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I have a love-hate relationship with the smartwatch on my wrist. This relationship is no doubt shaped by the fact that I write about fitness tech for a living, but I know I'm not alone in succumbing to an obsession with numbers from my wearables. Did I hit 10,000 steps? What's my resting heart rate today? Is my sleep score better than yesterday's? When did progressive overload turn into screen time overload, too? The fitness tech boom is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon—and with it, we consume a constant stream of promises that this data will make us healthier, stronger, and faster. With the sheer amount of health insights potentially available to us at any time, it's easy to get overwhelmed. I've watched my least health-anxious friends become consumed by metrics they'd never heard of two years ago. They're tracking bone density trends, obsessing over cortisol levels, panicking about stress scores that fluctuate for reasons no algorithm can fully explain. I can feel my fitness trackers pull me away from genuine wellness and into a mental health disaster. The good news: When I look up from my screens and start talking to real people, I see I'm not alone in wanting to unplug and push back against the overly quantified self. A growing anti-tech fitness movementWhen I put out a call on Instagram asking people about their relationship with posting workout data and fitness content, I received hundreds of responses from people exhausted by the performance of fitness. Even if your only audience is your own reflection, simply owning a wearable can create a real barrier between feeling good about your body and your fitness journey. Did I work out enough today? Will my friends see that I skipped a workout? Should I push through injury to maintain my streak? For these reasons, celebrity trainer Lauren Kleban says she doesn't like to rely on wearables at all. "Counting steps or calories can quickly spiral into a bit of an obsession," says Kleban, and that "takes the joy out of movement and away from learning what's truly best for us." She says her clients want to focus on their mind and body connection, now more than ever. There's a real, growing desire to rebuild a sense of intuition that doesn't depend on feedback from a watch. Similarly, Marshall Weber, a certified personal trainer and owner of Jack City Fitness, says that he's "definitely been surprised by the growing push towards unplugged fitness," but that he "totally gets it." Weber says he's had clients express feeling "overwhelmed with their Fitbit or Apple Watch micromanaging their training." When every workout becomes about numbers and keeping up with an average, it's all too easy to lose touch with your body. "The anti-tech movement is about taking back that personal connection," Weber says. After all, when was the last time you finished a workout and didn't immediately look at your stats, but instead just noticed how you felt? This is the paradox at the heart of fitness technology. Tools designed to help us understand our bodies have created a new kind of illiteracy. Maybe you can tell me why you're aiming for Zone 2 workouts, but can't actually recognize what that effort feels like without a screen telling you. In a sense, you might be outsourcing your own intuition to algorithms. If nothing else, the data risks are real. (Because if you think you own all your health data, think again.) Every heart rate spike, every missed workout, every late-night stress indicator gets recorded, stored, and potentially shared. Still, for me, the more insidious risk is psychological: the erosion of our ability to know ourselves without consulting a device first. How to unplug and exercise intuitivelySo what does unplugged fitness actually look like in practice? It's not about rejecting all technology or pretending GPS watches and heart rate monitors don't have value—I promise. Look, I crave data and answers as much as—and maybe more than—the average gym-goer. I'm simply not woo-woo enough to ditch my Garmin altogether. Instead, I argue for re-establishing a hierarchy in which technology serves your training, not the other way around. "Sometimes, the best performance boost is just learning to listen to what your body is saying and feeling," says Weber. But what does "listening to your body" actually look like? If you're like me, and need to rebuild a connection with your body from the ground-up, try these approaches: Start with tech-free workouts. Designate certain runs, yoga sessions, or strength workouts as completely unplugged. No watch, no phone, no tracking. Notice what changes when there's no device to check. Relearn your body's signals. Can you gauge your effort level without looking at a heart rate monitor? Do you actually know what "recovery pace" feels like for you, or are you just matching a number? Practice assessing fatigue, energy, soreness, and readiness without checking your watch. Replace metrics with sensory awareness. Instead of tracking pace, notice your breathing pattern. Instead of counting calories burned, pay attention to how your muscles feel. Instead of obsessing over sleep scores, ask yourself a simple question in the morning: how do I actually feel? Set goals that can't be gamified. Rather than chasing step counts or streak days, aim for qualitative improvements. Can you hold a plank with better form? Does that hill feel easier than last month? Are you enjoying your workouts more? These are the markers of real progress. Create tech boundaries. Maybe you use your GPS watch for long runs but leave it home for everything else. Perhaps you track workouts but delete the social features. Find the minimum effective dose of technology that serves your goals without dominating your headspace. Reconnect with in-person community. The loss of shared gym culture—people actually talking to each other instead of staying plugged into individual screens—represents more than just nostalgia. There's real value in working out alongside others, in having conversations about training instead of just comparing data, in building knowledge through shared experience rather than algorithm-driven insights. The bottom lineUnplugging is easier said than done, but you don't need to go cold turkey. Maybe in the new year, you can set "body literacy" as a worthwhile resolution. At the end of the day, exercise should add to your life, not become another source of performance anxiety. It should be energizing, not exhausting—and I don't just mean physically. The never-ending irony of modern fitness culture is that in our pursuit of optimal health, we keep inventing new forms of stress and anxiety. When all forms of wellness come with trackable metrics and social pressure, I think we've fundamentally missed the point. View the full article

Soccer fans have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” after latest prices for World Cup tickets began to circulate on Thursday. The governing body allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for games involving their team to sell to the most loyal fans. And a list published by the German soccer federation revealed prices ranged from $180-$700 for varying group stage games. The lowest price for the final was $4,185 and the highest was $8,680. Those group-stage prices are very different from FIFA’s claims of $60 tickets being available, while the target from United States soccer officials when bidding for the tournament seven years ago was to offer hundreds of thousands of $21 seats across the opening phase of games. Fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) described the current prices as “extortionate.” “This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is,” it said in a statement. The English Football Association shared pricing information with the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) on Thursday evening, which showed that if a fan bought a ticket for every game through to the final it would cost just over $7,000. FIFA said in September that tickets released through its website would initially range from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final. But those prices are subject to change as it adopts dynamic pricing for the first time at the World Cup. FIFA tickets are available in four categories, with the best seats in Category 1. In the price list published by the German federation, there were only three categories. The lowest priced ticket was $180 for Germany’s opening group game against Curacao in Houston. The lowest price for the semifinal was $920 rising to $1,125. The FSE called on FIFA to immediately halt ticket sales via national associations “until a solution that respects the tradition, universality, and cultural significance of the World Cup is found.” The Associated Press approached FIFA for comment. Latest phase FIFA launched its third phase of widespread ticket sales Thursday, with fans now able to apply for specific matches for the first time through its “Random Selection Draw.” Following last week’s draw for the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, an updated schedule has been published. That means fans know when and where the likes of Lionel Messi and Argentina will play. Previous ticket ballots were blind as the qualification period had not even been completed and the draw was yet to take place. Now participating nations have been placed in groups, with their paths through the tournament determined. For instance, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go on to meet in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both Argentina and Portugal top their respective groups. Not that fans are guaranteed to get tickets to the games they apply for. The draw opened Dec. 11 at 11 a.m. ET (1600 GMT) and closes Jan. 13, 2026. FIFA says ticket applications can be made at any point during this window and the timing of entry will not impact the chances of success. Fans can apply via FIFA’s website for a maximum of four tickets per household per match and a maximum of 40 tickets throughout the tournament. Fans will need a FIFA ID to apply for tickets and can pick which matches and which pricing category they want to apply for. Successful applicants will be notified by email in February and charged automatically. Prices The last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994 prices ranged from $25 to $475. In Qatar in 2022 prices ranged from around $70 to $1,600 when ticket details were announced. Tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19 are already going for in excess of $11,000 on secondary resale sites. For this tournament FIFA has also set up its own resale platform where it charges a 15% fee based on the total resale price. FIFA said that closer to the tournament any remaining tickets will go on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis. It did not reveal a time frame for the release of those remaining tickets. AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson —James Robson, AP Soccer Writer View the full article

It’s the final round of the Worst Boss of 2025 voting. We’ve narrowed the pool from eight nominees to two (see results from the first round and second round). The two finalists go head-to-head below. A Frightful Face-Off – The Nominees: the CEO keeps asking young male employees to try her breast milk my company makes summer interns wear bikinis If the voting isn’t showing up for you, you can also vote directly here. The post vote for the worst boss of 2025: the finals appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Thank you and Congratulations to the CPA Trendlines community of influencers. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Thank you and Congratulations to the CPA Trendlines community of influencers. By CPA Trendlines Research Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Nobody wants to swipe anymore. Dating apps like Bumble and Tinder are scrambling to keep younger users engaged, and dealing with problems like bots on their platforms. But one brand is breaking the pattern and winning. Hinge’s “designed to be deleted” tagline signals its strategy: focus on meaningful connection, not endless swiping. The app can feel slower and even harder to use, leading to fewer matches but ultimately more dates. Now, the big question is whether Bumble and Tinder can pull off a similar shift toward quality over quantity. View the full article

More than 18,000 Amtrak workers will receive a $900 bonus before the end of the year, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced on Thursday evening. Funding for the bonuses will come from Amtrak’s executive leadership team bonus packages, the statement said. The federal administration urged executive leadership “to forgo 50% of the bonus packages that would have been paid out under the misplaced priorities of the previous executive bonus structure.” Amtrak set all-time records for both ridership and revenue in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its annual report, with over $2.7 billion in ticket revenue from 34.5 million riders. The bonuses were applauded by some unions representing train workers. “End-of-year bonuses will now go to 18,000 front-line workers rather than being limited to the executive ranks. This long-overdue recognition of the employees who keep the railroad moving is a step in the right direction,” Mark Wallace, the president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National union, said in a statement. The announcement comes amid ongoing controversy over the The President administration’s decision to limit $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers and technicians who had perfect attendance during the government shutdown — a measure that rewarded only 776 people, and left nearly 20,000 other workers without the payment. The disparity was blasted by air traffic controller unions at the time of the announcement in November. “We are concerned that thousands of air traffic controllers who consistently reported for duty during the shutdown, ensuring the safe transport of passengers and cargo across the nation, while working without pay and uncertain of when they would receive compensation, were excluded from this recognition,” the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union said in a statement. —Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press View the full article

B2B lead generation can be challenging, but employing five proven strategies can greatly improve your results. Start by comprehending your target audience, as this knowledge will shape your approach. Next, create compelling content that not merely attracts attention but likewise establishes your authority in the industry. Don’t overlook the strength of social media, particularly LinkedIn, for building connections. With personalized email campaigns and a well-optimized website, you can effectively capture leads. But what’s the best way to implement these strategies? Key Takeaways Understand your target audience through market research to identify their specific needs and preferences for tailored messaging. Create compelling, high-quality content in various formats to establish thought leadership and drive online engagement. Leverage social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, to connect with decision-makers and share valuable insights. Implement personalized email marketing campaigns to increase engagement and improve conversion rates through segmentation and automation. Optimize your website for lead generation with clear CTAs, fast loading speeds, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience. Understand Your Target Audience Comprehension of your target audience is critical for effective B2B lead generation, especially since it directly influences how well your marketing strategies resonate with potential clients. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify specific needs and preferences, allowing for customized lead generation services. Segmenting your audience based on industry, job titles, and geographic location improves personalization, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates. Analyzing existing customers reveals common characteristics of satisfied clients, guiding your marketing messages. Engaging current customers through surveys provides insights into their pain points, informing your strategies. Regularly reviewing and refining your target audience profiles guarantees that your approach remains relevant, ultimately aiding you in understanding how to improve B2B sales and work effectively with lead generation marketing companies. Create Compelling Content Once you’ve identified your target audience, the next logical step is to create compelling content that resonates with them. High-quality content is essential for B2B lead generation, as 93% of buying processes start with online searches. Use diverse formats like whitepapers, case studies, and webinars to establish thought leadership. Webinars can yield a 20-40% conversion rate for leads, making them one of the best B2B lead generation strategies. Don’t forget to optimize your content for SEO by including relevant keywords and meta tags, as 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results. Strong calls-to-action within your content can notably boost engagement and help you learn how to increase B2B sales effectively. Regularly updating content keeps your audience engaged. Leverage Social Media Platforms Many businesses overlook the influence of social media platforms in their B2B lead generation strategies. Social media is essential for engaging potential customers and building brand awareness. To effectively leverage these platforms, consider these strategies: Utilize LinkedIn’s advanced targeting to reach decision-makers. Share valuable insights and resources to improve content distribution. Engage with your audience through interactive posts and discussions. Monitor engagement metrics to refine your approach. Collaborate with a LinkedIn lead generation agency to maximize your reach. With over 80% of B2B leads coming from social media, employing these strategies can greatly boost your B2B lead generation campaigns and increase sales engagement by up to 24%. Don’t miss out on the potential of social media for your business growth. Utilize Email Marketing Campaigns Email marketing campaigns are a potent tool for B2B lead generation, especially when customized to your audience’s specific needs. By personalizing your emails, you can increase open rates by up to 29% and boost click-through rates by 41%. Segmenting your email list based on industry, job title, and previous interactions improves conversion rates considerably, as targeted emails account for 58% of all B2B revenue. Utilizing automated follow-ups nurtures leads effectively—60% of marketers report improved engagement through automation. Strong calls-to-action (CTAs) can increase click rates by up to 371%, driving recipients to take action. Regularly A/B testing subject lines and content can optimize performance, contributing to a 20% increase in ROI for the best HubSpot lead generation companies in the USA. Optimize Your Website for Lead Generation To effectively generate leads, optimizing your website is crucial, as it serves as the primary touchpoint for potential clients. Here are some strategies to improve your site for B2B lead generation: Guarantee a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) on every page to boost conversion rates. Optimize loading speeds; 47% of users expect pages to load in two seconds or less. Implement responsive design, as over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Use SEO best practices, optimizing headings and meta descriptions to attract the best B2B leads. Incorporate simple lead capture forms with fewer than five fields to increase submission rates. Frequently Asked Questions How to Increase B2B Lead Generation? To increase B2B lead generation, start by optimizing your website with SEO best practices to boost organic traffic. Create valuable content, like blog posts and whitepapers, to attract potential buyers. Utilize LinkedIn for targeted advertising, reaching key decision-makers in your industry. Segment your email campaigns to improve engagement rates. Finally, consider hosting webinars, as they offer direct interaction with prospects and are proven to generate high-quality leads effectively. Which of the Following Is a Common B2B Lead Generation Strategy? A common B2B lead generation strategy is content marketing. By creating valuable content that addresses your target audience’s needs, you attract potential clients who begin their buying path online. Furthermore, leveraging social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, helps you connect with decision-makers directly. Email marketing is likewise essential; personalized emails greatly boost engagement. Hosting webinars can generate high-quality leads, as many marketers find them effective for attracting prospects and nurturing relationships. What Are the Four L’s of a Lead Generation Strategy? The four L’s of a lead generation strategy are Leads, Lists, Landing Pages, and Leverage. Leads are potential customers showing interest in your products or services. Lists consist of targeted contacts, organized by specific criteria to improve outreach. Landing Pages are optimized web pages designed to capture lead information through compelling offers. Finally, Leverage refers to using insights from your leads and lists to refine your marketing strategies and improve campaign effectiveness. What Is the Best Strategy for Lead Generation? The best strategy for lead generation focuses on creating valuable content that meets potential customers’ needs. Start by optimizing your website for search engines to attract organic traffic. Utilize LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers, as it generates a significant portion of B2B leads. Personalized email campaigns can improve engagement, whereas PPC advertising offers quick visibility. Finally, consider hosting webinars to showcase your expertise and engage directly with interested prospects, further driving lead quality. Conclusion In summary, implementing these five proven strategies can greatly improve your B2B lead generation efforts. By grasping your target audience, creating valuable content, leveraging social media, utilizing personalized email campaigns, and optimizing your website, you can effectively attract and convert leads. Each strategy complements the others, creating an all-encompassing approach to generating quality leads. Focus on these areas consistently, and you’ll likely see improved engagement and conversion rates, eventually driving your business growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Proven Strategies for B2B Lead Generation Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

B2B lead generation can be challenging, but employing five proven strategies can greatly improve your results. Start by comprehending your target audience, as this knowledge will shape your approach. Next, create compelling content that not merely attracts attention but likewise establishes your authority in the industry. Don’t overlook the strength of social media, particularly LinkedIn, for building connections. With personalized email campaigns and a well-optimized website, you can effectively capture leads. But what’s the best way to implement these strategies? Key Takeaways Understand your target audience through market research to identify their specific needs and preferences for tailored messaging. Create compelling, high-quality content in various formats to establish thought leadership and drive online engagement. Leverage social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, to connect with decision-makers and share valuable insights. Implement personalized email marketing campaigns to increase engagement and improve conversion rates through segmentation and automation. Optimize your website for lead generation with clear CTAs, fast loading speeds, and mobile responsiveness to enhance user experience. Understand Your Target Audience Comprehension of your target audience is critical for effective B2B lead generation, especially since it directly influences how well your marketing strategies resonate with potential clients. Conducting thorough market research helps you identify specific needs and preferences, allowing for customized lead generation services. Segmenting your audience based on industry, job titles, and geographic location improves personalization, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates. Analyzing existing customers reveals common characteristics of satisfied clients, guiding your marketing messages. Engaging current customers through surveys provides insights into their pain points, informing your strategies. Regularly reviewing and refining your target audience profiles guarantees that your approach remains relevant, ultimately aiding you in understanding how to improve B2B sales and work effectively with lead generation marketing companies. Create Compelling Content Once you’ve identified your target audience, the next logical step is to create compelling content that resonates with them. High-quality content is essential for B2B lead generation, as 93% of buying processes start with online searches. Use diverse formats like whitepapers, case studies, and webinars to establish thought leadership. Webinars can yield a 20-40% conversion rate for leads, making them one of the best B2B lead generation strategies. Don’t forget to optimize your content for SEO by including relevant keywords and meta tags, as 75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results. Strong calls-to-action within your content can notably boost engagement and help you learn how to increase B2B sales effectively. Regularly updating content keeps your audience engaged. Leverage Social Media Platforms Many businesses overlook the influence of social media platforms in their B2B lead generation strategies. Social media is essential for engaging potential customers and building brand awareness. To effectively leverage these platforms, consider these strategies: Utilize LinkedIn’s advanced targeting to reach decision-makers. Share valuable insights and resources to improve content distribution. Engage with your audience through interactive posts and discussions. Monitor engagement metrics to refine your approach. Collaborate with a LinkedIn lead generation agency to maximize your reach. With over 80% of B2B leads coming from social media, employing these strategies can greatly boost your B2B lead generation campaigns and increase sales engagement by up to 24%. Don’t miss out on the potential of social media for your business growth. Utilize Email Marketing Campaigns Email marketing campaigns are a potent tool for B2B lead generation, especially when customized to your audience’s specific needs. By personalizing your emails, you can increase open rates by up to 29% and boost click-through rates by 41%. Segmenting your email list based on industry, job title, and previous interactions improves conversion rates considerably, as targeted emails account for 58% of all B2B revenue. Utilizing automated follow-ups nurtures leads effectively—60% of marketers report improved engagement through automation. Strong calls-to-action (CTAs) can increase click rates by up to 371%, driving recipients to take action. Regularly A/B testing subject lines and content can optimize performance, contributing to a 20% increase in ROI for the best HubSpot lead generation companies in the USA. Optimize Your Website for Lead Generation To effectively generate leads, optimizing your website is crucial, as it serves as the primary touchpoint for potential clients. Here are some strategies to improve your site for B2B lead generation: Guarantee a clear and compelling call-to-action (CTA) on every page to boost conversion rates. Optimize loading speeds; 47% of users expect pages to load in two seconds or less. Implement responsive design, as over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Use SEO best practices, optimizing headings and meta descriptions to attract the best B2B leads. Incorporate simple lead capture forms with fewer than five fields to increase submission rates. Frequently Asked Questions How to Increase B2B Lead Generation? To increase B2B lead generation, start by optimizing your website with SEO best practices to boost organic traffic. Create valuable content, like blog posts and whitepapers, to attract potential buyers. Utilize LinkedIn for targeted advertising, reaching key decision-makers in your industry. Segment your email campaigns to improve engagement rates. Finally, consider hosting webinars, as they offer direct interaction with prospects and are proven to generate high-quality leads effectively. Which of the Following Is a Common B2B Lead Generation Strategy? A common B2B lead generation strategy is content marketing. By creating valuable content that addresses your target audience’s needs, you attract potential clients who begin their buying path online. Furthermore, leveraging social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, helps you connect with decision-makers directly. Email marketing is likewise essential; personalized emails greatly boost engagement. Hosting webinars can generate high-quality leads, as many marketers find them effective for attracting prospects and nurturing relationships. What Are the Four L’s of a Lead Generation Strategy? The four L’s of a lead generation strategy are Leads, Lists, Landing Pages, and Leverage. Leads are potential customers showing interest in your products or services. Lists consist of targeted contacts, organized by specific criteria to improve outreach. Landing Pages are optimized web pages designed to capture lead information through compelling offers. Finally, Leverage refers to using insights from your leads and lists to refine your marketing strategies and improve campaign effectiveness. What Is the Best Strategy for Lead Generation? The best strategy for lead generation focuses on creating valuable content that meets potential customers’ needs. Start by optimizing your website for search engines to attract organic traffic. Utilize LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers, as it generates a significant portion of B2B leads. Personalized email campaigns can improve engagement, whereas PPC advertising offers quick visibility. Finally, consider hosting webinars to showcase your expertise and engage directly with interested prospects, further driving lead quality. Conclusion In summary, implementing these five proven strategies can greatly improve your B2B lead generation efforts. By grasping your target audience, creating valuable content, leveraging social media, utilizing personalized email campaigns, and optimizing your website, you can effectively attract and convert leads. Each strategy complements the others, creating an all-encompassing approach to generating quality leads. Focus on these areas consistently, and you’ll likely see improved engagement and conversion rates, eventually driving your business growth. Image via Google Gemini This article, "5 Proven Strategies for B2B Lead Generation Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The PlayStation 5 Pro’s price has finally eased up a bit, dropping to $648.99 from $749.99, which is the lowest it has gone on Amazon so far according to price trackers. For anyone who has been eyeing a console upgrade but didn’t want to spend full price, this discount makes it easier to consider. Sony - PlayStation 5 Pro Console - White $648.99 at Amazon $749.99 Save $101.00 Get Deal Get Deal $648.99 at Amazon $749.99 Save $101.00 The Pro looks almost identical to the regular PS5, but the changes inside matter a lot more than the shell. Sony bumped up the GPU power, increased memory bandwidth, and doubled storage to a 2TB SSD. In simple terms, you spend less time uninstalling old games to make room for new ones. Sony also added Wi-Fi 7, which won’t matter to everyone, but if your router is up to the task, downloads will be faster and more stable. In use, the console feels familiar. You still get the fast loading PS5 owners enjoy, and the DualSense controller remains one of the best reasons to stay in the PlayStation ecosystem. The real difference comes when you fire up games that have been optimized for the Pro—titles like Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, and Horizon Forbidden West. These games run with higher frame rates and more stable performance. Visual details pop a bit more, especially on a capable TV. Other games will still run well, just without the added polish. You don’t lose anything by making the jump; you just get a bit more when the software allows it. PCMag gave the PS5 Pro an “Excellent” rating, largely due to its performance gains over the original. That said, the PS5 Pro ships without a disc drive. If you’re someone who still buys physical games or has a stack of PS4 discs lying around, you’ll need to pick up the optional external drive for $79. If you’ve already gone all-digital, that extra cost doesn’t apply. Overall, the PS5 Pro isn’t a must-have for casual players, but it’s a smart buy for anyone who wants more visual fidelity now and doesn’t want to wait around for the PlayStation 6. And at this price, it’s a lot easier to justify the jump. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 3 Noise Cancelling Heart Rate Wireless Earbuds — $199.00 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $358.00 (List Price $358.00) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $278.00 (List Price $399.99) Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Graphite) — $149.99 (List Price $219.99) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 3-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $74.99 (List Price $189.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

This morning, OpenAI released the company’s new GPT-5.2 model. If you’re a coder or someone who follows AI benchmarks for fun (hey, I won’t judge), this model will excite you tremendously. For everyone else, prepare to be underwhelmed—or rather, prepare to wait another month or so for the real OpenAI new release to come out. Keeping up with the Joneses GPT-5.2 is fundamentally about making small tweaks and improvements to the already fairly new GPT-5.1 model. Today’s release improves OpenAI’s performance on a variety of industry benchmarks. GPT-5.2 is faster and more efficient than its predecessor, and it does a better job solving scientific and technical problems. In particular, it’s better at writing code and doing math, and performs better on so-called agentic tasks, where the model operates for a long time without human input. OpenAI also says it’s better at solving real-world financial challenges. If it had existed when I did my ChatGPT investing experiment, maybe I really would have Lambo money by now! Beyond that, there’s nothing especially revolutionary in GPT-5.2. So, why make a big fuss about releasing a whole new model before the holidays if it does fairly little that’s truly new? Because in the ongoing saga of the AI wars, OpenAI feels it needs to keep up with the Joneses—or in this case, specifically, to keep up with Google. Industry watchers have noted that Google’s Gemini 3 model began to threaten GPT-5.1’s spot on the kind of performance leaderboards that AI companies pay close attention to. This reportedly caused a “code red” alert from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman reportedly ordered his teams to stop working on Sora and other projects to focus all their efforts on improving ChatGPT and its underlying models as quickly as possible. When you order a bunch of incredibly intelligent people—some of them being paid upwards of $1 million a year—to do something quickly, they’re likely to oblige. Within a few weeks of the reported “code red,” the OpenAI team had today’s incremental release ready to go. GPT-5.2 will probably allow OpenAI to briefly leapfrog its archnemesis Google—and smaller competitor Anthropic—in industry benchmarks, once again claiming its place as the undisputed leader in the AI wars. The real main event The “code red” reportedly isn’t over yet, though. Earlier this month, analysts noted that OpenAI was testing a new reasoning model, codenamed “Garlic.” GPT-5.2 might have been part of Garlic. But many in the industry expect an expanded Garlic model (probably under the GPT-5.5 moniker) to come out in Q1 of 2026, potentially as early as January. It’s likely to be a fully retrained reasoning model that brings efficiency improvements, but also genuinely impactful ones like a larger context window, new knowledge cutoff (OpenAI’s most recent models have been stuck in 2024), better personality, and improved performance on image generation to rival Google’s Nano Banana. It’s also broadly rumored to include a new “Adult Mode” that allows ChatGPT to engage in, ahem, “risque” conversations with users who are older than 18. In the broader context of a potentially entirely revamped model with a January release date, today’s GPT-5.2 model feels premature. Releasing it makes OpenAI seem a bit jumpy—like it’s nervous that someone will come along and unseat it, and is willing to go to great lengths to stop that from happening, even if everyday users barely care about coding and science benchmarks. GPT-5.2 says less about OpenAI’s technical prowess, then, and more about how Altman and his team are feeling. Google once seemed like it was floundering and slowly losing the AI race–going the way of Polaroid or Xerox. Now, it’s back in the game, and seems poised and confident. OpenAI isn’t used to playing second fiddle. Faced with the prospect of real competition, the company is clearly getting nervous. Last year, OpenAI celebrated the holidays with a jolly and carefree “Shipmas” celebration. For Altman and his team, this holiday season is likely to be a lot less fun and carefree. View the full article

US bank stepped into messy confrontation between billionaire Patrick Drahi and aggrieved Wall Street fundsView the full article

The ticket was simple. A user can’t access their financial reporting system. Priority: High. That part was clear. What wasn’t clear? Three teams touched the same ticket. Security had already verified credentials. Network ops had confirmed connectivity. But when the ticket landed with your application support team, none of that history came with it. Just a ticket number, a frustrated user, and a request to “please resolve ASAP.” You spent the next forty minutes reconstructing work that had already been done. The user spent that time wondering why IT couldn’t get its act together. And somewhere, buried in two other ticketing systems, was all the context you needed. Your IT support process has a boundary problem, not a routing problem. And those boundaries are expensive. Why context gets lost at team boundaries Here’s what should have been in that ticket. Security ran authentication checks, confirmed the user’s Active Directory permissions were correct, and ruled out their scope. Network ops verified the user could reach the application server and determined the issue was at the application layer. Both teams did their jobs correctly. But when the ticket crossed into your system, you got a summary field that said “user cannot access application” and a timestamp. You didn’t get the security team’s test results. You didn’t get network ops’ connectivity logs. You didn’t even get a clear handoff note explaining why they’d escalated it to you. So you started over. You asked the user to verify their credentials (already done). You had them run a connectivity test (already done). You requested logs that security had already reviewed. The user’s frustration wasn’t about the original problem anymore. It was about explaining the same thing three times to three different teams, who all seemed to be starting from scratch. The ticket reached the right team. The problem lies in what happens at the handoffs between teams. You’ve optimized for how work flows within teams, but you haven’t designed for how accountability transfers between them. Three patterns where handoffs lose critical context Authentication gaps at each boundary Your security team closes tickets in their system when they’ve ruled out their scope. Your network team opens new tickets in their system when they receive escalations. Your application team does the same. Each handoff creates a moment where authentication breaks. In the security team’s system, there’s a complete record of their interaction with the user, including verification steps and test results. But that record stays in their system. When network ops opens their ticket, they’re starting a new conversation with the same user about what appears to be the same problem. The user doesn’t know they’re talking to a different team using a different system. They just know they’re repeating themselves. You’re not redoing previous teams’ work because you don’t trust them. You’re redoing it because you can’t see what they already verified. Each team is doing due diligence, but the user experiences it as incompetence. Audit trails that don’t connect You need to document a ticket’s resolution for compliance. Security needs to document their access verification. Network ops needs to document their diagnostic steps. When the ticket finally closes, you have three partial audit trails in three systems, none of which reference the others. Months later, you get a similar ticket. You search your system for previous incidents with this application and this error pattern. You find your resolution. What you don’t find is that this is another instance of a recurring sequence: authentication passes, connectivity passes, then you discover a session timeout configuration issue at the application layer. That pattern is valuable. It would tell you to skip straight to session configuration next time. But the pattern is invisible because it’s fractured across systems. The audit trail exists. Every team documented properly. But documentation that doesn’t connect across handoffs doesn’t build institutional knowledge. Context vocabularies that don’t translate Your application team tracks issues by application name and version. Network ops tracks by subnet and VLAN. Security tracks by user group and access policy. When a ticket crosses these boundaries, the context vocabulary changes. The user reports “I can’t access the reporting system from building C.” Security translates this to “user group: Finance, access policy: VPN-Remote, authentication method: SSO.” Network ops translates it to “subnet: 10.50.3.0/24, VLAN: 103, gateway: responsive.” You translate it to “application: FinanceReports v4.2, error: timeout on query execution.” These translations aren’t wrong. They’re how each team makes the problem actionable in their domain. But when the ticket moves between systems, these translations don’t accumulate. You get the application error without knowing it only happens from specific subnets. Network ops gets the subnet data without knowing which specific application function is failing. The user’s original problem statement had all the context. But as the ticket moved through specialized teams with specialized vocabularies in specialized systems, that unified context fragmented into domain-specific views that don’t reconnect. How to diagnose IT support handoff failures Take a ticket that crossed team boundaries in the last week. Walk through it with the teams involved and ask these questions. The answers tell you where your help desk workflow breaks down. Can each team see what the previous team verified? Pull up how the ticket appeared when it arrived in each system. Not what the teams remember, but what actually showed up. If network ops received “user authentication issue, escalating to network” without seeing what specific authentication checks security performed, that’s a handoff gap. If you received “network connectivity confirmed” without being able to see what tests they ran, you’re inheriting conclusions without evidence. Good handoffs pass the investigative work that’s already been done, not just the problem. When teams can’t see that work, they either waste time repeating it or make assumptions about what was checked. Does the handoff note explain the reasoning or just the outcome? Look at the escalation notes between teams. “Not a security issue, escalating to network” is an outcome without reasoning. “AD permissions verified, SSO token valid, user can authenticate to other applications successfully, eliminating security scope, escalating for connectivity check” is the reasoning that shapes how the receiving team approaches the problem. Conclusions without context force the next team to either trust blindly or verify independently. Reasoning lets them build on previous work. Can you reconstruct the user interaction timeline? Pick a ticket that touched three teams. Try to answer: what did you tell this user at each stage, and when? If you can’t answer this without contacting the other teams directly, your systems aren’t preserving the user relationship across handoffs. The user experienced this as one continuous conversation with IT. If you can’t see it that way, you can’t prevent the “why am I repeating myself” experience. Teams that can see previous user interactions avoid duplicate questions. Teams that can’t end up starting each handoff as if the user is reporting the problem for the first time. Where is the complete resolution record? Months after a ticket closes, try to find the full story. Not just your team’s resolution, but the entire path from initial report through security verification, through network diagnostics, through your fix. If you can’t assemble that story without manually hunting through multiple systems, your handoffs aren’t building institutional knowledge. The information exists, but in fragments that don’t reconnect. This prevents pattern recognition. You can’t spot recurring issues if you can’t see the full diagnostic path across team boundaries. How to build cross-functional IT support handoffs that preserve context You don’t need to consolidate onto a single platform to solve boundary problems. You need to design for context preservation across the platforms your teams already use. Map where context actually gets lost Take five recent tickets that crossed teams. For each handoff, identify specifically what information existed before the boundary that wasn’t available after. Not what you wish you had, but what concretely existed upstream that didn’t appear downstream. You’ll find patterns. Maybe diagnostic test results consistently disappear at handoffs. Maybe user interaction history doesn’t transfer. Maybe the original problem description gets replaced by technical translations that lose the user’s actual workflow context. These patterns tell you what your boundary design must solve for. Define what needs to persist at each handoff When security escalates to network ops, what specifically does network ops need to avoid starting over? When network ops escalates to you, what specifically lets you build on their work? Talk to the receiving teams. They’ll tell you the difference between handoffs that let them continue versus handoffs that force them to restart. Accountability transfers effectively when three elements persist across the boundary: Who verified what: You can see the previous team’s diagnostic work, not just their conclusion. If security verified Active Directory permissions but didn’t check application-level role assignments, you need to know they did half of the authentication scope. You’re not redoing their work, you’re continuing it. Why they’re passing it forward: Their reasoning for escalation, not just that they escalated. “User can reach the application server on port 443, but the TLS handshake is timing out” tells you exactly what they eliminated and where their hypothesis points. That reasoning changes how you approach the problem. What the user already knows: If security already asked them to verify their password and network ops already walked them through a connectivity test, you approaching them with “have you tried restarting?” signals you haven’t been listening. Preserving what the user has already been told prevents that experience. These become your handoff requirements. Not “all information must transfer” but “these specific elements must be visible to the receiving team in their system within their workflow.” Choose your approach: consolidate or synchronize If your current tools can’t preserve context across boundaries, you have two options: consolidation or synchronization. Consolidation works when all teams can adopt a common platform. Some ITSM platforms serve multiple team types well. If security, network ops, and application support can all work effectively in the same system, consolidation solves your boundary problem by eliminating boundaries. This is less about the platform’s features and more about whether it serves each team’s actual workflow. But teams often use different tools because those tools serve genuinely different needs. Security teams working in specialized governance platforms, network ops using tools integrated with infrastructure monitoring, and support teams in help desk systems optimized for user interaction. Forcing consolidation trades boundary problems for workflow problems. Synchronization preserves your context requirements across systems. This isn’t about periodic data exports. It’s about ensuring the specific elements you identified—diagnostic results, escalation reasoning, user interaction history—appear in each team’s system as tickets cross boundaries. In real-time. This approach accepts that teams will use different tools but refuses to accept that different tools must lead to fragmented context. The boundary design work you’ve done gives you a clear synchronization specification. You’re not syncing everything. You’re ensuring specific, necessary context survives handoffs between specific systems. Tools like Unito maintain ticket synchronization across different support ticket management systems, preserving context and update history as tickets move between teams. When teams have legitimate reasons for different tools, the answer isn’t forcing standardization. It’s keeping information consistent across whatever tools teams actually use, so handoffs don’t create information barriers. Validate your design with real tickets Take a ticket through your proposed handoff design and ask the receiving team if they have what they need to continue. Walk through it literally, not theoretically. If they’re asking clarifying questions they wouldn’t need to ask if they’d been in the room for the previous team’s work, then your design hasn’t solved the boundary problem yet. The test is simple: users shouldn’t experience handoffs as starting over, and teams should be able to see what happened upstream without leaving their tools. Making team boundaries transparent Your support process has specialized teams for good reasons. Security should verify access before network ops troubleshoots connectivity, before you debug application logic. That progression makes sense. The problem isn’t specialization. It’s that specialization creates boundaries, and those boundaries become information barriers. Context that should flow with tickets gets trapped on the wrong side of handoffs. Users repeat themselves. Teams repeat work. Patterns that could inform better escalation remain invisible because they’re fragmented across systems. The solution isn’t eliminating boundaries. It’s designing handoffs that preserve the three elements that let the next team continue: who verified what, why they’re escalating, and what the user already knows. Whether you consolidate tools or synchronize across them, start with the design problem. Make the boundaries transparent, not by removing them, but by ensuring context survives them. Want to boost your IT support workflow? Meet with a Unito product expert to see how a two-way integration can transform the way you handle tickets. Talk with sales View the full article

For the past two years, we’ve been living in AI’s gold rush era. To borrow from Taylor Swift, think of it as the “Lover” phase where everything is shiny, new, and full of possibility. The behavior: Buy everything. The metric: Can it generate something cool? The vibe: Pure FOMO. But we’re entering a new era now. Call it the “Reputation” phase, which is darker, edgier, and entirely focused on receipts. A sign of this shift was in the headlines recently, blaring on about Microsoft lowering its AI sales targets. The hot takes rushed in to frame it as a disappointment, a slowdown, and even a sign that enterprise demand is cooling. They all misread the moment. This is really a sign of the market graduating. We’re maturing. The AI gold rush era is coming to an end. Microsoft’s recalibration is one of many signals of this shift being felt broadly across the market, as we enter AI’s Production Phase era. Another sign is how the questions leaders are asking have started to mature: Does this actually work inside my business? Does it connect to our stack? Does it move revenue? Leaders are getting smarter and choosier. It confirms what many CMOs have suspected: We don’t need more tools. We need orchestration across the tools, so we use what we have more effectively and cohesively. This shift comes as the broader AI market remains unsettled. Nearly 40% of U.S. consumers have tried generative AI, but only half use it regularly, according to eMarketer. Platform loyalty is fluid. ChatGPT’s global traffic share fell from 86.6% to 72.3% in a year, while Google Gemini tripled to 13.7%. For marketers, this volatility means orchestration is critical to future-proof against a fragmented ecosystem. The ‘Pilot Theater’ problem The martech landscape just crossed 15,384 solutions, up 9% from last year according to ChiefMartec. We’ve never had more capability available. Yet Gartner shows martech utilization has dropped to just 33%. Companies are paying for the full stack but extracting value from one-third of it. Even as budgets are getting slashed everywhere. During the gold rush, we bought point solutions to fix functional problems. A tool for copy. A tool for creative. A tool for bidding. Each team got their own set of tools. We built rooms full of brilliant soloists but never hired a conductor. The result is something I call Pilot Theater: impressive AI demos that look innovative but can’t deliver enterprise ROI because they’re trapped in silos. Here’s what Pilot Theater looks like in your actual P&L: The budget disconnect: Your CTV campaign sparks a 40% spike in branded search. Your search team has no automated way to adjust bids or shift budget. By next week’s meeting, the moment has passed and a competitor captured the demand you created. The experience break: A prospect engages with your LinkedIn Thought Leader Ad and visits your pricing page—clear buying intent. Your demand gen platform doesn’t catch that signal. It retargets them with a generic intro-to-brand ad. You just paid to move them backward in the funnel. The content gap: Sales loses late-stage deals because Finance keeps blocking contracts over compliance questions. Meanwhile, your content team, unaware of this pattern, keeps producing top-funnel brand stories instead of the ROI calculators and security docs needed to close. The signals exist, as does the technology. What’s missing is the coordination. And the pressure to fix this is mounting, with 86% of CEOs expecting AI ROI within three years (eMarketer). Flashy pilots aren’t enough anymore. The orchestration gap is now a revenue risk. From automation to agentic orchestration Most leaders still confuse automation with orchestration. Automation is rigid: “If X happens, do Y.” Orchestration is adaptive: “Achieve goal Z using the best available tools and conditions.” In this new agentic AI era, you have systems that go beyond generating content to observing, coordinating, and optimizing workflows across your entire stack. Think of orchestration as the nervous system of your marketing operation. The connective tissue that interprets signals across channels and triggers the next best action, instantly. I’d even call this a survival strategy. Smaller AI platforms are running out of time as VCs lose patience, according to eMarketer. The prize for winning in AI is massive, but so are the resources required. Betting on a single vendor is risky. Building adaptive orchestration is how you stay ahead when the ecosystem reshuffles. What real orchestration looks like Much of this is happening now, with manual handoffs being replaced with intelligent feedback loops. Here are three real-world examples: The Budget Fluidity Workflow Signal: Your prospects exposed to CTV (Connected TV) ads show 3x higher CTR (Click-through-rate) on branded search terms. Action: Your orchestration layer automatically creates bid modifiers and routes budget toward that high-intent segment in real time. Result: You capture the demand you created instead of letting competitors conquest it. The Buying Group Alignment Signal: Three stakeholders from the same enterprise account engage with your content within 48 hours. Action: Your system flags the account as “Active,” alerts Sales, and automatically shifts creative strategy from education to social proof to compliance. Result: You market to the account, not a cluster of disconnected individuals. The Sales-to-Content Loop Signal: Your conversation intelligence tools surface repeated blockers: “security certification,” “integration timeline,” “ROI proof.” Action: Your orchestration layer identifies missing bottom-funnel assets and triggers a workflow for the content team to prioritize those materials. Result: Your content aligns with real buyer needs not just an editorial calendar built weeks ago. The rise of the “Builder” leader One of the most telling stats in the 2025 State of Martech report: Custom-built internal platforms jumped from 2% to 10% of core stacks. A 5x increase in a single year. Marketing teams are evolving into product teams. Product management tools grew from 23% to 42% penetration, the highest growth of any martech category. The off-the-shelf ecosystem isn’t solving the coordination problem fast enough. So marketing leaders are building it themselves. This mirrors what’s happening in AI platforms. Google’s Gemini is surging thanks to deep integrations across search, browser, and mobile OS. Advantages OpenAI can’t match. The lesson for marketers is that integration wins. Welcome to your conductor era Don’t fall for the hot takes touting the end of this era as a sign of the AI bubble popping. This is the end of AI tourism. In this new era you can’t force growth with volume. You have to orchestrate it with intelligence. Your competitive advantage will come from building the best AI nervous system. One that can sense a signal in one channel and react across the whole stack before the opportunity moves on. Especially as AI platforms race to monetize through ads and sponsored content, orchestration layers help you measure and optimize ROI across the entire funnel. The gold rush is over. The production era is here and it belongs to the orchestrators. View the full article

I get really carsick if I try to read in a moving vehicle. And there's a reason for that: my eyes and my sense of movement are out of sync. At least, that's according to the CDC, which states that motion sickness, "happens when the movement you see is different from what your inner ear senses." Your inner ear is a sack of fluid that moves when you do, giving you an innate sense of movement. If you're in a car and watching the horizon, your senses are aligned. But if you're looking at your phone, your senses are confusing each other. It's similar to the reason VR games make some people feel sick. The free Android app KineStop aims to help. The application overlays a transparent horizon, and a number of transparent dots, across your entire screen. The accelerometer on your phone is used to move these reference points as your phone moves, helping to reduce the conflict between your eyes and your inner ear. You can turn the feature on manually in the application or, if you prefer, you can set it up to turn on automatically when you're in a moving car. I tried it out, wondering if it would help with my carsickness, and it did—surprisingly well. Normally I can't read for more than a few minutes without feeling sick, but the KineStop app helped me do so for longer, without discomfort. I'm still not going to be able to read novels during a long road trip, mind you, but I can look up the next restaurant on a road trip without vomiting, and I call that a win. Credit: Justin Pot KineStop is totally free, though there's a $3.50 pro version that adds themed overlays, including one that makes it look like your phone is a half-empty beer. It's great to support a developer, but I also think the free version will work fine for most everyone. View the full article

Lululemon might just be entering a new—and improved—era. On Thursday, December 11, the athleisure apparel company shared a mostly positive third-quarter earnings report and announced the departure of its CEO, Calvin McDonald. McDonald will leave Lululemon Athletica on January 31, after seven years in the post. He previously served as CEO of Sephora Americas. The last year has been one of underperformance for Lululemon. In October, the company’s controversial founder and largest independent shareholder, Chip Wilson, took out an ad in the Wall Street Journal criticizing Lululemon’s direction. While he didn’t go as far as to name McDonald, Wilson wrote, “The board insists on operator/finance CEOs who can ‘speak Wall Street,’ rejecting the idea of a product-driven CEO. These types of finance focused CEOs don’t know how to attract or motivate creative talent, and even worse, they think they understand great product when they don’t.” Why is McDonald leaving? In a post-earnings call, McDonald called his time as CEO a “dream job” but that “the timing is right for a change.” He will stay on as a senior adviser through the end of March. Lululemon has named its CFO, Meghan Frank, and CCO, André Maestrini, as interim co-CEOs while the company searches for a permanent replacement. In the announcement, McDonald claimed to have built a foundation for the future: “I believe the outstanding product pipeline we’ve built, and action plan we’ve put into place, will yield positive results, and deliver value to shareholders in the months and years ahead.” How did Lululemon perform in Q3? Quarter three was an improvement for Lululemon, with $2.57 billion in revenue, a 7% increase year-over-year (YOY) from compared to $2.4 billion. It also beat Wall Street’s predicted $2.48 billion, according to consensus estimates cited by CNBC. Lululemon further reported $2.59 earnings per share, above Wall Street’s expected $2.25. However, this was still lower YOY, compared to $2.87. Lululemon also projected sales below expectations for its current quarter. During quarter three, Lululemon bought back one million common stock shares for a total of $189 million. And the company announced that its board of directors has approved a $1 billion increase to its share repurchase program. As of Thursday, Lululemon had about $1.6 billion still available for its repurchase program. Overall, the good outweighed the bad for investors. Lululemon’s shares (Nasdaq: LULU) rose over 9% on Friday in premarket trading. As of Thursday’s close, the stock is down almost 50% year to date. View the full article

A helpful guide to Buenos Aires’ many free outdoor calisthenics stations, exercise stations, and outdoor gyms.View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your entrepreneurial skills, several courses can provide you with the knowledge and tools you need. Programs like Employee to Entrepreneur and Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover focus on building resilience and motivation, whereas How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas emphasizes effective brainstorming techniques. Furthermore, courses on pitching and financial literacy are essential for any aspiring entrepreneur. Explore these options to find out how they can shape your path. Key Takeaways Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) offers a structured blueprint for launching side businesses and developing resilience in entrepreneurship. Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover focuses on motivation and problem-solving techniques, enhancing self-awareness and confidence for entrepreneurial success. How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas teaches brainstorming and validation techniques, helping identify market gaps and consumer needs effectively. Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone enhances pitching skills and teaches how to create impactful pitch decks for engaging investors. Financial Accounting Fundamentals provides essential skills in managing finances through understanding financial statements and cash flow management techniques. Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) Shifting from being an employee to an entrepreneur can feel intimidating, especially if you’re juggling a 9-5 job alongside your aspirations. The Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) course offers a structured, step-by-step blueprint designed particularly for individuals like you, who want to launch side businesses using existing skills and knowledge. This online entrepreneurship course combines practical exercises with real-world applications, ensuring you can effectively implement what you learn in your entrepreneurial ventures. By emphasizing mindset development, the ETE course equips you with tools to build resilience and tackle business challenges. Furthermore, a free masterclass provides insights into the course content, allowing you to preview what’s in store. Enrolling in this entrepreneurship course can greatly improve your shift into successful entrepreneurship. Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover Building on the path from employee to entrepreneur, embracing the right mindset is crucial for success in your new venture. The Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover course focuses on key attributes like motivation, resilience, and effective problem-solving techniques. In this entrepreneurship class, you’ll learn to reframe your thinking patterns, allowing you to overcome challenges and adopt innovative approaches. Tony Robbins emphasizes that 80% of success stems from mindset, making this course vital for aspiring entrepreneurs. You’ll engage in practical exercises that improve self-awareness and build confidence in your decision-making processes. High demand for this course often leads to waitlists, highlighting its value. Consider exploring online entrepreneur courses or free entrepreneurship courses to further develop your mindset. How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas How can you consistently generate innovative business ideas that stand out in a competitive market? One effective approach is to enroll in entrepreneurial courses like “How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas,” taught by a former Silicon Valley VC. This course provides seven hours of on-demand video content and 75 downloadable resources that focus on practical brainstorming techniques and validating ideas. You’ll learn to identify market gaps and consumer needs, backed by real-world examples and case studies from successful entrepreneurs. The course equips you with crucial tools and frameworks to assess and prioritize your business ideas based on their potential. By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to transform concepts into viable business opportunities, enhancing your entrepreneurship skills considerably. Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone If you’re looking to improve your pitching skills and grasp what investors really want, the Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone offers a valuable opportunity. This self-paced course focuses on the criteria venture capitalists use to evaluate business pitches, enhancing your comprehension of investor expectations. Comprising five modules that take around 12 hours to complete, it provides a structured approach to creating impactful pitch decks from scratch. You’ll learn how to craft compelling narratives for your business ideas, ensuring clarity and engagement in your presentations. Best of all, the course is available for free enrollment, making it accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program The Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program offers a structured three-month online course that equips you with crucial skills for launching and growing a startup. You’ll explore 11 modules covering critical topics like business model selection, team building, and financial management, ensuring you gain practical insights. With a course fee of $1,950 and flexible payment options, you can access mentorship from industry experts, making this program a valuable investment in your entrepreneurial expedition. Course Structure Overview Created to improve your entrepreneurial pathway, the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program spans three months and includes 11 well-structured modules. Each module is designed to focus on practical applications and theoretical knowledge, covering fundamental topics like business model selection, team building, and financial strategies. You’ll engage in interactive sessions and workshops that bring real-world entrepreneurial concepts to life. The program additionally emphasizes mentorship opportunities, connecting you with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide valuable guidance throughout your expedition. Flexibility is a key feature, allowing you to accommodate varying schedules during following a robust framework for success. This structured approach guarantees you gain a thorough comprehension of startup dynamics, preparing you for future challenges in entrepreneurship. Key Learning Outcomes As you progress through the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program, you’ll gain a solid comprehension of key entrepreneurial concepts and practical skills necessary for success. This program includes 11 modules designed to equip you with crucial knowledge for launching or scaling your business effectively. You’ll engage with real-world applications and case studies, bridging theory and practice. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to: Develop a thorough business strategy customized to your specific goals. Build and lead effective teams, enhancing collaboration and innovation. Implement sound financial strategies to guarantee the sustainability of your startup. Networking opportunities will likewise connect you with industry experts who can provide valuable mentorship and guidance throughout your entrepreneurial path. Enrollment and Pricing Options Enrollment in the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program opens doors to a structured path for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to improve their business acumen. This all-encompassing online course spans three months, consisting of 11 modules that cover fundamental topics like business model selection, team building, and financial strategies. The program costs $1,950, but flexible payment plans are available to accommodate various financial situations. Participants gain valuable mentorship opportunities and access to industry experts, enhancing both their learning experience and networking potential. Emphasizing hands-on learning, the program enables you to apply concepts directly to your business ventures, ensuring immediate impact. Becoming an Entrepreneur When you consider becoming an entrepreneur, grasping the founding process is vital. This includes acquiring fundamental skills like investor pitching techniques, which can greatly influence your business’s success. The right course can guide you through these fundamentals, helping you transform your ideas into actionable plans. Founding Process Essentials Understanding the founding process is vital for anyone looking to become an entrepreneur, as it lays the groundwork for transforming ideas into viable businesses. The “Becoming an Entrepreneur” course provides a thorough overview of this process, covering important topics like: Goal setting to clarify your vision Idea testing to validate market demand Practical knowledge for maneuvering early-stage challenges Designed to be completed in six weeks at your own pace, this free course offers flexibility for busy schedules. You can likewise opt for a $69 upgrade for additional resources. Investor Pitching Techniques After laying the groundwork for your entrepreneurial expedition by grasping the founding process, you’ll need to master the art of pitching to investors. Recognizing key elements of an effective investor pitch can greatly improve your chances of securing funding, with studies showing well-structured pitches can increase investment offers by up to 50%. A compelling pitch deck should include a clear problem statement, a unique value proposition, market analysis, a solid business model, and a financial forecast. Practicing storytelling techniques can engage investors emotionally, making information more memorable. Familiarity with common investor questions, like those about competition and scalability, allows you to prepare thorough responses. Finally, using visual aids and concise data can help maintain investor attention and improve comprehension. Financial Accounting Fundamentals Financial accounting serves as the backbone of effective business management, providing significant insights into a company’s financial health. The “Financial Accounting Fundamentals” course, part of UVA’s Growing Your Business Specialization, equips you with fundamental skills to manage your business finances. This self-paced course, taking about 13 hours to complete, covers key topics, including: Creation of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements Techniques for managing cash flow effectively Strategies for making informed financial decisions With free enrollment options, you can improve your financial literacy without a significant commitment. Frequently Asked Questions Which Course Is Best for Entrepreneurship? Choosing the best course for entrepreneurship depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a thorough program, the University of Michigan’s course covers business idea development and legal aspects. For a focused approach, Harvard provides a solid framework for opportunity evaluation. If budget’s a concern, consider the free SBA course on financing options. For quick learning, The Lean Startup offers crucial startup strategies at an affordable price. What Are 7 Skills of an Entrepreneur Pdf? To succeed as an entrepreneur, you’ll need to develop seven key skills. First, strong leadership helps you inspire your team. Second, strategic thinking allows for effective long-term planning. Third, clear communication builds trust with stakeholders. Fourth, critical and creative thinking enables problem-solving. Fifth, financial acumen is crucial for managing budgets and investments. Sixth, adaptability helps you navigate challenges, and finally, networking skills create valuable connections that can support your business. What Are the 5 P’s of Entrepreneurship? The 5 P’s of entrepreneurship include People, Product, Process, Promotion, and Profit. People are essential, as a skilled and cohesive team drives success. The Product must meet market needs and innovate to attract customers. Process refers to the efficient systems that streamline operations. Promotion involves marketing strategies that create awareness and generate sales. Finally, Profit represents the ultimate goal, ensuring financial sustainability and growth for your business. Comprehending these components is fundamental for entrepreneurial success. What 5 Skills Every Successful Entrepreneur Must Master? To succeed as an entrepreneur, you must master five fundamental skills: strategic thinking, which helps you analyze market trends; financial management, important for budgeting and maintaining cash flow; effective communication, critical for conveying ideas and building relationships; problem-solving, allowing you to navigate challenges with innovative solutions; and networking, which helps establish connections with industry peers and investors. Developing these skills improves your ability to grow and sustain your business effectively. Conclusion By enrolling in these top seven courses, you can greatly improve your entrepreneurial skills. Each program offers unique insights, from mindset development and idea generation to effective pitching and financial literacy. Whether you’re moving from employee to entrepreneur or seeking to refine your business acumen, these courses provide valuable resources to support your path. Investing time in your education will empower you to navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship with confidence and competence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Courses to Boost Your Entrepreneurship Skills" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Measles infections in America have hit their highest numbers in 33 years. In 2025, cases have topped 1,900, and that number is expected to rise due to an ongoing outbreak in South Carolina. Here’s what you need to know about America’s latest measles outbreak and why the upcoming period could spell troubling times with the disease. What’s happened? Earlier this week, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) announced 27 new cases of measles in the state since the previous Friday, raising the total number of active measles cases in the southeastern state to 111. Due to the outbreak, there are currently 254 people in quarantine, with another 16 individuals in isolation in an effort to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly disease through the community. Of the new cases, 16 people were exposed at the Way of Truth Church in Inman, a city in the northwestern part of the state. The DPH has also identified new exposures at Inman Intermediate School. But South Carolina isn’t the only state dealing with measles outbreaks. National figures show that 2025 has seen a resurgence of the disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, South Carolina had a total of 123 measles cases for the year as of December 10. But that only put the state in third place. The leader is Texas, with 803 cases this year, followed by Arizona with 169 cases. Utah, at 115 cases, and New Mexico, at 100 cases, round out the top five. Worst year for measles in three decades In 2025, the number of measles cases in the United States skyrocketed when compared to recent years. According to the CDC, as of December 10, there have been a total of 1,912 cases of measles in the U.S. this year. To put that number in perspective, throughout all of 2024, there were only 285 reported cases, and only 59 in 2023. At 1,912 known cases so far this year, 2025 is also the year with the highest number of measles cases in the U.S. in the 21st century. The figures are well above the previous high of 1,274, set in 2019. In fact, there have not been this many measles cases in the United States since 1992—33 years ago. That year, measles cases topped out at 2,126. The CDC does state that case counts from 2023 through this year are preliminary and subject to change. In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the United States, but that status is now at risk. Who is contracting measles? Measles can infect anyone, but it is most likely to infect those who are not vaccinated against it. Vaccination is given in two doses. The CDC says the measles vaccine is 93% effective at one dose and 97% effective at two doses. Out of the known 1,912 cases in the U.S. so far this year, the vaccination status of 92% of those infected was either unvaccinated or unknown, according to the CDC. Only 3% of those infected had had just one dose of the measles vaccine, and only 4% of those infected had had both doses. As for the ages of those infected, the majority are children and teenagers. According to the CDC, out of the 1,912 infections, individuals were aged: Under 5 years: 500 (26%) 5-19 years: 786 (41%) 20+ years: 613 (32%) Age unknown: 13 (1%) Has anyone in the United States died from the measles in 2025? Unfortunately, yes. According to the CDC, there have been three deaths attributed to the measles this year. However, hundreds of others have required hospitalization. Of the 1,912 cases this year, 218 of them, or 11%, required hospital stays. The CDC breaks down the hospitalization numbers by age as follows: Under 5 years: 21% (103 of 500) 5-19 years: 6% (47 of 786) 20+ years: 11% (68 of 613) Age unknown: 0% (0 of 13) There have been 43 outbreaks of measles across the U.S. this year. The CDC defines an outbreak as a collection of three or more related cases. Why are so many outbreaks happening now? The CDC says several factors are contributing to the resurgence of measles in America. As global travel activity increases, it is more likely that people returning to America from overseas could bring the virus back with them. But one of the main challenges America faces, which has contributed to the 2025 outbreak, is the declining rate of vaccination among Americans. “When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity),” the CDC explains. Below that threshold, herd immunity breaks down, and the disease spreads. There are currently only 11 states at or above the 95% threshold, meaning most states in the country can no longer count on herd immunity for protection. How will the holidays affect measles outbreaks? As we enter the holiday season, it is likely that more cases of measles will appear. The reason is because measles spreads through the air when people cough or sneeze. The virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours. Given that measles is contracted through airborne transmission in spaces where people gather, it’s likely that cases will increase as individuals tend to congregate more over the holidays and at work, family, and other social events. How can I protect myself? The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated against measles, says the CDC. You can find out more about measles vaccinations on the agency’s website. View the full article

If you’re looking to improve your entrepreneurial skills, several courses can provide you with the knowledge and tools you need. Programs like Employee to Entrepreneur and Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover focus on building resilience and motivation, whereas How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas emphasizes effective brainstorming techniques. Furthermore, courses on pitching and financial literacy are essential for any aspiring entrepreneur. Explore these options to find out how they can shape your path. Key Takeaways Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) offers a structured blueprint for launching side businesses and developing resilience in entrepreneurship. Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover focuses on motivation and problem-solving techniques, enhancing self-awareness and confidence for entrepreneurial success. How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas teaches brainstorming and validation techniques, helping identify market gaps and consumer needs effectively. Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone enhances pitching skills and teaches how to create impactful pitch decks for engaging investors. Financial Accounting Fundamentals provides essential skills in managing finances through understanding financial statements and cash flow management techniques. Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) Shifting from being an employee to an entrepreneur can feel intimidating, especially if you’re juggling a 9-5 job alongside your aspirations. The Employee to Entrepreneur (ETE) course offers a structured, step-by-step blueprint designed particularly for individuals like you, who want to launch side businesses using existing skills and knowledge. This online entrepreneurship course combines practical exercises with real-world applications, ensuring you can effectively implement what you learn in your entrepreneurial ventures. By emphasizing mindset development, the ETE course equips you with tools to build resilience and tackle business challenges. Furthermore, a free masterclass provides insights into the course content, allowing you to preview what’s in store. Enrolling in this entrepreneurship course can greatly improve your shift into successful entrepreneurship. Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover Building on the path from employee to entrepreneur, embracing the right mindset is crucial for success in your new venture. The Successful Entrepreneur Mindset Makeover course focuses on key attributes like motivation, resilience, and effective problem-solving techniques. In this entrepreneurship class, you’ll learn to reframe your thinking patterns, allowing you to overcome challenges and adopt innovative approaches. Tony Robbins emphasizes that 80% of success stems from mindset, making this course vital for aspiring entrepreneurs. You’ll engage in practical exercises that improve self-awareness and build confidence in your decision-making processes. High demand for this course often leads to waitlists, highlighting its value. Consider exploring online entrepreneur courses or free entrepreneurship courses to further develop your mindset. How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas How can you consistently generate innovative business ideas that stand out in a competitive market? One effective approach is to enroll in entrepreneurial courses like “How to Come up With Killer Business Ideas,” taught by a former Silicon Valley VC. This course provides seven hours of on-demand video content and 75 downloadable resources that focus on practical brainstorming techniques and validating ideas. You’ll learn to identify market gaps and consumer needs, backed by real-world examples and case studies from successful entrepreneurs. The course equips you with crucial tools and frameworks to assess and prioritize your business ideas based on their potential. By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to transform concepts into viable business opportunities, enhancing your entrepreneurship skills considerably. Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone If you’re looking to improve your pitching skills and grasp what investors really want, the Wharton Entrepreneurship Capstone offers a valuable opportunity. This self-paced course focuses on the criteria venture capitalists use to evaluate business pitches, enhancing your comprehension of investor expectations. Comprising five modules that take around 12 hours to complete, it provides a structured approach to creating impactful pitch decks from scratch. You’ll learn how to craft compelling narratives for your business ideas, ensuring clarity and engagement in your presentations. Best of all, the course is available for free enrollment, making it accessible for aspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program The Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program offers a structured three-month online course that equips you with crucial skills for launching and growing a startup. You’ll explore 11 modules covering critical topics like business model selection, team building, and financial management, ensuring you gain practical insights. With a course fee of $1,950 and flexible payment options, you can access mentorship from industry experts, making this program a valuable investment in your entrepreneurial expedition. Course Structure Overview Created to improve your entrepreneurial pathway, the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program spans three months and includes 11 well-structured modules. Each module is designed to focus on practical applications and theoretical knowledge, covering fundamental topics like business model selection, team building, and financial strategies. You’ll engage in interactive sessions and workshops that bring real-world entrepreneurial concepts to life. The program additionally emphasizes mentorship opportunities, connecting you with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts who provide valuable guidance throughout your expedition. Flexibility is a key feature, allowing you to accommodate varying schedules during following a robust framework for success. This structured approach guarantees you gain a thorough comprehension of startup dynamics, preparing you for future challenges in entrepreneurship. Key Learning Outcomes As you progress through the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program, you’ll gain a solid comprehension of key entrepreneurial concepts and practical skills necessary for success. This program includes 11 modules designed to equip you with crucial knowledge for launching or scaling your business effectively. You’ll engage with real-world applications and case studies, bridging theory and practice. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to: Develop a thorough business strategy customized to your specific goals. Build and lead effective teams, enhancing collaboration and innovation. Implement sound financial strategies to guarantee the sustainability of your startup. Networking opportunities will likewise connect you with industry experts who can provide valuable mentorship and guidance throughout your entrepreneurial path. Enrollment and Pricing Options Enrollment in the Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program opens doors to a structured path for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to improve their business acumen. This all-encompassing online course spans three months, consisting of 11 modules that cover fundamental topics like business model selection, team building, and financial strategies. The program costs $1,950, but flexible payment plans are available to accommodate various financial situations. Participants gain valuable mentorship opportunities and access to industry experts, enhancing both their learning experience and networking potential. Emphasizing hands-on learning, the program enables you to apply concepts directly to your business ventures, ensuring immediate impact. Becoming an Entrepreneur When you consider becoming an entrepreneur, grasping the founding process is vital. This includes acquiring fundamental skills like investor pitching techniques, which can greatly influence your business’s success. The right course can guide you through these fundamentals, helping you transform your ideas into actionable plans. Founding Process Essentials Understanding the founding process is vital for anyone looking to become an entrepreneur, as it lays the groundwork for transforming ideas into viable businesses. The “Becoming an Entrepreneur” course provides a thorough overview of this process, covering important topics like: Goal setting to clarify your vision Idea testing to validate market demand Practical knowledge for maneuvering early-stage challenges Designed to be completed in six weeks at your own pace, this free course offers flexibility for busy schedules. You can likewise opt for a $69 upgrade for additional resources. Investor Pitching Techniques After laying the groundwork for your entrepreneurial expedition by grasping the founding process, you’ll need to master the art of pitching to investors. Recognizing key elements of an effective investor pitch can greatly improve your chances of securing funding, with studies showing well-structured pitches can increase investment offers by up to 50%. A compelling pitch deck should include a clear problem statement, a unique value proposition, market analysis, a solid business model, and a financial forecast. Practicing storytelling techniques can engage investors emotionally, making information more memorable. Familiarity with common investor questions, like those about competition and scalability, allows you to prepare thorough responses. Finally, using visual aids and concise data can help maintain investor attention and improve comprehension. Financial Accounting Fundamentals Financial accounting serves as the backbone of effective business management, providing significant insights into a company’s financial health. The “Financial Accounting Fundamentals” course, part of UVA’s Growing Your Business Specialization, equips you with fundamental skills to manage your business finances. This self-paced course, taking about 13 hours to complete, covers key topics, including: Creation of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements Techniques for managing cash flow effectively Strategies for making informed financial decisions With free enrollment options, you can improve your financial literacy without a significant commitment. Frequently Asked Questions Which Course Is Best for Entrepreneurship? Choosing the best course for entrepreneurship depends on your needs. If you’re looking for a thorough program, the University of Michigan’s course covers business idea development and legal aspects. For a focused approach, Harvard provides a solid framework for opportunity evaluation. If budget’s a concern, consider the free SBA course on financing options. For quick learning, The Lean Startup offers crucial startup strategies at an affordable price. What Are 7 Skills of an Entrepreneur Pdf? To succeed as an entrepreneur, you’ll need to develop seven key skills. First, strong leadership helps you inspire your team. Second, strategic thinking allows for effective long-term planning. Third, clear communication builds trust with stakeholders. Fourth, critical and creative thinking enables problem-solving. Fifth, financial acumen is crucial for managing budgets and investments. Sixth, adaptability helps you navigate challenges, and finally, networking skills create valuable connections that can support your business. What Are the 5 P’s of Entrepreneurship? The 5 P’s of entrepreneurship include People, Product, Process, Promotion, and Profit. People are essential, as a skilled and cohesive team drives success. The Product must meet market needs and innovate to attract customers. Process refers to the efficient systems that streamline operations. Promotion involves marketing strategies that create awareness and generate sales. Finally, Profit represents the ultimate goal, ensuring financial sustainability and growth for your business. Comprehending these components is fundamental for entrepreneurial success. What 5 Skills Every Successful Entrepreneur Must Master? To succeed as an entrepreneur, you must master five fundamental skills: strategic thinking, which helps you analyze market trends; financial management, important for budgeting and maintaining cash flow; effective communication, critical for conveying ideas and building relationships; problem-solving, allowing you to navigate challenges with innovative solutions; and networking, which helps establish connections with industry peers and investors. Developing these skills improves your ability to grow and sustain your business effectively. Conclusion By enrolling in these top seven courses, you can greatly improve your entrepreneurial skills. Each program offers unique insights, from mindset development and idea generation to effective pitching and financial literacy. Whether you’re moving from employee to entrepreneur or seeking to refine your business acumen, these courses provide valuable resources to support your path. Investing time in your education will empower you to navigate the intricacies of entrepreneurship with confidence and competence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Top 7 Courses to Boost Your Entrepreneurship Skills" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Figuring out how to structure your days so they're as productive as possible is a challenge, which is why there are so many different techniques for doing it, though they're all best suited to different kinds of people. And then sticking to a plan once you've made it? Even harder. This is where RPM can help. The Rapid Planning Method, or RPM, can help you streamline your daily planning process and get started working on your action steps sooner, making you more productive overall. Plus, since RPM is fairly straightforward, you're more likely to stick with it. What is the Rapid Planning Method (RPM)?This technique comes from famed motivational speaker Tony Robbins, who outlined it in his Time of Your Life program. Robbins may have a slightly cheesy rep, but RPM has the goods: Not only does does the acronym stand for Rapid Planning Method, but it can also serve as a guide to what your day should look like: Results-oriented, purpose-driven, and featuring a massive action plan. It starts with asking yourself three questions consistently—every morning, for instance, or every week: What do I want? What is my purpose? What do I need to do/What is my massive action plan? You can write down your answers or just keep them in mind, but they're intended to drive you forward into action that will be efficient and lead to accomplishing your ultimate goal. For best results, I do recommend writing the answers down in a planner, so you can stick your guiding principles somewhere you'll continually see them. Actually, I just recommend writing them down in general. Having to hand-write something helps commit the information to memory. How RPM makes you more productiveThere are a whole lot of productivity methods out there—and the benefit of RPM is that it can be easily combined with many of them. For example, you can implement a 1-3-5 to-do list as part of your overall action plan. The defining feature of RPM is that it keeps your goals and desires front and center, giving you something to strive for. and organize your actions around. Just by keeping that central plan in mind, you can weed out what isn't important and highlight what you want to prioritize, all without a lot of time-wasting deliberation. Overall, I recommend sticking with productivity techniques that revolve around larger, bigger-picture goals and clearly-defined purposes. When you fail to keep your dreams and loftier ambitions in mind, it can be hard to motivate yourself to complete the tedious, smaller steps that add up to them. Another solid option for this kind of broader thinking is the MIT method. Like using SMART goals, using RPM infuses your daily tasks with a sense of purpose or a mission, helping you stay focused and engaged. View the full article

Every few weeks, Americans get another letter in the mail that starts the same way: “We’re writing to inform you that your personal data has been exposed.” A retailer gets hacked. A hospital. A supermarket. A travel site. It never ends. Most of us feel like we’ve lost control over who has our information and how it’s being used. But a new kind of privacy technology, one that lets companies confirm what they need to know without ever seeing your personal details, may finally offer a way out of this mess. We’ve slipped into a world where giving away our personal information is the “cost” of participating in modern life and where we’re frustrated, but not surprised, when it gets stolen. In an age defined by apps, AI, and digital payments, our data has become both currency and collateral damage. But we may finally be reaching a turning point. And the solution that’s emerging didn’t come from Silicon Valley or Washington; it came from an unexpected place: cryptography, the science of using math to secure information, and the foundation of blockchain technology. It’s called zero-knowledge proof technology, and despite the intimidating name, it theoretically offers something every American wants: privacy without the headaches, and security without the surveillance. Wall Street quietly moved first While consumers are dealing with endless breach notifications, something very different is happening on Wall Street. Many of the world’s financial titans, including JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, and BNY Mellon are testing blockchain-based trading, settlement, and other systems that let assets move 24/7. Tokenized treasuries, money-market funds, and even tokenized stocks—a mechanism where something is turned into a digital “token” that lives on a blockchain—are no longer experiments; Robinhood introduced tokenized versions of stocks and ETFs for European Union investors this summer. But there’s one major barrier: on a public blockchain, everyone can see everything.
Investors don’t want that. Banks, pension funds, hedge funds don’t want that—for competitive reasons, among other things. If financial markets are going to ultimately run on modern cryptographic infrastructure, they will need privacy that doesn’t compromise trust or oversight. Consumers feel the same way Americans are tired of being told that if they want convenience, they must give up control of their personal information. The AI economy depends on “massive streams of data” and whether it survives may come down to one thing: trust. Right now, trust is running out. People don’t want more logins, more verification codes, or more data sitting in more databases that will inevitably get hacked. They want a world where businesses can verify what they need to verify, without collecting everything about us. That’s exactly where zero-knowledge proof technology comes in. Zero-knowledge proofs: verify without exposing A zero-knowledge proof lets someone prove something is true without revealing the underlying data. • You can prove you’re old enough to buy a product, without giving away your birthdate. • A bank can prove it has enough reserves, without exposing its entire balance sheet. • A company can verify a user is real, without storing personal details that can get hacked later. This isn’t science fiction, and it isn’t just “crypto.” It’s already in the apps Americans use today: Google Wallet has quietly integrated zero-knowledge technology. Bumble uses it to verify user attributes without storing sensitive data. Financial institutions are incorporating it to protect user data. StarkWare’s founders codeveloped zk-STARKs and zk-SNARKs, advanced cryptographic methods for zero-knowledge proofs, and this technology now underpins some of the most promising privacy tools in AI, fintech, and digital identity. Regulators are finally ready to talk about privacy and the crypto angle For years, the word “privacy” in Washington was viewed with suspicion, confused with anonymity, or treated as a threat to oversight. Hopefully, that’s now changing. Back in August, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce wrote compellingly that the “sledgehammer has become the tool of choice for monitoring financial crimes,” and “[t]he American people and their government should guard zealously people’s right to live private lives and to use technologies that enable them to do so.” The SEC is now preparing to convene a first-of-its-kind roundtable on Financial Surveillance and Privacy, where builders at the forefront of privacy technology will show how these tools allow for risk management without exposing every transaction. At the same time, the Executive Branch has embraced emerging technologies, signalling a top-down encouragement for regulators to approach innovation as a path towards improvement, and to encourage its growth. Why this moment matters The privacy wave is not just a consumer protest. It is institutional. It is technological. It is regulatory. It is an inflection. • Institutions need privacy to operate competitively. • Consumers need protection from constant breaches. • Regulators need tools that preserve oversight without creating systemic vulnerabilities. Zero-knowledge proofs sit at the center of all three needs. The digital economy, from AI systems to payments to financial markets, is gaining speed. But without privacy infrastructure, we are setting ourselves up for a future where every trade, every transaction, and every personal detail is visible to everyone. We don’t need to accept that world. Zero-knowledge proof technology offers a better one:
a world where verification is possible without exposure, where markets are efficient without being surveilled, and where people can participate in the digital economy without surrendering their most intimate data. Privacy is not anti-technology.
It is the foundation of trust and trust is the one thing the AI economy and the financial system cannot survive without. View the full article

There’s a generational shift happening in workplaces that goes far deeper than debates about RTO or perks and snacks. Gen Z—the cohort that learned to communicate through stories, stickers, and swipe culture—is fundamentally reimagining how work gets done. After analyzing data from 2,475 professionals across our latest research, I’m convinced they’re crafting the future of work. Gen Z intuitively understands something many organizations are still learning. As we live in a world drowning in information, clarity is a competitive advantage. And increasingly, that clarity is offered visually. The Visual-First Expectation Sound familiar? Workplace tools mirror social behaviors, just with a lag. Just like how early 2000s texting culture paved the way for Slack, we’re now seeing Gen Z’s visual-first communication style make its mark on how we collaborate at work. Technology isn’t driving generational change, it’s catching up to how people already interact. Now, all work is expected to be visual, collaborative, and intuitive by default. For senior leaders managing distributed, multigenerational teams across time zones, the challenge is dual: translating complex ideas into clear visual communications while cutting through visual clutter to reach precise audiences. The goal remains constant—make every design count through compelling, memorable visuals that drive engagement. Among Gen Z professionals we surveyed, the majority say they do their best work visually and believe visual fluency makes them more valuable employees in addition to a critical skill to future-proof their careers. Other generations approach AI with varying degrees of skepticism or caution, but Gen Z sees it as a natural extension of their creative capabilities. Yet despite this confidence and capability, Gen Z workers are being systematically slowed down by outdated systems and fragmented tools that hinder their natural workflows. More than half want their companies to shift to a visual-first approach entirely. The Business Case for Visual-First Our neuroscience research, conducted in partnership with Neuro-Insight, provides objective evidence that Gen Z’s instincts for visual communication are spot on, aligning with how human brains actually process information. Visual content triggers memory encoding 74% faster than dull alternatives. In controlled laboratory settings, participants exposed to high-quality visual presentations showed 21% more emotional intensity and 16% greater likeability compared to boring or poorly designed versions of identical content. Documents with superior visual design generated 26% higher emotional intensity and 9% improved likeability. The report bears out that emotion fuels attention. And attention fuels retention. These represent fundamental differences in how information resonates and persists. Companies that embrace visual-first communication report 66% clearer and more efficient communication, while 61% achieve stronger brand cohesion and sharper differentiation. With 89% of business leaders now considering visual fluency a must-have skill for leadership positions, the question for ambitious professionals isn’t whether or not to adapt at all—it’s how quickly can they upskill across their teams. Organizations that resist this shift face measurable consequences. In the U.S., companies invest $65,000 annually per creative team member on visual content creation. Despite this substantial investment, more than 90% of leaders and their Gen Z colleagues continue to face obstacles that prevent them from producing their highest quality creative work. The creativity gap compounds these costs. Despite the fact that the U.S. is expected to pour over $143 billion annually into the visual content economy, teams remain locked into fragmented tools and text-first workflows. This creates a productivity bottleneck that stifles returns on massive organizational investments. Perhaps most concerning, 85% of creative leaders and 83% of Gen Z have resorted to using unapproved tools, while 82% of leaders bypass IT entirely to accomplish visual work. When talented employees consistently work around your systems, the systems need examining. An Action Plan for Future Forward Leadership For forward-thinking leaders, Gen Z’s visual fluency represents more than operational efficiency—it unlocks motivation, autonomy, and high-impact creative thinking. When we asked Gen Z what broader visual fluency across their companies would enable, their responses revealed aspirations that extend far beyond job satisfaction to be more motivated to contribute, more creatively empowered, and more confident in sharing ideas. Gen Z workers want to lead with AI, experiment with new approaches, and create visual experiences that drive results. The organizations that provide the right systems, support, and trust will unlock better work entirely. Audit your tool chaos: Task your department leads with taking inventory of their current visual tools. If it’s more than four, you have a cost center that might need consolidation. Document the inefficiency: Map all current visual tools your teams use, taking stock of overlaps and redundancies. Present the data to justify consolidation and to align Marketing, IT, and Finance on the operational cost of inefficiency. Run a 30-day pilot: Test AI-powered visual tools in real workflows with baseline KPIs: time saved, output volume, and brand consistency. Use the results to build a data-backed case for investment, focusing on performance over potential. Lead a “Visual Sprint”: Pick one legacy process—onboarding, product briefs, or internal communications—and task your teams with redesigning it using visual-first approaches. Give your team permission to break the mold and set big goals. Bridge the generation gap: Host recurring, informal office hours or workshops where everyone from interns to execs can bring new AI projects they’ve been working on, showcase new visual workflows, and ask for help. This is about visual and AI literacy, and about building a new type of creative muscle memory. Four generations now share the workplace, with a fifth—Gen Alpha—approaching quickly. Organizations that harness the visual fluency, AI confidence, and creative instincts that Gen Z brings naturally will discover a competitive advantage. The visual communication revolution is here. Gen Z is ready to lead the visual era with intuitive platforms, visual-first communication, and freedom to experiment with AI. The companies that meet them with the right systems, support, and trust will invest in more than employee satisfaction—they’ll invest in the future of how work gets done. View the full article

Google's December 2025 core update leads this week's SEO Pulse, alongside Preferred Sources expansion and social insights in Search Console. The post SEO Pulse: December Core Update, Preferred Sources & Social Data appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

When Raising Cane’s recently opened its first-ever location in Meridian, Idaho, it wasn’t a particularly remarkable event for the restaurant chain. The fast-growing chicken purveyor also opened six other restaurants in five other states on the exact same day in November. It aims to open close to 100 new stores this year. But some Idahoans were willing to stand outside in chilly fall weather for more than 48 hours to be the first in the state to get a taste of Raising Cane’s, whose exceptionally narrow menu features chicken fingers, french fries, a secret proprietary dipping sauce, and simple sides like garlic toast and coleslaw. “We had customers camping out since Sunday morning,” AJ Kumaran, co-chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Raising Cane’s, tells Fast Company of the new Idaho restaurant that opened on a Tuesday. “People are excited about our entry into that market.” A boom in a cooling restaurant economy At a time when restaurant chains including Chipotle, Cava, and Sweetgreen are confronting a sales cooldown as Gen Z and millennial diners are pressured by inflation, high housing costs, flat income growth, and other broader macroeconomic challenges, chicken-focused restaurant chains like Raising Cane’s and Dave’s Hot Chicken have been consistently expanding across the U.S. and are posting sturdier sales and traffic growth. The fastest-growing chain in America last year by unit count was Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken & Wings, according to data provider Datassential, which also reported the domestic unit total for all chicken restaurant concepts increased by 4.7% in 2024 from the prior year, far exceeding the industry’s increase of 1.5%. Systemwide sales for chicken restaurants now exceed $52 billion annually. Total restaurant traffic for all quick-service restaurant concepts dropped 1% for the year-ending September 2025 from the comparable prior-year period, while that same metric increased 3% for the chicken concepts, David Portalatin, senior vice president and a food and foodservice industry advisor for Circana, told Fast Company. The market researcher says that traffic for the QSR restaurant industry, which was battered by shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, is still down 8% from 2019, but has increased 15% for QSR chicken. The chains defying fast-food slowdown trends “We’re obsessed with fried chicken,” says Portalatin. He believes that more innovative twists on chicken prep and unique sauces have put a more modern twist on classic, Americana staples. Chicken, Portalatin adds, “is among the very few bright spots in growth areas within the restaurant landscape.” Since Raising Cane’s opened its first location in Louisiana in 1996, the chain has only sold chicken fingers and cooks every dish fresh to order, which Kumaran says results in efficient restaurants that are focused on making just a few menu items. There are no heat lamps or microwave ovens in the chain’s kitchens—and no limited-time menu offers or discounts. “We don’t take shortcuts and we don’t play any gimmicks,” says Kumaran. “You will not see us in discount mode or saying, ‘Here’s the flavor of the month.’” Over the past decade, Raising Cane’s has grown from a $350 million business to $5.1 billion in system sales in 2024. The company says it is marching toward $10 billion in annual sales from more than 1,600 locations, which would be an increase of around 600 restaurants from what’s in operation today. Earlier this year, Raising Cane’s leapfrogged KFC to become the third most-popular chicken chain in the U.S. after Chick-fil-A and Popeyes. The chain even has a nickname for its most devoted fans, the “Caniacs.” That popularity has led to some increased competition from other chains outside of the chicken specialists that have added the protein to their menus. “There are a lot of people jumping in,” says Kumaran. “Whether it’s taco players or fajita players or burger players, everybody’s got a chicken dinner option right now.” The new competition crowding the chicken category Chicken’s soaring growth has been attributed to some yearslong trends like Chick-fil-A’s aggressive expansion beyond that chain’s initial regional focus in the south, the “sandwich chicken wars” that kicked off in 2019 when Popeyes debuted a new menu item that led to a social media and in-store frenzy, and the more recent perception that all protein—even fried chicken—is better than other quick-service food options. “Whether that’s true or not, I’m not, I’m not being the judge of that,” says Portalatin. “I’m not a dietitian or nutritionist, but the consumer will often perceive the chicken option as the better-for-you option.” How the ‘protein halo’ reshaped fast-food preferences Chicken’s protein halo is particularly relevant to consumers who are taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, and that connection led Dave’s Hot Chicken earlier this year to debut a promotional meal called the “Davezempic,” featuring mini sliders. “It gives influencers and customers a way to engage with the brand in a funny and quirky way,” says Srishti Handa, vice president of marketing at Dave’s. Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken recently sold a majority stake for a reported $1 billion to private equity firm Roark Capital and ended 2024 with 260 locations. The chain expects to have 400 locations in operation by the end of this year and has signaled it expects to open more than 125 restaurants every year for the foreseeable future. When asked about a north star target, Dave’s President and COO Jim Bitticks told Fast Company the chain could “easily support” 1,000 domestic locations. “Talk to me in 15 years and that number could be 2,000 or 3,000 restaurants,” adds Bitticks. The chain serves its Nashville-style chicken tenders and sliders at seven different spice levels ranging from “no spice” to “the reaper,” the latter requiring a signed waiver promising that yes, it’s that hot. “I don’t recommend it, but you know, you’ve got to try everything once,” says Bitticks. “It definitely blows your head off.” Bitticks says that Instagram and other social channels have been a big driver of traffic when Dave’s establishes restaurants in new markets, especially attracting Gen Z to the concept. “I’m not from that generation, I don’t get the idea of following a brand that I’ve never tried before,” he added. “I don’t understand it, but it is a huge piece of Dave’s story.” Slim Chickens bets on variety, content, and sauce innovation Slim Chickens, an Arkansas-based chain with 300 locations across 34 states, has a more expansive menu than its peer upstarts with tenders, wings, salads, wraps, and even chicken and waffles. The chain says that it is alluring Gen Z consumers and even Generation Alpha, children born after 2010 who are asking their parents to take them to a Slim. “Variety is a competitive advantage for us,” Patrick Noone, chief marketing officer of Slim Chickens, said in an interview. To stand out in a crowded category, Slim has created an in-house recording studio so that the chain can pump out a steady drumbeat of content across social channels. Noone says that these creative assets have a short shelf life online, losing their relevance after just 10 days. Slim is also in the process of developing and debuting a new mobile app in the first quarter of 2026. The chain is also continuing to think through the physical restaurant space to make it easier for customers who place a mobile order and want to pick up their food in the store. But Noone says one top priority will always be innovation for Slim’s range of sauces, which today includes 14 different flavors like Korean BBQ, sweet red chili, and cayenne ranch. “We spend as much time innovating around sauces as we do on tenders and the center of the plate,” says Noone. “Chicken is just the perfect canvas.” View the full article