All Activity

Creating an effective customer service questionnaire is essential for gathering valuable feedback from your customers. It involves comprehending the key components that contribute to a thorough survey, including various question types that can yield both quantitative and qualitative insights. By focusing on clear goals and best practices in design, you can encourage participation and obtain unbiased responses. This approach not merely helps in analyzing feedback but likewise sets the stage for meaningful improvements. What specific strategies can you implement to improve your questionnaires? Key Takeaways Define clear goals for your questionnaire to gather actionable insights about customer experiences and service quality. Include a mix of question types, such as multiple-choice, Likert scales, and open-ended questions, for comprehensive feedback. Ensure questions are concise, neutral, and free of bias to avoid leading respondents and to encourage honest feedback. Deliver the questionnaire promptly within 24 hours of service interaction to enhance response rates and accuracy. Regularly analyze results to identify trends, strengths, and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of continuous enhancement in service delivery. Understanding Customer Service Questionnaires Customer service questionnaires play an important role in gathering insights about customer experiences and service interactions. These tools are designed to assess various aspects, including responsiveness, problem resolution, and overall satisfaction with service representatives. When you create a customer service questionnaire for customers, consider incorporating a mix of question types, such as Likert scales and open-ended questions, to provide a thorough view of customer experiences. Utilizing clear and neutral wording helps prevent bias, ensuring that responses accurately reflect sentiments. Timing is also vital; sending questionnaires shortly after interactions can capture accurate feedback and boost participation rates. Studies show that delivering surveys within 24 hours results in higher response rates. Furthermore, including customer loyalty survey questions can help you understand factors influencing repeat business. Analyzing the data gathered can reveal trends and areas for improvement, guiding your organization in refining service strategies to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Key Components of an Effective Questionnaire Creating an effective questionnaire hinges on several key components that directly influence the quality of the feedback you receive. First, guarantee your questionnaire has a clear goal, as this guides the design of your questions to gather actionable insights. Utilize a variety of question formats, combining Likert scales and open-ended questions to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. Keep the questionnaire concise, aiming for a completion time of under five minutes to reduce survey fatigue and improve response rates. Ascertain questions are neutral and unbiased, avoiding leading questions that may distort the data collected. Lastly, incorporate demographic questions to segment responses. This enables you to analyze feedback more effectively and target specific customer groups for improvement. Types of Questions to Include When creating your customer service questionnaire, you’ll want to include various types of questions to gather meaningful feedback. Rating scales can help you quantify satisfaction levels, whereas open-ended questions encourage customers to share detailed insights. Furthermore, incorporating demographic questions allows you to segment responses and tailor your analysis for more targeted improvements. Question Types Overview How can you effectively gather feedback from your customers? To guarantee you collect thorough insights, use a mix of question types in your customer service questionnaire. This variety allows you to capture both quantitative and qualitative data. Multiple-choice questions offer standardized feedback, simplifying trend analysis. Likert scale questions measure the intensity of customer sentiment, giving you deeper insight into satisfaction levels. Open-ended questions invite detailed responses, revealing unique insights and contextual experiences. Incorporating demographic questions can additionally help you segment responses, enhancing your grasp of customer needs across different groups. Rating Scales Usage Incorporating rating scales in your customer service questionnaire can greatly improve the quality of feedback you receive. Using Likert scales allows customers to express their satisfaction levels on a continuum, typically from “very dissatisfied” to “very satisfied,” which provides nuanced insights into their sentiments. A common practice is using a 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 scale, where higher numbers indicate greater satisfaction, facilitating clear quantitative analysis. Moreover, semantic differential scales can help gauge emotional responses by asking customers to rate feelings between two opposing adjectives. Including multiple-choice questions with rating options improves data collection efficiency, as well as tiered rating scales reveal trends over time, enabling you to track changes in customer satisfaction and service quality effectively. Best Practices for Survey Design When designing your customer service survey, focus on clear and simple wording to guarantee that respondents easily understand your questions. Align each question with your survey’s objectives to keep the content relevant and engaging, which helps prevent fatigue. Finally, incorporate a variety of response formats, such as multiple-choice and open-ended questions, to gather an extensive range of feedback. Clear Question Wording What makes a customer service questionnaire effective? Clear question wording is essential for gathering reliable feedback. When you use simple and direct language, respondents easily grasp what you’re asking, which reduces confusion and abandonment rates. Avoid jargon and complex phrasing to encourage honest responses. Neutral wording in your questions likewise plays a key role, ensuring you don’t lead participants toward biased answers. Consider these best practices: Test your questions with a small group to identify misunderstandings. Keep questions focused on specific aspects of customer service experiences. Use straightforward language to improve clarity and relevance. Focused Objectives Establishing focused objectives is crucial for designing an effective customer service questionnaire, as it guarantees that each question serves a clear purpose aligned with your overall goals. By defining specific aims, like measuring customer satisfaction or identifying improvement areas, you ascertain each question is actionable and relevant. This focus prevents purposeless data collection and improves the quality of insights you gather. Keep your survey concise, aiming for completion within five minutes to respect customer time. Tailor questions to specific interactions and service touchpoints, increasing your chances of obtaining valuable feedback. Using a mix of question types, such as Likert scale and open-ended questions, provides a thorough grasp of customer experiences during the survey process while maintaining engagement throughout. Engaging Response Formats How can you improve engagement in your customer service questionnaire? By using diverse response formats, you can make it easier and more enjoyable for customers to share their thoughts. Consider these best practices: Mix question types: Use Likert scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative insights. Keep it concise: Aim for completion within five minutes to prevent fatigue and maintain high response rates. Incorporate neutrality: Use unbiased wording in your questions to encourage honest feedback. Additionally, personalize your survey invitations and clearly state the survey’s purpose. This approach shows customers that their input is valued and increases participation, eventually leading to more meaningful insights. Analyzing and Interpreting Responses Analyzing and interpreting survey responses is vital for comprehending customer perceptions and experiences with your service. Start by categorizing data into relevant themes; this helps identify trends, strengths, and areas needing improvement. Use statistical tools to quantitatively analyze the data, calculating averages and percentages to uncover patterns in customer feedback. Don’t overlook qualitative data from open-ended responses; reviewing these can reveal recurring themes or sentiments that provide deeper insights into customer experiences. Utilizing sentiment analysis techniques can gauge overall feelings regarding service interactions, allowing you to prioritize action items based on emotional responses. It’s equally important to regularly review and compare survey results over time. This practice helps track changes in customer satisfaction and the effectiveness of any improvements you implement. Utilizing Feedback for Improvement Utilizing feedback from customer service questionnaires is a potent way to drive improvements in your business operations. By aligning your questions with specific improvement areas, you guarantee the feedback gathered leads to actionable changes. This approach helps you identify both strengths and weaknesses in your service delivery, allowing you to improve customer satisfaction effectively. Incorporate open-ended questions to capture qualitative insights and deeper context about customer experiences. Regularly analyze survey results and adjust your strategies accordingly, nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. Keep in mind that 73% of customers expect companies to act on their feedback, so implementing changes based on their responses can greatly boost loyalty. Examples of Effective Customer Service Questionnaires Creating effective customer service questionnaires is essential for gathering valuable insights that can drive your business forward. To achieve this, consider incorporating a variety of question types, such as Likert scales, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions. For example, you might ask, “How satisfied were you with the support received?” to gauge customer satisfaction. Additionally, include a Net Promoter Score (NPS) question like, “How likely are you to recommend our service to a friend?” This helps assess customer loyalty. Open-ended questions, such as “What can we do to improve your experience?” allow for specific feedback. Keep your questionnaire concise, ideally under five minutes. Here’s a simple structure to illustrate these elements: Question Type Example Likert Scale How satisfied were you with our service? Multiple-Choice What service did you use? Net Promoter Score Would you recommend us? Open-Ended Any additional comments or suggestions? Frequently Asked Questions What Are Good Questions for a Customer Service Survey? Good questions for a customer service survey include satisfaction ratings, like “How satisfied were you with the support received?” To assess performance, use a Likert scale for queries such as “How responsive were our representatives?” Open-ended questions, like “What could we improve?” provide valuable feedback. Furthermore, ask about likelihood to recommend your service on a scale from 0 to 10. Demographic questions help segment responses and tailor services effectively to meet diverse customer needs. What Are the 5 Questions to Ask in a Questionnaire? To create an effective questionnaire, you should include five key questions. First, ask respondents to rate their overall satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 10. Second, inquire about the responsiveness of your representatives. Third, measure loyalty by asking how likely they’re to recommend you. Fourth, request the main reason for their contact. Finally, encourage open feedback by asking how you can improve their experience. These questions yield valuable insights. What Are the 3 C’s of Customer Satisfaction? The 3 C’s of customer satisfaction are Customer Needs, Customer Expectations, and Customer Communication. First, you need to identify what your customers require to feel satisfied with your products or services. Then, guarantee you meet their expectations by delivering on your promises consistently. Finally, maintain effective communication to keep customers informed about their experiences and how their feedback is used. Excelling in these elements can lead to higher retention rates and increased referrals. What Is an Example of a Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire? A customer satisfaction questionnaire often includes key questions to gauge overall experience. For example, you might see a question like, “How satisfied were you with your recent experience?” rated from 1 to 5. It could likewise feature an NPS question, such as, “How likely are you to recommend us?” Moreover, including open-ended questions, like, “What can we do to improve?” helps gather specific feedback, enhancing your comprehension of customer needs and expectations. Conclusion To summarize, creating an effective customer service questionnaire involves careful planning and execution. By incorporating a variety of question types and maintaining a neutral tone, you can gather valuable insights from your customers. Remember to analyze the responses thoroughly and use the feedback to make informed improvements. This approach not just improves customer satisfaction but additionally strengthens your overall service quality. With a well-crafted questionnaire, you can better understand and meet your customers’ needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Creating an Effective Customer Service Questionnaire for Customers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

IN The Next RenAIssance: AI and the Expansion of Human Potential, AI expert Zack Kass believes “properly harnessed, AI could democratize education, revolutionize healthcare, and accelerate innovation,” but “for Al to truly serve humanity, we will be forced to solve radical new ethical dilemmas, unprecedented economic disruptions, daunting technical challenges, environmental collapse, dehumanization, the loss of identity, and above all, terrifying uncertainty.” Yet because AI is not a tangible tech – something we can see – we are naturally suspicious. How does it work? Kass writes that AI systems must begin to “show their work” rather than just spitting out an answer if they are to be trusted. How did you get to the conclusion it came to? What information was considered? How valid is it? We need real-time transparency. “Real-time transparency gives users a window into what the system is prioritizing and why, helping build informed trust instead of blind faith.” What about the future of work? “Predicting Al’s impact on jobs has become high-stakes roulette, and the bets often say more about the gambler’s worldview than technology itself. Even among industry and economic experts, the topic is very much still up for debate.” Kass offers a set of four principles meant to guide how we live, work, and lead in the age of artificial intelligence. 1. Go Outside: The physical world matters more than anything else. It is life in four dimensions. Serendipity happens naturally. The physical world carries variety that no recommender system can deliver. Algorithms collapse toward similarity. Streets, markets, trails, and small talk offer variance and surprise. Serendipity does not follow a schedule. It happens when you are a little off route, a little curious, and fully present. It shakes loose stale assumptions. It builds resilience. You learn to adapt. Adaptability will keep you relevant. Anchors will keep you principled. If you confuse methods for values, you will collapse with them. But if you adapt while anchoring in your values, you will find the formula for resilience in any era. Go outside and be in the world you are trying to serve. Be in it. 2. Learn How to Learn: Study what you want. The process alone will teach you how to learn something else. Learning The Presidents what you already know. You will not be defined by what you know, or even by what you have already mastered. You will be defined by your ability to master something new, and your drive to keep doing so again and again. Knowledge expires. Tools expire. But learning endures. 3. Optimize for Human Qualities: Be Human. AI will make human qualities more valuable. Courage, compassion, hope, curiosity, humor, wisdom, and empathy are measures of human achievement. And soon these “soft skills” may in fact become our primary means of differentiation. In the age of AI, your humanity is the product. Your bedside manner matters. 4. Lead with Optimism: Lead with optimism. Fear constrains. Choose a can-do approach. Progress does not happen by default. People build toward the stories they believe. Narrative sets policy. Belief sets budgets. A leader’s horizon becomes a team’s boundary conditions. If we tell stories of decline, we will write rules that constrain. If we tell credible stories of a better future, we will invest, upskill, and move. Optimism is the way forward. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. * * * View the full article

Self-serve negative keyword lists are now live in Microsoft Advertising, according to Ads Liaison Navah Hopkins — giving advertisers long-requested control without submitting support tickets. What’s happening. Advertisers can now create and manage shared negative keyword lists directly in the UI. Lists support up to 5,000 negative keywords (one per line) and can be applied at either the campaign or account level. Match types function the same way in Performance Max as they do in traditional Search campaigns. Lists can also be edited, exported as CSV files, or removed from campaigns as needed. Microsoft notes that match type formatting requires brackets for exact match and quotation marks for phrase match — not hyphens. Why we care. Negative keywords are critical for filtering irrelevant traffic and protecting budgets. Making lists self-serve streamlines workflow, reduces reliance on support tickets, and gives advertisers faster control over search query exclusions. The bottom line. Microsoft is handing more operational control back to advertisers — and eliminating friction in one of the most essential levers for campaign efficiency. Dig deeper. How to add keywords that won’t trigger my ads (negative keywords) View the full article

On February 10, 2026, the United States District Court dealt a significant blow to fraudsters exploiting the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) initiative. Joshua White, a 44-year-old from Yoe, Pennsylvania, received a 96-month prison sentence for his role in a broad scheme that siphoned off more than $11.5 million in federal funds aimed at supporting small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential pitfalls related to government assistance programs and their implications for legitimate small business owners. During the early days of the pandemic, many small businesses turned to these programs for much-needed relief. However, as highlighted by U.S. Attorney Brian D. Miller, the White family exploited these funds for fraudulent gains. Joshua White was one of four defendants sentenced in this extensive conspiracy. His father, Creed White, operated Aluminum Alloys Manufacturing and was sentenced to a decade in prison for a similar conspiracy. Others involved, including employee Joseph Bailey and Kester Murray, also faced significant legal consequences. For small business owners today, the ramifications of this case go beyond the courtroom. The harsh penalties imposed send a clear message: engaging in fraud against federal relief programs is a risky path that can lead to severe personal and financial consequences. As IRS-CI Philadelphia Field Office Special Agent in Charge Yury Kruty stated, “These individuals deliberately and repeatedly defrauded the PPP and the EIDL programs, which were designed to help small business owners during the COVID pandemic.” This statement underscores the critical nature of compliance. Practical insights emerge from this case worth noting. For small business owners seeking federal aid: Documentation is Key: Ensure that all applications are accurate and substantiated by proper documentation. Misrepresentation or inaccuracies can lead to severe repercussions, including criminal charges. Understand Eligibility: Familiarize yourself with the requirements for PPP and EIDL loans. Each program had clear guidelines, and adherence to these is vital for both securing funds and avoiding legal pitfalls. Transparency is Crucial: Establishing clear communication with banks and lenders can safeguard against misinterpretation or fraud accusations. Regular audits of financial documentation can also prevent issues down the line. However, potential challenges arise as small business owners navigate these waters. Increased scrutiny from regulatory agencies may lead legitimate businesses to feel the heat, creating an environment where honest applications could undergo rigorous examination. As Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, Special Agent in Charge of the SBA Office of Inspector General, remarked, “When individuals manipulate pandemic relief programs for personal gain, they undermine public trust.” This observation emphasizes the delicate balance legitimate entrepreneurs must maintain in ensuring trust while accessing government funds. Moreover, the aftermath of fraud cases like this one could lead to adjustments in federal programs, impacting future funding availability. As policymakers tighten regulations to prevent further abuses, small businesses may face increased compliance burdens. Finally, relying on accurate legal and financial advice can be instrumental in successfully navigating these complexities. Seeking guidance from legal experts and financial advisors familiar with government grants and loans may not only help in making well-informed decisions but also in building trust with lending institutions. The sentences handed down to the White family serve as a stern warning to those considering deceitful practices. With total restitution exceeding $2.3 million, the focus remains on protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that relief programs serve their intended purpose. In light of this case, it’s more important than ever for small business owners to engage in ethical practices when seeking financial support. For additional context, small businesses interested in keeping informed about investigative cases and oversight reports related to federal assistance can register for updates through the SBA’s Office of Inspector General here. For more information, view the original U.S. Department of Justice press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Four Sentenced in $11.5 Million COVID-19 Fraud Scheme in Pennsylvania" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Lenders weigh losses linked to Market Financial Solutions, linked to Bangladeshi politician’s real estate empire View the full article

Ever since I deleted my Facebook account, Instagram has taken its place as the social network I visit most often to check what my friends are up to. I've been on the app for something like 15 years now, and during this time, I've learned a trick or two that improve the experience (or at least make it less annoying). Here are 10 Instagram hacks that will enhance your privacy, reduce the amount of junk in your feed, help you reset your algorithm, and more. Use Instagram filters to block spam messages and comments and clean up your feedOn every social media app, I like to set up filters to mute offensive keywords, but you can use keywords to block almost anything you don't want to see. On Instagram, you can use filters to easily block spammy comments and offensive messages. While you can customize your filter list, I just looked up a list of offensive phrases, and quickly added it to my IG account, then added a few additional terms. You can do the same thing by going to your Instagram profile page, and tapping the three-lines menu in the top-right corner in Instagram. This opens the Settings and activity page, where you can select Hidden Words. It lets you add multiple words, as long as you separate them with a comma. Once added, Instagram will block comments and messages containing those terms. You can also add mute keywords for posts appearing in your feed. Go to Instagram Settings > Content preferences > Specific words and phrases. On the Content preferences page, go to Sensitive content and Political content, and you can limit those types of posts and videos from showing up on your feed too. Reset your Instagram algorithmEvery once in a while, my Instagram algorithm goes haywire and I'm forced to reset it. After all, I mostly open this app to see my friends' updates and cat videos, and once my feed starts showing me too much Hyrox content (a "sport" I couldn't care less about), I know I'm in trouble. If something like this happens to you, there are two ways to reprogram your feed. The easy option is to just look for a reel you enjoy (such as a cat video), and swipe upwards a few times till you reach a non-cat video, then navigate away. Repeat this process a few times and your feed will be back to more cat videos and less Hyrox (or anything else). If that doesn't work, or if your feed is too far gone in the wrong direction, then you can go to Instagram Settings > Content preferences > Reset suggested content to reboot it entirely. Remove tracking links from InstagramWhen you share any post, reel, story, or other type of content on Instagram, the app tracks who you're sharing it with, even if you send the link outside Instagram. You can see this by tapping the Share button on any post, and selecting Copy link: Paste this link in any text editor, such as Apple Notes or Google Keep, and you'll see that the link has tracking parameters at the end, such as "?igsh=…" or "?utm…". That helps Instagram identify that you've shared the link. There's no way to disable this tracking, but you can manually remove it from each link before you send it to someone. Just paste the URL it as usual, then delete everything after the question mark. Force Instagram to open DM links in your preferred browser Credit: Pranay Parab Whenever you open a link in Instagram, the app opens it in an in-app browser. This is the least privacy friendly option, as Instagram can then track which websites you're visiting quite easily. You can partially stop this by tapping the three-dots button in the top-right corner of Instagram's in-app browser and selecting Open in external browser. There's no way to make this the default setting for all links, but you can set it as default for links you receive via DM. To do this, go to Instagram Settings > App website permissions > Message links and turn on Open in external browser. Limit your Instagram notificationsAfter you post something, Instagram loves to spam you with notifications every time a few people interact with the post. Even if you don't use Instagram for a day or two, you'll still get a deluge of notifications from the app. I don't face this problem because I never allow Instagram permission to send any notifications on my devices, but that's not an option for everyone. If you don't want to turn off notifications entire, you can choose to receive only the useful notifications from Instagram. To do this, go to Instagram Settings > Notifications and review all the options available to you. I particularly like the Messages only option, which only sends me an alert when someone DMs viaon the app. To further limit notifications, go to the Following and followers section on this page, and disable Account suggestions. Similarly, you can go to Messages and disable Message reminders and all varieties of channel notification settings. You can also go to the Calls section and turn off Video chats, which has the added bonus of disabling video calls on Instagram, which I've never wanted to use. Hide your online status and disable read receipts on InstagramFor some reason, Instagram shows other people when you're online. If you want to be more discreet, go to Instagram Settings > Messages and story replies > Show activity status and turn the setting off. (On the previous page, you can select Show read receipts and turn it off to stop people seeing if you've read their messages too.) Hide the "typing" indicator in Instagram messagesWhen someone is messaging you on Instagram, the app shows you an animation to tell you that the other person is typing. More often than not, this feature only makes me keep the app open longer while the other person types their message, which is probably why Instagram's added it in the first place. If you don't want to see the typing indicator in a chat, you can disable it: Open any chat in Instagram and tap the contact's name up top. Go to Privacy and safety and turn off Typing indicator. Sadly, you'll need to do this manually for each of your Instagram chats. Enable end-to-end encryption to make Instagram more secure Credit: Pranay Parab Instagram chats are not encrypted by default, which means that the company can read all your messages. If you want to beef up your security, consider using end-to-end encryption for your chats. Just like Telegram, Instagram hides its end-to-end encrypted chat feature, and makes you enable it manually for each chat. You can do so by opening any chat in Instagram, tapping the contact's name up top, selecting Privacy and safety > Use end-to-end encryption. Automatically clear your Instagram search historyYour Instagram search history shows up whenever you try to search for anything on Instagram. This can be embarrassing if you've looked up something really silly (or slightly naughty), and someone else sees it. to prevent this, you can clear your searches by tapping the search bar in Instagram, and selecting Clear all, or tapping the x next to each search term. However, there's also a way to automatically clear your search history on Instagram: Go to Instagram Settings > Accounts Center > Your information and permissions > Search history > Keep searches for, and select 3 days, which is the minimum time for automatically deleting your searches. Reset your Instagram ad preferences to protect your dataThere's no way to block ads on Instagram, but you can reduce the amount of your data that Instagram uses to show you those ads. Just go to Instagram Settings > Accounts Center > Ad preferences > Manage info. You can go through each option on this page and turn off everything you can. Under Categories used to reach you, select Remove on every option. You can choose Don't allow us… in these two categories: Ads in other apps and Ads about Meta. Finally, you can select Activity information from ad partners > Review setting, and pick No, don't make my ads more relevant. View the full article

If you think Paris is always a good idea and the French do everything better, especially leisure—then this one is for you. Unlike Americans, who treat their weekends as a sprint to see who can do the most chores, Sundays are sacred in France—a time to slow down, reset for the week, and do as little as possible. (“Even protests in France happen every day except Sunday . . . that’s how sacred [they] are,” Céline Kaplan, co-founder of upcycled products marketplace OOOF (Out of Office Forever) and PR agent for French clients in New York, tells The Zoe Report.) Looking for more work/life balance? Try treating Sunday as a holiday instead of the first day of a new week, and you may find some surprising results—a calm start to your work week, instead of an anxiety-producing day of “Sunday Scaries.” So, what is a French Sunday? I will admit, I’ve been doing my own version of a “French Sunday” for as long as I can remember. Sleeping in late? Check. Lounge around with coffee and a paper? Check. Brunch? Bien sûr. Like most fashionable trends, “French Sunday” comes from France, but was most recently popularized by Vogue. In short, the art of Sunday à la française is an antidote to the burnout and anxiety many Americans feel come Monday. For one thing, most shops are closed by noon on Sunday in France, eliminating the need to feel “productive” or cross things off a to-do list. Instead, Dimanche is for connecting with family and friends—and not isolating on digital devices, which Americans commonly do as a way to decompress, but which actually severely affects mental health, increases stress and anxiety, and creates even more loneliness. According to the Vogue article, “French Sundays” are supposed to be “lazy, stress-free days, when the main activity is to do nothing”—the exact opposite of productivity hacks that encourage people to use Sundays to prep for next week’s meals, do that load of laundry, clean your space, review your calendar, and lay out your work clothes (making Sundays practically a sixth day of work). How to have your own French Sunday First, “French Sundays” are a mindset, not just a day. Try embracing your inner Frenchie, which means starting the day by letting your body decide when you get up, sans alarm clock. Other suggestions on how to make Sundays your own: Prioritize meeting up with friends and family, take a walk, and even allow yourself to indulge in life’s simple pleasures, which, for the French, is food. One Sunday ritual in France is the family lunch, a big meal that goes on too long, often involving a roast chicken and many, many people. (Social connection, it turns out, is good for your mental health.) Here are a few more suggestions from Vogue: Take an obscenely long nap. Be a flâner, stroll aimlessly. Snack. Cook something that takes forever. Find a pretty view to stare at. Indulge in watching two movies back-to-back in an actual theater. And of course, the most French thing of all—and something you never see as a productivity hack—make love. Bon weekend! View the full article

Not all borrower scenarios are equal. When it comes to evaluating the risk of small landlords, lenders need to focus on a few specific factors. View the full article

Google published a new help document outlining how passkeys work in Google Ads — a timely move as advertisers face a rise in account hacks and phishing attempts. What’s happening. The new help page explains how passkeys function as a passwordless, phishing-resistant login method in Google Ads, and clarifies when they’re required — including for sensitive actions like user access changes and account linking updates. The documentation walks advertisers through device requirements, setup steps and security considerations. Why we care. Ad accounts are increasingly being targeted by attackers, with compromised logins leading to budget theft, campaign disruption and data loss. Clearer guidance from Google gives advertisers a straightforward path to strengthening account defenses at a critical moment. The bottom line. As account takeovers become more common, better education around security tools like passkeys is a practical win for advertisers looking to lock down access and reduce risk. Dig deeper. About Google Ads account passkey View the full article

Investors fret over growing strains in private credit and risk AI disrupts software industryView the full article

Target will stop selling cereals containing synthetic colors by the end of May. The Minneapolis-based discounter said Friday it had been phasing out synthetic colors in cereals for several years. Right now, 85% of its cereal sales already come from products made without synthetic dyes. Target said it has worked with national brands and its private brands to reformulate products as needed. Some cereals — including Trix and Lucky Charms, which are made by General Mills — will have updated formulations, Target said. Target said it will no longer carry brands that don’t reformulate, but it didn’t name the brands. General Mills announced last year that it planned to remove artificial dyes from all of its U.S. cereals by the summer of 2026. But WK Kellogg has said it plans to remove artificial dyes from its cereals by the end of 2027. Kellogg makes several cereals with artificial dyes that are now sold at Target, including Froot Loops, Apple Jacks and Squishmallows. Messages seeking comment were left Friday with General Mills and WK Kellogg. Target’s move acknowledges that American consumers and the U.S. government are paying closer attention to what goes into packaged foods. Last January, days before former President Joe Biden left office, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned Red 3, a petroleum-based dye. A few months later, the FDA under President Donald The President urged food makers to phase out petroleum-based artificial colors by the end of 2026. The agency is reviewing some other petroleum-based dyes, including Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5 and 6 and Blue No. 1. Earlier this month, the FDA said it was relaxing rules that restrict when food companies can claim that their products have no artificial colors. The agency said food labels may claim to have “no artificial colors” when they are free of petroleum-based dyes even if they contain dyes derived from natural sources such as plants. Target isn’t the first big retailer to nix artificial dyes. Whole Foods has never allowed products with artificial colors since its founding in 1980. Trader Joe’s also doesn’t use synthetic colors in its products. Last year, Walmart said it planned to remove synthetic food dyes and 30 other ingredients, including some preservatives, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes, from its store brands sold in the United States by January 2027. Target noted that its private label Good & Gather brand, which it introduced in 2019, is made without artificial flavors and sweeteners, synthetic colors or high fructose corn syrup. The brand has more than 2,500 products across dairy, produce, ready made pastas meat as well as baby and toddler food. “We know consumers are increasingly prioritizing healthier lifestyles, and we’re moving quickly to evolve our offerings to meet their needs,” said Cara Sylvester, Target’s executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, in a statement. In recent months, other major food companies like Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Conagra Brands have pledged to eliminate petroleum-based synthetic dyes in coming years. —Anne D’Innocenzio and Dee-Ann Durbin, AP business writer View the full article

Misconceptions about team building can hinder its potential benefits. Many people think it’s only for salaried employees or that it requires expensive activities, which isn’t true. Others believe that team building isn’t needed if the team is already performing well, or that it’s solely the leader’s responsibility. Comprehending these misconceptions is essential, as they can impact your team’s effectiveness. Let’s explore these beliefs further and uncover the real value of team building. Key Takeaways Team building is not a one-time solution; lasting change requires ongoing efforts rather than superficial events. Total harmony among team members is unrealistic; healthy conflict can enhance engagement and foster authentic interactions. Effective team building is not a waste of time; it is a strategic investment essential for collaboration and performance. High-performance teams do not develop effortlessly; they require continuous commitment and participation from all members. Misunderstanding team-building outcomes can undermine efforts, as tailored activities are necessary for meaningful collaboration and growth. Team Building Is Only Necessary for Salaried Employees Why do some people believe team building is only necessary for salaried employees? This misconception overlooks the potential benefits of team development for hourly employees, who likewise possess the capability and interest in collaboration. Investing in team-building initiatives for these workers cultivates a sense of value and belonging, essential for enhancing overall employee engagement and morale. Research shows that hourly employees value teamwork just as much as salaried counterparts, emphasizing the need for inclusive team-building efforts across all classifications. Effective team-building activities can lead to increased productivity, regardless of whether employees are hourly or salaried. The belief that hourly pay limits motivation for collaboration is unfounded, as employee sentiments reveal a strong appreciation for teamwork. Team Building Activities Must Be Expensive and Time-Consuming You don’t need to spend a fortune or dedicate hours to effective team-building activities. Simple, low-cost initiatives, like regular check-ins or brief social gatherings, can greatly improve communication and collaboration among team members. Cost-Effective Alternatives Available Many people believe that effective team building requires a hefty budget and extensive time commitments, but that’s far from the truth. You can implement cost-effective alternatives that improve team cohesion without breaking the bank. Regular team meetings with check-in questions can strengthen bonds in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional activities. Informal social gatherings, like coffee breaks or lunch outings, as well promote connections without significant financial investment. Tailoring initiatives to your team’s specific needs can yield positive results just as effectively as larger-scale events. By focusing on these simple, budget-friendly strategies, you’ll boost employee engagement and productivity in the process of keeping time commitments manageable. Team building doesn’t have to be expensive; it just needs to be intentional. Short Activities Matter Although some believe that team-building activities must be elaborate and time-consuming to be effective, this misconception overlooks the value of shorter, more focused initiatives. Short team-building activities can be just as effective in promoting engagement and improving retention of information. Regular meetings paired with brief initiatives can markedly improve communication and collaboration without demanding much time or money. Customized, cost-effective activities addressing specific team needs often yield positive results. Furthermore, small, frequent team-building exercises cultivate connection and camaraderie, proving that impactful bonding doesn’t require grand gestures. Team Building Only Happens in an Office Setting Though it’s a common belief that team building only takes place within the confines of an office, this notion overlooks the myriad of environments where such activities can flourish. Team formation can occur in various settings, from outdoor retreats to community service events. These creative environments, like art studios or recreational facilities, promote better collaboration and communication among team members. Incorporating team-building activities into training programs or company-sponsored social events improves their effectiveness and nurtures team cohesion. Engaging in team building outside the office allows for a more relaxed atmosphere, encouraging open communication and relationship-building among team members. Utilizing diverse environments leads to stronger team dynamics and enhanced problem-solving abilities. When you step outside the traditional office, you open up new avenues for development, making team building not just an office activity, but a holistic approach to improving workplace relationships. The Team Leader Is Responsible for Team Building Even though a team leader often initiates team-building activities, it’s important to recognize that the responsibility for nurturing collaboration and engagement extends to every team member. Effective team building hinges on the participation and commitment of all individuals involved. When each member contributes, a strong sense of community develops, valued by 80% of employees and employers alike. Leaders shouldn’t shoulder this responsibility alone; successful initiatives thrive on regular input from team members, reinforcing teamwork principles. In fact, 63% of leaders report improved communication when everyone actively engages in relationship-building activities. High-performing teams utilize the diverse strengths of each individual, making it crucial for all members, not just the leader, to be involved in team building. Team Building Is Unnecessary if the Team Is Already Performing Well Many people assume that once a team reaches a high performance level, team building becomes unnecessary. Nevertheless, this belief overlooks the critical role of ongoing team building. Even high-performing teams benefit from regular engagement, as it promotes camaraderie and trust, both of which boost motivation and prevent complacency. Team building is unnecessary if the team is already performing well, but neglecting it can lead to unresolved conflicts and weakened dynamics over time. External factors can change team dynamics, making continuous team building fundamental to maintain effectiveness. Furthermore, investing in team building encourages open communication and collaboration, imperative for problem-solving and innovation. Regular activities improve individual contributions and overall team cohesion, reinforcing a strong performance culture. In the end, remembering that teamwork rules means comprehending that even successful teams need to nurture their relationships and processes to sustain their high performance. Team Building Is Just About Fun and Games Many people mistakenly believe that team building is just about fun and games, but its real purpose is much deeper. It focuses on developing strategic relationships and enhancing communication skills among team members, which are crucial for a cohesive work environment. Strategic Relationship Development Though it’s common to associate team building with enjoyable activities, this perspective misses a critical aspect of its true purpose: strategic relationship development. Successful teams thrive on strong emotional connections among members, which promote engagement and productivity. In fact, effective team building initiatives can boost productivity by 20%-25% in connected departments, underscoring their importance beyond mere recreation. Relationship-building activities create a sense of belonging and community, which 80% of employees and employers value. Furthermore, connected teams see a 31% increase in profitability. Enhanced Communication Skills Even though it’s easy to dismiss team building as merely a series of fun activities, this perspective undermines its significant role in improving communication skills within a team. Effective team building activities not only entertain but also cultivate meaningful interactions that strengthen communication among members. In fact, 63% of leaders report improved communication after such activities. Engaging in team building helps you learn to express your ideas clearly and listen actively, which promotes a culture of open dialogue. Connected departments often see a 20%-25% boost in productivity as a result of improved communication. One-Time Events Can Solve Underlying Issues Even though it might seem appealing to believe that a one-time team-building event can resolve deeper issues within a group, the reality is quite different. One-time events rarely achieve systemic change. True progress requires ongoing engagement and development. The Forgetting Curve shows that without repetition, the skills and connections gained during a single event quickly fade. Limitation of One-Time Events Ongoing Engagement Benefits Key Takeaways Rarely leads to systemic change Cultivates trust over time Requires continuous effort Lacks reinforcement Improves communication Follow-up is crucial Addresses issues superficially Supports long-term growth Evaluate impact regularly For effective collaboration and lasting improvements, consistent team-building initiatives are vital. Regular follow-ups and evaluations allow you to understand their impact, ensuring that underlying issues are adequately addressed and not merely glossed over with a single event. All Team Building Activities Yield the Same Results It’s a common misconception that all team-building activities yield the same results, but that’s far from the truth. The effectiveness of these activities hinges on how well they align with your team’s unique dynamics and individual preferences. Tailoring approaches to meet specific needs and goals often leads to greater collaboration and connection among team members, making the choice of activity essential for success. Varying Activity Outcomes Even though many people assume that all team-building activities produce similar outcomes, the reality is quite different. The effectiveness of these activities varies greatly based on their design, participant engagement preferences, and work styles. When you implement team guidelines that consider individual differences, you improve the likelihood of achieving successful experiences and desired results. Activities designed for different work styles can promote more effective bonding and collaboration among team members. Tailored Approaches Matter In regards to team-building activities, many people mistakenly believe that all approaches yield the same results. Nevertheless, customized approaches matter greatly. Not every activity suits every team, as various work styles and engagement preferences can affect outcomes. When you personalize activities to meet your team’s unique needs, participation often improves, leading to better results. Holistic methods that consider individual and team dynamics improve the chances of successful experiences. Individual Preferences Influence Success When team building activities are designed without considering individual preferences, they often miss the mark in nurturing genuine collaboration and engagement. Not all team building initiatives produce the same results, as individual preferences influence success considerably. Some team members may thrive in collaborative tasks, whereas others perform better in solo endeavors. By tailoring activities to align with these diverse personality traits, you improve the likelihood of successful experiences. Research indicates that holistic approaches to team building, which account for each member’s unique attributes, lead to more effective relationship-building outcomes. Ignoring individual differences can result in activities that fail to resonate, eventually reducing participant engagement and effectiveness. Acknowledging these preferences is vital for creating balanced and impactful team building experiences. Team Building Is a Waste of Time The belief that team building is a waste of time often stems from a misinterpretation of its true purpose and potential benefits. In reality, effective team building is a strategic investment that improves workplace productivity. Research shows that 80% of employees and employers value a sense of community, which team-building activities cultivate. Furthermore, 63% of leaders report improved communication following these initiatives, leading to better collaboration and efficiency. Team building in addition positively impacts morale; 61% of leaders note a direct correlation between these efforts and higher employee morale. This increased morale is vital, as it boosts employee engagement and retention, making team building far from a waste of time. In fact, connected departments experience a 20%-25% increase in productivity, demonstrating that investing time in team building yields significant returns. By comprehending these benefits, you can appreciate the value of team building in the workplace. Team Building Creates Total Harmony Among Members As team building is often perceived as a means to achieve complete harmony among members, this view overlooks the importance of diversity and the value of differing perspectives. In reality, team building creates total harmony among members is a misconception. Successful teams thrive on a mix of opinions and emotions, including healthy conflict. This dynamic nurtures authentic interactions and encourages open discussions, which are essential for trust and cooperation. Rather than suppressing differences, effective team development acknowledges individual contributions and varying needs, enhancing engagement and motivation. It’s through these diverse strengths that teams can truly excel. The goal of team building isn’t to enforce uniformity but to leverage the unique skills each member brings. Embracing differences is what makes a successful team, eventually leading to more innovative solutions and a stronger collective performance. Conflict Is Always Bad in Team Settings Though many believe that conflict disrupts team dynamics, it can actually serve as a catalyst for growth and innovation. The idea that conflict is always bad in team settings overlooks its potential benefits. When managed properly, conflict can encourage critical thinking and generate new ideas that drive projects forward. Suppressing conflict might lead to frustration, eventually derailing your efforts. High-performing teams recognize that both positive and negative emotions are crucial for open communication, which is fundamental for collaboration and problem-solving. Encouraging open discussions allows team members to surface and channel conflict positively, creating momentum and enhancing outcomes. This approach highlights what makes a team effective: the ability to navigate disagreements constructively. By embracing conflict as a healthy source of energy, you can transform challenges into opportunities, nurturing an environment that promotes innovation and continuous improvement within your team. High-Performance Teams Form Naturally Without Effort Building a high-performance team doesn’t happen by chance; it requires deliberate effort and strategic planning. High-performance teams don’t form naturally; they demand intentional cultivation through leadership commitment and investment in team dynamics. Here are fundamental elements to reflect on: Clear Communication: Establishing open lines of communication guarantees everyone is aligned on goals and expectations. Trust Building: Cultivating trust among team members is critical for collaboration and effective decision-making. Regular Feedback: Implementing a system for continuous feedback helps identify areas for improvement and maintain high performance. Positive Culture: Nurturing a supportive organizational culture is imperative for the sustainability of high-performance teams. Creating these teams involves ongoing effort and adaptation to both external and internal changes. Relying on the assumption that high-performance teams will develop effortlessly can lead to disappointment and underperformance. Frequently Asked Questions Which of These Is Not a Benefit of Team Building? Team building isn’t just about creating a perfect environment; it’s important to understand that it doesn’t guarantee total harmony among team members. Instead, effective teams embrace diversity and use differing perspectives to improve collaboration and innovation. This means that during team building nurtures connections, it likewise encourages healthy debates and discussions, eventually leading to better problem-solving and creativity, rather than simply eliminating conflict or ensuring everyone always agrees. Which of the Following Are Common Mistakes Made When Using Team Building Activities? Common mistakes in team-building activities include neglecting to set clear objectives, which can create confusion and limit effectiveness. Underestimating communication before and during events often leads to disengagement, as providing details encourages inclusivity. Furthermore, failing to evaluate the impact on team cohesion and performance prevents necessary improvements. Choosing unsuitable activities that don’t match team dynamics can disengage participants, and poor organization can disrupt the experience, detracting from overall enjoyment and engagement. What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Team Building? Team building offers several advantages, such as improved communication, increased productivity, and boosted employee morale. You’ll likely see better collaboration and engagement among team members, promoting a more connected environment. Nevertheless, disadvantages can include time consumption and potential resistance from employees who may not see the value in such activities. Furthermore, if not executed properly, team building efforts might lead to superficial relationships rather than genuine connections. Balancing these factors is crucial for success. What Are the 5 C’s of Team Building? The 5 C’s of team building are Communication, Collaboration, Cohesion, Conflict Resolution, and Commitment. Communication allows team members to share ideas openly, reducing misunderstandings. Collaboration focuses on working together in the direction of common goals, boosting productivity by 20%-25%. Cohesion strengthens relationships, promoting morale and engagement. Conflict Resolution encourages healthy discussions, utilizing diverse opinions for innovative solutions. Finally, Commitment guarantees team members are dedicated to their tasks, nurturing accountability and shared success within the group. Conclusion In conclusion, comprehending the misconceptions surrounding team building is vital for nurturing effective collaboration. It’s not limited to salaried employees or confined to office settings, nor does it solely rely on team leaders. Team building is fundamental even for high-performing teams, as it promotes trust and healthy conflict. Recognizing that it doesn’t guarantee total harmony and requires ongoing effort will help you appreciate its strategic value. By addressing these misconceptions, you can improve your team’s performance and cohesion. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Identifying Misconceptions: Which Are Not Benefits of Team Building?" was first published on Small Business Trends 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. Samsung just announced its new earbuds during the Samsung Unpacked 2026 event earlier this week, and Amazon is already offering a pretty sweet deal to preorder them. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 are $179.99 and come with a $20 Amazon gift card, and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro go for $249.99 and come with a $30 Amazon gift card. Both will be released on March 11, but you can pre-order them now. Considering these will be their flagship earbuds for some time, it's a great opportunity for any Samsung fan or anyone curious about Samsung's new earbuds to snatch them up. $30 Amazon Gift Card Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro $179.99 at Amazon $199.99 Save $20.00 Pre-order Here Pre-order Here $179.99 at Amazon $199.99 Save $20.00 $30 Amazon Gift Card Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro $249.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $30.00 Pre-order Here Pre-order Here $249.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $30.00 SEE -1 MORE Samsung wants to compete with Apple, with a similar design, features, and even price point. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 are strikingly similar to the Apple AirPods 4 in their design, with noise cancellation and the absence of silicone eartips that go inside your ears. They come with Hi-Res audio, IP54 for water-resistance, a Live Translation feature similar to Apple's, a new design, improvements in call quality, and direct access to ask questions to AI and receive responses through the earbuds. The controls are swipe and pinch, and the charging case comes in black or white. It's also easy to draw the similarities between the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Apart from both being $249, the most obvious similarity is the in-ear silicone tip design that helps seal the noise and improve ANC. The Pros have all of the same features as the Buds 4, and are supposed to be more comfortable, have better ANC which Samsung calls ANC 2.0, have a better water resistance with an IP57 rating, which handles immersion in water up to 1 meter, and perhaps more importantly, a two-way speaker (as opposed to a one-way on the Buds 4) that is meant to delivers better, high-fidelity sound, superior separation of frequencies, and reduced distortion. But we will only know if these claims are true when we get our hands on them for a review. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $155.99 (List Price $179.00) Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 6.9" 512GB Privacy Display Smartphone + $200 Gift Card — $1,299.99 (List Price $1,699.99) 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) — $329.99 (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

On Friday, Moderna’s mCombriax—a combined vaccine for both the flu and COVID—was recommended for authorization by European regulators, which opens the door for the vaccine’s approval in the European Union. The European Medicines Agency, the regulator granting the recommendation (or adopting a “positive opinion” on recommending it for market authorization), said that the messenger RNA vaccine should help protect “people aged 50 years and older against COVID-19 and seasonal influenza (flu),” in a statement. The shot works like any other vaccine, effectively prepping the human body to defend itself against foreign infection, with the messenger RNA contained within giving blueprints to the body to make proteins to help stave off various seasonal flu viruses, and SARS-CoV-2. “As the first combined COVID-19/influenza vaccine, mCombriax provides people with the option of having a single shot to protect against both illnesses,” reads a statement from the Agency. Next, the European Commission would need to ratify the recommendation to open it up for widespread use. “The CHMP’s positive opinion represents an important milestone for respiratory virus vaccination and for Moderna, with the introduction of the world’s first flu plus COVID combination vaccine,” said Stéphane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO, in a statement. “Combination vaccines have the potential to simplify vaccination and support improved health outcomes. We appreciate the EMA’s rigorous scientific review.” The big question remaining: What about the United States? The answer is complicated and unclear, but part of it has to do with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) higher standards and scrutiny. Moderna applied for clearance in the U.S. back in 2024, supplying data showing that the vaccine was effective against both the flu and COVID viruses. But the FDA had asked for more supplemental data, according to reporting from BioPharma Dive, prompting Moderna to withdraw the submission, gather more data, and then resubmit it. Also, additional hurdles have entered the fray. The The President administration—which includes several high-profile anti-vaccine advocates in various leadership positions—initially opted not to review its application, though it changed its mind shortly thereafter after public and industry pressure. As it stands, that’s where the bottleneck is: With the FDA’s review process. It’s unclear if or when the vaccine could win approval or be made available to the public in the United States. View the full article

One of generative AI’s earliest applications remains among its most controversial: AI art. Its proponents celebrate the chance to create the images in their head, no time or traditional skills necessary. Its critics argue that AI images lack the soul of human-made art, steal the work of other artists without permission, and take opportunities away from working artists. AI-generated art often draws ridicule across social media, whether it’s being used for advertising, like Gucci’s recent series of AI-generated posts, or in the fine art world, like the immersive AI-generated works of Refik Anadol, which caught flak on X last week after being featured on 60 Minutes. (“This is not an artist. He makes screensavers,” one user wrote.) But there are internet forums where AI art enthusiasts can celebrate their passion free of ridicule—or at least know that there will be people in their corner to back them up. On the sister subreddits r/DefendingAIArt and r/AIWars, AI art lovers are encouraged to post freely about their controversial hobby (and talk trash right back at their critics). Though the two subreddits espouse similar philosophies on AI art, r/AIWars encourages debate between the tech’s supporters (known as “pro’s”), and its critics (known as “anti’s”). Meanwhile, r/DefendingAIArt flat-out bans debate. One of the latter subreddit’s pinned posts is a compendium of court cases where AI copyright claims were dismissed. Another is an infographic arguing that AI art isn’t copying the work of other artists: Training an AI off the work of another artist, it says, “is like looking at someone’s finished work and learning.” “You look at other people’s work all day, and learn from them for free,” the post continues. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” r/DefendingAIArt isn’t a space for AI artists to share their work, but a place to “speak Pro-AI thoughts freely,” per the sub’s rules. The most upvoted posts of all time include “gotcha” moments of tricking anti-AI folks into thinking human-made art is AI-generated; callouts of the other side’s apparent hypocrisy; and, naturally, memes about not caring where a piece of art came from. Every comment section is entirely free of argument. For that, Redditors are redirected to r/AIWars, where debate reigns supreme. On r/AIWars, posts are designed to be picked apart and argued into oblivion. There are examples of AI clearly plagiarizing copyrighted works, like generating an image of Sonic when asked for a “blue hedgehog videogame character.” And there are real-world legal and moral dilemmas, like the ethics of a vendor being banned from a convention for selling AI-generated artwork. Some posts simply argue to let everyone make art however they please, without deriding it as “AI slop” or, as the subreddit’s users satirically call traditional art, “pencilslop.” While comment sections on some social media platforms have been dominated by AI’s critics, r/AIWars’ user base seems to be closer to a 50/50 split. That might make sense: Reddit has always been a place for niche fandoms and communities to connect, and in the age of AI, that includes the folks who love to fight about it. View the full article

Landing interviews in today’s hiring market takes more than a polished resume. A strong project manager cover letter positions your project management experience and trajectory in a way that speaks directly to hiring managers. When written strategically, a project manager cover letter bridges your project lifecycle results with what employers actually prioritize in high-impact project management roles. Whenever you’re ready to start managing projects, give ProjectManager a try. ProjectManager is an award-winning project management software designed to plan, schedule and track projects from start to finish. Build detailed project schedules, allocate resources, monitor costs and compare estimates against actual performance using a complete set of powerful project management tools. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Light-mode-portfolio-dashboard-CTA-1600x851.pngLearn more What Should Be Included In a Project Manager Cover Letter? Every effective project manager cover letter follows a clear structure that mirrors how projects themselves are run: organized, intentional and results-driven. Instead of vague claims, it should present measurable outcomes, alignment with the employer’s priorities and proof of leadership across scope, schedule, cost and stakeholders. The sections below outline exactly what to include. Header Section Include your full contact information exactly as it appears on your resume. Use a professional email address and LinkedIn URL. Address a specific hiring manager whenever possible. If you cannot find one, use “Hiring Manager.” Keep formatting clean, aligned and consistent with your resume header. Greeting Always use a formal greeting. If you know the hiring manager’s name, use it. Avoid generic greetings like “To whom it may concern.” A specific greeting signals effort and attention to detail. This small step subtly reinforces professionalism and stakeholder awareness—both critical skills for project managers. Opening Paragraph Start strong. Do not repeat your resume summary. Immediately state the role and highlight measurable impact. Include years of experience and at least two metrics. This paragraph establishes credibility fast and tells recruiters why they should continue reading. Lead with proof, not passion. Why this Company + Why this Role Show you researched the company. Mention something specific—mission, product, market, recent initiative or strategic focus. Then connect their priorities directly to your experience. This section proves the letter is tailored, not mass-sent. Hiring managers want alignment, not generic interest. Body Tell a short, structured success story. Include project scope, complexity, stakeholders and measurable results. Focus on what you did, not just what the team accomplished. Use numbers whenever possible. This demonstrates ownership, structured execution and tangible impact—exactly what employers evaluate. Quick Fit Map This optional section is useful for competitive roles. Pull three core requirements directly from the job posting and map them to measurable evidence from your background. Keep it concise. This makes it easy for recruiters to quickly see alignment without searching through paragraphs. Closing paragraph End confidently but professionally. Express interest in discussing next steps. Avoid sounding desperate or overly aggressive. Reinforce the value you bring and thank the reader. This section should feel composed, assured and forward-looking—consistent with strong leadership presence. Project Manager Cover Letter Template This project manager cover letter template includes two fully written examples to guide you in different industries: a construction project manager cover letter and an IT project manager cover letter. Each example shows how to present measurable results, align with hiring priorities and structure project experience clearly for specific roles and delivery environments. /wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Project-Manager-Cover-Letter-Template--600x557.png Below those examples, the project manager cover letter template transitions into a detailed, editable version with step-by-step instructions for every section. Each component—header, greeting, opening paragraph, company alignment, body examples, quick fit map and closing—comes with explicit guidance explaining what to write, how to frame measurable impact and how to tailor the project manager cover letter to a specific job description. Project Manager Cover Letter Examples Seeing a complete project manager cover letter makes the structure click fast. The two project manager cover letter examples below show how to tailor tone, metrics and proof points for different industries while keeping the same high-performing format and flow. IT Project Manager Cover Letter Daniel Carter (512) 555-7821 | daniel.carter@example.com Austin, TX linkedin.com/in/danielexamplecarter March 26, 2026 Hiring Manager Summit Ridge Development Dear Hiring Manager, I’m excited to apply for the Construction Project Manager position at Summit Ridge Development. With over nine years of experience delivering commercial and multi-family construction projects from preconstruction through closeout, I’ve led cross-functional site teams to execute builds valued at more than $20M, consistently improving schedule reliability, cost control and stakeholder coordination. Summit Ridge Development’s commitment to quality construction, disciplined project oversight and long-term client relationships strongly aligns with my background leading complex commercial builds and residential developments. Your emphasis on schedule precision, subcontractor management and financial accountability reflects how I manage construction programs. At IronClad Construction Partners, I directed a multi-phase commercial office development encompassing 90,000 square feet and a $14M budget. The project required coordination among architects, subcontractors, city inspectors and ownership representatives while maintaining strict compliance with safety and contractual standards. By tightening critical path sequencing, strengthening RFI and submittal tracking processes and implementing proactive cost forecasting, we delivered the project three weeks ahead of schedule and 4% under budget. In another engagement, I took over a multi-family residential development that was trending 15% behind schedule due to procurement delays and subcontractor misalignment. I re-sequenced trade activities, formalized weekly coordination meetings and reinforced change order controls. Within one quarter, we recovered the project timeline, maintained cost variance under 3% and re-established stakeholder confidence through structured progress reporting and milestone tracking. Throughout my career, I’ve prioritized disciplined field execution without compromising safety or quality standards. Whether leading on-site coordination meetings, resolving subcontractor conflicts or presenting cost performance updates to ownership groups, I focus on transparency, accountability and measurable results. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to Summit Ridge Development’s upcoming projects and help ensure predictable, high-quality construction delivery. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience can support your organization’s goals. Sincerely, Daniel Carter Construction Project Manager Cover Letter Daniel Carter (512) 555-7821 | daniel.carter@example.com Austin, TX linkedin.com/in/danielexamplecarter March 26, 2026 Hiring Manager Vertex Digital Systems Dear Hiring Manager, I’m excited to apply for the IT Project Manager role at Vertex Digital Systems. With over nine years of experience delivering large-scale technology initiatives across SaaS and enterprise environments, I’ve led cross-functional teams to execute complex programs valued at more than $12M, consistently improving system performance, delivery predictability and stakeholder alignment. Vertex Digital Systems’ focus on scalable cloud solutions and integrated enterprise platforms strongly aligns with my background leading CRM modernization, API integration and infrastructure transformation initiatives. Your emphasis on structured governance, technical precision and measurable delivery outcomes mirrors how I approach complex IT programs. At BrightPath Technologies, I directed a multi-phase cloud migration initiative impacting more than 550 users across operations, finance and customer service teams. The program required integration across six legacy systems, cross-functional engineering collaboration and strict security compliance oversight. By implementing formal sprint governance, refining dependency mapping and introducing structured release checkpoints, we completed deployment four weeks ahead of schedule while reducing post-launch defect rates by 29%. In another initiative, I assumed leadership of a data center consolidation program that was trending 16% over budget due to scope creep and vendor coordination gaps. I re-baselined the implementation roadmap, formalized change control procedures and renegotiated key service agreements. Within two quarters, we stabilized cost variance under 5%, improved infrastructure uptime to 99.98% and restored executive confidence through transparent performance dashboards and steering committee reporting. Throughout my career, I’ve prioritized disciplined technical execution without sacrificing team collaboration. Whether facilitating Agile ceremonies, aligning DevOps pipelines or presenting system performance metrics to senior leadership, I focus on clarity, accountability and measurable business impact. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to Vertex Digital Systems’ technology initiatives and help drive reliable, scalable IT project delivery. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my experience can support your organization’s objectives. Sincerely, Daniel Carter ProjectManager Is an Award-Winning Project Management Software ProjectManager offers robust project management features such as Gantt charts, task lists, workload management charts, timesheets and real-time dashboards and reports. In addition to that, it’s also equipped with AI project insights, online team collaboration features and unlimited file storage that further help project managers ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Watch the video to learn more! Related Content In addition to these free project management resume templates for Word, we’ve built a library of more than 1,000 free project management templates, blogs, ebooks, videos and guides to help project managers navigate the many moving parts of the project lifecycle. How to Become a Project Manager (And Get a Job) Project Manager Titles: Entry-Level Titles, Senior Titles & More Project Manager Resume: Examples & Template Included Best 30 Project Manager Interview Questions and Answers (2026) Project Manager Job Description (Free Copy+Paste Examples) If you need a tool to help you as a project management professional, then signup for our software now at ProjectManager. Our online software can help project managers plan, track and oversee projects as they unfold. Sign up for a free 30-day trial today! The post Project Manager Cover Letter: How-to Guide, Examples & Template appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Amazon's Wish List feature is a versatile way to tell other people what gifts you're interested in. That might be a gift registry for a baby shower, or letting your friends and family know what you want for your birthday. But it's also commonly used for online creators to receive gifts from fans or for someone in need to receive donated items from strangers online who want to help. Up until now, we could rely on Wish List as a secure way for strangers to send items, without worrying about setting up a post office box. But going forward, Wish List now runs the risk of telling fans exactly where the creator lives—unless the creator takes action. Amazon is putting addresses at risk with changes to Wish List As reported by 404 Media, Amazon is recommending customers that use Wish Lists to change their shipping addresses to either P.O. boxes or non-residential delivery addresses. The company is making changes to Wish Lists, which could reveal the address you have on file for the feature. By leaving it as your home address, you are putting yourself at risk of doxxing—or revealing your personal address to strangers on the internet. That's because Amazon is now removing the option to block purchases from third-party sellers for Wish List items. As such, anyone who buys items off your Wish List to send to you will be able to buy them from third-party sellers, and those sellers will have access to your delivery address. From Amazon's point of view, these changes give buyers more flexibility over the items they can buy from your list, but that unfortunately comes with an impact on your personal privacy. But it's not just sellers who will have access to this address: Buyers will, too, as they may see your address in shipping updates they receive throughout the buying process. As 404 Media highlights, major shippers don't usually reveal addresses in these situations. But Amazon's changes mean that third-party sellers have it in their power to share this information themselves. What's more, if the delivery person ends up taking photos of the package to confirm delivery, that could leak even more of your personal details than you'd want—such as what your front door or driveway look like. These changes aren't effective immediately, so if you use Amazon's Wish Lists, you don't have to worry about your home address leaking on the internet just yet. However, the company has set a deadline for March 25, so it's important to act fast if you want to protect yourself. Below, you can read the email Amazon is sending the following email to Wish List users: “We're writing to inform you about an upcoming change to Amazon Lists. Starting March 25, 2026, we will remove the option to restrict purchases from third-party sellers for list items. When this change takes effect, gift purchasers will be able to purchase items sold by third-party sellers from your lists and your delivery address will be shared with the seller for fulfillment. This change will provide gift purchasers with access to a wider selection of items when shopping from your lists...Important note: When gifts are purchased from your shared or public lists, Amazon needs to provide your shipping address to sellers and delivery partners to fulfill these orders. During the delivery process, your address may become visible to gift purchasers through delivery updates and tracking information. To help protect your privacy, we recommend using a PO Box or non-residential address for any list you share with public audiences.” How to prevent buyers from seeing your address from your Amazon Wish ListIf you have an online presence and want to protect your address, you'll need to update your address in Wish List settings. Head to this link, then choose "manage list." Here, you can adjust your Wish List settings to make it private, or to choose specific users to share it with. Otherwise, you can adjust your address if you have a P.O. box or alternative address to select. View the full article

Prime minister facing demands from senior colleagues that he should be ‘braver’ and less gloomyView the full article

Hopefully you never find yourself left behind by a partner while hiking a mountain or abandoned in the woods. If you do, you might be a victim of an “alpine divorce.” The phrase has gained traction on social media in recent weeks following news of a climber’s guilty verdict after he left his girlfriend behind on a hike, where she froze to death on Austria’s highest mountain. The phrase is said to have originated from the 1893 short story An Alpine Divorce by Robert Barr, in which an unhappy husband plots to kill his wife by pushing her off a mountain during a trip to the Swiss Alps. Across platforms like TikTok and X, women have started sharing their own stories of times they were allegedly left behind to fend for themselves by partners during hikes. One TikTok creator posted a short clip of herself walking along a mountain trail earlier this month. In the clip, she is audibly upset. “POV: you go on a hike with him in the mountains but he leaves you alone by yourself and you realize he never liked you to begin with,” she wrote in the video’s text overlay. Her video has since gone viral, with over 19 million views. The comments section is filled with similar stories from other users. “My boyfriend did this to me. I found another hiker to show me how to get back then I went home and blocked his number,” one wrote. “This happened to me in Joshua tree on a day when it was 100+ degrees outside,” another wrote. “My ex husband left me and took the backpack with water and snacks. I thought he’d come back but nope. Finally found my way back to the car and he was chilling in the front seat with the AC on. Needless to say we’re divorced.” While many of the stories are unverified personal accounts, the recent surge in attention has also served as a grim reminder of the real-life case that echoes the trope’s dark origins. Thomas Plamberger, 37, was found guilty of gross negligent manslaughter over the death of his 33-year-old girlfriend, Kerstin Gurtner. He was given a suspended sentence of five months in prison and fined 9,600 euros (about $11,300). In January 2025, the two hiked up Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain. After Gurtner became exhausted, Plamberger abandoned her roughly 50 meters from the summit in freezing, high-wind conditions and without an emergency blanket. She later died of hypothermia. During the course of the trial, an ex-girlfriend of Plamberger’s came forward and testified that he had also left her alone on a night hike on Grossglockner a few years earlier. “Once we descended the Glockner at night, and suddenly he was gone,” she reportedly said. “I felt dizzy, I screamed, and I was completely alone. From then on, we didn’t go on any more hikes together.” View the full article

Washington has raised concerns about Tehran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and allied militant groupsView the full article

The President’s defence secretary is on the front lines of the culture wars — but can he lead the US in a battle against Iran?View the full article

Divisive former academic came second to the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer in the Gorton and Denton by-electionView the full article

In a significant advancement for small businesses, Google has unveiled a major upgrade to its Gemini 3 Deep Think, a specialized AI mode designed to tackle complex challenges in science, research, and engineering. This cutting-edge tool aims to reshape how small enterprises can approach problem-solving and foster innovation, enabling them to compete more effectively in today’s fast-paced market. The updated Gemini 3 Deep Think provides enhanced reasoning capabilities, helping businesses navigate complicated scenarios where solutions may not be straightforward. “By blending deep scientific knowledge with everyday engineering utility, Deep Think moves beyond abstract theory to drive practical applications,” said a Google representative. This dynamic approach uniquely positions small business owners to leverage specialized insights that can lead to better decision-making and optimized operational efficiencies. One of the key benefits of Gemini 3 Deep Think lies in its ability to process messy and incomplete data, a situation commonly faced by small businesses that might not have access to pristine data sets. The upgrade allows these enterprises to draw actionable insights from less-than-perfect information. For instance, a local manufacturing company can utilize Deep Think to analyze production reports and optimize supply chain efficiency, even if the data comes from varied sources and formats. Currently, the enhanced Deep Think feature is available to Google AI Ultra subscribers through the Gemini app. It will also be rolled out via Gemini API to select researchers, engineers, and enterprises. Business owners interested in utilizing this technology can express their interest for early access through a dedicated form, signaling a potential shift towards broader usage in diverse sectors. Early testers of the new Deep Think have already begun to integrate its capabilities into their operations. For example, a small tech start-up reported using the tool to enhance its product development cycle, allowing teams to quickly iterate on designs based on analytics derived from consumer feedback. Such real-world applications illustrate how small businesses can harness this technology to improve processes, innovate products, and drive growth. However, as with any new technology, small business owners should consider some potential challenges before adopting Gemini 3 Deep Think. The subscription model may involve costs that could be a barrier for some, particularly for start-ups and companies operating on tight budgets. Moreover, integration into existing processes may require training and adjustments, which could strain resources in smaller teams. Additionally, while the AI can process complex data, the necessity for accurate input remains paramount. Small businesses may need to invest time in ensuring data quality, which can be challenging without dedicated IT support. These aspects highlight the importance of careful planning and consideration prior to implementation. As Google continues to develop Gemini 3 Deep Think, the overall implications for small businesses are promising. The ability to utilize sophisticated AI reasoning not only enhances operational capabilities but also empowers decision-making processes. With early access available, many small businesses now stand on the brink of a technological revolution that could reshape their future endeavors. In summary, Gemini 3 Deep Think represents an opportunity for small business owners to enhance their operational efficiencies through advanced AI capabilities. By understanding the benefits and potential challenges, businesses can make informed decisions on how best to integrate this technology into their existing frameworks, paving the way towards innovation and growth. For more details, visit the original post here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Google Gemini Unveils Enhanced Deep Think for Advanced Research Applications" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Study by independent committee announced as concerns grow that immigration crackdown will hit fiscal plansView the full article

On Thursday, Block CEO Jack Dorsey announced that his fintech company, which owns Square and Cash App, would be laying off a whopping 40% of its workforce, slashing over 4,000 jobs. Despite a “strong year” in 2025, Dorsey—like many of his tech executive peers—believes AI will enable greater efficiency with far fewer workers. “Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company,” he wrote in a letter to shareholders. “We’re already seeing it internally. A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better.” A number of business leaders have seemingly used AI as a smokescreen for layoffs, but Dorsey has explicitly attributed the job cuts at Block to “intelligence,” which he claims will be “at the core of how the entire company works.” Dorsey attempted to explain his decision in a memo to employees, which he shared publicly on X (also known as Twitter, the company Dorsey once cofounded). “I had two options: cut gradually over months or years as this shift plays out, or be honest about where we are and act on it now,” he wrote. “I chose the latter. Repeated rounds of cuts are destructive to morale, to focus, and to the trust that customers and shareholders place in our ability to lead.” (Block has, in fact, been laying off employees in waves this month, according to multiple reports.) Dorsey insisted the company would not “just disappear people from slack and email and pretend they were never here,” and that he would host a live video session to thank employees for their work. “I know doing it this way might feel awkward,” he wrote. “I’d rather it feel awkward and human than efficient and cold.” Read Dorsey’s post in full below: today we’re making one of the hardest decisions in the history of our company: we’re reducing our organization by nearly half, from over 10,000 people to just under 6,000. that means over 4,000 of you are being asked to leave or entering into consultation. i’ll be straight about what’s happening, why, and what it means for everyone. first off, if you’re one of the people affected, you’ll receive your salary for 20 weeks + 1 week per year of tenure, equity vested through the end of may, 6 months of health care, your corporate devices, and $5,000 to put toward whatever you need to help you in this transition (if you’re outside the U.S. you’ll receive similar support but exact details are going to vary based on local requirements). i want you to know that before anything else. everyone will be notified today, whether you’re being asked to leave, entering consultation, or asked to stay. we’re not making this decision because we’re in trouble. our business is strong. gross profit continues to grow, we continue to serve more and more customers, and profitability is improving. but something has changed. we’re already seeing that the intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company. and that’s accelerating rapidly. i had two options: cut gradually over months or years as this shift plays out, or be honest about where we are and act on it now. i chose the latter. repeated rounds of cuts are destructive to morale, to focus, and to the trust that customers and shareholders place in our ability to lead. i’d rather take a hard, clear action now and build from a position we believe in than manage a slow reduction of people toward the same outcome. a smaller company also gives us the space to grow our business the right way, on our own terms, instead of constantly reacting to market pressures. a decision at this scale carries risk. but so does standing still. we’ve done a full review to determine the roles and people we require to reliably grow the business from here, and we’ve pressure-tested those decisions from multiple angles. i accept that we may have gotten some of them wrong, and we’ve built in flexibility to account for that, and do the right thing for our customers. we’re not going to just disappear people from slack and email and pretend they were never here. communication channels will stay open through thursday evening (pacific) so everyone can say goodbye properly, and share whatever you wish. i’ll also be hosting a live video session to thank everyone at 3:35pm pacific. i know doing it this way might feel awkward. i’d rather it feel awkward and human than efficient and cold. to those of you leaving…i’m grateful for you, and i’m sorry to put you through this. you built what this company is today. that’s a fact that i’ll honor forever. this decision is not a reflection of what you contributed. you will be a great contributor to any organization going forward. to those staying…i made this decision, and i’ll own it. what i’m asking of you is to build with me. 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. our customers will feel this shift too, and we’re going to help them navigate it: towards a future where they can build their own features directly, composed of our capabilities and served through our interfaces. that’s what i’m focused on now. expect a note from me tomorrow. jack View the full article