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Sir Keir Starmer’s government is trying to deepen economic ties with Beijing View the full article

Nuclear detonation could mark the start of World War III, plunging the planet into the deadliest conflict in human history. But on the bright side, it could have turned a profit for a few lucky gamblers. Prediction platform Polymarket lets users bet on everything from pop culture to global politics to the amount of times Elon Musk will post on X in a week. But one of its latest markets seems to have crossed an ethical line: an event titled “Nuclear weapon detonation by…?” where users could bet on when a nuclear bomb would go off. After major backlash online, the event has been archived, but not before Polymarket users bet more than $838,000 total, predicting that a nuclear bomb would detonate by dates including the end of the month, the end of June, and the end of the year. In a since-deleted post on X, Polymarket predicted a 22% chance of nuclear detonation by the end of 2026. Polymarket has not responded to Fast Company’s request for comment. The market raised concerns on social media about the potential for “insider trading” by government officials and their inner circles, who critics suggested could be incentivized to push for nuclear war if they’d bet on it happening by a given date. Journalist David Sirota called attention to the event with a viral post on X, pointing out that the market would “monetize a nuclear attack.” Other users across social media chimed in to agree with Sirota, calling Polymarket “a threat to the survival of the planet” and saying that a gambling-motivated nuclear war “would be such a bleak ending to humanity.” Leftist influencer Hasan Piker also commented, writing, “this is worse than any dystopia we couldve imagined.” At this poin, Polymarket is literally a threat to the survival of the planet. It needs to be shut down. https://t.co/0eipCyIMPr — Alan MacLeod (@AlanRMacLeod) March 4, 2026 “we got so addicted to gambling we nuked ourselves into oblivion to make 5 million dollars” would be such a bleak ending to humanity https://t.co/DDZbLXp8wd — anna !!! :)) 🇵🇸🌸✨🌸🇵🇸 (@frogs4girls) March 4, 2026 this is worse than any dystopia we couldve imagined https://t.co/9chaYHhOGc — hasanabi (@hasanthehun) March 4, 2026 This marks the second controversy for Polymarket this week alone, after a mystery trader named “Magamyman” made $533,000 from betting that the U.S. would strike Iran and that Iran’s supreme leader would be ousted from power. Both quickly came true, prompting outcry from lawmakers including Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), who pointed out that “Magamyman” placed his first bet just 71 minutes before news of the strike on Iran became public. “Prediction markets cannot be a vehicle for profiting off advance knowledge of military action,” Levin wrote on social media. View the full article

Throughout his presidency, Donald The President has hindered the growth of renewable energy and instead propped up fossil fuels like oil and coal. That has made the country more vulnerable to the effects of geopolitical conflicts like the U.S. military action in Iran—and risks putting the U.S. even further behind, experts say, in terms of renewable and battery developments. The President acknowledged this week that America’s attacks on Iran are likely to cause oil prices to spike. We’re already seeing that effect: the average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. jumped 11 cents overnight into Wednesday, and experts say oil prices could reach $100 a barrel. That effect isn’t only felt in the United States. European natural gas prices surged “by as much as 50%,” the New York Times reported, after the conflict prompted Qatar to halt production of liquefied natural gas. UK gas prices hit their highest level in three years on Tuesday. A ‘higher than average’ cost due to The President Some of these places, however, may be better prepared to weather this instability thanks to their reliance on renewable power and batteries. Oil and gas are global commodities, meaning their prices are affected by global factors. But just how much the Iran war impacts a country’s energy market depends on how much that country is dependent on fossil fuels. Unfortunately, The President has made the U.S. increasingly dependent on these dirty, unstable sources of energy. His administration has slashed incentives for wind, solar, and battery development. It also blocked or canceled such projects, while providing tax incentives and fast-tracked permits for oil and gas drilling. “The costs of The President’s war to the average American will be higher than it could have been because of the assault of the GOP and The President administration on renewable energy projects,” Peter Gleick, a member of the US National Academy of Sciences, says via email. “Because of the failure to accelerate renewable energy and electric vehicle production, the US has a deeper dependence on fossil fuels than if we had, like other countries, embraced renewable energy,” he adds. “The The President administration and the GOP have done all they could to slow renewable energy development in the U.S., to the sole benefit of oil and gas producing companies and countries. Renewables are a ‘buffer’ The world has seen geopolitical effects on fossil fuels before. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, oil prices surged 50% over a few weeks, and gas prices hit $5 a gallon. That triggered an energy crisis for multiple countries—and actually pushed some of them to ramp up their renewable power generation so they would be less dependent on risky fossil fuels. In Pakistan, where energy prices skyrocketed after that attack, residents began to add solar panels to their roofs in droves. In 2024, Pakistan imported double the amount of solar power gigawatts as the year before, and that year became one of the world’s “largest markets for new solar installations,” according to energy think tank Ember. “You can now go to Google Earth and look at a random spot in Pakistan, and you will see that a lot of the houses, a lot of the buildings, have solar panels,” says Jenny Chase, lead solar analyst at BloombergNEF. Something similar happened across Europe, she adds, which particularly saw a demand in battery storage. Just as geopolitical conflicts raise fossil fuel prices, they can also raise capital costs for renewable projects, because higher energy prices can lead to inflation, raising interest rates. But that effect is minimal compared to the surge in fossil fuel costs, Chase adds—and increasing renewables has long term benefits, too. “Solar and storage tech, they are a buffer against the impacts of being dependent on fossil fuels,” she says. “That feels really good when the price of fossil fuels goes up.” American consumers are losing out There are a lot of unknowns with the conflict in Iran and its impacts. It’s not clear how long it will last, or just how much fossil fuel prices will be affected. In the short term, Gleick says, the impacts, particularly on American consumers, will be “severe.” “The biggest short-term losers of the war will be U.S. consumers of oil and gas, as prices of energy rise,” he says. “The three biggest short-term winners are fossil-fuel-company profits, Russian fossil-fuel revenue, and Chinese sales of renewable energy and electric vehicles.” The long-term impacts are harder to predict, but if the impacts continue, it will highlight just how behind the rest of the world the U.S. is (and how behind The President is keeping us) when it comes to clean tech like solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicles. “If the price of fossil fuels remains high, U.S. consumers will demand more renewables and EVs, but U.S. industry won’t be able to provide them,” Gleick adds. “So again Chinese and other producers will benefit and, again, the clear losers in the long run will be American consumers and U.S. industry.” That could also push places like Europe to turn to China to get this clean tech, and be hesitant to buy any energy from America in the future. “The U.S. acting like a bully in the global market makes, particularly those of us who are neither the U.S. or China, think, ‘okay, being dependent on China sounds bad, but I could buy solar panels now and not buy anything else from them for 25 years,” Chase says. “Whereas if I look into buying [fossil fuels] from the U.S., I’ll have to pay them every month.” Global shocks highlight renewable benefits If the war creates a prolonged risk for fossil fuels, that could also end up making renewables look less risky, Chase notes, which could turn investor attention to solar, wind, and batteries. “A shock like this turns an investment like a battery or solar plant from looking like a very high risk investment to an actual medium one,” she says. “Particularly if you’re a company that buys electricity, what you might do is sign a contract to buy solar and storage power at a price which maybe isn’t the lowest you can get, but you know that it won’t go up.” These vulnerabilities associated with fossil fuels aren’t going away. Experts have repeatedly said that renewables are key to energy security, and that fossil fuels make us more vulnerable to price instability and energy concerns. The conflict is just one example of that, but it won’t be the last. And what becomes “more pronounced with every one of these shocks,” Chase adds, “is that renewables are not that expensive anymore . . . Renewables are now the cheapest source of new megawatt hours anywhere.” View the full article

Banks like Grasshopper are already starting to use AI agents where in the past they would have bought software as a service. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. It's a busy month for Google. The company released its latest phone, the Pixel 10a; rolled out live location sharing in Google Messages, launched Nano Banana 2, and issued a security update that patches 129 Android vulnerabilities. Now, the company is launching its latest Pixel Drop, this time for the month of March, sporting a number of features and changes for Pixel phones and watches. Here's what's new. Google Pixel 10a - Berry - 128 GB with $100 Amazon Gift Card $499.00 at Amazon $599.00 Save $100.00 Shop Now Shop Now $499.00 at Amazon $599.00 Save $100.00 Google now lets you customize your Calling Card on AndroidBoth iOS and Android now have full screen contact pages that appear when people call you, but both platforms have handled this differently. When iOS rolled it out, it let you customize how your "Contact Poster" appeared when you called people. But Android, on the other hand, decided you should control how other people's "Calling Cards" appeared when they called you. Now, Android is changing things to match iOS' approach. The latest Pixel Drop now lets you customize your own personal Calling Card. Airlines can soon help you find your lost luggageHere's another Android feature picked up from Apple: If you have a Find Hub tracker, you can share its whereabouts with airlines to help you locate lost luggage. At this time, only 10 airlines in the world are compatible with this sharing feature, so it's a bit more limited than Apple's integration, but hopefully that list grows soon. The "Now Playing" widget now has an appPixel users love the Now Playing widget. It can passively identify songs in the wild, all without needing the internet to do so. With the March Pixel Drop, the widget now gets its own app. Once you install the app on your Pixel, you'll find the widget's history transfers over seamlessly, so you can see all the songs it has identified. Gemini can handle tasks on your behalfThe current obsession in the AI world is turning passive assistants in agentic assistants. Or, in other words, asking AI bots to run tasks on our behalf. Google says that Gemini can now do that, as a beta feature in the Gemini app. You can long press the power button and ask Gemini to do things for you, like plan your grocery list, book an Uber, or order your usual takeout. This is currently only available on the Pixel 10 series. Circle to Search now identifies whole outfits Circle to Search lets you, well, circle to search. When you see something on your phone, you can simply draw a circle around it to look it up. It's a pretty intuitive feature, that gets a bit of an upgrade with the latest Pixel drop. Now, Google says you can circle outfits you see on your Pixel 10 to find "every piece of the look." Say you're watching a movie, and you like a character's style. You can use Circle to Search to circle the outfit, and Google will break up each piece into a "Find the look" search. You could see how much coats, shoes, hats, and more cost individually, and decide to buy some or all of the outfit. Google didn't miss the opportunity to connect this to its "Try It On" feature, which lets you virtually try outfits online. Magic Cue can recommend restaurants with GeminiMagic Cue is a contextual AI feature that offers suggestions based on what you're doing on your Pixel. For example, as part of this Pixel Drop, Magic Cue can now recommend restaurants based on conversations with friends. If a contact suggests finding a restaurant downtown that offers vegan options, Magic Cue may offer a "Find restaurants" pop-up. Tap it, and Gemini will offers a few options that match those descriptions. (Of course, this is generative AI, so the feature could get some of the suggestions wrong, or potentially make up restaurants entirely.) At a Glance gets some new updatesThe Pixel's "At a Glance" feature is getting some new data points to keep track of. Google says that At a Glance can now tell you your best route home—taking into account transit delays—follow sports scores, and give updates on your financial portfolio. These updates appear passively on the home screen, so you don't need to unlock your phone to check on these data points. Google is bringing AI art styles to the home screenAndroid has always made it easy to customize the style of your home screen, including, notably, your app icons. But the latest Pixel Drop adds five new AI-generated art styles to generate custom icons from. Google says these options can help make your home screen more like "you," but perhaps that won't apply if you're not a fan of AI art. Your Pixel Watch can now warn if you walk away from your phoneIf you have both a Pixel phone and a Pixel Watch, your wearable can warn you when you leave your phone behind. Google says you'll get an "instant alert" if you walk away from your phone, and your phone will lock as soon as you're out of range. (Google doesn't specify, but I assume this is Bluetooth range, which is typically 30 feet.) This feature is available on Pixel 8 and newer, as well as Pixel Watch 2 and newer. Pixel gets a desktop modeSmartphones are basically mini computers these days, so why shouldn't your phone turn into a desktop PC? Google is rolling out such a feature with this Pixel Drop, letting users connect their Pixel 8 or newer to an external monitor. You're still running Android, but the feature lets you run multiple apps side-by-side, like a traditional computer experience. It follows a similar feature from Samsung (DeX) which the company has offered for years. What's more, if you have a Pixel tablet, you can now run multiple apps in free-form windows, similar to how Apple handles window management in iPadOS. Connect your camera to your Pixel phonePixels have been known for their cameras for years. But Google's latest Pixel Drop actually lets you connect an external camera to your Pixel, so you can get different angles for live streaming. These are the smaller changes in the latest Pixel Drop Google added a lot of changes to this Pixel Drop, some smaller than others. For example, a new display color filtering mode softens "high-intensity" hues and saturated colors, if you want a more muted look. Guided Frame, Android's feature that guides users through taking photos, now has more languages, making it more accessible. The Journal app also has new AI features to make it easier to jot down your feelings and experiences. Pixel Watch 3 will also get the Pixel Watch 4's one-handed gestures, which will let you double pinch or turn your wrist to take actions like answering calls and pausing music. View the full article

A Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey is a valuable tool for measuring customer loyalty and satisfaction by asking how likely customers are to recommend your product or service on a scale of 0 to 10. This straightforward metric helps categorize your customers into Promoters, Passives, and Detractors, offering insights into their overall sentiment. Comprehending your NPS can greatly impact your business strategy, revealing areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. What steps can you take to effectively implement this survey? Key Takeaways A Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey measures customer loyalty by asking how likely customers are to recommend a product or service on a scale from 0 to 10. NPS categorizes respondents into Promoters, Passives, and Detractors to assess overall customer sentiment and identify areas for improvement. Companies with NPS targets tend to grow faster, leveraging insights to enhance customer experience and retention strategies. Regularly analyzing NPS data allows businesses to monitor trends and make informed decisions based on customer feedback. Implementing NPS results fosters a customer-centric culture, driving improvements and communication of changes made from customer insights. Understanding Net Promoter Score (NPS) Grasping the Net Promoter Score (NPS) is essential for businesses looking to gauge customer loyalty effectively. This metric, developed by Fred Reichheld in 2003, measures how likely customers are to recommend your business on a scale from 0 to 10. You’ll categorize respondents into Promoters, Passives, and Detractors based on their scores. Promoters (9-10) are loyal; Passives (7-8) are content but vulnerable, whereas Detractors (0-6) are unhappy and can harm your brand. To calculate your NPS, subtract the percentage of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters, yielding a score from -100 to +100. A favorable NPS score is above 20, with scores above 50 considered excellent. Crafting effective net promoter score survey questions, including nps questions and net promoter score sample questions, helps you gather actionable insights. These insights enable you to improve your products and services based on customer feedback. Benefits of Conducting NPS Surveys The benefits of conducting NPS surveys are significant for businesses aiming to improve customer loyalty and satisfaction. By using an NPS survey template, you can efficiently collect feedback that translates into actionable insights. High net promoter scores correlate with increased customer loyalty and advocacy, driving revenue growth for your company. Businesses that set NPS targets typically grow twice as fast as those that don’t, demonstrating the importance of leveraging NPS data for strategic improvements. Regularly conducting net promoter score surveys allows you to track trends in customer sentiment, enabling timely interventions for at-risk customers. This approach in addition helps improve overall satisfaction. Moreover, NPS serves as a standardized metric, allowing you to benchmark against industry averages, providing context for evaluating your competitive positioning. The simplicity of NPS question examples encourages high response rates, ensuring you gather significant feedback across various customer touchpoints efficiently. How to Calculate Your NPS Calculating your Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a straightforward process that can provide valuable insights into customer loyalty. Start by using an NPS score question, typically phrased as, “On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend our product/service?” Next, categorize your respondents into three groups: Promoters (scores 9-10), Passives (7-8), and Detractors (0-6). To find your NPS, apply the formula: NPS = (% Promoters – % Detractors). For instance, if you receive 100 responses and have 50 promoters, 30 passives, and 20 detractors, your NPS would be (50% – 20%) = 30. Using a net promoter score template can help streamline this process. Regularly conducting NPS surveys with targeted nps survey question examples allows you to track changes in customer sentiment over time, enabling informed decisions for enhancing customer experience. Best Practices for NPS Survey Implementation Implementing NPS surveys effectively can greatly improve your comprehension of customer loyalty and satisfaction. To maximize the benefits of your NPS program, consider these best practices: Schedule NPS questionnaires during key customer interactions or at regular intervals for better insights. Combine net promoter survey questions with open-ended nps follow-up questions to gather actionable feedback. Personalize your surveys to resonate with customers, optimizing the timing of distribution for higher response rates. Use technology that integrates NPS tools with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to streamline data collection. Regularly analyze NPS data and segment scores by customer groups to identify trends and tailor strategies. Analyzing and Interpreting NPS Feedback When you analyze and interpret NPS feedback, it’s essential to categorize respondents into promoters, passives, and detractors, which provides a clear framework for grasping customer loyalty. By utilizing the net promoter question, you can gather valuable insights. For instance, an NPS survey example might include asking customers how likely they’re to recommend your business on a scale from 0 to 10. Follow-up open-ended questions reveal specific reasons behind their ratings, enhancing your awareness of customer sentiment. Tracking shifts in these categories over time helps you monitor changes in loyalty and satisfaction. Additionally, segmenting NPS scores by demographics or interaction types can uncover deeper insights into specific customer groups. Engaging with teams across departments using this feedback nurtures a thorough understanding of the overall customer experience, facilitating better alignment within your organization. This approach eventually strengthens your strategies for improving customer relationships. Strategies for Improving Your NPS To improve your NPS, you should consider enhancing the timing of your surveys, as this can greatly influence response rates. Personalizing your follow-up questions based on customer interactions allows for more meaningful engagement and insights. Finally, acting on these insights without delay guarantees that customers see their feedback valued, which can eventually lead to higher loyalty and satisfaction. Enhance Survey Timing Improving the timing of your Net Promoter Score (NPS) surveys can play a critical role in obtaining valuable feedback that accurately reflects customer sentiment. By strategically deploying surveys, you can greatly improve response rates and insights. Send surveys after key interactions, like purchases or support calls. Use a “drip NPS” approach for more frequent feedback, boosting retention by 5.2%. Schedule regular NPS surveys (quarterly or semi-annually) to track sentiment changes. Personalize survey invitations based on customer segmentation for better engagement. Utilize a free NPS survey tool to easily create net promoter survey examples and sample NPS survey questions. Implementing these strategies guarantees you capture timely, relevant feedback to improve customer experience and satisfaction. Personalize Follow-Up Questions How can personalizing follow-up questions improve the insights you gain from your Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey? By tailoring your NPS question wording, you can dig deeper into customer sentiments. For instance, a net promoter question example like “What is the primary reason for your score?” encourages open-ended responses that reveal specific concerns. Addressing feedback from detractors can help identify pain points and root causes of dissatisfaction. Furthermore, customizing questions for different customer segments, such as new versus long-term users, uncovers unique insights that drive targeted improvements. Utilizing responses effectively demonstrates responsiveness, enhancing customer loyalty and potentially converting passives into promoters. With a free NPS survey, you can implement these strategies to improve your NPS over time. Act on Insights Promptly Acting on insights swiftly is crucial for improving your Net Promoter Score (NPS). When you implement changes based on customer feedback, you can reduce churn and cultivate loyalty. Here are strategies to evaluate: Analyze trends in NPS scores, focusing on promoters, passives, and detractors. Use a “closed-loop” process to address detractor concerns, showcasing your commitment to satisfaction. Share insights across departments to guarantee a cohesive approach to customer experience. Make incremental changes based on real-time NPS data, leveraging nps question format effectively. Regularly conduct net score promoter questions to gauge the impact of your initiatives. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Purpose of a Net Promoter Score Survey? The purpose of a Net Promoter Score survey is to gauge customer loyalty and satisfaction. By asking respondents how likely they’re to recommend your business on a scale from 0 to 10, you can categorize them into promoters, passives, and detractors. This insight helps you identify strengths and weaknesses in your customer experience, allowing you to prioritize improvements, track changes over time, and eventually drive customer retention and growth. How Can NPS Improve a Business? NPS can greatly improve your business by providing insights into customer loyalty and satisfaction. By regularly tracking NPS, you can identify at-risk customers and engage with detractors before they leave. This proactive approach reduces churn rates. Furthermore, NPS highlights areas where your business can improve based on customer feedback, allowing you to make targeted changes. In the end, a strong NPS promotes customer retention, leading to increased growth and better word-of-mouth referrals. What Is NPS and Why Is It Important? Net Promoter, or Net Promoter Score, measures customer loyalty by asking how likely customers are to recommend your business on a scale from 0 to 10. It’s essential as it categorizes respondents into promoters, passives, and detractors, providing insight into overall customer satisfaction. A high NPS suggests strong customer retention and positive word-of-mouth, which are important for growth. Tracking NPS regularly helps you identify trends and areas for improvement in your customer experience. How Important Is a Net Promoter Score? A Net Promoter Score (NPS) is essential for gauging customer loyalty, as it directly reflects how likely customers are to recommend your business. A high NPS indicates strong customer retention and potential for referrals, which can greatly accelerate growth. Tracking NPS regularly helps you identify trends in customer satisfaction, allowing you to engage proactively with both promoters and detractors, nurturing a customer-centric culture that improves overall experience and satisfaction across your organization. Conclusion In summary, implementing a Net Promoter Score survey can greatly improve your business’s comprehension of customer loyalty and satisfaction. By regularly measuring NPS, you can identify strengths and weaknesses in your service or product offerings. Calculating and analyzing feedback effectively allows you to make informed decisions and adopt strategies to improve your overall score. In the end, leveraging NPS insights helps nurture customer relationships, which can drive long-term growth and success for your organization. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Net Promoter Score Survey and How Can It Benefit Your Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating an effective loyalty program is fundamental for retaining customers and boosting sales. Start by simplifying registration, ensuring it’s quick and user-friendly. Then, actively promote the program through various channels, making sure your staff is equipped to answer questions. By leveraging customer data, you can personalize offers to improve engagement. It’s furthermore critical to reward customers across multiple platforms. Finally, you’ll need to track success through clear metrics. What comes next is pivotal for ongoing improvement. Key Takeaways Simplify registration by requiring only essential information and offering various enrollment methods like online, in-store, and app options. Promote the loyalty program across all channels, ensuring staff are informed and encouraging referrals through incentives. Utilize customer data to tailor personalized offers and recommendations, enhancing engagement and satisfaction. Create a multi-channel rewards system that allows customers to earn and redeem rewards seamlessly across different shopping platforms. Measure success with clear KPIs, tracking enrollment, redemption rates, and gathering customer feedback for continuous improvement. Keep Registration Simple To guarantee your loyalty program attracts and retains members, it’s crucial to keep the registration process simple. Start by requesting only necessary information to reduce barriers to enrollment; remember, complex registration can lead to 57% of potential members abandoning your program. Offer multiple enrollment methods, such as in-store, online, or through an app, to accommodate different customer preferences and increase participation rates. Clear communication on how customers can earn and redeem rewards is important for encouraging ongoing engagement. Streamline your program‘s rules and structure to minimize confusion, ensuring customers easily understand how their loyalty translates into rewards. Use straightforward language and visuals in your marketing materials to guide customers through the registration process effectively. By focusing on these elements, you’ll not just learn how to create customer loyalty but also how to create a loyalty program that stands out and retains members long-term. Promote the Loyalty Scheme to Your Customers Once you’ve simplified the registration process, it’s time to effectively promote your loyalty program to customers. Utilize all available touchpoints, including your website, social media, email, and in-store displays, to communicate the program’s benefits clearly. Make sure your employees are well-informed about the program, as knowledgeable staff can answer questions and boost customer interest. Encourage word-of-mouth referrals by offering incentives for current members, since 92% of people trust recommendations from friends and family. Implement a targeted referral strategy that can improve both enrollment and engagement levels within your program. Regularly highlight the simplicity of earning and redeeming rewards to combat the fact that 57% of consumers abandon loyalty programs because of confusion. Use Customer Data to Improve the Experience Using customer data effectively can transform your loyalty program into a more personalized experience that resonates with your audience. By analyzing customer behavior, you can create customized offers and recommendations that align with individual preferences. Since 91% of consumers prefer brands that provide personalized suggestions, this approach improves engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, 75% of loyalty members are willing to share their shopping behavior in exchange for relevant benefits, indicating a strong desire for personalization. Leveraging these insights allows you to design promotions that directly reflect individual shopping habits, enhancing the overall customer experience. When you utilize data-driven strategies, you can see a potential 25% increase in revenue, as your loyalty program will resonate more with consumer expectations. Reward Your Customers Across Multiple Channels As customers increasingly seek convenience and flexibility, rewarding them across multiple channels becomes essential for any effective loyalty program. By providing a connected shopping experience, you allow customers to earn and redeem rewards seamlessly, whether they shop in-store, online, or through your app. This approach improves customer satisfaction and meets diverse shopping preferences. A study reveals that 75% of loyalty members prefer programs offering this flexibility, highlighting the importance of a multi-channel strategy. Brands like Starbucks showcase successful multi-channel loyalty programs, enabling points accumulation through various methods, which boosts customer engagement. Implementing such a program can greatly increase participation rates, accommodating how customers choose to shop. Furthermore, offering cross-channel rewards not only nurtures customer loyalty but also drives revenue, with evidence suggesting that effective multi-channel strategies can lead to a 25% increase in overall sales. Adopting this approach will guarantee your loyalty program remains relevant and appealing. Measure the Success of Your Loyalty Program With a solid multi-channel strategy in place, measuring the success of your loyalty program becomes the next logical step in enhancing customer engagement and driving revenue. To effectively gauge performance, establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) like enrollment rates, redemption rates, and customer lifetime value. Regularly track metrics such as active participation rates and purchase frequency to understand customer retention. Here’s a visual representation of key metrics to evaluate: Metric Purpose Frequency of Review Enrollment Rates Assess program attractiveness Monthly Redemption Rates Evaluate customer engagement Monthly Customer Lifetime Value Measure long-term profitability Quarterly Active Participation Rates Track ongoing customer involvement Monthly Revenue Impact Analyze overall financial success Quarterly Gather ongoing customer feedback through surveys to identify areas for improvement, and conduct periodic reviews to refine your strategies. Frequently Asked Questions How to Create an Effective Loyalty Program? To create an effective loyalty program, start by simplifying the sign-up process, only asking for crucial information. Use customer data to personalize offers, as most consumers appreciate customized promotions. Ascertain rewards are easy to earn and redeem across various channels, whether online or in-store. Track key performance indicators like enrollment and redemption rates to assess success. Finally, continuously gather feedback to adapt the program and keep it relevant to your customers’ preferences. What Are the 4 C’s of Customer Loyalty? The 4 C’s of customer loyalty are Clarity, Consistency, Convenience, and Communication. Clarity guarantees you understand how to earn and redeem rewards, reducing confusion. Consistency assures a reliable experience across all channels, enhancing engagement. Convenience simplifies the sign-up process and makes accessing rewards easier, especially through mobile apps. Finally, effective Communication keeps you informed about updates and changes, nurturing a strong relationship and increasing your satisfaction and retention within the program. What Is the Best Example of a Loyalty Program? One of the best examples of a loyalty program is Starbucks Rewards. This program allows you to earn stars with each purchase, which can be redeemed for free drinks and food items. It creates a seamless experience whether you buy in-store or through the app. The program not just encourages repeat visits but additionally improves customer engagement by offering personalized rewards and exclusive promotions, in the end cultivating long-term loyalty among its members. What Are the 3 R’s of Loyalty? The 3 R’s of loyalty are Retention, Referral, and Reward. Retention focuses on keeping existing customers, which can greatly boost profitability. Referral encourages satisfied customers to recommend your brand, leveraging trust for new customer acquisition. Reward emphasizes providing meaningful incentives, enhancing customer satisfaction. Implementing these principles nurtures deeper relationships, leading to increased engagement and potentially a 25% revenue boost. Comprehending and applying these concepts can help you build a successful loyalty strategy. Conclusion In summary, creating an effective loyalty program requires a strategic approach that emphasizes simplicity, promotion, personalization, and multi-channel rewards. By keeping registration straightforward and actively promoting the program, you can improve customer engagement. Utilizing customer data allows for customized experiences, whereas rewarding across various platforms meets diverse preferences. Finally, measuring success through clear KPIs and feedback guarantees continuous improvement. Implementing these steps will not just boost customer satisfaction but additionally cultivate long-term loyalty to your brand. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "Create an Effective Loyalty Program in 5 Simple Steps" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Iraq-based groups have asked The President administration for intelligence, weapons and training supportView the full article

Google updated AI Mode to change how it displays recipes and links to the creators The post Google Updates AI Mode Recipe Sites Results In Response To Backlash appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Keeping billing organized shouldn’t require complicated accounting software. The invoice templates in this guide give businesses a simple way to document products, services and payment terms while keeping records clear for clients and internal tracking. Each template is free, professionally structured and designed to be easily printed for physical invoices when needed. ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software equipped with advanced cost management features that allow organizations to create detailed project schedules, estimate costs, create a budget, allocate resources and monitor costs in real time as work is executed. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgLearn more 1. Invoice Template for Word Businesses that sell products, provide services or combine both often need flexible invoice templates that adapt to different billing situations. This invoice template for Word works for manufacturers, retailers, contractors and service providers alike. /wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Invoice-Template-for-Word-ProjectManager.png Because it’s formatted for document printing, businesses can quickly generate professional invoices that are easy to share digitally or print for records. Invoice identification details: Key billing information such as invoice date, payment due date, customer ID and invoice number clearly identify the document and help businesses track billing cycles, manage accounts receivable and quickly locate invoices when reviewing payment status or resolving billing questions. Product or service provider information: The template includes a complete section for the issuing business, listing company name, contact person, address, phone number and email so clients immediately know who provided the products or services and how to reach them for billing inquiries. Client information section: A dedicated client section records the customer’s company name, contact details and address, ensuring the invoice is properly assigned to the correct organization and helping businesses maintain accurate customer records across multiple projects, orders or service engagements. Product or service details table: The structured billing table lists each item or service provided, including description, quantity or hours, unit price or hourly rate and calculated line totals so both parties clearly understand what was delivered and how the charges were calculated. Cost summary and totals: Below the itemized list, the invoice template automatically organizes subtotal amounts, discounts, taxes, shipping costs and the final grand total, providing a transparent financial breakdown that helps clients quickly verify charges before processing payment. Payment terms and instructions: The final section explains payment deadlines, accepted payment methods, bank transfer details and late payment policies, giving clients clear instructions on how to pay while protecting the business with documented billing conditions and reference notes. 2. Free Invoice Template for Google Docs Teams that collaborate remotely often prefer invoice templates that can be edited from anywhere without sending files back and forth. This free invoice template for Google Docs allows businesses to create, update and share invoices in real time while keeping formatting consistent. Because it lives in the cloud, teams can quickly generate professional invoices and print them whenever needed. /wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Invoice-Template-for-Google-Docs-600x395.png 3. Invoice Template for Excel When businesses want tighter control over calculations, Excel-based invoice templates offer a practical advantage. This invoice template for Excel allows users to track quantities, hourly rates, discounts and totals using spreadsheet formulas that automatically update billing amounts. The structure keeps financial details organized while still allowing invoices to be printed or exported for professional client delivery. /wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Invoice-Template-for-Excel-ProjectManager-600x485.png 4. Google Sheets Invoice Template Cloud-based spreadsheets make billing easier when multiple people handle invoicing, accounting or project costs. This Google Sheets invoice template lets teams generate invoices collaboratively while maintaining automatic calculations for totals and taxes. Because the file updates in real time, businesses can track billing information, adjust invoice details and print finalized invoices directly from the shared document. /wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Google-Sheets-Invoice-Template-ProjectManager-600x420.png 5. Service Invoice Template for Word Professionals who bill for consulting, maintenance, design or other specialized work need invoice templates that clearly document services delivered and how charges are calculated. This service invoice template for Word helps businesses record invoice IDs, issue dates and customer identifiers while listing service descriptions and itemized costs. By organizing provider details, customer information and billing breakdowns in a structured format, the template supports accurate invoicing and professional communication with clients. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/service-invoice-template-600x570.png 6. Construction Invoice Template for Excel Construction companies often manage multiple cost categories, making structured invoice templates essential for clear billing and project cost tracking. This construction invoice template for Excel organizes project details, job site information and invoice identifiers while automatically calculating totals and payment deadlines. A categorized cost breakdown covering labor, materials, equipment rentals, subcontractor fees and permits ensures clients receive transparent invoices that accurately reflect construction work performed. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/construction-invoice-template-600x375.png 7. Weekly Billing Format Projects that generate billable hours every week often benefit from invoice templates designed specifically for recurring billing cycles. This weekly billing format helps teams record labor hours, materials and equipment charges for a defined work period while maintaining consistent documentation. By organizing client information, work descriptions and itemized costs in one structured document, businesses can generate clear weekly invoices that simplify approvals, reduce disputes and speed up payments. /wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Weekly-billing-format-600x489.png ProjectManager Is a Robust Project Cost Management Solution ProjectManager is equipped with robust project cost management tools and features including workload management charts, timesheets, real-time project and portfolio management dashboards and reports that allow organizations to create project budgets, compare their estimates against actual project costs and monitor expenses at the task level. Watch the video to learn more! ProjectManager is award-winning software that allows organizations across industries to manage projects from start to finish. Our collaborative platform connects everyone on the project team and lets them work with the tools they want. Plan, monitor and report on every aspect of your projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 7 Free Invoice Templates for Word, Excel and Google Sheets appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

One of the nicest things about Apple software, at least in theory, is its uncluttered design. That's why many users (myself included) were annoyed when Safari's Compact Tabs feature was dropped in macOS 26 or iPadOS 26. It was a great way to neaten up your browser bar, and people have been complaining about the missing feature ever since. Happily, the complainers now have something to look forward to, as the upcoming ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 releases will bring back the Compact Tab option, according to MacRumors. Their reporting shows a screenshot of the Safari settings on macOS, with "Separate" and "Compact" tab style both on offer. Why I love Compact TabsHere's why I'm jazzed about this feature's return: Your browser's tab bar, by default, sits right below the main toolbar (which contains your address bar as well as forward/back buttons and new tab buttons). Compact Tabs moves the tabs into the address bar, a space that is otherwise mostly blank. This cuts the amount of occupied space taken at the top of the browser in half. This isn't a feature for everyone—people who routinely keep dozens of tabs open tend to like having more space to see which tab is which. But for those of us who like to keep things clean (like me) Compact Tabs was perfect. And it will be perfect again. Apple hasn't announced when the 26.4 update will ship to all macOS and iPadOS users, but based on based release cycles, it's likely to come out in the next month or so. ANd if you don't want to wait, you can try out the 26.4 beta now. Credit: Justin Pot The serious caveat here is that beta versions of software are, by definition, less stable than the release version, meaning you may have to put up with a few bugs that will annoy you or (at worst) leave your computer unusable. All that aside, if you want to jump in, open System Settings on your device and head to General > Software Update. From here turn on beta updates—you should then be offered a beta version of 26.4. I don't generally recommend risking using a beta operating system for a minor quality of life improvement (even though there are other cool features coming), but the full version shouldn't be long in coming. View the full article

Over the last 50 years, the chasm between average worker pay and CEO compensation has cracked wide open. Between 1978 and 2024, chief executive pay spiked by 1,094%, according to the Economic Policy Institute—which means the average CEO earns 281 times the average worker. A new report from the Institute for Policy Studies, a progressive research organization, captures how this disparity persists across some of the largest companies in the country and how the low-wage workers they employ are forced to rely on public benefits. The report drew on the S&P 500 and tallied a list of 20 companies that have been dubbed the “Low-Wage 20,” which includes some of the usual suspects from the retail and grocery sectors, from Amazon and Walmart to Target and Kroger. The following employers round out the full list: Autozone, Best Buy, Chipotle, Costco, Darden Restaurants, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, FedEx, Home Depot, Lowe’s, MGM Resorts, O’Reilly Automotive, Ross Stores, Starbucks, TJX, and Tyson Foods. “Amazon pay is among the best in the industry—well over double the federal minimum wage and significantly more than other retailers,” an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement. “Pointing fingers at Amazon over SNAP and/or Medicaid is a red herring when eligibility is based on total household income and size—and not individual wages. For example, two employees who work at the same site and earn identical pay in the same state can have completely different SNAP or Medicaid eligibility depending on whether they support children, elderly parents, or are the sole earner in their household.” “As we’ve said for years, what really needs to happen is a significant and large increase in the federal minimum wage—that would be a big boost for American families,” the spokesperson continued. In a statement, a Starbucks spokesperson said the company “offers the best job in retail, backed by competitive pay, industry‑leading benefits, and strong career growth opportunities.” “Partners working just 20 hours a week receive comprehensive healthcare, Bean Stock equity grants, and full tuition coverage, and all partners are eligible for our company‑matched 401(k),” the spokesperson added. “Our approach is reflected in the fact that partners stay with Starbucks at far higher rates than the retail average, and more than a million people apply each year to join our team.” The other companies named in the report were not immediately available for comment when reached by Fast Company. Public assistance as corporate welfare? In total, the companies highlighted by the report employ about 6.7 million people. Even the highest median wage of the bunch did not cross $48,000—and while employers are not required to disclose how many of their workers use public benefits like the SNAP food aid program or Medicaid, the report shows that plenty of workers at these companies are not paid enough money to cover basic needs. In 2024, the median pay across 13 of the employers named in the report would have qualified a family of three for SNAP benefits, falling below the income threshold of $33,576. Across Nevada—where state law dictates that the government publish data on Medicaid enrollees at large companies—nearly 78% of Amazon and Walmart employees are on Medicaid. The report argues that the companies in question are effectively “using public assistance as corporate welfare” by keeping their wages so low. “When they’re allowed to shift so much of their employees’ basic living costs onto taxpayers, that means we are supporting these poverty wage business models,” says Sarah Anderson, who authored the study and oversees the Global Economy Project at the Institute for Policy Studies. “I think this is a big part of the affordability debate that isn’t getting enough attention. Most of the attention is on rising costs for things like housing and groceries, and all that is a major concern. But if we didn’t have this poverty wage business model and wage suppression related to the anti-union tactics of these companies, we wouldn’t have an affordability crisis right now because wages would be significantly higher—and people wouldn’t be worrying about putting food on the table or a roof over their head.” Many workers are barely getting by Even as some of these companies have boosted hourly wages, Anderson says, they continue to heavily employ part-time workers and seasonal hires—which means many of their workers are not entitled to health care benefits, for example. “We have been hearing so much from a lot of these companies about how they’re raising their bottom wage level, and they’ll brag about their average pay,” Anderson says. “But when you look at median pay . . . it includes part-time workers. That’s where you get a much clearer picture because so many of these companies have chosen to have a business model based on part-time employees.” In other words: Even when their employers are profitable and hugely successful, many of these workers are still struggling to make ends meet. Anderson’s analysis also found that while workers may have benefited from temporary wage increases during the pandemic, those gains did not stick: In fact, between 2019 and 2024, median pay actually dropped by 4.6% across the 20 employers featured in the report, from $30,474 to $29,087 (when adjusted for inflation). It’s not entirely clear why this is the case; the reports note that at Costco, the dip in pay could be attributed to a significant amount of pandemic-era turnover that led to an influx of entry-level workers who were paid lower wages. FedEx saw a drop-off in median pay after major layoffs that slashed thousands of jobs. At other companies, however, the report posits the cause may be an uptick in the number of part-time workers. CEO pay keeps rising In the meantime, however, CEO pay has continued to climb, with chief executives like Brian Niccol of Starbucks boasting overall compensation valued at over $95 million. (Median pay for its workers, by comparison, was $14,674.) Average CEO pay across all 20 companies highlighted in the report was $18.6 million. One finding in the report really illustrates how much business leaders have benefited from ballooning executive compensation, even as their workers have seen few gains: At least 16 billionaires in the country—half of whom are from the Walton family, heirs to Walmart—have built their fortunes through the 20 companies in the report, and on the backs of the labor of low-wage workers. “They owe their wealth to the challenging labor that all these workers have put into creating value in these companies,” Anderson says. “And yet [these workers] still have to struggle to get by and even rely on public assistance.” View the full article

A reader writes: My fully remote company just announced that our mandatory, weekly, hour-long, all-staff Zoom meeting will now be required to be camera on and mic on for all 60+ attendees. It seems like they’re trying to recreate the feeling of us all being in person. However, to me, and to I imagine a lot of people, the new requirements sound like literal torture. This seems like a perfect “push back as a group” situation … but I don’t know how to do that in a remote setting. While I suspect my manager would also find this new requirement bonkers, I’m not so sure about his boss. I’m mostly an independent contributor, so I don’t have much incidental interaction with other people in the company. What can I do here? Reach out to a handful of individuals on Slack to see if others think this is as insane as it seems to me? Then what? Write a group Slack message to the meeting leader (the CEO) saying, “I understand you want the company to feel closer, but we are not doing this”? In an in-person setting, I could have a bunch of low-key “this is nuts, right?” conversations with coworkers in the break room or hallways, but without that kind of casual interaction, I’m not sure how to get a group together to push back. I don’t think cameras on for one hour-long meeting a week is outrageous, and if you frame it to people as anything in the neighborhood of “literal torture” you’re likely to lose a lot of credibility. Requiring 60+ people have mics on is bizarre. But that part is likely to be rescinded pretty quickly because that much background noise (as well as sipping drinks, clearing throats, etc.) is going to be chaos with so many people. We can talk about how to generate support for pushing back as a group when you’re remote, but I don’t think this is the issue to organize around. As for how you’d do it on something else, though: * Ideally, before you ever need to push back as a group, you’ve put some energy into forming relationships with your coworkers. You don’t have to do that — if you haven’t, you can still raise the topic when you’re talking to someone about something work-related — but it’s a lot easier if you’ve laid that groundwork first. * Then, when you’re talking to people, you bring up the issue that’s bothering you: “What do you think about X? I’m worried because of Y.” You feel them out and if they sound like they share your concern, you can say, “I might talk to a few others and see if other people have these concerns. If they do, maybe we can talk about it with Manager.” From there, you’d follow the rest of the advice in this post about speaking up as a group — meaning that you could decide to raise it at a team meeting and have multiple people chime in, or you could ask your boss for a group meeting specifically to talk through questions people have, or you could decide that you’ll each bring it up individually with your manager. (But as discussed in that post, it usually does not make sense for one spokesperson to raise it on everyone else’s behalf. That’s likely to be less effective, and you might find others don’t then back you up as staunchly as they let you believe they would.) * Sometimes, too, you can just speak up in a meeting where the topic is already getting discussed. For example: “I’m thinking about X — does anyone worry about how that will affect Y?” That’s a really low-key way to do it. You’re not showing up guns blazing, just raising a potential work problem and waiting to see if others join in on your concerns. The post how do we push back as a group when we’re all remote? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Google is rolling out an update to AI Mode for recipe results that it hopes will make recipe bloggers happy. Google’s Robby Stein said on X, “We’ve heard feedback on recipe results in AI Mode, and we’re making updates to better connect people with recipe creators on the web.” The changes aim to make it easier to click over to recipe sites, though I am not 100% certain yet whether the recipe summaries turn recipes into AI slop. “Starting today, when you search for meal ideas like “easy dinners for two,” you can tap on the dish to see links to relevant recipe sites, plus a short overview of the dish to help with inspiration,” Stein added. What it looks like. Here is a video of it in action: More recipe details too. Google is also adding more information to the recipe results including cook time. Google said its “testers have found useful for deciding on a recipe.” “We know there’s more work to be done on this, so stay tuned for future updates,” Robby Stein added. Why we care. Recipe bloggers, well, content creators in general, have not been happy with how traffic from Google’s AI experiences did not send as much traffic as the traditional search results. Here we see Google trying to make changes to encourage more searchers to click from those AI experiences to the bloggers website. Will it make a big difference? Time will tell. View the full article

Utah-based outdoor retailer Sportsman’s Warehouse may be closing some of its stores in the near future. “As part of the Company’s review of its stores, we have identified about five stores for potential closure due to underperformance and lack of profitability,” Sportsman’s Warehouse wrote in its Fiscal Year 2025 financial results press release. Sportsman’s Warehouse did not respond to Fast Company’s request for comment on which stores it identified at the time of publication. Sportsman’s Warehouse has 148 locations spread across 32 different states. The brand is mostly centered around western states, with 17 stores in California, 14 in Washington, and 13 in Utah, where its headquarters are located in the Salt Lake City suburb of Midvale. It is a major seller of firearms, as well as other hunting, fishing, and camping essentials. Retailers across sectors are scaling back Store closures are generally unsurprising these days, as many retail chains have been reducing their physical footprints. In just the outdoor sector, Camping World reported a net decrease of 10 store locations in 2025, including the consolidation of 17 locations. Last month, outdoor recreation retail chain Eddie Bauer announced it was closing down all of its U.S. and Canada locations in the wake of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. They’re hitting nearly all different types of retailers as well, with retailers ranging from GameStop to Walgreens among those that are scaling back on their brick-and-mortar storefronts in 2026. This is spurred on by the shift to online retail, which started to close down physical storefronts throughout the 2010s, but hit a turbo boost during the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to health and safety regulations keeping people at home. Despite the struggles of some of its locations, Sportsman’s Warehouse actually had a 1% increase in same-store sales in fiscal year 2025, the first time that the company has achieved positive growth in that department since 2020, according to its earnings release. Like most retailers, Sportsman’s Warehouse has a robust online storefront. View the full article

In today’s competitive digital environment, hiring a video editor can greatly influence your content’s effectiveness. A professional editor not just improves the visual quality but also saves you time, allowing you to concentrate on storytelling. They bring advanced tools and creative expertise that raise your brand’s appeal. If you’re aiming for consistent output and better audience engagement, comprehending the specific benefits of a video editor is vital. Let’s explore these important reasons further. Key Takeaways Professional video editors transform raw footage into polished content, enhancing visual storytelling and brand perception. Hiring an editor saves you time, allowing you to focus on creating more content and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Expert editing improves video quality through advanced techniques like color grading and sound design, elevating your production standards. A video editor shapes narratives that resonate with your audience, creating emotional connections and enhancing viewer retention. Access to advanced tools and resources through professional editors ensures your content stands out in a crowded digital space. Professional Quality That Stands Out When you invest in professional video editing, you transform raw footage into a polished masterpiece that captures your audience’s attention. Utilizing video editing services near me connects you with talented freelance video editors who specialize in enhancing visual storytelling. These professionals employ the latest tools and techniques, ensuring your travel videos feature lively footage and seamless shifts. By delivering consistent quality, they help maintain your unique identity and cultivate brand trust among viewers. Furthermore, expert editors focus on cuts, color grading, and sound design, meeting industry standards to give you a competitive edge in the crowded digital space. In the competitive travel vlogging market, high-quality videos greatly impact viewer engagement and retention, making a professional video editor service a valuable investment. Time Efficiency In terms of video editing, time efficiency is essential for creators like you. By hiring a professional video editor, you can save valuable hours that would otherwise be spent on complex editing tasks, allowing you to focus on creating more content. With streamlined editing processes, you’ll not just meet deadlines but likewise maintain a consistent posting schedule that keeps your audience engaged. Save Valuable Time Outsourcing video editing can markedly save you valuable time, allowing you to concentrate on other vital aspects of your content creation. When you hire a video editor, you benefit from their advanced skills, which enable them to complete tasks in a fraction of the time it would take you. This efficiency not just streamlines your workflow but also leads to quicker video releases, keeping your audience engaged. By collaborating with a video editing agency, you guarantee a consistent output of high-quality content, fundamental in today’s fast-paced digital environment. With more time on your hands, you can explore new ideas and focus on enhancing your overall content strategy, eventually improving your engagement and growth. Search for a video editor near me to get started. Streamlined Editing Processes Streamlined editing processes are crucial for maximizing time efficiency in video production. When you hire professional video editors, they leverage established workflows and quality control measures, allowing them to complete video editing work much faster than amateurs. This means you can focus on generating new ideas and filming, rather than getting bogged down in the editing process. By outsourcing to video editors for hire or considering remote video editing jobs, you free up valuable time for other important activities, like engaging with your audience. Plus, streamlined processes help minimize bottlenecks, ensuring a consistent output of high-quality videos that can keep up with the fast-paced digital environment. In the end, efficiency in editing leads to improved productivity and growth for your content. Focus on Content Creation Focusing on content creation is essential for maximizing your effectiveness as a video producer. By hiring a professional video editor, you can save valuable time and improve your creative output. Here’s how outsourcing video editing can help: Benefits Details Impact on Engagement Time Efficiency Professional editors complete tasks quickly Timely content delivery Consistency Maintain high-quality video output Better audience retention Innovation Frees mental energy for storytelling improvements Increased viewer engagement Streamlined Workflow Efficient processes reduce turnaround time Improved channel relevance Focus on Content Creation More time for exploring new ideas and experiences Growth in creative content In today’s competitive environment, prioritizing content creation over video editing can greatly raise your work and lead to more opportunities in video editor jobs and freelance video editing. Creative Storytelling In terms of creative storytelling, video editors play an essential role in shaping narratives that resonate with audiences. They employ narrative crafting techniques and emotional connection strategies to guarantee the story flows seamlessly, enhancing viewer engagement. Narrative Crafting Techniques Creative storytelling in video editing plays a critical role in shaping how audiences perceive and engage with content. A skilled video editor is needed to craft compelling narratives that resonate with viewers, enhancing their overall experience. Effective narrative crafting involves techniques like pacing, thematic continuity, and character development, which create a cohesive story arc from raw footage. Incorporating visual metaphors and symbolism deepens comprehension, whereas strong opening hooks and climactic moments boost viewer retention rates. For those seeking video editing jobs, honing these techniques increases employability, as companies look for editors who can uplift content. If you’re considering video editor hiring, focus on their ability to create well-edited narratives that captivate audiences and encourage sharing across social media platforms. Emotional Connection Strategies To create a strong emotional connection with viewers, video editors must skillfully employ various storytelling strategies that resonate on a personal level. By weaving personal narratives, you can evoke emotions that promote deeper connections and improve audience engagement. Well-crafted stories greatly boost viewer retention, as studies show that emotionally resonant content leads to higher shares and comments. Effective techniques, such as pacing and sound design, heighten the impact of key moments, creating memorable experiences. Incorporating relatable characters in travel videos strengthens emotional ties, driving loyalty. Utilizing narrative structures that emphasize conflict and resolution makes your content compelling, ensuring the audience remains invested. If you’re seeking freelance video editing jobs or know a video editor wanted, consider hiring YouTube video editors for hire who excel in this area. Consistent Output Consistent output is crucial for engaging your audience effectively, as regular uploads can greatly boost viewer retention—by as much as 54% on platforms like YouTube. By hiring a remote video editor, you can guarantee your content aligns with your channel’s style and tone, promoting brand identity. Professional editors maintain established workflows and quality control processes that assure polished videos, enhancing the viewer experience. This consistency not only builds a loyal audience but also increases the chances of subscribers returning for new content, leading to a 64% rise in channel growth. By outsourcing your video editing tasks, you can maintain a steady stream of high-quality content, fundamental in today’s fast-paced digital environment. Explore video editing vacancy opportunities to find the right freelance video editor jobs. Access to Advanced Tools and Resources Accessing advanced tools and resources can greatly improve your video production quality, allowing you to create compelling content that resonates with your audience. With professional Adobe video editing firms, you gain access to: State-of-the-art software for color grading and special effects Licensed music and high-quality stock footage Innovative techniques that elevate storytelling Faster workflows without sacrificing quality These resources are vital, especially for those pursuing video editor jobs remote or freelance video opportunities. By leveraging these advanced tools, experienced editors can deliver visually stunning content that stands out in a crowded digital environment. If you’re exploring online video editing jobs, grasping the value of these resources will greatly boost your competitive edge and improve your overall production quality. Enhance Your Brand’s Visual Appeal Improving your brand’s visual appeal is crucial in today’s competitive environment, where first impressions can greatly influence consumer decisions. High-quality video editing captures viewer attention, boosting your brand perception through polished content. By integrating specific colors, logos, and styles, you cultivate trust and recognition, making your brand more memorable. Professional editors employ advanced techniques like color correction and smooth shifts, elevating production quality beyond amateur efforts and providing a competitive edge. Engaging storytelling through expertly edited videos resonates with your target audience, leading to higher engagement rates and emotional connections. If you need a video editor, searching for “video editing near me” can help you find the right professional to improve your brand’s visual narrative, similar to those in video editor jobs USA. Focus on Content Creation When you hire a video editor, you’re not just delegating tasks; you’re creating an opportunity to improve your content creation process considerably. By outsourcing the technical aspects of editing, you can focus on storytelling and connecting with your audience, which is crucial in today’s competitive environment. Here’s how a freelance videographer editor can help: Spend more time generating fresh ideas. Improve the overall quality of your videos. Increase your output, which can grow your subscriber count. Guarantee timely delivery of high-quality content. Whether you choose a video editor remote part time or engage in online video editing work, you’ll find that investing in professional editing allows you to maximize your creative potential and stay relevant in the digital world. Frequently Asked Questions Why Do You Need a Video Editor? You need a video editor to improve the quality of your content. They apply techniques like color correction and sound design, making your videos more engaging. By hiring an editor, you save time, allowing you to focus on creating more content. Skilled editors excel in storytelling, helping you connect with your audience. They likewise have access to advanced tools that can enhance your production value, ensuring your videos maintain a consistent identity and messaging. Are Video Editors in Demand Right Now? Yes, video editors are in high demand right now. With platforms like YouTube and TikTok booming, businesses and content creators seek skilled editors to improve their video quality. Statistics show that video content will account for over 82% of internet traffic by 2025, emphasizing the need for professional editing. Furthermore, the rise of remote work has increased freelance opportunities, making video editing an essential skill in today’s digital marketing environment. Why Is Video Editing so Important? Video editing is essential as it transforms raw footage into engaging content that captures viewer attention. By enhancing storytelling through techniques like color grading and sound design, you create a cohesive narrative that resonates with audiences. High-quality editing improves search engine rankings by boosting viewer retention and watch time, making your videos more discoverable. Access to advanced tools and skills additionally raises production value, helping your content stand out in a competitive environment. What Are the Benefits of Video Editing? Video editing offers several benefits that improve content quality and viewer engagement. You can enhance visual appeal through color correction and smooth shifts, which positively impacts brand perception. Furthermore, efficient editing saves you time, allowing you to focus on content creation. Skilled editors can craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, nurturing emotional connections. Ultimately, properly edited videos can improve search engine optimization, increasing discoverability and driving more traffic to your content. Conclusion In summary, hiring a video editor is a strategic move for anyone looking to improve their content. With professional quality, time efficiency, and access to advanced tools, you can enhance your brand’s visual appeal. A skilled editor additionally aids in creative storytelling and guarantees consistent output, which is vital for audience retention. By focusing on content creation, you maximize your potential and strengthen your brand’s presence in a competitive environment. Investing in professional editing is fundamental for success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Reasons You Need a Video Editor Today" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In today’s competitive digital environment, hiring a video editor can greatly influence your content’s effectiveness. A professional editor not just improves the visual quality but also saves you time, allowing you to concentrate on storytelling. They bring advanced tools and creative expertise that raise your brand’s appeal. If you’re aiming for consistent output and better audience engagement, comprehending the specific benefits of a video editor is vital. Let’s explore these important reasons further. Key Takeaways Professional video editors transform raw footage into polished content, enhancing visual storytelling and brand perception. Hiring an editor saves you time, allowing you to focus on creating more content and maintaining a consistent posting schedule. Expert editing improves video quality through advanced techniques like color grading and sound design, elevating your production standards. A video editor shapes narratives that resonate with your audience, creating emotional connections and enhancing viewer retention. Access to advanced tools and resources through professional editors ensures your content stands out in a crowded digital space. Professional Quality That Stands Out When you invest in professional video editing, you transform raw footage into a polished masterpiece that captures your audience’s attention. Utilizing video editing services near me connects you with talented freelance video editors who specialize in enhancing visual storytelling. These professionals employ the latest tools and techniques, ensuring your travel videos feature lively footage and seamless shifts. By delivering consistent quality, they help maintain your unique identity and cultivate brand trust among viewers. Furthermore, expert editors focus on cuts, color grading, and sound design, meeting industry standards to give you a competitive edge in the crowded digital space. In the competitive travel vlogging market, high-quality videos greatly impact viewer engagement and retention, making a professional video editor service a valuable investment. Time Efficiency In terms of video editing, time efficiency is essential for creators like you. By hiring a professional video editor, you can save valuable hours that would otherwise be spent on complex editing tasks, allowing you to focus on creating more content. With streamlined editing processes, you’ll not just meet deadlines but likewise maintain a consistent posting schedule that keeps your audience engaged. Save Valuable Time Outsourcing video editing can markedly save you valuable time, allowing you to concentrate on other vital aspects of your content creation. When you hire a video editor, you benefit from their advanced skills, which enable them to complete tasks in a fraction of the time it would take you. This efficiency not just streamlines your workflow but also leads to quicker video releases, keeping your audience engaged. By collaborating with a video editing agency, you guarantee a consistent output of high-quality content, fundamental in today’s fast-paced digital environment. With more time on your hands, you can explore new ideas and focus on enhancing your overall content strategy, eventually improving your engagement and growth. Search for a video editor near me to get started. Streamlined Editing Processes Streamlined editing processes are crucial for maximizing time efficiency in video production. When you hire professional video editors, they leverage established workflows and quality control measures, allowing them to complete video editing work much faster than amateurs. This means you can focus on generating new ideas and filming, rather than getting bogged down in the editing process. By outsourcing to video editors for hire or considering remote video editing jobs, you free up valuable time for other important activities, like engaging with your audience. Plus, streamlined processes help minimize bottlenecks, ensuring a consistent output of high-quality videos that can keep up with the fast-paced digital environment. In the end, efficiency in editing leads to improved productivity and growth for your content. Focus on Content Creation Focusing on content creation is essential for maximizing your effectiveness as a video producer. By hiring a professional video editor, you can save valuable time and improve your creative output. Here’s how outsourcing video editing can help: Benefits Details Impact on Engagement Time Efficiency Professional editors complete tasks quickly Timely content delivery Consistency Maintain high-quality video output Better audience retention Innovation Frees mental energy for storytelling improvements Increased viewer engagement Streamlined Workflow Efficient processes reduce turnaround time Improved channel relevance Focus on Content Creation More time for exploring new ideas and experiences Growth in creative content In today’s competitive environment, prioritizing content creation over video editing can greatly raise your work and lead to more opportunities in video editor jobs and freelance video editing. Creative Storytelling In terms of creative storytelling, video editors play an essential role in shaping narratives that resonate with audiences. They employ narrative crafting techniques and emotional connection strategies to guarantee the story flows seamlessly, enhancing viewer engagement. Narrative Crafting Techniques Creative storytelling in video editing plays a critical role in shaping how audiences perceive and engage with content. A skilled video editor is needed to craft compelling narratives that resonate with viewers, enhancing their overall experience. Effective narrative crafting involves techniques like pacing, thematic continuity, and character development, which create a cohesive story arc from raw footage. Incorporating visual metaphors and symbolism deepens comprehension, whereas strong opening hooks and climactic moments boost viewer retention rates. For those seeking video editing jobs, honing these techniques increases employability, as companies look for editors who can uplift content. If you’re considering video editor hiring, focus on their ability to create well-edited narratives that captivate audiences and encourage sharing across social media platforms. Emotional Connection Strategies To create a strong emotional connection with viewers, video editors must skillfully employ various storytelling strategies that resonate on a personal level. By weaving personal narratives, you can evoke emotions that promote deeper connections and improve audience engagement. Well-crafted stories greatly boost viewer retention, as studies show that emotionally resonant content leads to higher shares and comments. Effective techniques, such as pacing and sound design, heighten the impact of key moments, creating memorable experiences. Incorporating relatable characters in travel videos strengthens emotional ties, driving loyalty. Utilizing narrative structures that emphasize conflict and resolution makes your content compelling, ensuring the audience remains invested. If you’re seeking freelance video editing jobs or know a video editor wanted, consider hiring YouTube video editors for hire who excel in this area. Consistent Output Consistent output is crucial for engaging your audience effectively, as regular uploads can greatly boost viewer retention—by as much as 54% on platforms like YouTube. By hiring a remote video editor, you can guarantee your content aligns with your channel’s style and tone, promoting brand identity. Professional editors maintain established workflows and quality control processes that assure polished videos, enhancing the viewer experience. This consistency not only builds a loyal audience but also increases the chances of subscribers returning for new content, leading to a 64% rise in channel growth. By outsourcing your video editing tasks, you can maintain a steady stream of high-quality content, fundamental in today’s fast-paced digital environment. Explore video editing vacancy opportunities to find the right freelance video editor jobs. Access to Advanced Tools and Resources Accessing advanced tools and resources can greatly improve your video production quality, allowing you to create compelling content that resonates with your audience. With professional Adobe video editing firms, you gain access to: State-of-the-art software for color grading and special effects Licensed music and high-quality stock footage Innovative techniques that elevate storytelling Faster workflows without sacrificing quality These resources are vital, especially for those pursuing video editor jobs remote or freelance video opportunities. By leveraging these advanced tools, experienced editors can deliver visually stunning content that stands out in a crowded digital environment. If you’re exploring online video editing jobs, grasping the value of these resources will greatly boost your competitive edge and improve your overall production quality. Enhance Your Brand’s Visual Appeal Improving your brand’s visual appeal is crucial in today’s competitive environment, where first impressions can greatly influence consumer decisions. High-quality video editing captures viewer attention, boosting your brand perception through polished content. By integrating specific colors, logos, and styles, you cultivate trust and recognition, making your brand more memorable. Professional editors employ advanced techniques like color correction and smooth shifts, elevating production quality beyond amateur efforts and providing a competitive edge. Engaging storytelling through expertly edited videos resonates with your target audience, leading to higher engagement rates and emotional connections. If you need a video editor, searching for “video editing near me” can help you find the right professional to improve your brand’s visual narrative, similar to those in video editor jobs USA. Focus on Content Creation When you hire a video editor, you’re not just delegating tasks; you’re creating an opportunity to improve your content creation process considerably. By outsourcing the technical aspects of editing, you can focus on storytelling and connecting with your audience, which is crucial in today’s competitive environment. Here’s how a freelance videographer editor can help: Spend more time generating fresh ideas. Improve the overall quality of your videos. Increase your output, which can grow your subscriber count. Guarantee timely delivery of high-quality content. Whether you choose a video editor remote part time or engage in online video editing work, you’ll find that investing in professional editing allows you to maximize your creative potential and stay relevant in the digital world. Frequently Asked Questions Why Do You Need a Video Editor? You need a video editor to improve the quality of your content. They apply techniques like color correction and sound design, making your videos more engaging. By hiring an editor, you save time, allowing you to focus on creating more content. Skilled editors excel in storytelling, helping you connect with your audience. They likewise have access to advanced tools that can enhance your production value, ensuring your videos maintain a consistent identity and messaging. Are Video Editors in Demand Right Now? Yes, video editors are in high demand right now. With platforms like YouTube and TikTok booming, businesses and content creators seek skilled editors to improve their video quality. Statistics show that video content will account for over 82% of internet traffic by 2025, emphasizing the need for professional editing. Furthermore, the rise of remote work has increased freelance opportunities, making video editing an essential skill in today’s digital marketing environment. Why Is Video Editing so Important? Video editing is essential as it transforms raw footage into engaging content that captures viewer attention. By enhancing storytelling through techniques like color grading and sound design, you create a cohesive narrative that resonates with audiences. High-quality editing improves search engine rankings by boosting viewer retention and watch time, making your videos more discoverable. Access to advanced tools and skills additionally raises production value, helping your content stand out in a competitive environment. What Are the Benefits of Video Editing? Video editing offers several benefits that improve content quality and viewer engagement. You can enhance visual appeal through color correction and smooth shifts, which positively impacts brand perception. Furthermore, efficient editing saves you time, allowing you to focus on content creation. Skilled editors can craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, nurturing emotional connections. Ultimately, properly edited videos can improve search engine optimization, increasing discoverability and driving more traffic to your content. Conclusion In summary, hiring a video editor is a strategic move for anyone looking to improve their content. With professional quality, time efficiency, and access to advanced tools, you can enhance your brand’s visual appeal. A skilled editor additionally aids in creative storytelling and guarantees consistent output, which is vital for audience retention. By focusing on content creation, you maximize your potential and strengthen your brand’s presence in a competitive environment. Investing in professional editing is fundamental for success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Reasons You Need a Video Editor Today" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Android users will soon be able to use tracking devices to coordinate lost luggage recovery directly with airlines. The feature, one of many announced as part of Google's March Pixel Drop, generates a Find Hub link for compatible trackers that can be shared with airlines to help locate bags that have gone missing transit. Apple rolled out a similar feature for AirTags in late 2024, called Share Item Location. iOS users can temporarily share the location of a Find My accessory with their airline to help find lost luggage. It's important to note that AirTags (and other tracking tags, including those compatible with Android's Find Hub) aren't real-time trackers, as they generally rely on pinging other internet-connected devices nearby to share their whereabouts. Share Item Location for AirTags is currently supported by 36 airlines, including all major U.S. carriers. How to use Android Find Hub to locate your lost luggageTo use this feature, you must already have a Find Hub-compatible tracker in your luggage. Select the tracking device in the Find Hub app, tap Share item location to generate an encrypted URL, and copy the link to paste into your airline's lost luggage claim form on its mobile app or website. The sharing link automatically expires after seven days (during which you will have hopefully recovered your luggage), though you can stop sharing at any time. Find Hub will also disable location sharing when your Android phone detects the tracker nearby. At this time, 10 global airlines are working with Find Hub for baggage recovery: Ajet Air India China Airlines Lufthansa Austrian Airlines Brussels Airlines Swiss International Airlines Saudia Airlines Scandinavian Airlines Turkish Airlines None of the major carriers in the U.S have signed on, though Google has said it plans to partner with more airlines, including Qantas, in the future. View the full article

Target plans to spend billions of dollars this year to end a persistent sales slump and to regain its image as a fun place to shop for stylish clothing, housewares, beauty products and packaged food at affordable prices. The CEO guiding the turnaround plan is Michael Fiddelke, who stepped into the chief executive role last month but has worked for Target for more than 20 years. Fiddelke, who previously served as chief operating officer, has his work cut out for him. Some investors wanted an outsider to lead the company when Brian Cornell stepped down as CEO after more than 11 years. On Tuesday, the mass-market retailer turned in another quarter of declining comparable sales. Target also faced pressure to take a public stand against the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where the company is based. During an interview with The Associated Press at the company’s headquarters, Fiddelke talked about how he is trying to refresh stores and Target’s merchandise selection, regain the trust of customers and navigate a political and economic climate that has compounded the company’s troubles. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. AP: How do you prove to skeptics that you bring a fresh set of eyes to reversing Target’s sales malaise? FIDDELKE: Prove is the right word. It’s a ‘Prove it’ story. I have the benefit of a 23-year running start that has taught me so much about how retail works. I’ve gotten to see Target at its very best. I’ve gotten to see us when we are not at our very best, and that leads (to) a real clear view for me of when we’re hitting on all cylinders. It means even being candid on the stuff that I had my fingerprints on. I was COO for two years. I was CFO for some times that were great, and some times that weren’t. So as long as I’m able to couple — and I believe I can — the benefit of that experience with clear-eyed candor about where we’re at and where we need to drive change, I like that combination. AP: You’re pushing Target’s merchandise buyers to travel more to get inspiration? FIDDELKE: One of the things that’s critical to being design-led is you have to have an environment that fosters creativity in the right way. And I think if you were to pull any buyer into this discussion, they would say that outside stimulus of what’s different, what did I just see, that can often come in travel to other markets. The Alpine Chalet that you saw in our stores just this recent (fourth quarter) — the inspiration for that was from a European Christmas market trip. Where we lost it was during the pandemic. Travel was limited for a couple of years. We’re back to full form now. It probably took us a little longer than it should have, but it’s all about creating the conditions for creativity. AP: You’ve been spending time at Target’s corporate archives? FIDDELKE: I think that history can be instructive on centering who we are in our core. That’s different than nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. And so there’s an important balance to hold in our heads where spending time in the archives, spending time talking with leaders who have led Target at different chapters. That’s all helpful. And you can’t just fall in love with nostalgia. The playbook from 10 years ago is not going to win in today’s retail. AP: Target has taken heat for pulling back on DEI programs and now not taking a public stand against ICE crackdowns in Minneapolis. What could have been done differently? FIDDELKE: I’ve been at Target 23 years. It has certainly been true in every single one of those 23 years that Target has a deep history of being a productive partner in the communities in which our 2,000 stores operate. And our roots run deep there. Companies of our scale giving 5% of our operating profits back into community. You don’t find a lot of those. And so knowing kind of core truths about who we are, our role in community, matters. Investment in team matters. Target being a place for everyone matters. The teams we build that reflect the communities that we serve, that’s true for the guests in our stores, that’s for the partners that find a place on our shelf. AP: Have boycotts affected your sales? FIDDELKE: As we went through last year, it was one of the things that impacted our sales. And so we know we’ve got trust to win back with guests, and we’ll be focused on doing it. There’s no easy button to win back trust, but we’ll do the work. AP: Why hasn’t Target taken a stronger stand against ICE? I know businesses have to legally allow agents in stores. FIDDELKE: When I think about navigating the start of the year here, especially in our hometown in Minneapolis, the thing that we have kept front and center every single day is the safety of our team. And so the safety of the team and the safety of our guests has been our North Star for decision making, and that’s guided every decision that we’ve made. AP: Has Target seen a pullback of Hispanic customers as some are too afraid to shop during a time of immigration crackdowns? FIDDELKE: Even over the course of the last year, even at the end of the year, we saw a business that, broadly speaking, was below where we expected. And so, I’m not satisfied with our performance in total. I wouldn’t call out any specific subgroups within that. AP: Do you think people hold Target to a higher standard than other companies? FIDDELKE: I think we’re an emotional brand. We’re a brand people love. And the thing I can say is we hold ourselves to a high standard in the product that shows up on our shelves and the experience that we create and the way we show up in the community. So I can’t speak for everyone, but we know where we’re focused. AP: How do you operate in an environment where the president might punish companies that don’t fall in line? FIDDELKE: The best thing for us to do is always focus on a clear strategy. Control what we can control. I think over the past several years, there’s been a lot of volatility to manage in the environment. There’s a lot that falls into the we-can’t-control-it bucket, whether it’s the global pandemic or whether it’s changes in policy. And so the right thing for us to do is to be laser-focused on how do we best show up for all those families and guests that depend on us every day. AP: Tell me a little about what you’re finding as you visit stores around the U.S. FIDDELKE: If I had to characterize what I’m hearing from the team, it’s a team that’s hungry to win. There’s so much pride in Target and there’s so much excitement to get this company back to growth. And I think just like I’m not satisfied with our performance the last few years, a team would tell you the same. —Anne D’Innocenzio, AP retail writer View the full article

When fintech company Block laid off 40% off its workforce last week, CEO Jack Dorsey explained the decision in a memo to employees that he also shared on social media. He was eliminating more than 4,000 jobs in the name of AI efficiency, he said, even though the company’s profitability was increasing. Though much of his letter was addressed to those who were losing their jobs, he ended with a note to those who’d be staying on. “What I’m asking of you is to build with me,” Dorsey wrote. “We’re going to build this company with intelligence at the core of everything we do. How we work, how we create, how we serve our customers.” But one Block employee who survived the layoffs, Naoko Takeda, chose to leave the company anyway. She matched Dorsey’s post with a viral letter of her own, sharing that she left her position as a data scientist for Cash App, one of Block’s subsidiaries, just a day after the layoffs occurred. “I figured that a company able to Thanos-snap away half of their employees doesn’t need two-week’s notice from me, just another IC that could easily have been in that 40%,” Takeda wrote on LinkedIn (where her profile’s headline now reads, “i’m just a girl”). Takeda says she found out within a 10-minute timeframe that 70% of her immediate and sister teams would be getting the chop. “On my immediate team, the only people left were me and a new hire who had started 3 days ago,” she said. “I felt immense dread and survivor’s guilt.” That guilt wasn’t helped by Block’s retention offer to remaining employees, which Takeda claimed in her case included a pay increase of around 75% plus a hefty one-time bonus that would bring the total up to 90% increase. “Basically, I saw my company discard half of my peers and double my pay. That’s not an honor. It feels shameful and dehumanizing. I’d rather see my peers keep their jobs than personally profit from their trauma,” she said. Fast Company has reached out to Block for comment on the details mentioned in Takeda’s post. After hearing the news, Takeda says she even asked if she could be included in the layoff. “Of course, everyone answered ‘no,’” she said. “Because really, why should you get to choose to leave with dignity when you see your entire team — the people you worked hard to build a positive relationship with over the past year and a half — disappear? But here, take the fat paycheck that’s well above market rate, because we actually value *you*!” In his memo, Dorsey claimed that implementing AI at Block was “enabling a new way of working,” but Takeda painted a different picture of what AI usage looked like behind the scenes. “In the last year, AI was shoved down everyone’s throats. Everything was about AI. We were told to use AI as much as possible,” she wrote. “It’s nothing short of dystopian to be forced to employ the very tools that accelerate the disappearance of the jobs on which our livelihoods depend.” After the layoffs, Block employs an estimated 5,900 full-time workers. Per data from the SEC, that’s almost the same workforce the company had in 2020, before a mid-pandemic hiring boom skyrocketed its headcount to 12,985 by 2023. Without Dorsey’s AI-based explanation, a return to pre-COVID numbers might look like a natural correction by a company that had overhired—though after his memo, the actual logic behind Block’s layoffs is less certain. “Personally, I saw very limited gains in productivity from AI, nothing nearly profound enough to justify tossing out half of the company’s workforce along with their institutional knowledge and expertise (bus factor, anyone?),” Takeda continued. “So 40% of employees had no choice but to take the severance and leave. The remaining 60% of us were offered fat paychecks to stick around and clean up the mess our ‘leadership’ created, all so we can continue contributing to a future where AI leaves us all unemployed. No thanks, I’m out!” The comments on Takeda’s post are filled with LinkedIn users praising her honesty, solidarity, and bravery in standing up to her former employer. “Thank you for speaking where so many of us cannot, for making hard choices, for leading with humanity and empathy,” one commenter wrote. “Thank you so much for sharing this,” commented another. “It’s so gratifying and validating to see people push back against Block’s claim that AI is making the company productive enough to cut 40% of its staff.” View the full article

Chicago-based mortgage lender Rate is partnering with Westlake Financial to offer in-app auto loans, advancing its push into product diversification and broader household financial services. View the full article

UK boss Jon Holt beaten in race to lead 276,000-person Big Four firm internationally View the full article

Officials and analysts say joint operation with US seeks to destroy key capabilities of Islamic regimeView the full article

For President Donald The President, some of the sharpest criticism he’s faced in the early days of the Iran war has come from once-loyal media figures far more accustomed to singing his praises. Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, and Matt Walsh are among those to express discontent. It’s been noticed in the White House, which has been playing defense on social media and in interviews. To be sure, these critics are the minority of the media MAGAsphere, where Fox News’ biggest stars remain cheerleaders. But their words illustrate conservative media’s influence and how valuable it is to The President when all runs as a well-oiled machine — and, by contrast, how much of a problem it can be if it fractures. Much of the criticism has centered on Israel’s influence on The President’s decision to go to war. Carlson, the former Fox News star who has built his own independent operation, told ABC News over the weekend that the attack was “absolutely disgusting and evil.” “It’s hard to say this, but the United States didn’t make the decision here. Benjamin Netanyahu did,” Carlson said on his podcast, referring to the Israeli prime minister. ‘No one should have to die for a foreign country’ Kelly, another former Fox anchor gone indie, said about American casualties on her show that “no one should have to die for a foreign country.” “I don’t think those service members died for the United States,” Kelly said. “I think they died for Iran or Israel.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks prior to a Capitol Hill briefing were a flashpoint. Rubio said that The President had given the go-ahead for the operation knowing that Israel was prepared to strike and he feared retaliation from Iran against U.S. bases in the region. “We knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them, before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio said. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said that if the The President administration had not acted, lawmakers would have wondered why. Walsh, a Daily Wire host, wrote on X that Rubio was “flat out telling us that we’re in a war with Iran because Israel forced our hand. This is basically the worst possible thing he could have said.” The Republican president told journalist Rachael Bade in an interview that he did not believe that the opinions of Carlson and Kelly are shared by his base of supporters. “I think that MAGA is The President,” he said. “MAGA’s not the other two.” Republican former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who has fashioned herself as an influencer and media figure since bitterly breaking with The President, said on Kelly’s podcast that she was furious over the U.S. military action. “Make America Great Again,” Greene says, “was supposed to be America first, not Israel first.” Will The President supporters return to the fold? The President is probably right to think that most of his supporters will return to the fold if they’re unhappy with the Iran attack, said Jason Zengerle, author of “Hated By All the Right People: Tucker Carlson and the Unraveling of the Conservative Mind.” Given the consistency of his views on the topic, Carlson is probably the most important of The President’s conservative critics, Zengerle said. “If the war does go badly, I think it strengthens the hand of someone like Tucker,” he said. “All of this is a debate about what happens after The President is gone anyway.” Carlson was at the center of a controversy last fall over antisemitism in conservative media for giving attention to polarizing influencer Nick Fuentes with an interview on Carlson’s podcast. Fuentes has called Adolf Hitler “cool,” suggested there is a genocide against white people and said his young followers are “tired of hearing about slavery and the Holocaust.” There have been cracks in The President’s conservative media support prior to Iran, notably with the vast and sprawling narratives around the Jeffrey Epstein report. But this week’s criticism unleashed some startling internal vitriol. Ben Shapiro, of “The Daily Wire,” called Kelly “wildly inconsistent” and a coward. Elisabeth Hasselbeck denounced Kelly for her suggestion that American servicemen died for Israel. “How dare you?” Hasselbeck said Tuesday on “The View.” Fox News’ Sean Hannity said that Carlson was “not the person I knew when he was at Fox.” Kelly denounced Hannity as a supplicant who “would never say anything other than to puff Donald The President up.” It’s worth remembering that most of what readers and viewers are seeing in conservative media supports The President. Howard Polskin, publisher of The Righting newsletter, estimated Tuesday that about 95% of what he’s monitored on websites is behind the president. “The President Stands Tall on Iran,” headlined The American Spectator. The most popular personalities on Fox News — still the top dog among conservatives — continue to be supportive. Hannity, Brian Kilmeade and Mark Levin were among the most vociferous leading up to the attack and after. “The president has shown more courage, and this Pentagon, Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon, has executed brilliantly once again,” said Kilmeade, the “Fox & Friends” co-host. “I think that MAGA gives him the benefit of the doubt, no question about it,” Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary during the early part of The President’s first term, said on his podcast Tuesday. “I think he’s built up a ton of credibility with the base. … Look, you’ve got PTSD from a lot of our former leaders between Iraq and Afghanistan in particular, who only know forever wars, and so I get it. But this president has proven now twice that he knows what he’s doing.” Criticism of war rollout draws specific White House rebuke The podcast influencers who helped to drive many young men into The President’s camp during the 2024 campaign have been largely quiet. Some of Walsh’s criticism this week appeared to sting so much that it drew a specific rebuke from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “So far we’ve heard that although we killed the whole Iranian regime, this was not a regime change war,” Walsh wrote on Monday. “And although we obliterated their nuclear program, we had to do this because of their nuclear program. And although Iran was not planning any attacks on the U.S., they also might have been, depending on who you ask. And although we are not fighting this war to free the Iranian people, they are now free, or might be, depending on who seizes power, and we have no idea who that will be. The messaging on this thing is, to put it mildly, confused.” Leavitt posted a lengthy response on X explaining The President’s rationale. “Simply put,” she wrote, “the terrorist Iranian regime would not say yes to peace.” —David Bauder, Meg Kinnard, and Ali Swenson, Associated Press writers 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. Apple just announced new Mac products, and among them is a new M5 MacBook Air. As is often the case after such announcements, the previous model is starting to get some discounts: The 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with 16GB Unified Memory and 256GB SSD Storage is currently $999, a $200 discount we haven't seen since January, according to price-tracking tools. Even at full price, this M4 offers remarkable value for your money, even compared to earlier models. 15-inch M4 MacBook Air 15.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera. $999.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $999.00 at Amazon $1,199.00 Save $200.00 Although this is the entry-level MacBook Air (albeit with a larger screen size), it comes with 16GB of RAM, twice what the previous generation's basic model came with. This is enough to take on intensive applications right now and for many years to come. It is equipped with a 15.3-inch "Liquid Retina" display with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,664, a P3 wide color gamut, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. You'll also get an excellent backlit keyboard with Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6E support, and great speakers and microphones. The 12MP camera comes with Center Stage, a feature that debuted on iPads and on the M4 MacBook Pro. It allows the camera to follow your face as you move around the frame during video calls. There are two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, which means you can extend to up to two 6K external monitors. For a "basic" laptop, the 15-inch M4 MacBook Air is arguably better than it needed to be, and is a much better value than the Pro, according to Lifehacker Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson. If you factor in the discount, it really is the best MacBook for most people. If you would prefer other storage, RAM, or size models, they'll likely also go on sale soon. But if this 15-inch is the one you've been eyeing, it's a good time to snatch it up. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $119.00 (List Price $179.00) Samsung Galaxy S26, Unlocked Android Smartphone + $100 Gift Card, 512GB, Powerful Processor, Galaxy AI, Immersive Viewing, Durable Battery, 2026, Black — $899.99 (List Price $1,199.99) Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 AI Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds + $20 Amazon Gift Card — $179.99 (List Price $199.99) Google Pixel 10a 128GB 6.3" Unlocked Smartphone + $100 Gift Card — $499.00 (List Price $599.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 (List Price $119.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article