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We may earn a commission from links on this page. International Women's Day, in one form or another, has existed since around 1909—placing the holiday's inception roughly in line with the early days of film. It seems fitting, then, to take a look at movies that examine and celebrate the accomplishments (and trials) of real women in history. This isn't an exhaustive list of movies about women who've changed the world (or at least changed their worlds), and there are plenty of very important women whose lives have never been touched by filmmakers (and others, sadly, with movies that aren't streaming—I'm looking at you Hypatia of Alexandria and Agora). But, like International Women's Day itself: It's a start. Colette (2018) Rural village girl Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (played by Keira Knightley) begins an affair with Henry Gauthier-Villars, the author known only, absurdly, as "Willy." He supplements his income by hiring ghostwriters to produce works to be released under his more bankable name and, when he realizes that Colette isn't without storytelling talent of her own, he comes to see her as a source of free material for the Willy brand. As her works become increasingly successful, Colette finds herself unwilling to be locked in a closet toiling for her husband, instead coming to assert her own artistic (and sexual) agency as one of the most important French writers of the last couple of centuries. Her ultimate independence and popularity among women readers helped to change the ways in which books are marketed while also broadening the range of topics (including a lot more sex, and not all of it straight) about which women could be seen to discuss in print. You can stream Colette on Prime Video. Colette (2018) Learn More Learn More Hidden Figures (2016) There's nothing easy about orbital mechanics (I'm told—I count on my fingers), and Hidden Figures tells a story of math involving three women: Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe). Long neglected by history books, Hidden Figures dramatizes the stories of the Black women who performed complex calculations in an era before computers, and then became expert programmers once machines were introduced. Their calculations put John Glenn into space. You can rent Hidden Figures from Prime Video. Hidden Figures (2016) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Norma Rae (1979) Sally Field (who won an Oscar) plays the title’s Norma Rae Webster, based pretty squarely on real-life union organizer Crystal Lee Sutton. A factory worker in North Carolina is fired for running off a union sign on the company printer, leading to the climactic, indelible moment when she brings the factory to a complete standstill. One of the most memorable moments in American movie history—when Norma Rae stops the factory with her hand-scribbled "union" sign—is straight from history, and it made Sutton a labor icon. You can stream Norma Rae on Watch TCM. Norma Rae (1979) at Watch TCM Learn More Learn More at Watch TCM Live Nude Girls Unite! (2000) Sex work is work, and workers in the industry face challenges both universal and unique in fighting for wages or improved conditions. In the late 1990s, the staff at the Lusty Lady, a San Francisco peep show, were faced with arbitrary wage policies, racism, and lacked even the most basic job perks while dealing with problem customers without management support. When the staff threatened a strike, management wouldn’t even concede that what the women did was a real job; as though they were doing it for fun. So they got organized, resulting in a truly groundbreaking moment in labor history, even if sex workers still struggle for recognition. Filmmaker Julia Query actually worked at the club and brings a sharp insider’s perspective to this documentary. You can stream Live Nude Girls Unite! on Kanopy or rent it from Prime Video. Live Nude Girls Unite! (2000) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video On the Basis of Sex (2018) Felicity Jones stars as a young Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who, later in life, became the Supreme Court Justice most likely to appear on a T-shirt. The consequences of the end of Ginsburg's career are very much present, but the movie takes us back to the very beginning, with the Harvard law-school student caring for her ailing husband and young daughter while studying. Despite graduating at the top of her class, she's unable to find work until she's introduced to case involving a man who was denied a tax deduction for nursing care of his aging mother because the law was limited to either a woman or a husband. Ginsburg came to believe that a precedent in a case involving a man facing sex discrimination could be used in later cases involving women; while it didn't have quite that impact as precedent, it did lead to changes in law and Ginsburg's success paved the way for other women in American law. You can stream On the Basis of Sex on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video. On the Basis of Sex (2018) Learn More Learn More Harriet (2019) A woman aided by the Underground Railroad system, Harriet Tubman (played here by Cynthia Erivo) quickly became one of its most effective conductors, and is now remembered as the most important single name in the entire operation, an unquestioned leader who approached the quest for freedom with a religious (literally) zeal. Later, she lead soldiers in battle during the Civil War before becoming a leader in the suffragist movement. A $20 bill with her face on it seems like the least we can do, but in the meantime, Kasi Lemmons' thrilling and heartfelt, if occasionally formulaic, biopic will have to do. You can stream Harriet on Hulu or rent it from Prime Video. Harriet (2019) at Hulu Get Deal Get Deal at Hulu The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) Carl Theodor Dreyer's essential historical drama makes as clear a case as any film does for the distinct power of silent cinema, with Renée Jeanne Falconetti offering one of the medium's most profound performances. Interrogated by the French clerical court relentlessly about her belief in her own mission from God, Joan remains steadfast even as it seems that the very architecture around her is closing in to damn her. In the end, whether she's right or wrong, it feels as though Joan's defiant face is the only authentic thing in her increasingly confined world, and her status as a martyr to women in western religion is made secure. You can stream The Passion of Joan of Arc on Max, Tubi, and The Criterion Channel or rent it from Prime Video. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Suffragette (2015) Blending real-life figures like Emmaline Pankhurst (Meryl Streep) and Emily Davison (Natalie Press) with leads more loosely based on actual suffragettes, the film explores the voting rights movement in Britain of the early 20th century through the eyes of 24-year-old laundry worker Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan). Though only reluctantly caught up in the struggle, Maud gradually becomes radicalized when she witnesses the cost that other women are paying for their activism. Helena Bonham Carter, Brendan Gleeson, and Ben Whishaw make up some of the rest of the impressive cast. You can stream Suffragette on Peacock or rent it from Prime Video. Suffragette (2015) at Peacock Learn More Learn More at Peacock Madame Curie (1943) Though there are elements of melodrama here, at least on the surface, this classic Hollywood biopic from director Mervyn LeRoy has a deep appreciation for the hard mental and physical labor involved in scientific breakthroughs. Greer Garson stars as Marie Curie, working alongside her husband, Pierre (Walter Pidgeon) as she begins a study of pitchblende rock that leads her to the discovery of uranium, and that begins a long and intensive process of refining the substance such that its properties can be fully studied. You can rent Madame Curie from Prime Video. Madame Curie (1943) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Little Women (2019) While decidedly not a biography, this specific adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel does a better job than many biopics at capturing something of the spirit of the author. Played here by Saoirse Ronan, Jo March has always been a bit of a stand-in for the similarly unconventional Alcott, a parallel that director Greta Gerwig takes a step further in the movie's climax. She deliberately blends the novel's reality with Alcott's life story, reminding the viewer that Little Women, while groundbreaking, wasn't entirely the book that Alcott set out to write. There's a great biopic about Alcott yet to be made, but, in the meantime, this 2019 adaptation of her most influential work pays tribute to the writer in smart ways. You can rent Little Women from Prime Video. Little Women (2019) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Barbie (2023) Sticking with Greta Gerwig for a moment, and on the subject of movies that come at their subjects sideways, Barbie pays tremendous tribute to the doll's creator Ruth Handler (played here Rhea Perlman), even as the inventor and magnate only gets limited screen time. Set in matriarchal Barbieland, the film finds Margot Robbie's Barbie doll escaping into the real world to discover both her own worth as an icon and the limitations placed on her that she's never understood. After a couple of cameos, Ruth shows up in the final act to put a button on her creation's journey, both in the movie and in the real world. A full-length biopic about the creation of Mattel (and Handler's IRS issues) could doubtless be fascinating, but couldn't possibly do a better job of relaying her cultural impact. You can stream Barbie on Netflix and Max or rent it from Prime Video. Barbie (2023) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max The Death and Life of Martha P. Johnson (2017) Using a belated investigation into Johnson' mysterious death as a framing device, the film follows activist Victoria Cruz's exploration of the lives of Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and other key figures in the early days of the gay liberation and trans rights movements. While death is the starting point, the movie focuses on the messy and strident vibrancy of Johnson's life and work, and speaks to the challenges and sacrifices for the progress that's been made (and sometimes un-made) in LGBTQIA+ equality. You can stream The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson on Netflix. The Death and Life of Martha P. Johnson (2017) at Netflix Learn More Learn More at Netflix Queen of Katwe (2016) A kid from one of Kampala, Uganda's biggest slums, forced to drop out of school at age nine, Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) had the good fortune to meet chess coach Robert Katende (David Oyelowo) at a young age. This smart, feel-good movie charts her real-life progress to the top of the chess rankings first in Uganda, before she competes globally. It might be a bit early to suggest that Mutesi has changed history (her first Candidate title came in 2012), but she's certainly providing inspiration for Ugandan women across a number of fields. You can stream Queen of Katwe on Disney+ or rent it from Prime Video. Queen of Katwe (2016) at Disney+ Learn More Learn More at Disney+ Frida (2002) Stepping from the shadow of her, at one time, more famous husband Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina), Frida Kahlo became one of Mexico's most important artists, blending intimate themes with revolutionary ideas and blurring gender lines—as she did in her own life—and chronicling her own disabilities in ways unheard of at the time. She and her art gave voice to a budding Mexican nationalist movement, and her life serves as a reminder that art can move nations at least as powerfully as traditional politics. Salma Hayek stars in this ultra-stylish adaptation from director Julie Taymor, one that earned multiple Academy Award nominations. You can stream Frida on Paramount+ or rent it from Prime Video. Frida (2002) at Paramount+ Learn More Learn More at Paramount+ Elizabeth (1998) Cate Blanchett plays Queen Elizabeth I, a woman of whom you might have heard, a wildly unlikely heir to the throne of England who became the modern British monarchy, securing her country militarily in a fraught time while solidifying a religious framework that's with us to this day. In many ways, it’s a film about choices: We meet Elizabeth first as a young woman with no expectation of rule, but see that, as she gains power, her options contract rather than expand. Given the enormous pressure to select a husband, and the limitations placed on her choice, she ultimately opts for public celibacy as the “Virgin Queen,” reflecting, in a way, the impossible divide modern women must often navigate between career and family. Women in history are often seen working behind the scenes to change the world but, in Elizabeth, we have someone who very much took center stage. You can stream Elizabeth on Starz or rent it from Prime Video. Elizabeth (1998) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Lady (2011) Aung San Suu Kyi's legacy has been complicated by failures of leadership (to say the least) during her later role as State Counsellor of Myanmar, but there's no question that her impact on the history of that country and its halting moves away from military rule has been immense. The daughter of an independence leader, the movie sees her living a comfortable life in England before being drawn into the politics of her homeland, becoming a leader and figurehead for independence and democracy. Michelle Yeoh gives a thoroughly impressive performance as the complex Nobel laureate. You can stream The Lady on Tubi or rent it from Prime Video. The Lady (2011) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Battle of the Sexes (2017) Emma Stone and Steve Carell star here as Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in the lead-up to the titular "Battle of the Sexes" in 1973. King is a top women's tennis player, frustrated that the payouts for matches are dramatically lower than anything men would be expected to play for. Riggs, meanwhile, is struggling in his marriage and finances because of a gambling addiction. He hits upon the idea of a flashy, money-making exhibition match with a very reluctant King, reasoning that, even well past his prime, he's perfectly capable of beating even the best woman player. She's eventually convinced to join in and the rest is sports (and queer) history. You can rent Battle of the Sexes from Prime Video. Battle of the Sexes (2017) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video View the full article

McDonald’s, Wingstop, and Starbucks are among Gen Z’s most popular and appealing restaurant brands, according to Dcdx’s new Magnetic 100: Restaurants report, measured by organic, user-generated content. The report looks at what young consumers spent their hard-earned money on in the first quarter of 2025, noting which brands attracted the most organic conversations, either by generating online buzz or through word-of-mouth, including during big cultural moments such as the Super Bowl and holidays like Valentine’s Day. Some surprising names to crack Dcdx’s top-10 roster this year were Crumbl Cookies (#6) and Raising Cane’s (#7), a fast-casual chain specializing in chicken fingers. Here’s the top 10 rankings from the new Magnetic 100: Restaurants: McDonald’s Wingstop Starbucks Chipotle Taco Bell Crumbl Cookies Raising Cane’s KFC Chick-fil-A Subway It’s worth noting that some of the top brands have had success with special-item offerings for a limited time, such as McDonald’s, which has collaborated with popular celebrities in creating some special-edition meals; and Crumbl, which features a rotating menu of cookie flavors. Gen Z’s spending power grows A lot has been written about Gen Z’s spending habits, mostly because the 12-to-27-year-old demographic’s spending power is expected to grow to $12 trillion by 2030, according to Nielsen. That would make it the wealthiest generation to date, giving it significant influence over the products retailers and manufacturers choose to sell, both now and in the future. It’s also the largest generation in history, making up more than 25% of the global population. The report makes clear that brands aren’t just competing for dollars, but also for a share in an ongoing and crowded online conversation. For example, the report’s top 100 brands racked up 7.78 billion total engagements, with McDonald’s, the leading brand, generating 1 billion engagements alone. Of the 139 total restaurant brands analyzed in the report, the top 6 brands drove more than 50% of the conversation in the restaurant category, representing nearly 4 billion engagements. View the full article

Former Barclays CEO is fighting FCA ban over allegedly playing down ties to the dead paedophileView the full article

MP who criticised leader Nigel Farage is accused of bullying View the full article

A project budget makes sure you keep spending on your project in check, helps keep stakeholders happy, and helps you deliver the project successfully. Here's how to create a project budget that details exactly how much you can spend on project resources and other project expenses. The post How To Create A Project Budget: 6 Key Steps appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the need for patience amid uncertainty over Trump administration's policies, saying there would be no immediate rate changes but that the Fed would proceed carefully. View the full article

Chair says US central bank in no ‘hurry’ to cut interest rates at end of turbulent week for Wall StreetView the full article

There’s something magical about having a pool you can just dip into any time you want. That’s why it’s estimated there are nearly 11 million pools in the U.S., most of them residential. But pools are expensive. Aside from the price of installing one, it can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 annually to own and maintain a pool, which is why it’s often advisable not to add a pool to your home if you’re thinking of selling it someday. If your house already has a pool, or you want those summertime pool parties more than you want your money, you can at least cut down on those pool maintenance costs with a few simple steps. Use a pool coverOne of the easiest ways to lower your pool maintenance costs is to use a pool cover. Covering your pool when you’re not using it has several distinct benefits: It slows evaporation, which saves you money because you won’t have to refill your pool as often. It keeps the pool cleaner by keeping debris out of the pool, which can help your pool filtering system last longer because it won’t be under as much stress. It reduces the amount of chemicals you’ll need to put into the water—these chemicals break down easily in sunlight, so the more the pool is covered, the longer they will last. It will keep the water warmer, reducing the need to run a heater. Filter at nightMany people run their pool filters 24 hours a day. That’s understandable, because no one likes to dive under the water and discover dead bugs, rotting leaves, and other gross stuff floating around. But most pools only need to be filtered about eight hours a day to get a full “turnover” of the water, depending on the volume of your pool and the gallons per minute (GPM) your filter can handle. Running the filter for those eight hours at night has another benefit: Chances are electricity is cheaper then, so you’ll pay less overall to keep your pool clean. Clean the filterWhile the rule of thumb for cleaning out your pool’s filter is to do it every few months, the more often you clean it the more efficiently your filter will run, and the less wear and tear you’ll put on it. You can see physical evidence of this by checking your filter’s pressure (measured in pounds per square inch, or PSI). If it’s above the normal range (typically anywhere between 10-25 PSI depending on the size of your filter and pool), it’s working harder than it should be. Cleaning out your filter twice a month is probably ideal, especially if your pool is located in a spot that causes it to fill up with debris regularly. It’ll save you money in the long run because your pool systems will last longer. Keep the chemicals and water level in balanceA pool is a system, and that system has to be kept in balance: Chemicals. A large standing body of water will quickly turn into a swampy mosquito farm if you don’t treat it with a cocktail of chemicals, including sanitizer (usually stabilized chlorine). Checking the pH level, chlorine, alkalinity, and other factors on a regular basis will reduce your maintenance costs because it will reduce the frequency of bacterial and algae blooms, and keeping the acidity level of your water low will protect your equipment from damage. Water. One of the simplest things you can do to keep your pool maintenance costs low is not overfill your pool. If you fill it to the brim, every time someone steps (or dives) into it a large volume of water will be wasted as it sloshes over the rim. Over time you’ll be paying to refill the pool more than you should be. Add a dark-colored pool linerIf you’re paying to keep your pool warm, you should consider putting in a dark-colored liner. This can be a DIY job—you’ll need to drain the pool, remove the old liner if you have one, and install the new one—though you’ll be better off hiring professionals. A darker pool liner will keep the water naturally warmer because it will absorb more of the sun’s energy. You could also install a solar-powered heating system, of course, but that will cost a lot more than a liner. View the full article

The Trump administration has stalled at least $60 million in funding intended largely for affordable housing developments nationwide, throwing hundreds of projects into a precarious limbo, according to information and documents obtained by The Associated Press The move is part of a flurry of funding freezes, staffing cuts and contract cancellations by the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, changes that have instilled widespread uncertainty in the affordable housing industry. The some $60 million is intended to go to small community development nonprofits in small grants. The money is often used as seed funding for affordable housing projects, turning a concept into a viable development and consequently drawing in more public and private investment. Congress chose three nonprofits to distribute the grants, but HUD said in letters that it was cancelling contracts with two of the organizations which together were to distribute the $60 million. That’s pushed millions in funding already promised to small nonprofits, or yet to be awarded, into the twilight zone. “Many of those organizations have already committed funds to pay workers, such as HVAC technicians, local contractors, homeownership counselors,” said Shaun Donovan, CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, one of the two groups whose contract was cancelled. “They will have to stop that work immediately. That will cost local jobs, hobble the creation of affordable homes, and stall opportunity in hundreds of communities.” A spokesperson for HUD said the program, called Section 4, will continue and is not being cut, but that “the department is consolidating some grants, while others remain.” It remains unclear how or when the funding will arrive to the small nonprofits, which has thrown their work into disarray. “Not knowing for me means we assume that the money is not coming, and that means that I have to pivot,” said Jonathan Green, executive director of a nonprofit in Mississippi that’s building a 36-unit affordable housing development in Biloxi. Green said about $20,000 in grant dollars are now in limbo, money that was meant to pay for an environmental review that could cost upwards of $10,000, and licenses and permits. That threatens discussions Green is having with potential partners and investors who want to see all the up-front work done first. “My fear is that, if the project stops altogether, we may never get it started again,” he said. The development is supposed to be in East Biloxi, where lots still remain empty after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Before an ounce of dirt has been moved on the project, Green’s organization has received enough calls from people eager to become tenants that they’ve started a waiting list. That’s the position hundreds of other small nonprofits have found themselves in, with not just their grant funds in question but investments on the line. For every dollar in grants disbursed by Enterprise Community Partners, the local nonprofits leverage another $95 in other capital, CEO Donovan said. Congress gave the national nonprofits the job of administering the grants, fielding and assessing hundreds of applications, so that the government doesn’t have to, Donovan said. In one of the contract termination letters obtained by the AP, HUD said the contracts were cancelled at the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency. It said the group’s operations “were not in compliance” with Trump’s executive order targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The letter also allows the organizations to appeal the termination. The Local Initiatives Support Corporation is the other group whose contract was cancelled. “Without access to this seed capital, housing projects for hardworking, families will stall, worsening shortages and pushing distressed neighbors into overcrowded conditions or homelessness,” it said in a statement. Habitat for Humanity International is the third nonprofit disbursing the grants, but the organization has not responded to repeated requests for comment or said if their contract was cancelled. —Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press/Report for America View the full article

Shares of Costco (COST) fell over 7% in midday trading on Friday after the wholesale retailer reported mixed second-quarter earnings results, missing profit estimates but beating on revenue, as the company braces for the impact of tariffs and inflation on consumer spending. “The tariffs are very fluid right now, so it’s hard to give any predictions about what we can do, but our people are well equipped to deal with anything coming our way and we have great partnerships with our suppliers,” CEO Ron Vachris said during the company’s earnings call. “Our people are nimble and ready to go.” Costco’s Q2 revenue came in at $63.72 billion, slightly beating analyst estimates for $63.11 billion. Meanwhile, same-store sales jumped slightly from 6.38% to 6.8%, beating forecasts for an increase of 6.4%, and e-commerce came in at an increase of 20.9%. However, adjusted earnings per share came in at $4.02, missing estimates of $4.11. And while overall same-store sales were up, the company missed estimates in Canada and other international markets. One advantage Costco has over some other retailers is its popular membership, whose fees make up more than 70% of its operating profits. Costco raised those fees last year for the first time since 2017; a basic Gold Star individual membership now costs $65, while an Executive membership is $120 to $130. Another good sign: Costco announced it expects to open 12 new stores across the nation in 2025, including seven locations this spring in March and April. Here’s a list of those seven locations: Brentwood, CA Genesee County, MI Highland, CA Prosper, TX Sharon, MA Weatherford, TX Stuart, FL In addition, Vachris said the company plans to open two locations in Canada and four other international locations in the coming six months. According to Costco’s website, two of those international stores will be in Minami Alps, Japan and Ardeer, Australia. Costco currently operates 897 warehouses, with a majority of those in the U.S. and Puerto Rico (617). Other locations include Canada (109), Mexico (41), Japan (36 ), UK (29), Korea (19), Australia (15), Taiwan (14), China (7), Spain (5), France (2), and one each in Iceland, New Zealand, and Sweden. View the full article

Project management planning is made up of many parts. There’s the schedule, the stakeholder matrix, the managing of resources. Speaking of the latter, there’s the matter of how you’re going to procure resources that require vendors of goods and services. That’s procurement management. The procurement plan is part of the overall project management plan. Over the life cycle of a project there are likely to be many points where it will intersect with vendors. This process needs to be managed. To manage these relationships and keep the flow of those goods and services moving without interruption requires a procurement management plan. If it seems like we’re going too fast, it’s because we are. The act of procurement, its management and planning are all deeply embedded in the methodology of project management. Let’s slow down and take a moment to unpack these terms. What Is a Procurement Plan? A procurement plan, also known as a procurement management plan, is a document that outlines the process of finding and selecting vendors for goods or services required by an organization. It serves as a blueprint for the entire project procurement process, detailing how products or services will be acquired and how vendors will be managed during a project. /wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Procurement-plan-example.png Get your free Procurement Plan Example Use this free Procurement Plan Example for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File The primary goals of a procurement plan are to increase efficiency, effectiveness and transparency of the procurement process. It also justifies the need for external suppliers and describes the steps for identifying and selecting vendors. Finally, the procurement plan outline contract types, delivery schedules and performance metrics. When to Make a Procurement Plan A procurement plan should be made at the initiation phase of a project or before the start of any procurement activities. Typically, it is developed during the project planning phase to outline the procurement process and ensure that everything needed for the project is acquired on time and within budget. Here are key times to create a procurement plan. At the Start of a Project: Before executing any procurement activities, having a procurement plan helps identify what goods, services, or works need to be acquired, the timing, and the procurement method. When Budgeting for a Project: Having a procurement plan helps ensure that the costs of the procurement are included in the overall project budget. When Scaling Up or Expanding: If you’re expanding a project or business and need additional resources, a procurement plan helps you strategically manage increased needs. When Introducing New Suppliers or Contracts: A procurement plan helps establish a clear process for introducing new suppliers, contractors, or partnerships, ensuring alignment with project goals. When Contracting With Vendors: If you’re negotiating long-term contracts or one-time purchases, it’s important to have a procurement plan that ensures consistency, compliance, and strategic sourcing. For Risk Management: It helps identify procurement risks and prepares mitigation strategies, ensuring smooth delivery of the required materials or services. Before Project Execution: Before any procurement activities are launched, the plan must be in place to ensure you’re procuring the right materials and services at the right time. Overall, a procurement plan is best developed early in the process to guide purchasing decisions and ensure successful project completion. However, a procurement plan is only one of many tools that project managers need to oversee procurement and manage the costs related to project resources. The best tool to manage these and other areas or projects is a project management software like ProjectManager. ProjectManager is an award-winning project management solution equipped with multiple project management views to plan, schedule and track projects from start to finish such as Gantt charts, project dashboards, timesheets, workload management charts and many other features designed to schedule work, allocate resources, make budgets and track costs, which greatly helps with project procurement management. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025-1600x868.jpgProjectManager’s Gantt charts help allocate resources and track procurement costs. Learn more Who Makes the Procurement Plan A procurement plan is typically made by the procurement team, project managers or supply chain managers, depending on the organization’s structure and the complexity of the procurement needs. The key stakeholders involved in creating a procurement plan include the following. Procurement Officer/Manager: Responsible for overseeing the entire procurement process, ensuring compliance with policies and managing supplier relationships. Project Manager: Ensures that procurement aligns with project timelines, budget and deliverables. Finance Team: Helps in budgeting, cost analysis and ensuring financial approvals for procurement activities. Department Heads/End Users: Those who need the goods or services provide input on specifications and quality requirements. Legal and Compliance Teams: Ensures that procurement follows legal and regulatory requirements, including contracts and supplier agreements. Supply Chain or Logistics Team: Assists in managing the delivery, transportation, and inventory aspects of procurement. Executive Management (For Large Projects): Provides strategic direction, approvals and ensures procurement aligns with organizational goals. The procurement plan is usually developed collaboratively, with the procurement manager leading the process while gathering input from various stakeholders to ensure smooth execution. What Should Be Included in a Procurement Plan? A procurement plan is a strategic document used to guide the acquisition of goods, services or works required for a project. It outlines the process, methodologies and goals of procurement to ensure timely, cost-effective and quality purchases. Here’s what should be included in a procurement plan. Procurement Objectives The procurement objectives define the goals of the procurement process, such as securing the required resources on time, within budget and according to quality standards. These objectives help align procurement with the overall project or organizational goals. Scope of Procurement The scope of procurement outlines what will be procured, including the types of goods, services or works. It details the specifications, quantities and the expected deliverables, ensuring a clear understanding of what is to be acquired. Procurement Methodology The procurement methodology describes the approach to acquiring goods and services, such as competitive bidding, direct purchasing or sole sourcing. It ensures the process is fair, transparent, and meets organizational standards and legal requirements. Supplier Selection Criteria Supplier selection criteria set the standards for evaluating potential suppliers or vendors. It may include factors like cost, quality, experience, delivery time and reputation. This ensures that the best-suited suppliers are chosen based on predefined requirements. Cost Estimates and Budget Cost estimates and budget provide an overview of the expected costs for the procurement process. This includes estimating the cost of materials, labor and overheads, helping to ensure procurement stays within the allocated budget. Procurement Schedule A procurement schedule outlines the timeline for the procurement process, including key milestones such as issuing tenders, receiving bids and finalizing contracts. It ensures that procurement activities are completed on time, keeping the project on track. Risk Management Plan The risk management plan identifies potential risks in the procurement process (such as supplier delays or cost overruns) and outlines strategies to mitigate them. This helps ensure smooth procurement and prevents disruptions. Roles and Responsibilities Roles and responsibilities define who is responsible for each aspect of the procurement process. It ensures clear accountability, coordination, and communication between stakeholders involved in procurement, such as project managers, procurement officers and legal teams. Contract Management Plan The contract management plan details how contracts will be managed, monitored, and enforced throughout the procurement process. This includes performance evaluations, dispute resolution processes and ensuring that suppliers meet contractual obligations. Project Budget Template This free project budget template allows you to estimate all the costs related to resources such as labor, equipment and any capital assets that you might need to procure for your organization. Making a budget is a very important of a procurement plan as it defines clear limits for spending. /wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Project-Budget-Screenshot.jpg How to Write a Procurement Plan The project manager is the project team member responsible for overseeing the procurement management plan, but it’s not a one-person job. Since the procurements will be project-wide, it’s important that everyone is on board with the process. Everyone should have some involvement in approving and even managing contracts. The procurement management plan can be broken down into these eight steps. 1. Define Terms To begin, start by defining the procurement terms. This means listing what you need to procure in detail: how many, what size, for how long, etc. Then you want to know what service is provided to the project and why this is important. Now add a date of use to each of these procurements and who on the project team is authorized to make these purchases. This information will be necessary when you’re ready to make a purchase order which specifies the price, quantity, delivery window and terms of payment of the goods/services you purchase. It’s a legally binding document that makes sure that you and your vendor are on the same page. Our purchase order template can help you create one that fits your project. 2. Outline Type of Agreement The contract is how everyone agrees on the terms of service. There are different types of contracts, for instance, a fixed price and cost reimbursement are two. Therefore, the type of agreement must be decided on and how it will be managed. 3. Identify and Mitigate Risks Risks are inherent in every part of a project process, and so they lie dormant in procurement until they show themselves. It is now time to figure out what those risks might be and list them. Once a thorough list has been collected, each must have a way to resolve them. It’s also good to assign a team member with the task of mitigating those risks, so they have the ownership to follow through on closing them. A risk register template can help. 4. Estimate Costs & Make a Budget What are the costs involved with the project procurements? Once those have been figured out, it is likely that a request for proposal will be issued, with the needs outlined and requesting bids from suppliers. Be thorough and note everything required. The suppliers will come back with their costs for products or services. Then, once you estimate the costs of project resources, you can make a budget. 5. Identify Constraints It helps to try and identify any project constraints before starting the project to avoid getting blindsided by unforeseen limitations during execution. Once this list is complete it can be looked at throughout the project phases. Constraints related to procurements include cost, scope, limited resources and technical specifications. 6. Get the Contract Approved Review the bids and do a service and cost analysis. Then have a list of who the decision-makers are in the project group and pass the bids on to them for review (a DACI framework can help identify decision-makers). This process makes sure that everyone who needs to oversee the contract approval is involved and can provide input. 7. Make a Decision Criteria You have a workflow, but now you need criteria by which to decide on which bid to go into contract with. Every person who reviews the bid should have these criteria at hand to measure their response. 8. Create a Vendor Management Plan Once a contract is signed, the procurement management plan will segue into a vendor management plan. The terms of the contract must be met. And, to make sure that happens, a management plan surrounding the suppliers will help ensure that goods and services are delivered as specified and on time. It is a good idea to add a performance metric to rate how well each supplier does their job, so you can improve relations on the next project and know who is worth contracting with again. ProjectManager Helps with Procurement Management Each procurement is a project or a subset of the larger project. Therefore, each procurement can be planned, tracked and reported on just as you would the larger project. ProjectManager is an online project management software that can make that process easy and effective. Procurement management can feel overwhelming. ProjectManager helps with executing your procurement plan with its kanban boards, Gantt charts, dashboards and other project management features. Using Kanban for Procurement Management By making each supplier a project on a kanban board, you can then track what stage their inventory is in and not get any unpleasant surprises. ProjectManager has customizable columns, so you can name them ordered, shipped, stocked and need to reorder. This way you’re always on top of your resources. Plus, you can add tags and priority levels to make sure everything is well-organized and tracked. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Kanban-MOVING-COLUMN-CAR.jpg Gantt Can Link Tasks and Make Timelines Sometimes procurement is dependent on other tasks. Maybe the visual kanban doesn’t give you the control you need. No problem, switch over to the Gantt view. Now you can link dependencies and see timelines. Timing is important of course. If your resource isn’t here on time, then the whole project can be delayed! /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Marketing_Wide_Zoom-175_WBS.jpg They say, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” But in project management software you want to have all your tools in one place. ProjectManager keeps you organized, so you can work better. ProjectManager is a cloud-based project management software that helps control procurement throughout the project phases. Workload and resource management features keep track of supplies and calculate planned versus actual costs. ProjectManager assists project managers with planning, monitoring and reporting projects. Team members get a collaborative platform to work together more productively. Try it today with this free 30-day trial. The post How to Make a Procurement Plan (Example Included) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Apple just casually announced the new M4 MacBook Air with sales beginning on March 12. While that may be exciting news for anyone looking to get the latest and greatest devices, it can also be a boon for anyone hunting for deals. After new products launch, there tend to be some great discounts on earlier models to help clear inventory. Apple unfortunately has a pretty controlled sales market, so finding new units of earlier models may be difficult. But if you’re familiar and comfortable with the wide world of refurbished products, you can find some excellent deals on slightly older MacBooks. To help you start your search, I’ve rounded up a few exciting options from the refurbished market. M1 Pro MacBook ProThis refurbished M1 Pro MacBook Pro comes in under the new $999 MacBook Air, but offers some upgrades. It has more storage than a base MacBook Air, matches its memory, features a large 16-inch display, and comes with extra ports. This model also runs an M1 Pro chip, which is a more powerful version of the M1 chip that dazzled so many in the tech community. 16-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) $949.00 at Amazon $1,040.00 Save $91.00 Get Deal Get Deal $949.00 at Amazon $1,040.00 Save $91.00 M3 MacBook AirIf you don’t need the latest processor, the M3 MacBook Air could serve you well. This discount from Amazon offers a new M3 MacBook Air for $200 less than the newer model. This one is thankfully upgraded to 16GB of memory, which improves both the device's ability to run multiple tasks at once, as well as its overall longevity. 13-inch M3 MacBook Air (16GB RAM, 256GB storage) $799.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,099.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $1,099.00 Save $300.00 M2 MacBook AirYou can go yet another generation back and save even more on a Mac. This M2 MacBook Air from Amazon is still in new condition, and costs just $699. It’s not a base model either, shipping with the all-too-important 16GB memory upgrade for future-proofing. 13-inch M2 MacBook Air (16GB RAM, 256GB storage $699.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $999.00 Save $300.00 Get Deal Get Deal $699.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $999.00 Save $300.00 M1 Pro MacBook ProFor less than the price of a new M4 MacBook Air, you can grab this beefed up M1 Pro MacBook Pro. It, too, comes with 16GB of memory, ensuring better longevity, and it even includes 512GB of storage. This unit is in "Excellent - Refurbished" condition, so it should still look and work like new, and it gets a one-year Allstate warranty. The same configuration is also available from Amazon for $899. 14-inch M1 Pro MacBook Pro (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) $889.72 at Amazon $978.00 Save $88.28 Get Deal Get Deal $889.72 at Amazon $978.00 Save $88.28 M3 Pro MacBook ProThis 16-inch MacBook Pro is a sizable discount next to the M4 Pro models Apple now offers. eBay is currently offering it for $1,679.95, down from $2,099.99. The 18GB of memory and powerful M3 Pro processor offer a big edge on heavy computing workloads, and comes with a fantastic display. This model is eBay Certified Refurbished, so you can expect a like-new machine and enjoy a two-year warranty backed by Allstate. View the full article

Google discontinues the Page Annotations feature, which diverted traffic from websites back to Google's search results. The post Google Discontinues Controversial “Page Annotations” On iOS appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Microsoft is bringing more transparency to its search advertising with a new feature that explains ad placement decisions directly in Bing results. Details: The feature appears as a dropdown option next to ad URLs in Bing search results Currently shows varying levels of detail depending on the user or region How it works. When users click the dropdown arrow next to a search ad’s URL, they can access a dialog box that explains why that particular advertisement was selected for display. Barry Schwartz reports seeing only a generic “Learn how your ads are chosen” message on Search Engine Roundtable. Others, like Digital Marketer, Khushal Bherwani, report seeing detailed information including: Specific reasons for ad selection Complete advertiser details User-specific targeting factors Why we care. As digital ad platforms face growing scrutiny over transparency and user privacy, Microsoft is following Google’s lead by giving users more visibility into how and why they’re seeing specific ads. Between the lines. The inconsistent rollout suggests Microsoft is testing the feature before a wider release, possibly in response to similar transparency features Google has implemented in its search results. What they’re saying. While Microsoft hasn’t made an official announcement about the feature, social media discussions indicate users are noticing the change and comparing it to Google’s existing ad transparency tools. View the full article

As the US-Canada tariff war continues, the Ontario premier faces the defining challenge of his careerView the full article

Trump is the heir to a national-populist strain that runs deep in American politicsView the full article

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment's February drop is looking like a precursor for what might be a difficult 2025 Spring homebuying season. View the full article

Earlier this week, I proclaimed the brand new M4 MacBook Air the best MacBook for most people. In short, that's because Apple packages everything that's already great about modern MacBook Airs with its latest M4 chip, all for a fantastic MSRP of $999. The thing is, the M4 chip itself isn't brand new: Apple first rolled it out with the iPad Pro last May, before introducing the M4 MacBook Pro in October. Before this week, Apple had cemented the MacBook Air as the previous generation brand: If you want an entry-level Apple computer, you could buy the M2 MacBook Air for $999, or the M3 MacBook Air for a little more. If you wanted M4, well, that's "Pro" territory. M4 vs. M4No longer: Whether you buy a new MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, you're getting the M4 chip. These chips are almost identical between Air and Pro, but with one caveat. The SoC (System on Chip) comes with a 10-core CPU (four performance cores and six efficiency cores) and a 16-core Neural Engine on all models, and a 10-core GPU on the Pro. You can get a 10-core GPU on the Air, but only if you pay extra. If you buy the entry-level $999 machine, you get an eight-core GPU. Those additional two GPU cores will cost you $100. It's a small difference, but a difference that, on paper, suggests better performance from the M4 MacBook Pro—especially for graphics-intensive tasks. If you work with animation or high-resolution video, or play AAA games, those two GPU cores on the Pro could come in handy. However, paper specs mean very little for real-world use: It's when you see how these machines actually perform when put to the test do you know how big (or small) these differences really are. We'll need to wait for Apple to release the M4 MacBook Air before we see those real-world tests in action. But in the meantime, we do have some evidence that goes beyond the spec sheet. As reported by Wccftech, testers have uploaded Geekbench Metal benchmarks for the M4 MacBook Air to the internet—and the results are illuminating. This test examines a chip's GPU performance via Apple's Metal API. The eight-core M4 MacBook Air scored 54,864 on the test, while the 10-core M4 MacBook Pro scored 57,788. That's a 5% gain for the MacBook Pro, which, while certainly nice to have, is not the huge jump you might expect from an additional two GPU cores—especially when you consider the Pro starts at $1,599. Again, benchmarks don't necessarily reflect real-world usage. Those two cores might push the Pro more than these results imply. Plus, the Pro has internal fans to keep the M4 chip cool under pressure. The Air doesn't have fans, which means it may slow down performance if things get too hot sooner than the Pro would. We'll simply need to see how these two machines stack up side-by-side when review units arrive. Power and priceRegardless, the M4 MacBook Air is shaping up to be a powerhouse of a machine—especially for the price. The M4 MacBook Pro, for example, costs $600 more, and while you gain additional perks like a brighter, higher-quality display, double the storage, an HDMI port, and SDXC card slot, you might find you prefer the extra $600 in your wallet. Ignoring these perks, if you're someone who is buying a Mac with power in mind, you no longer need to count out the Air. In fact, it should probably be your first choice, only ruled out if the work you do requires the extra "oomph" the Pro can offer. To be clear, this comparison is between the M4 chip, not the M4 Pro chip. You can only get the M4 Pro in the MacBook Pro, and that model starts at $1,999. At that point, it's a very different discussion. View the full article

A London espionage trial has provided rare insight into the activities of Jan Marsalek, the former payments executive, and how Moscow is outsourcing its spyingView the full article

Prime minister also open to exploring how French atomic weapons can protect whole continentView the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman, one of the central bank's more inflation-wary officials, said the balance of risks for monetary policymaking could soon shift. View the full article

With tax season in full swing, smart filers are looking to maximize every deduction available to them. We're all familiar with common tax deductions like mortgage interest, charitable donations, and retirement contributions. However, there are plenty of unexpected deductions and other little-known uses for pre-tax money. Andy Phillips, Vice President of H&R Block’s Tax Institute, shares some more unexpected facts about deductions. For instance, people who are wrongfully incarcerated may be able to exclude settlement money they receive to compensate them. And if you’re just starting to repay your student loans for the first time, you might not know that most taxpayers can deduct up to $2,500 of student loan interest payments each year. Here are some more of the strangest tax deductions people have claimed and actually gotten away with. Gambling lossesWhile gambling winnings are taxable income, the IRS allows taxpayers to deduct their gambling losses up to the amount of their winnings. This deduction is often claimed by professional gamblers and those who frequent casinos. Your pool or hot tubIf you are self-employed and use your backyard pool or hot tub to entertain clients or employees, you may be able to deduct a portion of your operating costs and even the initial installation. Just make sure to carefully document the business uses. SnacksDaycares can deduct set amounts for the breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided to children in their care. TamponsMenstrual care products like tampons and pads are qualified expenses you can pay with your health savings account. Pet care for service animalsFor the most part, deducting medical expenses for pets is not allowed as a medical expense on your tax return. The only exception is when an animal is a certified service animal, like a guide dog, to assist you. Service animals generally aren’t considered pets though. If you have a physical disability or are hearing or visually impaired, you can deduct medical expenses for your pets if they are certified service animals. Expenses that may be covered include purchasing, training, and maintenance of the animal which includes food, grooming, and medical care. Some cosmetic surgeriesA taxpayer can deduct medical expenses for cosmetic surgery necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease. Breast reconstruction after cancer and vision correction surgery are examples of a deductible surgery. Clarinet lessonsBelieve it or not, the IRS has allowed deductions for clarinet lessons as a medical expense in certain circumstances where the lessons were recommended by a doctor to help treat a health condition like stammering or neurological issues. You'll need a physician's letter to claim this one. EV chargersIf you install an electric vehicle charger in your home, you may be eligible for a tax credit. Similarly, while you can’t just run an extension cord out the window and make bank letting people charge their EVs, there are other ways to monetize a home EV charger. Construction expensesIf you build a house, construction expenses you can include are the land, materials, architect fees, building inspection fees, and building permit fees. The bottom lineRemember to keep accurate records and consult with a tax professional if you have any questions or concerns. While the above deductions might not apply to you, there are still plenty of deductions to make sure you're taking advantage of—like home office perks or retirement contributions. And if you want to avoid the April 15 scramble, be sure to check out the best filing services for 2025. View the full article

Your current cloud use plays a role. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Your current cloud use plays a role. By Hitendra Patil Client Accounting Services: The Definitive Success Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

By now, most people know not to trust everything they see on TikTok. But scams on the platform are becoming increasingly sophisticated, thanks to deepfake technology. A new report from Media Matters for America, published this week, identified multiple TikTok accounts using deepfake influencers and fake storytimes to promote wellness products to unsuspecting users. These accounts appear to be part of an affiliated network, using the same content format and often promoting exactly the same products with little to no scientific backing. One now-deleted TikTok account, which had over 245,000 followers, amassed more than 4.1 million likes promoting its “secret to perfect hair.” Hawking a batana oil to increase hair growth (link in bio), the account featured a number of videos of an influencer claiming to be the wife of Korea’s highest paid plastic surgeon, a former Victoria’s Secret model, and a gynecologist. She claimed this batana oil was the secret to her long luscious hair, despite there being no research to back this up. The secret, in fact, is deepfake technology. A reverse image search by Media Matters strongly suggests that the women in these videos were AI-generated. The same influencer—posed identically, in the same outfit—appeared in multiple videos promoting different brands and products. Fake influencers are not the only trick scammers are adopting. Wellness trends travel fast on TikTok, often gaining momentum through word of mouth and personal anecdotes. Scammers have caught on to this and are now exploiting popular formats like the #storytime trend, which has 36.9 million posts on TikTok, to market their products. “My wife and I have spent three years trying to conceive after getting married without success,” reads a slide from one account that was spotlighted in the Media Matters report. “I felt guilty, helpless and ashamed for not giving her the family we dreamed of.” The slides that follow detail the couples struggle and eventual polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosis. These videos likely resonated with many viewers. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility, affecting approximately one in 10 women of childbearing age, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Determined to help her I found this supplement on Amazon that thousands swear by,” the final slide reads. “She started taking it, and for the first time in years, her cycle became regular—we’re finally hopeful again.” Of course, the supplement in question is conveniently linked in bio. Women with PCOS are often the prey of scams promising miracle cures via dubious supplements. But they are not the only ones. “Whoever or whatever created these accounts is trying to capitalize on the internet’s obsession with wellness,” writes Media Matters’s senior investigative researcher Olivia Little. “Nearly every username contains some combination of wellness buzzwords, and the accounts exclusively hawk health and beauty products.” As deepfake technology becomes ever more sophisticated, consumers must remain ever more skeptical of what is being sold to them online. View the full article