ResidentialBusiness

Even managers with the best intentions can sometimes compromise team morale without realizing it. The art of team management involves balancing professional competence with genuine interpersonal connection. We consulted with 10 experienced industry professionals who shared the common pitfalls that can zap a team’s spirit as well as practical tips to help you avoid missteps and lead a motivated, high-performing group. Shift from micromanagement to autonomy One specific way managers unknowingly harm team morale is through micromanagement. We noticed a roughly 20% drop in employee satisfaction scores and a decline in on-time project delivery whenever team leads checked every minor detail. This oversight, even if well-intended, stifled creativity and made employees feel they weren’t trusted. To fix this, we shifted from daily “check-ins” to weekly milestone reviews, giving each person more autonomy while still ensuring accountability. Within a quarter, on-time project completion rose by around 15%, and employee satisfaction rebounded, helping us maintain our 100%+ year-over-year growth. The key is to provide clear objectives and support—but step back enough that people feel ownership of their work. Harsha Abegunasekara, CEO, Metana Acknowledge challenges, avoid forced optimism When managers gloss over challenges with forced optimism, employees feel invalidated. They also begin to question the judgment of their leaders. Managers who do this are typically well-intentioned and want to keep morale high. But without confronting reality, innovation and progress come to a standstill. Restating the problem and inviting correction helps team members feel heard. For example, “I’m hearing you say that the process for returns is cumbersome because of the customer field, what do I have wrong about that?” Amanda Daering, CEO, Newance Implement the ‘priority pause’ for requests After coaching hundreds of managers through team dynamics, I’ve observed that one of the most damaging yet unconscious behaviors is what I call “selective urgency”—treating every task as equally critical and urgent, which inevitably burns out teams and dilutes genuine priorities. This often manifests when managers forward emails late at night with a simple, “Please handle,” or constantly interrupt focused work with “quick requests” that could wait. Instead, I teach leaders to implement what I call the “Priority Pause”—taking 60 seconds before any request to ask: “Does this truly need immediate attention, and what’s the cost of interruption to my team?” One VP I coached reduced team stress by up to 40% simply by batching non-urgent requests into a daily morning huddle rather than sending them sporadically throughout the day. When managers respect their team’s focus time and clearly differentiate between urgent and important tasks, morale naturally improves. Joshua Miller, master certified executive leadership coach, Joshua Miller Executive Coaching Ensure proper credit for team’s work One specific way managers unknowingly harm team morale is by failing to give proper credit to their team’s work. This often happens when managers are new to leading people or feel insecure in their role. In an effort to prove their own value or meet high expectations, they may focus on results and unintentionally overlook the importance of celebrating the people who made those results possible. While their intentions aren’t malicious, the impact can leave employees feeling invisible or undervalued. For example, I worked with a very results-focused manager. When presenting to leadership, they would share the outcomes without mentioning the individuals or teams who made those results possible. The team began to feel like the manager was taking all the credit, even though that wasn’t the intention. Frustration grew, and morale started to dip. Thankfully, a colleague provided honest feedback to the manager, explaining the impact and how this was being perceived. The manager was open to learning and worked with a coach to improve. Together, they devised strategies to ensure contributions were acknowledged—like calling out team members by name during presentations and incorporating regular moments of recognition into team meetings. Over time, this shifted the dynamic. The team felt seen and appreciated, and morale improved significantly. The lesson is that employee recognition goes a long way in building trust and keeping morale high. Managers should also seek input from their teams about what kind of acknowledgment feels meaningful to them, whether it’s public recognition in meetings, a simple thank-you email, or sharing credit during leadership updates. Managers can create a more positive and engaged workplace culture by showing employees that their work matters. Etty Burk, president and founder, Leading With Difference Set clear expectations and track progress One specific way managers unknowingly harm team morale is by failing to set clear expectations and deliverables for each team member and not having a transparent system to track and measure their work. When a manager’s expectations are vague or inconsistent, employees can feel frustrated and uncertain about their contributions and value. This lack of clarity leads to disengagement, misaligned priorities, and a general decline in team cohesion. One thing we help our clients implement to help keep morale high is a team tracker using objectives and key results (OKRs) to outline specific goals and the measurable steps needed to achieve them. Weekly progress check-ins ensure everyone is aligned and provide an opportunity to celebrate wins or address roadblocks early. A shared dashboard that visualizes progress toward overarching goals can help team members see how their work contributes to the larger mission, giving them a greater sense of purpose and accountability. You can use a simple spreadsheet. The manager could create a project board for each key objective-planning, execution, and review. Each task is linked to the relevant team member and key results, with deadlines and progress updates. Weekly team meetings then focus on reviewing the board, discussing achievements, and refining strategies as needed. This approach ensures transparency and cultivates a fair and collaborative environment where every team member feels valued and essential to the organization’s success. That is how you start building a team that can do anything. Rhett Power, CEO and cofounder, Accountability Inc. Align feedback with role competencies One specific way managers unknowingly harm team morale is by failing to align their feedback with the competencies that drive success in a role. When feedback is vague, overly critical, or disconnected from what truly matters, it can leave employees feeling undervalued and unclear about how to improve. For example, a manager might focus on a minor error without recognizing the critical thinking or problem-solving competencies an employee demonstrated in addressing a larger issue. This approach not only overlooks key contributions but also diminishes trust and motivation. To avoid this, managers should deliver feedback that is competency-based and actionable. Start by identifying the specific skills or behaviors tied to the role’s success—such as communication, adaptability, or collaboration. Then, acknowledge where the employee excels and provide clear, constructive guidance on areas to develop. One of my clients, a manager in a fast-paced sales environment, found that conducting quarterly competency assessments with their team transformed their approach. By grounding feedback in data, they could celebrate progress while offering targeted strategies for improvement. This not only boosted morale but also created a culture of continuous growth and alignment with the team’s goals. When feedback is tied to competencies, employees feel supported in their professional development, which fosters trust, engagement, and higher morale. Linda Scorzo, CEO, Hiring Indicators Avoid inconsistent decision-making I used to watch managers harm team morale in my corporate days, and it bothered me deeply. It’s one of the reasons I studied coaching: I wanted to learn how to make a difference for both teams and the managers leading them. While there are many things a manager can do to unknowingly harm team morale (poor communication, favoritism, ignoring feedback, etc.), one that particularly pains me because it’s so easily addressed is inconsistent decision-making. Inconsistent decision-making—when decisions are made without transparency or consistency—undermines trust and fairness. The best leaders follow a predictable pattern with clear reasoning when making decisions so their team members know what to expect, can prioritize accordingly, and ultimately feel a sense of stability. Inconsistent decision-making is very costly to an organization, causing distrust, hindered performance, employee disengagement, and a negative impact on the business. I coach my clients to involve their teams in decision-making whenever possible, to be transparent about the reasoning behind decisions, and to ensure that the criteria used to make decisions are fair and clearly communicated. Emily Golden, CEO and strategic talent advisor, Golden Resources, LLC Foster active listening and engagement One of the most common yet often overlooked ways managers unintentionally harm team morale is through a lack of active listening and engagement with their team members. In my experience working with both FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, I’ve seen that when leaders fail to foster an environment where employees feel their voices are truly heard, it significantly undermines morale. This can manifest as a failure to ask for or acknowledge feedback, or, worse, dismissing concerns or suggestions as inconsequential. Over time, this not only diminishes trust but also leads to disengagement and a decline in overall performance. For instance, a client I worked with in the tech sector had an exceptional product development team, but employee turnover was high, and productivity was slipping. When I conducted one-on-one interviews, it became apparent that employees felt their input was routinely overlooked in meetings, and their concerns were rarely addressed. The team had valuable insights into improving workflows and reducing stress but had grown cynical because they felt like their voices weren’t genuinely being considered. To reverse this, I recommended implementing structured “feedback loops” during regular team meetings and one-on-one discussions. This would not only offer employees a forum to share their concerns but also demonstrate that leadership was actively seeking to understand their perspectives. Importantly, it was emphasized that these feedback sessions would lead to tangible changes—managers would be expected to follow up on the issues raised. This simple yet powerful strategy helped the leadership team recalibrate their communication, leading to increased employee engagement, improved morale, and a noticeable decline in turnover. James Rose, strategic organizational psychologist, Cognitive Direction Stop moving the goalpost Constantly moving the goalpost is a surefire way to drain team morale. While fresh ideas may seem exciting and innovative to managers, they can unintentionally undermine the hard work and dedication employees have already invested in previous initiatives. For instance, imagine a marketing team tasked with developing a six-month campaign, only for leadership to scrap it midway because a new trend seems more appealing. The team is left with incomplete work, wasted efforts, and the lingering disappointment of never seeing the fruits of their labor. This pattern can erode trust in leadership and create a culture where employees hesitate to invest in future projects. To prevent this, leaders should establish clear goals upfront and stick to them barring extraordinary circumstances. If changes are unavoidable, communicate openly about the reasons behind the shift, acknowledging the team’s previous work and ensuring their efforts are not dismissed. To maintain morale, offer closure on abandoned projects, such as highlighting lessons learned or incorporating completed components into new initiatives. Additionally, celebrate small wins and milestones within ongoing projects so employees feel a sense of accomplishment, even if the larger vision evolves. By balancing innovation with stability and recognition, managers can maintain enthusiasm and trust within their teams. Cynthia Hayes, chief operating officer, Tarkenton Develop emotional intelligence and self-awareness One specific way managers unknowingly harm team morale is by lacking emotional intelligence—particularly self-awareness of their blind spots. In high-stress situations, this often manifests as reactive, impulsive behavior that disregards the emotional impact on the team. Without realizing it, managers who react rather than respond create an atmosphere of psychological unsafety. Team members become hesitant to speak up, contribute new ideas, or engage fully because they are focused on self-protection. Over time, this guardedness leads to disengagement, reduced collaboration, and diminished morale. A manager’s emotional state is contagious. When leaders are unaware of how their reactivity influences the room, it sets a tone where employees feel they must walk on eggshells. In this environment, creativity and productivity suffer because people cannot bring their authentic selves to the table. Trust erodes, and with it, the team’s ability to innovate and solve problems cohesively. This dynamic can be avoided by managers prioritizing the development of their emotional intelligence (EQ), starting with self-awareness. Managers must actively seek feedback from trusted peers, mentors, or even their team to uncover blind spots that might hinder their leadership effectiveness. Additionally, investing in practices such as mindfulness, emotional regulation through neurofeedback modalities, and executive coaching can help leaders build the capacity to pause and evaluate their responses during high-pressure moments. A critical shift occurs when managers learn to pause before reacting, allowing space to consider the broader impact of their words and actions. This intentionality signals to the team that their contributions—and emotional well-being—are valued. It fosters a psychologically safe environment where vulnerability is met with empathy, and team members feel empowered to take risks without fear of retaliation or judgment. Leaders who model emotional intelligence set a precedent for the entire organization. When a leader demonstrates humility, empathy, and emotional regulation, it cascades throughout the team, strengthening morale, boosting engagement, and creating a culture where people feel seen and supported. Natalie Jobity, leadership elevation strategist, keynote speaker, best-selling author, The Unveiled Way View the full article

We rely on search engines to find information every day, but what if there was a better way? Instead of manually gathering details from multiple sources, AI agents can do the heavy lifting for you. They don’t just retrieve information. They analyze, organize, and personalize it in real time. This article explores: How AI agents help businesses create more personalized customer experiences. The key components and frameworks behind AI-powered agents. How multi-agent systems can collaborate to solve complex tasks. From information retrieval to intelligent problem-solving AI agents represent a fundamental shift in how we interact with AI. As brands, we are moving beyond passive information retrieval – a slow process of manually collecting data from various websites – to active problem-solving, where multimodal data seamlessly adapts to a preferred interface in real time. Imagine a world where multiple independent AI agents collaborate to complete complex workflows. Industry experts anticipate significant transformation due to AI agents. Here’s what they have to say: Satya Nadella: AI agents will proactively anticipate user needs and assist seamlessly. Bill Gates: AI agents are driving the most significant software transformation since graphical user interfaces. Jensen Huang: IT departments are managing AI agents the way human resources manage employees. Jeff Bezos: AI agents act as digital copilots, enhancing daily interactions. Gartner: Search engine volume will decline by 25% by 2026 as AI chatbots and virtual agents revolutionize customer interactions. Today, brands have a significant opportunity to leverage AI agents as intelligent virtual teammates, enabling businesses to deliver hyper-personalized experiences. As AI agents and technology evolve, we are moving away from the time-consuming effort of manually gathering information. In the future, AI agents will interact with one another, collect relevant data, organize it to match user preferences, and deliver it seamlessly – creating a faster and more efficient experience. Dig deeper: Mastering AI and marketing: A beginner’s guide To understand how AI agents deliver these intelligent, real-time experiences, we need to break down their core components. Let’s explore the anatomy of AI agents and how each layer contributes to their functionality. Anatomy of AI agents AI agents are designed to enhance the capabilities of LLMs by incorporating additional functionalities. Agents have four layers: Foundation layer. Application layer. Management layer. Data layer. An AI agent typically consists of the following components: Memory: Stores past interactions and feedback to provide contextually relevant responses. Memory resides in the data layer. Tools/Platform: Retrieves real-time data and interacts with internal databases. The chosen tools and platforms are part of the application layer. Planning: Uses reasoning techniques to break down complex tasks into simpler steps. Actions: Executes tasks based on insights from LLMs and other sources. Critique: Provides a feedback loop for actions based on different use cases to ensure accuracy. Persona: Adapts to different roles, such as research assistant, content writer, or customer support agent. Planning, actions, critique, and persona identification occur in the management layer. Frameworks for building AI agents There are many frameworks available for building AI agents and multi-agent systems, each catering to a different need: AutoGen (Microsoft): Focuses on conversational AI and automation. CrewAI: Designed for role-playing agents that collaborate effectively. LangGraph: Structures agent interactions in a graph-based model. Swarm (OpenAI): Primarily for educational purposes. LangChain: A popular framework enabling AI agents to work with LLMs and other tools. Each platform offers unique advantages based on the task’s use case, scalability, and complexity. Multi-agent AI systems and their importance A multi-agent system consists of multiple AI agents working seamlessly, each performing a distinct function to collaboratively solve problems. These systems are particularly useful for handling complex scenarios where a single AI agent might struggle. Below is a simple example of a multi-agent system: Query processing agent: Breaks the question into multiple parts. Retrieval agent: Fetches relevant data from internal sources. Validation agent: Verifies the response against various parameters such as brand voice and query intent. Formatting agent: Structures the response appropriately. This structured approach to distributing responsibilities among agents ensures more accurate and intelligent responses while reducing errors. Before exploring how AI agents deliver real-time personalization, let’s look at why traditional methods are no longer enough. Dig deeper: AI optimization: How to optimize your content for AI search and agents Why AI-powered personalization is essential As data availability declines and user expectations rise, businesses can no longer rely on traditional methods to understand customer intent. The shift away from third-party cookies, the rise of zero-click content, and the demand for real-time, tailored experiences have made AI-driven personalization a necessity. AI enables businesses to analyze behavior, predict intent, and deliver dynamic, personalized experiences at scale – from search and social to email and on-site interactions. Unlike static personalization, AI adapts in real time, ensuring relevance across every customer touchpoint. With traditional strategies losing effectiveness, AI agents offer a smarter, more scalable way to engage and convert audiences. Dig deeper: How to boost your marketing revenue with personalization, connectivity and data Delivering personalized experiences with search and chat agents Modern websites are no longer one-size-fits-all. They provide immersive experiences tailored to each visitor’s intent. AI agents enable this through two key approaches: Search agents Traditional site searches relied on keywords and filters, which have limitations with multimodal searches (like voice or visual) and long-tail queries. They also require more user clicks, increasing the likelihood of search abandonment. AI-powered search agents overcome these challenges by delivering a more intuitive and efficient on-site search experience. Chat agents Early AI chatbots responded using pre-programmed scripts or existing website content. Today, advanced chat agents offer personalized experiences using audience data. They can: Build detailed user profiles. Understand user intent by analyzing historical interactions and purchase data. Learn from similar interactions to ask relevant follow-up questions. Adapt on-site experiences in real time based on user behavior. Inform cross-channel marketing strategies – such as email, social, paid, and retargeting – using insights gathered from user interactions. AI agents also offer industry-specific personalization. Brands can implement: Digital marketing automation agents. Customer support chat agents. Specialized solutions, like: Financial risk assessment agents. Automotive inventory management agents. Personalize or perish Many businesses still view personalization as optional. In reality, without personalized experiences, traffic and conversions will decline, leading to higher marketing costs and lower ROI as more spending is needed to attract, engage, and convert visitors. To improve efficiency, AI-powered personalization offers a scalable, intelligent, and adaptive solution. Dig deeper: Hyper-personalization in PPC: Using data to deliver tailored ad experiences View the full article

Eating healthy is good for you, no matter who you are or what your goals. You don't have to be trying to lose weight to eat healthier, for one thing. But it can be tricky to know where to start, so here are your basic guidelines for healthy eating. Fruits, veggies, and protein are some of the easiest places to start, and they'll have the biggest impacts. There’s no perfect dietBefore we start, an important ground rule: There isn’t one true perfect way to eat. No matter what your keto friend says, or your mom who has this diet plan you just have to try, or even those ranked lists of the "best" diets. When weight-loss diets have been tested against each other, they all work about the same. And if you’re just eating healthy for, you know, your health (what an idea!) there are still plenty of ways to do it. So let’s talk about the things that nearly all healthy eating approaches have in common. Even though I'll list several good starting points below, you don't have to do all of them—pick one for now. Just as with exercise, it takes time to get used to a habit. Eating healthier may involve many different habits, like learning new recipes or buying different groceries than what you’re used to, so give yourself some time to learn and get used to it. Eat more fruits and vegetablesIf you only change one thing, make it this. Most of us don’t eat enough vegetables, or we eat the same few over and over. Eat more vegetables, and more types of vegetables. Same with fruits, especially fresh fruits. (Apple pie is technically a fruit, but that’s not quite what I mean.) Fruits and vegetables contain fiber, which most of us don't get enough of, including soluble, insoluble, and prebiotic types. They also contain vitamins and minerals that most of us could use more of, like vitamin A and potassium. And they contain plenty of phytonutrients, which are natural chemical compounds that don't qualify as vitamins but that are still likely good for us. For example, beta-carotene is a form of vitamin A, but there are at least 40 other carotenes that we can get in our diets. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and you'll cover a lot of bases. How to do it: Try to add a fruit or vegetable to at least one meal a day. (When you've got the hang of that, build on that and add another.) Feel free to make this convenient: frozen veggies are just as nutritious as fresh (sometimes more so). You can throw frozen cooked spinach into just about any sauce or soup, or roast a bunch of veggies—fresh, frozen, whatever—on a sheet pan for an easy side dish or meal. Everything tastes good seasoned and roasted. Get enough proteinIt’s not hard to get enough protein on a normal diet, but as you’re overhauling what you eat, make sure that you’re making room for it. Lean proteins like fish, chicken and tofu are an excellent base for your diet. Whether to include fattier ones like red meat depends on your goals for your diet (including whether your doctor has advised you to limit these foods for health reasons). If you’re trying to lose weight, you need more protein than the average person. The less food you eat, the more of it needs to be protein. Remember, protein is a nutrient found in many foods; it’s not just the meats and tofu themselves. Get used to reading labels (or googling the protein content of your foods) to make sure you get plenty. The numbers are in our protein guide. If you work out a lot, you’ll also need more protein than the average person. And don't worry about the fearmongering messages you may have heard about how we already get "too much" protein. This is a myth, borne out of some misunderstandings about how the RDA for protein is calculated. When you check the numbers, it turns out that the average person eats just barely enough protein, and many of us are in groups that should get more than the minimum. If you're an older adult, for example, you probably need significantly more than you're already getting. Have less sugar and processed foodIt’s not realistic to cut sugar and processed foods completely out of your diet. Processing is relative, anyway; cooking is a form of processing. But if you find yourself eating a lot of these foods, it can be helpful to ask yourself: What could I be eating instead? In place of a boxed breakfast cereal, for example, you could make your own oatmeal or overnight oats. If you drink a lot of soda, maybe you’d be fine with swapping out some of those drinks for water or seltzer. And if you snack a lot on candy or chips, maybe you could make your meals a bit larger (more protein? More veggies?) so you’re less likely to get a snacky craving later in the day. Make it easy to eat healthyIntending to eat healthy is the easy part. It’s actually grabbing the right meal or snack when you’re busy or exhausted that trips people up. So think ahead about what you want to eat, and set things up to make it easy. Put fresh fruit in a convenient spot, and shove the candy into the back of a cabinet. Chop some veggies on the weekend and cook some brown rice so they’re ready to throw together when it’s time for a meal. If you like cooking dinner but tend to be lost at lunchtime, go ahead and pack yourself a lunch in the evening (even if you work at home) so that you’ll just have to open your lunchbox when it’s time to eat. Eating healthy doesn’t have to mean cooking from scratch, by the way. I love getting bags of frozen veggies or veggie/grain mixes from Trader Joe’s and pairing them with whatever protein I have on hand (often also bought and defrosted from Trader Joe’s, sorry, I’m predictable). It’s not cheating to make things easy on yourself. If you think that preparing your meals ahead of time might help, check out my guide to getting into the meal prep habit without getting overwhelmed with the cooking or bored with the meals. Only track calories if you really want or need toIf you’re trying to gain or lose weight, what needs to happen is that your total calorie intake will need to change relative to the number of calories you burn. And if your weight has been changing but you don’t want it to, you’ll need your calorie intake and calorie burn to be equal. Tracking your food and counting calories can help you keep tabs on whether the numbers are going the way you want them to. That said, don’t track calories just because you feel like you “should.” If you don’t have a specific goal, or if you’re flexible about the timeline, you don’t have to download MyFitnessPal just because that’s what all your dieting friends are doing. (Cronometer is the better app for meal tracking anyway, and you can get a better handle on your weight gain or loss with Macrofactor (paid) or a free DIY solution.) If you do end up counting calories, a word of warning: don’t aim for a shockingly low number, even if you have the willpower to make it work. (1200 calories is starvation rations.) Extreme calorie deficits can make you lose muscle, not just fat, which may leave you, ironically, less fit than when you started. Gradual changes are more sustainable anyway. View the full article

There are a few tricks with home bread baking that make the difference between a lackluster loaf and a spectacular one. One of them is having a heavy duty baking surface to get a nice bottom crust, and another is creating a steamy environment for a lofty loaf. Managing these requirements might sound like a challenge, or like expensive equipment might be involved, but you can actually solve both needs with a common piece of cookware: the Dutch oven. Why you should bake bread in a Dutch ovenA heavy duty baking surface, like a baking stone, is easy enough to come by, but a steam injected oven like the bakeries have is not as common at home. Steam is essential for a fully risen loaf of bread that cracks open exactly where you score it. The moist air allows for oven spring and it’s the last time your bread rises after all that proofing. Without moisture, the bread will immediately develop a dry skin that impedes the oven spring. This can stunt your loaf and also cause it to tear open at an unintended seam as the inside of the bread starts rising a few minutes later. Moist air in the first five to 10 minutes of baking ensures the crust doesn’t develop too early and the dough can expand as much as possible. There’s the ol’ pan of water trick, where you add water to a hot pan in the oven in hopes that it’ll steam things up while your bread bakes, but I find that this isn’t always enough because the oven is such a large space and the steam vents out quickly. If only you had a small, enclosed space made from a heavy duty material to capture the bread’s natural moisture and evenly distribute the heat. Oh. Right. The Dutch oven is like a baking stone and a steam keeper all rolled into one. (And if you don't have one yet, here are some affordable options.) The Dutch oven makes a huge difference in the rise my sourdough gets compared to the baking stone and water pan method. How to make bread in a Dutch oven You can make any yeast-raised bread in a Dutch oven (and a ton of other stuff too), just make sure the loaf isn’t too big for the pot that you have. A round loaf of bread that’s fully proofed and ready to bake should have an inch of clearance all the way around and a few inches above. A lot of rise is what we’re counting on, so you don’t want the space to be cramped. When your bread dough has already done the bulk proof, and it’s been shaped, place it on a large piece of parchment paper for its second proof. Then get to setting up your oven. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann My dutch oven is rather tall so I put the rack down to the second-to-bottom position so I have enough space. About 30 minutes before your bread is finished proofing, put a lid on your Dutch oven and put it in the oven to preheat. Set the oven to whatever temperature you need. I’ll set mine to 450°F for the sourdough. Keep in mind that most Dutch ovens are oven safe up to 500°F or higher, but sometimes the handle on the lid isn’t. Check your brand to make sure. If your lid isn’t oven safe, use a baking sheet to cover the top. It’s not perfect but it’ll do. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Once the bread is ready to be baked, score the bread how you’d like. I'm partial to the square score. Carefully take the Dutch oven out of the oven with mitts on. Remove the lid. Lift the bread up by the parchment paper corners and lower it into the pot. Put the lid on (if you’re using a baking sheet “lid,” put it on once the pot is in the oven) and put the entire Dutch oven back into the conventional oven. Bake it for as long as your recipe indicates, but with 10 minutes left in the baking time, remove the lid so the bread can brown. Take the bread out of the pot carefully to cool on a wire rack. My Dutch oven sourdough recipeThis recipe uses a sourdough starter for flavor and the leavening, of course. However, if you’re not in the business of keeping starter around (and if you want to but it keeps failing, read this) then you can just stir one teaspoon of active dry yeast into the water measurement before adding the flour and salt. Ingredients: 7 ounces room temperature water 4 ounces sourdough starter 10 ounces high-gluten flour 0.25 ounces salt 1. Mix the water, starter, and flour together in the bowl of a stand mixer. I use the dough hook and stir things around until the dry bits have been moistened and the dough looks shaggy. Let this rest for 15 minutes. This short autolyse will help hydrate the flour and strengthen the gluten. 2. Set the dough hook and bowl onto the machine and start it on the first speed. Sprinkle in the salt as it’s stirring. Put the machine onto the second speed for three minutes, and the third speed for another three minutes. The dough may stick a bit to the bottom at first and that’s alright—it’ll gather up by the end. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann 3. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, a plastic bag, or a hotel shower cap. Place this bowl in a warm area, or my favorite mug warmer proofing rig. Every 45 minutes, fold the dough in half and flip it over. This is especially helpful for sourdough, but if you’ve used active dry yeast you can leave it be. 4. Once the dough has doubled in size, usually two to three hours depending on how active your yeast is, dump it out onto a lightly floured surface. Fold the dough in half to knock out the air. Shape the dough into a square and lift the edges together to make a purse. Dust away the flour and flip the purse over. Use your hands to tighten the dough’s skin and shape a ball. Here’s my video on dough shaping. (It’s very helpful, according to me.) 5. Set the loaf onto a large piece of parchment paper and cover it with a tea towel and drape over that same piece of plastic you used before. Let this proof for about 45 minutes, or until a fingerprint springs back halfway. 6. Heat the Dutch oven in the conventional oven during this proofing time. When the bread is ready to bake, score the bread with a sharp serrated knife or a lame. Take out the pot, grab the corners of the parchment paper and lower the loaf into the pot. Cover the Dutch oven and put it into the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and leave the bread in the oven to finish baking for another 10 minutes. Cool the finished loaf on a wire cooling rack. View the full article

Trying to win in a new market? It’s important you speak your customers’ language – literally. And that’s where hiring professional translation services can make life easier for you. The Importance of Translation Services for Businesses As a business owner aiming to succeed in a global market, overcoming language barriers is pivotal. This is where translation services come into play. They provide a bridge that links your business to diverse cultures and languages. Beyond literal translation, these services account for cultural nuances, colloquialisms, and idioms that contribute to an authentic and relatable brand message. Here are some key reasons why translation services are vital for businesses: Broadens Market Reach: Translation services allow you to communicate with potential customers in their native language, enhancing their understanding of your products or services and increasing the likelihood of conversion. Boosts Brand Image: Professional translators ensure your message not only gets across but is presented in a way that aligns with your brand voice and the cultural nuances of your target market. This helps your business sound more professional and relatable. Ensures Accurate Communication: With translation services, you ensure that your international distributors, partners, and stakeholders receive accurate and consistent information. This allows them to support your business activities better. Improves Customer Experience: Customers prefer to interact with businesses in their native language. Translation services can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by facilitating seamless communication. Promotes Compliance: In many industries, businesses are required to provide multilingual support for their products or services. Translation services can help meet these regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Enhances SEO: Translated content can significantly improve your SEO performance on local search engines, making it easier for potential customers in different countries to find your business online. In a competitive landscape where businesses are always seeking the attention of global consumers, professional translation services provide a distinct advantage by enabling authentic connections with diverse audiences. By overcoming language barriers, these services can greatly expand your business’s global reach. Understanding Translation Services Thanks to the growing demand for translation services, a number of professional translators have entered the market. What’s more, you can find specific translation service providers based on your exact needs. For example, there are specialists who can help you with document translation. If you want to localize your website to appeal to your target audience, you can also find localization services. Another example of a translation service is when you want to add subtitles in other languages to your videos. This is known as multimedia translation, and it can help you ensure your videos capture your messages in the most efficient manner. With the right translation service provider, opportunities are endless for you to conquer new markets as a credible brand. The Role of Professional Translators Granted there are many online tools that can help you quickly translate some text; they are simply not an alternative to professional translators. That’s because professional translators can identify and avoid certain words or phrases that have several implications in other languages. Professional translators spend years mastering two languages to do their job. In most cases, they acquire specialized knowledge in specific domains, such as technical and medical, to provide the most accurate translation services. Clear understanding of cultural nuances, knowledge of specific topics and domains and quality assurance are just some of the benefits human translators offer. Translation and Localization Services: Going Beyond Basic Translation When it comes to translation, it’s especially important to consider localization to appeal to your audience. There are several local references and regional implications that machine translation cannot detect easily. Let’s consider an example. When General Motors introduced the Chevy Nova in South America, consumers were puzzled by the name. This confusion arose because, in Spanish, “Nova” translates to “It won’t go.” There are many other instances where prominent brands have struggled to convey their message and product names effectively in global markets. This highlights the significant impact of translation services. Choosing the Right Translation Service for Your Business Considering the importance of translation to conquer new markets and improve distribution, it’s critical to invest adequate time and energy in finding the right translation service. Here are some key factors you must consider when selecting the right translation service for your business. Language expertise: A professional translator is fluent in both the source and target language. In addition to being able to complete literal translations, they should have a deep understanding of the various complexities in each language. Subject matter expertise: In most cases, businesses benefit from hiring subject matter experts. For example, if you own a tech business, look for a human translator with expertise in your domain. Turnaround time: When seeking a human translation service provider, professionalism is a crucial factor to consider. Companies around the globe depend on skilled translators who provide quick turnaround services. Pricing structure: For small businesses, a simple pricing structure is essential to getting the job done. Of course, you must spend enough time trying to find a language translation services provider who can do a great job at the right price. It is, therefore, advisable to start looking in advance. Confidentiality: Finding a service provider that prioritizes data security and confidentiality is crucial. Ideally, you should request that they sign a nondisclosure agreement and share details about the systems they use to manage sensitive data. The Importance of Human Translation in Maintaining Quality A number of companies worldwide use translation API services and machine translation for their projects. This is especially common for small businesses operating on limited budgets. The challenge with using machine translation services such as Google Translate is linguistic accuracy. In most cases, online translation tools can provide literal translation services. However, since they lack a clear understanding of the cultural context, they cannot replace the value that human translators provide. Where to Find Reliable Translation Services for Your Business Due to the increasing demand for professional translation services, locating the right individuals has become much easier. Let’s explore the various sources where you can find reliable human translation services. Online language service providers Language translation services help businesses connect with their international audience. They provide a plethora of translation services, including transcreation, proofreading, copywriting, and translation. Some of the more well-known online language service providers include Lionbridge, Nitro, Gengo, LanguageLine, and Speakt. The best thing about these online service providers is their professionalism. They have a large team of native speakers specializing in multiple languages. This makes it easier for them to prioritize your projects and offer the best language solutions. Some even offer specialized services like 24 hour translation services. Freelance Talent Marketplaces Many businesses use freelancers to reach their audience in international markets. Language services offered by freelance translators are a preferred option for businesses looking for native-speaking translators willing to work on a limited budget. On the flip side, though, not all human translators are committed to meeting deadlines. If you are interested in working with freelance translators, you can find them on Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. Translator Marketplaces There are numerous online communities specifically designed for translators to network and showcase their work. You can post your project here and connect with translators. In these communities, you will encounter both professional and freelance translators seeking translation projects. To find the right human translator on these platforms, make sure you describe your project in detail. You also have the option of having insightful discussions with the service providers before assigning them your project. Some of the popular translator communities include ProZ and LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, you may join specific groups with human translators to connect with the network. Directories Another option is to look for professional language translation services on the Yellow Pages. The American Translators Association is one of the largest and oldest associations of professional translators. It has more than 6,000 individual translators. Other directories include The Open Mic, ProZ, The Translation Directory, and TM-Town. Services/PlatformsOnline Language Service ProvidersFreelance Talent MarketplacesTranslator MarketplacesDirectories ExamplesLionbridge, Nitro, Gengo, LanguageLine, Speakt.Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.ProZ, LinkedIn.American Translators Association, The Open Mic, ProZ, The Translation Directory, TM-Town. ProsLarge team of professional native speakers specializing in multiple languages. Some offer specialized services like 24 hour translation services.Typically more budget-friendly. Possibility of finding native-speaking translators.Diverse network of both professional and freelance translators. Direct contact and discussion with translators before project assignment.Access to a large number of professional translators. Associations like ATA ensure high quality and professional services. ConsMay be more expensive than freelance translators.Quality and timeliness can vary greatly. No guarantee of professionalism.Requires detailed project descriptions and possibly extensive communication before project start. Quality may vary.Some directories may not vet the translators listed, leading to variable quality. Can be difficult to navigate and find the right translator. Best ForLarge scale projects and businesses seeking high quality, professional translation services.Smaller scale projects or businesses on a tighter budget that can handle variable quality.Medium scale projects that can invest time in finding and communicating with the right translator.Businesses that want access to a large pool of professional translators and are willing to sift through listings. Frequently Asked Questions about Translation Services What are translation services? Translation services are business services that help users convey messages in different languages. By doing so, they enable businesses to expand their global reach. What is the role of professional translators? Professional translators help businesses overcome language and cultural barriers by making the translation process easier. A professional translator is skilled in understanding, interpreting and translating content from one language to another. Thanks to their skills and experience, they can easily convey the key message while retaining the original style and tone. What is the difference between translation and localization? Translation involves converting words from one language into another. In contrast, localization encompasses various techniques aimed at adapting the intent of the message to a different language. This process considers the cultural nuances and linguistic complexities involved in translation services when rendering content into other languages. Why is human translation important? Human translation is essential to preserving the original tone and style of the message. Human translation helps businesses avoid misinterpretations and cultural complexities to appeal to their audience. It can also minimize translator fails that may occur when digital tools are unable to mimic natural human speech. Where can I find reliable translation services for my business? You can discover reliable translation services for your business through various online service providers, directories, communities, and freelance marketplaces. This article, "Where to Find Translation Services for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Trying to win in a new market? It’s important you speak your customers’ language – literally. And that’s where hiring professional translation services can make life easier for you. The Importance of Translation Services for Businesses As a business owner aiming to succeed in a global market, overcoming language barriers is pivotal. This is where translation services come into play. They provide a bridge that links your business to diverse cultures and languages. Beyond literal translation, these services account for cultural nuances, colloquialisms, and idioms that contribute to an authentic and relatable brand message. Here are some key reasons why translation services are vital for businesses: Broadens Market Reach: Translation services allow you to communicate with potential customers in their native language, enhancing their understanding of your products or services and increasing the likelihood of conversion. Boosts Brand Image: Professional translators ensure your message not only gets across but is presented in a way that aligns with your brand voice and the cultural nuances of your target market. This helps your business sound more professional and relatable. Ensures Accurate Communication: With translation services, you ensure that your international distributors, partners, and stakeholders receive accurate and consistent information. This allows them to support your business activities better. Improves Customer Experience: Customers prefer to interact with businesses in their native language. Translation services can improve customer satisfaction and loyalty by facilitating seamless communication. Promotes Compliance: In many industries, businesses are required to provide multilingual support for their products or services. Translation services can help meet these regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties. Enhances SEO: Translated content can significantly improve your SEO performance on local search engines, making it easier for potential customers in different countries to find your business online. In a competitive landscape where businesses are always seeking the attention of global consumers, professional translation services provide a distinct advantage by enabling authentic connections with diverse audiences. By overcoming language barriers, these services can greatly expand your business’s global reach. Understanding Translation Services Thanks to the growing demand for translation services, a number of professional translators have entered the market. What’s more, you can find specific translation service providers based on your exact needs. For example, there are specialists who can help you with document translation. If you want to localize your website to appeal to your target audience, you can also find localization services. Another example of a translation service is when you want to add subtitles in other languages to your videos. This is known as multimedia translation, and it can help you ensure your videos capture your messages in the most efficient manner. With the right translation service provider, opportunities are endless for you to conquer new markets as a credible brand. The Role of Professional Translators Granted there are many online tools that can help you quickly translate some text; they are simply not an alternative to professional translators. That’s because professional translators can identify and avoid certain words or phrases that have several implications in other languages. Professional translators spend years mastering two languages to do their job. In most cases, they acquire specialized knowledge in specific domains, such as technical and medical, to provide the most accurate translation services. Clear understanding of cultural nuances, knowledge of specific topics and domains and quality assurance are just some of the benefits human translators offer. Translation and Localization Services: Going Beyond Basic Translation When it comes to translation, it’s especially important to consider localization to appeal to your audience. There are several local references and regional implications that machine translation cannot detect easily. Let’s consider an example. When General Motors introduced the Chevy Nova in South America, consumers were puzzled by the name. This confusion arose because, in Spanish, “Nova” translates to “It won’t go.” There are many other instances where prominent brands have struggled to convey their message and product names effectively in global markets. This highlights the significant impact of translation services. Choosing the Right Translation Service for Your Business Considering the importance of translation to conquer new markets and improve distribution, it’s critical to invest adequate time and energy in finding the right translation service. Here are some key factors you must consider when selecting the right translation service for your business. Language expertise: A professional translator is fluent in both the source and target language. In addition to being able to complete literal translations, they should have a deep understanding of the various complexities in each language. Subject matter expertise: In most cases, businesses benefit from hiring subject matter experts. For example, if you own a tech business, look for a human translator with expertise in your domain. Turnaround time: When seeking a human translation service provider, professionalism is a crucial factor to consider. Companies around the globe depend on skilled translators who provide quick turnaround services. Pricing structure: For small businesses, a simple pricing structure is essential to getting the job done. Of course, you must spend enough time trying to find a language translation services provider who can do a great job at the right price. It is, therefore, advisable to start looking in advance. Confidentiality: Finding a service provider that prioritizes data security and confidentiality is crucial. Ideally, you should request that they sign a nondisclosure agreement and share details about the systems they use to manage sensitive data. The Importance of Human Translation in Maintaining Quality A number of companies worldwide use translation API services and machine translation for their projects. This is especially common for small businesses operating on limited budgets. The challenge with using machine translation services such as Google Translate is linguistic accuracy. In most cases, online translation tools can provide literal translation services. However, since they lack a clear understanding of the cultural context, they cannot replace the value that human translators provide. Where to Find Reliable Translation Services for Your Business Due to the increasing demand for professional translation services, locating the right individuals has become much easier. Let’s explore the various sources where you can find reliable human translation services. Online language service providers Language translation services help businesses connect with their international audience. They provide a plethora of translation services, including transcreation, proofreading, copywriting, and translation. Some of the more well-known online language service providers include Lionbridge, Nitro, Gengo, LanguageLine, and Speakt. The best thing about these online service providers is their professionalism. They have a large team of native speakers specializing in multiple languages. This makes it easier for them to prioritize your projects and offer the best language solutions. Some even offer specialized services like 24 hour translation services. Freelance Talent Marketplaces Many businesses use freelancers to reach their audience in international markets. Language services offered by freelance translators are a preferred option for businesses looking for native-speaking translators willing to work on a limited budget. On the flip side, though, not all human translators are committed to meeting deadlines. If you are interested in working with freelance translators, you can find them on Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. Translator Marketplaces There are numerous online communities specifically designed for translators to network and showcase their work. You can post your project here and connect with translators. In these communities, you will encounter both professional and freelance translators seeking translation projects. To find the right human translator on these platforms, make sure you describe your project in detail. You also have the option of having insightful discussions with the service providers before assigning them your project. Some of the popular translator communities include ProZ and LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, you may join specific groups with human translators to connect with the network. Directories Another option is to look for professional language translation services on the Yellow Pages. The American Translators Association is one of the largest and oldest associations of professional translators. It has more than 6,000 individual translators. Other directories include The Open Mic, ProZ, The Translation Directory, and TM-Town. Services/PlatformsOnline Language Service ProvidersFreelance Talent MarketplacesTranslator MarketplacesDirectories ExamplesLionbridge, Nitro, Gengo, LanguageLine, Speakt.Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer.ProZ, LinkedIn.American Translators Association, The Open Mic, ProZ, The Translation Directory, TM-Town. ProsLarge team of professional native speakers specializing in multiple languages. Some offer specialized services like 24 hour translation services.Typically more budget-friendly. Possibility of finding native-speaking translators.Diverse network of both professional and freelance translators. Direct contact and discussion with translators before project assignment.Access to a large number of professional translators. Associations like ATA ensure high quality and professional services. ConsMay be more expensive than freelance translators.Quality and timeliness can vary greatly. No guarantee of professionalism.Requires detailed project descriptions and possibly extensive communication before project start. Quality may vary.Some directories may not vet the translators listed, leading to variable quality. Can be difficult to navigate and find the right translator. Best ForLarge scale projects and businesses seeking high quality, professional translation services.Smaller scale projects or businesses on a tighter budget that can handle variable quality.Medium scale projects that can invest time in finding and communicating with the right translator.Businesses that want access to a large pool of professional translators and are willing to sift through listings. Frequently Asked Questions about Translation Services What are translation services? Translation services are business services that help users convey messages in different languages. By doing so, they enable businesses to expand their global reach. What is the role of professional translators? Professional translators help businesses overcome language and cultural barriers by making the translation process easier. A professional translator is skilled in understanding, interpreting and translating content from one language to another. Thanks to their skills and experience, they can easily convey the key message while retaining the original style and tone. What is the difference between translation and localization? Translation involves converting words from one language into another. In contrast, localization encompasses various techniques aimed at adapting the intent of the message to a different language. This process considers the cultural nuances and linguistic complexities involved in translation services when rendering content into other languages. Why is human translation important? Human translation is essential to preserving the original tone and style of the message. Human translation helps businesses avoid misinterpretations and cultural complexities to appeal to their audience. It can also minimize translator fails that may occur when digital tools are unable to mimic natural human speech. Where can I find reliable translation services for my business? You can discover reliable translation services for your business through various online service providers, directories, communities, and freelance marketplaces. This article, "Where to Find Translation Services for Your Business" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Tristan and Andrew Tate have been charged with sexual misconduct, organised crime and money launderingView the full article

While many of us only have one Apple Account to manage, many others have two, and are using both with their Apple devices. I know someone who once created an Apple Account using an employer-linked email address, and at some point, created a second account with their personal ID. Now, they're using two accounts on their devices, with one linked to iCloud and Apple Music, and the other one for all other apps. If you've had Apple devices for a long time, you might have two Apple Accounts of your own. Despite this, Apple didn't allow users to merge purchases onto one account. So, if you wanted to access purchases on an old Apple Account, you needed to sign into it, even though you use a newer account for everything else. For people stuck in these types of situations, Apple finally has a solution—migrating purchases from one account to another. It's not necessarily simple, but it is doable. Understanding the risks involvedOn the surface, it may seem like a simple process to migrate your purchases from one Apple Account to another, but it appears to be quite tricky in the backend. That's probably why it has taken Apple so long to make this feature available. Data migration is complicated. I remember when people's iTunes libraries were corrupted when Apple Music launched and not everyone found a working solution. That's why I think it's best to take migrating purchases slow and steady. It's also worth noting that after migration is complete, your secondary Apple Account will no longer be able to make any purchases, so you won't be able to download any apps from the App Store. I also don't recommend going through with this process if you're beta testing many apps via TestFlight. If you're okay with unenrolling your device from all those betas, then you may proceed to migrate purchases. This process is also unavailable in three major regions—the EU, United Kingdom, and India. Apple hasn't mentioned why this is, but it could be due to local regulations around payments and data. Check if you're eligible for migrating purchasesTo successfully migrate your purchases to a different Apple Account, the company requires you meet the following conditions: The primary Apple Account should be linked to iCloud and most features. This is the account where all your purchases will be unified. The secondary Apple Account should only be used for media and purchases. This account won't be able to make any purchases once the migration is complete. You should know the email address, phone numbers, and passwords for both accounts. Your Apple Accounts should not be shared with another person. Your Apple Accounts shouldn't be created as a child account through Family Sharing. If the primary Apple Account has never been used for purchases or free downloads, it can't be used to migrate purchases. Migration can't be done if both accounts have music library data associated with them. The Apple Account shouldn't be locked or disabled. It also shouldn't be a part of special access programs for apps on content (e.g. linked to an employer to receive special access to apps). The secondary Apple Account shouldn't be used for testing beta versions through TestFlight. Stop testing all apps before attempting migration. How to migrate purchases from one Apple Account to anotherBefore you can start migrating purchases, you need to do the following: Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS on your iPhone or iPad. Make sure you are logged in to your primary account on your device, and your secondary Apple Account for Media & Purchases. To verify this, go to Settings > YOUR NAME > Media & Purchases > View Account. If you see a different Apple Account here from your primary Apple Account, you're all set. If not, you can sign out and sign in to the correct account. Ensure that the secondary account isn't a part of a Family Sharing group. Check that both accounts are set to the same country and region. Enable two-factor authentication on both accounts. If you have unused Apple Account balance on the secondary account, spend it all before you start migrating. Wait for rental content to expire before beginning this process. If you've pre-ordered any content on the secondary account, then you can either wait for the orders to complete or cancel them. Verify that the payment method linked to the secondary account is working and keep all its details handy. You'll have to verify a payment from the secondary account before this process goes through. When all of this is confirmed, you can follow these steps to begin the process: On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > YOUR NAME > Media & Purchases > View Account. Sign in to the account if you're asked to, then scroll down, and select Migrate Purchases. Check the information about both accounts and follow on-screen prompts to complete migrating purchases to the primary account. Once the process is done, you'll see a message that reads, "Purchases Have Been Migrated," on the screen. You will also receive emails confirming this on both your email addresses. Check your Media & Purchases settings and sign in here with your primary Apple Account. You can now sign out of the secondary Apple Account on all your Apple devices. The migration process can only be done once on an account. Apple allows you to undo an account migration following these same steps, but you won't be able to migrate purchases again for one year. View the full article

Dwarkesh Patel interviewed Jeff Dean and Noam Shazeer of Google and one topic he asked about what would it be like to merge or combine Google Search with in-context learning. It resulted in a fascinating answer from Jeff Dean.View the full article

Google has upgraded the emails Google Business Profiles sends when your verification has failed. It now shows the reason(s) a verification has failed and what you need to do to become verified in Google Business Profiles.View the full article

Google Merchant Center recently began showing AI-generated summaries for how well your performance is doing with Merchant Center in Google Search. These are labeled as "experimental" and "AI-generated."View the full article

Google is testing adding to the search results snippet a section that is named "page includes." To be honest, this reminds me of the tags we saw on the search result snippets in 2021, 2019 and 2017 - but I am not sure if they are the same.View the full article

If you envision the world as your oyster and consider oysters served on the half-shell to be the ideal appetizer, then you might be well-suited for oyster farming. Yes, oysters can be raised to harvest in unique farms at the edge of the sea. Hey, the ancient Romans did it! And they didn’t have the aquaculture technology that exists today. Cultured oysters are most often raised on coastal farms. They prefer brackish, warmer waters, which are a mix of salt water and fresh water. Investing in Oyster Farming – Learn the Basics Your best bet for learning how to start a farm is to reach out to your state’s coastal Agricultural Extension office. That’s where you’ll learn how to make money farming oysters. Nearly all the East Coast states (Delaware’s is pending) offer workshops. For this type of farming, you’ll need to learn and comply with state and federal regulations. Another basic and tough truth to learn is that you’ll be waiting for your profit. Getting oyster farms set up requires significant capital, as you need equipment that will control the temperature and salinity of the water. Raising the oysters to harvest can take five years. You’ll need a top-notch business plan if you don’t have ready cash and want to borrow your startup funds. This can be one of the best options for those interested in learning how to start farming with no money. Note that the market is expected to increase by about 5% annually in the US. Other stats to whet your interest – 83% of oyster farmers earn more than $100,000 a year. The Benefits of Oyster Farming Helps Native Populations – Beginning in the 1870s, oysters suffered from overharvest. Oyster farming is restorative because it helps relieve pressure from native populations. Positive Impact on the Environment – Oysters can help the ecosystem by stabilizing sediment and recycling nutrients in the water column. Clean Water – A single oyster can filter 2,496 liters a day. Healthy to Eat – Oysters are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in cholesterol. Restoration Projects – The Pacific oysters, the most commonly cultivated species, have been essential to the Chesapeake Bay restoration project while being raised and harvested sustainably. The Basics of Farming Oysters The steps to get a permit for oyster farming vary by state. The best source of information about that is the local Agricultural Extension office. The most common species raised are Pacific oysters. Location and effective water management are crucial for success. Farmers require high water quality to cultivate premium oysters, as those raised in poor water conditions will lack in flavor. In the state, farmers have the option to lease water by the acre. The farmer sets up a nursery tank system with recirculating water. The farmer must be able to manipulate the temperature and salinity of the water, which is easier in the summer months. The farmer must also provide food. In the wild, oysters eat phytoplankton. In farms, oysters are raised using filter feed systems or cultured algae. The broodstock oysters are put on a tray in water. The water is rapidly cooled and heated so that they spawn, and the oysters release gametes. Eggs and sperm are mixed together for breeding to fertilize them. Fertilized eggs become larvae. As part of cultivation, larvae are fed using filter feeders or cultured algae daily. In two weeks, the young larvae oysters develop a small, round discoloration, which shows they are ready for the next step. The larvae are then called Spat. The farmer has two choices for raising the oysters. The Spat can be placed in tanks that provide “Cultch” options or objects which they can attach, such as old oyster shells. Or, they can be raised as “Seed” and allowed to develop their own shells. They must be kept below the surface, even at low tide. Oyster growth only occurs when they are underwater, not when exposed to air. The Spat or Seed can be stored in racks, bags, or cages positioned above the seabed but submerged below the surface during low tide. Alternatively, they can be placed in an artificial maturation tank to speed up growth to market size. Diversifying Your Oyster Farm Portfolio Pearls and Mother-of-Pearl You won’t get pearls from Pacific oysters or other species raised for food. Pearls are actually calcium carbonate spheres grown by some species. Oyster Shells When an oyster shell breaks or is no longer going to be used, the shell pieces can be sold. An oyster shell with its basic white color is ground and used in landscaping and even as a driveway surface. Other Marine Crop Farming In the same regulated environment that’s best for oyster growers, you can also raise seaweed (seaweed can be raised for food or medicinal use), sea vegetables, and shellfish such as mussels and clams. A shellfish crop can be sold to restaurants and is a great backup to help a business owner handle fluctuations in the oyster market. Those interested in other types of fish farming may require additional space for those species. For example, if you want to learn how to start catfish farming, you may keep that venture separate from your oyster farm. Harvesting Time – Tips and Best Practices Oysters are harvested by workers on foot or in a boat, depending on the water level of the land. In deeper waters, a boat must be used. Here are general tips: If on foot, begin with proper footwear. Oyster shells can be sharp. Wait for a few days after heavy rain to give the oysters time to filter any undesirable minerals or nutrients. Make sure each oyster is alive. Harvest of farmed oysters can be done by hand, with the humans using a hammer or tongs to break the oysters away from their beds and each other. The harvest crew will drag baskets behind them, towing the harvested oysters in the baskets, which float. Harvest methods for farmed oysters also include mechanical dredging. Mechanical dredging is most often done from a boat. Harvested oysters don’t have a long shelf life and must be kept cool to maintain quality and taste. If harvested in the summer months, extra steps must be taken to keep them cool. Market Research – Analyzing Profitability and Sustainability Oyster beds play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ocean. By establishing an optimal marine environment for their growth, oyster farmers contribute to the recovery of native populations that have been impacted by overharvesting. Exploring Oyster Farming Techniques Oyster farming involves various techniques that contribute to successful cultivation and a thriving oyster farm. Here’s a closer look at some key methods used in oyster farming: Spat Collection: In their natural habitat, oyster larvae attach themselves to hard surfaces like shells or substrates. Oyster farmers gather these young spat and move them to appropriate growing areas. Floating Bags or Cages: Oysters can be housed in floating bags or cages that are suspended in the water. This technique safeguards the oysters from predators and keeps them elevated above the seafloor, which encourages more robust growth. Bottom Cultivation: Oysters can be cultivated directly on the seafloor, where they attach to natural or artificial substrate. This method mimics the oysters’ natural habitat and allows for larger oysters to be produced. Tumbling or Flipping: To enhance shell development and prevent overcrowding, oysters are tumbled or flipped at regular intervals. This promotes uniform growth and stronger shells. Remote Monitoring: Modern technology enables oyster farmers to monitor their farms remotely. Sensors and cameras can provide real-time data on water quality, temperature, and oyster health. Off-Bottom Culture: Some farmers use off-bottom culture methods, where oysters are suspended in the water column using floating devices. This technique helps avoid contact with sediment and predators. TechniqueDescription Spat CollectionOyster larvae are collected from the wild and placed on shells or substrate in growing areas. Floating Bags or CagesOysters are placed in suspended bags or cages to protect them from predators and aid growth. Bottom CultivationOysters attach to natural or artificial substrate on the seafloor, promoting larger oyster growth. Tumbling or FlippingOysters are rotated at intervals to encourage shell development and uniform growth. Remote MonitoringTechnology allows real-time monitoring of water quality, temperature, and oyster health. Off-Bottom CultureOysters are suspended in the water column using floating devices to avoid sediment and predators. By implementing these techniques, oyster farmers can tailor their approach to suit their specific goals and environmental conditions, contributing to a thriving and sustainable oyster farming operation. Financial Planning and Investment for Oyster Farming Launching an oyster farm involves significant financial planning and investment. Here’s a concise guide to navigating the financial aspects of this venture: Initial and Operating Costs Factor in initial costs like leasing water space, equipment purchase, and spat procurement. Ongoing expenses will include labor, equipment maintenance, feed, transportation, and insurance. Accurate estimation of these costs is crucial for setting up a sustainable operation. Long-Term Financial Strategy Oyster farming requires patience, with a growth period of 18-24 months for oysters to reach market size. Your financial strategy should account for this delay in revenue generation. Explore various funding options like loans, grants, or partnerships if personal capital isn’t sufficient. Revenue Diversification Consider diversifying your income streams by exploring eco-tourism, implementing educational programs, or selling by-products such as oyster shells. This approach can enhance financial stability, particularly during the early years of your oyster farm. Cost-Benefit Analysis Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to gauge potential profitability. Compare the market price of oysters and the expected yield against your projected expenses. Record Keeping Maintain detailed financial records and regularly review your farm’s financial health to make informed decisions. Engaging with a financial advisor for professional guidance can also be beneficial in navigating the unique challenges of oyster farming. Helpful FAQs How many oysters can you farm in an acre? The number of oysters that can be farmed in an acre depends on various factors, including the farming method, water quality, and the specific oyster species being cultivated. On average, oyster farmers can grow approximately 750,000 oysters per acre. However, this number can vary based on regional conditions, farming techniques, and other variables. What species of oysters are the best to grow? The selection of oyster species for an oyster farm is influenced by various factors, including the farming location, market demand, and environmental conditions. Experts in marine sciences suggest prioritizing the Crassostrea Virginica species, popularly referred to as Atlantic oysters. Other notable oyster species that are known for successful cultivation include Pacific oysters, Eastern oysters, Belon oysters, Sydney Rock oysters, and Southern Mud oysters. Each species possesses distinct characteristics and benefits, so the choice should correspond with your farm’s objectives and the suitability for your region. Is oyster farming difficult? Oyster farming presents both opportunities and challenges that aspiring oyster farmers should be aware of. While it can be a rewarding endeavor, it’s important to note that oyster farming requires significant capital investment, careful planning, and attention to detail. Raising oysters to market size takes time and dedication. Farmers need to manage the oysters’ growth conditions, monitor water quality, and implement disease prevention measures. Oysters can be susceptible to various diseases and predators, such as starfish, oyster drill snails, stingray fish, stone crabs, and birds. Therefore, oyster farming demands a comprehensive understanding of aquatic ecosystems and a commitment to sustainable practices. Where are most oyster farms located? The majority of oyster farms are strategically situated on the East Coast of the United States and in California. These regions offer favorable conditions for oyster cultivation, including brackish or saltwater environments that promote healthy oyster growth. The coastal waters of these areas provide a balance between saltwater and freshwater, creating the ideal habitat for oysters. However, oyster farming can also be found in other coastal regions around the world, where similar conditions exist. The choice of location depends on factors such as water quality, accessibility, market demand, and regulatory considerations. As you embark on your oyster farming journey, having a solid understanding of these frequently asked questions will help you make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of the oyster farming industry. Remember that each farm is unique, and your success will depend on your dedication, expertise, and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Image: Envato Elements This article, "How to Start an Oyster Farm" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you envision the world as your oyster and consider oysters served on the half-shell to be the ideal appetizer, then you might be well-suited for oyster farming. Yes, oysters can be raised to harvest in unique farms at the edge of the sea. Hey, the ancient Romans did it! And they didn’t have the aquaculture technology that exists today. Cultured oysters are most often raised on coastal farms. They prefer brackish, warmer waters, which are a mix of salt water and fresh water. Investing in Oyster Farming – Learn the Basics Your best bet for learning how to start a farm is to reach out to your state’s coastal Agricultural Extension office. That’s where you’ll learn how to make money farming oysters. Nearly all the East Coast states (Delaware’s is pending) offer workshops. For this type of farming, you’ll need to learn and comply with state and federal regulations. Another basic and tough truth to learn is that you’ll be waiting for your profit. Getting oyster farms set up requires significant capital, as you need equipment that will control the temperature and salinity of the water. Raising the oysters to harvest can take five years. You’ll need a top-notch business plan if you don’t have ready cash and want to borrow your startup funds. This can be one of the best options for those interested in learning how to start farming with no money. Note that the market is expected to increase by about 5% annually in the US. Other stats to whet your interest – 83% of oyster farmers earn more than $100,000 a year. The Benefits of Oyster Farming Helps Native Populations – Beginning in the 1870s, oysters suffered from overharvest. Oyster farming is restorative because it helps relieve pressure from native populations. Positive Impact on the Environment – Oysters can help the ecosystem by stabilizing sediment and recycling nutrients in the water column. Clean Water – A single oyster can filter 2,496 liters a day. Healthy to Eat – Oysters are high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in cholesterol. Restoration Projects – The Pacific oysters, the most commonly cultivated species, have been essential to the Chesapeake Bay restoration project while being raised and harvested sustainably. The Basics of Farming Oysters The steps to get a permit for oyster farming vary by state. The best source of information about that is the local Agricultural Extension office. The most common species raised are Pacific oysters. Location and effective water management are crucial for success. Farmers require high water quality to cultivate premium oysters, as those raised in poor water conditions will lack in flavor. In the state, farmers have the option to lease water by the acre. The farmer sets up a nursery tank system with recirculating water. The farmer must be able to manipulate the temperature and salinity of the water, which is easier in the summer months. The farmer must also provide food. In the wild, oysters eat phytoplankton. In farms, oysters are raised using filter feed systems or cultured algae. The broodstock oysters are put on a tray in water. The water is rapidly cooled and heated so that they spawn, and the oysters release gametes. Eggs and sperm are mixed together for breeding to fertilize them. Fertilized eggs become larvae. As part of cultivation, larvae are fed using filter feeders or cultured algae daily. In two weeks, the young larvae oysters develop a small, round discoloration, which shows they are ready for the next step. The larvae are then called Spat. The farmer has two choices for raising the oysters. The Spat can be placed in tanks that provide “Cultch” options or objects which they can attach, such as old oyster shells. Or, they can be raised as “Seed” and allowed to develop their own shells. They must be kept below the surface, even at low tide. Oyster growth only occurs when they are underwater, not when exposed to air. The Spat or Seed can be stored in racks, bags, or cages positioned above the seabed but submerged below the surface during low tide. Alternatively, they can be placed in an artificial maturation tank to speed up growth to market size. Diversifying Your Oyster Farm Portfolio Pearls and Mother-of-Pearl You won’t get pearls from Pacific oysters or other species raised for food. Pearls are actually calcium carbonate spheres grown by some species. Oyster Shells When an oyster shell breaks or is no longer going to be used, the shell pieces can be sold. An oyster shell with its basic white color is ground and used in landscaping and even as a driveway surface. Other Marine Crop Farming In the same regulated environment that’s best for oyster growers, you can also raise seaweed (seaweed can be raised for food or medicinal use), sea vegetables, and shellfish such as mussels and clams. A shellfish crop can be sold to restaurants and is a great backup to help a business owner handle fluctuations in the oyster market. Those interested in other types of fish farming may require additional space for those species. For example, if you want to learn how to start catfish farming, you may keep that venture separate from your oyster farm. Harvesting Time – Tips and Best Practices Oysters are harvested by workers on foot or in a boat, depending on the water level of the land. In deeper waters, a boat must be used. Here are general tips: If on foot, begin with proper footwear. Oyster shells can be sharp. Wait for a few days after heavy rain to give the oysters time to filter any undesirable minerals or nutrients. Make sure each oyster is alive. Harvest of farmed oysters can be done by hand, with the humans using a hammer or tongs to break the oysters away from their beds and each other. The harvest crew will drag baskets behind them, towing the harvested oysters in the baskets, which float. Harvest methods for farmed oysters also include mechanical dredging. Mechanical dredging is most often done from a boat. Harvested oysters don’t have a long shelf life and must be kept cool to maintain quality and taste. If harvested in the summer months, extra steps must be taken to keep them cool. Market Research – Analyzing Profitability and Sustainability Oyster beds play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the ocean. By establishing an optimal marine environment for their growth, oyster farmers contribute to the recovery of native populations that have been impacted by overharvesting. Exploring Oyster Farming Techniques Oyster farming involves various techniques that contribute to successful cultivation and a thriving oyster farm. Here’s a closer look at some key methods used in oyster farming: Spat Collection: In their natural habitat, oyster larvae attach themselves to hard surfaces like shells or substrates. Oyster farmers gather these young spat and move them to appropriate growing areas. Floating Bags or Cages: Oysters can be housed in floating bags or cages that are suspended in the water. This technique safeguards the oysters from predators and keeps them elevated above the seafloor, which encourages more robust growth. Bottom Cultivation: Oysters can be cultivated directly on the seafloor, where they attach to natural or artificial substrate. This method mimics the oysters’ natural habitat and allows for larger oysters to be produced. Tumbling or Flipping: To enhance shell development and prevent overcrowding, oysters are tumbled or flipped at regular intervals. This promotes uniform growth and stronger shells. Remote Monitoring: Modern technology enables oyster farmers to monitor their farms remotely. Sensors and cameras can provide real-time data on water quality, temperature, and oyster health. Off-Bottom Culture: Some farmers use off-bottom culture methods, where oysters are suspended in the water column using floating devices. This technique helps avoid contact with sediment and predators. TechniqueDescription Spat CollectionOyster larvae are collected from the wild and placed on shells or substrate in growing areas. Floating Bags or CagesOysters are placed in suspended bags or cages to protect them from predators and aid growth. Bottom CultivationOysters attach to natural or artificial substrate on the seafloor, promoting larger oyster growth. Tumbling or FlippingOysters are rotated at intervals to encourage shell development and uniform growth. Remote MonitoringTechnology allows real-time monitoring of water quality, temperature, and oyster health. Off-Bottom CultureOysters are suspended in the water column using floating devices to avoid sediment and predators. By implementing these techniques, oyster farmers can tailor their approach to suit their specific goals and environmental conditions, contributing to a thriving and sustainable oyster farming operation. Financial Planning and Investment for Oyster Farming Launching an oyster farm involves significant financial planning and investment. Here’s a concise guide to navigating the financial aspects of this venture: Initial and Operating Costs Factor in initial costs like leasing water space, equipment purchase, and spat procurement. Ongoing expenses will include labor, equipment maintenance, feed, transportation, and insurance. Accurate estimation of these costs is crucial for setting up a sustainable operation. Long-Term Financial Strategy Oyster farming requires patience, with a growth period of 18-24 months for oysters to reach market size. Your financial strategy should account for this delay in revenue generation. Explore various funding options like loans, grants, or partnerships if personal capital isn’t sufficient. Revenue Diversification Consider diversifying your income streams by exploring eco-tourism, implementing educational programs, or selling by-products such as oyster shells. This approach can enhance financial stability, particularly during the early years of your oyster farm. Cost-Benefit Analysis Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to gauge potential profitability. Compare the market price of oysters and the expected yield against your projected expenses. Record Keeping Maintain detailed financial records and regularly review your farm’s financial health to make informed decisions. Engaging with a financial advisor for professional guidance can also be beneficial in navigating the unique challenges of oyster farming. Helpful FAQs How many oysters can you farm in an acre? The number of oysters that can be farmed in an acre depends on various factors, including the farming method, water quality, and the specific oyster species being cultivated. On average, oyster farmers can grow approximately 750,000 oysters per acre. However, this number can vary based on regional conditions, farming techniques, and other variables. What species of oysters are the best to grow? The selection of oyster species for an oyster farm is influenced by various factors, including the farming location, market demand, and environmental conditions. Experts in marine sciences suggest prioritizing the Crassostrea Virginica species, popularly referred to as Atlantic oysters. Other notable oyster species that are known for successful cultivation include Pacific oysters, Eastern oysters, Belon oysters, Sydney Rock oysters, and Southern Mud oysters. Each species possesses distinct characteristics and benefits, so the choice should correspond with your farm’s objectives and the suitability for your region. Is oyster farming difficult? Oyster farming presents both opportunities and challenges that aspiring oyster farmers should be aware of. While it can be a rewarding endeavor, it’s important to note that oyster farming requires significant capital investment, careful planning, and attention to detail. Raising oysters to market size takes time and dedication. Farmers need to manage the oysters’ growth conditions, monitor water quality, and implement disease prevention measures. Oysters can be susceptible to various diseases and predators, such as starfish, oyster drill snails, stingray fish, stone crabs, and birds. Therefore, oyster farming demands a comprehensive understanding of aquatic ecosystems and a commitment to sustainable practices. Where are most oyster farms located? The majority of oyster farms are strategically situated on the East Coast of the United States and in California. These regions offer favorable conditions for oyster cultivation, including brackish or saltwater environments that promote healthy oyster growth. The coastal waters of these areas provide a balance between saltwater and freshwater, creating the ideal habitat for oysters. However, oyster farming can also be found in other coastal regions around the world, where similar conditions exist. The choice of location depends on factors such as water quality, accessibility, market demand, and regulatory considerations. As you embark on your oyster farming journey, having a solid understanding of these frequently asked questions will help you make informed decisions and navigate the complexities of the oyster farming industry. Remember that each farm is unique, and your success will depend on your dedication, expertise, and commitment to sustainable farming practices. Image: Envato Elements This article, "How to Start an Oyster Farm" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In 2019, Google stopped using rel prev and next as a signal for its search engines to combine or understand paginated results on your site. Then Google offered up some other advice over the years on the topic. Now, John Mueller of Google explains why Google or other search engines don't need to do anything special for pagination or paginated results on your site.View the full article

Europeans need to reduce their dangerous dependence on an adversarial AmericaView the full article

AI will undoubtedly become a bigger presence in your working life over the next few years. In fact, it likely already is, even without you knowing it. According to a recent study by Gallup, nearly all Americans (99%, in fact) use products that involve artificial intelligence features, but (64%) don’t even realize it. Our current level of AI use may seem subtle and harmless—think virtual assistants, navigation apps, or weather-forecasting websites. But the speed of new technology is fast and the promises it holds for transforming our work are too tempting for many companies to pass up. Like it or not, no matter your industry, AI is likely going to be your new coworker. So how can we adapt to work with AI, rather than training it to replace us? On the most recent episode of The New Way We Work, I spoke to Nigel Vaz, the CEO of Publicis Sapient, a consultancy focused on digital transformation. Vaz has been helping companies adapt to new technology for decades and sees both parallels and significant differences between our current AI transition and the dot-com boom of the 1990s. How this time is different Vaz points out that when the internet first started to change businesses, many leaders were skeptical that it would have a big impact. E-commerce sales accounted for such a small percent of sales, for example, and it took 20 years for the shift to fully take place. Now, he says, leaders remember how transformational the internet was and are more eager to embrace the changes that AI will bring. “The difference this time around is everybody’s interested in ‘What is AI? How is AI going to manifest? What does it mean for my business?’” he says. “But there is a recognition that it could be a significant driver.” He also notes that the speed of change is much faster now than it was before. “We are really asking organizations and people to evolve the way they work on an exponential basis,” he says. How employees and leaders can adapt “The technological transformation is the easy part,” Vaz says. “It’s the people transformation alongside the technological transformation. That’s the hard part.” So how can employees and leaders adapt to the speed of tech’s advancements? Vaz says that the average person can (and should) tune out all of the discussions around chip development and instead focus on the applications themselves and what problems they help solve—and what data they are trained on. He advises that companies should look at their needs and see if general AI tools can help or if they need customized tools. Learn, unlearn, and relearn So what about employees who are afraid of losing their jobs to AI? Vaz says that the nature of work is ever evolving and it’s not the ability to perform tasks that makes an employee valuable; it’s their ability to learn. “If you obsess about what you know, you are always fundamentally going to be less valuable to an organization. I think what you have to obsess about is your ability to learn,” he says. He uses the expression “learn, unlearn, and relearn.” “The single biggest gift an organization can give you, and you can give yourself, is this mindset that what we value is your ability to adapt and to learn and to evolve as things are evolving,” he says. Listen to the full episode for more on how companies and employees should prepare for AI changes, how they should be vetting new tech, and where tech is going in the future. You can listen and subscribe to The New Way We Work on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, RadioPublic, or wherever you get your podcasts. View the full article

Capture the attention of potential guests and drive direct bookings with a strong SEO strategy for your vacation rental business. The post Boost Your Vacation Rental Bookings with SEO appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. Last June, global architecture and design firm Gensler named Elizabeth Brink and Jordan Goldstein as co-CEOs, succeeding Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins, who jointly led the company for nearly 20 years. Though some U.S. companies, including Netflix, Zola, and Warby Parker, have two chief executive officers, the dual-CEO arrangement remains rare. In a recent joint interview, Brink and Goldstein explained how co-leadership permeates the entire organization—most of Gensler’s offices and its regions are led by pairs—and the way the model helps nurture managerial talent and train future managers to collaborate. They also shared insights into how they make their long-distance partnership work (Goldstein is based in Washington, D.C., and Brink is in Los Angeles), and why the co-CEO model isn’t for every company. Edited excerpts follow: Modern CEO: Let’s start by talking about the co-CEO relationship. You are the second set of co-CEOs at Gensler. Jordan Goldstein: The company started in 1965 and Art Gensler, who founded it, led it for a number of years. The prior CEOs, who actually were mentors to both of us, have now stepped into global chair roles.  Elizabeth Brink: The co-leadership model is pretty deep in the organization. JG: We have about 300 co-leaders. My introduction to “co” roles started at the office level. I was a co-office leader starting in 2008. Elizabeth’s been here 20 years, so we’ve known each other for 20 years in the organization. I did the co-office director role, then we each did co-regional roles, then moved into [the co-CEO] roles. My background is definitely heavy in design and design-oriented technology. My experiences in the firm have been focused on design on a global scale, practicing in different locations around the world, working with different cultures, different climates. EB: My background has been more on strategy and pushing our design strategy into areas that we have not been, connecting business and design, and also a little bit on the urban strategy side of things. It’s a really nice balance. I think we are both also people-oriented leaders, and one of the areas where we really overlap is an incredible focus on mentorship. And that’s part of why we work so well as a duo together—because of that kind of commitment. MC: You were elevated to the co-CEO roles simultaneously. But co-leads are not always assigned at the same time, right? JG: Right. For instance, when I was leading the Washington, D.C., office, it was me and another person, and we worked together growing our architectural practice in the D.C. metropolitan area. We did that for a number of years, and then my business partner said, “You know what? I really want to get back to just designing every day.” He stepped back into that everyday work, and then we brought in another individual who was much more oriented around particular industries. She joined me for a couple of years, and then I rotated out. EB: The organization is pretty matrixed, too. We’re always looking at what the needs are within each market, within each office, within each region, and who are the best people to be partnering together to create that balance? But our situation was a little bit different because of the scale [of the roles]. MC: Tell me about how that succession process worked. In your situation, when did it become clear that you were going to be each other’s co-CEOs? EB: We were on our own leadership exploration journeys; we were both getting opportunities across the firm. I had stepped in on building a lot of our work around our people and culture. Jordan had been a really strong design leader. Both of us had been members of the board. And both of us had stepped into some key task force development over the last couple of years. That’s where we really started developing our connection, and I think others saw how well we work together and what we could really bring to the table as a duo. JG: I was really focused on a design career, but as I got into larger, complex projects globally, I really enjoyed the leadership aspect of that. It was 10 years ago when the CEO team [at the time] asked: “Would you be interested in this type of path?” EB: One of the things that’s been so beneficial about both of us having these non-linear career journeys is the depth of relationships that we have stepping into this role. We’re leaning on people who have been peers, who have been mentors to us, who we’ve mentored. MC: Do you share direct reports, or do you divide and conquer? JG: The way we approached it was, for the beginning of our tenure together, we were all in on all [reports] so we could really get the lay of the land and feel where there was natural chemistry within the organization. [A few weeks ago] we mapped it out and said, “All right, given what we’ve experienced, let’s talk through it.” And we just divided it up. And we’re now letting people know she’s first position on this, and I’m first position on that. That doesn’t mean we won’t both be on the calls or both be in a meeting. EB: What it allows us to do is—when there are challenges, when there are issues—one of us can go really deep. It’s been very beneficial to have spent that time together because we start to understand how we each think about the tricky problems. I know which parts of a problem Jordan’s going to want to know about. And the reverse: He knows what parts are going to be really important for me to understand. And we text all the time. MC: It seems like trust is such an important part of what makes this co-leadership model work at the regional levels, at the office levels, and crucially at the CEO level. JG: I think it’s like trust combined with almost like an iterative dialogue. EB: I will say, to put out the vulnerable part of this, too, over the last year-and-a-half as we’ve been stepping into things, we both made mistakes. We’ve had times where I should have read you in on that. Or said, “Oops, I misread that situation.” But I think where the trust is coming in is in the openness with one another and [acknowledging]: “I made a mistake on that one.” The trust lies in both of our intentions and both of our ambitions to do what’s right for this organization. MC: Have you had co-leaders at the office or regional level where the pairing didn’t work out? JG: Yes, and those are obviously delicate conversations because the people can still be valuable to the organization. We just have to help them see a new perspective on how they can contribute, where their value add is, and how that offers career growth opportunities for them. The interesting thing for us is that when the “co” isn’t working, it’s not just something you see in the pairing, you see it in the office. It translates to other aspects of business. EB: When it works, it really can expand and elevate people’s opportunities to make an impact. But when it doesn’t, we’ve learned to not let that fester. The more you just hope for it to go away, the less it goes away and the more it impacts other people. MC: Would you recommend co-leadership to other organizations? And if a company is thinking about either starting out with co-leadership or adopting co-leadership, what advice would you give them? JG: There are some industries where it’s probably a tough fit. We actually get questions from clients [about the model]. It has to be something that can stand up on the pillars of a strategy that is embedded in the organization. The thing we haven’t really talked about is that the “co” model also enables a level of exploration, for pushing innovation in a way that you know surprises people when we talk about it. When I was an office leader, we talked about [developing] a venture capital mindset, to encourage different thinking. If one person was trying to grow the business and delegated [different thinking], that’s very different than if it’s owned by these two leaders, and they can touch it in different ways. We ended up creating these innovation funds, which were granted based on people’s ideas, which ended up going firmwide. EB: I think the co-leadership model has enabled really rapid growth, innovation, and iteration. I don’t know that it’s something to put onto an established organization. But I think, particularly for a creative entrepreneurial organization that is looking to grow or provide a platform for [professional] growth for a really talented team of people, it’s a great model. JG: When I was visiting Elizabeth recently, I spoke at USC’s [University of Southern California’s] business school, and the students were fascinated by the co-CEO model. You could just see the wheels turning because the students never thought about [the CEO role] that way. It was always the CEO as the singular visionary—and that’s not this model. EB: Ego has to be put aside. JG: Absolutely. EB: If you come in with ego, it doesn’t work. Does your company divvy up leadership roles? Are you a co-CEO or co-leader in your organization? How do you divide duties, and what are the skills and practices you employ to make the partnership work? Send your comments to me at stephaniemehta@mansueto.com. I’d like to share some of your insights in an upcoming newsletter dedicated to co-leadership. Read and watch: co-leadership at work Inside Netflix’s unusual co-CEO arrangement—and why it works Zola co-CEO Rachel Jarrett says you need this skill for a good partnership Is it time to consider co-CEOs? View the full article

A reader recently sent me a clip from Chris Williamson’s podcast. In the segment, Williamson discusses his evolving relationship with productivity: “Look, I come from a productivity background. When I first started this show, I was chatting shit about Pomodoro timers, and Notion external brains, and Ebbinhaus forgetting curves, and all of that. Right? I’ve been through the ringer, so I’m allowed to say, and, um, you realize after a while that it ends up being this weird superstitious rain dance you’re doing, this sort of odd sort of productivity rain dance, in the desperate hope that later that day you’re going to get something done.” I was intrigued by this term “productivity rain dance.” Some additional research revealed that Williamson had discussed the concept before. In a post from last summer, he listed the following additional examples of rain dance activities: “Sitting at my desk when I’m not working” “Being on calls with no actual objective” “Keeping Slack notifications at zero, sitting on email trying to get the Unread number down” “Saying yes to a random dinner when someone is coming through town” What do these varied examples, from obsessing over Ebbinhaus forgetting curves to waging war against your email inbox, have in common? They’re focused on activity in the moment instead of results over time. “The problem is that no one’s productivity goal is to maximize inputs,” Williamson explains. “It’s to maximize outputs.” When you look around the modern office environment, and see everyone frantically answering emails as they jump on and off Zoom meetings, or watch to solo-entrepreneur lose a morning to optimizing their ChatGPT-powered personalized assistant, you’re observing rain dances. Everyone’s busy, but is no one is asking if all these gyrations are actually opening the clouds. The solution to the rain dance phenomenon is not to abandon organizational systems or routines altogether, nor is to crudely commit to working less. It’s instead, as Williamson suggests, to turn your attention from inputs to outputs. Identify the most valuable thing you do in your job, and then figure out what actually helps you do it better. This is what you should focus on. The answers to these questions aren’t necessarily easy. As I talk about in Slow Productivity, making more time for key efforts often requires that you first tame the less important activities that are getting in the way. You probably need a more formal workload management philosophy to avoid overload, such as using quotas or separating “active” tasks from “waiting” tasks. You’ll also need better collaboration processes that avoid the distraction of constant messaging, such as using regular office hours for complicated discussions, and some notion of time management, such as time blocking, to maintain control of your schedule. What separates these grounded productivity efforts from productivity rain dances is that they’re not symbolic, nor are they exercises in busyness for the sake of busyness. (What I call “pseudo-productivity” in my book.) Their success is instead measured by the concrete results they produce. As a result, they’re not flashy, or high-tech, or even all that exciting to deploy. But they work. Rain dances can be satisfying. They feel important and active in the moment, and give you all sorts of little details to tweak and adjust. But ultimately, if your goal is to reap a rich harvest, there’s no avoiding the necessity to get down among your crops, sweat on your brow, and actually work the land. ##### In other news… –> For an extended discussion of productivity rain dances, check out Episode #340 of my podcast. –> If you want to see me discussing productivity with Williamson, check out my appearance on his show from last spring. –> Over at Growth Equation, Brad Stulberg recently wrote an essay I really enjoyed: “The Case for Mastery and Mattering in a Chaotic World” [ read | subscribe ] –> Amazon has my latest book, Slow Productivity, discounted all the way to $18.00. If you were on the fence about checking it out, this would be a good time! The post Productivity Rain Dances appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

A reader recently sent me a clip from Chris Williamson’s podcast. In the segment, Williamson discusses his evolving relationship with productivity: “Look, I come from a productivity background. When I first started this show, I was chatting shit about Pomodoro timers, and Notion external brains, and Ebbinhaus forgetting curves, and all of that. Right? I’ve been through the ringer, so I’m allowed to say, and, um, you realize after a while that it ends up being this weird superstitious rain dance you’re doing, this sort of odd sort of productivity rain dance, in the desperate hope that later that day you’re going to get something done.” I was intrigued by this term “productivity rain dance.” Some additional research revealed that Williamson had discussed the concept before. In a post from last summer, he listed the following additional examples of rain dance activities: “Sitting at my desk when I’m not working” “Being on calls with no actual objective” “Keeping Slack notifications at zero, sitting on email trying to get the Unread number down” “Saying yes to a random dinner when someone is coming through town” What do these varied examples, from obsessing over Ebbinhaus forgetting curves to waging war against your email inbox, have in common? They’re focused on activity in the moment instead of results over time. “The problem is that no one’s productivity goal is to maximize inputs,” Williamson explains. “It’s to maximize outputs.” When you look around the modern office environment, and see everyone frantically answering emails as they jump on and off Zoom meetings, or watch to solo-entrepreneur lose a morning to optimizing their ChatGPT-powered personalized assistant, you’re observing rain dances. Everyone’s busy, but is no one is asking if all these gyrations are actually opening the clouds. The solution to the rain dance phenomenon is not to abandon organizational systems or routines altogether, nor is to crudely commit to working less. It’s instead, as Williamson suggests, to turn your attention from inputs to outputs. Identify the most valuable thing you do in your job, and then figure out what actually helps you do it better. This is what you should focus on. The answers to these questions aren’t necessarily easy. As I talk about in Slow Productivity, making more time for key efforts often requires that you first tame the less important activities that are getting in the way. You probably need a more formal workload management philosophy to avoid overload, such as using quotas or separating “active” tasks from “waiting” tasks. You’ll also need better collaboration processes that avoid the distraction of constant messaging, such as using regular office hours for complicated discussions, and some notion of time management, such as time blocking, to maintain control of your schedule. What separates these grounded productivity efforts from productivity rain dances is that they’re not symbolic, nor are they exercises in busyness for the sake of busyness. (What I call “pseudo-productivity” in my book.) Their success is instead measured by the concrete results they produce. As a result, they’re not flashy, or high-tech, or even all that exciting to deploy. But they work. Rain dances can be satisfying. They feel important and active in the moment, and give you all sorts of little details to tweak and adjust. But ultimately, if your goal is to reap a rich harvest, there’s no avoiding the necessity to get down among your crops, sweat on your brow, and actually work the land. ##### In other news… –> For an extended discussion of productivity rain dances, check out Episode #340 of my podcast. –> If you want to see me discussing productivity with Williamson, check out my appearance on his show from last spring. –> Over at Growth Equation, Brad Stulberg recently wrote an essay I really enjoyed: “The Case for Mastery and Mattering in a Chaotic World” [ read | subscribe ] –> Amazon has my latest book, Slow Productivity, discounted all the way to $18.00. If you were on the fence about checking it out, this would be a good time! The post Productivity Rain Dances appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

Discussions in Riyadh on Tuesday will address possible future talks to end war in UkraineView the full article

Generative AI transforms the way we work, but its impacts aren’t limited to what it can do. It can also teach us about language and communication. We typically think of hallucinations as sensory perceptions—like a sound or image—that seem real in the mind but didn’t occur in external reality. In the era of Generative AI, the word “hallucination” refers to a large language model that produces incorrect or fabricated information. But hallucinations aren’t just an AI problem, because inaccuracies are an equally common occurrence in human interactions. Most conversations contain hallucinations, and the corporate meeting is a space that is especially prone to that. Meetings are often where we tackle the most challenging communication tasks. Balancing priorities, working through clarifying questions, delivering news—these tasks require the tools of real-time responses and nuanced inflection. Meeting hallucinations occur when incorrect assumptions derail conversations. These misunderstandings can lead to circular conversations or meetings that don’t accomplish their goal. These hallucinations are a key piece of the puzzle of our meeting culture. And this is why many despise meetings even though they remain necessary. The concept of common ground In my subfield of linguistics—pragmatics—there’s a foundational concept called common ground. During a conversation, common ground refers to the information that all parties have established to be true. If information is in the common ground, you don’t need to restate it. In my role as a data scientist at AT&T, we don’t feel the need to say things like: “this is an AT&T meeting,” “we are data scientists,” or “this is a work meeting.” However, it’s fair to say that all of those assumptions are in common ground at any given time. Or do they? The challenge with meeting hallucinations occurs when you have mismatched common ground assumptions. One person’s understanding of what constitutes common ground (e.g., the purpose of the meeting, the goal of the project, the best outcome of the discussion, the role of the meeting participant) doesn’t always match someone else’s. Meeting hallucinations—or mismatched common ground assumptions in meetings—can lead to conflict that diverts the focus. It can also mask the fundamental disagreement, which might not actually be about a specific solution requirement—but the goal of the solution writ large. Addressing meeting hallucinations will reduce the frequency of meetings, increase productivity in meetings across the board, and perhaps most importantly: will enhance the buy-in to your meetings. Here are some best practices to follow to overcome these subtle, hidden miscommunications: Reflect on common ground assumptions before a meeting Preventing meeting hallucinations starts with understanding what is in your own set of common ground assumptions. Before you begin a meeting, think through what you want to achieve. Consider what you believe to be true about the topics you’re discussing. Reflect on whether all parties in the meeting share this belief. Boldly state ‘the obvious’ at the top of the meeting No one wants to beat a dead horse. But it’s worth talking through relevant common ground assumptions with other meeting participants. This way, you can avoid unnecessary miscommunication and avoid wasting time. Whether the common ground assumption is about timelines, who owns the work, or the overall goal of a project, take the time to say the obvious part out loud. It might not be obvious to everyone. Identify possible communication gaps by restating the common ground assumptions When meeting hallucinations happen, they require you to recognize that a moment of conflict or confusion isn’t always due to the discussion topic. If you feel like a meeting is going south, reset the conversation. You can do this by reestablishing common ground assumptions or flagging statements that seem to introduce a new common ground assumption to the context. Perspectives based on unrelated previous outcomes, rigid takes on a situation based on specific training, rushing to judgement without all the information—these are common issues that many have with corporate meetings. They’re also core drivers of AI hallucinations, and they are also lurking in our corporate culture. Meeting hallucinations might feel like a strange way to think about meetings. But once you apply it, you’ll find that you’re finally meeting your colleagues where they are. View the full article

Chinese authorities said to be weighing approval as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with TrumpView the full article

It’s kind of a misnomer. Ghost Kitchens aren’t spooky figments of the imagination. They are real. Ghost kitchens are facilities where food is prepared, cooked, and packaged specifically for delivery. Orders are placed and managed online. There are several ways you can start ghost kitchens: Within a restaurant that you already own or lease. Within a restaurant that you don’t own or lease. From your home. Ghost kitchens grew hugely as a response to Covid restrictions. That’s when “ordering in” became even more popular. In fact, according to stats the average person in the US orders food at least once a week. The big restaurant operators are already taking advantage of the ghost restaurants trend. For more information, you can look at Big Brands Posing as Ghost Restaurants on Delivery Apps – Small Business Trends (smallbiztrends.com). What is a Ghost Kitchen? Ghost kitchens, virtual kitchens, or cloud kitchens use licensed commercial kitchen facilities to prepare, cook, and package food. They operate on a delivery-only concept, most often using delivery apps to pick up and deliver the food. Ghost Kitchensare is a relatively new and innovative business model in the food industry. They are transforming the way people dine and how restaurants operate. Here’s a more in-depth look: Concept and Operation No Physical Dining Space: Unlike traditional restaurants, ghost kitchens don’t have a physical space for customers to dine in. Delivery-Only: They operate solely through delivery, using platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Shared or Standalone Kitchens: Ghost kitchens may operate from shared commercial kitchens where several brands prepare food or have a standalone space dedicated solely to one virtual brand. Advantages Cost-Efficient: Without the need for dining space and related amenities, overhead costs can be significantly lower. Flexibility: Ghost kitchens can easily change menus, try new concepts, or even host multiple virtual brands from one kitchen. Scalability: The model allows for quick expansion into new markets without the significant investment required for traditional brick-and-mortar locations. Data-Driven: By relying on online orders, ghost kitchens can utilize data analytics to understand customer preferences and trends better. Challenges Competition: The lower entry barrier means increased competition among virtual restaurants. Quality Control: Ensuring consistent quality across various delivery locations can be a challenge. Dependence on Delivery Platforms: A reliance on third-party delivery services can lead to complications, such as high commission fees or issues with delivery times. Trends and Future Integration with Traditional Restaurants: Certain restaurants are utilizing ghost kitchens to enhance their delivery services while alleviating pressure on their current kitchen operations. Sustainability Concerns: With delivery at its core, considerations around packaging and environmental impact are becoming more crucial. Global Expansion: Ghost kitchens are becoming popular worldwide, especially in densely populated urban areas. Ghost kitchens represent a significant shift in the restaurant industry, capitalizing on the growing demand for food delivery. They provide opportunities for both new entrants and established brands to innovate, experiment, and grow. However, they also bring new challenges and considerations, particularly around quality control, competition, and sustainability. As technology and dining habits continue to evolve, ghost kitchens are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping the future of food. Whether as a response to changing consumer needs or as a strategy to optimize resources, the ghost kitchen model offers a glimpse into the potential future of dining. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Ghost Kitchen? Let’s go back to the places where you can start virtual restaurants. Obviously, the cost will vary. Within a restaurant that you already own or lease – Your additional overhead costs for this will be labor. You’ll need additional staff members who will only work on take-out orders. Within a restaurant that you don’t own or lease – You’ll lease space in an existing restaurant. On an annual lease, you may be able to get in for $20,000 to $30,000. But in a major metro area, you may pay as much as $100,000 to lease kitchen space. From your home – The equipment you’ll need depends on your menu items. As a minimum, you’ll need food storage areas, including refrigeration. You’ll be inspected to ensure you meet food quality and safety requirements. How to Start a Ghost Kitchen in 17 Simple Steps Regardless of the type of physical space required for your commissary kitchen, the steps you need to take are generally similar. Whether you own, lease, or run your kitchen from home, here are the steps on how to start a ghost kitchen. Research Nearby Ghost Kitchens Since the market share for this type of restaurant is driven by digital technology, that’s where your research will be. You can start by checking with food delivery services like Uber Eats and others. Those who are running a ghost kitchen operation are linked to food delivery partner apps. Choose a Niche If you’re going to start a ghost kitchen within your own dine-in restaurant, choose items from your menu that lend themselves to delivery. You already know what’s most popular with your existing customer base. There may be more than one ghost operation in commercial kitchens in brick-and-mortar restaurants. The space is chosen to be leased by its fit to your menu. Your meals should be easy to make using existing equipment at a restaurant. If you’re ghosting from home, consider equipment costs and the best fit for your menu. No matter where food is prepped and prepared, the ghost menu should be a specialty. It should fill a niche that is not already taken in the local market. Name and Brand Your Business Experts recommend that there are no more than three words in your business name. It should define your menu and be easy to search. Names for virtual brands or virtual restaurants must be catchy and definitive. Write a Ghost Kitchen Business Plan Remember, you are optimizing to be delivery only. Your business plan is similar to any restaurant business place, but you are locked to the delivery-only concept. Here are key elements you’ll add to a routine restaurant business plan: Packaging essentials, point of sale and delivery apps, delivery-friendly menu, and separate staff. Form a Legal Entity and Register You’ll register your business with your secretary of state to obtain a business license. The limited liability company, or LLC, is most often chosen as the business entity. That’s because your personal assets will be protected. Other choices are Partnerships and Corporations (c-corp and S-corp) Open a Business Bank Account Opening a separate business bank account is a critical step in setting up your ghost kitchen. It provides a clear financial separation between your personal and business finances, which is essential for legal protection and financial organization. A business account simplifies tracking expenses, revenues, and profits, which is crucial for effective business management. Using a business account for transactions adds a level of professionalism and credibility when dealing with vendors. Furthermore, establishing a business credit card is important for building credit and is beneficial for future business financing needs. Having a separate account also eases the process of filing taxes and claiming business expenses, making it a practical choice for any business owner. Choose a Location Here are critical components of your choice of location: average delivery distances and availability of delivery subcontractors. As a minimum, the facility must be licensed to sell food legally. When people order food, they have an expectation that it will arrive ready to eat. If distances are great, it will be challenging for drivers to keep the food warm or cold (whichever is required). If you’re in a rural area, a lack of delivery services may challenge your delivery-only concepts. If you hire your own delivery team, your overhead cost will be much higher. Make Sure You Have the Licenses and Permits Required in Your State Restaurants are much more regulated than other low-risk businesses. The potential for food-borne illnesses exists, and you’ll be regularly inspected. You’ll need kitchen liability insurance. Every person who handles food must have ServSafe Food Handler certification. Design Your Menu You’re a new restaurant with a new concept – prepping and preparing food that is specifically for takeout customers. Those customers, hungry people all, need a menu with catchy names and accurate descriptions. For aspiring restaurateurs, this is a new food concept. Remember that because you’re poking into new markets, start with limited ingredients to keep costs low. Choose dishes that are easy to make and transport. Design Your Packaging Many states have adopted new legislation regarding packaging, such as eliminating the use of styrofoam containers. Before ordering packaging for cold or hot foods, ensure you meet state and local requirements. Should you put your ghost kitchen name on the packaging? Some say that customers will throw the packaging away. Instead, provide a business card that customers can keep handy. Set Your Menu Prices In addition to your food price, you’ll have to add the price of packaging and also the cost of third-party delivery. There are commission fees paid for delivery services. Factor in Costs: When setting your menu prices, consider the cost of ingredients, packaging, and labor. Remember that ghost kitchens often have lower overhead than traditional restaurants, which can be reflected in the pricing. Delivery Costs: Include the fees for third-party delivery services. These fees can be significant, so you’ll need to find a balance between covering these costs and keeping your prices competitive. Competitive Pricing Analysis: Investigate the prices of comparable food items in your locality. It’s essential to remain competitive while ensuring a healthy profit margin for long-term sustainability. Dynamic Pricing Strategy: Consider implementing a dynamic pricing strategy where prices may vary based on demand, special promotions, or time of day. Transparency with Customers: It’s important to be clear about your pricing. Customers value understanding what they are paying for, particularly when there are extra charges, such as delivery fees. Get Your Taxes in Order You’ll need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to pay employees and state sales taxes. If you’re an LLC, you’ll be taxed on net income at the individual level. Tax requirements vary by state. Purchase Business Insurance Standard insurance needed for a commercial kitchen is general liability and property insurance. Since your profits rely on digital technology, it is essential to obtain cyber and business interruption insurance. Choose Delivery Partners Your main delivery partners may be GrubHub, UberEats, DoorDash, and Postmates. You may also have a local food delivery service. Create a Website and Market Your New Business You’ll be found through an internet search, a food delivery company search, and/or via social media. In order to thrive, you’ll need a strong social media presence and affiliation with food delivery companies. You won’t see customers face-to-face. A top marketing tool for the ghost kitchen is the handwritten note tucked inside the packaging. It’s a personal touch that will separate you from the competition. Hire Staff Hiring the right staff is essential for the success of a ghost kitchen. This involves recruiting skilled chefs and kitchen personnel who can prepare meals swiftly and efficiently, a critical requirement for a delivery-oriented business. Additionally, dedicated packaging staff are essential to ensure that food is securely and attractively packaged for delivery. If you opt to manage deliveries in-house, you’ll need a team of reliable and punctual delivery personnel, preferably with a good understanding of the local area, for efficient delivery. Providing comprehensive training is crucial for ensuring consistency in both food quality and packaging, as this significantly affects customer satisfaction and retention. Additionally, staff members should be flexible and adaptable, prepared to manage the ever-changing environment of a ghost kitchen operation. Launch Your Ghost Kitchen Business Announce your opening on social media and get ready for those online orders. Ghost Kitchen Vs. Brick and Mortar Restaurant AspectGhost KitchenBrick and Mortar Restaurant Operational Focus- Food Preparation: Focuses exclusively on preparing, cooking, and packaging food for delivery.- Full Dining Experience: Includes ambiance, customer service, and entertainment. - No Front-of-House Operations: No hosts, servers, or bartenders.- Requires Front-of-House Staff: Staff for greeting, serving, bartending, etc. - Limited Customer Interaction: Limited to the digital platform or delivery driver.- Direct Customer Interaction: Engage customers, respond to feedback, personalized experience. Cost Structure- Lower Overhead Costs: Less space, no dining furniture or decor.- Higher Costs: Rent for dining space, furnishings, decor, additional staff. - Fewer Staff Required: Typically only chefs and kitchen staff.- More Complex Operations: Managing kitchen and front-of-house requires coordination. Marketing and Branding- Digital Presence: Online marketing, social media, delivery platforms.- Physical Presence: Location, signage, appearance attract customers. - Limited Physical Brand Exposure: No physical storefront for walk-ins.- Broader Marketing Options: In-person events, local advertising, digital channels. Customer Experience- Delivery Convenience: Focuses on home or office delivery.- Dining Experience: Enjoy ambiance, service, social aspects of dining in. - Limited Personal Connection: Less opportunity to build customer relationships.- Potential for Loyalty: Opportunities for face-to-face interactions to build loyalty. Flexibility and Adaptation- Agile and Adaptable: Quickly change menus, test concepts, operate multiple brands.- More Fixed Structure: Changes require significant adjustments in training, marketing, decor. There is a big difference between a ghost kitchen and a brick-and-mortar restaurant. And both have their pros and cons depending on where you are on your entrepreneurial journey. These two models’ choices depend on the business objectives, target audience, and market trends. Some businesses even find value in combining the two models to leverage both benefits. 1. Operational Focus Ghost Kitchen: Food Preparation: Focuses exclusively on preparing, cooking, and packaging food for delivery. No Front-of-House Operations: No need for hosts, servers, or bartenders. Limited Customer Interaction: Interaction is typically limited to the digital platform or the delivery driver. Brick and Mortar Restaurant: Full Dining Experience: Offers a full dining experience that includes ambiance, customer service, and sometimes entertainment. Requires Front-of-House Staff: Staff needed for greeting, serving, bartending, etc. Direct Customer Interaction: Opportunities to engage customers, respond to feedback, and create a personalized experience. 2. Cost Structure Ghost Kitchen: Lower Overhead Costs: Less space required, no need for dining furniture or decor. Fewer Staff Required: Typically only needs chefs and kitchen staff. Brick and Mortar Restaurant: Higher Costs: Rent for dining space, furnishings, decor, and additional staff can be substantial. More Complex Operations: Managing both the kitchen and front-of-house requires more coordination. 3. Marketing and Branding Ghost Kitchen: Digital Presence: Relies heavily on online marketing, social media, and delivery platforms. Limited Physical Brand Exposure: No physical storefront to attract walk-in customers. Brick and Mortar Restaurant: Physical Presence: The location, signage, and appearance can attract customers. Broader Marketing Options: Can engage customers through in-person events, local advertising, and digital channels. 4. Customer Experience Ghost Kitchen: Delivery Convenience: Focuses on the convenience of home or office delivery. Limited Personal Connection: Less opportunity to build relationships with customers. Brick and Mortar Restaurant: Dining Experience: Customers enjoy the ambiance, service, and social aspects of dining in. Potential for Loyalty: Opportunities to build customer loyalty through face-to-face interactions. 5. Flexibility and Adaptation Ghost Kitchen: Agile and Adaptable: Able to swiftly modify menus, experiment with new ideas, or manage several brands from a single kitchen. Brick and Mortar Restaurant: More Fixed Structure: Changing concepts or menus might require more significant adjustments in staff training, marketing, and decor. Ghost Kitchens and Brick and Mortar Restaurants serve distinct segments of the food industry. Ghost Kitchens prioritizes delivery efficiency, providing flexibility and reduced operational costs, though they have limited opportunities for direct customer interaction. In contrast, brick-and-mortar restaurants offer a comprehensive dining experience, fostering deeper customer connections, but they also entail higher expenses and more intricate management requirements. FAQs About Starting a Ghost Kitchen What Is a Ghost Kitchen? Ghost Kitchen, also known as a virtual or cloud kitchen, is a licensed commercial kitchen that prepares food exclusively for delivery. It operates without a physical dining area, often utilizing delivery apps. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Ghost Kitchen? The cost varies depending on factors such as location, kitchen size, equipment, and licensing. It typically ranges from $10,000 to $100,000 or more. What Licenses and Permits Are Required? Similar to traditional restaurants, ghost kitchens need to obtain food service licenses, health permits, and possibly local business permits. Regulations vary by jurisdiction, so it’s essential to consult with local authorities. How Do I Choose a Location for My Ghost Kitchen? Location considerations might include proximity to delivery areas, accessibility for drivers, and rental costs. Shared commercial kitchens can be an affordable option for startups. How Do I Market My Ghost Kitchen? Effective marketing may include using social media, partnering with popular delivery apps, SEO optimization for your website, and offering special promotions or loyalty programs. Can I Operate Multiple Brands from One Ghost Kitchen? Yes, one of the advantages of a ghost kitchen is the ability to operate multiple virtual brands from a single kitchen, allowing for varied menus and target audiences. What Are the Main Challenges of Running a Ghost Kitchen? Challenges might include quality control across delivery areas, competition with other virtual restaurants, dependence on third-party delivery services, and maintaining customer relationships without face-to-face interactions. Image: Depositphotos, Envato Elements This article, "How to Start a Ghost Kitchen" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article