can notably cut costs, gaining advanced capabilities without expensive software licenses. This combination offers a thorough toolkit for enhancing your video content through exceptional graphics. HandBrake: Optimizing and Transcoding Your Videos HandBrake serves as a robust tool for enhancing and transcoding your videos, making it an essential part of any video production workflow. This free and open-source video transcoder allows you to convert video files into various formats, perfect for platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. With its advanced features, you can: Resize videos to fit specific resolutions Crop unwanted portions for a cleaner look Utilize subtitle options for accessibility Adjust video quality and bitrate for peak results Use batch processing to streamline multiple conversions Photoprism: Efficient File Management and Organization After optimizing your videos with HandBrake, you’ll want an efficient system to manage and organize your media files. Photoprism serves as a self-hosted library that improves file management, allowing you to easily browse and organize exported projects and reference media. It provides thumbnail previews and metadata tagging, so you can filter and search for specific assets swiftly. This tool supports various file formats, making it compatible with different media types, including images and videos. By automating the organization process, Photoprism reduces the time spent searching for files during your video editing projects. With a focus on privacy, you control your data without relying on third-party cloud services, ensuring your creative work remains secure during the use of photo editing software and photography editing apps. Free Sound Libraries: Enhancing Audio With Royalty-Free Music and Effects Finding the right audio to complement your video projects is crucial, and free sound libraries offer an excellent solution for sourcing royalty-free music and sound effects. These libraries provide access to high-quality sound without the risk of copyright infringement, making them invaluable for editors. Here are some benefits of using free sound libraries: Vast collections across various genres Easy search by mood, tempo, or instruments Licensing agreements that clarify commercial use Ability to improve storytelling through audio engagement Access to high-quality sound effects that raise production value Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Recommended Editing Workflow? To establish a recommended editing workflow, start with thorough pre-production planning, setting clear goals and timelines. During production, guarantee you capture high-quality footage and organize your assets effectively. Shift to post-production by using editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro. Incorporate collaboration tools for feedback and communication, and optimize your videos before final rendering. This structured approach will amplify your efficiency and improve the overall quality of your projects. What Editing Software Do Most Editors Use? Most editors prefer software like Adobe Premiere Pro for its extensive features and seamless integration with other Adobe applications. If you’re a Mac user, Final Cut Pro might appeal to you because of its intuitive interface and advanced capabilities. DaVinci Resolve is likewise popular, especially for color correction, whereas iMovie serves beginners well with its easy-to-use tools. Open-source options like Kdenlive and Shotcut are great for those on a budget, offering solid functionalities. What Are the 5 Steps of the Editing Process? The editing process consists of five crucial steps. First, you import and organize your assets, gathering all clips and audio into a structured library. Next, you create a rough cut, arranging clips on the timeline for a basic narrative flow. Then, you’ll fine-tune the edit by trimming and adjusting pacing. After that, you add effects, titles, and audio. Finally, you export and optimize the video for distribution on various platforms. What Is the Basic Editing Workflow? The basic editing workflow begins with organizing and importing your raw footage into editing software. You’ll then arrange the clips on a timeline, trimming them to create a coherent narrative flow. Simultaneously, you’ll edit the audio to improve sound quality, applying techniques like noise reduction. After the initial cut, you’ll add effects and shifts, followed by color grading and rendering in the post-production stage, ensuring the final video is polished for distribution. Conclusion Incorporating these potent editing tools into your workflow can greatly improve your content creation process. Kdenlive, GIMP, and Inkscape offer advanced capabilities for video editing and graphic design, as HandBrake guarantees your videos are optimized for any platform. Photoprism streamlines project organization, and free sound libraries provide high-quality audio options. By utilizing these tools effectively, you can boost your productivity and creativity, leading to more polished and engaging content that resonates with your audience. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "5 Editing Tools That Transform Your Editor Workflow" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Senate Republicans have added $1 billion in White House security upgrades to legislation that would fund immigration enforcement agencies, a proposed boost for President Donald The President’s ballroom project after a man was charged with trying to assassinate him at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last week. The GOP bill released late Monday would designate the money for the U.S. Secret Service for “security adjustments and upgrades” related to the ballroom project, which The President and Republicans have been pushing since Cole Tomas Allen allegedly stormed the April 25 media dinner at the Washington Hilton with guns and knives. The legislation says the money would support enhancements to the ballroom project, “including above-ground and below-ground security features,” but also specifies that the money may not be used for non-security elements. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised Republicans for including the money for the “long overdue” project, saying it would “provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex, in addition to the many other critical missions for the USSS.” The money is part of a larger bill to pay for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol, as Democrats have been blocking funds for both agencies since mid-February. Congress passed bipartisan legislation to fund the rest of the Homeland Security Department on April 30 after a record-long shutdown, but Republicans are using a partisan budget maneuver to push through the ICE and Border Patrol dollars on their own. The House has not released its bill yet, but the Senate is expected to start voting on its version of the legislation next week. It is unclear exactly how the $1 billion would be used, and the amount far exceeds the proposed $400 million for construction of the ballroom. The White House has said in court documents that the East Wing project would be “heavily fortified,” including bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom. The President has said it should include bulletproof glass and be able to repel drone attacks. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to block construction of the project, but a federal appeals court said last month that it can continue in the meantime. The White House has said that private money would pay for the construction but public money would be used for security measures. Some Republicans have suggested that public money pay for all of it, arguing the security breach at the dinner shows the president needs a secure place to host events. “It would be insane” to hold the dinner at a hotel again, said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who introduced a bill to pay for the ballroom’s construction with Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala. Democrats have said they will oppose any efforts to pay for the ballroom. “While Americans are struggling to make ends meet as a result of President The President’s failed policies, Republicans are focused on providing tens of billions of dollars for the President’s vanity ballroom project and cruel mass deportation campaign,” said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the U.S. Secret Service. —Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report. View the full article

Imagine you launched a product in November 2025. Within four months, Jensen Huang had spotlighted it from the NVIDIA GTC stage, 188k (and counting) developers starred it on GitHub, and hundreds of fans show up to a lobster-themed conference dressed for the occasion. The last point, I admit, is only relevant to OpenClaw. What this agent software has achieved in just a few months has astounded and unsettled the AI world. Open source, freely available and community-built, is undoubtedly the weightier part of that story. But spend any time in the online chatter around OpenClaw and another theme surfaces: it runs on-device. No cloud subscription required and no data leaving the building. Anyone can run an AI agent from their own hardware, entirely under their own control. Though local LLMs mean accepting some reduction in output quality, a trade-off the adoption numbers suggest many users are making deliberately. This appetite has been building for years. What we are witnessing is the sweet spot where the hardware and models finally caught up with the demand. What it means for enterprise strategy, regulated industries, and the security of every endpoint in your organization is less obvious than it first appears. THE SUBSTRATE CHANGED UNDER EVERYONE’S FEET The reason this is happening now comes down to hardware. Neural processing units are standard on professional laptops, and AI models have become lean enough to run locally—no data center required. Gartner forecasts AI PCs will make up 55% of the market in 2026, which means the devices your procurement team bought last cycle almost certainly carry this capability, whether your AI strategy has caught up or not. The implication for business leaders is significant: sensitive, compliance-critical work can finally stay off the cloud entirely. THE RULES ARE CHANGING Working closely with the teams building these tools, I’ve seen what changes when the data residency problem is solved, particularly in Voice AI. Voice AI is one of the hardest (and most unforgiving) real-world AI tasks to run on-device. It includes accents, background noise, overlapping speakers, and variable recording conditions. For years, enterprise-grade accuracy required audio to leave the device. That was the trade-off every regulated industry accepted because there was no other option. That trade-off is now gone. Leading on-device speech recognition now operates within 5% relative accuracy of cloud models. On modern hardware, these systems can process an hour of complex audio in approximately 55 seconds. Before, every AI decision came with conditions: what the cloud permitted, what compliance allowed, what latency users would tolerate. On-device removed these constraints. Once the ceiling lifts, several things change structurally. Privacy will become architectural, not contractual. The guarantee moves from a promise not to look to proof that the data never left the device. Compliance and auditing will shift. Without a centralized log, organizations need new frameworks for demonstrating what ran, where, and on whose authority. The cost structure will change at scale. Cloud compute is billed by usage. On-device, the hardware is already purchased. For large workforces, that converts a variable cost into a fixed one. What this means is that on-device is no longer a contingency in the executive conversations I have. It is the strategy. OPENCLAW’S OTHER LESSON As Openclaw’s ecosystem grew, so did its attack surface. VirusTotal’s February 2026 research identified hundreds of actively malicious extensions across the skills marketplace. Snyk’s ToxicSkills analysis further found prompt-injection techniques in 36% of scanned skills, while 13.4% contained at least one critical-level security issue. There were also multiple stories of major companies banning the framework entirely as governance concerns mounted. On-device AI is dangerous. Risk depends on what the AI is doing. Speech recognition running locally presents a different threat model to an agent that can take automated actions. OpenClaw’s vulnerabilities were amplified by its ability to execute. Moving intelligence to the endpoint changes the attack surface, and that demands a different kind of governance than most organizations have built. This is solvable, because the governance frameworks built for cloud AI already give us a blueprint. The challenge now is adapting them early rather than retrofitting them after deployment. THE LAST MILE The era of AI as a distant service is ending. The alternative to the cloud finally works. Intelligence is moving to where the work happens and where the decision cannot wait for a network round-trip. The industries that spent years accepting that trade-off no longer have to. The hardware is already in your employees’ bags. If you haven’t begun defining your on-device AI strategy, this is the year to start—the shift is already underway. Katy Wigdahl is the CEO at Speechmatics. View the full article

Coinbase is cutting around 700 roles—or 14% of its workforce—because of AI, according to CEO Brian Armstrong. On Tuesday, Armstrong made a post on X that included the full email he sent to employees regarding the layoffs. “We’re currently in a down market and need to adjust our cost structure now so that we emerge from this period leaner, faster, and more efficient for our next phase of growth,” Armstrong wrote. Coinbase will not only cut costs and reduce head count but also “fundamentally” change how the company operates, he said. For one, Armstrong said the company would flatten its structure to a maximum of five layers between executives and employees. The billionaire crypto CEO said that in cutting middle manager roles, which “slow things down and create coordination tax,” leaders will have as many as 15 direct reports and the company will have a “leaner cost structure that is built to perform through all market cycles.” Coinbase will focus on “AI-native talent,” Armstrong said. He also explained that the company will experiment with one-person teams, in which a single person will complete the tasks of engineers, designers, and product managers. Coinbase is just the latest company laying off employees in the name of artificial intelligence. Meta plans to lay off 10% of its workforce this month. In an internal meeting, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said AI spending and slower sales during the U.S. war in Iran were some of the factors that led to the downsizing. Last month, Snap announced it would cut 16% of its employees due to AI advances. In February, Block shrunk its workforce from 10,000 to 6,000, and CEO Jack Dorsey said he hopes AI will replace middle management roles. Armstrong said impacted U.S. employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks’ base pay, as well as two weeks’ pay per year worked. Coinbase employees who are on a work visa will receive “extra transition support,” he added. Read Armstrong’s full X post below: This is an email I sent earlier today to all employees at Coinbase: Team, Today I’ve made the difficult decision to reduce the size of Coinbase by ~14%. I want to walk you through why we’re doing this now, what it means for those affected, and how this positions us for the future. Why now Two forces are converging at the same time. We need to be front footed to respond to both. First, the market. Coinbase is well-capitalized, has diversified revenue streams, and is well-positioned to weather any storm. Crypto is also on the verge of the next wave of adoption, with stablecoins, prediction markets, tokenization, and more taking off. However, our business is still volatile from quarter to quarter. While we’ve managed through that cyclicality many times before and come out stronger on the other side, we’re currently in a down market and need to adjust our cost structure now so that we emerge from this period leaner, faster, and more efficient for our next phase of growth. Second, AI is changing how we work. Over the past year, I’ve watched engineers use AI to ship in days what used to take a team weeks. Non-technical teams are now shipping production code, and many of our workflows are being automated. The pace of what’s possible with a small, focused team has changed dramatically, and it’s accelerating every day. All of this has led us to an inflection point, not just for Coinbase, but for every company. The biggest risk now is not taking action. We are adjusting early and deliberately to rebuild Coinbase to be lean, fast, and AI-native. We need to return to the speed and focus of our startup founding, with AI at our core. What this means To get there, we are not just reducing head count and cutting costs, we’re fundamentally changing how we operate: rebuilding Coinbase as an intelligence, with humans around the edge aligning it. What does this mean in practice? Fewer layers, faster decisions: We are flattening our org structure to 5 layers max below CEO/COO. Layers slow things down and create coordination tax. The future is small, high-context teams that can move quickly. Leaders will own much more, with as many as 15+ direct reports. Fewer layers also means a leaner cost structure that is built to perform through all market cycles. No pure managers: Every leader at Coinbase must also be a strong and active individual contributor. Managers should be like player-coaches, getting their hands dirty alongside their teams. AI-native pods: We’ll be concentrating around AI-native talent who can manage fleets of agents to drive outsized impact. We’ll also be experimenting with reduced pod sizes, including “one person teams” with engineers, designers, and product managers all in one role. In short: AI is bringing a profound shift in how companies operate, and we’re reshaping Coinbase to lead in this new era. This is a new way of working, and we need to leverage AI across every facet of our jobs. To those who are affected I know there are real people behind these decisions—talented colleagues who have poured themselves into this company and our mission. To those of you who will be leaving: thank you. You’ve helped build Coinbase into what it is today, and I am sincerely grateful for everything you’ve done. All impacted team members will receive an email to their personal account in the next hour with more information, and an invitation to meet with an HRBP and a senior leader in your organization. Coinbase system access has been removed today. I know this feels sudden and harsh, but it is the only responsible choice given our duty to protect customer information. To those affected, we will be providing a comprehensive package to support you through this transition. U.S. employees will receive a minimum of 16 weeks base pay (plus 2 weeks per year worked), their next equity vest, and 6 months of COBRA. Employees on a work visa will get extra transition support. Those outside of the U.S. will receive similar support, based on local factors and subject to any consultation requirements. Coinbase prides itself on talent density. Our employees are among the most talented people in the world, and I have no doubt that your skills and experience will be highly sought after as you pursue your next chapters. How we move forward To the team that is staying, I know this is a difficult day. We’re saying goodbye to colleagues and friends you’ve been in the trenches with. But here’s what I want you to know as we move forward together: Over the past 13 years, we have weathered four crypto winters, gone public, and built the most trusted platform in our industry. We’ve made it this far by making hard decisions and by always staying focused on our mission. This time will be no different—nothing has changed about the long-term outlook of our company or industry. And most importantly, our mission has never been more important for the world. Increasing economic freedom requires a new financial system, and we’re building it. The Coinbase that emerges from this will be more capable than ever to achieve our mission. Brian View the full article

Shares of Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC) stock rose over 13% Tuesday on news that Apple is considering using the chipmaker, along with Samsung Electronics Co, to produce processors for its devices in the U.S., Bloomberg reported. The previously ailing stock has made a turnaround in the last few months, and hit an all-time high on Tuesday, above $100 a share. Apple (AAPL) shares were up just over 1% as of this writing midday on Tuesday, following that report and after last week’s strong second quarter earnings results, which were fueled by “extraordinary demand” for the iPhone 17 lineup. Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook called it the company’s “best March quarter ever,” with revenue coming in at $111.2 billion and “double-digit growth across every geographic segment.” Today’s news could solve the tech giant’s reliance on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. for its chips, opening it up to other options. On a conference call with analysts on Thursday, Cook said high demand for its products was causing supply constraints for the advanced technology needed to produce its devices, the Associated Press reported—and according to Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry, Intel’s AI chips are “several years ahead of TSMC.” As for the details of the potential deal, Bloomberg reported Apple “has had early-stage talks” with Intel, and executives have made visits to a Samsung plant in the works in Texas. The Korea Stock Exchange, where Samsung trades under the ticker 005930.KS. (KRX), was closed on Tuesday. Intel financials Intel’s gains on Tuesday mark a 55-year-high for the tech stock, which jumped 114% last month and is up a whopping 200% year-to-date. Intel has a market cap of $542.9 billion as of this writing, beating its previous market-cap record of $501.51 billion set on Aug. 31, 2000, per MarketWatch. View the full article