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

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

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

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

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

After weeks of rumors, the company that operates Eddie Bauer stores in the United States and Canada has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As part of the proceedings, Eddie Bauer LLC, which is owned by Catalyst Brands, is planning to wind down operations and close all of its remaining stores. Catalyst also oversees operations for brands including Lucky Brand, Aéropostale, Nautica, Brooks Brothers, and JCPenney. The company is currently on the lookout for a buyer that could potentially acquire some portion of the Eddie Bauer’s stores. In the meantime, though, a total of 175 Eddie Bauer locations will close their doors in the coming weeks. Here’s what you need to know: What’s happened? According to a court filing, Eddie Bauer has faced significant financial strain at its retail locations for years. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company was saddled with supply-chain issues, followed by persistent inflation and reduced discretionary spending on outdoor apparel. Catalyst acquired Eddie Bauer’s retail operations back in January 2025. In a press release, Catalyst’s CEO, Mark Rosen, said that the brand’s challenges have only worsened since then. “Even prior to the inception of Catalyst Brands last year, [Eddie Bauer] was in a challenged situation, with declining sales, supply chain challenges and other issues,” Rosen said. “Over the past year, these challenges have been exacerbated by various headwinds, including increased costs of doing business due to inflation, ongoing tariff uncertainty, and other factors.” Eddie Bauer joins a long list of retail chains that have recently shuttered some or all of their brick-and-mortar operations due to the ongoing “retail apocalypse,” including Party City, Big Lots, Joann, Claire’s, Saks Off 5th, and Francesca’s. As Fast Company previously reported, these bankruptcy proceedings will not impact Eddie Bauer’s locations overseas or its e-commerce and wholesale operations, which are led by separate companies. What’s next for Eddie Bauer? In the next few weeks, as Eddie Bauer LLC’s Chapter 11 proceedings move forward, the company plans to try to find a bidder to take over some or all of its stores and remaining assets. As of February 9, Catalyst said it had received two indications of interest from different companies. The brand plans to accept final bids on March 3 and proceed with any potential sale hearing on March 12. While those negotiations are underway, Eddie Bauer has already begun to wind down its physical presence. Per the bankruptcy filing, 49 of the company’s leases were allowed to expire at the end of January and all of those stores are now closed. The remaining 175 stores have all begun the process of liquidating their inventory, furniture, and fixtures in preparation for a final closure, which is expected to take about 13 weeks. Which Eddie Bauer stores are closing? The impacted retail locations include about 25 Canadian locations and the remaining 150 in the U.S. The full list is as follows: Alaska Anchorage, 320 West 5th Ave, Suite #C44A, Anchorage, AK, 99501 Alabama The Outlet Shops at Grand River, 6200 Grand River Blvd E, Suite 118-G, Leeds, AL, 35094 Tanger Outlet at Foley, 2601 S McKenzie St Ste 260, Foley, AL, 36535 California San Clemente Outlet, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa Suite 158, San Clemente, CA, 92672 Shasta Outlet, 1699 Hwy 273, Anderson, CA, 96007 Factory Stores at Vacaville, 131-F Nuttree Rd, Vacaville, CA, 95687 Village at Topanga, 6256 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Space #1240, Canoga Park, CA, 91303 Galleria at Roseville, 1151 Galleria Blvd., Ste. 133, Roseville, CA, 95678 Gilroy Outlet, 8325 Arroyo Circle, Bldg. D, Sp 28, Gilroy, CA, 95020 Great Mall Outlet, 447 Great Mall Drive Space 155A, Milpitas, CA, 95035 Fig Garden Village Shopping Center, 738 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA, 93704 Folsom Factory Outlet, 13000 Folsom Blvd., Space 1450, Folsom, CA, 95630 Petaluma Outlets, 2200 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma, CA, 94952 Viejas Outlet Center, 5001 Willows Road, Space J101, Alpine, CA, 91901 Colorado Colorado Mills, 14500 W. Colfax Avenue, Space 160 A, Lakewood, CO, 80401 Castle Rock Factory Outlet, 5050 Factory Shops Blvd Suite 850, Castle Rock, CO, 80108 Silverthorne Outlet, 145A Stephens Wy, Silverthorne, CO, 80498 Centerra, I-25 and Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland, CO, 80538 Connecticut Tanger Outlet at Foxwoods, 455 Trolley Line Boulevard Suite 280, Mashantucket, CT, 06338 Westbrook Factory Stores, 314 Flat Rock Place, Suite C-105, Westbrook, CT, 06498 Delaware Rehoboth Ocean Outlet, 36502 Seaside Outlet Drive Suite 1250, Rehoboth Beach, DE, 19971 Florida Citrus Park Town Center, 7911 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, #520, Tampa, FL, 33625 St. Augustine Outlet Center, 2700 State Road 16, Suite 103, St. Augustine, FL, 32092 Silver Sands Factory Stores, 10562 Emerald Coast Parkway Space 10-14, Destin, FL, 32550 Lake Buena Vista Outlet, 15813 State Road 535, Orlando, FL, 32821 Georgia Commerce II Outlet, 800 Steven B Tanger Blvd Ste 809, Commerce, GA, 30529 North Georgia Premium Outlets, 800 Hwy 400 South, Suite 835, Dawsonville, GA, 30534 Discover Mills, 5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy #280, Lawrenceville, GA, 30043 Outlet Shops at Atlanta, 915 Ridgewalk Pkwy Suite #620, Woodstock, GA, 30188 Iowa Southern Hills Mall, 4400 Sergeant Road, Suite 108, Sioux City, IA, 51106 Outlets of Des Moines, 801 Bass Pro Dr NW Suite 110, Altoona, IA, 50009 Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Ste 232, Coralville, IA, 52241 Valley West, 1551 Valley West Dr., Ste 110, West Des Moines, IA, 50266 Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave NE #124, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52402 Tanger Outlet at Williamsburg, 236 Tanger Drive, Williamsburg, IA, 52361 Idaho Boise Town Square, 350 N. Milwaukee, #1321, Boise, ID, 83704 Illinois Woodfield, Woodfield Shopping Center E-329, Schaumburg, IL, 60173 Burr Ridge, 750 Village Center Drive, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527 Village Plaza, 7232A Dempster, Morton Grove, IL, 60053 Chicago Premium Outlet, 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd. #325, Chicago, IL, 60502 Indiana Heritage Square, 7135 Heritage Square Drive Suite #320, Granger, IN, 46530 Edinburgh Outlet, 3000 Outlet Drive, Space F120, Edinburgh, IN, 46124 Lighthouse Place Outlet, 1105 Lighthouse Place, Michigan City, IN, 46360 Clay Terrace, 14395 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel, IN, 46032 Kansas NewMarket Square, 2441 N Maize Rd, Ste 805, Wichita, KS, 67205 Legend Outlet, 1813 Village West Pkwy #Q116, Kansas City, KS, 66111 Kentucky Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass, 1155 Buck Creek Rd., Suite D-406, Simpsonville, KY, 40067 Massachusetts Burlington, 75 Middlesex Turnpike Space 1068B, Burlington, MA, 01803 Wrentham Village Outlets, One Premium Outlets Blvd Suite 640, Wrentham, MA, 02093 Prime Outlets @ Lee, 270 Premium Outlets Blvd, Lee, MA, 01238 Maryland Queenstown Outlet, 126 Outlet Center Dr, Queenstown, MD, 21658 Prime Outlets of Hagerstown, 500 Premium Outlets Boulevard, Hagerstown, MD, 21740 Arundel Mills, 7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Ste 476, Baltimore, MD, 21076 Maine Maine Mall, 364 Maine Mall Road, Space E-113, S. Portland, ME, 04106 Marketplace at Augusta, 8 Stephen King Dr. Suite 1, Augusta, ME, 04330 Michigan Twelve Oaks, 27394 Novi Road #A-203, Novi, MI, 48377 Kensington Valley Factory Shops, 1475 N Burkhart Rd, Ste G340, Howell, MI, 48855 Village of Rochester, 388 N. Adams Rd., Rochester Hills, MI, 48309 Tanger Outlet at West Branch, 2990 Cook Rd. Suite 113A, West Branch, MI, 48661 Birch Run Outlet, 12150 S. Beyer Road, Sp F-20, Birch Run, MI, 48415 Partridge Creek, 17420 Hall Road, SPC 133, Clinton Township, MI, 48038 Great Lakes Crossing Outlet, 4720 Baldwin Rd., Sp 210, Auburn Hills, MI, 48326 Minnesota Ridgedale, 12715 Wayzata Blvd Ste 2280, Minnetonka, MN, 55305 Medford Outlet Center, 6750 W Frontage Rd. Suite 321, Medford, MN, 55049 Outlets at Albertville, 6415 Labeaux NE, Space B-290, Albertville, MN, 55301 Eden Prairie, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive, Space #1136, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344 Twin City @ Eagan, 3945 Eagan Outlets Parkway Suite 1030, Eagan, MN, 55122 Miller Hill Mall, 1600 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth, MN, 55811 Mall of America, 214 South Avenue, Bloomington, MN, 55425 Missouri Osage Beach Premium Outlet, 4540 Highway 54, Suite J1, Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Tanger Outlets of Branson, 300 Tanger Blvd., suite 313, Branson, MO, 65616 Columbia Mall, 2300 Benadette Dr., Sp 432, Columbia, MO, 65203 St Louis Galleria, 1115 Saint Louis Galleria Space 1113, St. Louis, MO, 63117 Saint Louis Premium Outlet, 18501 Outlet Blvd. Suite 300, Chesterfield, MO, 63005 Montana Rimrock, 300 South 24th St.West, Billings, MT, 59102 North Carolina Nags Head Outlets, 7100 South Croatan Hwy, Nags Head, NC, 27959 Concord Mills Outlets, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Space 614, Concord, NC, 28027 Carolina Outlet Center, 1205 Outlet Center Drive STE 1239, Smithfield, NC, 27577 Asheville, 3 South Tunnel Road, Sp A-14, Asheville, NC, 28805 North Dakota West Acres, 3902 13th Ave. SW, Ste 228, Fargo, ND, 58103 New Hampshire Settler’s Green, OVP-D2; Route 16 Box 54, North Conway, NH, 03860 Tilton Outlet, 120 Laconia Rd., Ste 225, Tilton, NH, 03276 New Jersey American Dream, 1 American Dream Way, Suite B237, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073 Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza Space T7, Paramus, NJ, 07652 Rockaway, 301 Mount Hope Ave #1082, Rockaway, NJ, 07866 Gloucester Premium Outlet, 100 Premium Outlets Drive Suite 330, Blackwood, NJ, 08012 Jersey Store, 1 Premium Blvd, Suite 830, Tinton Falls, NJ, 07753 New Mexico Santa Fe Premium Outlets, 8380 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87507 ABQ, 2240 Q Street Space 10H, Albuquerque, NM, 87110 Meadowood, 5108 Meadowood Mall Circle, Reno, NV, 89502 New York Walden Galleria, 2000 WALDEN AVENUE #G-107, Cheektowaga, NY, 14225 Adirondack Outlet Mall, 1444 State Road 9, Space 23, Lake George, NY, 12845 Eastview, 781 Eastview Mall #159, Victor, NY, 14564 Northway Mall, 1440 Central Ave, Colonie, NY, 12205 Tanger Outlet Center at Riverhead, 602 Tanger Mall Drive Spc 602A, RIVERHEAD, NY, 11901 Destiny Outlet, 306 Hiawatha Blvd. W Space J217, Syracuse, NY, 13204 Waterloo Premium Outlet, 655 Route 318, Space #95, Waterloo, NY, 13165 Ohio Jeffersonville Outlet, 8195 Factory Shops Blvd, Jeffersonville, OH, 43128 Town Center at Easton, 4047 Gramercy Street, Space A-125, Columbus, OH, 43219 Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market St., Sp 430, AKRON, OH, 44333 Aurora Premium Outlet, 549 S. Chillicothe Rd., Route 43 #630, Aurora, OH, 44202 Oregon Clackamas, 12000 SE 82nd Avenue, Suite 2076, Portland, OR, 97086 Woodburn Company Stores, 1001 Arney Road, Suite 600, Woodburn, OR, 97071 Lincoln City Outlet, 1500 SE East Devils Lake Road, Suite 312, Lincoln City, OR, 97367 Seaside Factory Outlet Center, 1111 North Roosevelt #100, Seaside, OR, 97138 Bend Outlet, 61338 S Highway 97 Ste 210, Bend, OR, 97702 Columbia Gorge Outlet, 450 NW 257th Ave, #200, Troutdale, OR, 97060 Pennsylvania Gettysburg Village, 1863 Gettysburg Village Dr. Suite A6, Gettysburg, PA, 17325 Montgomery, 248 Montgomery Mall Space 2128, North Wales, PA, 19454 South Hills Village, 301 South Hills Village Blvd., Sp 1340, Pittsburgh, PA, 15241 Shoppes at Susquehanna, 2603 Brindle Road Space G, Harrisburg, PA, 17110 Crossings Factory Stores, 1000 Premium Outlets Dr. Sp#C09, Tannersville, PA, 18372 Tanger Outlet Center Lancaster, 1140 Stanley K. Tanger Blvd, Lancaster, PA, 17602 The Arena Hub Plaza, 417 Arena Hub Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18702 Grove City Outlet, 1911 Leeburg Road, Sp 900/PO Box 1101, Grove City, PA, 16127 Philadelphia Premium Outlet, 18 Light Cap Road #1099, Philadelphia, PA, 19464 Tanger at Pittsburgh, 2200 Tanger Blvd, Suite 805, Pittsburgh, PA, 15301 The Shoppes at Brinton Lake, 961 Baltimore Pike, Concord Township, PA, 19342 South Carolina Hilton Head Outlet, 1414 Fording Island Rd Ste G-140, Bluffton, SC, 29910 Myrtle Beach Factory Stores, 4620 Factory Store Blvd, Myrtle Beach, SC, 29579 South Dakota Rushmore, 2200 N. Maple, Ste 466, Rapid City, SD, 57701 The Empire, 1580 W Empire Mall Sp 116, Sioux Falls, SD, 57106 Tennessee Hamilton Place, 2115 Gunbarrel Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37421 The Pinnacle Outlet, 554 Pinnacle Parkway, Space #749, Bristol, TN, 37620 Texas Southlake Town Square, 1402 Main St., Southlake, TX, 76092 Tanger Factory Outlet San Marcos, 4015 I-35 South, Ste 640, San Marcos, TX, 78666 Round Rock Outlet, 4401 I 35 N Frontage Rd #0793, Round Rock, TX, 78664 Rio Grande Outlet, 5001 East Expressway 83 Building 8, space 820, Mercedes, TX, 78570 Traverse Mountain Outlet, 3700 North Cabelas Blvd Ste 440, Lehi, UT, 84043 Zion Factory Stores, 250 N. Red Cliff Dr. Suite 12, ST. GEORGE, UT, 84790 Virginia Valley View Mall, 4802 Valley View Blvd., Ste LB50, Roanoke, VA, 24012 Williamsburg Outlet, 5715-75 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA, 23188 Fair Oaks, 11715-U Fair Oaks Mall, Sp J225, Fairfax, VA, 22033 Leesburg Corner, 241 Fort Evans Rd. NE, Ste. 1257, Leesburg, VA, 20176 Vermont Manchester Designer Outlet, 135 Depot St #82, Manchester Center, VT, 05255 Washington Factory Stores at North Bend, 661 S Fork Ave. SW Suite 4-C, North Bend, WA, 98045 University Village, 2690 N.E. University Village St. – Space A, Seattle, WA, 98105 Supermall of the NW Outlet, 1101 Supermall Wy., Sp 1336, Auburn, WA, 98001 Westfield South Center Mall, 670 Southcenter Mall, Tukwila, WA, 98188 Alderwood, 3000 184th St SW Space #294, Lynnwood, WA, 98037 Spokane Valley Plaza Outlet, 15635 East Broadway, Spokane, WA, 99037 Centralia Outlet, 1404 Lum Road, Centralia, WA, 98531 Columbia Center, 1321 N Columbia Center Blvd #537, Kennewick, WA, 99336 Woodinville Outlet, 13910 NE Mill Pl, Woodinville, WA, 98072 Seattle Premium Outlet, 10600 Quilceda Blvd. #340, Tulalip, WA, 98271 Wisconsin Johnson Creek Factory Shoppes, 595 West Linmar Lane, Ste B-40, Johnson Creek, WI, 53038 Mayfair, 2500 North Mayfair Road, Sp 432, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226 Oshkosh Mfg Outlet, 3001 S. Washburn, Ste #E-80, Oshkosh, WI, 54904 Fox River, 4301 West Wisconsin Ave #128, Appleton, WI, 54913 Wisconsin Dells, 210 Gasser Road Spc 581, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53913 Pleasant Prairie Outlet, 11601 108th St Unit 554, PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI, 53158 Oakwood, 4800 Golf Rd, Space 822, Eau Claire, WI, 54701 Alberta Kingsway Garden, 109th and Princess Elizabeth Ave Spc 628, Edmonton, AB, T5G 3A6 West Edmonton, 8770 170 St NW # 1992, Edmonton, AB, T5T 4M2 Market Mall, 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW #40R, Calgary, AB, T3A 0E2 Chinook Centre, 6455 McCloud Trail SW Space 1229, Calgary, AB, T2H 0K8 British Columbia Coquitlam Centre, 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 5R5 Woodgrove Centre, 102-6631 Island Hwy North #80, Nanaimo, BC, V9T 4T7 Government Street, 1254 Government St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1Y3 Park Royal, 2002 Park Royal S. Space 997, West Vancouver, BC, V7T 2W4 Mayfair, 638 Mayfair Shopping Centre, Victoria, BC, V8Z 6E3 Tsawwassen Outlet, 130-5000 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen, BC, V4M 0B3 New Brunswick Champlain Place, 477 Paul St., Sp W4, Dieppe, NB, E1A 4X5 Nova Scotia Mic Mac Mall, 21 Mic Mac Blvd., Sp 137A, Dartmouth, NS, B3A 4N3 Ontario Tanger Outlets Cookstown, 3311 Simcoe Road 89 Ste #H40, Cookstown, ON, L0L 1L0 Bayshore Shopping Centre, 100 Bayshore Dr., Ottawa, ON, K2B 8C1 Station Mall, 293 Bay St Space #K5, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 1X3 Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth Street, Unit 411, Hamilton, ON, L9A 4X5 Don Mills, 32 Karl Fraser Rd CRU J10, TORONTO, ON, M3C 0E8 Vaughan Mills Outlet, 1 Bass Pro Dr. Ste 713, Vaughan, ON, L4K 5W4 Place d’Orleans, 110 Place d’Orleans Dr, Space 700, Ottawa, ON, K1C 2L9 Upper Canada Mall, 17600 Yonge St #DD16, Newmarket, ON, L3Y 4Z1 The Outlet Collection @ Niagara, 300 Taylor Rd Unit#317 Bldg 300, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0 Tanger Outlets Ottawa, 8555 Campeau Dr Unit#380, Ottawa, ON, K2T 0K5 Quinte Mall, 390 North Front St, Belleville, ON, K8P 3E1 Saskatchewan Midtown Plaza, 21 1st Ave. S., Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1J5 View the full article

Grasping loans is crucial for anyone considering borrowing money. A loan is fundamentally a financial agreement where you receive funds that you must repay, usually with interest. You’ll encounter various loan types, such as secured and unsecured loans, each with unique terms and conditions. Familiarizing yourself with key concepts like principal, interest rates, and repayment schedules will help you navigate the borrowing process effectively. So, what are the first steps you should take before applying for a loan? Key Takeaways Loans are financial agreements to borrow money, requiring repayment of the principal plus interest, usually influenced by the borrower’s credit score. There are two main types of loans: secured loans (with collateral) and unsecured loans (without collateral), each with different interest rates. The loan process involves submitting an application, assessing creditworthiness, signing a contract, and adhering to a repayment schedule. Understanding loan terms, such as principal, interest rates, and amortization, is essential for effective financial management and avoiding default. Regularly monitoring credit reports and maintaining timely payments can improve credit scores and reduce overall loan costs. What Is a Loan? A loan is fundamentally a financial agreement that allows you to borrow money from a lender, with the expectation that you’ll repay the borrowed amount, known as the principal, along with interest over a specified period. So, what’s a loan? It’s crucial to understand that loans fall into two primary categories: secured and unsecured. Secured loans require collateral, like property or vehicles, which can lower interest rates, whereas unsecured loans don’t require collateral but usually come with higher interest rates. The annual percentage rate (APR) for personal loans typically ranges from 10% to 30%, depending on your creditworthiness. Before being approved, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to repay the loan, which includes factors such as your income, credit score, and debt-to-income ratio. The loan process involves submitting an application, undergoing a credit assessment, and signing a contract that outlines the terms, including repayment schedule and interest rates. Key Takeaways Grasping key takeaways about loans can greatly impact your financial decisions. Comprehending loans meaning is fundamental, as a loan is simply a sum of money borrowed that you’ll need to repay, often with interest. You can choose between secured loans, which require collateral, and unsecured loans, which don’t. When you borrow, it’s critical to review the loan terms, like interest rates and repayment schedules, outlined in a contract. Typically, personal loans have varying Annual Percentage Rates (APR) depending on your credit score, starting at around 10%-12% for excellent credit. Before taking on debt, assess your financial capabilities and set a limit to avoid jeopardizing your future income or savings. Clear communication about repayment expectations is significant, so consider documenting the loan through agreements or promissory notes to prevent misconceptions. Knowing how do loans work can empower you to make informed choices. Understanding Loans Comprehending loans is crucial for making informed financial decisions. You’ll encounter various types of loans, each with unique features like secured and unsecured options, which can impact your borrowing experience. Familiarizing yourself with the loan process and key terms will help you navigate agreements, repayment schedules, and the implications of interest rates. Types of Loans When considering the various types of loans available, it’s essential to recognize that they can be broadly categorized into secured and unsecured loans. Here’s a quick overview of these loan categories: Secured Loans: Backed by collateral, such as mortgages and auto loans. Unsecured Loans: Typically carry higher interest rates and include credit cards and personal loans. Term Loans: Fixed monthly payments over a specified period, often seen in personal loans. Revolving Loans: Allow repeated borrowing up to a credit limit, like credit cards. Different types of loans serve various purposes, including student loans for education, auto loans for vehicles, and mortgage loans for real estate. Comprehending these distinctions helps you make informed borrowing decisions. Loan Process Overview Steering through the loan process can seem intimidating, but breaking it down into manageable steps can help simplify the experience. First, you’ll apply for a loan by providing vital details like the loan purpose, your financial history, and necessary documentation. Lenders will then assess your creditworthiness, considering factors such as your credit score, income, and debt-to-income ratio before deciding on approval. Once approved, you’ll sign a contract that outlines significant details like the loan principal, interest rate, and repayment schedule. Funds are disbursed according to these terms, which may include specific timelines for repayment. Throughout the loan duration, comprehending repayment terms is fundamental, as adhering to the schedule helps you avoid defaulting and protects your credit score. Loan Terms Explained Loan terms play a crucial role in defining the conditions under which you borrow money, impacting both your financial obligations and overall loan experience. Comprehending these terms helps you make informed decisions. Here’s what to reflect upon: Loan Principal Definition: This is the original sum of money borrowed, excluding interest. Interest Rates: These can be fixed or variable, influencing your total repayment amount. Amortization: Refers to the repayment schedule, detailing how much you pay periodically. Loan Type Comparison: Be aware of secured loans, like mortgages, versus unsecured loans, such as credit cards, as this affects your rates and risks. The Loan Process Grasping the loan process is essential for anyone considering borrowing money. It starts with you submitting an application to lenders, where you detail the loan purpose and your financial history. Lenders then assess your creditworthiness by reviewing your credit score and debt-to-income ratio, helping them determine how does a loan work for you. If approved, you’ll sign a contract outlining the loan principle, interest rate, repayment terms, and any collateral requirements. Once the contract is signed, funds are disbursed, and a repayment schedule is established based on the agreed terms. You’ll need to stick to this schedule, which may include fixed monthly payments for term loans or a revolving balance for revolving loans. Grasping each step guarantees that you’re prepared for your responsibilities as a borrower, making the loan process smoother and more manageable. Why Are Loans Used? Loans serve various crucial purposes, helping you manage significant personal financial needs and support business expansion. Whether you’re funding education, purchasing a home, or investing in your business, loans allow you to spread costs over time through manageable payments. Comprehending how loans can meet these needs can empower you to make informed financial decisions. Personal Financial Needs With regard to managing personal financial needs, borrowing money often plays a crucial role. Comprehending the loans definition can help you make informed decisions. Here are some common uses for personal loans: Education expenses: Financing your education can lead to better job opportunities. Home renovations: Improving your home can increase its value and your quality of life. Vehicle purchases: Spreading the cost of a car over time makes it more manageable. Emergency funds: Personal loans can provide quick access to cash during unexpected situations. Utilizing personal loans wisely can consolidate high-interest debts and improve your overall financial health. Business Expansion Capital In regard to growing a business, acquiring the right capital can make all the difference. Loans define an essential resource for many entrepreneurs, especially in relation to business expansion capital. You might consider different types of loans to finance new projects, upgrade facilities, or boost inventory without straining cash reserves. In fact, around 75% of small businesses utilize loans for expansion, according to the Small Business Administration. Secured loans can be particularly appealing because of lower interest rates, as they’re backed by collateral. Moreover, these loans help cover operational costs during expansion, ensuring stable cash flow as new revenue streams develop. In the end, access to loans improves your market competitiveness, enabling investments in technology, staffing, and marketing efforts. Components of a Loan When considering a loan, it’s essential to comprehend its key components, as they each play an important role in the borrowing process. Here’s what you need to know: Principal Amount: The initial sum you borrow, which needs to be repaid. Interest: The cost of borrowing, often expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR), varying based on your creditworthiness. Repayment Terms: The duration you have to repay the loan, influencing your monthly payments. Collateral: For secured loans, this is an asset you provide that the lender can claim if you default. These components create a framework for your loan agreement, outlining terms, conditions, repayment schedules, and any associated fees. Comprehending these elements helps you make informed decisions and manage your finances effectively. Tips on Getting a Loan Securing a loan can often be a straightforward process if you approach it with the right knowledge and preparation. Start by demonstrating your ability to repay; provide proof of income and maintain a solid credit score. Higher scores can lead to lower interest rates and better terms. Lenders assess your debt-to-income ratio, which should ideally remain under 36% to 43%, depending on the types of mortgage you’re considering. To help you navigate the loan process, here’s a simple comparison of important factors: Factors Considerations Credit Score Higher scores = better rates Debt-to-Income Ratio Keep it below 36%-43% Loan Type Research different types of mortgage Lender Options Compare banks, credit unions, online Loan Agreement Review all terms, fees, and penalties Always read the loan agreement carefully to avoid surprises. Relationship Between Interest Rates and Loans Grasping the relationship between interest rates and loans is crucial for anyone looking to borrow money. Interest rates on loans represent the cost of borrowing and can greatly impact your financial decisions. Here are some key points to reflect on: Higher interest rates increase the total borrowing cost, making loans more expensive. Fixed interest rates provide predictable repayments, whereas variable rates can fluctuate, affecting your budget. Secured loans typically have lower rates than unsecured loans owing to reduced lender risk. Economic factors like inflation and central bank policies can drive interest rates up or down. Understanding these aspects can help you make informed choices about the types of loans you contemplate. A strong credit score can lead to better rates, whereas poor credit might mean facing higher costs. Always evaluate how interest rates will affect your overall loan repayment plan. Types of Loans Grasping the various types of loans available can help you choose the right financial product to meet your needs. There are different types of loans, primarily classified as secured or unsecured. Secured loans, like mortgages and car loans, require collateral, whereas unsecured loans, such as credit cards and personal loans, typically carry higher interest rates. Personal loans can be term loans, offering fixed monthly payments, or revolving loans, allowing for repeated borrowing with flexible repayment options. When considering types of bank loans, you might additionally encounter federal student loans, which typically have lower interest rates and flexible repayment options compared to private loans. Another option is a bridge loan, a short-term solution that covers immediate expenses until long-term financing is secured, often used in real estate. Grasping these distinctions can guide you in selecting the loan that best fits your financial situation. What Is a Loan Shark? A loan shark is an unlicensed lender who offers quick cash to those in urgent need, often at exorbitantly high interest rates. They typically target individuals with poor credit or financial desperation. Engaging with a loan shark can lead to severe consequences. Here are some key points to contemplate: High interest rates: Loan sharks charge much higher rates than legitimate lenders. Aggressive tactics: They may use intimidation or violence to guarantee repayment. Exploitative terms: Loans often come with hidden fees and penalties that trap borrowers in a cycle of debt. Legal risks: Unlike legitimate types of loans, contracts with loan sharks may not be enforceable in court. It’s vital to remain cautious, as borrowing from a loan shark can result in significant financial and personal repercussions, including loss of collateral or legal troubles. Always seek licensed lenders for safer borrowing options. How Can You Reduce Your Total Loan Cost? To reduce your total loan cost, consider making extra payments toward the principal, which can lower the amount of interest you’ll pay over time. It’s likewise crucial to shop around for better interest rates and avoid unnecessary fees that can add up quickly. Pay More Monthly When you pay more than the minimum monthly payment on your loan, you can considerably lower the total interest costs over time. By reducing the principal balance faster, you shorten the overall duration of your mortgage loan terms. Here are some benefits of making higher payments: Decreases total interest paid over the life of the loan Shortens the average house loan length, allowing you to pay off the loan sooner Helps you avoid long-term financial strain Provides flexibility to adjust your payment plan as needed Be sure to take into account any prepayment penalties, as they might affect your savings. Using a personal loan calculator can likewise help visualize how different amounts impact your total loan cost. Shop for Rates Finding the right loan rate can greatly impact your overall financial health, as even a small difference in interest rates can lead to substantial savings over time. To reduce your total loan cost, it’s essential to shop around. Compare rates among various lenders, particularly online lenders, as they often provide competitive rates and easy comparison tools. If you have a credit score of 720 or higher, you may qualify for lower APRs, which can save you thousands. Remember to evaluate the total loan cost, including origination fees and other charges, not just the interest rate. Using a personal loan calculator can help you estimate monthly payments and total interest, allowing you to make more informed decisions when choosing the best lender for mortgage loans and types of loans. Avoid Unnecessary Fees Avoiding unnecessary fees can considerably reduce your total loan cost and improve your financial situation. To achieve this, consider the following strategies: Shop around for different types of mortgages to compare interest rates and terms. Opt for a secured loan, lowering both your interest rates and overall borrowing costs. Pay more than the minimum payment when possible, reducing your principal balance and total interest paid. Carefully review your loan agreement to avoid hidden fees like origination fees, prepayment penalties, and late charges. How Do You Become a Loan Officer? Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a loan officer? To start, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field. You’ll need to complete at least 20 hours of pre-licensing education and pass the NMLS National Test, which varies by state. Experience in banking, sales, or customer service can improve your prospects, as strong interpersonal skills are vital. Familiarizing yourself with financial regulations and the various types of residential loans, like fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgages, is important. Consider pursuing additional credentials, like the Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC) designation, to advance your career. Steps to Become a Loan Officer Requirements Skills Needed Obtain diploma/degree 20 hours education Interpersonal skills Complete pre-licensing education Pass NMLS test Financial knowledge Gain experience License varies by state Customer service skills The Bottom Line When you consider entering the domain of loans, it’s vital to grasp the fundamental aspects that underpin these financial agreements. Comprehending loans and borrowings can empower you to make informed decisions. Here are key points to remember: Loans involve money paid or loaned to one party by another. Secured loans require collateral, whereas unsecured loans typically carry higher interest rates. Your credit score greatly influences the annual percentage rate (APR) you’ll receive. Timely payments can improve your credit score and financial health. Being aware of these elements can help you navigate the loan process effectively. You’ll need to apply with lenders who’ll assess your creditworthiness and financial history. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Basic Knowledge of a Loan? A loan is fundamentally a financial agreement where you borrow money, agreeing to repay it with interest over a set period. There are two main types: secured loans, which use collateral, and unsecured loans, which don’t. Your credit score heavily influences the interest rate, typically ranging from 10% to 30%. Comprehending terms like principal and interest is vital, as they shape your repayment structure and overall loan cost. What Is a Beginner Loan? A beginner loan is designed for individuals with little to no credit history, often targeting first-time borrowers or young adults. These loans typically feature flexible qualification criteria, allowing you to secure funding in spite of limited credit scores. Common types include secured credit cards, personal loans, and student loans, which help establish credit when managed responsibly. Interest rates can be higher than those for seasoned borrowers, reflecting the increased risk lenders face. How Much Will a $10,000 Loan Cost a Month? A $10,000 loan’s monthly payment varies based on the interest rate and loan term. For example, at a 10% interest rate over three years, you’d pay about $322 monthly. If you extend the term to five years, your payment drops to roughly $212. Keep in mind that higher interest rates will increase payments; at 15% over five years, you’d pay around $239 monthly. Moreover, loan origination fees may apply, impacting the total cost. What Are the Five 5 Types of Loans? There are five main types of loans you should know about. Secured loans require collateral, reducing lender risk and often resulting in lower interest rates. Unsecured loans don’t need collateral, typically carrying higher interest rates. Revolving loans, like credit cards, let you borrow repeatedly up to a limit. Term loans provide a fixed amount for a set period, often used for large purchases. Finally, commercial loans cater to business needs, either secured or unsecured. Conclusion Grasping loans is crucial for making informed financial decisions. By familiarizing yourself with key concepts such as secured and unsecured loans, interest rates, and repayment terms, you can navigate the borrowing process more effectively. Always assess your creditworthiness before applying to secure better terms. Whether you’re considering a loan for personal needs or business purposes, being well-informed helps you manage costs and avoid pitfalls like loan sharks. In the end, knowledge empowers you to make sound financial choices. Image via Google Gemini This article, "A How-To Guide for Beginners on Loans Meaning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Most days, an email lands in my inbox with the promise to amplify my growth—my newsletter subscribers, the reach of my podcasts, the number of client leads, etc. I’ve gotten used to random people pitching me on their services, and some of the messages expertly prey on my insecurities as a business owner (“you’re leaving so much on the table,” et al.). I never answer any of them, but I sometimes wonder which ones might actually be legit. A few months back, I opened up the Assistant sidebar in my AI-powered browser when I was browsing one of these emails and asked if it looked suspicious (I think “this look sus?” was the actual prompt). It replied that yes, the message, which pitched finding funding for The Media Copilot, was missing key information that an established organization would include, plus it was sent by someone with an email address from a nonexistent domain and no LinkedIn profile. I thought about my experience as I read in Time about how a team at MIT maintains an online portal that chronicles how harmful AI incidents have risen over the past few years. The TL;DR is that the use of AI to cause harm, whether deliberately or accidentally, has increased significantly over the past few years. The incidents include everything from simple mistakes to deliberate violations, and the broad categories that have increased the most have to do with misinformation and malicious actors. That sadly makes sense: Those looking to mislead, misinform, or outright scam people have never had better tools for doing so. One of the roles of the news media is to provide a check on misinformation, and most high-profile incidents connected with AI—like when those Biden robocalls were making the rounds—are debunked pretty quickly. But incidents that rise to that level are the exception, not the rule. Deepfakes may never fool enough people to swing an election, but the numbers suggest the number of lower-profile incidents are accumulating rapidly. At the same time, the number of journalism jobs is shrinking, and the reporters who are left have only so much bandwidth. Skepticism isn’t strategy As misinformation from AI scales up, it’s creating a world where everyone is increasingly skeptical of what they read, see, and hear. Last year, a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that exposure to AI-driven misinformation led to less trust in media in general. But skepticism alone isn’t productive. Where journalists can help the most isn’t in trying to debunk every deepfake or scam (clearly a losing battle), but in educating their audience on how to properly channel that skepticism. As with my email assistant, the tools of verification—which can very quickly check sources, analyze claims, and discover supporting evidence—are now conveniently available to everyone. That’s not to say everyone should immediately trust what an AI chatbot says about a particular story. But AI is a tool, and when used as a journalistic lens, it can be a powerful one. The key is treating the AI as an assistant to skepticism, not an authority. To return to the email example, my back-and-forth with the browser found in seconds what would have taken me minutes, looking up subjects, flagging inconsistencies, and suggesting new questions to follow up on. This all aligns with the principles of good journalism, and by passing some practical guidance on that, readers will be empowered not just to spot bad info, but potentially not immediately dismiss the good info that’s out there. How to avoid the cynical trap So what does a good “AI verification layer” look like? It starts with understanding that skepticism is a starting point, not the goal. Using it effectively means leveraging AI to both interrogate the information and avoid reinforcing your own suspicions in an unproductive way. Here are three habits, based on journalistic principles, that can be applied to any AI tool. Ask the same question twice: Many incidents where AI has caused harm started innocently enough, but eventually the user was led down some kind of rabbit hole, sometimes ending tragically. A helpful habit that might avoid this in some cases is to ask the same question a second time, just rephrased or with different framing. Check how the answers compare, following up on any significant inconsistencies. Force specificity: All good interviewers apply this one in targeted fashion. When a person makes a broad claim or declaration, ask AI to make it more specific. What supports that claim? Who was involved, what were the facts of the underlying evidence, when did it happen? Any vague answers should be treated as a red flag. Spot-check sources: If any claim is based on a link on the internet, it should not take long to verify it. When you can’t verify something in a minute or two, that should make you think twice, though keep in mind there could be reasons some true claims are difficult to verify (anonymous sources, for example). The world is increasingly fuzzy. Between AI hallucinations, deliberate disinformation, and the prevalence of meme culture, it’s understandable that everyone’s adopted a lot more skepticism of what they see. Without principles and habits to guide you to good information, though, that skepticism will too often slide into cynicism. Journalists might not be able to verify all the things we want them to, but their principles can help a new generation of news consumers tell the good from the bad—at scale. View the full article

Getting a little bit of extra juice into your phone before you leave your house in the morning could make the difference between the device still having power at the end of the day or not. But there are multiple factors that affect charging rate, and you might not be aware of all of them. Run through the tips here, however, and you can be sure your phone is always charging up as quickly as possible. Use a wired power source To begin with, you're going to get your phone charged a lot faster if you plug it directly into a power source rather than putting it on a wireless charger. Wireless charging offers a lot of convenience, and is gradually getting faster and faster as far as charging rates go, but wired charging is still a long way ahead. Take the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example: You get a maximum charging rate of 45W with a wired connection, and 15W with a wireless connection over Qi2. That means the handset is going to take around three times longer to charge its battery via wireless charging. The figures for other handsets are similar. Wireless charging: convenient but not that fast. Credit: Google Not only is wireless charging slower, it's typically less efficient as well, with more of the power being supplied to the phone lost as heat (due to the way the electricity is converted to a magnetic field and back again). With a cable and a plug, charging is faster, and it's healthier for your battery as well. Wired is the way to go if at all possible, and what you plug your phone into makes a difference as well. Wall sockets are very good for charging rates, while anything else is less good—options like laptop USB ports, USB hubs, and sockets you might find on other gadgets such as monitors won't supply as much power. Use the right cable and charger A lot of phones don't come with a charger and cable in the box these days, but they will have a fast-charging standard and a max charging rate associated with them if you check the specs. You then need to find a charger that matches that charging rate, together with a cable that's not going to slow anything down. If you look at the iPhone chargers made by Apple and on sale from its store, there are 20W, 35W, and 60W options—and the latter is going to juice up your handset the fastest. You should also look out for a mention of USB Power Delivery (PD), though this is included on pretty much every charger you'll find at this stage. Not all charging blocks are created equal. Credit: Apple We've written in-depth before about USB-C cables and charging blocks, and these will again list a charging rate along with them (or at least they should). You need to make sure every link in the chain is delivering power at the maximum rate your phone can handle if you want to fully recharge as quickly as possible. You can use cables and chargers you have lying around for laptops, tablets, and other gadgets with your phone safely enough—the handset will have built-in safety features to prevent it from drawing too much power—but for the best results you'll generally want to stick with what comes in the box or the officially approved option. Don't use your phone while it's charging There are a few other tricks you can try if you want to max out charging speed. Think about the amount of power your smartphone is using while it's actually being charged: If you're constantly scrolling through social media feeds, watching videos, and playing games, then you're using precious battery life while recharging. If you can, put your phone down and leave it alone while it's charging—you might want to turn off the always-on display to help things a little bit more. For even better results, put your phone into airplane or low power mode, or turn it off entirely while it's charging (those notifications can wait). Airplane mode can help charging speeds along. Credit: Lifehacker Watch your phone's temperature Due to battery chemistry and the safeguards built into modern handsets, charging speeds slow down if your phone gets too hot or too cold. Keep your phone away from sunny window ledges or freezing bathrooms while it's being charged to maximize charging speed. It's a good idea to remove any case around your phone while you're charging it, to reduce the chances of the battery temperature rising an extra notch, and it's also worth checking the USB-C charging port on your phone to make sure it's dust- and lint-free—even a slightly imperfect connection can affect charging speeds. Monitor charging speedHowever you're charging your phone, both Android and iOS let you keep an eye on how fast the battery is being replenished. If you've got a Pixel or Galaxy phone, keep an eye on the charging message at the bottom of the lock screen: This tells you how quickly your phone is being charged, and how long it will be until you reach a full charge. For most Android devices, you can get more information by opening up the Battery page in Settings, though the details you get here will differ among devices: You should see whether or not fast charging is enabled, and maybe an estimate for how long a full recharge will take, but you won't typically get an actual wattage reading. The charging notification on a Pixel. Credit: Lifehacker With iPhones, you can visit Battery in Settings to get information about how the battery recharge is going. While there's not a whole lot of information here, you can get an estimate of how long a charge will take, and you will see a "slow charger" message if your iPhone can support a charging rate faster than that offered by the connected charger. There are several Android apps that measure charging rate. Ampere is one of the best: It's free, with extra features (such as widgets and notifications) available for a fee. Note that you need to multiply current x voltage then divide by 1,000 to get the wattage. There isn't really anything comparable on iOS, unfortunately—what few apps there are appear to be out of date and/or unreliable. View the full article

A reader writes: I left my last job after 3.5 months despite receiving consistently high praise privately from the director (my direct manager) of my department. At a year-end all-hands meeting where the entire company of at least 70+ people attended and each department gave a status update, I did not get any public recognition in my department of four. One person was called a Salesforce “wizard” and another was praised for doing the hard work of helping set up the infrastructure. The director had only been there two months longer than me, and no one in our team worked there for longer than one year. Needless to say, this was hurtful and humiliating. In just 3.5 months, I was an unofficial manager to an under-performer, someone who was objectively assigned the most challenging work, and also had notable Salesforce accomplishments. To add insult to injury, I contributed heavily to another department, by their request, and one of their middle managers completely excluded my contributions in a very elaborate Slack shoutout. No one in the entire organization sought to correct the record in this case or at the all-hands meeting. I brought up these and several other concerns with my department director (excluded from important meetings, getting onboarded late, constant reschedules or no-shows) and asked for tangible and meaningful concessions. I wanted them to put themselves in my shoes and then really make an effort to do just about anything. It would have cost 10 seconds to simply go into Slack and just say that I’ve been a great leader. Because for all of the private praise I received, when it came time for the rubber to meet the road, this person was completely missing. Isn’t that part of the job? The “contract” we have as manager and employee is that I give great work, and you don’t embarrass me in front of the entire company. There’s a phrase for that and it’s called being two-faced. After the holiday break, I decided to get HR involved because I had lost all faith in my department director and my emotional health was at a low point. We all met together and their verdict was simple: stay in your lane (which was not said literally, but about 85% close to being literal). They closed ranks to maintain the status quo, and I incurred a net penalty. Half of their “proposals” were “I’ll try to do a better job” without any tangible mechanisms, and the other half were just barely better than that. At that point, enough was enough and I decided to leave, because they had clearly shown a lack of humility and did not put thought into any structural changes. I truly invested in my teammates and the work itself, and thought I could overcome the obstacles plaguing my career. Unfortunately, after two weeks, the wound is still fresh and I still don’t even have written confirmation of a professional reference from my manager. I know writing a review on Indeed, Glassdoor, or LinkedIn would appear like I’m lashing out, but this has to be heard. I want the record to be set straight. And to be completely honest here I don’t want to be the only loser. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Based just on what’s in your letter, this is a disproportionately strong reaction. Yes, managers should give public praise! And yes, when you told them you were feeling slighted at not receiving any, they had a very easy way to remedy that, and it’s not clear why it required meeting after meeting for them to half-heartedly vow to do better when, as you say, they could have put the whole thing to rest with a quick team message in Slack. But you are having a very strong reaction to something that, on its own, doesn’t warrant it. It’s not that odd not to get public recognition at an all-hands meeting. There were 70+ people at this meeting; presumably they weren’t all singled out for public praise. (In fact, it sounds like in a department of four, half of you were and half of you weren’t.) This is not an outrage, and it’s unusual to experience it as humiliating, especially when you’d only been there a few months. Should the other manager have included you in their Slack shout-out for the project you’d contributed heavily to? It sounds like it! But it’s also really, really common for those shout-outs not to be fully comprehensive. Maybe it was an oversight. Maybe it was because as much as you did, other people did more. Either way, it’s very unlikely that it was an intentional slight. None of this is “embarrassing you in front of the entire company.” It’s extremely unlikely that anyone else in the company was thinking about it, let alone drawing any conclusions about your work from it. I can’t tell if there was more going on that caused you to have bad feelings about this job, and the recognition issue just became the thing that all those bad feelings coalesced on. Sometimes that happens. But the recognition issue on its own just doesn’t sound that outrageous. It is weird that you apparently had repeated conversations about it and they didn’t just give you some public recognition. But the fact that they didn’t — combined with them telling you to stay in your lane — makes me think there was more going on. Regardless, it sounds clear that this wasn’t the right job for you; you weren’t happy, you left, and that sounds like clearly the right choice. But nothing here is at the level of needing to publicly set the record straight. (Also, don’t spend energy pursuing the reference you mentioned! It doesn’t sound like you could be confident it would be fully positive — the relationship sounds messy at best — and a reference from a job you were only at for 3.5 months isn’t likely to significantly strengthen your candidacy for future jobs anyway.) The post should I write a bad review for a job I quit after 3.5 months because they wouldn’t publicly praise me? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Sometimes it’s a fall that brings a broken hip and a loss of mobility. Or memory problems that bubble into danger. Or the death of the partner who was relied upon for care. The need to move to a nursing home, assisted living facility or another type of care setting often comes suddenly, setting off an abrupt, daunting search. It’s likely something no one ever wanted, but knowing what to look for and what to ask can make a big difference. What to do when looking for a long-term care facility: Start with government ratings Regulation of assisted living facilities varies greatly from state to state, meaning there’s no centralized standards or source for information. If you’re looking for a nursing home, though, they are monitored by the federal government. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services maintains records on nursing homes, including data on who owns the facility, how robust its staffing is and what types of violations it might have been fined for. It assigns homes a star rating, from one to five. Sam Brooks, director of public policy for the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, says while the star rating “can be notoriously unreliable,” due to its reliance on self-reported data, it can still provide some clues about a home. “One or two stars, expect it to be bad,” Brooks says. Ratings can be a resource to rule out the worst options, but not necessarily to find the best. Still, Brooks suggests taking a closer look at four- and five-star facilities and to consider a home’s ownership, too. Nonprofit homes are often better staffed. You could scour inspection reports and online reviews for clues, too, but eventually you’ll need to make a list of potential candidates and start making visits. “The data,” Brooks says, “only goes so far.” Look past the lobby When visiting a home on your list, be careful not to be too swayed by decorative touches that might be designed to lure you in, like a lobby’s furniture, dangling chandeliers or vases of flowers. “When I tour a building, I listen first. Is it loud? Are call bells ringing nonstop?” says Mark Sanchez, CEO of United Hebrew, a nursing home in New Rochelle, New York. After that, Sanchez says, switch your senses. Do you detect an odor? Do you see residents clustered around the nurses’ station, perhaps clamoring for help? Are staffers speaking respectfully to residents? Are they making eye contact? Are they rushed? “Culture shows up in small moments,” Sanchez says, “and it matters.” Seeking input from families of current residents can be insightful. Another resource may be your local long-term care ombudsman. Ombudsmen, funded by the federal Older Americans Act and present in every state, investigate long-term care residents’ complaints. With all the available information on each home, it can be easy to feel like you’re drowning in data. So pay attention to how a place feels, too, and pair that with concrete facts. When Jennifer Fink was making the “stressful, grief-inducing, hard and scary” decision on what memory care community was right for her mother, she didn’t consult state databases or Google ratings. She went with her gut reaction and luckily, it was right. “Trust your gut. Keep top of mind that the salesperson wants your loved one’s money,” says Fink, of Auburn, California. “If it’s giving you the ‘ick,’ then move on.” Staffing matters most More than any other single thing, experts on long-term care stress that a facility’s staffing is most important. That means both the quality of the care you witness workers giving residents during your visit and the average staffing levels shown in the reported data. A home providing an average of three hours of nursing care to each resident each day may not look all that different on paper from one providing three-and-a-half hours. But those minutes matter dearly, meaning the difference between a person getting a shower, having help at mealtime, or being discovered if they’ve fallen. During a visit, pay attention to how quickly call bells are answered and whether it seems like residents are engaged in activities. Ask staff how long they’ve worked there. A home that holds on to its workers for years may offer your loved one more continuity. Evan Farr, an elder law attorney in Lorton, Virginia, who wrote “The Nursing Home Survival Guide,” says visiting a facility at night or on the weekend can be particularly revealing. “These are the times when staffing is reduced and the true operation of the facility becomes apparent,” Farr says. “It is entirely possible to have a five-star rated facility that is woefully under-staffed from 5 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday morning.” Keep a long-range view When faced with an urgent decision, it can be difficult to focus on anything beyond the factors in front of you. But it’s important to choose a home with a long-range view. At the start, many long-term care residents are able to pay for the cost of their bill. But what happens if their money runs out? If it’s a nursing home that accepts Medicaid, how many beds are allocated to such residents? Would your loved one get that slot? If it’s an assisted living facility, do they even accept people on Medicaid? Assisted living facilities often have complicated billing structures that require a bevy of questions to understand. Ask how costs may change as a person’s needs increase. Some places tack on separate charges for tasks like helping a person to the bathroom. “Four-thousand dollars a month can become $8,000 overnight,” says Geoff Hoatson, founder of the elder law practice Family First Firm in Winter Park, Florida. Another fact of long-term care that few understand is how often facilities seek to remove residents seen as undesirable, often due to a change in their financial circumstances or in their health. Dementia patients in particular – with challenging care needs and symptoms that can sometimes bring aggression – are targeted with orders to leave. “Ask specifically what conditions would require transfer,” Hoatson says. Matt Sedensky can be reached at msedensky@ap.org and https://x.com/sedensky —Matt Sedensky, AP National Writer View the full article

Labour must stop believing things because they are politically helpful and engage with the world as it really isView the full article

When considering franchise opportunities in the United States, you’ll find a variety of sectors, from fast food giants like McDonald’s to home service leaders such as Mr. Rooter. Each franchise offers unique benefits, including solid sales performance and franchisee support systems. Comprehending these factors can help you make informed decisions. As you explore these options, you’ll want to examine key elements like profitability and market demand, which can greatly impact your success. Key Takeaways Franchise opportunities are growing in sectors like home services, food, and fitness, with strong brands leading the market. Top franchises like Mr. Rooter demonstrate consistent sales growth, indicating market stability and profitability potential. Researching Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) and connecting with current franchisees is essential for informed decisions. Investment costs and ongoing fees vary widely; understanding total costs is crucial when evaluating franchises. Strategic location analysis is vital, focusing on urban and suburban markets with high demand for franchise services. Overview of Franchise Opportunities Franchise opportunities in the United States are on the rise, with strong growth expected to continue into 2025, particularly in sectors like home services, food, and fitness. As you explore American franchise opportunities, you’ll find that various industries are thriving, with franchises like Mr. Rooter leading the home services market. These magazine franchises often appear in the Top 100 franchise rankings, which assess franchises based on sales performance, location growth, and franchisee support. This extensive evaluation helps you identify the best options available. Conducting thorough research, including reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and talking to existing franchisees, is vital. This diligence guarantees you make informed decisions about the franchise opportunities in the United States that align with your goals. Key Factors for Evaluation When evaluating franchise opportunities, you’ll want to focus on sales performance metrics, as they provide essential insights into a franchise’s viability and profitability. Furthermore, consider the franchisee support systems in place, since effective training and ongoing assistance can greatly influence your success. Sales Performance Metrics Comprehending sales performance metrics is crucial for evaluating franchise opportunities, as these figures often reveal the underlying health and potential profitability of a business. When considering a franchise, focus on these key metrics: Historical sales trends indicate market stability and growth potential. Consistent sales growth shows the franchise’s ability to adapt to market demands. Higher sales figures often correlate with better franchisee support, like training and marketing. Top 100 franchise rankings are heavily influenced by sales performance, making them more attractive to prospective franchisees. Franchisee Support Systems During the exploration of franchise opportunities, understanding the support systems in place can greatly influence your success as a franchisee. Effective franchisee support includes thorough training programs, ongoing assistance, and operational guidance, which are essential for maneuvering challenges. Strong support systems often provide marketing assistance, enhancing visibility and drawing in customers, ultimately boosting profitability. Moreover, a community of fellow franchisees can be priceless; sharing experiences and networking helps you learn from established peers. The level of support from the franchisor greatly impacts franchise rankings, with higher support correlating to better sales performance and franchisee satisfaction. Overall, robust support systems help mitigate common obstacles, such as competition and economic fluctuations, leading to increased satisfaction and lower failure rates. Mr. Rooter: A Strong Contender As you explore franchise opportunities, Mr. Rooter stands out as a strong contender in the home services sector. Listed among the Top 100 franchises, it showcases impressive sales performance and growth potential. Here are some key features that make Mr. Rooter attractive to franchisees: Established brand recognition within the plumbing industry Extensive training programs for new franchise owners Strong sales metrics and location growth opportunities Continuous demand in the home services market With its focus on plumbing and related services, Mr. Rooter benefits from a robust support system and an ever-growing customer base. This franchise offers a promising investment opportunity, especially for those looking to tap into a thriving industry with consistent residential needs. The Importance of Franchisee Support Franchisee support plays an essential role in your success as a business owner, providing thorough training programs and ongoing operational assistance. With solid support from your franchisor, you’ll navigate challenges more effectively as you adapt to market trends. This backing not merely improves your skills but likewise boosts your business performance and satisfaction, making it a key element in franchise success. Comprehensive Training Programs Thorough training programs play an essential role in the success of franchise operations, equipping new owners with fundamental skills and knowledge to run their businesses effectively. These programs are critical as they contribute to lower failure rates and improve overall franchisee satisfaction. Here’s what you can expect from extensive training: In-depth operational training, covering day-to-day management tasks Marketing strategies to boost visibility and attract customers Access to peer networks for sharing experiences and best practices Continuous assessment of performance to guarantee franchisee growth Investing in robust training from the outset prepares you for challenges while cultivating a supportive community, making your experience as a franchisee much smoother and more successful. Ongoing Operational Assistance Supporting franchisees with ongoing operational assistance is crucial for their long-term success in a competitive market. Training programs and resources are key components that help you navigate challenges effectively, ensuring you’re well-prepared for daily operations. Strong support systems often correlate with higher sales performance and profitability, as franchises providing robust training and marketing assistance typically see better outcomes. Moreover, ongoing guidance for operational challenges can greatly reduce the risk of failure and improve your overall business performance. Being part of a community of franchisees allows for shared experiences, encouraging collaboration that can lead to enhanced operational strategies and customer service. In the end, the level of support you receive is a critical factor in franchise rankings and owner satisfaction. Sales Performance and Profitability When evaluating franchise opportunities, comprehension of sales performance and profitability is essential, as these factors greatly influence the overall success of a franchise. Higher sales typically indicate better franchisee support and financial viability. Historical sales trends can shed light on future growth, helping you assess long-term profitability. The Top 100 franchise rankings prioritize sales performance, showcasing franchises with strong revenue growth. Consider these key indicators: Low failure rates signal stability. High profit margins reflect financial health. Ongoing sales metrics attract new franchisees. Consistent revenue growth guarantees sustainability. Location Growth Potential When considering franchise opportunities, comprehension of location growth potential is vital for your success. Urban expansion opportunities and suburban market accessibility can greatly impact your profitability, as they determine how easily customers can reach your services. Urban Expansion Opportunities Urban areas offer significant growth potential for franchises, as their higher population density and increased consumer spending capacity create a thriving environment for essential services. This urban expansion is particularly promising in sectors like home services, where demand remains consistent. By establishing locations in vibrant neighborhoods, you can benefit from: Increased foot traffic that drives sales. Greater visibility owing to crowded streets and public spaces. Access to a diverse customer base with varied needs. Opportunities to adapt services to urban lifestyles and preferences. As urbanization continues, franchises that strategically position themselves in emerging metropolitan areas are likely to see improved revenue and long-term success. Embracing this trend could lead to a fruitful venture in the franchise arena. Suburban Market Accessibility As urban areas experience rapid growth, suburban markets are likewise emerging as prime locations for franchise opportunities. These regions show significant expansion potential owing to increasing population density and demand for crucial services. Many franchises, especially in home services like plumbing and cleaning, are capitalizing on this trend. Factors Benefits Considerations Growing Population Increased Customer Base Competition from local businesses Higher Spending Ability Improved Sales Potential Market saturation risks Established Brand Trust Amplified Customer Loyalty Brand reputation management Demand for Crucial Services Consistent Revenue Streams Service quality maintenance Strategic Location Research Strategic location research is essential for evaluating the growth potential of franchise opportunities, particularly in the home services sector. Comprehending where to establish your franchise can greatly impact your success. Consider these factors when researching locations: High demand areas: Identify urban and suburban regions needing home services like plumbing and cleaning. Economic growth: Look for places with increasing homeownership that drives service requests. Market saturation: Analyze existing competitors to find underserved markets. Demographic trends: Pay attention to population growth patterns that signal potential customer bases. The Role of Company Age in Rankings Though company age may not be the sole determinant of franchise success, it undeniably plays a crucial role in franchise rankings. Older franchises often enjoy established brand recognition and a loyal customer base, which can greatly influence their market perception. With greater stability and operational experience, these companies typically provide better franchisee support and training programs. Furthermore, their refined operational practices contribute to higher sales performance and location growth. Franchise Age Brand Trust Support Quality 0-5 years Moderate Basic 6-10 years Good Improved 11-20 years Strong Thorough 20+ years Excellent Exceptional In the Top 100 franchise rankings, company age is a key consideration, reflecting its impact on overall performance. Market Demand in Home Services The home services market stands out as an essential sector, driven by consistent demand for fundamental services like plumbing, cleaning, and maintenance. You’ll find that this sector thrives because of ongoing residential needs and the growth in homeownership. Seasonal trends as well play a notable role, influencing when service requests peak. Consider these aspects of the home services market: An increasing number of homeowners needing reliable service providers Urban and suburban markets showing a steady demand for services Economic fluctuations that don’t greatly deter demand A resilient franchise model that offers support systems for success These factors contribute to a robust environment, making franchise opportunities in home services both plentiful and appealing for potential entrepreneurs. Investment Considerations for Franchisees With the home services market flourishing, many entrepreneurs are considering franchise opportunities in this sector. When evaluating investments, you’ll find significant variations. For instance, McDonald’s can cost between $1,263,000 to $2,235,000, whereas Pillar to Post Home Inspectors starts as low as $37,100. Ongoing fees, including royalty fees ranging from 2.45% for Sonic to 8% for Orangetheory Fitness, are important for evaluating profitability. Furthermore, liquid cash requirements can vary widely, from $10,000 for Pillar to Post to $1.5 million for Planet Fitness. Comprehending the total investment is fundamental; Dunkin’ demands between $395,500 and $1,597,200. Evaluating potential return on investment (ROI) is critical, especially with franchises like Anytime Fitness, which start at $107,500. Future Trends in Franchising As you look toward the future of franchising, it’s clear that several key trends are shaping the industry environment. Franchises are poised for strong growth by 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for crucial services. Here are some trends to watch: Technology integration: Franchises are adopting advanced tech to improve service delivery and efficiency. Eco-friendly models: Sustainability is becoming a priority, influencing new franchise offerings. Remote business expansion: Franchises are increasingly exploring virtual models to cater to online consumer behavior. Continuous innovation: Successful franchises prioritize feedback from franchisees to innovate products and services. These trends highlight the evolving terrain of franchising, offering opportunities for those ready to adapt to changing consumer preferences. Frequently Asked Questions Which Is the Most Profitable Franchise in the USA? The most profitable franchise in the USA often depends on various factors, but McDonald’s frequently tops the list owing to its massive global sales, exceeding $46 billion in 2022. Dunkin’ likewise ranks high, offering franchisees significant returns with low initial investments. Furthermore, franchises in the home services sector, like Mr. Rooter, show strong profitability as a result of consistent demand for vital services. Evaluating these factors can help you identify lucrative franchise opportunities. What Is the Number One Franchise in the US? The number one franchise in the U.S. is McDonald’s, renowned for its global brand and diverse menu. To invest, you’ll need an initial capital of $1,263,000 to $2,235,000, plus $500,000 in liquid assets. Franchisees pay a 4% royalty on sales and additional advertising fees. McDonald’s boasts steady sales and growth, supported by extensive training and operational guidance, making it a leading choice for potential franchise owners looking for stability and profitability. What Are the Most Profitable Franchises in 2025? In 2025, you’ll find several profitable franchise options. The home services sector, including plumbing and maintenance franchises, will thrive because of ongoing demand. Food and beverage franchises, like McDonald’s and Dunkin’, will continue to perform strongly. Fitness franchises, such as Anytime Fitness, will attract consumers focused on health. Moreover, educational franchises, like Kumon, are expected to grow as demand for tutoring increases. Brands offering solid franchisee support will improve profitability for new owners. What Is the Cheapest Most Profitable Franchise to Own? The cheapest, most profitable franchise often falls within the home services or education sectors. For instance, Pillar to Post Home Inspectors requires an initial investment of $37,100 to $45,900, whereas Merry Maids ranges from $89,619 to $125,023. These franchises benefit from strong market demand. Similarly, education franchises like Kumon can start at $73,373. In the end, consider ongoing support and brand recognition, as they greatly impact profitability over time. Conclusion In summary, the top franchise opportunities in the United States reflect a dynamic mix of industries, from food to home services and fitness. Evaluating these options requires considering factors like sales performance, franchisee support, and market demand. Brands such as McDonald’s and Mr. Rooter demonstrate strong potential for profitability and growth. As the franchising environment evolves, staying informed about trends and investment considerations will help aspiring entrepreneurs make educated decisions for their future. Image via Google Gemini Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 10 Franchise Opportunities in the United States" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When considering franchise opportunities in the United States, you’ll find a variety of sectors, from fast food giants like McDonald’s to home service leaders such as Mr. Rooter. Each franchise offers unique benefits, including solid sales performance and franchisee support systems. Comprehending these factors can help you make informed decisions. As you explore these options, you’ll want to examine key elements like profitability and market demand, which can greatly impact your success. Key Takeaways Franchise opportunities are growing in sectors like home services, food, and fitness, with strong brands leading the market. Top franchises like Mr. Rooter demonstrate consistent sales growth, indicating market stability and profitability potential. Researching Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) and connecting with current franchisees is essential for informed decisions. Investment costs and ongoing fees vary widely; understanding total costs is crucial when evaluating franchises. Strategic location analysis is vital, focusing on urban and suburban markets with high demand for franchise services. Overview of Franchise Opportunities Franchise opportunities in the United States are on the rise, with strong growth expected to continue into 2025, particularly in sectors like home services, food, and fitness. As you explore American franchise opportunities, you’ll find that various industries are thriving, with franchises like Mr. Rooter leading the home services market. These magazine franchises often appear in the Top 100 franchise rankings, which assess franchises based on sales performance, location growth, and franchisee support. This extensive evaluation helps you identify the best options available. Conducting thorough research, including reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and talking to existing franchisees, is vital. This diligence guarantees you make informed decisions about the franchise opportunities in the United States that align with your goals. Key Factors for Evaluation When evaluating franchise opportunities, you’ll want to focus on sales performance metrics, as they provide essential insights into a franchise’s viability and profitability. Furthermore, consider the franchisee support systems in place, since effective training and ongoing assistance can greatly influence your success. Sales Performance Metrics Comprehending sales performance metrics is crucial for evaluating franchise opportunities, as these figures often reveal the underlying health and potential profitability of a business. When considering a franchise, focus on these key metrics: Historical sales trends indicate market stability and growth potential. Consistent sales growth shows the franchise’s ability to adapt to market demands. Higher sales figures often correlate with better franchisee support, like training and marketing. Top 100 franchise rankings are heavily influenced by sales performance, making them more attractive to prospective franchisees. Franchisee Support Systems During the exploration of franchise opportunities, understanding the support systems in place can greatly influence your success as a franchisee. Effective franchisee support includes thorough training programs, ongoing assistance, and operational guidance, which are essential for maneuvering challenges. Strong support systems often provide marketing assistance, enhancing visibility and drawing in customers, ultimately boosting profitability. Moreover, a community of fellow franchisees can be priceless; sharing experiences and networking helps you learn from established peers. The level of support from the franchisor greatly impacts franchise rankings, with higher support correlating to better sales performance and franchisee satisfaction. Overall, robust support systems help mitigate common obstacles, such as competition and economic fluctuations, leading to increased satisfaction and lower failure rates. Mr. Rooter: A Strong Contender As you explore franchise opportunities, Mr. Rooter stands out as a strong contender in the home services sector. Listed among the Top 100 franchises, it showcases impressive sales performance and growth potential. Here are some key features that make Mr. Rooter attractive to franchisees: Established brand recognition within the plumbing industry Extensive training programs for new franchise owners Strong sales metrics and location growth opportunities Continuous demand in the home services market With its focus on plumbing and related services, Mr. Rooter benefits from a robust support system and an ever-growing customer base. This franchise offers a promising investment opportunity, especially for those looking to tap into a thriving industry with consistent residential needs. The Importance of Franchisee Support Franchisee support plays an essential role in your success as a business owner, providing thorough training programs and ongoing operational assistance. With solid support from your franchisor, you’ll navigate challenges more effectively as you adapt to market trends. This backing not merely improves your skills but likewise boosts your business performance and satisfaction, making it a key element in franchise success. Comprehensive Training Programs Thorough training programs play an essential role in the success of franchise operations, equipping new owners with fundamental skills and knowledge to run their businesses effectively. These programs are critical as they contribute to lower failure rates and improve overall franchisee satisfaction. Here’s what you can expect from extensive training: In-depth operational training, covering day-to-day management tasks Marketing strategies to boost visibility and attract customers Access to peer networks for sharing experiences and best practices Continuous assessment of performance to guarantee franchisee growth Investing in robust training from the outset prepares you for challenges while cultivating a supportive community, making your experience as a franchisee much smoother and more successful. Ongoing Operational Assistance Supporting franchisees with ongoing operational assistance is crucial for their long-term success in a competitive market. Training programs and resources are key components that help you navigate challenges effectively, ensuring you’re well-prepared for daily operations. Strong support systems often correlate with higher sales performance and profitability, as franchises providing robust training and marketing assistance typically see better outcomes. Moreover, ongoing guidance for operational challenges can greatly reduce the risk of failure and improve your overall business performance. Being part of a community of franchisees allows for shared experiences, encouraging collaboration that can lead to enhanced operational strategies and customer service. In the end, the level of support you receive is a critical factor in franchise rankings and owner satisfaction. Sales Performance and Profitability When evaluating franchise opportunities, comprehension of sales performance and profitability is essential, as these factors greatly influence the overall success of a franchise. Higher sales typically indicate better franchisee support and financial viability. Historical sales trends can shed light on future growth, helping you assess long-term profitability. The Top 100 franchise rankings prioritize sales performance, showcasing franchises with strong revenue growth. Consider these key indicators: Low failure rates signal stability. High profit margins reflect financial health. Ongoing sales metrics attract new franchisees. Consistent revenue growth guarantees sustainability. Location Growth Potential When considering franchise opportunities, comprehension of location growth potential is vital for your success. Urban expansion opportunities and suburban market accessibility can greatly impact your profitability, as they determine how easily customers can reach your services. Urban Expansion Opportunities Urban areas offer significant growth potential for franchises, as their higher population density and increased consumer spending capacity create a thriving environment for essential services. This urban expansion is particularly promising in sectors like home services, where demand remains consistent. By establishing locations in vibrant neighborhoods, you can benefit from: Increased foot traffic that drives sales. Greater visibility owing to crowded streets and public spaces. Access to a diverse customer base with varied needs. Opportunities to adapt services to urban lifestyles and preferences. As urbanization continues, franchises that strategically position themselves in emerging metropolitan areas are likely to see improved revenue and long-term success. Embracing this trend could lead to a fruitful venture in the franchise arena. Suburban Market Accessibility As urban areas experience rapid growth, suburban markets are likewise emerging as prime locations for franchise opportunities. These regions show significant expansion potential owing to increasing population density and demand for crucial services. Many franchises, especially in home services like plumbing and cleaning, are capitalizing on this trend. Factors Benefits Considerations Growing Population Increased Customer Base Competition from local businesses Higher Spending Ability Improved Sales Potential Market saturation risks Established Brand Trust Amplified Customer Loyalty Brand reputation management Demand for Crucial Services Consistent Revenue Streams Service quality maintenance Strategic Location Research Strategic location research is essential for evaluating the growth potential of franchise opportunities, particularly in the home services sector. Comprehending where to establish your franchise can greatly impact your success. Consider these factors when researching locations: High demand areas: Identify urban and suburban regions needing home services like plumbing and cleaning. Economic growth: Look for places with increasing homeownership that drives service requests. Market saturation: Analyze existing competitors to find underserved markets. Demographic trends: Pay attention to population growth patterns that signal potential customer bases. The Role of Company Age in Rankings Though company age may not be the sole determinant of franchise success, it undeniably plays a crucial role in franchise rankings. Older franchises often enjoy established brand recognition and a loyal customer base, which can greatly influence their market perception. With greater stability and operational experience, these companies typically provide better franchisee support and training programs. Furthermore, their refined operational practices contribute to higher sales performance and location growth. Franchise Age Brand Trust Support Quality 0-5 years Moderate Basic 6-10 years Good Improved 11-20 years Strong Thorough 20+ years Excellent Exceptional In the Top 100 franchise rankings, company age is a key consideration, reflecting its impact on overall performance. Market Demand in Home Services The home services market stands out as an essential sector, driven by consistent demand for fundamental services like plumbing, cleaning, and maintenance. You’ll find that this sector thrives because of ongoing residential needs and the growth in homeownership. Seasonal trends as well play a notable role, influencing when service requests peak. Consider these aspects of the home services market: An increasing number of homeowners needing reliable service providers Urban and suburban markets showing a steady demand for services Economic fluctuations that don’t greatly deter demand A resilient franchise model that offers support systems for success These factors contribute to a robust environment, making franchise opportunities in home services both plentiful and appealing for potential entrepreneurs. Investment Considerations for Franchisees With the home services market flourishing, many entrepreneurs are considering franchise opportunities in this sector. When evaluating investments, you’ll find significant variations. For instance, McDonald’s can cost between $1,263,000 to $2,235,000, whereas Pillar to Post Home Inspectors starts as low as $37,100. Ongoing fees, including royalty fees ranging from 2.45% for Sonic to 8% for Orangetheory Fitness, are important for evaluating profitability. Furthermore, liquid cash requirements can vary widely, from $10,000 for Pillar to Post to $1.5 million for Planet Fitness. Comprehending the total investment is fundamental; Dunkin’ demands between $395,500 and $1,597,200. Evaluating potential return on investment (ROI) is critical, especially with franchises like Anytime Fitness, which start at $107,500. Future Trends in Franchising As you look toward the future of franchising, it’s clear that several key trends are shaping the industry environment. Franchises are poised for strong growth by 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for crucial services. Here are some trends to watch: Technology integration: Franchises are adopting advanced tech to improve service delivery and efficiency. Eco-friendly models: Sustainability is becoming a priority, influencing new franchise offerings. Remote business expansion: Franchises are increasingly exploring virtual models to cater to online consumer behavior. Continuous innovation: Successful franchises prioritize feedback from franchisees to innovate products and services. These trends highlight the evolving terrain of franchising, offering opportunities for those ready to adapt to changing consumer preferences. Frequently Asked Questions Which Is the Most Profitable Franchise in the USA? The most profitable franchise in the USA often depends on various factors, but McDonald’s frequently tops the list owing to its massive global sales, exceeding $46 billion in 2022. Dunkin’ likewise ranks high, offering franchisees significant returns with low initial investments. Furthermore, franchises in the home services sector, like Mr. Rooter, show strong profitability as a result of consistent demand for vital services. Evaluating these factors can help you identify lucrative franchise opportunities. What Is the Number One Franchise in the US? The number one franchise in the U.S. is McDonald’s, renowned for its global brand and diverse menu. To invest, you’ll need an initial capital of $1,263,000 to $2,235,000, plus $500,000 in liquid assets. Franchisees pay a 4% royalty on sales and additional advertising fees. McDonald’s boasts steady sales and growth, supported by extensive training and operational guidance, making it a leading choice for potential franchise owners looking for stability and profitability. What Are the Most Profitable Franchises in 2025? In 2025, you’ll find several profitable franchise options. The home services sector, including plumbing and maintenance franchises, will thrive because of ongoing demand. Food and beverage franchises, like McDonald’s and Dunkin’, will continue to perform strongly. Fitness franchises, such as Anytime Fitness, will attract consumers focused on health. Moreover, educational franchises, like Kumon, are expected to grow as demand for tutoring increases. Brands offering solid franchisee support will improve profitability for new owners. What Is the Cheapest Most Profitable Franchise to Own? The cheapest, most profitable franchise often falls within the home services or education sectors. For instance, Pillar to Post Home Inspectors requires an initial investment of $37,100 to $45,900, whereas Merry Maids ranges from $89,619 to $125,023. These franchises benefit from strong market demand. Similarly, education franchises like Kumon can start at $73,373. In the end, consider ongoing support and brand recognition, as they greatly impact profitability over time. Conclusion In summary, the top franchise opportunities in the United States reflect a dynamic mix of industries, from food to home services and fitness. Evaluating these options requires considering factors like sales performance, franchisee support, and market demand. Brands such as McDonald’s and Mr. Rooter demonstrate strong potential for profitability and growth. As the franchising environment evolves, staying informed about trends and investment considerations will help aspiring entrepreneurs make educated decisions for their future. Image via Google Gemini Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 10 Franchise Opportunities in the United States" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Browser extensions, even ones from trustworthy sources, are not without privacy and security risks. I've written before about add-ons that manage to slip through official store safeguards and even some that "wake up" as malware after operating normally for several years, so it should come as no surprise that a host of AI-powered browser extensions—collectively installed by tens of millions of users—may also be invading your privacy. Researchers at data removal service Incogni looked at browser extensions available in the Chrome Web Store that included "AI" in their name or description and employed AI as part of their core functionality. By analyzing the data collected and permissions required, they assessed both how likely extensions are to be used maliciously and their potential to cause significant damage if compromised. AI-powered browser extensions collect extensive user dataIncogni found that website content, such as text, images, sounds, videos, and hyperlinks, was the most commonly collected data type (by nearly a third of AI-powered extensions). More than 29% of extensions investigated harvest personally identifiable information (PII)—name, address, email, age, identification number, for example—from users. Other forms of data collected include user activity, authentication information, personal communication, location, financial and payment information, web history, and health information. The most invasive extensions fall in the programming and mathematical aid category (such as Classology AI and StudyX), followed closely by meeting assistants and audio transcribers. Writing and personal assistants also pose privacy risks—and many of these are also among the most downloaded AI-powered extensions in Chrome. How popular AI-powered Chrome extensions stack up on privacyIncogni also assigned "privacy-invasiveness" scores to the most downloaded AI-powered extensions, a combination of the amount of data collected and both general and sensitive permissions required: Grammarly: AI Writing Assistant and Grammar Checker App (tied for #1) Quillbot: AI Writing and Grammar Checker Tool (tied for #1) Sider: Chat wiht all AI (tied for #3) AI Grammar Checker & Paraphraser — LanguageTool (tied for #3) Google Translate (tied for #4) WPS PDF — Read, Edit, Fill, Convert, and AI Chat PDF with Ease (tied for #4) Monica: All-in-One AI Assist (tied for #4) AI Chat for Google (tied for #4) Immersive Translate — Translate Web & PDF ChatGPT search Grammarly and Quillbot were found to collect PII and website content as well as location data like region, IP address, and GPS coordinates. Grammarly also harvest user activity through network monitoring, clicks, mouse and scroll positions, and keystroke logging. While both also require sensitive permissions—such as the ability to inject code into websites and access active browser tabs—they have a relatively low risk of being used maliciously. How to protect your personal informationBrowser extensions that use AI aren't inherently bad, but you should be aware of what information they are collecting and what permissions they are requiring. The most common type of sensitive permissions required are scripting, which allows the extension to interact with pages as you navigate online, as well as activeTab, which lets it read or modify the page for the current session. When adding an extension (or installing an app or program), carefully review the permissions requested. If they aren't essential to the extension's functionality–or if they are but don't seem justified—you may be putting your data or device at risk by allowing them. As Incogni points out, users have to decide how much privacy to sacrifice in order to use apps and services. View the full article

In today’s competitive work environment, effective employee training is vital for success. You’ll find that implementing fundamental training programs can greatly improve workforce skills and overall productivity. Key areas include orientation and onboarding, compliance, and leadership development. Each program serves a specific purpose, ensuring employees grasp company culture, legal standards, and product knowledge. Comprehending these training methods can lead to a more engaged workforce, but how do you determine which programs are most advantageous for your organization? Key Takeaways Orientation and onboarding training fosters employee integration, clarifies roles, and enhances retention through structured programs and support systems. Compliance and quality assurance training ensures adherence to regulations and quality standards, reducing errors and improving organizational performance. Product and technical training equips employees with essential knowledge and skills, enhancing customer interactions and boosting overall productivity. Leadership and team training develops critical management skills and promotes collaboration, fostering a supportive workplace culture and higher employee engagement. Sales and soft-skills training focuses on interpersonal abilities and effective selling techniques, improving client relationships and overall sales performance. Orientation Training Orientation training is a significant first step for new employees, providing them with important information about the organization they’ve just joined. This program typically includes a standard new hire orientation session that addresses common questions and concerns, helping you feel more secure in your new role. Many companies improve their employee retention training by incorporating self-paced online learning modules, allowing you to acquire job-specific technical skills at your own pace. For field and factory workers, orientation often includes hands-on training experiences, enabling you to practice fundamental skills in a real-world environment. This approach not only equips you with necessary knowledge but also nurtures a sense of belonging, which is crucial for long-term success. By participating in effective employment training programs, you’re laying the groundwork for your career while contributing to the organization’s overall employee retention goals. Onboarding Training Once you’ve joined a new organization, onboarding training becomes crucial in helping you navigate your initial days and weeks. This structured program provides you with the resources and knowledge you need to comprehend your responsibilities and goals within the company. Typically spanning several weeks to months, effective onboarding greatly improves employee retention rates by making you feel valued and acclimated to the workplace. A key element of onboarding is the assignment of an onboarding buddy, which facilitates social integration and helps you build relationships with colleagues and teams. Furthermore, the onboarding process introduces you to the company culture and policies, ensuring you grasp job roles and expectations from the start. Benefits of Onboarding Training Description Improved Retention Increases new hire retention rates Faster Productivity Reduces time to become productive Cultural Integration Aids in grasping company culture Compliance Training As you settle into your new role, grasping compliance training becomes important for ensuring a safe and legally sound workplace. This training educates you about applicable laws, regulations, and company policies, considerably reducing the risk of misconduct and legal repercussions. You’ll cover vital topics such as workplace health and safety, anti-harassment, and data protection, which protect both you and the business. In high-stakes industries like healthcare, finance, and data privacy, compliance training is mandatory. It’s critical for maintaining organizational integrity and avoiding penalties. Regular updates to compliance training materials are necessary to reflect changing regulations, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Utilizing microlearning modules can improve your knowledge retention and make updates easier, making the training more accessible. Product Training Product training is crucial for enhancing your comprehension of the company’s offerings, allowing you to communicate product benefits effectively. Through hands-on experience and specific training strategies, you’ll gain practical insights that can improve customer interactions and boost your sales performance. This training not merely equips you with knowledge customized to your role but additionally cultivates the confidence needed to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. Product Knowledge Enhancement Improving product knowledge through training is vital for employees, as it directly impacts their ability to communicate effectively with customers and drive sales. By deepening your comprehension of company products and services, you’ll be able to articulate their benefits clearly, which boosts your sales performance. Hands-on experience during training allows you to develop practical knowledge, increasing your confidence in customer interactions and troubleshooting. Customized training objectives based on your role guarantee the learning is relevant and effective. Utilizing training modules and sales exercises can further amplify your product insight, helping you identify customer needs and close deals more efficiently. Continuous product knowledge improvement through ongoing training is key for maintaining competitive advantages and adapting to market changes. Practical Application Strategies Effective product training involves practical application strategies that empower employees to utilize their knowledge in real-world situations. By engaging in hands-on experiences, employees can troubleshoot issues and confidently address customer inquiries. Customizing training objectives to specific roles improves relevance, ensuring every team member gains valuable insights. Here are three key strategies to implement: Role-Specific Modules: Develop training customized to sales representatives and customer service agents, focusing on their unique needs. Interactive Sales Exercises: Use simulations and role-playing activities to deepen comprehension of product features and competitive advantages. Ongoing Assessment: Regularly evaluate knowledge retention and application to reinforce learning and adapt training as needed. These strategies greatly improve employee competence, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. Leadership Training Leadership training is essential for developing key skills like decision-making and team management, which directly impact workplace culture. By incorporating mentorship and coaching, these programs not solely prepare you for future leadership roles but additionally improve overall organizational effectiveness. As you engage in this training, you align your skills with the company’s vision, paving the way for greater employee engagement and retention. Key Leadership Skills As organizations work to cultivate a robust leadership pipeline, focusing on key skills becomes important for preparing employees for future roles. Leadership training emphasizes critical competencies that help you excel in your career. Here are three fundamental skills to develop: Decision-Making: Strong leaders analyze situations and make informed choices that benefit the team and organization. Team Management: Effective leaders inspire and guide their teams, ensuring everyone works toward common goals and maintains morale. Effective Communication: Clear communication encourages comprehension and collaboration, important for addressing workplace challenges. Mentorship and Coaching When you invest in mentorship and coaching programs within your organization, you create a pathway for knowledge transfer from seasoned leaders to emerging talent. These programs boost employee retention, with 70% of mentees feeling more engaged. Coaching helps develop critical skills like decision-making and emotional intelligence, crucial for effective leadership. Significantly, 87% of companies report improved performance when they implement mentorship initiatives. Furthermore, a structured approach encourages a culture of continuous learning, addressing the 54% of employees seeking leadership training. Benefits Statistics Impact Improved Engagement 70% of mentees Higher job satisfaction Enhanced Performance 87% of companies Increased productivity Skills Development Emotional intelligence Better team management Continuous Learning 54% desire training Long-term growth Technical Training Technical training is essential for equipping employees with the specific skills they need to excel in their roles, particularly in maneuvering software applications, tools, and technologies that are fundamental for job performance. This training improves your problem-solving capabilities through hands-on experience, allowing you to tackle technical challenges effectively. Staying updated with technological advancements is a key focus, ensuring you’re proficient in the latest tools relevant to your sector. Here are three benefits of technical training: Increased Efficiency: You’ll learn to effectively use enterprise applications, which can streamline your daily tasks. Expert Insights: Dedicated sessions led by subject matter experts provide in-depth knowledge and practical tips that can deepen your comprehension. Improved Productivity: By achieving proficiency in standard operating procedures (SOPs), you contribute to a more productive workplace environment. Investing in technical training not only benefits you but likewise improves your organization’s performance. Quality Assurance Training Quality Assurance (Q/A) Training plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that products and services meet established quality standards during adherence to industry regulations. This training educates you on maintaining these quality standards, helping to reduce errors and improve overall performance. You’ll learn various methodologies for quality control, including practical tools and techniques that minimize waste. As part of the training, you’ll conduct quality assessments, which are vital for verifying that final products align with quality expectations and customer demands. By cultivating a culture of trust and integrity, Q/A Training guarantees your organization consistently delivers high-quality offerings. Additionally, effective quality assurance practices can lead to improved profit margins, as they reduce costs associated with defects and rework. In turn, this benefits your organization’s bottom line, making Q/A Training a significant component of professional development in any industry. Sales Training Sales training is crucial for equipping you with effective selling techniques, which include comprehending customer needs and mastering the sales pipeline management process. By focusing on building rapport skills, you can improve your ability to connect with clients and boost conversion rates. This training not only prepares you for real-world scenarios but also guarantees you stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Effective Selling Techniques Grasping effective selling techniques is crucial for any employee involved in sales. Perfecting these skills can greatly improve your ability to connect with customers and close deals. Here are three key components to focus on: Active Listening: Truly comprehending customer needs through attentive listening helps build trust and rapport. Role-Playing: Engaging in practice scenarios allows you to refine your techniques in a safe environment, boosting your confidence. CRM Strategies: Utilizing customer relationship management tools helps you track interactions and analyze data, leading to enhanced performance. Building Rapport Skills Building rapport skills is essential for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness in client interactions. Establishing trust and connection with clients improves customer loyalty and retention rates considerably. Effective techniques include active listening, mirroring body language, and identifying common ground, all of which contribute to a positive customer experience. Research indicates that sales professionals who excel in rapport-building are 50% more likely to meet their sales targets compared to those who overlook these skills. Many training programs utilize role-playing scenarios, allowing you to practice these techniques in real-life situations and reinforce your learning. Becoming proficient in rapport skills not only strengthens client relationships but also increases referrals and repeat business, ultimately boosting overall sales performance. Sales Pipeline Management Effective management of the sales pipeline is crucial for maximizing conversion rates and ensuring a steady flow of revenue. By comprehending the stages—lead generation, qualification, proposal, negotiation, and closing—you can strategize effectively. Utilizing CRM systems can greatly improve your efficiency, as they automate tasks, leading to a 29% increase in sales productivity. Regularly analyzing pipeline metrics, like conversion rates and deal sizes, allows you to identify improvements. Here are three key benefits of effective sales pipeline management: Higher win rates—training can boost win rates by 15%. Improved engagement—consistent follow-up keeps potential customers interested. Resource optimization—better allocation of time and effort boosts sales activities. Investing in sales training pays off in the long run. Soft-Skills Training While many organizations focus on technical skills, soft-skills training has become increasingly important for promoting a cohesive work environment. This type of training emphasizes interpersonal abilities that are significant for success in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. Research shows that 93% of employers view soft skills as just as important as technical skills, making them crucial for hiring and career growth. Investing in effective soft-skills training can lead to a 12% boost in productivity and improve employee collaboration, benefiting overall organizational performance. Programs typically feature workshops, interactive exercises, and scenario-based learning to develop skills like conflict resolution and adaptability. In addition, companies prioritizing soft-skills training see up to a 25% reduction in employee turnover, as engaged employees are more likely to remain loyal to the organization. Ultimately, soft-skills training is key to nurturing a thriving workplace culture. Team Training When teams work together effectively, they can achieve shared goals and improve overall productivity. Team training is crucial for promoting collaboration and enhancing performance. By focusing on communication and trust, you can create a supportive workplace culture. Here are three key benefits of team training: Stronger Relationships: Participants build connections and a sense of belonging, leading to improved morale. Conflict Resolution: Engaging in team training reduces misunderstandings and equips members to tackle challenges collaboratively. Increased Efficiency: Organizations that invest in team training report measurable gains in output, as teams equipped with collaboration skills can address projects more effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 9 Essential Workplace Skills? You need to develop nine fundamental workplace skills: effective communication, emotional intelligence, time management, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, critical thinking, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Each skill contributes to your overall productivity and success. Effective communication promotes collaboration, whereas emotional intelligence improves relationships. Time management boosts efficiency, and problem-solving elevates critical thinking. Adaptability guarantees you thrive in change, and teamwork builds a supportive environment. Acquiring these skills will make you a valuable asset in any workplace. What Are the 5 P’s of Professional Growth? The five P’s of professional growth are Purpose, Planning, People, Performance, and Persistence. First, identify your purpose to align your career goals with personal aspirations. Next, develop a strategic plan, setting SMART goals to track your progress. Build a network of supportive colleagues and mentors to gain insights and opportunities. Regularly assess your performance to improve skills and effectiveness. Finally, maintain persistence through continuous learning and resilience to overcome challenges in your career path. What Training Should All Employees Have? All employees should have onboarding training to understand company culture and processes, compliance training to guarantee adherence to regulations, and technical skills training to stay updated in their roles. Furthermore, product or service training is crucial for those in sales and customer service, enhancing customer interactions. Finally, soft skills training helps develop communication and teamwork abilities, which are important for nurturing a positive workplace atmosphere and improving overall job performance. What Is the 70 20 10 Rule for Training? The 70-20-10 rule for training suggests that 70% of your learning happens through on-the-job experiences, where you tackle real tasks and challenges. About 20% comes from social interactions and feedback from peers, allowing you to learn collaboratively. Finally, only 10% is gained through formal education and structured training programs. This framework emphasizes a balanced approach, combining practical experience, social learning, and formal instruction to improve your overall development effectively. Conclusion To conclude, implementing these ten crucial professional training programs can greatly improve your workforce’s capabilities. By prioritizing orientation, onboarding, compliance, product knowledge, leadership, quality assurance, sales, soft skills, and team training, you create a well-rounded development environment. This not only promotes employee engagement but likewise improves performance and job satisfaction. In the end, investing in thorough training leads to higher retention rates, ensuring your organization remains competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing business environment. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Essential Professional Training Programs for Employees" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive work environment, effective employee training is vital for success. You’ll find that implementing fundamental training programs can greatly improve workforce skills and overall productivity. Key areas include orientation and onboarding, compliance, and leadership development. Each program serves a specific purpose, ensuring employees grasp company culture, legal standards, and product knowledge. Comprehending these training methods can lead to a more engaged workforce, but how do you determine which programs are most advantageous for your organization? Key Takeaways Orientation and onboarding training fosters employee integration, clarifies roles, and enhances retention through structured programs and support systems. Compliance and quality assurance training ensures adherence to regulations and quality standards, reducing errors and improving organizational performance. Product and technical training equips employees with essential knowledge and skills, enhancing customer interactions and boosting overall productivity. Leadership and team training develops critical management skills and promotes collaboration, fostering a supportive workplace culture and higher employee engagement. Sales and soft-skills training focuses on interpersonal abilities and effective selling techniques, improving client relationships and overall sales performance. Orientation Training Orientation training is a significant first step for new employees, providing them with important information about the organization they’ve just joined. This program typically includes a standard new hire orientation session that addresses common questions and concerns, helping you feel more secure in your new role. Many companies improve their employee retention training by incorporating self-paced online learning modules, allowing you to acquire job-specific technical skills at your own pace. For field and factory workers, orientation often includes hands-on training experiences, enabling you to practice fundamental skills in a real-world environment. This approach not only equips you with necessary knowledge but also nurtures a sense of belonging, which is crucial for long-term success. By participating in effective employment training programs, you’re laying the groundwork for your career while contributing to the organization’s overall employee retention goals. Onboarding Training Once you’ve joined a new organization, onboarding training becomes crucial in helping you navigate your initial days and weeks. This structured program provides you with the resources and knowledge you need to comprehend your responsibilities and goals within the company. Typically spanning several weeks to months, effective onboarding greatly improves employee retention rates by making you feel valued and acclimated to the workplace. A key element of onboarding is the assignment of an onboarding buddy, which facilitates social integration and helps you build relationships with colleagues and teams. Furthermore, the onboarding process introduces you to the company culture and policies, ensuring you grasp job roles and expectations from the start. Benefits of Onboarding Training Description Improved Retention Increases new hire retention rates Faster Productivity Reduces time to become productive Cultural Integration Aids in grasping company culture Compliance Training As you settle into your new role, grasping compliance training becomes important for ensuring a safe and legally sound workplace. This training educates you about applicable laws, regulations, and company policies, considerably reducing the risk of misconduct and legal repercussions. You’ll cover vital topics such as workplace health and safety, anti-harassment, and data protection, which protect both you and the business. In high-stakes industries like healthcare, finance, and data privacy, compliance training is mandatory. It’s critical for maintaining organizational integrity and avoiding penalties. Regular updates to compliance training materials are necessary to reflect changing regulations, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness. Utilizing microlearning modules can improve your knowledge retention and make updates easier, making the training more accessible. Product Training Product training is crucial for enhancing your comprehension of the company’s offerings, allowing you to communicate product benefits effectively. Through hands-on experience and specific training strategies, you’ll gain practical insights that can improve customer interactions and boost your sales performance. This training not merely equips you with knowledge customized to your role but additionally cultivates the confidence needed to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty. Product Knowledge Enhancement Improving product knowledge through training is vital for employees, as it directly impacts their ability to communicate effectively with customers and drive sales. By deepening your comprehension of company products and services, you’ll be able to articulate their benefits clearly, which boosts your sales performance. Hands-on experience during training allows you to develop practical knowledge, increasing your confidence in customer interactions and troubleshooting. Customized training objectives based on your role guarantee the learning is relevant and effective. Utilizing training modules and sales exercises can further amplify your product insight, helping you identify customer needs and close deals more efficiently. Continuous product knowledge improvement through ongoing training is key for maintaining competitive advantages and adapting to market changes. Practical Application Strategies Effective product training involves practical application strategies that empower employees to utilize their knowledge in real-world situations. By engaging in hands-on experiences, employees can troubleshoot issues and confidently address customer inquiries. Customizing training objectives to specific roles improves relevance, ensuring every team member gains valuable insights. Here are three key strategies to implement: Role-Specific Modules: Develop training customized to sales representatives and customer service agents, focusing on their unique needs. Interactive Sales Exercises: Use simulations and role-playing activities to deepen comprehension of product features and competitive advantages. Ongoing Assessment: Regularly evaluate knowledge retention and application to reinforce learning and adapt training as needed. These strategies greatly improve employee competence, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction and loyalty. Leadership Training Leadership training is essential for developing key skills like decision-making and team management, which directly impact workplace culture. By incorporating mentorship and coaching, these programs not solely prepare you for future leadership roles but additionally improve overall organizational effectiveness. As you engage in this training, you align your skills with the company’s vision, paving the way for greater employee engagement and retention. Key Leadership Skills As organizations work to cultivate a robust leadership pipeline, focusing on key skills becomes important for preparing employees for future roles. Leadership training emphasizes critical competencies that help you excel in your career. Here are three fundamental skills to develop: Decision-Making: Strong leaders analyze situations and make informed choices that benefit the team and organization. Team Management: Effective leaders inspire and guide their teams, ensuring everyone works toward common goals and maintains morale. Effective Communication: Clear communication encourages comprehension and collaboration, important for addressing workplace challenges. Mentorship and Coaching When you invest in mentorship and coaching programs within your organization, you create a pathway for knowledge transfer from seasoned leaders to emerging talent. These programs boost employee retention, with 70% of mentees feeling more engaged. Coaching helps develop critical skills like decision-making and emotional intelligence, crucial for effective leadership. Significantly, 87% of companies report improved performance when they implement mentorship initiatives. Furthermore, a structured approach encourages a culture of continuous learning, addressing the 54% of employees seeking leadership training. Benefits Statistics Impact Improved Engagement 70% of mentees Higher job satisfaction Enhanced Performance 87% of companies Increased productivity Skills Development Emotional intelligence Better team management Continuous Learning 54% desire training Long-term growth Technical Training Technical training is essential for equipping employees with the specific skills they need to excel in their roles, particularly in maneuvering software applications, tools, and technologies that are fundamental for job performance. This training improves your problem-solving capabilities through hands-on experience, allowing you to tackle technical challenges effectively. Staying updated with technological advancements is a key focus, ensuring you’re proficient in the latest tools relevant to your sector. Here are three benefits of technical training: Increased Efficiency: You’ll learn to effectively use enterprise applications, which can streamline your daily tasks. Expert Insights: Dedicated sessions led by subject matter experts provide in-depth knowledge and practical tips that can deepen your comprehension. Improved Productivity: By achieving proficiency in standard operating procedures (SOPs), you contribute to a more productive workplace environment. Investing in technical training not only benefits you but likewise improves your organization’s performance. Quality Assurance Training Quality Assurance (Q/A) Training plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing that products and services meet established quality standards during adherence to industry regulations. This training educates you on maintaining these quality standards, helping to reduce errors and improve overall performance. You’ll learn various methodologies for quality control, including practical tools and techniques that minimize waste. As part of the training, you’ll conduct quality assessments, which are vital for verifying that final products align with quality expectations and customer demands. By cultivating a culture of trust and integrity, Q/A Training guarantees your organization consistently delivers high-quality offerings. Additionally, effective quality assurance practices can lead to improved profit margins, as they reduce costs associated with defects and rework. In turn, this benefits your organization’s bottom line, making Q/A Training a significant component of professional development in any industry. Sales Training Sales training is crucial for equipping you with effective selling techniques, which include comprehending customer needs and mastering the sales pipeline management process. By focusing on building rapport skills, you can improve your ability to connect with clients and boost conversion rates. This training not only prepares you for real-world scenarios but also guarantees you stay updated on industry trends and best practices. Effective Selling Techniques Grasping effective selling techniques is crucial for any employee involved in sales. Perfecting these skills can greatly improve your ability to connect with customers and close deals. Here are three key components to focus on: Active Listening: Truly comprehending customer needs through attentive listening helps build trust and rapport. Role-Playing: Engaging in practice scenarios allows you to refine your techniques in a safe environment, boosting your confidence. CRM Strategies: Utilizing customer relationship management tools helps you track interactions and analyze data, leading to enhanced performance. Building Rapport Skills Building rapport skills is essential for anyone looking to improve their effectiveness in client interactions. Establishing trust and connection with clients improves customer loyalty and retention rates considerably. Effective techniques include active listening, mirroring body language, and identifying common ground, all of which contribute to a positive customer experience. Research indicates that sales professionals who excel in rapport-building are 50% more likely to meet their sales targets compared to those who overlook these skills. Many training programs utilize role-playing scenarios, allowing you to practice these techniques in real-life situations and reinforce your learning. Becoming proficient in rapport skills not only strengthens client relationships but also increases referrals and repeat business, ultimately boosting overall sales performance. Sales Pipeline Management Effective management of the sales pipeline is crucial for maximizing conversion rates and ensuring a steady flow of revenue. By comprehending the stages—lead generation, qualification, proposal, negotiation, and closing—you can strategize effectively. Utilizing CRM systems can greatly improve your efficiency, as they automate tasks, leading to a 29% increase in sales productivity. Regularly analyzing pipeline metrics, like conversion rates and deal sizes, allows you to identify improvements. Here are three key benefits of effective sales pipeline management: Higher win rates—training can boost win rates by 15%. Improved engagement—consistent follow-up keeps potential customers interested. Resource optimization—better allocation of time and effort boosts sales activities. Investing in sales training pays off in the long run. Soft-Skills Training While many organizations focus on technical skills, soft-skills training has become increasingly important for promoting a cohesive work environment. This type of training emphasizes interpersonal abilities that are significant for success in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence. Research shows that 93% of employers view soft skills as just as important as technical skills, making them crucial for hiring and career growth. Investing in effective soft-skills training can lead to a 12% boost in productivity and improve employee collaboration, benefiting overall organizational performance. Programs typically feature workshops, interactive exercises, and scenario-based learning to develop skills like conflict resolution and adaptability. In addition, companies prioritizing soft-skills training see up to a 25% reduction in employee turnover, as engaged employees are more likely to remain loyal to the organization. Ultimately, soft-skills training is key to nurturing a thriving workplace culture. Team Training When teams work together effectively, they can achieve shared goals and improve overall productivity. Team training is crucial for promoting collaboration and enhancing performance. By focusing on communication and trust, you can create a supportive workplace culture. Here are three key benefits of team training: Stronger Relationships: Participants build connections and a sense of belonging, leading to improved morale. Conflict Resolution: Engaging in team training reduces misunderstandings and equips members to tackle challenges collaboratively. Increased Efficiency: Organizations that invest in team training report measurable gains in output, as teams equipped with collaboration skills can address projects more effectively. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 9 Essential Workplace Skills? You need to develop nine fundamental workplace skills: effective communication, emotional intelligence, time management, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, critical thinking, decision-making, and conflict resolution. Each skill contributes to your overall productivity and success. Effective communication promotes collaboration, whereas emotional intelligence improves relationships. Time management boosts efficiency, and problem-solving elevates critical thinking. Adaptability guarantees you thrive in change, and teamwork builds a supportive environment. Acquiring these skills will make you a valuable asset in any workplace. What Are the 5 P’s of Professional Growth? The five P’s of professional growth are Purpose, Planning, People, Performance, and Persistence. First, identify your purpose to align your career goals with personal aspirations. Next, develop a strategic plan, setting SMART goals to track your progress. Build a network of supportive colleagues and mentors to gain insights and opportunities. Regularly assess your performance to improve skills and effectiveness. Finally, maintain persistence through continuous learning and resilience to overcome challenges in your career path. What Training Should All Employees Have? All employees should have onboarding training to understand company culture and processes, compliance training to guarantee adherence to regulations, and technical skills training to stay updated in their roles. Furthermore, product or service training is crucial for those in sales and customer service, enhancing customer interactions. Finally, soft skills training helps develop communication and teamwork abilities, which are important for nurturing a positive workplace atmosphere and improving overall job performance. What Is the 70 20 10 Rule for Training? The 70-20-10 rule for training suggests that 70% of your learning happens through on-the-job experiences, where you tackle real tasks and challenges. About 20% comes from social interactions and feedback from peers, allowing you to learn collaboratively. Finally, only 10% is gained through formal education and structured training programs. This framework emphasizes a balanced approach, combining practical experience, social learning, and formal instruction to improve your overall development effectively. Conclusion To conclude, implementing these ten crucial professional training programs can greatly improve your workforce’s capabilities. By prioritizing orientation, onboarding, compliance, product knowledge, leadership, quality assurance, sales, soft skills, and team training, you create a well-rounded development environment. This not only promotes employee engagement but likewise improves performance and job satisfaction. In the end, investing in thorough training leads to higher retention rates, ensuring your organization remains competitive and adaptable in an ever-changing business environment. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "10 Essential Professional Training Programs for Employees" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Deal comes as Google parent steps up AI borrowing rush with $15bn sale of dollar bondsView the full article

President Donald The President wants to keep home prices high, bypassing calls to ramp up construction so people can afford what has been a ticket to the middle class. The President has instead argued for protecting existing owners who have watched the values of their homes climb. It’s a position that flies in the face of what many economists, the real estate industry, local officials and apartment dwellers say is needed to fix a big chunk of America’s affordability problem. “I don’t want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people that own their homes, and they can be assured that’s what’s going to happen,” The President told his Cabinet on Jan. 29. That approach could bolster the Republican president’s standing with older voters, a group that over time has been more likely to vote in midterm elections. Those races in November will determine whether The President’s party can retain control of the House and Senate. “You have a lot of people that have become wealthy in the last year because their house value has gone up,” The President said. “And you know, when you get the housing — when you make it too easy and too cheap to buy houses — those values come down.” But by catering to older baby boomers on housing, The President risks alienating the younger voters who expanded his coalition in 2024 and helped him win a second term, and he could wade into a “generational war” in the midterms, said Brent Buchanan, whose polling firm Cygnal advises Republicans. “The under-40 group is the most important right now — they are the ones who put The President in the White House,” Buchanan said. “Their desire to show up in an election or not is going to make the difference in this election. If they feel that Donald The President is taking care of the boomers at their expense, that is going to hurt Republicans.” The logic in appealing to older voters In the 2024 presidential election, 81% of The President’s voters were homeowners, according to AP VoteCast data. This means many of his supporters already have mortgages with low rates or own their homes outright, possibly blunting the importance of housing as an issue. Older voters tend to show up to vote more than do younger people, said Oscar Pocasangre, a senior data analyst at liberal think tank New America who has studied the age divide in U.S. politics. “However, appealing to older voters may prove to be a misguided policy if what’s needed to win is to expand the voting base,” Pocasangre said. Before the 2026 elections, voters have consistently rated affordability as a top concern, and that is especially true for younger voters with regard to housing. Booker Lightman, 30, a software engineer in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, who identifies politically as a libertarian Republican, said the shortage of housing has been a leading problem in his state. Lightman just closed on a home last month, and while he and his wife, Alice, were able to manage the cost, he said that the lack of construction is pushing people out of Colorado. “There’s just not enough housing supply,” he said. Shay Hata, a real estate agent in the Chicago and Denver areas, said she handles about 100 to 150 transactions a year. But she sees the potential for a lot more. “We have a lack of inventory to the point where most properties, particularly in the suburbs, are getting between five and 20 offers,” she said, describing what she sees in the Chicago area. New construction could help more people afford homes because in some cases, buyers qualify for discounted mortgage rates from the builders’ preferred lenders, Hata said. She called the current situation “very discouraging for buyers because they’re getting priced out of the market.” But pending construction has fallen under The President. Permits to build single-family homes have plunged 9.4% over the past 12 months in October, the most recent month available, to an annual rate of 876,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The President’s other ideas to help people buy houses The President has not always been against increasing housing supply. During the 2024 campaign, The President’s team said he would create tax breaks for homebuyers, trim regulations on construction, open up federal land for housing developments and make monthly payments more manageable by cutting mortgage rates. Advisers also claimed that housing stock would open up because of The President’s push for mass deportations of people who were in the United States illegally. As recently as October, The President urged builders to ramp up construction. “They’re sitting on 2 Million empty lots, A RECORD. I’m asking Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to get Big Homebuilders going and, by so doing, help restore the American Dream!” The President posted on social media, referring to the government-backed lenders. But more recently, he has been unequivocal on not wanting to pursue policies that would boost supply and lower prices. In office, The President has so far focused his housing policy on lobbying the Federal Reserve to cut its benchmark interest rates. He believes that would make mortgages more affordable, although critics say it could spur higher inflation. The President announced that the two mortgage companies, which are under government conservatorship, would buy at least $200 billion in home loan securities in a bid to reduce rates. The President also wants Congress to ban large financial institutions from buying homes. But he has rejected suggestions for expanding rules to let buyers use 401(k) retirement accounts for down payments, telling reporters that he did not want people to take their money out of the stock market because it was doing so well. There are signs that lawmakers in both parties see the benefits of taking steps to add houses before this year’s elections. There are efforts in the Senate and House to jump-start construction through the use of incentives to change zoning restrictions, among other policies. One of the underlying challenges on affordability is that home prices have been generally rising faster than incomes for several years. This makes it harder to save for down payments or upgrade to a nicer home. It also means that the places where people live increasingly double as their key financial asset, one that leaves many families looking moneyed on paper even if they are struggling with monthly bills. There is another risk for The President. If the economy grows this year, as he has promised, that could push up demand for houses — as well as their prices — making the affordability problem more pronounced, said Edward Pinto, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank. Pinto said construction of single-family homes would have to rise by 50% to 100% during the next three years for average home price gains to be flat — a sign, he said, that The President’s fears about falling home prices were probably unwarranted. “It’s very hard to crater home prices,” Pinto said. —Josh Boak, Associated Press View the full article

Findings are set to raise fresh questions about fiscal watchdog’s processes View the full article

Workday, a leading enterprise AI platform, recently announced a significant development that could reshape how small businesses recruit veteran talent. Their new feature, the Military Skills Mapper, aims to help organizations effectively identify and hire military veterans by translating military experiences into civilian-equivalent skills. This innovation not only seeks to bridge the gap between military and civilian job requirements but also positions veterans as valuable assets in the workplace. As over 200,000 service members transition to civilian life annually, many small businesses may not fully recognize the potential these individuals bring to the table. The Military Skills Mapper offers a solution by making veterans’ skills more relatable to hiring teams. It can potentially transform hiring practices and enhance an organization’s workforce diversity. Rod Levy, CEO of Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp for military personnel, emphasizes the importance of clarity in showcasing veterans’ skills: “Veterans aren’t looking for special treatment — they’re looking to have their skills clearly understood.” This resonates well with small businesses that may want to widen their talent pool and meet diverse hiring commitments. For small business owners, the Military Skills Mapper integrates seamlessly into the Workday Recruiting platform. When veterans create their profiles, the tool examines their military backgrounds alongside job descriptions. It generates a tailored list of skills that translates niche military jargon into terms more familiar to civilian recruiters. This translates into not just better resumes for candidates but also a streamlined process for employers. Joe Wilson, Workday’s global chief technology officer and a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, pointed out that “veterans bring hard-earned skills — leadership, adaptability, and teamwork — that don’t always show up clearly in traditional hiring processes.” This feature helps make these capabilities unmistakably visible, ultimately enabling small businesses to tap into this underutilized talent pool. Employers can expect a faster and more accurate understanding of veterans’ abilities, eliminating the need for external translation tools. This can lead to smarter, more strategic hiring, ensuring that small businesses can find qualified candidates who truly fit their needs. However, while this innovation holds promise, small business owners should consider a few challenges. First, there may be a learning curve associated with using new software features, especially for those unfamiliar with the Workday platform. Training staff and integrating this tool into current hiring processes will require initial time and resources. Another concern is ensuring that the tool’s recommendations accurately reflect the veterans’ skills and experiences. Authenticity in their backgrounds must be preserved, and ensuring employees can edit their profiles for clarity could be critical. Small business owners should be prepared to support veterans in refining their profiles without diluting the uniqueness of their military experiences. Additionally, the Military Skills Mapper is projected to be available to Workday Recruiting customers in fall 2026, which means that the immediate benefits may not be available right away for all businesses. It’s wise for small business owners to plan ahead and evaluate how this feature fits into their long-term hiring strategies. Ultimately, adapting to this change could open doors for small businesses looking to to expand their talent acquisition strategies while supporting veterans in finding meaningful employment. By leveraging the Military Skills Mapper, companies could not only fulfill their hiring commitments but also benefit from the diverse skill sets that veterans bring to the workplace. For more information on Workday’s Military Skills Mapper, visit the original press release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Workday’s New Tool Translates Military Skills for Easier Hiring of Veterans" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Workday, a leading enterprise AI platform, recently announced a significant development that could reshape how small businesses recruit veteran talent. Their new feature, the Military Skills Mapper, aims to help organizations effectively identify and hire military veterans by translating military experiences into civilian-equivalent skills. This innovation not only seeks to bridge the gap between military and civilian job requirements but also positions veterans as valuable assets in the workplace. As over 200,000 service members transition to civilian life annually, many small businesses may not fully recognize the potential these individuals bring to the table. The Military Skills Mapper offers a solution by making veterans’ skills more relatable to hiring teams. It can potentially transform hiring practices and enhance an organization’s workforce diversity. Rod Levy, CEO of Code Platoon, a nonprofit coding bootcamp for military personnel, emphasizes the importance of clarity in showcasing veterans’ skills: “Veterans aren’t looking for special treatment — they’re looking to have their skills clearly understood.” This resonates well with small businesses that may want to widen their talent pool and meet diverse hiring commitments. For small business owners, the Military Skills Mapper integrates seamlessly into the Workday Recruiting platform. When veterans create their profiles, the tool examines their military backgrounds alongside job descriptions. It generates a tailored list of skills that translates niche military jargon into terms more familiar to civilian recruiters. This translates into not just better resumes for candidates but also a streamlined process for employers. Joe Wilson, Workday’s global chief technology officer and a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, pointed out that “veterans bring hard-earned skills — leadership, adaptability, and teamwork — that don’t always show up clearly in traditional hiring processes.” This feature helps make these capabilities unmistakably visible, ultimately enabling small businesses to tap into this underutilized talent pool. Employers can expect a faster and more accurate understanding of veterans’ abilities, eliminating the need for external translation tools. This can lead to smarter, more strategic hiring, ensuring that small businesses can find qualified candidates who truly fit their needs. However, while this innovation holds promise, small business owners should consider a few challenges. First, there may be a learning curve associated with using new software features, especially for those unfamiliar with the Workday platform. Training staff and integrating this tool into current hiring processes will require initial time and resources. Another concern is ensuring that the tool’s recommendations accurately reflect the veterans’ skills and experiences. Authenticity in their backgrounds must be preserved, and ensuring employees can edit their profiles for clarity could be critical. Small business owners should be prepared to support veterans in refining their profiles without diluting the uniqueness of their military experiences. Additionally, the Military Skills Mapper is projected to be available to Workday Recruiting customers in fall 2026, which means that the immediate benefits may not be available right away for all businesses. It’s wise for small business owners to plan ahead and evaluate how this feature fits into their long-term hiring strategies. Ultimately, adapting to this change could open doors for small businesses looking to to expand their talent acquisition strategies while supporting veterans in finding meaningful employment. By leveraging the Military Skills Mapper, companies could not only fulfill their hiring commitments but also benefit from the diverse skill sets that veterans bring to the workplace. For more information on Workday’s Military Skills Mapper, visit the original press release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Workday’s New Tool Translates Military Skills for Easier Hiring of Veterans" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you receive an event invitation via email, verify it's legit before you RSVP, as you may not actually be invited to anything. Malwarebytes Labs has identified a new scam in which threat actors are using party invites to trick users into installing a remote access tool (RAT) that gives them full control over infected devices. (This specific campaign seems to be limited to the UK, but similar tactics could easily spread.) These malicious invites contain a ScreenConnect installerThe scam starts with an innocuous-looking email invitation with an informal "Save the Date" vibe that may appear to come from a friend or acquaintance. The message contains a link to "View Invitation" for event details. If you click through, you'll end up on a landing page with a bold "You're Invited" header and a button to download your invitation, but you don't actually need to take any further action—your browser automatically triggers the download of a .msi file, which is not actually a party invitation or RSVP form but an installer. The MSI silently installs ScreenConnect Client, a legitimate IT support tool that allows remote access into the user's machine. Once this connection is established, attackers have the ability to see your screen, control your mouse and keyboard, and upload or download files—even if you restart your computer. All of this happens in the background with no obvious indicators that a remote access tool has been installed and is now running, so victims are unlikely to have cause for concern. You should know these remote access red flagsAs Malwarebytes points out, this scheme is successful because it relies on normal human behavior around a seemingly low-risk situation: opening an event invitation. What's unusual is that there's little pressure or urgency in the initial message. Instead, the landing page has language like "a friend has sent you an invitation" and "I opened mine and it was so easy," which is a form of social proof that guides users to take the desired action. You should always be alert to unsolicited invites sent via regular email with a link to an external site as well as any communication that prompts you to download or install software. These days, invitations are commonly delivered through apps and digital services like Partiful, Paperless Post, Evite, or Apple Invites, which are generally more trustworthy than random emails with hyperlinked text. If you're unsure whether the invite is real, verify with the sender through another channel before clicking or downloading anything. As mentioned, victims of this scam may not immediately notice that a RAT has been installed on their device. But there are some red flags, such as unexplained cursor movement or windows opening or closing on their own. You can check your machine for a file named "RSVPPartyInvitationCard.msi" or a service called ScreenConnect Client with additional random characters in the title. If you've already downloaded ScreenConnect from a malicious invite, Malwarebytes recommends disconnecting from the internet and uninstalling the program immediately. Run a security scan to check your device for malware, and change important passwords from a separate device. View the full article

Generative engine optimization (GEO) represents a shift from optimizing for keyword-based ranking systems to optimizing for how generative search engines interpret and assemble information. While the inner workings of generative AI are famously complex, patents and research papers filed by major tech companies such as Google and Microsoft provide concrete insight into the technical mechanisms underlying generative search. By analyzing these primary sources, we can move beyond speculation and into strategic action. This article analyzes the most insightful patents to provide actionable lessons for three core pillars of GEO: query fan-out, large language model (LLM) readability, and brand context. Why researching patents is so important for learning GEO Patents and research papers are primary, evidence-based sources that reveal how AI search systems actually work. The knowledge gained from these sources can be used to draw concrete conclusions about how to optimize these systems. This is essential in the early stages of a new discipline such as GEO. Patents and research papers reveal technical mechanisms and design intent. They often describe retrieval architectures, such as: Passage retrieval and ranking. Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) workflows. Query processing, including query fan-out, grounding, and other components that determine which content passages LLM-based systems retrieve and cite. Knowing these mechanisms explains why LLM readability, chunk relevance, and brand and context signals matter. Primary sources reduce reliance on hype and checklists. Secondary sources, such as blogs and lists, can be misleading. Patents and research papers let you verify claims and separate evidence-based tactics from marketing-driven advice. Patents enable hypothesis-driven optimization. Understanding the technical details helps you form testable hypotheses, such as how content structure, chunking, or metadata might affect retrieval, ranking, and citation, and design small-scale experiments to validate them. In short, patents and research papers provide the technical grounding needed to: Understand why specific GEO tactics might work. Test and systematize those tactics. Avoid wasting effort on unproven advice. This makes them a central resource for learning and practicing generative engine optimization and SEO. That’s why I’ve been researching patents for more than 10 years and founded the SEO Research Suite, the first database for GEO- and SEO-related patents and research papers. Your customers search everywhere. Make sure your brand shows up. The SEO toolkit you know, plus the AI visibility data you need. Start Free Trial Get started with Why we need to differentiate when talking about GEO In many discussions about generative engine optimization, too little distinction is made between the different goals that GEO can pursue. One goal is improving the citability of LLMs so your content is cited more often as the source. I refer to this as LLM readability optimization. Another goal is brand positioning for LLMs, so a brand is mentioned more often by name. I refer to this as brand context optimization. Each of these goals relies on different optimization strategies. That’s why they must be considered separately. The three foundational pillars of GEO Understanding the following three concepts is strategically critical. These pillars represent fundamental shifts in how machines interpret queries, process content, and understand brands, forming the foundation for advanced GEO strategies. They are the new rules of digital information retrieval. LLM readability: Crafting content for AI consumption LLM readability is the practice of optimizing content so it can be effectively processed, deconstructed, and synthesized by LLMs. It goes beyond human readability and includes technical factors such as: Natural language quality. Logical document structure. A clear information hierarchy. The relevance of individual text passages, often referred to as chunks or nuggets. Brand context: Building a cohesive digital identity Brand context optimization moves beyond page-level optimization to focus on how AI systems synthesize information across an entire web domain. The goal is to build a holistic, unified characterization of a brand. This involves ensuring your overall digital presence tells a consistent and coherent story that an AI system can easily interpret. Query fan-out: Deconstructing user intent Query fan-out is the process by which a generative engine deconstructs a user’s initial, often ambiguous query into multiple specific subqueries, themes, or intents. This allows the system to gather a more comprehensive and relevant set of information from its index before synthesizing a final generated answer. These three pillars are not theoretical. They are actively being built into the architecture of modern search, as the following patents and research papers reveal. Patent deep dive: How generative engines understand user queries (query fan-out) Before a generative engine can answer a question, it must first develop a clear understanding of the user’s true intent. The patents below describe a multi-step process designed to deconstruct ambiguity, explore topics comprehensively, and ensure the final answer aligns with a confirmed user goal rather than the initial keywords alone. Microsoft’s ‘Deep search using large language models’: From ambiguous query to primary intent Microsoft’s “Deep search using large language models” patent (US20250321968A1) outlines a system that prioritizes intent by confirming a user’s true goal before delivering highly relevant results. Instead of treating an ambiguous query as a single event, the system transforms it into a structured investigation. The process unfolds across several key stages: Initial query and grounding: The system performs a standard web search using the original query to gather context and a set of grounding results. Intent generation: A first LLM analyzes the query and the grounding results to generate multiple likely intents. For a query such as “how do points systems work in Japan,” the system might generate distinct intents like “immigration points system,” “loyalty points system,” or “traffic points system.” Primary intent selection: The system selects the most probable intent. This can happen automatically, by presenting options to the user for disambiguation, or by using personalization signals such as search history. Alternative query generation: Once a primary intent is confirmed, a second LLM generates more specific alternative queries to explore the topic in depth. For an academic grading intent, this might include queries like “German university grading scale explained.” LLM-based scoring: A final LLM scores each new search result for relevance against the primary intent rather than the original ambiguous query. This ensures only results that precisely match the confirmed goal are ranked highly. The key insight from this patent is that search is evolving into a system that resolves ambiguity first. Final results are tailored to a user’s specific, confirmed goal, representing a fundamental departure from traditional keyword-based ranking. Google’s ‘thematic search’: Auto-clustering topics from top results Google’s “thematic search” patent (US12158907B1) provides the architectural blueprint for features such as AI Overviews. The system is designed to automatically identify and organize the most important subtopics related to a query. It analyzes top-ranked documents, uses an LLM to generate short summary descriptions of individual passages, and then clusters those summaries to identify common themes. The direct implication is a shift from a simple list of links to a guided exploration of a topic’s most important facets. This process organizes information for users and allows the engine to identify which themes consistently appear across top-ranking documents, forming a foundational layer for establishing topical consensus. Google’s ‘stateful chat’: Generating queries from conversation history The concept of synthetic queries in Google’s “Search with stateful chat” patent (US20240289407A1) reveals another layer of intent understanding. The system generates new, relevant queries based on a user’s entire session history rather than just the most recent input. By maintaining a stateful memory of the conversation, the engine can predict logical next steps and suggest follow-up queries that build on previous interactions. The key takeaway is that queries are no longer isolated events. Instead, they’re becoming part of a continuous, context-aware dialogue. This evolution requires content to do more than answer a single question. It must also fit logically within a broader user journey. Patent deep dive: Crafting content for AI processing (LLM readability) Once a generative engine has disambiguated user intent and fanned out the query, its next challenge is to find and evaluate content chunks that can precisely answer those subqueries. This is where machine readability becomes critical. The following patents and research papers show how engines evaluate content at a granular, passage-by-passage level, rewarding clarity, structure, and factual density. The ‘nugget’ philosophy: Deconstructing content into atomic facts The GINGER research paper introduces a methodology for improving the factual accuracy of AI-generated responses. Its core concept involves breaking retrieved text passages into minimal, verifiable information units, referred to as nuggets. By deconstructing complex information into atomic facts, the system can more easily trace each statement back to its source, ensuring every component of the final answer is grounded and verifiable. The lesson from this approach is clear: Content should be structured as a collection of self-contained, fact-dense nuggets. Each paragraph or statement should focus on a single, provable idea, making it easier for an AI system to extract, verify, and accurately attribute that information. Google’s span selection: Pinpointing the exact answer Google’s “Selecting answer spans” patent (US11481646B2) describes a system that uses a multilevel neural network to identify and score specific text spans, or chunks, within a document that best answer a given question. The system evaluates candidate spans, computes numeric representations based on their relationship to the query, and assigns a final score to select the single most relevant passage. The key insight is that the relevance of individual paragraphs is evaluated with intense scrutiny. This underscores the importance of content structure, particularly placing a direct, concise answer immediately after a question-style heading. The patent provides the technical justification for the answer-first model, a core principle of modern GEO strategy. The consensus engine: Validating answers with weighted terms Google’s “Weighted answer terms” patent (US10019513B1) explains how search engines establish a consensus around what constitutes a correct answer. This patent is closely associated with featured snippets, but the technology Google developed for featured snippets is one of the foundational methodologies behind passage-based retrieval used today by AI search systems to select passages for answers. The system identifies common question phrases across the web, analyzes the text passages that follow them, and creates a weighted term vector based on terms that appear most frequently in high-quality responses. For a query such as “Why is the sky blue?” terms like “Rayleigh scattering” and “atmosphere” receive high weights. The key lesson is that to be considered an accurate and authoritative source, content must incorporate the consensus terminology used by other expert sources on the topic. Deviating too far from this established vocabulary can cause content to be scored poorly for accuracy, even when it is factually correct. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. Patent deep dive: Building your brand’s digital DNA (brand context) While earlier patents focus on the micro level of queries and content chunks, this final piece operates at the macro level. The engine must understand not only what is being said but also who is saying it. This is the essence of brand context, representing a shift from optimizing individual pages to projecting a coherent brand identity across an entire domain. The following patent shows how AI systems are designed to interpret an entity by synthesizing information from across its full digital presence. Google’s entity characterization: The website as a single prompt The methodology described in Google’s “Data extraction using LLMs” patent (WO2025063948A1) outlines a system that treats an entire website as a single input to an LLM. The system scans and interprets content from multiple pages across a domain to generate a single, synthesized characterization of the entity. This is not a copy-and-paste summary but a new interpretation of the collected information that is better suited to an intended purpose, such as an ad or summary, while still passing quality checks that verbatim text might fail. The patent also explains that this characterization is organized into a hierarchical graph structure with parent and leaf nodes, which has direct implications for site architecture: Patent conceptCorresponding GEO strategyParent Nodes (Broad attributes like “Services”)Create broad, high-level “hub” pages for core business categories (e.g., /services/).Leaf Nodes (Specific details like “Pricing”)Develop specific, granular “spoke” pages for detailed offerings (e.g., /services/emergency-plumbing/). The key implication is that every page on a website contributes to a single brand narrative. Inconsistent messaging, conflicting terminology, or unclear value propositions can cause an AI system to generate a fragmented and weak entity characterization, reducing a brand’s authority in the system’s interpretation. The GEO playbook: Actionable lessons derived from the patents These technical documents aren’t merely theoretical. They provide a clear, actionable playbook for aligning content and digital strategy with the core mechanics of generative search. The principles revealed in these patents form a direct guide for implementation. Principle 1: Optimize for disambiguated intent, not just keywords Based on the “Deep Search” and “Thematic Search” patents, the focus must shift from targeting single keywords to comprehensively answering the specific, disambiguated intents a user may have. Actionable advice For a target query, brainstorm the different possible user intents. Create distinct, highly detailed content sections or separate pages for each one, using clear, question-based headings to signal the specific intent being addressed. Principle 2: Structure for machine readability and extraction Synthesizing lessons from the GINGER paper, the “answer spans” patent, and LLM readability guidance, it’s clear that structure is critical for AI processing. Actionable advice Apply the following structural rules to your content: Use the answer-first model: Structure content so the direct answer appears immediately after a question-style heading. Follow with explanation, evidence, and context. Write in nuggets: Compose short, self-contained paragraphs, each focused on a single, verifiable idea. This makes each fact easier to extract and attribute. Leverage structured formats: Use lists and tables whenever possible. These formats make data points and comparisons explicit and easily parsable for an LLM. Employ a logical heading hierarchy: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to create a clear topical map of the document. This hierarchy helps an AI system understand the context and scope of each section. Principle 3: Build a unified and consistent entity narrative Drawing directly from the “Data extraction using LLMs” patent, domainwide consistency is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s a technical requirement for building a strong brand context. Actionable advice Conduct a comprehensive content audit. Ensure mission statements, service descriptions, value propositions, and key terminology are used consistently across every page, from the homepage to blog posts to the site footer. Principle 4: Speak the language of authoritative consensus The “Weighted answer terms” patent shows that AI systems validate answers by comparing them against an established consensus vocabulary. Actionable advice Before writing, analyze current featured snippets, AI Overviews, and top-ranking documents for a given query. Identify recurring technical terms, specific nouns, and phrases they use. Incorporate this consensus vocabulary to signal accuracy and authority. Principle 5: Mirror the machine’s hierarchy in your architecture The parent-leaf node structure described in the entity characterization patent provides a direct blueprint for effective site architecture. Actionable advice Design site architecture and internal linking to reflect a logical hierarchy. Broad parent category pages should link to specific leaf detail pages. This structure makes it easier for an LLM to map brand expertise and build an accurate hierarchical graph. These five principles aren’t isolated tactics. They form a single, integrated strategy in which site architecture reinforces the brand narrative, content structure enables machine extraction, and both align to answer a user’s true, disambiguated intent. See the complete picture of your search visibility. Track, optimize, and win in Google and AI search from one platform. Start Free Trial Get started with Aligning with the future of information retrieval Patents and research papers from the world’s leading technology companies offer a clear view of the future of search. Generative engine optimization is fundamentally about making information machine-interpretable at two critical levels: The micro level of the individual fact, or chunk. The macro level of the cohesive brand entity. By studying these documents, you can shift from a reactive approach of chasing algorithm updates to a proactive one of building digital assets aligned with the core principles of how generative AI understands, structures, and presents information. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article