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Ginny Marvin, Google’s Ads Liaison, is clarifying how keyword match types interact with AI Overviews (AIO) and AI Mode ad placements — addressing ongoing confusion among advertisers testing AI Max and mixed match-type setups. Why we care. As ads expand into AI-powered placements, advertisers need to understand which keywords are eligible to serve — and when — to avoid unintentionally blocking reach or misreading performance. Back in May. Responding to questions from Marketing Director Yoav Eitani, Marvin confirmed that an ad can serve either above or below an AI Overview or within the AI Overview — but not both in the same auction: “Your ad could trigger to show either above/below AIO or within AIO, but not both at this time.” Marvin confirmed. While both exact and broad match keywords can be eligible to trigger ads above or below AIO, only broad match keywords (or keywordless targeting) are eligible to trigger ads within AI Overviews. What’s changed. In a follow-up exchange with Paid Search specialist Toan Tran, Marvin clarified that Google has updated how eligibility works. Previously, the presence of an exact match keyword could prevent a broad match keyword from serving in AI Overviews. That is no longer the case. “The presence of the same keyword in exact match will not prevent the broad match keyword from triggering an ad in an AI Overview, since the exact match keyword is not eligible to show Ads in AI Overviews and hence not competing with the broad match keyword.” Marvin said. Since exact and phrase match keywords are not eligible for AI Overview placements, they do not compete with broad match keywords in that auction — meaning broad match can still trigger ads within AIO even when the same keyword exists as exact match. The big picture. Google is reinforcing a clear separation between traditional keyword matching and AI-powered intent matching. Ads in AI Overviews rely on a deeper understanding of both the user query and the AI-generated content, which is why eligibility is limited to broader targeting signals. The bottom line. Exact and phrase match keywords won’t show ads in AI Overviews — but they also won’t block broad match from doing so. For advertisers leaning into AI Max and AIO placements, broad match and keywordless strategies are now essential to unlocking reach in Google’s AI-driven surfaces. View the full article

Britain expected to return to Erasmus+ scheme as part of reset of relations with the blocView the full article

New-home purchase activity rose 3.1% year over year, but dropped 7% from October, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. View the full article

As an employer, it’s essential to grasp the key HR laws that shape workplace practices. Familiarize yourself with the Fair Labor Standards Act, which establishes wage and overtime rules, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits various forms of discrimination. Comprehension of the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees you respect employee rights during leave. With these fundamentals, you can better navigate compliance and promote a fair work environment. What other laws should you be aware of? Key Takeaways Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion, ensuring fair treatment in the workplace. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for non-exempt employees. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for employees taking unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates health insurance coverage for larger employers, enhancing employee benefits and access to healthcare. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) ensures workplace safety and compliance with safety regulations to prevent hazards and protect employees. Importance of Legal Knowledge for HR Professionals Comprehending the legal terrain is fundamental for HR professionals, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of their roles within an organization. Recognizing labor and employment law and state labor laws enables you to guarantee compliance, protecting both your organization and its employees from potential legal disputes. Familiarity with key HR laws, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and FMLA, equips you to make informed decisions that promote fairness and equity in the workplace. Additionally, knowledge of employee rights and benefits under laws like FLSA and ERISA provides a competitive edge in managing organizational risks. As employment laws continually evolve, staying updated through continuous education and training is imperative. This proactive approach not just helps you maintain compliance but prepares you to adapt to changes that may affect your organization’s policies and practices. In the end, legal knowledge is an indispensable asset for effective HR management. Workplace Discrimination Laws Workplace discrimination laws play a vital role in maintaining fairness and equality in employment. You need to understand key regulations like Title VII, which prohibits discrimination based on various characteristics, in addition to the importance of implementing harassment prevention strategies. Moreover, knowing how to report discrimination violations is fundamental for nurturing a respectful workplace environment. Key EEO Regulations Grasping key Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations is essential for employers who want to create a fair and inclusive workplace. EEO laws, enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion. Key statutes include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers must also implement anti-harassment policies and provide training, as discrimination claims can arise during hiring processes. Furthermore, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) require accommodations for pregnant employees, ensuring they receive equal treatment. Comprehending these regulations helps maintain compliance and promote a respectful workplace. Harassment Prevention Strategies Understanding EEO regulations lays the groundwork for implementing effective harassment prevention strategies in your organization. To create a safe workplace, consider the following approaches: Develop thorough harassment training programs to educate employees on acceptable behavior and compliance. Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, ensuring all employees feel safe reporting incidents. Implement clear reporting procedures to facilitate immediate and appropriate action on complaints. Conduct regular assessments of workplace culture to identify potential harassment issues early. Encourage employee feedback mechanisms, allowing concerns to be addressed proactively. Reporting Discrimination Violations When faced with allegations of discrimination, it’s vital for employers to act swiftly and responsibly. You must report and investigate any claims without delay, as failing to do so can lead to legal repercussions under Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces these laws and provides guidelines for reporting violations. Employees have 180 days to file a charge of discrimination, which can extend to 300 days in states with local laws. It’s also important to maintain records of discrimination complaints and their resolutions to demonstrate compliance during investigations. Implementing training programs on recognizing and reporting discrimination cultivates a culture of accountability and guarantees your organization adheres to these significant legal standards. Wage and Hour Laws Grasping wage and hour laws is vital for employers to guarantee compliance and avoid costly penalties. These regulations dictate how you manage employee compensation, hours worked, and protections for certain groups. Key aspects you need to know include: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour and mandates overtime pay for non-exempt employees working over 40 hours weekly. You must adhere to child labor laws, limiting the work hours and types of jobs for minors. Accurate record-keeping of hours worked and wages paid is critical to avoid penalties. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to evade wage regulations can result in significant legal risks. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons, all the while ensuring job protection. Understanding these laws helps maintain a fair workplace and protects your business from legal issues. Employee Benefits Laws In relation to employee benefits laws, grasping the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and COBRA is vital for your business. The ACA requires larger employers to provide health insurance, whereas COBRA mandates that you offer continued coverage for employees after they leave. Knowing these regulations helps you stay compliant and guarantees your employees have access to necessary healthcare. ACA Healthcare Access The Affordable Care Act (ACA) considerably reshapes healthcare access for employees, particularly for those working at larger companies. Under this law, employers with 50 or more full-time employees must provide health insurance or face penalties. Here are some key aspects of the ACA: Employers are required to cover vital health benefits, including preventive services and maternity care. Health insurance marketplaces allow individuals and small businesses to compare and purchase plans. Subsidies may be available based on income for those purchasing insurance through these marketplaces. Employers must report health coverage to employees and the IRS, using Form 1095-C for full-time workers. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees might qualify for a tax credit when offering health insurance. COBRA Continuation Coverage Following the ACA’s emphasis on healthcare access, it’s important to understand how COBRA Continuation Coverage plays a vital role in protecting employees’ health benefits during periods of job change. COBRA requires group health plans to offer continuation coverage to employees and their families who lose health insurance because of qualifying events, like job loss or reduced hours. Employers with 20 or more employees must notify eligible individuals of their COBRA rights within 14 days, allowing 60 days to elect coverage. This coverage lasts up to 18 months, with possible extensions for specific situations. Employers can charge up to 102% of the premium cost, including a 2% administrative fee, so it’s important to communicate these financial aspects clearly to employees to avoid penalties. Immigration and Workplace Safety Laws Amidst maneuvering the intricacies of employment, grasping immigration and workplace safety laws is crucial for employers. Comprehending these regulations helps you avoid legal pitfalls and maintain a safe work environment. Verify all new hires’ eligibility using Form I-9 under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to guarantee safe working conditions. Implement state-specific workers’ compensation laws to support employees injured on the job. Be prepared for OSHA inspections, which enforce compliance and hold you accountable for safety violations. Recognize that non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and damage to your organization’s reputation. Key Employment Laws for Different Company Sizes Comprehending employment laws is just as important as maneuvering through immigration and workplace safety regulations, especially since these laws can vary greatly based on the size of your business. Here’s a breakdown of key laws applicable to different company sizes: Company Size Key Employment Laws Fewer than 15 Limited federal anti-discrimination laws apply 15 or more Subject to Title VII and EEOC guidelines 50 or more Must comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 100 or more Required to follow the WARN Act for layoffs All sizes Must adhere to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Understanding these requirements guarantees you stay compliant and protect your business from potential legal issues. Always check local laws, as they may impose stricter regulations than federal standards. Strategies for Ensuring Compliance To guarantee compliance with employment laws, it’s crucial for employers to implement effective strategies that address the unique challenges of their organization. Start by developing thorough HR compliance programs that regularly review and update policies in line with evolving laws. Conduct regular employee training sessions to cultivate a culture of compliance and ethical behavior. Utilize HR compliance tools and software to automate tracking of training and policy adherence. Establish clear reporting mechanisms that allow employees to confidentially report compliance issues, making sure these channels are well communicated. Finally, regularly perform audits to assess compliance capabilities and swiftly address any regulatory shortcomings, involving executive oversight to confirm commitment to compliance initiatives. Develop thorough HR compliance programs Conduct regular employee training sessions Utilize HR compliance tools and software Establish clear reporting mechanisms Regularly perform audits for compliance assessment Staying Updated on Employment Law Changes Staying informed about changes in employment law is vital for employers who want to maintain compliance and avoid potential legal issues. You should regularly review updates from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to stay current on labor laws and regulations. It’s equally important to monitor state and local legislation, as many jurisdictions have laws that exceed federal requirements, particularly regarding paid family leave and minimum wage. Subscribing to legal newsletters and participating in HR webinars can offer timely insights into employment law trends and compliance strategies. Conducting annual compliance audits helps identify gaps in adherence to evolving laws, ensuring your HR policies remain effective. Moreover, engaging with HR associations and networking groups facilitates knowledge-sharing, providing valuable resources regarding legal updates and best practices in employment law. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Main Principles of HR? The seven main principles of HR include legal compliance, employee relations, recruitment and selection, employee development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and organizational culture. You need to guarantee adherence to labor laws during nurturing positive employee interactions. Implement fair hiring practices to attract diverse talent and provide ongoing training for growth. Establish clear performance evaluations, offer competitive compensation, and promote a strong organizational culture to improve employee satisfaction and retention. What Are the 5 P’s in HR? The 5 P’s in HR are crucial for guiding effective human resource practices. First, People focuses on attracting and retaining talent. Next, “Purpose” aligns HR strategies with business goals. “Process” standardizes procedures, ensuring consistency in hiring and evaluations. “Performance” measures employee contributions to improve effectiveness, whereas “Progress” tracks the development of HR initiatives over time. Comprehending these components helps you create a more efficient and supportive workplace culture. What Are the Most Important Labor Laws? You should be aware of several important labor laws that protect employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, and other characteristics. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) guarantees workplace safety, whereas ERISA governs pension plan standards. What Are the 7 HR Basics? To grasp the seven HR basics, you should focus on recruitment, employee onboarding, performance management, training and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. Each area plays an essential role in maintaining a productive workplace. Recruitment guarantees you find the right talent, whereas onboarding helps integrate new hires. Performance management tracks employee progress, and training develops skills, nurturing a motivated workforce aligned with organizational goals. Conclusion To conclude, it’s crucial for you as an employer to understand key HR laws like the FLSA, Title VII, FMLA, and OSHA. These laws shape your workplace policies and guarantee compliance, protecting both your employees and your business. Regularly review these regulations and stay informed about changes to maintain a fair and safe work environment. By prioritizing legal knowledge, you improve your organization’s integrity and promote a positive workplace culture that benefits everyone involved. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Key HR Laws Should Every Employer Know?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As an employer, it’s essential to grasp the key HR laws that shape workplace practices. Familiarize yourself with the Fair Labor Standards Act, which establishes wage and overtime rules, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that prohibits various forms of discrimination. Comprehension of the Family and Medical Leave Act guarantees you respect employee rights during leave. With these fundamentals, you can better navigate compliance and promote a fair work environment. What other laws should you be aware of? Key Takeaways Title VII prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion, ensuring fair treatment in the workplace. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for non-exempt employees. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for employees taking unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates health insurance coverage for larger employers, enhancing employee benefits and access to healthcare. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) ensures workplace safety and compliance with safety regulations to prevent hazards and protect employees. Importance of Legal Knowledge for HR Professionals Comprehending the legal terrain is fundamental for HR professionals, as it directly impacts the effectiveness of their roles within an organization. Recognizing labor and employment law and state labor laws enables you to guarantee compliance, protecting both your organization and its employees from potential legal disputes. Familiarity with key HR laws, including Title VII, ADA, ADEA, and FMLA, equips you to make informed decisions that promote fairness and equity in the workplace. Additionally, knowledge of employee rights and benefits under laws like FLSA and ERISA provides a competitive edge in managing organizational risks. As employment laws continually evolve, staying updated through continuous education and training is imperative. This proactive approach not just helps you maintain compliance but prepares you to adapt to changes that may affect your organization’s policies and practices. In the end, legal knowledge is an indispensable asset for effective HR management. Workplace Discrimination Laws Workplace discrimination laws play a vital role in maintaining fairness and equality in employment. You need to understand key regulations like Title VII, which prohibits discrimination based on various characteristics, in addition to the importance of implementing harassment prevention strategies. Moreover, knowing how to report discrimination violations is fundamental for nurturing a respectful workplace environment. Key EEO Regulations Grasping key Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations is essential for employers who want to create a fair and inclusive workplace. EEO laws, enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and religion. Key statutes include Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employers must also implement anti-harassment policies and provide training, as discrimination claims can arise during hiring processes. Furthermore, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) require accommodations for pregnant employees, ensuring they receive equal treatment. Comprehending these regulations helps maintain compliance and promote a respectful workplace. Harassment Prevention Strategies Understanding EEO regulations lays the groundwork for implementing effective harassment prevention strategies in your organization. To create a safe workplace, consider the following approaches: Develop thorough harassment training programs to educate employees on acceptable behavior and compliance. Establish a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, ensuring all employees feel safe reporting incidents. Implement clear reporting procedures to facilitate immediate and appropriate action on complaints. Conduct regular assessments of workplace culture to identify potential harassment issues early. Encourage employee feedback mechanisms, allowing concerns to be addressed proactively. Reporting Discrimination Violations When faced with allegations of discrimination, it’s vital for employers to act swiftly and responsibly. You must report and investigate any claims without delay, as failing to do so can lead to legal repercussions under Title VII and other anti-discrimination laws. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces these laws and provides guidelines for reporting violations. Employees have 180 days to file a charge of discrimination, which can extend to 300 days in states with local laws. It’s also important to maintain records of discrimination complaints and their resolutions to demonstrate compliance during investigations. Implementing training programs on recognizing and reporting discrimination cultivates a culture of accountability and guarantees your organization adheres to these significant legal standards. Wage and Hour Laws Grasping wage and hour laws is vital for employers to guarantee compliance and avoid costly penalties. These regulations dictate how you manage employee compensation, hours worked, and protections for certain groups. Key aspects you need to know include: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the federal minimum wage at $7.25 per hour and mandates overtime pay for non-exempt employees working over 40 hours weekly. You must adhere to child labor laws, limiting the work hours and types of jobs for minors. Accurate record-keeping of hours worked and wages paid is critical to avoid penalties. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors to evade wage regulations can result in significant legal risks. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees unpaid leave for specific family and medical reasons, all the while ensuring job protection. Understanding these laws helps maintain a fair workplace and protects your business from legal issues. Employee Benefits Laws In relation to employee benefits laws, grasping the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and COBRA is vital for your business. The ACA requires larger employers to provide health insurance, whereas COBRA mandates that you offer continued coverage for employees after they leave. Knowing these regulations helps you stay compliant and guarantees your employees have access to necessary healthcare. ACA Healthcare Access The Affordable Care Act (ACA) considerably reshapes healthcare access for employees, particularly for those working at larger companies. Under this law, employers with 50 or more full-time employees must provide health insurance or face penalties. Here are some key aspects of the ACA: Employers are required to cover vital health benefits, including preventive services and maternity care. Health insurance marketplaces allow individuals and small businesses to compare and purchase plans. Subsidies may be available based on income for those purchasing insurance through these marketplaces. Employers must report health coverage to employees and the IRS, using Form 1095-C for full-time workers. Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees might qualify for a tax credit when offering health insurance. COBRA Continuation Coverage Following the ACA’s emphasis on healthcare access, it’s important to understand how COBRA Continuation Coverage plays a vital role in protecting employees’ health benefits during periods of job change. COBRA requires group health plans to offer continuation coverage to employees and their families who lose health insurance because of qualifying events, like job loss or reduced hours. Employers with 20 or more employees must notify eligible individuals of their COBRA rights within 14 days, allowing 60 days to elect coverage. This coverage lasts up to 18 months, with possible extensions for specific situations. Employers can charge up to 102% of the premium cost, including a 2% administrative fee, so it’s important to communicate these financial aspects clearly to employees to avoid penalties. Immigration and Workplace Safety Laws Amidst maneuvering the intricacies of employment, grasping immigration and workplace safety laws is crucial for employers. Comprehending these regulations helps you avoid legal pitfalls and maintain a safe work environment. Verify all new hires’ eligibility using Form I-9 under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to guarantee safe working conditions. Implement state-specific workers’ compensation laws to support employees injured on the job. Be prepared for OSHA inspections, which enforce compliance and hold you accountable for safety violations. Recognize that non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, fines, and damage to your organization’s reputation. Key Employment Laws for Different Company Sizes Comprehending employment laws is just as important as maneuvering through immigration and workplace safety regulations, especially since these laws can vary greatly based on the size of your business. Here’s a breakdown of key laws applicable to different company sizes: Company Size Key Employment Laws Fewer than 15 Limited federal anti-discrimination laws apply 15 or more Subject to Title VII and EEOC guidelines 50 or more Must comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) 100 or more Required to follow the WARN Act for layoffs All sizes Must adhere to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Understanding these requirements guarantees you stay compliant and protect your business from potential legal issues. Always check local laws, as they may impose stricter regulations than federal standards. Strategies for Ensuring Compliance To guarantee compliance with employment laws, it’s crucial for employers to implement effective strategies that address the unique challenges of their organization. Start by developing thorough HR compliance programs that regularly review and update policies in line with evolving laws. Conduct regular employee training sessions to cultivate a culture of compliance and ethical behavior. Utilize HR compliance tools and software to automate tracking of training and policy adherence. Establish clear reporting mechanisms that allow employees to confidentially report compliance issues, making sure these channels are well communicated. Finally, regularly perform audits to assess compliance capabilities and swiftly address any regulatory shortcomings, involving executive oversight to confirm commitment to compliance initiatives. Develop thorough HR compliance programs Conduct regular employee training sessions Utilize HR compliance tools and software Establish clear reporting mechanisms Regularly perform audits for compliance assessment Staying Updated on Employment Law Changes Staying informed about changes in employment law is vital for employers who want to maintain compliance and avoid potential legal issues. You should regularly review updates from the U.S. Department of Labor and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to stay current on labor laws and regulations. It’s equally important to monitor state and local legislation, as many jurisdictions have laws that exceed federal requirements, particularly regarding paid family leave and minimum wage. Subscribing to legal newsletters and participating in HR webinars can offer timely insights into employment law trends and compliance strategies. Conducting annual compliance audits helps identify gaps in adherence to evolving laws, ensuring your HR policies remain effective. Moreover, engaging with HR associations and networking groups facilitates knowledge-sharing, providing valuable resources regarding legal updates and best practices in employment law. Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Main Principles of HR? The seven main principles of HR include legal compliance, employee relations, recruitment and selection, employee development, performance management, compensation and benefits, and organizational culture. You need to guarantee adherence to labor laws during nurturing positive employee interactions. Implement fair hiring practices to attract diverse talent and provide ongoing training for growth. Establish clear performance evaluations, offer competitive compensation, and promote a strong organizational culture to improve employee satisfaction and retention. What Are the 5 P’s in HR? The 5 P’s in HR are crucial for guiding effective human resource practices. First, People focuses on attracting and retaining talent. Next, “Purpose” aligns HR strategies with business goals. “Process” standardizes procedures, ensuring consistency in hiring and evaluations. “Performance” measures employee contributions to improve effectiveness, whereas “Progress” tracks the development of HR initiatives over time. Comprehending these components helps you create a more efficient and supportive workplace culture. What Are the Most Important Labor Laws? You should be aware of several important labor laws that protect employees. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave for specific family and medical reasons. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, and other characteristics. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) guarantees workplace safety, whereas ERISA governs pension plan standards. What Are the 7 HR Basics? To grasp the seven HR basics, you should focus on recruitment, employee onboarding, performance management, training and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. Each area plays an essential role in maintaining a productive workplace. Recruitment guarantees you find the right talent, whereas onboarding helps integrate new hires. Performance management tracks employee progress, and training develops skills, nurturing a motivated workforce aligned with organizational goals. Conclusion To conclude, it’s crucial for you as an employer to understand key HR laws like the FLSA, Title VII, FMLA, and OSHA. These laws shape your workplace policies and guarantee compliance, protecting both your employees and your business. Regularly review these regulations and stay informed about changes to maintain a fair and safe work environment. By prioritizing legal knowledge, you improve your organization’s integrity and promote a positive workplace culture that benefits everyone involved. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Key HR Laws Should Every Employer Know?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Conflict resolution is crucial for healthy relationships since it enables partners to communicate openly and address disagreements constructively. By managing conflicts effectively, you can uncover underlying issues, improve intimacy, and build trust. Furthermore, it promotes emotional well-being and transforms disputes into opportunities for growth. Comprehending the role of conflict can provide insights into maintaining a fulfilling connection, but many couples struggle with this process. What strategies can you implement to improve your conflict resolution skills? Key Takeaways Conflict resolution fosters better communication and understanding between partners, enhancing the overall quality of the relationship. Addressing conflicts helps uncover underlying issues, leading to stronger intimacy and trust. Healthy conflict resolution reduces stress and emotional distance, promoting emotional well-being. Engaging in constructive disagreements encourages personal growth and collaborative problem-solving. Regular resolution practices create a resilient relationship, allowing partners to navigate future conflicts more effectively. The Role of Conflict in Relationship Growth Though many people view conflict as a negative aspect of relationships, it can actually play a crucial role in nurturing growth between partners. Conflict resolution can act as a leader in guiding you toward better comprehension and communication. By addressing disagreements, you uncover underlying issues that may have otherwise remained hidden. The benefits of conflict resolution are significant, as it promotes intimacy and trust, reinforcing your bond. Furthermore, engaging in healthy conflict resolution behaviors, like using humor and affection, can improve your overall health and well-being. Why is conflict resolution important? It allows you to see each other’s perspectives, cultivating deeper empathy and emotional connections. Embracing conflict as a natural part of your relationship can transform disagreements into collaborative opportunities, turning potential pitfalls into stepping stones for a stronger partnership. In the end, managing conflict effectively improves both your relationship and personal growth. Understanding Healthy vs. Unhealthy Conflict Comprehending the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict is crucial for nurturing strong relationships. Healthy conflict encourages open dialogue and respects differing opinions, whereas unhealthy conflict often involves blame and creates a toxic environment. Healthy Conflict Characteristics Healthy conflict plays a vital role in maintaining strong relationships, as it allows partners to express their feelings and perspectives in a constructive manner. Characteristics of healthy conflict include respectful dialogue, where both individuals feel safe to communicate without fear of personal attacks. This contrasts sharply with unhealthy conflict, which often involves blame and manipulation. Engaging in positive conflict resolution promotes comprehension and collaboration, addressing deeper emotional issues rather than just surface disagreements. Utilizing strategies like “I” statements and empathetic listening can improve conflict management in healthcare settings and relationships alike. Signs of Unhealthy Conflict Recognizing signs of unhealthy conflict is vital for maintaining a stable relationship, as these indicators can reveal deeper issues that need addressing. Unhealthy conflict often includes personal attacks, which can undermine self-esteem and trust. You might notice controlling behaviors, like monitoring your communications or restricting activities. Frequent accusations of untrustworthiness or infidelity may indicate underlying control and insecurity. Furthermore, engaging in retaliatory or abusive actions during disagreements is a strong sign of an unhealthy dynamic. Here’s a quick reference table to help identify these signs: Signs of Unhealthy Conflict Impact on Relationship Personal attacks Decreased self-esteem Controlling behaviors Erosion of trust Accusations of untrustworthiness Increased insecurity Retaliatory or abusive actions Emotional distress Strategies for Positive Resolution Even though conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, how you handle them can make a significant difference in the outcome. Positive conflict resolution hinges on recognizing and addressing the underlying emotional concerns behind disagreements. Engage in open dialogue and practice active listening to transform conflicts into opportunities for collaboration. Utilize “I” statements to express feelings without assigning blame, which can prevent misinterpretations from escalating. Establish boundaries to maintain respect during discussions, keeping interactions healthy. Research shows that couples who incorporate humor and affection into conflict resolution experience better physical health, including lower cortisol levels. The Importance of Open Communication Open communication is vital in nurturing honest dialogue between partners, allowing you to express your thoughts and feelings clearly. By prioritizing transparency, you build trust, which strengthens your emotional connection and reduces the chances of misunderstandings. Engaging in respectful conversations can lead to more effective conflict resolution, eventually enhancing the health of your relationship. Encouraging Honest Dialogue Effective communication during conflicts is vital for maintaining healthy relationships, as it allows partners to voice their thoughts and feelings openly. Honest dialogue nurtures comprehension and prevents misunderstandings, which can escalate conflicts. Constructive communication, characterized by respectful dialogue and active listening, is significant for resolving issues and strengthening your connection. Benefits of Honest Dialogue Tips for Encouraging Open Communication Clarifies intentions Use “I” statements to express feelings Reduces misunderstandings Practice active listening Promotes empathy Create a safe space for discussion Shifts focus from winning to comprehension Use humor to lighten tense moments Improves relationship quality Schedule regular check-ins Engaging in positive conflict resolution behaviors contributes to better health outcomes and improves relationship satisfaction. Building Trust Through Transparency Trust is a cornerstone of any successful relationship, and transparency plays a crucial role in nurturing that trust. Open communication allows you and your partner to express thoughts and feelings freely, which is fundamental for effective conflict resolution. Here are key benefits of transparency: Clarifies Intentions: Being open about your motivations reduces misunderstandings that can escalate conflicts. Encourages Active Listening: Engaging in dialogue strengthens your connection and promotes empathy, especially during disagreements. Improves Satisfaction: Couples who communicate openly tend to experience greater relationship satisfaction and achieve win-win outcomes. Establishing a habit of transparent communication not merely aids in resolving conflicts but additionally reinforces the overall health and longevity of your relationship. Strategies for Effective Conflict Resolution Though conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship, knowing how to manage it constructively can greatly improve your connection with your partner. Effective conflict resolution starts with recognizing that conflict can lead to personal growth and deeper comprehension. Employ strategies like active listening and open dialogue to help you both articulate feelings and motivations, nurturing a collaborative problem-solving environment. Utilizing “I” statements can express your feelings without sounding accusatory, which reduces defensiveness and promotes constructive conversations. In addition, engaging in synergistic brainstorming encourages you to find win-win solutions, reinforcing teamwork and mutual respect in your relationship. Regular relationship health assessments and check-ins can likewise identify strengths and areas needing improvement, ensuring ongoing communication and commitment to resolution strategies. Embracing Differences Through Compromise Compromise is crucial in steering the differences that inevitably arise in any relationship. Embracing these differences helps you and your partner navigate conflicting goals as you reinforce your interdependence. Through healthy conflict, you can shift your focus from winning arguments to discovering mutually beneficial solutions, which encourages teamwork. Here are three key benefits of compromise: Deeper Comprehension: Engaging in compromise allows you to gain insights into each other’s values and desires, enhancing emotional intimacy. Effective Communication: Collaborative problem-solving reduces emotional disturbances and promotes clear communication, fundamental for resolution. Trust Building: Recognizing and respecting each other’s needs during compromise lays a strong foundation of trust and respect, crucial for a thriving relationship. Recognizing the Signs of Relationship Health Recognizing the signs of relationship health is vital for maintaining a strong partnership. Open communication stands out as a key indicator, allowing you and your partner to express feelings and concerns without fear. When misunderstandings arise, your ability to resolve them quickly is fundamental, as many conflicts stem from miscommunication. It’s also important to recognize and respect each other’s conflict resolution styles, accommodating different needs during disagreements. Establishing clear boundaries can help guarantee conflicts are managed respectfully, preventing personal attacks or emotional harm. Regularly evaluating your relationship dynamics can identify strengths and areas for improvement. This practice promotes continuous growth and improves the health of your partnership. The Impact of Conflict on Emotional Well-being Conflict can greatly impact your emotional well-being, especially in intimate relationships. When left unresolved, conflicts can lead to increased stress, resentment, and emotional distance between partners. Comprehending this impact can help you maneuver disagreements more effectively. Here are three key points to reflect on: Stress Reduction: Healthy conflict resolution often lowers cortisol levels, promoting better overall health and emotional stability. Enhanced Relationship Quality: Engaging in positive conflict behaviors, like humor and affection, can strengthen your bond and increase trust. Personal Growth: Managing disagreements constructively cultivates comprehension and personal development, crucial for maintaining emotional well-being. Tools for Building Stronger Connections Building stronger connections in relationships requires effective tools that facilitate open communication and mutual insight. One key tool is active listening, which allows you to fully grasp your partner’s feelings without sounding accusatory. Using “I” statements can help you express your thoughts clearly, encouraging healthier dialogue. Engaging in discussions about each other’s conflict styles promotes a deeper awareness of needs and preferences, enhancing collaboration and empathy. Exercises like the Blueprint for Love worksheet enable you to identify ideal relationship characteristics as you address unresolved issues. Furthermore, conducting regular relationship health assessments, such as monthly check-ups, helps facilitate ongoing communication and identify areas for improvement. Couples who incorporate positive conflict resolution behaviors, like humor and affection, often experience better health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of addressing disagreements constructively. By utilizing these tools, you can strengthen your relationship and build lasting connections. Seeking Help When Conflicts Become Unmanageable Sometimes, regardless of your best efforts to strengthen your relationship, conflicts can escalate to a point where they feel unmanageable. Seeking professional help can be an essential step in maneuvering these challenges. Here are three reasons to evaluate therapy: A neutral third party, like a therapist, can facilitate comprehension between you and your partner, making it easier to address difficult topics constructively. Therapy can provide insights into unhealthy conflict patterns, equipping you with strategies to improve communication and emotional responses during disagreements. Regular check-ins with a counselor can help you reflect on past conflicts, learn from them, and develop techniques to prevent similar issues in the future. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Conflict Resolution Important for Relationships? Conflict resolution is essential for relationships as it helps you address disagreements constructively. By resolving conflicts, you prevent misunderstandings from escalating, which can damage trust and communication. Engaging in open dialogue allows you to understand different perspectives, nurturing growth and connection. Utilizing positive strategies, like active listening, guarantees both partners feel heard. In the end, effective conflict resolution promotes a healthier relationship dynamic, leading to greater satisfaction and longevity in your partnership. How to Healthily Resolve Conflict in a Relationship? To healthily resolve conflict in a relationship, start by using “I” statements to express your feelings without blaming the other person. Actively listen to their perspective, ensuring you understand their viewpoint. Engage in collaborative brainstorming to find solutions that satisfy both partners. Focus on a win-win outcome, which strengthens your partnership rather than creating a winner and a loser. Regularly check in on your relationship dynamics to address potential misunderstandings early. How Conflict Can Contribute Positively to a Healthy Relationship? Conflict can actually improve a healthy relationship by encouraging open communication and deeper comprehension. When you engage in constructive disagreement, you’re able to uncover underlying issues and address them directly. This process promotes empathy and collaboration, shifting your focus from merely winning an argument to seeking mutual solutions. What Does Healthy Conflict Look Like in a Relationship? Healthy conflict in a relationship involves open communication where you express your thoughts and feelings respectfully. It’s about addressing underlying emotional issues rather than merely focusing on surface disagreements. You collaborate with your partner to find mutually beneficial solutions, nurturing trust and empathy. This constructive approach reduces misunderstandings and strengthens your connection. Positive conflict resolution behaviors include humor and affection, which can help maintain a balanced emotional atmosphere during disagreements. Conclusion In summary, conflict resolution is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. By engaging in constructive dialogue, you can address disagreements, promote comprehension, and strengthen your bond. Effective strategies, such as open communication and compromise, help both partners feel respected and valued. Recognizing the signs of a healthy relationship and seeking assistance when conflicts escalate can further improve emotional well-being. In the end, embracing conflict as an opportunity for growth nurtures deeper connections and a more fulfilling partnership. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Why Is Conflict Resolution Important for Healthy Relationships?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Conflict resolution is crucial for healthy relationships since it enables partners to communicate openly and address disagreements constructively. By managing conflicts effectively, you can uncover underlying issues, improve intimacy, and build trust. Furthermore, it promotes emotional well-being and transforms disputes into opportunities for growth. Comprehending the role of conflict can provide insights into maintaining a fulfilling connection, but many couples struggle with this process. What strategies can you implement to improve your conflict resolution skills? Key Takeaways Conflict resolution fosters better communication and understanding between partners, enhancing the overall quality of the relationship. Addressing conflicts helps uncover underlying issues, leading to stronger intimacy and trust. Healthy conflict resolution reduces stress and emotional distance, promoting emotional well-being. Engaging in constructive disagreements encourages personal growth and collaborative problem-solving. Regular resolution practices create a resilient relationship, allowing partners to navigate future conflicts more effectively. The Role of Conflict in Relationship Growth Though many people view conflict as a negative aspect of relationships, it can actually play a crucial role in nurturing growth between partners. Conflict resolution can act as a leader in guiding you toward better comprehension and communication. By addressing disagreements, you uncover underlying issues that may have otherwise remained hidden. The benefits of conflict resolution are significant, as it promotes intimacy and trust, reinforcing your bond. Furthermore, engaging in healthy conflict resolution behaviors, like using humor and affection, can improve your overall health and well-being. Why is conflict resolution important? It allows you to see each other’s perspectives, cultivating deeper empathy and emotional connections. Embracing conflict as a natural part of your relationship can transform disagreements into collaborative opportunities, turning potential pitfalls into stepping stones for a stronger partnership. In the end, managing conflict effectively improves both your relationship and personal growth. Understanding Healthy vs. Unhealthy Conflict Comprehending the difference between healthy and unhealthy conflict is crucial for nurturing strong relationships. Healthy conflict encourages open dialogue and respects differing opinions, whereas unhealthy conflict often involves blame and creates a toxic environment. Healthy Conflict Characteristics Healthy conflict plays a vital role in maintaining strong relationships, as it allows partners to express their feelings and perspectives in a constructive manner. Characteristics of healthy conflict include respectful dialogue, where both individuals feel safe to communicate without fear of personal attacks. This contrasts sharply with unhealthy conflict, which often involves blame and manipulation. Engaging in positive conflict resolution promotes comprehension and collaboration, addressing deeper emotional issues rather than just surface disagreements. Utilizing strategies like “I” statements and empathetic listening can improve conflict management in healthcare settings and relationships alike. Signs of Unhealthy Conflict Recognizing signs of unhealthy conflict is vital for maintaining a stable relationship, as these indicators can reveal deeper issues that need addressing. Unhealthy conflict often includes personal attacks, which can undermine self-esteem and trust. You might notice controlling behaviors, like monitoring your communications or restricting activities. Frequent accusations of untrustworthiness or infidelity may indicate underlying control and insecurity. Furthermore, engaging in retaliatory or abusive actions during disagreements is a strong sign of an unhealthy dynamic. Here’s a quick reference table to help identify these signs: Signs of Unhealthy Conflict Impact on Relationship Personal attacks Decreased self-esteem Controlling behaviors Erosion of trust Accusations of untrustworthiness Increased insecurity Retaliatory or abusive actions Emotional distress Strategies for Positive Resolution Even though conflicts are a natural part of any relationship, how you handle them can make a significant difference in the outcome. Positive conflict resolution hinges on recognizing and addressing the underlying emotional concerns behind disagreements. Engage in open dialogue and practice active listening to transform conflicts into opportunities for collaboration. Utilize “I” statements to express feelings without assigning blame, which can prevent misinterpretations from escalating. Establish boundaries to maintain respect during discussions, keeping interactions healthy. Research shows that couples who incorporate humor and affection into conflict resolution experience better physical health, including lower cortisol levels. The Importance of Open Communication Open communication is vital in nurturing honest dialogue between partners, allowing you to express your thoughts and feelings clearly. By prioritizing transparency, you build trust, which strengthens your emotional connection and reduces the chances of misunderstandings. Engaging in respectful conversations can lead to more effective conflict resolution, eventually enhancing the health of your relationship. Encouraging Honest Dialogue Effective communication during conflicts is vital for maintaining healthy relationships, as it allows partners to voice their thoughts and feelings openly. Honest dialogue nurtures comprehension and prevents misunderstandings, which can escalate conflicts. Constructive communication, characterized by respectful dialogue and active listening, is significant for resolving issues and strengthening your connection. Benefits of Honest Dialogue Tips for Encouraging Open Communication Clarifies intentions Use “I” statements to express feelings Reduces misunderstandings Practice active listening Promotes empathy Create a safe space for discussion Shifts focus from winning to comprehension Use humor to lighten tense moments Improves relationship quality Schedule regular check-ins Engaging in positive conflict resolution behaviors contributes to better health outcomes and improves relationship satisfaction. Building Trust Through Transparency Trust is a cornerstone of any successful relationship, and transparency plays a crucial role in nurturing that trust. Open communication allows you and your partner to express thoughts and feelings freely, which is fundamental for effective conflict resolution. Here are key benefits of transparency: Clarifies Intentions: Being open about your motivations reduces misunderstandings that can escalate conflicts. Encourages Active Listening: Engaging in dialogue strengthens your connection and promotes empathy, especially during disagreements. Improves Satisfaction: Couples who communicate openly tend to experience greater relationship satisfaction and achieve win-win outcomes. Establishing a habit of transparent communication not merely aids in resolving conflicts but additionally reinforces the overall health and longevity of your relationship. Strategies for Effective Conflict Resolution Though conflict is an inevitable part of any relationship, knowing how to manage it constructively can greatly improve your connection with your partner. Effective conflict resolution starts with recognizing that conflict can lead to personal growth and deeper comprehension. Employ strategies like active listening and open dialogue to help you both articulate feelings and motivations, nurturing a collaborative problem-solving environment. Utilizing “I” statements can express your feelings without sounding accusatory, which reduces defensiveness and promotes constructive conversations. In addition, engaging in synergistic brainstorming encourages you to find win-win solutions, reinforcing teamwork and mutual respect in your relationship. Regular relationship health assessments and check-ins can likewise identify strengths and areas needing improvement, ensuring ongoing communication and commitment to resolution strategies. Embracing Differences Through Compromise Compromise is crucial in steering the differences that inevitably arise in any relationship. Embracing these differences helps you and your partner navigate conflicting goals as you reinforce your interdependence. Through healthy conflict, you can shift your focus from winning arguments to discovering mutually beneficial solutions, which encourages teamwork. Here are three key benefits of compromise: Deeper Comprehension: Engaging in compromise allows you to gain insights into each other’s values and desires, enhancing emotional intimacy. Effective Communication: Collaborative problem-solving reduces emotional disturbances and promotes clear communication, fundamental for resolution. Trust Building: Recognizing and respecting each other’s needs during compromise lays a strong foundation of trust and respect, crucial for a thriving relationship. Recognizing the Signs of Relationship Health Recognizing the signs of relationship health is vital for maintaining a strong partnership. Open communication stands out as a key indicator, allowing you and your partner to express feelings and concerns without fear. When misunderstandings arise, your ability to resolve them quickly is fundamental, as many conflicts stem from miscommunication. It’s also important to recognize and respect each other’s conflict resolution styles, accommodating different needs during disagreements. Establishing clear boundaries can help guarantee conflicts are managed respectfully, preventing personal attacks or emotional harm. Regularly evaluating your relationship dynamics can identify strengths and areas for improvement. This practice promotes continuous growth and improves the health of your partnership. The Impact of Conflict on Emotional Well-being Conflict can greatly impact your emotional well-being, especially in intimate relationships. When left unresolved, conflicts can lead to increased stress, resentment, and emotional distance between partners. Comprehending this impact can help you maneuver disagreements more effectively. Here are three key points to reflect on: Stress Reduction: Healthy conflict resolution often lowers cortisol levels, promoting better overall health and emotional stability. Enhanced Relationship Quality: Engaging in positive conflict behaviors, like humor and affection, can strengthen your bond and increase trust. Personal Growth: Managing disagreements constructively cultivates comprehension and personal development, crucial for maintaining emotional well-being. Tools for Building Stronger Connections Building stronger connections in relationships requires effective tools that facilitate open communication and mutual insight. One key tool is active listening, which allows you to fully grasp your partner’s feelings without sounding accusatory. Using “I” statements can help you express your thoughts clearly, encouraging healthier dialogue. Engaging in discussions about each other’s conflict styles promotes a deeper awareness of needs and preferences, enhancing collaboration and empathy. Exercises like the Blueprint for Love worksheet enable you to identify ideal relationship characteristics as you address unresolved issues. Furthermore, conducting regular relationship health assessments, such as monthly check-ups, helps facilitate ongoing communication and identify areas for improvement. Couples who incorporate positive conflict resolution behaviors, like humor and affection, often experience better health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of addressing disagreements constructively. By utilizing these tools, you can strengthen your relationship and build lasting connections. Seeking Help When Conflicts Become Unmanageable Sometimes, regardless of your best efforts to strengthen your relationship, conflicts can escalate to a point where they feel unmanageable. Seeking professional help can be an essential step in maneuvering these challenges. Here are three reasons to evaluate therapy: A neutral third party, like a therapist, can facilitate comprehension between you and your partner, making it easier to address difficult topics constructively. Therapy can provide insights into unhealthy conflict patterns, equipping you with strategies to improve communication and emotional responses during disagreements. Regular check-ins with a counselor can help you reflect on past conflicts, learn from them, and develop techniques to prevent similar issues in the future. Frequently Asked Questions Why Is Conflict Resolution Important for Relationships? Conflict resolution is essential for relationships as it helps you address disagreements constructively. By resolving conflicts, you prevent misunderstandings from escalating, which can damage trust and communication. Engaging in open dialogue allows you to understand different perspectives, nurturing growth and connection. Utilizing positive strategies, like active listening, guarantees both partners feel heard. In the end, effective conflict resolution promotes a healthier relationship dynamic, leading to greater satisfaction and longevity in your partnership. How to Healthily Resolve Conflict in a Relationship? To healthily resolve conflict in a relationship, start by using “I” statements to express your feelings without blaming the other person. Actively listen to their perspective, ensuring you understand their viewpoint. Engage in collaborative brainstorming to find solutions that satisfy both partners. Focus on a win-win outcome, which strengthens your partnership rather than creating a winner and a loser. Regularly check in on your relationship dynamics to address potential misunderstandings early. How Conflict Can Contribute Positively to a Healthy Relationship? Conflict can actually improve a healthy relationship by encouraging open communication and deeper comprehension. When you engage in constructive disagreement, you’re able to uncover underlying issues and address them directly. This process promotes empathy and collaboration, shifting your focus from merely winning an argument to seeking mutual solutions. What Does Healthy Conflict Look Like in a Relationship? Healthy conflict in a relationship involves open communication where you express your thoughts and feelings respectfully. It’s about addressing underlying emotional issues rather than merely focusing on surface disagreements. You collaborate with your partner to find mutually beneficial solutions, nurturing trust and empathy. This constructive approach reduces misunderstandings and strengthens your connection. Positive conflict resolution behaviors include humor and affection, which can help maintain a balanced emotional atmosphere during disagreements. Conclusion In summary, conflict resolution is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. By engaging in constructive dialogue, you can address disagreements, promote comprehension, and strengthen your bond. Effective strategies, such as open communication and compromise, help both partners feel respected and valued. Recognizing the signs of a healthy relationship and seeking assistance when conflicts escalate can further improve emotional well-being. In the end, embracing conflict as an opportunity for growth nurtures deeper connections and a more fulfilling partnership. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Why Is Conflict Resolution Important for Healthy Relationships?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where customer feedback can make or break a small business, SurveyMonkey has stepped up its game with revamped survey collection tools that promise to enhance how businesses gather insights. Small business owners looking to refine their feedback processes will find the latest updates to SurveyMonkey’s email and website collectors particularly useful. SurveyMonkey’s enhanced collectors aim to create a more polished and engaging experience for respondents, which is critical in today’s feedback-saturated environment. The platform boasts a cleaner design, clearer steps for participation, and a streamlined setup process that promises to reduce respondent friction. “These modernized collectors are all about helping you create survey invites that are polished, trustworthy, and inspiring,” a representative from SurveyMonkey stated. The emphasis on aesthetics and user experience sets a tone of professionalism that can reflect positively on businesses aiming to leverage customer opinions. For small business owners, the practical applications of these updates are numerous. First, enjoying a visually appealing interface can improve response rates. When surveys are easy to navigate, respondents are more likely to complete them. This is particularly important for small businesses that may rely heavily on acquiring insight from customer feedback to refine products or services. A higher number of completed surveys can lead to a more accurate understanding of customer needs. Second, the simplified setup process allows small business owners to implement these tools without needing extensive technical skills. Time is often a luxury for small business operators, and the ability to deploy surveys quickly and efficiently can be a significant advantage. Moreover, businesses can utilize email collectors to create targeted surveys aimed at specific customer segments. This tailored approach can yield more relevant data, which is crucial for making informed decisions in areas such as customer satisfaction, product development, and marketing strategies. However, small business owners might encounter challenges with the rollout of these new features. While the enhanced design is aesthetically pleasing, it is important to ensure that the essence of the survey remains intact. Overly complex wording or a flashy interface could distract from the survey’s primary purpose: collecting genuine feedback. Additionally, it may take some time for businesses to fully understand how to maximize the new functionalities effectively. Adapting to any platform update can involve a learning curve, and small business owners should prepare to invest some time in training or experiments to fully leverage these benefits. Also, owners should remain mindful of the importance of maintaining a personal touch in their customer interactions. While aesthetics matter, the voice and tone of the communications in surveys should remain authentic to the brand. If the survey feels too generic or lacks personalization, it could risk alienating customers. Ultimately, these updates present significant opportunities for small businesses aiming to enhance their feedback mechanisms. By implementing modernized design aspects and ease of setup, small businesses can create a better survey experience that not only improves response rates but also strengthens the overall customer relationship. Small business owners interested in refining their survey strategies should consider exploring the updated email and website collector features on SurveyMonkey, as effective customer engagement begins with understanding their needs. For further details, visit SurveyMonkey’s announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SurveyMonkey Revamps Survey Tools for Smoother User Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where customer feedback can make or break a small business, SurveyMonkey has stepped up its game with revamped survey collection tools that promise to enhance how businesses gather insights. Small business owners looking to refine their feedback processes will find the latest updates to SurveyMonkey’s email and website collectors particularly useful. SurveyMonkey’s enhanced collectors aim to create a more polished and engaging experience for respondents, which is critical in today’s feedback-saturated environment. The platform boasts a cleaner design, clearer steps for participation, and a streamlined setup process that promises to reduce respondent friction. “These modernized collectors are all about helping you create survey invites that are polished, trustworthy, and inspiring,” a representative from SurveyMonkey stated. The emphasis on aesthetics and user experience sets a tone of professionalism that can reflect positively on businesses aiming to leverage customer opinions. For small business owners, the practical applications of these updates are numerous. First, enjoying a visually appealing interface can improve response rates. When surveys are easy to navigate, respondents are more likely to complete them. This is particularly important for small businesses that may rely heavily on acquiring insight from customer feedback to refine products or services. A higher number of completed surveys can lead to a more accurate understanding of customer needs. Second, the simplified setup process allows small business owners to implement these tools without needing extensive technical skills. Time is often a luxury for small business operators, and the ability to deploy surveys quickly and efficiently can be a significant advantage. Moreover, businesses can utilize email collectors to create targeted surveys aimed at specific customer segments. This tailored approach can yield more relevant data, which is crucial for making informed decisions in areas such as customer satisfaction, product development, and marketing strategies. However, small business owners might encounter challenges with the rollout of these new features. While the enhanced design is aesthetically pleasing, it is important to ensure that the essence of the survey remains intact. Overly complex wording or a flashy interface could distract from the survey’s primary purpose: collecting genuine feedback. Additionally, it may take some time for businesses to fully understand how to maximize the new functionalities effectively. Adapting to any platform update can involve a learning curve, and small business owners should prepare to invest some time in training or experiments to fully leverage these benefits. Also, owners should remain mindful of the importance of maintaining a personal touch in their customer interactions. While aesthetics matter, the voice and tone of the communications in surveys should remain authentic to the brand. If the survey feels too generic or lacks personalization, it could risk alienating customers. Ultimately, these updates present significant opportunities for small businesses aiming to enhance their feedback mechanisms. By implementing modernized design aspects and ease of setup, small businesses can create a better survey experience that not only improves response rates but also strengthens the overall customer relationship. Small business owners interested in refining their survey strategies should consider exploring the updated email and website collector features on SurveyMonkey, as effective customer engagement begins with understanding their needs. For further details, visit SurveyMonkey’s announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "SurveyMonkey Revamps Survey Tools for Smoother User Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Higher unemployment has driven these indications of distress higher but most loans that financial institutions hold in their portfolios are still performing. View the full article

Resolving serious trade imbalances will require co-operation and co-ordinated actionView the full article

AI has now arrived at the Treasury Department. Sam Corcos, a former startup leader and Department of Government Efficiency affiliate now serving as chief information officer at the Treasury Department, appears to have approved spending at least $1.5 million on up to 3,000 licenses for ChatGPT, the OpenAI platform, federal spending records show. The agency has obligations to spend $1.5 million on the services, and has already outlaid more than $500,000 for the technology, those records show. Fast Company obtained a user agreement showing that Treasury is allowing employees to use ChatGPT for “authorized” mission purposes. Such purposes include using the technology, in certain circumstances, with what’s known as “controlled unclassified information,” a government designation that’s given to information that isn’t classified, but still requires some safeguarding. The expanded use of the tool comes amid growing pressure on federal agencies to adopt artificial intelligence systems, which advocates say can increase efficiency and cut down on excess bureaucracy. In this case, the rules laid out in the user agreement include strong limits on how AI systems might be used—particularly, for example, with regards to personally identifiable information, market-sensitive economic information, and federal tax data. The rules also forbid Treasury staffers from trying to tamper with or evade an AI chatbot’s security measures without express authorization. Employees aren’t supposed to use the output of an AI system without a human reviewing that work, or obfuscate the role AI played in making a particular product, according to the user agreement. A violation of these rules could lead to someone being fired, the agreement states. One former Treasury official said department staff are probably using the tech on heavy lifting for tasks that would normally take a long time. Tony Arcadi, the official that Sam Corcos replaced, tells Fast Company that there were myriad use cases that could benefit from the technology, including automating administrative work. “Done correctly and with robust controls, LLMs could be a force multiplier for intelligence, operations, finance, enforcement, and public engagement,” he says. The agency had previously invested in a smaller cache of ChatGPT licenses. The Treasury Department and OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment. Still, in September, the agency released a compliance plan focused on promoting the use of AI, as well as a strategy spelling out its approach to the technology. Amid the move to speed up the use of AI throughout the government, including the military’s new GenAI.mil tool, there’s still the serious risk of government officials putting too much faith in the far from faultless technology. For example, it seems like a recent report from the Department of Health and Human services may have been created using artificial intelligence—and included fake citations. Federal clerks have used ChatGPT and Perplexity and have ended up including misquotes and other errors in documents. 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. There will be more posts than usual this week, so keep checking back throughout the day. Remember the letter-writer who was inheriting an employee who causes chaos wherever they go? Here’s the update. Thank you so much for taking my question several months ago about having a “chaos employee” forced upon my department. I have an update and a feeling there will likely be a more dramatic addition some years down the road. I ended up talking my department out of taking on Pat! We dodged the bullet! I didn’t mention to my superiors any of the personal drama Pat carried with them, but rather convinced leadership that my staffers were hyper-focused on the projects they were assigned and the addition of an outside colleague would completely throw them off their workflows and postpone the completion of an important initiative. This was complete BS, but it worked! Pat is still in their original department and looks to be a long-term fixture in our organization. Soon after I wrote, Pat’s manager went out on three-month medical leave, which meant (a) Pat made it through their probationary period without even receiving a year-end review and (b) Pat basically took over their department. A couple of desperate employees in that building jumped ship, replaced by workers who recognized Pat as leadership because … even after their return from medical leave, Pat’s incredibly passive manager just gave Pat free rein. It’s now basically “Pat’s department,” with rumors afloat that Pat is angling to take over that building once Official Manager retires (which wouldn’t be for many years, since Pat and Official Manager are the same age). One of that department’s more recent hires — a staffer about 15 years younger than Pat — has become Pat’s Shadow. Any meeting Pat attends, Shadow sits in on too. Any project Pat develops, Shadow is involved in as well. They go everywhere, do everything together at work, and it’s obvious they’re tight outside the office too. None of this is inherently wrong, but it’s just striking to see Pat flanked at all times by their own personal (young) toady. Upper admin appears to be relieved whatever unrest there was has passed in the Pat zone, and of late seem to actually be rather okay with the current state of affairs. Pat can be funny, engaging, and direct — qualities leadership finds amusing when they’re in the building. Pat makes up for the lack of direction and spinelessness of Official Manager. Maybe Pat’s past blurring of personal and professional boundaries was an anomaly, a flash in the pan, and going forward they’ll be nothing but respectful and courteous with their peers. Perhaps Pat is now a force of good… Nah! There’s totally going to be some giant cluster&*%$ that explodes around Pat within my organization! The question is what and when. For now, I’m just glad my department didn’t have this bringer of chaos forced upon it! I’ll be sure to send an update when the dust settles around the next Pat chaos bomb. The post update: I’m inheriting an employee who causes chaos wherever they go appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. While national active inventory for sale is still rising year-over-year, the pace of growth has slowed in recent months—something we’ve been closely documenting for several months for our ResiClub members. The side-by-side maps below help you to see that decelerated rate of inventory growth: Left map: Year-over-year change in metro level active inventory between November 2023 and November 2024 Right map: Year-over-year change in metro level active inventory between November 2024 and November 2025 Click to expand Between November 2023 and November 2024, U.S. active housing inventory for sale rose +26.1%. Between November 2024 and November 2025, U.S. active housing inventory for sale rose +12.6%. Some of that percentage deceleration is a denominator effect (i.e., as U.S. active inventory rises, it takes an even larger increase to generate the same year-over-year percentage gain). That said, the deceleration is not only due to a denominator effect. In November 2024, there were +196,885 more U.S. homes for sale than in November 2023. In November 2025, there were +120,003 more U.S. homes for sale than in November 2024. The chart below—year-over-year unit shift in inventory—helps us to see the trend without the denominator effect: Why has U.S. active inventory growth slowed? Some of it is due to days on market not rising as quickly/stabilizing in some markets. Part of the slowdown reflects an increase in delistings in softer markets, as some sellers have thrown in the towel and pulled their listings. And, to a lesser degree, a handful of markets have seen a mild pickup in absorption, as existing-home sales have edged up slightly from their multiyear troughs. What does decelerating inventory growth mean? Back in September, I published an article titled: “The speed of housing market softening has slowed—but softness remains.” I think that framing still holds for what we’ve seen in recent months. On a nationally aggregated basis, as inventory growth decelerated in the second half of 2025, so did the pace of market softening. Since then, the U.S. housing market has largely stabilized, with national home price appreciation hovering close to 1% year-over-year and below U.S. income growth. Of course, there remains significant regional variation: Many pockets of the Midwest and Northeast continue to see mild year-over-year home value gains, while many areas in the Southwest and Southeast are experiencing mild year-over-year declines. What to watch in early 2026? As the nationally aggregated housing market transitions from its seasonally slower period into its seasonally busier spring window, a key question will be how inventory behaves. In particular, it will be important to watch whether the recent uptick in delistings in softer markets come back online. For example, do homes that were pulled from the market in weaker areas—such as Southwest Florida—quickly reappear once seasonality shifts? View the full article

French and German companies warned their access to the American market could be disruptedView the full article

If you’re looking to create engaging content for social media, vertical video editors are essential. You can choose from a variety of options, each with distinct features to meet your needs. For example, Kapwing offers AI tools, whereas iMovie integrates smoothly with Apple devices. Other editors like InShot and Picsart likewise provide user-friendly interfaces and flexible pricing plans. Comprehending these tools can improve your content strategy, but which one aligns best with your goals? Key Takeaways Kapwing offers AI-powered tools and a user-friendly interface for editing vertical videos, ideal for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. iMovie provides seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, featuring intuitive timelines and storyboard options for easy vertical video editing. Picsart combines photo and video editing capabilities, allowing basic video edits with font and color customization for branding purposes. Microsoft Clipchamp is a lightweight solution for Windows users, offering both online and offline editing options with extensive tutorial support. InShot specializes in professional-quality mobile video editing, featuring customizable aspect ratios, filters, and music integration tailored for social media content. Kapwing When you’re looking to create engaging videos for social media, Kapwing stands out as an efficient, fully online vertical video editor. It features AI-powered tools like automatic subtitles and smart cropping, which streamline your editing process. With a user-friendly interface, Kapwing works seamlessly on all devices, including Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Linux, letting you edit from anywhere. You can easily create and edit videos in the 9:16 aspect ratio, perfect for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Although the free version includes a small watermark, the Pro version, available for $16/month when billed annually, reveals upgraded features. Regular updates guarantee that Kapwing stays aligned with current social media trends, making it a reliable choice for content creators. Imovie iMovie is a user-friendly video editing app that integrates seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem, making it easy for you to edit on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It supports vertical video formats, ideal for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and offers basic editing features that cater to users of all skill levels. With its intuitive interface and straightforward timeline management, you can quickly navigate through your projects and create polished videos. User-Friendly Interface For those looking to plunge into video editing, a user-friendly interface can make all the difference in simplifying the process. iMovie is particularly accessible for beginners and casual users interested in creating iMovie vertical videos. Here are three key features that improve its usability: Innovative timeline management – Easily navigate tracks and organize clips, streamlining your editing experience. Storyboards – These guide you through the video creation process, ensuring a structured approach to your edits. Magic Movie feature – This automation trims clips, adds changes, and music, perfect for quick edits. With these features, iMovie helps you focus on creativity instead of getting lost in technical details, making it an excellent choice for those new to video editing. Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration Seamlessly integrating with the Apple ecosystem, iMovie allows you to switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac without missing a beat. This means you can effortlessly start a project on your iPhone, fine-tune it on your iPad, and finalize your edits on your Mac. iMovie’s support for vertical video makes it an excellent choice for creating content designed for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The app simplifies your editing process with features like Storyboards and the Magic Movie tool, catering to both beginners and more experienced users. Plus, you can improve your video projects by accessing a wide array of music and sound effects directly from your iTunes library. Basic Editing Features Available Editing videos can be a straightforward process with the right tools, and iMovie provides a user-friendly interface that caters to both novices and casual users. With iMovie portrait mode, you can easily create content customized for social media. Here are some basic editing features you’ll appreciate: Clip Management: Trim and split clips effortlessly, enabling precise organization of your video content. Visual Effects: Choose from various pre-set transitions and effects that improve your video’s appeal with minimal effort. Audio Integration: Seamlessly access your iTunes library for soundtracks and audio effects, elevating your project’s overall quality. These features make iMovie a solid choice for anyone looking to refine their vertical videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Picsart Picsart is a versatile editing tool that caters to both video and photo content, making it a popular choice for social media creators. Moreover, it offers basic video editing tools like trimming and ratio selection, its advanced options are somewhat limited compared to specialized video editors. It’s particularly useful for good video editors for iPhone users, as it allows for font and color customization, enhancing brand management for marketing purposes. Furthermore, the batch editor feature lets you make multiple edits at once, boosting your productivity. The app’s clean interface is beginner-friendly, yet it provides advanced features through paid subscription options. Feature Basic Editing Advanced Features Trimming Yes Limited Batch Editing Yes No Customization Fonts and Colors Available in Paid User Interface Beginner-Friendly Advanced Options Microsoft Clipchamp When looking for a user-friendly video editing solution, Microsoft Clipchamp stands out as an excellent choice for Windows users. This lightweight auto video editor makes video creation quick and easy. Here are three key features that make Clipchamp ideal for social media content: Online and Downloadable Options: You can edit videos directly in your browser or download the software for offline use. Extensive Library of Explainer Videos: These resources assist you in mastering the editing process, perfect for teams using Microsoft Teams. Support for Vertical Video Formats: Clipchamp caters to the growing demand for social media content, allowing you to create optimized videos effortlessly. While it’s user-friendly, keep in mind that it’s better suited for casual users than professional editing tasks. Viva Cut Viva Cut stands out with its user-friendly interface, making video editing straightforward for both beginners and casual users. It supports various video formats, ensuring you can easily create content customized for platforms like Instagram or TikTok. With flexible pricing plans available, including a Pro version that reveals advanced features, you can choose the option that best fits your editing needs. Key Features Overview Editing videos for social media has become increasingly important, and Viva Cut stands out with its impressive set of features intended to improve your editing experience. As one of the great video editing apps for iPhone, it offers: Multiple Video Imports: You can import various clips and trim them from any segment, giving you greater flexibility during editing. Layout Switching: Easily switch between vertical, square, and horizontal formats, ensuring your videos fit perfectly on any social media platform. Pro Version Features: Access unlimited layers for overlays, greatly broadening your creative possibilities for complex projects. Available on both the App Store and Android Play Market, Viva Cut provides a free version with limited features, along with flexible pricing options for the Pro version, making it a versatile choice for all users. User-Friendly Interface A user-friendly interface sets Viva Cut apart in the crowded field of video editing apps. Designed for both beginners and experienced users, its intuitive layout simplifies the editing process. You can easily navigate through tools and features, thanks to the guided editing process that improves your overall experience. This best iPhone movie editor supports various aspect ratios, including vertical layouts, making it perfect for social media content. You’ll likewise appreciate the animated text options, which let you customize colors and fonts to add a creative flair to your videos. If you’re looking to raise your editing, the pro version reveals advanced features like 4K export and additional filters, catering to those who want more thorough capabilities. Pricing and Plans Regarding pricing and plans for video editing software, Viva Cut offers a range of options to suit different user needs. If you’re looking for editing apps for Instagram edits, you can start with their free version, which includes basic editing features and allows for 2 overlapping layers. For more advanced capabilities, consider the Pro version, which provides unlimited layers and additional features. Here’s a quick breakdown of the pricing options: Free version: Basic features for beginners. Monthly subscription: Flexible payment for short-term use. Yearly plan: Discounted option for long-term users. Check the app for the most current pricing details, as they may vary, ensuring you choose what fits your editing needs best. Spark Camera Spark Camera provides a user-friendly platform for creating quick social media content, especially suited for platforms like Instagram Stories and TikTok. This app is one of the cool editing apps for iPhone, designed for basic editing tasks that anyone can master. With its simplified trimming function, you can make quick edits without getting overwhelmed by complex processes. The app furthermore allows you to integrate music from your iTunes library, giving you control over volume levels to improve your videos. Its clear interface makes it ideal for beginners seeking straightforward editing solutions. In addition, Spark Camera offers a free limited version, along with Pro options for those wanting more features and capabilities, ensuring it meets various user needs effectively. InShot For those looking to create professional-quality videos directly from their mobile devices, InShot stands out as a robust video editing app designed for social media content. This app simplifies the editing process with features customized for apps for edits on Instagram and other platforms. Here are three key features: Aspect Ratio Adjustments: Easily modify your video’s dimensions for TikTok, Instagram, and more. Creative Filters and Effects: Access an extensive library to improve your videos visually. Music Integration: Sync music with beat detection and control video speed for a polished final product. Available on both the App Store and Android Play Market, InShot offers a free version with ads and watermarks, making it accessible to all users. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Video Editor for Social Media? When choosing the best video editor for social media, consider your needs and platform requirements. Kapwing stands out for its AI features and easy online access, perfect for quick edits. Adobe Premiere Rush offers a user-friendly interface and cross-device compatibility, though it may lack advanced tools. For mobile users, Enlight Videoleap provides impressive animations, whereas InShot excels in quick content creation with various effects. Evaluate these options based on your editing style and desired features. What Do Most Influencers Use to Edit Videos? Most influencers use a variety of editing tools to improve their videos. CapCut is popular for its free, user-friendly features, making it ideal for short-form content. Adobe Premiere Rush offers seamless integration with other Adobe products, facilitating multi-device editing. InShot provides extensive tools for music and aspect ratio adjustments. Enlight Videoleap is chosen for its animation capabilities. Moreover, TikTok’s built-in editing tools allow for quick, engaging video creation directly on the platform. What Is the No. 1 Best Video Editor? The number one best video editor is Kapwing. It offers advanced features, including AI-powered tools and compatibility across all devices, making it accessible for everyone. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily edit vertical videos, and the automatic subtitles and smart cropping improve your content. As there’s a free version with a watermark, the Pro version at $16/month reveals additional features. Regular updates keep you aligned with the latest editing trends. Where Can I Edit Vertical Videos? You can edit vertical videos using various online and mobile platforms. Tools like Kapwing offer AI features for easy editing, whereas iMovie is great for Mac users needing basic options. Enlight Videoleap provides advanced animation features on mobile, and Picsart combines video and photo editing in a user-friendly interface. If you’re looking for something straightforward, Adobe Premiere Rush allows seamless social media sharing, though it has fewer features compared to professional software. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right vertical video editor can greatly improve your social media content. Each of the seven options—Kapwing, iMovie, Picsart, Microsoft Clipchamp, Viva Cut, Spark Camera, and InShot—offers unique features customized to your specific needs. By considering factors such as ease of use, available tools, and pricing, you can select an editor that aligns with your goals. With the right software, you’ll be better equipped to create engaging videos for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Vertical Video Editors for Social Media" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re looking to create engaging content for social media, vertical video editors are essential. You can choose from a variety of options, each with distinct features to meet your needs. For example, Kapwing offers AI tools, whereas iMovie integrates smoothly with Apple devices. Other editors like InShot and Picsart likewise provide user-friendly interfaces and flexible pricing plans. Comprehending these tools can improve your content strategy, but which one aligns best with your goals? Key Takeaways Kapwing offers AI-powered tools and a user-friendly interface for editing vertical videos, ideal for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. iMovie provides seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, featuring intuitive timelines and storyboard options for easy vertical video editing. Picsart combines photo and video editing capabilities, allowing basic video edits with font and color customization for branding purposes. Microsoft Clipchamp is a lightweight solution for Windows users, offering both online and offline editing options with extensive tutorial support. InShot specializes in professional-quality mobile video editing, featuring customizable aspect ratios, filters, and music integration tailored for social media content. Kapwing When you’re looking to create engaging videos for social media, Kapwing stands out as an efficient, fully online vertical video editor. It features AI-powered tools like automatic subtitles and smart cropping, which streamline your editing process. With a user-friendly interface, Kapwing works seamlessly on all devices, including Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Linux, letting you edit from anywhere. You can easily create and edit videos in the 9:16 aspect ratio, perfect for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. Although the free version includes a small watermark, the Pro version, available for $16/month when billed annually, reveals upgraded features. Regular updates guarantee that Kapwing stays aligned with current social media trends, making it a reliable choice for content creators. Imovie iMovie is a user-friendly video editing app that integrates seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem, making it easy for you to edit on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. It supports vertical video formats, ideal for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and offers basic editing features that cater to users of all skill levels. With its intuitive interface and straightforward timeline management, you can quickly navigate through your projects and create polished videos. User-Friendly Interface For those looking to plunge into video editing, a user-friendly interface can make all the difference in simplifying the process. iMovie is particularly accessible for beginners and casual users interested in creating iMovie vertical videos. Here are three key features that improve its usability: Innovative timeline management – Easily navigate tracks and organize clips, streamlining your editing experience. Storyboards – These guide you through the video creation process, ensuring a structured approach to your edits. Magic Movie feature – This automation trims clips, adds changes, and music, perfect for quick edits. With these features, iMovie helps you focus on creativity instead of getting lost in technical details, making it an excellent choice for those new to video editing. Seamless Apple Ecosystem Integration Seamlessly integrating with the Apple ecosystem, iMovie allows you to switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac without missing a beat. This means you can effortlessly start a project on your iPhone, fine-tune it on your iPad, and finalize your edits on your Mac. iMovie’s support for vertical video makes it an excellent choice for creating content designed for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The app simplifies your editing process with features like Storyboards and the Magic Movie tool, catering to both beginners and more experienced users. Plus, you can improve your video projects by accessing a wide array of music and sound effects directly from your iTunes library. Basic Editing Features Available Editing videos can be a straightforward process with the right tools, and iMovie provides a user-friendly interface that caters to both novices and casual users. With iMovie portrait mode, you can easily create content customized for social media. Here are some basic editing features you’ll appreciate: Clip Management: Trim and split clips effortlessly, enabling precise organization of your video content. Visual Effects: Choose from various pre-set transitions and effects that improve your video’s appeal with minimal effort. Audio Integration: Seamlessly access your iTunes library for soundtracks and audio effects, elevating your project’s overall quality. These features make iMovie a solid choice for anyone looking to refine their vertical videos for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Picsart Picsart is a versatile editing tool that caters to both video and photo content, making it a popular choice for social media creators. Moreover, it offers basic video editing tools like trimming and ratio selection, its advanced options are somewhat limited compared to specialized video editors. It’s particularly useful for good video editors for iPhone users, as it allows for font and color customization, enhancing brand management for marketing purposes. Furthermore, the batch editor feature lets you make multiple edits at once, boosting your productivity. The app’s clean interface is beginner-friendly, yet it provides advanced features through paid subscription options. Feature Basic Editing Advanced Features Trimming Yes Limited Batch Editing Yes No Customization Fonts and Colors Available in Paid User Interface Beginner-Friendly Advanced Options Microsoft Clipchamp When looking for a user-friendly video editing solution, Microsoft Clipchamp stands out as an excellent choice for Windows users. This lightweight auto video editor makes video creation quick and easy. Here are three key features that make Clipchamp ideal for social media content: Online and Downloadable Options: You can edit videos directly in your browser or download the software for offline use. Extensive Library of Explainer Videos: These resources assist you in mastering the editing process, perfect for teams using Microsoft Teams. Support for Vertical Video Formats: Clipchamp caters to the growing demand for social media content, allowing you to create optimized videos effortlessly. While it’s user-friendly, keep in mind that it’s better suited for casual users than professional editing tasks. Viva Cut Viva Cut stands out with its user-friendly interface, making video editing straightforward for both beginners and casual users. It supports various video formats, ensuring you can easily create content customized for platforms like Instagram or TikTok. With flexible pricing plans available, including a Pro version that reveals advanced features, you can choose the option that best fits your editing needs. Key Features Overview Editing videos for social media has become increasingly important, and Viva Cut stands out with its impressive set of features intended to improve your editing experience. As one of the great video editing apps for iPhone, it offers: Multiple Video Imports: You can import various clips and trim them from any segment, giving you greater flexibility during editing. Layout Switching: Easily switch between vertical, square, and horizontal formats, ensuring your videos fit perfectly on any social media platform. Pro Version Features: Access unlimited layers for overlays, greatly broadening your creative possibilities for complex projects. Available on both the App Store and Android Play Market, Viva Cut provides a free version with limited features, along with flexible pricing options for the Pro version, making it a versatile choice for all users. User-Friendly Interface A user-friendly interface sets Viva Cut apart in the crowded field of video editing apps. Designed for both beginners and experienced users, its intuitive layout simplifies the editing process. You can easily navigate through tools and features, thanks to the guided editing process that improves your overall experience. This best iPhone movie editor supports various aspect ratios, including vertical layouts, making it perfect for social media content. You’ll likewise appreciate the animated text options, which let you customize colors and fonts to add a creative flair to your videos. If you’re looking to raise your editing, the pro version reveals advanced features like 4K export and additional filters, catering to those who want more thorough capabilities. Pricing and Plans Regarding pricing and plans for video editing software, Viva Cut offers a range of options to suit different user needs. If you’re looking for editing apps for Instagram edits, you can start with their free version, which includes basic editing features and allows for 2 overlapping layers. For more advanced capabilities, consider the Pro version, which provides unlimited layers and additional features. Here’s a quick breakdown of the pricing options: Free version: Basic features for beginners. Monthly subscription: Flexible payment for short-term use. Yearly plan: Discounted option for long-term users. Check the app for the most current pricing details, as they may vary, ensuring you choose what fits your editing needs best. Spark Camera Spark Camera provides a user-friendly platform for creating quick social media content, especially suited for platforms like Instagram Stories and TikTok. This app is one of the cool editing apps for iPhone, designed for basic editing tasks that anyone can master. With its simplified trimming function, you can make quick edits without getting overwhelmed by complex processes. The app furthermore allows you to integrate music from your iTunes library, giving you control over volume levels to improve your videos. Its clear interface makes it ideal for beginners seeking straightforward editing solutions. In addition, Spark Camera offers a free limited version, along with Pro options for those wanting more features and capabilities, ensuring it meets various user needs effectively. InShot For those looking to create professional-quality videos directly from their mobile devices, InShot stands out as a robust video editing app designed for social media content. This app simplifies the editing process with features customized for apps for edits on Instagram and other platforms. Here are three key features: Aspect Ratio Adjustments: Easily modify your video’s dimensions for TikTok, Instagram, and more. Creative Filters and Effects: Access an extensive library to improve your videos visually. Music Integration: Sync music with beat detection and control video speed for a polished final product. Available on both the App Store and Android Play Market, InShot offers a free version with ads and watermarks, making it accessible to all users. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the Best Video Editor for Social Media? When choosing the best video editor for social media, consider your needs and platform requirements. Kapwing stands out for its AI features and easy online access, perfect for quick edits. Adobe Premiere Rush offers a user-friendly interface and cross-device compatibility, though it may lack advanced tools. For mobile users, Enlight Videoleap provides impressive animations, whereas InShot excels in quick content creation with various effects. Evaluate these options based on your editing style and desired features. What Do Most Influencers Use to Edit Videos? Most influencers use a variety of editing tools to improve their videos. CapCut is popular for its free, user-friendly features, making it ideal for short-form content. Adobe Premiere Rush offers seamless integration with other Adobe products, facilitating multi-device editing. InShot provides extensive tools for music and aspect ratio adjustments. Enlight Videoleap is chosen for its animation capabilities. Moreover, TikTok’s built-in editing tools allow for quick, engaging video creation directly on the platform. What Is the No. 1 Best Video Editor? The number one best video editor is Kapwing. It offers advanced features, including AI-powered tools and compatibility across all devices, making it accessible for everyone. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily edit vertical videos, and the automatic subtitles and smart cropping improve your content. As there’s a free version with a watermark, the Pro version at $16/month reveals additional features. Regular updates keep you aligned with the latest editing trends. Where Can I Edit Vertical Videos? You can edit vertical videos using various online and mobile platforms. Tools like Kapwing offer AI features for easy editing, whereas iMovie is great for Mac users needing basic options. Enlight Videoleap provides advanced animation features on mobile, and Picsart combines video and photo editing in a user-friendly interface. If you’re looking for something straightforward, Adobe Premiere Rush allows seamless social media sharing, though it has fewer features compared to professional software. Conclusion In summary, choosing the right vertical video editor can greatly improve your social media content. Each of the seven options—Kapwing, iMovie, Picsart, Microsoft Clipchamp, Viva Cut, Spark Camera, and InShot—offers unique features customized to your specific needs. By considering factors such as ease of use, available tools, and pricing, you can select an editor that aligns with your goals. With the right software, you’ll be better equipped to create engaging videos for platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Vertical Video Editors for Social Media" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

As I write this, I'm coming off a lunch break that lasted a little too long because I couldn't stop watching YouTube Shorts on my TV. And if Instagram Reels are your own vertical video poison—and you own an Amazon Fire TV device—you can now do the same. Starting today, you can download the new Instagram for TV app to watch Reels on your big screen via a dedicated interface that should be way more natural than simply casting the mobile app from your phone. Currently exclusive to Amazon devices, the Instagram for TV app supports up to five accounts and comes with full functionality for searching for Reels and profiles, as well as liking Reels and browsing comments or reactions (although text posts and photo posts are not included). Unlike on the standard mobile feed, Amazon says "Reels are organized into channels tuned to your interests," which you can see from a horizontal home screen. These channels are somewhat similar to the YouTube Shorts interface that's baked into the standard YouTube TV app, showing you a small selection of shorts you can choose from based on a thumbnail. Examples include "For you" and "Popular with Friends," but you're also still able to swipe past any Reel to your heart's content, and let the algorithm take you for a ride. A post from Meta also says channels could include Reels tailored to a specific topics that match your interests, like "sports highlights" or "hidden travel gems," although the company hasn't provided any screenshots or videos showing this off quite yet. According to Meta, the new app is currently "an early test." It's starting with U.S.-based Amazon devices, and the company says it will "expand to more devices and countries" as it learns more (Amazon also says it's the "first" company to get the app, implying others will get their own versions in the future). What devices support Instagram for TV?Currently, the Instagram for TV app is available in the Amazon Appstore for the following devices: Fire TV Stick HD Fire TV Stick 4K Plus Fire TV Stick 4K Max (1st and 2nd Gen) Fire TV 2-Series Fire TV 4-Series Fire TV Omni QLED Series In addition to adding channels to the Reels experience, Meta says that future updates may also add ways to use your phone as a remote, share feeds with friends, and explore "a more intuitive way to channel surf." Instagram for TV leaves TikTok as the last major short form video platform without a dedicated TV app, although The Information reported earlier this Summer that TikTok is looking to catch up soon. How to watch Instagram Reels on any smart TV or streaming deviceWhile official Instagram for TV support is currently limited to Amazon devices, that doesn't mean you're out of luck if you don't have a Fire TV stick or display. To watch Instagram Reels on your TV without using the Instagram for TV app, open Instagram Reels on your phone and start browsing. Next, pull up your phone's quick settings menu by swiping down from the top-right corner. On iOS, search for the screen mirroring button (which looks like two overlapping screens), and on Android, search for a button that says something like "Cast" (it will vary depending on your device). Tap it to see any compatible wireless screen mirroring devices nearby, which will let you view the mobile Instagram app on a TV screen, and even send audio over with it. It's not foolproof—my LG OLED TV works with iOS Screen Mirroring but not Pixel casting—but it's worth a shot. View the full article

Earlier this month, the State Department announced that it was instructing U.S. embassy staff around the world to reject work visa applications from individuals involved in what it described as “censorship” of Americans’ speech online. In a cable that was first leaked to Reuters, consular officers were instructed to review LinkedIn profiles of visa applicants mentioning work history involving “misinformation, disinformation, content moderation, fact-checking, compliance, and online safety.” This work includes journalists and fact-checkers, academics, people working in media literacy, and a broad range of tech workers in a field known as “Trust and Safety.” This isn’t the first such visa restriction stemming from what the The President administration views as censorship. Nor is it the first Republican assault on academics and tech workers who monitor online disinformation. Instead, this represents the latest escalation in a five-year campaign by the GOP and its allies to discredit misinformation research, which they’ve long contended silences conservative views. In April 2022, the Biden administration appointed Nina Jankowicz, a disinformation researcher, to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board, tasked with aiding government efforts to understand and mitigate false information related to border security, human trafficking, and domestic terrorism. Almost immediately, the board came under attack from Republicans like Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz and far-right pundit Tucker Carlson, who likened the body to a “Ministry of Truth.” Jankowicz herself endured all manner of abuse, including death threats and threats of sexual violence; she resigned her post in May of 2022 and the entire project was shuttered by the end of that summer. In the years since, she cofounded the American Sunlight Project, a nonprofit aimed at protecting Americans from disinformation, and serves as its CEO. The Republican attempt to kneecap disinformation researchers, she says, is “part of a broader attack not only on trust and safety or content moderation, but on anybody and any organization that attempts to safeguard our shared reality or the truth.” ‘Woke speech police’ There was a time when combating misinformation and foreign interference in elections was a bipartisan effort. In 2018, Facebook was summoned to congress to answer for the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which a British consultancy was accused of targeting Russian election disinformation to Facebook users. “We’re here because of what you, Mr. Zuckerberg, have described as a breach of trust, “Sen. John Thune (R-South Dakota) said to Zuckerberg. Meta and other tech companies soon ramped up their fact-checking operations. Meta began partnering with news outlets like Snopes, the Associated Press, and others, to fact check viral information online. It also tightened its data-sharing policies, expanded its policy teams, and implemented a global trusted partner program to work with nonprofits to monitor harmful content online. It was an imperfect system, but certainly better than what platforms had done prior to 2016. But those enforcement policies wound up angering Republicans, who felt disproportionately targeted by them.Tech companies were not in fact censoring their freedom of speech. Even if they had been, it wouldn’t be a violation of the First Amendment, which only protects citizens from government censorship. The problem was Republicans’ tendency to disseminate material that contains misleading content. One study found that conservatives were eight times more likely to spread misinformation than those who lean liberal. After 2020, conservative ire at tech companies for censoring their posts reached a fever pitch, fueled by the platforms’ attempt to regulate anti-vaccine content during the Covid-19 pandemic and their deprioritizing of reports about allegedly compromising information about President Biden on his son Hunter Biden’s laptop. By 2023, when Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, became chair of the House Judiciary Committee, his party began subpoenaing Big Tech and research organizations that study online hate speech and misinformation. In tandem, lawsuits from Republican activists against those very research organizations eventually made it politically and financially cumbersome for many of these organizations to continue functioning. The Stanford Internet Observatory, a prominent disinformation watchdog, effectively shuttered its doors due to Republican attacks last year. “Big Tech is out to get conservatives, and is increasingly willing to undermine First Amendment values by complying with the Biden Administration’s directives that suppress freedom of speech online,” Jordan wrote to Zuckerberg in his 2022 subpoena. “Because of Big Tech’s wide reach, it can serve as a powerful and effective partisan arm of the ‘woke speech police.’” Capitulation As it became clear Donald The President could defeat Kamala Harris in last year’s election, Zuckerberg capitulated — first with reticence, then with enthusiasm. In August of last year, he sent a letter to Jordan apologizing for letting the platform go too far in censoring posts related to the COVID-19 vaccine—which Republicans have sowed skepticism over its perceived safety. Zuckerberg also admitted that Meta demoted posts about the Hunter Biden scandal. Then, this January, shortly before The President’s inauguration, Zuckerberg, wearing a black t-shirt and gold pendant chain, hosted an infamous Facebook Live in which he announced that his company would no longer invest in fact-checking. Echoing Gaetz and Carlson, the CEO attacked legacy media for focusing too much on the threat of misinformation to democracy. “Fact-checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created,” he said. There’s also a significant financial motivation behind divesting from trust and safety initiatives. “They don’t want to spend all that money on what is a very expensive investment,” Jankowicz says. By Meta’s own estimates the company has spent $20 billion on trust and safety operations since 2016. It’s one thing for tech companies to fire their fact-checkers and content moderators — for the most part, they’re within their legal right to do so, as long as they figure out an alternative way to remove child abuse material. It’s a very different thing for the government to obstruct tech companies from hiring content moderators, which arguably is a violation of the company’s first amendment rights. Theodora Skeadas, a former associate on Twitter’s Public Policy team, worries that the new rules will be used to harass trust and safety workers in the same way researchers like Jankowicz have been harassed. “The work we do as trust and safety workers involves ensuring safe experiences for children and women online, and fighting fraud, terrorism, and hate,” she says. ”I observe the irony, too, that this measure entails heavy-handed censorship.” Skeadas says that trust & safety workers are scrubbing their LinkedIn of the keywords the government might find objectionable. A Faustian bargain While Big Tech CEOs were quick to speak out against the The President administration’s blanket $100,000 fees for H-1B workers—which would have disproportionately impacted foreign software engineers working for major tech firms (and now appears to have been dramatically narrowed in scope)—not a single CEO has spoken out against these new rules. That might be because the newfound allyship with The President seems to be paying off for the platforms. The The President administration has spent much of this year attacking foreign tech regulators, including in the E.U., which recently passed the Digital Services Act—requiring social media companies to more aggressively police disinformation and other illegal content—and the Digital Markets Act, which was designed to curb Big Tech’s anti-competitive practices. “Since the administration has been in office, there has been an increasing amount of pressure and, I would say, attacks on regulators, civil servants, and researchers abroad as well,” Jankowicz says. The administration has even sanctioned foreign officials for attempting to regulate Big Tech companies. This summer, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced very similar restrictions to the H1B memo for foreign government workers who the administration viewed as targeting Americans’ First amendment rights. The administration sanctioned Brazil Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, and, later, his wife, under this new policy in what appears to be a politically motivated retribution for ordering Twitter be blocked in Brazil and later extended the sanctions to his wife. For the tech companies, there’s a clear upside to this Faustian bargain: Go along with the administration’s narrative on censorship—even if that means sacrificing the safety of your own workers and risking the further fracturing of American society—and the entire might of the U.S. government will reward you. View the full article

Hedge fund billionaire is latest Wall Street figure to express concerns Donald The President will pick ally to chair central bankView the full article

Susie Wiles reveals administration’s divisions over tariffs, Epstein files and the vice-president’s shifting allegiancesView the full article

The amount of electricity data centers use in the U.S. in the coming years is expected to be significant. But regular reports of proposals for new ones and cancellations of planned ones mean that it’s difficult to know exactly how many data centers will actually be built and how much electricity might be required to run them. As a researcher of energy policy who has studied the cost challenges associated with new utility infrastructure, I know that uncertainty comes with a cost. In the electricity sector, it is the challenge of state utility regulators to decide who pays what shares of the costs associated with generating and serving these types of operations, sometimes broadly called “large load centers.” States are exploring different approaches, each with strengths, weaknesses, and potential drawbacks. A new type of customer? For years, large electricity customers such as textile mills and refineries have used enough electricity to power a small city. Moreover, their construction timelines were more aligned with the development time of new electricity infrastructure. If a company wanted to build a new textile mill and the utility needed to build a new gas-fired power plant to serve it, the construction on both could start around the same time. Both could be ready in two and a half to three years, and the textile mill could start paying for the costs necessary to serve it. Modern data centers use a similar amount of electricity but can be built in nine to 12 months. To meet that projected demand, construction of a new gas-fired power plant, or a solar farm with battery storage, must begin a year—maybe two—before the data center breaks ground. During the time spent building the electrical supply, computing technology advances, including both the capabilities and the efficiency of the kinds of calculations artificial intelligence systems require. Both factors affect how much electricity a data center will use once it is built. Technological, logistical, and planning changes mean there is a lot of uncertainty about how much electricity a data center will ultimately use. So it’s very hard for a utility company to know how much generating capacity to start building. Ulysse Bellier/AFP via Getty Images Handling the risks of development This uncertainty costs money: A power plant could be built in advance, only to find out that some or all of its capacity isn’t needed. Or no power plant is built, and a data center pops up, competing for a limited supply of electricity. Either way, someone needs to pay—for the excess capacity or for the increased price of what power is available. There are three possible groups that might pay: the utilities that provide electricity, the data center customers, and the rest of the customers on the system. However, utility companies have largely ensured their risk is minimal. Under most state utility-regulation processes, state officials review spending proposals from utility companies to determine what expenses can be passed on to customers. That includes operating expenses such as salaries and fuel costs, as well as capital investments, such as new power plants and other equipment. Regulators typically examine whether proposed expenses are useful for providing service to customers and reasonable for the utility to expect to incur. Utilities have been very careful to provide their regulators with evidence about the costs and effects of proposed data centers to justify passing the costs of proposed investments in new power plants along to whomever the customers happen to be. Regulators, then, are left to equitably allocate the costs to the prospective data center customers and the rest of the ratepayers, including homes and businesses. In different states, this is playing out differently. Kentucky’s approach to usefulness Kentucky is attempting to address the demand uncertainty by conditionally approving two new natural gas-fired generators in the state. However, the utility companies—Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities—must demonstrate that those plants will actually be needed and used. But it’s not clear how they could do that, especially considering the time frames involved. For instance, suppose the utility has a letter of agreement or even a contract with a new data center or other large customer. That might be sufficient proof for the regulator to approve charging customers for the costs of building a new power plant. But it’s not clear what would happen if the data center ends up not being built, or needing much less power than expected. If the utility can’t get the money from the data center company—because they bill customers based on actual usage—that leaves regular consumers on the hook. Eli Hiller/For The Washington Post via Getty Images Ohio’s ‘demand ratchet’ and credit guarantee In Ohio, the major power company AEP has a specific rate plan for data centers and other large electricity customers. One element, called a “demand ratchet,” is designed to mitigate month-to-month uncertainty in electricity consumption by data centers. The data center’s monthly bill is based on the current month’s demand or 85% of the highest monthly demand from the previous 11 months—whichever is higher. The benefit is that it protects against a data center using huge amounts of electricity one month and very little the next, which would otherwise yield a much lower bill. The ratchet helps ensure that the data center is paying a significant share of the cost of providing enough electricity, even if it doesn’t use as much as was expected. This ratchet effectively locks in the data center’s payments for 12 months, but regulators might expect a longer commitment from the center. For instance, Florida’s utilities regulator has approved an agreement that would require a data center company to pay for 70% of the agreed-upon demand in their entire electricity contract, even if the company didn’t use the power. Another aspect of Ohio’s approach addresses the risk of changing business plans or technology. AEP requires a credit guarantee, like a deposit, letter of credit or parent company guarantee of payment, equal to 50% of the customer’s expected minimum bill under the contract. While this theoretically reduces the risk borne by other customers, it also raises concerns. For example, a utility may not end up signing contracts directly with a large, well-known, wealthy technology company but with a subsidiary corporation with a more generic name—imagine something like “Westside Data Center LLC”—created solely to build and operate one data center. If the data center’s plans or technology changes, that subsidiary could declare bankruptcy, leaving the other customers with the remaining costs. Harnessing strength in flexibility A key advantage of these new types of customers is that they are extremely nimble in the way they use electricity. If data centers can make money based on their flexibility, as they have in Texas, then a portion of those profits can be returned to the other customers that shared the investment risk. A similar mechanism is being implemented in Missouri: If the utility makes extra money from large customers, then 65% of that revenue increase is returned to the other customers. Change is coming to the U.S. electricity system, but nobody is sure how much. The methods by which states are trying to allocate the cost of that uncertainty vary, but the critical element is understanding their respective strengths and weaknesses to craft a system that is fair for everyone. Theodore J. Kury is a director of energy studies at the University of Florida. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Former UK chancellor to lead start-up’s effort to spread ‘democratic’ AI across the worldView the full article

New Year's Eve is my favorite holiday. I love a designated time to look forward and to reflect back, ideally while getting tipsy with friends. The turn of a new year is also a time when I’m grateful for my habit of writing down every little thing—and I don’t just mean getting my thoughts and feelings down in a journal. I’m talking about tracking every book read, every mile run, and every beer crushed (approximately). So if you’re interested in documenting your life—and you should be!—I highly recommend using a wonderfully detailed spreadsheet. I’m not talking about bullet journaling (which can be cool, but which I find too artistically daunting). I simply create a Google sheet full of different color-coded tabs so that I can track any number of ways to measure a year. From the most thorough travel plans to your fitness journey, if you have a goal, that goal needs a spreadsheet tab. It’s a fun, slightly nerdy technique that helps me visualize my life in a way that traditional journaling can’t. Here’s why I think this year, you should start your own spreadsheet to track all the little things in your life. How to turn anything into a trackable achievementThe spreadsheet journal is perfect for us freaks who like to combine sentimentalism with statistics. Whatever metrics you choose to jot down, you can frame them around a sense of accomplishment. Your smart watch can track how many steps you’ve taken. A spreadsheet journal, however, is where you can appreciate how many steps you’ve achieved. From there, you can have fun with the numbers, converting those steps into miles or finding patterns over time or in whatever suits your nerdy brain. Go wild. Create different tabs dedicated to different areas of your life, so you can appreciate how much you have going on. I’ll throw around some ideas below, but at the end of the day, this technique is really about recognizing the value in every little number that defines your life. It sounds counterintuitive, but please, don’t get too caught up in the details. The core philosophy: track everything, judge nothingThe foundation of my system comes down to three main principles: Radical honesty without shame. Every entry is data, not a judgment. Missed a week of workouts? Log it. The spreadsheet reveals patterns—maybe you always skip exercise when work gets stressful—which lets you plan around obstacles instead of feeling guilty about them. Micro-goals over macro-dreams. Break each resolution into the smallest possible action. "Write a book" becomes "write 250 words daily." These micro-goals are easy to track, hard to rationalize away, and create momentum through small wins. Weekly reviews, monthly adjustments. You'll spend 10 minutes every Sunday reviewing your data and 30 minutes at month's end analyzing trends and tweaking your approach. This prevents the "check back in December" trap where you discover too late that nothing worked. How to create your own tracking spreadsheetFirst things first: Choose your spreadsheet software. I opt for the ease of Google Sheets, but I understand you might have some privacy concerns there. Or maybe you’re simply a master at Excel. The main takeaway is to create one master file with as many different tabs as you see fit. Include tabs tracking your health/fitness goals, books/movies/TV you’ve consumed, your finances/budgeting, and whatever else is significant to you: Hours slept Miles walked Concerts attended Movies watched Books started Books finished Date nights Places traveled Gifts given Thank-you notes sent Time spent in traffic Playlists created Make sure you include a column for adding notes to your entries—some personal commentary to spice up the statistics. Use this template to help get startedI've created a barebones template you can download here. It has some starter tabs to get started: a resolution dashboard, daily habit tracker, and weekly review template. Following these templates, you could add a monthly deep dive, or even more detailed activity logs. Resolution dashboardThe resolution dashboard is your command center, providing an at-a-glance view of all goals. My sample columns include: Resolution Name: Be specific. Your goal may be to "get healthy," but somewhere you need to write down a specific action item, like "complete 150 workouts this year." Category: Physical, Professional, Financial, Personal, Social, Creative. Target Metric: The number you're chasing (150 workouts, 24 books, $10,000 saved). Current Progress: Updated weekly with your actual numbers. Completion %: A simple formula dividing current by target, if applicable. Weekly Average Needed: Calculates how much you need to do weekly to hit your annual goal. Status: On Track (green), At Risk (yellow), Behind (red)—use conditional formatting. For example, if your resolution is "Read 24 books this year" and you're in week 15 with 8 books completed, your completion percentage is 33%, you're reading 0.53 books per week, and you need 0.43 books weekly to finish on time. The status would show green because you're ahead of pace. Daily habit trackerThis is where consistency lives. For 2026, I start my timeline on Jan. 5, since it's the first Monday of the new year. In a grid with dates across the top, I have daily habits going down the left side. Each habit gets a row where you mark completion with an X, checkmark, or the actual number achieved. Daily habits should be small and specific: "10 minutes meditation," "2 liters of water," "no phone before 9am," "practice Spanish for 15 minutes," "write 250 words." Don't track more than 5-7 habits here—this is about sustainable daily practices, not overwhelming yourself. Use color coding: green for completed, red for missed, yellow for partial completion. At the end of each row, you could create columns for weekly streaks, longest streak this year, and completion percentage. These metrics gamify the process and make patterns visible. If you notice you always miss meditation on Wednesdays, you can investigate why and adjust. Weekly review templateEvery Sunday, spend 10 minutes completing this structured reflection: Wins This Week: List 3-5 specific accomplishments, no matter how small. "Worked out Monday and Thursday" counts. "Saved $50 by cooking instead of ordering out" counts. This section fights the negativity bias that makes us forget progress. Challenges Faced: What obstacles came up? "Too tired after work for gym" or "Got distracted by social media during writing time." Be honest and specific. Pattern Recognition: After a few weeks, you'll notice trends. "I always skip workouts when I have early meetings—need to switch to evening gym sessions." These insights are gold. Adjustments for Next Week: Based on challenges and patterns, what will you change? Maybe you'll prep gym clothes the night before, or set a social media blocker during writing hours. Energy and Motivation Level (1-10): Track your overall state. If you notice motivation plummeting, you can proactively adjust expectations or seek support before completely derailing. Beyond these three main tabs, I've also included even simpler activity trackers with the drop-down menus and color-coding I personally use to track my travel, books read, and running. How to maximize your spreadsheetYou can dedicate a column in each tab for jotting down miscellaneous notes, but for the sake of tidiness, make sure not to overfill your boxes with text. It also helps to stay consistent with your formatting—e.g. bolding the header of each metric. I color code at whim. For instance, as a stand-up comedian, I keep track of all my shows with a specific color to mark how I felt about them: Shades of green mean the show went well, and shades of red mean the show...did not go well. In times where it looks like everything in my life is red, it’s nice to be able to shift my gaze to all the green, too. Perspective! I recommend getting started with just one sheet: a weekly habit tracker for 3-4 habits you genuinely want to build. Commit to tracking honestly for four weeks without judgment. At the end of the month, review your completion rates and patterns. This low-stakes beginning helps you learn the rhythm without overwhelming yourself. At the end of the year, you’ll be able to use all that data to visualize both the big and the little things in your life over the 12 months prior. At a glance, you’ll be able to pat yourself on the back for how successfully you cut back on caffeine, or upped your time outdoors, or improved your books-started to books-completed ratio. Ultimately, my own spreadsheet is about appreciating all the little things in my life, even if I do so in one of the nerdiest ways imaginable. View the full article

A reader writes: Two years ago, I began managing Craig, who had been doing the same tasks day in and out for a decade. He hadn’t adapted to new technology, best practices, or industry trends. My first order of business was to coach him and challenge him to grow and learn. For more than a year, we built up a great trajectory. People saw how much his work improved and commented on it frequently, and said he seemed revitalized in many ways. His progress gave me a lot of hope that he could become good at the modern demands of his role. Then about six months ago, Craig suddenly reverted to his old patterns. It was as if the prior year of progress got completely wiped out. Only this time around, he hasn’t been able to step up they way he did last year — even though we both know he’s fully capable, having done this all before. Recently he has started calling in sick the day after receiving even the mildest negative feedback. If a project goes off the rails or has to be delayed, we work the problem until it’s solved and later debrief about what went wrong. During the debriefs, I let Craig take the lead and I ask open-ended questions. I’m careful to keep it factual and focused on learning for next time. He assesses his work honestly and takes appropriate responsibility for missteps. Then the very next morning, he calls in sick. When he does return to work, he’s quiet and withdrawn for a couple days. This has happened three times in the last two months. I should be clear that the missteps are not disasters. There’s no drama. Nobody is angry and nobody points fingers. I’ve let a lot of these things go that I would have otherwise corrected. The problems I do raise are things with an impact on other teams: missed deadlines, not completing something he had committed to, etc. He says all the right things about wanting to improve, but unlike last year, it just hasn’t happened. And now I’m at a loss as to how to help him if he is going to be incapable of coming to work after mistakes. It’s getting to the point where I’m afraid to say anything to him at all. How do I help Craig out of the tailspin or time vortex that has consumed him? I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. The post my employee calls in sick after any negative feedback appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article