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He’s not a movie buff, so New York musician Larry Saltzman doesn’t always watch the Oscars. This year, however, he’s got a rooting interest. Saltzman taught actor Timothée Chalamet how to play guitar for the role of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown.” In turn, Chalamet earned a best actor nomination and the film is also up for best picture at the Academy Awards on Sunday. A guitarist who’s performed with Simon & Garfunkel, Bette Midler and David Johansen, as well as in the pit at Broadway productions “Hairspray” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” Saltzman has developed a specialty in teaching actors how to play music for their roles. Besides Chalamet, recent pupils have included Adam Driver and Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things.” On a fellow musician’s recommendation, Saltzman first got a call from a movie studio about a decade ago. He admits to being cranky as discussions dragged on. “I almost did everything to talk them out of hiring me,” he said. Not until the fifth phone call did the studio identify the client: Meryl Streep. She needed to learn the electric guitar for her starring role in the 2015 film “Ricki and the Flash,” where she portrayed an aging rocker trying to keep her career and life together in the wake of a series of disappointments. Working with Streep is a little like a political consultant’s first client being elected president. If she likes you and word gets around, other students will follow. Teaching actors now represents about 40% of his business, the 69-year-old said. “My time spent with her was excellent,” he said of Streep. “She’s smart. She knows how to learn things. There was a steady progress over three or four months. She did very well.” Faking it just won’t do for serious actors and film directors. It’s like lip-syncing — the audience is going to tell the difference, and the characters will be less believable. That was especially true with Chalamet, who needed to sing and play at the same time for a character whose artistry is the centerpiece of the film. “When the actors come to you, they’re kind of vulnerable,” Saltzman said. “They want to do a great job.” Saltzman had more than 50 sessions with Chalamet, starting in person and retreating to Zoom during the pandemic. It wasn’t easy. Chalamet had to learn some 25 songs in the script. “Sometime in 2018 I had my first lesson with this great guitar teacher named Larry Saltzman who at some point became less of a teacher and more a co-sanity artist through COVID,” Chalamet recalled during a recent interview with The Associated Press. “I think we were keeping each other sane. We would Zoom three, four times a week and doing songs that never made it into the movie.” It helped that Saltzman is a Dylan buff. Focusing on imparting “the guitar playing of ‘pre-electric Bob,’” he taught his charge so well that Chalamet was a musical guest as well as host on “Saturday Night Live,” performing obscure Dylan cuts last month. Saltzman says, in the course of their sessions, Chalamet “went the extra mile” and unearthed “very early, obscure” Dylan songs that weren’t even in the script. Saltzman generally likes teaching actors more than common folk, in part because there’s a specific goal: They need to learn certain songs to inhabit a particular character. When it’s open-ended — someone just wants to learn the guitar — it can be more of a challenge, he said. Saltzman also believes that it’s an advantage to not be a regular teacher, someone who may approach clients with a more rigid style. Actor Johnny Cannizzaro said he appreciated Saltzman’s calming “bedside manner” and felt welcome in an apartment filled with guitars. Cannizzaro has the role of E Street Band member “Little Steven” Van Zandt in the upcoming Bruce Springsteen biopic, “Deliver Me From Nowhere.” “There was never really a moment where he expressed any sort of frustration or impatience with me during a session,” said Cannizzaro, who has background playing keyboards but not guitar. “If anything, he would express some excitement when you grasped something he was teaching. That put me at ease.” Saltzman also studied films of Van Zandt so he wasn’t just teaching Cannizzaro guitar — he was showing specifics of how Van Zandt plays, the actor said. Beyond teaching, Saltzman’s time is divided between studio work, playing in New York clubs accompanying different artists and Broadway — he’s just about to begin “Smash.” It’s an eye-opening experience for him to later see his students on screen. That was particularly the case when he saw “A Complete Unknown” and marveled at Chalamet’s ability as an actor. All the more reason to watch the Oscars, and to take some pride in his own work. “In my own humble way, I’m a small gear in that machinery,” he said. “What is rewarding is knowing that in some small way I’m contributing to making a better film.” —David Bauder, AP entertainment writer View the full article

Results slightly exceed Wall Street expectations View the full article

"Don't Google yourself" is terrible advice. If there's personal information about you floating around on the web, you should be aware of it—because, despite common misconceptions, the internet is not written in ink. If your info is popping up on Google Search, you might be able to get rid of it. On Wednesday, Google announced its redesigned "Results about you" tool. This feature, first rolled out in 2023, looks out for your personal information on Google Search, including your name, phone number, email addresses, and home addresses. The tool then tries to remove any information it does find. Note that this doesn't necessarily delete that information from the website in question; rather, it affects outdated info that appears in Search. For example, you requested a site take down your address, or you edited a webpage to reflect your new phone number, but that deleted data still shows up when people search your name. Using Google's "Results about you" toolHere's how the tool works. First, head to the "Results about you" website. If this is your initial experience with Results about you, click Get started. You'll be presented with a series of pop-ups, walking you through what to expect: You share your personal info, and Google scans the web looking for that info. If Google finds that info, you can ask the company to remove it. Click Next through each pop-up, then punch in your personal information, which includes your full name, nicknames, home address, phone number, and email. For example, I included my full name, a nickname, two recent addresses, my phone number, and three email addresses. Confirm you are indeed the person who this contact info belongs to, then hit Continue. From here, you'll have the option to choose how you want to receive alerts if Google finds your information on the web. You can have Google email you, send you push notifications through the Google app, or both. Once these settings are confirmed, you're done! Google says the process usually takes a few hours, and the company will notify you when it is finished—presumably via the alert method you previously chose. Heading back to the Results about you dashboard, you'll find a "Results found" section, which will list any personal information Google happened to find in its search. There are two categories: "Results to review," which lists any data Google returns, and "Reviewed," which stores any results you've already checked out. Under Settings, you can change how Google notifies you with its results, as well as any of the data you want Google looking for. When you do ask Google to remove a piece of personal information from Search, you'll find that inquiry is added to a section beneath "Results found" called "Removal requests." Here, you'll see whether your requests are in progress, approved, denied, or undone (if you decide to undo a request). You can also send a request to remove a result from the search page itself. Just click the three dots next to any given search result, and choose "Remove this result." Then, select the reason why—likely, "It shows my personal info and I don't want it there." View the full article

Shoppers expect fast, accurate, and personalized search results—but many retailers still struggle with product discovery. The State of Product Discovery in Digital Commerce 2025 report, based on insights from 200+ retailers, reveals how AI-driven search is transforming ecommerce. Conducted by London Research in partnership with Crownpeak, this report reveals how leading brands are: Optimizing site search with AI to improve relevance and reduce friction Personalizing results in real-time to increase conversions Investing in smarter product discovery tools to stay ahead in 2025 Download the full report to discover the product discovery strategies driving retail success. View the full article

If you’ve tried to buy or sell a house, you probably worked with a licensed real estate professional—there are more than 3 million of them in the U.S., and their advice and assistance are often invaluable. Real estate agents know the properties in their area and can help you locate them (and weed out deceptive listings) and guide you through every step of the process. A good real estate agent who has your best interests at heart is worth their commission and then some. But not everyone who has a real estate license is a good agent—or an ethical one. Sometimes the red flags around an agent are big and obvious, but sometimes real estate pros engage in subtle little scams that aren’t obvious at all. These down-low tricks aren’t always illegal, but they’re unethical—and they can cost you big time when it comes to what’s likely the biggest financial purchase in your life. If you’re looking for a real estate pro to help you with your house hunt or sale, watch out for these subtle scams. Sketchy referralsOne of the most subtly unethical things a real estate agent can do is push sketchy referrals on you. It’s normal for an agent to help you find a mortgage broker, a home inspector, or even a contractor to help you figure out if a house is a good fit for you. It crosses into unethical territory, though, if they try to insist you use their referrals or even push you to use them. You can defend yourself from this simply by getting other referrals for any services you need, especially when it comes to mortgage brokers. Real estate agents sometimes have what are called “preferred lenders,” and there can be benefits to using them (like a smoother process)—but you never have to use them. Getting a few other quotes will help you figure out if the person your agent suggests is doing right by you. Buying a listingIf you’re selling a house, you know that one of the trickiest aspects is choosing which real estate agent to work with. Agents know there’s competition for that commission, so there’s always a sales pitch. One subtle little scam some agents pull is simply telling you what you want to hear: That your house will sell for a higher price than what other property experts are telling you. It’s called “buying a listing.” They know that if they confidently assure you that your house will sell for significantly more, you’ll be enticed to sign with them. And they know that when offers come in lower than they promised they can blame the shifting market or some aspect of the property for the discrepancy—and you will probably not be willing to walk away from an offer even if it’s not as high as you were led to expect. A good way to avoid this trap is to do your own research. Get several estimates on what your property could sell for, and look for comparable properties in your area that have recently sold. If an agent comes back with a suggested listing price that is way out of line with the rest, be suspicious. SteeringIf you’re working with a real estate agent and you notice that they never show you homes in specific areas, or ignore your preferences and only show you homes in certain areas, you might be the victim of “steering.” Steering is the practice of trying to steer you into a certain neighborhood or area based entirely on some attribute like race, religion, or gender. It can be very subtle—the homes you’re seeing are in your price range and match your list of must-haves, they’re just always in the same area. Steering isn’t always obvious, either—if you’re single and your agent never seems to show you a large house in a family-oriented neighborhood despite your stated preference for just that, they might be steering you toward what they think of as a more “appropriate” property, your desires be damned. Some signs that you’re being steered include a lot of personal opinions from your agent on who should live in certain properties and a pattern of ignoring your preferences in terms of property size, type, and location. Personal propertyIf your agent sweetens a deal by helping you reduce your future tax burden with a lower official price on the home, you might think you’ve found the brilliant real estate hustler of your dreams. This is usually done by suggesting that a portion of the sales price be listed as payment for “personal property” and not the house itself. This reduces the actual price of the house, which in turn will reduce future tax payments. It’s true that it’s not uncommon to buy stuff like furniture or appliances from a seller, and these items are usually considered personal property and a separate sale. But lying about this is, of course, illegal, and opens you up to a long list of potential consequences. Lax marketingWhen you hire an agent to help sell your house, they’re not just someone to rubber-stamp paperwork and be there for open houses. They’re supposed to market your home to prospective buyers. When you sign with a real estate agent, they should detail what they’re going to do in that department—from advertising to web listings, staging, and even video brochures or virtual tours. Some agents will promise the moon when closing you as a client, then actually do very little in terms of marketing, which saves them time and money. They might still sell your home, of course, but they won’t work as hard for that commission as you expected. Your best practice is to make the marketing plan part of the contract—and then follow up to make sure the plan is being followed. Bait listingsIf you landed with your current real estate agent because you spied a listing for a house that was absolutely perfect and much cheaper than you expected—only to be told that the house had already sold—you may have been the victim of a bait listing. Bait listings are sometimes old listings that saw a lot of interest, so the agent leaves them up in order to attract latecomers, but they can also be deceptive listings designed to lure interest. Once the agent has you in their office or on the phone, they admit the listing is gone—but assure you they can find the right property for you regardless. Off-marketIf your real estate agent tells you that your house isn’t in prime condition and suggests you sell it off-market—without listing it publicly on the multiple listing service (MLS)—they might be setting you up for a subtle scam involving a property investor they already have a relationship with. Once you agree to sell off-market (because the agent has convinced you that sprucing the place up properly is prohibitively expensive), the investor magically appears, offering to buy the place as-is. You wind up selling at a discount, the investor does the sprucing up you could have done, and sells it for a profit—a profit that could have been yours. Meanwhile, the agent may have gotten away with a triple commission: From you and the investor on your home’s sale, then later when the investor sells the house again. Always be skeptical of an off-market suggestion and drill down into how it helps you to have fewer potential buyers—and get your own estimates on repairs and improvements that will make your home more marketable. The ghost buyerSketchy real estate agents sometimes invent phantom buyers when it serves them. There are usually two basic scenarios: When you’re selling your house and looking for an agent, they contact you and tell you they have an interested buyer, or your property fits the bill for someone they know of. Then they push for you to hire them as your agent. That interest buyer probably vanishes—they were just a way to get the agent’s foot in your door. When you’re buying a house and you’ve found a property you want to make an offer on, suddenly there’s another interested buyer, and you’re advised to improve your offer on the house to ensure you get the property. It’s entirely possible there is another buyer, of course, but it’s also an effective (if unethical) way of getting you to pay a higher price, with a higher commission. The best way to defend against ghost buyers is to choose your listing agent according to your needs, and not just because they rang you up out of the blue, and to know at the outset how much you’re willing to pay for a house—and commit to sticking to that. View the full article

Amazon on Wednesday unveiled a generative-AI infused Alexa that it says will allow the popular voice assistant to have more personality, check a user’s tone and even plan romantic dates. But unlike before, when Alexa was offered for free on any Alexa-enabled devices, customers will have to pay Amazon a monthly fee of $19.99 for the revamped voice assistant, which it calls “Alexa+”. However, the generative-AI powered Alexa will be free for Prime members, who pay the company a monthly or annual fee for free delivery and other perks. At a media event held in New York City, Amazon executives showed off the update to the ten-year old digital assistant with the new features aimed at boosting sales and interactions with Alexa-enabled devices. The company says Alexa+ is able to have conversations with a more natural, humanlike flow and can learn more about a user — such as dietary preferences or allergies — the more it’s used. “I’m not just an assistant, I’m your new best friend in the digital world,” Alexa+ said during an onstage demo on Wednesday. At the event, Panos Panay, Amazon’s vice president of devices & services, listed off the other things the voice assistant can now do, such as create study plans, text a babysitter and call an Uber ride for a friend. He and other company executives also said Alexa can fetch videos from Ring cameras — such as checking whether a user’s dog was walked that day — and is able to remember handwritten recipes, emails and other documents shared with it. “She’s smarter than she’s ever been before, but she’s also approachable,” Panay said. Alexa is built into products such as smart speakers, Amazon’s Fire TVs and earbuds. The Seattle-based tech giant launched its popular voice assistant in 2014 alongside its first Echo device, which responds to voice commands. Panay said Amazon has sold more than 600 million Alexa-enabled devices and that user engagement grew 20% last year compared to 2023. Some market estimates have shown Alexa holds the largest market share among voice assistants. The revamped Alexa uses large language models, including some developed by Amazon and others by Anthropic, the generative AI startup the tech giant has poured billions into. Alexa+ has a “model-agnostic system,” allowing it to select the best AI model for the tasks it wants to complete, said Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s vice president for Alexa and Echo. Amazon says it will start rolling out “early access” to Alexa+ in the U.S. next month. It will then roll it out “in waves” internationally, starting with certain Echo devices. The upgraded assistant will be available across Alexa-supported devices, but some features are only built for products with screens. Amazon’s announcement came more than a year after the company teased an early version of an AI-infused Alexa at a media event held to show off new devices. At the time, Amazon had said it was working on a “speech-to-speech” model that would allow Alexa to exhibit humanlike attributes, such as laughter and phrases like “uh-huh” during conversations. During the demo on Wednesday, Amazon highlighted features it had previously kept under lid. In one exchange, Panay showed the new Alexa a video of the crowd in the room to test a feature that apparently allows it to sense the surrounding mood. Panay asked Alexa+ if the crowed “looked pumped” to which it responded the room full of journalists were “paying attention to you and excited.” Like its predecessor, Alexa+ is enabled when users say the voice assistant’s name — but executives on Wednesday said users now only have to say that wake word once before having a prolonged, back and forth exchange. Still, demonstrators would occasionally say “Alexa” again if it seemed like the voice assistant didn’t catch something. Amazon competes in the smart speaker market with other tech giants, including Apple and Google. Though it has had success in selling devices, the company’s other goal — driving Amazon purchases through Alexa — has been more challenging to pull off. Amazon has said Alexa customers have used their device to shop. However, many rely on it mostly for menial tasks, such as playing music, asking questions or checking the weather. A subscription fee for the revamped Alexa will allow the company to offset costs related to AI development and help its devices operations become more profitable. —Haleluya Hadero and Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Associated Press View the full article

Google announced the release of version 19 of its Google Ads API, introducing several new features and improvements for developers. What’s new. Google published the highlights of what is new and those include: Added support automatically generating enhanced video assets for Performance Max campaigns. Removed all feed-related entities from the Google Ads API like Feed, FeedMapping, FeedService, AdGroupFeed, feed_placeholder_view. Users should now use assets to achieve the same purpose. Demand Gen ads now support 9:16 portrait image assets. Use DemandGenMultiAssetAdInfo.tall_portrait_marketing_images to include these assets in your ads. Added more methods to DataLinkService for updating and removing previously created DataLink for YouTube. ValueRuleItineraryAdvanceBookingWindow now supports targeting for travel searches that take place today. Removed support for VIDEO_OUTSTREAM. (For allowlisted accounts only) Updates to brand guidelines Brand guidelines can now be enabled for Performance Max campaigns during campaign creation. We also added a new CampaignService.EnablePMaxBrandGuidelines which allows you to enable brand guidelines for existing Performance Max campaigns. You can set the brand guidelines’ details such as font family and colors using Campaign.brand_guidelines. (For allowlisted accounts only) Added support for message assets through Asset.business_message_asset. You can see the full list of release notes over here. Why we care. These API updates enhance tools for optimizing campaigns and analyzing performance across different campaign types. For those of you who use the Google Ads API for your own internal software, you should go through the changes to see how these updates can benefit your internal software. For those that use third-party tools, those tools may be able to add new and improved features based on the new API functionality. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Making homemade bread and pizza can be greatly improved with the use of a pizza stone. I’ve used one for years, and it’s the best way to get a well-browned bottom crust. I thought I had it all figured out, until the pizza steel arrived. If you’re getting serious about cooking (and reheating) pizza at home, one of these tools should be in your oven. What’s a baking (or pizza) stone?A pizza stone is a plank or circle of ceramic or cordierite (a type of thermal shock-resistant ceramic). They’re typically between a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch thick and can range in size from nine to 20 inches across. Compared to a pizza steel, ceramic stones are relatively lightweight, which makes them easy to move around and store when they’re not in use. They can stain (especially if you’ve flubbed a few pizzas like I have), but cleaning them requires little more than a good scraping once the food bits have burnt to a crisp. I use a metal bench scraper to dislodge big chunks, and then simply wipe off the smaller particles with a damp cloth. Unfortunately, they are susceptible to cracking or breaking. The material is very brittle, so if you drop the stone or knock it with something hard it could crack. The ceramic material is also porous, which means moisture can get absorbed (that’s why I recommend a dry scrape or damp towel only after you’re finished using it). If the stone has moisture trapped inside, when it goes into a 475°F oven it can crack as the liquid rapidly evaporates. Amzdeal Pizza Stone $19.36 at Walmart $39.99 Save $20.63 Shop Now Shop Now $19.36 at Walmart $39.99 Save $20.63 Pros: Lightweight Thermal shock resistant Easy to store Easy to clean Cons: Susceptible to cracking or breaking Porous and can absorb moisture What’s a pizza steel?Pizza steels aren’t quite as widespread in popularity, but maybe you’ve seen one before. They look like the sexier version of a pizza stone; they have the same shapes, rectangular or circular, but they begin to diverge from there. A pizza steel is made of carbon steel. It’s better at conducting heat and, since it’s more dense, better at heat retention. Which means pizza steels can be effective even when relatively thin. They can range from 3/16-inch to a half-inch thick. But don’t let the thinness fool you—they’re damn heavy. Like a cast iron pan or a heavy Dutch oven, this trade off can be worth it, but it undoubtedly makes it harder to lift, carry, or situate in a low cabinet for storage when it’s not in use. Unlike the fussy pizza stone, a pizza steel is robust and relatively indestructible. Water doesn’t get trapped inside, as it’s not porous, and it doesn’t give a damn about temperature shifts. Your pizza steel can last you a lifetime of pizzas if properly cared for. That is, unless it rusts. That’s right: If you don’t ensure your pizza steel is completely dry before storing it, or if you store it with other wet things, you might be greeted with a rusty mess the next time you take it out of the cabinet. Although this sucks, it’s not the end. You can scrub off the rust with something abrasive, like steel wool, but you’ll need to re-season it with some oil. Here are other tips on getting rust off of your pizza steel. Otherwise, you can clean the pizza steel by scraping off the burnt bits with a strong spatula and washing off any grease with warm soapy water—just be sure to dry it completely. I usually dab off excess water with a paper towel (don’t scrub or bits of paper can get stuck) and toss it back into a warm oven to quickly evaporate any residual moisture. I'm a fan of the original Baking Steel. Baking Steel - The Original Ultra Conductive Pizza Stone $129.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $129.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Pros: Durable Thermal shock resistant Easy to clean Cons: Heavy Susceptible to rusting Larger sizes can be expensive If you’re a person who has a small kitchen, makes pizza or bread only occasionally, or has limited mobility and strength for heavy, cumbersome objects, then you might opt for a small pizza stone. If you’re okay with lifting something heavy and you know that baking pizza, bread, or burgers is something you’ll be doing weekly, then a pizza steel might be the better option for you. View the full article

Project management is a complex discipline requiring structured methodologies to ensure success. The Project Management Institute (PMI) has developed the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as a global standard, providing a comprehensive framework for managing projects effectively. The PMBOK outlines essential concepts, best practices and industry standards that help project managers streamline their processes. Additionally, it serves as the foundation for PMI certifications, ensuring professionals acquire the skills needed to navigate diverse project challenges. What Is the PMBOK? The PMBOK is a globally recognized standard that provides best practices and guidelines for managing projects effectively. Developed by PMI, it serves as a reference for project managers by outlining methodologies, processes and terminologies used across industries. The guide is structured around knowledge areas, process groups and project management processes that ensure consistency and efficiency in project execution. It is widely used for training, certification preparation and establishing a common project management language. Once knowledge of project management is acquired, the right tools must be applied. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has multiple project views that allows project managers and their teams to work how they want across different methodologies and processes. Project managers planning traditional projects as construction can schedule tasks, resources and costs on our robust Gantt charts. They can also link all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns. It’s easy to filter for the critical path to identify essential tasks. Then, set the project cost, scope and schedule baseline to track progress. If projects are managed in an agile or hybrid environment, kanban boards allow teams to manage their backlog and collaborate on planning sprints. Managers can use the board to spot potential bottlenecks and reallocate resources to clear them before they become a problem. Teams can also use task lists and stakeholders can stay updated with the calendar view. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Manufacturing-gantt-chart-light-mode-costs-exposed-cta-e1712005286389.jpgProjectManager’s Gantt charts help plan, manage and track work in real time. Learn more Who Should Use the PMBOK? The PMBOK is essential for project managers seeking to enhance their knowledge and improve project execution. It is a valuable resource for professionals across industries, including construction, IT, healthcare and finance who need a structured approach to project management. Additionally, organizations that aim to standardize their project management processes benefit from the guide’s framework. It’s also a critical resource for individuals preparing for PMI certifications such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), ensuring they understand industry best practices and methodologies. What are the Contents of the PMBOK? The PMBOK is structured into knowledge areas, process groups and project management processes. The knowledge areas cover key disciplines required to manage projects, while the process groups define the stages of a project life cycle. Within each process group, various project management processes describe specific activities, tools and techniques needed for effective project execution. These components provide a structured approach to managing projects, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices. The 10 PMBOK Knowledge Areas PMBOK knowledge areas categorize different aspects of project management that are essential for success. Each knowledge area encompasses a set of processes that contribute to the overall management of a project. These knowledge areas ensure a holistic approach, addressing integration, scope, schedule, cost, quality, resources, communication, risk, procurement and stakeholders. 1. Integration Management Integration management focuses on coordinating all project elements to ensure smooth execution. It involves developing a project charter, managing change and ensuring that different components work together effectively. Key processes include project plan development, directing and managing project work, monitoring and controlling project execution and performing integrated change control to align objectives, scope and resources. 2. Scope Management Scope management ensures that all project requirements are defined and controlled. It includes processes for scope planning, defining deliverables, managing changes and preventing scope creep. Work breakdown structure (WBS) creation, requirements traceability matrix, scope validation, and scope baseline maintenance ensure alignment with project objectives while balancing stakeholder expectations. 3. Schedule Management Schedule management involves creating and maintaining a project schedule. It includes defining activities, sequencing tasks, estimating durations and developing and controlling the schedule. Critical path method (CPM), schedule compression techniques like crashing and fast-tracking, resource leveling, milestone tracking and earned value management (EVM) ensure schedule adherence while managing dependencies and optimizing task sequencing. 4. Cost Management Cost management is one of the most critical project management areas in the PMBOK as it allows project management teams to ensure that a project remains within budget. It includes estimating costs, determining budgets and monitoring expenditures to prevent overspending. Cost aggregation, funding limit reconciliation, reserve analysis, lifecycle costing, cost-benefit analysis and earned value analysis (EVA) provide financial oversight, ensuring cost performance index (CPI) and budget adherence throughout the project lifecycle. 5. Quality Management Quality management focuses on meeting project requirements and customer expectations. It includes quality planning, assurance and control to ensure deliverables meet specified standards. Key elements include quality metrics, Six Sigma methodologies, statistical sampling, cause-and-effect diagrams, process improvement plans, continuous improvement (Kaizen) and cost of quality (CoQ) to prevent defects. 6. Resource Management Resource management involves acquiring, developing and managing project resources, including team members, equipment and materials, to ensure efficient execution. Resource allocation, capacity planning, skills assessment, RACI matrix, team performance assessments, conflict resolution, virtual teams and resource smoothing strategies optimize workforce utilization while ensuring task accountability and efficiency. 7. Communications Management Communications management ensures effective information exchange among stakeholders. It includes planning communications, managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring timely project updates. Key aspects include communication models, sender-receiver feedback loops, information distribution, communication channels, status reporting, stakeholder engagement matrix, escalation procedures and collaboration tools for transparency and alignment. 8. Risk Management Risk management involves identifying, analyzing and responding to project risks. It includes risk planning, mitigation strategies and monitoring to minimize negative impacts. The PMBOK covers this knowledge area in detail, as it includes a variety of risk management tools and techniques such as risk register maintenance, qualitative and quantitative risk analysis, risk response strategies (avoid, transfer, mitigate, accept), contingency planning and periodic risk reviews. 9. Procurement Management Procurement management handles the acquisition of goods and services from external vendors. It includes procurement planning, contract negotiation and supplier management. Key components include make-or-buy analysis, request for proposal (RFP) processes, contract types (fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, time and materials), vendor selection criteria, procurement performance audits and dispute-resolution strategies. 10. Stakeholder Management Stakeholder management ensures that project stakeholders are engaged and their expectations are managed effectively. It includes stakeholder identification, analysis, communication and involvement strategies. Stakeholder engagement assessments, influence-impact grids, power-interest matrices, change management strategies, conflict resolution techniques, proactive stakeholder feedback loops and adaptive engagement models facilitate collaboration and stakeholder satisfaction. PMBOK Process Groups PMBOK process groups represent the five stages of a project’s lifecycle. These process groups structure project management activities to ensure organized execution from initiation to completion. Initiating: The initiating process group involves defining a project and obtaining necessary approvals. It includes developing a project charter and identifying stakeholders to establish a foundation for success. Planning: The planning process group focuses on outlining the project’s scope, objectives, schedule, budget and risks. It involves creating detailed plans to guide project execution and ensure alignment with stakeholder expectations. Executing: The executing process group involves carrying out the project plan by managing teams, coordinating resources and ensuring deliverables meet requirements. It focuses on achieving project objectives efficiently. Monitoring & Controlling: Monitoring & controlling ensures project performance aligns with the plan. It involves tracking progress, managing changes and mitigating risks to keep the project on course. Closing: The closing process group finalizes all project activities, ensuring deliverables meet expectations and documentation is completed. It includes obtaining stakeholder approvals and conducting post-project evaluations. PMBOK Project Management Tools and Techniques The PMBOK mentions a variety of project management tools and techniques that can be used to manage the knowledge areas throughout the process groups. Earned Value Management: A technique for measuring project performance using cost and schedule variances. Project Network Diagrams: Visual representations of project tasks and dependencies that help sequence tasks and estimate the duration of projects. Critical Path Method (CPM): CPM is a project scheduling method that identifies the longest sequence of tasks and helps project managers identify critical tasks that can’t be delayed or else they will affect the project’s overall duration. Gantt Charts: Bar charts that illustrate a project schedule, show task dependencies and allow to track the percentage of completion of tasks. Cost Estimating Techniques: Methods for predicting project costs, including analog and parametric estimating. Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT): PERT is a method for analyzing task durations under uncertainty. It helps accurately estimate the duration of tasks by using three time estimates, a pessimistic, optimistic and most likely scenario. Schedule Compression Techniques: These include methods like crashing and fast-tracking to shorten project duration without reducing the project scope. Rolling Wave Planning: A progressive elaboration technique for planning in stages. Near-term work is planned in detail while future work is planned at a higher level. Cost-Benefit Analysis: A decision-making technique comparing the total expected costs of a project or decision to its total expected benefits to determine if it’s worthwhile. Work Breakdown Structure: A hierarchical breakdown of project deliverables to be carried out by the project team to accomplish objectives and create the required deliverables. PMBOK Project Management Documentation The PMBOK mentions a variety of project management documents that can be used to manage the knowledge areas throughout the process groups. Project Charter: A document that formally authorizes a project, outlining objectives, constraints, assumptions and key stakeholders. It defines project scope, high-level deliverables and success criteria and assigns a project manager. It also integrates enterprise environmental factors (EEFs) and organizational process assets (OPAs) to align strategic goals and governance frameworks. Team Charter: Outlines the purpose, goals, roles and guidelines of how a project team operates. It helps establish expectations and promotes effective collaboration through a RACI matrix, communication protocols, performance evaluation metrics and collaboration tools. Project Management Plan: A comprehensive document that outlines project execution, monitoring, control and closure. It’s the most important document in the PMBOK because it integrates subsidiary plans related to all project management knowledge areas, including scope, schedule, cost, quality, resource, communication, risk, procurement and stakeholder management. These plans ensure alignment with baselines, work performance data, earned value analysis (EVA) and project lifecycle methodologies like agile or waterfall models. Business Case: Justifies the need for a project by outlining cost-benefit analysis, feasibility study, return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV) and payback period. A business case includes problem statements, risk assessments, funding requirements and strategic alignment with organizational objectives. Scope Statement: Defines the project scope, deliverables, acceptance criteria, constraints, assumptions and exclusions. It establishes the scope baseline, work breakdown structure (WBS), decomposition methods, requirements traceability matrix, product scope vs. project scope differentiation and control mechanisms to prevent scope creep. Risk Register: A log of identified project risks, mitigation plans, contingency responses, risk categories, probability and impact assessments and qualitative and quantitative risk analysis. It should also include risk triggers, secondary risks, risk response owners, SWOT analysis and risk audits to ensure risk management is proactive. Change Log: Tracks changes to project scope, schedule or budget to document change requests, change control board (CCB) decisions, integrated change control processes, impact assessments and root cause analysis. Change logs also focus on corrective and preventive actions, variance analysis, configuration management, change approvals, rejection rationales, lessons learned documentation and baseline adjustments for effective change governance. Stakeholder Register: A document listing project stakeholders and their interests, influence, engagement levels, expectations, concerns and preferred communication channels. It should include an influence-impact analysis, stakeholder feedback mechanisms, stakeholder prioritization strategies and adaptive communication approaches to ensure project buy-in and collaboration. The PMBOK covers other similar stakeholder management methods and documentation such as stakeholder maps, analysis and engagement plans. Issue Log: A record of project issues including resolutions, priority levels, impact assessments, assigned owners, escalation procedures, resolution timelines, issue dependencies and decision logs. Include any lessons learned from issue resolution, knowledge transfer strategies and integration with project governance frameworks for structured issue management. Free Project Management Templates With the PMBOK under one’s belt, project managers and their teams can use these free templates if they’re not ready to upgrade to project management software. We have over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that cover every aspect of a project across multiple industries. Here are just a few. Project Plan Template Make sure that all the guidelines and procedures of a project are planned with this free project plan template for Word. It covers everything from goals and success criteria to resources, procurement and budget. Project Budget Template Speaking about budget, such an important part of the project plan needs its own template. Use this free project budget template for Excel to accurately estimate labor and material costs, and then have the means to track them to stay on budget. Project Dashboard Template The project dashboard is an essential tool in project management. It provides a high-level overview of the project’s costs, workload and more. Use this free project dashboard template for Excel to track key project metrics and stay on schedule. How ProjectManager Helps Implement the PMBOK The PMBOK sets the rules and defines the terms, but it takes more power than an Excel spreadsheet to plan, manage and track a project. These free templates give one a taste of project management, but it’s mostly a tease that doesn’t deliver on the promise of project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that has multiple project views to plan and execute projects in whatever methodology is being applied. But it goes further to help with resource management and tracking in real time. Robust Resource Management Keeps Teams Productive After human and nonhuman resources are scheduled on the Gantt chart, before assigning the team tasks, set the team’s availability. This includes any PTO, vacation, global holidays, pay rates and skill sets. It makes it easier to assign the right person to the right task at the right time. Then, check resource allocation by opening the color-coded workload chart. It shows who’s overallocated or underutilized. The team’s workload can then be balanced to keep everyone working at capacity without risking burnout. /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Gantt-chart-resource-allocation-features.webp Real-time Project Management Dashboards and Reports Monitoring and controlling projects is a big part of the PMBOK. That’s covered in our software in multiple ways. For a high-level project overview, toggle to the real-time project or portfolio dashboards that collect live data and display it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that monitor key metrics such as time, cost, workload and more. Customizable reports go deeper into the data and can be filtered to focus on key data points or summarize progress and share with stakeholders. Even our secure timesheets help manage the budget by tracking labor costs. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/portfolio-dashboard-screenshot-lightmode.png PMBOK FAQs These are some of the most frequently asked questions about the PMBOK that can be found online. Is the PMBOK Free? No, the PMBOK is not free. However, if you acquire a PMI membership for an annual fee, you may access the PMBOK at no additional cost. This is also true for students or employees from organizations with a PMI partnership. And finally, another way to get access to the PMBOK at no cost is to find a public library that has a physical or digital copy of it. Where Can I Buy the PMBOK? The most common methods to purchase the PMBOK are to buy it directly from the PMI website or online vendors like eBay, Amazon, Google Play or Apple Books. On the other hand, some buyers might prefer brick-and-mortar bookstores such as Barnes & Noble, books-a-million or local independent bookstores. What Is the Latest Edition of the PMBOK? ​The latest edition of the PMBOK is the seventh edition, published by the PMI in August 2021. This edition introduces significant changes, including a shift from the traditional process-based approach to a principle-based approach, structured around eight project performance domains and twelve key project management principles.​ The previous edition, the sixth edition, was published in September 2017. The PMI typically updates the PMBOK every four to five years to reflect evolving practices in project management. As of February 2025, there is no official announcement regarding the release of an eighth edition.​ PMBOK Related Content For those interested in learning more about project management, below are links to some of the more recent posts we’ve published on our blog that cover the basics. Project Management Basics: Definitions, Methods and Tools Project Management Skills: Soft, Hard & Technical Skills Best Project Management Certifications Project Management Tools & Techniques Best Project Management Charts for Project Planning ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that allows project management teams to implement PMBOK concepts. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post PMBOK: The Project Management Body of Knowledge Explained appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

As a big fan of background music, I was intrigued by iOS 18.4's Control Center changes. It adds a new tab called Ambient Music to Control Center's list of customizable controls. You can use this to add one of four pre-selected Apple Music playlists (or your own) to the Control Center, your lock screen, or the Action Button (provided your iPhone has one). Up until now, you could play music via the Now Playing widget in the Control Center, but dedicated controls to launch playlists were missing. This feature is different from Background Sounds, which lets you play nature sounds on your iPhone in order to help you focus better. Even though Background Sounds is useful for everyone, it was designed as an accessibility feature first, and hence it can be found in your iPhone's accessibility settings. The new iOS 18.4 Ambient Music feature, meanwhile, is linked to Apple Music. With this feature, you can choose one of four playlists that Apple's picked out for you, or pick any of your own Apple Music playlists. How to add Apple Music playlists to the Control Center Credit: Pranay Parab To check out these ambient music playlists, you're going to have to update to iOS 18.4. At time of writing, that's in the developer beta stage, which is the buggiest and most unstable of all available Apple OS releases. Be sure to back up your data before you attempt to upgrade, and ensure that you aren't trying this on your primary iPhone. Crucial apps and services may stop working at any point on beta software, so it's important to know about the risks. Once you've installed iOS 18.4, you can open the Control Center, tap and hold an empty part of the screen, and hit the Add a Control button near the bottom of the display. Scroll down until you see the Ambient Music tab and select one of the controls. Apple lets you pick one of four moods: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. In the Control Center, tap and hold any of these playlists to reveal more options. You can tap From Library to add your own playlists to any of these controls, too. You can also add these controls to your iPhone's lock screen. To do that, lock your iPhone and then use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the device. Tap and hold the lock screen, select Customize, and tap the lock screen on the left. You can now remove either of the two controls in the bottom-left and bottom-right corners, and replace them with your playlists. View the full article

TJX Companies, parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods, among other retail brands, reported strong sales and operating results on Wednesday for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 1. For Q4, TJX exceeded Wall Street’s revenue expectations, with sales of $16.35 billion. However, its revenue and earnings guidance for the coming fiscal year were below analyst expectations, according to a consensus estimate cited by CNBC. Key takeaways Here are the main points from the announcement: Q4 fiscal 2025 (13-week period): Net sales: $16.4 billion (flat compared to the prior year’s 14-week period). Consolidated comparable store sales: increased by 5%. Net income: $1.4 billion. Diluted earnings per share (EPS): $1.23, a 1% increase from the prior year’s adjusted EPS of $1.12. Growing retail footprint and store count In contrast to other retail giants that have faced recent bankruptcies and sweeping store closures or have gone out of business altogether, TJX has continued its expansion efforts, hitting a major milestone last year by opening its 5,000th store. The company increased its global store count by 131 stores during fiscal 2025, bringing its total to 5,085 stores. TJX also grew its total retail square footage by 2% year-over-year. In the United States, store counts and gross square footage increased as follows: TJ Maxx: 1,319 to 1,333 stores, square footage from 35.7M to 36.0M Marshalls: 1,197 to 1,230 stores, square footage from 33.7M to 34.4M HomeGoods: 919 to 943 stores, square footage from 21.4M to 22.1M Sierra: 95 to 117 stores, square footage from 2.0M to 2.4M Homesense: 55 to 72 stores, square footage from 1.5M “I am very proud of the performance of our hardworking Associates in 2024," CEO and president Ernie Herrman said in a statement. "We exceeded our expectations with over $56 billion in annual sales, a 4% comparable store sales increase, and a significant boost in profitability." Shares of TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) were up around 3% in late-day trading on Wednesday after the report. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Samsung has been releasing Fan Edition (FE) smartphones, tablets, and earbuds for those looking for a more budget option compared to their flagship product. The Galaxy Tab S9 tablet has been Samsung's flagship tablet until the Galaxy Tab S10+ succeeded it last year. But now you can get the more budget-friendly FE version for a record-low price. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is $297.72 (originally $449.99), a great value considering it comes with a stylus. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE $279.72 at Amazon $449.99 Save $170.27 Get Deal Get Deal $279.72 at Amazon $449.99 Save $170.27 The Tab S9 FE is a great budget tablet for anyone looking to get a lot for their money. The best part is that it comes with an S Pen, which by itself retails for $94.99. The Tab S9 FE won't blow your mind with specs: It's got a 90Hz refresh rate screen with a 1,440 x 2,304 resolution, it has not an IPS LCD screen instead of AMOLED, and comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. But it's water-resistant with an IP68 rating and includes the Android 13 software; it also includes Samsung DeX, which lets you use your tablet like a laptop (you can get the Dexnor Keyboard Case to attach it to the tablet and pair it with Samsung DeX); and it has the advantage of getting software updates, unlike most tablet competitors. Keep in mind that you can't connect it to a monitor, however, even with a USB-C video cable. At the front, you have a 12MP ultrawide camera; in the back, an 8MP. Wifi will be strong with Wi-Fi 6, and the battery life is great, offering you up to 18 hours depending on use (and it's a USB-C charger). If you're looking for a reliable tablet that will get software updates for years at a budget price and comes with a stylus, you could do worse than the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. View the full article

A study reveals new insight into how often AI search engines cite sources, and which websites receive the most citations. The post AI Search Engines Often Cite Third-Party Content, Study Finds appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Tulsi Gabbard said move would make Americans more vulnerable to ‘cyber exploitation’ View the full article

Broadcaster accuses company of failing to do enough to tackle piracy, often involving its Fire Stick TV devicesView the full article

Lift heavy to build muscle: That’s advice you’ve probably seen in a million places, whether you're aiming to get stronger, get "toned," or simply reap the health benefits of putting on a little muscle. But how heavy is “heavy,” and how do you know if your workout qualifies? There’s no specific number of pounds that will constitute “heavy” for everyone. What’s heavy for a teenage girl picking up a dumbbell for the first time will be a lot less than what’s heavy for a pro strongman. (If you do want to compare your lifts to other people's, sites like Symmetric Strength can show where you stand—but please consider these comps as just for fun.) In basic terms, training “heavy” is shorthand for resistance training that is in a low-rep range and gets heavier over time. This is the type of training that delivers the biggest gains in terms of strength and muscle size. Training heavy is not the only way to build muscle, but it’s an effective one. Here are the questions you should ask yourself when trying to figure out whether you're training heavy enough. How many reps are you doing?Training for strength usually has you doing 1-5 reps in each set. Training for hypertrophy (bigger muscles) is often in the 8-12 range. The truth is, there isn’t much difference in results between the two methods; getting stronger gives you bigger muscles and getting bigger muscles makes you stronger. I’d say that as long as you’re doing 12 reps or fewer, you’re in an appropriate range to say you are training heavy. Once you’re doing much more than that—15, 20, 50 reps—you’re training your muscular endurance more than strength. You can build some strength this way, but it's not what you're going for when you're trying to train heavy. How hard does the set feel?Let’s say you’re doing squats in sets of eight. That could count as heavy training, but only if you’re loading the squats enough that it’s hard to do all eight of them. For some exercises and some goals, you might be aiming to train "to failure"—literally, going until you can’t do another rep. An example would be if you’re doing eight bicep curls and can’t manage a ninth. But you can also get close to failure without quite going there. For example, if you’re doing squats, a set of eight might be done at a weight that you could manage for 10 or 11 reps if you really pushed yourself. That still counts as heavy training. What doesn’t count is if you’re doing eight reps of goblet squats with a light dumbbell because it’s the only dumbbell you have, or because you’re intimidated about going up in weight. Heavy lifting is when you’re doing the appropriate rep range with a weight that is challenging within that range. Are you increasing the weight over time?The only way to keep the lift challenging as you get stronger is to keep increasing the weight. This doesn't mean you need to go heavier every time, but it does mean that you pick up a heavier weight once you've gotten a bit stronger. To use that goblet squat example, maybe squatting with a 20-pound dumbbell was challenging the first time you tried it. But a week or two later, you can probably do the same eight reps with a 25-pound dumbbell. Before long, it may make more sense to do front squats with a barbell, to make it easier to add more weight. OK, now you’re lifting heavy. But if you kept doing the same sets of eight squats with the same 20-pound dumbbell, you’re not efficiently challenging yourself to build muscle or strength—you’re just doing an exercise that keeps getting easier. That’s still good for you, because it’s still exercise, but it no longer fits the description of lifting heavy. How long are you resting between sets?This is where a lot of people go wrong, especially if they’re doing home workouts or are focused on calorie burn. You shouldn't lift heavy for the calorie burn (or heart rate zones) during the workout; you should lift heavy to build muscle, and save the cardio for another day. If you’re constantly working to keep your heart rate up, with little to no time to rest between exercises, you aren’t going to be able to train heavy. More likely you’re doing a strength/cardio hybrid such as circuit training. Crossfit “metcon” WODs (workouts of the day) often fall into this category, as do many home workout videos that bill themselves as high-intensity interval training (HIIT). They’re usually not really HIIT, but that’s a rant for another time. If you aren’t resting, that means you aren’t approaching each set of lifts with fresh, rested muscles. Reducing rest times makes the workouts feel harder, but it also means you’ll be working with less weight. That means these exercises are usually too light fit the definition of working heavy. They might still help you build strength or muscle size, but not nearly as efficiently. If you take a few minutes’ rest between exercises, then you’re lifting heavy. A typical range would be 2-4 minutes between exercises that work smaller or fewer muscles (like curls or presses) and 3-5 minutes or more between sets of big compound lifts (like squats or deadlifts). With an appropriate rest time, you’ll be able to properly lift heavy. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I just got feedback from my manager that I need to work on communication with a coworker. I think it’s mainly about tone not content, and I agree with the feedback — I have admittedly been pretty short. I’m irritated and it’s coming across. Where I’m getting stuck, though, is that it’s coming from a place of frustration and I’m not sure how to solve it without doing something about the underlying frustration. Let me give more context. My coworker Petunia and I are a two-person team. For the sake of anonymity, let’s say we do llama support; she is more junior and provides, say, llama food, and I am more senior and provide llama training and enrichment and also work as a team lead. We have separate managers. We both receive a potentially large bonus based on how much the llama farms we work with use our services. The challenge is that Petunia keeps dropping balls. She’ll, say, forget to order food for a set of llamas. We have a lot of clients and we all miss things sometimes, so I’ve tried to be understanding, but it happens pretty frequently with Petunia. The last time she took a week-long vacation, I reminded her on the day before she left that a farm’s order was overdue and to make sure it got ordered before she left — and she still forgot it. On at least two occasions when I have trusted her to own a large complicated project, she messed up in a massive way that caused the owner of the farm to get involved, and since I’m the team lead, my manager held me responsible for messing up the partnership. Please trust me that it’s nothing fireable, but it’s a lot of missed due dates, leaving early, and occasional big errors. Petunia knows she is dropping balls and keeps promising that she’s going to buckle down, does so for a week, and then goes back to normal. I have tried looping in her manager, Sam, but every time I do that, Petunia has expressed displeasure with me for not going to her first. But some of the things I go to Sam about, I just don’t feel like I have the standing to complain to Petunia directly about. It’s not my place to dictate her work hours, for example, and I guess I could respond when she says she’s too busy with Llama A to do Llama B in a timely manner by suggesting she work until 5 like all the other llama food specialists, but I can’t figure out how to say that without sounding passive-aggressive. It’s compounded by the fact that Petunia has some objectively difficult things going on in her personal life; initially, I gave her a lot of leeway and was willing to take on extra work, but it’s now been going on for nine months, and my patience is clearly getting low. I agree with my manager that this kind of frustration isn’t productive at work, and I want to communicate better, but I’m having trouble with how to be empathetic when I get looped into an urgent food ordering issue that Petunia has left behind but gave me no context on before leaving for a long weekend. I feel like I can’t just drop the rope because I make thousands of dollars based on how much these farms want to work with us. I generally respect Petunia’s manager and it’s possible that he is working with her on performance issues. But — as is fair — he’s not giving me status updates. So I feel like I’m out here on my own, trying to do my own job and half of Petunia’s job while overseeing the other half, but also managing Petunia’s emotions so she doesn’t feel micromanaged because she’s complained about that, and now I have to do it all while smiling. Please help me come up with a plan. I don’t want to be a jerk. Go back to your manager and say this: “I thought a lot about your feedback, and you’re right: my tone with Petunia has been short. I’ve been sounding irritated when talking to her, and that’s not okay. In thinking about how to fix this, I’ve realized I need to address my growing frustration with not being able to get what I depend on her for. It’s never okay to be short with a colleague and I am committed to fixing that, but I also want to talk to you about the issues I’ve been encountering and see if we can resolve them.” And then lay out what you laid out here: Petunia keeps dropping important balls, she regularly makes commitments that she doesn’t meet, and you can’t rely on her to do her job without extensive oversight and involvement from you. When you’ve talked with her about it previously, she gets better for a week, then goes right back to messing up. At this point you’re having to do your own job plus half of hers, plus making sure she doesn’t feel micromanaged even though there’s no way around that. Say that you’ve tried looping in Sam, but Petunia gets upset when you do. And then ask for your manager’s help on what to do next. You don’t have the authority to solve the problem yourself, so you need to escalate it to someone who does. If your manager doesn’t help, have this conversation with Sam instead. If Petunia objects to that, that’s okay! You can tell her, “Sam needs be part of this, because you and I have talked about it previously and the same issues are still coming up. Since you and I haven’t been able to resolve it on our own — and there may be context I’m not aware of since I’m not your boss — I’d like him to be involved.” Don’t let her guilt you into not talking to Sam about what’s going on; it’s perfectly appropriate for you to loop him in and ask for his help. And then going forward, if problems with Petunia continue, keep raising with them with Sam and with your own manager every time. Right now it’s become your problem to handle — even though you don’t actually have the tools or authority you need to be the one handling it, which is where your frustration is coming from — and you need to push it back on the people whose job it is, every time. View the full article

Are you ready to pay for Amazon Alexa? With the addition of AI to the assistant, Amazon thinks you are. Announced in a closed-doors meeting with press and business partners today, Amazon’s Alexa+ is bringing AI to the familiar digital assistant, plus a new $20/month price tag. The secret? If you have Prime, you’ll get access to it at no extra charge. Credit: Amazon As with standard Alexa, the assistant is built around vocal prompts, but is designed to be more conversational and personalized, and will supposedly be able to act on your behalf and integrate with partner apps including Hulu, Uber, and Xbox. It also enables new features in Amazon’s own apps, like Prime video or Ring, and should make smart home integration simpler. Amazon didn’t go over every potential use case at its event, seemingly because there are so many, but a few key ones include: More complex questions: When asking Alexa+ a question, as with other AI, you’ll be able to keep a conversation going without multiple prompts or repeating yourself in each new prompt. For instance, you could tell Alexa that one of your family members is vegetarian, and any recipe suggestions it makes for them for the rest of the conversation will take that into account. Multimodality: Alexa+ is able to use photos as input, or peruse uploaded documents and provide summaries of them. Create new routines by voice: Rather than having to set up new smart home automations through a complicated app, you’ll be able to do them verbally. For example, you could tell Alexa once to remember to turn off the lights when you close the garage door, and it'll do that from that moment onward. Jump to a specific Prime Video scene: Alexa+ will be able to use details such as scene descriptions or actor names to take you to a specific moment in a specific piece of content within Prime Video. In a press release, Amazon claims that saying something like “what’s that movie where Bradley Cooper sings a duet? Jump to that scene…” will be enough to start it playing. AI-powered Ring: People with Ring subscriptions will be able to ask Alexa+ to summarize saved footage and show you highlights, plus use “Smart Video Search” to find specific moments just by describing them to Alexa, i.e. by saying “When did I last take out the trash bins?” While that’s all set to make Alexa much more powerfuln (assuming it works) it’s also not too different from existing AI solutions. Where Alexa is set to go a step beyond is in taking action, in a way similar to what was promised by the Rabbit R1. Amazon says you could use it to order groceries, find event tickets, set up reservations, or book an Uber, among other things. Credit: Amazon That’s thanks to those partner integrations mentioned earlier. Supposedly, there are dozens of these partnerships set up and ready to go, including various news outlets like Time or The Washington Post, which should help make the assistant’s answers more accurate. As for actions, while it’s said to be hands-free, it seems like Alexa will ask for confirmation before actually making any final purchases or bookings. Similarly, Alexa+ is also set to integrate with Amazon Kids+, using AI to converse with kids using facts or interactive games and stories. Amazon promises “extra safety guardrails for younger users,” although details are still light at the moment. Credit: Amazon As is a lot about Alexa+. Amazon is promising transparency and privacy here, accessible via the Alexa Privacy dashboard, and has been surprisingly open about the technology powering Alexa+—it’s a combination of in-house models and Anthropic. But it’ll be a bit before you get to try out the upgraded assistant, with early access set for sometime next month. One surprise is that there are no new devices here, with Alexa+ instead being compatible with “almost every” shipped Echo device, although the company says that early access will come first to the Echo Show 8, 10, 15, and 21. Supposedly, the web and a new phone app will also get Alexa+, although it’s unclear when. Personally, I’ve always been a little skeptical of Alexa and its always-on microphones, and I can’t say Alexa+ is doing anything to move the needle for me. But I also haven’t seen much of it yet. I tend to be a bit more practical-minded when it comes to what I’m willing to use AI for, so we’ll see if Alexa+ can change my mind when I finally get my hands on it—its ability to automatically turn emails into calendar events does seem pretty handy, assuming you’re fine handing that data over to Amazon, and that Amazon makes it easy to do so. View the full article

You do not always need a lot of money to start a new business, and there are many business ideas you can pursue that do not require a large upfront investment. So, if you are considering starting a new business venture but do not have a lot of capital, there are still plenty of options available for you. Whether you’re interested in e-commerce, freelancing, or passive income ideas, there are opportunities that can be explored with minimal upfront investment. Read on to discover what kinds of businesses you can start without requiring a large investment. How Can You Start Your Own Business With No Money? If you would like to start a new business without incurring large startup costs, there are many types of businesses you can pursue. Here’s how: Identify a business idea: There are plenty of home-based businesses you can start that are low-cost initially. Doing some research on business ideas that can be operated from home will help you figure out what your options are. Conduct market research: After identifying potential businesses, you should consider doing market research to understand their demand and what customers are currently doing. Understanding the industry and customer behavior will enable you to put together a business plan that takes the existing customer base into account and potential marketing materials. Create a business plan: Once you have a great business idea, the next step is to create a business plan. What kind of skills or investments are needed? What kind of business structure would be best? What will you name the business, and how do you plan to attract the target market? You may also need to have a financial plan in place to avoid any personal liability issues. Having a plan ensures that you can start your business right from the get-go and can attract angel investors and other types of capital. Research any investments needed: There are some types of businesses you can start pretty quickly with little to no investment required. However, other types of businesses may require a business license or business insurance to get started. You can also investigate any small business loans that could help you quickly start your business for purchasing equipment or other needs. Promote your business: Once you are ready to go with your idea and have made all the investments needed, promoting your business is key! Reach out to local business communities or residents (depending on the business you offer) to let them know what service or product you are providing and market yourself to build your customer base. StepDescription 1. Identify a business idea- Research and explore home-based business ideas. - Evaluate the feasibility and potential of each idea. - Choose a business idea that aligns with your interests, skills, and market demand. - Consider the initial cost and resources required for each business idea. 2. Conduct market research- Investigate the market for your chosen business idea. - Understand customer preferences, needs, and behaviors. - Analyze competitors and identify gaps in the market. - Determine the demand for your product or service. - Use market research data to fine-tune your business plan and marketing strategies. 3. Create a business plan- Outline your business goals, objectives, and mission. - Identify the target market and define your value proposition. - Plan the business structure and legal requirements. - Determine the necessary skills and investments. - Develop a financial plan, including cost estimates and revenue projections. - Choose a suitable business name. 4. Research investments needed- Assess the financial requirements for starting the business. - Identify any licenses, permits, or insurance needed. - Explore potential funding sources, such as small business loans or angel investors. - Allocate funds for equipment, marketing, and initial operational expenses. 5. Promote your business- Develop a marketing strategy to reach your target audience. - Utilize online and offline marketing channels effectively. - Network with local business communities and potential customers. - Showcase your products or services through demos, samples, or promotions. - Build a customer base through quality service and engagement. Business Ideas You Can Start With No Money If you are ready to start your own business but not sure what you can operate with low startup costs, there are plenty of online business ideas and other types of ideas you can pursue on a shoestring budget. Landscaping Business A landscaping business can be a great idea if you are looking for a business where you can interact with many people and set your own hours. You may need a little bit of upfront capital to get the right equipment and reliable transportation to get to and from job sites. However, many people already have these items covered. And there are minimal ongoing costs to consider. Landscaping is great if you’re looking for ideas that are not home-based and where there are minimal costs to get started. Consulting Business Depending on your industry and your skills, having your own consulting business could be your next business idea. You could work with other businesses to offer your current skills and expertise on different issues. Consulting businesses require very little money upfront, especially if done online. You only need a solid internet connection and marketing materials to get started. Social Media Marketing There are many aspects of social media marketing that you can undertake as a small business. For example, you could utilize digital platforms to offer services such as social media management and building a social media presence on social media accounts for small business owners. It’s an easy business with no money required upfront, just social media experience, so it is relatively low cost to start. House-Sitting Business Another business model to consider is starting a service business such as house sitting. You can take care of homes while people are away, including keeping an eye on utilities, collecting mail, and watering plants. There are minimal startup costs required to start a housesitting business, but it can be lucrative depending on the area you are in. Freelance Writing Service-based businesses tend to be the best option if you are looking for a low-cost way to start a business. However, a freelance business idea you can consider to make extra cash could be to become a freelance writer. This could include copywriting, website writing, informational writing such as brochures, and other marketing communication, depending on what businesses require. It’s a great way to turn your current skills and expertise into a business. Dog Walking If you are a fan of dogs, why not offer dog walking services in your local neighborhood? You can start dog walking services without needing a lot of capital, and it can be an immensely useful service for your community. You may need some kind of liability insurance for this kind of business, so it’s best to research local and state regulations before starting. Start Your Own Online Store Starting your own online store is easy, but it may require some startup capital or angel investors, depending on the type of products you are trying to sell. For example, you could set up your own website and sell products such as clothing, home decor, artwork, and more. There are also many online platforms like marketplace sites that can help you get started quickly and even scale over time. Freelance Web Design There are many other types of freelance services you can pursue besides writing, such as website design if you are able to take relevant training. In addition, you can offer your services to other business owners needing a web presence, including basic sites on platforms such as Squarespace, Wix, and others. You do not need a business license to operate a website development business, so it is easy to get started and very flexible. Language Tutoring Business If you are a native English speaker or fluent in multiple languages, you have the opportunity to start a tutoring business to earn extra money online. This involves working with students of various ages and helping them develop their language skills, which includes practicing conversation and guiding them through the basics of a language. You can either establish your own tutoring business or collaborate with tutoring platforms to offer your services. Sell Online Courses Another opportunity for making money online is selling digital products such as online courses. If you have specific skills and experiences, you can start a business centered around developing and selling courses on your own website or on platforms such as Udemy. You may need to invest a small amount of capital into filming equipment, such as a high-quality camera and mic, but once the courses are filmed, you will be able to make passive income as they sell. Pet Sitting or Babysitting Another way to make extra cash is to start a pet-sitting or babysitting business. Again, this type of business may require some kind of liability insurance, business insurance, or business license, but it can be a valuable service that many customers may need, depending on your area. Virtual Assistant Services If you thrive on being organized and efficient, you can offer your services as a personal assistant or virtual assistant. For example, you could network with real estate agents, business owners, and other professionals who need assistance getting organized and keeping their schedules on track. You can balance multiple clients and build your business as a virtual assistant. More Business Idea Examples to Start With No Money If you are still thinking about what kinds of businesses you can start with no money, there are many local business ideas that you could pursue. Here are some of the best business idea examples for you to consider. Delivery services Many business owners and residents are always looking for reliable delivery options in their area. You can use your own car to make deliveries and be your own boss. You may need to get a business license and liability insurance for this kind of business, but it should be relatively easy to start. Life coach Life coaching is a service that many are seeking now, and there is a demand for online life coaches. There are certifications available for life coaching that you could take, and you would be able to connect with clients via Zoom or Skype for your sessions, so it would not require much money to start. Accounting and bookkeeping services If you are skilled at balancing the books and keeping track of financials, consider offering your services to local business owners. You can start without needing money or office space and provide a helpful skill for businesses seeking additional financial help. Podcaster If you are interested in an online business that you can start right away, you could become a podcaster. All you need to get started is a high-quality mic and audio editing software. You can create podcasts about subjects you are passionate about or create podcasts about your own experiences to guide and inspire others. Vlogger Another option to consider for an easy business to start with no money is becoming a vlogger. Many people operate successful businesses on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch by live streaming and creating vlogs. You may need to invest in equipment such as a camera or a mic, but you can get started immediately with vlogging. Data entry provider Many businesses are looking for reliable, independent contractors for simple and complex data entry tasks for various needs. These can be completed remotely, so there is no need for offices or any other equipment besides an internet connection and a computer. Translator Another option for those who speak multiple languages is to offer translation services. Translation services can be offered online or in person and can include services such as live translation, simultaneous translation, and document translation. There are many ways to start a translation business, depending on your level of skill and how much time you have with clients around the world. Personal Fitness Trainer If you’re passionate about fitness and health, starting a personal fitness training business could be an excellent fit. With the rise of virtual training sessions, you can offer services online via video calls, reducing the need for a physical location. You’ll need to be knowledgeable about fitness techniques and possibly obtain a certification, but the startup costs are minimal. Handmade Crafts Seller For individuals with a creative talent, selling handmade crafts can be a fulfilling venture. Websites like Etsy and local craft fairs offer excellent venues for showcasing and selling your creations. Whether it’s jewelry making, knitting, or woodworking, the possibilities are vast. Since the primary expenses usually involve only materials, this type of business presents a low barrier to entry, making it one of the many businesses to start with no money. Event Planning Services Event planning is another business idea that requires minimal upfront investment. If you have a knack for organization and love creating memorable experiences, you can start by offering your services for small events and gradually building your portfolio. Networking and social media can be powerful tools to attract clients. Resume Writing and Career Coaching With a good understanding of what makes a resume stand out and how to coach individuals for job interviews, you can start a resume writing and career coaching business. This service can be offered entirely online, making it a feasible option with little to no startup cost. Home Organizing Services If you have a talent for decluttering and organizing, consider starting a home organizing business. With a growing trend towards minimalism and efficient living spaces, your services can be in high demand. Start by offering your services to friends and family and use before-and-after photos to showcase your work on social media platforms. Content Creation for Social Media If you have a knack for creating engaging content, consider offering your services to businesses or personal brands looking to enhance their social media presence. This can include creating posts, graphics, or short videos. The only investment needed is your creativity and understanding of social media trends, making it a perfect business to start with no money. What Is the Easiest Business to Start With No Money? There are many businesses that you can start with very little money required. The easiest business to start with no money is a service-based venture such as virtual assistant services, freelance writing, or consulting, as no small business loans are required, and these can be offered online. Launching Your Dream Business with Zero Capital: Our Methodology Starting a business with no money might sound like a daunting task, but with the right approach and a clear set of criteria, it’s entirely possible. In guiding entrepreneurs towards starting businesses with minimal or no initial investment, we use a specific set of criteria. These criteria help in identifying opportunities that rely more on skills, creativity, and innovation than on financial resources. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates the least importance and 5 the highest importance: Skill and Talent Utilization Importance: 5 Business ideas that leverage the individual’s existing skills, talents, or knowledge are crucial. This could include areas like digital skills, writing, coaching, or crafting. Market Demand and Scalability Importance: 4 We assess the current market demand for the proposed product or service and its potential for future growth without significant financial investment. Low Overhead and Operational Costs Importance: 5 The business should have minimal ongoing costs. This includes considering home-based businesses, digital services, or drop shipping models that don’t require a physical storefront or inventory. Digital and Online Platform Utilization Importance: 4 Leveraging online platforms and digital tools for marketing, sales, and service delivery is crucial, especially for businesses starting with no money. Networking and Community Building Importance: 3 The ability to network and build a community, which can be done virtually and without cost, can be a powerful tool for business growth and sustainability. Flexibility and Adaptability Importance: 4 Business ideas that offer flexibility and can adapt to changing market conditions or opportunities are essential, especially when operating with limited resources. Innovation and Creativity Importance: 4 Focusing on innovative and creative solutions can set a business apart and help it navigate the challenges of starting with no capital. Income Potential and Profitability Importance: 5 The potential to generate a steady income and become profitable, even on a small scale initially, is a key factor for businesses starting with no money. By applying these criteria, we aim to identify business ideas that are not only feasible without financial investment but also offer opportunities for growth, innovation, and income generation. Can You Start an Online Business With No Money? Yes, you can start a successful business with no money online. Many businesses that are service-based can be created online and do not require a significant investment upfront or a business license. What Is the Most Profitable Business Model to Start Without Capital? The most profitable business venture to start with no capital is a freelance service such as writing or being a virtual assistant. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? The amount of money needed to start a business will depend on the service or product being offered. Some service businesses such as landscaping, cleaning, or becoming a podcaster or Youtuber will require a small investment to get the necessary equipment. Some businesses may also require other certifications, such as business licenses or liability insurance. Other types of businesses, such as writing or consulting, do not require much money to get started. Frequently Asked Questions How Can You Start Your Own Business With No Money? To start a business without a large capital, identify a low-cost home-based business idea, conduct market research to understand demand and customer behavior, create a business plan, and explore any necessary investments. Promote your business to build a customer base. What Business Ideas Can You Start With No Money? You can start various businesses with minimal investment, such as landscaping, consulting, social media marketing, house-sitting, freelance writing, dog walking, online store, freelance web design, language tutoring, online courses, pet sitting, virtual assistant, and more. Are Service-Based Businesses Easier to Start With No Money? Yes, service-based ventures like writing, consulting, and virtual assistance require minimal investment and can be operated online, making them easier to start without significant capital. Can You Start a Profitable Business Model Without Capital? Certainly, freelance services like writing or virtual assistance present profitable business models that require little to no initial investment. These opportunities can be both lucrative and efficient. Can You Start an Online Business With No Money? Certainly, many service-based businesses can be created online without requiring substantial upfront costs or a business license, making them accessible to entrepreneurs with limited funds. What Is the Easiest Business to Start With No Money? Service-based ventures, like virtual assistant services, freelance writing, or consulting, are among the easiest businesses to start without requiring small business loans or significant capital. What Is the Most Profitable Business Model to Start Without Capital? Freelance services like writing or virtual assistance provide lucrative business models that require little to no investment, making them an excellent opportunity for individuals with limited financial resources. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? The initial cost to start a business varies based on the type of service or product offered. Some service businesses may require a small investment in equipment or certifications, while others require minimal capital to get started. Conclusion: Thriving Beyond Financial Boundaries The Unique Challenge of Limited Resources Opportunity in Constraints: Starting with minimal capital is a chance to showcase resourcefulness and creativity. Beyond Monetary Value: The journey’s success isn’t defined by financial capacity but by resilience and ingenuity. Entrepreneurship as a Testament to Ingenuity Value of Non-Monetary Assets: Resilience, adaptability, creativity, and a strong network are invaluable in your entrepreneurial journey. Challenges as Growth Opportunities: View every financial limitation as a catalyst for innovation and unique path-making. Leveraging Constraints for Innovation Success Stories of Limited Beginnings: Icons like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg exemplify success starting with little. Creative Problem-Solving: Limited finances drive innovative solutions and encourage the effective use of resources. The Power of Networking and Time Management Networking Necessity: Building a support system becomes crucial, offering mentorship and collaboration opportunities. Efficient Time Use: Limited funds necessitate prioritizing high-impact tasks, fostering disciplined growth. Customer-Centric Approach in Business Deep Customer Understanding: Financial limitations drive a focus on meeting customer needs precisely. Building Customer Loyalty: This tailored approach can create lasting customer relationships and set your business apart. Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit Refining Through Adversity: Limited resources are not a trial but an opportunity to grow stronger and more innovative. Historical Inspiration: Countless entrepreneurs have overcome financial limitations to achieve remarkable success. In summary, navigating entrepreneurship with limited financial resources is not just a journey of survival but one of profound growth and opportunity. It’s a chance to harness your full potential, utilizing every challenge as a stepping stone toward becoming a resilient, innovative, and successful entrepreneur. Your journey is a testament to the boundless power of determination and creativity, where your spirit and vision are the true determinants of success. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: What is Bootstrapping in Business? 50 Low-Cost Business Ideas with High-Profit Potential 20 Types of Grants Available Where to Get a Loan for Your Small Business 45 Amazing Home-Based Business Ideas to Consider Image: Envato Elements This article, "Businesses to Start With No Money" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

You do not always need a lot of money to start a new business, and there are many business ideas you can pursue that do not require a large upfront investment. So, if you are considering starting a new business venture but do not have a lot of capital, there are still plenty of options available for you. Whether you’re interested in e-commerce, freelancing, or passive income ideas, there are opportunities that can be explored with minimal upfront investment. Read on to discover what kinds of businesses you can start without requiring a large investment. How Can You Start Your Own Business With No Money? If you would like to start a new business without incurring large startup costs, there are many types of businesses you can pursue. Here’s how: Identify a business idea: There are plenty of home-based businesses you can start that are low-cost initially. Doing some research on business ideas that can be operated from home will help you figure out what your options are. Conduct market research: After identifying potential businesses, you should consider doing market research to understand their demand and what customers are currently doing. Understanding the industry and customer behavior will enable you to put together a business plan that takes the existing customer base into account and potential marketing materials. Create a business plan: Once you have a great business idea, the next step is to create a business plan. What kind of skills or investments are needed? What kind of business structure would be best? What will you name the business, and how do you plan to attract the target market? You may also need to have a financial plan in place to avoid any personal liability issues. Having a plan ensures that you can start your business right from the get-go and can attract angel investors and other types of capital. Research any investments needed: There are some types of businesses you can start pretty quickly with little to no investment required. However, other types of businesses may require a business license or business insurance to get started. You can also investigate any small business loans that could help you quickly start your business for purchasing equipment or other needs. Promote your business: Once you are ready to go with your idea and have made all the investments needed, promoting your business is key! Reach out to local business communities or residents (depending on the business you offer) to let them know what service or product you are providing and market yourself to build your customer base. StepDescription 1. Identify a business idea- Research and explore home-based business ideas. - Evaluate the feasibility and potential of each idea. - Choose a business idea that aligns with your interests, skills, and market demand. - Consider the initial cost and resources required for each business idea. 2. Conduct market research- Investigate the market for your chosen business idea. - Understand customer preferences, needs, and behaviors. - Analyze competitors and identify gaps in the market. - Determine the demand for your product or service. - Use market research data to fine-tune your business plan and marketing strategies. 3. Create a business plan- Outline your business goals, objectives, and mission. - Identify the target market and define your value proposition. - Plan the business structure and legal requirements. - Determine the necessary skills and investments. - Develop a financial plan, including cost estimates and revenue projections. - Choose a suitable business name. 4. Research investments needed- Assess the financial requirements for starting the business. - Identify any licenses, permits, or insurance needed. - Explore potential funding sources, such as small business loans or angel investors. - Allocate funds for equipment, marketing, and initial operational expenses. 5. Promote your business- Develop a marketing strategy to reach your target audience. - Utilize online and offline marketing channels effectively. - Network with local business communities and potential customers. - Showcase your products or services through demos, samples, or promotions. - Build a customer base through quality service and engagement. Business Ideas You Can Start With No Money If you are ready to start your own business but not sure what you can operate with low startup costs, there are plenty of online business ideas and other types of ideas you can pursue on a shoestring budget. Landscaping Business A landscaping business can be a great idea if you are looking for a business where you can interact with many people and set your own hours. You may need a little bit of upfront capital to get the right equipment and reliable transportation to get to and from job sites. However, many people already have these items covered. And there are minimal ongoing costs to consider. Landscaping is great if you’re looking for ideas that are not home-based and where there are minimal costs to get started. Consulting Business Depending on your industry and your skills, having your own consulting business could be your next business idea. You could work with other businesses to offer your current skills and expertise on different issues. Consulting businesses require very little money upfront, especially if done online. You only need a solid internet connection and marketing materials to get started. Social Media Marketing There are many aspects of social media marketing that you can undertake as a small business. For example, you could utilize digital platforms to offer services such as social media management and building a social media presence on social media accounts for small business owners. It’s an easy business with no money required upfront, just social media experience, so it is relatively low cost to start. House-Sitting Business Another business model to consider is starting a service business such as house sitting. You can take care of homes while people are away, including keeping an eye on utilities, collecting mail, and watering plants. There are minimal startup costs required to start a housesitting business, but it can be lucrative depending on the area you are in. Freelance Writing Service-based businesses tend to be the best option if you are looking for a low-cost way to start a business. However, a freelance business idea you can consider to make extra cash could be to become a freelance writer. This could include copywriting, website writing, informational writing such as brochures, and other marketing communication, depending on what businesses require. It’s a great way to turn your current skills and expertise into a business. Dog Walking If you are a fan of dogs, why not offer dog walking services in your local neighborhood? You can start dog walking services without needing a lot of capital, and it can be an immensely useful service for your community. You may need some kind of liability insurance for this kind of business, so it’s best to research local and state regulations before starting. Start Your Own Online Store Starting your own online store is easy, but it may require some startup capital or angel investors, depending on the type of products you are trying to sell. For example, you could set up your own website and sell products such as clothing, home decor, artwork, and more. There are also many online platforms like marketplace sites that can help you get started quickly and even scale over time. Freelance Web Design There are many other types of freelance services you can pursue besides writing, such as website design if you are able to take relevant training. In addition, you can offer your services to other business owners needing a web presence, including basic sites on platforms such as Squarespace, Wix, and others. You do not need a business license to operate a website development business, so it is easy to get started and very flexible. Language Tutoring Business If you are a native English speaker or fluent in multiple languages, you have the opportunity to start a tutoring business to earn extra money online. This involves working with students of various ages and helping them develop their language skills, which includes practicing conversation and guiding them through the basics of a language. You can either establish your own tutoring business or collaborate with tutoring platforms to offer your services. Sell Online Courses Another opportunity for making money online is selling digital products such as online courses. If you have specific skills and experiences, you can start a business centered around developing and selling courses on your own website or on platforms such as Udemy. You may need to invest a small amount of capital into filming equipment, such as a high-quality camera and mic, but once the courses are filmed, you will be able to make passive income as they sell. Pet Sitting or Babysitting Another way to make extra cash is to start a pet-sitting or babysitting business. Again, this type of business may require some kind of liability insurance, business insurance, or business license, but it can be a valuable service that many customers may need, depending on your area. Virtual Assistant Services If you thrive on being organized and efficient, you can offer your services as a personal assistant or virtual assistant. For example, you could network with real estate agents, business owners, and other professionals who need assistance getting organized and keeping their schedules on track. You can balance multiple clients and build your business as a virtual assistant. More Business Idea Examples to Start With No Money If you are still thinking about what kinds of businesses you can start with no money, there are many local business ideas that you could pursue. Here are some of the best business idea examples for you to consider. Delivery services Many business owners and residents are always looking for reliable delivery options in their area. You can use your own car to make deliveries and be your own boss. You may need to get a business license and liability insurance for this kind of business, but it should be relatively easy to start. Life coach Life coaching is a service that many are seeking now, and there is a demand for online life coaches. There are certifications available for life coaching that you could take, and you would be able to connect with clients via Zoom or Skype for your sessions, so it would not require much money to start. Accounting and bookkeeping services If you are skilled at balancing the books and keeping track of financials, consider offering your services to local business owners. You can start without needing money or office space and provide a helpful skill for businesses seeking additional financial help. Podcaster If you are interested in an online business that you can start right away, you could become a podcaster. All you need to get started is a high-quality mic and audio editing software. You can create podcasts about subjects you are passionate about or create podcasts about your own experiences to guide and inspire others. Vlogger Another option to consider for an easy business to start with no money is becoming a vlogger. Many people operate successful businesses on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch by live streaming and creating vlogs. You may need to invest in equipment such as a camera or a mic, but you can get started immediately with vlogging. Data entry provider Many businesses are looking for reliable, independent contractors for simple and complex data entry tasks for various needs. These can be completed remotely, so there is no need for offices or any other equipment besides an internet connection and a computer. Translator Another option for those who speak multiple languages is to offer translation services. Translation services can be offered online or in person and can include services such as live translation, simultaneous translation, and document translation. There are many ways to start a translation business, depending on your level of skill and how much time you have with clients around the world. Personal Fitness Trainer If you’re passionate about fitness and health, starting a personal fitness training business could be an excellent fit. With the rise of virtual training sessions, you can offer services online via video calls, reducing the need for a physical location. You’ll need to be knowledgeable about fitness techniques and possibly obtain a certification, but the startup costs are minimal. Handmade Crafts Seller For individuals with a creative talent, selling handmade crafts can be a fulfilling venture. Websites like Etsy and local craft fairs offer excellent venues for showcasing and selling your creations. Whether it’s jewelry making, knitting, or woodworking, the possibilities are vast. Since the primary expenses usually involve only materials, this type of business presents a low barrier to entry, making it one of the many businesses to start with no money. Event Planning Services Event planning is another business idea that requires minimal upfront investment. If you have a knack for organization and love creating memorable experiences, you can start by offering your services for small events and gradually building your portfolio. Networking and social media can be powerful tools to attract clients. Resume Writing and Career Coaching With a good understanding of what makes a resume stand out and how to coach individuals for job interviews, you can start a resume writing and career coaching business. This service can be offered entirely online, making it a feasible option with little to no startup cost. Home Organizing Services If you have a talent for decluttering and organizing, consider starting a home organizing business. With a growing trend towards minimalism and efficient living spaces, your services can be in high demand. Start by offering your services to friends and family and use before-and-after photos to showcase your work on social media platforms. Content Creation for Social Media If you have a knack for creating engaging content, consider offering your services to businesses or personal brands looking to enhance their social media presence. This can include creating posts, graphics, or short videos. The only investment needed is your creativity and understanding of social media trends, making it a perfect business to start with no money. What Is the Easiest Business to Start With No Money? There are many businesses that you can start with very little money required. The easiest business to start with no money is a service-based venture such as virtual assistant services, freelance writing, or consulting, as no small business loans are required, and these can be offered online. Launching Your Dream Business with Zero Capital: Our Methodology Starting a business with no money might sound like a daunting task, but with the right approach and a clear set of criteria, it’s entirely possible. In guiding entrepreneurs towards starting businesses with minimal or no initial investment, we use a specific set of criteria. These criteria help in identifying opportunities that rely more on skills, creativity, and innovation than on financial resources. Each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates the least importance and 5 the highest importance: Skill and Talent Utilization Importance: 5 Business ideas that leverage the individual’s existing skills, talents, or knowledge are crucial. This could include areas like digital skills, writing, coaching, or crafting. Market Demand and Scalability Importance: 4 We assess the current market demand for the proposed product or service and its potential for future growth without significant financial investment. Low Overhead and Operational Costs Importance: 5 The business should have minimal ongoing costs. This includes considering home-based businesses, digital services, or drop shipping models that don’t require a physical storefront or inventory. Digital and Online Platform Utilization Importance: 4 Leveraging online platforms and digital tools for marketing, sales, and service delivery is crucial, especially for businesses starting with no money. Networking and Community Building Importance: 3 The ability to network and build a community, which can be done virtually and without cost, can be a powerful tool for business growth and sustainability. Flexibility and Adaptability Importance: 4 Business ideas that offer flexibility and can adapt to changing market conditions or opportunities are essential, especially when operating with limited resources. Innovation and Creativity Importance: 4 Focusing on innovative and creative solutions can set a business apart and help it navigate the challenges of starting with no capital. Income Potential and Profitability Importance: 5 The potential to generate a steady income and become profitable, even on a small scale initially, is a key factor for businesses starting with no money. By applying these criteria, we aim to identify business ideas that are not only feasible without financial investment but also offer opportunities for growth, innovation, and income generation. Can You Start an Online Business With No Money? Yes, you can start a successful business with no money online. Many businesses that are service-based can be created online and do not require a significant investment upfront or a business license. What Is the Most Profitable Business Model to Start Without Capital? The most profitable business venture to start with no capital is a freelance service such as writing or being a virtual assistant. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? The amount of money needed to start a business will depend on the service or product being offered. Some service businesses such as landscaping, cleaning, or becoming a podcaster or Youtuber will require a small investment to get the necessary equipment. Some businesses may also require other certifications, such as business licenses or liability insurance. Other types of businesses, such as writing or consulting, do not require much money to get started. Frequently Asked Questions How Can You Start Your Own Business With No Money? To start a business without a large capital, identify a low-cost home-based business idea, conduct market research to understand demand and customer behavior, create a business plan, and explore any necessary investments. Promote your business to build a customer base. What Business Ideas Can You Start With No Money? You can start various businesses with minimal investment, such as landscaping, consulting, social media marketing, house-sitting, freelance writing, dog walking, online store, freelance web design, language tutoring, online courses, pet sitting, virtual assistant, and more. Are Service-Based Businesses Easier to Start With No Money? Yes, service-based ventures like writing, consulting, and virtual assistance require minimal investment and can be operated online, making them easier to start without significant capital. Can You Start a Profitable Business Model Without Capital? Certainly, freelance services like writing or virtual assistance present profitable business models that require little to no initial investment. These opportunities can be both lucrative and efficient. Can You Start an Online Business With No Money? Certainly, many service-based businesses can be created online without requiring substantial upfront costs or a business license, making them accessible to entrepreneurs with limited funds. What Is the Easiest Business to Start With No Money? Service-based ventures, like virtual assistant services, freelance writing, or consulting, are among the easiest businesses to start without requiring small business loans or significant capital. What Is the Most Profitable Business Model to Start Without Capital? Freelance services like writing or virtual assistance provide lucrative business models that require little to no investment, making them an excellent opportunity for individuals with limited financial resources. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business? The initial cost to start a business varies based on the type of service or product offered. Some service businesses may require a small investment in equipment or certifications, while others require minimal capital to get started. Conclusion: Thriving Beyond Financial Boundaries The Unique Challenge of Limited Resources Opportunity in Constraints: Starting with minimal capital is a chance to showcase resourcefulness and creativity. Beyond Monetary Value: The journey’s success isn’t defined by financial capacity but by resilience and ingenuity. Entrepreneurship as a Testament to Ingenuity Value of Non-Monetary Assets: Resilience, adaptability, creativity, and a strong network are invaluable in your entrepreneurial journey. Challenges as Growth Opportunities: View every financial limitation as a catalyst for innovation and unique path-making. Leveraging Constraints for Innovation Success Stories of Limited Beginnings: Icons like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg exemplify success starting with little. Creative Problem-Solving: Limited finances drive innovative solutions and encourage the effective use of resources. The Power of Networking and Time Management Networking Necessity: Building a support system becomes crucial, offering mentorship and collaboration opportunities. Efficient Time Use: Limited funds necessitate prioritizing high-impact tasks, fostering disciplined growth. Customer-Centric Approach in Business Deep Customer Understanding: Financial limitations drive a focus on meeting customer needs precisely. Building Customer Loyalty: This tailored approach can create lasting customer relationships and set your business apart. Embracing the Entrepreneurial Spirit Refining Through Adversity: Limited resources are not a trial but an opportunity to grow stronger and more innovative. Historical Inspiration: Countless entrepreneurs have overcome financial limitations to achieve remarkable success. In summary, navigating entrepreneurship with limited financial resources is not just a journey of survival but one of profound growth and opportunity. It’s a chance to harness your full potential, utilizing every challenge as a stepping stone toward becoming a resilient, innovative, and successful entrepreneur. Your journey is a testament to the boundless power of determination and creativity, where your spirit and vision are the true determinants of success. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: What is Bootstrapping in Business? 50 Low-Cost Business Ideas with High-Profit Potential 20 Types of Grants Available Where to Get a Loan for Your Small Business 45 Amazing Home-Based Business Ideas to Consider Image: Envato Elements This article, "Businesses to Start With No Money" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Your software development team barely looks up from Azure DevOps so they can get all their work done. That makes things difficult for team leads and other stakeholders who need regular updates on software projects but only work in Jira. That’s where a Jira-Azure DevOps integration comes in. Here are a few ways you can make this happen. Method 1: Use the Azure DevOps for Jira Marketplace app The team at Atlassian built an app specifically for setting up a Jira-Azure DevOps integration. You can find it on the Jira marketplace here. With a little bit of technical know-how, developers in Azure DevOps will be able to push data from that tool to Jira, giving leaders more visibility on their software projects. Let’s go through setting this app up and using it with your Jira projects. Step 1: Install the Azure DevOps for Jira app You can either follow the link above to get the app or get to it from your Jira projects by following these steps: Hit Apps in your Jira project then Explore more apps. You’ll get a search bar. Search for Azure DevOps for Jira. Make sure to pick the one with “Official” in the name, since there are a few apps on the marketplace with a similar name. Hit Get app then Get it now. After installing the app, hit Configure now. Step 2: Connect Azure DevOps to Jira Before you can start using this integration, you’ll need to configure your Azure DevOps account so it can connect to Jira properly. Sign in to your Microsoft account and accept the necessary permissions. Hit Continue on the configuration screen. In the new tab that opens, enter the credentials for the Azure DevOps account you’ll connect to Jira. On the next screen, hit Accept. Hit Connect for any of the organizations you want to connect to Jira. Step 3: Set up OAuth in Azure DevOps OAuth is an authorization method that lets third-party apps interact with your Azure DevOps data. It’s essential to set up before this integration can work. You’ll get a pop-up in Jira that tells you when this needs to get set up. Here’s how to do it. In the pop-up, hit Go to Azure DevOps. Go to your organization settings, hit Security, then Policies. Find the Application connection policies header and toggle on Third-party application access via OAuth and SSH authentification. Congrats! You’ve done everything you need to integrate Azure DevOps with Jira. Now let’s quickly cover some of actions your developers can take to push data form Azure DevOps to Jira. Step 3: Trigger integration events in Azure DevOps Since this integration is a little more technical, your developers will have to take manual action in Azure DevOps to push data over to Jira. Here are some of the things your team can do to trigger an integration event: Set up a CI/CD pipeline using deployment jobs or the classic release pipeline. Link deployment events to Jira by including Jira issue keys. Limitations of this method This integration is a great way to start pushing data from Azure DevOps to Jira, but is it necessarily the best one for your organization? Let’s go over a few reasons why that might not be the case. It’s technical While setting up the integration itself isn’t too complex, actually getting your data to go from work in your Azure DevOps workspace to your Jira issues can be. Developers need to take active, technical actions in Azure DevOps to move that data over. Your head of marketing isn’t going to set this up. It only covers Jira and Azure DevOps: This integration is perfectly suited to managing workflows that rely on these two tools, but that’s it. You’ll need other integration platforms to sync data between the rest of your tool stack. It’s one-way only This integration really only serves one purpose. It allows your developers to push data from Azure DevOps to your Jira issues, giving product managers, team leads, and other stakeholders more visibility into that work. You can’t get Jira data into Azure DevOps with this method. It’s not suited to syncing historical data If you have tons of historical data you need to sync between Jira and Azure DevOps, this might not be the integration for you. It only handles new data, meaning you’ll need another option to handle your backlog. So with these limitations in mind, what are some of your other options? Method 2: Use Unito’s Jira-Azure DevOps integration Unito is an integration platform with native 2-way syncing that offers deep integrations with some of the most powerful SaaS tools on the market, like Jira and Azure DevOps. But you can sync other tools too, from spreadsheets in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel to project management tools like Asana, Jira, and Trello. This gives you complete visibility into software projects, no matter which tool you work from. Here’s why Unito is the best way to sync Jira issues with data from Azure DevOps. Anyone can use it Unito is a no-code solution, and most users don’t have a technical background. That means anyone from a team lead to a project manager can set up a Unito flow to sync data between these tools. No specialized training necessary. It integrates over 40 tools While the Azure DevOps for Jira app is great for pairing these tools, it doesn’t support any others. With Unito, you can get integrations for more than 40 tools, including spreadsheets, project management apps, databases, and more. It also supports more fields than most other integrations on the market, including custom fields. This integration works for both Jira Cloud and Jira Server. It’s two-way Unito is a two-way sync tool by default, meaning you can get updates in both Azure DevOps and Jira. You’ll also see new work items created automatically in one tool when you manually create them in the other. This keeps all your work in sync everywhere, with no extra work required. Here’s a step-by-step guide showing how easy it is to integrate Jira and Azure DevOps with Unito. Step 1: Connect Jira and Azure DevOps to Unito First, connect your tools. In this case, connect an Azure DevOps project and a Jira project. Step 2: Pick flow direction This will determine if new Azure DevOps or Jira issues are automatically created in just one tool or both. It’s where Unito stands out as an integration solution because users can select either one-way or 2-way syncing. Step 3: Build rules Maybe you don’t want absolutely every item syncing over to the other tool. That’s perfectly fine. You can choose to filter issues based on their assignee, their state, their story point, and more. Step 4: Map your fields Unito supports most field types so no details are missed. You can have Unito map these automatically or fine-tune them yourself. And that’s it! You’re ready to launch. Your Jira and Azure DevOps projects will be in sync, saving you manual work and licenses. Once you’ve got the hang of Unito, you can also try syncing: Azure DevOps to Airtable Azure DevOps to Asana Azure DevOps to Wrike Asana and Azure DevOps Azure DevOps and Airtable Trello and Azure DevOps ADO and ClickUp Azure DevOps and ServiceNow or other database and project management tools. Ready to see what Unito can do? Meet with Unito product experts to get a custom demo. Book a demo Method 3: Use Zapier’s Jira-Azure DevOps integration Zapier is an automation platform widely used to set up simple one-way automations between thousands of tools, including Jira and Azure DevOps. It has a simple, no-code, drag-and-drop interface that allows anyone to set up their first integration without serious technical skills. Here’s how you can integrate Jira with Azure DevOps using Zapier. Step 1: Connect your trigger app account to Zapier Your “trigger app” is the source of your automation, the tool from which you’ll push data. So if, for example, you wanted the creation of new issues in Azure DevOps to create new Jira issues, you’d make Azure DevOps your trigger app. Step 2: Customize your trigger event A trigger event is the event in your trigger app that kickstarts your automation. For Azure DevOps, here are a few examples of trigger events you can choose: New work item created Work item updated New comment on work item Code push Code check-in Completed build For Jira, you can use the following trigger events: New issue Updated issue New comment Updated comment Step 3: Choose your action app and connect it to Zapier Your “action app” is the tool where your Zapier automation will actually make changes. So if Azure DevOps is your trigger app, then Jira will be your action app, and vice-versa. Step 4: Customize your action The action is the change Zapier will make in your action app. Here are some actions Zapier can take in Azure DevOps: Trigger build Create work item Update work item Add link to work item API request And some actions Zapier can take in Jira: Add attachment to issue Add comment to issue Link issues Add watcher to issue Create issue Move issue to sprint Update issue API request Limitations of this method Zapier is easy to set up and simple to add to multiple tools in your workspace. That said, it isn’t necessarily the best option for every workflow. Here’s why. Best for new data Zapier doesn’t handle historical data particularly well. Since its automations are trigger-based, only new work items or updates to existing work items are treated by your integration. While you can work around this by setting up fields specifically for pushing existing data between tools and making updates to this field your trigger event, it’s not as intuitive as using an integration solution that natively handles historical data. One-way automation Zapier automations are one-way, only pushing data from a trigger app to an action app. While it’s possible to chain multiple automations to simulate a two-way integration, it’s not part of Zapier’s native functionality. This means added maintenance and troubleshooting when something goes wrong. No real-time sync Even in situations where you chain enough automations to imitate a two-way sync solution, Zapier won’t give you the same kind of real-time syncing you’d expect with these other tools. If your workflows need real-time syncing, Zapier likely won’t be the best option for you. Ready to see what Unito can do? Meet with Unito product experts to get a custom demo. Book a demo FAQ: Azure DevOps-Jira integration Can Azure DevOps integrate with Jira? Atlassian offers a built-in Jira-Azure DevOps integration, which requires a bit of technical know-how to work properly. This integration relies on automation to make changes in Jira when specific actions are taken in Azure DevOps. Unito’s integration creates a true 2-way sync between these tools, essentially connecting individual issues so updates are automatically sent to both Jira and Azure DevOps. How can you migrate Jira projects to Azure DevOps? Migrations usually involve relying on third-party tools or consultants to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. That’s because Jira and Azure DevOps don’t have built-in tools for moving data from one to the next reliably at scale. A tool like Unito allows you to migrate at your own pace, automatically pushing new and historical issues from Jira to Azure DevOps, keeping everything in sync until you’re ready to shut down Jira. 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Meta Quest 3 users will now be able to explore detailed 3D scans of sculptures, rock formations, plant life, and other interesting objects from around the world. The 3D images, which users can virtually zoom in on or walk around, are part of a new app from Pokémon Go-maker Niantic called Into the Scaniverse. Last year, the company released the latest version of a smartphone Scaniverse app letting users create detailed images of public scenes or objects within their phones, with the ability to add public images to a shared map. Already, the map includes more than 50,000 3D scenes, including renderings of Stonehenge, ancient ruins in Europe, Japanese temples, and even a shrine to Elvis Presley, all captured with the Scaniverse app or through Niantic games like Ingress and Pokémon Go. With the new Quest app, users will be able to traverse a map of the world from a virtual hot air balloon, spotting and clicking pins on the map to explore in stereo 3D vision the sights that were scanned there. “Our goal is really to get a large collection of high-quality scans that folks can visit around the world,” says Brian McClendon, senior vice president of engineering at Niantic. “You can walk up to it and look up at it, and you get a sense of scale of these objects that sometimes photos don’t do justice.” [Image: Ninantic]Making the scans, created using a mathematical modeling technique called the Gaussian splat, available through virtual reality will hopefully also incentivize more users to go out and scan and share the world around them, similar to how the rise of Instagram motivated people to take and share photos, he says. The scanning process generally takes only a few minutes, and users can view their own scans on their phones or Quest headsets before deciding whether to share them to the public map. “This allows you to experiment with locations and try things out, and once you have what you like, you can then choose to publish to the map or not,” says McClendon. The scan library is currently growing rapidly, with more than 11,000 published since December. Users on Niantic forums and in meetups also share tips on how to capture the best scans. McClendon, who is based in Arizona, has uploaded some scans of cactus and other desert foliage that not everyone sees in person, and he’s hopeful that users continue to increase their coverage of the planet. [Animation: Ninantic]Though the scans might be most impressive in virtual reality, it’s not necessary to have a Quest to experience them, with the 3D images also accessible in the Scaniverse iPhone and Android apps or through the web. Scans taken with Niantic’s software and shared publicly are also available for developers to use in Niantic Studio, the company’s tool for building XR and 3D games and experiences. Users also share some of their favorite scans through social media like X, Theads, and Bluesky. But McClendon anticipates that the Quest app’s map view will lead to a new wave of discovery as people explore spots near them or places they’ve visited in the past. [Image: Ninantic]The app can even be used to help plan vacations, with people exploring potential sites before they travel, McClendon suggests. And ideally, when they arrive, they’ll be inspired to contribute more scans to the public collection. “The real goal is to motivate more people to create more scans,” McClendon says. View the full article