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Google AI Overviews reaches 1.5 billion monthly users with Alphabet's Q1 earnings showing 10% search revenue growth. The post Google’s AI Overviews Reach 1.5 Billion Monthly Users appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

US group’s shares fall in after-market trading as it offers downbeat assessment of current quarter View the full article

UK chancellor says global stability depends on lower trade barriers ahead of meeting US Treasury secretaryView the full article

The tech industry is often cautious about tying layoffs to performance, even if it might play a role in who gets dismissed during widespread job cuts. But this year has signaled a noticeable shift in how some of the biggest players in tech approach layoffs: Earlier this year, Meta cut more than 3,000 employees in a move that the company framed as “non-regrettable attrition.” The number of Amazon employees on performance improvement plans reportedly surged in recent years, leading up to layoffs—and Microsoft has allegedly cut thousands of employees who were classified as “low performers.” Now Microsoft is giving low performers the option to accept a payout and leave the company rather than being placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP), according to a new Business Insider report. Separation agreement or a PIP An internal email obtained by Business Insider outlined Microsoft’s new performance management system, which the company’s chief people officer described as having “clear expectations and a timeline for improvement.” For those who want to forgo performance management, Microsoft is reportedly offering a separation agreement that would be the equivalent of 16 weeks of pay. (Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment and also declined to comment in response to Business Insider’s inquiries.) Any Microsoft employees who are eligible for a buyout reportedly have five days to accept the offer; if they opt to get on a performance improvement plan instead, they forfeit the option to voluntarily resign and receive a payout at a later time. A previous Business Insider report also claimed that Microsoft is now barring low performers who leave the company or get terminated over performance issues from rejoining for at least two years. Shifting strategies for low performers Microsoft’s new strategy for managing low performers is not unheard of in the tech industry. Amazon uses a program called Pivot that presents similar options to employees who are deemed low performers, and Meta reportedly also employs a “block list” of former employees who should not be hired back by the company. But navigating performance-based layoffs can be tricky: At Meta, some employees who were affected by the recent job cuts claimed they had received high ratings on their performance reviews and expressed frustration over the fact that they were publicly characterized as low performers. (Meta did not comment on all such claims, but in response to one report, a company spokesperson said: “Simply because someone had a history of meeting or exceeding expectations, does not mean they continue to consistently meet the bar.”) It’s possible that some of these employees were impacted to meet the 5% quota Meta reportedly set for layoffs across departments, in spite of their performance reviews. Even otherwise, experts say relying solely on performance ratings to determine layoffs can put certain employees at a disadvantage, given the potential bias that is baked into the process. There is also quite a bit of variability across managers and departments, and in some cases employees may not have been performance-managed properly. At a moment when many tech companies are already facing employee dissent and low morale over culture issues—including strict return-to-office mandates—resorting to performance-based layoffs could also engender further mistrust. View the full article

Silicon Valley giant says AI is helping engagement in search divisionView the full article

The Department of Education announced Monday that the Federal Student Aid (FSA) will restart collections on defaulted student loans beginning May 5. Even before this news, millions of borrowers were already seeing their credit scores plunge in recent months, and loan servicers are warning that a record number of borrowers are at risk of defaulting by the end of the year. I recently covered the basics of what you need to know about the upcoming changes, as well as how to prepare for them. Now, let's dive a little deeper into how borrowers suffering through collections can navigate their financial future. What the end of the pause means for your finances"Many people have been feeling like they're in some sort of personal financial recession for years now," says Lauren Bringle, an accredited financial counselor at credit-building platform Self Financial. And if you've been carrying credit card debt, you know that those higher interest rates may have caused what you owe to increase significantly. Factor in the cost of many monthly expenses increasing—groceries, gas, eggs—all while salaries have stayed stagnant. "Now add in that student loan payments have resumed, and for some, that means hundreds of dollars in extra expenses monthly," Bringle notes. Especially after the five-year pause on payments that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, many borrowers are having to significantly readjust and re-evaluate their budgets. With all of the additional costs, it's left millions of Americans stretched beyond their means. Strategies to protect and rebuild your creditHere's what you can do to navigate a hit to your credit score. 1. Free up money wherever you canIf your income is limited and you simply don't make enough to cover your student loan payments, Bringle suggests an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans. "The federal student loan landscape has been rapidly changing, but you may be able to qualify for lower monthly payment options (even down to $0/month in some cases) based on your income," advises Bringle. You can learn more and apply at studentaid.gov here. 2. Prioritize your credit"Credit is an essential part of your overall financial profile because it opens the door to long-term financial goals, such as renting an apartment or securing a mortgage," Bringle explains. Missed loan payments can significantly impact your credit because payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score, making on-time payments critical. If your credit has already taken a hit due to missed student loan payments, consider alternative ways to rebuild. For instance, something as small as implementing this payment schedule helps to send your credit score in the right direction. Additionally, Bringle recommends organizations like Operation Hope, NFCC, and AFCPE, where credit counselors can review your income, expenses, debts, and overall financial picture to help you create a personalized budget and spending plan. 3. Keep building positive money habitsRegardless of where you stand financially, focus on developing positive short-term habits. Especially in the face of something like student debt, it helps to control whatever you can. Stick to your budget. "As you're setting up your financial goals, make sure you have a really clear view of your overall finances," says Bringle. "Your budget plays an important role in helping your credit score, because it helps you track your expenses, and ensures that you are able to pay your monthly payments on time, and in full." Here's my guide to evaluating and making strategic cuts to your budget. Make payments on time. Setting up automatic payments can help ensure you don't miss due dates, which would negatively impact your score. "Depending on the conditions of your student loans, borrowers usually have up to six months after graduation before they have to start making payments," Bringle notes. "Be sure to check your loan and know exactly when your first payment is due so you can plan ahead and pay on time, since payment history is a critical piece to building and maintaining healthy credit." To find out exactly how much you’re expected to pay, head to studentaid.gov. Hack your credit utilization. Credit utilization is the second-largest factor of your FICO score, so it's important not to use too much of your available credit. The general rule is to stay below the 30% threshold, but even lower is better. Using more than 30% of your available credit can affect your credit utilization, which could ultimately decrease your score. For example, if your credit limit is $1,000, you should not put more than $300 on your credit card before paying down the balance. Review your credit report regularly. Checking your report gives you a clear understanding of your credit health and what might be impacting your score. You can review payment history, recent balances reported to credit bureaus, accounts under your name, and identify negative items like collections that need to be addressed. Free copies of your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are available at annualcreditreport.com. Looking aheadBringle emphasizes the importance of preparation: "Make sure your budget is set up to support your payments, start setting aside the payments from your monthly budget to build the habit, and set up autopay if you can to reduce the chances of a late payment." By taking proactive steps now, you can protect and rebuild your credit score as much as possible before student loan collections resume. View the full article

Rare cosmic events can feel like being smiled down upon from up above. However, on the morning of April 25, an actual smiley face will appear in the sky—kind of. Venus, Saturn, and the moon will align in a pattern called a triple conjunction. Given the moon will be in its crescent form, the lineup will resemble a smiley face, but only for a short time on Friday morning. “Venus is higher above the eastern horizon with Saturn lower, and a thin, crescent moon a bit lower and a little farther north,” Brenda Culbertson, NASA solar system ambassador, told Kansas TV station KSNT. “The thin, crescent moon looks like a smile. To some people, the triangle of bright objects may appear as a smiley face.“ But that’s not all: Near the smiley face, two more planets, Mercury and Neptune, could also become visible to sky-watchers, in a rare alignment that’s been dubbed a “planet parade.” Here’s everything to know about the packed celestial event. When can I see the triple conjunction smiley face? Sky-watchers will need to wake extra early on Friday to catch the smirk in action. The event will take place at around 5:30 a.m. EDT, and smile down at the early morning risers for about an hour. “If you look toward the eastern horizon about an hour before sunrise, you’ll see the old crescent moon rising,” according to EarthSky. “It’s just two days from reaching new moon phase, so it will be about 8% lit. You might also see the dark part of the moon gently glowing with earthshine, which is light reflected from Earth.” Are the smiley face and planet parade worth all the fuss? The smiley face won’t be perfectly configured, therefore, you’ll have to use your imagination just a bit, EarthSky says. The smiley face will be tilted on its side, with one eye (Venus) brighter than the other. But how often do the planets smile down at us? The alignment is extremely rare—and given it will be viewable all over the world, the event may feel a bit like a celestial call for unity. Mercury and Neptune will be nearby, but the brightness of the triple conjunction will mean they’ll be tough to spot. What’s the next event for sky-watchers? If you can’t make it out of bed early—even for a glimpse at a cosmic grin—this spring will bring lots of other special celestial happenings. In early May, the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will reach its peak. NASA says that will be a smile-worthy sight, too. “Fast meteors can leave glowing ‘trains’ [incandescent bits of debris in the wake of the meteor] which last for several seconds to minutes,” the agency shared. “About 50 meteors can be seen per hour during the peak of the Eta Aquarids.” View the full article

It was only a matter of time: The official The President store has just released a “The President 2028” hat, and it proves that the President’s comments about running an unconstitutional third term were not an empty threat. The new hat appeared online today on President The President’s merch store. It retails for $50 and comes in classic MAGA red and white, with some added stars in a large sans serif font that takes up nearly the entire front face of the hat. The hat is yet another example of how The President uses merch to walk an ultra fine line between joke and reality, leveraging products to both provoke his political opponents and normalize his dodgy behavior. By this point, The President’s merch strategy has worked to desensitize many Americans to his more extreme comments—but if The President’s past merch is anything to go by, it’s clear that while his messaging may seem lighthearted, it would be a mistake to take the “The President 2028” hat lightly. Why The President merch matters Merch has always been a crucial mode of messaging for The President. In 2016, the bright red “Make America Great Again” trucker hat was practically unavoidable. According to a report from The President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, the hats were pulling in up to $80,000 a day during the campaign. But when the red MAGA hat first debuted in 2015, no one was taking it seriously. As Fast Company has previously reported, the New York Times style section disregarded it as “an ironic summer accessory” in September 2015. When the The President campaign revealed that it had spent $3.2 million on the hats, Esquire wrote that they “may well go down as the The President campaign’s only lasting contribution to the political history of the Republic.” Today, though, it would be difficult to find anyone who would argue that the MAGA hat is merely ironic. It’s become a universally recognized symbol of The President’s ideology—a form of public resistance for some, and, for many others, a propaganda-laden shorthand for intolerance. Since 2016, The President’s merch strategy has become a bit more layered, but no less on the nose. His store has expanded with dozens of hat options, including one recent iteration which read, “The President was right about everything.” During the 2024 campaign, he turned a visit to a McDonald’s into a T-shirt. The merch even when meta, when a surrealist hat design featured a tiny image of a MAGA hat printed onto another hat. And, in December of this year, The President also turned the suit that he wore during his mugshot (taken before he was found guilty on 34 felony counts) into purchasable NFTs, as well as a $25 mug and $36 shirt. He further glorified the mugshot on rally posters and even in his official presidential portrait, which now hangs in the White House. Products like the surrealist hat-on-a-hat might seem like offhand jokes, but The President’s merch strategy is clearly also a powerful political tool. The endless stream of products keeps The President’s message front and center both IRL and online. And, by merch-ifying moments like The President’s mugshot, his campaign reframes, and even legitimizes potentially damaging moments to followers while desensitizing everyone else. The President’s plan to hard-launch a potential third term The President has been talking about running for a third term for months, initially by floating the idea as what seemed like a joke. At a speech before the Congressional Institute in January, the President said, “I think I’m not allowed to run again. I’m not sure. Am I allowed to run again, Mike [Johnson]? I better not get you involved in that argument.” Since then, he’s repeatedly doubled down on the idea. In late March, The President told Meet the Press host Kristen Welker that “a lot of people” wanted him to serve a third term, and that there were “methods” to skirt around the two-term limit established in the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution. He even added that he was “not joking” about the idea, for good measure. Per the 22nd Amendment, “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice”—and it’s unclear to experts what “methods” The President has in mind to get around the unambiguous limit. But what is clear, based on the President’s new merch launch, is that he’s now outfitting his own followers in his campaign for an illegal third term. And if there’s anything we should’ve learned from The President’s past merch strategy, it’s that we need to take him at his hat. View the full article

Google today expanded its Checkout on Merchant feature to Demand Gen campaigns serving on YouTube In-stream inventory. Previously available only for Performance Max campaigns and organic shopping results, this update brings the streamlined checkout experience to more advertising channels. By the numbers. Advertisers providing checkout URLs have seen an average 11% increase in conversion value at similar CPA in their Demand Gen campaigns, according to Google data. How it works: Checkout on Merchant creates an accelerated path from product discovery to purchase. Users can quickly add products to cart or proceed to checkout on merchant websites. Merchants can enable the feature through Google Merchant Center via two methods: Providing a URL template at the account level. Adding checkout link template attributes to individual products in the feed. Why we care. This update significantly reduces friction in the customer journey, allowing users to move directly from YouTube ads to checkout on their website. With the possibility of increasing conversion value at a similar CPAs, this feature could directly impact bottom-line results while requiring minimal implementation effort. For brands already investing in YouTube advertising, this expansion creates a more seamless shopping experience that can capture purchase intent in the moment, rather than losing potential customers in a multi-step process. Bottom line. The expanded feature is available to all U.S. advertisers using product feeds, aims to shorten the path to purchase by connecting interested consumers directly with merchants’ checkout experiences. Implementation guides are available specifically for general users and Shopify customers. View the full article

The trend is not the norm but there are growing opportunities to buy for less in some areas many people gravitate to, real-estate brokerage Redfin found. View the full article

Back in December, Sony rolled out themes for the first time on PS5. While the selection was nowhere near the variety offered by other consoles, they were enticing all the same: These themes were modeled after the UI designs of all previous PlayStation consoles, including the PSOne, PS2, PS3, and PS4. These themes are, frankly, really cool. They adopt each console's unique sound design, like the clicks you hear when switching between menu items. If you had a PS3 back in the day, you'd probably like the wave background this PS5 theme adds here. Similarly, PS2 fans would appreciate the second generation's menu shapes. If you had a particular favorite, you could inject a little nostalgia into your PS5 experience—at least while on the home screen. However, the experience was short-lived. At the end of January, the company decided to remove the themes, to the disappointment of many 90s and 00s kids. Luckily, there was a silver lining to the situation: Sony said the themes would return in an unspecified number of months, following some work "behind the scenes." As it turns out, that number of months was almost exactly three: Starting Thursday, April 24, classic PlayStation themes are back on PS5, as Sony announced in a blog post on Wednesday. The company says the feature is now called "Appearance" and contains four nostalgic themes—now without the 30th anniversary branding. How to access the classic PlayStation themes Credit: Sony These themes are rolling out as part of Sony's latest system update for PS5. In order to access them, you'll need to make sure your console is fully updated. To do so, go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. If you aren't fully updated, you'll see Update Available. Choose Update System Software, and you're set. Once updated, head back to Settings, then choose "Appearance and Sound." Default is the default PS5 theme, but you'll be able to choose from PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, or PlayStation 4. There's another new feature in the latest PS5 update Credit: Sony In addition to these new themes, Sony is also rolling out "Audio Focus," a new setting that lets you boost soft sounds in your games when using headphones with your PS5. There are four different categories you can adjust: Low Pitch (engines and rumbles); Voices (voice chats, in-game dialogue, mid-frequency sounds; High Pitch (footsteps and metallic sounds); and Quiet Sounds (low-volume sounds across frequencies). Once you've updated to the latest version, you'll find these options in Settings > Sounds > Volume > Audio Focus. For each, you can choose whether to adjust the sounds for the left and right channel, as well as adjust the overall level of the boost. When you're finished, you can test your settings via an "Audio Preview" option in this settings menu, so you know whether you need to make adjustments. View the full article

There are many projects, but not all are the right fit for an organization. Project appraisal is how one determines what is right for them. It’s like risk management or risk analysis to ensure that the approved project delivers benefits worth the investment. To better understand this process, let’s define the term and when a project appraisal should be done. Just as there’s more than one type of project, there are different types of project appraisals. We’ll explore those, including project appraisal techniques and more. What Is a Project Appraisal? A project proposal is a formal document that outlines a project’s objectives, scope, timeline, budget and overall plan. It’s typically created to convince stakeholders, clients or decision-makers to approve and support the project. The proposal outlines why the project is necessary, how it will be executed and what resources are required. Using a project appraisal serves several purposes. For one, it’s made to secure approval of a project. It does this by clearly defining the project’s goals and deliverables. It should be persuasive but backed with research. A successful project appraisal will effectively demonstrate why the project is worth the investment and how it delivers value or why it doesn’t and shouldn’t be approved. If the project proposal should convince stakeholders of the project’s viability, the next step is to take the outline of the project budget, resources and timeline described within and apply it to project management software. That’s because there needs to be tools to plan, manage and track the project to deliver on its promise. Create Stronger Project Appraisals with ProjectManager ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with robust Gantt charts that schedule tasks, resources and costs, tracking them in real time. Use the Gantt alongside our list, sheet, board and calendar views to improve project appraisals. Generate custom reports to ensure the project appraisal is on track Leverage unique visual dashboards to track progress, resources and more Demonstrate the appraisal’s worth to stakeholders using guest licenses. Try it free /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more When Should a Project Appraisal Be Conducted? A project appraisal is more than just a tool for determining if a proposal is worth pursuing. It’s a crucial part of the project life cycle, offering valuable insights at various stages. Whether you’re kicking off a new project, assessing progress mid-way or reflecting on the results after completion, appraisals provide a clear lens through which you can measure success, identify challenges and ensure you’re on the right path. Here are some points in a project when one should conduct a project appraisal. Before the Project Begins The first and most important project appraisal usually takes place before the project starts. This is the feasibility appraisal, often done during the early planning stages. It’s when you’re still dreaming up the project, mapping out goals and considering its potential impact. Why is this step crucial? It ensures that the project is worth pursuing in the first place. Think of it as a reality check—will this project align with your business goals? Are the resources available and is the timeline feasible? By appraising the project upfront, one can ensure it’s viable and prevent investing time and money into something that might not work out. Planning the Path Ahead As the project moves from idea to action, another project appraisal takes place during the planning phase. Now, you have a clear roadmap: objectives, budget, timeline and the team that will bring it all to life. This is your chance to ensure everything aligns with the initial goals. Are you being realistic about what’s possible within the set timeframe and budget? Are there any risks that need to be addressed before you proceed? This stage is about fine-tuning your plan, ensuring everything is in place before you jump into execution. Keeping Things on Track Once the project is in motion, it’s essential to appraise progress at key milestones or phases. Think of this as a GPS for your project—just like you’d check directions on a road trip, you need to assess whether you’re still heading in the right direction. Some things to consider: Is the project on schedule? Are resources being used effectively? Are there any unexpected challenges? Conducting these appraisals at each milestone helps you identify issues early, so you can pivot or adjust the plan before small problems become big obstacles. A Mid-Project Reality Check Amid the action, mid-project appraisals come into play. These check-ins typically happen regularly, like every month or quarter, and allow you to take a step back and evaluate whether you’re still on track. It’s not just about whether the project is meeting its deadlines, but also whether the resources are being used efficiently. Is your budget being stretched too thin? Are team members feeling overworked? This is your opportunity to course-correct and ensure that you’re still on the path to success. Post-Mortem Finally, when the dust settles and the project is complete, a post-project appraisal helps you reflect on what worked and what didn’t. This is when you assess whether you achieved the goals you set out to meet. Did the project deliver the expected results? Was it worth the time and investment? And most importantly, what can be learned for future projects? It’s the perfect time to review the successes, uncover lessons learned and celebrate what went well. But it’s also an opportunity to reflect on what could have been improved and use those insights to make your next project even better. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/PM-101-eBook-banner-ad.jpg Types of Project Appraisals When embarking on any project, it’s essential to evaluate its potential from various perspectives. Project appraisal serves as a comprehensive tool to assess the feasibility, risks and benefits of a project. Different types of appraisals allow stakeholders to take a closer look at the project’s financial, economic, technical and social aspects to ensure its success and alignment with strategic goals. Below, we’ll explore the key types of project appraisals and what each evaluates. Financial Project Appraisal A financial project appraisal focuses on the project’s financial viability. It assesses whether the project will generate enough revenue to cover its costs and deliver a reasonable return on investment. This appraisal includes evaluating the initial costs, ongoing expenses, expected profits and cash flow over the project’s lifespan. The financial appraisal helps determine if the project is financially sustainable and if it will create value for investors or stakeholders. Economic Project Appraisal The economic project appraisal takes a broader view, looking beyond the project’s financial return to evaluate its impact on the economy. This appraisal assesses the economic benefits the project will bring, such as job creation, stimulating local economies or contributing to broader economic growth. Economic appraisals are particularly important for large-scale projects where public funds or resources are involved, ensuring that the project contributes positively to the overall economy. Strategic Project Appraisal A strategic project appraisal focuses on how well the project aligns with the organization’s long-term goals and strategic objectives. This type of appraisal helps stakeholders understand whether the project supports the company’s mission, vision and growth strategy. For example, it could assess whether the project will help the organization enter a new market, enhance its competitive advantage or develop new capabilities. This appraisal is crucial for ensuring that projects drive the broader goals of the organization. Technical Project Appraisal A technical project appraisal evaluates the technical feasibility of the project. It examines whether the project is technically possible, considering the tools, resources and expertise needed to complete it successfully. This includes assessing the technology, materials, processes and skills required. Technical appraisals help identify potential barriers such as lack of expertise, technology limitations or logistical challenges that could hinder the project’s success. Operational Project Appraisal An operational project appraisal assesses the project’s practicality in terms of day-to-day operations. This appraisal focuses on whether the organization has the capacity, resources and infrastructure to support the project’s implementation and long-term operation. Key considerations include assessing whether the project fits into existing workflows, how it will affect current operations and whether the necessary support systems are in place to sustain the project once it’s completed. Social Project Appraisal The social project appraisal examines the potential social impact of the project. This appraisal considers factors such as community well-being, quality of life and social equality. It evaluates whether the project will improve social conditions for individuals or communities, whether it will address social issues or whether it might lead to negative social consequences. This is especially important for projects that involve large-scale infrastructure, public policy or community development. Legal and Regulatory Project Appraisal A legal and regulatory project appraisal assesses the project’s compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards. This appraisal ensures that the project adheres to local, national and international legal frameworks, including environmental regulations, safety standards and labor laws. It also considers potential legal risks, such as liability issues or intellectual property concerns, that might arise during the project’s lifecycle. Each type of project appraisal provides valuable insights into the different aspects of a project, ensuring that the final decision accounts for all potential challenges and benefits. By conducting thorough appraisals across these categories, project managers can improve the likelihood of a project’s success and avoid costly mistakes. Project Appraisal Methods and Techniques When evaluating a project, there are several appraisal methods and techniques available to help assess its potential value, risks and overall feasibility. These methods are used to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with a project or how to optimize its outcomes. Below is an overview of some of the most widely used project appraisal methods and techniques, which are a structured way to understand the viability and impact of a project. Cost-Benefit Analysis Cost-benefit analysis is a straightforward method that compares the total expected costs of a project with its potential benefits. This technique helps determine whether the benefits of the project outweigh the costs and if the project is financially worthwhile. It often involves assigning monetary values to tangible and intangible costs and benefits, helping decision-makers decide whether to proceed with the project. Below are tools used to perform detailed financial analysis within the broader scope of cost-benefit analysis. Net Present Value (NPV): Evaluates a project’s profitability by calculating the difference between the present value of expected cash inflows and outflows over the project’s lifetime. A positive NPV indicates that the project is expected to generate more value than its cost, making it a good investment. This technique helps assess the financial feasibility and long-term profitability of a project. Internal Rate of Return (IRR): Evaluates the potential return on an investment. It’s the rate at which the present value of a project’s cash inflows equals its cash outflows. Essentially, it represents the project’s expected annual rate of return. If the IRR exceeds the required rate of return or the project’s cost of capital, the project is considered viable and profitable. Payback Period: Calculates the time it takes for a project to recover its initial investment through cash flows. It’s a simple metric used to assess the liquidity and risk associated with the project. A shorter payback period indicates a quicker return on investment, reducing the financial risk. Feasibility Study A feasibility study is a comprehensive evaluation of a project’s practicality and potential for success. It looks at various aspects such as technical feasibility, economic viability, operational capability and legal requirements. By examining whether the project can be completed with the available resources and within the given constraints, a feasibility study helps decide whether the project should move forward. SWOT Analysis A SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, is a strategic planning tool used to assess the internal and external factors affecting a project. It helps identify strengths that can be leveraged, weaknesses that need addressing, opportunities that could be exploited and threats that could hinder the project’s success. This analysis provides a balanced view of the project’s potential and challenges. PESTLE Analysis PESTLE analysis, which stands for political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental It’s a tool used to evaluate the external macro-environmental factors that could impact the project. By understanding how these factors may influence the project, stakeholders can anticipate potential risks and opportunities and adjust their strategy accordingly. Balanced Scorecard The balanced scorecard is a strategic performance management tool that evaluates a project from four perspectives: financial, customer, internal processes and learning and growth. This technique helps ensure that a project’s goals are aligned with broader organizational objectives and provides a holistic view of its performance beyond just financial outcomes. Monte Carlo Simulation The Monte Carlo simulation is a statistical technique that assesses project risks and uncertainties. It uses random sampling and probabilistic models to simulate project outcomes based on varying conditions. This technique helps predict the likelihood of certain risks occurring and provides insight into how they might impact the project, allowing project managers to plan for different scenarios. By applying these methods and techniques, project managers can make more informed decisions, reduce risks and ensure that their projects are financially viable, strategically aligned and set up for success. Related Project Management Templates Some of the above techniques can be done with templates. Readers can download over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that cover all aspects of managing projects across multiple industries. Below are just a few examples that relate to project appraisal. Cost-Benefit Analysis Template Download this free cost-benefit analysis template for Excel to systematically compare the costs and benefits of a project, investment or business decision. It provides a clear and organized way to assess whether the benefits of a project outweigh its costs, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. SWOT Analysis Template A SWOT analysis is used to evaluate a project, business, product, or organization by analyzing its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This free SWOT analysis template for Word is a simple but effective tool for strategic planning and decision-making. Balanced Scorecard Template Use this free balanced scorecard template to monitor and measure an organization’s performance across multiple perspectives, ensuring a well-rounded evaluation of its goals and progress. Instead of focusing solely on financial outcomes, a balanced scorecard takes into account other key areas that contribute to long-term success. How ProjectManager Helps With Project Management Templates are useful to help with decision-making or determine whether a project appraisal is worth implementing or passing on. However, as noted above, once the project has been approved, it’s time to throw the templates away. They’re simply not equipped to plan, manage and track projects. For that, you need project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has multiple project views so everyone can work on the right tool for their job. For example, project managers can schedule on Gantt charts, teams execute their tasks on kanban boards or task lists, while stakeholders can monitor progress on the calendar view. Keep Teams Productive With Resource Management Features A project appraisal approves a project, but then the project resources have to fulfill that promise by executing the tasks as planned. This requires powerful resource management tools. It starts with scheduling tasks, resources and costs on Gantt charts. Then, when onboarding teams, set their availability to ensure the right resources are assigned to the right tasks at the right time. To get an overview of resource allocation, view the color-coded workload chart to see who is overallocated or underutilized. The team’s workload can then be balanced without leaving the chart. For a daily or weekly overview of team activity, use the team page. It can be filtered by priority or progress and tasks can be updated from that page. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Track Progress and More With Real-Time Project Dashboards and Reports Monitoring more than resources is important to ensure that projects stay on schedule and meet their budget. For a high-level overview of the project, toggle to the real-time dashboards. They automatically collect unique project data and display it on graphs and charts. To get more information, use our customizable reports. It’s fast and simple to generate status, variance, workload and timesheet reports that can be filtered to focus on specific data points or share a more general summary of progress with stakeholders to keep them updated. Even our secure timesheets help track labor costs to keep projects on budget. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Portfolio-Summary-Dashboard-Home-Screen-Light-Mode.png Related Project Management Content There’s more to project management than just a project appraisal. For those curious to learn more about the subject, especially the process of deciding on whether to approve or pass on a project, the following links to recently published blog articles will be helpful. What Is a Feasibility Study? How to Conduct One Feasibility Report in Project Management Cost-Benefit Analysis: A Quick Guide with Examples How to Measure Project Profitability Project Financial Management ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or out in the field. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Project Appraisal: How to Measure the Value of Projects appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

The past few days in the stock market have been so wild—a plunge on Monday, a sharp pivot upward on Tuesday, a rise with lots of oscillations on Wednesday—that a record set by the Dow Jones Industrial Average on last week’s final day of trading has been largely overlooked. That’s unfortunate, because there’s a lot to be learned from that record about how financial markets work. I’m referring to the record loss inflicted on the Dow last Thursday by the three-digit share price drop of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the large healthcare and insurance company. (Thursday was the last day of trading last week because the market was closed for Good Friday.) That price decline—a whopping $130.93 a share, about a 22% drop—cost the DJIA 805 points. That’s the biggest daily Dow decline ever caused by a single stock, according to Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices. The DJIA dropped 527 points that day, with UnitedHealth responsible for the entire loss. Had UnitedHealth just stayed even, the Dow would have been up close to 300 points. How could a single stock inflict that much damage on the ever-popular Dow, the pioneering market metric that was created in 1896 by financial reporters Charles Dow and Edward Jones? It’s because the DJIA is an average based on the share prices of its 30 component stocks. Unlike most stock market indexes, this one is not based on its components’ market values. So a dollar change in the share price of any Dow component—be it UnitedHealth or Apple, which has about 15 times as many shares outstanding as UnitedHealth does—has the same impact on the Dow as a change in any other component. The Dow Divisor, the market metric used to calculate the value of the DJIA, means that every dollar change in any one Dow component these days moves the DJIA about 6.15 points. Even with its huge drop last week, UnitedHealth is still the second-highest-priced stock in the Dow, behind only Goldman Sachs. So the DJIA is still vulnerable to another sickening day for UnitedHealth shareholders. Or, for optimists, a sharp UnitedHealth rise could set off a sharp Dow rise. The Dow is based on share prices because when Dow and Jones created it back in the day and it had only 12 stocks, the only metric available for them to use was share price. Companies’ market values—which are used to calculate modern metrics like the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index, the Nasdaq Composite, and the FT Wilshire 5000 Index—weren’t available 129 years ago. The day before UnitedHealth’s sickening plunge last week, the company’s weight in the Dow was 9.1%, but its weight in the S&P was only 1.2%, according to Silverblatt. By the end of the day Thursday, its weight had fallen to 7.3% of the Dow and 0.9% of the S&P. If you do the math, you’ll see that if you had $10,000 in a Dow index fund when the market opened last Thursday, UnitedHealthcare’s plunging price would have cost you about $207. By contrast, if you had $10,000 in an S&P 500 index fund, your UnitedHealth loss was about $27. That’s an example of why about $9 trillion was indexed to the S&P in 2023 (the most recent date for which data is available), according to S&P Dow Jones Indices, but only about $76 billion was indexed to the Dow. Please keep all of this in mind when people mistakenly refer to the DJIA as “the market.” Sure, the Dow is a long-standing, venerable metric. But despite the massive exposure that Dow changes get each day, it is not the whole stock market. For that matter, neither is the S&P 500, which was launched in 1957 and is used by many investors and institutions as a performance benchmark. But as we can see from UnitedHealth’s disproportionate market impact on the DJIA relative to its S&P impact, the S&P measures a lot more of the market than the Dow does. Which makes it a far more useful and accurate metric. And that, as they say, is the bottom line. View the full article

This guide walks you through how to break down tasks in a project to improve clarity, planning, and execution. You'll learn practical steps, see real examples, and explore proven methods like chunking, timeboxing, and the Eisenhower Matrix. The post How To Break Down Tasks In Projects Like A Pro appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Daily Operations: Day-to-day business involves various essential activities that ensure smooth workflow and contribute to long-term growth. Key Management Practices: Effective leadership, team coordination, and streamlined workflows are crucial for maximizing productivity and achieving business objectives. Financial Management Importance: Budgeting and cash flow management are vital for maintaining financial control and supporting daily operational success. Team Productivity Strategies: Effective communication and employee engagement initiatives enhance teamwork, improve morale, and drive business performance. Technology Integration: Utilizing software tools and automation significantly boosts operational efficiency and allows teams to focus on strategic growth initiatives. Continuous Improvement: Regular assessments of processes and performance reviews help identify areas for enhancement, paving the way for sustained success. In the fast-paced world of business, day-to-day operations can often feel overwhelming. Each task, from managing finances to coordinating teams, plays a crucial role in driving your success. Understanding the intricacies of daily business activities not only keeps your company running smoothly but also sets the foundation for long-term growth. Navigating these everyday challenges requires a blend of strategy and adaptability. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, mastering the art of daily management can elevate your business to new heights. Let’s dive into the essential elements that contribute to effective day-to-day business operations and discover how you can optimize your processes for better results. Understanding Day To Day Business Day-to-day business operations involve managing various aspects that contribute to your company’s success. These daily activities ensure smooth workflow and efficiency, fostering long-term growth. Definition and Importance Day-to-day business refers to the routine activities required to keep your small business running effectively. It encompasses management practices, team coordination, and operational processes to achieve business goals. Understanding these elements is vital for fostering productivity and improving customer service. Daily operations directly impact cash flow and financial planning, making them critical for business growth and sustainability. Key Components Management: Leadership plays a crucial role in guiding your team and making informed decisions around daily operations. Team Management: Coordinating efforts among employees ensures collaboration, communication, and effective problem-solving. Workflow: Streamlined workflows enhance productivity, helping you meet deadlines while optimizing resource allocation. Time Management: Prioritizing tasks helps in managing your time efficiently, thereby improving operational efficiency. Project Management: Implementing effective project management strategies ensures that projects stay on track and deliver expected outcomes. Budgeting: Creating and adhering to budgets allows for better financial control and resource allocation. Cash Flow Management: Monitoring cash flow is essential for maintaining day-to-day operations and ensuring business stability. Employee Management: Fostering a culture of employee development and training enhances staff performance and engagement. Customer Service: Delivering exceptional service improves customer retention and drives repeat business. Quality Control: Ensuring product and service quality safeguards your brand and promotes customer satisfaction. Inventory Management: Keeping track of inventory levels prevents stockouts and overstock situations. Performance Reviews: Conducting regular performance evaluations helps in setting clear expectations and identifying areas for improvement. Strategic Planning: Aligning daily operations with long-term business strategies drives consistent growth and development. Technology Solutions: Utilizing software tools and automation enhances efficiency and accuracy in daily tasks. Business Partnerships: Building relationships with vendors and stakeholders fosters collaboration and mutual benefit. Understanding and implementing these components in your day-to-day business not only enhances operational efficiency but also paves the way for sustained success and growth. Managing Daily Operations Managing daily operations is crucial for maintaining efficiency and achieving business growth. You can enhance productivity by focusing on workflow optimization and implementing effective time management techniques. Workflow Optimization Optimizing your workflow involves analyzing and improving business processes to increase operational efficiency. Consider the following strategies: Standardize Procedures: Create clear, documented processes for routine tasks. This consistency reduces errors and enhances team management. Utilize Technology Solutions: Leverage software tools to automate repetitive tasks. Automation can enhance productivity and accuracy. Implement Communication Tools: Use collaboration platforms to facilitate teamwork. Improved communication minimizes misunderstandings and accelerates project management. Prioritize Tasks: Identify critical tasks that drive business goals. Focus on high-impact activities to effectively allocate resources. Time Management Techniques Effective time management helps you meet deadlines and maintain a competitive edge. Explore these techniques: Set Clear Goals: Establish specific, measurable objectives for daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. This clarity fosters accountability within your team. Use Scheduling Tools: Adopt calendars and task management applications. These tools help you track deadlines and prioritize assignments effectively. Delegate Responsibilities: Assign tasks based on team members’ strengths. Delegation not only empowers employees but also ensures tasks are executed efficiently. Practice the Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused intervals of 25 minutes followed by short breaks. This can enhance concentration and combat burnout. Incorporating these strategies into your daily operations will streamline processes, boost productivity, and drive your small business toward success. Financial Aspects of Day To Day Business Effective financial management shapes the success of your daily business operations. Key components include budgeting, cash flow management, and decision-making. Budgeting for Daily Expenses Budgeting plays a critical role in your daily business management. It determines how resources are allocated, helping you track expenses and revenues. Set a clear budget for operational costs, such as employee salaries, inventory purchases, and overhead expenses. Regularly review your budget to identify discrepancies and adjust forecasts based on actual performance. This proactive approach enhances financial planning, enabling you to meet business goals while minimizing unnecessary expenditures. Cash Flow Management Cash flow management is essential for sustaining business operations. Proper monitoring of cash inflows and outflows ensures you meet financial obligations on time. Conduct regular cash flow analyses to identify trends and anticipate future needs. Implementing software tools can streamline cash flow tracking, giving you real-time data on your financial health. Prioritize cash flow to support inventory management, employee development, and other operational aspects crucial for business growth. By maintaining positive cash flow, you position your small business for stability and long-term success. Building a Productive Team Building a productive team remains vital for small business success. Effective team management leads to better decision-making, improved workflow, and overall business growth. Effective Communication Strategies Implementing effective communication strategies enhances teamwork and fosters collaboration. Establish daily check-ins to keep everyone aligned on goals and project status. Utilize communication software tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate swift exchanges of ideas and important updates. Encourage open feedback to promote transparency and address conflicts early. Regularly schedule team meetings to discuss progress, allowing for adjustments when necessary. Employee Engagement Tips Boosting employee engagement drives productivity and retention. Recognize individual contributions to foster a sense of belonging. Set clear expectations through well-defined roles to empower your team. Provide opportunities for employee development, like training sessions and workshops, which enhance skill sets and strengthen business capabilities. Encourage participation in decision-making processes to create ownership and accountability. Celebrate milestones and successes to build morale and motivation, ensuring your team remains committed to achieving business goals. Technology in Day To Day Business Technology significantly shapes day-to-day business operations. You can leverage various tools and solutions to enhance efficiency and drive business growth. Tools for Streamlining Operations Numerous tools exist for streamlining operations in small businesses. Consider integrating software solutions that improve workflow and project management. Tools like Trello and Asana help track team tasks, ensuring everyone meets deadlines. Communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams foster collaboration and improve communication skills, essential for effective team management. Utilizing budgeting tools like QuickBooks enhances financial planning by tracking expenses and revenues in real-time. For inventory management, solutions like TradeGecko streamline tracking, reducing costs and improving operational efficiency. Customer service platforms, such as Zendesk, help manage customer feedback and boost retention through timely responses. Impact of Automation Automation significantly boosts productivity and efficiency in your daily business processes. AI and machine learning tools reduce manual efforts in tasks like data entry, customer inquiries, and marketing campaigns. By automating routine tasks, you enable employees to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth. In supply chain management, robotics enhance accuracy in warehousing by optimizing the picking and packing processes. Automating cash flow analysis enables real-time visibility into financial health, aiding in informed decision-making. Implementing automation supports business expansion by allowing you to scale operations without compromising quality control or customer satisfaction. Conclusion Navigating the complexities of day-to-day business operations is crucial for your success. By focusing on effective management strategies and embracing technology, you can streamline processes and enhance productivity. Remember that adaptability and continuous improvement are key to overcoming daily challenges. Building a strong team and fostering collaboration will empower you to make informed decisions and drive growth. Ultimately, prioritizing financial management and leveraging automation can set your business on a path to sustained success. Embrace these practices to create a thriving business environment that meets both current demands and future opportunities. Frequently Asked Questions What is the importance of daily business operations? Daily business operations are crucial for ensuring smooth functioning and long-term growth. They help maintain productivity, streamline processes, and address challenges, which ultimately leads to a successful business environment. How can I improve workflow optimization? To boost workflow optimization, standardize procedures, utilize technology solutions, implement communication tools, and prioritize tasks to ensure a seamless operation. This leads to enhanced productivity and efficiency. What time management techniques are effective for businesses? Effective time management techniques include setting clear goals, using scheduling tools, delegating tasks, and practicing methods like the Pomodoro Technique to maximize productivity and focus. How does budgeting affect small businesses? Budgeting is essential for tracking revenues and expenses, allowing for better resource allocation and proactive financial planning. Regular budget reviews help identify discrepancies for informed decision-making. Why is team management important for small businesses? Effective team management fosters better decision-making and workflow while contributing to overall business growth. Engaging employees enhances collaboration, motivation, and individual contributions. What role does technology play in daily operations? Technology enhances efficiency and drives growth in daily operations through tools like project management software, communication platforms, and budgeting tools. It also supports automation, freeing up resources for strategic initiatives. How can automation benefit my business? Automation reduces manual effort, allowing employees to focus on strategic tasks. It optimizes processes in areas like supply chain management and cash flow analysis, providing real-time insights for better decision-making. What is the significance of customer service in daily operations? Customer service is vital for building strong relationships and fostering loyalty. Excellent service enhances customer satisfaction, encourages repeat business, and can differentiate your brand in a competitive market. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering Day to Day Business: Strategies for Success and Efficiency" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Clients will need your help sorting through it all. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Clients will need your help sorting through it all. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

I was recently having lunch with a couple friends and their 7-year-old and we ordered a giant soft pretzel with beer cheese. As we mindlessly broke off pieces of the pretzel during our chatter, I noticed how the small human was silently eating her pretzel piece—salt first—and I saw a bit of myself in her. I have a vivid memory of being in middle school at a friend’s house and eating seasoned salt straight off of a plate. Eating salt so voraciously isn't wrong, per se, but sadly, the love affair can’t last forever. While my love for sodium chloride crystals has hardly faded, I am of an age where I need to chill on my salt intake as I am interested in longevity. Am I perfect? Hardly. I still love deli meats and the occasional fast food, but I am improving. It’s a work in progress. To reduce my salt intake, I’m using MSG and soy sauce to help me on my journey. Salt isn’t everythingTo other salt fans, this is blasphemy, but truly there are four other flavors we should give equal attention to: bitter, sour, umami, and sweet. If you find yourself constantly reaching for the salt cellar when you’re cooking because “something” is missing, it might be one of those other flavors. After you’ve added that first measurement of salt, try to tap into striking a balance with those other flavors. Squeeze in some fresh lemon or lime juice; even a spoonful of tomato sauce could bring in much needed acidity. Add chopped nuts, or keep the peels on your vegetables for bitterness. A teaspoon of sugar, maple syrup, or a handful of raisins can add surprisingly welcome sweetness. But salt’s sister seasonings are certainly those that exhibit umami. Seasonings like MSG and soy sauce might be the “something” you’ve been seeking. How MSG and soy sauce can help you cut down on saltFor context, in an equal measurement comparison, salt contains considerably more sodium than both soy sauce and MSG. A teaspoon of table salt contains about 2,300 mg of sodium. A teaspoon of soy sauce has about 300 and a teaspoon of MSG has about 500. My regular Kikkoman soy sauce, not low sodium, has 320 mg of sodium per teaspoon. (A teaspoon is 1/3 of a tablespoon.) Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Aside from just the quantity of sodium, it’s important to keep in mind that each flavoring agent has different potency, too. A quarter-teaspoon of MSG can adequately flavor about two cups of soup broth, while you might use ¾ of a teaspoon of salt for the same volume of liquid. I rarely use more than an eighth of a teaspoon of MSG when I make a personal serving of vegetables for example. For some other ways I use MSG in cooking and baking, read here. How I cook to reduce saltYou can see how by adding a pinch of MSG and a teaspoon of soy sauce (which also contains the building blocks of MSG) you’re still getting that salty flavor but with so much more. With these two seasonings you activate your glutamate receptors, which stimulate that mouth watering response, along with building a well-rounded savory flavor. Despite my history of really leaning into salt, I’m learning that umami and a smidge of salt is often enough. Whereas in the past I would add another pinch of salt, and then another, never really hitting the perfect note. To reduce salt, I’ve switched around my cooking style slightly by using a “salt last” seasoning method when I can. I sautée, braise, or make soup as usual, but I add a portion of MSG or soy sauce first. Then I’ll taste the finished dish. If it needs some salt then I’ll add some and taste it again. This way I can use MSG and soy sauce in combination with salt or as a complete replacement for salt when it works. Granted, sometimes I prefer to add salt earlier in the cooking process, like if I’m roasting vegetables or dry brining a chicken. For roasted veggies, I’ve simply taken to cutting the usual salt in half and adding a splash of soy sauce after it’s finished cooking. For dry brining, I’ll cut the salt in half again, and replace it with MSG. Holy cow, what a chicken. Do not sleep on adding MSG to your brines, whether dry or wet. Luckily, soy sauce and MSG go well with pretty much everything so you don’t have to spend much brain power wondering if it pairs well with what you’re cooking. If you need some inspiration, here are some unexpected ways to use MSG, and an excellent cookbook, Salt, Sugar, MSG, for flavorful recipes that include these seasoning heroes. Note that these are my tricks for reducing salt simply because I'd like to, but if you have a medical requirement to reduce your salt intake, be sure to check with your doctor as you make changes to your diet. View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. Back in the housing frenzy of 2021, homeowners were bombarded with inquiries from eager investors looking to see if they were open to selling. The outreach came in all forms—text messages, postcards, phone calls—and often felt relentless. Redfin data shows that in Q4 2021, investors scooped up 94,715 U.S. homes, a 51% jump from the 62,581 homes they purchased in Q4 2019. But that investor-driven surge—powered by rock-bottom interest rates, pandemic stimulus, and the remote work boom—began to fade as the Federal Reserve pivoted to fighting inflation. Mortgage rates climbed from 3% to over 6% in 2022, putting pressure on capital markets. The higher borrowing costs squeezed a wide range of housing players—from small landlords and short-term rental operators to house flippers and big institutional buyers—making it tougher to make the numbers work for new rental acquisitions. In Q4 2024, investors purchased 47,004 homes—that’s 50% below the level of investor purchases made in Q4 2021 (94,715) during the pandemic housing boom and 25% below pre-pandemic Q4 2019 (62,581). To better understand what rental property owners plan to do in the housing market over the next year, ResiClub partnered on a survey with Flock Homes, a startup backed by Andreessen Horowitz that provides services to help landlords transition their properties into a professionally managed pool while preserving tax advantages. The Flock Homes–ResiClub Real Estate Investor Survey was conducted between March 31 and April 7, 2025. It surveyed 245 real estate investors who own rental properties. Here are some of the big takeaways. (Note: Due to rounding, some totals will exceed 100%.) Housing market conditions The majority of housing investors aren’t focused on expanding right now. Of the U.S. real estate investors surveyed, 65% say they are focused on maintaining their portfolio size (56%) or exiting/selling it off (9%). Only 36% say they are focused on growing their portfolio. Among investors surveyed, 45% say that “purchase price relative to the market” has had the greatest impact on long-term performance when acquiring properties. Even so, 41% of U.S. real estate investors say their real estate investment returns are “far better” than what they believe they would have earned in the stock market, while 6% say their returns are “far worse.” Rising costs More than 20% of U.S. real estate investors surveyed say their home insurance costs have risen by more than 50% over the past five years. Maintenance costs are also a concern: 32% of U.S. real estate investors say “unexpected maintenance costs” are “the most underestimated risk in rental property investing,” followed by 26% who cite “tenant-related issues.” You can find the full results below: Methodology: Among the 245 real estate investors who participated in the ResiClub Real Estate Investor Survey, here’s how many rental/investment properties they own: 1-4 units: 55.9% 5-19 units: 26.9% 20-99 units: 11.8% 100+ units: 5.3% Here’s how we grouped the regions by state in the survey: Midwest: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI Northeast: CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT Southeast: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and WV Southwest: AZ, NM, OK, and TX West: AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY View the full article

The bloc wants people under 30 from member states to be able to spend up to three years in the UK and vice versa View the full article

When you're selling your home, many factors can influence whether it sits on the market for weeks or gets multiple offers right away. Everything from its location to its condition can affect the speed of the sale and the final price, and you don’t always have control over all of them. One thing you can control—at least to a degree—is the your home's lighting. “In my experience, buyers aren't just buying square footage; they're buying a feeling,” says Jonathan Ayala, a real estate agent at Hudson Condos in New Jersey. “And lighting is a subtle but powerful way to exert that influence. It's the difference between a buyer perceiving ‘this space needs work’ and ‘I can see myself living here.’ How your house is lit can have a big impact on how fast your house sells—and the price you get for it. Here’s are five factors to think about to improve your home's lighting. Choose the right bulbsEvery lightbulb in your home is defined by three measurements: Watts (the amount of energy it uses), lumens (its brightness), and kelvin (its color temperature). When it comes to making an impression on home buyers, you should concentrate mainly on lumens and kelvin. Bulbs with a lumens rating of at least 800 are best to give the house a bright, open feeling—and you can go as high as 2,000 lumens if your home lacks natural light or simply feels dark. Color temperature is just as important. For reference, the sun at noon on a clear day has a color temperature of about 5,000-6,000k. “Lighting affects both how large and how welcoming a home feels,” notes Ayala. “I put up a three-bedroom ranch about two or three years ago where the insides looked thick and dated. The original owner had [installed] heavy drapes and low-wattage bulbs. Even before putting up a sign in the front yard for sale, I had the seller replace all the bulbs with daylight LEDs, (about 5000k). The change was dramatic: From a dark living room that felt cave-like, the home [became] bright, clean, and modern." The home wound up receiving multiple offers in a week and sold for more than $25,000 above asking. "I do not think that it would have happened without those simple lighting upgrades,” Alaya said. In general, it’s best to choose bulbs that offer higher color temperatures in the “public” areas of the house, like the kitchen or living room, and warmer, lower temperatures in bedrooms, to give them a cozier feel. Temperatures in the 2400-2700k range can have a yellowing effect on white kitchens or furniture that can make a space feel old and worn, so choose carefully. You should also consider lighting direction, Ayala notes. “Uplighting can highlight architectural features, accent lights would draw attention to art, and ambient lighting would warm up a room—every small thing matters when preparing a home for market.” “Great lighting makes a space more functional,” adds Bo Belmont, a real estate investor and founder and CEO of Belwood Investments. “For example, lighting over the sink or kitchen counter can make these areas easier to work in. A well-lit entryway can also make buyers feel safer and more secure.” Keep the style consistent Lighting isn’t just about light—it’s also about the fixtures. Old fixtures that are showing their age will make a space look dated, even if the light itself is on point. Simply upgrading the fixtures without considering the overall style of the house won’t be effective: If your house has a modern, minimalist vibe and you install ornate brass fixtures, they might appear old to buyers due to the contrast, while slapping modern fixtures in a house with a country chic vibe might look cheap. First impressions matterOmer Reiner, a Realtor at FL Cash Buyer’s in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, cautions that you can't forget the exterior lighting. “If a potential buyer pulls up and can’t make out the house number because lights are dim, they are immediately on alert before they even step inside.” Make sure exterior lights are installed, in working condition, and are bright enough and aimed properly. This extends to the foyer or entryway. Having a bright exterior feels welcoming—unless the front door opens to a dark, shadowy space. Lighting can elevate buyers’ moods as they enter the house or give them a sense of foreboding, so make sure they make it inside without having to use their phone as a flashlight. Emphasize natural lightWhen thinking about your home’s lighting, don’t forget about the most obvious aspect: Natural light. “Natural light is the most appreciated,” says Alexei Morgado, a Florida Realtor and CEO and Founder of Lexawise Real Estate Exam Preparation. “It helps make spaces feel larger and more inviting. Maximizing natural lighting in a home can require expensive renovations, but there are some simple tricks: Opening curtains and blinds before and during showings, making sure windows are clean to allow light to penetrate, and trimming any exterior foliage that may block sunlight.” You should also consider your window treatments: While opening up the curtains or blinds can let light in, heavy, light-blocking treatments will always darken a room a little. Lighter materials will let more light in and will contribute to a sense of lightness in terms of weight and style as well. Keep them maintainedFinally, all the right decisions will be for naught if you don’t conduct proper maintenance and upkeep on your lighting. If you’re planning to show your home to prospective buyers, inspect the house and: Look for burnt-out bulbs. Dead bulbs aren’t always obvious when you’re living in the home (especially when they’re part of track lighting or back-lit decorations). Dead bulbs convey a sense of disrepair while also subtly darkening the space, directly contradicting your efforts. Check for broken fixtures. Cracked, stained, or crooked fixtures will draw the eye and will make buyers think there are other, less obvious problems with the house. Flickering lights or fixtures that spark will need to be repaired immediately, for obvious reasons). Make sure everything is aligned. If you have aimed your lighting to accentuate certain features, make sure they haven’t “drifted.” View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: The last time I was searching for jobs was pre-Covid, and while the job market and world have changed in many ways, one of the ways I’m most concerned about in my current search is the rise of employee monitoring technologies. I work in a field that has been primarily remote since well before the pandemic and has not been subjected my recent waves of return-to-office for that reason. I also live with a number of serious but very well-managed mental health issues that would quickly spiral out of “very well-managed” under the pressure of surveillance technologies. This isn’t just a preference not to work in an environment that uses these technologies but rather a real risk of triggering a psychotic episode. The combination of highly obsessive performance anxiety and the paranoia of surveillance is untenable for me given my particular slate of mental health conditions. I have been and will remain in the regular care of a mental health team that I am confident would provide whatever I need to get accommodations in place if it came to that, but I’d prefer not to be in an environment where accommodations are even needed for this particular struggle. Is there a way to ask about whether or not an organization uses employee monitoring technology during an interview without either disclosing mental health conditions that I would rather not disclose or flagging myself as a potential slacker who doesn’t want supervisors catching on through monitoring software? To be clear, I do NOT believe that people who don’t want to work under surveillance are “slackers,” but I worry that emphasizing the point too strongly in interviews might give hiring committees that impression and hurt my chances. I generally don’t think employers should monitor their workers to the extent that current technology allows for, but I also understand why making a big deal of that point might not look great to potential employers. But I worry, too, that handling this via accommodations would force me to reveal more than I would like about my mental health in the workplace. Is there a graceful way to raise the question in interviews? Would it be better raised at the stage of an offer being made? Or is this something that I’d be best served just waiting out and then getting accommodations in place if the need arises? I welcome any advice that you or your readers might have for how to handle this! Yeah, this is a rough thing to raise in an interview without coming across strangely. In theory, it shouldn’t be that way! There are loads of reasons for people not to be interested in companies that surveil their every keystroke — such as believing that it reflects a culture and management style not aligned with how they want to work — but it’s still going to be very difficult to raise it in an interview without seeming oddly and inordinately focused on it. The same goes for asking about things like drug testing; there are plenty of good reasons not to want to work somewhere that drug tests, even if you’re not a drug user yourself, but asking about it in the interview will Create An Impression. You should be able to ask in an interview about anything that’s important to you without worrying about what subtext interviewers will read into it … but in reality, you can’t. Of course, the reverse is true, too — there are questions an interviewer could ask that would really turn off candidates — but the power dynamics are so different that it’s not the same thing. You could of course ask what they’ve found effective in managing a remote team and where the challenges have been, and that could lead to an interesting discussion that reveals something relevant about their philosophy … but it’s very unlikely that they’ll announce, “Oh, and we use keystroke loggers and take screenshots of your monitor every 10 minutes.” So unfortunately, the best time to raise it is after you have a job offer — when they’ve already decided they want to hire you and have extended you an offer, because at that point the hiring decision can’t be influenced by the question and they can’t pull your offer over you merely asking the question without violating the Americans with Disability Act. Even then, I’m struggling with how to word it, since it’s an unusual request. It might be useful to talk with your medical team about the best way to frame it so that you don’t reveal more than you need to. (And if they’re no help, an employment lawyer should be able to advise on the right way to word it.) View the full article

While the 30-year rate landed near its level of a week ago, it ended up there only after political developments led to up-and-down swings in Treasurys. View the full article

YouTube is testing a new AI Overviews carousel. It will appear in search results for select queries. The feature uses AI to highlight the most relevant clips from videos tied to a user’s search. Why we care. Google AI Overviews have reduced visibility and traffic to websites. If this experiment is rolled out, could YouTube’s version of AI Overviews end up reducing visibility and video views for brands and creators? How it works. When a user enters an certain type of query, YouTube will use AI to scan relevant videos and surface highlight clips that it deems most informative or useful. These clips appear in a carousel within the search results, giving users a quick snapshot of what they might want to watch. YouTube said AI Overviews are designed to help searchers with: Product research (e.g., [best noise cancelling headphones]) Travel and local discovery (e.g., [museums to visit in San Francisco]) Who can see AI Overviews. The feature is available as a limited test. Only a small subset of U.S. YouTube Premium members will see the feature. It applies only to some English-language search queries. What’s next. YouTube will collect user feedback (via a thumbs-up or thumbs-down). Insights from this test will determine the future of YouTube’s AI Overviews or a broader rollout. The announcement. Testing New AI Overviews in Search Results View the full article

Key Takeaways Local Mobile Marketing is Crucial: It helps small businesses reach consumers in real-time, boosting visibility, foot traffic, and customer engagement. Optimize for Local SEO: Prioritize your Google My Business listing and use relevant local keywords to enhance online presence and search rankings. Leverage Geolocation: Utilize geotargeting and location-based ads to attract local customers, offering exclusive promotions or discounts to drive visits. Utilize Mobile Marketing Tools: Implement SMS marketing apps and CRM solutions to manage customer relationships, enhance communication, and track engagement effectively. Measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Regularly analyze metrics like local search visibility, click-through rates, foot traffic, and customer feedback to evaluate and refine your marketing strategies. Engage with the Community: Build local partnerships and participate in community events to strengthen brand awareness and customer loyalty. In today’s fast-paced world, local mobile marketing is a game changer for small businesses. With more people relying on their smartphones for everything from shopping to finding services, tapping into this trend can put your business on the map—literally. Imagine your customers discovering your products or services just when they need them, right in their neighborhood. Harnessing the power of local mobile marketing isn’t just smart; it’s essential for growth. You can reach your target audience in real-time, boost foot traffic, and enhance customer engagement. Whether you’re a café, a boutique, or a service provider, understanding how to leverage mobile strategies can set you apart from the competition. Let’s explore how you can effectively connect with your local community through mobile marketing. Understanding Local Mobile Marketing Local mobile marketing focuses on reaching consumers through their mobile devices within a specific geographic area. This form of marketing leverages location-based technologies, allowing your small business to connect directly with your target market. Definition of Local Mobile Marketing Local mobile marketing involves strategies designed to engage audiences based on their location. It includes tools like geotargeting, which delivers ads to users based on their current or recent locations. Tactics may include location-based ads, local promotions, and online listings on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp. These approaches help to make your brand accessible to potential customers when they’re most likely to need your products or services. Importance for Small Businesses For small businesses, local mobile marketing proves vital in several ways: Increased Visibility: Being present in local search results ensures potential customers find your business easily. Enhanced Engagement: Using social media marketing platforms, such as Facebook Ads and Instagram for business, helps you engage with your community directly. Community Connection: Building local partnerships or sponsoring neighborhood events strengthens your ties to the community and boosts brand awareness. Boosting Customer Loyalty: Implementing loyalty programs and sending personalized local coupons via mobile can enhance customer retention. Influencer Opportunities: Collaborating with local influencers can increase your reach and credibility within the community. By embracing local mobile marketing, you position your small business effectively to capture the attention of potential customers, enhancing your overall marketing strategy. Strategies for Effective Local Mobile Marketing Local mobile marketing can significantly boost your small business’s visibility and engagement. Implementing effective strategies helps you connect with your target market in your community. Optimizing for Local SEO To improve your online presence, prioritize local SEO. Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing, ensuring that all information—like your address, phone number, and operational hours—is accurate. Use relevant keywords related to your business within your website content and local listings on platforms like Yelp. Encourage satisfied customers to leave Google reviews, as positive feedback enhances your reputation and boosts your rankings in local searches. Utilizing Geolocation and Targeting Take advantage of geotargeting and location-based ads to reach customers nearby. When potential customers search for services “near me,” your business must appear prominently. Use platforms like Facebook Ads and Instagram for Business to run targeted campaigns focused on local audiences. Combine this with local promotions, such as exclusive mobile coupons or special offers that encourage customers to visit your store or website. Engaging with local events or creating sponsorships increases your visibility and helps build community connections while promoting your small business. Tools and Platforms for Small Businesses Utilizing effective tools and platforms is essential for small businesses engaged in local mobile marketing. These resources not only help you connect with your target market but also enhance your online presence. Mobile Marketing Apps Mobile marketing apps play a crucial role in reaching customers where they are. SMS marketing apps, like Constant Contact and Emitrr, allow you to send personalized promotions, discounts, and event reminders directly to customers’ mobile devices. High open rates ensure your messages get seen. You can also enhance community engagement and promote local events through targeted mobile coupons, generating foot traffic to your storefront. CRM Solutions for Local Marketing CRM solutions provide vital support for local marketing efforts. Platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce enable you to track customer interactions, segment your audience, and tailor your marketing strategies. By utilizing these tools, you can effectively manage customer relationships, boost loyalty programs, and encourage positive online reviews, like those on Google My Business or Yelp. A solid CRM strategy allows you to create tailored campaigns based on customer data, maximizing your marketing effectiveness and driving local search visibility. Measuring Success in Local Mobile Marketing Measuring success in local mobile marketing involves tracking specific metrics to assess effectiveness and engagement. Focus on gathering relevant data to refine your strategies and maximize results in your community. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Track Local Search Visibility: Monitor your rankings in local search results on platforms like Google and Yelp. High rankings indicate effective local SEO and visibility in your target market. Click-Through Rates (CTR): Track the percentage of users who click on your local ads or listings. Higher CTRs reflect successful local advertising and engaging content. Foot Traffic: Use geolocation tools to measure the increase in customers visiting your business after targeted promotions. Effective local promotions lead to higher foot traffic. Conversion Rates: Analyze how many users take desired actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for loyalty programs. Improved conversion rates indicate successful marketing strategies. Customer Feedback: Regularly assess online reviews and ratings on platforms like Google My Business and Yelp. Positive feedback enhances your reputation and encourages community engagement. Analyzing Customer Engagement Social Media Interactions: Monitor engagement levels on platforms like Facebook and Instagram for Business. Evaluate likes, comments, and shares to gauge your audience’s interest and responsiveness. Email Marketing Metrics: Track open and click rates for your local promotions sent via email marketing. High engagement rates signal effective messaging and relevance to your target market. Event Participation: Assess attendance at local events and community engagement initiatives. Increased participation reflects successful grassroots marketing efforts. Local Feedback and Surveys: Collect insights from customer surveys to understand preferences and satisfaction. Tailoring your strategies based on feedback strengthens community involvement. Partnership Success: Evaluate the impact of local partnerships and sponsorships on your brand awareness and customer reach. Successful collaborations can enhance your marketing strategy and extend your audience. Conclusion Embracing local mobile marketing can transform your small business. By leveraging the right tools and strategies you can connect with your community in meaningful ways. Optimizing your online presence and utilizing location-based technologies will help you reach customers where they are. As you implement these tactics don’t forget to track your success. Monitoring KPIs will provide insights into what’s working and where you can improve. With a focused approach you’ll not only increase visibility but also foster loyalty among local customers. Take charge of your local mobile marketing efforts today and watch your business thrive in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Frequently Asked Questions What is local mobile marketing? Local mobile marketing refers to marketing strategies that target consumers based on their geographic location through their mobile devices. This includes using tactics like geotargeting, location-based ads, and local promotions to connect with nearby customers in real-time. Why is local mobile marketing important for small businesses? Local mobile marketing is crucial for small businesses because it enhances visibility in search results, increases foot traffic, and fosters customer engagement. It enables businesses to reach their target audience effectively and compete better in the local market. How can small businesses optimize for local SEO? Small businesses can optimize for local SEO by claiming and optimizing their Google My Business listing, ensuring business information is accurate, and encouraging positive customer reviews. This improves search rankings and attracts local customers. What tools can help with local mobile marketing? Effective tools for local mobile marketing include apps like Constant Contact and Emitrr for sending promotions directly to customers. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions like HubSpot and Salesforce help manage interactions, segment audiences, and tailor strategies. How can businesses measure success in local mobile marketing? Businesses can measure success by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as local search visibility, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Analyzing customer engagement through social media interactions and feedback also provides insights into effectiveness. Image Via Envato This article, "Boost Your Small Business with Effective Local Mobile Marketing Strategies" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article