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The impact of GLP-1 medications on weight loss is undeniable, but emerging research suggests the results may only be temporary. A growing body of evidence shows that when patients stop taking GLP-1 drugs, much of the weight they lost returns—and so do the medical complications that may have prompted treatment in the first place. “The only way that they work is if you keep taking them,” Scott Isaacs, an endocrinologist at the Grady Health System in Atlanta, told Market Watch. “And when people stop taking them, they have a lot of weight regain, and the medical problems that went away tend to come back.” New research from the University of Oxford found that weight is projected to return to pretreatment levels within about 1.7 years after stopping medications. Improvements in cardio-metabolic markers—including blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes-related indicators—also trend back toward baseline within about 1.4 years after cessation. The recognition that long-term benefits depend on a patient’s willingness to remain on the medication has become increasingly widespread, both as patients experience these changes firsthand and as more research emerges. Oprah Winfrey has spoken publicly about regaining weight after stopping treatment, later saying that using a GLP-1 “is going to be a lifetime thing,” according to an interview with People. However, not everyone is willing—or able—to indefinitely commit to GLP-1s. In a study published last year, researchers analyzed the health records from 77,310 adults in Denmark—where Novo Nordisk, a major developer of GLP-1 drugs, is based—who used Wegovy for the first time. The researchers found that 52% of people stopped taking the drug within a year, pointing to cost and side effects, which have become growing concerns for users worldwide. Patients can expect to pay at least $4,200 out of pocket annually for drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy, an unsustainable expense for many. As it becomes clearer that GLP-1s may represent a lifelong financial and medical commitment, researchers and clinicians are increasingly evaluating more permanent weight-loss interventions, like bariatric surgery and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), according to Market Watch. ESG typically costs around $12,000, while bariatric surgery can cost roughly $17,000. Though still expensive, the one-time nature of these procedures may make them a more appealing option for patients seeking lasting results, according to Bariendo, a network of weight-loss surgery clinics. As evidence continues to surface, patients pursuing weight-loss solutions are facing a central question: whether they are prepared not just to lose weight but to commit to using a medication for life, too. —By Leila Sheridan This article originally appeared on Fast Company’s sister website, Inc.com. Inc. is the voice of the American entrepreneur. We inspire, inform, and document the most fascinating people in business: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters that represent the most dynamic force in the American economy. View the full article

Phoebe Gates, the youngest daughter of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates and philanthropist Melinda French Gates, has a low-key terrifying question she throws at those interviewing for a role at her startup. The 23-year-old recently raised a $35 million Series A for Phia, the AI shopping agent she cofounded in April 2025 with her Stanford University roommate Sophia Kianni. The startup, which has since garnered more than 1 million users and grown revenue elevenfold, is currently valued at around $185 million. Gates recently joined Brian Sozzi, Yahoo Finance executive editor, on the Opening Bid Unfiltered podcast and revealed her go-to interview question for prospective candidates. “I stole this from another founder,” she said. “‘How much do you think California state spends on healthcare? And do a bottoms-up approach for how you would build that out.’” She told Sozzi, “I’ll ask that for every single role. I’ll ask that for sales, I’ll ask that for marketing, I’ll ask that for engineering.” It’s not because she expects candidates to know the answer off the top of their head. Instead, she said it highlights “how someone goes through a logical approach to solving that question.” Curveball interview questions, designed to surprise candidates and test problem-solving ability or performance under pressure, are famously beloved by founders. Microsoft apparently posed the question “Why are manhole covers round?” to interviewees. Elon Musk asked, “You’re standing on the surface of the Earth. You walk 1 mile south, 1 mile west, and 1 mile north. You end up exactly where you started. Where are you?” Many will relate to the panicked feeling that arises upon being asked to sell a pen or divulge their greatest weakness. As entry-level roles become scarcer and the competition for top talent grows fiercer, hiring managers are increasingly getting creative to single out the cream of the crop. Still, researchers have questioned the usefulness of trick questions against other evidence-based assessments. As Phia continues to grow, it’s not the only question Gates has up her sleeve. When it comes to hiring salespeople, she asks candidates the craziest thing they’ve done to close a deal. “That teaches you a lot about how far they’ll go, how dedicated they are to do something,” she said. While Phia has accepted no money from Gates’s parents—“I have a chip on my shoulder,” she admitted on the podcast—she did share one of the most important lessons she’s learned from her parents about entrepreneurship. “From my dad, I’ve really learned that your team is the core of what you’re building,” she said. “You can’t do anything without an incredible team.” View the full article

Being a freelance designer has its perks, but pay transparency is not one of them. Designers are constantly forced to second-guess themselves: Should you charge a day rate or a project fee? Are you earning as much as your peers? Is AI taking work/jobs away from you? Today we’re launching a new, data-driven effort in partnership with the American Institute of Graphic Arts to help you answer those questions and more with confidence. It’s called the Design Pricing Transparency Project, and it’s dedicated to helping freelance designers understand how much they should be charging for their work. We’re asking designers across the industry—graphic designers, UX professionals, art directors, and others—to help us gather information by taking a short survey. We want to know what kind of projects you’re working on, how you price that work, and how you’re feeling about the general state of freelancing in 2026. If you’re a full-time or part-time freelance designer (yes, even if you have a full-time job!) we want to hear from you. And we know that getting paid is not a one-way street. That’s why we’re also asking companies that hire freelance designers to tell us what they pay, what they’re projecting for the coming year, and how AI factors into all of it. Our goal is to create a detailed snapshot of the freelance financial landscape. We’ll share the results later this year in a special report. You can take the survey here. View the full article

When I worked a corporate job, I was often in charge of purchasing decisions. At one company, my team had inherited a lot of homegrown solutions. I saw the limitations of these products and was quick to replace them if the budget allowed. In corporate settings, “build vs. buy” is a well-known decision framework. Companies weigh the cost of developing something in-house against purchasing an outside solution. It’s often simple math: how much time and resources does it take to maintain this internally versus what does it cost to buy or outsource? Solopreneurs face the same decision constantly. However, the stakes are a lot higher when it’s your own time and own money as decision factors. Knowing when to DIY and when to hire out is one of the most important operational decisions a solopreneur makes—and one that’s hard to figure out until you’ve been through it a few times. When to DIY Not everything needs to be outsourced. Some tasks or projects are worth learning yourself, even if the learning curve is steep at first. The strongest case for DIY is when you’ll repeat the task often, and it touches a core part of your business. Updating the basics on your own website or maintaining your project management tool—these are things you’ll do over and over. If you outsource them, you’ll either keep paying someone else or find yourself stuck when you need to make a quick change. There’s also value in the learning itself because figuring something out makes you a better operator. An example of this might be understanding your business’s financials. Even if you pay a bookkeeper to prepare them, you still need baseline knowledge about your numbers. If you outsource and don’t take the time to understand the output, you’ve created a blind spot in your business. And sometimes, the budget just isn’t there yet. That’s a valid reason to DIY, especially when you’re starting out. But it helps to set a time limit, especially for one-off projects. If you’ve spent a few weeks trying to make something work and you’re no closer to a result you can actually use, that’s a signal to stop and reassess. When to hire it out When I first started my solo business, I created all kinds of assets in Canva. Banners, social graphics—you name it, I made it. But eventually I realized that I’d hit the limit of my design abilities. There was no easy way for me to learn those skills, nor were they a core part of my regular business. So I hired someone to do a design overhaul and create everything for me. Hiring help is a trade. You’re exchanging money to gain back your time (and, quite possibly, your sanity). Often, for a better result than you’d produce on your own. The clearest case for hiring is one-time, high-skill tasks where quality matters. In addition to design, you might hire for legal contracts or tax setup. These aren’t things most solopreneurs will do repeatedly, and the cost of getting them wrong can be higher than the cost of hiring a professional. It’s also worth hiring when a poor DIY result could cost you credibility or clients. A clunky website or an amateur-looking proposal might turn away the exact opportunities you’re working to attract. Here’s a quick filter you can use. Ask yourself: How often will I do this? Does quality matter a lot? Could I earn more in the time it would take me to learn? If the answer to that last question is yes, hiring almost always makes sense. The real cost of ‘I’ll just figure it out’ When you’re solo, your time has a direct dollar value. Every hour you spend learning website design or wrestling with accounting software is an hour you’re not doing client work. That’s a real cost, even if it’s not reflected in your business’s financials. Of course, solopreneurs sometimes can’t afford the upfront cost to hire. That’s a very real consideration, especially in the early days. There’s no universal right answer to DIY versus hiring. But being intentional about the decision—rather than defaulting to “I’ll just figure it out”—is what separates solopreneurs who stay stuck from those who move their businesses forward. View the full article

In a time when hiring has slowed dramatically, layoffs have become the norm, and AI has flattened early differentiation, even job titles have blurred. The problem is that capable, experienced people increasingly describe feeling stalled, unseen, or interchangeable in today’s workforce. Consider the current landscape of advice to understand the dilemma. People are encouraged to stand out, but without guidance on how to do so. They’re told to pick a lane and niche down, while careers are becoming more nonlinear. What’s missing is a true strategy that reflects how work actually functions today. That’s where optimal distinctiveness becomes an advantage. Social psychologist Marilynn Brewer introduced optimal distinctiveness theory to explain a fundamental human need: to belong and be ourselves at the same time. People do their best when they feel included, safe, and distinctly valuable. When either side of that equation is neglected, performance and well-being suffer, along with employability. Excessive sameness leads to conformity, disengagement, and muted creativity. Excessive difference leads to isolation, friction, or marginalization. In the middle is optimal distinctiveness: where individuality strengthens the group, rather than competing with it. And it’s a career strategy that meets this moment. Why the Old Career Playbook No Longer Fits the Market The labor market has shifted, but traditional career strategies haven’t. Job growth is uneven and cautious. Early-career workers are being hit hardest, while senior leaders face roles that are broader, less defined, and more fluid than before. In a 2025 Chief x Harris Poll of women leaders, 83% reported that the career success playbook they were handed early in their careers no longer applies to them. Nearly all described making career moves that defied traditional ideas of safety and linear progression. Across levels, the same concern keeps surfacing in different forms. Early-career professionals wonder how to break through. Mid-career professionals worry about staying relevant. Senior leaders ask how to evolve without losing themselves in the process. Beneath these questions is a shared dilemma: People either generalize themselves so much that they become forgettable, or they describe their work in ways so complex that others can’t place them. Neither approach helps in a job market that increasingly rewards clarity and recognizability. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Virgil Abloh, and Staying Distinctive A widely recognized example of optimal distinctiveness in action is Lin-Manuel Miranda. He didn’t succeed by blending into Broadway norms or rejecting them outright. Instead, he fused hip-hop, history, and musical theater in a way that was legible to the industry yet unmistakably his own. His work was distinct without being alienating—and that balance is what made it resonate so widely. A less obvious but equally instructive example is Virgil Abloh. Trained as an architect, Abloh moved fluidly between streetwear, luxury fashion, art, and design. Rather than positioning himself as a traditional designer—or an outsider disrupting fashion from the margins—he articulated a clear intersectional identity. His work was understandable within established systems yet distinguished by his integration of disciplines that rarely spoke to one another. That clarity made him not only recognizable but also referable. People knew when to call him in, and why his perspective mattered. Together, these examples point to the same lesson: Career advantage today doesn’t come from fitting neatly into existing boxes or standing so far outside them that others don’t know what to do with you. It comes from being distinct in a way others can recognize, remember, and place. Optimal Distinctiveness as a Career Strategy At work, optimal distinctiveness means being recognizable enough to be relatable and differentiated enough to be memorable. And it matters more as AI accelerates sameness. Human decisions—whether someone is hired, referred, trusted, or remembered—still hinge on whether someone is easy to understand and clearly valuable. Optimal distinctiveness means using language that’s clear and specific, and often at the intersection of multiple roles or domains. Sarabeth describes herself as a creative disruptor. The phrase is familiar enough to feel accessible, yet specific enough to signal how she works. It gives people an intuitive sense of when and why to engage with her. She sees similar shifts with clients who initially describe themselves through job titles and role-based summaries. One of Sarabeth’s clients was a senior professional with experience spanning strategy, operations, and organizational development. On paper, her profile looked impressive but interchangeable. But when she reframed her work around the intersection of those domains, her positioning became clearer and more distinct. Instead of being “experienced in many things,” she became known as an opportunity-spotter who creates sustainable human systems. Once that intersection was articulated, conversations changed, referrals became easier, and the work itself felt more energizing because the language finally reflected how she experienced her contribution. Connecting Identity to Impact This is where optimal distinctiveness aligns closely with my illumination process. Across leadership development and career transitions, the same pattern shows up repeatedly. People create more impact when they reclaim what makes them distinct, clarify which aspects of that distinctiveness matter now, and express it in service of the collective rather than at odds with it. One of my clients, a senior leader at a global life sciences company, approached me about feeling invisible despite a strong track record. She had been rewarded for reliability and execution, but over time had muted the part of herself that excelled at talent development. Through our work, she reframed her role around that strength and intentionally redesigned how she showed up in meetings and strategic conversations. She didn’t change jobs, but she changed how she was understood, and her influence expanded almost immediately. Innovation doesn’t come from blending in completely, nor from separating yourself entirely. It emerges when people feel secure enough to belong and confident enough to contribute something uniquely their own. Finding Your Optimal Distinctiveness Optimal distinctiveness rarely arises from credential stacking or clever titles. It tends to surface at the intersection of a few core professional identities that you consistently draw on. When people map those identities and ask who they are at the overlap, a form of hybrid expertise often becomes visible—something that doesn’t fit neatly into a single category but feels accurate and grounding. Naming that expertise usually starts with a core noun that reflects how you operate at work—architect, builder, connector, translator, catalyst—followed by language that adds precision rather than complexity. The strongest signals narrow understanding instead of expanding it. Pressure-testing that language in conversation is essential. When it fits, people lean in with curiosity rather than confusion. When it doesn’t, the awkwardness is usually immediate. In a labor market defined by uncertainty, clarity becomes a form of agency. Optimal distinctiveness gives people a way to shape how they’re understood without contorting themselves to meet outdated expectations. The future of work is unlikely to reward those who conform most smoothly or perform uniqueness most loudly. It will favor those who can articulate who they are, how they create value, and why that combination matters now. If multidimensionality is the reality of modern careers, optimal distinctiveness is a practical way to navigate it—staying visible, relevant, and human in systems that increasingly struggle to see people clearly. View the full article

Dave Lewis moves to reduce shareholder payouts to build ‘financial flexibility’ View the full article

President warns Islamic republic is rebuilding nuclear weapons programme amid huge US military build-upView the full article

Generative AI may be both the most useful and the most mystifying tool of our modern-tech era. The problem—aside from all the endlessly documented issues around accuracy—is that generative AI generally seems to function in a DOS-like blank prompt form. The onus is squarely on you to figure out what to ask and how to put these saucy systems to use. That black-box feeling is especially apparent when you look at NotebookLM, an “AI-first notebook” launched by Google nearly two years ago. The idea behind NotebookLM is that you upload your own source materials within carefully confined notebooks, and you can then lean on Google’s Gemini AI to interact with that material in all sorts of illuminating ways. Since each notebook is limited only to whatever source materials you supply, the prevalence of those pesky hallucinations seems to be less of an issue. And since everything within your NotebookLM notebooks is kept completely private—not even used for any manner of AI model training, according to Google—you can connect it to all sorts of subjects and use it to gain a level of deep insight that was never before so easily accessible. But again, there’s the black box challenge. When you first pull up NotebookLM, it’s tough to know where to begin and how to interact with the thing in practical, approachable ways. Even as someone who writes about technology for a living and has spent more time than most mortals thinking about this service, I realized I hadn’t entirely figured out how to use it in a way that would genuinely be helpful in my day-to-day life. So I challenged myself to dig deep, get beyond all the conceptual excitement, and come up with a series of real-world use cases for NotebookLM that any regular human could both appreciate and emulate. I’ve got 15 super-specific scenarios, all tried and tested, in which the artificial intelligence answer machine could be useful for you. Follow this road map and see which path holds the most promise from your perspective. 1. Your on-demand product answer machine Up first is a possibility that’s supremely simple yet packed with productivity potential: Create a new NotebookLM notebook called “Product Manuals.” Then, every time you purchase a new appliance or device of some sort, search the web for a PDF version of its manual and add it into the notebook. If you really want to get wild, include an image of any warranty cards, too. Then, anytime you need to know anything about those products—how some part of them works, how to fix something that’s gone awry, or if and how you’re eligible for a warranty-related repair—just fire up that same NotebookLM notebook and ask, ask, ask away. 2. Your instant car support system Next, try using NotebookLM to help wrangle the most expensive gadget you own. Do a similar web search for your current vehicle’s owner manual, then drop it into its own NotebookLM notebook with the vehicle’s name as the title. Repeat for any additional vehicles you own and any new ones you purchase down the road. After recently trading in our old minivan for a hybrid Honda CR-V, my wife and I wasted far too much time flipping through the vehicle’s paper manual to try to figure out what some random button on the dashboard did. Later, after downloading a PDF of the manual from Honda’s website and then uploading it into NotebookLM, it took me all of 10 seconds to reach the same answer—simply by asking. Lesson learned. 3. An interactive car maintenance journal While we’re thinking about cars, every time you go to the mechanic, snap a photo of the service receipt and upload it into a NotebookLM notebook created specifically for that one vehicle. You can make it even more useful by uploading the same owner’s manual you found a moment ago into that notebook, too. Doing so will give you two very practical benefits: First, anytime a question comes up about what work you’ve had done on the vehicle or when a certain repair took place, you can just pull up that notebook and ask. Second, with the manual and its instructions there alongside all of your history, you can bring the two sources of info together to ask NotebookLM targeted questions that take the manufacturer’s guidance and your past services into consideration—like, for instance, when you should rotate your tires next or what other possibilities you should be thinking about at your next oil change appointment. And on a related note . . . 4. An interactive home maintenance journal Start a NotebookLM notebook for your house, then upload every invoice and estimate you get for a home repair as well as every receipt from a new appliance purchase. Whenever you next need to know when, exactly, your roof was replaced or in what year you got your current furnace—or even what brand and model it is—you’ll have a single simple place to ask and get answers. And that’s a heck of a lot easier than having an overflowing folder of assorted old papers to sift through in every such scenario. 5. Your personal company wiki Does the company you run, or maybe just work for, have more handbook-type info than any reasonably sane human could possibly ingest and remember? If so, use a dedicated NotebookLM notebook to store all of it—guides, documents, operating procedures, even lists of contacts for different departments and purposes. From that moment forward, when a question comes up about how something is supposed to work or whom you’re supposed to contact for some particular purpose, your answer will never be more than a single quick question away. 6. Your instruction-expert wizard Why limit yourself to work, maintenance, and appliances? With anything that has an instruction manual involved, dump a digital version of the document into its own NotebookLM notebook—even for board games. The next time any kind of question comes up related to those instructions, you’ve got a fast and effective way to get answers. 7. A contract deposit box Whether you’re a freelancer juggling new contracts every month, an employee signing a new agreement each year, or an employer asking dozens of workers to sign your ever-evolving documents, creating a centralized repository for all your contracts can be a real time-saver in the future. Need to remember when you last signed something with a specific person or provider? Not sure what the terms of some agreement required—or when a particular document expires? Whatever the case may be, once the info’s all in NotebookLM, you’ve always got an easy place to ask—and let the system find the answer for you. multiple 8. Your meeting memory Provided you’re using something to record important meetings—be it a general-purpose AI-powered note-taker, a video-call-specific summarizer, or an app designed to take notes during regular audio calls—that history will be much more useful if you bring it over to a NotebookLM notebook. With such a system in place, you can simply go to NotebookLM and ask targeted questions about any of your past meetings instead of having to dig through the transcripts individually. 9. An interview inquiry station While we’re thinking about transcripts, if you conduct any kind of interviews—with job candidates, as a journalist, or for any other purpose—take each transcript and create a NotebookLM specifically for it. (Or, if you have a group of related interviews, put them all in one notebook.) Upload either the audio or the text, depending on what’s available, and then take the opportunity to ask NotebookLM questions about your conversation—be they specific (like what the person said about some particular topic) or broad (like asking NotebookLM what interesting quotes came up during the interview that you might have missed). You’ll obviously still want to refer to the full transcript at times—and to double-check the accuracy of any quote you’re actually citing anywhere—but it can be a helpful way to find something fast when you can’t remember the exact words involved or to stumble onto something you might have otherwise glossed over. 10. An intelligent feedback interpreter If your business relies on any manner of feedback to guide its operations, do yourself a favor and create a NotebookLM notebook where you can upload those results—as spreadsheets or in whatever form they take. From reviews to survey responses, you’ll then be able to ask NotebookLM to help summarize the key themes and trends, pick out recurring positive or critical responses, and even find particularly memorable quotes for potential testimonial use. 11. Your performance review reviewer For anyone managing employee performance, NotebookLM can be a major asset. Create an individual notebook for each employee and place all their performance reviews there—then, when the time comes for the next assessment, you’ll have an easy way to revisit past highlights to identify trends and provide context for comparison. 12. A financial reality checker Provided you’re comfortable with the notion, NotebookLM can turn up some really interesting insights by analyzing things like your tax returns, bank statements, and credit card statements over the years. (For what it’s worth, Google is explicit about the fact that it doesn’t in any way access, share, or use any data uploaded into NotebookLM—even for AI model training.) With that type of info in its own dedicated notebook, you can ask NotebookLM to give you an overview of your spending habits, to identify areas where you could cut back or potentially be eligible for additional tax benefits, and to surface other such pointers that you can then investigate more thoroughly on your own or with an accounting professional. 13. An audio-video reading resource Ever find yourself running into interesting-looking videos or podcasts and just not having the time or inclination to sit through them in their entirety? Make yourself a NotebookLM notebook called “Audio-Video,” then drop a link to any YouTube video or audio clip you encounter into that area. You can then ask NotebookLM for the high points—or for any specific info you’re looking to find—from any of the clips individually or even collectively. 14. An elevated reading list NotebookLM can be a fantastic way to collect links you want to read for later revisiting. With a notebook called “Reading List,” you can see the entire text of any article whose URL you add in, right then and there and in a stripped-down and simplified format—and you can ask NotebookLM for information about, or even summaries of, any or all of your saved links, too: What was that article I saved from New York a while back? Give me the most important takeaways from that Fast Company piece I saved on privacy the other day. I’m never going to catch up with everything I saved this week. Show me a summary of all the articles I added over the past seven days. You get the idea. And finally . . . 15. Your calendar companion Get a whole new level of insight into how you’re spending your time and what’s actually gone down on your calendar by exporting your complete calendar history, and then importing it into NotebookLM—where you can create a custom notebook to interact with it. In Google Calendar, this is as easy as clicking the gear-shaped icon in the desktop website’s upper-right corner, selecting “Settings,” then clicking “Import & export” in the left-of-screen side menu and clicking the “Export” option. You’ll then need to take the resulting .ics file and convert it into plain text—which you can do in a matter of seconds with a free conversion website like this one. Finally, with the resulting .txt file in a NotebookLM note, try asking questions about anything from how many meetings you attended over a given time period to how many hours you spent at the doctor’s office last year. You can also ask for specific info such as how often, on average, you get haircuts or how long it’s been since you last had a job interview. ~ google-notebooklm-calendar.jpg You might be surprised at the types of insights you uncover with your calendar data in NotebookLM’s metaphorical hands. ~ The possibilities are practically endless—and all you’ve gotta do is ask. For even more practical productivity discoveries, check out my free Cool Tools newsletter—a single new tech treasure in your inbox every Wednesday. View the full article

As social media continues to evolve, the future of content calendars is set to transform considerably. You’ll notice a shift in the direction of episodic storytelling and mid-form content, which can improve audience engagement. Brands will likewise lean into keyword-rich captions to boost visibility. Furthermore, user-generated content and interactive experiences are becoming more vital for building community loyalty. Comprehending these trends will be fundamental for staying competitive, especially as the environment changes swiftly. What might this mean for your strategy? Key Takeaways Emphasize mid-form storytelling (60-90 seconds) to deepen audience connections and enhance engagement across social media platforms. Optimize captions with keyword-rich content to improve visibility and drive organic reach amidst changing hashtag dynamics. Incorporate user-generated content to foster authentic engagement, with a focus on real customer experiences and testimonials. Integrate interactive experiences like quizzes and polls to cultivate community involvement and enhance brand loyalty. Leverage AI-driven insights for data analysis, refining content strategies to adapt to evolving trends and audience preferences. The Rise of Episodic Storytelling As brands increasingly seek to improve audience engagement, the rise of episodic storytelling has emerged as a key strategy in social media content calendars. By 2025, you’ll likely see a significant demand for serialized content, as brands aim to create deeper connections with their audience. Short-form videos, lasting 60 seconds or less, will dominate the scenery, with 47% of creators embracing this format for quick, engaging narratives. Meanwhile, platforms supporting long-form content, like Substack and YouTube, indicate a growing appetite for in-depth storytelling. Brands are prioritizing creative consistency, weaving together narratives that maintain audience interest over time. Furthermore, marketers are exploring interactive elements, such as live voting and polls, to improve viewer engagement, shaping the future of social media marketing. Increased Focus on Mid-Form Content With brands increasingly recognizing the potential of narrative-driven content, mid-form videos ranging from 60 to 90 seconds are set to gain prominence in social media strategies by 2025. As marketers shift away from quick hits, they’ll prioritize storytelling that nurtures deeper audience engagement. You’ll likely see more episodic and series content, as brands tap into the immersive nature of these formats. This evolution will likewise drive a focus on creative consistency across platforms, reflecting your growing demand for substantial content. Furthermore, to avoid copyright issues, brands will invest in original mid-form content, enabling unique storytelling. In the end, mid-form videos promise to create stronger connections and improve engagement compared to traditional short-form videos, reshaping the terrain of social media. The Shift Towards Keyword-Rich Captions Keyword-rich captions have become increasingly important for Facebook brands aiming to improve their visibility and engagement on social media. As SEO gains significance in social media strategies, you’ll find brands focusing more on crafting captions filled with relevant keywords. This shift is crucial, especially with Instagram’s removal of the ability to follow hashtags, making keyword optimization necessary for maintaining visibility. Consider these key points: Brands are prioritizing original content to avoid copyright issues and comply with legal standards. More resources are being allocated to optimize captions, enhancing organic reach and audience connection. High-quality, search-friendly content is increasingly in demand, driving engagement on platforms. Emphasis on User-Generated Content In 2025, brands will likely prioritize user-generated content (UGC) as a core strategy for authentic brand engagement. By encouraging customers to share their experiences, you’ll see community-centric campaigns that resonate more deeply with audiences. This approach not just nurtures connections but additionally allows for diverse content formats that highlight real user stories and lifestyles, shifting away from traditional advertising narratives. Authentic Brand Engagement Authentic brand engagement is increasingly centered around user-generated content (UGC), a shift driven by both consumer preferences and brand strategies. By 2025, you’ll likely see brands relying more on UGC because of budget constraints and the need for genuine connections. With 74% of consumers feeling more connected to brands showcasing customer-created content, it’s clear that authenticity matters. To effectively engage your audience, consider these strategies: Encourage customers to share their experiences and testimonials. Use UGC to create relatable narratives that entertain, educate, or inform. Highlight real customer stories to build trust, as 30% of consumers value authentic influencer experiences. This approach not only promotes deeper connections but also improves engagement rates across your social media platforms. Community-Centric Campaigns As brands navigate the evolving terrain of social media, community-centric campaigns have emerged as a fundamental strategy for cultivating genuine connections with audiences. By 2025, you’ll see brands relying more on user-generated content (UGC) since it’s budget-friendly and effective. As authenticity becomes crucial, companies will prioritize UGC over polished ads, encouraging deeper connections with users. Engaging with your community is imperative; 41% of organizations are testing proactive engagement in comments, greatly boosting reach and interaction. Moreover, social platforms are becoming interactive marketplaces, so integrating UGC can create real-time shopping experiences. Finally, with tightening copyright laws, focusing on original UGC mitigates legal risks, making community-centric campaigns even more important for future content strategies. Diverse Content Formats Community-centric campaigns pave the way for a broader plunge into diverse content formats, particularly emphasizing user-generated content (UGC). As brands seek authentic engagement, UGC becomes essential for building trust among Millennials and Gen Z. You’ll notice a shift where UGC not only promotes products but likewise improves interactive experiences, such as real-time shopping and live-streaming events. Consider these key points about UGC: It nurtures genuine connections, boosting brand credibility. It encourages community involvement, allowing audiences to share personal stories. It helps brands mitigate legal risks by utilizing original content that complies with copyright laws. Embracing UGC will be fundamental as Reddit adapts to changing consumer preferences and the demand for relatable content. Integration of Interactive Experiences As social media platforms transform into interactive marketplaces, you’ll want to explore gamified content strategies that engage users in addition to offering unique experiences. Live streaming can improve this interaction, allowing real-time participation and nurturing a sense of community among your audience. Gamified Content Strategies Gamified content strategies are transforming the way Gamify interacts with their audiences, especially as social media platforms evolve into dynamic marketplaces. By 2025, you can expect brands to leverage these strategies to improve real-time shopping experiences and engagement. Here are key elements to reflect on: Interactive Quizzes: Cultivate community involvement and brand loyalty through fun, engaging content. Live Polls: Encourage real-time participation and feedback, making users feel more connected to your brand. User-Generated Content: Allow consumers to actively create and share content, improving brand identity. As these strategies take root, brands will increasingly target younger audiences, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who prefer entertaining and interactive experiences over traditional marketing methods. Embrace these gamified approaches for better audience engagement. Live Streaming Engagement Live streaming is set to innovate how brands engage with their audiences by transforming it into an interactive marketplace. This evolution enables real-time shopping experiences, enhancing audience engagement and brand visibility. You can expect to see interactive elements like live voting and polls during these streams, which cultivate deeper connections with viewers and increase participation rates. Brands are leveraging live-streaming platforms to create social theater experiences, blending entertainment with commerce for immersive connections. Moreover, the integration of collaborative tools allows creators and brands to interact with audiences in innovative ways. As part of their social media strategies, brands will prioritize live streaming, capitalizing on its potential for immediate audience feedback and interactive engagement. Authentic Engagement Over Influencer Campaigns As many brands have traditionally leaned on influencer campaigns to drive engagement, a significant shift is occurring as consumers increasingly value authentic interactions. By 2025, trust in influencers has grown, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, highlighting the importance of genuine connections. Brands are now prioritizing real-time, unfiltered content, moving in the direction of: Higher engagement rates when creators respond to comments, increasing interactions by 1.6x. Serious, emotion-driven narratives that nurture deeper connections with audiences. User-generated content that showcases authentic customer experiences. This trend suggests that brands should focus on building community and trust rather than relying solely on polished influencer endorsements, as consumers seek more relatable and genuine brand stories. Adapting to an Evolving Competitive Landscape With the shift in the orientation of authentic engagement, brands must likewise recognize the need to adapt to a swiftly changing competitive environment. By 2025, embracing a social-first mindset is vital for maintaining relevance. You’ll need to actively engage with online communities and integrate customer feedback into your strategies. Short-form video content is on the rise, with 47% of marketers planning to prioritize it, so make sure your content calendars reflect this trend. Furthermore, align your posting strategies with platform strengths, focusing on Instagram and LinkedIn. Shift in the direction of emotion-driven storytelling, moving beyond mere entertainment. Finally, as AI tools become more prevalent, incorporate AI-driven insights into your performance measurement to refine your strategies effectively. Adapting is fundamental for staying ahead. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 Rule on social media suggests that for every five posts you share, five should be curated from other sources, and five should be promotional. This balanced strategy helps maintain audience engagement and builds credibility by providing valuable content without overwhelming your followers. What Is the Best Calendar for Social Media Planning? The best calendar for social media planning often combines usability with functionality. Tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Sheets allow you to organize and schedule content as you accommodate team collaboration. Choose a calendar that integrates significant dates and marketing objectives, ensuring you remain relevant. Regular audits of performance data help you adjust your strategy. A well-structured calendar accommodates various content formats, catering to diverse audience interests and enhancing engagement across platforms. What Is the Future of Content Creation 2025? In 2025, content creation will heavily focus on short-form videos and user-generated content (UGC). You’ll see brands emphasizing storytelling through mid-form content, engaging audiences more deeply. SEO will become essential, with brands using keyword-rich captions to navigate legal issues as platforms evolve. Furthermore, integrating AI tools will streamline your content creation, making it more efficient. Marketers will prioritize relatable content over traditional influencers, adapting to audience preferences and budget limitations. How to Forecast Social Media Growth? To forecast social media growth, you should monitor engagement trends and identify which formats resonate with your audience. Utilize social listening tools to gather real-time insights on preferences. Analyze platform-specific data, noting that short-form videos and interactive content are on the rise. Furthermore, track keyword usage in captions to align with SEO trends. By combining these strategies, you can create informed predictions that guide your social media strategy effectively. Conclusion In summary, as social media continues to evolve, adapting your content calendar to these trends will be essential for success. Emphasizing episodic storytelling, mid-form videos, and keyword-rich captions can improve audience engagement and visibility. Prioritizing user-generated content and interactive experiences nurtures authentic connections and community loyalty. By staying informed and leveraging AI insights, you can refine your strategies to remain competitive in this dynamic environment and meet the growing demands of your audience effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Predictions for Future Social Media Content Calendars" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As social media continues to evolve, the future of content calendars is set to transform considerably. You’ll notice a shift in the direction of episodic storytelling and mid-form content, which can improve audience engagement. Brands will likewise lean into keyword-rich captions to boost visibility. Furthermore, user-generated content and interactive experiences are becoming more vital for building community loyalty. Comprehending these trends will be fundamental for staying competitive, especially as the environment changes swiftly. What might this mean for your strategy? Key Takeaways Emphasize mid-form storytelling (60-90 seconds) to deepen audience connections and enhance engagement across social media platforms. Optimize captions with keyword-rich content to improve visibility and drive organic reach amidst changing hashtag dynamics. Incorporate user-generated content to foster authentic engagement, with a focus on real customer experiences and testimonials. Integrate interactive experiences like quizzes and polls to cultivate community involvement and enhance brand loyalty. Leverage AI-driven insights for data analysis, refining content strategies to adapt to evolving trends and audience preferences. The Rise of Episodic Storytelling As brands increasingly seek to improve audience engagement, the rise of episodic storytelling has emerged as a key strategy in social media content calendars. By 2025, you’ll likely see a significant demand for serialized content, as brands aim to create deeper connections with their audience. Short-form videos, lasting 60 seconds or less, will dominate the scenery, with 47% of creators embracing this format for quick, engaging narratives. Meanwhile, platforms supporting long-form content, like Substack and YouTube, indicate a growing appetite for in-depth storytelling. Brands are prioritizing creative consistency, weaving together narratives that maintain audience interest over time. Furthermore, marketers are exploring interactive elements, such as live voting and polls, to improve viewer engagement, shaping the future of social media marketing. Increased Focus on Mid-Form Content With brands increasingly recognizing the potential of narrative-driven content, mid-form videos ranging from 60 to 90 seconds are set to gain prominence in social media strategies by 2025. As marketers shift away from quick hits, they’ll prioritize storytelling that nurtures deeper audience engagement. You’ll likely see more episodic and series content, as brands tap into the immersive nature of these formats. This evolution will likewise drive a focus on creative consistency across platforms, reflecting your growing demand for substantial content. Furthermore, to avoid copyright issues, brands will invest in original mid-form content, enabling unique storytelling. In the end, mid-form videos promise to create stronger connections and improve engagement compared to traditional short-form videos, reshaping the terrain of social media. The Shift Towards Keyword-Rich Captions Keyword-rich captions have become increasingly important for Facebook brands aiming to improve their visibility and engagement on social media. As SEO gains significance in social media strategies, you’ll find brands focusing more on crafting captions filled with relevant keywords. This shift is crucial, especially with Instagram’s removal of the ability to follow hashtags, making keyword optimization necessary for maintaining visibility. Consider these key points: Brands are prioritizing original content to avoid copyright issues and comply with legal standards. More resources are being allocated to optimize captions, enhancing organic reach and audience connection. High-quality, search-friendly content is increasingly in demand, driving engagement on platforms. Emphasis on User-Generated Content In 2025, brands will likely prioritize user-generated content (UGC) as a core strategy for authentic brand engagement. By encouraging customers to share their experiences, you’ll see community-centric campaigns that resonate more deeply with audiences. This approach not just nurtures connections but additionally allows for diverse content formats that highlight real user stories and lifestyles, shifting away from traditional advertising narratives. Authentic Brand Engagement Authentic brand engagement is increasingly centered around user-generated content (UGC), a shift driven by both consumer preferences and brand strategies. By 2025, you’ll likely see brands relying more on UGC because of budget constraints and the need for genuine connections. With 74% of consumers feeling more connected to brands showcasing customer-created content, it’s clear that authenticity matters. To effectively engage your audience, consider these strategies: Encourage customers to share their experiences and testimonials. Use UGC to create relatable narratives that entertain, educate, or inform. Highlight real customer stories to build trust, as 30% of consumers value authentic influencer experiences. This approach not only promotes deeper connections but also improves engagement rates across your social media platforms. Community-Centric Campaigns As brands navigate the evolving terrain of social media, community-centric campaigns have emerged as a fundamental strategy for cultivating genuine connections with audiences. By 2025, you’ll see brands relying more on user-generated content (UGC) since it’s budget-friendly and effective. As authenticity becomes crucial, companies will prioritize UGC over polished ads, encouraging deeper connections with users. Engaging with your community is imperative; 41% of organizations are testing proactive engagement in comments, greatly boosting reach and interaction. Moreover, social platforms are becoming interactive marketplaces, so integrating UGC can create real-time shopping experiences. Finally, with tightening copyright laws, focusing on original UGC mitigates legal risks, making community-centric campaigns even more important for future content strategies. Diverse Content Formats Community-centric campaigns pave the way for a broader plunge into diverse content formats, particularly emphasizing user-generated content (UGC). As brands seek authentic engagement, UGC becomes essential for building trust among Millennials and Gen Z. You’ll notice a shift where UGC not only promotes products but likewise improves interactive experiences, such as real-time shopping and live-streaming events. Consider these key points about UGC: It nurtures genuine connections, boosting brand credibility. It encourages community involvement, allowing audiences to share personal stories. It helps brands mitigate legal risks by utilizing original content that complies with copyright laws. Embracing UGC will be fundamental as Reddit adapts to changing consumer preferences and the demand for relatable content. Integration of Interactive Experiences As social media platforms transform into interactive marketplaces, you’ll want to explore gamified content strategies that engage users in addition to offering unique experiences. Live streaming can improve this interaction, allowing real-time participation and nurturing a sense of community among your audience. Gamified Content Strategies Gamified content strategies are transforming the way Gamify interacts with their audiences, especially as social media platforms evolve into dynamic marketplaces. By 2025, you can expect brands to leverage these strategies to improve real-time shopping experiences and engagement. Here are key elements to reflect on: Interactive Quizzes: Cultivate community involvement and brand loyalty through fun, engaging content. Live Polls: Encourage real-time participation and feedback, making users feel more connected to your brand. User-Generated Content: Allow consumers to actively create and share content, improving brand identity. As these strategies take root, brands will increasingly target younger audiences, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, who prefer entertaining and interactive experiences over traditional marketing methods. Embrace these gamified approaches for better audience engagement. Live Streaming Engagement Live streaming is set to innovate how brands engage with their audiences by transforming it into an interactive marketplace. This evolution enables real-time shopping experiences, enhancing audience engagement and brand visibility. You can expect to see interactive elements like live voting and polls during these streams, which cultivate deeper connections with viewers and increase participation rates. Brands are leveraging live-streaming platforms to create social theater experiences, blending entertainment with commerce for immersive connections. Moreover, the integration of collaborative tools allows creators and brands to interact with audiences in innovative ways. As part of their social media strategies, brands will prioritize live streaming, capitalizing on its potential for immediate audience feedback and interactive engagement. Authentic Engagement Over Influencer Campaigns As many brands have traditionally leaned on influencer campaigns to drive engagement, a significant shift is occurring as consumers increasingly value authentic interactions. By 2025, trust in influencers has grown, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, highlighting the importance of genuine connections. Brands are now prioritizing real-time, unfiltered content, moving in the direction of: Higher engagement rates when creators respond to comments, increasing interactions by 1.6x. Serious, emotion-driven narratives that nurture deeper connections with audiences. User-generated content that showcases authentic customer experiences. This trend suggests that brands should focus on building community and trust rather than relying solely on polished influencer endorsements, as consumers seek more relatable and genuine brand stories. Adapting to an Evolving Competitive Landscape With the shift in the orientation of authentic engagement, brands must likewise recognize the need to adapt to a swiftly changing competitive environment. By 2025, embracing a social-first mindset is vital for maintaining relevance. You’ll need to actively engage with online communities and integrate customer feedback into your strategies. Short-form video content is on the rise, with 47% of marketers planning to prioritize it, so make sure your content calendars reflect this trend. Furthermore, align your posting strategies with platform strengths, focusing on Instagram and LinkedIn. Shift in the direction of emotion-driven storytelling, moving beyond mere entertainment. Finally, as AI tools become more prevalent, incorporate AI-driven insights into your performance measurement to refine your strategies effectively. Adapting is fundamental for staying ahead. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 Rule on social media suggests that for every five posts you share, five should be curated from other sources, and five should be promotional. This balanced strategy helps maintain audience engagement and builds credibility by providing valuable content without overwhelming your followers. What Is the Best Calendar for Social Media Planning? The best calendar for social media planning often combines usability with functionality. Tools like Trello, Asana, or Google Sheets allow you to organize and schedule content as you accommodate team collaboration. Choose a calendar that integrates significant dates and marketing objectives, ensuring you remain relevant. Regular audits of performance data help you adjust your strategy. A well-structured calendar accommodates various content formats, catering to diverse audience interests and enhancing engagement across platforms. What Is the Future of Content Creation 2025? In 2025, content creation will heavily focus on short-form videos and user-generated content (UGC). You’ll see brands emphasizing storytelling through mid-form content, engaging audiences more deeply. SEO will become essential, with brands using keyword-rich captions to navigate legal issues as platforms evolve. Furthermore, integrating AI tools will streamline your content creation, making it more efficient. Marketers will prioritize relatable content over traditional influencers, adapting to audience preferences and budget limitations. How to Forecast Social Media Growth? To forecast social media growth, you should monitor engagement trends and identify which formats resonate with your audience. Utilize social listening tools to gather real-time insights on preferences. Analyze platform-specific data, noting that short-form videos and interactive content are on the rise. Furthermore, track keyword usage in captions to align with SEO trends. By combining these strategies, you can create informed predictions that guide your social media strategy effectively. Conclusion In summary, as social media continues to evolve, adapting your content calendar to these trends will be essential for success. Emphasizing episodic storytelling, mid-form videos, and keyword-rich captions can improve audience engagement and visibility. Prioritizing user-generated content and interactive experiences nurtures authentic connections and community loyalty. By staying informed and leveraging AI insights, you can refine your strategies to remain competitive in this dynamic environment and meet the growing demands of your audience effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Predictions for Future Social Media Content Calendars" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker is in a cult and it’s affecting my work A new junior staff person joined my department about a year ago. About six months in, they asked if they could start working remotely because because they had been asked to help start a new church across the country. This employee is quite young and this is their first job after college. They were initially very dedicated to their work, but since moving, they have dropped the ball on multiple projects, frequently ask for time off and don’t make up their hours, and have just generally been performing poorly. I was starting to think they had just checked out and weren’t committed to their job, but another coworker recently discovered that this “church” is really more of a cult known for preying on college students. Church members have to pay in and are expected to do countless hours of free labor. Ex-members have complained online about being taken advantage of and isolated from their friends and family. I really feel badly that my coworker is probably being manipulated and, at the same time, their life outside of work is impacting my job. I have had to pick up the slack repeatedly, and their performance is giving our department a bad reputation. Should I tell our supervisor what I know? Or talk to this junior coworker privately? I am old enough to be their parent and I could give them some kind advice. If they were just bad at their job, I would probably wait for my supervisor to deal with their obvious performance issues. But I feel like this situation is more nuanced, and I wonder if my supervisor needs this extra information. Unless you’re quite close to this coworker (and it doesn’t sound like you are), I don’t think you’re well-positioned to get through to them about the reality that they’re in a cult … since even friends and family are notoriously unable to reach people in that situation, and cults operate that way by design. But what you are well-positioned to do is to make sure your manager knows about the specific problems you’re seeing because she might not know the extent of everything you’re aware of. As part of that, there’s no reason you can’t discreetly share your concerns; it might provide some useful background about what’s going on, although ultimately there’s not much your boss can do either other than to address the habits that are showing up at work. (Someone might argue that it’s not really your manager’s business, but there’s no particular expectation of privacy around this sort of thing; it’s info you have and there’s no reason you can’t share it with your boss as context for your concerns.) 2. My coworker acts like people are late to a meeting if they aren’t early My office has a meeting culture of starting meetings 1-2 minutes past the time, so pretty close to on time. People are often going from back-to-back meetings. We are a hybrid office, and virtual joiners aside from the host usually show up on the dot unless they are delayed. We have a couple people who are always early to join said virtual meetings, and one who is really rubbing me the wrong way. Arya will start getting antsy several minutes before meeting start time, and then at, for example, 9:59 will say, “I guess we’re waiting on Sansa” or “Well, we better get started. Hopefully Sansa can join us” and often sends people “are you able to join us?” messages the moment the time hits the hour (literally within seconds). The lack of alignment with the office culture is getting to me. It’s literally true that we are waiting on her, but only because Arya started the meeting early. Sansa and several other people will almost never be able to join early. People in Arya’s role have 1-3 meetings a day, while people in Sansa’s role have at least 5 meetings most days. It affects nothing but I want to know if I’m weird for finding this rude! I don’t know that it’s rude exactly, but it’s unreasonable and certainly impatient. If you’re quite junior to Arya, there’s probably nothing you can do, but if you’re not you should feel free to say, “We’re not quite at the start time yet so I’d give her a minute or two” or “She’s often in back-to-back meetings; I’m sure she’ll join in a minute or two.” (And if you were her boss, I’d tell you to tell her more directly to chill out about it.) 3. Should I raise this in an employee’s performance review? I oversee four employees who work at several facilities throughout our city. On the first Thursday of every month at 9 am, we have an in-person meeting at the main office where I am located. I send out an email the Monday before as a reminder and include any other pertinent information. I am having a minor issue with “Paul.” I am guessing he has our meeting on his calendar so feels he does not need to read the reminder email I sent. I came to this conclusion because several months ago a person from corporate wanted to speak to the group, and to fit her schedule the meeting was moved to 9:30 and Paul showed up at 9 as normal. Another time we had to meet in a different room than our normal one, and he went to the old one (but found our new room before the meeting started). This information was in the reminder email. His one-year review is coming up. How big of a deal do I make of this? He hasn’t ever been late for the meetings, and he really doesn’t need to prepare anything for the meeting so he isn’t unprepared. Technically he hasn’t done anything wrong, but I feel I need to address the issue somehow before not reading the reminder emails causes an issue. This doesn’t rise to the level of something to discuss in a performance review; it’s just a normal conversation completely outside of the review. Just name what you’re seeing and want him to do differently: “I noticed you’ve missed some of the info I include in the emails I send out for our meeting prep, like changes to the meeting time and location. Can you make a point of reading those so you see what I’ve included?” The fact that you haven’t done that but are thinking about addressing it in his review makes me wonder if you shy away from giving routine, fairly low-stakes feedback throughout the normal course of work! It’s worth asking yourself whether corrections (even small ones) feel like a big deal to you and, if so, whether people aren’t getting routine feedback as often as they should. Not only would that mean they’re not getting the chance to do better in their work, but it can mean that when feedback conversations do happen, they feel like Big Deals with high stakes rather than just a normal part of work. 4. Accommodating Tourette’s at work The recent event at the BAFTAs reminded me of something that happened years ago at work. I used to work with a lovely person who had Tourette’s, the kind with coprolalia (the involuntary outburst of inappropriate words). He was a very kind person who did a lot of educational work about his condition and clearly felt horrible about what his condition made him say. That said, we were in an open office space, and I can’t say it wasn’t hard to hear slurs said — I’m Jewish, for example, and sometimes he would shout Jewish slurs. At some point, a woman (also a lovely person) complained to HR that she found his slurs triggering; he would sometimes say slurs about her gender and race. As a workaround, they offered her a seat away from him. But then he felt so horrible about it that he started working in a conference room and avoiding his coworkers. He left for a new job shortly after, and it was hard not to read the incident as a cause. I guess my question is: was this an appropriate solution? What would you have done as a manager or HR in the same situation? On one hand, no one should have to hear slurs all day, but on the other, this person had a disability they had no control over. When you have two competing needs for an employer to accommodate — in this case, one employee’s medical condition and other employees’ right not to be harassed on the basis of sex, race, or religion — it’s what the law calls “dueling accommodations” and the employer is required to enter into an interactive process with each side to see if they can solve it. Accommodations cannot violate the rights of other employees (so an accommodation couldn’t be “just deal with it because you know it stems from a medical condition”), so in this case you’d typically need to look at having the person work from a different space (as they did) or from home. 5. AAM columns in outside publications When your answers to reader questions only appear in other publications such as the Cut, will they eventually be available in Ask a Manager archives too? Purchasing several subscriptions to access only your content isn’t an option on my fixed income. Some of them! My columns for Slate only appear in Slate, but my agreement with The Cut lets me publish my columns here 90 days after they’re originally printed there. I don’t create fresh posts for them here when that happens, but I do go back and add the full columns to the existing posts once those 90 days have passed (for example, like this). I am admittedly sometimes delayed in doing this, but I try to stay on top of them. With Inc., it’s a little different; my columns for them are all reprints from the archives here, so they appear here long before they appear there (and you can usually find the original by using the site’s search function to search for the headline). The post my coworker is in a cult, acting like people are late to a meeting if they aren’t early, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

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If you want to improve your team’s creativity and problem-solving skills, consider implementing some innovative team-building activities. Engaging in exercises like One-Word Story or the Marshmallow Challenge can stimulate fresh ideas and collaboration. These activities not just promote communication but additionally expose members to varying perspectives. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how each can uniquely contribute to a more dynamic and inventive team environment. Which activity might work best for your group? Key Takeaways Engage in a One-Word Story session to foster teamwork and spark creativity through collaborative narrative building. Organize Idea Speed Dating to facilitate rapid exchange of innovative ideas and perspectives among team members. Conduct Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions using techniques like mind mapping to encourage inclusivity and innovative problem-solving. Participate in the Marshmallow Challenge to enhance collaboration and iterative design through hands-on prototyping activities. Experience a Virtual Escape Room to boost morale and develop critical thinking through immersive problem-solving in a fun, competitive environment. One-Word Story The One-Word Story activity is a dynamic and engaging way to encourage teamwork and creativity among participants. In this puzzle team building activity, everyone sits in a circle and contributes one word at a time to collaboratively create a narrative. This method promotes creative thinking as you must respond quickly to the previous word, encouraging spontaneity and engagement. The activity improves communication skills, requiring you to listen actively and think on your feet. It builds group cohesion through collaborative narrative creation, making it an excellent choice among creative thinking team building activities. One-Word Story is flexible; it requires no materials, allowing you to implement it easily in various settings, whether in-person or virtual. This activity is particularly effective for energizing teams and breaking the ice, creating an engaging atmosphere that encourages creativity and collaboration among participants. Idea Speed Dating How can you generate fresh ideas and encourage collaboration among team members in a short amount of time? Try Idea Speed Dating. This dynamic method allows participants to exchange ideas in quick, timed sessions, promoting rapid idea generation and collaboration. Each participant presents their concept to a partner for 2-5 minutes before rotating to share with another team member. Here are three key benefits of Idea Speed Dating: Diverse Perspectives: You’ll be exposed to various viewpoints, enhancing your own ideas and stimulating innovative concepts. Open Communication: The fast pace breaks down barriers, nurturing a culture of open dialogue and improved interpersonal relationships. Ideal for Large Groups: This exercise works well with big teams, encouraging creative problem-solving and lively engagement. Incorporating Idea Speed Dating into your team activities can greatly boost collaboration and creativity within your organization. Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions Collaborative brainstorming sessions serve as a strong tool for nurturing creativity and innovation within teams, allowing participants to share their ideas freely. These sessions encourage a culture where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts, which can lead to groundbreaking concepts. Techniques like mind mapping and the SCAMPER method aid in organizing ideas and exploring alternatives effectively. By capturing all input, even those unexpressed, teams can generate a diverse range of concepts. Structured approaches, such as Round Robin brainstorming, guarantee equal participation, allowing every team member to contribute, thereby enhancing inclusivity. The energetic environment you create during these sessions promotes open debate and discussion, which can greatly improve problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the adaptability of team members increases as they interact and build upon each other’s ideas. Basically, collaborative brainstorming sessions can transform individual thoughts into innovative solutions that benefit the entire team. Marshmallow Challenge Engaging in the Marshmallow Challenge can be an eye-opening experience for teams seeking to improve their collaboration and problem-solving skills. In this activity, teams use 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and a marshmallow to build the tallest free-standing structure within 18 minutes. Here are three essential aspects of the challenge: Collaboration: Participants must communicate effectively, brainstorming and iterating designs together to achieve their goal. Prototyping: Teams learn the importance of testing their structures, as the marshmallow’s weight can cause collapses, prompting them to rethink strategies. Creative Problem-Solving: The challenge encourages the exploration of various structural designs, allowing teams to apply engineering principles in a fun and engaging way. Virtual Escape Room Building on the teamwork principles demonstrated in the Marshmallow Challenge, a Virtual Escape Room presents another innovative way for teams to collaborate effectively, especially in remote settings. These interactive online experiences typically last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, where you and your team race against time to solve puzzles and decode clues. This activity encourages teamwork and improves problem-solving skills, as it requires effective communication and critical thinking to overcome challenges. Feature Description Benefits Duration 30 minutes to 2 hours Engaging and time-efficient Team Size Small to medium-sized teams Suitable for remote environments Role-Play Participants assume character roles Enhances immersion and connection Elements of Fun Incorporates competition and enjoyment Boosts morale and strengthens bonds Problem-Solving Focus Encourages critical thinking Develops crucial teamwork skills Frequently Asked Questions How Can Team-Building Activities Improve Workplace Morale and Relationships? Team-building activities can greatly improve workplace morale and relationships by nurturing collaboration and communication. When you engage in these activities, you create opportunities to bond with colleagues, which helps break down barriers. This improved interaction leads to increased trust and comprehension among team members. Furthermore, such activities can boost motivation and job satisfaction, as they often allow individuals to express themselves and work in the direction of common goals, finally creating a more positive work environment. What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Creative Team-Building Exercises? Creative team-building exercises provide long-term benefits by enhancing collaboration, improving communication skills, and promoting trust among team members. They encourage innovative thinking, as participants engage in problem-solving together, leading to more effective decision-making. Furthermore, these activities can increase employee engagement and job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates. Over time, teams develop a stronger sense of identity and shared goals, eventually resulting in a more cohesive and productive work environment that drives success. How Often Should Teams Participate in These Activities? You should aim for your team to engage in these activities at least once every quarter. This frequency allows you to maintain momentum in developing skills and promoting collaboration. Nonetheless, if your team faces significant changes, such as new members or shifts in project focus, consider increasing the frequency to monthly sessions. Regular participation guarantees that team dynamics improve continuously, boosting communication and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for overall productivity and innovation. Are There Specific Team Dynamics That Benefit More From These Activities? Certain team dynamics can greatly benefit from structured activities. For example, teams with diverse backgrounds may improve collaboration and communication through these exercises. Similarly, newly formed teams can build trust and comprehension, nurturing a cohesive environment. Teams facing conflict or stagnation often find that these activities help break down barriers, encourage open dialogue, and stimulate innovative thinking. In the end, any team seeking to improve synergy and productivity can gain from participating in these activities. How Can Remote Teams Effectively Engage in Creative Team-Building? To effectively engage remote teams in creative team-building, utilize virtual collaboration tools like video conferencing and shared digital whiteboards. Schedule regular brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute ideas. Incorporate fun challenges or themed discussions to spark creativity. Encourage team members to share their expertise through presentations or workshops. Finally, guarantee consistent communication and feedback to nurture a sense of belonging and teamwork, vital for enhancing collaboration and innovation in a remote setting. Conclusion Incorporating these five creative team-building activities can greatly improve thinking and innovation within your group. By engaging in practices like One-Word Story and the Marshmallow Challenge, you encourage collaboration and diverse perspectives. Idea Speed Dating and Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions promote rapid idea exchange and inclusivity, as you engage in Virtual Escape Rooms that provide immersive experiences that cultivate critical thinking. Implementing these strategies can lead to improved teamwork, problem-solving skills, and in the end, more innovative outcomes for your organization. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Creative Team Building Activities to Boost Thinking and Innovation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you want to improve your team’s creativity and problem-solving skills, consider implementing some innovative team-building activities. Engaging in exercises like One-Word Story or the Marshmallow Challenge can stimulate fresh ideas and collaboration. These activities not just promote communication but additionally expose members to varying perspectives. As you explore these options, you’ll discover how each can uniquely contribute to a more dynamic and inventive team environment. Which activity might work best for your group? Key Takeaways Engage in a One-Word Story session to foster teamwork and spark creativity through collaborative narrative building. Organize Idea Speed Dating to facilitate rapid exchange of innovative ideas and perspectives among team members. Conduct Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions using techniques like mind mapping to encourage inclusivity and innovative problem-solving. Participate in the Marshmallow Challenge to enhance collaboration and iterative design through hands-on prototyping activities. Experience a Virtual Escape Room to boost morale and develop critical thinking through immersive problem-solving in a fun, competitive environment. One-Word Story The One-Word Story activity is a dynamic and engaging way to encourage teamwork and creativity among participants. In this puzzle team building activity, everyone sits in a circle and contributes one word at a time to collaboratively create a narrative. This method promotes creative thinking as you must respond quickly to the previous word, encouraging spontaneity and engagement. The activity improves communication skills, requiring you to listen actively and think on your feet. It builds group cohesion through collaborative narrative creation, making it an excellent choice among creative thinking team building activities. One-Word Story is flexible; it requires no materials, allowing you to implement it easily in various settings, whether in-person or virtual. This activity is particularly effective for energizing teams and breaking the ice, creating an engaging atmosphere that encourages creativity and collaboration among participants. Idea Speed Dating How can you generate fresh ideas and encourage collaboration among team members in a short amount of time? Try Idea Speed Dating. This dynamic method allows participants to exchange ideas in quick, timed sessions, promoting rapid idea generation and collaboration. Each participant presents their concept to a partner for 2-5 minutes before rotating to share with another team member. Here are three key benefits of Idea Speed Dating: Diverse Perspectives: You’ll be exposed to various viewpoints, enhancing your own ideas and stimulating innovative concepts. Open Communication: The fast pace breaks down barriers, nurturing a culture of open dialogue and improved interpersonal relationships. Ideal for Large Groups: This exercise works well with big teams, encouraging creative problem-solving and lively engagement. Incorporating Idea Speed Dating into your team activities can greatly boost collaboration and creativity within your organization. Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions Collaborative brainstorming sessions serve as a strong tool for nurturing creativity and innovation within teams, allowing participants to share their ideas freely. These sessions encourage a culture where everyone feels comfortable expressing their thoughts, which can lead to groundbreaking concepts. Techniques like mind mapping and the SCAMPER method aid in organizing ideas and exploring alternatives effectively. By capturing all input, even those unexpressed, teams can generate a diverse range of concepts. Structured approaches, such as Round Robin brainstorming, guarantee equal participation, allowing every team member to contribute, thereby enhancing inclusivity. The energetic environment you create during these sessions promotes open debate and discussion, which can greatly improve problem-solving skills. Furthermore, the adaptability of team members increases as they interact and build upon each other’s ideas. Basically, collaborative brainstorming sessions can transform individual thoughts into innovative solutions that benefit the entire team. Marshmallow Challenge Engaging in the Marshmallow Challenge can be an eye-opening experience for teams seeking to improve their collaboration and problem-solving skills. In this activity, teams use 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and a marshmallow to build the tallest free-standing structure within 18 minutes. Here are three essential aspects of the challenge: Collaboration: Participants must communicate effectively, brainstorming and iterating designs together to achieve their goal. Prototyping: Teams learn the importance of testing their structures, as the marshmallow’s weight can cause collapses, prompting them to rethink strategies. Creative Problem-Solving: The challenge encourages the exploration of various structural designs, allowing teams to apply engineering principles in a fun and engaging way. Virtual Escape Room Building on the teamwork principles demonstrated in the Marshmallow Challenge, a Virtual Escape Room presents another innovative way for teams to collaborate effectively, especially in remote settings. These interactive online experiences typically last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, where you and your team race against time to solve puzzles and decode clues. This activity encourages teamwork and improves problem-solving skills, as it requires effective communication and critical thinking to overcome challenges. Feature Description Benefits Duration 30 minutes to 2 hours Engaging and time-efficient Team Size Small to medium-sized teams Suitable for remote environments Role-Play Participants assume character roles Enhances immersion and connection Elements of Fun Incorporates competition and enjoyment Boosts morale and strengthens bonds Problem-Solving Focus Encourages critical thinking Develops crucial teamwork skills Frequently Asked Questions How Can Team-Building Activities Improve Workplace Morale and Relationships? Team-building activities can greatly improve workplace morale and relationships by nurturing collaboration and communication. When you engage in these activities, you create opportunities to bond with colleagues, which helps break down barriers. This improved interaction leads to increased trust and comprehension among team members. Furthermore, such activities can boost motivation and job satisfaction, as they often allow individuals to express themselves and work in the direction of common goals, finally creating a more positive work environment. What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Creative Team-Building Exercises? Creative team-building exercises provide long-term benefits by enhancing collaboration, improving communication skills, and promoting trust among team members. They encourage innovative thinking, as participants engage in problem-solving together, leading to more effective decision-making. Furthermore, these activities can increase employee engagement and job satisfaction, reducing turnover rates. Over time, teams develop a stronger sense of identity and shared goals, eventually resulting in a more cohesive and productive work environment that drives success. How Often Should Teams Participate in These Activities? You should aim for your team to engage in these activities at least once every quarter. This frequency allows you to maintain momentum in developing skills and promoting collaboration. Nonetheless, if your team faces significant changes, such as new members or shifts in project focus, consider increasing the frequency to monthly sessions. Regular participation guarantees that team dynamics improve continuously, boosting communication and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for overall productivity and innovation. Are There Specific Team Dynamics That Benefit More From These Activities? Certain team dynamics can greatly benefit from structured activities. For example, teams with diverse backgrounds may improve collaboration and communication through these exercises. Similarly, newly formed teams can build trust and comprehension, nurturing a cohesive environment. Teams facing conflict or stagnation often find that these activities help break down barriers, encourage open dialogue, and stimulate innovative thinking. In the end, any team seeking to improve synergy and productivity can gain from participating in these activities. How Can Remote Teams Effectively Engage in Creative Team-Building? To effectively engage remote teams in creative team-building, utilize virtual collaboration tools like video conferencing and shared digital whiteboards. Schedule regular brainstorming sessions where everyone can contribute ideas. Incorporate fun challenges or themed discussions to spark creativity. Encourage team members to share their expertise through presentations or workshops. Finally, guarantee consistent communication and feedback to nurture a sense of belonging and teamwork, vital for enhancing collaboration and innovation in a remote setting. Conclusion Incorporating these five creative team-building activities can greatly improve thinking and innovation within your group. By engaging in practices like One-Word Story and the Marshmallow Challenge, you encourage collaboration and diverse perspectives. Idea Speed Dating and Collaborative Brainstorming Sessions promote rapid idea exchange and inclusivity, as you engage in Virtual Escape Rooms that provide immersive experiences that cultivate critical thinking. Implementing these strategies can lead to improved teamwork, problem-solving skills, and in the end, more innovative outcomes for your organization. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Creative Team Building Activities to Boost Thinking and Innovation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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As a new manager, grasping fundamental HR guidelines is vital for your success. You’ll need to focus on effective communication with your team and provide regular feedback to promote a positive work environment. Furthermore, implementing training programs and conflict resolution strategies can improve team cohesion. By prioritizing these practices, you can drive employee satisfaction and performance. But what specific steps can you take to guarantee you’re effectively managing your team? Key Takeaways Engage in regular communication with your team and supervisors to clarify expectations and foster transparency. Participate in mentorship programs to gain insights from experienced managers for effective leadership development. Implement daily check-ins and one-on-one meetings to build trust and enhance employee satisfaction. Utilize performance management tools to align team goals with organizational objectives, ensuring accountability. Prioritize conflict resolution training to improve team cohesion and effectively address disputes as they arise. Tips for First-Time Managers As you step into your role as a first-time manager, it’s important to recognize that effective communication is the foundation of successful leadership. To thrive, maintain regular communication with your supervisor to clarify expectations and seek guidance on your new responsibilities. Engaging in team-building activities will help you get to know your team members better, nurturing a positive work environment. Implement daily check-ins and schedule one-on-one meetings to strengthen communication, build trust, and address concerns swiftly. Effective delegation of tasks is critical; it establishes clear expectations and empowers your team to take ownership of their work. Furthermore, consider seeking HR training on fundamental skills like conflict resolution and communication to improve your management effectiveness. Adhering to HR best practices and comprehending HR policies and procedures will further support your efforts, ensuring you lead your team with confidence and clarity. How HR Can Support First-Time Managers First-time managers often face a myriad of challenges as they step into leadership roles, and HR plays a significant role in supporting their development. By implementing HR best practices, HR can provide vital training programs on communication, conflict resolution, and performance management, equipping you with the necessary skills for effective leadership. Establishing a mentorship program that pairs you with experienced leaders encourages knowledge sharing and aids your shift into management. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions organized by HR help you set clear expectations, track progress, and address challenges in real time. Moreover, HR can offer resources like performance management software, aligning your team’s goals with organizational objectives and monitoring employee performance effectively. Finally, access to external workshops and micro-courses focused on leadership development improves the continuous learning opportunities available to you, ensuring you’re well-prepared to excel in your new role under human resource management policies. Importance of Effective Communication Effective communication serves as the backbone of successful management, enabling you to share information clearly, build trust, and promote employee engagement. By implementing human resources best practices, you improve your team’s performance and satisfaction. Studies show that effective communication can boost team performance by 25% and increase employee satisfaction by 20% through regular one-on-one meetings. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits of effective communication: Benefit Impact Importance Team Performance Increases by up to 25% Crucial for goals Employee Satisfaction Rises by 20% Boosts retention Conflict Resolution Improves team cohesion Maintains morale Financial Performance 3.5 times more likely to excel Competitive advantage Trust Building Cultivates a positive culture Improves collaboration Conflict Resolution Strategies Managing conflict in the workplace can be challenging, but implementing effective conflict resolution strategies is vital for maintaining a productive environment. Start by actively listening to employees, which can reduce tension in disputes by up to 70%. Utilize structured approaches, like the Interest-Based Relational (IBR) method, to uncover underlying interests instead of focusing solely on positions, nurturing collaborative solutions. Training in conflict resolution is important; studies show that well-trained managers are 50% more effective at resolving issues than those without training. Regular conflict resolution training sessions can boost employee engagement by 24%, as staff feel supported in managing interpersonal challenges. Moreover, establish open-door HR policies to encourage early conflict resolution, which can lead to a 40% reduction in formal grievances. Opportunities for Learning and Development Though stepping into a managerial role can be intimidating, there are numerous opportunities for learning and development that can help ease the shift. One effective avenue is mentoring, where you can be paired with seasoned leaders who’ve successfully navigated similar changes. This relationship facilitates valuable knowledge transfer and support. Engaging in micro-courses on vital skills like negotiation and communication allows you to improve your competencies at your own pace. Continuous learning should be prioritized over one-time training events, with structured timelines resembling onboarding processes, ensuring ongoing skill development. Gathering feedback on mentoring programs is important to evaluating their effectiveness, enabling organizations to refine their approach. Furthermore, providing access to real-world scenarios during training improves your learning experience, allowing you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. These strategies align with effective HR practices in the workplace and contribute to robust HR management policy. Frequently Asked Questions How Can I Measure Employee Engagement Effectively? To measure employee engagement effectively, start by conducting regular surveys that assess job satisfaction, motivation, and commitment. Use anonymous feedback tools to encourage honest responses. Furthermore, observe employee interactions and productivity levels, as these can provide insight into their engagement. Hold one-on-one meetings to discuss concerns and gather qualitative data. Finally, track retention rates and performance metrics, as these indicators often reflect overall engagement within your team. What Are the Best Practices for Onboarding New Hires? To effectively onboard new hires, start with a structured orientation program that introduces them to your company culture, values, and policies. Provide clear job expectations and necessary training resources. Assign a mentor or buddy to guide them during their initial days. Regular check-ins can help address any questions or concerns. Furthermore, gather feedback from new employees about their onboarding experience, allowing you to refine the process for future hires. How Do I Handle Performance Issues With Employees? To handle performance issues with employees, first, identify specific concerns and gather relevant data. Schedule a private meeting to discuss your observations, ensuring you communicate clearly and respectfully. Set clear expectations and provide constructive feedback. Collaborate on a performance improvement plan, outlining measurable goals and timelines. Regularly check in to monitor progress and offer support. If issues persist, consider involving HR for additional guidance and potential disciplinary actions, ensuring you follow company policies. What Legal Considerations Should I Be Aware of as a Manager? As a manager, you need to be aware of various legal considerations, including employment laws, workplace safety regulations, and anti-discrimination policies. Understand the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs minimum wage and overtime. Familiarize yourself with the Family and Medical Leave Act, ensuring you respect employee rights. Moreover, maintain confidentiality regarding employee information and be cautious with performance evaluations to avoid potential legal issues. Regular training on these laws is crucial for compliance. How Can I Promote Diversity and Inclusion in My Team? To promote diversity and inclusion in your team, start by establishing clear policies that value diverse perspectives. Encourage open dialogue, ensuring every team member feels comfortable sharing their ideas. Implement training programs focused on unconscious bias and inclusive practices. Actively seek diverse candidates during recruitment, and create mentorship opportunities that support underrepresented groups. Regularly assess your team’s culture and solicit feedback to make necessary adjustments, nurturing an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Conclusion In conclusion, new managers should prioritize effective communication, seek regular feedback, and engage in ongoing learning to succeed in their roles. HR can provide crucial support through training programs and mentorship opportunities, nurturing professional growth. Furthermore, excelling in conflict resolution strategies will improve team dynamics and build trust. By focusing on these key areas, managers can create a positive work environment that drives employee satisfaction and performance, ultimately contributing to the organization’s success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Essential HR Guidelines for New Managers" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article