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Creating animated videos can seem intimidating, but it’s a manageable process when broken down into clear steps. First, you’ll want to plan your video by outlining your core message and writing a compelling script. Next, storyboarding allows you to visualize each scene, followed by choosing animation software that fits your skill level. Each of these steps is essential for developing a cohesive final product, and grasping them will set you up for success in your animation project. What comes next is equally important. Key Takeaways Start with a clear script and storyboard to outline your animated video’s core message and visual flow. Choose appropriate animation software based on your skill level and project needs, such as Vyond for beginners or Adobe After Effects for advanced users. Design distinct characters and backgrounds that enhance storytelling and maintain visual coherence throughout the animation. Select a harmonious color palette and ensure audio elements are balanced, syncing voiceovers with animations for a polished final product. Test your animation with feedback from screenings, refining the script and visuals to better engage your target audience. How to Plan Your Animated Video When you plan your animated video, it’s vital to start with a clear outline or script, as this will help you define your core message and structure. Begin by developing storyboards to visually break down each scene, which aids in planning camera angles and shifts that keep viewers engaged. Next, create an animatic using your storyboards and placeholder audio to assess timing and pacing before full production. Draft your voiceover narration early to clarify complex topics and streamline editing. Finally, utilize feedback from test screenings to refine your storyboards and script, ensuring your animated video effectively communicates its message. This structured approach is fundamental when learning how to create animated videos, how to create animations for YouTube, or how to create a cartoon. Writing an Engaging Script When you’re writing an engaging script, it’s essential to know your audience and outline your key messages clearly. Comprehending who you’re speaking to helps you tailor your content effectively, ensuring it resonates with viewers. Know Your Audience How do you guarantee your animated video script resonates with your audience? First, you need to know your audience. Start with comprehending your audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences. This insight allows you to tailor your script effectively. Conducting surveys or researching audience behavior can help identify the topics and tones that will engage them. Use relatable language and examples to make your script accessible. Structuring your script with a clear beginning, middle, and end assures your audience can easily follow your message. Moreover, include a strong call to action at the end to encourage interaction. By utilizing an animated video service, you can learn how to create simple animation that reflects your audience’s values and needs. Outline Key Messages To create an engaging animated video script, it’s significant to outline your key messages effectively. Start by identifying your core message to align with your audience’s interests and the video’s purpose. Next, create a logical outline that organizes your points for clear progression. Here are four vital steps to take into account: Define the main takeaway for your viewers. Break down your core message into digestible sub-points. Write in a conversational tone, using simple language and relatable examples. Incorporate visual cues to guide animation decisions, indicating moments for specific visuals. Storyboarding Your Animation Storyboarding your animation is crucial for visualizing your narrative and ensuring that each scene flows smoothly. By breaking down your script into individual frames, you can clearly outline character positions, backgrounds, and actions, which helps with timing and pacing. This structured approach not just streamlines the production process but also serves as a valuable communication tool among team members, minimizing misunderstandings before you start animating. Importance of Storyboarding As you begin an animation project, having a well-structured storyboard is crucial for success. Storyboarding helps you break down your script into individual scenes, enhancing clarity and flow in your animated corporate video. It allows you to visualize key elements, ensuring your audience remains engaged. Here are four key benefits of storyboarding: Visualizes camera angles, character movements, and shifts. Aids in creating an animatic to assess timing and pacing. Serves as a communication tool among the production team. Saves time and resources by identifying potential issues early. Using animation software or Adobe Animate video animation programs effectively can streamline this process, aligning your creative vision and ensuring a smoother production experience. Visualizing Your Narrative Creating a storyboard serves as a fundamental step in visualizing your narrative for animation projects. This visual representation breaks down your script into individual scenes, clarifying the sequence of events and actions. Each panel should include key elements such as character positions, backgrounds, and important dialogue to guarantee a clear vision. You can improve storytelling by utilizing different shot types and camera angles. Regularly revisiting and refining your storyboard throughout the animation process will help address any inconsistencies. Scene Action Key Dialogue 1 Introduce character “Hi, I’m Alex!” 2 Character moves “Let’s go on an adventure!” 3 Conflict arises “What was that noise?” 4 Climax moment “We must face our fears!” 5 Resolution “We did it together!” This process is crucial for anyone looking to create an animated character or understand how to create cartoon animation, whether you’re working with an Animaker video creation company or on your own. Timing and Flow When planning your animation, grasping the timing and flow of your scenes is crucial for maintaining audience engagement. Effective storyboarding helps visualize the sequence of events, ensuring a structured approach. Consider these key elements: Key Frames: Illustrate major actions and changes to keep viewers invested. Camera Angles: Plan various perspectives to improve storytelling. Transitions: Smoothly connect scenes for a cohesive experience. Animatic: Combine storyboards with rough timing and audio to assess pacing before production. During storyboarding, pay attention to the timing of voiceovers and sound effects. This alignment enriches the narrative and addresses pacing issues early on, streamlining your editing process and resulting in a polished final animation. Choosing the Right Animation Software Choosing the right animation software can greatly impact your project’s success, especially since various options cater to different skill levels and animation styles. If you’re a beginner, user-friendly platforms like Vyond and Animaker might be your best animation software free choices. For advanced users, tools such as Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe After Effects offer more robust features. Consider the type of animation you want; for instance, Blender thrives in 3D animations, whereas Pencil2D is great for 2D projects. Assess specific features you need, like keyframe capabilities or vector tools. Additionally, check for free animation software options and trial periods before committing, ensuring compatibility with various file formats for easy sharing on platforms like YouTube. Designing Characters and Backgrounds When designing characters and backgrounds for your animated videos, start by defining your character’s personality and traits, as these elements guide their visual identity. You can use sketching software or traditional techniques to create various iterations, focusing on poses and expressions that best represent their characteristics. For backgrounds, consider the setting and select color palettes and styles that not just complement your characters but additionally improve the overall mood of the scene. Character Design Principles In character design, it’s essential to start by defining a character’s personality and role within the story, as these elements greatly influence their visual traits. To create compelling characters, consider these character design principles: Facial Expressions: Tailor expressions to reflect emotions aligned with the character’s personality. Color Theory: Use warm colors for friendly characters and cool colors for aloof ones to evoke the desired emotional response. Silhouette and Shape: Employ distinctive shapes—round for friendly and angular for antagonistic—to visually convey character traits. Character Turnarounds: Develop a style guide that includes character turnarounds to guarantee consistency across animations. Background Creation Techniques Creating effective backgrounds is crucial for improving the storytelling and visual appeal of animated videos. Start by sketching character concepts to establish traits that resonate with your audience. Utilize animation software, like Adobe Illustrator, to create scalable designs. When designing backgrounds, make sure they complement the story’s theme, using styles that elevate the mood. Layered backgrounds are particularly useful; they allow for parallax scrolling effects, adding depth during animation. Consider whether you’re working in 2D or 3D, as this affects the complexity of your designs. Color Palette Selection Selecting a color palette is a fundamental step in designing characters and backgrounds for animated videos. A well-chosen palette improves visual cohesion and engages the audience. Here’s how to approach color palette selection: Choose 3-5 harmonious colors to create a balanced look that isn’t overwhelming. Apply color theory principles, using complementary or analogous colors to evoke emotions; for example, blue for calmness and red for excitement. Ensure contrast between characters and backgrounds so your characters stand out clearly. Utilize tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to generate palettes, ensuring consistency throughout your project. With these tips, you’ll improve your animation download and learn how to create an animation using free animation software easy enough for anyone. Techniques for Animation Animation techniques vary widely, each offering unique methods to bring visuals to life. 2D Animation Techniques focus on creating characters and settings in a flat space, often using software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. For a more immersive experience, you can explore 3D Animation Techniques, which utilize software such as Autodesk Maya or Blender to model characters in three-dimensional space, enhancing realism. Motion Graphics combines graphic design with animation, using tools like After Effects to craft dynamic visuals that improve storytelling. Furthermore, Rotoscoping allows you to trace over footage, frame by frame, to achieve realistic animations, often blending live-action with animated elements. Each technique serves distinct purposes, so choose based on your project’s needs. Adding Sound and Voiceovers Once you’ve established your animation through various techniques, adding sound and voiceovers becomes a crucial step in enhancing the final product. Follow these steps to effectively incorporate audio: Import your audio files into Premiere Pro and organize them in the Fundamental Sound panel for easy management. Use the audio track mixer to adjust volume levels, ensuring your voiceovers and sound effects are balanced and clear. Carefully sync your voiceover with the animated visuals by aligning audio clips on the timeline, using waveforms for precise timing. Incorporate sound effects strategically to engage viewers, making sure they complement your animation without overshadowing the voiceover narrative. Lastly, export your animated videos in the H.264 codec for peak quality and platform compatibility. Editing Your Animated Video Editing your animated video is a critical phase where you refine and improve your project to guarantee it resonates with your audience. Start by enhancing your cartoon video with sound effects, music tracks, and voiceovers using Premiere Pro’s Vital Sound panel. This allows for better audio quality control. To capture viewer attention, consider adding animated intros at the beginning. You can as well utilize animation presets and keyframe animation capabilities to create custom motion effects that align with your video’s style. Make sure to synchronize audio with animations for a polished look. This attention to detail is vital for effective editing, whether you’re using a whiteboard animation maker or learning how to animate a video from scratch. Exporting for Optimal Playback To guarantee your animated video plays back effectively across various platforms, you’ll need to evaluate several key factors during the export process. Here are four important steps for exporting for ideal playback: Codec: Use the H.264 codec for a balance between quality and file size. Resolution: Set your resolution to at least 1920×1080 pixels for Full HD clarity. Frame Rate: Choose 30 fps for standard videos or 60 fps for smoother motion, depending on your animation style. Bitrate: Target a bitrate of around 8 Mbps for 1080p videos to maintain quality without bloating file size. Always preview your exported video for audio-video synchronization issues to guarantee a polished presentation. This knowledge aids in perfecting how to make animations for YouTube with an ai animation generator from text. Sharing Your Animated Video on Social Media Sharing your animated video on social media can greatly boost its visibility and engagement, making it a crucial step in your promotional strategy. Start by choosing the right platforms; for example, use YouTube for long-form content, Instagram for short clips, and Facebook for a broader reach. Optimize your video format according to each platform’s specifications—vertical videos perform well on Instagram Stories and TikTok. Improve your post with engaging captions and relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability. Schedule your posts during peak engagement times based on analytics, as this can considerably increase views. Finally, monitor engagement metrics like views and shares to evaluate your animated video’s performance, which will inform future content strategies and help you refine how to make cartoon animation. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make an Animation Video Step by Step? To make an animation video step by step, start by defining your key message and target audience. Next, craft a compelling script that outlines your narrative. Once that’s done, create detailed storyboards to visualize each scene. Then, design characters and backgrounds that match your vision. After designing, use animation software to animate your scenes. Finally, polish your video with audio and effects before exporting it for sharing. This process guarantees clarity and engagement. How to Create a Custom Animation With Step by Step? To create a custom animation, start by brainstorming your concept and writing a detailed script. Next, develop a storyboard that outlines each scene, including actions and changes. Design characters and backgrounds using graphic software, ensuring they match your theme. Animate your designs with tools like Adobe After Effects, applying keyframes for movement and syncing with audio. Finally, review your work thoroughly, making adjustments before exporting in your chosen format. What Are the 4 Stages of Animation? The four stages of animation are conceptualization, design, animation, and post-production. In the conceptualization stage, you develop the core idea and script that guide your project. Next, during design, you create characters and backgrounds that visually represent your story. The animation stage brings these designs to life through techniques like 2D or 3D animation. Finally, post-production involves editing and adding elements like voiceovers and sound effects to refine the final product. What Program to Use to Make Animated Videos? To create animated videos, you have several superb programs to choose from. Vyond is user-friendly and offers templates perfect for business and educational content. If you’re a beginner, Animaker’s drag-and-drop features simplify the process. For advanced users, Blender provides robust 3D modeling tools. Professionals might prefer Toon Boom Harmony for its all-encompassing 2D capabilities. Finally, Adobe After Effects excels in motion graphics, allowing you to create visually striking animations with ease. Conclusion Creating animated videos requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined—planning, scripting, storyboarding, choosing software, designing visuals, adding audio, editing, and exporting—you guarantee a polished final product. Each phase contributes to a cohesive narrative that effectively communicates your message. With the right techniques and tools, you can engage your audience and improve their experience. Remember, sharing your animated video on social media can broaden its reach, so consider your distribution strategy as well. Image via Google Gemini This article, "A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Animated Videos" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Creating animated videos can seem intimidating, but it’s a manageable process when broken down into clear steps. First, you’ll want to plan your video by outlining your core message and writing a compelling script. Next, storyboarding allows you to visualize each scene, followed by choosing animation software that fits your skill level. Each of these steps is essential for developing a cohesive final product, and grasping them will set you up for success in your animation project. What comes next is equally important. Key Takeaways Start with a clear script and storyboard to outline your animated video’s core message and visual flow. Choose appropriate animation software based on your skill level and project needs, such as Vyond for beginners or Adobe After Effects for advanced users. Design distinct characters and backgrounds that enhance storytelling and maintain visual coherence throughout the animation. Select a harmonious color palette and ensure audio elements are balanced, syncing voiceovers with animations for a polished final product. Test your animation with feedback from screenings, refining the script and visuals to better engage your target audience. How to Plan Your Animated Video When you plan your animated video, it’s vital to start with a clear outline or script, as this will help you define your core message and structure. Begin by developing storyboards to visually break down each scene, which aids in planning camera angles and shifts that keep viewers engaged. Next, create an animatic using your storyboards and placeholder audio to assess timing and pacing before full production. Draft your voiceover narration early to clarify complex topics and streamline editing. Finally, utilize feedback from test screenings to refine your storyboards and script, ensuring your animated video effectively communicates its message. This structured approach is fundamental when learning how to create animated videos, how to create animations for YouTube, or how to create a cartoon. Writing an Engaging Script When you’re writing an engaging script, it’s essential to know your audience and outline your key messages clearly. Comprehending who you’re speaking to helps you tailor your content effectively, ensuring it resonates with viewers. Know Your Audience How do you guarantee your animated video script resonates with your audience? First, you need to know your audience. Start with comprehending your audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences. This insight allows you to tailor your script effectively. Conducting surveys or researching audience behavior can help identify the topics and tones that will engage them. Use relatable language and examples to make your script accessible. Structuring your script with a clear beginning, middle, and end assures your audience can easily follow your message. Moreover, include a strong call to action at the end to encourage interaction. By utilizing an animated video service, you can learn how to create simple animation that reflects your audience’s values and needs. Outline Key Messages To create an engaging animated video script, it’s significant to outline your key messages effectively. Start by identifying your core message to align with your audience’s interests and the video’s purpose. Next, create a logical outline that organizes your points for clear progression. Here are four vital steps to take into account: Define the main takeaway for your viewers. Break down your core message into digestible sub-points. Write in a conversational tone, using simple language and relatable examples. Incorporate visual cues to guide animation decisions, indicating moments for specific visuals. Storyboarding Your Animation Storyboarding your animation is crucial for visualizing your narrative and ensuring that each scene flows smoothly. By breaking down your script into individual frames, you can clearly outline character positions, backgrounds, and actions, which helps with timing and pacing. This structured approach not just streamlines the production process but also serves as a valuable communication tool among team members, minimizing misunderstandings before you start animating. Importance of Storyboarding As you begin an animation project, having a well-structured storyboard is crucial for success. Storyboarding helps you break down your script into individual scenes, enhancing clarity and flow in your animated corporate video. It allows you to visualize key elements, ensuring your audience remains engaged. Here are four key benefits of storyboarding: Visualizes camera angles, character movements, and shifts. Aids in creating an animatic to assess timing and pacing. Serves as a communication tool among the production team. Saves time and resources by identifying potential issues early. Using animation software or Adobe Animate video animation programs effectively can streamline this process, aligning your creative vision and ensuring a smoother production experience. Visualizing Your Narrative Creating a storyboard serves as a fundamental step in visualizing your narrative for animation projects. This visual representation breaks down your script into individual scenes, clarifying the sequence of events and actions. Each panel should include key elements such as character positions, backgrounds, and important dialogue to guarantee a clear vision. You can improve storytelling by utilizing different shot types and camera angles. Regularly revisiting and refining your storyboard throughout the animation process will help address any inconsistencies. Scene Action Key Dialogue 1 Introduce character “Hi, I’m Alex!” 2 Character moves “Let’s go on an adventure!” 3 Conflict arises “What was that noise?” 4 Climax moment “We must face our fears!” 5 Resolution “We did it together!” This process is crucial for anyone looking to create an animated character or understand how to create cartoon animation, whether you’re working with an Animaker video creation company or on your own. Timing and Flow When planning your animation, grasping the timing and flow of your scenes is crucial for maintaining audience engagement. Effective storyboarding helps visualize the sequence of events, ensuring a structured approach. Consider these key elements: Key Frames: Illustrate major actions and changes to keep viewers invested. Camera Angles: Plan various perspectives to improve storytelling. Transitions: Smoothly connect scenes for a cohesive experience. Animatic: Combine storyboards with rough timing and audio to assess pacing before production. During storyboarding, pay attention to the timing of voiceovers and sound effects. This alignment enriches the narrative and addresses pacing issues early on, streamlining your editing process and resulting in a polished final animation. Choosing the Right Animation Software Choosing the right animation software can greatly impact your project’s success, especially since various options cater to different skill levels and animation styles. If you’re a beginner, user-friendly platforms like Vyond and Animaker might be your best animation software free choices. For advanced users, tools such as Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe After Effects offer more robust features. Consider the type of animation you want; for instance, Blender thrives in 3D animations, whereas Pencil2D is great for 2D projects. Assess specific features you need, like keyframe capabilities or vector tools. Additionally, check for free animation software options and trial periods before committing, ensuring compatibility with various file formats for easy sharing on platforms like YouTube. Designing Characters and Backgrounds When designing characters and backgrounds for your animated videos, start by defining your character’s personality and traits, as these elements guide their visual identity. You can use sketching software or traditional techniques to create various iterations, focusing on poses and expressions that best represent their characteristics. For backgrounds, consider the setting and select color palettes and styles that not just complement your characters but additionally improve the overall mood of the scene. Character Design Principles In character design, it’s essential to start by defining a character’s personality and role within the story, as these elements greatly influence their visual traits. To create compelling characters, consider these character design principles: Facial Expressions: Tailor expressions to reflect emotions aligned with the character’s personality. Color Theory: Use warm colors for friendly characters and cool colors for aloof ones to evoke the desired emotional response. Silhouette and Shape: Employ distinctive shapes—round for friendly and angular for antagonistic—to visually convey character traits. Character Turnarounds: Develop a style guide that includes character turnarounds to guarantee consistency across animations. Background Creation Techniques Creating effective backgrounds is crucial for improving the storytelling and visual appeal of animated videos. Start by sketching character concepts to establish traits that resonate with your audience. Utilize animation software, like Adobe Illustrator, to create scalable designs. When designing backgrounds, make sure they complement the story’s theme, using styles that elevate the mood. Layered backgrounds are particularly useful; they allow for parallax scrolling effects, adding depth during animation. Consider whether you’re working in 2D or 3D, as this affects the complexity of your designs. Color Palette Selection Selecting a color palette is a fundamental step in designing characters and backgrounds for animated videos. A well-chosen palette improves visual cohesion and engages the audience. Here’s how to approach color palette selection: Choose 3-5 harmonious colors to create a balanced look that isn’t overwhelming. Apply color theory principles, using complementary or analogous colors to evoke emotions; for example, blue for calmness and red for excitement. Ensure contrast between characters and backgrounds so your characters stand out clearly. Utilize tools like Adobe Color or Coolors to generate palettes, ensuring consistency throughout your project. With these tips, you’ll improve your animation download and learn how to create an animation using free animation software easy enough for anyone. Techniques for Animation Animation techniques vary widely, each offering unique methods to bring visuals to life. 2D Animation Techniques focus on creating characters and settings in a flat space, often using software like Adobe Animate or Toon Boom Harmony. For a more immersive experience, you can explore 3D Animation Techniques, which utilize software such as Autodesk Maya or Blender to model characters in three-dimensional space, enhancing realism. Motion Graphics combines graphic design with animation, using tools like After Effects to craft dynamic visuals that improve storytelling. Furthermore, Rotoscoping allows you to trace over footage, frame by frame, to achieve realistic animations, often blending live-action with animated elements. Each technique serves distinct purposes, so choose based on your project’s needs. Adding Sound and Voiceovers Once you’ve established your animation through various techniques, adding sound and voiceovers becomes a crucial step in enhancing the final product. Follow these steps to effectively incorporate audio: Import your audio files into Premiere Pro and organize them in the Fundamental Sound panel for easy management. Use the audio track mixer to adjust volume levels, ensuring your voiceovers and sound effects are balanced and clear. Carefully sync your voiceover with the animated visuals by aligning audio clips on the timeline, using waveforms for precise timing. Incorporate sound effects strategically to engage viewers, making sure they complement your animation without overshadowing the voiceover narrative. Lastly, export your animated videos in the H.264 codec for peak quality and platform compatibility. Editing Your Animated Video Editing your animated video is a critical phase where you refine and improve your project to guarantee it resonates with your audience. Start by enhancing your cartoon video with sound effects, music tracks, and voiceovers using Premiere Pro’s Vital Sound panel. This allows for better audio quality control. To capture viewer attention, consider adding animated intros at the beginning. You can as well utilize animation presets and keyframe animation capabilities to create custom motion effects that align with your video’s style. Make sure to synchronize audio with animations for a polished look. This attention to detail is vital for effective editing, whether you’re using a whiteboard animation maker or learning how to animate a video from scratch. Exporting for Optimal Playback To guarantee your animated video plays back effectively across various platforms, you’ll need to evaluate several key factors during the export process. Here are four important steps for exporting for ideal playback: Codec: Use the H.264 codec for a balance between quality and file size. Resolution: Set your resolution to at least 1920×1080 pixels for Full HD clarity. Frame Rate: Choose 30 fps for standard videos or 60 fps for smoother motion, depending on your animation style. Bitrate: Target a bitrate of around 8 Mbps for 1080p videos to maintain quality without bloating file size. Always preview your exported video for audio-video synchronization issues to guarantee a polished presentation. This knowledge aids in perfecting how to make animations for YouTube with an ai animation generator from text. Sharing Your Animated Video on Social Media Sharing your animated video on social media can greatly boost its visibility and engagement, making it a crucial step in your promotional strategy. Start by choosing the right platforms; for example, use YouTube for long-form content, Instagram for short clips, and Facebook for a broader reach. Optimize your video format according to each platform’s specifications—vertical videos perform well on Instagram Stories and TikTok. Improve your post with engaging captions and relevant hashtags to enhance discoverability. Schedule your posts during peak engagement times based on analytics, as this can considerably increase views. Finally, monitor engagement metrics like views and shares to evaluate your animated video’s performance, which will inform future content strategies and help you refine how to make cartoon animation. Frequently Asked Questions How to Make an Animation Video Step by Step? To make an animation video step by step, start by defining your key message and target audience. Next, craft a compelling script that outlines your narrative. Once that’s done, create detailed storyboards to visualize each scene. Then, design characters and backgrounds that match your vision. After designing, use animation software to animate your scenes. Finally, polish your video with audio and effects before exporting it for sharing. This process guarantees clarity and engagement. How to Create a Custom Animation With Step by Step? To create a custom animation, start by brainstorming your concept and writing a detailed script. Next, develop a storyboard that outlines each scene, including actions and changes. Design characters and backgrounds using graphic software, ensuring they match your theme. Animate your designs with tools like Adobe After Effects, applying keyframes for movement and syncing with audio. Finally, review your work thoroughly, making adjustments before exporting in your chosen format. What Are the 4 Stages of Animation? The four stages of animation are conceptualization, design, animation, and post-production. In the conceptualization stage, you develop the core idea and script that guide your project. Next, during design, you create characters and backgrounds that visually represent your story. The animation stage brings these designs to life through techniques like 2D or 3D animation. Finally, post-production involves editing and adding elements like voiceovers and sound effects to refine the final product. What Program to Use to Make Animated Videos? To create animated videos, you have several superb programs to choose from. Vyond is user-friendly and offers templates perfect for business and educational content. If you’re a beginner, Animaker’s drag-and-drop features simplify the process. For advanced users, Blender provides robust 3D modeling tools. Professionals might prefer Toon Boom Harmony for its all-encompassing 2D capabilities. Finally, Adobe After Effects excels in motion graphics, allowing you to create visually striking animations with ease. Conclusion Creating animated videos requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined—planning, scripting, storyboarding, choosing software, designing visuals, adding audio, editing, and exporting—you guarantee a polished final product. Each phase contributes to a cohesive narrative that effectively communicates your message. With the right techniques and tools, you can engage your audience and improve their experience. Remember, sharing your animated video on social media can broaden its reach, so consider your distribution strategy as well. Image via Google Gemini This article, "A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Animated Videos" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When planning your social media strategy, using content schedule templates can streamline the process considerably. These templates, like HootSuite’s editable calendar and HubSpot’s centralized tool, help you organize posts effectively. They facilitate collaboration among team members and provide insights through analytics. By employing these resources, you can guarantee your content meets strategic goals. But which templates best suit your needs, and how can they truly improve your planning? Key Takeaways Utilize HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar for organized scheduling across five platforms, enhancing planning and communication among team members. Implement HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar for a centralized location to plan, schedule, and track content effectively. Leverage Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template to monitor engagement data and optimize posts based on performance analytics. Explore ClickUp’s features for enhanced collaboration and task management, supporting strategic planning and prioritization of content. Use CoSchedule Template to visually organize content types, streamlining the content creation process and improving overall social media strategy effectiveness. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar When managing social media, having a well-organized content calendar can greatly improve your strategy. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar offers an editable monthly calendar that integrates five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This enables you to strategize across multiple channels seamlessly. Available in a customizable Google Sheet format, it allows for immediate use and personal adjustments to fit your specific needs. The inclusion of an evergreen content library tab helps you store and repurpose timeless content efficiently. By encouraging thorough planning and organized scheduling of social media posts, this template prevents last-minute scrambles, ensuring you maintain a consistent online presence. You can download it for quick access to a structured content planning tool. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar serves as an effective solution for organizing and managing your social media efforts across various platforms. This all-encompassing tool allows you to plan, schedule, and track your content in one centralized location. Key features include: Editable calendar: Customize fields for post titles, links, snippets, and images. Dedicated sections: Keep content organized for each social platform, aligning with your overall marketing strategy. Free access: Ideal for individuals and small teams looking to improve social media management without financial strain. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar automates the calendar creation process, making it easier for you to plan content efficiently over a full year. By aligning your social media strategy with broader marketing goals, this tool guarantees that your content distribution remains cohesive and focused. You’ll additionally benefit from clear definitions of content categories and publication timelines, streamlining your overall content planning efforts. Automated Calendar Creation Automating your calendar creation can greatly streamline your content planning process, especially with tools like Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar. This monthly calendar template allows you to plan 12 months of content effortlessly, aligning your social media strategy with your broader marketing objectives. Define content types to simplify your posting process. Reduce planning time and improve overall efficiency. Adjust and modify the calendar to meet evolving needs. Aligning Marketing Goals Successful content planning hinges on the ability to align marketing goals with your overall strategy, and Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar makes this process markedly easier. This online calendar planner automates the calendar creation, allowing you to input your marketing objectives and receive a customized 12-month schedule. It helps you define various content types, ensuring that your posts remain engaging and relevant to your target audience. By streamlining the planning process, you can reduce the chances of last-minute scrambles, enhancing your team’s efficiency. Moreover, this tool encourages coordination among marketing teams, aligning all content efforts with your broader marketing goals. With Content Cal, you can confidently manage your content strategy and maintain cohesion across your campaigns. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a structured daily breakdown for planning your content across multiple platforms, including an “Other” section for any additional channels you might use. With predefined slots for up to six daily posts per platform, you can efficiently organize your scheduling and track engagement data, ensuring you’re aware of your social media performance. This template is available for immediate download, making it easy to improve collaboration within your team and streamline your content management process. Daily Content Breakdown A well-organized social media content calendar is vital for effective planning and execution. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a daily content breakdown to help you manage your posts efficiently. Supports five major platforms and additional channels Allows for up to six daily posts per platform Tracks performance metrics alongside content This content schedule template makes it easy to fill predefined slots for social copy, images, links, and engagement data. By streamlining your posting process, you’ll maintain consistent engagement with your audience. Plus, the template is downloadable for immediate use, ensuring your team can implement effective content strategies without delay. With this tool, you’ll improve your social media planning and boost your overall content management. Multi-Platform Support When managing social media content, having a template that supports multiple platforms can greatly improve your planning process. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template is designed for five major social platforms, plus an “Other” section for any additional channels. This flexibility guarantees thorough content planning. Feature Description Daily Breakdown Plan up to six posts per platform daily. Content Fields Organize social copy, images, and links. Collaboration Real-time updates for seamless teamwork. You can download this calendar planner online free, making it easy to avoid last-minute scrambles. With its detailed structure, you’ll improve your content organization and tracking, guaranteeing your social media strategy runs smoothly across all platforms. Engagement Data Tracking Tracking engagement data is a fundamental aspect of refining your social media strategy, as it provides insights into how your audience interacts with your content. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template facilitates this process with a typable monthly calendar that includes predefined slots for engagement metrics across five platforms. Input fields for social copy, images, and links Schedule up to six daily posts per platform Analyze how different content types resonate with your audience Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template For effective content planning, the Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a user-friendly solution designed in Google Sheets. This calendar 2025 template provides a day-by-day multiplatform view, making it ideal for teams that post high volumes of content. The straightforward layout simplifies the scheduling process, allowing you to focus on what matters most—creating engaging content. You can easily download the template for immediate use, customizing it to fit your specific needs. It includes detailed sections for tracking content across various social media platforms, ensuring organized and consistent posting. Moreover, the template facilitates collaboration among team members, enhancing communication and efficiency in the content creation process, ultimately resulting in more effective social media strategies. CoSchedule’s Social Media Content Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Social Media Content Calendar Template serves as a strong tool for marketers looking to streamline their social media strategy effectively. With this template, you can easily make a calendar that improves your workflow and guarantees a cohesive marketing approach. Drag-and-drop interface for easy scheduling adjustments. Color-coding feature to visually organize content types. Analytics tools for tracking performance and optimizing posts. This centralized platform allows you to plan and schedule daily posts across various channels, making it simple to identify gaps and opportunities. Plus, the template supports team collaboration, letting you assign tasks and track progress. With CoSchedule’s template, you’ll cultivate effective communication and achieve a well-coordinated social media presence. ClickUp’s Social Media Content Calendar When you need an efficient way to manage your social media content, ClickUp’s Social Media Content Calendar can be a valuable asset. This project management tool helps you create a calendar to plan and organize your content by platform and status, streamlining the creation process. You can store ideas for future posts and prioritize them based on specific goals, improving your strategic planning. Feature Description Customizable Views Choose between calendar and list formats Integration Connects with other tools for workflow Accessibility Free plan available with limited features With ClickUp, you can improve collaboration among team members during content planning and execution, making your social media strategy more effective. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Choose the Right Content Schedule Template for My Needs? To choose the right content schedule template for your needs, start by identifying your goals and the type of content you’ll produce. Consider factors like frequency, platforms, and audience engagement. Look for templates that offer flexibility and clarity, allowing you to track deadlines and responsibilities easily. Evaluate the design and usability to guarantee it fits your workflow. Finally, test a few options to see which one improves your planning effectively. Can I Customize Existing Templates for My Specific Content Strategy? Yes, you can customize existing templates to fit your specific content strategy. Start by identifying your unique needs, such as content types, publishing frequency, and target audience. Adjust the template’s layout, sections, and timelines to align with your goals. Most templates allow you to add or remove elements, making them flexible. As you modify, make certain it remains user-friendly for your team, promoting efficiency in your content planning process. What Are the Key Components of an Effective Content Schedule? An effective content schedule includes several key components. First, clearly define your content goals, ensuring they align with your overall strategy. Next, establish a timeline that outlines when each piece will be created and published. Incorporate a mix of content types to keep your audience engaged, and assign responsibilities to team members. Finally, regularly review and adjust the schedule based on performance metrics to improve future content planning and execution. How Often Should I Update My Content Schedule? You should update your content schedule regularly to stay relevant and organized. A good rule of thumb is to review it at least once a month. This allows you to assess what’s working, identify gaps, and make necessary adjustments based on current trends or changes in your audience’s interests. If you’re in a fast-paced industry, consider weekly updates to guarantee your content remains timely and engaging. Regular reviews help you maintain consistency and effectiveness. Are There Free Options for Content Schedule Templates Available Online? Yes, there are several free options for content schedule templates available online. Websites like Google Docs, Canva, and Trello offer customizable templates that can fit various needs. You can find templates designed for social media, blog posts, or general content planning. Many of these resources allow you to edit and organize your schedule easily. Just search for “free content schedule templates,” and you’ll discover plenty of choices to improve your planning process. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial content schedule templates can greatly improve your social media planning. Each template—ranging from HootSuite’s editable calendar to ClickUp’s customizable option—offers unique features that streamline content management and boost team collaboration. By utilizing these tools, you can guarantee your social media content aligns with strategic objectives, fills gaps in your strategy, and leverages analytics for better performance. Adopting these templates will help you create a more effective and organized social media presence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Content Schedule Templates to Enhance Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When planning your social media strategy, using content schedule templates can streamline the process considerably. These templates, like HootSuite’s editable calendar and HubSpot’s centralized tool, help you organize posts effectively. They facilitate collaboration among team members and provide insights through analytics. By employing these resources, you can guarantee your content meets strategic goals. But which templates best suit your needs, and how can they truly improve your planning? Key Takeaways Utilize HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar for organized scheduling across five platforms, enhancing planning and communication among team members. Implement HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar for a centralized location to plan, schedule, and track content effectively. Leverage Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template to monitor engagement data and optimize posts based on performance analytics. Explore ClickUp’s features for enhanced collaboration and task management, supporting strategic planning and prioritization of content. Use CoSchedule Template to visually organize content types, streamlining the content creation process and improving overall social media strategy effectiveness. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar When managing social media, having a well-organized content calendar can greatly improve your strategy. HootSuite’s Social Media Content Calendar offers an editable monthly calendar that integrates five major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. This enables you to strategize across multiple channels seamlessly. Available in a customizable Google Sheet format, it allows for immediate use and personal adjustments to fit your specific needs. The inclusion of an evergreen content library tab helps you store and repurpose timeless content efficiently. By encouraging thorough planning and organized scheduling of social media posts, this template prevents last-minute scrambles, ensuring you maintain a consistent online presence. You can download it for quick access to a structured content planning tool. HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar HubSpot’s Social Media Content Calendar serves as an effective solution for organizing and managing your social media efforts across various platforms. This all-encompassing tool allows you to plan, schedule, and track your content in one centralized location. Key features include: Editable calendar: Customize fields for post titles, links, snippets, and images. Dedicated sections: Keep content organized for each social platform, aligning with your overall marketing strategy. Free access: Ideal for individuals and small teams looking to improve social media management without financial strain. Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar automates the calendar creation process, making it easier for you to plan content efficiently over a full year. By aligning your social media strategy with broader marketing goals, this tool guarantees that your content distribution remains cohesive and focused. You’ll additionally benefit from clear definitions of content categories and publication timelines, streamlining your overall content planning efforts. Automated Calendar Creation Automating your calendar creation can greatly streamline your content planning process, especially with tools like Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar. This monthly calendar template allows you to plan 12 months of content effortlessly, aligning your social media strategy with your broader marketing objectives. Define content types to simplify your posting process. Reduce planning time and improve overall efficiency. Adjust and modify the calendar to meet evolving needs. Aligning Marketing Goals Successful content planning hinges on the ability to align marketing goals with your overall strategy, and Content Cal’s Customized Content Calendar makes this process markedly easier. This online calendar planner automates the calendar creation, allowing you to input your marketing objectives and receive a customized 12-month schedule. It helps you define various content types, ensuring that your posts remain engaging and relevant to your target audience. By streamlining the planning process, you can reduce the chances of last-minute scrambles, enhancing your team’s efficiency. Moreover, this tool encourages coordination among marketing teams, aligning all content efforts with your broader marketing goals. With Content Cal, you can confidently manage your content strategy and maintain cohesion across your campaigns. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a structured daily breakdown for planning your content across multiple platforms, including an “Other” section for any additional channels you might use. With predefined slots for up to six daily posts per platform, you can efficiently organize your scheduling and track engagement data, ensuring you’re aware of your social media performance. This template is available for immediate download, making it easy to improve collaboration within your team and streamline your content management process. Daily Content Breakdown A well-organized social media content calendar is vital for effective planning and execution. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template provides a daily content breakdown to help you manage your posts efficiently. Supports five major platforms and additional channels Allows for up to six daily posts per platform Tracks performance metrics alongside content This content schedule template makes it easy to fill predefined slots for social copy, images, links, and engagement data. By streamlining your posting process, you’ll maintain consistent engagement with your audience. Plus, the template is downloadable for immediate use, ensuring your team can implement effective content strategies without delay. With this tool, you’ll improve your social media planning and boost your overall content management. Multi-Platform Support When managing social media content, having a template that supports multiple platforms can greatly improve your planning process. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template is designed for five major social platforms, plus an “Other” section for any additional channels. This flexibility guarantees thorough content planning. Feature Description Daily Breakdown Plan up to six posts per platform daily. Content Fields Organize social copy, images, and links. Collaboration Real-time updates for seamless teamwork. You can download this calendar planner online free, making it easy to avoid last-minute scrambles. With its detailed structure, you’ll improve your content organization and tracking, guaranteeing your social media strategy runs smoothly across all platforms. Engagement Data Tracking Tracking engagement data is a fundamental aspect of refining your social media strategy, as it provides insights into how your audience interacts with your content. Smartsheet’s Social Media Content Calendar Template facilitates this process with a typable monthly calendar that includes predefined slots for engagement metrics across five platforms. Input fields for social copy, images, and links Schedule up to six daily posts per platform Analyze how different content types resonate with your audience Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template For effective content planning, the Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Calendar Template offers a user-friendly solution designed in Google Sheets. This calendar 2025 template provides a day-by-day multiplatform view, making it ideal for teams that post high volumes of content. The straightforward layout simplifies the scheduling process, allowing you to focus on what matters most—creating engaging content. You can easily download the template for immediate use, customizing it to fit your specific needs. It includes detailed sections for tracking content across various social media platforms, ensuring organized and consistent posting. Moreover, the template facilitates collaboration among team members, enhancing communication and efficiency in the content creation process, ultimately resulting in more effective social media strategies. CoSchedule’s Social Media Content Calendar Template CoSchedule’s Social Media Content Calendar Template serves as a strong tool for marketers looking to streamline their social media strategy effectively. With this template, you can easily make a calendar that improves your workflow and guarantees a cohesive marketing approach. Drag-and-drop interface for easy scheduling adjustments. Color-coding feature to visually organize content types. Analytics tools for tracking performance and optimizing posts. This centralized platform allows you to plan and schedule daily posts across various channels, making it simple to identify gaps and opportunities. Plus, the template supports team collaboration, letting you assign tasks and track progress. With CoSchedule’s template, you’ll cultivate effective communication and achieve a well-coordinated social media presence. ClickUp’s Social Media Content Calendar When you need an efficient way to manage your social media content, ClickUp’s Social Media Content Calendar can be a valuable asset. This project management tool helps you create a calendar to plan and organize your content by platform and status, streamlining the creation process. You can store ideas for future posts and prioritize them based on specific goals, improving your strategic planning. Feature Description Customizable Views Choose between calendar and list formats Integration Connects with other tools for workflow Accessibility Free plan available with limited features With ClickUp, you can improve collaboration among team members during content planning and execution, making your social media strategy more effective. Frequently Asked Questions How Do I Choose the Right Content Schedule Template for My Needs? To choose the right content schedule template for your needs, start by identifying your goals and the type of content you’ll produce. Consider factors like frequency, platforms, and audience engagement. Look for templates that offer flexibility and clarity, allowing you to track deadlines and responsibilities easily. Evaluate the design and usability to guarantee it fits your workflow. Finally, test a few options to see which one improves your planning effectively. Can I Customize Existing Templates for My Specific Content Strategy? Yes, you can customize existing templates to fit your specific content strategy. Start by identifying your unique needs, such as content types, publishing frequency, and target audience. Adjust the template’s layout, sections, and timelines to align with your goals. Most templates allow you to add or remove elements, making them flexible. As you modify, make certain it remains user-friendly for your team, promoting efficiency in your content planning process. What Are the Key Components of an Effective Content Schedule? An effective content schedule includes several key components. First, clearly define your content goals, ensuring they align with your overall strategy. Next, establish a timeline that outlines when each piece will be created and published. Incorporate a mix of content types to keep your audience engaged, and assign responsibilities to team members. Finally, regularly review and adjust the schedule based on performance metrics to improve future content planning and execution. How Often Should I Update My Content Schedule? You should update your content schedule regularly to stay relevant and organized. A good rule of thumb is to review it at least once a month. This allows you to assess what’s working, identify gaps, and make necessary adjustments based on current trends or changes in your audience’s interests. If you’re in a fast-paced industry, consider weekly updates to guarantee your content remains timely and engaging. Regular reviews help you maintain consistency and effectiveness. Are There Free Options for Content Schedule Templates Available Online? Yes, there are several free options for content schedule templates available online. Websites like Google Docs, Canva, and Trello offer customizable templates that can fit various needs. You can find templates designed for social media, blog posts, or general content planning. Many of these resources allow you to edit and organize your schedule easily. Just search for “free content schedule templates,” and you’ll discover plenty of choices to improve your planning process. Conclusion Incorporating these seven crucial content schedule templates can greatly improve your social media planning. Each template—ranging from HootSuite’s editable calendar to ClickUp’s customizable option—offers unique features that streamline content management and boost team collaboration. By utilizing these tools, you can guarantee your social media content aligns with strategic objectives, fills gaps in your strategy, and leverages analytics for better performance. Adopting these templates will help you create a more effective and organized social media presence. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Content Schedule Templates to Enhance Planning" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Data makes for better decisions, more effective projects, and stronger alignment across your organization. With Smartsheet as the powerhouse for that data, you get visibility on valuable work, seamless collaboration, and deep reporting. But the data you need isn’t always in Smartsheet. That’s when you need a software integration. Smartsheet offers its own integrations through Smartsheet Bridge, allowing you to bridge the gap between this essential tool and other platforms. Unito’s Smartsheet integration, meanwhile, creates a two-way flow between Smartsheet and other tools, powering smoother collaboration across tools. Here’s your guide to picking the right option for your team. Smartsheet BridgeUnitoIntegration typeOne-way event-based workflowsTwo-way live data syncSetup complexityNo-code, but technical know-how neededNo-code, user-friendly setupSupported toolsThree pre-built connectors (ServiceNow, Google Translate, SharePoint) Developer platform for any tool with an API60+ connectors, like Jira, Azure DevOps, and ServiceNowCost of ownershipAdditional cost on top of your Smartsheet Enterprise subscriptionOne subscription price, low setup and maintenance costTime to deployComplex and slowShortCustomizationFlexible, but manual and technicalVisual, easy to configure, auto-mapping supportedScalabilityFlexible, depending on custom designEnterprise-ready, built for high-volume syncs What is Smartsheet Bridge? Smartsheet Bridge is a low-code option for teams needing to build automations that support even complex workflows both within Smartsheet and between Smartsheet and other tools. Its simple drag-and-drop interface means you don’t need advanced technical skills to set up basic automations. But if you do have technical resources, you can use HTTP calls, API calls, and Javascript to build your own automations with any tool that supports these methods. What is Unito? Unito is a no-code integration solution with some of the deepest two-way integrations for popular tools like Asana, Jira, ServiceNow, and Salesforce. These integrations build two-way relationships between rows in Smartsheet and work items in other tools, automatically updating fields, creating new work items, and archiving work items as you work. Say, for instance, that you’re tracking project deliverables in Asana but the projects themselves are managed in Smartsheet. Unito can pair Asana tasks for those deliverables with rows in Smartsheet, so anyone in Asana knows exactly when those deliverables will be completed, who’s working on them, and how they’re prioritized around other work. Unito vs. Smartsheet Bridge: How they compare Let’s break down the differences between Unito and Smartsheet Bridge in more detail. Integration type Smartsheet Bridge uses trigger-based “if this then that” logic, which can be triggered with either specific events or on a schedule. This structure can support a wide variety of activities, so no matter what business function you’re building workflows for, Smartsheet Bridge can automate those actions. Note, however, that these automations only work in one direction by default. That means data is pushed from an initial trigger to an action, and onward from there. You can link up enough automations to push data back to the tool or project involved in the initial trigger, but that can get complex quickly. Conversely, Unito sets up a two-way relationship between blocks of work (e.g., projects, spreadsheets, or workspaces) and the work items (e.g., tasks, rows, or records) in them. A single flow can connect two individual blocks of work and any number of work items in them, syncing data back and forth in real-time. No building chains of automations. Just one flow and you have a two-way sync, ready to go. Setup complexity You don’t need to learn how to code to set up Smartsheet Bridge’s automations, but you do need a certain level of technical knowledge to understand what’s happening behind the scenes. Otherwise, you run the risk of encountering issues like infinite loops and broken automations. Most Unito users don’t have a technical background, and they deploy their first Unito integration within a few days, if not less. Whether you have a small team or you’re an enterprise organization, you can deploy Unito integrations without any developers or third-party consultants. Supported tools Smartsheet Bridge offers three pre-built connectors: ServiceNow, Google Translate, and Sharepoint. While these connectors can support specific, critical workflows, they’re not enough to support your team’s work holistically. Bridge also allows you to build your own connectors with any tool that has an API—but that involves development work. Unito offers over 60 pre-built connectors for tools like Smartsheet, ServiceNow, Jira, and Asana, supporting workflows like ticket escalation, software development, project management, and record syncing. That means you can rely on a single platform for most—if not all—of your integration needs. Cost of ownership With Smartsheet Bridge, you’ll have to pay an additional cost on top of your Smartsheet subscription. You’ll also need to budget for technical resources for building custom connectors, whether you’re relying on your own developers or external consultants. With Unito, your total cost of ownership is summed up in a single subscription fee. No extra expenses for development and no hidden fees. Time to deploy Smartsheet Bridge can be a complex integration solution to deploy. Even if you’re using its pre-built connectors, you’re looking at a technical, lengthy process before your integrations are live. This isn’t a problem if you have the time and the resources, but it can make already problematic workflows get more complex. Unito’s integrations deploy in days, not weeks or months. And since you don’t need a technical background to deploy these integrations, anyone in your team can own that deployment. You’ll see the impacts of your Unito integration quickly, without disrupting the way your teams work. Customization Smartsheet Bridge is a deeply customizable integration solution. But that customization comes at a cost. Because making the changes you need is a deeply manual process, you need technical resources to do so. This isn’t the kind of integration where anyone on your team can make the changes they need on the fly. Unito’s integrations are both deeply customizable and easy to customize. Deep field mappings allow you to send data exactly where it needs to go, while rules allow you to fine-tune how much data gets through. With Unito’s visual interface, you can modify your integrations on the fly with no technical knowledge. Scalability No matter how effective your Smartsheet Bridge integrations are, they’re limited by the amount of custom development work you put into them. That means any time you need to add support for other connectors or extra functionality, you need to budget for that work. Your ability to scale Smartsheet Bridge integrations depends on how much of that work you can do. Unito is built with enterprise organizations and their integration needs in mind. A single Unito flow can sync hundreds of work items in real-time, scaling with you as you grow. When you should use Smartsheet Bridge Smartsheet Bridge works best for workflows that only need straightforward, trigger-based automations to work right. Processes with multiple approvals and clear dependencies are well-suited to Smartsheet Bridge, since data only needs to move in one direction. If you have the development resources to build and deploy custom connectors to cover your tool stack, then Smartsheet Bridge’s deep customization is a natural fit for your team. When you should use Unito Unito is the single best option for powering seamless collaboration across tools. It’s as close as you can get to working in two tools at the same time without actually needing to switch back and forth between them. Unito’s real-time, two-way sync keeps all your work updated in real-time, allowing organizations to collaborate across departments and even across time zones, no matter what tools they use. Whether it’s for managing projects, escalating tickets, or enhancing AI agents in your tools, Unito is the best choice. Ready to get more out of your tools? Meet with a Unito product expert to see what a Unito flow can do for your workflows. Talk with sales View the full article

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Boosting productivity at work involves more than just managing your time; it’s about managing your energy and focus effectively. By scheduling tasks during your peak energy hours, using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritization, and taking regular breaks with techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, you can improve your overall efficiency. Furthermore, refining your workspace and limiting distractions can further support your efforts. In this discussion, we’ll explore ten innovative ideas that can transform how you work. Key Takeaways Schedule deep work during personal energy peaks identified through tracking ultradian rhythms to maximize focus and productivity. Implement the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, maintaining a manageable task list of 5-9 items. Encourage regular breaks, ideally every 90 minutes, and utilize the Pomodoro Technique to maintain concentration and prevent fatigue. Create a structured and organized workspace with ergonomic accessories and natural elements to enhance mood and productivity. Incorporate fun employee engagement activities that promote movement, collaboration, and camaraderie to boost morale and creativity. Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time While managing your time is essential for productivity, focusing on your energy levels can yield even greater results. Comprehending your ultradian rhythms helps you identify personal energy peaks, allowing for better scheduling of complex tasks. By keeping a journal for 1-2 weeks, you can track your energy fluctuations and allocate work according to when you feel most focused. Block specific calendar times for deep work during these “golden hours” to improve concentration. Furthermore, save menial tasks for lower energy periods to prevent burnout. Incorporate employee engagement activities or team engagement ideas that include regular movement and hydration to boost energy. These workplace engagement ideas can help sustain focus throughout the workday, eventually increasing your productivity. Build a Better To-Do List To build a better to-do list, start by prioritizing your daily tasks to keep your focus sharp and manageable. You can use the Eisenhower Matrix to classify your tasks based on urgency and importance, helping you decide what to tackle first or delegate. Prioritize Daily Tasks Effective prioritization of daily tasks is essential for maximizing productivity and maintaining focus throughout your workday. Aim for a daily task list of 5-9 items to avoid overwhelm. Implement the 1-3-5 rule: select 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks. This approach balances your workload and improves employee engagement ideas. Task Size Examples Big Task Develop project proposal Medium Tasks Attend team meeting, Review report, Plan workplace event Small Tasks Respond to emails, Organize files, Schedule calls, Update calendar, Take breaks Regularly review your list to reflect changing priorities, and don’t hesitate to delegate or eliminate less important tasks to boost efficiency in your engagement activities. Implement Eisenhower Matrix The Eisenhower Matrix offers a structured approach to prioritizing tasks, ensuring you focus on what truly matters in your daily routine. By categorizing tasks into four quadrants—urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important—you can effectively eliminate distractions and delegate low-priority tasks. This method not just sharpens your decision-making but additionally boosts productivity by up to 20%. You’ll have more time for long-term goals rather than just reacting to daily demands. To improve staff engagement activities, consider using the Matrix during team meetings or workplace event ideas, nurturing a proactive culture that values focused efforts on what truly counts, finally leading to better outcomes for everyone involved. Tune Out Distractions Distractions can severely hinder your productivity, with estimates suggesting it takes up to 23 minutes to regain focus after an interruption. To combat this, consider reducing self-imposed distractions by turning off notifications on your devices. Create a structured environment by setting specific times to check emails and using autoresponders to communicate your availability. Browser blockers can likewise limit access to distracting websites, helping you stay on task. Although fun employee engagement activities and work social events are valuable for team cohesion, be mindful not to let them disrupt your workflow. Focus on One Thing at a Time Tuning out distractions is only part of the equation in relation to enhancing productivity; focusing on one task at a time can greatly amplify your efficiency. Studies show multitasking diminishes productivity as your brain can’t effectively handle simultaneous tasks. When you switch tasks, it may take up to 23 minutes to refocus. To improve your focus, consider these strategies: Clearly state the task you’re working on to reinforce your objective. Limit interruptions, creating an environment conducive to deep work. Engage in activities for employees engagement, like team engagement activities, that promote concentrated work sessions. Batch Your Tasks When you batch your tasks, you’re fundamentally grouping similar activities together, which can streamline your workflow and greatly boost your efficiency. This approach considerably reduces cognitive load and minimizes the mental effort required to switch between different types of tasks. Research shows that by batching similar tasks, you can save up to 40% of your time, allowing for deeper focus and reducing interruptions from task switching. Implementing time-blocking strategies for specific engagement activities for work, like answering emails or attending meetings, creates structured periods for focused work. Prioritize Healthy Habits To boost your productivity, it’s crucial to prioritize healthy habits that support your well-being. Staying hydrated can greatly improve your focus, as you incorporate movement and stretching reminders throughout your day to keep your energy levels high. Furthermore, enhancing your sleep quality by ensuring you get 7-9 hours each night will further sharpen your decision-making skills and overall performance. Hydration and Energy Levels Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining your energy levels and cognitive function throughout the workday. Staying adequately hydrated can improve your productivity and mental performance. To support your hydration efforts, consider these tips: Set hydration reminders to drink water hourly. Drink water before consuming caffeine to counteract its diuretic effects. Aim for about 2 liters (or 8 cups) of water daily for ideal hydration. Research indicates that proper hydration habits can boost productivity by up to 14%. Incorporating hydration reminders into your daily routine can prevent fatigue, improve focus, and contribute to better employee engagement activities. Movement and Stretching Reminders Maintaining productivity at work goes beyond staying hydrated; incorporating movement and stretching reminders into your daily routine can greatly improve your overall comfort and efficiency. Setting hourly timers can prompt you to take short breaks, encouraging movement and stretching every hour. This practice boosts blood circulation, crucial for maintaining energy and focus throughout your workday. Engaging in brief physical activity has been linked to improved mood and reduced stress levels, nurturing a more positive workplace atmosphere. Furthermore, these movement and stretching reminders can serve as effective employee engagement activities, even in virtual settings. Implementing these ideas for work can lead to a 10-15% increase in productivity, helping you combat mental fatigue and improve your overall performance. Sleep Quality Improvement Techniques Sleep quality plays a crucial role in enhancing your productivity, especially when you take into account that just one night of poor sleep can reduce cognitive performance by up to 30%. Here are some effective sleep quality improvement techniques to reflect upon: Establish a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Limit screen time at least an hour before bedtime to boost melatonin production. Create a comfortable sleep environment with a dark, quiet room and a suitable mattress. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing before bed can additionally improve your mood. Prioritizing sleep can lead to increased employee engagement events and make fun staff engagement activities more effective, ultimately enhancing productivity at work. Take Breaks Regularly While many people underestimate the impact of regular breaks, taking short pauses throughout your workday can greatly improve your productivity and focus. Research shows that taking breaks every 90 minutes helps maintain concentration and prevents cognitive fatigue. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, boost productivity by allowing your brain to recharge. Incorporating outdoor breaks can likewise elevate your mood and cognitive function, making you feel more engaged. Consider integrating fun employee engagement activities virtual or planning team engagement activities ideas during breaks to promote camaraderie. Refine Your Workspace A well-organized workspace can greatly improve your productivity and focus. Clutter can increase stress and decrease efficiency, so it’s crucial to refine your environment. Consider these tips: Invest in ergonomic accessories, like adjustable chairs and desks, to reduce physical strain and improve comfort. Maximize natural light by positioning your desk near windows, as daylight exposure can boost mood and productivity by up to 15%. Incorporate plants into your space; greenery not just beautifies but can likewise increase cognitive function and creativity, leading to a 15% productivity boost. Furthermore, you might explore creative ideas for office events that promote team bonding and collaboration, further elevating your workspace’s overall atmosphere and efficiency. Change Your Scenery Refining your workspace is just the beginning of enhancing productivity; changing your scenery can greatly impact your focus and creativity. Moving to different locations, like a coffee shop or even your couch, can break the monotony and refresh your mind. Studies show that employees who occasionally shift their work environment report higher job satisfaction and engagement. Furthermore, consider incorporating outdoor work sessions when possible, as natural surroundings can alleviate mental fatigue and reduce stress levels. You might also explore work event ideas that encourage team members to collaborate in varied spaces, or implement games for employee engagement that inspire creativity. Experimenting with these ideas to engage employees can lead to discovering the environments that best support your productivity. Let Go of Perfectionism Letting go of perfectionism is essential for enhancing your productivity, especially in a fast-paced work environment. Working towards unattainable standards can hinder your efficiency, leading to procrastination and stress. Instead, focus on progress and completion. Here are some strategies to help you embrace this mindset: Celebrate small achievements during staff engagement events to boost morale. Accept that not every task needs to be flawless, allowing for more room to innovate. Set realistic expectations for daily tasks, reducing stress and enhancing employee engagement. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 3 3 3 Rule for Productivity? The 3-3-3 rule for productivity involves three key actions you can take every hour. First, spend three minutes stretching or moving to refresh your body. Next, take three deep breaths to clear your mind and boost focus. Finally, dedicate three minutes to planning your next tasks. This approach helps break the monotony of continuous work, improves your energy levels, and prevents burnout, ultimately resulting in more effective and productive work sessions. How to Enhance Productivity at Work? To improve productivity at work, consider implementing time blocking to allocate specific periods for focused tasks, ensuring you work during your peak energy times. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, helping you focus on what truly matters. Regular breaks, such as those suggested by the Pomodoro Technique, maintain your mental clarity. Finally, automate routine tasks with AI tools, freeing up valuable time for higher-impact work. How Can Innovation Improve Productivity? Innovation can markedly improve productivity by streamlining processes and introducing new technologies. For instance, adopting automation tools reduces the time spent on repetitive tasks. Furthermore, creating a culture that encourages employee-driven innovation can lead to unique solutions, enhancing efficiency. Companies that implement flexible work schedules and remote collaboration tools often see better work-life balance, resulting in increased job satisfaction and engagement, which collectively boosts overall productivity by 10-30%. What Is an Example of an Innovative Idea at Work? An example of an innovative idea at work is implementing flexible work schedules. By allowing employees to choose their most productive hours, companies can improve job satisfaction and boost work-life balance. For instance, Microsoft Japan reported a 40% productivity increase after trialing a four-day workweek. This approach empowers you to tailor your work hours, ultimately resulting in increased efficiency and a more motivated workforce, as people feel more in control of their time. Conclusion By implementing these ten innovative strategies, you can greatly improve your productivity at work. Managing your energy levels, refining your workspace, and taking regular breaks can lead to improved focus and efficiency. Furthermore, prioritizing tasks and minimizing distractions promotes a more effective work environment. Experimenting with varied work locations can stimulate creativity. In the end, adopting these practices will not just optimize your performance but will also contribute to a more satisfying and balanced work life. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Innovative Ideas to Boost Productivity at Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Boosting productivity at work involves more than just managing your time; it’s about managing your energy and focus effectively. By scheduling tasks during your peak energy hours, using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritization, and taking regular breaks with techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique, you can improve your overall efficiency. Furthermore, refining your workspace and limiting distractions can further support your efforts. In this discussion, we’ll explore ten innovative ideas that can transform how you work. Key Takeaways Schedule deep work during personal energy peaks identified through tracking ultradian rhythms to maximize focus and productivity. Implement the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, maintaining a manageable task list of 5-9 items. Encourage regular breaks, ideally every 90 minutes, and utilize the Pomodoro Technique to maintain concentration and prevent fatigue. Create a structured and organized workspace with ergonomic accessories and natural elements to enhance mood and productivity. Incorporate fun employee engagement activities that promote movement, collaboration, and camaraderie to boost morale and creativity. Manage Your Energy, Not Just Your Time While managing your time is essential for productivity, focusing on your energy levels can yield even greater results. Comprehending your ultradian rhythms helps you identify personal energy peaks, allowing for better scheduling of complex tasks. By keeping a journal for 1-2 weeks, you can track your energy fluctuations and allocate work according to when you feel most focused. Block specific calendar times for deep work during these “golden hours” to improve concentration. Furthermore, save menial tasks for lower energy periods to prevent burnout. Incorporate employee engagement activities or team engagement ideas that include regular movement and hydration to boost energy. These workplace engagement ideas can help sustain focus throughout the workday, eventually increasing your productivity. Build a Better To-Do List To build a better to-do list, start by prioritizing your daily tasks to keep your focus sharp and manageable. You can use the Eisenhower Matrix to classify your tasks based on urgency and importance, helping you decide what to tackle first or delegate. Prioritize Daily Tasks Effective prioritization of daily tasks is essential for maximizing productivity and maintaining focus throughout your workday. Aim for a daily task list of 5-9 items to avoid overwhelm. Implement the 1-3-5 rule: select 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks. This approach balances your workload and improves employee engagement ideas. Task Size Examples Big Task Develop project proposal Medium Tasks Attend team meeting, Review report, Plan workplace event Small Tasks Respond to emails, Organize files, Schedule calls, Update calendar, Take breaks Regularly review your list to reflect changing priorities, and don’t hesitate to delegate or eliminate less important tasks to boost efficiency in your engagement activities. Implement Eisenhower Matrix The Eisenhower Matrix offers a structured approach to prioritizing tasks, ensuring you focus on what truly matters in your daily routine. By categorizing tasks into four quadrants—urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important—you can effectively eliminate distractions and delegate low-priority tasks. This method not just sharpens your decision-making but additionally boosts productivity by up to 20%. You’ll have more time for long-term goals rather than just reacting to daily demands. To improve staff engagement activities, consider using the Matrix during team meetings or workplace event ideas, nurturing a proactive culture that values focused efforts on what truly counts, finally leading to better outcomes for everyone involved. Tune Out Distractions Distractions can severely hinder your productivity, with estimates suggesting it takes up to 23 minutes to regain focus after an interruption. To combat this, consider reducing self-imposed distractions by turning off notifications on your devices. Create a structured environment by setting specific times to check emails and using autoresponders to communicate your availability. Browser blockers can likewise limit access to distracting websites, helping you stay on task. Although fun employee engagement activities and work social events are valuable for team cohesion, be mindful not to let them disrupt your workflow. Focus on One Thing at a Time Tuning out distractions is only part of the equation in relation to enhancing productivity; focusing on one task at a time can greatly amplify your efficiency. Studies show multitasking diminishes productivity as your brain can’t effectively handle simultaneous tasks. When you switch tasks, it may take up to 23 minutes to refocus. To improve your focus, consider these strategies: Clearly state the task you’re working on to reinforce your objective. Limit interruptions, creating an environment conducive to deep work. Engage in activities for employees engagement, like team engagement activities, that promote concentrated work sessions. Batch Your Tasks When you batch your tasks, you’re fundamentally grouping similar activities together, which can streamline your workflow and greatly boost your efficiency. This approach considerably reduces cognitive load and minimizes the mental effort required to switch between different types of tasks. Research shows that by batching similar tasks, you can save up to 40% of your time, allowing for deeper focus and reducing interruptions from task switching. Implementing time-blocking strategies for specific engagement activities for work, like answering emails or attending meetings, creates structured periods for focused work. Prioritize Healthy Habits To boost your productivity, it’s crucial to prioritize healthy habits that support your well-being. Staying hydrated can greatly improve your focus, as you incorporate movement and stretching reminders throughout your day to keep your energy levels high. Furthermore, enhancing your sleep quality by ensuring you get 7-9 hours each night will further sharpen your decision-making skills and overall performance. Hydration and Energy Levels Hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining your energy levels and cognitive function throughout the workday. Staying adequately hydrated can improve your productivity and mental performance. To support your hydration efforts, consider these tips: Set hydration reminders to drink water hourly. Drink water before consuming caffeine to counteract its diuretic effects. Aim for about 2 liters (or 8 cups) of water daily for ideal hydration. Research indicates that proper hydration habits can boost productivity by up to 14%. Incorporating hydration reminders into your daily routine can prevent fatigue, improve focus, and contribute to better employee engagement activities. Movement and Stretching Reminders Maintaining productivity at work goes beyond staying hydrated; incorporating movement and stretching reminders into your daily routine can greatly improve your overall comfort and efficiency. Setting hourly timers can prompt you to take short breaks, encouraging movement and stretching every hour. This practice boosts blood circulation, crucial for maintaining energy and focus throughout your workday. Engaging in brief physical activity has been linked to improved mood and reduced stress levels, nurturing a more positive workplace atmosphere. Furthermore, these movement and stretching reminders can serve as effective employee engagement activities, even in virtual settings. Implementing these ideas for work can lead to a 10-15% increase in productivity, helping you combat mental fatigue and improve your overall performance. Sleep Quality Improvement Techniques Sleep quality plays a crucial role in enhancing your productivity, especially when you take into account that just one night of poor sleep can reduce cognitive performance by up to 30%. Here are some effective sleep quality improvement techniques to reflect upon: Establish a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time daily. Limit screen time at least an hour before bedtime to boost melatonin production. Create a comfortable sleep environment with a dark, quiet room and a suitable mattress. Incorporating relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing before bed can additionally improve your mood. Prioritizing sleep can lead to increased employee engagement events and make fun staff engagement activities more effective, ultimately enhancing productivity at work. Take Breaks Regularly While many people underestimate the impact of regular breaks, taking short pauses throughout your workday can greatly improve your productivity and focus. Research shows that taking breaks every 90 minutes helps maintain concentration and prevents cognitive fatigue. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, boost productivity by allowing your brain to recharge. Incorporating outdoor breaks can likewise elevate your mood and cognitive function, making you feel more engaged. Consider integrating fun employee engagement activities virtual or planning team engagement activities ideas during breaks to promote camaraderie. Refine Your Workspace A well-organized workspace can greatly improve your productivity and focus. Clutter can increase stress and decrease efficiency, so it’s crucial to refine your environment. Consider these tips: Invest in ergonomic accessories, like adjustable chairs and desks, to reduce physical strain and improve comfort. Maximize natural light by positioning your desk near windows, as daylight exposure can boost mood and productivity by up to 15%. Incorporate plants into your space; greenery not just beautifies but can likewise increase cognitive function and creativity, leading to a 15% productivity boost. Furthermore, you might explore creative ideas for office events that promote team bonding and collaboration, further elevating your workspace’s overall atmosphere and efficiency. Change Your Scenery Refining your workspace is just the beginning of enhancing productivity; changing your scenery can greatly impact your focus and creativity. Moving to different locations, like a coffee shop or even your couch, can break the monotony and refresh your mind. Studies show that employees who occasionally shift their work environment report higher job satisfaction and engagement. Furthermore, consider incorporating outdoor work sessions when possible, as natural surroundings can alleviate mental fatigue and reduce stress levels. You might also explore work event ideas that encourage team members to collaborate in varied spaces, or implement games for employee engagement that inspire creativity. Experimenting with these ideas to engage employees can lead to discovering the environments that best support your productivity. Let Go of Perfectionism Letting go of perfectionism is essential for enhancing your productivity, especially in a fast-paced work environment. Working towards unattainable standards can hinder your efficiency, leading to procrastination and stress. Instead, focus on progress and completion. Here are some strategies to help you embrace this mindset: Celebrate small achievements during staff engagement events to boost morale. Accept that not every task needs to be flawless, allowing for more room to innovate. Set realistic expectations for daily tasks, reducing stress and enhancing employee engagement. Frequently Asked Questions What Is the 3 3 3 Rule for Productivity? The 3-3-3 rule for productivity involves three key actions you can take every hour. First, spend three minutes stretching or moving to refresh your body. Next, take three deep breaths to clear your mind and boost focus. Finally, dedicate three minutes to planning your next tasks. This approach helps break the monotony of continuous work, improves your energy levels, and prevents burnout, ultimately resulting in more effective and productive work sessions. How to Enhance Productivity at Work? To improve productivity at work, consider implementing time blocking to allocate specific periods for focused tasks, ensuring you work during your peak energy times. Use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, helping you focus on what truly matters. Regular breaks, such as those suggested by the Pomodoro Technique, maintain your mental clarity. Finally, automate routine tasks with AI tools, freeing up valuable time for higher-impact work. How Can Innovation Improve Productivity? Innovation can markedly improve productivity by streamlining processes and introducing new technologies. For instance, adopting automation tools reduces the time spent on repetitive tasks. Furthermore, creating a culture that encourages employee-driven innovation can lead to unique solutions, enhancing efficiency. Companies that implement flexible work schedules and remote collaboration tools often see better work-life balance, resulting in increased job satisfaction and engagement, which collectively boosts overall productivity by 10-30%. What Is an Example of an Innovative Idea at Work? An example of an innovative idea at work is implementing flexible work schedules. By allowing employees to choose their most productive hours, companies can improve job satisfaction and boost work-life balance. For instance, Microsoft Japan reported a 40% productivity increase after trialing a four-day workweek. This approach empowers you to tailor your work hours, ultimately resulting in increased efficiency and a more motivated workforce, as people feel more in control of their time. Conclusion By implementing these ten innovative strategies, you can greatly improve your productivity at work. Managing your energy levels, refining your workspace, and taking regular breaks can lead to improved focus and efficiency. Furthermore, prioritizing tasks and minimizing distractions promotes a more effective work environment. Experimenting with varied work locations can stimulate creativity. In the end, adopting these practices will not just optimize your performance but will also contribute to a more satisfying and balanced work life. Image via Google Gemini This article, "10 Innovative Ideas to Boost Productivity at Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

A North Carolina homeowner says the large servicer's $6.75 fee for borrowers to make mortgage payments with a debit card violates a state debt collection law. View the full article

The The President administration is planning to buy a direct stake in yet another chip technology company. Earlier this week, the Commerce Department announced that it had signed a letter of intent to buy up to $150 million of xLight, a startup that focuses on lithography, a critical part of the semiconductor-manufacturing process. The move shows that the government’s nearly $9 billion dollar investment in Intel — for 10 percent stake in the company structured as a silent partnership — wasn’t a one-off, and that officials are moving forward with plans to buy equity in technology companies it deems critical. As part of the latest deal, the startup will receive tens of millions in exchange for developing a prototype that would use free-laser electron technology to manufacture chips. The approach, if successful, would be a big deal, since it could provide an alternative to lithography equipment made by the Dutch company ASML, which is practically the only choice for chipmakers. For the US government, the hope is that the xLight’s technology could help produce extremely tiny — and highly sought after — transistors. “The right shareholder?” Under the The President administration, the government has rapidly increased its ownership shares in private companies — a controversial strategy. A good number of conservative economists believe the government shouldn’t be getting so involved in the private sector. There’s also concern that current investments don’t reflect a consistent strategy, and could veer into favoritism for political friends. The The President administration may also be risking taxpayer money as well, since there’s no guarantee industrial policy investments will actually pan out. “Is the government really going to be the right shareholder to help these companies succeed? Is the government going to start showing favoritism to these companies over companies that it doesn’t own?” Peter Harrell, from the Carnegie Endowment for Peace, recently told PBS. “What are the kind of political requirements that are going to be put on companies that the government is taking an ownership in?” In addition to xLight and Intel, new federal government investments now include millions in equity in mineral and steel firms, according to the New York Times. There were reports earlier this year that the The President administration might even take a direct stake in quantum computing companies, though, when Fast Company asked, a senior official denied them. Further CHIPS entanglements It’s true that Intel was unlikely to return to its former status as a leader in chips manufacturing based on the billions it would have received under the Biden administration alone, said one former employee at the Commerce Department-based CHIPS office, which was created under the CHIPS Act and helped oversee massive new subsidies for semiconductor companies. Still, the The President administration buying direct equity in the company doesn’t really achieve that goal, the person said. There might be a world in which the government’s equity in xLight and Intel work in “tandem,” the person added. “But do we really want the government telling Intel to use the startup the government invested in?” (Notably, Pet Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel, leads xLight’s board.) Regardless, xLight may not be the last of the The President administration’s investments in chip companies. This past September, the Chips Research and Development office, housed within the Commerce Department, released a broad agency announcement sharing that entities could apply for awards meant to boost the country’s microtechnology industry. That announcement stipulated that awardees might need to give the government “equity, warrants, licenses to intellectual property, royalties or revenue sharing, or other such instruments to ensure a return on investment to the Government.” View the full article

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. I get bad vibes from my new boss You advised me to act like a normal professional and that was absolutely the right thing to do. When we interact, the new director is pleasant and has nice things to say to me and about the work that I do. I don’t think that she is nefarious, but unfortunately she is incompetent. She’s been a fairly absent leader, giving vague direction to teams then providing conflicting direction at the last minute, and starting meetings by sharing “profound” lessons learned or extended metaphors about her latest vacation, complete with photos (why do so many executives love to make people look at their vacation photos?). The mid- and senior-level managers beneath her have become increasingly demoralized due to a leadership style that is somehow both neglectful and micromanagey, and over time many have come to me and shared their frustrations and concerns. That being said, you had good advice that I keep my misgivings to myself and just keep an open mind about where things were heading and what she was like as a person. It is unlikely that the people who oversee my director will address these serious gaps in leadership skill, which I suppose points to an organizational problem that I hadn’t paid attention to previously. So in the meantime, I’m heaping copious praise on the people who are actually doing the work, naming and praising the rare occasions that the director does actually lead, and just waiting until she gets bored with this work and moves on to something else. 2. Job searching while being stalked and harassed (#3 at the link) Great news: I got a job! Right before my final interview, I reached out to the HR folks to inform them that if a background check was completed, there was a possibility that my legal nonsense would be exposed. They thanked me for my transparency and confirmed that it shouldn’t be a problem and also it was unlikely to show up. They very much understood that I wanted to inform them in case of a nasty shock. I just completed my first week and there’s such a relief. My abuser didn’t win. I’m in my industry, in a role I’ve been wanting to move into for a long time, and compensated accordingly! While there were some hiccups (such as requiring the first name.lastname@company and I would’ve been required to change my preferred name and then have to explain that I actually go by another name; I declined due to complexity), I’m confident that if he comes out of the woodwork, I’m not doomed. I want to thank everyone for their thoughtful comments and let them know I appreciated all the insight. For anyone who is a victim of this particular brand of torture, I want to reassure you that you’ll reclaim things and identities you thought you lost. Not going to lie that the process is crappy and hard, but you’ll get to the other side with enough time. I highly recommend leaning on domestic violence organizations. Even if the career aspects don’t necessarily fit your life (I’ve found that support for office workers was limited and I am seriously considering doing something to fill that gap), having someone listen and stand by with you? Incredible. You’re all amazing and thank you! 3. People are bouncing on yoga balls during Zoom calls I basically took your advice. But instead of calling the people out in the meeting, I mentioned it to each of them separately. They readily agreed to stop bouncing with their cameras on. The problem was solved completely, immediately. I’ve tried to encourage more of a cameras-off culture for my meetings in general, because Zoom fatigue is real, especially for women (this is proven) and my company is majority women. I was surprised there was a contingent in the comments who found this controversial! They felt like I was entitled or trying to restrict people from exercising for my comfort. Other people were saying, they can still use their walking pad but with their cameras off, so there’s no detriment to them. I appreciated the person who said that bouncing on camera is like spraying excessive perfume before you go into the office (because it’s discourteous/would obviously cause others discomfort/selfish). 4. I don’t know how to respond to this job rejection feedback (#4 at the link) I’m happy to report that I’m employed! A couple months after this letter was posted, the same recruiter who had rejected me for a position, due to a former employee who wanted to return, reached back out with another opportunity at that company asking for similar skills and experience, and it’s been smooth sailing since then. It’s a very welcome change of pace from my previous role (a bit slower on the day-to-day), and I’ve developed a good rapport with my new team. Thank you and everyone in the comments section, for your support! The post updates: I get bad vibes from my new boss, job searching while being stalked, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

‘The Thinking Machine’ tells the inside story of how Nvidia became the world’s most valuable corporationView the full article

Apple just lost a top design talent. Meta has hired Alan Dye, who was the head of Apple’s human interface design team. The company is filling his position with Stephen Lemay, who CEO Tim Cook told Bloomberg “has played a key role in the design of every major Apple interface since 1999.” Before being poached by Meta to become its chief design officer, Dye worked at Apple since 2006, where he oversaw projects including Liquid Glass and Vision Pro. By the end of his tenure, Dye reported directly to Cook. His departure is the latest in a game of musical chairs for top design roles at Apple. Apple’s former longtime chief design officer Jony Ive left the company in 2019, and his replacement, Evans Hankey, left in 2022 and wasn’t replaced. On the org chart, the remaining members of Apple’s industrial design team reported to COO Jeff Williams. Bloomberg reports that Dye will be creating a new design studio at Meta, where he’ll oversee the design for “hardware, software, and AI integration for its interfaces.” For Meta, Dye’s hiring is proof the company is serious about designing hardware that can compete in the ongoing race to build the first great AI gadget. It will put him in direct competition with his former colleague Ive, whose company io was bought by OpenAI in May for $6.4 billion with the goal of building the next great user interface. View the full article

Mark Zuckerberg foresees wearable artificial intelligence-powered devices supplanting smartphonesView the full article

It's tough to get people to answer the phone—though I'm not really blaming those who don't pick up. We are so inundated with spam calls these days that refusing to answer incoming calls en masse isn't actually a bad strategy. When that call could be someone trying to break into your bank account, or alerting you to fraudulent credit card charges that never happened, perhaps it's best to just wait for friends and family to text instead. But let's say the call is from you to someone you know and trust, and let's assume they see it's you who's calling. Even though they know the call isn't spam, there are still plenty of reasons someone won't pick up the phone—including, of course, because they don't actually want to talk right now. But if you really need to get a hold of someone and don't want meetings, commutes, or the lack of desire for a phone call to get in the way, Google is currently working on a solution you can try right now. Call Reason lets you mark calls as urgent The new feature, named "Call Reason," is designed to separate important phone calls from the rest. When you start dialing a number, Google will give you the option to mark the call as urgent. If you choose to do so, the person you're calling will see a pop-up reading "It's urgent!" on the call screen. Hopefully, that pop-up will encourage them to answer; however, I imagine they'll stop picking up if you start using it too often. That said, not everyone ignores calls on purpose. If you aren't by your phone when it goes off, or if it's on silent in your pocket or bag, you obviously won't catch the urgent tag on the call screen. In that case, Android adds the urgent tag to the missed call in their recipient's call history. As long as the person you're trying to reach checks out their missed calls, they should see that this one was marked urgent—though if it's a real emergency, they might've received extra calls and messages from you in the interim anyway. It seems Google has been working on this feature for some time. Android Authority previously spotted something called Expressive Calling in the Phone app's APK, which would let the caller add animations and emojis to calls. In addition to that functionality, however, was the ability to flag the reason for a call when dialing. How to try Call Reason Google is still testing the Call Reason feature, but anyone using the current version of the Google Phone app will be able to try it out. (It's still rolling out, though, so you may not see it yet.) The feature also only works with saved contacts, and when calling Android users who have Google's Phone app set as the primary calling app. When Call Reason does show up on your phone, you'll see it appear after placing your call. The UI says "Mark call as urgent?," with a prompt letting you know that the call will ring through and show the call is urgent. Tap "Notify," and you're set. Once the recipient sees the call, they'll see the "Incoming call" banner replaced by an animated "It's urgent!" pop-up. It's a fun design, but perhaps a bit too fun, when you're likely using this in important situations. Credit: Google Alongside Call Reason, Google announced a number of new features for Android 16. There are now improved parental controls locked behind a PIN of the parents' choosing; new UI customization options, like expanded dark mode support and new custom shapes for home screen icons; and the continued roll out of Google's AI notification summaries, which Lifehacker writer David Nield hasn't found all that useful yet. View the full article

Stephen Fitzpatrick wants to provide UK energy supplier with cash injection that would increase his stake to more than 51%View the full article

New research now suggests that our brains are still in the teenage phase until we “peak” in our early thirties. Researchers from the University of Cambridge looked at scans from around 4,000 people up to the age of 90 to reveal the connections between their brain cells. Rather than progressing steadily over our lifetimes, research published in the journal Nature Communications suggests our brain goes through five distinct phases in life, with key turning points happening at ages nine, 32, 66, and 83. The first stage, from birth to nine, sees the brain rapidly increasing in size. Around age nine, the “adolescent” phase begins as the brain works on increasing its efficiency. This is the stage when there is the greatest risk of mental health disorders beginning. “Many neurodevelopmental, mental health, and neurological conditions are linked to the way the brain is wired,” said senior author Dr. Duncan Astle, professor of neuroinformatics at Cambridge. “Indeed, differences in brain wiring predict difficulties with attention, language, memory, and a whole host of different behaviours.” The most surprising takeaway from the study is that the adolescent phase lasts far longer than expected. Based on how the brain forms connections, this phase lasts until roughly age 32. That means that while you’re trying to get your act together in your 20s, your brain is pretty much still a teenager. (Important to note is this distinction is based on the brain’s efficiency at making connections, not a sign of arrested development or an excuse to act like a manchild). At 32, the biggest shift kicks in. The brain hits a period of “peak” efficiency, meaning regions of the brain are using the most direct pathways to communicate. This marks the transition into adulthood, which is the longest and most stable stretch of brain development. Studies have shown that personality and intelligence also stabilize during this time. Despite headlines about college drop-out entrepreneurs, the average age for successful entrepreneurs sits squarely in this developmental stage—at 45 years old. Approaching the age of retirement, at age 66 a third turning point marks the start of an “early aging” phase. Here, the pace of neural network changes in the brain starts to slow as white matter begins to decline. Finally, at around 83 years old the “late aging” brain takes shape. Brain connectivity between different regions declines further, and people tend to fall back on certain well-trodden neural pathways and regions. “Looking back, many of us feel our lives have been characterised by different phases. It turns out that brains also go through these eras,” said Astle, who was a senior author of the research. “Understanding that the brain’s structural journey is not a question of steady progression, but rather one of a few major turning points, will help us identify when and how its wiring is vulnerable to disruption.” 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. Ever since I visited Japan in 2019, I've been converted into a loyal bidet user. I started with a basic bidet added onto a standard toilet, but I always knew the time would come when I would make a big upgrade. That time was this Black Friday when I pulled the trigger on the Loniko Smart Toilet, and I'm so glad I did. It's $444.99 (originally $549.99) after using the additional $30 on-page coupon, and it's worth every penny. Loniko Smart Toilet $474.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $75.00 Get Deal Get Deal $474.99 at Amazon $549.99 Save $75.00 My first experience with the Loniko Smart Toilet was over Thanksgiving, which I spent at my parents house; they were very excited for my brothers and me to try their new splurge in their guest bathroom: the toilet. The lid opened when I walked into the bathroom, welcoming me to sit on its heated seat. As I said, I've been using bidets in my home for years, but never one like the Loniko. The toilet comes with a remote you can prop on your wall for easy access. You can control the bidet's stream and direction, turn on the dryer, which was surprisingly effective and gentle, and do all the things the toilet does automatically, like opening and closing the lid, flushing, etc. After realizing that most decent bidets cost upwards of $300, I decided to snatch this toilet when it went on sale during Black Friday. Being able to control the temperature of the water in the stream is a huge deal for me, especially in the winter when the water in my home is extremely cold. Cleaning the toilet is also pretty easy. It has a skirted design, so there are no nooks and crannies near the base where dirt can get trapped. The toilet also automatically cleans itself after each flush. Keep in mind you'll need an outlet close by to enable all its fancy features. You can also choose to get a tankless model, which results in quieter flushes, saves water and energy, and looks more modern, but it's harder to install (I went with the regular tank toilet and it flushes quietly enough for me). View the full article

Permanent secretary will look into ‘security processes’ in the shambolic build-up to Rachel Reeves’ statement last weekView the full article

Find the best project management tool for your small team with this comprehensive guide covering the best software for different needs and budgets. The post 6 Best Project Management Software for Small Teams to Cut Workload appeared first on project-management.com. View the full article

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Safari is better than Chrome. Apple's default browser runs faster, is less cluttered, offers privacy features Google would never contemplate, and doesn't try to cram AI down your throat. But that doesn't mean Safari is perfect. Like all browsers, it works better if you install the right extensions. Here are a few I've found in the past year or so that make the best browser even better. Block ads and other clutter Credit: Justin Pot The internet is increasingly useless without a good ad blocker, and the best ad blocker for Safari—which works on both macOS and mobile devices—is wBlock. This extension uses the built-in ad blocking functionality offered by Safari, which is much faster than the workarounds that extensions on browsers like Chrome need to use. It also supports a number of popular blocklists, with automatic updating. Or you can go even further and install Userscripts. Best of all, it's completely free. Try it out if you're not happy with your current ad blocker. Add a dark mode to sites that don't have one Credit: Justin Pot We can argue endlessly about whether dark or light mode are better (and I have), but we can all agree it's annoying to be using dark mode only for the websites you're browsing to be white as snow. That's where Noir comes in. This extension forces Dark Mode in Safari on websites that otherwise don't offer the feature. It's a must-have for dark mode enthusiasts. Automatically open picture in picture when you switch tabsSafari, on mobile, will keep playing videos using picture-in-picture mode if you switch to another application or tab. The desktop version of Safari doesn't do this, which is a shame. Autopip is a Safari extension for Mac that adds this feature. The result: you can keep watching a video in the background while you're working in another tab or application. It's perfect if you're the sort of person who leaves a video playing while you're working on something else. Quickly copy the URL for the current site Credit: Justin Pot Arc, the browser, is dead, and if I'm honest I only miss one feature: the ability to copy the URL of the current website using the keyboard shortcut Command-Shift-C. Yes, it's a very specific thing to miss, but I can't overstate how much of a habit this became for me. And I can keep the habit thanks to Supercopy, a Safari extension that adds the keyboard shortcut to Safari. Yes: that's all it does. I use it dozens of times every day, though, so for me it's well worth keeping around. Filter Reddit to be less rage inducing Credit: Pranay Parab I'd love it if I spent less time on Reddit and I'm sure I'm not alone. The problem: there's a mix of useful and rage-inducing stuff on that website. The good news is Protego lets you filter Reddit to be less infuriating. The idea is to pick a few subreddits you know, in your heart of hearts, you shouldn't be looking at. Do that and you'll be able to use Reddit without ending up down rabbit holes of rage and disgust. You can also filter out posts using keywords and hide promoted content. Trust me: you'll be happier. View the full article