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PLUS: The proper process in 21 steps. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

PLUS: The proper process in 21 steps. By Marc Rosenberg CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Marc Rosenberg. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Since its release 2023, the Boox Palma e-reader—and its successor, the Palma 2—has sown confusion. It's the same size and shape as a cell phone and it has an e-ink screen, but it isn't an e-ink phone, because it doesn't have a SIM card slot or eSIM. Well, today Boox's parent company, the Chinese device-maker Onyx International, announced the new Palma 2 Pro, and things aren't getting any less opaque. As I wrote about last month when the new device was first rumored, the Palma 2 Pro does have a SIM card slot, but it still isn't really a phone—while it can handle mobile data (meaning browsing the internet, streaming video, reading email, or downloading books and other media), it still can't take calls like a traditional Android phone. (You can download a voice-over-internet app like Google Voice or WhatsApp, but that's not really the same thing.) That said, the Palma 2 Pro does offer a few choice upgrades worth discussing—as does the Boox Note Air 5C, the next in the company's line of full-fledged color e-ink notebooks. The Palma 2 Pro adds a color screen and stylus supportIf calling capability was the most-requested Palma feature on the Boox subreddit, then a color screen and support for note-taking were tied for second, and the new Palma will have both, turning it into a mini digital notebook along the lines of the reMarkable Paper Pro Move. In its announcement video, Boox revealed that the device will add the same Kaleido 3 color e-ink technology found on the Boox Go Color 7 (Gen II) released last year, and like that device, it will also support writing on the screen. While the Go Color 7 could be purchased with Boox's own "InkSense" stylus—a USI 2.0 pen that I found rather disappointing when I tested it last year—a Boox spokesperson promised an improved writing experience from the Palma 2 Pro's "InkSense Pro." (Given my mixed reaction to USI 2.0 styluses across other devices I've tested, I'm withholding judgment there.) While those are the headline changes, the Palma 2 Pro offers a few decent if not dramatic upgrades (which is probably why the company isn't calling it the Palma 3). It's still available in either black or white, but it runs on Android 15 (versus the Palma 2's Android 13), and has 8GB or RAM over the Palma 2's 6GB. Otherwise, it has the same basic form factor (the new device is .8mm thicker and 5g heavier) and features (including a 16 megapixel rear camera, 128GB of storage, an adjustable front light, and fingerprint unlock), but it still isn't fully waterproof. A big price increaseAll those upgrades do come at a significant cost—the Palma 2 Pro retails for $399.99 in the U.S., a full $100 more than the already-pricey-for-an-ereader Palma 2. It's unclear how much of the price increase can be chalked up to tariffs on Chinese-made products, but for what it's worth, the device will be sold for $20 less in other parts of the world. The Palma 2 Pro is available for pre-order now on Boox's website, with a scheduled ship date of Nov. 7. The Boox Note Air 5C is a less dramatic upgradeThe Palma 2 Pro wasn't the only product Boox announced today. The U.S. is also getting the next iteration of the Boox Note Air, though its far less flashy an upgrade. In fact, that features and specs listed on the Boox product page are a virtual copy of those for the Note Air 4C released in 2024. It has the same look and form factor (to within 1mm, according to the specs on the Boox website), the same Kaleido 3 color screen, the same 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and virtually the same weight. Aside from a similar upgrade from Android 13 to Android 15 for the OS, the biggest difference seems to be the addition of pogo pins to support for Boox's new magnetic keyboard cover, which turns the device into something resembling an e-ink laptop. (Boox also makes a keyboard cover for its larger Note Max and Tab X C tablets, and I've been pretty pleased with it.) It also comes packaged with an upgraded Boox Pen3 stylus, which I've yet to try out. The same price as the Note Air 4CBefitting the minimal upgrades, the price for the Note Air 5C remains $530 in the U.S., the same as last year's model, and you can already order it on Amazon. A good time for discounts on older Boox devices Boox Palma 2 $299.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $299.99 at Amazon Boox Note Air 4C $499.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $30.00 Shop Now Shop Now $499.99 at Amazon $529.99 Save $30.00 SEE -1 MORE To be honest, these new product announcements aren't exactly what I was hoping for. The Note Air 5C is barely an upgrade, and given how successful it has been in helping me reduce my use of enraging and addictive social media apps, I really would love it if the Palma could replace my phone. Moreover, I don't find the addition of a color screen that compelling, since color e-ink makes black-and-white material look worse, and I think the Palma's 6.13-inch screen is too small to write on comfortably (even the 7.3-inch reMarkable Paper Pro Move is pushing it in that regard). On the plus side, the launch of new models does mean decent discounts on the older versions: You can now pick up the Palma 2 for $270, $30 less than the previous price and the same low it hit during recent Prime Day sales. Meanwhile, the Note Air 4C is $500, a $30 price cut. View the full article

Four key questions to ask yourself. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Four key questions to ask yourself. By Martin Bissett Passport to Partnership Go PRO for members-only access to more Martin Bissett. View the full article

Javier Milei’s plight in Argentina demonstrates how difficult it can be to rescue economies View the full article

The phrase “get ready with me!” sends shivers down my spine. Somewhere between the gratitude journal and the seventh supplement of the morning, "wellness" stopped being a refuge and became another item on an impossible to-do list. And when I don’t accomplish the items on my to-do list, I’ve introduced a new way to feel failure in my daily life. I’m burning out trying to prevent burnout; I’m anxious about not doing enough anxiety-reducing practices; I’m tired from all my “energy-boosting” protocols. All the self-care that’s supposed to leave me “restored” is utterly depleting me. I’ve reached a paradox of wellness culture, and I can't be alone. The surveillance state of self-careEmily Austen, author of Smarter: 10 Lessons for a More Productive and Less Stressed Life, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. She describes how wellness has morphed into "the new productivity theatre," where people find themselves "drowning in self-improvement checklists: journaling, breathwork, 10k steps, meditation, supplements, skincare, and still logging on exhausted." Wellness culture is its own kind of performance, with its own set of costumes. What's particularly insidious is how self-care has been co-opted into another metric of success. Austen points out that it "has turned into another form of self-surveillance: something we perform, post, and measure." We're not just tracking our steps and sleep cycles for ourselves—we're curating proof of our wellness for an audience, real or imagined. And here’s where we reach the paradox of self-care. We know the hustle culture is broken, yet we're sold wellness as the solution…through more hustle. Brands capitalize on our exhaustion, selling hope in the form of adaptogens and morning routines, promising relief for our "fried nervous systems." Whether or not you’d call your nervous system “fried,” the majority of us feel burnt out in one way or another. And as Austen reminds us, most of us "do not have the luxury of taking six months off to recover." The systems we build need to work alongside our actual lives, not in some idealized version of them. Otherwise, they're just expensive bandages on a wound that needs stitches. The myth of the perfect routineAlexis Haselberger, a time management and productivity coach, encounters this wellness mythology constantly in her practice. There's a pervasive belief that "self-care is a set of activities (yoga, meditation, morning pages, etc.) and if you're not doing them, you're not taking care of yourself." She recalls a client who, after a time-tracking exercise, concluded he wasn't drinking enough water. Her response? "How do you know?" The ensuing conversation revealed the absurdity of following arbitrary rules—like the famous eight glasses of water—without checking in with your actual body. "Are you feeling dehydrated? Is your pee dark yellow? Are you thirsty all the time? No? Well, your water intake is probably just fine." Even more telling is the phenomenon of people fighting their natural chronotype, trying to become morning people just to squeeze in wellness rituals before work. Haselberger sees "many, many people" attempting this transformation, chasing the Instagram-worthy 5 a.m. routine when their bodies are wired for different rhythms entirely. How did we arrive at this exhausting place? Haselberger blames "a dystopian content machine" flooding us with claims that one more wellness activity will make all the difference. "People are already stressed, so they're searching for the magic bullet." Instead, real self-care is often about subtracting, not adding. “No bubble bath or journaling session is going to solve burnout,” Haselberger says. Rather, it’s about removing what doesn’t serve you, not piling on more obligations. Focus on protecting your boundaries, curating your environment, and knowing when to quit. The simplest solutionKatherine Morgan Schafler, therapist and author of The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control, offers a way out of this trap: simplicity and sustainability. Before adopting any wellness practice, ask yourself two questions: Is it simple? Is it sustainable? Take exercise as an example. Instead of committing to a complex gym routine, could you take a walk? Do jumping jacks in your living room? Schafler suggests asking what you could see yourself doing "for the rest of your life," not what you could white-knuckle through for six months in an "unsustainable burst that leads to burn out." And here's the permission slip we all need: "You're supposed to do this thing called 'enjoying your life.'" Fun and enjoyment aren't frivolous—they're essential to mental wellness. "Formal wellness routines that take themselves too seriously and are devoid of fun might not be helpful for you," Schafler says. "Trust what feels good; if you're not enjoying it on some level, don't do it." Perhaps the most radical act of self-care isn't adding another supplement to your morning stack or waking up earlier for meditation. Maybe it's permission to do less. Trust your body over influencer advice, protect your time instead of optimizing it, and choose actual rest over the performance of rest. Wellness should restore, not deplete. If your self-care routine feels like another job, it's not care—it's compliance. And you're allowed to quit. View the full article

Can a UX change bring traffic back to X? The social network previously known as Twitter is hoping an update to its in-app browser will boost links on the timeline and lure back publishers and creators who’ve grown ambivalent to a site that doesn’t drive clicks like it used to. X head of product Nikita Bier wrote in a post Sunday that a new link experience that will first be tested out on iOS is intended to “make it easier for your followers to engage with your post while browsing links.” Currently, users who click links on X are taken to an in-app browser that takes up the full screen. Under the update, which Bier shared in a demo video, clicking on a link instead collapses the post’s engagement bar to the bottom of the screen, letting users comment, repost, like, or save from inside the story as they scroll and read. We're testing a new link experience, starting on iOS — to make it easier for your followers to engage with your post while browsing links. For creators, a common complaint is that posts with links tend to get lower reach. This is because the web browser covers the post and… pic.twitter.com/oWraLpPwji — Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) October 19, 2025 From the looks of it, it’s a more seamless experience that better integrates links into the larger X experience rather than the friction that comes from opening a link in a slow-loading browser. The change could encourage more engagement for posts with links, which in turn would surface more links on the timeline. “For creators, a common complaint is that posts with links tend to get lower reach,” Bier wrote. “This is because the web browser covers the post and people forget to Like or Reply. So X doesn’t get a clear signal whether the content is any good.” The announcement comes amid wider changes at X. Owner Elon Musk also announced Sunday that the site’s recommendations are “evolving very rapidly” and within four to six weeks, xAI’s Grok system “will literally read every post and watch every video (100M+ per day) to match users with content they’re most likely to find interesting.” While links may be buried in X’s timeline today, the right algorithm tweaks and UX changes could better surface posts with links and make the site more friendly for creators and publishers. Bier denied that links are de-boosted on X’s timeline now, but said they do “have lower engagement and we are trying to fix that.” “If you’re a writer or journalist who left X in the last couple years, coming back could be the biggest arbitrage opportunity of your career,” he wrote. Once the online water cooler of digital media, X now drives less referral traffic for publishers than it previously did, while X’s own usage data released earlier this year suggests a decline in time spent on the app. Outlets like PBS, NPR, and The Guardian have stopped posting there altogether, as news influencers and journalists have turned to alternatives like Bluesky, Substack, LinkedIn, and Threads to build their online audiences. As social media companies adapt to a changing landscape, UX and UI changes can help nudge users towards new behaviors (see Meta’s push into vertical video or upgrades to its DMs). For X, a change to the experience of clicking links and interacting with articles on its app could help make it more welcoming to the writers and readers who powered Twitter in its heyday. View the full article

Love it or hate it, iOS 26 brought the most radical software redesign to the iPhone in over a decade. The company’s new design language, Liquid Glass, mimics how light in the real world warps and transforms when passing through physical glass. Many iPhone users find Liquid Glass refreshing, fun, and technically impressive. Detractors of the new design say Liquid Glass’s myriad transparent toolbars and other UI elements, which let the content behind them bleed through, make iOS 26 harder to navigate than its predecessors. Regardless of where you stand, Liquid Glass isn’t going away. Yet, if you fall into the latter camp and find the new design element distracting, you’ll be very happy with the next major update to iOS 26. Apple will soon let you tone down the design While iOS 26 shipped in September, that was just the first iteration of the software. Apple continues to develop the iPhone’s OS actively, and currently it is beta testing the next major update to the new operating system: iOS 26.1. Apple has been testing iOS 26.1 for weeks now, and yesterday, it released the fourth beta of the software. Hidden inside this beta was a new feature: a toggle to increase the opacity of Liquid Glass elements, giving them a less glassy and more frosted appearance. The option to make Liquid Glass appear more like frosted glass, which Apple calls “tinted” (versus “clear”), makes it much easier to see the outline of individual buttons on menu bars and other UI elements, while still letting some of the color from behind the UI elements bleed through. In short, the new option allows users to tone down the Liquid Glass look while still enjoying many of iOS 26’s redesigned benefits (9to5Mac has screenshots here of what the new “tinted” Liquid Glass looks like). How to tone down Liquid Glass in iOS 26.1 Once you have iOS 26.1 on your iPhone, you can easily switch Liquid Glass from clear to tinted thanks to a new setting in the Settings app. To tone down your Liquid Glass elements: Open the Settings app in iOS 26.1. Tap Display and Brightness. Tap Liquid Glass. Tap the “Tinted” option. As Apple explains in a short message below the options, “Choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass. Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.” It should be noted that the steps for toning down Liquid Glass may change by the time the final version of iOS 26.1 ships to the public, but as of iOS 26.1 beta 4, this is how you do it. When will iOS 26.1 be available? If you are an Apple developer or signed up to be an Apple public beta tester, you can download iOS 26.1 beta 4 right now. But if you want to wait for the official release, you won’t need to wait long. Apple is likely to release iOS 26.1 to the public next week, perhaps as early as Monday, October 27. Once it’s released, any iPhone that can run iOS 26 will be able to tone down the transparency effects of Liquid Glass. View the full article

The shift to remote and hybrid work environments has brought unprecedented flexibility, but it's also presented new challenges, particularly in keeping employees engaged during virtual meetings. As we look to 2025, the landscape of digital collaboration continues to evolve, making it crucial for organizations to refine their strategies for maintaining connection and productivity. This article explores actionable tips and innovative technologies to transform your virtual meetings from tedious obligations into dynamic, interactive sessions. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. To the disappointment of Judgment Day fans, The Rapture did not happen as predicted at the end of September, but keep your fingers crossed for November, when aliens are expected to invade. This one's a way more concrete prediction than the Rapture. Unlike Jesus, we can actually see the alien starship in our telescopes, cleverly disguised as an interstellar comet. And it's not just conspiracy theorists or Joe Rogan Podcast guests sounding the alarm—a Harvard astrophysicist kicked off the whole thing. So hold on to your butt! The ballad of 3I/ATLASBack in July, NASA spotted 3I/ATLAS, an interstellar comet about the size of Manhattan, passing through our solar system on its journey from God knows where. This is only the third interstellar comet we've ever spotted, so it's a big deal. In September, Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb (who had a long, legit career until recently) published "News on 3I/ATLAS: Lack of Non-Gravitational Acceleration Implies an Anomalously Massive Object" which posits that the comet could be a giant spaceship that is going to fly behind the Sun on Oct. 21 (hey, that's the day I'm posting this!), and while it's shielded from our view, the "potentially hostile" comet/spaceship could do all kinds of aerial maneuvers, release a squadron of X-wings, or really anything. Then he appeared on a bunch of podcasts and news shows to talk about his "it could be aliens!" idea and it spread in mainstream press. The cranks took over from there, connecting Loeb's observations with the prophecies of "Baba Vanga" (a blind, Bulgarian fortune teller that cuckoos love), lies about NASA, Loeb's own invocation of the "Dark Forest" theory (where hostile aliens lurk silently waiting to strike), and everything else you could image, then they used AI to make videos about the invasion. So many AI videos about the invasion. So are aliens landing in November?I wouldn't bet on it. If you read Loeb's papers or listen to interviews with him, it's clear he's careful to never make any predictions. He says things like 3I/Atlas "could be on a mission to release mini probes meant to invade Earth," or "If it’s a technological object, then it might maneuver itself." Oh, it could be on mission? It might do something? I could be about to grow 17 heads, and I might release mini probes too. Loeb is not wrong, technically, nor is he lying, but he's not being entirely honest either, because he doesn't follow up his statements with "...but it's so unlikely, it's barely worth considering." And this isn't the first time he's done this. What's the deal with Avi Loeb?Remember 1I/ʻOumuamua? That cigar-shaped interstellar object people thought was an extraterrestrial probe in 2017? Loeb started that, too. He co-authored a paper suggesting it could be a lightsail—a thin, artificial sheet propelled by starlight—sent by an alien civilization. A possibility, but surprise! it turned out to be a comet. Then there was the meteor. In 2022, Loeb claimed that a meteor that crashed into the Pacific Ocean in 2014 was interstellar in origin and possibly technological. He dredged up fragments from the ocean floor, and held press conferences about the "spherules" that might be alien technology. After sighing heavily, other scientists responded with: "Sure, it might be alien technology, but it isn't," and I hope they added, "why don't we put some money on the next 'space probe?'" It's a pattern: Loeb makes a qualified outrageous claim, gets the headlines ("Harvard Scientist: Comet Could Be Alien Spaceship!") while hedging enough to say "I never said it was aliens" when the prediction fizzles. He seems to be trying to raise awareness about how we think about extraterrestrial life and push against the knee-jerk scientific dismissal of the subject, but the way he's doing it is questionable. Science isn't sexy enoughIn 2025, "We should carefully study this unusual object" doesn't land you a book contract and media blitz like "Could this be an alien invasion fleet?" does, but it also doesn't corrode public trust in science, and legitimate scientists studying interstellar objects, searching for biosignatures, and working on SETI get drowned out by the noise. And what happens in November? Our Venusian Sky Brothers might descend upon Earth with cake and ice cream for all, but I'm putting my money on the cranks moving on to flat-Earth theories or weather machines, while Loeb generates headlines in a few months with another "this time, it really might be aliens!" object. View the full article

A reader writes: My question is around my work as a professional industry trainer. I do training sessions open to being booked for participants across the industry, as well as targeted training in webinar form for single businesses. These sessions are about key aspects of our work, including safety and legislative issues. The recent letter about students in academic settings whispering in class has really stirred up thoughts about a pattern I’m seeing in these sessions. Participants, often including managers or leaders within a workplace, despite being asked to put their cameras on and participate, keep their cameras off and don’t respond to questions and activities designed to show their learning and help concepts stick. At the end of the sessions, often there are people who just don’t log out when I’m there for optional question and answer sessions, even when those are finished and others have left, making it clear that they’re logging on, signing in, and then leaving their device unattended. At other times, when I have a group attending together on webinars, I’m seeing participants on their phones, chatting with each other, and again, not participating. These are adults who are getting paid to do the training, sometimes as a requirement of their role or following directions from regulators, but they’re not my employees and often their managers are in the sessions not taking action. For the sessions where assessment and participation contributes to a pass/fail result, I see this much less, but I still need to have conversations with people each time about being failed for this behavior. I feel like my hands are tied: I ask them to have their cameras on, remind them these are collaborative sessions and to participate, and give them options from joining by mic, putting questions or comments in chat, and even just using Zoom reactions, and I even point out that the session won’t go over or under time based on their participation. What would you suggest? I think you’ve got to get really clear on what you are and aren’t responsible for. For training sessions where you’re assessing how people do and their participation contributes to whether they pass or fail, make it very clear at the start of the session what your expectations are. For example: “At the end of this training, you will either pass or fail. That will be based on XYZ. I want to stress that your participation today is a key part of passing. Participation means actively engaging with the material by asking questions or putting comments in chat. I want to mention up-front that you risk not passing this class if you are scrolling on your phone, chatting with people not attending the training, or otherwise not actively participating.” In long sessions, you could also build in opportunities to check in with people who haven’t seemed engaged so far. For example, maybe you do a quick five-minute break after the first hour and use that opportunity to message people whose behavior so far has them on track to fail, to let them know that (and you could ask whether they’d prefer to reschedule for a different session when they’ll be able to devote more attention to it). But for training sessions where there’s no pass/fail at the end and you’re not charged with producing any kind of final assessment for each participant … in those cases I’d figure they’re adults in charge of their own professional choices and if they choose not to pay attention, that’s between them and their employer. If their behavior is distracting to you or other participants, you should call that out (which might be as simple as asking them to go camera-off until they’re done with whatever they’re doing), but otherwise you can leave it alone. And of course, as with any training, it’s worth reflecting on whether there’s more you can do on your end to keep people engaged. We’ve all been in trainings where it’s clear we could either read the material or listen the webinar but don’t need to do both, or trainings where the trainer’s style makes it tough to stay totally focused on the content the whole time. If there’s any chance people are feeling that way, that’s a flag to change something about the training design if you can. I’m not saying that’s the case — and hopefully you’re gathering that kind of feedback through evaluations at the end of the sessions — but it’s always worth looking at when you’re seeing multiple people disengaged. But it’s also true that this is just typical webinar behavior for some people, particularly when they’ve been ordered to attend and might not have much internal motivation to be there. The post how should I handle people who don’t pay attention in my trainings? appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Plunge comes amid warnings that historic bullion rally is overdone View the full article

Culture change is a big topic—and a big consulting business. When I Googled “culture change consulting business,” three of top five (non-sponsored) responses were Bain, BCG, and McKinsey (in that order). Because changing culture is a prominent issue for executives—and often a very frustrating one—I decided to tackle it in this Playing to Win/Practitioner Insights (PTW/PI) called Culture Change Strategy: Three Rules for Making Change Happen. And as always, you can find all the previous PTW/PI here. The culture change consulting pitches It was fun to take a quick look at the culture change pitches of Bain, BCG, and McKinsey. Bain’s was aspirational: “Culture is behavior at scale. Companies that create a winning culture are five times more likely to be top performers . . . Get it right and you not only boost total shareholder return and EBIT growth by up to 500%, and revenue by a factor of 10, but create an advantage that’s hard for competitors to copy.” BCG’s was interesting. It provided three success stories, the two examples for which the singular success metric was cost reduction/cost savings ($500M and $283M, respectively)—clearly BCG’s focus is culture change for cost cutting. (The third case was weird, celebrating a “147% rise in cost earnings per share.” You would think that a $10 billion professional service firm would at least spellcheck the large-font bolded highlights on the landing page. But maybe there is a new non-GAAP measure called “cost earnings per share.”) In any event, its take on “desired culture” is: “We help create a high-performance culture . . . by articulating the unique set of cultural traits that support business strategy, activating them through leader and organization-wide practices, and embedding the culture and change in organization structures, processes, and policies.” McKinsey’s culture and change blurb actually says very little about culture. Of the four elements of “Our Approach,” only of the four even mentions culture: “Capability-driven: We build the skills of your people and the capabilities and culture of your organization to improve organizational health and performance.” Wholesale versus retail There is lots of stuff there, and I am sure there are valuable nuggets in the approaches. But there is lots of focus on structures, policies, and processes. These are all in a category that I call wholesale—things that can be done from a distance, centrally. It isn’t an unusual impulse. Governments love wholesale. For example, a while ago the federal government became concerned about the economic struggles of single women with young children and came up with Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), a federal assistance program that provided cash benefits to single mothers with children. That is wholesale. Giving money to local groups to provide customized help family-by-family is retail. Governments don’t like retail because they have got to find lots of local groups and vet them and monitor them, etc. Ugh. That is a lot of work. Companies are similar. They want to change culture by reorganizing to push responsibility downward—to create a culture of initiative. Or change the stage-gate process for R&D projects—to create a culture of innovation. Or change compensation rules—to create a culture of accomplishment. Steering mechanisms Wholesale solutions inevitably sound cooler and connote commitment to culture change. But the secret to culture change is retail. To explain, l will dive into steering mechanisms, a term I coined (at least with respect to business organizations) in my very first Harvard Business Review article back in 1993, called Changing the Mind of the Corporation. Decades later, I wrote about it again in Chapter Six of my 2022 book A New Way to Think. Both pieces discussed the underlying systems that cause companies to operate the way they do—and not some other way. It is not unlike the (literal) steering mechanism in newer model cars that won’t let you switch lanes without first signaling. You may want to change lanes, but the steering mechanism says: No! My work on steering mechanisms adopted and adapted the work of Diana Smith—with whom I worked for several years in the mid-nineties. She is one of the group of most prominent students/followers of the late Chris Argyris, along with Amy Edmondson, Peter Senge, and David Cooperrider and me. I was attracted to her work because of my interest in the concept of steering mechanisms, shown below. Three elements work as system of three interacting mechanisms. At one end are the formal mechanisms. These are the structures, systems, processes designed to meet goals—like the ones talked about above. Cultural mechanisms are the mental guidebooks that drive collective interpretations/actions. That is, the cultural guidebooks tell you how to interpret the world around you and what actions are appropriate in that world. For example, if Kevin dresses down a subordinate in an abusive and demeaning way in a meeting and the interpretation, based on repeated incidences of this sort of behavior, is that because Kevin is an important star performer, he can abuse any subordinate and get away with it, the mental guidebook will become: “Abusive behavior is fine if you are a star. If you work for one; expect it. And if you can just get to be a star, you can do it too.” In a strong culture (not a good culture, a strong culture), everybody watching such an interaction has the same interpretation. In a weak culture, the interpretations are all over the map—i.e. there is no guidebook. The key is to recognize that culture is derivative of a mediating domain, interpersonal mechanisms, which are the patterns that form as members define and solve problems together. Formal mechanisms don’t directly influence cultural mechanisms. It is during interpersonal interactions that collective interpretations—like the one with Kevin—take shape. The first time you see that sort of abusive behavior in your company, you might not know what to make of it, though you might well get some help from someone who will take you aside and say: Don’t get in that position with Kevin or that will happen to you! In this way, the interpersonal domain is the linchpin. Formal can influence interpersonal. For example, if a company has completely separate marketing and sales organizations, it may promote tensions between the two functions and lots of testy meetings between marketing and sales people. Repetition of bad meetings will likely cause marketing people to warn new sales people to watch out for marketing—they always come up with unsaleable marketing ideas. When that becomes the common interpretation, the next meeting will go worse still, which just reinforces the interpretation, and so on. Eventually often a formal fix will be attempted to “transform culture,” for example to put marketing and sales under a single EVP of marketing and sales. But that won’t change culture because the source of the problem was in the interpersonal domain and the guidebooks are still in the heads of the marketing folks and the sales folks. Implications for culture change There are two common approaches to culture change. The first is to attempt to go at it directly by declaring that culture must change to a desired new state. It doesn’t work and never has—or ever will. The second is to change formal mechanisms—reorganize, streamline processes, change incentives, etc. That doesn’t work either. But the failures don’t stop people from trying. Notice that these methods are entirely wholesale—broadcast a video; do a restructuring, etc. Wholesale isn’t the answer. Culture change happens at the retail level—which means working at the interpersonal level. Changing the way people in the company interact with each other in the interpersonal domain is what changes culture. When it comes to culture change you need to be the change you want to see (a quote that is misattributed to Gandhi). Leaders of large companies often ask me, in response, how can I possibly make that happen in my large company? Won’t it take forever? I tell them that Kremlin watching doesn’t only happen in Moscow. In companies, managers throughout watch leadership behavior like hawks. As a leader, if you behave in interpersonal interactions the way you would like managers throughout the organization to act, mirroring will happen faster than you think. I have seen it in giant companies like P&G. AG Lafley wanted to make the culture more consumer-focused, so in every meeting with any member of his executive team in which they were asking for his approval on a project or initiative, he would always ask: On what consumer insights is this recommendation based? And AG would spend lots of his time doing in-home visits with consumers to better understand their needs. Managers throughout the organization naturally followed suit because of his behavior. In the strategy process, he always both gave direction on what he was looking for his direct reports to produce but also offered to help them in whatever way they would find helpful. That created a culture of collaboration in strategy. I have done it myself in a much, much smaller organization, the Rotman School of Management. The culture was far too professor centric. The tenure stream professors were the proverbial Brahmin caste. But the student experience depended on everyone to deliver, and I wanted our culture to reflect that. So, I always stopped to talk to the front desk receptionist on the way to my office and to the cleaning staff when they came to clean my office (because I was there working late when they made their evening rounds), and to the IT staff, and to the lecturers, etc. Professors watched and most of them (not all!) shifted their behavior in a positive direction. And I have helped it happen in companies in between, as with a $10 billion luxury apparel company that sold mainly through clothing retailers. The incoming CEO was terribly disappointed in the in-store execution of the brand and the inattention the organization had to it. To him, it was a culture of fire & forget — and hope. I convinced him that rather than attempting to change that culture through fiat, to do a series of impromptu retailer visits during which he would problem-solve with the store personnel to come up with ways his company and the retailer could work together to create a great in-store shopper experience with his brands. And I convinced him to invite his senior team members to come — not order them; invite them. Some joined him on the first trip, during which he modeled the kind of problem-solving, partnership culture that he wanted to nurture. He didn’t berate the retailer personnel. He talked to them constructively about partnership. Word got around and more executives joined him on future trips until the corporate jet was packed. Retail execution improved dramatically as the culture changed from fire & forget to partner-for-success. Practitioner insights Culture change is hard. The formal, interpersonal and cultural steering mechanisms that build up over time are there to keep you going in the exact same direction. There are three rules for successful culture change. The first is to think retail not wholesale. There are no master strokes from the faraway top of the company that magically bring about culture change. The second is to focus on the interpersonal domain. It is the mediating domain and the only domain that can directly impact and change culture. The third is to change culture, you need to change your own leadership behavior. There is no alternative. Do as I say, not as I do works as well in companies as it works with children — i.e. not at all! Every interpersonal interaction for a leader is a two-edged sword. If you do it badly, your leadership behavior reinforces the culture you want to change. But if you do it well, it starts the formation of new interpretations consistent with the culture you want to see — and that is gold! 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Evolution escalates dispute, saying rival spent £1.8mn to hire Israeli agency founded by Mossad veteransView the full article

Google Ads appears to be testing an automatic assignment of New Customer Value within New Customer Acquisition (NCA) campaigns — and it’s doing so without advertisers’ explicit consent. The change, first spotted by performance marketer Bilal Yasin, has led to unexpected reporting shifts and frustration among advertisers. “Without any heads-up, and without it being in the change history, a new customer value has suddenly been applied to a customer,” Yasin wrote on LinkedIn. “It was set to 200 DKK… One thing is that Google has assigned a value, but another is that I can’t remove it again!” Why we care. Advertisers rely on New Customer Value settings to determine how campaigns optimize toward acquiring new users. When Google sets those values automatically, it can distort revenue reporting and campaign efficiency metrics. Yasin noted several issues: Google doesn’t know the true lifetime value of a new customer. Artificially inflated revenue skews performance reporting. Many conversions are still classified as “unknown,” further clouding data. What they’re saying. Google Ads Liaison Ginny Marvin confirmed the behavior is part of an experiment. “This guidance is part of an experiment aimed at helping advertisers use settings that will improve results—specifically, to increase new customer ratios,” Marvin wrote. She added that when the New Customer Value is too low—or not set—it can hinder campaign optimization. What’s next. Google says it plans to roll out new customer reporting for all purchase conversion campaigns “in the next couple of quarters.” The bottom line. While Google frames the test as a way to improve campaign performance, advertisers are raising alarms over transparency — especially when automatic value assignments alter reported revenue without clear notice or control. Dig deeper. Discussion on LinkedIn. View the full article

Crypto heavyweight Coinbase said on Tuesday it has bought investment platform Echo in a nearly $375 million cash-and-stock deal, aiming to bring fundraising tools to its platform. Dealmaking within the digital assets industry has picked up pace this year as a crypto-friendly The President administration encourages companies to expand their business in the U.S. Last week, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken unveiled a $100 million deal for futures exchange Small Exchange, paving the way to launch a fully U.S.-based derivatives suite. Echo’s platform makes raising capital and investing more accessible to the crypto community through private and public token sales. “We want to create more accessible, efficient, and transparent capital markets,” Coinbase said in a blog post. While Coinbase will start with crypto token sales via Echo’s Sonar platform, the company later plans on expanding support to tokenized securities and real-world assets. Echo was founded by crypto trader Jordan Fish, widely known by his “Cobie” pseudonym. The platform has helped crypto projects raise more than $200 million since its launch two years ago. In May, Coinbase had struck a $2.9 billion deal for crypto options provider Deribit, plugging a gap in its derivatives portfolio and strengthening its international presence. —Arasu Kannagi Basil, Reuters View the full article

Creating a detailed construction plan is essential for any project, whether large or small. A construction plan template can simplify the process by providing pre-formatted layouts for schedules, budgets, timelines and more. Using these construction plan templates saves time, improves accuracy and helps teams coordinate tasks efficiently. They act as a blueprint to guide every stage of the construction project, ensuring stakeholders have a clear understanding of responsibilities, deadlines and priorities. With free construction plan templates, project managers can streamline planning and execution without starting from scratch. These templates are flexible enough to adapt to different project sizes and complexities and they support collaboration across teams. From scheduling tasks to tracking costs, each template addresses a specific part of the construction process, making it easier to manage resources, control risks and deliver projects on time and on budget. Below are essential templates that every construction manager should consider using. 1. Construction Schedule Template A construction schedule is a detailed plan that outlines the start and finish dates for all project activities. It is critical because it ensures work progresses in the correct sequence, resources are allocated efficiently and potential delays are identified before they impact the project. A well-designed schedule reduces the risk of cost overruns and helps teams stay aligned on priorities and deadlines. For construction projects, accurate scheduling is the foundation of successful project management. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150-600x313.jpg ProjectManager offers the best construction project management software to schedule projects because it combines robust Gantt charts with all four types of task dependencies: finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish. These features prevent conflicts and keep timelines realistic. Filters for the critical path allow managers to focus on tasks with zero slack, while baselines track variance in real time. AI Project Insights provides recommendations to optimize schedules and adjust for risks, a feature unavailable in static templates. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgLearn more 2. Construction Management Plan Template for Word The construction management plan template for Word provides a structured format to outline project objectives, responsibilities and workflows. It allows managers to document the scope of work, quality standards, safety procedures and communication plans in one place. This template is ideal for formal submissions to clients or regulatory agencies, giving teams a professional and consistent document that can guide the project from start to finish. Using Word ensures compatibility with most office systems and simplifies sharing. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Construction-Management-Plan-Templage-Screenshot-600x596.png With this template, managers can break down the project into phases, assign roles and define key performance indicators. It supports risk management by providing sections for hazard identification and mitigation strategies. Teams can easily update the plan as the project evolves, maintaining a single source of truth. The construction management plan template for Word is particularly useful for documentation purposes and ensures that critical information is communicated clearly to stakeholders, keeping projects on track and compliant. 3. Gantt Chart Template for Excel The Gantt chart template for Excel is a visual tool that helps project managers plan, schedule and monitor tasks across a timeline. It allows for easy tracking of progress, dependencies and milestones, making it clear which activities must be completed before others can begin. Excel’s flexibility allows users to adjust timelines, add resources and highlight critical tasks without needing specialized software. This template is an efficient way to organize complex projects in a simple and familiar format. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gantt-chart-template-for-Excel-600x264.png Using a Gantt chart template ensures teams stay aligned and deadlines are visible at a glance. Managers can update task completion, adjust timelines and identify potential bottlenecks quickly. The visual representation also helps communicate progress to stakeholders who may not be involved in daily operations. By adopting a Gantt chart template for Excel, teams gain control over schedules, reduce confusion and maintain focus on completing tasks efficiently and on time, contributing to overall project success. 4. Project Timeline Template for Excel The project timeline template for Excel outlines major milestones, deliverables and deadlines in a clear chronological order. It’s useful for mapping out the sequence of project events, ensuring that all team members understand the schedule. Excel allows for customization, color-coding and notes, making it easy to highlight important dates or adjustments. A well-planned timeline improves coordination and ensures that tasks are completed in the intended sequence. /wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Project-timeline-template-600x240.png Using a timeline template helps managers communicate expectations to clients, subcontractors and internal teams. It can also serve as a monitoring tool, enabling managers to track progress against initial projections. The template simplifies reporting and makes adjustments visible to everyone involved, reducing miscommunication. With a project timeline template for Excel, construction projects become easier to visualize, schedule and complete successfully, keeping both teams and stakeholders informed at every stage. 5. Work Breakdown Structure Template for Excel The work breakdown structure (WBS) template for Excel divides a construction project into smaller, manageable components. It breaks tasks into phases, deliverables and work packages, providing clarity on responsibilities and dependencies. This hierarchical structure improves planning accuracy, resource allocation and progress monitoring. Excel makes it easy to modify levels, add new tasks and assign responsibilities to different teams. /wp-content/uploads/2020/09/WES-Screenshot-600x222.jpg Using a WBS template ensures that no critical element of the project is overlooked. It helps project managers identify risks, allocate budgets and plan resources effectively. Teams can see how their work fits into the larger project and prioritize tasks accordingly. The work breakdown structure template for Excel is essential for organizing complex projects and supporting successful execution from start to finish. 6. Construction Budget Template for Excel The construction budget template for Excel helps managers estimate, track and control project costs. It includes sections for materials, labor, equipment and overhead, providing a clear overview of expenses. By using a template, teams can quickly input costs, monitor spending and compare actual expenses to the projected budget. This ensures financial accountability and prevents cost overruns, a critical factor in successful construction projects. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/construction-budget-for-excel-screenshot-600x160.png With a budget template, managers can perform variance analysis, adjust allocations and plan for contingencies. Excel formulas allow automatic calculations, reducing errors and saving time. The template also simplifies reporting for stakeholders, providing a professional and organized summary of costs. By adopting a construction budget template for Excel, teams can maintain financial control and make informed decisions throughout the project lifecycle. 7. Construction Cost Breakdown Template for Excel The construction cost breakdown template for Excel provides a detailed account of all expenses associated with a project. It separates costs into categories such as materials, labor, equipment, permits and subcontractor fees. This level of detail allows project managers to monitor spending closely, identify cost drivers and ensure resources are used efficiently. Using a template standardizes reporting and improves financial transparency. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Cost-Breakdown-Structure-Template-600x294.png With this template, managers can compare estimated versus actual costs, helping to control budget deviations. It supports decision-making by highlighting areas that may require cost reduction or additional funding. Excel’s customizable format allows teams to tailor the template to specific project needs and generate reports for clients or internal reviews. A construction cost breakdown template for Excel is an essential tool for maintaining financial clarity and accountability on every project. 8. Construction Scope of Work Template The construction scope of work template defines the project deliverables, objectives and tasks in a clear and structured format. It establishes the responsibilities of contractors, subcontractors and stakeholders, providing a reference point for project execution. A well-prepared scope of work prevents misunderstandings, reduces disputes and ensures all parties agree on the project requirements before work begins. /wp-content/uploads/2025/05/construction-scope-of-work-600x289.png Using this template helps project managers communicate expectations effectively. It can include project milestones, technical specifications, quality standards and timelines. Teams can refer to the document throughout the project to stay aligned on goals and responsibilities. The construction scope of work template is a vital tool for planning, monitoring and executing projects efficiently while minimizing risks and ensuring accountability. 9. Construction Change Order Template The construction change order template documents modifications to the original project scope, schedule or budget. Change orders are common in construction projects due to design adjustments, unforeseen conditions, or client requests. Using a template ensures that all changes are recorded, approved and communicated to relevant parties, minimizing disputes and maintaining accountability. It provides a consistent and professional format for capturing essential details. /wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Change-Order-Screenshot-600x475.jpg With this template, project managers can track the impact of changes on timelines and costs. It supports documentation for contract compliance and financial reporting, ensuring that modifications are managed efficiently. Teams can review approvals, adjustments and revised schedules in one place. The construction change order template is an essential tool for controlling project changes, maintaining transparency and protecting all parties involved in the construction process. 10. Construction Safety Plan Template The construction safety plan template provides a framework to document safety policies, procedures and hazard mitigation strategies. Safety plans are critical for protecting workers, minimizing accidents and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This template outlines responsibilities, emergency protocols, training requirements and safety inspections, creating a clear reference for all personnel on site. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Construction-Safety-Plan-Template-Excerpt-600x618.png Using a safety plan template helps project managers monitor compliance, reduce risks and promote a culture of safety. Teams can update procedures as conditions change and record incidents for continuous improvement. The construction safety plan template also aids communication, ensuring that all stakeholders understand their role in maintaining a safe work environment. This template is a key resource for managing risks and safeguarding both personnel and project assets. ProjectManager Is Better Than Construction Plan Templates While construction plan templates are useful starting points, they cannot replace dynamic project management software. ProjectManager offers far more than static templates by giving teams real-time control over multiple projects simultaneously. Managers can view all active projects in one interface, track progress across teams, and adjust priorities instantly. Unlike a template, which is static and requires manual updates, our software has multiple project views that allow different teams to work with the tools that are appropriate for their jobs, from kanban boards and task lists to calendar and sheet views. Watch below to see how our software can support your construction projects. Optimize Resource Management ProjectManager allows construction managers to plan, assign and monitor resources across multiple projects with precision. Teams can see workload, availability and skill sets in real time, avoiding overallocation or idle time. The software lets managers assign tasks to specific personnel, schedule equipment usage and track material availability. Color-coded workload charts highlight conflicts and allow for quick adjustments, which templates cannot provide. The team page offers a daily or weekly view of progress and priority and can quickly update tasks without leaving the page. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Enhance Tracking with AI Project Insights Tracking progress is seamless with ProjectManager, far beyond what a static template can offer. Managers can monitor task completion, milestone achievement and project variance in real time. Timesheets can be updated directly on the job site with mobile access, capturing labor hours accurately. AI-powered analysis identifies potential delays, recommends schedule adjustments and predicts cost overruns before they occur. Detailed reporting and dashboards make it easy to communicate status to stakeholders. This level of insight ensures projects stay on track, risks are mitigated proactively and informed decisions can be made instantly. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-Light-Mode-Dashboard-GPT5.png Related Construction Planning Content Construction plan templates are part of the larger construction project management process. But templates, as we’ve learned, are at best a workaround. For those who want to learn more about the basics of managing construction projects, check out the links below. Some articles show you how to create a construction management plan and much more. 32 Construction Documents (Templates Included) 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples 18 Construction Methods and Techniques How to Make a Construction Management Plan (with Example & Template) Construction Phases: Documentation, Templates & Steps ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or at the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay up to date with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post 10 Free Construction Plan Templates for Excel & Word appeared first on ProjectManager. 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. Right now, black JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones are down to $39.99 (originally $129.95), offering a nearly 70% discount on this long-lasting, noise-cancelling alternative to in-ear buds from a reliable brand with free shipping. JBL Live 460NC Noise Cancelling On-Ear Headphones $39.99 at Walmart $129.95 Save $89.96 Get Deal Get Deal $39.99 at Walmart $129.95 Save $89.96 Battery life is the standout feature on these headphones, which provide up to 50 hours of playback with ANC off and up to 40 hours with ANC on. Ten minutes of charging provides around four hours of extra playtime. While some consumer reviews say they experience discomfort due to a feeling of tightness when worn for long periods (likely due to the on-ear design), most find them to be a lightweight option that’s “comfortable enough to wear all day without any regret," as noted in this PCMag review. For a $40 price point, these headphones offer high-quality adaptive noise cancelling to drown out background noise and clear, crisp audio powered by 40mm drivers. They perform well across all genres, making them ideal for everyday listening. They feature three main settings: ANC, Ambient Aware, and TalkThru mode, which lets you hear surroundings or have a chat without taking off the headphones. Buttons on the ear cup allow you to manage calls, with a VoiceAware feature letting you control how much of your own mic input is routed back into the earbuds. They also integrate with Alexa and Google, which can be controlled by tapping the ear cup. If you want to adjust EQ and presets, you can do so on the companion app. They might not offer the best-in-class ANC or come with a carrying case, but they offer outstanding value at just $40. If your priority is good sound, long battery life, decent comfort, and modern features like app controls and ANC, the JBL Live 460NC on-ear headphones hit the sweet spot between everyday value, audio performance, and comfort. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods Pro 2 Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $169.99 (List Price $249.00) Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge 256GB Unlocked AI Phone (Titanium JetBlack) — $799.99 (List Price $799.99) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $299.00 (List Price $349.00) Blink Mini 2 1080p Indoor Security Camera (2-Pack, White) — $69.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Battery Doorbell Plus — $149.99 (List Price $149.99) Blink Video Doorbell Wireless (Newest Model) + Sync Module Core — $69.99 (List Price $69.99) Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen, 2-pack, White) — $79.99 (List Price $99.98) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen, 2023) — $49.99 (List Price $49.99) Shark AV2501S AI Ultra Robot Vacuum with HEPA Self-Empty Base — $359.89 (List Price $549.99) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $139.99 (List Price $139.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Small businesses are constantly navigating the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. Zoom’s recent announcement of new features for Zoom Spaces promises to enhance how companies manage their work environments. With AI-driven upgrades such as photo check-in for Visitor Management and an AI Companion for Zoom Rooms, small businesses can now leverage cutting-edge technology to improve collaboration and productivity. Jeff Smith, Zoom’s head of Product for Workplace AI, Meetings, and Spaces, emphasized the transformative potential of these innovations. “The future of office work is being revolutionized. Zoom Spaces transform how we think about collaboration by creating dynamic environments where innovation and productivity aren’t limited by physical presence,” he stated. This offers a compelling glimpse into how businesses can remain competitive in a fast-paced digital world. The introduction of photo check-in for Visitor Management is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have extensive resources for security and visitor tracking. This feature allows employees to verify visitors through pictures, ensuring a smooth entry process while enhancing security protocols. By simplifying visitor management, businesses can create a more welcoming experience for clients and partners, thus fostering better relationships. Small business owners will also find value in the Recorder with AI Companion for Zoom Rooms. This feature enables comprehensive meeting documentation, allowing for easy access to discussions and key decisions made during meetings. “Zoom Spaces is fostering a more connected, inclusive workspace that adapts to how modern teams actually work,” Smith added. The AI Companion assists in summarizing discussions and providing actionable insights, which can boost team efficiency and ensure everyone stays on the same page, regardless of their physical location. Collaboration is further enhanced through Zoom’s partnerships with major companies like HP, Google, Cisco, Meta, and Logitech. These alliances bring an array of tools and resources to small businesses, offering integrations that can streamline workflows and reduce friction in operations. For instance, partnering with hardware providers allows small businesses to access cutting-edge technology without incurring the costs of developing solutions in-house. Despite these advantages, small business owners should be mindful of the potential challenges associated with adopting new technology. Transitioning to AI-first environments may require training for employees, particularly those who are less tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff can effectively utilize these new features will be critical for maximizing their benefits. Moreover, small businesses may face initial costs associated with upgrading existing systems or integrating new technologies into their operations. As remote and hybrid work continues to be a dominant trend, Zoom’s innovations provide small business owners with the tools necessary for success. These enhancements not only improve internal operations but also allow businesses to adapt to the needs of a modern workforce. The ability to foster connection, regardless of physical location, can be a game-changer for small companies striving to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. Robust features like photo check-in and enhanced recording capabilities equip businesses with the essentials for efficient collaboration. By focusing on these advancements, small business owners can gain a clearer understanding of how to implement strategies that keep their teams engaged and productive. As Jeff Smith notes, the future of work is rapidly changing; how businesses adapt to these changes will define their success in the years to come. For further details on these innovations, visit Zoom’s blog. This article, "Zoom Expands AI Tools in Spaces to Power Smarter Hybrid Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Small businesses are constantly navigating the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work. Zoom’s recent announcement of new features for Zoom Spaces promises to enhance how companies manage their work environments. With AI-driven upgrades such as photo check-in for Visitor Management and an AI Companion for Zoom Rooms, small businesses can now leverage cutting-edge technology to improve collaboration and productivity. Jeff Smith, Zoom’s head of Product for Workplace AI, Meetings, and Spaces, emphasized the transformative potential of these innovations. “The future of office work is being revolutionized. Zoom Spaces transform how we think about collaboration by creating dynamic environments where innovation and productivity aren’t limited by physical presence,” he stated. This offers a compelling glimpse into how businesses can remain competitive in a fast-paced digital world. The introduction of photo check-in for Visitor Management is particularly beneficial for small businesses that may not have extensive resources for security and visitor tracking. This feature allows employees to verify visitors through pictures, ensuring a smooth entry process while enhancing security protocols. By simplifying visitor management, businesses can create a more welcoming experience for clients and partners, thus fostering better relationships. Small business owners will also find value in the Recorder with AI Companion for Zoom Rooms. This feature enables comprehensive meeting documentation, allowing for easy access to discussions and key decisions made during meetings. “Zoom Spaces is fostering a more connected, inclusive workspace that adapts to how modern teams actually work,” Smith added. The AI Companion assists in summarizing discussions and providing actionable insights, which can boost team efficiency and ensure everyone stays on the same page, regardless of their physical location. Collaboration is further enhanced through Zoom’s partnerships with major companies like HP, Google, Cisco, Meta, and Logitech. These alliances bring an array of tools and resources to small businesses, offering integrations that can streamline workflows and reduce friction in operations. For instance, partnering with hardware providers allows small businesses to access cutting-edge technology without incurring the costs of developing solutions in-house. Despite these advantages, small business owners should be mindful of the potential challenges associated with adopting new technology. Transitioning to AI-first environments may require training for employees, particularly those who are less tech-savvy. Ensuring that staff can effectively utilize these new features will be critical for maximizing their benefits. Moreover, small businesses may face initial costs associated with upgrading existing systems or integrating new technologies into their operations. As remote and hybrid work continues to be a dominant trend, Zoom’s innovations provide small business owners with the tools necessary for success. These enhancements not only improve internal operations but also allow businesses to adapt to the needs of a modern workforce. The ability to foster connection, regardless of physical location, can be a game-changer for small companies striving to maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly digital world. Robust features like photo check-in and enhanced recording capabilities equip businesses with the essentials for efficient collaboration. By focusing on these advancements, small business owners can gain a clearer understanding of how to implement strategies that keep their teams engaged and productive. As Jeff Smith notes, the future of work is rapidly changing; how businesses adapt to these changes will define their success in the years to come. For further details on these innovations, visit Zoom’s blog. This article, "Zoom Expands AI Tools in Spaces to Power Smarter Hybrid Work" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

General Motors lifted its financial outlook for the year and slightly lowered its expected hit from tariffs, as the automaker awaits expected relief on tariffs in the U.S. while confronting a weakening market for electric vehicles. The company now expects its annual adjusted core profit to be between $12.0 billion to $13.0 billion, compared with its prior estimate of $10.0 billion to $12.5 billion. The Detroit automaker said tariffs would hit its bottom line less than anticipated, lowering its updated impact to a range of $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion, from a previous $4 billion to $5 billion. Shares rose about 8% in premarket trading. GM’s outlook hike lifted crosstown peer Ford and U.S.-listed shares of Stellantis nearly 2% each in premarket trade. EARNINGS TOP WALL ST EXPECTATIONS GM’s quarterly adjusted earnings per share dropped to $2.80, beating LSEG analysts’ expectation of $2.31. The auto giant earlier this month took a $1.6 billion charge from changes to its EV strategy. At the end of September, a $7,500 tax credit on battery-powered models went away, and there has been further loosening of regulations around vehicle emissions. In a letter to shareholders, GM CEO Mary Barra said she expects the company to incur future charges related to EVs. “By acting swiftly and decisively to address overcapacity, we expect to reduce EV losses in 2026 and beyond,” she said. Revenue for the quarter ended September marginally fell to $48.6 billion from a year earlier. U.S. car sales have stayed strong despite uncertainty around the tariffs, rising 6% in the third quarter. While automakers have largely avoided raising sticker prices to offset their tariff costs, American car shoppers have continued to opt for pricier models and added features. TARIFF RELIEF FOR U.S. AUTO INDUSTRY GM said it plans to mitigate 35% of its anticipated tariff hit. There is relief on the horizon for many U.S. automakers, after U.S. President Donald The President approved an order to expand credits for U.S. auto and engine production, allowing companies to receive a credit equal to 3.75% of the suggested retail price for U.S. assembled vehicles through 2030 to offset import tariffs on parts. “I also want to thank the President and his team for the important tariff updates they made on Friday. The MSRP offset program will help make U.S.-produced vehicles more competitive over the next five years,” Barra said in a letter to shareholders. Global companies have flagged more than $35 billion in costs from U.S. tariffs heading into third-quarter earnings. Investors are still waiting on trade deals to be ironed out with Mexico and Canada, analysts noted, as well as with South Korea, a major exporter of cars for GM. Automakers have been ramping up U.S. investments to offset The President’s levies. GM announced in June that it would invest $4 billion at three U.S. facilities in Michigan, Kansas, and Tennessee. The automaker imports about half of the vehicles it sells in the U.S., mainly from Mexico and South Korea. Stellantis earlier this month said it plans to invest $13 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. GM SCALES BACK EV AMBITIONS Barra in 2021 announced the company’s ambition to produce only EVs by 2035, a goal she has since stopped referencing publicly, instead saying customer demand will guide the automaker’s lineup. Sales of EVs were strong for GM and across the industry in the third quarter, as shoppers raced to take advantage of the tax credit, but they still comprised less than 10% of the company’s overall sales. To spur consumer demand, GM planned to offer a program that would have allowed its dealers to continue offering the tax credit on EV leases. It has since backtracked on the initiative following backlash from lawmakers, including Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio, a former car dealer. Ford also scrapped its program with the same aim. Other automakers, including Hyundai and Stellantis, are offering incentives to slash the prices consumers pay for their EVs. —Nora Eckert and Nathan Gomes, Reuters View the full article

Learning how to manage a construction company requires a clear understanding of the many moving parts in the business. To help you succeed, we’ve identified nine key areas that every construction company needs to manage effectively. From project management and financial oversight to workforce and safety compliance, focusing on these areas ensures smooth operations, higher profitability and better client satisfaction. This guide breaks down each area with practical steps and strategies you can implement immediately. 1. Project Management Effective project management is the backbone of any construction company. Managing projects successfully requires clear planning, scheduling, monitoring and coordination with all stakeholders. By streamlining project workflows and tracking progress, construction managers can reduce delays, control costs and improve quality. This area also involves risk assessment, resource allocation and effective communication to keep everyone aligned on project objectives. Strong project management ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the client’s satisfaction. Project management software is essential to managing a construction project because it centralizes planning, execution and monitoring in one accessible platform. Construction projects involve multiple teams, subcontractors and suppliers, as well as complex schedules, budgets and regulatory requirements. Software helps coordinate these moving parts by providing tools for task assignment, timeline visualization, resource allocation and real-time progress tracking. It reduces errors, improves communication and ensures that everyone is aligned with project goals. Additionally, features like reporting, dashboards, document management and mobile access allow managers to make informed decisions quickly and control costs, ultimately increasing the likelihood of project success. ProjectManager is ideal for managing construction projects because it combines planning, scheduling and collaboration tools in one platform. Its intuitive Gantt charts, real-time dashboards and task-tracking features make it easy to plan, execute and monitor progress while also allocating resources efficiently. The software also allows teams to update timesheets on-site through its mobile app, track labor costs and quickly respond to changes. With robust AI-powered reporting and integration options, our software helps construction companies stay organized, maintain accountability and deliver projects successfully from start to finish. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Gantt-CTA-2025.jpgLearn more Planning, Scheduling and Monitoring Projects Planning, scheduling and monitoring projects is essential to keep construction work on track. It involves creating detailed project plans, assigning resources and setting timelines for tasks. Continuous monitoring allows managers to adjust for delays, manage risks and optimize productivity. Using tools like Gantt charts, calendars and reporting dashboards ensures that projects stay organized and progress is visible to all stakeholders. Well-planned projects also reduce costly errors, improve team accountability and enhance client confidence. Managing Contracts With Suppliers and Subcontractors Managing contracts effectively ensures that suppliers and subcontractors meet deadlines, quality standards and budget expectations. This includes negotiating terms, monitoring performance and addressing disputes promptly. Clear contracts prevent misunderstandings and create accountability, which is crucial for maintaining smooth project workflows. Regular communication, progress tracking and compliance checks help construction companies maintain strong relationships and avoid costly delays. Implementing Construction Project Management Software Construction project management software streamlines planning, scheduling, budgeting and communication. It centralizes project data, provides real-time updates and enables collaboration between teams, subcontractors and clients. Features such as task tracking, reporting dashboards and document management help reduce errors and improve efficiency. Adopting the right software allows managers to focus on decision-making while maintaining control over multiple projects simultaneously. Related: 20 Best Construction Scheduling Software of 2025 (Free & Paid) Setting Up and Managing Construction Sites Efficiently setting up and managing construction sites is critical to safety, productivity and cost control. This involves organizing storage areas, ensuring equipment is available and maintained and establishing workflows for crews. A well-managed site minimizes downtime, prevents accidents and ensures that materials and labor are used efficiently. Daily inspections, safety checks and communication routines help maintain order and keep projects moving smoothly. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Workflow_Automation_Construction_Zoom-175_Workflow-600x312.jpgLearn more 2. Business Strategy Planning A strong business strategy ensures long-term growth and resilience. It involves defining your company’s mission, vision and objectives and aligning them with market opportunities. Effective strategy planning helps companies anticipate economic shifts, respond to industry trends and make informed decisions. By regularly revisiting and adjusting your strategy, construction companies can stay competitive and achieve sustainable growth. Defining the Company’s Business Model Defining your business model clarifies how your company generates revenue, delivers services and differentiates itself from competitors. This includes identifying target markets, core services, pricing strategies and operational processes. A clear business model provides a roadmap for decision-making and helps align resources toward achieving company goals. Positioning the Brand Brand positioning shapes how clients, partners and the public perceive your company. It includes defining unique selling points, marketing messages and visual identity. A strong brand builds trust, attracts new clients and supports long-term business development in a competitive construction market. Adjusting to Changes in the Economy Economic shifts impact material costs, labor availability and project demand. Companies must monitor economic trends and adapt strategies accordingly, whether through budgeting adjustments, diversifying services or exploring new markets. Proactive adjustments help maintain profitability and reduce risks during economic downturns. Adjusting to Changes in the Market Market trends, competition and client expectations constantly evolve. Staying attuned to these changes allows construction companies to innovate, offer new services and remain relevant. Market analysis, client feedback and competitive benchmarking inform decisions that improve positioning and growth potential. /wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-construction-ebook-banner-ad.jpg 3. Financial Management Financial management ensures that the company remains solvent, profitable and sustainable. It involves budgeting, tracking cash flow, managing investments and evaluating project costs. Strong financial oversight helps construction companies plan for growth, weather economic fluctuations and maintain client trust through reliable billing and payment systems. Securing Financing Securing financing is essential for project execution, equipment purchase and expansion. This can involve loans, lines of credit or investor funding. Reliable financing ensures projects start on time and operations run smoothly, without interruptions due to cash shortages. Managing Cash Flows Cash flow management involves monitoring income and expenses to ensure liquidity. Construction companies must plan for payroll, material costs and unexpected expenses. Efficient cash flow practices prevent project delays and support long-term financial stability. Related: 13 Budget Templates for Business & Project Budgeting Establishing Guidelines for Estimating and Budgeting Standardized guidelines for estimating and budgeting ensure projects are financially viable. Accurate estimates reduce the risk of cost overruns, support competitive bidding and provide a framework for managing project finances effectively. Mastering Construction Bidding Mastering bidding involves preparing competitive proposals that balance profitability and client expectations. Understanding market rates, project scope and cost structures helps construction companies win contracts while maintaining margins. Keeping Operational and Overhead Costs Low Controlling operational and overhead costs maximizes profitability. This includes optimizing labor, equipment usage, material procurement and administrative expenses. Efficient operations allow the company to invest in growth and improve competitiveness. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/assign-people-resource-allocation-light-mode-gantt-chart-workload-assignments-600x295.pngLearn more 4. Construction Operations Management Operations management covers the day-to-day execution of construction projects. It focuses on logistics, material handling, equipment management and standardizing processes. Streamlined operations increase efficiency, reduce waste and improve overall project quality. Logistics and Supply Chain Management Efficient logistics ensure timely delivery of materials and equipment. Supply chain planning reduces delays, lowers costs and maintains project momentum. Tracking shipments, coordinating vendors and planning inventory levels are essential for smooth operations. Material and Equipment Storage Proper storage of materials and equipment prevents damage, loss and theft. Organized storage areas improve site safety, reduce retrieval time and maintain equipment functionality. Standardizing Operational Business Processes Standardized processes ensure consistency, efficiency and accountability. Clear procedures for task execution, reporting and quality checks help teams work cohesively and minimize errors. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/project-status-report-screenshot-2024-600x388.pngLearn more 5. Safety & Compliance Safety and compliance protect workers, the public and the company from legal and financial risks. Adhering to regulations and establishing internal safety standards ensures a safer work environment and project success. Related: Free Construction Safety Plan Template Ensuring Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Compliance with OSHA regulations prevents workplace accidents and fines. Regular inspections, hazard assessments and safety programs keep the company aligned with federal safety standards. Creating Safety Training Materials and Resources for Employees Training materials educate employees on best practices, hazard recognition and emergency response. Well-prepared staff contribute to a safer site and reduce the likelihood of accidents. Complying With Building and Zoning Codes Adhering to building and zoning codes ensures legal compliance, smooth inspections and project approval. It protects the company from penalties and project delays. Complying With Environmental Laws and Guidelines Environmental compliance prevents fines and promotes sustainability. This includes managing waste, controlling emissions and following local environmental regulations. 6. Client Relations & Business Development Building strong relationships with clients, suppliers and partners drives growth. Effective communication, networking and strategic alliances help construction companies secure new projects and maintain a positive reputation. Establishing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Guidelines, Procedures and Systems CRM systems organize client information, track project interactions and improve communication. Structured procedures help maintain long-term client relationships and repeat business. Establishing Alliances With Suppliers and Other Construction Firms Strategic alliances provide access to resources, expertise and collaborative opportunities. Strong partnerships ensure reliable supply chains and expanded project capabilities. Marketing and Networking Activities for Securing New Projects Marketing campaigns, networking events and industry participation help attract new clients. Active promotion builds visibility, credibility and opportunities for future contracts. 7. Workforce Management & HR A skilled and motivated workforce is critical for project success. HR management includes recruiting, training, scheduling and maintaining morale, while fostering a safe and productive work environment. Recruiting and Training New Employees Recruitment ensures the company has the right talent, while training programs develop skills and align staff with company standards. Managing Subcontractors and Trade Partners Managing subcontractors involves scheduling, monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contracts. Effective management prevents delays and maintains quality standards. Providing a Safe, Motivating Work Environment Creating a supportive environment reduces turnover, improves productivity and promotes employee satisfaction. Safety, recognition and career development are key factors. 8. Quality Assurance and Control Maintaining high-quality standards ensures client satisfaction, reduces rework and strengthens reputation. QA and QC involve procedures, guidelines and tools to monitor and improve construction quality. Establishing Quality Assurance Guidelines, Procedures and Manuals QA guidelines set standards for project execution, inspections and reporting. Manuals document procedures and ensure consistency across projects. Establishing Quality Control Guidelines, Procedures and Tools QC involves monitoring work against specifications, using checklists, audits and inspections to detect issues before they escalate. Related: Free Quality Control Template Developing a Contingency Plan to Resolve Quality Issues Contingency plans provide clear steps to address defects or delays. Rapid resolution minimizes impact on timelines and client satisfaction. Related: Free Contingency Plan Template 9. Technology & Innovation Adopting technology improves efficiency, communication and project outcomes. Innovative tools help construction companies stay competitive in an evolving industry. Adopting Construction Management Software and Tools Software centralizes project data, simplifies reporting and streamlines workflows. It allows real-time collaboration and improved project oversight. Leveraging BIM, Drones and AI in Construction BIM, drones and AI enhance planning, surveying, monitoring and predictive analytics. These technologies reduce errors and optimize project performance. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ai-insights-lightmode-gantt-gpt5-600x316.pngLearn more Digitalizing Communication and Documentation Digital tools streamline communication, document storage and information sharing. Paperless workflows reduce errors, speed up approvals, and improve accountability. Free Templates to Manage a Construction Company Using templates saves time and ensures consistency across projects. Free templates provide frameworks for budgeting, invoicing and quotes. Construction Budget Template Download this free budget template to help plan expenses, track costs and maintain profitability across projects. It provides a structured framework for forecasting labor, material and equipment costs while identifying potential overruns early. By standardizing how budgets are created and reviewed, construction companies can improve financial accuracy and make better decisions when allocating resources. Construction Invoice Template Ue this free invoice template to simplify billing, improve cash flow and maintain professional records. It allows construction companies to issue clear, professional invoices that reduce errors and disputes. With a consistent format, payments are easier to track and clients have confidence in the accuracy of charges. Using an invoice template also saves time by streamlining the administrative process. Construction Quote Template This free quote template standardizes proposals, ensures accuracy and helps secure new clients. It outlines project scope, costs and timelines in a professional format that builds trust with clients. By presenting clear and consistent information, construction companies can win more bids while avoiding misunderstandings. Templates also speed up the process of responding to new opportunities, giving companies a competitive edge. How to Manage a Construction Company With ProjectManager ProjectManager offers multiple project views that make managing construction projects simple and efficient. Its Gantt charts provide a clear timeline of tasks and link dependencies to avoid cost overruns. Plus, it filters for the critical path to identify tasks with zero slack and can set a baseline to track progress in real time. Kanban boards allow teams to visualize workflows and track progress at a glance. With mobile access, teams can update progress from the field, making it easy to keep every stakeholder aligned and informed throughout the project lifecycle. Need even more inspiration to improve your construction projects? Watch below to see how ProjectManager supports construction projects. Streamline Resource Management ProjectManager allows construction companies to allocate and manage resources efficiently. Teams can assign tasks to specific employees, track availability and balance workloads to prevent bottlenecks. Built-in tools monitor labor hours, equipment usage and material allocation, providing visibility into productivity and costs. This makes it easier to optimize schedules, reduce waste and ensure that the right resources are in the right place at the right time, which is essential for meeting deadlines and keeping projects on budget. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Improve Project Tracking The software makes tracking progress and performance simple for construction managers. Dashboards provide real-time reporting, helping project managers stay on top of schedules, budgets and resource allocation. Task completion, milestones and timelines can be monitored in real time, while automated alerts notify teams of delays or overdue work. Timesheets and labor costs can be updated directly from the job site using the mobile app, keeping budgets accurate and current. Detailed reporting powered by AI Project Insights and analytics gives managers insights into project performance, helping them make data-driven decisions, adjust plans quickly and maintain accountability across all teams and subcontractors. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-Light-Mode-Dashboard-GPT5.png Related Construction Managing Content There’s more to managing a construction company than outlined above. For readers interested in learning more, check out the links below. They define different types of construction projects, methods and techniques, among other things. 10 Types of Construction Projects with Examples 18 Construction Methods and Techniques Construction Contingency: A Quick Guide Critical Path Method (CPM) in Construction: A Quick Guide 8 Free Construction Forms for Excel and Word 14 Types of Construction Contracts: Pros, Cons & Best Practices ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay up to date with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post How to Manage a Construction Company: 9 Key Areas to Manage appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

There's more than one way to scale. The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Amy Welch. View the full article

There's more than one way to scale. The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Amy Welch. View the full article