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The next time you’ve got an itchy throat and a stuffy nose, Amazon wants you to describe your symptoms to an AI chatbot deputized to do medicine. On Wednesday, Amazon announced the launch of the new feature, inviting users who subscribe to its healthcare service to interact with an AI assistant for personalized medical advice. The chatbot is available now in the One Medical app, which patients can use to schedule appointments, message their primary care provider and access their medical records. “The U.S. health care experience is fragmented, with each provider seeing only parts of your health puzzle,” Amazon Health Services Senior Vice President Neil Lindsay said in the announcement. “Health AI in the One Medical app brings together all the pieces of your personal health information to give you a more complete picture—helping you understand your health, and supporting you in getting the care you need to get and stay well.” Amazon says that its new Health AI assistant can provide “personalized insights” that use a patient’s lab results, medical history, medication information and other records to paint a full picture of their health. In the app, Health AI will explain lab results, offer advice about symptoms, treatments, and other questions and help patients book appointments and renew medications. The AI will see you now The One Medical AI assistant is powered by Amazon’s Bedrock AI models and follows similar health-focused AI chatbots from major AI companies. Earlier this month, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, which similarly synthesizes its users’ medical history to provide tailored advice. Days later, Anthropic introduced Claude for Healthcare, an AI chatbot that can analyze a user’s health data to help them make sense of test results and prep questions for a doctor’s appointment. Unlike its competitors, Amazon is already deeply invested in the business of healthcare. The retail giant jumped into the healthcare space in 2020 by launching its own online pharmacy, an offering that evolved from the company’s previous acquisition of health startup PillPack. Two years later, Amazon bought primary care and telehealth provider One Medical for $3.9 billion, further expanding its grand ambitions to become an established medical provider. Amazon kept the One Medical branding and now operates a network of locations across 19 major U.S. cities, with a telehealth service that reaches subscribers beyond those locations. In 2023, Amazon tied One Medical into its Amazon Prime memberships, offering the health care subscription at a discounted $9 per month to Prime users. A One Medical membership covers the cost of on-demand virtual care through the service, including telehealth appointments, and simplified care for common problems, like cold and flu symptoms or allergies. Amazon frames its new Health AI chatbot as a “complementary” tool that isn’t designed to replace the human relationship between patient and provider. That’s for the best, considering that AI assistants have a very patchy record when it comes to providing safe, accurate health advice. Google’s often-questionable AI overviews, which appear at the top of search results, have served up potentially dangerous misinformation when prompted with health queries like “what is the normal range for liver blood tests.” Google isn’t alone: a recent study from Mt. Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine found that popular AI chatbots are prone to hallucinating when it comes to medical information, integrating false information and confidently giving descriptions of treatments and conditions that don’t exist. View the full article

The 68th annual Grammy Awards will take place Feb. 1 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This year marks a return to normalcy after the 2025 award show was altered to focus on supporting relief efforts following the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. “I think we will see some history-making moments,” Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason jr. told The Associated Press. “With artists being nominated in categories they haven’t been previously nominated in, and a new crop of talent coming through the system this year — I think we’re going to see some really exciting results.” Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 Grammys, including how to stream and where you can see music’s biggest stars walking the red carpet. When are the Grammys and how can I watch or stream the show? The main show will air live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on Feb. 1. The Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the Grammys live; Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on-demand access the next day. The premiere ceremony will take place just ahead of the Grammys’ ceremony at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Pacific at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It can be streamed at the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on live.GRAMMY.com. Who is performing at the Grammys? The 2026 award show will feature a special segment in which all eight of this year’s best new artist nominees will perform. That means Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, global girl group Katseye, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren and Lola Young will all share the stage before going head-to-head for one of the night’s biggest prizes. Sabrina Carpenter will also perform at the Grammys. Carpenter is a leading nominee at this year’s ceremony, with six nods for record, album and song of the year as well as pop solo performance, pop vocal album and music video. Who is hosting the Grammys? Comedian Trevor Noah will host the show for the sixth consecutive time — and it will be his last. “I am beyond thrilled to welcome Trevor Noah back to host the Grammys for his sixth, and sadly, final time,” Grammys’ executive producer Ben Winston said in a statement. “He’s been the most phenomenal host of the show. He’s so smart, so funny, and such a true fan of the artists and music. His impact on the show has been truly spectacular, and we can’t wait to do it together one last time.” The only other people to host six or more Grammy telecasts were musical artists: Andy Williams hosted seven shows, followed by John Denver with six. Noah previously tied LL Cool J, with five. Noah himself is a four-time Grammy nominee and is up this year in the audio book, narration, and storytelling recording category for “Into The Uncut Grass,” a children’s story. “He’s a special host. He really finds the right balance between being funny and smart and knowledgeable but also being a fan of music. And I love that. It’s so hard to find that combination,” Mason jr. said. As for his departure? “Every person at some point in their career, they decide they want to do something else,” Mason jr. said. “And we’re so appreciative of the years that we got from Trevor. He’s really helped define the show and make the show what it’s become over the last six years.” How can I watch the red carpet? The Associated Press will stream a four-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage. It will be streamed on YouTube and APNews.com. Who is nominated for the Grammys? Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with nine total. He’s up for record, song and album of the year — marking the third time he’s had simultaneous nominations in those big categories — as well as pop duo/group performance, melodic rap performance, rap song and rap album. He’s also nominated twice in the rap performance category. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Canadian record producer/songwriter Cirkut follow Lamar with seven nominations each. Thomas, Bad Bunny, Serban Ghenea, and the aforementioned Carpenter all boast six nominations. Andrew Watt, Clipse, Doechii, Sounwave, SZA, Turnstile, and Tyler, the Creator have five each. There are a number of first-time nominees as well this year, including Tate McRae, Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, JID and … Timothée Chalamet. You read that correctly. ___ For more coverage of this year’s Grammy Awards, visit: www.apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards —Maria Sherman, AP business writer View the full article

On January 17, Copenhagen resident Jesper Rabe Tønnesen woke up, packed his cargo bike with 300 red hats, and trekked over to his city’s U.S. embassy, where thousands of citizens were gathering in the street to protest President The President’s proposed takeover of Greenland. By the end of the weekend, those hats had become the dominant symbol of the dissenting movement. For months, The President has insisted that the U.S. should control Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. But, in recent days, he’s escalated his threat to take over the region, announcing on Truth Social that he would impose additional tariffs on eight allied nations who spoke out against the plan. In response, tens of thousands of protestors have gathered in Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, to voice their dissent against American occupation of Greenland. Tønnesen, the owner of a vintage store in Copenhagen called McKorman, was one of those protestors. He’s also the designer behind a line of hats parodying The President’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) caps. Tønnesen’s hats substitute The President’s famous phrase for the line “Nu det NUUK!” which is a play on the Danish phrase, “Nu det nok,” literally meaning “Now, it’s enough.” Tønnesen’s caps, as well as several similar designs, have emerged as the stand-out visual symbol of the protests, appearing in countless photos of the demonstrations. “The caps were produced as a comedic response to Donald The President thinking he could buy Greenland,” Tønnesen says, “and as a political statement that enough is enough.” Jesper Toennesen “Enough is enough” Tønnesen first created his “Nu det NUUK!” cap last summer, when he ordered 100 copies for his store and sent another 100 to Greenland. The philosophy behind his design, he says, was simple: “The red MAGA hats have become a very visible political symbol, and so it seemed right to also make the anti-MAGA caps red and white too.” Besides that, he adds, red and white are the two colors of both the Greenlandic and Danish flags, adding an additional layer to the parody. Initial sales were slow. Just a few caps were sold in-store, while others were given away. But a week before Saturday’s demonstration, in the wake of The President’s increasing insistence on a Greenland takeover, the hats went viral. In just a few hours, people bought 80 hats, and Tønnesen says he “could have sold hundreds or even thousands more, had they not sold out.” He currently has thousands of new hats on the way from the manufacturer, and plans to donate all profits to the Greenlandic children’s charity Grønlandske Børn. “It’s been a few intense weeks of talking to global media and people wanting to show support by buying the caps,” Tønnesen says. “In times like these it’s important to stand strong in solidarity, and it’s been nice to see people doing that and agreeing that what’s going on is simply intolerable.” How satirical MAGA hats took off in Greenland and Denmark While Tønnesen’s hats have recently shot into the spotlight, he’s not the first Danish designer to satirize the MAGA cap. Indeed, Tønnesen was inspired by an earlier hat created by designer Jens Martin Skibsted. Jens Martin Skibsted Skibsted is the creative mind behind the website c55, which sells a variety of protest-based statement hats. In the past, he’s created multiple hats in support of Ukrainian charities in the midst of the Russian invasion. He says that he was inspired to create something for Greenland after Donald The President Jr. visited the territory back in January 2025, “in protest against America’s ambition to assert control over the island.” His cap is called the Kalaallit, which is the name of the Greenlandic Inuit in their language, Kalaallisut. It features the slogan “Make America Go Away,” paired with the Greenlandic flag on one side. “While it playfully echoes The President’s slogan, the design is distinct,” the hat’s online listing reads. “The red and white colors reflect the Greenlandic flag, and the typeface, DS 737, is based on the official Danish signage typeface, originally released in 1954 by Dansk Standard as ‘Danish Standard no. 737’.” Skibsted says the hat is made in partnership with the Greenlandic NGO Uagut, which is dedicated to promoting Greenlanders’ wellbeing in Denmark. Since initially handing out his caps for free last spring in the Greenlandic city Sisimiut, Skibsted has created three more iterations of the hat, each honoring some aspect of Greenlandic heritage (including one white version of the cap, which he says was added after “MAGA media” digitally erased the original caps’ text to resemble actual MAGA hats). Like Tønnesen, he passed out 200 copies of his original cap at the Copenhagen protest. He says sales have recently spiked, as awareness of The President’s threats against the territory have reached a much larger audience. “It’s become very international, because obviously very few people in the international community agree that it’s okay just to take over a foreign territory,” Skibsted says. “A lot of people want to stand behind the Greenlanders, and also, by proxy, the Danes.” View the full article

A retail channel veteran, Promisco has spoken frequently about the potential of AI to bring efficiency and lower costs in the loan origination process. View the full article

The 42nd Sundance Film Festival kicks off this week in Park City, Utah. It will be the last edition in its longtime home and the first without its founder Robert Redford, who died in September at age 89. But even in this time of transition and change, the festival’s main focus — the movies — remains as vibrant and fresh as ever with 90 features premiering through Feb. 1. And three of them feature pop star Charli xcx. “It’s a broad, eclectic and bold program,” Sundance public programming director Eugene Hernandez told The Associated Press. Hernandez said the lineup for the festival’s final year in Park City has a “mixture of new, exciting voices paired with some really, really great familiar faces from Sundances past that I think will create a great alchemy for this really unique edition in Utah.” When is Sundance? The festival runs from Thursday, Jan. 22 through Sunday, Feb. 1. There are 90 features premiering throughout, with screenings starting early in the morning and running through midnight. Award winners will be announced on Jan. 30. What celebrities are expected? Some big names who may make an appearance in the mountains include Natalie Portman, Ethan Hawke, Russell Crowe, Brittney Griner, Seth Rogen, O’Shea Jackson Jr., David Duchovny, Olivia Wilde, Daveed Diggs, Channing Tatum, Courtney Love, Chris Pine, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Salman Rushdie, Alexander Skarsgård, Olivia Colman, John Turturro and Catherine Zeta-Jones. How is Sundance honoring Robert Redford? Redford’s legacy will be a main spotlight at the festival, including at Friday night’s annual fundraising gala where organizers will pay tribute to the Sundance founder. Later in the festival, there will also be a screening of his first truly independent film, the 1969 sports drama “Downhill Racer,” and a series of legacy screenings of restored Sundance gems from “Little Miss Sunshine” to Barbara Kopple’s documentary “American Dream.” What are the buzzy movies? Wilde directed her third feature, “The Invite,” in which she and Rogen play an unhappily married couple who host a dinner party for friends (Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton). Gregg Araki made a “sex-positive love letter to Gen Z” with “I Want Your Sex,” also starring Wilde as a provocative artist who takes an interest in a younger intern played by Cooper Hoffman. Portman, sporting platinum blond hair, leads the big ensemble cast of Cathy Yan’s art world satire “The Gallerist,” alongside Zach Galifianakis, Jenna Ortega and Zeta-Jones. Both “I Want Your Sex” and “The Gallerist” feature supporting turns from Charli xcx, but the pop star’s big showcase is “The Moment,” a self-referential mockumentary. Colman stars alongside Skarsgård in “Wicker,” a whimsical tale of a fisherwoman who asks a basket weaver to weave her a husband. Crowe plays the warden of a work camp in 1930s Oregon where Hawke is toiling in “The Weight.” And Gemma Chan and Tatum play parents to a child who witnesses a crime in “Josephine.” In the nonfiction space, “Navalny” director Daniel Roher co-directed a film about artificial intelligence. There are also documentaries about Love, the lead singer of “Hole” and widow of Kurt Cobain, and Griner, the WNBA star who was detained for nearly 10 months in Russia. Can you stream Sundance movies? Yes, but not until Jan. 29. Access to the movies premiering at Sundance doesn’t necessarily require an expensive trip to Park City anymore. The festival has fully embraced an online component for many of their films. What started as a necessary COVID-19 adjustment has become a vital part of the program. From Jan. 29 through Feb. 1, audiences can watch the films in competition online. Prices start at $35 for a single film ticket. When will the Sundance movies be in theaters? It depends. Some have distribution and will soon be in theaters, like “The Moment,” which A24 is releasing on Jan. 30. Others that might secure distribution deals out of the festival can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year to hit theaters or streaming services. Is the festival still moving to Colorado? Yes, this is the final edition in Park City, Utah. Next January, the festival is relocating to a new home in Boulder, Colorado. ___ For more coverage of the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival —Lindsey Bahr, AP film writer View the full article

We have a growing problem making our institutions work for humans. Across society, and especially in business, humans are increasingly treated as resources to be squeezed rather than as individuals to be served. Employees become “human capital” to be optimized; customers become “users” to be converted or upsold. This tendency predates AI, but AI threatens to accelerate it dramatically—automating the depersonalization, scaling the indifference, and introducing another layer of abstraction that separates real human beings from real human beings. Yet there is an alternative path. Human-centered design is often dismissed as a soft or unserious discipline, a distraction from the serious business of maximizing the commercial income to be extracted from every interaction. But it is actually the most practical route to value creation available to organizations today. When you design around real human needs—those of both customers and staff—you build the bridge between internal transformation and external results. The Foundational Principle In The Design of Everyday Things, design expert Donald Norman articulates a deceptively simple idea: pay close attention to the needs of human users when defining design goals. This principle applies far beyond product design. It is foundational to how organizations create value. Human-centered design acts as a critical bridge that taps into and connects two groups of humans. On one side, customer experience drives revenue—people buy from, stay loyal to, and recommend organizations that understand and serve their actual needs. On the other side, the employee experience drives execution—staff who feel understood and supported deliver better work and stay in their roles for longer. Neglect either side and value leaks away, no matter how sophisticated your technology or how ambitious your strategy. Crucially, human-centered design is not a one-time exercise conducted before systems are built. It is an ongoing discipline that begins with observation, continues through implementation, and persists as long as the system operates. Humans change. Their needs evolve. Their contexts shift. A design process that treats initial research as sufficient will produce systems that drift steadily away from the people they are meant to serve. The organizations that sustain value are those that build continuous feedback loops, returning again and again to observe, test, and refine. Why AI Makes This Urgent AI amplifies the consequences of getting human factors wrong. There are three reasons why human-centered design becomes especially critical in the age of AI. First, speed and scale. When an AI system interacts with customers or processes employee workflows, its behavior can propagate across millions of touchpoints. A poorly designed interaction that might have affected dozens of people in a manual process now affects thousands or millions. The cost of inattention multiplies accordingly. Second, the fallacy of confusing humans with machines. Management systems and technical architectures tend to assume that they are dealing with rational actors who process information logically and respond predictably. This is the same fallacy embedded in the economist’s concept of homo economicus—the fictional human who optimizes utility with perfect information and no emotion. Real humans bring biases and emotions to their decisions and interactions; they bring varied cultural contexts and needs that shift depending on circumstances. Different people come to AI from radically different angles, and a system designed for an idealized user will fail actual ones. Third, the diversity of stakeholder interactions. Not everyone affected by an AI system interacts with it directly. Some draw on its outputs at second or third hand—a manager reviewing AI-generated reports, a supplier responding to AI-optimized orders. Other stakeholders—such as government agencies, labor groups, of consumer rights advocates—have regulatory or social interests in how you implement AI. Miss out any of these groups in your design process and you create friction that erodes the value you are trying to build. Building Human-Centric AI Systems Translating these principles into practice requires deliberate choices at every stage of AI development and deployment. Start with personas designed for context. A single AI system may need to present itself differently depending on who it is interacting with. A customer-facing interaction might require conversational warmth, natural pacing, and even deliberate pauses that make the exchange feel human. An internal communication feeding data to supply chain managers might prioritize speed, precision, and structured formatting. An AI agent participating in a multi-agent orchestration layer might need yet another mode—one optimized for machine-readable clarity. These are not cosmetic differences. The persona an AI adopts shapes whether the humans on the other end can work with it effectively. Design these deliberately, not as afterthoughts. Embrace the iterative spiral. Norman’s concept of human-centered design follows a cycle: observation, idea generation, prototyping, testing, and then back to observation. This is not a linear checklist to be completed once. Each round of testing reveals new information about user needs that the previous round of observation missed. For example, initial research might suggest that speed is the primary requirement for a customer service AI. But watching real users interact with a prototype might reveal that some customers prefer a “chattier” experience with more interaction, even if it takes longer. The spiral deepens understanding as experiments scale. Recognize the limits of self-reporting. Users do not always know what they need, and they are often not well-placed to articulate their desired outcomes even when they do know. Customers might tell you they want human agents, but longer-term behavioral analysis may reveal a preference for AI solutions that eliminate waiting times. Subject matter experts and scholarly research are invaluable supplements to direct observation. The goal is to understand what actually serves people, not merely what they say they want. (This point is made particularly well with reference to the medical context in Joseph and Pagani’s Designing for Health: The Human Centered Approach.) Build in human audit layers. The temptation with AI is to automate completely—to remove humans from the loop in pursuit of efficiency. Resist it. Introduce human checkpoints that look for systemic biases, catch edge cases, and intervene where required. This is not a failure of automation but a recognition that partnership between humans and AI produces better outcomes than either alone. The Orchestration Challenge As organizations deploy multiple AI agents—handling sales, compliance, operations, customer service—a new challenge emerges. These agents can conflict. Gartner predicts that 40% of enterprise applications will use multi-agent systems by year-end, and a common failure mode is already apparent: agent deadlock, where agents with different objectives provide contradictory instructions and freeze the workflow. The solution is not purely technical. Orchestration layers can help resolve conflicts algorithmically, but they cannot substitute for human judgment in ambiguous cases. Human-centered design here means designing the human role in the system, not just the AI components. Someone must be empowered to adjudicate when the sales optimization agent and the regulatory compliance agent cannot agree. That role requires clarity about authority, access to relevant context, and the judgment to weigh competing priorities. Organizations that neglect this human layer will find their sophisticated multi-agent systems grinding to a halt. Practical Steps Five actions can move human-centered design from abstraction to operation: 1. Map your human touchpoints. Before any AI initiative, document every human who will interact with or be affected by the system. This includes direct users, indirect data consumers, and those with regulatory or reputational stakes. If you cannot name the humans involved, you are not ready to build. 2. Observe before you build. Spend time with actual users before defining requirements. Watch what they do, not just what they say. The gap between stated preferences and revealed behavior is where design insight lives. 3. Design your personas deliberately. For each AI system, specify how it should interact differently with different stakeholder types. Document these choices and revisit them as you learn more. 4. Build in human audit points. Identify where human judgment must remain in the loop and design those roles explicitly. Specify what authority they have, what information they need, and how their interventions feed back into system improvement. 5. Don’t stop—cycle. Treat testing as the beginning of observation, not the end of development. Build feedback mechanisms that allow continuous refinement as human needs evolve. Conclusion Human-centered design is not a constraint on AI ambition. It is what allows that ambition to create real value. Technology alone creates nothing—financial value emerges only when capabilities provide value that is meaningful for humans. Human-centered design is the discipline that makes that meeting possible, the bridge between what your systems can do and what actually matters to the people you serve. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE is the least expensive member of the Galaxy S25 lineup—more affordable but still filled with enough features and Galaxy AI tools that PCMag named it an excellent choice for those who want to be in the Galaxy ecosystem without paying top dollar. Right now, it’s available at an all-time low price on Amazon: $509.99, 28% off the original $709.99 asking price. Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Cell Phone (2025) $509.99 at Amazon $709.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $509.99 at Amazon $709.99 Save $200.00 The S25 FE comes in four colors and features a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,340 x 1,080 pixels, a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits. Unlike the higher-end Galaxy S25 Ultra, it doesn’t have an anti-reflective coating, though it still performs decently in moderately bright conditions. Rather than the Ultra's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, this model runs on a Samsung Exynos 2400 chip with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone is lighter and more compact than the S24 SE. It has an under-display fingerprint sensor for biometrics as well as a face unlock option. According to PCMag’s tester, the 4,900 mAh battery lasts up to 17 hours (about two hours longer than its predecessor, but less than competitors like the Pixel 9a) and fast-charges in as little as an hour and fifteen minutes. While the cameras can’t compare to the line’s more expensive models, it does share two of its three rear cameras with the S25 and S25+, and will definitely deliver sharp images. It’s also a future-proof device, with Samsung promising up to seven years of updates and security fixes. If you’re looking for most of the flagship-style features as pricier S25 phones—including integrated AI tools, strong battery life, and quick performance—without paying flagship prices, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE checks all those boxes. And discounted to around $500, it’s more affordable than ever. It's a strong pick if you're upgrading from an older phone or making the switch to Android. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $148.99 (List Price $179.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $399.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

If someone asked you, “What is project management?”, would you find it easy to answer? Of course, it’s about managing projects but what exactly does that entail? Project management is so multi-faceted that it’s not easy to explain in just a few words. Even project managers at the start of their careers tend to realize very quickly that there’s more to the role than meets the eye. In this post, we’ll share a clear definition of project management, explore the project management process, and provide actionable tips for successfully managing projects. What is a project? Think of a project as a unit of measurement for a specific amount of work. A project has an objective, a beginning, and an end. It groups a number of tasks that need to be accomplished for that project to be completed. In other words, a project is like a folder on a computer. That folder holds files called “plan,” “budget”, “deliverables,” “tasks,” and “deadlines.” These elements all contribute to your project, helping direct your team’s work towards a defined objective. Here’s what each element contributes to the overall project: Plan: Do you know where you’re going? It’s one thing to say “we want to redesign the website,” it’s another to actually do it. With a plan in place, you can make the best use of the resources available to you. Budget: How big is the pile of resources you can burn for this project? The first resource is money, of course, and knowing how much you have available before the project begins can inform your plan. Can you afford to hire an agency? How many developers can you use on this project? Deliverables: A deliverable is the actual thing — physical or digital — that is the outcome of your project. Maybe it’s a piece of software, an eBook, or a new policy. A project will often have multiple deliverables, each a small piece of the desired project outcome. Tasks: A task is a unit of work that can be assigned to a collaborator. The amount of work that can go into a task varies, with some tasks taking weeks to complete, while others might just take a few minutes. The best tasks have a due date and a clear objective. Deadlines: When will your project be completed? Better yet, what are some milestones you can hit along the way? The best projects don’t usually meander along until they reach 100% completion. Usually, project managers will set deadlines for each step of a project. What is project management? If you’ve ever helped organize a group project in school, or even planned a vacation, you’ve taken on some degree of project management. In the context of a business, however, project management can be defined as “the application of processes, expertise, and tools in order to meet project goals and requirements within a specific timeframe.” A project, in this context, is an endeavour carried out with the goal of achieving specified objectives. Building a new website is a project, for example, as is writing a how-to guide or designing a logo. Project management, however, is nothing without the work of dedicated project managers (PMs). The numerous roles of a PM can include: Ensuring projects are completed within a set timeline Acting as a liaison between clients and internal teams Setting and managing expectations Planning and defining project scope Creating and implementing processes Resource management Analyzing risk and roadblocks Monitoring project status Reporting and leading project retrospectives While every department requires some form of project management — or the support of a Project Management Office — many companies still fail to fully understand the value of project managers. What are the benefits of project management? Boosted efficiency: Project managers use industry-proven methodologies to plan, execute, and monitor tasks and projects to ensure they’re on-track. When project roadblocks occur, project managers are skilled in resolving disputes and finding solutions to ensure projects meet their deadlines. Higher accountability: A well-managed project will have a clearly-defined scope of work and clearly-defined roles. Not only does this make responsibilities more clear to all stakeholders, but the ongoing monitoring of the project manager ensures that everyone is held accountable for the delivery of their tasks. Cutting costs: Experienced PMs recognize when projects are at risk of scope creep and can nip it in the bud. Project management will also save you money by reducing wasted time and effort and identifying opportunities for increased efficiency. What are some common challenges in project management? Stakeholder alignment: A stakeholder is anyone who has a stake in a project. Often, leaders of teams or departments involved in that project, each stakeholder typically has their own perspective on how a project should be completed, meaning project managers have to balance different priorities. Scope creep: A project’s scope defines the tasks that need to be done for that project to be completed and the tasks that don’t need to be completed. Scope creep defines the way that list of tasks tends to grow beyond a project’s original expectations, and project managers often find themselves managing this scope over time. Dependencies: A dependency is a relationship in which the status of one task is directly tied to the status of another. The exact nature of this relationship can vary, like task A needing to be completed before work on task B can start, or work on task B only starting when work starts on Task A. Managing these dependencies can be challenging, especially without dedicated project management apps. What is a project management process? While all projects are unique, there’s an overarching set of processes that remains consistent. When you begin with a solid and proven framework, like the one below, you increase the likelihood of a successful project. Initiation (research and discovery) Before a project begins, it’s important to conduct research in order to determine whether to proceed. This stage of the process can include market research, competitive analyses, brainstorming and/or focus groups, and other forms of user research. It’s within this stage that the project goals and objectives are determined, as well as what will be required to achieve said goals. Planning Once the project scope and objectives are determined, planning can get underway. This is where you’ll figure out what exactly needs to be done, and how that’s going to happen. With proper planning, you’re able to manage your team’s time, the project cost, risk, as well as budget and timeline. The planning phase is where you’ll list the schedule of all tasks, the work breakdown structure, resource planning, a communications strategy if needed, and anything else required to help prepare for the project to actually begin. Once you’ve identified the actual work needing to be done, created a detailed schedule, and built an appropriate budget, you’re ready to move on to the execution phase. Execution This is where the project is put into motion — and where most of the project manager’s time is spent. In the execution (or implementation) phase, team members carry out their roles within the project. The project manager is there to provide guidance, check-in, and respond to requests. Monitoring and adjustment Once a project is underway, the project manager also needs to ensure everything is on track. They do this through constant monitoring. When an issue or roadblock is identified, they facilitate adjustments as needed. This phase of the project often includes a testing period. The results of these tests either guide further changes or confirm that a project is ready for launch. Completion The final stage of the project management process is its completion. Here, the project manager makes sure that the stakeholder or client has all the project deliverables, any relevant project documentation, and the closure of the project is communicated. Once the client or stakeholder is satisfied with the project deliverables, you can start planning your project retrospective to identify lessons learned — and to celebrate successes. How to improve the way you manage projects Now that you understand what’s involved in project management, it’s time to hone your skills. Here are some tips to help you achieve success as a project manager: Get to know the lingo When starting out as a project manager, it can often feel like everyone around you is speaking a different language. Become familiar with project management terminology and definitions before you start to ensure you’re not missing crucial information when the time comes. One of the best ways to learn these terms is to continuously expose yourself to them — project management books are a great way to do this. Improve communication Arguably the most important skill for any project manager to have, you want to make sure your approach to communication is clear and efficient. As we explained in a recent blog post, “According to the Project Management Institute’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, about 75-90 percent of a project manager’s time at work is spent communicating.” Begin by establishing a structured communications framework (so everyone understands expectations and process), practice mindful listening (both to words and body language or actions), and… Use the right tools The right tools can make all the difference when it comes to effective project management. From creating projects and tasks to analyzing data and reports, there are countless tools available to make your job help you better manage projects. You’ll often need to integrate them, too. If you’re looking to elevate your experience and streamline your tools, Unito’s workflow management platform can help. Unito helps with team coordination and project management so you can break down project silos, automatically keep projects up to date, effortlessly share updates with key stakeholders, and manage clients — all from your tool of choice. Manage risks properly Every project will have some degree of risk. Your goal should be to manage potential risks before issues ever arise. Dedicate time (before the project begins) to think about any outside forces that could impact timelines, the quality of work, or your team members. For example, if you know a certain stakeholder is a very thorough editor, ensure you’re leaving an adequate amount of time to address their revisions. Avoid scope creep Scope creep happens when major changes are requested during a project that increase the amount of work required. As you plan a project, ensure you and your stakeholders are perfectly aligned on the overall scope. Collaborate on a change process in case anything absolutely needs to be changed during the course of the project. You should get buy-in for that process from both the stakeholders and your team before the project kicks off. Accept feedback Feedback is an invaluable resource for any project manager, but especially for those just starting out. The best way to learn and grow is by actually doing the work, gaining experience, and receiving constructive feedback. This feedback can help you make better decisions in future projects, so it’s always a good idea to encourage those working with you to provide feedback both as you undertake a project, and at its completion. Ask your team and stakeholders: What could I have done better? What’s one thing you appreciated about my approach/work? What was the biggest roadblock during the project? Is there anything I could have done to fix this? What was the biggest success of the project? These are all great starting points. They invite larger conversations or act as the foundation of a good retrospective. The 3 best project management methodologies A project management methodology eliminates many of the assumptions that come with managing projects, aligning everyone on how work will get done. Here are some of the most popular methodologies for managing projects. Waterfall methodology The waterfall methodology is a linear project management methodology that clearly maps out dependencies between deliverables on a timeline. This methodology essentially turns every project into an assembly line, with each deliverable being done in sequence. Because it’s such a simple methodology, it’s easy to adapt to any kind of project. Agile methodology Agile project management breaks even the most complex work down into short sprints, each between one and four weeks. Project managers load each sprint with deliverables, usually prioritizing them according to a roadmap. After every sprint, the team reviews its progress, adjusts its approach as needed, and plans the next sprint. Kanban methodology Think of a Kanban board like a whiteboard covered in Post-It notes, with each note representing an individual task or deliverable. The notes are arranged in columns, with each column representing the steps that need to happen before a task is done. As teams work on a task, it moves from column to column, giving project managers visibility on everything that’s being worked on. Why project managers use dedicated tools Project management apps systematize and standardize everything project managers need to run better projects. Without these platforms, tasks tend to fall through the cracks, teams double up on work, and stakeholders struggle to get meaningful updates. Here are a few examples of popular project management tools. Trello Trello is one of the most popular project management platforms on the market because it’s so simple to use. It’s the best introduction to the Kanban methodology for teams that run simple projects. It’s more limited than other platforms, but anyone can learn to use it relatively quickly. Use Trello if: You run simple projects. You want to use the Kanban methodology over others. You want a tool with a robust free plan. Look elsewhere for: Complex projects. Project methodologies other than Kanban. Advanced reporting. Asana Asana is a popular project management platform that supports everything from the Kanban methodology to Waterfall and Lean project management. For many teams, Asana is a natural upgrade from simpler project management tools. Use Asana if: You run everything from simple to complex projects. You need the flexibility of using many project management methodologies. You want deep reporting capabilities. Look elsewhere for: Projects that need more technical features. Teams that have rigid templating requirements for tasks and projects. First-time project managers. Jira Jira is the go-to project management tool for software teams, developers, and engineers. One of the most advanced tools of its kind on the market, Jira is built specifically with these teams in mind, giving them access to features that streamline technical work. Use Jira if: You’re building software or doing similar technical work. You need rigid templates for issues and tickets. You need the technical features that make Jira the go-to tool for software teams. Look elsewhere for: First-time project managers. Projects for non-technical teams. Simple projects. ClickUp ClickUp isn’t just a project management tool; it’s an all-in-one app for project managers and their teams. It has a built-in chat app, built-in document management, built-in AI, and a ton of other features. If you want to go beyond project management and replace multiple apps in one fell swoop, ClickUp is a solid choice. Use ClickUp if: You’re ready to invest in a tool that can cover multiple functions. Your teams can handle a steeper learning curve. You want a tool that’ll add more features more quickly than other platforms. Look elsewhere for: A tool with more advanced, dedicated project management features. A more technical tool for software development teams. A tool with a shorter learning curve. Wrike Wrike is a leading project management tool built with enterprise teams in mind. Its massive catalog of software integrations, built-in databasing, and advanced reporting tools make it a suitable hub for even the most complex projects. Use Wrike if: You want a project management tool with more depth. You need more advanced reporting features. You need industry-leading integrations. Look elsewhere for: A simple project management tool for first-timers. A tool with a shorter learning curve. A tool specifically built for software developers and other technical teams. The importance of reporting in project management Reporting is an essential part of project management. A project manager is the go-to person for everything from status updates to communicating requirements between teams. While project managers could technically communicate all of this in meetings, the right report allows them to do so in more depth without getting everyone in the same room. Most project management tools have some level of built-in reporting, allowing PMs to share basic status updates and the like. The more reports your tool supports, the easier it is to share updates without relying on additional tools or spreadsheets. Not sure what to look for? Here are some of the most common reports project managers need to produce. Budget report: Project managers build these reports to track expenses and profitability as a project goes on. That way, they give stakeholders a clear picture of how resources are being used and where additional investments might be needed. Project status report: This report gives stakeholders a quick overview of where a project’s at, including updates on key deliverables and potential roadblocks. Project health report: A project health report answers one question: “is this project still on track?” It often breaks down different elements of a project’s health, like blocked tasks and scope creep. Team availability report: With this report, project managers communicate workload across the team involved in a project. This can be used to give team leads and managers a view on how busy their reports really are, re-allocating work as needed. Risk report: This report lists the risks that can negatively impact a project and usually presents a few solutions. Essential skills for project managers In many lean organizations and small teams, project management duties are shared between people who aren’t necessarily dedicated project managers. Because project management skills are useful in other roles, anyone can build them up. Essential skills for project managers include: Leadership: Project managers need to lead the teams working on their projects, often without any formal authority. That requires the ability to support teams as they work and identify ways to motivate them. Communication: Project managers are communicators above all. They’re responsible for reporting on the progress of a project to stakeholders, clearing up misunderstandings between teams, and keeping everyone on the same page. Emotional intelligence: This skill allows project managers to understand and act on the emotions of both themselves and the teams they work with. That allows them to stay calm under pressure, negotiate disagreements, and keep meetings efficient. Critical thinking: Project managers often need to find creative solutions to problems, manage stakeholder expectations, and keep an eye on the big picture. Critical thinking is essential for doing that. Time management: Project managers don’t just need to manage their own time. They’re also responsible for managing time throughout their project. Retrospection: After a project concludes, project managers usually look back to review what went well and what didn’t, so they can improve their approach on future projects. What the experts say about project management If you need legal advice, you go to a lawyer. That’s why we asked six project managers some of the most common questions about project management. In the Project Manager Interview series, we dive into essential project management skills, common responsibilities, and more: Common project manager responsibilities: Whether you’re officially a project manager or not, you might find yourself managing essential projects for your organization. According to Elizabeth Harrin, a project manager with over 20 years of experience who writes at RebelsGuidetoPM.com, project managers do a little bit of everything: “Good project managers unblock tricky situations for their teams, smooth over the office politics, and give people the tools and environment they need to do their best work.” Project management certification: Unlike lawyers, project managers don’t explicitly need a license, but it can certainly help help, according to Alexander Nowak, a marketing and business strategy consultant with five years of project management experience: “One of the biggest benefits is in the job search phase; it gets you through filters but also conveys to employers, during the interview phase, your skillset and lets them ‘take for granted’ your capabilities here. If you’re seeking strict PMing jobs, I’d argue it’s a must.” Project management skills: The best project managers are generalists, but they sill need key soft skills. For Cornelius Fichtner, president of OSP International, and host of The Project Management Podcast, people skills are essential: “The only project where you don’t have a conflict is when you are just one person. Your ability to get [a team] all together and pull in the same direction, I think that is the number one essential skill that you need as a project manager.” How to get a job: The path to the role of project manager isn’t predetermined, and each PM lands their first job differently. Laurent DuBerger, an agile coach at Element AI and former project manager at GSoft, started in the field under a different role: “I was offered the opportunity to have the Scrum Master role when a position opened at a previous company I worked for (an internal move). I then did that for 4 years. The real position was in reality more one of Agile Project Manager.” Project management software: There’s always a right tool for the job, but in project management there are dozens of possible choices. Martin Thienpont, project manager at Valtech, says: “We like to use Jira and Confluence for our web development jobs and documentation needs. We even started implementing them for campaign projects.” Project management is one of the most critical components of any business. From the numerous roles of a project manager, to the many phases of the project management process, it’s clear why successful project managers are irreplaceable. How do project managers save time? They use integrations to make sure important data can flow across tools. Here's why FAQ: Project management What is project management? Project management is a discipline that involves running projects as efficiently as possible. Project managers ensure everyone’s expectations of a specific project align, tasks are completed on time, and blockers are removed quickly. What are the five stages of project management? The five stages of project management are: Initiation Planning Execution Monitoring and adjustment Completion What does a project manager do? Project managers are the go-to person for everything involving the project they’re responsible for. They answer questions from stakeholders, help project members collaborate more efficiently, and keep an eye on what’s happening throughout a project’s lifetime. What skills does a project manager need? Essential project management skills include: Leadership Communication Emotional intelligence Critical thinking Time management Retrospection Do project managers need certification? Project managers don’t necessarily need any specific certifications to start managing projects, and many organizations entrust project management tasks to team members who aren’t professional project managers. That said, project managers can get a certification from the Project Management Institute and similar organizations. View the full article

Loyalty management software is an influential tool that helps businesses create and maintain effective loyalty programs. By integrating features such as points-based rewards and tiered systems, it allows you to track customer behavior and preferences. This enables you to tailor promotions and incentives that can convert occasional buyers into repeat customers. Comprehending how this software functions and its specific benefits can considerably impact your business’s success in nurturing customer loyalty and increasing profits. Key Takeaways Loyalty management software helps businesses create and manage programs that improve customer retention and engagement. It integrates with CRM systems to provide valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences. The software supports various reward types, enabling personalized experiences that boost customer spending. Advanced tracking and analytics measure program performance and inform real-time adjustments for better results. Implementing loyalty programs can significantly increase repeat purchases and customer lifetime value, driving higher profits. Understanding Loyalty Management Software Grasping loyalty management software is essential for businesses aiming to improve customer retention and engagement. This software acts as a robust marketing tool, enabling you to create, manage, and analyze loyalty programs customized to your customers’ needs. With loyalty program management software, you can support various program types, such as points-based, tiered, and referral programs. Integration with CRM systems allows you to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, informing targeted marketing campaigns. The software likewise tracks customer activity and provides detailed reporting through intuitive dashboards. By automating processes, you’ll save time and reduce operational costs, eventually driving increased customer spending and enhancing overall profitability. Comprehending these aspects can help you leverage loyalty management software effectively. Key Features of Loyalty Management Software When businesses utilize loyalty management software, they gain access to a variety of key features intended to improve customer engagement and retention. These features include: Feature Description CRM Integration Stores data for incentive programs, enhancing customer insights. Omnichannel Distribution Offers seamless shopping experiences across mobile, web, and social media. Flexible Rewards Catalog Supports multiple reward types, such as points and discounts, customized to customer interests. Advanced tracking and analytics allow you to monitor performance metrics, automate program management, and improve outcomes. Customizable reward systems let you design targeted offers based on customer feedback, nurturing loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases. These features work together to create a thorough approach to managing customer loyalty effectively. Benefits of Implementing a Loyalty Program Implementing a loyalty program can greatly improve your business by boosting repeat purchases, strengthening brand loyalty, and driving revenue growth. By encouraging customers to return with rewards and exclusive deals, you can transform one-time buyers into loyal patrons. As a result, you not just enhance customer retention but additionally create a more stable revenue stream for your business. Boosts Repeat Purchases Loyalty programs play a crucial role in boosting repeat purchases by creating incentives that encourage customers to return. By implementing these programs, you can greatly improve your revenue. Here’s how they can benefit your business: Loyalty programs can lead to a 67% increase in repeat customer spending compared to new customers. Customers are five times more likely to return if they’re enrolled in a loyalty program. Tiered rewards, like those in Nordstrom‘s The Nordy Club, motivate higher spending during promotional events. Programs can increase average order value (AOV) by up to 25% through reward redemptions. Frequent purchase incentives, similar to McDonald’s McCafé Rewards, can drive customers back for more. These strategies can help solidify your customer base and boost overall profitability. Enhances Brand Loyalty A well-structured loyalty program can greatly boost brand loyalty, leading to long-term customer relationships that benefit your business. By implementing such a program, you can increase customer retention rates by up to 5%, which could potentially elevate profits by 25% to 95% because of repeat business. Notably, 75% of customers are willing to switch brands for better loyalty programs, demonstrating that effective initiatives can greatly improve loyalty. Customers enrolled in these programs typically spend 67% more than new customers, underscoring the financial advantages of nurturing brand loyalty. Furthermore, programs like Starbucks Rewards show how loyalty initiatives can transform one-time buyers into repeat customers, eventually reducing churn rates and encouraging sustained engagement with your brand. Increases Revenue Growth When businesses incorporate a loyalty program, they often see a significant boost in revenue growth. The impact of these programs can be profound, leading to increased customer spending and better financial performance. Here are some key benefits you might notice: A 67% increase in spending from repeat customers compared to new ones Revenue growth 2.5 times faster for businesses with loyalty programs Loyal customers being five times cheaper to retain than to acquire An increase in average order value (AOV) by up to 25% when rewards are redeemed Reduced churn rates, stabilizing revenue streams by turning one-time buyers into repeat customers Enhancing Customer Relationships Through Personalization Personalized experiences greatly improve customer relationships, as they allow businesses to connect with their audience on a deeper level. Loyalty management software enables you to gather and analyze customer data, customizing rewards and experiences to individual preferences. This approach not only improves engagement but additionally boosts satisfaction. Benefit Impact Customized Rewards Increased customer spending Customized Marketing Higher retention and loyalty rates Data-Driven Insights Real-time adjustments to offers Importance of Customer Retention Customer retention plays a pivotal role in the long-term success of any business. By focusing on retaining existing customers, you can reap significant benefits, such as: It’s five times cheaper to retain a customer than to acquire a new one. Loyal customers tend to spend 67% more over time, boosting your revenue. A mere 5% increase in retention can lead to profit increases between 25% and 95%. Positive word-of-mouth from satisfied customers reduces churn rates and costs. Effective loyalty programs, like Starbucks Rewards, can transform one-time buyers into repeat customers. Measuring the Success of Your Loyalty Program To measure the success of your loyalty program, you need to focus on key performance indicators, or KPIs, that truly reflect customer behavior, like repeat purchase rates and customer lifetime value. By analyzing these metrics with the right data analysis techniques, you can identify what’s working and what needs improvement. This approach not only helps you track progress but likewise informs your strategy for enhancing customer engagement and driving revenue growth. Key Performance Indicators Measuring the success of your loyalty program relies heavily on key performance indicators (KPIs) that provide valuable insights into customer behavior and program effectiveness. To evaluate your program effectively, consider tracking these crucial KPIs: Repeat Purchase Rates: Indicates how often customers return for more purchases post-enrollment. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Measures total revenue generated by a customer throughout their relationship with your business. Average Order Value (AOV): Reflects spending per transaction, which loyalty programs often increase through rewards. Engagement Rates: Includes participation in loyalty activities and redemption of rewards, showcasing customer interest. Retention Rates: Tracks the percentage of active customers over time, highlighting the program’s effectiveness in promoting loyalty. Data Analysis Techniques Analyzing data within loyalty management software plays a pivotal role in comprehending the effectiveness of your loyalty program. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), like customer retention rates, you can see that improving retention by just 5% can boost profits by 25% to 95%. Furthermore, grasping purchasing behaviors through data analysis helps highlight that repeat customers spend 67% more than new ones. Segmenting customer data allows you to create targeted campaigns, enhancing engagement and effectiveness. With effective analytics, you can identify strengths and weaknesses in your initiatives, enabling continuous improvement. Utilizing predictive analytics also helps you pinpoint members at risk of disengagement, allowing for timely interventions that can greatly lower churn rates, which cost less than acquiring new customers. Integrating Loyalty Management With CRM Systems Integrating loyalty management software with CRM systems greatly improves a business’s ability to understand and engage with its customers. This integration allows you to consolidate customer data, enhancing insights into behavior and preferences. Here are some key benefits: Seamless tracking of customer interactions across all touchpoints Personalized communication that boosts engagement Automated monitoring of customer value at the point of sale Effective segmentation of customers for customized loyalty rewards Increased customer lifetime value (CLV) through personalized experiences Omnichannel Experience for Customers With loyalty management software, you can create a seamless omnichannel experience that integrates your customer interactions across mobile apps, websites, and social media platforms. This multi-platform approach not only preserves a consistent brand image but additionally allows you to leverage customer data to develop personalized engagement strategies. Seamless Multi-Platform Integration To create a seamless omnichannel experience for your customers, loyalty management software plays a crucial role by integrating with various platforms such as mobile apps, websites, and social media. This integration allows customers to engage with loyalty programs effortlessly, regardless of where they are. Consistent experiences across multiple touchpoints improve customer satisfaction. 66% of shoppers prefer earning and using rewards on any platform. Real-time tracking of interactions helps you understand customer preferences. Improved communication nurtures deeper customer relationships. Accessible rewards across platforms drive higher conversion rates. Personalized Engagement Strategies How can businesses effectively engage customers across multiple channels? By leveraging loyalty management software, you can create personalized engagement strategies that improve customer interactions. This software integrates customer data, providing insights into behaviors and preferences, which allows you to tailor messaging and promotions for each individual. For instance, if a customer frequently shops online, you can send them exclusive online discounts. An omnichannel approach guarantees that customers can earn and redeem rewards seamlessly, whether they’re shopping in-store, online, or via mobile apps. Studies show that 66% of shoppers are influenced by rewards across channels. Implementing these personalized strategies can lead to a 25% increase in annual spending, as customers feel valued and recognized for their loyalty. Customization and Flexibility in Reward Systems Customization and flexibility in reward systems are essential components of effective loyalty management software, allowing businesses to create programs that truly reflect their customers’ preferences. By personalizing reward offerings, you improve engagement and satisfaction. Here are some key features to take into account: Points systems that reward customers for every purchase Gamification elements, like challenges and leaderboards, to boost interaction Discounts customized to customer spending habits Exclusive deals for loyal customers based on their preferences Real-time adjustments to rewards based on customer feedback These dynamic features enable you to respond swiftly to changing customer needs and market trends. A well-personalized reward system can even lead to a 67% increase in spending from repeat customers, highlighting the financial benefits of customized loyalty programs. Future Trends in Loyalty Management Software As businesses continue to adapt their loyalty programs to meet customer expectations, future trends in loyalty management software are emerging that focus on improved personalization and integration. The integration of AI and machine learning will improve customer experiences by analyzing behavioral data to tailor rewards. In addition, 73% of customers now expect seamless omnichannel loyalty programs, pushing brands to adopt more integrated solutions. Gamification elements, such as badges and engagement points, are set to boost interaction, with 71% of consumers more likely to engage with Gamification, offering these features. Moreover, as eco-conscious consumers rise, 62% are willing to adjust purchasing habits for sustainability, prompting brands to incorporate green initiatives. Improved analytics will also provide deeper insights, helping improve retention strategies. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Loyalty Management Software? Loyalty management software is a tool that helps you design and oversee customer loyalty programs. It tracks customer interactions and behaviors, enabling you to tailor rewards and promotions based on insights. This software integrates seamlessly with CRM and marketing platforms, allowing for personalized engagement across channels. By automating tasks within loyalty programs, you save time and resources, as you optimize customer segmentation and improve the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. What Are the Benefits of Loyalty Programs for Businesses? Loyalty programs offer significant benefits for your business. They can improve customer retention, as retaining customers is often cheaper than acquiring new ones. This leads to higher customer lifetime value, with loyal customers spending considerably more over time. By implementing a well-structured loyalty program, you can experience faster revenue growth and gain valuable insights into customer preferences. This data allows you to tailor marketing strategies, enhancing customer satisfaction and maintaining a competitive edge. What Is Brand Loyalty and How Can It Help a Business? Brand loyalty is when consumers consistently prefer one brand over others, which can greatly boost your business. Loyal customers tend to spend more—up to 67% more—compared to new ones. By nurturing loyalty, you can enjoy a stable revenue stream and reduce customer acquisition costs through positive word-of-mouth referrals. Furthermore, even a small increase in customer retention can lead to profits rising by 25% to 95%, making brand loyalty essential for long-term success. What Are Three Benefits of Loyalty? Loyalty offers several key benefits for your business. First, it improves customer retention, making it cheaper to keep existing customers than to acquire new ones. Second, loyal customers typically spend more over time, boosting your revenue considerably. Third, loyalty programs can transform customers into brand advocates, encouraging them to refer others. Conclusion Incorporating loyalty management software into your business strategy can greatly improve customer retention and engagement. By leveraging features like customizable rewards and integration with CRM systems, you can create targeted programs that meet the specific needs of your customers. These tools not merely help in transforming occasional buyers into repeat customers but additionally provide valuable insights for future marketing efforts. As consumer preferences evolve, investing in this technology will keep your business competitive and responsive to market trends. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is Loyalty Management Software and How Can It Benefit Your Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A malicious ad-blocking extension on Chrome and Edge is using the ClickFix attack to infect devices with a remote access payload capable of spying on and taking over a system. NexShield pitched itself as a privacy-focused ad blocker from the developer of well-established and highly trusted uBlock Origin. However, as security firm Huntress found, the extension initiates a variation of the ClickFix attack that has been dubbed "CrashFix"—a reference to the browser crash that precedes the fake security warning and malicious command prompt. How NexShield's 'CrashFix' attacks your deviceAs BleepingComputer describes, the NexShield extension creates a denial-of-service (DoS) loop that exhausts your device's memory, ultimately freezing Chrome or Edge and causing it to crash. When the browser restarts, the extension displays a pop-up with a "Run Scan" button to identify "potential security threats that may compromise your browsing data," leading users to believe that the crash resulted from a security issue. If you follow through, you'll see another fake window with instructions for executing commands in the Windows command prompt. This is the ClickFix attack: a form of social engineering that relies on fake error messages, CAPTCHAs, and command prompts to trick users into deploying malware onto their own devices. In this case, the extension copies a command to the clipboard, and if users enter the keystrokes in the fake pop-up, downloads and executes a malicious script. After a 60-minute delay to avoid detection, NexShield delivers the payload that can run commands, fingerprint systems, and elevate privileges. Note that as of this writing, NexShield has been removed from the Chrome Web Store. How to protect your system from malwareIf you've installed NexShield, you should uninstall it and perform a full system cleanup to clear its payloads from your device. (We've got step-by-step guides to removing malware from your Mac and your PC.) As general protection against similar attacks, only install browser extensions from trusted sources. This isn't a guarantee that you'll never encounter a malicious add-on in the Chrome Web Store or in other browsers, as hackers occasionally manage to sneak through the approval process and even get their extensions labeled as trusted or verified. Some extensions are only later injected with malicious code, essentially "waking up" their ability to attack. Before installing a new extension, carefully check the creation date, reviews and ratings, and even the name, as malicious add-ons will often impersonate trusted ones (or, as in the case of NexShield, piggyback on legitimate brands like uBlock Origin). Watch for suspicious permissions—if the extension requests access to data or actions that seem excessive or are unrelated to its core function, it might be malware. Finally, never run codes or commands on your machine copied from websites or communication that you don't understand, and always verify instructions with an independent, trusted source. For this specific campaign, Huntress has other indicators of compromise you can look for on your system. View the full article

Close your eyes and picture the word “Valentino.” Chances are, you’re seeing a very specific shade of red. This visual imprint is part of the creative legacy left behind by the Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who died at home on January 19 at the age of 93. Throughout his career, Garavani became synonymous with red—so much so that a myth that his signature brand color, Valentino Rosso, was once patented with universal color matching company Pantone has become part of fashion canon. While other designers, like Jason Wu, Richard Nicoll, and Kate Spade have indeed made custom brand colors with Pantone, the company says Garavani never turned Valentino Red into an official Pantone hue. Pantone swatch or no, though, one thing is certain: Valentino mastered the art of the brand color. Garavani founded his eponymous fashion house, Maison Valentino, in 1960, alongside his business partner Giancarlo Giammetti. From that year to his retirement in 2008, Garavani wowed the fashion world with his romantic silhouettes and sharp tailoring, designing iconic looks for stars including Princess Diana, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Jackie Onassis (who famously wore Valentino on her second wedding day in 1968). Amidst a career packed full of visionary moments, perhaps Garavani’s most enduring impact on fashion design will be his approach to color. From the earliest days of his career, Garavani established his own signature shade of red—a move that many modern brands make official through collaborations with Pantone. For an haute couture fashion house, it was an ahead-of-its time branding approach that made the Valentino name unforgettable. Red all the way down Garavani’s love affair with red began even before he founded Maison Valentino. He debuted his first red dress, called “Fiesta,” in 1959, featuring an orange-leaning red tulle with a skirt full of rosettes. In the 2022 book Valentino Rosso, Garavani wrote of the color, “I think a woman dressed in red is always wonderful,” adding, “she is the perfect image of a heroine.” From 1959 onward, he would include at least one red dress in every one of his collections. In 1985, Giammetti explained this pattern to Vogue: “Valentino has superstitions that became status symbols. He did red once, and now you have red in every collection. Most of our statements came to be because we are romantic; we don’t like to throw away things we like or that bring good luck.” Natalia VodianovaValentinoNatalie ImbrugliaEva Herzigova Despite the ubiquity of Valentino Rosso, the shade isn’t actually an official Pantone color. According to Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, the company has no record of creating a custom Valentino red—though, she adds, the color mix he used was reportedly a combination of 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 10% black. After Garavani’s retirement, Valentino did get its own Pantone color in 2022 under then-creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, who used a custom pink to establish his imprint on the brand. An emperor of fashion, and master of brand color In many ways, Garavani’s obsession with his signature color presaged the modern era of luxury branding. Over the course of the past two decades or so, brands including Bottega Veneta, Tiffany & Co., and Hermès have made their own keystone colors (green, blue, and orange, respectively) more prominent in their branding. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in 2022, Pressman explained that newer companies are leveraging color to stand out in a crowded digital market. Rather than waiting to develop a signature brand color over time, they’re looking to establish one as soon they come to market: “Now what took years doesn’t [anymore], because we’re seeing it on a phone every day,” she told the publication. Garavani instinctively understood the power of color to send a message, long before it was a necessity for digital communication—and his lucky hue became his brand’s biggest asset. “It has such vitality and allure that I don’t just like seeing it on clothes, but on houses, in flowers, on objects, in details,” he wrote in Valentino Rosso. “It is my good-luck charm.” “That red is a bewitching color, standing for life, blood and death, passion, love, and an absolute remedy for sadness and gloom,” Pressman says. Valentino did not respond to a request for comment. View the full article

The recruitment process in Human Resource Management is a vital step for any organization aiming to find the right talent. It starts with identifying job requirements and includes attracting candidates, interviewing, and selecting them. Utilizing technology like Applicant Tracking Systems can streamline these steps, but fairness and diversity should remain a priority. Comprehending this structured approach is fundamental, as it lays the groundwork for effective hiring and eventually contributes to an organization’s success. What are the key components that make this process effective? Key Takeaways The recruitment process involves identifying job requirements, attracting candidates, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and onboarding new employees. It is essential for organizational success, directly influencing talent attraction and retention. Developing a hiring strategy includes job analysis, clear descriptions, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Structured interviews and assessment tests are used to objectively evaluate candidates’ skills and cultural fit. Effective onboarding programs are crucial for integrating new hires into the company culture and enhancing retention. Overview of the Recruitment Process When organizations need to fill a position, the recruitment process serves as a structured approach to identify and secure the right talent. The recruitment process in human resource management includes several key steps: systematically identifying job requirements, attracting candidates, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and onboarding. Utilizing technologies like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and video interviewing tools can improve the efficiency of this process. Effective HR management recruitment and selection should incorporate diverse channels to reach a wider pool of candidates and emphasize creating a positive experience for applicants. Best practices likewise involve conducting structured interviews to guarantee consistency and fairness. Regularly evaluating recruitment metrics, such as yield ratios, allows organizations to assess the effectiveness of their strategies, leading to informed decisions in future hiring. Importance of Recruitment in HRM The importance of recruitment in human resource management can’t be overstated, as it plays a vital role in determining an organization’s success. Effective recruitment steps in human resource management directly influence your ability to attract and retain high-quality talent, which is critical for achieving strategic goals. A well-structured recruitment process improves employee satisfaction and reduces turnover rates, boosting overall productivity and cost-efficiency. Furthermore, solid human resource management recruitment practices help build a strong employer brand, increasing interest from top talent and creating a competitive edge in the job market. Compliance with legal standards and organizational policies is also guaranteed through a robust recruitment process, minimizing potential biases and legal issues. Finally, by continuously evaluating and refining your recruitment strategies, you can adapt to changing labor market conditions and candidate expectations, assuring ongoing effectiveness in talent acquisition and long-term organizational success. Developing a Hiring Strategy Developing a hiring strategy is crucial for aligning your recruitment efforts with the overarching goals of your organization. Start by identifying your organizational goals and staffing needs, which will guide your recruitment plan. Conduct a thorough job analysis to create clear job descriptions, outlining necessary skills, qualifications, and company culture that attract suitable candidates. Next, specify your recruitment methods, timelines, and channels for sourcing candidates. Balance internal and external recruitment approaches based on the specific roles you need to fill and current market conditions. Utilizing analytics software can help streamline your strategy by tracking application metrics and evaluating recruitment effectiveness, allowing you to pinpoint areas for improvement. Finally, continuously assess your hiring strategy by analyzing yield ratios and gathering candidate feedback. This ongoing refinement process improves your recruitment efforts, ensuring you attract the best talent for your organization and achieve your business objectives effectively. Internal vs. External Recruitment When you consider recruitment options, internal recruitment can notably reduce onboarding time and costs by promoting or transferring existing employees who already comprehend the company culture. Conversely, external recruitment opens up access to a wider talent pool, bringing in fresh ideas and specialized skills that may not exist within the organization. Both approaches have their own advantages, and grasping these can help you create a more effective hiring strategy. Advantages of Internal Recruitment Internal recruitment presents several advantages that can greatly benefit organizations looking to optimize their hiring processes. First, it typically leads to reduced onboarding time and costs since current employees already understand the company culture and processes. Promoting from within can boost employee morale and motivation, as it shows that the organization values its existing talent. In addition, internal recruitment often saves money on advertising and recruitment agency fees, making it a more cost-effective strategy. Employees promoted this way usually have a better grasp of the company’s goals and values, leading to improved alignment and productivity. Moreover, organizations that prioritize internal recruitment encourage a culture of loyalty and retention, offering clear pathways for career advancement within the company. Benefits of External Recruitment Though internal recruitment offers numerous advantages, external recruitment provides unique benefits that can greatly improve an organization’s talent acquisition strategy. By tapping into a broader talent pool, you can access diverse perspectives and skills that mightn’t exist within your current workforce. This approach infuses fresh ideas and innovation, enhancing overall business performance and competitiveness. External hires often bring varied experiences from different industries, which can improve problem-solving and adaptability to changing market conditions. Moreover, external recruitment helps mitigate internal biases, promoting a more equitable hiring process. With diverse candidates, you’re also likely to achieve a better cultural fit, contributing to a dynamic workplace culture that reflects a wide range of viewpoints, in the end benefiting the organization as a whole. Crafting Clear Job Descriptions Crafting clear job descriptions is essential for effective recruitment in any organization. You’ll want to outline specific duties, required skills, and qualifications that align with your company’s needs and culture. A well-defined job description should include the job title, department, reporting structure, and a summary of key responsibilities, providing potential applicants with a thorough overview. Including both required and preferred qualifications helps set appropriate expectations and encourages a wider pool of applicants. Using consistent language and formatting guarantees clarity, reducing misunderstandings during the recruitment process. Moreover, regularly updating job descriptions to reflect changing responsibilities and organizational goals is critical for maintaining relevance and attracting the right talent. This practice not merely helps you find suitable candidates but also improves your organization’s appeal, guaranteeing a better fit for both the role and your company culture. Selecting Recruitment Channels Once you’ve crafted clear job descriptions, the next step is selecting the right recruitment channels. Identifying effective platforms is essential for reaching potential candidates. You should consider a mix of internal and external channels customized to the specific role and industry. Utilizing diverse channels can greatly improve your candidate pool. Job portals cater to active job seekers. Social media platforms like LinkedIn engage passive candidates. Employee referrals streamline onboarding and improve culture fit. Collecting and Reviewing Applications Collecting and reviewing applications is a crucial phase in the recruitment process, as it sets the stage for identifying the most suitable candidates for your organization. You’ll want to gather applications through various channels like job portals, company websites, and social media platforms, reaching a diverse candidate pool. Once you receive applications, it’s important to organize and track them efficiently, often using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to simplify the process. During the review, you’ll screen resumes and cover letters to assess qualifications and experiences, confirming they align with the job description. Shortlisting candidates involves evaluating applications based on pre-defined criteria to maintain fairness and avoid biases. Furthermore, effective communication with applicants during this stage is critical to improve their experience, providing timely updates about their application status. This thorough approach helps confirm you select the best candidates for the next steps in the recruitment process. The Interview Process As you shift into the interview process, comprehending its various formats is essential for effectively evaluating candidates’ qualifications and cultural fit. The interview typically includes structured interviews, behavioral interviews, and panel interviews, each serving a specific purpose. To improve your interview strategy, consider these key points: Structured Interviews: Use consistent questions for all candidates to minimize bias and boost reliability. Multiple Rounds: Conduct several interview stages to progressively narrow down the applicant pool based on targeted criteria. Preparation: Review candidates’ resumes and develop job-aligned questions to guarantee relevance and depth. It’s likewise important to provide timely feedback to candidates after interviews. This practice not merely maintains a positive candidate experience but additionally reinforces your organization’s employer brand. Candidate Selection Criteria When selecting candidates, you’ll want to assess their skills and qualifications carefully, including education and relevant experience. Evaluating cultural fit is equally important, as it helps guarantee that new hires align with your organization’s values and work environment. Finally, reviewing past performance can provide insights into a candidate’s potential success in the role, making it easier to identify the best fit for your team. Skills and Qualifications Assessment The skills and qualifications assessment is a critical component of the candidate selection process, guaranteeing that applicants meet the specific demands of the job. This assessment evaluates candidates against specific criteria, such as: Educational background Work experience Relevant technical skills Structured interviews and assessment tests are commonly used methods to objectively measure candidates’ skills, helping to reduce bias. Organizations often employ behavioral and situational interview questions, allowing you to see how candidates apply their skills in real-world situations. Furthermore, using standardized evaluation forms during interviews maintains consistency and fairness when comparing qualifications. Continuously refining selection criteria based on past hiring outcomes guarantees improved recruitment effectiveness and alignment with your company’s goals. Cultural Fit Evaluation Cultural fit evaluation plays an essential role in the recruitment process, as it helps determine how well a candidate aligns with your organization’s values, mission, and work environment. By using behavioral interview questions, you can ask candidates to share past experiences that highlight their core values and decision-making. This approach is effective, as candidates who resonate with your culture are more likely to stay engaged and committed, potentially reducing turnover rates by up to 50%. Scenario-based assessments can further reveal a candidate’s cultural fit, simulating real workplace situations for assessment. Moreover, incorporating peer interviews allows current employees to provide insights on how well candidates might integrate into the team, ensuring a cohesive workplace culture. Experience and Performance Review Experience and performance review are pivotal in selecting the right candidates for your organization, as they provide insight into how well individuals have performed in previous roles. By evaluating past job responsibilities and achievements, you guarantee alignment with your requirements and goals. Consider these key aspects: Use structured metrics like the STAR method to assess contributions and impact. Recognize that candidates with relevant industry experience are 40% more likely to meet performance expectations. Don’t overlook soft skills like teamwork and communication, as they account for up to 85% of workplace success. Utilizing multiple sources of performance data, including peer reviews and quantitative results, helps you gain an all-encompassing view of a candidate’s capabilities and minimizes biases in your selection process. Onboarding New Employees Onboarding new employees plays an essential role in helping them adjust to their roles and the organization as a whole. This process integrates new hires into the company culture and job responsibilities within their first few weeks. Effective onboarding programs can increase employee retention rates by up to 25% and boost productivity by 54% during the initial months. Typically, onboarding includes orientation sessions, training programs, and introductions to team members, along with providing necessary tools and resources. A well-structured onboarding plan can lead to a remarkable 70% increase in employee engagement, nurturing a sense of belonging and motivation. Furthermore, continuous feedback during this phase addresses any concerns new employees may have, ensuring their successful integration and overall satisfaction with the organization. Challenges in the Recruitment Process Steering the recruitment process comes with its own set of challenges that you need to address effectively. Attracting top talent in a competitive market can stretch your resources, whereas managing recruitment costs requires careful balancing to avoid overspending. Furthermore, addressing biases in your hiring practices is essential for cultivating a diverse workforce and ensuring fair assessments of candidates. Attracting Top Talent Attracting top talent has become a notable challenge for many organizations today, especially as competitive market conditions intensify. With nearly 69% of employers struggling to find qualified candidates, it’s essential to improve recruitment strategies. Companies that prioritize strong employer branding are 3.5 times more likely to draw high-quality applicants. Additionally, utilizing social media and employee referrals can enhance candidate quality considerably. Here are some key strategies: Invest in employer branding to boost your appeal. Use social media and referrals to tap into a wider talent pool. Implement structured interviews to minimize bias and select the best candidates based on merit. Managing Recruitment Costs Managing recruitment costs is vital for organizations that need to balance quality hires with budget limitations, especially as HR teams face increasing pressure to optimize spending. Recruitment processes often take about 40 days to finalize contracts, and extended timelines can hinder productivity and ramp up costs because of unfilled roles. Various recruitment channels, such as advertising and recruitment firms, can also incur significant expenses, making careful budgeting imperative. High turnover rates further complicate matters, as the costs of hiring and onboarding accumulate, impacting financial health. Addressing Biases Effectively Though biases in the recruitment process can unintentionally skew candidate evaluations, implementing effective strategies can greatly improve fairness and inclusivity in hiring. To address these challenges, consider the following approaches: Structured Interviews: Standardizing questions and criteria helps guarantee all candidates are evaluated fairly, minimizing subjective judgments. Blind Recruitment: Removing names and other identifying details from resumes can reduce unconscious bias during initial screenings. Regular Training: Providing training for hiring managers on recognizing and combating biases improves decision-making and promotes equity in the recruitment process. Additionally, continuously evaluating recruitment metrics, such as yield ratios, can help identify and address potential biases in sourcing and selection methods. This allows your organization to refine processes for better outcomes. Best Practices for Effective Recruitment Effective recruitment is essential for building a strong workforce, and implementing best practices can greatly improve your hiring process. Start by utilizing diverse recruitment channels like social media, job portals, and employee referrals; this broadens your candidate pool and attracts top talent. Establishing a strong employer brand boosts your organization’s reputation, making it more appealing to high-quality candidates. Conduct structured interviews to reduce bias and guarantee fair comparisons among candidates, leading to better hiring decisions. Furthermore, focus on creating a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process; this can improve engagement and increase acceptance rates for job offers. Finally, regularly evaluate and refine your recruitment strategies based on metrics such as yield ratios. This practice helps identify areas for improvement and elevates the overall effectiveness of your recruitment process, making sure you find the right talent for your organization. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Recruitment Process in Human Resources Management? The recruitment process in human resources management involves several key steps. First, you identify staffing needs based on organizational goals. Next, you attract candidates through various channels, like social media and job portals. After that, you conduct interviews and select the best-fit candidates. Once chosen, you hire and onboard them effectively. Throughout, it’s crucial to evaluate recruitment metrics, ensuring compliance with legal standards and nurturing a positive experience for candidates. What Are the 7 Steps of the Recruitment Process? The recruitment process involves seven key steps. First, you identify a hiring need by collaborating with department managers. Next, you create a detailed job description outlining duties and required skills. Then, you plan your recruitment strategy and source candidates through various channels. After that, you screen applicants and shortlist the most suitable ones. You conduct interviews, and finally, you finalize the hiring process by extending job offers and preparing for onboarding the new hire. What Are the 5 Steps of the Recruitment Process? The recruitment process consists of five crucial steps. First, you identify the hiring need by evaluating gaps in your team. Next, you create a detailed job description outlining required skills and responsibilities. Then, you source candidates through various channels, such as job boards or social media. After that, you screen applicants to shortlist the best fits. Finally, you conduct interviews to evaluate their qualifications and guarantee they align with your organization’s goals. What Are the 5 C’s of Recruitment? The 5 C’s of recruitment are vital for effective hiring. First, competence checks if candidates have the necessary skills for the job. Next, culture assesses their fit within your organization’s values. Commitment measures their dedication to the role and company, which influences retention. Communication is critical for ensuring clear interactions between you and the candidates. Finally, cost evaluates the financial implications of hiring, ensuring the process remains sustainable for your organization. Conclusion In conclusion, the recruitment process in HRM is crucial for securing top talent and involves multiple steps like defining job requirements, attracting candidates, and selecting the right fit. By developing a clear hiring strategy and utilizing both internal and external recruitment methods, organizations can improve their chances of finding qualified candidates. Furthermore, focusing on clear job descriptions and effective onboarding can streamline the process. Addressing common challenges and following best practices guarantees a fair and efficient recruitment experience. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is the Recruitment Process in Human Resource Management?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Executives surveyed by American Banker said companies vying to wrestle market share from banks are a major threat to operations in the coming year. View the full article

The day after French President Emmanuel Macron wore a pair of Henry Jullien Pacific S 01 aviator sunglasses during his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the world wanted to know more about his eyewear. Search interest for Macron’s shiny, reflective sunglasses spiked Wednesday, and the French luxury eyewear brand’s website is down at time of writing. All it takes is one world leader sporting a ready-to-wear garment or accessory for a brand to get a global spotlight—and just maybe become a meme. Like interest in the Nike tracksuit Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was pictured wearing earlier this month after being seized by the U.S., interest in Macron’s shades is just the latest example of a newsmaker driving attention to a piece of fashion, and parlaying a news item into an internet meme. Before you could buy a “Make America Great Again” hat on President Donald The President’s website, he wore one himself. Watch the news and shop the look. Macron’s shades, which cost 659 euros, or $770, weren’t worn primarily as a fashion statement, though, but to prevent something more unsightly, according to the explanation from his office. Macron’s office told Reuters he wore the sunglasses because of a burst blood vessel in his eye, and he was indeed spotted last week with one bloodshot eye. While Macron’s sunglasses hid his eye, they also had the added benefit of sending a visual message that accompanied the contents of his speech. Macron called out U.S. tariffs during his address and urged “more stability” in the world and respect over bullying while wearing a more-than-a-century-old French luxury brand. Online, some people thought Macron’s sunglasses looked cool, while The President mocked him. “I watched him yesterday with those beautiful sunglasses. What the hell happened?” The President remarked during his Wednesday address in Davos. But if Macron hadn’t have worn the sunglasses, everyone would be talking about his red eye. Instead they’re talking about his expensive aviators. The sunglasses drew attention to Macron’s speech, but they also made him look like a French Top Gun at a moment when he needed to communicate he meant business. They also recalled former President Joe Biden at a time when the West feels unmoored as the U.S. shrinks from its post-World War II leadership under The President. This wasn’t the type of speech one could wear Oakleys to. Macron chose the sunglasses for an important speech just right. View the full article

The The President administration is dropping its appeal of a federal court ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion threatening federal funding to the nation’s schools and colleges. The Education Department, in a court filing Wednesday, moved to dismiss its appeal. It leaves in place a federal judge’s August decision finding that the anti-DEI effort violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules. The dispute centered on federal guidance telling schools and colleges they would lose federal money if they kept a wide range of practices that the Republican administration labeled as diversity, equity, and inclusion. The department did not immediately comment. Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy firm representing the plaintiffs, said the dismissal was “a welcome relief and a meaningful win for public education.” “Today’s dismissal confirms what the data shows: government attorneys are having an increasingly difficult time defending the lawlessness of the president and his cabinet,” said Skye Perryman, the group’s president and CEO. The department sent the anti-DEI warning in a “Dear Colleague Letter” to schools last February. The memo said race could not be considered in decisions involving college admissions, hiring, scholarships and “all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.” It said efforts to increase diversity had led to discrimination against white and Asian American students. The department later asked K-12 schools to certify they did not practice DEI, again threatening to cut federal funding. Both documents were struck down by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland. In her ruling, she said the guidance stifled teachers’ free speech, “causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished.” The challenge was filed by the American Federation of Teachers. ___ The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Collin Binkley, AP education writer View the full article

In an era where email overload is the norm, Google is stepping up its game with the introduction of AI-powered features in Gmail that could reshape how small businesses manage communication. With 3 billion users already relying on Gmail, the tech giant is making significant improvements that promise to enhance productivity and streamline information retrieval. The latest innovation, dubbed the Gemini era, introduces features designed to transform Gmail into a proactive inbox assistant. Small business owners, often swamped with a multitude of emails, can expect to experience substantial benefits from this update. One of the standout enhancements is the AI Overviews feature. Traditionally, finding critical information within a barrage of emails can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. AI Overviews aim to change this by summarizing lengthy email threads into concise snippets, allowing users to quickly grasp key points without sifting through countless replies. For example, if a business owner receives an email chain with multiple responses about a supplier negotiation, AI Overviews would distill that conversation into digestible highlights. “Your inbox is full of important information, but accessing it has required you to become a power searcher,” said a Google representative. With AI Overviews, Gmail customers can convert complex email discussions into straightforward summaries, transforming the time-consuming process of email management into a more efficient experience. Another game-changing aspect of Gemini is the ability to ask questions directly within Gmail using natural language. Suppose a small business owner wants to retrieve past email correspondence regarding a quote for a bathroom renovation. Rather than scrolling through every email from the past year, they can simply ask, “Who was the plumber that gave me a quote for the bathroom renovation last year?” The Gemini AI taps into the email database, synthesizing the relevant details and providing an instant answer—saving precious time that could be better spent on running the business. These improvements are set to roll out at no cost for users who want to utilize the AI Overview conversation summaries. However, the ability to pose questions directly to the inbox will only be available for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, prompting small businesses to consider the potential benefits of upgrading their plans. For many small business owners, efficiency can mean the difference between staying competitive and falling behind. With the influx of customers relying on their emails for everything from project updates to vendor communications, these new features can significantly improve workflow. Imagine a scenario where a small business team can conclusively address client inquiries without lengthy back-and-forth exchanges—this could lead to faster response times and better client satisfaction. However, as with any new technology, potential challenges remain. While these AI features promise higher productivity, some business owners might have concerns about data privacy and how their information is utilized. Trusting AI to handle sensitive customer interactions may require careful consideration, especially in industries where confidentiality is paramount. Moreover, while the AI enhancements promise significant efficiency, the transition might require some initial adjustment. Employees must adapt to new workflows that include these AI capabilities, and there may be a learning curve associated with leveraging these tools effectively. Ensuring that team members are trained in using the new features will be crucial to maximizing their benefits. Nonetheless, the evolution of Gmail into a more intelligent communication tool presents remarkable opportunities for small business owners to enhance their operational efficiency. By embracing these AI improvements, businesses can look forward to a less cluttered inbox and a more organized approach to managing customer relationships. As the email landscape continues to evolve, small business owners are encouraged to stay informed and perhaps consider leveraging these new tools to navigate the complexities of their communication challenges. For further details about Gmail’s new features, you can read the full announcement on Google’s blog here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Gmail Transforms into Proactive Inbox Assistant with AI Overviews" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A workout habit has a way of building momentum: Once you’re doing something, anything, it’s easy to build on that. Video workouts are a simple way to get started, but if you're having trouble following along, I'm here to help. Below are some ways to make common exercises more accessible, and what to do if you can't get through a whole video yet. If you can’t squatLots of “easy” bodyweight programs ask you to perform a squatting motion without any added weight. But if that’s already more than you can do, try one of these instead: Sit in a chair, and stand back up. Lean your back against a wall and slide down until you’re in a sitting position (this is called a wall squat). Hold onto a countertop or the back of a chair while you do a squat. For any of these, it’s okay to squat as low as you can, even if that’s not all the way to parallel. You can work on going lower over time. If you can’t do pushupsPushups are another move you’ll find in simple beginner workouts, but not everyone can do a pushup on their first day. Pushups get easier the higher your hands are, and harder the higher your feet are. So for the easiest beginner version, put your hands on a wall around shoulder height. Lean into the wall, then push yourself back to a standing position. Once those become easy, choose a lower surface, like a table or countertop. Then move to a chair, and so on. This progression is arguably better than doing pushups on your knees, because no matter which level you’re on, you are practicing holding your entire body straight in a plank position. If you aren’t ready to pick up weightsDumbbells come in all sizes—and fortunately for beginners, the smallest ones are also the cheapest. If your gym doesn’t have dumbbells small enough, any store with a sporting goods section will likely have some one- and two-pound dumbbells you can pick up and add to your gym bag. But if you’re not even ready for dumbbells, that’s okay. A half-liter water bottle weighs about a pound. Same with a can of soup. Larger water bottles, wine bottles, and milk jugs can take you up a bit further in weight; we did the math for you here. You can also hold books, roller skates, or tote bags full of literally anything. (Two water bottles in a grocery bag? That’s a two-pound weight.) Need to start even lighter? It’s okay to do weight workouts using literally nothing. Make your hands into fists and go through the motions. If you’re following a video that does a million reps of bicep curls or tricep extensions, your arms will get tired even if they’re empty. Just move up to the water bottles as soon as you’re ready. If you can't keep up with the pace of the videoWith these substitutions, you may feel ready to start following along with beginner level workout videos. But what if you can’t handle exactly what’s on the screen? Remember, your goal should be to do a workout at your current level of fitness, not to complete a certain number of reps that you theoretically could do if you were in better shape. So if the video asks for 30 seconds of pushups but you can only manage a few reps, do as many as you can and rest for the remainder of the time. It’s fine to bounce from video to video until you find something at your level. Keep an eye out for one that seems like fun but is just out of your reach. Do it anyway, modifying it or resting as needed, and then bookmark it and come back to it next week. Chances are good you’ll be able to keep up a little bit better—and if you keep coming back to that same workout week after week, you’ll eventually master it. Consistency breeds momentum. If cycling workouts are too hardLet’s say you want to do a workout from a Peloton-like cycling instructor. You’ve got your bike, you can pedal, but pretty quickly you’re out of breath and feel like you can’t keep going. These workouts are easy to adjust: All you have to do is pay attention to the instructor’s voice and facial expressions and ignore any specific numbers. It doesn’t matter if she’s asking you for a “20” or a “50.” If the instructor looks and talks like she’s on an easy bike ride, adjust your resistance so you are on an easy bike ride. If she looks like she’s working hard but not dying, adjust your resistance so you are working hard but not dying. If you can’t decide where to startStart literally anywhere. There isn’t a wrong answer. Maybe you start doing cardio dance videos, but it turns out you hate dancing. Well, you’re already moving your body a couple times a week, so you can swap out the dancing for something else. Or maybe you start doing pushups every day, but after a while your wrists are aching. You can choose to address that problem and continue your pushups, or you can look back on how far you’ve come, congratulate yourself, and pick a different thing to try for the next chapter of your fitness journey. After all, you’ve already started, so why not keep going? View the full article

Some years we talked about people who get weirdly competitive at work, and I’ve been sitting on this great collections of stories ever since, so here it is! 1. The game of tag It was a company team-building event, they made us play tag. Some senior directors got so into it they ran FACE FIRST into a wall. And cringily after that, ANOTHER senior director actually went and tagged the poor man while he was nearly unconscious on the floor. I remember nothing about my very temporary work there, but would probably never forget that game of tag. 2. The raffle disappointment At Christmas, we used to draw names out of a hat for small prizes. Soaps, $5 gift cards, small crafts, etc. One year an employee was very angry she did not get anything, to the point where she made a formal complaint to HR (?) that the game was rigged to give away prizes to a clique of people on the party-planning committee (?!!). Fast forward a year: as we draw the last name out, she stands up and yells, “Bull#$%@! How did I not win?” She stormed out of the event location and left in her car. Later someone said they had seen her messing with the hat before the drawing. We looked through the names and she had put her name in 10 times. 3. The Slack leaderboard Slack has this thing where it shows the people who send the most messages for the past 30 days. Someone thought it was funny and showed the Slack leaderboard on a slide during a meeting and we all had a good laugh about how everyone’s favorite Project Manager, Barney, sent the most messages BY FAR the past 30 days, because of course! Everyone pings him constantly and he’s super on top of responding. Yay Barney! In second place for number of messages sent was Robin, who works in marketing. And this slide lit the fire of competition under Robin, who desperately wanted to be #1 in a competition NOBODY ELSE thought was a competition. She said, “I’ll take the #1 spot,” everyone had a good laugh thinking she was joking. She was not joking. However, Robin doesn’t naturally send as many messages as Barney (her job simply doesn’t call for as much internal communication via Slack). So, for the next couple months, we were all treated to Robin sharing the Slack leaderboard in a shared channel as her message count crept up. And, because Slack counts number of messages sent, rather than word count, those of us who communicated with Robin regularly would get Slack correspondence like this (each line is its own message): Hi Question for you for TPS report can you send me your stuff early? for review? and then I’ll add on. want to make sure we are aligned. and not doing double work. thanks :) I’d return to my desk and see 40 missed Slacks, think there was an emergency, and see it was only Robin trying to pad her Slack count. After a couple months, she gave it up on her own because nobody engaged her. 4. The cornhole trophy My old boss flipped his lid when his team lost in my company’s March Madness cornhole tourney finals. Like flipped the boards and everything. He even tried to ban the winning team from displaying the trophy (a red solo cup glued to a trophy base) on top of the cube wall even though they were in our division but not on his team. He’s now second in command of the division. The winners were forced out. 5. The shove There was a game of musical chairs at someone’s goodbye party. The guest of honor (who’d already received some generous gifts) was determined to win the cheap, silly prize. They shoved one of their colleagues out of the way so hard that she bruised her hip bones from the fall! 6. The darts A few years ago we had a official but voluntary work gathering at a local bar; this bar had a few dart boards and people were playing casual games of darts mostly as a thing to do while talking. Nobody was trying very hard, there were no stakes at all, and we were barely even keeping score since people kept drifting in and out of the games anyway. It turns out one of the guys on a team that “lost” at darts was a hyper-competitive former college athlete who spent the whole evening seething with rage at his disgraceful failure to be #1 in everything always. He stormed away from the darts area and spent the rest of the event telling anybody who would listen that he only lost because the bar’s darts were in bad condition and his teammates weren’t using proper throwing form. If he had just shrugged after the game and gone on with his life I don’t think anybody would have even really noticed that he “lost.” Certainly, nobody would have cared or remembered it five minutes later. Instead he drew so much attention to it that everybody knew that he was the guy who lost at darts. 7. The scavenger hunt We had a scavenger hunt style competition at my office one summer. We took the whole afternoon, split into teams, and had to complete tasks. It was great fun! One of my coworkers on a different team than mine got SUPER competitive. His team came in last, and he spent the next week trying to prove that the order his team had needed to complete the tasks in had put them at a time disadvantage. He wrote a program to show that they’d had to walk farther. The funniest part was that the differences wound up being minuscule so even his “proof” fell through. The prize was a free lunch. 8. Paul I worked as HR for a startup that had a yearly softball game against another local startup. The owners of both companies had gone to university together and were pretty friendly. It was generally pretty fun and low stakes: the company that lost had to foot the bill for post-game drinks for everyone, but that was it. However, the CTO of our company was insanely competitive and would stack our team every year (to the point of bribing some of our more athletic employees to participate with his own money). We had one employee who reported to the CTO and was an insanely good pitcher and acted as a bit of a ringer. This guy, we’ll call him Paul, was also a bit of a hot head. Two weeks before one of these games, Paul gets fed up with someone on another team, aggressively shouts them out in front of everyone in the entire company and rage quits while we’re in the middle of trying to fire him. Well, game day rolls around and who is waiting on the field for us, but Paul. The owner and I immediately go over to tell him he has to leave (also to question what the actual fuck he thought he was doing there) and he tells us that the CTO had called him right after he quit and told him he still needed to come and play. After we finally got Paul to leave, the owner and I had to have a long talk with the CTO about appropriate workplace relationships. I left the company pretty soon after, but I think the CTO was banned from participating after that. 9. The decorating contest I was a government contractor at a government agency. One year, the social committee decided to have a decorating contest for Halloween. The rules said “cubes, office areas, common spaces, and conference rooms” were allowed, and the prizes were $5 gift cards for the top 5 people. My friend and I got the okay from the head of our department to decorate our department’s conference room with other people as a team bonding activity. Our department heads gave us some money for decorations, people brought stuff from home, it was great! We went all out and it was a lot of fun. Everyone LOVED the conference room and my team won the prize. Then the fall-out for the Christmas (well, winter holiday) decorations. Apparently, people that had decorated their cubes thought it was unfair that we won with a conference room. So the social committee made a team category and a single participant category. People had also complained about our team being too big and re-wrote the team rules. For winter, my team also got SUPER competitive. Other teams formed to decorate competing conference rooms apparently not for fun but so we wouldn’t win again. My team even started talking about sabotaging another team. Someone from our team bought in baked goods and set up his laptop in the conference room to make people vote for us for a treat. I kept saying over and over, “The prize is a $5 gift card.” I just kept getting told, “It’s not about the prize, it’s about the win” and “Why would you enter a contest you don’t want to win?” I almost got kicked off my own team but they decided against it since I bought the decorations with our director money and did most of the decorating. We ended up winning the $5 gift cards and there were a few decorated conference rooms, so I guess it turned out well in the end. 10. The hot sauce eating competition For our Oktoberfest party one year, someone decided we would have a hot-sauce eating competition. Completely optional (thank goodness, I can’t eat spice). So we start with a big group and mild hot sauce and it goes from there, not milk or water allowed, tap out at any time. There was a single gift card ($50?) as the prize. So people tapping out left and right, red faced but laughing. Everyone’s having a good time. Until it’s down to two people and the final hot sauce, some pure capsaicin thing that has an honest-to-god warning label on it. The last two people (a guy and a gal, but mid-career) take their toothpick drop of this stuff. And neither quits. Uh, now what? Two drops. Neither quits. The guy running the competition is looking worried because the bottle says not to eat more than three drops in a day. Normal people would say “yay, a tie!” But there’s only one gift card. So one of the bosses keeps urging them on. About half the audience is expressing concern for the competitor’s health (though they both look cool as cucumbers). Finally someone starts literally passing a hat to get enough money to count up to a second gift card. A more senior person strolls through, looks at the whole tableaux and says, “I’ll get you another gift card tomorrow” to stop the carnage. One competitor threw up in the bushes on his way to the bus. The other was up all night with GI distress. And that was the last hot sauce eating competition. 11. The doily A few years ago, our department banded together with a few others in the building to host a silent auction to benefit the local food bank. Each item had a sheet next to it starting with a 10 cent bid, and people could keep upping the bid on the sheet if they wanted that item. Note: most were going for somewhere between $1-15, so we’re not talking huge sums of money. One coworker, who has very serious anger issues anyways, had made it ridiculously clear she wanted this (rather hideous) doily. She literally stood over the doily and glared at anyone who dared to look at it. As a joke, when angry coworker left for a few minutes, someone went over and put her name down for the doily and upped the bid to a whopping $1. When said angry coworker came back and saw someone had added a new bid, she completely lost it. LOST IT. She started screaming at the top of her lungs about how “this is HERS!! and HOW DARE someone put in another bid.” She then escalated to physically pummeling the coworker on her shoulder and back. Repeatedly. In front of multiple departments (30 people?). Angry coworker was physically escorted out. We have not had anything remotely competitive here ever since. And I’ve often wondered what happened to the doily, but am too chicken to ask. 12. The canned food drive I used to teach at a high school that did a canned food drive around Christmas every year. The homeroom class with the most canned goods donated would get donuts one morning from the principal. One very competitive colleague taught AP Calculus first period, so his homeroom was much smaller than required classes like, say, PE or English. He complained to anyone who would listen about how unfair it was, he tried to get the drive changed to another class period (what kids want to carry canned goods in their backpack until third period?), and he even offered extra points to his students to bring in canned goods until the principal shut that down because it’s considered grade inflation in my state to give points for non-academic activities. We thought he’d let it go after it was over, but the next year he asked for his AP Cal class to be moved to another period so it wouldn’t happen again. 13. The fake money I had to attend a “leadership retreat” for work that included some competitive “survival games.” We were split into teams, and our teams would be able to win “money” (fake leadership dollars) for different events. I think the goal was to have a certain amount of “money” by the end of the retreat in order to win. Our CEO was on my team, and was very competitive, as were a few other team members. One of the ways we could save our “money” was by skipping breakfast (because in this world, food and coffee cost money). I watched in dismay as the CEO and other coworkers got on board with this idea, which meant no breakfast for us (after a night of sleeping on the ground, by the way, because camping was a part of this thing), and another full day of physically demanding “leadership building activities.” My coworker and I were pretty pissed but we didn’t say anything. Later that day my coworker and I bribed the retreat staff with some of the “money” to get us a box of triscuits so we could at least eat something. I just wanted to shout “you know this ISN’T REAL, right??? It’s FAKE MONEY!” 14. The bakeoff Our department hosted a dessert bakeoff to coincide with our winter holiday luncheon. My BFF coworker and I had been doing this about ten 10 when Lonnie (auxiliary) started working in our department. He is “that guy.” You know the one. He thinks he knows everything and will tell you all about how he does know everything even though you didn’t ask because well … he knows everything. Bragged about how he would be staff within a year (which never happens) and wouldn’t you know? He’s still an auxiliary. But back to the bakeoff. BFF and I prepare the tables, appoint the impartial judges from other facilities, print the score sheets, and get ready to go. Prizes include bakeware, baking mixes, utensils, etc. No cash or gift cards because my BFF and I pay for this with our own money. (I’m a couponer and we work for the state. There are no funds for prizes.) We have about 30 entries, including Lonnie. I cannot remember what he made, but regardless of the entries or who we get to judge, it seems like a cheesecake always wins. He did not make cheesecake. My duty after the judging began was to gather score cards and tabulate them in an Excel spreadsheet –— let the computer do all the work. Once the winners were announced, he cornered me, a heavily pregnant, slow-to-escape woman, and asked why he didn’t win. I told him that I didn’t know why, but I could tell him what place he received – 9th. After the luncheon, he came by my office, threw his empty bowl at me — a non-judge who had nothing to do with the actual scoring of the desserts — and screamed, “Does that look like 9th place to you?!?” I was so shocked that I just sat there. He grabbed the bowl and left. I can neither confirm nor deny that his dessert has never and will never win a bakeoff. 15. The escape room Several years ago, my friend planned a team builder for her group (one director, four managers, ~20 individual contributors). She and her planning team decided on an escape room. They had several rooms and mixed ICs across teams and put all the managers and director together. All the IC rooms finished early and huddled around the manager room to listen to them struggle and all try to lead each other. It is still one of her favorite memories at work. The post the cornhole trophy, the Slack leaderboard, and other times people got way too competitive at work appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

The Supreme Court Wednesday appeared skeptical of the Justice Department's argument that removal of a Federal Reserve governor is unreviewable or that the president's preference for Fed governors outweighs the harm to the Fed from curbing the central bank's political independence. View the full article

Accountants show renewed pricing power as rates gain 5.7%. By CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Accountants show renewed pricing power as rates gain 5.7%. By CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your social media engagement, it’s crucial to implement effective strategies. Start by setting clear goals and identifying metrics to measure success. Knowing your audience’s demographics allows you to create customized content that resonates. Consistent posting and active engagement with your followers can greatly boost interactions. Additionally, utilizing hashtags and analyzing performance will help refine your approach. Now, let’s explore each of these strategies in detail to maximize your impact. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals and track key metrics to measure engagement improvements effectively. Understand your audience’s demographics and preferences to create tailored content. Focus on high-quality visuals and storytelling to enhance emotional connections with followers. Post consistently at optimal times to maximize visibility and engagement rates. Actively engage with your audience by responding promptly and encouraging discussions. Set Clear Goals and Define Metrics To effectively improve your social media engagement, it’s essential to set clear goals and define measurable metrics. Establishing SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—creates a roadmap for success. For instance, aim for a 15% increase in Instagram engagement within three months. Define key metrics like engagement rate, reach versus impressions, and follower growth rate to evaluate your performance effectively. Utilizing tools such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social can streamline measurement, offering insights across platforms. Regularly revisiting these goals allows you to adjust strategies based on performance data. Analyzing campaign results against your established metrics helps identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding your future social media engagement strategy and showing you how to boost social media engagement efficiently. Know Your Audience Knowing your audience is essential for creating effective social media content that resonates. Comprehending demographics like age, location, and interests helps you tailor your content. With 90% of Facebook users and 82% of Instagram users engaging regularly, it’s imperative to utilize analytics tools such as Google Analytics to gather insights about audience behavior. This data can inform your content strategies. Crafting messages that align with audience interests is key; 80% of consumers prefer Gen Z brands that recognize their needs. Incorporating contemporary language and trends, especially for demographics like Gen Z, improves relatability. Finally, engage in social listening to monitor conversations, as 70% of consumers expect personalized experiences from brands that know their preferences. Create Engaging and High-Quality Content To create engaging and high-quality content, you need to focus on visual appeal and storytelling. Posts that are visually striking can greatly increase interaction rates, whereas compelling narratives cultivate emotional connections with your audience. Visual Appeal Matters Visual appeal plays a crucial role in social media engagement, making high-quality content a necessity for any effective online strategy. High-quality visuals can lead to an 85% interaction rate on Facebook, emphasizing the need for compelling images and graphics. Posts that include visuals are 94% more likely to be shared, showcasing the strength of visual content in enhancing engagement. Furthermore, platforms like Instagram prioritize visually appealing content, with 80% of users stating that visual content influences their purchasing decisions. Consistent branding in your visuals, such as color schemes and logos, not only boosts recognition but also cultivates trust with your audience. Investing in high-quality visuals will greatly improve your social media presence and user interaction. Storytelling Connects Emotionally During crafting compelling content, incorporating storytelling techniques can greatly augment your social media engagement. By sharing relatable narratives, you can cultivate emotional connections, with 55% of consumers more likely to engage with brands that do so. Posts with storytelling can increase user engagement by up to 30%, capturing attention and encouraging shares. Personal stories or customer testimonials elevate authenticity, boosting trust by 22%. Emotional storytelling evokes feelings that drive action; 70% of people remember brand messages better when conveyed through stories. Brands effectively using storytelling witness a 63% increase in engagement metrics. Metric Impact Percentage Increase User Engagement Attention Capture Up to 30% Trust and Loyalty Authenticity Boost 22% Brand Message Recall Memory Elevation 70% Overall Engagement Metrics Increased Interaction 63% Consumer Engagement Relatable Narratives 55% Post Consistently and at Optimal Times To boost your social media engagement, it’s crucial to maintain a regular posting schedule. By analyzing your audience’s activity, you can identify the best times to post, leading to increased visibility and interaction. Consistency not just helps in building anticipation among your followers, but it additionally improves overall loyalty to your brand. Regular Posting Schedule Establishing a regular posting schedule is crucial for enhancing audience engagement, as it keeps your brand consistently in the minds of your followers. Brands that post consistently can see a significant increase in follower interactions, with studies showing up to a 67% boost. To achieve ideal engagement, aim to post at least 3-5 times a week, as this frequency can lead to a 21% increase in audience engagement. Utilizing social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can streamline your posting process, allowing for effective scheduling without overwhelming your audience. Consistency not just builds anticipation but also nurtures a recognizable brand presence, in the end enhancing trust and loyalty among your followers. Analyze Audience Activity Comprehending your audience’s activity is key to maximizing your social media engagement. By identifying peak times when your followers are most active, you can schedule posts for ideal visibility. For instance, studies show that Instagram posts perform best between 11 AM and 1 PM on weekdays, aligning with many users’ lunch breaks. On Facebook, engagement typically peaks on Thursdays and Fridays, whereas weekends often see increased interactions on Twitter and Instagram. To improve your strategy, consider using social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite, which automate posting during these ideal times. Consistently posting 3-5 times per week likewise helps maintain audience engagement, ensuring your brand remains visible in followers’ feeds. Engage Actively With Your Audience Engaging actively with your audience is essential for building a strong online presence and nurturing brand loyalty. Responding quickly to comments and messages improves customer loyalty, with studies showing a 42% higher satisfaction rate for brands with swift responses. You can spark discussions by asking open-ended questions, which may lead to a 25% increase in comment interactions. Acknowledge your audience’s contributions by sharing user-generated content; this can increase engagement rates by up to 28%. Moreover, create opportunities for interaction through contests and giveaways, as these can boost engagement levels considerably, with some brands reporting a 60% increase. Regularly engaging with your followers’ content cultivates community, potentially leading to a 50% rise in brand loyalty among your audience. Utilize Hashtags and Trends After you’ve successfully engaged with your audience, the next step is to amplify your reach by utilizing hashtags and trends effectively. Researching relevant hashtags can considerably increase the discoverability of your posts; tweets with 1-2 hashtags see 21% more engagement than those with three or more. Participating in trending topics lets you connect with broader audiences, enhancing your engagement potential. Creating branded hashtags encourages user participation and nurtures community, which boosts content visibility. Nevertheless, it’s vital to monitor hashtag performance and refine your strategies based on what resonates most with your audience. Analyze and Adjust Your Strategies To effectively improve your social media presence, it is crucial to regularly analyze and adjust your strategies based on performance data. Start by tracking social media metrics to identify trends in audience engagement. Use tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to consolidate analytics across platforms, making it easier to evaluate engagement rates. Experiment with various content types and posting times, refining your approach based on previous insights. Generate monthly or quarterly reports to assess performance, spotlighting successful campaigns and areas needing improvement. Stay adaptable to changes in algorithms and audience preferences by monitoring industry trends. Strategy Type Adjustment Recommendation Content Variety Experiment with formats Posting Schedule Test different times Engagement Metrics Focus on high-performing posts Trends Monitoring Stay updated on changes Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 Rule on social media suggests you share a balanced mix of content. For every five posts you create, five should be curated from others, and five should encourage interaction, like polls or questions. This strategy helps you avoid being overly promotional, nurturing a more engaging and authentic presence. How to Boost Engagement on Social Media? To boost engagement on social media, focus on comprehending your audience’s interests and demographics. Use high-quality visuals and storytelling to capture attention, as compelling images can greatly improve interaction. Incorporate interactive elements like polls and contests to encourage participation. Maintain a consistent posting schedule and analyze activity for best times. Furthermore, encourage user-generated content through branded hashtags, building a community and strengthening your brand’s credibility and connection with followers. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media divides your content into three categories: 50% should be informative and valuable, 30% promotional, and 20% personal or entertaining. This balance helps maintain audience interest and prevents fatigue from excessive promotions. By focusing on what your audience needs and enjoys, you can improve engagement and loyalty. Implementing this rule aids in effective content planning, allowing you to allocate resources wisely for a diverse range of posts. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule in Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule in social media marketing emphasizes a balanced content strategy. You should create 70% original and relevant content that provides value to your audience. Then, curate 20% from other sources, sharing insights that promote community engagement. Finally, reserve 10% for promotional posts that directly advertise your products or services. Conclusion By implementing these strategies, you can effectively boost your social media engagement. Setting clear goals helps track progress, whereas knowing your audience allows for customized content. Consistent posting and active engagement nurture community, and utilizing hashtags can expand your reach. Regularly analyzing your performance guarantees you adapt strategies based on what works. By following these tips, you’ll create a more dynamic and engaging social media presence, finally achieving your desired engagement targets. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Tips to Boost Social Media Engagement" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your social media engagement, it’s crucial to implement effective strategies. Start by setting clear goals and identifying metrics to measure success. Knowing your audience’s demographics allows you to create customized content that resonates. Consistent posting and active engagement with your followers can greatly boost interactions. Additionally, utilizing hashtags and analyzing performance will help refine your approach. Now, let’s explore each of these strategies in detail to maximize your impact. Key Takeaways Set SMART goals and track key metrics to measure engagement improvements effectively. Understand your audience’s demographics and preferences to create tailored content. Focus on high-quality visuals and storytelling to enhance emotional connections with followers. Post consistently at optimal times to maximize visibility and engagement rates. Actively engage with your audience by responding promptly and encouraging discussions. Set Clear Goals and Define Metrics To effectively improve your social media engagement, it’s essential to set clear goals and define measurable metrics. Establishing SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—creates a roadmap for success. For instance, aim for a 15% increase in Instagram engagement within three months. Define key metrics like engagement rate, reach versus impressions, and follower growth rate to evaluate your performance effectively. Utilizing tools such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social can streamline measurement, offering insights across platforms. Regularly revisiting these goals allows you to adjust strategies based on performance data. Analyzing campaign results against your established metrics helps identify strengths and weaknesses, guiding your future social media engagement strategy and showing you how to boost social media engagement efficiently. Know Your Audience Knowing your audience is essential for creating effective social media content that resonates. Comprehending demographics like age, location, and interests helps you tailor your content. With 90% of Facebook users and 82% of Instagram users engaging regularly, it’s imperative to utilize analytics tools such as Google Analytics to gather insights about audience behavior. This data can inform your content strategies. Crafting messages that align with audience interests is key; 80% of consumers prefer Gen Z brands that recognize their needs. Incorporating contemporary language and trends, especially for demographics like Gen Z, improves relatability. Finally, engage in social listening to monitor conversations, as 70% of consumers expect personalized experiences from brands that know their preferences. Create Engaging and High-Quality Content To create engaging and high-quality content, you need to focus on visual appeal and storytelling. Posts that are visually striking can greatly increase interaction rates, whereas compelling narratives cultivate emotional connections with your audience. Visual Appeal Matters Visual appeal plays a crucial role in social media engagement, making high-quality content a necessity for any effective online strategy. High-quality visuals can lead to an 85% interaction rate on Facebook, emphasizing the need for compelling images and graphics. Posts that include visuals are 94% more likely to be shared, showcasing the strength of visual content in enhancing engagement. Furthermore, platforms like Instagram prioritize visually appealing content, with 80% of users stating that visual content influences their purchasing decisions. Consistent branding in your visuals, such as color schemes and logos, not only boosts recognition but also cultivates trust with your audience. Investing in high-quality visuals will greatly improve your social media presence and user interaction. Storytelling Connects Emotionally During crafting compelling content, incorporating storytelling techniques can greatly augment your social media engagement. By sharing relatable narratives, you can cultivate emotional connections, with 55% of consumers more likely to engage with brands that do so. Posts with storytelling can increase user engagement by up to 30%, capturing attention and encouraging shares. Personal stories or customer testimonials elevate authenticity, boosting trust by 22%. Emotional storytelling evokes feelings that drive action; 70% of people remember brand messages better when conveyed through stories. Brands effectively using storytelling witness a 63% increase in engagement metrics. Metric Impact Percentage Increase User Engagement Attention Capture Up to 30% Trust and Loyalty Authenticity Boost 22% Brand Message Recall Memory Elevation 70% Overall Engagement Metrics Increased Interaction 63% Consumer Engagement Relatable Narratives 55% Post Consistently and at Optimal Times To boost your social media engagement, it’s crucial to maintain a regular posting schedule. By analyzing your audience’s activity, you can identify the best times to post, leading to increased visibility and interaction. Consistency not just helps in building anticipation among your followers, but it additionally improves overall loyalty to your brand. Regular Posting Schedule Establishing a regular posting schedule is crucial for enhancing audience engagement, as it keeps your brand consistently in the minds of your followers. Brands that post consistently can see a significant increase in follower interactions, with studies showing up to a 67% boost. To achieve ideal engagement, aim to post at least 3-5 times a week, as this frequency can lead to a 21% increase in audience engagement. Utilizing social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite can streamline your posting process, allowing for effective scheduling without overwhelming your audience. Consistency not just builds anticipation but also nurtures a recognizable brand presence, in the end enhancing trust and loyalty among your followers. Analyze Audience Activity Comprehending your audience’s activity is key to maximizing your social media engagement. By identifying peak times when your followers are most active, you can schedule posts for ideal visibility. For instance, studies show that Instagram posts perform best between 11 AM and 1 PM on weekdays, aligning with many users’ lunch breaks. On Facebook, engagement typically peaks on Thursdays and Fridays, whereas weekends often see increased interactions on Twitter and Instagram. To improve your strategy, consider using social media management tools like Buffer or Hootsuite, which automate posting during these ideal times. Consistently posting 3-5 times per week likewise helps maintain audience engagement, ensuring your brand remains visible in followers’ feeds. Engage Actively With Your Audience Engaging actively with your audience is essential for building a strong online presence and nurturing brand loyalty. Responding quickly to comments and messages improves customer loyalty, with studies showing a 42% higher satisfaction rate for brands with swift responses. You can spark discussions by asking open-ended questions, which may lead to a 25% increase in comment interactions. Acknowledge your audience’s contributions by sharing user-generated content; this can increase engagement rates by up to 28%. Moreover, create opportunities for interaction through contests and giveaways, as these can boost engagement levels considerably, with some brands reporting a 60% increase. Regularly engaging with your followers’ content cultivates community, potentially leading to a 50% rise in brand loyalty among your audience. Utilize Hashtags and Trends After you’ve successfully engaged with your audience, the next step is to amplify your reach by utilizing hashtags and trends effectively. Researching relevant hashtags can considerably increase the discoverability of your posts; tweets with 1-2 hashtags see 21% more engagement than those with three or more. Participating in trending topics lets you connect with broader audiences, enhancing your engagement potential. Creating branded hashtags encourages user participation and nurtures community, which boosts content visibility. Nevertheless, it’s vital to monitor hashtag performance and refine your strategies based on what resonates most with your audience. Analyze and Adjust Your Strategies To effectively improve your social media presence, it is crucial to regularly analyze and adjust your strategies based on performance data. Start by tracking social media metrics to identify trends in audience engagement. Use tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social to consolidate analytics across platforms, making it easier to evaluate engagement rates. Experiment with various content types and posting times, refining your approach based on previous insights. Generate monthly or quarterly reports to assess performance, spotlighting successful campaigns and areas needing improvement. Stay adaptable to changes in algorithms and audience preferences by monitoring industry trends. Strategy Type Adjustment Recommendation Content Variety Experiment with formats Posting Schedule Test different times Engagement Metrics Focus on high-performing posts Trends Monitoring Stay updated on changes Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 Rule on social media suggests you share a balanced mix of content. For every five posts you create, five should be curated from others, and five should encourage interaction, like polls or questions. This strategy helps you avoid being overly promotional, nurturing a more engaging and authentic presence. How to Boost Engagement on Social Media? To boost engagement on social media, focus on comprehending your audience’s interests and demographics. Use high-quality visuals and storytelling to capture attention, as compelling images can greatly improve interaction. Incorporate interactive elements like polls and contests to encourage participation. Maintain a consistent posting schedule and analyze activity for best times. Furthermore, encourage user-generated content through branded hashtags, building a community and strengthening your brand’s credibility and connection with followers. What Is the 50/30/20 Rule for Social Media? The 50/30/20 rule for social media divides your content into three categories: 50% should be informative and valuable, 30% promotional, and 20% personal or entertaining. This balance helps maintain audience interest and prevents fatigue from excessive promotions. By focusing on what your audience needs and enjoys, you can improve engagement and loyalty. Implementing this rule aids in effective content planning, allowing you to allocate resources wisely for a diverse range of posts. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule in Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule in social media marketing emphasizes a balanced content strategy. You should create 70% original and relevant content that provides value to your audience. Then, curate 20% from other sources, sharing insights that promote community engagement. Finally, reserve 10% for promotional posts that directly advertise your products or services. Conclusion By implementing these strategies, you can effectively boost your social media engagement. Setting clear goals helps track progress, whereas knowing your audience allows for customized content. Consistent posting and active engagement nurture community, and utilizing hashtags can expand your reach. Regularly analyzing your performance guarantees you adapt strategies based on what works. By following these tips, you’ll create a more dynamic and engaging social media presence, finally achieving your desired engagement targets. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Tips to Boost Social Media Engagement" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The funny thing about smartphone addiction is that it makes low-effort tasks feel totally productive. When I finally quit doomscrolling through Instagram and TikTok and watch an actual movie or TV show, I feel like I've just spent the afternoon studying physics. Platforms like Netflix, which could once be seen as time-wasting entertainment, now seem like antidotes to endless, useless scrolling. But Netflix doesn't seem to appreciate its new role. Instead, the company apparently sees short-form video apps—and smartphones themselves—as a direct threat to its business, and is jumping on the bandwagon. It's not only that Netflix is reportedly now making content with phone scrollers in mind, encouraging creators to craft dialogue that makes their shows and movies easy to understand even if you're not actually paying attention. No Netflix also wants to position its mobile app as an actual competitor to TikTok and Instagram, by introducing a short-form video feed directly within the app. Netflix's take on TikTok The company officially introduced its plans for short-form video during its fourth-quarter earnings call on Tuesday. Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters announced the company will roll out a new app later this year that will include its take on the vertical video feed. This isn't totally new, as the company has been experimenting with vertical video feeds since May. But it's the first time we've seen a larger announcement about how Netflix plans to integrate the short-form experience directly into its app. Unlike TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, you won't hop on the Netflix app to find short-form videos from independent creators. Instead, Netflix will serve users clips from Netflix-distributed shows and movies in a scrollable TikTok-style feed. You might swipe through this feed and see clips from Stranger Things, Emily in Paris, or His & Hers. Many of us already waste our time watching clips from shows and movies on other platforms—often cropped, slowed down or sped up, in low-quality, and besieged by artifacts meant to throw off copyright claims. Netflix obviously won't need to do this, so I expect the experience will be filled with high-quality videos (depending on how you define "quality" of course). It won't just be TV shows and movies on the feed. Netflix also has big plans for its video podcasts, as evidenced by recent programs like The Pete Davidson Show and recent deals with Spotify and iHeartMedia to bring existing podcasts to its platform. Expect Netflix to sprinkle clips from these video podcasts into the short-form feed to create an experience that sounds not too far off from scrolling through other apps. How many clips you do see from video podcasts, TV shows, and movies on TikTok? As Netflix inches closer to acquiring Warner Bros., you might soon be seeing a lot of official short-form content in the Netflix app. If and when the acquisition closes, I wouldn't be surprised to see clips from HBO shows like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The White Lotus, and Euphoria. Catering to the short attention spanI get the move from a business perspective: Netflix is likely losing subscribers' attention due to the addictive nature of vertical video apps. But do any of us really need another app to scroll through, especially when we're already paying for access to the full content to begin with? Maybe could be a helpful avenue to find new shows and movies to watch, but in all likelihood, it will just be be another addictive time-waster. I have too many of those in my life as it is. View the full article

The U.S. stock market is steadying following its worst day since October, though some signs of fear remain on Wall Street Wednesday about President Donald The President’s desire to take Greenland. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% after The President said in a speech before business and government leaders in Europe that he would not use force to take “the piece of ice.” The potential de-escalation in rhetoric, which had ramped up earlier with talk of tariffs crossing the Atlantic, helped the index recover some of its 2.1% drop from the day before and pull closer to its all-time high set earlier this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 336 points, or 0.7%, as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market, a day after jumping in a potential signal of worries about higher inflation in the long term. They got help from a calming of bond yields in Japan, which surged earlier on concerns about the size of its government’s debt. The value of the U.S. dollar also held steadier against the euro, Swiss franc and other currencies after sliding the day before. But some nerves seemed to remain in the market, and the price of gold rose another 1.7% and topped $4,800 per ounce for the first time. The President himself acknowledged how his desire for Greenland led to Tuesday’s drop in the U.S. stock market, but he called it “peanuts compared to what it’s gone up” in the first year of his second term and said it would go up further in the future. While saying he would not use force to take Greenland, he called for “immediate negotiations” for the United States to acquire it from Denmark. The President has a history of making big threats that send financial markets sliding, only to pull back later and reach deals that are seen as less bad for the economy or for inflation than his initial suggestion. On one hand, the pattern has given rise to the “TACO” acronym suggesting “The President Always Chickens Out” if financial markets react strongly enough. On the other, has ultimately struck deals that outsiders may have earlier considered unlikely, ones that he’s crowed about later. The most obvious example is The President’s announcement of high tariffs on “Liberation Day,” which eventually led to trade deals with many of the world’s major economies. Helping to lead the U.S. stock market Wednesday was Halliburton, which rose 4.9% after the oilfield services company reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. United Airlines climbed 2.9% after likewise reporting a better profit for the end of 2025 than expected. CEO Scott Kirby said that the airline’s strong momentum in revenue is continuing into 2026. They helped offset a 4.8% drop for Netflix. The streamer sank even though it reported a stronger profit than expected as investors focused instead on its slowing subscriber growth and its lower-than-expected forecast for profit in the current quarter. Kraft Heinz sank 5.4% after Berkshire Hathaway warned investors Tuesday that it may be interested in selling its 325 million shares in the food giant that former CEO Warren Buffett helped create in 2015. Berkshire took a $3.76 billion write-down on its Kraft-Heinz stake last summer. Buffett said last fall that he was disappointed in Kraft Heinz’ plan to split the company in two, and Berkshire’s two representatives resigned from the Kraft board last spring. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.27% from 4.30% late Tuesday. But it’s still above the 4.24% level where it was at on Friday. That’s before The President threatened to impose 10% tariffs on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland beginning in February for opposing U.S. control of Greenland. That would be on top of a 15% tariff specified by a trade agreement with the European Union that has yet to be ratified. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in mostly modest movements across Europe and Asia. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.4%. The country’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has called a snap election for Feb. 8, which had sent yields of long-term government bonds to record levels. The expectation is that Takaichi, who is capitalizing on strong public support ratings, will cut taxes and boost spending and increase the government’s already heavy load of debt. The yield on the 40-year Japanese government bond pulled back to 4.05% Wednesday, down from the 4.22% level that it had surged to on Tuesday. —Stan Choe, AP business writer AP Business Writers Chan Ho-him and Matt Ott contributed. View the full article