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Beast Industries, the $5 billion media conglomerate founded by YouTube star MrBeast, is being sued by a former employee who says she was sexually harassed, discriminated against as a woman, and fired shortly after returning from maternity leave. The company refutes her claims, saying it has evidence, including Slack and WhatsApp messages, company documents, and witness testimony, that contradict the lawsuit’s allegations. The federal lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in the Eastern District Court of North Carolina, paints a picture of Beast Industries as a boy’s club in which women were excluded from male-dominated meetings, demeaned in front of colleagues, and told to “shut up,” while men were allowed “to be childish.” “This clout-chasing complaint is built on deliberate misrepresentations and categorically false statements, and we have the receipts to prove it,” a spokeswoman for Beast Industries says in a statement shared with Fast Company. “We will not submit to opportunistic lawyers looking to manufacture a payday from us.” The former employee, Lorrayne Mavromatis, was hired in 2022 and terminated in 2025, less than three weeks after returning from maternity leave, per the lawsuit. Before that, the suit alleges, she had been demoted for complaining about sexual harassment and the hostile work environment—for both her and other women. The company denies she was demoted. According to the lawsuit, the company distributed a document titled “How to Succeed In MrBeast Production,” which included statements such as “It’s okay for the boys to be childish” and “No Does Not Mean No.” It also told employees “The amount of hours you work is irrelevant.” The company says that document is not an employee handbook, but a production guidebook; it was previously leaked in 2024. Mavromatis says she was sexually harassed by her supervisors, including being made to meet CEO James Warren at his home while he commented on her clothing. Mavromatis was also left out of projects because, per the lawsuit, Warren told her she was “too beautiful” and that her “appearance had a certain sexual effect on Jimmy,” referring to Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast. “Jimmy gets really awkward around beautiful women,” Warren told her, according to the lawsuit. “Let’s just say that when you’re around and he goes to the restroom, he’s not actually using the restroom.” The comapny spokeswoman called this allegation “ridiculous,” saying that it is an exploitation of Donaldson’s medical conditions, including Crohn’s disease and an eye condition. It wasn’t only female employees who were subject to degradation, the suit alleges. Male executives also made jokes about female contestants of the MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios game show BeastGames when they “complained they did not have access to feminine hygiene products and clean underwear while participating in the show,” per the filing. The company did not comment on the record about this allegation. In 2024, BeastGames contestants of BeastGames raised issues with the production, saying that they hadn’t received adequate food or medical care, and that contestants faced injuries, with some leaving the competition area via stretchers. Mavromatis’s suit also claims that her experience working with MrBeast included discrimination over her pregnancy, the lawsuit claims. She says when she told her manager she would need maternity leave, in “early 2025,” she was never informed about her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). A digital copy of an employee handbook was shared with Fast Company by Beast Industries that includes mention of parental leave and FMLA, and which says the document was last updated in March 2025. She was also asked to work while on that leave, per the lawsuit, including joining a conference call while in the delivery room, and felt she had to join or face retaliation. Under FMLA, it’s illegal for a company to force or coerce an employee to work while on such leave. Beast Industries says there was no such expectation, sharing screenshots of messages that the company says show Mavromatis being told not to join that call while in labor, and asking to work while on maternity leave; Fast Company could not immediately verify the messages. Less than three weeks after returning to work from that leave, the lawsuit says, she was fired. The company spokeswoman says this was not performance related, but part of a broader restructuring. MrBeast’s YouTube page has 479 million subscribers, making it the channel on the video platform with the most subecribers.. Beast Industries also runs businesses including snack brand Feastables, lunch kit company Lunchly, fintech app Step, Beast Philanthropy, and more. The company has more than 500 employees. View the full article

Meta announced to employees on Thursday that the company is laying off around 10% of the company on May 20—about 8,000 employees out of its workforce of more than 78,000 will be impacted, Bloomberg first reported. The company will also close 6,000 open roles it planned to fill, according to a memo that was sent to staffers today from Meta’s chief people officer, Janella Gale. In the memo, obtained by Business Insider, Gale attributed the cuts to Meta’s “continued effort to run the company more efficiently and to allow us to offset the other investments we’re making.” The memo did not specify what those “other investments” are, but it’s public knowledge that the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has been going all in on AI. Earlier this year, the company announced it would spend up to $135 billion on AI initiatives. Just this week, it was reported that Meta would track its employees’ mouse movements and keystrokes to train AI models. Last week, the Financial Times reported that the company was developing an AI clone of CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Meta confirmed Bloomberg’s reporting of the layoffs—which attributed the cuts to boosting efficiency and offsetting the company’s “heavy spending on artificial intelligence”—but declined to comment further. “This is not an easy tradeoff and it will mean letting go of people who have made meaningful contributions to Meta during their time here,” the memo said. Meta will offer “generous severance package[s]” for laid-off staff, which includes 16 weeks’ base pay, in addition to two weeks for every year of employment, according to the memo. Additionally, impacted employees’ COBRA health coverage will be covered for 18 months. “I know this leaves everyone with nearly a month of ambiguity which is incredibly unsettling,” the memo ended. “We will try to answer your questions here in the comments but as we’re still working through the details we aren’t able to share much more until later in May.” Meta, along with other tech giants Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft, will report its first-quarter earnings next year. The company’s shares fell 2.4% today. View the full article

Modern brides need something old, new, borrowed, and blue. But if they’re influencers, add a sponsor to the list, too. Paid sponsored content is commonplace for anyone who scrolls through an influencer’s social media, where you might encounter anything from a lavish vacation to new products to try. But a recent viral discussion on social media has users questioning if the practice has gone too far. “Just saw someone posting their wedding on IG,” a user posted to X, alongside a screenshot of an Instagram quote from content creator Jaz Smith. “The 1st slide was them and the second slide was a photo of CAPITAL ONE CAFE. “I can’t make this shit up. WHEW, is nothing sacred anymore. oh my god, send the asteroid,” the user added. Some respondents quickly poked fun at the idea of a financial services giant like Capital One sponsoring a wedding. “When I finally find the love of my life i do not want the wedding to be sponsored by a bank,” one user replied to the post. “I want it to be sponsored by the military industrial complex . . . If you’re gonna do it, go all the way.” Breaking the bank While Smith’s wedding did have a work component to it—with the couple vlogging throughout the day and posting videos to TikTok—is was not actually sponsored by Capital One. The confusion arose from Smith using photos from her wedding, which took place in May of last year, for a recent Capital One campaign, leading social media to connect the two. Either way, Smith would not be the first and only creator to blend business with their personal lives—even where weddings are concerned. Take beauty influencer Mikayla Nogueira, whose wedding was sponsored by E.l.f cosmetics and featured branded decor like a kissing booth with the beauty company’s logo, making it photo-ready for her 3.5 million followers. Even smaller creators can cash in, like wellness content creator Yola Robert. With just a little over 40,000 followers on Instagram, Robert leveraged her influence by sliding into the DMs of brands to get the wedding she wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. Her 2022 nuptials were sponsored by brands like Hum Nutrition vitamins, with freebies doled out to guests, and an open bar sponsored by non-alcoholic drink company Free Spirits. While some brides- and grooms-to-be might view branding their weddings as a dystopian step too far, many sympathize with the practice, calling out the exorbitant prices of weddings these days. “You know how much a dinner plate for a guest is? My dress would have a promo sticker. lol,” an X user said. Last year, brides and grooms saw an unexpected spike in wedding costs, in part due to tariffs, with one bride having to pay nearly $300 more for her imported dress, The Associated Press reported. That seems even small in comparison to the cost of the average wedding, which experts say is around around $36,000, a price tag that is expected to keep growing with inflation. Unsurprisingly, those yearning for an Instagram-worthy dream wedding must ask outsiders for help. As one user responded on X: “Have you seen the cost of weddings these days? If Capital One pays for my son’s wedding, they can have the first and the second picture.” View the full article

A loyalty card platform is a digital tool that helps businesses manage customer loyalty programs effectively. It enables you to reward customers through points, tiers, or subscriptions, enhancing their engagement and retention. By integrating with your existing POS systems, these platforms provide real-time tracking of rewards and personalized promotions. Comprehending how these systems operate can greatly influence your marketing strategies and customer relationships. So, what key features should you consider in a loyalty card platform? Key Takeaways A loyalty card platform is a digital tool designed to manage and track customer loyalty programs effectively. It allows businesses to create customizable rewards systems, such as points accumulation and tiered benefits, to incentivize repeat purchases. Real-time tracking via mobile apps enhances customer convenience, providing instant updates on points and rewards earned. Data analytics features track customer behaviors, helping businesses tailor rewards and marketing strategies based on preferences and trends. Integration with existing POS systems ensures seamless transaction processing and data collection for improved customer engagement. Understanding Loyalty Card Platforms Loyalty card platforms are essential tools for businesses aiming to improve customer retention and engagement. These digital systems enable you to create, manage, and track loyalty programs efficiently. With features like points accumulation and tier levels, you can incentivize customer purchases and activities. Real-time tracking through mobile apps or digital wallets increases convenience, making it easy for customers to monitor their rewards. Many loyalty card platforms integrate seamlessly with existing POS systems, ensuring smooth processing of customer transactions and rewards. This integration allows you to gather valuable data on customer behavior and preferences, which can be fundamental for developing targeted marketing strategies and personalized offers. Additionally, the shift from physical to digital loyalty cards greatly boosts customer engagement, as studies show that 65% of US adults have used a digital wallet recently. Key Features of a Loyalty Card Platform A well-designed loyalty card platform includes several key features that can greatly improve your business operations. First, it tracks customer purchases and rewards, enabling you to monitor spending habits and interactions in real-time. Many platforms offer customizable digital stamp cards or point systems, allowing you to tailor your loyalty programs to fit your brand identity and customer preferences. Advanced analytics capabilities often come integrated, providing valuable insights into customer behavior, which can help you refine your marketing strategies and boost engagement. A user-friendly interface is crucial for both staff and customers, making account management and rewards redemption straightforward. Furthermore, integrating your loyalty app for small business with mobile wallet technologies can increase customer convenience, enabling users to store and access their loyalty cards on smartphones. These features collectively elevate customer loyalty and improve overall business performance. How Loyalty Card Platforms Work When customers make purchases, they can easily earn points or rewards through loyalty card platforms, which track these transactions via a unique identifier like a membership card or mobile app. These digital loyalty cards store customer information and transaction history, allowing businesses to analyze buying behavior and preferences. This data helps in crafting targeted marketing strategies. Customers are encouraged to engage with these platforms by: Earning points for every dollar spent, which can lead to significant savings. Redeeming points for discounts, free products, or exclusive offers, creating a sense of value. Receiving real-time updates and notifications through mobile wallets, enhancing interaction and engagement. Ultimately, loyalty card platforms aim to promote repeat business and brand loyalty, benefiting both customers and businesses alike as they track customer preferences and encourage ongoing purchases. Benefits of Using a Loyalty Card Platform Using a loyalty card platform can greatly boost repeat business by encouraging customers to return for rewards they value. You’ll additionally improve customer engagement as personalized offers and incentives create a stronger connection between your brand and its patrons. Increased Repeat Business Implementing a loyalty card platform can greatly improve repeat business by offering customers compelling incentives that encourage them to return. With a loyalty card app for small business, you can enjoy several advantages: Increased Spending: Customers in loyalty programs typically spend 12-18% more than non-members. Higher Retention Rates: Loyalty programs can retain 5-10% more customers, ensuring they come back for more. Word-of-Mouth Referrals: Satisfied customers are likely to recommend your brand, driving even more repeat business. Enhanced Customer Engagement A loyalty card platform not just boosts repeat business but also greatly improves customer engagement. By offering customized rewards and targeted promotions through digital loyalty programs, you can strengthen your connection with customers. Studies indicate that personalized offers can increase retention rates by up to 30%. In addition, real-time data tracking helps you understand customer preferences, allowing for more effective marketing strategies. Engaged customers are 70% more likely to recommend your brand, turning them into advocates. With push notifications delivering 100% of messages, your customers stay informed about their rewards and special offers. Finally, implementing a loyalty card platform can lead to loyal customers who spend 67% more than new ones over time, further emphasizing the value of engagement. Types of Loyalty Programs Supported In terms of loyalty programs, you have several options to choose from. Points-based systems reward you for your purchases, allowing you to accumulate points that can be redeemed for various rewards. On the other hand, tiered reward structures offer increasing benefits based on your spending, encouraging you to access more exclusive perks as you shop. Points-Based Systems Points-based loyalty programs serve as an effective strategy for businesses looking to improve customer retention and engagement. With these systems, you can accumulate points for every dollar spent, which can later be redeemed for discounts or products. Here are three key benefits of a points-based system: Motivation to Return: 85% of consumers find loyalty programs compelling, prompting repeat purchases. Engagement Opportunities: Earn points not just from purchases, but in addition by engaging on social media or writing reviews. Valuable Insights: Business Insider tracks customer behavior to refine marketing strategies and offerings. Using a digital rewards card elevates this experience, making it easier to track your points and redeem rewards, nurturing a stronger relationship with brands you love. Tiered Reward Structures Building on the concept of loyalty programs, tiered reward structures offer a more dynamic approach to customer engagement. These structures categorize customers into different levels, like Silver, Gold, and Platinum, based on their spending or engagement. Each tier provides increasingly valuable benefits, encouraging customers to spend more to access exclusive discounts or priority service. Research shows that customers in higher tiers typically spend more frequently and at higher amounts. This system also motivates customers to engage with your brand in various ways, such as making purchases or referring friends, to achieve a higher status. For small businesses, implementing loyalty cards with tiered rewards can improve customer experience and satisfaction, ultimately increasing their lifetime value. Subscription Models Subscription models in loyalty programs present a unique strategy for brands to cultivate customer loyalty by requiring a recurring fee in exchange for immediate benefits. With a loyalty card mobile app, you can easily access exclusive discounts and services. Here are three key aspects of subscription models: Consistent Value: You receive ongoing benefits that keep you engaged with the brand. Tiered Benefits: Higher subscription levels reveal more valuable rewards, motivating you to spend more. Consumer Appeal: About 75% of consumers prefer brands that offer subscription services, highlighting their effectiveness. Successful programs additionally feature easy cancellation policies and regular updates on benefits, ensuring you stay satisfied and engaged without feeling trapped. In the end, these models improve customer retention considerably. Integrating Loyalty Card Platforms With Existing Systems Integrating loyalty card platforms with existing systems can greatly boost a business’s ability to track customer interactions and reward engagement. By connecting loyalty card solutions with your point-of-sale (POS) systems, you can seamlessly monitor customer purchases and reward points during transactions. Many platforms offer APIs, making it easy to integrate with e-commerce platforms for consistent tracking of both online and in-store interactions. Moreover, combining data from loyalty card platforms with customer relationship management (CRM) systems deepens your comprehension of customer behavior and preferences. This integration helps in tailoring targeted marketing efforts effectively. Utilizing mobile wallet technologies further enriches the customer experience, allowing users to access their loyalty cards directly from their smartphones. Implementing these integrations can lead to a measurable increase in customer retention, with some businesses reporting up to a 22% rise in loyalty sign-ups, especially for those using a digital punch card app. The Role of Data and Analytics in Loyalty Programs Data and analytics play an essential role in loyalty programs by tracking your purchase behaviors, which helps businesses understand your preferences and spending habits. With this information, companies can personalize rewards offers that resonate with you, enhancing your overall experience. Furthermore, analyzing program effectiveness allows businesses to adjust their strategies, ensuring that rewards remain appealing and engagement stays high. Tracking Purchase Behaviors Comprehending how customers behave when they shop is vital for businesses aiming to improve their loyalty programs. By tracking purchase behaviors, companies can gain valuable insights that inform their marketing strategies. Here are three key benefits of using loyalty card platforms: Identify trends and preferences that help tailor promotions. Improve customer retention, with 65% of businesses reporting enhanced engagement. Boost purchase frequency by 20% among targeted groups. Digital punch cards play an important role in this process, accumulating data on average transaction values, purchase frequency, and customer demographics. Advanced analytics enable Advanced Analytics firms to segment loyalty program members, allowing them to create personalized experiences and drive overall revenue growth through informed decision-making. Personalizing Rewards Offers Comprehending customer preferences not just aids businesses in tailoring promotions but in addition plays a significant role in personalizing rewards offers. By utilizing data analytics, companies can segment customers based on their purchasing behavior and engagement levels. This enables you to create targeted discounts or exclusive promotions that resonate with individual needs. Studies show that 70% of consumers are more likely to engage with these personalized offers. With a digital loyalty card maker, you can easily implement these strategies, leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate customer behavior and preferences. This proactive approach helps align rewards with upcoming purchasing trends, ultimately increasing customer engagement and retention rates, as well as identifying which incentives lead to higher redemption rates and improved loyalty. Analyzing Program Effectiveness Even though effective loyalty programs can greatly improve customer retention, evaluating their success hinges on robust data and analytics. By leveraging insights from a digital punch card for small business, you can track customer behavior and engagement, leading to informed marketing strategies. Consider these key benefits: A 12% increase in points redemption, motivating customers to engage more. A 22% growth in overall loyalty sign-ups, showcasing your program’s appeal. The ability to identify high-value segments for targeted promotions, enhancing lifetime value. Real-time data collection allows immediate adjustments to keep your offerings relevant. Measuring key performance indicators, such as redemption and retention rates, enables you to assess your loyalty program’s effectiveness and make data-driven improvements. Enhancing Customer Engagement Through Loyalty Platforms Loyalty platforms play a crucial role in enhancing customer engagement by offering real-time updates on points, rewards, and VIP status, which encourages more active participation. By utilizing digital loyalty cards integrated with mobile wallets, brands can send targeted push notifications, capturing the attention of younger consumers who appreciate receiving offers through these channels. This leads to higher engagement rates and promotes a sense of belonging among customers. Moreover, loyalty platforms expand engagement by incorporating activities beyond purchases, such as social media interactions and referrals, which strengthen customer relationships. Data analytics capabilities allow businesses to segment customers effectively, tailoring marketing strategies to increase relevance for members. Furthermore, these platforms facilitate seamless communication, reducing friction at the point of sale and enhancing the overall customer experience. This combination of features encourages repeat visits and builds a loyal customer base, ultimately benefiting both customers and businesses alike. Personalization and Targeted Marketing Strategies As consumers increasingly seek personalized experiences, businesses must leverage personalization and targeted marketing strategies within loyalty card platforms to stay competitive. By utilizing customer data analytics, you can segment audiences effectively and create customized offers that resonate with individual preferences. This can greatly boost engagement and drive sales. Here are three key benefits of implementing these strategies: Personalized rewards can increase engagement by 80%, making customers feel valued. Target promotions can improve redemption rates by up to 50%, encouraging more frequent visits. Real-time data adjustments allow for dynamic, relevant offers that align with current shopping behaviors. For instance, a punch card loyalty program can be improved with location-based offers sent directly to mobile wallets, driving foot traffic during peak shopping periods. Measuring the Success of a Loyalty Card Program Implementing effective personalization and targeted marketing strategies in loyalty card programs sets the stage for measuring success accurately. To evaluate your loyalty program cards, focus on key performance indicators such as customer lifetime value and purchase frequency. An effective loyalty card program can lead to increased revenue growth, as evidenced by a 12% increase in points redemption and a 22% rise in sign-ups when using integrated systems like Yotpo. Tracking customer engagement is essential; it provides insights into top acquisition sources and spending behaviors. Regularly measuring these metrics allows you to adjust your strategies based on customer feedback and participation rates, ensuring your program remains relevant. Furthermore, surveys show that 85% of consumers believe loyalty programs improve their likelihood of shopping with a brand, emphasizing the importance of effective measurement in driving customer retention. Common Challenges and Solutions Even though many businesses recognize the value of loyalty card programs, they often face several challenges that can hinder their effectiveness. Here are some common issues and their solutions: Low Customer Engagement: Offer personalized rewards and promotions that resonate with your customers’ preferences to improve participation. Data Integration Issues: Select a loyalty platform with robust API capabilities to guarantee seamless integration with your existing systems, avoiding complications. Forgetfulness: Customers may forget to use their loyalty cards, but implementing automatic notifications or reminders through mobile wallets can encourage regular use. Additionally, high operational costs can be a barrier, but leveraging digital solutions, like digital stamp cards, can reduce expenses and boost customer interaction. Finally, secure the safety of customer data by choosing platforms that comply with data protection regulations, addressing privacy concerns that customers may have. Best Practices for Implementing a Loyalty Card Platform When implementing a loyalty card platform, it’s essential to define clear objectives that align with your business goals. You should choose technology that suits your needs and improves customer engagement, as well as promoting the program effectively across various channels. Define Clear Objectives Defining clear objectives for your loyalty card platform is vital, as it sets the foundation for the program’s success. Using SMART criteria helps guarantee your goals align with business and customer expectations. Here are three key steps to contemplate: Identify KPIs like customer retention rates and points redemption to measure success. Establish target demographics to tailor rewards that resonate with your customers, boosting engagement. Create a timeline for implementation and review to assess progress and make adjustments. Communicating these objectives clearly to both staff and customers promotes comprehension and enthusiasm, encouraging participation. If you’re pondering a punch card app, make certain you define these objectives to maximize its effectiveness and impact on your business. Choose Suitable Technology Choosing the right technology for your loyalty card platform is critical to its overall effectiveness and user satisfaction. Opt for a digital loyalty card solution that integrates seamlessly with existing mobile wallet technologies, enhancing customer engagement as well as streamlining operations. Prioritize user-friendly interfaces to minimize friction, making it easy for customers to earn and redeem rewards during transactions. Guarantee the platform provides real-time updates on points, VIP status, and rewards, keeping customers informed and engaged. Furthermore, select a solution with robust data analytics capabilities that allow for advanced customer segmentation and targeted marketing efforts. Finally, communicate program benefits and participation criteria clearly to encourage customer involvement and maximize the program’s effectiveness. Promote Active Engagement To effectively promote active engagement with your loyalty card platform, it’s essential to establish clear, measurable goals that align with both customer expectations and business objectives. Here are some best practices to reflect on: Offer attractive sign-up incentives like bonus points or exclusive discounts to entice customers to join your customer reward cards program. Communicate regularly about program benefits and updates through email, SMS, and social media to keep customers informed and engaged. Implement diverse earning methods beyond purchases, such as social media interactions or customer referrals, to appeal to various motivations and increase participation. Case Studies of Successful Loyalty Card Platforms As businesses increasingly recognize the value of customer loyalty, various brands have successfully implemented loyalty card platforms that not only reward purchases but furthermore improve customer engagement. For instance, Starbucks Rewards allows customers to earn stars for purchases, leading to 25% of U.S. transactions being made by program members. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program features tiered loyalty reward cards based on spending, achieving a remarkable 90% retention rate. The North Face XPLR Pass incentivizes outdoor enthusiasts by rewarding purchases and activities like hiking, nurturing a community of brand advocates. Amazon Prime’s paid loyalty program offers immediate benefits, resulting in over 200 million subscribers globally. Finally, Delta SkyMiles Medallion program uses a tiered system to reward frequent flyers, contributing to a 30% increase in loyalty among top-tier members. Each of these examples highlights how effective loyalty card platforms can improve customer engagement and retention. Future Trends in Loyalty Card Technology The terrain of loyalty card technology is swiftly evolving, reflecting the changing preferences of consumers and advancements in digital capabilities. As more people embrace digital wallets, brands are shifting from physical cards to digital loyalty card solutions. Expect to see these trends: Real-time updates: Brands will utilize push notifications to engage customers, especially younger audiences who appreciate timely offers. Gamification: Loyalty programs will incorporate challenges and rewards, driving customer participation through interactive experiences. Social media integration: Companies will exploit the influence of peer referrals, encouraging satisfied customers to become brand advocates. These advancements in loyalty card technology highlight the importance of personalized experiences and data analytics, allowing businesses to tailor their marketing efforts. As you engage with these digital loyalty cards, expect a future where your shopping experiences are more rewarding and connected than ever before. Frequently Asked Questions How Do Loyalty Cards Work? Loyalty cards let you earn points or rewards for your purchases, which accumulate over time. You usually register by providing some personal information, receiving a unique identifier to track your rewards during transactions. Many programs feature tiered systems, revealing additional benefits based on your spending levels. Digital loyalty cards, often stored in mobile wallets, offer real-time updates on your points and status, enhancing your shopping experience and encouraging ongoing engagement with the brand. How Effective Are Loyalty Platforms? Loyalty platforms are highly effective, often boosting customer retention by up to 20%. When brands implement these systems, they typically experience a 12% increase in points redemption, showing that rewards engage customers. Integrating digital solutions can lead to a 22% rise in program sign-ups. Moreover, customers in loyalty programs usually spend 12-18% more per transaction, greatly enhancing overall revenue and customer lifetime value when businesses utilize these platforms effectively. How Do Loyalty Apps Make Money? Loyalty apps generate revenue through various channels. They often charge businesses subscription fees for platform access and advanced features. Some apps earn money by taking a cut of sales from transactions made through their system. Moreover, in-app advertisements provide another income stream, targeting brands that wish to reach loyalty members. Finally, offering premium features or analytics as upgrades allows businesses to gain deeper customer insights, further enhancing revenue opportunities for the app. What Are the Cons of a Loyalty Program? Loyalty programs can have several drawbacks that you should consider. They often require significant investment to set up and maintain, which can strain small business budgets. Some customers might find these programs manipulative or unappealing, leading to disengagement. Furthermore, managing multiple tiers and rewards can complicate the customer experience, whereas non-members may feel excluded, harming relationships. Finally, concerns over data privacy can deter participation, as customers may hesitate to share personal information. Conclusion In conclusion, a loyalty card platform is a crucial tool for businesses aiming to improve customer loyalty and engagement. By offering features like real-time tracking, personalized promotions, and advanced analytics, these platforms enable companies to create effective loyalty programs customized to their audience. Although challenges may arise during implementation, adhering to best practices can lead to successful outcomes. As technology evolves, staying informed about future trends will help businesses leverage loyalty programs for sustained growth and customer satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Loyalty Card Platform and How Does It Work?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A loyalty card platform is a digital tool that helps businesses manage customer loyalty programs effectively. It enables you to reward customers through points, tiers, or subscriptions, enhancing their engagement and retention. By integrating with your existing POS systems, these platforms provide real-time tracking of rewards and personalized promotions. Comprehending how these systems operate can greatly influence your marketing strategies and customer relationships. So, what key features should you consider in a loyalty card platform? Key Takeaways A loyalty card platform is a digital tool designed to manage and track customer loyalty programs effectively. It allows businesses to create customizable rewards systems, such as points accumulation and tiered benefits, to incentivize repeat purchases. Real-time tracking via mobile apps enhances customer convenience, providing instant updates on points and rewards earned. Data analytics features track customer behaviors, helping businesses tailor rewards and marketing strategies based on preferences and trends. Integration with existing POS systems ensures seamless transaction processing and data collection for improved customer engagement. Understanding Loyalty Card Platforms Loyalty card platforms are essential tools for businesses aiming to improve customer retention and engagement. These digital systems enable you to create, manage, and track loyalty programs efficiently. With features like points accumulation and tier levels, you can incentivize customer purchases and activities. Real-time tracking through mobile apps or digital wallets increases convenience, making it easy for customers to monitor their rewards. Many loyalty card platforms integrate seamlessly with existing POS systems, ensuring smooth processing of customer transactions and rewards. This integration allows you to gather valuable data on customer behavior and preferences, which can be fundamental for developing targeted marketing strategies and personalized offers. Additionally, the shift from physical to digital loyalty cards greatly boosts customer engagement, as studies show that 65% of US adults have used a digital wallet recently. Key Features of a Loyalty Card Platform A well-designed loyalty card platform includes several key features that can greatly improve your business operations. First, it tracks customer purchases and rewards, enabling you to monitor spending habits and interactions in real-time. Many platforms offer customizable digital stamp cards or point systems, allowing you to tailor your loyalty programs to fit your brand identity and customer preferences. Advanced analytics capabilities often come integrated, providing valuable insights into customer behavior, which can help you refine your marketing strategies and boost engagement. A user-friendly interface is crucial for both staff and customers, making account management and rewards redemption straightforward. Furthermore, integrating your loyalty app for small business with mobile wallet technologies can increase customer convenience, enabling users to store and access their loyalty cards on smartphones. These features collectively elevate customer loyalty and improve overall business performance. How Loyalty Card Platforms Work When customers make purchases, they can easily earn points or rewards through loyalty card platforms, which track these transactions via a unique identifier like a membership card or mobile app. These digital loyalty cards store customer information and transaction history, allowing businesses to analyze buying behavior and preferences. This data helps in crafting targeted marketing strategies. Customers are encouraged to engage with these platforms by: Earning points for every dollar spent, which can lead to significant savings. Redeeming points for discounts, free products, or exclusive offers, creating a sense of value. Receiving real-time updates and notifications through mobile wallets, enhancing interaction and engagement. Ultimately, loyalty card platforms aim to promote repeat business and brand loyalty, benefiting both customers and businesses alike as they track customer preferences and encourage ongoing purchases. Benefits of Using a Loyalty Card Platform Using a loyalty card platform can greatly boost repeat business by encouraging customers to return for rewards they value. You’ll additionally improve customer engagement as personalized offers and incentives create a stronger connection between your brand and its patrons. Increased Repeat Business Implementing a loyalty card platform can greatly improve repeat business by offering customers compelling incentives that encourage them to return. With a loyalty card app for small business, you can enjoy several advantages: Increased Spending: Customers in loyalty programs typically spend 12-18% more than non-members. Higher Retention Rates: Loyalty programs can retain 5-10% more customers, ensuring they come back for more. Word-of-Mouth Referrals: Satisfied customers are likely to recommend your brand, driving even more repeat business. Enhanced Customer Engagement A loyalty card platform not just boosts repeat business but also greatly improves customer engagement. By offering customized rewards and targeted promotions through digital loyalty programs, you can strengthen your connection with customers. Studies indicate that personalized offers can increase retention rates by up to 30%. In addition, real-time data tracking helps you understand customer preferences, allowing for more effective marketing strategies. Engaged customers are 70% more likely to recommend your brand, turning them into advocates. With push notifications delivering 100% of messages, your customers stay informed about their rewards and special offers. Finally, implementing a loyalty card platform can lead to loyal customers who spend 67% more than new ones over time, further emphasizing the value of engagement. Types of Loyalty Programs Supported In terms of loyalty programs, you have several options to choose from. Points-based systems reward you for your purchases, allowing you to accumulate points that can be redeemed for various rewards. On the other hand, tiered reward structures offer increasing benefits based on your spending, encouraging you to access more exclusive perks as you shop. Points-Based Systems Points-based loyalty programs serve as an effective strategy for businesses looking to improve customer retention and engagement. With these systems, you can accumulate points for every dollar spent, which can later be redeemed for discounts or products. Here are three key benefits of a points-based system: Motivation to Return: 85% of consumers find loyalty programs compelling, prompting repeat purchases. Engagement Opportunities: Earn points not just from purchases, but in addition by engaging on social media or writing reviews. Valuable Insights: Business Insider tracks customer behavior to refine marketing strategies and offerings. Using a digital rewards card elevates this experience, making it easier to track your points and redeem rewards, nurturing a stronger relationship with brands you love. Tiered Reward Structures Building on the concept of loyalty programs, tiered reward structures offer a more dynamic approach to customer engagement. These structures categorize customers into different levels, like Silver, Gold, and Platinum, based on their spending or engagement. Each tier provides increasingly valuable benefits, encouraging customers to spend more to access exclusive discounts or priority service. Research shows that customers in higher tiers typically spend more frequently and at higher amounts. This system also motivates customers to engage with your brand in various ways, such as making purchases or referring friends, to achieve a higher status. For small businesses, implementing loyalty cards with tiered rewards can improve customer experience and satisfaction, ultimately increasing their lifetime value. Subscription Models Subscription models in loyalty programs present a unique strategy for brands to cultivate customer loyalty by requiring a recurring fee in exchange for immediate benefits. With a loyalty card mobile app, you can easily access exclusive discounts and services. Here are three key aspects of subscription models: Consistent Value: You receive ongoing benefits that keep you engaged with the brand. Tiered Benefits: Higher subscription levels reveal more valuable rewards, motivating you to spend more. Consumer Appeal: About 75% of consumers prefer brands that offer subscription services, highlighting their effectiveness. Successful programs additionally feature easy cancellation policies and regular updates on benefits, ensuring you stay satisfied and engaged without feeling trapped. In the end, these models improve customer retention considerably. Integrating Loyalty Card Platforms With Existing Systems Integrating loyalty card platforms with existing systems can greatly boost a business’s ability to track customer interactions and reward engagement. By connecting loyalty card solutions with your point-of-sale (POS) systems, you can seamlessly monitor customer purchases and reward points during transactions. Many platforms offer APIs, making it easy to integrate with e-commerce platforms for consistent tracking of both online and in-store interactions. Moreover, combining data from loyalty card platforms with customer relationship management (CRM) systems deepens your comprehension of customer behavior and preferences. This integration helps in tailoring targeted marketing efforts effectively. Utilizing mobile wallet technologies further enriches the customer experience, allowing users to access their loyalty cards directly from their smartphones. Implementing these integrations can lead to a measurable increase in customer retention, with some businesses reporting up to a 22% rise in loyalty sign-ups, especially for those using a digital punch card app. The Role of Data and Analytics in Loyalty Programs Data and analytics play an essential role in loyalty programs by tracking your purchase behaviors, which helps businesses understand your preferences and spending habits. With this information, companies can personalize rewards offers that resonate with you, enhancing your overall experience. Furthermore, analyzing program effectiveness allows businesses to adjust their strategies, ensuring that rewards remain appealing and engagement stays high. Tracking Purchase Behaviors Comprehending how customers behave when they shop is vital for businesses aiming to improve their loyalty programs. By tracking purchase behaviors, companies can gain valuable insights that inform their marketing strategies. Here are three key benefits of using loyalty card platforms: Identify trends and preferences that help tailor promotions. Improve customer retention, with 65% of businesses reporting enhanced engagement. Boost purchase frequency by 20% among targeted groups. Digital punch cards play an important role in this process, accumulating data on average transaction values, purchase frequency, and customer demographics. Advanced analytics enable Advanced Analytics firms to segment loyalty program members, allowing them to create personalized experiences and drive overall revenue growth through informed decision-making. Personalizing Rewards Offers Comprehending customer preferences not just aids businesses in tailoring promotions but in addition plays a significant role in personalizing rewards offers. By utilizing data analytics, companies can segment customers based on their purchasing behavior and engagement levels. This enables you to create targeted discounts or exclusive promotions that resonate with individual needs. Studies show that 70% of consumers are more likely to engage with these personalized offers. With a digital loyalty card maker, you can easily implement these strategies, leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate customer behavior and preferences. This proactive approach helps align rewards with upcoming purchasing trends, ultimately increasing customer engagement and retention rates, as well as identifying which incentives lead to higher redemption rates and improved loyalty. Analyzing Program Effectiveness Even though effective loyalty programs can greatly improve customer retention, evaluating their success hinges on robust data and analytics. By leveraging insights from a digital punch card for small business, you can track customer behavior and engagement, leading to informed marketing strategies. Consider these key benefits: A 12% increase in points redemption, motivating customers to engage more. A 22% growth in overall loyalty sign-ups, showcasing your program’s appeal. The ability to identify high-value segments for targeted promotions, enhancing lifetime value. Real-time data collection allows immediate adjustments to keep your offerings relevant. Measuring key performance indicators, such as redemption and retention rates, enables you to assess your loyalty program’s effectiveness and make data-driven improvements. Enhancing Customer Engagement Through Loyalty Platforms Loyalty platforms play a crucial role in enhancing customer engagement by offering real-time updates on points, rewards, and VIP status, which encourages more active participation. By utilizing digital loyalty cards integrated with mobile wallets, brands can send targeted push notifications, capturing the attention of younger consumers who appreciate receiving offers through these channels. This leads to higher engagement rates and promotes a sense of belonging among customers. Moreover, loyalty platforms expand engagement by incorporating activities beyond purchases, such as social media interactions and referrals, which strengthen customer relationships. Data analytics capabilities allow businesses to segment customers effectively, tailoring marketing strategies to increase relevance for members. Furthermore, these platforms facilitate seamless communication, reducing friction at the point of sale and enhancing the overall customer experience. This combination of features encourages repeat visits and builds a loyal customer base, ultimately benefiting both customers and businesses alike. Personalization and Targeted Marketing Strategies As consumers increasingly seek personalized experiences, businesses must leverage personalization and targeted marketing strategies within loyalty card platforms to stay competitive. By utilizing customer data analytics, you can segment audiences effectively and create customized offers that resonate with individual preferences. This can greatly boost engagement and drive sales. Here are three key benefits of implementing these strategies: Personalized rewards can increase engagement by 80%, making customers feel valued. Target promotions can improve redemption rates by up to 50%, encouraging more frequent visits. Real-time data adjustments allow for dynamic, relevant offers that align with current shopping behaviors. For instance, a punch card loyalty program can be improved with location-based offers sent directly to mobile wallets, driving foot traffic during peak shopping periods. Measuring the Success of a Loyalty Card Program Implementing effective personalization and targeted marketing strategies in loyalty card programs sets the stage for measuring success accurately. To evaluate your loyalty program cards, focus on key performance indicators such as customer lifetime value and purchase frequency. An effective loyalty card program can lead to increased revenue growth, as evidenced by a 12% increase in points redemption and a 22% rise in sign-ups when using integrated systems like Yotpo. Tracking customer engagement is essential; it provides insights into top acquisition sources and spending behaviors. Regularly measuring these metrics allows you to adjust your strategies based on customer feedback and participation rates, ensuring your program remains relevant. Furthermore, surveys show that 85% of consumers believe loyalty programs improve their likelihood of shopping with a brand, emphasizing the importance of effective measurement in driving customer retention. Common Challenges and Solutions Even though many businesses recognize the value of loyalty card programs, they often face several challenges that can hinder their effectiveness. Here are some common issues and their solutions: Low Customer Engagement: Offer personalized rewards and promotions that resonate with your customers’ preferences to improve participation. Data Integration Issues: Select a loyalty platform with robust API capabilities to guarantee seamless integration with your existing systems, avoiding complications. Forgetfulness: Customers may forget to use their loyalty cards, but implementing automatic notifications or reminders through mobile wallets can encourage regular use. Additionally, high operational costs can be a barrier, but leveraging digital solutions, like digital stamp cards, can reduce expenses and boost customer interaction. Finally, secure the safety of customer data by choosing platforms that comply with data protection regulations, addressing privacy concerns that customers may have. Best Practices for Implementing a Loyalty Card Platform When implementing a loyalty card platform, it’s essential to define clear objectives that align with your business goals. You should choose technology that suits your needs and improves customer engagement, as well as promoting the program effectively across various channels. Define Clear Objectives Defining clear objectives for your loyalty card platform is vital, as it sets the foundation for the program’s success. Using SMART criteria helps guarantee your goals align with business and customer expectations. Here are three key steps to contemplate: Identify KPIs like customer retention rates and points redemption to measure success. Establish target demographics to tailor rewards that resonate with your customers, boosting engagement. Create a timeline for implementation and review to assess progress and make adjustments. Communicating these objectives clearly to both staff and customers promotes comprehension and enthusiasm, encouraging participation. If you’re pondering a punch card app, make certain you define these objectives to maximize its effectiveness and impact on your business. Choose Suitable Technology Choosing the right technology for your loyalty card platform is critical to its overall effectiveness and user satisfaction. Opt for a digital loyalty card solution that integrates seamlessly with existing mobile wallet technologies, enhancing customer engagement as well as streamlining operations. Prioritize user-friendly interfaces to minimize friction, making it easy for customers to earn and redeem rewards during transactions. Guarantee the platform provides real-time updates on points, VIP status, and rewards, keeping customers informed and engaged. Furthermore, select a solution with robust data analytics capabilities that allow for advanced customer segmentation and targeted marketing efforts. Finally, communicate program benefits and participation criteria clearly to encourage customer involvement and maximize the program’s effectiveness. Promote Active Engagement To effectively promote active engagement with your loyalty card platform, it’s essential to establish clear, measurable goals that align with both customer expectations and business objectives. Here are some best practices to reflect on: Offer attractive sign-up incentives like bonus points or exclusive discounts to entice customers to join your customer reward cards program. Communicate regularly about program benefits and updates through email, SMS, and social media to keep customers informed and engaged. Implement diverse earning methods beyond purchases, such as social media interactions or customer referrals, to appeal to various motivations and increase participation. Case Studies of Successful Loyalty Card Platforms As businesses increasingly recognize the value of customer loyalty, various brands have successfully implemented loyalty card platforms that not only reward purchases but furthermore improve customer engagement. For instance, Starbucks Rewards allows customers to earn stars for purchases, leading to 25% of U.S. transactions being made by program members. Sephora’s Beauty Insider program features tiered loyalty reward cards based on spending, achieving a remarkable 90% retention rate. The North Face XPLR Pass incentivizes outdoor enthusiasts by rewarding purchases and activities like hiking, nurturing a community of brand advocates. Amazon Prime’s paid loyalty program offers immediate benefits, resulting in over 200 million subscribers globally. Finally, Delta SkyMiles Medallion program uses a tiered system to reward frequent flyers, contributing to a 30% increase in loyalty among top-tier members. Each of these examples highlights how effective loyalty card platforms can improve customer engagement and retention. Future Trends in Loyalty Card Technology The terrain of loyalty card technology is swiftly evolving, reflecting the changing preferences of consumers and advancements in digital capabilities. As more people embrace digital wallets, brands are shifting from physical cards to digital loyalty card solutions. Expect to see these trends: Real-time updates: Brands will utilize push notifications to engage customers, especially younger audiences who appreciate timely offers. Gamification: Loyalty programs will incorporate challenges and rewards, driving customer participation through interactive experiences. Social media integration: Companies will exploit the influence of peer referrals, encouraging satisfied customers to become brand advocates. These advancements in loyalty card technology highlight the importance of personalized experiences and data analytics, allowing businesses to tailor their marketing efforts. As you engage with these digital loyalty cards, expect a future where your shopping experiences are more rewarding and connected than ever before. Frequently Asked Questions How Do Loyalty Cards Work? Loyalty cards let you earn points or rewards for your purchases, which accumulate over time. You usually register by providing some personal information, receiving a unique identifier to track your rewards during transactions. Many programs feature tiered systems, revealing additional benefits based on your spending levels. Digital loyalty cards, often stored in mobile wallets, offer real-time updates on your points and status, enhancing your shopping experience and encouraging ongoing engagement with the brand. How Effective Are Loyalty Platforms? Loyalty platforms are highly effective, often boosting customer retention by up to 20%. When brands implement these systems, they typically experience a 12% increase in points redemption, showing that rewards engage customers. Integrating digital solutions can lead to a 22% rise in program sign-ups. Moreover, customers in loyalty programs usually spend 12-18% more per transaction, greatly enhancing overall revenue and customer lifetime value when businesses utilize these platforms effectively. How Do Loyalty Apps Make Money? Loyalty apps generate revenue through various channels. They often charge businesses subscription fees for platform access and advanced features. Some apps earn money by taking a cut of sales from transactions made through their system. Moreover, in-app advertisements provide another income stream, targeting brands that wish to reach loyalty members. Finally, offering premium features or analytics as upgrades allows businesses to gain deeper customer insights, further enhancing revenue opportunities for the app. What Are the Cons of a Loyalty Program? Loyalty programs can have several drawbacks that you should consider. They often require significant investment to set up and maintain, which can strain small business budgets. Some customers might find these programs manipulative or unappealing, leading to disengagement. Furthermore, managing multiple tiers and rewards can complicate the customer experience, whereas non-members may feel excluded, harming relationships. Finally, concerns over data privacy can deter participation, as customers may hesitate to share personal information. Conclusion In conclusion, a loyalty card platform is a crucial tool for businesses aiming to improve customer loyalty and engagement. By offering features like real-time tracking, personalized promotions, and advanced analytics, these platforms enable companies to create effective loyalty programs customized to their audience. Although challenges may arise during implementation, adhering to best practices can lead to successful outcomes. As technology evolves, staying informed about future trends will help businesses leverage loyalty programs for sustained growth and customer satisfaction. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Loyalty Card Platform and How Does It Work?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

From software engineers to non-technical staff, Google has urged its employees to fully embrace AI. And it seems like the push to use the tech has resulted in a major productivity leap. In a Wednesday blog post, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that three-quarters of the company’s new code is AI-generated. “We’ve been using AI to generate code internally at Google for a while,” Pichai said. “Today, 75% of all new code at Google is now AI-generated and approved by engineers, up from 50% last fall.” “We’re now shifting to truly agentic workflows,” the tech giant CEO continued in the blog post. “Our engineers are orchestrating fully autonomous digital task forces, firing off agents and accomplishing incredible things.” Pichai wrote that Google is “staying on the cutting edge” by being “customer zero” of its own products. For example, he said, a recent “complex code migration” completed by both agents and engineers was done six times faster than what was possible just a year ago with engineers alone. While the work has evolved, the fundamentals of Google’s engineering workforce have stayed the same, Google Cloud’s senior director and chief evangelist, Richard Seroter, told Fast Company. With AI-generated code approved by humans—which Seroter called “critical in this era”—engineers are able to focus on “higher-value tasks like system architecture, design and solving complex problems.” At Google, the title of “software engineer” seems to have grown outdated. “Software engineers are becoming product engineers, or architects, as they move away from manual coding and toward an agentic operating model,” Seroter told Fast Company. “Excitedly, many prior limits have dissolved,” Seroter added. “No longer are Google engineers constrained by time or human energy, but rather can use AI to explore a seemingly endless array of ideas that benefit our users.” It’s not just engineers utilizing AI tools at Google, though. According to Pichai’s blog post, Google’s marketing teams used AI models to “rapidly generate thousands of variations” of creative assets, which otherwise would have taken weeks. “Using AI led to 70% faster turnaround and a 20% increase in conversions, getting us to market faster and more effectively,” Pichai said. It’s a busy time for Google. At its Cloud Next 2026 conference, the company announced the launch of two new AI chips, as well as the release of a new Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform. At the conference, Pichai also said that Google will invest up to $185 billion on infrastructure to power autonomous AI agents. Google Cloud and ex-OpenAI executive Mira Murati’s Thinking Machines Lab also recently struck a multibillion-dollar deal to expand on its AI infrastructure. Over the next few years, Seroter said the company will be “prioritizing agent-first experiences.” “The experimental phase of simple copilots is over. Tab completion, context-unaware chatbots and ‘AI, please start this for me’ is no longer sufficient. We’re in the era of making AI and agents complete relevant work, steered by human operators,” Seroter said. “For Google, the next few years are about transitioning from simple code generation to managed agency—where we provide a governed, enterprise-ready harness to build and scale autonomous agents,” he added. Google I/O, the company’s developer conference, is scheduled for May 19, where Pichai said further announcements are in store. When it comes to building and scaling AI agents, it doesn’t seem like Google will slow down anytime soon. View the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Rachel Barr on recall: “When we switch from books to screens, we’re also changing how we interact with information. Which introduces a new variable time. Online searches deliver results instantly, but this speed can flood our working memory—the brain’s sketchpad for holding and manipulating information in real time. Working memory has its limits, and scribbling too many notes too quickly can mean the ideas get muddled and lost. By contrast, the slower pace of searching through a book naturally aligns with the brain’s capacity to absorb information. The act of searching creates a pause that allows working memory to empty its contents, shuffling some of those items onto the next stage of processing to become short-term memories. The lesson here isn’t thar the internet is a threat to memory; it’s that it operates at a faster pace than we do.” Source: How to Make Your Brain Your Best Friend II. Robert Greene on learning by doing: “The problem with formal education is that it instills in us a passive approach to learning. We read books, take tests, or maybe write essays. Much of the process involves absorbing information. But in the real world, we learn best by doing, by actively trying our hand at the task. The brain is designed to learn through constant repetition and active, hands-on involvement. Through such practice and persistence, any skill can be mastered. Find the deepest pleasure in absorbing knowledge and information. Feel like you never have enough. Be relentless in your pursuit for expansion.” Source: The Daily Laws * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

Foreclosure auctions available jumped on both a quarterly and yearly basis, but the sales rate did not move in tandem, according to a new report. View the full article

More than a third of sellers have mortgage rates below 5%, yet still plan to list their homes this spring, according to a survey from Coldwell Banker. View the full article

Running a small business demands agility and efficiency. With countless tasks piling up, many owners find themselves bogged down in administrative work instead of focusing on what truly matters: building strong customer relationships. Slack’s latest innovation, Slack CRM, aims to alleviate that burden by seamlessly integrating customer management directly into the collaborative workspace that small teams already use daily. This new feature offers small business owners the opportunity to track leads, manage deals, and maintain account history without the hassle of switching between tabs or learning a new complex tool. Powered by Salesforce, Slack CRM provides the structure necessary for growth while remaining accessible enough for busy teams during day-to-day operations. Embracing Slack CRM means accessing customer data right where conversations are happening. Slack CRM allows users to see everything they need without leaving their Slack interface. Real-time updates provide a shared understanding among team members when it comes to deal statuses and follow-ups. “Having everything in one place is a game-changer,” said Em Smith, Founder of EKS Consulting, highlighting how the feature enhances productivity and workflow. Small business owners can achieve synchronization on customer interactions in several ways. The integration captures inbound requests—from web forms or emails—directly into Slack channels, allowing for quick resolution. Important meetings are streamlined by surfacing a single agenda view, making it easier for teams to manage their schedules. More importantly, the CRM allows owners to interact with their data through simple conversation with Slackbot, their AI-powered assistant. “I can just ask Slackbot, ‘What have I promised this customer?’ and it surfaces every commitment from our conversations,” shares Sia Ghazvinian, Co-Founder & CEO of Abivo. This conversational data management addresses a common pain point for small business owners—the tediousness of manual updates. The AI assistant not only takes note of updates but also assists in drafting follow-up communications, allowing owners to spend less time on paperwork and more on nurturing customer relationships. The potential to streamline the customer management process resonates with many small business owners, especially those who have struggled to find the right CRM solution. Starting with Slack CRM requires minimal setup—it’s built into the platform users are already familiar with, drastically reducing the typical implementation hurdles associated with CRM systems. “Slack CRM gives small teams what they need right where they work—no switching tabs, no learning another platform,” says George Graham, Founder & CEO of Wolf & Badger. However, small business owners should also remain aware of the challenges presented by any new system. Although Slack CRM is designed for ease of use, relying heavily on chat-based interactions may pose issues for teams not accustomed to this format. Some may prefer traditional methods of data entry or management and could require some time to adapt to a conversation-driven approach. Data security is another consideration. While the Salesforce engine backing Slack CRM offers robust security protocols, small business owners should familiarize themselves with privacy policies and ensure they understand the nuances of how their customer data will be stored and managed. In practical terms, the integration of Slack CRM means that everything from deal management to customer communication now happens seamlessly within the Slack workspace. Each interaction can turn directly into a customer record without manually logging in elsewhere, which can significantly save time on administrative tasks. “Now I just tell Slackbot what happened after a call, and it updates everything. I’m saving 90 minutes a day on admin work—time I can spend with customers,” emphasizes Ghazvinian. Overall, Slack CRM presents small business owners with an opportunity to redefine how customer management can complement their evolving needs. As these teams look to thrive amidst fast-paced changes, leveraging tools that allow for real-time interactions and data management can set them on a path for scalable success. For more information on Slack CRM, visit the original release at Slack’s blog. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Slack CRM Transforms Customer Management with Seamless Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Running a small business demands agility and efficiency. With countless tasks piling up, many owners find themselves bogged down in administrative work instead of focusing on what truly matters: building strong customer relationships. Slack’s latest innovation, Slack CRM, aims to alleviate that burden by seamlessly integrating customer management directly into the collaborative workspace that small teams already use daily. This new feature offers small business owners the opportunity to track leads, manage deals, and maintain account history without the hassle of switching between tabs or learning a new complex tool. Powered by Salesforce, Slack CRM provides the structure necessary for growth while remaining accessible enough for busy teams during day-to-day operations. Embracing Slack CRM means accessing customer data right where conversations are happening. Slack CRM allows users to see everything they need without leaving their Slack interface. Real-time updates provide a shared understanding among team members when it comes to deal statuses and follow-ups. “Having everything in one place is a game-changer,” said Em Smith, Founder of EKS Consulting, highlighting how the feature enhances productivity and workflow. Small business owners can achieve synchronization on customer interactions in several ways. The integration captures inbound requests—from web forms or emails—directly into Slack channels, allowing for quick resolution. Important meetings are streamlined by surfacing a single agenda view, making it easier for teams to manage their schedules. More importantly, the CRM allows owners to interact with their data through simple conversation with Slackbot, their AI-powered assistant. “I can just ask Slackbot, ‘What have I promised this customer?’ and it surfaces every commitment from our conversations,” shares Sia Ghazvinian, Co-Founder & CEO of Abivo. This conversational data management addresses a common pain point for small business owners—the tediousness of manual updates. The AI assistant not only takes note of updates but also assists in drafting follow-up communications, allowing owners to spend less time on paperwork and more on nurturing customer relationships. The potential to streamline the customer management process resonates with many small business owners, especially those who have struggled to find the right CRM solution. Starting with Slack CRM requires minimal setup—it’s built into the platform users are already familiar with, drastically reducing the typical implementation hurdles associated with CRM systems. “Slack CRM gives small teams what they need right where they work—no switching tabs, no learning another platform,” says George Graham, Founder & CEO of Wolf & Badger. However, small business owners should also remain aware of the challenges presented by any new system. Although Slack CRM is designed for ease of use, relying heavily on chat-based interactions may pose issues for teams not accustomed to this format. Some may prefer traditional methods of data entry or management and could require some time to adapt to a conversation-driven approach. Data security is another consideration. While the Salesforce engine backing Slack CRM offers robust security protocols, small business owners should familiarize themselves with privacy policies and ensure they understand the nuances of how their customer data will be stored and managed. In practical terms, the integration of Slack CRM means that everything from deal management to customer communication now happens seamlessly within the Slack workspace. Each interaction can turn directly into a customer record without manually logging in elsewhere, which can significantly save time on administrative tasks. “Now I just tell Slackbot what happened after a call, and it updates everything. I’m saving 90 minutes a day on admin work—time I can spend with customers,” emphasizes Ghazvinian. Overall, Slack CRM presents small business owners with an opportunity to redefine how customer management can complement their evolving needs. As these teams look to thrive amidst fast-paced changes, leveraging tools that allow for real-time interactions and data management can set them on a path for scalable success. For more information on Slack CRM, visit the original release at Slack’s blog. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Slack CRM Transforms Customer Management with Seamless Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Social media group plans to spend $135bn on data centres this yearView the full article

Meta is officially rolling out new parental controls that make it easier to keep tabs on the conversations teens are having with the company's AI. Meta revealed the news in a blog post on Thursday, which comes six months after the company's original announcement. But while additional parental controls are promising, will this be enough to address the greater issues at play with young users and AI? How Meta's new AI parental controls workAccording to Meta, parents using the "supervision" feature on Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram now have an "Insights" tab as part of supervision. If you select this tab, you'll see all the topics your teen or teens have been chatting with their AI bots about over the past seven days. There are a number of topics that can appear here, including "School," "Entertainment," "Lifestyle," "Travel," "Writing," and "Health and Well-being." These are just the surface topics, however. If you tap on one, you'll see all the different categories that are covered by that singular topic. As such, if your teen has been talking with Meta AI about "Lifestyle," you might tap this topic to see they've been chatting about things including fashion, food, and holidays. If their conversations concern Health and Well-being, you might tap in to see the chats span fitness, physical health, and mental health. Importantly, you cannot see the conversations themselves: only the topics that Meta's AI has populated. Meta says that its AI should only return results that would fit within a PG-13-rated movie. As such, the bot may refuse to answer some questions, though the topics of these requests will still be recorded in the new Insights tab. The company says it's still working on tools to alert parents if their teens start talking to Meta AI about suicide or self-harm. It also came up with a series of questions you can ask your teens if you're not feeling "confident" about broaching the subject of AI with your kids. The questions are available in Family Center. Meta's parental controls are a step in the right direction, but far from enoughThere's no getting around the fact that kids and teens today are growing up in an AI world—but that doesn't mean the technology should go unregulated (or unsupervised). Unfortunately, tech companies have been a bit late to the game at best, and maliciously complicit at worst, when it comes to policing AI use with minors. Meta, for its part, originally allowed its AI bots to have extremely inappropriate conversations with underage users, before a viral Reuters report back in August forced it to change. Two months later, the company announced these new parental controls they are now rolling out. It's evident these new features and policies are not here because of a genuine concern for Meta's underage users. Official Meta policy allowed AI bots to engage in sensual role play with kids and teens, and explicitly permitted the bot to answer racist questions with racist answers. These changes are in response to getting caught, not for the well-being of the users. That being said, it's good Meta is finally allowing parents to see the topics their kids are talking to Meta AI about, especially if there are any concerning topics to flag. But why can't parents disable Meta AI entirely? Why must teens who have an Instagram or WhatsApp account be tied to Meta AI at all? And Meta's own Insight's tab says that, because the topics are organized automatically, they might not be accurate, which means that the AI program that summarizes your teen's conversation topics may hallucinate some of those topics. At the end of the day, the best approach might still be having an open and honest dialogue with your teens about AI use—though I'm not sure trusting Meta's Family Center questions is the move. View the full article

JetBlue replies to customers on social media every day, from assuaging their customer service woes to thanking them for choosing their flights. But one seemingly innocuous JetBlue response may have set a class action lawsuit in motion, after customers became convinced that the airline implicated itself in using surveillance pricing. A social media frenzy JetBlue first drew suspicions of surveillance pricing with an April 18 reply on X to a user complaining about the airline’s prices. “A $230 increase on a ticket after one day is crazy,” they wrote. “I’m just trying to make it to a funeral.” JetBlue replied, recommending that the user “try clearing your cache and cookies or booking with an incognito window. We’re sorry for your loss.” The implications of JetBlue’s advice immediately raised eyebrows. If the fare a customer sees can be affected by clearing their cookies or going incognito, live pricing must be impacted by the amount of times they’ve visited the website, and not all customers are seeing the same rates. JetBlue deleted its reply, but not before it was screenshotted and recirculated. One viral X post of the interaction has since amassed more than 6.2 million views on the platform. “Did JetBlue just admit to surveillance pricing?” the post asked. Amid hordes of everyday users, some sitting politicians also chimed in on the discourse. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) wrote, “Is Jet Blue openly admitting to raising someone’s price hundreds of dollars because they know they have to go to a funeral? Grief shouldn’t come with surge pricing.” “We need to pass my bill to make surveillance pricing illegal,” Gallego added, referencing the One Fair Price Act, which he introduced in December. The bill would bar companies from using customers’ personal data to set individualized prices. Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), who’s currently running for Senate, also voiced support for Gallego’s bill. “Yeah so this shouldn’t be allowed,” he wrote. “We’ve got a bill in the House to ban companies from using AI to jack up prices based on your data. Let’s get it passed.” Taking things to court JetBlue’s PR crisis escalated with a proposed class action lawsuit, filed late Wednesday, April 23, ​in Brooklyn federal court. Following the logic laid out in JetBlue’s viral response, the complaint alleges that JetBlue is hiding its use of “trackers” to set prices dynamically, including sharing customer data with third parties whose programs help it decide when to raise fares. “Consumers should not have to have their privacy rights violated to participate in [JetBlue’s] digital rat race ‌for airline tickets which should ⁠cost the same for each similarly seated passenger,” the plaintiff, Andrew Phillips, said in the complaint. JetBlue responds In a statement to Fast Company, JetBlue denied using surveillance pricing on customers and explained its deleted response. “JetBlue does not use personal information or web browsing history to set individual pricing,” the airline said. “Fares are determined by demand and seat availability, and all customers have access to the same fares on jetblue.com and our mobile app.” It also said the viral reply was “simply a mistake from an individual customer service crewmember,” and that “the steps the crewmember suggested would not have changed the airfares available for purchase.” JetBlue did not address the lawsuit in its response. View the full article

After-work drinks are a nice way to bond with colleagues in your 20s and 30s. But, as people get older, different circumstances can necessitate more planning, and new avenues for making friends at work. Take Olga Valadon, 54, whose last corporate role was as chief of staff at Deloitte. “Both I and the people I became friends with faced different pressures, whether from work or family commitments,” says Valadon. “We were running around all day chasing our tail to fulfill these needs, often leaving too little time or energy for anything that was just for us.” It’s no surprise that, as people age, family obligations become a significant barrier to making friends. Bill, who’s using a pseudonym to speak freely about his experience, and who is also 54, has found that most people are either taking care of their children, elderly parents—or managing both. “It is difficult to find time to get together” with friends or coworkers, he says. Older workers can hang out outside of work, of course, but sometimes may feel compelled to bring their spouses along and include them in get-togethers with colleagues—but that can actually cause more strain. “Inevitably, me and my colleague will wind up talking about work, because it is what we have in common,” Bill continues. “That leaves our spouses out of the conversation. And the spouses have nothing in common with each other.” Another practicality that gets in the way of activities like after-work drinks as people age: the drinks themselves, notes Margaret Sigel, a licensed marriage and family therapist, primarily working with adults 30 to 60 years of age and specializing in somatic work. “A lot of people in their 40s—myself included—just don’t feel great after a glass of wine anymore,” says Sigel, adding that some people might also be sober. “What used to be an easy, low-cost social ritual now comes with a physical, emotional, or relational tax that makes it a bad trade for someone already running on fumes.” Plus, there’s the extra component of so many people now working remotely, making it even more challenging to organically build connections with colleagues. Carol, who’s 45 and also using a pseudonym to speak openly about her experience, has worked remotely for more than 10 years—something she says has removed “a lot of the natural, in-person interactions where friendships tend to develop.” These factors can increase loneliness and isolation. But connection and rapport can make a big difference in our lives at any point—but especially as we age. Your brain might respond to new friendships differently as you age Think about those casual afterwork drinks: time has no structure, and people typically have their defenses down. It can be easy for young people in these settings to quickly trust each other, signaling a friendship is forming, explains Sigel. But over time, a person’s brain can develop a “much more sophisticated screening process” when deciding whether to form bonds or build trust, Sigel adds. “You are assessing risk in real time: will this person need more than I can give, and do I even have the bandwidth to show up if this becomes a real friendship? That is a nervous system doing math based on decades of relational experience.” Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, explains the process even further: “As we age, our brains undergo a change called synaptic pruning. This means neural connections are trimmed to enhance efficient thinking. As a result, our brains are less plastic or flexible than when we’re kids. So doing something different, like forming a new social bond, is actually harder because it’s out of our usual routine.” According to Dr. Nadkarni, this restriction is heightened by the fact that the limbic system—which is meant to detect threats—has often grown more sensitive to any type of rejection. Whether consciously or not, this shift can make someone less likely to put in the same effort toward making friends, fearing such rejection. But fear of rejection isn’t a good enough reason not to create friendships at work as you age. These relationships can provide you with support, help reduce burnout, and make your job more enjoyable, to name only a few benefits. How to build friendships at work as you get older Sure, it can take more effort to make friends at work while balancing familial responsibilities, hobbies, and other day-to-day expectations. But, it can also be incredibly worthwhile. “What I find in my work is that making friends at this age is often more intentional, sometimes a bit more vulnerable, and also more meaningful,” says Lucy Rose, founder of The Cost of Loneliness Project, an organization focused on raising awareness about loneliness and building connections, and a clinician focused on the public health impact of chronic loneliness. “People at this stage tend to value depth, authenticity, and shared purpose over surface-level interactions. That shift is actually a strength.” That’s been the case in Valadon’s experience. She has found it hard to coordinate times and methods of connecting with work friends. But she has found that, through compromise, she and her friends have been able to find opportunities to grow their friendships. “When you click with someone, you will do everything you can to make it work,” she says. Have you struggled to make friends at work as you’ve grown older? Here are just some of the ways you can try to form those relationships. Build rapport Remember, you’re not going to be best friends with a colleague immediately. Like in any good friendship, it’s important to start with small interactions and take any pressure off the situation, says Ward. She suggests you “put in the effort to engage over time, and you’ll build more authentic relationships.” Initiate connections Again, that fear of rejection might rise up, but squash it as much as you can. Invite people to different events (it could be as simple as getting a coffee) or create opportunities for bonding. For instance, Rose recommends inviting multiple colleagues for lunch, even if none of you know each other well. Similarly, you can take the pressure off by creating an interest group at your company, whether it be a book club, walking group, or space for discussing current events. “The act of convening is itself a form of friendship,” says Rose. Schedule time to meet within the work day Whatever you invite someone to do, think carefully about timing. Remember that people juggling family obligations might have to rush home after work, but could have time for a lunchtime walk or regular coffee break, says Ward. Regularly scheduling something easy like tea or lunch can create a ritual meet-up without any added pressure of always extending new invites. For Valadon, this has manifested as a pre-work Zoom call or cup of coffee to catch up before the hectic work day begins. Be open to friendships With that said, don’t assume who you’ll be most compatible with in the office. “Lean into cross-generational friendships,” says Rose. “Offer mentorship and stay open to learning from younger colleagues. Ask about their interests, their perspectives, their career journeys. These relationships expand your circle and often bring energy, curiosity, and mutual respect into the dynamic.” Accept rejection can occur Some people are at the office solely to work, have too many obligations, or just won’t be the right fit as a friend, says Ward. Do the things that bring you joy and invite people to them. “It may sting initially if people aren’t available, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be in the future,” says Ward. “Over time, people will either join you or not, but you will have enjoyable things in your life that make you feel good.” Rose seconds this: “Work friendships don’t always require bar hopping. A successful friendship requires a colleague who checks in when you have been quiet. Maybe a shared walk at lunch. Someone who remembers what you said last week and follows up.” “These small, consistent moments are what build belonging.” View the full article

Lowe’s Home Improvement is facing pressure to cut ties with Flock Safety, the surveillance company that makes cameras, drones, and automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The pressure comes amid reports that Flock data has been used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and even aided in an investigation of a woman who had an abortion, driving fears about a mass surveillance state. In August, 404 Media reported that Flock cameras stationed outside of Lowe’s and The Home Depot “are being fed into a massive surveillance system that law enforcement can access.” The story cited records obtained by EFF. In an April 1 letter addressed to CEO Marvin Ellison and other Lowe’s executives, which was viewed by Fast Company, 38 organizations including Fight for the Future, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the American Federation of Teachers, and more, demanded the company drop its contract with Flock. The letter states that the country is “at a serious inflection point” where “repercussions of mass surveillance have life-altering consequences for the life and liberty of everyday people.” It continued, “Time and again, we’ve seen how automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras have exposed individuals to danger and persecution, whether they be protesters, legal observers, those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care, or communities of color who are frequently profiled and harassed.” The groups assert that Lowe’s has a responsibility to act in the best interest of the greater public, and that the partnership with Flock aligns the company with “brutal immigration” policies and “authoritarian rule.” Fight for the Future asked Lowe’s to respond to the letter by April 17. At the time of publishing, the group says it has not heard back from Lowe’s, which also did not respond to a Fast Company request for comment about its ongoing contract with Flock. Candid cameras A Flock representative told Fast Company that its customers control their own data and can decide what is done with it. “We would never share customer data without permission from the customer,” the spokesperson said. “There definitely are instances where private customers share with law enforcement but it’s with customer permission.” The representative added that it’s been “very well legislated” that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy when it comes to fixed ALPRs, and pointed Fast Company to recent legislation out of Virginia, which found the technology is lawful and should not require a warrant. That ruling followed dozens of others, including 20 federal district court rulings, which all upheld the technology’s constitutionality. Further, the representative asserted that the technology is “lifesaving and critical.” To that end, on April 20, Flock issued a press release explaining how ALPRs led to the recovery of six abducted children over a five month period. A new retail battleground Lowe’s is not the first home improvement company to face backlash over its ties with Flock. The Home Depot has faced boycott threats, as well as demands from investors who asked the company to assess the “privacy and civil rights risks, including discrimination or wrongful detention from misuse of customer data.” The retailer has said it does “not grant access to our license plate readers to federal law enforcement.” Concerns from investors, organizations, and citizens alike have only seemed to grow louder as home improvement stores have become hotspots for ICE raids. While Flock asserts that ICE does not have “direct” access to Flock data, organizations can share data at their own discretion. Flock has federal contracts with organizations like the National Parks, Veterans Affairs, and military bases. “These organizations can establish 1:1 sharing relationships with any other legal law enforcement agency on the Flock Safety platform, where applicable laws allow it, and only when communities explicitly allow federal data access,” the site explains. Flock is used by around 5,000 law enforcement agencies across the country, according to the company’s own data. But resistance to it has grown. In March, a group of protestors gathered on campus at UW-Madison to push back on the school’s use of Flock technology. “The Flock cameras are an AI surveillance system that records every move of every resident that steps in its radar. This type of surveillance has been used by ICE to track people without our consent,” Lizbeth de Jesus, a member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at UW, told WortFM. “If the university claims to prioritize the students or the staff’s safety, why are they still refusing to revoke the cameras that abuse our identities?” Weeks later, on April 10, students at Emory staged a massive walkout over the surveillance. “It’s not just an immigrant rights issue, it’s a marginalized issue. It’s a Black issue, it’s a brown issue. A lot of people are being affected by this,” Anayancy Ramos, a doctoral student at Emory, told Capital B News. Reem Suleiman, senior campaign director for Fight for the Future, which organized the letter to Lowe’s, says that grassroots organizers have been hard at work. She says the website DeFlock.me, in particular, has had a “massive” impact, and that overall, the efforts are starting to nudge cities in the right direction. “A close collaborator from nonprofit Secure Justice has been internally tracking the number of jurisdictions that have paused or terminated their Flock contracts since about the beginning of this month,” Suleiman says. “By his numbers, we’re at 68, which is truly unprecedented—perhaps even larger than some of the city-wide facial recognition bans that took off.” While it’s unclear what direction Lowe’s will be moving in terms of its partnership, Suleiman believes that the momentum is undeniably growing and that soon, it will tug at the private sector. “We’re hoping Lowe’s can be a domino in that,” she says. View the full article

OpenAI is beginning to show ads in ChatGPT to users who aren’t logged in — a move that could significantly increase available inventory as demand from advertisers grows. What’s happening. Early reports suggest ads are now appearing seamlessly within conversations for unauthenticated users, even though OpenAI hasn’t formally announced the change. The ads are integrated into chat responses rather than displayed as traditional banners. Why we care. By expanding ads to logged-out users, OpenAI increases available inventory, making it easier to spend budgets and reach more high-intent users. If this continues, ChatGPT could quickly become a more viable and competitive performance channel. Zoom in. Advertisers in the pilot have struggled to spend due to low frequency and limited inventory, despite a reduced minimum buy-in (now around $50,000, down from $200,000). Increasing the eligible audience is one way to address that constraint. User experience. Early feedback suggests ads are relatively unobtrusive, clearly labeled, and blended into the conversation flow — though minor UX quirks remain. Between the lines. This is a supply problem, not a demand problem. Advertisers want in — OpenAI is now working to scale inventory to match. What to watch. Whether OpenAI formalizes the rollout and continues expanding access, which will determine how quickly ChatGPT becomes a viable, scalable ad channel. Bottom line. Opening ads to logged-out users could be the unlock ChatGPT needs to turn advertiser interest into meaningful spend. View the full article

If you’re looking to edit MP4 videos, several free editors can meet your needs without costing a dime. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a beginner-friendly interface, whereas DaVinci Resolve provides professional features suitable for all skill levels. Lightworks shines with its multi-cam editing capabilities, and Shotcut stands out as a strong open-source option. Clipchamp brings web-based convenience with AI tools for quick edits. Each has distinct features that could improve your projects considerably. Which one will you choose? Key Takeaways ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a user-friendly interface, keyframing, and 4K support, ideal for beginners and intermediate users looking for quality video editing. DaVinci Resolve provides professional-grade features, including color correction and audio post-production, suitable for both beginners and advanced users, exporting up to 4K without watermarks. Lightworks delivers robust editing tools with an intuitive interface, although the free version limits exports to 720p; Pro subscription is needed for higher resolutions. Shotcut is a free, open-source editor with a customizable interface and advanced editing capabilities, supporting various video formats without requiring imports. Clipchamp is a web-based editor featuring templates and stock assets, allowing easy video creation, with exports up to 1080p in the free version. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor ACDSee Luxea Video Editor is a strong tool customized for serious beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their video production skills. This free MP4 editor offers features like keyframing and 4K support, ensuring high-quality videos. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for you to navigate through the various tools, including options for screen and webcam recording, perfect for quick content creation. As the free version does include an intro and outro on exported videos, it still allows you to integrate text and audio for added creativity. Compatible with Windows, ACDSee Luxea provides a simple learning curve, making it an excellent choice for those keen to develop their editing abilities without overwhelming complexity. DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve stands out as a potent video editing software that caters to both beginners and advanced users. This freeware lets you edit MP4 files effortlessly during offering professional-grade features, such as color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects. You can edit videos in high resolutions up to 4K and 60fps, making it a robust choice for creators. The software likewise supports collaborative workflows, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, which is ideal for team projects. Although its intuitive interface may present a steep learning curve at first, extensive tutorials are available to help you improve your skills. Remarkably, the free version exports videos without watermarks, enabling the production of high-quality content at no cost. Lightworks Lightworks is another robust option for editing MP4 files, catering to both novice and seasoned editors. This video cutter software offers a free version with professional-grade editing tools and multi-cam editing capabilities. As you can export videos at a maximum resolution of 720p using the free version, higher resolutions like 1080p and 4K require a Pro subscription. Features Free Version Pro Version Multi-Cam Editing Yes Yes Export Resolution Up to 720p Up to 4K Real-Time Effects Yes Yes Advanced Color Grading Limited Full Features With its intuitive interface and layer-based timeline, Lightworks enables efficient project organization, making it a valuable tool for video editing. Shotcut Shotcut is an excellent choice for those looking to edit MP4 files without the burden of software costs, as it’s a free, open-source video editor compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you want to learn how to edit MP4 on Windows, Shotcut offers a robust platform with several features: Customizable interface for personalized workspaces Supports various video and audio formats without import Advanced editing capabilities, including timeline editing Built-in effects, transitions, and filters for improvement Regular updates and a supportive community for assistance With its user-friendly design, Shotcut caters to both beginners and advanced users, making it a versatile tool for all your video editing needs. Clipchamp For anyone seeking a convenient way to edit MP4 videos, Clipchamp stands out as a web-based solution that operates directly in your browser, eliminating the need for software installation. This makes it a versatile option for users across all operating systems, including those looking for an OSX video editor. Clipchamp’s user-friendly interface provides various templates and stock assets, allowing for quick edits and easy customization, perfect for social media content. You can export videos up to 1080p without watermarks in the free version, even though some features are limited. Furthermore, AI-powered tools like speech-to-text and auto-composition improve your editing experience, whereas multi-track editing allows for layering audio and video for more complex projects, boosting your creative potential. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free MP4 Editor? The best free MP4 editor depends on your needs. DaVinci Resolve shines in professional-grade features, particularly in color correction and audio editing. If you prefer a user-friendly interface, PowerDirector offers AI tools for quick edits. For online editing, Clipchamp provides templates and stock media. OpenShot is great for simple drag-and-drop edits, although Lightworks, in spite of some limitations, is favored for its multi-camera capabilities and real-time effects. Choose based on your editing style and requirements. Which Is the Best Video Editor for Free? The best free video editor depends on your needs. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features like color correction and audio tools, making it suitable for serious projects. Lightworks provides strong editing capabilities but limits exports to 720p. If you prefer an open-source option, Shotcut supports various formats and has a customizable interface. For Mac users, iMovie is user-friendly and supports 4K editing, whereas Clipchamp is great for quick, web-based edits aimed at social media. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often turn to free software for editing, with several popular options available. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced color correction but can be challenging to learn. Lightworks features easy exporting to YouTube, whereas iMovie is a go-to for Mac users because of its simplicity. Adobe Premiere Rush allows quick edits and direct uploads, making it ideal for those on the move. Clipchamp provides a web-based solution for fast editing without hefty downloads. What Is the Free MP4 Editor for Windows 11? If you’re looking for a free MP4 editor for Windows 11, consider using the built-in Photos app for basic tasks like trimming and combining clips. For more advanced features, DaVinci Resolve and VSDC Free Video Editor offer professional-grade tools. Clipchamp is a convenient web-based option, whereas OpenShot provides a user-friendly interface with various effects. Shotcut additionally allows direct editing of MP4 files, giving you a customizable experience and a range of video and audio effects. Conclusion In conclusion, exploring these top five free MP4 editors can greatly improve your video editing experience without financial strain. ACDSee Luxea is ideal for beginners, whereas DaVinci Resolve caters to both novices and experts with its advanced features. Lightworks thrives in multi-camera editing, and Shotcut offers robust open-source capabilities. Finally, Clipchamp provides user-friendly, web-based editing with AI tools. Each option has unique strengths, making it easier for you to find the right fit for your editing needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Free MP4 Editors You Should Try" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to edit MP4 videos, several free editors can meet your needs without costing a dime. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a beginner-friendly interface, whereas DaVinci Resolve provides professional features suitable for all skill levels. Lightworks shines with its multi-cam editing capabilities, and Shotcut stands out as a strong open-source option. Clipchamp brings web-based convenience with AI tools for quick edits. Each has distinct features that could improve your projects considerably. Which one will you choose? Key Takeaways ACDSee Luxea Video Editor offers a user-friendly interface, keyframing, and 4K support, ideal for beginners and intermediate users looking for quality video editing. DaVinci Resolve provides professional-grade features, including color correction and audio post-production, suitable for both beginners and advanced users, exporting up to 4K without watermarks. Lightworks delivers robust editing tools with an intuitive interface, although the free version limits exports to 720p; Pro subscription is needed for higher resolutions. Shotcut is a free, open-source editor with a customizable interface and advanced editing capabilities, supporting various video formats without requiring imports. Clipchamp is a web-based editor featuring templates and stock assets, allowing easy video creation, with exports up to 1080p in the free version. ACDSee Luxea Video Editor ACDSee Luxea Video Editor is a strong tool customized for serious beginners and intermediate users looking to improve their video production skills. This free MP4 editor offers features like keyframing and 4K support, ensuring high-quality videos. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for you to navigate through the various tools, including options for screen and webcam recording, perfect for quick content creation. As the free version does include an intro and outro on exported videos, it still allows you to integrate text and audio for added creativity. Compatible with Windows, ACDSee Luxea provides a simple learning curve, making it an excellent choice for those keen to develop their editing abilities without overwhelming complexity. DaVinci Resolve DaVinci Resolve stands out as a potent video editing software that caters to both beginners and advanced users. This freeware lets you edit MP4 files effortlessly during offering professional-grade features, such as color correction, audio post-production, and visual effects. You can edit videos in high resolutions up to 4K and 60fps, making it a robust choice for creators. The software likewise supports collaborative workflows, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously, which is ideal for team projects. Although its intuitive interface may present a steep learning curve at first, extensive tutorials are available to help you improve your skills. Remarkably, the free version exports videos without watermarks, enabling the production of high-quality content at no cost. Lightworks Lightworks is another robust option for editing MP4 files, catering to both novice and seasoned editors. This video cutter software offers a free version with professional-grade editing tools and multi-cam editing capabilities. As you can export videos at a maximum resolution of 720p using the free version, higher resolutions like 1080p and 4K require a Pro subscription. Features Free Version Pro Version Multi-Cam Editing Yes Yes Export Resolution Up to 720p Up to 4K Real-Time Effects Yes Yes Advanced Color Grading Limited Full Features With its intuitive interface and layer-based timeline, Lightworks enables efficient project organization, making it a valuable tool for video editing. Shotcut Shotcut is an excellent choice for those looking to edit MP4 files without the burden of software costs, as it’s a free, open-source video editor compatible with multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you want to learn how to edit MP4 on Windows, Shotcut offers a robust platform with several features: Customizable interface for personalized workspaces Supports various video and audio formats without import Advanced editing capabilities, including timeline editing Built-in effects, transitions, and filters for improvement Regular updates and a supportive community for assistance With its user-friendly design, Shotcut caters to both beginners and advanced users, making it a versatile tool for all your video editing needs. Clipchamp For anyone seeking a convenient way to edit MP4 videos, Clipchamp stands out as a web-based solution that operates directly in your browser, eliminating the need for software installation. This makes it a versatile option for users across all operating systems, including those looking for an OSX video editor. Clipchamp’s user-friendly interface provides various templates and stock assets, allowing for quick edits and easy customization, perfect for social media content. You can export videos up to 1080p without watermarks in the free version, even though some features are limited. Furthermore, AI-powered tools like speech-to-text and auto-composition improve your editing experience, whereas multi-track editing allows for layering audio and video for more complex projects, boosting your creative potential. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free MP4 Editor? The best free MP4 editor depends on your needs. DaVinci Resolve shines in professional-grade features, particularly in color correction and audio editing. If you prefer a user-friendly interface, PowerDirector offers AI tools for quick edits. For online editing, Clipchamp provides templates and stock media. OpenShot is great for simple drag-and-drop edits, although Lightworks, in spite of some limitations, is favored for its multi-camera capabilities and real-time effects. Choose based on your editing style and requirements. Which Is the Best Video Editor for Free? The best free video editor depends on your needs. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced features like color correction and audio tools, making it suitable for serious projects. Lightworks provides strong editing capabilities but limits exports to 720p. If you prefer an open-source option, Shotcut supports various formats and has a customizable interface. For Mac users, iMovie is user-friendly and supports 4K editing, whereas Clipchamp is great for quick, web-based edits aimed at social media. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often turn to free software for editing, with several popular options available. DaVinci Resolve offers advanced color correction but can be challenging to learn. Lightworks features easy exporting to YouTube, whereas iMovie is a go-to for Mac users because of its simplicity. Adobe Premiere Rush allows quick edits and direct uploads, making it ideal for those on the move. Clipchamp provides a web-based solution for fast editing without hefty downloads. What Is the Free MP4 Editor for Windows 11? If you’re looking for a free MP4 editor for Windows 11, consider using the built-in Photos app for basic tasks like trimming and combining clips. For more advanced features, DaVinci Resolve and VSDC Free Video Editor offer professional-grade tools. Clipchamp is a convenient web-based option, whereas OpenShot provides a user-friendly interface with various effects. Shotcut additionally allows direct editing of MP4 files, giving you a customizable experience and a range of video and audio effects. Conclusion In conclusion, exploring these top five free MP4 editors can greatly improve your video editing experience without financial strain. ACDSee Luxea is ideal for beginners, whereas DaVinci Resolve caters to both novices and experts with its advanced features. Lightworks thrives in multi-camera editing, and Shotcut offers robust open-source capabilities. Finally, Clipchamp provides user-friendly, web-based editing with AI tools. Each option has unique strengths, making it easier for you to find the right fit for your editing needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 5 Free MP4 Editors You Should Try" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

OpenAI on Thursday released its most capable AI system, GPT-5.5, which the company says will enable a more powerful Codex coding agent. OpenAI is quick to say, however, that GPT-5.5 will power the widening set of general digital work tasks that Codex is capable of. The system is significantly better than previous releases at helping with scientific work, including creative aspects of generating new hypotheses and testing them. The system represents an improvement in autonomous or agentic capability. GPT-5.56 “represents a step toward AI systems that can complete complex, multi-step tasks on a computer without human guidance,” OpenAI says in a blog post. GPT-5.5, OpenAI says, scores better than any other AI system on the Terminal-Bench 2.0 benchmark, which tests for complex command-line workflows requiring planning, iteration, and tool coordination. It scores 82.7%, compared to 75.1% for GPT-5.4, 69.4% for Anthropic’s Opus 4.7, and 68.5% for Google’s Gemini 3.1 Pro. On OSWorld-Verified, which measures whether a model can operate a computer independently, it scores 78.7% versus 75.0% for GPT-5.4. Anthropic’s Opus 4.7 scored 78%. Anthropic’s newest frontier model, called Mythos, is finished but has not been publicly released. OpenAI says it’s seen a surge in users for its Codex coding agent, with about 4 million developers using the tool weekly. During a call with press, OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman said GPT-5.5 will enable Codex to produce polished code, and go about coding projects with the judgement of a senior software engineer. OpenAI is positioning GPT-5.5 as its strongest agentic coding model. On SWE-Bench Pro, a benchmark measuring real-world GitHub issue resolution, it resolves 58.6% of tasks end-to-end in a single pass. Developers who tested the system early said GPT-5.5 has a better understanding of the “shape” of a software system, and can better understand why something is failing, where the fix is needed, and what else in the codebase would be affected. The GPT-5.5 release comes just weeks after the release of the GPT-5.4 system. OpenAI is under pressure to keep pace with its rival Anthropic–especially in the area of AI coding assistants, which have proved to be AI’s biggest impact on business operations to date. The pace of system releases is accelerating because the AI itself is doing a lot of the heavy lifting of coding the AI systems themselves. Some have speculated that the new OpenAI model might be as large as 10 trillion parameters, but Brockman declined to say. GPT-5.5 is rolling out to OpenAI’s Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscription users in ChatGPT and Codex. GPT-5.5 Pro, a higher-accuracy version, is available to Pro, Business, and Enterprise users. View the full article

Microsoft is offering voluntary buyouts to select employees, it announced in a memo on Thursday, CNBC reported. The move is a first for the company, as the tech industry at large faces shifts in the era of artificial intelligence. The program will be available to U.S. workers at the senior director level and below whose employment years and age add up to at least 70. Employees with sales incentive plans are ineligible. Those who qualify and their managers will receive more information on May 7, according to the memo. The plan is expected to take effect in the fourth quarter of Microsoft’s fiscal year 2026, which ends June 30. About 7% of the U.S. workforce is expected to qualify, according to Bloomberg. This move comes on the heels of massive layoffs across the industry, including several rounds at Microsoft itself. As tech giants like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon increase spending on data centers to support rapidly advancing generative AI demands, many are making moves to cut costs elsewhere. Microsoft has been one of the worst-performing Big Tech stocks so far this year. The company was down 17% in February, raising concerns about AI spending. Internally, Microsoft has restructured personnel to focus on the company’s AI goals. In October, CEO Satya Nadella handed some marketing and operations oversight to Judson Althoff, CEO of Microsoft’s commercial business, to allow him to focus on AI efforts. In March, the commercial and consumer versions of Copilot unified, and Microsoft’s AI chief Mustafa Suleyman is now focused solely on building new AI models. At the same time, the company is changing how annual rewards are distributed. Managers will no longer be required to tie stock directly to cash bonuses, allowing them more freedom to reward high-achieving employees. Microsoft is also simplifying the manager review process. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The Bear is a phenomenon not only because exploring what goes on in the kitchen is fascinating, but because it's also one of the best shows on TV when it comes to portraying family drama, generational trauma, and the intense pressure of being the best at something. Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) is a tortured artist who might be one of the top chefs in the world, but his self-doubt is the engine that keeps the show racing along into uncertainty. Add in the precision and pressure of a high-end restaurant and brigade-style kitchen, and you have the perfect recipe for drama and humor. Plus, the opportunity to watch mouth-watering cuisine being created by passionate people. If you're searching for similarly satisfying fare, we’ve already told you the TV series you should be watching, but there are a lot of books, movies, games, and podcasts that share the spirit and themes of The Bear too. The best books like The Bear Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain $19.20 at Amazon $24.00 Save $4.80 Shop Now Shop Now $19.20 at Amazon $24.00 Save $4.80 Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will Guidara $20.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $20.00 at Amazon Hot Mess, by Emily Belden at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now at Amazon Sweetbitter, by Stephanie Danler $16.78 at Amazon $18.00 Save $1.22 Shop Now Shop Now $16.78 at Amazon $18.00 Save $1.22 Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O’Nan $16.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $16.00 at Amazon SEE 2 MORE The Bear is a dense narrative with rich, detailed characterizations. In other words, it’s like a novel in TV series form. There are a lot of terrific books that will give you the same vibe. Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony BourdainIf you love an insider glimpse of how high-end restaurants are run and have a true love for food, head to the ultimate classic of the genre. Bourdain’s 2000 memoir was a revelation, detailing how fine-dining kitchens actually operated, warts and all. It turned Bourdain into a star and is an obvious precursor to (and inspiration for) The Bear. Unreasonable Hospitality, by Will GuidaraThis book directly inspired many plot points on The Bear, and specifically informed the evolution of Richie’s character from an angry lout who disdained fine dining into a man with a purpose. The former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, one of the best restaurants in the world, Will Guidara writes about making every diner’s experience personal, memorable, and curated. If you want to know what drives Carmy and the gang to extremes, this book will explain it all. Hot Mess, by Emily BeldenIf you love The Bear because of the messy interpersonal dramas going on in the kitchen, check out Hot Mess, which offers up the perspective of the people afflicted by an unreliable, mentally unhealthy culinary genius. Allie Simon is swept away by the handsome, charming, and undeniably gifted chef Benji Zane—so much so that she invests her life savings in his new restaurant. When he relapses into addiction and vanishes a few weeks before opening night, Allie must undergo a crash course in the restaurant biz before she loses everything. Sweetbitter, by Stephanie DanlerLove gulping down the inside dirt about the restaurant business in The Bear? Sweetbitter is the perfect chaser. It’s like Kitchen Confidential turned into a soapy story about a young woman who snags a job at an uber-cool restaurant in downtown New York City. She dives into the pressure, the drama, the drugs, and the culture, and the book offers the combination of revelation and personal struggle that fans of the show will love. (The TV adaptation is fun too.) Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O’NanIs a Red Lobster in a New England mall the same as a fine dining restaurant chasing a Michelin Star? No, but the drama is just as high. This short novel about a manager trying to get through his final shift at the fast casual spot on the night of a heavy blizzard is filled with all the conflicts, chaos, and kitchen mishaps you could possibly imagine. The setting might be basic (though those Cheddar Bay biscuits are pretty amazing), but the story is just as entertainingly fraught. The best movies like The BearIf your biggest complaint about The Bear is that the episodes are too short, good news: There’s no shortage of movies that capture the frenetic world of high-end cooking and the misfits who work in it. Big Night (1996) This story of brothers, recent Italian immigrants to the U.S. in the 1950s, trying to save their struggling restaurant on the Jersey Shore, Big Night is the spiritual precursor to The Bear. Beset by customers who prefer Americanized versions of their cooking and a pile of debt, the brothers conceive a “big night” to pack the restaurant and make enough money to save their dream—and the (often hilarious) pressure builds from there. Stream Big Night on Hoopla or rent it on Prime Video. Big Night (1996) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Boiling Point (2021) Are your favorite episodes of The Bear when things go horribly wrong in the kitchen and the pacing goes light speed? Then Boiling Point is the perfect movie for you. Presented as a single, 90-minute take, it follows Head Chef Andy Jones (Stephen Graham) during a disastrous shift at his restaurant that kicks off with a bad health inspection and gets worse from there. Bonus: If you like the movie, the BBC produced a single season of a sequel series with the same cast. Stream Boiling Point on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video. Boiling Point (2021) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Chef (2014) Less fraught and with a slower, cozier pace, Chef nevertheless hits all the sweet spots found in The Bear. When successful chef Carl Casper quits his job as head chef at a successful restaurant after a social media meltdown and a clash with the owner, he opens a food truck to get back to his foodie roots and reinvent himself. If you love the idea that a passion for cooking can save (or destroy) your soul, check out this movie. Stream Chef on Netflix or rent it on Prime Video. Chef (2014) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Burnt (2015) If your favorite aspect of The Bear is Carmy’s tortured genius, Burnt is a great way to spend a few hours. It’s the story of Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper), once a superstar chef in Paris with two Michelin stars who destroyed his career through addiction and generally being a terrible person. After sobering up, he heads to London to make a comeback and get a third star—but he still has a lot of personal work to do. It’s breezier than The Bear in some ways, but still filled with self-sabotaging drama. Stream Burnt on The Roku Channel/Howdy or rent it on Prime Video. Burnt (2015) $3.99 at Prime Video Learn More Learn More $3.99 at Prime Video Hunger (2023) If you like stories about haunted, talented people pushing themselves to their limits, check out this Thai gem. Aoy (Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying) is the cook at her family’s struggling street food restaurant. When she’s noticed by a recruiter for the impossibly high-end restaurant Hunger, she’s invited to develop her skills there—and finds herself in a high-pressure nightmare that will remind fans of The Bear of Carmy’s time under Chef David. Stream Hunger on Netflix. Hunger (2023) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix The best video games like The BearDo you find yourself thrilling to the physical challenge of The Bear’s setting—the precision of the plating, the flipping, stirring, sauteing of the ingredients, the balance of the servers? You might enjoy replicating that feeling with some of these delightful games with Bear-ish tendencies. PlateUp! Want to feel the adrenaline rush that comes with running a restaurant, but don’t feel like scrubbing floors all night? PlateUp! is a restaurant management simulator that actually gets the heart pumping. You can set up your joint any way you like, but if you disappoint a single customer (because they waited too long for their food, for example) your restaurant fails. You can earn upgrades, but with that comes extra challenges, and as more people come for dinner, the gameplay becomes extremely sweaty. Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Plate Up! Collector's Edition (PS5) $25.00 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $25.00 at Amazon Overcooked! If you want even more sweaty-palmed restaurant play, grab some friends and check out Overcooked and Overcooked 2. In a series of increasingly strange settings, you and your friends have to Iron Chef your way through demanding food orders, cooking everything exactly as specified while avoiding obstacles and traps. The graphics are delightfully cartoonish, but the gameplay is intense, and there’s no better way to experience the thrill of a kitchen working in perfect unison without actually starting your own restaurant. Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Overcooked! + Overcooked! 2 (Nintendo Switch) $33.49 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $33.49 at Amazon Cooking Simulator Want to experience what it’s like to be a master chef like Carmy, able to create intricate meals on demand? Cooking Simulator offers that. It’s a physics-based game that replicates cooking in a realistic way, challenging you to make nearly 100 different recipes. You can play in Sandbox Mode to just have fun whipping up meals, or go for Career Mode and try to become a world-famous chef while balancing the cost of ingredients against your costs. Bonus: Pick a fight with your partner before playing for the true Bear experience. Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam Cooking Simulator $4.99 at Steam $19.99 Save $15.00 Shop Now Shop Now $4.99 at Steam $19.99 Save $15.00 Recipe for Disaster Was the first season of The Bear your favorite because of Carmy’s uphill battle to save The Original Beef of Chicagoland while battling the weirdos who worked there? Then check out Recipe for Disaster, which is a gamified version of Kitchen Nightmares. You’re tasked with saving a series of failing restaurants. You get to choose who to hire based on their skills and flaws, you get to choose the equipment and the decor—but you have to keep your workers from having nervous breakdowns, all while cooking recipes to order and keeping your customers happy. This is a game that might inspire you to start smoking just for the stress relief. Platforms: Steam Recipe for Disaster $14.99 at Steam Shop Now Shop Now $14.99 at Steam Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game Want to experience Carmy’s journey from messed-up kid who likes to cook, to a messed-up, world famous chef who hates his life? Check out Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game. You start as the owner and chef at a small, unremarkable restaurant, and the goal is to become a world-famous chef with multiple award-winning hotspots. Choose the cuisine and menus, develop your skills, and build your restaurants with a high level of customization—and then work yourself to death to make them successful. Platforms: Steam Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game $19.99 at Steam Shop Now Shop Now $19.99 at Steam The best podcasts like The BearThe world of The Bear is impressively detailed and intricate—but so much is left to interpretation, inspiring endless discussion. Podcasts are a great way to extend that experience—here are some of the best to pop into your ears. Let It Rip: The Bear ‘Cast Credit: Podcast logo Hosts Lucy and Peter devote each episode of Let It Rip to a single episode of The Bear, offering up a casual-but-serious analysis, digging into the details, the background information, and the references and culinary Easter Eggs in each one. It’s a fun, informative way to dig a little deeper into each episode and enjoy someone else’s perspective on the show. The Prestige TV Podcast Credit: Podcast logo If you want a more refined and ‘professional’ dive into The Bear, check out The Prestige TV Podcast’s episodes focused on the show. They’re tight, well-produced overviews that recap episodes and interview the people involved in creating this amazing piece of entertainment. If you want as much insider info as possible about the show, this is the best place to start. The Menu Credit: Podcast logo If watching The Bear inspired an interest in high level cookery and the restaurant business, The Menu is where you want to be. It digs into every aspect of the restaurant business, from the stories behind classic dishes, interviews with famous chefs, and the development (and dysfunction) of the professional kitchens that serve up the best food in the world. In other words, if you want to watch The Bear with an insider’s eye for detail, this podcast is the education you want. The Dave Chang Show Credit: Podcast logo If your fave aspect of The Bear is the moments when Carmy and Sydney discuss the food and the gastronomic magic that goes into it, check out Dave Chang’s awesome podcast. He wanders into a lot of different subjects, but always comes back to food and cooking and his own firsthand experience being one of the most celebrated chefs in the country. So You Want to Run a Restaurant? Credit: Podcast logo The Bear opened a lot of people’s eyes to what really goes into running a successful (or even an unsuccessful) restaurant. It’s an endlessly fascinating subject that this podcast delves into in detail, talking to chefs, owners, and other staffers about what goes into a high-end eatery—and what it really costs them. So You Want to Run a Restaurant? will give you a whole new appreciation for the show, and possibly inspire a re-watch with a fresh perspective. View the full article

Compromised home internet routers and smart fridges are being used in cyber attacks, intelligence agencies warn View the full article

Google Meet's "Take Notes for me" feature is one particularly useful implementation of AI. When you're on a video call, Gemini can dictate what's being said, offering summaries and highlights of the conversation. That way, your attention doesn't need to be split between the conversation at hand and writing down notes to remember key points later: You can just check the notes that are automatically generated as a Google Doc once the meeting is over. It's the kind of feature that sells me more on the whole "AI assistant" thing, rather than something trying to order me a coffee. Of course, video conferencing isn't the only time dictation can be useful. An in-person meeting can benefit from the same perks as a virtual one: Why bother with scribbling down notes on paper or typing away on a laptop when your phone can transcribe the chat on your behalf? I've started using the Voice Memos app on my iPhone for the task, for example, since it's easy to record both audio and an automatic transcription of the conversation. If you're a regular Google Meet user, however, you now have a similar option in your app of choice: Meet's Take Notes for me feature now supports live, in-person meetings as well. How "Take Notes for me" works in personAs noted by 9to5Google, here's how it works: You open the Google Meet site or app on your device, but rather than start a call, you can use the new "Take Notes for me" option to task Gemini with transcribing and summarizing your discussion. You can hit "Pause" at any time to pause dictation, and "Stop" followed by "Stop taking notes" to end it altogether. You can also transition to a video call if you want to conference in someone who isn't in the same room as you. And, just as with a Google Meet call, Take Notes for me will automatically save the meeting notes in a Google Doc. This feature started as an Alpha-only option but is now rolling out to more Workspace plans. Your admin may need to activate it on their end, but following that, you should be able to start recording your own conversations. Try an alternative to Google Meet's in-person dictationThis feature won't appear for any Google account not tied to a Workspace plan. Of course, there are plenty of alternatives out there if you don't have "Take Notes for me" available to you in Google Meet. It won't be a perfect match, since Google Meet integrates with your Google account and does more than just transcribe the call, but there are other options worth considering. As I mentioned, I really like using Apple's built-in tools: Voice Memos can generate automatic transcriptions, which you can save to Apple Notes. But if you don't have an Apple device or you prefer another option, PCMag has a series of recommendations, including Otter.ai, GoTranscript, and Rev. View the full article

A reader writes: I have recently made it to the second round of interviews for a role I’m very interested in. The conversation is with the person who is leaving the role I’m interviewing for. I’ve never interviewed with the person who is currently in the job in question, but I take that to mean that she’s leaving the organization on good terms and for her own reasons, and that they trust her to make a recommendation on who will succeed her. Would you agree with that take on the situation, and if so what kinds of questions do you think I should ask or expect? How do I sell myself for the role without coming across as “I’m going to be better at this than you were,” which I’m sure would be a turn-off? There are two possibilities: 1. The interview is primarily for her to evaluate you as a candidate and, while you’ll still have the opportunity to ask your own questions, it’ll be more or less like any other interview and you should approach it that way. 2.. Or, the main purpose of this meeting is for you to be able to talk to the person who’s currently doing the job and get your own questions about the role answered. In this scenario, she will likely still provide feedback to the hiring manager about you and other candidates, but it’s not the primary purpose of the conversation. Have they said anything to indicate which it is? Sometimes an employer will say something like, “We’d like to give you some time to talk with the person who’s doing the job now so she can tell you about the work with more nuance” — and that’s a sign that it’s more likely to be #2 (or at least mostly #2). Or they might not say anything like that in advance, but when you sit down with her she’ll make it clear that that’s the bulk of the agenda. Either way, you should prepare for both scenarios — meaning that you should come into it expecting #1, but be ready with a lot of your own questions if it tuns out to be #2. (You should be ready with a lot of your own questions regardless — because in either scenario it’s an opportunity to hear firsthand from the person who’s doing the job now — but if it turns out to be #2, you don’t want the conversation to stall because you only prepared a couple of questions.) Questions you can ask the person who’s doing the job you’re interviewing for include things like the best things about the job, the most challenging things about the job, the manager’s management style, secrets to success for doing well in the role, and whether there’s anything she was surprised by or wished she’d known before she started. You should also ask about workload, what the busiest times of the year are, and what those look like, because you might get a more accurate/honest answer than you will from others. And depending on the job, you might ask technical questions too, like what software they’re using for X, or how they’re handling a particular known challenge with that software, etc. As for selling yourself without coming across like you think you’ll be better at the job than she was … I’d argue you should never really be coming across that way in an interview, even when you’re not talking to the person you’d be replacing, since you can’t possibly know from the outside if it’s true! Good interviews don’t feel like sales pitches; the best ones feel like a conversation between two potential colleagues trying to figure out if a collaboration between them would make sense — and that’s how you should approach this too. Listen to what they’re looking for, talk about how you might be able to help with that, pull out things from your professional history that relate to what they need, and — while they’re assessing you — ask the questions that will help you assess them back. The post how do I interview with the person I would be replacing? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article