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Flu season is here and it’s shaping up to be a bad one. Cases of the flu are rising sharply across the country – and that’s when looking at data collected right before the holiday. In the U.S., the CDC estimates 7.5 million flu cases so far this season, with 81,000 hospitalizations and more than 3,000 deaths. So far this season eight children have died from flu-related causes according to the CDC, with five of those deaths reported this week. According to CDC data for the week ending on December 20, 32 states reported high or very high levels of illness with flu symptoms, up from 17 states reporting that level of flu activity the week prior. New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Louisiana and Colorado are the states with the most extreme levels of flu-like illness, with many neighboring states also reporting very high levels. New York just broke a record by reporting its highest load of flu cases in a single week. “It’s the hospitalizations right now that are getting my attention,” New York State health commissioner James McDonald told Albany’s CBS6. “The weekend of December 20 we reported over 3,600 people in the hospital from the flu in New York state. Why that’s important is that was more than the peak of last year.” “What we’re seeing with this strain of flu is more contagious, more severe disease,” McDonald said, adding that it isn’t too late to get the flu vaccine, especially children and older adults. In New York, 40% of people hospitalized from the flu are older than 75, but infants are the second largest group requiring hospitalization. Part of what is making this season shape up to be a brutal one for the flu is the emergence of a new variant of the virus, known as “subclade K” (a subclade refers to a subgroup of a strain of a virus). Subclade K is a newer subtype of influenza A/H3N2 that emerged over the summer, complicating the protection from the flu vaccine, which was formulated using different reference strains of the virus from subclade J. Still, that situation isn’t completely uncommon – the vaccine and the dominant strain sometimes mismatch from year to year. While the term “super flu” is getting tossed around already, the vaccine formulation still likely provides some protection against the dominant subclade K form of the virus, as well as offering a buffer for the better-matched but less dominant strain. A perfect storm Seasonal illness spikes around the holidays each year as people travel to see loved ones and gather inside to celebrate. This year is no different, and the flu is joined by a lineup of other seasonal illnesses that includes COVID and norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. Other serious and extremely contagious illnesses like whooping cough and measles are also on the uptick in the U.S. this year, as waning vaccination rates take their toll on public health. Vaccine skepticism, once a fringe belief, now sits much closer toward the center of political beliefs in the U.S. Avowed vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr now shapes U.S. health policy from the very top, after building a career from promoting lucrative anti-vaccine causes. Another top The President health official, Dr. Mehmet Oz, referred to the flu vaccine as “controversial” in an appearance on Newsmax this week, pointing viewers toward “MAHA” tips like taking zinc, eating well and coughing into the crook of your arm to protect against a flu infection. Oz called sleep the “most important tool of all” in protecting against a flu infection, failing to recommend the flu vaccine to the network’s viewers. “Flu is always a problem. Every year there’s a flu vaccine. It doesn’t always work very well. That’s why it’s been controversial of late,” Oz said. “But like many illnesses, the best news out there is if you can take care of yourself, so that when you do end up running into the flu, you can overwhelm it.” An explosion of vaccine misinformation in recent years coupled with Covid-era fatigue has created the perfect storm for a public health crisis in the U.S., and we’re only just beginning to see the consequences. View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the federal employee wondering whether to stick it out or leave (#3 at the link)? Here’s the update. Here’s a bit of an update from one of the federal employees who wrote in back in January. Not much has changed on my end, although it’s been a long year. I’ve gotten a resume completed, which at least is a step closer than I’ve been in over a decade to looking for another job, and have looked around, but haven’t found anything that would work for my situation. Right now is a lousy time to be looking for work; everything I’ve found has been for half my current salary, which is not financially feasible, or is for positions I have absolutely no training in or aptitude for (think nursing or engineering positions which require specific degrees). My spouse has a disability that means they haven’t been able to work for awhile (over a year), and also means that the golden handcuffs of awesome benefits are more important than they were in the past. At the same time, things have not gotten as much worse in my job as I originally feared they would. I work for an agency that pays out benefits (think something like VA benefits [benefits for military veterans, for those not from the U.S.]), which means that we are extremely popular with the public and it’s harder for them to destroy us – not that they haven’t tried, but the push-back was extreme enough that they backed off (unlike, say, science-based agencies which have been harmed beyond words). There have been unpleasant changes but most of them are on the level of higher workloads with fewer staff. I’m burned out on all of this but have managed to keep my sanity. I’ve taken the good advice from this website that I can’t care more about the job than the people in charge. They want to make it harder on us so we will quit or be demoralized? Good for them; I’m going to show up, do as much work as I can complete in 8 hours, and then go home. More stuff left on my plate? That’s a problem for future me to figure out when I come back in the next day. We aren’t meeting our increasingly unrealistic numbers? I guess they should have hired more people; they’ll get what they get when they get it. So for the moment I’m in a holding pattern. I’m still keeping my eyes a little bit open for other stuff I could apply to. I’ve discussed with my spouse what changes at my work I would consider immoral enough to resign; as mentioned above, our program has been relatively unscathed, but I do not want to be the proverbial frog in a slowly boiling pot. I’m trying to get all of my medical stuff taken care of as soon as possible while I know I’ve still got the good coverage. Right now I’m 3 years away from early retirement age, and my tentative plan is to hold out until then so my spouse and I can have the health insurance benefits that will last the rest of our lives. We’ll see if I make it that far; I am feeling so burned out! And I recognize that the people in power would love to cut those benefits if at all possible, so this could be the fairy gold that turns to dried leaves in my hands. But it’s a specific, concrete goal that is feasible given the current state of affairs, and it will mean a lot to my family if I can make it there and keep that retirement insurance. And if I get the reduced pension that I’d get in 3 years, that gives more wiggle room to apply for a job that will pay less, if that’s still what’s available then. Or who knows? Maybe my spouse will return to work; maybe the job situation will change and I’ll find something else that will pay enough for us to survive on; maybe there will be a radical shift in the powers that be at my job and things will get either better or so much worse I have to leave. At least for right now, we have a roof over our heads, food on the table, and kibble in the cat dishes, and that’s what I can manage for the moment. The post update: the federal employee wondering whether to stick it out or leave appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

A majority of recent sellers said they offered to cover closing costs, with many also buying down mortgage rates, according to a new report from Zillow. View the full article

Developing class action cases could corral hundreds of thousands of plaintiffs in fights against lenders who allegedly defrauded customers and employees. View the full article

The Mortgage Bankers Association is examining the data to see if the high ratio warrants a new push for a premium cut but said rising arrears call for caution. View the full article

If you’re managing social media, choosing the right planners can greatly improve your content strategy. Each planner offers unique features customized for different needs, from content curation to community engagement. For instance, some planners excel in analytics, whereas others focus on visual content management. Comprehending these tools can streamline your processes and boost your overall effectiveness. Let’s explore the seven crucial social media planners that can transform how you manage your online presence. Key Takeaways Post Planner offers AI-assisted content generation and bulk scheduling, ideal for maximizing engagement and recycling top-performing posts. Buffer provides a user-friendly interface for managing multiple platforms, making it great for small businesses and individuals. SocialPilot delivers comprehensive account management, white-label solutions for agencies, and detailed analytics to refine content strategies. Hootsuite excels in community engagement with features for tracking audience interactions and social listening to enhance customer satisfaction. Later focuses on visual content, offering a drag-and-drop calendar and analytics specifically designed for Instagram and visually-driven platforms. Best for Content Curation & Scheduling Social Media Posts: Post Planner When you’re managing social media, finding the right tools to streamline your content curation and scheduling can make a significant difference in your efficiency. Post Planner stands out as one of the best social media scheduling tools, especially for content curation and scheduling social media posts. It allows you to curate relevant articles and visuals effortlessly, ensuring you always have engaging content ready to share. You can schedule bulk posts in advance and recycle your top-performing content, which helps maintain consistency. Furthermore, its AI-powered writing assistant generates post ideas, keeping your content fresh. With social media analytics tools, you can analyze historical post engagement, making it easier to refine your strategies for platforms like Instagram. Good for Community Interaction: Hootsuite In terms of community interaction, Hootsuite stands out with its engagement tracking features that help you monitor how your audience is responding. You can directly reply to comments from a unified inbox, making it easier to maintain conversations across different platforms. Furthermore, Hootsuite’s social listening tools allow you to stay updated on brand mentions and industry discussions, enabling you to seize opportunities for meaningful engagement. Engagement Tracking Features Engagement tracking features are vital for managing community interaction effectively, and Hootsuite thrives in this area. With its unified inbox, you can easily consolidate messages and comments from various social media platforms, streamlining your engagement management. Hootsuite’s advanced social listening tools let you monitor brand mentions and relevant conversations, enhancing your community interaction. As part of its social media management services, the platform allows you to analyze audience interactions, measuring the effectiveness of your community-building efforts. Moreover, Hootsuite’s reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into engagement metrics, helping you refine your strategies. Utilizing this social media analytics software empowers you to cultivate stronger community connections, making it an indispensable tool for any social media planners focused on effective content management. Direct Comment Replies Effective community interaction hinges on the ability to respond swiftly and directly to audience feedback, and Hootsuite shines in this area with its direct comment reply feature. This tool allows you to reply directly to comments from a unified dashboard, streamlining your interactions across various social media platforms. By enabling real-time responses, Hootsuite boosts engagement and nurtures a stronger connection between your brand and its audience. You can monitor comments and messages all in one place, greatly reducing the time spent switching between different accounts. Timely communication through direct replies improves customer satisfaction, ultimately assisting you in building a more loyal community and improving your online reputation. With Hootsuite, managing engagements becomes efficient and effective. Social Listening Tools Many brands find that utilizing social listening tools is essential for nurturing community interaction and enhancing overall engagement. Hootsuite’s platform allows you to monitor brand mentions and relevant conversations across social media, which strengthens your response strategies. You can gain insights into audience sentiment and demographic data, helping you tailor content and interactions for effective community management. By tracking specific keywords and hashtags, you can identify trending topics and engage with your audience in a timely manner. Hootsuite’s unified inbox consolidates messages from various channels, streamlining communication and ensuring quick responses. Furthermore, you can save important posts and mentions for future reference, aiding in the ongoing analysis of community feedback and engagement trends. Best for Simplicity: Buffer In regard to social media management, Buffer stands out for its simplicity and ease of use. This tool features a user-friendly interface, making it straightforward for users of all skill levels to schedule and post content. You can seamlessly manage multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, from a single dashboard. Buffer furthermore provides basic analytics, allowing you to measure post performance and engagement, which helps refine your social media strategy over time. For individuals or small businesses, Buffer offers a free plan that suits basic needs, whereas paid plans start at a competitive price point to accommodate various requirements. Its effectiveness and simplicity have made Buffer a popular choice for maintaining an organized social media presence without added complexity. For Posting on Pinterest: Tailwind In terms of posting on Pinterest, Tailwind offers unique features that cater particularly to the platform’s needs. With smart scheduling and optimized posting times, you can improve your audience engagement as you use free monthly credits to test different content strategies. Moreover, Tailwind’s visual content creation tools and strong analytics help you track performance, ensuring your Pins not just look great but likewise drive results. Unique Pinterest Features Tailwind offers a range of unique features designed particularly for Pinterest that can remarkably improve your content management strategy. Its smart scheduling optimizes your posting times based on audience engagement patterns, ensuring your pins reach the right people at the right moments. With a visual content calendar, you can easily plan and organize your pinning strategy using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. The SmartLoop feature automatically recycles your evergreen content, maintaining consistent engagement without constant manual posting. Tailwind’s analytics tools provide valuable insights into pin performance and audience interaction, helping you refine your strategies for better results. Moreover, the content discovery feature allows you to find trending topics and popular pins, enhancing your content planning efforts considerably. Pricing and Plans For those looking to manage their Pinterest content effectively, Tailwind offers a range of pricing plans suited to various needs and budgets. You can start with a free plan, which includes monthly posting credits, allowing you to test the waters without any financial commitment. If you decide to upgrade, Tailwind’s pricing starts at $12.99 per month when billed annually and reveals advanced features like SmartSchedule and analytics. For those needing more flexibility, additional monthly credits are available for purchase. Businesses opting for annual billing can take advantage of a 15% discount, making it a smart choice for long-term users. Plus, new users can explore Tailwind’s features through a free trial before committing to a paid plan. Good for Agencies: Socialpilot SocialPilot stands out as a robust solution for agencies managing multiple client accounts, offering a suite of features personalized to streamline social media operations. With white-label capabilities, you can easily manage clients’ brands while providing detailed analytics and performance reports. The platform allows bulk scheduling for up to 500 posts using CSV files, making it incredibly efficient for handling numerous campaigns. Its unified social inbox simplifies communication by letting you manage comments and messages from all connected accounts in one place. Moreover, SocialPilot’s thorough analytics tools provide insights that help you refine your strategies based on performance data. With affordable pricing plans designed for small to medium-sized agencies, it guarantees cost-effectiveness when managing multiple social media profiles. Best for Instagram: Later When managing social media accounts, particularly for visually-driven platforms like Instagram, choosing the right tool can greatly improve your content strategy. Later stands out as a popular choice, particularly designed for Instagram. Its visual content calendar allows you to drag-and-drop posts, making scheduling effortless. Although Later supports multiple platforms, its features are optimized for Instagram, catering to visual content creators and marketers. You can manage your media library, storing and organizing photos and videos for streamlined content creation. Moreover, Later offers analytics tools to track post performance and engagement metrics, enabling you to refine your Instagram strategy. With pricing starting at $25 per month and a 14-day free trial, it’s an excellent option to explore. Good for Competitor Analysis: Onlypult Onlypult is a strong tool for social media management that stands out in competitor analysis, particularly for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With this platform, you can post to 14 different social networks from a single dashboard, simplifying your workflow. Its competitor analysis features enable you to track follower patterns and ideal posting times based on engagement metrics, giving you insight into your rivals’ strategies. Furthermore, Onlypult offers a website builder and a brand mention tracker, enhancing your ability to monitor both competitors and your own brand’s presence online. Advanced scheduling options help you maintain a consistent posting schedule whilst remaining aware of competitors’ activities. Users typically rate Onlypult between 4 and 5 stars, appreciating its Instagram-first approach. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Content Planner for Social Media? Choosing the best content planner for social media depends on your needs. If you’re a small business, consider Post Planner for its affordability and AI features. For larger companies, Hootsuite offers extensive analytics but at a higher cost. Agencies might prefer SocialPilot for its team collaboration tools. If Instagram’s your focus, Later’s drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly. Agorapulse provides advanced scheduling and analytics, making it suitable for growing businesses. Evaluate your budget and requirements before deciding. What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media suggests you share a balanced mix of content. For every five promotional posts, include five educational posts that inform your audience and five entertaining posts that engage them. This strategy prevents content fatigue, boosts your brand’s credibility, and cultivates stronger connections with your audience. By diversifying your posts, you can improve engagement metrics and encourage follower loyalty, ensuring your content remains fresh and appealing. What Is the 5 3 2 Rule for Social Media? The 5 3 2 rule for social media suggests you balance your content effectively. For every ten posts, five should share valuable insights from others, three should include your personal thoughts or company updates, and two should focus on promotional material. This strategy helps you keep your audience engaged, prevents over-promotion, and nurtures meaningful connections. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule for Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule for social media suggests you allocate your content strategically: 70% should be original and relevant to your audience, 20% should come from curated sources, and 10% should focus on promotions. This approach emphasizes building relationships and engagement through valuable content rather than constant self-promotion. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right social media planner can greatly improve your content management strategy. Post Planner is ideal for content curation and scheduling, whereas Hootsuite thrives in community interaction. Buffer offers simplicity for users, and Tailwind is perfect for Pinterest. SocialPilot caters to agencies with its advanced features, Later focuses on Instagram, and Onlypult provides insights into competitors. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline your social media efforts and boost overall engagement and effectiveness. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Social Media Planners for Effective Content Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re managing social media, choosing the right planners can greatly improve your content strategy. Each planner offers unique features customized for different needs, from content curation to community engagement. For instance, some planners excel in analytics, whereas others focus on visual content management. Comprehending these tools can streamline your processes and boost your overall effectiveness. Let’s explore the seven crucial social media planners that can transform how you manage your online presence. Key Takeaways Post Planner offers AI-assisted content generation and bulk scheduling, ideal for maximizing engagement and recycling top-performing posts. Buffer provides a user-friendly interface for managing multiple platforms, making it great for small businesses and individuals. SocialPilot delivers comprehensive account management, white-label solutions for agencies, and detailed analytics to refine content strategies. Hootsuite excels in community engagement with features for tracking audience interactions and social listening to enhance customer satisfaction. Later focuses on visual content, offering a drag-and-drop calendar and analytics specifically designed for Instagram and visually-driven platforms. Best for Content Curation & Scheduling Social Media Posts: Post Planner When you’re managing social media, finding the right tools to streamline your content curation and scheduling can make a significant difference in your efficiency. Post Planner stands out as one of the best social media scheduling tools, especially for content curation and scheduling social media posts. It allows you to curate relevant articles and visuals effortlessly, ensuring you always have engaging content ready to share. You can schedule bulk posts in advance and recycle your top-performing content, which helps maintain consistency. Furthermore, its AI-powered writing assistant generates post ideas, keeping your content fresh. With social media analytics tools, you can analyze historical post engagement, making it easier to refine your strategies for platforms like Instagram. Good for Community Interaction: Hootsuite In terms of community interaction, Hootsuite stands out with its engagement tracking features that help you monitor how your audience is responding. You can directly reply to comments from a unified inbox, making it easier to maintain conversations across different platforms. Furthermore, Hootsuite’s social listening tools allow you to stay updated on brand mentions and industry discussions, enabling you to seize opportunities for meaningful engagement. Engagement Tracking Features Engagement tracking features are vital for managing community interaction effectively, and Hootsuite thrives in this area. With its unified inbox, you can easily consolidate messages and comments from various social media platforms, streamlining your engagement management. Hootsuite’s advanced social listening tools let you monitor brand mentions and relevant conversations, enhancing your community interaction. As part of its social media management services, the platform allows you to analyze audience interactions, measuring the effectiveness of your community-building efforts. Moreover, Hootsuite’s reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into engagement metrics, helping you refine your strategies. Utilizing this social media analytics software empowers you to cultivate stronger community connections, making it an indispensable tool for any social media planners focused on effective content management. Direct Comment Replies Effective community interaction hinges on the ability to respond swiftly and directly to audience feedback, and Hootsuite shines in this area with its direct comment reply feature. This tool allows you to reply directly to comments from a unified dashboard, streamlining your interactions across various social media platforms. By enabling real-time responses, Hootsuite boosts engagement and nurtures a stronger connection between your brand and its audience. You can monitor comments and messages all in one place, greatly reducing the time spent switching between different accounts. Timely communication through direct replies improves customer satisfaction, ultimately assisting you in building a more loyal community and improving your online reputation. With Hootsuite, managing engagements becomes efficient and effective. Social Listening Tools Many brands find that utilizing social listening tools is essential for nurturing community interaction and enhancing overall engagement. Hootsuite’s platform allows you to monitor brand mentions and relevant conversations across social media, which strengthens your response strategies. You can gain insights into audience sentiment and demographic data, helping you tailor content and interactions for effective community management. By tracking specific keywords and hashtags, you can identify trending topics and engage with your audience in a timely manner. Hootsuite’s unified inbox consolidates messages from various channels, streamlining communication and ensuring quick responses. Furthermore, you can save important posts and mentions for future reference, aiding in the ongoing analysis of community feedback and engagement trends. Best for Simplicity: Buffer In regard to social media management, Buffer stands out for its simplicity and ease of use. This tool features a user-friendly interface, making it straightforward for users of all skill levels to schedule and post content. You can seamlessly manage multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, from a single dashboard. Buffer furthermore provides basic analytics, allowing you to measure post performance and engagement, which helps refine your social media strategy over time. For individuals or small businesses, Buffer offers a free plan that suits basic needs, whereas paid plans start at a competitive price point to accommodate various requirements. Its effectiveness and simplicity have made Buffer a popular choice for maintaining an organized social media presence without added complexity. For Posting on Pinterest: Tailwind In terms of posting on Pinterest, Tailwind offers unique features that cater particularly to the platform’s needs. With smart scheduling and optimized posting times, you can improve your audience engagement as you use free monthly credits to test different content strategies. Moreover, Tailwind’s visual content creation tools and strong analytics help you track performance, ensuring your Pins not just look great but likewise drive results. Unique Pinterest Features Tailwind offers a range of unique features designed particularly for Pinterest that can remarkably improve your content management strategy. Its smart scheduling optimizes your posting times based on audience engagement patterns, ensuring your pins reach the right people at the right moments. With a visual content calendar, you can easily plan and organize your pinning strategy using a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface. The SmartLoop feature automatically recycles your evergreen content, maintaining consistent engagement without constant manual posting. Tailwind’s analytics tools provide valuable insights into pin performance and audience interaction, helping you refine your strategies for better results. Moreover, the content discovery feature allows you to find trending topics and popular pins, enhancing your content planning efforts considerably. Pricing and Plans For those looking to manage their Pinterest content effectively, Tailwind offers a range of pricing plans suited to various needs and budgets. You can start with a free plan, which includes monthly posting credits, allowing you to test the waters without any financial commitment. If you decide to upgrade, Tailwind’s pricing starts at $12.99 per month when billed annually and reveals advanced features like SmartSchedule and analytics. For those needing more flexibility, additional monthly credits are available for purchase. Businesses opting for annual billing can take advantage of a 15% discount, making it a smart choice for long-term users. Plus, new users can explore Tailwind’s features through a free trial before committing to a paid plan. Good for Agencies: Socialpilot SocialPilot stands out as a robust solution for agencies managing multiple client accounts, offering a suite of features personalized to streamline social media operations. With white-label capabilities, you can easily manage clients’ brands while providing detailed analytics and performance reports. The platform allows bulk scheduling for up to 500 posts using CSV files, making it incredibly efficient for handling numerous campaigns. Its unified social inbox simplifies communication by letting you manage comments and messages from all connected accounts in one place. Moreover, SocialPilot’s thorough analytics tools provide insights that help you refine your strategies based on performance data. With affordable pricing plans designed for small to medium-sized agencies, it guarantees cost-effectiveness when managing multiple social media profiles. Best for Instagram: Later When managing social media accounts, particularly for visually-driven platforms like Instagram, choosing the right tool can greatly improve your content strategy. Later stands out as a popular choice, particularly designed for Instagram. Its visual content calendar allows you to drag-and-drop posts, making scheduling effortless. Although Later supports multiple platforms, its features are optimized for Instagram, catering to visual content creators and marketers. You can manage your media library, storing and organizing photos and videos for streamlined content creation. Moreover, Later offers analytics tools to track post performance and engagement metrics, enabling you to refine your Instagram strategy. With pricing starting at $25 per month and a 14-day free trial, it’s an excellent option to explore. Good for Competitor Analysis: Onlypult Onlypult is a strong tool for social media management that stands out in competitor analysis, particularly for platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With this platform, you can post to 14 different social networks from a single dashboard, simplifying your workflow. Its competitor analysis features enable you to track follower patterns and ideal posting times based on engagement metrics, giving you insight into your rivals’ strategies. Furthermore, Onlypult offers a website builder and a brand mention tracker, enhancing your ability to monitor both competitors and your own brand’s presence online. Advanced scheduling options help you maintain a consistent posting schedule whilst remaining aware of competitors’ activities. Users typically rate Onlypult between 4 and 5 stars, appreciating its Instagram-first approach. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Content Planner for Social Media? Choosing the best content planner for social media depends on your needs. If you’re a small business, consider Post Planner for its affordability and AI features. For larger companies, Hootsuite offers extensive analytics but at a higher cost. Agencies might prefer SocialPilot for its team collaboration tools. If Instagram’s your focus, Later’s drag-and-drop interface is user-friendly. Agorapulse provides advanced scheduling and analytics, making it suitable for growing businesses. Evaluate your budget and requirements before deciding. What Is the 5 5 5 Rule on Social Media? The 5 5 5 rule on social media suggests you share a balanced mix of content. For every five promotional posts, include five educational posts that inform your audience and five entertaining posts that engage them. This strategy prevents content fatigue, boosts your brand’s credibility, and cultivates stronger connections with your audience. By diversifying your posts, you can improve engagement metrics and encourage follower loyalty, ensuring your content remains fresh and appealing. What Is the 5 3 2 Rule for Social Media? The 5 3 2 rule for social media suggests you balance your content effectively. For every ten posts, five should share valuable insights from others, three should include your personal thoughts or company updates, and two should focus on promotional material. This strategy helps you keep your audience engaged, prevents over-promotion, and nurtures meaningful connections. What Is the 70/20/10 Rule for Social Media? The 70/20/10 rule for social media suggests you allocate your content strategically: 70% should be original and relevant to your audience, 20% should come from curated sources, and 10% should focus on promotions. This approach emphasizes building relationships and engagement through valuable content rather than constant self-promotion. Conclusion In conclusion, choosing the right social media planner can greatly improve your content management strategy. Post Planner is ideal for content curation and scheduling, whereas Hootsuite thrives in community interaction. Buffer offers simplicity for users, and Tailwind is perfect for Pinterest. SocialPilot caters to agencies with its advanced features, Later focuses on Instagram, and Onlypult provides insights into competitors. By leveraging these tools, you can streamline your social media efforts and boost overall engagement and effectiveness. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Social Media Planners for Effective Content Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

After piercing the 7% ceiling in January, the 30-year fixed trended lower the rest of the year, dropping 89 basis points from peak to trough, Freddie Mac found. View the full article

The longtime alliance between the Gulf’s heavyweights has descended into open confrontationView the full article

I’m sure you’ve heard it everywhere: Check with a doctor before beginning any exercise program. This is the standard disclaimer on fitness advice of any sort, which most of us probably ignore. But should you? Not necessarily, it turns out. Why are you supposed to check with a doctor before exercising?The concern underlying this oft-repeated statement is that there are rare cases where a person can die suddenly during exercise. When this happens, it’s usually in a person who (a) had some kind of underlying medical issue; (b) was not used to exercising; and (c) did very intense exercise that they were unprepared for. For a long time, there was a sense among many medical and fitness professionals that the best way to handle the issue was to focus on the first part: the people who had an underlying medical issue. And because not everybody knows if they have one, you should also see a doctor if you might have an underlying medical issue. Or if you had a family history of a medical issue. While it sounds like a good idea, the screening got out of hand. One of the most common screening tools was a questionnaire that would ask about your own health as well as things like how old you were, whether you had smoked, and whether you were overweight. One study from 2014 found that it would flag more than 90% of middle-aged and older adults. In other words, these are people who wouldn’t be permitted to exercise until and unless they got a medical clearance. With the price and availability of healthcare in this country (not to mention difficulties involved in getting an appointment, taking time off work if needed, and so on) that’s a huge barrier for a lot of people. Pretty ironic, considering that exercise is good for your health. The American College of Sports Medicine did a deeper dive into the numbers, and found that the risks they were screening for were very common; the outcomes they were trying to prevent were very rare (one sudden cardiac death per 1.5 million vigorous workouts, in one study), and screening people based on risk factors didn’t actually seem to reduce the number of people dying during exercise. How to know if you’re one of the people who really should check with a doctor before exerciseThe current guidelines for screening people before exercise have been changed. The American College of Sports Medicine now says “most people can exercise without visiting a doctor first.” The current guidelines—which most gyms and trainers should be using—only use three factors to screen people: How much you exercise currently Whether you have signs or symptoms of certain health conditions How intensely you would like to exercise The health conditions that trigger that second bullet point are cardiovascular, metabolic, and kidney diseases. If you have diabetes, that’s a metabolic disease. If you have been told you have a heart condition, peripheral artery disease, or cerebrovascular disease, that counts as a cardiovascular disease. Even if you have one of these health conditions, you can usually exercise if you’ve gotten clearance from your doctor in the last 12 months (and your condition hasn’t worsened since then), or if you already exercise regularly and you just want to continue at the same level. There is a flowchart here to walk you through the question of whether you need medical clearance. Even without a prior diagnosis, signs and symptoms of those previously mentioned diseases mean that you should stop exercising and check with a doctor before continuing. These include shortness of breath at rest or with mild activity; chest, arm, or jaw pain; dizziness or fainting; and others. If you’re curious if you would qualify, start by taking the PAR-Q test, which is seven yes-or-no questions; if you answer yes to any of them, there is a slightly longer questionnaire called the PAR-Q+ that gets more detailed. Compared to the old guidelines, the proportion of people over 40 who need to get medical clearance before exercise has been cut almost in half. And as part of the same guidelines, the doctor’s visit itself will probably be a lot simpler. Specific tests are no longer recommended; what happens at that visit is up to your provider and their clinical judgment. So, yes, some people do still need to check with a doctor before starting an exercise program. But it’s nowhere near everybody. Most people can get started right away, and even people with medical conditions will likely be told that there is some kind of exercise they can do. View the full article

It’s the sort of thing you might not notice until it really matters, but the U.S. Postal Service recently changed how it defines the “postmark” on a piece of mail—warning that the postmark date is not a reliable indicator of when you actually mailed something. If you’re the sort of person who waits until the last minute to send time-sensitive mail, that means you’ll need to stand in line at your local post office and request a manual postmark when dropping off your mail. While the way mail is postmarked hasn’t undergone some major shift recently, the postal service set out earlier this year to clarify earlier what a postmark means and how the process works. By clarifying, the beleaguered agency delivered a reality check of sorts—and warned that an issue many people didn’t even realize was an issue could become more common under an initiative it’s implemented to optimize mail delivery, and particularly in rural areas, as part of its “Delivering for America” 10-year plan. “Postmarks applied at originating processing facilities have never provided a perfectly reliable indicator of the date on which the Postal Service first accepted possession of a mailpiece,” the agency said in a federal filing from last month. “To the extent that customers currently have this view of the postmark, it does not reflect the realities of postal operations.” Perhaps worse yet? Buying postage online or at a kiosk in the post office, doesn’t overcome the postmark issue as that date merely shows when the postage was printed and not when it was actually in the hands of the USPS. CONCERNS ABOUT MAIL-IN BALLOTS When the agency first proposed clarifying the process back in August, there was a mandatory public comment period that elicited only 130 comments. But many of those comments focused on the implications for mail-in voting, which has become especially prevalent in the post-pandemic era. In the 2024 presidential election, mail-in voting accounted for 30.3% of the turnout, according to a survey conducted by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. That was down from 43% in the 2020 election. By warning of a likely timing gap between the date when you drop off mail and when it’s counted as received, the U.S. Postal Service has shifted some of the responsibility back on mailers. In the federal filing, it reiterated a “common-sense measure” that voters should mail their completed ballot at least one week before it must be received or else queue up at the post office for that manual postmark. OTHER CHANGES COMING IN 2026 But there’s some (hopefully) welcomed news for people who dread a visit to the post office. In September, the agency announced that a modernization project will continue in 2026 that will see many lobbies undergo much-needed renovations. These projects, however, come at a cost. And shipping prices are going up once again, though not (yet) for stamps. After hiking shipping rates by as much as 7.6% in July, another big increase is coming on January 18. The cost to ship the lightest-weight package domestically will soon cost $7.76, a 7.8% increase from the current starting rates of $7.20. View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here’s an update from a letter-writer way back in 2009 whose coworker was a not-very-well-behaved ex (first update here). I left the country and HR a few years later, moved to a different country in a different department, and was introduced to a colleague by another colleague. Got married to the colleague, continued working there, had a family (human and cats). We both got burned out and decided to semi FIRE, moved to a third country, and are now staying in a small, progressive town with loads of greenery. We joke that we moved for our cats’ retirement. We are all thriving — I have a fully remote, four-day job which is pretty good (not going to be VP but don’t need to work over contracted hours). My spouse has his own company that’s doing well. Cats are enjoying their retirement years and our child is enjoying her schoolmates. Him? No idea — I did a google search of his name and can’t even find any information about him online — the first few pages of Google were that of people who were artists, researchers and teachers — people who definitely brought more value to the world than he did. If he had a Nazi pedophile dad to support him, he could have made it big inventing electric cars but alas, he didn’t have enough family money that would have made him being an asshole a strength. Hope you have a good holiday and a great start to the year, Alison! The post update: when your ex is a coworker — and a silly one appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

When crafting your next survey, you’ll want to guarantee you include fundamental questions that yield valuable insights. These questions can help you understand member demographics, benefit usage, and educational needs. By evaluating preferences and gathering constructive feedback, you’ll create a clearer picture of what your audience truly wants. This approach not just improves engagement but additionally drives improvement. So, what specific questions should you consider including to maximize the effectiveness of your survey? Key Takeaways Include demographic questions to understand member backgrounds and tailor offerings effectively. Use quantitative questions to assess benefit usage and member satisfaction levels. Ask about preferred communication channels to enhance engagement and response rates. Inquire about desired educational topics to align training programs with member needs. Gather feedback on meeting preferences to optimize attendance and participation. Understanding Member Demographics How well do you know your organization’s members? Comprehending member demographics is vital for tailoring programs and resources to meet their specific needs. By collecting demographic information—like age, gender, occupation, and industry—you can identify trends and disparities within your member base. This analysis helps you grasp the diversity among members, guiding initiatives aimed at nurturing inclusivity and representation. When crafting survey questions, guarantee they capture fundamental demographic data. This information supports strategic decision-making, aligning services and benefits with the professional goals and challenges faced by different member segments. Furthermore, gathering demographic information allows you to assess the effectiveness of your outreach efforts, optimizing marketing strategies to attract and retain a broader audience. In the end, knowing your member demographics boosts engagement and satisfaction, making it a fundamental focus for any organization looking to thrive. Assessing Benefit Usage Why do you think it’s vital to assess the usage of benefits offered by your organization? Comprehending benefit usage is fundamental for identifying which offerings are most valuable to your members. You can utilize survey questions quantitative in nature to gauge how frequently specific benefits are used. This information reveals engagement levels and helps you make necessary adjustments to improve program satisfaction. Identifying Educational Needs Identifying educational needs is crucial for organizations aiming to support their members’ professional development effectively. By employing a structured survey process, you can gather insights into topics and skills members want to develop. Utilizing good unbiased survey questions examples can improve the relevance of your findings. Understanding preferred types of survey questionnaires, like multiple-choice or open-ended questions, helps in capturing diverse member preferences. Here’s a simple table to guide your survey creation: Educational Need Preferred Modality Leadership Skills In-Person Workshops Technical Skills Online Courses Communication Skills Hybrid Learning Project Management Self-Paced Modules Industry Trends Webinars This data not only informs your training programs but also guarantees they align with evolving industry trends, keeping your educational offerings current and valuable. Exploring Professional Development Opportunities When considering professional development opportunities, it’s essential to identify your training needs and career advancement goals. Comprehending your skill development preferences can guide the creation of effective programs that align with both your aspirations and the organization’s objectives. Identifying Training Needs How can organizations effectively align their training programs with the professional development needs of their employees? Identifying training needs is crucial for addressing skills gaps and aspirations. Here are four ways to uncover these needs through effective training surveys: Use sample open-ended survey questions to explore specific challenges employees encounter. Incorporate rating scale questions to gauge the importance of various training topics. Regularly assess training needs to guarantee programs remain relevant and effective. Encourage feedback on desired skills to tailor programs that support employees’ growth. Career Advancement Goals Grasping your career advancement goals is crucial for both personal growth and organizational success. A survey based approach can reveal what skills and certifications you aspire to develop, helping your organization create targeted training programs that facilitate career growth. It’s important to identify barriers you face in advancing your career, as this insight enables your company to implement supportive measures that improve job satisfaction. In addition, comprehending your preferred professional development formats, like workshops or mentorships, allows your organization to design relevant offerings. Regularly surveying employees about their career advancement goals guarantees that the organization stays responsive to evolving workforce needs and industry trends. Learning how to write good survey questions can greatly improve this process. Skill Development Preferences What do you envision as your ideal pathway for skill development? Comprehending your skill development preferences is key to tailoring professional development opportunities that align with your career aspirations. To gain insights, consider including the following survey questions to put in a questionnaire: What specific skills do you wish to develop? Which format do you prefer for training—workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs? Are you interested in pursuing certifications or credentials relevant to your field? What’re your long-term career aspirations, and how can skill development support them? Evaluating Communication Preferences Evaluating communication preferences is vital for organizations aiming to connect effectively with their members. Through thoughtful survey design, you can uncover critical insights about how members prefer to receive information. Start by including survey question types that identify preferred communication channels, such as email, social media, or newsletters. This guarantees your messages reach the right audience. Additionally, assess how often members want to hear from you. Comprehending the acceptable frequency of communication can help prevent information overload and improve message retention. Explore interest in content types, like updates, educational materials, or promotional offers, to provide relevant information that aligns with members’ interests. Finally, consider asking about personalized communication options. Tailoring interactions to individual needs improves the member experience and cultivates a stronger connection. Measuring Member Satisfaction Measuring member satisfaction is crucial for comprehending what your members truly need and how engaged they’re with your organization. By using surveys to evaluate current benefit usage and overall satisfaction, you can gather valuable insights that highlight areas for improvement. This process not just helps you adapt to changing member expectations but likewise promotes loyalty and improves retention rates. Understanding Member Needs How can organizations truly understand their members’ needs and satisfaction levels? To measure member satisfaction effectively, focus on targeted survey options that provide valuable insights. Here are some key elements to contemplate: Quantitative Metrics: Use satisfaction ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 for clear, measurable feedback. Open-Ended Questions: Incorporate qualitative insights to capture detailed opinions and suggestions. Benefits Evaluation: Ask members which services they find most valuable and which they don’t use. Communication Preferences: Gauge how often and in what format members prefer to receive updates. Assessing Engagement Levels What methods can you use to assess engagement levels effectively? Start by crafting a survey questionnaire with a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions to capture both quantitative and qualitative feedback. For example, ask members to rate their satisfaction on a scale and include questions for the survey that explore program relevance and communication effectiveness. It’s crucial to inquire about their preferred communication channels and event types, as this can boost response rates. Regularly measuring member satisfaction through these surveys helps you track engagement trends over time, providing insights to improve retention rates. Comprehending how to write a survey that addresses these specific areas allows you to tailor your offerings, ultimately enhancing the member experience and nurturing loyalty. Gathering Feedback on Networking Opportunities When considering how to improve networking opportunities for your members, gathering feedback is vital. Utilizing the best survey questions can help you assess what your members truly want. Here are some effective survey ideas: Preferred Formats: Do you prefer in-person gatherings, virtual meetups, or hybrid options? Barriers to Participation: What factors prevent you from attending networking events? Desired Topics: Which topics are you most interested in—industry trends, skill development, or something else? Mentorship Interest: Would you be interested in a mentorship program to improve your networking experience? Understanding Volunteer Interests Comprehending the interests of potential volunteers is essential for organizations looking to improve their volunteer programs. By employing different survey question types, you can effectively gather insights on what roles and responsibilities excite volunteers. This allows you to create targeted recruitment strategies and flexible volunteering options that fit various schedules. Survey Topic Ideas Purpose Preferred Volunteer Roles Identify specific areas of interest Causes That Resonate Align programs with community needs Availability Preferences Create flexible options to increase engagement When considering how to write a survey questionnaire, focus on clear, concise questions that encourage honest feedback. Regularly evaluating volunteer experiences guarantees your organization adapts offerings to meet their expectations, eventually improving retention rates and satisfaction. Evaluating Meeting Availability How can you guarantee that your meetings attract the greatest participation? Evaluating meeting availability is essential. By incorporating well-crafted survey multiple choice questions, you can gather valuable insights. Here are four key strategies to reflect upon: Preferred Days and Times: Ask respondents when they’re most available to attend meetings. Barriers to Participation: Inquire about any conflicts or commitments that might prevent attendance. Meeting Formats: Gather preferences on whether they prefer in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetings. Demographic Segmentation: Use demographic data to tailor meeting times for specific groups. When you know how to prepare survey questions effectively, you’ll create a good questionnaire that addresses these factors. Identifying Areas for Improvement To effectively identify areas for improvement, you should focus on gathering specific feedback through your survey questions. By incorporating key performance indicators and asking respondents to rate their satisfaction, you can pinpoint specific areas that need improvement. Furthermore, including open-ended questions allows you to gain insights into desired changes, ensuring your organization can make informed decisions for better service delivery. Key Performance Indicators Even though identifying areas for improvement can seem intimidating, utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) offers a structured approach to assess your organization’s effectiveness. By tracking KPIs, you can gather relevant data that aligns with your goals, helping you pinpoint specific weaknesses. Here are four key performance indicators to evaluate: Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSAT) – Measures customer contentment with your products or services. Net Promoter Score (NPS) – Gauges customer loyalty and likelihood to recommend your brand. Employee Engagement Levels – Assesses how committed and motivated your workforce is. Conversion Rates – Tracks the percentage of potential customers who take desired actions. Specific Improvement Areas Identifying specific improvement areas within your organization becomes more manageable when you utilize targeted survey questions that directly address the challenges your customers and employees face. To do this effectively, consider how to write a questionnaire that incorporates both open-ended and rating scale questions. For instance, ask, “What features do you feel are missing from our product?” to gain qualitative insights. Furthermore, use a 1 to 5 rating scale to quantitatively assess satisfaction with various aspects. Combine these methods with follow-up prompts like, “Please explain your rating,” to deepen your comprehension. Tailoring sample survey questions for students or specific demographics guarantees feedback aligns with your organizational goals, eventually driving focused improvement actions that boost user engagement and product usability. Frequently Asked Questions What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To create effective survey questions, consider these five options: “How satisfied are you with our service?” for satisfaction levels, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend us?” to gauge loyalty, “What do you like most about our product?” for qualitative insights, “Which features do you use most often?” to identify popular aspects, and “Did your issue get resolved during your last interaction?” for clear service effectiveness data. What Are 10 Good Questions to Ask? When crafting your survey, consider asking these ten questions: How satisfied are you with our service? What features would you like added? Would you recommend our product? How easy is the product to use? What’s your age group? What’s your preferred method of communication? How often do you use our product? What improvements would enrich your experience? How likely are you to return? What challenges have you faced? These questions will gather valuable insights. What Are the 7 Basic Questions in Market Research? In market research, you should focus on seven basic questions. First, identify who your customers are. Next, determine what they want and where they shop. It’s essential to comprehend when they buy and why they prefer your product over competitors. Assess how much they’re willing to pay and how they perceive your brand. These questions guide your insight into customer needs, helping you tailor your strategies for better engagement and satisfaction. What Are the 6 Main Types of Survey Questions? The six main types of survey questions include open-ended, closed-ended, multiple-choice, rating scale, Likert scale, and multiple-answer questions. Open-ended questions provide qualitative feedback, whereas closed-ended ones offer predefined options for easier analysis. Multiple-choice questions let respondents select from a list, and rating scales measure sentiment numerically. Likert scales gauge agreement levels, and multiple-answer questions allow for selecting various options, giving a more thorough view of preferences and behaviors. Conclusion Incorporating these ten crucial survey questions into your next survey can provide valuable insights into your audience’s needs and preferences. By comprehending member demographics, evaluating benefit usage, and exploring professional development interests, you can tailor your services more effectively. Moreover, reviewing communication preferences and networking opportunities will improve engagement. This structured approach not only identifies areas for improvement but also cultivates a stronger connection with your members, eventually benefiting both your organization and its constituents. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential Survey Questions for Your Next Survey" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When crafting your next survey, you’ll want to guarantee you include fundamental questions that yield valuable insights. These questions can help you understand member demographics, benefit usage, and educational needs. By evaluating preferences and gathering constructive feedback, you’ll create a clearer picture of what your audience truly wants. This approach not just improves engagement but additionally drives improvement. So, what specific questions should you consider including to maximize the effectiveness of your survey? Key Takeaways Include demographic questions to understand member backgrounds and tailor offerings effectively. Use quantitative questions to assess benefit usage and member satisfaction levels. Ask about preferred communication channels to enhance engagement and response rates. Inquire about desired educational topics to align training programs with member needs. Gather feedback on meeting preferences to optimize attendance and participation. Understanding Member Demographics How well do you know your organization’s members? Comprehending member demographics is vital for tailoring programs and resources to meet their specific needs. By collecting demographic information—like age, gender, occupation, and industry—you can identify trends and disparities within your member base. This analysis helps you grasp the diversity among members, guiding initiatives aimed at nurturing inclusivity and representation. When crafting survey questions, guarantee they capture fundamental demographic data. This information supports strategic decision-making, aligning services and benefits with the professional goals and challenges faced by different member segments. Furthermore, gathering demographic information allows you to assess the effectiveness of your outreach efforts, optimizing marketing strategies to attract and retain a broader audience. In the end, knowing your member demographics boosts engagement and satisfaction, making it a fundamental focus for any organization looking to thrive. Assessing Benefit Usage Why do you think it’s vital to assess the usage of benefits offered by your organization? Comprehending benefit usage is fundamental for identifying which offerings are most valuable to your members. You can utilize survey questions quantitative in nature to gauge how frequently specific benefits are used. This information reveals engagement levels and helps you make necessary adjustments to improve program satisfaction. Identifying Educational Needs Identifying educational needs is crucial for organizations aiming to support their members’ professional development effectively. By employing a structured survey process, you can gather insights into topics and skills members want to develop. Utilizing good unbiased survey questions examples can improve the relevance of your findings. Understanding preferred types of survey questionnaires, like multiple-choice or open-ended questions, helps in capturing diverse member preferences. Here’s a simple table to guide your survey creation: Educational Need Preferred Modality Leadership Skills In-Person Workshops Technical Skills Online Courses Communication Skills Hybrid Learning Project Management Self-Paced Modules Industry Trends Webinars This data not only informs your training programs but also guarantees they align with evolving industry trends, keeping your educational offerings current and valuable. Exploring Professional Development Opportunities When considering professional development opportunities, it’s essential to identify your training needs and career advancement goals. Comprehending your skill development preferences can guide the creation of effective programs that align with both your aspirations and the organization’s objectives. Identifying Training Needs How can organizations effectively align their training programs with the professional development needs of their employees? Identifying training needs is crucial for addressing skills gaps and aspirations. Here are four ways to uncover these needs through effective training surveys: Use sample open-ended survey questions to explore specific challenges employees encounter. Incorporate rating scale questions to gauge the importance of various training topics. Regularly assess training needs to guarantee programs remain relevant and effective. Encourage feedback on desired skills to tailor programs that support employees’ growth. Career Advancement Goals Grasping your career advancement goals is crucial for both personal growth and organizational success. A survey based approach can reveal what skills and certifications you aspire to develop, helping your organization create targeted training programs that facilitate career growth. It’s important to identify barriers you face in advancing your career, as this insight enables your company to implement supportive measures that improve job satisfaction. In addition, comprehending your preferred professional development formats, like workshops or mentorships, allows your organization to design relevant offerings. Regularly surveying employees about their career advancement goals guarantees that the organization stays responsive to evolving workforce needs and industry trends. Learning how to write good survey questions can greatly improve this process. Skill Development Preferences What do you envision as your ideal pathway for skill development? Comprehending your skill development preferences is key to tailoring professional development opportunities that align with your career aspirations. To gain insights, consider including the following survey questions to put in a questionnaire: What specific skills do you wish to develop? Which format do you prefer for training—workshops, online courses, or mentorship programs? Are you interested in pursuing certifications or credentials relevant to your field? What’re your long-term career aspirations, and how can skill development support them? Evaluating Communication Preferences Evaluating communication preferences is vital for organizations aiming to connect effectively with their members. Through thoughtful survey design, you can uncover critical insights about how members prefer to receive information. Start by including survey question types that identify preferred communication channels, such as email, social media, or newsletters. This guarantees your messages reach the right audience. Additionally, assess how often members want to hear from you. Comprehending the acceptable frequency of communication can help prevent information overload and improve message retention. Explore interest in content types, like updates, educational materials, or promotional offers, to provide relevant information that aligns with members’ interests. Finally, consider asking about personalized communication options. Tailoring interactions to individual needs improves the member experience and cultivates a stronger connection. Measuring Member Satisfaction Measuring member satisfaction is crucial for comprehending what your members truly need and how engaged they’re with your organization. By using surveys to evaluate current benefit usage and overall satisfaction, you can gather valuable insights that highlight areas for improvement. This process not just helps you adapt to changing member expectations but likewise promotes loyalty and improves retention rates. Understanding Member Needs How can organizations truly understand their members’ needs and satisfaction levels? To measure member satisfaction effectively, focus on targeted survey options that provide valuable insights. Here are some key elements to contemplate: Quantitative Metrics: Use satisfaction ratings on a scale of 1 to 10 for clear, measurable feedback. Open-Ended Questions: Incorporate qualitative insights to capture detailed opinions and suggestions. Benefits Evaluation: Ask members which services they find most valuable and which they don’t use. Communication Preferences: Gauge how often and in what format members prefer to receive updates. Assessing Engagement Levels What methods can you use to assess engagement levels effectively? Start by crafting a survey questionnaire with a mix of multiple choice and open-ended questions to capture both quantitative and qualitative feedback. For example, ask members to rate their satisfaction on a scale and include questions for the survey that explore program relevance and communication effectiveness. It’s crucial to inquire about their preferred communication channels and event types, as this can boost response rates. Regularly measuring member satisfaction through these surveys helps you track engagement trends over time, providing insights to improve retention rates. Comprehending how to write a survey that addresses these specific areas allows you to tailor your offerings, ultimately enhancing the member experience and nurturing loyalty. Gathering Feedback on Networking Opportunities When considering how to improve networking opportunities for your members, gathering feedback is vital. Utilizing the best survey questions can help you assess what your members truly want. Here are some effective survey ideas: Preferred Formats: Do you prefer in-person gatherings, virtual meetups, or hybrid options? Barriers to Participation: What factors prevent you from attending networking events? Desired Topics: Which topics are you most interested in—industry trends, skill development, or something else? Mentorship Interest: Would you be interested in a mentorship program to improve your networking experience? Understanding Volunteer Interests Comprehending the interests of potential volunteers is essential for organizations looking to improve their volunteer programs. By employing different survey question types, you can effectively gather insights on what roles and responsibilities excite volunteers. This allows you to create targeted recruitment strategies and flexible volunteering options that fit various schedules. Survey Topic Ideas Purpose Preferred Volunteer Roles Identify specific areas of interest Causes That Resonate Align programs with community needs Availability Preferences Create flexible options to increase engagement When considering how to write a survey questionnaire, focus on clear, concise questions that encourage honest feedback. Regularly evaluating volunteer experiences guarantees your organization adapts offerings to meet their expectations, eventually improving retention rates and satisfaction. Evaluating Meeting Availability How can you guarantee that your meetings attract the greatest participation? Evaluating meeting availability is essential. By incorporating well-crafted survey multiple choice questions, you can gather valuable insights. Here are four key strategies to reflect upon: Preferred Days and Times: Ask respondents when they’re most available to attend meetings. Barriers to Participation: Inquire about any conflicts or commitments that might prevent attendance. Meeting Formats: Gather preferences on whether they prefer in-person, virtual, or hybrid meetings. Demographic Segmentation: Use demographic data to tailor meeting times for specific groups. When you know how to prepare survey questions effectively, you’ll create a good questionnaire that addresses these factors. Identifying Areas for Improvement To effectively identify areas for improvement, you should focus on gathering specific feedback through your survey questions. By incorporating key performance indicators and asking respondents to rate their satisfaction, you can pinpoint specific areas that need improvement. Furthermore, including open-ended questions allows you to gain insights into desired changes, ensuring your organization can make informed decisions for better service delivery. Key Performance Indicators Even though identifying areas for improvement can seem intimidating, utilizing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) offers a structured approach to assess your organization’s effectiveness. By tracking KPIs, you can gather relevant data that aligns with your goals, helping you pinpoint specific weaknesses. Here are four key performance indicators to evaluate: Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSAT) – Measures customer contentment with your products or services. Net Promoter Score (NPS) – Gauges customer loyalty and likelihood to recommend your brand. Employee Engagement Levels – Assesses how committed and motivated your workforce is. Conversion Rates – Tracks the percentage of potential customers who take desired actions. Specific Improvement Areas Identifying specific improvement areas within your organization becomes more manageable when you utilize targeted survey questions that directly address the challenges your customers and employees face. To do this effectively, consider how to write a questionnaire that incorporates both open-ended and rating scale questions. For instance, ask, “What features do you feel are missing from our product?” to gain qualitative insights. Furthermore, use a 1 to 5 rating scale to quantitatively assess satisfaction with various aspects. Combine these methods with follow-up prompts like, “Please explain your rating,” to deepen your comprehension. Tailoring sample survey questions for students or specific demographics guarantees feedback aligns with your organizational goals, eventually driving focused improvement actions that boost user engagement and product usability. Frequently Asked Questions What Are 5 Good Survey Questions? To create effective survey questions, consider these five options: “How satisfied are you with our service?” for satisfaction levels, “On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely are you to recommend us?” to gauge loyalty, “What do you like most about our product?” for qualitative insights, “Which features do you use most often?” to identify popular aspects, and “Did your issue get resolved during your last interaction?” for clear service effectiveness data. What Are 10 Good Questions to Ask? When crafting your survey, consider asking these ten questions: How satisfied are you with our service? What features would you like added? Would you recommend our product? How easy is the product to use? What’s your age group? What’s your preferred method of communication? How often do you use our product? What improvements would enrich your experience? How likely are you to return? What challenges have you faced? These questions will gather valuable insights. What Are the 7 Basic Questions in Market Research? In market research, you should focus on seven basic questions. First, identify who your customers are. Next, determine what they want and where they shop. It’s essential to comprehend when they buy and why they prefer your product over competitors. Assess how much they’re willing to pay and how they perceive your brand. These questions guide your insight into customer needs, helping you tailor your strategies for better engagement and satisfaction. What Are the 6 Main Types of Survey Questions? The six main types of survey questions include open-ended, closed-ended, multiple-choice, rating scale, Likert scale, and multiple-answer questions. Open-ended questions provide qualitative feedback, whereas closed-ended ones offer predefined options for easier analysis. Multiple-choice questions let respondents select from a list, and rating scales measure sentiment numerically. Likert scales gauge agreement levels, and multiple-answer questions allow for selecting various options, giving a more thorough view of preferences and behaviors. Conclusion Incorporating these ten crucial survey questions into your next survey can provide valuable insights into your audience’s needs and preferences. By comprehending member demographics, evaluating benefit usage, and exploring professional development interests, you can tailor your services more effectively. Moreover, reviewing communication preferences and networking opportunities will improve engagement. This structured approach not only identifies areas for improvement but also cultivates a stronger connection with your members, eventually benefiting both your organization and its constituents. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Essential Survey Questions for Your Next Survey" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

TMTG shares jump on news company will hand shareholders a new cryptocurrency with unnamed perksView the full article

Small business owners are always on the lookout for innovative solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer experiences. Intuit, the financial technology giant behind popular products like TurboTax and QuickBooks, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Circle Internet Group to integrate stablecoin technology into its offerings. This partnership aims to redefine financial transactions for both individuals and businesses, promising faster, more cost-effective solutions. Intuit’s CEO, Sasan Goodarzi, articulated the company’s commitment to financial innovation, stating, “Intuit is at the forefront of financial innovation to deliver faster, lower-cost, and programmable money movement to millions of consumers and businesses to fuel their success.” The partnership with Circle positions Intuit to leverage USDC, a widely recognized stablecoin, to enhance the efficiency of everyday financial transactions. The inclusion of stablecoins into Intuit’s products opens up a range of possibilities for small business owners. Payments and transactions can now occur around the clock, eliminating delays usually associated with traditional banking systems. This shift could significantly speed up processes such as payments to vendors, employee reimbursements, and customer refunds—essential operations for any business looking to maintain smooth cash flow. Furthermore, the partnership taps into Intuit’s extensive capabilities in managing financial data. By synthesizing various financial spectrums—including tax, credit, and payroll data—Intuit aims to provide a more robust understanding of customers’ financial landscapes. For small businesses, this means that financial tools can deliver insights that enhance decision-making, from budgeting to investment planning. Real-world implications of this partnership are profound. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face hurdles with payment processing, such as high fees and slow transaction times. The USDC integration could mitigate these challenges. In a landscape where digital payments are becoming the norm, providing customers with seamless, efficient options could improve customer satisfaction and retention. However, this innovation is not without potential challenges. While stablecoins are designed to mitigate the volatility often seen in cryptocurrencies, small business owners must still navigate the regulatory landscape that surrounds digital currencies. Issues such as compliance, security, and consumer education could present obstacles as enterprises adopt these new financial systems. Intuit’s collaboration with Circle also signifies a shift towards a more programmable financial infrastructure. This could pave the way for future innovations where businesses can automate various aspects of financial transactions, further reducing the administrative burdens that small business owners often face. For instance, automated payments linked to customer sales could help optimize cash flow management. Nevertheless, small business owners should consider the learning curve associated with adopting new technologies. Transitioning to stablecoin-based systems will require an investment in education and training for employees. Additionally, the volatility inherent in the broader cryptocurrency market, despite the stability of USDC, may lead to uncertainties that business owners should keep in mind. As Intuit prepares to implement these new capabilities, it remains committed to data privacy and security, which are crucial factors for any business handling financial transactions. Ensuring that customer information is protected will be paramount, especially as more businesses explore digital financial solutions. The integration of USDC into Intuit’s ecosystem is poised to deliver transformative benefits for small businesses, enhancing speed and lowering transaction costs. Yet, the journey will require careful consideration of regulatory challenges and a commitment to educating teams about new technologies. For more details on this significant partnership between Intuit and Circle, you can access the full press release here. This collaboration signals a noteworthy step toward more efficient financial systems, providing small business owners with new tools to empower their operations and achieve financial success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intuit Partners with Circle to Enhance Global Financial Solutions with USDC" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small business owners are always on the lookout for innovative solutions to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer experiences. Intuit, the financial technology giant behind popular products like TurboTax and QuickBooks, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Circle Internet Group to integrate stablecoin technology into its offerings. This partnership aims to redefine financial transactions for both individuals and businesses, promising faster, more cost-effective solutions. Intuit’s CEO, Sasan Goodarzi, articulated the company’s commitment to financial innovation, stating, “Intuit is at the forefront of financial innovation to deliver faster, lower-cost, and programmable money movement to millions of consumers and businesses to fuel their success.” The partnership with Circle positions Intuit to leverage USDC, a widely recognized stablecoin, to enhance the efficiency of everyday financial transactions. The inclusion of stablecoins into Intuit’s products opens up a range of possibilities for small business owners. Payments and transactions can now occur around the clock, eliminating delays usually associated with traditional banking systems. This shift could significantly speed up processes such as payments to vendors, employee reimbursements, and customer refunds—essential operations for any business looking to maintain smooth cash flow. Furthermore, the partnership taps into Intuit’s extensive capabilities in managing financial data. By synthesizing various financial spectrums—including tax, credit, and payroll data—Intuit aims to provide a more robust understanding of customers’ financial landscapes. For small businesses, this means that financial tools can deliver insights that enhance decision-making, from budgeting to investment planning. Real-world implications of this partnership are profound. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often face hurdles with payment processing, such as high fees and slow transaction times. The USDC integration could mitigate these challenges. In a landscape where digital payments are becoming the norm, providing customers with seamless, efficient options could improve customer satisfaction and retention. However, this innovation is not without potential challenges. While stablecoins are designed to mitigate the volatility often seen in cryptocurrencies, small business owners must still navigate the regulatory landscape that surrounds digital currencies. Issues such as compliance, security, and consumer education could present obstacles as enterprises adopt these new financial systems. Intuit’s collaboration with Circle also signifies a shift towards a more programmable financial infrastructure. This could pave the way for future innovations where businesses can automate various aspects of financial transactions, further reducing the administrative burdens that small business owners often face. For instance, automated payments linked to customer sales could help optimize cash flow management. Nevertheless, small business owners should consider the learning curve associated with adopting new technologies. Transitioning to stablecoin-based systems will require an investment in education and training for employees. Additionally, the volatility inherent in the broader cryptocurrency market, despite the stability of USDC, may lead to uncertainties that business owners should keep in mind. As Intuit prepares to implement these new capabilities, it remains committed to data privacy and security, which are crucial factors for any business handling financial transactions. Ensuring that customer information is protected will be paramount, especially as more businesses explore digital financial solutions. The integration of USDC into Intuit’s ecosystem is poised to deliver transformative benefits for small businesses, enhancing speed and lowering transaction costs. Yet, the journey will require careful consideration of regulatory challenges and a commitment to educating teams about new technologies. For more details on this significant partnership between Intuit and Circle, you can access the full press release here. This collaboration signals a noteworthy step toward more efficient financial systems, providing small business owners with new tools to empower their operations and achieve financial success. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intuit Partners with Circle to Enhance Global Financial Solutions with USDC" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Here is a selection of Posts from December 2025 that you will want to check out: From Manager to Strategist: How to Use Strategy Tools to See Your Situation Clearly by @artpetty The myth of 'just let your work speak for itself' Influence by @artpetty (Fitness Series #1) There’s an X-factor that too many good people overlook: influence born of relationships in the right places. Why Clarity Emerges From Chaos by Matt Lambert Design Is Not Dying by Bryan Chou The core value is no longer: “I made this.” It becomes: “I helped us choose this, and avoid many wrong directions.” The Destructive Power of “Microsteps” in the Wrong Direction by @PhilCooke Why Advertising on the Super Bowl Makes More Sense Than Ever @MusebyClio It remains the only cultural phenomenon capable of captivating more than 100 million pairs of eyeballs at the exact same time. How Has Your Leadership Been Shaped By The People You Have Met Along The Way? by @TerriKlass An Encouragement from Jane Austen on her 250th Birthday by @PhilCooke Interview by @jamesstrock with David S. Brown, author of In the Arena: Theodore Roosevelt in War, Peace, and Revolution Courage Is The First Virtue by @jamesstrock Ahmed El Ahmed Inspires World With Kinetic Courage. Do What Others Won’t Do (And You’ll Have What Others Won’t Have) by @AlanSteinJr What Every Leader Should Know About Inspiring Others by @DanReiland Doom Earth: How advertising's timeline was ruptured via @shotscreative We were promised art. We got algorithm. Why the Human Brain Loves Novelty — and How Communicators Can Use It by @PhilCooke Emergent Creativity and the Idea of AI as Theft by Matt Lambert There’s Someone Who Needs You Today via @TheDaily_Coach The Leadership Playbook of Champions: Effort, Alignment, and the Grind by @BrianKDodd Sweat Now or Bleed Later by @KevinPaulScott The Rise of Slow Computing by Chris Dowd via @collabfund 5 Questions To Help You Audit Your Leadership Capabilities by @JosephLalonde See more on Twitter. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

Skinny is officially back in—not that it ever really left, if you ask me. Between "what I eat in a day" videos and before-and-after transformations, there's always been this undercurrent of weight loss anxiety masquerading as wellness. "Weight loss" is assumed to be synonymous with "healthy," but that's never been the whole story. And during this time for reflection and goal-setting, I urge you to think bigger than simply making yourself smaller. If you've struggled to identify health goals beyond weight loss, you're not alone. We've been conditioned to believe that smaller bodies are the ultimate achievement, when in reality, health is so much more expansive, personal, and interesting than that. Here are the resolutions I'm making for 2026—and how to reframe your own goals around what truly matters. Move in ways that feel goodThe weight-loss version: I need to burn calories. Exercise is punishment for eating. Even if I hate working out, I have to do it anyway because discipline. The reframe: What if movement was about feeling capable in your body? About the rush of endorphins after a dance class, the meditative quality of a morning walk, or the satisfaction of getting stronger over time? My resolution: Find three types of movement I genuinely enjoy and do them regularly—not because I "should," but because they make me feel alive. Maybe that's swimming, hiking with friends, or finally trying that aerial yoga class. The goal isn't to torch calories; it's to build a relationship with movement that's based on joy rather than obligation. How to measure success: Can I do things I couldn't do before? Do I feel energized rather than depleted? Am I actually looking forward to moving my body? These are the metrics that matter. Eat foods that make me feel energizedThe weight-loss version: Good foods versus bad foods. Restriction as virtue. Guilt when you inevitably "fall off the wagon." The reframe: Food is information for your body. Am I making choices based on the moral value of different foods, or am I actually listening to what my body wants and needs? My resolution: Notice how different foods actually make me feel, without judgment. Keep a simple log—not of calories, but maybe of energy levels, mood, digestion, and satisfaction. Do I feel better when I include more vegetables, not because they're "virtuous," but because they genuinely help me feel my best? How to measure success: Am I making food choices based on how I want to feel rather than what the scale might say? Do I have stable energy throughout the day? Can I eat without guilt? Stay hydratedThe weight-loss version: Water fills you up so you eat less; it's a diet hack. The reframe: Proper hydration affects everything from your cognitive function and mood to your digestion, skin health, and energy levels. You deserve to drink water because your body literally needs it to survive and thrive. My resolution: Drink enough water that I'm not constantly tired, headache-prone, or confusing thirst for hunger. Keep a bottle with me and actually notice the difference in how I feel when I'm properly hydrated versus when I'm running on empty. How to measure success: Are my headaches less frequent? Is my brain fog lifting by mid-afternoon? Do I have more energy? Build confidence through competenceThe weight-loss version: I'll like myself when I'm smaller. Confidence is contingent on appearance. The reframe: Confidence comes from doing hard things, from developing skills, from taking pride in how I'm moving my body. My resolution: Set a goal that has nothing to do with how I look and everything to do with what I can do. Maybe it's learning to cook five new recipes, or finally achieving my lifelong dream of doing the splits. How to measure success: Do I feel proud of myself? Am I challenging myself in ways that feel meaningful? Is my self-worth becoming less tied to my appearance? Develop a nighttime routine that actually works for meThe weight-loss version: Eating at night makes you gain weight. It's all about willpower, baby. The reframe: Maybe you're eating at night because you're bored, stressed, or genuinely didn't eat enough during the day. Or maybe you're staying up too late scrolling, and food is just something to do. My resolution: Create an evening routine that actually addresses what I need—whether that's genuine hunger (in which case, I'll eat something nourishing without guilt), stress relief (maybe a bath, stretching, or reading), or better sleep hygiene (setting boundaries with screens). How to measure success: Am I sleeping better? Do I feel more rested? Am I addressing the root cause of nighttime habits rather than just restricting them? Feel strong and capable in my bodyThe weight-loss version: I need to earn the right to wear certain clothes. My body is a before photo. The reframe: Your body is the vehicle through which you experience your entire life. What if the goal was to feel powerful, mobile, and pain-free rather than small? My resolution: Focus on functional fitness. Can I lift my suitcase into the overhead bin? Hike without getting winded? Play with kids or pets without my back hurting? These are the markers of a body that serves me well. How to measure success: Am I stronger than I was last month? Can I do daily activities with greater ease? Do I feel capable and comfortable in my body? The bottom linePerhaps the most important resolution of all is this: Stop putting your life on hold until you reach a certain size. Don't wait to buy clothes you love, try new activities, take photos, or simply exist without constant self-criticism. What would your health goals look like if weight loss wasn't part of the equation? I'm willing to bet they'd be more interesting, more sustainable, and far more meaningful than anything a number could tell you. This year, I'm measuring success by how I feel, not how I look. View the full article

When you’re exploring financing options for your business, unsecured lines of credit can be particularly appealing. They provide quick access to funds without requiring collateral, which is essential for managing cash flow. Significantly, options like Fundbox, OnDeck, and American Express stand out because of their flexible terms and competitive rates. Comprehending the benefits, key considerations, and application processes of these lines of credit can help you make informed choices for your business’s financial needs. Key Takeaways Fundbox offers quick approval for credit lines up to $250,000 with interest rates starting at 4.66% and repayment terms of 12 to 24 weeks. OnDeck provides unsecured lines up to $200,000, with interest rates up to 39.60% and a minimum credit score requirement of 625. American Express® grants access to $250,000, requiring a minimum FICO score of 660, although they do not disclose an APR. Chase allows revolving financing between $10,000 and $500,000, featuring a five-year term suitable for various business needs. PNC Bank combines secured and unsecured options, but specific credit score and revenue requirements may apply, making it versatile for different businesses. Top Unsecured Business Lines of Credit for 2025 As you explore your options for unsecured business lines of credit in 2025, you’ll find several competitive offerings designed to meet various financial needs. Fundbox stands out with a quick approval process, granting credit lines up to $250,000, featuring interest rates starting at 4.66% and repayment terms of 12 to 24 weeks. OnDeck offers unsecured lines of credit with amounts up to $200,000, though interest rates can soar to 39.60%, and a minimum credit score of 625 is required. If you’re looking for flexibility, the American Express® Business Line of Credit provides access to $250,000 with a minimum FICO score of 660 and no stated APR. Chase offers revolving financing between $10,000 and $500,000 with a five-year term, whereas PNC combines secured and unsecured options but may have specific credit score and revenue requirements. Each of these represents the best unsecured business line of credit available today. Benefits of Unsecured Business Lines of Credit Unsecured business lines of credit offer numerous advantages that can greatly benefit your business operations. One key benefit is that these lines allow you to access funds without needing collateral, making it a low-risk option, especially for a new business that may lack considerable assets. Interest rates typically range from 3.00% to 39.60%, providing competitive options compared to traditional loans and credit cards. This flexibility enables you to draw only the amount you need and pay interest solely on that amount, improving cash flow management. Furthermore, these lines can help you manage unexpected expenses and operational costs, with funding often available within 24 hours of approval. Many lenders additionally have minimum credit score requirements as low as 600, making an unsecured business line of credit for new business accessible to a broader range of entrepreneurs. Key Considerations When Choosing a Lender How do you choose the right lender for an unsecured business line of credit? Start by examining the minimum credit score requirements, which usually range from 600 to 700, as this can greatly impact your eligibility. Next, evaluate the interest rates offered by various business line of credit companies; these can vary from as low as 3.00% to as high as 39.60%. Flexible repayment terms are also crucial—look for options that span from 3 months to 624 months to better align with your cash flow needs. Furthermore, compare the loan amounts different lenders provide, which can range from $1,000 to $750,000, ensuring the lender meets your financing requirements. Finally, assess customer service ratings and borrower satisfaction, as these factors can greatly influence your experience and ease in accessing funds when needed. Making informed choices will lead to a more suitable lending relationship for your business. Application Process for Unsecured Business Lines of Credit Choosing the right lender is just the beginning; steering through the application process for an unsecured business line of credit is equally important. To apply, you’ll typically need to submit personal identification, business registration documents, and proof of income, like bank statements and tax returns. Many lenders offer online applications, allowing for quick decisions. For instance, Fundbox can approve applications in minutes, with funds available as soon as the next business day. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 600, though some may consider lower scores. Your business should ideally have been operational for at least six months to two years. Lenders often assess annual revenue, needing at least $30,000 to $100,000, depending on their guidelines. Keep in mind that the application may trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can affect your credit score, so weigh the implications before applying for unsecured business lines of credit with no fee. Comparing Unsecured Business Lines of Credit With Other Financing Options When considering financing options for your business, it’s essential to compare unsecured business lines of credit with other alternatives to find the best fit for your needs. Unsecured lines don’t require collateral, reducing your risk compared to secured loans, which often necessitate backing assets. Although interest rates for unsecured lines can range from 3.00% to 39.60%, secured loans may have lower rates because of less risk for lenders. Unlike traditional term loans that provide a lump sum, a business revolving credit line allows flexible access to funds for immediate needs. Although unsecured lines may carry higher rates, you only pay interest on the drawn amounts, unlike fixed-rate loans. Furthermore, compared to business credit cards, unsecured lines typically feature lower fees and interest rates, making them a more cost-effective solution for larger borrowing requirements. Evaluating these factors helps determine the best financing strategy for your business. Frequently Asked Questions Who Has the Best Business Lines of Credit? Determining the best business lines of credit depends on your specific needs. Fundbox offers quick funding and low rates, whereas Kapitus provides higher credit limits. If you want flexibility, American Express® has a decent borrowing range, though details on rates are vague. OnDeck and Bluevine both cater to small businesses with competitive terms, but they require varying credit scores. Evaluate these options based on your financial requirements and creditworthiness to make an informed choice. How Hard Is It to Get an Unsecured Business Loan? Getting an unsecured business loan can be challenging, but it’s manageable with the right preparation. Lenders typically require a minimum personal credit score of around 600 and at least one year of business operations. Some may accept businesses operating for just three months. Annual revenue requirements vary widely; some lenders accept as little as $36,000. Although unsecured loans don’t require collateral, they usually come with higher interest rates compared to secured loans. What Credit Score Do You Need for a Business Line of Credit? To secure a business line of credit, you’ll typically need a minimum credit score of around 600, though some lenders may accept lower scores. If your personal credit score is 700 or higher, you’ll increase your chances of approval and better financing terms. Furthermore, some lenders require a minimum business credit score of 155. Always check specific lender criteria, as requirements can vary greatly between institutions. Higher scores can lead to better interest rates. Is It Hard to Get an Unsecured Line of Credit? Obtaining an unsecured line of credit can be challenging. Lenders typically require a credit score of at least 600, often favoring scores above 700 for better terms. You’ll additionally need to demonstrate a stable business history, usually with one to two years of operation. Annual revenue requirements vary, with some accepting as low as $30,000, whereas others may demand $100,000 or more. Expect higher interest rates because of the increased risk for lenders. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right unsecured business line of credit can greatly improve your financial flexibility. Options like Fundbox, OnDeck, and American Express® provide various credit limits and competitive rates, catering to different business needs. By comprehending the benefits and application processes, you can make informed decisions that support your cash flow management. Always consider your business’s specific circumstances and financial health when selecting a lender to guarantee you find the best fit for your needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Unsecured Business Lines of Credit to Consider" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When you’re exploring financing options for your business, unsecured lines of credit can be particularly appealing. They provide quick access to funds without requiring collateral, which is essential for managing cash flow. Significantly, options like Fundbox, OnDeck, and American Express stand out because of their flexible terms and competitive rates. Comprehending the benefits, key considerations, and application processes of these lines of credit can help you make informed choices for your business’s financial needs. Key Takeaways Fundbox offers quick approval for credit lines up to $250,000 with interest rates starting at 4.66% and repayment terms of 12 to 24 weeks. OnDeck provides unsecured lines up to $200,000, with interest rates up to 39.60% and a minimum credit score requirement of 625. American Express® grants access to $250,000, requiring a minimum FICO score of 660, although they do not disclose an APR. Chase allows revolving financing between $10,000 and $500,000, featuring a five-year term suitable for various business needs. PNC Bank combines secured and unsecured options, but specific credit score and revenue requirements may apply, making it versatile for different businesses. Top Unsecured Business Lines of Credit for 2025 As you explore your options for unsecured business lines of credit in 2025, you’ll find several competitive offerings designed to meet various financial needs. Fundbox stands out with a quick approval process, granting credit lines up to $250,000, featuring interest rates starting at 4.66% and repayment terms of 12 to 24 weeks. OnDeck offers unsecured lines of credit with amounts up to $200,000, though interest rates can soar to 39.60%, and a minimum credit score of 625 is required. If you’re looking for flexibility, the American Express® Business Line of Credit provides access to $250,000 with a minimum FICO score of 660 and no stated APR. Chase offers revolving financing between $10,000 and $500,000 with a five-year term, whereas PNC combines secured and unsecured options but may have specific credit score and revenue requirements. Each of these represents the best unsecured business line of credit available today. Benefits of Unsecured Business Lines of Credit Unsecured business lines of credit offer numerous advantages that can greatly benefit your business operations. One key benefit is that these lines allow you to access funds without needing collateral, making it a low-risk option, especially for a new business that may lack considerable assets. Interest rates typically range from 3.00% to 39.60%, providing competitive options compared to traditional loans and credit cards. This flexibility enables you to draw only the amount you need and pay interest solely on that amount, improving cash flow management. Furthermore, these lines can help you manage unexpected expenses and operational costs, with funding often available within 24 hours of approval. Many lenders additionally have minimum credit score requirements as low as 600, making an unsecured business line of credit for new business accessible to a broader range of entrepreneurs. Key Considerations When Choosing a Lender How do you choose the right lender for an unsecured business line of credit? Start by examining the minimum credit score requirements, which usually range from 600 to 700, as this can greatly impact your eligibility. Next, evaluate the interest rates offered by various business line of credit companies; these can vary from as low as 3.00% to as high as 39.60%. Flexible repayment terms are also crucial—look for options that span from 3 months to 624 months to better align with your cash flow needs. Furthermore, compare the loan amounts different lenders provide, which can range from $1,000 to $750,000, ensuring the lender meets your financing requirements. Finally, assess customer service ratings and borrower satisfaction, as these factors can greatly influence your experience and ease in accessing funds when needed. Making informed choices will lead to a more suitable lending relationship for your business. Application Process for Unsecured Business Lines of Credit Choosing the right lender is just the beginning; steering through the application process for an unsecured business line of credit is equally important. To apply, you’ll typically need to submit personal identification, business registration documents, and proof of income, like bank statements and tax returns. Many lenders offer online applications, allowing for quick decisions. For instance, Fundbox can approve applications in minutes, with funds available as soon as the next business day. Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 600, though some may consider lower scores. Your business should ideally have been operational for at least six months to two years. Lenders often assess annual revenue, needing at least $30,000 to $100,000, depending on their guidelines. Keep in mind that the application may trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can affect your credit score, so weigh the implications before applying for unsecured business lines of credit with no fee. Comparing Unsecured Business Lines of Credit With Other Financing Options When considering financing options for your business, it’s essential to compare unsecured business lines of credit with other alternatives to find the best fit for your needs. Unsecured lines don’t require collateral, reducing your risk compared to secured loans, which often necessitate backing assets. Although interest rates for unsecured lines can range from 3.00% to 39.60%, secured loans may have lower rates because of less risk for lenders. Unlike traditional term loans that provide a lump sum, a business revolving credit line allows flexible access to funds for immediate needs. Although unsecured lines may carry higher rates, you only pay interest on the drawn amounts, unlike fixed-rate loans. Furthermore, compared to business credit cards, unsecured lines typically feature lower fees and interest rates, making them a more cost-effective solution for larger borrowing requirements. Evaluating these factors helps determine the best financing strategy for your business. Frequently Asked Questions Who Has the Best Business Lines of Credit? Determining the best business lines of credit depends on your specific needs. Fundbox offers quick funding and low rates, whereas Kapitus provides higher credit limits. If you want flexibility, American Express® has a decent borrowing range, though details on rates are vague. OnDeck and Bluevine both cater to small businesses with competitive terms, but they require varying credit scores. Evaluate these options based on your financial requirements and creditworthiness to make an informed choice. How Hard Is It to Get an Unsecured Business Loan? Getting an unsecured business loan can be challenging, but it’s manageable with the right preparation. Lenders typically require a minimum personal credit score of around 600 and at least one year of business operations. Some may accept businesses operating for just three months. Annual revenue requirements vary widely; some lenders accept as little as $36,000. Although unsecured loans don’t require collateral, they usually come with higher interest rates compared to secured loans. What Credit Score Do You Need for a Business Line of Credit? To secure a business line of credit, you’ll typically need a minimum credit score of around 600, though some lenders may accept lower scores. If your personal credit score is 700 or higher, you’ll increase your chances of approval and better financing terms. Furthermore, some lenders require a minimum business credit score of 155. Always check specific lender criteria, as requirements can vary greatly between institutions. Higher scores can lead to better interest rates. Is It Hard to Get an Unsecured Line of Credit? Obtaining an unsecured line of credit can be challenging. Lenders typically require a credit score of at least 600, often favoring scores above 700 for better terms. You’ll additionally need to demonstrate a stable business history, usually with one to two years of operation. Annual revenue requirements vary, with some accepting as low as $30,000, whereas others may demand $100,000 or more. Expect higher interest rates because of the increased risk for lenders. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right unsecured business line of credit can greatly improve your financial flexibility. Options like Fundbox, OnDeck, and American Express® provide various credit limits and competitive rates, catering to different business needs. By comprehending the benefits and application processes, you can make informed decisions that support your cash flow management. Always consider your business’s specific circumstances and financial health when selecting a lender to guarantee you find the best fit for your needs. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Best Unsecured Business Lines of Credit to Consider" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Following the resignation of CEO Patrick Donlon as the result of a settlement, Yield Solutions Group has taken operational control of Trusted American Mortgage. View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the letter-writer who took a job with less responsibility and her coworkers were treating her like she had no experience? Here’s the update. It turns out the part where you asked why it mattered was the crux of the issue. At the time I wrote, we had just hired the woman who told me she had a degree in marketing and “actually knew about this stuff.” She was older than me and a little odd, but I thought she was cool and admired her amazing work ethic. She had a habit of giving me unsolicited advice, like “when you are a salaried employee you will sometimes have to work more than 40 hours a week if that’s what it takes to get the job done,” and she questioned a lot of what I told her, but I look younger than my age. At the time I didn’t realize how much she was doing it, and it often happened in meetings where other people would follow her lead, so that’s what inspired the letter. She also had other quirks, like trying to follow me into the bathroom to continue discussing work and insisting she had an innate knowledge of our local area because her father had lived here before she was born, despite the fact that she was from the South and we were a Mid-Atlantic state. This became an issue because we have many foundations and institutions named after a 19th-century robber baron, and no one could convince her they weren’t all the same organization. Then we had a reorg and lost 75% of our staff and we became a department of two who were shoved into a basement office together. That’s when she became abusive. She started by taking any opportunity to throw my mistakes in my face. My “mistakes” were things like not covering her incidentals during a hotel stay so she had to provide her own credit card or putting the data into a spreadsheet before making it look pretty, or not ordering dry erase board cleaner while we had a spending freeze. I think she wanted me to buy it with my own money. I also stopped giving input on anything at all because she would angrily insist I knew nothing and also throw it in my face for months afterwards. We had an event and the venue gave us a list of preferred caterers. I recommended one because it fit with our mission and from then on, every time we talked about the event, she would look me dead in the face and say, “WE WILL NOT BE USING THAT CATERER.” This continued after the event, whenever catering was discussed. I had only mentioned it once. At that point, I still thought she was just quirky (I had really liked her a lot at first), but one day I told her “no.” I refused to come in at the last minute on a day we had scheduled to work from home. She argued with me, but I stood my ground. That day she kept me on Zoom for five hours of meetings. After that she became insanely controlling. She wouldn’t let me walk around the office alone, she’d always come with me. She would be obviously unhappy if I did anything she didn’t specifically tell me to do, but she was my coworker, not my supervisor, so there wasn’t much she could do about it, and again, I wasn’t doing anything wrong, just on my own. One day, she asked me to help another department with a task, and they wanted to have a meeting about it. When giving me the task, she said, “Don’t let this take up too much of your time.” The other department asked me to have a meeting about it, which I had on Zoom in the office with her. During the meeting, I offered to drop off some equipment for them since it was on my way. As soon as I got off the phone, she was screaming in my face that I had “broken her trust,” since she told me not to put much time into it, and demanding I tell her “what I was trying to get out of doing this,” and questioning my integrity. She then emailed the other department and told them that they had asked too much of me and that I would not help them again. Now that I had “broken her trust,” it got really bad. Now if I was in the bathroom longer than she wanted, she’d knock on the door and ask what I was doing. On a rare day when I was at work when she wasn’t (we were both part-time), I managed to get away from her and talk to my supervisor. Remember, we had lost 75% of our staff and my supervisor was in name only. He asked if I was okay and when I asked him why he would ask that, he said, “I also work with her.” I found out that she had been lying to me about the scope of our project and that it would be ending in November despite all the plans she would talk about during our five-hour meetings. I started looking for other jobs, but one day it was all too much. She asked me to make her a list (in a table in Word, not Excel) with one column of whose hotel rooms we would pay for and a column of whose hotel rooms we wouldn’t be paying for. For a conference with an expected attendance of hundreds of people. I explained that I wouldn’t know if someone was booking a hotel room if we weren’t paying for it. Next thing I know, she’s screaming at me that I was refusing to do a new procedure and that the (company approved) method I had been using to pay for hotel rooms was something I just made up and I was to find out if any of our conference speakers was bringing a spouse and that the spouse would have to pay for their own room (!?) and “the free ride was over.” Then she threw a barrage of insults at me until I left the room. When I returned, I told her that she couldn’t talk to me like that and I hadn’t done anything wrong. She refused to talk to me and went home. I immediately went to HR and my supervisor and begged them to fire me. In an amazing twist, a job I had turned down a year earlier had opened again and I could move right in. During the transition, I was told to wrap up my old job and any communication I had with my coworker could go through my supervisor. But she didn’t talk to me. She did, however, have a meeting with the finance department to learn how to do my job and then emailed me to let me know that from now on I had no reason to speak to anyone else and I could take all of my direction from her. I didn’t respond, and a week after that she went to my supervisor and told him I was useless and hadn’t spoken to her in weeks and demanded I be fired. That’s how she found out I was starting my new job the next week! My new job is amazing. I love my boss, and her boss. My days are so busy and fun that I find myself struggling to leave on time. I’m still in the learning curve stage, but I recently made a suggestion and my boss gushed over how happy she was that someone else wanted to help plan things. I am, however, in charge of the newsletter. The post update: I took a job with less responsibility — and my coworkers treat me like I have no experience appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Chinese factory activity expanded for the first time in eight months in December, as orders picked up ahead of holidays and builders rushed to finish projects, according to surveys released Wednesday. The official purchasing managers index for manufacturing, a monthly survey of companies, rose to 50.1 this month, the National Bureau of Statistics reported. That was just above the 50 cut off for expansion versus contraction on a scale up to 100. Another, private sector, survey also was at 50.1 for December. The better-than-expected readings partly reflect easing pressure due to an extended truce in trade tensions with the U.S. They also suggest manufacturers ramped up production ahead of New Year holidays, when many companies close for days. China’s Lunar New Year falls in mid-February this year. In comments to a new year’s gathering carried Wednesday by China’s state media, President Xi Jinping, vowed to promote “high-quality development” and to carry out “more positive macroeconomic policies” while ensuring social harmony and stability. The world’s second largest economy is forecast to grow at a pace just below the official target of about 5% this year, supported by strong activity in high-tech industries and exports. The official PMI for high-tech manufacturing stood at 52.5 in December, up 2.4 percentage points from the previous month. The report said the PMIs for both equipment manufacturing and the consumer goods industry reached 50.4. The separate report by RatingDog, a Chinese credit research and analysis company based in the southern city of Shenzhen, said that despite an increase in overall orders, new export sales fell slightly and hiring weakened. “Overall, the manufacturing sector regained growth at the end of 2025,” RatingDog’s founder Yao Yu said in a statement. “However, the improvement was marginal, with the impact of promotions and new products appearing impulse-driven and their sustainability requiring observation.” The National Statistic Bureau said the PMI measures for food, textiles, clothing and electronics were above a relatively strong 53. However, while large manufacturers increased their output, factory activity for the small and mid-sized enterprises that account for the lion’s share of employment in China remained in contractionary territory. As consumers cut back on spending, conditions for retailers and restaurants also deteriorated, the report said. Some economists believe China’s economy is growing more slowly than official figures suggest. Its leaders are grappling with long-term challenges including a yearslong slump in the country’s property sector and excess capacity in many industries, including automaking, that has led to damaging price wars. Higher costs for raw materials, especially for metals, has put pressure on company profit margins, the RatingDog report said. It noted that exporters had raised prices for the first time in three months to help offset those higher costs. The upturn in activity may be short-lived as it appears to be helped by a slight increase in government spending, Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics said in a report. “The big picture is that the structural headwinds from the property downturn and industrial overcapacity are set to persist in 2026 and there appears to be limited appetite among policymakers for a big increase in demand-side stimulus,” he said. —Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer View the full article

A franchise system is a business model where a franchisor allows independent franchisees to operate under its brand. This arrangement means franchisees benefit from established branding, support, and resources, as well as adhering to specific guidelines. You’ll find that each franchise agreement outlines the terms of this partnership, including fees and operational expectations. Comprehending how these elements work together can clarify the advantages and challenges of franchising, leading to informed decisions about potential opportunities. Key Takeaways A franchise system is a business model where a franchisor licenses its brand and operational methods to franchisees for a fee. Franchisees operate independently but adhere to franchisor guidelines, ensuring brand consistency and quality across locations. Franchise agreements outline the terms, including initial fees, ongoing royalties, and mutual responsibilities. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) provides vital information on financial performance and support, aiding franchisee decision-making. Franchising offers advantages like reduced startup risks and established brand recognition, but also has disadvantages such as ongoing fees and limited operational control. Understanding the Franchise Model The franchise model is a structured business arrangement that enables a franchisor to extend its brand and operational framework to franchisees. In the franchise market, this system promotes brand consistency and a strong market presence. Franchisees pay an initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties, typically between 4% and 12.5% of sales, for the right to use the franchisor’s trademark and receive crucial business support. This symbiotic relationship allows franchisors to provide training, marketing, and operational guidance, whereas you, as a franchisee, can leverage these resources to run your independent business effectively. Various types of franchises exist, including business format franchises, which deliver thorough operational support, and product distribution franchises, focusing on goods supplied by the franchisor, facilitating franchise business development. Key Components of a Franchise System A franchise system is built on several key components that guarantee its success and sustainability. At its core, you have the franchisor, who owns the brand and provides operational guidelines, whereas franchisees run their locations under this established model. Franchise agreements detail significant aspects like initial fees and ongoing royalties, typically between 4% to 12.5% of sales. The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) offers critical insights into financial performance and support structures, helping you make informed decisions. Furthermore, training and support from the franchisor equip you with necessary skills to operate effectively. Finally, effective communication and a strong relationship between franchisors and franchisees are fundamental for maintaining brand integrity and ensuring the mutual success of the franchise system. Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchising Franchising presents both distinct advantages and notable disadvantages for individuals looking to start a business. On one hand, you benefit from a ready-made business model and an established brand, which greatly reduces startup risks. Nevertheless, you’ll face ongoing royalty fees that can impact profitability, alongside high initial investment costs. Advantages Disadvantages Established brand recognition Ongoing royalty fees (4.6%-12.5%) Higher success rates (50% survival) Limited control over operations Access to support and resources High startup costs (up to $2.3M) While franchises typically offer a higher chance of success compared to independent startups, the restrictions on creativity and financial commitments can be challenging. The Role of the Franchisor and Franchisee When you enter the domain of franchising, comprehending the distinct roles of the franchisor and franchisee is crucial for success. The franchisor owns the brand and business model, granting you, the franchisee, the right to operate under their trademark in exchange for fees and royalties. As a franchisee, you invest your own capital to open and run a location, adhering to the franchisor’s established systems to maintain brand consistency. A franchise agreement outlines each party’s responsibilities, detailing initial fees, ongoing royalties—typically 4-8% of gross sales—and the support provided by the franchisor. This relationship is symbiotic, with the franchisor broadening market reach as you gain access to a proven business model and brand recognition, contributing to overall satisfaction among franchisees. Navigating Franchise Agreements and Regulations Steering through franchise agreements and regulations is fundamental for anyone entering the domain of franchising, as these documents define the parameters of your business relationship. Franchise agreements, typically lasting between 5 to 30 years, are legally binding contracts that outline both your rights and responsibilities, alongside the franchisor’s. A key document, the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), provides critical information about fees, obligations, and the franchisor’s financial performance. You’ll usually pay ongoing royalty fees ranging from 4% to 12.5% of gross sales. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) oversees franchise operations to guarantee transparency and protect your interests. Frequently Asked Questions How Does a Franchise System Work? A franchise system works by establishing a partnership between you, the franchisee, and a franchisor. You’ll pay an initial fee and ongoing royalties to use the franchisor’s established brand and business model. In return, you receive training, support, and operational guidelines. The franchise agreement outlines your rights and responsibilities, ensuring you adhere to the franchisor’s standards. This structured relationship aims for mutual success, reducing the risks typically involved in starting an independent business. Why Does It Only Cost $10k to Own a Chick-Fil-A Franchise? It only costs $10,000 to own a Chick-fil-A franchise since the company retains ownership of the property and equipment, reducing your financial burden. This low initial fee makes it more accessible compared to other franchises. Nevertheless, you’ll need to invest time in thorough training and actively manage daily operations. Furthermore, you’ll share about 15% of your sales as royalties, ensuring Chick-fil-A maintains its brand standards and operational quality across all locations. What Is the Meaning of Franchise System? A franchise system is a business model where you, as a franchisee, gain the rights to operate under an established brand. You’ll follow specific operational guidelines set by the franchisor. Typically, you pay an initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties based on your sales. This arrangement allows for rapid growth during reducing risks for the franchisor, as they leverage your investment and efforts to expand their brand in the market. What Is the Downside to a Franchise? Franchising has its downsides. You face high startup costs, sometimes exceeding $1 million, and ongoing royalty fees that can cut into your profits. You furthermore have limited control over operations since you must follow the franchisor’s guidelines. Moreover, if the franchisor misrepresents information, it could harm your business’s value. Finally, securing financing can be challenging, as lenders often impose strict criteria based on both the franchisor’s requirements and your financial situation. Conclusion In conclusion, a franchise system provides a structured way for individuals to operate a business under a recognized brand, benefiting from the franchisor’s established resources and support. Comprehending the key components, roles, and agreements involved is crucial for both franchisors and franchisees. Though there are advantages, such as reduced startup risks, there are likewise challenges to navigate. By grasping these elements, you can make informed decisions about entering or managing a franchise successfully. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Franchise System and How Does It Function?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article