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A franchising franchisor is the original business entity that licenses its brand and operational model to franchisees. They play an essential role in broadening their brand’s market reach during providing franchisees with training, support, and guidelines. In return, franchisors earn revenue through start-up fees and ongoing royalties. Nevertheless, this relationship comes with both advantages and risks, impacting how they operate. Comprehending these dynamics can reveal the intricacies of franchising and its potential for growth. Key Takeaways A franchising franchisor grants licenses to franchisees to operate under its established brand and business model. Franchisees pay initial start-up fees and ongoing royalties, providing revenue for the franchisor. Franchisors offer training, support, and an operations manual to ensure franchisee success and brand consistency. Franchise agreements define the rights, responsibilities, and fees of both franchisors and franchisees. Successful franchisors build strong relationships and maintain effective communication with franchisees to foster collaboration and trust. Definition of a Franchising Franchisor A franchising franchisor is fundamentally the cornerstone of a franchise system, acting as the original business entity that grants licenses to franchisees. This relationship is significant, as it allows franchisees to operate under an established brand and proven business model. The franchisor typically generates revenue through initial start-up fees, ongoing royalties, and additional sales. A franchise agreement governs the franchisor and franchisee relationship, detailing rights, responsibilities, and support terms. This agreement is critical for ensuring both parties understand their obligations. In addition, Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD) provide potential franchisees with essential information about the franchisor’s financial history, helping them make informed decisions. Ultimately, the franchising franchisor promotes brand expansion while leveraging local market knowledge from franchisees. The Franchise Business Model Franchising operates on a unique business model that allows individuals to run their own businesses during the benefit of an established brand. As a franchisee, you’ll typically pay an initial start-up fee and ongoing royalties, which range from 4.6% to 12.5% of your profits. You’ll likewise need to adhere to the operational standards set by the franchisor. This model enables franchisors to expand their brand with reduced financial risk, as you bring local market knowledge. Franchise agreements are regulated by state and federal laws, requiring franchisors to provide you with a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that details crucial information, fees, and obligations. In the end, this mutually beneficial relationship promotes growth for both you and the franchisor. Roles and Responsibilities of the Franchisor In any successful franchise relationship, the franchisor plays a vital role in guiding and supporting franchisees. They provide extensive initial training and ongoing support, ensuring you grasp operational and marketing fundamentals. The franchisor furthermore develops a detailed operations manual, outlining business standards, procedures, and best practices for you to follow. In addition, they assist in securing ideal locations for your business, utilizing market research to guide site selection effectively. Franchisors manage marketing and advertising campaigns to improve brand awareness, equipping you with tools and resources to promote your business. Finally, the franchise agreement, an essential document from the franchisor, outlines the rights and obligations of both parties, including fees, territory, and training responsibilities, helping you navigate the franchise environment confidently. Advantages of Franchising for Franchisors Franchising offers significant advantages for franchisors looking to expand their market reach and reduce financial risk. By partnering with local franchisees, you gain valuable insights into diverse markets, enhancing your brand’s adaptability as you minimize capital expenditures. This model not just allows for consistent revenue through royalties but additionally leverages franchisees’ investments, making it a smart strategy for growth. Expanded Market Reach Broadening market reach is one of the primary advantages of the franchising model for franchisors. By partnering with franchisees who invest locally and understand their communities, you can expand your brand’s presence with minimal financial risk. This collaboration allows your company to tap into operational efficiencies, increasing market share and profitability. Furthermore, customizing franchise agreements to suit different markets enables scalable growth designed to local demands. With successful examples like Dunkin’ Brands, which operates over 11,300 restaurants worldwide, franchising proves effective in reaching diverse markets quickly. As franchisees manage daily operations, you can concentrate on brand development and marketing strategies, ensuring consistent messaging as you penetrate new territories efficiently. This approach promotes sustained growth and improves your brand’s overall impact. Reduced Financial Risk As you grow your brand through franchising, you’ll find that reduced financial risk is one of its most significant advantages for franchisors. By partnering with franchisees, you can expand without shouldering the full costs of new locations. Here are three key benefits: Capital Investment: Franchisees invest their own money, which means you can scale faster with lower financial exposure. Revenue Streams: You generate income from initial fees, ongoing royalties (typically 4.6% to 12.5%), and product purchases from franchisees, creating a diverse revenue model. Operational Control: With franchisees managing daily operations, you can focus on brand development as you minimize operational risks through established guidelines. This structure enables you to grow your brand efficiently as you reduce financial burden. Localized Business Knowledge When you tap into the localized knowledge of your franchisees, you gain a significant advantage in tailoring your offerings and marketing strategies to meet the unique demands of specific regional markets. Local franchisees often have insights into market trends, consumer preferences, and competition that you can leverage to refine your business model. This localized comprehension helps you reduce risks when entering new markets and increases the chances of successful brand adaptation. Furthermore, franchisees’ investments and operational oversight enable you to expand your footprint with lower capital expenditures and reduced financial risks. Collaborating with franchisees encourages innovation, as their feedback can lead to product improvements and service upgrades that align with consumer demand, ultimately benefiting your brand. Disadvantages and Risks for Franchisors Franchisors face several disadvantages and risks that can impact their overall business operations and reputation. Here are some key challenges you should consider: Significant Initial Investment: Setting up a franchise demands considerable time and financial resources, potentially straining your operational capabilities during the startup phase. Reputational Damage from Franchisee Failure: Even with rigorous vetting, franchisee failures can harm your brand’s reputation, affecting market trust and perception. Loss of Control Post-Training: After initial training and agreements, you have limited control over franchisee operations, making it difficult to guarantee brand consistency across locations. These factors can result in financial instability, operational challenges, and lasting impacts on your brand’s image in the competitive market. Financial Aspects and Revenue Generation Grasping the financial aspects of franchising is vital for anyone considering entering this business model. Franchisors generate revenue through various channels, primarily through an initial start-up fee, which can range widely. Here’s a quick overview: Revenue Source Description Start-Up Fee Initial payment by franchisees, varying by brand Ongoing Royalties Typically 4.6% to 12.5% of profits Additional Fees Marketing, training, and sales of approved products Franchisors benefit from reduced capital expenditures since franchisees cover start-up costs. Although they don’t usually finance franchisees directly, they may help with third-party lending. Comprehending these elements is critical for evaluating the potential of a franchising venture. Example of a Successful Franchise: Dunkin’ Donuts Dunkin’ Donuts stands as a prime example of a successful franchise, showcasing the potential for growth and profitability within the franchising model. Founded in 1954 and franchising since 1955, it boasts over 11,300 locations worldwide. Here are a few key aspects that contribute to its success: Training: Franchisees undergo a minimum of 20 days of core training at Dunkin’ Brands University, ensuring they’re well-prepared to manage their business effectively. Investment: The estimated cost to open a Dunkin’ franchise ranges from $95,700 to $1,597,200, excluding real estate expenses, promoting serious investment. Support: Franchisees benefit from Dunkin’ strong market presence and established operational systems, aiding their profitability in a competitive industry. Building Strong Relationships Between Franchisors and Franchisees Building strong relationships between franchisors and franchisees hinges on mutual trust and respect, which are crucial for a thriving partnership. Effective communication strategies can improve this bond, as they guarantee both parties are aligned with brand standards and operational goals. When both sides work together, they can drive business growth and maintain a positive brand reputation in the market. Mutual Trust and Respect Trust and respect form the foundation of a successful relationship between franchisors and franchisees. When both parties embrace these values, they cultivate a collaborative environment that benefits everyone involved. Here’s how mutual trust and respect can improve your franchise experience: Satisfaction Levels: About 90% of franchisees feel satisfied operating under their franchisor’s brand, demonstrating the impact of trust. Integrity Perception: Roughly 80% of franchisees view their franchisors as honest, which strengthens their partnership and encourages open dialogue. Shared Goals: When franchisors and franchisees work toward common objectives, it leads to overall business growth and success. Effective Communication Strategies Effective communication strategies serve as a vital element in strengthening the relationship between franchisors and franchisees. When you maintain open lines of communication, you promote a supportive environment; 90% of franchisees enjoy operating their businesses thanks to the guidance they receive. Regular check-ins and performance reviews guarantee that you stay aligned with brand standards, enhancing operational success. By offering extensive training programs and ongoing education, you empower franchisees to manage their businesses effectively, which leads to higher satisfaction and better performance metrics. Transparency in sharing marketing strategies and operational updates cultivates trust, with 88% of franchisees expressing positive feelings about their affiliation. Utilizing technology for efficient information exchange further reinforces this essential partnership between franchisors and franchisees. Frequently Asked Questions What Is Franchising and How Does It Work? Franchising is a business model where you, as a franchisee, operate under a franchisor’s brand and established systems. You pay an initial fee and ongoing royalties based on profits. The franchisor provides support, training, and marketing, which helps improve your chances of success. This model allows for rapid expansion, as franchisees invest and manage local operations, reducing the financial risk for the franchisor during leveraging local market knowledge. What Is the Difference Between a Franchise and a Franchisor? A franchise is a business model where an individual, the franchisee, operates a branch of a larger company, whereas a franchisor is the original company that grants this permission. You benefit from the franchisor’s established brand and business systems but must adhere to their operational guidelines. The franchisor provides support and enforces brand standards, whereas the franchisee manages daily operations and pays fees, including royalties, based on sales. How Does a Franchise Operate? A franchise operates by allowing you, the franchisee, to use a franchisor’s brand and business model in exchange for fees and royalties. You’ll receive initial training to help you understand the operational standards and requirements. Your franchise agreement outlines your territory, duration, and obligations. You’re responsible for managing costs and complying with the franchisor’s marketing strategies, ensuring your business aligns with established brand standards and operational guidelines. What Is an Example of a Franchise and Franchisor? A well-known example of a franchise is Dunkin’, which has over 11,300 locations globally. As a franchisee, you’d need to complete at least 20 days of initial training to meet brand standards. The total cost to open a Dunkin’ franchise ranges from $95,700 to $1,597,200, excluding real estate. You’d in addition be required to adhere to a full menu and receive ongoing support from Dunkin’ in business development and marketing strategies. Conclusion In conclusion, a franchising franchisor plays an essential role in broadening business opportunities by offering a proven model and brand recognition to franchisees. As they benefit from initial fees and ongoing royalties, they must additionally manage risks and guarantee compliance. Comprehending the intricacies of this relationship can help both franchisors and franchisees achieve success. By cultivating strong connections, they can navigate challenges together, finally driving growth and profitability for the franchise network as a whole. Image via Google Gemini This article, "What Is a Franchising Franchisor and How Do They Operate?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Freshworks has rolled out a significant upgrade that could change the game for small businesses striving for efficiency across various departments. The company announced that its Freshservice for Business Teams is now available as a standalone product, independent of its IT Service Management (ITSM) implementation. This new offering allows non-IT departments—like HR, Finance, and Legal—to leverage powerful tools that streamline complex processes and enhance employee experiences without reliance on the IT department. As organizations increasingly seek ways to improve service delivery, the timing of this release is propitious. According to the Freshservice Benchmark Report, one in four eligible ITSM customers uses Freshservice for Business Teams, which has seen an impressive doubling in annual recurring revenue, hitting over $35 million as of September 30, 2025. “Business leaders need to move fast, but keep getting stuck with tools that were never designed for departments like HR, Finance or Legal. That friction slows growth,” said Srini Raghavan, Chief Product Officer at Freshworks. This statement underscores a common challenge for businesses: reliance on outdated or inappropriate tools can slow down essential processes and ultimately inhibit growth. The key benefits of Freshservice for Business Teams present practical applications across various sectors: People-First AI promises significant improvements in efficiency. Non-IT departments can now utilize AI to automate critical tasks like account verification and document retrieval. This capability accelerates ticket resolution and helps streamline support processes. The University of Oxford has effectively used Freshservice and its AI-powered Freddy Copilot to enhance service across multiple departments, emphasizing simplicity and scalability. Unified service delivery is another important aspect. The new functionalities aim to connect fragmented tools and workflows, fostering a more efficient service delivery across departments. Databricks successfully integrated Freshservice into eight departments, achieving a notable 23% deflection rate in support queries. “Consolidating from 10 different platforms down to a single intuitive one has not only improved employee experience, it has saved us a significant amount of money,” said Pradeep Singh, VP of Infrastructure and Operations at Databricks. With features designed for rapid impact, Freshservice also streamlines HR and employee support processes. Its prebuilt workflows can simplify complicated tasks, such as onboarding and offboarding, without necessitating extensive customization. Coherent, which has 25,000 employees, utilized Freshservice to improve HR processes and maintain compliance—effectively creating a “one-stop shop” for their employees’ experiences. Moreover, the tool’s seamless configuration enables quick deployment. Its intuitive user interface and no-code automation allow teams without technical expertise to establish secure employee service portals rapidly. Organizations like EDF Renewables have chosen Freshservice for its ease of use and integrations with platforms such as ADP, DocuSign, and Microsoft Teams. While the benefits are noteworthy, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing a new system may require some adaptation time for employees accustomed to previous processes. Additionally, while no-code tools are designed for ease, there is always a learning curve involved. Business leaders may need to invest in training and support to help their teams fully leverage the new platform’s capabilities. In a market increasingly focused on employee experience, tools like Freshservice for Business Teams claim to be a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional IT suites. This enables organizations to transform cumbersome processes into cohesive employee experiences that prioritize efficiency. “Improved employee experiences are one of the top priorities for organizations these days,” noted Snow Tempest, Research Manager at IDC. “For organizations seeking to streamline their processes and reduce complexity without extensive customization requirements, there is a demand for a product that can be deployed quickly to meet the needs of multiple departments.” For small businesses, leveraging such innovative tools could mean the difference between operational stagnation and growth. As firms look for ways to enhance their employee experiences and service capabilities, Freshservice for Business Teams offers a promising pathway for achieving those aims. To explore further about Freshservice for Business Teams and its AI-driven solutions, visit the official announcement at Freshworks. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks Launches Standalone Freshservice for Streamlined Business Operations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Freshworks has rolled out a significant upgrade that could change the game for small businesses striving for efficiency across various departments. The company announced that its Freshservice for Business Teams is now available as a standalone product, independent of its IT Service Management (ITSM) implementation. This new offering allows non-IT departments—like HR, Finance, and Legal—to leverage powerful tools that streamline complex processes and enhance employee experiences without reliance on the IT department. As organizations increasingly seek ways to improve service delivery, the timing of this release is propitious. According to the Freshservice Benchmark Report, one in four eligible ITSM customers uses Freshservice for Business Teams, which has seen an impressive doubling in annual recurring revenue, hitting over $35 million as of September 30, 2025. “Business leaders need to move fast, but keep getting stuck with tools that were never designed for departments like HR, Finance or Legal. That friction slows growth,” said Srini Raghavan, Chief Product Officer at Freshworks. This statement underscores a common challenge for businesses: reliance on outdated or inappropriate tools can slow down essential processes and ultimately inhibit growth. The key benefits of Freshservice for Business Teams present practical applications across various sectors: People-First AI promises significant improvements in efficiency. Non-IT departments can now utilize AI to automate critical tasks like account verification and document retrieval. This capability accelerates ticket resolution and helps streamline support processes. The University of Oxford has effectively used Freshservice and its AI-powered Freddy Copilot to enhance service across multiple departments, emphasizing simplicity and scalability. Unified service delivery is another important aspect. The new functionalities aim to connect fragmented tools and workflows, fostering a more efficient service delivery across departments. Databricks successfully integrated Freshservice into eight departments, achieving a notable 23% deflection rate in support queries. “Consolidating from 10 different platforms down to a single intuitive one has not only improved employee experience, it has saved us a significant amount of money,” said Pradeep Singh, VP of Infrastructure and Operations at Databricks. With features designed for rapid impact, Freshservice also streamlines HR and employee support processes. Its prebuilt workflows can simplify complicated tasks, such as onboarding and offboarding, without necessitating extensive customization. Coherent, which has 25,000 employees, utilized Freshservice to improve HR processes and maintain compliance—effectively creating a “one-stop shop” for their employees’ experiences. Moreover, the tool’s seamless configuration enables quick deployment. Its intuitive user interface and no-code automation allow teams without technical expertise to establish secure employee service portals rapidly. Organizations like EDF Renewables have chosen Freshservice for its ease of use and integrations with platforms such as ADP, DocuSign, and Microsoft Teams. While the benefits are noteworthy, small business owners should also consider potential challenges. Implementing a new system may require some adaptation time for employees accustomed to previous processes. Additionally, while no-code tools are designed for ease, there is always a learning curve involved. Business leaders may need to invest in training and support to help their teams fully leverage the new platform’s capabilities. In a market increasingly focused on employee experience, tools like Freshservice for Business Teams claim to be a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional IT suites. This enables organizations to transform cumbersome processes into cohesive employee experiences that prioritize efficiency. “Improved employee experiences are one of the top priorities for organizations these days,” noted Snow Tempest, Research Manager at IDC. “For organizations seeking to streamline their processes and reduce complexity without extensive customization requirements, there is a demand for a product that can be deployed quickly to meet the needs of multiple departments.” For small businesses, leveraging such innovative tools could mean the difference between operational stagnation and growth. As firms look for ways to enhance their employee experiences and service capabilities, Freshservice for Business Teams offers a promising pathway for achieving those aims. To explore further about Freshservice for Business Teams and its AI-driven solutions, visit the official announcement at Freshworks. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Freshworks Launches Standalone Freshservice for Streamlined Business Operations" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Success depends on making deliberate choices. It's Not Just the Numbers With Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Penny Breslin. View the full article

Success depends on making deliberate choices. It's Not Just the Numbers With Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead For CPA Trendlines Go PRO for members-only access to more Penny Breslin. View the full article

Do you know that the longer a decision-maker views your résumé, the more likely it is that you’ll get an interview? Recent research combined eye-tracking and machine learning to understand résumé decisions better. The most actionable conclusion was that Experience section dwell time predicts interview invitations. That’s next-level information. We’ve had eye-tracking studies for years. They tell us what readers look at, but give no additional meaning. Now, by applying AI, we know which sections of the résumé matter the most for getting interviews. I was a retained search consultant for 25-plus years. For the last 10 years, I’ve been writing executive and board résumés. When I did search, the first question I asked candidates after interviews was, “How long were you there?” That was the best way for me to know how well the interview went. Thus, it makes sense that résumé dwell time also predicts success. So, let’s talk about how to make your résumé’s Experience section sticky to readers via design and content choices. Eliminate Walls of Text People don’t read word by word. They scan, looking for information relevant to their needs. Large blocks of text lose readers because they’re hard to scan. In How People Read Online: The Eyetracking Evidence Report, The Nielsen Norman Group, a user experience firm, described a wall of text as “a major repellent that instantly makes users think twice about engaging.” To avoid that, limit résumé text blocks to three lines, four if you must. Nothing else about your résumé matters if people won’t read it. Focus on Experience Help readers navigate your résumé by providing clear section labels (Professional Experience, Education, Skills, Community Service, etc.). Nielsen Norman also shared that many readers assess whether a page is worth any time in less than a second. They appraise before they even start the infamous six-second scan. Because the Experience section drives interviews, place it below the summary at the top of your résumé. You have to show your relevance immediately to earn deeper reader attention. Use a Consistent Structure Present your recent experience in a consistent structure. I include: Company names Company descriptions The locations where my clients worked for companies Job titles Employment dates Job scope descriptions Impact statements. I always place company names and job titles on left margins to help readers who are scanning. They want that information. Give it to them effortlessly. Also, lighten readers’ cognitive loads by separating job scope information and impact bullets. Describe scope in a narrative paragraph. Follow that with impact bullets. Don’t force your readers to do the scope and impact sort. They want you to tell them what your role was and how you performed in it. Make it easy for them if you want to keep their attention. Rank Order Your Impact Stories Based on Your Readers’ Needs Identify a job’s deliverables. To do this, use job postings, talk with insiders, and ask AI platforms questions. Then, write your impact bullets to convince readers you can succeed in their roles. Let go of what you think is important about you; you’ll have time for that later. To grab and keep your readers’ attention, align your bullets’ content and order with their most critical needs. Provide White Space White space makes résumés easier to read and understand. That ease increases dwell time because it makes readers more willing to engage. Use these minimum parameters: Three-quarter-inch top and bottom margins One-inch side margins Half-point spaces between bulleted impact statements If you need more room, edit your content; don’t fudge the white space—you’ll lose readers. When I see a crowded résumé, I think the person hasn’t learned what’s important to their audience. Because of that, they’re sharing everything they guess might be relevant. That erodes the likelihood readers will find what they need and, in turn, dwell time. Readers Evaluate Résumés and Make Decisions I’ve talked a lot about readers here, but the reality is that the people who view your résumé are evaluators. They look at your presentation. Then they decide whether you appear to meet enough of their needs to merit more of their time. Make it easy for them to understand your relevance, and they will slow down to focus on you. View the full article

West needs a strategy to counter southern spread of instability into coastal statesView the full article

Becoming proficient in fundamental sales techniques is vital for any beginner in the field. You’ll need to build trust and rapport with customers as you comprehend their needs through effective communication. Handling objections and generating urgency can greatly impact your success. Moreover, following up with clients and being transparent about your offerings will nurture long-term relationships. As you develop these skills, you’ll find that adapting to feedback is key. What’s the first technique you think will make the biggest difference? Key Takeaways Build trust by engaging in active listening and establishing common ground with customers to foster long-term relationships. Understand customer needs by asking open-ended questions and demonstrating empathy for their pain points. Anticipate objections and prepare clear, confident responses using techniques like “Feel, Felt, Found” to build rapport. Create authentic urgency by highlighting limited availability and potential losses to encourage quicker decision-making. Follow up consistently and personalize communication to nurture leads and enhance the overall customer experience. Build Trust and Rapport Building trust and rapport with your prospects is vital if you want to succeed in sales, as studies show that 78% of customers believe trust greatly impacts their purchasing decisions. To master the sales basics, engage in active listening by paraphrasing and reflecting on what your customers say; this creates a deeper connection and shows genuine interest in their needs. Establish common ground through shared interests or experiences, making conversations feel personal and relatable. Following up on personal connections, like remembering birthdays, reinforces the relationship and emphasizes that you value the customer beyond just a transaction. Finally, consistent communication and timely responses are important; 60% of customers note prompt follow-ups positively influence their perception of you, making this one of the key sales tips for beginners. Generate Authentic Urgency Creating authentic urgency is essential in the sales process as it encourages customers to make quicker purchasing decisions. To generate this sense of urgency, highlight limited product availability, such as seasonal items, which can prompt faster choices. Tie urgency to customer pain points, emphasizing potential losses or missed opportunities, which illustrates the cost of inaction. Implement time-sensitive offers, like discounts that expire soon, to motivate immediate action from prospects who might otherwise hesitate. Furthermore, communicate any upcoming changes in market conditions that could affect customers, creating pressure to act. Research shows that establishing authentic urgency not only boosts sales but also cultivates trust, as customers appreciate transparency about the risks of inaction in your sales training for beginners. Use Persuasion Without Being Pushy To persuade effectively without being pushy, focus on active listening and comprehending your customers’ needs. By using storytelling techniques, you can engage them emotionally, making it easier for them to visualize the benefits of your offering. Furthermore, highlighting the value and benefits rather than just features can greatly influence their decision-making process. Active Listening Techniques Active listening is an important skill for anyone in sales, as it nurtures genuine connections and improves trust between you and your prospects. In your basic sales training, you’ll learn that active listening involves fully concentrating on what the prospect says, comprehending their needs, and responding thoughtfully. This approach increases customer satisfaction and encourages deeper conversations. Use techniques like paraphrasing or summarizing their points to show you’re engaged and to invite more dialogue. Open-ended questions as well help prospects elaborate on their thoughts, allowing you to tailor your responses effectively. Moreover, pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language, to gain insights into their emotions. Acquiring these active listening techniques is vital for success in sales for beginners. Storytelling for Engagement Storytelling is a crucial technique in sales that allows you to engage customers during subtly persuading them without being overly aggressive. By crafting a relatable narrative, you can highlight the challenges customers face and position your product or service as the solution. Incorporating elements of conflict and resolution keeps your audience interested and reinforces the value of your offering. Using “you-phrasing” makes the customer the hero of the story, enhancing their engagement and sense of personal responsibility. Research shows that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone, which emphasizes storytelling’s effectiveness. This approach enables you to connect emotionally, leading to a stronger, more persuasive communication style that feels natural and inviting. Highlight Benefits Over Features Focusing on benefits over features is vital in sales, as it helps you communicate how your product or service directly improves the customer’s life. Research shows that 70% of customers prefer hearing about benefits rather than features, making your pitch more customer-centric. When you frame benefits regarding solving specific pain points, you resonate better with prospects’ needs, increasing your chances of closing the sale. Moreover, using storytelling techniques can create an emotional connection, boosting engagement and retention by up to 60%. Effective persuasion involves actively listening to customer concerns and offering customized, benefit-focused solutions that address those issues without being overly aggressive. This approach cultivates trust and encourages a positive buying experience. Master Following Up Perfecting the art of following up is essential for successful sales, as effective communication can often be the deciding factor in closing a deal. Research shows that 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, emphasizing the need for persistence. Timeliness matters, too; 60% of customers prefer follow-up communication within 24 hours of the initial interaction. Personalizing your messages can greatly boost engagement, improving response rates by up to 42%. Utilizing CRM systems helps you manage follow-up schedules efficiently, ensuring no potential lead is overlooked. Consistent follow-up not only nurtures leads but also builds long-term relationships, with 70% of customers appreciating ongoing communication, even if they don’t make an immediate purchase. Master this skill to improve your sales success. Understand the Needs and Concerns of Your Customer Grasping the needs and concerns of your customer is fundamental for effective sales, as it allows you to tailor your approach and offer solutions that genuinely resonate. Actively listening to customers helps you identify specific pain points, enabling you to craft personalized solutions. By asking open-ended questions, you encourage dialogue and gain deeper insights into their needs. This comprehension can notably improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, as 70% of buying experiences hinge on how customers feel treated. Demonstrating empathy and validating their concerns nurtures trust, which is imperative for building long-term relationships and securing repeat business. Research shows that 63% of customers prefer engaging with sales representatives who perceive their needs and provide relevant solutions, making this skill critical for success. Plan for Objections To effectively plan for objections, you should anticipate common concerns buyers might’ve and prepare clear responses. Researching these objections allows you to address them confidently during conversations, which can greatly improve your sales approach. Anticipate Common Objections Anticipating common objections is crucial for any salesperson aiming to navigate conversations effectively. By researching and listing potential concerns, you can prepare confident responses during sales discussions. Comprehending frequent objections—such as price, timing, and product fit—enables you to create effective counterarguments that address these issues directly. Applying the “Feel, Felt, Found” technique allows you to empathize with the prospect’s concerns, share a relatable story, and present a solution that worked for others. Furthermore, practicing objection handling through role-playing scenarios improves your ability to respond calmly during real interactions. Regularly reviewing past sales interactions and feedback likewise helps identify new objections, ensuring your strategies remain relevant and effective in addressing evolving customer concerns. Develop Clear Responses When you encounter objections during a sales conversation, having clear responses ready can greatly boost your effectiveness. Start by anticipating common objections, compiling a list based on previous interactions and industry standards. This preparation allows you to respond confidently. Utilize the “Feel, Felt, Found” technique to empathize with the customer’s concerns, sharing relatable experiences from other clients who faced similar issues. Develop concise responses that directly address objections, using specific examples or data points to highlight the effectiveness of your product. Practicing objection handling through role-playing scenarios can improve your ability to respond calmly in real time. Finally, continuously gather feedback on your techniques to identify improvement areas, ensuring your responses evolve with customer expectations and market trends. Be Transparent About Pricing and Terms Being transparent about pricing and terms is essential for cultivating trust with your potential customers. When you clearly outline your pricing, 70% of consumers are more likely to purchase since they appreciate honesty. Furthermore, detailing terms and conditions minimizes misunderstandings, leading to better customer experiences. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits: Benefit Statistic Impact Increased trust 70% of consumers prefer honesty Higher likelihood of purchase Clear terms Reduces post-sale disputes Encourages long-term relationships Upfront pricing 61% want total cost before engaging Higher conversion rates Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Essential Selling Skills Every Sales Person Should Know? To excel in sales, you should master seven fundamental skills. First, practice active listening to understand customer needs. Next, hone your effective communication to articulate product benefits clearly. Develop objection-handling techniques to address concerns confidently. Focus on building relationships to nurture trust with clients. Furthermore, improve your time management to prioritize tasks efficiently. Finally, cultivate a strong mindset to adapt and persist in the face of challenges. These skills are vital for sales success. What Is the 3-3-3 Rule in Sales? The 3-3-3 rule in sales is a structured approach to improve your conversations with prospects. You aim to make three meaningful connections, ask three open-ended questions, and provide three value points. What Are the 5 P’s of Sales? The 5 P’s of sales are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. Product refers to the features and benefits that meet customer needs. Price is about setting a competitive cost that reflects value. Place involves choosing the right distribution channels to reach your audience, whether online or in stores. Promotion includes the marketing tactics used to highlight the product’s advantages. Finally, People encompass the interactions and relationships built with customers throughout the sales process. What Are the 5 W’s in Sales? In sales, the 5 W’s are crucial for comprehending your approach. Who are your potential customers, and what specific needs do they have? What product or service can you offer to address these needs? When is the ideal time to engage them for a sale? Where will you connect—online, in-person, or via phone? Finally, why are they motivated to buy? Grasping these elements helps you tailor your sales strategy effectively. Conclusion Acquiring these seven fundamental sales techniques will greatly improve your effectiveness as a beginner in sales. By focusing on building trust, comprehending customer needs, and addressing objections, you’ll create lasting relationships. Generating urgency and following up effectively guarantees that you maintain engagement with your clients. Finally, transparency about pricing promotes credibility. By continuously improving your skills and adapting to feedback, you’ll not solely boost your sales but additionally increase customer satisfaction and loyalty over time. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Sales Techniques Every Beginner Should Master" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Becoming proficient in fundamental sales techniques is vital for any beginner in the field. You’ll need to build trust and rapport with customers as you comprehend their needs through effective communication. Handling objections and generating urgency can greatly impact your success. Moreover, following up with clients and being transparent about your offerings will nurture long-term relationships. As you develop these skills, you’ll find that adapting to feedback is key. What’s the first technique you think will make the biggest difference? Key Takeaways Build trust by engaging in active listening and establishing common ground with customers to foster long-term relationships. Understand customer needs by asking open-ended questions and demonstrating empathy for their pain points. Anticipate objections and prepare clear, confident responses using techniques like “Feel, Felt, Found” to build rapport. Create authentic urgency by highlighting limited availability and potential losses to encourage quicker decision-making. Follow up consistently and personalize communication to nurture leads and enhance the overall customer experience. Build Trust and Rapport Building trust and rapport with your prospects is vital if you want to succeed in sales, as studies show that 78% of customers believe trust greatly impacts their purchasing decisions. To master the sales basics, engage in active listening by paraphrasing and reflecting on what your customers say; this creates a deeper connection and shows genuine interest in their needs. Establish common ground through shared interests or experiences, making conversations feel personal and relatable. Following up on personal connections, like remembering birthdays, reinforces the relationship and emphasizes that you value the customer beyond just a transaction. Finally, consistent communication and timely responses are important; 60% of customers note prompt follow-ups positively influence their perception of you, making this one of the key sales tips for beginners. Generate Authentic Urgency Creating authentic urgency is essential in the sales process as it encourages customers to make quicker purchasing decisions. To generate this sense of urgency, highlight limited product availability, such as seasonal items, which can prompt faster choices. Tie urgency to customer pain points, emphasizing potential losses or missed opportunities, which illustrates the cost of inaction. Implement time-sensitive offers, like discounts that expire soon, to motivate immediate action from prospects who might otherwise hesitate. Furthermore, communicate any upcoming changes in market conditions that could affect customers, creating pressure to act. Research shows that establishing authentic urgency not only boosts sales but also cultivates trust, as customers appreciate transparency about the risks of inaction in your sales training for beginners. Use Persuasion Without Being Pushy To persuade effectively without being pushy, focus on active listening and comprehending your customers’ needs. By using storytelling techniques, you can engage them emotionally, making it easier for them to visualize the benefits of your offering. Furthermore, highlighting the value and benefits rather than just features can greatly influence their decision-making process. Active Listening Techniques Active listening is an important skill for anyone in sales, as it nurtures genuine connections and improves trust between you and your prospects. In your basic sales training, you’ll learn that active listening involves fully concentrating on what the prospect says, comprehending their needs, and responding thoughtfully. This approach increases customer satisfaction and encourages deeper conversations. Use techniques like paraphrasing or summarizing their points to show you’re engaged and to invite more dialogue. Open-ended questions as well help prospects elaborate on their thoughts, allowing you to tailor your responses effectively. Moreover, pay attention to non-verbal cues, such as body language, to gain insights into their emotions. Acquiring these active listening techniques is vital for success in sales for beginners. Storytelling for Engagement Storytelling is a crucial technique in sales that allows you to engage customers during subtly persuading them without being overly aggressive. By crafting a relatable narrative, you can highlight the challenges customers face and position your product or service as the solution. Incorporating elements of conflict and resolution keeps your audience interested and reinforces the value of your offering. Using “you-phrasing” makes the customer the hero of the story, enhancing their engagement and sense of personal responsibility. Research shows that stories are up to 22 times more memorable than facts alone, which emphasizes storytelling’s effectiveness. This approach enables you to connect emotionally, leading to a stronger, more persuasive communication style that feels natural and inviting. Highlight Benefits Over Features Focusing on benefits over features is vital in sales, as it helps you communicate how your product or service directly improves the customer’s life. Research shows that 70% of customers prefer hearing about benefits rather than features, making your pitch more customer-centric. When you frame benefits regarding solving specific pain points, you resonate better with prospects’ needs, increasing your chances of closing the sale. Moreover, using storytelling techniques can create an emotional connection, boosting engagement and retention by up to 60%. Effective persuasion involves actively listening to customer concerns and offering customized, benefit-focused solutions that address those issues without being overly aggressive. This approach cultivates trust and encourages a positive buying experience. Master Following Up Perfecting the art of following up is essential for successful sales, as effective communication can often be the deciding factor in closing a deal. Research shows that 80% of sales require at least five follow-ups, emphasizing the need for persistence. Timeliness matters, too; 60% of customers prefer follow-up communication within 24 hours of the initial interaction. Personalizing your messages can greatly boost engagement, improving response rates by up to 42%. Utilizing CRM systems helps you manage follow-up schedules efficiently, ensuring no potential lead is overlooked. Consistent follow-up not only nurtures leads but also builds long-term relationships, with 70% of customers appreciating ongoing communication, even if they don’t make an immediate purchase. Master this skill to improve your sales success. Understand the Needs and Concerns of Your Customer Grasping the needs and concerns of your customer is fundamental for effective sales, as it allows you to tailor your approach and offer solutions that genuinely resonate. Actively listening to customers helps you identify specific pain points, enabling you to craft personalized solutions. By asking open-ended questions, you encourage dialogue and gain deeper insights into their needs. This comprehension can notably improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, as 70% of buying experiences hinge on how customers feel treated. Demonstrating empathy and validating their concerns nurtures trust, which is imperative for building long-term relationships and securing repeat business. Research shows that 63% of customers prefer engaging with sales representatives who perceive their needs and provide relevant solutions, making this skill critical for success. Plan for Objections To effectively plan for objections, you should anticipate common concerns buyers might’ve and prepare clear responses. Researching these objections allows you to address them confidently during conversations, which can greatly improve your sales approach. Anticipate Common Objections Anticipating common objections is crucial for any salesperson aiming to navigate conversations effectively. By researching and listing potential concerns, you can prepare confident responses during sales discussions. Comprehending frequent objections—such as price, timing, and product fit—enables you to create effective counterarguments that address these issues directly. Applying the “Feel, Felt, Found” technique allows you to empathize with the prospect’s concerns, share a relatable story, and present a solution that worked for others. Furthermore, practicing objection handling through role-playing scenarios improves your ability to respond calmly during real interactions. Regularly reviewing past sales interactions and feedback likewise helps identify new objections, ensuring your strategies remain relevant and effective in addressing evolving customer concerns. Develop Clear Responses When you encounter objections during a sales conversation, having clear responses ready can greatly boost your effectiveness. Start by anticipating common objections, compiling a list based on previous interactions and industry standards. This preparation allows you to respond confidently. Utilize the “Feel, Felt, Found” technique to empathize with the customer’s concerns, sharing relatable experiences from other clients who faced similar issues. Develop concise responses that directly address objections, using specific examples or data points to highlight the effectiveness of your product. Practicing objection handling through role-playing scenarios can improve your ability to respond calmly in real time. Finally, continuously gather feedback on your techniques to identify improvement areas, ensuring your responses evolve with customer expectations and market trends. Be Transparent About Pricing and Terms Being transparent about pricing and terms is essential for cultivating trust with your potential customers. When you clearly outline your pricing, 70% of consumers are more likely to purchase since they appreciate honesty. Furthermore, detailing terms and conditions minimizes misunderstandings, leading to better customer experiences. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits: Benefit Statistic Impact Increased trust 70% of consumers prefer honesty Higher likelihood of purchase Clear terms Reduces post-sale disputes Encourages long-term relationships Upfront pricing 61% want total cost before engaging Higher conversion rates Frequently Asked Questions What Are the 7 Essential Selling Skills Every Sales Person Should Know? To excel in sales, you should master seven fundamental skills. First, practice active listening to understand customer needs. Next, hone your effective communication to articulate product benefits clearly. Develop objection-handling techniques to address concerns confidently. Focus on building relationships to nurture trust with clients. Furthermore, improve your time management to prioritize tasks efficiently. Finally, cultivate a strong mindset to adapt and persist in the face of challenges. These skills are vital for sales success. What Is the 3-3-3 Rule in Sales? The 3-3-3 rule in sales is a structured approach to improve your conversations with prospects. You aim to make three meaningful connections, ask three open-ended questions, and provide three value points. What Are the 5 P’s of Sales? The 5 P’s of sales are Product, Price, Place, Promotion, and People. Product refers to the features and benefits that meet customer needs. Price is about setting a competitive cost that reflects value. Place involves choosing the right distribution channels to reach your audience, whether online or in stores. Promotion includes the marketing tactics used to highlight the product’s advantages. Finally, People encompass the interactions and relationships built with customers throughout the sales process. What Are the 5 W’s in Sales? In sales, the 5 W’s are crucial for comprehending your approach. Who are your potential customers, and what specific needs do they have? What product or service can you offer to address these needs? When is the ideal time to engage them for a sale? Where will you connect—online, in-person, or via phone? Finally, why are they motivated to buy? Grasping these elements helps you tailor your sales strategy effectively. Conclusion Acquiring these seven fundamental sales techniques will greatly improve your effectiveness as a beginner in sales. By focusing on building trust, comprehending customer needs, and addressing objections, you’ll create lasting relationships. Generating urgency and following up effectively guarantees that you maintain engagement with your clients. Finally, transparency about pricing promotes credibility. By continuously improving your skills and adapting to feedback, you’ll not solely boost your sales but additionally increase customer satisfaction and loyalty over time. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Essential Sales Techniques Every Beginner Should Master" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Over the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion will change hands in the U.S.; some call this the Great Wealth Transfer, others the Silver Tsunami. This wealth is held in cash and assets, but also in the estimated 2.9 million private U.S. businesses that are owned by those over 55. Many retiring business owners will look to sell their company to private equity or larger conglomerates, while others will pass their businesses on to their heirs. A few are considering something more radical: giving their company away to good causes, like Paul Newman who gave his eponymous food company to Newman’s Own Foundation when he passed away in 2008. This idea remains radical enough that when 83-year-old Yvon Chouinard and his family announced that all of Patagonia’s future profits would go to fight climate change in September 2022, the New York Times devoted a full-page spread to the move. Now, there’s even a book dedicated to Patagonia and its transition. 100% for Purpose companies like Newman’s Own and Patagonia are still the exception, but there are more of us than you think: ticketing platform Humanitix, search engine Ecosia, browser Mozilla, consumer brands like The Good Store and Thankyou, and more. Former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg also announced plans to donate a controlling stake of his company to a trust that will continue to fund Bloomberg Philanthropies after his death. As President and CEO of a 100% for Purpose organization, I’ve begun to hear more and more from businesses that are looking to follow in our footsteps. Why this move? You may ask: Why would philanthropically minded business owners and founders give their company away versus just selling the business later on, and creating a foundation with the proceeds? The short answer: It’s a great way to cement your legacy, preserve the company, and maximize giving. Let’s imagine your business makes $10M in profits and you sell it for $50M—congrats! You can then choose to manage a foundation endowment and give away $2.5M a year (5% as per the minimum distribution rule). Or you spend it down, giving away $10M a year for five years. Compare these options to giving your company away to a foundation (like Newman’s Own Foundation) or a trust (like Patagonia). The company and its employees stay in place, and continue to generate $10M annual profits, which can then be given away to good causes year after year. You have created a philanthropic annuity. But more than that, you have given your business, employees, and customers a gift as well. Every product they make, sell, or buy is now a product whose profits go to support good causes. And for those starting new business, it may not be a fair comparison today, but Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner put in $40,000 of their own funds to get Newman’s Own started back in 1982. That could have been a one-time gift but instead, Paul and Newman’s Own have since given away over $600 million—a 15,000x philanthropic return! A range of models How do you get started on the 100% for Purpose journey? Here are a few models to consider, from simple to more advanced: Give Your Profits Away Today: You can do so with an existing corporate structure. Paul Newman did this at first with Newman’s Own as the Foundation was established years later. That’s also how Cummings Properties and The Good Store got started. Depending on your jurisdiction, there are more or less tax-friendly ways to go about this, and if you don’t already have an existing foundation, you might find a Donor-Advised Fund an easy way to get started. Donate your Business to an Existing Foundation or Non-Profit: Why re-create the wheel when there are already close to two million 5013(c) organizations in the U.S.? I’d venture to say there’s at least one among these that aligns to your value and your giving priorities, and that they would welcome a profit-fueled philanthropic annuity. Establish your own Foundation and Donate your Business to it: You want to be more hands on? Establish your own foundation. When Paul Newman died in 2008, he gifted the food company to Newman’s Own Foundation, but that was actually not legal at the time. The IRS granted us an exception to be able to continue operating until the Philanthropic Enterprise Act was passed in 2018. This new law allows foundations to own profitable companies outright, versus in the past, being limited to no more than 20% equity stakes. Split Voting Rights and Economic / Profit Rights via a Perpetual Purpose Trust: Perpetual Purpose Trusts are also relatively new in the U.S.: the first on record dates back to just 2018, but their European equivalent, steward foundations, including Novo Nordisk, Ikea, and Rolex, have been around for decades. Purpose Trusts offer flexibility, for example allowing you to keep some or all voting rights of the company while giving away the economic rights to your foundation, a non-profit, your employees, or a mix of all these. This is what Patagonia chose to do, with a HBR case study on the details for the legal aficionados among you. Giving Tuesday is almost upon us, and while I don’t expect people to make such a decision in one day, I want to invite current business owners and future founders to think about joining the 100% Purpose movement. Giving a business away is still considered a radical move, but it offers business owners, their employees, and their customers something a traditional sale never can: legacy. View the full article

Jamieson Greer warns bloc that trade remains a ‘flashpoint’ in advance of talks next weekView the full article

In early 2022, the meal delivery company I founded, Tovala, went out to raise $100mm from venture capitalists. Our business could not have been hotter. We’d crossed $110mm of revenue, growing over 100% YoY. We had retention that was 3–4 times better than other meal delivery services. We had low awareness, lots of room for product innovation, and a seemingly clear path to an IPO. Then the war broke out in Ukraine, and capital markets started to get spooked. All of the sudden, fast-growing, unprofitable consumer businesses were out of vogue. We managed to raise $32mm, not a small sum, but it felt like a failure. It ended up being the best thing that ever happened to us. A new game That struggle made us realize the game had changed. Investors no longer wanted to fund unprofitable growth. In fact, they might never fund unprofitable growth in our category again. So we had to find a way to stretch that $32mm as far as possible. That was easier said than done. In 2021, we burned $26mm. We had to change how we operated Tovala. Fast. This was more than just cutting some costs. It meant a complete shift in mindset of every team member. For years we had been focused on scaling as quickly as possible. For example, for our operations team, that meant thinking about how we could safely fulfill an increasing number of meals every week and, in their spare time, figuring out how to improve our margins. We had to flip that mindset on its head. And instead of thinking about rapid scaling, think about where we could find efficiencies in the business. We started to repeatedly pound the drumbeat of profitability. We talked about it at every company all hands, and most importantly, we helped everyone understand why it mattered. We celebrated wins as small as a slight reduction in our AWS fees and as big as launching new product offerings. We got much more disciplined with hiring and performance management, pushed every team to identify margin wins, and we scrutinized our P&L for any waste. We found big levers on pricing and marketing spend and small levers in renegotiating many contracts. It all mattered. Focus, focus, focus What most surprised me during this period was not just our team’s ability to execute. It was the value of focus. We’d built a company culture that was frugal and yet, when the team was tasked with finding waste and inefficiencies, it was everywhere. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s clear to me that it is not realistic to prioritize growth, (which the team had been doing for several years), while simultaneously having real rigor on minimizing all waste and inefficiency. We ultimately achieved our goal. We haven’t raised a single dollar since that $32mm fundraise. We’ve been profitable for two years. And we’ve built a culture that can operate in the chapter we’re now in: one defined by growth and profitability. View the full article

When you’re thinking about starting a business, one of the first questions you might have is how long it takes to register it. The timeline can vary considerably based on your chosen business structure, like a sole proprietorship or an LLC, and the specific regulations in your state. Some registrations can be completed in a day, whereas others might take weeks. Comprehending the registration process and options available to you is essential for a smooth start. What factors should you consider to expedite this process? Key Takeaways Business registration time varies by structure: sole proprietorships take 1 day, while LLCs can take 1 to 40 days depending on processing options. Fast-tracked registration options exist, allowing some states to process applications in as little as 1-3 days. Online filing generally speeds up the registration process compared to traditional mail submissions. Incomplete applications can lead to delays, making accurate paperwork crucial for timely registration. Additional licenses may take 1-2 weeks to process, depending on industry requirements and location. Understanding the Business Registration Process When you decide to start a business, comprehension of the registration process is essential, as it can greatly affect your timeline and operational readiness. So, how long does it take to register a business? The timeframe can vary considerably, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on your state and chosen business structure. Some states offer fast-tracked registration, allowing you to complete the process in just 1 to 3 days. Nevertheless, states like California and New York may take longer because of more administrative hurdles. Furthermore, verify you file all required paperwork accurately, as incomplete applications often cause delays. Don’t forget to obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) online, which usually takes about 15 minutes. Timeline for Different Business Structures Comprehending the timeline for registering different business structures can help you plan effectively and set realistic expectations. Here’s a quick overview: Business Structure Typical Timeline Additional Notes Sole Proprietorship 1 day Minimal registration requirements General Partnership Up to 1 week May need Assumed Name Certificate LLC 1 to 40 days Standard: 5-7 business days; expedited: 1-2 days Corporation 5-7 business days Requires filing Certificate of Formation Additional Licenses 1-2 weeks Varies by industry and location If you’re wondering how long does it take to set up an LLC, consider the standard processing times and any local permits you might need. Fast-Track Registration Options If you want to speed up your business registration, consider fast-track options available in many states. Online filing can often be quicker, whereas expedited mail processing considerably cuts down wait times. You might additionally want to use professional filing services to streamline your application, ensuring you submit complete documentation to avoid delays. Online Filing Advantages Though many entrepreneurs might consider traditional mail filing for their business registrations, opting for online filing offers significant advantages that can expedite the process. When you choose online filing, like through SOSDirect in Texas, you typically see LLC registrations processed in just 10-12 business days. This is a stark contrast to mail submissions, which can take 4-8 weeks. While expedited mail options exist, online filing remains the fastest choice overall. Moreover, online submissions eliminate delays related to mail transit, making the registration more efficient. Once approved, you can immediately download your documents, allowing you to start operations sooner. Expedited Mail Processing When you’re looking to speed up the business registration process, expedited mail processing can be a viable option for many entrepreneurs. In Texas, this option typically takes about 4-5 business days for approval, though you’ll pay an additional fee of $25. Compared to the standard mail processing time, which can take 4-8 weeks, expedited processing markedly reduces your wait. Nevertheless, keep in mind that it doesn’t guarantee immediate approval, as state processing times can vary based on application volume and complexity. If you’re additionally wondering how long does it take to get an EIN number, that process can be completed online in a relatively short timeframe. Utilizing Filing Services Utilizing filing services can greatly improve your business registration experience, especially if you’re looking for a faster turnaround. These services streamline the process by ensuring all paperwork is completed accurately and submitted on time, which reduces delays caused by errors. Many filing services offer expedited processing options; for example, in Texas, expedited mail filings can be processed in about 4-5 business days for an additional fee. Although hiring a filing service won’t directly speed up state approval times, it can facilitate smoother submissions and help meet compliance requirements. Additionally, online filing services like SOSDirect allow immediate document downloads, enabling you to start operations sooner. If you’re wondering how long it will take to get an EIN, these services can likewise assist with that process. Factors Influencing Registration Time Registering a business involves several factors that can greatly influence the time it takes to complete the process. If you’re wondering how long it takes to register an LLC, consider the following: Business Structure: More complex entities, like corporations, require additional paperwork compared to simpler structures, like sole proprietorships. Application Completeness: Incomplete applications can lead to rejections, causing delays. Guarantee all information is accurate and complete. Filing Method: Online submissions are typically faster than mail-in applications, which can take up to 40 days. Additionally, high application volumes during peak times can create backlogs, and name availability might necessitate further searches, impacting your registration speed. Comprehending these factors can help you better anticipate your timeline. State-Specific Variations in Processing Times When registering your LLC in Texas, you’ll notice that the processing times can vary based on how you choose to file. Online submissions through SOSDirect typically take about 10-12 business days, whereas mail-in applications might take up to 40 days. Comprehending these timelines and choosing the right filing method can help streamline your registration process. Texas LLC Processing Times Comprehending Texas LLC processing times is crucial for anyone looking to start a business in the state. When you register your company name in Texas, you’ll encounter different timeframes based on your filing method: Mail Filings: Expect about 4-8 weeks plus transit time, or opt for expedited processing for approximately 4-5 business days. SOSDirect Online Filings: The fastest option, typically taking just 10-12 business days. SOSUpload Method: This online option takes around 13-15 business days. Filing Method Impact The choice of filing method significantly influences how quickly you can expect your business registration to be processed in Texas. Online submissions via SOSDirect are your fastest option, taking about 10-12 business days. Conversely, mail filings can extend to 4-8 weeks plus transit time. If you opt for expedited mail, you can reduce processing to roughly 4-5 business days for an extra $25 fee, whereas online filings remain without an expedited option. Here’s a quick overview: Filing Method Estimated Processing Time SOSDirect (Online) 10-12 business days SOSUpload (Online) 13-15 business days Regular Mail 4-8 weeks Expedited Mail 4-5 business days Total for Mail 2-3 months Keep in mind, registering for an EIN costs about $0. Tips for Accelerating Your Business Registration To speed up your business registration, file your application online through platforms like SOSDirect, as this method typically processes submissions within 10-12 business days, considerably faster than mailing in your documents, which can take 4-8 weeks. Here are some tips to accelerate your registration: Opt for expedited filing services: If available, this can reduce mail processing to about 4-5 business days for an additional fee. Verify your name’s availability: Use the SOS Direct database before filing to avoid conflicts that could delay your registration. Engage professional filing services: They can assist with paperwork and guarantee you meet all requirements, including obtaining an EIN for DBA, streamlining the process and minimizing delays. Frequently Asked Questions How Long Does It Usually Take to Register a Business? It usually takes a few days to several weeks to register a business, depending on your state and business structure. For instance, states like Delaware can process registrations in 1 to 3 days, whereas California might take up to 4 weeks. If you’re filing as an LLC in Texas, expect about 5-7 business days. Keep in mind, incomplete applications can delay the process, so make certain all documents are ready before submission. How Long Does It Take for Your Business to Get Approved? Getting your business approved can take varying amounts of time depending on your filing method. If you file online, expect around 10-12 business days for processing. Standard mail-in filings may stretch up to 40 days because of transit delays. Nevertheless, if you choose expedited filing, you could receive approval in as little as 1-2 business days. How Long Does It Take Texas to Approve LLC? In Texas, the approval time for an LLC varies based on your filing method. Standard online filings typically take 5-7 business days, whereas expedited options can reduce this to 1-2 days for an extra fee. Mail submissions, on the other hand, may take up to 40 days. It’s essential you guarantee all documentation is complete to avoid unnecessary delays, as the total approval time includes both processing and transit. How Long Does It Take to Establish a Small Business? Establishing a small business can vary considerably in time, usually taking from a few days to several weeks. Factors influencing this include the business structure you choose and specific state regulations. For instance, completing necessary registrations, obtaining licenses, and securing permits can extend the timeline. If you opt for fast-tracked services, you might reduce the wait to just a few days, but be prepared for additional steps that may delay full operational readiness. Conclusion In conclusion, the time it takes to register a business can vary greatly based on your chosen structure and state regulations. Sole proprietorships can be established quickly, whereas LLCs may take longer, depending on processing options. Utilizing fast-track services can help speed up the process. By ensuring your paperwork is thorough and accurate, you can minimize delays. Comprehending the specific requirements in your state will further streamline your registration process, allowing you to launch your business effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How Long Does It Take to Register a Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

When you’re thinking about starting a business, one of the first questions you might have is how long it takes to register it. The timeline can vary considerably based on your chosen business structure, like a sole proprietorship or an LLC, and the specific regulations in your state. Some registrations can be completed in a day, whereas others might take weeks. Comprehending the registration process and options available to you is essential for a smooth start. What factors should you consider to expedite this process? Key Takeaways Business registration time varies by structure: sole proprietorships take 1 day, while LLCs can take 1 to 40 days depending on processing options. Fast-tracked registration options exist, allowing some states to process applications in as little as 1-3 days. Online filing generally speeds up the registration process compared to traditional mail submissions. Incomplete applications can lead to delays, making accurate paperwork crucial for timely registration. Additional licenses may take 1-2 weeks to process, depending on industry requirements and location. Understanding the Business Registration Process When you decide to start a business, comprehension of the registration process is essential, as it can greatly affect your timeline and operational readiness. So, how long does it take to register a business? The timeframe can vary considerably, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks, depending on your state and chosen business structure. Some states offer fast-tracked registration, allowing you to complete the process in just 1 to 3 days. Nevertheless, states like California and New York may take longer because of more administrative hurdles. Furthermore, verify you file all required paperwork accurately, as incomplete applications often cause delays. Don’t forget to obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) online, which usually takes about 15 minutes. Timeline for Different Business Structures Comprehending the timeline for registering different business structures can help you plan effectively and set realistic expectations. Here’s a quick overview: Business Structure Typical Timeline Additional Notes Sole Proprietorship 1 day Minimal registration requirements General Partnership Up to 1 week May need Assumed Name Certificate LLC 1 to 40 days Standard: 5-7 business days; expedited: 1-2 days Corporation 5-7 business days Requires filing Certificate of Formation Additional Licenses 1-2 weeks Varies by industry and location If you’re wondering how long does it take to set up an LLC, consider the standard processing times and any local permits you might need. Fast-Track Registration Options If you want to speed up your business registration, consider fast-track options available in many states. Online filing can often be quicker, whereas expedited mail processing considerably cuts down wait times. You might additionally want to use professional filing services to streamline your application, ensuring you submit complete documentation to avoid delays. Online Filing Advantages Though many entrepreneurs might consider traditional mail filing for their business registrations, opting for online filing offers significant advantages that can expedite the process. When you choose online filing, like through SOSDirect in Texas, you typically see LLC registrations processed in just 10-12 business days. This is a stark contrast to mail submissions, which can take 4-8 weeks. While expedited mail options exist, online filing remains the fastest choice overall. Moreover, online submissions eliminate delays related to mail transit, making the registration more efficient. Once approved, you can immediately download your documents, allowing you to start operations sooner. Expedited Mail Processing When you’re looking to speed up the business registration process, expedited mail processing can be a viable option for many entrepreneurs. In Texas, this option typically takes about 4-5 business days for approval, though you’ll pay an additional fee of $25. Compared to the standard mail processing time, which can take 4-8 weeks, expedited processing markedly reduces your wait. Nevertheless, keep in mind that it doesn’t guarantee immediate approval, as state processing times can vary based on application volume and complexity. If you’re additionally wondering how long does it take to get an EIN number, that process can be completed online in a relatively short timeframe. Utilizing Filing Services Utilizing filing services can greatly improve your business registration experience, especially if you’re looking for a faster turnaround. These services streamline the process by ensuring all paperwork is completed accurately and submitted on time, which reduces delays caused by errors. Many filing services offer expedited processing options; for example, in Texas, expedited mail filings can be processed in about 4-5 business days for an additional fee. Although hiring a filing service won’t directly speed up state approval times, it can facilitate smoother submissions and help meet compliance requirements. Additionally, online filing services like SOSDirect allow immediate document downloads, enabling you to start operations sooner. If you’re wondering how long it will take to get an EIN, these services can likewise assist with that process. Factors Influencing Registration Time Registering a business involves several factors that can greatly influence the time it takes to complete the process. If you’re wondering how long it takes to register an LLC, consider the following: Business Structure: More complex entities, like corporations, require additional paperwork compared to simpler structures, like sole proprietorships. Application Completeness: Incomplete applications can lead to rejections, causing delays. Guarantee all information is accurate and complete. Filing Method: Online submissions are typically faster than mail-in applications, which can take up to 40 days. Additionally, high application volumes during peak times can create backlogs, and name availability might necessitate further searches, impacting your registration speed. Comprehending these factors can help you better anticipate your timeline. State-Specific Variations in Processing Times When registering your LLC in Texas, you’ll notice that the processing times can vary based on how you choose to file. Online submissions through SOSDirect typically take about 10-12 business days, whereas mail-in applications might take up to 40 days. Comprehending these timelines and choosing the right filing method can help streamline your registration process. Texas LLC Processing Times Comprehending Texas LLC processing times is crucial for anyone looking to start a business in the state. When you register your company name in Texas, you’ll encounter different timeframes based on your filing method: Mail Filings: Expect about 4-8 weeks plus transit time, or opt for expedited processing for approximately 4-5 business days. SOSDirect Online Filings: The fastest option, typically taking just 10-12 business days. SOSUpload Method: This online option takes around 13-15 business days. Filing Method Impact The choice of filing method significantly influences how quickly you can expect your business registration to be processed in Texas. Online submissions via SOSDirect are your fastest option, taking about 10-12 business days. Conversely, mail filings can extend to 4-8 weeks plus transit time. If you opt for expedited mail, you can reduce processing to roughly 4-5 business days for an extra $25 fee, whereas online filings remain without an expedited option. Here’s a quick overview: Filing Method Estimated Processing Time SOSDirect (Online) 10-12 business days SOSUpload (Online) 13-15 business days Regular Mail 4-8 weeks Expedited Mail 4-5 business days Total for Mail 2-3 months Keep in mind, registering for an EIN costs about $0. Tips for Accelerating Your Business Registration To speed up your business registration, file your application online through platforms like SOSDirect, as this method typically processes submissions within 10-12 business days, considerably faster than mailing in your documents, which can take 4-8 weeks. Here are some tips to accelerate your registration: Opt for expedited filing services: If available, this can reduce mail processing to about 4-5 business days for an additional fee. Verify your name’s availability: Use the SOS Direct database before filing to avoid conflicts that could delay your registration. Engage professional filing services: They can assist with paperwork and guarantee you meet all requirements, including obtaining an EIN for DBA, streamlining the process and minimizing delays. Frequently Asked Questions How Long Does It Usually Take to Register a Business? It usually takes a few days to several weeks to register a business, depending on your state and business structure. For instance, states like Delaware can process registrations in 1 to 3 days, whereas California might take up to 4 weeks. If you’re filing as an LLC in Texas, expect about 5-7 business days. Keep in mind, incomplete applications can delay the process, so make certain all documents are ready before submission. How Long Does It Take for Your Business to Get Approved? Getting your business approved can take varying amounts of time depending on your filing method. If you file online, expect around 10-12 business days for processing. Standard mail-in filings may stretch up to 40 days because of transit delays. Nevertheless, if you choose expedited filing, you could receive approval in as little as 1-2 business days. How Long Does It Take Texas to Approve LLC? In Texas, the approval time for an LLC varies based on your filing method. Standard online filings typically take 5-7 business days, whereas expedited options can reduce this to 1-2 days for an extra fee. Mail submissions, on the other hand, may take up to 40 days. It’s essential you guarantee all documentation is complete to avoid unnecessary delays, as the total approval time includes both processing and transit. How Long Does It Take to Establish a Small Business? Establishing a small business can vary considerably in time, usually taking from a few days to several weeks. Factors influencing this include the business structure you choose and specific state regulations. For instance, completing necessary registrations, obtaining licenses, and securing permits can extend the timeline. If you opt for fast-tracked services, you might reduce the wait to just a few days, but be prepared for additional steps that may delay full operational readiness. Conclusion In conclusion, the time it takes to register a business can vary greatly based on your chosen structure and state regulations. Sole proprietorships can be established quickly, whereas LLCs may take longer, depending on processing options. Utilizing fast-track services can help speed up the process. By ensuring your paperwork is thorough and accurate, you can minimize delays. Comprehending the specific requirements in your state will further streamline your registration process, allowing you to launch your business effectively. Image via Google Gemini This article, "How Long Does It Take to Register a Business?" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Have a burning question about travel, the digital nomad lifestyle, or life as an expat? Do you have a question that Google, Reddit, Quora, and nowhere else on the internet can answer? Feel free to email me at Carlos@ABrotherAbroad.com. My promise: If it’s a quick easy question, I’ll shoot you an email answering your question ... Read moreView the full article

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After more than 70 years, the Ford Motor Co. finally has an architectural centerpiece. The automaker’s new global headquarters has officially opened in Dearborn, Michigan, just outside Detroit and within eyeshot of some of the main facilities that have sustained the company for more than a century. Covering 2.1 million square feet and designed by the architecture and design firm Snøhetta, the new building sprawls across four circuitous stories. Getting from one side to another is a trek. During a two-hour walking tour of the building, a week ahead of its official opening, I traversed at most a quarter of the overall space. This immense size is the building’s strength, as it allows the company to bring much of its executive, engineering, design, and fabrication teams under one (very large) roof for the first time. About 2,000 Ford employees work there now, with around 4,500 expected by 2027. Jim Dobleske, CEO of Ford Land, the company’s real estate arm, says the headquarters was designed to enable collaboration and a more flexible approach to office work—two post-pandemic prerequisites. More importantly, the building is meant to streamline how different arms of the company work together, using proximity, shared resources, and the simplicity of a single building to break down historic silos. “It’s not just a building,” Dobleske says, walking through its airy front lobby. “It’s a tool.” The Ford of 2025 is a different company than its mid-20th-century self, then still heavily influenced by the top-down approach of founder Henry Ford, even years after his death. Still, there are strands of the corporate DNA that have carried through over the company’s 122-year history. Ford has historically been a deeply stratified corporation, with a longstanding emphasis on command and control. Today, its evolving architecture is a reflection of a company that’s reconsidering its approach and priming itself for a particularly dynamic era in the history of automaking. The new building sits 2 miles away from Ford’s former headquarters, a 12-story modernist box known as the “Glass House,” which has been the buttoned-up main office for 2,000 of the corporation’s higher-ups since it opened in 1956. Located on the other side of a highway cloverleaf and moated by a wide belt of lawn and parking lots, the building was emblematic of Ford’s corporate architectural sensibility, as well as its corporate structure. The new building is designed as the new hub of an increasingly concentrated campus of Ford buildings, situated within walking distance to an estimated 14,000 Ford employees, each of whom can use the building’s common spaces, bookable meeting rooms, and 1,000-seat food court. That includes staff at the product development center, engineers from the recently renovated Ford Engineering Lab across the street, and researchers in its components laboratory. “It’s the most horizontally and vertically integrated building I know of,” says Craig Dykers, cofounder of Snøhetta and architect of the building. His firm also created the campus master plan that has reshaped the corporate landscape of Ford. During the tour, Dykers stood near a window and pointed out the buildings and facilities in the area that are all part of the Ford machine. “We took a lot of facilities that were spread all over and pushed them together,” he says. Inside the HQ A few finishing touches remain before the project is officially complete in 2027—including parking garages that will be tucked beneath additional performative landscape that’s able to divert and clean stormwater and building runoff—but the building is already humming with activity. From the outside, Ford’s new headquarters is a gleaming spaceship of a building, with scalloped edges covered by flat and subtly shaded glass. The building’s plan, seen from overhead, is of three hexagons arranged into a kind of triangle, with spaces cut out from their centers to create large internal courtyards. Walking through the building, its sheer size is hard to fully grasp, and parts can feel disorienting. But there are even more places where a corner is turned, or a stairway is climbed, to reveal a view down a corridor that resets the internal map. Glimpses can often be seen of the four accessible courtyard spaces, each of which has been designed by Snøhetta to reflect a different regional habitat. The largest courtyard, inspired by the Great Lakes, features cascades of stone, two bookable meeting canopies, and large sliding doors that connect to seating in the building’s dining area. This area is accessible to any Ford employee, even those not working within the headquarters building. Jennifer Kolstad, global design and brand director at Ford Land, says it’s part of the company’s effort to rethink its global real estate portfolio and make more spaces more accessible for different types of work, be it a lunch meeting or a heads-down cram session in a private booth. It’s a far cry from the culture of desks that long reigned at Ford, she says. The design, informed by Kolstad’s deep experience in interior architecture and hospitality design, is intended to create a human scale. “The challenge of this is 2.1 million square feet at human scale,” she says. Working closely with the architects at Snøhetta, Ford’s design team integrated hotel lobby-style seating across the building, as well as grand staircases that double as seating for informal meetings or large gatherings. The right amount of transparency With so many parts of the company situated in this one building, including highly sensitive operations like the development of new car designs, there was a challenge in making the building accessible without completely blowing the doors open. One solution has been the creation of 14 “arrival areas” outside the secured doors of specific business functions. These are café-like seating areas and meeting spaces where people can gather for coffee or a meeting without having to navigate through secured parts of the building. This attempt at openness extends to the architecture itself. Walking through the straight spine that runs between the three hexagons of the building, Dykers points up at a narrow atrium that runs through the top three floors of the building. A skylight pours light down, and people on each floor can get glimpses of what’s happening elsewhere, even if they don’t have the badge to get them through the door. There are four different levels of security in the building, according to Ford Land’s Dobleske, including one for the top floor where there are several design studios that often move full-scale car models and properties across the building’s 22-inch-thick concrete floors. A corporate spy’s dream, these concepts and nascent designs are cleverly obscured behind frosted glass and partitions, while still allowing the skylight and atrium to spread light and views to the floors below. “We still want people to be able to see people and properties moving through the building,” Dobleske says. But there’s a limit to that spirit of transparency, especially when it comes to product development. The design studios are located on the building’s two top floors, including spaces along window-lined edges of the building that could potentially offer views to prying eyes outside. To allow light in while maintaining privacy, the glass that wraps the entire building has been treated with a specially designed frit patterning that obscures the view. In a nod to Ford’s famous logo, the frit is made up of millions of tiny ovals—black on the interior side of the window and white on the exterior—to help manage heat inside while also preventing design secrets from spilling out. “It took us over a year to develop that,” Dykers says. The design studios are also directly connected to an even more useful space: a large exterior courtyard where scale models and concepts can be given a good look in natural daylight. Elisangela Previte, global business operations manager for Ford Design, says the space makes it much faster for designers to vet their design choices, moving a model out of the controlled environment of the modern design studio and into the harsh glare of the sun. Though there are minor concerns about the potential for drone surveillance, the bigger concern is the geese that are trying to use the courtyard for their nest. Previte says they’re still trying to figure out the right way to keep the geese out. A quick ride in a freight elevator can bring a new model down to the building’s other prize space, a large domed showroom equipped with 10 in-floor turntables to slowly rotate cars, a large overhead light that can emulate light from any time of day, and a large conference room for executive meetings and new car reveals. The showroom also connects to its own courtyard, allowing those formal car design reviews to occur under natural light, and with the benefit of view lines that can stretch 180 feet. It’s the kind of space where the final approval for a new car model can come through or an emerging concept can be doomed to the archives. Each step—from a design concept to a full-scale model to a new car approved for production—can feasibly all happen within this new headquarters building. It’s a radical concentration of abilities for Ford, marking a new approach for a company that can feel steeped in its own history, both for good and for bad. Given the pace of automaking, it will take time for consumers to see what impact all of this has on the cars that Ford produces. But for now, the building itself is a big indication of how the company sees itself evolving in the near term. View the full article

In a perfect world, my job wouldn’t exist. I’m a consumer privacy advocate, which means I spend my days fighting for something that should be automatic: your right to control and protect your own personal information. Unfortunately, we dropped the ball. In the era of social media and hyper-targeted ads, we didn’t build the right privacy infrastructure to protect ourselves. Instead, we let tech companies sell us the story that knowledge is power and data is the price. Yes, knowledge is power. But data—a dry, emotionless word for who and what we are as humans—should be our super power. It should be ours to control and use to improve our lives, not just something companies profit from while leaving us vulnerable to harm. Now, AI is making this dynamic worse. As we enter the AI Age, our data—who and what we are—has become more valuable, and more vulnerable, than ever. We’ve got OpenAI’s CEO dreaming of a day when “every conversation you’ve ever had in your life, every book you’ve ever read, every email you’ve ever read, everything you’ve ever looked at is in there, plus connected to all your data from other sources. And your life just keeps appending to the context.” We’ve got tech companies building wearable devices to track our emotions claiming that the only way AI can be effective is if it can know how we’re feeling in real time. We’re rapidly entering a future where wearing smart glasses on our faces capable of recording and having AI process everything around us will be normal. We’ve got AI chatbots passing themselves off as real therapists to get people to share their deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings. Some of those people have died by suicide after long conversations, fed by deeply personal data, that spiraled out of control. In the AI Age, personal data isn’t just a record of who we are. It’s our actions, transactions, locations, conversations, preferences, inferences, and vulnerabilities. It’s our identities, our intimate selves, our hopes, dreams, fears, and flaws. And in a future full of AI friends, AI therapists, and AI agents, this data won’t just reflect who we are: it will help shape who we become. Leaving all that in the hands of companies with questionable ethics, or governments with shifting priorities, is a dangerous bet. We need better options. A deliberately oversimplified history of privacy Before we look ahead, it can be helpful to remember how we got here. In Biblical times, privacy was a nope. God was all-seeing, and surveillance was divine. Take Hebrews 4:13 for example: “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The Middle Ages didn’t offer much privacy either. People often lived on top of each other and were literally all up in each other’s most intimate business. The Renaissance rolled around and privacy burst onto the scene, thanks in large part to the printing press. Give people access to more books, and, it turns out, they tend to go off by themselves, silently read, and nurture internal private thoughts. The Age of Enlightenment saw the concept of personal privacy start trending. Private thoughts, notions of personal property rights, even the idea that your mail shouldn’t be read by strangers started becoming normal. The Industrial Age brought more than factories, trains, and booming cities. Personal privacy rights started getting written into law. The US Bill of Rights gave people the right to be protected from unreasonable search. British Common Law gave us protections against harms like defamation (privacy for your reputation) and trespass (private property). In 1890, the “right to privacy” was born. In an essay of the same name, lawyers Samuel D. Warren and Louis Brandeis argued that people have “the right to be let alone.” It wasn’t just people’s property that should be protected from intrusion, they wrote, but also their thoughts and emotions. Privacy as a civil liberty starts to take shape. Then the Technology Age comes along, and things get complicated. Telephones mean wiretapping. Cameras mean surveillance. World Wars I and II saw the rise of government intelligence agencies. The Cold War brought with it many spy vs spy vs spy games. Governments learned to love snooping. George Orwell wrote 1984. Privacy gets kicked in the teeth. In response, people decided they needed laws to better protect them from government surveillance. Germany adopted the world’s first data protection law in 1970. The US passed the Privacy Act of 1974 The Internet Age clicks on and things go downhill for privacy real fast. Social media, targeted advertising, cookies tracking us all around the web, phones pinging our locations everywhere we go, the rise of big data: privacy begins to enter a death spiral. The definition of privacy swings from “the right to be let alone” to something called “contextual integrity.” This is the idea that our personal information will be collected, but will only be shared with those we choose, and only when we want it shared, based on context and consent. But his definition of privacy fails miserably because it turns out that our personal information is quite valuable. Over time, it became the norm for companies to bury consent in terrible privacy policies and behind “Click to Agree” links. There are some legal data rights, if you live somewhere lucky enough to have them. Laws like Europe’s GDPR or California’s CCPA give you the right to know what’s collected about you, to delete it, or opt out of having it sold. But even with those protections, today’s most stringent privacy rules and systems are struggling to keep up with the social media age, let alone what’s coming next. Now we’re entering the AI Age and the Grim Reaper is standing right there, glaring at privacy, ready to usher it to the eternal hereafter. AI could doom privacy – or it could save it These days, it’s not just what we’re watching or buying that is being surveilled. It’s every single aspect of our existence: our facial expressions, the thoughts in our language. The potential abuse of this technology for privacy is staggering. And we’re helping. Performing real time facial recognition on the missed connection on the train so you know where they live? Check. Granting access to our email, our calendar, our credit card info, our hopes and dreams to an AI agent to help order groceries, book flights, or make our lives a little easier? Check. Pouring our hearts out to our AI therapist or girlfriend because we’re feeling lonely or too shy to share these thoughts with a real person? Check. (The top self-reported use case for AI in 2025 is therapy and companionship.) What does privacy mean in an era of AI therapists and companions and agents that work in ways no one quite understands? We don’t know how these AI models work, yet we’re being told to give them all our very intimate, personal information so they can work better for us? The idea of privacy in the AI Age feels like it’s come full circle, like we’re returning to those Biblical times dominated by some kind of all-seeing, all-knowing entity. But even if some people are becoming convinced it is, AI isn’t God. AI is a mix of code and algorithms and human decisions, often with the goal of building power and making profits. But there’s some good news. AI could help save privacy too. It’s time for the next printing press To reclaim privacy in the AI Age, we’d be wise to borrow a page from the past. Six hundred years ago, the printing press cracked the world open. It turned knowledge from something hoarded into something accessible. People could now carry ideas into the forest, read them in private, and come back changed. That one invention would later help spark the Enlightenment, a revolution in how people thought about power, truth, and freedom. People could read in private. Think in private. And eventually, demand the right to live in private. The printing press helped transform thinking and innovation, because it gave birth to the very idea of individual privacy. Today, we need a new printing press: a system that gives us control over the story of our lives—our data—and, perhaps, sparks our next advances. Let me introduce you to a scrappy, overlooked right called data portability. At its core, this dry-sounding term means something radical: that you can easily and securely move your data where you want, when you want, and actually use it to serve you, not just companies. But there’s a big gap between that vision and our reality. Too often, data portability tools are buried and convoluted, or completely nonexistent. Ever tried downloading your data and ended up with a giant, unreadable zip file you’re not sure what to do with? That’s not empowerment; that’s a digital paperweight. Data portability is the underdog of privacy rights. Barely known, rarely prioritized. But if developed and backed with intention, it could reshape the future. Imagine a world where your data isn’t trapped in distant data centers. Instead, it’s close to home—in a secure data wallet or pod, under your control. Now imagine pairing that with a loyal personal AI assistant, a private, local tool that lives with you, learns from you (with your permission), and acts on your behalf. Your AI. Not theirs. Here’s a simple example: period tracking. It doesn’t get much more intimate than that. And in places with abortion bans or restricted healthcare, it doesn’t get much more dangerous, either. Right now, millions share that info with apps owned by companies that can sell it or hand it over to law enforcement under subpoena. But imagine if that data lived only in your data pod, controlled only by your AI, to predict symptoms, suggest care, flag concerns, or automatically order chocolate and Advil. With data portability, you can take your data, transfer it to your AI, and use it to benefit you. That’s the difference between being surveilled and being served. And that’s just the beginning. Local, controlled AI plus portable, personal data could potentially help us address huge problems like healthcare, climate change, job loss, financial precarity, and unlock services we haven’t even dreamed of yet. Will it be easy? Nope. The technical and regulatory infrastructure to do this doesn’t exist—yet. Some people, including the founder of the World Wide Web, are working on solutions that could lead there. The incentives to do this the right way aren’t obvious to everyone—yet. The companies that could help build this infrastructure don’t want to prioritize this—yet. But neither did the wealthy and powerful want the printing press. We’re at a turning point. If we don’t push for systems that give people control over their data, we’ll sleepwalk into a future far more dystopian than divine. But if we do—if we build the next printing press for the AI Age—we just might write ourselves into a better story. Control your data, and you control your destiny. Yes, that sounds grand. But once so did the idea of ordinary people owning books. And look what came next. Jen Caltrider is Director of Research and Engagement at the Data Transfer Initiative and formerly led Mozilla’s Privacy Not Included initiative. 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