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Oil services and engineering company holds debt discussions in parallel to exploring takeover by Dubai-based SidaraView the full article

Sometimes you need a day off. Sometimes you don’t need a day off, but you take one anyway. If you have any anxieties about what exercise means to you, you may spiral into worry or guilt: Am I a slacker? Am I losing all my gains? And if rest days are so important, why do I feel guilty every time I take one? You probably know the answers to these questions, which all boil down to: A day off doesn’t define who you are. But feelings of rest day guilt are pretty common, and I’ve felt them myself. So here's a pep talk to help you understand these contradictory feelings, and some options for what to do when you feel this way. Tell yourself these things: Know that one day doesn’t matterBeing strong or fit or getting in shape is a years-long goal, if not a lifelong one. Five years from now, will you look back on this one particular day with regret? You probably won’t even remember it happened. Tomorrow is a new day, so don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ve ruined your whole week or your whole training program. Either skip the day or make it up tomorrow, whichever will make the path easier for you going forward. Rest is usefulA well-designed program will usually have at least one rest day each week; some programs might even have three or four. All are perfectly valid ways to work out. So if you took three rest days this week rather than two, it’s not like all your hard work went to waste. Your body will put that rest to good use, anyway. Some people will say a certain number of rest days per week are necessary; I don’t know that that’s actually true as long as your fatigue is well managed. But regardless of whether you need a day off, your body can still use one for extra recovery. You’ll feel fresher the day you come back. You may feel better if you do something A rest day doesn't have to be 100% sedentary. Resting too much can backfire. Let's say you need to take a day off from running—cool, great, you're taking care of yourself. But then you may be missing out on the mental health benefits of exercise, and now you're sitting around being grumpy. Go for a walk to get those benefits, or do another low-key activity you enjoy, like yoga or stretching. You feel guilty because you care It's worth taking a minute to unpack those guilty feelings. Often, we feel guilty about taking a day off because we have a plan in our mind (say, we envision ourselves working out every day) and we see that we're falling short. Having a plan, and being able to compare our actions to our plan, are both good things! We may just need to recalibrate a bit. So when you feel guilty, think about your plan. Maybe your plan can allow some extra rest days, which means you're not off-target at all. Or maybe your plan is unrealistic, and you've been putting inappropriate expectations on yourself. Check whether your benchmarks (or SMART goals) actually match up appropriately with your big-picture dream goals. Focus on consistencyA big part of the reason one day doesn’t matter is that, in the long run, what does matter is consistency. If you’ve been hitting all your workouts for weeks on end, and this week you have to miss one, you are still the kind of person who usually hits all their workouts. Maybe you’re afraid that this one day off is going to send you down a slippery slope, and you’ll end up taking more days off. Well, that’s within your power! Decide how and when you’ll get back on that horse. Plan out your schedule for tomorrow, or for next week, and make sure you’ll be able to make those next sessions. Problem-solve for next timeWhy did you take this rest day, anyway? If you were feeling worn down, maybe you need a more balanced exercise program that doesn’t leave you feeling that way. Or if you dread a certain workout, maybe that’s a sign that you need to change something—either the workout, or your mindset. If you always skip workouts with box jumps, for example, there are ways to get over that fear. Just a time management issue? Try some of these tips for getting in regular exercise even when your schedule is already packed. Consider your overall planOr maybe you’re feeling guilty because you’ve missed a lot of days. That’s a sign that you may be on a path that’s unsustainable. Are you so stressed out from work that you don’t feel motivated to work out? Maybe you need more than a day’s break from working out to see if that relieves some of the extra pressure. Or maybe you need to lift before work instead of after, to see if that gives you enough of a mood boost to get you through a stressful day. Or maybe you just have to solve the larger problem in your life. (Talk to your boss about your workload? Start looking for a new job?) Bottom line, if you feel guilty about missing one day because to you it’s a symbol of other things going on in your life, zoom out and see what you can do about fixing those other things. View the full article

Arthur Johnson has lived in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward for nearly three decades, long enough to appreciate the trees that filter pollution from the big ships traveling the nearby Mississippi River and that offer shade on sweltering summer days. When Hurricane Katrina roared through two decades ago, it wiped out 200,000 trees across the city, including many in Johnson’s neighborhood and several in his own yard. The city has struggled ever since to restore its tree canopy. Those efforts will be set back by the U.S. Forest Service’s decision in mid-February to terminate a $75 million grant to the Arbor Day Foundation, which was working to plant trees in neighborhoods that might not otherwise be able to afford them. The program is the latest victim of a drive by President Donald Trump‘s administration against environmental justice initiatives. In New Orleans, part of the money was going to the environmental group Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL), which has planted more than 1,600 trees in the historically Black community but has now paused plans for another 900. Those are trees that largely low-income residents otherwise couldn’t afford to plant or maintain, said the 71-year-old Johnson, who runs a local nonprofit, the Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development, that has helped SOUL with its work and done some tree plantings of its own in the area. “You’re not just cutting out the tree, the environment” with such cuts, said Johnson. If those trees aren’t replaced and more aren’t continually added, “it really takes a toll on the sustainability of the Lower 9th Ward and its community.” The benefits of trees are vast. They capture stormwater and replenish groundwater. They help clean the air in polluted areas, improve mental health, and cool air and surfaces of the built environment, especially during heat waves that are growing more intense and frequent with climate change. One study by the UCLA Luskin Center found that shade can reduce heat stress on the human body from 25% to 35% throughout the day. And much research shows that low-income and communities of color have fewer trees—and are hotter—than better-off neighborhoods. The Arbor Day Fund’s grant was part of former President Joe Biden’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, which sent $1.5 billion to the forest service’s Urban and Community Forestry program. In a February 14 email canceling the grant, the Forest Service wrote that the award “no longer effectuates agency priorities regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and activities.” But Dan Lambe, the Arbor Day Foundation’s chief executive, said the projects weren’t just going to serve disadvantaged people. They were going to benefit every member of the community, he said. In total, 105 nonprofits, municipalities, and Indigenous organizations—from Alaska to Florida to Maine—have lost funding for critical environmental projects, the foundation said. “This was an opportunity to make a really meaningful impact on people’s lives, so it’s been disappointing,” Lambe said. The Forest Service didn’t say if other recipients of the $1.5 billion forestry investment also had grants terminated. In a statement, its parent agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said the agency was following directions to comply with Trump’s executive orders. “Protecting the people and communities we serve, as well as the infrastructure, businesses, and resources they depend on to grow and thrive, remains a top priority for the USDA and the Forest Service,” the agency said. For SOUL in New Orleans, losing the grant means they don’t have the money to water trees already planted, and they’ve had to drop plans to hire three people. Another $2.5 million grant is on hold due to the federal funding freeze, and founder and executive director Susannah Burley said the nonprofit’s survival is uncertain. Its annual budget is a little more than $1 million. “We kind of are lost because we don’t know if we should be planning to close our doors or if we should be planning for next season,” she said. For others who were set to get Arbor Day Foundation money, the loss is not existential but still devastating. In the city-county of Butte-Silver Bow in southwest Montana, forester Trevor Peterson was going to use a $745,250 grant to buy chain saws, rigging gear, and other essential tools, remove up to 200 dead or dying cottonwoods, and plant as many as 1,000 trees as part of a decades-long effort to replenish trees cut to make way for copper mining. He wanted to help organize large community events focused on education, hoping to impart the knowledge necessary for future stewardship of the urban forest. “We will now have to go back to the drawing board to determine where to go from here,” he said. Jackson County, Oregon, was awarded a $600,000 grant to replant trees after wildfires in 2020 destroyed thousands of homes and charred more than 60,000 trees. The town of Talent lost two-thirds of its trees. The nonprofit Oregon Urban Rural and Community Forestry, founded in the fires’ aftermath, fought for years to get a single dollar, recalled Mike Oxendine, the group’s founder and director. The grant money from the Arbor Day Foundation was being used to help low-income and disadvantaged mobile home park residents—among the hardest-hit by the fires—identify and remove hazardous trees badly burned or killed, and replant trees for shade and cooling. “This is a rural red area that needs it badly,” said Oxendine. “We hit temperatures that exceed 110 degrees every summer now. We go through massive droughts and we’re always prone to wildfire here.” The loss of funding will create a “tremendous burden” for the organization, he said. The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP’s environmental coverage, visit apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment. —Dorany Pineda, Associated Press View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader asks: One of my employees is positioning himself to move up in a couple of years. He would still report to me, but the working relationship would be a little different, and it could have a major impact on my work and the organization if that relationship is toxic. The problem is that he thinks he is a lot smarter than me. He apparently read something about “managing up” and now he is trying to manage me. He is very, very bad at it. His attempts to manipulate me are clumsy, but he doesn’t realize that I know what he is doing (because he’s sure that he is much smarter than me). There’s also some sexism going on here (I’m female, and he seems to have problems with that sometimes). Every conversation degenerates into incredibly irritating condescension and smugness on his part. For example, he has said things like: • “My expectation is that you will give me a hint if you think there may be a change coming up.” Me: No, not happening. I try to squelch rumors, not spread them. And if there is a change coming, your department head will know first. • “My expectation is that you will change the meeting time.” Me: No, a meeting that involves 27 people and has been scheduled for a month will not be rescheduled just for you. • About a minor snafu with another team: “I’m sure you understand why you need to have this person fired.” Me: Let’s just talk about how we are going to handle a fairly small problem. He always ends with a smirk and a slow nod. Right now, I just smile, ignore it whenever possible, and get back to the issue at hand. Occasionally I have addressed it head on, when I need to clarify that he will definitely not be getting what he wants this time. I want to call him on this, because it is getting very tiresome. It also sidetracks the conversation away from the important stuff we need to be discussing. And I don’t enjoy being treated with such disrespect. I’m tempted to give him a book on the topic and tell him he needs to study some more before trying this again. But in calmer moments, I know that level of bluntness will just embarrass him and put him on the defensive. How can I stop this behavior without doing too much damage to our work relationship? Or do I just have to put up with sentences that start, “My expectation is that you will…” forever? A complicating factor is that he’s popular with his colleagues, who will be the ones considering him for the promotion in a few years. I could potentially veto their decision, but it would destroy my credibility with the rest of the department so I would rather figure out how to make this work if I can. I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. View the full article

Hollywood is waking up to the power of influencers. That starts with MrBeast. Amazon’s Beast Games cost hundreds of millions to produce. Some of that came from the streamer, but much of it came from the pockets of MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson. On the Diary of a CEO podcast, he estimated “tens of millions” in losses from the show, admitting that he was an “idiot” for spending so much. But it was all for one goal: To knock down the Hollywood door so other creators could score their own production deals. But MrBeast misunderstands the power balance. In the attention economy, influencers have the eyeballs right now. Amazon’s acquisition of Beast Games was massively successful; the show garnered 50 million viewers in just 25 days, Amazon’s second largest series debut in 2024. Did MrBeast get any new fans? Likely not, given how critically panned the show was. MrBeast got fleeced by Amazon, and is setting up more creators to do the same. The streamer gets the viewers, while the influencers are left in the red. Who has the power: MrBeast or Amazon? MrBeast dug into his own pockets to produce Beast Games. His deal with Amazon was reportedly worth around $100 million. But, on Diary of a CEO, he acknowledged that spending for the show went far beyond that—and the excess came from his own funds. Even just the first two episode’s sets cost around $15 and $14 million, respectively. “I would have more money if I didn’t film it,” he said. A deal between Amazon and MrBeast has the promise of being mutually beneficial. Amazon gets the eyeballs of every 10-year-old munching on their Feastables. MrBeast gets some cash to produce the show, plus the possibility to expand beyond his cloistered YouTube presence. But MrBeast seems to have faltered on both of these gains. Spending “tens of millions” out of pocket, the Amazon investment didn’t save him from going into the red. (Plus, he’s likely racking up legal fees after contestants sued him and Amazon for sexual harassment and “chronic mistreatment.”) In terms of audience expansion, the results look dismal, too. Reviews panned Beast Games, calling it an “undignified spectacle” and “surprisingly dull.” His follower count has grown modestly throughout the show’s release, but there was no noticeable spike. It’s hard to imagine anyone watching Beast Games that wasn’t already watching his YouTube content. For Amazon, amassing 50 million viewers in 25 days is a feat. The only show to grow quicker on the streamer in 2024 was Fallout, and that had the benefit of video game IP. But, for MrBeast, 50 million viewers is chump change. His videos frequently reach that threshold within days, if not hours. Ultimately, Amazon needed MrBeast more than MrBeast needed Amazon. While the shine of a streamer is enticing, it didn’t benefit his business. The failures of influencers in Hollywood “Creators don’t have a good rep when it comes to doing stuff on streaming platforms,” MrBeast explained on e Diary of a CEO. His goal was to break down barriers, to open up these Hollywood studios to online celebrities. Per his account, it worked: He could think of two creators who had shows lined up based on Beast Games’s success. But there’s a reason why influencer shows don’t work. They sever the stars from the form they’re famous for. TikTok’s Hype House could film themselves dancing for hours and hours, but failed when it came to reality television. The Netflix show was repeatedly called depressing by critics, and some cast members say the show fabricated storylines. James Charles is best when he’s reviewing makeup; hosting a reality competition show, he flails. Still, these shows do well. Over a year after its release, Hype House was still gaining hundreds of thousands of eyes, per Netflix’s 2023 data dump. He’s All That, the ill-fated remake starring TikToker Addison Rae, soared even higher, catching 15 million viewers two years after release. That’s because these creators have name brand. The streamers rake in all those rabid fans, while the influencer’s brand is diluted. Hollywood is alluring. Everyone wants to be on TV. But, for these online superstars, they seem to give more than they get. View the full article

Empowerment in audit has become an oxymoron. It doesn’t have to be that way. By Alan Anderson, CPA Transforming Audit for the Future Go PRO for members-only access to more Alan Anderson. View the full article

Empowerment in audit has become an oxymoron. It doesn’t have to be that way. By Alan Anderson, CPA Transforming Audit for the Future Go PRO for members-only access to more Alan Anderson. View the full article

Finding fulfilling and motivating work is a challenge for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those just starting their careers. And as Generation Z professionals—those born between 1997 and 2012—increasingly seek personalized career paths, managers are tasked with helping employees find meaning in their roles while also meeting organizational goals. Some managers may view Gen Z’s desire for meaningful work as a form of entitlement, but dismissing it can be costly. Research shows that employees who find their work meaningful experience greater job satisfaction, which directly boosts productivity. Meanwhile, ignoring this need can lead to higher employee turnover and “quiet quitting.” In short, helping younger employees find meaning on the job isn’t just good for them—it’s a smart business strategy. As business professors who study meaningful work, we wanted to understand how managers can help younger staff thrive. So one of us—Kelly Kennedy—conducted a research study at Baylor University in which she interviewed a range of Gen Z professionals. Then, together with leadership consultant Shanna Hocking, we analyzed the results to identify three crucial factors that can help managers unlock meaning for early-career professionals. These are self-knowledge, adding value, and relationships. By addressing these areas, managers can foster a supportive environment where Gen Z professionals thrive. The 3 keys to meaningful work Self-knowledge is about understanding who you are and what you value, and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses. Research shows self-awareness can be a powerful tool for creating a productive and engaged workforce. To help Gen Z employees develop self-knowledge, encourage them to reflect on what energizes and interests them. To get the ball rolling, you can ask them to think about their college experiences, internships, and important personal milestones. These reflections can help them uncover patterns in what they enjoy and what drives their motivation. Additionally, many Gen Z professionals seek roles that align with their values. It’s common for them to focus on developing a sense of purpose that extends beyond a specific job title. For example, one young employee we interviewed, who works in fashion merchandising, told us, “I will make things beautiful and that will be my life.” This is a flexible sense of purpose—one that isn’t tied to any particular job, but rather to a bigger vision of impact. A smart manager will connect day-to-day tasks to employees’ larger goals, helping them see how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. Adding value at work comes down to two key things: feeling recognized and knowing one’s contributions make a difference. Our study found that adding value and feeling valued play a crucial role in shaping workplace meaning. For example, when asked what makes work meaningful, a Gen Z worker said, “being part of a team where you are able to contribute and directly see the impact of your work, regardless of the level you are at.” So, how do you make Gen Z employees feel recognized? It can be as simple as giving praise or as big as offering a raise. But for many young professionals, meaningful work goes beyond just perks—it’s about feeling like their efforts contribute to a larger goal and make a positive impact on society. Finally, how people get work done in the office is often tied to the relationships they have. Previous research has shown that Gen Z professionals are more likely to thrive in work environments that prioritize diversity and inclusion and encourage positive relationships between colleagues. Our conversations with Gen Z workers backed that up: They told us they valued quality relationships, collaboration, and support from managers and colleagues. Managers can foster this type of environment by encouraging team members to meaningfully connect. As a Gen Z private equity analyst shared with us, “When you work such long hours, it’s nice knowing there’s others in the trenches with you.” Building strong relationships with direct reports is also important. Gen Z professionals value being mentored by their managers and receiving regular feedback and honest communication. Research has shown connection at work is powerful for creating a meaningful environment of trust for employees of all ages. We also found that Gen Z appreciates being able to take risks—and potentially fail—in a safe space. That’s why mentorship programs can be impactful; they help young professionals develop skills, build confidence, and find meaning in their work by providing a safe space for learning and growth. 3 questions to unlock the power of meaningful work Reflection and coaching are powerful tools that help early career employees develop self-awareness, add value, and build strong relationships. This work may seem daunting at first, but it’s easy to incorporate into the regular conversations you’re already having as a manager. To bring out the best in your Gen Z employees, start by asking three simple questions during your next one-on-one meeting. 1. When have you felt most energized at work? Asking this question can help early career employees gain a deeper understanding of what motivates them. By identifying key moments, both you and the employee can gain valuable insight into their priorities and interests. Pay close attention to the specific aspects of their work that spark enthusiasm, and observe nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions—they can reveal just as much as words about what truly excites them. Make it a dialogue by sharing what you’ve noticed about the employee’s interests and discussing ways to tap into their motivations. Then, encourage the employee to find tasks and projects that align with their interests and bring them to the next one-on-one to discuss. From there, when assigning new tasks, be sure to highlight how the work connects to the employee’s interests and the organization’s larger goals. 2. Where do you feel you contribute the most? This question helps early career employees recognize their strengths, allowing them to contribute more effectively and feel like a valued part of the team. As they respond, look for recurring themes in how they approach their work and the quality of their output. Help employees see the bigger picture by connecting their efforts to departmental objectives and the company’s overall mission. Highlight how their skills and contributions make a difference—not just in their own work but in supporting their colleagues and driving team success. And be on the lookout for opportunities to genuinely acknowledge their contributions in real time, as well as during performance reviews. 3. Whom in the company do you want to learn from or work more closely with? Bringing up an employee’s work relationships in a one-on-one meeting might seem unconventional, but it’s a valuable opportunity to guide them in building strong partnerships. Plus, showing genuine interest in their connections reinforces your own relationship with them. As you discuss their workplace interactions, pay attention to whom they mention and why. Their responses can offer valuable insights into their career aspirations, potential collaboration opportunities and the relationships they find most meaningful. Also, remember: You don’t have to have all the answers. If a Gen Z employee comes to you with a question, use it as a chance to connect them with other team members or subject-matter experts. Encouraging them to seek out knowledge from others not only strengthens their network but also fosters a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. As Gen Z professionals seek more personalized and fulfilling career paths, managers play a critical role in supporting them. Helping early career team members reach their professional goals will, in turn, help organizations reach their own goals. So if you’re a manager, asking these three simple questions during one-on-one meetings can lead to happier, more motivated workers and a more productive and stable organization. Kelly Kennedy, Ed.D. is a director of transformative learning at the University of Connecticut. Cathleen Swody, Ph.D. is a managing partner at Foster Talent Consulting, University of Connecticut. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

Creating and sticking to a cleaning schedule is difficult, but only because life is difficult. Finding time to clean can feel impossible sometimes, especially when you've had a stressful day at work, with your family, or just in general. But what if you could harness that negative energy and turn it into cleaning power? That's the idea behind TikTok's "angry cleaning" trend—also known as "rage cleaning"—and if you're as grumpy as I am, you mind find it helps you get your home a lot cleaner. What is TikTok's rage cleaning trend about?I see the terms "angry cleaning" and "rage cleaning" all over TikTok, but quickly realized they describe something I already do: When I'm annoyed or upset, I start to clean—usually something that requires a little oomph, like scrubbing or vacuuming. It turns out I'm not alone. There are a few benefits at work here. Pouring your negative energy into cleaning can distract you from whatever is annoying you, providing a menial task you can accomplish without a lot of active thinking. It lets you physically work out your negativity, especially if you're really putting some muscle into whatever you're doing (cleaning the oven is a good option here). It also gives you a positive end result that can lift your spirits and make you feel motivated: After cleaning for a while, your head will feel clearer and you'll have a cleaner home to show for it. How to incorporate angry cleaning into your routineI'll stop short of recommending that you wait to clean until you're upset; you should still try to follow a cleaning schedule and stay consistent with your efforts to tidy up. Additionally, I don't recommend intentionally pissing yourself off so you can work up the motivation to scrub all those dirty pans. When the opportunity to rage clean arises naturally, however, it pays to find the right outlet. Choose an arduous task like cleaning the bathroom grout so you can really put your back into it and physically work out your anger. It needn't be something truly strenuous. For instance, I like folding laundry when I'm mad because I get to slap the folded garments down on the pile with a bang. Whatever works! This isn't really the time for something that takes brainpower, like decluttering. Angry cleaning is most effective when you can focus on feelings over thoughts, so stick to mopping the floor extra hard. I'm generally a proponent of cleaning your home in small bursts, so tap into that thinking to bust through one annoying, laborious cleaning task while you're good and pissed. I'm not saying rage cleaning will fix whatever is bothering you, but it can help you let off some steam and will allow you to think a little more clearly afterward—and in a neater space to boot. Challenge yourself to work quietly on one task, see it through with no distractions, and reevaluate how you feel afterward. Think about what's bothering you, or just focus on cleaning, but don't take any steps to address what's wrong until you've finished your project and given yourself a little time alone and a bonus jolt of accomplishment. Your problems, and your to-do list, might both feel a bit more manageable afterward. What to keep in mind when rage cleaningI'll add a few more notes here, as someone who's now watched what feels like a million of these TikTok videos and who also does enjoy cleaning up when negative emotions are afoot. First, don't just channel your rage into cleaning to make it more effective, but make sure you're also using that time to yourself to calm down the anger. That looks different for everyone, sure, but on TikTok, you'll see examples of people lighting candles or putting on some music they enjoy. Ideally, by the end of an angry cleaning session, you'll feel better—which will help you address the cause of your annoyance more effectively, too. Second, if you're feeling mad all the time, it's really not good, whether you're able to turn that into productive rage cleaning or not. Obviously, it's more important to deal with the root cause of your problems than constantly use them to clean. Just wanted to put that out there. In the meantime, though, make sure you're taking note of when you're feeling the inspiration to angry clean. If, say, you hang up every phone call with your mom in a bad mood or consistently get frustrated after a weekly meeting at work, reorient your cleaning schedule to make sure you're harnessing that energy. If one of the parents at your kid's 6 p.m., Tuesday dance class enrages you, 8 p.m. on Tuesday sounds like a great time to give the kitchen its weekly cleaning, right? Let it work for you, not against you, and your home and emotions will thank you. View the full article

By CPA Trendlines Research NOTE: Here’s a handout for tax preparers to give to clients. Tax returns don’t have to be a terrible headache or big expense. Minimizing the work required by the tax preparer during the busy tax season … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

By CPA Trendlines Research NOTE: Here’s a handout for tax preparers to give to clients. Tax returns don’t have to be a terrible headache or big expense. Minimizing the work required by the tax preparer during the busy tax season … Continued Go PRO for members-only access to more CPA Trendlines Research. View the full article

President Donald Trump has found a new way to reward his supporters. On Sunday, Trump announced in a Truth Social post that he will issue an executive order creating a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” that will include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and three other cryptocurrencies. “I will make sure the U.S. is the Crypto Capital of the World,” Trump wrote. The announcement, which comes days before a White House crypto summit set for Friday, immediately drove up the price of bitcoin by about 10% on Sunday, while boosting ethereum 7%; though the biggest beneficiaries were Solana (up about 20%), XRP (25%), and Cardano (56%), the three lesser-known coins included in the reserve announcement. While a strategic reserve of cryptocurrency has been floated by legislators and advocates—including Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis, who has proposed a reserve specifically for Bitcoin—there is no clear reason for the government to buy these assets. The real winners are the crypto-loving Trump supporters, crypto lobbyists, and executives who will benefit from the government’s investment in their favorite coins. While Trump has not yet issued his executive order with specifics about how this reserve would work, here’s the general idea: The government would buy up large quantities of the five named cryptocurrencies and hold them for a set number of years, placing set limits on how and when they can sell. While Trump has not specified amounts, Lummis had proposed that the Treasury Department buy one million bitcoin, now a sum of more than $90 billion by today’s prices (one bitcoin costs about $90,000). Additionally the government would be barred from selling the coins for 20 years unless they’re spent paying down the national debt. The government already holds more than 200,000 tokens (about $18 billion) from assets seized in criminal and civil proceedings, so a reserve could mean that it is unable to sell the coins it’s already acquired. In August, experts told Fast Company that holding volatile assets such as cryptocurrencies could create significant liabilities for the government, which is counted upon for stability in times of economic crisis. At the time, Todd Phillips, an assistant professor of law at Georgia State University, called the idea of a Bitcoin strategic reserve a “pump scheme” that would solely reward current holders. Critics have lambasted the move as a waste of taxpayer money, especially as the government makes critical cuts to federal employment, scientific research, and international aid. “While he chokes off cancer research and fires VA researchers, the President is using your taxpayer dollars to buy crypto and enrich his personal allies,” Washington Sen. Patty Murray wrote on X on Monday. Even some Silicon Valley mainstays who have been supportive of Trump came out against the reserve. Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale said that while he’s pro-crypto and supports the administration’s cost-cutting efforts, the government shouldn’t be buying crypto. “Cut it out with these schemes guys,” he wrote on X on Sunday. Investor Jason Calacanis echoed that sentiment: “It’s a terrible idea to spend tax payer money buying the crypto bags of the people who donated many millions to him,” he wrote on X. “It’s an even worse idea to pick winners like this.” Taxation is theft. It should be kept to a minimum. It’s wrong to steal my money for grift on the left; it’s also wrong to tax me for crypto bro schemes. Efficient defense, courts, national parks (should fund themselves), prisons, etc – fine. Cut it out with these schemes guys. https://t.co/owIdAJvXoA — Joe Lonsdale (@JTLonsdale) March 2, 2025 According to one preelection poll, Trump was disproportionately supported by cryptocurrency holders who supported him 12 percentage points more than his rival U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. As such, he campaigned on the promise of boosting crypto: “You’re going to be very happy with me,” Trump told attendees at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in July. “If Bitcoin is going to the moon . . . I want America to be the nation that leads the way.” While Trump’s crypto faithful supporters cheer the announcement, it’s clear that this isn’t about promoting economic stability or making important investments but rather rewarding a key constituency of the MAGA movement. And the American people are fronting the cost. View the full article

The term audio visual technician might seem straightforward, but the role itself is often misunderstood. It's more than just fixing speakers; it's a specialized field distinct from IT management. With the surge in video conferencing and hybrid work, the demand for skilled AV technicians is rapidly growing. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 13,000 annual openings for these professionals through 2033, highlighting their essential role in today's technology-driven organizations. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. There’s a difference between cleaning and decluttering. If you have too much stuff (clutter), you’ll have a much harder time sweeping, dusting, sanitizing, and actually cleaning, plus your house will never look clean. But decluttering is harder than cleaning, by far. It’s overwhelming, even, which is why clutter can get out of hand, making cleaning a nearly impossible task. That’s also why we’re always on the hunt for new ways to declutter: Surely, someone out there has cracked the code, right? As it turns out, organizer Kayleen Kelly may have. Her method, Core 4, is wildly popular on TikTok and could be the one that works for you. (Check out all these other pro decluttering methods, too, for more inspiration.) What is Core 4?Kelly’s Core 4 cleaning method is a big hit on CleanTok, with one analysis I was sent by Upmove showing videos on the technique have amassed over 23 million views. Here’s the video that launched it all: When decluttering, Kelly suggests moving through each room in four stages: Clear out, categorize, cut out, and contain. How to use Core 4 to declutterIf you want to try Core 4 on your own, Kelly advises starting with small areas to avoid getting overwhelmed. Instead of trying to do each stage through your entire home at once, do all four stages in one room, then repeat that process in each room. If a single room has a ton of stuff in it, you can divvy that up even more, focusing first on a closet or the counter space, for example. Clear outStart the first phase, which is clear out, by just removing everything and putting it in a pile. Throw out trash if you see it, but focus on getting your cupboards, table space, and other storage areas completely clear, so they can be filled in a more organized way later. CategorizeNext, categorize. You’ll need sorting bins for this (more on that later), so designate a bin for each different category of stuff you’re moving through, like your clothes, a family member’s clothes, makeup, knick-knacks, pet products, etc. Start sorting your pile by putting every item into its associated bin. Cut outThe third phase is "cut out." This one is difficult because you’ll be tasked with going through each bin and determining what can be thrown away or donated. This is a good time to practice putting your clutter in “purgatory”—moving things you’re unsure about getting rid of to a special bin that you’ll hide away somewhere, like an attic, for a month to determine if you can live without it. Otherwise, be decisive and do your best to shrink the amount of stuff in each bin. Here's a list of questions I recommend asking yourself as you declutter so you can focus on making objective, reasonable choices. ContainFinally, contain. Reassess your bin situation. If you threw out a bunch of old kitchen tools, you might be able to put the remaining ones in a smaller container, for instance. The bins are key here—you’ll be using them for storage and organizing going forward, not just for sorting and decluttering when you’re working through the steps. What to keep in mind while utilizing Core 4Core 4 relies on principles you'll also find echoed throughout the wider landscape of organizing and decluttering techniques. Specifically, it works well because it falls back on the principles that make up the Organizational Triangle, namely, that similar items should be stored together and everything you own must have a designated space. The containers are crucial because they keep everything categorized and stored together, but also because they give you a sense of volume. If all of your skincare products are stored in a bin, for instance, you'll notice if you run out of space to add more, which can signal to you that you need to declutter and pare down your collection. If they're scattered all over your bathroom and vanity, you'll have a much tougher time noticing you have too much. While the containers are important and valuable, they also pose a bit of a problem: With everything boxed up and hidden away, the containers themselves can become cluttered. You'll still need to repeat the Core 4 technique periodically over time, focusing on that "clear out" step and dumping the bins, so you don't end up with a bunch of smaller, invisible messes inside your cabinets and closets. Another approach you can use is the "out in the open" method, which is pretty similar, but involves dumping every item in every closet or cupboard in a room right into the center of the space, then going through it. The scale at which you tackle the "clear out" stage as you continue to employ Core 4 is really up to you, but I recommend moving in smaller chunks to avoid getting overwhelmed. What bins you'll needIt might seem counterintuitive to buy more stuff to declutter, but to use this method, you really do need the bins. They make sorting easy, plus give you a place to store the things you decide to keep, helping you stay organized so you don’t have to keep repeating the Core 4 all the time. Here are a few bin options to consider: Classic storage binsIf you’re focusing on pure functionality, nothing is better for this job than clear, plastic containers with lids. They nest and stack, so whether they’re empty or full, storing them is easy and intuitive. Try the IRIS bins from Amazon, which come in a six-pack of 53-quart bins ($69.99) for larger items or categories and a 20-pack of 5.9-quart bins ($28.99) for smaller needs. IRIS USA 6-quart clear storage boxes, 20 pack $28.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $28.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Decorative storage binsIf you live in a small space where the bins are more likely to be visible or you just prioritize aesthetics, you'll want more decorative bins. Your best bet is to buy sets of matching boxes, like this small and large box set on Wayfair for $58.99, which comes in a bunch of colors and designs. Collapsible fabric boxes, like this set of three from Amazon ($29.95) are good options, too, since they can be folded up when not in use and fit well onto shelving units. View the full article

Inflation in Europe eased to an annual 2.4% in February, supporting the case for another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank—but leaving open how far the central bank will go in lowering borrowing costs for an economy that’s still struggling to show robust growth. The February figure for the 20 countries that use the euro currency was down from 2.5% in January as energy inflation dwindled and major economy France saw a rate of only 0.9%, the European Union’s statistical agency Eurostat reported Monday. The lower consumer price inflation figure supports the view that the ECB is succeeding in its battle to get inflation back to its target of 2% and can focus on supporting tepid growth. The bank’s rate-setting council is expected to cut its benchmark rate by a quarter point to 2.5% on Thursday. That rate influences borrowing costs throughout the economy, and a cut will make it easier to borrow money to buy a house or expand a factory. A rate cut Thursday had already been pencilled in by analysts but the new figure gives added support for a cut. Growth worries have come to the fore after the eurozone stagnated in the last three months of 2024, as consumers still smarting from an outbreak of inflation remained cautious in their spending habits. Business worried about possible new tariffs on exports to the U.S. under President Donald Trump. Political paralysis in France, where no party has a majority in parliament to address an outsized budget deficit, and the transition to a new government in Germany after the February 23 national election have also left businesses uncertain about the future. Recent surveys of purchasing managers by S&P Global suggested the eurozone economy just barely grew in February. The big question at Thursday’s interest rate meeting is whether bank President Christine Lagarde will drop clues about how far the bank will go in cutting rates. While inflation is well down from its peak of 10.6% in October, 2022, some indicators of prices pressures remain elevated. Costs for services—a broad category ranging from haircuts and hotel rooms to concert tickets and medical care—remained at 3.7%. At its last meeting on January 30, the bank said the benchmark rate was still high enough to restrict growth; dropping that mention on Thursday could be seen as a signal that future cuts will be more limited. A top ECB official argued in a recent speech that recent changes in the economy may constrain how far the bank can go in cutting rates. Recent evidence suggests “that the era during which risks to inflation have persistently been to the downside is likely to have come to an end,” said Isabel Schnabel, a member of the six-member executive board that runs the bank day to day at its Frankfurt headquarters. Schnabel argued that the so-called neutral rate at which the economy is neither held back nor stimulated has risen in recent years. —David McHugh, AP Business Writer View the full article

Google updated its conversion terminology in Google Merchant Center, renaming “Conversion settings” to “Key event setup” in the Google Ads UI. The terminology change aligns Google Merchant Center with Google Analytics 4’s shift from “conversions” to “key events,” creating more consistent language across Google’s marketing platforms. The big picture: This change reflects Google’s broader move toward standardizing measurement terms across its suite of marketing tools, which began with Google Analytics 4’s introduction of the “key events” terminology in March 2024. Why we care. The alignment with Google Analytics 4 means you will need to adapt your workflows, reporting, and possibly your strategic approach to measuring customer interactions. Between the lines: The shift from “conversions” to “key events” represents more than just a naming convention – it’s part of Google’s evolving approach to how businesses track and measure meaningful user interactions. First seen. We were first made aware of this update by Emmanuel Flossie when he posted about seeing the change on LinkedIn: What to watch: As Google continues to align terminology across its platforms, marketers should expect similar updates to appear in other Google marketing tools to create a more unified measurement framework. View the full article

Latest corporate overture to Trump administration marks bid to ward off possible tariffs on chips from TaiwanView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. A crevice garden is an exceptional way to deal with one of the hardest terrains to grow a garden. But more than that, crevice gardens can create architectural interest and structure, while growing a drought-tolerant garden that can be full of native plants. You can even create a crevice garden in a place that didn’t previously have rocky terrain, if you like the look of them. With climate change bringing hotter summers, a garden that is drought tolerant while also improving the soil and providing food for pollinators is a win all around. Since these gardens are so low maintenance, they’re perfect for people who want a dramatic, natural garden without a lot of upkeep. Crevices provide the perfect growing conditionsIf you have a patio, driveway or bricked walkway, you know that plants love to grow in the nooks and crannies, whether you want them to or not. There’s good reason these plants grow in the tiny spaces—the surrounding matter, whether that’s rock, brick, or pavement, provide almost perfect germination conditions. They keep the seeds dark, warm, and moist in the soil, shaded from the sun. The roots are protected, and hard surfaces almost always trap heat, offering the plant what it needs to survive. With a crevice garden, you embrace this idea, and either create or adapt rocky spaces. If you have a rock wall, adding plants between the rocks creates a symbiotic relationship: The roots help the wall maintain stability, holding soil and rocks in place, even in storms; the rocks provide drainage, insulation, and minerals that leach into the soil, providing nutrients for the plants. The rocks also act as protection. How to start planting in your rock wallIf you have an existing rock wall or outcropping of rocks, you just need to check the conditions to get started on your crevice garden. You'll need enough soil between the rocks to anchor your plants. Use a cup or scoop to pour garden soil into the crevices, only enough so the seedings you place there will touch soil. Once you ensure that your rock wall has enough soil between the rocks, tuck small plants into the crevices. When you pull these plants out of the plastic containers they come in, be sure to free up and spread out the roots, so they’ll begin rooting into the soil once planted. While they’re establishing themselves, ensure the wall gets watered only enough to keep the plants alive. Don’t baby these plants—overwatering will stop the roots from seeking water deep within the soil. Water the plants once after planting, and then watch for signs of plant stress such as wilting before watering again. Remember, water flows down, so if you’re watering a rock wall, don’t overdo it: Water well at the top of the wall and then allow gravity to move the water down to lower plants. There are different variations on crevice gardensA new generation of landscapers is using the notion of a rock wall to landscape entire flat yards. Washington State University recently demonstrated this, laying stone slabs parallel to one another, creating gorgeous diagonal lines between which to plant. Plantings are made in small groupings, two or three together. You don’t need to design your entire yard around the crevice concept: A small outcropping of large rocks creates vertical interest in a large yard. Consider a long, low rock wall to define a change of elevation in your yard, or to shield a sitting area from the wind. Once you have rocks or slabs in place, the instructions are the same as for a rock wall. Make sure there's some dirt or soil for the plants to grab onto in the crevices between rocks, or add enough soil to do so. Plant small, drought tolerant plants in the crevices and encourage root growth by watering minimally. Resources to start your own crevice gardenIf you’re interested in starting a crevice garden, consider the book “The Crevice Garden: How to make the perfect home for plants from rocky places,” which is full of suggestions for plants and layouts of crevice gardens. The best way to start is to visit a local nursery that specializes in natives; explain your project and find out what plants are recommended for your zone. This is the perfect time of year, as nurseries are beginning to stock for the spring and summer. This early in the season, you also have time to grow your own seedlings from seed. Seeing what is available will help you envision the colors, shapes and textures your garden can embody. From sedums that will tolerate a Northeast winter to caper berry plants that would thrive in a high desert, your crevice garden has to be suited to the local weather. If you’re interested in building a crevice garden from scratch, consider working with a landscape designer. If you want to go it on your own, seek out a local rock yard. These businesses have different rocks, soils, and sands are separated out, and you can walk or drive around and look at each. You’ll purchase the material by the ton, not pound, and can usually opt to pick it up yourself or have it delivered. Someone will walk with you through the yard and show you options. You can be as organic or rigid in your design as you'd like, by just placing a few rocks close together or by laying out an entire yard's worth of stone in distinctive planes. The formula remains the same: Identify the spaces between the rocks (the crevices), ensure there's enough soil to plant into, and then place drought-tolerant plants in those spaces. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. A reader writes: I just read your post about an intern refusing assignments due to political beliefs. I am finding myself in the same position but with multiple direct reports who have been part of my team for years. We share enough with each other personally to know we are on the same side politically. However, a large chunk of our work is for those on the opposite side, and what these clients are sharing on social media (through the official organization’s pages) is pretty horrifying. My direct reports are so upset that they don’t want to be associated with this client, but unfortunately it’s part of their job requirement to work with them on a project. What’s a good way of explaining to them that they need to separate their personal beliefs from the work? While in my gut, I also feel like a sellout? We’ve always known many of our projects are for those we may not agree with on certain issues, but this political divide has never really affected our work like with the current administration. I also feel like this is just the beginning. I don’t think it’s a given that people do need to separate their personal beliefs from work! Maybe they do in order to work for your particular firm, but it’s not a given that they need to do it in general. First and foremost, though, I think you’ve got to get clear on where you stand on this. Is this work you’re willing to do or does it cross personal ethical lines for you? And if it does cross those lines for you, what options are you willing to employ? Would you push back with your employer about taking on this particular work at all? Ask for more internal discussion about what your company will and won’t support? Say that your team won’t be responsible for doing it? Are you willing to leave the job over it? If you’re not willing to leave over it this once, what about if it continues and becomes more objectionable? You say you’re feeling like a sell-out, and that’s a sign to make sure you’ve thought through where your own lines are and when you’ll need to act on them. You might have already thought it this through and landed on “I don’t like it but I’m not willing to be draw a line in the sand over it” / “I think I’d be fired if I refuse and I’m not going to risk that” … but I can’t completely tell from your letter how much you’ve hashed it through yet and seriously considered other paths. So please do that thinking — even if not for now, then because it sounds like you think it might get worse down the road, and you want to know where your lines are. Don’t just leap to “we have to do it because we were assigned it.” Sometimes there’s no room for pushback, but sometimes there is. And sometimes multiple people speaking up is what creates that room. But assuming you’ve thought it through and this is work you plan to do, then the best thing you can do is to be up-front with your team about that reality: “I understand you disagree with this client. So do I. I’ve talked with (upper managers) about it in-depth, and the company is committed to moving forward with the project. I’ve also asked about ways to get the work done without asking employees with personal objections to be the ones carrying it out, and it’s been made clear to me there’s no wiggle room. (Obviously this needs to be true if you’re saying it, which is another reason to explore this internally if you haven’t already.) I absolutely understand if that means the job isn’t right for you under these circumstances, and I fully support you in looking elsewhere if that’s what you conclude.” Also, if you expect some people will feel strongly enough about this that they’re likely to leave over it if it remains a requirement, that’s a discussion you should be having with your own manager ahead of time, too. It’s possible your management won’t care, or that the work is so inherent to what the company does that there’s no practical way to avoid it. It’s also possible that there are ways to let people opt out, who knows. But it’s a conversation you might have a responsibility to have. View the full article

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has launched a sale of its Hong Kong shares to raise up to $5.2 billion via an accelerated book-building, according to a deal term sheet seen by Reuters on Monday. The company has set a price range of HK$333-HK$345 per share for the offering, representing an up to 8.4% discount compared to the stock’s market closing price of HK$363.60 on Monday. The offering is expected to be priced on Monday, the term sheet said. BYD did not immediately respond to a Reuters’ request for comment. The company plans to use the proceeds to invest in research and development, expand overseas businesses, supplement working capital, and for general purposes. The deal adds to a sharp pickup this year in share offering momentum in Hong Kong, the preferred destination for Chinese companies looking to raise offshore capital, as investors bet on a possible recovery in China’s economic growth. Shares of China’s largest bubble tea and drinks chain, Mixue Group, jumped more than 47% in their debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Monday, with new listings in the city recording their strongest start to a year since 2021. The stellar start reinforces hopes for a strong year in new equity issuances by Chinese companies in Hong Kong, as Beijing steps up support for its private enterprises to revive a slowing economy amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The fundraising comes amid a hectic pace of hiring and expanding to other markets for BYD. BYD plans to hire 20,000 employees in Zhengzhou in the first quarter as it boosts production capacity, government-run Henan Daily reported last month. The company also aims to complete its $1 billion plant in Indonesia at the end of 2025, the head of its local unit said in January. BYD, which overshot its global sales target to more than 4 million units sold last year, opened its first EV plant in Southeast Asia in Thailand in 2024, worth $490 million and which has a production capacity of 150,000 units per year. —Scott Murdoch, Reuters View the full article

Catherine Bashiama runs her fingers along the branches of the coffee tree she’s raised from a seedling, searching anxiously for its first fruit buds since she planted it three years ago. When she grasps the small cherries, Bashiama beams. The farmer had never grown coffee in her village in western South Sudan, but now hopes a rare, climate-resistant species will help pull her family from poverty. “I want to send my children to school so they can be the future generation,” said Bashiama, a mother of 12. Discovered more than a century ago in South Sudan, excelsa coffee is exciting cash-strapped locals and drawing interest from the international community amid a global coffee crisis caused mainly by climate change. As leading coffee-producing countries struggle to grow crops in drier, less reliable weather, prices have soared to the highest in decades and the industry is scrambling for solutions. Experts say estimates from drought-stricken Brazil, the world’s top coffee grower, are that this year’s harvest could be down by some 12%. “What history shows us is that sometimes the world doesn’t give you a choice, and right now there are many coffee farmers suffering from climate change that are facing this predicament,” said Aaron Davis, head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London. Excelsa could play a key role in adapting. Native to South Sudan and a handful of other African countries, including Congo, Central African Republic and Uganda, excelsa is also farmed in India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The tree’s deep roots, thick leathery leaves and big trunk allow it to thrive in extreme conditions such as drought and heat where other coffees cannot. It’s also resistant to many common coffee pests and diseases. Yet it comprises less than 1% of the global market, well behind the arabica and robusta species that are the most consumed coffees in the world. Experts say excelsa will have to be shown to be practical at a much larger scale to bridge the gap in the market caused by climate change. Coffee’s history in South Sudan Unlike neighboring Ethiopia or Uganda, oil-rich South Sudan has never been known as a coffee-producing nation. Its British colonizers grew robusta and arabica, but much of that stopped during decades of conflict that forced people from their homes and made it hard to farm. Coffee trees require regular care such as pruning and weeding and take at least three years to yield fruit. During a visit earlier this month to Nzara County in Western Equatoria state — regarded as the country’s breadbasket — residents reminisced to Associated Press reporters about their parents and grandparents growing coffee, yet much of the younger generation hadn’t done it themselves. Many were familiar with excelsa, but didn’t realize how unique it was, or what it was called, referring to it as the big tree, typically taller than the arabica and robusta species that are usually pruned to be bush- or hedge-like. The excelsa trees can reach 15 meters (about 49 feet) in height, but may also be pruned much shorter for ease of harvesting. Coffee made from excelsa tastes sweet — unlike robusta — with notes of chocolate, dark fruits and hazelnut. It’s more similar to arabica, but generally less bitter and may have less body. “There’s so little known about this coffee, that we feel at the forefront to trying to unravel it and we’re learning every day,” said Ian Paterson, managing director of Equatoria Teak, a sustainable agro-forestry company that’s been operating in the country for more than a decade. The company’s been doing trials on excelsa for years. Initial results are promising, with the trees able to withstand heat much better than other species, the company said. It’s also working with communities to revive the coffee industry and scale up production. Three years ago it gave seedlings and training to about 1,500 farmers, including Bashiama, to help them grow the coffee. The farmers can sell back to the company for processing and export. Many of the trees started producing for the first time this year, and Paterson said he hopes to export the first batch of some 7 tons to specialty shops in Europe. By 2027, the coffee could inject some $2 million into the economy, with big buyers such as Nespresso expressing interest. But production needs to triple for it to be worthwhile for large buyers to invest, he said. Challenges of growing an industry amid South Sudan’s instability That could be challenging in South Sudan, where lack of infrastructure and insecurity make it hard to get the coffee out. One truck of 30 tons of coffee has to travel some 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers) to reach the port in Kenya to be shipped. The cost for the first leg of that trip, through Uganda, is more than $7,500, which is up to five times the cost in neighboring countries. It’s also hard to attract investors. Despite a peace deal in 2018 that ended a five-year civil war, pockets of fighting persist. Tensions in Western Equatoria are especially high after the president removed the governor in February, sparking anger among his supporters. When AP reporters visited Nzara, the main road to town was cut off one day because of gunshots and people were fleeing their villages, fearful of further violence. The government says companies can operate safely, but warned them to focus on business. “If I’m a businessman, dealing with my business, let me not mix with politics. Once you start mixing your business with politics, definitely you will end up in chaos,” said Alison Barnaba, the state’s minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment. Barnaba said there are plans to rehabilitate old coffee plantations and build an agriculture school, but details are murky, including where the money will come from. South Sudan hasn’t paid its civil servants in more than a year, and a rupture of a crucial oil pipeline through neighboring Sudan has tanked oil revenue. Growing the coffee isn’t always easy, either. Farmers have to contend with fires that spread quickly in the dry season and decimate their crops. Hunters use fires to scare and kill animals and residents use it to clear land for cultivation. But the fires can get out of control and there are few measures in place to hold people accountable, say residents. Coffee as a way out of poverty Still, for locals, the coffee represents a chance at a better future. Bashiama said she started planting coffee after her husband was injured and unable to help cultivate enough of the maize and ground nuts that the family had lived on. Since his accident she hasn’t been able to send her children to school or buy enough food, she said. Another farmer, 37-year-old Taban John, wants to use his coffee earnings to buy a bicycle so he can more easily sell his other crops, ground nuts and cassava, and other goods in town. He also wants to be able to afford school uniforms for his children. Excelsa is an opportunity for the community to become more financially independent, say community leaders. People rely on the government or foreign aid, but when that doesn’t come through they’re not able to take care of their families, they say. But for coffee to thrive in South Sudan, locals say there needs to be a long-term mentality, and that requires stability. Elia Box lost half of his coffee crop to fire in early February. He plans to replace it, but was dispirited at the work it will require and the lack of law and order to hold people accountable. “People aren’t thinking long-term like coffee crops, during war,” he said. “Coffee needs peace.” The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. It receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. —Sam Mednick, Associated Press View the full article

Stopping cyber threats before they start begins with adopting one essential email habit today. Quick Tech Talk With Steve Yoss CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Stephen Yoss. View the full article

Stopping cyber threats before they start begins with adopting one essential email habit today. Quick Tech Talk With Steve Yoss CPE Today Go PRO for members-only access to more Stephen Yoss. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google Ads stopped running for many advertisers over the weekend...View the full article

Reddit isn’t just a place for memes and viral debates – it’s a powerful tool for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to boost visibility, connect with audiences, and even boost SEO. While most marketing advice for Reddit focuses on big brands, SMBs can use the platform effectively to engage with potential customers, build trust, and drive real results. Consider Reddit as another social platform So why should an SMB consider using Reddit? Unlike other social media channels, such as Instagram, where you’re forced to keep up with every new feature so the algorithm will push your account, Reddit doesn’t really change. It’s a forum-style site that lets people join specific communities – subreddits – to engage with others who share their interests. Rather than simply hoping people will see your content by following social media best practices, you can instantly connect with your audience on Reddit. There’s a subreddit for nearly anything you can think of. Whether you’re a photographer or a personal trainer, there are plenty of existing communities where you can be active. It takes the guesswork out of finding your audience. Reddit in search Another consideration is the popularity of Reddit in search results. People are actively searching for Reddit posts on Google. While looking for a personal trainer in Brooklyn, one autocomplete suggestion includes Reddit. This means that users are actually adding “Reddit” to their queries. (Autocomplete predictions are based on real searches and common word patterns found across the web.) People want real reviews, advice, and opinions from actual people. Reddit is where they are going to get that – they’re just using Google to get there. Even for people searching for local businesses without appending “Reddit” to their queries, there are SERP features that show Reddit results. Discussions and forums is a SERP feature that displays Reddit and other posts from forums like Quora in search results. While looking for a photographer, I can see who other people in my area are recommending and read about their experiences. Community Reddit has its own communities filled with people who are interested in and even passionate about every topic imaginable. Dig deeper: How the Google-Reddit partnership impacts brand management Getting started Jumping into Reddit as an SMB may initially seem intimidating, but starting small and staying authentic is the key. Rather than treating it like a traditional marketing channel, think of it as a space to connect with potential customers naturally. Build out your profile Just like any other platform, make sure you fill out your Reddit profile: Add a profile picture. Write a short bio about who you are and what you do. Add your website and social links. The Redditor above is a lifestyle, competition preparation, and posing coach. Their profile clearly shows who they are and what they do and links to their various social media accounts. You can also see that they have earned post karma and comment karma from people upvoting their posts and comments. Find the right subreddits The power of Reddit for SMBs lies in hyperlocal communities. You’re not trying to blast your message to the masses. You’re engaging with people in your city or niche interest groups. Find your people: Search for subreddits related to your area (like r/Portland or r/Philly). Also, look for industry-specific subreddits where your target audience hangs out. For example, if you run a gym, you might find potential clients in r/Fitness or r/bikinitalk. Follow the rules: Each subreddit has its own guidelines. Some are strict about self-promotion, while others are more lenient if you contribute valuable content. Make sure to read the rules before posting. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. Engage authentically Reddit users can spot spammy self-promotion from a mile away. While the eventual goal is to bring in leads, your primary goal should be to become a trusted community member. Without building trust and being transparent in your Reddit strategy, you won’t be successful. Start by commenting: Get your feet wet by commenting on new, existing threads. Don’t search for all threads relevant to your business, and comment on ones from a month ago. Stick to posts that are at most a week old, depending on how active the subreddit is. Share tips, answer questions, or join discussions in a meaningful way. Be a human, not a brand: People go to Reddit for real opinions and recommendations. Share lessons you’ve learned and funny experiences related to your business, and answer people’s questions genuinely. You don’t have to comment only on things directly related to your business. Let’s say you run a café and partner with a local bakery to provide pastries. If people ask where to find the best croissants in your city, you can comment and recommend them. It doesn’t hurt to shout out any businesses or charities you partner with when people ask for recommendations on related topics. It’s authentic to offer suggestions for businesses you’ve already worked with in the past. The screenshot above is a great example of engaging with your community and being real. Someone asked for advice on the pricing of training sessions. The coach, whose bio we looked at earlier, commented to address the Redditor’s concerns and sharing how much they charge because it was relevant to the post. It’s the perfect example of discussing your offerings without being spammy or “in your face.” Dig deeper: SEO beyond Google – Building your brand on Reddit, Quora, TikTok and more Sharing is caring Reddit is all about sharing information. It’s some people’s source of truth. When using it as a channel for your SMB, remember that sharing is caring. You have to give more than you take for this to work, and that means offering genuinely helpful information should be the focus. If every post is a sales pitch, you can get eaten alive by downvotes and possibly even banned from subreddits. You’ll also create a negative association with your business by spamming people with your services when they’re just trying to get information. Think of it as an investment Like other social media channels, you have to consider this an investment. You don’t usually see amazing results from posting a TikTok or an Instagram Story unless you happen to go viral, which is rare. Don’t expect to see results from Reddit overnight, either. You’re demonstrating your expertise and highlighting your experiences for others to see. Yes, the goal is to generate leads, but you have to do the legwork of building trust and connections with others to get there. SMBs can manage this in-house. There’s no need to hire a company. You’re already familiar with the business, industry, and local community and are best suited to engage authentically on Reddit. Use Reddit as a research tool While you’re going through relevant subreddits, take note of what you’re reading. Are people constantly mentioning a competitor? Are people complaining about your industry? What are people’s pain points with your services or products? Gather this information and use it to your advantage. You can manually search on subreddits for what people are saying. Britney Muller also shared an amazing resource on building your AI-Powered Reddit tool. If you’re comfortable with code, she created a Colab notebook to help you gather: Comments from a specific post. Insights on a specific keyword. Lots more information for whatever topic you’re looking for. She also provided a no-code option, but it does limit how much information you can gather. Use these insights on your business, industry, and competitors to create informed content for your site. Pain points can turn into blog posts addressing them. Commonly asked questions in subreddits can be added to your FAQ pages. Use industry or competitor weaknesses to create strong messaging that highlights your strengths (if it’s true). Example: Some plumbers quote one price but charge a higher one after completing the service. If your plumbing business offers transparent pricing, highlight that in your messaging. Authenticity drives success on Reddit Reddit gives SMBs a unique opportunity to: Connect with local communities. Engage in relevant discussions. Improve search visibility. Unlike other social platforms, staying relevant doesn’t require constant content creation. It rewards authenticity and meaningful interactions. By actively participating in the right subreddits, building trust, and providing value without being overly promotional, SMBs can foster real relationships that lead to tangible results. Think of Reddit as a long-term investment. Consistent effort and genuine engagement will pay off over time. If you’re looking for a platform to connect directly with your audience, gain insights, and establish credibility in your niche, Reddit is worth exploring. Start small, be helpful, and most importantly, be real because, on Reddit, authenticity always wins. Dig deeper: Reddit: Your new online reputation challenge View the full article