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We may earn a commission from links on this page. In Dan Fogelman's Paradise, we're apparently in an affluent suburban town in which everything looks fairly tidy. It's the home of Sterling K. Brown's Xavier Collins, a widower and secret service agent, which would be more impressive if the president he'd been serving (James Marsden) hadn't been murdered (much of the narrative is revealed in flashbacks). Oh, and that cute little town? Turns out that it's ... something else. These 10 shows also come at their dystopian narratives sideways, using science fiction in surprising ways. Stream Paradise on Hulu and then head down these other dark holes. Silo (2023 – ) Rebecca Ferguson stars as Juliette Nichols, an engineer who gets wrapped up in an investigation involving the local sheriff (David Oyelowo)—usual procedural stuff, except that the characters all inhabit a massive silo, 144 levels deep, protecting the remaining 10,000 humans from the allegedly poisoned world above. Those running the silo have managed to convince everyone left that only strict adherence to rules and procedures will keep them safe from the dangers outside. This is a more dour, less colorful apocalypse than the one in Fallout—it's a prestige drama that incorporates elements of horror, mystery, and science fiction to tell human stories about fear and control. A third and concluding fourth season are both coming, so the show has the increasingly rare advantage of a planned conclusion. Stream Silo on Apple TV+. Silo (2023 – ) at Apple TV Learn More Learn More at Apple TV Ascension (2014) This smart, not terribly well-remembered miniseries establishes an alternate timeline à la For All Mankind: The Kennedy administration sends a generation ship into space (allegedly) in order to ensure the survival of humanity through the Cold War; as the series opens, it's been just a bit over 50 years since the launch (2014, as it happens). The first murder ever committed on the Ascension raises a ton of questions, as does the fact that nobody back on Earth seems to have ever heard of this massive project. Look out for a couple of shock reveals and smart twists. Stream Ascension on Tubi. Ascension (2014) at Tubi Learn More Learn More at Tubi Snowpiercer (2020 – 2024) Though initially feeling like an unnecessary extension of Bong Joon Ho's allegorical post-apocalyptic film, Snowpiercer ultimately takes on a life of its own as a clever sci-fi melodrama, smartly recognizing that there are no heroes and few true villains at the end of the world—it's mostly just people doing whatever they can to survive. In a frozen future, humanity survives on an extremely long train that circumnavigates the globe. If it stops, the power will go out and everyone (literally everyone) will die. Those who came aboard with wealth live near the front in relative luxury, while the poor live on scraps (or worse) in the train's tail. Daveed Diggs stars as former detective Andre Layton, a "Tailie" deputized by Jennifer Connelly's Melanie Cavill, engineer and the train's Head of Hospitality, to solve a series of murders. The inevitable uprising that follows sets the two of them on different sides of a violent conflict, before each eventually realizes they're just pawns of elites—same as it ever was. It's far less coy about its sci-fi setting than Paradise, but pays as a similarly apocalyptic political thriller. Stream Snowpiercer on Prime Video and Tubi. Snowpiercer (2020 – 2024) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Sugar (2024 – ) Sugar doesn't try to obscure or downplay its reliance on old-school Hollywood noir tropes: Its characters are driven to emulate the style of antiheroes of old, and clips from old movies even play alongside the action as a means of driving the point home. The central mystery sees detective John Sugar (Colin Farrell) summoned to the mansion of a rich movie producer (James Cromwell), whose granddaughter has gone missing. The first few episodes are intriguing, and the premise is unique in that Sugar is kind of an anti-anti-hero—he's an actual nice guy in a world where he's expected to play the tough guy. The sixth episode, though, drops an absolutely wild, love-it-or-hate it plot twist that drives the remaining episode and, presumably, the forthcoming second season—and that's where it it heads into Paradise territory as a bit of sneaky, stealthy sci-fi. The show comes from writer Mark Protosevich (The Cell, I Am Legend) and is smartly directed by City of God's Fernando Meirelles, so it has style to spare. Stream Sugar on Apple TV. Sugar (2024 – ) at Apple TV Learn More Learn More at Apple TV Wayward Pines (2015 – 2016) While we're talking high-concept sci-fi, let's head off to Wayward Pines, from whence you will never leave. Based on a trilogy of Blake Crouch novels, this one stars Matt Dillon as a secret service agent investigating the disappearances of two fellow agents in the Idaho town of Wayward Pines. Things go awry pretty much immediately, and he wakes up from a car accident to find one of the agents (Carla Gugino), who's also his ex, having settled down in the seemingly idyllic community—and 12 years older than when he last saw her only a few weeks ago. Even more dramatically, the local sheriff (Terrence Howard) enforces a strict "no one ever leaves" policy, on pain of having one's neck slit. The mysteries pile up from there. Stream Wayward Pines on Hulu and Disney+. Wayward Pines (2015 – 2016) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Fallout (2024 – ) In the world of Fallout, adapted from the video games, the aesthetic of the 1950s hung on for a lot longer than it did in our own, so plot similarities give way, in part, to a unique sense of style. The background is a little complicated, but not belabored within the show itself: It's 2296 on an Earth devastated two centuries earlier by a nuclear war between the United States and China. Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) emerges from the underground fallout shelter where she's lived her entire life in order to find her father, kidnapped by raiders. The aboveground wasteland is dominated by warring factions, each of which considers the others cults and believes that they alone know the correct way forward for mankind. Amid this conflict, the landscape is also overrun by ghouls, gulpers, and other wild radiation monsters, and Lucy seems to be just about the only human with any lingering belief in humanity. Stream Fallout on Prime Video. Fallout (2024 – ) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Silent Sea (2021) Bae Doona (whom you'll know from everything from Cloud Atlas to Sense8 to Rebel Moon) stars in this twisty-turny sci-fi drama that starts on a dry, near-waterless Earth of the near-future, following a team of astronauts and scientists sent on a mission to an abandoned lunar base. They're tasked with retrieving a mysterious sample, and it soon becomes clear that the bureaucrats on Earth know a lot more about that sample than they’re telling. Suffice it to say that nothing goes particularly well—there are deaths, betrayals, and a deadly something that might be humanity's future, but might just as easily be its end. Stream The Silent Sea on Netflix. The Silent Sea (2021) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyō) (2023) We follow two parallel narratives in this (deeply weird) post-apocalyptic anime: In one, a group of children live in a confined, sterile, closely monitored school environment, called "Heaven" and protected from what we quickly learn is the devastation outside; in the other, bodyguard Kiruko and their companion Maru travel across a devastated Japan. Those relatively straightforward dystopian strands soon give way to some wild twists and turns as the plot lines dovetail into a story involving gender and sexual politics as well as a whole lot of dark secrets. Stream Heavenly Delusion on Hulu. Tengoku Daimakyō (2023) at Hulu Learn More Learn More at Hulu Class of '09 (2023) In much the same way that Paradise takes us to a sci-fi-inspired world for a political thriller, Class of '09 feels like a crime thriller until it doesn't: Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara star as a couple of FBI trainees in 2009 who we follow, concurrently, into two further timeframes: the present, circa 2023, and the future of 2034. The primary thread here is the development of artificial intelligence as a tool to predict crime, and the dangers inherent in targeting people who might only hypothetically commit crime. Prescient only a couple of years ago, the show feels impressively and alarmingly current in our AI-whether-you-like-it-or-not era. Stream Class of '09 on Disney+ and Hulu. Class of '09 (2023) Learn More Learn More Severance (2022 – ) Late-stage capitalism encourages “work-life balance” while simultaneously making it impossible, and then makes us feel guilty about it. In Severance, biotechnology giant Lumon Industries has a solution: They split your consciousness between your life at work and your life outside of it. For our lead characters (among them, Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, and Britt Lower) the work- and home-based consciousnesses grow apart to the point that they become different people. The show blends the conventions of office-based dark comedies with movies like Brazil and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, diving into the dangers of modern American-style totalitarian capitalism while providing a reminder that technology often promises to improve our lives while only making them worse. Stream Severance on Apple TV+. Severance (2022 – ) Learn More Learn More View the full article

Google Discover has publisher profile pages. They live at profile.google.com/cp/ and appear when someone taps a publisher’s name on a Discover card. These pages aren’t new. They launched in August 2025 with the Follow button rollout, and by November 2025 Google’s documentation referred to them as “source overviews.” For most of the 47,000+ publishers we monitored, the pages are auto-generated: a name, follower count, social links pulled from the Knowledge Graph, recent posts, and a footer label that reads “Profile generated by Google.” Since March 2026, though, something changed for a small subset of publishers. A group gained access to enhanced profiles: custom banner images, a configurable links shelf, and the ability to pin posts (labeled “Pinned” in the publisher interface, formerly “Featured Posts”). They also gained control over the order of their social links, website, and content tabs — something standard profiles don’t allow. On standard profiles, social links are sorted algorithmically by follower count, with the website listed last. On claimed profiles, the publisher decides. The “Profile generated by Google” label also disappeared entirely, replaced by nothing — a quiet signal that the profile had been claimed. There’s no public documentation explaining how to get access. No Search Console toggle. No application form. Google appears to have hand-selected participants for what is effectively an invitation-only pilot program. We identified 54 publishers in this cohort. All are U.S.-based. All publish in English. And what they have — and haven’t — done with the feature over two months of monitoring reveals patterns every publisher should watch before the program scales. How we found the 54 Our Profile Features Monitor tracks 46,926 publishers across seven languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese. To isolate the enhanced cohort, we filtered for publishers that showed persistent enhanced-profile signals across multiple snapshots: active links, full banner headers, or both. The result: 54 domains with stable access to the enhanced profile surface. The composition of that group offers clues about Google’s intentions: TierPublishersExamplesNational15WSJ, Fox News, NY Post, Newsweek, InquirerRegional Paper13Boston Globe, SFGate, CT Insider, Times UnionLocal TV14KTLA, PIX11, MyFox8, WSMV, Atlanta News FirstLifestyle Brand6Delish, The Dodo, Country Living, House BeautifulSpecialty6Pew Research, The Athletic, Gothamist, Civil Beat The skew toward local news and community publishers is striking and aligns with Google’s public emphasis on supporting local journalism. Nearly half the cohort — 27 of 54 publishers — consists of regional newspapers and local TV stations. National brands are included too, but they’re not the majority. The two-tier profile system Under the hood, Google operates two distinct profile architectures. Understanding the difference matters because this isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade. It’s a structural split. Standard profile (99.9% of publishers): Auto-generated from public sources. “Profile generated by Google” label visible. No publisher control over content or layout. Claimed profile (the 54 publishers): No generation label. Publisher can configure the banner, links shelf, and pinned post. Publisher controls the order of social links, website, and content tabs (standard profiles sort them by follower count). This isn’t Search Console verification, structured data markup, or any existing publisher tool. It’s a separate, invitation-only system. What the 54 publishers actually did This is where it gets interesting. Access to a feature and its effective use are different. Here’s what the data shows across each configurable surface. Banners: professional, deliberate, tier-predictive Forty-one of the 54 publishers uploaded a banner image. The remaining 13 have the capability — a “prepared” state — but haven’t used it yet. What stands out is the production quality. There are no amateur banners in the cohort. Every uploaded image reflects clear professional design investment. Five distinct visual archetypes emerged: Brand-pattern: No photography, just the wordmark or abstract identity repeated as a tile. Pure prestige. WSJ Barron’s Pew Research Editorial content: The banner shows what the publisher covers. A food shot, a puppy, a stock chart. Delish The Dodo Fox Business Local landmark: City skylines, local scenery, and regional identity anchors. KTLA Atlanta News First Boston Globe Brand-statement: Curated collages with taglines or portfolio displays: SecretNYC NY Magazine Front-page archive: A grid of 12 iconic covers. Tabloid heritage as visual identity. Unique in the cohort. NY Post Tier predicts archetype. National publishers cluster around brand-pattern banners. Local outlets lean into civic identity and city imagery. Lifestyle brands showcase their content directly. One anomaly: The Athletic uploaded a solid black square — 656×656 pixels. Whether that reflects deliberate minimalism aligned with The Athletic’s dark UI or simply a broken upload is unclear. It’s the only non-image banner in the cohort. The format split is revealing: 71% used square banners — likely Google’s recommended ratio — while 29% used wide landscape formats. None used portrait layouts. Based on CDN serving patterns, the minimum recommended resolution appears to be 512 pixels on the longest side. Publishers that chose wide formats made deliberate design decisions: SecretNYC uses a manifesto-style collage, the New York Post uses a headline grid, and Barron’s uses a geometric pattern. Square appears to be the default safe option. Links: local TV dominates, nationals ignore it Thirty-three of the 54 publishers enabled the links feature. Of those, 31 added at least one link, for a total of 65 configured links across the cohort. The content is overwhelmingly focused on on-site navigation: 85% of links point to the publisher’s own sections, weather pages, live streams, or app downloads. This functions more like a mini site navigation layer than a promotional surface. The tier gap is enormous: Local TV: 31 links across 14 hosts (average 2.2 per publisher). Fox affiliates consistently shelve: Watch Live, Weather, Local News, Sub-region, Contact. National: 9 links across 15 hosts (average 0.6 per publisher). Most nationals didn’t bother. Three outliers worth noting: PIX11 published “How to make PIX11 a preferred source on Google,” meta-promoting Discover follows from within the Discover profile itself. Gothamist funneled donations through `pledge.wnyc.org` with a purpose-specific utm_campaign=discover-profile tag. Fox Nation placed a direct subscription conversion link (“Subscribe to Fox Nation”) on what most publishers treat as a navigational surface. Pinned posts (formerly Featured Posts): capability granted, rarely used Fifty-two of the 54 publishers enabled the Pinned feature. Only 13 currently use it with an active pinned post. Lifestyle brands were the strongest adopters: five of six had the feature active. Among national publishers, only 2 of 15 used it. The capability exists across nearly the entire cohort. Adoption does not. About text: Wikipedia out, self-branding in On standard profiles, the “About” section is auto-generated by Google, usually sourced from Wikipedia. On claimed profiles, publishers write their own. Within the cohort, 38 of 54 use a custom-written description, while only 16 retain a Wikipedia-sourced version — a surprisingly low number for publishers of this size and prominence. The tone splits cleanly by publisher tier. Local TV stations lean promotional (“Your trusted source for breaking news, accurate weather forecasts and local sports across Greensboro…” ). National and digital-native publishers stay more factual (“Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio”). One publisher takes a mission-driven approach: Delish — “you don’t have to know how to cook, you just have to love to eat!” The implication for publishers preparing for this feature: once you claim the profile, you take control of the About section. It becomes your pitch on a Google-owned page. Notably, the most visible publishers in the cohort chose factual descriptions over promotional copy. UTM tracking: the blind spot Only three of the 65 configured links include analytics parameters. Gothamist tagged its donation link with utm_campaign=discover-profile, making it the only publisher in the cohort treating the profile as a measurable acquisition channel. The Philadelphia Inquirer instrumented two links, but one reused an Instagram bio campaign tag (mktg_acq_ig_organic_bio_offer), meaning Discover traffic from that link will be misattributed to Instagram in analytics. The other 62 links have no tracking at all. In practice, 95% of the cohort has no way to measure whether profile links generate traffic. Social platform priorities On claimed profiles, publishers control the display order of social links and content tabs. Standard profiles don’t: Google sorts links algorithmically by follower count and places the website last. That means the ordering we observe on claimed profiles reflects deliberate editorial choices, not algorithmic defaults: Local TV stations list Facebook first: 86% (12 of 14). Zero list X/Twitter first. National publishers spread their bets: Facebook 33%, Instagram 20%, X 20%, YouTube 13%. Specialty/digital-native outlets lean Instagram-first (67%). Concrete examples: Newsweek places YouTube first and Articles second. Delish leads with Website, followed by Instagram. These are active editorial decisions about which audience channel matters most. The local TV finding is particularly notable. Despite news media’s historical reliance on X/Twitter, not a single local station in this cohort places it as their primary social link. Sister-site coordination For media groups with multiple properties in the cohort, setup patterns reveal whether profile management is centralized or handled locally: Hearst Connecticut, which has five papers in the cohort, shows near-identical configuration across all profiles. The links structure is the same, including a shared Hearst checkout funnel with publication-specific site IDs. The setup points to a centralized digital team managing profile operations across the group. Even so, each masthead still uses distinct banner art. Dow Jones, across The Wall Street Journal and jp.wsj.com, uses shared banner artwork: the same wordmark tile, confirmed through perceptual hashing. That points to brand coordination at the asset level. Everyone else Everyone else — including Fox affiliates, Dotdash Meredith properties, and the Fox News group — shows completely different setups across properties, even within owned-and-operated chains. Profile management appears to be handled locally rather than centrally. The rollout is still active Comparing snapshots #9 and #12 — taken 19 days apart — confirms this isn’t a frozen experiment. During that window, four publishers added banners (jp.wsj.com, New York Post, SecretNYC, and Everyday Health), one activated Links for the first time (New York Post), and jp.wsj.com (The Wall Street Journal’s Japanese edition) entered the cohort entirely. No publishers lost features. The program is still expanding within the cohort, and new participants continue to appear. The adoption paradox We scored each publisher on a composite 0–6 scale, assigning one point for each of the following: Banner uploaded Links feature active Featured Posts active At least one configured link Four or more social platforms listed Any UTM tracking present Nobody scored 6. The distribution: ScorePublishers%22241%31019%41426%5815%600% National publishers with the largest audiences are the least engaged with the configurable surface, with a mean score of 2.93. Most uploaded a banner and stopped there. Local TV stations — despite having the smallest Discover footprints — are the most engaged, with a mean score of 3.57. Lifestyle brands score highest overall at 3.83, yet their Discover visibility trajectory is the flattest in the cohort. And here’s the critical finding: feature adoption shows no correlation with visibility trajectory. Across the cohort, the 180-day late/early capture ratio ranges from 0.23x for Prevention — down 77% — to 4.27x for NewsNation — up 327%. Variance is massive within every tier. KTLA scores high on adoption, with seven links, a full banner, and active profile engagement, and grew 3.69x. But Delish also scores high and declined to 0.90x. MyFox8 configured five links and fell to 0.52x. Publishers that fully utilized the configurable surface show no better visibility trajectory than those who used it minimally. This feature gives publishers a controlled surface for branding and navigation, not a ranking lever. It’s a profile page, not an algorithm input. What this means for publishers The program is U.S.-only and invitation-only for now. Across the six other language markets we monitor — French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, and Portuguese — we found zero enhanced profile deployments: not a single banner or configured link outside the English-language cohort. But the underlying infrastructure is already in place. All 47,000+ publishers we track already have profile pages with follower counts, social links, and content feeds. The enhanced features sit on top of that existing architecture. Google isn’t rebuilding the system. It’s selectively unlocking capabilities within it. If — or when — Google scales this, here’s how publishers should prepare: Audit your structured data now. Profile social links are pulled from your sameAs/JSON-LD markup. Errors there will carry over to your profile. Verify what Google will display before you’re given control. Design a banner. Use a square format (1:1 ratio) with a minimum resolution of 512px, and treat it as a professional brand asset. The 54 publishers in this cohort set a clear standard: there were no amateur images. Think about which archetype fits your brand: a wordmark tile for prestige brands, local landmarks for regional publishers, or content-driven imagery for vertical and lifestyle outlets. Plan your link strategy. The data suggests that section navigation and utility content — weather, live streams, and similar recurring destinations — drive the most engagement. Local TV stations treating the profile as a mini site navigation layer are the clearest power users. Decide now which five to seven links represent your most valuable entry points. Instrument from day one. Almost nobody in the current cohort tracks profile link performance. Adding a dedicated UTM campaign parameter — utm_campaign=discover-profile, for example — would put you ahead of 95% of the pilot group on attribution alone. If you’re a media group, decide your operating model. Should profile management be centralized or handled newsroom by newsroom? The cohort shows both models. Hearst Connecticut runs one coordinated setup across five papers, while Fox affiliates manage profiles independently at the station level. The important part is that the choice is deliberate — not something decided accidentally when individual newsrooms start receiving invitations. Methodology Data comes from the 1492.vision Profile Features Monitor, which tracks roughly 47,000 publishers across seven languages through recurring snapshots of profile metadata. The 54-publisher cohort was identified through persistent enhanced-feature signals observed across multiple snapshots between March and May 2026. Visibility trajectories are based on proprietary capture data. All findings are descriptive only: the cohort reflects Google’s selection criteria, not a random sample, and this dataset does not support causal claims about feature impact. The full analysis — including the complete 10-phase timeline, banner image gallery, snapshot-by-snapshot evolution, and tier-by-tier breakdowns — is available at 1492.vision/research/discover-publisher-profiles-en. View the full article

Chromebooks have been a major success for Google, but they have their limits. While they're great for school and light work (especially if you're all-in on Google), they aren't necessarily the best choice for more intense or professional computer work. For that, people often turn to two main platforms: Mac or PC. It seems Google sees an opportunity to add another to the mix: The company looks like it wants to capture Android users who might be choosing from one of the other two platforms for their computing needs. iPhone users often choose Mac, after all, so maybe Android users would choose the right Google computer, too. Googlebooks are a new laptop from GoogleEnter Googlebooks, a new laptop platform spearheaded by Google. The company announced the new product line during Tuesday's presentation of The Android Show: I/O Edition. Because it's 2026, these laptops are designed with AI in mind. And, because this is Google, the AI of choice here is Gemini—specifically, Gemini Intelligence, which Google also announced during its keynote. Based on what I've seen, the OS is quite similar in appearance to Chrome OS. There's a dock at the bottom of the screen with various apps, a menu bar at the top of the display, and apps work in floating windows. Standard stuff. What Google is particularly excited about, however, is the Googlebook's new cursor, which it calls the "Magic Pointer." Like a typical cursor, you move the Magic Pointer across the screen to interact with different elements. But if you give the Magic Pointer a little shake, it'll activate Gemini, which will then let you know what actions it can take on your behalf. For example, you could shake the Magic Pointer over a date in an email and receive an option to set up a meeting. You could select two pictures in your photo library, shake the pointer, and see the option to combine those two images into one. Credit: Google Because this is meant to be a seamless cross-platform experience (à la Apple), you can run your mobile Android apps on your Googlebook. That doesn't just mean installing the Android version on your Googlebook; rather, you can run the apps from your phone on your laptop. Google has some ideas for how you should use it: You could fire up the DoorDash app on your Googlebook if you want to order lunch while working on a Google Doc, or open Duolingo to run through your daily language lesson without leaving your laptop. (These are things you could do already with these companies' web apps, but I get the direction.) On a similar note, you can use Quick Access to retrieve files from your phone on your Googlebook, without having to send the files to yourself. Google says it's bringing Gemini Intelligence's new "Create your Widget" feature to Googlebooks as well. The feature lets you use Gemini to generate your own custom widgets. You could create a widget that shows you the wind speed and rain forecast of any city you wish, or a widget that lists all upcoming concerts at the venue closest to you. It's a neat use of generative AI, and it makes sense that the company would include the feature on Googlebooks, not just Android proper. Unlike other major manufacturers, Google isn't slapping a large "G" on the cover to let you know this is a Googlebook. While the company has a small "Googlebook" logo underneath the keyboard, these machines will come with a "glowbar" on the lid. This is a functioning light bar, too, not just decoration, so it will actually glow as you use the laptop. Credit: Google According to Google, the company has partnered with Acer, ASUS, Dell, and HP to manufacture its first batch of Googlebooks. Google says that each will be built with "premium craftsmanship and materials," and will come in many different shapes and sizes. That said, the company is light on specific details at this time, and it's not clear which company made the device we see in the renders. View the full article

Google's AI has gone through a couple of stages thus far. First, Google launched "Bard" as a direct competitor to ChatGPT. Soon after, the company rebranded to "Gemini," encompassing everything from its chatbot to its LLMs. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google revealed its newest AI iteration: Gemini Intelligence. It might sound suspiciously similar to another company's AI suite, but Gemini Intelligence offers a number of unique features—at least, according to Google. Gemini Intelligence's new agentic abilitiesGoogle is positioning "Gemini Intelligence" as an agentic assistant. While the company already offers agentic capabilities, like ordering cabs through Uber or takeout through DoorDash, the new experience should have more abilities. For example, Google says Gemini can book you a front-row bike in your spin class, or order the books you need for a class after finding the syllabus in your Gmail inbox. Google is also touting Gemini's image context for automation. In one example, you could pull up your grocery list in your notes app of choice, then ask Gemini to add the items to your shopping cart. In another situation, you could take a photo of a travel brochure you find in your hotel's lobby and ask Gemini to find you a tour for your group that matches the experience in the literature. Gemini Intelligence offers more advanced autofillAutofill is one of those features I definitely take for granted. It's not always perfect (please don't enter my phone number in the credit card form), but when it works, it saves you a ton of time filling out digital paperwork. According to Google, Gemini Intelligence is upping the ante with autofill, with the goal of filling in just about any information in any form. The big example here concerns traveling: Imagine you're buying a plane ticket, and you need to fill out your identifying information. While traditional autofill can help with your name, phone number, email, and so on, you usually need to find your passport (or a picture of your passport) to fill out that section. Google says Gemini Intelligence can tap into Personal Intelligence to autofill secure details like your passport information. You'll see a button appear marked "Passport," which, when tapped, enters in all of those details. Google says the feature is "strictly opt-in," so you have the choice whether or not to connect to Gemini Intelligence in these instances. You also have the option to disable it at any time. "Rambler" improves dictation on AndroidGemini Intelligence is also aiming to improve dictation, specifically by polishing up our often unpolished thoughts. To do so, Google is introducing a new feature called "Rambler": When you dictate to Gemini Intelligence, instead of writing down all of your "ums" and "uhs," Rambler tries to jot down only what you intend to say. That includes when telling the AI you made a mistake. If you say something like "On my grocery list, I need three bananas, one orange juice, a gallon of milk, (oh wait, never mind, I have milk) and a loaf of bread," Rambler should only write down "On my grocery list, I need three bananas, one orange juice, and a loaf of bread." You can also ask Rambler to adjust the formatting of the dictation, so you can turn that string of grocery items into a bulleted list with emojis. According to Google, there's a visual difference between Rambler and standard dictation, so you should always know when the feature is on. The company says the audio is only used to transcribe it in real time, and isn't stored after the fact. Google also says Rambler supports multiple languages, so you can use dictation while switching languages without having to start and stop dictation. Gemini Intelligence lets you build your own custom widgetsThis is the feature that piqued my interest the most: Gemini Intelligence will, supposedly, offer users the chance to build their own widgets for the home screen. Rather than wait on app developers to make widgets that may or may not do what you what them to, you can ask Gemini Intelligence to build those widgets on your behalf. Google says "Create My Widget" lets you ask Gemini to make widgets from prompts like "show me upcoming concerts at Madison Square Garden," "display wind speed and rain for Golden, CO," or "suggest new meal prep recipes at the start of each week." Should the feature work as advertised, you can generate custom widgets that are uniquely tailored to your needs and interests. View the full article

Google has been beta testing Android 17 since February, and, so far, it's been a pretty small update. Based on the existing beta versions, the new version of Android will introduce "app bubbles," which present apps in floating, easy-to-dismiss windows, as well as a new way to remap game controller buttons across Android. But with the exception of some quality-of-life updates, Android 17 has been shaping up to be a pretty minor update. It seems, however, that Google was saving some of its biggest features for The Android Show: I/O Edition. While the company announced a number of new features across the board, including Gemini Intelligence, 3D emoji, and "Googlebooks," its Android 17 announcements mostly revolved around one thing: social media. Instagram uploads should look better on Android 17 For years, Android hasn't had the best reputation when it comes to social media uploads. Google wants to change that now: With Android 17, Google says it has partnered with Meta to offer new features for Instagram. That includes Ultra HDR support, for image capture and playback, built-in video stabilization to reduce the shakiness of your uploads, and Night Sight integration, which should brighten your Instagram updates when captured in dark environments. But the criticisms were never just about the lack of internal tools. Instagram for Android has been accused of reducing the quality of posts when uploaded, especially when using the in-app camera. Google says this shouldn't be the case with Android 17: The company "optimized the capture-to-upload pipeline" to retain details when posting from Android. Google even claims that videos captured and uploaded from "flagship" Android devices score similar or better on the Universal Video Quality (UVQ) model than the "leading competitor." (It doesn't say this specifically, but I think we all know that means the iPhone.) Android 17 gets its own Edits app featuresInstagram's Edits app is a video editing tool meant for cutting clips for Instagram. The app is available on both iOS and Android, but, according to Google, the Android version is getting some exclusive new features for Android 17. First, there's "Smart enhance," which uses on-device AI to upscale photos and videos. There's also a new "Sound separation" feature that displays all of the sounds in your video on different tracks. If there's something in the video you don't want to hear (wind, noise, extraneous music, etc.) it should be easy enough to isolate it and remove it from the finished video. Instagram is coming to Android tabletsInstagram made waves in September when it released a dedicated iPad app for the first time. After nearly 15 years of small-screen exclusivity, Meta launched an app optimized for the iPad's display. According to Google, these same benefits are now coming to Android tablets, but the company doesn't seem particularly focused on the consumer angle here. Instead, Google says that vloggers and filmmakers can now use the new optimized experience to edit their videos on a "larger canvas." As video editing continues to go mobile—especially for short-form video content—it makes sense that Google would want to offer tools to users who want a larger display to work, but still want a touch-screen experience. Adobe Premiere is coming to Android this summerAs part of these announcements, Google revealed that Adobe Premiere is finally coming to Android. The app has been available on iOS since August, but Google says the Android version will have exclusive templates and effects, meant for posting directly to YouTube Shorts. It's not clear whether you'll need to be running Android 17 to use Premiere on Android, but Google did fold the news into its Android 17 announcements. What does this mean for social media uploads on Android?The fact that Google dedicated its Android 17 announcements to social media says a lot. It tells me that Google is feeling behind Apple in this race, as more users associate iPhones with social media and short-form video uploads. I'm not sure if these features will kickstart a new wave of Android users posting to platforms like Instagram and YouTube Shorts, but perhaps it's time. After all, there was once a time when it seemed like the Mac would never catch up to the PC. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. If you’re in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker that still doesn’t skimp on the bass, the Tribit StormBox Mini+ speaker is a rugged option built for outdoor use. It’s earned a PCMag Editor’s Choice Award for being a lightweight yet powerful and long-lasting speaker (with a fun lighting feature…more on that below), and right now it’s 24% off and $31.99 (originally $41.99 on Amazon). Tribit StormBox Mini+ Speaker $31.99 at Amazon $41.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Get Deal $31.99 at Amazon $41.99 Save $10.00 Despite hovering at a $32 price point, the Tribit StormBox Mini+ packs in a lot of features. Available at this price in blue and green, it provides immersive stereo sound with a pair of 48mm drivers facing outward on the left and right sides, delivering a total of 12W of stereo sound. Combined with a passive radiator, it provides a frequency response of 80Hz to 20kHz. It can be made even more immersive by pairing with another StormBox Mini+ in True Wireless Stereo Mode. At just 4.68 by 3.58 inches and just 1.22 pounds, its size is comparable to a softball or water bottle, and is made even more portable with the addition of a small lanyard. PCMag calls the stereo sound “punchy and rich,” despite its compact size, and customizable EQ on the Tribit app lets you tweak it further. It has an IPX7 rating, making it fully waterproof. While it does have a mic for calls and your phone’s smart assistant, it can sound faint and distant at times, even with the volume on high. Battery life lasts up to 12 hours at 50% volume and recharges in 2.5 hours. Another unusual feature is its RGB lighting effects with modes that let the lights spin or flicker (also controlled on the app), allowing you to set the vibe on your adventures. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a tiny but bass-heavy budget speaker that you can easily throw in your bag—and one rugged enough to withstand splashes and rain, with the unexpected party perk of lighting—the Tribit StormBox Mini+ will give you solid sound and portability for a low price point. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $229.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Apple iPad 11" A16 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Silver, 2025) — $319.99 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $299.99 (List Price $649.99) Dell 15 DC15250 (Intel Core i7 13th Gen, 512GB SSD, 8GB RAM, Touch Display) — $599.99 (List Price $839.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

A reader writes: I work in a healthcare-adjacent job with a pretty generous leave policy. When folks are going to take a sick day, it’s our practice to drop a note into Teams and say, “Not feeling well, taking a sick day, contact X about Y if it’s urgent, see you tomorrow I hope.” Sometimes folks will add a bit more info — saying they have a migraine or they caught the flu going around, etc. — but there’s nothing along the lines of needing to justify it to your manager or your team. If you’re sick, you’re sick and you take your leave. What I’m wondering about: quite often younger employees will specifically note that they are taking a mental health day when they call (or rather, message) in sick. Is that advisable? I’ve spoken with peers about this and they were also taken aback by the (mostly) Zoomers who often do this and felt that it’s an overshare. On one hand, I appreciate that they are taking care of themselves and I suppose it’s nice to normalize self-care around mental health, especially since we work in an adjacent field. On the other hand, it seems like an overshare to me. I’ve had my struggles with mental health and totally support people using PTO however they want. But it seems … weird to share this info. Does “mental health day” mean you are dealing with suicidal ideation (or similar) or it’s just been a rough month? If you took a mental health day on Monday, do I need to treat you with kid gloves on Tuesday? What if there’s a tough conversation that needs to be had, or a ton of work that needs to be done quickly? I would hold back on doing that if it was a person’s first day back from something like bereavement leave. But if it was after a physical sick day, I’d assume that the person is back in the office and prepared to carry on as usual. Do managers owe it to employees, especially more junior ones, to say, “Hey, you never owe an explanation about PTO, and sometimes saying ‘mental health day’ can read a little unprofessional, even if it shouldn’t”? You can read my answer to this letter at New York Magazine today. Head over there to read it. The post should you tell your boss you’re taking a mental health day? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Cove Kaz Capital has already secured up to $1.6bn in government support for project in Kazakhstan View the full article

Google has confirmed a bug with the Discover report within Google Search Console. Google had a data “logging” error that caused a decrease in clicks and impressions for the Discover report between the dates of May 7, 2026 until May 8, 2026. Google said this is just a “data logging only” and your positioning in Google Discover was not impacted. The issue. Google again said a data logging issue caused reporting issues with the Discover report between May 7, 2026, and May 8, 2026. This may have resulted in a “decrease in clicks and impressions in the Discover performance report,” Google posted. Why we care. There were a number of publishers noticing a drop in clicks and impressions based on this report, keep in mind, if you do also, it is likely related to this reporting bug. Annotate your reporting and update your stakeholders that May 7 – May 8 data for Discover was broken and should be disregarded. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Garmin has unveiled two new entry-level running watches: the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170. Both are available starting May 15, 2026, priced at $249.99 and $299.99 respectively, with a Forerunner 170 Music edition coming in at $349.99. Right off the bat, the big selling points are the AMOLED touchscreen displays, along with a suite of training tools that go beyond what I’d call “entry-level.” On paper, these watches are positioned as upgrades to the Forerunner 55 and Forerunner 165—but whether they actually deliver on that promise is more complicated. Here's what we know so far. What we know about the Garmin Forerunner 70To quote Lifehacker senior health editor Beth Skwarecki, “It's about time Garmin offered a modern-looking watch under $250.” The Forerunner 70 is certainly a glow-up over the Forerunner 55 (originally $199.99), adding a touchscreen AMOLED display, Garmin Run Coach, advanced training features, acute load and load ratio tracking, sleep score, morning and evening reports, and a quick workout option. The run/walk workout feature is a particularly nice touch for beginners easing into a running routine. That said, context matters. At $249.99, is the Forerunner 70 really competitive with other brands in this price range? The Coros Pace 4 is also $249 and includes dual-band GPS and 4 GB of offline music storage. The Suunto Run is even more affordable at $199, and it, too, manages to offer dual-band GPS and 4 GB of music storage. The Forerunner 70, by comparison, has single-band GPS and just 0.5 GB of storage. Now, where the 70 does make a name for itself is with Garmin's software ecosystem. Some features that neither Suunto nor Coros typically offer include glances with battery data, sleep coaching with suggested bedtimes, lifestyle logging, weight tracking, sports scores, and a fitness coach that blends strength training with cardio without requiring you to commit to a specific sport. Like with all things Garmin, this is for people looking for more than just to track runs. (Even though watches that “just track runs” are exactly what the London Marathon winners wear.) One small note here: Garmin's website currently lists the 70 and 170 as a single product, which is a little odd. Whether that's a placeholder or something more intentional, I’ll keep an eye on it. What we know about the Garmin Forerunner 170Like the 70 is an upgrade of the 55, the Forerunner 170 is positioned as an upgrade to the Forerunner 165 (originally $249.99 at launch in April 2024, with the Music edition at $299.99). However, it might be more accurate to compare this watch to the fan-favorite Forerunner 265, which was $449 originally, but now regularly goes on sale for $349.99 (which is the current MSRP of the 170 Music). Garmin Forerunner 265 Running Smartwatch (Black/Grey) $348.99 at Walmart $449.99 Save $101.00 Get Deal Get Deal $348.99 at Walmart $449.99 Save $101.00 The 170 actually has shorter battery life than the 165: It has 10 days versus 11-13. It’s not a crazy trade-off, considering all the software updates. As Garmin puts it, the Forerunner 170’s advantage is the expanded feature set. However, the 170 is missing a few features that the 265 had. It doesn't have dual-band GPS, supports fewer GPS networks overall, doesn't have cycling workouts or multisport support, and it's unclear whether it can connect to a power meter (the 265 could; the 165 could not). These are more complicated trade-offs to weigh for anyone who was hoping for a straightforward upgrade. Now, what the 170 does bring to the table are the kind of software features the Forerunner 570 has been receiving, which the -65 series missed out on. That means things like the Garmin Run Coach (a newer, more capable version), advanced training features, quick workout functionality, a calculator, and lifestyle logging. Advanced training features, for context, include Training Readiness (which scores your recovery), Training Status (which monitors training load), HRV Status (heart rate variability tracking), and Daily Suggested Workouts. The heart rate sensor is the same as the 165, which is perfectly solid and on par with its competitors. Still, the Forerunner 570 and 970 have a noticeably better optical HR sensor than the 165/265 generation. The bottom line (for now)On paper, both watches have their merits, particularly for true beginners who want a trustworthy GPS smartwatch with solid Garmin software support. But for runners upgrading from previous Garmin models, or for anyone considering Coros or Suunto, the value proposition isn’t ideal. To quote a Google Chat from Beth to me: "I'm unimpressed." Luckily, we'll be putting both to the test soon. Beth will be comparing the Forerunner 70 with other low-priced running watches to see how it stacks up. And I have the Forerunner 165 Music, so I'll be able to see how the 170 Music fares as a direct successor. Stay tuned for our in-depth verdicts. View the full article

Six steps to take. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Six steps to take. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Four experts provide their insights. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Four experts provide their insights. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Food delivery service DoorDash is quick to hold restaurants accountable for their mistakes—but not without evidence. Dissatisfied customers have to provide proof that something was wrong with their order, be it a missing item, late delivery, or improperly prepared food, before the company will issue a refund (potentially on the restaurant’s dime, depending on the nature of the mistake). But in the AI era, verifiable proof is harder to come by, and one customer’s viral post about tricking DoorDash into giving her a refund shows that despite the company’s best efforts, its anti-fraud measures aren’t foolproof. On TikTok, a user named Starr (@mi5under5t00d) posted a montage of images showing how she used an AI-doctored image to get a full refund on her DoorDash order. First, an actual picture of her order of chicken wings, including a piece with a bite taken out of it. Next, that same image, but edited with AI to make the bitten chicken wing appear raw. Finally, a screenshot from her DoorDash app, showing that the company issued her $39.24 of credit to use on future DoorDash orders. “Shout out to ChatGPT,” reads text overlaid on the video. Starr’s refund strategy went viral on TikTok, garnering 4.4 million views and thousands of comments—including one from DoorDash itself. ‘This gets people fired’: Social media responds Though Starr seemed flippant about using AI to make her food look undercooked, social media wasn’t on her side. “This gets people fired btw,” one commenter wrote. “Some people’s [lives] depend on DoorDash or Uber and [you’re] gonna get [them] fired over a few dollars? Selfish.” “This is honestly a disgusting thing to do, why would you take advantage of small businesses?!” commented another. DoorDash itself even chimed in with a comment that went viral in its own right. “Oop should’ve blocked us!” the company commented. “Now why would I do that if my chicken was raw?” Starr replied. In the video’s caption, Starr explained that she did have problems with her order, including two missing items and that her chicken was cold when it arrived—but the chicken being raw, a much more serious issue, was apparently her own invention. DoorDash has policies in place to protect merchants from fraudulent claims like Starr’s, including flagging users who repeatedly request refunds and conducting manual review of those customers’ claims. But as AI images become more and more convincing, even manual review can fall through. DoorDash’s love-hate relationship with AI Though DoorDash’s comment may imply it’s anti-AI, the company uses AI throughout its business practice, including a newly announced suite of AI tools for merchants. One of DoorDash’s more controversial AI uses is enhancing and editing images of food. As DoorDash explains on its Photo FAQs page, any photos on the app labeled “AI-enhanced” have been altered by AI to re-plate dishes, replace background elements, fill in missing portions of images, or change the perspective to make food more visible. DoorDash writes that these AI-generated changes are meant to “better showcase menu items and create a more consistent browsing experience.” DoorDash has not responded to Fast Company’s request for comment. View the full article

As operating costs rise and consumers curb spending in the wake of an affordability crisis, restaurants of all stripes are feeling the pinch from multiple directions. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is not immune to such industry-wide headwinds. Even as it has seen its overall U.S. footprint grow in recent years, it has also closed multiple restaurants, including locations in several states so far in 2026. The recent closures have mostly impacted California, but Five Guys restaurants in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Georgia, and Nebraska have also shuttered this year, according to a review of local media reports, online review platforms, and the Five Guys store locator tool. In all, at least 14 locations have closed or will close at some point in the first half of 2026, although that figure may not be a complete count. It’s also unclear if the closures will amount to a net decline in the chain’s footprint this year. As a privately held company, Five Guys closely guards its financials and does not routinely report store counts. According to a franchise disclosure document filed last year, as reported by QSR Magazine, Five Guys ended 2024 with a net gain of 37 locations over the previous year, but it also closed 14 corporate-owned and 14 franchised restaurants that year. According to its website, Five Guys has over 1,900 locations worldwide. Fast Company reached out to Five Guys for comment. Which Five Guys stores have closed? According to our analysis, the following Five Guys stores have already closed this year: California 2970 W Grant Line Rd, Tracy, CA 95304 2701 Ming Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304 71-800 Hwy 111 Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 24201 Valencia Blvd #3672, Valencia, CA 91355 Florida 6431 E County Line Rd, Tampa, FL 33647 Illinois 2856 S Rte 59, Naperville, IL 60564 Iowa 3450 Dodge St Suite B, Dubuque, IA 52003 Louisiana 2950 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601 Georgia 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 Nebraska 2525 Pine Lake Rd, Lincoln, NE 68512 Which Five Guys stores will close later in 2026? Reports of Five Guys closures in California began to surface last month after local media outlets learned of a handful of state-level Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filings, or WARN notices, which had indicated that dozens of jobs would be lost as a result of the closings. As first reported last week by local media outlets, the following Five Guys locations in California are expected to close later this month and into July: 10140 Carmenita Rd, Whittier, CA 90605 (closing May 25) 1552 S Azusa Ave, City of Industry, CA 91748 (closing May 26) 3572 G St, Merced, CA 95340 (closing June 26) 1693 W Lacey Blvd Suite A, Hanford, CA 93230 (closing July 2) It’s unclear if additional store closures are expected. We’ve asked Five Guys for more information and will update this story if we hear back. Why are Five Guys closing? Restaurants can close for any number of reasons, and it’s not unusual for a large chain or individual franchisee to shutter locations for underperformance or other issues specific to a marketplace. Even chains that may be otherwise growing often optimize their footprint during any given year. Broadly speaking, the quick service restaurant (QSR) segment continues to face challenges from rising costs and diners being more price conscious. According to a recent report from Revenue Management Solutions, which tracks spending trends, traffic to fast food restaurants remained negative during the first quarter of this year, down 1.2% for the quarter compared to the same period last year. But net sales were up 2.1%, which represents a rebound of sorts from the fourth quarter. Five Guys consistently ranks among the top fast food brands in terms of food quality, but the chain is also known for being among the priciest in its competitive set. View the full article

When the history of the internet is written, the story of Digg might be one of its most fascinating chapters. The site that established the template later popularized by Reddit has ebbed in and out of relevance for much of its existence. Two months ago, it shut down. Now it’s back once again, and it wants to keep users up to speed on the fast-growing world of artificial intelligence. Like an overly determined game of whack-a-mole, the Digg website is live once more, with a headline reading “Hello Again” on its home page and a new mission statement. “The bet is simple: the internet has more noise than ever, and the people who can sort signal from it have never been more valuable,” reads the note from founder Kevin Rose. “We’re starting with AI. It’s the noisiest, fastest-moving space on the internet right now. Papers, launches, threads, hot takes flying past faster than anyone can keep up with. If we can surface what actually matters here, we can do it anywhere.” Digg says it plans to monitor the 1,000 “most thoughtful voices in AI” to see what they’re paying attention to. It will then rank those stories to let users know what matters most. Among the sources the site is following are Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Andrej Karpathy, and Geoffrey Hinton. The list also includes professors, investors, researchers, and reporters focused on the AI beat. Rather than using the site’s well-known URL, though, the home page currently refers users to a secondary site: di.gg/ai. That’s only temporary, Digg says. “When things are ready, we’ll move home to digg.com,” the website reads. Also, other areas of focus beyond AI will be forthcoming, Rose said. Déjà vu If you’re viewing this latest direction for Digg with skepticism, that’s understandable. Last year, Rose and Alexis Ohanian bought Digg back with plans to revive it. Backed by True Ventures, where Rose is a partner, and Ohanian’s Seven Seven Six, the revived Digg said it would offer a more human-centered experience. That proved challenging. Justin Mezzell, who was CEO at the time but has seemingly stepped away from the company, announced in March that the relaunch, which had launched just two months earlier, had been scrapped after the site was quickly overwhelmed by bots and AI agents. Spammers, meanwhile, sought to boost their SEO rankings by exploiting Digg’s still-considerable authority with Google. “Within hours, we got a taste of what we’d only heard rumors about,” he wrote. “The internet is now populated, in meaningful part, by sophisticated AI agents and automated accounts. We knew bots were part of the landscape, but we didn’t appreciate the scale, sophistication, or speed at which they’d find us.” Digg also said it underestimated the loyalty users had built with competing sites. Luring them back after such a long absence proved difficult, especially as bots dominated the platform. The latest version of Digg makes no mention of how it plans to overcome those challenges. Something new, something old Like the original Digg, the new site eschews the bells and whistles of modern platforms in favor of a bare-bones approach. The newsfeed sits against a beige background reminiscent of a 1980s computer screen. The site offers headlines and stripped-down summaries of the news, generally just one or two sentences long, followed by what appear to be X.com profiles of the people discussing the story. The site refreshes in real time, and top stories are displayed for both the current and previous day. Rose’s goal is to return Digg to the prominence it once enjoyed. When it was founded in 2004, the repository of internet links quickly became a must-visit destination, with users upvoting and downvoting stories they liked or loathed. That formula has since become commonplace across the web. Digg grew to an estimated valuation of $160 million by 2008. A 2010 redesign was so unpopular, however, that much of its audience migrated to Reddit, which offered a similar voting system. Rose sold the company in 2012 and remained absent until he repurchased it alongside former rival Ohanian last year. View the full article

If you’re considering turning your business into a franchise, you’re initiating an expedition that can greatly expand your reach and profitability. Franchising requires a clear comprehension of operational standards, legal compliance, and financial planning. It’s not just about replicating your business model; it’s about creating a cohesive brand that franchisees can successfully operate. Grasping the crucial steps involved will help you navigate this complex process and set you up for long-term success. What’s the first step? Key Takeaways Assess your business’s profitability and operational processes to ensure it can be replicated by franchisees effectively. Protect your brand by registering trademarks and creating comprehensive brand guidelines to maintain consistency across franchises. Prepare a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) detailing essential business information and comply with legal requirements for franchise disclosure. Draft a Franchise Agreement outlining the rights, responsibilities, and financial obligations of both franchisor and franchisee to ensure clarity. Create a detailed Operations Manual that includes training materials and standard operating procedures to guide franchisees in daily operations. Understanding Franchising: What It Means for Your Business Franchising represents a strategic opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the market with a proven business model. By partnering with franchisees, you can license your successful concept, allowing others to operate under your established brand while paying royalties. To make your business a franchise, you’ll need a solid franchise business plan that outlines operational standards, training, and support. This differs from licensing, as it encompasses the entire business system. Franchising not merely enables quicker market entry but additionally utilizes franchisee capital for expansion, greatly impacting the economy, with the industry generating over $890 billion annually. Comprehending how to turn your business into a franchise involves ensuring consistency in operations and brand representation across multiple locations, which is essential for success. Types of Franchises: Which One Suits You? When considering which type of franchise might work best for you, it’s vital to grasp the various categories available. Business format franchises offer a complete operational blueprint, ideal for those who want to replicate a successful model, like McDonald’s fast-food chains. If you prefer managing one location, a single-unit franchise might suit you, whereas a multi-unit franchise allows you to operate several locations, boosting your potential revenue. Area development franchises enable rapid expansion in a designated region, and master franchises let you sub-franchise within a territory, managing new franchisees. Your choice depends on factors like scalability, desired control, and financial commitment. Grasping these options is fundamental when you learn how to make a franchise business plan that aligns with your goals. Assessing Your Business Readiness for Franchising Before franchising your business, it’s important to evaluate its overall health, focusing on profitability and consistent revenue. You likewise need to assess whether your business model can be easily replicated and taught, as this is critical for franchisees’ success. Finally, protecting your intellectual property is significant, ensuring that your brand and operations remain secure as you expand. Evaluate Business Health Evaluating your business health is a vital step in appraising your readiness for franchising, and it involves several key components. Start by analyzing your financial statements to guarantee consistent revenue and a solid customer base, which are fundamental for attracting potential franchisees. Next, evaluate your business model’s scalability; it should be replicable across multiple locations without significant operational challenges. Consider your brand strength and market presence, as these factors improve franchise appeal. Moreover, review customer demand and feedback to gauge interest in your products or services in other markets, indicating potential for new franchise locations. Finally, verify established systems and processes are in place, as they’re indispensable for training franchisees and maintaining operational consistency across all locations. Assess Replication Capability Analyzing your business’s replication capability is a vital step in determining its readiness for franchising. Start by evaluating your profitability and operational consistency; a successful franchise needs a reliable income stream and efficient systems. Next, evaluate customer interest in potential new locations to confirm there’s a market for expansion. It’s important to determine if your business model can be effectively taught to others; clear, documented processes are necessary for franchisees. Review your operational practices to verify they can be standardized across multiple locations, maintaining brand integrity and quality. Finally, conduct a feasibility analysis to validate that your business can support the additional costs of franchising, including legal fees, training materials, and ongoing franchisee support systems. Protect Intellectual Property Protecting your intellectual property is critical when preparing your business for franchising. You need to evaluate your trademarks and proprietary processes to guarantee brand integrity as you expand. Start by registering your trademarks with the USPTO, safeguarding your brand name and logo, which are fundamental assets in the franchise model. Moreover, create non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for potential franchisees to protect sensitive information and proprietary training materials during the franchising process. It’s also essential to regularly review and update your intellectual property protections, adapting to market changes and guaranteeing compliance with legal standards. Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Essential Steps Protecting your intellectual property (IP) is crucial for your franchise’s success, as it safeguards your brand and its unique elements. By registering trademarks, you secure exclusive rights and strengthen brand recognition. At the same time, implementing guidelines guarantees uniformity across all franchise operations. Furthermore, maintaining confidentiality with trade secrets and business processes through non-disclosure agreements helps protect your competitive edge in the market. Importance of Trademark Registration Even though you may have a great business idea, securing your brand’s identity through trademark registration is crucial for establishing a solid foundation in the marketplace. Trademark registration protects your business name, logo, and slogan from unauthorized use, ensuring your brand integrity. It can greatly improve your franchise’s value, attracting potential franchisees and investors. Consider the following benefits of trademark registration: Provides legal presumptions of ownership and exclusive rights. Makes it easier to enforce your rights against infringers. Helps prevent loss of brand recognition. Allows you to claim damages in case of infringement. The application process requires proper documentation and fees, so it’s wise to start early. Safeguarding Trade Secrets When you own a franchise, safeguarding your trade secrets is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Start by identifying and documenting your trade secrets, such as recipes, processes, and customer lists, to establish a clear comprehension of what needs protection. Implement non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with employees and provide training on confidentiality to guarantee proprietary information stays secure. Furthermore, consider registering trademarks for your brand names, logos, and slogans to prevent unauthorized use that might dilute your brand identity. Regularly auditing your intellectual property practices can help identify vulnerabilities and assure your protective measures are effective. Consulting legal counsel specializing in intellectual property can provide valuable guidance on best practices and maneuvering any potential legal challenges. Developing Brand Guidelines Establishing brand guidelines is a fundamental step in protecting your intellectual property and ensuring consistency across all franchise locations. These guidelines provide a framework for how your brand assets should be used, which is critical for maintaining brand integrity and reputation. To effectively create brand guidelines, consider the following: Secure trademarks for your brand name, logo, and slogan to prevent unauthorized use. Document proprietary processes and training materials to safeguard trade secrets. Establish clear protocols for franchisees regarding the use of brand assets in marketing and operations. Regularly review and update your intellectual property protections to comply with legal standards. Preparing Your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Preparing your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a fundamental step in launching a successful franchise. This legally required document provides potential franchisees with important information about your business, including its history, financial performance, and obligations. The FDD typically consists of 23 sections covering topics like franchise fees, territory rights, and your obligations to franchisees. Preparing the FDD usually takes 30-60 days, so it’s vital to make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date to avoid legal issues. Moreover, fourteen states require the FDD to be registered, which involves state-specific requirements and fees. It’s critical to work with legal counsel experienced in franchise law to create a compliant FDD, as mistakes can lead to significant penalties and jeopardize your franchising efforts. Drafting a Comprehensive Franchise Agreement Drafting a thorough franchise agreement is crucial for establishing a clear understanding between you and your franchisees. This document defines the rights and responsibilities of both parties, ensuring compliance with operational standards, fees, and territory rights. A detailed agreement typically covers a 5 to 10-year term, including renewal conditions, termination clauses, and non-compliance provisions. Key elements include: Royalty structures and payment timelines Penalties for late payments Adherence to federal and state regulations Guidelines for brand and operational standards Creating an Operations Manual for Franchisees An operations manual serves as a foundational tool for franchisees, providing them with the guidance needed to run their businesses effectively. This thorough document typically ranges from 100 to 300 pages, detailing vital day-to-day operations, brand standards, and procedures. It’s imperative to keep the manual confidential, granting access only to franchisees, concurrently regularly updating it to reflect evolving practices. Incorporate digital resources, like links to training videos, to improve the learning experience. The manual should cover key areas such as marketing strategies, customer service protocols, inventory management, and quality control measures. Moreover, solicit regular feedback from franchisees to continuously improve the manual, ensuring it remains relevant and addresses real-world challenges they face in the field. Financial Considerations: Costs and Budgeting When considering a franchise, it’s essential to understand the financial terrain, starting with initial investment costs that can range from $10,000 to $5 million. You’ll need to account for ongoing operational costs, which include royalty fees typically between 4-8% of your revenues, in addition to budgeting for working capital to cover early expenses. Having a clear financial plan helps guarantee you’re prepared for the costs associated with franchise development and state-specific registration requirements. Initial Investment Breakdown Comprehending the initial investment required to start a franchise is fundamental for anyone considering this business model. Typically, this investment ranges from $10,000 to $5 million, but most franchises fall between $100,000 and $300,000. You should likewise account for franchise development costs, including: Legal fees and documentation Marketing assets Training materials Additional working capital These costs can total between $15,000 and $100,000, so budgeting carefully is significant. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) provides a detailed cost breakdown in Item 7, which is critical for grasping your financial obligations. Ongoing Operational Costs Grasping ongoing operational costs is critical for franchisees to maintain profitability and guarantee the long-term success of their business. You’ll face royalty fees, typically ranging from 4-8% of gross sales, paid to the franchisor for continued support. Furthermore, budget for marketing contributions, usually 1-3% of revenue, to fund national advertising campaigns. Regular expenses like lease or rent, utilities, insurance, employee salaries, and inventory can vary based on location and business type. It’s important to have a financial cushion for unexpected costs; studies recommend keeping 20-30% of your initial investment as working capital for at least the first six months. Comprehending both initial and ongoing expenses is critical for ensuring your franchise’s long-term sustainability and profitability. Financial Planning Strategies Effective financial planning strategies are essential for franchisees aiming to navigate the intricacies of costs and budgeting successfully. Start by calculating your initial investment, which typically ranges from $10,000 to $5 million. Develop a thorough financial model that includes: Legal fees and training materials Marketing assets and operational costs Ongoing royalty payments of 4-8% of revenues Additional working capital for the first 2-3 years Understanding state requirements for Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) is equally important, as some states mandate registration before selling franchises. Developing a Franchise Sales Strategy How can you effectively develop a franchise sales strategy that attracts the right entrepreneurs? Start by showcasing the unique value of your business model, shifting focus from traditional product sales techniques. Utilize franchise brokers, online portals, and referrals from satisfied franchisees to widen your reach. Initially, target local entrepreneurs; having 2-3 franchisees nearby allows for easier support and system refinement. The success of these early franchisees will greatly influence your franchise’s reputation, so select and support them wisely. Finally, implement a robust strategy that includes compelling marketing materials, testimonials from successful franchisees, and clear communication about the support provided to new franchise owners. This approach guarantees you attract motivated individuals who align with your brand’s vision. Navigating Legal Requirements and Compliance Steering through the legal requirements and compliance for franchising can feel overwhelming, especially since multiple regulations exist at both federal and state levels. You’ll need to prepare a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which outlines your financial health and obligations. Some key elements to take into account include: FDD Preparation: It usually takes 30-60 days to draft your FDD. State Registration: Fourteen states, including California and New York, require FDD registration with unique requirements. Legal Expertise: Hiring a franchise attorney is essential to navigate compliance and avoid penalties. Budgeting: Initial legal costs typically range from $18,000 to $45,000 for drafting the FDD and other documents. Understanding these aspects will streamline your franchising process and guarantee compliance. Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Franchising When considering franchising, it’s crucial to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages to determine if it’s the right business model for you. On the one hand, franchising allows for rapid growth without you needing to invest in every new location, as franchisees provide the capital. You’ll also benefit from ongoing royalties, typically between 4-8% of their revenues, creating a passive income stream. Nevertheless, significant upfront costs can range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Furthermore, legal intricacies can arise, and misclassifying a franchise or failing to comply with laws may lead to penalties. Finally, keep in mind that you’ll have limited control over franchisee operations, which could affect brand consistency if not managed properly. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Turn My Business Into a Franchise? To turn your business into a franchise, start by evaluating its readiness, including profitability and market demand. Calculate development costs, which can range from $15,000 to $100,000, factoring in legal fees and necessary registrations. Protect your brand by registering trademarks and documenting processes. Create a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) outlining your company’s details, and develop thorough franchise systems, including an operations manual that covers training and quality standards. What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising? The 4 P’s of franchising are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product refers to the goods or services that need a proven demand. Price involves setting competitive franchise fees and royalties, typically between 4-8% of revenues. Place focuses on selecting strategic locations based on market demand and demographics. Finally, Promotion encompasses marketing strategies to build brand awareness and drive sales, utilizing both local and national advertising efforts to support franchisees effectively. What Is the 7 Day Rule for Franchise? The 7 Day Rule mandates that franchisors must provide you with the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least seven days before you make any financial commitments or sign a franchise agreement. This rule guarantees you have enough time to review essential details about fees, obligations, and the franchisor’s financial performance. Use this period wisely to conduct thorough due diligence, consulting with legal and financial advisors to inform your investment decision effectively. Why Is It Only $10,000 to Open a Chick-Fil-A? Chick-fil-A charges only $10,000 to open a franchise since it greatly subsidizes startup costs. This includes expenses for restaurant construction, equipment, and inventory, which can exceed $1 million. By doing so, the company alleviates financial burdens on franchisees. Nevertheless, franchisees must operate their locations daily and can’t own multiple franchises. Although the 15% royalty fee is high, franchisees benefit from strong brand recognition and marketing support, enhancing their profitability. Conclusion Transforming your business into a franchise can reveal significant growth opportunities. By following the outlined steps—understanding franchising, evaluating readiness, protecting your intellectual property, and preparing crucial documents—you set a strong foundation for success. Remember to analyze financial implications and legal requirements during the development of a robust support system for franchisees. With careful planning and execution, you can create a thriving franchise network that maintains brand integrity and drives profitability, ensuring your business thrives in the competitive marketplace. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "Make Your Business a Franchise: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re considering turning your business into a franchise, you’re initiating an expedition that can greatly expand your reach and profitability. Franchising requires a clear comprehension of operational standards, legal compliance, and financial planning. It’s not just about replicating your business model; it’s about creating a cohesive brand that franchisees can successfully operate. Grasping the crucial steps involved will help you navigate this complex process and set you up for long-term success. What’s the first step? Key Takeaways Assess your business’s profitability and operational processes to ensure it can be replicated by franchisees effectively. Protect your brand by registering trademarks and creating comprehensive brand guidelines to maintain consistency across franchises. Prepare a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) detailing essential business information and comply with legal requirements for franchise disclosure. Draft a Franchise Agreement outlining the rights, responsibilities, and financial obligations of both franchisor and franchisee to ensure clarity. Create a detailed Operations Manual that includes training materials and standard operating procedures to guide franchisees in daily operations. Understanding Franchising: What It Means for Your Business Franchising represents a strategic opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the market with a proven business model. By partnering with franchisees, you can license your successful concept, allowing others to operate under your established brand while paying royalties. To make your business a franchise, you’ll need a solid franchise business plan that outlines operational standards, training, and support. This differs from licensing, as it encompasses the entire business system. Franchising not merely enables quicker market entry but additionally utilizes franchisee capital for expansion, greatly impacting the economy, with the industry generating over $890 billion annually. Comprehending how to turn your business into a franchise involves ensuring consistency in operations and brand representation across multiple locations, which is essential for success. Types of Franchises: Which One Suits You? When considering which type of franchise might work best for you, it’s vital to grasp the various categories available. Business format franchises offer a complete operational blueprint, ideal for those who want to replicate a successful model, like McDonald’s fast-food chains. If you prefer managing one location, a single-unit franchise might suit you, whereas a multi-unit franchise allows you to operate several locations, boosting your potential revenue. Area development franchises enable rapid expansion in a designated region, and master franchises let you sub-franchise within a territory, managing new franchisees. Your choice depends on factors like scalability, desired control, and financial commitment. Grasping these options is fundamental when you learn how to make a franchise business plan that aligns with your goals. Assessing Your Business Readiness for Franchising Before franchising your business, it’s important to evaluate its overall health, focusing on profitability and consistent revenue. You likewise need to assess whether your business model can be easily replicated and taught, as this is critical for franchisees’ success. Finally, protecting your intellectual property is significant, ensuring that your brand and operations remain secure as you expand. Evaluate Business Health Evaluating your business health is a vital step in appraising your readiness for franchising, and it involves several key components. Start by analyzing your financial statements to guarantee consistent revenue and a solid customer base, which are fundamental for attracting potential franchisees. Next, evaluate your business model’s scalability; it should be replicable across multiple locations without significant operational challenges. Consider your brand strength and market presence, as these factors improve franchise appeal. Moreover, review customer demand and feedback to gauge interest in your products or services in other markets, indicating potential for new franchise locations. Finally, verify established systems and processes are in place, as they’re indispensable for training franchisees and maintaining operational consistency across all locations. Assess Replication Capability Analyzing your business’s replication capability is a vital step in determining its readiness for franchising. Start by evaluating your profitability and operational consistency; a successful franchise needs a reliable income stream and efficient systems. Next, evaluate customer interest in potential new locations to confirm there’s a market for expansion. It’s important to determine if your business model can be effectively taught to others; clear, documented processes are necessary for franchisees. Review your operational practices to verify they can be standardized across multiple locations, maintaining brand integrity and quality. Finally, conduct a feasibility analysis to validate that your business can support the additional costs of franchising, including legal fees, training materials, and ongoing franchisee support systems. Protect Intellectual Property Protecting your intellectual property is critical when preparing your business for franchising. You need to evaluate your trademarks and proprietary processes to guarantee brand integrity as you expand. Start by registering your trademarks with the USPTO, safeguarding your brand name and logo, which are fundamental assets in the franchise model. Moreover, create non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for potential franchisees to protect sensitive information and proprietary training materials during the franchising process. It’s also essential to regularly review and update your intellectual property protections, adapting to market changes and guaranteeing compliance with legal standards. Protecting Your Intellectual Property: Essential Steps Protecting your intellectual property (IP) is crucial for your franchise’s success, as it safeguards your brand and its unique elements. By registering trademarks, you secure exclusive rights and strengthen brand recognition. At the same time, implementing guidelines guarantees uniformity across all franchise operations. Furthermore, maintaining confidentiality with trade secrets and business processes through non-disclosure agreements helps protect your competitive edge in the market. Importance of Trademark Registration Even though you may have a great business idea, securing your brand’s identity through trademark registration is crucial for establishing a solid foundation in the marketplace. Trademark registration protects your business name, logo, and slogan from unauthorized use, ensuring your brand integrity. It can greatly improve your franchise’s value, attracting potential franchisees and investors. Consider the following benefits of trademark registration: Provides legal presumptions of ownership and exclusive rights. Makes it easier to enforce your rights against infringers. Helps prevent loss of brand recognition. Allows you to claim damages in case of infringement. The application process requires proper documentation and fees, so it’s wise to start early. Safeguarding Trade Secrets When you own a franchise, safeguarding your trade secrets is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Start by identifying and documenting your trade secrets, such as recipes, processes, and customer lists, to establish a clear comprehension of what needs protection. Implement non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with employees and provide training on confidentiality to guarantee proprietary information stays secure. Furthermore, consider registering trademarks for your brand names, logos, and slogans to prevent unauthorized use that might dilute your brand identity. Regularly auditing your intellectual property practices can help identify vulnerabilities and assure your protective measures are effective. Consulting legal counsel specializing in intellectual property can provide valuable guidance on best practices and maneuvering any potential legal challenges. Developing Brand Guidelines Establishing brand guidelines is a fundamental step in protecting your intellectual property and ensuring consistency across all franchise locations. These guidelines provide a framework for how your brand assets should be used, which is critical for maintaining brand integrity and reputation. To effectively create brand guidelines, consider the following: Secure trademarks for your brand name, logo, and slogan to prevent unauthorized use. Document proprietary processes and training materials to safeguard trade secrets. Establish clear protocols for franchisees regarding the use of brand assets in marketing and operations. Regularly review and update your intellectual property protections to comply with legal standards. Preparing Your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Preparing your Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a fundamental step in launching a successful franchise. This legally required document provides potential franchisees with important information about your business, including its history, financial performance, and obligations. The FDD typically consists of 23 sections covering topics like franchise fees, territory rights, and your obligations to franchisees. Preparing the FDD usually takes 30-60 days, so it’s vital to make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date to avoid legal issues. Moreover, fourteen states require the FDD to be registered, which involves state-specific requirements and fees. It’s critical to work with legal counsel experienced in franchise law to create a compliant FDD, as mistakes can lead to significant penalties and jeopardize your franchising efforts. Drafting a Comprehensive Franchise Agreement Drafting a thorough franchise agreement is crucial for establishing a clear understanding between you and your franchisees. This document defines the rights and responsibilities of both parties, ensuring compliance with operational standards, fees, and territory rights. A detailed agreement typically covers a 5 to 10-year term, including renewal conditions, termination clauses, and non-compliance provisions. Key elements include: Royalty structures and payment timelines Penalties for late payments Adherence to federal and state regulations Guidelines for brand and operational standards Creating an Operations Manual for Franchisees An operations manual serves as a foundational tool for franchisees, providing them with the guidance needed to run their businesses effectively. This thorough document typically ranges from 100 to 300 pages, detailing vital day-to-day operations, brand standards, and procedures. It’s imperative to keep the manual confidential, granting access only to franchisees, concurrently regularly updating it to reflect evolving practices. Incorporate digital resources, like links to training videos, to improve the learning experience. The manual should cover key areas such as marketing strategies, customer service protocols, inventory management, and quality control measures. Moreover, solicit regular feedback from franchisees to continuously improve the manual, ensuring it remains relevant and addresses real-world challenges they face in the field. Financial Considerations: Costs and Budgeting When considering a franchise, it’s essential to understand the financial terrain, starting with initial investment costs that can range from $10,000 to $5 million. You’ll need to account for ongoing operational costs, which include royalty fees typically between 4-8% of your revenues, in addition to budgeting for working capital to cover early expenses. Having a clear financial plan helps guarantee you’re prepared for the costs associated with franchise development and state-specific registration requirements. Initial Investment Breakdown Comprehending the initial investment required to start a franchise is fundamental for anyone considering this business model. Typically, this investment ranges from $10,000 to $5 million, but most franchises fall between $100,000 and $300,000. You should likewise account for franchise development costs, including: Legal fees and documentation Marketing assets Training materials Additional working capital These costs can total between $15,000 and $100,000, so budgeting carefully is significant. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) provides a detailed cost breakdown in Item 7, which is critical for grasping your financial obligations. Ongoing Operational Costs Grasping ongoing operational costs is critical for franchisees to maintain profitability and guarantee the long-term success of their business. You’ll face royalty fees, typically ranging from 4-8% of gross sales, paid to the franchisor for continued support. Furthermore, budget for marketing contributions, usually 1-3% of revenue, to fund national advertising campaigns. Regular expenses like lease or rent, utilities, insurance, employee salaries, and inventory can vary based on location and business type. It’s important to have a financial cushion for unexpected costs; studies recommend keeping 20-30% of your initial investment as working capital for at least the first six months. Comprehending both initial and ongoing expenses is critical for ensuring your franchise’s long-term sustainability and profitability. Financial Planning Strategies Effective financial planning strategies are essential for franchisees aiming to navigate the intricacies of costs and budgeting successfully. Start by calculating your initial investment, which typically ranges from $10,000 to $5 million. Develop a thorough financial model that includes: Legal fees and training materials Marketing assets and operational costs Ongoing royalty payments of 4-8% of revenues Additional working capital for the first 2-3 years Understanding state requirements for Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) is equally important, as some states mandate registration before selling franchises. Developing a Franchise Sales Strategy How can you effectively develop a franchise sales strategy that attracts the right entrepreneurs? Start by showcasing the unique value of your business model, shifting focus from traditional product sales techniques. Utilize franchise brokers, online portals, and referrals from satisfied franchisees to widen your reach. Initially, target local entrepreneurs; having 2-3 franchisees nearby allows for easier support and system refinement. The success of these early franchisees will greatly influence your franchise’s reputation, so select and support them wisely. Finally, implement a robust strategy that includes compelling marketing materials, testimonials from successful franchisees, and clear communication about the support provided to new franchise owners. This approach guarantees you attract motivated individuals who align with your brand’s vision. Navigating Legal Requirements and Compliance Steering through the legal requirements and compliance for franchising can feel overwhelming, especially since multiple regulations exist at both federal and state levels. You’ll need to prepare a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), which outlines your financial health and obligations. Some key elements to take into account include: FDD Preparation: It usually takes 30-60 days to draft your FDD. State Registration: Fourteen states, including California and New York, require FDD registration with unique requirements. Legal Expertise: Hiring a franchise attorney is essential to navigate compliance and avoid penalties. Budgeting: Initial legal costs typically range from $18,000 to $45,000 for drafting the FDD and other documents. Understanding these aspects will streamline your franchising process and guarantee compliance. Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Franchising When considering franchising, it’s crucial to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages to determine if it’s the right business model for you. On the one hand, franchising allows for rapid growth without you needing to invest in every new location, as franchisees provide the capital. You’ll also benefit from ongoing royalties, typically between 4-8% of their revenues, creating a passive income stream. Nevertheless, significant upfront costs can range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more. Furthermore, legal intricacies can arise, and misclassifying a franchise or failing to comply with laws may lead to penalties. Finally, keep in mind that you’ll have limited control over franchisee operations, which could affect brand consistency if not managed properly. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Turn My Business Into a Franchise? To turn your business into a franchise, start by evaluating its readiness, including profitability and market demand. Calculate development costs, which can range from $15,000 to $100,000, factoring in legal fees and necessary registrations. Protect your brand by registering trademarks and documenting processes. Create a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) outlining your company’s details, and develop thorough franchise systems, including an operations manual that covers training and quality standards. What Are the 4 P’s of Franchising? The 4 P’s of franchising are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product refers to the goods or services that need a proven demand. Price involves setting competitive franchise fees and royalties, typically between 4-8% of revenues. Place focuses on selecting strategic locations based on market demand and demographics. Finally, Promotion encompasses marketing strategies to build brand awareness and drive sales, utilizing both local and national advertising efforts to support franchisees effectively. What Is the 7 Day Rule for Franchise? The 7 Day Rule mandates that franchisors must provide you with the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) at least seven days before you make any financial commitments or sign a franchise agreement. This rule guarantees you have enough time to review essential details about fees, obligations, and the franchisor’s financial performance. Use this period wisely to conduct thorough due diligence, consulting with legal and financial advisors to inform your investment decision effectively. Why Is It Only $10,000 to Open a Chick-Fil-A? Chick-fil-A charges only $10,000 to open a franchise since it greatly subsidizes startup costs. This includes expenses for restaurant construction, equipment, and inventory, which can exceed $1 million. By doing so, the company alleviates financial burdens on franchisees. Nevertheless, franchisees must operate their locations daily and can’t own multiple franchises. Although the 15% royalty fee is high, franchisees benefit from strong brand recognition and marketing support, enhancing their profitability. Conclusion Transforming your business into a franchise can reveal significant growth opportunities. By following the outlined steps—understanding franchising, evaluating readiness, protecting your intellectual property, and preparing crucial documents—you set a strong foundation for success. Remember to analyze financial implications and legal requirements during the development of a robust support system for franchisees. With careful planning and execution, you can create a thriving franchise network that maintains brand integrity and drives profitability, ensuring your business thrives in the competitive marketplace. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "Make Your Business a Franchise: A Step-by-Step Guide" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Amazon can deliver anything—including, increasingly, eyeballs to advertisers. And now, its upcoming slate of content, including an adaptation of the best-selling novel Fourth Wing and a list of young adult content, is sure to have advertisers excited. The e-commerce giant held its annual Upfront event at the Beacon Theater in New York City on Monday night, showcasing new TV shows, movies, sports, and podcasting content destined for its Prime Video streaming platform and podcasting platforms. While there were big names in attendance—the event included appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pratt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael B. Jordan, among others—what stole the show was the immensity of Amazon’s advertising apparatus. Alan Moss, vice president of global advertising sales at Amazon Ads, said users watched 17% more content on its streaming platforms over the past year than during the preceding year. Tanner Elton, VP of advertising sales at Amazon, noted that the company had penetrated 90% of U.S. households in one form or another, and as a result, had reams of data and customer insights to draw on for advertisers. One Amazon exec even noted that it actively “works backwards from the customer” to create content, analyzing their consumption habits, and then working to create content that’s likely to resonate. That content is in theory more likely to convert for advertisers. And in an ongoing expansion of its entertainment offerings, Amazon is continuing to up the ante on sports content, for instance, and expanding its exclusive podcast offerings, producing more TV shows and movies. Amazon said that the NFL Wild Card playoff game, streamed exclusively on Prime earlier this year, drew a record 31.6 million viewers. Not only that, but those who watched it were on average seven years younger than viewers of NFL playoff games broadcast on linear TV, and 41% more likely to engage with advertiser content in some shape or form. What new programming is coming to Prime? As for the new and upcoming content? Here’s a brief rundown of some of the projects announced at the event: The Oprah Podcast will be distributed exclusively on Wondery starting in July, and produce two new episodes per week. Duke University basketball signed an exclusive streaming deal with Prime, and next season, three high-profile games will be shown via the platform: Matchups against UConn, Michigan and Gonzaga. Amazon is leaning hard into young adult (YA) content, with new seasons or content for Off-Campus, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and others. The hit show The Terminal List, starring Chris Pratt, is getting a second season. An adaptation of the 1980s series Voltron is in the works, as is an adaptation of the video game series God of War. A new series based on Bladerunner is also in the works, called Bladerunner 2099. Oscar-winning actor Michael B. Jordan announced a trio of projects: The Greatest, a series focused on Muhammad Ali; Delphi, a series set in the Creed and Rocky universe; and an adaptation of the best-selling novel Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros. View the full article

As a small business owner, comprehension vital accounting services can streamline your operations and improve financial performance. These services, like bookkeeping and payroll processing, help maintain accuracy in financial records and guarantee timely tax compliance. By leveraging financial statement preparation and accounts management, you can make informed decisions that promote growth. Curious about how each service can directly impact your business? Let’s explore these significant components in more detail. Key Takeaways Accurate bookkeeping ensures financial health by maintaining precise records of transactions and facilitating timely financial statements. Payroll processing guarantees correct employee compensation, compliance with regulations, and timely paycheck distribution, enhancing employee satisfaction. Tax preparation and compliance minimize liabilities by adhering to deadlines and local regulations, ensuring professional engagement for potential savings. Financial statement preparation provides insights into business profitability and cash flow, aiding decision-making and securing funding from investors or lenders. Effective accounts management, including receivables and payables, stabilizes cash flow through timely collections and strategic payment scheduling. Bookkeeping Services: The Backbone of Financial Management Bookkeeping services are vital for maintaining the financial health of small businesses. These services involve daily recording of financial transactions, including sales, payments, and receipts, providing an organized overview of your finances. Regular bookkeeping guarantees timely preparation of important financial statements, like income statements and balance sheets, which help you assess your business performance. Effective bookkeeping practices, such as bank reconciliation, identify discrepancies and unauthorized transactions, promoting accurate cash management. By utilizing professional bookkeeping services, you can reduce errors in financial reporting and tax filing, guaranteeing compliance with regulatory requirements during the process of minimizing tax liabilities. Investing in these accounting services for small businesses allows you to concentrate on core activities without the hassle of maintaining your financial records. With an organized system in place, your records will be IRS-ready year-round, providing peace of mind as you grow your accounting service small business. Payroll Processing: Ensuring Accurate Employee Compensation In the realm of payroll processing, getting employee compensation right is essential. You need to calculate wages accurately, guarantee proper tax withholding, and distribute paychecks on time. Accurate Wage Calculations Accurate wage calculations are vital for effective payroll processing, as they guarantee employees receive the correct compensation for their work hours, including any overtime and applicable deductions like taxes and benefits. Adhering to federal and state regulations is imperative, as you must comply with minimum wage laws and timely payment schedules to avoid penalties. Utilizing payroll software can simplify this process by automating tax withholdings, generating pay stubs, and ensuring compliance with changing tax laws. Conducting regular audits of payroll records helps identify discrepancies and aligns employee compensation with company policies. In the end, accurate payroll processing boosts employee satisfaction and retention and reduces the risk of costly audits and legal disputes related to wage calculations. Tax Withholding Compliance Payroll processing doesn’t stop at accurate wage calculations; it also includes the vital task of tax withholding compliance. You need to accurately calculate and withhold federal, state, and local taxes to avoid penalties. Staying updated with the latest tax rates and regulations, such as the IRS’s federal income tax withholding tables, is critical. Moreover, you must report and remit payroll taxes, including Social Security and Medicare contributions, which total 15.3% of wages, shared equally between you and your employees. Regular payroll audits help you identify discrepancies and guarantee that compensation aligns with agreed-upon wages. Timely Paycheck Distribution Ensuring timely paycheck distribution is essential for maintaining employee satisfaction and motivation, as over 50% of workers report that receiving their pay on time directly affects their overall job contentment. Payroll processing involves calculating wages, withholding taxes, and issuing paychecks in compliance with federal and state regulations to avoid penalties. Paycor minimizes financial errors, as even minor mistakes can lead to significant discrepancies in employee compensation and tax reporting. Utilizing payroll software can streamline this process, cutting administrative time by up to 40% and improving tracking of employee hours and overtime. Furthermore, regular payroll audits help maintain accuracy and compliance, identifying potential issues before they escalate, ensuring employees receive the correct compensation swiftly. Tax Preparation and Planning: Navigating Compliance and Savings In regard to tax preparation and planning, comprehending your compliance requirements is key to minimizing your tax liabilities. You’ll want to stay informed about filing deadlines and leverage tax-saving strategies that apply to your specific business situation. Tax Compliance Requirements Steering through tax compliance requirements can feel overwhelming for small business owners, especially as regulations vary considerably by state and industry. In Texas, for instance, if your annual revenue exceeds $1,230,000, you’re subject to the Texas Franchise Tax, which necessitates careful planning to avoid penalties. Furthermore, businesses face an 8.25% combined Sales and Use Tax on taxable goods and services, requiring diligent record-keeping to guarantee compliance and avoid audits. It’s also crucial to understand industry-specific taxes, like hotel occupancy tax for hospitality businesses. Engaging in regular tax planning helps minimize overall tax liability throughout the year, as strategic year-end moves and proper management of deductions can greatly affect your tax outcomes, assuring your business remains compliant and financially healthy. Tax Savings Strategies Tax savings strategies play a crucial role in helping small businesses minimize their overall tax liability and navigate the intricacies of tax preparation and planning. Here are some key strategies to reflect on: Utilize Section 179 Deduction: Deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and software. Conduct Regular Financial Reviews: Make informed decisions throughout the year that positively affect tax outcomes. Understand Local Tax Regulations: Be aware of Texas Franchise Tax for businesses with revenue over $1,230,000. Engage Professional Accounting Services: Guarantee compliance with current tax laws as you identify potential savings. Filing Deadlines Awareness Awareness of filing deadlines is crucial for small businesses, as it directly impacts compliance and potential tax savings. Federal income tax returns are due by April 15, with partnerships and S corporations needing to file by March 15. If you’re self-employed or own certain corporations, keep in mind that estimated tax payments are due quarterly on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Texas businesses with revenues over $1,230,000 should note that the Texas Franchise Tax has similar deadlines. Furthermore, Sales and Use Tax returns are due on the 20th of each month for monthly filers, whereas annual filers have a January 20 deadline. Staying organized with these dates helps avoid penalties and optimize tax savings. Financial Statement Preparation: Key Insights for Decision Making When you prepare financial statements, you’re not just creating documents; you’re developing critical tools that inform your business decisions. These statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, provide a thorough overview of your financial health. Accurate financial statements are crucial for evaluating your operational performance, allowing you to track revenues and expenses effectively. Here are four key insights to reflect on: Profitability Evaluation: A well-prepared income statement helps you analyze your profitability over specific periods. Regulatory Compliance: Regularly prepared statements guarantee compliance with necessary regulations. Cash Flow Insights: Timely insights into cash flow enable effective decision-making. Funding Opportunities: Well-crafted financial statements can help secure financing from lenders and investors by demonstrating your stability and growth potential. Utilizing these statements strategically can greatly impact your business’s success. Accounts Receivable and Payable Management: Maintaining Cash Flow Financial statements provide a clear picture of your business’s financial health, but managing accounts receivable and payable is equally important for maintaining cash flow. Effective accounts receivable management guarantees you’re collecting payments on time, which can reduce your days sales outstanding (DSO) and stabilize cash flow. By implementing clear invoicing processes and follow-up reminders, you could decrease late payments by up to 30%, improving your liquidity. On the other hand, a healthy accounts payable system allows you to manage cash outflows strategically. It helps you capitalize on vendor discounts as well as avoiding late fees. Regularly reviewing accounts receivable aging reports can help you identify slow-paying customers and tackle potential collection issues proactively. Furthermore, utilizing accounting software can automate invoicing and payment tracking, streamlining these processes to save you time and reduce errors, ultimately enhancing your business’s financial management efficiency. Bank Reconciliation: Keeping Financial Records Accurate Maintaining accurate financial records is vital for any small business, and monthly bank reconciliation plays a key role in this process. By ensuring that your bank statements align with your accounting records, you can identify discrepancies such as lost checks or unauthorized transactions. Here are four key benefits of regular bank reconciliation: Detects embezzlement: Spotting unusual transactions helps protect your business from potential fraud. Minimizes bank charges: It reduces the risk of erroneous fees that could negatively impact your cash flow. Facilitates cash management: You gain a clear picture of available funds and upcoming liabilities, aiding in better financial planning. Provides peace of mind: Knowing your financial records are accurate and up to date is fundamental for tax preparation. Engaging in monthly bank reconciliation not merely improves accuracy but additionally allows for timely adjustments and informed decision-making, boosting your overall financial performance. Unlimited Consultations: Support for Your Financial Questions Having access to unlimited consultations as part of your accounting service package can greatly improve your grasp of your business’s financial setting. With these consultations, you can ask any financial questions without worrying about additional fees, allowing you to gain clarity on complex issues. This support is beneficial regardless of your accounting knowledge level, ensuring you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and inquiries. Open communication is emphasized during these consultations, helping you stay informed about your financial health and the implications of your choices. Regularly engaging with your accountant encourages proactive financial management, allowing you to address potential issues before they escalate. Frequently Asked Questions What Accounting Services Do Small Businesses Need? Small businesses typically need several key accounting services to guarantee financial health. You’ll require bookkeeping for daily transactions, accounts payable and receivable management, and payroll processing for accurate employee compensation. Financial statement preparation, including balance sheets and income statements, is vital for evaluating performance. In addition, tax preparation and planning help minimize liabilities, whereas regular bank reconciliations maintain accurate records. Finally, unlimited consultations with accounting professionals provide ongoing support for financial decision-making. What Accounting Is Needed for a Small Business? For a small business, you need thorough accounting practices to guarantee financial accuracy and compliance. Key services include bookkeeping to track daily transactions, payroll processing for employee payments, and tax preparation to meet legal obligations. Regular financial statement preparation allows you to assess profitability and performance. Furthermore, maintaining a clean general ledger minimizes errors, whereas monthly Bank of America reconciliations help detect discrepancies, guaranteeing your financial records remain accurate and up-to-date. What Is the Average Cost of a CPA for a Small Business? The average cost of a CPA for a small business varies considerably, typically ranging from $150 to $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and your location. Monthly retainers can fall between $300 to $3,000 or more, influenced by your business’s complexity. For specific tasks, like tax preparation, fees often start at around $500. Be aware of potential hidden costs for additional services, so clarify pricing structures upfront with your CPA. Which Accounting Package Is Best for a Small Business? Choosing the best accounting package for your small business depends on your specific needs. Consider the complexity of your transactions and required services, like bank reconciliation, financial statements, and consultations. Packages typically range from $300 to over $3,000 monthly. Look for providers with expertise in your industry and verify their credentials. A thorough package won’t just guarantee compliance but will additionally provide strategic guidance to help you make informed decisions for growth. Conclusion By utilizing these crucial accounting services, you can greatly improve your small business’s financial health. Accurate bookkeeping, efficient payroll processing, and thorough tax preparation not only guarantee compliance but additionally promote strategic planning. Managing accounts receivable and payable effectively helps maintain cash flow, whereas regular bank reconciliations keep your records precise. Furthermore, unlimited consultations provide ongoing support for your financial queries. Embracing these services can streamline your operations and empower you to make informed decisions for your business’s future. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Essential Accounting Services for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As a small business owner, comprehension vital accounting services can streamline your operations and improve financial performance. These services, like bookkeeping and payroll processing, help maintain accuracy in financial records and guarantee timely tax compliance. By leveraging financial statement preparation and accounts management, you can make informed decisions that promote growth. Curious about how each service can directly impact your business? Let’s explore these significant components in more detail. Key Takeaways Accurate bookkeeping ensures financial health by maintaining precise records of transactions and facilitating timely financial statements. Payroll processing guarantees correct employee compensation, compliance with regulations, and timely paycheck distribution, enhancing employee satisfaction. Tax preparation and compliance minimize liabilities by adhering to deadlines and local regulations, ensuring professional engagement for potential savings. Financial statement preparation provides insights into business profitability and cash flow, aiding decision-making and securing funding from investors or lenders. Effective accounts management, including receivables and payables, stabilizes cash flow through timely collections and strategic payment scheduling. Bookkeeping Services: The Backbone of Financial Management Bookkeeping services are vital for maintaining the financial health of small businesses. These services involve daily recording of financial transactions, including sales, payments, and receipts, providing an organized overview of your finances. Regular bookkeeping guarantees timely preparation of important financial statements, like income statements and balance sheets, which help you assess your business performance. Effective bookkeeping practices, such as bank reconciliation, identify discrepancies and unauthorized transactions, promoting accurate cash management. By utilizing professional bookkeeping services, you can reduce errors in financial reporting and tax filing, guaranteeing compliance with regulatory requirements during the process of minimizing tax liabilities. Investing in these accounting services for small businesses allows you to concentrate on core activities without the hassle of maintaining your financial records. With an organized system in place, your records will be IRS-ready year-round, providing peace of mind as you grow your accounting service small business. Payroll Processing: Ensuring Accurate Employee Compensation In the realm of payroll processing, getting employee compensation right is essential. You need to calculate wages accurately, guarantee proper tax withholding, and distribute paychecks on time. Accurate Wage Calculations Accurate wage calculations are vital for effective payroll processing, as they guarantee employees receive the correct compensation for their work hours, including any overtime and applicable deductions like taxes and benefits. Adhering to federal and state regulations is imperative, as you must comply with minimum wage laws and timely payment schedules to avoid penalties. Utilizing payroll software can simplify this process by automating tax withholdings, generating pay stubs, and ensuring compliance with changing tax laws. Conducting regular audits of payroll records helps identify discrepancies and aligns employee compensation with company policies. In the end, accurate payroll processing boosts employee satisfaction and retention and reduces the risk of costly audits and legal disputes related to wage calculations. Tax Withholding Compliance Payroll processing doesn’t stop at accurate wage calculations; it also includes the vital task of tax withholding compliance. You need to accurately calculate and withhold federal, state, and local taxes to avoid penalties. Staying updated with the latest tax rates and regulations, such as the IRS’s federal income tax withholding tables, is critical. Moreover, you must report and remit payroll taxes, including Social Security and Medicare contributions, which total 15.3% of wages, shared equally between you and your employees. Regular payroll audits help you identify discrepancies and guarantee that compensation aligns with agreed-upon wages. Timely Paycheck Distribution Ensuring timely paycheck distribution is essential for maintaining employee satisfaction and motivation, as over 50% of workers report that receiving their pay on time directly affects their overall job contentment. Payroll processing involves calculating wages, withholding taxes, and issuing paychecks in compliance with federal and state regulations to avoid penalties. Paycor minimizes financial errors, as even minor mistakes can lead to significant discrepancies in employee compensation and tax reporting. Utilizing payroll software can streamline this process, cutting administrative time by up to 40% and improving tracking of employee hours and overtime. Furthermore, regular payroll audits help maintain accuracy and compliance, identifying potential issues before they escalate, ensuring employees receive the correct compensation swiftly. Tax Preparation and Planning: Navigating Compliance and Savings In regard to tax preparation and planning, comprehending your compliance requirements is key to minimizing your tax liabilities. You’ll want to stay informed about filing deadlines and leverage tax-saving strategies that apply to your specific business situation. Tax Compliance Requirements Steering through tax compliance requirements can feel overwhelming for small business owners, especially as regulations vary considerably by state and industry. In Texas, for instance, if your annual revenue exceeds $1,230,000, you’re subject to the Texas Franchise Tax, which necessitates careful planning to avoid penalties. Furthermore, businesses face an 8.25% combined Sales and Use Tax on taxable goods and services, requiring diligent record-keeping to guarantee compliance and avoid audits. It’s also crucial to understand industry-specific taxes, like hotel occupancy tax for hospitality businesses. Engaging in regular tax planning helps minimize overall tax liability throughout the year, as strategic year-end moves and proper management of deductions can greatly affect your tax outcomes, assuring your business remains compliant and financially healthy. Tax Savings Strategies Tax savings strategies play a crucial role in helping small businesses minimize their overall tax liability and navigate the intricacies of tax preparation and planning. Here are some key strategies to reflect on: Utilize Section 179 Deduction: Deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and software. Conduct Regular Financial Reviews: Make informed decisions throughout the year that positively affect tax outcomes. Understand Local Tax Regulations: Be aware of Texas Franchise Tax for businesses with revenue over $1,230,000. Engage Professional Accounting Services: Guarantee compliance with current tax laws as you identify potential savings. Filing Deadlines Awareness Awareness of filing deadlines is crucial for small businesses, as it directly impacts compliance and potential tax savings. Federal income tax returns are due by April 15, with partnerships and S corporations needing to file by March 15. If you’re self-employed or own certain corporations, keep in mind that estimated tax payments are due quarterly on April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15 of the following year. Texas businesses with revenues over $1,230,000 should note that the Texas Franchise Tax has similar deadlines. Furthermore, Sales and Use Tax returns are due on the 20th of each month for monthly filers, whereas annual filers have a January 20 deadline. Staying organized with these dates helps avoid penalties and optimize tax savings. Financial Statement Preparation: Key Insights for Decision Making When you prepare financial statements, you’re not just creating documents; you’re developing critical tools that inform your business decisions. These statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, provide a thorough overview of your financial health. Accurate financial statements are crucial for evaluating your operational performance, allowing you to track revenues and expenses effectively. Here are four key insights to reflect on: Profitability Evaluation: A well-prepared income statement helps you analyze your profitability over specific periods. Regulatory Compliance: Regularly prepared statements guarantee compliance with necessary regulations. Cash Flow Insights: Timely insights into cash flow enable effective decision-making. Funding Opportunities: Well-crafted financial statements can help secure financing from lenders and investors by demonstrating your stability and growth potential. Utilizing these statements strategically can greatly impact your business’s success. Accounts Receivable and Payable Management: Maintaining Cash Flow Financial statements provide a clear picture of your business’s financial health, but managing accounts receivable and payable is equally important for maintaining cash flow. Effective accounts receivable management guarantees you’re collecting payments on time, which can reduce your days sales outstanding (DSO) and stabilize cash flow. By implementing clear invoicing processes and follow-up reminders, you could decrease late payments by up to 30%, improving your liquidity. On the other hand, a healthy accounts payable system allows you to manage cash outflows strategically. It helps you capitalize on vendor discounts as well as avoiding late fees. Regularly reviewing accounts receivable aging reports can help you identify slow-paying customers and tackle potential collection issues proactively. Furthermore, utilizing accounting software can automate invoicing and payment tracking, streamlining these processes to save you time and reduce errors, ultimately enhancing your business’s financial management efficiency. Bank Reconciliation: Keeping Financial Records Accurate Maintaining accurate financial records is vital for any small business, and monthly bank reconciliation plays a key role in this process. By ensuring that your bank statements align with your accounting records, you can identify discrepancies such as lost checks or unauthorized transactions. Here are four key benefits of regular bank reconciliation: Detects embezzlement: Spotting unusual transactions helps protect your business from potential fraud. Minimizes bank charges: It reduces the risk of erroneous fees that could negatively impact your cash flow. Facilitates cash management: You gain a clear picture of available funds and upcoming liabilities, aiding in better financial planning. Provides peace of mind: Knowing your financial records are accurate and up to date is fundamental for tax preparation. Engaging in monthly bank reconciliation not merely improves accuracy but additionally allows for timely adjustments and informed decision-making, boosting your overall financial performance. Unlimited Consultations: Support for Your Financial Questions Having access to unlimited consultations as part of your accounting service package can greatly improve your grasp of your business’s financial setting. With these consultations, you can ask any financial questions without worrying about additional fees, allowing you to gain clarity on complex issues. This support is beneficial regardless of your accounting knowledge level, ensuring you feel comfortable discussing your concerns and inquiries. Open communication is emphasized during these consultations, helping you stay informed about your financial health and the implications of your choices. Regularly engaging with your accountant encourages proactive financial management, allowing you to address potential issues before they escalate. Frequently Asked Questions What Accounting Services Do Small Businesses Need? Small businesses typically need several key accounting services to guarantee financial health. You’ll require bookkeeping for daily transactions, accounts payable and receivable management, and payroll processing for accurate employee compensation. Financial statement preparation, including balance sheets and income statements, is vital for evaluating performance. In addition, tax preparation and planning help minimize liabilities, whereas regular bank reconciliations maintain accurate records. Finally, unlimited consultations with accounting professionals provide ongoing support for financial decision-making. What Accounting Is Needed for a Small Business? For a small business, you need thorough accounting practices to guarantee financial accuracy and compliance. Key services include bookkeeping to track daily transactions, payroll processing for employee payments, and tax preparation to meet legal obligations. Regular financial statement preparation allows you to assess profitability and performance. Furthermore, maintaining a clean general ledger minimizes errors, whereas monthly Bank of America reconciliations help detect discrepancies, guaranteeing your financial records remain accurate and up-to-date. What Is the Average Cost of a CPA for a Small Business? The average cost of a CPA for a small business varies considerably, typically ranging from $150 to $300 per hour, depending on their expertise and your location. Monthly retainers can fall between $300 to $3,000 or more, influenced by your business’s complexity. For specific tasks, like tax preparation, fees often start at around $500. Be aware of potential hidden costs for additional services, so clarify pricing structures upfront with your CPA. Which Accounting Package Is Best for a Small Business? Choosing the best accounting package for your small business depends on your specific needs. Consider the complexity of your transactions and required services, like bank reconciliation, financial statements, and consultations. Packages typically range from $300 to over $3,000 monthly. Look for providers with expertise in your industry and verify their credentials. A thorough package won’t just guarantee compliance but will additionally provide strategic guidance to help you make informed decisions for growth. Conclusion By utilizing these crucial accounting services, you can greatly improve your small business’s financial health. Accurate bookkeeping, efficient payroll processing, and thorough tax preparation not only guarantee compliance but additionally promote strategic planning. Managing accounts receivable and payable effectively helps maintain cash flow, whereas regular bank reconciliations keep your records precise. Furthermore, unlimited consultations provide ongoing support for your financial queries. Embracing these services can streamline your operations and empower you to make informed decisions for your business’s future. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "7 Essential Accounting Services for Small Businesses" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In a trial featuring a clash between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, neither of the tech titans has emerged as an overly sympathetic character. But nobody has more to lose than Altman, who is expected to take the stand this week to defend himself. Already, testimony about Altman’s turbulent tenure at the ChatGPT maker has become prime fodder for internet jokes. One piece of evidence that has inspired countless memes was a text exchange between Altman and a company officer, Mira Murati, in 2023 during his short-lived ouster as CEO, when Altman asked if things were moving “directionally good or bad” and she wrote back: “Sam this is very bad.” Musk, the world’s richest man, is seeking Altman’s second ouster from the company leadership as part of a civil lawsuit accusing him of betraying their shared vision for OpenAI. Since its start as a nonprofit funded primarily by Musk, Open AI has evolved into a capitalistic venture now valued at $852 billion. Even if Musk loses, the trial has invited further scrutiny of Altman’s leadership at a pivotal time for the company and its competition with Musk’s own AI firm and another rival, Anthropic, formed by a group of seven ex-OpenAI leaders. All three firms are moving toward planned initial public offerings that are expected to be some of the largest ever. A jury that’s already heard about Altman’s character from a parade of his former allies and adversaries will ultimately decide the verdict. But the repercussions could reverberate widely. “This is not looking good for any of them and I think that that’s a little bit unfortunate for the AI industry at a time when the public perception of AI is quite negative and seems to be getting worse,” said Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell University’s Tech Policy Institute. Musk warned Altman would be one of America’s ‘most hated’ men The lawsuit accuses Altman and his top lieutenant, Greg Brockman, of double-crossing Musk by straying from the San Francisco company’s founding mission to be an altruistic steward of a revolutionary technology. The lawsuit alleges they shifted into a moneymaking mode behind his back. Shortly before the trial began, Musk abandoned a bid for damages for himself and instead is seeking an unspecified amount of money to be paid to fund the altruistic efforts of OpenAI’s charitable arm. In a text exchange with Brockman proposing a possible settlement, Musk warned that Brockman and Altman “will be the most hated men in America” as a result of the trial. While Musk, the head of SpaceX, Tesla and a slew of other companies, was well known by the San Francisco Bay Area jury pool, fewer knew who Altman was before the start of the trial, even if they were familiar with ChatGPT. As the trial has played out in a federal courtroom in Oakland, California over the last two weeks, jurors have heard from witnesses including OpenAI ex-board members Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley, who spoke about the decision to fire Altman in 2023 before they were themselves ousted from the board of directors when Altman returned to his role. In video testimony last week, Toner said a starting point for the decision to oust Altman was when OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, a respected AI scientist, reached out to confide some of his own concerns. “A phrase we used was ‘a pattern of behavior,’ so no one single cause,” Toner said. “The pattern of behavior related to his honesty and candor, his resistance of board oversight.” Sutskever was instrumental in the unsuccessful attempt to oust Altman but later said he regretted his role in the shakeup. In his own testimony Monday, Sutskever confirmed that he wrote a 2023 memo to OpenAI’s board that characterized Altman as pitting his executives against one another and exhibiting a “consistent pattern of lying” that was causing a loss of trust and productivity. Sutskever said Altman’s behavior contributed to an environment that was “not conducive” to the company’s goals, including its mission to safely build artificial general intelligence. He said he later backtracked and supported Altman’s reinstatement because he was concerned about what would happen to a company he worked hard to create and “cared very much about.” “I felt that, had I not done this, the company would have been destroyed, and I felt that this was a Hail Mary,” he testified. OpenAI begins presenting its side The trial has carried risks also for Musk, who is pursuing an initial public offering this summer for his rocket ship maker, SpaceX, which could make him the world’s first trillionaire. Among the witnesses has been Shivon Zilis, a former OpenAI board member who served as a conduit between Musk and OpenAI’s leaders and also didn’t disclose that Musk was the father of her two young twins, according to trial testimony. Not until midday Monday, on the third week of the trial, did OpenAI begin calling its own witnesses, starting with Bret Taylor, the current chair of OpenAI’s board who painted a more positive portrait of Altman’s leadership. “I think Sam has done a great job as CEO,” Taylor said. “He’s been forthright with me and the other board members.” Syracuse University professor Shubha Ghosh, an expert in business and technology law, said regardless of the outcome of the case, he has doubts about Altman staying on as CEO of OpenAI in the long run. “A lot this of might depend upon a testimony,” he said. “And I don’t know what he’s going to say or how he’s gonna say it. But even like the best case, movie theater type performance, with all the music playing and the angels descending or whatnot, I don’t see him coming off as a fairly strong leader, especially (since) this case has gone this far.” —Barbara Ortutay and Matt O’Brien, AP Technology Writers View the full article

Running a productive team requires more than assigning tasks and holding meetings. The right team management templates create structure around communication, accountability and onboarding so managers can coordinate daily work, reduce confusion and keep projects moving without wasting time on administrative setup or inconsistent processes across departments and teams. If you want to guide your team towards success, try ProjectManager. This award-winning project management software helps teams across industries plan, schedule and track work from start to finish. Create detailed schedules, manage resources, monitor costs and compare planned versus actual performance with a full suite of powerful tools. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Light-mode-portfolio-dashboard-CTA-1600x851.pngLearn more 1. Roles and Responsibilities Template Clear roles and responsibilities prevent duplicated work, missed deadlines and confusion during execution. Teams perform more consistently when every person understands their authority, assigned tasks and reporting structure. Establishing accountability early also improves communication between departments, speeds up decision-making and reduces conflicts that can delay projects, operations or client deliverables. /wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Roles-and-Responsibilities-Template-600x211.png Built with organized role assignment fields, this template tracks departments, contact information, reporting relationships, responsibilities, key tasks and deliverables for every team member. Managers can quickly identify ownership across operations, procurement, finance and field teams while creating a centralized accountability document that supports staffing coordination, project execution and communication planning. 2. Meeting Agenda Template A meeting agenda is a structured document used to organize discussion topics, presenters, timelines and action items before a meeting begins. Teams use agendas to keep conversations focused, manage time effectively and ensure important decisions are addressed. Consistent agendas also improve accountability by documenting priorities and expected meeting outcomes clearly. /wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Meeting-agenda-template-screenshot-600x525.png Designed for recurring team coordination, this template includes sections for meeting details, leadership roles, attendees, objectives and scheduled agenda items. Teams can document chairpersons, secretaries and participant contact information while organizing discussions into timed segments that keep meetings structured, productive and aligned with project priorities or operational updates. 3. 30-60-90 Day Plan Template A 30-60-90 day plan is a structured roadmap used to define goals, priorities and performance expectations during an employee’s first three months. Managers commonly use these plans for onboarding, leadership transitions and performance alignment. Breaking objectives into phases helps teams measure progress while giving employees a clear direction from day one. /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/30-60-90-day-template-full-table-600x359.png Organized into 30-day phases, this template helps managers map SMART goals, action steps, deliverables, performance indicators and resource requirements for new employees or transitioning team leaders. Each section supports milestone tracking and structured onboarding by connecting measurable objectives with practical tasks, reporting expectations and operational performance benchmarks. 4. SMART Goals Template SMART goals are structured objectives designed to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound. Teams use SMART goals to create realistic performance targets, track measurable progress and improve accountability during projects, onboarding and operational planning. Breaking goals into measurable criteria also helps managers evaluate performance, prioritize work and monitor deadlines. /wp-content/uploads/2023/08/smart-goals-template-image-600x603.jpg This SMART goals template organizes objectives into five structured categories with guided prompts for documenting success criteria, measurement methods, required resources, business relevance and completion deadlines. Teams can use the worksheet to build actionable goals, align employee expectations and create consistent performance tracking across projects, departments and operational improvement initiatives. 5. Performance Improvement Plan Template A performance improvement plan is a structured document used to correct employee performance issues through measurable goals, timelines and management support. Organizations use these plans when employees fail to meet expectations, productivity standards or behavioral requirements. Defined milestones and documented evaluations help managers monitor progress while creating formal accountability procedures. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/performance-improvement-plan-template-for-Word-600x516.png This performance improvement plan template includes sections for documenting performance issues, SMART goals, action steps, support resources, review timelines, evaluation criteria and final assessments. Managers can use it to create structured improvement plans, communicate expectations clearly and track employee progress through measurable milestones, review meetings and signed performance agreements consistently. 6. Skills Matrix Template A skills matrix is a workforce management tool used to document employee skills, proficiency levels and training gaps across a team. Managers use skills matrices to allocate work, identify development needs and plan training initiatives. Comparing capabilities across departments also helps organizations improve staffing decisions, succession planning and operational coverage. /wp-content/uploads/2025/04/skills-matrix-template-600x109.png This skills matrix template tracks employee competencies, departments, proficiency gaps, assessment sources and recommended training actions in a centralized spreadsheet. Managers can compare technical and operational capabilities across teams while identifying certification needs, missing skills and development priorities. The template also supports workforce planning, cross-training initiatives and performance reviews processes. 7. Task Tracker Template Tracking task progress helps teams identify delays, manage workloads and maintain accountability throughout project execution. Without visibility into assignments and deadlines, small issues can quickly disrupt schedules and priorities. Monitoring task status also improves communication between managers and team members while helping organizations respond faster to operational risks and changing project demands. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/task-tracker-dashboard-template-final-600x446.png This task tracker template organizes assignments by priority, owner, status, deadlines and completion progress in a centralized dashboard. Built-in charts summarize task distribution and workflow status, giving managers a quick visual overview of team activity. The template also helps monitor overdue work, paused assignments and active tasks across ongoing projects. 8. RACI Matrix Template A RACI matrix is a responsibility assignment chart used to define who is responsible, accountable, consulted and informed for project tasks. Teams use RACI matrices to eliminate confusion during execution, improve communication between departments and establish decision-making authority. Clear accountability structures also help reduce delays, duplicated work and approval bottlenecks. /wp-content/uploads/2020/05/RACI-Matrix-Screenshot-600x237.jpg Structured by project phases and functional roles, this RACI matrix template maps accountability across planning, execution and control activities. Teams can assign responsibility levels for tasks involving leadership, finance, design and product management while creating a centralized reference for approvals, communication workflows and stakeholder involvement throughout the project lifecycle. 9. RASCI Matrix Template A RASCI matrix is a project management framework used to define who is responsible, accountable, supportive, consulted and informed for specific tasks. Organizations use RASCI matrices when projects involve multiple departments, subcontractors or stakeholders requiring coordinated responsibilities. Adding the supportive role improves collaboration by clarifying operational assistance during execution activities. /wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RASCI-Matrix-Template-for-Excel-600x256.png Designed around project phases and specialized construction roles, this RASCI matrix template assigns accountability across initiation, design, pre-construction and field operations tasks. Teams can coordinate architects, contractors, engineers, inspectors and clients within one responsibility chart while improving communication, approval tracking and collaboration throughout complex project execution workflows. 10. Training Matrix Template A training matrix is a workforce management tool used to track employee training requirements, certifications, skill levels and compliance status. Organizations use training matrices to monitor workforce readiness, schedule recertifications and identify development gaps across departments. Maintaining accurate training records also helps managers support safety standards, operational consistency and regulatory compliance. /wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Training-Matrix-Template-for-Excel-600x100.png This training matrix template tracks employee roles, required training programs, certification deadlines, proficiency levels and completion status within one centralized spreadsheet. Managers can monitor active certifications, training methods, expiration dates and assessment responsibilities while identifying employees with incomplete or overdue training requirements across operational, compliance and technical workforce categories. How to Manage Projects and Teams with ProjectManager ProjectManager is an online project management solution that provides a complete set of work planning, scheduling and tracking tools, including Gantt charts, kanban boards, task lists and real-time dashboards and reports. With these features, teams across industries can build detailed schedules, assign resources and monitor progress, costs and timelines. ProjectManager also delivers AI-powered project insights to support better decision-making and connects with over 100 tools like Microsoft Project, Acumatica and Power BI. With its open API and wide range of integrations, organizations can seamlessly link ProjectManager to their existing systems. Watch the video below to learn more about how our software supports construction teams! If you need a tool to help you manage projects, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager. Our online software helps teams across industries plan, track and oversee projects as they unfold. Sign up for a free 30-day trial today! The post 10 Free Team Management Templates for Excel & Word appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

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