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The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership opportunities, events and more. Imagine someone with Parkinson’s sipping their morning coffee with a steady hand. A person with chronic pain or overactive bladder enjoying simple pleasures like going to the movies, taking a road trip, and a restful sleep. A life changed and potentially saved because signs of colorectal cancer were caught and treated early. These examples represent real people whose lives were changed with healthcare technology. Medical devices and therapies that once seemed like sci-fi are now alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending lives. Artificial intelligence, data, and robotics rightfully get credit for supercharging many recent health tech breakthroughs, but innovation will always be powered by people. Behind every new product is a team of individuals who grew up tinkering, dreaming, and embracing challenges, while ultimately dedicating their careers to improving lives. Yet, as optimistic as we are about the future of health tech and the people behind it, a global talent shortage of 4.3 million tech workers by 2030 threatens innovation. Making matters more urgent, a looming shortage of 11 million health workers could disproportionately impact health outcomes in low-income regions. These aren’t merely statistics. If left unaddressed, workforce shortages could stall the development of life-saving therapies and compromise the quality of care that all of us deserve. We can’t allow that to happen. Could a global challenge also be a needed solution? We think so. Despite global workforce shortages, there’s a generation at risk of being left behind. Currently 80% of young adults from low-income communities globally are not able to find a secure job and 65% of students in primary school today will work in jobs that don’t currently exist. Many of these will be in fields where early exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is critical. This raises important questions: What if we could equip a generation with the critical skills needed to meet workforce shortages while also breaking cycles of poverty? And, what if we could change the trajectory of lives while also saving them? We believe this isn’t only possible—it’s essential. Here are three key things that need to happen: 1. College degrees are valuable, but can no longer be the only path to entry In health tech we see how personalization is driving better health outcomes. Now, paths and preparation for careers in our industry (and other innovation-driven fields) must follow suit. The next idea that sparks a health tech breakthrough could come from anywhere—or anyone. But here’s the stark reality. There are bright students who face significant barriers to a post-graduate degree, even after they’re accepted into a program. According to Jobs for the Future, only 14% of low-income students who attend a four-year college will graduate. We must open new paths to health tech jobs; skills-based training, apprenticeships, and credentialing can all be effective alternatives. At Medtronic we’ve already worked with InStride to shift 150+ roles from degree-based to skills-based hiring, but we know more must be done. 2. Students need hands-on STEM experiences—early and often Research from Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation found that three-quarters of Gen Z youth are enthusiastic about STEM fields, but only 29% would rank a STEM role as their top career choice. Lack of exposure to STEM concepts, and their real-world application, could be fueling this gap. Similarly, the Smithsonian Science Education Center conducted a five-year study in North and South Carolina. They found that hands-on, innovative STEM education not only improved science achievement but also enhanced reading, math skills, and essential workforce skills like collaboration, problem solving, and creativity. These foundational skills are key to preparing students for future jobs. But students must also know jobs exist—and see themselves in them. 3. Building awareness of health tech careers must be a priority Every day, health tech innovators are harnessing groundbreaking technologies to improve lives and help close critical gaps in our global healthcare system. Yet despite its “cool factor” most students will never hear about the health tech industry unless they or a loved one need it. To combat this, we are launching Medtronic Spark—a 10-year initiative that aims to address the growing health tech talent gap through three programs: Medtronic Spark Innovator Labs, Medtronic Spark Credentials, and the Medtronic Spark Scholarship. These programs aim to propel 1 million students from low-income households into health tech careers. We know we can’t do it alone, but we’re committed to sparking a conversation that we believe can help fuel the future of healthcare. Our goal isn’t to merely touch young people’s lives. It is to truly change the trajectory of their lives with opportunities in health tech that have potential for lasting generational impact. Because at its core, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. Torod Neptune is senior vice president corporate marketing and global chief communications officer at Medtronic and chairman of Medtronic Foundation. Sally Saba, MD is the president of Medtronic Foundation and global chief inclusion and diversity officer at Medtronic. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. “Skinny” is such an outdated concept; too diet culture for 2025. “Flat belly” sounds better, but we’re tired of that, too. What is the trend-dependent online influencer culture to do? Enter “gut health,” the current euphemism for having a thin waist—this time with extra wellness baggage. It sounds like it’s all about a science-based journey toward better nutrition, but really it’s more bullshit. So let’s explore the most questionable gut health hacks out there. Grab a towel, because it’s time for your internal shower! Taking an 'internal shower'The "internal shower" is meant to clean you from the inside. The metaphor evokes more than just relieving constipation, and implies that your guts are dirty and need to be made sparkling clean. That's not how gut health works—things should keep moving, sure, but there's no need to fully clean everything out unless you're preparing for a colonoscopy (which has its own protocol). Though “internal shower” sounds fancy, it's really just a drink that contains two full tablespoons of chia seeds, plus a squeeze of lemon. Chia seeds swell in water, forming a lumpy, gel-like texture. (This is both what makes them good in pudding, and what allows them to adhere to the terra-cotta planters of Chia Pet fame.) So why drink them? Well, they’re high in fiber, and you also consume a glass of water in the process. In other words, it’s a trendier version of Metamucil. Be warned: the sudden increase of fiber in your diet can lead to bloating and diarrhea if you’re not used to it, but isn’t likely to be harmful otherwise. Avoiding cheeseIt’s true that a diverse diet with plenty of plant foods is probably better for your gut than a crappy diet—but not for any game-changing, gut-specific reason. Your gut is healthy when your body is healthy, and a varied diet involving fiber and other nutrients is good for your gut microbes and for the rest of you. This amounts to “eat your vegetables,” and is thus not an exciting viral tip. Gut health advice often gives you a list of foods not to eat, or demonizes specific foods. There are no common foods known to be particularly destructive to gut health—we're built to handle just about anything—but influencers often target processed foods and dairy foods. This means that cheese has emerged as a mythically problematic food, when in fact it's probably fine—and some studies suggest that it may even be particularly beneficial. Taking L-glutamineThe pursuit of “gut health” has led influencers to tell you that you need to go out and get some L-glutamine (available in any store’s supplement aisle) to heal or prevent your leaky gut. Some of these videos include actual scientific facts about what we understand glutamine to do in the body. But that itself should set off alarm bells: When somebody talks about the mechanism of how something is supposed to work, without presenting data on whether it actually works for the intended outcome, chances are you’re on the wrong path. L-glutamine is an amino acid that our body can usually make for itself. There is evidence that supplementing it is helpful for people with serious bowel diseases, sepsis, injuries like extensive burns, and immune disorders. The Canadian Society for Intestinal Research notes that you should consult a physician if you think you have conditions serious enough to affect your body’s ability to make enough glutamine. Anything called an "elixir" There’s an incredible depth and breadth of "gut health elixir" recipes available on TikTok and other platforms. There are gut health elixirs with aloe juice and coconut water, or with olive oil and lemon, or with hibiscus and kombucha, or with turmeric and ashwagandha. What do any of these have in common? Gut health, of course. What a silly question. Washing our fruit (for gut health)Washing your fruit is fine. Believing that unwashed fruit is the only thing standing between you and a snatched stomach—that I can't get behind. The idea is that fresh produce has pesticides on it, and those pesticides are killing your good gut bacteria. It is a good idea to rinse fruit before you eat it, but there’s no link between the barely-detectable trace amounts of pesticides on fruit and the health of your gut or the size of your waistline. This isn’t a gut health tip, it’s just sensible food prep. Pilates (for gut health)Pilates is low-key strength training. It can be good for you, as almost any exercise can, but it doesn't work miracles. I've already covered the trend of TikTok influencers making up imaginary benefits of Pilates, but “gut health” is a stretch. Influencers claim (as in this video) that the breathwork and twisting motions of Pilates "massage" your gut to cure constipation, sometimes also referencing the complete myth that we have pounds of "stuck" poop inside our guts. Eating 30 plants a dayI actually like this as a hack for increasing the diversity of your diet: count up the number of plant species you eat each week, and aim to get more than you currently do. Lettuce and tomato on your sandwich? Add the wheat from the bun and you’re already up to three. This idea got its start with research from the American Gut Project, which found people who ate a more varied diet had a more diverse gut microbiome—although there is no specific link to health, and scientists still haven’t found a way of determining what a “healthy” microbiome looks like. But all of that has mutated quite a bit on social media. In one clip I remember watching, the narrator tells us that the difference between her before and after pictures is not due to “cardio and a restrictive diet.” But she has clearly lost fat. Gut health is just the new code word for losing fat. Nearly every one of the videos I’ve highlighted here starts with a before-and-after of somebody’s soft, then toned, tummy. If it were really about “bloating,” you’d be able to see the same abs in both pictures. Going for a walk every morningWalks are good! Morning routines are good! And it’s true that your gut has its own “clock” for telling what time it is. Some influencers get it backwards, though, when they suggest getting morning light to set your gut’s clock. In truth, the gut sets its clock based on when you feed it. If you want to set your gut’s clock in the morning, try eating breakfast. Like a whole, actual breakfast, not a glass of lemon water. Going for a walk may help your digestion—that's the whole idea of the "fart walk," a walk taken after dinner that may relieve feelings of bloating and that can also help your body to control glucose levels. Feel free to take one after breakfast instead of waiting until dinnertime. Oil pullingThis old thing? (I need to stop being surprised when old health trends make a comeback.) Oil pulling is when you swish coconut oil around your mouth, sometimes for up to 20 minutes, in addition to (or in place of) brushing your teeth. It’s not particularly good at that job, and there’s no reason to believe it will do anything for your gut health or your abs. ChewingAnother archaic one that keeps popping up. The idea of over-chewing your food always reminds me of that scene in The Road to Wellville where the dining hall erupts in a chorus of “Chew chew chew, that is the thing to do/Chew chew chew, good food is good for you.” Yes, your mouth produces salivary amylase to help break down your food. But there is plenty of amylase in your small intestine as well. Studies have shown potential, subtle effects of extended chewing on satiety (how hungry you feel), but the idea that you’ll get a TikTok flat belly by spending more time chewing is unsupported. View the full article

AI isn't coming for your job. Probably? Look, it's complicated. And anyone who has ever played around with a chatbot has likely asked themselves, "This is what they want to replace a human with?" It's a valid concern, because generative AI chatbots like Google's Gemini aren't super useful. To my surprise, though, Gemini's Canvas feature can be. I will say up front, I'm coming at this as a generative AI skeptic, but I'm also not an AI doomer. There are some situations—like creating alt text for images to boost accessibility—where AI-based tools can come in handy. I prefer to find where tools can be genuinely useful, and ignore the noise. To that end, Gemini's Canvas is the one thing that's made Gemini genuinely useful to me. Instead of just asking an AI to write for me, it gives me a workspace where I can do things, and occasionally ask for help or tasks as I need it. What is Gemini Canvas?Canvas is an optional tool that you can enable in a conversation with Gemini. This additional workspace can function as a text editor and a coding tool. Any documents or code you create with this tool, you can also edit directly just like any other editor. You can then export documents you create to Google Docs when you're ready to move on to another phase of the project. If you're using it for coding, you can run code directly inside Canvas. This is particularly useful for HTML-based applets when you're using Gemini in a web browser, since it's already designed for HTML. The window can switch between a preview running the code, or a text editor to manipulate it directly. To use Canvas, just click on the Canvas button at the bottom of your prompt window (or under the + icon on mobile). Your first prompt will open Canvas, and I usually prefer to start with a blank one, so I'll say something like "Give me a blank canvas window to start with." You can also ask Gemini to generate something to start with, and depending on whether it's a text document or code, it will default to the proper Canvas window for it. If that sounds like a much wordier way to just ask for a blank document, well, it is. LLMs are surprisingly good at understanding natural language commands, but aren't always great at succinct instructions (more on that later). What this means, though, is that it lends itself well to verbal commands. I often use tools like Windows dictation to write text, rather than type it all out by hand. It's a great tool on its own to reduce the constant wrist strain that comes from a career of typing all day, or if you're more of the stream-of-consciousness type. In some cases, dictating commands and having Gemini interpret them can be faster for me than doing things manually. With that in mind, here are a few use cases I've found that are actually more helpful than doing things the normal way. Organizing brainstorms and drafts"AI for brainstorming" is often the first thing people suggest, and it's not very useful—if your goal is to get the tool to do your thinking for you. I would like to suggest something slightly different. When I brainstorm ideas, instead of using Gemini to come up with my ideas for me, I'll use it to organize my ideas and notes, and turn approved pitches into outlines. The trick here is that Gemini can create, manage, and most importantly understand the differences between multiple different documents. For example, I sometimes use Gemini to write pitches for articles in one document, and then turn those into a draft in another. While working on the draft, I can ask Gemini to "change the status of [x] pitch to 'Finished' in the pitch doc." When I tested this, I expected Gemini to do something ridiculous and wrong. My "status" tracker is just an extra line under the paragraph that says something like "Status: Approved." But Gemini understood what this meant, and changed the text, all while I was working in another document. It's a small thing, but it demonstrates how handy it can be to have an assistant that understands what you're trying to accomplish. As a side note, Google Docs also has an "Ask Gemini" tool embedded in it, and you'd think that this would be a better way to accomplish the same task, but for some reason, it's not. I've tried asking Gemini to make small changes to a Google Doc, but it won't actually change anything unless I manually select the text. It also can't refer out to other Google Docs in your drive, so it's weirdly more limited than Canvas in Gemini. I'll still usually copy my drafts to Docs later in the process, but for some early brainstorming, Canvas is a handy tool. Edit formatting and presentation (in Markdown!)Gemini (and, frankly, every generative AI tool I've tried) is absolutely awful at writing anything of interest. Purely out of curiosity, I've tested whether Gemini could write a draft of an article for me, and I just make edits. In every instance, I had to rewrite every single word. Not just because they're often wrong, but because they're bland, boring, and cringey. Formatting the words you write is another story. When using Canvas, Gemini can understand conversational commands like "convert all subheadings to H2" or "move the second subhead section above the first" and apply them directly. It's also great for more complex style choices, like "convert all H2 subheads to sentence case" or "if there are any semicolons in this document, obliterate them." As a bonus, Canvas uses Markdown formatting by default (unlike Google Docs), which makes it extra useful for creating drafts you'll copy over somewhere else later. This isn't really a feature of Gemini or Canvas per se, it's just a nice touch that I find makes it easier to work with. Make your own shortcuts for complex edits and commandsEverything I've talked about so far is true and helpful, but if I'm honest with myself, it's not quite enough to convince me to fully integrate Canvas into my workflow. What pushed me over the edge was when I figured out how to create my own shortcuts. This trick is tucked away under Settings > Saved info. Google presents this as a way to store "info about your life and preferences" but it's really a place to put any instructions you want Gemini to always keep in mind. So, for example, I have a saved block that reads "If the entire prompt is 'H2s', then convert all subheadings in the Canvas window into H2s." From then on, I only need to type "H2s" to perform the action. It's a handy way to make your own custom shortcuts for any instruction you like. You can use this for more complex guidelines, like "When I ask for an outline, format it [however you like]". Or, if you're coding (more on that below), "When I ask for an applet, assume I want it written in HTML5." You can make these instructions conditional—as I have here—so that they only trigger when you need them. Create small, personalized applets for niche usesA while back, someone I knew was struggling with visualizing parking in tight spaces. At the time, I opened up Blender, a 3D modeling and animation tool, to visualize an example for her. More recently, I tried to see if I could make a similar tool in Gemini. It took one prompt. I asked for an HTML5 animated tool to demonstrate parking, gave a few specific for what I wanted, and soon had a little applet that was way easier to make than what I showed my friend. One might very reasonably argue that there are easier ways to code this, or that the code it came out with is bad for some reason. But I don't know how to code, at least not that well. Gemini, however, is pretty great at very simple little applets like this. Just don't expect to turn anything it generates in to your boss if you're a developer. Don't use it to replace creative or rigorous workIt should go without saying, but Gemini (and at this point, any AI chatbot) isn't going to be a substitute for thinking for yourself. It's godawful at writing anything interesting or creative, it can get facts or sources wrong, and most damningly, it will confidently say it can do or has done something that it's incapable of doing. At the end of the day, you still have to put in the work. Setting aside that AI tools often produce low-effort work, there's the open question of whether it's even ethical to use AI for work or creativity. Most AI tools were created by scraping copyrighted data, including from people that those same tools would then try to replace. (To say nothing of the rising electricity costs that training generative AI models takes.) AI tools can be extremely useful when they're put to the right purpose. I'll admit, I'm partly writing this aspirationally. Using Gemini's Canvas gave me a glimpse into how useful AI tools could be if they focused on being an interpretive layer for applications, rather than a replacement for doing real work. View the full article

Key Takeaways Exceptional Customer Service is Essential: High levels of customer satisfaction lead to increased retention, repeat business, and valuable referrals, directly impacting revenue growth. Key Characteristics of Excellent Service: Responsiveness, knowledge, empathy, consistency, follow-up, and adaptability are crucial traits that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Active Listening and Empathy Matter: Understanding customer needs through active listening and showing empathy are vital for building trust and rapport with clients. Prompt Responses and Follow-Ups: Quick replies to customer inquiries and regular follow-ups strengthen relationships, improve retention, and encourage referrals. Ongoing Staff Training: Regular training equips employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide excellent customer service, ultimately enhancing the customer experience. Leverage Technology and CRM: Utilizing technology and customer relationship management tools helps streamline communication, track interactions, and improve overall service quality. In today’s competitive market, exceptional customer service can set you apart from the crowd. You know that a satisfied customer is more likely to return and recommend your business to others. That’s why mastering the art of customer service is crucial for your success. Overview Of Customer Service Exceptional customer service serves as the backbone for any small business. Achieving high levels of customer satisfaction leads to increased retention, repeat business, and valuable referrals, directly impacting your revenue. Importance Of Customer Service Customer service plays a crucial role in your sales strategy. Satisfied customers often convert into repeat clients and advocate for your business, driving customer acquisition. Prioritizing excellent service fosters customer engagement and builds loyalty, providing a solid foundation for your sales pipeline. Understanding customer needs and effectively handling objections enhances the sales process and can lead to higher sales conversion rates. Investing in customer relationship management (CRM) systems streamlines interactions and improves overall service quality. Key Characteristics Of Excellent Service Excellent customer service includes several key characteristics: Responsiveness: Quickly addressing inquiries or issues can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. Knowledge: Possessing in-depth product knowledge allows you to effectively demonstrate value and meet customer needs. Empathy: Understanding customer emotions and perspectives builds trust and strong relationships. Consistency: Providing a uniform experience across all interactions ensures reliability and fosters loyalty. Follow-Up: Regular follow-ups ensure customers feel valued and can lead to additional sales opportunities. Adaptability: Being flexible in problem-solving meets varying customer expectations and enhances satisfaction. Embracing these characteristics enables your sales team to engage effectively with customers, motivating them toward positive outcomes like upselling and cross-selling. Apply these strategies to strengthen your customer service approach and cultivate lasting relationships. 20 Customer Service Tips Exceptional customer service is vital for sales growth in small businesses. Implementing effective strategies fosters customer loyalty and drives repeat business. Here are 20 essential tips to enhance your customer service: Tip 1: Listen Actively Active listening helps you understand customer needs and intent. Pay attention, respond thoughtfully, and clarify if necessary. This fosters trust and builds rapport, creating a strong customer relationship. Tip 2: Be Empathetic Empathy in customer interactions shows you value their perspective. Acknowledge feelings and express understanding. This approach enhances customer engagement and promotes positive experiences. Tip 3: Stay Positive A positive tone can defuse customer frustration. Use encouraging language and remain calm, especially during difficult interactions. Positivity contributes to a pleasant atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression. Tip 4: Personalize Interactions Personalization creates a connection with your customers. Use their names and reference past interactions. This individual approach can increase customer loyalty and enhance the overall sales experience. Tip 5: Use Clear Communication Clear communication reduces misunderstandings. Be straightforward in your messages and avoid jargon. This ensures customers grasp your service offerings and feel supported throughout their journey. Tip 6: Respond Promptly Quick responses show commitment to customer satisfaction. Aim to address inquiries within 24 hours. Timely responses can improve customer retention and support your sales pipeline. Tip 7: Follow Up Following up post-interaction strengthens relationships. Reach out to check on satisfaction or offer further assistance. This effort elevates customer service and can lead to valuable referrals. Tip 8: Train Your Staff Regular training equips your staff with essential skills in customer service. Emphasizing product knowledge and objection handling enhances their ability to support customers effectively. Tip 9: Handle Complaints Gracefully Address complaints with professionalism and patience. Acknowledge the issue, seek solutions, and follow up after resolution. Graceful handling builds trust and improves overall satisfaction. Tip 10: Empower Employees Empower your team to make decisions that benefit customers. Granting autonomy encourages swift resolution of issues, enhancing the overall customer experience. Tip 11: Provide Consistent Service Consistency builds customer trust. Ensure your team delivers the same high-quality service every time. This reliability strengthens your brand and fosters long-term relationships. Tip 12: Be Knowledgeable Maintain deep product knowledge to answer inquiries effectively. Understanding customer needs allows you to make informed recommendations and enhances the sales process. Tip 13: Showcase Patience Showing patience, especially during challenging conversations, demonstrates your commitment to helping customers. This approach leads to stronger relationships and improves customer satisfaction. Tip 14: Encourage Feedback Soliciting customer feedback shows you value their opinions. Use surveys or direct communication to gather insights. This information can guide service improvements and enhance customer engagement. Tip 15: Utilize Technology Embrace customer relationship management (CRM) tools to streamline communication and track interactions. Technology can improve customer insights and facilitate follow-ups, enhancing overall service. Tip 16: Maintain Professionalism Professional interactions project credibility and trustworthiness. Always communicate respectfully and adhere to your business’s standards, ensuring customers feel valued. Tip 17: Create a Friendly Atmosphere A welcoming environment encourages customer engagement. Train your staff to greet customers warmly and foster positive interactions. This atmosphere can influence repeat business. Tip 18: Set Realistic Expectations Clearly communicate what customers can expect regarding service timelines and outcomes. This transparency helps manage customer expectations, reducing potential frustrations. Tip 19: Stay Available Ensure customers can reach you through various channels. Availability encourages communication and demonstrates your commitment to customer service, vital for customer acquisition. Tip 20: Celebrate Achievements Acknowledge and celebrate milestones within your team. This practice fosters a positive work environment and motivates staff to deliver exceptional customer service consistently. Best Practices For Effective Customer Service These best practices help small businesses enhance their customer service, driving customer loyalty and contributing to overall revenue growth. Building Customer Relationships Building strong customer relationships forms the foundation of repeat business and referrals. You can strengthen these connections by actively listening to your customers and acknowledging their needs. Use their feedback to personalize your interactions, tailoring your sales approach to address specific concerns. Show empathy during customer interactions; understanding their perspective fosters trust. Engaging customers through consistent communication keeps them informed and connected. Consider utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track interactions, ensuring you remember critical details and maintain a seamless flow in your sales pipeline. Measuring Success In Customer Service Measuring the effectiveness of your customer service requires establishing key performance metrics. Track customer satisfaction through surveys and feedback forms, capturing insights that can drive improvement. Monitor customer retention rates to evaluate the success of your relationship-building efforts. Analyze metrics such as first response time, resolution time, and follow-up effectiveness to identify areas for growth. Employing data-driven insights can refine your sales strategy, ensuring you address customer needs efficiently. Regularly reviewing these metrics helps optimize your sales process and enhances overall customer experience, leading to improved sales performance and higher revenue. Conclusion Exceptional customer service isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical component of your business success. By implementing the tips shared, you can create meaningful connections with your customers that lead to loyalty and repeat business. Remember that every interaction is an opportunity to impress and retain clients. Stay committed to continuous improvement and adapt your strategies based on feedback and changing customer needs. Ultimately, investing in stellar customer service pays off in increased satisfaction and revenue. Prioritize these practices to set yourself apart in a competitive market and watch your business thrive. Frequently Asked Questions What is the importance of customer service in a competitive market? Exceptional customer service is crucial because it helps businesses retain customers and encourages them to make recommendations. Satisfied customers are more likely to return, making customer service a key factor in achieving success and driving growth. How can excellent customer service impact sales? Excellent customer service fosters loyalty among clients, turning satisfied customers into repeat buyers and advocates. This loyalty enhances customer acquisition, leading to increased sales and revenue for businesses. What are the key traits of exceptional customer service? Key traits include responsiveness, knowledge, empathy, consistency, follow-up, and adaptability. These characteristics are essential for sales teams to effectively engage with customers and enhance overall satisfaction. What are some tips for improving customer service? To improve customer service, businesses should listen actively, show empathy, personalize interactions, communicate clearly, respond promptly, and train staff to manage complaints. Consistent service, empowering employees, and soliciting feedback are also effective strategies. How can technology enhance customer service? Utilizing technology, such as customer relationship management (CRM) tools, can streamline interactions and improve service management. These tools help maintain a seamless sales pipeline and ensure better tracking of customer preferences and needs. What metrics should businesses use to measure customer service success? Key performance metrics for customer service include customer satisfaction, retention rates, and response/resolution times. Analyzing these metrics helps businesses optimize their sales processes and enhance customer experiences. How does customer service contribute to building strong relationships? Good customer service builds strong relationships by fostering trust through active listening and personalized interactions. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also creates loyal clients who are more likely to refer others. What role does feedback play in customer service? Soliciting customer feedback is vital for understanding their needs and areas for improvement. Regularly gathering and acting on feedback helps businesses evolve their service offerings and ensure customer expectations are met. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Customer Service Tips to Enhance Satisfaction and Build Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Exceptional Customer Service is Essential: High levels of customer satisfaction lead to increased retention, repeat business, and valuable referrals, directly impacting revenue growth. Key Characteristics of Excellent Service: Responsiveness, knowledge, empathy, consistency, follow-up, and adaptability are crucial traits that enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. Active Listening and Empathy Matter: Understanding customer needs through active listening and showing empathy are vital for building trust and rapport with clients. Prompt Responses and Follow-Ups: Quick replies to customer inquiries and regular follow-ups strengthen relationships, improve retention, and encourage referrals. Ongoing Staff Training: Regular training equips employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide excellent customer service, ultimately enhancing the customer experience. Leverage Technology and CRM: Utilizing technology and customer relationship management tools helps streamline communication, track interactions, and improve overall service quality. In today’s competitive market, exceptional customer service can set you apart from the crowd. You know that a satisfied customer is more likely to return and recommend your business to others. That’s why mastering the art of customer service is crucial for your success. Overview Of Customer Service Exceptional customer service serves as the backbone for any small business. Achieving high levels of customer satisfaction leads to increased retention, repeat business, and valuable referrals, directly impacting your revenue. Importance Of Customer Service Customer service plays a crucial role in your sales strategy. Satisfied customers often convert into repeat clients and advocate for your business, driving customer acquisition. Prioritizing excellent service fosters customer engagement and builds loyalty, providing a solid foundation for your sales pipeline. Understanding customer needs and effectively handling objections enhances the sales process and can lead to higher sales conversion rates. Investing in customer relationship management (CRM) systems streamlines interactions and improves overall service quality. Key Characteristics Of Excellent Service Excellent customer service includes several key characteristics: Responsiveness: Quickly addressing inquiries or issues can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. Knowledge: Possessing in-depth product knowledge allows you to effectively demonstrate value and meet customer needs. Empathy: Understanding customer emotions and perspectives builds trust and strong relationships. Consistency: Providing a uniform experience across all interactions ensures reliability and fosters loyalty. Follow-Up: Regular follow-ups ensure customers feel valued and can lead to additional sales opportunities. Adaptability: Being flexible in problem-solving meets varying customer expectations and enhances satisfaction. Embracing these characteristics enables your sales team to engage effectively with customers, motivating them toward positive outcomes like upselling and cross-selling. Apply these strategies to strengthen your customer service approach and cultivate lasting relationships. 20 Customer Service Tips Exceptional customer service is vital for sales growth in small businesses. Implementing effective strategies fosters customer loyalty and drives repeat business. Here are 20 essential tips to enhance your customer service: Tip 1: Listen Actively Active listening helps you understand customer needs and intent. Pay attention, respond thoughtfully, and clarify if necessary. This fosters trust and builds rapport, creating a strong customer relationship. Tip 2: Be Empathetic Empathy in customer interactions shows you value their perspective. Acknowledge feelings and express understanding. This approach enhances customer engagement and promotes positive experiences. Tip 3: Stay Positive A positive tone can defuse customer frustration. Use encouraging language and remain calm, especially during difficult interactions. Positivity contributes to a pleasant atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression. Tip 4: Personalize Interactions Personalization creates a connection with your customers. Use their names and reference past interactions. This individual approach can increase customer loyalty and enhance the overall sales experience. Tip 5: Use Clear Communication Clear communication reduces misunderstandings. Be straightforward in your messages and avoid jargon. This ensures customers grasp your service offerings and feel supported throughout their journey. Tip 6: Respond Promptly Quick responses show commitment to customer satisfaction. Aim to address inquiries within 24 hours. Timely responses can improve customer retention and support your sales pipeline. Tip 7: Follow Up Following up post-interaction strengthens relationships. Reach out to check on satisfaction or offer further assistance. This effort elevates customer service and can lead to valuable referrals. Tip 8: Train Your Staff Regular training equips your staff with essential skills in customer service. Emphasizing product knowledge and objection handling enhances their ability to support customers effectively. Tip 9: Handle Complaints Gracefully Address complaints with professionalism and patience. Acknowledge the issue, seek solutions, and follow up after resolution. Graceful handling builds trust and improves overall satisfaction. Tip 10: Empower Employees Empower your team to make decisions that benefit customers. Granting autonomy encourages swift resolution of issues, enhancing the overall customer experience. Tip 11: Provide Consistent Service Consistency builds customer trust. Ensure your team delivers the same high-quality service every time. This reliability strengthens your brand and fosters long-term relationships. Tip 12: Be Knowledgeable Maintain deep product knowledge to answer inquiries effectively. Understanding customer needs allows you to make informed recommendations and enhances the sales process. Tip 13: Showcase Patience Showing patience, especially during challenging conversations, demonstrates your commitment to helping customers. This approach leads to stronger relationships and improves customer satisfaction. Tip 14: Encourage Feedback Soliciting customer feedback shows you value their opinions. Use surveys or direct communication to gather insights. This information can guide service improvements and enhance customer engagement. Tip 15: Utilize Technology Embrace customer relationship management (CRM) tools to streamline communication and track interactions. Technology can improve customer insights and facilitate follow-ups, enhancing overall service. Tip 16: Maintain Professionalism Professional interactions project credibility and trustworthiness. Always communicate respectfully and adhere to your business’s standards, ensuring customers feel valued. Tip 17: Create a Friendly Atmosphere A welcoming environment encourages customer engagement. Train your staff to greet customers warmly and foster positive interactions. This atmosphere can influence repeat business. Tip 18: Set Realistic Expectations Clearly communicate what customers can expect regarding service timelines and outcomes. This transparency helps manage customer expectations, reducing potential frustrations. Tip 19: Stay Available Ensure customers can reach you through various channels. Availability encourages communication and demonstrates your commitment to customer service, vital for customer acquisition. Tip 20: Celebrate Achievements Acknowledge and celebrate milestones within your team. This practice fosters a positive work environment and motivates staff to deliver exceptional customer service consistently. Best Practices For Effective Customer Service These best practices help small businesses enhance their customer service, driving customer loyalty and contributing to overall revenue growth. Building Customer Relationships Building strong customer relationships forms the foundation of repeat business and referrals. You can strengthen these connections by actively listening to your customers and acknowledging their needs. Use their feedback to personalize your interactions, tailoring your sales approach to address specific concerns. Show empathy during customer interactions; understanding their perspective fosters trust. Engaging customers through consistent communication keeps them informed and connected. Consider utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track interactions, ensuring you remember critical details and maintain a seamless flow in your sales pipeline. Measuring Success In Customer Service Measuring the effectiveness of your customer service requires establishing key performance metrics. Track customer satisfaction through surveys and feedback forms, capturing insights that can drive improvement. Monitor customer retention rates to evaluate the success of your relationship-building efforts. Analyze metrics such as first response time, resolution time, and follow-up effectiveness to identify areas for growth. Employing data-driven insights can refine your sales strategy, ensuring you address customer needs efficiently. Regularly reviewing these metrics helps optimize your sales process and enhances overall customer experience, leading to improved sales performance and higher revenue. Conclusion Exceptional customer service isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical component of your business success. By implementing the tips shared, you can create meaningful connections with your customers that lead to loyalty and repeat business. Remember that every interaction is an opportunity to impress and retain clients. Stay committed to continuous improvement and adapt your strategies based on feedback and changing customer needs. Ultimately, investing in stellar customer service pays off in increased satisfaction and revenue. Prioritize these practices to set yourself apart in a competitive market and watch your business thrive. Frequently Asked Questions What is the importance of customer service in a competitive market? Exceptional customer service is crucial because it helps businesses retain customers and encourages them to make recommendations. Satisfied customers are more likely to return, making customer service a key factor in achieving success and driving growth. How can excellent customer service impact sales? Excellent customer service fosters loyalty among clients, turning satisfied customers into repeat buyers and advocates. This loyalty enhances customer acquisition, leading to increased sales and revenue for businesses. What are the key traits of exceptional customer service? Key traits include responsiveness, knowledge, empathy, consistency, follow-up, and adaptability. These characteristics are essential for sales teams to effectively engage with customers and enhance overall satisfaction. What are some tips for improving customer service? To improve customer service, businesses should listen actively, show empathy, personalize interactions, communicate clearly, respond promptly, and train staff to manage complaints. Consistent service, empowering employees, and soliciting feedback are also effective strategies. How can technology enhance customer service? Utilizing technology, such as customer relationship management (CRM) tools, can streamline interactions and improve service management. These tools help maintain a seamless sales pipeline and ensure better tracking of customer preferences and needs. What metrics should businesses use to measure customer service success? Key performance metrics for customer service include customer satisfaction, retention rates, and response/resolution times. Analyzing these metrics helps businesses optimize their sales processes and enhance customer experiences. How does customer service contribute to building strong relationships? Good customer service builds strong relationships by fostering trust through active listening and personalized interactions. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also creates loyal clients who are more likely to refer others. What role does feedback play in customer service? Soliciting customer feedback is vital for understanding their needs and areas for improvement. Regularly gathering and acting on feedback helps businesses evolve their service offerings and ensure customer expectations are met. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Customer Service Tips to Enhance Satisfaction and Build Loyalty" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

All of those surveyed by Wolters Kluwer for its May Blue Chip Economic Indicators report ruled out the possibility the Fed could raise short-term rates. View the full article

Nintendo didn't make preordering the Switch 2 particularly easy—especially with its back and forth decisions in the face of tariffs. But even if you manage to get your hands on a Switch 2 for launch day, be careful, because Nintendo is ready to brick any Switch device you own should you break its rules—and I'm not talking about cheating at Mario Party. Rather, Nintendo is particularly concerned about Switch users who hack their systems, use emulators, or engage in piracy using Nintendo hardware. These players are the targets of the company's newfound bloodlust, and they're not messing around: steal our games, and lose the right to use your console. Stephen Totilo of Game File spotted the new philosophy on Thursday, when Nintendo sent out an email with the subject line: "Updates to Nintendo Account User Agreement and Nintendo Privacy Policy." Totilo counted over 100 edits to the Nintendo Account User Agreement, but the major change was to how the company handles modifications and piracy. The original agreement statement that you weren't allowed to "lease, rent, sublicense, publish, copy, modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble all or any portion of the Nintendo Account Services," unless you got the OK from Nintendo or the law permitted. Seems reasonable. However, the modified agreement is quite different, and outlines a stark new reality for users who might consider going against Nintendo's wishes: Without limitation, you agree that you may not (a) publish, copy, modify, reverse engineer, lease, rent, decompile, disassemble, distribute, offer for sale, or create derivative works of any portion of the Nintendo Account Services; (b) bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent any of the functions or protections of the Nintendo Account Services, including through the use of any hardware or software that would cause the Nintendo Account Services to operate other than in accordance with its documentation and intended use; (c) obtain, install or use any unauthorized copies of Nintendo Account Services; or (d) exploit the Nintendo Account Services in any manner other than to use them in accordance with the applicable documentation and intended use, in each case, without Nintendo’s written consent or express authorization, or unless otherwise expressly permitted by applicable law. You acknowledge that if you fail to comply with the foregoing restrictions Nintendo may render the Nintendo Account Services and/or the applicable Nintendo device permanently unusable in whole or in part. "Unusable" doesn't necessarily spell out how Nintendo plans to act when they find a player that has broken these rules, but it doesn't bode well for them—or their Switch.It would seem Nintendo has a back-end capability to block Switches from running properly if there's evidence of such misconduct. While harsh, this isn't too surprising. Nintendo certainly hasn't looked the other way when it comes to piracy in the past. The company was more than happy to ban you from online play if they found you playing games illegally, for example—a risk some players took to hack their Switches, even if they weren't trying to steal their games. (Maybe they just wanted to boost the performance of Tears of the Kingdom before Nintendo offered an official solution?) View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Consumer Alerts: Yelp’s consumer alerts help users identify potential fake reviews and suspicious activity, enhancing decision-making when choosing local businesses. Benefits for Consumers: These alerts protect consumers by highlighting issues, allowing them to avoid misleading information and make informed choices in finding dependable services. Impact on Businesses: By addressing flagged reviews, businesses can enhance their credibility and transparency, ultimately attracting more customers and fostering community support. Types and Triggers: Yelp employs different alerts for fraudulent reviews, suspicious activities, and business integrity, triggered by patterns in review activity and user behavior. Encouraging Feedback: User engagement with alerts leads to increased community feedback, improving overall review quality and accountability for businesses. Potential Misinterpretation: Alerts can sometimes be misinterpreted, which may harm businesses unfairly; thus, clear communication and varied reviews are essential for a balanced understanding. In today’s digital age, consumer reviews can make or break a business. When it comes to finding trustworthy establishments, Yelp plays a crucial role, and its consumer alerts feature is designed to protect you from misleading practices. With the rise of fake reviews and deceptive marketing tactics, knowing how to navigate these alerts can empower you to make informed decisions. Yelp’s consumer alerts are more than just warnings; they serve as a valuable tool in your quest for authentic experiences. Whether you’re searching for a new restaurant or a reliable service provider, understanding what these alerts mean can save you time and money. Dive in to learn how to leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts and enhance your decision-making process. Overview Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp’s consumer alerts serve a crucial role in protecting both consumers and small businesses. These alerts notify users about potential issues with business reviews, ensuring transparency and accountability. By offering insights into possible fake reviews or inconsistencies, Yelp helps you maintain an informed perspective when evaluating small businesses, retail options, or storefronts. Businesses can also benefit from these alerts. Understanding the alerts can enhance your credibility and build trust with potential customers. If a consumer notices something suspicious, they might investigate further, leading to a more informed decision-making process. Using Yelp effectively enhances visibility and attracts genuine customers to your small business, ultimately fostering community support and loyalty. Importance Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp consumer alerts play a crucial role in ensuring trust and transparency for both consumers and businesses. By actively monitoring and addressing fake reviews and misleading marketing practices, Yelp enhances the overall experience for users searching for local small businesses. Protecting Consumers Yelp consumer alerts act as a protective measure for consumers navigating online reviews. These alerts highlight flagged businesses or suspicious activity, helping you identify potential red flags. By utilizing these alerts, you can avoid misleading information and make informed decisions when choosing restaurants or service providers. This protection ultimately saves time and money, ensuring a positive experience with local small businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5smSSi7FZk Impact On Businesses Yelp consumer alerts not only safeguard consumers but also positively impact small businesses. When flagged for fraudulent reviews, small businesses receive opportunities to address and rectify issues, fostering accountability. This proactive approach enhances credibility and promotes transparency within the retail space. As your business gains trust from consumers, you attract more customers to your storefront and build a loyal community base that values integrity and authentic experiences. How Yelp Consumer Alerts Work Yelp’s consumer alerts enhance user experience while fostering integrity within the marketplace. By addressing the challenges of fake reviews, these alerts guide you toward reliable businesses. Types Of Alerts Yelp employs various types of alerts to protect users, including: Fraudulent Reviews Alerts: These alerts indicate potential fake reviews that may mislead consumers. Suspicious Activity Alerts: These notifications flag unusual patterns, suggesting ongoing manipulation of ratings or reviews. Business Integrity Alerts: These alerts inform users about businesses with multiple flagged reviews, signaling a need for caution. These alerts empower you to identify trustworthy small businesses and retail storefronts while avoiding misleading information. Trigger Mechanisms Yelp’s algorithms activate alerts based on specific trigger mechanisms, such as: Review Patterns: Sudden spikes in review submissions or changes in review content can prompt alerts. User Behavior: Unusual activity, like repetitive reviews from the same user or identical wording across multiple reviews, can trigger alerts. Business Practices: Engaging in practices that violate Yelp’s guidelines, like soliciting fake reviews, leads to alert generation. These mechanisms ensure that you receive timely warnings about businesses, helping you choose reliable options for your needs. Effectiveness Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp consumer alerts significantly enhance transparency and trust within the marketplace. These alerts empower consumers to make informed choices, especially when looking for small businesses with storefronts or retail services. User Engagement User engagement with Yelp consumer alerts promotes active participation in community feedback. When consumers encounter alerts about fraudulent reviews or suspicious activity, they gain insight into businesses’ reputations. Engaged users often leave detailed feedback, helping others navigate their choices. Yelp’s alert system encourages more reviews from users who recognize the importance of authenticity. This proactive approach enhances the overall quality of reviews, leading to well-informed decisions for consumers and better accountability for businesses. Business Responses Small businesses that receive alerts have unique opportunities to address concerns head-on. Responding to Yelp consumer alerts allows businesses to clarify misunderstandings and rectify issues related to reviews. Quick and transparent responses can improve your business’s credibility, fostering trust with potential customers. By actively engaging with reviews or alerts, businesses signal their commitment to integrity. This responsiveness not only mitigates the impact of fraudulent reviews but also builds a loyal customer base that appreciates accountability in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. Challenges And Criticisms Yelp’s consumer alerts, while beneficial, face certain challenges that affect how businesses and consumers perceive them. Misinterpretation Of Alerts Misinterpretation of alerts occurs when consumers misunderstand the intent behind them. Alerts may signal a business’s integrity issues, yet not all flagged businesses engage in fraudulent practices. Some alerts stem from common retail issues, such as high turnover rates or legitimate customer complaints. For small businesses, this misinterpretation can lead to unwarranted damage to their reputation. To mitigate this effect, businesses should actively respond to alerts and clarify any misunderstandings with transparent communication. Over-reliance On Reviews Over-reliance on reviews can skew customer perceptions and decisions. While Yelp’s consumer alerts enhance trust, consumers sometimes depend solely on these alerts without considering their context. This can disproportionately affect small businesses that may have fewer reviews or are less established. Reliance on a handful of reviews or alerts can omit the nuanced realities of a storefront’s service and offerings. Businesses must encourage a diverse range of reviews to foster a more balanced understanding among potential customers. Conclusion Yelp’s consumer alerts are invaluable tools for navigating the complex world of online reviews. By staying informed about potential red flags in business practices you can make choices that protect your interests. These alerts not only safeguard your decisions but also encourage businesses to maintain transparency and integrity. As you engage with Yelp’s features, remember to consider the context of alerts and the importance of diverse reviews. This balanced approach will enhance your understanding and foster a more trustworthy marketplace. Embrace Yelp’s consumer alerts to empower your decision-making and support businesses that prioritize authenticity and accountability. Frequently Asked Questions What are consumer reviews and why are they important? Consumer reviews are feedback provided by customers about their experiences with a business. They are crucial because they help potential customers make informed choices, enhance business credibility, and promote transparency in the marketplace. How does Yelp protect users from fake reviews? Yelp uses consumer alerts to notify users about suspicious activities and fraudulent reviews. These alerts highlight potentially misleading information, allowing users to make safer choices when selecting businesses. What are Yelp’s consumer alerts? Yelp’s consumer alerts are notifications that inform users about concerns regarding a business, such as Fraudulent Reviews Alerts, Suspicious Activity Alerts, and Business Integrity Alerts. They guide users toward trustworthy businesses. How do consumer alerts benefit small businesses? Consumer alerts help small businesses by promoting transparency and accountability. They provide an opportunity for businesses to clarify misunderstandings and improve their reputation, attracting more customers in the process. What triggers Yelp’s consumer alerts? Yelp’s consumer alerts are triggered by patterns in reviews, user behavior, and business practices that violate Yelp’s guidelines. These mechanisms ensure timely warnings about potentially unreliable businesses. How can businesses respond to consumer alerts? Businesses can respond to consumer alerts by addressing concerns raised in the alerts, clarifying any misunderstandings, and encouraging diverse reviews to provide a balanced view to potential customers. What challenges do Yelp’s consumer alerts face? Challenges include the potential for misinterpretation of alerts by consumers, which could negatively impact the reputation of businesses that aren’t actually engaging in fraudulent practices. Over-reliance on reviews may also skew perceptions. How can consumers leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts effectively? Consumers can leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts by paying attention to notifications, researching flagged businesses, and reading a variety of reviews to ensure a well-rounded understanding before making a decision. Image Via Envato This article, "Maximize Trust and Transparency with Yelp Consumer Alerts for Smarter Choices" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Consumer Alerts: Yelp’s consumer alerts help users identify potential fake reviews and suspicious activity, enhancing decision-making when choosing local businesses. Benefits for Consumers: These alerts protect consumers by highlighting issues, allowing them to avoid misleading information and make informed choices in finding dependable services. Impact on Businesses: By addressing flagged reviews, businesses can enhance their credibility and transparency, ultimately attracting more customers and fostering community support. Types and Triggers: Yelp employs different alerts for fraudulent reviews, suspicious activities, and business integrity, triggered by patterns in review activity and user behavior. Encouraging Feedback: User engagement with alerts leads to increased community feedback, improving overall review quality and accountability for businesses. Potential Misinterpretation: Alerts can sometimes be misinterpreted, which may harm businesses unfairly; thus, clear communication and varied reviews are essential for a balanced understanding. In today’s digital age, consumer reviews can make or break a business. When it comes to finding trustworthy establishments, Yelp plays a crucial role, and its consumer alerts feature is designed to protect you from misleading practices. With the rise of fake reviews and deceptive marketing tactics, knowing how to navigate these alerts can empower you to make informed decisions. Yelp’s consumer alerts are more than just warnings; they serve as a valuable tool in your quest for authentic experiences. Whether you’re searching for a new restaurant or a reliable service provider, understanding what these alerts mean can save you time and money. Dive in to learn how to leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts and enhance your decision-making process. Overview Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp’s consumer alerts serve a crucial role in protecting both consumers and small businesses. These alerts notify users about potential issues with business reviews, ensuring transparency and accountability. By offering insights into possible fake reviews or inconsistencies, Yelp helps you maintain an informed perspective when evaluating small businesses, retail options, or storefronts. Businesses can also benefit from these alerts. Understanding the alerts can enhance your credibility and build trust with potential customers. If a consumer notices something suspicious, they might investigate further, leading to a more informed decision-making process. Using Yelp effectively enhances visibility and attracts genuine customers to your small business, ultimately fostering community support and loyalty. Importance Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp consumer alerts play a crucial role in ensuring trust and transparency for both consumers and businesses. By actively monitoring and addressing fake reviews and misleading marketing practices, Yelp enhances the overall experience for users searching for local small businesses. Protecting Consumers Yelp consumer alerts act as a protective measure for consumers navigating online reviews. These alerts highlight flagged businesses or suspicious activity, helping you identify potential red flags. By utilizing these alerts, you can avoid misleading information and make informed decisions when choosing restaurants or service providers. This protection ultimately saves time and money, ensuring a positive experience with local small businesses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5smSSi7FZk Impact On Businesses Yelp consumer alerts not only safeguard consumers but also positively impact small businesses. When flagged for fraudulent reviews, small businesses receive opportunities to address and rectify issues, fostering accountability. This proactive approach enhances credibility and promotes transparency within the retail space. As your business gains trust from consumers, you attract more customers to your storefront and build a loyal community base that values integrity and authentic experiences. How Yelp Consumer Alerts Work Yelp’s consumer alerts enhance user experience while fostering integrity within the marketplace. By addressing the challenges of fake reviews, these alerts guide you toward reliable businesses. Types Of Alerts Yelp employs various types of alerts to protect users, including: Fraudulent Reviews Alerts: These alerts indicate potential fake reviews that may mislead consumers. Suspicious Activity Alerts: These notifications flag unusual patterns, suggesting ongoing manipulation of ratings or reviews. Business Integrity Alerts: These alerts inform users about businesses with multiple flagged reviews, signaling a need for caution. These alerts empower you to identify trustworthy small businesses and retail storefronts while avoiding misleading information. Trigger Mechanisms Yelp’s algorithms activate alerts based on specific trigger mechanisms, such as: Review Patterns: Sudden spikes in review submissions or changes in review content can prompt alerts. User Behavior: Unusual activity, like repetitive reviews from the same user or identical wording across multiple reviews, can trigger alerts. Business Practices: Engaging in practices that violate Yelp’s guidelines, like soliciting fake reviews, leads to alert generation. These mechanisms ensure that you receive timely warnings about businesses, helping you choose reliable options for your needs. Effectiveness Of Yelp Consumer Alerts Yelp consumer alerts significantly enhance transparency and trust within the marketplace. These alerts empower consumers to make informed choices, especially when looking for small businesses with storefronts or retail services. User Engagement User engagement with Yelp consumer alerts promotes active participation in community feedback. When consumers encounter alerts about fraudulent reviews or suspicious activity, they gain insight into businesses’ reputations. Engaged users often leave detailed feedback, helping others navigate their choices. Yelp’s alert system encourages more reviews from users who recognize the importance of authenticity. This proactive approach enhances the overall quality of reviews, leading to well-informed decisions for consumers and better accountability for businesses. Business Responses Small businesses that receive alerts have unique opportunities to address concerns head-on. Responding to Yelp consumer alerts allows businesses to clarify misunderstandings and rectify issues related to reviews. Quick and transparent responses can improve your business’s credibility, fostering trust with potential customers. By actively engaging with reviews or alerts, businesses signal their commitment to integrity. This responsiveness not only mitigates the impact of fraudulent reviews but also builds a loyal customer base that appreciates accountability in an increasingly competitive retail landscape. Challenges And Criticisms Yelp’s consumer alerts, while beneficial, face certain challenges that affect how businesses and consumers perceive them. Misinterpretation Of Alerts Misinterpretation of alerts occurs when consumers misunderstand the intent behind them. Alerts may signal a business’s integrity issues, yet not all flagged businesses engage in fraudulent practices. Some alerts stem from common retail issues, such as high turnover rates or legitimate customer complaints. For small businesses, this misinterpretation can lead to unwarranted damage to their reputation. To mitigate this effect, businesses should actively respond to alerts and clarify any misunderstandings with transparent communication. Over-reliance On Reviews Over-reliance on reviews can skew customer perceptions and decisions. While Yelp’s consumer alerts enhance trust, consumers sometimes depend solely on these alerts without considering their context. This can disproportionately affect small businesses that may have fewer reviews or are less established. Reliance on a handful of reviews or alerts can omit the nuanced realities of a storefront’s service and offerings. Businesses must encourage a diverse range of reviews to foster a more balanced understanding among potential customers. Conclusion Yelp’s consumer alerts are invaluable tools for navigating the complex world of online reviews. By staying informed about potential red flags in business practices you can make choices that protect your interests. These alerts not only safeguard your decisions but also encourage businesses to maintain transparency and integrity. As you engage with Yelp’s features, remember to consider the context of alerts and the importance of diverse reviews. This balanced approach will enhance your understanding and foster a more trustworthy marketplace. Embrace Yelp’s consumer alerts to empower your decision-making and support businesses that prioritize authenticity and accountability. Frequently Asked Questions What are consumer reviews and why are they important? Consumer reviews are feedback provided by customers about their experiences with a business. They are crucial because they help potential customers make informed choices, enhance business credibility, and promote transparency in the marketplace. How does Yelp protect users from fake reviews? Yelp uses consumer alerts to notify users about suspicious activities and fraudulent reviews. These alerts highlight potentially misleading information, allowing users to make safer choices when selecting businesses. What are Yelp’s consumer alerts? Yelp’s consumer alerts are notifications that inform users about concerns regarding a business, such as Fraudulent Reviews Alerts, Suspicious Activity Alerts, and Business Integrity Alerts. They guide users toward trustworthy businesses. How do consumer alerts benefit small businesses? Consumer alerts help small businesses by promoting transparency and accountability. They provide an opportunity for businesses to clarify misunderstandings and improve their reputation, attracting more customers in the process. What triggers Yelp’s consumer alerts? Yelp’s consumer alerts are triggered by patterns in reviews, user behavior, and business practices that violate Yelp’s guidelines. These mechanisms ensure timely warnings about potentially unreliable businesses. How can businesses respond to consumer alerts? Businesses can respond to consumer alerts by addressing concerns raised in the alerts, clarifying any misunderstandings, and encouraging diverse reviews to provide a balanced view to potential customers. What challenges do Yelp’s consumer alerts face? Challenges include the potential for misinterpretation of alerts by consumers, which could negatively impact the reputation of businesses that aren’t actually engaging in fraudulent practices. Over-reliance on reviews may also skew perceptions. How can consumers leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts effectively? Consumers can leverage Yelp’s consumer alerts by paying attention to notifications, researching flagged businesses, and reading a variety of reviews to ensure a well-rounded understanding before making a decision. Image Via Envato This article, "Maximize Trust and Transparency with Yelp Consumer Alerts for Smarter Choices" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Optimism from investors that deal between Washington and Beijing will de-escalate Donald The President’s trade warView the full article

Google’s logo just got a little bit blurrier. In a new logo quietly rolled out across iOS and Pixel, the search giant ditches its color blocked “G” for gradients. Google’s new logo keeps the same letterform, as well as the bright red-yellow-green-blue color sequence, but now those colors blur into each other. The new “G” is Google’s biggest update to its visual identity since retiring serfs for its current sans-serif font, Product Sans, in 2015. Why a gradient? In 2013, Google was among the first tech companies to move from skeuomorphic, dimensional lettering to a flat logo design. It arguably ushered in the “blanding” era—a moment when companies embraced simpler, sans-serif logos. This was both an aesthetic and utilitarian choice: simple, flat design conveyed the sense of efficient functionality that underpins modern technology. It also made it easier for companies to show up across the many screens and media required in the current media landscape. Google’s “G” took this idea even further, reducing the company’s famous wordmark down to a single letter icon in 2015. That first “G” was playful enough with is color blocking. But a decade on, it’s easy to see how it feels representative of a different moment on the internet. A gradient is a safe choice for the new “G.” Tech has long been a fan of using gradients in its logos, apps, and branding, with platforms like Instagram and Apple Music tapping into the effect a decade ago. Still today, gradients remain popular, owing to their middle-ground approach to design. They’re safe but visually interesting; soft but defined. They basically go with anything thanks to their color wheel aesthetic. Other Google-owned products have already embraced gradients. YouTube is now using a new red-to-magenta gradient in its UI, and Gemini, Google’s AI tool, also uses them. Now it’s bringing the design element to its flagship Google app. The change to Google’s logo is so subtle some users might not immediately notice the difference in a small size on their phones, and the effect hasn’t shown up in other applications like Gmail or Google Maps, where it will be more identifiable. Still, it’s not a small change for a behemoth of a company. We’ll never knows how many meetings, iterations, and deliberations went into making that little blur effect, but we can safely guess it was many. View the full article

Billy Evans, the partner of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, is currently in the process of raising money for his own startup. It’s a blood-testing company. According to reports from NPR and The New York Times, both of which spoke with anonymous sources close to the venture, 33-year-old Evans has already raised several million dollars for a new “stealth” startup focusing on diagnostics and health testing. Prior to this news, Evans first came into the public eye back in 2018 when he began dating Holmes, who is currently serving out an 11-year federal prison sentence for committing fraud through her infamous blood-testing company Theranos. Over the weekend, Evans’s startup Haemanthus spoke out on X to reassure investors and potential future customers that it’s not “Theranos 2.0.” The company has no apparent contact information, and the direct messages on its X account are closed. Fast Company was unable to reach the company for further comment. Here’s everything we know about the company so far. What is Haemanthus? Based on information provided to NPR, Haemanthus is a diagnostics company that’s planning to build a tool that can scan biological material like blood, sweat, and urine to identify potential diseases. The name “Haemanthus” itself appears to be an allusion to a flower of the same name, colloquially termed the “blood lily.” To many readers, that whole premise might sound strikingly similar to the story behind Theranos, which promised to dole out accurate diagnoses using a single drop of blood, before it ultimately started falling apart. However, Haemanthus took to X this Sunday to clarify that its tech is not an extension of Theranos. The post starts by acknowledging Evans’s relationship with Holmes and adding that “Skepticism is rational,” before categorically denying any connection to Holmes’s failed blood-testing company. “This is not Theranos 2.0,” the post reads. “Theranos attempted to miniaturize existing tests. Our approach is fundamentally different. We use light to read the complete molecular story in biological fluids, seeing patterns current tests can’t detect. Not an improvement. A different paradigm.” What kind of tech is the company developing? Sources told NPR that Haemanthus is currently in the early stages of “using light detection technology that can essentially guide AI sensors to conduct medical tests.” The company is specifically focusing on Raman spectroscopy, a form of chemical analysis that’s been used to diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and some forms of cancer. Based on a notice published in late January, the company has already received a patent for its Raman spectroscopy system. A photo provided to potential investors and obtained by The New York Times reportedly indicates that Haemanthus plans to build a small rectangular device to contain the tech, which will include a door and a digital display screen. Sources told the publication that Haemanthus plans to roll out its tech for veterinary purposes first, before ultimately developing a stamp-size, wearable device for humans. This trajectory was confirmed in part in Haemanthus’s X thread. “We’re starting with veterinary medicine. Not because it’s easier, but because it’s practical and meaningful. It validates our technology, helps animals who can’t describe symptoms, and builds the foundation for human applications,” the post reads. Who is working for the company? Sources told both NPR and The New York Times that the startup currently has between 10 and 12 employees, most of whom worked with Evans previously at the lidar tech company Luminar Technologies. Haemanthus reportedly told investors that it had around two dozen advisers, including veterinarians and diagnosticians, though specific names were not provided. How much money has been raised? So far, The New York Times reported, the company has raised $3.5 million through family and friends and is currently seeking another $15 million from investors in the Austin and Say Francisco Bay areas. Materials reviewed by the publication reportedly suggest that the company has an ultimate goal of raising more than $50 million. Is Elizabeth Holmes involved? In February, Holmes told People magazine that she plans to return to her career in healthcare technology after her release, and that she’s continuing to write patents for new inventions while serving her sentence. And in its exclusive initial coverage of Haemanthus, NPR cited sources who claimed that Holmes has been providing advice to Evans on his new venture from behind bars. On X, however, Haemanthus strongly refuted that claim. “Setting the record straight,” the company wrote. “Elizabeth Holmes has zero involvement in Haemanthus. We’ve learned from her company’s mistakes, but she has no role, now or future. NYT and NPR implied otherwise. We’ve stayed quiet to build real tech, not conceal. Demonstrating, not promising.” View the full article

Artificial intelligence might be the future of the workplace, but companies that are trying to get a head start on that future are running into all sorts of problems. Klarna and Duloingo have been some of the poster children for the “AI-first” workplace. Two years ago, Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski announced he wanted his company to be the “favorite guinea pig” of OpenAI, instituting a hiring freeze and replacing as many workers as possible with AI systems. Last month, Duolingo announced an AI-first shift, saying it would stop using contractors to do work AI can handle and only increase headcount when teams have maximized all possible automation. Klarna, though, is reversing course these days. And Duolingo is finding itself under attack on social media for its decision. Klarna CEO Siemiatkowski tells Bloomberg the fintech company is about to go on a hiring spree, in order to ensure customers will always have the option to speak to a live representative. The company did not say how many people it plans to add, but Siemiatkowski indicated Klarna would look at students and rural areas to boost its workforce. It’s an admission by the company that it might have been too ambitious with its AI goals. Last year, Klarna, in an announcement, said AI was doing the work of 700 customer service agents. Now, it’s once again focusing on human connections. “As cost unfortunately seems to have been a too predominant evaluation factor when organizing this, what you end up having is lower quality,” Siemiatkowski said. “Really investing in the quality of the human support is the way of the future for us.” Duolingo’s AI-first push is much newer, and there have been no policy reversals on its part as yet. But the company is facing a tsunami of pushback from the general public on social media after announcing the move, particularly on TikTok. The top comments on virtually every recent post have nothing to do with the video or the company – and everything to do with the company’s embrace of AI. For example, a Duolingo TikTok video jumping on board the “Mama may I have a cookie” trend saw replies like “mama may I have real people running the company 💔” (with 69,000 likes) and, “How about NO ai, keep your employees.” Another video that tied into the How to Train Your Dragon character Hiccup brought comments like “Was firing all your employees and replacing them with AI also a hiccup?” Other comments are more serious: “Using AI is disgusting,” wrote one user. “Language learning should be pioneered by PEOPLE. By making this decision duolingo is actively harming the environment, their customers, and employees when it hurts the most.” Another wrote, “What kind of audience do you think you’ve built that it’s okay to go ‘AI first’. we don’t want AI, we want real people doing good work. Goodbye Duo, if this is the way you’re going you wont be missed.” Others claimed to have deleted the app: “Deleted Duolingo last week. A 650+ day streak never felt so meaningless once I saw the news.” Companies, in general, remain excited about the potential cost savings of AI, sometimes for good reason. Duolingo’s stock is at an all time high and the company recently raised its sales forecast for 2025. A study by the World Economic Forum (WEF) found that 40% of employers expect to reduce their workforce and hand over automated tasks to the technology. As bullish as executives might be, however, that excitement has not made its way into the consumer space. Almost half of the Generation Z job hunters told the WEF they believed AI has reduced the value of their college education. And researchers at Harvard University say the technology is still threatening to people. “From early on in life humans strive to manage their surroundings to achieve their goals. So they’re naturally reluctant to adopt innovations that seem to reduce their control over a situation,” wrote Julian De Freitas, an assistant professor in the marketing unit at Harvard Business School. “The possibility that AI tools might completely take over tasks previously handled by humans, rather than just assist with them, stirs up deep concerns and worries.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. With dietary differences and grocery budgeting, eggless dessert recipes are more sought after than they used to be. Of course, eggs play an important role in the structure of your batter, so you can’t just leave it out. (Well, sometimes you can.) You’re better off knowing what sorts of egg replacements you can use for different types of baking. Here’s a list of the best egg replacement you can lean on during lean times. By the way, if you find yourself modifying recipes a lot, I highly suggest you buy The Elements of Baking. It can give you the tools (and ratios) you need to modify almost any recipe for different diets; you can read my full review of the cookbook here. What do eggs do in baking, anyway?Eggs are an emulsifier, and they provide moisture, structure, color, and aeration to baked goods. One single egg can do all this, so finding a replacement can be tall order. The following ingredients have a range of capabilities—offering all of those egg features above, or maybe just one or two. But a replacement doesn’t really have to do it all. Depending on what you’re making, sometimes moisture or aeration is all you need. AquafabaDespite its humble beginnings as the liquid byproduct of your canned chickpeas, aquafaba is an effective egg replacement. It works well for binding in cookies and cakes due to its starch content, adding moisture due to its water content, and can even be whipped to leaven cakes or suffice as a suitable meringue replacement (featuring a delightful nutty note). Use three tablespoons of aquafaba per every whole egg being replaced. Oh, and freeze any extra aquafaba that you didn't use for next time. BananasBananas do a top-notch job at providing moisture and structure to baked goods. Yes, they’ll provide a lovely banana flavor, but more importantly when replacing eggs, they deliver a springy hydration to cakes and cookies. Keep in mind that the moisture is unflagging, kind of like adding pumpkin puree to a recipe—you’ll never get a crisp cookie if you use bananas. Use a scant quarter-cup of mashed banana for each whole egg in a recipe. Tapioca and baking powder and other powdered blendsInstead of relying on a single ingredient to try and replicate the many functions of eggs, why not target its attributes with a blend of ingredients? There may be packaged store bought mixtures readily available in the baking aisle you can grab. I’ve used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Egg Replacer in cakes with great success. It’s made of potato starch, tapioca flour, baking soda, and psyllium husk to duplicate the leavening and binding of an egg. You can also make your own simplified blend with tapioca flour and baking powder. Stir together one tablespoon of tapioca flour with one tablespoon of water and add a quarter-teaspoon of baking powder before adding it to your recipe. The starches absorb the moisture in the batter (of which you added a bit extra to account for this), they gelatinize and bind the batter upon heating in the oven (no need to pre-cook the mixture to activate them), and the baking powder provides that subtle bit of lift like an egg would. SodaThat’s right. Fanta. Diet Coke. Root beer. Good old fashioned cola. With the help of a carbonated drink, you can add hydration and noticeable lift to your boxed cake mix without the eggs. You probably caught that—boxed cake mix. While I wouldn’t suggest using sodas as the sole ingredient for replacing eggs in cookies, cakes, or brownies you’re making from scratch, they make a surprisingly effective replacement in boxed cake mixes. Sour cream egg washWhile sour cream is delicious in cake batter or cookie dough, I’m pivoting slightly from replacing eggs in doughs, to replacing eggs on doughs. When you can’t spare an extra egg to make an egg wash for your pies, tarts, and biscuits, grab a tub of sour cream. Despite my predictions during testing, this fermented dairy product produces excellent browning and shine, even better than a regular egg wash. View the full article

The allegations against New York's attorney general involve transactions that occurred over decades, but James called the charges political retaliation. View the full article

A 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs between the U.S. and China boosted the near-term economic outlook for banks, but tensions and uncertainty around trade barriers remain high. View the full article

Coming across a light website in dark mode feel like shining a light bulb directly into your eyes. Noir is an extension for Safari that automatically adds a dark mode to websites that are otherwise bright. Modern operating systems, including Apple devices, offer some kind of system wide dark mode that puts light text on dark backgrounds instead of the more-traditional black-on-white. Basically all applications respect the system wide setting at this point, but many websites do not. Noir helps by modifying websites you browse so that they offer light text on a dark background, effectively forcing them to support dark mode. I've been testing it for a few days and it works really well, even on web applications like Google Docs. Noir is tied to your system settings by default. This means it only applies dark mode to websites when your device is set to dark mode, which is ideal if you switch between the the two regularly, or if your device automatically switches to dark mode. To get started, you need to purchase and install the application—it costs $2.99 for iOS and $3.99 for Mac (it's a one-time purchase—there's no subscription). The application guides you through opening the settings in Safari and enabling the extension on all websites, which is necessary in order for it to function. After that, when dark mode is enabled, you'll get dark versions of all websites you visit. For the most part, you can just stop thinking about the application at this point—it will just do its thing in the background. If you want to configure things a little, or if a particular website isn't working well with the change, you can click the Noir icon to change the settings. You can decide whether to disable the extension for the current site. You can also choose a custom theme for the current site. There are four themes offered—Black, the darkest of the four; Dark, the default; Gray, a lighter option with less contract; and Sepia, the lightest theme offered. Credit: Justin Pot It's nice to have a few options, particularly if the default doesn't look great on a particular site. And you can change a few system-wide options by opening the application itself. You can choose any of the four themes as the default, which is nice if you end up preferring one of them. Credit: Justin Pot There's also support for keyboard shortcuts, if you're using a Mac, allowing you to enable and disable the dark theme for the website you're looking at right now or even toggle between themes. It's a simple application, granted, but it delivers on what it promises. It's easily worth a few bucks if you're a dedicated dark mode user who can't stand bright websites. View the full article

Despite a strong start to the year, traffic at U.S. quick service restaurants (QSR), which has been steadily declining month by month, was down 1.7% year-over-year compared to last April, signaling growing consumer caution or shifts in dining behaviors, according to Revenue Management Solutions (RMS), a company that analyzes data and provides insights about the restaurant industry. At the same time, RMS found on average, fast food prices increased in April by +2.0% year-over-year, steady with inflation trends. In case you’re not familiar with restaurant industry lingo, a quick service restaurant (QSR) describes establishments that prioritize speed and convenience, sometimes used interchangeably with the term “fast food”—which brings to mind McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King, but also includes a wider variety of restaurant chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Chipotle, Domino’s, and Boston Market. Many fast food and fast casual chains are seeing slower growth and declining sales fueled by high prices, inflation, and fears that President The President’s tariffs will cause a recession, which have prompted fewer Americans to eat out. For example, for the first quarter of 2025, Chipotle not only missed revenue estimates but said same-store sales dropped for the first time since 2020. And McDonald’s, which reported earnings on May 1, said sales dropped in the beginning of the year, marking its second consecutive quarter of declines. The chain’s same-store sales dropped 3.6% in the U.S.— the worst drop since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CNN. RMS’s Q1 consumer survey also found 40% of American diners said they’re spending less of their disposable income on restaurants, with 1 in 4 U.S. consumers reporting instead that they’re shopping at grocery stores, citing better value. As Fast Company previously reported, rising menu prices in 2024 at McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, KFC, and other fast food chains caused a consumer backlash as price-conscious customers decided the food wasn’t worth the cost. This lead to sales declines and the closure of some underperforming chain locations, including for Wendy’s and Shake Shack. A closer look at RMS’s April numbers, which compare fast food performance trends YOY (April 2025 to April 2024), shows that while average prices increase 2.0% YOY, net sales also increased 0.5% YOY, with the average check price rising 2.1% YOY. Broken down by meal time, the numbers show breakfast traffic decreased the most by some -9.1% YOY, and lunch was down 3.1% compared to April of 2024, but customers for dinner were up 1.2% YOY, highlighting that Americans were still going out for dinner. View the full article

April was a mixed bag for title companies, executives said on earnings calls, but some are expecting a stronger market the rest of the year. View the full article

Secret meeting in IMF basement paved way for tariff deal seen on both sides as a victoryView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Most of Beats by Dr. Dre's lineup of headphones and earbuds are on sale right now. The brand has been slow to release new products since the acquisition by Apple back in 2014, but the good news is that even its newest product (the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2) are included in the sale. At the moment, you can get the Beats Studio Pro, Beats Solo 4, Beats Studio Buds, Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, and the Beats Studio Buds+ for up to 51% off. Most of these options are at or matching their lowest prices ever, according to price-tracking tools. Beats Studio Pros are 51% off Beats Studio Pro Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones - Personalized Spatial Audio, USB-C Lossless Audio. $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $349.99 Save $180.04 Get Deal Get Deal $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $349.99 Save $180.04 You can get the Beats Studio Pro for $169.95 (originally $349.99) after a $180 discount. This is the second-lowest price it has ever been, according to price-checking tools. The Studio Pros have been around since the summer of 2023 and are the brand's most high-end headphones, offering active noise canceling (ANC), spatial audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri access, one-touch pairing on iOS and Android devices, and a transparency mode. You can also get the Kim Kardashian version (the only difference is the color) for the same price. You can read more about them from PCMag's review. Beats Fit Pros are $30 off Beats Fit Pro Sweat Resistant Earphones, Compatible with Apple & Android, Class 1 Bluetooth®, Built-in Microphone. $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.95 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.95 Save $30.00 The Beats Fit Pro can be a great alternative for Apple users who don't like Airpods since they have Apple's H1 Headphone Chip and have one-touch pairing with iOS devices. Right now, they're on sale for $169.95 (originally $199.95)—not the best discount, historically speaking, but better than nothing. Android users can also take advantage of some features that many Apple users enjoy (as long as you download the Beats app), like the ear fit test, listening mode controls, and firmware updates. You just won't have support for Spatial Audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri, Find My compatibility, audio sharing, and automatic switching between paired sound sources, according to PCMag. Beats Studio Buds are 47% off Beats Studio Buds True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds - Compatible with Apple & Android, Built-in Microphone, IPX4. $99.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.95 at Amazon $149.95 Save $50.00 Beats Studio Buds are on sale for $99.95 (originally $149.95), the second-lowest price they have been. Like the Fit Pros, the Studio Buds have ANC, Spatial Audio on certain Apple Music tracks, and one-touch pairing for both iOS and Android devices. You can read more about them in PCMag's review. Beats Studio Buds + are $40 off Beats Studio Buds + True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Enhanced Apple & Android Compatibility, Built-in Microphone. $99.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $169.95 Save $70.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $169.95 Save $70.00 The Beats Studio Buds + are very similar to the Beats Studio Buds, but there are some differences. The Studio Buds + have an extra small ear tip size, an extra hour of battery life (total of nine hours), 12 more hours from the charging case (total of 36 hours), and perhaps more importantly, they have better ANC and better features for Android users, which you can read more about on PCMag's review. You can get them for $99.95 (originally $169.95), matching the lowest price they have ever been, according to price-tracking tools. Beats Solo 4 are 50% off Beats Solo 4 Wireless Bluetooth On-Ear Headphones, Apple & Android Compatible, Up to 50 Hours of Battery Life. $99.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.95 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.95 Save $100.00 The Beats Solo 4 are the latest headphones from Beats; they came out last summer and are 50% off. You can get them for $99.99 (originally $199.95), the lowest price they have ever been, according to price-tracking tools. They have the ability to talk to Siri without using your hands and have personalized spatial audio to your ear shape, giving you "3D audio" that follows the movement of your iPhone (as long as that media supports spatial audio), as well as 50 hours of run time. You can read more about them in PCMag's review. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are $50 off Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Noise Cancelling, Heart Rate Monitor, IPX4, Up to 45H Battery & Charging Case, Apple & Android. $199.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $249.99 Save $50.04 Get Deal Get Deal $199.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $249.99 Save $50.04 The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the newest earbuds from Beats, and the second generation of the original Powerbeats Pro. Although they're only $20 apart in price, don't let that fool you. This new iteration offers a lot more in quality than the original ones, which you can read more about in Senior Health Editor Beth Skwarecki's review. While your attention might go to its new heart-rate monitoring feature, it's actually a flop. However, they're still great workout earbuds with better flexible and durable ear hooks, ANC, audio quality, battery, case, and the newer H2 chip which you also see in the AirPods Pro 2. View the full article

Shares of many companies that source at least some of their goods from China are surging on Monday as U.S. and Chinese officials announced that they had reached a deal to roll back most of their recent tariffs and called a 90-day truce in their trade war to allow for more talks on resolving their trade disputes. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the U.S. agreed to drop its 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods by 115 percentage points to 30%, while China agreed to lower its rate on U.S. goods by the same amount to 10%. There’s still big challenges remaining in the negotiations between China and the United States, but the mood nevertheless was ebullient across Wall Street on Monday, and gains were widespread. Here’s a look at some of the sectors impacted by the U.S.-China tariff announcement. Footwear and athletic gear Many of these companies have some of their production in China and elsewhere in Asia. About 97% of the clothes and shoes purchased in the U.S. are imported, predominantly from Asia, the American Apparel & Footwear Association said last month, citing its most recent data. Nike, up 6.7% Foot Locker, up 10.1% Dick’s Sporting Goods, up 11.4% Under Armour, up 6.9% Apparel companies Similar to footwear companies, many clothing companies make at least some of their items in China and other parts of Asia. In March companies like Abercrombie & Fitch began to caution about their full-year sales potential as American shoppers began to pull back on their spending. Lululemon Athletica, up 7.7% Gap, up 7.7% Ralph Lauren, up 5.2% Abercrombie & Fitch, up 5.8% Retail Retailers that sell a variety of goods are feeling some market relief because the announced trade deal means these companies won’t have to pass on high costs caused by tariffs to their own customers. Before the agreement was announced, many consumers were fearful of the potential additional costs. Amazon even came out and said that it was not planning to display added tariff costs next to product prices on its site. And Target cautioned in March that there would be “meaningful pressure” on its profits to start the year because of tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China and other costs. Best Buy, up 5.7% Amazon, up 7.2% Target, up 2.9% Travel companies Shares of travel companies are climbing on hopes that lower tariffs will encourage more customers to fly and feel comfortable enough to spend on trips. Prior to the U.S.-China tariff announcement, major U.S. airlines were reducing their flight schedules and revising or withdrawing their profit outlooks for the year due to less domestic travel demand as sentiment about the national and global economies soured. Carnival, up 8.3% Norwegian Cruise Line, up 6.6% Royal Caribbean Cruises, up 3.4% American Airlines Group, up 5.4% Delta Air Lines, up 6% —Michelle Chapman, AP business writer View the full article

Artificial intelligence search start-up backed by Accel in $500mn roundView the full article

Thousands of passengers affected as several train lines were delayed or suspended on Monday afternoonView the full article

President Donald The President on Monday signed a sweeping executive order setting a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to electively lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. or face new limits down the road over what the government will pay. The order calls on the health department, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to broker new price tags for drugs over the next month. If deals are not reached, Kennedy will be tasked with developing a new rule that ties the price the U.S. pays for medications to lower prices paid by other countries. “We’re going to equalize,” The President said during a Monday morning press conference. “We’re all going to pay the same. We’re going to pay what Europe pays.” It’s unclear what — if any — impact the Republican president’s executive order will have on millions of Americans who have private health insurance. The federal government has the most power to shape the price it pays for drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid. The President’s promised new — but uncertain — savings on drug prices, just hours after the Republican-led House released its new plan to trim $880 billion from Medicaid. Taxpayers spend hundreds of billions of dollars on prescription drugs, injectables, transfusions and other medications every year through Medicare, which covers nearly 70 million older Americans. Medicaid, which provides nearly-free health care for almost 80 million poor and disabled people in the U.S. also spends tens of billions of dollars each year for drugs. Top US drugmakers say The President’s order is bad for patients The nation’s pharmaceutical lobby, which represents the top U.S. drugmakers, immediately pushed back against The President’s order, calling it a “bad deal” for American patients. Drugmakers have long argued that any threats to their profits could impact the research they do to develop new drugs. “Importing foreign prices from socialist countries would be a bad deal for American patients and workers,” Stephen J. Ubl, the president and CEO of PhRMA, said in a statement. “It would mean less treatments and cures and would jeopardize the hundreds of billions our member companies are planning to invest in America.” The President’s so-called “most favored nation” approach to Medicare drug pricing has been controversial since he first tried to implement it during his first term. He signed a similar executive order in the final weeks of his presidency, which called for the U.S. to only pay a lower price that other countries pay for some drugs — such as injectables or cancer drugs given through infusions — administered in a doctor’s office. That narrow executive order faced hurdles, with a court order that blocked the rule from going into effect under President Joe Biden’s administration. The pharmaceutical industry argued that The President’s 2020 attempt would give foreign governments the “upper hand” in deciding the value of medicines in the U.S. The President says other countries are to blame The President repeatedly defended pharmaceutical companies, instead blaming other countries for the high price Americans pay for drugs, during a wide-ranging speech at the White House on Monday. The president was flanked by Kennedy, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Food and Drug Administration commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya. He did, however, threaten the companies with federal investigations into their practices and opening up the U.S. drug market to bring in more imported medications from other countries. “The pharmaceutical companies make most of their profits from America,” The President said. “That’s not a good thing.” The President played up the announcement over the weekend, boasting in one post that his plan could save “TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.” But on Monday, the White House offered no specifics for how much money the administration anticipates it could save. The health department’s top leaders will be meeting with drug company executives over the next 30 days to offer new prices on drugs that are based off what other countries pay, Oz said on Monday. Americans are unlikely to see immediate savings Americans are unlikely to see relief on rising drug costs quickly because of the order, said Rachel Sachs, a health law expert at Washington University. “It really does seem the plan is to ask manufacturers to voluntarily lower their prices to some point, which is not known,” Sachs said. “If they do not lower their prices to the desired point, HHS shall take other actions with a very long timeline, some of which could potentially, years in the future, lower drug prices.” The health department has the most authority to change the prices of drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid because it can set regulations. Even still, the agency’s power to do so is limited. Congress just approved in 2022 a new law that allows Medicare to negotiate the price it pays for a handful of prescription drugs starting in 2026. Before the law, Medicare paid what the drug companies charged. Drug companies unsuccessfully sued over the implementation of the law. The price that millions of Americans covered by private insurance pay for drugs is even harder for the agency to manipulate. The U.S. routinely outspends other nations on drug prices, compared with other large and wealthy countries, a problem that has long drawn the ire of both major political parties, but a lasting fix has never cleared Congress. The President came into his first term accusing pharmaceutical companies of “getting away with murder” and complaining that other countries whose governments set drug prices were taking advantage of Americans. The President says he’ll ‘do the right thing’ Ahead of the announcement, The President puffed up his rhetoric toward the industry again on social media, writing that the “Pharmaceutical/Drug Companies would say, for years, that it was Research and Development Costs, and that all of these costs were, and would be, for no reason whatsoever, borne by the ‘suckers’ of America, ALONE.” Referring to drug companies’ powerful lobbying efforts, he said that campaign contributions “can do wonders, but not with me, and not with the Republican Party.” “We are going to do the right thing,” he wrote. Several pharmaceutical companies gained ground in the stock market on Monday morning. Merck, a company that made $64.2 billion last year with the help of its cancer treatment Keytruda, jumped 3.9%. Pharma giant Pfizer, which notched $63.6 billion in revenue in 2024, rose 2.5% while Gilead Sciences rose 5.8%. —Amanda Seitz and Seung Min Kim, Associated Press Associated Press writers Will Weissert in Washington and Damian Troise in New York contributed to this report. View the full article