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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Nothing says Halloween quite like an ominous countdown. Right now, subscribers to YouTube TV, the company's live TV service, are waiting to learn if they'll still have access to Disney-operated channels, including ABC and ESPN, come Oct.31. It's the latest conflict in ongoing fee disputes between Google and its various content providers, but even if Disney takes its ball and goes home, you won't be left entirely without options. When could Disney channels go dark on YouTube TV?According to Variety, if Disney and Google are unable to reach a deal by the end of Thursday, all Disney networks will vanish from YouTube TV on Oct. 30 at midnight ET. These include Disney Channel, ESPN, ABC News, Disney Jr., FX, FXX, FRXM, NatGeo, Freefrom, and even local ABC stations. It's not the first time YouTube has been through something like this. Last February, Paramount made a similar threat before eventually reaching an agreement that saw no pause in customer access to its channels. Since then, YouTube has had similar conflicts with Fox Corp., NBC Universal, and Univision, with only the Spanish-language network failing to reach a deal before its channels went dark. It's all about licensing feesWhat's happening here all comes down to licensing fees. To offer channels like the cable providers it's trying to replace, YouTube TV has to continually pay fees to content providers, and occasionally, those providers propose higher fees. That leaves YouTube in a bit of a lurch, as it tries to navigate between paying a fair price to its partners while also avoiding raising prices for its subscribers. Disney told Variety that, "[t]his is the latest example of Google exploiting is position as the expense of their own customers," implying that Google was risking stripping away channels its customers had paid for by refusing to compensate Disney with "fair rates." Google in turn argues that giving into Disney's "costly economic terms" would force the company to "raise prices on YouTube TV," as well as leave the service in a rough spot when compared to Disney's own Live TV offering, Hulu + Live TV. What happens if a deal isn't reachedPersonally, I wouldn't take either company's statement too seriously, at least if the earlier Paramount and NBC Universal conflicts are anything to go by—there's a good chance a deal will be reached before YouTube TV subscribers are affected. But as with those earlier conflicts, YouTube is willing to make it up to its customers if they lose access to Disney content. "If it [Disney content] remains unavailable for an extended period of time, we will offer subscribers a $20 credit," YouTube said. That would be enough to subscribe to a month of the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN bundle with ads, although YouTube hasn't said if the credit will be recurring. Currently, a YouTube TV Base Plan starts at $72.99/month for your first three months, then jumps up to $82.99/month after that, making it slightly less expensive than Hulu + Live TV in the long term ($64.99/month for the first three months, then $89.99/month after that). Whether prices will stay the same if Disney pulls its channels remains to be seen. View the full article

After sky-high inflation, currency crises and failed reform plans, the country was never going to find a quick fixView the full article

San Diego-based chipmaker strikes deal to sell new data centre processor to Saudi group Humain View the full article

Google announced Query groups in Search Console Insights. The AI feature clusters similar search queries, surfaces trends, and shows which topics drive clicks. The post Google Uses AI To Group Queries In Search Console Data appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Small importers for large U.S. retailers rushed in China-made strollers and wares meant for spring and are storing the goods in their own warehouses to avoid the big tariff bills that had been threatened over the next month. Before Sino-American talks on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur eliminated the threat of U.S. President Donald The President’s 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1, importers were expecting to shoulder the staggering levies. In response, importers of goods sold at retailers Walmart, Amazon, and Target chose to risk loading their balance sheets with inventory that may take months to move out, and pay more for warehousing costs. They’re also betting consumer spending holds up in the spring as lower-income consumers rein in spending and the economy remains uncertain overall. “We are trying to front-load spring orders,” said Leslie Stiba, CEO of high-end stroller-maker Austlen Baby Co. “We brought in as much as we could manage.” Stiba said she placed orders for 20% to 25% more strollers for spring 2026—her biggest season—compared to the last. Overall, she is holding 50% more inventory than before the start of The President’s trade war, and has held off on hiring due to the new expenses. Front-loading has become the norm for months now, as businesses have tried to get in front of The President’s vacillating levies. Importers bulked up shipments from China during the six-month tariffs truce between the two countries, triggering a surge in shipping rates and port activity. Reuters reporting, in the days before the framework of a tariff truce was hashed out on Sunday, shows the phenomenon continued for spring 2026 shipments. Like many importers of China-made goods, Stiba had to stop shipments earlier this year when The President first imposed tariffs of about 145%. The halt hurt her business because she did not have enough inventory to fill orders. Ahead of schedule Some Chinese suppliers took a more relaxed view, baking tariff-related uncertainty into their business plans. “Whatever happens on November 1 will happen, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” said a toymaker in southern China, who did not want to be named for privacy reasons. “I don’t think very many people are assuming that tariffs will rise dramatically. … People might be doing some front-loading deals with the assumption that we will have a three-month extension window, but there wasn’t enough time to move orders forward to meet the November 1 deadline even if you wanted to.” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday he anticipates that a tariff truce with China will be extended beyond the November 10 expiration date. Deng Jinling, manager of a Chinese company that exports thermos flasks to the United States, told Reuters before Sunday’s development that her shipments were still going out normally and she wasn’t worried about further levies. “There’s no rush,” she said. “Most of the goods have already been shipped. Only about 20% of the U.S.-bound cargo is left.” Not all U.S. importers ramped up shipments. Spreetail, which distributes large items like trampolines, was waiting to see if the tariffs would stick, said chief merchandising officer Owen Carr. Spring merchandise—from warmer-weather apparel to Easter baskets—usually arrives stateside at the end of the year, with volumes peaking right before China’s Lunar New Year celebration in winter. “Until there is a clear path forward or a resolution (to the trade war), we can expect to see more front-loading,” said Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer at the Port of Long Beach, the U.S.’s second-busiest. “It has resulted so far this year in a tsunami of cargo.” This year, record volumes including spring goods are far ahead of schedule, he said. Mitigating risks Retailers are ordering more from suppliers’ domestic warehouses, rather than picking up directly from China, executives at toymakers Hasbro and Mattel have said on recent calls. That allows them to mitigate tariff risks and control the pace of stocks on their shelves as shoppers tighten budgets. Holiday toymaker Hey Buddy Hey Pal, which imports Easter-egg decorating kits from China, already has 50% of its goods for the spring ready to be shipped from a warehouse in Dallas, said Curtis Gill, co-founder of the company. Balsam Hill, which supplies artificial Christmas trees and seasonal decor, recently decided to move forward with spring orders of floral wreaths it had been holding back on placing, said CEO Mac Harman. “We did a scaled-back order for spring,” Harman said, adding that he raised prices. —Jessica DiNapoli, Siddharth Cavale, and Arriana McLymore, Reuters Additional reporting by Lisa Baertlein, Casey Hall, and Sophie Yu. View the full article

If you’re considering selling handmade products on Amazon, grasping the process is crucial. First, you’ll need to apply for Amazon Handmade, which requires high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your items. Once approved, you can create your artisan profile to highlight your unique craft story. It’s important to manage your orders efficiently during the time you engage with customers to boost your sales. Next, let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on this platform. Key Takeaways Apply for Amazon Handmade by submitting product descriptions, images, and details about your production process for approval. Create your artisan profile after approval, showcasing your handcrafted items and sharing your story. Utilize Amazon’s tools for marketing and actively communicate with customers to increase visibility. Manage orders efficiently using the Amazon Seller app to track shipping and inventory seamlessly. Keep your profile updated with new items and engaging content to maintain customer interest. Pros and Cons of Handmade at Amazon When considering selling handmade products on Amazon, it’s crucial to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages of the Handmade at Amazon platform. One major advantage is the access to Amazon’s vast customer base of approximately 250 million, greatly boosting your visibility compared to Etsy. Furthermore, Amazon’s shipping services can simplify logistics, and using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can make your products Prime eligible. On the other hand, you must consider the higher handmade on Amazon fees, which include a flat 15% per sale, exceeding Etsy’s costs. In addition, customer expectations on Amazon may differ from traditional handmade norms, presenting challenges for artisans used to the Etsy marketplace. In the end, you should evaluate if selling handmade items on Amazon aligns with your goals. How to Apply for Handmade at Amazon Applying for Handmade at Amazon requires careful preparation, as you need to clearly demonstrate that you handcraft each product you intend to sell. Start by gathering detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and information about your production processes. The application will ask about your identity, business structure, and whether you work alone or with a team. Once you submit, expect the review process to take up to two weeks. You’ll receive an email notification about your acceptance or denial. If accepted, you may need to shift to a Professional Seller account. If you’re denied, you can reapply after 30 days, allowing you to adjust your application. Consider whether it’s better to sell on Etsy or Amazon for your handmade products. Getting Started on Amazon Handmade Getting started on Amazon Handmade involves several key steps that artisans must follow to successfully set up their shop. First, apply for Amazon Handmade and verify your products meet their criteria; only handcrafted items are allowed. The application requires detailed descriptions, product images, and evidence of your crafting process, which may take up to two weeks for approval. Once approved, you can create your store to sell homemade products. Even though there are no listing fees, be aware of a 15% referral fee per sale. To boost your visibility, actively communicate with customers and utilize Amazon’s marketing tools. This approach will help you effectively sell handmade products online and succeed in selling handmade crafts on the platform. Creating Your Artisan Profile Creating your Artisan Profile on Amazon Handmade is vital for establishing your brand and connecting with potential customers. This profile acts as your storefront, allowing you to showcase your craft and personality. Follow these steps to create an engaging profile: Section Tips for Success Profile Picture Use a clear, friendly image of yourself. Workspace Photos Include images of your workspace and products. Craft Story Share the story behind your creations. Product Updates Regularly update your profile with new items. Concise Information Keep text clear and engaging, as spacing is fixed. Managing Orders and Inventory Managing orders and inventory efficiently is essential for maintaining a successful presence on Amazon Handmade, especially as you strive to meet customer expectations. Use the Amazon Seller app to manage orders, which provides real-time notifications for new orders and updates on shipping statuses. Track shipping deadlines to guarantee timely delivery, and you can print shipping labels directly from the platform. Each listing has a SKU for easy inventory tracking, enabling you to communicate effectively with customers. Monitor inventory levels using Amazon’s system, as it gives you access to detailed information about each listing and associated fees. Regularly check customer service actions, since they’re tracked and visible to customers, helping you maintain a professional seller profile during selling homemade things online. Frequently Asked Questions How to Start Selling on Amazon Handmade? To start selling on Amazon Handmade, you’ll first need to apply for approval. This involves providing detailed product descriptions, high-quality images, and information about your crafting process. You must likewise submit identity verification documents, like a passport or driver’s license. After approval, you can create your storefront and choose your fulfillment method, either Fulfillment by Amazon or Fulfilled by Merchant. How Much Is It to Get Started Selling on Amazon Handmade? To get started selling on Amazon Handmade, you won’t pay any monthly subscription fees, as they’re waived for approved sellers. Instead, you’ll pay a 15% referral fee on each sale. There are no listing fees, allowing you to begin without upfront costs. Nevertheless, you should budget for shipping fees, packaging materials, and potential Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) costs. Furthermore, consider expenses related to currency conversions and cross-border payments for an all-encompassing budget. Do I Need a Business License to Sell on Amazon Handmade? You typically don’t need a specific business license to sell on Amazon Handmade. Nevertheless, local regulations might require one based on your location and the type of products you sell. It’s essential to check with your local government to understand any necessary permits. If you sell items like food or cosmetics, you may need additional permits. Having a business license can additionally boost your credibility and help you manage taxes effectively. How to Start Selling on Amazon for Beginners? To start selling on Amazon as a beginner, you’ll need to create an Amazon Seller account. Begin by selecting the appropriate selling plan, then list your products with clear descriptions and high-quality images. Set competitive prices whilst considering Amazon’s fees. Utilize marketing tools like Sponsored Products to boost visibility. Finally, guarantee you provide excellent customer service by swiftly addressing inquiries and resolving issues, which will help you build a positive reputation and increase sales. Conclusion To sum up, selling handmade products on Amazon can effectively broaden your market reach. By following the application process, setting up your artisan profile, and managing orders through the Amazon Seller app, you can streamline your business operations. Remember to focus on high-quality images and detailed descriptions to attract customers. Engaging with your audience and efficiently handling inventory will further improve your visibility and sales. With diligence, your handmade creations can thrive in the competitive Amazon marketplace. Image via Envanto This article, "Selling Handmade on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide to Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

If you’re considering selling handmade products on Amazon, grasping the process is crucial. First, you’ll need to apply for Amazon Handmade, which requires high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your items. Once approved, you can create your artisan profile to highlight your unique craft story. It’s important to manage your orders efficiently during the time you engage with customers to boost your sales. Next, let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on this platform. Key Takeaways Apply for Amazon Handmade by submitting product descriptions, images, and details about your production process for approval. Create your artisan profile after approval, showcasing your handcrafted items and sharing your story. Utilize Amazon’s tools for marketing and actively communicate with customers to increase visibility. Manage orders efficiently using the Amazon Seller app to track shipping and inventory seamlessly. Keep your profile updated with new items and engaging content to maintain customer interest. Pros and Cons of Handmade at Amazon When considering selling handmade products on Amazon, it’s crucial to weigh both the advantages and disadvantages of the Handmade at Amazon platform. One major advantage is the access to Amazon’s vast customer base of approximately 250 million, greatly boosting your visibility compared to Etsy. Furthermore, Amazon’s shipping services can simplify logistics, and using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) can make your products Prime eligible. On the other hand, you must consider the higher handmade on Amazon fees, which include a flat 15% per sale, exceeding Etsy’s costs. In addition, customer expectations on Amazon may differ from traditional handmade norms, presenting challenges for artisans used to the Etsy marketplace. In the end, you should evaluate if selling handmade items on Amazon aligns with your goals. How to Apply for Handmade at Amazon Applying for Handmade at Amazon requires careful preparation, as you need to clearly demonstrate that you handcraft each product you intend to sell. Start by gathering detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and information about your production processes. The application will ask about your identity, business structure, and whether you work alone or with a team. Once you submit, expect the review process to take up to two weeks. You’ll receive an email notification about your acceptance or denial. If accepted, you may need to shift to a Professional Seller account. If you’re denied, you can reapply after 30 days, allowing you to adjust your application. Consider whether it’s better to sell on Etsy or Amazon for your handmade products. Getting Started on Amazon Handmade Getting started on Amazon Handmade involves several key steps that artisans must follow to successfully set up their shop. First, apply for Amazon Handmade and verify your products meet their criteria; only handcrafted items are allowed. The application requires detailed descriptions, product images, and evidence of your crafting process, which may take up to two weeks for approval. Once approved, you can create your store to sell homemade products. Even though there are no listing fees, be aware of a 15% referral fee per sale. To boost your visibility, actively communicate with customers and utilize Amazon’s marketing tools. This approach will help you effectively sell handmade products online and succeed in selling handmade crafts on the platform. Creating Your Artisan Profile Creating your Artisan Profile on Amazon Handmade is vital for establishing your brand and connecting with potential customers. This profile acts as your storefront, allowing you to showcase your craft and personality. Follow these steps to create an engaging profile: Section Tips for Success Profile Picture Use a clear, friendly image of yourself. Workspace Photos Include images of your workspace and products. Craft Story Share the story behind your creations. Product Updates Regularly update your profile with new items. Concise Information Keep text clear and engaging, as spacing is fixed. Managing Orders and Inventory Managing orders and inventory efficiently is essential for maintaining a successful presence on Amazon Handmade, especially as you strive to meet customer expectations. Use the Amazon Seller app to manage orders, which provides real-time notifications for new orders and updates on shipping statuses. Track shipping deadlines to guarantee timely delivery, and you can print shipping labels directly from the platform. Each listing has a SKU for easy inventory tracking, enabling you to communicate effectively with customers. Monitor inventory levels using Amazon’s system, as it gives you access to detailed information about each listing and associated fees. Regularly check customer service actions, since they’re tracked and visible to customers, helping you maintain a professional seller profile during selling homemade things online. Frequently Asked Questions How to Start Selling on Amazon Handmade? To start selling on Amazon Handmade, you’ll first need to apply for approval. This involves providing detailed product descriptions, high-quality images, and information about your crafting process. You must likewise submit identity verification documents, like a passport or driver’s license. After approval, you can create your storefront and choose your fulfillment method, either Fulfillment by Amazon or Fulfilled by Merchant. How Much Is It to Get Started Selling on Amazon Handmade? To get started selling on Amazon Handmade, you won’t pay any monthly subscription fees, as they’re waived for approved sellers. Instead, you’ll pay a 15% referral fee on each sale. There are no listing fees, allowing you to begin without upfront costs. Nevertheless, you should budget for shipping fees, packaging materials, and potential Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) costs. Furthermore, consider expenses related to currency conversions and cross-border payments for an all-encompassing budget. Do I Need a Business License to Sell on Amazon Handmade? You typically don’t need a specific business license to sell on Amazon Handmade. Nevertheless, local regulations might require one based on your location and the type of products you sell. It’s essential to check with your local government to understand any necessary permits. If you sell items like food or cosmetics, you may need additional permits. Having a business license can additionally boost your credibility and help you manage taxes effectively. How to Start Selling on Amazon for Beginners? To start selling on Amazon as a beginner, you’ll need to create an Amazon Seller account. Begin by selecting the appropriate selling plan, then list your products with clear descriptions and high-quality images. Set competitive prices whilst considering Amazon’s fees. Utilize marketing tools like Sponsored Products to boost visibility. Finally, guarantee you provide excellent customer service by swiftly addressing inquiries and resolving issues, which will help you build a positive reputation and increase sales. Conclusion To sum up, selling handmade products on Amazon can effectively broaden your market reach. By following the application process, setting up your artisan profile, and managing orders through the Amazon Seller app, you can streamline your business operations. Remember to focus on high-quality images and detailed descriptions to attract customers. Engaging with your audience and efficiently handling inventory will further improve your visibility and sales. With diligence, your handmade creations can thrive in the competitive Amazon marketplace. Image via Envanto This article, "Selling Handmade on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide to Success" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Government rejects speculation it will water down ‘day one’ protection against unfair dismissal View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Contacts with cat pupils or neon colors can be fun, but are you sure you want to put a piece of plastic from a costume store into your eye? Experts, like those at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, warn against it. These non-prescription contacts are technically illegal in the U.S. (even though plenty of companies sell them anyway). The CDC warns that the risks include "eye sores and vision loss." Why costume contacts often aren't safeCheap Halloween contacts tend to be one-size-fits-all, but the AAO points out that contacts should never be one-size-fits-all. A contact that is too large or too small for your eye can cause corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers, and can result in infections like keratitis. Infections can, in severe cases, lead to blindness. A 2017 report from the FDA found bacterial contamination in 27% of costume contacts. If you do wear contacts (Halloween or otherwise), the AAO recommends keeping an eye out for symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, or excessive discharge. Seek care as soon as you suspect an infection. Your eyes are more sensitive to infections than other parts of the body, so be cautious. How to find safe costume contactsLegally, contacts require a prescription, so if those colored contacts you're eyeing can be bought without showing a doctor’s prescription, they’re not legit. The real thing can be expensive, though: I found prices ranging from $40 to $110 per pair from lens.com, Discount Contacts, and Wicked Eyez. These websites all let you order online, but you’ll have to provide your prescription information before you can check out. Fortunately, the Federal Trade Commission has ruled that providers must give you your contact prescription after a fitting so that you can take the prescription elsewhere. And they cannot charge you extra for this. Once you’ve got the lenses, you have to know how to take care of them. If you wear contacts every day, you already know the drill. But if you’re just picking up a pair to use with a costume, here are the basics: Wash your hands before handling the lenses. Store them in contact lens solution, and keep the lenses and their case clean. Don’t sleep or swim with them in. And for Pete’s sake, don’t share them with your friends! After all, the bloodshot look stops being cool after you take your zombie costume off. View the full article

Workplace “wellness” initiatives — like free yoga classes, mindfulness tips, step challenges, diet advice, and other pushes for well-being now common at work — are supposed to be a win-win situation: employees get healthier and happier while employers reap the benefits of lower health care costs. But in practice, these programs frequently miss the mark, and many employees perceive them as intrusive and out of touch. At Slate today, I wrote about workplace “wellness” so often goes wrong (including one wellness advisor who suggested eating goulash as a cure-all). You can read it here. The post workplace wellness initiatives do more harm than good appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The 2025 JBL Charge 6 is currently on sale for $139.99 on StackSocial, about $30 cheaper than Amazon’s $169.95 listing and at its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. It’s for an open-box model, which means the packaging may carry a few extra stickers or scuffs from store handling, but the unit itself is verified as new and comes with a one-year warranty. Free shipping is included, though only within the contiguous U.S. The Charge 6 is a rugged, carry-friendly speaker designed to go anywhere—pool, beach, or backyard. JBL added a looped handle that makes it easier to haul around, and the build itself feels sturdy enough to take some knocks. It’s dust-tight and can be submerged in about five feet of water for up to half an hour thanks to its IP68 rating, so you don’t need to worry if it gets splashed or dropped poolside. Inside, a larger woofer and tweeter produce a combined 45 watts of power, with passive radiators on each end adding more thump. The result is a sound that feels loud and punchy for the size, even if the lowest bass notes don’t come through. This PCMag review notes that its clarity and volume stand out in the compact speaker category. JBL also packed in some useful upgrades. The speaker now supports Auracast, letting you tap into compatible broadcasts, and it delivers lossless audio through the USB-C port if you’re willing to plug in. Bluetooth 5.4 maintains reliability, although codec support is limited to AAC and SBC, which is a disappointment for higher-quality wireless streaming. The JBL companion app also offers a seven-band EQ, several sound presets, and a Playtime Boost option that extends battery life by reducing bass levels. At this price, it’s worth considering if you're looking for a speaker that’s portable, loud, and durable enough to withstand some rough treatment outdoors. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $29.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $299.99 (List Price $649.99) Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam, White with Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen), White — $59.99 (List Price $99.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $29.99 (List Price $69.99) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $27.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 with Ring Chime Pro — $149.99 (List Price $259.99) Introducing Amazon Fire TV 55" Omni Mini-LED Series, QLED 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, 144hz gaming mode, Ambient Experience, hands-free with Alexa, 2024 release — $699.99 (List Price $819.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p 2-Camera Kit With Sync Module Core — $51.99 (List Price $129.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Twilio, a leader in customer engagement technology, recently unveiled a new suite of features designed to enhance data handling for small businesses seeking to improve their customer experiences. As the landscape of customer engagement continues to evolve, maintaining high standards for data integrity is essential for staying competitive. At the heart of these updates is the need for small businesses to harness real-time, trustworthy data to drive customer interactions. According to Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer at Twilio, “High-impact customer engagement starts with data that is real-time, contextual, and trusted.” This acknowledgment underscores an ongoing challenge faced by businesses: the necessity of operational agility backed by reliable information. The newly introduced tools consist of Granular Observability, a centralized Alerting Hub, expanded APIs, and Auto-Instrumentation. These enhancements are built to assist data teams in identifying and resolving issues proactively, thus ensuring seamless interactions with customers. Data integrity is pivotal for small businesses that rely on accurate and timely information for their marketing campaigns. The Granular Observability feature allows businesses to trace and diagnose problems directly within their data flow. For instance, Failed Delivery Logs provide detailed access to each event, enabling swift issue resolution, which is crucial for minimizing potential downtime and maintaining customer trust. The Alerting Hub, another significant addition, centralizes alert notifications. This means businesses can set up customized alerts for specific metrics, such as audience synchronization or data drop failures, all from a single interface. This centralized system is particularly advantageous for small businesses, which often operate with limited resources. Streamlining alert management can free up valuable time and reduce operational stress. Moreover, the expanded APIs offer considerable flexibility, allowing small business owners to customize and automate data-related tasks without extensive technical knowledge. The introduction of Auto-Instrumentation means that non-technical users can quickly set up event tracking. This feature significantly reduces the dependency on software developers, enabling teams to implement data collection strategies much faster, turning weeks’ worth of work into mere minutes. The implication of these tools extends beyond mere data management; they promise to enhance customer relations by ensuring that every interaction is informed and responsive. As Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director at Futurum, notes, “Twilio’s focus on data quality, depth of observability, and API extensibility sets a new standard for trusted customer engagement at scale.” For small businesses, this could translate into stronger customer loyalty and improved engagement rates, as the quality of interactions significantly impacts customer satisfaction. However, while the benefits are clear, small business owners should also consider the potential challenges. Deploying new technology can require a period of adjustment and training. Teams may need to familiarize themselves with the new tools, which can take time, particularly for smaller businesses with limited staff. Additionally, while the centralization of alerts and data management sounds advantageous, it could also create initial complexity. Small business owners must ensure that their teams are equipped to manage the new systems effectively to avoid complacency that might arise from overlooking alerts. Despite these challenges, the advantages of implementing Twilio’s new features seem to far outweigh potential drawbacks, especially in an age where customer experience is paramount. Small businesses that successfully leverage these tools may find themselves not only keeping pace with competitors but also setting new standards in customer engagement. For more detailed information on these updates and to understand how they can benefit your business, you can explore the original press release from Twilio here. This article, "Twilio Unveils Advanced Tools for Enhanced Customer Data Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Twilio, a leader in customer engagement technology, recently unveiled a new suite of features designed to enhance data handling for small businesses seeking to improve their customer experiences. As the landscape of customer engagement continues to evolve, maintaining high standards for data integrity is essential for staying competitive. At the heart of these updates is the need for small businesses to harness real-time, trustworthy data to drive customer interactions. According to Inbal Shani, Chief Product Officer at Twilio, “High-impact customer engagement starts with data that is real-time, contextual, and trusted.” This acknowledgment underscores an ongoing challenge faced by businesses: the necessity of operational agility backed by reliable information. The newly introduced tools consist of Granular Observability, a centralized Alerting Hub, expanded APIs, and Auto-Instrumentation. These enhancements are built to assist data teams in identifying and resolving issues proactively, thus ensuring seamless interactions with customers. Data integrity is pivotal for small businesses that rely on accurate and timely information for their marketing campaigns. The Granular Observability feature allows businesses to trace and diagnose problems directly within their data flow. For instance, Failed Delivery Logs provide detailed access to each event, enabling swift issue resolution, which is crucial for minimizing potential downtime and maintaining customer trust. The Alerting Hub, another significant addition, centralizes alert notifications. This means businesses can set up customized alerts for specific metrics, such as audience synchronization or data drop failures, all from a single interface. This centralized system is particularly advantageous for small businesses, which often operate with limited resources. Streamlining alert management can free up valuable time and reduce operational stress. Moreover, the expanded APIs offer considerable flexibility, allowing small business owners to customize and automate data-related tasks without extensive technical knowledge. The introduction of Auto-Instrumentation means that non-technical users can quickly set up event tracking. This feature significantly reduces the dependency on software developers, enabling teams to implement data collection strategies much faster, turning weeks’ worth of work into mere minutes. The implication of these tools extends beyond mere data management; they promise to enhance customer relations by ensuring that every interaction is informed and responsive. As Keith Kirkpatrick, Research Director at Futurum, notes, “Twilio’s focus on data quality, depth of observability, and API extensibility sets a new standard for trusted customer engagement at scale.” For small businesses, this could translate into stronger customer loyalty and improved engagement rates, as the quality of interactions significantly impacts customer satisfaction. However, while the benefits are clear, small business owners should also consider the potential challenges. Deploying new technology can require a period of adjustment and training. Teams may need to familiarize themselves with the new tools, which can take time, particularly for smaller businesses with limited staff. Additionally, while the centralization of alerts and data management sounds advantageous, it could also create initial complexity. Small business owners must ensure that their teams are equipped to manage the new systems effectively to avoid complacency that might arise from overlooking alerts. Despite these challenges, the advantages of implementing Twilio’s new features seem to far outweigh potential drawbacks, especially in an age where customer experience is paramount. Small businesses that successfully leverage these tools may find themselves not only keeping pace with competitors but also setting new standards in customer engagement. For more detailed information on these updates and to understand how they can benefit your business, you can explore the original press release from Twilio here. This article, "Twilio Unveils Advanced Tools for Enhanced Customer Data Management" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Ukrainian stronghold of Pokrovsk comes under heavy fire as Russian troops enter cityView the full article

Meta’s Threads app is leaning into impermanence. Starting Monday, the platform is rolling out “ghost posts,” a new post format for sharing fleeting thoughts that automatically disappear after 24 hours. Think Snapchat or Instagram Stories—except, for text. Unlike regular Threads posts, replies to ghost posts go straight to the user’s messaging inbox rather than inline, and only the author will be able to see who liked or responded to them. It’s a subtle but significant shift toward private engagement within a public feed, providing a middle ground of sorts between Twitter’s public discourse model and Instagram’s close-friends Stories. Meta says the feature is aimed at reducing the “pressure of permanence” and sparking more spontaneous conversation. Disappearing posts, reappearing trend If this sounds familiar, it’s because social media has been flirting with ephemerality for years. Snapchat built an empire on vanishing messages, and Instagram Stories borrowed the format and made it mainstream. Even X (formerly Twitter) experimented with “Fleets,” its own 24-hour post format, before quietly shelving the feature in 2021 after low engagement. Threads’ take, however, differs in intent. Rather than mimic Story-style content, ghost posts appear directly in the main feed where conversations actually happen and fade quietly after a day. It’s a move that positions Threads as both reflective of older, text-driven social media, and responsive to users’ increasing desire for less performative spaces. Building a more flexible feed Ghost posts join a growing list of new Threads features designed to broaden the platform’s creative range. Over the past few months, Meta has added support for 10,000-character text attachments, and a Spoilers toggle that hides media or text until tapped. Together, the updates seem to position Threads as a kind of “social sandbox,” one where both the long-form essay and the fleeting thought can coexist. View the full article

Is an Asana Gantt Chart the right project management tool organizations need to schedule, manage and track their projects? It certainly bills itself as such, but we’ll get past the marketing and test drive the product to determine where it succeeds and where it fails. We’ll review this popular software and the foundational scheduling tool to see if the Asana Gantt chart has all the features project managers and their teams expect. Any potential customers need to read this to learn how to make a Gantt chart in Asana and whether that effort is worth it. What Is Asana? Asana is a well-known work management tool and collaborative platform that is designed to help teams organize work, manage tasks and track project progress. It has task management features and plans projects on multiple tools. There are also workload management tools that track and help balance workload. It also offers automation to streamline repetitive tasks, such as assigning tasks or changing their statuses based on triggers. Reports can be generated to track progress, team productivity and task completion. But what about the all-important Gantt chart, which is used across project management to schedule tasks and break projects into more manageable phases? Well, Asana’s Gantt chart is often a topic of debate among project management experts and enthusiasts as it’s mostly known as a lightweight, easy-to-use tool, but it’s questioned as it lacks many project planning and scheduling features that are needed to manage projects, which is why many users look for an Asana alternative. In this blog, we’ll show you how to make a Gantt chart in Asana and we’ll do an in-depth analysis of its features, benefits and limitations. Does Asana Have a Gantt Chart? The main reason we’ve put together this piece is to answer the question of whether Asana has a Gantt chart. As the Gantt chart is one of the most quintessential and widely used project management tools, it’s integral that project management software options have this powerhouse of a feature. On the left, it looks like a spreadsheet where teams can enter tasks, duration, resource costs and more. As data is entered on the left, the visual representation of that data appears on the right. Any project management software that is worth the money will have a Gantt chart with at least some functionality. It likely sits alongside other project views such as a kanban board, task list, calendar and more. When there are more project views, it’s easier for various departments to collaborate and stay organized. Short Answer: Yes, Asana Has Gantt Charts Asana’s Gantt chart is a lightweight alternative to more complex Gantt chart software. It’s an easy-to-use tool that allows you to easily create a project schedule, visualize project tasks, track their due dates and collaborate with your team online. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/8b4f812cc973f4543d46248c3af59a9be202ab62.jpg Long Answer: The Asana Gantt Chart Lacks Key Features for Project Management Asana’s Gantt chart meets the minimum requirements for making a project timeline, in fact, it’s not a fully functional Gantt chart, but more of a project timeline maker that mimics a Gantt chart. Asana knows this, which is why it calls the tool the “Timeline View”, it doesn’t refer to it as a Gantt chart. If you need Gantt chart software for project management, you should use ProjectManager instead. ProjectManager‘s Gantt charts offer advanced project management features that Asana Gantt charts don’t, such as tracking all four types of project task dependencies, tracking resource utilization and costs for each task, comparing planned versus actual costs, setting project baselines and much more. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Construction-Gantt-light-mode-task-info-general-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgLearn more Asana Gantt Chart Pricing Plans Asana’s Gantt chart is only included in the paid versions of the app. It’s not available on the free version. This will impact smaller teams with less financial resources. Personal (Free): Asana Gantt chart is not included in this pricing plan. Starter Plan ($10.99/user/month, billed annually): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan. Advanced Plan ($24.99/user/month, billed annually): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan. Enterprise & Enterprise+ (contact sales for a customized quote): Asana Gantt chart is included in this pricing plan. Asana Gantt Chart Features Asana’s Gantt chart—known as its Timeline view—lets teams visualize project schedules in a simple, collaborative way. Users can organize tasks with start and due dates, create basic dependencies, and drag bars to reschedule work. While it lacks advanced scheduling controls, it’s a clear and intuitive way to map projects from start to finish within Asana’s workspace. Display of tasks and their start and end dates on a horizontal bar-chart timeline. Ability to view task dependencies. However this is very limited as it only has one type of task dependency, finish to start. Ability for dependent tasks to auto-shift dates when their predecessor changes. Ability to mark tasks as milestones. Basic critical path analysis features Drag-and-drop scheduling functionality that allows users to drag bars on the timeline to adjust start/due dates. Use of templates that are supported in Asana’s Timeline view. What Project Management Features is Asana Gantt Chart Missing? While Asana Gantt chart tool is useful for basic scheduling, it lacks the depth of traditional project management software. Users can’t manage multi-project portfolios, add complex dependencies, or track resource workloads. Its simplicity suits smaller teams, but those seeking cost tracking, baselines, or comprehensive program management may find Asana’s Gantt chart too limited for advanced project planning needs. Lacks the capability to show multiple projects for program and portfolio management Asana’s Gantt chart is not able to show tasks and subtasks. No customization of Gantt chart columns. Users can’t add columns to show project details such as task costs, resource requirements or work breakdown structure levels. Lacks multiple task dependency types beyond the basic predecessor-successor task dependency. There are no built-in advanced resource management features such as resource utilization monitoring or workload balancing. Advanced critical path method features No built-in cost or budget tracking within the timeline view. Users can’t establish project baselines for baseline comparison or variance tracking against planned dates. Difficult to export or print full Gantt views for stakeholders, can only be exported as a CSV file. How to Make an Asana Gantt Chart Better With ProjectManager If you want a real Gantt chart with powerful features that Asana doesn’t have, make a Gantt chart in ProjectManager, or if you prefer you can also export your Asana Gantt chart as a CSV file and then import it into ProjectManager. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/asana-pm-integration-1600x627.png To do so, just start a free 30-day trial of ProjectManager so you can easily export your Asana CSV file and import that file into ProjectManager. You’ll retain your Asana data, but now you’ll have the robust project management features you need to better manage your project. Before we dive into the process let’s quickly go over a side-by-side comparison of ProjectManager’s Gantt chart and Asana’s Gantt chart. Asana Gantt Chart ProjectManager Gantt Chart One type of task dependency (finish-to-start) Four types of task dependencies (SF, FS, SS, FF) Basic auto-shift for dependent tasks Full dependency automation and cascading updates Milestones supported Milestones supported with baseline tracking No baselines or variance tracking Baselines and variance tracking for schedule and cost Single-project view only Multi-project and portfolio Gantt charts No cost or budget tracking Planned and actual cost tracking No resource utilization tracking Resource utilization and workload monitoring No percent-complete column Percent complete column with real-time dashboard sync No task priority setting Task priority field for ranking work Sections for grouping tasks Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) hierarchy No customization of columns Fully customizable Gantt chart columns CSV data export only PDF, Excel, and image export options Simple drag-and-drop scheduling Advanced drag-and-drop with real-time updates Lacks planned vs actual duration tracking Planned vs actual duration (hours) tracking Limited to basic templates Multiple project templates with Gantt configuration 1. Export & Import Your Asana Projects Choose the Asana project that you want to import and simply save it as a CSV or Excel file. It is now ready to import into ProjectManager. Open ProjectManager and then click “New” at the bottom left corner of your screen, select “Project” and then click “Import File” once the pop-up appears. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/New-Project-light-mode.png Or you can also toggle to the Gantt chart view, where you will see an import button. Click the icon and the same popup window will appear. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Gantt-import-light-mode-1600x851.png 2. Choose to Add the Data to a New or Existing Project During this step, you’ll be able to decide if you want to add the data to a new or existing project. If you’re adding it to an existing project, decide whether you want to keep the project’s existing data or delete it altogether. 3. Choose What Data to Import Next, decide if you want to import all of the data from your Asana file or only the data from the task list. Select what you want to import and click next. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-configuring-file-import-data-in-ProjectManager.webp 4. Success! When the success popup appears, the process is complete. Your Asana data has been seamlessly imported into ProjectManager, where you can use our full suite of project management features. /wp-content/uploads/2022/10/import-success-prompt.png What Can You Use an Asana Gantt Chart For? If you’re willing to build a Gantt chart in Asana, it allows you to create a simple project schedule and track the due dates, duration and dependencies of your project tasks. It can also be used for identifying the critical path of your project and tracking project milestones. Additionally, an Asana Gantt chart allows you to: Split your project schedule into sections, a feature that allows you to group related tasks Mark project milestones in your Gantt chart timeline See the critical path activities based on their due dates and duration Edit your project schedule by dragging and dropping tasks on the timeline Collaborate with your team members by sharing messages and files for each task Asana Gantt Chart Example The best way to learn what an Asana Gantt chart is and how it works is to look at an example, so we’ve used one to create a construction schedule. On the left side, there’s a list of project tasks and details such as due dates, duration and assignee. On the right side, there’s a stacked bar chart that uses bars to represent project tasks on a timeline. Each of these bars or project tasks is linked by arrows, showing the dependencies among them. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-example-1600x809.webp Now that we have a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of an Asana Gantt chart, let’s learn how to make one. Creating a Gantt chart in Asana is an easy process that’ll allow you to create a project schedule in minutes. Cons of Making an Asana Gantt Chart Asana Gantts track very little information about your project and the software offers the bare minimum project planning, scheduling or tracking features expected from a Gantt chart software. Here are some of the most important features they’re missing. No cost tracking functionality which is essential for monitoring project budgets Missing resource allocation, scheduling or monitoring features Only has two types of task dependencies unlike more advanced Gantt chart software which offers four types of task dependencies, which are important for project planning and scheduling Asana Gantt charts don’t display the percent of completion of your tasks, which affects their ability to track project progress For these and other reasons, Asana Gantt charts can help you create a project schedule, but they’re not ideal for managing projects as they lack many project management features. ProjectManager Has Better Gantt Charts Than Asana Gantt Charts That’s a lot of hurdles to clear. When managing a project you don’t want your hands tied with inferior tools. The features missing from an Asana Gantt chart are going to leave project managers scrambling to deliver their projects on time and within the budget. Asana Gantt charts are only good for visualizing project schedules and assigning tasks to your team members, but they lack scope, resource and cost management features which makes them deficient tools for managing all areas of a project. ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, on the other hand, has all the features you need to track all the aspects of your project. Here are some examples of the project tracking features that make ProjectManager Gantt charts better than Asana Gantt charts. Task Priority: Set a priority level for your project tasks so you and your team members know where to prioritize your efforts. Resource Utilization: Assign tasks to team members, track their work hours and monitor their workload. This information from ProjectManager’s Gantt chart syncs automatically with ProjectManager’s timesheets, which you can then use for the payroll process. Planned & Actual Duration (Hours): Estimate the duration of every task and then track the actual number of hours that a task took to be completed. Planned & Actual Cost: Estimate the costs of each project task and then log the actual costs once the task has been executed. This is very important to monitor and control your spending to make sure you don’t exceed the project budget. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): The WBS column allows you to understand which of your project tasks are related and the order in which they should be completed. This is similar to the “sections” feature in the Asana Gantt chart. Percent Complete: Your team members can update the progress they’ve made on tasks by setting a percentage of completion. The best part is that ProjectManager’s Gantt chart syncs with its real-time dashboard which allows you to track the overall progress of your project. How to Make a Gantt Chart in Asana Most projects need these features. If yours does, then it’s time to consider ProjectManager. But If you still want to see how to make an Asana Gantt chart, we’ll go through the process from beginning to end. All you’ll need to get started is an Asana license or simply a free trial. 1. Create a New Project & Select the Asana Gantt Chart View The first step is to create a new project by clicking the “Create” button at the top left corner of your screen. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-create-new-project-e1708702123852-1600x365.webp Then you can choose to import a file or start creating your Asana Gantt chart from scratch. For this Asana Gantt chart example, we’ll start a project from scratch. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-create-new-project-from-scratch.webp Next, choose a project name and select your starting project management view. As you can see, Gantt charts are not an option by default but don’t worry, pick any view and you’ll be able to switch to the Gantt chart view once you click “Create project.” For this Asana Gantt chart example, we’ll name this project “Construction Schedule” because we’ll use this Gantt chart to represent one. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-choosing-project-view-1600x760.webp Once you create a new project, you’ll land in Asana’s task list view. To switch to the Gantt chart view, click the plus icon and select Gantt as shown in the image below. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-choosing-the-Gantt-chart-view-e1708702165730-1600x408.webp 2. Add Sections and Project Tasks Now it’s time to add your project tasks, their due dates and durations to the Asana Gantt chart. You can also use its “Sections” setting, which allows you to group related tasks and create project phases on your Gantt chart timeline, but it’s not required. We’ve filled out the Asana Gantt chart with project tasks, due dates and duration based on a construction schedule. As you can see on the left side of the image below, there are six different sections in this Asana Gantt chart to reflect various stages of the construction project (contracts, procurement, design, construction, post-construction and closing). /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-sections-1600x815.webp 3. Link Task Dependencies Project tasks need to be executed in a specific order, which is defined by the dependencies among them. For example, some tasks can’t start until the previous task has been completed. This is the type of task dependency that applies to all the tasks in our construction schedule. To link a dependency between tasks using an Asana Gantt chart, you’ll need to hover over a task, left-click the dependency icon and then hold your left mouse button and drag it to the next task. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-linking-task-dependencies-1600x829.webp Repeat this process until all your project tasks dependencies have been linked as shown in the Asana Gantt chart below. This is important for the next step, which is identifying the critical path of your project. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-example-1600x809.webp 4. Highlight Your Project’s Critical Path The critical path of a project refers to the tasks that must be completed on time, or their delay will affect the total duration of your project, unlike other project tasks which can be completed past their planned due date without affecting the project schedule, which have a lower priority level. To find the critical path, you’ll need to consider the start and end dates of your project tasks, their duration and their dependencies. But luckily, Asana’s Gantt chart automates this process. To identify the critical tasks of your project, click Gantt options on the right side of your screen and then turn on the “Highlight critical path” option. This will automatically highlight the critical path of your project as the image below shows. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-critical-path-e1708702224982-1600x533.webp 5. Add Project Milestones to the Asana Gantt Chart Project milestones are important achievements that are often used to summarize the progress of a project schedule. For this example, we’ll mark the final completion task as a project milestone. To do so, simply right-click a task and select “Mark as milestone.” /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-project-milestones-e1708702481468-1600x597.webp This will turn the taskbar into a diamond symbol in your Asana Gantt chart. Congratulations! You have successfully created an Asana Gantt chart and have used its project management features. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Asana-Gantt-chart-project-milestone-zoomed-in-1600x840.webp It might be straightforward to put together an Asana Gantt chart, however, it’s missing countless features that you can find in many Asana alternatives with more robust Gantt chart tools. So if you’re looking for a Gantt chart that has more advanced project management features, you should try a fully featured Gantt chart like ProjectManager instead. ProjectManager Is More Than Gantt Charts Now that we’ve learned what an Asana Gantt chart is and how it compares to ProjectManager’s Gantt chart, let’s look at some other benefits of using ProjectManager as a project management software beyond Gantt charts. Multiple Project Management Tools Gantt charts are ideal for project managers when scheduling work, but teams need different tools. That’s why ProjectManager offers a complete set of project management tools that include kanban boards, task lists, project calendars and much more. For example, kanban boards are great for visualizing workflow and allow teams to manage their backlog while collaborating on sprints. There is also a list view that prioritizes tasks, shows progress and is a great place to collaborate. These tools adapt to multiple project management methodologies and work styles so you and your team members can plan, schedule and track projects however you like. /wp-content/uploads/2021/08/agile-sprint-plan-lightmode-kanban-1600x882.jpg Track Progress and Costs With Real-Time Dashboards Once the baseline is set on the Gantt chart, the entire team can use the software to track performance in real-time. All of ProjectManager’s project planning tools like Gantt charts and kanban boards sync with real-time dashboards that track your project progress, costs, resource utilization, budgets and timelines. Managers can get a high-level view of the project as the dashboard collects live data on tasks, progress, overall health, time, workload and cost. Additionally, ProjectManager has timesheets that track labor costs to keep projects on budget. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Dashboard-IT-Light-2554x1372-1-1600x860.png Monitor Resource Utilization and Balance Workload ProjectManager has workload charts that show how your team’s workload is being distributed among your team members so you can identify who’s over or underallocated and reassign project tasks accordingly. Use these charts to track things such as PTO, vacation and global holidays. There’s also a team page that provides a daily or weekly look at everyone on the team. It can be filtered to show priority, progress and more to stay on top of human resources. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Related Asana Gantt Chart Content Choosing the right project management software for your team can be a challenging task. That’s why we’ve created content that helps you better understand what you should look for. Here are some blogs that compare Asana to other alternatives. 14 Best Gantt Chart Software of 2024 (Free & Paid) Asana vs. Trello: Side-by-Side Comparison Asana vs. Microsoft Project: In-Depth Comparison Asana vs. Monday: In-Depth Software Comparison Asana vs. ClickUp: In-Depth Software Comparison Asana vs ProjectManager: Which Software is Better? ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams in the office, out in the field and everywhere else. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post Asana Gantt Chart: A How-to Guide With Pros, Cons & Alternatives appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Five steps to implementing a plan. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Five steps to implementing a plan. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

TikTok and the U.S.' "will they, won't they" saga may finally be coming to an end. After nine months of kicking the can down the road, the U.S. has reportedly reached a deal with China to allow TikTok to continue operating in the States, which should come as good news for the estimated one-third of Americans who use the app. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the development in a Face the Nation appearance on Sunday. Bessent told Margaret Brennan that the U.S. "reached a final deal on TikTok. We reached one in Madrid, and I believe that as of today, all the details are ironed out, and that will be for the two leaders to consummate that transaction on Thursday in Korea." The secretary did not share any additional details of the deal, but we do know what the U.S. had in mind heading into the talks. Last month, President The President signed an executive order outlining what TikTok's future would look like in the U.S., assuming a deal with its parent company ByteDance and the Chinese government went through. Per the law signed by President Biden last year, TikTok has to sell to an American company or face a ban in the U.S. According to The President's executive order, that represents a joint venture of different investors and American companies, namely Oracle, which will now have a majority stake in the company. ByteDance will continue to have a minority stake, controlling less than 20% of the company. We also know from past reporting that it's highly likely that users will need to download a new version of TikTok. This U.S. iteration of the app would look and feel the same, but would eventually ship with a new algorithm "retrained and monitored" by "trusted security partners" of the U.S. Your data would also no longer be collected and stored by companies based in China; rather, your TikTok info will be collected and stored in a cloud environment controlled by an American company. We won't know the specifics until the deal is public, but if the secretary is to be believed, the deal is at least official. Soon enough, TikTok will be allowed to operate in the U.S. with zero risk of being banned—though the privacy risks it poses may have just moved from one country to another. View the full article

Belonging, Not Perks, Is the Deciding Factor in Public Accounting’s Talent Future. By CPA Trendlines As the accounting profession contends with a historic labor shortage, a new report warns that firms pulling back from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Belonging, Not Perks, Is the Deciding Factor in Public Accounting’s Talent Future. By CPA Trendlines As the accounting profession contends with a historic labor shortage, a new report warns that firms pulling back from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

Trust is the essence of collaboration: as Yuval Harari eloquently noted, we as a species would not exist if it weren’t for our superior ability to collaborate so effectively—and it’s largely down to trust. In the days of our hunter-gatherer ancestors, decisions on trust were relatively straightforward, even when it came to appointing leaders. Indeed, our ancestors lived in small groups of closely related individuals and spent all of their time together. Furthermore, the key attributes they were interested in evaluating or judging were easy to observe: courage, practical knowledge, hunting and fishing dexterity, and physical strength. There was no need then for psychometric assessments, AI, or scientific tools to assess either leadership potential or integrity, and mistakes were extremely costly because if they picked the wrong leader the whole group would just vanish at the expense of better led rival groups. But, fast-forward to our modern times, things are uncomfortably complex and hard for everyone. At work we must infer whether we can trust our colleagues, coworkers, and bosses, even when we never met them in person—they are, in physical terms, purely pixels on the screen of our Zoom calls. In politics voters are asked to pick between shrewd politicians who have mastered the art of deceit and manipulation and specialize in telling people what they want to hear, irrespective of their actual leadership capabilities. Unsurprisingly, the world is led by heads of states who enjoy dismal levels of popular approval, even when they rose to power with legitimate voter support. As I illustrate in my latest book, politicians are the ultimate example of the disconnect between our perceptions of leaders’ authenticity, and their actual honesty or genuineness. And yet, there is still reason to be hopeful and no reason to give up. Fortunately, science provides serious lessons for improving our ability to trust the right person and minimize the risk that we end up trusting the wrong person. In fact, the science of trust includes hundreds of robust studies decoding the predictors or determinants of individual differences in trust, as well as practical learnings on how to infer them in the most objective, reliable, and risk-free way. Here are five key lessons to consider: 1) Despite the complexity of trust inferences, people make trust evaluations and decisions in a fraction of a second: As Amos Trervsky and Daniel Kahneman put it, humans may be capable of thinking “slow” or rationally, yet most of the time we think “fast”, which is a euphemism for not thinking at all. Indeed, not only do we make rapid, careless, and furiously fast inferences of other people’s character traits, we are also overconfident about the accuracy of our inferences, and stubbornly wedded to them to the point that no amount of evidence will change our mind. This may be the best explanation for why no amount of facts or evidence may change voters’ preferences even after its blatantly obvious that they chose poorly (not least because they themselves are disadvantaged by their own choices). The solution? Well, we must learn to distrust our instincts and refrain from following our gut feeling. It is only through gathering reliable and predictive data, and following the facts, that we can hope to focus on substance rather than style. This is particularly important when we are assessing potential candidates for leadership roles, whether it’s the president of a country or a senior leader in a firm. 2) Leaders who are “just being themselves” ought not to be trusted: As I illustrate in my latest book, there is a paradoxical relationship between how authentic we feel and how authentic other people think we are. In particular, behaving without any pressures to conform and displaying your uninhibited and uncensored thoughts and feelings to others will feel authentic to you while polarizing, alienating, and annoying others (it is, alas, what powerful and entitled leaders do when they stop caring about how others see them). In contrast, the leaders who are seen as not just trustworthy, but also competent by others, know how to manage their reputation, engage in strategic impression management, and go to great lengths to show only the best version of themselves—that is, the elements of their character and identity that align with the situational demands. In other words, they know where the right to be themselves ends and their obligation to others begins. This is why empathy, self-control, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and EQ are far better predictors of leadership integrity and performance than self-perceived authenticity is. 3) Charisma is a dangerous signal. Although charisma is a clear enabler of effective leadership, not least because it helps people to emerge as leaders, it can also help leaders to mask their incompetence or unethical motives. In that sense, you can think of charisma as an amplifier: when leaders are honest and competent, it will help them in their quest to turn a group of people into a high-performing team; but when they are dishonest or incompetent (or even worse, both), their charisma will turn them into pretty harmful, destructive, and toxic creatures. Since charisma is often conflated with trustworthiness—we like and admire people who seem charismatic and therefore gravitate towards them, including when it comes to trusting them—it would be useful to resist the allure of charisma when we infer integrity or competence in leaders. Quiet, low key, serious, and intelligent people make excellent leaders even if they don’t seem entertaining. Charismatic, charming, entertaining, and attention-seeking leaders may use their social skills to manipulate, influence, and seduce, especially when they have psychopathic, narcissistic, or Machiavellian tendencies. 4) Our ability to trust is significantly reduced under stress, anxiety, or pressure. This is obviously a huge problem, since in these instances it is usually imperative to trust the right person. In other words, the more we need to trust people, the more vulnerable we are to trusting the wrong person. The lesson here is obvious: don’t make trust-related decisions when your emotions are clouding your judgment; first relax, breathe, look for the right moment and the right mental zone, then try to think rationally. 5) Some people are naturally more trusting than others: this depends not just on their personality, but also the culture in which they grew up. Paradoxically, prosocial and healthy cultures are more likely to engender trust, since free riders and imposters are less likely to emerge—but this also makes those cultures more vulnerable and susceptible to such toxic agents. In contrast, corrupt, antisocial, and failed cultures will have low levels of trust, since everybody is rightly paranoid of being cheated or deceived by others. However, this will make it impossible to cooperate and collaborate in such cultures, which further contributes to their downfall. At the individual level, it is helpful to understand whether your bias is too much trust or too much skepticism, so you can always recalibrate or adjust your impressions towards a more objective center point. In the end, trust remains the ultimate leadership currency: hard to earn, easy to lose, and impossible to fake for long. Titles, charisma, or confidence may help leaders gain followers, but only integrity, a reputational accolade that must be gained through long-term actions rather than short-term impressions, keeps them there (unless they decide to keep themselves there through excessive force, power, or unlawful means). In an age where image routinely outpaces substance, the most trustworthy leaders will be those who act as if someone were always watching; not because they fear being caught, but because they don’t need to hide. View the full article

U.S. President Donald The President received a royal welcome on Monday in Japan, the latest leg of a five-day Asia trip which he hopes to cap with an agreement on a trade war truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The President, making his longest journey abroad since taking office in January, announced deals with four Southeast Asian countries during the first stop in Malaysia and is expected to meet Xi in South Korea on Thursday. Negotiators from the world’s top two economies hashed out a framework on Sunday for a deal to pause steeper American tariffs and Chinese rare earths export controls, U.S. officials said. The news sent Asian stocks soaring to record peaks. “I’ve got a lot of respect for President Xi and I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” The President told reporters on Air Force One before landing in the Japanese capital Tokyo. The President MEETS JAPANESE EMPEROR Wearing a gold tie and blue suit, The President shook hands with officials on the tarmac and gave a few fist pumps, before his helicopter whisked him off for a scenic night tour of Tokyo. His motorcade was later seen entering the Imperial Palace grounds, where he met Japanese Emperor Naruhito. The President has already won a $550-billion investment pledge from Tokyo in exchange for respite from punishing import tariffs. Japan’s newly elected prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is hoping to further impress The President with promises to purchase U.S. pickup trucks, soybeans and gas, and announce an agreement on shipbuilding, sources with knowledge of the plans told Reuters. Takaichi, who became Japan’s first female premier last week, told The President that strengthening their countries’ alliance was her “top priority” in a telephone call on Saturday. The President said he was looking forward to meeting Takaichi, a close ally of his late friend and golfing partner, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, adding: “I think she’s going to be great.” Thousands of police are guarding Tokyo. A knife-wielding man was arrested on Friday outside the U.S. embassy and an anti-The President protest is planned in downtown Shinjuku. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Japanese counterpart Ryosei Akazawa, architects of the tariff deal agreed in July, are set to hold a working lunch on Monday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, travelling with The President alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is also expected to meet his new counterpart, Satsuki Katayama, for the first time. IMPERIAL WELCOME FOR The President’S RETURN The President was the first foreign leader to meet Naruhito after he came to the throne in 2019, continuing an imperial line that some say is the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy. Naruhito’s role, however, is purely symbolic, and the key diplomacy will take place with Takaichi on Tuesday. The President and Takaichi are set to meet at the nearby Akasaka Palace, where he met Abe six years ago, and will be welcomed by a military honour guard. Among the investment pledges, the two countries will sign a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday on investment in shipbuilding, a source with knowledge of the plans said. Takaichi is also expected to reassure The President that Tokyo is willing to do more on security after telling lawmakers on Friday she plans to accelerate Japan’s biggest defence build-up since World War Two. Japan hosts the largest concentration of U.S. military power abroad. The President has said previously Tokyo is not spending enough to defend its islands from an increasingly assertive China. While Takaichi has said she will speed plans to boost defence spending to 2% of GDP, she may struggle to commit Japan to any further increases that The President seeks, as her ruling coalition does not have a majority in parliament. The President is due to leave on Wednesday for Gyeongju in South Korea, where he will hold talks with President Lee Jae Myung. Bessent told reporters the overall framework of a deal with South Korea was also done but would not be finalised this week. Thursday’s expected meeting with Xi will come after Washington and Beijing have raised tariffs on each other’s exports and threatened to halt trade involving critical minerals and technologies. Neither side expects a breakthrough that would restore the terms of trade that existed before The President’s return to power. Talks to prepare for the meeting have focused on managing disagreements and modest improvements, before a visit by The President to China expected early next year. Additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski, Laurie Chen, Jihoon Lee and Ju-min Park —Trevor Hunnicutt, John Geddie and Tim Kelly, Reuters View the full article

Gen Xers, born between 1965 and 1980, grew up with MTV and empty houses, earning them the name “latchkey kids.” The first generation who logged onto AOL Instant Messenger and played video games while still enjoying the freedom that came before helicopter parents took over is fascinating. But as a small generation that falls between baby boomers and millennials, they’re often overlooked. When it comes to their spending power, however, Gen X is small but mighty. According to a new report from ICSC, a trade association for retail real estate, Gen X may have more spending power than brands realize. While Gen X only makes up around 19% of the U.S. population, the demographic is responsible for 31% of online and in-person spending, the report finds. Not only do Gen Xers buy more in stores than baby boomers, millennials, and Gen Z across categories (luxury, fitness, and total retail costs), they’re also driving spending on dining out. Per the report, Gen X is responsible for nearly one-third of all restaurant spending. Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC, said in a press release that Gen X is “the powerhouse driving today’s retail economy, spending more per shopper than all other generations.” Outsized spending impact in five states According to the report, Gen Xers are such powerful spenders that their mere presence in locations across the United States actually has a major impact on the market in that area. More than one-third of the generation’s population lives in just five states: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, and their spending is impactful. It’s especially evident in Florida cities like Miami, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, as well as Houston, Texas, and more. We know that younger shoppers tend to be deeply loyal to the brands they love. But Gen X is exceptionally set in their ways, too. No big surprise. I mean, have you ever met a Gen Xer? You can’t convince them to love something they hate and vice-versa. That’s likely why 81% of latchkey kids say they are loyal to the brands they trust—and they probably always will be. “Gen X is pragmatic, loyal to brands they trust, and influential decision-makers for themselves, their children, and their parents,” ​​McGee says. “For retailers, there is no bigger near-term growth opportunity than winning the loyalty and the dollars of Gen X.” Gen X isn’t just spending more than other generations. They’re also plugged in online, as they are massively tech-savvy, using online tools like social media regularly. According to the report, 92% of the generation is on social media daily. Still, brands aren’t marketing to them. Only 5% of brand influencing spending targets Gen X, which experts say is a huge mistake. “They’ve got wealth . . . They may be looking to start to make that semi-retirement-type transition,” Ryan Marshall, president and CEO of PulteGroup, a homebuilder, says in the report, “but they still consider themselves to be very young and active.” Those factors definitely seem to promote spending. But soon, that may be especially true of Gen X, as a major transfer of wealth is about to take place. Around one in three Gen Xers expect to receive an inheritance, which could come out to around $308 billion annually in spending. While Gen X’s lingo may be lowkey dated, their currency still works. Brands may be focused on appealing to on-trend millennials and Gen Zers, but they’d be wise not to write off the MTV kids just yet. View the full article

I have never had any interest in getting a hardware wallet like the new Ledger Nano Gen 5. But talking with Susan Kare—the designer of the original Apple Macintosh icons and an endless torrent wonderful pixel art—made me realize I need one. “The idea that an individual can really control their own assets without a government or anything political coming between you and your assets. I like that,” she tells me. The Ledger Nano is a 0.3-inch-thick credit card-sized block that keeps your digital assets secure by storing them offline. It has a frontal e-ink display that displays a grid of pixel art icons that look very much like the original Mac. For the Nano Gent 5, Kare worked with the French company to design a set of nine pixel-art icons that are laser-engraved onto small aluminum tags. These tags physically snap into a dedicated slot on the Nano Gen 5, allowing owners to customize their device with a satisfying click. Kare got involved thanks to Tony Fadell—”the Father of the Apple iPod” and board member of Ledger—who called her to see if she’d like to work on the project. It was a call between old friends; the two had worked together at General Magic, the secretive Silicon Valley startup founded in 1990 by Apple veterans Bill Atkinson, Andy Hertzfeld, and Marc Porat that tried to build the first smartphone decades too early. Fadell knows her taste, Kare says, and pitched the project as a high-concept design challenge she would enjoy, similar to the work she did for Asprey Studio. He kept the details intentionally mysterious, not even mentioning Ledger by name at first. The only hook was the promise of a fun, creative puzzle. For Kare, that was more than enough. “Of course, I wrote back immediately, like, tell me more,” she recalls. A meeting in San Francisco with Ariel Wengroff, Ledger’s EVP of Communications and Marketing, sealed the deal, and soon Kare was back at her digital drawing board.​​ Power and fun Kare’s collaboration comes as Ledger reinvents its flagship product. The new Ledger Nano Gen 5 is a significant evolution of the device used by eight million people in 165 countries. More than 20% of the world’s crypto assets are secured by its hardware wallets, the company tells me. Physically, Ledge Nano Gen 5 is larger and more refined, with a 2.76-inch E Ink touchscreen that now dominates its face. The new energy-efficient display enables advanced security features like “clear signing,” which gives you an unambiguous on-screen verification of any transaction or approval, and a “Transaction Check” function, a security feature that simulates a transaction to identify potential threats before you give final approval. The device, now officially called a “signer” to reflect its expanded role beyond just financial transactions, is built to be your key to a broader digital life. With Bluetooth 5.2 and NFC capabilities, it’s designed for on-the-go use, allowing you to securely manage your assets or verify your identity from anywhere. It connects to the revamped Ledger Wallet app, which acts as a secure control center for buying, swapping, and earning assets, and can now connect directly to popular decentralized apps, like 1inch, a service that searches across multiple cryptocurrency exchanges to find the best possible price for a token swap. The company claims that its devices have never been hacked, but every Nano Gen 5 includes a Ledger Recovery Key as a physical backup, just in case.​ While the technology is serious, the company claims it wanted to inject a dose of personality into the experience. That’s where Kare came in. Wengroff tells me that as our digital and physical lives blur, the team wanted to offer a form of personal expression. The idea was to create a series of collectible badges that would physically snap into the new Nano’s chassis. “We really thought, actually, the perfect person would be Susan Kare,” Wengroff says. She believes that Kare’s has a “legendary ability to create an emotional connection” for new technology using her pixel art. The badges themselves are small, laser-engraved aluminum tags, each featuring a new pixel-art icon from Kare, manufactured in Ledger’s own facility in Vierzon, France. They click into place with a satisfying snap, a small sensory experience. For Kare, the project was a perfect fit. “I usually jokingly say, you know, give me 16 by 16 and a concept and I will make it happen,” she says. The first step was deciding on the actual grid resolution. To ensure the designs were bold and clear on the small tags, she and the Ledger team opted for fewer, but larger, pixels, with each icon fitting within roughly an 18 by 20 pixel grid.​ Rather than being handed a specific list, the company just told Kare to do her thing. Any other thing would have been like asking David Bowie to write “something retro like Life on Mars” for you. She ultimately developed around 30 concepts for the team to choose from. Her goal was to create an assortment that felt fresh and spirited, steering clear of anything that felt like a standard emoji. Through weekly Zoom calls with Ledger’s creative director, they whittled the collection down to the final nine, which include a mischievous cherry, a magic 8-ball, a horseshoe, and a chihuahua the team has fittingly named Nano.​ But the best—and apparently everyone’s favorite—is the crowned frog. Wengroff believed it was a frog princess but Kare was thinking about the frog prince. “It’s funny because I thought it was a frog prince,” Kare says, referencing the fairy tale and the dating adage about having to “kiss a lot of frogs.” But, she adds, “it can totally be either. And I realized that that’s good.” Wengroff notes that everyone in the office has interpreted the icons differently and picked their own favorites, proving the designs’ power to evoke a personal response.​ In fact, everyone in Wengroff’s team was so focused on the badges that she says she constantly had to remind everyone that the launch was for a new device, not for the badges. Which I guess is exactly the whole point of this article and also the device itself. For Kare, this is the joy of her work. While the device itself is the point, it is “that little dab of something with a little feel of art or personality,” as Kare describes it, what makes it (clickity clack) click. It’s the same philosophy that has made her work timeless. And what makes the new Ledger Nano not just a powerful tool for securing your digital life, but a small canvas for expressing it.​ View the full article