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A reader writes: I’m a woman working in a male-dominated profession. I do most of the planning and organizing for company events—not by choice or job description, but because I’m told I’m such a good planner. While I’m planning something, I’m rarely offered help. However, right before the event, I’m often asked by male coworkers if they can do anything or if I need anything. “Are we all good for Thursday? Can I do anything?” Of course, it’s way too late for them to do anything, and they know that. Is this weaponized incompetence? Or what is it? Whatever it is, it’s incredibly annoying, and I’d love to come up with a comeback that shows I’m onto them. You’re focusing on the wrong problem. You don’t need a comeback for last-minute offers of help — you need to stop agreeing to do all the event planning when it’s not part of your job. For what it’s worth, it’s possible those offers of help aren’t deliberately insincere, but rather people haven’t thought about the event at all until right before it (because they don’t have to, because they know you are handling it). Then they see it on the calendar for the next day and figure it would be polite to ask if you need help. And if they never plan events themselves, they genuinely may not realize how ridiculous it is to wait until the last minute to make that offer. If there is weaponized incompetence here, it’s probably happening much earlier — when you’re somehow the only person capable of planning events because you’re so good at them. You will remain better at it than everyone else if no one else is ever expected to do it, and your colleagues are probably happy for that to remain the case. Regardless, you don’t need a comeback. You need to talk to your own boss and say that you don’t want all the event planning to continue falling to you and you want to focus on the parts of your job that you were hired to do (and which you’re presumably evaluated on when it your performance is assessed and raises are considered), just like your male coworkers get to do. And you should feel free to name the gender disparity — as in, “I’m concerned that this is falling to the one woman on the team, while male team members are free to stay focused on work that’s more advantageous to their careers.” You can also try just saying no the next time you’re asked to organize an event: “I don’t have room on my plate for that right now, but I’ve done quite a few this year. Could you check with Brian or Roger about this one?” If that doesn’t work, your back-up strategy should be to stop waiting for offers of help and instead announce what help you need and either assign pieces of the work to people or ask your boss to. But that still leaves you as the person ultimately responsible for making it all come together, so it’s far from ideal. The post I get stuck with all the event planning due to my male coworkers’ weaponized incompetence appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Eighty million people use Reddit search every week, Reddit said on its Q4 2025 earnings call last week. The increase followed a major change: Reddit merged its core search with its AI-powered Reddit Answers and began positioning the platform as a place where users can start — and finish — their searches. Executives framed the move as a response to changing behavior. People are increasingly researching products and making decisions by asking questions within communities rather than relying solely on traditional search engines. Reddit is betting it can keep more of that intent on-platform, rather than acting mainly as a source of links for elsewhere. Why we care. Reddit is becoming a place where people start — and complete — their searches without ever touching Google. For brands, that means visibility on Reddit now matters as much as ranking in traditional and AI search for many buying decisions. Reddit’s search ambitions. CEO Steve Huffman said Reddit made “significant progress” in Q4 by unifying keyword search with Reddit Answers, its AI-driven Q&A experience. Users can now move between standard search results and AI answers in a single interface, with Answers also appearing directly inside search results. “Reddit is already where people go to find things,” Huffman said, adding the company wants to become an “end-to-end search destination.” More than 80 million people searched Reddit weekly in Q4, up from 60 million a year earlier, as users increasingly come to the platform to research topics — not just scroll feeds or click through from Google. Reddit Answers is growing. Reddit Answers is driving much of that growth. Huffman said Answers queries jumped from about 1 million a year ago to 15 million in Q4, while overall search usage rose sharply in parallel. He said Answers performs best for open-ended questions—what to buy, watch, or try—where people want multiple perspectives instead of a single factual answer. Those queries align naturally with Reddit’s community-driven discussions. Reddit is also expanding Answers beyond text. Huffman said the company is piloting “dynamic agentic search results” that include media formats, signaling a more interactive and immersive search experience ahead. Search is a ‘big one’ for Reddit. Huffman said the company is testing new app layouts that give search prominent placement, including versions with a large, always-visible search bar at the top of the home screen. COO Jennifer Wong said search and Answers represent a major opportunity, even though monetization remains early on some surfaces. Wong described Reddit search behavior as “incremental and additive” to existing engagement and often tied to high-intent moments, such as researching purchases or comparing options. AI answers make Reddit more important. Huffman also linked Reddit’s search push to its partnerships with Google and OpenAI. He said Reddit content is now the most-cited source in AI-generated answers, highlighting the platform’s growing influence on how people find information. Reddit sees AI summaries as an opportunity — to move users from AI answers into Reddit communities, where they can read discussions, ask follow-up questions, and participate. If someone asks “what the best speaker is,” he said, Reddit wants users to discover not just a summary, but the community where real people are actively debating the topic. Reddit earnings. Reddit Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results; Announces $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program View the full article

Editing videos stored in Google Drive can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. First, confirm your video is in MP4 format and uploaded to your Google account. Then, choose an editing platform like AceMovi or Clipchamp, which offers useful features for trimming and adding effects. After editing, you’ll want to save your final video back to Google Drive, but there are important considerations for maintaining quality and storage. Let’s explore the best options available to improve your video editing experience. Key Takeaways Upload videos in MP4 format to Google Drive for optimal editing performance with supported third-party apps. Access and edit videos using tools like Clipchamp, FlexClip, or MiniTool MovieMaker directly from Google Drive. Utilize features such as trimming, cropping, and adding filters for effective video enhancement in your chosen editing tool. Export edited videos back to Google Drive, ensuring sufficient storage space for successful saving. Confirm video quality during export and check downloaded files to ensure successful editing completion. Edit Video in Google Drive When you want to edit a video stored in Google Drive, the process is straightforward, although the platform itself offers limited built-in features. First, upload your video in MP4 format for ideal performance. To edit, select the video in Google Drive, click on “Open with,” and choose a third-party app like Clipchamp or FlexClip, which you can install via the “Connect more apps” option. These tools will guide you on how to edit Google Drive videos efficiently. For instance, if you need to cut a video on Android or crop video Android, these apps provide user-friendly interfaces. After editing, simply download the final product back to your Google Drive for easy access and sharing. Acemovi Video Editor – a Smart Option to Edit Videos From Google Drive When you’re looking to edit videos from Google Drive, AceMovi Video Editor stands out as a smart option. It offers high-quality video exports up to 4K, ensuring your visuals remain sharp and detailed after editing. Plus, with its user-friendly interface and advanced editing features, you can easily improve your videos without any hassle. High-Quality Video Exports If you’re looking to produce high-quality video exports from your Google Drive files, AceMovi Video Editor stands out as a smart choice. With support for resolutions up to 4K/2160p, your final product will maintain exceptional clarity and detail. The software is compatible with Windows and Mac, making it accessible for everyone. Here are a few notable features: Record clips directly within the editor, eliminating the need for extra software. Utilize free filters and effects to improve your video’s aesthetics. Choose from multiple export channels suited for social media and mobile formats. Additionally, if you want to know how to shorten a video on Android or how to crop a video, AceMovi provides intuitive tools for those tasks as well. User-Friendly Interface A user-friendly interface is one of the standout features of AceMovi Video Editor, making it a smart option for editing videos sourced from Google Drive. This software is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. You can easily navigate the intuitive design, allowing you to focus on your creative process. AceMovi enables direct recording of clips without needing extra software, simplifying your workflow. It likewise offers a variety of free resources, such as filters and changes, to improve your videos creatively. Moreover, multiple export channels let you tailor your final product for specific social media platforms and mobile formats, streamlining the sharing process. Advanced Editing Features Building on the user-friendly interface, AceMovi Video Editor furthermore boasts advanced editing features that cater to both novices and experienced editors alike. This software allows you to achieve professional-grade results during editing videos from Google Drive. With AceMovi, you can: Export videos in stunning 4K quality, ensuring clarity and detail. Record clips directly within the application, streamlining your editing process. Utilize free resources like filters and transitions to improve your video’s visual appeal. The intuitive toolbar makes it easy to split, crop, and apply filters, making advanced editing accessible. Plus, AceMovi offers multiple export channels customized for social media and mobile formats, enabling seamless sharing of your edited videos directly from Google Drive. How to Split, Crop, and Add Filters to Videos From Google Drive When you want to improve videos stored in Google Drive, splitting, cropping, and adding filters can greatly upgrade your final product. To split a video, import it into a compatible editing tool like AceMovi, highlight the clip, and use the Split function from the toolbar. For cropping, select the Crop option in your editing software, then adjust the aspect ratio or manually resize the crop area to fit your needs. To add filters, explore various options in the toolbar, applying them to a new track as you adjust their properties for better visuals. How to Save and Download Videos From Google Drive To save and download videos from Google Drive, first log into your account and navigate to the Video sub-category where your file is stored. Once you find your video, double-click on the thumbnail to play it before downloading. After confirming it’s the right file, click on the Download option located in the upper right corner of the video player interface. Make certain to keep these points in mind: The video file will save directly to your computer, usually in your browser’s default download folder. Confirm you have enough storage space on your device to accommodate the downloaded video file. Check your downloaded files to confirm the video was saved successfully. Following these steps will make the process smooth and easy. Edit Video in Google Drive With Clipchamp After successfully downloading your video from Google Drive, you might want to refine it further before sharing or using it in projects. To edit your video with Clipchamp, first, open the video file in Google Drive and select “Open with.” You’ll then need to connect to Clipchamp by choosing the “Connect more apps” option. After installing Clipchamp, click the Clipchamp button to access its editing tools, including trimming, cutting, and adding subtitles or effects. Clipchamp allows you to import media directly from Google Drive, making it easy to improve your video project. Once you’re done editing, save the edited video back to Google Drive for convenient access and sharing with others. Edit Video in Google Drive With Flexclip To edit videos in Google Drive using FlexClip, start by signing in with your Google account so you can easily access and import your files. Once you’ve selected a video, you can utilize a variety of editing tools, like trimming and adding text, to improve your project. After completing your edits, simply export the video back to Google Drive for easy sharing and storage. Accessing Google Drive Files How can you effectively edit videos stored in Google Drive? Start by signing into your Google account. This step allows you to access your Drive files directly within FlexClip. Once logged in, follow these steps to import your video for editing: Select a video from your Google Drive. Import it into FlexClip’s timeline for editing. Confirm your internet connection is stable to avoid interruptions. FlexClip provides various templates and stock media to improve your project during the editing process. After finishing your edits, you can easily export the final video and save it back to your Google Drive for convenient access and sharing. This streamlined process makes video editing straightforward and efficient. Editing Tools Overview When you’re ready to edit videos in Google Drive using FlexClip, you’ll find a range of robust tools intended to improve your editing experience. FlexClip allows you to access and edit your videos directly from Google Drive by signing in with your Google account. You can import videos into FlexClip’s timeline after granting access, making the process seamless. The platform features various templates and stock media options, enhancing your video’s appeal for diverse styles and purposes. Key editing tools include trimming, adding subtitles, and utilizing picture-in-picture effects. Once you complete your edits, exporting your video back to Google Drive is straightforward, ensuring easy access and sharing with others. Edit Video From Google Drive With Minitool Moviemaker Editing videos stored in Google Drive with MiniTool MovieMaker is a straightforward process that boosts your editing capabilities. First, download the video file to your computer. Then, import it into MiniTool MovieMaker’s interface, where you can access a variety of editing features. Here are some key editing options you can utilize: Splitting and cropping to refine your video’s length and content. Adding music and stickers for a personal touch. Applying transitions and filters to improve visual appeal. Once you finish editing, exporting the final video to your computer is easy, and you won’t have to deal with watermarks. With its user-friendly experience, MiniTool MovieMaker is a reliable choice for editing videos from Google Drive. The Best Way to Edit Videos for Google Drive To achieve the best results when editing videos for Google Drive, using 4Easysoft Total Video Converter is a top choice. This software supports a wide range of formats and provides crucial tools for converting files, ensuring ideal compatibility with Google Drive. You can edit video effects effectively, achieving high-quality outputs during file sizes manageable for easier sharing. With over 15 toolkits available, you can split, crop, and add filters to improve your videos. The ability to export in all formats supported by Google Drive guarantees a better viewing experience. By preparing your videos through editing and conversion with 4Easysoft, you’ll enjoy seamless playback and enhanced accessibility, making it a valuable tool for your Google Drive projects. About The Author Lydia, a multimedia columnist, specializes in writing about photos, audio, and video content. Her passion for writing has equipped her with a deep comprehension of multimedia topics, making her a reliable source of information. She’s committed to providing useful suggestions, helping you explore various aspects of multimedia production. In her free time, Lydia enjoys: Traveling to capture diverse cultures through her lens Reading to stay updated on the latest trends in multimedia Socializing to exchange ideas and insights with fellow creatives Through her articles, she aims to share knowledge and insights on multimedia topics, contributing to your education. You can trust Lydia’s expertise to guide you in effectively editing your Google Drive videos and enhancing your storytelling skills. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Edit Google Drive Videos? To edit videos stored in Google Drive, start by selecting the video you want to edit. Click the “Open with” button and choose a third-party editing tool like Clipchamp. Make sure your video format is compatible, preferably MP4. Once in the editor, you can split, crop, and apply filters to improve your footage. After completing your edits, save the changes back to Google Drive or download the edited version to your device for sharing. Does Google Have a Video Editing Tool? Google doesn’t offer a built-in video editing tool within its Drive platform. Instead, it focuses on file storage and sharing. Nevertheless, you can integrate third-party applications like Clipchamp or FlexClip to edit videos directly. Although Drive allows you to upload various video formats, it lacks advanced editing features. For more thorough editing tasks, consider using dedicated software, then you can save the edited videos back to your Drive for easy access. Can You Edit Directly From Google Drive? You can’t edit videos directly in Google Drive, as it primarily serves as a storage and sharing platform. To edit a video, you’ll need to download it first, then use a third-party editing tool like Clipchamp or FlexClip. After making your edits, you’ll upload the revised video back to Drive. Although this process is straightforward, for advanced editing, consider using dedicated video editing software instead for better features and capabilities. How Do I Edit an Existing Video? To edit an existing video, start by selecting the video file in your Google Drive. Click on “Open with” and choose a compatible third-party editing app, like Clipchamp or FlexClip. Once the editor opens, import your video and make desired changes such as trimming, adding filters, or subtitles. After you’ve finished editing, save the video back to Google Drive using the export or save option. Confirm your video is in a compatible format, preferably MP4. Conclusion In conclusion, editing videos stored in Google Drive is efficient with the right tools and steps. By utilizing platforms like AceMovi, Clipchamp, or MiniTool MovieMaker, you can easily trim, crop, and improve your videos. Remember to export your final product back to Google Drive, ensuring you maintain quality and have enough storage space. Following this guide will help streamline your video editing process, making it straightforward and accessible for your needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Editing Google Drive Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Editing videos stored in Google Drive can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. First, confirm your video is in MP4 format and uploaded to your Google account. Then, choose an editing platform like AceMovi or Clipchamp, which offers useful features for trimming and adding effects. After editing, you’ll want to save your final video back to Google Drive, but there are important considerations for maintaining quality and storage. Let’s explore the best options available to improve your video editing experience. Key Takeaways Upload videos in MP4 format to Google Drive for optimal editing performance with supported third-party apps. Access and edit videos using tools like Clipchamp, FlexClip, or MiniTool MovieMaker directly from Google Drive. Utilize features such as trimming, cropping, and adding filters for effective video enhancement in your chosen editing tool. Export edited videos back to Google Drive, ensuring sufficient storage space for successful saving. Confirm video quality during export and check downloaded files to ensure successful editing completion. Edit Video in Google Drive When you want to edit a video stored in Google Drive, the process is straightforward, although the platform itself offers limited built-in features. First, upload your video in MP4 format for ideal performance. To edit, select the video in Google Drive, click on “Open with,” and choose a third-party app like Clipchamp or FlexClip, which you can install via the “Connect more apps” option. These tools will guide you on how to edit Google Drive videos efficiently. For instance, if you need to cut a video on Android or crop video Android, these apps provide user-friendly interfaces. After editing, simply download the final product back to your Google Drive for easy access and sharing. Acemovi Video Editor – a Smart Option to Edit Videos From Google Drive When you’re looking to edit videos from Google Drive, AceMovi Video Editor stands out as a smart option. It offers high-quality video exports up to 4K, ensuring your visuals remain sharp and detailed after editing. Plus, with its user-friendly interface and advanced editing features, you can easily improve your videos without any hassle. High-Quality Video Exports If you’re looking to produce high-quality video exports from your Google Drive files, AceMovi Video Editor stands out as a smart choice. With support for resolutions up to 4K/2160p, your final product will maintain exceptional clarity and detail. The software is compatible with Windows and Mac, making it accessible for everyone. Here are a few notable features: Record clips directly within the editor, eliminating the need for extra software. Utilize free filters and effects to improve your video’s aesthetics. Choose from multiple export channels suited for social media and mobile formats. Additionally, if you want to know how to shorten a video on Android or how to crop a video, AceMovi provides intuitive tools for those tasks as well. User-Friendly Interface A user-friendly interface is one of the standout features of AceMovi Video Editor, making it a smart option for editing videos sourced from Google Drive. This software is compatible with both Windows and Mac systems, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. You can easily navigate the intuitive design, allowing you to focus on your creative process. AceMovi enables direct recording of clips without needing extra software, simplifying your workflow. It likewise offers a variety of free resources, such as filters and changes, to improve your videos creatively. Moreover, multiple export channels let you tailor your final product for specific social media platforms and mobile formats, streamlining the sharing process. Advanced Editing Features Building on the user-friendly interface, AceMovi Video Editor furthermore boasts advanced editing features that cater to both novices and experienced editors alike. This software allows you to achieve professional-grade results during editing videos from Google Drive. With AceMovi, you can: Export videos in stunning 4K quality, ensuring clarity and detail. Record clips directly within the application, streamlining your editing process. Utilize free resources like filters and transitions to improve your video’s visual appeal. The intuitive toolbar makes it easy to split, crop, and apply filters, making advanced editing accessible. Plus, AceMovi offers multiple export channels customized for social media and mobile formats, enabling seamless sharing of your edited videos directly from Google Drive. How to Split, Crop, and Add Filters to Videos From Google Drive When you want to improve videos stored in Google Drive, splitting, cropping, and adding filters can greatly upgrade your final product. To split a video, import it into a compatible editing tool like AceMovi, highlight the clip, and use the Split function from the toolbar. For cropping, select the Crop option in your editing software, then adjust the aspect ratio or manually resize the crop area to fit your needs. To add filters, explore various options in the toolbar, applying them to a new track as you adjust their properties for better visuals. How to Save and Download Videos From Google Drive To save and download videos from Google Drive, first log into your account and navigate to the Video sub-category where your file is stored. Once you find your video, double-click on the thumbnail to play it before downloading. After confirming it’s the right file, click on the Download option located in the upper right corner of the video player interface. Make certain to keep these points in mind: The video file will save directly to your computer, usually in your browser’s default download folder. Confirm you have enough storage space on your device to accommodate the downloaded video file. Check your downloaded files to confirm the video was saved successfully. Following these steps will make the process smooth and easy. Edit Video in Google Drive With Clipchamp After successfully downloading your video from Google Drive, you might want to refine it further before sharing or using it in projects. To edit your video with Clipchamp, first, open the video file in Google Drive and select “Open with.” You’ll then need to connect to Clipchamp by choosing the “Connect more apps” option. After installing Clipchamp, click the Clipchamp button to access its editing tools, including trimming, cutting, and adding subtitles or effects. Clipchamp allows you to import media directly from Google Drive, making it easy to improve your video project. Once you’re done editing, save the edited video back to Google Drive for convenient access and sharing with others. Edit Video in Google Drive With Flexclip To edit videos in Google Drive using FlexClip, start by signing in with your Google account so you can easily access and import your files. Once you’ve selected a video, you can utilize a variety of editing tools, like trimming and adding text, to improve your project. After completing your edits, simply export the video back to Google Drive for easy sharing and storage. Accessing Google Drive Files How can you effectively edit videos stored in Google Drive? Start by signing into your Google account. This step allows you to access your Drive files directly within FlexClip. Once logged in, follow these steps to import your video for editing: Select a video from your Google Drive. Import it into FlexClip’s timeline for editing. Confirm your internet connection is stable to avoid interruptions. FlexClip provides various templates and stock media to improve your project during the editing process. After finishing your edits, you can easily export the final video and save it back to your Google Drive for convenient access and sharing. This streamlined process makes video editing straightforward and efficient. Editing Tools Overview When you’re ready to edit videos in Google Drive using FlexClip, you’ll find a range of robust tools intended to improve your editing experience. FlexClip allows you to access and edit your videos directly from Google Drive by signing in with your Google account. You can import videos into FlexClip’s timeline after granting access, making the process seamless. The platform features various templates and stock media options, enhancing your video’s appeal for diverse styles and purposes. Key editing tools include trimming, adding subtitles, and utilizing picture-in-picture effects. Once you complete your edits, exporting your video back to Google Drive is straightforward, ensuring easy access and sharing with others. Edit Video From Google Drive With Minitool Moviemaker Editing videos stored in Google Drive with MiniTool MovieMaker is a straightforward process that boosts your editing capabilities. First, download the video file to your computer. Then, import it into MiniTool MovieMaker’s interface, where you can access a variety of editing features. Here are some key editing options you can utilize: Splitting and cropping to refine your video’s length and content. Adding music and stickers for a personal touch. Applying transitions and filters to improve visual appeal. Once you finish editing, exporting the final video to your computer is easy, and you won’t have to deal with watermarks. With its user-friendly experience, MiniTool MovieMaker is a reliable choice for editing videos from Google Drive. The Best Way to Edit Videos for Google Drive To achieve the best results when editing videos for Google Drive, using 4Easysoft Total Video Converter is a top choice. This software supports a wide range of formats and provides crucial tools for converting files, ensuring ideal compatibility with Google Drive. You can edit video effects effectively, achieving high-quality outputs during file sizes manageable for easier sharing. With over 15 toolkits available, you can split, crop, and add filters to improve your videos. The ability to export in all formats supported by Google Drive guarantees a better viewing experience. By preparing your videos through editing and conversion with 4Easysoft, you’ll enjoy seamless playback and enhanced accessibility, making it a valuable tool for your Google Drive projects. About The Author Lydia, a multimedia columnist, specializes in writing about photos, audio, and video content. Her passion for writing has equipped her with a deep comprehension of multimedia topics, making her a reliable source of information. She’s committed to providing useful suggestions, helping you explore various aspects of multimedia production. In her free time, Lydia enjoys: Traveling to capture diverse cultures through her lens Reading to stay updated on the latest trends in multimedia Socializing to exchange ideas and insights with fellow creatives Through her articles, she aims to share knowledge and insights on multimedia topics, contributing to your education. You can trust Lydia’s expertise to guide you in effectively editing your Google Drive videos and enhancing your storytelling skills. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Edit Google Drive Videos? To edit videos stored in Google Drive, start by selecting the video you want to edit. Click the “Open with” button and choose a third-party editing tool like Clipchamp. Make sure your video format is compatible, preferably MP4. Once in the editor, you can split, crop, and apply filters to improve your footage. After completing your edits, save the changes back to Google Drive or download the edited version to your device for sharing. Does Google Have a Video Editing Tool? Google doesn’t offer a built-in video editing tool within its Drive platform. Instead, it focuses on file storage and sharing. Nevertheless, you can integrate third-party applications like Clipchamp or FlexClip to edit videos directly. Although Drive allows you to upload various video formats, it lacks advanced editing features. For more thorough editing tasks, consider using dedicated software, then you can save the edited videos back to your Drive for easy access. Can You Edit Directly From Google Drive? You can’t edit videos directly in Google Drive, as it primarily serves as a storage and sharing platform. To edit a video, you’ll need to download it first, then use a third-party editing tool like Clipchamp or FlexClip. After making your edits, you’ll upload the revised video back to Drive. Although this process is straightforward, for advanced editing, consider using dedicated video editing software instead for better features and capabilities. How Do I Edit an Existing Video? To edit an existing video, start by selecting the video file in your Google Drive. Click on “Open with” and choose a compatible third-party editing app, like Clipchamp or FlexClip. Once the editor opens, import your video and make desired changes such as trimming, adding filters, or subtitles. After you’ve finished editing, save the video back to Google Drive using the export or save option. Confirm your video is in a compatible format, preferably MP4. Conclusion In conclusion, editing videos stored in Google Drive is efficient with the right tools and steps. By utilizing platforms like AceMovi, Clipchamp, or MiniTool MovieMaker, you can easily trim, crop, and improve your videos. Remember to export your final product back to Google Drive, ensuring you maintain quality and have enough storage space. Following this guide will help streamline your video editing process, making it straightforward and accessible for your needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Editing Google Drive Videos: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

It’s been a confusing time for people with student loans. Collections restarted, then were put on hold. At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans. Last year, the long-contested SAVE plan introduced by the Biden administration ended with a settlement agreement. President Donald The President’s “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced new borrowing limits for graduates and raised challenges to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. While several changes for student loan borrowers will take effect this summer, other key questions remain unresolved. More than 5 million Americans were in default on their federal student loans as of September, according to the Education Department. Millions are behind on loan payments and at risk of default this year. Borrowers “genuinely struggle to afford their loans and then to hear that the administration is making it more expensive and taking away some of the tools and resources that help folks afford their loans is really, it’s panic-inducing,” said Winston Berkman-Breen, legal director at Protect Borrowers. Last month, the Education Department announced that it would delay involuntary collections for student loan borrowers in default until the department finalizes its new loan repayment plans. The date for this is still unclear. If you’re a student loan borrower, here are some key things to know: If you were enrolled in the SAVE plan The SAVE plan was a repayment plan with some of the most lenient terms ever. Soon after its launch it was challenged in court, leaving millions of student loan borrowers in limbo. Last December, the Education Department announced a settlement agreement to end the SAVE plan. What is next for borrowers who were enrolled in this repayment plan is yet to be determined. “Seven and a half million borrowers who are currently enrolled in SAVE need to be moved to another plan,” Berkman-Breen said. As part of the agreement, the Education Department says it will not enroll new borrowers, deny pending applications, and will move all current SAVE borrowers into other repayment plans. The Education Department is expected to develop a plan for borrowers to transition from the SAVE plan, yet borrowers should be proactive about enrolling in other repayment plans, said Kate Wood, a lending expert at NerdWallet. If you are looking to enroll in an income-driven repayment plan Borrowers can apply for the following income-driven plans: the Income-Based Repayment Plan, the Pay as You Earn plan, and the Income-Contingent Repayment plan. “They all have similar criteria, and they function similarly. Your payment is set as a percentage of your income, not how much you owe, so it’s usually a lower payment,” Berkman-Breen said. The payment amount under income-driven plans is a percentage of your discretionary income, and the percentage varies depending on the plan. Since many people are looking to switch plans, some applications to income-driven repayment plans might take longer to process, said Jill Desjean, director of policy analysis at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. You can find out which repayment plan might work best for you by logging on to the Education Department’s loan simulator. If you’re working toward your Public Service Loan Forgiveness There are no changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program yet. Last year, the The President administration announced plans to change the eligibility requirements for participating nonprofits. The policy seeks to disqualify nonprofit workers if their work is deemed to have “substantial illegal purpose.” The The President administration said it’s necessary to block taxpayer money from lawbreakers, while critics say it turns the program into a tool of political retribution. The proposal says illegal activity includes the trafficking or “chemical castration” of children, illegal immigration, and supporting foreign terrorist organizations. This move could cut off some teachers, doctors, and other public workers from federal loan cancellation. “This is something that obviously is very stressful, very nerve-wracking for a lot of people, but given that we don’t know exactly how this is going to be enforced, how these terms are going to be defined, it’s not really something that you can try to plan ahead for now,” Wood said. While this policy is currently being challenged by 20 Democrat-led states, it’s expected to take effect in July. In the meantime, Wood recommends that borrowers enrolled in the PSLF program continue making payments. If your student loans are in default Involuntary collections on federal student loans will remain on hold. The The President administration announced earlier this month that it is delaying plans to withhold pay from student loan borrowers who default on their payments. Federal student loan borrowers can have their wages garnished and their federal tax refunds withheld if they default on their loans. Borrowers are considered in default when they are at least 270 days behind on payments. If your student loans are in default, you can contact your loan holder to apply for a loan rehabilitation program. “They essentially come up with a payment plan where you’re making a reduced payment,” Woods. “After five successful payments on that rehabilitation plan, wage garnishment will cease.” If you’re planning to attend graduate school The President’s “ Big Beautiful Bill ” has changed the amount graduate students can borrow from federal student loans. Graduate students could previously borrow loans up to the cost of their degree; the new rules cap the amount depending on whether the degree is considered a graduate or a professional program. Wood said that if you’re starting a new program and taking out a loan after July 1, you will be subject to the new loan limits. Under the new plan, students in professional programs would be able to borrow up to $50,000 per year and up to $200,000 in total. Other graduate students, such as those pursuing nursing and physical therapy, would be limited to $20,500 a year and up to $100,000 total. The Education Department is defining the following fields as professional programs: pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, law, medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatry and theology. If you want to consolidate your loan The online application for loan consolidation is available at studentaid.gov/loan-consolidation. If you have multiple federal student loans, you can combine them into a single loan with a fixed interest rate and a single monthly payment. The consolidation process typically takes around 60 days to complete. You can only consolidate your loans once. ___ The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism. —Adriana Morga, Associated Press View the full article

OpenAI is rolling out its first live test of ads in ChatGPT, placing sponsored messages directly inside the app for some users. The details. According to CNBC, the ads will appear in a clearly labeled section beneath the chat interface rather than inside responses. The format is designed to keep ads visually separate from ChatGPT’s answers. OpenAI will show ads to logged-in users on the free tier and its lower-cost Go subscription. The company says advertisers won’t see users’ conversations and won’t influence ChatGPT’s responses, though ads will be optimized based on what OpenAI considers helpful to the user. What else is coming. In an internal memo cited by CNBC, CEO Sam Altman told employees an updated chat model is expected this week. He also said ChatGPT is again exceeding 10% monthly growth. OpenAI last reported 800 million weekly users in October. Why we care. ChatGPT is one of the largest consumer AI platforms in the world. Even a limited ad rollout could signal a major shift in how conversational AI gets monetized — and how brands reach users. The bigger picture. As AI platforms scale, monetization strategies are moving closer to traditional digital advertising — but with new questions around placement, privacy, and user trust. Bottom line. OpenAI is officially entering the ad business inside ChatGPT, testing how sponsored content can coexist with conversational AI at massive scale. Dig Deeper. OpenAI will reportedly start testing ads in ChatGPT today (subscription needed) View the full article

When I asked real people why they post their workouts online, I received well over a hundred replies, many of them filled with venting about body image issues and unattainable beauty standards. That's didn't surprise me. What did surprise me was that the majority of these responses came from men. Carefully measured chicken and rice, obsessive tracking of macros, the guilt when a workout is missed: On social media, these behaviors are framed in the language of performance and strength. The same rituals that would be clear indications of disordered behavior for women are redefined as “discipline” and “optimization” for men. How many men suffer in silence because eating disorders are coded as a women's issue? How many cases go unrecognized when they're framed as "clean eating" or "serious training"? When eating disorders and body dysmorphia get rebranded as "fitness goals," a lot of men are left struggling in plain sight. Men can have eating disorders, tooBoys and men now make up about a third of those diagnosed with eating disorders, and that figure likely understates the crisis. In particular, muscle dysmorphia—sometimes called "bigorexia"—is characterized by excessive and compulsive exercise, a persistent belief that one is insufficiently muscular, and an obsession with muscle mass, size, and leanness. Unfortunately, much of fitness culture allows men to engage in disordered behaviors by wrapping them in performance language. "Bulking" and "shredding" cycles can mask seriously problematic eating patterns. Without giving certain men in my life an armchair diagnosis, I can confidently say I’ve seen the mental fallout when someone’s extreme caloric restriction becomes "cutting" or compulsive exercise becomes "staying on track." Unsurprisingly, social media amplifies these harmful messages. Mason Boudrye, who describes himself as "someone known to post gratuitous thirst traps," shared with me the mental fallout of always trying to look a certain way. “Even if people don't admit that the obsessive tracking and strict adherence to diet qualifies as disordered eating, I know it’s true for me,” he says. The social media of it all makes these feelings even more public and persistent. We all scroll through feeds of chemically enhanced physiques presented as natural and achievable. This naturally breeds more self-scrutiny, more comparison, more perceived inadequacy. Matthew Singer, a yoga teacher, says most “fitspo” (fitness inspiration) “is as helpful for fitness as previous winning lottery numbers are for winning millions. Fitspo cannot take into account genetics, job and family circumstances, health history, or any of the other countless factors that influence health outcomes." Our bodies are treated like projects always in need of correction, devoid of much-needed context. What’s most troubling to me is the way men don’t get to call out disordered behaviors by name. There is both a misconception around who eating disorders affect, and a deep reluctance among affected men to seek help for a problem they've been socialized to handle alone. Society has constructed a masculine ideal that equates vulnerability with weakness, making it nearly impossible for some men to admit they're struggling with their relationship to food and their bodies. Unattainable beauty standards stay unattainableBotox injections in men may get called “Brotox," but a cheeky nickname shouldn't shroud the fact that unattainable beauty standards are leading men to take more extreme measures. Dr. Claudia Kim of New Look New Life Cosmetic Surgery says she's seen a rise in men turning to beauty treatments: jawline contouring, under-eye correction, hair restoration, skin rejuvenation. “These approaches offer noticeable yet discreet results with little downtime,” says Kim, fitting neatly into lives that were never supposed to include these concerns. What's telling, Kim adds, is that her male patients are usually entering the aesthetic realm for the first time. In this sense, men are catching up to beauty regimens women have been undertaking for generations, and slowly learning what women have long understood: Namely, that appearance affects professional success, social capital, and romantic prospects—and the goalposts are always moving. At the same time, the masculine ideal demands stoic self-sufficiency, even as it requires costly and constant aesthetic labor. What does all this mean for the average person with an average budget? The treatments Kim describes—jawline contouring, hair restoration, aesthetic procedures—aren't cheap. Nor are supplements, meal prep services, personal trainers, specialized equipment, and so on. Beauty standards increasingly require you to spend more money, meaning your appearance is yet another health arena where class determines outcomes. And if they can’t afford to look the way they feel pressured to look, men are uniquely left behind to suffer in silence. As a woman, I’ve spent most of my life jealous of how men were allowed to age, or gain weight, or simply be in their bodies without constant intervention. Now I have a more sympathetic gaze, especially after hearing so many men admit they were never given the language to articulate aesthetic concerns without shame. The bottom lineThere’s a big difference between healthy self-care and the sense that your body is never good enough. Meticulously tracking every calorie, every rep, every perceived flaw—why should one woman’s obvious eating disorder be another man’s enviable achievement? Women have been battling body image issues and unattainable beauty standards since birth, but a lot of men were never taught how to fight this particular war. To me, the takeaway is that we all need to be on the same side. To fight this war, we need a more honest conversation about what we're doing to men's relationships with their bodies. Until we acknowledge that, all this talk of "cutting" and "discipline" will allow dangerous behaviors to keep hiding in plain sight. View the full article

Whoopi Goldberg has been a household name since she starred in The Color Purple in 1985. Fast forward over 50 years, and she’s still as driven as ever. Goldberg, 70, cohosts daytime talk show The View. In 2024, she founded AWSN, the All Women’s Sports Network. She’s also an author, activist, mother, and grandmother. And, she’s also doing it all solo. Goldberg is happily single and has been for decades. She says that will never change. In a recent interview with Interview magazine, Goldberg opened up about her solo life, which she happens to genuinely love. So much, in fact, that she says she plans to stay single because, as she put it, “in the last 25 years, I recognized that not everybody’s cut out to be in a relationship.” She continued, revealing that she doesn’t ever “want to live with anybody,” echoing her 2016 statement to The New York Times when she famously said “I don’t want somebody in my house!” A growing trend While we don’t hear women talking about how glad they are to be single all that often, the tide seems to be turning. More women are deciding to stay single, and studies suggest that trend will continue. A 2019 Morgan Stanley study, based on Census Bureau historical data and Morgan Stanley forecasts, found that 45% of prime working-age women (ages 25-44) will be single by 2030. That’s the largest share in history. That’s why hearing Goldberg’s perspective, and witnessing her joy and continued drive, is refreshing. It’s also more relevant than ever as some women feel unbothered by not being in a relationship, regardless of the fact that society has long pushed women toward marriage and motherhood. Are single women more ambitious? Surely there are plenty of ambitious people in long-term relationships that manage to balance both. However, Goldberg’s view that that doesn’t work for her, is important to hear. Because, quite simply, no matter what lens you’re looking from, relationships are work, too—and sometimes, they can steal your energy and your ambition. Likewise, some research has shown that those single women are powerful forces at work. A 2023 Wells Fargo study found that women who aren’t married are becoming an increasingly influential part of the workforce. Despite not living with a partner, Goldberg isn’t lonely, she says. Perhaps because she keeps astoundingly busy. “I’m not good at [romantic] relationships because you have to think about other people, and I have enough to think about with my daughter and her husband and my grandkids and my great-grandkids and all the people at work.” Some might call it selfish. But, as Goldberg put it way back in 2016, she’s simply “a woman who knows what she wants.” What she wants just happens to be “a home all to her damn self.” View the full article

Google’s AI Mode isn’t more likely to cite content that appears “above the fold,” according to a study from SALT.agency, a technical SEO and content agency. After analyzing more than 2,000 URLs cited in AI Mode responses, researchers found no correlation between how high text appears on a page and whether Google’s AI selects it for citation. Pixel depth doesn’t matter. AI Mode cited text from across entire pages, including content buried thousands of pixels down. Citation depth showed no meaningful relationship to visibility. Average depth varied by vertical, from about 2,400 pixels in travel to 4,600 pixels in SaaS, with many citations far below the traditional “above the fold” area. Page layout affects depth, not visibility. Templates and design choices influenced how far down the cited text appeared, but not whether it was cited. Pages with large hero images or narrative layouts pushed cited text deeper, while simpler blog or FAQ-style pages surfaced citations earlier. No layout type showed a visibility advantage in AI Mode. Descriptive subheadings matter. One consistent pattern emerged: AI Mode frequently highlighted a subheading and the sentence that followed it. This suggests Google uses heading structures to navigate content, then samples opening lines to assess relevance, behavior consistent with long-standing search practices, according to SALT. What Google is likely doing. SALT believes AI Mode relies on the same fragment indexing technology Google has used for years. Pages are broken into sections, and the most relevant fragment is retrieved regardless of where it appears on the page. What they’re saying. While the study examined only one structural factor and one AI model, the takeaway is clear: there’s no magic formula for AI Mode visibility. Dan Taylor, partner and head of innovation (organic and AI) at SALT.agency, said: “Our study confirms that there is no magic template or formula for increased visibility in AI Mode responses – and that AI Mode is not more likely to cite text from ‘above the fold.’ Instead, the best approach mirrors what’s worked in search for years: create well-structured, authoritative content that genuinely addresses the needs of your ideal customers. “…the data clearly debunks the idea that where the information sits within a page has an impact on whether it will be cited.” Why we care. The findings challenge the idea that AI-specific templates or rigid page structures drive better AI Mode visibility. Chasing “AI-optimized” layouts may distract from work that actually matters. About the research. SALT analyzed 2,318 unique URLs cited in AI Mode responses for high-value queries across travel, ecommerce, and SaaS. Using a Chrome bookmarklet and a 1920×1080 viewport, researchers recorded the vertical pixel position of the first highlighted character in each AI-cited fragment. They also cataloged layouts and elements, such as hero sections, FAQs, accordions, and tables of contents. The study. Research: Does Structuring Your Content Improve the Chances of AI Mode Surfacing? View the full article

A newly discovered settings panel offers an first detailed look at how ads may work inside ChatGPT — including how personalization and privacy controls are designed. Driving the news. Entrepreneur Juozas Kaziukėnas discovered a way to trigger ChatGPT’s upcoming ad settings interface. The panel repeatedly emphasizes that advertisers won’t see users’ chats, history, memories, personal details, or IP addresses. What the settings reveal: The interface outlines a structured ad system with dedicated controls: A History tab logs ads users have viewed inside ChatGPT. An Interests tab stores inferred preferences based on ad interactions and feedback. Each ad includes options to hide or report it. Ad history and interests can be deleted independently of general ChatGPT data. Personalization options. Users can toggle ad personalization on or off. When enabled, ChatGPT uses saved ad history and interest signals to tailor ads. When disabled, ads are still shown but rely only on the current conversation for context. There’s also an option to personalize ads using past conversations and memory features — though the interface stresses that chat content isn’t shared with advertisers. Accounts with memory disabled won’t see this option active. Why we care. ChatGPT ads haven’t officially launched — but a newly uncovered settings panel offers the clearest look yet at how ad personalization and privacy controls may work. This preview shows how ChatGPT plans to balance personalization with strict privacy boundaries, which will shape how ads are targeted and measured inside the platform. The controls suggest ads will rely heavily on contextual signals and opt-in personalization rather than deep user tracking, meaning creative relevance and in-conversation intent will matter more than traditional audience profiling. For brands, it’s an early signal of how to prepare messaging and strategy for conversational ad environments. The bigger picture. The discovery suggests OpenAI is building an ad system that mirrors familiar controls from major ad platforms while emphasizing privacy boundaries and user choice. Bottom line. ChatGPT ads aren’t live yet, but the framework is taking shape — and it points to a future where conversational ads come with granular privacy and personalization controls. First seen. Preview of the platform shared by Kaziukėnas on LinkedIn. View the full article

On Monday, Discord announced its plan to begin rolling out mandatory age verification globally. Starting in March, new and existing accounts will start moving over to a "teen-by-default" setting, which will lock certain chats and features away until the account's owner proves they're an adult. Here's what you'll lose, how to get it back, and for good measure, what your other options are. Discord will require age verification starting in MarchIn its announcement, Discord said the new age verification settings will start with a "phased global rollout" in March, so it may be some time until it hits you. However, once the changes make their way to your region, you'll lose access to the following features until you verify your age: Age-restricted channels and servers: This is the most obvious one. Any channels that are set to adults only will now be off-limits to your account until you verify your age. In some cases, this could include whole servers, or depending on the server, certain app commands. Spicy content: Until you verify your age, Discord's content filters will be active for you, and the app will blur any images it thinks are too sensitive or graphic. Message requests: Direct messages from people you don't know will now go to a separate inbox. Speaking in Stages: Accounts that aren't age-verified won't be able to speak in Stage channels, which are livestreams where a few server members can broadcast to everyone on the server at once. Warnings on friend requests: This one adds something rather than taking it away. Until you verify your age, you'll now see a warning prompt when getting a friend request from someone you don't know. How to verify your age in DiscordDiscord has two ways to verify your age, though it will tell you if you need to go through the process. To the platform's credit, it won't suddenly strip away a bunch of features from you without explanation. To start verifying your age on Discord, either click Get Started on a prompt the platform should send you once age verification hits your region, or navigate to User Settings > My Account > Age Group to see your age group and verify from there. Now, you can either take a video selfie or scan a valid government ID. For video selfies, just select Take a selfie from the verification page, follow the on-screen instructions, and click Done to submit. For verifying through a government ID, select Use your ID, scan the provided QR code with your mobile device, take a clear photo of your ID on said device, and tap Done to submit. Discord says that video selfies used for age verification are processed purely on-device, and that while photos of government IDs do go to "vendor partners" for verification, they are "deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation." Once you've submitted your video selfie or ID, the app will then begin the process of assigning you an "age group," which you'll be able to see under User Settings > My Account > Age Group. Discord says most users only need to verify once, but that you might need to provide a government ID in addition to a video selfie if the app can't confidently determine your age from just a face scan. You're also able to attempt re-verification at any time, but if the app determines that you're under the 13-year-old minimum for using Discord, your account will be banned. (You can appeal this and attempt to re-instate your Discord account via an ID.) According to Discord, the age verification process "typically takes just a few minutes," and you'll get a notification and DM once it's completed. Best Discord alternatives that don't use age verificationAs countries around the world add new laws for age verification online (Discord mentions the UK and Australia in particular), it seems like Discord is just throwing its hands up and deciding to play it as safe as possible by taking the feature global. The move mimics similar decisions from Google, ChatGPT, and Roblox, but even adult users might be uncomfortable with it, since they'll need to show the company—and the company's third-party processors—personal identifying information to comply with it. If that leaves a bad taste in your mouth, there are a few Discord alternatives you can try that don't yet require age verification, although they might not completely match the app's feature set: Slack: Discord basically stole Slack's entire flow, and that's great news for anyone looking for a Discord alternative. About the only Discord feature missing here is persistent voice channels, although you can still talk to others over voice using huddles. Slack can be a strong Discord replacement or supplement to another Discord replacement, but if you're a teen looking for a new home, be careful. Technically, users under 16 are banned from Slack, according to the app's terms of service. TeamSpeak: TeamSpeak has been updated since the 2000s to match many of Discord's features, including adding persistent chat channels. However, it's still lagging behind on some features, like video chat. Additionally, only 32 users can be in a free TeamSpeak server at a time. This is what I used as a teen before moving onto other platforms. Mumble and Ventrilo: These are no-frills, voice-first clients that primarily focus on privacy and low latency connections, with Mumble even being open source. They aren't as robust as Discord, but they could serve as a strong voice channel supplement to another Discord alternative, like Slack. View the full article

Valentine’s Day is known as the day to celebrate all things love—and also a day for expensive dates. However, a new offering from one of your favorite fast food chains may have you skipping the white table cloths and snagging something from McDonald’s instead. McDonald’s is serving up caviar this Valentine’s Day. But there’s a catch. In a Feb. 2 announcement, the chain explained what the latest offering entails. “To be known is to be loved, and we know our fans love pairing our crispy Chicken McNuggets with their favorite caviar,” it said. “Inspired by this perfect match, we’re dropping our first-ever McNugget Caviar kits featuring premium Baerii Sturgeon caviar on Feb. 10… After all, nothing says ‘ILY’ quite like a limited drop from McDonald’s just in time for your Valentine’s Day plans.” McDonald’s has partnered with Paramount Caviar to bring customers the offering free of charge. “Each kit includes everything you need for an upscale yet effortless celebration: a 1oz tin of McNugget Caviar, $25 Arch Card for plenty of Chicken McNuggets, plus crème fraîche and a Mother of Pearl caviar spoon to top it all off,” it said. It’s been a tough time for fast food joints, but McDonald’s has managed to stay ahead of competitors, in part, due to meal deals, budget offerings, and nostalgic throwbacks. Plus, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen McDonald’s test out an offbeat partnership. The chain previously linked up with Krispy Kreme donuts, but dissolved the collaboration last year, citing profitability issues. While it would be nice to grab the offering at your local McDonald’s restaurant, unfortunately, you won’t be able to snack on caviar at the Golden Arches. The offering is only available online at McNuggetCaviar.com. The deal starts Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. EST, so if you’re hoping to get your caviar kit for Valentine’s Day, you better hurry up and place your order. According to the announcement, kits are limited. If caviar isn’t exactly your jam, that’s okay. McDonald’s says they’ll be providing customers with plenty of other ways to celebrate the day of love, but you’ll have to follow along on their socials to keep up. View the full article

A reader writes: For nearly five months now, I have been trying to get in touch with a contact at a partner organization about some grant money they’ve promised us, by contract. Phone calls, emails — nothing. It’s getting completely absurd. I’ve repeatedly inquired as to if there’s something we need to do to hurry this along — no reply. (But he does return contacts from other organizations so I know he is alive and at work.) This staff member is the primary liaison between his organization and ours, so we want to keep it civil. I’ve been advised to go over his head, to his boss … but she’s the executive director of his organization, and I’m very aware this could get this guy fired, maybe. When someone’s flaking out on their essential responsibilities, when is it appropriate to go over their head to their boss? How important does the issue have to be, and/or how long should you wait? Also, what are the best practices for going over someone’s head and getting things done, while also making sure we don’t ruin our relationship with a worker and/or organization who — for all I know — is just going through a difficult time right now? I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. The post when is it OK to go over an unresponsive contact’s head? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Before work begins on any construction site, teams and stakeholders need a shared reference to anchor expectations, measure progress and manage change. A baseline in construction plays that role by setting clear targets early, helping stakeholders stay aligned as schedules shift, costs fluctuate and project decisions accumulate over time. What Is a Baseline In Construction? A baseline in a construction project is an agreed-upon estimate of the schedule, budget or scope of work developed during planning by the project owner, project manager and key stakeholders such as designers, contractors or sponsors. Although formally approved, it remains a projection shaped by assumptions, inputs and known constraints. Actual performance is later measured against these estimated benchmarks, which together form the construction baseline. Construction schedule baseline: A construction schedule baseline is the approved estimated timeline for project activities and milestones. It reflects planned durations, sequencing and target dates, providing a benchmark to assess delays, accelerations or deviations as work advances. Construction cost baseline: A construction cost baseline represents the approved estimated budget for delivering the project. Built from forecasts, quantities and pricing assumptions, it establishes expected spending levels that are later compared to actual costs to identify overruns, underruns or financial risk. Construction scope baseline: A construction scope baseline defines the estimated boundaries of the work to be delivered. It outlines planned deliverables and requirements based on initial assumptions, serving as a reference point for evaluating changes when new information or conditions emerge. To create an accurate baseline for a construction project, you’ll need the right tools. ProjectManager is an award-winning construction project management software that’s ideal for establishing project baselines and tracking them as projects progress with tools like Gantt charts, workload charts, timesheets and real-time dashboards and reports. Additionally, ProjectManager also offers AI features that help to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA-1600x772.pngLearn more What Is the Purpose of a Baseline in Construction? The primary purpose of a baseline in construction is comparison. Schedule, cost and scope baselines lock in estimated targets so actual performance can be measured against them as the project progresses. Without this comparison point, teams cannot quantify delays, overruns or scope changes. Baselines turn raw progress data into meaningful variance, enabling control, accountability and informed decision-making. Allows planned estimates to be directly compared against actual schedule, cost and scope performance. Makes deviations visible by quantifying variance rather than relying on subjective judgment. Provides the foundation for schedule variance and cost variance analysis. Enables objective tracking of project performance over time. Supports corrective actions based on measurable gaps between plan and reality. Clarifies whether changes reflect execution issues or approved scope adjustments. Creates a factual record of how the project performed versus its original estimates. When to Make a Baseline for a Construction Project Construction baselines should be established at the end of the planning phase, once design is sufficiently defined and estimates are credible but before execution begins. This typically follows conceptual and detailed design, takeoffs, scheduling and budget approval. Creating the baseline too early locks in unreliable assumptions, while creating it after construction starts removes its value. The baseline must reflect the approved plan that will be measured during procurement, mobilization and active construction across major project control areas from outset only. Once established, the baseline is used continuously as actual progress, costs and delivered scope are recorded. Internally, the construction project management team compares real performance against the baseline to calculate variance, forecast outcomes and trigger corrective actions. The same comparisons support clear reporting to project stakeholders such as project owners, and lenders. Instead of subjective updates, discussions are grounded in measurable differences between estimated plans and what is actually happening on site. This ensures transparency, accountability and alignment when approving changes, resolving disputes and explaining performance trends throughout the project lifecycle clearly. Who Should Establish Baselines in a Construction Project? The process of making a baseline for a construction project, is a collaborative effort involving those responsible for planning, execution and oversight. Project owners define objectives and constraints, project managers coordinate development, and designers and contractors contribute technical inputs. Financial controllers and planners validate assumptions. Together, these roles agree on estimated targets that will later be used to measure actual project performance throughout the construction lifecycle. Project owner: Approves baseline assumptions, funding limits and success criteria, ensuring schedule, cost and scope estimates align with overall business objectives. Construction project manager: Integrates schedule, cost and scope inputs into a single baseline and establishes the reference for performance comparison. Construction scheduler: Develops the schedule baseline by defining activities, durations and dependencies based on the approved execution strategy. Cost estimator or quantity surveyor: Prepares the cost baseline using quantities, rates, contingencies and pricing assumptions derived from project scope. Design team: Establishes the scope baseline through approved drawings, specifications and documented deliverables at the time of baseline approval. Construction contractor: Contributes constructability input, productivity assumptions and sequencing insights that influence realistic schedule and cost estimates. Project controls or finance team: Reviews baseline data for consistency, risk exposure and reporting readiness before formal stakeholder approval. How to Make a Baseline in Construction The following steps explain how schedule, cost and scope baselines are created, which together form the construction baseline used for project monitoring and control. 1. Identify Project Goals and Objectives Every construction baseline starts with clarity around what the project is meant to achieve. High-level goals and objectives guide all downstream planning decisions, shaping design priorities, specifications and performance expectations. When objectives are explicit early, such as targeting energy efficiency or accelerated delivery, they influence scope definition and prevent critical requirements from being overlooked as estimates are developed. 2. Create a Work Breakdown Structure With general objectives established for the construction project, attention shifts to detailing the work itself. Using a work breakdown structure, the project team decomposes the overall scope into phases, deliverables and work packages. This structured breakdown creates visibility into everything required to complete the project. As the WBS matures, it becomes far easier to document a clear, measurable scope of work that will be used as the base for construction scheduling. /wp-content/uploads/2021/04/WES-Screenshot-600x222.jpgFree work breakdown structure template for Excel 3. Write a Scope of Work Document After the work has been broken down and organized, the next step is to formally document it. A scope of work translates the WBS into a written reference that defines what will be delivered, how success will be measured and where the boundaries of the project lie. This document consolidates assumptions, inclusions and exclusions, creating a clear scope baseline that guides sequencing, scheduling and cost estimation in the steps that follow. 4. Map Construction Sequences After the scope of work is documented, project managers identify every single task that needs to be executed to deliver the project and determine the order in which they must occur. This is known as construction sequencing, a process that defines logical dependencies, constraints and handoffs between trades. Tools such as project network diagrams and Gantt charts are commonly used to visualize these relationships. Once tasks and sequences are mapped, the scope is sufficiently defined to establish a dependable scope baseline. 5. Create a Construction Schedule With the scope defined and task sequences mapped, the project management team can develop the construction schedule that determines when work will actually take place. Each task is assigned an estimated duration, logical dependencies and planned start and finish dates based on available information such as subject-matter expert estimates or historical data from similar projects. If that information isn’t available, there are construction scheduling techniques like the critical path method (CPM) or the program evaluation and review technique (PERT) which allow project managers to estimate the duration of tasks based on their dependencies and sequencing. As this schedule is built, identifying the critical path is essential. The critical path is the longest chain of dependent activities that sets the minimum time needed to complete the project. Tasks on this path have no float, meaning they have no extra time available without affecting the final completion date. Gantt charts are the standard tool to visually represent construction schedules as they can be used to identify task dependencies, project milestones and the critical path of projects. Once reviewed and approved, this estimated schedule becomes the schedule baseline, used to compare planned timelines against actual progress throughout construction. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gantt-chart-template-for-Excel-600x264.pngFree Gantt chart template for Excel 6. Perform a Construction Takeoff Once the scope of work is clearly defined, design and technical teams begin producing the documents needed to quantify the project. Architects develop drawings and specifications, engineers prepare structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing plans, and designers may create CAD models or BIM files that detail building components. These documents describe what will be built and how. Using them, estimators or quantity surveyors perform the construction takeoff process, systematically measuring and listing all required materials, labor, equipment, parts and assemblies. When completed, the takeoff provides a detailed picture of the resources needed to execute the work, forming the foundation for accurate cost estimates and a reliable cost baseline. 7. Make a Construction Budget At this stage, the project team has a clear understanding of what resources the project will require. With quantities defined through the takeoff, costs for labor, materials, equipment, subcontracted work and overhead can be estimated with greater confidence. These estimates are consolidated into a construction budget that reflects expected spending across phases and cost categories. Once reviewed and approved, this budget becomes the cost baseline, serving as the estimated financial reference used to compare actual expenditures and track cost performance throughout construction. 8. Establish a Construction Baseline for the Project With the scope, schedule and budget defined, the construction project can formally establish its baseline. At this point, the scope baseline, schedule baseline and cost baseline are reviewed, approved and communicated to key stakeholders. Together, they form the construction baseline that will be used throughout execution. From this moment forward, actual progress, costs and delivered work are measured against these estimated references to monitor performance, manage change and maintain control. Construction Baseline Example To illustrate how a construction baseline comes together, imagine a general contractor hired to build a mid-size hotel for a private project owner. The project includes guest rooms, common areas, a restaurant and a recreational pool area. During planning, the team defines what will be built, when work is expected to occur and how much it should cost. These estimated elements are documented as scope, schedule and cost baselines. Below is a simplified example of a construction scope baseline for this project. Construction Scope Baseline Project phase Work package Key tasks Key deliverables Design Architectural planning Define layout, room count, pool configuration Approved architectural drawings Site preparation Earthworks and utilities Clearing, grading, utility installation Prepared site with services in place Structural Building structure Foundations, framing, load-bearing elements Completed structural shell Interior construction Guest rooms and common areas Partitions, finishes, fixtures installation Finished rooms and shared spaces External works Pool and outdoor areas Pool construction, paving, landscaping Completed pool and outdoor amenities Construction Schedule Baseline Work package Estimated duration Estimated start date Estimated end date Architectural planning 8 weeks 01/05/2026 03/01/2026 Site preparation 6 weeks 03/08/2026 04/19/2026 Building structure 14 weeks 04/26/2026 08/02/2026 Guest rooms and common areas 16 weeks 08/09/2026 11/29/2026 Pool and outdoor areas 8 weeks 10/04/2026 11/29/2026 Construction Cost Baseline Work package Resource requirements Estimated costs Architectural planning Architects, engineers, design software $250,000 Site preparation Earthworks crew, excavation equipment, materials $600,000 Building structure Concrete, steel, structural labor, cranes $3,200,000 Guest rooms and common areas Interior trades, finishes, fixtures, equipment $2,100,000 Pool and outdoor areas Pool contractors, materials, landscaping crew $450,000 Free Construction Project Management Templates We’ve created dozens of free construction project management templates for Excel, Word, Google Sheets and more. Here are some that can help establish and track a construction baseline. Construction Schedule Template This construction schedule template allows you to experience ProjectManager’s online Gantt chart tool. Create a thorough project task list, identify task dependencies, find the critical path of your project, allocate resources and much more. Construction Scope of Work Template This construction scope of work template helps define project tasks, deliverables, responsibilities and acceptance criteria in one structured document. It also links scope items to schedule progress and cost tracking, making it easier to establish and monitor the scope baseline throughout the construction project. Construction Budget Template This construction budget template allows teams to estimate, track and compare labor, material, equipment and fixed costs against actual spending. By organizing costs by task and WBS, it supports the creation of a clear cost baseline and ongoing cost performance monitoring. ProjectManager Is Ideal for Making a Baseline for Construction Projects ProjectManager is an award-winning construction project management software equipped with powerful planning, scheduling and tracking features that allow to create detailed construction schedules, identify critical activities, allocate resources, establish baselines and compare estimated costs and task durations against actual project performance to quickly identify cost overruns, scope creep or delays. Watch the video below to learn more! Related Construction Project Management Content Our content library features over 100 construction blogs, templates, ebooks and other types of content to help construction project managers better understand the many moving parts that must be managed to deliver successful construction projects. Here are some of them. Making a Construction Schedule How to Manage a Construction Project Step by Step The Ultimate Guide to Construction Project Management Material Takeoff (MTO) in Construction: A Quick How-to Guide Quantity Takeoff in Construction: Process, Benefits and More The post What Is a Baseline In Construction Projects? appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

A trial focused on the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media and whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms is set to start in New Mexico with opening statements Monday. It’s the first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta, over harm to children, and one that is likely to highlight explicit online content and its effects. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta in 2023. His team built the case by posing as kids through social media accounts, then documenting the arrival of sexual solicitations as well as the response by Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Prosecutors say they’ll provide evidence and testimony that Meta’s algorithms and account features enticed and addicted young people to social media, while also creating a “breeding ground” for predators who target children for sexual exploitation. Prosecutors allege Meta failed to disclose what it knew about those harmful effects, in violation of state consumer protection laws. Meta also is accused of creating a public nuisance. “Meta knowingly exposes children to the twin dangers of sexual exploitation and mental health harm,” the lawsuit states. “Meta’s motive for doing so is profit.” Meta denies any legal violations and says prosecutors are cherry-picking evidence to make sensationalist arguments. On Sunday, Meta called the state’s investigation “ethically compromised” in its use of child photos on proxy accounts, delays in reporting child sexual abuse material and the disposal of data from devices used in the investigation, in social media posts on X by company spokesperson Andy Stone. The company says lawsuits are attempting to place the blame for teen mental health struggles on social media companies in a way that oversimplifies matters. Meta says it has a longstanding commitment to supporting young people, highlighting a steady addition of account settings and tools — including safety features that give teens more information about the person they’re chatting with and content restrictions based on PG-13 movie ratings. “For over a decade, we’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most,” the company said in a statement. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made.” It’s unclear whether Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify at trial. New Mexico limits the ability to compel out-of-state witnesses to testify in person, while prosecutors can present testimony by Zuckerberg from a deposition. Personal opinions of Zuckerberg and evolving attitudes toward social media loomed over jury selection from a pool of more than 200 residents of Santa Fe County, including several educators, young adults who grew up with social media and others who never signed up. “Quite frankly, he’s the tech bro making money off of all of us,” one person said of Zuckerberg. An attorney for the state warned that there would be “very sensitive and very explicit material discussed in terms of safety to children” during the trial. More than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it is deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms. The majority filed their lawsuits in federal court, and New Mexico’s case against Meta is the first to reach trial. Opening statements have been postponed in a bellwether trial underway in California against social video companies, including Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube, that focuses on a 19-year-old who claims her use of social media from an early age addicted her to technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. settled claims in the case. Torrez, a Democrat seeking reelection this year to a second term, has urged Meta to implement more effective age verification and remove bad actors from its platform. He’s also seeking changes to algorithms that can serve up harmful material and criticizing end-to-end privacy encryption that can prevent the monitoring of communications with children for safety. —Morgan Lee, Associated Press View the full article

Timothy Boyle has become the last of eight defendants sentenced in a sweeping $7.7 million pandemic fraud scheme that targeted Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and state unemployment benefits. This case, which highlights both the vulnerabilities in fraud detection systems and the relentless pursuit of justice by government agencies, serves as a critical reminder for small business owners about the significance of safeguarding their operations and ensuring compliance. The scheme, orchestrated primarily by DeAngelo Jackson-Portwood, involved fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance and bogus applications for loans designed to help businesses weather the economic storm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Between early 2020 and May 2021, Jackson-Portwood and his co-defendants forged identities and submitted over 1,000 claims across 17 states, yielding more than $5.6 million in ill-gotten gains from unemployment programs. Additionally, they filed 575 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, ultimately obtaining approximately $2.1 million. US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. emphasized the scale of the deception: “Today’s sentence concludes one of the largest pandemic fraud cases in our state. Jackson-Portwood fleeced the American taxpayer through a brazen fraud scheme.” The repercussions of this fraud extend beyond financial loss; they disrupt the livelihoods of hard-working individuals who relied on these resources during a national crisis. The financial fallout from such schemes often lands heavily on the shoulders of legitimate small businesses, particularly as state workforce agencies are forced to absorb the losses incurred through fraudulent claims. This situation leads to increased scrutiny and potential delays in the processing of legitimate claims. Small business owners may find themselves faced with tighter regulations or even increased premiums, affecting cash flow and operations. The nature of the fraud also raised substantial privacy concerns. As noted in a quote from Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, “Among those victims was a nurse working 12-plus hour shifts on the front lines during COVID-19, who then had to fight to clear her name after her identity was stolen.” Small business owners must be aware of the importance of protecting personal and company information. Identity theft can have far-reaching implications that stretch beyond individual victims to affect business operations and reputations. In light of these crimes, there are key takeaways and actionable insights for small business owners: Be Vigilant with Sensitive Information: Protect customer and employee data with robust cybersecurity measures. Regularly update passwords, use encryption, and educate staff about phishing attacks. Understand SBA Programs Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with SBA lending programs, including the criteria and documentation required. This knowledge can help safeguard against potential misunderstandings or fraudulent activities that could impact your business. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice unusual claims or suspect fraud, report it to local authorities immediately. Partners such as the SBA and the Department of Labor are committed to investigating such issues, as evidenced by their relentless pursuit of the defendants in this case. Stay Informed: Subscribe to updates from the SBA Office of Inspector General to remain aware of recent investigative findings, guidelines, and reforms that can affect your business operations. Knowledge is an essential defense against fraud. Challenges lie ahead, as the increased scrutiny following this case could mean more rigorous audits and longer processing times for legitimate claims. Small business owners should anticipate an evolving regulatory environment and remain proactive in compliance to avoid potential pitfalls. While the sentencing of these defendants marks a significant closure to a substantial fraud case, it also opens the dialog around the protection of legitimate businesses. The fraudsters have illustrated vulnerabilities in our systems, but also the perseverance of law enforcement to hold them accountable. As stated by Michelle Blank, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of SBA-OIG, “This sentencing serves as a reminder that fraud is not a victimless crime.” Entrepreneurs must recognize their role in fostering a culture of security and integrity in their businesses. For more detailed information on the case and the implications for small businesses, visit the original SBA article here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Final Defendant Sentenced in $7.7 Million Pandemic Fraud Scheme" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Timothy Boyle has become the last of eight defendants sentenced in a sweeping $7.7 million pandemic fraud scheme that targeted Small Business Administration (SBA) programs and state unemployment benefits. This case, which highlights both the vulnerabilities in fraud detection systems and the relentless pursuit of justice by government agencies, serves as a critical reminder for small business owners about the significance of safeguarding their operations and ensuring compliance. The scheme, orchestrated primarily by DeAngelo Jackson-Portwood, involved fraudulent claims for pandemic unemployment assistance and bogus applications for loans designed to help businesses weather the economic storm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Between early 2020 and May 2021, Jackson-Portwood and his co-defendants forged identities and submitted over 1,000 claims across 17 states, yielding more than $5.6 million in ill-gotten gains from unemployment programs. Additionally, they filed 575 fraudulent applications for Paycheck Protection Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, ultimately obtaining approximately $2.1 million. US Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. emphasized the scale of the deception: “Today’s sentence concludes one of the largest pandemic fraud cases in our state. Jackson-Portwood fleeced the American taxpayer through a brazen fraud scheme.” The repercussions of this fraud extend beyond financial loss; they disrupt the livelihoods of hard-working individuals who relied on these resources during a national crisis. The financial fallout from such schemes often lands heavily on the shoulders of legitimate small businesses, particularly as state workforce agencies are forced to absorb the losses incurred through fraudulent claims. This situation leads to increased scrutiny and potential delays in the processing of legitimate claims. Small business owners may find themselves faced with tighter regulations or even increased premiums, affecting cash flow and operations. The nature of the fraud also raised substantial privacy concerns. As noted in a quote from Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, “Among those victims was a nurse working 12-plus hour shifts on the front lines during COVID-19, who then had to fight to clear her name after her identity was stolen.” Small business owners must be aware of the importance of protecting personal and company information. Identity theft can have far-reaching implications that stretch beyond individual victims to affect business operations and reputations. In light of these crimes, there are key takeaways and actionable insights for small business owners: Be Vigilant with Sensitive Information: Protect customer and employee data with robust cybersecurity measures. Regularly update passwords, use encryption, and educate staff about phishing attacks. Understand SBA Programs Thoroughly: Familiarize yourself with SBA lending programs, including the criteria and documentation required. This knowledge can help safeguard against potential misunderstandings or fraudulent activities that could impact your business. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice unusual claims or suspect fraud, report it to local authorities immediately. Partners such as the SBA and the Department of Labor are committed to investigating such issues, as evidenced by their relentless pursuit of the defendants in this case. Stay Informed: Subscribe to updates from the SBA Office of Inspector General to remain aware of recent investigative findings, guidelines, and reforms that can affect your business operations. Knowledge is an essential defense against fraud. Challenges lie ahead, as the increased scrutiny following this case could mean more rigorous audits and longer processing times for legitimate claims. Small business owners should anticipate an evolving regulatory environment and remain proactive in compliance to avoid potential pitfalls. While the sentencing of these defendants marks a significant closure to a substantial fraud case, it also opens the dialog around the protection of legitimate businesses. The fraudsters have illustrated vulnerabilities in our systems, but also the perseverance of law enforcement to hold them accountable. As stated by Michelle Blank, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of SBA-OIG, “This sentencing serves as a reminder that fraud is not a victimless crime.” Entrepreneurs must recognize their role in fostering a culture of security and integrity in their businesses. For more detailed information on the case and the implications for small businesses, visit the original SBA article here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Final Defendant Sentenced in $7.7 Million Pandemic Fraud Scheme" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Even after the final whistle blew on the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots, Rocket’s Super Bowl was far from over. Sure, the brand had a Super Bowl ad featuring Lady Gaga singing a Mr. Rogers classic, but that was just the beginning. At 8 p.m. ET, immediately after Rocket and Redfin’s Super Bowl spot aired, the brands released the first of six app-exclusive clues that would roll out over the next 48 hours for users to play a contest in order to win a million-dollar home. This last part of Rocket’s Super Bowl strategy is perhaps its most important because it’s not just focused on entertaining audiences or attracting their attention; it’s about recruiting their participation. Rocket CMO Jonathan Mildenhall told me last week that Super Bowl strategies must now have pre-game, in-game, and post-game stages, and participation was key. “We’re going to ensure that we’ve got eyeballs on the spot looking for the home, but it’s only after it airs that the first of six clues are given, and the remaining six clues are given over a 48-hour period to ensure that Rocket and Redfin are in the postgame conversation,” Mildenhall said. “So the new strategy that I would implore all marketers to be thinking about is you’ve got three stages of Super Bowl investment, and one of those stages has to be dominated by your audience participation.” The Super Bowl is simultaneously a singular moment for advertisers, and a microcosm of the broader challenges facing brands every single day. Sure, it’s the biggest, most high profile collective cultural moment we have left, but it retains the same difficulty of standing out, making a mark, and really getting our attention as any other moment. As a result, more brands are working to get audiences involved in some way, shape or form, in order to break through all the noise. Here’s a look at how four brands tackled participation in each stage of the Super Bowl. Pre-game prep Comcast Xfinity’s Jurassic Park-themed spot is one of the most Super Bowl-y things a brand could do. Bringing back a beloved franchise classic—including de-aged versions of the original cast—and putting its own quirky twist on it to tie in its product is not exactly rocket science. It’s obvious people will love it. But how do you make sure they really love it and remember it? Comcast’s chief growth officer for connectivity and platforms Jon Geiselman says that the Super Bowl used to be a single, high-stakes moment, now it’s a runway. “Audiences don’t just show up on game day anymore,” says Geiselman. “For marketers, that’s changed the job. The ad isn’t the finish line; it’s the centerpiece of a much longer story.” Created with agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), Comcast Xfinity’s longer story included an in-game NBA take-over at Philly’s Xfinity Arena during the Sixers-Bucks game on January 26. Then, in San Francisco in the week leading up to the game there were Jurassic Park Lyft Rides, where the brand turned some Lyft vehicles into the iconic Jurassic Park tour cars, had dinosaur projections light up the city’s historic Hobart Building, a motion-sensored T. Rex billboard on Market Street, and taking “Baby Tango” raptor character outside of Universal Orlando to roam the city and engage with fans. GS&P creative director Jen Hart says the pre-game strategy was itself split into stages. “The first thing out of the gate was taking down an NBA arena during primetime, with Reggie Miller and Noah Eagle offering commentary on live TV about what was unfolding,” says Hart. “The next day on social, we invited the world to bring the park back online with an alluring grand prize: a trip back to Jurassic Park’s set in Hawaii. We then opened the doors to the park—including a ‘lost commercial’ running on television for a fully functional Jurassic Park, as well as the original cast teasing our Super Bowl spot on social.” In-game action Getting fans involved during the game is a unique challenge given there’s, you know, an actual football game people are watching. But a good marketer’s job is to find the space, no matter how small, to squeeze in a compelling reason for us to pay attention. Three brands who worked in different ways to do that this year were Coinbase, OpenAI, and Kraft. OpenAI released three regional ads before the game, but saved its direct pitch to coders for the big game itself. CMO Kate Rouch says that not only was their ad aiming to be a rallying cry for builders to try its newest version of Codex, but it was littered with easter eggs—small signs within the ad—for coders to find and use to get prizes and other goodies. “Actions speak louder than words, so we’re offering Codex for free, and we have this point of view about building and making things, that anyone can do this,” says Rouch. “So this Easter egg, is actually tied to a behavior in Codex, and you have to participate in the product to unlock the merch. It’s just a small, simple thing, but we wanted to signal that this is about making things, and kind of lift up people who are going to do something.” Crypto platform Coinbase had a lot to live up to. Under former CMO Rouch, the brand made a splash at the 2022 Super Bowl with a bouncing QR code, so current CMO Cat Ferdon knew they needed to continue that legacy of uniquely getting people’s attention. Her solution: why not get people singing karaoke? The Coinbase ad brilliantly mimicked old school karaoke machine screen to get viewers to sing-along with its adapted version of the Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit “Everybody.” Coinbase vice-president of creative Joe Staples says that what makes the Super Bowl unique is that there are 120 million people actively watching ads. “So you can choose to do the thing you normally do with more famous people, or you can take it as a time to talk to a nation,” says Staples. “Or you can just acknowledge that everyone’s had six beers and loads of wings, and are in the room with 15 friends watching a commercial.” The participation goal here was to get people laughing and singing with each other. Ferdon says that it’s about carving out a moment, and making an event out of that moment. “Ideally, we’re giving the audience something to participate in so that people in the room, wherever they’re watching, can feel like they’re a part of that event with us,” she says. “And that in itself is actually the spectacle.” Kraft Heinz didn’t have an official big game spot for Mac & Cheese, but it did invest in a celebrity to get people participating during the game. The brand had comedian John Mulaney, who voices its ongoing Best Thing Ever campaign, to respond to every Super Bowl ad in real-time—including Coinbase’s karaoke—with custom video ads during the big game on social. Kraft Heinz CMO Todd Kaplan says the point is to try and engage the audience where they are, specifically, on the second screen during the game. “Listen, not all 50 plus ads are going to be home runs,” he says. “It’s about finding the moments to come in a humorous way with a point of view for our brand and just drive a conversation, which is really what our job is as marketers.” Post-game work This is perhaps the toughest Super Bowl nut to crack. It’s also the most recent part of the game that brands have been trying to tap into. Rocket essentially decided to combine all the trappings of more traditional ad, pack it with an emotional punch, and then do its own version of “DoorDash All The Ads.” In 2024, DoorDash pulled off a Super Bowl hat-trick in that it had a creative idea that got attention and awareness right away—delivering a lucky winner everything advertised during the game—with the short-term pay off of actual DoorDash app downloads. It got more than eight million contest submissions and 11 billion impressions. With a clue to winning a million dollar home embedded in its Super Bowl ad, Mildenhall says that the contest will drive Redfin app downloads—you need the app to enter the contest—and ideally even provide a post-game boost to its commercial. “I’m hoping that our ad becomes the most-viewed Super Bowl ad this year,” he says. “Because we’re driving people back to it six times so that they can identify which of the homes you’ve seen in the ad is actually available on Redfin tp win.” View the full article

Critical operational zones are becoming more unpredictable View the full article

Clear instructions make your tax season easier. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Providing instructions of what a client needs to do must be clear enough so that the client doesn’t call you to find out what to do. … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

Clear instructions make your tax season easier. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Providing instructions of what a client needs to do must be clear enough so that the client doesn’t call you to find out what to do. … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. In the world of exercise, variety abounds. You can lift light weights, or heavy weights, or no weights at all. If you don’t lift at all right now, it doesn’t matter much where you start. But that doesn’t mean that all of these options are equivalent. Light weights can build muscle, but they do not have the same benefit as heavier weights. It takes different workouts to get the most benefit out of light weights versus heavy weights. And heavy weights can do some things that light weights can't. I'm going to unpack all of that below, but right now the most important thing I want you to understand is that it's not correct when people say light weights are "as good as" heavy weights or that it "doesn't matter" which you use. Friends, it does matter. You might decide that lighter weights are best for you, or you might want the benefits that heavy weights provide. But you deserve to know the difference. Because there is definitely a difference. Even the studies that show benefits of lighter weights for muscle gain still find that heavy weights have advantages. For example, this meta-analysis gathering the results of 178 different studies found that "Higher-load (>80% of single repetition maximum) prescriptions maximised strength gains, and all prescriptions comparably promoted muscle hypertrophy [growth]." In short: light weights can help you gain muscle (with caveats, which we’ll discuss) but they aren’t a good way to build your strength, in the sense of your real-world ability to lift heavy things. When you should exercise with light weightsYou can do a lot with light weights, and I’m not knocking them. They’re especially great for beginners, since they’re easy to handle and not too intimidating. If you’ve never lifted a weight before, it makes sense to grab the 5-pound or 10-pound dumbbells rather than heading straight for the squat rack. I even have a list of exercises that work best with light weights, like wrist curls and weighted deadbugs. If you’d like to continue with light weights past the beginner stage, that can work too—depending on your goals. It is true that you don’t need to lift heavy weights to build muscle. Light weights, which I’ll define here as anything you need to lift for 12+ reps before you start to feel any burn or fatigue, can signal your body to build more muscle tissue as long as you keep lifting until you literally cannot lift them any more. That’s called lifting “to failure.” The problem is, lifting light weights to the point of failure is boring as hell. It’s also easy to stop short of failure, because you’re tired and bored and you want to quit. If you’re capable of lifting 20 reps with a certain weight, but you stop around 12, you’re going to miss out on most of those muscle-building benefits. We also know that most people underestimate themselves, doing fewer reps or choosing a too-light weight for their intended exercise. If you aren’t constantly asking yourself “can I do more?”, you might be missing out on the muscle growth (or “toning”) that you’re hoping to get. When you should exercise with heavy weightsA muscle’s size and its strength are two different but overlapping concepts. A bigger muscle does tend to be a stronger one, and vice versa. But if you want to be able to lift something heavy in real life—like a 50 pound bag of cement at Home Depot—a person who trains with 50-pound weights is going to have an easier time of it than a person who never has never picked up a dumbbell bigger than 10 pounds. Remember how light weights need to be lifted to failure to stimulate muscle growth? That’s because our bodies can choose to only “recruit” a few muscle fibers at a time to do a job. If you pick up a 2-pound dumbbell, your nervous system says “ehh, we only need a few motor units to do this job” and doesn’t bother activating the rest. But as you reach your 18th, 19th, 20th rep, it has to recruit more and more of those fibers as the ones you used at first begin to tire out. With heavy weights, though, you end up recruiting large numbers of muscle fibers right from the start. Heavier weights tell your body to grow the muscle and they teach your muscle fibers and your brain how to work together. The first time you try a new exercise, it will seem hard. After a few weeks, or maybe even a few days, you’ll be able to move a lot more weight more smoothly—even if you haven’t grown any extra muscle tissue by that time. You need to work with heavy weights if you want to learn to move heavy weights. Many people also prefer heavy weights because each set of an exercise is over in just a few reps—maybe eight or 10, or in some cases as little as a single rep. What counts as "heavy" depends on the person—I've written about how to know what counts as a heavy weight for you. You also don’t need to go all the way to failure when you’re training with heavy weights, which is something that lifters often appreciate. If I have 200 pounds on the barbell for squats, I might technically be able to squeeze out seven reps. But my workout for the day might only call for four or five. I find that a lot more enjoyable than doing 20+ goblet squats with a dumbbell. The dumbbell is lighter, but using a heavy barbell means I get to stop before I’m exhausted. How to combine the benefits of heavy and light weightsAs with many things in life, the “why not both?” approach is best for most people. Strength athletes (including powerlifters, Olympic weightlifters, and Crossfitters, to name a few) will typically center their routines around a few heavy lifts, and then get in some extra work with lighter or medium-ish “accessory” lifts. That’s still a solid approach for the average person who just wants to lift for fun or for health. It’s also important to remember the “light” weights need to get heavier over time, as you get stronger. Even Jane Fonda, remembered for eight-count exercises with small dumbbells, told viewers in the introduction to her famous vifdeo that they’ll want to switch out for heavier weights as they gain experience. This is, in a nutshell, the concept of progressive overload. Meanwhile, “heavy” just means any weight that doesn’t take dozens of reps to get results. If you can only do about 10 pushups, then pushups count as a “heavy” exercise for you. Going for something heavy on a compound exercise (one that involves multiple body parts) gives your body a loud signal to increase your strength, while leaving you plenty of time for lighter exercises if those are how you prefer to spend your gym time. View the full article

The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening arguments for the first, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, begin this week. Instagram’s parent company Meta and Google’s YouTube will face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums. “This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project. At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. It’s the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms. KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms. “Borrowing heavily from the behavioral and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry, Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says. Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors. “Plaintiffs are not merely the collateral damage of Defendants’ products,” the lawsuit says. “They are the direct victims of the intentional product design choices made by each Defendant. They are the intended targets of the harmful features that pushed them into self-destructive feedback loops.” The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties. “Recently, a number of lawsuits have attempted to place the blame for teen mental health struggles squarely on social media companies,” Meta said in a recent blog post. “But this oversimplifies a serious issue. Clinicians and researchers find that mental health is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue, and trends regarding teens’ well-being aren’t clear-cut or universal. Narrowing the challenges faced by teens to a single factor ignores the scientific research and the many stressors impacting young people today, like academic pressure, school safety, socio-economic challenges and substance abuse.” A Meta spokesperson said in a recent statement that the company strongly disagrees with the allegations outlined in the lawsuit and that it’s “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” José Castañeda, a Google Spokesperson, said that the allegations against YouTube are “simply not true.” In a statement, he said, “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.” The case will be the first in a slew of cases beginning this year that seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children’s mental well-being. A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children. In addition, more than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states. TikTok also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states. In New Mexico, meanwhile, opening arguments begin Monday for trial on allegations that Meta and its social media platforms have failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023 sued Meta and Zuckerberg, who was later dropped from the suit. Prosecutors have said that New Mexico is not seeking to hold Meta accountable for its content but rather its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be harmful, saying they uncovered internal documents in which Meta employees estimate that about 100,000 children every day are subjected to sexual harassment on the company’s platforms. Meta denies the civil charges while accusing Torrez of cherry-picking select documents and making “sensationalist” arguments. The company says it has consulted with parents and law enforcement to introduce built-in protections to social media accounts, along with settings and tools for parents. —Kaitlyn Huamani and Barbara Ortutay, AP technology writers Associated Press Writer Morgan Lee contributed to this story. View the full article

Take underdog hunger and become an “overdog.” By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Take underdog hunger and become an “overdog.” By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article