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The Palisades and Eaton fires that swept through Los Angeles in January caused significant disruptions to the local labor market, with payroll data from ADP showing a sharp decline in paychecks issued and hours worked. Although the fires directly affected a small portion of Los Angeles County’s total employment, their economic impact extended well beyond the burn zones. According to ADP payroll data, paycheck issuance in fire-affected ZIP codes dropped 10% in the first week of the fires compared to the same period in 2024. The decline continued in the following weeks, falling 6% from January 12-18 and again by 10% from January 19-25. By January 26, payroll activity had r…

Wix just introduced Business Launcher, an AI-powered tool designed to help users transform their skills and experiences into fully developed business ventures. The tool provides a structured, end-to-end approach to business creation, offering personalized recommendations, strategic planning, and essential tools to build an online presence. Business Launcher begins by gathering user input through a brief questionnaire or by analyzing an uploaded resume. The AI then compiles a detailed profile based on work experience, education, skills, and personal interests. Users outline their goals, whether they are exploring a side hustle, a new career path, or a full-time business o…

Wix has announced the launch of Astro, a new AI-powered business assistant designed to streamline site and business management for users of the Wix and Wix Studio platforms. Astro integrates directly into the Wix dashboard, enabling users to perform various tasks and access essential tools through a chat-based interface. According to the company, Astro is the first in a planned series of AI agents aimed at enhancing user productivity and helping businesses grow. The assistant is designed to simplify operations by offering real-time insights, guiding users to relevant tools and features, and facilitating app installations and package upgrades. “Astro seamlessly integrate…

Wix has launched an AI-powered adaptive content application that enables website owners to personalize site experiences in real-time based on visitor characteristics and user-defined instructions. The application dynamically generates content tailored to individual site visitors, aiming to enhance engagement and improve user experience. The adaptive content tool uses session details such as a visitor’s device, country, language, or return status to determine how content is presented. Users can input specific instructions to shape the generated messaging, including directing the AI to create sales-oriented or engaging content. This level of customization allows for tailor…

Wix has announced a new native integration with Printful, a leading print-on-demand company, to provide Wix users with direct access to Printful’s fulfillment services. This integration allows merchants, self-creators, and agencies using Wix to create and sell custom-branded merchandise without leaving the Wix platform. According to Wix, this new feature offers users a streamlined and cost-effective solution for launching their own product lines. “This integration gives our users a new opportunity to create high-quality products and merchandise customized to their brand, whether they are a yoga studio owner, a chef, or a dog trainer,” said Jill Sherman, Head of Supplier…

Wix has introduced Wix Functions, a no-code solution that allows users to create customized business flows, automate pricing and checkout rules, and tailor app behavior. This new tool provides businesses with greater flexibility to adapt operations to their specific needs without requiring technical expertise. Wix Functions features an intuitive visual function builder, enabling users to define business logic using conditions, variables, formulas, and dynamic values. The tool allows businesses to customize pricing rules, enforce checkout conditions, and implement tailored loyalty rewards. Users can start from scratch or modify templates designed for specific Wix apps. B…

The landscape of the business world is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with women emerging as powerful catalysts of change. Their role and impact in business are undeniable, shaping economies and fostering innovation across the globe. This article goes into the statistics that paint a vivid picture of women’s growing presence in the business domain, underscoring their achievements, challenges, and opportunities. Women in Business The participation of women in business is not just a matter of economic empowerment but also a cornerstone for societal progress. With women at the helm, companies often see enhanced creativity, greater governance, and improved financial…

X has launched its new Video Tab. It’s a feature designed to enhance video discovery and engagement for users in the U.S. The update introduces a full-screen, immersive video experience, allowing audiences to explore trending content, top creators, and live events in a centralized feed. The new Video Tab, accessible through the play button icon in the navigation bar, offers users a curated selection of recommended videos covering sports, entertainment, news, and viral trends. The feature aims to integrate seamlessly with X’s real-time content model, making video more accessible and engaging. “The Video Tab makes it easy for the best creators to tap into the hottest plat…

Xero has announced an expanded partnership with carbon accounting software provider Sumday, offering Xero customers 12 months of free access to Sumday’s tools to help track and manage their carbon footprint. The partnership aims to simplify the carbon accounting process for small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping partners by providing software, training, and educational resources to build skills in environmental reporting. Eligibility requirements and terms apply to the offer. According to Xero, small and medium enterprises contribute to nearly 50% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This collaboration with Sumday is designed to support these businesse…

Xero has announced the rollout of its new reconcile period feature, designed to enhance bank reconciliation by allowing users to verify the accuracy of financial data more efficiently. The feature is currently being introduced to customers in the United States and Canada. Reconcile period enables users to compare their bank statements with Xero accounting transactions more effectively. The feature allows users to: Define a period with a date range and balance to compare against statement lines. Quickly identify missing, duplicate, or incorrect transactions. Confirm accuracy by saving a period when it balances. Protect reconciled transactions from being altered. Generat…

Small businesses in the US saw improved performance in the September 2024 quarter, marking the first positive sales growth since late 2022, according to new data from Xero. The findings, part of Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI), also show a reduction in late payments and shorter average payment times, signaling a more stable financial environment for small businesses. Key Findings: Sales Growth and Payment Trends Small business sales increased by 0.8% year-over-year (y/y) in the three months ending in September, reversing a 0.1% decline in the June quarter. Businesses also experienced improved payment timelines: Late payments decreased, with businesses receiving pay…

Look no further if you’re searching for reliable marketing services to boost your business. Discovering the right marketing partner is so important in today’s competitive landscape. In this article, you’ll discover various places to find top-notch marketing services tailored to meet your business needs efficiently and effectively. The Importance of Marketing Services for Businesses Marketing services are integral to the growth and success of small businesses. They provide a strategic and targeted approach to reaching potential customers and help to build brand recognition and credibility. Here are some of the reasons why marketing services are so important for small bu…

Google Translate and other translation software can be valuable tools when a user needs to quickly translate a word or phrase from one language to another. It’s not always as accurate as human translators, however, and mismatched language pairs can result in some hilarious misunderstandings. Sometimes, this technical error is merely a humorous mistake for an individual user; however, at other times, a translator fails can result in a confusing situation in a commercial context. Language translation can often be complex, and even the most advanced translation devices can produce significant errors. READ MORE: 10 Best Language Translator Devices for Small Business Tra…

Starting a new business can come with numerous organizational expenses that can add up quickly. Fortunately, the IRS offers a deduction for startup costs that can help ease the financial burden. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about startup cost deduction and how to take advantage of it in the future. What is the startup cost deduction? The startup cost deduction is a tax provision that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners to deduct a portion of their startup expenses from their taxable income in the year they begin conducting business. The deduction is intended to help offset the costs involved with starting a business, which can inc…

Thrift store flipping is about buying things from flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores at lower prices and reselling them online to make a profit. It’s become a trendy way to make extra money with accessible platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy at the ready. This is an accessible side hustle that doesn’t require a significant investment. What is Thrift Store Flipping? This is about jumping on the difference between a purchase price and the potential market value of items in those stores. The trick is to recognize items priced lower than what they’re worth. Successful flippers consider different factors like brand, condition, rarity, and demand. Web…

YouTube has unveiled a series of changes to its mid-roll ad system aimed at optimizing ad delivery, enhancing transparency, and providing creators with more control over ad placements. The updates, which begin rolling out in May, reflect evolving viewer behavior and are intended to balance creator earnings with viewer satisfaction and advertiser expectations. According to YouTube, the platform is adjusting how ads appear in videos to keep up with shifting content trends and viewing habits. “Videos are getting longer, viewing habits are shifting, and we need to adapt to ensure ads are delivered effectively,” the company stated. Hybrid Ad Placement Model Encouraged One of…

YouTube has announced its support for the NO FAKES Act of 2025, a bipartisan legislative proposal aimed at addressing the misuse of AI-generated content that simulates an individual’s likeness or voice. Introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the legislation is intended to provide legal tools to prevent deceptive or unauthorized digital replicas that can mislead audiences or harm reputations. According to YouTube, the NO FAKES Act complements the platform’s broader commitment to responsible AI development and content protection. The company describes the legislation as a clear legal framework to safeguard individuals’ rights, echoing its su…

YouTube has announced the integration of Google DeepMind’s latest video generation model, Veo 2, into its Shorts platform, enhancing AI-powered creative tools for users. The update expands Dream Screen, YouTube’s AI-driven background generator, and introduces the ability to create standalone AI-generated video clips that can be added to Shorts. With the launch of Veo 2, users can now generate video clips from simple text prompts, filling gaps in their content or creating entirely new scenes. This new capability allows creators to add AI-generated elements directly into Shorts without needing original footage. “Need a specific scene but don’t have the right footage? Want…

A recent study by influencer marketing platform Heepsy reveals that YouTube users are more likely than users of any other platform to forget their passwords and request account recovery help. The study, which analyzed password-related search queries across 35 major platforms, found that YouTube leads with the highest volume of password reset activity, both in absolute numbers and per capita. According to the findings, YouTube users request new passwords more than four times a year on average, with a staggering 1.4 billion total password-related searches. This equates to 35,899 searches per 100,000 users, making it the most problematic platform in terms of password memory…

Zelle processed over $1 trillion in transactions in 2024, marking the highest amount ever sent through a person-to-person payment service in a single year. The platform also saw significant growth in transaction volume and user enrollment, reinforcing its role as a major financial tool for consumers and small businesses. Zelle reported 151 million enrolled user accounts, an increase of 16 million from the previous year. Transaction volume rose 25% to 3.6 billion, while the total dollar amount sent on the platform increased 27% year-over-year. The fourth quarter of 2024 was the strongest in Zelle’s history, driven by holiday gifting and rent payments. “Zelle is not just …

Zendesk has announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Local Measure, a provider of Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and advanced voice solutions. The acquisition, expected to close in May 2025, aims to enhance Zendesk’s AI-powered voice capabilities and deepen its integration with Amazon Connect, Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) cloud contact center solution. Strengthening AI Voice and Enterprise CX According to Zendesk, this acquisition is part of its broader strategy to expand into larger and more complex service environments. “Voice is one of the most personal and powerful ways businesses connect with their customers and employees, and managing it at…

ZeroBounce has released its Email Statistics Report for 2025, providing insights into email user behavior to help marketers optimize engagement. The report, based on a survey of 985 participants across four continents, details how individuals interact with their inboxes and what influences their email preferences. According to the ZeroBounce survey results, 93% of respondents check their email daily, with 42% doing so three to five times per day. While 35% of users spend less than an hour managing their inbox, another 35% dedicate between two and five hours each day to email. The survey highlights that email remains a crucial tool for both personal and professional comm…

Business communications and collaboration face big changes and a software tool from Zoho leads the way. Zoho Cliq changes the way teams communicate and work together even at great distances. “Zoho Cliq is a part of the Unified Communication and Collaboration stack. It basically helps teams work together more efficiently by integrating all your communication and collaboration needs into one platform,” explains Shanthana Lakshmi S, Senior Marketing Analyst for Zoho Cliq. How Technology Forces Changes in Communications and Collaboration One big change involves how close in proximity team members need to be in physical space. Take a look at this example. You come into th…

Zoho Corporation has announced the release of Notebook AI, an AI-powered note-taking assistant now available on iOS, Android, web browsers, and macOS. Users can activate a 15-day trial to explore the app’s features before purchasing, with pricing set at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for individual consumers. The company also plans to roll out Notebook AI to Notebook Business users within the next month at no additional cost to Business plan subscribers. Notebook AI integrates a suite of artificial intelligence tools designed to enhance note-taking, organization, and content creation. The app includes features such as content generation, translation, transcription, a…

Project managers, rejoice! Zoho just introduced an application to usher in a bright new future for what you do. On March 11, 2025, Zoho revealed its new unified AI-driven project management platform Projects Plus. “Zoho Projects Plus is basically a collaboration of hybrid project management,” explained Zoho senior evangelist Aarthi Elizabeth. “One is your traditional projects and the other is your agile methodologies.” “It then brings in data analytics as well,” Elizabeth added. For many businesses, this constitutes a game changer. Think about the possibilities. Zoho’s current Projects software sees greatest use amongst businesses in construction, manufacturing, bank…