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Plan to be announced by European Commission aimed at forcing member states to end imports of Russian gas 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. Beats headphones are well known for their style and better compatibility with Apple devices. Both of these hold true with their flagship headphones, the Beats Studio Pro, currently $169.95 (originally $349.99), the second-lowest price it has been after a 51% discount, according to price-tracking tools. While it is compatible with Android users, Apple users will get the most out of these premium headphones. Beats Studio Pro $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $349.99 Save $180.04 Get Deal Get Deal $169.95 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $349.99 Save $180.04 The Beats Studio Pro came out in 2023 with a "good" review from PCMag, praising its sculpted sound (but warning sound-sticklers against it), comfort, premium accessories, and spatial audio with head tracking. They also said you can get much better headphones for less than their $349.99 price (which is very true) that have adjustable EQ and better active noise cancelling (ANC). However, at $169.95, these headphones are a great deal, especially if you're an Apple user. These headphones have hands-free Siri access, one-touch pairing on iOS and Android devices (through Google Fast Pair), which gives simultaneous connections with up to two devices, and a transparency mode that lets you hear your surroundings. Apple users will be able to take advantage of the AAC codecs, which work seamlessly with Apple to give much better audio quality, but have limitations with Android devices. You get a quick-access menu to control the ANC and Transparency modes, and you can also use the Find My app if you misplace your headphones. The biggest miss with the Beats Studio Pro that you would expect any premium headphones to have is an adjustable EQ. However, they have plenty of EQ presets for you to choose from. The ANC is slightly above average, which is good for its current price. You can get about 40 hours of playtime at full charge with ANC and Transparency modes off, and a 10-minute charge gives you about four hours of juice. View the full article

A reader writes: I work for a woman who is very highly respected. She is very smart and has accomplished a lot in her life. She also has had a few missteps in her past like anyone has and, although I do not know the extent of some of her previous failures, I feel I can partly link them to her business partner. She runs the day-to-day operations of the company I work at, and her business partner is mainly the financial backing to her current and her previous companies. My boss does speaking engagements and is very women-empowering, especially to women of a certain age and women of color. Her business partner, however, is very crude; he speaks down to me and all of my peers. He gets into “moods” and threatens our jobs. He uses ableist and homophobic language constantly, and my boss, for the most part, laughs it off. He inappropriately “brushes up” against me and other women at work and my boss won’t approach him about his behavior unless one of us lets her know it’s an issue. She has in the past berated him about certain issues and lets us know she is on our side, but it’s hard to feel that way when she cozies up to him right after the incident is “over.” Most of us just ignore him because that’s “just how he is.” Also, because my boss is so open and honest about her life, a lot of people feel they can confide in her, and yet she is also a big gossip and will 100% of the time tell her business partner anything confidential a coworker talks to her about, and he will repeat things to you that you thought were private. I respect my boss and her accomplishments, but I respect her less because of this person she has decided to run her business with, and it makes me not want to work for her anymore. Do I quit and let them continue their circle of misery without me in it? You quit. That could be the entirety of the answer, but I’ll say more anyway. The people we choose to be in business with says something about who we are too. That doesn’t mean that your boss is an ableist, homophobic, crude sexual harasser … but it does mean she’s not that bothered by the fact that he is. Sure, she addresses it with him when people ask her to. She clearly knows on some level that it’s not okay. But it’s okay enough with her that she doesn’t really do anything about it — not enough to actually put a stop to the issues or to stop working with him. I’m sure it’s complicated for her if he provides the financial backing! Maybe in her heart she’s deeply conflicted by accepting his help and feels trapped. But it sounds like he’s been her financial backing through multiple companies; she has had repeated opportunities to separate from him and, yet, here they still are together. And look, a lot of women end up in leadership positions working for or around abusers, and it can be hard to know the right way to navigate it — but this point she’s responsible for who she chooses to do business with, and who she chooses to subject her staff to. Maybe she didn’t know he was like this when they started their first company together. She definitely knew by the second or third. She definitely knows now. At the end of the day, she just doesn’t object to his behavior that much, and she doesn’t take it as seriously as she should. And all that’s before we get into her sharing confidential info with him, knowing he’s a gossip. Your boss may be accomplished, but that doesn’t mean she’s a good person to work for. The post my boss is great, but her business partner is a nightmare appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Levies on overseas movies going into the US would damage production hubs in countries including UK, Canada and AustraliaView the full article

Financier assumes effective control of Howard Hughes and will shift its strategy to hunt for acquisitionsView the full article

This week’s reads are all about alignment between what we do and what matters to us. Remote work gives us more options. But the real challenge? Choosing what fits. We're diving into purpose, values, freedom, and the kinds of roles that support the way you want to work. Vic Our Favorite Articles 💯Remote Real Talk: Andrew Gobran (Doist) on Career Values and Remote Job Search Strategy (Remotive)Andrew shares what it means to work with intention, not just flexibility, and how job seekers can shift their mindset to stand out. ​Read it here​. Remote Work Wasn't The Goal. Freedom Was (Reddit)A quiet reminder from the digital nomad community that it's not the laptop life we're chasing, it's what it allows. ​Check out the thread here​. Workers Say Ideal Roles Are Hybrid or Fully Remote (SIA)A new survey shows the demand for flexibility is still strong. It's not just about location: it's about having more say in how you work. ​Learn more​. Carlos Barria | ReutersGoogle Forcing Some Remote Workers To Come Back 3 Days a Week or Lose Their Jobs (CNBC)A sharp contrast to worker preferences: this headline from Google reveals the tension between flexibility and control. ​Keep reading​. This Week's Sponsor 🙌Too many emails? Declutter your inbox with Meco, your home for reading newsletters. Try it for free Remotive Jobs 💼Let's get you hired! These teams are hiring now: 💻 Engineering 👉 ​Software Engineer - Infrastructure Team at Discourse​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Senior Backend Engineer at Volatus Health​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​Senior Front End Developer at Missive​ (Americas, Europe, Israel) 👉 ​Senior Ruby on Rails Developer at Proxify​ (CET -/+3 hours) 🎨 Design 👉 ​Web Designer (Framer) at Contra​ (Worldwide) 👉 ​3D Logo Designer at Contra​ (Worldwide) 📈 Marketing 👉 ​Content Creator/Influencer Content Creator/Influencer at JLS Trading Co​ (Worldwide) Free Guides & Tools​Public Job Board​We curate 2,000 remote jobs so you don't have to! ​Find your remote job →​ ​Exclusive Webinar​3 Mistakes to Avoid When Looking For A Remote Startup Job (And What To Do Instead) ​Register for free →​ ​Job Search Tips​Looking for a remote job? Here are our tips to help you work remotely ​Check it out → Join the Remotive newsletter Subscribe to get our latest content by email. Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again. Email address Subscribe Powered by ConvertKit View the full article

Skywatchers, you’re in for a treat. You’re going to want to look up into the night late Monday, May 5 into the early hours of Tuesday, May 6, to see the debris of Halley’s comet as it lights up the sky with a meteor shower called the Eta Aquarids. Here’s everything you need to know about the Eta Aquarids and the chance to see debris from Halley’s comet in 2025. What are Halley’s comet and the Eta Aquarids meteor shower, anyway? While Halley’s comet itself only travels around the sun every 75 or so years, each time it returns to the inner solar system, it sprays debris (ice and rock) into space, which results in two meteor showers each year: the Eta Aquarids in May, and the Orionids in October, creating what we know as shooting stars. (Halley’s comet was last seen in 1986, and won’t come around again until 2061.) When comets pass by the sun, the dust they emit eventually creates a “dusty trail” around their orbits. Then, when Earth passes through these trails, they interact with our atmosphere, creating those dazzling shows of light in the sky. The Eta Aquarids peak early in the month of May, and are known for their speed; they travel at about 40.7 miles per second into Earth’s atmosphere, according to NASA. That’s important, because fast meteors can leave glowing incandescent “trains” of debris, which last for several seconds to minutes. During the peak of the Eta Aquarids, viewers can see up to 50 meteors each hour, depending on visibility. What’s the best time to see the Eta Aquarids meteor shower in 2025? Peak viewing is this Monday night, May 5 into Tuesday morning, May 6 in the predawn hours, according to NASA’s Bill Cooke, who told the AP that visibility will likely be affected by the moon, which will be two-thirds full. The good news: viewing opportunities will last through the month until May 28. You can view the Eta Aquarids in both the northern and southern hemispheres, but the southern hemisphere is preferable. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, viewers can expect to see about 10 meteors an hour, depending on your latitude and conditions that night. Expect to see “Earthgrazers,” which are long meteors “that appear to skim the surface of the Earth at the horizon,” per NASA. NASA viewing tips for the Eta Aquarids meteor shower Our friends at NASA offer these tips: Find a viewing spot away from city or street lights. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east. You may want to bring a blanket or a lounge chair. Look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors. Be patient. The show will last until dawn, so you have plenty of time to catch a glimpse. View the full article

Most F1 cars can reach speeds of well over 200 mph, but the newest automobiles in the F1 stable go much much slow. Built from 400,000 Lego pieces, the life-size Lego cars can drive 12 mph—not bad for a bunch of plastic bricks. To mark the start of a multiyear partnership, the Danish toy maker created 10 drivable, full-scale Formula 1 cars that debuted at the Miami Grand Prix. The racing series’ 20 competitors, including speed demons Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, drove the Lego cars at Sunday’s prerace Drivers’ Parade for millions of fans watching from the grandstands and on television. The “big build” cars took Lego builders a collective 22,000 hours over eight months to assemble the four million pieces. It’s Lego’s most challenging project by size and scale, according to Chief Marketing Officer Julia Goldin. The cars showcase each team’s distinctive livery but share the cockpit, chassis, and components necessary to cover the circuit’s three-mile inaugural lap. “We each want to push the art of impossible, to push the boundaries,” Goldin told Fast Company in an interview on Friday at the trackside Lego Garage. Drivable, life-size Legos Lego has made a mark with life-size, or larger-than-life, public art installations at institutions from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Volvo Museum in Sweden. But the Formula 1 cars boast a novel distinction, says Marcel Šťastný, the project’s lead engineer: They’re ready for the race track. The nearly 1:1 scale models reach about 12 mph using automotive parts contained within the structure and authentic Pirelli tires. They herald Lego’s new Speed Champions product line based on race cars from Ferrari, McLaren, and other teams, with accessories from driver minifigures in full racing gear to replacement hub caps. Of course, they differ from actual Formula 1 cars in two key ways: performance and design. A modern F1 car uses a 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine and two electric motors to produce around 1,000 horsepower and travel upwards of 200 mph. And unlike the official single-seat race cars, Lego’s design fits two people. Lego created the dual cockpit specifically in order to accommodate each team’s driver pairs during the parade. “The beginning of the concept was really fitting two people inside, and then we built the rest of the car around the cockpit,” says Jonathan Jurion, the project’s senior designer. But making room for two people inside the car wasn’t the project’s only challenge. Since the competitors didn’t get a test run ahead of the public debut, Lego also had to create adjustable seats and pedals within the cockpit to accommodate the drivers’ heights. The project’s engineering manager specialist Martin Šmida says his team used animation runs and personal measurements to ensure a fit on race day. And then there was the compressed timeline, with the project kicking off last August. “We did 10 cars in the amount of time it would normally take to do one car,” Jurion says. “We didn’t want to cut any corners, so we had to think out of the box how to streamline the process while creating a custom design for each one.” From CAD to hand-built Despite a frenetic start off the line, the project began with the same computer-aided design exercise used by the 400-plus Lego products launched each year. “We model the cars first in the computer because it’s a huge amount of bricks,” Jurion says. “We have specialists who work on the shapes and forms, and others who work on the design of the detailing and logos.” The design then shuffles through the pipeline, to technical engineers and manufacturing engineers “who make sure that we can build these, because it’s not really an easy task,” he adds. Designers and engineers used foam mockups to collaborate on a layout that hid the drivetrain, which includes a motor and a 105 amp-hour battery. (Lego cut its teeth last year on a full-scale McLaren P1 that Lando Norris took for a spin on England’s Silverstone Circuit. But instead of traditional Lego bricks, that car used bolts, gears and pins from Lego’s advanced Technic system.) “We have special builders who really know how to build these huge builds, and they take the building instructions from the manufacturing engineers and then build them, kind of layer by layer, like we would build a house,” Jurion adds. The cars were assembled by hand at Lego’s factory in the Czech Republic but glued together for their Formula 1 debut. “All the bricks you can see are off-the-shelf bricks,” Jurion says. “Potentially, if anyone has enough bricks, they could build them at home.” “Gluing the bricks together is obviously something that we don’t want our fans to do in real life, but we had to do it so that we keep the cars together,” he added. “We don’t want to lose any bricks on track.” Multiyear growth Lego and Formula 1 alike have long had loyal fans willing to shell out top dollar for the experience, but both brands have surged in popularity—especially among women, children and families, according to Goldin—since the COVID-19 pandemic. A new audience turned, or returned, to Lego sets during lockdown, boosted by the LegoMasters reality television series, while Netflix’s Drive to Survive, now filming its eighth season, has brought millions of new fans to motorsports. Data show that F1 has seen a particular surge in growth among children between ages 8 and 12. Lego continues to grow, as well, slated to begin construction on its first U.S. factory, a $1 billion factory outside Richmond, Virginia, in mid-2027. Goldin declined to provide the total investment figure for the Formula 1 partnership but says there’s more to come. “This sets the bar high, but we definitely don’t think of this as a one-off.” View the full article

The death of Joann fabrics is turning out to be a big gain for at least one other retailer. Following the beloved craft chain’s bankruptcy and subsequent plan to wind down its operations, discount retailer Burlington Stores—formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory—is moving to scoop up dozens of leases from former Joann locations across more than 20 states, court documents reveal. The 45 locations, some of which have been home to Joann’s stores for decades, were listed as being taken over by various Burlington subsidiaries on a bankruptcy court filing last week, with the company expected to assume control of most of the leases on June 1. In January, Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time in less than a year, having succumbed to inflationary pressures and shifting habits among consumers who had embraced at-home crafts during the early years of the pandemic. The company has since said it would close every location, with a sizable chunk of those stores closing for good last week. All of Joann’s almost 800 stores are expected to be closed by the end of May. The relatively quick wind-down creates an opportunity for other retailers that are looking for space, with leases available for low cure amounts or no cure price at all, court records show. The transfer of leases to Burlington is not a done deal, as interested parties still have time to object. Fast Company reached out to Burlington for comment and additional details. ‘2,000-store target’ Headquartered in Burlington, New Jersey, Burlington Stores offers merchandise at so-called off prices, specializing in apparel, footwear, and of course coats. The company formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory earned $504 million in profit on revenue of $10.6 billion in fiscal 2024. Last week’s filing shows Texas as the state with the most Joann stores that will be transferred to Burlington, with nine locations in the Lone Star state, followed by California with five. The filing also offers a window into the growth plans of a brick-and-mortar brand with ambitions to significantly increase its store count. While many chain retailers have reduced their physical footprint or shuttered entirely over the past few years, Burlington has been growing at a healthy clip. The company opened more than 100 net new stores in 2024, CEO Michael O’Sullivan said in an earnings release in March, and it plans to open another 100 locations this year. Burlington has also been relocating dozens of locations that O’Sullivan described as “oversized,” part of a national trend in which retailers are trying to do more with smaller-format stores. As of the end of its last fiscal year, Burlington operated 1,108 stores in 46 states, along with Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. It has said it has a long-term target of 2,000 stores. In addition to Burlington, the filing also listed other retailers that were taking over a handful of Joann locations, including Hobby Lobby, Boot Barn, and furniture retailer Massa Gallery. Below you can find the full list of locations that Burlington is seeking to take over. The oldest lease on the list, in Flagstaff, Arizona, dates back to April 1979. Arizona 1717 N Dysart Road in Avondale, AZ 1514 S Riordan Ranch St in Flagstaff, AZ Arkansas 3835 North Mall Ave in Fayetteville, AR California 5885 Lincoln Avenue in Buena Park, CA 26583 Carl Boyer Drive in Santa Clarita, CA 2210 Daniels St in Manteca, CA 3010 Ming Ave in Bakersfield, CA 12779 Main Street in Hesperia, CA Colorado 2580 South Colorado Blvd in Denver, CO 7360 South Gartrell Road in Aurora, CO Florida 10261 River Marsh Drive Ste 149 in Jacksonville, FL 540 N us Hwy 441 in Lady Lake, FL 1131 S Federal Hwy in Pompano Beach, FL Georgia 2655 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 1074 Bullsboro Drive Unit #6 in Newnan, GA Illinois 7511 Lemont Rd Ste 101 in Darien, IL 2056 N. State Route 50, Bourbonnais, IL Kentucky 4600 Shelbyville Rd Ste 280 in Louisville, KY Massachusetts 96 Providence Highway in East Walpole, MA Michigan 9052 Highland Road in White Lake, MI Mississippi 3875 North Gloster Street in Tupelo, MS Nebraska 10521 S. 15Th Street in Bellevue, NE New Mexico 558 E. Main St., Farmington, NM New York 3225 State Route 364 in Canandaigua, NY 1530 County Route 64 in Horseheads, NY North Carolina 80 South Tunnel Road Suite 30 in Asheville, NC Ohio 4600 W Broad Street in Columbus, OH 3872 Paxton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH Boardman Poland Road, Youngstown, OH Oregon ​​783 Lancaster Dr. Ne. Suite #133 in Salem, OR South Carolina 1120 Seaboard Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 1215-B North Main Street in Summerville, SC Texas 1219 North Fry Road in Katy, TX 10515 N Mo Pac Expy Bldg 1 in Austin, TX 9500 S I-35 Frontage Rd. Building K, Austin, TX 4127 N Hwy 75 in Sherman, TX 2640 West University Dr in Denton, TX 2050 West University Dr Suite 250 in Mc Kinney, TX 19105 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy., Mesquite, TX 10501 Gateway Blvd W Bld 9 in El Paso, TX 201 University Oaks Blvd in Round Rock, TX Utah 720 W. Telegraph in Washington, UT Washington 700 Ocean Beach Hwy Ste 100 in Longview, WA Wisconsin 1226 Koeller St in Oshkosh, WI 4045 Commonwealth Ave in Eau Claire, WI View the full article

What once was seen as a tax loophole is now becoming a mainstream strategy for business continuity—if done right. The Concierge CPA With Jackie Meyer For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

What once was seen as a tax loophole is now becoming a mainstream strategy for business continuity—if done right. The Concierge CPA With Jackie Meyer For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Jackie Meyer. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. You'd think we get enough drama from news and social media—but honestly, we live for it. Netflix has stories of tortured romance; parental struggles; political victories; and all manner of triumphs and tragedies, whether entirely fictional or inspired by true events. Past Lives (2023) Greta Lee plays Nora, whose family emigrated from South Korea to the United States when she was a child. Years later, and then over the course of several years, she reunites with childhood friend Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), forcing an examination of her life as it is, and as it might have been. Certainly among the best of the last five years, the film's exploration of roads not taken builds to a powerful emotional punch. You can stream Past Lives here. The Two Popes (2019) With a bit of extra relevance in recent days, this biographical film from director Fernando Meirelles (City of God) dramatizes a key period in the relationship between then-Pope Benedict XVI and his soon-to-be successor, Jorge Mario Bergoglio (later Francis). Following the Vatican leaks scandal of 2012, Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) finds himself weakened both physically and in terms of his authority—as he considers resigning the Papacy, he summons Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce), the leading contender to replace him. The two debate theology and struggle with their own futures in a near two-hander than earned each of the actors Academy Award nominations. You can stream The Two Popes here. The Six Triple Eight (2024) Tyler Perry directs this war drama, and it's likely his best movie yet, with a powerhouse lead performance from Kerry Washington as the real-life Major Charity Adams, commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. During World War II, a backlog in mail delivery was causing tremendous harm to troop morale, and so this battalion of Black women was charged with getting letters delivered; Perry's greatest achievement here is making an extremely convincing case for the significance of mail sorting. Once deployed to Germany, the women come under fire from enemy soldiers, as well as from fellow allied soldiers who see no place for women, and particularly Black women, in wartime. You can stream The Six Triple Eight here. The Long Game (2023) The drama here is quietly understated, though the stakes are very real. Jay Hernandez heads up the cast here to tell the true story of a group of teens from Del Rio, Texas of the 1950s, who set out to play golf at a white country club as the San Felipe Mustangs. They could be caddies, of course—but to actually play?! The kids went on to win the 1957 Texas State High School Golf Championship, with Long Game dramatizing the triumphs, setbacks, and extremely overt racism on the road to that victory. You can stream The Long Game here. Society of the Snow (2023) The true story of the 1972 Uruguayan rugby team lost in the Andes following a plane crash has been the subject of multiple documentaries and two previous dramas (the best known being, almost certainly, Frank Marshall's cannibalism-heavy Alive from 1993). For all that Andes-crash content, this is the best of all of them: a thoughtful and tasteful take on what's sometimes been presented as a salacious drama, with director J. A. Bayona emphasizing both the physical perils faced by the team and the spiritual toll of survival. You can stream Society of the Snow here. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) Sweaty, smoky clubs; outspoken (often openly queer) women who accepted no bullshit—women like Bessie Smith, Lucille Bogan, Gladys Bentley, and, of course, Ma Rainey. The 1920s blues scene was a moment, and Wolfe’s movie goes a long way to resurrecting the era with its contained but explosive story of one stormy Chicago recording session. Based on August Wilson’s play, it’s packed with brilliant performances, led by Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his final film role. You can stream Ma Rainey's Black Bottom here. The Power of the Dog (2021) Jane Campion came roaring back after an absence from the director's chair of a decade or so, with this, the most acclaimed film of her career to date. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Phil Burbank, as beguiling as he is cruel, who runs a family ranch in 1925 with his far gentler brother, George (Jesse Plemons). Phil's callousness sparks into flame when George finds love with a local waitress (Kirsten Dunst), his brother's happiness shifting their power dynamic uncomfortably, and leaving Phil to contemplate (or, rather, to avoid contemplating) his feelings for the man who taught him how to be a cowboy years earlier. You can stream The Power of the Dog here. Shirley (2024) A woman president? What's next?! Academy Award winner John Ridley (screenwriter of 12 Years a Slave) directs this quite necessary biopic of sometimes-forgotten pioneer Shirley Chisholm. The first Black woman elected to Congress (in 1969), Chisolm ran a forcefully progressive campaign for president just three years later. Even if the movie is a bit formulaic, in the ways that these things sometimes are, Regina King (perhaps unsurprisingly) gives a moving, illuminating performance as the idiosyncratic trailblazer. You can stream Shirley here. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018) Charmingly unwieldy name aside, Guernsey is a cute and clever period drama based on the popular novel from Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Lily James stars as Juliet Ashton (pen name: Izzy Bickerstaff), a writer in 1946 who finds herself entranced by the titular society, formed during the German occupation of the island. Like the book before it, the quirkiness of the story's characters masks dark undertones related to the horrors of the just-concluded war, lending the film a surprising emotional depth. Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Donnie Brasco) directs. You can stream The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society here. Anyone but You (2023) A loose spin on Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone But You stars Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell as a couple who meet, hit it off for about a minute—and then immediately start to get on each other's nerves. Until, of course, they need wedding dates and find themselves surrounded by scheming friends. As Shakespeare taught us, of such inauspicious beginnings are great romances sometimes born. It's not wildly out there as rom-com premises go, but the movie is briskly directed and boasts strong chemistry (a must) between Sweeney and Powell. You can stream Anyone but You here. Beginners (2010) Better late than never: That’s the message of Beginners, in which Hal, played by Christopher Plummer (beginning his own late-career resurgence) comes out to his son, Oliver (Ewan McGregor). As Hal begins to live his life more openly and finds love with a younger man, he also develops a more honest relationship with his son. As a result, the two become closer than they ever were before, and their relationship inspires Oliver to pursue a new romance of his own—and to generally live life on his own terms. It’s a movie about how, sometimes, being true to yourself is the best way to be a good parent. You can stream Beginners here. Do the Right Thing (1989) Director Spike Lee had his greatest triumph with this funny, quotable, and ultimately explosive film about the racial tensions percolating in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a hot summer day. Stylish, funny, humane, and, ultimately, a gut punch. You can stream Do the Right Thing here. Scoop (2024) The reliably great Gillian Anderson plays real-life British journalist Emily Maitlis, who lead the BBC2 team that secured the disastrous interview with Prince Andrew (Rufus Sewell) that laid bare his associations with sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein—and by "disastrous," I mean that it was a disaster for the Prince, who couldn't seem to stop himself from making things worse. A juicy and compelling true story. Keeley Hawes and Billie Piper also star. You can stream Scoop here. Passing (2021) This gorgeous black-and-white adaptation of the once-controversial 1929 novel explores the dramatized history of some light-skinned African-Americans attempting to pass as white. Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson play old friends who reunite unexpectedly after years apart; one is married to a Black man and living in Harlem while the other is married to an odious, racist white doctor who has no idea his wife isn’t the woman he thinks she is. The fallout both women experience as a result of their chance encounter is an indictment of a society that would place so much value on skin color, yes, but it’s also a challenging consideration of the choices people will make for self-preservation, and it offers no easy answers. You can stream Passing here. May December (2023) Todd Haynes directs this insightful, moving, and also deliberately campy story of an actress visiting the woman she'll be playing in a film. The movie's deft, and unexpected, blending of tones makes it pretty consistently fascinating, and the lead performances from Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore, and Charles Melton saw them all as Oscar nomination frontrunners, even if no actual nods were forthcoming. You can stream May December here. Carol (2015) The chemistry between Rooney Mara’s Therese and Cate Blanchett’s Carol is palpable from the moment their eyes meet across a crowded department store—but it’s the 1950s, and theirs is a love that dare not speak its name, even to one another. That’s just how things were back then (luckily, queerphobia has been entirely eradicated). The women suffer for their love in Todd Haynes' modern classic, but the tears come less when things are going bad as when it starts to feel like they might just possibly start to go a little right. You can stream Carol here. Nyad (2023) Annette Bening stars as the real-life Diana Nyad, who swam from Florida to Cuba in her 60s—powered largely by an unyielding willfulness. The movie succeeds in large part because of the performances from and chemistry between lead Annette Bening and Jodie Foster, both of whom received Oscar nominations for their work here. The movie makes a strong case that age is inevitably a weakness in many ways, but can also be a source of surprising strength. You can stream Nyad here. The Lost Daughter (2021) Inspired, in part, by ancient Greek mythology, this psychological drama was probably never destined to be a crowd-pleaser—but it’s a genuinely confident, bold debut from writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal. Olivia Colman (who got a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her trouble) plays Leda Caruso, a middle-aged college professor who develops a rather disturbing obsession with a woman and her young daughter while on holiday in Greece. Jessie Buckley also got an Oscar nod for playing a younger version of Leda, and Gyllenhaal picked up a nomination for her screenplay. You can stream The Lost Daughter here. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019) Chiwetel Ejiofor wrote and directed (also co-starred) in the biographical, family-friendly (in the best sense) film based not he memoir of William Kamkwamba (played here by Maxwell Simba). Born to a family of farmers in Kasungu, Malawi, William barely manages to stay in school (essentially blackmailing a teacher in lieu of being able to afford tuition), but his persistence pays off: the young engineering prodigy develops a design for a windmill that might be able to save the village from the impacts of drought and a global economic downturn—but only if he can convince his family that the sacrifices required to build his machine will be worth it. You can stream The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind here. Judy (2019) Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for her portrayal of screen legend Judy Garland in this biopic that focuses on the last year of her life, contrasting the period of trial with scenes from her early life, and drawing straight lines between the treatment of a child actor with the troubles of an aging star. There are some biopic tropes here, and the film builds to a necessarily tragic conclusion, but there's a great deal of heart and humanity here, and Zellweger offers up a very worthy performance. You can stream Judy here. Twilight (2008) Say what you like about Catherine Hardwicke's adaptation of the Stephenie Meyer's novel: the movie was a blockbuster and a genuine pop culture phenomenon, touching on the drama and trauma of teen romance in grand, nearly operatic, style. The movie was released during the country's last major economic downturn, and some sparkly vampires might be just the comfort watch you need in more recently troubling times. You can stream Twilight here. Goodfellas (1990) Martin Scorsese's epic take on the life of real-life mobster Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) is an indisputable classic of the genre—in fact, it's the movie people think of first when you mention gangster movies. Scorsese has rarely been better, but the movie's performances (from Liotta, Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Pesci) are where it soars. You can stream Goodfellas here. Rustin (2023) Colman Domingo gives a stellar performance (he earned a Best Actor Oscar nomination) as the title's Bayard Rustin, the gay Civil Rights leader who planned the March on Washington. Domingo is all charm here as a man desperate to advance a movement focused on his skin color but is less certain how to treat his sexuality. Not only is it an intersectional corrective to our very straight-centered vision of the Civil Rights Movement, it's a stylish and moving biopic in its own right. You can stream Rustin here. The Boys in the Band (2020) An update of the 1968 play (previously adapted to the screen by William Friedkin in 1970), Boys in the Band keeps its period setting and premise: Michael (Jim Parsons) is hosting a very gay birthday for his friend Harold (Zachary Quinto), joined by their friends Donald (Matt Bomer) and Larry (Andrew Rannells). Everyone's ready to cut loose without the pressure of having to act straight—until they're joined unexpectedly by married Alan (Brian Hutchison), and everyone has to decide how far they're willing to shove themselves back in the closet. You can stream The Boys in the Band here. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google is testing replacing the local pack in the search results with AI Overviews...View the full article

To keep your Meta Ads performing at their best, it’s essential to regularly test new ad formats. This article explores the role of UGC and EGC ads – and how to effectively test them in your Meta campaigns. Understanding UGC and EGC ads User-generated content (UGC) refers to videos typically created by actual users of your product or service, often testimonials or a series of testimonials edited together. In some cases, UGC may even come from the company founder, recorded casually on a phone or using other non-professional methods. These videos are often recorded on a phone – or styled to look that way, even if professionally produced – to create an intentionally unpolished, organic feel. This helps them blend seamlessly into users’ social feeds and encourages engagement before viewers realize they’re watching an ad. UGC can also be replicated through influencer-created content. It’s common to pay an influencer to review a product or service and then obtain permission to repurpose their video as an ad. Employee-generated content (EGC) is content created by employees, such as the well-known “what it’s like to work at Amazon” ads. These videos typically highlight positive employee experiences and how the company has impacted their lives. EGC ads are usually part of a long-term branding strategy to enhance a company’s reputation and ultimately drive sales, even when the ad doesn’t promote specific products or hiring initiatives. While EGC can support recruitment efforts, it’s often used purely for brand storytelling. Dig deeper: A testing primer for B2B paid social creative optimization How to test UGC ads UGC ads can be tested using various formats, such as: Influencer product demos or reviews. Customer testimonial videos. Even the owner or creator recording a product walkthrough. The most common formats include: Product-in-use demonstrations. Review-style videos. “Unboxing” videos where someone opens the product packaging to show what’s inside. When testing UGC ads, you’ll often see an increase in view rates or CTR. However, it’s important to track whether that engagement leads to meaningful outcomes like sales or high-quality website traffic. This can be monitored through Meta Ads, Google Analytics, or third-party tracking tools. Higher views and clicks are only valuable if they translate into actual results. UGC vs. standard ads UGC ads typically run alongside standard formats, such as image ads or professionally produced videos. It’s best to test both types simultaneously and simply keep whichever performs best – regardless of whether it’s UGC. One reason to continue testing traditional, polished ads has to do with how the brain filters information – a concept rooted in the reticular activating system (RAS). This part of the brain helps determine what you pay attention to versus what gets ignored. For instance, if you’re shopping for a car, you suddenly start noticing and engaging with car ads, but when you’re not in the market, those same ads fade into the background. This effect explains why a conventional ad that looks like a car ad might outperform a UGC-style video that blends in like a friend’s social post. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach – performance will vary month to month – so it’s worth consistently testing both formats. UGC remains a strong contender, especially on Meta, YouTube, and TikTok. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Using AI to make UGC video ads with characters A newer form of UGC uses AI-generated avatars or characters instead of real people. These videos follow the same casual, testimonial-style format but feature animated or AI-created figures to present or review the product. This approach helps the ad stand out – similar to how Geico has long used its animated gecko. Thanks to advancements in AI, even smaller brands with limited budgets can now experiment with this type of content to promote their products or services. Dig deeper: Top AI tools and tactics you should be using in PPC How to test EGC ads EGC ads are a strong addition to your Meta Ads strategy as a long-term branding campaign. While they typically don’t drive direct sales, they help strengthen your brand’s reputation and communicate your company’s values. These ads are often used by large brands with bigger budgets. Amazon, Walmart, and Goodwill, for example, have created EGC ads highlighting their offerings to employees and how they’ve positively impacted their lives. That said, EGC ads aren’t just for major corporations. If you have extra budget, you can test this format by running a separate Meta campaign with its own budget and objective. Instead of optimizing for conversions, you’d likely choose a goal like engagement, clicks, video views, or impressions. Rather than promoting a specific product or service, the landing page should align with the message of the ad, focusing on: Employee stories. Company values. Charitable efforts. Other reputation-building content. This format can also extend to ads featuring charitable initiatives. For example, TOMS promotes its giving model: “For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased, a pair of new shoes is given to a child in need.” This could be used as EGC, UGC, or general branding content. These types of ads help showcase a company’s values and impact, rather than focusing solely on what they sell. Maximize your Meta Ad results: Test UGC, EGC, and more As with all Meta Ads (and other platforms), consistently testing a mix of formats – UGC, EGC, and traditional ads – helps maintain performance and keeps your creative strategy fresh. Each format offers unique strengths: UGC brings authenticity, EGC builds brand trust, and traditional ads provide polish and clarity. By regularly experimenting and analyzing results, you’ll be better equipped to adapt, optimize, and grow your campaigns over time. Dig deeper: Here’s why PPC now looks more like paid social and what it means View the full article

Pharrell Williams has high hopes for the Met Gala, the first to focus exclusively on Black designers, and the first in more than 20 years to have a menswear theme. “I want it to feel like the most epic night of power, a reflection of Black resiliency in a world that continues to be colonized, by which I mean policies and legislation that are nothing short of that,” he recently told Vogue. “It’s our turn.” Indeed. And welcome to the first Monday in May. How to watch the 2025 Met Gala Vogue will livestream the gala starting at 6 p.m. Eastern on Vogue.com, its YouTube channel and across its other digital platforms. Teyana Taylor, La La Anthony and Ego Nwodim will host the stream. Emma Chamberlain will also do interviews on the carpet. The Associated Press will livestream celebrity departures from the Mark Hotel beginning at 5 p.m. Eastern and will stream the gala carpet on delay beginning at 6:30 p.m. The feeds will be available on YouTube and APNews.com. E! will begin live coverage at 6 p.m. on TV. The livestream will be available on Peacock, E! Online and YouTube, along with the network’s other social media feeds. Who’s hosting the 2025 Met Gala? This year, the fundraising gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is hosted by a group of Black male celebrities, including Williams, the musical artist and Louis Vuitton menswear director, and Lewis Hamilton, Colman Domingo, and A$AP Rocky, with NBA superstar LeBron James as honorary chair. They’re joined by Vogue’s Anna Wintour, the mastermind behind the gala, considered the year’s biggest and starriest party. Also guaranteed to show up is a second tier of hosts from a variety of worlds: athletes Simone Biles and husband Jonathan Owens; Angel Reese and Sha’Carri Richardson; filmmakers Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee and Regina King; actors Ayo Edebiri, Audra McDonald and Jeremy Pope; musicians Doechii, Usher, Tyla, Janelle Monáe and André 3000; author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; artists Jordan Casteel, Rashid Johnson and Kara Walker; playwrights Jeremy O. Harris and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins; and fashion figures Grace Wales Bonner, Edward Enninful, Dapper Dan and Olivier Rousteing. The gala raises the bulk of the curation budget for the museum’s Costume Institute. This year’s Met Gala dress code is… It’s more like a firm suggestion. From Wintour. This year, it’s about tailoring and suiting as interpreted through the history and meaning of Black dandyism across the Atlantic diaspora. The theme is inspired by the annual spring exhibition, which this year is based in large part on “Slaves to Fashion: Black Dandyism and the Styling of Black Diasporic Identity,” a book written by Monica L. Miller. She is guest curator of the exhibit. “Historical manifestations of dandyism range from absolute precision in dress and tailoring to flamboyance and fabulousness in dress and style,” Miller writes in the exhibit catalog. “Whether a dandy is subtle or spectacular, we recognize and respect the deliberateness of the dress, the self-conscious display, the reach for tailored perfection, and the sometimes subversive self-expression.” How the dress code goes, in terms of taste and style, is anyone’s guess. Wintour has a hand in virtually all things gala, so the presumption is things can’t go too far off the rails. She recently knocked down the rumor that she approves all looks, telling “Good Morning America” she’ll weigh in if asked. The exhibit, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” draws on other sources beyond Miller’s book. It’s organized into 12 sections. Each symbolizes a characteristic of dandy style as defined by Zora Neale Hurston in her 1934 essay, “Characteristics of Negro Expression.” Among them: ownership, presence, distinction, disguise, freedom, respectability and heritage. Presumably, for gala guests who do deep-dive research (or have stylists to do it), some of these factors will play out on the museum steps that serve as the event’s red carpet. Who else is going to show up? The guest list amounts to about 450 high-profile people from tech, sports, art, entertainment and more. The mix, Williams said, is a must. “It’s so important to me to have successful Black and brown people of every stripe in the room: not just athletes and actors and actresses, entertainers, but also authors, architects, folks from the fintech world,” he told Vogue. “We’ve got to invest in each other. We’ve got to connect with each other, because it’s going to take everybody to coalesce the force of Black and brown genius into one strong, reliable force.” For full coverage of the Met Gala, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/met-gala —Leanne Italie, AP Lifestyles Writer View the full article

The top Wi-Fi news stories from the past week - enjoy. The post Roundup: WWC Mountain View, first Wi-Fi HaLow Global Summit, two new WiFi NOW Hall of Famers, 5 years of 6 GHz Wi-Fi, & Notre Dame’s Wi-Fi 6E. appeared first on Wi-Fi NOW Global. View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Hot Shot Business: The hot shot business model involves fast transport of small loads, primarily using a reliable vehicle like a pickup truck or cargo van to serve industries with urgent delivery needs. Low Startup Costs & Flexibility: Starting a hot shot business generally requires a minimal investment and offers scheduling freedom, allowing owners to balance work and personal life effectively. Essential Equipment and Tools: Key to success are dependable vehicles, appropriate trailers, and technology solutions like Transportation Management Software and accounting systems to streamline operations. Legal Requirements: Entrepreneurs must navigate important legal aspects including business registration, obtaining necessary licenses, and securing proper insurance coverage to protect business assets. Creating a Business Plan: A well-structured business plan that defines your niche, outlines financial projections, and anticipates challenges is crucial for long-term success in the hot shot logistics market. Effective Marketing Strategies: Building a strong online presence through optimized websites, social media engagement, and branding can significantly enhance visibility and attract potential clients in a competitive landscape. Starting a hot shot business can be an exciting venture that opens the door to financial independence and flexibility. If you’ve got a reliable vehicle and a drive for success, you’re already on the right track. This industry thrives on quick deliveries, catering to clients who need urgent transport solutions. With the right knowledge and planning, you can carve out your niche in this competitive market. From understanding regulations to marketing your services, every step is crucial in building a successful hot shot business. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore how you can turn your passion for driving into a profitable enterprise. Understanding Hot Shot Business A hot shot business involves transporting small loads quickly, focusing on expedited delivery and flexible service. It’s an attractive startup option for entrepreneurs who want to turn their passion for driving into a viable business venture. Definition and Overview A hot shot business typically entails using a pickup truck or cargo van to transport goods that require urgent delivery. This business model caters to industries like construction, oil and gas, and e-commerce, where time-sensitive shipments are common. Entrepreneurs in this field must familiarize themselves with market research and understand the legal structure of their business, such as forming an LLC or sole proprietorship, to mitigate liability. Benefits of Hot Shot Business Low Startup Costs: Most hot shot businesses require minimal initial investment, primarily for a reliable vehicle and necessary permits. Flexibility: You can choose your schedule and the types of loads to transport, enabling a work-life balance that suits your needs. Diverse Clientele: A wide range of industries relies on hot shot services, creating multiple revenue streams. You can target construction firms, manufacturers, or online retailers. Scalability: As you gain experience and build a customer base, expand your business by adding more vehicles or hiring team members to enhance service capacity. Networking Opportunities: Hot shot services require collaboration with various businesses, helping you build a strong professional network that can lead to partnerships and referrals. Marketing Potential: With effective digital marketing strategies, such as SEO and social media, attract a broad audience and establish your brand in this competitive market. Starting a hot shot business not only offers financial independence but also aligns with your lifestyle choices and entrepreneurial goals. Understanding the essential components enhances your chances of success in this exciting venture. Necessary Equipment and Tools Starting a hot shot business requires critical equipment and tools to ensure efficient operations and customer satisfaction. Two main categories of essentials include vehicles and transportation, as well as technology and software. Vehicles and Transportation Investing in the right vehicles is key to your hot shot business’s success. You’ll need a medium-duty pickup truck, specifically in Class 3-5. Options include: Ford F-350 or F-450: Known for reliability and towing capacity. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD or 4500HD: Offers fuel efficiency and strength. RAM 3500 or 4500: Provides robust performance for heavy loads. Selecting a trailer also plays a significant role in operations. Common types include: Gooseneck trailers: Ideal for stability and higher weight capacity. Flatbed trailers: Versatile for various load types. Dovetail trailers: Perfect for loading wheeled vehicles or equipment. With proper vehicles and trailers, you enhance not only your capability to meet client demands but also your brand’s reputation within the market. Technology and Software Implementing technology and software solutions streamlines your hot shot business activities. Here are some necessary tools: Transportation Management Software (TMS): Helps with route optimization, load tracking, and managing deliveries. Accounting Software: Simplifies financial management, from budgeting to tax preparation. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Essential for managing client interactions and improving customer service. Using the right technology improves efficiency and supports growth strategies. These tools facilitate tasks from customer acquisition to financial tracking, ensuring a smooth operation. Consider investing in digital marketing solutions like SEO and email marketing to attract your target audience effectively. Legal Requirements Starting a hot shot business involves navigating various legal requirements. Understanding these requirements ensures your venture operates within the law and protects your interests. Business Registration and Licensing Choose a Business Structure: Decide on a legal structure like a Limited Liability Company (LLC), sole proprietorship, or partnership. An LLC offers personal asset protection and operational flexibility, making it a popular option for small business entrepreneurs. Register Your Business: Register your chosen business structure with your state’s Secretary of State office. This process legitimizes your business and allows you to operate legally. Obtain an EIN: Acquire a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This tax ID is essential for business tax filings and can also help in opening a business bank account. Complete Necessary Licensing: Undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination to obtain a medical card. This card, valid for 24 months, ensures you meet health standards for operating commercial vehicles. Get a USDOT Number: If involved in interstate commerce or operating vehicles over certain weight limits, apply for a USDOT number. This requirement is crucial for compliance with federal regulations. Insurance Needs Evaluate Insurance Types: Insurance coverage is vital for protecting your business assets and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. Consider obtaining general liability insurance, cargo insurance, and commercial vehicle insurance. Secure Commercial Vehicle Insurance: This type of insurance covers your trucks and ensures compliance with legal requirements. It protects against damages and liabilities resulting from accidents. Invest in Cargo Insurance: Cargo insurance safeguards the freight you’re transporting. It provides financial protection in case of lost or damaged goods, which is essential for maintaining customer trust. Consult an Insurance Agent: Work with an insurance agent who specializes in commercial insurance to identify the right coverage for your business. Their expertise can help you navigate coverage options and find the best policies to suit your needs. Creating a Business Plan A strong business plan lays the foundation for your hot shot business. It details strategies for growth and addresses potential challenges, ensuring you’re prepared for success. Identifying Your Niche Choosing your niche proves vital in a hot shot business. Focus on industries requiring expedited delivery like construction, oil and gas, or e-commerce. Analyze your target audience’s needs through thorough market research. Define your business model and highlight unique selling points that differentiate you from competitors. Assess the demand and adapt your services accordingly for effective customer acquisition and retention. Financial Projections Accurate financial projections guide crucial decisions. Estimate startup costs, including vehicle acquisition, maintenance, insurance, and permits. Consider ongoing expenses such as fuel, marketing, and operational costs. Calculate potential revenues based on market research and projected sales funnel performance. Establish a budget, aiming for a healthy profit margin. Explore funding options such as loans, crowdfunding, or angel investors to secure necessary capital. Assess your cash flow to ensure sustainable operations while you scale your hot shot business. Marketing Your Hot Shot Business Effective marketing strategies are essential for your hot shot business to thrive in a competitive landscape. The right mix of branding, online presence, and networking can significantly enhance your visibility and customer acquisition. Branding and Online Presence Creating a strong brand identity is crucial for establishing trust with your target audience. Start by developing professional marketing materials, including a memorable logo that reflects your services. Use this logo consistently across business cards, website, and social media to build brand recognition. A professional website serves as the backbone of your online presence. Ensure it provides detailed information about your services, company history, and contact details. Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) to attract potential customers actively seeking transportation solutions. Incorporate clear calls to action and customer testimonials to enhance credibility. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for digital marketing. Regularly post updates about your services, share industry insights, and engage with followers to showcase your expertise and reliability. Effective social media interaction can lead to increased customer trust and higher sales. Networking and Building Relationships Networking plays a pivotal role in the growth strategy of your hot shot business. Attend industry events, trade shows, and local business meetings to connect with potential clients and partners. Building relationships with other entrepreneurs can lead to collaboration opportunities, resource sharing, and mentorship. Consider joining relevant professional associations or business incubators that cater to the transportation industry. These organizations often provide valuable resources, legal advice, and mentorship, helping you navigate the complexities of running a small business. Establishing partnerships with complementary businesses can also enhance your service offerings. For example, collaborating with logistics companies or suppliers can create referral opportunities and expand your customer base. Building and nurturing these connections ensures a stronger position in the market and opens doors for future growth. Conclusion Starting a hot shot business can be a rewarding venture that aligns with your desire for independence and flexibility. With the right vehicle and a solid understanding of the industry, you can carve out a niche that suits your skills and interests. By focusing on effective marketing and building strong relationships within the industry, you’ll position yourself for growth and success. Remember to stay informed about regulations and invest in the necessary tools to streamline your operations. Embrace the journey ahead and let your passion for driving lead you to new opportunities. Your hot shot business could be the start of something great. Frequently Asked Questions What is a hot shot business? A hot shot business involves transporting small loads quickly, often serving industries like construction, oil and gas, and e-commerce. It focuses on immediate delivery needs and can be a flexible, lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. What do I need to start a hot shot business? To start a hot shot business, you’ll need a reliable vehicle such as a medium-duty pickup truck, suitable trailers, and essential tools like Transportation Management Software (TMS) and accounting software. Additionally, understanding regulations and marketing strategies is crucial. What are the legal requirements for a hot shot business? Legal requirements include choosing a business structure (like an LLC), registering your business, obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and acquiring necessary licenses like a USDOT number. It’s also crucial to meet state regulations for transportation. How do I market my hot shot business? Effective marketing strategies include building a strong online presence, optimizing your website for search engines, utilizing social media, and creating professional marketing materials. Networking at industry events can also help you connect with potential clients. What are the benefits of starting a hot shot business? Starting a hot shot business offers low startup costs, flexibility in scheduling, a diverse client base, and scalability. It also presents networking opportunities and the potential for significant earnings, especially when targeting niches needing expedited service. How can I create a successful business plan for my hot shot business? To create a successful business plan, outline growth strategies, identify your niche, and conduct thorough market research. Include financial projections to estimate startup costs and ongoing expenses, and explore funding options to support your business. What type of insurance do I need for a hot shot business? Essential insurance types for a hot shot business include general liability, cargo, and commercial vehicle insurance. Consulting an insurance agent specializing in commercial coverage will help you find the best policies for your needs and ensure legal compliance. Can I operate a hot shot business part-time? Yes, many entrepreneurs successfully operate a hot shot business part-time. This model offers flexibility in scheduling, allowing you to balance other commitments while building your client base in the hot shot industry. What vehicles are recommended for a hot shot business? Recommended vehicles for a hot shot business include medium-duty pickup trucks like the Ford F-350, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, or RAM 3500. These vehicles provide the necessary towing capacity and reliability for transporting loads efficiently. How can technology help my hot shot business? Technology, such as Transportation Management Software (TMS), accounting software, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, can streamline operations, enhance customer service, and improve efficiency in managing logistics and finances for your hot shot business. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering How to Start a Hot Shot Business for Financial Freedom and Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Understanding Hot Shot Business: The hot shot business model involves fast transport of small loads, primarily using a reliable vehicle like a pickup truck or cargo van to serve industries with urgent delivery needs. Low Startup Costs & Flexibility: Starting a hot shot business generally requires a minimal investment and offers scheduling freedom, allowing owners to balance work and personal life effectively. Essential Equipment and Tools: Key to success are dependable vehicles, appropriate trailers, and technology solutions like Transportation Management Software and accounting systems to streamline operations. Legal Requirements: Entrepreneurs must navigate important legal aspects including business registration, obtaining necessary licenses, and securing proper insurance coverage to protect business assets. Creating a Business Plan: A well-structured business plan that defines your niche, outlines financial projections, and anticipates challenges is crucial for long-term success in the hot shot logistics market. Effective Marketing Strategies: Building a strong online presence through optimized websites, social media engagement, and branding can significantly enhance visibility and attract potential clients in a competitive landscape. Starting a hot shot business can be an exciting venture that opens the door to financial independence and flexibility. If you’ve got a reliable vehicle and a drive for success, you’re already on the right track. This industry thrives on quick deliveries, catering to clients who need urgent transport solutions. With the right knowledge and planning, you can carve out your niche in this competitive market. From understanding regulations to marketing your services, every step is crucial in building a successful hot shot business. Ready to dive in? Let’s explore how you can turn your passion for driving into a profitable enterprise. Understanding Hot Shot Business A hot shot business involves transporting small loads quickly, focusing on expedited delivery and flexible service. It’s an attractive startup option for entrepreneurs who want to turn their passion for driving into a viable business venture. Definition and Overview A hot shot business typically entails using a pickup truck or cargo van to transport goods that require urgent delivery. This business model caters to industries like construction, oil and gas, and e-commerce, where time-sensitive shipments are common. Entrepreneurs in this field must familiarize themselves with market research and understand the legal structure of their business, such as forming an LLC or sole proprietorship, to mitigate liability. Benefits of Hot Shot Business Low Startup Costs: Most hot shot businesses require minimal initial investment, primarily for a reliable vehicle and necessary permits. Flexibility: You can choose your schedule and the types of loads to transport, enabling a work-life balance that suits your needs. Diverse Clientele: A wide range of industries relies on hot shot services, creating multiple revenue streams. You can target construction firms, manufacturers, or online retailers. Scalability: As you gain experience and build a customer base, expand your business by adding more vehicles or hiring team members to enhance service capacity. Networking Opportunities: Hot shot services require collaboration with various businesses, helping you build a strong professional network that can lead to partnerships and referrals. Marketing Potential: With effective digital marketing strategies, such as SEO and social media, attract a broad audience and establish your brand in this competitive market. Starting a hot shot business not only offers financial independence but also aligns with your lifestyle choices and entrepreneurial goals. Understanding the essential components enhances your chances of success in this exciting venture. Necessary Equipment and Tools Starting a hot shot business requires critical equipment and tools to ensure efficient operations and customer satisfaction. Two main categories of essentials include vehicles and transportation, as well as technology and software. Vehicles and Transportation Investing in the right vehicles is key to your hot shot business’s success. You’ll need a medium-duty pickup truck, specifically in Class 3-5. Options include: Ford F-350 or F-450: Known for reliability and towing capacity. Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD or 4500HD: Offers fuel efficiency and strength. RAM 3500 or 4500: Provides robust performance for heavy loads. Selecting a trailer also plays a significant role in operations. Common types include: Gooseneck trailers: Ideal for stability and higher weight capacity. Flatbed trailers: Versatile for various load types. Dovetail trailers: Perfect for loading wheeled vehicles or equipment. With proper vehicles and trailers, you enhance not only your capability to meet client demands but also your brand’s reputation within the market. Technology and Software Implementing technology and software solutions streamlines your hot shot business activities. Here are some necessary tools: Transportation Management Software (TMS): Helps with route optimization, load tracking, and managing deliveries. Accounting Software: Simplifies financial management, from budgeting to tax preparation. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Essential for managing client interactions and improving customer service. Using the right technology improves efficiency and supports growth strategies. These tools facilitate tasks from customer acquisition to financial tracking, ensuring a smooth operation. Consider investing in digital marketing solutions like SEO and email marketing to attract your target audience effectively. Legal Requirements Starting a hot shot business involves navigating various legal requirements. Understanding these requirements ensures your venture operates within the law and protects your interests. Business Registration and Licensing Choose a Business Structure: Decide on a legal structure like a Limited Liability Company (LLC), sole proprietorship, or partnership. An LLC offers personal asset protection and operational flexibility, making it a popular option for small business entrepreneurs. Register Your Business: Register your chosen business structure with your state’s Secretary of State office. This process legitimizes your business and allows you to operate legally. Obtain an EIN: Acquire a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This tax ID is essential for business tax filings and can also help in opening a business bank account. Complete Necessary Licensing: Undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical examination to obtain a medical card. This card, valid for 24 months, ensures you meet health standards for operating commercial vehicles. Get a USDOT Number: If involved in interstate commerce or operating vehicles over certain weight limits, apply for a USDOT number. This requirement is crucial for compliance with federal regulations. Insurance Needs Evaluate Insurance Types: Insurance coverage is vital for protecting your business assets and ensuring compliance with legal regulations. Consider obtaining general liability insurance, cargo insurance, and commercial vehicle insurance. Secure Commercial Vehicle Insurance: This type of insurance covers your trucks and ensures compliance with legal requirements. It protects against damages and liabilities resulting from accidents. Invest in Cargo Insurance: Cargo insurance safeguards the freight you’re transporting. It provides financial protection in case of lost or damaged goods, which is essential for maintaining customer trust. Consult an Insurance Agent: Work with an insurance agent who specializes in commercial insurance to identify the right coverage for your business. Their expertise can help you navigate coverage options and find the best policies to suit your needs. Creating a Business Plan A strong business plan lays the foundation for your hot shot business. It details strategies for growth and addresses potential challenges, ensuring you’re prepared for success. Identifying Your Niche Choosing your niche proves vital in a hot shot business. Focus on industries requiring expedited delivery like construction, oil and gas, or e-commerce. Analyze your target audience’s needs through thorough market research. Define your business model and highlight unique selling points that differentiate you from competitors. Assess the demand and adapt your services accordingly for effective customer acquisition and retention. Financial Projections Accurate financial projections guide crucial decisions. Estimate startup costs, including vehicle acquisition, maintenance, insurance, and permits. Consider ongoing expenses such as fuel, marketing, and operational costs. Calculate potential revenues based on market research and projected sales funnel performance. Establish a budget, aiming for a healthy profit margin. Explore funding options such as loans, crowdfunding, or angel investors to secure necessary capital. Assess your cash flow to ensure sustainable operations while you scale your hot shot business. Marketing Your Hot Shot Business Effective marketing strategies are essential for your hot shot business to thrive in a competitive landscape. The right mix of branding, online presence, and networking can significantly enhance your visibility and customer acquisition. Branding and Online Presence Creating a strong brand identity is crucial for establishing trust with your target audience. Start by developing professional marketing materials, including a memorable logo that reflects your services. Use this logo consistently across business cards, website, and social media to build brand recognition. A professional website serves as the backbone of your online presence. Ensure it provides detailed information about your services, company history, and contact details. Optimize your website for search engines (SEO) to attract potential customers actively seeking transportation solutions. Incorporate clear calls to action and customer testimonials to enhance credibility. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for digital marketing. Regularly post updates about your services, share industry insights, and engage with followers to showcase your expertise and reliability. Effective social media interaction can lead to increased customer trust and higher sales. Networking and Building Relationships Networking plays a pivotal role in the growth strategy of your hot shot business. Attend industry events, trade shows, and local business meetings to connect with potential clients and partners. Building relationships with other entrepreneurs can lead to collaboration opportunities, resource sharing, and mentorship. Consider joining relevant professional associations or business incubators that cater to the transportation industry. These organizations often provide valuable resources, legal advice, and mentorship, helping you navigate the complexities of running a small business. Establishing partnerships with complementary businesses can also enhance your service offerings. For example, collaborating with logistics companies or suppliers can create referral opportunities and expand your customer base. Building and nurturing these connections ensures a stronger position in the market and opens doors for future growth. Conclusion Starting a hot shot business can be a rewarding venture that aligns with your desire for independence and flexibility. With the right vehicle and a solid understanding of the industry, you can carve out a niche that suits your skills and interests. By focusing on effective marketing and building strong relationships within the industry, you’ll position yourself for growth and success. Remember to stay informed about regulations and invest in the necessary tools to streamline your operations. Embrace the journey ahead and let your passion for driving lead you to new opportunities. Your hot shot business could be the start of something great. Frequently Asked Questions What is a hot shot business? A hot shot business involves transporting small loads quickly, often serving industries like construction, oil and gas, and e-commerce. It focuses on immediate delivery needs and can be a flexible, lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs. What do I need to start a hot shot business? To start a hot shot business, you’ll need a reliable vehicle such as a medium-duty pickup truck, suitable trailers, and essential tools like Transportation Management Software (TMS) and accounting software. Additionally, understanding regulations and marketing strategies is crucial. What are the legal requirements for a hot shot business? Legal requirements include choosing a business structure (like an LLC), registering your business, obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), and acquiring necessary licenses like a USDOT number. It’s also crucial to meet state regulations for transportation. How do I market my hot shot business? Effective marketing strategies include building a strong online presence, optimizing your website for search engines, utilizing social media, and creating professional marketing materials. Networking at industry events can also help you connect with potential clients. What are the benefits of starting a hot shot business? Starting a hot shot business offers low startup costs, flexibility in scheduling, a diverse client base, and scalability. It also presents networking opportunities and the potential for significant earnings, especially when targeting niches needing expedited service. How can I create a successful business plan for my hot shot business? To create a successful business plan, outline growth strategies, identify your niche, and conduct thorough market research. Include financial projections to estimate startup costs and ongoing expenses, and explore funding options to support your business. What type of insurance do I need for a hot shot business? Essential insurance types for a hot shot business include general liability, cargo, and commercial vehicle insurance. Consulting an insurance agent specializing in commercial coverage will help you find the best policies for your needs and ensure legal compliance. Can I operate a hot shot business part-time? Yes, many entrepreneurs successfully operate a hot shot business part-time. This model offers flexibility in scheduling, allowing you to balance other commitments while building your client base in the hot shot industry. What vehicles are recommended for a hot shot business? Recommended vehicles for a hot shot business include medium-duty pickup trucks like the Ford F-350, Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD, or RAM 3500. These vehicles provide the necessary towing capacity and reliability for transporting loads efficiently. How can technology help my hot shot business? Technology, such as Transportation Management Software (TMS), accounting software, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, can streamline operations, enhance customer service, and improve efficiency in managing logistics and finances for your hot shot business. Image Via Envato This article, "Mastering How to Start a Hot Shot Business for Financial Freedom and Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The old turn-it-off-and-on-again adage has helped successfully troubleshoot computers for years, but there's more than one way to restart your hardware and software—including a lesser known option on Windows that may well be new to you. Having spent many years writing about tech, it isn't often that I come across something I didn't already know about. So when I stumbled across this old BetaNews article about an emergency restart feature in Windows, I was taken aback. It showed a screen and a keystroke combination I had genuinely never heard of before. A bit more digging revealed that this has been in Windows for decades, making it even stranger that I'd never come across it. Official information on this emergency restart in Windows seems to be thin on the ground, or has perhaps been lost to time. Essentially though, it seems to replicate what a long press on your PC's power button would do: A quick, no-questions-asked reboot of your computer, with the minimum of fuss. The Windows enthusiasts over on Reddit have spotted this feature before, and there appear to be plenty of people on the boards who hadn't come across it until their attention was drawn towards it. If you dig into those threads you'll find some technical information on what exactly is going on behind the scenes, and the different calls that the feature might be making. It's worth emphasizing that this is very much a last resort option, as indeed the feature itself will tell you. You're not going to get a chance to save anything you're working on, as is the case if you force a reboot by pressing and holding the power button. How to access the emergency restart option Use at your own risk. Credit: World of OSes If all is well with your Windows computer, you can of course click the Start menu button on the taskbar, then the power button on the right, and then Restart. But what if your computer has crashed and left you hanging, so you can't click anything? What if the situation is so bad that the Start menu has mysteriously disappeared? To get to the emergency restart option, you need to press the familiar Ctrl+Alt+Del keyboard shortcut, known by pretty much everyone who's ever had to fix a Windows PC at some point. This shortcut is designed to work even if your computer is otherwise unresponsive, and gives you access to options for locking your PC, signing out of your account, and bringing up the Task Manager. Down in the lower right corner, there's also a power button: Click this and you get the standard Sleep, Shut down, and Restart options. However, if you hold down Ctrl and then click the power button, that takes you to the emergency restart page, together with the warning about losing any unsaved data. Click OK, and your computer will reboot itself almost instantly. If you can get to the screen after Ctrl+Alt+Del, then you'll want to try the normal restart option first—you'll only need to go down the holding Ctrl route if that doesn't work. Presumably, that will be because there's a program or a part of the Windows code that isn't shutting down properly to clear the way for a restart. Should you need yet another way of restarting your computer without using the Start menu, you can do it from the command prompt or PowerShell utility, too: Just type "shutdown /r" and hit Enter. There are a host of extra flags you can add to that command if needed, including setting a timer for the restart and forcing applications to close: You can read full instructions here. Having now familiarized myself with the emergency restart option in Windows, I'm off to find more features that I haven't come across—even though they've been around for years. Any suggestions are most welcome. View the full article

French president warns that curbing scientific research puts America’s economy and democracy at riskView the full article

President Donald The President is opening a new salvo in his tariff war, targeting films made outside the U.S. In a post Sunday night on his Truth Social platform, The President said he has authorized the Department of Commerce and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to slap a 100% tariff “on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.” “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death,” he wrote, complaining that other countries “are offering all sorts of incentives to draw” filmmakers and studios away from the U.S. “This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!” It wasn’t immediately clear how any such tariff on international productions could be implemented. It’s common for both large and small films to include production in the U.S. and in other countries. Big-budget movies like the upcoming “Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning,” for instance, are shot around the world. Incentive programs for years have influenced where movies are shot, increasingly driving film production out of California and to other states and countries with favorable tax incentives, like Canada and the United Kingdom. Yet The President’s tariffs are designed to lead consumers toward American products. And in movie theaters, American-produced movies overwhelming dominate the domestic marketplace. China has ramped up its domestic movie production, culminating in the animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” grossing more than $2 billion this year. But even then, its sales came almost entirely from mainland China. In North America, it earned just $20.9 million. In New Zealand, where successive governments have offered rebates and incentives in recent years to draw Hollywood films to the country, the film industry has generated billions of dollars in tourism revenue driven by the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” films, which featured the country’s pristine and scenic vistas. More recently, the blockbuster “Minecraft” movie was filmed entirely in New Zealand, and U.S. productions in 2023 delivered $1.3 billion New Zealand dollars ($777 million) to the country in return for NZ$200 million in subsidies, according to government figures. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was awaiting more details of The President’s measures before commenting on them but would continue to pitch to filmmakers abroad, including in India’s Bollywood. “We’ve got an absolutely world class industry,” he said. “This is the best place to make movies, period, in the world.” The Motion Picture Association, which represents major U.S. film studios and streaming services, didn’t immediately respond to messages Sunday evening. The MPA’s data shows how much Hollywood exports have dominated cinemas. According to the MPA, the American movies produced $22.6 billion in exports and $15.3 billion in trade surplus in 2023. The President, a Republican, has made good on the “tariff man” label he gave himself years ago, slapping new taxes on goods made in countries around the globe. That includes a 145% tariff on Chinese goods and a 10% baseline tariff on goods from other countries, with even higher levies threatened. By unilaterally imposing tariffs, The President has exerted extraordinary influence over the flow of commerce, creating political risks and pulling the market in different directions. There are tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, with more imports, including pharmaceutical drugs, set to be subject to new tariffs in the weeks ahead. The President has long voiced concern about movie production moving overseas. Shortly before he took office, he announced that he had tapped actors Mel Gibson, Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone to serve as “special ambassadors” to Hollywood to bring it “BACK—BIGGER, BETTER, AND STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE!” U.S. film and television production has been hampered in recent years, with setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hollywood guild strikes of 2023 and the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Overall production in the U.S. was down 26% last year compared with 2021, according to data from ProdPro, which tracks production. The group’s annual survey of executives, which asked about preferred filming locations, found no location in the U.S. made the top five, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Toronto, the U.K., Vancouver, Central Europe and Australia came out on top, with California placing sixth, Georgia seventh, New Jersey eighth and New York ninth. The problem is especially acute in California. In the greater Los Angeles area, production last year was down 5.6% from 2023 according to FilmLA, second only to 2020, during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Last, October, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, proposed expanding California’s Film & Television Tax Credit program to $750 million annually, up from $330 million. Other U.S. cities like Atlanta, New York, Chicago, and San Francisco have also used aggressive tax incentives to lure film and TV productions. Those programs can take the form of cash grants, as in Texas, or tax credits, which Georgia and New Mexico offer. “Other nations have been stealing the movie-making capabilities from the United States,” The President told reporters at the White House on Sunday night after returning from a weekend in Florida. “If they’re not willing to make a movie inside the United States we should have a tariff on movies that come in.” Associated Press writers Gary Field in Washington and Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report from Washington. —Jill Colvin and Jake Coyle, Associated Press View the full article

Live and on-demand video constituted an estimated 66% of global internet traffic by volume in 2022, and the top 10 days for internet traffic in 2024 coincided with live streaming events such as the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match and coverage of the NFL. Streaming enables seamless, on-demand access to video content, from online gaming to short videos like TikToks, and longer content such as movies, podcasts and NFL games. The defining aspect of streaming is its on-demand nature. Consider the global reach of a Joe Rogan podcast episode or the live coverage of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launch—both examples demonstrate how streaming connects millions of viewers to real-time and on-demand content worldwide. I’m a computer scientist whose research includes cloud computing, which is the distribution of computing resources such as video servers across the internet. ‘Chunks’ of video When it comes to video content—whether it’s a live stream or a prerecorded video—there are two major challenges to address. First, video data is massive in size, making it time-consuming to transmit from the source to devices such as TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones. Second, streaming must be adaptive to accommodate differences in users’ devices and internet capabilities. For instance, viewers with lower-resolution screens or slower internet speeds should still be able to watch a given video, albeit in lower quality, while those with higher-resolution displays and faster connections enjoy the best possible quality. To tackle these challenges, video providers implement a series of optimizations. The first step involves fragmenting videos into smaller pieces, commonly referred to as “chunks.” These chunks then undergo a process called “encoding and compression,” which optimizes the video for different resolutions and bitrates to suit various devices and network conditions. When a user requests an on-demand video, the system dynamically selects the appropriate stream of chunks based on the capabilities of the user’s device, such as screen resolution and current internet speed. The video player on the user’s device assembles and plays these chunks in sequence to create a seamless viewing experience. For users with slower internet connections, the system delivers lower-quality chunks to ensure smooth playback. This is why you might notice a drop in video quality when your connection speed is reduced. Similarly, if the video pauses during playback, it’s usually because your player is waiting to buffer additional chunks from the provider. Dealing with distance and congestion Delivering video content on a large scale, whether prerecorded or live, poses a significant challenge when extrapolated to the immense number of videos consumed globally. Streaming services like YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix host enormous libraries of on-demand content, while simultaneously managing countless live streams happening worldwide. A seemingly straightforward approach to delivering video content would involve building a massive data center to store all the videos and related content, then streaming them to users worldwide via the internet. However, this method isn’t favored because it comes with significant challenges. One major issue is geographic latency, where a user’s location relative to the data center affects the delay they experience. For instance, if a data center is located in Virginia, a user in Washington, D.C., would experience minimal delay, while a user in Australia would face much longer delays due to the increased distance and the need for the data to traverse multiple interconnected networks. This added travel time slows down content delivery. Another problem is network congestion. As more users worldwide connect to the central data center, the interconnecting networks become increasingly busy, resulting in frustrating delays and video buffering. Additionally, when the same video is sent simultaneously to multiple users, duplicate data traveling over the same internet links wastes bandwidth and further congests the network. A centralized data center also creates a single point of failure. If the data center experiences an outage, no users can access their content, leading to a complete service disruption. Content delivery networks To address these challenges, most content providers rely on content delivery networks. These networks distribute content through globally scattered points of presence, which are clusters of servers that store copies of high-demand content locally. This approach significantly reduces latency and improves reliability. Content delivery network providers, such as Akamai and Edgio, implement two main strategies for deploying points of presence. The first is the “Enter Deep” approach, where thousands of smaller point-of-presence nodes are placed closer to users, often within internet service provider networks. This ensures minimal latency by bringing the content as close as possible to the end user. The second strategy is “Bring Home,” which involves deploying hundreds of larger point-of-presence clusters at strategic locations, typically where ISPs interconnect: internet exchange points. While these clusters are farther from users than in the Enter Deep approach, they are larger in capacity, allowing them to handle higher volumes of traffic efficiently. Infrastructure for a connected world Both strategies aim to optimize video streaming by reducing delays, minimizing bandwidth waste and ensuring a seamless viewing experience for users worldwide. The rapid expansion of the internet and the surge in video streaming—both live and on demand—have transformed how video content is delivered to users globally. However, the challenges of handling massive amounts of video data, reducing geographic latency and accommodating varying user devices and internet speeds require sophisticated solutions. Content delivery networks have emerged as a cornerstone of modern streaming, enabling efficient and reliable delivery of video. This infrastructure supports the growing demand for high-quality video and highlights the innovative approaches needed to meet the expectations of a connected world. Chetan Jaiswal is an associate professor of computer science at Quinnipiac University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

You’ve probably heard of Charles and Ray Eames, the designers behind the iconic Eames chair and ottoman, and Georgia O’Keefe, the trailblazing artist. But you might not know about how these artists were connected during their careers—or the art that came from their camaraderie. Herman Miller, in collaboration with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, is bringing that history to light with a new limited-run furniture line. The New Mexico Collection, set to be released on May 20, celebrates the Eameses, O’Keeffe, and designer Alexander Girard, the founding director of Herman Miller’s textile division. Included in the launch are 300 special Eames Wire Chairs, retailing for $1,995, and 100 iterations of the never-before-sold Girard Snake Table, retailing for $895. Both of the items offer a look into the intertwined artistic legacies of three designers whose work continues to shape the art world today. An oft-overlooked network of friends Georgia O’Keeffe first met Alexander Girard and his wife, Susan, when the couple moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1953. O’Keeffe had already been living in the remote rural town of Abiquiú, New Mexico, since the 1940s, and was already a household name across the country at the time of their meeting for her lush and evocative depictions of the natural world, many of which were inspired by flora and fauna native to her local surroundings. “[The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum] can’t say for sure exactly when and how they met, but suffice it to say there weren’t too many world renowned artists and designers living in that area, and apparently they felt a real kinship,” says Kelsey Keith, brand creative director at Herman Miller. For the New Mexico collection, Keith visited the museum’s archives, where she learned that there are records of 20 to 30 years of correspondence between the Girards and O’Keeffe—not just to advise each other on artistic projects, which they did plenty of, but also to trade the kinds of casual stories that maintain a decades-long friendship. “They ended up traveling together all over the world,” Keith says. “Girard and his wife would go on these folk art collecting trips to Central and South America and to Japan, and [O’Keeffe] actually accompanied them on some of those trips. I think you have to be pretty good friends with someone to take those kinds of trips together.” It was through the Girards that the Eameses entered the picture. Girard was already close to the Eameses; in fact, the design duo had actually landed him his job. When the Eameses first began to design furniture for Herman Miller in the ‘40s (the company has now owned the exclusive distribution rights to Eames designs for decades), Charles and Ray asked for Girard to be brought on with them as “a real design partner, not just someone to sort of decoratively apply fabrics after the fact,” Keith says. Through this professional collaboration, the Girards and the Eameses became both close colleagues and friends. The Girards soon introduced the Eameses to O’Keeffe. While their friendship wasn’t as close, since the Eameses lived a state away from O’Keeffe in Los Angeles, they also kept up a correspondence, and were known to attend the Girards’ annual Christmas parties. At the heights of their careers, the personal links between Girard, O’Keeffe, and the Eameses informed the work of all four creatives. A new design and a revived prototype The new Eames Wire Chair Low Base and Girard Snake Table both serve as a window into this period of artistic cross-pollination. The chair is inspired by a wire chair originally gifted by Ray Eames to O’Keeffe as decor in her Abiquiú home and studio. O’Keeffe’s home and studio are now preserved as museum exhibitions, and for good reason: Her minimalist-yet-aesthetically pleasing and highly curated approach to interior design draws visitors to view her former residence year-round. Suffice it to say, O’Keeffe had high standards when it came to outfitting her space. Ray’s chair surpassed them. “Georgia loved [the chair] so much that she wrote a thank-you note and actually asked for another one just like it, which is hilarious—that someone sends you a gift, and you’re like, ‘I love it so much, can I have one more?’” Keith says. “But she could do that, obviously. The original chair has a little label on it that Ray hand-drew to Georgia.” Instead of making an exact replica of Ray’s original gift to Eames, Herman Miller decided to create a product that would merge elements of the Eames’ design and O’Keeffe’s interior decor. The New Mexico Collection’s wire chair is a classic Eames frame on a low base, an homage to the fairly low ceilings and smaller furniture in O’Keeffe’s home. The chair is upholstered in a bikini style (think two inverted triangles stacked together) with an ochre and sienna striped fabric designed by Girard and intended to match with the Abiquiú home’s adobe interiors. While the new wire chair is a contemporary design made from archival elements, the Girard Snake Table is a close replica of a prototype made by Girard in the ‘50s that was never widely produced (though it occasionally pops up on auction sites.) The table features a splayed-leg aluminum base and steel top, printed with a custom illustration of a snake made by Girard. Snake imagery was a preoccupation of both Girard’s and O’Keeffe’s. O’Keeffe was so enamored with the snake’s form, in fact, that when an archaeologist fan sent her a preserved skeleton, she had it encased in a bench in her living room. Today, visitors to the O’Keeffe house will find the snake’s final resting place, as well as an original pillow made by Girard featuring one of his snake drawings. “This is New Mexico, so snake motifs are really prevalent,” Keith says. “I think what’s interesting about this is that Girard interpreted that motif in his own way—in a very graphic sense—and then [O’Keeffe] also took inspiration from the natural world, and had this snake skeleton embedded in the banco in her house.” For Keith, the New Mexico Collection truly came together when she was able to see the final products arranged in O’Keeffe’s home, overlooking the New Mexico landscape through sweeping glass windows. “I will say, I think we hit it just right, because when we brought in the limited-run products to photograph in [O’Keeffe’s] house, they fit so perfectly, it looks like they were meant to be there,” Keith says. View the full article

Bad data = bad strategy. Duplicate conversions are one of the most overlooked – and most damaging – problems in conversion tracking. If your reporting inflates the number of conversions, your performance strategy is based on fiction. You’re not just getting the wrong numbers. You’re optimizing toward the wrong outcomes. This issue impacts everything: Bidding. Budget allocation. Long-term growth. This article breaks down: Why duplicate conversions happen. How to find them. Most importantly, how to eliminate them for good. The cost of inaccurate conversion data Paid search loves precision. Conversion data is your north star when optimizing for leads, purchases, or any user action that matters to your business. But if that data is compromised by duplicate tracking, you’ll be steering in the entirely wrong direction without realizing it. What’s at risk? Overstated ROAS and underreported CPA: This will lead you to think a campaign is profitable when it’s not. Wasted ad spend: Poor-performing campaigns get more budget than they deserve. Misguided optimization: Your automation and smart bidding strategies will now be optimizing on inaccurate, faulty signals. Duplicate conversions don’t just affect performance; they distort your entire campaign ecosystem. What causes duplicate conversions? Duplicate conversions are when the same action (i.e., form fill, purchase, etc.) is unintentionally recorded more than once. This can happen across platforms, tools, and user behaviors. Here are the common culprits. Technical misfires One of the most common causes of duplicate conversions is the incorrect implementation of conversion tags. Tags can fire more than once if the trigger settings are too broad or misconfigured. In some cases, event listeners are added multiple times during a single session, causing multiple conversion logs for a single action. Confirmation pages can also be problematic, especially if they’re not isolated from refreshes or revisits. When a user reloads a “thank you” page, the conversion tag may fire again unless specifically prevented. GA4 and GTM event conflicts It’s increasingly common for advertisers to accidentally track the same event twice when setting up both Google Tag Manager (GTM) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4). GA4’s Create Event feature lets you build custom events within the platform, but if you’ve already implemented the same event via GTM, you’re logging it twice. This creates duplicate events with the same names and parameters, making your conversion data unreliable and inflating your totals. Plugin and platform overlap Platform integrations can cause duplicate conversions when they layer tracking functionality on top of your custom setup. For example, Shopify’s Google Sales Channel automatically adds Google Ads tracking by default. If you’ve also installed GTM with your own conversion tags, you’re now recording the same event from two different sources. Similarly, third-party checkout or form plugins often include their own tracking scripts, which can fire alongside your primary implementation, resulting in multiple conversion entries for the same user action. User behavior Sometimes, duplicate conversions happen even when the tracking setup is technically correct because of how users interact with your site. A user refreshing a confirmation page can cause the conversion event to fire again. Likewise, if a user revisits the confirmation page from their browser history or a saved link, that same conversion might be counted again. Without built-in safeguards, these behaviors can turn a legitimate conversion into two or three recorded events. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. How to prevent duplicate conversions: Best practices Cleaning up your conversion tracking isn’t just about fixing a problem; it’s about ensuring your business decisions are made using reliable data. Here are the key practices every advertiser should follow to eliminate/prevent duplicate conversions. Audit your Google Ads conversion actions Start by reviewing your conversion actions in Google Ads. Go to Goals > Conversions > Summary and inspect each currently active action. Are multiple actions tracking the same outcome, like a lead form submission or purchase? Are you tracking the same event in two different ways, like one from your website and another imported from your CRM? These overlaps are a common source of duplication. Choose the cleanest, most consistent source for each conversion type and remove any redundant actions as they are no longer needed. Avoid double-tracking in GA4 and GTM Google Analytics 4 gives you multiple ways to define your events, but using more than one for the same action can cause issues. A common mistake is defining an event like “purchase” in Google Tag Manager and then creating that same event inside GA4’s Create Event tool. When this happens, GA4 may log the event twice from the same trigger. Choose one method to define each event – either GTM or GA4 – and stick with it to avoid duplication. Consider server-side tracking Server-side tracking shifts the conversion data collection from the user’s browser to your server. This gives you greater control over when and how data is sent to platforms like Google Ads or GA4. Because the data is handled on your server, it’s less likely to be affected by things like browser refreshes, ad blockers, or inconsistent page loads. Yes, the setup is more advanced and may require developer support, but the payoff is a cleaner, more reliable tracking system. Test and monitor your tracking setup You don’t know what you don’t know, which is why regularly testing your conversion tracking is important. Use tools like: GA4’s DebugView to watch how events are processed in real time. Google Tag Assistant to see which tags are firing and when. Don’t just solely rely on live pay-per-click traffic. Test your setup prior to your ads going live in a staging environment. This makes it easier to identify problems before they affect your real conversion data. Use unique transaction IDs (ecommerce) Assign a unique transaction ID to each purchase is also a great way to ensure duplication does not happen. This ID should be passed along with the conversion event, allowing platforms like GA4 and Google Ads to recognize and ignore duplicates. Unique transaction IDs help systems distinguish between a new conversion and a repeated action from the same transaction. Track clean or fall behind Your Google Ads campaigns will succeed or fail based on the quality of the data you provide. If your conversion actions are duplicated, you’re not just seeing inflated numbers – you’re making decisions based on faulty inputs. And that puts your bidding strategies, budget allocation, and performance reporting at risk. Just like a Google Ads campaign, clean conversion tracking isn’t something you set and forget. It’s an ongoing habit. The more disciplined you are about maintaining it, the more reliable your performance and the insights will be. View the full article

Key Takeaways Definition & Importance: Social proof is a psychological phenomenon that influences consumer decisions based on the actions and experiences of others. It’s essential for building trust and credibility, particularly in digital marketing. Types of Social Proof: Include reviews and testimonials, user-generated content, influencer partnerships, social media engagement, and targeted campaigns highlighting customer experiences to enhance brand authenticity. Influence on Consumer Behavior: Positive experiences shared by others, like reviews and social media interactions, validate choices for potential customers, making them more likely to trust and purchase from your brand. Strategic Implementation: Utilize testimonials prominently in your marketing, encourage authentic customer feedback through social media, and create engaging campaigns to foster community interaction and brand loyalty. Case Studies Insights: Successful brands, like GymShark and Partake Foods, demonstrate the effective use of social proof in building trust through visible customer engagement and feedback. Conversely, lack of engagement can harm brand loyalty. Continuous Adaptation: Monitor your social media analytics and adapt strategies based on customer feedback and engagement rates to maintain and enhance your brand’s online presence. In today’s digital world, social proof has become a powerful tool that influences our decisions. Whether you’re scrolling through reviews, checking out testimonials, or observing the popularity of a product, you’re likely relying on the experiences of others to guide your choices. This phenomenon taps into our innate desire for validation and reassurance, making it a crucial element for brands and businesses looking to build trust. Understanding social proof can transform how you engage with your audience. By leveraging the behaviors and opinions of others, you can create a compelling narrative that resonates with potential customers. As you explore the dynamics of social proof, you’ll discover how it can elevate your marketing strategy and enhance your credibility in a crowded marketplace. Understanding Social Proof Social proof plays a crucial role in shaping consumer behavior, particularly for small businesses on social media platforms. By leveraging reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content, you can enhance your credibility and foster trust among potential customers. Definition of Social Proof Social proof refers to the psychological phenomenon where individuals rely on the actions and experiences of others to inform their decisions. In the context of small business social media, this could mean consumers choosing your products based on positive reviews from others or engaging with your brand because they see peers or influencers doing so. Essentially, it validates your offerings and strengthens your online presence. Types of Social Proof Reviews and Testimonials Reviews from satisfied customers serve as powerful endorsements. Positive testimonials shared on platforms like Facebook and Instagram can significantly influence new customers. User-Generated Content Content created by your customers showcases their genuine experiences with your products. This fosters community interaction and enhances brand authenticity. Encouraging customers to share their experiences using specific hashtags increases your organic reach. Influencer Partnerships Collaborations with influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram can amplify your brand’s message. Their followers may view your offerings as more trustworthy due to the influencer’s endorsement. Social Media Engagement High engagement rates on your social media posts reflect a strong community presence. Frequent interactions, such as likes, shares, and comments, signify to potential customers that others find value in your brand. Social Media Campaigns Campaigns that highlight customer feedback and experiences can showcase your commitment to quality. Regularly sharing success stories across social media channels builds credibility and promotes brand awareness. By understanding and implementing these types of social proof within your social media strategy, you can strengthen your brand’s reputation and drive customer confidence. The Psychology Behind Social Proof Understanding social proof is essential for leveraging its power in your small business strategy. This psychological phenomenon influences consumer behavior significantly, particularly in uncertain situations. How Social Proof Influences Decisions Social proof shapes decisions by validating choices based on others’ behaviors. When consumers see positive reviews, testimonials, or social media posts from satisfied customers, they often perceive those actions as endorsements. For instance, a high engagement rate on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram can encourage potential customers to trust your brand. Implementing user-generated content in your marketing strategy amplifies this effect, as customers share their experiences, reinforcing your brand’s credibility. The Impact of Social Proof on Behavior Social proof impacts consumer behavior profoundly, particularly in digital environments. When individuals observe others interacting with your brand—whether through social media engagement on platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn, or participating in Facebook groups—they’re more likely to follow suit. Community management plays a pivotal role here; your proactive engagement can foster a sense of belonging and trust. Utilizing influencer partnerships effectively also enhances your social proof, as followers often view influencers as relatable figures. By sharing compelling video content and inspiring storytelling through social media campaigns, you can further boost your online presence and brand awareness, ultimately driving customer interaction and loyalty. Applications of Social Proof in Marketing Social proof plays a crucial role in shaping your marketing strategies, especially for small businesses. Utilizing the actions and opinions of your customers can significantly influence potential buyers. Utilizing Testimonials and Reviews Customer reviews are key in establishing trust. You can boost credibility by showcasing authentic testimonials on your website and social media platforms. Highlight verified reviews prominently; 86% of businesses assert that these reviews are critical in purchase decisions. Examples include featuring feedback on your home page, product pages, or in dedicated sections on social media posts. Collect reviews from platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Yelp, and consider integrating them into your content calendar. This approach not only fosters confidence but also enhances your online presence. Social Media Influence Social media is an effective channel for leveraging social proof. By utilizing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, you can encourage user-generated content that showcases real experiences with your products. Engage your audience through storytelling and engaging video content. Create campaigns that encourage sharing and highlight their contributions to your brand’s narrative. Utilize specific hashtags to boost content visibility and enhance organic reach. monitor engagement rates and adapt your strategy based on social media analytics and customer feedback. By incorporating influencer marketing, you can expand your reach and tap into established trust networks. Social media followers are more likely to engage with a brand that highlights community management and customer interactions, creating a thriving online community. Case Studies of Effective Social Proof Social proof significantly influences consumer decisions. Numerous brands showcase successful strategies that small businesses can learn from. Success Stories from Brands GymShark: This fitness apparel brand prominently features customer reviews and testimonials, effectively building trust and community. By showcasing authentic customer feedback, GymShark enhances brand credibility and fosters a loyal customer base. Partake Foods: Partake Foods employs user reviews directly on product pages, amplifying positive feedback such as “You can’t just eat one.” This encourages visitors to make purchases, showcasing the power of visual testimonials in driving sales. Tofino Soap Company: Tofino Soap Company enables customers to share positive reviews along with images of their purchases. This strategy acts as a built-in recommendation platform, influencing potential buyers through relatable experiences. Lessons Learned from Failures Lack of Engagement: Brands that fail to manage community interaction miss opportunities to leverage customer feedback. Ignoring comments on social media platforms can lead to a decline in trust and absence of brand loyalty. Inconsistent Branding: Small businesses that do not maintain brand consistency across social media platforms dilute their messaging. Irregular engagement on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter negatively impacts their social media presence and audience retention. Underutilizing User-Generated Content: Many brands overlook the potential of user-generated content. Not incorporating this visual storytelling limits authenticity and decreases the connection with the audience, reducing overall engagement rates. By understanding these successes and failures, your small business can develop a stronger social media strategy that leverages social proof effectively. Emphasizing authentic customer interactions and consistent engagement across platforms fosters trust and enhances brand awareness. Conclusion Harnessing the power of social proof can transform your marketing efforts. By showcasing authentic customer experiences and leveraging user-generated content, you can build trust and credibility with your audience. Remember that social proof isn’t just about numbers; it’s about creating a community where your customers feel valued and heard. When you effectively implement social proof strategies, you’re not only enhancing your brand’s reputation but also driving customer loyalty and engagement. Stay attuned to the evolving landscape of social proof and adapt your approach to resonate with your audience. This will position your business for success in a competitive market. Frequently Asked Questions What is social proof? Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where individuals make decisions based on the actions and experiences of others. It refers to the tendency to rely on feedback, reviews, and endorsements from peers to validate choices, especially in uncertain situations. How does social proof affect consumer behavior? Social proof influences consumer behavior by providing validation and reassurance. Positive reviews, testimonials, and social media interactions can enhance trust in a brand, encouraging potential customers to make purchases based on popular opinion and community feedback. What types of social proof can businesses use? Businesses can use various types of social proof, including customer reviews, testimonials, user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and active social media engagement. These methods help establish credibility and foster trust among potential customers. Why is social proof important for small businesses? For small businesses, social proof is crucial as it builds trust and credibility in a competitive market. By showcasing positive customer experiences and leveraging social media, they can enhance their online presence and attract more customers. How can businesses effectively implement social proof? Businesses can effectively implement social proof by prominently featuring customer testimonials on their websites and social media. Encouraging user-generated content, engaging in community interactions, and collaborating with influencers can further expand their reach and strengthen brand trust. What are common mistakes with social proof strategies? Common mistakes include lacking engagement with followers, inconsistent branding, and underutilizing user-generated content. These issues can diminish a brand’s credibility and hinder audience connection, limiting the effectiveness of social proof. Can social proof drive sales? Yes, leveraging social proof can significantly drive sales. By building trust and credibility through positive customer experiences and social media interactions, businesses can encourage potential customers to feel confident in their purchasing decisions. Image Via Envato This article, "Harnessing Social Proof to Boost Trust and Sales for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article