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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. When you're working out or running, finding secure-fitting earbuds is a challenge. JBL has a solution in the form of their JBL Endurance Peak 3 earbuds, and Amazon is discounting them to $59.95 (down from $99.99), the lowest price we've seen. JBL Endurance Peak 3 $59.95 at Amazon $99.95 Save $40.00 Shop Now Shop Now $59.95 at Amazon $99.95 Save $40.00 The JBL Endurance Peak 3 is the antithesis to the AirPods. They feature a "Powerhook" design that loops over your ear to keep them in place, no matter how intense your movements are. The earbuds also have a long battery life. You get 50 hours of total playtime, and the buds themselves last 10 hours each charge cycle. And being a fitness focused earbud, they aren't just sweat-resistant; they are fully waterproof. Thanks to the IP68 rating, they can survive submersion in salt or fresh water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, making them durable enough for surfing or rinsing off in the sink. The JBL sound is also tuned for workouts. The 10mm delivers, rich, bass-heavy sound to keep your adrenaline up. And they are a lot safer to wear while running outdoors. JBL has an Ambient Aware feature that lets background noises in, and you can speak with people without taking them off. PCMag gave the Endurance Peak 3 a 4-star "Excellent" rating and an Editor's Choice award, praising them specifically for their rugged utility. According to PCMag, "JBL's Endurance Peak 3 earphones are a fantastic option for fitness fanatics. Their bass-forward sound signature makes them ideal for motivating your workouts, their in-ear fit is exceptionally secure, and a best-in-class IP68 rating means you don't have to worry about dust and water exposure." Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $229.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — (List Price $24.99 With Code "FTV4K25") Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 — $279.99 (List Price $349.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

A criminal investigation of Jay Powell is the latest in the reworking of the world’s most important financial institution View the full article

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Sunday the Department of Justice has served the central bank with subpoenas and threatened it with a criminal indictment over his testimony this summer about the Fed’s building renovations. The move represents an unprecedented escalation in President Donald The President’s battle with the Fed, an independent agency he has repeatedly attacked for not cutting its key interest rate as sharply as he prefers. The renewed fight will likely rattle financial markets Monday and could over time escalate borrowing costs for mortgages and other loans. The subpoenas relate to Powell’s testimony before the Senate Banking Committee in June, the Fed chair said, regarding the Fed’s $2.5 billion renovation of two office buildings, a project that The President has criticized as excessive. Powell on Sunday cast off what has up to this point been a restrained approach to The President’s criticisms and personal insults, which he has mostly ignored. Instead, Powell issued a video statement in which he bluntly characterized the threat of criminal charges as simple “pretexts” to undermine the Fed’s independence when it comes to setting interest rates. “The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” Powell said. “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions — or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.” It’s a sharp departure from the Fed’s understated response to The President this year. The central bank has attempted to placate the administration by dialing back some policies, such as efforts to consider the impact of climate change on the banking system, that the administration clearly opposed. The renewed attacks on the Fed’s independence, and Powell’s full-throated defense, reignite what had appeared to be a dormant battle between The President and the chair he appointed in 2017. The subpoenas will renew fears that the Fed’s independence from day-to-day politics will be compromised, which could undermine global investors’ confidence in U.S. Treasury securities. “We expect the dollar, bonds and stocks to all fall in Monday trading in a sell-America trade similar to that in April last year at the peak of the tariff shock and earlier threat to Powell’s position as Fed chair,” Krishna Guha, an analyst at Evercore ISI, an investment bank, wrote in a note to clients. “We are stunned by this deeply disturbing development which came out of the blue after a period in which tensions between The President and the Fed seemed to be contained,” Guha added. In a brief interview with NBC News Sunday, The President insisted he didn’t know about the investigation into Powell. When asked if the investigation is intended to pressure Powell on rates, The President said, “No. I wouldn’t even think of doing it that way.” Powell’s term as chair ends in May, and The President administration officials have signaled that he could name a potential replacement this month. The President has also sought to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook, an unprecedented step, though she has sued to keep her job and courts have ruled she can remain in her seat while the case plays out. The Supreme Court will hear arguments in that case Jan. 21. At the Senate Banking Committee hearing in June, Chairman Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, said the Fed’s building renovation included “rooftop terraces, custom elevators that open into VIP dining rooms, white marble finishes, and even a private art collection.” Powell disputed those details in his testimony, saying “there’s no new marble. … there are no special elevators” and added that some of the controversial items are “not in the current plan.” In July, Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a letter to Powell that his testimony about changes to the building plans “raises serious questions about the project’s compliance” with previous plans approved by a planning commission. Still, later that month, The President visited the building site and, while standing next to Powell, overstated the cost of the renovation. Later that day, The President, speaking to reporters, downplayed any concerns with the renovation. He said, “they have to get it done” and added, “Look, there’s always Monday morning quarterbacks. I don’t want to be that. I want to help them get it finished.” When asked if it was a firing offense, The President said, “I don’t want to put that in this category.” The Justice Department in a statement Sunday said it can’t comment on any particular case, but added that Attorney General Pam Bondi “has instructed her US Attorneys to prioritize investigating any abuse of tax payer dollars.” Timothy Lauer, a spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office, said they don’t comment on ongoing investigations. With the subpoenas, Powell becomes the latest perceived adversary of the president to face a criminal investigation by the The President administration’s Justice Department. The President himself has urged prosecutions of his political opponents, obliterating institutional guardrails for a Justice Department that for generations has taken care to make investigative and prosecutorial decisions independent of the White House. The potential indictment has already drawn concern from one Republican senator, who said he’ll oppose any future nominee to the central bank, including any replacement for Powell, until “this legal matter is fully resolved.” “If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the The President Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none,” said North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who sits on the Banking Committee, which oversees Fed nominations. “It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question.” Associated Press writers Seung Min Kim, Eric Tucker, Michael Kunzelman, and Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report. —Christopher Rugaber, AP Economics Writer View the full article

Last week, Boris Cherny, the creator and head of Anthropic’s popular Claude Code programming agent, posted ​a thread on X​ about how he personally used the AI tool in his own work. It created a stir. “What began as a casual sharing of his personal terminal setup has spiraled into a viral manifesto on the future of software development,” explained a ​VentureBeat article​ about the incident. As Cherny explained, he runs five different instances of the coding agent at the same time, each in its own tab in his terminal: ‘While one agent runs a test suite, another refactors a legacy module, and a third drafts documentation.’ He cycles rapidly through these tabs, providing further instruction or gentle prods to each agent as needed, checking their work, and sending them back to improve their output. One user, responding to the thread, ​described the approach​ like playing the famously fast-paced video game Starcraft. The VentureBeat article described Cherny as operating like a “fleet commander.” It all seemed like a lot of fun. But here’s the thing: If I were a software developer, I would be wary of any such demonstration. In his 1974 book, ​Labor and Monopoly Capital​, the influential Marxist political economist Harry Braverman argued that the expanding “science-technical revolution” was being exploited by companies to increasingly “deskill” workers; to leave them in “ignorance, incapacity, and thus in fitness for machine servitude.” The more employees outsource skilled activity to machines, the more controllable they become. It’s hard not to hear echoes of Braverman’s deskilling argument in something like Cherny’s AI programming demo. A world in which software development is reduced to the ersatz management of energetic but messy digital agents is a world in which a once important economic sector is stripped down to fewer, more poorly paid jobs, as wrangling agents requires much less skill than producing elegant code from scratch. The consumer would fare no better, as the resulting software would be less stable and innovation would slow. The only group that would unambiguously benefit from deskilling developers would be the technology companies themselves, which could minimize one of their biggest expenses: their employees. Boris Cherny is a senior technical lead at Anthropic who manages a large team and likely owns a significant amount of stock options in the company. Of course, he’s excited about the idea of agents replacing programmers, but that doesn’t mean we have to share his enthusiasm. — P.S., I don’t mean to deny the value of AI tools for programmers. I’ve talked to many developers who have found great utility in using AI to help (​apparently​) speed up programming tasks. What makes me suspicious is the claim that shifting to a world in which you just assign agents work is somehow just the natural next step in programming productivity. It might seem cool in the moment, but something more profound and dark might be lurking beneath these gee-whiz demos. The post Be Wary of Digital Deskilling appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

Last week, Boris Cherny, the creator and head of Anthropic’s popular Claude Code programming agent, posted ​a thread on X​ about how he personally used the AI tool in his own work. It created a stir. “What began as a casual sharing of his personal terminal setup has spiraled into a viral manifesto on the future of software development,” explained a ​VentureBeat article​ about the incident. As Cherny explained, he runs five different instances of the coding agent at the same time, each in its own tab in his terminal: ‘While one agent runs a test suite, another refactors a legacy module, and a third drafts documentation.’ He cycles rapidly through these tabs, providing further instruction or gentle prods to each agent as needed, checking their work, and sending them back to improve their output. One user, responding to the thread, ​described the approach​ like playing the famously fast-paced video game Starcraft. The VentureBeat article described Cherny as operating like a “fleet commander.” It all seemed like a lot of fun. But here’s the thing: If I were a software developer, I would be wary of any such demonstration. In his 1974 book, ​Labor and Monopoly Capital​, the influential Marxist political economist Harry Braverman argued that the expanding “science-technical revolution” was being exploited by companies to increasingly “deskill” workers; to leave them in “ignorance, incapacity, and thus in fitness for machine servitude.” The more employees outsource skilled activity to machines, the more controllable they become. It’s hard not to hear echoes of Braverman’s deskilling argument in something like Cherny’s AI programming demo. A world in which software development is reduced to the ersatz management of energetic but messy digital agents is a world in which a once important economic sector is stripped down to fewer, more poorly paid jobs, as wrangling agents requires much less skill than producing elegant code from scratch. The consumer would fare no better, as the resulting software would be less stable and innovation would slow. The only group that would unambiguously benefit from deskilling developers would be the technology companies themselves, which could minimize one of their biggest expenses: their employees. Boris Cherny is a senior technical lead at Anthropic who manages a large team and likely owns a significant amount of stock options in the company. Of course, he’s excited about the idea of agents replacing programmers, but that doesn’t mean we have to share his enthusiasm. — P.S., I don’t mean to deny the value of AI tools for programmers. I’ve talked to many developers who have found great utility in using AI to help (​apparently​) speed up programming tasks. What makes me suspicious is the claim that shifting to a world in which you just assign agents work is somehow just the natural next step in programming productivity. It might seem cool in the moment, but something more profound and dark might be lurking beneath these gee-whiz demos. The post Be Wary of Digital Deskilling appeared first on Cal Newport. View the full article

After seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2025, Ohio-based retail chain American Signature Inc. (ASI) now says it will close all of its Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores. Here’s what you need to know about the first major home retail store closings of the year, and why some of the chain’s customers need to beware. What’s happened? As Fast Company previously reported, home furnishings retailer American Signature Inc. announced in November that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The Ohio-based company was founded 78 years ago in 1948 and grew to become one of the country’s largest regional home furnishings chains. Its two retail furnishing brands are Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture. The company saw rapid growth during the COVID-19 years, as more people stayed home, thus spurring the desire for in-home upgrades. But in the years since the pandemic, Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture have seen their fortunes decline. When ASI filed for bankruptcy in November, the company cited several factors, including rising interest rates, inflation, and President The President’s tariffs, which have hit furniture makers hard. All this was exacerbated by “one of the most severe housing market declines in recent history,” the company noted at the time. How many stores are closing? At the time of its November bankruptcy filing, ASI said the company had a combined 120 Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores across 17 states. It immediately started closing some of those stores across 11 states, while ASI’s strategic advisor, C Street Advisory Group, noted at the time that its future store footprint would ultimately “be determined by the outcome of the sale process.” Unfortunately for the store’s customers and employees, American Signature Inc. did not find a buyer willing to keep the chains open. As a result, all remaining Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores have now begun going-out-of-business sales, which will see all locations permanently close. In a press release announcing the closure of all stores, the company’s liquidators, Gordon Brothers, and advisors, which include Hilco Global and SB360 Capital Partners, said that all of American Signature Inc.’s 89 remaining stores will shutter. Customers should beware When a retail chain holds going-out-of-business sales, customers are normally advised that all sales are final and that no returns will be accepted. That is the case here, too. But Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture customers who had previously placed deposits on items and not yet received them should take special note. On an FAQ section posted on the company’s website, the chain says that if a customer had previously placed a deposit on an order they have not yet received, the company will do its “best to fulfill customer orders for products that are currently in stock.” However, these order fulfillments are not guaranteed. And if an order that a customer placed a deposit on cannot be fulfilled, the company notes that “We are not offering refunds at the time.” Instead, customers will have to file a claim to apply for a refund on their deposit. However, this claim may not be granted as bankruptcy procedures dictate that the company’s creditors must be paid back first, with any remaining funds the company has. Customers owed money are the last in line. Full list of closing Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture stores ASI has a list of all its remaining stores that are currently running going-out-of-business sales before they shutter for good. However, it should be noticed that this list, generated by the company’s store locator tool, currently lists 94 locations as having going-out-of-business sales. This is five more stores than the 89 remaining stores the company cited in its press release. Before you make the trip to any closing store, it’s best to contact the store directly to see whether it is still open. According ot the company’s store location tool, below are the remaining American Signature Inc. stores, which will close once their going-out-of-business sales are complete: Closing American Signature Furniture stores Delaware 301 Governors Place, Bear, DE 19701 Florida 150 S SR 434 #1080, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 161 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon, FL 33511 13711-2 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33912 9400 Atlantic Blvd, Suite 100A, Jacksonville, FL 32225 6001 Argyle Forest Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244 7463 West Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32818 730 Sand Lake Road, Suite #100, Orlando, FL 32809 15018 North Dale-Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618 5455 University Parkway, University Park, FL 34201 Tennessee 2821 Wilma Rudolph Blvd, Clarksville, TN 37040 1770 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067 2130 Gallatin Pike North, Madison, TN 37115 2075 Old Fort Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Closing Value City Furniture stores Illinois 4380 East New York Street, Aurora, IL 60504 8310 South Cicero Avenue, Burbank, IL 60459 2100 159th Street, Calumet City, IL 60409 2536 N. Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647 1508 Butterfield Rd, Downers Grove, IL 60515 10705 Lincoln Trail, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 3355 Mall Loop Drive, Joliet, IL 60431 49 West North Avenue, Northlake, IL 60164 15770 South La Grange Road, Orland Park, IL 60462 1015 E. Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60173 Indiana 5330 East Indiana Street, Evansville, IN 47715 811 Northcrest Shopping Center, Ft. Wayne, IN 46805 1218 US 31 North, Greenwood, IN 46142 5450 East 82nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46250 2580 East 79th Avenue, Merrillville, IN 46410 2437 East Main Street, Plainfield, IN 46168 Kentucky 8032 Burlington Pike, Florence, KY 41042 3220 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40503 2321 Sir Barton Way, Suite 170, Lexington, KY 40509 3426 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40213 4623 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40207 Maryland 5840 Baltimore National Pike, Baltimore, MD 21228 559 Baltimore Pike, Bel Air, MD 21014 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Ste 800, Frederick, MD 21703 22 Mountain Road, Glen Burnie, MD 21060 1581 Wesel Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740 8301 Annapolis Road, New Carrollton, MD 20784 1260 Smallwood Drive, Waldorf, MD 20603 5240 Campbell Blvd Suite E, White Marsh, MD 21236 Michigan 42595 Ford Rd, Canton, MI 48187 4577 Miller Rd, Flint, Flint, MI 48507 4375 28th Street SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 2780 Tittawabassee Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 33377 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48312 23859 Eureka Road, Taylor, MI 48180 1775 Oak Hollow Dr, Traverse City, MI 49686 45350 Utica Park Blvd, Utica, MI 48315 8300 N Wayne Rd, Westland, MI 48185 Missouri 13961 Manchester Rd, Ballwin, MO 63011 970 Northwest Plaza, St. Ann, MO 63074 202 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376 North Carolina 2320 Sardis Road North, Charlotte, NC 28227 9527 South Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28273 8101 N. University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28213 New York 3160 West Ridge Road, Greece, NY 14626 1000 Hylan Drive Suite 206, Henrietta, NY 14623 Ohio 2675 Fairfield Commons Blvd, Beavercreek, OH 45431 443 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman, OH 44512 7500 Brookpark Road, Brooklyn, OH 44129 5577 Dressler Road NW, Canton, OH 44720 6067 East Main Street, Columbus, OH 43213 4300 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43228 3700 West Dublin Granville Rd. Columbus, OH 43235 1091 Gemini Place, Columbus, OH 43240 3740 Easton Market, Columbus, OH 43219 790 Howe Ave, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221 1301 E Mall Dr, Holland, OH 43528 7767 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, OH 44060 4700 Great Northern Blvd, North Olmsted, OH 44070 202 East Market Street, Sandusky, OH 44870 94 West Kemper Road, Springdale, OH 45246 50471 Valley Plaza Drive, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 4475 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH 43613 4095 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, OH 44122 Pennsylvania 20111 Route 19 Suite B, Cranberry Township, PA 16066 5047 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112 3801 William Penn Highway, Monroeville, PA 15146 451 Clairton Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 1400 Park Manor Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15205 South Carolina 240 Forum Dr, Columbia, SC 29229 140 Columbiana Dr, Columbia, SC 29212 Virginia 1412 Greenbrier Pkwy, Unit 100, Chesapeake, VA 23320 4300 Portsmouth Blvd, Suite 200, Chesapeake, VA 23321 5516 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041 1731 Carl D Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 1250 Huguenot Rd, Midlothian, VA 23113 2720 North Mall Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 2500 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge, VA 22192 West Virginia 1423 Roby Road, Route 60, Huntington, WV 25705 400 Lakeview Center, Parkersburg, WV 26101 View the full article

A company legal name is the official title under which your business operates, and it plays a critical role in establishing your entity’s legal identity. This name appears on fundamental documents like articles of incorporation and must include a corporate identifier such as LLC or Inc. Additionally, it must be unique within your state to guarantee compliance with legal requirements. Comprehending the nuances of a legal name can greatly impact your business’s operations and protection against infringement. Key Takeaways A company legal name is the official identifier for a business, appearing on essential documents like articles of incorporation. It must include a corporate identifier and be unique within the state to avoid confusion and legal issues. The legal name is crucial for contracts, tax filings, and establishing the business as a separate legal entity. Legal names ensure compliance with regulations and protect against unauthorized use of the business’s trade name. Understanding the distinction between legal names and trade names aids in effective branding and legal navigation. Definition of a Company Legal Name A company legal name serves as the official identifier for a business, appearing on essential documents like articles of incorporation or articles of organization submitted to the state. This legal entity name must include a corporate identifier, such as LLC, Inc., or Corp, which indicates its business structure. According to business name law, the legal name must likewise be unique within the state to prevent confusion with other entities. This uniqueness is critical for legal identification in contracts, tax filings, and official communications with government bodies. If you ever need to change your legal name, you must follow a formal process by filing the appropriate documents, ensuring that no other business can adopt a name already in use. Importance of a Legal Name for Businesses A legal name is crucial for your business as it establishes your legal identity and guarantees that you’re recognized as a separate entity under the law. This name is fundamental for the validity of contracts, allowing you to enter agreements confidently as well as complying with various regulations and requirements. Legal Identity Establishment Establishing a legal identity for your business hinges on selecting an appropriate legal name, as it serves as the foundation for your company’s official recognition. Your legal name, often referred to as the entity name, must comply with state regulations and include a corporate identifier like LLC or Inc. This unique legal name is crucial for formal activities such as signing contracts, opening bank accounts, and filing taxes. It safeguards your trade name business from unauthorized use by others, ensuring it remains distinct in the marketplace. Legal Name Entity Name Trade Name Business Official name Registered name Marketing name Includes LLC/Inc Distinct identity Brand representation Required for contracts Legal compliance Consumer recognition Contractual Validity Assurance In relation to business transactions, using your legal name in contracts is fundamental for guaranteeing that those agreements hold up in court. This legal name clearly identifies the parties involved, which is significant if disputes arise. Without it, you risk invalidating contracts, leading to financial losses and legal complications. For American Express company names, it’s imperative to distinguish between your legal name and trade name examples, as the latter may not suffice in legal matters. Comprehending what an entity name is can help clarify this distinction. Always confirm your legal name is used in all formal agreements to establish credibility and trust with clients, suppliers, and financial institutions, as well as meeting your tax obligations. Compliance With Regulations Using your legal name correctly in business operations extends beyond ensuring contractual validity; it moreover plays a significant role in complying with state regulations. Your legal name must be included in formation documents to establish your business entity officially. This compliance isn’t just a formality; it likewise affects your tax obligations, as accurate tax filings hinge on using the correct legal name. In addition, contracts should be signed under this name to maintain their validity, safeguarding your business from potential legal disputes. Including specific identifiers like LLC, Inc., or Corp is necessary to clarify your business type to the public. Neglecting these naming requirements can lead to registration issues, fines, or even the inability to operate legally in your state. Legal Names for Corporations, LLCs, and LPs When you’re forming a corporation, LLC, or LP, you need to choose a legal name that meets specific requirements outlined in your formation documents. This name must include an identifier like “Inc.,” “LLC,” or “LP” and should be distinct from all other registered businesses in your state to avoid confusion. Moreover, you can reserve your chosen name for a limited time before filing, ensuring it remains available for your use. Formation Document Requirements Establishing a legal name for your business is vital, as it both represents your organization and fulfills state requirements for formation documents. For corporations, LLCs, and LPs, your legal name must include a corporate identifier, like “Inc.” for corporations or “LLC” for limited liability companies. This name appears on all formation documents filed with the state, distinguishing your business from others in the same jurisdiction. States require that your legal name be distinct to prevent confusion and misrepresentation. To officially establish your legal name, you’ll need to file articles of incorporation or organization. This name will be critical for legal contracts, tax filings, and official communications, ensuring that your business operates smoothly and within legal boundaries. Name Reservation Process Once you’ve determined your business’s legal name, securing it through the name reservation process is a strategic step. This allows you to temporarily hold your desired name, preventing others from using it as you prepare your registration paperwork. Here’s how to navigate the reservation process: Check Name Availability: Conduct a name availability check to ascertain compliance with state regulations. Submit Application: Fill out the name reservation application required by your state. Pay the Fee: Include any applicable reservation fee with your application. Duration: Most states offer a reservation period of up to 120 days, giving you time to finalize your formation documents. Distinctive Name Necessity Choosing a distinctive legal name for your corporation, LLC, or limited partnership is essential not just for compliance but equally for establishing your business identity. Your legal name must include a corporate identifier like “Inc.,” “LLC,” or “LP,” which clearly indicates your business type. Furthermore, it must be unique to avoid confusion with other registered businesses in your state, ensuring legal recognition. States often allow you to reserve a name before filing registration paperwork, giving you a temporary hold on your choice. This distinctive name appears in formation documents like Articles of Incorporation, helping you comply with business entity laws. A unique name protects you from infringement issues and promotes a strong identity in the marketplace. Legal Names for Sole Proprietorships The legal name of a sole proprietorship plays an essential role in defining the business and its operations. Typically, this name is the same as your personal name, making your business legally indistinguishable from you as the owner. Here are some key points to remember: In some states, you can add descriptive details (e.g., “Joan Smith Crafts”) to clarify your business nature. If you want to operate under a different name, you’ll need a “doing business as” (DBA) name for compliance. No formation documents are required to establish your legal name, but you must follow state regulations. Your legal name is important for contracts, tax filings, and obtaining business licenses, providing legal identification for your business. Legal Names for General Partnerships Legal names for general partnerships are crucial as they establish the business’s identity and legal standing. Typically, these names combine the legal names or surnames of the partners, like “Smith & Johnson Partners.” In some states, a general partnership can use a different legal name if specified in a Statement of Partnership Authority. Furthermore, a partnership agreement may outline alternative names distinct from the legal name. If you choose to operate under a name different from the partners’ legal names, you’ll need to register a DBA (Doing Business As). Distinction Between Legal Names and Trade Names Comprehending the distinction between legal names and trade names is crucial for any business owner. Here’s a breakdown to clarify: Legal Name: This is your business’s official name registered with the state, found in formation documents like articles of incorporation. Trade Name: Often referred to as a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name, it’s used for marketing and public engagement. Identifiers: Legal names must include specific identifiers (e.g., LLC or Inc.), whereas trade names offer more flexibility for branding. Usage: Legal names are required for contracts and tax filings, whereas trade names focus on advertising and customer interaction. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate legal requirements and improve your brand effectively. Understanding DBAs (Doing Business As) DBAs, or Doing Business As names, offer businesses a way to operate under a brand that differs from their official legal name. This flexibility can improve your branding and marketing efforts, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember your products or services. Typically, you’ll need to register your DBA at the state or local level, which usually involves a simple application and fee. On the other hand, keep in mind that a DBA doesn’t grant exclusive rights to that name, so others may register similar names unless they’re trademarked. Furthermore, your DBA mustn’t include legal designations like LLC or Inc., and it should comply with state regulations regarding name availability and any prohibited words. Trademark Basics and Their Relevance When operating a business, protecting your brand is just as important as establishing it. A trademark serves as a recognizable sign that distinguishes your products or services from others, providing essential legal protection. Here are some key points to reflect on regarding trademarks: You can register trademarks at the federal level with the USPTO for exclusive rights and nationwide protection. A trade name can function as a trademark if it’s distinctive enough. Conduct a thorough search before registration to avoid infringing on existing trademarks, which can lead to costly disputes. Remember, registered trademarks need periodic renewal; failure to maintain them can result in losing your rights. Understanding these trademark basics can help you secure your brand effectively. Name Availability and Reservation Processes Before you settle on a legal name for your business, it’s essential to check its availability to guarantee it’s unique and not already taken by another entity in your state. You can often reserve a name temporarily, typically for about 120 days, which gives you time to complete formal registration without the risk of losing your desired name. Keep in mind that the reservation process varies by state, so you’ll need to follow specific procedures, which may include filling out forms or paying a fee. Name Reservation Procedures How can you guarantee that your chosen business name is protected during the initial stages of your entrepreneurial expedition? Utilizing name reservation procedures can help you secure that desired legal name for a specified period, typically ranging from 30 to 120 days. Here’s how to navigate the process effectively: Check Availability: Conduct a preliminary check to verify your name isn’t already taken. Submit Reservation Application: Many states offer online applications for quick processing. Pay Required Fees: Be prepared to pay any associated fees for reserving the name. Understand Limitations: Remember, although the reservation offers temporary protection, you still need to formally register your name for long-term rights. Following these steps can pave the way for your business’s successful launch. Checking Name Availability Securing a distinctive name for your business is a crucial step in establishing your brand identity and ensuring legal compliance. Before you register, you should conduct a name availability check to confirm that your desired legal name isn’t already in use by another entity in your state. Many states provide a searchable database through their business filing office or website, making this process straightforward. If you find an available name, consider using the name reservation process, which allows you to temporarily secure it for up to 120 days as you prepare your formation documents. Nevertheless, keep in mind that reserving a name doesn’t grant exclusive rights; only forming a business entity with that name provides legal protection against others in the same industry. Importance of Distinct Names Choosing a distinct name for your business is vital not just for branding but also for legal recognition. A unique legal name helps avoid confusion with other entities and guarantees compliance with regulations. Here are key aspects to keep in mind: Name Availability: Conduct checks to confirm your desired name isn’t already taken. Reservation Process: Most states allow you to reserve a name for up to 120 days, preventing others from using it. Compliance Rules: Follow specific regulations regarding required and prohibited words when reserving your name. Timeliness: Act quickly; failing to reserve your name before filing can lead to losing it to another business. These steps are fundamental for establishing a solid foundation for your new enterprise. Protecting Your Legal Name Through Trademark Registration When you establish a business, protecting your legal name is imperative, as it serves as the foundation of your brand identity. Trademark registration provides significant legal protection for your company’s name, preventing others from using a similar name that could confuse customers. Once registered, you gain a presumption of validity nationwide, giving you exclusive rights to use the mark throughout the United States. To qualify, your name must be distinctive and not overly similar to existing trademarks, so it’s important to conduct a thorough trademark search beforehand. Infringement Issues and Legal Remedies Infringement issues can arise unexpectedly, especially if your trade name closely resembles an existing trademark, leading to potential legal conflicts over consumer confusion. To avoid these problems, you should take proactive steps: 1. Conduct thorough trademark searches before adopting a trade name. 2. Register your trade name as a trademark to gain exclusive rights. 3. Be prepared to respond to infringement claims with appropriate remedies, such as: Sending cease and desist letters. Negotiating licensing agreements. Taking legal action for damages or injunctions. 4. Understand that defending against infringement claims can be costly, including legal fees and settlements, which emphasizes the importance of careful name selection and trademark registration. Taking these steps can help safeguard your business from potential disputes. Maintaining and Enforcing Trademark Protection Maintaining and enforcing trademark protection is crucial for safeguarding your brand’s identity and ensuring its continued success in the marketplace. Regular filings, like renewals and declarations of continued use, are imperative to keep your trademark registration active. Remember, trademark rights can be lost through abandonment, which happens if you don’t use your mark in commerce for an extended period. It’s equally important to monitor for potential infringement; if someone uses your trademark without permission, you must act to protect your rights. Sending cease and desist letters is a common strategy to notify infringers. In some cases, legal action might be necessary to address improper use, reinforcing the need for vigilance in maintaining trademark protection. Navigating Naming Complexities in Business Steering through the intricacies of business naming can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to establish a strong identity for your company. To simplify this process, keep these key points in mind: Legal Name Requirement: Your legal name must be officially filed and include specific terms like LLC or Inc., signifying your business structure. Name Availability: Always check if your desired name is distinct from others to avoid conflicts with existing businesses. Name Reservation: You can reserve a name temporarily, protecting it from being used during your preparation for official registration. Legal vs. Trade Name: Understand that your legal name is used for formal documents, whereas your trade name is for branding and marketing. Navigating these intricacies will help you create a solid foundation for your business. Frequently Asked Questions What Does a Legal Company Name Mean? A legal company name refers to the official name registered with the state for your business entity. It typically includes a corporate identifier, like “LLC” or “Inc.,” indicating your business type. This name is crucial for legal identification, tax obligations, and formal contracts, ensuring your business operates smoothly without confusion. Additionally, it must be unique to avoid conflicts with other registered businesses, complying with state regulations throughout its existence. What Is the Purpose of a Legal Name? The purpose of a legal name is to provide a unique and official identity for your business. It’s crucial for registering your entity, entering contracts, and opening bank accounts. By using the legal name, you guarantee compliance with state regulations and protect your brand from being used by others. Furthermore, it helps in filing taxes and communicating with government agencies, establishing your business’s legitimacy in legal and formal contexts. What Is the Significance of the Company Name? The significance of a company name lies in its role as the primary identifier for your business. It sets you apart from competitors, helps customers recognize your brand, and influences their perception of your products or services. A well-chosen name can convey your business’s mission and values effectively. Furthermore, it’s crucial for legal and financial transactions, as it establishes your identity in contracts, tax filings, and official communications with government entities. What Is the Purpose of a Company Name? A company name serves multiple purposes in the business world. It identifies your business legally, helping to distinguish it from others. You’ll need a unique name to comply with state regulations, which often require specific designations like “LLC” or “Inc.” This name is crucial for opening bank accounts, filing taxes, and entering contracts, as it establishes your company’s legal standing. Conclusion In conclusion, a company legal name is crucial for establishing your business’s identity and ensuring compliance with regulations. It serves as the official identifier for contracts, tax filings, and legal protections. Comprehending the nuances of legal names across different business structures, such as corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, is fundamental. Furthermore, protecting your legal name through trademark registration helps prevent unauthorized use and infringement. By maneuvering through these intricacies, you can safeguard your business’s interests effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Company Legal Name and Its Importance?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A company legal name is the official title under which your business operates, and it plays a critical role in establishing your entity’s legal identity. This name appears on fundamental documents like articles of incorporation and must include a corporate identifier such as LLC or Inc. Additionally, it must be unique within your state to guarantee compliance with legal requirements. Comprehending the nuances of a legal name can greatly impact your business’s operations and protection against infringement. Key Takeaways A company legal name is the official identifier for a business, appearing on essential documents like articles of incorporation. It must include a corporate identifier and be unique within the state to avoid confusion and legal issues. The legal name is crucial for contracts, tax filings, and establishing the business as a separate legal entity. Legal names ensure compliance with regulations and protect against unauthorized use of the business’s trade name. Understanding the distinction between legal names and trade names aids in effective branding and legal navigation. Definition of a Company Legal Name A company legal name serves as the official identifier for a business, appearing on essential documents like articles of incorporation or articles of organization submitted to the state. This legal entity name must include a corporate identifier, such as LLC, Inc., or Corp, which indicates its business structure. According to business name law, the legal name must likewise be unique within the state to prevent confusion with other entities. This uniqueness is critical for legal identification in contracts, tax filings, and official communications with government bodies. If you ever need to change your legal name, you must follow a formal process by filing the appropriate documents, ensuring that no other business can adopt a name already in use. Importance of a Legal Name for Businesses A legal name is crucial for your business as it establishes your legal identity and guarantees that you’re recognized as a separate entity under the law. This name is fundamental for the validity of contracts, allowing you to enter agreements confidently as well as complying with various regulations and requirements. Legal Identity Establishment Establishing a legal identity for your business hinges on selecting an appropriate legal name, as it serves as the foundation for your company’s official recognition. Your legal name, often referred to as the entity name, must comply with state regulations and include a corporate identifier like LLC or Inc. This unique legal name is crucial for formal activities such as signing contracts, opening bank accounts, and filing taxes. It safeguards your trade name business from unauthorized use by others, ensuring it remains distinct in the marketplace. Legal Name Entity Name Trade Name Business Official name Registered name Marketing name Includes LLC/Inc Distinct identity Brand representation Required for contracts Legal compliance Consumer recognition Contractual Validity Assurance In relation to business transactions, using your legal name in contracts is fundamental for guaranteeing that those agreements hold up in court. This legal name clearly identifies the parties involved, which is significant if disputes arise. Without it, you risk invalidating contracts, leading to financial losses and legal complications. For American Express company names, it’s imperative to distinguish between your legal name and trade name examples, as the latter may not suffice in legal matters. Comprehending what an entity name is can help clarify this distinction. Always confirm your legal name is used in all formal agreements to establish credibility and trust with clients, suppliers, and financial institutions, as well as meeting your tax obligations. Compliance With Regulations Using your legal name correctly in business operations extends beyond ensuring contractual validity; it moreover plays a significant role in complying with state regulations. Your legal name must be included in formation documents to establish your business entity officially. This compliance isn’t just a formality; it likewise affects your tax obligations, as accurate tax filings hinge on using the correct legal name. In addition, contracts should be signed under this name to maintain their validity, safeguarding your business from potential legal disputes. Including specific identifiers like LLC, Inc., or Corp is necessary to clarify your business type to the public. Neglecting these naming requirements can lead to registration issues, fines, or even the inability to operate legally in your state. Legal Names for Corporations, LLCs, and LPs When you’re forming a corporation, LLC, or LP, you need to choose a legal name that meets specific requirements outlined in your formation documents. This name must include an identifier like “Inc.,” “LLC,” or “LP” and should be distinct from all other registered businesses in your state to avoid confusion. Moreover, you can reserve your chosen name for a limited time before filing, ensuring it remains available for your use. Formation Document Requirements Establishing a legal name for your business is vital, as it both represents your organization and fulfills state requirements for formation documents. For corporations, LLCs, and LPs, your legal name must include a corporate identifier, like “Inc.” for corporations or “LLC” for limited liability companies. This name appears on all formation documents filed with the state, distinguishing your business from others in the same jurisdiction. States require that your legal name be distinct to prevent confusion and misrepresentation. To officially establish your legal name, you’ll need to file articles of incorporation or organization. This name will be critical for legal contracts, tax filings, and official communications, ensuring that your business operates smoothly and within legal boundaries. Name Reservation Process Once you’ve determined your business’s legal name, securing it through the name reservation process is a strategic step. This allows you to temporarily hold your desired name, preventing others from using it as you prepare your registration paperwork. Here’s how to navigate the reservation process: Check Name Availability: Conduct a name availability check to ascertain compliance with state regulations. Submit Application: Fill out the name reservation application required by your state. Pay the Fee: Include any applicable reservation fee with your application. Duration: Most states offer a reservation period of up to 120 days, giving you time to finalize your formation documents. Distinctive Name Necessity Choosing a distinctive legal name for your corporation, LLC, or limited partnership is essential not just for compliance but equally for establishing your business identity. Your legal name must include a corporate identifier like “Inc.,” “LLC,” or “LP,” which clearly indicates your business type. Furthermore, it must be unique to avoid confusion with other registered businesses in your state, ensuring legal recognition. States often allow you to reserve a name before filing registration paperwork, giving you a temporary hold on your choice. This distinctive name appears in formation documents like Articles of Incorporation, helping you comply with business entity laws. A unique name protects you from infringement issues and promotes a strong identity in the marketplace. Legal Names for Sole Proprietorships The legal name of a sole proprietorship plays an essential role in defining the business and its operations. Typically, this name is the same as your personal name, making your business legally indistinguishable from you as the owner. Here are some key points to remember: In some states, you can add descriptive details (e.g., “Joan Smith Crafts”) to clarify your business nature. If you want to operate under a different name, you’ll need a “doing business as” (DBA) name for compliance. No formation documents are required to establish your legal name, but you must follow state regulations. Your legal name is important for contracts, tax filings, and obtaining business licenses, providing legal identification for your business. Legal Names for General Partnerships Legal names for general partnerships are crucial as they establish the business’s identity and legal standing. Typically, these names combine the legal names or surnames of the partners, like “Smith & Johnson Partners.” In some states, a general partnership can use a different legal name if specified in a Statement of Partnership Authority. Furthermore, a partnership agreement may outline alternative names distinct from the legal name. If you choose to operate under a name different from the partners’ legal names, you’ll need to register a DBA (Doing Business As). Distinction Between Legal Names and Trade Names Comprehending the distinction between legal names and trade names is crucial for any business owner. Here’s a breakdown to clarify: Legal Name: This is your business’s official name registered with the state, found in formation documents like articles of incorporation. Trade Name: Often referred to as a “Doing Business As” (DBA) name, it’s used for marketing and public engagement. Identifiers: Legal names must include specific identifiers (e.g., LLC or Inc.), whereas trade names offer more flexibility for branding. Usage: Legal names are required for contracts and tax filings, whereas trade names focus on advertising and customer interaction. Understanding these distinctions helps you navigate legal requirements and improve your brand effectively. Understanding DBAs (Doing Business As) DBAs, or Doing Business As names, offer businesses a way to operate under a brand that differs from their official legal name. This flexibility can improve your branding and marketing efforts, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember your products or services. Typically, you’ll need to register your DBA at the state or local level, which usually involves a simple application and fee. On the other hand, keep in mind that a DBA doesn’t grant exclusive rights to that name, so others may register similar names unless they’re trademarked. Furthermore, your DBA mustn’t include legal designations like LLC or Inc., and it should comply with state regulations regarding name availability and any prohibited words. Trademark Basics and Their Relevance When operating a business, protecting your brand is just as important as establishing it. A trademark serves as a recognizable sign that distinguishes your products or services from others, providing essential legal protection. Here are some key points to reflect on regarding trademarks: You can register trademarks at the federal level with the USPTO for exclusive rights and nationwide protection. A trade name can function as a trademark if it’s distinctive enough. Conduct a thorough search before registration to avoid infringing on existing trademarks, which can lead to costly disputes. Remember, registered trademarks need periodic renewal; failure to maintain them can result in losing your rights. Understanding these trademark basics can help you secure your brand effectively. Name Availability and Reservation Processes Before you settle on a legal name for your business, it’s essential to check its availability to guarantee it’s unique and not already taken by another entity in your state. You can often reserve a name temporarily, typically for about 120 days, which gives you time to complete formal registration without the risk of losing your desired name. Keep in mind that the reservation process varies by state, so you’ll need to follow specific procedures, which may include filling out forms or paying a fee. Name Reservation Procedures How can you guarantee that your chosen business name is protected during the initial stages of your entrepreneurial expedition? Utilizing name reservation procedures can help you secure that desired legal name for a specified period, typically ranging from 30 to 120 days. Here’s how to navigate the process effectively: Check Availability: Conduct a preliminary check to verify your name isn’t already taken. Submit Reservation Application: Many states offer online applications for quick processing. Pay Required Fees: Be prepared to pay any associated fees for reserving the name. Understand Limitations: Remember, although the reservation offers temporary protection, you still need to formally register your name for long-term rights. Following these steps can pave the way for your business’s successful launch. Checking Name Availability Securing a distinctive name for your business is a crucial step in establishing your brand identity and ensuring legal compliance. Before you register, you should conduct a name availability check to confirm that your desired legal name isn’t already in use by another entity in your state. Many states provide a searchable database through their business filing office or website, making this process straightforward. If you find an available name, consider using the name reservation process, which allows you to temporarily secure it for up to 120 days as you prepare your formation documents. Nevertheless, keep in mind that reserving a name doesn’t grant exclusive rights; only forming a business entity with that name provides legal protection against others in the same industry. Importance of Distinct Names Choosing a distinct name for your business is vital not just for branding but also for legal recognition. A unique legal name helps avoid confusion with other entities and guarantees compliance with regulations. Here are key aspects to keep in mind: Name Availability: Conduct checks to confirm your desired name isn’t already taken. Reservation Process: Most states allow you to reserve a name for up to 120 days, preventing others from using it. Compliance Rules: Follow specific regulations regarding required and prohibited words when reserving your name. Timeliness: Act quickly; failing to reserve your name before filing can lead to losing it to another business. These steps are fundamental for establishing a solid foundation for your new enterprise. Protecting Your Legal Name Through Trademark Registration When you establish a business, protecting your legal name is imperative, as it serves as the foundation of your brand identity. Trademark registration provides significant legal protection for your company’s name, preventing others from using a similar name that could confuse customers. Once registered, you gain a presumption of validity nationwide, giving you exclusive rights to use the mark throughout the United States. To qualify, your name must be distinctive and not overly similar to existing trademarks, so it’s important to conduct a thorough trademark search beforehand. Infringement Issues and Legal Remedies Infringement issues can arise unexpectedly, especially if your trade name closely resembles an existing trademark, leading to potential legal conflicts over consumer confusion. To avoid these problems, you should take proactive steps: 1. Conduct thorough trademark searches before adopting a trade name. 2. Register your trade name as a trademark to gain exclusive rights. 3. Be prepared to respond to infringement claims with appropriate remedies, such as: Sending cease and desist letters. Negotiating licensing agreements. Taking legal action for damages or injunctions. 4. Understand that defending against infringement claims can be costly, including legal fees and settlements, which emphasizes the importance of careful name selection and trademark registration. Taking these steps can help safeguard your business from potential disputes. Maintaining and Enforcing Trademark Protection Maintaining and enforcing trademark protection is crucial for safeguarding your brand’s identity and ensuring its continued success in the marketplace. Regular filings, like renewals and declarations of continued use, are imperative to keep your trademark registration active. Remember, trademark rights can be lost through abandonment, which happens if you don’t use your mark in commerce for an extended period. It’s equally important to monitor for potential infringement; if someone uses your trademark without permission, you must act to protect your rights. Sending cease and desist letters is a common strategy to notify infringers. In some cases, legal action might be necessary to address improper use, reinforcing the need for vigilance in maintaining trademark protection. Navigating Naming Complexities in Business Steering through the intricacies of business naming can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to establish a strong identity for your company. To simplify this process, keep these key points in mind: Legal Name Requirement: Your legal name must be officially filed and include specific terms like LLC or Inc., signifying your business structure. Name Availability: Always check if your desired name is distinct from others to avoid conflicts with existing businesses. Name Reservation: You can reserve a name temporarily, protecting it from being used during your preparation for official registration. Legal vs. Trade Name: Understand that your legal name is used for formal documents, whereas your trade name is for branding and marketing. Navigating these intricacies will help you create a solid foundation for your business. Frequently Asked Questions What Does a Legal Company Name Mean? A legal company name refers to the official name registered with the state for your business entity. It typically includes a corporate identifier, like “LLC” or “Inc.,” indicating your business type. This name is crucial for legal identification, tax obligations, and formal contracts, ensuring your business operates smoothly without confusion. Additionally, it must be unique to avoid conflicts with other registered businesses, complying with state regulations throughout its existence. What Is the Purpose of a Legal Name? The purpose of a legal name is to provide a unique and official identity for your business. It’s crucial for registering your entity, entering contracts, and opening bank accounts. By using the legal name, you guarantee compliance with state regulations and protect your brand from being used by others. Furthermore, it helps in filing taxes and communicating with government agencies, establishing your business’s legitimacy in legal and formal contexts. What Is the Significance of the Company Name? The significance of a company name lies in its role as the primary identifier for your business. It sets you apart from competitors, helps customers recognize your brand, and influences their perception of your products or services. A well-chosen name can convey your business’s mission and values effectively. Furthermore, it’s crucial for legal and financial transactions, as it establishes your identity in contracts, tax filings, and official communications with government entities. What Is the Purpose of a Company Name? A company name serves multiple purposes in the business world. It identifies your business legally, helping to distinguish it from others. You’ll need a unique name to comply with state regulations, which often require specific designations like “LLC” or “Inc.” This name is crucial for opening bank accounts, filing taxes, and entering contracts, as it establishes your company’s legal standing. Conclusion In conclusion, a company legal name is crucial for establishing your business’s identity and ensuring compliance with regulations. It serves as the official identifier for contracts, tax filings, and legal protections. Comprehending the nuances of legal names across different business structures, such as corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, is fundamental. Furthermore, protecting your legal name through trademark registration helps prevent unauthorized use and infringement. By maneuvering through these intricacies, you can safeguard your business’s interests effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Company Legal Name and Its Importance?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the next phase of expansion planned by Walmart and drone company Wing. The companies plan to roll out additional locations for drone delivery in metropolitan hubs like Los Angeles, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Miami this year in what they call “the next chapter of the world’s largest drone delivery expansion.” This expansion adds to the 100 stores already planned in metro areas like Orlando and Houston. The drones are expected to start flying in the latter city this week. The expansion will increase Walmart and Wing’s network to more than 270 locations across the country in 2027. “Whether it’s a last-minute ingredient for dinner or a late-night essential for a busy family, the strong adoption we’ve seen confirms that this is the future of convenience,” said Greg Cathey, senior vice president of digital fulfillment transformation at Walmart, in a statement. “By expanding drone delivery to new major metro areas, we are helping more customers solve for their last-minute needs faster than ever before.” New heights In the first two years of Walmart and Wing’s partnership, their delivery service was available in seven states. With this planned expansion, more than 40 million shoppers across at least 10 states will have the option of drone delivery. The rapid expansion is “a sign that customers find real value in getting what they need when they need it, in a matter of minutes,” Wing’s new Chief Business Officer Heather Rivera, tells Fast Company in an email. “Adoption of drone delivery is quick, and it makes a real difference to customers.” Walmart and Wing first partnered in 2023 to bring drone delivery to customers with a few simple steps. Shoppers order with Walmart, Wing’s marketplace, or even a third-party service like DoorDash. They select drone delivery and specify an exact delivery location. Then, the drone is loaded up and takes off with the order. This airborne delivery is faster than other methods, especially in car-dependent metropolitan areas, since the drones can avoid traffic and other obstacles in the sky. As the partnership continues to expand, Wing leadership has their eyes on the sky. “This expansion elevates Wing from a regional success to a truly national delivery service,” Rivera says in an email. “It’s no longer a question of if Wing drone delivery will come to your city, it’s when.” View the full article

I don’t need to harp on how amazing Instagram can be for your business. Of its 2 billion monthly active users ( 🤯), 44% purchase products on the platform weekly. That’s a lot of potential for brand awareness and revenue. The problem is that using Instagram for business can be a tad overwhelming — especially if you’re starting today. With its plenty of (very useful and interesting) features and rapid updates, you have to juggle many moving parts to be successful on this social media platform. That’s why you need this comprehensive guide on how to use Instagram for business. We’ll cover: How to set up your Instagram business account (skip if you’ve got one already)How to optimize your Instagram business profileHow to build your Instagram strategyHow to create content for your Instagram business profileHow to grow on InstagramHow to track your performance on Instagram How to use Instagram ads to boost your organic effortsGrab a cuppa and start reading! ☕ Jump to a section: Set up your Instagram business account Optimize your Instagram profile Build your Instagram business strategy Create content for your Instagram account Grow your Instagram account The long game of using Instagram for business Frequently asked questions 💡Note: If you don’t use Instagram already, start by reading our Instagram 101 guide. It’ll help you catch up on the various features of the platform so you aren’t confused about any feature in this guide!Set up your Instagram business accountThere are two different types of Instagram accounts: Personal account: This is for users who are using the platform to explore new content and stay connected with friends and family.Professional account: This is for users who want to use Instagram for business or creators who aim to grow on the platform. There are two subtypes of the professional account — a creator or business account.If you already use the Instagram app, convert your existing personal account to a professional account. Choosing this account type helps you get access to useful features like the music library, professional dashboard, running ads, messaging tools, category labels, and a lot more. 💡Learn more about the benefits of an Instagram professional account: 3 Different Types of Instagram AccountsHere’s how you can convert your account to a professional account: 1. Go to your profile and tap Edit profile. 2. Tap Switch to professional account. 3. Tap Business and follow the prompts to complete the setup. Side-by-side Instagram screens showing Edit Profile and Switch to professional account steps, illustrating how to use instagram for business by converting a personal profile.⚠️ Note: Many Instagram users who want to use Instagram for business are tempted to use a creator account instead of a business account because it has access to Instagram’s vast music library. However, using those audios as a business can be risky because you might be violating copyright laws. Stick to an Instagram business profile to be safe! Optimize your Instagram profileWhen someone lands on your business Instagram account, they should be able to understand what your business is, who you serve, and what exactly you sell. Here are the six components in your Instagram profile that help you achieve this: UsernameYour username should ideally be your business name. For example, Buffer’s Instagram username is @buffer. Try to keep your username consistent on other social media platforms (like TikTok or YouTube), too. This helps people recognize your brand instantly and helps with brand visibility. Profile pictureYour profile picture should be your logo image. Again, keep this profile image consistent across all your social media accounts and your business website. It helps people recognize your brand instantly. Remember that your profile photo displays as a circle, so keep all important visual elements centered. Name fieldEnter your business’ name in this section. You can also use a vertical bar to add a brief snippet about what your business does in this field. For example, YNAB adds a “Get good with money” phrase to their name field. This helps people who are searching for similar phrases on Instagram find YNAB. Instagram bioUse your Instagram bio to tell your target audience about your business — focus on the basics. Share what you do and who you help. Choose clear over clever with a clear call to action. For example, at Buffer, we have a clear bio about our primary service: helping you create and schedule social media posts. New audiences can instantly understand what we do and who we are. You can also add a branded hashtag in your bio to create a searchable hub for all your Instagram content. Branded hashtags also make it a lot easier to collect user-generated content from your audience. For example, the clothing brand Ugg has added #UGG in their bio so you can find all content related to their brand easily (including UGC). Action buttonInstagram business accounts can add an action button to their profile, like “Reserve” or “Order now,” to make it easy for users to interact with their profile. This feature isn’t available to everyone yet, but it’s slowly being rolled out. Here’s a list of Instagram’s current action button partners. You must have an account with these partners to enable an action button on your business profile. Link in bioInstagram allows you to add up to five links in your bio. I’d not recommend cluttering this limited space with so many links, though. It can put off your audience and make it harder to find the right link for different purposes. Instead, use third-party tools like Buffer’s Start Page to create a custom link in bio that’s clear, organized, and customizable. Here’s what our own Start Page looks like, for reference. 💡Explore more link in bio tools: 7 Best Link in Bio Tools for Your Social MediaEven if you’ve set up your account a while ago, your profile is likely due for a refresh. Set up a recurring task in your to-do list to keep your Instagram business profile fresh and up-to-date. Build your Instagram business strategyPosting randomly on Instagram in hopes of increasing brand awareness (or revenue) rarely works. You need a solid strategy that guides you on what to aim for, what to post, and how to interact with your audience. Here’s a quick three step process to form your Instagram marketing strategy: Step 1: Set clear and measurable goalsGet clear on what you want to achieve by using Instagram for business. Do you want to gain Instagram followers for brand awareness? Or do you want to find new customers and increase sales? Your goals will dictate your approach to content creation and measuring success on the platform. For example, if your goal is to boost brand awareness, you’ll measure reach and views in post performance. You can also measure follower conversion rate (aka how many people who visited your profile followed your account) for your overall profile. ⚡ Note: Your Instagram goals should align with your larger social media goals and business objectives. For example, if your business’ focus is to boost brand awareness, your social media marketing strategy — and by extension, your Instagram presence — should contribute to that. Here’s an example of what this looks like: Remember to keep your goals specific, clear, and measurable. For example, instead of aiming to “increase awareness about our brand,” have a goal of “reaching 8,000 new people using Instagram.” Step 2: Create a content calendarA content calendar is your posting schedule: it tells which post gets published at what time on your Instagram account. The goal of a content calendar is to help you stay consistent with posting — which correlates to more engagement. Five times more engagement, according to our study. According to Instagram’s own recommendations, you should post at least 10 Instagram Reels a month. But if that’s unsustainable for you, create as many posts as you can and use the powers of repurposing to slowly scale up content production. Remember, it’s more important to maintain content quality and avoid burning out than posting a set number of times every week. Another thing you can do to make creating content more efficient is relying on content batching — divide your day into themes and shoot one to two days of the week, edit the rest, and schedule one day. Once you’ve created all your content, use a social media management tool like Buffer to schedule your Instagram posts in advance. By using Buffer, you can not just stick to your posting schedule, but also: Schedule posts for multiple platforms using just one toolCoordinate with your team inside the softwareUse AI to refine your posts and captionsRespond to comments and DMsMeasure performance Store ideas…And a lot more⚡Take Buffer for a spin at no cost.Step 3: Engage with your Instagram audienceInstagram (and no social platform for that matter) isn’t for posting and ghosting. Responding to your audience’s comments and direct messages is a core aspect of being successful on the platform. It helps you deepen your relationship with your audience and form a true social media community. Using Buffer, you can also respond to your audience’s comments without missing them in a series of notifications on the app. Buffer also allows you to save replies for frequently asked questions and flags interactions as positive, negative, or neutral so you can spot emergencies quickly. You can even respond to comments with a post. Apart from comments and direct messages, Instagram Stories are also an excellent way to build a connection with your audience. Using the various stickers on Instagram Stories, you can learn your audience’s preferences, answer questions, and showcase products you sell. For example, skincare brand Aminu Life, used to run an #IngredientOfTheWeek Instagram Stories series where they educated customers about the various ingredients in their products. They later added these stories to their Instagram Highlights so anyone visiting their profile can access them. 💡Learn more about building an Instagram strategy: The Complete Guide to Form Your Instagram StrategyCreate content for your Instagram accountWhen you’re using Instagram for business, you need to be aware of the ins and outs of the various ways you can post and interact with your audience. This section will cover the various content formats on Instagram and how to use them. The four primary content formats of InstagramHere are the four primary content types Instagram offers — all suited for different purposes. ⚠️ Note: There are a lot more features like Notes, Broadcast Channels, and Instagram Live that help businesses engage with their audience on Instagram. We’re only covering the top content formats in this list. For a more detailed breakdown of new updates, read our guide about the new features. Instagram ReelsInstagram Reels are short-form videos that can be 15 seconds to three minutes in length. On Instagram, reels are the perfect way to reach new audiences. They get 36% more reach than single image posts and carousels, according to Buffer’s analysis of over four million posts. Instagram Reels are perfect for creating all types of creative content. You can use these short-form videos to share educational content, do product marketing, or show the behind-the-scenes of your business.For example, at Buffer, we use Instagram Reels to share product updates, creator journeys, and tips for social media marketing. 💡Learn more about creating scroll-stopping reels: Instagram Reels in 2026: Tips, Strategies, and Hacks to Create, Edit, and Distribute Your VideosInstagram CarouselsThink of carousel posts like a photo album. You can add up to 20 images in a post to share a story visually, explain a concept, or just share your product info. According to our analysis, carousel posts get 12% more engagement than other post types on Instagram. At Buffer, we often use Instagram Carousels to share educational content like other creators’ workflows, finding inspiration for social posts, and more. 💡Learn more about creating engaging carousels: Why You Should Use Instagram Carousels + 10 Ideas to Get You StartedInstagram StoriesStories are perfect for sharing your everyday life as a business owner. The content on stories disappears after 24 hours (unless you add it to your highlights). Instagram Stories are the place to be your authentic self — don’t overly polish or edit them. You can also use them to promote your in-feed posts.We often share the blog content (what you’re reading right now) and the behind-the-scenes of Buffer using stories. 💡Learn more about getting the most out of Instagram Stories: The Complete Guide to Using Stories to Boost Engagement + ReachInstagram ShopInstagram Shop is one of the best features you can rely on when you use Instagram for business. Using shoppable posts, you can display your entire product catalog on Instagram and allow people to shop directly from the platform. In Collections, you can also organize products based on various categories. You can simply use product tags on your posts, and it’s going to be linked to your business. Instagram shoppable post featuring a fashion model wearing a pastel outfit with product tag and View shop button, showing how to use instagram for business to sell products directly.Shoppable posts are one of the best ways to enable easy Instagram shopping and eliminate the friction of seeing something on Instagram and then purchasing it via your brand’s website. This feature is currently available in the countries on this list. How to balance Instagram’s various content typesInstagram’s best part is its versatility. But this versatility can also make it difficult to juggle all the content types available. A good rule of thumb to follow is to include a healthy mix of all content formats. Reels are best to reach new followers and experiment with different types of contentCarousels are perfect for connecting with your existing audience, sharing stories, and educating people about your productsStories are designed to reshare your own posts and promote authentic interaction with your audienceInstagram shopping posts are perfect for selling directly through the platformThe exact content you post depends on your goals — aka why you’re using Instagram for business. For example, if your goal is to drive traffic to your website, share reels, carousels, stories, etc.. that incentivize people to visit your site. This can be an exclusive discount coupon, an educational video/article about something your audience needs, or just a fun and interactive quiz. In general, follow the 5–3–1 content rule: 5 value-drivenor posts that don’t directly sell your products or services but help your audience. Think step-by-step carousels, informative reels, tutorials on stories, etc.3 community-driven posts that focus on building a connection with your audience. Think Q&A on stories, polls on reels, etc.1 promotional post that talks directly about your products or services. Think product launches on reels, feature highlights on stories, and customer photos with before/after on carousels.Following this guideline ensures your Instagram feed isn’t too salesy and is actually inviting new followers (aka future buyers). Grow your Instagram accountWhen you’re at the stage where you’re posting consistently and have a good rhythm going, first pat yourself on the back. This is not easy! You’re doing great. Continue consistent posting and add these tips to your toolbox to grow your account even faster: 1. Use Instagram insights to reflect on your strategyMake it a ritual to analyze your Instagram insights regularly (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) and understand which kinds of posts and content formats are the most successful for your profile. For example, if a certain post went viral, dissect why: Was it using a trending audio? Or was it hitting a pain point for your audience? You can also use your Instagram insights to check if you’re reaching the right audience. If you use Buffer, you also get data like the best kind of posts, the best time to post, and the ideal posting frequency for your account at your fingertips. Once you analyze your profile and content regularly, patterns will start to emerge: You’ll be able to understand which kinds of content formats work the best for you, what type of posts get you the best reach, which content provides the most engagement, and a lot more. 2. Give your brand a personalityUsing Instagram for business doesn’t have to mean you have to be all professional and corporate in your content. Quite the contrary! The most successful businesses on Instagram show their brand personality (looking at you, Duolingo) and are incredibly “human” in their approach. So instead of chasing the perfect kind of post and the overly edited reel, leave a little room to introspect on the aspects of your brand that will make people connect with you. That will be what converts followers to loyal customers. 3. Use relevant keywords in your subtitles and captionsMore and more users are using Instagram as a search engine. Brush up your Instagram SEO skills and use relevant keywords (without overstuffing them) in your video subtitles and captions. For example, in this carousel about the most used emojis on Instagram (guess which one! 👀), we’ve used keywords throughout the caption and carousel. But! Notice they blend in naturally without seeming forced — that’s what you should aim for. Instagram is getting better and better at understanding the search intent of its users, so you definitely don’t need to unnaturally stuff keywords in your posts. You’ll notice that doing all these things also gets you in the good books of the Instagram algorithm (yay!). Here are some more ways to grow on Instagram: Using Instagram adsMany people who start using Instagram for business wonder when they can start incorporating Instagram ads in their strategy. The best approach here is to build a solid organic presence on the platform first and then use ads as an amplifier. Does growing organically on Instagram take time? Yes, but the payoff is worth it. A genuine organic presence helps you build trust and community that’s hard to replicate using only advertising. In fact, when you start layering ads on top of your organic content, you’ll see better results because you’ve already established trust in the market. When you are ready to run ads, start by boosting your top-performing posts. This will accelerate their reach and help you dip your toes into Instagram advertising without incurring a large sum of money. When those ads start to perform well, upgrade to using the Meta Ads Manager to run full-fledged advertising campaigns. 💡Learn more about setting up and running successful Instagram ads: A Step-by-Step Guide to Running Instagram Ads That WorkThe long game of using Instagram for businessUsing Instagram for business isn’t about chasing every new feature, viral audio, or algorithm update. It’s about building a repeatable system — one that helps the right people discover your brand, understand what you offer, and trust you enough to take action. When you strip it down, success on Instagram comes from a few fundamentals: A strategy rooted in real business goalsA clear, optimized profile that explains what you doConsistent, high-quality content across various formatsGenuine engagement with your audienceRegular performance reviews to refine what’s workingYou don’t need to do everything at once. Start with the basics: get your account set up correctly, optimize your profile, and commit to a sustainable posting rhythm. From there, layer in experimentation — new content formats, deeper community-building, and eventually ads to amplify what’s already working organically. Frequently asked questionsIs Instagram for business free?Yes, creating an Instagram business account is completely free. You get access to analytics, contact buttons, and other business tools at no cost. You only pay if you choose to run Instagram ads. What is the difference between a business account and a creator account on Instagram?Business accounts are designed for companies and brands, with features like Instagram Shop and detailed contact options. Creator accounts are tailored for influencers and public figures, with tools for managing fan messages and tracking follower growth. The primary difference is that Instagram business accounts have restrictions on the music library they can access under copyright laws. How many followers do you need to make money on Instagram?There's no minimum follower count to earn money on Instagram. Many creators and businesses monetize with smaller, engaged audiences through affiliate marketing, selling products, or brand partnerships. Engagement and niche relevance often matter more than follower count. What is the 5-3-1 rule on Instagram?The 5-3-1 rule is a content planning guideline suggesting you post five pieces of value-driven content, three that build community or connection, and one promotional post. It helps maintain a balanced feed that doesn't feel overly salesy. Can you switch back to a personal account from an Instagram business account?Yes, you can switch back to a personal account at any time through your settings. Just go to your settings and click “Switch to personal account.” However, you will lose access to Instagram Insights, contact buttons, and other business features when you do. View the full article

For the last few years, copywriting has been quietly written off. Not with outrage. Not with ceremony. Just sidelined. Replaced. Automated. Words – the core material of SEO, landing pages, ads, and persuasion – were demoted during the traffic rush and later the AI gold rush. Blog posts were generated. Product descriptions were bulked out. Landing pages were templated. Content teams shrank. Freelancers disappeared. And a convenient narrative emerged to justify it all: “AI can write now, so writing doesn’t matter anymore.” Then Google made it worse. The helpful content update, followed by AI Overviews and conversational search, didn’t just hurt SEO. It hurt the broader web. It gutted an entire economy built on informational arbitrage – niche blogs, affiliate sites, ad-funded publishers, and content-led SEO businesses that had learned how to monetize curiosity at scale. Now, large language models are finishing the job. Informational queries are answered directly in search. The click is increasingly optional. Traffic is evaporating. So yes, on the surface, it sounds mad to say this: Copywriting is once again becoming the most important skill in digital marketing. But only if you confuse copywriting with the thing that just died. AI didn’t kill copywriting What AI destroyed was not persuasion. It destroyed low-grade informational publishing – content that existed to intercept search demand, not to change decisions. “How to” posts. “Best tools for” roundups. Explainers written for algorithms, not people. LLMs are exceptionally good at this kind of work because it never required judgment. It required: Synthesis. Summarization. Pattern matching. Compression. That’s exactly what LLMs do best. This content was designed to intercept purchase decisions by giving users something else to click before buying, often with the hope that a cookie would track the stop in the journey and reward the page for “influencing” the buyer journey. That influence was rewarded either through analytics for the SEO team or through an affiliate’s bank account. But persuasion – real persuasion – has never worked like that. Persuasion requires: A defined audience. A clearly articulated problem. A credible solution. A deliberate attempt to influence choice. Most SEO copy never attempted any of this. It aimed to rank, not to convert. So when people say “AI killed copywriting,” what they really mean is this: AI exposed how little real copywriting was being done in the first place. And that matters, because the environment we’re moving into makes persuasion more important, not less. Dig deeper: SEO copywriting: 5 pillars for ranking and relevance GEO isn’t about rankings Traditional search engines forced users to translate their problems into keywords. Someone didn’t search for “I’m an 18-year-old who’s just passed my test and needs insurance without being ripped off.” They typed [cheap car insurance] and hoped Google would serve the best results. This created a monopoly in SEO. Those who could spend the most on links usually won once a semi-decent landing page was written. It also created a sea of sameness, with most ranking websites saying exactly the same thing. LLMs reverse this process. They: Start with the problem. Understand context, constraints, and intent. Decide which suppliers are most relevant. That distinction is everything. LLMs are not ranking pages. Instead, they seek and select the best solutions to solve users’ problems. And selection depends on one thing above all else – positioning. Not “position on Google,” but strategic positioning. Who are you for? What problem do you solve? Why are you a better or different choice than the alternatives? If an LLM cannot clearly answer those questions from your website and third-party information, you will not be recommended, no matter how many backlinks you have or how “authoritative” your content once looked. This is why copywriting suddenly sits at the center of SEO’s future. Dig deeper: The new SEO imperative: Building your brand From SEO to GEO: Availability beats visibility Search engine optimization was about visibility. Generative engine optimization is about AI availability. Availability means increasing the likelihood that your business will be surfaced in a buying situation. That depends on whether your relevance is legible. Most businesses still describe themselves in static, categorical terms: “We’re an SEO agency in Manchester.” “We’re solicitors in London.” “We’re an insurance provider.” These descriptions tell you what the business is. They do not tell you what problem it solves or for whom it solves that problem. They are catchall descriptors for a world where humans use search engines. This is where most companies miss the opportunity in front of them. The vast majority of “it’s just SEO” advice centers on entities and semantics. The tactics suggested for AI SEO are largely the same as traditional SEO: Create a topical map. Publish topical content at scale. Build links. This is why many SEOs have defaulted to the “it’s just SEO” position. If your lens is meaning, topics, context, and relationships, everything looks like SEO. In contrast, the world in which copywriters and PRs operate looks very different. Copywriters and PRs think in terms of problems, solutions, and sales. All of this stems from brand positioning. Positioning is not a fixed asset A strategic position is a viable combination of: Who you target. What you offer. How your product or service delivers it Change any one of those, and you have a new position. Most firms treat their current position as fixed. They accept the rules of the category and pour their effort into incremental improvement, competing with the same rivals, for the same customers, in the same way. LLMs quietly remove that constraint. If you genuinely solve problems – and most established businesses do – there is no reason to limit yourself to a single inherited position simply because that’s how the category has historically been defined. No position remains unique forever. Competitors copy attractive positions relentlessly. The only sustainable advantage is the ability to continually identify and colonize new ones. This doesn’t mean becoming everything to everyone. Overextension dilutes brands. It means being honest and explicit about the problems you already solve well. This is something copywriters understand well. A good business or marketing strategist can help uncover new positions in the market, and a good copywriter can help articulate them on landing pages. This is a key shift from semantic SEO to GEO. You want LLMs to recommend your business to solve those problems. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. See terms. From SEOs’ ‘what we are’ to GEOs’ ‘what problem we solve’ Take insurance as a simple example. A large insurer may technically offer “car insurance.” But the problems faced by: An 18-year-old new driver. A parent insuring a second family car. A courier using a vehicle for work. Are completely different. Historically, these distinctions were collapsed into broad keywords because that’s how search worked. LLMs don’t behave like that. They start with the user problem to be solved. If you are well placed to solve a specific use case, it makes strategic sense to articulate that explicitly, even if no one ever typed that exact phrase into Google. A helpful way to think about this is as a padlock. Your business can be unlocked by many different combinations. Each combination represents a different problem, for a different person, solved in a particular way. If you advertise only one combination, you artificially restrict your AI availability. Have you ever had a customer say, “We didn’t know you offered that?” Now you have the chance to serve more people as individuals. Essentially, this makes one business suitable for more problems. You aren’t just a solicitor in Manchester. You’re a solicitor who solves X by Y. You’re a solicitor for X with a Y problem. The list could be endless. Why copywriting becomes infrastructure again This is where copywriting returns to its original job. Good copywriting has always been about creating a direct relationship with a prospect, framing the problem correctly, intensifying it, and making the case that you are the best place to solve it. That logic hasn’t changed. What has changed is that the audience has expanded. You now have to persuade: A human decision-maker. A LLM acting as a recommender. Both require the same thing: clarity. You must be explicit about: The problem you solve. Who you solve it for. How you solve it. Why your solution works. You must also support those claims with evidence. This is not new thinking. It comes straight out of classic direct marketing. Drayton Bird defined direct marketing as the creation and exploitation of a direct relationship between you and an individual prospect. Eugene Schwartz spent his career explaining that persuasion is not accidental – benefits must be clear, claims must be demonstrated, and relevance must be immediate. The web environment made it possible to forget these fundamentals for a while. AI brings them back. Dig deeper: Why ‘it’s just SEO’ misses the mark in the era of AI SEO Less traffic doesn’t mean less performance Traffic is going to fall. Informational traffic is being stripped out of the system. Traffic only became a problem when it stopped being a measure and became a target. Once that happened, it ceased to be useful. Volume replaced outcomes. Movement replaced progress. In an AI-mediated world, fewer clicks does not mean less opportunity. It means less irrelevant traffic. When GEO and positioning-led copy work, you see: Traffic landing on revenue-generating pages. Brand-page visits from pre-qualified prospects. Fewer exploratory visits and more decisive ones No one can buy from you if they never reach your site. Traffic still matters, but only traffic with intent. In this environment, traffic stops being a vanity metric and becomes meaningful again. Every click has a purpose. What measurement looks like now The North Star is no longer sessions. It is commercial interaction. The questions that matter are: How many clicks did we get to revenue-driving pages this month versus last? How many of those visits turned into real conversations? Is branded demand increasing as our positioning becomes clearer? Are lead quality and close rates improving, even as traffic falls? Share of search still has relevance – particularly brand share – but it must be interpreted differently when the interface doesn’t always click through. AI attribution is messy and imperfect. Anyone claiming otherwise is lying. But signals already exist: Prospects saying, “ChatGPT recommended you.” Sales calls referencing AI tools. Brand searches rising without content expansion. Direct traffic increasing alongside reduced informational content These are directional indicators. And they are enough. The real shift SEO needs to make For a decade, SEO rewarded people who were good at publishing. The next decade will reward people who are good at positioning. That means: Fewer pages, but sharper ones. Less information, more persuasion. Fewer visitors, higher intent. It means treating your website not as a library, but as a set of sales letters, each one earning its place by clearly solving a problem for a defined audience. This is not the death of SEO. SEO is growing up. The reality nobody wants, but everyone needs Copywriting didn’t die. Those spending a fortune on Facebook ads embraced copywriting. Those selling SEO went down the route of traffic chasing. The two worlds had different values. The ad crowd embraced copy. The SEO crowd disowned it. One valued conversion. The other valued traffic. We are entering a world with less traffic, fewer clicks, and an intelligent intermediary between you and the buyer. That makes clarity a weapon. That makes good copy a weapon. In 2026, the brands that win will not be the ones with the most content. They will be the brands that return to the basics of good copy and PR. The information era of SEO is over. It’s time to get back to marketing. View the full article

Almost lost and nearly forgotten, a sculpture by one of the most noted mid-century modernist designers has been given a meticulous restoration and a starring place in the new headquarters of General Motors in downtown Detroit. Designed by artist Harry Bertoia and first installed in 1970, the sculpture is made of two clusters of long steel wires intertwined like twigs in a bird’s nest. Stretching 26 feet in height, the sculpture is now hanging in the atrium of a newly built 12-story mixed use building in Detroit that’s the home of GM’s new global headquarters. GM, which has featured Bertoia’s work in other company properties since 1953, spent an undisclosed sum of money to have the sculpture restored and installed in the heart of its new offices. It’s a remarkable resurgence for a sculpture that was nearly lost in the rubble of a demolished shopping mall. Lost to time The sculpture was originally commissioned as decoration outside a J.L. Hudson’s department store at the Genesee Valley Center in Flint, Michigan, which opened in 1970. Bertoia, an Italian-born artist who moved to Detroit in 1930 at the age of 15, designed the sculpture using simple steel rods that were coated in melted brass, bronze, and metal alloys. Most famous for his furniture design work for Knoll Associates, Bertoia also had a long career as a sculptor, creating mainly metal-based works. His first project for GM was a 36-foot-long decorative wall screen installed in a cafeteria at GM’s Global Technical Center in 1953, which is still in place today. The nest-like sculpture Bertoia made in 1970 hung in the Flint mall until 1980, when it was removed during a renovation. It was taken to another nearby regional mall, the Northland Center, where it was stored in the basement and eventually forgotten. Built in 1954 in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Northland Center is considered by some to be the first regional shopping mall and was designed by shopping mall creator Victor Gruen and his firm Gruen Associates, which was also involved in designing the Genesee Valley Center. An open-air cluster of stores connected by pedestrian paths and green plazas, it preceded by two years the enclosed and air conditioned Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota, another Gruen project that is more often referred to as the first shopping mall. The developer and anchor tenant of Northland Center was the J.L. Hudson’s department store, which originally commissioned Bertoia’s sculpture for its Flint location. Presumably, the company moved the sculpture to the Northland Center basement because it wanted to keep the artwork for future use. Instead, the sculpture languished in the Northland Center basement for decades. Then, in 2017, during a partial demolition and renovation of the mall, the sculpture was rediscovered, coated in dust and partly bent out of shape. The Hudson’s company had long since dissolved, so the city of Southfield’s arts commission took over stewardship of the sculpture. A restoration process ensued, and about halfway through, GM’s design team learned about the sculpture. “It looked like there were decades of dirt and grime covering the metal rods. It was tough looking,” says Christo Datini, manager of GM’s archive and special collections. Given GM’s long association with Bertoia, the company felt obligated to finish the restoration. “We started to think about how we could help the situation. What could we do?” says Datini. “And then of course when the new headquarters came into play, it seemed like an obvious place.” A new place to hang The new headquarters is on the site of the old Hudson’s department store in Detroit, once the second-largest department store in the world. The building was demolished in 1998, and has since been redeveloped into a $1.4 billion skyscraper complex. GM’s offices fill the top floors of the 12-story mixed use building that makes up half of that project, and look out on a large atrium in which the Bertoia sculpture now hangs. Getting the sculpture there was challenging. Given its size, there was no easy way to bring it into the building, which finished construction in late 2025. To crane the sculpture inside, a 15-foot-wide and 75-foot-tall section of the facade of the building had to be partly de-constructed. It was then carefully moved, in two pieces, into the atrium, where it now hangs below a wide skylight. “There are no anchor points directly above. It’s actually anchored at several points, suspended kind of like a tight rope,” says Datini. Walking into the building’s atrium on a recent day in January, the sculpture soars overhead, with its jumble of metal rods appearing both orderly and chaotic. Corridors wrap around the sculpture on each of the six floors in the atrium space, offering varied views of an artwork that’s at once simple and complex. Unfortunately this atrium is not open to the public, but Bertoia’s sculpture will be a daily presence for hundreds of GM workers at its new headquarters. After decades sitting in the dust of a shopping mall basement, it’s a triumphant second act. View the full article

Google's Robby Stein reiterated that Google's AI experience, such as AI Mode and AI Overviews, integrates Google's core search signals. This helps Google provide more useful and helpful responses to users in the AI experiences. But it doesn't always get it right, as many of you know.View the full article

In a rare Sunday launch, Google announced new AI Mode ads named Direct Offers. Google also announced branded AI agents and a new open standard for agentic commerce it calls Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP).View the full article

The best AI tools for PR help teams write press releases, pitch journalists, and monitor brand mentions. View the full article

Google Ads has a new experiment feature for Performance Max campaigns that lets you A/B-test assets. This allows you to compare the performance of 2 different sets of assets within the same asset group to find out which creative combination works best for your Performance Max campaign.View the full article

Conflict over Greenland could destroy the transatlantic alliance, requiring a new European security treaty to replace itView the full article

Google announced new Business Agents, branded AI Agents, a "new way for shoppers to chat with brands, right on Search," Google said. "It's like a virtual sales associate that can answer product questions in a brand's voice, enabling retailers to connect with consumers during critical shopping moments and help drive sales," Google added.View the full article

Google Ads seems to be slowly rolling out a new Google Ads experimental feature in the Google Ads Lab section named Brand Linking. Brand linking lets you "Link customers to brands," it reads.View the full article

PPC experts share hard-earned lessons on automation limits, Performance Max misuse, post-click differentiation, and why judgment now matters more than levers. The post 10 Hard Truths About PPC: Insights From Last Year’s Best Debates For 2026 appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Hello and welcome to Modern CEO! I’m Stephanie Mehta, CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures. Each week this newsletter explores inclusive approaches to leadership drawn from conversations with executives and entrepreneurs, and from the pages of Inc. and Fast Company. If you received this newsletter from a friend, you can sign up to get it yourself every Monday morning. In recent weeks Modern CEO has published predictions for 2026 from CEOs across industries and a list of books that can help leaders get ready for the year ahead. We invited readers to share their own prognostications and book recommendations. (Respect to the author who endorsed her own book.) Here’s a sampling of the responses. Bold Predictions ChatGPT becomes the new DoorDash “2026 will mark a fundamental shift: ChatGPT and other AI platforms will become the primary interfaces between consumers and restaurants. Discovery will evolve into action—people won’t just find new restaurants on ChatGPT; they’ll order and review there, too. In an AI-first world, the need for intermediaries fades as ordering rails connect restaurants directly to these platforms. This creates a massive opportunity for restaurants to reclaim the direct relationships they lost to third-party marketplaces.” —Savneet Singh, CEO, PAR Technology Customer experience shifts from speed to substance “Over the past two years, companies raced to embed AI into service interactions, but many of those deployments are now revealing cracks. Our testing data proves it: In a recent analysis of enterprise models, 82% of AI failures stemmed from misinformation, especially in chatbots. These ’silent errors‘ quietly erode customer relationships long before companies realize it. The next phase of CX (customer experience) innovation won’t be about smarter automation; it will be about trustworthy automation. Ultimately, the companies that win customer trust won’t be those deploying AI the fastest, but those ensuring every AI-driven interaction is accurate, safe, and human-centered.” —Dean Hickman-Smith, chief revenue officer, Testlio More technology, more vulnerabilities, more responsibility “Let us all individually be ready for more and entirely new technologies in 2026, [and] embrace and prepare to secure ourselves even more. A lot of work is to come, especially for the specialists in the field. We can clearly see more vulnerabilities coming our way, but we should be ready to fight back. Experts should expect their expertise being needed more than ever in all aspects and fields, including policy development [for] and general awareness [of] cybersecurity.” —Ella Hamwaka, cybersecurity specialist Prepare for the “vibe coding” compliance crisis “Organizations rushing to adopt AI coding assistants without proper governance will face a reckoning in 2026. While ‘vibe coding’ feels efficient, it’s creating invisible and silent security gaps that traditional audits aren’t designed to catch. Companies that fail to implement AI-specific governance frameworks now will find themselves scrambling when regulators start asking hard questions about AI-generated code provenance and security controls.” —Shrav Mehta, CEO, Secureframe Cybersecurity hits the limits of system complexity “2026 is the year the cybersecurity industry confronts an uncomfortable truth: We’re nearing the fundamental limits of sustainable complexity in distributed systems. This isn’t about better tools or bigger budgets; it’s about the thermodynamic coordination constraints we’ve ignored for too long. Organizations that recognize this early—and design for graceful degradation—will adapt and survive.” —Trey Darley, founder, Proper Tools Companies will rehire for jobs eliminated by AI “Next year, companies that rushed to make layoffs hoping AI would fill a significant gap will realize they need to rehire to fill some of those roles. We saw this starting this year with companies like Klarna, rehiring to fill customer service roles that chatbots failed at. Next year, we’ll see more of this.” —Mahe Bayireddi, founder and CEO, Phenom 996 culture loses steam because the output is not real “We used to call it hustle culture, but this year it was rebranded to 996. Outside of short sprints (less than three months), I have never seen anyone produce long-term quality work for six days a week, 12+ hours in front of a screen. Actual output is similar to a normal day. VCs often push this culture more than founders, which fuels the perception that extreme hours are required. It’s not sustainable, and it signals that a company is not building a culture for the long term.” —Immad Akhund, cofounder and CEO, Mercury Book Recommendations Sound Is Not Enough by Svetlana Kouznetsova “The book explains why accessibility—particularly audio and communication accessibility—is not optional or a ‘nice to have,’ but a core business requirement for all organizations of any size.” —Svetlana Kouznetsova, accessibility strategy consultant The Art of Living by Epictetus “This book sits on my desk (and in my work bag when I am on the road) 365 days a year. I commit to reading a page from it every day and have for over a decade. It is a practical manual for Stoic philosophy—a reminder of core values and what’s actually in our control to live a happy, virtuous, and resilient life.” —Leagh Turner, CEO, Coupa The Odyssey by Homer “If you’re looking for inspiration on how to write a comeback story for your company, there’s no better tale than The Odyssey. On the surface, it’s a Marvel comic-style adventure story of a warrior conquering obstacle after obstacle—the Sirens’ song, Cyclops’ grasp, Charybdis’ pull. It’s also a story of leadership—of what it takes to overcome a fractious, even mutinous crew. It’s a tale of tapping into motivation (over 10 years!) and keeping your eyes on the prize.” —David Risher, CEO, Lyft Share your thoughts and recommendations What books, resolutions, or big ideas are you embracing in 2026? Write to me at stephaniemehta@mansueto.com, and we’ll revisit some of these topics throughout the year. Read more: the year ahead Venture investors share their market predictions How to rewire your brain for success in 2026 Five ways to build global teams this year View the full article

From customer experience to collaboration, security to content management, Zoho leads the way in AI for business. Recently the company discussed closing another AI gap, this time in finance. “Many people don’t take full advantage of our customization capabilities, even with very good low code, no code features,” says Prashant Ganti, Head of Finance Platform, Zoho. AI makes these customizations easier than ever before. Where You Need AI in Finance AI customization in the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform runs the gamut from invoice creation to reconciliation and anomaly detection. An important caveat must be considered here. AI in the Zoho ecosystem does not appear as one big all-encompassing feature. Instead, think of it as peppered throughout Zoho’s many financial tools giving assistance where and when it is needed. “It shows up in small but several meaningful ways that finance teams already work.” Ganti says. Zoho’s AI provides the heavy lifting in a number of areas where traditionally finance teams put in considerable manual effort. It offers levels of automation, customization and financial and operational oversight hitherto requiring considerable extra input from your team. And suppose, as is the case with many small businesses, you are that team! Take Back a Little of Your Time Imagine you run a commercial cleaning business in Saginaw, Michigan. Your roles include managing around 10 employees plus marketing to grow your business, inventorying cleaning supplies, and handling client communication. But wait! What about handling your business’s finances? This covers everything from billing your clients on time to managing your expenses to seeing your employees get paid. That probably means spending some extra time in the evening with your bookkeeping software. But somehow you need to get to your daughter’s dance recital. And first you need to do some grocery shopping and get an early dinner ready so everyone in your family can get there on time. Bet you wish there was a way to reclaim some of those hours! Learn Important Insights Of course, saving time isn’t the only benefit of using AI features in small businesses. You also get the opportunity to see your business in new ways. Imagine the challenges of a private nursing service in Vancouver, British Columbia. With about 20 employees servicing home and other clients, you would find your days filled with scheduling, compliance with local regulations, client intake and managing equipment. But valuable insights could be drawn from your financial records if only you had a team to suss them out. For example, projected increase in demand for services might let you know it’s time to hire another employee. But knowing ahead of time gives you flexibility instead of needing to quickly fill a position when the need arises. Smart home integration represents a growing trend in home healthcare. This service allows continuous real-time monitoring of home bound patients. You may have started such a service but spotting a growing demand lets you know it’s time to invest in more remote patient monitoring equipment. These include things like wearable sensors, smart thermometers and other connected devices. In both cases above, AI features in the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform can eliminate friction and help you move faster. However, small businesses may use these features in a variety of ways, depending on need. Have a Chat with Zia But even with all this power under the hood, how do small businesses find the time to use AI customization to their advantage? Fortunately, it all starts by having a little conversation with Zia. Zia happens to be Zoho’s signature AI assistant. As the company states on their website, Zia runs behind the scenes but also responds directly to queries and prompts. According to Ganti, uncovering the incredible values of Zoho’s AI enhancements in finance doesn’t involve hunting though more than 12 different Zoho financial products. “You can just ask what you need or act directly without navigating a lot of screens,” he explains. In a few clicks, he shows how prompting Zia can put the information you need instantly at your finger tips. “Here’s creating an invoice, pulling customers who brought a product, sending a payment reminder, checking for outstanding invoices, all from a single interface,” Ganti says. Get Help Creating an Invoice Say you’re a web developer in Dhaka, Bangladesh, or a content creator in Walla Walla, Washington. Both these small businesses share a common need. And it makes no difference they happen to be located on opposite sides of the planet. Both want to get paid once they’re delivered on a big project for a client. But both also share a common problem. Akash works alone in rented space at an incubator located in a Dhaka suburb. Melissa works in a converted office above her parents’ garage in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Neither of these hypothetical business owners have a billing department – or any backoffice for that matter. So sending out invoices means half an hour or longer in a graphic program or their bookkeeping software – neither one’s long suit. Contrast this with using Zia’s invoicing agent. The benefit in Zoho’s use of AI remains the fact that these features will do as much or as little as you need. “Zia can help you create an invoice, but it doesn’t need to take over. It assists,” explains Ganti. So, for example, your invoicing agent populates fields for customer, location, invoice number, date, and order number. It marks the invoice as “accounts receivables”. All of this information can be quickly pulled from existing data – especially in the case of recurring invoices. Finally, it can provide a description for your customer of what services the invoice covers. Of course, Zia needn’t do all that without your input. “At any point in time the user can step in to change details, validate numbers, adjust logic,” says Ganti. “We believe that balance is very, very critical in finance.” A few minutes later you have a professional looking and itemized bill on its way to a client. Harnessing the Power of Zoho Apps In the above example, Zia draws primarily from Zoho Invoice. The popular free Zoho app provides a boatload of features. Zoho invoice allows small business owners to streamline invoicing and collecting payments from clients. With Zoho Invoice you can: Make professional looking documents for your clients. Check for any necessary tax compliance issues. Send invoices to clients in more than 15 languages. Allow for a variety of payment options. Turn your approved project estimates into invoices. Track hours on projects and bill automatically for time worked. Create transparent access allowing clients to add payment info and star ratings. And AI makes this whole process even simpler. But Zia can draw from even broader sources across Zoho’s finance ecosystem. Just watch! Giving You A Snapshot Zia also offers help creating reports. Overviews on profit and loss, cash flow and liabilities and equity can be created with simple prompts. These reports assist business owners in seeing what is happening inside their company from a variety of different perspectives. For example, it offers a snapshot of where your business is now. But perhaps more importantly, it presents insights and predictions about where things are headed. In the example of the independent nursing service, you see where these kinds of predictions can allow you to exploit unrealized opportunities. But such predictions also allow a business owner to avoid dangerous pitfalls in their businesses as well. How Insights and Predictions Work for You Imagine you operate a general construction contractor in Topeka, Kansas specializing in custom built homes. At first glance, business seems good. But after seeing some alarming costs coming in from subcontractors you decide to do a deeper dive. After using Zia to create a customized profit and loss projection over the next five years, you get a nasty surprise. Though profits are indeed increasing, you realize increases in the costs of subcontracting services like electrical, plumbing, carpentry and masonry will soon overtake them. What’s worse, costs of materials including wood, steel, copper, aluminum and concrete also continue to rise. Though the report may prove upsetting, it also serves as a wakeup call. The projections have given you time to react. Over the next few months, you focus on seeking cheaper sources for materials and making changes in your building process to save costs. You also need to negotiate with subcontractors to reduce costs or find replacements. And, of course, you need to adjust your builder’s fee and increase the number of projects in your pipeline. This represents considerable effort, but would have been impossible without AI insights from Zia. Pulling Things All Together Reports like these become possible only because Zoho’s AI features allow you to pull together data from across its finance ecosystem. Materials like invoices, related sales orders, estimates, customer details, and much more can be assembled into reports that reveal a variety of insights, Ganti explains. Hunting for these insights amongst all the data you and your team have compiled over months and perhaps years would be daunting. “There is a lot of resistance and people may not actually get the information they want,” Ganti explains. But a few prompts to Zoho’s AI may turn all that around. Suddenly, you possess actionable data. “Here, you tell the system what you want and it’s able to build that report for you,” Ganti adds. These reports forecast changes or trends based on historical patterns. In short, they give you and your team a kind of crystal ball to see into the future of your business and prepare for it. And that beats playing catch up any day. Using Anomaly Detection Zoho’s AI integration offers yet another way to analyze finances in your small business for a very different threat. Zoho’s anomaly detection draws together data to show things like spiking expenses or falling revenue before a quarterly review might detect them. “This again is very important, helping users to spot things that don’t look right, catching issues earlier,” Ganti explains. However, in this case, changes happen not gradually over time with implications in the future. They happen more suddenly. And such changes may indicate problems that need a quicker response. Playing Detective with AI in Zoho Finance and Operations Platform So, how might this all play out in a small business setting? Let’s have a closer look. Imagine an education company in Minneapolis, Minnesota selling online courses for download. A few reports compiled by the financial officer show some alarming anomalies. Though downloads of courses remain steady, one report shows an unexpected decline in revenue over the last few weeks. Meanwhile another report shows an alarming sudden uptick in expenses despite no significant change in operations. A bit of digging reveals an increase in chargebacks by customers disputing payments after downloading courses. At the same time the company’s content marketing agency increased billings for additional projects that were never approved. Our hypothetical education company disputes the chargebacks all occurring through the same payment portal and flags this vendor as higher risk in the future. They also dismiss their content marketing agency after a compromise cannot be reached on the billing dispute. Zoho Payments Uses AI to Flag Risks Already One additional point needs to be made with regards to AI used to flag fraud. As part of its Zoho Payments platform, Zoho already uses AI behind the scenes to separate vendors using its payment gateway into risk categories. Zoho’s AI works to identify suspicious payment modifications, assign risk scores and block suspicious transactions. Streamlining Reconciliation Leaves More Time for the Big Stuff Finally, reconciling bank statements, accounts receivable, accounts payable and expenses represent a time intensive activity. This happens to be true whether it is performed by your team – or by you depending on the size of your business. Wouldn’t it help to automate this process with a system that learns, reconciles and even categorizes repeating incoming payments, expenses and all the rest? “So most finance professionals don’t want to spend time on reconciliation first thing on a Monday morning,” Ganti explains. Now they don’t need to and can get on to more important tasks to help you grow your business. Final Thoughts From invoice creation to insights and predictions, anomaly detection to reconciliation, Zoho Finance uses AI to streamline operations and increase knowledge. When you know more about the financial health of your business, you can respond proactively to problems where they exist. For more on how the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform and its AI updates can help your small business thrive, contact the Zoho sales team today. This article, "Zoho Closes More AI Gaps with New Finance Updates" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

From customer experience to collaboration, security to content management, Zoho leads the way in AI for business. Recently the company discussed closing another AI gap, this time in finance. “Many people don’t take full advantage of our customization capabilities, even with very good low code, no code features,” says Prashant Ganti, Head of Finance Platform, Zoho. AI makes these customizations easier than ever before. Where You Need AI in Finance AI customization in the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform runs the gamut from invoice creation to reconciliation and anomaly detection. An important caveat must be considered here. AI in the Zoho ecosystem does not appear as one big all-encompassing feature. Instead, think of it as peppered throughout Zoho’s many financial tools giving assistance where and when it is needed. “It shows up in small but several meaningful ways that finance teams already work.” Ganti says. Zoho’s AI provides the heavy lifting in a number of areas where traditionally finance teams put in considerable manual effort. It offers levels of automation, customization and financial and operational oversight hitherto requiring considerable extra input from your team. And suppose, as is the case with many small businesses, you are that team! Take Back a Little of Your Time Imagine you run a commercial cleaning business in Saginaw, Michigan. Your roles include managing around 10 employees plus marketing to grow your business, inventorying cleaning supplies, and handling client communication. But wait! What about handling your business’s finances? This covers everything from billing your clients on time to managing your expenses to seeing your employees get paid. That probably means spending some extra time in the evening with your bookkeeping software. But somehow you need to get to your daughter’s dance recital. And first you need to do some grocery shopping and get an early dinner ready so everyone in your family can get there on time. Bet you wish there was a way to reclaim some of those hours! Learn Important Insights Of course, saving time isn’t the only benefit of using AI features in small businesses. You also get the opportunity to see your business in new ways. Imagine the challenges of a private nursing service in Vancouver, British Columbia. With about 20 employees servicing home and other clients, you would find your days filled with scheduling, compliance with local regulations, client intake and managing equipment. But valuable insights could be drawn from your financial records if only you had a team to suss them out. For example, projected increase in demand for services might let you know it’s time to hire another employee. But knowing ahead of time gives you flexibility instead of needing to quickly fill a position when the need arises. Smart home integration represents a growing trend in home healthcare. This service allows continuous real-time monitoring of home bound patients. You may have started such a service but spotting a growing demand lets you know it’s time to invest in more remote patient monitoring equipment. These include things like wearable sensors, smart thermometers and other connected devices. In both cases above, AI features in the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform can eliminate friction and help you move faster. However, small businesses may use these features in a variety of ways, depending on need. Have a Chat with Zia But even with all this power under the hood, how do small businesses find the time to use AI customization to their advantage? Fortunately, it all starts by having a little conversation with Zia. Zia happens to be Zoho’s signature AI assistant. As the company states on their website, Zia runs behind the scenes but also responds directly to queries and prompts. According to Ganti, uncovering the incredible values of Zoho’s AI enhancements in finance doesn’t involve hunting though more than 12 different Zoho financial products. “You can just ask what you need or act directly without navigating a lot of screens,” he explains. In a few clicks, he shows how prompting Zia can put the information you need instantly at your finger tips. “Here’s creating an invoice, pulling customers who brought a product, sending a payment reminder, checking for outstanding invoices, all from a single interface,” Ganti says. Get Help Creating an Invoice Say you’re a web developer in Dhaka, Bangladesh, or a content creator in Walla Walla, Washington. Both these small businesses share a common need. And it makes no difference they happen to be located on opposite sides of the planet. Both want to get paid once they’re delivered on a big project for a client. But both also share a common problem. Akash works alone in rented space at an incubator located in a Dhaka suburb. Melissa works in a converted office above her parents’ garage in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Neither of these hypothetical business owners have a billing department – or any backoffice for that matter. So sending out invoices means half an hour or longer in a graphic program or their bookkeeping software – neither one’s long suit. Contrast this with using Zia’s invoicing agent. The benefit in Zoho’s use of AI remains the fact that these features will do as much or as little as you need. “Zia can help you create an invoice, but it doesn’t need to take over. It assists,” explains Ganti. So, for example, your invoicing agent populates fields for customer, location, invoice number, date, and order number. It marks the invoice as “accounts receivables”. All of this information can be quickly pulled from existing data – especially in the case of recurring invoices. Finally, it can provide a description for your customer of what services the invoice covers. Of course, Zia needn’t do all that without your input. “At any point in time the user can step in to change details, validate numbers, adjust logic,” says Ganti. “We believe that balance is very, very critical in finance.” A few minutes later you have a professional looking and itemized bill on its way to a client. Harnessing the Power of Zoho Apps In the above example, Zia draws primarily from Zoho Invoice. The popular free Zoho app provides a boatload of features. Zoho invoice allows small business owners to streamline invoicing and collecting payments from clients. With Zoho Invoice you can: Make professional looking documents for your clients. Check for any necessary tax compliance issues. Send invoices to clients in more than 15 languages. Allow for a variety of payment options. Turn your approved project estimates into invoices. Track hours on projects and bill automatically for time worked. Create transparent access allowing clients to add payment info and star ratings. And AI makes this whole process even simpler. But Zia can draw from even broader sources across Zoho’s finance ecosystem. Just watch! Giving You A Snapshot Zia also offers help creating reports. Overviews on profit and loss, cash flow and liabilities and equity can be created with simple prompts. These reports assist business owners in seeing what is happening inside their company from a variety of different perspectives. For example, it offers a snapshot of where your business is now. But perhaps more importantly, it presents insights and predictions about where things are headed. In the example of the independent nursing service, you see where these kinds of predictions can allow you to exploit unrealized opportunities. But such predictions also allow a business owner to avoid dangerous pitfalls in their businesses as well. How Insights and Predictions Work for You Imagine you operate a general construction contractor in Topeka, Kansas specializing in custom built homes. At first glance, business seems good. But after seeing some alarming costs coming in from subcontractors you decide to do a deeper dive. After using Zia to create a customized profit and loss projection over the next five years, you get a nasty surprise. Though profits are indeed increasing, you realize increases in the costs of subcontracting services like electrical, plumbing, carpentry and masonry will soon overtake them. What’s worse, costs of materials including wood, steel, copper, aluminum and concrete also continue to rise. Though the report may prove upsetting, it also serves as a wakeup call. The projections have given you time to react. Over the next few months, you focus on seeking cheaper sources for materials and making changes in your building process to save costs. You also need to negotiate with subcontractors to reduce costs or find replacements. And, of course, you need to adjust your builder’s fee and increase the number of projects in your pipeline. This represents considerable effort, but would have been impossible without AI insights from Zia. Pulling Things All Together Reports like these become possible only because Zoho’s AI features allow you to pull together data from across its finance ecosystem. Materials like invoices, related sales orders, estimates, customer details, and much more can be assembled into reports that reveal a variety of insights, Ganti explains. Hunting for these insights amongst all the data you and your team have compiled over months and perhaps years would be daunting. “There is a lot of resistance and people may not actually get the information they want,” Ganti explains. But a few prompts to Zoho’s AI may turn all that around. Suddenly, you possess actionable data. “Here, you tell the system what you want and it’s able to build that report for you,” Ganti adds. These reports forecast changes or trends based on historical patterns. In short, they give you and your team a kind of crystal ball to see into the future of your business and prepare for it. And that beats playing catch up any day. Using Anomaly Detection Zoho’s AI integration offers yet another way to analyze finances in your small business for a very different threat. Zoho’s anomaly detection draws together data to show things like spiking expenses or falling revenue before a quarterly review might detect them. “This again is very important, helping users to spot things that don’t look right, catching issues earlier,” Ganti explains. However, in this case, changes happen not gradually over time with implications in the future. They happen more suddenly. And such changes may indicate problems that need a quicker response. Playing Detective with AI in Zoho Finance and Operations Platform So, how might this all play out in a small business setting? Let’s have a closer look. Imagine an education company in Minneapolis, Minnesota selling online courses for download. A few reports compiled by the financial officer show some alarming anomalies. Though downloads of courses remain steady, one report shows an unexpected decline in revenue over the last few weeks. Meanwhile another report shows an alarming sudden uptick in expenses despite no significant change in operations. A bit of digging reveals an increase in chargebacks by customers disputing payments after downloading courses. At the same time the company’s content marketing agency increased billings for additional projects that were never approved. Our hypothetical education company disputes the chargebacks all occurring through the same payment portal and flags this vendor as higher risk in the future. They also dismiss their content marketing agency after a compromise cannot be reached on the billing dispute. Zoho Payments Uses AI to Flag Risks Already One additional point needs to be made with regards to AI used to flag fraud. As part of its Zoho Payments platform, Zoho already uses AI behind the scenes to separate vendors using its payment gateway into risk categories. Zoho’s AI works to identify suspicious payment modifications, assign risk scores and block suspicious transactions. Streamlining Reconciliation Leaves More Time for the Big Stuff Finally, reconciling bank statements, accounts receivable, accounts payable and expenses represent a time intensive activity. This happens to be true whether it is performed by your team – or by you depending on the size of your business. Wouldn’t it help to automate this process with a system that learns, reconciles and even categorizes repeating incoming payments, expenses and all the rest? “So most finance professionals don’t want to spend time on reconciliation first thing on a Monday morning,” Ganti explains. Now they don’t need to and can get on to more important tasks to help you grow your business. Final Thoughts From invoice creation to insights and predictions, anomaly detection to reconciliation, Zoho Finance uses AI to streamline operations and increase knowledge. When you know more about the financial health of your business, you can respond proactively to problems where they exist. For more on how the Zoho Finance and Operations Platform and its AI updates can help your small business thrive, contact the Zoho sales team today. This article, "Zoho Closes More AI Gaps with New Finance Updates" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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