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“Get ready with me as an absolute piece of shit ICE agent,” one such video begins, posted by comedian Adam Macias. These videos are comedic skits, rather than from the social media accounts of actual ICE agents, but have quickly racked up hundreds of thousands of views as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency faces intense backlash after the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. “I wake up screaming and shooting. Not because I’m scared but because my sleep paralysis demon looks like someone’s tía,” the skit begins (tia is Spanish for aunt). “I start the day off with a shower but no matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to get clean,” it continues. After doing laundry and eating breakfast, the “ICE agent” proceeds to have his second shower of the day. “Time for some vocal warm ups,” he then says. “Self defense, self defense”, he yells repeatedly whilst staring himself down in the mirror. “Time to go to work,” he continues. “My commute isn’t far because I’m literally about to go deport my neighbor.” On Wednesday, January 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Good in her car as she was protesting against the agency’s operations in the Twin Cities. The killing sparked widespread backlash and protests, both on and offline, with thousands in attendance at the “ICE out of Minnesota” rally and march over the weekend. “Wow what a lovely, beautiful day to harass people who are at work,” another TikTok creator quips, in a video titled ‘How ICE agents wake up in the morning’, viewed almost 3 million times. “I hope I get to beat up a pregnant woman,” he says, referencing a recent incident where ICE agents detained a woman who was allegedly pregnant, kneeling on her and dragging her through the snow. “Maybe today I’ll get a DUI with my children in the backseat,” he added, again referencing a real incident where an ICE agent was arrested for allegedly driving drunk while he had two young children in his vehicle. “Nobody cared who I was until I put on the mask,” he concluded the video (a reference from The Dark Knight Rises). “Now they just hate me.” Since July, there have been 13 recorded instances of ICE agents firing at or into civilian vehicles, a recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal found. In eight of those instances, civilians were shot, and two confirmed dead. At least five were U.S. citizens. Whether it’s in-person demonstrations or posting skits online, Americans aren’t afraid to make their feelings known. As one comment read: “This is actually an official ICE training video.” View the full article

A political showdown over Greenland, and possibly a military one, is looking increasingly possible as President Donald The President doubles down on his longstanding threat to take over Denmark’s semi-autonomous territory “one way or the other.“ In the wake of the U.S. invasion of Venezuela, Europe’s major military powers are taking The President’s ramped up rhetoric with renewed seriousness—and in what appeared to be unthinkable just months ago, the escalating geopolitical conflict could pit the United States against its longtime NATO partners—a troubling sign of the U.S.’s eroding relationships with its closest allies. Here’s what to know about the situation. Denmark, Greenland and U.S. to meet at White House The U.S. and Denmark, both members of the NATO military alliance, are scheduled, along with Greenland’s foreign minister, to meet on Wednesday at the White House. Both Greenland and Denmark have been clear: Greenland is not for sale, and their people do not want to be a part of the U.S. Europe, NATO respond to U.S. threat Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made their position clear in a joint press conference on Tuesday: “If we have to choose between the USA and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO . . . and the E.U.,” Nielsen said, according to Danish public broadcaster DR. A day earlier, the European Commissioner for Defense and Space said if Denmark requested help in the event of U.S. military action, the European Union could provide security for Greenland, which he said would, in effect, end the NATO alliance, per Reuters. Also on Monday, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte said, “when it comes to the Arctic region . . . collectively as an alliance, the collective defense [of Greenland] is crucial . . . and we do everything to protect that territory.” Why does The President want Greenland, anyway? The President, for his part, has said taking over Greenland would prevent Russia and China from grabbing the strategically located mineral-rich region in the Arctic—which has a wealth of natural resources and sits on the shortest route between the U.S. and Europe. Beijing, however, has argued that explanation is merely “an excuse” for The President to justify more territorial expansion of the U.S. Remind me, how did we get here? Back in March, the The President administration sent an uninvited delegation to the autonomous Danish territory, which, at the time, Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede called “highly aggressive” and a “provocation.” That trip included second lady Usha Vance, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. View the full article

Cloud-based HR software provides significant advantages that can transform your organization’s human resources operations. With improved accessibility, you can manage employee data from anywhere, which supports remote work. The subscription model offers financial flexibility, whilst automation streamlines processes, reducing manual tasks. Furthermore, robust security features guarantee compliance and protect sensitive information. As you consider these benefits, it’s worth exploring how integration with other HR systems can further improve your overall efficiency. Key Takeaways Cloud HR software enhances accessibility, allowing employee data access from any location, which supports remote work and improves HR functions. Subscription-based pricing reduces upfront costs and offers financial flexibility through pay-per-use structures, leading to significant cost savings. Predictive analytics help identify HR trends and issues, enabling proactive management of employee performance and retention. Automation of HR processes streamlines tasks such as onboarding and scheduling, saving time and increasing overall productivity. Advanced security features, like data encryption and multi-factor authentication, ensure compliance with regulations and protect sensitive employee information. Accessibility With Cloud HR Systems How can cloud HR systems improve accessibility for organizations? With cloud-based HR software, you gain the ability to access employee data from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility is vital for supporting remote work and ensuring that HR functions can be performed seamlessly across different locations. Companies using these human capital management solutions report that 86% experience increased productivity in performance management, highlighting the effectiveness of accessible HR tools. Mobile compatibility is another important advantage, allowing employees to quickly engage with HR requests, which cuts down on traditional follow-up time and improves response rates. Significantly, organizations leveraging cloud HR systems are four times less likely to encounter barriers when managing employee needs, compared to those relying on non-cloud solutions. This improved accessibility promotes better communication and collaboration among departments, eventually leading to a more efficient work environment. Cost Savings With Cloud-Based HR Solutions When you consider cloud-based HR solutions, you’ll find they offer a subscription-based pricing model that eliminates hefty upfront costs and unpredictable maintenance fees. This flexibility allows you to adjust usage according to your business needs, ensuring you only pay for what you use. Subscription-Based Pricing Model One of the most significant advantages of cloud-based HR solutions is their subscription-based pricing model, which can substantially lower costs for organizations. This model eliminates the need for large upfront investments and ongoing maintenance fees, allowing you to focus on core HR functions. With 51% of professionals using cloud HR systems for cost savings, it’s clear this approach is effective. You can adjust usage based on changing business needs, ensuring you only pay for the services you require. This predictability in budgeting transforms major costs into manageable monthly or annual expenses. Furthermore, the pay-per-use structure provides financial flexibility, enabling you to scale your HR capabilities without significant financial strain. Reduced Maintenance Costs Cloud-based HR solutions not just provide a subscription-based pricing model but furthermore greatly reduce maintenance costs for organizations. By eliminating the need for large upfront investments and ongoing maintenance fees, these systems allow you to allocate resources more efficiently. Typically operating on a pay-per-use or subscription model, cloud HR systems help lower costs related to deployment, maintenance, and regular upgrades. According to Gartner, 51% of professionals choose cloud HR systems particularly for cost savings in workforce management. In addition, by removing the burden of managing IT infrastructure, you can focus your budget on strategic initiatives rather than maintenance activities. This shift not just streamlines expenses but also improves your organization’s ability to adapt to changing business needs. Adjusting Usage Flexibly How can businesses effectively manage their HR needs during adapting to fluctuating workforce demands? Cloud-based HR solutions offer the flexibility to scale usage, helping you optimize costs. With a pay-per-use or subscription model, you can adjust based on your organization’s needs without hefty upfront expenses. Here are some key benefits: Reduced IT Costs: No extensive IT support or costly upgrades required. Scalable Solutions: Easily increase or decrease HR functionalities as workforce size changes. Ongoing Savings: Lower maintenance fees streamline your budget allocation. Proven Effectiveness: According to Gartner, 51% of professionals use cloud HR systems for cost savings. Transitioning to cloud HR can greatly impact your financial efficiency as you meet evolving HR requirements. Predictive Analytics in HR Solutions As organizations endeavor to improve their HR strategies, predictive analytics has emerged as a potent tool for optimizing employee management. By utilizing AI to track employee performance, you can address productivity losses proactively before they escalate. Predictive analytics identifies trends and underlying reasons for HR issues, like high attrition rates, allowing you to implement early corrective measures that boost retention. With robust reporting capabilities, you can instantly recognize turnover trends, compensation benchmarks, and skills gaps within your workforce. This data-driven approach empowers you to make strategic decisions that align with workforce dynamics and market demands, ultimately improving your organization’s competitiveness. Automation of HR Processes With the insights gained from predictive analytics, organizations can further refine their HR strategies through the automation of HR processes. Cloud-based HR software automates repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. This boosts efficiency, allowing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives instead of mundane administrative work. Benefits of automating HR processes include: Streamlined onboarding and offboarding, reducing manual intervention during employee changes. Automated scheduling of interviews and reminders, lightening the administrative burden on HR professionals. Increased overall productivity, with 86% of users reporting improved performance management. Improved employee engagement, as HR can dedicate more time to strategic planning and talent development. Security Features in Cloud HR Software When you consider cloud HR software, security features play an essential role in protecting sensitive employee data. With data encryption techniques and multi-factor authentication, your organization can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Furthermore, these systems comply with regulations, ensuring that you meet legal requirements as you safeguard privacy. Data Encryption Techniques One key aspect of cloud-based HR software is its use of advanced data encryption techniques, which play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive employee information. These techniques guarantee that data remains secure during transmission and storage, protecting it from unauthorized access. Here are some critical benefits of data encryption: Protects sensitive employee data from breaches and unauthorized access. Facilitates compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, assuring legal standards are met. Supports routine backups, making data recoverable in case of loss or corruption. A 2022 PwC HR Tech survey found that 88% of respondents noted improved data security with cloud HR systems. With these encryption methods, you can trust that your HR data is secure and compliant. Multi-Factor Authentication As cyber threats continue to evolve, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) in cloud HR software has become essential for safeguarding sensitive employee data. MFA requires you to provide two or more verification factors to access your HR system, considerably reducing the risk of unauthorized access. A 2022 PwC HR Tech survey revealed that 88% of respondents reported improved data security because of features like MFA. Furthermore, studies show that 99.9% of account compromises can be prevented with this security measure. By combining MFA with routine backups and encryption, you create a robust security framework that protects employee data from malicious attacks. In the end, adopting MFA is a practical step toward ensuring only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. Compliance With Regulations Ensuring compliance with regulations is vital for any organization handling sensitive employee information, and cloud HR software is designed to help you meet these requirements effectively. By incorporating advanced security features, it streamlines the compliance process. Key benefits include: Data Encryption: Protects sensitive information from unauthorized access. Multi-Factor Authentication: Adds an extra layer of security, ensuring only authorized personnel can access data. Routine Backups: Safeguards data against loss, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. Automatic Updates: Keeps your system aligned with the latest data protection laws, reducing the risk of non-compliance. Integration With Other HR Management Systems When organizations adopt cloud-based HR software, they benefit greatly from its ability to integrate seamlessly with other HR management systems like payroll, benefits, and time and attendance solutions. This integration streamlines HR operations and considerably reduces manual data entry, saving you time and minimizing errors. Utilizing APIs, ADP, cloud HR systems improve accuracy by ensuring reliable data transfer between different platforms. Additionally, the integration capabilities allow you to easily adapt to new innovations through secure APIs or plugins, which boosts overall efficiency. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Key Advantage of Cloud-Based HR Systems? A key advantage of cloud-based HR systems is their ability to provide remote access to employee data from any location with an internet connection. This flexibility supports various work arrangements and improves employee engagement. Furthermore, these systems streamline HR processes through automation, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives. By leveraging data analytics, you can gain insights that help identify potential issues early, improving overall organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Is Cloud-Based HR Software Better? Yes, cloud-based HR software is often considered better because of its accessibility and cost-effectiveness. You can manage HR tasks from anywhere, which supports remote work. These systems typically require lower upfront costs and reduce ongoing maintenance through subscription models. Furthermore, they streamline processes and improve data security with features like encryption. What Are the Advantages of Cloud-Based Software? Cloud-based software offers several advantages. It reduces upfront costs and maintenance fees, operating on a flexible subscription model. You’ll save time and minimize errors through automation of repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives. Mobile compatibility improves productivity, enabling access to functions anytime, anywhere. Moreover, improved data security features protect sensitive information, as well as integration with existing systems streamlines processes and reduces manual entry errors, increasing overall efficiency in your organization. What Is Cloud HR Software? Cloud HR software is a digital solution that streamlines human resources functions, providing tools for payroll, benefits, and performance management over the internet. You can access it from anywhere, making it convenient for remote work. This software reduces redundant data entry by integrating crucial HR.com processes, automating tasks like onboarding and offboarding. Conclusion In conclusion, cloud-based HR software offers significant advantages for organizations, including improved accessibility, cost savings, and improved automation of HR processes. These solutions additionally provide robust security features and the ability to integrate with existing HR management systems, ensuring compliance and data protection. By leveraging predictive analytics, companies can make informed decisions that drive strategic initiatives. Adopting cloud HR systems not just streamlines operations but supports a modern, flexible work environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Benefits of Cloud-Based HR Software" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Cloud-based HR software provides significant advantages that can transform your organization’s human resources operations. With improved accessibility, you can manage employee data from anywhere, which supports remote work. The subscription model offers financial flexibility, whilst automation streamlines processes, reducing manual tasks. Furthermore, robust security features guarantee compliance and protect sensitive information. As you consider these benefits, it’s worth exploring how integration with other HR systems can further improve your overall efficiency. Key Takeaways Cloud HR software enhances accessibility, allowing employee data access from any location, which supports remote work and improves HR functions. Subscription-based pricing reduces upfront costs and offers financial flexibility through pay-per-use structures, leading to significant cost savings. Predictive analytics help identify HR trends and issues, enabling proactive management of employee performance and retention. Automation of HR processes streamlines tasks such as onboarding and scheduling, saving time and increasing overall productivity. Advanced security features, like data encryption and multi-factor authentication, ensure compliance with regulations and protect sensitive employee information. Accessibility With Cloud HR Systems How can cloud HR systems improve accessibility for organizations? With cloud-based HR software, you gain the ability to access employee data from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility is vital for supporting remote work and ensuring that HR functions can be performed seamlessly across different locations. Companies using these human capital management solutions report that 86% experience increased productivity in performance management, highlighting the effectiveness of accessible HR tools. Mobile compatibility is another important advantage, allowing employees to quickly engage with HR requests, which cuts down on traditional follow-up time and improves response rates. Significantly, organizations leveraging cloud HR systems are four times less likely to encounter barriers when managing employee needs, compared to those relying on non-cloud solutions. This improved accessibility promotes better communication and collaboration among departments, eventually leading to a more efficient work environment. Cost Savings With Cloud-Based HR Solutions When you consider cloud-based HR solutions, you’ll find they offer a subscription-based pricing model that eliminates hefty upfront costs and unpredictable maintenance fees. This flexibility allows you to adjust usage according to your business needs, ensuring you only pay for what you use. Subscription-Based Pricing Model One of the most significant advantages of cloud-based HR solutions is their subscription-based pricing model, which can substantially lower costs for organizations. This model eliminates the need for large upfront investments and ongoing maintenance fees, allowing you to focus on core HR functions. With 51% of professionals using cloud HR systems for cost savings, it’s clear this approach is effective. You can adjust usage based on changing business needs, ensuring you only pay for the services you require. This predictability in budgeting transforms major costs into manageable monthly or annual expenses. Furthermore, the pay-per-use structure provides financial flexibility, enabling you to scale your HR capabilities without significant financial strain. Reduced Maintenance Costs Cloud-based HR solutions not just provide a subscription-based pricing model but furthermore greatly reduce maintenance costs for organizations. By eliminating the need for large upfront investments and ongoing maintenance fees, these systems allow you to allocate resources more efficiently. Typically operating on a pay-per-use or subscription model, cloud HR systems help lower costs related to deployment, maintenance, and regular upgrades. According to Gartner, 51% of professionals choose cloud HR systems particularly for cost savings in workforce management. In addition, by removing the burden of managing IT infrastructure, you can focus your budget on strategic initiatives rather than maintenance activities. This shift not just streamlines expenses but also improves your organization’s ability to adapt to changing business needs. Adjusting Usage Flexibly How can businesses effectively manage their HR needs during adapting to fluctuating workforce demands? Cloud-based HR solutions offer the flexibility to scale usage, helping you optimize costs. With a pay-per-use or subscription model, you can adjust based on your organization’s needs without hefty upfront expenses. Here are some key benefits: Reduced IT Costs: No extensive IT support or costly upgrades required. Scalable Solutions: Easily increase or decrease HR functionalities as workforce size changes. Ongoing Savings: Lower maintenance fees streamline your budget allocation. Proven Effectiveness: According to Gartner, 51% of professionals use cloud HR systems for cost savings. Transitioning to cloud HR can greatly impact your financial efficiency as you meet evolving HR requirements. Predictive Analytics in HR Solutions As organizations endeavor to improve their HR strategies, predictive analytics has emerged as a potent tool for optimizing employee management. By utilizing AI to track employee performance, you can address productivity losses proactively before they escalate. Predictive analytics identifies trends and underlying reasons for HR issues, like high attrition rates, allowing you to implement early corrective measures that boost retention. With robust reporting capabilities, you can instantly recognize turnover trends, compensation benchmarks, and skills gaps within your workforce. This data-driven approach empowers you to make strategic decisions that align with workforce dynamics and market demands, ultimately improving your organization’s competitiveness. Automation of HR Processes With the insights gained from predictive analytics, organizations can further refine their HR strategies through the automation of HR processes. Cloud-based HR software automates repetitive tasks, saving time and reducing errors. This boosts efficiency, allowing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives instead of mundane administrative work. Benefits of automating HR processes include: Streamlined onboarding and offboarding, reducing manual intervention during employee changes. Automated scheduling of interviews and reminders, lightening the administrative burden on HR professionals. Increased overall productivity, with 86% of users reporting improved performance management. Improved employee engagement, as HR can dedicate more time to strategic planning and talent development. Security Features in Cloud HR Software When you consider cloud HR software, security features play an essential role in protecting sensitive employee data. With data encryption techniques and multi-factor authentication, your organization can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. Furthermore, these systems comply with regulations, ensuring that you meet legal requirements as you safeguard privacy. Data Encryption Techniques One key aspect of cloud-based HR software is its use of advanced data encryption techniques, which play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive employee information. These techniques guarantee that data remains secure during transmission and storage, protecting it from unauthorized access. Here are some critical benefits of data encryption: Protects sensitive employee data from breaches and unauthorized access. Facilitates compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, assuring legal standards are met. Supports routine backups, making data recoverable in case of loss or corruption. A 2022 PwC HR Tech survey found that 88% of respondents noted improved data security with cloud HR systems. With these encryption methods, you can trust that your HR data is secure and compliant. Multi-Factor Authentication As cyber threats continue to evolve, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) in cloud HR software has become essential for safeguarding sensitive employee data. MFA requires you to provide two or more verification factors to access your HR system, considerably reducing the risk of unauthorized access. A 2022 PwC HR Tech survey revealed that 88% of respondents reported improved data security because of features like MFA. Furthermore, studies show that 99.9% of account compromises can be prevented with this security measure. By combining MFA with routine backups and encryption, you create a robust security framework that protects employee data from malicious attacks. In the end, adopting MFA is a practical step toward ensuring only authorized personnel can access sensitive information. Compliance With Regulations Ensuring compliance with regulations is vital for any organization handling sensitive employee information, and cloud HR software is designed to help you meet these requirements effectively. By incorporating advanced security features, it streamlines the compliance process. Key benefits include: Data Encryption: Protects sensitive information from unauthorized access. Multi-Factor Authentication: Adds an extra layer of security, ensuring only authorized personnel can access data. Routine Backups: Safeguards data against loss, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. Automatic Updates: Keeps your system aligned with the latest data protection laws, reducing the risk of non-compliance. Integration With Other HR Management Systems When organizations adopt cloud-based HR software, they benefit greatly from its ability to integrate seamlessly with other HR management systems like payroll, benefits, and time and attendance solutions. This integration streamlines HR operations and considerably reduces manual data entry, saving you time and minimizing errors. Utilizing APIs, ADP, cloud HR systems improve accuracy by ensuring reliable data transfer between different platforms. Additionally, the integration capabilities allow you to easily adapt to new innovations through secure APIs or plugins, which boosts overall efficiency. Frequently Asked Questions What Is a Key Advantage of Cloud-Based HR Systems? A key advantage of cloud-based HR systems is their ability to provide remote access to employee data from any location with an internet connection. This flexibility supports various work arrangements and improves employee engagement. Furthermore, these systems streamline HR processes through automation, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives. By leveraging data analytics, you can gain insights that help identify potential issues early, improving overall organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Is Cloud-Based HR Software Better? Yes, cloud-based HR software is often considered better because of its accessibility and cost-effectiveness. You can manage HR tasks from anywhere, which supports remote work. These systems typically require lower upfront costs and reduce ongoing maintenance through subscription models. Furthermore, they streamline processes and improve data security with features like encryption. What Are the Advantages of Cloud-Based Software? Cloud-based software offers several advantages. It reduces upfront costs and maintenance fees, operating on a flexible subscription model. You’ll save time and minimize errors through automation of repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives. Mobile compatibility improves productivity, enabling access to functions anytime, anywhere. Moreover, improved data security features protect sensitive information, as well as integration with existing systems streamlines processes and reduces manual entry errors, increasing overall efficiency in your organization. What Is Cloud HR Software? Cloud HR software is a digital solution that streamlines human resources functions, providing tools for payroll, benefits, and performance management over the internet. You can access it from anywhere, making it convenient for remote work. This software reduces redundant data entry by integrating crucial HR.com processes, automating tasks like onboarding and offboarding. Conclusion In conclusion, cloud-based HR software offers significant advantages for organizations, including improved accessibility, cost savings, and improved automation of HR processes. These solutions additionally provide robust security features and the ability to integrate with existing HR management systems, ensuring compliance and data protection. By leveraging predictive analytics, companies can make informed decisions that drive strategic initiatives. Adopting cloud HR systems not just streamlines operations but supports a modern, flexible work environment. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Benefits of Cloud-Based HR Software" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Oura announced last week that its long-awaited charging case is finally shipping. I got one to try out, and can confirm that it works well and is arguably better designed than those of its competitors. That said, is it really worth $99? The charging case works with the Oura Ring 4, not the older models like the gen 3. I’ve previously reviewed the Oura Ring 4, and it’s probably the best smart ring out there right now. You pay a premium for it, though—not only are Oura’s prices higher than many of its competitors ($349 to $499), Oura also requires a $5.99/month subscription to access nearly all of its features. The standard charger that ships with any of the Oura rings is a simple flat square with a post that the ring fits onto. (The square base then plugs into a USB-C cord.) This works fine, but it’s inconvenient to travel with, and also susceptible to jostling. Maybe you never bump things around on your nightstand, or snag a charging cable, but it’s certainly happened to me. Like other Oura users, I’ve been wishing for a charging case. RingConn and Luna Ring both come with cases, so it would be nice if Oura would catch up. I usually keep my ring in my gym bag during weightlifting workouts (since it’s neither comfortable nor useful in those workouts). I plan to keep the charging case in my gym bag and use it during workouts. Specs of Oura’s charging case Charging my size 8 ring Credit: Beth Skwarecki Oura says the case holds enough power for five full charges of the ring, and it takes up to 80 minutes to charge the ring (less if the ring is partially charged, obviously). The case itself charges in 90 minutes. I haven’t been able to test the case in the long term, since I just got it, but the ring has a battery life of five days or more depending on the size of the ring and the settings you have enabled. That means you could go about a month without charging from a cable. The case is sized to your ring, so you have to make sure to buy the correct size of charging case—for example, a size 8 case for a size 8 ring. There’s a colored LED on the front of the charging case. When a ring is inside and charging, a white LED will pulse, just like the nightstand charger does. When the case is empty and open, it will indicate the case’s charge level. Green means the battery is full. The case pairs to your Oura app, so you can check the app to see the charge level of both your ring and the case. How it compares to other brands Top to bottom: Oura, Luna, RingConn Credit: Beth Skwarecki I happen to have a Luna Ring and a RingConn gen 2, which both ship with a charging case. Luna’s case holds about 30 days of charge, similar to Oura’s, while RingConn says its case can hold 150 days of charge. The other noticeable difference is size. RingConn’s case is the largest of the three, which probably explains its longer battery life. Oura’s case is slightly wider than Luna’s, but slimmer. You can see the size differences in my photos here. RingConn is the larger black case to the left. Oura is bottom right, Luna is top right. Credit: Beth Skwarecki RingConn’s case comes with the ring, and costs $299 for the package. Luna charges $329 for a ring plus charging case. (I recall Luna’s charging case being optional, and available for an extra $49, as I wrote here, but right now I can only find the package deal on their site.) Oura’s charging case is sold separately, for $99, so you’d spend $448 to $598 for the ring plus the case. View the full article

If you’re looking for temporary employment without the hassle of background checks, several temp agencies can help you find quick placements. Agencies like LINK Staffing and KP Staffing focus on skilled trades and industrial roles, whereas TPI Staffing offers flexible options through job fairs. Others, like Burnett Specialists and Frontline Source Group, provide customized services for unique industry needs. With so many choices available, you might wonder which agency fits your specific situation best. Key Takeaways LINK Staffing offers quick staffing solutions for skilled trades and administrative roles without background checks, ensuring efficient candidate placements. KP Staffing specializes in connecting businesses with industrial workers, providing qualified candidates swiftly with no background checks for specific positions. TPI Staffing hosts daily job fairs for immediate access to talent, offering flexible staffing options without extensive background checks. Job-Ready Talent Access adapts staffing solutions to urgent project demands, providing candidates ready for immediate employment without background checks. Frontline Source Group emphasizes quick response times and thorough screening while ensuring efficiency, allowing placements without background checks for certain roles. LINK Staffing for Flexible Hiring When you’re looking for flexible hiring solutions, LINK Staffing stands out as a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes. This agency specializes in connecting employers with reliable talent, particularly for skilled trades and administrative roles. If you need jobs hiring with no background check, LINK Staffing offers options that cater to companies seeking quick staffing solutions. Their personalized services, rooted in a family-owned approach, guarantee high client satisfaction as well as minimizing turnover and reducing labor costs. LINK Staffing operates transparently, making it easier for you to manage labor expenses without hidden fees. As a temp agency no background check, they focus on matching candidates to your specific job requirements efficiently. KP Staffing for Industrial Talent KP Staffing thrives in connecting businesses with skilled workers for industrial roles, ensuring you have the right talent to meet your operational demands. As a family-owned agency, KP Staffing emphasizes personalized service and transparency, making them a trusted partner for your staffing needs. They minimize turnover and labor costs by offering extensive payroll and recruitment support. With a robust talent pool ready to meet your fluctuating business demands, KP Staffing can quickly provide qualified candidates without background checks for specific positions. This approach not only streamlines the hiring process but likewise aligns with your unique requirements. Service Offered Benefits Client Satisfaction Skilled Worker Match Reduced Labor Costs High Satisfaction Payroll Support Minimized Turnover Transparent Practices Recruitment Support Quick Access to Talent Personalized Service TPI Staffing for Temporary Placements TPI Staffing offers flexible staffing solutions that cater to various industries, making it easier for you to find the right fit for your temporary placements. With a quick hiring process supported by daily job fairs, you can connect with qualified candidates in no time. Moreover, their diverse job opportunities guarantee that you have access to a wide range of talent, customized to your specific needs. Flexible Staffing Solutions Offered In today’s fast-paced job market, businesses often face the challenge of managing fluctuating labor demands, which is where flexible staffing solutions come into play. TPI Staffing stands out in providing you with customized options to meet your needs. Here are some key features they offer: Diverse Staffing Options: Access temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire candidates across various sectors. Daily Job Fairs: Quickly fill urgent positions with qualified candidates during their frequent job fairs. Personalized Staffing Plans: Benefit from individualized strategies aimed at improving your hiring efficiency. Streamlined Recruitment: Gain immediate access to a pool of pre-vetted candidates ready for employment. These solutions help you manage workforce fluctuations and reduce turnover and labor costs, ensuring your business remains agile and effective. Quick Hiring Process Finding the right talent swiftly can be a significant challenge for businesses, especially when staffing needs change quickly. TPI Staffing addresses this by offering a quick hiring process that connects you with candidates across various sectors. They host daily job fairs, allowing you to meet potential hires face-to-face, swiftly filling urgent positions. Their personalized staffing plans streamline recruitment, enhancing overall efficiency. By focusing on temporary placements, TPI simplifies your hiring process, reducing time-to-hire while granting access to a pool of qualified candidates. Their commitment to transparency and client satisfaction guarantees a seamless staffing experience for both employers and job seekers. Service Type Benefits Process Temporary Placements Quick access to talent Daily job fairs Temp-to-Hire Trial period for fit Customized plans Direct-Hire Long-term solutions Customized approach Diverse Job Opportunities When seeking temporary employment, you’ll discover a wealth of diverse job opportunities that cater to various skills and interests. TPI Staffing thrives in connecting you with roles across multiple sectors, ensuring you find a fit that suits your background. Here are some areas where you can explore opportunities: Hospitality – Positions in Marriott, hotels, and event venues. Logistics – Roles in warehousing, shipping, and supply chain management. Administrative – Jobs in offices, including clerical and support roles. Temp-to-Hire – Opportunities that allow you to shift to a permanent position. With TPI Staffing’s streamlined hiring process and customized plans, you’ll efficiently access suitable roles without extensive background checks, making it easier to jumpstart your career. Burnett Specialists for Business Growth As businesses aim for growth and efficiency, partnering with a specialized staffing agency like Burnett Specialists can be a strategic advantage. This agency focuses on long-term placements in vital industries such as healthcare, IT, and marketing, ensuring candidates meet specific job requirements through extensive industry knowledge. Burnett Specialists is recognized for its commitment to improving workforce effectiveness by providing skilled candidates customized to client needs. Their thorough screening processes align candidates with roles that fit their skills and experience, which contributes to high client satisfaction and retention rates. Here’s a quick overview of what Burnett Specialists offers: Feature Benefit Impact Long-term placements Skilled candidates Improved workforce quality Industry expertise Precise job matching Increased operational efficiency Direct communication Personalized service Customized staffing solutions High retention rates Strong client relationships Consistent support Frontline Source Group for Client-Centric Services Frontline Source Group thrives in delivering client-centric staffing solutions by focusing on the unique needs of industries such as engineering, legal, and HR. Their approach guarantees that you receive personalized service customized to your specific requirements. Here’s what sets them apart: Thorough Screening Processes: They maintain high standards in candidate placements, guaranteeing quality hires. Quick Response Times: Frontline efficiently fills roles without sacrificing candidate quality, making your hiring process smoother. Strong Client Relationships: By building rapport, they gain a better comprehension of your staffing needs, leading to more effective solutions. Customized Staffing Options: They offer a range of temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct staffing solutions, enhancing your operational efficiency and reducing time-to-hire. With a commitment to excellence, Frontline Source Group is dedicated to meeting your staffing challenges effectively and efficiently. AmeriTech Staffing for Skilled Professionals AmeriTech Staffing focuses on connecting businesses with skilled professionals in trades and industrial roles, streamlining the hiring process for employers. By maintaining a network of pre-screened candidates, they can quickly meet urgent hiring needs without the extensive background checks typical of other agencies. This efficiency guarantees that companies have access to job-ready talent as they adapt to their changing project demands. Skilled Trade Focus In the skilled trades sector, finding the right talent quickly can be a challenge for many businesses. AmeriTech Staffing specializes in connecting you with skilled professionals, ensuring your staffing needs are met efficiently. Here’s what you can expect: Tailored Solutions: They focus on your specific requirements, providing candidates with the right skills and experience. Rapid Results: With a reputation for minimizing time-to-fill, you can get immediate staffing solutions when urgency is crucial. Pre-Screened Talent: Their robust talent pool means quick access to qualified workers without extensive background checks. Quality Placements: By prioritizing quality, they help reduce turnover rates, ensuring a more reliable workforce in the skilled trades. Choose AmeriTech for streamlined staffing that meets your needs effectively. Streamlined Hiring Process When you’re looking to fill skilled positions swiftly, a streamlined hiring process can make all the difference. AmeriTech Staffing specializes in connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates for industrial and trade roles, ensuring that you save valuable time and resources. Their efficient recruitment strategies allow for rapid placements, whether you need temporary staffing or direct hires. By leveraging advanced technology, AmeriTech simplifies access to a vast talent pool without extensive background checks, which accelerates the hiring timeline. This focus on speed and efficiency helps you meet fluctuating labor demands as well as maintaining high-quality standards in candidate selection. In turn, you can trust that urgent roles are filled quickly, supporting your business’s operational needs effectively. Professional Alternatives for Specialized Roles Finding specialized talent can be a challenge, especially when traditional hiring methods involve lengthy background checks and extensive vetting processes. Professional Alternatives offers a rejuvenating approach to staffing that meets these challenges head-on. Here’s what you can expect: Tailored Staffing Solutions: They focus on matching candidates with precise job requirements across various industries. Technology-Driven Recruitment: Their innovative hiring platforms streamline the process, making it more efficient. Workforce Training: They improve the skills of placed candidates to guarantee they fit seamlessly into your organization. High Client Satisfaction: Their commitment to quality placements and personalized service leads to impressive client satisfaction rates. Frequently Asked Questions Do All Temp Agencies Do Background Checks? Not all temp agencies conduct background checks. Some prioritize quick placements and may skip thorough screenings. Nevertheless, many agencies do implement checks, especially for roles in sensitive industries like healthcare or finance. The decision to perform a background check often hinges on the employer’s requirements and local regulations. To understand their specific policies, you should directly inquire with the agency about their background check practices before proceeding with the application process. Does Walmart Require a Background Check? Yes, Walmart does require a background check for potential employees. This process aims to guarantee workplace safety and integrity. Typically, the check includes criminal history, employment verification, and education verification. The specific requirements may vary depending on the position and location. Usually, you can expect the background check to take a few days before you receive a final hiring decision, as Walmart prioritizes maintaining a secure work environment for all its staff. What Jobs Make $3,000 a Month Without a Degree? You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree by pursuing various job opportunities. Positions such as warehouse associates, retail workers, and hospitality roles often pay between $15 and $24 per hour. Furthermore, exploring event coordination or catering can yield similar hourly wages. Flexible platforms like Instawork allow you to take multiple shifts, enhancing your earnings. High demand in sectors like logistics and hospitality increases your chances of consistent employment, offering good pay without formal qualifications. Do Amazon Do Background Checks? Yes, Amazon does conduct background checks on all potential employees. This process typically reviews criminal history, employment verification, and, depending on the role, may include credit checks. It can take from a few days to a couple of weeks, based on the complexity of your history. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify you from employment, though Amazon has implemented “Ban the Box” initiatives in some areas, delaying inquiries about criminal history until later in the process. Conclusion In summary, exploring temp agencies that don’t require background checks can streamline your job search. Agencies like LINK Staffing, KP Staffing, and TPI Staffing offer various opportunities in skilled trades and industrial roles. Furthermore, options such as Burnett Specialists and Professional Alternatives cater to long-term placements, whereas Frontline Source Group and AmeriTech Staffing focus on client-centric services for specialized positions. By considering these agencies, you can find temporary employment that suits your needs without the hassle of background verification. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "Top 7 Temp Agencies With No Background Check" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking for temporary employment without the hassle of background checks, several temp agencies can help you find quick placements. Agencies like LINK Staffing and KP Staffing focus on skilled trades and industrial roles, whereas TPI Staffing offers flexible options through job fairs. Others, like Burnett Specialists and Frontline Source Group, provide customized services for unique industry needs. With so many choices available, you might wonder which agency fits your specific situation best. Key Takeaways LINK Staffing offers quick staffing solutions for skilled trades and administrative roles without background checks, ensuring efficient candidate placements. KP Staffing specializes in connecting businesses with industrial workers, providing qualified candidates swiftly with no background checks for specific positions. TPI Staffing hosts daily job fairs for immediate access to talent, offering flexible staffing options without extensive background checks. Job-Ready Talent Access adapts staffing solutions to urgent project demands, providing candidates ready for immediate employment without background checks. Frontline Source Group emphasizes quick response times and thorough screening while ensuring efficiency, allowing placements without background checks for certain roles. LINK Staffing for Flexible Hiring When you’re looking for flexible hiring solutions, LINK Staffing stands out as a valuable resource for businesses of all sizes. This agency specializes in connecting employers with reliable talent, particularly for skilled trades and administrative roles. If you need jobs hiring with no background check, LINK Staffing offers options that cater to companies seeking quick staffing solutions. Their personalized services, rooted in a family-owned approach, guarantee high client satisfaction as well as minimizing turnover and reducing labor costs. LINK Staffing operates transparently, making it easier for you to manage labor expenses without hidden fees. As a temp agency no background check, they focus on matching candidates to your specific job requirements efficiently. KP Staffing for Industrial Talent KP Staffing thrives in connecting businesses with skilled workers for industrial roles, ensuring you have the right talent to meet your operational demands. As a family-owned agency, KP Staffing emphasizes personalized service and transparency, making them a trusted partner for your staffing needs. They minimize turnover and labor costs by offering extensive payroll and recruitment support. With a robust talent pool ready to meet your fluctuating business demands, KP Staffing can quickly provide qualified candidates without background checks for specific positions. This approach not only streamlines the hiring process but likewise aligns with your unique requirements. Service Offered Benefits Client Satisfaction Skilled Worker Match Reduced Labor Costs High Satisfaction Payroll Support Minimized Turnover Transparent Practices Recruitment Support Quick Access to Talent Personalized Service TPI Staffing for Temporary Placements TPI Staffing offers flexible staffing solutions that cater to various industries, making it easier for you to find the right fit for your temporary placements. With a quick hiring process supported by daily job fairs, you can connect with qualified candidates in no time. Moreover, their diverse job opportunities guarantee that you have access to a wide range of talent, customized to your specific needs. Flexible Staffing Solutions Offered In today’s fast-paced job market, businesses often face the challenge of managing fluctuating labor demands, which is where flexible staffing solutions come into play. TPI Staffing stands out in providing you with customized options to meet your needs. Here are some key features they offer: Diverse Staffing Options: Access temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire candidates across various sectors. Daily Job Fairs: Quickly fill urgent positions with qualified candidates during their frequent job fairs. Personalized Staffing Plans: Benefit from individualized strategies aimed at improving your hiring efficiency. Streamlined Recruitment: Gain immediate access to a pool of pre-vetted candidates ready for employment. These solutions help you manage workforce fluctuations and reduce turnover and labor costs, ensuring your business remains agile and effective. Quick Hiring Process Finding the right talent swiftly can be a significant challenge for businesses, especially when staffing needs change quickly. TPI Staffing addresses this by offering a quick hiring process that connects you with candidates across various sectors. They host daily job fairs, allowing you to meet potential hires face-to-face, swiftly filling urgent positions. Their personalized staffing plans streamline recruitment, enhancing overall efficiency. By focusing on temporary placements, TPI simplifies your hiring process, reducing time-to-hire while granting access to a pool of qualified candidates. Their commitment to transparency and client satisfaction guarantees a seamless staffing experience for both employers and job seekers. Service Type Benefits Process Temporary Placements Quick access to talent Daily job fairs Temp-to-Hire Trial period for fit Customized plans Direct-Hire Long-term solutions Customized approach Diverse Job Opportunities When seeking temporary employment, you’ll discover a wealth of diverse job opportunities that cater to various skills and interests. TPI Staffing thrives in connecting you with roles across multiple sectors, ensuring you find a fit that suits your background. Here are some areas where you can explore opportunities: Hospitality – Positions in Marriott, hotels, and event venues. Logistics – Roles in warehousing, shipping, and supply chain management. Administrative – Jobs in offices, including clerical and support roles. Temp-to-Hire – Opportunities that allow you to shift to a permanent position. With TPI Staffing’s streamlined hiring process and customized plans, you’ll efficiently access suitable roles without extensive background checks, making it easier to jumpstart your career. Burnett Specialists for Business Growth As businesses aim for growth and efficiency, partnering with a specialized staffing agency like Burnett Specialists can be a strategic advantage. This agency focuses on long-term placements in vital industries such as healthcare, IT, and marketing, ensuring candidates meet specific job requirements through extensive industry knowledge. Burnett Specialists is recognized for its commitment to improving workforce effectiveness by providing skilled candidates customized to client needs. Their thorough screening processes align candidates with roles that fit their skills and experience, which contributes to high client satisfaction and retention rates. Here’s a quick overview of what Burnett Specialists offers: Feature Benefit Impact Long-term placements Skilled candidates Improved workforce quality Industry expertise Precise job matching Increased operational efficiency Direct communication Personalized service Customized staffing solutions High retention rates Strong client relationships Consistent support Frontline Source Group for Client-Centric Services Frontline Source Group thrives in delivering client-centric staffing solutions by focusing on the unique needs of industries such as engineering, legal, and HR. Their approach guarantees that you receive personalized service customized to your specific requirements. Here’s what sets them apart: Thorough Screening Processes: They maintain high standards in candidate placements, guaranteeing quality hires. Quick Response Times: Frontline efficiently fills roles without sacrificing candidate quality, making your hiring process smoother. Strong Client Relationships: By building rapport, they gain a better comprehension of your staffing needs, leading to more effective solutions. Customized Staffing Options: They offer a range of temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct staffing solutions, enhancing your operational efficiency and reducing time-to-hire. With a commitment to excellence, Frontline Source Group is dedicated to meeting your staffing challenges effectively and efficiently. AmeriTech Staffing for Skilled Professionals AmeriTech Staffing focuses on connecting businesses with skilled professionals in trades and industrial roles, streamlining the hiring process for employers. By maintaining a network of pre-screened candidates, they can quickly meet urgent hiring needs without the extensive background checks typical of other agencies. This efficiency guarantees that companies have access to job-ready talent as they adapt to their changing project demands. Skilled Trade Focus In the skilled trades sector, finding the right talent quickly can be a challenge for many businesses. AmeriTech Staffing specializes in connecting you with skilled professionals, ensuring your staffing needs are met efficiently. Here’s what you can expect: Tailored Solutions: They focus on your specific requirements, providing candidates with the right skills and experience. Rapid Results: With a reputation for minimizing time-to-fill, you can get immediate staffing solutions when urgency is crucial. Pre-Screened Talent: Their robust talent pool means quick access to qualified workers without extensive background checks. Quality Placements: By prioritizing quality, they help reduce turnover rates, ensuring a more reliable workforce in the skilled trades. Choose AmeriTech for streamlined staffing that meets your needs effectively. Streamlined Hiring Process When you’re looking to fill skilled positions swiftly, a streamlined hiring process can make all the difference. AmeriTech Staffing specializes in connecting employers with pre-vetted candidates for industrial and trade roles, ensuring that you save valuable time and resources. Their efficient recruitment strategies allow for rapid placements, whether you need temporary staffing or direct hires. By leveraging advanced technology, AmeriTech simplifies access to a vast talent pool without extensive background checks, which accelerates the hiring timeline. This focus on speed and efficiency helps you meet fluctuating labor demands as well as maintaining high-quality standards in candidate selection. In turn, you can trust that urgent roles are filled quickly, supporting your business’s operational needs effectively. Professional Alternatives for Specialized Roles Finding specialized talent can be a challenge, especially when traditional hiring methods involve lengthy background checks and extensive vetting processes. Professional Alternatives offers a rejuvenating approach to staffing that meets these challenges head-on. Here’s what you can expect: Tailored Staffing Solutions: They focus on matching candidates with precise job requirements across various industries. Technology-Driven Recruitment: Their innovative hiring platforms streamline the process, making it more efficient. Workforce Training: They improve the skills of placed candidates to guarantee they fit seamlessly into your organization. High Client Satisfaction: Their commitment to quality placements and personalized service leads to impressive client satisfaction rates. Frequently Asked Questions Do All Temp Agencies Do Background Checks? Not all temp agencies conduct background checks. Some prioritize quick placements and may skip thorough screenings. Nevertheless, many agencies do implement checks, especially for roles in sensitive industries like healthcare or finance. The decision to perform a background check often hinges on the employer’s requirements and local regulations. To understand their specific policies, you should directly inquire with the agency about their background check practices before proceeding with the application process. Does Walmart Require a Background Check? Yes, Walmart does require a background check for potential employees. This process aims to guarantee workplace safety and integrity. Typically, the check includes criminal history, employment verification, and education verification. The specific requirements may vary depending on the position and location. Usually, you can expect the background check to take a few days before you receive a final hiring decision, as Walmart prioritizes maintaining a secure work environment for all its staff. What Jobs Make $3,000 a Month Without a Degree? You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree by pursuing various job opportunities. Positions such as warehouse associates, retail workers, and hospitality roles often pay between $15 and $24 per hour. Furthermore, exploring event coordination or catering can yield similar hourly wages. Flexible platforms like Instawork allow you to take multiple shifts, enhancing your earnings. High demand in sectors like logistics and hospitality increases your chances of consistent employment, offering good pay without formal qualifications. Do Amazon Do Background Checks? Yes, Amazon does conduct background checks on all potential employees. This process typically reviews criminal history, employment verification, and, depending on the role, may include credit checks. It can take from a few days to a couple of weeks, based on the complexity of your history. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify you from employment, though Amazon has implemented “Ban the Box” initiatives in some areas, delaying inquiries about criminal history until later in the process. Conclusion In summary, exploring temp agencies that don’t require background checks can streamline your job search. Agencies like LINK Staffing, KP Staffing, and TPI Staffing offer various opportunities in skilled trades and industrial roles. Furthermore, options such as Burnett Specialists and Professional Alternatives cater to long-term placements, whereas Frontline Source Group and AmeriTech Staffing focus on client-centric services for specialized positions. By considering these agencies, you can find temporary employment that suits your needs without the hassle of background verification. Image via Google Gemini and ArtSmart This article, "Top 7 Temp Agencies With No Background Check" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era of rapid technological advancement, HP Inc. is redefining productivity with the launch of its latest offerings tailored for the modern workforce. The company unveiled the HP EliteBook X G2 Series, a line of premium business laptops recognized as CES 2026 Innovation Award Honorees. This announcement comes at a time when small businesses are increasingly reliant on technology to remain competitive and agile. The HP EliteBook X G2 Series positions itself as a versatile solution designed to cater to the needs of leaders and decision-makers steering their organizations through the complex landscape of the AI era. With specifications that emphasize performance, connectivity, and security, this laptop series aims to empower small business owners to maximize efficiency. Among the standout features highlighted in HP’s press release are the laptops’ powerful processors and advanced AI capabilities, both of which can streamline operations and enhance workflow. For instance, these machines support remote collaboration, allowing teams to work seamlessly from various locations. The HP EliteBook X G2 also features a lightweight design, making it mobile and easy to transport—a crucial factor for small business owners who often juggle multiple responsibilities and need to be effective whether in the office or on the go. The integration of intelligent features—such as real-time analytics and enhanced connectivity options—positions the EliteBook X G2 series as a tool for data-driven decision-making. “As businesses evolve, the need for intelligent technology that supports mobility, security, and performance is paramount,” said HP’s spokesperson during the announcement. This sentiment resonates especially well with small business owners who rely on technology to navigate their daily operations and make strategic choices. The practical applications of this new laptop series are numerous. Small businesses can leverage its features for remote work, video conferencing, and collaborative projects, all of which have become essential in today’s work environment. Moreover, the built-in security features help safeguard sensitive company information, protecting against breaches that may arise from increased connectivity. However, adopting new technology inevitably comes with challenges. Small business owners must consider the costs associated with upgrading their systems, especially if they are adhering to tight budgets. The initial investment in premium devices such as the EliteBook X G2 could be substantial, and small businesses must evaluate whether the upfront costs will translate into long-term benefits. Another potential hurdle is the learning curve. Employees may require training to fully utilize the advanced features offered by these new devices. Business owners will need to assess how to best implement this training to ensure that the full benefits of the technology are realized without disrupting workflow. Moreover, while these laptops prioritize security, the responsibility of data protection ultimately lies with the users. Small business owners must remain vigilant about software updates, password protections, and user awareness training to mitigate risks. In summary, the HP EliteBook X G2 Series provides small business owners with an impressive suite of features designed to enhance productivity and support the evolving nature of work. While there are costs and adjustment periods to consider, the potential for increased efficiency and adaptability in a competitive landscape makes this new line a noteworthy consideration for any small business looking to invest in its future. For more details on the latest HP products, visit the original press release here: HP Press Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "HP Unveils EliteBook X G2 Series Laptops to Transform Work in AI Era" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era of rapid technological advancement, HP Inc. is redefining productivity with the launch of its latest offerings tailored for the modern workforce. The company unveiled the HP EliteBook X G2 Series, a line of premium business laptops recognized as CES 2026 Innovation Award Honorees. This announcement comes at a time when small businesses are increasingly reliant on technology to remain competitive and agile. The HP EliteBook X G2 Series positions itself as a versatile solution designed to cater to the needs of leaders and decision-makers steering their organizations through the complex landscape of the AI era. With specifications that emphasize performance, connectivity, and security, this laptop series aims to empower small business owners to maximize efficiency. Among the standout features highlighted in HP’s press release are the laptops’ powerful processors and advanced AI capabilities, both of which can streamline operations and enhance workflow. For instance, these machines support remote collaboration, allowing teams to work seamlessly from various locations. The HP EliteBook X G2 also features a lightweight design, making it mobile and easy to transport—a crucial factor for small business owners who often juggle multiple responsibilities and need to be effective whether in the office or on the go. The integration of intelligent features—such as real-time analytics and enhanced connectivity options—positions the EliteBook X G2 series as a tool for data-driven decision-making. “As businesses evolve, the need for intelligent technology that supports mobility, security, and performance is paramount,” said HP’s spokesperson during the announcement. This sentiment resonates especially well with small business owners who rely on technology to navigate their daily operations and make strategic choices. The practical applications of this new laptop series are numerous. Small businesses can leverage its features for remote work, video conferencing, and collaborative projects, all of which have become essential in today’s work environment. Moreover, the built-in security features help safeguard sensitive company information, protecting against breaches that may arise from increased connectivity. However, adopting new technology inevitably comes with challenges. Small business owners must consider the costs associated with upgrading their systems, especially if they are adhering to tight budgets. The initial investment in premium devices such as the EliteBook X G2 could be substantial, and small businesses must evaluate whether the upfront costs will translate into long-term benefits. Another potential hurdle is the learning curve. Employees may require training to fully utilize the advanced features offered by these new devices. Business owners will need to assess how to best implement this training to ensure that the full benefits of the technology are realized without disrupting workflow. Moreover, while these laptops prioritize security, the responsibility of data protection ultimately lies with the users. Small business owners must remain vigilant about software updates, password protections, and user awareness training to mitigate risks. In summary, the HP EliteBook X G2 Series provides small business owners with an impressive suite of features designed to enhance productivity and support the evolving nature of work. While there are costs and adjustment periods to consider, the potential for increased efficiency and adaptability in a competitive landscape makes this new line a noteworthy consideration for any small business looking to invest in its future. For more details on the latest HP products, visit the original press release here: HP Press Release. Image via Google Gemini This article, "HP Unveils EliteBook X G2 Series Laptops to Transform Work in AI Era" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

I have taught spin classes for four years, but the majority of my friends have never taken one—they're just not "class" people. Everyone works out differently and classes are a very specific kind of experience. I take a class nearly every day, whether in-person or using my Peloton, so obviously I am firmly in the pro-class category, but I can understand why being blabbed at by an instructor wouldn't motivate some people. I learned recently, though, that Peloton offers a solution to those who don't enjoy all the yap: You can actually customize how much of their in-app instructors you hear, so whether you want to pay close attention to cues or hear practically nada from the teacher, you can make it happen, creating a truly custom "class" experience. How to customize instructor volume on PelotonIf you're using a Peloton machine, like the Bike or the Tread, locate the volume buttons on your touchscreen. When you press them, not only can you control the overall volume output of the class you're taking, but you get options like Boost instructor and Customize. When you tap Customize, you're presented with a slider that can reduce the volume of the instructor down to practically nothing or boost them so they're significantly louder than the music in the class's playlist. On the mobile app, you have a similar option for classes that don't require the brand's proprietary cardio equipment, though it's not always as customizable. First, load up a class (like stretching or yoga). The video of the instructor walking you through it will start to play. Tap the video itself and you'll get a menu of icons that show what appears to be a phone turning on its side (to play the video full-screen), a volume slider, a Bluetooth caster to enable AirPlay across other devices in the area, and a speech bubble for subtitles. Tap that volume slider, the second icon from the left. It opens an Audio Mix box that allows you to choose whether you want Music Boosted or Instructor Boosted. You can't control the mix between the music and the instructor as precisely as you can when you're using the equipment, but you can at least prioritize the music or the teacher. Credit: Peloton/Lindsey Ellefson Why you'd want to do this and what to keep in mindSome of Peloton's instructors are notoriously chatty. Personally, I think it's endearing and I see nothing wrong with the parasocial relationships it creates if those motivate someone to hop on their Bike more often. The instructors are beamed into hundreds of thousands of homes every month and are akin to celebrities, so it's good for marketing and engagement if users feel connected to them, especially because at-home workouts are otherwise pretty isolating (although Peloton offers plenty of other ways to replicate the feeling of connectedness you get from in-person classes, like Teams competitions). Still, some people aren't trying to replicate that feeling; they just want to work out by themselves with no chatter. Usually, that means loading up your own music or taking one of Peloton's scenic rides, but the trade-off there is that you don't get a well-planned workout designed by a professional trainer, like you do when you take an instructor-led class. You trade the suggested resistance and speed for something self-paced, which can be detrimental to motivation or effort. By cutting down the volume of the instructor's mic and amplifying the playlist, you get to take a real class, follow along with the resistance and speed cues on the screen, and listen to a playlist you don't have to bother curating. If you don't care what a teacher had for breakfast but do care to follow along with a 45-minute progressive push because it aligns with your fitness goals, turning down the instructor volume could be for you. That said, there is a reason these classes are instructor-led. Teachers are certified for a reason and the ones on high-profile platforms like Peloton are well-credentialed. They provide safety cues, insights into why playlists and rides are structured the way they are, and helpful information you can carry into your self-led workouts—plus motivation when you need it. I wouldn't recommend cutting out the instructor volume if you're a beginner. There is value in hearing what a pro has to say about form, speed, and self-pacing. You should only cut it out if you're a seasoned rider with good form and a solid understanding of your own abilities and limits. That said, if you're just getting started with Peloton and have concerns about your form or understanding of the workouts, it might even be worth it for you to use this feature the opposite way, prioritizing the instructor feed and deprioritizing the music. Riding to the beat will come in time, but doing it safely and effectively is most important. If you're a newbie and you don't like instructor chatter, I recommend filtering your classes so you only take ones from the less-talkative teachers, like Ben Alldis, Sam Yo, Matt Wilpers, and Leanne Hainsby. It might take you some time to find the instructor whose methods align best with your interests and motivators, but it's worth it. You can also take specialty Metrics classes, which are designed to focus more heavily on performance metrics like cadence, resistance, and output. Those have less talking overall. View the full article

Chris Cuomo is returning to SiriusXM, putting him on the air with morning and evening talk shows. He will host a two-hour weekday show centered on listener calls on the satellite radio company’s P.O.T.U.S. channel, starting Jan. 20 at 7 a.m. Eastern. Guests on his first few shows include Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, sportscaster Bob Costas, and political consultant James Carville, the company said Tuesday. Cuomo previously hosted a show at the network but quit in 2021, shortly after he was fired from CNN when it was revealed that he assisted his brother, former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in fighting accusations of sexual harassment. A former prime-time host at CNN and a reporter at ABC News earlier in his career, Cuomo has reemerged at the cable network NewsNation, where he hosts an evening talk show. “Too much of our politics is about teams instead of truth,” said Cuomo, also son of the late Democratic New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. “’Cuomo Mornings’ is going to be about breaking through those barriers, asking better questions and bringing people into the conversation instead of talking past them.” —Associated Press View the full article

Back in November, Fast Company and Johns Hopkins partnered for the first-ever World Changing Ideas Summit in Washington, DC, an event that convened leaders across business and academia to engage with the ideas and innovations reshaping the future. Knowing we were heading into a new year that undoubtedly is bringing new challenges to every industry, we asked some of our speakers working in space, healthcare, AI, and the intersections therein, what would be top of mind for them in 2026: “We’re in a race against resistance.” Akhila Kosaraju, founder and CEO of Pharebio, is using predictive and generative AI to power drug discovery. The startup plans to develop 15 new antibiotics by 2030 that will outpace microbial resistance and cure common but difficult to treat illnesses such as E. coli and C. diff. For Kosaraju, the biggest challenge is time. “We’re in a race against resistance,” she says, noting it can take fewer than six years for bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics. Meanwhile, it can take 13 years—more than double that time—to develop new medicine. Akhila Kosaraju “The biggest challenge for us is getting these antibiotics into preclinical and then ultimately clinical development, and FDA approved. I think you’ll hear this across AI for drug discovery—there is an impatience to make sure that these AI models are actually working and that patients actually start seeing those results,” she says. “So our team is laser focused on not just building the best model for its own sake, but really ensuring that we are truly accelerating timelines to get these drugs developed, that these drugs are more novel, less toxic, and more efficacious than what currently exists.” “If we don’t have a solution, America’s presence in space will stop.” Saleem Miyan, CEO of Max Space, a company developing new space stations in partnership with the U.S. government and NASA, believes it’s essential for both American innovation and security to expand the nation’s presence in space—especially given that the International Space Station will be decommissioned in 2030. “That will mean, if we don’t have a solution, America’s presence in space will stop—and we don’t want that to happen,” Miyan says. “As a result of that, we’re putting an awful lot of time, energy, effort, [and] investor’s capital, to make sure that people understand quite how important being in space is, remaining in space is.” Saleem Miyan And there’s no shortage of opportunities for Max Space to capitalize on, Miyan says. “We’re seeing so much attention right now from all governments around the world to get the next space race won, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that America maintains that position,” he says. “I think in order to do that, we have to make sure that we are continuing to evolve these incredible ideas that companies like ours have developed from the concept all the way through to productization, so that we as a nation maintain this strength and dominance that we’ve always had—not just in exploration but also in defense.” “…space is open for innovation.” “We’re trying to get the message out that space is open for innovation,” says Molly Mulligan, Chief Operating Officer of SpaceMD, a subsidiary of Redwire Space. The company, which formed in August 2025, is focused on accelerating drug creation by removing gravity from the growth process of antibody crystals. “At Space MD, that’s really the goal: to take the science of making better drugs in space and apply that here on Earth to actually make drugs that are commercially available for people,” Mulligan says. Molly Mulligan SpaceMD’s mission takes inspiration from the success of Keytruda, an immunotherapy drug created by pharmaceutical company Merck whose crystals were grown on the International Space Station—a process they are hoping to replicate in the coming years. “We want to be the company that takes that next drug through the whole process. And we’re working on that today, trying to take a drug from growing the crystals in space all the way through the preclinical process to an investigational new drug form for the FDA,” she says. “So that’s really top of mind for us is being the company that does that with the second drug and the third drug and a fourth drug to help people every day here on earth.” “…patients are waiting for new medicines today.” Isomorphic Labs, the AI-powered drug company spun out of Google DeepMind, has an audacious goal of solving all diseases using AI. The key to doing so largely rests with its AlphaFold AI system which can predict the complex structure of proteins and model how they might internet with, say, DNA or drugs. The discovery earned Google DeepMind the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry. And this past July, the company announced it’s “very close” to human trials. “As we move to the new year, we all know that patients are waiting for new medicines today,” says Ben Wolf, chief medical officer at Isomorphic Labs. Wolf joined the company in June and says his focus is advancing Isomorphic Labs into “an industry leading clinical pipeline.” Wolf says their initial focus is oncology and immunology. Ben Wolf “One of the challenges is just the heterogeneic [and] intractable nature of many diseases like cancer. So they’re very challenging to crack,” Wolf says. What will be imperative for Isomorphic Labs is coupling AI-based approaches to drug development with precision medicine paradigms, i.e. tailoring treatment to specific patients instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. “Ultimately that will give us the capacity to quickly make safer and more effective medicines for all patients,” Wolf says. View the full article

A reader writes: I’m the manager of a large department, one of whose functions is to run an in-person helpdesk service. Our primary audience is under-25s. We have a member of staff who has requested to wear earphones whilst working on the helpdesk to help manage sensory overload. We always make adjustments for staff where we can to help manage any conditions they may have, be they physical or mental, with the proviso that the adjustments ensure they can do the job. Here’s where I wonder if I’m being unreasonable and/or out-of-date in my thinking. I’ve said that I don’t mind discreet in-ear headphones, but I draw the line at big over-ear headphones. It’s a customer-facing role and you have to be visibly available to any customers who might approach the desk. My feeling is that obvious headphones indicate that you are not available to customers. However, I’m wondering if this is a generational thing. Lots of young people habitually wear massive headphones all the time even when with other people. Would they interpret headphones on a helpdesk differently to how I do? Am I just getting old and out-of-touch?! If you’re old and out-of-touch, I may be too, because I’d have the same initial reaction to the idea of large, very noticeable over-ear headphones in a job where you need to be visibly approachable. There’s a reason large, noticeable headphones are often used to signal “don’t talk to me,” and that’s directly at odds with the needs of the type of job you’ve described. That said, it’s worth being willing to test that theory, particularly since this employee is dealing with a younger customer base that might not attach the same “don’t interrupt me” message to big headphones than we do. As a first step, though, it’s worth asking the employee whether more discreet headphones could meet their needs. Accommodations don’t have to be the first thing an employee requests; what the law requires (and I argue what ethics require) is that you enter into an interactive process, where you jointly try to figure out what accommodations would meet both sides’ needs. So asking whether less visible headphones would get the job done is a reasonable inquiry. If those won’t work, though, then is there a way to test the impact of the bigger ones? You could tell the employee what your concerns are (customers may be hesitant to approach them) but say you’re open to trying it (maybe for a few days or a week initially) to see if that worry is borne out or not. You’d need some way of objectively assessing it; depending on your context, that could be as informal as you simply observing or as structured as comparing how many customers this employee gets in that time period versus other staffers in the same time period (or compared to their average from the previous week, or so forth). You should also ask the employee to think about specific ways they can demonstrate availability during this test — like making eye contact and smiling when people might be considering approaching, or removing the headphones and asking “can I help you?” or a sign that says “please interrupt when you need us!” or so forth. The more successfully they can find ways to convey “I’m fully available to help you” — and thus to counter any “don’t talk to me” signals the headphones might otherwise send — the better odds of you both being able to conclude the accommodation will work. And it’s fair (and I’d think useful) to explicitly frame it that way. The post are big over-ear headphones inappropriate in a customer-facing role? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Writing a strong construction resume can make the difference between landing an interview or being overlooked in a competitive job market. Because roles vary widely across the industry, reviewing construction resume examples helps clarify what employers expect. In this guide, you’ll find practical construction resume examples tailored to common positions and real-world hiring needs. What Is a Construction Resume? A construction resume is a professional document that summarizes a candidate’s experience, skills and qualifications within the construction industry. It highlights work history, technical abilities, certifications and project experience to demonstrate suitability for specific construction roles, job requirements and work environments. Since construction roles differ significantly in responsibilities and seniority, there’s no single resume format that fits all positions. To reflect this reality, the sections below explore the most common types of construction resume examples, each tailored to a specific role found across construction sites, offices and project teams. To further improve your construction career, ensure you’re using the most powerful tools available. ProjectManager is an award-winning software that helps improve construction projects at every phase. Use the powerful Gantt chart to create a construction plan that the team can reference and update in real time. Keep track of resources directly in ProjectManager to ensure the project finishes on budget. Get started today with a free 30-day trial. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgLearn more What Should Be Included In a Construction Resume? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a construction resume, as every person may choose to structure their resumes based on their particular strengths and qualifications. However, we’ve identified core sections that any construction resume should include, regardless of the particular role you’re interested in. Contact Information: Provides clear ways to reach the candidate, including name, phone number, email and location. Placed at the top of a construction resume, accurate contact details ensure recruiters can quickly follow up without confusion, delays or missed communication during hiring and interview processes. Professional Summary: Offers a concise snapshot of construction experience, role focus and overall value. It highlights years of experience, specialties and strengths, helping employers quickly assess suitability before reviewing detailed skills, projects and employment history. Core Skills: Highlights the most relevant construction competencies rather than listing every ability. This section may include technical skills, safety knowledge, leadership capabilities and trade expertise, allowing hiring managers to match qualifications to job requirements quickly. Work Experience: Details previous roles, employers and responsibilities within construction environments. Strong entries describe tasks performed, project scope and measurable results, giving employers insight into hands-on experience and performance across different job sites. Education, certifications and licenses: Lists formal education, trade training and professional credentials required for construction work. Including certifications and licenses demonstrates technical competence, regulatory compliance and readiness to operate safely and responsibly on active projects. Key Projects & Achievements: Showcases notable construction projects, milestones or improvements delivered. By emphasizing outcomes, budgets, timelines or safety results, this section helps employers evaluate real-world impact and contributions beyond routine job duties. /wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-construction-ebook-banner-ad.jpg 7 Construction Resume Examples Now that we’ve defined what the key elements of a construction resume are, let’s look at seven construction resume examples, which you can download as free Word documents. 1. Construction Worker Resume Construction workers perform hands-on labor across building sites, supporting projects from start to finish. They carry out tasks such as material handling, basic trades work, site preparation and cleanup. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Construction-Worker-Resume-Example.png Construction workers follow plans, safety procedures and supervisor instructions while adapting to different tools, environments and project requirements safely and efficiently. Contact Information Name: Michael Johnson Phone: 555-555-5555 Email: michael.johnson@exampleemail.com Professional Summary I am a reliable construction worker with hands-on experience performing painting, framing, roofing and basic plumbing tasks on residential and light commercial job sites. I am known for my versatility, safety awareness and strong work ethic. I follow instructions closely, adapt quickly to different crews and complete assigned tasks efficiently while maintaining quality standards across multiple trades. Core Skills Basic painting, framing and roofing support Entry-level plumbing and fixture installation Material handling and site preparation Tool usage and equipment maintenance Jobsite safety awareness and compliance Work Experience I have experience supporting residential and light commercial projects across multiple job sites. My work includes assisting skilled trades, preparing materials, maintaining clean work areas and following safety procedures while adapting to different crews, tools and construction phases. IronPeak Construction – Assisted crews with framing, material handling and site cleanup on residential housing projects. BlueStone Builders – Supported roofing and exterior work, including shingle installation and basic repairs. Summit Ridge Contractors – Performed painting, surface preparation and finishing tasks under supervisor direction. Atlas Home Services – Helped with basic plumbing tasks, fixture installation and jobsite organization. RedOak Development Group – Assisted multiple trades while maintaining safety compliance and tool readiness. Education, Certifications and Licenses I have completed foundational education and industry-recognized safety training relevant to construction work. My credentials focus on jobsite safety, hazard awareness and practical skills required to operate effectively in active construction environments. High School Diploma OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification First Aid and CPR Certification Forklift Operator Certification Scaffold User Safety Training Certification Want more construction worker resume examples? Visit these links: Construction Worker Resume Examples by Indeed Construction Worker Resume Examples by Resume Builder Construction Worker Resume Examples by BeamJobs 2. Construction Project Manager Resume A construction project manager oversees planning, execution and delivery of construction projects from initiation to closeout. They coordinate teams, budgets and schedules while managing risk, contracts and stakeholders. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Construction-Project-Manager-Resume-Example-600x463.png Their role ensures projects meet scope, quality, cost and timeline requirements across residential, commercial or infrastructure construction environments. Contact Information Name: David Reynolds Phone: 555-555-5555 Email: david.reynolds@exampleemail.com Professional Summary I am a senior construction project manager with over ten years of experience delivering large residential and commercial projects. I have led teams across multiple firms, managing budgets, schedules and resources to drive successful outcomes. I bring strong stakeholder communication skills, deep risk control expertise and a consistent record of completing complex projects on time and within budget. Core Skills Construction project management software proficiency Construction scheduling and timeline control Resource management and workforce planning Budgeting, cost control and forecasting Contract administration and subcontractor coordination Risk management and issue resolution Stakeholder communication and leadership Work Experience I bring over a decade of experience leading residential and commercial construction projects from planning through closeout. My background includes managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing budgets and schedules, coordinating subcontractors and delivering complex builds while maintaining safety, quality and client expectations across multiple firms. Ironclad Construction Group – Managed end-to-end residential projects, coordinating schedules, subcontractors and budgets across multiple active job sites. Summit Crest Builders – Led commercial fit-out projects, controlling costs, timelines and stakeholder communication throughout all construction phases. BlueLine Development Co. – Oversaw mixed-use developments, managing procurement, risk mitigation and cross-functional construction teams. Atlas Ridge Contractors – Directed project planning, contract administration and progress tracking for mid-size commercial builds. NorthPoint Construction Services – Supervised project delivery, change management and quality control for residential housing portfolios. Education, Certifications and Licenses I have completed formal education in construction management and hold multiple industry-recognized certifications. My credentials reflect strong technical knowledge, leadership training and compliance with safety and project management standards required for senior construction project management roles. Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification Certified Construction Manager (CCM) First Aid and CPR Certification Key Projects and Achievements Riverstone Residences – Delivered a 120-unit residential project on schedule while maintaining strict cost and safety controls. Harbor Point Office Complex – Coordinated commercial build-out, reducing schedule delays through proactive subcontractor management. Summit Plaza Retail Center – Managed multi-tenant construction, achieving budget savings through optimized procurement strategies. Oakview Mixed-Use Development – Led cross-functional teams to deliver residential and retail components simultaneously. Northline Warehouse Expansion – Oversaw phased construction while maintaining uninterrupted facility operations for the client. Clearwater Medical Facility – Ensured regulatory compliance and quality standards for a specialized healthcare construction project. Evergreen Housing Portfolio – Improved delivery timelines across multiple residential projects through standardized scheduling processes. Want more construction project manager resume examples? Visit these links: Construction Project Manager Resume Examples by Indeed Construction Project Manager Resume Examples by Resume Builder Construction Project Manager Examples by Resume Genius Related: 20 Best Construction Scheduling Software for 2026 (Free & Paid) 3. Construction Manager Resume A construction manager oversees on-site construction activities, coordinating labor, subcontractors and materials to ensure projects are executed safely and efficiently. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Construction-Manager-Resume-Example.png They translate plans into daily operations, enforce quality standards, manage schedules and resolve issues while aligning field execution with project goals and contractual requirements across residential and commercial development projects. Contact Information Name: Robert Anderson Phone: 555-555-5555 Email: robert.anderson@exampleemail.com Professional Summary I am an experienced construction manager with over five years of experience leading residential and commercial projects for multiple firms. I specialize in coordinating site teams, enforcing safety standards and maintaining quality across active job sites. I bring formal training and industry certifications, with a strong track record of delivering projects on schedule, controlling costs and resolving on-site challenges effectively and consistently. Core Skills On-site construction coordination and supervision Schedule execution and progress tracking Subcontractor and workforce management Construction safety compliance and enforcement Quality control and inspections Material planning and logistics coordination Issue resolution and field decision-making Work Experience I have extensive field-based experience overseeing day-to-day site operations on residential and commercial projects. My background includes supervising crews, coordinating subcontractors, enforcing safety standards and ensuring construction activities align with approved plans, schedules and quality requirements across multiple firms. Stonebridge BuildCo – Supervised on-site crews, coordinated subcontractors and enforced safety standards across active residential projects. Ironfield Construction Services – Managed daily site operations, inspections and material deliveries for mid-size commercial builds. Pinnacle Works Group – Oversaw schedule execution and quality control across multi-phase construction sites. Crestline Development Contractors – Coordinated labor, equipment and site logistics to maintain productivity and regulatory compliance. Horizon Structural Builders – Led field operations, resolved site issues and supported key project delivery milestones. Education, Certifications and Licenses I have completed formal education and earned industry-recognized certifications focused on site supervision, safety and construction operations. My credentials demonstrate technical competence, regulatory awareness and readiness to manage active job sites and field teams responsibly. Associate Degree in Construction Management OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification Certified Construction Manager (CCM) First Aid and CPR Certification Fall Protection Competent Person Training Key Projects and Achievements Maple Ridge Housing Development – Coordinated field teams to complete residential units ahead of schedule without safety incidents. Downtown Commerce Center – Maintained strict quality standards while managing multiple subcontractors on an active commercial site. Westport Logistics Warehouse – Executed phased construction while ensuring uninterrupted access and site safety. Oakview Office Renovation – Led on-site operations, resolving structural issues without impacting the overall project timeline. ClearSky Medical Pavilion – Enforced compliance requirements and quality controls for specialized healthcare construction. Northline Retail Expansion – Improved site productivity through optimized crew coordination and material staging. Harbor Heights Apartments – Delivered a multi-building residential project with consistent inspections and zero rework issues. Want more construction manager resume examples? Visit these links: Construction Manager Resume Examples by Indeed Construction Manager Resume Examples by Resume Builder Construction Manager Resume Examples by Resume Worded /wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Construction-Schedule-Template.png Get your free Construction Schedule Template Use this free Construction Schedule Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template 4. Construction Superintendent Resume A construction superintendent is responsible for overseeing daily jobsite operations and ensuring construction activities are executed according to plans. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Construction-Superintendent-Resume-Example.png They manage crews, coordinate subcontractors, enforce safety standards and maintain productivity, acting as the primary link between field operations, project management and quality control across active construction sites. Contact information Name: Thomas Walker Phone: 555-555-5555 Email: thomas.walker@exampleemail.com Professional Summary I am a seasoned construction superintendent with over eight years of experience leading residential and commercial projects for multiple firms. I specialize in managing jobsite operations, coordinating subcontractors and enforcing safety compliance. I hold multiple certifications and training credentials and consistently deliver high-quality work while maintaining schedules, productivity and regulatory standards. Core Skills Jobsite supervision and daily operations management Subcontractor coordination and workforce oversight Construction safety enforcement and compliance Schedule execution and progress monitoring Quality control inspections and issue resolution Material deliveries and site logistics planning Field communication and reporting Work Experience I have over eight years of experience overseeing complex residential and commercial jobsites. My background includes supervising crews, sequencing trades, enforcing safety standards, coordinating inspections and resolving field issues to maintain schedules, quality standards and regulatory compliance across multiple firms. Granite Peak Constructors – Supervised daily site operations, coordinated subcontractors, enforced safety protocols and maintained production schedules. Ironwave Building Group – Managed multi-trade crews, resolved field conflicts, verified inspections and ensured compliance with approved plans and documents. Summit Core Builders – Oversaw material deliveries, site logistics and equipment usage to prevent delays and productivity losses. Horizon Fieldworks – Led safety meetings, enforced regulations and addressed hazards to maintain incident-free job sites. Redline Commercial Contractors – Coordinated inspections, corrected deficiencies and supported project milestones through proactive field leadership and clear communication. Education, Certifications and Licenses I completed formal construction education and advanced safety training focused on supervision, compliance and jobsite leadership. My credentials demonstrate technical competence and regulatory awareness, supporting effective coordination of crews, inspections and regulatory requirements across varied construction environments and project types. Associate Degree in Construction Management OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification Certified Construction Manager (CCM) First Aid and CPR Certification Fall Protection Competent Person Training Key Projects and Achievements Silverbrook Estates – Delivered a multi-building residential project ahead of schedule while maintaining zero safety incidents through strong supervision. Downtown Commerce Renovation – Coordinated commercial renovation phases, minimizing tenant disruption and meeting strict quality requirements through precise sequencing. NorthGate Distribution Center – Managed warehouse expansion with phased construction, ensuring continuous operations and regulatory compliance through careful planning. Clearview Medical Pavilion – Oversaw healthcare facility build, enforcing inspections, safety protocols and specialized construction standards. Harbor Point Mixed-Use – Delivered mixed-use development by coordinating trades, resolving conflicts and maintaining aggressive timelines. Westline Retail Expansion – Led retail expansion project, improving site productivity and inspection turnaround times through workflow optimization. Maple Ridge Apartments – Completed a multi-phase apartment complex with consistent quality inspections and zero rework items through disciplined coordination. Want more construction superintendent resume examples? Visit these links: Construction Superintendent Resume Examples by Indeed Construction Superintendent Resume Examples by Resume Builder Construction Superintendent Resume Examples by Resume Trick Related: 10 Free Construction Scheduling Templates for Excel, Word & Google Sheets 5. Construction Foreman Resume A construction foreman supervises crews on active job sites, directing daily work activities and ensuring tasks are completed according to plans. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Construction-Foreman-Example.png They bridge field labor and site leadership by assigning work, monitoring productivity, enforcing safety standards and maintaining quality while supporting schedules and coordinating with superintendents and project managers. Contact Information Name: James Carter Phone: 555-555-5555 Email: james.carter@exampleemail.com Professional Summary Highly experienced construction foreman with over fifteen years leading crews on large residential and commercial projects. Proven ability to coordinate labor, enforce safety and maintain productivity across multiple firms. Holds several industry certifications and training credentials, consistently delivering quality workmanship while supporting schedules, inspections and efficient site operations. Core Skills Crew supervision and daily task assignment Jobsite safety enforcement and hazard mitigation Productivity tracking and workflow coordination Blueprint reading and work plan execution Quality control and workmanship oversight Tool, equipment and material coordination On-site communication and problem resolution Work Experience This construction foreman has over fifteen years supervising crews on complex residential and commercial job sites. Experience includes assigning tasks, coordinating trades, enforcing safety rules, monitoring productivity and resolving field issues to keep work progressing efficiently and meeting quality expectations. Ridgeway Construction Services – Supervised daily crews, assigned tasks, enforced safety standards, coordinated trades and maintained productivity across residential projects. IronSpan Commercial Builders – Led commercial site crews, interpreted drawings, monitored quality, tracked progress, resolved issues quickly, onsite daily. SummitCraft Contractors – Coordinated materials, tools and equipment, supported schedules, reduced rework and improved crew efficiency consistently outcomes. Northfield Site Works – Enforced safety protocols, conducted briefings, identified hazards and maintained incident-free job sites across multiple projects. Cornerstone Field Operations – Supported superintendents by reporting progress, addressing labor needs and keeping sites organized, efficient, clean and compliant. Education, Certifications and Licenses This foreman completed formal trade education and ongoing professional training focused on leadership and safety. Certifications and licenses demonstrate technical competence, regulatory compliance and readiness to supervise crews, operate equipment and maintain safe, productive job sites across varied construction environments. High School Diploma OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification NCCER Carpentry Level 2 Certification First Aid and CPR Certification Forklift Operator Certification Key Projects & Achievements Oak Ridge Townhomes: Improved crew productivity and safety while delivering multi-building residential project ahead of schedule consistently successfully. MetroCore Office Renovation: Led commercial renovation, coordinating trades to minimize downtime and meet strict quality standards throughout project. Clearview Retail Center: Reduced rework through clear task assignments, inspections and real-time issue resolution onsite across multiple phases. Pinecrest Apartments: Maintained zero recordable incidents by enforcing safety protocols and daily crew briefings across active sites. Westline Warehouse Build: Coordinated material staging improving workflow, reducing delays and supporting aggressive construction schedules on fast-paced projects. Harbor Point Mixed-Use: Supported superintendent objectives by aligning labor resources with evolving project priorities and tight timelines daily. Maple Grove Residences: Delivered consistent workmanship quality across residential builds through disciplined crew supervision and proactive field leadership. Want more construction foreman resume examples? Visit these links: Construction Foreman Resume Examples by MyPerfectResume Construction Foreman Resume Examples by JobHero Construction Foreman Resume Examples by Resume Trick Construction Project Management Templates You May Find Useful In addition to these resume examples, we offer a wide collection of free construction project management templates available in Word, Excel and Google Sheets. Below are a few popular options that support planning, budgeting and scheduling across construction projects. Construction Management Plan Template This construction management plan template for Word helps teams document key project details, including scope, schedule and budget. It provides a structured starting point for organizing responsibilities, expectations and controls throughout the construction lifecycle. Construction Budget Template Use this construction budget template to forecast labor, material and equipment costs and track spending over time. Comparing estimated and actual costs makes it easier to monitor financial performance and identify potential overruns early. Construction Schedule Template This construction schedule template lets you explore ProjectManager’s Gantt chart functionality, showing how construction activities can be sequenced, dependencies linked and resources allocated. It also helps visualize timelines and identify the critical path for improved schedule control. How ProjectManager Helps Construction Companies Today’s construction companies need software that includes scheduling, cost control, resource management and reporting into one real-time platform. ProjectManager’s tools like Gantt charts, task lists and calendars help construction teams build detailed schedules, identify the critical path and manage dependencies. Watch the short video below to see how our software supports construction companies. Improve Planning and Scheduling The Gantt chart is the quintessential construction scheduling tool. Project managers can add tasks, track all four types of task dependencies, set a baseline and more, all in one place. If schedule changes are needed, simply drag and drop the timeline and update your team directly in the software. This results in fewer delays, better coordination and more predictable delivery. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-1.png Keep Stakeholders Informed No more reliance on manual reports. As field teams can update progress from the jobsite, real-time status updates have never been easier. In a few clicks, generate custom reports and share them with stakeholders. Teams can even leverage AI Project Insights to catch risks before they turn into something detrimental. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/project-status-report-screenshot-2024.png Related Construction Project Management Content How to Manage a Construction Company: 9 Key Areas 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples How to Manage a Construction Project Step by Step 40 Construction Quotes to Motivate Your Team 27 Best Construction Project Management Certifications ProjectManager is online construction project management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 5 Construction Resume Examples (Free Download) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

President The President Tuesday told reporters he would not delay announcing his pick to fill a new vacancy on the Federal Reserve Board despite threats from Republican Senators to block any Fed nomination until a recently-disclosed Justice Department investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell is resolved. View the full article

Former US president and secretary of state accuse Republican chair of partisanship in handling case of late sex offenderView the full article

Cut off from the outside world, Iran has been convulsed by some of the worst violence since the 1979 Islamic revolutionView the full article

Musk has mischaracterised the dispute with the UK and others over indecent AI images as censorshipView the full article

If you’re looking to edit MP4 files without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. There are several free tools available that can help you achieve professional-quality results. From user-friendly options like PowerDirector to template-driven solutions like Promeo, each tool offers unique features customized to different needs. Whether you need extensive export options or a simple way to create engaging video ads, there’s a tool that fits your requirements. Let’s explore these options further. Key Takeaways PowerDirector offers a user-friendly interface with advanced AI features, making it ideal for both novice and experienced MP4 editors. OpenShot provides a drag-and-drop interface and extensive transition options, perfect for users seeking a simple yet powerful open-source editor. Shotcut supports high-resolution editing and native timeline editing, catering to video enthusiasts looking for flexibility and precision in their projects. Clipchamp enables web-based editing with customizable templates, making it accessible for social media creators and beginners without software installation. VideoPad features extensive export options and visual effects, supporting various formats for seamless uploads to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. PowerDirector: Best Overall Free MP4 Editor PowerDirector stands out as the best overall free MP4 editor, appealing to both novice and experienced users alike. With its user-friendly interface, it allows you to edit MP4 files free of charge, making it an excellent alternative to Windows Movie Maker editing software. You can quickly perform fundamental tasks like trimming, joining, and cropping, all during the benefit of advanced features such as AI-driven tools for sky replacement and voice changing. Furthermore, PowerDirector offers an extensive library of titles, transitions, and motion graphics to improve your videos. You can easily upload your finished projects to social media without compromising video quality. Regular updates keep the software equipped with the latest editing technology, ensuring you always have the best tools at your fingertips. Promeo: Best for Creating Video Ads In regards to creating video ads, Promeo is one of the top choices available, especially for online sellers. It offers over 27,000 customizable templates optimized for various platforms, making ad creation straightforward. You can follow a simple three-step process: choose a template, customize it, and share the final product. Promeo’s AI-powered tools help generate backgrounds and recommend templates, which is ideal for busy creatives and beginners. The platform furthermore features batch processing capabilities, allowing you to edit multiple images or videos simultaneously, greatly improving your productivity. Moreover, you’ll have access to millions of royalty-free media from stock libraries, ensuring your video ads remain copyright-compliant whilst still looking professional and engaging. VideoPad: Best for Various Export Options When you’re looking for a versatile video editing tool, VideoPad stands out due to its extensive export options. It features a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate through its editing capabilities. You can save your edited videos in various formats, with direct uploads to popular platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. VideoPad in addition supports multiple resolutions, including HD and 4K, catering to different quality needs. Plus, it offers over 50 visual effects along with a sound effects library, enhancing your projects creatively. The free version is available for non-commercial use, making it an accessible option for home users. Feature Description User-Friendly Interface Easy navigation for beginners Export Options Multiple formats, including YouTube Visual Effects Over 50 effects available Resolution Support Compatible with HD and 4K Free Version For non-commercial use OpenShot: User-Friendly Open-Source Editor OpenShot is a user-friendly, open-source video editor that makes editing MP4 files an accessible task for everyone. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly import and arrange your video clips, audio, and images. The extensive shift library and basic editing tools guarantee you have what you need to create polished videos, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills. Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface Editing videos can often feel challenging, especially for beginners who may not have extensive technical skills. OpenShot simplifies this process with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. You can easily import and arrange video clips, audio tracks, and images in the timeline without hassle. With support for over 400 transitions and 40 adjustable vector title templates, improving your videos becomes straightforward. You can likewise apply digital video effects, like chroma key for background changes, directly through this functionality. OpenShot’s user-friendly design makes navigation easy for anyone, and its open-source nature guarantees consistent updates and community support. Feature Benefit Impact Drag-and-Drop Easy importing and arranging Saves time 400+ Transitions Creative video improvement Engages viewers User-Friendly Simple navigation Reduces frustration Extensive Transition Library With over 400 changes at your disposal, the extensive change library in OpenShot greatly boosts your video editing experience. This library allows you to improve your video storytelling and create seamless scene shifts effortlessly. The user-friendly drag-and-drop interface simplifies adding these shifts, making it accessible for both beginners and non-professionals. You can customize each shift with adjustable settings for duration, effects, and styles, ensuring they align with your project’s visual aesthetic. OpenShot also supports 3D animated titles and effects, allowing you to integrate dynamic shifts that raise your production quality. Regular updates keep the shift library current, adding new options to meet user demands and trends in video editing, so you can always find fresh tools for your projects. Basic Editing Tools Available When working on video projects, having access to basic editing tools can greatly improve your workflow and the final product. OpenShot is a user-friendly, open-source video editor that supports MP4 file editing and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You’ll appreciate its simple drag-and-drop interface, which makes it easy for beginners while still offering advanced features like 3D animations and customizable title templates. With over 400 changes and 40 adjustable vector title templates, your videos can truly stand out. OpenShot in addition provides digital video effects, including chroma keying for seamless background alterations. Its lightweight design guarantees quick installation and access to robust editing tools without needing high-performance hardware, making it an excellent choice for all users. Imovie: Built-In Editor for Apple Users iMovie stands out as a potent yet user-friendly video editing tool built into all Apple devices, including Macs, iPhones, and iPads. This free software offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, making it easy for you to edit videos. With features like Cinematic Mode, you can achieve a professional look with depth-of-field adjustments. The clean interface guarantees that beginners can navigate it comfortably, whereas crucial tools like trimming and adding changes are readily available. Plus, iMovie works well with other Apple applications, allowing you to incorporate music from iTunes or GarageBand easily. Feature Benefit Note User-Friendly UI Easy for beginners Clean and intuitive layout Cinematic Mode Professional-quality Depth-of-field adjustments Integration Seamless workflows Works with iTunes and GarageBand Shotcut: Advanced Features for Enthusiasts Shotcut offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to navigate its advanced editing capabilities. With features like native timeline editing and customizable panels, you can efficiently manage multiple tracks and layers without hassle. Furthermore, the software provides robust tools like keyframes and a variety of video and audio effects, allowing you to refine your projects with precision. User-Friendly Interface Overview Even though the interface of Shotcut may appear unconventional at first glance, you’ll find that it offers a wealth of advanced features designed for video editing enthusiasts. The software supports a diverse range of video and audio effects, allowing you to improve your projects with ease. Its native timeline editing is particularly beneficial, as it enables you to make precise edits without needing to render, thereby speeding up your workflow. Although there’s a learning curve, the extensive community support can help you troubleshoot and learn new features. Regular updates guarantee Shotcut remains compatible with the latest video formats, addressing bugs and bettering functionality over time, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and seasoned editors alike. Advanced Editing Capabilities When you immerse yourself in Shotcut’s advanced editing capabilities, you’ll discover a range of robust features intended to improve your video projects. The software includes 360-degree video filters, pitch compensation, and various video and audio effects, which help boost your editing skills. Shotcut supports native timeline editing, giving you greater flexibility in arranging clips and applying effects seamlessly. Frequent updates guarantee that you have access to the latest tools and bug fixes, enhancing functionality. Its customizable interface allows you to tailor your workspace according to your editing preferences, whereas support for high resolution up to 4K guarantees you can produce professional-quality videos suitable for various platforms. These features make Shotcut a formidable choice for video enthusiasts. Clipchamp: Template-Based Social Media Editor Clipchamp is an innovative web-based video editor that allows you to seamlessly edit MP4 files directly in your browser, eliminating the need for software installation. It operates efficiently in browsers like Chrome and Edge, making it user-friendly. With a variety of customizable templates designed particularly for social media, you can easily create engaging content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The free version offers unlimited, watermark-free exports up to 1080p, ensuring high-quality output without any cost. Furthermore, you can access a library of free stock images, audio, and video resources, enhancing your creative options. Clipchamp likewise includes AI-powered features like speech-to-text and auto-compose, streamlining the editing process and making it accessible for beginners. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free MP4 Editor? To find the best free MP4 editor, consider your editing needs. PowerDirector stands out for its user-friendly interface and AI tools. If you’re creating social media ads, Promeo offers customizable templates and a straightforward process. For home users, VideoPad provides a clean layout and various export options. OpenShot and Shotcut are great for those who appreciate advanced features, whereas DaVinci Resolve is ideal for professional-grade editing, in spite of its learning curve. Which Free Tool Is Best for Video Editing? When choosing a free tool for video editing, consider your needs. PowerDirector offers a user-friendly interface with advanced features, making it suitable for all skill levels. If you’re focused on creating ads quickly, Promeo’s customizable templates might be your best option. For straightforward editing, VideoPad provides easy exports to popular platforms. OpenShot is great for beginners with its drag-and-drop functionality, whereas DaVinci Resolve is ideal for those willing to learn advanced techniques. What App Do I Use to Edit an MP4 File? To edit an MP4 file, you can choose from several effective applications. PowerDirector is user-friendly and offers advanced features, suitable for all skill levels. VideoPad is great for beginners, providing a simple interface and easy exporting options. OpenShot is open-source, featuring a drag-and-drop system and numerous changes. If you need professional tools, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced editing capabilities. Each of these apps caters to different editing needs, so pick one that suits your requirements best. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often choose free editing tools based on their needs. iMovie’s great for Mac users, offering features like video stabilization. Adobe Premiere Rush provides a simple experience but limits you to single-track editing in its free version. Clipchamp is popular for its multi-track editing and templates. DaVinci Resolve offers professional features, though it can be complex for beginners. CapCut is user-friendly but has some premium features. Each tool caters to different editing preferences. Conclusion In conclusion, you have a variety of excellent free tools at your fingertips to edit MP4 files effectively. Whether you’re looking for user-friendly interfaces, extensive export options, or customized solutions for specific projects, options like PowerDirector, Promeo, and OpenShot cater to diverse needs. With these resources, you can improve your video editing skills without investing in costly software, making professional-quality results achievable for everyone, regardless of experience level. Explore these tools and boost your video projects today. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Best Free Tools to Edit MP4 Files Like a Pro" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to edit MP4 files without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. There are several free tools available that can help you achieve professional-quality results. From user-friendly options like PowerDirector to template-driven solutions like Promeo, each tool offers unique features customized to different needs. Whether you need extensive export options or a simple way to create engaging video ads, there’s a tool that fits your requirements. Let’s explore these options further. Key Takeaways PowerDirector offers a user-friendly interface with advanced AI features, making it ideal for both novice and experienced MP4 editors. OpenShot provides a drag-and-drop interface and extensive transition options, perfect for users seeking a simple yet powerful open-source editor. Shotcut supports high-resolution editing and native timeline editing, catering to video enthusiasts looking for flexibility and precision in their projects. Clipchamp enables web-based editing with customizable templates, making it accessible for social media creators and beginners without software installation. VideoPad features extensive export options and visual effects, supporting various formats for seamless uploads to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. PowerDirector: Best Overall Free MP4 Editor PowerDirector stands out as the best overall free MP4 editor, appealing to both novice and experienced users alike. With its user-friendly interface, it allows you to edit MP4 files free of charge, making it an excellent alternative to Windows Movie Maker editing software. You can quickly perform fundamental tasks like trimming, joining, and cropping, all during the benefit of advanced features such as AI-driven tools for sky replacement and voice changing. Furthermore, PowerDirector offers an extensive library of titles, transitions, and motion graphics to improve your videos. You can easily upload your finished projects to social media without compromising video quality. Regular updates keep the software equipped with the latest editing technology, ensuring you always have the best tools at your fingertips. Promeo: Best for Creating Video Ads In regards to creating video ads, Promeo is one of the top choices available, especially for online sellers. It offers over 27,000 customizable templates optimized for various platforms, making ad creation straightforward. You can follow a simple three-step process: choose a template, customize it, and share the final product. Promeo’s AI-powered tools help generate backgrounds and recommend templates, which is ideal for busy creatives and beginners. The platform furthermore features batch processing capabilities, allowing you to edit multiple images or videos simultaneously, greatly improving your productivity. Moreover, you’ll have access to millions of royalty-free media from stock libraries, ensuring your video ads remain copyright-compliant whilst still looking professional and engaging. VideoPad: Best for Various Export Options When you’re looking for a versatile video editing tool, VideoPad stands out due to its extensive export options. It features a user-friendly interface, making it easy for beginners to navigate through its editing capabilities. You can save your edited videos in various formats, with direct uploads to popular platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. VideoPad in addition supports multiple resolutions, including HD and 4K, catering to different quality needs. Plus, it offers over 50 visual effects along with a sound effects library, enhancing your projects creatively. The free version is available for non-commercial use, making it an accessible option for home users. Feature Description User-Friendly Interface Easy navigation for beginners Export Options Multiple formats, including YouTube Visual Effects Over 50 effects available Resolution Support Compatible with HD and 4K Free Version For non-commercial use OpenShot: User-Friendly Open-Source Editor OpenShot is a user-friendly, open-source video editor that makes editing MP4 files an accessible task for everyone. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can quickly import and arrange your video clips, audio, and images. The extensive shift library and basic editing tools guarantee you have what you need to create polished videos, whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills. Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Interface Editing videos can often feel challenging, especially for beginners who may not have extensive technical skills. OpenShot simplifies this process with its intuitive drag-and-drop interface. You can easily import and arrange video clips, audio tracks, and images in the timeline without hassle. With support for over 400 transitions and 40 adjustable vector title templates, improving your videos becomes straightforward. You can likewise apply digital video effects, like chroma key for background changes, directly through this functionality. OpenShot’s user-friendly design makes navigation easy for anyone, and its open-source nature guarantees consistent updates and community support. Feature Benefit Impact Drag-and-Drop Easy importing and arranging Saves time 400+ Transitions Creative video improvement Engages viewers User-Friendly Simple navigation Reduces frustration Extensive Transition Library With over 400 changes at your disposal, the extensive change library in OpenShot greatly boosts your video editing experience. This library allows you to improve your video storytelling and create seamless scene shifts effortlessly. The user-friendly drag-and-drop interface simplifies adding these shifts, making it accessible for both beginners and non-professionals. You can customize each shift with adjustable settings for duration, effects, and styles, ensuring they align with your project’s visual aesthetic. OpenShot also supports 3D animated titles and effects, allowing you to integrate dynamic shifts that raise your production quality. Regular updates keep the shift library current, adding new options to meet user demands and trends in video editing, so you can always find fresh tools for your projects. Basic Editing Tools Available When working on video projects, having access to basic editing tools can greatly improve your workflow and the final product. OpenShot is a user-friendly, open-source video editor that supports MP4 file editing and works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You’ll appreciate its simple drag-and-drop interface, which makes it easy for beginners while still offering advanced features like 3D animations and customizable title templates. With over 400 changes and 40 adjustable vector title templates, your videos can truly stand out. OpenShot in addition provides digital video effects, including chroma keying for seamless background alterations. Its lightweight design guarantees quick installation and access to robust editing tools without needing high-performance hardware, making it an excellent choice for all users. Imovie: Built-In Editor for Apple Users iMovie stands out as a potent yet user-friendly video editing tool built into all Apple devices, including Macs, iPhones, and iPads. This free software offers seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, making it easy for you to edit videos. With features like Cinematic Mode, you can achieve a professional look with depth-of-field adjustments. The clean interface guarantees that beginners can navigate it comfortably, whereas crucial tools like trimming and adding changes are readily available. Plus, iMovie works well with other Apple applications, allowing you to incorporate music from iTunes or GarageBand easily. Feature Benefit Note User-Friendly UI Easy for beginners Clean and intuitive layout Cinematic Mode Professional-quality Depth-of-field adjustments Integration Seamless workflows Works with iTunes and GarageBand Shotcut: Advanced Features for Enthusiasts Shotcut offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to navigate its advanced editing capabilities. With features like native timeline editing and customizable panels, you can efficiently manage multiple tracks and layers without hassle. Furthermore, the software provides robust tools like keyframes and a variety of video and audio effects, allowing you to refine your projects with precision. User-Friendly Interface Overview Even though the interface of Shotcut may appear unconventional at first glance, you’ll find that it offers a wealth of advanced features designed for video editing enthusiasts. The software supports a diverse range of video and audio effects, allowing you to improve your projects with ease. Its native timeline editing is particularly beneficial, as it enables you to make precise edits without needing to render, thereby speeding up your workflow. Although there’s a learning curve, the extensive community support can help you troubleshoot and learn new features. Regular updates guarantee Shotcut remains compatible with the latest video formats, addressing bugs and bettering functionality over time, making it a reliable choice for both beginners and seasoned editors alike. Advanced Editing Capabilities When you immerse yourself in Shotcut’s advanced editing capabilities, you’ll discover a range of robust features intended to improve your video projects. The software includes 360-degree video filters, pitch compensation, and various video and audio effects, which help boost your editing skills. Shotcut supports native timeline editing, giving you greater flexibility in arranging clips and applying effects seamlessly. Frequent updates guarantee that you have access to the latest tools and bug fixes, enhancing functionality. Its customizable interface allows you to tailor your workspace according to your editing preferences, whereas support for high resolution up to 4K guarantees you can produce professional-quality videos suitable for various platforms. These features make Shotcut a formidable choice for video enthusiasts. Clipchamp: Template-Based Social Media Editor Clipchamp is an innovative web-based video editor that allows you to seamlessly edit MP4 files directly in your browser, eliminating the need for software installation. It operates efficiently in browsers like Chrome and Edge, making it user-friendly. With a variety of customizable templates designed particularly for social media, you can easily create engaging content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. The free version offers unlimited, watermark-free exports up to 1080p, ensuring high-quality output without any cost. Furthermore, you can access a library of free stock images, audio, and video resources, enhancing your creative options. Clipchamp likewise includes AI-powered features like speech-to-text and auto-compose, streamlining the editing process and making it accessible for beginners. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Free MP4 Editor? To find the best free MP4 editor, consider your editing needs. PowerDirector stands out for its user-friendly interface and AI tools. If you’re creating social media ads, Promeo offers customizable templates and a straightforward process. For home users, VideoPad provides a clean layout and various export options. OpenShot and Shotcut are great for those who appreciate advanced features, whereas DaVinci Resolve is ideal for professional-grade editing, in spite of its learning curve. Which Free Tool Is Best for Video Editing? When choosing a free tool for video editing, consider your needs. PowerDirector offers a user-friendly interface with advanced features, making it suitable for all skill levels. If you’re focused on creating ads quickly, Promeo’s customizable templates might be your best option. For straightforward editing, VideoPad provides easy exports to popular platforms. OpenShot is great for beginners with its drag-and-drop functionality, whereas DaVinci Resolve is ideal for those willing to learn advanced techniques. What App Do I Use to Edit an MP4 File? To edit an MP4 file, you can choose from several effective applications. PowerDirector is user-friendly and offers advanced features, suitable for all skill levels. VideoPad is great for beginners, providing a simple interface and easy exporting options. OpenShot is open-source, featuring a drag-and-drop system and numerous changes. If you need professional tools, DaVinci Resolve offers advanced editing capabilities. Each of these apps caters to different editing needs, so pick one that suits your requirements best. What Do Youtubers Use to Edit for Free? YouTubers often choose free editing tools based on their needs. iMovie’s great for Mac users, offering features like video stabilization. Adobe Premiere Rush provides a simple experience but limits you to single-track editing in its free version. Clipchamp is popular for its multi-track editing and templates. DaVinci Resolve offers professional features, though it can be complex for beginners. CapCut is user-friendly but has some premium features. Each tool caters to different editing preferences. Conclusion In conclusion, you have a variety of excellent free tools at your fingertips to edit MP4 files effectively. Whether you’re looking for user-friendly interfaces, extensive export options, or customized solutions for specific projects, options like PowerDirector, Promeo, and OpenShot cater to diverse needs. With these resources, you can improve your video editing skills without investing in costly software, making professional-quality results achievable for everyone, regardless of experience level. Explore these tools and boost your video projects today. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Best Free Tools to Edit MP4 Files Like a Pro" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The internet is a wild place, and not particularly kid-friendly. Unfortunately, it's highly impractical to keep your kids entirely off the web. That's where family accounts come in handy: Parents can set their kids up with supervised accounts, giving them access to essential apps and services, without allowing unfettered access to the entire net. It's often imperfect, and kids find workarounds for the guardrails, but still; it's better than nothing. Every company that offers a family account handles things differently. Meta, for example, continues to update their policies in the wake of criticism surrounding how addictive and harmful their apps can be for children. These days, teens have to deal with a number of limitations they didn't previously have: While users 16 and older can remove these limitations if they wish, those under 16 need a parent's consent to do so. That means things like screen time, going live on Instagram, and DMs are all blocked and controlled by the parent for users 15 and under. If you're the administrator of a Google Family Account, you might assume you have a similar level of control over your kids' Google accounts. Perhaps you imagine it's like Meta: When they're old enough, maybe something like 16, they can decide for themselves what level of access they have on their account, but until then, you'd have the final say. As it turns out, that's not the case. In fact, you really only have that control until your kid turns 13. Google Accounts are available for users 13 and up I first came across this issue from this LinkedIn post from user Melissa McKay. McKay, frustrated, shared how she received an email from Google, alerting her that her youngest child will soon have the option to remove supervision on their Google Account once they turn 13. According to the attached screenshots, the email says that once the child turns 13, they'll be able to access more Google apps and services, and customize their Google Account to make it their own. McKay summed up her discontent with the following: "Call it what it is. Grooming for engagement. Grooming for data. Grooming minors for profit." The post currently has over 6,400 reactions on LinkedIn, which is relatively viral for the platform. Since I don't have kids, this is the first I'm hearing about these rules. But a quick search pulls up Google's official support doc on the subject. Indeed, when a child turns 13 (or an applicable age due to the law of the country or region) they are given the choice to either continue on with parental supervision, or manage their own Google Account. Here's what that means for your child: They'll no longer have access to YouTube Kids, but will have access to general YouTube. Google will also disable supervised YouTube experiences. They'll be able to add payment cards to Google Wallet or Google Pay, and can remove cards from their phone or watch, as well. They'll be able to use these cards for tap to pay, in-app payments, website payments via Google Pay, autofill, as well as various payments across Google services, like the Play Store and YouTube. And here's what that means for you, as their parent: You can no longer set up supervision features like downtime, app blocking, or mandatory location sharing. (Your child can choose to share their location, if they want to.) You can no longer see your child's transactions or get notifications when they make new purchases. You can't add or remove payment cards for your kid. You can't block their access to Wallet passes. Of course, these changes are contingent on your child's decision to remove the supervision. They can choose to keep it on, and, as such, you can continue to monitor and administer your kid's account. However, I can imagine many 13 year olds will choose to remove supervision, unless they're particularly agreeable. As such, you effectively lose control when your child does turn 13. Interestingly, Google says that once a child removes supervision without your permission, their device is locked "temporarily." It's not clear whether this means that the parent device needs to unlock the device, or if this just a cool down period, and the device will unlock on its own. I've reached out to Google for clarity here. Not all Google services are available for minorsEven though Google allows kids to lift restrictions when they turn 13, they don't have total access to all of Google's services. According to this support doc, there are some key age-restricted content and services that require users to be 18 or older, including: Age-restricted YouTube videos AdSense Google Ads That's it, at least according to Google's safety doc. I've reached out to Google again for clarity on what other restrictions are in place on accounts between ages 13 and 18, and will update this article when I know more. Google is changing its family link age policyThis is all changing, however. Kate Charlet, Google's head of global privacy, safety, and security, posted on LinkedIn as well, acknowledging the current policy and asserting that Google has changes in the works. Soon enough, Google will require both the child and the parent to agree to lift supervision. That should help parents who aren't ready to let their 13 year old access standard YouTube and other Google services without their permission. Of course, for parents that have already received an email about their kids reaching "the age of digital consent," this might not offer much solace. View the full article

Fewer Americans are signing up for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans this year, new federal data shows, as expiring subsidies and other factors push health expenses too high for many to manage. Nationally, around 800,000 fewer people have selected plans compared to a similar time last year, marking a 3.5% drop in total enrollment so far. That includes a decrease in both new consumers signing up for ACA plans and existing enrollees re-upping them. The new data released Monday evening by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is only a snapshot of a continuously changing pool of enrollees. It includes sign-ups through Jan. 3 in states that use Healthcare.gov for ACA plans and through Dec. 27 for states that have their own ACA marketplaces. In most states, the period for shopping for plans continues through Jan. 15 for plans that start in February. But even though it’s early, the data builds on fears that expiring enhanced tax credits could cause a dip in enrollment and force many Americans to make tough decisions to delay buying health insurance, look for alternatives, or forgo it entirely. Experts warn that the number of people who have signed up for plans may still drop even further, as enrollees get their first bill in January and some choose to cancel. Health care costs at the center of a fight in Congress The declining enrollment comes as Congress has been locked in a partisan battle over what to do about the subsidies that expired at the start of the new year. For months, Democrats have fought for a straight extension of the tax credits, while Republicans have insisted larger reforms are a better way to root out fraud and abuse and keep costs down overall. Last week, in a remarkable rebuke of Republican leadership, the House passed legislation to extend the subsidies for three years. The bill now sits in the Senate, where pressure is building for a bipartisan compromise. Up until this year, President Barack Obama‘s landmark health insurance program had been an increasingly popular option for Americans who don’t get health coverage through their jobs, including small business owners, gig workers, farmers, ranchers, and others. For the 2021 plan year, about 12 million people selected an Affordable Care Act plan. Enhanced tax credits were introduced the following year, and four years later, enrollment had doubled to over 24 million. This year’s sinking sign-ups — sitting at about 22.8 million so far — mark the first time in the past four years that enrollment has been down from the previous year at this point in the shopping window. The loss of enhanced subsidies means annual premium costs will more than double for the average ACA enrollee who had them, according to the health care research nonprofit KFF. But extending the subsidies would also be expensive for the country. Ahead of last week’s House vote, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that extending the subsidies for three years would increase the nation’s deficit by about $80.6 billion over the decade. Americans begin looking for other options Robert Kaestner, a health economist at the University of Chicago, said some of those who abandon ACA plans may have other options, such as going on a partner’s employer health plan or changing their income to qualify for Medicaid. Others will go without insurance at least temporarily while they look for alternatives. “My prediction is 2 million more people will lack health insurance for a while,” Kaestner said. “That’s a serious issue, but Republicans would argue we’re using government money more efficiently, we’re targeting people who really need it and we’re saving $35 billion a year.” Several Americans interviewed by The Associated Press have said they’re dropping coverage altogether for 2026 and will pay out of pocket for needed appointments. Many said they are crossing their fingers that they aren’t affected by a costly injury or diagnosis. “I’m pretty much going to be going without health insurance unless they do something,” said 52-year-old Felicia Persaud, a Florida entrepreneur who dropped coverage when she saw her monthly ACA costs were set to increase by about $200 per month. “It’s sort of like playing poker and hoping the chips fall and try the best that you can.” —Ali Swenson and Nicky Forster, Associated Press View the full article

During the pandemic, over two million women left the workforce, many of whom were forced to leave their jobs in the absence of reliable childcare. It took years for female workers to recover from those losses, but eventually the share of working women had surpassed pre-pandemic numbers—though their participation in the labor force still remained lower relative to that of male workers. In 2025, however, it appears that the gains that women had made in recent years started to slip away. In the first half of the year, about 212,000 women exited the workforce, and there was a marked dip in employment among working mothers: An analysis by the Washington Post found that the share of working mothers between the ages of 25 and 44 dropped steadily from January to June, resulting in an overall decrease of nearly three percentage points. The most recent jobs report showed that in December, a total of 81,000 workers left the labor force (which means they are no longer employed or looking for a new job). All of those workers were women, according to a new analysis by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), which drew on the jobs report data. The overall losses were even higher: 91,000 women left the labor force last month, but that figure was offset by 10,000 men entering the labor force. Across 2025, there was an increase in the number of women entering the labor force—but at a much slower clip than in past years. The rate of increase among female workers also pales when compared with that of male workers: The pool of women in the labor force expanded by just 184,000, while the share of men grew by 572,000. This decline in employment also seems to be having an outsize impact on women of color, according to the NWLC. Unemployment among Black workers has been on the rise in recent months, but particularly for Black women; the unemployment rate for Black women inched up to 7.3% in December, up from 7.1% in November. Latinas also saw a marginal increase in unemployment, from 4.4% the month prior to 4.5% in December. (The overall rate of unemployment, by comparison, has hovered around 4.4%, with an even lower rate for white workers at 3.8%.) These fluctuations in employment come amid a growing number of hurdles for working mothers. Remote work policies had made it easier for many parents to remain in the workforce, particularly among mothers of young children. Over the last two years, many companies have forced their employees to return to the office, reversing the flexible work arrangements that had enabled parents to juggle their personal and professional obligations. In 2025, leading companies like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase started requiring that workers come into the office five days a week; a report from real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle found that the majority of employees at the hundred largest U.S. companies by revenue were required to come into the office. The The President administration’s policies and executive actions have also taken a toll on women, and especially working mothers. The President imposed own return-to-office requirements on federal workers, hundreds of thousands of whom were working remotely. Many of the federal layoffs targeted agencies where women and people of color were overrepresented, and they also disproportionately impacted probationary workers—those in their first year of service or people who have recently been promoted—who are more likely to be women. Now, working mothers may face new challenges, as The President takes aim at the childcare programs that make it possible for countless parents to work. The childcare industry has long struggled with inadequate funding and high labor costs, making it difficult for many providers to keep their doors open. The current administration has exacerbated some of those issues: When he took office, The President threatened funding for Head Start, which helps subsidize childcare costs for low-income families, and the federal layoffs also compromised the program by cutting staff and making it even harder for underresourced childcare providers to stay afloat. Just days into the new year, The President has sought to withhold $10 billion in federal funding earmarked for childcare subsidies and social services in Democratic states, due to concerns over alleged fraud. A federal judge has blocked the funding freeze for now—but there’s no telling how The President may continue to target childcare and caregiving programs, to the detriment of working mothers. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Every self-respecting DIYer eventually buys a tool box—a sturdy place to store, organize, and protect your valuable tools. A quality metal tool box instantly ups your home maintenance and repair game—suddenly, you no longer have to spend twenty minutes rooting around for that pair of pliers or that box of random screws, because everything is in its place. And that place can often roll around and follow you to wherever you need to work. Tool boxes are terrific, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be improved and augmented. Whether your tool box is a small, efficient unit or a behemoth with deep drawers and pull-out trays, you could be getting more out of it with a few simple additions. If you’re looking to squeeze a little more juice out of your tool box set-up, here are the tool box accessories you should be considering. Spray can caddiesI used to keep all the spray cans in my life—the lubricants, adhesives, and paints—on a little shelf in my work room, and they kept being knocked off onto the floor. And, inevitably, I would already be knee-deep in a project when I realized I needed one of them, and I would have to troop back to my tool closet to grab them. Instead of doing that, invest in a spray can caddy like these. They slap onto the side of your metal tool box and hold all your cans of paint or WD-40 so they’re always at hand and never lost. Power tool holdersYou often need more than one drill, driver, or blower for a job, and having them scattered all over the work site is never ideal. This magnetic power tool holder slaps onto the side of your tool box and makes it easy to slot in up to three tools for easy access. This also keeps those bulky tools out of the tool box itself, freeing up space for more tools while ensuring that your power tools are always in the same spot when you need them. Wrench and plier organizersWe all know what happens to wrenches and pliers in your standard tool box: They get shoved into a drawer and jumbled up, and you spend more time picking through them trying to find the size you need than you do actually using them. A magnetic organizer like this one solves that problem, at least for your wrenches, keeping them easily accessible and organized. Interior organizers like this also make sense, and can accommodate pliers as well as wrenches, keeping things tidy in your tool box’s drawers and saving you a little time whenever you grab one—time that adds up over the course of a project. KZKOO 52-Tool Modular Wrench Organizer Wrench Holder, 1-Pack Plier Organizer Rack Set, Wrench Storage Set with Metric SAE Label, Extendable Design,Customizable Wrench Organizer Set for Tool Box $19.99 at Amazon Learn More Learn More $19.99 at Amazon Shelves and towel holdersNothing is more useful on a tool box than accessories that let you temporarily store stuff. A folding shelf like this one designed for Milwaukee’s popular Packout Tool Box is incredibly useful when you need to have hand tools or fasteners in reach. If you can’t find a shelf designed for your specific tool box, there are magnetic kits like this that will work with any metal tool box, giving you some quick storage when you need it. One genius thing included in that kit is the towel holder—the simple convenience of being able to grab a paper towel as needed is worth every penny. You can also find magnetic towel holders on their own if that’s the only thing your tool box lacks. Power stripsCordless power tools may have mostly freed us from the outlet—but not every tool can (or should) be cordless, and sometimes you need a handy power source. Adding a magnetic power strip to the exterior or interior of your tool box means you can plug in that legacy corded tool, charge up batteries, or plug in anything else you might need, from lights to your dying phone. Tool stripsYou probably have a magnetic tool holder in your workshop or tool closet already, so why not add one to your tool box? Aside from giving you more storage options, a magnetic strip lets you slap your tools into place as you need them, without losing them in the depths of a drawer or leaving them behind when you drop them on the floor and move away as you work. Cup holderHonestly, cup holders should be built into everything. Having a beverage at hand while you work—whether it’s water to hydrate, coffee to wake and warm up, or a beer to settle your nerves after discovering yet another disaster brewing in your house, a simple magnetic cup holder for your tool box just makes every DIY project a little nicer. CRAFTSMAN Garage Organizer, Magnetic Cup Holder (CMST82694) $17.30 at Amazon Learn More Learn More $17.30 at Amazon View the full article

Google’s AI Overviews feature has become the face of our search engine results. Type almost any question into your Google search bar, and the first answer you receive will be AI generated. Many are thrilled about this. Others are wary. Marketers and those in the online reputation management (ORM) field are among those urging caution. Why? Because Google AI Overviews are often littered with information stemming from online forums like Reddit and Quora. And oftentimes, this user-generated content can be inaccurate — or entirely false. Why Google AI Overviews heavily rely on content from Reddit and Quora But how and why have Google AI Overviews come to rely on user-generated content forums? The answer is quite simple. Google AI Overviews sources much of its information from “high-authority” domains. These happen to be platforms like Reddit and Quora. Google also prioritizes “conversational content” and “real user experiences.” They want searchers to receive answers firsthand from other online humans. Furthermore, Google places the same amount of weight on these firsthand anecdotes as it does on factual reporting. How negative threads end up on AI summaries Obviously, the emphasis placed on Reddit and Quora threads can lead to issues. Especially for professionals and those leading product- or service-driven organizations. Many of the Reddit threads that rise to the surface are those that are complaint-driven. Think of threads where users are asking, “Does Brand X actually suck?” or “Is Brand Z actually a scam?” The main problem is that these threads become extremely popular. AI Overviews gather the consensus of many comments and combine them into a single resounding answer. In essence, minority opinions end up being represented as fact. Additionally, Google AI Overviews often resurface old threads that lack timestamps. This can lead to the resurfacing of outdated, often inaccurate information. Patterns that SEO, ORM, and brands are noticing Those in the ORM field have been noticing troubling patterns in Google AI Overviews for a while now. For instance, we’ve identified the following trends: Overwhelming Reddit criticism: Criticism on Reddit rises to the top at alarming rates. Google AI Overviews even seem to ignore official responses from brands at times, instead opting for the opinions of users on forum platforms. Pros vs. cons summaries: These sorts of lists are supposed to implore balance. (Isn’t that the entire point of identifying both the pros and cons of a brand?) However, sites like Reddit and Quora tend to accentuate the negative aspects of brands, at times ignoring the pros altogether. Outdated content resurfacing: As mentioned in the previous section, outdated content can hold far too much value. Aa troubling amount of “resolved issues” gain prevalence in the Google AI Overviews feature. The amplification effect: AI can turn opinion into fact We live in an era defined by instantaneous knowledge. Gen Z takes in information at startling rates. What’s seen on TikTok is absorbed as immediate fact. Instagram is where many turn to get both breaking news and updates on the latest brands. This has led to an amplification effect, where algorithms quickly turn opinion into fact. We’re seeing it widely across social media, and now on Google AI Overviews, too. On top of what we listed in the previous section, those in the ORM realm are noticing the following take effect: Nuance-less summarization: Because AI Overviews take such overwhelming negative criticism from Reddit, we’re getting less nuanced responses. The focus in AI Overviews is often one-sided and seemingly biased, featuring emotional, extreme language. Feedback loops: As others in the ORM field have pointed out, many citations in Overview come from deep pages. It’s also common to see feedback loops wherein one negative Reddit thread can hold multiple citations, leading to quick AI validation. Enhanced trust in AI Overviews: Perhaps most troubling of all has been society’s immediate jump to accept AI Overviews and all the answers it has to offer. Many users now turn to Google’s feature as their ultimate encyopledia — without even caring to view the citations AI Overviews has listed. Misinformation and bias create risk All in all, the rise of information from Reddit and Quora on AI Overviews has led to enhanced risk for businesses and entrepreneurs alike. False statements and defamatory claims posted online can be accepted as fact. And incomplete narratives or opinion-based criticism floating around on forums are filtered through the lens of AI Overviews. Making matters worse is that Google does not automatically remove or filter AI summaries that are linked to harmful content. This can be damaging to a company’s reputation, as users absorb what they see on AI Overviews at face value. They take it as fact, even though it might be fiction. Building a reputation strategy for false AI-driven searches As a business owner, it’s critical to have response strategies in place for Google AI Overviews. Working with an ORM team is a critical first step. They might suggest the following measures: Monitoring online forums: Yes, our modern world dictates that you stay on top of online forums like Reddit and Quora. Monitor the name of your business and the top players on your team. If you’re aware of the dialogue, you’re already one step ahead. Creating “AI-readable” content: It’s also important to always be creating content designed to land on AI Overviews. This content should boost your platform on search engines, be citation-worthy, and push down less favorable results. Addressing known criticism: Ever notice criticism directed at your brand? Seek to address it with proper business practices. Respond to online reviews kindly, suppress or remove negative content with your ORM team, and establish your business as a caring practice online. Coordinating various teams: It’s imperative to establish the right teams around your business. We already mentioned ORM, but what about your legal, SEO, and PR teams? Have the right experts in place to deal with any controversies before they arise. Also, remember to keep an eye on the future. Online reputation management is constantly evolving, and if your intention is to manage and elevate your brand, you must evolve with the times. That means staying up-to-date with AI literacy and adapting to new KPIs, including sentiment framing, source attribution, and AI visibility. Staying on top of Google AI Overviews We live in a new age. One where AI Overviews dictates much of what searches think and react to. And the honest truth is that much of the knowledge AI Overviews gleans comes from user-dominated forums like Reddit and Quora. As a brand manager, you can no longer be idle. You have to act. You have to manage the sources that Google AI Overviews summarizes, constantly staying one step ahead. If you don’t, then you’re not properly managing your search reputation. View the full article