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It now appears the 6 GHz Wi-Fi could be coming to a cruise liner near you very soon. The post Cruise passengers & crew can soon look forward to much better Wi-Fi – with a little help from Cisco & new rules by the FCC appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

The average homebuyer who purchased a home below the asking price last year received a 7.9% discount, the largest since 2012, Redfin found. View the full article

There’s an art and a science to picking a good starting word when you play Wordle. And now that the New York Times has announced it will start repeating previously used words, it may be time to rethink your strategy. While previous solutions used to be off-limits for future puzzles, that rule has changed. As of February 1, 2026, they're fair game again. That rule change matters because every word choice in Wordle has to be split between two jobs—gaining information about what to guess next, and trying to solve the puzzle with your guess. If you don't care whether your starting word might be a solution, then the rule change may not affect you. But some solvers prefer to use words that are fair game for solutions, giving them a chance of a one-guess solution. If you tend to retire a starter after it's been used, you may want to rethink that strategy and be open to some recycling. That said, there's no need to change your starter. My trusty starter of ARISE turned up as a solution a few months ago—but I still use it, even though it's unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. Emily Long, who writes our daily Wordle hints, has a similar starter: RAISE. (That one was a solution in 2024.) Vowels are important, but not that important.Computer analyses have highlighted other words as ideal starters, and longtime Wordle players each have their own opinion. One thing most of us can agree on, though: ADIEU sucks. Sorry. That's not to say ADIEU is the worst word you could play first, but according to a 2023 New York Times analysis, ADIEU is the worst out of the 30 most popular starters. But in that ranking of the top 30 starters, based on how effective they are at revealing letters in any given puzzle, showed that the the best five are SLATE, CRANE, LEAST, STARE, and RAISE, with ADIEU landing at number 30. (My personal favorite, ARISE, ranks seventh.) A different computer analysis once suggested that CRANE is the best starter; another landed on SALET. I’m going to teach the controversy here. The argument in favor of ADIEU is that it contains four vowels, and you know the solution will have to contain at least one vowel. Thus, knocking out four of them in your first guess is pretty smart. (O and sometimes-vowel Y are the only ones not included.) But there’s an argument to be made that vowels don’t narrow down your options enough to be useful. Most words in English remain perfectly legible with all the vowels eliminated. If all you know is a vowel or two, you don't know much about the word. Here's what I mean: If you play ADIEU and A lights up in yellow, yes, you know that there's an A in the solution somewhere. But that tells you very little about what the solution actually is! There are tons of words with a letter A in them somewhere. A better strategy may be to go with a consonant-heavy word at first, and worry about the vowels later. According to one local Wordle expert, “there are only five [vowels], and it’s almost never going to be a U.” Do you want your starter to be a possible answer? One of the computer analyses suggested SALET was the best starter. Not only does it have a good mix of common letters, but the position of the letters will give you the most information compared to, say, SLATE or STALE. Only one problem—what the hell is a salet? (OK, it's a helmet that was used in European warfare in the 1400's, but I had to look that up.) Similarly, TARSE is supposed to be another good one. But it's unlikely the human editor of the Wordle puzzles will ever choose SALET or TARSE as the solution for the day. So do you want your starter to be a possible answer? If the answer is yes, you'll also want to skip the obscure words. You'll also want to skip any words that have been used in recent memory. For years, Wordle never repeated a solution, but as of February 2026 that's no longer a rule. Previously-used words may turn up, but so far we don't know how old of a word is considered fair game. You can look up lists of past Wordle solutions, but so far—as of Februrary 2, 2026—the following strong starters haven't yet been used as solutions, but totally could be (in my opinion). Take your pick: STEAL STEAK CARET ADIEU (!) If you're hoping for a one-guess solution, maybe you do want to play ADIEU. If you're open to previously-used starters, SLATE and STALE last appeared in 2022, while STAND and CRATE were last seen in 2021. Your starter should mesh with your solving styleScientific analysis aside, I don't think there's much point to picking the theoretically best starter word; you need to find your best starter word. The human brain does not narrow down the problem space in the same way as a computer. I like when I find vowels early, because having the vowels helps me sound out the words in my head. If I know there are vowels in the second and fourth places (say, _A_E_) I know it is probably a two-syllable word. I run through the available letters, trying them out in each position in my head. (SABER? CARET? LAYER?) For me, a vowel-heavy starter is helpful. For you, it might not be. When choosing a starter, consider the way you think through the possibilities when you're halfway through the puzzle. What starters will set you up for success with your preferred solving style? If your brain works best when you know the initial letters of the word, maybe choose a starter like TRASH, which gets a lot of common beginning consonants into the mix right away. My own approach splits the difference: I think about my starters as a pair. When I follow ARISE with TOUCH, I get intel on all five vowels and five of the most common consonants. If you play ADIEU, I think you need to be prepared to follow it up with THORN. Don’t forget about Y, the sometimes vowelShould you include Y in your starter? Most of us don't, but there's a good argument to be made for getting it in the mix fairly early in the game. Y flies under the radar since it’s an end-of-the-alphabet letter. The tendency is to think it must be as rare as X and Z. But Y is fairly common (worth 4 points in Scrabble to X's 8 and Z's 10), showing up in words like FUNNY and JAZZY (JAZZY being perhaps the hardest word that has ever appeared as a Wordle answer). Words that end in Y also often have a double letter—like the N and Z in those examples—so make sure to consider that as you’re narrowing down the possibilities. You may recall from grade school that the vowels are “A, E, I, O, U and sometimes Y.” (You may even have learned “...and sometimes Y and W.”) That’s because Y really can stand on its own as a vowel! The ending Y in FUNNY is an example: U is the vowel for the first syllable, and Y is the vowel for the second. There are also words that contain a Y as their only vowel, like GLYPH, NYMPH, and TRYST. So if you’re working through a Wordle and you don’t seem to have enough vowels to make a word, stick a Y in a guess somewhere—preferably at the end. LANKY or HORNY might be good picks for when you’re stumped. View the full article

Finally, some good news: the Tiny Chef, who captured the hearts of internet users around the world this summer, when his Nickelodeon show was cancelled, will finally grace our screens again. This time, he’s making Swedish meatballs. The Tiny Chef Show was a Nickelodeon series that aired from September 2022 to March 2025. In it, the Tiny Chef (a stop-motion creature vaguely resembling a sentient pea) made plant-based meals for his friends from his home inside a tree stump. But in June, 2025, the Tiny Chef took to his YouTube channel to announce in a heartwrenching video that his series had been canceled unexpectedly by Nickelodeon. It now has nearly two million views and 8,000 comments, nearly all of which are expressing an outpouring of support for Cheffy. Months later, Tiny Chef’s ardent supporters’ wishes have been answered: According to a press release, he’s teaming up with Ikea for a three-episode series, the first of which is out now. It’s a welcome job success story to kick off 2026. Tiny Chef’s return (with Ikea) In the months since Tiny Chef was cut off by Nickolodeon, he’s struck out on his own. Series creators Rachel Larsen and Ozlem Akturk have kept the character alive on socials, where he posts recycled clips frequently, and via a website where they’re currently crowdsourcing to keep Cheffy afloat in some capacity. In a November article for the Los Angeles Times, Larsen and Akturk said they’d raised $130,000 in one-time donations and launched a new fan club, merch, and brand partnership wing to maintain their 20-person team. That work has clearly paid off through this new partnership with Ikea, which will introduce the character to a new audience and potentially set the stage for future collaborations. Per the press release, the three-episode miniseries will begin with the Tiny Chef “visiting an IKEA store in search of a spatula, only to find a job application.” He will then become an ambassador for Ikea’s new falafel balls (a vegan dish made from chickpeas, which Ikea recently added to its iconic meatball line-up) and join the brand’s restaurant team. “We are excited to partner with Tiny Chef, showing people that plant-based eating should be joyful, creative, and full of flavour, not just better for the planet,” Lorena Lourido Gomez, Ikea Retail’s global food manager, said in a press release. “We believe this partnership will bring a smile, while inspiring people to try something new.” In the wake of a year full of job market uncertainty and endless layoff news, the Tiny Chef’s positive work update is the win we all needed. View the full article

The mortgage lender will also conduct its own independent audit to determine if any further instances of unlicensed activity occurred after 2022. View the full article

Now that Apple has finally brought OLED to the iPad in the form of the most recent iPad Pro, its next goal seems to be foldables. The big news on the horizon is the foldable iPhone, which The Information first reported on way back in 2024, saying the company hopes to have a foldable iPhone on the market in 2026. But according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the iPhone maker is also working towards releasing a foldable iPad, originally rumored to be coming by 2028. Since those reports, others have come forward with supposed design leaks and potential release dates, and now we've got a pretty good idea of what Apple's first foldable devices might look like. The foldable iPhone's design, release window, and priceWay back when the iPhone Fold (or whatever Apple will call it) was first being discussed, the Wall Street Journal said it’ll have a bigger screen than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Since then, others had speculated that it might look like two iPhone Airs side-by-side. But now, we've got a much better idea about the specifics, including a price. In a new post on Chinese social media site Weibo today, leaker Instant Digital laid out several key details about the iPhone Fold's design. Previously, Instant Digital had leaked details about the iPhone 17, which all turned out to be correct. It's unclear what these leaks' sources are, but as far as rumors go, Instant Digital has a decent track record. Via a machine translation, the post says that the iPhone Fold will feature an "elegant internal stacking structure" and will be thin enough to "shock the industry." More concretely, the post also said that all buttons are being moved to the right side of the phone, as that's where the phone's motherboard will be. That means the volume buttons would be on the top-right of the device, while the camera and power buttons will be on the right side of the device. If that sounds cramped to you, it's worth noting that Samsung's Galaxy Fold Z 7 also only has buttons on the right side of the device. Speaking of Samsung's Galaxy phones, people who dislike the iPhone's large Dynamic Island should also be happy, as the leaks say the selfie camera is changing to a small pinhole design more akin to what you'd find on Android. As for how the phone will actually function, internal specs are still a bit up in the air, although yet another leaker named Fixed Focus Digital (no relation) alleged that the iPhone Fold will have a 5,500 mAh battery, which matches a previous rumor from last fall. That's a bit larger than any iPhone so far, and if the rumor pans out, shows that Apple will use the phone's extra internal space well. All of this is, of course, in service of a bigger screen, which we can also nail down a bit now. The most recent leaks, coming from South Korean publication The Elec, say that the iPhone Fold's outer display will be 5.38 inches and the inner display will be 7.58 inches. That makes the internal screen just a little over half-inch larger than the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max display, although maybe the enhanced portability of folding part of that screen away will help supplement it a bit. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7's screen is 8 inches. In its report, The Elec also expressed concern that Apple might miss its 2026 release target. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo split the difference, saying that the device is likely to be announced in 2026, but that "smooth shipments" may not come until 2027. Regardless, when the phone does come, it's expect to cost between $2,100 and $2,500, going by another leak from Instant Digital. All of this helps us have a much better idea about what to expect, but there's still plenty of time for changes to be made. For instance, a 2026 release would see the phone come out during an ongoing RAM crisis that could raise prices, although Kuo recently said that, at least for the iPhone 18 series, Apple plans to eat any extra costs rather than pass them on to the consumer. An iPhone flip?Even if it gets delayed to next year, the iPhone Fold's release seems imminent. Much less certain is a potential successor, a clamshell iPhone Flip. In his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple Labs is also now considering a smaller foldable device akin to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr lines, which are essentially standard, candy bar-shaped phones that can fold once vertically to store away like makeup compacts. "The product is far from guaranteed to reach the market," writes the reporter, citing unnamed sources inside Apple. But Gurman says "Apple is betting that its first foldable iPhone will be successful enough to generate real demand" and that "customers will want additional shapes and sizes." This is our first time hearing that Apple is interested in additional foldable phones beyond one that opens horizontally like a book. On that note, Gurman also speculated that Apple might also make a larger foldable phone in the future, with a screen closer in size to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. Although, unlike with the flip phone, this appears to simply be a prediction. The foldable iPad faces a delayFinally, speaking of larger foldable devices, Gurman has some bad news for iPad fans. While the reporter had previously covered a folding iPad with a rumored 18.8-inch display, following up on predictions from market research firm Omdia, it now seems to be behind schedule. Earlier, Gurman had said the new iPad would be like “two iPad Pros side-by-side” and wouldn't feature an external screen. While the expected design hasn't changed, it seems Apple's now run into some manufacturing issues. Now, instead of being projected for 2028, the foldable iPad seems more likely to come out in 2029. Gurman says that's because of "engineering challenges" with the device's weight and display technology, so at least skeptics can breathe a sigh of relief that it isn't due to supply chain issues. As such, pricing is likely to remain unaffected. Granted, the expected price is still likely to be on the high end—Gurman says you'll likely have to pay around $3,000 for the device. View the full article

British chancellor participates in talks with the bloc focused on resetting relations between the two sidesView the full article

The The President administration plans to deploy nearly $12 billion to create a strategic reserve of rare earth elements, a stockpile that could counter China’s ability to use its dominance of these hard to process metals as leverage in trade talks. The White House confirmed on Monday the start of “Project Vault,” which would initially be funded by a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and nearly $1.67 billion in private capital. The minerals kept in the reserve would help to shield the manufacturers of autos, electronics, and other goods from any supply chain disruptions. During trade talks last year, spurred by President Donald The President’s tariffs, the Chinese government restricted the exporting of rare earths that are needed for jet engines, radar systems, electric vehicles, laptops, and phones. China represents about 70% of the world’s rare earths mining and 90% of global rare earths processing. That gave it a chokehold on the sector that has caused the U.S. to nurture alternative sources of the elements, creating a stockpile similar to the national reserve for petroleum. The strategic reserve is expected to be the highlight of a ministerial meeting on critical minerals that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host at the State Department on Wednesday, according to a U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because details of the event have yet to be released. Vice President JD Vance plans to deliver a keynote address at the meeting, which officials from several dozen European, African, and Asian nations plan to attend. The meeting is also expected to include the signing of several bilateral agreements to improve and coordinate supply chain logistics. The government-backed loan funding the reserve would be for a period of 15 years. The U.S. government has previously taken stakes in the rare earths miner MP Materials, as well as providing financial backing to the companies Vulcan Elements and USA Rare Earth. Bloomberg News was the first to report the creation of the rare earths strategic reserve. The President is scheduled on Monday to meet with General Motors CEO Mary Barra and mining industry billionaire Robert Friedland. —Josh Boak and Matthew Lee, Associated Press View the full article

When President Donald The President announced on social media February 1 that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. would close for two years of “construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding,” many observers were dismayed that the politicization of the center has gone this far. Among them is famed architect Steven Holl whose firm Steven Holl Architects designed a $250 million expansion of the Kennedy Center called the REACH that opened less than seven years ago. In an email to Fast Company, Holl expresses skepticism about the nature of The President’s plan. “The REACH Expansion of the Kennedy Center, which opened in 2019 under the direction of Deborah Rutter and David Rubenstein, is a much loved and needed facility for the practice of artists in all cultural activities. We hope they will allow it to remain open if they are closing the main building. As a living memorial to John F. Kennedy, the Kennedy Center was the soul of culture in Washington DC… its manipulation today is absurd,” Holl writes. Both Rutter, the former president of the Kennedy Center, and Rubenstein, its former board chair, were ousted from the organization in February 2025 by The President, along with half of the board. His appointed replacements then elected him the new chair. In the months since, the Kennedy Center has become increasingly politicized. The President had his own name added to the facade of the building. Meanwhile, a long line of artists have cancelled planned performances, audiences have shrunk, and notable officials have resigned. Does the Kennedy Center need a renovation? The two-year closure The President proposes would be used to fix what he calls a “tired, broken, and dilapidated” facility. In a 2025 dinner with his newly installed board, The President bemoaned the conditions of the Kennedy Center, claiming the previous board misspent millions in funding. “They certainly didn’t spend it on wallpaper, carpet or painting,” he said at the time. Shortly after her ouster, Rutter countered these assertions, blaming any perceived shabbiness on a lack of federal support. “Due to the limited and decreased funding from the federal government, there is a backlog of maintenance that has been prioritized to mirror the appropriated funding,” she said in a statement to NPR. Originally opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center is, like many half-century-old buildings, in need of regular maintenance. And as host to more than 2,200 performances and events per year, it is a heavily used facility. The REACH Expansion project, and Holl’s design, were intended to lessen the burden on the historic building by adding new rehearsal rooms, education areas, and performance spaces both inside and outside of the 72,000-square-foot, multi-pavilion complex. Natural light filters into the performance and practice rooms, and the sculptural forms of the pavilions turn them into backdrops for outdoor performances and events overlooking the Potomac River. The project was seen as an investment in the future of the Kennedy Center, and a way to augment the existing facility while reducing the toll of its heavy use on the aging central building. “More and more, today’s audiences crave connection—with art and with each other—while artists and arts organizations desire customized spaces that nurture their creative endeavors. The REACH will fulfill many of those needs, all within a one-of-a-kind design that is a work of art in and of itself,” Rutter said at the time of its opening. Under The President’s plan, the Kennedy Center would close on July 4. No detailed plans have yet been announced, and the White House did not respond to a request for additional information, so the extent of this proposed closure and reconstruction is unclear. Whether it would affect Holl’s still-new addition remains to be seen. View the full article

President Donald The President said Monday that he plans to lower tariffs on goods from India to 18%, from 25%, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil. The move comes after months of The President pressing India to cut its reliance on cheap Russian crude. India has taken advantage of slacked Russian oil prices as much of the world has sought to isolate Moscow for its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The President said that India would also start to reduce its import taxes on U.S. goods to zero and buy $500 billion worth of American products. “This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!” The President said in a Truth Social post announcing the tariff reduction on India. Modi posted on X that he was “delighted” by the announced tariff reduction and that The President’s “leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity.” “I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” Modi said. The President has long had a warm relationship with Modi, only to find it complicated recently by Russia’s war in Ukraine and trade disputes. In June, he announced the United States would impose a 25% tariff on goods from India after his administration felt the country had done too little to narrow its trade surplus with the U.S. and open up its markets to American goods. In August, The President imposed additional import taxes of 25% on Indian products because of its purchases of Russian oil, putting the combined rate increase at 50%. Historically, India’s relationship with Russia revolves more around defense than energy. Russia provides only a small fraction of India’s oil but the majority of its military hardware. But India, in the aftermath of the Russian invasion, used the moment to buy discounted Russian oil, allowing it to increase its energy supplies while Russia looked to cut deals to boost its beleaguered economy and keep paying for its brutal war. The announced tariff reduction comes days after India and the European Union reached a free trade agreement that could affect as many as 2 billion people after nearly two decades of negotiations. That deal would enable free trade on almost all goods between the EU’s 27 members and India, covering everything from textiles to medicines, and bringing down high import taxes for European wine and cars. The deal between two of the world’s biggest markets came as Washington targets both the Asian powerhouse and the EU bloc with steep import tariffs, disrupting established trade flows and pushing major economies to seek alternate partnerships. In recent months, India has accelerated a push to finalize several trade agreements. It signed a deal with Oman in December and concluded talks for a deal with New Zealand. The President seemed to hint at a positive call with Modi on Monday morning, posting to social media a picture of the two of them on a magazine cover. When the pair met last February, the U.S. president said that India would start buying American oil and natural gas. But the talks faltered and the tariffs imposed last year by The President did little to initially change India’s objections. While the U.S. has been seeking greater market access and zero tariff on almost all its exports, India has expressed reservations on throwing open sectors such as agriculture and dairy, which employ a bulk of the country’s population for livelihood, Indian officials said. The Census Bureau reported that the U.S. ran a $53.5 billion trade imbalance in goods with India during the first 11 months of last year, meaning it imported more than it exported. At a population exceeding 1.4 billion people, India is the world’s most populous country and viewed by many government officials and business leaders as geopolitical and economic counterbalance to China. —Josh Boak, Aamer Madhani and Rajesh Roy, Associated Press View the full article

It’s fair to say that Minneapolis-based Target is going through a rough patch as a result of declining sales and customers. After facing boycotts, tariffs, and a massive surge of federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in its hometown, Target, long overdue for a big change, made one this weekend—appointing a new CEO. Michael Fiddelke, who began his career at Target more than two decades ago, officially took over as chief executive officer on Sunday. He was previously Target’s chief operating officer and its former chief financial officer. (Last summer, the retailer announced he’d be succeeding longtime CEO Brian Cornell.) “While we have real work to do, we are clear on who we are, our unique place in retail and in the hearts of our guests,” Fiddelke said in a statement on Monday, acknowledging the long road ahead. “We are equally clear on the opportunity in front of us . . . it’s what grounds the important work in front of us now.” Michael Fiddelke Fiddelke said he’ll focus on four priorities: “bringing together design, style and value”; making store visits and digital interaction “easier and more welcoming”; “accelerating technology” to remove friction and to create a more personalized experience; and “strengthening the team by building future-ready skills” alongside the communities they serve. Shares of Target (NYSE: TGT) were up over 3% in midday trading Monday at $108.75, at the time of this writing. Target financials Target Corp. reported third-quarter earnings results of $25.27 billion in revenue, just short of analyst expectations of $25.32 billion, and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.78, beating expectations of $1.72. Its sales have been roughly stagnant for four years due to a number of factors, including higher inflation, changing consumer habits, concern about the economy, and boycotts triggered by its rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. View the full article

William May’s home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed in the L.A. wildfires in January 2025. He’s still haunted by the memory of the “fireball burning everything in its path” on that hellish day. And all he wants to do is rebuild his beautiful home, where the retired pediatrician lived with his wife. Since then, he’s been fighting with State Farm, his property insurer, to get the money he said he needs to rebuild his home. Back in 2017, when he bought the two-story home, he said it was valued at $1.7 million. But the insurer gave him an estimate of only $1.35 million after the fire, and May said he’s driven himself into debt trying to rebuild the couple’s home while they wait for State Farm to reassess their claim. Property values in the neighborhood have increased 50% from $2.1 million on average in December 2017 to $3.076 million in December 2025, according to Zillow’s Home Values Index. “How can it be worth less now than it was when it was new?” May blames State Farm’s use of an AI-powered software called Xactimate, which the insurer employs to estimate property repair, rebuilding, and cleaning costs. “They use this reductive method. It’s a phony way of calculating every screw, every bolt, and coming up with a profit for State Farm by undervaluing the house.” May considers himself lucky, since he has the resources to rebuild, noting that many of his neighbors can’t afford to do that and face similar problems with their insurers. He also blames Verisk, the data analytics company that makes Xactimate. “I’m pretty sure these companies make these programs just to sell to insurance companies so that they can lowball people because the insurers are interested in squeezing people for profit,” he said. A spokesperson for State Farm told Capital & Main: “State Farm remains committed to helping our customers throughout the entire recovery process and paying them all benefits available under their policies. So far, we’ve issued over $5 billion in payments to families whose homes, cars, and property were damaged or destroyed in the fires. We encourage any customer with questions or concerns to reach out to us.” A spokesperson for Verisk said that ”Xactimate’s AI capabilities support tasks such as summarizing information or labeling photos and always operate under human review and control.” She added that Xactimate “does not generate repair costs using AI, and AI does not determine the price of materials, labor or reconstruction. Xactware’s construction cost database is market-based, transparent and rooted in human-validated data. It is intended as a flexible benchmark that users can adjust for specific jobs and local conditions.” State Farm, along with other major property insurers, is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to increase efficiency and improve risk modeling. The insurer posted a net income of $5.3 billion in 2024, a turnaround from a $6.3 billion loss in 2023. In late 2024, the company’s former vice president of innovation and venture capital, Haden Kirkpatrick, said in an interview that AI and other emerging technologies will help the industry “better predict and prevent losses.” As the insurance industry grapples with the climate crisis — more extreme weather events destroying homes, leading to greater losses and skyrocketing premiums — AI has been touted as a game-changing asset. By analyzing vast datasets, the technology has the potential to predict and manage risk more accurately, improving underwriting efficiency and even enabling insurers to offer coverage in areas that otherwise would be considered uninsurable due to climate volatility. Yet AI’s performance in recent years has been criticized for inaccurate predictions when it comes to climate change, algorithmic bias, privacy concerns, lack of transparency, and incorrect outputs such as “hallucinations.” Industry watchdogs have raised concerns that insurers could rely on the technology to make quick decisions in the name of cost efficiency with complicated claims that require human analysis. From California to Alabama to Illinois, policyholders and prosecutors have filed lawsuits claiming that property insurers’ use of AI has allowed them to underpay claims, discriminate against nonwhite customers, and drop coverage altogether. The class-action suits have focused on what’s called AI-washing – when the technology is misapplied to manage risk in a way that hurts policyholders. In the wake of complaints by homeowners like May, Los Angeles County recently announced a probe into State Farm’s use of AI tools that allegedly delayed or denied claims. The county’s counsel sent a letter to the insurer in November seeking documents related to the L.A. wildfires: “Any and all documents, including but not limited to memoranda, bulletins, manuals, training materials, policy statements, guidelines, or directives that reflect, describe, or constitute State Farm’s use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in the claims review process.” State Farm announced in March 2024 that it would not renew about 72,000 California property insurance policies through 2025, citing wildfire risks and associated costs. The insurer said in an online update on its California recovery response: “Recovery, following a catastrophe, doesn’t move in a straight line.” It added that “many families are engaged in the process of rebuilding and recovering from the devastation” and that “many families continue to navigate through parts of the claims process, with State Farm trying to address the needs of their unique circumstances.” The insurance industry touts AI as a tool to help it with risk modeling as climate change increases in severity. It’s also optimistic that the technology will help it curb losses and improve its bottom line. In a policy paper by Bain & Co., consultants said they anticipate that generative AI will lead to a “30% to 50% decrease in total leakage — the difference between what is paid vs. what is owed per the contract, which occurs when adjusters deviate from policy guidelines or when supply chain problems cause unanticipated costs.” In a recent white paper by CAPE Analytics, which specializes in AI-powered property risk intelligence it sells to insurers, the company noted several reasons why the technology is needed to sift through a “mountain of contradictory data,” and noted that it can help insurers avoid providing too much coverage at low rates. Without AI, “The consequences of operating with raw data or drawing the wrong conclusions from it can lead to excessive exposure when quotes are too low and premium loss when they’re unnecessarily high.” To insurance professionals and advocates for policyholders, that raises concerns that insurers will rely on the technology to make hasty decisions in often-complicated claims processes. “For example, there is the potential for AI systems to make decisions based on incomplete or biased data, leading to unfair treatment of policyholders,” noted Chip Merlin, a Florida lawyer who has represented policyholders. He cited a 2022 class-action suit brought by homeowners in Illinois who claimed that State Farm’s use of algorithms in its claims-processing methods disproportionately impacts Black policyholders, causing delays in repairs and the payment of benefits. The case is pending, and the insurer insists that its practices do not violate federal law. The biggest factors impacting the affordability and availability of insurance are climate change and technology like AI, said Amy Bach, the executive director of United Policyholders, an advocacy group. “Now they’re no longer willing to insure many people, and a lot of that is because of data and the use of AI in predictive analytics, as well as aerial surveillance. When people ask me, ‘What benefits are consumers getting from AI?’ I’m like, in the insurance context, none.” Monica Palmeira, associate director of economic equity at the nonprofit Greenling Institute, said that AI could be used to increase bluelining — a modern version of redlining, describing a practice in which financial institutions and insurers withdraw from poor neighborhoods or dramatically hike rates in areas considered high risk for climate change. When Palmeira and her colleagues started studying communities considered vulnerable to climate impacts, “We saw this pattern of the same communities that were excluded from financial services in the past continue to come up for exclusion today.” Insurance, she said, is one of the “first ways that communities experience that withdrawal of financial services and now it’s starting to be whole areas that can’t get insurance and that means they can’t get mortgages. So this contagion starts to happen.” To address such concerns, states are taking action to protect consumers. One of the common themes of such measures is greater transparency — requiring that consumers be informed when AI is used in decision making, that companies maintain guidelines for the responsible use of AI, and make their policies and procedures for the use of AI publicly accessible. Those requirements are included in a guidance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which provides a framework for the responsible use of AI. At the same time, some lawmakers are pushing for human review in decision making by insurers. State Rep. Hillary Cassel, a Florida lawmaker, recently sponsored legislation that seeks to ensure humans make the ultimate decisions when it comes to insurance claims. “I think insurance companies should be allowed to use AI as a tool because premiums are very high across the country, especially here in Florida, and if insurance companies can use it to aggregate their resources and pass that savings on to consumers by using those types of tools,” she told Capital & Main. “But we also know that AI can be used for nefarious reasons, and I thought it was really important that in the space of dealing with denials that computers don’t always get it right.” The state-level action gives hope to Palmeira that consumers will start to “see the level of review and transparency that they really deserve.” She noted that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners experienced protests by consumers at a meeting, shortly before it announced its guidance on AI. “The way the insurance industry has been able to exert its power over insurance regulation has been so dominant for so long that we’re finally maybe starting to see a small shift in the tide.” Palmeira acknowledged that climate change might make certain parts of the country uninsurable and that AI can be utilized in beneficial ways by insurers to improve their risk modeling and predictive analytics. “But it shouldn’t be black box models — without a human check on their decisions or without working with communities to make informed decisions about their livelihoods and wellbeing.” One potential tool is parametric insurance — which utilizes data such as satellite imagery, IoT (Internet of Things) sensors that detect changes in the environment and weather feeds to trigger automated payments to policyholders when specific weather conditions are met for a particular home. It can be a “really useful tool to make sure folks have some kind of baseline coverage in a way that can be deployed very efficiently,” Palmeira said. In addition, she suggests more community-based measures — such as a local government purchasing an insurance policy for an entire neighborhood or “where there needs to be more sensitive and serious conversations about relocation in very defined areas.” —Marcus Baram View the full article

When Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, it announced that all users would eventually need to link their devices to a Google account to continue using Fitbit's features and services. Google initially set a deadline sometime in 2025 for the mandatory migration, then pushed it to February 2, 2026—a date that seemed final at the time. Now, Google has granted yet another extension. Now, if you're still using a legacy Fitbit account (an account from before 2021), Google has extended the deadline for migrating Fitbit accounts to Google accounts for the second time, giving users until May 19, 2026, to make the switch. How to switch over to a Google accountFor those who've been procrastinating, the migration process itself is straightforward and should only take a few minutes. Google provides step-by-step instructions on the Fitbit support page that walk users through linking their existing Fitbit data to a Google account. To move your Fitbit account to a Google Account: Open the Fitbit app. Sign in to your Fitbit account. Tap Settings and select Move account. Follow the on-screen instructions. During the migration, you can review and make changes to your Fitbit data and setup. After that, you can then manage your Fitbit data from your Google Account settings and the Fitbit app. And if you change your mind, you can cancel until the final step. Again, you have until May 19, 2026, to complete the transition. It's worth noting that anyone who created a new Fitbit account or purchased a device in roughly the last two years is already using the Google-based system. The migration requirement only affects users with older, pre-acquisition accounts. What this means for youFrom the start, this news didn't sit well with everyone, and it still doesn't sit well now. Many long-time Fitbit aren't exactly eager to tie their health data to Google's ecosystem. For users who refuse to migrate, there's still an option to preserve or erase your data. Google has set July 15, 2026, as the final date to download or delete your Fitbit account and all associated health information. And if you're choosing to leave the platform entirely, keep in mind that deleting your data is the safest choice for privacy and security reasons. There also seems to be general migration issues, like for young Fitbit users. Some parents have reported that Supervised Google accounts—designed for children and teenagers—cannot log into the Fitbit app, creating a roadblock for families who purchased devices for their kids. Despite the extensions and the complaints, the direction is clear: Google is moving forward with integrating Fitbit into its ecosystem. Whether you embrace the change or walk away from your tracker, the clock is ticking on making that decision. View the full article

Since 1920, the outdoor recreation brand Eddie Bauer has pioneered innovative apparel and sports gear designs for outdoorsmen in America. Now, in another blow for physical retailers, sources say that all of the brand’s North American stores are on the chopping block amid an impending bankruptcy filing. According to a person close to the matter, the company that owns the license to operate Eddie Bauer stores in both the U.S. and Canada, Catalyst Brands, is gearing up for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that could potentially shutter all of the brand’s North American stores. The bankruptcy would be limited to the entity that operates the stores, the person said. Catalyst Brands did not respond to Fast Company’s request for comment. Eddie Bauer operates 180 locations in the U.S and Canada and about 20 international locations—meaning this filing could almost entirely eliminate the brand’s physical operations. It would be the second bankruptcy to impact Eddie Bauer, which sought Chapter 11 protection in 2009 in the wake of the financial crisis. The news comes as the so-called “retail apocalypse” continues to slowly subsume brick-and-mortar stores of all specialties across the United States. In 2025, store closures struck major retail chains like Macy’s, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Party City, and Big Lots, and the internet grieved the final days of beloved brands like Joann and Claire’s. And just this month, Saks Global announced the closure of most of its Saks Off 5th brand, while Francesca’s, another mall staple, began quietly shutting down its stores. Which Eddie Bauer stores are closing? Catalyst Brands, which also oversees operations for brands including Lucky Brand, Aéropostale, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, and JCPenney, has not yet announced details of its rumored Chapter 11 filing for Eddie Bauer or the specific stores that it intends to close. It’s likely that the move will encompass all of the brand’s North American locations—however, sources say that there are several outside parties interested in purchasing at least part of the total fleet. According to the publication WWD, which reported on the potential bankruptcy last week, the filing is expected to go through sometime in February. In the absence of any official news from Catalyst, local media has been independently reporting on closures. These include a 30-year-old location that closed its doors in Flagstaff, Arizona; a defunct mall spot in Amarillo, Texas; and a shuttered 20-year-old store in Naperville, Illinois, to name a few. A full list of Eddie Bauer’s retail locations is still up on its website. What does this mean for the Eddie Bauer brand? The reported bankruptcy filing could spell the end of Eddie Bauer’s physical presence in the U.S., but it doesn’t mean that the brand is going away entirely. Eddie Bauer’s assets are technically controlled by three separate entities: Catalyst, which owns the license to operate stores in the U.S.; Authentic Brands Group, which owns Eddie Bauer’s global brand IP; and Outdoor 5, which recently acquired the licenses to Eddie Bauer’s manufacturing, e-commerce, and wholesale operations. Thus, while Catalyst might shutter the brand’s North American stores, Outdoor 5 will continue to manage its digital sales and distribution channels to other retailers. Eddie Bauer has been signaling a retreat from its brick-and-mortar business for years. Back in 2023, when the brand ditched its cursive logo for a new sans serif mark, then-CEO Tim Bantle told Fast Company that wholesale retail and international distribution were two of his top priorities for the company. View the full article

Margins in construction are thin, decisions are constant and cash flow can shift quickly across a project’s lifecycle. That is why cost value reconciliation is a core discipline on UK construction sites. A well-prepared CVR report gives contractors visibility into performance, forecast movement and emerging risks, helping teams stay commercially grounded as work progresses under real-world delivery pressure every day. What Is Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR)? At its core, cost value reconciliation is a recurring financial process used to compare the value of work completed against the actual construction costs incurred at a specific point in time. It consolidates data from valuations, cost ledgers, commitments and forecasts to calculate the current position. The exercise is repeated periodically, typically monthly, with each cycle updating previous figures to reflect progress, adjustments and newly recorded costs across all packages, variations and remaining scopes captured within the live cost system period end. ProjectManager improves cost value reconciliation by bringing together cost, progress and performance data in one platform. It’s easy to compare planned value, earned value and actual costs throughout a project. Real-time data feeds into dashboards and financial reports, helping project managers measure earned value against budgeted and actual costs. Sign up today for a free 30-day trial. /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Assign-people-resource-allocation-CTA.pngLearn more Why Is Cost Value Reconciliation Important in Construction Projects? Without a structured CVR cycle, construction projects risk losing control over cost movement and commercial exposure. Cost value reconciliation provides early insight into overspend, under-recovery or margin erosion before these issues become contractual disputes. By aligning financial data with site progress, the process supports informed decisions on procurement, variations, cash flow management and corrective action throughout the build across complex, fast-moving construction environments with multiple stakeholders and reporting obligations attached. What Is a CVR Report? A CVR report is the primary commercial output of the cost value reconciliation process, bringing cost, value and forecast data into a single financial snapshot. It records the current project position, expected outcome and movement since the previous period. Because it translates live site activity into measurable financial results, the report becomes a critical reference for commercial decisions, management reviews and corrective action across the project lifecycle and governance. When to Make a CVR Report A CVR report is produced at defined commercial intervals rather than at random milestones. It is typically prepared after monthly valuations are agreed and construction costs are fully captured, but before forecasts are locked for the next period. The timing ensures decisions are based on complete, current data. Common triggers for preparing a CVR report include: End-of-month commercial close Agreement of interim valuations Significant variation or scope change Emerging cost overruns or forecast movement Management review or lender reporting requirements Project cash flow or funding assessments Preparing for contractual negotiations ahead Who Is Responsible for the Cost Value Reconciliation Process? In UK construction projects, cost value reconciliation is led by the quantity surveyor, with accountability sitting firmly within the commercial function. Although the quantity surveyor owns the CVR, the process depends on coordinated input from delivery, management and finance to remain accurate and commercially reliable. Quantity surveyor owns the CVR process, prepares the report, reconciles cost against value, updates forecasts and explains period-to-period movement to project and commercial management. Commercial manager reviews the CVR for accuracy and risk exposure, challenges assumptions, approves forecasts and ensures the report aligns with contractual, margin and governance requirements. Project manager validates that reported values reflect actual progress, programme status and delivery strategy, providing operational context that supports or corrects the commercial position. Site manager supplies verified progress, labour usage and productivity information, ensuring CVR valuations are grounded in site reality rather than purely financial system data. Finance team supports cost period close, validates ledger accuracy and aligns CVR outputs with financial reporting, cash flow forecasting and internal control requirements. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026_construction_ebook_banner-ad.jpg What Should Be Included in a CVR Report? A CVR report is structured around clearly defined sections that collectively explain the project’s commercial position, financial movement and forecast outlook at a specific reporting point. 1. Project and Contract Details This section establishes the commercial context for the CVR report by identifying the project, contractual framework and reporting timeframe. It ensures all financial data is interpreted correctly and tied to the appropriate contract, period and responsible management role. Project name – Identifies the specific construction project to which the CVR applies. Client – Names the employer or contracting party responsible for commissioning the works. Contract type – Defines the contractual arrangement governing payment, risk allocation and valuation rules. Contract value – States the approved contract sum, forming the baseline for value comparison. Reporting period – Specifies the financial period covered by the CVR assessment. Project manager or commercial manager – Records the individual accountable for delivery or commercial oversight. 2. Contract Value Summary Before cost and performance can be assessed, the CVR must establish the current value of the contract. This section tracks how the original contract sum has evolved through instructed changes, agreed adjustments and outstanding variations. By consolidating approved and pending movements, it defines the revised contract value used as the reference point for valuation, forecasting and margin analysis within the reporting period. Original contract sum – The initial agreed contract value at award, excluding subsequent variations or commercial adjustments. Approved variations – Formally agreed changes to scope or price that have been instructed and valued. Pending variations – Proposed or instructed changes not yet agreed, assessed or contractually incorporated. Revised contract value – The updated contract total reflecting original sum plus approved variations to date. 3. Cost Breakdown Once the contract value is established, the CVR turns to the actual cost structure of the project. This section itemises expenditure across key cost headings, capturing incurred construction costs, committed spend and remaining forecast allowances. By separating labour, supply chain and overhead elements, it allows commercial teams to identify cost pressure, assess productivity trends and understand where financial movement is occurring relative to progress and contractual recovery. Labour – Direct workforce costs including wages, overtime, agency labour and associated employment charges. Materials – Costs of purchased materials, deliveries, wastage allowances and price fluctuations impacting spend. Plant & equipment – Hire, operation, maintenance and ownership costs of plant used on the project. Subcontractors – Payments and commitments for specialist trade packages delivering defined scopes of work. Preliminaries/overheads – Site setup, management, temporary works and time-related project overhead costs. Other direct costs – Additional project-specific costs not captured under standard labour or supply headings. Related: 25 Excel Spreadsheet Templates for Tracking Tasks, Costs and Time 4. Cost to Complete (CTC) Cost to complete represents the forecasted expenditure required to finish the remaining scope of a construction project from the reporting date onward. It incorporates updated supplier and subcontractor forecasts, anticipated productivity rates and current procurement commitments, while allowing for known risks and remaining allowances. Including cost to complete in a CVR report ensures the projected final cost reflects real conditions, emerging exposure and informed assumptions rather than historic spend alone. 5. Total Forecast Cost (or Estimate at Completion) Total forecast cost represents the projected final cost of the project once all work is completed, based on construction costs incurred to date plus the remaining cost to complete. Including this figure in a CVR report allows teams to assess financial performance against contract value, identify margin movement and anticipate potential overruns early. It provides a forward-looking view that supports commercial decision-making and corrective action. Formula: Total forecast cost = Actual costs to date + Cost to complete /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/construction-schedule-template.jpg Get your free Construction Schedule Template Use this free Construction Schedule Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template 6. Value of Work Done (Earned Value EV) Rather than focusing on cost, this section captures the value generated by progress on site. The value of work done converts physical completion into a monetary figure using measurement rules, agreed rates and progress assessments. It links programme delivery to commercial recovery, ensuring reported value reflects what has genuinely been achieved. By breaking progress down by trade or work package, the CVR can align earned value with interim applications and highlight gaps between delivery, valuation and cash recovery within the reporting period and contractual valuation framework agreed upon, with project controls applied. Measured works completed – Quantified work physically completed on site, measured against drawings, specifications and agreed valuation rules and standards. % complete per trade or work package – Progress percentage assigned to each trade or package, reflecting completion relative to planned scope baseline. Claimed value – Monetary value claimed for completed work, typically aligned with interim payment applications submitted to the client. 7. Gross Margin and Profit Once value and total forecast cost are established, the CVR calculates the project’s commercial outcome. This section shows whether the job is forecast to return a profit or loss and how that position is changing over time. By expressing margin in both monetary and percentage terms, it allows trends to be tracked between reporting periods, highlighting deterioration or improvement driven by cost movement, value recovery or revised forecasts since the previous CVR cycle. Forecast profit or loss – The projected commercial outcome based on revised contract value and total forecast cost. Margin (£ and %) – Profit expressed as an absolute value and percentage of contract value. Movement from last CVR (up/down) – Change in forecast margin compared to the previous CVR reporting period. 8. Variance Analysis After establishing the forecast position, the CVR examines why figures have moved. Variance analysis isolates the underlying causes behind cost and margin changes by comparing current forecasts to previous CVRs and original allowances. This section explains whether movement is driven by operational performance, commercial decisions or external change. By clearly attributing variances, it allows management to distinguish one-off events from systemic issues and decide whether corrective action, reforecasting or risk mitigation is required within the live project environment. Cost overruns or savings – Identifies areas where actual or forecast costs exceed or undercut budget allowances during the reporting period. Design changes – Explains financial impact of scope or specification changes introduced after contract award and valuation adjustments. Productivity issues – Highlights cost effects caused by inefficiency, delays or productivity rates below forecast assumptions on site. Procurement differences – Compares expected procurement costs against actual supplier pricing, discounts or commercial terms achieved during delivery. Risk materialisation – Records financial consequences of identified risks becoming actual construction costs within the project scope timeframe baseline. Related: 12 Free Risk Management Templates for Excel & Word 9. Variations and Claims Variations are instructed changes to scope, design or conditions that alter contract value, while claims seek entitlement for time or money arising from events outside agreed terms. Within a CVR report, these items directly influence recoverable value, forecast margin and cash flow assumptions. Tracking them separately clarifies what has been contractually secured versus what remains commercially exposed. Clear visibility prevents overstating value, supports prudent forecasting and highlights negotiation priorities before final account. This section, therefore, protects commercial integrity by distinguishing approved entitlement from risk-weighted opportunity and unresolved exposure affecting the project’s eventual financial outcome across active monthly commercial reporting periods. Approved variations – Confirmed changes agreed and incorporated into the revised contract value. Pending/submitted variations – Submitted changes under review that may adjust value once agreed. Potential claims – Unresolved entitlement opportunities requiring assessment, substantiation and strategic commercial management. 10. Cash Flow Snapshot While profitability is critical, cash movement ultimately determines project stability. This section summarises how much value has been certified, what has actually been received and what remains outstanding at the reporting date. By comparing certified amounts to payments made, the CVR highlights funding gaps, exposure to delayed receipts and retention impacts. It provides a short-term liquidity view that supports cash forecasting, credit control actions and informed discussions with clients, lenders and internal finance teams. Amount certified to date – Total value formally certified through interim valuations and approved for payment by the client. Amount paid – Cash received from the client against certified amounts during the reporting period. Outstanding payments – Certified sums not yet paid, indicating current debtor exposure and collection risk. Retentions held/released – Portion of certified value withheld or released under contractual retention provisions. 11. Key Risks and Opportunities Looking beyond current figures, this section captures forward-facing factors that could alter the project’s financial position. It records known cost risks, emerging commercial opportunities and the actions required to manage them. By assigning ownership and documenting mitigation strategies, the CVR moves from passive reporting to active commercial control. This visibility allows teams to anticipate downside exposure, pursue upside recovery and ensure accountability for managing financial uncertainty before it impacts margin or cash flow. Known cost risks – Identified events or conditions likely to increase costs beyond current forecast allowances. Commercial opportunities – Potential improvements to value or margin through recovery, efficiencies or negotiated outcomes. Mitigation actions – Agreed steps to reduce risk impact or maximise identified commercial opportunities. Ownership (who’s dealing with it) – Assigned individual responsible for managing, monitoring and closing each risk or opportunity. 12. CVR Summary Closing the report, the CVR summary distils detailed financial data into a clear commercial narrative. It confirms the overall project position, highlights material changes since the previous reporting period and identifies issues requiring attention. Rather than repeating figures, this section interprets them, ensuring senior stakeholders understand where the project stands and what must happen next. A strong summary supports timely decisions, reinforces accountability and aligns commercial priorities across delivery, finance and management teams. Overall commercial position – High-level statement of forecast profit, loss or break-even status at reporting date. Key changes since last period – Summary of significant movements affecting cost, value, margin or cash flow. Actions required – Defined steps needed to address risks, recover value or correct forecast issues. Free Related Construction Project Management Templates We’ve created dozens of free construction project management templates for Word, Excel and Google Sheets. Here are some that can help during the construction cost planning process. Project Initiation Document (PID) Template This project initiation document template helps formalise how a project will be governed from the outset, documenting scope boundaries, decision-making authority and key roles. It creates a shared reference point that supports approval, accountability and controlled mobilisation before execution begins. Bill of Quantities Template This bill of quantities template structures project quantities and descriptions into a clear, itemised schedule, enabling accurate pricing, transparent cost breakdowns and reliable comparison of contractor tenders throughout the procurement and cost-control process. Payment Schedule Template This payment schedule template sets out the timing and structure of project payments, linking value milestones to cash flow. It supports financial planning, reduces payment disputes and provides visibility for both contractors and clients during project delivery. How ProjectManager Improves Cost Value Reconciliation ProjectManager’s structured data helps you perform accurate cost value reconciliation for your construction projects. Use tools like baselines, percent completed, logged time and dashboards and reports to document performance for financial control reviews. When you can compare current project data to your original plan, it’s easier to project future cost performance and estimate final cost at project completion. Watch our short video below to learn more about how our software can support your construction projects. Related Construction Project Management Content 39 Construction Documents (Templates Included) 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples How to Manage a Construction Project Step by Step 10 Free Construction Plan Templates for Excel & Word Construction Work Breakdown Structure: A Quick Guide The post Cost Value Reconciliation: How to Make a CVR Report appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Retention is critical for any organization aiming to maintain a skilled workforce. Implementing effective employee retention strategies can greatly improve job satisfaction and loyalty. From competitive compensation to flexible work arrangements, each approach plays an important role in creating a supportive work environment. Recognizing achievements and nurturing clear communication are likewise fundamental. As you explore these strategies, you’ll discover how they can transform your workplace dynamics and reduce turnover rates, leading to a more engaged team. Key Takeaways Offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including health insurance and performance-based bonuses, to enhance job satisfaction and retention. Implement flexible work arrangements to improve work-life balance and significantly reduce employee resignations. Provide training, development, and mentorship opportunities to foster commitment and career growth among employees. Establish recognition and rewards systems to regularly acknowledge achievements and cultivate a culture of appreciation. Promote effective communication practices that encourage transparency, active listening, and employee feedback to enhance overall engagement. Competitive Compensation and Benefits When considering employee retention, competitive compensation and benefits play a critical role in keeping your workforce engaged and satisfied. A large percentage of employees feel their pay isn’t fair, emphasizing the need for transparent communication about total compensation packages. Regularly benchmarking against industry standards is fundamental, as many HR professionals link talent loss to burnout from inadequate compensation and support. Extensive benefits, including health insurance and performance-based bonuses, greatly improve job satisfaction and loyalty. Implementing employee retention strategies that offer unique benefits customized to individual interests, such as flexible spending accounts for health and wellness, can differentiate your organization in a competitive job market. Investing in competitive compensation and benefits not merely boosts employee satisfaction but also improves your staff retention rate, leading to better overall business outcomes. Prioritizing these elements is vital for reducing turnover costs and nurturing a more committed workforce. Flexible Work Arrangements Flexible work arrangements, like remote work options and compressed workweeks, are becoming essential for employee retention. You can greatly boost job satisfaction by offering these alternatives, allowing your team to better balance their personal and professional lives. Moreover, flexible scheduling can help reduce stress levels, making your organization more appealing to top talent. Remote Work Options As organizations navigate the evolving terrain of work, remote work options have emerged as an important component of employee retention strategies. Offering flexible work arrangements, like remote work, markedly reduces employee resignations. In fact, 89% of HR professionals note that flexibility improves retention rates. Implementing options such as partial telecommuting can alleviate stress and enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, companies prioritizing remote work policies often report a strong correlation between talent loss and employee burnout, highlighting the need for a healthy work-life balance. Employees highly value flexible schedules, frequently citing them as a significant factor in their decision to remain with a company. Therefore, integrating remote work options is critical for effective workforce retention strategies. Compressed Workweeks Compressed workweeks represent a strategic approach to flexible work arrangements that can greatly improve employee satisfaction and retention. Typically structured as four 10-hour days, these schedules can reduce work hours by 20% without sacrificing productivity. Research indicates that 89% of HR professionals observed increased employee retention when offering such flexible arrangements. Furthermore, compressed workweeks help alleviate burnout, with 95% of HR experts linking talent loss to a lack of work-life balance. Companies adopting these retention strategies often experience boosted morale and engagement, as employees value the extra day off for personal pursuits. In the end, organizations offering compressed workweeks can increase loyalty, potentially reducing turnover by up to 25%, making it a compelling option for effective employee retention. Flexible Scheduling In today’s competitive job market, companies that embrace flexible scheduling options often see significant improvements in employee retention. Implementing flexible work arrangements, like remote work and compressed workweeks, allows employees to choose their work hours, leading to a healthier work-life balance. This flexibility not only reduces employee burnout—95% of HR professionals link it to talent loss—but furthermore boosts overall productivity and engagement. As many prospective employees prioritize flexibility when considering job offers, companies that offer these options are better positioned to attract top talent. As a result, adopting flexible scheduling can improve your employee retention rate and strengthen workforce retention, making it a critical strategy for retaining valuable team members in a challenging employment setting. Training and Development Opportunities Regarding employee retention, offering training and development opportunities is crucial for meeting future needs. By upskilling your workforce, you not only prepare them for evolving roles but also increase their commitment to the organization. Furthermore, implementing mentorship programs and providing funding for professional development can further improve career growth, ensuring employees feel supported and valued in their path. Upskilling for Future Needs Upskilling for future needs has become vital for organizations aiming to improve employee retention and satisfaction. Investing in training and development opportunities guarantees your workforce remains competitive and engaged. Here are some effective strategies to take into account: Provide access to online courses and educational resources. Offer structured mentorship programs to guide career paths. Encourage attendance at virtual conferences and workshops. Implement succession planning for leadership roles. Cultivate skill-based training initiatives for continuous growth. These employee retention ideas are fundamental for adapting to changing business needs and enhancing job satisfaction. Mentorship and Guidance Programs Mentorship and guidance programs play a vital role in improving training and development opportunities within organizations. By pairing new employees with experienced colleagues, mentorship programs provide important support and guidance from day one, which is key for effective onboarding. When structured properly, these initiatives contribute to the employee retention definition by nurturing job satisfaction and career advancement. Engaging in mentorship relationships can markedly reduce turnover rates, with studies showing a decrease of up to 45%. Furthermore, these programs address skill gaps, enabling employees to adapt to changing business needs. As part of worker retention strategies, mentorship not only improves individual growth but also strengthens the overall organizational culture, leading to longer tenures and a more committed workforce. Professional Development Funding Options Investing in professional development funding options is crucial for companies looking to improve employee retention and satisfaction. When employees see that their growth is prioritized, they’re more likely to stay committed to the organization. Here are some effective strategies to contemplate: Offer tuition reimbursement programs to support further education. Provide access to online courses that elevate skills relevant to their roles. Create structured mentorship programs to nurture professional growth. Allocate budget for attending workshops and industry conferences. Encourage participation in training sessions to adapt to changing business needs. Recognition and Rewards Systems Recognition and rewards systems play an essential role in enhancing employee retention within organizations. Effective systems can increase retention by 3 to 8 times, depending on engagement levels. Regular acknowledgment of achievements cultivates a culture of appreciation, greatly lowering the likelihood of turnover. Implementing formal recognition programs and personalizing recognition to align with individual preferences can improve motivation and reinforce a sense of belonging. Recognition Type Description Milestone Celebrations Acknowledge major achievements publicly. Peer Recognition Encourage team members to recognize each other. Personalized Rewards Tailor recognition to individual preferences. Performance Bonuses Offer tangible rewards for exceptional work. Regular Check-ins Provide consistent feedback and appreciation. Effective Communication Practices Effective communication practices are crucial for nurturing a positive work environment, especially in hybrid and remote settings where employees may feel isolated. You can improve workplace retention strategies by encouraging open lines of communication. Regular check-ins not only gauge employee morale but likewise help address concerns swiftly. Here are some effective communication practices to implement: Promote transparency about company goals and changes. Encourage active listening during one-on-one meetings. Use pulse surveys for real-time insights into employee sentiment. Create a culture where sharing ideas and concerns is welcomed. Provide constructive feedback to improve employee engagement. Employee Well-being and Wellness Programs When you prioritize employee well-being through thorough wellness programs, you not merely improve job satisfaction but furthermore boost overall productivity. Extensive wellness initiatives that support mental, physical, and financial health can greatly improve employee retention. By offering stress management resources and fitness class reimbursements, you create a healthier workforce. Providing retirement planning services empowers employees to manage their financial health, contributing to a sense of security. Here’s a quick overview of wellness program components and their benefits: Wellness Program Description Benefits Stress Management Resources Tools and strategies to reduce stress Improved mental health Fitness Class Reimbursements Financial support for fitness activities Improved physical health Retirement Planning Services Guidance on financial future Increased job satisfaction Regular Feedback Mechanism Gathering employee input Customized wellness initiatives Investing in well-being not only encourages engagement but further supports the benefits of employee retention, leading to a dedicated workforce. Mentorship and Support Networks Mentorship and support networks play a crucial role in improving employee experiences, particularly for newcomers. Implementing effective mentorship programs greatly boosts employee retention by providing guidance and nurturing a supportive environment. Research shows that organizations with such initiatives see a 50% higher retention rate among new hires. Mentors help newcomers navigate company culture, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing job satisfaction. Mentorship programs improve onboarding experiences. Mentors guide employees in comprehending expectations. Existing employees gain fresh perspectives through mentoring. Mentorship reduces burnout and promotes collaboration. Structured programs strengthen overall employee engagement. Frequently Asked Questions How Can Company Culture Impact Employee Retention Rates? Company culture greatly impacts employee retention rates. When you nurture a positive culture, it promotes job satisfaction, encouraging employees to stay longer. Employees seek environments where they feel valued, supported, and aligned with organizational values. An inclusive culture improves teamwork and communication, reducing turnover. Furthermore, when employees perceive strong leadership and career growth opportunities, they’re less likely to leave. Consequently, prioritizing a healthy company culture can lead to higher retention rates. What Role Does Employee Feedback Play in Retention Strategies? Employee feedback plays an essential role in retention strategies by providing insights into job satisfaction and areas needing improvement. When you encourage open communication, you create an environment where employees feel valued and heard. Regular feedback sessions help clarify expectations and career paths, nurturing a sense of belonging. How Often Should Retention Strategies Be Reevaluated? You should regularly reevaluate retention strategies to guarantee they remain effective. Conduct assessments at least annually, but consider more frequent evaluations during significant organizational changes or shifts in employee feedback. This approach allows you to stay informed about employee satisfaction, adjust to evolving market standards, and identify areas for improvement. Continuous monitoring of job satisfaction and retention efforts helps you adapt strategies that meet employees’ needs and expectations effectively. What Are Innovative Perks That Can Attract Talent? To attract talent, consider offering innovative perks like flexible work arrangements, home office stipends, and wellness programs. You could provide unique benefits, such as pet insurance or student loan repayment assistance, which cater to employees’ diverse needs. Implementing a robust professional development fund can further improve job satisfaction. Moreover, consider offering mental health days or unlimited vacation policies, which demonstrate a commitment to work-life balance and overall employee well-being. How Can Team-Building Activities Enhance Employee Satisfaction? Team-building activities improve employee satisfaction by encouraging collaboration, improving communication, and building trust among colleagues. When you engage in these activities, you promote a sense of belonging and teamwork, which can lead to increased morale and productivity. Furthermore, these events help break down barriers, allowing employees to connect on a personal level. As a result, you can create a more cohesive work environment, ultimately contributing to higher job satisfaction and retention rates. Conclusion Implementing effective employee retention strategies is essential for any organization aiming to maintain a stable and engaged workforce. By focusing on competitive pay, flexible work options, training, recognition, and wellness programs, you can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Transparent communication and mentorship further improve job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates. Prioritizing these strategies not merely benefits employees but additionally strengthens your organization’s overall performance and culture, leading to long-term success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Employee Retention Strategies That Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Retention is critical for any organization aiming to maintain a skilled workforce. Implementing effective employee retention strategies can greatly improve job satisfaction and loyalty. From competitive compensation to flexible work arrangements, each approach plays an important role in creating a supportive work environment. Recognizing achievements and nurturing clear communication are likewise fundamental. As you explore these strategies, you’ll discover how they can transform your workplace dynamics and reduce turnover rates, leading to a more engaged team. Key Takeaways Offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, including health insurance and performance-based bonuses, to enhance job satisfaction and retention. Implement flexible work arrangements to improve work-life balance and significantly reduce employee resignations. Provide training, development, and mentorship opportunities to foster commitment and career growth among employees. Establish recognition and rewards systems to regularly acknowledge achievements and cultivate a culture of appreciation. Promote effective communication practices that encourage transparency, active listening, and employee feedback to enhance overall engagement. Competitive Compensation and Benefits When considering employee retention, competitive compensation and benefits play a critical role in keeping your workforce engaged and satisfied. A large percentage of employees feel their pay isn’t fair, emphasizing the need for transparent communication about total compensation packages. Regularly benchmarking against industry standards is fundamental, as many HR professionals link talent loss to burnout from inadequate compensation and support. Extensive benefits, including health insurance and performance-based bonuses, greatly improve job satisfaction and loyalty. Implementing employee retention strategies that offer unique benefits customized to individual interests, such as flexible spending accounts for health and wellness, can differentiate your organization in a competitive job market. Investing in competitive compensation and benefits not merely boosts employee satisfaction but also improves your staff retention rate, leading to better overall business outcomes. Prioritizing these elements is vital for reducing turnover costs and nurturing a more committed workforce. Flexible Work Arrangements Flexible work arrangements, like remote work options and compressed workweeks, are becoming essential for employee retention. You can greatly boost job satisfaction by offering these alternatives, allowing your team to better balance their personal and professional lives. Moreover, flexible scheduling can help reduce stress levels, making your organization more appealing to top talent. Remote Work Options As organizations navigate the evolving terrain of work, remote work options have emerged as an important component of employee retention strategies. Offering flexible work arrangements, like remote work, markedly reduces employee resignations. In fact, 89% of HR professionals note that flexibility improves retention rates. Implementing options such as partial telecommuting can alleviate stress and enhance job satisfaction. Additionally, companies prioritizing remote work policies often report a strong correlation between talent loss and employee burnout, highlighting the need for a healthy work-life balance. Employees highly value flexible schedules, frequently citing them as a significant factor in their decision to remain with a company. Therefore, integrating remote work options is critical for effective workforce retention strategies. Compressed Workweeks Compressed workweeks represent a strategic approach to flexible work arrangements that can greatly improve employee satisfaction and retention. Typically structured as four 10-hour days, these schedules can reduce work hours by 20% without sacrificing productivity. Research indicates that 89% of HR professionals observed increased employee retention when offering such flexible arrangements. Furthermore, compressed workweeks help alleviate burnout, with 95% of HR experts linking talent loss to a lack of work-life balance. Companies adopting these retention strategies often experience boosted morale and engagement, as employees value the extra day off for personal pursuits. In the end, organizations offering compressed workweeks can increase loyalty, potentially reducing turnover by up to 25%, making it a compelling option for effective employee retention. Flexible Scheduling In today’s competitive job market, companies that embrace flexible scheduling options often see significant improvements in employee retention. Implementing flexible work arrangements, like remote work and compressed workweeks, allows employees to choose their work hours, leading to a healthier work-life balance. This flexibility not only reduces employee burnout—95% of HR professionals link it to talent loss—but furthermore boosts overall productivity and engagement. As many prospective employees prioritize flexibility when considering job offers, companies that offer these options are better positioned to attract top talent. As a result, adopting flexible scheduling can improve your employee retention rate and strengthen workforce retention, making it a critical strategy for retaining valuable team members in a challenging employment setting. Training and Development Opportunities Regarding employee retention, offering training and development opportunities is crucial for meeting future needs. By upskilling your workforce, you not only prepare them for evolving roles but also increase their commitment to the organization. Furthermore, implementing mentorship programs and providing funding for professional development can further improve career growth, ensuring employees feel supported and valued in their path. Upskilling for Future Needs Upskilling for future needs has become vital for organizations aiming to improve employee retention and satisfaction. Investing in training and development opportunities guarantees your workforce remains competitive and engaged. Here are some effective strategies to take into account: Provide access to online courses and educational resources. Offer structured mentorship programs to guide career paths. Encourage attendance at virtual conferences and workshops. Implement succession planning for leadership roles. Cultivate skill-based training initiatives for continuous growth. These employee retention ideas are fundamental for adapting to changing business needs and enhancing job satisfaction. Mentorship and Guidance Programs Mentorship and guidance programs play a vital role in improving training and development opportunities within organizations. By pairing new employees with experienced colleagues, mentorship programs provide important support and guidance from day one, which is key for effective onboarding. When structured properly, these initiatives contribute to the employee retention definition by nurturing job satisfaction and career advancement. Engaging in mentorship relationships can markedly reduce turnover rates, with studies showing a decrease of up to 45%. Furthermore, these programs address skill gaps, enabling employees to adapt to changing business needs. As part of worker retention strategies, mentorship not only improves individual growth but also strengthens the overall organizational culture, leading to longer tenures and a more committed workforce. Professional Development Funding Options Investing in professional development funding options is crucial for companies looking to improve employee retention and satisfaction. When employees see that their growth is prioritized, they’re more likely to stay committed to the organization. Here are some effective strategies to contemplate: Offer tuition reimbursement programs to support further education. Provide access to online courses that elevate skills relevant to their roles. Create structured mentorship programs to nurture professional growth. Allocate budget for attending workshops and industry conferences. Encourage participation in training sessions to adapt to changing business needs. Recognition and Rewards Systems Recognition and rewards systems play an essential role in enhancing employee retention within organizations. Effective systems can increase retention by 3 to 8 times, depending on engagement levels. Regular acknowledgment of achievements cultivates a culture of appreciation, greatly lowering the likelihood of turnover. Implementing formal recognition programs and personalizing recognition to align with individual preferences can improve motivation and reinforce a sense of belonging. Recognition Type Description Milestone Celebrations Acknowledge major achievements publicly. Peer Recognition Encourage team members to recognize each other. Personalized Rewards Tailor recognition to individual preferences. Performance Bonuses Offer tangible rewards for exceptional work. Regular Check-ins Provide consistent feedback and appreciation. Effective Communication Practices Effective communication practices are crucial for nurturing a positive work environment, especially in hybrid and remote settings where employees may feel isolated. You can improve workplace retention strategies by encouraging open lines of communication. Regular check-ins not only gauge employee morale but likewise help address concerns swiftly. Here are some effective communication practices to implement: Promote transparency about company goals and changes. Encourage active listening during one-on-one meetings. Use pulse surveys for real-time insights into employee sentiment. Create a culture where sharing ideas and concerns is welcomed. Provide constructive feedback to improve employee engagement. Employee Well-being and Wellness Programs When you prioritize employee well-being through thorough wellness programs, you not merely improve job satisfaction but furthermore boost overall productivity. Extensive wellness initiatives that support mental, physical, and financial health can greatly improve employee retention. By offering stress management resources and fitness class reimbursements, you create a healthier workforce. Providing retirement planning services empowers employees to manage their financial health, contributing to a sense of security. Here’s a quick overview of wellness program components and their benefits: Wellness Program Description Benefits Stress Management Resources Tools and strategies to reduce stress Improved mental health Fitness Class Reimbursements Financial support for fitness activities Improved physical health Retirement Planning Services Guidance on financial future Increased job satisfaction Regular Feedback Mechanism Gathering employee input Customized wellness initiatives Investing in well-being not only encourages engagement but further supports the benefits of employee retention, leading to a dedicated workforce. Mentorship and Support Networks Mentorship and support networks play a crucial role in improving employee experiences, particularly for newcomers. Implementing effective mentorship programs greatly boosts employee retention by providing guidance and nurturing a supportive environment. Research shows that organizations with such initiatives see a 50% higher retention rate among new hires. Mentors help newcomers navigate company culture, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing job satisfaction. Mentorship programs improve onboarding experiences. Mentors guide employees in comprehending expectations. Existing employees gain fresh perspectives through mentoring. Mentorship reduces burnout and promotes collaboration. Structured programs strengthen overall employee engagement. Frequently Asked Questions How Can Company Culture Impact Employee Retention Rates? Company culture greatly impacts employee retention rates. When you nurture a positive culture, it promotes job satisfaction, encouraging employees to stay longer. Employees seek environments where they feel valued, supported, and aligned with organizational values. An inclusive culture improves teamwork and communication, reducing turnover. Furthermore, when employees perceive strong leadership and career growth opportunities, they’re less likely to leave. Consequently, prioritizing a healthy company culture can lead to higher retention rates. What Role Does Employee Feedback Play in Retention Strategies? Employee feedback plays an essential role in retention strategies by providing insights into job satisfaction and areas needing improvement. When you encourage open communication, you create an environment where employees feel valued and heard. Regular feedback sessions help clarify expectations and career paths, nurturing a sense of belonging. How Often Should Retention Strategies Be Reevaluated? You should regularly reevaluate retention strategies to guarantee they remain effective. Conduct assessments at least annually, but consider more frequent evaluations during significant organizational changes or shifts in employee feedback. This approach allows you to stay informed about employee satisfaction, adjust to evolving market standards, and identify areas for improvement. Continuous monitoring of job satisfaction and retention efforts helps you adapt strategies that meet employees’ needs and expectations effectively. What Are Innovative Perks That Can Attract Talent? To attract talent, consider offering innovative perks like flexible work arrangements, home office stipends, and wellness programs. You could provide unique benefits, such as pet insurance or student loan repayment assistance, which cater to employees’ diverse needs. Implementing a robust professional development fund can further improve job satisfaction. Moreover, consider offering mental health days or unlimited vacation policies, which demonstrate a commitment to work-life balance and overall employee well-being. How Can Team-Building Activities Enhance Employee Satisfaction? Team-building activities improve employee satisfaction by encouraging collaboration, improving communication, and building trust among colleagues. When you engage in these activities, you promote a sense of belonging and teamwork, which can lead to increased morale and productivity. Furthermore, these events help break down barriers, allowing employees to connect on a personal level. As a result, you can create a more cohesive work environment, ultimately contributing to higher job satisfaction and retention rates. Conclusion Implementing effective employee retention strategies is essential for any organization aiming to maintain a stable and engaged workforce. By focusing on competitive pay, flexible work options, training, recognition, and wellness programs, you can create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated. Transparent communication and mentorship further improve job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates. Prioritizing these strategies not merely benefits employees but additionally strengthens your organization’s overall performance and culture, leading to long-term success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Effective Employee Retention Strategies That Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Americans lived through the worst bout of inflation in about 40 years at the start of this decade, but the sting of higher prices differed significantly depending on where you live. Even though wages also rose during that period, residents of only nine states have actually come out ahead, according to a new study. From 2020 to 2024, consumer prices for things like housing, groceries, energy, and everyday essentials climbed 21%, as measured by the consumer price index. During that same period, the average American worker’s pay rose 18%, from about $64,000 to $75,600, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those differences illustrate what many Americans have experienced: Inflation erased much of the apparent progress of wage increases, according to a recent analysis by MyPerfectResume, an online resume building site. In fact, the typical U.S. worker is now earning approximately 2.6% less in real terms—after adjusting for inflation and cost of living—than in 2020, the study found. “The findings highlight a crucial truth: A high-paying job doesn’t automatically mean a higher standard of living,” Jasmine Escalera, a certified career coach who provides career advice for MyPerfect Resume, wrote in the report. “The nation got a pay raise on paper, but a pay cut in reality.” That’s because inflation has erased years of progress and workers’ paychecks aren’t stretching so far, according to MyPerfectResume, which didn’t immediately respond to an interview request from Fast Company. And despite a recent claim by President Donal The President that inflation has been “defeated,” economists expect it to tick up from a 2.7% annual rate in 2025. Inflation is forecasted to increase at an annual rate of 2.9% in 2026, according to the consensus forecast of about 50 professional economic forecasters surveyed by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. WHERE WORKERS CAME OUT AHEAD The sting of inflation hasn’t been the same for all Americans. Residents in 40 states lost purchasing power from 2020 to 2024, while Utahns saw no change in their standard of living during that same period, MyPerfectResume found, based on an analysis of the changes in real earnings and purchasing power across all 50 U.S. states from 2020 through 2024. But Americans in the following nine states, mostly concentrated in the West and South, saw their paychecks stretch farthest: Idaho: +3.1% Florida: +2.6% Washington: +2.3% Montana: +2.3% Wyoming: +1.8% South Carolina: +1.5% North Carolina: +0.9% Tennessee: +0.9% Maine: +0.5% “Workers there actually came out ahead once inflation and local prices were taken into account,” Escalera wrote. WHERE WORKERS ARE FALLING BEHIND Workers in the vast majority of states, however, are grappling with higher paychecks that feels like less money to spend on essentials. The analysis pointed to particular pain for workers on the East Coast, where the decline in real purchasing power from 2020 to 2024 was worst—led by New Jersey: New Jersey: -7.0% Rhode Island: -6.9% Maryland: -5.4% New York: -5.3% Massachusetts: -5.3% “For workers in these states, nominal wage growth was insufficient to keep pace with inflation and high living costs, in some cases prompting workers to choose job security over career moves,” Escalera wrote. SIDE GIGS To grapple with paychecks that buy less today than they did just a few years ago, many Americans rely on supplemental income or side gigs. In fact, MyPerfectResume conducted a recent survey that found that 72% of American workers currently rely on at least one source of secondary income, with the majority citing inflation as making such side gigs more necessary. “What began as a stopgap during high inflation has transformed into a long-term financial strategy, shaping how Americans navigate rising costs, stagnant wages, and economic uncertainty,” Escalera wrote in that report. View the full article

In today’s competitive social media environment, boosting engagement is crucial for any brand. By leveraging user-generated content, incorporating interactive elements, and tapping into trending topics, you can create a more dynamic online presence. Consider hosting contests or sharing behind-the-scenes insights to draw in your audience. Comprehending these strategies will help you connect more effectively with your followers and improve your brand’s visibility. What innovative approaches can you implement to stand out in this crowded space? Key Takeaways Leverage user-generated content by encouraging followers to share their experiences, boosting brand loyalty and saving on content creation costs. Incorporate interactive elements like polls and quizzes to significantly increase audience engagement and gather valuable insights into consumer preferences. Align your posts with trending topics and memes to enhance relevance, increase discoverability, and resonate with younger audiences. Host contests and giveaways with simple entry requirements to attract consumers, drive engagement, and foster community involvement. Share behind-the-scenes content and promote live events to humanize your brand, create relatability, and cultivate genuine relationships with your audience. Leverage User-Generated Content In today’s digital environment, leveraging user-generated content (UGC) can greatly improve your marketing efforts, especially since 79% of consumers report that UGC influences their purchasing decisions. By showcasing real customer experiences, you save on content creation costs during the presentation of testimonials and reviews that resonate with potential buyers. Encouraging your followers to create content featuring your brand through campaigns or contests not only amplifies brand exposure but also boosts community engagement. Furthermore, sharing UGC can turn customers into brand advocates, as 79% of users prefer brands that utilize UGC in their marketing. Implementing a branded hashtag helps you easily curate and showcase user contributions, nurturing loyalty and community among customers—key benefits of social media for companies. Incorporate Interactive Elements Incorporating interactive elements like polls and quizzes can dramatically boost your audience engagement. Research shows that posts featuring such content receive 2.5 times more interaction compared to static posts, making it crucial for keeping users interested. Polls and Surveys How can brands effectively engage their audience and gather valuable insights? Utilizing polls and surveys is a proven strategy. With 73% of consumers preferring to interact through such content, these tools improve social media promotion efforts. Platforms like Instagram Stories and Twitter offer built-in polling features, enabling real-time feedback on audience preferences. By conducting polls, you invite followers to share their thoughts, making them feel valued and part of the conversation. Surveys not only reveal customer preferences but likewise underline a brand’s commitment to listening and adapting based on feedback. Incorporating fun or relevant topics in polls and surveys can further spark excitement, encouraging participation and improving overall audience interaction with your brand. Quizzes and Challenges What makes quizzes and challenges such effective tools for engaging your audience? They create interactive experiences that boost participation and visibility in your social media marketing efforts. Here are three key benefits of incorporating quizzes and challenges: Increased Engagement: Interactive content generates 2.5 times more shares than static posts, making it a crucial component of your social media strategy. User Insights: Fun quizzes help you understand your audience’s preferences and interests, nurturing a deeper connection with your brand. Community Interaction: Challenges that invite user participation, like photo contests, see a significant rise in engagement, with 70% of users more likely to interact when involved. Utilizing these social media marketing tips can drive traffic and improve your brand’s presence online. Utilize Trending Topics and Memes To effectively engage your audience, you can leverage current events and popular memes in your social media content. By aligning your posts with trending topics, you increase their relevance, which can lead to more shares and interactions. Nevertheless, it’s essential to approach these trends thoughtfully, steering clear of sensitive subjects to maintain your brand’s credibility during the process of connecting with your audience. Leverage Current Events When you tap into trending topics and memes, you can considerably boost your brand’s visibility and engagement on social media. By aligning your content with current events, you not only increase relevance but additionally take advantage of the benefits of social media advertising. Here are three effective strategies: Use Trending Hashtags: Incorporate relevant hashtags into your posts to reach users interested in those topics, enhancing discoverability. Engage in Viral Challenges: Participate in popular challenges to create a fun connection with your audience, promoting community interaction. Share Memes: Resonate with younger audiences by sharing memes, as around 30% of individuals aged 13–35 share them daily, cultivating relatability and engagement. Incorporate Popular Memes Incorporating popular memes into your social media marketing strategy can greatly improve your brand’s relatability and engagement levels. Around 30% of individuals aged 13–35 share memes daily, allowing you to connect effectively with younger audiences. Memes convey humor and emotions, enhancing your brand perception and nurturing community among followers. By utilizing trending memes, you can align your messaging with current cultural conversations, making your content more relevant and shareable. Adapting viral meme formats encourages audience participation and sharing, showcasing the benefits of social marketing. Nevertheless, it’s essential to avoid sensitive or political memes to maintain a positive brand image. Confirm the humor aligns with your brand’s values and audience expectations for the best results. Host Contests and Giveaways Hosting contests and giveaways is a proven strategy to boost engagement on social media platforms, as many consumers are drawn to brands that offer rewards. To make the most of this approach, consider these social media tips: Simple Entry Requirements: Ask participants to follow your page, tag friends, or share a post. This can greatly improve your brand visibility. Tailor Prizes to Interests: Align your giveaway prizes with your audience’s preferences. This can lead to a 20-30% increase in engagement metrics. Encourage User-Generated Content: Invite participants to share their experiences. About 79% of them are willing, amplifying organic reach and community involvement. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content Engaging with your audience goes beyond contests and giveaways; sharing behind-the-scenes content can greatly improve your social media strategy. This type of content humanizes your brand, showcasing the people and processes that drive your business. By highlighting casual moments or team culture, you create relatability, inviting followers to invest in your brand’s expedition. Research indicates that behind-the-scenes content considerably boosts engagement rates, as it offers unique insights that followers are curious about, making them feel like insiders. Incorporating this footage into your social marketing tips can uplift your brand perception, making you appear approachable and transparent. Showcasing your creative process or daily operations generates excitement, encouraging interaction and shares, finally broadening your reach and enhancing engagement. Encourage Audience Participation With Polls Polls are a straightforward way to engage your audience and gather their opinions on various topics. You can explore different types of polls to see what resonates best, choose the right timing to maximize participation, and analyze the results to gain insights into your followers’ preferences. Types of Engaging Polls When you want to spark audience participation, utilizing different types of polls can be highly effective in your social media marketing strategy. Here are three engaging poll types to explore for your social networking marketing ideas: Opinion Polls: Ask your audience for their thoughts on trending topics or brand-related issues. This not only invites feedback but additionally shows you value their opinions. Product Preference Polls: Use polls to gauge interest in upcoming products or services, helping you tailor offerings to your audience’s preferences. This or That Polls: Present two options and let your audience choose their favorite. This quick engagement tactic encourages interaction and provides insight into consumer preferences. Incorporating these polls can greatly boost engagement and strengthen your brand’s relationship with its audience. Timing for Polls To encourage audience participation effectively, timing your polls is vital. In social media marketing 101, it’s imperative to schedule polls during peak engagement times, typically weekdays in the afternoon. This maximizes visibility and participation rates. Consider utilizing Instagram or Twitter during trending events, as timely and relevant content can greatly boost interaction. Engaging polls on current topics may lead to a 15% increase in responses, as users enjoy sharing opinions on subjects they care about. Furthermore, establishing a routine, like “Poll Friday,” builds anticipation and encourages regular participation. Finally, promoting your polls across multiple platforms can improve reach, with studies indicating that cross-promoting content boosts engagement by up to 20%. Analyzing Poll Results How can you effectively analyze the results of your social media polls to improve audience engagement? Start by reviewing the data collected, as it offers rich insights into your audience’s preferences. Here are three social network marketing tips to help you interpret your findings: Identify Trends: Look for patterns in responses that indicate strong interests or preferences among your audience. Engage Further: Use poll results to spark discussions, asking followers to elaborate on their choices, which nurtures community. Tailor Content: Adjust your future content strategy based on insights gained, ensuring it aligns with what your audience wants. Promote Live Events and Q&A Sessions Promoting live events and Q&A sessions on social media offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with your audience, encouraging a sense of community around your brand. You can create anticipation by announcing these events ahead of time, motivating your audience to participate and submit questions. This involvement makes them feel invested in your brand, which can lead to increased loyalty. Utilizing platforms like Instagram Live or Facebook Live can expand your reach, as these platforms often prioritize live content, enhancing visibility. During these sessions, engaging with attendees allows for real-time feedback and insights, helping you understand their interests better. In the end, these live interactions can greatly improve your offerings and cultivate genuine relationships with your audience. Create Themed Content Days Building on the engagement encouraged by live events and Q&A sessions, creating themed content days can greatly improve your social media marketing strategy. By establishing consistency in posting, your audience will know when to expect content, enhancing engagement. Here are three ideas for themed content days in business to business social media marketing: Tip Tuesday: Share valuable insights or tips relevant to your industry. Throwback Thursday: Highlight past successes or milestones that resonate with your audience. Feature Friday: Spotlight a partner or client, showcasing collaborative efforts. These themed days not only streamline your content calendar but also promote community participation. Feature Customer Testimonials Featuring customer testimonials can boost your social media marketing strategy and improve your brand’s credibility. Since 79% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, showcasing real experiences is crucial. You can share these testimonials in visually appealing formats, like videos or infographics, which tend to capture attention more effectively. Highlighting customer stories not only cultivates community but likewise demonstrates real-world applications of your products, potentially leading to a 23% increase in sales. Using user-generated content featuring testimonials allows you to save on content creation costs while building trust. Engaging with these testimonials can further improve your strategy, as such posts typically receive 28% more engagement than standard promotional content, proving effective in how to market your business on social media. Collaborate With Influencers and Brands Engaging with influencers and brands can improve your social media marketing strategy greatly. Here are some effective ways to promote your business on social media: Collaborate with Micro and Nano-Influencers: These influencers often have highly engaged audiences, yielding up to 60% higher engagement rates compared to larger influencers. Co-Create Content: Work with influencers to bring fresh perspectives and authenticity, making your products or services more relatable to potential customers. Joint Campaigns with Complementary Brands: By tapping into each other’s audiences, you can expand your reach, resulting in mutual growth and increased engagement opportunities. Utilizing these methods can greatly boost your brand visibility and improve customer trust, ultimately enhancing your social media success. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media suggests that for every five promotional posts, you should share five engaging or entertaining posts and five educational or informative posts. This balanced approach keeps your audience interested and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media suggests you allocate your content as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% informative and educational, and 20% promotional. By following this structure, you can create a balanced social media presence that caters to your audience’s preferences. Engaging content can include polls or quizzes, whereas informative posts might provide tips or insights. The promotional portion should align with prior content, enhancing the potential for audience conversions. How to Boost Engagement on Social Media? To boost engagement on social media, start by incorporating interactive content like polls and surveys, which actively involve your audience. Share user-generated content to build authenticity and trust. Hosting contests can encourage followers to engage with your posts, as well as leveraging trending topics keeps your content relevant. Furthermore, focus on creating visually appealing posts, such as infographics or short videos, to capture attention quickly and increase overall interaction rates. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule in Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule in social media outlines a content strategy where 70% of your posts should be original and engaging, nurturing community connections. Meanwhile, 20% should consist of curated content from other sources, which provides valuable insights relevant to your audience. Finally, 10% of your posts can be promotional, focused on advertising your products or services. This balanced approach helps maintain follower interest and improves your brand’s authenticity and relevance in the digital space. Conclusion By implementing these ten creative strategies, you can effectively boost engagement in your social networking marketing efforts. Focusing on user-generated content, interactive elements, and trending topics will help attract and retain your audience’s attention. Moreover, hosting contests, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and collaborating with influencers can further improve your brand’s visibility and credibility. Consistency through themed content and customer testimonials will solidify your relationship with followers, in the end driving greater interaction and loyalty to your brand. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Creative Ideas to Boost Engagement in Social Networking Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive social media environment, boosting engagement is crucial for any brand. By leveraging user-generated content, incorporating interactive elements, and tapping into trending topics, you can create a more dynamic online presence. Consider hosting contests or sharing behind-the-scenes insights to draw in your audience. Comprehending these strategies will help you connect more effectively with your followers and improve your brand’s visibility. What innovative approaches can you implement to stand out in this crowded space? Key Takeaways Leverage user-generated content by encouraging followers to share their experiences, boosting brand loyalty and saving on content creation costs. Incorporate interactive elements like polls and quizzes to significantly increase audience engagement and gather valuable insights into consumer preferences. Align your posts with trending topics and memes to enhance relevance, increase discoverability, and resonate with younger audiences. Host contests and giveaways with simple entry requirements to attract consumers, drive engagement, and foster community involvement. Share behind-the-scenes content and promote live events to humanize your brand, create relatability, and cultivate genuine relationships with your audience. Leverage User-Generated Content In today’s digital environment, leveraging user-generated content (UGC) can greatly improve your marketing efforts, especially since 79% of consumers report that UGC influences their purchasing decisions. By showcasing real customer experiences, you save on content creation costs during the presentation of testimonials and reviews that resonate with potential buyers. Encouraging your followers to create content featuring your brand through campaigns or contests not only amplifies brand exposure but also boosts community engagement. Furthermore, sharing UGC can turn customers into brand advocates, as 79% of users prefer brands that utilize UGC in their marketing. Implementing a branded hashtag helps you easily curate and showcase user contributions, nurturing loyalty and community among customers—key benefits of social media for companies. Incorporate Interactive Elements Incorporating interactive elements like polls and quizzes can dramatically boost your audience engagement. Research shows that posts featuring such content receive 2.5 times more interaction compared to static posts, making it crucial for keeping users interested. Polls and Surveys How can brands effectively engage their audience and gather valuable insights? Utilizing polls and surveys is a proven strategy. With 73% of consumers preferring to interact through such content, these tools improve social media promotion efforts. Platforms like Instagram Stories and Twitter offer built-in polling features, enabling real-time feedback on audience preferences. By conducting polls, you invite followers to share their thoughts, making them feel valued and part of the conversation. Surveys not only reveal customer preferences but likewise underline a brand’s commitment to listening and adapting based on feedback. Incorporating fun or relevant topics in polls and surveys can further spark excitement, encouraging participation and improving overall audience interaction with your brand. Quizzes and Challenges What makes quizzes and challenges such effective tools for engaging your audience? They create interactive experiences that boost participation and visibility in your social media marketing efforts. Here are three key benefits of incorporating quizzes and challenges: Increased Engagement: Interactive content generates 2.5 times more shares than static posts, making it a crucial component of your social media strategy. User Insights: Fun quizzes help you understand your audience’s preferences and interests, nurturing a deeper connection with your brand. Community Interaction: Challenges that invite user participation, like photo contests, see a significant rise in engagement, with 70% of users more likely to interact when involved. Utilizing these social media marketing tips can drive traffic and improve your brand’s presence online. Utilize Trending Topics and Memes To effectively engage your audience, you can leverage current events and popular memes in your social media content. By aligning your posts with trending topics, you increase their relevance, which can lead to more shares and interactions. Nevertheless, it’s essential to approach these trends thoughtfully, steering clear of sensitive subjects to maintain your brand’s credibility during the process of connecting with your audience. Leverage Current Events When you tap into trending topics and memes, you can considerably boost your brand’s visibility and engagement on social media. By aligning your content with current events, you not only increase relevance but additionally take advantage of the benefits of social media advertising. Here are three effective strategies: Use Trending Hashtags: Incorporate relevant hashtags into your posts to reach users interested in those topics, enhancing discoverability. Engage in Viral Challenges: Participate in popular challenges to create a fun connection with your audience, promoting community interaction. Share Memes: Resonate with younger audiences by sharing memes, as around 30% of individuals aged 13–35 share them daily, cultivating relatability and engagement. Incorporate Popular Memes Incorporating popular memes into your social media marketing strategy can greatly improve your brand’s relatability and engagement levels. Around 30% of individuals aged 13–35 share memes daily, allowing you to connect effectively with younger audiences. Memes convey humor and emotions, enhancing your brand perception and nurturing community among followers. By utilizing trending memes, you can align your messaging with current cultural conversations, making your content more relevant and shareable. Adapting viral meme formats encourages audience participation and sharing, showcasing the benefits of social marketing. Nevertheless, it’s essential to avoid sensitive or political memes to maintain a positive brand image. Confirm the humor aligns with your brand’s values and audience expectations for the best results. Host Contests and Giveaways Hosting contests and giveaways is a proven strategy to boost engagement on social media platforms, as many consumers are drawn to brands that offer rewards. To make the most of this approach, consider these social media tips: Simple Entry Requirements: Ask participants to follow your page, tag friends, or share a post. This can greatly improve your brand visibility. Tailor Prizes to Interests: Align your giveaway prizes with your audience’s preferences. This can lead to a 20-30% increase in engagement metrics. Encourage User-Generated Content: Invite participants to share their experiences. About 79% of them are willing, amplifying organic reach and community involvement. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content Engaging with your audience goes beyond contests and giveaways; sharing behind-the-scenes content can greatly improve your social media strategy. This type of content humanizes your brand, showcasing the people and processes that drive your business. By highlighting casual moments or team culture, you create relatability, inviting followers to invest in your brand’s expedition. Research indicates that behind-the-scenes content considerably boosts engagement rates, as it offers unique insights that followers are curious about, making them feel like insiders. Incorporating this footage into your social marketing tips can uplift your brand perception, making you appear approachable and transparent. Showcasing your creative process or daily operations generates excitement, encouraging interaction and shares, finally broadening your reach and enhancing engagement. Encourage Audience Participation With Polls Polls are a straightforward way to engage your audience and gather their opinions on various topics. You can explore different types of polls to see what resonates best, choose the right timing to maximize participation, and analyze the results to gain insights into your followers’ preferences. Types of Engaging Polls When you want to spark audience participation, utilizing different types of polls can be highly effective in your social media marketing strategy. Here are three engaging poll types to explore for your social networking marketing ideas: Opinion Polls: Ask your audience for their thoughts on trending topics or brand-related issues. This not only invites feedback but additionally shows you value their opinions. Product Preference Polls: Use polls to gauge interest in upcoming products or services, helping you tailor offerings to your audience’s preferences. This or That Polls: Present two options and let your audience choose their favorite. This quick engagement tactic encourages interaction and provides insight into consumer preferences. Incorporating these polls can greatly boost engagement and strengthen your brand’s relationship with its audience. Timing for Polls To encourage audience participation effectively, timing your polls is vital. In social media marketing 101, it’s imperative to schedule polls during peak engagement times, typically weekdays in the afternoon. This maximizes visibility and participation rates. Consider utilizing Instagram or Twitter during trending events, as timely and relevant content can greatly boost interaction. Engaging polls on current topics may lead to a 15% increase in responses, as users enjoy sharing opinions on subjects they care about. Furthermore, establishing a routine, like “Poll Friday,” builds anticipation and encourages regular participation. Finally, promoting your polls across multiple platforms can improve reach, with studies indicating that cross-promoting content boosts engagement by up to 20%. Analyzing Poll Results How can you effectively analyze the results of your social media polls to improve audience engagement? Start by reviewing the data collected, as it offers rich insights into your audience’s preferences. Here are three social network marketing tips to help you interpret your findings: Identify Trends: Look for patterns in responses that indicate strong interests or preferences among your audience. Engage Further: Use poll results to spark discussions, asking followers to elaborate on their choices, which nurtures community. Tailor Content: Adjust your future content strategy based on insights gained, ensuring it aligns with what your audience wants. Promote Live Events and Q&A Sessions Promoting live events and Q&A sessions on social media offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with your audience, encouraging a sense of community around your brand. You can create anticipation by announcing these events ahead of time, motivating your audience to participate and submit questions. This involvement makes them feel invested in your brand, which can lead to increased loyalty. Utilizing platforms like Instagram Live or Facebook Live can expand your reach, as these platforms often prioritize live content, enhancing visibility. During these sessions, engaging with attendees allows for real-time feedback and insights, helping you understand their interests better. In the end, these live interactions can greatly improve your offerings and cultivate genuine relationships with your audience. Create Themed Content Days Building on the engagement encouraged by live events and Q&A sessions, creating themed content days can greatly improve your social media marketing strategy. By establishing consistency in posting, your audience will know when to expect content, enhancing engagement. Here are three ideas for themed content days in business to business social media marketing: Tip Tuesday: Share valuable insights or tips relevant to your industry. Throwback Thursday: Highlight past successes or milestones that resonate with your audience. Feature Friday: Spotlight a partner or client, showcasing collaborative efforts. These themed days not only streamline your content calendar but also promote community participation. Feature Customer Testimonials Featuring customer testimonials can boost your social media marketing strategy and improve your brand’s credibility. Since 79% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations, showcasing real experiences is crucial. You can share these testimonials in visually appealing formats, like videos or infographics, which tend to capture attention more effectively. Highlighting customer stories not only cultivates community but likewise demonstrates real-world applications of your products, potentially leading to a 23% increase in sales. Using user-generated content featuring testimonials allows you to save on content creation costs while building trust. Engaging with these testimonials can further improve your strategy, as such posts typically receive 28% more engagement than standard promotional content, proving effective in how to market your business on social media. Collaborate With Influencers and Brands Engaging with influencers and brands can improve your social media marketing strategy greatly. Here are some effective ways to promote your business on social media: Collaborate with Micro and Nano-Influencers: These influencers often have highly engaged audiences, yielding up to 60% higher engagement rates compared to larger influencers. Co-Create Content: Work with influencers to bring fresh perspectives and authenticity, making your products or services more relatable to potential customers. Joint Campaigns with Complementary Brands: By tapping into each other’s audiences, you can expand your reach, resulting in mutual growth and increased engagement opportunities. Utilizing these methods can greatly boost your brand visibility and improve customer trust, ultimately enhancing your social media success. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media suggests that for every five promotional posts, you should share five engaging or entertaining posts and five educational or informative posts. This balanced approach keeps your audience interested and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed by constant promotions. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media suggests you allocate your content as follows: 50% should be engaging and entertaining, 30% informative and educational, and 20% promotional. By following this structure, you can create a balanced social media presence that caters to your audience’s preferences. Engaging content can include polls or quizzes, whereas informative posts might provide tips or insights. The promotional portion should align with prior content, enhancing the potential for audience conversions. How to Boost Engagement on Social Media? To boost engagement on social media, start by incorporating interactive content like polls and surveys, which actively involve your audience. Share user-generated content to build authenticity and trust. Hosting contests can encourage followers to engage with your posts, as well as leveraging trending topics keeps your content relevant. Furthermore, focus on creating visually appealing posts, such as infographics or short videos, to capture attention quickly and increase overall interaction rates. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule in Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule in social media outlines a content strategy where 70% of your posts should be original and engaging, nurturing community connections. Meanwhile, 20% should consist of curated content from other sources, which provides valuable insights relevant to your audience. Finally, 10% of your posts can be promotional, focused on advertising your products or services. This balanced approach helps maintain follower interest and improves your brand’s authenticity and relevance in the digital space. Conclusion By implementing these ten creative strategies, you can effectively boost engagement in your social networking marketing efforts. Focusing on user-generated content, interactive elements, and trending topics will help attract and retain your audience’s attention. Moreover, hosting contests, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and collaborating with influencers can further improve your brand’s visibility and credibility. Consistency through themed content and customer testimonials will solidify your relationship with followers, in the end driving greater interaction and loyalty to your brand. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Creative Ideas to Boost Engagement in Social Networking Marketing" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Wild swings that swept through financial markets overnight eased after Wall Street opened for trading on Monday. U.S. stocks rose modestly following gains in Europe and sharp drops in Asia, while gold and silver prices rallied back from severe earlier losses. The S&P 500 added 0.5% and is on track to snap a three-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 317 points, or 0.6%, as of 10:15 a.m. ET, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.6% higher. Stocks of companies that make computer storage helped lead the market, adding to gains from last week following several profit reports that topped analysts’ expectations. Airlines and cruise-ship operators were also strong, benefiting from a sharp easing of oil prices. The center of the action in financial markets was again precious metals, where momentum suddenly halted after gold’s price roughly doubled in 12 months. Gold briefly dropped below $4,500 per ounce in the overnight hours, down more than $1,000 from its high point reached just last week. It later pulled back to $4,742.80, down 0.1% from Friday. Silver’s price has been on an even wilder ride recently, and it swung from a 9% loss overnight to a 0.3% gain. Gold and silver prices had earlier been surging as investors looked for safer things to own amid a wide range of worries, including a Federal Reserve that may be set to become less independent, a U.S. stock market that critics say is expensive, threats of tariffs, and heavy debt loads for governments worldwide. Their prices cratered on Friday, including a 31.4% plunge for silver. Some on Wall Street saw it as a result of President Donald The President’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next chair of the Fed. Warsh’s reputation as a former Fed governor may have raised expectations among some investors that he may keep interest rates high to fight against inflation, which would reduce the need to hide out in gold and silver for protection. But many on Wall Street are also skeptical of that initial reading and say the expectation from The President is likely that Warsh will cut interest rates, something the president has been demanding. That could give the economy a boost, but also inflation. The Fed chair has a big influence on the economy and markets worldwide by helping to dictate where the U.S. central bank moves interest rates. That affects prices for all kinds of investments, as the Fed tries to keep the U.S. job market humming without letting inflation get out of control. The recent swoons for gold and silver are likely more about the washout for some traders who had borrowed money to bet on metals’ prices continuing to soar, rather than about a wholesale change in expectations for demand for metals, according to Darrell Cronk, chief investment officer for Wealth & Investment Management at Wells Fargo On Wall Street, Sandisk leaped 11.4% to lead the S&P 500. The data-storage company added to its 6.9% gain from Friday, after it reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It credited demand created by the artificial-intelligence boom, among other things. That helped offset a 1.3% drop for Nvidia, whose chips are powering much of the world’s move into AI technology. The losses were worse in Asia, where AI winners plunged. South Korea’s Kospi fell 5.3% from its record for its worst day in almost 10 months after chip company SK Hynix lost nearly 9%. In the bond market, Treasury yields edged higher after a report said that U.S. manufacturing grew last month, when economists were expecting a contraction. The yield on the 10-year Treasury erased an earlier dip and rose to 4.27%, up from 4.26% late Friday. Oil prices dropped more than 4% after The President told reporters that Iran is “seriously talking to us.” It’s a potential signal of improving relations between the two countries, which could prevent a possible disruption to the global flow of oil. In stock markets abroad, European indexes rose nearly 1% following Asia’s washout. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 1.3%, while stocks fell 2.2% in Hong Kong and 2.5% in Shanghai. —By Stan Choe, AP business writer AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. View the full article

In a move aimed at enhancing the retail landscape for small businesses, PayPal has announced its acquisition of Cymbio, a platform designed to help brands navigate the increasingly important realm of agentic commerce. This acquisition is particularly relevant for small business owners eager to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance their market presence. Cymbio acts as a multi-channel orchestration platform, enabling merchants to sell across various AI-driven platforms such as Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. With this development, PayPal aims to allow small businesses to become more discoverable on leading AI platforms, thereby opening up new avenues for sales and customer engagement. Michelle Gill, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal, emphasized the significance of this acquisition: “PayPal has established itself as a leading commerce partner for merchants looking to sell within top AI platforms. Acquiring Cymbio’s technology and team will enhance our agentic commerce capabilities and accelerate the expansion to more of our merchants. By making their product catalogs discoverable on AI surfaces, merchants can increase sales while expanding product choice to the millions of consumers shopping on AI platforms today.” For small business owners, one of the primary benefits of this acquisition lies in its capacity to simplify the process of integrating product listings into AI shopping experiences. By utilizing Store Sync—a key feature of PayPal’s agentic commerce services—small businesses will be able to make their product data easily discoverable on AI channels. Moreover, this feature integrates seamlessly with existing fulfillment and management systems, allowing merchants to maintain their current business operations without significant disruption. As of now, well-known brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Ashley Furniture are already utilizing Store Sync on platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity, highlighting its viability and effectiveness in the market. The most impactful aspect for small businesses is that they will retain full control over their customer relationships and brand identity. Merchants will remain the merchant of record, mitigating concerns that can arise with third-party platforms. Small business owners should also consider the practical applications of this new technology. By optimizing the discoverability of their products, businesses can tap into new customer bases that prefer shopping through AI platforms. This could mean more sales opportunities, particularly as shopping behaviors evolve towards convenience and access to diverse product choices. However, potential challenges are worth noting. As with any technological integration, small business owners may need to invest time and resources into training staff and adapting internal processes to fully leverage Cymbio’s capabilities. Additionally, while enhanced visibility can drive sales, competition may also intensify as more retailers seek to capitalize on these AI platforms. Business owners must be prepared to navigate these changes proactively. This strategic move by PayPal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending customary closing conditions. While the specific terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the implications for small businesses are significant. By embracing this technology, small retailers can position themselves at the forefront of a rapidly evolving marketplace, engaging consumers in innovative ways. As digital commerce continues to transform the buying experience, small business owners must remain agile and receptive to new opportunities, including those presented by AI-driven platforms. The integration of Cymbio into PayPal’s services may serve as a pivotal step for many small enterprises in enhancing their market presence, driving sales, and fostering customer loyalty. For those interested in the official announcement, more details can be found at PayPal’s newsroom: PayPal Press Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "PayPal Acquires Cymbio to Boost AI Commerce for Millions of Merchants" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a move aimed at enhancing the retail landscape for small businesses, PayPal has announced its acquisition of Cymbio, a platform designed to help brands navigate the increasingly important realm of agentic commerce. This acquisition is particularly relevant for small business owners eager to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance their market presence. Cymbio acts as a multi-channel orchestration platform, enabling merchants to sell across various AI-driven platforms such as Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. With this development, PayPal aims to allow small businesses to become more discoverable on leading AI platforms, thereby opening up new avenues for sales and customer engagement. Michelle Gill, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Small Business and Financial Services at PayPal, emphasized the significance of this acquisition: “PayPal has established itself as a leading commerce partner for merchants looking to sell within top AI platforms. Acquiring Cymbio’s technology and team will enhance our agentic commerce capabilities and accelerate the expansion to more of our merchants. By making their product catalogs discoverable on AI surfaces, merchants can increase sales while expanding product choice to the millions of consumers shopping on AI platforms today.” For small business owners, one of the primary benefits of this acquisition lies in its capacity to simplify the process of integrating product listings into AI shopping experiences. By utilizing Store Sync—a key feature of PayPal’s agentic commerce services—small businesses will be able to make their product data easily discoverable on AI channels. Moreover, this feature integrates seamlessly with existing fulfillment and management systems, allowing merchants to maintain their current business operations without significant disruption. As of now, well-known brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch and Ashley Furniture are already utilizing Store Sync on platforms like Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity, highlighting its viability and effectiveness in the market. The most impactful aspect for small businesses is that they will retain full control over their customer relationships and brand identity. Merchants will remain the merchant of record, mitigating concerns that can arise with third-party platforms. Small business owners should also consider the practical applications of this new technology. By optimizing the discoverability of their products, businesses can tap into new customer bases that prefer shopping through AI platforms. This could mean more sales opportunities, particularly as shopping behaviors evolve towards convenience and access to diverse product choices. However, potential challenges are worth noting. As with any technological integration, small business owners may need to invest time and resources into training staff and adapting internal processes to fully leverage Cymbio’s capabilities. Additionally, while enhanced visibility can drive sales, competition may also intensify as more retailers seek to capitalize on these AI platforms. Business owners must be prepared to navigate these changes proactively. This strategic move by PayPal is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending customary closing conditions. While the specific terms of the acquisition remain undisclosed, the implications for small businesses are significant. By embracing this technology, small retailers can position themselves at the forefront of a rapidly evolving marketplace, engaging consumers in innovative ways. As digital commerce continues to transform the buying experience, small business owners must remain agile and receptive to new opportunities, including those presented by AI-driven platforms. The integration of Cymbio into PayPal’s services may serve as a pivotal step for many small enterprises in enhancing their market presence, driving sales, and fostering customer loyalty. For those interested in the official announcement, more details can be found at PayPal’s newsroom: PayPal Press Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "PayPal Acquires Cymbio to Boost AI Commerce for Millions of Merchants" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu resorts to special constitutional power in order to tackle deficitView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I love getting things done around the house. I’m not the greatest carpenter, electrician, or plumber, but I like learning how things work and even enjoy learning from my mistakes (sometimes). And most of all, I like saving a bucket of money on home maintenance and repairs. None of this means that DIY isn't an incredible amount of work, however. Luckily, living in a consumption-based society means companies are always inventing new gadgets for me to buy, and some of them are incredibly useful for DIYers. The eight tool accessories below are ones I truly recommend. Each can help make your next project a little faster, easier, and/or safer. A multipail makes painting and cleaning neaterThis is one of those simple ideas that seems so obvious it’s hard to believe it took this long to be invented. The Multipail is a simple concept: A standard five-gallon bucket with a dustpan built in. It can also be used with a paint roller as a tray replacement, and has a drip-proof spout for pouring liquids without making a mess. You need a five-gallon bucket anyway, so why not use one that has these useful features molded in, instead of buying two or three wonky attachments? Flashlight gloves are a super convenient way to shed light on your workThere are a lot of ways to illuminate your work site, from standard flashlights to headband lamps to bendable LED lights. But sometimes you need to get light into a small space, and you need to be able to illuminate what you’re doing just by pointing at things. These flashlight gloves are cheap, waterproof, and make it easy to see what you’re doing without having to hold a separate light. An attachable bit holder will keep all your drill bits at handCordless drills are one of the most commonly-used tools in DIY projects, but they come with one major frustration: All those damn bits. If you’re constantly swapping out different-size drill bits and different screwdriver bits, you know how hard it can be to keep them organized (and how hard it is to not lose them). Enter this nifty drill bit holder that attaches to the bottom of your drill’s battery. It holds not just bits, but just about anything, from utility blades to fasteners. Designed to work with just about any manufacturer, it attaches to the bottom of the battery and lets you carry whatever you need right there on the tool. The Backsaver will eliminate the strain from low-down drillingThis drill attachment is probably overkill for most DIYers (and it isn’t cheap!), but if you’ve got a job requiring a lot of drilling down low, it might be the difference between a pleasant day of work and a broken back. Instead of getting on your hands and knees or even lying down in order to see what you’re drilling into, the Backsaver lets you work in a comfortable standing position while drilling at foot-level. It takes a bit of practice before you can just dive in, but your back will definitely thank you for taking the time. A panel carrier can help you lug around drywall and plywoodCarrying large sheets or panels like drywall or plywood can be challenging. It’s hard to maintain your grip and your balance, and navigating around corners and tight spaces often results in dropped items or scraped knuckles. This panel carrier from Gator Lift just clamps onto whatever you’re hauling around (up to two sheets at a time) and makes it very easy to carry it one-handed—which means you can actually open doors and easily maneuver while carrying these awkward, heavy sheets around. A ladder hook could save your neckI don’t know about you, but whenever I have to climb up to my roof to inspect or repair something (or clean out the gutters), there’s always at least one terrifying moment when the ladder shakes and shimmies, and I think I’m about to die. Ladders are always incredibly dangerous, but they’re especially dangerous when you’re working on your roof. This ladder hook from Lock Jaw clamps onto the roof and ensures the ladder doesn’t move, giving you an extra boost of safety. A clamping outlet will keep your power running safelyRunning power to wherever you’re working is sometimes a logistical challenge. There are plenty of ways to run a power strip to your project, but ensuring that you have easy, safe access to the strip sometimes involve some seriously janky engineering involving zipties, duct tape, or precariously balanced equipment. This clamping power strip is a lot more civilized. It ensures you’ll have plenty of outlets no matter where you’re working. It can clamp to a ladder, to a joist or rafter, a table, railing—literally anywhere. Power will always be nearby, and you won’t have to remember to plug in your corded tools before you climb up the ladder ever again. A ladder leveler will help you reach new heights without the riskIf you’ve got a standard extending ladder, you know that your greatest enemy is uneven ground. An unbalanced ladder is a disaster waiting to happen, but most DIYers have climbed onto a shaking, leaning ladder at least once in their life, hoping their luck holds out long enough to get some quick bit of work done. Instead, invest in a ladder stabilizer. Install it on your ladder and it automatically adjusts the legs on each side so you have a perfectly balanced, perfectly stable ladder to climb no matter how uneven the ground might be. Considering that half a million people go to the ER for ladder-related injuries every year, everyone should probably have this installed on their ladder. View the full article