ResidentialBusiness

The average price of a single-family home increased 1.7% from last year to $426,800 in the third quarter. View the full article

Many organizations are racing to build AI strategies, but too often they focus on adopting the latest tech, rather than creating the environment to support it. The reality is that lasting transformation is fueled by people, which requires companies to take a good look at their culture. At Architech, that’s exactly what we did. By prioritizing and rewarding innovation, we aligned our culture with our AI strategy—and it worked. This year, we are proud to be recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Workplaces. We are one of 10 companies globally recognized by Fast Company for excellence in AI, automation, and machine learning. Here’s how we built an award-winning culture. MAKE INNOVATION REPEATABLE Innovation comes from people. At Architech, we operationalized that idea by creating an Innovation Lab, a dedicated R&D space where curiosity thrives and exceptional geeks are celebrated as heroes. Backed by a 10% reinvestment of revenue, our Innovation Lab provides the time and tools to tackle real problems. One of our standout successes: an intelligent collections application that earned a spotlight in Microsoft’s AI Lunch and Learn series. Infrastructure and investment create a foundation for continuous innovation, enabling organizations to tackle its top priorities. INNOVATION THRIVES WHEN EVERYONE PARTICIPATES We launched a company-wide AI Innovation Challenge in September, 2024 inviting every employee to identify their own workplace challenge to solve and to tackle organizational inefficiencies using AI. Over three months, cross-functional teams reimagined workflows and built automation tools that reduced friction, accelerated delivery, and inspired new client offerings. The challenge sparked experimentation and breakthroughs from the bottom-up. Among the most impactful was an automated quality assurance testing system that improved consistency and freed our teams to focus on creativity. We celebrated winning ideas at the town hall and they became a badge of honor for employees. We continue to spotlight the most creative employee-led breakthroughs with a monthly AI Innovation Award. Innovation happens when people are given the tools, trust, and time to experiment. LEARNING FUELS INNOVATION With AI knowledge scarce across tech companies, upskilling and mentorship have become the real differentiators. At Architech, internal knowledge-sharing sets the pace: We offer project showcases, AI Bytes Learning Series, and real-time experimentation to create a culture of continuous growth. We launched Elevate, a four-week technical bootcamp for interns led by Architech experts in product, design, data, AI, and engineering. Mentees solve real business challenges using cutting-edge tools and are encouraged to explore what inspired them the most. One finalist team built an AI-powered customer support platform and graduated knowing the AI fundamentals, and with the confidence for the next step in their tech careers. Today, our internal expertise in emerging technologies is pushing us further than external experts ever could. Our mentors are emerging as leaders, armed with new courage and bold ideas. We endeavor to empower our people and build a culture where learning drives innovation forward and grows innovators from within. EMBED INNOVATION INTO CULTURE We also created an AI Incubator to drive technology forward and a Responsible AI Governance Committee to ensure guardrails are in place to safeguard our company and clients. Nearly 50% of our workforce participates in the incubator, with active workstreams exploring real-world applications of AI: code review, test automation, developer productivity, and data enablement. AI experimentation is embedded into the daily flow of work on all our teams, from engineering to operations. Our CEO hosts training sessions, leads open discussions, and reinforces the expectation that everyone experiments with AI, every day. This is what transformation looks like: It’s fueled by inspiration, grounded in discipline, and powered by people. FINAL THOUGHTS There’s no app for transformation. There’s something better: culture. That’s what powers our AI strategy and our people are leading the way. To transform your AI strategy into culture, make it: Inclusive: Invite every employee to contribute and celebrate progress. A habit: Bring change into the daily rhythm of work. A growth engine: Teach, mentor, and invest in skills development across the organization. Repeatable: Build systems that last. If your people aren’t part of your AI strategy, you don’t have one. Lara Shewchuk is COO and CFO of Architech. View the full article

Federal Reserve may need to begin asset purchases if short-term rates flare up againView the full article

Federal Reserve Gov. Christopher Waller said there was a popular "misunderstanding" Thursday regarding who can qualify for a "skinny" master account, noting that only firms with a bank charter would qualify for approval. View the full article

Google published guidance emphasizing context-driven technical SEO audits over tool-generated scores, explaining when high 404s are normal. The post Google Warns Against Relying On SEO Audit Tool Scores appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Treasury calls Swiss trader ‘Kremlin’s puppet’ and says it would block its licence to operateView the full article

Google is rolling out two key updates to Performance Max (PMax) campaigns — adding Waze ad inventory for store goal campaigns and introducing channel performance reporting for greater visbility. Why we care. Advertisers using PMax for store goals in the U.S. can now reach drivers directly on Waze through “Promoted Places in Navigation” pins — no extra setup required. The integration automatically optimizes existing assets for store visits or sales, arriving just in time for the holiday travel season, with a global rollout planned for 2026. Search partner comes to Channel reporting. PMax campaigns are also getting enhanced channel performance reporting, allowing advertisers to see where their ads appear across Google’s network — including Search partners, which will soon be included in the reports and visualizations. Between the lines. Advertisers have long requested more visibility into PMax’s opaque performance data. These reporting updates signal Google’s effort to make the campaign type more transparent and accountable, especially for brands managing multiple accounts through MCC. The backstory. The updates follow several September improvements — including bulk reporting, segmentation options, and download capabilities — all designed to make PMax easier to analyze at scale. The big picture. With the Waze integration and expanded reporting, Google is positioning Performance Max as a full-funnel, omnichannel solution — blending automation with better insights to help advertisers drive both online and offline results. View the full article

ChatGPT maker is not seeking a US federal financial backstop for its $1.4tn investment binge, CEO saysView the full article

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with: I. Nick Huber on responsibility: “This might hurt. This is likely hard to swallow. It isn’t anyone else’s fault. Your life today is a direct result of your own decisions and actions. Successful people understand this and take ownership in every situation. If you cultivate resilience, you have a significant competitive advantage over most people. If you are willing to do hard things, your tolerance for discomfort will become a superpower. If you swim against the current and try something new that might lead to a different result from the majority of people, you learn to adapt to difficult conditions without constantly looking for someone or something to blame. You, and only you, are responsible for your life, your business, and your future. Not a politician. Not your parents. Not the economy. Not the world around you. You. If you can accept that fact, embrace it even, no one person or situation can shake you.” Source: The Sweaty Startup: How to Get Rich Doing Boring Things II. Adam Grant on discomfort: “Becoming a creature of discomfort can unlock hidden potential in many different types of learning. Summoning the nerve to face discomfort is a character skill—an especially important form of determination. It takes three kinds of courage: to abandon your tried-and-true methods, to put yourself in the ring before you feel ready, and to make more mistakes than others make attempts. The best way to accelerate growth is to embrace, seek, and amplify discomfort.” Source: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things * * * Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index. * * * Follow us on Instagram and X for additional leadership and personal development ideas. View the full article

New guidelines should provide homeownership opportunities for certain consumer segments with thin credit files and open up product options, lenders said. View the full article

The FBI is targeting a popular website for snapshotting websites on request, and may soon make it harder to get past paywalls online. The domain registrar of the site Archive.Today has reportedly been subpoenaed in an attempt to uncover the archive's owner, as first reported by 404 Media. A PDF of the subpoena posted to the Archive.Today X account late last week. The site is similar to the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, but is intended more for immediate short term access rather than maintaining a longterm record. As opposed to the Internet Archive's methodical web crawlers, Archive.Today's work quickly in response to user requests, but don't make any promises to keep website snapshots around in the future. Essentially, while the Wayback Machine is intended as a way to see how a website used to look like, Archive.Today is more about seeing how a website looks right now. A popular option for avoiding paywallsThe obvious use case is to get past paywalls or other blocks that would prevent users from just going to a website directly. Alternatively, you could use an Archive.Today snapshot to be able to read an article without supporting the site hosting it. I have had others tell me they do use Archive.Today to check historical versions of websites and articles too, although I've found it to be a little less reliable than the Internet Archive for this purpose. It's unclear why the site is being targetedWhile the FBI's subpoena doesn't reveal the exact reason for the request, it does say it "relates to a federal criminal investigation being conducted by the FBI." Given Archive.Today's potential to skirt paywalls, and similar crackdowns on tools like 12ft.io, it's possible the investigation has to do with copyright infringement. Not much is known about Archive.Today's owner, aside from the original site domain being registered in 2012 under the name of a Denis Petrov from Prague, Czech Republic. It seems the name is either common enough to throw a wrench in the FBI's investigation, or is a pseudonym. In the subpoena, the organization requests the Archive.Today owner's "name, address of service, and billing address" as well as numerous other details, including length of service and telephone records. The web registrar hosting the site had until November 29 to comply. The site is still up, for nowIn the meantime, Archive.Today (as well as mirrors like Archive.is) remains operational, and has not made a statement on the matter aside from posting the subpoena PDF to X, alongside the word "canary." Previously, the site's owner has said that they doesn't give guarantees that it will remain operational indefinitely, and that "it is an overly optimistic assumption that there will be no risks [to the archive] before I die." Perhaps the idea is that the subpoena is a canary in a coal mine? For now, it seems like the best users can do is wait and see. Archive.Today is notably not open source, meaning that any threat to individual running it could see the site and its mirrors shut down with no immediate successor. The subpoena follows news that Google has delisted 749 million URLs for literary piracy website Anna's Archive. Together, they point to an internet that might be about to get far more strict about respecting copyright. View the full article

Sleep patterns. Heart rates. Menstrual cycles. Weight fluctuations. Medication schedules. The location of major world leaders. Every morning, millions of people strap on smartwatches, open period-tracking apps, and upload their most intimate details to the cloud. We're told this data will optimize our health, help us live better lives. But there's a darker question lurking beneath the surface: Who actually owns all this information, and where exactly is the line between optimization and surveillance? First things first: What HIPAA actually protectsIn discussing this topic with friends and family, most everyone I know assumed their health data enjoys robust federal protections under HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Sadly, they're wrong. HIPAA applies exclusively to "Covered Entities," aka health plans and healthcare providers. The fitness tracker on your wrist? Not covered. The period-tracking app on your phone? Not covered. The sleep monitor beside your bed? You get the picture. "When we think we are protected and we're not—that's when we run into danger," says Ron Zayas, an online privacy expert and CEO of Ironwall by Incogni. "So when you let a company collect your health data, it is safe to assume two things: 1) you are not covered by HIPAA protections. and 2) the company is going to sell your data." The reason is simple economics. Selling user information often generates more revenue than the product itself. Your health data is intensely personal, which makes it intensely valuable. What happens when we don't own our health dataI remember firsthand when my friends and I frantically deleted apps period-tracking apps after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. What once felt like simple tools for monitoring my cycle suddenly looked a lot like potential evidence in criminal investigations. We were terrified our menstrual data could be subpoenaed to prove we'd had abortions, and this fear wasn't paranoid. As Zayas explains, governments can purchase the same data anyone else can and cross-reference it with location information from mobile phones. "When you had—or skipped—your period can imply if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant," he says. "Governments can buy this information and tie it to your recent trips to decide if you had an abortion or miscarriage." At the same time, I love all kinds of health-related "optimization." I love sharing my runs on Strava and checking my sleep score on my Garmin. Outside of my vanities, health gadgets can deliver life-changing benefits—monitoring blood sugar, tracking heart rate variability, detecting irregular sleep patterns. But what happens when that data shows you're not exercising enough, or eating poorly, or sleeping irregularly? Could your rates increase? Could you be denied coverage? Like with the period-tracking fears, the very real concern here is that same data streams that help you feel in control of your health—that make your daily life more "optimized"—can be exploited for insurance profiling, targeted advertising, or even employment decisions, if data-sharing policies aren't strictly controlled. Let's take a look at the fine print to see where exactly your data is going, and what you can do to protect yourself. The fine print nobody readsJulia Zhen, a third-party information security risk manager at a major nonprofit, says, "If you want to know what information is being gathered and/or stored—which are two distinct acts—start with the privacy policy for the app itself." On top of that, third parties like the Google app store have their own terms of service, creating multiple points of data collection to investigate. Zhen recommends a shortcut: Search for keywords like "sell" or "share" within privacy policies to quickly understand what happens to your data. "Most of the time, companies are de-identifying individuals from their data because they want to aggregate information and speak to certain demographics," she explains. That aggregation still might raise ethical concerns, but according to Zhen, it's industry standard practice these days. Using this strategy, Zhen says she has encountered privacy policies that brazenly admit to selling user data. And even when companies claim to anonymize information, the protection isn't foolproof. Jacob Kalvo, a cybersecurity expert and CEO at Live Proxies, says there still exist risks of re-identification down the line. Because even a giant like Apple can't safeguard your data once you choose to share it beyond their ecosystem. Jake Peterson, Lifehacker's senior technology editor, says, "Apple has some good privacy policies in place to keep your health data private, but if you choose to share it with outside sources, you'll lose that control." In other words, if you share medical data directly to a healthcare provider through the health app and later delete it, Apple won't retain it anymore, but you might not have control over the data your healthcare provider has collected. How to protect yourself in the digital health ageEven if you trust a company's privacy policy today, there's another threat lurking: cybersecurity breaches. "The real risk that we accept on a daily basis is hackers and cyber attacks," Zhen says. Hackers are sophisticated, and you can count on them staying ahead of security development. Even if companies don't intentionally sell your data, they can be careless. Most privacy policies acknowledge they try to protect against attacks, but breaches are endemic in the tech industry. Your carefully guarded health information could be stolen and sold on the dark web regardless of a company's good intentions. Once your data is leaked, it can be used outside your control with zero recourse. When asked about period-tracking apps in the current political climate, Zhen says these service providers "may be at a higher rate of being targeted by cyber attacks because of restrictive reproductive laws." This is important to keep in mind across platforms: What information are you willing to risk? Still, this doesn't have to mean abandoning health tech entirely. Experts agree on several protective measures: Read the damn privacy policy. Zhen's advice is to go straight to the privacy policy for every point of data collection and search for keywords like "sell" and "share." Most policies include data retention information and a contact email where you can request details about what information they hold on you. Understand what you're giving up. Before downloading an app, understand exactly what data it collects and why. When in doubt, assume the worst in every privacy policy. Practice good data hygiene. As a rule, avoid ever giving out your mobile number. Use alias email addresses you don't use elsewhere. Enable a VPN to hide your identity and location. Turn on multi-factor authentication everywhere. Don't overshare. Don't give out any more information than you need for your purposes. Does the company need to know your exact birthdate, or just a year? Do they need to know where you live? If not, don't provide the information, or feel free to lie when you can. Remember that privacy policies aren't binding contracts. Companies typically reserve the right to modify their terms whenever they want. The bottom lineThe reality is most people accept all sorts of data-collection risks daily, because modern life demands it. My goal here isn't to fear-monger, but to help make informed choices in what ultimately is a calculated gamble. If you are the kind of person who posts on social media, downloads apps to order takeout, and accepts risk as it comes with the convenience of modern tech norms, then "downloading a reputable health metrics app is usually going to be fine—so long as the privacy policy isn't directly stating they're selling your data," Zhen says. Then again, I'd argue your health data is more intimate, more permanent, and more potentially damaging than your food delivery history. If you ask me, we're conducting a massive, uncontrolled experiment in health surveillance, and we're all the test subjects. The technology offers genuine benefits—better health outcomes, earlier disease detection, personalized medicine. But we're trading something precious and poorly understood for those benefits: privacy, autonomy, and control over our most intimate information. The question isn't whether to use health tech. For many people, the benefits are too significant to ignore. The question is whether we're making that choice with full awareness of what we're giving up—and whether the companies collecting our data can be held accountable, if and when a reckoning comes. View the full article

A new research report this week found AI could 'unlock' $370 billion in profits for banks, though they're not yet ready to capture it. But big-bank executives say they are already seeing measurable results from their generative and traditional AI investments. View the full article

Artist Edel Rodriguez is famous for his satirical images of Donald The President. Since 2016, he’s produced dozens of images of the President in an ultra-simple, pop-art style. But for Rodriguez’s new cover of The New Yorker commemorating Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York City mayoral race, he threw that signature look out the window. The illustration, which will run on the November 17 issue of The New Yorker, shows Mamdani smiling broadly as he holds onto the hand rail on an M train headed to Queens. Around him, New Yorkers of all walks of life—including a young woman with a dog in her bag, a child with her mother, and an elderly gentleman in a fedora—jostle to board and deboard the car. The whole picture is made in expressive, sketch-like lines and depicted in toasty hues of brown and rust orange. It has a hand-drawn, humanistic quality that none of Rodriguez’s illustrations of The President possess. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQqNAoQDR04/ “With the The President stuff, I wanted to create imagery that was so visually basic and a bit dumb—for it to not have any gesture, or line, or anything soft,” he says. The images are meant to be a bit like traffic signs: all symbols and conceptual shapes, intended to get the viewer to pay attention, but not to attract real visual interest. “I actually want you to be repelled by it,” he says. Looking beyond The President During The President’s first term in office, Rodriguez published over 125 satirical illustrations and 25 magazine covers depicting the President as everything from a massive wrecking ball to a flaming trash can, always in a bright orange hue and typically with an angry-looking, wide open mouth. As an immigrant born in authoritarian Cuba, Rodriguez’s personal history is deeply tied to his work. Back in 2018, he compared The President’s rhetoric to that of Fidel Castro’s. At that time, he saw his satirical The President art as a warning of what was to come. Now, he says, those warnings have come to fruition. “The frustration with the second The President term is, like, I already warned you everything I could warn you about and you still voted for this guy,” Rodriguez says. “You’re Latino, and you still voted for this guy. What can I do now? I’m able to find a few ways to tell the story in a different manner, but the purpose of it is different in the second term.” https://www.instagram.com/p/DP6iufTjYhM/?hl=en Most recently, Rodriguez created an image of The President using the Burger King logo that reads “No King,” an image that was widely used throughout the national No Kings protests. But while he’s continuing to work on imagery of the President, he’s now looking to branch out into other projects that center “less negativity,” he says. When The New Yorker selected him to illustrate its cover of Mamdani, he saw it as an opportunity to work on something more uplifting. “The difference is night and day. I mean, it’s so much more enjoyable,” Rodriguez says, adding, “When you have an opportunity to do something more positive, it feels good. What I like about [“Mayor Mamdani”] is that it’s positive, but it doesn’t feel like propaganda. It is just showing a scene. I don’t generally like to do anything that says, ‘Vote for this guy.’” What makes Zohran Mamdani different Like many of Mamdani’s supporters, Rodriguez first learned about Mamdani through his social media content. Mamdani’s campaign team posted videos of him walking New York City, speaking casually to viewers about his vision for an affordable NYC for all. In one series of videos, Mamdani tried to pitch himself to all New Yorkers by speaking in fluent Bengla and Urdu, as well as in Spanish, a language that he’s still working to learn. Rodriguez was struck by Mamdani’s willingness to leave clips of his own Spanish-speaking errors in the final video—a move that, he says, was a rare choice from a politician that showed Mamdani is “fallible, and not perfect.” “It’s what made him so popular is that he’s very relatable in many ways,” Rodriguez says. “I think it was that idea of just riding the subway with everyone else and not taking an Uber or a black car around town, or the way he just showed up in bodegas and would do a little video.” The week before the mayoral election, that idea of Mamdani as a regular New Yorker inspired Rodriguez to reach out to The New Yorker’s longtime art editor, Françoise Mouly, with a few sketches for a potential cover. Having worked with Mouly in the past, Rodriguez says he occasionally sends her ideas “as they pop into my head,” to get her feedback and workshop together. His rough sketch first ideas included images of Mamdani subway surfing with the New York City skyline behind him; driving a cab across different boroughs; conducting the M train; and riding inside the M train as a passenger. Mouly, and The New Yorker’s editor-in-chief David Remnick, liked the last concept the best. “I have been talking to artists about the mayoral election for a while,” Mouly says. “Of course it’s a good topic for The New Yorker. Last week, Edel sent a flurry of sketches, anticipating a victory by Mamdani. All of Edel’s ideas showed Mamdani connecting with people everywhere in the five boroughs. The most succinct way to show that was the idea we went with: simply showing him with his bright and winning smile in the melting pot of the subway.” With Mouly’s final approval, Rodriguez had less than a day to finalize his illustration ahead of the November 4 election. While Rodriguez lives in New Jersey with his wife today, he previously lived in Brooklyn while attending Pratt Institute and later while serving as an art director at Time magazine. During that era, Rodriguez was a frequent subway rider—and, like most art students, had often used the commute to sketch fellow passengers. He used those memories of fellow subway passengers to fill out the scene around Mamdani. “If you’ve ridden the subway, that’s how it is,” Rodriguez says. “It’s always like, the girl with the bag and the little puppy, and maybe a punk rock kid, and maybe a Hasidic Jew, and then a mom with a kid, and a guy in a hoodie. Whatever character popped into my head as I was drawing, that’s what I drew, pretty much until I filled the page. I probably could have drawn 20 more characters.” Ultimately, Rodriguez’s work captures a quality Mamdani has managed to convey that most politicians can’t even come close to: relatability. “We’ve all been on the train—it’s totally packed, it’s not pleasant,” he says. “But if your politician or your mayor is there with you, it just makes him more relatable. I wouldn’t show Andrew Cuomo or The President that way.” View the full article

When I reviewed the Nintendo Switch 2 launched earlier this June, my assessment was that it would be worth buying eventually, but probably not right away. The console then went on to have the biggest gaming launch of all-time, so there's egg on my face, but I stand by what I said: Until now, the Switch 2 has been a great way to play enhanced Switch 1 games, but hasn't had many exclusives, so you could generally still play Nintendo's newest titles without upgrading your device (unless you're an impatient Mario Kart or Donkey Kong fan). But now, it seems that's about to change, and if you haven't gotten the Switch 2 yet, it might finally be time to take the plunge. In a financial results briefing on Wednesday, Nintendo admitted that "going forward, we will shift our primary development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform." That doesn't mean the original Switch is being discontinued right away, but despite the latest Pokémon game having come out for it just half a month ago, it does mean the system is getting prepped for retirement. Despite the Switch's success (154.01 million lifetime sales so far!), the transition makes sense. That console is eight years old at this point, and was already using older hardware than that when it came out. Continuing to make the latest first-party Nintendo games compatible with the original Switch as well could hold Switch 2 development back—and with such a large player base having upgraded to the Switch 2 already (the successor system has sold 10.36 million as of Sept. 30), the company probably doesn't see it as necessary. Can I still buy a Switch 1?Hardware sales won't be affected for now, if you want to play the existing original Switch library and somehow don't own one already. In the same report, Nintendo said it will continue to sell the original Switch, "while taking consumer demand and the business environment into consideration." This also lines up with Nintendo's previous behavior, as Nintendo waited three years until after the launch of the original Switch to discontinue the 3DS. When should you get the Nintendo Switch 2?Nintendo didn't give too many more hints at its plans in its briefing, but we can take the company's statement to mean that it won't start development on any new Switch 1 games that haven't already been announced. That means we probably already have a good idea of what the Switch 1's final first-party game will be—after which content for the console will probably start to dry up. And, to be fair, the Switch's swan song is fitting. Releasing on December 4, the final first-party game for Nintendo Switch is likely to be Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It's the fruition of a troubled development that has taken almost as long as the Switch lasted, with the game's announcement coming just a few months after the console debuted. Not a bad way to go. Like other recent Switch 1 games, Metroid Prime 4 is also getting a Switch 2 edition that will improve performance and add features like mouse controls, but as it stands, you won't need to upgrade to play it. If you're as stubborn as me, that means you can probably hold off on a Switch 2 until 2026, but to play Nintendo's big new releases after that, you'll need to move on. What about third-party games?The one exception to the Switch's impending retirement might be third-party games, which according to this helpful chart from redditor u/ieatdragonz, are planned through at least late next year. Even those are starting to be impacted, though, as many of these games are ports of titles that have already been released elsewhere, while more demanding third-party games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are already starting to skip Nintendo's last-gen system. Which Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives are coming out before next year?While those looking to keep up with Nintendo's games after December will probably no choice but to upgrade, there are reasons to upgrade before then, depending on your tastes. Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are both exclusive to the Switch 2, and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, which launched today, is also unavailable on the original Switch. Later this month, these titles will also be joined by Kirby Air Riders. If any of these games strike your fancy, they already present a compelling reason to upgrade. If not, Nintendo will probably get you at some point now that it's moved the full force of its development to its new console. What about the Switch 2's smaller player base?In moving development focus to Switch 2 games, Nintendo is making its studios' lives a bit easier, but also shrinking its active player base. More than 10.3 million players is a lot, but it's a fraction of the over 150 million players on the original Switch. That means sales for new Nintendo games could be held back by a smaller total possible audience, at least for a while. But at the same time, making its shiny new releases exclusive to its new console could also easily push sales of the new system even further. Plus, it's not like every original Switch owner is buying every new release now, anyway. At $450, the Switch 2 is an expensive bit of kit compared to its predecessor (though to be fair, the onld system recently got a tariff-related price increase that made the difference smaller), so it is unclear if its strong early performance will keep up long enough to rebuild Nintendo's player base from its last generation. But it's clear the company's going to be giving the system its all going forward, and based on recent success, it's got a lot of money to throw at it. That means that if you don't want to be left behind when the next Zelda or Mario comes out, it's finally time to consider opening up your wallet. I still prefer competing hardware like the Steam Deck, to be honest, but I also like that little red plumber, so I guess I've got no choice now but to start saving up my gold coins. View the full article

Google Ads is now prompting advertisers to create “investment strategies” when campaign budgets are limited — a fresh addition to the budget recommendations interface. How it works. When Google detects a budget-limited campaign, a new section appears with the message: “Grow your account by creating your own Google investment strategy.” Advertisers can click “Create investment strategy” to model potential budget increases and preview possible gains in conversions, value, or clicks. Why we care. The feature encourages advertisers to think beyond daily caps and model how increased spend could impact performance. It lets advertisers model how incremental budget increases could affect conversions, value, or clicks — insights that once required manual or third-party modeling. By simulating outcomes, advertisers can justify spend adjustments with ROI projections pulled directly from Google Ads. The backstory. This feature was spotted by PPC News Feed founder Hana Kobzová, who shared screenshots showing the new interface element in action. The big picture. Google continues to nudge advertisers toward automated, growth-oriented budgeting tools — positioning the platform as a predictive partner rather than just an ad delivery system. View the full article

US political consultancy bought a 20% share of Global Counsel in 2024 but wants to end partnership in wake of Epstein affairView the full article

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines said they will refund tickets for customers who will be flying starting on Friday, November 7, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports, expected to affect some 3,500 to 4,000 flights daily. The reductions come amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has created a shortage of air traffic controllers, some of whom are not being paid. “Any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly—even if their flight isn’t impacted,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets.” News of the refunds comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the air traffic controller shortage could result in disruptions, and would likely “lead to more cancellations.” American Airlines told Fast Company that it expects the vast majority of its customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled. As schedule changes are made, American said it will proactively reach out to those impacted customers. “During the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund, without any penalty,” American Airlines confirmed in an email statement to Fast Company. The airline also urged leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown: “We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA officers, CBP officers and other federal employees who are working right now without pay—all to get our customers where they need to be safely.” In a statement on its website, Delta Air Lines said it expects to operate most flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international flights. “We are providing additional flexibility to our customers traveling to, from or through the impacted markets during the impacted travel period to change, cancel or refund their flights, including Delta Main Basic fares, without penalty during this travel period,” it said. Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines have not yet determined a refund policy, according to USA Today. Both the airlines and experts recommend using the airlines’ mobile apps for the latest information on cancelations and delays. 40 U.S. airports likely to be most affected by delays While the FAA has not finalized the list of the 40 airports that will be affected by 10% flight reductions, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles airports will likely be among them. Here is a preliminary list, according multiple sources including ABC News, CBS News, and USA Today: Anchorage International (ANC) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) Boston Logan International (BOS) Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) Dallas Love (DAL) Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Denver International (DEN) Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) Newark Liberty International (EWR) Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) Honolulu International (HNL) Houston Hobby (HOU) Washington Dulles International (IAD) George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Indianapolis International (IND) New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS) Los Angeles International (LAX) New York LaGuardia (LGA) Orlando International (MCO) Chicago Midway (MDW) Memphis International (MEM) Miami International (MIA) Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP) Oakland International (OAK) Ontario International (ONT) Chicago O`Hare International (ORD) Portland International (PDX) Philadelphia International (PHL) Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) San Diego International (SAN) Louisville International (SDF) Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA) San Francisco International (SFO) Salt Lake City International (SLC) Teterboro (TEB) Tampa International (TPA) View the full article

United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines said they will refund tickets for customers who will be flying starting on Friday, November 7, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a 10% reduction in flights at 40 major airports, expected to affect some 3,500 to 4,000 flights daily. The reductions come amid the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has created a shortage of air traffic controllers, some of whom are not being paid. “Any customer traveling during this period is eligible for a refund if they do not wish to fly—even if their flight isn’t impacted,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement. “That includes non-refundable tickets and those customers with basic economy tickets.” News of the refunds comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the air traffic controller shortage could result in disruptions, and would likely “lead to more cancellations.” American Airlines told Fast Company that it expects the vast majority of its customers’ travel will be unaffected, and long-haul international travel will remain as scheduled. As schedule changes are made, American said it will proactively reach out to those impacted customers. “During the impacted travel period, customers whose flights are cancelled for any reason or who choose not to travel will be able to change their flight or request a refund, without any penalty,” American Airlines confirmed in an email statement to Fast Company. The airline also urged leaders in Washington to reach an immediate resolution to end the shutdown: “We remain grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA officers, CBP officers and other federal employees who are working right now without pay—all to get our customers where they need to be safely.” In a statement on its website, Delta Air Lines said it expects to operate most flights as scheduled, including all long-haul international flights. “We are providing additional flexibility to our customers traveling to, from or through the impacted markets during the impacted travel period to change, cancel or refund their flights, including Delta Main Basic fares, without penalty during this travel period,” it said. Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and Alaska Airlines have not yet determined a refund policy, according to USA Today. Both the airlines and experts recommend using the airlines’ mobile apps for the latest information on cancelations and delays. 40 U.S. airports likely to be most affected by delays The FAA has not finalized the list of the 40 airports that will be affected by 10% flight reductions. But New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles airports are likely to be among them. Here is a preliminary list, according multiple sources including ABC News, CBS News, and USA Today: Anchorage International (ANC) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) Boston Logan International (BOS) Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) Dallas Love (DAL) Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Denver International (DEN) Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW) Newark Liberty International (EWR) Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL) Honolulu International (HNL) Houston Hobby (HOU) Washington Dulles International (IAD) George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH) Indianapolis International (IND) New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK) Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS) Los Angeles International (LAX) New York LaGuardia (LGA) Orlando International (MCO) Chicago Midway (MDW) Memphis International (MEM) Miami International (MIA) Minneapolis/St. Paul International (MSP) Oakland International (OAK) Ontario International (ONT) Chicago O`Hare International (ORD) Portland International (PDX) Philadelphia International (PHL) Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) San Diego International (SAN) Louisville International (SDF) Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA) San Francisco International (SFO) Salt Lake City International (SLC) Teterboro (TEB) Tampa International (TPA) View the full article

Bailey’s comments on market pricing suggest the country may settle at a higher rate than in the US or EurozoneView the full article

ChatGPT started mentioning more brands and websites over the past three months, while Google’s AI Mode narrowed its focus, according to new data from Semrush’s AI Visibility Index. Reddit, in particular, stood out: it dropped sharply as a source in ChatGPT but became one of the most frequently used sources in Google’s AI Mode. The big picture. ChatGPT and Google’s AI Mode are changing in different ways. ChatGPT is experimenting more while Google’s AI Mode seems more stable: ChatGPT mentioned about 12% more brands in September, then dropped back in October, suggesting it’s experimenting with answers. Google’s mentions fell 4% over the same period, suggesting it’s focusing on a smaller set of brands. More sources. The number of sources ChatGPT is citing is growing rapidly, while Google’s citations remain steady. ChatGPT: The number of sources it pulls from jumped 80% in October – a big shift toward using more and different sites. Google AI Mode: Sources went up just 13%. Brand movement. Top brands aren’t changing much in AI search. 25 new names entered the top 100, but only two broke into the top 50. 61 brands appeared in both ChatGPT and Google’s top lists. The leaders are staying put, but there’s movement further down. Reddit’s reversal. Reddit’s role flipped between the two models. ChatGPT: Mentions dropped 82%. Reddit is still the fourth most common source. Google AI Mode: Reddit jumped 75%. It was used as a source in one in five AI answers – second only to Amazon. Brand diversity by vertical. When it comes to industries, ChatGPT and Google took different paths: In ChatGPT, Consumer Electronics (up 20%) and Tech & Software (up 12%) saw more brand variety. Finance fell 15%. In Google AI Mode, most categories dropped – except Fashion & Apparel. Why we care. Approximately two-thirds of the brands that appear in ChatGPT also show up in Google’s AI Mode results. That overlap shows there’s some consistency at the top. However, each model still cites content differently. For brands, that means you can’t treat AI search as “one thing” and expect the same results. Each model needs its own approach. The AI Visibility Index. Who Rules AI Search? What 3 Months of AI Visibility Data Tells Us View the full article

Michael Barr said he believes artificial intelligence will have a positive long-term impact on the economy, though it may cause job losses in the short term. View the full article

Poka yoke helps manufacturers maintain consistency and quality by preventing mistakes before they occur. It’s a proactive approach that focuses on designing processes and equipment to make errors impossible. From assembly lines to packaging operations, poka yoke encourages continuous improvement by catching potential issues at their source. By building error prevention into everyday workflows, manufacturers can boost efficiency, reduce costly rework, and ensure every product meets the highest quality standards without slowing production. What Is the Meaning of Poka Yoke? Poka yoke means mistake proofing and is a method used in manufacturing to prevent errors before they happen. It focuses on designing systems, tools, and workflows that make it impossible or highly unlikely for mistakes to occur. Instead of relying on inspections after production, poka yoke builds error prevention directly into the process, ensuring consistent quality, reducing rework and creating safer, more efficient operations on the factory floor. Project management software supports poka yoke by standardizing processes, assigning clear responsibilities and tracking each production step in real time. It helps teams document best practices, automate approvals, and visualize progress through dashboards and task lists. By using digital tools, manufacturers can detect workflow bottlenecks, identify recurring issues, and implement preventive measures faster, strengthening the overall poka yoke strategy across departments and production lines. ProjectManager is ideal for implementing poka yoke because it connects planning, execution and monitoring in one platform. Its multiple project views—like Gantt charts, dashboards and kanban boards—help teams track every step with precision. Real-time data updates keep everyone aligned while built-in resource management and automated alerts ensure no step is missed. With our software , manufacturers can integrate poka yoke principles seamlessly into daily operations to achieve continuous improvement and higher product reliability. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Manufacturing-gantt-chart-light-mode-costs-exposed-cta-e1712005286389.jpgLearn more What Is Poka Yoke in Manufacturing? Poka yoke in manufacturing is a method designed to prevent errors before they occur. It focuses on creating processes, tools and workflows that guide workers in performing tasks correctly and avoiding mistakes. By integrating error-proofing measures into every stage of production, manufacturers reduce defects, lower rework costs and improve overall efficiency. Poka yoke can involve simple devices, visual cues or automated sensors that immediately alert operators to problems. The goal is to ensure quality, maintain consistency and streamline operations while making it nearly impossible for errors to reach the final product. Benefits of Poka Yoke in Manufacturing Poka yoke offers manufacturers a simple, effective way to prevent mistakes and improve production. By designing processes and tools that guide workers and catch errors immediately, it reduces defects, boosts efficiency and ensures products meet quality standards. Implementing poka yoke helps teams save time, lower costs and maintain smooth operations across the factory floor without relying solely on human vigilance. /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Poka-yoke-benefits-infographic-600x405.png Reduces Defective Products and Rework Poka yoke prevents errors from reaching the final product, which reduces defective items and the need for costly rework. By catching mistakes at the source, manufacturers avoid wasted materials and labor. Operators receive immediate feedback when a process deviates from standards, allowing corrections before errors propagate. This leads to more reliable production runs, fewer customer complaints and lower overall operational costs while keeping workflows efficient and consistent across every stage of manufacturing. Improves Product Quality and Consistency By integrating poka yoke techniques, manufacturers ensure every product meets exact specifications and quality standards. Processes are standardized and errors are minimized, which creates uniformity across production runs. Visual aids, jigs, sensors and checklists guide operators to perform tasks correctly every time. This consistency strengthens brand reputation, reduces returns and increases customer satisfaction. Overall, poka yoke supports continuous improvement and allows teams to maintain a high level of quality without slowing production or relying on manual inspections. Related: 18 Free Manufacturing Excel Templates Maximizes Production Efficiency and Throughput Poka yoke helps streamline production by eliminating errors that cause downtime and bottlenecks. When mistakes are prevented, work flows smoothly and tasks are completed faster without interruptions. Operators can focus on value-added activities instead of constant inspections or corrections. Efficient processes increase throughput, reduce waste and make better use of labor and equipment. By embedding poka yoke into daily workflows, manufacturers can optimize operations, meet production targets and maintain a competitive edge without sacrificing quality or safety. Lowers Production Costs Poka yoke helps manufacturers reduce production costs by preventing mistakes that lead to wasted materials, labor and time. By catching errors early in the process, defective products are minimized and rework is avoided. This not only saves money but also increases overall efficiency and resource utilization. Implementing poka yoke reduces the need for extensive inspections and corrections, allowing teams to focus on value-added work and maintain consistent output while keeping operational expenses under control across all stages of production. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/workload-page-resource-management-lightmode-600x294.pngLearn more Helps Provide a Safe Work Environment Poka yoke contributes to a safer work environment by reducing the likelihood of operator errors that can cause accidents. Devices, sensors and visual cues guide workers and prevent unsafe actions during production. By embedding safety into the process, potential hazards are mitigated before they become incidents. This proactive approach not only protects employees but also reduces downtime from accidents, ensures compliance with safety regulations and promotes a culture of safety where workers can focus on productivity with confidence. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/banner-ad-manufacturing-ebook.jpg 15 Poka Yoke Examples Used in Manufacturing Poka yoke can be applied in many ways to prevent mistakes and improve production quality. Manufacturers use a variety of devices and methods to guide operators, detect errors early and ensure processes are completed correctly. These practical examples show how simple changes in tools, equipment and workflows can eliminate defects, reduce rework and maintain consistent output while keeping operations efficient and safe across the factory floor. 1. Orientation Fixtures Orientation fixtures are devices that hold parts in the correct position for assembly or machining. They prevent incorrect placement and ensure each component is aligned properly. By forcing the correct orientation, operators cannot assemble parts backwards or in the wrong sequence. This poka yoke method reduces defects, lowers rework and improves production consistency. Orientation fixtures are simple, low cost and effective tools for maintaining quality in high-volume or repetitive manufacturing processes. 2. Limit Switches Limit switches are electrical devices that stop machines or processes when a part reaches a specific point. They prevent overtravel, misfeeds or collisions by immediately signaling when a component is out of position. Limit switches serve as a poka yoke measure by catching errors before they cause defects or damage. They are widely used in automated assembly, presses and conveyor systems to ensure safety, reduce downtime and maintain consistent production quality without relying solely on operator attention. 3. Sensor-Based Part Detection Sensor-based part detection uses proximity, photoelectric or laser sensors to confirm the presence and correct placement of components. If a part is missing or misaligned, the system alerts the operator or halts the process. This poka yoke approach prevents defective assemblies and ensures every step is completed correctly. By integrating sensors into production lines, manufacturers can maintain high quality, reduce errors and improve throughput while giving operators immediate feedback to prevent mistakes from continuing downstream. Related: 12 Best Production Scheduling Software for Manufacturing Projects in 2025 4. Color-Coded Components Color-coded components use visual cues to help operators quickly identify the correct parts for each assembly step. By assigning specific colors to components, hoses or wires, mistakes are easily avoided without additional training. This poka yoke method reduces assembly errors, prevents defective products and speeds up workflow. Color coding is a simple, low-cost solution that improves accuracy, ensures consistency across production runs and supports workers in completing tasks correctly the first time. 5. Alignment Pins Alignment pins guide parts into the correct position during assembly, preventing misalignment and incorrect installation. They ensure components fit only one way, making it impossible to assemble parts incorrectly. Using alignment pins as a poka yoke measure reduces defective products, lowers rework and maintains consistent quality. These pins are effective in high-volume production, helping operators work quickly and accurately while maintaining precise tolerances across every assembly step. 6. Torque Limiters on Tools Torque limiters on tools control the amount of force applied when tightening screws, bolts or fasteners. They prevent over-tightening or under-tightening, which can damage parts or cause assembly failures. As a poka yoke device, torque limiters ensure each connection meets exact specifications, reducing defects and rework. This method improves product reliability, protects equipment and helps operators maintain consistent assembly quality without constantly checking torque manually, saving time and improving efficiency on the production floor. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Production-Schedule-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Production Schedule Template Use this free Production Schedule Template to manage your projects better. Get the Template 7. Barcode or RFID Scanning Barcode or RFID scanning verifies that the correct part or component is used at each stage of production. By requiring scans before proceeding, errors are caught immediately and incorrect parts are prevented from moving downstream. This poka yoke approach ensures product accuracy, reduces rework and improves traceability across the manufacturing process. It also supports digital record keeping, making it easier for teams to track components, maintain quality standards and streamline workflows without relying solely on human memory or inspection. 8. Mechanical Interlocks Mechanical interlocks prevent machines or processes from operating unless specific conditions are met. They ensure guards are closed, parts are in position or previous steps are completed before allowing the next action. As a poka yoke measure, interlocks reduce human error, prevent accidents and maintain consistent production quality. By stopping operations when conditions are unsafe or incorrect, mechanical interlocks protect both operators and equipment while keeping workflows efficient and reducing costly defects or downtime. 9. Error-Proof Connectors Error-proof connectors are designed so they can only fit together in the correct orientation. This prevents incorrect wiring, tubing or assembly connections that could cause failures or defects. By making it impossible to connect components incorrectly, these connectors serve as a poka yoke method that reduces rework, improves product quality and ensures consistent assembly. They are simple, low-cost solutions that guide operators naturally, helping maintain accuracy and efficiency across all stages of manufacturing. 10. Counting Sensors for Parts Counting sensors track the number of parts or components used in a process to ensure accuracy. If the expected count is not met, the system alerts the operator before the next step begins. This poka yoke method prevents missing components, underproduction or overuse of materials, reducing defects and waste. Counting sensors help maintain process consistency, improve throughput and provide real-time data for operators, allowing them to correct errors immediately without slowing production or compromising quality. 11. Go/No-Go Gauges Go/no-go gauges provide a quick check to confirm whether a part meets critical dimensions or tolerances. If a component passes the gauge, it can proceed; if not, it is immediately rejected. This poka yoke tool prevents defective parts from entering assembly, reducing rework and maintaining consistent quality. Go/no-go gauges are simple, reliable and fast, allowing operators to verify accuracy without complex measurements and ensuring every product meets specifications efficiently across the production line. 12. Proximity Sensors Proximity sensors detect the presence or absence of parts without physical contact. They ensure components are correctly positioned before a machine cycle begins. As a poka yoke measure, these sensors prevent errors, reduce defective products and protect equipment from damage. By providing instant feedback to operators or halting processes when parts are missing or misaligned, proximity sensors maintain production consistency, improve quality and increase efficiency while reducing the risk of costly mistakes on the factory floor. 13. Safety Light Curtains Safety light curtains create invisible barriers that stop machinery if an object or operator enters a dangerous area. They protect workers and prevent production errors caused by unsafe interactions with equipment. As a poka yoke device, light curtains ensure processes only operate under safe conditions, reducing accidents and downtime. By combining safety with error prevention, manufacturers maintain continuous operations while protecting employees and maintaining product quality without relying solely on human attention or intervention. 14. Automatic Shutoff Systems Automatic shutoff systems stop machines or processes when irregular conditions are detected, such as jams, misfeeds or equipment malfunctions. They prevent defective products, reduce damage and ensure consistent production quality. As a poka yoke method, these systems provide immediate intervention without waiting for human detection, protecting both operators and equipment. By integrating automatic shut-offs, manufacturers minimize rework, maintain efficient workflows and enhance safety while ensuring every step of production meets established standards. 15. Positioning Templates Positioning templates guide operators to place parts accurately during assembly or fabrication. They ensure correct alignment, orientation and spacing for components, reducing errors and defects. As a poka yoke tool, templates simplify complex tasks, improve consistency and speed up production by giving clear visual guidance. By using positioning templates, manufacturers can maintain high quality standards, reduce rework and support workers in completing tasks correctly the first time without slowing down operations. Free Related Manufacturing Templates These free manufacturing templates help streamline processes, improve organization and support error-proofing efforts on the shop floor. Each template provides a ready-to-use framework that teams can adapt to their specific workflows, making it easier to plan, track and manage production tasks efficiently while maintaining quality and consistency. Production Schedule Template Download this free production schedule template to plan and organize tasks, machine usage and workforce assignments. It helps ensure all production steps are completed on time, reduces bottlenecks and supports poka yoke efforts by providing a clear roadmap for operators to follow every day. Inventory Template Use this free inventory template to track raw materials, components and finished goods. It helps prevent shortages or overstocking, ensures parts are available when needed and reduces errors caused by missing items, supporting smoother production and maintaining consistent quality across operations. SIPOC Template This free SIPOC template maps Suppliers, Inputs, Processes, Outputs and Customers for a given manufacturing workflow. It helps teams identify critical steps, potential failure points and opportunities for poka yoke implementation, ensuring processes are efficient, well-documented and error-proof from start to finish. ProjectManager Helps Manage Manufacturing Projects and Operations ProjectManager’s intuitive interface connects teams, tasks and data in one place, allowing managers to oversee multiple production lines, coordinate schedules and maintain quality standards. By centralizing planning and execution, our software ensures teams stay aligned, reduces miscommunication and supports error-proofing strategies like poka yoke across manufacturing workflows. Multiple project views, including Gantt charts, kanban boards and task lists that help manufacturing teams see progress from different perspectives. Gantt charts allow managers to plan timelines, track dependencies and adjust schedules proactively. Kanban boards visualize workflow, showing which tasks are in progress, pending or completed. Task lists break down responsibilities for each operator. These multiple views ensure that every stage of production is monitored, bottlenecks are quickly identified and teams can respond to changes efficiently without losing focus on quality or deadlines. Optimize Resources With Workload Charts and Team Page Resource management is simplified through workload charts and the team page, which provide a clear view of who is working on what and when. Workload charts show over-allocated or underutilized team members, allowing managers to balance assignments across shifts or production lines. The team page tracks daily and weekly progress and priority, helping supervisors allocate resources effectively. By optimizing labor and equipment usage, manufacturers can improve efficiency, reduce overtime, prevent errors and ensure each task is completed correctly and on time. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Track Performance With Real-Time Dashboards and Timesheets Tracking tools such as real-time dashboards, AI-powered reporting and timesheets monitor labor costs and project progress. Dashboards display key metrics, progress against deadlines and alerts for any deviations. AI reporting identifies trends, predicts risks and suggests corrective actions. Timesheets capture labor hours on the job site, helping managers calculate costs and measure productivity accurately. These tracking features allow manufacturing teams to maintain high quality, prevent errors, optimize resources and make informed decisions based on reliable, up-to-date data. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-Light-Mode-Dashboard-GPT5.png Related Manufacturing Content There’s more to manufacturing than poka yoke. For readers who want to go beyond this, there are links below to articles on production forecasting, operations and more. Why Use a Kamishibai Board in Manufacturing? Production Operations Management: Goals & Challenges Production Forecasting Basics for Manufacturing Businesses 15 Top Methods of Production ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or on the production floor. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Poka Yoke: 15 Examples of Poka Yoke in Manufacturing appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

US media giant sees potential to create a leading streaming service in the UKView the full article

A reader writes: I’m job searching, and I often come across jobs where alumni of my college currently work. If I don’t know the person/people, how would I ask for their help in getting an interview or anything else related to the job I’ve applied to? I think that would be very awkward, and I don’t know why they would be inclined to help, since they don’t know me. The idea isn’t to reach out to a stranger and say, “Will you help me get an interview?” It’s to connect as a fellow alum and ask for their guidance more broadly. For example: “Hi Jane! I’m a fellow alum of Sorghum State — class of 2019! I’m trying to break into the breakfast cereal field and am really interested in BarleyCo in particular. I’ve just applied for the barley quality analyst job there, and when I saw a Sorghum alumnus working there, I wanted to ask whether you might have 10 or 15 minutes for a call about the company and the field more broadly.” It’s even better if you can give an example of a couple of the questions you’re hoping to pose to them, so they can get a better sense of whether they’re likely to be useful to you, and also because it demonstrates that you’re being thoughtful about their time and not just hoping to get a referral out of it. (If you’re thinking “but I really just want a referral,” broaden your goals! They might know of other leads that would be right for you or just have useful insights to share.) The idea is that a lot of people feel a connection to people from their school and will be friendlier and more likely to help if you mention it. You’ve had a shared experience, to some extent have a shared frame of reference, and are part of the same network, and the person you’re contacting may have received help from fellow alumni themselves and feel good about paying it forward. This works particularly well if you went to a small school or to one with a really active alumni network, but you can do it for any school (but in my experience, the smaller the school, the more excited people are to find a fellow alum and help you). Plus, a lot of schools have alumni networks that alums can specifically opt into if they’re open to this kind of thing, so you might check with your school’s career center or alumni office and ask about that. If they have a directory like that and the person is listed in it, you’ll know ahead of time that they’ve expressed openness to being contacted this way. Also, include your resume so they get a sense of your professional background and how far along you are in your career. The post how do I use alumni contacts in my job search? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article